The second round of Deanery Forums is well underway, with the Western Deanery gathering at Holy Rosary, White Hills, on 2 June and the North Eastern Deanery gathering at St Patrick’s, Wangaratta, on 10 June. The Goulburn Valley Deanery Forum will take place in Shepparton on 23 June.

The forums continue a process that began in February and March, when parishes identified common opportunities and challenges. This second round has shifted the focus towards practical responses, collaboration and the next steps.

“Over time, we are going to know one another better, go deeper into issues that confront us, develop responses, identify, clarify and respond to needs … grow stronger in the mission on which the Holy Spirit sends us,” said Geoff Gowdie, Assisant Director, Office for Mission and Pastoral Life, reflecting on the purpose of the forums.

Ahead of each forum, participants received a report on their respective deanery forum, a survey feedback summary  on the experience of the participants and a Synthesis Report of all Round One Forums. The Synthesis Report brought together the shared hopes, concerns and priorities that had emerged across all three deaneries, identifying common themes and suggesting diocesan pathways for the next phase of mission, governance and sustainability.

Several shared challenges emerged, including the absence of particular cohorts at Mass, especially the “missing middle” of people aged 30 to 60, volunteer sustainability, clergy capacity and parish models, governance and leadership, financial and asset sustainability, and fostering a culture of communication and belonging.

Participants also received updates on several Chancery initiatives designed to support parish life and mission. These included workplace health and safety initiatives, such as the Chancery providing "test and tag" services and thermographic testing of switchboards, which not only reduce risk but also help decrease parish costs, including insurance.

Other initiatives discussed included fundraising resources, support for parish planning and the potential of PACEM as a parish administration tool, particularly its integration with other services, including the Department of Justice and Community Safety for managing Working with Children Checks. Already, half of Sandhurst parishes are using PACEM.

Participants also received updates in response to questions raised during the first round of forums, along with information about diocesan resources currently under development. These include guidelines for Parish Pastoral Councils and Parish Finance Councils, an updated Parish Administration Handbook, property project processes, asset management tools and common financial reporting. Fact Sheets addressing questions from the first round of forums were also provided.

Greg Westbrook, Acting Business Manager, presented the diocesan financials, explaining the sources of Chancery income and how it is spent. Participants were particularly interested in understanding how parish levies are used and many were surprised to learn that parish levies account for only 12 per cent of the total funding spent on parishes by Chancery.

A key component of the forums was the "What’s Working Exchange", which allowed parishes to share successful initiatives and learn from one another.

At the Western Deanery Forum, Fr Junray Rayna, from St Kilian’s, Bendigo, spoke about PRAISE, a parish-based initiative that provides a consistent and engaging space for young people to encounter Christ, build authentic Catholic Community and grow in faith. The initiative was well received, especially by clergy, who are exploring ways to deepen engagement of young people already attending Mass.

At the North Eastern Deanery Forum, Fr Nathan Verallo and Fr Crisologo Manongas from Christ the King Parish, (Wangaratta area) spoke about their Parish Pastoral Plan and planning process, which was undertaken after the amalgamation of Wangaratta, Wangaratta South and Moyhu Parishes. Their new parish structure includes six commissions anchored in the Synod on Synodality themes of Communion, Participation and Mission: Service, Worship, Education, Finance, Temporalities and Youth, neatly captured in the acronym “SWEFTY”.

Following these presentations, which were very well received, participants shared their thoughts on ideas that had been triggered for them and also discussed what they might share, in the future that is working well in their own parishes in future.

Participants also worked in mixed parish groups to identify shared priorities within their deaneries and then self-selected into a group to work on one high-ranked priority.

Participants also heard from Geoff Gowdie about the recently released Resources for a Parish Mission and Pastoral Plan and the online sessions available to introduce and unpack these resources.

They also learned more about the Sandhurst Formation Institute on 21 and 22 August and why attendance is strongly encouraged.

The second Goulburn Valley Deanery Forum will be held
on Tuesday 23 June 10 am – 3 pm
At Quality Hotel ParkLake, Shepparton.
Register your participation with Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/DLPPF

Dates for Round Three Deanery Forums are: 

13 October: North East

20 October: Goulburn Valley

27 October: Western 

It is anticipated that Bishop René will attend.

Image top-right:  Claire Spinelli, Youth Ministry Team Leader (standing) with St Kiilan's parishioners and their parish administrator, Fr Junray Rayna. 

Western Deanery Forum Round 2  (Holy Rosary, White Hills) 

 
North Eastern Deanery Forum Round 2  (St Patrick's, Wangaratta) 

 Return to Sandpiper 124 (19 June 2026).