Journey 42 - Winter 2010

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This issue of Journey explores our Church’s engagement with the wider society, both positively and negatively. Our cover photo is of a student who will be attending a new Catholic school. This issue also reflects on the benefits to our schools through the Federal Government’s building revolution. See page 7 for more details of how these grants have been used. However, the NSW Government’s decision to conduct ethics classes in state schools has threatened the work of our Catechists in sharing their faith with our children in these schools. See our response to this issue on page 8.

Journey42 Bishop Peter’s message addresses the broader negativity that exists in parts of society towards religion. There are many strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats within our Diocese and the wider world. In the special lift-out section of this issue, we give a detailed picture of the feedback received from the diocesan-wide pastoral planning consultations. Over 2,000 people have been consulted in over 65 locations. We hope and pray that through these consultations and the emerging plan, we can work together to meet the challenges of today and remain faithful to our God and our mission of loving service. The young student on our front cover offers us a symbol of what we hope for as we journey ahead in our Church. She is a member of today’s Church. May our planning support her to be a faith-filled leader in the church of tomorrow.