We are grateful for the support of our conference sponsors.
Gold Sponsors
As Australia’s pre-eminent Catholic university, Australian Catholic University (ACU) brings a distinct perspective to higher education. We explore cultural, social, ethical and religious issues through the lens of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition in our teaching, research and service. By fostering and advancing knowledge in education, health, commerce, the humanities, the sciences and technologies, law, and the creative arts, ACU contributes to its local, national and international communities.
The Faculty of Theology and Philosophy provides specialised undergraduate and postgraduate theological and ministry qualifications that are delivered by a dynamic and engaged community of internationally recognised scholars who provide a comprehensive network of international affiliations, world-leading research and curriculum, and a nurturing environment for students.
ACU’s Centre for Liturgy specialises in tertiary education, research, scholarship and pastoral formation in liturgy and sacraments and tailors education and training programs to the specific needs of parishes, schools and dioceses throughout Australia.
Our graduates will be skilled in their chosen fields, ethical in their behaviour, with a developed critical habit of mind, an appreciation of the sacred in life and a commitment to serving the common good.
As Pastoral Associates of the Church of Melbourne, we have been called and anointed through our Baptism, and gifted to minister to the People of God. In response to this call, we strive to give authentic leadership and witness to the life and hope that comes through the good news of Jesus Christ, and we commit ourselves to collaborative service within the Church.
Established in 1988, our Association of Pastoral Associates of the Archdiocese of Melbourne (APA) welcomes both Pastoral Associates and Pastoral Workers (or other such title), whether they are in parishes or have a similar role in schools, aged care facilities or other institutions.
The APA provides
- networking opportunities,
- professional development programs,
- conferences,
- special interest groups,
- employment relations assistance, and
- ongoing communication to its members.
In the interests of advancing and promoting Pastoral Associate ministry, many of these opportunities are also made available to the wider Pastoral Associate and Pastoral Worker community. The APA represents the concerns of Pastoral Associates and contributes to discussions with the Archdiocese on matters of accreditation and formation.
The APA encourages, nurtures and supports Pastoral Associates and Pastoral Workers in our ministry, creating an environment of belonging, respect, celebration, creativity, spirituality and understanding. Our members are committed to hearing and responding to the opportunities and challenges that arise in our ministry and our workplaces, and to claiming our prophetic voice in the Church.
Silver Sponsors
CCI has been protecting the interests of the Catholic Church in Australia for more than 100 years. As an organisation owned by the Catholic dioceses and religious institutes of Australia, CCI is committed to ethically and compassionately supporting the Australian Catholic community.
CCI actively engages with the wider Catholic community to help support the Church’s mission in pastoral, education, health and welfare work. We understand the unique needs and mission of the Church. It requires a specialised insurer who understands how best to serve its community.
We provide a range of insurance products including property, motor vehicle, liability and workers compensation. We also offer an investment management service.
Tobin Brothers Funerals is one of the most respected family owned funeral companies. We employ over 200 caring, highly trained and committed people, including 12 direct descendants of our founders and serve the community from 24 branch locations throughout the Melbourne metropolitan area and Echuca.
Today Tobin Brothers operates under our main brand of Tobin Brothers Funerals as well as our specialist women’s division Frances Tobin Funerals by Women, Herbert King Funerals in Ashburton and Abbey Funerals in Thomastown. In addition, we have a number of departments and divisions that provide specialist services to our client families and a variety of ethnic communities.
For information and enquiries please visit www.tobinbrothers.com.au or phone (03) 9373 7000 (24 Hours).
National Pastoral Planners Network
The National Pastoral Planners Network (NPPN) is a professional pastoral planning body that promotes and advocates a culture of planning within the Catholic Church in Oceania. We engage pastoral research and best practices in church growth to offer experience, knowledge, resources and processes that enable dioceses and parishes to advance the mission of Jesus Christ under the guidance of the Spirit.
In providing advice and resources to bishops, dioceses, parishes and practitioners of pastoral planning in various arenas of the Church’s life, the NPPN seeks to realise the following objectives:
- Communicate to be a conduit for information sharing between pastoral planners and facilitators of professional skills
- Celebrate to encourage ‘esprit de corps,’ energising our ministry through opportunities for prayer, worship and social interaction
- Educate to offer education and training in pastoral planning theory and practice
- Incorporate to reach out to new pastoral planners to assist them in the field, provide opportunities for networking and communication, and to help discern the gifts which they can offer to others
- Collaborate to facilitate the sharing of pastoral planning between Dioceses and initiate research or pastoral planning projects which can be of benefit to the whole Australian Church
- Advocate to raise issues of national pastoral planning significance and pursue them with pastoral planning offices, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and their Commissions, Catholic national agencies and the media.
Membership of the NPPN is by subscription, which provides the funds necessary to support its work. To join the NPPN, talk to one of the executive members at the conference, or visit the website: www.nppn.net.au
Bronze Sponsors
For more than 20 years, Garratt Publishing has enjoyed a distinguished reputation as a highly respected, independent publisher and distributor of quality, Catholic books and resources for the Australian Catholic community. Our resources are designed to enrich parishes, enhance ministries, evangelise, educate and inspire.
We are a platform for people to share, connect and learn about their faith and spiritual journey. Our hope is the work we do helps people deepen their relationship, not just with others but, with our Lord.
In support of the Church, CDF generates funds by providing personalised financial services, to meet all borrowing needs of Catholic organisations for the benefit of the Catholic Community.
Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea The Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea is a community of Catholic Religious Sisters in Australia, Papua New Guinea and further abroad. Whatever and whenever our ministry is, we are part of the one Mercy mission, part of the ongoing mission of the compassionate Jesus. In furthering our charism, we partner with more than 14,000 women and men as employees, associates and volunteers in undertaking works of Mercy which assist more than 210,000 people annually. Together we have a proud and continuing history of serving people suffering from injustices related to poverty, sickness or lack of education. For further information – www.institute.mercy.org.au<http://www.institute.mercy.org.au>
Gift sponsor
As the first winery established in South Australia’s Clare Valley, Sevenhill Cellars is home to some of the oldest vines in the region and a winemaking tradition that began in 1851 when the Jesuit settlers began production of fortified wine for sacramental purposes.
While sacramental wine remains an important part of Sevenhill’s operation, table wines have become a key component, with the winery’s diverse portfolio recognised for the distinctive regional style that has given the Clare Valley an international reputation.
Modern winemaking skills and mature, low-yielding vineyards are integral to Sevenhill’s philosophy of producing premium wines. Sevenhill’s 94 hectares of vineyards produce high-quality fruit that is rich and concentrated and these qualities flow through to the elegance and complexity of the wines.
Vine and branches: yearning to belong 