Pastoral ministry in a missionary key seeks to abandon the complacent attitude that says: “We have always done it this way”. I invite everyone to be bold and creative in this task of rethinking the goals, structures, style and methods of evangelization in their respective communities. (Evangelii Gaudium 33)
In parish life, the task of thinking about and planning for the future is undertaken by the Parish Pastoral Council. In our parishes that work is being done by two groups: the Combined Parish Councils of Camberwell, Balwyn and Deepdene, led by Vince Curatore and Julie Douglas, and the Interim Leadership Team at Surrey Hills Wattle Park led by Peter Collery. These two teams are regularly grappling with the strategic direction and the structure of our parishes. The underlying aim of strategic direction and structure is to offer to as many people as possible the opportunity to be part of a Catholic community of faith; to deepen their knowledge and love of Jesus Christ and to express that faith in word and action.