Pastoral Discernment Northern Beaches

Pastoral Letter to the People of the Northern Beaches On the Outcomes of the Pastoral Discernment Northern Beaches 2023-2024

November 2025

My dear sisters and brothers

Our Diocese of Broken Bay is blessed with some of the most beautiful coastline in our country. The Diocese is certainly known for its natural wonders, and at the heart of this observation is the territory of the Northern Beaches, stretching from Palm Beach in the north to Manly in the south. The diocesan symbol of the lighthouse is derived from the watchtower of Barrenjoey, geographically central to the Diocese and uniting the three regions of the Diocese by the entrance to the great Hawkesbury River.

Over the past several years, I have invited each region of our Diocese to engage in pastoral discernment. Before the Central Coast process concluded in January 2024, I initiated the Northern Beaches Pastoral Discernment Project in late 2023. That December, I invited the People of the Northern Beaches Deanery to engage and participate in a pastoral discernment process, aimed at deepening the communities’ understanding of their shared mission in Christ.

Throughout the process of our pastoral discernment projects, we have been supported in the directions set by the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (2021-2024), ‘For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission’, now affirmed by Pope Leo XIV when he says, “I would like to assure you of my intention to continue Pope Francis’ commitment to promoting the synodal nature of the Catholic Church and developing new

and concrete forms for an ever stronger synodality in ecumenical relations. Our common path can and must also be understood in the broad sense of involving everyone, in the spirit of human fraternity that I mentioned above. Now is the time for dialogue and building bridges.”1

The late Pope Francis has been clear that a synodal church “is not to produce documents, but to plant dreams, draw forth prophecies, awaken a dawn of hope, learn from one another, and create a bright resourcefulness that will enlighten minds, warm hearts, give strength to our hands.” This, in turn, has guided the more recently published Pathways for the Implementation Phase of the Synod 2025-2028 by the Vatican’s General Secretariat of the Synod, which “aims to examine new practices and structures that will make the life of the Church more synodal.”

It is in this light that I ask that this

Pastoral Letter be received. The initiative of pastoral discernment, of which this Pastoral Letter is the outcome, was grounded in the belief that the Holy Spirit continually guides the journey of the Faithful and that every member of the ecclesial community, through their baptism, shares in the responsibility of building up the Church. My invitation aimed to ensure that all the Faithful

of the Northern Beaches Deanery can more fully participate in the Mission of Jesus Christ. It has also reflected a synodal approach to discerning the community’s mission to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world, with a particular focus on the unique context of the Northern Beaches. This process has taken a little time to unfold, and I am deeply grateful for your patience.

1. A Journey of Synodal Discernment

As I wrote to the People of the Northern Beaches on 13 December 2024, I gratefully received the Final Report of the Northern Beaches Pastoral Discernment just prior to my departure for Rome for the aforementioned Synod of Bishops, in September 2024. On my return from overseas, I had the opportunity to reflect on its outcomes and to consider my response.

However, in so doing, I recognised that there were significant pastoral opportunities that required further conversation across the Deanery. These discussions, with their continuing discernment, has been an important means of me “listening further” into the fruits of the conversations which had already taken place. Consequently, they have enabled me with greater confidence to propose practical pastoral actions that may benefit the growth of Mission in the region.

Part of this “listening further” involved inviting the clergy of the Northern Beaches to participate in a “Clergy-inCouncil” – another important exercise of synodality – on 28 June 2025, specifically to consider together some of the key pastoral themes that had emerged. This conversation, too, has provided me now with the confidence to present to you the pastoral outcomes of the lengthy and significant discernment process that was undertaken.

Throughout our journey of discernment, a range of critical social issues emerged as particularly relevant to the region. Homelessness has increased on the Northern Beaches, largely due to rising rental costs that make it difficult for residents—especially low-income earners—to find affordable housing. Many workers in the area earn low wages and struggle to secure suitable accommodation. Faced with this challenge, some opt for alternative arrangements such as sleeping in their cars or ‘couch surfing,’ often due to working long hours and preferring not to travel long distances.

