The Central Deanery
Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane

Pastoral Planning

Given that the proposal has provided a practical response to the expected realities of 2011, I approve the Central Deanery Proposal for implementation as the Plan for Pastoral Leadership and Operating Structures to 2011. Archbishop Bathersby, 29 April 2006

The Central Deanery Plan for Pastoral Leadership and Operating Structures to 2011 (PDF 267 Kb) (The document, formerly called the "proposal", became the "plan" when approved by the Archbishop.)

Archbishop Bathersby's letter approving the proposal as the plan.

Archbishop Approves Deanery Pastoral Plan
Archbishop Bathersby has approved the Central Deanery’s proposal for Pastoral Leadership and Operating Structures to 2011. He described the plan, submitted to him in October last year, as comprehensive, detailed, workable, practical and realistic. Bishop Brian Finnigan presented a letter by the Archbishop, outlining the decision, at the inaugural meeting of the Central Deanery Pastoral Council on Thursday 13 July at Rosalie Parish Centre.

The plan is based on Archdiocesan projections that the Central Deanery will have to reduce from 11 priests in parish ministry in 2005 to 8 priests by 2006 and 7 priests by 2011. The plan calls for priests at Bowen Hills, Dorrington and Dutton Park to be available to minister outside these parishes. It is envisaged “that by 2011 the seven parishes of Dorrington and Jubilee would co-operate fully for pastoral and sacramental purposes”; that “New Farm and St Patrick’s would receive sacramental supply from… Bowen Hills” and that the “Cathedral… would receive assistance with provision of sacraments from a bishop or special ministry priest.” Furthermore, “It is expected that Buranda will be absorbed into a neighbouring parish”.

The plan predicts that the Deanery “needs to reduce from 42 masses (in English) in 2005 to around 21 masses in 2011” and provides suggested mass schedules to achieve this. The Archbishop commended this “detailed analysis” as a “valuable guide for the implementation of the plan”. He stated that “the bishop in the region, in consultation with the Dean, will communicate with each of the priests from the three parishes of Bowen Hills, Dorrington and St John’s Wood – The Gap regarding the future provision of Religious Order clergy to support some of the parishes of the Deanery”.

The plan proposed the formation of a Deanery Pastoral Council. This is now in place and part of its role will be to foster collaboration and co-operation amongst parishes. The plan also recommends that the "unique characteristics and culture of each parish within Central Deanery be recognised and valued".

Photo
Bishop Brian Finnigan (right) presented a letter by the Archbishop, approving the pastoral plan at the inaugural meeting of the Central Deanery Pastoral Council on Thursday 13 July at Rosalie Parish Centre. (pictured from left to right): Veronica Corkeron, Fr Peter Grice, Anne McNulty and Bishop Brian Finnigan. (Click on photo for larger version).

Deanery Proposal Completed

Celebrating the completion of the Deanery Proposal: Lisa Forbes (St John's Wood / The Gap); Greg Gilmore (Herston, Ashgrove, Newmarket); Cate Mapstone (Rosalie, Red Hill); Fr Pat Doran (Dorrington); Fr Peter Dillon (Cathedral); Fr Anthony Mellor (Jubilee).

The Central Deanery Pastoral Planning proposal for 2005-2011 was adopted at a combined meeting of the Central Deanery Meeting and the Central Deanery Pastoral Planning Forum on 20 October 2005.

29 Representatives of parishes across the Deanery were present. This was also the final meeting of the Pastoral Planning Forum. The meeting decided to establish a Deanery Pastoral Council.

The proposal was submitted to the Archbishop, and is expected to announce his response to the proposal in 2006.

The Central Deanery Pastoral Planning Proposal (PDF 267 Kb)

More Photos

Clergy Allocation Schedule: Currently the number of priests (diocesan and religious order) available for full-time parish ministry is 135. The average age (not counting retired clergy) is ~62. The official retirement age is 70 years. In eight years time (2011) the number of available priests will be 77. It needs to be pointed out that the 77 priests in 2011 are going to be, on average, older and more tired than the 135 priests available today. By 2011, allowing for some in the 77 who are assistant pastors and senior priests who will not want the responsibility of running a parish, there will be about half the number of parish priests that are available now.
- Explanatory Notes, Draft Broad Action Proposals, Synod 2003

By the end of 2005 and within archdiocesan parameters to be developed, each deanery formulates a plan for the future pastoral leadership and operating structure of its parishes to 2011. Archdiocesan assistance will be available as needed.
- Supporting Deaneries and Parishes May 2004
Archbishop John Bathersby

Information to assist the Deanery in Pastoral Planning:

The Central Deanery Pastoral Planning Proposal (PDF 267 Kb)

Draft of the Central Deanery Pastoral Plan (PDF 165 Kb)
Cover Page (PDF 734Kb)
Map of the Central Deanery (PDF 827 Kb)
Response Form (RTF 17 Kb)

The Sentinel Easter 2005 :PDF (120Kb); or link to the Sentinel page on this site to read online.

The Mission and Ministry of Clergy and Laity a collection of links to church documents and articles

Deanery Statistics a brief overview comparing parishes in our Deanery

Clergy Allocation Schedule 2006-2011 The number of clergy allocated to each deanery. (Commission for Evangelization & Pastoral Planning)

Glossary of terms (Commission for Evangelization & Pastoral Planning)

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