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The Parish Assembly
Update - 20 April 2008
We are a people united by faith in Jesus Christ. As we journey
together as the people of God, our hope comes from Jesus who ‘is the same
yesterday and today and forever.’ At a time of change in our society, we
are challenged to ask: how shall we go forward as a faith community in this
Parish? And in response we hear the echo of Jesus’ challenge to Peter, the
fisherman, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’
There was a time when we might have thought that Jesus’ words were directed
only to members of our Church leadership. We might have talked about ‘those
who should do something’. However, it is clear that this is not the vision
of Church that God has for us today. Since the middle of the last century
and especially since the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, God is calling
us all to recognise ourselves instead as a faith community, a people bound
by our common baptism and called to serve and be served.
The late Pope John Paul II cautioned that this renewed understanding
of Church has implications for every aspect of the Church’s life and for
every member of the Church.
The primary focus of our energy has to be on a new self-understanding for
the members of the Church rather than on changing structures alone. A deeper
awareness of where God is calling each baptised person will, in turn, strengthen
a renewed and vibrant Church. Any changes to structures or local practices
will only make sense if they flow from this spirit of service to God and
his Church.
‘Let us be under no illusion that unless we follow this spiritual path, external
structures of communion will serve little purpose. They would be mechanisms
without a soul, ‘masks’ of communion rather than its meaningful expression
and growth.’ – Pope John Paul II (1999).
Next Sunday, 27th April, the second preparation session for the Parish
Assembly will be held at Maryland, 3.30pm to 5.30pm. Father Michael O’Boy,
who will lead this session, will be inviting us to see our calling as a eucharistic
people. He will also give us a theological and spiritual understanding of
what we will be attempting to do at our Assembly in May and in the future.
Mass will be celebrated at the end of this session.
Update - 13 April 2008
On Wednesday evening we had a great
turn-out for our 1st session in preparation for the Parish Assembly in May.
I was heartened by the enthusiasm, interest and commitment that was shown
by all who were present.
I believe that it is a great sign for
the future ongoing development of our Parish, as we move forward in faith,
trusting that the Risen Christ is with us and that the Spirit will guide
and direct us
The Second Vatican Council defined
the Church as the ‘People of God’. Clergy and laity who receive the wine
of the Gospel message into fresh wineskins enable the existence and the effectiveness
of the Church’s mission in the world. Without an active laity, living out
their baptismal call to holiness and service, the ministry of the clergy
is diminished and ultimately ineffectual. 
The laity breathe life into the Gospel
message preached by the clergy and celebrated with them in the sacraments.
Without a significant degree of mutual support among the clergy and laity,
both the wine and the wineskins could be lost.
The 1st Session of Preparation, (and
many thanks to Clare Watkins (pictured right) for facilitating) dealt
with ‘What does it mean to be baptised?’ and
reminded us of our calling.
If we can make our Parish into a new
wineskin that will allow the wine of the Gospel to mature into the full-blooded
message of the Good News of Jesus Christ.
On Sunday 27th April, we will continue our preparation for the Parish Assembly
at Maryland, 3.30pm-5.30pm. Fr. Michael O’Boy (pictured right) will lead
us in a consideration of what it means to be a Eucharistic
people.
I would, once again, like to invite you to join us on this journey of faith
and Parish development. I would like to extend a special invitation to young
parents in the Parish. I appreciate how busy you are with your and caring for your family, but I
would like to say that we need your insight and
understanding and we consider that you can make a great contribution to the ongoing
development of our Parish.
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9th March 2008
I would like to ask each of you, yes you, to consider what is the best way
forward for our Parish and ask yourself the question: Can I make a contribution?
You are being offered that opportunity
at the Parish Assembly. There will be two preparation sessions prior to the
Assembly – 9th April (8pm in the Parish Hall) and 27th April (3.30pm at Maryland).
The Assembly will be held at All Saints Pastoral Centre on Saturday, 10th
May. On that day I would hope that we as a Parish community will consider
the needs of the Parish and nominate a Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) for
the next three years.
I believe that the future of the
Parish is in the laity and priests working together and taking responsibility.
Your Parish needs YOU. Come to that first night and find out more.
Fr. Charles
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© Ss Alban & Stephen
Catholic Church 2008
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