Diocesan Pastoral Council 2010

The 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:

[ 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 10^th  and 11^th.  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. 

HONOURING THE SACRED - Our Call to Holiness

PROMOTING SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGHOUT THE DIOCESE  AND DEVELOPING   PARISHES INTO SCHOOLS OF PRAYER

DIOCESE

• provide formation for implementation of new liturgical requirements
• provide liturgical and sacramental formation
• develop a diocesan evangelisation strategy
• establish a Commission for Evangelisation with active sub-committees for spiritual formation and adult education
• investigate the establishment of a Diocesan Retreat Centre
• establish a diocesan spiritual formation program
• establish a Youth Prayer Team
• promote the House of Prayer                                                                       

PARISH                                                                                                                                                                         

• provide opportunities for regular prayer with trained prayer leaders
• provide opportunities for spiritual companioning, retreats and other gatherings
• include appropriate silent times within the Sunday Eucharist
• support families to foster sacramentality in their lives and prayer in the family
• foster an understanding and practice of prayer in everyday life
• develop "sacred spaces" and opportunities for quiet prayer
• foster use of religious symbols in homes
• provide a prayer resource toolkit
• reclaim Sunday as the Lord's Day

BUILDING RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS - Becoming communities of Care and Hospitality

BECOMING A  WELCOMING CHURCH AND RECLAIMING OUR PASSION  TO BE COMMUNITIES THAT   INSPIRE AND MOTIVATE                     

DIOCESE

• develop and foster a culture of welcome and hospitality
• develop understanding of marriage and family in the context of the ‘domestic' church                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

PARISH

• foster a relationship of partnership between parish and school
• o altar servers' programs
• o priest visits to teachers and classrooms
• o community building fun days
• o shared resourcing
• o children's liturgy
• foster understanding of the ‘domestic' church in marriage preparation programs                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

RECONNECTING WITH YOUTH                    

• support and foster youth participation in WYD and beyond
• support the Diocesan Youth Council ministry initiatives:                                                                                          
• develop Mass resources to assist young people tparticipate                                                                            
•          create a sacred garden/space for young people to go and pray, reflect and meditate
•          develop young musicians in liturgical music
•          investigate the establishment of a youth prayer team to visit isolated areas
•          encourage the use of the different prayer forms in schools
• support the growth of YCS
• develop YCW                                                                                                                                                              
• engage the N.E.T team across the diocese     
  

Available Documents

Prayer Presenters

Persons willing to offer prayer experiences

prayer presenters

people willing to offer prayer experiences