Executive Officer’s Report: July 2020
It is a good time to be inside. Heavy rain, cold temperatures, cloudy skies, strong winds, high surf – all the elements of winter make me glad to be working from home. The real and feared COVID-19 outbreaks are another reason that I avoid unnecessarily going out. Emails, ZOOM and phone calls mean I am still very connected to people and projects.
On 14 July 2020, 37 MPJP Canonical Stewards joined a video-conference on MPJP Members. The five speakers each gave an overview of Members within their MPJP. They addressed the following questions:
- Who are my MPJPs Members?
- What is the role of my MPJPs Members?
- What works well with regard to my MPJPs Members?
- What are the challenges of my MPJPs model of Members?
- Why does my MPJP have this particular Member structure? (e.g., charism, influence)
The session provoked considerable discussion both within the video-conference and afterwards. I am now organising a follow-up session where representatives of the other six MPJPs will address the same questions. The AMPJP hopes to release a paper on this topic shortly afterwards.
Another high-point of July was the first meeting of the Committee of Religious Institute and Ministerial PJP School Authorities Australia (CORMSAA) on 21 July 2020. The agenda for that meeting was very full and all members left with a strong sense of purpose and vitality. In keeping with our commitment to accountability and transparency, we later circulated a summary of this meeting to all 167 Religious Institute and Ministerial PJP School Authorities.
Safeguarding issues were also in my July workload. I joined CPSL’s 23 July 2020 online presentation and consultation regarding the revision of the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (NCSS). The revision aims to address the situation of people at risk (aka vulnerable adults). If you have not yet done so, I encourage you to read the draft NCSS and contribute to the consultation at: https://www.cpsltd.org.au/news-and-media/consultations-underway-for-integrated-safeguarding-standards-1/
In the dark and cold of winter 2020, I found this reflection from St Mary’s Towers Retreat Centre:
The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything; but in every prayer and petition make your requests known to God with thanksgiving, and the peace of God which is beyond all understanding will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4;7)
In the weeks and months ahead, may we continue to see God in each moment with willingness, patience and complete faith. Then like Julian of Norwich we might live:
Trusting……….. All will be well
Being patient……….. All shall be well
And Giving thanks……….. All manner of things will be well.
New website content:
The public news section of the AMPJP website now has the following posts:
- Working Document Next Step on Plenary Council Journey (31 July 2020 – also accessible to AMPJP General and Council members)
- One Mater Transition (24 July 2020 – also accessible to AMPJP General and Council members)
- AMPJP Response to Governance Review Report (24 July 2020 – also accessible to AMPJP General and Council members)
Feature photo by Roderick Kidd
