What are the difficulties and benefits of working in a team?
The Local Church
The Local Church
Most suburbs or towns contain a Catholic Church, a Catholic school and sometimes even a community center. However the parish needs something else to be able to function, and that is PEOPLE! Catholic people, or parishioners, come together at their local parish to celebrate mass, worship God, to serve and to give support.
The local church is the basic unit of the Church. It is at this level that Catholics experience what they know as the church. A local church and the surrounding area is called a parish. The parish itself belongs to a group of parishes that form a diocese.
Each parish has a unique character, story and culture. The local church developed from the early Christian communities, who met together to hear God's word, share the Eucharist, pray and care for one another. If you drive through any town or suburb, you can find the Catholic Church without too much effort. Usually close by is a school and a community center of some sort. If you look more closely you may be able to identify the presbytery, which is the home of the priests who serve the parish. There are hundreds of parishes all over the country and these are centres of activity that draw people together. but it is important to realise that the parish is not simply a collection of buildings. The most important ingredient in the parish is the people! The parish provides Catholics with a way to come together to worship, to serve and to give support. Let us look at some of the people who contribute to parish life.
Most suburbs or towns contain a Catholic Church, a Catholic school and sometimes even a community center. However the parish needs something else to be able to function, and that is PEOPLE! Catholic people, or parishioners, come together at their local parish to celebrate mass, worship God, to serve and to give support.
The local church is the basic unit of the Church. It is at this level that Catholics experience what they know as the church. A local church and the surrounding area is called a parish. The parish itself belongs to a group of parishes that form a diocese.
Each parish has a unique character, story and culture. The local church developed from the early Christian communities, who met together to hear God's word, share the Eucharist, pray and care for one another. If you drive through any town or suburb, you can find the Catholic Church without too much effort. Usually close by is a school and a community center of some sort. If you look more closely you may be able to identify the presbytery, which is the home of the priests who serve the parish. There are hundreds of parishes all over the country and these are centres of activity that draw people together. but it is important to realise that the parish is not simply a collection of buildings. The most important ingredient in the parish is the people! The parish provides Catholics with a way to come together to worship, to serve and to give support. Let us look at some of the people who contribute to parish life.
The Priest
The most easily recognisable person in a perish is the priest, and some parishes are fortunate to have more than one. The priest leads the community in celebrating the Mass, and presides at other aspects of the sacramental life of the parish such as Baptism, Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick. He also has overall responsibility for the pastoral care of the parish. The priest is a busy person.
Who is in the photo above?
The Pastoral Associate
Many parishes have pastoral associates who play an important role in parish life. They are involved in a variety of tasks such as managing outreach programs and co-coordinating the efforts of all the other people who are involved in the parish.
One pastoral associate describes her work like this:
My main work is with the elderly, sick and housebound of the parish and I also train many of the parishioners. I also spend much time helping prepare the parish music for the liturgy, as well as working with readers, commentators and special ministers. I feel very fulfilled and I thank God for being called to such a worthwhile mission.
Parish Council
The Parish council is of vital importance. The council is a group of parishioners, which provides leadership, direction and advice. They work closely with the parish priest. The council plans for the future and ensures that the parish is run efficiently.
One parish councilor describes their role as:
Discerning the needs of parish and community. Endeavoring to involve the whole of the parish in the work of the Church in response to the present and future needs. Being a means of fostering a sense of community in the parish. Being a vehicle for communication between the parishioners and the parish priest. Taking a lead in establishing parish projects.
The most easily recognisable person in a perish is the priest, and some parishes are fortunate to have more than one. The priest leads the community in celebrating the Mass, and presides at other aspects of the sacramental life of the parish such as Baptism, Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick. He also has overall responsibility for the pastoral care of the parish. The priest is a busy person.
Who is in the photo above?
The Pastoral Associate
Many parishes have pastoral associates who play an important role in parish life. They are involved in a variety of tasks such as managing outreach programs and co-coordinating the efforts of all the other people who are involved in the parish.