Domestic and family violence is also on the rise, forcing many to leave their homes. This issue remains one of the most pressing challenges facing the Northern Beaches community. Closely linked are high rates of mental health concerns affecting all age groups across the region.

2. The Life of the Church on the Northern Beaches

It is within this cultural environment that we seek to proclaim the invitation and hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Central to this mission is my concern that we continue to have vibrant, well-resourced parish communities, an educational system responsive to local needs, and a Catholic social service provision deeply engaged with the context in which we serve.

Of the twenty-six parishes of our Diocese of Broken Bay, six are in the Northern Beaches Deanery. In 2021, 24,203 Catholic families lived in the Northern Beaches, compared to 23,604 in 2016 – representing a 2.5% increase or a total increase of 599 families. The largest growth in Catholic families has been evident in the parish of Warringah which saw 207 additional families in the reporting period 2016 and 2021. This is followed by The Lakes, which saw an increase of 170 families. The smallest growth in Catholic families between 2016 and 2023 was reported in Frenchs Forest.

However, worryingly, between 2001 and 2023, Mass attendance figures across the Northern Beaches decreased by 59.2%. In more recent years, between 2022 and 2023, the region has seen a 10.1% incline in attendance figures. Across the Deanery, participation in all the Sacraments has decreased in varying degrees. The largest decrease is seen in the Sacrament of Marriage, with a decrease of 37.3% between

2016 and 2023. This is followed by the Sacrament of Confirmation, which showed a decrease of 28.7% across the Deanery – a telling indicator given that Confirmation is the doorway into the program of preparation for the Sacrament of Eucharist. However, interestingly, the number of Baptisms reported between 2016 and 2023 has remained relatively steady overall, with a 0.4% decrease across the Deanery. This would suggest that people continue to turn to us at such an important time as birth but, for whatever reasons, we lose contact with them in our parishes in the following years.

We also witness a concerning decline in the number of catechists who share our Catholic Faith with over 3500 Catholic students in the 31 public primary schools in the region. Of the eleven public schools in the region, only five schools currently benefit from engagement with our Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. I take this opportunity to convey my sincerest gratitude to our 133

catechists who share the Good News through their enormous generosity of time and commitment. However, there continues to be a huge opportunity for growth and further outreach. Forest High is being relocated, and a new school with facilities for up to 1500 students is being built at Allambie Heights. A Catholic Special Religious Education (SRE) program is in place at Forest High, and we are working with

the school principal and the other SRE Providers who attend the school to provide a model of SRE that might meet the needs of families more effectively. While engaging families of Catholic students in public schools can be challenging, there are opportunities to invite them into connection with their Catholic communities. Collaboration at a Diocesan level across agencies and ministries is vital to this effort.

3. The Life of the Church in Our Communities

Along with our fourteen Diocesan Catholic Schools Broken Bay (CSBB), we take pride in having two Congregational Catholic secondary schools situated on the Northern Beaches – Stella Maris, a work of Good Samaritan Education and St Augustine’s, a work of the Augustinian Fathers. The total enrolment projections forecast for our two CSBB systemic secondary schools to the year 2034 is an increase of 482 students, a growth of 34.3%.

There are twelve systemic Catholic primary schools situated within the Northern Beaches. The total enrolment projection forecast for CSBB Primary schools to the year 2034 is 394 students, a growth of 14.7%. Furthermore, Catholic Schools Broken Bay currently offers an Eileen O’Connor Support Class for students with a disability at St Martin’s Catholic School in Davidson.

What is also evidenced is the increasing number of children being homeschooled following the COVID-19 lockdowns in the Sydney North region, which includes the Northern Beaches.

