Volume 4: Issue 5 2008 A publication of the Archdiocese of Hobart Complimentary 23 Dear Friends in Christ, W elcome 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. Call to Change saw 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. Archbi shop Doyl e writes
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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
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
www.hobart.catholic.org.au
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.
www.hobart.catholic.org.au
hope faithcommunityrenew
4 Volume 4 Issue 5 2008
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.
www.hobart.catholic.org.au
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
www.hobart.catholic.org.au
hope faithcommunityrenew
6 Volume 4 Issue 5 2008
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
www.hobart.catholic.org.au
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.
www.hobart.catholic.org.au
hope faithcommunityrenew
8 Volume 4 Issue 5 2008
We still, however, continue to
pray for a Religious person to
help us come closer to God.
www.hobart.catholic.org.au
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
www.hobart.catholic.org.au
hope faithcommunityrenew
10 Volume 4 Issue 5 2008
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
www.hobart.catholic.org.au
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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