Priests' Retreat and Pastoral Planning
Gathering of the Bishop, Priests and lay pastoral workers of the Diocese of Gizo in the month of October from 12th - 24th was one of the important decisions made in the 2008 Diocesan Pastoral Plan. This two weeks gathering witnessed some of the important steps taken by the Diocese to journey together in solidarity and to be at the services of the faithful of the Diocese and of each other. Roger Purcell- the National Director of the Community Animation Service for PNG & SI of the Movement for a Better World facilitated the Priests' Retreat and Diocesan Pastoral Plan for the next four years with the great assistance of Tobais Lawrence of Daru/Kiuga Diocese - PNG.
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| Fr Roger with Priests |
Fr. Roger animated the priests' Retreat, the first week with the theme; "what kind of a Priest for what kind of Church." It is a gathering of Priests on the identity of the priests in the Church today. They includes, the Bishop, seven priests from the Diocese of Gizo, two from the Diocese of Auki and three Dominican professed brothers from Loga.
During the same week a total of 16 lay members of the Diocesan Pastoral Council worked hard in preparing the draft plan for the four years of the Diocesan Pastoral Planning. Facilitated by Tobias Lawrence the participants were given inputs on the spirituality of planning as well as practical sessions as part of building the capacity of the heads of services and members of the DPC - Diocesan Pastoral Council.
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| Planning Meetings |
The full Diocesan Pastoral Council came together on the last week, deliberating the details of the Pastoral Plan and subsequently approved the Diocesan Pastoral Plan for the next four (4) years. The Bishop with his Council of Priests also have their regular meeting, reflections and reporting on the progress of the renewal program in the Parishes & Diocese and discussing other Pastoral matters of importance as a way forward in building the Church of communion and to strengthen their partnership in the unity of the presbyterium.
Our Diocese now looks with hope and courage in implementing the four years Diocesan Pastoral Plan. Our call and journey of evangelization is; "to give and re-give all a sense of the value of SOLIDARITY".
From Media, Diocese of Gizo