2000

18th August 2000
New Wine into Fresh Wineskins
In early August the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle endorsed its recently released report on its future plans. Over 300 delegates from parishes in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Upper Hunter and Manning areas attended a Diocesan Assembly at East Maitland. They ratified the plans contained in the report, and made some changes to the "Diocesan Pastoral Plan", the document from the Diocese's 1992-93 Synod.

The new report, New Wine into Fresh Wineskins, contains easily readable information about the Diocese's restructuring of its 50 Parishes into 10 Pastoral Regions. These new Pastoral Regions will enable greater communication, collaboration and cooperation between neighbouring Parishes. This restructuring is one of many changes which hope to bring about greater lay involvement and responsibility in Church life at Parish, Regional and Diocesan levels.

According to the Most Reverend Michael Malone, Bishop of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, "the presentation of this report is the result of an extraordinary effort on the part of hundreds of people throughout the Diocese to engage in a vital conversation about our future".

Four years ago the Diocese began a broad consultation concerning new parish models to achieve better collaboration and shared responsibility. The Preparing Parishes for Change process began with parishes liasing with other parishes in their geographic areas to form 'clusters'.

Aiming to achieve greater collaboration with their neighbouring parishes and taking declining priest numbers into account, each cluster was asked to discern which of three possible models of parish structure would best meet the needs of the parishes within the cluster. Late last year, each cluster submitted its plan to Bishop Michael for his feedback and recommendations. After further consultation, the ten Pastoral Regions were established, and each region is now implementing its plan.

According to Sr Patricia Egan RSJ, Co-ordinator of Pastoral Planning "Plans for each of the ten new Pastoral Regions in the diocese differ slightly, reflecting the wishes of each region. They indicate a high degree of creativity, uniqueness and flexibility".

Sr Patricia says that while the restructuring of parishes and the establishment of Pastoral Regions are very significant, the Pastoral Planning process outlined in the New Wine into Fresh Wineskins report is concerned with more than structural changes. " In their efforts to come to terms with more effective ways of participating collaboratively in the life and mission of the Church, Pastoral Regions have faced the deep issues of the nature of ministry and service in the Church".

Bishop Michael is very pleased with, and committed to, the future plans for the Pastoral Regions outlined in the report: "I applaud what we have achieved together. We have come up with a Plan that is challenging, fair, generous and inclusive of the entire Diocesan community".

The report can be found on the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle's new website www.mn.catholic.org.au

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