DIVINE RENOVATION PARISH FORUM BRINGING YOUR PARISH FROM MAINTENANCE TO MISSION

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Chapter 1 House of Prayer

IDENTITY / PURPOSE We have forgotten who we are and what we are called to do as a Church to begin with It s not just about us! We are Missionary Church: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations Matthew 28: 19-20

Chapter 2 Rebuild My House Priority of Vatican II was New Evangelisation Successive popes have supported this and taken part in awakening the Church. Pope Paul VI: Implemented reforms Pope John Paul II: This is what we believe. Pope Benedict: This is why we believe it (theologian). Pope Francis: Joy of the Gospel: calling us to rebuild, now go do it! (pastoral)

All baptised people are called to Mission 1. LIVE BY GOD S STANDARDS

2. Teach the Good News of the Gospel Salvation is offered to all as a gift of God s grace and mercy (love and compassion), through the death and resurrection of Jesus

3. Act from the heart

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US? Average Catholic struggles with evangelisation and personal relationship with Jesus. They need to allow themselves to be renewed spiritually and grow in faith through engaging with faith-filled people, faith formation events and programs So we can rebuild the Church

Chapter 3 House Of Pain Sexual abuse Declining Finances Declining Attendances Declining Vocations Marriage breakdown Family breakdown Sale of churches, hospitals, Lack of / aging leadership Loss of faith

HOW DO WE RESPOND? Recognise and accept the truth of it It s not all on us. We need to call on God s help though prayer Historically the Church has performed best when in trouble Options: Status quo ie. give up and let the church decline Believe and fight for that belief remain faithful Next chapters explore our how we can achieve this

Chapter 4 CLEARING OUT THE JUNK

LEAD A LIFE OF MORAL RIGOUR GOD S GRACE NOT NECESSARY 4 TH CENTURY

ST AUGUSTINE GOD S GRACE AND HUMAN FREE WILL ARE PRESENT IN OUR SALVATION FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON, SO THAT EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM MAY NOT PERISH BUT MAY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE (JOHN3:16)

LEAD A LIFE OF MORAL RIGOUR (MK 2) EMPHASIS ON GOD S GRACE 17 TH CENTURY

PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS

CLERICALISM HANDING OVER TO THE CLERGY WHAT IS PROPER FOR THE BAPTISED TO KEEP

SOLUTION TO CLERICALISM BRING PEOPLE TO MATURITY

Chapter 5: Laying the foundations: how to transform the culture of the parish community

Giving priority to the weekend flipping the 20% vs 80% Hospitality warmth & authenticity of welcome Uplifting Music varying styles especially & inc joyful praise Homilies key/intentional opportunity for formation including enhanced contemporary presentations Meaningful Community one with deeper more authentic relationships with one another rather than lite/superficial ones Clear Expectations articulate and communicate what we expect of ourselves and those who come to join us

Strength-based ministries ministry that suits a persons personalities and talent / helping to identify this Formation of small communities fellowship groups that meet regularly for spiritual/community support Experience of the Holy Spirit meeting & encountering the Holy Spirit, trusting the Spirit, inviting people to share their faith Becoming an inviting Church reaching out to those absent from our congregation: fallen away/the unchurched/the non-believers Helping active members (us) to become spirit-filled evangelisers!

Chapter 6: The Front Door. The Sacraments Are Our Greatest Pastoral Opportunity Fr Mallon found that for baptism, although people say yes to being part of the faith community, 90% do not return.

FOUR PRINCIPLES 1. INVESTING RESOURCES AND TIME INTO THE SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION. 2. All catechesis and sacramental preparation would be family based.

3. Reception would be no longer based on age or grade. 4. Sunday Eucharist would be restored to the centre of the programs.

Chapter 7 LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Summary of issues that arose in discussion groups The use of the word evangelise The challenge of overtly promoting our faith/ own personal experience of Christ ie evangelising An awareness that we need to not be complacent about our relationship with Jesus Those currently missing from the pews: school families, young adults, teenagers, anyone under 60!

Desire and enthusiasm to take affirmative action embrace change in this time of crisis Our church building was designed as a multiply purpose building for a community parish: Fete, OSCH. On reflection is our church suffering too much as a place of compromise? The opportunity & obligation for missionary outreach to the school community and beyond The need to build our pool of human resources ie: people/disciples Quality/varied music is key to vibrant liturgy in a variety of styles.

In the past the priest was sacrosanct and not to be questioned. Now we realise their humanity. The priest's prime ministry is pastoral, not administrative. How do we /can we support this Concern about meaningful change when we, the laity, have limited power and resources. The need to draw on the power of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Funding any desired changes

TIME TO BUZZ What have you connected with? What concerns you? What excites you? What challenges you? Q&A with Core Team panel

RENOVATION AT HOLY SPIRIT -IT S DIVINE Whatever this new pathway looks like or wherever it takes us, please remember that we are all in this together and we take a deep breath, a big step and move forward as the People of God helping each other as we go and always with the guidance & direction of the Church and our parish patron, the Holy Spirit

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It will mean CHANGE! CHANGE is uncomfortable CHANGE is risky CHANGE is at times unclear & scary

DISCERN & DECIDE. It s time for each one of us to make a prayerful, intentional and informed decision and choice about which pathway we opt for maintenance or mission?

HOLY SPIRIT PARISH 1.Endorsement 2.Commitment

Lunch

WHERE TO NOW THE PROPOSAL Today: Nominate an area of recommended change/participation that interests you. 1. Leadership/PPC: Implementation of DR plan 2. Liturgy & Celebration: Weekend priority, uplifting music, homilies 3. Community & Hospitality: Hospitality, meaningful community, small communities 4. Faith & Witness: Clear expectations, strength based ministry, experience of the Holy Spirit 5. Service & Outreach: Becoming an inviting Church 6. Prayer supporter

Soon: All be involved in positive Hospitality action at weekend masses beginning weekend of 17 th /18 th June Start within and spread out By end of July Interest groups meet to brainstorm and plan feasibility study of ideas/suggestions for change Mid August Re=gather for presentation of above ideas and suggestions Participate Wear a name tag Get to mass 10 mins early Welcome outside Begin the change from within Welcome at the door Welcome through the congregation How are you? Lovely to see you. Have you had a good week?

Stay after mass for a cuppa and a chat and mingle with anybody & everybody. Especially look out for newcomers Intentionally say hello to an existing parishioners that you don t know well. and in the Parish.let our existing community know that we mean business in a good way. Genuine warmth & interest are contagious!!

Before Christmas this year. Re-gather to assess feasibility /suggestions Plan the next phase Leadership formation opportunity Use Christmas Masses as major launch pad for 2018

Final Hymn

RENEW US IN OUR MISSION We are a pilgrim people Of many tribes and tongues Scattered far in a wide and thirsty land We gather to remember To be nourished by your song We come to touch the living heart In whom we all belong

Renew us in your Spirit Anoint us in your love Lead us on to living water Fulfil your plans for us. Strengthen us together To proclaim your loving Word Renew us in our mission May we be May we be your heart on earth

We thank you God of wonder For your witnesses in faith For the ones who ve walked beside us through the years May their faith inspire courage May we hear the call they heard Awaken in our lives today The power of your Word

Like a tree surviving fire Like a town after the storm By the cross and by your love we are reborn As we share the bread of healing Your own body we become In our world we are your presence In your presence we are one We are one

Renew us in your Spirit Anoint us in your love Lead us on to living water Fulfil your plans for us Strengthen us together To proclaim your loving Word Renew us in our mission May we be May we be your heart on earth May we be your heart on earth May we be your heart on earth