Life in the parish continues to move at a steady pace. The limitations brought about by Covid-19 are being managed and as the saying goes, “there’s always a way around things”. We’ve adapted to online Mass reservations, phone bookings, signing in, sanitising and keeping our distance.

Two of our priests have really been keeping their distances! Fr Gasper has returned from his driving holiday to the tropical north of the state. His presence was missed but he earned a well-deserved, belated, rest from parish responsibilities. Fr Peter, sadly, is in Perth to celebrate with his family the life of his beloved mother, Coralie, who died just short of her 100^th birthday. He comes out of isolation to offer the Requiem Mass for Coralie then begins his annual leave, some of which will be spent in isolation at the end.

The Summit

On Saturday, 29^th August, the Parish Planning Group hosted the first of possibly four Summits on the revitalisation of our parish. For over 12 months the group has met to discuss the question: where do we want our parish to be in 5 years’ time? Who will lead us? What will it look like? They outsourced the assistance of a trained facilitator, Mr Craig Farmer (Sydney), who led them through information-gathering sessions, questionnaires, discussions with key stake-holders to the first Summit to which all parishioners were invited to attend. Their input was needed.

• What is our Biblical Purpose Statement for the future? Following the assistance of our parishioners who attended, this was agreed to by the PPG, as a starting point, for WHO WE ARE as a parish: “To live and love as a community of disciples of Christ, joyfully bringing the kingdom of God to all.”
• What are the Key Values for our Church in the Future? Five key values were noted: Christ-centred; a welcoming community of love; Serving our community through Stewardship; Growing in Faith, Prayer and Eucharist; Innovatively inclusive and outward focused.
• Where to from here? Our Parish Planning Group members will meet with small groups of both connected and disconnected people in our parish to listen to their responses to our proposals. All parishioners will be invited to THE SUMMIT 2, tentatively scheduled for Saturday, 7th November, only if our borders are opened to allow Craig Farmer to lead this summit in person.

New Look for St Patrick's Church

Beautification of the grounds of St Patrick’s Church are continuing. After a thorough external and internal cleaning of the church before its reopening in August, the front entrance has been given a face-lift. New garden beds, seating, and shade cover now make for a welcoming gathering place to the church.

Anne Sheehan