Showcasing best practice of the Church in Australia is the hope-filled vision of Alive in the Spirit, the one-day conference being celebrated on 25 October 2023 at Hornsby RSL, NSW, from 10am to 4pm AEDT.
Featuring the inspirational witness of younger Church leadership, keynotes offer keen insights drawn from their own ministry. Steph Langley is a Mercy Educator in Brisbane, with an interest and experience in engaging young people in the Mission of the church beyond their schooling years. Qwayne Guevara is Parramatta Diocese’s lead facilitator in the Diocesan Synod, and Manager of Catholic Youth Parramatta, and is passionate about building community and has experience co-creating opportunities where young people are welcomed to foster authentic friendships, realise their gifts for mission and service, and encounter Christ in their daily lives.
Richard McMahon, co-chair of Pastoral Ministry Network, the conference host, says, “We wanted a conference that did more than talk about what was needed in our Church. We want to be real about the pain, heartache and setbacks of many communities at this time, as well as point to the good things that are already happening in our own backyard, despite the challenges. You will be hearing from our own people, sharing success stories amid the struggle, and offering hope.”
The keynotes and workshops consider the Synod themes of Communion, Participation and Mission, highlighting local achievements in these areas to both energise and help resource those in ministry.
Brendon Mannyx, conference emcee, and Community & Mission Manager for Maitland-Newcastle Diocese notes, “Our conference experience is built on the see, weigh, act approach to discernment. We see what is happening in our midst right now, weigh what is needed, and most importantly, act to make a difference. Our keynotes and workshop presenters bring this approach to life.”
The Pastoral Ministry Network offers Oceania-wide grassroots support for those in Catholic ministry and grew from the NSW Association of Pastors and Pastoral Associates which enjoyed a liaison role with the NSW Bishops for over 20 years. It now also incorporates the Mission Planners Network of Oceania. The first Alive in the Spirit Conference occurred on-line during the lockdown period, attracting nearly 1000 participants.
Previous participants delighted in the opportunity to share the wisdom and struggles, and network with their peers, with Cathie Renfrew from Catholic Schools NSW saying, “I would highly recommend this conference as a way of staying up to date with pastoral skills and ministry perspectives.”
The conference brings together ordained and lay ministers, along with pastoral council members, education and youth ministers, and other parish and community representatives.
To find out more about the conference, including the full program and range of workshop opportunities, go to https://pastoralministrynetwork.org/conference/.
