Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1173) noted that “music is entirely necessary for salvation.” Music is beauty and it attracts the human heart.

What are the basic principles of Liturgical music/singing? What forms of music are suited to the Eucharistic Liturgy, Liturgies of the Word, Catechesis, Worship, Liturgy of the Hours?

What is the quality of music in our parishes and schools? How can we improve it? What resources do we have at our disposal? What are the personnel and financial constraints?

“We listen more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if we do listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.” (Pope Paul VI, 1975)

How best can we “hand over” our faith?

• In Families
• Our Schools
• Confraternity of Christian Doctrine
• Homilies
• Youth Ministry

“The substance of the ancient doctrine of the deposit of faith is one thing, and the way in which it is presented is another.” (Pope John XXIII, 1962)

This unit examines our rich tradition of faith contained in the Word of God and Catechism and how we might present this in the 21^st Century.

Three key parish bodies aid the governance and stewardship in our community. What is their nature and what relationship should exist between them?

• Pastoral Councils
• Finance Committees
• School Councils

In administering the temporal goods (land, property & money) of our parishes, we focus on: Accountability, Transparency, Communication

What have we been given and are we able to receive? How best can we celebrate the gift of God in our parishes? In:

• Sunday Eucharist
• Word and Sacraments
• Our Schools
• Confraternity of Christian Doctrine
• Youth Ministry
• Marriage and Family

The Christian community is experienced in the parish. This occurs at the Liturgical Gathering, in the Parish or Regional School, through various encounters with Catholic agencies.

What do we desire our parishes to be? Places of encounter with the living Christ in the Sunday Eucharist? Communities of belonging, love, forgiveness and openness? Communities with a clear mission of spreading the Gospel? Communities where authority is service and where the gifts of the Spirit are discerned and honoured?

What is the first question a leader should ask? What makes leaders great? What are the latest insights from the world’s best graduate schools of leadership and management? How can our parishes benefit?

Pope Francis speaks of “Missionary Disciples” and “Accompaniment.” St. Pope John Paul II spoke of the “New Evangelisation” and new ardour and new methods in our outreach to others. What are we really talking about when we speak of Mission? How do parishes make it happen?

Jesus Christ is the source and summit of the Christian community. Who is Jesus? What is his mission? Why does his leadership inspire?

Jesus calls the twelve (Luke 9). Jesus calls the seventy-two (Luke 10). His call to discipleship is inclusive and is celebrated in the Church with the sacrament of baptism – the gateway to “life in the Spirit.” How do we deepen our consciousness of this great gift?

1. What is the “Change of Era”?
2. Recent historical example of change?
3. “Substance of things is one thing, the expression of them another.”
4. Parishes 2050
5. Understanding the psychology of change
6. How do we respond to change?
7. What influences how we respond to change?
8. What can we do to facilitate change?