North Belconnen delegates gear up to ignite evangelisation at Archdiocesan Assembly

As the lively community of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in North Belconnen prepares for the upcoming Archdiocesan Assembly, the Catholic Voice interviewed several parish delegates to capture their enthusiasm just a week prior to the event. Participants such as Fr. Mick MacAndrew, Sumudu and Alberic Mudalige, and Katie Brasnett are eager to engage in discussions about the mission of evangelization and explore ways the church can connect more effectively with its members, particularly in today’s fast-paced world.

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Katie Brasnett

Why did you decide to participate in the Assembly?
I’m 18, so I guess I am at the stage in life where I want to have a say in how things are going, and the church is the most important community in my life. I feel I have a bit more insight into how young people work and how people my age see the Catholic faith. I think I could make a valuable contribution in that regard. I am very involved in my parish – I’m an acolyte – and I have a well-rounded understanding of the work of the parish. I like to be involved in things and add my voice.

What would you like to share at the Assembly?
We will go where the Spirit leads us. It is of particular interest to me how the church engages with young people on social issues and how schools and parishes engage because I think people my age don’t have an accurate understanding of the church’s teachings and ideas and the reasons behind them, especially in regard to controversial issues. They think we are stuck in the past, but that is not the case. I would like to see a better dialogue between the church and young people to break down these barriers.

What are you most looking forward to?
It is a chance to see what other people have been thinking and noticing. Because there will be people from all different walks of life, stages of life, experiences, and careers, there will be a really good opportunity for everyone to hear each other’s voices. This is how God speaks to people and will provide us with direction. It will be interesting to see what comes of it.

What do you hope the Assembly will achieve?
Even if it is just the beginning of conversation, that would be wonderful. We are often in a big rush to see lots of change immediately. People are impatient these days, but everything starts with conversation. If we come up with some brilliant plans for better dialogue and better interaction, that would be amazing. But if all it does is start a conversation and get people thinking and understanding each other’s perspective, that’s a really good place to start. We can definitely work from that.

Would you like to add any other thoughts?
An Assembly is a good opportunity to break some barriers within the church. There is this idea that the clergy at the top make all the decisions, and people often feel like they don’t have a say. So, when you start including people from all walks of life, they feel valued.

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Fr Mick MacAndrew

Why did you decide to participate in the Assembly?
People from the schools and parishes have volunteered and are looking forward to participating in the synodal way. They want to learn how to have conversations in the Holy Spirit. This will be a chance to discuss, in a synodal way, the mission of evangelisation and how we can all participate in it. 

What would you like to share at the Assembly?
The people will want to hear from others. They will want to know how everybody can get involved in the mission of evangelisation and how to evangelize.

What are you most looking forward to?
The people are taking ownership of the Church now. The lay people are not leaving it to the priests and the religious – they are taking ownership, and they are quite enthusiastic about it! It is a chance to get together, learn from others, and celebrate what is happening in our local church.

What do you hope the Assembly will achieve?
I hope for unity in the evangelisation mission. There will be many different ways to carry it out, but we are all trying our best.

Would you like to add any other thoughts?
We have explored the technique of conversation in the Holy Spirit, and we are all very pleased with it. It is a very good technique. We should always be listening to the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit gives every community the necessary gifts to share the good news about Jesus.

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Sumudu Mudalige

Why did you decide to participate in the Assembly?
My husband, Alberic, and I thought that there were certain things we would like to discuss and then be part of some of the changes that happen over time. We have been attending church ever since we moved to Australia from Sri Lanka in 2000, and we hope there are things we can get involved with and maybe do our part or change or help.

What would you like to share at the Assembly?
One of the main things I have noticed during the past years is that I would like to see more opportunities for young and middle-aged people, especially 30 to 50-year-olds, to be involved in church activities. Perhaps things like inviting people into the Parish council and getting their opinions. I think it is important to get these people involved and hear their voices, or in 20 years there will not be many people going to church. We could have more activities to bring people in and keep the people who are already there. Getting them actively involved in the parish will help the future of the Church.

What are you most looking forward to?
I like the idea of focusing on really listening to an incredibly diverse group of people. It will be interesting to hear what different cultures, backgrounds, and age groups have to say.

What do you hope the Assembly will achieve?
I hope to see some follow-up. I hope we will discuss many different things, summarise the major issues, and implement changes. I am really looking forward to hearing what people have to say and what common themes emerge.

Would you like to add any other thoughts?
Canberra was not as multicultural as it is now when I moved here, so over time it has changed significantly. It is interesting to see how that changes parishes, and brings different levels of faith together. It is good to see multicultural people getting involved in the church, and Fr Mick really encouraged us to participate in the Assembly. The more diversity of people who attend, the better the outcome.