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.”

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.