Welcome to PlenaryPost
All the years of preparation for a Plenary Council didn’t necessarily prepare the Church in Australia for what the first general assembly would become — an online gathering, with most Members joining the assembly from their own home, helping discern how the Church can be renewed in and through Christ.
The intensive planning in the final months, though, as the move online became inevitable, ensured a successful assembly could be held for the Members, but also invited the People of God into some aspects of the assembly, mindful this is a journey for the whole Church. And people took up that invitation in the tens of thousands, watching the livestreams of morning plenary sessions, the online Masses and joining the online conversations and reading and watching other content sharing the story of the assembly and the Council.
The celebration of the Council is a nine-month journey, though, and after a period of refreshment after the intensity of the assembly, work has recommenced in planning for the second assembly in July 2022, as well as helping the work of discernment continue during what’s been described as a time of germination or fermentation.
Many stories were written over the course of the first assembly, some of which can be found on the In the Media page on the Plenary Council website.
Read on for updates from the first assembly and news of related Church events and please continue to pray for the Plenary Council.
FacilitatorFocus:Entering the “in between time” of the Plenary Council journey by Sr Marion Gambin RSJ |
Dear Friends, The first general assembly of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia is over, and we are now in the “in between time” — still on the journey of discernment, towards the second assembly in July 2022. The “in between time” can offer us many opportunities: time for the Members to complete an evaluation of their experience of the first assembly; time for us to read the many messages of affirmation and challenge coming into the Plenary Council email address; time to share with you the outcomes of the first assembly process, developed by the Members through a deep listening to the Spirit and listening to one another; time to give thanks for the prayer you offered, the thousands who watched the daily livestreamed celebrations of the Eucharist and plenary sessions and various other podcasts and media engagements; and time to consider what we learnt from the first assembly so we can continue to plan for the second. There was never any doubt that attempting to hold the assembly online was going to be a challenge! And it was! However, because we had such a wonderful Tech Team, all volunteers, supporting the Members and staff every step of the way, there were few glitches that held up the process. At the same time, it’s important that you know there were many, many volunteers working very hard behind the scenes to make sure that everything went according to plan. These same volunteers and the various committees are currently reviewing their role for this “in between time” and contributing their ideas to the organising of the second assembly. The hope is, of course, that the second assembly will be in person in Sydney, so that Members and staff alike can be supportive of one another, in between sessions, and during Eucharist, prayer experiences and mealtimes. For those of you who may have missed the various livestreamed sessions, these are still available on the Plenary Council web site. You may like to particularly watch the October 9 morning session and the final reports from each of the small groups, as well as Archbishop Timothy Costelloe’s closing address. The Members also approved a concluding statement from the first assembly, which ends with these words of encouragement and invitation: “With the closing of this First Assembly, the Plenary Council process now enters a time of prayer, reflection, maturation, and development. This will involve continuing reflection by the Members of the Council, and consultation with the wider Church community, as we develop propositions for presentation to the Second Assembly of the Council next July. This will be coordinated with Australian preparations for the 2023 Synod, For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission.” So, I welcome you all into this Spirit-filled “in between time”. May it continue to bring you hope for the renewal of our Catholic Church in Australia. Blessings of Peace, Marion |
Welcome to PlenaryPostWhat’s happening at the moment? What are the key milestones coming up? I’ve been hearing about the Synod of Bishops — can I still get involved? We have been hearing those questions, as well as others, as we continue this journey towards the second assembly of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia in July. We try to answer some of them in this edition of PlenaryPost, and offer more information about the Council and related Church events. We invite you to read on, to share the newsletter with friends and family by forwarding it to them and please continue to pray for the Plenary Council. |
![]() by Lana Turvey-Collins |
Dear Friends, In last month’s PlenaryPost, we wrote to you about the timeline of Plenary Council activity during the months leading up to the second General Assembly of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia. In your local parish or faith community group, over January and February, you may have been engaged with the universal Synod of Bishops process. This is a wonderful opportunity to share what the Church in Australia has learned about practising synodality and participate in the global process. The timeline and activity for the Plenary Council intertwines with the timeline and activity for the global Synod. This is a timely example that all local churches belonging to something global, something greater than ourselves and something that, in Christ, sees our differences find unity. For this month’s PlenaryPost, we have developed a poster as a visual aid, affirming the various stages of progressing the Plenary Council discernment, and gradually bringing the celebration to a close. It is available now on the Plenary Council webpage and you can access it here. As per the timeline, next week the Members will receive from the Drafting Committee a working document with proposals developed from the work of the first assembly. From these proposals, propositions will eventually be developed to be voted on by the Members in July, when all gather in Sydney for the second general assembly. During the month of March, the Members will pray with, reflect on and give input to the first drafts, which will be received by the Drafting Committee to further enhance their discernment and support their next stage of writing and reviewing, which will happen during the month of April. As mentioned last month, the finalised proposition papers, along with the program and supporting liturgical resources for the second general assembly, will be published for the People of God in Australia at the time of Pentecost in early June. June will be a month for focused, direct preparation for the whole Church toward the days of the assembly in July. We look forward to connecting with you again next month. In the meantime, please always feel welcome to email or call the Facilitation Team with any questions or input you have – especially if you’ve got a story to share from the activity happening in your local community. Thanks and peace, Lana and the Facilitation Team |
CuriosityCorner |
We will address a new question in each e-newsletter. To catch up on previous editions, you can check out the Plenary Council FAQ page. If you have a question, email it to us and we will include it in future editions of PlenaryPost. The question for this edition is… How will you ensure the assemblies are COVID-safe? Since the arrival of COVID-19 in Australia in early 2020, the Plenary Council has been responsive to health and government guidelines and restrictions. The limits on travel and gatherings led to the postponement of the assemblies, with the first assembly moved from October 2020 to October 2021. In early 2021, it became clear that a face-to-face gathering for all members would be impossible for the first assembly, which was scheduled to be held in Adelaide. That assembly was moved to a multi-modal format, with all members participating from their own devices, but members in some locations were able to gather for liturgy and fellowship. The second assembly will be held in Sydney on July 4-9, 2022. A COVID-19 safety plan is being reviewed constantly and will align with all relevant health and government guidelines for the city and state at the time of the assembly. The safety and wellbeing of all members is a key consideration in the planning for the assembly. |
Click on the link below for the Plenary Council website:
http://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/
PLENARY COUNCIL 2021–3 TO 10 OCTOBER 2021
The Church in Australia will commence its fifth Plenary Council – the first in 84 years. Six themes will be focused on after responses of over 220,000 people. AGENDA: IS called to develop concrete
proposals to create a more missionary, Christ-centred Church in Australia at this time. Questions for the six themes: CONVERSION how might we better accompany one another, heal the wounds of abuse, meet the needs of the vulnerable, respond to the call of ‘ecological conversion’?; PRAYER (how might we become more contemplative, embrace the diverse liturgical traditions?; FORMATION (how might we form better leaders, better equip and form ordained ministers?; STRUCTURES (how might we better become local centres for formation, be better structured for mission?; GOVERNANCE (how might we approach governance in the spirit of synodality?; and
