Executive Summary

As part of the 35th anniversary of the Diocese of Broken Bay, Bishop Anthony Randazzo invited the region of the Central Coast to journey forward together as pilgrim and missionary People of God. The Central Coast region was identified as a particular context for a renewed proclamation of the Gospel, for evangelisation and catechesis, and pastoral creativity. This initiative is referred to as the Pastoral Discernment Central Coast project (PDCC).

The project of pastoral discernment invited each to recall how the Spirit has guided the Church’s journey over time and called the community to be together, as witnesses of God’s love, to recognise the region’s particular pastoral circumstances, opportunities, and challenges. The project was a major strategic pastoral initiative and was conducted over several phases. It required the support and commitment of a range of people and agencies across the Diocese and the integration of several existing planning processes.

Project Beginings

In early 2022, the Central Coast community was invited to provide feedback via local community listening and dialogue sessions at the service of shaping a pastoral discernment submission for Bishop Anthony’s consideration.

This pastoral discernment envisaged a sustained and prayerful study of the various factors which give the region of Central Coast its unique character, amongst which are:

Demographic trends

Social and economic issues

Parish trends of affiliation and participation

The project process and themes drew on the language and ideas presented for the 2023 Synod of Bishops. The General Synod ran parallel to the PDCC project. Submissions received from the PDCC project assisted with the Diocesan Synod response.

Project Aim

The ongoing aims of the Central Coast Project, is to renew the life of the Church, recognising and appreciating the gifts that the Holy Spirit has bestowed upon the community and the family of God.

To develop more effective strategies for evangelisation in a parish context, focusing on parish renewal and discipleship.

To develop inclusive ecclesial processes which allow and offer everyone the opportunity to express themselves and be heard, resulting in a renewal of the life of the Church, ensuring a sustainable and thriving community.

The project and its process will provide a future template for discernment in other regions of the Diocese.

Listening and Dialogue

Parish and community groups were invited to participate, discern, and journey together, through listening and dialogue forums, resulting in the development of a Pastoral Discernment submission.

More than 1,500 people participated in the listening and dialogue consultation sessions and a total of fiftytwo submissions were received. The opportunity to participate in the consultation phase of the project was widespread and included CSBB staff and students, CatholicCare, Parishes, youth and young adults, and Chancery staff.

The Pastoral Discernment project submissions opened on January 31, 2022 and closed on March 31, 2022. Of the submissions received, seven themes emerged.

Emergent Themes

1. Inclusion and Dialogue

2. Youth

3. Customs and Practices, including Liturgy

4. Building Community

5. Social Outreach

6. Community Resourcing

7. Difficulties of the past and present

In addition to the emergent themes several considerations have been identified that require pastoral attention. These include:

1. Future Parish Sustainability

2. Pastoral Responses

3. Emerging Critical Areas for Attention

4. Specific Areas for Attention

A summary of each of the emergent themes, and further considerations are outlined in the Final Report.

The Final Report was prepared by Mrs Patti Beattie, Diocesan Pastoral Discernment Project Facilitator. The four sections of the Report provide an overview of the emerging themes, the opportunities, and obstacles that the local listening and dialogue sessions identified, a SWOT analysis and the fourth section outlines areas have been identified that require pastoral attention.

Next Steps

• A Task Group with Terms of Reference be appointed to consider the Report and to make recommendations to Bishop Anthony in respect to the implementation of the findings of the Report.

• A new Pastoral Discernment Project Facilitator for the implementation of the PDCC recommendations and to lead the Northern Beaches Deanery Pastoral Discernment be appointed.

• The appointment of the Pastoral Discernment Project Facilitator will also undertake the role of the Executive Officer (EO) to the PDCC Implementation Task Group, to lead the Task Group in the formulation of recommendations, and then implementing those determined by the Bishop.

Patti Beattie PDCC Project Facilitator Director Evangelisation Broken Bay