Parishes in the Bathurst Diocese are holding assemblies, enabling parishioners to gather, listen, discern and identify ways to strengthen Church life and mission in their communities.
The assemblies form part of Bathurst Diocese’s “Walking Together” initiative, which is seeing every parish host a parish assembly between Pentecost and the Solemnity of the Assumption on August 15.
The Cathedral Parish of St Michael and St John, Bathurst, concluded its assembly on Sunday, following a weekend centred on prayer, listening, conversation and discernment.
The assembly commenced on Saturday night Mass, followed by a period of Eucharistic Adoration. Priests were available during this time for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Parishioners gathered before the Blessed Sacrament to pray for the parish and to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as the assembly began, entrusting its conversations, discernment and future direction to God’s care.
On Sunday, parishioners met in the Cathedral School Hall for the assembly, reflecting on the life of the parish and sharing in a process of prayerful listening and conversation.
The assembly concluded with Mass on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, where parishioners gave thanks for the gift of the Eucharist, the source and summit of the Christian life, and for the many people who participated in the assembly.
During the Mass, prayers were offered that the graces received through the assembly would bear lasting fruit in the life of the parish and that the Holy Spirit would guide the next stage of the journey.
Particular attention was given to strengthening communication, formation, discipleship, evangelisation and outreach, helping the parish become an ever more vibrant and missionary community.
As the assembly moves into its next phase, the reflections and contributions shared by participants will be considered by parish leadership and the Walking Together group.
These insights will assist in identifying practical ways to strengthen parish life and mission in the years ahead.
Once parish assemblies have been completed across the diocese, a period of local and diocesan implementation will follow.
This will enable parishes to act on the priorities identified through their assemblies while also informing broader diocesan planning and pastoral initiatives.
FULL STORY
Cathedral Parish Assembly Concludes Weekend of Prayer and Discernment (Bathurst Diocese)
