Diocese of Broken Bay Pre Synod Regional Gathering May 2011 © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Opening Prayer Lord, we ask you to inspire all members of the Diocese of Broken Bay to participate in our Synod with passion, imagination and love. Grant us the knowledge to identify the issues which will enliven our faith, the tolerance to hear and embrace different views, the wisdom to resolve issues and formulate actions in accordance with your holy will and the courage to accept changes which will enrich our lives. Send your Holy Spirit to guide us as we joyfully involve ourselves in this unique opportunity to lay the foundations of the future direction for our Diocese. May the sharing of the skills and experiences of our people inspire the creation of plans which will support our congregations, ignite our enthusiasm and strengthen our faith. We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen Our Lady, Star of the Sea, R. Pray for us

Agenda 6.00 Introduction, Prayer and Welcome 6.15 Overview - Pre Synod process - Purpose of this evening - Communal Discernment 6.45 Workshop - Working with your Parish data - Identifying and exploring the key issues 8.15 Group Discernment of Parish Representatives - Identification and Commitment 8.45 Next steps – Going Forward © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

The Purpose of Tonight…. is NOT to deal with issues, decide strategy! is to work with your parish data: – Identify key issues for: your parish the diocese – Collectively explore factors relating to the issues for: your parish the diocese Identify 2 representatives from your parish to go forward to the first Synod in June © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Purpose of the Synod – “..come together to lay foundations for the future direction of the diocese.” – “..celebrate the accomplishments that have been achieved and to recognise the giftedness and the diversity of our people.” © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Synod Outcomes  Celebrate…… the past  Engage……with the present  Envision…..the future

The Synod Motto GoMakeDisciples..

4 Stage Synod Process Pre Synod Synod Session 1 ( Pentecost 2011) Consultation Synod Session 2 (Pentecost 2012) © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Synod Timeline Synod Synod Session 1 Session 2 Pre Synod Consultation 2010 June 2011 June Broad consultation -gather data -identify emerging themes/issues -Discern Parish reps for Synod Session 1 © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

The Synod Process Pre Synod- Consultation 2010-June 2011 – Curia Staff (Nov 2010) – Clergy (Feb 2011) – Parish Pastoral Councils (Feb 2011) – Parishioners (Feb 2011) – Catholic School Communities (Feb, March 2011) – Parents of Children attending Catholic SRE in State Schools (Feb, March 2011) – Heads of Mission Meeting (April 2011) – Regional Gatherings, Selection of Parish Representatives ( May 2011) © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Your role tonight You are here representing your parish: – Skills Listen Analyse Critique – Capacity Think big picture Communicate effectively Think creatively/ laterally Discern © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Most importantly…. can work as part of a team capacity to ‘work with’ others a listener open to possibilities you are not here with the answers you not pushing a barrow Your work tonight requires you to engage in a process of discernment as you work with your parish data and identify two representatives to go forward to the Synod in June. © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Communal Discernment Discernment is not: – debate, where one side knows the truth and tries to persuade the other- KNOWERS MIND – dialogue, understanding/ direction emerges through listening to many voices. LEARNER’S MIND Guidelines for Communal Discernment by Victoria G. Curtiss © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

“seekers mind” Communal discernment orients us to be attentive to the movement of the Holy Spirit within us: – Gather Build community; affirm a covenant; clarify issue/s – Listen Let go; reflect on scripture; share information; name and weigh options – Go forward Choose direction; rest with the direction Make a formal decision Guidelines for Communal Discernment by Victoria G. Curtiss © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Principles of Discernment Gather good data and basic factual information, identifying alternatives and possibilities Let your heart educate your mind. Let your love of God educate your reason in discerning his will. Have a soft heart but a hard head. We should be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves," sharp as a fox in thought but loyal as a dog in will and deed. “Discernment” by Peter J. Kreeft Professor of Philosophy Boston College © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Keep all possible options open in order that creativity may contribute to the process Lay aside all biases and blocks, being willing to consider new ideas Maintain a community and climate of prayer and contemplation so the central question is not “ what is the group consensus?” but “ what is the spirit leading us to?” “Discernment” by Peter J. Kreeft Professor of Philosophy Boston College © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Discernment themes I invite you to: be present, be silent be open listen & hear reflect and contemplate share the fruits of your contemplation question & clarify engage your imagination think differently suspend judgment © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Discernment themes Recognise your strengths…….. Acknowledge the things you’ll find challenging………… Commit to engaging fully in the process! Ind reflection and share in your group © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Organisation Parish Table groups Parish data Confidentiality © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

My role “…is to enable you to do your work!” © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Natalie – The data How has the data been organised? – Key considerations – What ‘s included – What will happen with the data Discerned themes go forward to June Synod Feedback to Parishes – Inform future planning © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Loving Creator Enfold us in your light and love Make us receptive to your wisdom and your inspiration Guide us in everything we think, say and do. Help us to listen and discern. May your light and love radiate from our beings, So that each of us may share fully in your Wisdom. Amen © M. Leah Integroe Partners

