Executive Officer’s Report: November 2020
Amongst the usual busyness of AMPJP work, there were two events in November that stand out.
The approval of the draft AMPJP Formation Framework enables all MPJPs to assess the working group’s attempt to synthesise existing MPJP formation frameworks in a form that could be used by many as a basis for developing their own formation framework. This document is also a significant milestone for the Association as it is another expression of the desire of MPJPs to learn from each other and to develop resources in collaboration.
The other stand out event was the update from the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea on their progress in establishing a MPJP: Mercy Ministry Companions.
As you will see below, the most recent edition of Australasian Catholic Record contains a paper on MPJPs by Gabrielle McMullen and Paul Oakley. I am grateful that the editors have given their consent for AMPJP to make this paper available. I hope you will find the paper helpful.
At the end of the street where I live someone has installed a mural on the footings of a bridge.
The artist was not commissioned or paid for their work. As they are unknown , there is no way for people to thank them. All of which makes me wonder “what sort of person gives their beautiful artwork to people they don’t know”. A person of incredible generosity and capacity to love.
In the Gospel, Christ says: “But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return” (Luke 6:35)
Our mystery artist is demonstrating a higher love. They are expressing love knowing that they can never receive recognition, payments or thanks. This reminds me of the Buddhist meditation where you send/will compassion to those you love, to those who are indifferent to you, to those who hate you and finally to those who don’t know you and never will.
As I prepare for Christmas, I will take time to thank God for God’s extravagant and ongoing gift of God’s self to all of creation.
“What a comfort it is, this way of love!
You may stumble on it, you may fail to correspond with grace given,
but always love knows how to make the best of everything;
whatever offends our Lord is burnt up in its fire,
and nothing is left but a humble,
absorbing peace deep down in the heart.”
(St Therese of Lisieux. Story of a Soul, Ms. A., Knox translation).
New events listed on the website:
New website content:
The About MPJPs page was updated with a new paper Ministerial PJPs advancing lay leadership in the Australian Church by Gabrielle McMullen and Paul Oakley
The public news section of the AMPJP website now has the following posts:
- AMPJP Formation Framework (posted 21 November 2020)
- Towards Mercy Ministry Companions (posted 20 November 2020)
- Acknowledging Traditional Country in Mail (posted 18 November 2020)
- Reconciliation at St Vincent’s Health Australia (posted 13 November 2020)
Feature photo by Lawrie Hallinan
