Catholic Outlook September 2015
Catholic Outlook September 2015
Catholic Outlook September 2015
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<strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong><br />
The official publication of the Diocese of Parramatta<br />
VOLUME 18, SEPTEMBER <strong>2015</strong><br />
CELEBRATING FATHER’S DAY<br />
A father needs to ‘be close to his children as they grow:<br />
when they play and when they strive … when they are<br />
carefree and when they are distressed, when they are<br />
talkative and when they are silent …’<br />
(Pope Francis)<br />
page 10<br />
CARING FOR<br />
THOSE WHO<br />
CARED<br />
Please give generously to<br />
the Father’s Day Appeal for<br />
Retired and Sick Priests.<br />
page 3<br />
IT’S AN<br />
HONOUR<br />
Diocesan awards recognise<br />
service and commitment to<br />
Church and community.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,<br />
As many of you know, my postgraduate<br />
study was in liturgy and I try to keep up in<br />
the field by receiving various publications<br />
and journals.<br />
Recently, the latest copy of Worship (from<br />
the Benedictines in Collegeville, US)<br />
arrived, and in a regular column called<br />
‘The Amen Corner’, there was an article by<br />
my friend and colleague, Fr Paul Turner,<br />
with the title: ‘Between Consultation and<br />
Faithfulness: Questions That Won’t Go<br />
Away.’<br />
In the opening paragraphs he makes<br />
mention of a venerable letter from<br />
Decentius, the Bishop of Gubbio, sent<br />
to Pope Innocent I on 19 March 416 in<br />
which he sought advice from the Pope on a<br />
number of liturgical questions.<br />
The first of these concerned the Greeting<br />
of Peace and where it should be placed in<br />
the liturgy.<br />
The Roman tradition had always been that<br />
it was placed after the Lord’s Prayer and<br />
before the reception of Holy Communion.<br />
This is attested to by many early Roman<br />
Church documents and even by St<br />
Augustine in one of his sermons where<br />
the custom had also been adopted by the<br />
Church of Hippo in North Africa.<br />
It would seem that some of the clergy<br />
in Gubbio wanted to place the Greeting<br />
of Peace at the offertory and before the<br />
Eucharistic Prayer, which was, and is still,<br />
the custom in the churches of the East.<br />
What intrigued Fr Paul Turner was, and<br />
to quote: “Why – after 1600 years – are<br />
we still hearing differences about the sign<br />
of peace? ... People argue over when the<br />
peace should take place, whether it should<br />
take place, and, if it takes place, how<br />
should it be done?”<br />
The extension of the Greeting of Peace to<br />
all who participate in a Eucharistic liturgy<br />
was one of the reforms that emerged from<br />
the Second Vatican Council, but is one<br />
reform that had not really been properly<br />
understood and which still sits, I think,<br />
uneasily with many people in the assembly.<br />
The practice of Christians greeting each<br />
other with a Holy Kiss is very ancient<br />
and St Paul mentions it four times at the<br />
conclusion of his letters and St Peter in one<br />
of his letters.<br />
Ritually, it found its way into the very<br />
earliest Eucharistic celebrations and it<br />
would seem that this exchange, either<br />
during the liturgy or at the end of it,<br />
had profound meaning to the Christian<br />
community.<br />
FROM THE DIOCESAN ADMINISTRATOR<br />
Very Rev Peter G Williams<br />
The Greeting of Peace<br />
In the Greeting of Peace we are united by the common bond of Baptism. Photo: Alfred Boudib.<br />
Clearly then, it was not some casual<br />
greeting or awkward exchange.<br />
The most recent edition of the General<br />
Instruction of the Roman Missal explains<br />
its purpose and meaning: “There follows<br />
the Rite of Peace, by which the Church<br />
entreats peace and unity for herself and<br />
for the whole human family, and the<br />
faithful express to each other their ecclesial<br />
communion and mutual charity before<br />
communicating in the Sacrament.”<br />
What does it mean to express ecclesial<br />
communion and mutual charity?<br />
Firstly, the exchange is a gesture. Unlike<br />
the Tridentine Rite where at High Mass the<br />
clergy in the sanctuary said “Pax tecum”<br />
(peace be with you) there are not meant<br />
to be any words uttered in the reformed<br />
rite. The gesture is a sign that requires no<br />
words.<br />
In the Australian adaptations to the Missal,<br />
authorised by the Bishops, it states that<br />
the gesture is to be a hand clasp to those<br />
immediately around you.<br />
The ecclesial communion expressed here<br />
is that often those we greet in this manner<br />
are not necessarily known to us personally,<br />
but are united to us by the common bond<br />
of Baptism.<br />
The other meaning relates to mutual<br />
charity. It is a desire to intend to live in<br />
harmony and love with other members of<br />
the Christian community.<br />
Sadly, this solemn moment before the<br />
reception of Holy Communion often<br />
becomes in some congregations a ‘break<br />
out’ moment where general chatter and<br />
free movement erupts in the assembly.<br />
I am convinced this occurs because<br />
there has been inadequate catechesis<br />
on this part of the rite and some are<br />
clearly embarrassed and default to casual<br />
conversation.<br />
In the Maronite rite that I sometimes<br />
attend, this Greeting of Peace has<br />
somewhat more decorum and while it<br />
is placed following the ancient Eastern<br />
liturgical tradition before the Eucharistic<br />
Prayer, it is a very ordered yet a moving<br />
and meaningful exchange.<br />
Given the fact that life in the Church and<br />
in parishes can be fractious at times as<br />
we discern what is the best way to live the<br />
life of the Gospel, and our own personal<br />
lives can also periodically be a source<br />
of disquiet, this moment in the liturgy<br />
provides a privileged opportunity to<br />
restore ourselves grounded in the peace<br />
that only Christ can give.<br />
It might well be worthwhile for clergy<br />
and liturgy committees in our parishes to<br />
revisit the Greeting of Peace with a view to<br />
inviting a revised practice with appropriate<br />
liturgical formation.<br />
Signs and gestures are important means<br />
of communicating that which otherwise<br />
cannot be expressed in words.<br />
Our liturgy is a treasure trove of such<br />
signs that lead us to the mystery of God<br />
expressed in the person of Christ to whom<br />
we are united in the Eucharist as a visible<br />
expression of His Body.<br />
Let us not lose that moment, which can<br />
express such a profound understanding of<br />
who we are in Christ.<br />
With my prayers,<br />
Very Rev Peter G Williams<br />
Diocesan Administrator<br />
CONTENTS<br />
NEWS & EVENTS<br />
YEAR OF<br />
CONSECRATED LIFE<br />
FAMILY & LIFE<br />
NEWS FROM THE CCD<br />
DIOCESAN PASTORAL<br />
PLAN<br />
<strong>2015</strong> FATHER’S DAY<br />
APPEAL<br />
CATHOLIC<br />
EDUCATION<br />
CATHOLICCARE<br />
SOCIAL SERVICES<br />
CATHOLIC YOUTH<br />
DIOCESAN HONOURS<br />
LAUDATO SI’<br />
SOCIAL JUSTICE<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong><br />
The official publication of the Diocese of Parramatta<br />
Publisher:<br />
Very Rev Peter G Williams<br />
Diocesan Administrator<br />
Tel (02) 8838 3400<br />
Fax (02) 9630 4813<br />
PO Box 3066,<br />
North Parramatta, NSW, 1750<br />
Email: diocese@parra.catholic.org.au<br />
Website: www.parra.catholic.org.au<br />
Editor:<br />
Jane Favotto<br />
Tel (02) 8838 3409<br />
editor@parra.catholic.org.au<br />
PO Box 3066,<br />
North Parramatta, NSW, 1750<br />
Journalists:<br />
Adrian Middeldorp<br />
Elizabeth McFarlane<br />
Designer:<br />
Aphrodite Delaguiado<br />
School news:<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> Education Office<br />
Tel (02) 9840 5683<br />
news@parra.catholic.edu.au<br />
Deadlines:<br />
Editorial and advertising<br />
– 10th of the month prior to publication<br />
Advertising:<br />
Tel (02) 8838 3409<br />
Accounts:<br />
Alfie Ramirez<br />
Tel (02) 8838 3437<br />
ARamirez@parra.catholic.org.au<br />
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is copyright and may not be reproduced<br />
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2 <strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong> | SEPTEMBER <strong>2015</strong><br />
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Warm welcome for<br />
Archbishop Miller<br />
NEWS & EVENTS<br />
Diocesan honours include<br />
2 new awards By Elizabeth McFarlane<br />
During lunch, Archbishop Miller spoke about the Church in Vancouver. Photo: Alfred Boudib.<br />
The Archbishop of Vancouver, Most<br />
Rev J Michael Miller CSB, addressed<br />
a gathering of Clergy, Principals and<br />
Religious Education Coordinators (RECs)<br />
at a forum at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse<br />
on 6 August.<br />
Archbishop Miller has served as<br />
Secretary of the Vatican’s Congregation for<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> Education and Vice President of<br />
the Pontifical Work of Priestly Vocations.<br />
Over lunch with diocesan clergy and<br />
clergy from the Archdiocese of Sydney and<br />
the Diocese of Broken Bay, the Archbishop<br />
gave a talk about the Church in Vancouver.<br />
The day was a celebration of St<br />
John Vianney Day with Jubilarians<br />
acknowledged including Rev Robert<br />
Anderson and Rev Paul Hanna, both 50<br />
years, and Rev Chris Sharah FSF and Rev<br />
Giovani Presiga, both 25 years, from the<br />
Diocese of Parramatta.<br />
In the morning, Archbishop Miller<br />
gave a keynote address to Principals and<br />
RECs entitled, ‘Educating for today and<br />
tomorrow: a renewing passion’.<br />
In his address, he said <strong>Catholic</strong> schools<br />
played a vital role in the evangelising<br />
mission of the Church, asking the<br />
question, “is personal witness to the<br />
Gospel evident in the life of a school?”<br />
“It is necessary now, more than ever, to<br />
make people aware of the responsibility to<br />
give witness to Christ and the Gospel,” he<br />
said.<br />
“In addition to all the other things<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> teachers do, they have the<br />
proclamation of the Gospel at the centre of<br />
everything they do.<br />
“The best way anyone supports it is<br />
by personal witness of life, being a joyful<br />
Christian around students and on occasion<br />
to share explicitly what makes their own<br />
heart sing.<br />
“Teaching is one of the noblest<br />
vocations because you touch the<br />
minds, the hearts, the souls of the next<br />
generation.”<br />
The Executive Director of Schools,<br />
Greg Whitby, said Archbishop Miller<br />
challenged leaders in their work of<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> schooling.<br />
“Archbishop Miller brings an<br />
understanding of the universal Church<br />
and affirmed our direction of ‘renewing<br />
and adapting’,” Greg said.<br />
“In a simple yet powerful way he asked<br />
the hard questions and laid before our<br />
leaders four challenges if they are to truly<br />
lead schools that live up to the evangelising<br />
mission of the Church.<br />
“At the heart of his challenge is the call<br />
to act and be Church, not just talk about<br />
being Church.”<br />
Sr Monica Armstrong SGS received the Diocesan Medal of Honour in recognition of her compassion and<br />
dedication to her parish of St Matthew’s, Windsor, and St Thomas Aquinas Primary, Springwood. Sr Monica was<br />
congratulated by St Thomas Aquinas’ Principal Sergio Rosato, Sr Veronica Griffith SGS and Sr Moya Weissenfeld<br />
SGS (right).<br />
The recipients of two new categories<br />
of awards were among those who<br />
received diocesan honours at a<br />
ceremony in St Patrick’s Cathedral on 7<br />
August.<br />
Following vespers, the Diocesan<br />
Administrator, Very Rev Peter G Williams,<br />
presented the inaugural Diocesan Citation<br />
of Merit for Youth and the Diocesan<br />
Certificate of Recognition, together with<br />
the Diocesan Medal of Honour.<br />
Award recipients included seven<br />
Citations of Merit for Youth, one<br />
Certificate of Recognition, 48 Medals of<br />
Honour and two posthumous Medals of<br />
Honour.<br />
The Diocesan Citation of Merit for<br />
Youth seeks to encourage and recognise<br />
young adults between the ages of 18 and 25<br />
who have shown outstanding contribution<br />
and service to the parish, Diocese and<br />
community.<br />
The Diocesan Certificate of<br />
Recognition seeks to encourage and<br />
recognise outstanding contribution by<br />
non-<strong>Catholic</strong> members of the community<br />
for work supporting the parish, Diocese<br />
and community.<br />
These new awards are in addition to<br />
the Diocesan Medal of Honour, which<br />
was instituted by the previous Bishop of<br />
Parramatta, Most Rev Anthony Fisher OP,<br />
in 2012.<br />
The Medal of Honour seeks to<br />
encourage and recognise outstanding<br />
contribution and service by members of<br />
the diocesan community in work on behalf<br />
of the Church and society. It is awarded<br />
for outstanding services to parish, Diocese<br />
and community.<br />
Fr Peter Williams said the recipients<br />
were “honouring their Baptism and<br />
proving that the Holy Spirit can work in<br />
the lives of ordinary human beings.”<br />
He said the night was about<br />
“honouring the fact that the Grace of<br />
God can work in those who have opened<br />
themselves up to the Holy Spirit.”<br />
See Pages 17-19 of this issue for the full<br />
list of award recipients.<br />
A photo gallery can be viewed on<br />
Flickr – <strong>Catholic</strong>DioceseofParramatta<br />
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<strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong> | SEPTEMBER <strong>2015</strong> 3
NEWS & EVENTS<br />
Men, women and children wait for help in the Dadaab refugee camp in Somalia. Photo: hikrcn/Shutterstock.com<br />
FOR THOSE WHO’VE COME ACROSS THE SEAS:<br />
Justice for refugees and asylum seekers<br />
This year’s Social Justice Statement by<br />
Australia’s <strong>Catholic</strong> bishops is entitled,<br />
For Those Who’ve Come Across the<br />
Seas: Justice for refugees and asylum seekers.<br />
The Social Justice Statement for <strong>2015</strong>–16<br />
challenges Australians to think again about<br />
our national response to asylum seekers,<br />
especially those who come by sea. It invites<br />
us to recognise the desperation that has<br />
driven these people to seek refuge far from<br />
their homes.<br />
The title, taken from the words of our<br />
National Anthem, is intended to remind all<br />
Australians of how this nation has aspired to<br />
be a place of welcome and inclusion.<br />
The bishops address the divisive national<br />
debate over asylum seekers, especially those<br />
who arrive by boat. They confront Australia’s<br />
current deterrence-based response and<br />
remind us of the needs of the nearly 60<br />
million people who are displaced around the<br />
world.<br />
The statement takes its inspiration from<br />
the actions and words of Pope Francis on his<br />
2013 visit to the Italian island of Lampedusa,<br />
where he met the survivors of a refugee<br />
tragedy and mourned for those who had<br />
died.<br />
It begins and ends with the Pope’s own<br />
words and is strongly based on the Scriptures<br />
and <strong>Catholic</strong> teaching.<br />
The bishops’ document traces the<br />
experiences of asylum seekers from their<br />
flight from persecution and danger, through<br />
their perilous journeys, to their experience in<br />
Australia of indefinite detention, deprivation<br />
and insecurity.<br />
It asks why both sides of Australian<br />
politics have felt the need to introduce such<br />
cruel and self-defeating policies as offshore<br />
processing and indefinite detention.<br />
This Social Justice Sunday we are invited<br />
to reflect on the call of Jesus to welcome<br />
those in most need and to give comfort to<br />
