The Diocese of Oudtshoorn subscribe and adhere to the entirety of the Southern African Catholic Bishop Conference’s Pastoral Plan, briefly focused on, below.
Download a copy of the Pastoral Plan, EVANGELISING COMMUNITY SERVING GOD, HUMANITY & ALL CREATION by clicking on the afore given title or the term Pastoral Plan anywhere it appears in this document.
Laai die Afrikaanse weergawe van die Pastorale Plan, ‘n EVANGELISERENDE GEMEENSKAP IN DIENS VAN GOD, DIE MENSDOM EN DIE HELE SKEPPING deur net op die voorafgaande titel te klik.
Why a PASTORAL PLAn?
PLAN
When we want to do something, we make a plan. When the Father, the Word (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit summoned creation into being, God had a plan. At every moment God invites us to play a part in the unfolding of that plan. “For he has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” (Ephesians 1:9-10) “My plans for you are peace and not disaster, a future full of hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
PASTORAL
To be pastoral is to look after others rather than self, look out for them before looking at your own wants; to look for the lost, bandage the wounded, carry the weak, assist the wayward, care for the strong, ensure food for the journey, avoid what is harmful, deal with danger, provide for the future. “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbour for his good, to edify him.” (Romans 15:1) “I myself will search for my sheep … I will seek the lost and I will ring back the strayed, and I will bind up the crippled and I will strengthen the weak and the fat and the strong I will watch over; I will feed them in justice.” (Ezekiel 34:11, 15-16)
A Pastoral Plan for the Church does all this and more – within the Church community, and for the people, society and world around us. A Pastoral Plan helps and guides us all to listen and respond to the leading of the Spirit, to enter into the Father’s plan for our Church and our world; to be missionary disciples of Jesus in the present and to let the Spirit guide us into the future.