In our diocesan plan, Going Forward Together: Pastoral Carefor Evangelisation 2006 - 2010, it is envisaged that "there will be more clearly defined lay leadership roles with well formed and trained people to fill them". The move to a variety of ministries in the Diocese is an expression of our effort to provode appropriate pastoral care for our people which will help them take the mystery of Jesus to others.

As Bishop of Broken Bay, in 2008, I established four Lay Ministries. These included roles and functions which have been performed by lay faithful in the Diocese for some time. I consider that these Lay Ministries are not only consistent with the DiocesanVision and Pastoral Plan but also an appropriate evolution of existing liturgical practices and procedures occurring in the Diocese. These minstries are the Ministry of the Word, Ministry for Liturgy,Ministry for Music andMinistry for Hospitality.In May this year seventy Lay Ministes were commissioned at a Mass at the Cathedral. This commissioning followed a formation program conducted cooperatively by the Parish Support Unit and the Broken Bay Institute earlier in the year.