St Marys Catholic Parish Geelong

Parish Planning Report and Work Plan

Introduction

The Parish Pastoral Council (or we) has been working together with the parish priests of St Mary of the Angels and the broader community to build a strategy for a thriving community for the years to come.

We want to support our Catholic community to grow in faith, with a parish that is also growing to meet the needs and preferences of the people we serve. Planning ahead is necessary to ensure we build and nurture a strong faith connection and to do this means we need to hear from the community directly on their values and priorities.

We are fortunate to be supported by our priests who feel a deep sense of connection and responsibility to the parish and its parishioners, in presenting the idea of a parish planning day and supporting the Parish Pastoral Council in making it a reality.

We have heard that recent changes in how we worship, especially after COVID, and declining numbers, particularly of younger generations, has impacted parishioners’ confidence for the future of the parish. We know that to create a thriving community that is available for future generations requires us to take action now and be proactive within the Geelong community.

We are committed to working together with parishioners and hearing the different voices that are represented in our community. We will continue to work to make sure people are heard and seen.

Read the Planning Day Report and Work Plan:

Planning Day Report (PDF format)
Planning Day Report (MS Word format)
Work Plan (PDF format)
Work Plan (MS Word format)

Printed copies of the complete reports are also available from the St Mary's Parish Office, 150 Yarra Street, Geelong, during office hours.

Our Aspirations

1. A spiritually fulfilled parish, actively participating in the celebration of the liturgy:

a. Increase parishioner attendance, reach, and numbers

b. Introduce liturgical support and planning

c. Increase accessibility of the mass

d. Enhance opportunities to attract and retain youth attendance

e. Improve opportunities to train and develop volunteers

2. A genuinely connected and engaged parish community:

a. Increase opportunities to engage families and the local community

b. Promote diversity and inclusion in services available and support the visibility of diverse cultures in the parish

c. Improve and increase services and supports that benefit the Geelong community

d. Provide ongoing care, safety and support for parishioners to be involved in parish life

e. Improve how information is shared and communicated, meeting the communication needs of all parishioners

3. Respected and preserved facilities available for future generations

a. Enhance the appearance of parish facilities

b. Improve how parishioners can contribute to the maintenance and upkeep of the parish

c. Improve disability access and support an aging community

We are committed to working together with parishioners and hearing the different voices that are represented in our community. We will continue to work to make sure people are heard and seen.

We have already begun working on some priorities in the Work Plan. You will see some of these initiatives in action and we will report on progress each year.

If you would like further information or would like to provide feedback, please email:
pastoralcouncil@stmarysgeelong.com.au

Make an Offering

You can help St Mary’s in the continuation of its important work in the Geelong region by making a donation to any of these particular Parish activities.