OLL strives to be an inclusive parish

Dec 13, 2024

By Nesa Dhevasahayam
The Church of Our Lady of Lourdes held its annual Parish Pastoral Assembly (PPA) on November 24. The event brought together 160 leaders and parishioners, including representatives from various ministries and groups in the parish.

The day began with an opening speech by parish priest, Fr Gregory Chan, who set the tone for the assembly which was facilitated by Rita Krishnan from the Archdiocesan BEC Animating Team.

The assembly focused on four key topics: Family, Church, Ecology, and Society. To encourage active participation and meaningful dialogue, attendees were divided into 32 groups, each catering to the three language communities. A significant part of the day involved small group discussions, where participants shared personal experiences, challenges, and ideas. With prayerful reflection and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they worked on practical solutions to address parish needs.

After the discussions, each group shared their insights and key points, with all language groups contributing to the conversation. This ensured that we fostered a sense of unity within diversity.

One of the highlights of the assembly was the closing message from Archbishop Julian Leow, who reflected on his experiences at the Synod of Bishops on Synodality in Rome. He stressed the importance of involving all language groups and the need for translation to ensure inclusivity. He also encouraged participants to reflect on five important questions:

? What is the purpose of the Church?
? Why are you still a Catholic?
? Do I understand my role in the Catholic Church?
? Am I passionate about the Catholic Church?
? How can we become a synodal Church?

The 2024 PPA wasn’t just a meeting; it was an inspiring day of dialogue, reflection, and renewed commitment. It reminded us of the power of unity and the possibilities that emerge when faith and action come together.
With the Holy Spirit as our guide, the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes will continue to journey as a vibrant, inclusive, and united parish.