Fr Richard Lennan visit

Exploring the topic Co-Responsibility for the Mission engaged Catholic Education senior staff and school Leadership Team members, parish representatives and priests from across the Diocese during a two-day formation gathering with leading international theologian, Fr Richard Lennan held at the Rockhampton Leagues Club in June this year.

Fr Lennan’s presentations provided great insights for contemplation and a renewed reflection on leadership roles within Catholic Education as a Ministry of the Catholic Church, according to Catholic Education Diocesan Director, Leesa Jeffcoat.

“Fr Lennan led us through information, reflection and guided discussion based on a synopsis of the Church’s foundations and challenges, the synod process and related co-responsibility of the faithful, the Church’s Mission in the world, our pilgrimage as members of the Church, and the power of the Holy Spirit to lead us through change and provide hope in the future,” Miss Jeffcoat said.

Currently Professor of Systematic Theology at Boston College in the United States, Fr Lennan has also lectured at the Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, Massachusetts and the Catholic Institute in Sydney.

Most recently, Fr Lennan was a member of the theological panel for the Plenary Council of Australia throughout 2021 and 2022.

More than 160 participants attended the face-to-face gathering with invitees from remote centres of the Diocese also joining via Zoom.  Participants included key leadership personnel from all ministry areas in the Diocese, namely, Priests, Diocesan Staff, CatholicCare Leadership and Principals and Leadership Team members from Catholic Education.

“I am most grateful to Bishop Michael for facilitating this very valuable opportunity for us to hear from such an exceptional presenter and educator” Miss Jeffcoat said.

“These important days provided an opportunity to come together as members of the Church and deeply explore how, together, we respond to our call to evangelise and spread the good news of Christ’s message of love and mercy to those in our Catholic schools and parishes,” Miss Jeffcoat said.

Pictured above: Catholic Education Leadership Team members attending the Co-Responsibility for the Mission gathering led by Fr Richard Lennan; (pictured from left) Michael Kelso, Carmel Kriz, Michael McCusker, Amanda Houston, James Emerick, Leesa Jeffcoat, Fr Lennan, Mark Effeney, Kellie Jenkinson and Tim Collins.