tasmanian catholic - volume 4 issue 5 2008

Volume 4: Issue 5 2008A publication of the Archdiocese of HobartComplimentary

23

Dear Friends in Christ,

Welcome to a special edition of the

Tasmanian Catholic that is focused on

the forthcoming Diocesan Assembly.

On the weekend of November 15th and 16th,

invitees from across the Archdioceses will meet

at St Patrick’s College in Launceston as part

of the Assembly. Joining the priests who are

currently active in the pastoral ministry in the

Archdiocese, will be men and women from all

parts of Tasmania, including King and Flinders

Islands. Also attending will be Religious, and

a number who are involved in the Education,

Welfare and Administration sectors of the Church.

There will also be a strong presence of younger

men and women who have participated in the

recent efforts around World Youth Day 2008.

Nearly ten years has passed since Call to

Change was launched in the Archdiocese and

it is now time to review the outcomes of this

program and to consider what should be our

preferred pastoral approach over the next few

years.

The Diocesan Assembly is also an opportunity

for all to share, listen and consider the challenges

facing the Church over the next five to ten years

and develop priorities over the next three years

to meet these challenges.

For those who aren’t able to attend, I urge

you to make you views known to your Diocesan

Assembly representatives.

Many may remember the Diocesan Assembly,

Shaping Our Future, being held in August

1986.

From that Diocesan Assembly held 22 years

ago, the issues raised were wide-ranging. They

included, in part, concerns over provision of

renewal and faith development opportunities;

lay leadership; young people and the Church;

small communities; the importance of building

up more effective cooperation between parishes

and other themes.

Many of these outcomes led directly into the

Renew program, one of the most significant and

Special Diocesan Assembly Edition

certainly most far reaching Diocesan processes,

and the later Call to Change programme.

There were many reoccurring themes that

emerged through Renew, the various Assemblies,

working parties, planning committees, parish

based programs and formation events.

Some of these themes were the centrality

of spiritual renewal, importance of adult faith

formations, the giftedness and essential role

of the laity in the life of the Church, effective

responses to the declining numbers of priests,

a recognition of rural issues and needs and

pastoral care for priests.

From this information, Archbishop D’Arcy

established a working party that laid the

foundations for Call to Change.

While it was clear that the way forward

would involve organisational change, it was the

change of heart – a generous response to

Christ’s call to conversion that would

be the most challenging and crucial

aspect of the way forward for the

Church.

When Call to Change began,

over three hundred submissions

were received as a result of the

participation in conversation

groups across the State.

I listened to the deep

concerns expressed by some,

the hurts and disappointment

expressed by others and the

profound experiences of God

in the lives of many.

Cal l to Change s aw

the establishment of the

Catholic Youth Ministry in

three Deaneries and the

establishment of the Diocesan

Pastoral Council to work in

close collaboration with and

provide advice to the office

of the Archbishop.

Archbishop Doyle writes

www.hobart.catholic.org.au

hope faithcommunityrenew

2 Volume 4 Issue 5 2008

Ten years has passed since the programme

Call to Change was launched in the

Archdiocese in 1999. It is time to stop, listen,

reflect, discern and plan.

The Diocesan Assembly on November 15

and 16, 2008 is an opportunity for listening,

sharing, and considering challenges for

the next five to ten years and priorities and

concrete steps for the next three years.

The working agenda Within the context of the Vision, Mission

and Values of the Archdiocese, questions to

be explored during the Assembly include:

What is the story of the last decade?

What are the themes and trends emerging

over the past decade?

What are the challenges looking forward

to the next five to ten years?

What do we value? What is it important to

hold onto?

What are the priorities for the next three

years?

What needs to happen next in relation to

each of the priorities to ensure some action

will follow to enable a lived vision?

Who is attending?After a process of requesting nominations,

Archbishop Doyle has invited a diverse range

of people from across the state, representative

of Parishes and youth ministry; Catholic

Education Office and schools; Human services

– welfare services - aged services, hospitals

etc; Religious congregations; Diocesan

administration and finance.This is to ensure

that a wide range of opinions and perspectives

is gathered for the Assembly.

Have your sayFor anyone, especially those who have not

been invited to participate in the Assembly

itself, there is still an opportunity to have

your say.

There are three ways to give ideas:A. Fill out the survey on page 15 of this edition

of The Tasmanian Catholic or on-line at:

http://www.mapl.com.au/AssemblyTas/

This survey is anonymous.

B. Describe something enlivening happening

in your local parish, school or Catholic

organization that you would want

recognised and celebrated - A good news

story for sharing. This story form is NOT

anonymous.

C. Write your ideas and mail them direct to:

Paul Bullen, PO BOX 181, Coogee NSW 2034

or email:[email protected]

Information is gathered from surveys by

the independent facilitator for the Assembly,

Paul Bullen, in Sydney. The Archdiocese of

Hobart has no access to that information.

Please ensure your survey answers are

received by no later than Wednesday,

November 12, 2008.

Diocesan Assembly

It also saw the appointment of a person to

oversee Adult Faith Formation, the ongoing

role of the Office of Church Life and Mission

and the achievement of a number of other

outcomes.

As we gather in Launceston in November,

there is little doubt that while some of the

challenges facing the Church remain similar to

those from past years, there will also be some

new challenges that we must consider as part

of this consultative process.

We will be faced with trying to find the right

balance so that the spiritual heritage that is

ours can become more attractive to the people

of our time and in our community, particularly

those who share our baptismal heritage.

Jesus said to his disciples “Do this in

memory of me” The greatest gift that we

have is the gift of the Eucharist, and it is in

the celebration of the Eucharist that we first

hear the Word of God, we make present the

Death and Resurrection of Jesus, and we are

nourished with his very Body and Blood.

It is after that celebration that we are

called to move out into the wider world, to be

“Ambassadors of Christ.” Part of the challenge

is to find the best way of responding to the

call, in the current social environment which is

very complex and rapidly changing. It is not an

easy call, because we are too painfully aware

that many who share our spiritual heritage are

finding it difficult to respond in the way that

we would hope.

Nonetheless, under the guidance of the

Holy Spirit, we have to continue the search for

a way for God’s message to enter their hearts,

be they still young, in the middle years, or in

the closing years of their lives. I am confident

that we will make a good start through our

deliberations at the Assembly.

