2025 DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY
Assembly Song
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DELEGATE INFORMATION #1
On behalf of Bishop Greg, the Assembly Organising Team welcomes you as a delegate to the 2025 Diocesan Assembly. We thank you for generously agreeing to commit your time, energy, experience, ideas, and faith during these two days to pray together, to listen to God’s Word, and to listen to each other, as we come to a collective sense of the pastoral areas and actions our Diocese will give priority to over the next five years.
To assist in the preparation of the assembly we offer you the following information:
1. Assembly Date:
Friday, 14th February to Saturday, 15th February 2025
2. Change of venue:
The assembly is being held at Federation University Auditorium, Churchill Campus, Mary Grant Bruce Drive, Churchill.
Auditorium location: Take the Churchill exit from the M1 Motorway. When entering Churchill along Monash Way, turn left at the first roundabout into Northways Rd. At the next roundabout, turn left into McDonald Way. Take the next turn right into Mary Grant Bruce Drive. Drive to the far left of the car park area facing the Auditorium.
For information on travel time and distances from various locations to Churchill, Click Here
3. Map:
A map of Federation University is provided. Click Here
4. Parking:
The parking area zone for delegates is N5. This area is immediately in front of the Auditorium. Some spaces will be reserved for those with mobility or disability issues.
5. Diocesan Assembly Aims:
a. To acknowledge and affirm the strengths and best practices of our Diocese that we wish to continue to build on.
b. To identify the significant challenges we face in our Diocese as missionary disciples of Jesus Christ.
c. To gain a clear picture of which pastoral goals and actions need to be given priority over the next five years, for our Diocese to develop towards becoming more Christ-centred, synodal, and missionary.
6. Timetable & Program:
To access the Assembly Timetable & Program, Click here:
7. Check in time - Friday, 14th February:
We ask delegates to arrive on Friday morning, 14th February, between 9.30 and 10.00 am. Check-in will commence at 9.30 am.
8. Dress code:
Dress is smart casual. If you intend using the break times to go outside, we ask you to bring a hat. Sunscreen will be provided.
9. What to bring?
Apart from your personal belongings, and any medications, all other material needs (pen, paper, assembly bag, water glasses) will be provided at the assembly. There will be ample water available at the tables. You may wish to bring your own drink bottles.
Food and refreshments will be provided for the following:
- Morning and afternoon tea & coffee, biscuits & fruit – Friday & Saturday.
- Lunch: Friday & Saturday
- Dinner: Friday evening.
11. Special Observers:
Bishop Greg has invited the following people to accompany us throughout the assembly:
- The Right Reverend Dr. Richard Treloar: Anglican Bishop of Gippsland.
- Rev. Fiona Morrison: Uniting Church, Presbytery Chairperson for Gippsland.
- Dr. Trudy Dantis: Director of the National Centre for Pastoral Research.
- Rev. Dr. Max Vodola: Parish Priest of All Saints Fitzroy & Research Coordinator and lecturer at Catholic Theological College.
They will enrich our process by their theological insights, leadership, and ecumenical perspectives.
12. Emergency contact:
In case of emergency, or urgent contact prior to or during the assembly, please call Ms. Cathy Dougan: 0407 544 939.
We ask you to put Cathy’s number in your phone contact list. If you do need to text Cathy, please identify yourself in the message.
13. Mass Venue:
During the assembly, two Eucharists will be celebrated on Friday and Saturday afternoon at the Lumen Christi Church, Churchill, 35 Williams Avenue, Churchill.
There are limited parking spaces available in the church carpark. A significant number of people will need to park in Williams Street.
14. Accommodation: Friday night:
Those travelling quite some distance to Churchill will need to consider booking accommodation in Traralgon, Morwell, or nearby locations. Accommodation booking is the personal responsibility of delegates.
15. Assembly Working document:
An Assembly Working document is being prepared for use by delegates as a key resource for discernment and spiritual conversation during the assembly.
The Working Document contents are:
- Message from Bishop Greg Bennet
- A reflection on synodality, co-responsibility & discernment by Rev. Dr. Orm Rush, a Parish Priest of the Archdiocese of Brisbane & Associate professor at Australian Catholic University.
- Report on the Diocese’s Phase One Consultation
- Report on the Diocese’s Phase Two Consultation
The Assembly Working Document will be available on the Diocese of Sale website. To access the document, click here.
We encourage all delegates to read and reflect on the contents of the Working Document during the time leading up to the assembly, as its contents will be used extensively during the assembly sessions. Each delegate will receive a printed copy of the Working Document at the assembly.
16. Information/Preparation Online meeting for delegates:
Prior to the assembly, we are offering delegates an opportunity to participate in a 45-minute online meeting.
The aim of the meeting is to:
- Provide last-minute information
- Briefly outline the program and process for the assembly
- Highlight sections of the Assembly Working Document that attention will be given at the assembly.
- Break into small groups to briefly meet and chat with other delegates.
Two date and time options are being offered:
Thank you again for your joining in this important journey of faith in our Diocese, especially during this Jubilee Year of hope. During the days and weeks that remain until the assembly, we invite you to include the assembly process, all who gather as delegates, special observers, or volunteers, in your prayer and meditation. May all of us be open to listening attentively to the voice of the Holy Spirit in ourselves, each other, and in our earth, critically aware of the needs of the many people in our Diocese and in the wider world.
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