September 2018, Executive Officer’s Report

Spring is here. There is a warmth in the air, the days are lengthening and the plants are blooming. This is a great time to celebrate the Season of Creation (1st Sept- 4th Oct). While so many of the Church’s festivals have a date and symbolism that seems suited to the northern hemisphere, the Season of Creation  is perfectly timed for us. It is easy to appreciate creation and our place within it in Australia during springtime.

Over the past month, I have also seen growth and change within the Church and Australian society. I won’t repeat the many events and news which I have addressed in various website posts listed below.

In federal politics, we heard the announcement of a Royal Commission into Aged Care and of a breakthrough on federal funding for Catholic schools. I know Catholic Health Australia and the ministries of many ministerial PJPs are actively contributing to the development of terms of reference for the Royal Commission. There are certainly systemic issues which the Royal Commission could highlight so there is hope of it making positive recommendations.  I am sure I am not the only person who cringes at each media report that the federal funding for Catholic schools represents a victory of our lobbying to benefit ourselves at the expense of public schools. I know our educational PJPs have a strong commitment to social justice for all Australians – not just the students in our schools.

We are more people of the Spring than of Autumn… Let us view the buds of a new world rather than the yellowed leaves on its branches. Let us not cultivate nostalgia, regret and sorrow: we know that God wants us to be heirs of a promise and tireless growers of dreams.

These were the words of Pope Francis as he reflected on the scripture “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev 21: 5). The Pope spoke of how God brings “newness and surprise” even in circumstances that initially appear hopeless.

New events listed on the website:

• • 2018-2019  AMPJP Council meetings
  • 19 Nov 2018 Pastoral Supervision Workshop
  • 13-15 2019 Mission: One Heart Many Voices Conference
  • 2-5 Sept 2019 Canon Law Society Conference

New website content:

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

• AMPJP at Canon Law Conference (30 Sept 2018 – accessible to the public as well as General members and AMPJP Council members)
• AMPJP AGM-Forum evaluation survey results 2018 (added to  documents of AGM-Forum post) (28 Sept 2018 – accessible to the public as well as General members and AMPJP Council members)
• Celebrating Mercy heritage (28 Sept 2018 – accessible to the public as well as General members and AMPJP Council members)
• Social Justice Sunday 30 Sept 2018 (28 Sept 2018 – accessible to the public as well as General members and AMPJP Council members)
• Meeting with international canonist (26 Sept 2018 – accessible to the public as well as General members and AMPJP Council members)
• Jean Vanier’s ’10 rules for life to become more human’ (20 Sept 2018 – accessible to the public as well as General members and AMPJP Council members)
• Catholic Healthcare win national award (20 Sept 2018 – accessible to the public as well as General members and AMPJP Council members)
• Health and integrity Conference  (07 Sept 2018 – accessible to the public as well as General members and AMPJP Council members)
• AMPJP at Creativity in Church Management Conference (07 Sept 2018 – accessible to the public as well as General members and AMPJP Council members)
• World Mission month (04 Sept 2018 – accessible to the public as well as General members and AMPJP Council members)

Members of AMPJP can access the following news items that I have posted in the Member area of our website:

• CRA National Redress Scheme seminar 24 Sept 2018 (28 Sept 2018 – only accessible to General members and AMPJP Council members)
• Update to Trustees / Directors of Member PJPs (27 Sept 2018 – only accessible to General members and AMPJP Council members)
• AMPJP at Catholic Health Australia conference (06 Sept 2018 – only accessible to General members and AMPJP Council members)

Looking forward to significant dates in Oct 2018

Please remember in your prayers all those participating in the Synod of Bishops on Young people, faith and vocational discernment (3-28 Oct 2018). Young people from across the world have contributed honestly and fully in preparation for the synod. May the Holy Spirit move the Bishops as they discern throughout the synod.

[1] http://www.un.org/en/sections/observances/international-days/index.html
[2] http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/special-dates-and-events
[3] https://www.catholic.org.au/calendar#year=2018&month=1&day=1&view=month