Pastoral Planning

  • Re-structuring: Looking at the issues
    - These reflections of Fr John have been stimulated by on-going re-structuring needs within increasing numbers of parishes in the diocese of Ballarat. They have been helped by his reading of the book by Fritz Lobinger: “Like His Brothers and Sisters” [Crossroad Publishing Company, New York, 1999]. They are also a response to the invitation, made a few years ago at a Priests’ In-service Seminar, to take steps to shape our own future rather than to be led backwards into a future shaped by other forces and people
  • Re-structuring: An Appendix
    - The following reflections of Fr John are directed specifically at situations where there is not only no priest but also no religious sister or brother or formally qualified layperson appointed as sole Parish Leader. They should be relevant, however, to other parishes where there is still a Parish Priest or Parish Leader but where the priest or leader could sooner or later be withdrawn. The reflections also assume a familiarity with the points made in his former article: “Restructuring – Looking at the Issues”.
  • Activities of a Local Faith Community
    - A brief resumé of activities to be undertaken by members of any local faith community in the absence of a resident priest - taken from the article "Re-structuring: An Appendix".
  • Facing the Present Situation - A Discussion Paper presented to the Ballarat Council of Priests on issues associated with provision of Eucharist and other sacramental ministry in the face of the dwindling number of priests. [November 2007]
  • What Kind of Church?
  • Roles of a Diocesan Pastoral Council
    - In 2004 the Diocesan Pastoral Council requested feedback from the diocese on its Vision Statement and Role Statement. Fr John used the invitation as an opportunity to address some larger questions of context.
  • Answers to a Letter from Bishop Fritz Lobinger
    - In his book "Like his Brothers and Sisters" published in 1999, Bishop Lobinger requested feedback on what he had written. Fr John took up his offer and wrote to him. In his reply, he asked for further information on the situation in Australia. This is Fr John reply to his questions.