Diocesan Pastoral Council 2010The Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC) was held this year on 10-11 September, and focussed on the call of Pope John Paul II for all our parish communities to become "schools of prayer". In Novo Millennio Ineunte he stated: ......our Christian communities must become genuine “schools” of prayer, where the meeting with Christ is expressed not just in imploring help but also in thanksgiving, praise, adoration, contemplation, listening and ardent devotion, until the heart truly “falls in love”.[ Pope John Paul II in Novo Millennio Ineunte #33] How to create “schools of prayer” in our parish communities, according to the vision of Pope John Paul II, was the challenge facing the Townsville Diocesan Pastoral Councillors – priests, pastoral leaders, religious, parishioners, heads of agencies – who gathered at the Ryan Catholic Community Centre on September 10th and 11th. As always the Council was placed under the protection of Mary Help of Christians, patroness of the diocese, and the diocesan icon was installed during the opening prayer. Guest presenter, Fr Michael Whelan SM, set the context for the participants in exploring Prayer as Presence and Religion and Spirituality: Journey into Life. He emphasised the primacy of relationships as the human ground of prayer. Local presenters – Marie Williams RSM, Bronwyn Klease SGS, Therese Marie Fleming SGS, Carmel Street RSJ, Judith foster SGS, Mrs Margaret Trevethan, Ms Trudy Clarke and Mr Ernie Christie – assisted Fr Michael in providing experiential moments in Lectio Divina, Christian Meditation, Contemplating Creation, Imaginative Scripture Prayer, Liturgical Blessings, Praying with Icons, Charismatic Prayer, Theological Reflection and Prayer with Mary the Theotokos. These experiences were greatly appreciated by the councillors, many of whom were unaware of the rich prayer traditions available within our Catholic Church. They went away ‘fired up’ to find ways of providing such experiences for their fellow parishioners. On Saturday morning, Bishop Michael Putney formally declared the Council in session and the Councillors enthusiastically set about the task of proposing practical strategies to achieve the stated aim - that of transforming our parish communities into “schools of prayer”. The highpoint of the gathering was the celebration of Eucharist in the Sacred Heart Cathedral followed by an informal dinner in the Cathedral precinct. DPC STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS FOR 2010-2012
HONOURING THE SACRED - Our Call to HolinessPROMOTING SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGHOUT THE DIOCESE AND DEVELOPING PARISHES INTO SCHOOLS OF PRAYERDIOCESE
PARISH
BUILDING RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS - Becoming communities of Care and HospitalityBECOMING A WELCOMING CHURCH AND RECLAIMING OUR PASSION TO BE COMMUNITIES THAT INSPIRE AND MOTIVATEDIOCESE
PARISH
RECONNECTING WITH YOUTH
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