Discerning signs of times

IN 2018, when the decision to hold a Plenary Council was announced, the entire People of God began preparing for this historic moment by listening to God and by listening to one another’s stories of faith.

This four-year journey of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia will conclude with a Second Assembly in July 2022.

Due to Covid-19, the First Assembly was essentially an online delivery. The Second Assembly will be face-to-face in Sydney.

The Plenary Council was set up to assist in discerning what God is asking of us in Australia at this present time.

So, the process has well and truly begun for the Bishops and other representatives of all the Dioceses. A framework of motions has been prepared across eight mission areas that the 277 members – clergy, religious and laity will vote on in July.

Of course, our own Diocese of Townsville has been involved very much in discerning a way forward for its parishes.

This local process has been running side-by-side the Plenary Council process and it has been very much a complimentary journey.

At the heart of both processes is “renewal” by discerning the signs of the times and the changing realities in the Church and world.

We have been asking what is working well and what is not.

Our recent Diocesan Assembly recommended that I adopt six Parish Common Directions.

It became clear to the Assembly members that our parishes were not growing as they should (congregations were actually shrinking).

The challenges for our parishes today is immense. Covid-19 has not helped us with some people continuing to stay away.

With decreased Sunday attendance, parishes in some cases are finding it hard to pay their bills. Congregations are ageing with the next generation not present to carry the baton.

To do nothing in these circumstances is not an option. It cannot be “business as usual” because “business” is slow.

Our Diocese, and our Church in Australia are at a crossroads in this sense.

For me, it is about “making disciples” by offering support to our parishes to become more outward-looking and literally to go out on mission.

The Diocese has set aside a significant financial investment to help our parishes with the challenges that are before us.

The “Diocese” cannot do the work of parishes but it can offer assistance in terms of parish structures and ways of thinking and acting.

The Church is more than a parish building. We are the “Church” together and must become the living stones. We also cannot wait for people to come to us otherwise we will be waiting a long time. Mind you, I see some good work going on in parishes. Many are attractive and life-giving. Yet all of our parishes will benefit from a co-ordinated and strategic focus on Christ, for it is Christ who is our foundation stone. He is the reason we exist and it is his message that we must live and preach.

I call on Catholics everywhere in the Diocese to engage with your faith and come to understand that faith and practice go hand-in-hand. For us, our faith is strengthened and given meaning when we are regularly nourished by word and sacrament. This is our food for the journey.

I pray for the Catholic Church in Australia at this critical time of discernment and renewal.