Gratefully, CatholicCare Broken Bay is already providing a range of services to address pressing local

needs, including the limited access to legal representation in family law matters where domestic and family violence is prevalent. Challenges are also evident in the shortage of allied health resources for children requiring assessments for potential learning difficulties or disabilities. On the Northern Beaches, there is a noticeable increase in youth at risk of suicide, a higher likelihood of completed suicides, rising youth alcohol and substance misuse, a shortage of adult mental health services and connection points, and the ongoing impact of small business closures following the COVID-19 pandemic. CatholicCare’s Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service is also actively engaged in supporting those affected and those in need.

4. The Way Forward Together

The Northern Beaches discernment has exposed minimal to no involvement of youth and young people in parish life. This is despite data indicating that the largest demographic in the area comprises young people aged 10–19 years. However, it is also clear that there is a strong desire among the Faithful to engage this age group more meaningfully, and there is clearly an identified need for shared resources and coordinated approaches across the Deanery.

Young people have a desire to be recognised, personally invited, and engaged in meaningful dialogue, expressing a deep longing for connection. In any effort to support and sustain youth engagement, there is also a critical need of involving parents and young families. To this end, I have encouraged all the clergy in the Deanery to have a visible priestly presence at youth gatherings across the Deanery, as a sign of leadership and a unified commitment and support of young people. This includes our parish clergy attending youth events hosted in neighbouring parishes and fostering a sense of shared mission and mutual support.

In particular, I have tasked the Parishes of Manly-Freshwater and Pittwater to establish dedicated Youth Hubs where youth can gather whilst remaining connected to their local parishes. This will be assisted in no small way by digital engagement through social media, and by exploring media tools

to communicate with both parents and youth. In time, it is my hope that further practical ways to encourage participation and build community among young people across the Deanery might emerge through the development of these two hubs which also need to reach out to our young Catholics in public schools. In addition, I have asked that a Deanerywide youth event be held once per semester. The formation of youth leaders is critical in such endeavours, and I have now appointed a Youth Ministries Formation Lead in Mission Broken Bay to achieve this.

I have also asked Mission Broken Bay to develop support resources for parish Sacramental preparation programs.

The listening and dialogue of the pastoral discernment revealed a growing concern about the ‘silent’ isolation of seniors. It was reported that many seniors live in isolation from their families due to the high cost of

living on the Northern Beaches and the need to move away from the area. Therefore, I have asked that each parish community develop an active senior’s ministry. In so doing, I have asked that CatholicCare Broken Bay work with each parish so that its own services for seniors be better known, publicised, and accessible. Just as “Youth Hubs’ are advocated, it may be possible for two of our parishes to develop “Senior Hubs.” I have asked the Dean to explore this possibility in collaboration with Parish Priests of the Deanery.

The discernment process highlighted a need for greater collaboration, networking, and sharing of resources across the Northern Beaches. I have asked that the Dean of the Northern Beaches develop a shared Deanery calendar that incorporates both local parish events and my own calendar which may assist in collaboratively planning the year ahead and communicating plans widely. This may also be of service to sharing resources and formation opportunities across parishes, and I have asked Mission Broken Bay to consider the establishment of a Deanery-based formation ‘hub’, where programs and initiatives—such as the Parish of ManlyFreshwater’s youth formation—could be promoted Deanery-wide.

Under my direction, Catholic Schools

Broken Bay (CSBB) has already taken a bold and innovative approach in the delivery of Catholic Education to the region with the release of a new Strategy – Shaping Tomorrow, Together in Faith and the establishment of two Northern Beaches educational precincts – one for the north, and another for the south. This strategy will redefine Catholic education across each Precinct, with CSBB working in Shared Mission with our Parishes and shaping a future where every child can thrive from Baptism into Post-School life. CSBB is expanding pathways, modernising facilities, and reshaping the way Catholic education supports parents and their children. The aim is to establish a seamless, faith-filled education journey from the very early years of education, throughout school life and beyond — all while remaining true to our mission of faith and academic excellence.

In respect to the Southern Precinct, I have already approved an exciting new educational pathway with the expansion of St Paul’s College as a co-educational school. This followed a strategic review in which families, schools, students, and the wider community provided extensive feedback. The Review analysed current and emerging community needs, assessed how well these are currently met by systemic Catholic schools,

and identified future plans and opportunities for growth.

