On 30 October 2024, parish staff from the Mountains and Western Deaneries gathered for the largest Deanery Cluster Meeting held this year to exchange ideas, connect and focus on creating sustainable growth within their communities.
Hosted by the Parish Support and Fundraising Team (Alfie Ramirez, Raimie Caramancion and Vanessa Garcia) with support from Geoff Officer, Chief of Operations and Finance, the day unfolded amidst Mulgoa’s scenic landscape at the Edmund Rice Retreat Centre, providing a fitting environment for sharing practical strategies and best practices that address the lived realities of parish life, all with the aim of advancing God’s mission in local areas.
L-R: Christine (Blue Mountains Parish), Chrissy (Blue Mountains Parish), Michele (Emu Plains Parish), Juliana (Glenbrook Parish), Joanne (Emu Plains Parish). Image: Diocese of Parramatta
The event began with workshops led by Alfie and Raimie, sparking insightful discussions about the joys of parish service and effective ways to enhance operations. These workshops allowed staff members to dive deep into their experiences, celebrating what’s working well while also tackling shared challenges.
Alfie highlighted the enthusiasm of the group: “The engagement from the Parish Secretaries was amazing! We went 45 minutes overtime in the first workshop because there was just so much to share. I truly appreciate the dedication and commitment of our Parish Secretaries and Finance Staff, who continuously go above and beyond what is asked for in their role.”
A highlight of the day was being together and feeling like a connected church. Staff from neighbouring parishes found common ground in both their challenges and triumphs, fostering a supportive network where they could discuss everything from community outreach to administrative efficiency.
Donna, a new parish secretary from Mount Druitt South, captured this sentiment perfectly saying, “Connecting with other parish staff, especially those from nearby like Malia at Holy Family, was the most rewarding part of today’s meeting. It’s helped me see how we can all support each other more closely.”
“Connecting with other parish staff, especially those from nearby like Malia at Holy Family, was the most rewarding part of today’s meeting.” – Donna, Sacred Heart Mt Druitt South.
Discussion of shared experiences and opportunities to collaborate. L-R: Joy (Blackheath), Donna (Mount Druitt South), John (Blackheath), Malia (Mount Druitt). Image: Diocese of Parramatta
One of the day’s key takeaways was the importance of collaboration and learning from one another’s experiences. Alfie noted the value of face-to-face interaction in today’s digital age, where virtual meetings have become the norm.
“One of the things I love most about my job is serving the Parish Priests and Parish Secretaries,” he shared. “But with tools like Teams and Zoom, we don’t get many chances to see people in person. Today’s gathering was an amazing reminder of how powerful it is to connect directly.”
In addition to exploring best practices, the meeting served as a space to honour the church’s legacy. Mark Buhagiar, Head of Clergy Health and Wellbeing, announced a special Mass and morning tea for Deceased Clergy, honouring the contributions of parish priests who paved the way for today’s community leaders.
The last gathering for all parish staff across the Diocese of Parramatta will be on the 27 November 2024 for the Christmas Reflection and Lunch. For more information, please visit our website.
Our Parish Support Team, Raimie and Alfie facilitating the day. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
