In response to an increase in pastoral issues associated with funeral ministry and the Funeral Rites, the Diocesan Liturgy Council invites you to participate in a Consultation and Discernment Process to review the existing 2002 Diocesan Guidelines for Funeral Ministry.
All members of the Church, particularly those involved in bereavement and funeral ministry in parishes, schools, aged care facilities, hospitals and other community settings are invited to participate in the first series of Reflective Dialogues.
The current Diocesan Funeral Guidelines are out of date and the pastoral context in which we minister, including the needs and expectations of people, has changed significantly in recent years.
It is therefore timely to undertake a consultation and discernment process to review our diocesan guidelines. Critical to this process is listening to the experience of the Catholic community – clergy, parish funeral ministers, all those who engage in pastoral ministry in schools, aged care facilities, hospitals and elsewhere. Listening is the purpose of the first round of Reflective Dialogues.
For all information about venues, times and RSVP details, see below or download the promotional flyer.
Information about the entire process is available on www.mn.catholic.org.au under Guidelines for the Order of Christian Funerals. This information will be regularly updated.
| Date | Time | Venue |
| Sunday 8 October | 2 - 4.30 pm | The Therry Centre - New England Hwy, East Maitland |
| Saturday 14 October | 9 - 11.30 am | John Lavery Hall, Sugarloaf Parish - 30 Oakland St, Glendale |
| Sunday 22 October | 1.30 - 4 pm | Forster Parish Hall - 33 Lake St, Forster |
| Sunday 29 October | 1.30 - 4 pm | School Library, St Joseph’s H/School - 55 Segenhoe St, Aberdeen |
| Sunday 5 November | 1.30 - 4 pm | Toohey Room, Diocesan Offices - 841 Hunter St, Newcastle West |
Morning/afternoon tea provided. For catering purposes please book with Zoë Marr via email Zoe.Marr@mn.catholic.org.au or call 02 4979 1328.