I invite everyone to pray for the outcome

that will bring God closer to as many as

possible.

ADRIAN L. DOYLE

Archbishop of Hobart

Archbishop Doyle writesContinued from page 1

An exhibition of works by Catholics around Tasmania, inspired by their own incredible experience of WYD

Saturday, November 15 – Sunday 16, 11.30 – 2.00 dailySt. Ailbe’s Hall, Margaret Street, Launceston

INSIDE THIS ISSUEArchbishop Doyle writes 1– 2

Diocesan Assembly 2

Guest speaker: Broken Bay’s Bishop David Walker 3

Assembly Program 3

The Catholic Church in Tasmania: Where are we now? 4 – 5

Catholic Parish of Central Tasmania – Parish and Church 6 – 7

Parish Snapshot: Star of the Sea Parish, King Island 8

Parish of Campbell Town 9

West Tamar Parish 10–11

St Mary’s Parish... What is Church?... What is Parish? 12– 13

Our Youth Ministry 14

Diocesan Assembly 2008 - Survey 15

Centacare Tasmania 17

Willson 17

Catholic Education: Growth Points for the Future 18 – 19


3

SATURDAY

9.30am arrival and registration

Session 1

Where have we come from and what’s

emerging?

Opening prayer, reflection and

discussion

Opening address by Archbishop Doyle

Our Mission, Vision and values

– discussion of what’s emerging

Morning tea

Session 2

What are the major challenges for the

coming decade?

Guest speaker Bishop David Walker:

What is Church? What is parish?

Discussions: What are our challenges?

Lunch

Session 3

Focusing the challenges

Working on articulating the challenges

Including space for personal reflection

Afternoon tea

Session 4

Priorities for action for lived vision

Agreeing on a specific list of priorities for

action that can be steps to a lived vision

Dinner

Session 5

Priorities for action – working out the

details

Working parties to work on the details of

the priorities for action

SUNDAY

Session 1

Priorities for action – Actions required to

get action

Opening prayer and reflection

Working parties reporting back – what’s

emerging

Morning tea

Session 2

Consensus and agreement

What’s agreed – challenges, priorities,

actions – the specifics

Lunch

Session 3

Eucharist

Eucharist – drawing things together

– celebrating

PROGRAMME

Bishop David Louis Walker was ordained

Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Broken

Bay on September 3, 1996, succeeding the

Diocese’s inaugural Bishop, the Most Rev

Patrick Murphy.

H is pr iestly career began in the

conventional way with service as assistant

priest in Campsie and Granville. During this

time, he was invited to return to Manly to

study for the Doctorate of Divinity degree.

Even then, his deep interest in spirituality

led him to complete a thesis on the spiritual

influences in the western tradition – focussing

on the early spiritual writer, John Cassian. In

1966 he graduated magna cum laude.

With this background, in 1967 he was

invited to teach in the Catholic Theological

Faculty of Sydney, at Manly. Lecturing to

religious brothers and sisters in the Institutes

of the Faculty – The Holy Spirit Institute (for

religious brothers) and the Mater Dei Institute

(for religious sisters) and to seminarians doing

a basic degree in Theology.

As he came to realise the importance of

reaching out to make serious theological

study and reflection more available to

Catholics, he developed the idea of writing

out his lectures for people to study at home.

In 1969, in conjunction with Fr Neil Brown

and Fr Peter Neville, he was a founder of the

Catholic Correspondence Centre.

In 1973, he began to give evening courses

at North Sydney. Teaching on spirituality was

supplemented by writing, beginning in 1976

with an introduction to the first Australian

edition of The Spiritual Life by Evelyn Underhill,

an Anglican spiritual writer and guide. Then in

1977, he published God is a Sea: the Dynamics

of Christian Living, a simple introduction to

some classic spiritual writers.

In the first six years of the Correspondence

Centre 6,500 courses were sent out and

approximately 16,000 courses followed.

At the Catholic Theological Faculty of

Sydney, he taught Systemic Theology and

later headed the pastoral studies department.

In the final term of 1973, he ran a pilot scheme

for a programme on reading the spiritual

classics, which led, with Sr Rosa Courney

RSJ, and Fr John Ryan, to establishing the

Christian Spirituality Throughout the Centuries

programme for priests, seminarians, men and

women religious as well as the laity.

Guest speakerBroken Bay’s Bishop David Walker

It was this programme that provided

the momentum for founding the Centre

for Christian Spirituality at Randwick, where

face-to-face and distance courses in Christian

spirituality were offered. The Centre found

ready interest with approximately 10,000

enrolments between 1978 to 2001. He

remained Director of the Educational Centre

for Christian Spirituality until his appointment

as Bishop.

During the past ten years, Bishop David

has consolidated the Diocese of Broken

Bay – extending organisations and pushing

the Diocese into new fields. Amongst his

initiatives have been the groupings of parishes

into three Deaneries and the amalgamation

of several Parishes, further extending the

quality of pastoral care afforded to the people

of the Diocese.

Ecumenical activity was given particular

impetus with the establishment of the

Diocesan Ecumenical Commission in 1998.

Strong relationships and dialogues have since

been formed with the Anglican Diocese of

Newcastle.

The establishment of The Broken Bay

Institute, in 2003, is evidence of Bishop David’s

commitment to promoting a truly Australian

spirituality, and fostering theological and

spiritual education.

In 2006, many of the ministries and

agencies of the Diocese were brought under

the one roof at the Caroline Chisholm Centre,

Pennant Hills. This move has supported the

vision for Broken Bay that promotes and

models collaborative ministry as the best

practice for sustaining, guiding and healing

the members of the faith community and the

community itself.

In the same year, Bishop David announced

a new ministry for women that would be

based on a deep and personal commitment

to Jesus. The programme, Ecclesial Women,

which began this year, will enable women to

participate more fully in the life and leadership

of the Diocese – supporting the Bishop in the

pastoral care of the people.

Bishop David brings to his appointment

a continuing commitment to faith renewal

and to be responsive to the changing needs

of the Catholic Church in Australia.




Ten years ago, we, the Catholic Church

in Tasmania, were Called to Change.

Certainly, it was a momentous turning

point – a time of reflection, rumination,

conversation and some tough decision-

making.

