diocese of broken bay pre synod regional gathering may 2011 © m. leahy integroe partners

Diocese of Broken Bay

Pre Synod Regional Gathering

May 2011

© M. Leahy Integroe Partners

http://www.dbb.org.au/ourdiocese/synod/Pages/default.aspx

Opening PrayerLord,

we ask you to inspire all members of the Diocese of Broken Bayto participate in our Synod with passion, imagination and love.

Grant us the knowledge to identify the issues which will enliven our faith,

the tolerance to hear and embrace different views ,the wisdom to resolve issues and formulate actions in accordance with your

holy will and the courage to accept changes which will enrich our lives.

Send your Holy Spirit to guide us as we joyfully involve ourselves in this unique opportunity

to lay the foundations of the future direction for our Diocese. May the sharing of the skills and experiences of our people

inspire the creation of plans which will support our congregations,ignite our enthusiasm and strengthen our faith.

We ask this through Christ, Our Lord.Amen

Our Lady, Star of the Sea, R. Pray for us

Agenda6.00 Introduction, Prayer and Welcome

6.15 Overview - Pre Synod process- Purpose of this evening- Communal Discernment

6.45 Workshop- Working with your Parish data- Identifying and exploring the key issues

8.15 Group Discernment of Parish Representatives- Identification and Commitment

8.45 Next steps – Going Forward © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

The Purpose of Tonight….

• is NOT to deal with issues, decide strategy!

• is to work with your parish data:– Identify key issues for:

• your parish• the diocese

– Collectively explore factors relating to the issues for:• your parish• the diocese

• Identify 2 representatives from your parish to go forward to the first Synod in June © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Purpose of the Synod

– “..come together to lay foundations for the future direction of the diocese.”

– “..celebrate the accomplishments that have been achieved and to recognise the giftedness and the diversity of our people.”


Synod Outcomes

Celebrate…… the pastCelebrate…… the past

Engage……with the presentEngage……with the present

Envision…..the futureEnvision…..the future

The Synod Motto

Go Make Disciples. .

4 Stage Synod Process

• Pre Synod

• Synod Session 1 ( Pentecost 2011)

• Consultation

• Synod Session 2 (Pentecost 2012)


Synod Timeline

Synod Synod Session 1 Session 2 Pre Synod Consultation

2010 June 2011 June 2012

-Broad consultation-gather data-identify emerging themes/issues

-Discern Parish reps for Synod Session 1 © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

The Synod Process

• Pre Synod- Consultation 2010-June 2011– Curia Staff (Nov 2010)

– Clergy (Feb 2011)

– Parish Pastoral Councils (Feb 2011)

– Parishioners (Feb 2011)

– Catholic School Communities (Feb, March 2011)

– Parents of Children attending Catholic SRE in State Schools (Feb, March 2011)

– Heads of Mission Meeting (April 2011)

– Regional Gatherings, Selection of Parish Representatives ( May 2011)


Your role tonight

You are here representing your parish: – Skills

• Listen• Analyse• Critique

– Capacity • Think big picture• Communicate effectively• Think creatively/ laterally• Discern


Most importantly….

• can work as part of a team• capacity to ‘work with’ others• a listener• open to possibilities• you are not here with the answers• you not pushing a barrow

• Your work tonight requires you to engage in a process of discernment as you work with your parish data and identify two representatives to go forward to the Synod in June.


Communal Discernment

• Discernment is not:

– debate,• where one side knows the truth and tries to persuade

the other- KNOWERS MIND

– dialogue,• understanding/ direction emerges through listening to

many voices. LEARNER’S MIND

Guidelines for Communal Discernment by Victoria G. Curtisshttp://www.hudrivpres.org/upload/docs/curtiss_discernment.pdf


“seekers mind”Communal discernment orients us to be attentive to

the movement of the Holy Spirit within us:– Gather

• Build community; affirm a covenant; clarify issue/s

– Listen• Let go; reflect on scripture; share information; name

and weigh options

– Go forward• Choose direction; rest with the direction• Make a formal decision

Guidelines for Communal Discernment by Victoria G. Curtisshttp://www.hudrivpres.org/upload/docs/curtiss_discernment.pdf


Principles of Discernment

• Gather good data and basic factual information, identifying alternatives and possibilities

• Let your heart educate your mind. Let your love of God educate your reason in discerning his will.

• Have a soft heart but a hard head. We should be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves," sharp as a fox in thought but loyal as a dog in will and deed.

“Discernment” by Peter J. KreeftProfessor of Philosophy Boston College

http://www.peterkreeft.com/topics/discernment.htm


• Keep all possible options open in order that creativity may contribute to the process

• Lay aside all biases and blocks, being willing to consider new ideas

• Maintain a community and climate of prayer and contemplation so the central question is not “ what is the group consensus?” but “ what is the spirit leading us to?”

“Discernment” by Peter J. KreeftProfessor of Philosophy Boston College

http://www.peterkreeft.com/topics/discernment.htm© M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Discernment themesI invite you to:• be present, be silent • be open• listen & hear• reflect and contemplate• share the fruits of your contemplation• question & clarify• engage your imagination• think differently• suspend judgment


Discernment themes .......

• Recognise your strengths……..

• Acknowledge the things you’ll find challenging…………

• Commit to engaging fully in the process!

• Ind reflection and share in your group© M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Organisation

• Parish Table groups • Parish data• Confidentiality


My role

• “…is to enable you to do your work!”


Natalie

– The data• How has the data been organised?