INSTITUTIONS (how might we see the future of Catholic education, of Catholic social services as key missionary and evangelising ministries? The full Agenda is found at http://www.plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au
News & Notes
Discernment papers released to help shape agenda.Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB says the six discernment papers for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia signify the latest milestone as the Church considers its present circumstances and discerns its future. Six Discernment and Writing Groups, one each for the six national themes for discernment that emerged from the Council’s Listening and Dialogue phase, were tasked with writing papers to bring some major themes and issues into focus.“The papers are the fruits of communal discernment. The aim of the discernment process was to draw upon the lived faith and experiences of more than 220,000 Australians, the living tradition of the Church, sacred Scripture, papal teachings and additional insights from outside the Church,” said Archbishop Costelloe, the Plenary Council president.Archbishop Costelloe said the papers are an important contribution to the Church in Australia’s ongoing discernment towards the Plenary Council.“While not the final word on the six thematic areas which emerged from the Listening and Dialogue process, I encourage everyone to receive them in the spirit of faith and discernment with which they have been written,” he said.“They both invite and challenge us to continue to ‘listen to what the Spirit is saying’.” Click here to read more: Dates locked in for Plenary Council assemblies
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Dates locked in for Plenary Council assembliesThe two assemblies for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia will be held in Adelaide from October 3-10, 2021, and in Sydney from July 4-9, 2022. The new dates mean that the celebration of the Plenary Council has effectively moved 12 months from the original plan of a first assembly in October 2020 and a second assembly in June/July 2021. Plenary Council president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said the confirmation of the specific dates will help in the formulation of a revised program of preparation for Council delegates, who were announced in March, and for the whole Catholic community. Archbishop Costelloe said the bishops’ preference to hold the second assembly in April 2022, announced last month, had to be revisited. “The confluence of a number of events in April 2022, including the New South Wales school holidays, Easter in the Latin Rite and Easter in the Eastern Rite, meant that the plan to hold the second assembly then was unworkable,” he said. Click here to read the full article: Discernment papers help sharpen focus for Plenary Council |
Dates locked in for Plenary Council assembliesThe two assemblies for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia will be held in Adelaide from October 3-10, 2021, and in Sydney from July 4-9, 2022. The new dates mean that the celebration of the Plenary Council has effectively moved 12 months from the original plan of a first assembly in October 2020 and a second assembly in June/July 2021. Plenary Council president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said the confirmation of the specific dates will help in the formulation of a revised program of preparation for Council delegates, who were announced in March, and for the whole Catholic community. Archbishop Costelloe said the bishops’ preference to hold the second assembly in April 2022, announced last month, had to be revisited. “The confluence of a number of events in April 2022, including the New South Wales school holidays, Easter in the Latin Rite and Easter in the Eastern Rite, meant that the plan to hold the second assembly then was unworkable,” he said. Click here to read the full article: Discernment papers help sharpen focus for Plenary Council |
Dates locked in for Plenary Council assembliesThe two assemblies for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia will be held in Adelaide from October 3-10, 2021, and in Sydney from July 4-9, 2022. The new dates mean that the celebration of the Plenary Council has effectively moved 12 months from the original plan of a first assembly in October 2020 and a second assembly in June/July 2021. Plenary Council president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said the confirmation of the specific dates will help in the formulation of a revised program of preparation for Council delegates, who were announced in March, and for the whole Catholic community. Archbishop Costelloe said the bishops’ preference to hold the second assembly in April 2022, announced last month, had to be revisited. “The confluence of a number of events in April 2022, including the New South Wales school holidays, Easter in the Latin Rite and Easter in the Eastern Rite, meant that the plan to hold the second assembly then was unworkable,” he said. Click here to read the full article: Discernment papers help sharpen focus for Plenary Council |
Dates locked in for Plenary Council assembliesThe two assemblies for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia will be held in Adelaide from October 3-10, 2021, and in Sydney from July 4-9, 2022. The new dates mean that the celebration of the Plenary Council has effectively moved 12 months from the original plan of a first assembly in October 2020 and a second assembly in June/July 2021. Plenary Council president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said the confirmation of the specific dates will help in the formulation of a revised program of preparation for Council delegates, who were announced in March, and for the whole Catholic community. Archbishop Costelloe said the bishops’ preference to hold the second assembly in April 2022, announced last month, had to be revisited. “The confluence of a number of events in April 2022, including the New South Wales school holidays, Easter in the Latin Rite and Easter in the Eastern Rite, meant that the plan to hold the second assembly then was unworkable,” he said. Click here to read the full article: Discernment papers help sharpen focus for Plenary Council |
Dates locked in for Plenary Council assembliesThe two assemblies for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia will be held in Adelaide from October 3-10, 2021, and in Sydney from July 4-9, 2022. The new dates mean that the celebration of the Plenary Council has effectively moved 12 months from the original plan of a first assembly in October 2020 and a second assembly in June/July 2021. Plenary Council president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said the confirmation of the specific dates will help in the formulation of a revised program of preparation for Council delegates, who were announced in March, and for the whole Catholic community. Archbishop Costelloe said the bishops’ preference to hold the second assembly in April 2022, announced last month, had to be revisited. “The confluence of a number of events in April 2022, including the New South Wales school holidays, Easter in the Latin Rite and Easter in the Eastern Rite, meant that the plan to hold the second assembly then was unworkable,” he said. Click here to read the full article: Discernment papers help sharpen focus for Plenary Council |
Dates locked in for Plenary Council assembliesThe two assemblies for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia will be held in Adelaide from October 3-10, 2021, and in Sydney from July 4-9, 2022. The new dates mean that the celebration of the Plenary Council has effectively moved 12 months from the original plan of a first assembly in October 2020 and a second assembly in June/July 2021. Plenary Council president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said the confirmation of the specific dates will help in the formulation of a revised program of preparation for Council delegates, who were announced in March, and for the whole Catholic community. Archbishop Costelloe said the bishops’ preference to hold the second assembly in April 2022, announced last month, had to be revisited. “The confluence of a number of events in April 2022, including the New South Wales school holidays, Easter in the Latin Rite and Easter in the Eastern Rite, meant that the plan to hold the second assembly then was unworkable,” he said. Click here to read the full article: Discernment papers help sharpen focus for Plenary Council |
Dates locked in for Plenary Council assembliesThe two assemblies for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia will be held in Adelaide from October 3-10, 2021, and in Sydney from July 4-9, 2022. The new dates mean that the celebration of the Plenary Council has effectively moved 12 months from the original plan of a first assembly in October 2020 and a second assembly in June/July 2021. Plenary Council president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said the confirmation of the specific dates will help in the formulation of a revised program of preparation for Council delegates, who were announced in March, and for the whole Catholic community. Archbishop Costelloe said the bishops’ preference to hold the second assembly in April 2022, announced last month, had to be revisited. “The confluence of a number of events in April 2022, including the New South Wales school holidays, Easter in the Latin Rite and Easter in the Eastern Rite, meant that the plan to hold the second assembly then was unworkable,” he said. Click here to read the full article: Discernment papers help sharpen focus for Plenary Council | |||||||||
