Each goal outline has a working group assigned to it. To find out more information, please contact the webmaster by email at [email protected].
Goal 1
Goal 2
Goal 3
Goal 4
Goal 5
Goal 6
In reflecting on the Diocesan’s Strategic Plan and its goals and our parish activities over the past years it is apparent that we have touched on most of them.
The following overview will demonstrate those activities and processes in which we have done so in a random order.
These Goals are:
Used sacred liturgy and pastoral actions to foster joy and hope in our community
We have been flexible and creative in nurturing the life in our community.
Sharing the Good News and breaking it open in a joy filled and socially inclusive environment.
When and where appropriate individual initiatives and talents are encouraged and supported.
Through the hosting of the Diocesan Assembly a significant contribution is made to the diocese.
The inclusion of feedback from Parish groups at PPC monthly meetings ensures a collaborative and supportive opportunity to provide assistance when and where required.
Representation on Ministers Fraternal and Combined Church working groups is actively engaged in.
Having emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic the PPC has returned to the normal processes as before the outbreak.
Parish Reflection of the past year’s operations
Through our pastoral support workers and many volunteers much has been ongoing and initiated.For example:
Bereavement support visits to those who are home bound.
Sacramental preparation for those outside a Catholic School.
Regular Alpha Masses and prayer reflection times are conducted.
Vespers in the Cathedral has been a new initiative.
Benediction and Exposition in the Cathedral on the 1st Thursday of each month; another new initiative
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with Liturgy of the Word every Friday at Crystal Brook continues a 20+ year commitment with the intention of vocations for the diocese.
Stations of the Cross in the Park and now in Holy Trinity grounds with children leading the Liturgy
The rich cultural diversity of our parish is on display in the Blessing of the Fleet, Santo Niño and the International Dinner which commemorates the migrant and refugees amongst us
A yearly Parish Picnic with Outdoor Mass at Bowman Park
Blessing of animals in October, an innovation
Introducing a monthly Mass in Crystal Brook hospital for the Aged Care residents as well as Mass in the Willochra Aged Care Home when Protocols allow
A Christmas shared meal in the Memorial Park continues to grow in support.
Lenten discussion groups are supported and resourced as are various woman’s and men’s prayer groups.
St. Vinnies continue to operate under stressful circumstances and still manage to provide for those in need. Fred’s Van under their oversight is an example of community support in action.
The hosting of Polish visitors to our parish is a new liturgical and social initiative.
Pilgrimage to Polish River, Sevenhill and northern areas of our Diocese
Finance Committee has overseen and implemented processes that have put the parish on a sustainable footing for the future,
The Musical Ministry has continued to provide commendable support and quality material enhancing the sacred liturgy.
The Year Ahead:
To foster, promote and when and where appropriate support the National Evangelisation Team.
To foster and develop further the collaboration between the St Mark’s College and the PPC.
To implement the newly adopted TERMS OF REFERENCE for the PPC and to develop action plans for its implementation
The relocation of the Parish Office
Inclusion of Youth Representative on the PPC
Connect with and support existing networks for women in unplanned pregnancy situations. We are a pro-life parish as is the diocese.
Spiritual and Faith sharing segments as a set component of all PPC Meetings.
In Conclusion:
To all the unsung parishioners who do so much, not seen by the rest of us, we owe you so much. You are the mortar, the cement of a living parish family that binds all together. God is never outdone in generosity, so your reward is forthcoming for all eternity.
My sincere and prayerful thanks to all for the generosity, patience, support and understanding during the time I have spent in this evolving and privileged position.
To our Parish Priest, a pastoral shepherd in the true sense of the term, Fr Jimmy, I hope that we as your flock have helped in some meaningful ways to lighten your burden as Administrator and Parish Priest.
My prayers and best wishes to all, especially the incoming PPC members.
May God’s blessings continue to rain upon you!
Yours sincerely,
John O’Dea.
COVID has and still is the governing factor in the activities of all our lives these past two years. 2020 was more impacting and as a Parish Pastoral Council the regularity of the meetings were curtailed. However, within the COVID Safe boundaries parish activities still took place.
Our focus and activities were both innovative as well as a continuation of areas supportive of and a continuation of structures and groups where required and necessary.
Bereavement support, home visits and sacrament preparation guidance were provided when and where needed.
Alpha Masses and reflection times took place whenever the opportunity presented.
Gatherings at cemeteries for Mass and blessings of graves.
Vespers in the Cathedral, an innovation.
Exposition in the Cathedral and Benediction on a Thursday each month.
Exposition each Friday at Holy Trinity.
Santo Nino.
Blessing of the Fleet.
Prayer groups.
Mass and the blessings of animals on a Sunday in October.
Parish Picnic at Bowman's Park.
Mass at Crystal Brook Hospital for the first time in memory.
Home Mass on request.
Knights of the Southern Cross visits to aged care men residents when permitted.
Welcoming Committee met when regulations permitted, as did Catholic Women's League, Catholic Women's Groups, Knights of the Southern Cross, and the various prayer groups.
KSC.
St Vinnies and Fred's Van continued to operate within the COVID Safe boundaries.
Welcoming of a new bishop and the farewell of an elderly one took place and were celebrated to the level allowed and suited to the respective occasion.
Hosting the successful Diocesan Assembly in the new Sports Precinct.
The ongoing development of a parish website.
The collaboration between the School and the PPC has been outstanding and a blessing to all.
The liturgical support of the St Mark's choir within the boundaries stipulated has presented challenges yet achieved commendable results.
Parish Finances required urgent action resulting in office staff's hours having to be cut. Thanks for the staff’s cooperation in this necessary action and the many hours of the Finance Committee's efforts who consulted with Diocesan Personnel to achieve the best outcome for meeting the needs of the parish.
Welcoming of a new St Mark's School Principal, Sandra Hewson, and no doubt new teachers.
Parish office relocation.
Inclusion of youth on the PPC. Perhaps the inviting of St. Mark's school leaders.
Parish Finance Representative to present mid-year report.
Early in 2022 connect with and support local existing networks for women in unplanned pregnancy situations and invite Jo Vanstone to address the PPC.
Revamp the PPC Constitution
Review the Stewardship Program
Ongoing contact with the Missionaries of God's Love.
NATIONAL EVANGELISATION TEAM! Bishop Karol's initiative. To welcome, promote and help resource this exciting project.
Promote Home Masses and the resultant social gatherings
Thanks to Fr Jimmy and his leadership, friendship and being a pastoral shepherd in the true meaning of the term. I hope we have helped you in the load you shoulder as Administrator and Parish Priest and be assured of our continuing support and prayers.
To all members of the PPC for their honesty, commitment and valuable contributions in all deliberations within meetings and the St Mark's Parish community.
To a departing valued parishioner and PPC member – Greg Hay, the School Principal. Enjoy with your wife the beauty, wonder and joy that goes with grandparenting and retirement. Finally!
Having breeched our PPC Constitution by holding the Chairmanship for years more than the stipulated time I flee before being the subject of a coupe or being accused of hogging the position.
Many thanks and prayers to all for all the support you have given both to me and more importantly our Parish Priest and our Parish.
May God continue to bless us all.