Throughout the period from 1984 to 1996,

the shortage, and indeed loss, of priests and

seminarians, declining numbers in parishes,

and a largely decentralised population

combined to put the Church’s resources – its

people and its material resources – under

increasing pressure in serving the community.

This combined with an increasing desire by

many lay people and priests to shape the

Church in the spirit of the Second Vatican

Council laid the foundations for Call to

Change.

In August 1999, Archbishop Doyle

addressed three public meetings around

the state, outlining the philosophical and

practical decisions intended to revitalise and

reshape the Church.

His Grace said at the time, “Within the

church, we have experienced change. There

are those who dearly wish that everything

could return to the way it was (and) those for

whom change cannot come quickly enough

The Catholic Church in Tasmania:

“Within the church,

we have experienced

change. There are those

who dearly wish that

everything could return

to the way it was (and)

those for whom change

cannot come quickly

enough or widely

enough”.

or widely enough”. Quoting the late Cardinal

Hume, Archbishop Doyle emphasized the

importance of “laying aside our differences,

without pretending that they do not exist,

because they do. Remember that diversity

brings richness and invites ongoing

dialogue”.

The Call to Change process, as it was originally reported by The Standard newspaper, August 2000.


5

Where are we now?His Grace challenged all of us to revisit

our own understanding of our role in the

Church – as priests, as religious, and as laity in

preparation for the changes ahead, including

the amalgamation of some parishes.

Specific initiatives included: the formation

of a Diocesan Pastoral Council; Pastoral Parish

teams; the development of new Collaborative

Pastoral Units; and a new Sacramental Council

for Tasmania, each supporting and committed

to the wide-ranging changes happening

around the Archdiocese.

Quoting Pope John Paul II, who, in

Pastores Dabo Vobis said, “Today in particular,

the pressing pastoral task of the new

evangelisation calls for the involvement of

the entire People of God, and requires a new

fervour, new methods and a new expression

for the announcing and witnessing of the

Gospel” (PDV par. 18), Archbishop Doyle

foregrounded the need for a genuine

change of heart by the Church and its parish

communities.

There have been many pos it ive

outcomes, with many parish and pastoral

units strengthening their relationships with

each other. There are however, many in the

community who have lost their parish church

through the process of amalgamation, who

are still hurt and disappointed. Some of

their stories are retold here in this special

Diocesan Assembly edition of The Tasmanian

Catholic.

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The Diocesan Assembly itself is an

opportunity for the Church in Tasmania and its

agencies (inclusive of Youth Ministry, Catholic

Education, Centacare Welfare and

Employment and

Willson Training)

to evaluate the

initiatives of the

last ten years, and

to go forward with

optimism, building

on all that we’ve

learned through

the process of Call

to Change.

No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak. If he does, its fullness pulls away, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse.

Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins. Mark 2: 21 - 22




Catholic Parish of Central Tasmania –

The Catholic Parish of Central Tasmania

as most would be aware is a Parish of

diverse communities spread across the

geographically challenging centre of

Tasmania. Consisting of ten communities,

with unique characteristics shaped and

developed by the pioneers who founded

them. Each one integral as starting points

for the areas history – as well the nature

and industry of the places to which each

community belongs.

Some of our families raise cattle, work

in forestry, or work for Norske Skog. Some

worked for the Royal Derwent Hospital or

work for Mill Brook rise, some lived there.

Others worked for Gunns before it closed,

others travel to the city. Some grow hops or

work for the Hydro schemes. Some have lost

their jobs with staff cuts or closures. Nearly

all are affected directly by the drought. Some

live remotely such as Bronte Park or Miena or

Strathgordon. Many live in New Norfolk, some

in the Midlands and others in the Highlands.

We are communities rather than a community.

And, we know that there is a tension between

the larger towns being a Parish in their own

right and belonging to a bigger identity called

the Catholic Parish of Central Tasmania.

Our communities are challenged by the

reality of aging populations; the bleed of

young people to Hobart and beyond; the

downturn in rural economies and markets. Not

to mention the withdrawal of some services

including local shops, doctors, community

hospitals and allied farming industries. These

challenges affect the communities perception

of what it has traditionally meant for them to

be a community or a Parish.

For many these places have been centres

where neighbour knows neighbour. The

families are connected in these centres

through marriage and birth and through

sharing the tragedies and joys of life. In some

cases, neighbours have been neighbours

for decades. They have been places – and

continue with effort to be places. Where

hardship and adversity has drawn people

together in support of each other.

Our diverse communities have been

natural places for faith and church to grow.

The message of the gospel has found an

easy ear as neighbour knows the reality of

supporting their neighbour through good

times and through bad regardless of religion

or background. But this too is under some

threat as young people leave for school and

stay away for work, while older members

through necessity move closer to health

support and family. The relied on neighbour is

no longer just next door or down the road. Our

worshipping numbers reflect this decline.

This Parish is not a traditional parish

gathered around one mother Church, but

a group of communities with individual

identities and particular pastoral needs.

Part of the challenge for our bigger Parish

community in the future will be meeting

some of these needs. The challenge is how

this community maintains its sense of Parish

without losing the individual identity and

These (community

events) all continue to

remind the community

of the importance of

traditions founded in

the Eucharist and the

desire to be neighbour

to each other.

nature of the smaller member communities.

They have worked hard to be who they are. In

this community, there are many events and

projects which continue to draw people into

this Parish: morning teas in the regional areas;

people who volunteer for rosters; communion

to the sick; Masses and Liturgy of the Word

and Communion; the Parish Council; the Junior

Parish council; group spiritual direction etc.

These all continue to remind the community

of the importance of traditions founded in

the Eucharist and the desire to be neighbour

to each other. They identify that the heart of

the community is the Eucharist.

Each of the communities over the

last couple of years – through the Parish

assemblies and regional gatherings – have

called for more opportunities to participate

in the Mass. How this might occur has been

a source of concern, as the Parish rationalizes

the Churches, but they know the need to be

united so that their lives might be supported.

The Parish makes sense because the Eucharist

is its heart. It is a real sadness for every one

that in some places Mass is celebrated rarely

if at all and a further sadness that some of our

Mass centres have closed for good.