Dates locked in for Plenary Council assembliesThe two assemblies for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia will be held in Adelaide from October 3-10, 2021, and in Sydney from July 4-9, 2022. The new dates mean that the celebration of the Plenary Council has effectively moved 12 months from the original plan of a first assembly in October 2020 and a second assembly in June/July 2021. Plenary Council president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said the confirmation of the specific dates will help in the formulation of a revised program of preparation for Council delegates, who were announced in March, and for the whole Catholic community. Archbishop Costelloe said the bishops’ preference to hold the second assembly in April 2022, announced last month, had to be revisited. “The confluence of a number of events in April 2022, including the New South Wales school holidays, Easter in the Latin Rite and Easter in the Eastern Rite, meant that the plan to hold the second assembly then was unworkable,” he said. Click here to read the full article: Discernment papers help sharpen focus for Plenary Council | ||||||||||||||||
Dates locked in for Plenary Council assembliesThe two assemblies for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia will be held in Adelaide from October 3-10, 2021, and in Sydney from July 4-9, 2022. The new dates mean that the celebration of the Plenary Council has effectively moved 12 months from the original plan of a first assembly in October 2020 and a second assembly in June/July 2021. Plenary Council president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said the confirmation of the specific dates will help in the formulation of a revised program of preparation for Council delegates, who were announced in March, and for the whole Catholic community. Archbishop Costelloe said the bishops’ preference to hold the second assembly in April 2022, announced last month, had to be revisited. “The confluence of a number of events in April 2022, including the New South Wales school holidays, Easter in the Latin Rite and Easter in the Eastern Rite, meant that the plan to hold the second assembly then was unworkable,” he said. Click here to read the full article: Discernment papers help sharpen focus for Plenary Council | ||||||||||||||||
Dates locked in for Plenary Council assembliesThe two assemblies for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia will be held in Adelaide from October 3-10, 2021, and in Sydney from July 4-9, 2022. The new dates mean that the celebration of the Plenary Council has effectively moved 12 months from the original plan of a first assembly in October 2020 and a second assembly in June/July 2021. Plenary Council president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said the confirmation of the specific dates will help in the formulation of a revised program of preparation for Council delegates, who were announced in March, and for the whole Catholic community. Archbishop Costelloe said the bishops’ preference to hold the second assembly in April 2022, announced last month, had to be revisited. “The confluence of a number of events in April 2022, including the New South Wales school holidays, Easter in the Latin Rite and Easter in the Eastern Rite, meant that the plan to hold the second assembly then was unworkable,” he said. Click here to read the full article: Discernment papers help sharpen focus for Plenary Council | ||||||||||||||||
Dates locked in for Plenary Council assembliesThe two assemblies for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia will be held in Adelaide from October 3-10, 2021, and in Sydney from July 4-9, 2022. The new dates mean that the celebration of the Plenary Council has effectively moved 12 months from the original plan of a first assembly in October 2020 and a second assembly in June/July 2021. Plenary Council president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said the confirmation of the specific dates will help in the formulation of a revised program of preparation for Council delegates, who were announced in March, and for the whole Catholic community. Archbishop Costelloe said the bishops’ preference to hold the second assembly in April 2022, announced last month, had to be revisited. “The confluence of a number of events in April 2022, including the New South Wales school holidays, Easter in the Latin Rite and Easter in the Eastern Rite, meant that the plan to hold the second assembly then was unworkable,” he said. Click here to read the full article: Discernment papers help sharpen focus for Plenary Council | ||||||||||||||||
Dates locked in for Plenary Council assembliesThe two assemblies for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia will be held in Adelaide from October 3-10, 2021, and in Sydney from July 4-9, 2022. The new dates mean that the celebration of the Plenary Council has effectively moved 12 months from the original plan of a first assembly in October 2020 and a second assembly in June/July 2021. Plenary Council president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said the confirmation of the specific dates will help in the formulation of a revised program of preparation for Council delegates, who were announced in March, and for the whole Catholic community. Archbishop Costelloe said the bishops’ preference to hold the second assembly in April 2022, announced last month, had to be revisited. “The confluence of a number of events in April 2022, including the New South Wales school holidays, Easter in the Latin Rite and Easter in the Eastern Rite, meant that the plan to hold the second assembly then was unworkable,” he said. Click here to read the full article: Discernment papers help sharpen focus for Plenary Council | ||||||||||||||||
Dates locked in for Plenary Council assembliesThe two assemblies for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia will be held in Adelaide from October 3-10, 2021, and in Sydney from July 4-9, 2022. The new dates mean that the celebration of the Plenary Council has effectively moved 12 months from the original plan of a first assembly in October 2020 and a second assembly in June/July 2021. Plenary Council president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said the confirmation of the specific dates will help in the formulation of a revised program of preparation for Council delegates, who were announced in March, and for the whole Catholic community. Archbishop Costelloe said the bishops’ preference to hold the second assembly in April 2022, announced last month, had to be revisited. “The confluence of a number of events in April 2022, including the New South Wales school holidays, Easter in the Latin Rite and Easter in the Eastern Rite, meant that the plan to hold the second assembly then was unworkable,” he said. Click here to read the full article: Discernment papers help sharpen focus for Plenary Council | ||||||||||||||||
Dates locked in for Plenary Council assembliesThe two assemblies for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia will be held in Adelaide from October 3-10, 2021, and in Sydney from July 4-9, 2022. The new dates mean that the celebration of the Plenary Council has effectively moved 12 months from the original plan of a first assembly in October 2020 and a second assembly in June/July 2021. Plenary Council president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said the confirmation of the specific dates will help in the formulation of a revised program of preparation for Council delegates, who were announced in March, and for the whole Catholic community. Archbishop Costelloe said the bishops’ preference to hold the second assembly in April 2022, announced last month, had to be revisited. “The confluence of a number of events in April 2022, including the New South Wales school holidays, Easter in the Latin Rite and Easter in the Eastern Rite, meant that the plan to hold the second assembly then was unworkable,” he said. Click here to read the full article: Discernment papers help sharpen focus for Plenary Council |
Plenary Council Listening and Discernment sessions
Click on the link below:
working document NATIONAL THEMES FOR DISCERNMENT
Welcome to the Plenary Council 2020
Together, we are on a journey of listening to God by listening to one another. We invite all Australians to engage in an open and inclusive process of listening, dialogue and discernment about the future of the Catholic Church in Australia.
Your voice is needed – join in! Speak boldly and with passion, listen with an open and humble heart. With faith and guided by God’s Holy Spirit, we journey together, toward the future.
The Plenary Council 2020 is a gathering of the Church in Australia to make decisions for the future. Your voice is important. All people are invited to contribute to the Plenary Council agenda by sharing your experience of faith and of the Church.
See plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au for more information or contact your local Animators; Mark Hall or Margaret Fraser.
Plenary Council Prayer
Come, Holy Spirit of Pentecost.
