Catholic Pastoral Workers’ Association

and

Catholic Outreach

The National Pastoral Associates Conference held in Adelaide during May 2003 was attended by 170 participants including 12 from WA.

Comments from some of the

WA delegates …

The National Pastoral Associates Conference was most enjoyable.What I felt the most important lesson to learn was the need forself care.I felt rested and at peace withthe meditations I attended and eagerly await the next Conference. Blessings to all.

IRENE PIERCY – Cambridge Christ Care (Floreat/Wembley Parish)

It was a great privilege for me to be able to attend the Pastoral Associates’ National Conference which was held in May this year in Adelaide. To be with so many people who have given so much to their faith and have so much wisdom, knowledge, dedication and goodness was truly inspiring, nurturing and awesome, and may I add overwhelming. I came away with a renewed heart and spirit.

Many thanks must go to Peter (McMinn) for being the contact person for Western Australia, particularly the Perth Archdiocese. As always may God continue to bless you all in the special ways he does.

MARGARET WALKER –Catholic Pastoral Workers Association

I found the 2003 National Pastoral Associates Conference very invigorating and was particularly struck by the amount of energy generated by the organisers and participants. I think all who attended were affirmed in their ministries and will draw strength from the Conference. The keynote sessions and the workshops I attended were exceptional.

I was pleased to be able to share the experience with ten other participants from the Perth Archdiocese and Fr Pat Rooney from the Diocese of Bunbury and I would recommend the 2006 Conference to anybody who undertakes pastoral work.

PETER MC MINN – Catholic Outreach

A very well organised Conference with lots of good subjects, laughter, friendship, very good food, sharingand listening to one another'sstories. God Bless to all participants.

JENNIE GUIDEN – Cambridge Christ Care (Floreat/Wembley Parish)

It was my first experience at the NPA Conference and to see the numbers there and the spiritual love that each and everyone seemed to radiate gave me a wonderful sense of belonging to God’s family. We are all pastoral workers in this world in someway or another whether officially or unofficially and it inspired me to a greater belief that Jesus’ presence among us is very strong. I pray that the numbers are even greater at the 2006 Conference in Queensland.

KEIREN SHUN – Lourdescare (Rockingham Parish)

As I came to the National Pastoral Associates Conference with few expectations, I was overjoyed to spend two and a half days in a dynamic atmosphere of friendship and fellowship.

“Fan into a Flame the Gifts you have been given” was the theme this year and we were asked to claim the flame, which is in each of us, and live the faith of our desire. Filled with this powerful inspiration, I was able to affirm my role of carer in my community, take time out to nurture my inner spirit and come home re-energised and with hope to make a difference.

BETTY THOMPSON – John Paul Care (Willetton/Brentwood Parish)

When asked to write this paragraph about the National Pastoral Workers Conference recently held in Adelaide one word came to my mind empowerment. The keynote speaker Jill McCorquodale sgs gave an inspiring talk, Fanning the Flame: Hidden Treasure: Compelling Imperative. She challenged us to see new possibilities in our ministries within the parish and encouraged us to empower others to take up their baptismal obligations and be counter cultural in our secular world. The second session the Disturbing Ministry of the Evangeliser: Changing the World finished with a series of questions which we explored with a “partner.” I was surprised by the movement of the Spirit within us both as we discussed our dreams and longings for our communities. I came away inspired and empowered to continue my pastoral ministry with new energies.

LESLEY MC MINN – Morecare (Bateman Parish)

The Conference was for me a time of affirmation, encouragement and challenge.The facilitator, Sr Jill McCorquodale sgs reminded us that we each have a blue chip for now. With that in mind we were asked to reflect on what is the deep pain in our world . . . in my heart. What is the God seed that I am here to give birth to?

Reminding us of the excitement of that first bud pushing through the frozen ground – the promise of what spring will bring – of the new life after the grey of winter. Sr Jill challenged us to engage our imagination to feed our language of the deep longings . . . to give birth to our images . . . to speak courageously . . .

In the fun of “Who Wants to be a Catholic Millionaire” (which our Sr Monica gamefully jumped into) Fr Anthony Kain showed us the spin people put on Eucharist . . . the difference between what the Catechism teaches and reality . . . our arrogance towards other religions . . .

Whilst emphasising the importance of knowledge (of the Christian faith) and learning “it is distinct from the transmission of faith through ritual, prayer and devotion.” (quoting David Power, The Language of God’s Giving). Fr Anthony used the example of his passion for the Port Adelaide football team which he could only have caught from his grandmother. This passion for our faith can only be passed on to the young and caught within the family, it cannot be taught in schools. We are called to be Mystagogues of Hope . . . drawing on the stories of our life experiences we share our passion.

And finally, a word of encouragement from Fr. Paul Cashen msc who, in his letter of apology, reminded us that “the Lord sees what is done in secret.”

CHERYL META – Catholic Pastoral Workers Association

Two and a half days spent participating in the National Convention of Pastoral Associates has reinforced my appreciation of the vital contribution they make to parishes and the growth of the Kingdom throughout Australia. I have at different times throughout my 42 years as priest been involved with Motor Mission Sisters, Lay Pastoral Associates and now with a Religious Pastoral Associate: there are so many things they can do better than I can – add skills and a new dimension to ministry. I have been enlightened by the many different ways different ones go about things in different Diocesan Parishes. I am a little confused at how to choose what is best to encourage in my own parish and diocese, but challenged to try to do so. I will bring more conviction and enthusiasm to working with and supporting the pastoral associate in our parishes in the manifold tasks before us. What we do will necessarily be different from models which come from city parishes.

FR PAT ROONEY – St Joseph’s (Manjimup Parish)

SR MONICA KIRBY– John Paul Care (Willetton/Brentwood Parish)

ADRI and YUNITA SUDJANA– Morecare (Bateman Parish)