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Archdiocesan Plan 2016 - 2021

Welcome,

The official release of our Archdiocesan Plan was shared within all parishes of the Archdiocese and provided here online, on the weekend of 16/17 July 2016. Commenced in late 2014, this Plan is the result of extensive consultation and input from clergy, parishes, agencies, groups and individuals from within our Archdiocese.

Strategies and actions related to each of the priority areas are summarised in this document. These strategies will be the subject of regular review with actions to be amended or enhanced where necessary.

The Plan is not designed to stifle creativity but to provide a fresh direction in addressing each important area. Importantly, the Plan has demanded that we review the Archdiocese from an organisational perspective to better facilitate the spreading of the Gospel. These changes have already commenced and are outlined in Section 3 ‘Implementation and Management’.

The Plan has as its focus, seven (7) key priority areas

  • Professional Standards
  • Effective Communications
  • Support for Clergy
  • Strengthening and Revitalising Parishes
  • Adult Faith Formation
  • Outreach to Those in Need
  • Archdiocesan Growth and Development

“Our” Plan is more than just a document. It will enable us to walk together on the pathway which we hope will deliver a Christ-centred, faithful, vibrant, welcoming, inclusive and mission-oriented Church, one which will enrich our own lives and the lives of all whom we encounter and seek to serve.

Like all such initiatives it is aspirational: it expresses our hopes and dreams. I believe it is also practical, providing concrete steps we can take as we walk together into the future. I am fully committed to this vision for our Archdiocese.

I ask you to join me so that together, we can continue to walk faithfully in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd.

Most Rev Timothy Costelloe SDBArchbishop of Perth

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Archdiocesan Plan & Summary

About Plan

In 2014, following consultation within the Archdiocese, the Archbishop recognised the need for an Archdiocesan Plan to be prepared with a focus on seven key priority areas.

With significant initiatives already underway in addressing Professional Standards, new Working Parties were established for the six remaining priority areas. Each Working Party was provided with executive support and terms of reference.

A Coordinating Group, with responsibility for preparation of the overall Plan for consideration by the Archbishop, was formed. This group included Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton, Chairpersons of the working parties, Mr Greg Russo, Chief Executive Officer Archdiocese of Perth and myself.

I would like to acknowledge the significant efforts of the Working Party Chairs and their members throughout this process and in particular thank everyone who contributed through the consultation phase. The considered input from clergy, agencies and parishioners has been critical in preparing a relevant and actionable outcome.

Mr Danny Murphy Chair – Coordinating Group

Overview of Findings

The principal findings arising from the consultation process may be categorised under the four (4) headings of Leadership, Support, Structure and Formation.

  1. Leadership Expand opportunities to share vision, expertise and guidance from Church leaders and empower the Church at all levels to positively contribute to our community.
  2. Support Establish initiatives to assist Clergy and Lay people to achieve goals for their parishes and the Archdiocese of Perth.
  3. Structure Increase assistance for the Archbishop with clear functions, roles and lines of communication.
  4. Formation Strengthen and expand formation of Clergy, Seminarians and Parishioners.

These inextricably linked categories have been significant in formulating Strategies and Actions listed by Key Priority Area. The Strategies are highlighted in the pages to follow.

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Strategic Vision

In 2014, following consultation within the Archdiocese, the Archbishop recognised the need for an Archdiocesan Plan to be prepared with a focus on seven key priority areas.

With significan t initiatives already underway in addressing Professional Standards, new Working Parties were established for the six remaining priority areas. Each Working Party was provided with executive support and terms of reference.

A Coordinating Group, with responsibility for preparation of the overall Plan for consideration by the Archbishop, was formed. This group included Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton, Chairpersons of the working parties, Mr Greg Russo, Chief Executive Officer Archdiocese of Perth and myself.

I would like to acknowledge the significant efforts of the Working Party Chairs and their members throughout this process and in particular thank everyone who contributed through the consultation phase. The considered input from clergy, agencies and parishioners has been critical in preparing a relevant and actionable outcome.

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Archbishop’s Vision and Priorities

How I see the Archdiocese of Perth in future

In his letter fifteen years ago, Pope John Paul stated very clearly that in proposing a way forward he was not in any sense inventing a ‘new programme’. The programme, he said, already exists: it is the plan found in the Gospel and in the living Tradition, it is the same as ever. Ultimately, it has its centre in Christ himself, who is to be known, loved and imitated… This is a programme which does not change with shifts of times and cultures, even though it takes account of time and culture for the sake of true dialogue and effective communication. This programme for all times is our programme for the Third Millennium.

In echoing Pope John Paul’s words, I want to say the same. Our way forward, our vision, our plan for the future is nothing other than that Jesus should be known, loved and imitated. It is nothing other than that the Gospel, lived in our community of faith, should be our rule of life.

At the heart of this Gospel, as Pope John Paul reminds us, stands Jesus. We know and profess him to be the way to the Father, the face of the Father’s mercy, the truth that sets us free. This is why Pope John Paul can say that all our plans and programmes will come to nothing unless we have first contemplated the face of Christ and learnt once again to begin everything afresh from him.

And this is why, in my homily at my installation Mass three and a half years ago, and so often since, I have insisted that the great challenge we face is to return the Church in our Archdiocese to Christ, and return Christ to the Church.”

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“My real programme of governance is not to do my own will, not to pursue my own ideas, but to listen, together with the whole Church, to the word and the will of the Lord, to be guided by Him, so that He himself will lead the Church at this hour of our history.

- Most Rev Timothy Costelloe SDB

The Record Magazine

In this special 40-page issue of The Record Magazine, we take a look at the Archdiocesan Plan 2016-2021, as established by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe. With the aim of facing the challenge to ‘return the Church to Christ, and return Christ to the Church’, the Plan is now at the halfway mark, and has achieved several significant milestones.

We take a look at those achievements, starting with the changes in Communications and the commencement of The Record Magazine.

We speak with Adult Faith Formation Co-ordinator, Sr Margaret Scharf, who shares her story and journey as a Dominican Sister.

We speak with new WA Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office Director, Deacon Greg Lowe, who shares his ideas of plans for a new program working with parishes and newly arrived migrants and refugees.

We look at the new resources being created under Strengthening and Revitalising Parishes, as well as the new formation and training being developed for our clergy.

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