Come, Holy Spirit of the great South Land.
O God, bless us and unite all your people in Australia and guide us on the pilgrim way of the Plenary Council.
Give us the grace to see your face in one another and to recognise Jesus, our companion on the road.
Give us the courage to tell our stories and to speak boldly of your truth.
Give us ears to listen humbly to each other and a discerning heart to hear what you are saying.
Lead your Church into a hope- filled future, that we may live the joy of the Gospel.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, bread for the journey from age to age.
Amen
Welcome to PlenaryPost
With more than 5 million people ticking “Catholic” on the last Australian Census, the Plenary Council was always going to be ambitious in its efforts to connect with and hear from a large number of people.
At the end of September, the National Centre for Pastoral Research analysed the number of people who have been able to share their stories of life and faith with the Plenary Council. That number had smashed through the 10,000 mark, but as Plenary Council facilitator Lana Turvey-Collins said, that’s a good start, but it is just a beginning in an effort to reach as many people as possible.
In recent weeks, the Plenary Council has continued to reach into many parts of the Church and the wider community. In Sydney, Lana met with members of the various Eastern Catholic Churches, helping ensure their participation in a journey that incorporates the breadth of Catholic worship and tradition. In Townsville, Bishop Tim Harris meet with almost 200 members of the business community, and in Melbourne, Fr Noel Connolly SSC, from the Facilitation Team, visited a parish that is taking local outreach to the next level.
CuriosityCorner
| We will address a new question in each e-newsletter. To catch up on previous editions, you can check out the Plenary Council FAQ page http://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/frequently-asked-questions . If you have a question, email it to us and we will include it in future editions of PlenaryPost.
The question for today is… What are the steps of preparation toward the Plenary Council sessions? A Plenary Council is held in three stages: preparation, celebration and implementation. Preparation is what we are doing now and there are three steps during this stage. The first is Open Listening and Dialogue, which we began at Pentecost. This will continue to be the focus until Ash Wednesday (March 6) next year. During this time, all people are invited to share their stories and reflect on the question: “What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?” The second step in our preparatory journey will commence after Easter in 2019. We will have discerned the emergent themes from all of the stories that have been shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage, and we will move into Dialogue and Discernment. It is a time to continue in the way of dialogue and to gather together to listen, pray, speak with one another and move forward – with focus – towards the future God is calling us to. We will be called to listen to what has been shared and reflect on this in light of the Gospels, Church teachings and good practice from inside and outside of the Church. In this way, we will continue to listen to the Spirit. Thirdly, in early 2020, the draft Plenary Council papers written during the discernment stage will provide us with an opportunity for the final stage of preparation: Dialogue and Formation. Together, we will read and learn, speak with one another, reflect, take time to listen deeply to the emergent questions and themes, and continue to grapple with what future God is calling us toward. The stories expressing our sense of faith shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage will have shaped the program and the discernment of the Plenary Council. These three steps of preparation will take us toward the celebration of the Plenary Council, which will begin with the first Council session in October 2020. | We will address a new question in each e-newsletter. To catch up on previous editions, you can check out the Plenary Council FAQ page http://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/frequently-asked-questions . If you have a question, email it to us and we will include it in future editions of PlenaryPost.
The question for today is… What are the steps of preparation toward the Plenary Council sessions? A Plenary Council is held in three stages: preparation, celebration and implementation. Preparation is what we are doing now and there are three steps during this stage. The first is Open Listening and Dialogue, which we began at Pentecost. This will continue to be the focus until Ash Wednesday (March 6) next year. During this time, all people are invited to share their stories and reflect on the question: “What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?” The second step in our preparatory journey will commence after Easter in 2019. We will have discerned the emergent themes from all of the stories that have been shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage, and we will move into Dialogue and Discernment. It is a time to continue in the way of dialogue and to gather together to listen, pray, speak with one another and move forward – with focus – towards the future God is calling us to. We will be called to listen to what has been shared and reflect on this in light of the Gospels, Church teachings and good practice from inside and outside of the Church. In this way, we will continue to listen to the Spirit. Thirdly, in early 2020, the draft Plenary Council papers written during the discernment stage will provide us with an opportunity for the final stage of preparation: Dialogue and Formation. Together, we will read and learn, speak with one another, reflect, take time to listen deeply to the emergent questions and themes, and continue to grapple with what future God is calling us toward. The stories expressing our sense of faith shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage will have shaped the program and the discernment of the Plenary Council. These three steps of preparation will take us toward the celebration of the Plenary Council, which will begin with the first Council session in October 2020. | We will address a new question in each e-newsletter. To catch up on previous editions, you can check out the Plenary Council FAQ page http://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/frequently-asked-questions . If you have a question, email it to us and we will include it in future editions of PlenaryPost.
The question for today is… What are the steps of preparation toward the Plenary Council sessions? A Plenary Council is held in three stages: preparation, celebration and implementation. Preparation is what we are doing now and there are three steps during this stage. The first is Open Listening and Dialogue, which we began at Pentecost. This will continue to be the focus until Ash Wednesday (March 6) next year. During this time, all people are invited to share their stories and reflect on the question: “What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?” The second step in our preparatory journey will commence after Easter in 2019. We will have discerned the emergent themes from all of the stories that have been shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage, and we will move into Dialogue and Discernment. It is a time to continue in the way of dialogue and to gather together to listen, pray, speak with one another and move forward – with focus – towards the future God is calling us to. We will be called to listen to what has been shared and reflect on this in light of the Gospels, Church teachings and good practice from inside and outside of the Church. In this way, we will continue to listen to the Spirit. Thirdly, in early 2020, the draft Plenary Council papers written during the discernment stage will provide us with an opportunity for the final stage of preparation: Dialogue and Formation. Together, we will read and learn, speak with one another, reflect, take time to listen deeply to the emergent questions and themes, and continue to grapple with what future God is calling us toward. The stories expressing our sense of faith shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage will have shaped the program and the discernment of the Plenary Council. These three steps of preparation will take us toward the celebration of the Plenary Council, which will begin with the first Council session in October 2020. | We will address a new question in each e-newsletter. To catch up on previous editions, you can check out the Plenary Council FAQ page http://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/frequently-asked-questions . If you have a question, email it to us and we will include it in future editions of PlenaryPost.
The question for today is… What are the steps of preparation toward the Plenary Council sessions? A Plenary Council is held in three stages: preparation, celebration and implementation. Preparation is what we are doing now and there are three steps during this stage. The first is Open Listening and Dialogue, which we began at Pentecost. This will continue to be the focus until Ash Wednesday (March 6) next year. During this time, all people are invited to share their stories and reflect on the question: “What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?” The second step in our preparatory journey will commence after Easter in 2019. We will have discerned the emergent themes from all of the stories that have been shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage, and we will move into Dialogue and Discernment. It is a time to continue in the way of dialogue and to gather together to listen, pray, speak with one another and move forward – with focus – towards the future God is calling us to. We will be called to listen to what has been shared and reflect on this in light of the Gospels, Church teachings and good practice from inside and outside of the Church. In this way, we will continue to listen to the Spirit. Thirdly, in early 2020, the draft Plenary Council papers written during the discernment stage will provide us with an opportunity for the final stage of preparation: Dialogue and Formation. Together, we will read and learn, speak with one another, reflect, take time to listen deeply to the emergent questions and themes, and continue to grapple with what future God is calling us toward. The stories expressing our sense of faith shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage will have shaped the program and the discernment of the Plenary Council. These three steps of preparation will take us toward the celebration of the Plenary Council, which will begin with the first Council session in October 2020. | We will address a new question in each e-newsletter. To catch up on previous editions, you can check out the Plenary Council FAQ page http://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/frequently-asked-questions . If you have a question, email it to us and we will include it in future editions of PlenaryPost.
