2.7 Workshop:

Don’t Forget the Poor: Building Parishes as Centres of Love and Service

Presenters: Mr Denis Fitzgerald, Executive Director, Catholic Social Services Victoria and Fr Greg Bourke, Director, Ministry to Priests, Melbourne

Responding to the exhortations of Pope Francis, this workshop will explore the role of the parish as a central part of the Gospel mission of service to the world. Key elements in this are vision and leadership, and an understanding of the dimensions of Mission: to parish members, to those who seek us out, and to the surrounding community. In this we need to learn from reflection on our experience, and from good practice; discern needs and opportunities in our local situation; and build on the strengths of social capital that parishes provide.

This workshop will include:

• Very small group sharing around vision, our own strengths, our own learning styles and strategies.
• Small group sharing around leadership, the dimensions of service, and learning from our own experience.
• Plenary discussion around resourcing parishes for mission of service; sharing inspiration and best practice.