Burleigh Heads Catholic Parish Pastoral Plan.

A Message from the Parish Pastoral Plan Task Group

The Burleigh Heads Catholic Parish Pastoral Plan Task Group was formed in late 2007 and was given a commission to assist the Burleigh Heads Catholic Community to formulate a Parish Pastoral Plan.

The Task Group, made up of representatives from each of the five worship centres throughout the Parish, has worked with Father Pat Molony, as well as Sister Cecilia Anning and Mr. Chris Ehler, representatives of the Brisbane Archdiocese’s Faith and Life Vicariate, to formulate the Parish Pastoral Plan, which is launched this weekend.

Guided by you, the Parishioners, and your responses to the 2006 National Church Life Survey and nourished into being by your generous support of the Parish Surveys and public forums conducted throughout 2007 & 2008, the Parish Pastoral Plan is now in ready for its implementation through us, the Parishioners.

The Parish Pastoral Plan details the Vision, Priorities, and Planning for a vibrant Parish through the Engagement in JESUS' MISSION in our world, embracing the  PERSON and VISION of JESUS and building COMMUNION with God and all those with whom we come in contact.

This is a Pastoral Plan requiring ACTION.
ACTION to which we are called.
ACTION to which we are called by virtue of our Baptism
ACTION which encompasses every facet of Parish and daily life
ACTION the need for which you, as a community, stressed in the two surveys and the Parish wide consultation process.
ACTION that awaits our commitment and our experience of daily life.

THIS IS A PASTORAL PLAN WHERE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ACTING ARE VERY CLEAR.

WE LOSE the opportunity to gift our children the faith given to us.
WE LOSE the opportunity to reach out in new ways to those who have walked away from the church, because they did not find the nourishment they needed in the Church.
WE LOSE the opportunity to better serve those who, for reasons beyond their control, find themselves in need of God's mercy. They live in a world where they have to fight for the dignity God so wants for them and which they rightly deserve as members of the same body of Christ to which we belong.
WE LOSE the opportunity to grow as a loving community, and to be recognised in the wider community as a people committed to God's love.
WE LOSE the opportunity to engage with our Parish school communities, the Marymount College and Marymount Primary School.
But most importantly, WE LOSE the opportunity to grow in our Faith.

You have also received with today’s Newsletter an insert headed NEW PARISH  ACTION GROUPS. These NEW ACTION GROUPS have been formulated from the Parish Pastoral Plan. There are SEVEN NEW ACTION GROUPS: Welcoming; Youth; Social Justice; Faith Education; Liturgy; Communications; and Parish/Schools Connection.  Each Action Group has its goal and strategies listed in the Plan. We encourage each and everyone of you, no matter your age, your current involvement or lack thereof, to consider being involved in a NEW ACTION GROUP of your choice. Your support, no matter how small, will help to fulfill our Parish needs.
The formal terms of reference of each group as they have been approved are contained in the Parish Plan.  We expect that the goals and strategies will change with experience.  Each group will decide for itself its priorities, subject only to the guidance of a group from the Combined Parish Pastoral Council, who will also act as a resource for each group. The Parish Finance Committee will decide on the extent of financial support for the activities of each group. Each group is a Parish Group, but there may be extra people involved in practical tasks in each worship centre.

We ask that you please take the time to study each of the New Action Groups and then indicate your EXPRESSION OF INTEREST by writing your name, email address and telephone number or other contact point below the NEW ACTION GROUP or GROUPS of your choice; or you can download these documents from the Parish website. You will then be contacted, advising you of the time and location of the first meeting.

The Parish Pastoral Plan Task Group and the Combined Parish Pastoral Council thank you for your inspiration, your involvement, and your patience regarding the actual bringing of the Pastoral Plan and the New Action Groups to life. We especially thank you for your consideration as to your future contribution to the Action Plan.

We ask you to consider the benefits to be gained by your involvement. Join your fellow Parishioners in any way in which you are willing to help to bring this Action Plan to life.

A Member of the Task Group will be available after Mass to answer your questions, and also to accept your completed Action Group Forms with your Expressions of Interest, or you can put them on the collection plate today or over the next two weekends.

We sincerely thank you in anticipation of your support.