What is Parish for us? Maybe the traditional values of the

model Parish would still hold even though

the community is so spread out across the

territory of Central Parish.

The values would be as follows:

the Eucharist is that which gives us identity

and nourishment, celebrated as often as

possible wherever possible.

in diversity as a community we respond

By Fr Greg Barker, Parish Priest

Parish fundraising: Christmas pudding packaging


7

the numbers of people knitting baby

jumpers for aides orphans in Africa was

extraordinary.

the closer you get to Hobart the less we

know our neighbour, but we still believe

our neighbour is important.

where we ’ve been as ind iv idua l

communities and as a larger Parish is

as important as where we are going

– traditions and the founding members

of the individual Churches are known and

named.

we belong to the Church even when we

feel hurt by it.

our vision and mission supports the gifts

of each member.

as a community we support a response

to the future by taking some control of

the future in faith – although a small

community we still have thirteen lay leaders

who are respected and acknowledged.

and finally our major centres are called to

worship on Sunday.

– Parish and Church

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King Island is in the middle of Bass Strait

between Victoria and Tasmania. The

Island measures approximately 64 km by 27

km, with an area of 110,000 hectares, and

with a population of around 1,600 people.

Our main businesses and industries include

the King Island Dairy, Swift Abattoirs, kelp

harvesting, fishing, farming and tourism.

There are four dominant faiths on the

Island: Catholic 285, Anglican 438,

Uniting 189 and Christian Fellowship

50 (ABS 2006). About 35 people

form our regular worshipping

community.

Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish

Church was built in 1912. A convent

house was built some time later

to accommodate the Presentation

Sisters, who have served the island

community until the Sisters of St

Joseph came in 2002. Priests have

continuously visited the island since

the first community was formed.

Since the death of Sr Marlene Binns

ssj in 2006, parishioners have assumed greater

responsibility for keeping the faith alive in this

small community. It was initially a time of loss

and grief, very challenging and emotional

for us all.

Fr Phil McCormack visits us on a monthly

basis, a demand which includes a drive from

Smithton to Wynyard following his Sunday

Masses, arriving on King Island Sunday

evening to celebrate Mass with us. During his

five day stay on the Island, Mass is celebrated

every morning.

We are also fortunate to have the

Franciscan priests in Melbourne, who can

assist for special occasions such as weddings,

baptisms, Easter and Christmas.

Lay led Celebrations of the Word and

Communion have been celebrated on King

Island since the early 1970s, Adrian Gobel

being one of the first Tasmanians to receive

training and formation.

Following the sudden death of Sr Marlene

Binns ssj the Parish elected a new Parish

Pastoral Council and Finance Committee.

The teams have worked well at allocating

duties based on expressions of interest and

competency. Gathering together in Jesus’

name to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word and

Parish Snapshot: Star of the Sea Parish, King IslandBy Anna De La Rue, Star of the Sea Parish Council President

Communion takes time and preparation to

co-ordinate prayer, scripture and song. Other

tasks include running the parish, delegating

tasks and liaising with Diocesan personnel.

There have even been funerals that we have

led in the absence of a priest.

Finding our feet was a difficult time,

coordinating various duties associated with

different people who were keen to offer

their individual gifts. Most of the committed

individuals are full-time workers and they give

generously of their time and expertise.

About nine months after Sr Marlene’s

death, formation and training was offered

by Sr Barbara Hateley, MSS and Cathy

Murrowood from the Office of Church Life

and Mission – opening up a greater sharing

of duties in the new Liturgical Rites adopted

by the Archdiocese of Hobart. This new

learning experience was certainly a time of

challenge.

With some follow-up formation with Sr

Barbara and Cathy we were able to refine

our liturgical practice resulting in a smoother

presentation of the Liturgy of the Word and

Communion, i.e. reduction in the number

of readers, more singing opportunities,

the Procession of the Word and lighting of

candles before the Communion Rite are more

significant, and the Communion Minister and

leader now work better together.

We are a committed team of faith-

filled people who work very hard and give

generously of our time to facilitate the

Sunday liturgical celebration for our small

community, who come together to hear the

Word of God and celebrate God’s presence in

our lives. We still however, continue to pray

a religious person to come and work in our

community.

Keeping the Faith on King Island seeking expressions of interest and training

enough leaders to keep the Sunday

celebrations going

opening and closing Church on a daily

basis

ensuring that there is enough

bread and wine for consecration

and reservation

caring for church linen and

candles

changing tabernacle colours

organising fund raising

banking and organising finances

cleaning the church and convent

maintaining church and convent

grounds

care of parish car

provision of food for visiting

priests

booking and scheduling of airfares

collecting mail

preparing for funerals and baptisms

emptying rubbish bins

representing the Catholic Church at

Interchurch Council functions

advertising Mass and Liturgy of the

Word and Communion times

attending to pastoral needs

meeting roster demands

producing weekly Parish notices

maintaining communication – phone calls

and emails around parish work.




We still, however, continue to

pray for a Religious person to

help us come closer to God.


9

Parish of Campbell Town

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Previously part of the Catholic Parish at

Central Tasmania, Campbell Town parish

now operates autonomously, although we

are still widespread, few in numbers and

without the services of a full-time, locally

based priest.

The size of the congregations is small but

relatively consistent, spread over two areas

with about eighteen regular attendees at

Campbell Town/Ross and nine at Swansea,

which swells considerably during holiday

periods.

Being small does have some advantages

in that we are very close-knit, caring

communities and become instantly aware if

one of our members is missing from services.

Unless otherwise notified (e.g. on holiday),

fears are immediately raised that the person

may be ill, and in need of some follow-up

attention. Sickness is a constant concern as

so many of us are elderly or do not enjoy

robust health.

The pastoral affairs of the parish are ably

administered by Sr Marjorie Boutchard pvm

who is resident in the parish house adjacent

to St Michael’s Church at Campbell Town.

Currently, Sr Marjorie is away in Melbourne

recuperating after having had foot surgery.

Masses are celebrated at Campbell Town

on alternate Sundays, and at Swansea every

third Sunday, with the Launceston Parish

being responsible for the provision of a

priest. On other Sundays Liturgy of the

Word and Communion are celebrated, led by

Sr Marjorie and members of the respective

congregations. There are four ministers at

Campbell Town/Ross and two ministers and

two liturgy leaders at Swansea. All members

of both congregations take some part in

the liturgy (readings, collections, offertory

processions etc).

