Many parishes have already begun planning and thinking about their formation and offerings in 2018. To assist, we have prepared a '2018 calendar planning tool' for parishes to download and adapt (MS Word). These templates have been prepared as a free, editable resource and are pre-designed and populated with the liturgical seasons, memorials and major feast days.

Director's Reflection (November): For Catholics, November is traditionally the month of remembrance for the dead – a time when all those holy women and men who have gone before us are prayed for and remembered in a particular way. Many parishes have the practice of maintaining a remembrance book and I wonder if, over time, this book takes on a sacred character. In some ways, it holds the faith memory of the community because the names of our ‘everyday’ saints are inscribed there. 

Director's Reflection (September): "In November 2015, Pope Francis, in an address to a conference of the Italian Church, suggested that we are living in a change of era (rather than an era of change). An era can be defined as a period in history and I wonder if this idea of a shift in our history might help our thinking about parish and church life. The signs of this shift are all around – but living this experience can be difficult and disconcerting."  

Servers are those who are called forward from the community to help everybody pray well. Their special role, along with all the other ministers, is to assist the priest presider to lead the community in prayer. Serving is a ministry, a service to be given, not a job to be done. The following information provides an overview of the role of the server at mass.

Director's Reflection (August): "There is a sense that the earth is gradually re-awakening as the fruits of the hidden underground work are starting to be revealed. It is a season of growth and great beauty. With the eyes of faith we cannot help but be drawn into a sense of wonder about God’s presence in our world expressed in creation."