those who come to us in flight from fear and<br />
suffering.<br />
Complementary resources<br />
The Australian <strong>Catholic</strong> Social Justice<br />
Council’s website will have resources<br />
available for download free of charge on<br />
10 <strong>September</strong>. They will include Social<br />
Justice Sunday liturgy notes, a PowerPoint<br />
presentation and community and education<br />
resources.<br />
Prayer Cards and Ten Steps leaflets can<br />
be ordered from the Council tel (02) 8306<br />
3499 or admin@acsjc.org.au<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong>s tackle housing crisis<br />
in New South Wales<br />
By Elizabeth McFarlane<br />
Housing is a fundamental human need<br />
because it provides security and a<br />
bedrock for raising a family, but<br />
to be able to access housing it needs to be<br />
affordable.<br />
The Family & Life Office and the Social<br />
Justice Office of the <strong>Catholic</strong> Diocese of<br />
Parramatta organised and ran a Table Talk<br />
on Housing Affordability at the Institute for<br />
Mission in Blacktown on 19 August.<br />
The night gathered <strong>Catholic</strong>s from across<br />
the Diocese to share their personal struggles<br />
in finding and buying a house, as well as the<br />
issues faced when renting.<br />
Jon O’Brien from UnitingCare NSW<br />
provided statistics on the night.<br />
House prices in Australia are the second<br />
most expensive in the world but the option<br />
to rent is limited, with a shortage of 539,000<br />
rental properties.<br />
The largest number of homeless<br />
Australians are in NSW. Unaffordable housing<br />
is clearly rife and it is the low income and<br />
disadvantaged who are wearing the costs.<br />
Social housing is in demand but people can<br />
be waiting for up to 10 years to secure a place<br />
to live.<br />
A young family also gave a glimpse into<br />
the issues surrounding renting for those with<br />
very young children, “We have to tell our kids<br />
to behave so the agent doesn’t think we’re<br />
going to destroy the house. The whole system<br />
is very hard for young families.”<br />
For those who attended the evening Table<br />
Talk, it was obvious that the personal stories<br />
were also very much a public story.<br />
Ben Smith, Director of the Family<br />
and Life Office, spoke on the night about<br />
why <strong>Catholic</strong>s should care about housing<br />
affordability. “To be denied housing is to lose<br />
a sense of dignity and to lose a sense of hope,”<br />
he said.<br />
“As <strong>Catholic</strong>s, we believe everyone is made<br />
in the image of God and has an inherent<br />
dignity. We believe families are of the utmost<br />
importance to our faith community, using the<br />
Holy Family as our guiding star.”<br />
Affordable housing increases financial<br />
stress, leading many to work extensive hours.<br />
Pope Francis warned against this way of living<br />
the day before the event in his weekly general<br />
audience:<br />
“When work separates itself from the<br />
Finding a place to live is a critical issue for many young<br />
families. Photo: Elizabeth McFarlane.<br />
covenant of God with man and woman, when<br />
it separates itself from their spiritual qualities,<br />
when it is hostage to the logic of only profit<br />
and scorns the attachments of life, the<br />
discouragement of the soul contaminates all:<br />
even the air, the water, the herbs, food.”<br />
Sister Louise McKeogh FMA, Coordinator<br />
of the Social Justice Office, said that being a<br />
nun does not make housing affordability any<br />
less relevant to her.<br />
“My family couldn’t afford a lot and we<br />
lived on the outskirts of Melbourne,” she said.<br />
“My dad was a builder. He built our house and<br />
he even built the <strong>Catholic</strong> School and Church<br />
I attended. He built a home for the whole<br />
community.<br />
“I know what having a home means and<br />
why it is important. I also have four nieces<br />
and nephews who are all still at home and I<br />
can see the impacts on them.”<br />
The night’s organisers made sure that the<br />
discussion led to practical engagement with<br />
the community. The ‘asks’ on the night were:<br />
1. For the NSW Government to commit<br />
to a formal plan, with numerical targets, to<br />
increase the supply of social and affordable<br />
housing in NSW over the next four years. The<br />
plan should be developed on a cross-portfolio<br />
basis within the NSW government and in<br />
partnership with the Federal Government.<br />
2. For a new planning provision to be<br />
created for all new developers, building in<br />
30% affordable housing at the seven Urban<br />
Growth precincts. Inclusionary zoning<br />
requires a given share of new construction to<br />
be affordable by people with low to moderate<br />
incomes.<br />
4 <strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong> | SEPTEMBER <strong>2015</strong><br />
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YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE<br />
Religious called to ‘Wake up the World’<br />
By Sr Ailsa Mackinnon RSM<br />
The day’s celebrations for the Year of Consecrated Life began with a Solemn Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral. Photos: Alfred Boudib.<br />
Mass was celebrated on the 2nd Sunday in National Vocations Awareness<br />
Week.<br />
The Schoenstatt Sisters’ display stand at the Vocations Fest.<br />
It was standing room only in St Patrick’s<br />
Cathedral in Parramatta on 9 August<br />
as many religious gathered with<br />
parishioners during National Vocations<br />
Awareness Week to celebrate the Year of<br />
Consecrated Life.<br />
The Diocesan Administrator, Very Rev<br />
Peter Williams, was the principal celebrant<br />
for the 11am Solemn Mass, which was<br />
concelebrated by Emeritus Bishop Kevin<br />
Manning, many of the religious priests<br />
in the Diocese and the priests of the<br />
Cathedral Parish.<br />
Specially selected hymns<br />
complemented the readings of the day. In<br />
an inspiring homily, Fr Peter encouraged<br />
the congregation to aspire to the heights of<br />
Christian life, just as the founders of many<br />
religious orders have done in the past.<br />
The celebrations then moved to the<br />
Cloister, where there were displays of the<br />
lives and works of many of the religious<br />
congregations who minister in Western<br />
Sydney.<br />
The Cathedral hospitality team<br />
graciously provided lunch while the<br />
visitors perused the displays.<br />
Guests then sat down to listen to talks<br />
Enjoying the Vocations Fest are, from left: Sr Justina Pham<br />
CMR, Sr Margaritta Vu CMR, Sr Kate Atkins MGL, and Fr John<br />
Paul Escarlan.<br />
on aspects of religious life – reflections<br />
from religious on how religious life is<br />
lived, reflections from those who had been<br />
educated in schools conducted by religious<br />
congregations and inputs from family<br />
members on the impact the religious had<br />
on the family.<br />
The MC was stand-up comic and<br />
television star Rob Shehadie, who provided<br />
plenty of entertainment in the midst of<br />
inspirational and insightful reflections.<br />
The day concluded with a holy hour<br />
of prayer and benediction during which<br />
those gathered prayed for vocations to<br />
Sr Rosie Drum MGL entertains the guests with her guitar playing.<br />
consecrated life. The religious of the<br />
Diocese are grateful for the support of all<br />
the people.<br />
Father Peter’s concluding words are<br />
still ringing in our ears – we don’t know<br />
what challenges the future will bring, yet<br />
we do know that religious life will endure<br />
in our Church.<br />
Pope Francis has challenged religious<br />
to ‘Wake up the World’. May religious life<br />
not only endure, but flourish.<br />
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5
FAMILY & LIFE<br />
Witnessing<br />
to the<br />
strength<br />
and value<br />
of marriage<br />
With Bishop Anthony Fisher OP at Celebrating the Journey last year are Morna and John Faehrmann, who have been married for more than 50 years.<br />
Jonathan Doyle, renowned speaker on relationships and<br />
founder of Choicez Media, in his address to the <strong>2015</strong> Faith<br />
in Marriage Conference on 23 August outlined to the<br />
audience the transforming nature of the witness to marriage<br />
and family life by Christians in ancient Rome.<br />
On Sunday 20 <strong>September</strong>, the Celebrating the Journey<br />
Mass will be such an example of witness to the strength and<br />
value of lifelong marriage.<br />
Each year many couples in the Diocese attend this special<br />
Mass of witness to blessings and longevity of their marriages.<br />
All couples celebrating anniversaries of 25 years or more<br />
and their families are warmly invited to attend the 11am Mass<br />
in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Parramatta.<br />
The Diocesan Administrator, Very Rev Peter Williams, will<br />
be the Principal Celebrant.<br />
Those couples celebrating significant anniversaries of 25,<br />
30, 35, 40, 45, 50 years and over will receive a certificate of<br />
blessing. All couples and their families are invited to attend a<br />
light lunch in the Cathedral hall afterwards.<br />
To participate in Celebrating the Journey this year please<br />
register by 12 <strong>September</strong> through your Parish Secretary or<br />
contact <strong>Catholic</strong>Care Social Services Diocese of Parramatta tel<br />
(02) 9933 0222 or send an email to: marriage@ccss.org.au<br />
NEW APPOINTMENTS<br />
The Diocesan Administrator, Very<br />
Rev Peter G Williams, has confirmed<br />
the following appointments in the<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> Diocese of Parramatta:<br />
Rev Christopher Antwi-Boasiako<br />
Administrator<br />
Padre Pio Parish, Glenmore Park<br />
From 6 <strong>September</strong> <strong>2015</strong><br />
Rev George Suresh Kumar<br />
Incardinated into the<br />
Diocese of Parramatta<br />
11 August <strong>2015</strong><br />
Mr Richard McMahon<br />
Director of Pastoral Planning &<br />
Implementation<br />
From 28 <strong>September</strong> <strong>2015</strong><br />
Rev Walter Fogarty<br />
Chair, Diocesan Interfaith<br />
Commission<br />
Greg Whitby<br />
Chair, Diocesan Ecumenical<br />
Commission<br />
RETIRING<br />
Paul Worthington will be retiring<br />
as Director of the Confraternity of<br />
Christian Doctrine (CCD) on<br />
18 December <strong>2015</strong><br />
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Fatherhood: A journey that changes you forever<br />
By Ben Smith, Director of the Family & Life Office<br />
I<br />
hope all fathers enjoy the presents and affection they<br />
receive on Father’s Day on 6 <strong>September</strong>. The wonderful<br />
hand-made cards that I get from my children are<br />
special and make me reflect on how fatherhood has<br />
changed me over the past 10 years. I believe these changes<br />
have been at an emotional, a physiological and a spiritual<br />
level. This process has been aided by the paternity leave<br />
that has allowed me to spend at least three weeks at home<br />
after the birth of each of my five children.<br />
Emotionally, I am more vulnerable now that I have<br />
children and I have developed the capacity to shed a tear<br />
or two, especially when I am away from home and missing<br />
my family. This tendency is new and I think it has resulted<br />
from the emotional bonds that I have developed with my<br />
wife and children.<br />
At a physiological level, I can recall how in the lead-up<br />
to the birth of a new child, I experienced a vagueness that<br />
meant that I became a little forgetful. I think it could be a<br />
form of baby brain syndrome.<br />
But isn’t this syndrome something that only pregnant<br />
women experience? My scientifically trained mind<br />
ignored this experience as I thought it was a figment of<br />
my imagination.<br />
But that all changed when I discovered the results of<br />
some recent research studies on this topic. Firstly, in 2011,<br />
US researchers from Northwestern University found that<br />
fathers experienced a reduction in testosterone after their<br />
baby was born.<br />
Another group of US researchers from the University<br />
of Michigan in 2014 found that these changes in<br />
testosterone also occured in fathers before their child was<br />
born.<br />
The researchers believe that the reduction in<br />
testosterone may reduce the level of aggression in males<br />
Proud father Joseph Younes cradles his firstborn son, Charlie.<br />
and make them more committed to helping nurture their<br />
child. Now there is an explanation for my prenatal baby<br />
brain!<br />
But other researchers have discovered changes in the<br />
levels of other hormones. A study published in 2010 by<br />
Israeli researchers from Bar-Ilan University found that<br />
fathers experienced an increase in bonding hormones<br />
such as oxytocin and prolactin.<br />
The size and duration of these hormonal changes is<br />
impacted by the level of involvement that fathers have in<br />
caring for their newborn child.<br />
This new area of research is bound to reveal a range of<br />
amazing discoveries and enhance our understanding of<br />
FAMILY & LIFE<br />
the biological basis of fatherhood and its importance in<br />
the upbringing of children.<br />
At a spiritual level, fatherhood has taught me to be a<br />
lot less selfish. I no longer get to watch much sport on the<br />
television and it doesn’t really bother me too much.<br />
I regularly have an interrupted sleep but I am happy to<br />
tuck my kids back into bed and I love saying a little prayer<br />
with them to settle them down. This level of self-sacrifice<br />
would have seemed impossible before I became a father.<br />
Being a father has developed my spirituality as I now<br />
see myself as the spiritual leader of my family. I have<br />
grown as a person to be able to be a strong leader to my<br />
five strong-willed children. I have had to reflect on the<br />
example I give my children in matters big and small. A<br />
father’s behaviour has a big impact on their children.<br />
Pope Francis spoke about the importance of fathers<br />
in his general audience on 4 February this year. He spoke<br />
about the need for a father to “be close to his children as<br />
they grow: when they play and when they strive, when they<br />
are carefree and when they are distressed, when they are<br />
talkative and when they are silent, when they are daring<br />
and when they are afraid, when they take a wrong step and<br />
when they find their path again; a father who is always<br />
present.” He also pointed out that “a good father knows<br />
how to wait and knows how to forgive from the depths of his<br />
heart.”<br />
The change that men undergo when they become<br />
fathers prepares them to play an indispensable role in<br />
their family. Good fathers find time to be present to their<br />
children. When fathers let their work take priority over<br />
their family, their wife and children can suffer.<br />
St Joseph is a great model for fathers. While he was a<br />
man of few words his example spoke volumes to his foster<br />
son, Jesus, the Word of God.<br />
www.parra.catholic.org.au @parracatholic facebook.com/parracatholic<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong> | SEPTEMBER <strong>2015</strong> 7
NEWS FROM THE CCD<br />
Celebrating the service of Special Religious Educators<br />
Bishop Kevin with recipients of the Papal Award for 20<br />
years of SRE service.<br />
Representatives of <strong>Catholic</strong> schools whose students support parishes in providing SRE in state primary<br />
schools. Photos: Alfred Boudib.<br />
Last month’s annual Mass for the<br />
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine<br />
(CCD) and presentation of service<br />
awards was a wonderful celebration<br />
and acknowledgement of the dedicated<br />
ministry of SRE personnel across the<br />
Diocese.<br />
The Diocesan Administrator, Very Rev<br />
Peter Williams, was the principal celebrant<br />
for the Mass on 21 August at St Paul the<br />
Apostle Parish, Winston Hills.<br />
