Plenary Council Member Profiles

THE first Assembly of the 5th Plenary Council is two weeks away.

While the mode of the assembly has changed, those who will represent the Diocese are still committed to the task as they prepare to listen and discern what the Holy Spirit is calling the Church in Australia to be.

The Diocese of Townsville will have five members representing the Diocese. Bishop Tim Harris and Fr Mick Lowcock VG are part of the group that must be called. Louise Vella-cox, Helene Melarekere and Stephanie Sullivan represent the other group. These members were chosen after a call to the community in 2019.

In the June Issue of Catholic News, we shared the stories of Fr Mick, Helen and Louise. In this issue we find out about what the Plenary Council means to Bishop Tim and Stephanie Sullivan.

BISHOP TIM

Most Rev Tim Harris as Bishop of Townsville, along with Fr Mick Lowcock are part of the called group to the Plenary Council.

“I feel this is a grace-filled moment in history” he said. “Plenary Councils are rare events, so I see this as a privileged opportunity.”

Bishop Tim has a hope that he will bring some openness to the conversation at the assembly and only wants the best experience for all gathered and the Church in Australia.

“I hope the Plenary Council Assemblies will result in initiatives that help the Church move forward in faith. I would like to experience a sense of common purpose and collaborative effort.”

The Plenary Council Assembly will require deep discernment on behalf of the members. Bishop Tim said, “I think the Plenary Council discernment processes have been sound in that they have challenged me to become, I hope, a better listener.”

“The process has produced many ideas which are now to be further tossed around and explored.”

“It has been important for me to be extra-attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The Plenary Council itself is a work of the spirit, so we as a Church need to trust that the spirit is truly at work.”

Bishop Tim spoke about another Bishop said that the Holy Spirit can work through walls. “Let us pray for this level of trust as we discern together. If we have closed minds, then perhaps the spirit will open them.”

When asked about how he thought the online mode of the assembly, Bishop Tim believed it would be a challenge for the members. “I have reservations, but again it is the only way at present. I accept this and pray sincerely that we can achieve much. Again, we rely on the Holy Spirit to help us.”

STEPHANIE SULLIVAN

Stephanie Sullivan is a Parish member of St Patrick’s Ingham and is currently discerning her vocation with the Missionary of God’s Love Sisters in Canberra.

Stephanie said that her par

ticipation in the Listening and Discernment sessions held in Ingham gave her hope in the Plenary Council as it gave her the opportunity to listen to others and their experience of Church today.

“I was drawn to apply to be a member because I have a great love for Jesus, His Church and this Plenary Council journey the Church is embarking on,” Stephanie said.

She believes that it has real value that the voices of young people are included in the conversation, because young people are the future of the Church, and she believes they have an openness and a zeal that is unique.

Stephanie was shocked when she received notification of her acceptance as a member. “If I’m honest, I was a little shocked. I was even more shocked once I saw the names of all the other members because I consider myself to be quite ‘unqualified’ compared to

them! However, I know that these decisions were made with a great deal of prayer and discernment so I can trust the decision that was made and that the Lord has me here,” she said.

She believes that the Plenary Council is an important step for the Church in Australia.

“I really have liked that people from across Australia are coming together for one purpose: to hear what the Spirit is saying,” she said.

“I love that we are realigning ourselves with God’s heart and vision for His Church and it reminds me of the scripture in Psalm 127, ‘ Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain’. I have also loved the involvement of the whole Church, especially lay people, as it has really enabled a sense of ownership, this is our Church and we are all a part of the Church moving forward.”