In this regard, one tool for increasing the vision of the synodal and missionary Church is that of participatory bodies. These help the People of God to exercise fully their baptismal identity, to strengthen the bond between ordained ministries and the community, and to guide the process that goes from community discernment to pastoral decisions. For this reason, I invite you to strengthen the formation of participatory bodies and, at the parish level, to review the steps taken so far or, where such bodies are lacking, to understand what the obstacles are so that they can be overcome.

• A model of collaborative pastoral care between parishes, especially those in the vicinity (pastoral unity), is to be systematically promoted, in order to encourage and strengthen synodal attitudes, primarily communion and collaboration. This should also be carried out through the strengthening of the relationships between the parish priest and the lay members of the team who assist in the pastoral life and management of the parishes, and of the relationships between parishes that form part of the same pastoral unit. All this becomes urgent, in light of the lack of resources and priests.
• It is to be ensured that each parish priest has a team of lay people who assist him in the design and implementation of the pastoral and administrative vision. These structures were traditionally known as the Parish Pastoral Council (KPP), the Parish Economic Council (KEP), and other commissions. This should lead to more participatory leadership and work.
• In collaboration with the Faculty of Theology and the Pastoral Formation Institute (PFI), great importance should be given to the formation of all those involved in pastoral care and parish administration. Every parish priest or pastoral leader should recognize the need to invest in the formation of pastoral workers so that they are well prepared for their ministry.
• Visits to parishes by the secretariat for parishes together with other diocesan offices should be increased, with the aim of obtaining a more realistic picture of current pastoral work and administrative procedures and so that, together with the parish leadership, the next steps can be identified and implemented.

Liturgical and Catechetical Pastoral Work

• Strengthening inclusion in the liturgy, especially where possible with celebrations and resources in English; providing and facilitating access to liturgical resources, and enhancing the significance of each part of the Mass, so that the faithful can understand, actively participate and experience a true encounter with Christ. In this way, a synodal sense is being encouraged in the preparation and living of the liturgy, where various members of the community contribute according to their talents after a process of listening and discernment.
• Consideration should be made to include social moments after liturgical celebrations to strengthen communion between those gathered for the celebration so that, sustained by the Eucharist, the community is sent on a mission: what has been celebrated becomes a witness in life, as the Church walks together in communion and mission.
• The work of an interdiocesan Commission specifically established to study the necessary developments in the catechetical field will continue, in order to offer orientations so that the catechesis offered in the dioceses, particularly in the field of Christian Initiation, will be more holistic and address today’s realities.
• The effort to provide catechetical resources and necessary tools that are effective in today’s culture and society and that are complementary and supportive of other pastoral initiatives that the Church is taking is to be strengthened.
• Particular attention is paid to ensuring that liturgy, diakonia and commitment to Christian life are more clearly and concretely integrated into catechetical programmes for children, young people and adults, so that liturgical action, the living of the Word of God, and the values ​​of participation, service and solidarity develop harmoniously in Christians from an early age as essential elements of Christian identity.
• Attention is paid to placing the family at the heart of the catechetical process, especially in the Christian Initiation of children, and to accompanying the family in the various stages of the life of faith, especially in the early years of children’s lives.

Pastoral Work with non-Maltese Catholics

• Regular meetings are held between non-Maltese Catholic communities and the Archdiocese of Malta, in order to strengthen coordination, communion and dialogue.
• Information is collected about these communities and made accessible on the Archdiocese platforms for those who wish to join them.
• The process of appointing coordinators at diocesan level for each language and rite is continued, in order to foster a greater attitude of communion and collaboration between communities of the same language or rite.
• The use of the English language in pastoral work is strengthened, especially in parishes, in order to improve access for non-Maltese Catholics.
• A guideline should be developed and implemented to assist in the integration of these communities into the Archdiocese, in such a way that they feel an integral part of it and not simply tolerated, while respecting the diversity of their cultural, liturgical and pastoral heritage. This guideline should assist these communities in complying with civil and ecclesial laws and norms.
• Church entities should make every effort to ensure that the services offered are accessible to both Maltese and foreigners, and where possible, they should be offered jointly.