THE FIRST STEPS
1. Discuss your sense of vocation with people like your Parish Priest or congregational Minister.
2. When you are ready, make an appointment with the Archbishop by contacting his Executive Assistant on 8305 9353. The Archbishop will want to meet with you as soon as possible but it may be a few weeks before a suitable time is available.
3. After you have met with the Archbishop, he will seek advice from people who know you well. This will include your Parish Priest and the Churchwardens. They will be asked about your character but also about the ministry gifts you already show. Your Parish Priest will be asked to provide a letter of recommendation.
4. Once the Archbishop has this information he will write to you either to invite you into the Discernment Year or to recommend other steps for you. For some people it will be clear even at this stage that ordination is not the right way forward.
THE DISCERNMENT YEAR
5. The Discernment Year runs from October each year to September the following year.
6. Before entering the Discernment Year, you will be expected to complete the diocesan Safer Ministry Accreditation process if you have not already done so.
7. The Archbishop will appoint an Examining Chaplain for you. The Examining Chaplain will be asked to provide a report on your progress during the Discernment Year.
8. One of the key jobs for the Examining Chaplain is to work with you and with your Parish Priest to develop a ministry plan through which you are given the opportunity to explore and demonstrate some of your ministry gifts within the community of faith. Often this will build on what you are already doing.
9. The Discernment Year involves joining with other people for 4 meetings each year. There will be two weekend meetings most often in November and May each year. There will be two other meetings during the year, most often on a Saturday morning. These will normally be in February and July. Where people are living interstate, the February and July meeting will usually be replaced with a local meeting with the Archbishop or a member of the Archbishop’s leadership team.
10. Mid-way through the Discernment Year you will be asked to meet with a psychologist who will ask you to complete a number of tests and interview you. The psychologist will provide you with a copy of the report. The report is forwarded to the Archbishop and members of his leadership team involved with formation and placement
ORDINATION ADVISORY CONFERENCE
11. The Ordination Advisory Conference normally held in September/October is the opportunity used to determine whether you should join the formation program.
12. When the psychologist's report has been received you will be invited to apply to attend the Ordination Advisory Conference. After your application has been received you will be asked to meet with the Examining Chaplains who will explore with you your readiness to attend the conference.
13. On the basis of the Examining Chaplain’s advice, the Archbishop may invite you to attend the Ordination Advisory Conference or recommend that you come in a later year.
14. At the conference you will be involved in a number of interviews conducted by an Advisory Panel. At the end of the Conference, the Advisory Panel considers the interviews as well as the comprehensive report from your Parish Priest and Churchwardens, your referees and your Examining Chaplain.
15. In the weeks following the Conference the Archbishop will write to you and may meet with you personally. He may enrol you in the Diocesan Ministry Formation or he may recommend to you some alternative pathways for ministry.
