Catholic Outlook Magazine Lent & Easter Edition 2022

“
News
Human fraternity, compassion
and community.
”
from the Catholic
Education Diocese of
Parramatta Mission Team
STORY CATHOLIC EDUCATION DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA
With 80 schools across Western Sydney and the
Blue Mountains, Catholic Education Diocese of
Parramatta nurtures more than 43,000 children and
young people to grow in learning and faith each year.
A dedicated faith-filled group of educators work
together as a Mission Team to develop partnerships
with school communities and diocesan agencies at
every level; listening and learning from each other.
In 2022, the CEDP Mission Team has an exciting
new model of working which has been created
to develop a synodal approach to their work.
“The time has come for us to implement decisively
[a] participatory, inclusive and collaborative
model in our diocesan and parish structures....
a new culture of humility, accountability and
service. It is not a top-down and centralised
approach … Rather, it is a synodal church at
every level, with everyone listening to each
other, learning from each other and taking
responsibility for proclaiming the Gospel.”
Most Reverend Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv
Picture: Members of the Catholic Education Diocese of
Parramatta Mission Team (front row L-R) Amanda Bentley,
Monica Officer, Tania Melki and Lyn Taye and (back row
L-R) Mark Smith, Daniel Petrie, Nehme Khattar and Andrew
Wilson. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Through humility, accountability and service,
in 2022 the Mission Team aims to grow in their
accompaniment of others for the work of Mission
within the Diocese of Parramatta.
Supporting the vision of Bishop Vincent Long for
Catholic education in the Diocese of Parramatta, the
Mission Team focuses on accompanying students,
schools and staff. This includes opportunities for
Professional Learning in Scripture, pedagogy,
curriculum and theology; formation for school and
office staff; religious leadership and Catholic identity.
As the community would expect, there is also a
strong focus on providing meaningful social justice
opportunities including through support of the work
of Catholic Mission, the St Vincent de Paul Society,
Caritas Australia and other Catholic agencies and
organisations with a strong local presence such as
Jesuit Refugee Services and the House of Welcome.
Quality professional learning and resource development
is a vital component of ensuring the ongoing high
standard of Religious Education in local Schools. To
create professional learning opportunities for staff, the
Mission Team will continue to develop partnerships with
academic experts and institutions.
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