PREAMBLE

Having examined the realities and areas of concern and being called to a life of holiness and communal spirituality, the clergy, religious and laity at PMPC III were able to identify the areas of mission for the local Church. The basic option of the Church in Peninsular Malaysia remains as building Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) that reflect its primary communion as People of God. This basic option goes hand in hand with on-going pastoral priorities in the areas of unity, formation, integral human development, inter-religious and ecumenical dialogue, youth, family and social communications.

In re-committing ourselves as clergy, religious and laity to this mission, it was agreed that the most important need is the consolidation of effort in the implementation of the basic option and the pastoral priorities. To this end, the following strategies are proposed for the year 2008.

ANNUAL TARGET

By 31st December 2008, all in the Diocese will have the awareness:
a.  that we belong to a BEC.
b.  no group or organization replaces the BEC.

OVERALL STRATEGY FOR CONSOLIDATION

a.  3 parish level events to be determined by the respective parishes.
b.  2 BEC gatherings –  Eucharistic Celebration
                                        –  Fellowship
c.  Strengthen and consolidate BECs by having 10 to 15 families.

THE SIX STRATEGIES

1.  RENEWING FAITH, RE-EVANGELISATION AND SOCIAL CONSCIENTISATION

a.  Emphasis must be given to spiritual renewal programmes e.g. PRE, LSS, CSE, Discipleship, ALPHA, BEC , Word Sharing, etc.

b.  Retreats, Eucharistic Adoration, silent prayer, meditation, must be promoted, especially for leaders and pastoral workers.

2.  SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF STRUCTURES, STRATEGIES AND PLANS

a.  Must begin survey at BEC level concerning the people’s understanding of the concept, nature and methodology of the BEC and the other related area of concern (family life, youth, formation, culture, integral human development, inter-religious  dialogue, evengelisation, etc.)

b.  The BEC level survey must be collated and analysed at the parish/diocese/ peninsular level.

c.  Diocesan Pastoral Assembly for the purpose of evaluation and planning at the level of the diocese, should be convened on a bi-annual basis.

3.  MECHANISM FOR DIALOGUE, CONSULTATION AND FEEDBACK

a.  Through Diocesan Pastoral Assembly.

b.  Through Parish Pastoral Assembly

4.  TRAINING AND FORMATION OF PASTORAL WORKERS

a.  Mobile teams with new blood and materials to be established to bring formation to the grassroots.

5.  PASTORAL CARE OF PRIORITY GROUPS

a.  Minority groups to carry out their own planning, keeping in mind that all common activities and events (diocesan and and parish level) are multi-cultural and multi-lingual or at least take into consideration the different culture and linguistic groups within the parish/diocese.

6.  RE-COMMITTMENT AND SUPPORT OF CLERGY

a.  Clergy need to get personally involved in planning, implementation and evaluation – focusing on progress and barriers.

b.  Allow for the widest dialogue, consultation and feedback soliciting at all level ((organizations, ministries, BECs, language apostolate, individuals, etc.)

c.  20% of parish collection to be allotted for formation.