Executive Officer’s Report: November 2019

I started and ended the month of November in Melbourne. As a resident of Melbourne in my formative years, I love coming back for both the familiar and to see how much has changed.

One landmark that is a constant is St Patrick’s Cathedral in East Melbourne. I have always loved the building and was delighted to see this photo of it from above in my bedroom during my recent stay at the Catholic Leadership Centre. The patterns of both the building and the ridges of the roof are fascinating.

From 01-03 November 2019, I participated in a meeting of the AMPJP Council members and other Canonical Stewards from Ministerial PJPs. This was a very constructive meeting and in many ways it felt like the Association was moving to a place of greater maturity in terms of clarity of identity and purpose (see separate post).

My month also ended back in Melbourne. Eva Skira, the Chair of the Council of the AMPJP, and I were observers at the annual assembly of Chairs of Councils and Advisory Bodies to the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC). This meeting gave us an insight into the many and varied bodies that provide advice and assistance to the ACBC and through them to the wider Church. We heard about the many resources, statements, papers and gatherings that these bodies have completed over the past year. Amazingly, almost all of these bodies are resourced entirely or substantial by volunteers. It made me appreciate the generosity of the many unseen and unrecognised people who contribute towards the unfolding Reign of God.

Advent Prayer for the Earth Community (from Rahamim Ecology Centre)

God, have mercy on this planet Earth
which You so loved
You sent Your only Son to become incarnate
and dwell among us –  
one with Earth’s Community
of life forms and life support systems,
through the power of Your Spirit
which can do infinitely more
than we can ask or imagine.
Glory be to You!

New events listed on the website:

• • 07-10 June 2020 Laudato Si’+5 Conference: Blueprint for a Blue – Green Planet
  • 20 June 2020 Safeguarding Conference
  • 04-05 September 2020 Steps Towards an Ecological Vocation

New website content:

The public news section of the AMPJP website now has the following posts:

• A New Way of Church Governance (26 November 2019 – also accessible to AMPJP General and Council members)
• Ministerial PJPs urgently needed for Church Reform (14 November 2019 – also accessible to AMPJP General and Council members)
• Making Ministry Whole  (12 November 2019 – also accessible to AMPJP General and Council members)
• AMPJP clarifies priorities (04 November 2019 – also accessible to AMPJP General and Council members)