Awards were presented to 58 SRE<br />
personnel whose length of service ranged<br />
from 15 to 40 years.<br />
More than 500 people attended the<br />
Mass, which was concelebrated by Bishop<br />
Emeritus Kevin Manning and 13 priests<br />
assisted by two deacons, two seminarians,<br />
an acolyte and altar servers.<br />
Fr Peter spoke of the important<br />
evangelising role that SREs undertake on<br />
behalf of each parish.<br />
The Diocesan CCD Director, Paul<br />
Worthington, spoke on behalf of the<br />
retired SRE Parish Coordinators and<br />
commended their service to their parishes,<br />
their SRE teams and their support for their<br />
parish priests.<br />
Bishop Kevin presented the years of<br />
service and Papal Awards for the 20-year<br />
Bishop Kevin presents Lesley<br />
Bosci with her 35 years of service<br />
award.<br />
Norma Carlon receives her award<br />
from Fr Peter Williams for teaching<br />
the whole school in the Megalong<br />
Valley for the past 25 years.<br />
recipients. The Chair of the CCD Advisory<br />
Board, Fr Ian McGinnity, presented<br />
Graduate Certificates to Level 3 personnel.<br />
This year, parishes have also been<br />
supported by students from 18 <strong>Catholic</strong><br />
secondary schools. More than 500 students<br />
are involved in teaching and supporting<br />
SRE parish teams.<br />
These young people are a wonderful<br />
resource for the parishes and a great help<br />
to experienced SREs and certainly the<br />
students in state primary schools.<br />
Paul Worthington will retire as CCD<br />
Director on 18 December. He was lavish<br />
in his praise for members of the diocesan<br />
Fr Ian McGinnity with Level 3 award recipients.<br />
CCD Team for their wonderful work as a<br />
servant ministry to the parishes.<br />
It was excellent to see four CCD<br />
Regional Coordinators receive service<br />
awards for their commitment to their own<br />
parishes.<br />
Celebrating the Journey<br />
Diocesan Development Fund<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> Diocese of Parramatta<br />
Supporting the<br />
growing needs of the<br />
institutions and agencies within<br />
the <strong>Catholic</strong> Diocese of Parramatta<br />
www.parra.catholic.org.au/ddf<br />
St Patrick’s Cathedral<br />
on Sunday<br />
20 <strong>September</strong><br />
at 11am<br />
Open to all married couples and<br />
their families but with special<br />
acknowledgement to those<br />
couples who have significant<br />
wedding anniversaries<br />
of 25 years and over.<br />
The Diocesan Administrator,<br />
Very Rev Peter Williams, will<br />
be the Principal Celebrant<br />
for the Mass and will<br />
host lunch afterwards.<br />
Disclosure Statement<br />
The Diocesan Development Fund <strong>Catholic</strong> Diocese of Parramatta (DDF) is not subject to the provisions of the Corporation Act 2001 nor has it been examined or approved<br />
by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.<br />
Deposits with the DDF are guaranteed by CDPF Limited, a company established by the Australian <strong>Catholic</strong> Bishops Conference for this purpose.<br />
We welcome your investment with the DDF rather than with a profit oriented commercial organisation as a conscious commitment by you to support the Charitable,<br />
Religious and Educational works of the <strong>Catholic</strong> Church.<br />
Neither the DDF nor the Trustees of the Roman <strong>Catholic</strong> Church for the Diocese of Parramatta are prudentially supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority;<br />
contributions to the DDF do not obtain the benefit of the depositor protection provisions of the Banking Act 1959; the DDF is designed for investors who wish to promote<br />
the charitable purposes of the DDF.<br />
Couples celebrating<br />
anniversaries of 25, 30, 35,<br />
40, 45, 50 years and over will<br />
receive a certificate of blessing.<br />
Please register by 12 <strong>September</strong> through your Parish Secretary<br />
or contact <strong>Catholic</strong>Care Social Services<br />
tel (02) 9933 0222 or email marriage@ccss.org.au<br />
8 <strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong> | SEPTEMBER <strong>2015</strong><br />
www.parra.catholic.org.au @parracatholic facebook.com/parracatholic
Great resources for parishes and groups to<br />
advance God’s mission! By Fr Paul Roberts – Institute for Mission, Blacktown<br />
Pastoral Plan goals<br />
DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLAN<br />
Many will be familiar with Faith in<br />
Our Future, the Diocese of Parramatta’s<br />
Pastoral Plan. It was the result of extensive<br />
consultation led by Fr Paul Marshall and<br />
Daniel Ang.<br />
Daniel then contributed so richly for us as<br />
Director of Pastoral Planning until his recent<br />
move to assist our neighbouring Diocese of<br />
Broken Bay.<br />
We look forward to the arrival of Richard<br />
McMahon on 28 <strong>September</strong>. Richard will<br />
work with us in the key role of Director of<br />
Pastoral Planning and Implementation.<br />
In the meantime, the Pastoral Plan continues<br />
where it belongs, in the hands and hearts<br />
of those in grassroots ministry in our<br />
communities in the Diocese. Its five key broad<br />
goals or pastoral priorities, in summary, are:<br />
Goal 1 – Supporting family life<br />
Goal 2 – Connecting better with the young<br />
Goal 3 – Building upon our ethnic diversity<br />
Goal 4 – Growing and supporting laity and<br />
clergy<br />
Goal 5 – New Evangelisation<br />
FORMING<br />
THEYoung<br />
&<br />
Church Adult<br />
A PARISH RESOURCE<br />
IN SUPPORT OF<br />
GOALS 2 AND 4 OF<br />
‘Faith in Our Future<br />
2014-2018’<br />
GOAL 2 – CONNECTING BETTER WITH THE YOUNG<br />
GOAL 4 – GROWING AND SUPPORTING LAITY AND CLERGY<br />
Connecting Better with the Young<br />
Invite and support youth and young adults to grow in holiness and to become<br />
leading participants in the renewal of society and the Church by living their faith<br />
with commitment and enthusiasm.<br />
A superb resource collection to<br />
help us is here!<br />
Earlier in the year, helped by his parttime<br />
staff of Margaret and Lindsay, Daniel<br />
prepared a major collection of resource links<br />
and suggestions to support Goals 2 and 4<br />
of the Pastoral Plan. He drafted this into a<br />
resource book entitled Forming the Young and<br />
Adult Church.<br />
A number of the diocesan agencies, especially<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> Youth Parramatta and the Office for<br />
Worship, were hugely helpful in contributing<br />
ideas to the resource book.<br />
As well, many clergy and ministry leaders<br />
contributed recommendations from their<br />
pastoral experience. We recently took it<br />
on at the Diocese’s Institute for Mission at<br />
Blacktown to do the finishing touches to the<br />
resource book and arrange for its publishing.<br />
If you scan through the pages of the resource<br />
book, you’ll see plenty of evidence of the<br />
ministry, energy and best practice that<br />
is being exercised through the Church’s<br />
networks to connect people and faith.<br />
It contains a wide spectrum of offerings from<br />
youth ministry and leadership formation to<br />
prayer and liturgy support to ideas for faith<br />
formation, RCIA, seniors’ ministry, pastoral<br />
councils and bereavement care.<br />
Fostering a sense of belonging<br />
Youth groups present an opportunity to develop fellowship among our <strong>Catholic</strong><br />
youth and foster within them a sense of belonging to parish community.<br />
The first one related to Goals 1 and 5 and was entitled Welcome and<br />
Evangelise. For parishes or groups who would also like more of that first<br />
resource book, contact us at the Institute for Mission on (02) 9831 4911.<br />
Getting the new resource book to parishes and groups<br />
This month, our small team from the Institute for Mission is visiting<br />
every parish in the Diocese. We’ll hand deliver a bundle of the new<br />
resource books, Forming the Young and Adult Church, for use by parish<br />
teams and ministry group leaders.<br />
During these visits we also look forward to sharing outlines of the<br />
current and upcoming initiatives of the Institute for Mission to support<br />
the work and goals of parishes. Other groups keen to receive the new<br />
resource book are welcome to contact us on (02) 9831 4911.<br />
Growing and Supporting Laity and Clergy<br />
Provide lifelong support for laity in their vocations, and grow and support our<br />
priestly vocations as well, provide opportunities for faith formation, and encourage<br />
the development of pastoral leadership in service to our common mission<br />
as the People of God.<br />
The biggest problem for parishes and groups<br />
will be how to limit the number of resources<br />
and new ideas they access and use, as the<br />
opportunities suggested are many indeed.<br />
This new resource book is the second one<br />
available to support the Pastoral Plan.<br />
Contact us at the IFM<br />
Fr Paul Roberts and the team at the Institute for Mission<br />
can be contacted on (02) 9831 4911.<br />
Called to live the mission of the Church<br />
‘Parish Pastoral Councils are councils of the whole church,<br />
where priests, religious, church workers and laity all come together<br />
and give leadership to the parish as it discerns its call to<br />
live the mission of the Church in these times in this community.’<br />
www.parra.catholic.org.au @parracatholic facebook.com/parracatholic<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong> | SEPTEMBER <strong>2015</strong> 9
<strong>2015</strong> FATHER’S DAY APPEAL<br />
CARING FOR THOSE WHO CARED: Your support for retired and sick priests<br />
By Elizabeth McFarlane<br />
Your priest has been at some of your<br />
most memorable and meaningful<br />
family events. They were there when<br />
you married. They were there when your<br />
child was baptised. They were there when<br />
you lost loved ones. They were there every<br />
Sunday, watching your family grow, not<br />
just in number but also in faith.<br />
Priests often reflect on the honour<br />
that comes from being a witness to such<br />
significant moments. The Diocesan<br />
Administrator, Very Rev Peter Williams,<br />
reflected, “As priests it is a privilege for us<br />
to be able to share in the joyful moments<br />
of your lives and to be with you in times of<br />
heartache and sadness.”<br />
But what happens when a priest<br />
retires? What happens when a priest<br />
becomes sick? They have been a part<br />
of your family for so long and in their<br />
retirement and through their sickness and<br />
age, they can still remain a part of your<br />
family.<br />
Last year you gave more than $195,000<br />
to support the retired priests and sick<br />
clergy of the Diocese through the Father’s<br />
Day Appeal. There are 27 Parramatta<br />
clergy who are currently retired – two<br />
bishops, 23 priests and two deacons.<br />
Your donation helps them cover<br />
healthcare costs and expenses associated<br />
with everyday living, supplementing the<br />
pension that some receive.<br />
“The appeal is a way of acknowledging<br />
the priests who have ministered<br />
throughout our Diocese over many years,<br />
but who are now in need of our assistance,”<br />
Fr Peter said.<br />
Parishioners continue to inspire<br />
Fr Mick O’Callaghan<br />
A<br />
priest for almost 40 years, Fr<br />
Mick O’Callaghan said he has<br />
been sustained in his faith by<br />
parishioners who continue to inspire him<br />
with their inherent goodness.<br />
“Parish ministry is the greatest joy of<br />
my life as it enables me to touch and be<br />
touched by people from all walks of life,”<br />
he said. “Every day is different and so,<br />
often, the best laid plans are thwarted by<br />
an unexpected visitor or event.”<br />
At the age of 73, Fr Mick is<br />
transitioning to retirement and is currently<br />
Administrator of Our Lady of the Way<br />
Parish at Emu Plains.<br />
Reflecting on his vocation journey,<br />
Fr Mick said his parents were great role<br />
models in ensuring that the <strong>Catholic</strong> faith<br />
played a significant part in family life.<br />
“There was always weekly Mass, the<br />
rosary (especially in May and October)<br />
and frequent visits by the parish priest for<br />
family meals,” he said.<br />
“In my early teens I considered<br />
priesthood and it was a persistent thought<br />
over many years.<br />
“When I was in high school, Sr Adrian<br />
RSM was a great influence in my life.<br />
She posed the idea of priesthood and<br />
encouraged an interest in the Carmelites as<br />
her brother was a member of that order. Sr<br />
Adrian remained a family friend until her<br />
death.”<br />
After leaving school he worked in<br />
banking and studied accountancy. While<br />
living in Melbourne he was active in the<br />
YCW and in the Victorian <strong>Catholic</strong> Lawn<br />
Tennis Association.<br />
“Despite having a great social life, I<br />
always felt drawn to the priesthood. In my<br />
20s I made contact with the Carmelites<br />
and eventually joined them in 1971,” Fr<br />
Mick said.<br />
His first five years of priesthood were<br />
involved as Vocation Director and Youth<br />
Minister, which gave him great insights<br />
into the lives of young people.<br />
“I worked with a number of religious<br />
orders running retreats and discernment<br />
weekends for high school pupils and<br />
university students,” he said.<br />
In 1986, Fr Mick approached Bishop<br />
Bede Heather regarding the possibility of<br />
transferring from the Carmelites to being<br />
a priest of the newly formed Diocese of<br />
Parramatta.<br />
Fr Mick said that in his gentle manner,<br />
Bishop Bede guided him through a process<br />
of transfer and in 1987 accepted him as<br />
member of the diocesan priesthood and<br />
appointed him to Our Lady of Lourdes<br />
Parish at Seven Hills.<br />
“We are blessed to have many clergy<br />
aged over 65 still in active ministry. It is<br />
also true that in the near future, many of<br />
them will need our support.”<br />
The retired and sick clergy of our<br />
Diocese have served our community well<br />
and can continue to do so with your help.<br />
They are grateful for your support now and<br />
in the future.<br />
Last financial year, the Clergy Support<br />
Foundation spent about $500,000 caring<br />
for the needs of these retired priests. The<br />
Foundation also spent just over $90,000<br />
in preparing for the future retirement of<br />
clergy, of whom about 10 may be seeking<br />
to retire over the next five years.<br />
There are units under construction for<br />
retired priests and seminarians, which will<br />
be located next to Holy Spirit Seminary in<br />
Fr Mick O’Callaghan and seminarian Joe Murphy inspect construction of the new units at Harris Park with site<br />
manager Josh Haymen. Photo: Alfred Boudib.<br />
Subsequently, Fr Mick has served<br />
in the parishes of Leura, Richmond,<br />
Baulkham Hills and now Emu Plains.<br />
Fr Mick said the scourge of clerical<br />
sexual abuse had caused huge changes in<br />
the Church and in a priest’s relationship<br />
with the people. “I find this very sad. I<br />
love children and have always had a good<br />
relationship with them,” he said.<br />
“In my early years of priestly ministry<br />
there was much more trust, openness and<br />
freedom to be yourself amongst the young<br />
people – and people in general.”<br />
As he approaches retirement Fr Mick<br />
said he tends to stay in his comfort zone<br />
rather than be challenged with new<br />
ideas. “This is frustrating as I have always<br />
considered myself a bit radical.”<br />
Harris Park.<br />
The retired priest building will consist<br />
of nine rooms with two bedrooms and two<br />
bathrooms, basement parking, a chapel<br />
and a common lounge area.<br />
The seminary accommodation will<br />
consist of 22 studio apartments, dining<br />
room, library, common lounge, outdoor<br />
entertaining area, extensive landscaping<br />
and parking.<br />
Construction is scheduled for<br />
completion in April 2016.<br />
Donations to the Father’s Day Appeal<br />
