A Local Parish Assembly is a prayerful gathering of the parish community that seeks to listen to the Holy Spirit and discern how God is calling the parish to renew its mission. It is not a meeting focused on administration or governance. Rather, it is a moment of spiritual reflection and communal discernment in which parishioners gather to ask a simple but important question: “What is the Holy Spirit asking of our parish at this time, in this place?”

Within the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst, Parish Assemblies form part of the Walking Together initiative, which invites parishes to reflect on their mission and renew their commitment to evangelisation. The Assembly brings together parishioners, ministry leaders, families, young people and school communities in a spirit of unity and participation. Everyone who belongs to the parish community is invited to attend.

Preparation for the Assembly begins well before the day itself. In the weeks leading up to the gathering, the parish community is encouraged to pray regularly for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Reflections may be shared through parish bulletins, parish groups and school communications. Parish ministries and activities are also reviewed so that the community can recognise its strengths and identify areas where growth may be needed.

The Assembly itself is structured to support prayerful listening and discernment. It normally begins with a time of prayer, Scripture and invocation of the Holy Spirit, followed by a welcome from the Parish Priest. Participants may then hear a short testimony or reflection that highlights how God is already at work within the parish community.

The central part of the Assembly involves small group discussions using a process known as Conversation in the Spirit. In this format, participants first spend time in silent reflection before each person has the opportunity to speak and share their insights. After listening to one another, the group reflects together on what they have heard and what themes may be emerging.

Later in the gathering, each table shares a small number of key insights with the wider group. These reflections help the parish identify possible areas for future growth in mission, discipleship and community life.

The Assembly concludes with prayer and a missionary sending. Its purpose is not to make formal decisions, but to listen, discern and recognise the direction in which the Holy Spirit may be leading the parish community.

In this way, a Local Parish Assembly becomes an important moment of hope, prayer and renewal for the parish.

Register here to attend your Parish Assembly and to check dates.

Find the proposed date for your local parish assembly here:

Blayney:
31 May 

Cathedral:
7 June

Coonabarabran:
14 June 

Coonamble:
16 May

Cowra, Canowindra and Eugowra:
July – date TBC

Dubbo and Wellington:
1 August

Dunedoo/Coolah:
June

Gilgandra:
17 May 

Kandos/Rylstone:
2 August, Sunday after the 11am Mass.

Lithgow:
26 July, Sunday after the 10am Mass.

Mudgee:
9 August

Oberon:
9 August.

Orange/Molong:
15 August.

Portland:
TBC