Keeping the Church Alive Pastoral Care for the People of God November 2007 Consultation process Everyone across the diocese is invited to engage in the process of prayer, consideration, reflection, dialogue and response with this draft blueprint. Beginning in late January and through until February there will be 17 meetings held in the proposed parishes where all existing parishes and missions will have a chance to share responses. It is the role of each Parish Pastoral Council to consider and coordinate the responses from the parish before the meeting in order that all the parishes involved have time to present their ideas. Although not necessary it would be helpful if the pastoral council could present written notes or a summary. It is acceptable for a PPC to present divergent views from the parish if varying views have been expressed to the Council. In the interest of consistency DPIC suggests that the following elements from the blueprint be considered. 1. What are the pastoral priorities in the parish as it exists now? Why are these the priorities?. Who is involved? Who else should be involved? Who is responsible for the work? How does this ministry keep the Church alive? What costs are associated with it? How do we train more people to do it? 2. Respond to the map. What works most easily or naturally from the map? What challenges would come from bringing the communities involved together? How can we be most effective in bridging differences? Are the responses in part one viable in the new parish? 3. If a parish pastoral council is suggesting a change to the map it must be accompanied by a clear outline of what would work better and why, and the effect the proposed change might have on the other parishes in the diocese? Consider responses from part one. 4. How does the parish respond to the 3 aspects of missionary, catechesis and pastoring and 7 pillars? Where can they be strengthened and what gifts are available in the parish to do this?