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Diocesan Pastoral Council
About
Us
The Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC)
is a consultative body which functions according to norms set
out in the Diocesan
Pastoral Plan adopted by 1992-93 Diocesan Synod.
The Council includes representation of the clergy, religious and laity
of each region of the diocese. They meet with the bishop regularly during the year to review, plan and evaluate matters pertaining to
the pastoral life of the Church and the mission of the People
of God in the diocese, and to make recommendations about those
matters to the bishop.
Members of the Diocesan Pastoral
Council include:
• Most Reverend Michael Malone (Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle)
• Reverend Tony Brady
• Mrs Teresa Brierley (Vice Chancellor, Pastoral Ministries)
• Mr David Carty
• Ms Louise Russell
• Mr Bal Gato
• Mr Paul Gleeson
• Ms Helen Green
• Ms Kathy Kelly
• Mrs Joanne Isaac
• Mr Michael Campbell
• Mr Ed Wright
• Mrs Margaret Sheridan
• Mrs Joan Wilson
What
We Do
Since its establishment in 1994,
the Diocesan Pastoral Council has been responsible for the establishment
of five Diocesan Councils, a number of Standing Committees
and for the conduct of several major diocesan
consultation processes.
The Councils were established
to further the mission of the Church and they do this by facilitating
two-way communication and responding to the needs of our people
and our parishes.
Three of the five Councils were
established based on the recommendations of our 1992-1993 Diocesan
Synod. Widespread concern for the need for
religious development of children and adults led to the formation
of the Faith
Development Council. The Social
Justice Council was established to respond to the
spiritual and pastoral needs of minority groups, those in poverty,
those who suffer discrimination and the alienated.
The Council for Youth looks at
and discerns, in relation to young people in their post school
years, issues and matters that relate to their spiritual needs,
faith education and formation activities (this commission is currently
undergoing a review). The Ecumenical
and Interfaith Council was established in 1995 on
the recommendation of the Catholic members of Action of Churches
Together in Solidarity (ACTS).
The Liturgy
Council was established by the Diocesan Pastoral
Council in 1996 to actively promote challenging, thoughtful and
well-planned liturgical celebrations and encourage the parishes
of the diocese to be creative in the way they plan liturgies.
Standing Committees established by
the Diocesan Pastoral Council include: the
Sacraments of Initiation Support Team and the Gender Issues Standing
Committee.
The Sacraments of Initiation Support
Team is a group of volunteers: people with a good understanding
of the Diocesan
Sacraments of Initiation Policy and with the experience,
expertise, time and willingness to assist parishes in implementing
the diocesan policy. If the Team in fulfilling this role finds
it needs executive support beyond what the Diocesan Pastoral Planning
Office can provide, consideration will be given to this. The DPC
Executive in selecting people for the Team will try to ensure
that at least one member will be accessible to each deanery.
The Gender Issues Standing Committee
was established:
• To promote an understanding and
awareness of Gender Issues within the Diocesan Community and
wider society.
• To develop a concise set of guidelines
for inclusiveness within the Diocese's liturgy and ministry.
• To promote opportunities for education
in gender issues within the Church community by preparing 'issues
papers', convoking meetings and forums and promoting discussion
of gender issues.
• To provide a response on Gender
Issues raised through or by the Diocesan Pastoral Council.
• To provide a diocesan point of
contact for groups dealing with gender issues within the wider
Church.
Click
here for a copy of our Diocesan Guidelines for Inclusive
Language.
Meeting Reports
DPC Meeting Report - November 2010
Forms and Information
Diocesan Councils - Background Information
Expressions of Interest - Diocesan Councils Form
Terms of Reference - Diocesan Councils
Contact
Us
Mrs Teresa Brierley
Vice Chancellor, Pastoral Ministries
Street: Diocesan Centre 841 Hunter Street, Newcastle West
Postal: PO Box 756 Newcastle 2300
Ph: (02) 4979 1157 or Fax: (02) 4979 1159 or Email Us.
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