Other parish activities include: taking

Communion to the sick and incapacitated;

in conjunction with three other Christian

churches, services comprising prayers, hymns

and bible readings are held for residents of the

Campbell Town hospital each Monday.

What the future holds for ours and similar

small rural parishes is uncertain – with the

aging of our current congregations, and

nothing to hold young people in such districts,

who will take over the reins?

Both areas control their own finances,

fundraising and maintenance, and all

members are involved in decision making.

By Judy Gregg, parishioner




Church is the earthly embodiment of God.

It should lead by love and ideals, not rules

and punishments.

What is Parish? We understand the geographical Parish as:

The boundary of land in which the Church

Priest resides

A district associated with the above.

Probably a necessity in handling the

logistics associated with an organization.

We understand the Parish community as:

All the Catholics in our area

I believe that Parish is a smaller community,

generally attending one Mass centre and

united by common interests and sharing

of faith

Being part of a larger group of people with

common beliefs and values, knowing that

there are often people within my locality

that I can meet with

What is Church? We express, from the bottom of our heart, our feelings that Church is:

A place of worship, love and fellowship

A place I can connect with God and most

importantly receive him into my heart

The history of the West Tamar Parish is

a long and faithful one, being set in a

combination of suburban and rural areas

on the west of the Tamar River north of

Launceston.

The Parish Priest, Fr Allan Hartcher

ofm, resides at Riverside where there is a

Catholic Primary School. The two country

centres served from Riverside, are Glengarry,

predominantly a rural area, and Beaconsfield,

a mining town, where the Pastoral Associate

lives and operates in the ‘top end’ of the

Parish. Each of the three centres in the Parish

is very different in history, demography and

atmosphere, but each has a role to play in the

whole. This fact has presented a number of

difficulties and challenges since amalgamation

in 2002.

The aforement ioned groups are

represented on the Parish Pastoral Council and

Finance Committee. Rosters and parishioner

generosity cover the Ministries at the Altar

and the care of the Churches and Church

grounds, Liturgy preparation and music

ministry are a feature of Community worship,

Daily Mass at Riverside is attended by a small,

faithful band of parishioners, Prayer of the

West Tamar Parish

Church and Rosary groups meet each week at

Beaconsfield, Scripture and Lenten Discussions

are a mark of a community growing in faith,

Visitation of the sick and elderly is a regular

facet of care and concern, Generous support

for those in need is obvious at times of family

loss or tragedy, Small but vital community

groups of Ministers of Communion to the

sick, Catholic Women’s League, St Vincent de

Paul, Secular Franciscans and social groups

operate in the Parish.

We conducted a spontaneous and

short survey after Mass and these were our

findings.

The Lord’s people working together as

one

A fellowship of love, and service of

friendship and witness to the local area.

The parish is our community, the people

we live and worship with

Parish is a community of fellow parishioners

who keep me and help me stay connected

to God.

Our understanding of Parish is: The backbone of our community

It is the grassroots of the diocese and

should be carefully nurtured

A network of worship, prayer and support

for individuals, families and community

service groups which are vital to the life

of the Parish

Parishioners have ownership which should

be taken into account when changes are

introduced. I believe it is not the role of the

priest/hierarchy to make changes without

taking this into account.

A place to reassure our love for God and

his love for us. The physical structure

of worship and the spiritual place for

emotional guidance and comfort

A place to come and reflect on the week

past. To thank and praise God for all the

blessings we have received from Him

It is the light which attracts people by

providing leaven and lifestyle

A place for quiet time.

We believe the body of the Church is: A community that meets regularly in the

name of Jesus to worship and praise God,

to study the scriptures, to serve each other

in love and offer justice and peace to the

community at large

Church is the collective people of God’s

united in a common bond as a result of

faith and baptism

It is the Church’s role to work, both within

the faith community and the wider world,

to transform society

The church is where we link hands with all

those who have lived and died before us,

and all those who will come after us who

see in Jesus an ideal worth striving for

It can only bring people into communion

with God, if it presents the truth in a way

that can be understood in every age by

each generation

People speaking their special thoughts of the

Church

By Sr Frances McShane MSS


11

the warmer states, but, like most parishes,

our parish is struggling to accept the

changes in the Church

I feel we are at the beginning of a new and

exciting change

We are encouraged by the Parish being

vibrant and with initiative showing good

practice where Sunday in the absence of a

priest is concerned – community minded

in Beaconsfield

Seeking to know God better and helping

each other where the need lies

Our parish supports one another in our

faith

Hospitality is part of the local spirit and

shared meals are a regular feature

For me it is very vibrant, open minded and

welcoming, thank God

Even though:

Our Parish is growing older and dealing

with issues of commitment to beliefs

and values that are difficult in all parts of

peoples lives and trying to demonstrate

its worth to people – especially young

people and families

But other views were:

Solidarity encouragement fellowship, and

friendship

Since I came here it has been a delight to be

part of this parish. It’s due to the dedication

of Sr Frances that keeps everyone involved,

and people seem so willing to help

There is a concern in the tendency of

deleting parishes to suit the number of

priests, rather then actively encouraging

appropriate methods of coping without

ready access to priests

I have no idea what “Parish” means. It is

just a word to me.

Where our Parish is today –

We are:

Heading in the right direction

Very strong

Alive, growing in community

Very vibrant – especially surprising

considering the average age of participants

– and the spread of the area we come

from

Our sma l l ish groups are active ly

involved in the practical necessities and

this contributes largely to the depth of

commitments

Our parish is as strong as our weakest

member, unity is our hope for the

future.

We sometimes are:

Struggling for numbers, especially when

the winds chill and there is a migration to

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We’re struggling to keep a sacred space

to hand on to the next generation

We’re struggling to keep the light of

Christ alive in a world where self interest

is “God”.

We feel our Parish is: Well organized

Like many other parishes trying to keep

the work of God present

Anybody’s guess but ‘God has a plan’.

In our wide spread area

We are very strong communities that are

also supportive of each other

We are a vibrant community that shares

and cares about each other. We have had

to make sacrifices over the years yet we

still remain strong

Being without a parish priest for quite a

few years, Beaconsfield and Glengarry

parishioners were prepared for leadership

roles, including leading regular Sunday

Liturgies in the absence of a priest.