God Calls Us to Listen Listen, Israel…you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength. Let the words… stay in your heart. Dt 6:4-13 The Gift of the Holy Spirit From this time they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim the word of God fearlessly. Acts 4:1-31 Hearing God’s Word “…Look, I am standing at the door, knocking. If one of you hears me calling and opens the door, I will come in…” Rev 3:13-22 © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Loving Creator Enfold us in your light and love Make us receptive to your wisdom and your inspiration Guide us in everything we think, say and do. Help us to listen and discern. May your light and love radiate from our beings, So that each of us may share fully in your Wisdom. Amen

Your Parish Data Take 5 mins to read the data – listen for the themes In parish groups have a conversation about the data – What are your observations? What patterns, themes are emerging? What is unclear? What surprises you? – Feedback surprises to the larger group © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Surprises!!! © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Task: Identify from the data the 5 key issues facing your parish. Record on butchers paper summarising each issue in approx 5 words © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Remember the principles of Discernment Work with the data Let your heart educate your mind. Have a soft heart but a hard head. Keep all possible options open Lay aside all biases and blocks Maintain a community and climate of prayer and contemplation. Adapted from “Discernment” by Peter J. Kreeft Professor of Philosophy Boston College © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Record issues from the whole group on butcher paper © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Analyse Collective Process – What are the issues about: Understandings, perceptions, feelings Collectively rank issues 1-8 In parish groups take 4 issues and complete worksheet (one issue per sheet) Each group present one issue back to the larger group. © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Parish Process What is the issue about? What are the key factors in your parish? What are the key factors for the Diocese? © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Issues…. Is anything missing at a Diocesan level? © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Discerning Parish Representatives 1. Availability: Friday 3 June 4pm Saturday 4 June 9am -3pm 2. Venue: Pennant Hills © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Characteristics/ Attributes  Skills Listen, analyse, critique, discern  Capacity Think big picture Communicate effectively Think creatively/ laterally Most Importantly!!!  Can work as part of a team © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Synod Session1 Synod Session 1 Outcome: “Consolidation of celebrating the past; refining & prioritising the Issues to provide a workable number of issues that are of most importance to the people of the diocese; developing positive statements of intent in response to those issues.” © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Synod Timeline Synod Synod Session 1 Session 2 Pre Synod Consultation ,4 June 2011 June Refine and prioritise issues -Develop Vision statements (statements of intent) in response to issues. Celebrate the Past: Engage with the Present; Vision the Future © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

In preparation…be silent God Calls Us to Listen Mary…treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart Lk 2:19 The Gift of the Holy Spirit Nobody is able to say, “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. There are many different gifts, but it is always the same Spirit. 1 Cor 12:1-13 Hearing God’s Word Mary…sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking…Martha…came to him and said, “Please tell her to help me” Lk 10:38-42 © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Discernment Personal reflection 10 Mins – Be silent – Be aware of the task – Sit with each parish member Parish group reflection 20 mins – Reflecting on the task and the identified characteristics/ attributes, who from the group is called to go forward? © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Commitment Walk with me, good and loving God, as I journey through this process. May I take your hand and be led by your Holy Spirit. Fill me, inspire me, free me to respond generously to your call. For I believe you desire my deepest joy, and it is only in your company that my soul will be satisfied and my life will find its meaning and purpose. Amen. © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Where to from here? © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Luke 11:9 © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Consultation between Synod Sessions 1 & 2 Outcome: Gather “possible actions” for accomplishing vision statements. - Discuss how issues can be addressed Gather stories of success. -Where people, parish, the diocese are “at their best” with regard to these issues. -Consider actions from the personal, parish and diocesan perspective. This process may include targeted consultation where particular groups are invited to discuss issues most pertinent to them (eg youth) © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Synod Timeline Synod Synod Session 1 Session 2 Pre Synod Consultation ,4 June 2011 June Identify possible actions to address issues: -gather and analyse stories of success in regard to issue -Identify possible actions relevant to context -Consult targeted groups Celebrate the Past: Engage with the Present; Vision the Future © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Synod Session 2 Synod Session 2 Outcome: “Synthesise the way forward by refining possible actions for each vision area: -possible actions addressed at the personal, parish and diocesan level -each vision area would identify possible actions that may be easy, difficult, and those requiring real courage. This session would provide a list of possible actions that may be produced in a format suitable for planning by individuals, parish pastoral councils, diocesan pastoral planning and diocesan agencies. © M. Leahy Integroe Partners

Synod Timeline Synod Synod Session 1 Session 2 Pre Synod Consultation 2010 June 2011 June 2012 Develop a plan to facilitate the realization of the Diocesan Vision. - Synthesize and refine actions - align actions with Vision statements. Celebrate the Past: Engage with the Present; Vision the Future © M. Leahy Integroe Partners