New Ministries and New Opportunities

My friends, it’s Monday afternoon (24th Feb) as I write this reflection for you. Yes, it’s my day off, but since Fr Gerard and I will be attending a two-and-a-half-day in-service for priests ordained within the last ten years, it’s important to prioritize the weekly rhythm of the parish office. The newsletter remains my primary avenue for sharing important updates and information with you, and I hope you find it both helpful and informative.

Walking into the parish office this afternoon to retrieve my laptop, I was met with some wonderful news. A new ministry—one I haven’t even publicly announced yet—is beginning to take shape, and it will positively impact every single parishioner! Please read on as I explain what is unfolding.

Over the last 12 months, I have been working diligently to create an office structure and environment that meets the growing needs of our parish. One of those needs was to establish the role of an Office Manager—someone who supports all office operations and personnel (both paid staff and volunteers). For the past year, Don Rolls, our former parish manager, has been fulfilling this role in a volunteer capacity. I am deeply grateful that Don continues in this capacity on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Several months after Don came on board last year, Steve Kay joined the team as the volunteer Parish Operations Manager on Wednesdays and Fridays. While Steve was already serving as the Parish Finance Council Chair, he also has the time, energy, and expertise to apply his business skills to managing the operational side of parish life—particularly in Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) and property maintenance. Steve has recently reduced our outstanding WHS compliance list to zero! Thank you, Steve!

A key area of importance in our parish is ensuring safe environments for children and vulnerable adults. For many years, maintaining compliance in this area has been challenging, with Vicki doing her best in the office. Last year, when we introduced our new parish database, Flocknote, Trish Harding began volunteering in the office on Mondays and Fridays. Her initial role was to liaise with parishioners whose ministry areas require safeguarding compliance. However, her role is evolving into something much more aligned with her natural skills, gifts, and leadership abilities. More on Trish in a moment.

On Friday, 17th January 2025, Donna Bradshaw began volunteering in the parish office. In her professional role, Donna manages WHS and Safeguarding requirements at Caloundra RSL, and she has generously offered to use her expertise in these areas for our parish. Donna has also taken on the role of the Parish Local Safeguarding Officer. If you have any safeguarding concerns, please contact Donna by leaving a message at the parish office or emailing her on  ls***********@bn*.au. Donna’s ministry allows both Steve Kay and Trish Harding to focus more effectively on their unique strengths. Steve has recently joined my Senior Leadership Team, bringing a much-needed strategic perspective to our team, which also includes Vivienne Cooper, Beth Davies, and Fr Gerard. This leads me to the exciting new ministry that will positively impact every single parishioner!

Several months ago, I had an epiphany—one in which the Lord revealed something important to me. It became clear that unless we foster a culture in which every person feels actively accompanied, we cannot expect parishioners to accompany others to encountering Jesus—the key component of our mission. Trish Harding has accepted my invitation to lead a brand-new initiative that, to my knowledge, is a first in our diocese and possibly in Australia.

Together, over the next few months, Trish and I will be establishing a Pastoral Care Call Centre (PCCC). This idea came to me after reflecting on the gratitude expressed by parishioners who received a phone call from one of our priests during the six-week Covid-19 lockdown in March/April 2020. At that time, our only database of parishioners consisted of those in the planned giving program.

The vision for the PCCC is that trained volunteers will work from the parish office to connect personally with every single parishioner—perhaps once or twice a year (there are 1100 at the moment), letting them know that they matter and are loved. These calls will be an opportunity to check in on parishioners’ ministries, health, and concerns. However, this initiative will extend beyond caring for our regular parishioners. Each time we celebrate Mass, we are sent out to actively accompany others in becoming disciples of Jesus (Mt 28:19). The PCCC will provide a pastoral structure that enables us to reach out and show love to our Parish families, including those who have celebrated Sacraments of initiation, the next of kin who have celebrated the funeral for a loved one, wedding couples and all who have entered our parish family in any way.

Initially, the call centre will operate from the parish office on Mondays, when most workstations, phones, and computers are available. Trish informed me this afternoon that the first phone call took place today by a member of her volunteer team. The intention is to check in with people with genuine, fraternal love, and asking relevant questions that, at this time, might include:

How are you? 

How are you adjusting to the new Mass roster? 

Is there any assistance I can offer you at this time?

These simple yet meaningful questions demonstrate that every person matters. I hope this small taste of the PCCC’s purpose has sparked your curiosity. Very soon, I will be inviting expressions of interest from volunteers who would like to be part of this exciting new initiative.

Peace and blessings, Fr Josh