March 2024

Lismore Diocesan Renewal Journey Update

During the past two years, more than a thousand priests, parishioners and people engaged in the wide variety of Lismore Catholic Diocesan ministries have been involved in an exciting journey of renewal. After visits to parishes and wide-ranging consultations, we are now entering the action stage with five major committees already working on key issues that have emerged:

• Renewal of the Diocesan youth ministry
• Development of a model for a pastoral council for the Diocese
• Exploring inter-parish collaboration
• Preparation of lay-led liturgy resources, protocols, and processes for parishes
• Design of protocols and processes for clergy induction into the Diocese.

Led by Matt Digges of Bellingen, the committee working on clergy induction has been meeting since November 23 and is gathering and reviewing best practice induction processes for international clergy in various western countries, including other Australian dioceses. The Diocesan Youth Ministry committee is led by Travis Lyon of Lismore and Gemma Ballantine of Mullumbimby. Addressing the evolving and dynamic needs of the youth have been identified as both major challenges and life-giving opportunities.

Some parishes have already taken up the challenge to explore new ways to respond to changing times. As a result of feedback from their Parish Vitality Survey, Murwillumbah Parish has changed Mass times while Ballina Parish has commenced the process of setting up a Parish Council.   If you would like to enquire about the work of these groups or provide input or feedback, please email renewal@lismore.catholic.org.au.