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In 1990, a detailed analysis and diagnosis of the parish was undertaken. The analysis showed that there were lots of aspects which called for attention. It was then decided by the parish to follow the Project for the Renewal of Parish, which has been adopted in many countries and is being used in a number of parishes in Australia.
Basically, the Project is all about a journey of conversion, and conversion is about becoming new people, and new communities in Christ. If we are to acknowledge Christ as the way, the truth and the life, we have to set about changing the way we think, feel, and live. To bring about change in a parish is difficult; we like to stay comfortable, to keep our religion private, to be left alone. St. Dominic's has chosen the more difficult path.
The parish acknowledges that the Church is not a crowd but the People of God, and that we relate better in small groups than in big ones. So it was decided to divide the parish into zones for identification and for a number of activities.
The Project for the Renewal of Parish acknowledges that change happens gradually, and that growth takes place in stages. Three stages are seen to be important. The first one consists of a call to everyone to be part of this parish and of this process of renewal. The call comes through regular and planned events, aimed at creating a sense of belonging to a community of brothers and sisters.
In 1996 we moved to the second stage of the Project. All parishioners were invited to meet regularly in small groups. This stage helps us to experience the Church not only as a large community, but also in small communities, beginning with small groups. It aims at helping us discover and deepen together, through Jesus and the Gospel, the meaning of life. Each year a number of people choose to participate in the groups, which meet approximately eight times a year.
In the third stage, these small groups will grow as mature Christian communities, living out their commitment as Church. And this is the new Church which is evolving: the signs are already here. So, in God?s kind providence, our Project for the Renewal of Parish is preparing us to be part of that new Church.