can be made through the envelopes<br />
available from your parish or online at:<br />
www.csfparra.org.au<br />
Donations of $2 or more are tax<br />
deductible.<br />
He hopes to have more time for<br />
reading, listening to classical music and<br />
attending the opera.<br />
Fr Mick’s favourite passages from<br />
Scripture are the parable of the ‘Prodigal<br />
Son’ and Jesus’ encounter with the<br />
‘Woman at the Well’. “They show God’s allencompassing<br />
love in action. My favourite<br />
hymn is Here I Am Lord.”<br />
But priests never really retire, and Fr<br />
Mick will celebrate Mass whenever called<br />
on and hopes to stay in touch with many<br />
of the parishioners he has come to know<br />
over the years.<br />
Asked for advice to men contemplating<br />
priesthood, he said: “Give it a go. Nothing<br />
ventured – nothing gained!”<br />
theLMent.com<br />
Our retired Priests have always been a part of<br />
your FAMILY,<br />
in your celebrations, unions,<br />
happiness & sadness<br />
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA CLERGY SUPPORT FOUNDATION<br />
In their retirement,<br />
they can still remain a part of your<br />
FAMILY<br />
CARING FOR THOSE WHO CARED<br />
Please support our sick and<br />
retired Priests through the Clergy<br />
Support Foundation.<br />
Donations are welcome at any<br />
time – amounts of $2 or more are<br />
tax deductible.<br />
If you are preparing or changing<br />
a Will you may consider<br />
bequeathing a donation to the<br />
Foundation.<br />
For more information please call<br />
(02) 9639 0598 or donate online<br />
at www.parra.catholic.org.au<br />
10 <strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong> | SEPTEMBER <strong>2015</strong><br />
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CARING FOR THOSE WHO CARED<br />
THE FATHER’S DAY APPEAL FOR RETIRED AND SICK PRIESTS<br />
SATURDAY 5 & SUNDAY 6 SEPTEMBER <strong>2015</strong><br />
They have always been a part of<br />
your FAMILY,<br />
in your celebrations, unions, happiness & sadness<br />
In their retirement,<br />
they can still remain a part of your<br />
FAMILY<br />
Please give generously<br />
Donations to the Father’s Day<br />
Appeal will help to ensure that our<br />
‘spiritual fathers’ are cared for in<br />
their retirement. We know that you<br />
are most grateful for the dedicated<br />
ministry of our priests and that you<br />
want to see them properly housed and<br />
looked after. So please give generously<br />
to the Father’s Day Appeal.<br />
How to support the Father’s<br />
Day Appeal for Retired and Sick<br />
Priests<br />
EITHER add the appeal envelope with the<br />
details of your contribution to the special<br />
Father’s Day collection.<br />
OR, if you are unable to make a contribution on<br />
Father’s Day, ask your parish office for an appeal<br />
envelope and post your donation to the Clergy<br />
Support Foundation, PO Box 702, Baulkham Hills<br />
BC, NSW, 1755.<br />
To make a donation online please visit www.csfparra.org.au<br />
BEQUESTS<br />
If you are preparing or changing a will you may<br />
consider bequeathing a donation to the Foundation.<br />
Ask your solicitor or executor to telephone the<br />
Clergy Support Foundation on (02) 9639 0598.<br />
theLMent.com<br />
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong> | SEPTEMBER <strong>2015</strong> 11<br />
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CATHOLIC EDUCATION www.parra.catholic.edu.au @<strong>Catholic</strong>EdParra facebook.com/<strong>Catholic</strong>EdParra<br />
Faith and<br />
action<br />
STEM<br />
from<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong><br />
education<br />
At our recent Priests, Principals and RECs Forum, we<br />
had the opportunity to listen to the Archbishop of<br />
Vancouver, Most Rev Michael J Miller CSB, speak about<br />
the future of <strong>Catholic</strong> schools.<br />
During this address, Archbishop Miller shared a powerful<br />
statement from Pope Francis to Jesuit teachers and<br />
alumnae in 2013: “I also want to encourage you<br />
educators to seek new unconventional forms of<br />
education so as to comply with the needs of places,<br />
times and people. This is important. Always go a step<br />
further and never be satisfied with conventional things.”<br />
When Archbishop Miller went on to call for “boldness,<br />
creativity and courage” in <strong>Catholic</strong> education, my mind<br />
immediately turned to a new project we have announced<br />
at the Sydney Science Park in Luddenham.<br />
We will be establishing an innovative new STEM school<br />
inside the Science Park, which will offer students<br />
unprecedented learning opportunities in Science,<br />
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.<br />
So how does STEM relate to <strong>Catholic</strong> education?<br />
American presidential candidate Rick Santorum recently<br />
dismissed Pope Francis’ leadership on climate change<br />
with the comment that the Church should leave “science<br />
to the scientists”.<br />
Mr Santorum was quickly reminded that Pope Francis<br />
is a university graduate in Chemistry. Not only does<br />
the Holy Father draw on scientific learning in his<br />
recent papal encyclical Laudato Si’, he advocates for<br />
environmental education for young people.<br />
I’m excited about the growth of STEM education, and<br />
the Sydney Science Park project in particular, because<br />
STEM education is about problem solving: education in<br />
action.<br />
Pope Francis in his encyclical, The Joy of the Gospel, said<br />
“there can be no true evangelisation without the explicit<br />
proclamation of Jesus as Lord”. He also said that the very<br />
essence of evangelisation is bringing Jesus to those we<br />
meet in the every day.<br />
“It has to do with bringing the Gospel to the people<br />
we meet, whether they be our neighbours or complete<br />
strangers … constantly ready to bring the love of Jesus<br />
to others, and this can happen unexpectedly and in any<br />
place: on the street, in a city square, during work, on a<br />
journey.”<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> schools offer opportunities for young people to put faith into action.<br />
A deep dive into formation<br />
By Kim Brownlie<br />
Across the <strong>Catholic</strong> Diocese of Parramatta, schools and parishes have<br />
partnered with diocesan agencies to focus on the evangelisation of young<br />
people and support the formation of students.<br />
The first session had an unexpected 150 students attend<br />
and the initiative has had a profound effect on the<br />
personal formation of the students.<br />
St Mark’s School Captain, Alex Surdich, said the youth<br />
group was an opportunity to connect with students from<br />
across the school.<br />
“Youth group is not centred towards a certain year group,<br />
it’s different individuals from different year groups<br />
professing their faith and sharing how they got to that<br />
journey,” Alex said. “Everyone’s faith journey is different.”<br />
As Archbishop Miller reflected on curriculum, he spoke<br />
with passion about the study of Science from a <strong>Catholic</strong><br />
worldview. I’d like to think of <strong>Catholic</strong> STEM education<br />
as faith and education in action, an opportunity to lead<br />
on what Archbishop Miller called “the complementarity<br />
of faith and reason”.<br />
The NSW Minister for Planning, Rob Stokes MP,<br />
announced the approval of the first stage of the project,<br />
which will see this semi-rural spot hold 3400 homes,<br />
12,000 high-skilled jobs and places for approximately<br />
10,000 students, including those to be enrolled at the<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> STEM school.<br />
As Western Sydney has some of the highest youth<br />
unemployment rates in Australia, the <strong>Catholic</strong> STEM<br />
school is an innovative way to meet a community need<br />
for pathways to employment, particularly in the areas of<br />
Science and Mathematics.<br />
The Sydney Science Park school is just one of a number<br />
of projects we will be developing in the coming years<br />
that will enable new models of schooling to support the<br />
needs of today’s learners and the community.<br />
It is part of our response to the call from Archbishop<br />
Miller to be bold, creative and courageous.<br />
Greg Whitby<br />
Executive Director of Schools<br />
@gregwhitby<br />
blog: bluyonder.wordpress.com<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> schools play a key role with families and parishes<br />
to offer opportunities for young people to deepen and<br />
explore their faith and to put their faith into action. Here<br />
are some of many formation initiatives across the Diocese.<br />
St Mark’s Youth Group<br />
The <strong>Catholic</strong> Learning Community of St John XXIII,<br />
Stanhope Gardens, is uniquely placed where the primary<br />
school and college accommodates for the evangelisation<br />
of students from Kindergarten through to Year 12.<br />
The students of St Mark’s <strong>Catholic</strong> College, Stanhope<br />
Gardens, the secondary school within the learning<br />
community, has started an initiative that invites students<br />
from Years 7-12 to join youth group to support social<br />
justice activities.<br />
Leading the initiative in his first year of teaching is<br />
Anthony Ndaira, who said the youth group started in<br />
Term 2 and offered students the opportunity to talk about<br />
the ‘big questions’ in life and to help students deepen their<br />
personal formation.<br />
“When we evaluated where the students were at in their<br />
spiritual journey, we thought a youth group would act as<br />
the hands and feet of social justice in the school and help<br />
students deepen their faith,” Anthony said.<br />
Year 11 student Chloe Nguyen said although her faith was<br />
already strong, she wanted to discuss her faith in a group<br />
setting with other people experiencing the same journey.<br />
“It was a chance for me to open up about my beliefs and<br />
to be with others who are also on the same page as me,”<br />
Chloe said. “In this day and age, it’s hard to talk about<br />
things like faith with others who don’t experience it or<br />
who don’t feel the same way.”<br />
Anthony said that although the initiative was still in its<br />
infancy, the future of youth group was bright. “What it<br />
needs to have in the future is the idea that it will always<br />
continue to unite people from Years 7-12 and the teachers;<br />
it brings the school together,” he said.<br />
“Another part of the future is to train up young people<br />
specifically to be leaders of ministry in the school to help<br />
sustain the movement in the school in the long term, we<br />
want them to be agents for change.”<br />
Encounter pilot program<br />
The Encounter Student Leadership pilot program<br />
commenced this year in Our Lady of Queen Peace<br />
Parish, Greystanes. The program is a joint initiative<br />
of <strong>Catholic</strong> Education and <strong>Catholic</strong> Youth Parramatta<br />
(CYP) with students attending three Saturday events<br />
and a commissioning ceremony at Campion College,<br />
Toongabbie.<br />
12 <strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong> | SEPTEMBER <strong>2015</strong><br />
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CATHOLIC EDUCATION<br />
Students at the commissioning ceremony of the Encounter program.<br />
St Mark’s students participate in their Friday lunchtime youth group initiative.<br />
Encounter was developed as a means of forming<br />
secondary school leaders in a way that helps them learn<br />
more about Jesus Christ as a key model for Christian<br />
leadership.<br />
Year 10 students from Catherine McAuley Westmead,<br />
Cerdon College, Merrylands, Parramatta Marist High,<br />
Westmead, St Pauls <strong>Catholic</strong> College, Greystanes and Our<br />
Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta, who had attended<br />
primary school at Our Lady of Queen Peace Primary,<br />
Greystanes, were invited to be involved in the program.<br />
CYP Director James Camden said Encounter acted as a<br />
stepping-stone for students who wanted to participate<br />
in and attend other youth evangelisation events and<br />
leadership roles in the coming years.<br />
“Encounter opens up opportunities for students to attend<br />
other festivals that are directly tied to the Diocese,”<br />
James said. “We believe the program trains the students<br />
to become leaders either within their school or in the<br />
community.”<br />
Year 10 students from St Pauls <strong>Catholic</strong> College, Lucas<br />
Bertoncelj, Kieren Gerardis and Luigi Vella, said the<br />
program gave them a greater understanding of the<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> faith and taught them how to become leaders<br />
within their own communities.<br />
“I have been part of the parish youth group since I was in<br />
Year 6 and I feel like the parish is looking to me to step up<br />
and become a leader one day,” Kieren said.<br />
“Something I really took away from the program was<br />
‘don’t just say it, be it’ and it is something I want to apply<br />
to my life after Encounter,” Luigi said.<br />
“The more I learned about <strong>Catholic</strong>ism, the more I started<br />
to believe and to see what Jesus did as a leader, and this<br />
showed me how to become a leader,” Lucas said.<br />
The pilot program is being evaluated to see how it will run<br />
in the future.<br />
Special Religious Education<br />
Secondary students from across the Diocese have been<br />
involved in teaching Scripture in government primary<br />
schools as part of the Special Religious Education (SRE)<br />
program for more than 17 years.<br />
The joint initiative with the Confraternity of Christian<br />
Doctrine (CCD) has grown from 50 students in one<br />
school to more than 500 students across 19 schools.<br />
CDD Director Paul Worthington said he hoped more<br />
students would choose to be involved in SRE in the future<br />
and the program would continue to grow.<br />
“I’m hoping students will one day be able to teach SRE in<br />
state secondary schools and not just primary so that they<br />
can do a bit of youth to youth ministry,” Paul said.<br />
Australian <strong>Catholic</strong> Youth Festival<br />
The Australian <strong>Catholic</strong> Youth Festival, established by<br />
the Australian <strong>Catholic</strong> Bishops Conference, is a national<br />
gathering of young people which aims to deepen their<br />
faith and empower them to be evangelisers in their dayto-day<br />
lives.<br />
The festival includes plenary sessions, workshops,<br />
dialogue spaces, prayer experiences, live music and social<br />
justice activities.<br />
It is hoped that 130 young people from the Diocese of<br />
Parramatta will join around 3000 young people from<br />
across Australia at the festival hosted by the Archdiocese<br />
of Adelaide in December.<br />
For more information visit<br />
http://youthfestival.catholic.org.au/<br />
Prayer is a day to day part of the school community.<br />
World Youth Day<br />
In 2016, World Youth Day (WYD) will be held in Krakow,<br />
Poland. Millions of young people from around the world<br />
will join Pope Francis for a week-long festival of faith.<br />
The Diocese of Parramatta is hoping more than 350 young<br />
people aged 16-35 from Western Sydney will attend.<br />
Following on the success of WYD 2013 Rio and<br />
immersion in Lima, Peru, the Diocese will include a<br />
mission immersion experience to the Philippines in the<br />
lead-up to WYD2016.<br />
The immersion to Bohol Island, which was devastated by<br />
an earthquake in 2013, will allow the pilgrims to spend<br />
four days working with young people in schools, parishes<br />
and orphanages.<br />
Following the mission immersion the pilgrims will travel<br />
to Poland for World Youth Day week in Krakow, the<br />
homeland of St John Paul II who founded the first World<br />
Youth Day.<br />
The WYD2016 Coordinator for the Diocese of<br />
Parramatta, Mark Tuffy, said it was a terrific opportunity<br />
for young people to come together to share their faith, to<br />