Hopes for the future: Ageing parishioners pray for and would

welcome younger active members

Training is needed for local leaders and

co-ordinators to emerge from within the

group

A new image of Parish is needed for when

a full time Religious presence is no longer

available.




Parish Snapshot: St Mary’s Parish, East CoastBy Tim McManus, parishioner

St Mary’s Parish is a geographic and

a demographic enigma because

it comprises five places of worship (St

Mary’s, Fingal, Mangana, two Churches at

St Helens and a shared interdenominational

community Church at Bicheno) scattered

throughout two municipalities, serving a

gradually declining Catholic community.

Presently, there is no Parish Priest. Our

last priest, Fr Bill Egan, literally died on the

job, on December 14, 2004. Since then,

apart from periodic locum Priests from the

mainland, the east coast Parish has been

serviced from Launceston. Initially, this was

on a bi-monthly roster basis, with an extra

visitation whenever a fifth Sunday occurred

– four times annually.

Over the past three years, Fr Mike Delaney

has assumed sole responsibility for all Priestly

duties, covering thousands of kilometres

in the process. He has now been moved to

the West Coast and it is expected that a four

Priest roster system will be reintroduced.

Mass is always held in the most populous

section of the Parish – and also the most

distant – St Helens, at 6pm, except in the

winter months of June, July and August when

it is relegated to 5pm. During Fr Delaney’s

tenure, because of the escalation in the St

Helens congregation from holiday visitors,

he went to the trouble of saying a Mass on

every Saturday during January – a mighty

effort.

Presently, St Mary’s Parish is fortunate

to have the services of a resident Pastoral

Associate, Sr Lorraine Groves. She is kept

very busy with such tasks as leading Liturgy

of the Word and Communion, attending

Pastoral Council meetings and finance

committees. There are also Lay Leaders of

Sunday Celebrations at St Marys, Fingal and

St Helens. Local ecumenical liaisons also

feature prominently.

One hates to think

what will happen

when she eventually

retires.

Pope John Paul II

on his visit to St Leo’s parish in Melbourne in

1986 said, “A parish must always try to widen

its horizons. A Parish should look beyond its

own boundaries to the wider community,

the diocese and the universal church. Make

a continual effort to be a community, open

to everyone. We must make an effort to look

beyond the home parish. We all need Christ’s

look of love. The whole world needs the love

of Christ, the Redeemer. Through the Church

Christ communicates his love through the

Sacraments offered in the parish. Christ has

given the firm promise, I will be with you

always”.

“Our numbers may have

diminished but people

participate in church

worship and activities for

the right reasons” St Mary’s parishioner

through difficult history and experiences

the Spirituality of the people is strengthened

by a deep spirit of personal prayer, a great love

& respect for the Eucharist, a faithfulness in

worship – whether through Mass or Liturgy

of the Word with Communion, a search for

ways to deepen their faith and attendance

at retreat days.

We have:

Trained leaders of Liturgy of the Word (with

an eye to future potential leaders) and

Communion Ministers to the Sick who are

attending to Medea Park Nursing Home

residents as well as individual people in

their homes.

A prayer network being formed within the

parish.

Ecumenical prayer at St Marys and

St Helens

A good finance team – with business

experience

A functional Parish Pastoral Council

– meeting alternatively in St Marys

and St He lens communit y care

and concern of people in need of

suppor t and encouragement in

the Church community and in the local

community.

In the past

St Mary’s Parish has been a parish with

strong faith, strong commitment and

strong community spirit.

Now ?What has changed? St Mary’s Parish

has f inancial constraints (with only

one mine operating); rural and fishing

industries in decline; a decline in the

stable population of old, an influx of

new people with lesser links to the community

or parish seeking ‘sea changes’, ‘tree changes’,

‘early retirees’ who are less inclined to join in

voluntary groups, people believing but not

belonging; and an ageing population.

Our present parish boundaries are

Rossarden, Mangana, Mathinna, Fingal,

St Marys, Four Mile Creek, Bicheno, Scamander,

Beaumaris, St Helens and everything in

between.

What are our strengths and resources ?

Our people, particularly younger people,

are first and foremost, our most important

resource.

The Faith of the people has been

both strengthened and d im inished

St Mary’s Parish... What is Church?... By Sr Lorraine Groves, Pastoral Associate

One Parish, many parts


13

Areas of challenge and

growth

A need for pastoral

adaptation in regards

to Liturgy, homilies,

services, regulations etc.

to small communities.

A need for leadership

to be in touch with

what is happening in

small communities and

understand their pain,

struggle and values.

An understanding of

rural needs, costs and expectations on

tight budgets

Parishioners learning to understand and

recognize the giftedness of every person

in the congregation

Parishioners learning to work as a whole

parish with many teams

Religious Education of both adults and

children

Areas of present growth

understanding of parish

unity between the various centres in the

parish

prayerfulness

care and concern for others within

the church community and the local

community as services diminish

Outreach nourished by spirituality

Outreach to other churches

understanding between churches

What is Parish?

To value and encourage each person,

enabling him or her to recognize their

special contribution to the life of the

Parish.

Respect for each parish community without

comparison of numbers

Involvement of younger people and

children in our communities.

Janet setting up video lending library

Prayer group, St Marys




The life of CYM’s Mission ACT1V8: “To

reinvigorate the young Church of Tasmania, to

build towards a future Church with a vibrant,

integrated and involved youth culture” is

well known and established throughout

the Archdiocese thanks to the hard work

and dedication of our Parish based Mission

ACT1V8 teams.

The programme of preparation in the lead

up to World Youth Day included the Palm

Sunday Pilgrimage in April, 2007, pilgrim

retreats, formation days, Journey of the WYD

Cross & Icon and Days in the Diocese.

The knowledge that CYM took 332

Tasmanian Pilgrims to WYD08 and the

excitement, passion and enthusiasm that

332 people can disperse throughout the state,

significantly contributed to the reinvigoration

of the whole Church in Tasmania. It has

increased our energy and given us a sincere

sense of hope for the future direction of the

Church.

