 |
| INNOVATIVE: Bishop David Walker of Broken Bay. |
|
|
The Church in Aust-ralia is about to embark on its first ever national eConference, with individuals, groups, schools, parishes, ministries and agencies to take part in an innovative learning experience on St Paul on June 30.
More than 120 sites – including 20 throughout the Parramatta diocese, Alice Springs, Thursday Island, Wellington, Peru and even Malta – have registered to participate in the Year of St Paul National eConference, “Paul – The Man, the Mission and Message for Today: igniting his purpose and passion”.
An initiative of The Broken Bay Institute and the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, the eConference will feature sessions from world renowned Scripture scholars, Brendan Byrne SJ, Michele Connolly RSJ and film, media and communication scholar, Richard Leonard SJ. The eConference will hosted by the television identity Mike Bailey.
Sessions will be webcast live, and will be interspersed with opportunities for discussion times at local gatherings with the guidance of a trained facilitator.
Bishop David Walker, a member of the Bishops Commission for Mission and Faith Formation, said the format of the day would be a first for the Church in Australia.
“This innovative project, working with technology provider Vividas, will allow the Church across Australia to participate in high quality education in a cost effective way,” Bishop Walker said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for all people, from metropolitan communities to remote Australia and afield, to join in an exciting program of world class speakers.
“It is a fitting way to mark the end of the Year of St Paul in the Church and we feel it is an initiative of which St Paul, the great Gospel communicator would surely have been proud.”
The Director of the Broken Bay Institute, Dr Gerard Goldman, said it was easy for parishes and groups to get involved.
“Essentially, all that is needed for local communities to get involved is a broadband internet connection, a projector and a screen,” he said.
“While being part of a large group will enrich your experience, your group may consist of only two to three people. This is about getting everyone together for an unique event with the best Pauline educators.”
For more information on the eConference contact Virginia Ryan from The Broken Bay Institute on 9847 0556 or: email: virginia.ryan@dbb.edu.au or www.bbi.catholic.edu.au
|