The question for today is… What are the steps of preparation toward the Plenary Council sessions? A Plenary Council is held in three stages: preparation, celebration and implementation. Preparation is what we are doing now and there are three steps during this stage. The first is Open Listening and Dialogue, which we began at Pentecost. This will continue to be the focus until Ash Wednesday (March 6) next year. During this time, all people are invited to share their stories and reflect on the question: “What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?” The second step in our preparatory journey will commence after Easter in 2019. We will have discerned the emergent themes from all of the stories that have been shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage, and we will move into Dialogue and Discernment. It is a time to continue in the way of dialogue and to gather together to listen, pray, speak with one another and move forward – with focus – towards the future God is calling us to. We will be called to listen to what has been shared and reflect on this in light of the Gospels, Church teachings and good practice from inside and outside of the Church. In this way, we will continue to listen to the Spirit. Thirdly, in early 2020, the draft Plenary Council papers written during the discernment stage will provide us with an opportunity for the final stage of preparation: Dialogue and Formation. Together, we will read and learn, speak with one another, reflect, take time to listen deeply to the emergent questions and themes, and continue to grapple with what future God is calling us toward. The stories expressing our sense of faith shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage will have shaped the program and the discernment of the Plenary Council. These three steps of preparation will take us toward the celebration of the Plenary Council, which will begin with the first Council session in October 2020. | We will address a new question in each e-newsletter. To catch up on previous editions, you can check out the Plenary Council FAQ page http://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/frequently-asked-questions . If you have a question, email it to us and we will include it in future editions of PlenaryPost.
The question for today is… What are the steps of preparation toward the Plenary Council sessions? A Plenary Council is held in three stages: preparation, celebration and implementation. Preparation is what we are doing now and there are three steps during this stage. The first is Open Listening and Dialogue, which we began at Pentecost. This will continue to be the focus until Ash Wednesday (March 6) next year. During this time, all people are invited to share their stories and reflect on the question: “What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?” The second step in our preparatory journey will commence after Easter in 2019. We will have discerned the emergent themes from all of the stories that have been shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage, and we will move into Dialogue and Discernment. It is a time to continue in the way of dialogue and to gather together to listen, pray, speak with one another and move forward – with focus – towards the future God is calling us to. We will be called to listen to what has been shared and reflect on this in light of the Gospels, Church teachings and good practice from inside and outside of the Church. In this way, we will continue to listen to the Spirit. Thirdly, in early 2020, the draft Plenary Council papers written during the discernment stage will provide us with an opportunity for the final stage of preparation: Dialogue and Formation. Together, we will read and learn, speak with one another, reflect, take time to listen deeply to the emergent questions and themes, and continue to grapple with what future God is calling us toward. The stories expressing our sense of faith shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage will have shaped the program and the discernment of the Plenary Council. These three steps of preparation will take us toward the celebration of the Plenary Council, which will begin with the first Council session in October 2020. | We will address a new question in each e-newsletter. To catch up on previous editions, you can check out the Plenary Council FAQ page http://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/frequently-asked-questions . If you have a question, email it to us and we will include it in future editions of PlenaryPost.
The question for today is… What are the steps of preparation toward the Plenary Council sessions? A Plenary Council is held in three stages: preparation, celebration and implementation. Preparation is what we are doing now and there are three steps during this stage. The first is Open Listening and Dialogue, which we began at Pentecost. This will continue to be the focus until Ash Wednesday (March 6) next year. During this time, all people are invited to share their stories and reflect on the question: “What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?” The second step in our preparatory journey will commence after Easter in 2019. We will have discerned the emergent themes from all of the stories that have been shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage, and we will move into Dialogue and Discernment. It is a time to continue in the way of dialogue and to gather together to listen, pray, speak with one another and move forward – with focus – towards the future God is calling us to. We will be called to listen to what has been shared and reflect on this in light of the Gospels, Church teachings and good practice from inside and outside of the Church. In this way, we will continue to listen to the Spirit. Thirdly, in early 2020, the draft Plenary Council papers written during the discernment stage will provide us with an opportunity for the final stage of preparation: Dialogue and Formation. Together, we will read and learn, speak with one another, reflect, take time to listen deeply to the emergent questions and themes, and continue to grapple with what future God is calling us toward. The stories expressing our sense of faith shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage will have shaped the program and the discernment of the Plenary Council. These three steps of preparation will take us toward the celebration of the Plenary Council, which will begin with the first Council session in October 2020. | |
We will address a new question in each e-newsletter. To catch up on previous editions, you can check out the Plenary Council FAQ page http://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/frequently-asked-questions . If you have a question, email it to us and we will include it in future editions of PlenaryPost.
The question for today is… What are the steps of preparation toward the Plenary Council sessions? A Plenary Council is held in three stages: preparation, celebration and implementation. Preparation is what we are doing now and there are three steps during this stage. The first is Open Listening and Dialogue, which we began at Pentecost. This will continue to be the focus until Ash Wednesday (March 6) next year. During this time, all people are invited to share their stories and reflect on the question: “What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?” The second step in our preparatory journey will commence after Easter in 2019. We will have discerned the emergent themes from all of the stories that have been shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage, and we will move into Dialogue and Discernment. It is a time to continue in the way of dialogue and to gather together to listen, pray, speak with one another and move forward – with focus – towards the future God is calling us to. We will be called to listen to what has been shared and reflect on this in light of the Gospels, Church teachings and good practice from inside and outside of the Church. In this way, we will continue to listen to the Spirit. Thirdly, in early 2020, the draft Plenary Council papers written during the discernment stage will provide us with an opportunity for the final stage of preparation: Dialogue and Formation. Together, we will read and learn, speak with one another, reflect, take time to listen deeply to the emergent questions and themes, and continue to grapple with what future God is calling us toward. The stories expressing our sense of faith shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage will have shaped the program and the discernment of the Plenary Council. These three steps of preparation will take us toward the celebration of the Plenary Council, which will begin with the first Council session in October 2020. | ||||||||
We will address a new question in each e-newsletter. To catch up on previous editions, you can check out the Plenary Council FAQ page http://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/frequently-asked-questions . If you have a question, email it to us and we will include it in future editions of PlenaryPost.