This is not the end of the road for Catholic

Youth Ministry – it is only the beginning. As

an Archdiocese we have made significant

progress towards reinvigorating the young

Church (remember the young Church is not

just a Church filled with young people, but

a Church that is alive, well and believes its

best years are ahead of it) and we now look

to the second part of our mission. This part

of the mission belongs to, and is the task

of, the whole Catholic Church community.

Together we will aim ‘to build towards a future

Church’.

Catholic Youth Ministry will continue to

build on the energies and opportunities

created by WYD’08 and will be supporting

and resourcing all teams Parish level teams,

creating experiences of Church, as well as

developing our plan for beyond 2010, when

our current pastoral plan draws to an end and

a new and exciting one begins.

There have been some significant steps

forward in the development of Catholic

Youth Ministry (CYM) in the Archdiocese of

Hobart in recent times to coincide with the

potential opportunities that so obviously

present with hosting World Youth Day in

our home country. However, Catholic Youth

Ministry has had a life in this Diocese well

before the announcement of Sydney was

made to host World Youth Day 2008.

Catholic Youth Ministry have been running

programmes and events based around

the development of faith and interests of

young people in the Archdiocese for many

years. Beginning with volunteers, and then

moving up to part-time workers, finally in

1993 CYM gained a full-time employed youth

coordinator for the whole diocese.

After the contract ended for our second

full-time youth coordinator, Catholic Youth

Ministry took a short break while the

diocese worked through the Call to Change

programme. As a result of a Call to Change,

a full time youth coordinator was once again

employed in much the same role.

The youth coordinator at this time,

Josh Ariens, became interested in the

phenomenon of World Youth Day and despite

some resistance he pushed through to take

a group of young people to World Youth

Day 2002 in Toronto. Following in Josh’s

footsteps, Belinda Chapman took over the

role of Events Coordinator for Catholic Youth

Ministry in 2003. To her credit, she developed

a more involved programme of preparation

for the World Youth Day pilgrims travelling

to Cologne in 2005, taking more than twice

as many young people (67) from Tasmania

to Cologne.

By Rachelle Smith, Southern Deanery

Our Youth Ministry

youth ministry effort, Belinda and CYM’s

youth chaplain, Fr Richard Ross, launched

a campaign to give youth ministry all the

support the diocese could during this exciting

time of potential growth for the Catholic

Church in Australia. They lobbied hard to find

the funds and support for the Archdiocese to

employ three full-time youth coordinators,

one for each deanery, headed up by the youth

chaplain. Finally, in January 2007, They were

successful and the three deanery coordinators

began their journey towards World Youth

Day 2008, realizing what this could mean

for the Archdiocese of Hobart well beyond

World Youth Day.

Over the past 20 months CYM has very

much established itself as a pivotal agency

for the Catholic Church in Tasmania.

“Over the past

20 months CYM

has very much

established itself as

a pivotal agency for

the Catholic Church

in Tasmania.”

Recognising the increasing need for youth

ministry throughout the diocese, and the

potential that World Youth Day 2008 would

offer as a platform to launch a revitalized


15

Diocesan Assembly 2008 – Survey1. From your experience what is one of the best things to have happened in the Archdiocese in the Past 10 years?

2. From your experience what is one of the big disappointments in the Archdiocese over the past 10 years?

3. What is one of the big challenges for the next decade?

4. What are some of the priorities for the next three years?

6. Do you have other comments and ideas for the Assembly?

Please send this to: Paul Bullen

Management Alternative Pty Ltd

PO Box 181, Coogee, NSW 2034

Telephone: (02) 9665 7737

Fax: (02) 9315 7542

Email: [email protected]

The online survey can be completed at:

www.mapl.com.au/AssemblyTas

Thank you for your time and contribution

7. Are you?

Lay person

Priest or Religious

9. Gender?

Female

Male

8. Your age?

Less than 18

18 to 25

26 to 45

46 to 65

more than 65

10. Where are you

from?

Hobart

Launceston

Rest of Tasmania

While this questionnaire is anonymous it will be especially useful to know a little about

you.Can you please complete the following questions. Please circle

5. What is a concrete priority you want to see action on in the next two to three years?


17

At Centacare, we have the privilege

of walking with our clients through

their challenges and then seeking responses

that can bring about effective change.

These responses include a range of new

group programmes offered across the State

to children, women, men and families.

We have been able to extend programmes

to rural areas in Georgetown, St Helens,

St Mary’s, Fingal, Scottsdale, Lilydale, Nabowla,

Longford, Deloraine, Westbury, Perth, Bagdad

and Levendale, while continuing to service

the West coast.

We have also continued the focus on

children, increasing the number of staff

trained in child consultancy and trauma

related issues.

Attracting and retaining staff, particularly

in the northern regions, is an ongoing

challenge. We compete with the government

services in recruitment of staff, along with

of [email protected]

Centacare Tasmaniaa general shortage of trained welfare

workers.

We have been fortunate to have a very low

staff loss. Thanks and appreciation is due to

all Centacare staff for the excellence of their

work, their commitment and their innovative

responses to challenges.

The past few years has seen further

extensions of our programmes and while

we are pleased with this growth, we are also

running out of spaces – which has also proved

a test of the ingenuity of staff in creating

additional space.

In October, Centacare hosted a conference

on poverty issues in Launceston. Running on

Empty: Poverty, Disadvantage and Social Exclusion

highlighted issues ranging from statistical

analysis of disadvantage to discrimination of

people living with mental illness.

While Centacare Welfare is known

throughout the wider community for

its support and care of those in need,

Centacare Employment and Training is

becoming acclaimed for its innovative and

caring approach to jobseekers.

A change in the Federal Government has

also brought a review of existing services –

we eagerly wait to learn the outcomes of these.

The State Government has completed a major

review of Child Protection, Family Support

and Disability Services and new models

of service delivery are anticipated. These

in turn will demand greater collaboration

and partnerships between non-government

agencies.

Some things have remained constant – the

level of poverty has not improved and the

critical affordable housing shortage continues.

Christ told us that the poor will always be with

us and His commission remains constant to

support the poor and needy.

Centacare Tasmania

C-Change graduation 2008

Willson Training Centre is part of

Centacare Tasmania and has been

operating as a training organization since

1981 – making it one of the oldest training

organizations in Tasmania. Willson Training

Centre is named after Tasmania’s first

Catholic Bishop, Robert William Willson.