Having successfully transitioned to co-education, St Paul’s from 2026, will be expanding into a dynamic Year 5-12 multi-campus College. The new St Paul’s campus at Balgowlah will accommodate Years 5 and 6, delivering the specialist Stage 3 Learning Hub parents have been seeking. To facilitate this, the two North Harbour parish schools of St Cecilia’s, Balgowlah, and St Kieran’s will unite as a new vibrant primary school community at St Kieran’s, Manly Vale.

Across the precinct we are also exploring opportunities to enhance support for young families including the provision of Early Childhood Education and Care to better meet the needs of the community. In the Northern Precinct, we have already established Eilleen O’Connor support classes at Narraweena and plan to strengthen the pathways available through to secondary school. We have commenced planning for the establishment of new secondary school options to meet local demand. We aim to provide clear and transparent educational pathways for families, from early years, throughout primary and secondary schooling, and continuing beyond school. Given this, as in the Southern Precinct, we

are also assessing opportunities for Early Childhood Education and Care as well as partnerships with industry for trade training and other postschool options.

Through the local listening and dialogue sessions, I have heard reflections on the tensions and opportunities for renewal in the current configuration of the communities of Dee Why and Narraweena in the Parish of Warringah — what we might previously have referred to as parish boundaries. As we look ahead, how might we consider the possibility of establishing two distinct parochial communities through a process of further discernment? As your Bishop, it is my role to help shape a shared sense of mission, identity, and purpose — one that we will continue to discover together through ongoing listening and dialogue. To this end, I have tasked Mrs Patti Beattie, Head of Pastoral Discernment and Accompaniment Broken Bay to work with Mr Chris Lee, Head of Clergy and Parishes Broken Bay to develop a process for ongoing discernment on this matter and to present this to me in the first half of 2026 for implementation in the second half of 2026.

Attention also needs to be given in those parishes which are comprised of two or more centres. How might

we engage the assets that we have to develop our parish communities in the most creative way possible? To this end, I have asked the Parish Priests of each parish to propose a long-term plan to me by the second half of 2026 on the opportunities for the development of their parish’s assets. Again, I have asked Mrs Patti Beattie, Head of Pastoral Discernment and Accompaniment Broken Bay to work with Mr Chris Lee, Head of Clergy

and Parishes Broken Bay to develop with the respective Parish Priests a process for ongoing discernment on these matters.

Finally, in light of the Church’s call for us to develop synodal practices, I have asked that at least one parish on the Northern Beaches be identified to implement the model of “Parish-inCouncil” as pioneered by the Parish of Chatswood on the North Shore.

5. In Conclusion

Responding to the challenges of the region will require much further collaboration. To this end I have asked that the Dean of the Northern Beaches, the CSBB Leads of the two diocesan educational precincts of the Northern Beaches, and senior leadership of CatholicCare Broken Bay meet with regularity to ensure a whole of Deanery collaboration and cooperation on the various issues I have identified in this Pastoral Letter with its proposals. This group will form a Deanery Leaders-in-Council.

I express my deep gratitude to Mrs Patti Beattie, Head of Pastoral Discernment and Accompaniment Broken Bay, for her facilitation of this consultation and discernment on the pastoral context and challenge of the Northern Beaches region. Her ministry has demonstrated the fruitfulness of local discernment and has been

of enormous significance in the cultivation of a synodal way of being a local Church.

I look forward to the continuing conversations for which my Letter might be the catalyst.

In Christ Jesus,

Most Rev Anthony Randazzo DD JCL Bishop of Broken Bay

Endnotes

1 Pope Leo XIV, Address to Representatives of other Churches and ecclesial communities and other religions, 19 May 2025, https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/speeches/2025/may/ documents/20250519-altre-religioni.html, accessed 19 July 2025.

Pastoral Discernment Northern Beaches - Bishop's Pastoral Letter 2025