The question for today is… What are the steps of preparation toward the Plenary Council sessions? A Plenary Council is held in three stages: preparation, celebration and implementation. Preparation is what we are doing now and there are three steps during this stage. The first is Open Listening and Dialogue, which we began at Pentecost. This will continue to be the focus until Ash Wednesday (March 6) next year. During this time, all people are invited to share their stories and reflect on the question: “What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?” The second step in our preparatory journey will commence after Easter in 2019. We will have discerned the emergent themes from all of the stories that have been shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage, and we will move into Dialogue and Discernment. It is a time to continue in the way of dialogue and to gather together to listen, pray, speak with one another and move forward – with focus – towards the future God is calling us to. We will be called to listen to what has been shared and reflect on this in light of the Gospels, Church teachings and good practice from inside and outside of the Church. In this way, we will continue to listen to the Spirit. Thirdly, in early 2020, the draft Plenary Council papers written during the discernment stage will provide us with an opportunity for the final stage of preparation: Dialogue and Formation. Together, we will read and learn, speak with one another, reflect, take time to listen deeply to the emergent questions and themes, and continue to grapple with what future God is calling us toward. The stories expressing our sense of faith shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage will have shaped the program and the discernment of the Plenary Council. These three steps of preparation will take us toward the celebration of the Plenary Council, which will begin with the first Council session in October 2020. | ||||||||
We will address a new question in each e-newsletter. To catch up on previous editions, you can check out the Plenary Council FAQ page http://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/frequently-asked-questions . If you have a question, email it to us and we will include it in future editions of PlenaryPost.
The question for today is… What are the steps of preparation toward the Plenary Council sessions? A Plenary Council is held in three stages: preparation, celebration and implementation. Preparation is what we are doing now and there are three steps during this stage. The first is Open Listening and Dialogue, which we began at Pentecost. This will continue to be the focus until Ash Wednesday (March 6) next year. During this time, all people are invited to share their stories and reflect on the question: “What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?” The second step in our preparatory journey will commence after Easter in 2019. We will have discerned the emergent themes from all of the stories that have been shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage, and we will move into Dialogue and Discernment. It is a time to continue in the way of dialogue and to gather together to listen, pray, speak with one another and move forward – with focus – towards the future God is calling us to. We will be called to listen to what has been shared and reflect on this in light of the Gospels, Church teachings and good practice from inside and outside of the Church. In this way, we will continue to listen to the Spirit. Thirdly, in early 2020, the draft Plenary Council papers written during the discernment stage will provide us with an opportunity for the final stage of preparation: Dialogue and Formation. Together, we will read and learn, speak with one another, reflect, take time to listen deeply to the emergent questions and themes, and continue to grapple with what future God is calling us toward. The stories expressing our sense of faith shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage will have shaped the program and the discernment of the Plenary Council. These three steps of preparation will take us toward the celebration of the Plenary Council, which will begin with the first Council session in October 2020. | ||||||||
We will address a new question in each e-newsletter. To catch up on previous editions, you can check out the Plenary Council FAQ page http://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/frequently-asked-questions . If you have a question, email it to us and we will include it in future editions of PlenaryPost.
The question for today is… What are the steps of preparation toward the Plenary Council sessions? A Plenary Council is held in three stages: preparation, celebration and implementation. Preparation is what we are doing now and there are three steps during this stage. The first is Open Listening and Dialogue, which we began at Pentecost. This will continue to be the focus until Ash Wednesday (March 6) next year. During this time, all people are invited to share their stories and reflect on the question: “What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?” The second step in our preparatory journey will commence after Easter in 2019. We will have discerned the emergent themes from all of the stories that have been shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage, and we will move into Dialogue and Discernment. It is a time to continue in the way of dialogue and to gather together to listen, pray, speak with one another and move forward – with focus – towards the future God is calling us to. We will be called to listen to what has been shared and reflect on this in light of the Gospels, Church teachings and good practice from inside and outside of the Church. In this way, we will continue to listen to the Spirit. Thirdly, in early 2020, the draft Plenary Council papers written during the discernment stage will provide us with an opportunity for the final stage of preparation: Dialogue and Formation. Together, we will read and learn, speak with one another, reflect, take time to listen deeply to the emergent questions and themes, and continue to grapple with what future God is calling us toward. The stories expressing our sense of faith shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage will have shaped the program and the discernment of the Plenary Council. These three steps of preparation will take us toward the celebration of the Plenary Council, which will begin with the first Council session in October 2020. | ||||||||
We will address a new question in each e-newsletter. To catch up on previous editions, you can check out the Plenary Council FAQ page http://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/frequently-asked-questions . If you have a question, email it to us and we will include it in future editions of PlenaryPost.
The question for today is… What are the steps of preparation toward the Plenary Council sessions? A Plenary Council is held in three stages: preparation, celebration and implementation. Preparation is what we are doing now and there are three steps during this stage. The first is Open Listening and Dialogue, which we began at Pentecost. This will continue to be the focus until Ash Wednesday (March 6) next year. During this time, all people are invited to share their stories and reflect on the question: “What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?” The second step in our preparatory journey will commence after Easter in 2019. We will have discerned the emergent themes from all of the stories that have been shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage, and we will move into Dialogue and Discernment. It is a time to continue in the way of dialogue and to gather together to listen, pray, speak with one another and move forward – with focus – towards the future God is calling us to. We will be called to listen to what has been shared and reflect on this in light of the Gospels, Church teachings and good practice from inside and outside of the Church. In this way, we will continue to listen to the Spirit. Thirdly, in early 2020, the draft Plenary Council papers written during the discernment stage will provide us with an opportunity for the final stage of preparation: Dialogue and Formation. Together, we will read and learn, speak with one another, reflect, take time to listen deeply to the emergent questions and themes, and continue to grapple with what future God is calling us toward. The stories expressing our sense of faith shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage will have shaped the program and the discernment of the Plenary Council. These three steps of preparation will take us toward the celebration of the Plenary Council, which will begin with the first Council session in October 2020. | ||||||||
We will address a new question in each e-newsletter. To catch up on previous editions, you can check out the Plenary Council FAQ page http://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/frequently-asked-questions . If you have a question, email it to us and we will include it in future editions of PlenaryPost.
The question for today is… What are the steps of preparation toward the Plenary Council sessions? A Plenary Council is held in three stages: preparation, celebration and implementation. Preparation is what we are doing now and there are three steps during this stage. The first is Open Listening and Dialogue, which we began at Pentecost. This will continue to be the focus until Ash Wednesday (March 6) next year. During this time, all people are invited to share their stories and reflect on the question: “What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?” The second step in our preparatory journey will commence after Easter in 2019. We will have discerned the emergent themes from all of the stories that have been shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage, and we will move into Dialogue and Discernment. It is a time to continue in the way of dialogue and to gather together to listen, pray, speak with one another and move forward – with focus – towards the future God is calling us to. We will be called to listen to what has been shared and reflect on this in light of the Gospels, Church teachings and good practice from inside and outside of the Church. In this way, we will continue to listen to the Spirit. Thirdly, in early 2020, the draft Plenary Council papers written during the discernment stage will provide us with an opportunity for the final stage of preparation: Dialogue and Formation. Together, we will read and learn, speak with one another, reflect, take time to listen deeply to the emergent questions and themes, and continue to grapple with what future God is calling us toward. The stories expressing our sense of faith shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage will have shaped the program and the discernment of the Plenary Council. These three steps of preparation will take us toward the celebration of the Plenary Council, which will begin with the first Council session in October 2020. | ||||||||
We will address a new question in each e-newsletter. To catch up on previous editions, you can check out the Plenary Council FAQ page http://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/frequently-asked-questions . If you have a question, email it to us and we will include it in future editions of PlenaryPost.
