Catholic Identity – 13 June 2019

Plenary 2020

The second phase for the Plenary Council 2020 has been announced. Almost 20,000 submissions with the voice of over 220,000 people have informed the decision about six themes that will be explored between now and 2020. The themes are:

1. Missionary and Evangelising
2. Inclusive, Participatory and Synodal
3. Prayerful and Eucharistic
4. Humble, Healing and Merciful
5. Joyful, Hope-Filled and Servant Community
6. Open to conversion, Renewal and Reform.

We will again offer opportunities for students and parents to be part of this process when more details come to hand. Alongside the Plenary, the Diocese of Sale is also holding an Assembly in September this year.

Diocesan Assembly and Pilgrimage

Bishop Patrick O’Regan has announced a Diocesan Assembly to be held on 13 – 14 September at Marist-Sion College, Warragul. During the Plenary Council 2020 Listening and Dialogue process, several common topics have emerged. It has become evident that many of the suggestions which have been made can be initiated and implemented at a local Diocesan level. The Diocesan Assembly, while part of the overall Plenary journey, is of vital importance as it will provide us with the opportunity to together discern and discuss what it is that we can do here and now for our local Church in the Diocese of Sale. 

House Masses – 21 June

Next week the College will hold our annual House Masses within the Parishes of St Michael’s Berwick; St Patrick’s Pakenham; Our Lady Help of Christians, Narre Warren; St Agatha’s Cranbourne; St John the Baptist, Koo Wee Rup, and St Joseph’s Warragul; with the final two Houses at Beaconsfield and Officer. The House Masses celebrate our connection to the local parishes, without whom we would not exist. Our Cross and four rocks symbol at the front of the Berwick and Beaconsfield Campuses signify the founding parishes of St Francis Xavier College – St Michael’s, St Agatha’s, St Patrick’s and St John’s. Each of our Houses are like a Parish. Even though we are a large community, in the House each student is known and cherished. At this Mass friendships are rekindled, successes celebrated and a communal experience of joy is shared. Each parish walks with us through the generations of students, and we are all welcome at our local parishes, each of which are thriving and life-giving communities, places to be known, and places to belong.