AMPJP Executive Director Report August 2024: A HUGE month of Formation Opportunities
August in 2024 is undoubtedly the no. 1 month for leader formation opportunities in the Church in Australia. You will see many below from our Events Page…
In considering our own formation needs, the Church is perhaps asking three particular things of a Canonical Steward or other Catholic leader:
- to witness as a genuine missionary disciple;
- to understand mission and to lead my ministry of the Church in a mission relevant to today, and;
- to become expert in formation so I can understand its impact on our ministry.
I have found Pope Francis’s statements on formation very helpful in this. To add a twist, I asked AI about this, and this was Meta AI’s response…
Pope Francis on Formation
Pope Francis has spoken extensively on the topic of formation, particularly in the context of spiritual growth and development. He emphasizes the importance of ongoing formation and transformation in one’s life, especially for those in leadership roles or pursuing vocational discernment.
Some key quotes from Pope Francis on formation include:
– “Formation is a lifelong process, it’s not something that ends at a certain point.”
– “The process of formation is a process of transformation.”
– “Formation is not only about learning things, but also about developing a mentality, a way of being.”
– “Formation is a journey of growth, of maturation, of becoming the person God wants me to be.”
He also highlights the importance of discernment, accompaniment, and community in the formation process.
AMPJP’s August Initiatives…
Currently Moira Najdecki, our AMPJP Chair, is leading a number of initiatives along with the AMPJP Council, our Formation Committee and CORMSAA (Committee of RI and MPJP School Authorities Australia).
The AMPJP Annual Dinner and Canonical Stewards Forum are being finalised. There will be a strong emphasis on synodality, formation, planning, research, our preferential option for the poor and the social licence of Catholic ministries. Along with a record number of participants, we will have guests from the U.S. and Singapore to enrich our experience. Thankyou to our sponsors, Makinson d’Apice Lawyers, and the Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane Catholic Development Funds.
The AMPJP Strategic Plan for the next three years is being developed. This will be presented to the Council for finalisation in August. One aspect being suggested is a much greater emphasis on research to indicate what formation is truly effective for Catholic leaders today. Plans are also being finalised for our Formation Committee and for CORMSAA.
There is work to build stronger relations between AMPJP and the ACBC and individual bishops. It will be helpful to create structured opportunities to enable conversations and collaborative endeavours between clergy, religious and lay leaders. Lay people are by far the most abundant leaders in ministries in the Australian Church today, outnumbering several times over our religious order and clerical leaders.
Please pray for us as AMPJP embarks on a huge month. I hope you find a time to escape the busyness of your ministry and pamper your faith and leadership with one of the many formation opportunities on offer.
Martin Teulan
