Over the past 6 months, we have been walking with some of our Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) chairs in online gatherings. Earlier in the year, we identified a need for accompaniment of our PPC Chairs. The idea was to gather together, share information and enable PPC Chairs to get to know one another, hear their context and stories and inspire one another.
Our first gathering was on the 16th of March and had representatives from each deanery. We have since had two more gatherings, where we have explored how we could measure the impact of evangelisation efforts and the themes from the recent Archdiocesan Assembly. Those who have been coming along have expressed a desire to continue, with the hope to continue to support one another and contribute to a greater sense of belonging together.
Importantly, the hope is that these gatherings better equip and support one another to work collaboratively with our Parish PPCs and clergy. With this being a new initiative and in its test phase, we are all learning together how these gatherings take place and how to effectively use our time together. We are also grappling with how we best communicate; in between meetings and with our Parishes.
Some of the feedback from our Chairs is below:
“The first PPC Chairs Online Gathering was very well attended and valuable, with enthusiastic response. Participants expressed keenness to be more engaged in setting the Agenda and process for future meetings. It is a great initiative to enable sharing and ensure communication – an important element of building connectedness and sharing of ideas! Thank you!” Phil Billington, PPC Yass
“The Gathering was a great chance to connect with other parish chairs, hear their experiences, and chat about wider initiatives including local parish assemblies. I’m really looking forward to building strong, faith-filled connections with fellow chairs. It’s an exciting opportunity to learn from one another, work together and help make our communities more welcoming while encouraging active, lived faith.” John Mikita, PPC Gungahlin
“I see it as a wonderful opportunity to share parish experiences – both good and bad . It will be an opportunity to share what is working well in respect of our transitioning to a synodal approach and any difficulties which may be like those experiences in other parishes. A fantastic way to connect and strengthen our relationships on a Diocesan level as we learn together. Blessings and thanks for the amazing work you and the team are doing” Deb Poulson, PFC Kambah
We are really excited to continue walking with each other and see where the Holy Spirit leads us.
If you are a PPC Chair and would like to get involved, please email chloe.kelly@cg.org.au