A new plan with the central message to walk faithfully in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd, has now been released by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe.
The new Plan moved into an implementation period at the end of June 2016 – which is expected to be carried out over the next five years.
“The Plan is more than just a document,” the Archbishop said.
“It will enable us to walk together on the pathway which we hope will deliver a Christ-centred, faithful, vibrant, welcoming, inclusive and mission-oriented Church, one which will enrich our own lives and the lives of all whom we encounter and seek to serve,” he added.
The Archbishop paid thanks to members of the working parties and Archdiocesan staff who contributed their time and experience during development of the Plan, at a Thank You event in late June.
Following a brief introduction and welcome by the Plan Co-ordinating Group Chair, Danny Murphy, Archdiocese of Perth CEO-Administration, Greg Russo, gave an overview of the new Plan which encompasses seven key areas: Professional Standards, Effective Communication, Support for Clergy, Strengthening & Revitalising Parishes, Adult Faith Formation, Outreach to those in Need and Archdiocesan Growth and Development.
Mr Russo also explained the development process of the plan, which commenced with a preparation of the key priority areas and establishment of the working parties in late 2014.
In September 2015, the Plan, which was also known as ‘The Way Forward’ moved into an extensive consultation phase with clergy, parishes, agencies, groups and individuals across the Archdiocese.
Mr Russo explained the preparation and consultation phase of the plan incorporated the broadest process of its type yet undertaken in the Archdiocese.
He added that, in order to achieve the outcomes of the Plan, a new structure has been developed which includes three key tasks, including the bringing together of the Archbishop’s Office, Church Administration and the Archdiocesan Finance Office to one central location.
“This will facilitate more effective and timely communication with and between Archbishop Costelloe, key clergy and the Archdiocesan administration executives and staff,” Mr Russo said.
“The second key task includes expansion of the Archdiocesan structures to include newly created positions envisaged in the Archdiocesan Plan and the subsequent allocation of responsibilities by the Archbishop to ensure implementation of key priority area strategies and actions, ongoing review of plan milestones and effective communication of its progress.
“And, finally, the third key task includes changes to Archdiocesan Administration executive and staff structures to support the implementation of the key priority area strategies and actions,” he said.
Archbishop Costelloe also took the opportunity to remind those present for the occasion that it is important to continue open and honest communication, especially as the plan moves to the implementation phase.
“Not only to ensure that we ‘stay on track’ but also so that we remain united as we do so,” he said.
Archbishop announces new roles for Archdiocesan Plan implementation
In early July, Archbishop Costelloe also announced the appointment of the Vicars who will assume responsibility for key strategy areas as outlined in the Plan.
- Episcopal Vicar for Adult Faith Formation and Parish Renewal – Bishop Don Sproxton
- Episcopal Vicar for Archdiocesan Growth and Development & Communications & Media – Fr Peter Whitely
- Episcopal Vicar for Clergy – Fr Brian McKenna
- Vicar for Outreach to Those in Need – Dr Terry Wilson
Over the next few months, each of the Vicars will determine what support structures they will need in order to begin to implement details of the Archdiocesan Plan. The resourcing of these support structures will be overseen by Archdiocesan CEO-Administration, Mr Greg Russo.
In due course, after discussions with the Vicars and Mr Russo, the Archbishop will propose a review structure which will enable the Archdiocese to monitor and review the progress of implementation of the Plan across its proposed five year life span.
The Archbishop also explained that a communications plan will be developed to ensure that regular updates of progress are communicated as widely as possible.
“It is worth recalling that Vicars, including Vicars General, Episcopal Vicars and (lay) Vicars share in the governance of the diocese in those areas delegated to them by the Bishop,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
“Vicars General (Bishop Don and Fr Peter Whitely) exercise the ordinary authority of the bishop, always according to the mind of the bishop. Other vicars have delegated authority in the areas entrusted to them specifically by the bishop,” he added.
The Archdiocese of Perth also has two other episcopal vicars, those being the Episcopal Vicar for Health, Fr Richard Smith, and the Episcopal Vicar for Migrants, Fr Benedict Lee.
“Thank you for your support in these initial stages of the development and implementation of the Archdiocesan Plan,” the Archbishop said.
“Let us entrust its success to the Lord, and to the prayers of the patron of our Archdiocese, Mary, the Mother of the Lord and the Church,” he concluded.
Parishes gain greater support with updated guidelines
Administrative support has increased for parishes across Perth with the release of updated Parish Guidelines.
Details of the new guidelines have been explained at several information nights across the Archdiocese in August.
Archdiocese of Perth CEO- Administrator, Greg Russo, explained that the new guidelines are about strengthening and revitalising parishes, with information to assist priests and parish administrators in the areas of employment, privacy, clergy support, parish finance, property maintenance and archives.
“With these updated guidelines, those who look after our parishes in a variety of ways can feel that we are working together, with Christ, as people who belong to a Church and an Archdiocese,” Mr Russo said.
“Parish administration does not have to be an overburdened cumbersome task and the updated guidelines will be reviewed regularly, should new information become available,” he said.
Mr Russo explained that the updated guidelines, which were first developed some years ago, have been reviewed with the changes in laws and various enquiries received by the Archdiocese, as well as the need to address new issues such as privacy and safeguarding.
The new parish guidelines are just one of many actions being rolled out as part of the implementation of the new Archdiocesan Plan, which commenced at the end of June 2016.
From page 7 and 8 from Issue 4: ‘Health’ of The Record Magazine