The question for today is… What are the steps of preparation toward the Plenary Council sessions? A Plenary Council is held in three stages: preparation, celebration and implementation. Preparation is what we are doing now and there are three steps during this stage. The first is Open Listening and Dialogue, which we began at Pentecost. This will continue to be the focus until Ash Wednesday (March 6) next year. During this time, all people are invited to share their stories and reflect on the question: “What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?” The second step in our preparatory journey will commence after Easter in 2019. We will have discerned the emergent themes from all of the stories that have been shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage, and we will move into Dialogue and Discernment. It is a time to continue in the way of dialogue and to gather together to listen, pray, speak with one another and move forward – with focus – towards the future God is calling us to. We will be called to listen to what has been shared and reflect on this in light of the Gospels, Church teachings and good practice from inside and outside of the Church. In this way, we will continue to listen to the Spirit. Thirdly, in early 2020, the draft Plenary Council papers written during the discernment stage will provide us with an opportunity for the final stage of preparation: Dialogue and Formation. Together, we will read and learn, speak with one another, reflect, take time to listen deeply to the emergent questions and themes, and continue to grapple with what future God is calling us toward. The stories expressing our sense of faith shared during the Open Listening and Dialogue stage will have shaped the program and the discernment of the Plenary Council. These three steps of preparation will take us toward the celebration of the Plenary Council, which will begin with the first Council session in October 2020. |
TalkTheology
| Realising the dream of Vatican II by Fr Noel Connolly SSC, Plenary Council Facilitation TeamThe bishops at Vatican II deliberately changed the order of chapters in their Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium. Instead of beginning “from the top”, with the hierarchy, they began with a chapter on “the People of God”.That is what unites us. We – Pope, bishops, priests and laity – are all members of the people of God. In a people of God theology, the “ontological gap” between clergy and laity dissolves. Our unity comes from our sense of being the people of God on mission. Such a vision can nourish among us great enthusiasm and hope, energy and equality. We are collaborating in something much larger than ourselves: God’s life and mission in the world.In the past year, since being appointed to the Plenary Council Facilitation Team, I returned to studying the history and theology of Vatican II. I am frequently surprised at the treasures it contains which we have yet to mine and develop.Through our Plenary Council, we may make the dreams of Vatican II more real in Australia. | Realising the dream of Vatican II by Fr Noel Connolly SSC, Plenary Council Facilitation TeamThe bishops at Vatican II deliberately changed the order of chapters in their Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium. Instead of beginning “from the top”, with the hierarchy, they began with a chapter on “the People of God”.That is what unites us. We – Pope, bishops, priests and laity – are all members of the people of God. In a people of God theology, the “ontological gap” between clergy and laity dissolves. Our unity comes from our sense of being the people of God on mission. Such a vision can nourish among us great enthusiasm and hope, energy and equality. We are collaborating in something much larger than ourselves: God’s life and mission in the world.In the past year, since being appointed to the Plenary Council Facilitation Team, I returned to studying the history and theology of Vatican II. I am frequently surprised at the treasures it contains which we have yet to mine and develop.Through our Plenary Council, we may make the dreams of Vatican II more real in Australia. | Realising the dream of Vatican II by Fr Noel Connolly SSC, Plenary Council Facilitation TeamThe bishops at Vatican II deliberately changed the order of chapters in their Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium. Instead of beginning “from the top”, with the hierarchy, they began with a chapter on “the People of God”.That is what unites us. We – Pope, bishops, priests and laity – are all members of the people of God. In a people of God theology, the “ontological gap” between clergy and laity dissolves. Our unity comes from our sense of being the people of God on mission. Such a vision can nourish among us great enthusiasm and hope, energy and equality. We are collaborating in something much larger than ourselves: God’s life and mission in the world.In the past year, since being appointed to the Plenary Council Facilitation Team, I returned to studying the history and theology of Vatican II. I am frequently surprised at the treasures it contains which we have yet to mine and develop.Through our Plenary Council, we may make the dreams of Vatican II more real in Australia. | Realising the dream of Vatican II by Fr Noel Connolly SSC, Plenary Council Facilitation TeamThe bishops at Vatican II deliberately changed the order of chapters in their Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium. Instead of beginning “from the top”, with the hierarchy, they began with a chapter on “the People of God”.That is what unites us. We – Pope, bishops, priests and laity – are all members of the people of God. In a people of God theology, the “ontological gap” between clergy and laity dissolves. Our unity comes from our sense of being the people of God on mission. Such a vision can nourish among us great enthusiasm and hope, energy and equality. We are collaborating in something much larger than ourselves: God’s life and mission in the world.In the past year, since being appointed to the Plenary Council Facilitation Team, I returned to studying the history and theology of Vatican II. I am frequently surprised at the treasures it contains which we have yet to mine and develop.Through our Plenary Council, we may make the dreams of Vatican II more real in Australia. | Realising the dream of Vatican II by Fr Noel Connolly SSC, Plenary Council Facilitation TeamThe bishops at Vatican II deliberately changed the order of chapters in their Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium. Instead of beginning “from the top”, with the hierarchy, they began with a chapter on “the People of God”.That is what unites us. We – Pope, bishops, priests and laity – are all members of the people of God. In a people of God theology, the “ontological gap” between clergy and laity dissolves. Our unity comes from our sense of being the people of God on mission. Such a vision can nourish among us great enthusiasm and hope, energy and equality. We are collaborating in something much larger than ourselves: God’s life and mission in the world.In the past year, since being appointed to the Plenary Council Facilitation Team, I returned to studying the history and theology of Vatican II. I am frequently surprised at the treasures it contains which we have yet to mine and develop.Through our Plenary Council, we may make the dreams of Vatican II more real in Australia. | Realising the dream of Vatican II by Fr Noel Connolly SSC, Plenary Council Facilitation TeamThe bishops at Vatican II deliberately changed the order of chapters in their Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium. Instead of beginning “from the top”, with the hierarchy, they began with a chapter on “the People of God”.That is what unites us. We – Pope, bishops, priests and laity – are all members of the people of God. In a people of God theology, the “ontological gap” between clergy and laity dissolves. Our unity comes from our sense of being the people of God on mission. Such a vision can nourish among us great enthusiasm and hope, energy and equality. We are collaborating in something much larger than ourselves: God’s life and mission in the world.In the past year, since being appointed to the Plenary Council Facilitation Team, I returned to studying the history and theology of Vatican II. I am frequently surprised at the treasures it contains which we have yet to mine and develop.Through our Plenary Council, we may make the dreams of Vatican II more real in Australia. | Realising the dream of Vatican II by Fr Noel Connolly SSC, Plenary Council Facilitation TeamThe bishops at Vatican II deliberately changed the order of chapters in their Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium. Instead of beginning “from the top”, with the hierarchy, they began with a chapter on “the People of God”.That is what unites us. We – Pope, bishops, priests and laity – are all members of the people of God. In a people of God theology, the “ontological gap” between clergy and laity dissolves. Our unity comes from our sense of being the people of God on mission. Such a vision can nourish among us great enthusiasm and hope, energy and equality. We are collaborating in something much larger than ourselves: God’s life and mission in the world.In the past year, since being appointed to the Plenary Council Facilitation Team, I returned to studying the history and theology of Vatican II. I am frequently surprised at the treasures it contains which we have yet to mine and develop.Through our Plenary Council, we may make the dreams of Vatican II more real in Australia. | |