share the sacraments, to pray, to be involved in liturgy and<br />
to meet the Pope.<br />
“The four-day mission immersion and pilgrimage will be<br />
a cultural exchange of the Filipino and Australian cultures<br />
where there are many differences, but where we all share<br />
the same faith,” Mark said.<br />
“In Krakow, pilgrims will visit a number of shrines,<br />
including the Shrine of Divine Mercy, and will visit<br />
Auschwitz.<br />
“The young pilgrims will visit the concentration camps,<br />
which show the worst of humanity, contrasted with the<br />
best of humanity through their outreach to the Filipino<br />
community and the joy of World Youth Day.”<br />
For more information about WYD2016 visit<br />
http://worldyouthday.com/krakow-2016<br />
For more school news, visit:<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong>EdParra<br />
@<strong>Catholic</strong>EdParra<br />
www.parra.catholic.edu.au<br />
www.parra.catholic.org.au @parracatholic facebook.com/parracatholic<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong> | SEPTEMBER <strong>2015</strong> 13
CATHOLIC EDUCATION www.parra.catholic.edu.au @<strong>Catholic</strong>EdParra facebook.com/<strong>Catholic</strong>EdParra<br />
Principals visit sacred<br />
sites of Australia<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> Educations wins WSABE<br />
award for Excellence in Education<br />
Group photo in front of the church<br />
at the Santa Teresa Mission after<br />
Mass with the community.<br />
Uluru just before sunset.<br />
Principals from across the Diocese<br />
recently embarked on an Australian<br />
pilgrimage, visiting sacred sites<br />
and places of spiritual significance,<br />
including Penola and Uluru.<br />
Pilgrimage Chaplain and<br />
Sacred Heart Parish Westmead<br />
Administrator Fr Walter Fogarty<br />
celebrated Mass at locations<br />
including Mary MacKillop Chapel in<br />
Adelaide and Kata Tjuta (Olgas) in<br />
Central Australia.<br />
Executive Director of Schools Greg<br />
Whitby said the pilgrimage was an<br />
important formation opportunity<br />
for schools’ leaders.<br />
“It’s not only important that we<br />
have excellent educators, but we<br />
need leaders who witness to the<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> world view,” Greg said. “The pilgrimage provided an<br />
opportunity for our schools’ leaders to spend time in prayer and<br />
reflection on how they can best be leaders.”<br />
Mother Teresa Primary, Westmead Principal, Gary Borg,<br />
said the pilgrimage allowed him the opportunity, space and<br />
companionship to understand the life and spirituality of St Mary<br />
MacKillop.<br />
“Through the people we encountered and the stories told,<br />
we began to understand how this ordinary woman lived an<br />
extraordinary life,” Gary said.<br />
Sacred Heart Primary, Westmead Principal, Mary Harb, said<br />
that the pilgrimage reflected the significance that Mary placed<br />
on having fun and being open to whatever life brings us in each<br />
moment.<br />
“During the celebration of Mass in Penola, Fr Walter reflected in<br />
his homily that we must ‘see with the eye of the heart’ and, like<br />
Mary, enjoy ourselves, be happy and above all serve the Lord<br />
with a big heart,” Mary said. “In the busyness of our lives and the<br />
demands of being connected 24/7 we often forget to switch off<br />
and connect with the people around us, to see with the eye of<br />
the heart, to find the joy in every circumstance.<br />
“Everyone has a cross to bear, and while we may feel our crosses<br />
are more difficult at times, we are challenged to have courage, to<br />
trust in the Lord, and like Mary believe in the providence of God.”<br />
Xavier College, Llandilo Principal, Michael Pate, said the journey<br />
was a meaningful formation experience.<br />
“The pilgrimage into the desert allowed me to realise that the<br />
heat of the desert leaves us nowhere to hide and the cold of the<br />
night reminds us that without the constant flow of grace and<br />
divine energy we cannot exist,” Michael said.<br />
“Both St Mary of the Cross and our Aboriginal brothers and<br />
sisters remind us that in the desert we have no option but to let<br />
God be God.”<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> Education WSABE award winners.<br />
At a gala dinner on 14 August, <strong>Catholic</strong> Education<br />
Diocese of Parramatta was recognised with<br />
the award for Excellence in Education at the<br />
prestigious Western Sydney Awards for Business<br />
Excellence (WSABE).<br />
The award nomination highlighted the innovative<br />
and evidence-based practice that teachers<br />
and leaders have embraced, supported by the<br />
use of three high-yield strategies: data walls,<br />
instructional walks and case management. Some<br />
specific examples of innovation highlighted in<br />
the nomination were Parramatta Marist High,<br />
Westmead, and St Monica’s Primary, North<br />
Parramatta’s use of project-based learning<br />
to develop students’ 21st Century skills in<br />
communication, collaboration, critical thinking<br />
and creativity.<br />
Other successes acknowledged in the nomination<br />
were the Delany Connective at Delany College,<br />
Granville, which uses connected and agile spaces<br />
to support a contemporary model of learning and<br />
teaching, Loyola <strong>Catholic</strong> Trade Training Centre’s<br />
innovative careers hub and the Nirimba Education<br />
Precinct, which provides flexible post compulsory<br />
schooling opportunities for students.<br />
McCarthy student recipient of<br />
Rotary Youth Award<br />
McCarthy <strong>Catholic</strong> College,<br />
Emu Plains Year 10 student,<br />
Elayna D’Ermilio.<br />
McCarthy <strong>Catholic</strong><br />
College, Emu Plains,<br />
Year 10 student, Elayna<br />
D’Ermilio, has won<br />
the <strong>2015</strong> Rotary Youth<br />
Community Service<br />
Award.<br />
Elayna has served<br />
the college and local<br />
community through her<br />
involvement in many<br />
activities including teaching Scripture at local<br />
public schools, assisting with Salvation Army<br />
programs and raising money for the Red Cross<br />
appeals.<br />
McCarthy’s Careers Adviser, Craig Laffin, said<br />
Elayna was an extraordinary young Australian who<br />
set a fine example of what it meant to be a part of<br />
the <strong>Catholic</strong> community.<br />
NSW Governor hears stories of<br />
hope at St Thomas Aquinas<br />
His Excellency General the Hon David Hurley AC<br />
DSC (Ret’d), Governor of NSW, accompanied by<br />
Linda Hurley, visited St Thomas Aquinas Primary,<br />
Springwood, on 11 July to speak with students and<br />
families who had lost their homes in the October<br />
2013 bushfires.<br />
NSW Governor David Hurley meets Blue Mountains families.<br />
Governor Hurley said he seized the opportunity to<br />
see first hand how the rebuilding was progressing.<br />
“I really wanted to meet people and hear their own<br />
stories face-to-face,” he said.<br />
St JPII students benefit from HSC<br />
holiday tutorials<br />
St John Paul II Year 12 students undertaking HSC holiday tutorials<br />
with HSC Food Technology Teacher, Melissa Scott.<br />
With HSC trial exams underway and final exams<br />
only months away, the dedicated teachers at St<br />
John Paul II <strong>Catholic</strong> College (StJPII), Nirimba-<br />
Schofields have run 18 HSC holiday tutorials<br />
during the school holidays to help students<br />
prepare.<br />
Since 2010, students have benefited from the<br />
additional assistance and time that StJPII teachers<br />
have offered as these tutorials give students the<br />
opportunity to bring all their questions to the table<br />
and receive study advice to prepare for the HSC<br />
trial exams.<br />
Loyola hosts the chefs of the future<br />
HTN Master Chef, Michael Lopez, demonstrates the spatchcock<br />
chicken competition dish to competitors.<br />
Loyola <strong>Catholic</strong> Trade Training Centre (CTTC),<br />
Mt Druitt, hosted the annual Hospitality Training<br />
Network (HTN) Inter Schools Culinary Challenge<br />
on 18 June. Three student competitors had 90<br />
minutes to replicate the dish of spatchcock<br />
chicken.<br />
The five-hour event was a huge success with all<br />
participants, sponsors, schools and industry<br />
representatives impressed by the unique learning<br />
challenge.<br />
14 <strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong> | SEPTEMBER <strong>2015</strong><br />
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CATHOLICCARE SOCIAL SERVICES<br />
DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA<br />
… providing compassionate, professional and relevant support to the people in our diverse community<br />
SERVICE<br />
SPOTLIGHT<br />
Family & Relationship Counselling<br />
Counselling and support for individuals, couples or families<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong>Care Social Services have a team of friendly qualified social<br />
workers, counsellors and psychologists who are able to listen and<br />
assist you and or your loved ones to work through challenging<br />
times or situations.<br />
Our Family Relationship Service may be useful if any of the below resonate<br />
with you:<br />
• Struggling with couple communication and family issues,<br />
• Thinking of separating from partner due to unresolved issues,<br />
• Parenting issues after separation,<br />
• Personal issues that impact on relationship with partner, family, others,<br />
• Personal issues impacting your employment,<br />
• Support for life transitions such as loss of job, diagnosis of illness,<br />
empty nesters and readjustment,<br />
• Adjusting to parenting together for the first time,<br />
• Struggling to feel safe and trusting in a relationship,<br />
• Unable to resolve family issues,<br />
• Children struggling with parents separation or parent having a new<br />
partner,<br />
• Step parenting issues, family issues, feeling stuck and unable to move on.<br />
Our services are offered from Blacktown,<br />
Parramatta, Penrith, Springwood and Emerton.<br />
Call 02 9933 0222 or email enquiries@ccss.org.au<br />
COURSES<br />
& EVENTS<br />
• Family Bush Dance –<br />
Saturday 19 <strong>September</strong> at<br />
St Thomas Aquinas School<br />
Hall, 168 Hawkesbury Rd<br />
Springwood. Free Sausage<br />
sizzle from 5.30pm.<br />
Dancing 6.30pm – 9.30pm.<br />
• International Day of Older People –Food,<br />
Fun and Socialising 1st October <strong>2015</strong><br />
10am – 4pm 20 Sir Hercules St Bungarribee.<br />
• Problem Gambling Saturday Support<br />
Group – every Saturday 10am – 11.30am.<br />
Allawah St Blacktown. Call 02 8822 2222<br />
• Recover Wellbeing comprising REACH<br />
(Black Dog Accredited 9 week program)<br />
and support groups for people<br />
experiencing mental distress and carer<br />
support groups. Call 02 8822 2222 for<br />
more info.<br />
• Bereavement Support Program – 8<br />
sessions fortnightly from Wednesday 2nd<br />
<strong>September</strong>, St Thomas Aquinas Parish<br />
Centre, 168 Hawskesbury Rd, Springwood<br />
10.30am-12.30pm Cost: $5.00 per session<br />
Register by calling 02 9933 0205 or<br />
email: soloparentservices@ccss.org.au<br />
Volunteers<br />
needed<br />
If you are interested in making a difference<br />
for local services email volunteer@ccss.org.au or<br />
call 02 8822 2222.<br />
At the moment we are eagerly looking for a<br />
second volunteer Bus Driver to take elderly clients<br />
of our Blacktown Neighbour Aid Service to and<br />
from various activities.<br />
WIN!<br />
Can you recommend a great family/<br />
child friendly app, book or movie?<br />
Please email support@ccss.org.au to be eligible<br />
to win 1 x $30 Event Cinema gift voucher.<br />
We will announce the winner in the October edition.<br />
Our SEPTEMBER winner ...<br />
Congratulations to Dominick who recommended<br />
Evan the Almighty. “The family had some laughs and learned some<br />
lessons like spending time together and supporting each other<br />
through ups and downs”.<br />
• Post Separation Recovery Program –<br />
7 consecutive Wednesday nights:<br />
21st October to 2nd December <strong>2015</strong><br />
7:30pm - 9:45pm at DAC 1-5 Marion<br />
Street, Blacktown. Fee $80.00. Register<br />
by calling 02 9933 0205 or email:<br />
soloparentservices@ccss.org.au<br />
Parramatta: (02) 9933 0222 Blacktown: (02) 8822 2222 Springwood: (02) 4751 4956<br />
Visit www.ccss.org.au<br />
www.parra.catholic.org.au @parracatholic facebook.com/parracatholic<br />
www.facebook.com/CCSSParramatta<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong> | SEPTEMBER <strong>2015</strong> 15
CATHOLIC YOUTH<br />
‘Made For Each Other’<br />
explores authentic love<br />
By Madeline Arnold<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong>YouthParra @cyp_parra @cyp_parra<br />
Live webcasting of<br />
youth festival sessions<br />
By Rebecca DiGirolamo<br />
The day was an opportunity to share personal insights and experiences.<br />
On the Feast of the Assumption<br />
last month, about 20 young<br />
people from across the Diocese<br />
of Parramatta and beyond gathered at the<br />
Institute for Mission in Blacktown to take<br />
part in ‘Made For Each Other’.<br />
This day-long seminar on 15 August<br />
was organised by the diocesan Family<br />
& Life Office and focussed on the<br />
complementarity of man and woman.<br />
The program was centred on six<br />
short films from the Humanum series,<br />
supported by the Congregation for the<br />
Doctrine of the Faith and co-sponsored by<br />
the Pontifical Council for the Family, and<br />
others.<br />
The dignity and beauty of the family<br />
and marriage was at the forefront of<br />
discussion.<br />
The day began with prayer, followed<br />
by a screening of each film combined with<br />
small and large group discussion. This was<br />
a great opportunity to hear other young<br />
people’s views and thoughts about the<br />
concepts touched on in the films, and to<br />
share personal insights and experiences.<br />
Fr Benedict Mackenzie FSF celebrated<br />
Mass and gave a homily about what Mary’s<br />
Assumption tells us about the value and<br />
dignity of the human person and what this<br />
means for the body.<br />
The youth were blessed to hear some<br />
insights and wisdom about married life<br />
from Ben Smith and Annabelle Bhandoo<br />
from the Family & Life Office.<br />
Those participating in the seminar<br />
heard about how the dignity of the body<br />
has been degraded by society and the<br />
consequences of this in light of how we are<br />
made in God’s image and likeness and how<br />
the body is an outward expression of the<br />
human person.<br />
At the end of the day, Chris Da Silva<br />
and Frances Hopkins from The Culture<br />
Project spoke about their mission to<br />
restore culture through advocacy of life<br />
and love.<br />
Chris and Frances explained the<br />
difference between ‘solid love’ and ‘liquid<br />
love’, a concept touched on in the films,<br />
and shared personal insights into their role<br />
in upholding this idea of authentic love in<br />
today’s culture.<br />
All the participants went home with a<br />
deeper understanding of the beauty and<br />
dignity of every human, how to love others<br />
with a ‘solid love’ and the beauty of the<br />
complementarity of man and woman.<br />
As part of a broader plan for<br />
engagement of young people in the<br />
Church, the Diocese of Parramatta<br />
will facilitate the involvement of up to<br />
100 young adults to attend the Australian<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> Youth Festival (ACYF) to be held in<br />
Adelaide from 3-6 December.<br />
The rapid pick-up of new social media<br />
applications by <strong>Catholic</strong> youth is playing a<br />
major part in the coordination, planning and<br />
delivery of the festival.<br />
Project Manager for the Australian<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> Bishops Conference (ACBC) Office<br />
for Youth, Gabrielle Sinclair, said over the<br />
past five years social media had become an<br />
essential part of communicating any event,<br />
particularly to young people.<br />
The ACYF in Adelaide will be the first<br />
