As has been signalled in previous reports, the Finance committee has been proactively engaged in reviewing systems and staffing structures in recent months. This has resulted in significant change for the way our parish will operate going forward. We are confident a new way of "being" will enable us to achieve a new level of effectiveness without compromising our commitment to "Bringing People Closer to Christ".

First, we recognise the impact of changes to parish personnel and express our appreciation to those who have served the parish to date and have cooperated so constructively with the new strategy.

Our priority now is to invite our parish community to join us in achieving success is that lie ahead. The future is dependent on a culture of collective stewardship that encourages our combined participation in the parish or parishioners have a stake in its success. This will potentially be more life-giving than simply relying on employed staff to keep the parish working.

The next few months will be committed to taking time to reflect and call our community to action. The response to this call set the benchmark for what we can achieve.

Such an approach is not without risk. It relies on even more parishioners dedicating their time and talents to practical help or participation in various groups and ministries that keep the parish ticking over. We are confident that the community of St Mary's will respond and grow through the spirit of generosity that has been the hallmark of our parish culture to date.

If this can be combined with more efficient systems and better targeting of resources we will be able to redirect the financial support the parish receives to its maintenance and growth. In particular, we will be able to better maintain our infrastructure -- including the long overdue completion of the refurbishment of the Church interior.

The opening hours for the parish office are being reviewed and access to administration staff needs to be balanced against their capacity to focus on key administration tasks.

The proposal to reduce office hours will be similar to those operating in many parishes of similar size. We are confident these will still provide realistic opportunities for those who need personal contact.

Balancing this will be ongoing focus on communication through phone or e-mail contact to ensure access to clergy and parish organisations. More details will be released in coming weeks.


The November planned giving review will invite parishioners to consider not only how they can support the parish financially but also to indicate how they can serve the parish in a number of practical ways.

There are opportunities that range from help with maintenance or administration tasks through to involvement with many aspects of participation in parish groups and liturgies.

Other initiatives are being investigated to strengthen pastoral activities with the diocesan pastoral plan for each parish to be an "oasis of prayer" alongside our "stewardship" strategies.

Yes -- these are times of change for St Mary's. The challenge for us all is to retain what has helped us achieve our successes so far and reach for new horizons that will take us to the future and a fake promises us.

We know we can rely on the patience and support of all involved in the parish as we enter this exciting phase.