Archbishop Jeremy announces new Director of Discernment
Local
“It is with pleasure that I announce the appointment of The Reverend Michael Stalley — on secondment — as the new Diocesan Director of Discernment,” says Archbishop Jeremy
Dear sisters and brothers
It is with pleasure that I announce the appointment of the Reverend Michael Stalley — on secondment — as the new Diocesan Director of Discernment (on a part-time 0.4 FTE basis).
The Director of Discernment is a key leadership role within the ACSQ and is pivotal in fostering and encouraging vocations to the ordained ministry. The role includes managing and facilitating the Vocation Discernment process from enquiry to ordination to the priesthood, including:
- Managing entry into the Vocational Discernment process;
- Overseeing candidate invitations to the Vocational Discernment Conference;
- Organising the Vocational Discernment Reflection process and Vocation Discernment Conference;
- Facilitating candidate entry into Formation;
- Monitoring and supporting candidates’ progress through Formation;
- Guiding candidates towards ordination to the Diaconate and Priesthood; and
- Making recommendations to the Archbishop regarding the suitability and readiness of a candidate to progress through to the next stages of the discernment and formation process.
Emerging from my discussions with Michael has been a mutual recognition of the changing nature of discernment and formation and the significant challenges we face in this season of our life together as a Church. I have therefore asked him to use this time in secondment to help develop a model that will be used to guide the future evolution of discernment and formation in the ACSQ.
During Michael’s secondment, he will retain the position as Rector, St Bartholomew’s Anglican Church, Mt Gravatt, but on a part-time (0.6 FTE) basis.
I welcome Michael’s willingness to take on this role, following Bishop Sarah Plowman’s relinquishing her position as Diocesan Director of Discernment and Formation when appointed Bishop for the Northern Region. I also thank the people of the Parish of Mt Gravatt for their willingness to support Michael in this new position of responsibility in the Diocese, while he continues to be their Rector.
Please pray for Michael as he prepares to take up this new role and for all involved in the discernment process, including all candidates, supervising priests, examining chaplains, staff of St Francis College, and assistant bishops. May God bless us and equip us for our various ministries in the service of Christ.
Yours in Christ
The Most Reverend Jeremy Greaves KCSJ
Archbishop of Brisbane