of the ACBC-sponsored events to stream<br />
live radio. This will be in addition to live<br />
webcasting of the plenary sessions.<br />
Gabrielle said the official hashtag<br />
#ACYF15 would be used to encourage youth<br />
to search for friends and post live during the<br />
festival. An event app is also being developed.<br />
Youth can follow the conference @<br />
ACBCYouthMin on three platforms:<br />
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Social<br />
media will be used to communicate special<br />
announcements and feature particular<br />
elements of the festival.<br />
Radio broadcaster and journalist Gianna<br />
Gianna Lucas will<br />
be coordinating live<br />
radio streaming for<br />
ArchD Radio at the<br />
Festival.<br />
Lucas will coordinate and co-present live<br />
internet streaming of Adelaide’s ArchD Radio<br />
program at ACYF <strong>2015</strong>.<br />
She will head a team of <strong>Catholic</strong> youth to<br />
plan interviews and special guest appearances<br />
before a live audience at the Adelaide<br />
Convention Centre over the three-day event.<br />
“Live streaming is perfect for people who<br />
cannot get to the festival,” she said. “They<br />
might be working in Adelaide or interstate<br />
and so in this way they can be right among<br />
those at the festival just by tuning in on their<br />
laptop or smartphone. It’s a great initiative.”<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> Youth Parramatta has secured<br />
beds at the Mercure and Ibis Hotel across<br />
the road from the venue. <strong>Catholic</strong> Education<br />
Diocese of Parramatta has secured a similar<br />
number at the Adelaide YHA for Year 10<br />
students.<br />
Young adults from the parishes of<br />
Baulkham Hills, Blacktown, Castle Hill,<br />
Granville, Greystanes, Harris Park, Lalor<br />
Park, Marayong and Mt Druitt have already<br />
reserved beds in these sponsored rooms.<br />
Young adults and priests in the Diocese of<br />
Parramatta who would like more information<br />
about the festival can contact CYP Director<br />
James Camden tel (02) 8838 3428, JCamden@<br />
parra.catholic.org.au<br />
More info about ACYF is available at:<br />
http://youthfestival.catholic.org.au/<br />
Saturday 12 Sept<br />
8.30 – 4pm<br />
Strathfield Campus<br />
25A Barker Rd Strathfield<br />
www.acu.edu.au/openday<br />
CRICOS registered provider: 00004G<br />
16 <strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong> | SEPTEMBER <strong>2015</strong><br />
www.parra.catholic.org.au @parracatholic facebook.com/parracatholic
Citation of Merit for Youth: from left, Very Rev Bob Bossini, Troy Gordon, Bishop Emeritus Kevin Manning, Christina Asimus, Very Rev Peter<br />
Williams, Lisa Hoban, Julia Hoban, Rev Chris de Souza, Walker Falemaota Aloiai and Michael Constantine Setefano. Photo: Alfred Boudib.<br />
Mr Walker Falemaota Aloiai<br />
For his commitment to the<br />
Youth of Parramatta through<br />
his work in the Parramatta<br />
Young Christian Workers and<br />
Students movements. While at<br />
Loyola Senior High, Mt Druitt,<br />
he created the Dei Gratia Group<br />
with a mandate to serve the<br />
community.<br />
Miss Christina Asimus<br />
St Michael’s Parish, Baulkham<br />
Hills: For her tireless work,<br />
planning and coordinating<br />
parish youth ministries.<br />
Mr Troy Gordon<br />
St Finbar’s Parish, Glenbrook:<br />
For his dedication to parish<br />
Youth and Music Ministries,<br />
from his early days as a member<br />
to being a leader of these<br />
groups.<br />
Miss Julia Hoban<br />
Christ the King Parish, North<br />
Rocks: She continues to set<br />
an example for the youth<br />
through her Music Ministry and<br />
charitable activities.<br />
Miss Lisa Hoban<br />
Christ the King Parish,<br />
North Rocks: For her tireless<br />
involvement in Youth and Young<br />
Adults groups, Music Ministry<br />
and SRE classes.<br />
Mr Anthony Mackett<br />
St Anthony of Padua Parish,<br />
Toongabbie: For his constant<br />
dedication to the parish, first<br />
as a member and now leading<br />
the Youth Music and Liturgical<br />
ministries.<br />
Mr Michael Constantine<br />
Setefano<br />
Good Shepherd Parish,<br />
Plumpton: For his commitment<br />
to youth through his work<br />
in the Parramatta Young<br />
Christian Workers and Students<br />
movements. While at Loyola<br />
Senior High, Mt Druitt, he<br />
created the Dei Gratia Group<br />
with Walker Falemaota Aloiai.<br />
DIOCESAN HONOURS<br />
It’s an honour – celebrating our diocesan award winners<br />
<strong>2015</strong> Citation of Merit for Youth recipients<br />
<strong>2015</strong> Certificate of<br />
Recognition recipients<br />
Mr Derrick Slade<br />
Holy Spirit Parish, St Clair:<br />
For his quiet generosity to<br />
the parish, behind the scenes<br />
over many years, offering his<br />
professional services and advice<br />
as an electrician.<br />
<strong>2015</strong> Diocesan Medal of<br />
Honour recipients<br />
Mrs Felicitas Apparthurai<br />
St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish,<br />
Parramatta: For her unceasing<br />
commitment to parish for nearly<br />
40 years. Her kindness and<br />
service have touched the lives<br />
of many.<br />
Sr Monica Armstrong SGS<br />
St Matthew’s Parish, Windsor,<br />
and St Thomas Aquinas<br />
Parish, Springwood: For her<br />
compassion and dedication to<br />
her parish of St Matthew’s in<br />
Windsor and St Thomas Aquinas<br />
Primary School in Springwood.<br />
Mrs Vicki Baiada<br />
St Anthony of Padua Parish,<br />
Toongabbie: For her active<br />
participation in the parish since<br />
its inception. From when she<br />
was a young child with her<br />
family, Vicki’s involvement has<br />
continued through her youth to<br />
the present as a parent.<br />
CONTINUED ON PAGE 18<br />
Put those you love in the hands<br />
of those who care<br />
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We welcome:<br />
School self run retreats<br />
Staff spirituality days<br />
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Church groups<br />
Professional groups<br />
Sporting groups<br />
Reflective groups<br />
Special occasions<br />
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Website: www.winbourne.org Address: 1315 Mulgoa Road, Mulgoa, NSW, 2745<br />
OOf all life’s celebrations<br />
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We prefer to place our trust and<br />
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At least that’s what Sydney families look for<br />
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As the funeral liturgy expresses faith, it also<br />
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(02) 9519 5344<br />
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AUSTRALIAN OWNED<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong> | SEPTEMBER <strong>2015</strong> 17
DIOCESAN HONOURS<br />
Mrs Patricia Barry<br />
Our Lady of the Rosary Parish,<br />
Kellyville: For her contribution<br />
as a catechist, sacristan<br />
and member of the parish<br />
community over many years.<br />
Mrs Constance Bennett<br />
Our Lady of the Way<br />
Parish, Emu Plains: For her<br />
compassionate dedication<br />
spanning nearly 40 years,<br />
Connie has been active in the<br />
primary school and parish life.<br />
Mr Joseph Butler<br />
Our Lady Queen of Peace<br />
Parish, Greystanes: For more<br />
than 40 years, he has been<br />
a generous and dedicated<br />
presence at the parish, in<br />
particular for members of the<br />
Sudanese community and those<br />
who are struggling.<br />
Mr Louis Camenzuli<br />
Our Lady Queen of Peace<br />
Parish, Greystanes: For his<br />
involvement in the parish<br />
since its foundation; Lou has<br />
participated in committees,<br />
co-ordinated marriage<br />
preparation courses and given<br />
of his professional building<br />
experience.<br />
Mrs Wilhelmina de Raadt<br />
St Thomas Aquinas Parish,<br />
Springwood: For her active<br />
dedication in the parish for<br />
many years; she has always<br />
been willing to take on<br />
additional catechism classes and<br />
participate in parish life.<br />
Mrs Maria Loretta Doohan<br />
Our Lady of the Way Parish,<br />
Emu Plains: For her commitment<br />
to the parish for more than<br />
40 years, Laurie has been a<br />
dedicated catechist and minister<br />
to the sick.<br />
Mr Edward Duffy<br />
Our Lady Queen of Peace<br />
Parish, Greystanes: For his<br />
conscientious care of the parish<br />
for more than 20 years; Ted has<br />
cared for the parishioners in<br />
their Baptism preparations, the<br />
parish grounds and as a member<br />
of various committees.<br />
Mrs Margaret Edmunds<br />
St Nicholas of Myra Parish,<br />
Penrith: For more than 40<br />
years Margaret Edmunds<br />
has contributed to Liturgical,<br />
Pastoral and Eucharistic<br />
ministries.<br />
Mr Brian Arthur Flynn<br />
Our Lady of Mount Carmel<br />
Parish, Wentworthville: For<br />
nearly 60 years, he has been<br />
active in parish life; as a member<br />
of various committees and<br />
charities, his quiet mentorship is<br />
a wonderful legacy.<br />
Mrs Catherine Forbes<br />
Sacred Heart Parish, Blackheath:<br />
For sharing her gift of music<br />
through her support of liturgies<br />
and ministries for more than 25<br />
years.<br />
Mrs Giuseppina Frasca<br />
Our Lady of the Rosary Parish,<br />
Kellyville: For her support and<br />
care of those in need at the<br />
parish and the Shrine of the<br />
Holy Innocents; Pina has been<br />
a compassionate presence for<br />
more than 45 years.<br />
Cameroon<br />
Mrs Doreen Friend<br />
St Nicholas of Myra Parish,<br />
Penrith: For more than 40 years,<br />
Doreen Friend has served the<br />
parish in various ways; ranging<br />
from Eucharistic Ministry to<br />
banner making.<br />
Mr Peter Gardner<br />
St Anthony of Padua<br />
Parish, Toongabbie: For his<br />
contributions to the parish for<br />
more than 30 years; assisting in<br />
various areas from technological<br />
to charitable and the Men’s<br />
Breakfasts.<br />
Mr Charles Hage<br />
Our Lady Queen of Peace<br />
Parish, Greystanes: For serving<br />
as an acolyte for more than 35<br />
years; bearing witness to each<br />
liturgy whether Mass, Baptism<br />
or Funeral.<br />
Mr Lorensz Herft<br />
Holy Spirit Parish, St Clair:<br />
For his dedication to the<br />
parish for more than 30 years;<br />
supporting the Sri Lankan and<br />
local Indigenous communities<br />
through his charitable works,<br />
both at home and overseas.<br />
Mr Christopher Jaja<br />
St Nicholas of Myra Parish,<br />
Penrith: For his contribution<br />
spanning more than 30 years<br />
in both leadership and support<br />
roles, giving of his time and<br />
skills whenever there was a<br />
need.<br />
Mr John Karam<br />
Holy Family Parish, Granville:<br />
For his quiet dedication to the<br />
parish for more than 50 years;<br />
caring for the clergy, church and<br />
parishioners.<br />
Mr John Knight<br />
St Anthony of Padua Parish,<br />
Toongabbie: For his dedication<br />
for more than 50 years with<br />
his wife, Maureen, helping to<br />
maintain the school and church<br />
grounds and as a football coach.<br />
Mrs Maureen Knight<br />
St Anthony of Padua Parish,<br />
Toongabbie: For her many<br />
and varied efforts spanning<br />
more than 50 years; actively<br />
volunteering on both parish and<br />
school committees.<br />
Mr Anthony John Lette<br />
St Anthony of Padua<br />
Parish, Toongabbie: For his<br />
contributions spanning more<br />
than 50 years since his youth,<br />
including as President of their<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> Youth Organisation, an<br />
Acolyte and Music Director.<br />
Mrs Mary Lopez<br />
St Finbar’s Parish, Glenbrook:<br />
For sharing her gift of music<br />
for more than 35 years; she<br />
has been an inspiration in<br />
her dedication to nurturing<br />
musicians of all ages, especially<br />
the children’s choirs.<br />
Mr Kevin Denis Lyons<br />
Mary Immaculate Parish,<br />
Quakers Hill-Schofields: For his<br />
A priest in the Andes<br />
annointing the sick<br />
Monaghan<br />
& Gleeson<br />
FUNERAL DIRECTORS<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> <strong>Outlook</strong><br />
18 <strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong> | SEPTEMBER <strong>2015</strong><br />
www.parra.catholic.org.au @parracatholic facebook.com/parracatholic
DIOCESAN HONOURS<br />
The inaugural Diocesan Citation of Merit for Youth and Diocesan Certificate of Recognition were presented with the <strong>2015</strong> Diocesan Medal<br />
of Honour. Photo: Alfred Boudib.<br />
creative support for more than<br />
two decades; supporting the<br />
Liturgical team by ensuring the<br />
decorations reflect the season.<br />
Mr Brian Masonwells<br />
Our Lady Queen of Peace<br />
Parish, Greystanes: For his<br />
conscientious guidance for<br />
more than 40 years, sharing<br />
his professional knowledge to<br />
ensure the financial security of<br />
the parish.<br />
Mrs Annette Morris<br />
Padre Pio Parish Parish,<br />
Glenmore Park: For her tireless<br />
and generous efforts; teaching<br />
SRE classes and ensuring those<br />
who are in need are provided<br />
for.<br />
Mrs Margaret O’Connor<br />
Our Lady Queen of Peace<br />
Parish, Greystanes: For her<br />
nurturing guidance of new<br />
members through the RCIA<br />
for more than 35 years; she<br />
continues to be involved in<br />
parish life.<br />
Mr Vincent Gerald O’Farrell<br />
St Nicholas of Myra Parish,<br />
Penrith: For his generous and<br />
immeasurable support spanning<br />
more than 85 years, always<br />
offering care to those most in<br />
need.<br />
Mr Frank O’Malley<br />
St Anthony of Padua<br />
Parish, Toongabbie: For his<br />
immeasurable contributions<br />
over more than 50 years in<br />
maintaining the parish and<br />
coaching the local sports teams.<br />
Mrs Anne Marie Pletkan<br />
St Nicholas of Myra Parish,<br />
Penrith: For her passionate and<br />
tireless support of the parish,<br />
continually working to better<br />
the education experience of<br />
children.<br />
Mrs Marian Polizzi<br />
St Patrick’s Cathedral<br />
Parish, Parramatta: For her<br />
warm hospitality and gifted<br />
contributions for more than 20<br />
years, including establishing the<br />
Cloister Café, the Hospitality<br />
Ministry and St Pat’s Matters<br />
publication.<br />
Mrs Lorraine Robertson<br />
Holy Spirit Parish, St Clair: For<br />
her energetic participation and<br />
co-ordination of various groups,<br />
which ensures the parish is<br />
always beautiful, warm and<br />
welcoming.<br />
Mrs Sophie Ryan<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> Education Diocese<br />
of Parramatta: For her faithful<br />
and continuous dedication<br />
for nearly 40 years to support<br />
opportunities of education to<br />
children through her work as a<br />
teacher, principal and leader of<br />
education in the Diocese.<br />
Mr Raymond Samonte<br />
St John XXIII Parish, Glenwood-<br />
Stanhope Gardens: For his<br />
dedication and leadership of the<br />
Music Ministry since the earliest<br />
days of the parish when church<br />
services were held in Holy Cross<br />
Primary School library.<br />
Mr Roberto Sarlabus<br />
St John XXIII Parish, Glenwood-<br />
Stanhope Gardens: He has<br />
been active in considering the<br />
needs of the parish and tireless<br />
in ensuring the clergy feel<br />
supported.<br />
Mrs Robyn Sawtell<br />
St Nicholas of Myra Parish,<br />
Penrith: For her creative and<br />
generous contributions to the<br />
parish, in particular designing<br />
the liturgical banners and<br />
guiding the production team.<br />
Mrs Patricia Shaw<br />
Our Lady Queen of Peace<br />
Parish, Greystanes: For her<br />
diligent and compassionate<br />
service, most notably in the<br />
Eucharistic Ministry for more<br />
than 30 years and leading the<br />
Heart Speaks to Heart Prayer<br />
group for more than 25 years.<br />
Mrs Shirley Stewart<br />
St Anthony of Padua Parish,<br />
Toongabbie: For her tireless<br />
dedication for more than 40<br />
years in both her official and<br />
unofficial activities at the parish,<br />
including as Parish Secretary for<br />
half that time.<br />
Mrs Janice Van Rys<br />