Realising the dream of Vatican II by Fr Noel Connolly SSC, Plenary Council Facilitation TeamThe bishops at Vatican II deliberately changed the order of chapters in their Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium. Instead of beginning “from the top”, with the hierarchy, they began with a chapter on “the People of God”.That is what unites us. We – Pope, bishops, priests and laity – are all members of the people of God. In a people of God theology, the “ontological gap” between clergy and laity dissolves. Our unity comes from our sense of being the people of God on mission. Such a vision can nourish among us great enthusiasm and hope, energy and equality. We are collaborating in something much larger than ourselves: God’s life and mission in the world.In the past year, since being appointed to the Plenary Council Facilitation Team, I returned to studying the history and theology of Vatican II. I am frequently surprised at the treasures it contains which we have yet to mine and develop.Through our Plenary Council, we may make the dreams of Vatican II more real in Australia. | ||||||||
Realising the dream of Vatican II by Fr Noel Connolly SSC, Plenary Council Facilitation TeamThe bishops at Vatican II deliberately changed the order of chapters in their Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium. Instead of beginning “from the top”, with the hierarchy, they began with a chapter on “the People of God”.That is what unites us. We – Pope, bishops, priests and laity – are all members of the people of God. In a people of God theology, the “ontological gap” between clergy and laity dissolves. Our unity comes from our sense of being the people of God on mission. Such a vision can nourish among us great enthusiasm and hope, energy and equality. We are collaborating in something much larger than ourselves: God’s life and mission in the world.In the past year, since being appointed to the Plenary Council Facilitation Team, I returned to studying the history and theology of Vatican II. I am frequently surprised at the treasures it contains which we have yet to mine and develop.Through our Plenary Council, we may make the dreams of Vatican II more real in Australia. | ||||||||
Realising the dream of Vatican II by Fr Noel Connolly SSC, Plenary Council Facilitation TeamThe bishops at Vatican II deliberately changed the order of chapters in their Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium. Instead of beginning “from the top”, with the hierarchy, they began with a chapter on “the People of God”.That is what unites us. We – Pope, bishops, priests and laity – are all members of the people of God. In a people of God theology, the “ontological gap” between clergy and laity dissolves. Our unity comes from our sense of being the people of God on mission. Such a vision can nourish among us great enthusiasm and hope, energy and equality. We are collaborating in something much larger than ourselves: God’s life and mission in the world.In the past year, since being appointed to the Plenary Council Facilitation Team, I returned to studying the history and theology of Vatican II. I am frequently surprised at the treasures it contains which we have yet to mine and develop.Through our Plenary Council, we may make the dreams of Vatican II more real in Australia. | ||||||||
Realising the dream of Vatican II by Fr Noel Connolly SSC, Plenary Council Facilitation TeamThe bishops at Vatican II deliberately changed the order of chapters in their Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium. Instead of beginning “from the top”, with the hierarchy, they began with a chapter on “the People of God”.That is what unites us. We – Pope, bishops, priests and laity – are all members of the people of God. In a people of God theology, the “ontological gap” between clergy and laity dissolves. Our unity comes from our sense of being the people of God on mission. Such a vision can nourish among us great enthusiasm and hope, energy and equality. We are collaborating in something much larger than ourselves: God’s life and mission in the world.In the past year, since being appointed to the Plenary Council Facilitation Team, I returned to studying the history and theology of Vatican II. I am frequently surprised at the treasures it contains which we have yet to mine and develop.Through our Plenary Council, we may make the dreams of Vatican II more real in Australia. | ||||||||
Realising the dream of Vatican II by Fr Noel Connolly SSC, Plenary Council Facilitation TeamThe bishops at Vatican II deliberately changed the order of chapters in their Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium. Instead of beginning “from the top”, with the hierarchy, they began with a chapter on “the People of God”.That is what unites us. We – Pope, bishops, priests and laity – are all members of the people of God. In a people of God theology, the “ontological gap” between clergy and laity dissolves. Our unity comes from our sense of being the people of God on mission. Such a vision can nourish among us great enthusiasm and hope, energy and equality. We are collaborating in something much larger than ourselves: God’s life and mission in the world.In the past year, since being appointed to the Plenary Council Facilitation Team, I returned to studying the history and theology of Vatican II. I am frequently surprised at the treasures it contains which we have yet to mine and develop.Through our Plenary Council, we may make the dreams of Vatican II more real in Australia. | ||||||||
Realising the dream of Vatican II by Fr Noel Connolly SSC, Plenary Council Facilitation TeamThe bishops at Vatican II deliberately changed the order of chapters in their Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium. Instead of beginning “from the top”, with the hierarchy, they began with a chapter on “the People of God”.That is what unites us. We – Pope, bishops, priests and laity – are all members of the people of God. In a people of God theology, the “ontological gap” between clergy and laity dissolves. Our unity comes from our sense of being the people of God on mission. Such a vision can nourish among us great enthusiasm and hope, energy and equality. We are collaborating in something much larger than ourselves: God’s life and mission in the world.In the past year, since being appointed to the Plenary Council Facilitation Team, I returned to studying the history and theology of Vatican II. I am frequently surprised at the treasures it contains which we have yet to mine and develop.Through our Plenary Council, we may make the dreams of Vatican II more real in Australia. | ||||||||
Realising the dream of Vatican II by Fr Noel Connolly SSC, Plenary Council Facilitation TeamThe bishops at Vatican II deliberately changed the order of chapters in their Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium. Instead of beginning “from the top”, with the hierarchy, they began with a chapter on “the People of God”.That is what unites us. We – Pope, bishops, priests and laity – are all members of the people of God. In a people of God theology, the “ontological gap” between clergy and laity dissolves. Our unity comes from our sense of being the people of God on mission. Such a vision can nourish among us great enthusiasm and hope, energy and equality. We are collaborating in something much larger than ourselves: God’s life and mission in the world.In the past year, since being appointed to the Plenary Council Facilitation Team, I returned to studying the history and theology of Vatican II. I am frequently surprised at the treasures it contains which we have yet to mine and develop.Through our Plenary Council, we may make the dreams of Vatican II more real in Australia. |
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