Welcome, CatholicLIFE Archdiocesan team!

CatholicLIFE is the Formation, Ministry and Pastoral Planning team of the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn

Our Vision, Mission and Values

CatholicLIFE seeks to be a Christ-centred and proactive Archdiocesan team, that operates strategically and through effective relationships. We are committed to assisting and resourcing the Archdioceses of Canberra and Goulburn in the areas of mission planning, worship and prayer, community building and leadership.

CatholicLIFE’s mission is drawn from the key findings of the 2004 Synod and the 2007 Pastoral Development Project which identified an ‘overwhelming enthusiasm’ across the Archdiocese for

* Greater professional support
* Making faith relevant to modern life
* Engaging in the “New Evangelisation”
* The need for effective measures of faith development across the Archdiocese

Vision and Mission statement

Beginning in prayer; ending in mission:…an Archdiocesan team called and sent to assist and resource parishes, schools, faith communities and leaders to release new energies for mission.

Our Values

Our key operating principles are:
1. Love of God and the Church
Committed to God and the Church through service, compassion and justice

2. Catholic Education
A focus on maturity and development of persons for all of life

3. Restoration
A disposition for positive relationships, learning and healing

4. Evangelisation
Declaring the Good News to enliven others to a living faith in Christ


Draft Strategic Plan 2011 – 2013

CatholicLIFE’s short and long term strategic plan seeks to resource and serve parishes, schools, faith communities and leaders through the development of policies and programs to revitalise mission work within the Archdiocesan community. Detailed below are our core strategic objectives in terms of our services, people and organisation.
Our Services

1. Mission Planning
* We assist and resource parishes to develop their own ‘grassroots owned’ plans with specific focus on engaging their communities.
* We assist and resource leaders to understand the context of their mission work and learn skills in mission planning.

2. Leadership
* We assist and resource the development of leadership structures, which recognise charisms and helps people to harness their gifts to be the body of Christ in the world.
* We assist and resource leaders in Christian management and leadership techniques

3. Worship and Prayer
* We assist and resource the development of worship, which is engaging and relevant, taking into account ancient rituals and modern contexts .
* We assist and resource leaders in music, liturgical formation and sacramental programs.

4. Inviting Community
* We assist and resource parishes to be inviting communities with opportunities for people to join and participate .
* We assist and resource the formation of small groups where people can grow in their faith.

Our People
* We aim to continually improve our performance and services by investing in professional development to enhance our effectiveness.
* We operate as a team learning organisation with a philosophy of team members sharing knowledge and learning from each other.
* We provide employment conditions that are based on spiritual and faith principles and promote a ‘work-life’ balance.
* We define and acknowledge the valuable contribution of all members.

Our Organisation

* We are an organisation that is guided by Christ in its vision, mission and values.
* We have refined and documented our strategic planning and operational processes and systems.
* We continue to foster effective business relationships that align with our values and promote innovation and cooperation.

Our team
The CatholicLIFE team resulted from a coming together of a number of ministries and programs which have operated for many years in the Archdiocese.

During 2009, CatholicLIFE employed approximately 20 qualified team members within its four ; Administration, Training Development, Parish Support and Adult Faith Formation and Youth and Young Adults. CatholicLIFE could not carry out its important work without the invaluable contribution of key volunteer including our six dedicated full time Catholic Youth Ministry Team members and 300+ project related volunteers (e.g. CCD Catechists, Sexual Integrity Program Presenters, Youth event volunteers).

Our staff and volunteers serve the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn in a spirit of “unity in diversity” with each person drawing on their diverse backgrounds and experiences to carry out their r roles and responsibilities .

CatholicLIFE is committed to supporting its staff and volunteers by fostering a working environment based on principles of empowerment, equality, collaboration and spirituality. CatholicLIFE is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all recruitment opportunities are advertised on our website.

In addition, CatholicLIFE carries out its mission by interacting with Archdiocesan agencies, schools, , government and other stakeholders which are committed to supporting the Catholic Church within the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn.