September 7th 2021

SOME DATA FROM THE REGIONAL MEETING

Looking at some of the data presented at the Southern Region Meeting on 1st September a projection of what might constitute a newly configured ‘Regional Mission’ or family of parishes is depicted below.  (Our parish area straddles two LGA, Melbourne and Stonnington, and belongs to what is designated the Central C Deanery of four parishes which does not align geographically with proposed new mission regions).

Current Average Melbourne Parish

Total Area Population	22,000
Total Catholic Population	5,000
Practicing Catholics	500
Resident Clergy	1.1
Churches	1.5

‘Imagined’ New Regional Mission 

Total Area Population	50,000+
Total Catholic Population	10,000
Practicing Catholics	1,000
Thanksgiving contributors	500
Resident Clergy	2

Current South Yarra Parish

Total Area Population	35,000
Total Catholic Population	6,000
Practicing Catholics	250
Thanksgiving contributors	100
Resident Clergy	3

September 2nd 2021

SOUTHERN REGION MEEETING SEPTEMBER 1ST

About 30 parishes were represented at last night’s online Regional Meeting on the re-imagining of the Mission of the Archdiocese. Our parish was represented by clergy, PPC rep and a staff rep. The meeting conducted by the Vicar General Fr Joe Caddy, Bishop Tony Ireland and members of the Office for Evangelisation Team, presented an analysis of the future of the Melbourne Archdiocese from a demographic perspective and invited discussion and questions. Given the online format very little real interaction was possible. Statistics and proposed possible new ‘Mission Regions’ for our area were displayed and neighbouring parishes invited to continue the discussion.

The idea of what might constitute a Mission and what a Mission is not were also outlined. Follow-up local regional meetings will be held but are severely hampered by COVID restrictions.

September 1st 2021

LOCAL CLERGY MEETING AUGUST 31st

On the evening of August 31st a group of pastors from eleven neighbouring parishes of the Southern Region met online to discuss further the invitation of the Archdiocese to engage with the issue of the future mission of the Church in Melbourne. Parish profiles were shared, points seen to be in common or different were expressed and possible paths to further local meetings were proposed. All will be attending a wider meeting the next evening conducted online in the Southern Region of the Archdiocese with parish lay representatives and input from the Vicar Generals’ Office. 

August 27th 2021

“If something should rightly disturb us and trouble our consciences, it is the fact that so many of our brothers and sisters are living without the strength, light and consolation born of friendship with Jesus Christ, without a community of faith to support them, without meaning and a goal in life. More than by fear of going astray, my hope is that we will be moved by the fear of remaining shut up within structures which give us a false sense of security, within rules which make us harsh judges, within habits which make us feel safe, while at our door people are starving and Jesus does not tire of saying to us: “Give them something to eat” (Mk 6:37)” (Pope Francis:  Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel (24 November 2013)

August 22nd 2021

REGIONAL MEETINGS

Planned regional meetings are now to be held online 1st September to further the process of re-imagining the Mission of the Archdiocese of Melbourne.  Clergy and parish reps will gather in wider and more local groups to discuss and discern together the way to a fuller expression of our common and particular ‘missions’ to serve the Gospel. Our Parish Council will be represented.

August 11th 2021

MEETING OF CLERGY OF LOCAL PARISHES

At the invitation of Fr Alan Gibson of St Joseph’s Malvern, a small group of local pastors met online 10th August to address how we might respond to the Archbishop’s invitation to discuss the future mission of the Church in our local area. It was proposed each parish might prepare a profile of its community and seek some demographic data from the Archdiocese if this were possible. Some of the views expressed and impressions gained might be summarised as follows:

SUMMARY

• Diverse local parish demographics (schools/ combined former parishes)   
• One or two parishes further advanced in conversations with parishioners    
• A need to articulate and communicate our perceived local “Mission” 
• Challenge to identify what might be the means of deeper future collaboration     
• Broad agreement that timing of pandemic, Plenary Council, inhibits planning     
• General support for what Archbishop intends but not an entirely new initiative   
•  Uncertainty about which parishes might more easily align (diocesan/religious)     
• Further repeat and wider meetings with parish reps planned

August 4th 2021

A SNAPSHOT OF THE PARISH OF SOUTH YARRA

OUR  PARISH MISSION – KEY POINTS	Outreach to a diverse, highly transient community	Housing, food bank, hosting community groups, Incorporated Outreach Services
FACILITIES	Former school buildings	Parish centre, transitional crisis housing
LOCAL FACILITIES SERVED	Alfred Hospital	Two major nursing homes, Haven Foundation
APPROXIMATE CATHOLIC POPULATION IN AREA	4,000? (2016 census)	60% transient each census
HOUSEHOLDS ON DATA BASE	450 households approx.	Volunteers/ministers – 150 persons
ATTENDING CATHOLICS 3 WEEKEND MASSES (2 churches)	2019 – 270 pre-Covid 2008 – 270 (10 years ago) 2021 – post lockdown – 200?	Large % overseas born/ young migrants Significant numbers from high-rise developments between Toorak Rd and Yarra River
THANKSGIVING	$1,600 weekly aver. 1st & 2nd collections combined	Cash/envelopes 50% Credit card/bank debit/Tap Point Terminals 50%
CLERGY (Augustinians)	3 priests (1 other- nursing home)	1 absent, 1 visitor, 1 migrant chaplain (Korean)
FINANCES	No debt, all investments with CDF	No change in 10 years/ no current capital projects
SCHOOLS	Not applicable	(French Kindergarten – tenant)
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM	Small numbers (10?)	RCIA – 2 or 3 enquirers a year
YOUTH MINISTRY	Young adult group	(active prior to lockdowns)
EMPLOYED PARISH STAFF	3 part-time permanent	manager. secretary. pastoral assistant

July 10th 2021

READ THE ORIGINAL LETTER OF THE ARCHBISHOP

On Pentecost Sunday this year 23rd May Archbishop Peter Comensoli addressed the people of the Archdiocese with a pastoral letter entitled “Take the Way of the Gospel” (Re-imagining our local Church as Mission Communities) . You may read the full text here.