Originally operating from the grounds of

Mount St Canice in Sandy Bay, Willson Training

Centre has since moved to new premises at

the Diocesan Centre, New Town.

The Centre offers a wide range of

commercially accredited and non-accredited

training courses including Business

Willson Training CentreAdministration, Retail Operations, Asset

Maintenance, Teacher Aide preparation,

Customer Service, Quick Books, MYOB and

Occupational Health and Safety. Alternatively,

training can be tailored to suit individual

needs.

In recent years, Willson Training has

increasingly collaborated with Centacare to

develop and run programmes for the long-

term unemployed as well as those at risk of

long-term unemployment.

The C-Change programme is a particularly

successful venture in which clients from all

walks of life, suffering depression and anxiety,

WILLSONTRAININGCENTRE

participate together in a course aimed at

enhancing their health and well-being

through fitness and social group activities,

skill development and volunteer or work

placement.




Over the past twenty years Catholic

Schools in Tasmania have continued

to grow and flourish.

After a period of declining enrolments

during the 1990s the demand for Catholic

education has steadily increased. In 1988,

11,376 children attended a Catholic school,

by 2008 this number had grown to 15,092

students, an increase of more than 30%.

Cathol ic schools have expanded

to accommodate an additional 1,000

kindergarten (4 year old) children, as well

as nearly doubling the number of senior

secondary students (Years 11 and 12) who

are completing their education (866 pupils

in 1988 compared with 1,641 in 2008).

Accompanying this growth, the Catholic

sector has undertaken a major building

and refurbishment programme. In 2008

alone, over $22 million worth of building

programmes are underway, highlighted by

the $9 million stage one development of the

new St Aloysius Catholic College.

Catholic schools have continued their

tradition of being welcoming and inclusive

communities reaching out to all sectors of

the Tasmanian community. For example, the

number of children with specific learning

difficulties has grown to nearly 250 students

in 2008. Similarly, with over 520 indigenous

children, Tasmania has one of the highest

Catholic Education: growth points

ratios of Aboriginal children of any diocese

in Australia (3.8% of the student population).

Of particular note has been the proportion

of families from faith traditions other than

Catholic who have chosen Catholic schools for

their children. In 2008 approximately 46% of

families seeking enrolment in Catholic schools

came from other religious traditions.

A hallmark of Catholic schools over the

past twenty years has been their ongoing

c o m m i t m e n t t o

nurturing the pastoral

welfare of students,

wh i lst concurrently

maintaining high levels of

academic achievement.

Recent results from

the Commonwea lth

Government’s national

testing programme have

affirmed the educational

qua l it y of Cathol ic

schools. Across the

entire range of testing

categories, Tasmanian

C a t h o l i c s t u d e n t s

performed above the

national benchmark

standard in 18 out of

20 categories. Of even

greater signif icance,

C a t h o l i c s t u d e n t s

equalled or bettered

the national average in

the top two achievement

bands on 15 occasions. That is to say that,

not only are Catholic students meeting the

minimum standards, but they are consistently

over represented at the upper achievement

levels when compared to the Australia-wide

peer group.

Within this context of growth and

achievement, what then are the challenges

that confront Catholic Education into the

future? In 2006, Archbishop Doyle initiated a

series of ‘Days of Discernment’ with Priests,

Principals and senior leaders in Catholic

Education. Amongst the myriad of issues

that have been discussed, the following four

questions were specifically identified:

What are some of the specific hallmarks

of a Catholic school that should always

continue to be proclaimed and celebrated

within the Tasmanian community?

What is the nature and balance of the

enrolment profile of Catholic schools?

How can Catholic schools more proactively

reach out to all Catholic families who have

lost contact with their faith community,

with a particular emphasis on those who

are marginalised and disadvantaged?

What formation strategies will help ensure

staff employed in Catholic schools continue

to have a deep understanding and

commitment to their changing ministry?

In response to these challenges the

Tasmanian Catholic Education Commission

established the ‘Call to New Evangelisation’

working party, committed to developing

practical strategies aimed at addressing the

Catholic schools have continued their tradition of

being welcoming, inclusive communities reaching

out to all sectors of the Tasmanian community

By Dr Dan White, Director of Catholic Education


19

for the Future

above questions. Notable achievements over

the past two years include:

The development and launch of the

Archbishop’s Charter for Catholic

Schools.

The establishment of the Archdiocesan

Education Foundation to provide parish

bursaries to enable low-income families

to access Catholic schools.

The development of a comprehensive

staff formation programme in the area of

Catholic spirituality (over 100 teachers have

enrolled in or completed a post-graduate

certificate in Religious Education; an

extensive retreat programme for teachers

‘Courage to Be’ has been initiated).

A revision of Archdiocesan enrolment

processes, so as to aim towards an

aspirational target of 75% enrolment of

Catholic families in Tasmania’s Catholic

schools, with a particular emphasis on

encouraging the nearly 50% of Catholic

families in Tasmania not accessing Catholic

schools to consider the option of a Catholic

education.

Strengthening of the formal assessment

of Religious Education through the

introduction of statewide common

assessment tasks and moderation of

student learning outcomes, combined with

the planned introduction of a ‘religious

knowledge’ test for year 4 and year 8

students over the next two years.

The commitment of Catholic schools to

tangibly support the Archdiocesan Youth

Ministry and World Youth Day.

The piloting of a Parish-School Pastoral

Associate to build links between school

and parish communities.

The establishment of working parties

to further explore and strengthen the

relationships between schools, parishes

and families.

The upcoming Archdiocesan Assembly will

provide an opportunity for the wider Catholic

community to reflect upon the spiritual and

pastoral needs of families with school age

children and potentially suggest further areas

for exploration and development. Similarly,

the Catholic Education sector will look to how

it can even more fully embrace and support

the overall Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan as it

evolves over coming months.

Foot & Playsted99 - 109 Charles Street, Launceston, Tasmania 7250

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www.footandplaysted.com.au

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tasmanian catholic - volume 4 issue 5 2008

Documents

forthcoming diocesan

diocesan processes

change of heart

organisational change

pastoral ministry

church small communities

catholic youth ministry

pastoral care