Faith in Community

Synod Parish involvement 

Recently, I was involved with members of our parish and school community in listening, and discussing papers formed in response to the Melbourne Archdiocesan Synod which will be held in December. The Synod is a formal meeting or council of church leaders and members—usually bishops, priests, and laypeople—gathered to discuss and decide on religious rules, teachings, or church administration. The word comes from Greek roots meaning "walking together" or "coming together on the same road." A central focus of this synodal journey—and the broader Take the Way of the Gospel initiative—is Young Discipleship: exploring how our local Church can better accompany, form, and inspire our children and young people in their faith.

During our gathering, we reflected on the vital role our parish and school play together in nurturing a deep sense of belonging for our students. We discussed how we can create welcoming spaces where young people feel heard, valued, and empowered to live out their faith with joy and purpose.

Areas we discussed

• Stronger Parish-School Connections: Creating smoother pathways for students to participate actively in parish life, liturgy, and youth outreach/social justice.
• Student-Centred Faith Initiatives: Providing rich opportunities for spiritual growth, service, and leadership that resonate with young people today.
• A Community of Belonging: Ensuring every student knows they are a cherished member of a wider, supportive Catholic community that walks alongside them.

We look forward to sharing more insights as this Archdiocesan journey continues, ensuring our parish and schools remain a thriving community where our students' faith and learning flourish together.

Jane Barlow 

A special invitation

You are warmly invited to attend an online workshop with Fr Stephen Wang. I had the pleasure of meeting Fr Stephen in Rome, where he lives and works. He is very inciteful and easy to listen to. I would encourage you to join in on this Parent workshop. 

We would love to get an indication of how many families are interested in attending the online webinar-

Please fill out this form to register: Fr Stephen Wang's Family Night Webinar – Fill out form Click on photo to enlarge and read details. 

What’s happening this week in the Parish 

MINISTRY FORMATION 

We give thanks to all those who have volunteered for various ministries across our Parishes. It is good to gather every now and then to celebrate the gift of your ministry and do some formation. The following formation meetings have been scheduled across our three parishes. Those who are currently involved in these ministries, as well new volunteers are invited to attend. If you are unable to attend the one in your local parish community, you are encouraged to come to the meeting in one of the other parishes. Please call or email the parish office to register. 

READERS AND MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST 

Tuesday 11th August 7pm St Ambrose Church Woodend Wednesday 12th August 7pm St Brigid’s Church Gisborne Tuesday 18th August 7pm St Mary’s Church Lancefield. 

NURSING HOME AND HOME VISITATIONS Wednesday 12th August 10.30am St Ambrose Presbytery Woodend Thursday 13th August 10.30am St Brigids Gisborne has been moved to Thursday 20th August 10.30am St. Brigids Gisborne Friday 14th August 10.30am St Mary’s Presbytery Lancefield