EPARCHIAL SOBOR

Melbourne, Australia, 25th – 26th April, 2015.

VISION 2020

The Eparchy of Sts. Peter and Paul held its Sobor in Melbourne  25th– 26th April 2015 under the leadership of its Eparch, his grace Bishop Peter Stasiuk.  Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, delegates from Australia and New Zealand engaged in presentations, discussions and group working sessions. After prayerful deliberation, the delegates at the culmination of the Sobor gathering,  formulated a set of resolutions which emanated from the core theme of the Sobor , namely “Vision 2020”.

The Sobor worked under the following framework:

 

 “The Vibrant Parish – a place

To encounter the living Christ”

Through

The Word of God

The Holy Mysteries (Sacraments) and Prayer

Serving One’s Neighbour

Leadership

Fostering and Serving Unity

A Missionary Spirit

 

 

SOBOR RESOLUTIONS 

  1. PASTORAL MINISTRY: The pastoral ministry within the Eparchy is to be formalised within a defined structure with approved pastoral plans which are to be formulated both on an Eparchial and Parish level. Funding must be available to support pastoral plans on an eparchial and parish level. Each parish will commit to expanding its ministry to youth.
  2. YOUTH MINISTRY: Pastoral planning will be instituted at eparchial and parish level in support of Youth Ministry. Funding must be made available to implement youth pastoral plans. Each parish to commit to  structure and implement a Youth Ministry. Suitable candidates to be appointed to the position of Head of Youth Ministry. Parishes of a given region  to co-operate in sharing personnel and resources as necessary.
  1. PASTORAL PLANNING: Pastoral Planning will be undertaken on an Eparchial and Parish level. Key areas of focus will be people who frequent our churches on a less regular basis. A major effort will be initiated to seek out those within our Church community with whom contact has been lost. Communication methods to be reviewed, improved and renewed with an updating of information records and data bases.
  2. VISITATION: Visitations of parishioners to be regular, systematic and ongoing throughout the year and not confined to just the Holy Water blessing visits at Theophany.
  3. PARISHES: Parishes to ensure that the  sick and housebound  have  access to the sacraments on a regular basis.
  4. RESOURCES FOR MINISTRY:  Acknowledging the importance of  ministry to all members of the parish community,  adequate resources for ministry are to be  provided and funded by parishes.
  5. SOCIAL WELFARE: All parishes to provide resources, education and materials for the laity involved in ministries and parish works programs. Resources and training for laity programmes must include information that will give access to appropriate welfare agencies, particularly Catholic agencies, for the purpose of referral of those people who need additional pastoral care. All aspects of social  welfare must be included in each parish’s ministry program.
  6. ADULT EDUCATION: Programs to be designed at Parish level for the delivery of key information in Biblical, Liturgical and Catechetical areas. These programs to be delivered by people with relevant knowledge and expertise. The new Catechism to be used as a key resource for the foundations of these learning programs.
  7. THE WELCOMING PARISH: Parishes will endeavour to transform into caring and friendly places which extend a welcome to the stranger, especially those who are new to our Christian community, those who have left their homelands and those returning to the UGCC.
  8. ECUMENICAL AND INTERFAITH RELATIONSHIPS: Ecumenism and Interfaith understanding are an important part of the  Eparchial Pastoral Ministry. This outreach to be expanded in all parishes.

MELBOURNE 26/4/2015

SOBOR  DELEGATES 

NAME
1 Bishop Peter Stasiuk
2 o. Brian Kelty
3 dk. Michael Zylan
4 Maru Jarockyj
5 Juliana Hassett
6 Irena Bongiorni
7 Sarah Lysewycz

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