Synod Session Two - 22 & 23 May 2009
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Report from Session Two
The reccommendations that came out of this Session Two of the Synod Process are:
Recommendations: Outreach and Evangelisation
1. The Diocese of Cairns needs to resource a structured capacity to enthuse
and train radical local leaders for the Church. It needs to be resourced,
mobile, accessible, reaching all people of the Diocese and filled with the
Spirit.
2. We need to develop a positive attitude to our Faith. To have a conviction
that what we have is worth sharing which empowers others to raise the bar
of what it is to be a Christian.
Recommendations: Building our Sense of Community
1. We need to give space to parishes to self-develop and give them the authority
to do so and that the Diocese invest professional capacity to aid the communities
in their development e.g. take notice of the remote communities and apply
their learnings to others in the Diocese.
2. Our preparation of sacraments of initiation should be such that they
actually express and promote community.
Recommendations: Formation of Our Lay People
1. To establish a Coordinator/Team to nurture the development of adult faith
formation for lay people across the Diocese.
2. Consider the re-establishment of the Diocesan Pastoral Council
Recommendations: A Call to Our Youth
1. Set up a team, who are well formed, as youth-to-youth ministers (18-30yr
olds), who will work peer-to-peer with a focus to form local teams to bring
youth together for good liturgy, social action, and faith development. Youth
coordinator would be part of this group.
2. Having a central/city location where youth can identify and gather together
for social activity (eg Theology on Tap), social outreach, and good liturgy.
Recommendations: Diocesan Agencies
1. Complete an Independent review of Governance, organisational structure,
administrative systems, and integration in support of Church mission centrally
and at a Parish level by Easter 2010.
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Synod Session Two Analysis:
This document gives background information from the May 22 & 23 Event
which led to the recommendations.
(For Synod Participants, this was the Open Concurrent Sessions and Fishbowl
Process).
Resource Package
A Session Two Resource
Package is available by contacting Cathy Spencer at the Synod
Office or phone 4046 5653.
This package is a valuable resource for participants to further engage other
synod stakeholders such as fellow Parishioners, Parish Councils, P&F
Meetings, Boards of Governance etc
Synod Session Two - Stimulus Papers
The five Key Issues outlined below have been identified from Session One
of the Synod process to be further advanced in Session Two to be held the
22nd and 23rd May 2009. As part of the Session Two process, writing groups
have been assigned to provide Pre Session Two Stimulus Papers. These papers
are offered as background stimulus for the participant’s deliberation
and considerations of the Key Issues.
• Key Issue 1 - Outreach and Evangelisation
• Key Issue 2 - Building our sense of community
• Key Issue 3- Formation of our lay people
• Key Issue 4 – A Call to our Youth
• Key Issue 5 - Diocesan Agencies
The papers are reading material and in no way do either the writers or the
Synod planning group consider the input presented a definitive perspective
on any issue. These Key Issues papers have been written with the intention
of being a helpful background for reading and reflection. Each paper follows
a similar format and process.
May the spirit work through us all to produce a fruitful and valuable Synod
Session Two.
Regards,
Cathy Spencer
Synod Executive Officer
To download a PDF copy of each of the papers please click the name of the paper below:
Paper 1 Outreach and Evangelisation.pdf
Paper 2 Building our sense of community.pdf
Paper 3 Formation of our lay people.pdf
Paper 4 A call to our Youth.pdf
Synod Connections Issue 4
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the latest information about the upcoming Synod here.
Synod Session Two - 22 & 23 May 2009
The first session of the Cairns
Diocesan Synod held on June 6 & 7 established connections among members
and laid a platform for future developments, in what will be a Synod experience
of progressive sessions over forthcoming years.
Over 80 Synod participants gathered with Bishop James Foley for the reflective
and action based experience which Bishop James said exceeded all his expectations.
The session was centred in listening and action of the Martha Mary narrative.
Presentations and conversations were mediated by prayerful liturgical experiences
which captured the mission and ministry of the Diocese. “Do not let
your hearts be troubled or afraid, trust in God still and trust in me”
(John 14:1) encapsulated the theme of the first session.
Bishop James expressed his appreciation to the participants, planners, facilitator
(Fr Kevin Hennessy CP) and helpers. He asked each participant for their
continued commitment to the Synod process.
The Synod planning team, supported by Fr Kevin has moved to summarize the
richness of the dialogue, and planning for future gatherings.
Key themes identified for further discernment were:
• Formation of our lay people to enable active and meaningful service
and participation
• Building our sense of community to build Catholic fellowship
• Outreach and Evangelisation strengthening ministry and mission in
the Diocese
• Youth Ministries to maintain the momentum of WYD and strengthen
connections between schools, families and Church;
• Strengthening diocesan agency service provision to meet needs across
the diocese.
These key themes will
form the foundation for the next Synod event planned for May 22 and 23,
2009.