Helicopter Tjungurrayi, a well
known artist from Balgo, who will
travel with others from this east Kimberley desert community to attend an exhibition of their artworks in Japan. Photo: CAS

“There is a variety of gifts
but always the same Spirit;
There are all sorts of
service to be done,
But always to the same Lord;
Working in all sorts of
different ways in different people,
It is the same God
who is working
in all of them.”

[1Cor 12:4-6]

Issue 2, May 2010, Highlights:

Editorial - Juvenile Justice, an offence against society

A message of peace for us and the earth - Office of Justice, Ecology and Peace

Kimberley Collage - Broome Residential College

New Cathedral mover and shaker

Kimberley Volunteeers

Meeting for a Mission Moment ...

Justice Matters - How does your garden grow? GM and Western Australia

Year of the Priest - Icon and Prayer

Pilgrim Cross

School News - Gibb River

KCP Magazine

Meeting for a Mission Moment...

On Wednesday 24 March the Priests and Principals of Kimberley Catholic Schools met at Notre Dame University for their annual gathering. The meeting is convened by the Bishop of Broome, Christopher Saunders, and the Catholic Education Office, which this year was represented by Ms Deborah Sayce of the Perth Office. The topic was “The Matter of Mission and Evangelization”, presented by the Director of Catholic Mission in Australia, Mr Martin Teulan. Using powerpoint technology and films produced by Catholic Mission, Mr Teulan provoked a helpful discussion of mission in the modern context and the challenges we face in our task of evangelization in present day Kimberley.

Central to Mr Teulan’s presentation was his account of a mission- minded parish where everyone is a minister. He spoke of one parish that has twenty four ministries devised to better service the faith community and build true communion among the members. Each parishioner is asked to commit their life to Christ, pray daily, learn to know the scriptures, become familiar with Church tradition, join a small group in the parish, give generously, share the faith in one way or another with others, reach out to those in need. Singularly and collectively this parish community is moving consciously towards a deeper personal relationship with God. The strategy is to involve people closely with the dynamics of the parish that give life and nourish faith. “Faith, it is said, is transmitted at a distance no greater than three metres”.

One priest described the gathering as “…the best yet. The most helpful and positive gathering of clergy and principals to date.” A Kimberley principal remarked that “…there was a positive energy for change among those present. We heard that mission means change and without a doubt this was a mission moment. I’m glad I was there.” Another person who attended commented on the commitment for all to meet again as a group later in the year to help create a way forward as Church: “The development of a pastoral strategy for the Parish and then the Diocese will be such a help enabling us to gauge our progress and keep us focused on Mission.”

Bishop Saunders said he was deeply impressed by the positive and creative energy at the conference. He added, “I am very, very grateful to Martin Teulan, for his hard work and for his ability to keep the topic vibrant and engaging while evoking an enthusiastic participation from all those who made the day overwhelmingly worthwhile.”

Caption: Bishop Saunders thanks Martin with a small gift.
Photo: M Hill