Personal Advocacy Service (PAS) exists to promote and support the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities within parish and community life — a mission entrusted by the Archbishop of Perth through our Mandate (2018). 

As we look to the future, PAS has been engaging with our community — Friends, Advocates, families, volunteers, and parish partners — to ask an important question: how can PAS continue to grow and serve in ways that best meet the needs of our community? 

Through conversations, surveys, and feedback sessions held throughout the year, we invited people to share their hopes, ideas, and prayers for the future of PAS. The response was both inspiring and practical, reflecting the creativity, faith, and generosity that characterise our community. 

What We Heard 

The feedback revealed a shared vision: to strengthen belonging, expand opportunities for connection, and keep faith at the heart of everything we do. 

Many people expressed a desire to see more ways for Friends and Advocates to come together across groups and parishes — through music, community spaces, and shared experiences. 

“I love the idea of a community choir – maybe the choir could perform at the ACC every year or at the adapted liturgies.” 

“A café staffed by friends with different abilities, open to all, would be a wonderful place to gather.” 

“An occasional sports day would be great fun – games that everyone can join in.” 

“We could grow succulents in the community garden and sell them as a fundraiser.” 

“More adapted liturgies in different parishes, so more people can experience what PAS is about.” 

These suggestions, big and small, highlight a strong desire for inclusion, creativity, and connection — values that lie at the heart of PAS. 

Faith and Hope for the Future 

During our Volunteer Enrichment Day, participants also offered personal prayers for the future of PAS — reflections that show how deeply the mission of inclusion is lived out in our community: 

“I pray that PAS continues to grow and blossom to include all in our parish community with Christ’s love and peace.” 

“That we bring PAS to every parish, helping people with disability build stronger relationships with God.” 

“For God to inspire more volunteers so we can continue to share our gifts with others.” 

“That PAS continues for many years to come.” 

Each idea and prayer reminds us that PAS is not just an organisation — it is a living community of faith and friendship, continually shaped by those who are part of it. 

Next Steps 

Over the coming year, PAS will continue reviewing and reflecting this feedback as part of a wider planning process. We will work with our community to explore how these ideas can be developed and how we can best ensure the ongoing strength and sustainability of our mission.