Strengthening and Revitalising Parishes: Collaboration key to growth

04 Apr 2019

By Jamie O'Brien

Parishioners and clergy speak about a new collaborative initiative known as Parish Hubs, during initial discussions in 2018. Photo: Josh Low.

By Amanda Murthy and Jamie O’Brien

Several parishes are now in the process of gearing up to once again come together with the aim of better understanding how they can strengthen their collaboration.

The collaborative initiative, known as Parish Hubs, exist between the parishes of Mount Lawley, Joondanna and Highgate in the north, and in Baldivis, Kwinana, Port Kennedy and Rockingham in south.

Coordinator for the Strengthening and Revitalising Parishes Implementation Priority Area of the Archdiocesan Plan, Father Nino Vinciguerra, explained that the initiative has gained a positive response from the parishes that are currently involved.

Fr Vinciguerra explained that the Strengthening and Revitalising Priority Area is now heading into a new phase of the initiative, which to begin with, involves two Gatherings in May for members of Parish Pastoral Councils.

“Parish Pastoral Council members who attend the Gatherings in May will then be given the opportunity to share this information with their parish communities in June,” Fr Vinciguerra highlighted.

Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton listens to initial discussions between Perth Catholics about a new collaborative initiative known as Parish Hubs. Photo: Josh Low.

A different strategy is being followed for parishes of our country areas.

“It is hoped that the Gatherings on the 18 and 25 May will create stronger awareness of the initiative and ultimately generate more interest,” Fr Vinciguerra said.

“Parish Pastoral Councillors will be the first to learn about the initiative, take the information gained back to their parishes, and present it in June to their parishioners.

“Our hope is that by informing and engaging with their parishioners this will encourage parish pastoral councils to take on being part of a Hub.

“The next step, which is the final phase, would be to collate data from all parishes and see how this can further grow the implementation of these hub formations,” Fr Vinciguerra added.

Fr Vinciguerra stated that while the independence of parishes needs to be thoroughly respected, however, while the parishes that choose to be part of the hubs retain their operations and independence, they will also have the opportunity to work collaboratively with other parishes in several areas such as parish retreats, Adult Faith formation, preparation courses for Sacraments and perhaps even host youth or young adults events together,” Fr Vinciguerra said.

“While we need to encourage a sense of belonging to a parish community, youth respond well to congregating in a new environment once in a while, it enables them to meet new people, share ideas and keeps things vibrant.”

Fr Vinciguerra added that the aim is to have at least seven sustainable parish hubs by the end of this year.

“At the end of the day, we want to be able to consistently grow, connect, renew and work together as the one people of Christ,” he concluded.