A Pastoral Plan for Synod implementation

The Archdiocese of Malta recently published its Pastoral Plan for 2005-2006 under the title "Journeying Together in the Light of the Lord". This plan is intended to continue the implementation of the Diocesan Synod during these two years.

The plan was worked out with extensive participation over the past months. The first draft was discussed in the second day of the Diocesan Assembly on September 15, 2004. The draft was revised in the light of comments and proposals put forward during the assembly and in other consultation meetings.

The plan clearly demonstrates that the Synod was not just an important event for the Church in Malta from 1999-2003, but also one that has given a vision and direction for future pastoral action. The conclusions of the Synod, which are recorded in the relative documents, are now being translated into action.

In his introduction to the plan, the Archbishop explains that the Synod documents show the way for a journey together in the light of the Lord, and calls on the whole Church in Malta to take up the commitment of implementing the plan during 2005-2006.

Six goals

The plan spells out the method for implementing the suggestions contained in the Synod documents. It has six principal goals. For each goal there are a number of projects to be put into effect during these two years. The plan also specifies who is responsible for putting each project into operation.

Moreover, for the first time, there are a number of commitments being undertaken by religious congregations, Church groups and movements, as well as Church schools to further the goals of the plan.

Each parish in the Archdiocese of Malta has, at the same time, worked out its own plan for these two years, based on the same goals of this Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan, and also including various concrete initiatives according to the needs of the community.

The goals of the plan are:

¤ enlivening the faith

¤ a live celebration of the Sunday Eucharist

¤ formation according to the guidelines of the Synod

¤ particular attention to the family, as well as adolescents/youth

¤ a way of life in the spirit of the Synod

¤ dialogue in society and social commitment.

Pastoral Plan projects

The following are some of the projects contained in the Plan, in the light of the above goals:

¤ an Institute for Pastoral Formation is to be established to co-ordinate all formation activity promoted by the archdiocese, and distributed over various fields. The institute will have its offices at the Catholic Institute in Floriana.

¤ the parishes will have various activities for improving the celebration of the Sunday Mass, with the purpose of making it a live celebration. Later this year there will also be a census of Mass attendance. This is held every ten years in the archdiocese with the aim of giving renewed pastoral indications.

¤ there is a programme for strengthening the family, both through improvement in the courses of preparation for marriage, and the care of families within the parish. The latter applies particularly to new families, the study of the current situation of the family, and the pastoral ministry with married couples in difficulty - e.g. support groups for separated couples.

¤ considerable importance is also being accorded to adolescents and youth. A number of pastoral initiatives are aimed at increasing their participation in the life of the Church and their formation for life.

¤ the Church will continue working hard towards the promotion of the value of human life in all its stages.

¤ a Culture Commission will be established to help promote culture with a Christian inspiration through dialogue with current cultural trends.

¤ a Science Council will be set up focusing mainly on problems of an ethical nature in the light of current scientific developments.

¤ the plan shows the nature of the Church's contribution towards protecting the environment, and education for preserving the environment.

¤ the plan explains the activity - over a wide area - towards service and solidarity, with special attention to the marginalised. More groups will be set up to support persons facing difficulties, and various congregations are offering their services to help those who are more in need.

¤ the plan seeks to strengthen the spirit of communion between members of the Church built on co-operation, communication and consultation. There are various initiatives intended to achieve this aim.

Implementation is a reality

These are just a few of the activities included in the 2005-2006 Pastoral Plan. It involves projects which should be helpful for everyone, but particularly for such as are most in need.

The Pastoral Plan has an in-built system of monitoring and evaluation, which should ensure that the various projects are closely supervised. A Diocesan Assembly will be held at the end of September to evaluate progress and give the necessary impetus for the second year of the plan.

The documents issued by the Diocesan Synod, the fruit of a dedicated experience of the Church in Malta, are being translated into reality. The plan shows the way in which this is to come into effect over these two years. Implementation is not just a wish: it is a reality.

(The Pjan Pastorali 2005-2006, Nimxu Flimkien fid-Dawl tal-Mulej, is online on these Websites: www.maltachurch.org.mt; www.sinodu.org.mt )