On Sunday, September 24, the communities of the Cathedral and the Sacred Heart Church that make up the Cathedral Parish conducted its Assembly Day.

A synod parish working group of 12 members, led by Msgr Cuthbert Alexander and including Fr Michael Cockburn and Pastoral Council leader Joan Hudlin coordinated the event.

The Assembly provided a forum for discussion of four synod resolutions, arising from three areas of pastoral responsibilities—Family Life, Catechesis and Catholic Education. The day also allowed each group in the parish to report on its activities within the structure of the Cathedral and the Sacred Heart Church.

The session began with a 9.00 a.m. Mass, which had as its theme “If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servants of all” Mark 9:35. The verse from the Sunday’s liturgy kept the day’s proceedings in focus.

The Parish’s varied music ministry was reflected in the liturgy in which the Mawasi Experience, the Sacred Heart Traditional Choir and the young pan side of the Cathedral Youth Group participated.

After the vibrant Mass, activity shifted to the open air Cathedral car park. Parish groups, including altar servers, RCIA, the Confirmation and First Communion groups and the Youth Group talked about their history, their achievements and the “way forward”. This allowed all the members of the parish to get a better understanding of the operations and mission of each group.

After the reports by all the respective parish ministries, the parishioners broke up into various groups to discuss the four resolutions, relating to Family Life, Catechesis and Catholic Education. The groups were also invited to consider a vision for the Cathedral Parish.

The plenary session which followed put into the spotlight such issues as communication between youth and the elderly, the need for a support group for families, ways to bridge the large gap between First Communion and Confirmation, and life after Confirmation. In the area of Catholic Education, the Assembly raised concerns about the teaching of the faith within the Catholic school system.

Everyone was catered for on this Assembly Day. There was a special programme for children 5 to 12 years during the day entitled the “Children’s Workshop”.

The children were occupied with games, storytelling, drama and worship songs in a type of Sunday school setting. The theme for this workshop was “Bringing Our Children to Christ.”

At the end of the day, parishioners were given the opportunity to speak out on any issue that concerned them in the Open Session forum. Issues such as dress worn at church, lack of vibrant masses and the constant criticism of youth by adults were heatedly voiced.

But, it was also affirmed that youth are the future of the church. The elders stated their commitment to continue helping the youth to become leaders of the Catholic Church.

At the end of the day’s proceedings, each parishioner left the car park more insightful about the operations of the various groups in the Cathedral Parish. There was also a feeling of hope as the way forward for the parish seemed clearer and progressive.