St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish,<br />
Parramatta: For her quiet<br />
generosity over nearly 30 years,<br />
assisting the Sacristan and<br />
involved in the Music Ministry<br />
both as a chorister and in the<br />
production of choir robes.<br />
Sr Joyce Vella RSM<br />
St Anthony of Padua Parish,<br />
Toongabbie, and Mary,<br />
Queen of the Family Parish,<br />
Blacktown: For her inspirational<br />
commitment to these parishes<br />
and her efforts during the<br />
inception and development of<br />
the Mamre Project under the<br />
auspices of the Sisters of Mercy<br />
Parramatta.<br />
Mrs Manel Viswasam<br />
St Nicholas of Myra Parish,<br />
Penrith: For her enthusiastic<br />
participation in the parish and<br />
local community for 40 years;<br />
a dedicated Catechist who<br />
ensures those most in need are<br />
remembered.<br />
Mrs Sue Walsh<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> Education Diocese of<br />
Parramatta: For her passionate<br />
commitment to improve<br />
educational opportunities<br />
for more than 33 years as a<br />
teacher, principal and now<br />
Deputy Executive Director of<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> Education Diocese<br />
of Parramatta; Sue continues<br />
to advocate for support of the<br />
parishes through education.<br />
Mr Richard Ward<br />
Our Lady Queen of Peace<br />
Parish, Greystanes: For his<br />
compassionate dedication for<br />
more than 40 years as both<br />
Parish Manager and parishioner,<br />
caring for clergy and his<br />
community.<br />
Mr Leo Weekes<br />
Holy Spirit Parish, St Clair:<br />
For his active participation on<br />
various committees, especially<br />
his work on behalf of the St<br />
Vincent de Paul Society.<br />
Mrs Shirley Wehbe<br />
St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish,<br />
Parramatta: For her quiet<br />
generosity for more than two<br />
decades in the Cathedral Parish<br />
and in the Maronite community;<br />
most notably for her family’s<br />
tradition of hosting a Christmas<br />
Day Lunch at the Town Hall for<br />
those in need.<br />
Sr Pauline Marie Wong SPC<br />
Chinese Chaplaincy, Diocese<br />
of Parramatta: For her tireless<br />
and inspirational ministry<br />
to the Chinese Chaplaincy;<br />
encouraging and passionate<br />
in her example of serving the<br />
community.<br />
Mr Phillip Youngman<br />
Our Lady of the Way Parish,<br />
Emu Plains: For his many<br />
contributions over four decades;<br />
unstinting with his time and<br />
participation through various<br />
committees and ministries.<br />
<strong>2015</strong> Diocesan Medal<br />
of Honour Posthumous<br />
recipients<br />
Mr Thomas Joseph Coogan<br />
Our Lady of Mount Carmel<br />
Parish, Wentworthville: For his<br />
generous support of the parish,<br />
local and religious communities<br />
for more than eight decades;<br />
his warm hospitality and sense<br />
of service ensured that no<br />
need was unmet and no one<br />
went unwelcomed. His widow,<br />
Mrs Pat Coogan, accepted the<br />
award.<br />
Mrs Kathleen Mary O’Farrell<br />
St Nicholas of Myra Parish,<br />
Penrith: For her unceasing,<br />
selfless support of the parish<br />
spanning more than 85 years,<br />
with her husband Vincent.<br />
Kate befriended many through<br />
the years with her kindness<br />
and charity. Her daughter, Ms<br />
Catherine O’Farrell, accepted<br />
the award.<br />
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<strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong> | SEPTEMBER <strong>2015</strong> 19
NEWS & EVENTS<br />
Bicentenary of Don Bosco celebrations at St Marys<br />
Principal celebrant Fr Shane Reade SDB<br />
The bicentenary of the birth of St<br />
John Bosco, founder of the Salesians<br />
of Don Bosco, was celebrated at St<br />
Marys on the weekend of 15-16 August<br />
<strong>2015</strong>.<br />
Our Lady of the Rosary Parish is in the<br />
pastoral care of the Salesians who also have<br />
an outreach to young people with the Don<br />
Bosco Youth Centre.<br />
Celebrations commenced on Saturday at<br />
Penrith local community centre where more<br />
than 280 people enjoyed a fantastic night.<br />
The young people from the parish and local<br />
schools preformed a program of dance,<br />
choirs, solo singing and gymnastic acts.<br />
Cutting the 200th birthday cake.<br />
On Sunday, the 10.30am Mass was<br />
celebrated in honour of Don Bosco with<br />
a Filipino youth choir. Fr Shane Reade<br />
SDB, rector, was the principal celebrant<br />
for the Mass, which was concelebrated<br />
by Fr Brendan Murphy, parish priest, Fr<br />
Guy Riolo SDB, assistant priest, Fr John<br />
Walenciej (youth centre co-director), Fr<br />
Chris Riley SDB (founder and director of<br />
Youth Off The Streets) with Br Thuy Nguyen<br />
SDB (youth centre assistant).<br />
A large number of Maltese, Filipino and<br />
South American past pupils of Our Lady of<br />
the Rosary Primary were present to share in<br />
this joyful occasion.<br />
After Mass, parishioners and young<br />
people continued the celebrations in the<br />
Don Bosco Youth Centre. The celebration<br />
commenced with prayer, acknowledgement<br />
of country led by Sr Louise Mc Keogh FMA<br />
and young people of the centre.<br />
Sr Jenny Doudle FMA gave a short talk<br />
on Don Bosco, which was followed by the<br />
cutting of the 200th birthday cake.<br />
Activities and entertainment included<br />
a dance by pupils from Our Lady of the<br />
Rosary Primary. Cultural dances were<br />
performed by the Samoan community,<br />
the Atafu Lotomau Tokelau and Kajo-Keji<br />
communities from South Sudan, and the<br />
Madi community.<br />
There were gymnastic and trampoline<br />
displays, circus and unicycle displays and<br />
face painting. There were pool and table<br />
tennis competitions. A live band was led<br />
by Br Jeff Miller SDB, Carlos Escobar and<br />
Malia.<br />
St John Bosco<br />
St John Bosco was born in 1815 in<br />
Becchi in northern Italy of a poor farming<br />
family. At the age of nine he had a dream<br />
where Our Lady appeared to him and told<br />
him that one day he would be a leader of<br />
boys if he remained humble, steadfast and<br />
strong.<br />
Overcoming tremendous obstacles and<br />
setbacks, Don Bosco was ordained a priest<br />
in 1841 and began his ministry among the<br />
street kids of Turin. Many of these boys<br />
had come from the countryside in search<br />
of work, and most of them had little or no<br />
family support. They were often the victims<br />
of unscrupulous employers and became<br />
involved in petty crime to survive.<br />
Don Bosco gathered these boys on<br />
Sundays for games, fun, education and<br />
evangelisation.<br />
In time, the numbers of boys grew and<br />
so did the need for Don Bosco to find more<br />
permanent places for them to gather.<br />
From the ‘Pinardi Shed’ in a rough<br />
area of Turin, an educational empire was<br />
born that has spread throughout the world<br />
and has ensured the continued holistic<br />
education of the young, especially those<br />
most in need.<br />
In 1856, Don Bosco founded the<br />
Salesian priests and brothers and in 1872,<br />
with St Mary Mazzarello, the Salesian<br />
Sisters to carry on his vital mission, using<br />
the spirituality of the Preventive System of<br />
Education, Reason, Religion and Loving<br />
Kindness.<br />
Don Bosco was often heard to say, “I<br />
would give my life for my boys”, and, “It is<br />
not enough to love the young, they must<br />
know that they are loved”.<br />
The Don Bosco Youth and Recreation<br />
Centre continues his legacy, providing the<br />
young with a place of fun and recreation<br />
where they feel loved and noticed. The<br />
loving gaze of Mary and Jesus the Good<br />
Shepherd reaches out to them and gives<br />
them hope and confidence for a bright<br />
future.<br />
May the Lord bless all who continue<br />
Don Bosco’s legacy of kindness and love to<br />
the young.<br />
Fr Shane Reade SDB and<br />
Sr Jenny Doudle FMA.<br />
Have you ever thought<br />
God might be<br />
calling you<br />
to the priesthood?<br />
ST PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL<br />
MASS TIMES AND REGULAR SERVICE<br />
Weekend Masses<br />
Saturday 8am, 9:30am<br />
(Mass in the Extraordinary Form – Latin),<br />
6pm (Vigil) Sunday 8am, 9.30am (Family<br />
Mass), 11am (Solemn Mass), 6pm<br />
Weekday Masses<br />
Monday to Friday 6.45am,12.30pm<br />
Public Holidays 8am<br />
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament<br />
Monday to Friday 11.15am-12.20pm<br />
First Friday of the month 6pm-7pm<br />
Sacrament of Penance<br />
Weekdays 11.15am-12.20pm<br />
Saturdays 8.30am-9am, 5pm-5.30pm<br />
Vocation Discernment Afternoon<br />
Sunday 27 <strong>September</strong> <strong>2015</strong><br />
All young men who feel God might be calling them to the priesthood are invited<br />
to the <strong>Catholic</strong> Diocese of Parramatta’s Vocation Discernment Afternoons. The<br />
afternoon starts at 2pm and concludes with a shared meal at 6pm.<br />
Venue: Holy Spirit Seminary,<br />
31-33 Allen Street, Harris Park<br />
To find out more about priesthood in the <strong>Catholic</strong> Diocese of Parramatta, contact:<br />
Fr Warren Edwards<br />
Director of Priestly Vocations<br />
tel 0409 172 700<br />
email: vocations@parra.catholic.org.au<br />
visit: www.parra.catholic.org.au/vocations<br />
www.parra.catholic.org.au/holyspiritseminary<br />
Devotions<br />
Morning Prayer of the Church<br />
Monday to Friday 6.30am<br />
Saturday and Sunday 7.30am<br />
Angelus<br />
Monday to Friday noon<br />
Rosary<br />
Monday to Friday after Angelus at noon<br />
Canticle of Our Lady’s Marian Movement<br />
Friday 1pm<br />
Christian meditation<br />
Tuesday 9.30am-10.15am<br />
Baptism - Sunday 12.45pm by appointment<br />
Marriages - By appointment<br />
Contact the Parish Secretary<br />
tel (02) 8839 8400 or email<br />
1 Marist Place, Parramatta<br />
20 <strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong> | SEPTEMBER <strong>2015</strong><br />
www.parra.catholic.org.au @parracatholic facebook.com/parracatholic
Conference to<br />
focus on domestic<br />
violence and<br />
human trafficking<br />
By Elizabeth McFarlane<br />
NEWS & EVENTS<br />
Mark Gronow, with his academic supervisor Assoc Prof Joanne Mulligan and Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP<br />
at the presentation of the 2014 Br John Taylor Fellowship.<br />
Prize aims to lift numbers<br />
studying mathematics<br />
For Mark Gronow, the goal of having<br />
more students studying, and enjoying,<br />
mathematics is something of a<br />
personal mission.<br />
A teacher for more than 30 years, Mark<br />
said mathematics ‘has had a bad rap for too<br />
long’ - and he is determined to change that.<br />
“The number of students studying<br />
higher level maths at school and university<br />
has been falling.<br />
“As a nation, we are heading towards<br />
a shortage of skilled maths teachers in<br />
our schools, and that’s something that<br />
is troubling schools, government and<br />
business.”<br />
Mark said the problem was rote<br />
learning and the teaching procedures used<br />
to prepare students to pass exams.<br />
“The research is in and this is why most<br />
people hate mathematics.”<br />
In 2014, Mark applied to Macquarie<br />
University to begin a PhD in mathematics<br />
education, and thus began his journey to<br />
study how maths teaching and learning<br />
could be improved.<br />
It also motivated him to apply for the<br />
Brother John Taylor Fellowship, an annual<br />
prize offered by the <strong>Catholic</strong> Education<br />
Commission NSW (CECNSW), to support<br />
his research.<br />
“The fellowship has been a lifechanging<br />
experience,” he said. “It’s enabled<br />
me to attend national and international<br />
mathematics and teaching conferences in<br />
the US and the UK.”<br />
In April, Mark attended the National<br />
Council of Teachers of Mathematics<br />
Annual Conference and Research<br />
Symposium in Boston.<br />
“It was incredible – 10,000 maths<br />
teachers in one arena, hearing about<br />
new research and insights into teaching<br />
mathematics. I visited Boston College, a<br />
Jesuit University, to meet with mathematics<br />
research academics.”<br />
Mark also attended the Mathematics<br />
Educational Research Group of Australia<br />
in Queensland and has travelled to the UK<br />
to attend two workshops – one at Oxford<br />
University.<br />
He is now working with a mentor to<br />
finalise his research and publish it for the<br />
teaching profession.<br />
“The opportunity to travel and attend<br />
conferences and workshops and to meet<br />
leaders in the field of my research has<br />
been an opportunity that could only have<br />
happened through this fellowship.<br />
“I encourage anybody involved in<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> education who is passionate about<br />
teaching and how it can improve young<br />
lives to apply for the <strong>2015</strong> fellowship.”<br />
CECNSW’s Executive Director, Dr<br />
Brian Croke, said the fellowship provided<br />
up to $25,000 in travel and accommodation<br />
to an applicant involved in <strong>Catholic</strong> school<br />
education, as an employee in schools or<br />
associated bodies, to research a challenge or<br />
priority in <strong>Catholic</strong> school education.<br />
“We want to build a body of research<br />
that helps the teaching profession address<br />
current priorities or challenges in <strong>Catholic</strong><br />
schools,” Dr Croke said.<br />
The award honours John Taylor, a<br />
Christian Brother, who made his mark on<br />
NSW education over three decades as a<br />
teacher, principal and Executive Director of<br />
CECNSW.<br />
Applications for the <strong>2015</strong> Bro John<br />
Taylor Fellowship must be submitted by<br />
30 <strong>September</strong> using the electronic form at<br />
www.cecnsw.catholic.edu.au<br />
Domestic violence and human<br />
trafficking will be under the spotlight<br />
at a national gathering of <strong>Catholic</strong><br />
women in Parramatta this month.<br />
About one in five Australian women<br />
has experienced violence at the hands of<br />
an intimate partner (ABS, 2013) and the<br />
global problem of human trafficking is also<br />
occurring in Australia.<br />
The <strong>Catholic</strong> Women’s League Australia<br />
Inc. will hold its 47th National Biennial<br />
Conference from 22-24 <strong>September</strong> at the<br />
Novotel Parramatta.<br />
The CWLA strives to be a ‘voice for<br />
the voiceless’ and at national, state and<br />
local levels, speaks out about issues such as<br />
violence against women and children, human<br />
trafficking, adoption, poverty, gambling,<br />
prostitution, and pornography.<br />
This month’s conference will focus on<br />
domestic violence and human trafficking<br />
and the need for greater education, strategies<br />
to overcome abuse and a renewal of hope<br />
around these issues.<br />
Gladys Meaney-Budd, a representative<br />
from the CWL in Parramatta, supports<br />
the belief that education is at the heart of<br />
positive change.<br />
“We are going to address this sad<br />
situation in our society by learning more<br />
of how we can support the victims of these<br />
crimes,” Gladys said.<br />
“Our education will be further enhanced.<br />
We will have more information and<br />
strategies to combat these evils in our society,<br />
remembering the words of the Holy Father,<br />
‘Open our ears to hear God’s word.’”<br />
Domestic violence can have dire<br />
consequences on the family unit. The World<br />
Union of <strong>Catholic</strong> Women’s Organisations<br />
(WUCWO) has launched a ‘campaign for the<br />
enhancement of the family’ to address these<br />
impacts.<br />
Gladys said domestic violence cannot<br />
be tolerated if a family is to live a normal<br />
life. “There has to be tolerance and<br />
understanding, and when this is not there, a<br />
family is always in disarray,” she said.<br />
“Domestic violence is not always<br />
physical. Many times, one member can be<br />
controlling and lack any understanding of<br />
