Renovation @ Holy Spirit

Divine Renovation - Introduction

The parish renewal project "Renovation @ Holy Spirit-it's Divine!" is based on the parish renewal and the New Evangelisation work of Fr. James Mallon, Parish Priest of St Benedict’s, Halifax, Nova Scotia. (a province of Canada). See more at Divine Renovation.

Video links

• A taste of where we are going: Divine Renovation after glow (6:18)
• So we are renovating our church, but what is Church?
  • Video 1 (2:36)
  • Video 2 (2:11)
• An interview with Fr. James Melon: An Interview with Fr Mallon Part 1 (15:30)
• What is a Mission Church? Making Disciples

Core Group

A group of parish members, lead by Mary Ryan, have formed the "Core Group" who's objective is to explore Fr. James' work and lead Holy Spirit Parish to "renovation".

Time Line - Past and planned activities

• 27/09/2016 - Mary Ryan initiated this project by inviting a group of parishioners to attend Fr James Melon's presentation on 16/11/2017.
• 16/11/2016 - Divine Renovation presentation by Fr. James Melon at St. Clare's, Box Hill North. Attended by approximatley 10 Holy Spirit Parishioners
• 16/02/2017 - Presentation to Fr. Joe, members of the PPC, Finance committee and other parishioners in key leadership roles.
• 22/02/2017 - Post presentation review. Formation of book discussion groups.
• 11-12/03/2017 - Presentation to wider parishioners during weekend Masses
• 14/03/2017 - Core Group: 7:30 p.m. in the Parish House
• 22/04-25/05/2017 - Book discussion groups held - 4 groups as per the table below
• 16/05/2017 - Core Group: 7:30 p.m. in the Parish House - Summarising the Book Discussion Groups feedback / prep for Pentecost Mass / Lunch
• 31/05/2017 - Core Group: 7:30 p.m. in the Parish House - Final preparation for Pentecost Mass / Lunch
• 04/06/2017 - Pentecost Sunday. "Big Book Discussion Group" mass / lunch.  Decision taken to move from a Maintenance to a Missional Parish.
• > 13/06/2017 (after the long weekend) - Renovation planning begins.  Date to be advised.
• 10-11/2017 (t.b.c.) - First Alpha course

Book Discussion Groups

During the homilies at the 11-12/03/2017 masses, Mary Ryan presented an overview of a renovation project for Holy Spirit, a project to revitalise our parish and our church.

We are in the first planning stages of this project which is drawing from the inspiration of Fr. Jame's book ‘Divine Renovation: Bringing your Parish from Maintenance to Mission’. We want as much input as possible from parishioners into how this develops.

The Parish has purchased around a dozen copies of Fr. Jame's book for parishioners to read. The books will be shared amongst parishioners so that as many as possible get the opportunity to read the book. To borrow a book and/or join a group contact Dominic North-Coombes.

If you want to buy your own copy you may find it difficult to source one locally (sold out), but you may get one for a good price on eBay. An online version of the book can also be purchased through iBooks and Kobo. After Easter 2017, members of the Core Group will lead book discussion groups with parishioners. The feedback from these groups will help us chart a course for Holy Spirit's renovation.

The next project milestone will be Pentecost Sunday where we will summarise our position in a mass, lunch and discussion.

Even if you can’t read the book, we’d still love to see you at the discussion groups. If you can't make the discussion groups it would be great if you could read the book. But if you can’t do either please save the date 4th June, Pentecost, and come along to the 10:30 mass followed by lunch. Also watch the Word or website for regular updates.

This is the future of our parish and church. We want as many involved as possible.

Pentecost Decision - Parish Forum 04/06/2017

On 04/06/2017 Holy Spirit Parish made the decision to become a Missional Parish! Over 70 parishioners, most of whom had been active participants in the book discussion groups held during the prior 5-6 weeks and/or had read the book privately met after the 10:30 Mass. The Core Group presented a summary of Father Mallon's book, a summary of issues raised by the discussion groups and took questions from the floor. Two questions were then asked and were answered as follows:

1. Do you endorse adopting the renovation approach proposed by Father James for Holy Spirit to move us from a Maintenance to Missional Parish? Unanimously agreed.
2. Do you commit to working with the parish to renovate Holy Spirit? Agreed by the vast majority.

Pentecost Sunday is regarded as the day on which the Catholic Church was born and, as the feast day of the Holy Spirit, it also a special day for our Parish. The above decision further deepens the significance of Pentecost to us as it marks the day on which we decided to commence Divine Renovation and become a Missional Parish.

Finally those present indicated their interest to work in one or more of 6 value areas of renovation, based on the 10 values of chapter 5 as follows:

1. Leadership / PPC (Implementation of Divine Renovation plan)
2. Liturgy and Celebration (Weekend priority, uplifting music, homilies)
3. Community & Hospitality (Hospitality, meaningful communities, small communities)
4. Faith & Witness (Clear expectations, strength-based ministry, experience of the Holy Spirit)
5. Service & Outreach (Becoming an inviting Church)
6. Prayer Supporter

Click to see the presentation.

After the Queen’s Birthday weekend (10-12 June) we will commence planning for the start of this journey together and engage with all those who expressed interest in working with us. Participation in the working groups remains open to everyone, including those who didn't make it to the 04/06/2017 meeting through Dominic North-Coombes.

Alpha Program

Fr. Mallon also speaks very highly of the Alpha program, as a great tool for introducing people to Christianity ie: The Story of Jesus life, death and resurrection. Fr. Mallon also recommends Alpha to prepare parishes for Divine Renovation, so we are considering hosting an Alpha program later in the year. The target audience will be anyone and everyone open to refreshing, deepening or exploring for the first time, the foundational Christian story. Famous celebrity adventurer Bear Grylls, will be the face of the Alpha program across the world for 2017, promoting faith as the adventure of a life time. See the Bear Gylls introduction to Alpha here