Bishop Paul made his five-yearly visit to the Bungaree parish from September 8 – September, 11, 2017. This was preceded by visits from diocesan staff who reviewed the parish administration, finances, buildings, child protection and pastoral activity. The reports prepared on each of these areas were not only helpful for informing Bishop Paul and will also be valuable resources for the Parish Leadership Team to use in planning future initiatives.
On Friday afternoon, Bishop Paul visited parishioners who were sick or homebound, meeting with them and celebrating the sacrament of anointing. Saturday coincided with the CHFL football and netball grand finals, so there was no parish activity planned for during the day! That evening, Bishop Paul celebrated Mass at St Michael’s, Springbank, which is in the Gordon parish, but is part of the normal Mass schedule that is shared between the Bungaree and Gordon parishes. Despite the end of season celebrations at the local football and
netball clubs, a good-sized congregation attended Mass with Bishop Paul and enjoyed the opportunity to meet with him over supper.
On Sunday morning, Bishop Paul celebrated the Mass at St Michael’s, Bungaree, with parishioners attending from the other two parish churches: St Brendan’s, Dunnstown, and St Peter’s, Clarkes Hill. This is quite common in the Bungaree parish as the three churches are quite close to one another. The Mass included preparation for baptism for Thomas Patrick Maher (son of Laura and Danny) and was followed by morning tea in the parish centre.
At lunch time, Bishop Paul met with the Parish Leadership Team over lunch for a wide-ranging and very stimulating conversation that covered the parish’s history, its present population and activities and possible future directions.
On Monday morning, Bishop Paul returned to visit the two parish schools, St Brendan’s, Dunnstown and St Mary’s, Clarkes Hill. At each school he met with parents and children, answered some penetrating questions and shared in a liturgy that had been prepared by the school community.
Finally, over lunch on Monday, Bishop Paul and Fr Shane reviewed the visit and reflected on various insights that had emerged in the preparatory reports and in the four days of the visit itself. The parish is very grateful for the commitment and care shown by Bishop Paul, and to the diocesan staff for giving such time and attention to his visitation.