Focus on pastoral care in parish life
Local
Caring for each other, our families and our parish communities was the focus for an interactive presentation held at Lefevre Parish Community in August.
Presenter Margaret Speechley, who is director of the Archdiocese’s Ministry Formation Program, addressed the gathering on the topic of ‘pastoral care in parish and community life’. She used works by 19th century painters Hans Heysen and Tom Roberts as well as the Gospel of Mark to engage the group in a “journey of pastoral care”.
“The interactive presentation provided theological and practical foundations for the provision of pastoral care to our families, one another and our communities,” Margaret said.
“By listening and talking together it provided us opportunities to develop in ourselves the understanding, capacity and skills for all in our lives to feel appreciated, heard, gifted, welcomed and respected.
“It was a chance to enjoy the time together to listen to what the Spirit may be saying personally to each one’s heart.”
An initiative of Lefevre parish priest Fr Roderick O’Brien, the occasional Sunday afternoon presentations are a way of bringing the community together to share their journeys in faith and to be formed together.
This was the first gathering since the COVID restrictions were eased and even a power outage in the local area couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of those in attendance.
Margaret, pictured, said it was wonderful to see such a diverse group – including parishioners, teachers, school leaders and a chaplain – attending the gathering on August 23.
“It really is a privilege for me to be able to engage with laity, religious and clergy in answering the call for us to be a Christ-centred Church,” she said.
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