Catholic Diocese of Broome

This year's gathering of priests and pastoral associates was held in early March to cater for the fact that the Bishop would need to travel to Rome for the Australian Bishops' Ad Limina visit. The Mass of the Oils was celebrated on Tuesday 9th of March after the priests had met during the day with the Bishop, and two days of joint meeting with the pastoral associates followed.
The group was addressed by the Bishop about issues confronting the Diocese at this time. The Bishop stressed that the founding vision of the Diocese was its commitment in mission to the Aboriginal people, and that this ought still be our prime concern and focus.
This was followed by a session in which the group was addressed by members of the local Aboriginal community who have been encouraged by the Bishop to follow up on the theme of the 2003 NATSICC Conference - "Now is the time for rebirth". Shirley Quaresimin, Michael Martin, Leonie Kelly and Erica Bernard are working in the parish of Broome to establish an Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, with a focus on helping Aboriginal people feel more comfortable as part of the local Church community. They hope to do this by making both the church building and the liturgies celebrated in it more welcoming for and inclusive of Aboriginal people - especially those who might have been away from the Church for a while. They are hoping that their efforts in Broome will encourage others to take up the challenge in their own parish elsewhere.

Photo: A.Hayden

The group looked at the commitments they made to certain areas of ministry for 2003 and where they thought the energies of the Diocese as a whole ought to be directed for 2004. The following were the results of the group's discernment:

* Commitment by all priests and pastoral associates to put time and energy into developing lay ministry in their parishes.
* Commitment to encourage the Bishop regarding the formation of a Diocesan Pastoral Council.
* Commitment to the development of Parish Pastoral Councils and the faith formation of these, enabling them to contribute towards the creating of a vision for the Parish.
* Commitment to the development of Aboriginal Catholic Ministry in the Diocese.
* Commitment to the development of Youth Ministry in the Diocese.

The group also conducted a review of various Diocesan Policies and looked at aspects of the celebration of the Eucharist as required by the General Instruction on the Roman Missal.
Overall, the gathering was a great opportunity for people to meet together, especially for those who are new to the Diocese to get to know others who, up to that time, were only names in the Diocesan Directory. People from places other than Broome made their way home on Friday and Saturday. For some it was a long journey to the northern, southern and eastern edges of the Diocese. The support and encouragement that was the experience of the days together hopefully meant a return home with renewed enthusiasm and energy for mission.