Sale Diocese held its Diocesan Assembly on the weekend, with 240 delegates from Catholic parishes, schools and organisations gathering to define the diocese’s pastoral priorities and actions for the next five years.
Sale covers a vast and diverse geographic area, extending from Narre Warren in Melbourne’s outer southeast through Cranbourne and Phillip Island and across Gippsland to Orbost and Mallacoota in eastern Victoria.
In addition to the delegates, the February 14-15 assembly had special observers who participated in the assembly process, and contributed their personal, theological and ecumenical insights.
These were: Gippsland Anglican Bishop Richard Treloar; Uniting Church Rev Fiona Morrison: National Centre for Pastoral Research directory Dr Trudy Dantis; Melbourne priest and Catholic Theological College research coordinator Fr Max Vodola.
The 2025 Diocesan Assembly marked the culmination of a seven-month consultation process initiated at Pentecost in May 2024 by Sale Bishop Greg Bennet.
The consultation process was conducted in two phases.
The first phase asked everyone in the Diocese to reflect on where God’s Spirit has been active among them over the past five years.
The second phase asked people to identify which pastoral priorities and actions the Holy Spirit is calling the diocese to put into action during the next five years.
Feedback was received from 65 parish groups, 25 individual submissions, and approximately 1200 student responses. The feedback was then synthesised into an Assembly Working Document and shared with the assembly delegates prior to the assembly to aid their reflection, discernment and preparation.
In his opening address, Bishop Bennet reflected on significant developments since the last Diocesan Assembly in 2019, including leadership transitions and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on parish and community life.
At the closing Mass, he urged delegates to carry forward the spirit of the assembly, stating, “We have stood on holy ground; now it is time to put our shoes back on and go forth as pilgrims of hope to others.”
The recommendations from the assembly will be presented to Bishop Bennet and the Diocesan Mission Council to help form a Diocesan Pastoral Plan to guide the diocese over the next five years.
FULL STORY
Hearts filled with joy, confidence and immense gratitude – The Diocese of Sale 2025 Assembly (Sale Diocese)
