STORY - "Face to Face at 2007 Assembly"

The title of the Report of the Working Party for Ongoing Faith Development, Face to Face, became an effective motif for the Assembly held at Newcastle University
on 15 September.

The day was characterised by open conversations which led to challenging and frank advice being offered to Bishop Michael. In his opening remarks, he assured the Assembly that “We cannot allow ourselves to be intimidated by what others might think or by what other might expect of us – by “others” I mean other dioceses and other bishops. If you make recommendations to me which seem beyond our competence I assure you I will do all in my power to make your wishes known throughout Australia and beyond – even to Rome itself!”

Speaking at the smoking ceremony to begin the day, Louise Campbell said that “The fire is a place for bringing us together” and encouraged all to “Wash yourself in smoke….wash away inhibitions…” in preparation for the discussion and decisions that were to occur.

Chair of the Diocesan Pastoral Council Peter Conroy, in opening the Assembly, said that the many who had contributed to the historic 1992 Synod and successive Diocesan Pastoral Councils, working parties and committees should “look back with pride” on what had been achieved.

A number of the Working Party (WP) reports acknowledged the importance of hearing one another’s stories. This was modelled during the Opening Prayer when participants shared elements of their story with the Assembly. This followed the first part of the Sunday gospel, and there was a sense in which these stories, and the Assembly itself, became our homily.

Members of the four working parties which had been convened after the last Assembly presented the context of their work. Christine Cavenagh of the WP for Ongoing Faith Development quoted her son’s view on how to be a church for young people: “Just be with us. Wherever we are, whatever we do, just be with us.”

Bev Hincks of the Evangelisation WP asked, “How can we honour our baptismal obligations and be a more effective evangelising Eucharistic communion focused on proclaiming the message of Jesus to all people in relevant and meaningful ways?”

Sr Maureen Salmon RSJ quoted from the survey conducted to develop our understanding of the Sacrament of Penance: “I do not regard the Sacrament as irrelevant. It is essentially a wonderful gift with remarkable potential to grace, inspire, heal and empower one’s life. However, in its present form and expression, it is anachronistic and in need of a make-over.”

Lance Scriven addressed the difficulty arising in terms of parish representation at assemblies. The WP report stated, “A lot of people were arguing that four representatives per parish restricted their ‘right to have a voice’ as parishes merged.”

The presentation of initiatives arising from conversation groups provided opportunity for the Assembly to advise Bishop Michael, using the effective ‘traffic light’ method of feedback! Key needs identified included:

• The official recognition of the Third Rite of Reconciliation.
• Further education in all three Rites of Reconciliation for all.
• Paid personnel at regional level for ongoing faith development.
• Faith development beginning with people’s life experiences.
• Eucharistic, faith-filled people to go out to the community and act with integrity, justice and charity.
• Reconnection with wider community through dynamic liturgy.
• Each worshipping community must be given a transparent opportunity to send a delegate to the Diocesan Assembly.
• Each Region shall have a maximum of 20 representatives at Assembly.

These have been passed to the Diocesan Executive, the Council of Priests, the Diocesan Pastoral Council and the Strategic Planning Forum.

The Assembly concluded with the Sunday Eucharist, the gospel being the parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son. Bishop Michael said that these stories “speak to us about the lavish love of God for us.”

There is an interpretation of the gospel that suggests that the lost (or ‘prodigal') son needs to establish himself in the world, independently of his father. He returns home with an enriched understanding of the lavishness of his father's love and generosity. The son who remains at home is yet to do what he must do to become his own person. Perhaps initiatives such as the Synod process with its regular Assemblies are signs that we have a maturing diocesan church?

Bishop Michael shared some of his and Fr Brian Mascord's recent experience visiting India . “We had a very successful trip, speaking with bishops and priests about coming to Australia in response to a previous Assembly where this matter came up, and I have to say to you that we were successful. We hope to get some of those priests here in the early part of next year.”

In sharing her story, Cathy White admitted, “I get impatient….This is a work in progress and much remains to be done.” Perhaps the last word should go to one of the delegates who said that despite challenges and difficulties, “We need to look forward not with despair but with grace-filled hope…”

Tracey Edstein

‘Story’ extracts

“The more I learned, the more I desired to know about this church that I was born into but knew little about. I realise now that this was the Synod’s goal when it adopted a principle of creating opportunities for people to use their gifts and become involved in the life of the local church...” – Cathy White

“The life of my priesthood has been marked by the development of the Synod process…I believe I have lived in a gifted community of faith. We are not perfect, we are pilgrims, and pilgrims make mistakes and have to find their way back…” – Fr Brian Mascord

“My motivation for becoming involved in implementing the directions established by the diocesan Synod process was a belief that what was happening was what our diocesan family needed at that time to renew its basic mission and identity…” - Leo Walsh

“Music cemented my relationship with the church…We’re not simply being invited to ‘come to the water’, we’re being encouraged to truly believe that we are the Body of Christ, broken and poured out, and to act on that belief.” – Bernadette Lannen

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