Issue Nr 60, October 2009

Newsletter

PARISHES ON FIRE: Grassroots Renewal of Faith, Melbourne, Australia

by Adrian Commadeur (Conference Chair)

From 2nd – 10th  October 2009, in various locations in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, a Parish on Fire Conference took place." Planned from October 2008, a small group of parishioners prepared for a series of events, held in conjunction with the Melbourne School of Evangelisation. One of the most important planning aspects was the choice of speakers. We wanted talented speakers who could draw and inspire people. We also looked for a bishop who could speak to us about evangelisation. Our choice of speakers included Oxford trained, convert Bishop Peter Elliott, auxiliary of Melbourne, and Fr Gerard Kelly, President of Sion Community, and Monica McArdle. Monica had impressed members of the School of Evangelisation two years before in a previous visit with her skills in creative evangelisation.

The aim of the conference, however, was not only to talk about evangelisation, but also to actively proclaim the message of salvation. The three day conference included input and output. In the mornings, after praise and worship, the three speakers inspired with teaching and testimonies, followed by daily Eucharist. Features of each Mass were a special procession, mime or signed song, sung by Fr Gerard with Monica signing. Friday featured a lunch for seniors, Saturday a lunch for the ladies, with the aim of reaching local parishioners with a clear message of the gospel. On Sunday all parishioners were invited to attend a sausage sizzle. In the afternoon a team of ten visited a Nursing Home, and others went in pairs to visit parishioners listed on a census, most of whom would not be active Catholics. The purpose of the visits was to share the Good News of God’s love and salvation. Fr Gerard and Monica were quite a hit in the two Nursing Homes with the signed songs, and with the others adding their voices. On Friday evening there was a Fully Human, Fully Alive dinner for 45 young adults. On Saturday night a highly professional Family Concert and comedy act for about 90 visitors took place, singers sharing their testimonies as well as songs.

This is what Regina said about the conference:

“Thank you for the conference held in early October. My experience for the two days has been very much a spiritual journey. The speakers were fantastic. What can I say about Monica she is just so good at spreading the good news in a very practical way? Fr Kelly was very inspirational. His testimony definitely touched me.”

Peter made this comment:

“The three main speakers were terrific. Could you send me a copy of the Bishops talk (& Fr Gerard !s if it is available). Many thanks.

Organisers showed Fr Gerard and Monica the Healesville Sanctuary of Australian animals and the sights of Melbourne, including the new Docklands, the 8th Modern Miracle of the World – Federation Square and the Little Penguins of Philip Island. They also took them to two other dioceses for teaching on creative evangelisation. In addition a day was held for a small number of clergy of Melbourne , who also were addressed by Archbishop Denis Hart. One day was devoted to about 22 Pastoral Associates who told us that they were inspired by the presentations. Many ordered the DVDs made of the day.

Fr Brendan Lane shared his pastoral experiences with the Clergy. Being both Seminary Rector and Parish Priest of St Francis Parish, Mill Park he commented: “I
am very interested in what is happening." I think it is one of the best things I have seen during all my priesthood. The response is slow, but that is how it is, and that might be God's way. "I also think that the emphasis on evangelisation is what transformed St Francis parish more than anything." So we have to keep persevering ...

"I also want to find a way of putting on something in the seminary. The Team of the Parish of St Scholastica in Bennettswood together with the Melbourne Catholic School of Evangelisation give thanks and praise to the Lord for his blessings on the visit by the Sion Community’s Fr Gerard and Monica. We pray blessings on them and on the ongoing work of evangelisation in Australian parishes."