One pastoral associate describes her work like this:
My main work is with the elderly, sick and housebound of the parish and I also train many of the parishioners. I also spend much time helping prepare the parish music for the liturgy, as well as working with readers, commentators and special ministers. I feel very fulfilled and I thank God for being called to such a worthwhile mission.
Parish Council
The Parish council is of vital importance. The council is a group of parishioners, which provides leadership, direction and advice. They work closely with the parish priest. The council plans for the future and ensures that the parish is run efficiently.
One parish councilor describes their role as:
Discerning the needs of parish and community. Endeavoring to involve the whole of the parish in the work of the Church in response to the present and future needs. Being a means of fostering a sense of community in the parish. Being a vehicle for communication between the parishioners and the parish priest. Taking a lead in establishing parish projects.
The Place of Young People
Many parishes run special groups and programs for young people. One of the most popular groups is the Antioch Movement. According to the New Testament, Antioch was the first place in which the followers of Christ were called Christians. The Antioch Youth Movement began at an American University and was brought to Australia about 20 years ago. It is now active in many parishes throughout the country. Members are aged between 16 and 22 years. Many groups have a weekday Mass and all groups have a Sunday night meeting. At this meeting, members give talks that they have prepared with the assistance of parent couples or the chaplain. There are also opportunities for discussion, music and prayer. Membership is by invitation and people join the group at the annual long weekend which serves as an introduction to Antioch.
Youth Worker
Many parishes or groups of parishes known as deaneries have a youth worker who has the specific task of working with young people. Many dioceses also have organisations that coordinate youth activities and provide support for parishes in the are.
Many parishes run special groups and programs for young people. One of the most popular groups is the Antioch Movement. According to the New Testament, Antioch was the first place in which the followers of Christ were called Christians. The Antioch Youth Movement began at an American University and was brought to Australia about 20 years ago. It is now active in many parishes throughout the country. Members are aged between 16 and 22 years. Many groups have a weekday Mass and all groups have a Sunday night meeting. At this meeting, members give talks that they have prepared with the assistance of parent couples or the chaplain. There are also opportunities for discussion, music and prayer. Membership is by invitation and people join the group at the annual long weekend which serves as an introduction to Antioch.
Youth Worker
Many parishes or groups of parishes known as deaneries have a youth worker who has the specific task of working with young people. Many dioceses also have organisations that coordinate youth activities and provide support for parishes in the are.
Church Terminology
Parish
The Catholic parish is a Catholic Church territorial unit that is controlled by a priest and is the geographical area that the particular church controls.
Pictured to the left is the parish of St Michael's church Hurstville.
The Catholic parish is a Catholic Church territorial unit that is controlled by a priest and is the geographical area that the particular church controls.
Pictured to the left is the parish of St Michael's church Hurstville.
Deanery
A deanery is a Catholic Church territorial unit made up of multiple parishes and is controlled by the vicar forane or dean.
Pictured to the left is the deanery of St George. Note that St. Michael's is located in the center.
A deanery is a Catholic Church territorial unit made up of multiple parishes and is controlled by the vicar forane or dean.
Pictured to the left is the deanery of St George. Note that St. Michael's is located in the center.
Diocese and Archdiocese
The Catholic Church in Australia is geographically divided into seven Archdioceses, and 21 dioceses. The capital cities of the Australian States are Archdioceses.
The diocese of Australia are controlled by bishops and is a Catholic Church territorial unit. The Archdioceses is also a Catholic Church territorial unit and is controlled by the Archbishop.
Below is an image that depicts all 21 dioceses in Australia.
The Catholic Church in Australia is geographically divided into seven Archdioceses, and 21 dioceses. The capital cities of the Australian States are Archdioceses.
The diocese of Australia are controlled by bishops and is a Catholic Church territorial unit. The Archdioceses is also a Catholic Church territorial unit and is controlled by the Archbishop.
Below is an image that depicts all 21 dioceses in Australia.
Use the following website to navigate through Sydney's parishes, deaneries and to view the overall diocese.
Create your own advertisement!
Create your own A4 advertisement which promotes the services and events held within a parish. You are to include the name, address and logo of the parish. Be sure to make them as creative as you can! This will be due by our lesson on Wednesday.