2019 Diocesan Assembly wrap-up and next steps

There was a buzz of excitement and anticipation as over three hundred people from across the Diocese of Sale gathered at Marist-Sion College on Friday 13 September for the opening of the Sale Diocesan Assembly which continued through Saturday. 

The last comparable Diocesan gathering was convened well over 17 years ago in Sale by Bishop Coffey as part of the Journeying Together Diocesan Pastoral Plan.  Bishop Pat O’Regan announced the Assembly early in 2018. The Assembly was a significant gathering for our Diocese:

• to develop and strengthen the relationship with each other as a diocesan family and to become more aware of the diversity and richness of our diocese;
• to listen to and share with others’ experiences of faith and life;
• to share ideas on how we can begin to implement new pastoral initiatives in our parishes, schools and across the diocese.

There were 5 major themes for the Diocesan Assembly: (click on the theme to download pdf of the raw responses from the Assembly)

1. Faith Formation
2. Leadership and Governance
3. Families and Vocation
4. Liturgy and Prayer
5. A Welcoming Community 

These themes emerged from the hundreds of responses from parish and regional gatherings during the Plenary Council Listening and Dialogue phase last year.

Over the course of Friday evening and Saturday, we gathered to pray, to sing, reflect, share and brainstorm ideas. It was an enriching and hope filled time and we could truly sense the energy of the Holy Spirit present with us.

Some of the feedback:

“Such a special event and a rewarding experience”

“The afternoon session was so inspiring.”

“I was blown away by the day and all the people I have met. We can do a lot of things and hopefully move forward in our parish.”

A real feeling of renewal for a church to worship in spirit and truth with love and inclusiveness for all.

“as someone from a small parish, it is lovely to feel that you are a part of something so much bigger”

“The liturgy of the 2 days was wonderful, the songs just beautiful.”

“Faith filled, awesome, encouraging and moving.”

“Prayerful, grace-filled liturgy”

What’s next after the Diocesan Assembly?
All of the responses from the 64 Assembly Conversation groups will be published online, see above, and also sent via email to your parish office.
Video clips of the Assembly highlights, the Opening Liturgy and Bishop Pat’s address are being edited and will be uploaded in the coming weeks.
A resource containing the creative ideas that people proposed for each of the Assembly Themes will be distributed in coming weeks.

What are You Going to Do?

In the meantime, what can your faith community do and how are they going to hear about what happened at the Diocesan Assembly last weekend?

• Process in with your parish’s Assembly candle and light that at your weekend Masses
• Gather your delegates together with your parish leadership team/pastoral council and hear about their experiences: what did they hear? What did they learn? What do they see that could be done in the parish/school?
• Ask your delegates to share at weekend Masses what they felt, saw, heard, and experienced cat the Diocesan Assembly
• Being planning for how your parish is going to enact some new initiatives put forward by the Diocesan Assembly
• Share with your community - How are we being called to be agents of transformation?

If you would like more information nor have questions, please contact: Sophy Morley, 'Gaudium et Spes' Plenary 2020 Convenor, Diocesan Coordinator for Liturgy & Pastoral Ministry, (Tuesday-Friday), Phone (03) 5622 6677. 

Bishop Patrick O'Regan's Opening Address (approximately 55min)

Opening Liturgy -"The Call' (approximately 35min)