Diocese listens to the people

Several events have delayed the process from reaching this milestone, including the 2019 floods in Townsville and then the Covid-19 virus which closed all parishes for a period in 2020 and then restricted attendance for many months.

In his opening address to the assembly, Bishop Tim Harris spoke about the importance of lay leadership in Parishes and the need for urgent attention to renewal.

“This Diocese and our parishes need renewal because the landscape has changed and is changing,” he said.

“The Parish 30 years ago is not the Parish of today, the practice of the faith is far less and so much has happened in these 30 years.”

Bishop Tim asked those gathered if we have to do things differently, have we got to find new ways for new times, do our structures assist us in the present day or are we outmoded and stale?

“I want to keep listening. One thing I am sure about is that our Church must be mission driven; it’s all about mission. We must become an outward looking Church” Bishop Tim said to those gathered.

During the day and a half gathering many items were discussed including formation for parish leadership, changing parish culture, ministry to young people and families and the importance of modern communication techniques for parishes and the Diocese.

The recommendations of the assembly will be gathered with a message to the entire diocese shared in the coming weeks, and a formal action response about Diocesan directions to be made by Bishop Tim by November this year. The journey of implementation will take place over 2022-2023 and following years.

Bishop Tim said: “We cannot keep doing what we are doing for if that were working, our parishes would be twice the size they are now.”

“The challenge is to refresh our parishes for the common good. Our Church, our parishes, our agencies are nothing without Christ.”

In the universal Catholic Church, Pope Francis is leading toward conversion. But conversion is not an instantaneous event. It is dynamic process of welcoming, discerning, accompanying and integrating.

Bishop Tim said: “For Pope Francis, we must create a Church of mercy where everyone matters.”

“Not just those in our pews on a Sunday, but those we do not meet on a Sunday.”