– Key considerations– What ‘s included

– What will happen with the data• Discerned themes go forward to June Synod • Feedback to Parishes

– Inform future planning


Loving CreatorEnfold us in your light and love

Make us receptive to your wisdom and your inspirationGuide us in everything we think, say and do.

Help us to listen and discern.May your light and love radiate from our beings,

So that each of us may share fully in your Wisdom.Amen

© M. Leah Integroe Partners

• God Calls Us to Listen• Listen, Israel…you must love the Lord your God with all

your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength. Let the words… stay in your heart.

Dt 6:4-13

• The Gift of the Holy Spirit• From this time they were all filled with the Holy Spirit

and began to proclaim the word of God fearlessly. Acts 4:1-31

• Hearing God’s Word• “…Look, I am standing at the door, knocking. If one of

you hears me calling and opens the door, I will come in…” Rev 3:13-22


Loving CreatorEnfold us in your light and love

Make us receptive to your wisdom and your inspirationGuide us in everything we think, say and do.

Help us to listen and discern.May your light and love radiate from our beings,

So that each of us may share fully in your Wisdom.Amen

Your Parish Data

• Take 5 mins to read the data– listen for the themes

• In parish groups have a conversation about the data– What are your observations? What patterns,

themes are emerging? What is unclear? What surprises you?

– Feedback surprises to the larger group


Surprises!!!


Task:

Identify from the data the 5 key issues facing your parish.

Record on butchers paper summarising each issue in approx 5 words


Remember the principles of Discernment

• Work with the data• Let your heart educate your mind. • Have a soft heart but a hard head.• Keep all possible options open• Lay aside all biases and blocks • Maintain a community and climate of prayer and

contemplation.Adapted from “Discernment” by Peter J. Kreeft

Professor of Philosophy Boston College http://www.peterkreeft.com/topics/discernment.htm


• Record issues from the whole group on butcher paper


Analyse

• Collective Process– What are the issues about:

• Understandings, perceptions, feelings

• Collectively rank issues 1-8

• In parish groups take 4 issues and complete worksheet (one issue per sheet)

• Each group present one issue back to the larger group.


Parish Process

• What is the issue about?

• What are the key factors in your parish?

• What are the key factors for the Diocese?


Issues….

• Is anything missing at a Diocesan level?


Discerning Parish Representatives

1. Availability: Friday 3 June 4pm Saturday 4 June 9am -3pm2. Venue: Pennant Hills


Characteristics/ AttributesSkills

• Listen, analyse, critique, discern

Capacity • Think big picture• Communicate effectively• Think creatively/ laterally

Most Importantly!!!

Can work as part of a team


Synod Session1Synod Session 1 Outcome:

“Consolidation of celebrating the past;

refining & prioritising the Issues to provide a workable number of issues that are of most importance to the

people of the diocese;

developing positive statements of intent in response to those issues.”


Synod Timeline

Synod Synod Session 1 Session 2

Pre Synod Consultation

2010 3,4 June 2011 June 2012

-Refine and prioritise issues-Develop Vision statements (statements of intent) in response to issues.

Celebrate the Past: Engage with the Present; Vision the Future


In preparation…be silent

• God Calls Us to Listen• Mary…treasured all these things and pondered them in

her heart Lk 2:19

• The Gift of the Holy Spirit• Nobody is able to say, “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy

Spirit. There are many different gifts, but it is always the same Spirit. 1 Cor 12:1-13

• Hearing God’s Word• Mary…sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him

speaking…Martha…came to him and said, “Please tell her to help me” Lk 10:38-42


Discernment

• Personal reflection 10 Mins

– Be silent– Be aware of the task– Sit with each parish member

• Parish group reflection 20 mins

– Reflecting on the task and the identified characteristics/ attributes, who from the group is called to go forward?


Commitment

Walk with me, good and loving God, as I journey through this process. May I take your hand and be led by your Holy Spirit. Fill me, inspire me, free me to respond generously to your call. For I believe you desire my deepest joy, and it is only in your company that my soul will be satisfied and my life will find its meaning and purpose. Amen.


Where to from here?


Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;

knock and the door will be opened to you.

Luke 11:9


Consultation between Synod Sessions 1 & 2

Outcome:Gather “possible actions” for accomplishing vision

statements.- Discuss how issues can be addressed

Gather stories of success. - Where people, parish, the diocese are “at their best” with

regard to these issues.- Consider actions from the personal, parish and

diocesan perspective.

This process may include targeted consultation where particular groups are invited to discuss issues most pertinent to them (eg youth)© M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Synod Timeline

Synod Synod Session 1 Session 2 Pre Synod Consultation

2010 3,4 June 2011 June 2012

-Identify possible actions to address issues:

-gather and analyse stories of success in regard to issue

-Identify possible actions relevant to context-Consult targeted groups



Synod Session 2Synod Session 2 Outcome:“Synthesise the way forward by refining possible

actions for each vision area:- possible actions addressed at the personal, parish and

diocesan level- each vision area would identify possible actions that may

be easy, difficult, and those requiring real courage.

This session would provide a list of possible actions that may be produced in a format suitable for planning by individuals, parish pastoral councils , diocesan pastoral planning and diocesan agencies.


Synod Timeline

Synod Synod Session 1 Session 2

Pre Synod Consultation

2010 June 2011 June 2012

Develop a plan to facilitate the realization of the Diocesan Vision. - Synthesize and refine actions - align actions with Vision statements.



diocese of broken bay pre synod regional gathering may 2011 © m. leahy integroe partners

Documents

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leahy integroe partnerspurpose

leahy integroe partnersagenda6

pre synod consultation2010

parish data

parish reps

parish pastoral councils

consultationsynod session