A new logo has been launched for the upcoming Archdiocesan Assembly.
Developed by the Archdiocesan Communications Office in conjunction with the Diocesan Assembly Reference Group, the diocesan assembly logo uses the colours found on the crest of the Archdiocese of Perth: gold, red, and blue.
Episcopal Vicar for Education and Faith Formation, the Very Rev Fr Vincent Glynn explained the different elements of the logo call on the Perth Catholic community to reflect on the role and purpose of the Assembly in the Archdiocese of Perth.
• The golden sun represents Western Australia and a new dawn, entering into a new journey of synodality as called for by Pope Francis.
• The second circle in white represents the Eucharist, which reminds us that the Eucharist and the celebration of the Eucharist is at the heart of our Catholic faith.
• The image of the Cross reminds us of the sacrifice of Christ and His redeeming love for all.
• The image of the flames is a traditional symbol of the Holy Spirit. A reminder to us that the Holy Spirit is the source of all our Assembly deliberations.
The 2023-2024 Perth Archdiocesan Assembly, continued Fr Vincent, is the first of its kind for the Archdiocese and was announced Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB in April 2023, and launched on Trinity Sunday 4 June 2023 at St Mary’s Cathedral.
The Assembly, he said, will focus primarily on the establishment of a Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC) and how a DPC can reflect synodality and the synodal model as called for by Pope Francis.
The Archdiocesan Prayer, written by Archbishop Costelloe for the Year of Mercy, has also been adapted by Fr Vincent Glynn to reflect the journey of the Diocesan Assembly.
The prayer, explained Fr Vincent, is modelled around the understanding that in our preparation, formation, and experience of the Assembly, the whole Archdiocese and in particular the Assembly delegates are called to enter into a journey together led by the Spirit.
“This journey together calls all to be open to the voice and guidance of the Holy Spirit,” Fr Vincent said.
Newly printed prayer cards were this week blessed by Fr Vincent at Scott Print, and will be available in parishes in the coming weeks.
The Archdiocesan Assembly Prayer
Gracious God,
You have blessed our archdiocese with many gifts,
and you call us to share those gifts with others.
We thank you for this call and commit ourselves anew
to responding with courage and generosity.
In this time of challenge and hope for the Church,
you invite us to start afresh from Christ your Son
and to contemplate his face
so that we might recognise him in others.
As we enter the preparation, formation and experience
of our Diocesan Assembly, may we experience
a new wave of grace as we journey together led by the Spirit.
Bless our Diocesan Assembly Delegates,
attune their hearts and minds to the presence of your Holy Spirit
in all their listening and discernment.
May all be open to the voice and guidance of the Holy Spirit
that our Church may be transformed,
our archdiocese be a sign to the world of your presence with us,
our relationships be healed,
and our nation grow in compassion and justice.
With the intercession of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop,
who showed us new ways of living the Gospel,
we make our prayer through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us.
Fr Vincent emphasised that a Diocesan Pastoral Council is made up of members across the Archdiocese to advise the Archbishop on the pastoral life and activity of the archdiocese.
“The Diocesan Assembly will bring together people from across the Archdiocese including, but not limited to, priests, deacons, parishioners, representatives from Catholic Religious Western Australia and nominees from the many organisations involved in the work of the Church,” he said.
“This will enable us to address one of the final decrees of the Fifth Plenary Council of the Catholic Church in Australia,” he said.
“Those participating in the assembly will be called to discern and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, to listen deeply to one another and to ensure that synodality becomes part of the lived experience for each one of us in the life of the Church.”
Delegates will be meeting this month Saturday 23 September for their first formation day.