Gladys Meaney-Budd, a member of the<br />
CWL Diocese of Parramatta.<br />
the damage being done.”<br />
Pru Goward MP, State Minister for the<br />
Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual<br />
Assault, will be a keynote speaker.<br />
“It is a great privilege to have Pru<br />
Goward with us on this occasion, and it is<br />
hoped in her address she will be able to give<br />
hope and perhaps some solace where that<br />
need exists,” Gladys said.<br />
Sr Hilda Scott OSB, a Benedictine<br />
Sister from the monastery at Jamberoo,<br />
will also speak at the conference. Other<br />
speakers include: Pat McDermott, Australian<br />
Women’s Weekly columnist of more than<br />
30 years; Jennifer Burn from the Faculty<br />
of Law University of Technology; and Ken<br />
Smith OAM, historian from the Parramatta<br />
Historical Society.<br />
Jennifer Burn, director of Anti-Slavery<br />
Australia, will speak about human trafficking<br />
in Australia.<br />
The ‘Child not Bride’ campaign was<br />
launched in February this year and both<br />
Jennifer Burn and Pru Goward spoke,<br />
focusing on young women and community<br />
leaders from multicultural communities.<br />
This campaign has been supported by<br />
fact sheets translated into Arabic, Farsi,<br />
Urdu, Nepalese and Hindi. “This signifies<br />
the spread and range of growth in the<br />
community in general and the Parramatta<br />
area in particular in recent years,” Gladys<br />
said.<br />
Both women and men are welcome to<br />
attend the conference. “We would encourage<br />
anyone to attend, especially those interested<br />
in, and wanting to learn more about, the<br />
issues,” Gladys said.<br />
The Opening Mass of the Conference<br />
will be celebrated at 6pm in St Patrick’s<br />
Cathedral on Tuesday 22 <strong>September</strong>. Light<br />
refreshments will be served in the Cathedral<br />
Hall afterwards.<br />
For more information about the<br />
conference, please visit: www.cwla.org.au<br />
To register tel Pauline O’Malley (02) 4358<br />
1801, treasurer@cwla.org.au<br />
Allan Drew OAM, JP<br />
Supporting families in a time of need is<br />
what Allan from Allan Drew Funerals<br />
has done best for more than 25 years.<br />
Tel (02) 9680 1344<br />
allandrewfunerals.com.au<br />
www.parra.catholic.org.au @parracatholic facebook.com/parracatholic<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong> | SEPTEMBER <strong>2015</strong> 21
LAUDATO SI’<br />
Laudato Si’<br />
Living and integrating<br />
the new encyclical<br />
By Sr Louise McKeogh FMA, Social Justice Coordinator<br />
Sixty people from across the Diocese<br />
of Parramatta gathered at Mt Druitt<br />
last month for a public forum on<br />
Pope Francis’ new encyclical, Laudato Si’ –<br />
‘Praise be to you’.<br />
The day, entitled ‘Pope Francis has<br />
written you a letter’, was hosted by<br />
Australian Religious Response to Climate<br />
Change at Loyola Senior High on 15<br />
August.<br />
Fr Gregory Jacobs SJ from Holy<br />
Family Parish, Emerton, began the day by<br />
providing context and background to Pope<br />
Francis’ spirituality, formation and life as a<br />
Jesuit.<br />
Challenging us to hear both the cry<br />
of the poor and the cry of the earth,<br />
Dr Hamish Clarke, senior climate and<br />
atmospheric scientist from NSW Office<br />
of Development and Heritage, provided a<br />
local perspective by raising our awareness<br />
of the statistics and records of our local and<br />
changing climate.<br />
He said technology was accurate<br />
enough and detailed enough to provide<br />
local facts and statistics on the Mt Druitt<br />
and Parramatta regions.<br />
Prof Neil Ormerod Professor of<br />
Theology at Australian <strong>Catholic</strong> University,<br />
gave an overview of Laudato Si’ and the<br />
spiritual and theological content.<br />
He highlighted the significant<br />
contribution that this encyclical would<br />
now play in the Church’s long tradition of<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> Social Teaching. Laudato Si’ is<br />
unique in its significance and focus on both<br />
creation and human ecology.<br />
Prof Ormerod outlined the framework<br />
and background of the encyclical with its<br />
starting point being the prayer of St Francis<br />
– Praise to You Lord.<br />
The day was an interactive experience<br />
as participants watched two videos on the<br />
effect of climate change on the poor in<br />
Pastoral Care<br />
Accredited Qualifications<br />
Pastoral Care attends in a sustained<br />
way to the emotional and spiritual<br />
needs of people through a ministry of<br />
presence, companionship and support.<br />
Nationally recognised qualifications:<br />
CHC41112 Certificate IV in Pastoral Care<br />
developing countries such as Bangladesh.<br />
Discussion groups provided an<br />
opportunity for each person to share both<br />
their experience of caring for creation<br />
and Laudato Si’s clear theology. The same<br />
applied to the input from Dr Clarke.<br />
Discussion continued around caring<br />
for creation as a family and at local levels,<br />
as well as our concerns and hopes for our<br />
world.<br />
Although a challenging and daunting<br />
issue, the discussion in small groups led<br />
us to have hope for action and make<br />
small changes together, as the encyclical<br />
highlights all of creation is interconnected.<br />
Lunch provided time for continued<br />
lively discussion and supporting a sound<br />
human ecology. Hospitality students from<br />
Loyola Senior High fulfilled an assessment<br />
requirement, providing us with a threecourse<br />
seated lunch.<br />
We can all affirm the skill, competence<br />
and warmth of the Loyola students.<br />
Participants were informed and<br />
enthused by the day as they shared the<br />
following comments and feedback:<br />
“I never realised there were so many<br />
active <strong>Catholic</strong>s on a topic very dear to my<br />
heart. Good to know that the environment<br />
is a focus of <strong>Catholic</strong> teaching.”<br />
Another participant commented on<br />
their highlight:<br />
“All sessions were both interesting and<br />
informative. Prof Ormerod’s session was<br />
a centrepiece, but extremely thorough<br />
and made the theology clear. The same<br />
applies to the session by Dr Hamish Clarke.<br />
The input was excellent – moving and<br />
informative.”<br />
Perhaps the thoughts of this participant<br />
sum up the day:<br />
“The information was excellent, sharing<br />
was inspirational, the spirit is moving and I<br />
will listen.”<br />
The much-anticipated Laudato Si’ was considered by many to be the strongest pontifical action on the<br />
environment and climate change yet.<br />
A diversity of perspectives<br />
The first comprehensive response of its<br />
kind to Pope Francis’ encyclical on<br />
the environment has been developed<br />
by three <strong>Catholic</strong> agencies with the aim of<br />
informing <strong>Catholic</strong> leaders on the latest<br />
teachings of the Church.<br />
The Francis Effect II: Praised Be You<br />
– On Care for our Common Home was<br />
developed collaboratively by <strong>Catholic</strong><br />
Religious Australia, <strong>Catholic</strong> Earthcare<br />
Australia and <strong>Catholic</strong> Mission.<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> Mission’s Deputy National<br />
Director and co-editor, Peter Gates, said<br />
the diversity of perspectives was what made<br />
The Francis Effect II so compelling.<br />
“All of the chapters in The Francis<br />
Effect II are contributed by authors who<br />
understand the relationship between<br />
nature, people and God, and the<br />
interconnectedness of creation,” Peter said.<br />
Among the 14 individual contributors<br />
are renowned <strong>Catholic</strong> leaders, including<br />
eco-theologian Prof Denis Edwards,<br />
Director of <strong>Catholic</strong> Earthcare Jacqui<br />
Rémond, National Aboriginal and<br />
Torres Strait Islander <strong>Catholic</strong> Council<br />
Chairperson Thelma Parker, and Lend<br />
Lease National Sustainability Manager<br />
Building, Ann Austin.<br />
Jacqui Rémond, who also co-edited<br />
the book, said its chapters drew on the<br />
teachings of Laudato Si’ and offered critical<br />
reflections with insightful perspectives<br />
from Indigenous peoples, youth, health<br />
and aged care, social services, education,<br />
parish life, family, business, governance,<br />
and theology.<br />
The much-anticipated Laudato Si’ was<br />
considered by many to be the strongest<br />
pontifical action on the environment and<br />
climate change yet.<br />
The Francis Effect II, with its expert<br />
analysis, allows readers to explore<br />
the themes of the encyclical and its<br />
implications for the local Australian and<br />
global communities.<br />
The book is the second release in the<br />
series, following The Francis Effect: Living<br />
the Joy of the Gospel – the first worldwide<br />
response to Pope Francis’ 2013 exhortation<br />
Evangelii Gaudium.<br />
The Francis Effect II Colloquium<br />
The colloquium will assist participants<br />
to explore this vision, offering inspiration<br />
and practical ideas for caring for our<br />
common home.<br />
Tuesday 27 October from 8.30am-4pm<br />
at Dooleys Lidcombe <strong>Catholic</strong> Club, 4-28<br />
John St, Lidcombe.<br />
Cost $195 (concession $95). Contact<br />
Anita Lee, <strong>Catholic</strong> Mission, tel (02) 9919<br />
7800 or alee@catholicmission.org.au<br />
The Francis Effect II can be purchased<br />
and read online at www.shop.cm.org.au For<br />
more information on The Francis Effect II:<br />
Praised Be You – On Care for our Common<br />
Home, or the colloquium, visit www.<br />
thefranciseffectii.com.<br />
Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy<br />
Penrose Park<br />
Fatima Day: Sunday, <strong>September</strong> 13<br />
Main Celebrant: Fr Stephen Onyekwere<br />
Assistant Priest Of St. Patrick’s Parish, Albury<br />
Divine Mercy Devotions<br />
First Sunday of the Month<br />
Fatima Family Sunday: <strong>September</strong> 20<br />
Thank you!<br />
91561 NSW Diploma of Ageing<br />
and Pastoral Care<br />
For further information contact:<br />
Holy Family Services<br />
Registered Training Organisation<br />
Tel (02) 9678 8200<br />
email: educator@holyfamilyservices.com.au<br />
www.holyfamilyservices.com.au<br />
91448NSW<br />
The Pauline Fathers and Brothers of Penrose Park would like to thank all our<br />
pilgrims for their help and support over the past years. The first section of the<br />
building project (i.e. the toilet blocks) is well underway, the work will continue in<br />
approx. 1 months. We thank you for your continuing material help and prayers<br />
to continue the building of our Pilgrim Hall. May God abundantly bless you all!<br />
Pauline Father’s Monastery<br />
Address: 120 Hanging Rock Road, Berrima, NSW, 2577<br />
Phone: 02 4878 9192 Fax: 02 4878 9351<br />
Email: paulinefathers@yahoo.com.au Website: www.penrosepark.com.au<br />
22 <strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong> | SEPTEMBER <strong>2015</strong><br />
www.parra.catholic.org.au @parracatholic facebook.com/parracatholic
SOCIAL JUSTICE<br />
MYC has created social enterprises that provide a supported entry point into the labour market.<br />
Marist Youth Care (MYC), a<br />
national non-profit organisation<br />
with its head office in Blacktown,<br />
is making a real difference to the lives of<br />
unemployed and disengaged Aboriginal<br />
young people.<br />
With the Aboriginal unemployment<br />
rate hovering around 18%, approximately<br />
three times that of the national<br />
unemployment rate of 6%, MYC has<br />
identified the need for a new approach in<br />
creating sustainable jobs for Aboriginal<br />
and Torres Strait Islander job seekers.<br />
MYC’s CEO, Cate Sydes, said 2.7%<br />
of Blacktown LGA’s population (8195)<br />
were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander<br />
(ATSI) people, compared with 1.2% for<br />
Greater Sydney.<br />
“This is the highest proportion of<br />
ATSI population in urban NSW,” Cate<br />
said. “Blacktown LGA is in the lowest<br />
30% for both general disadvantage and<br />
also for education and occupational levels<br />
measured by the ABS Socio-Economic<br />
Index.”<br />
In response, MYC has invested heavily<br />
in creating social enterprises that provide<br />
a supported entry point into the labour<br />
market, cultural mentoring, and on-thejob<br />
training.<br />
Examples of three of these include:<br />
MYC Painting Services is a qualified<br />
and licensed painting and decorating<br />
contractor. Working primarily as a<br />
Tackling<br />
disparity<br />
with<br />
innovation<br />
sub-contractor, MYC Painting Services<br />
prides itself on first-class workmanship on<br />
a range of residential and commercial jobs.<br />
Currently experiencing growth, a total of<br />
six Aboriginal apprentices have been hired<br />
in the first six months of operation.<br />
Having already partnered with<br />
Programmed, Blacktown City Council and<br />
the Sarina Russo Group, MYC Painting<br />
Services is looking to expand its services<br />
and, in turn, create further social impact<br />
with its employment model.<br />
MYCafe operated for 12 months in<br />
2014-15, servicing construction workers<br />
at IKEA, Bunnings and Masters within the<br />
new Sydney Business Park development in<br />
Marsden Park.<br />
In this short window, MYC directly<br />
employed eight Aboriginal trainees, in<br />
many cases providing job seekers with<br />
their first employment opportunity.<br />
Reclaimed is a recycled furniture and<br />
homewares enterprise that engages young<br />
Aboriginal job seekers, providing a safe<br />
and rewarding activity that builds skills,<br />
confidence and employability.<br />
MYC currently employs 35 Aboriginal<br />
staff, which represents 10% of its total<br />
workforce.<br />
For more information about MYC<br />
or to discuss employment partnership<br />
opportunities, please contact Adam<br />
Makepeace, Senior Manager Employment<br />
and Training Services, tel 0407 95 49 84.<br />
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19<br />
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20<br />
22-24<br />
27<br />
SEPTEMBER CALENDAR<br />
BLESSING OF ST JOHN PAUL II STATUE<br />
Everyone is invited to gather in St Patrick’s Cathedral forecourt at 12.30pm<br />
when Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP will bless a series of statues celebrating<br />
the life of St John Paul II.<br />
CONSECRATED LIFE WEEKEND<br />
Meet the Missionaries of God’s Love Sisters: hear what they do, day-to-day,<br />
how they discerned their vocations, and what consecrated life is all about.<br />
Sr Rosie rdrum@parra.catholic.org.au<br />
WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND<br />
An opportunity to reconnect, rekindle and refresh your relationship. Mt Carmel<br />
Retreat Centre, Varroville. Ardell & Bill Sharpe tel (02) 4283 3435, wsharpe@<br />
bigpond.net.au<br />
ST PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL SPRING FAIR<br />
Craft and plant stalls, cakes and Devonshire teas. Fun for all the family. From<br />
10am-4pm in Prince Alfred Park, Church St, Parramatta.<br />
CORPUS CHRISTI SPRING MARKET<br />
Stalls, sausage sizzle, popcorn, cakes, art, small homewares, baby and children<br />
items, candles, plants and more. From 11am-4pm at 86-92 Andromeda Dve,<br />
Cranebrook<br />
HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS<br />
Adoration, prayer, music and quiet time from 7pm-8pm in the Blessed Sacrament<br />
Chapel in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta.<br />
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF PENAFRANCIA<br />
Novena at 9am followed by Mass at 9.30am in St Nicholas of Myra Church,<br />
Penrith. Fluvial procession on the Nepean River at noon – board the Nepean Belle<br />
at 11.45am at Tench Reserve wharf. Free lunch and entertainment from 1pm-4pm<br />
at the Factory Rd Reserve, Jamisontown.<br />
BLACKHEATH REFLECTION MORNING<br />
‘Praying with Images and Symbols’ with Bernadette Corboy SGS. From 10am-1pm,<br />
Sacred Heart Parish Hall, cnr Sturt & Wentworth Sts, