Preparing the way for Diocesan Assembly
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Archbishop Patrick O’Regan has asked parishes, communities and schools of the Adelaide Archdiocese to pray for the upcoming Diocesan Assembly at “every opportunity including Masses and regular gatherings”.
In a letter to the faithful, Archbishop O’Regan said the 2022 Assembly on October 21 and 22 would be informed by the recommendations and subsequent feedback from the 2021 gathering, as well as the discernment of the Diocesan Pastoral Council and the Plenary Council outcomes.
“The 2022 Diocesan Assembly will build on the 2021 recommendations and provide opportunities for formation, skill-building and strategic planning,” he wrote.
“It will also be an opportunity to look at the results of the Plenary Council and how they will be incorporated into local and Diocesan life.”
Archbishop O’Regan said assemblies would become a “regular fixture of Diocesan life” with at least one more planned for 2023.
“After that, assemblies may occur every other year with parish or deanery assemblies encouraged on the alternate years,” he said.
Peter Gates, deputy national director of Catholic Mission, the official international mission aid agency of the Catholic Church, will be the keynote speaker at the 2022 Assembly.
A member of the facilitation team for the Fifth Plenary Council for the Catholic Church in Australia, Mr Gates has worked in leadership and management positions across a broad section of key organisational responsibilities and departmental roles. He also has served as board member for a number of not-for-profit organisations.
Peter Bierer, assistant director, Pastoral Life and Mission, said more people had provided input into the 2022 Diocesan Assembly than they had for the first one, with more than 1700 people participating in the process.
This includes about 50 young people, representing more than 25 schools, parishes, movements and organisations, who took part in the Diocesan Youth Assembly at St Thomas School Goodwood on September 16.
St Vincent de Paul Society SA president Brad Hocking spoke on the theme of belonging and invited the participants to reflect on the positives and challenges of being young people in their respective Catholic communities.
Archbishop O’Regan also addressed participants who subsequently reflected on the themes emerging from the 2021 Diocesan Assembly and provided their top three recommendations.
The day included time for prayer, reflection, group discussions, music, games, and time to socialise and connect with other young people.
Participants were also asked to nominate to attend this month’s Diocesan Assembly, with 15 young Catholics chosen to represent the group.
The Diocesan Assembly prayer can be found at www.adelaidediocesanassembly.org/prayer
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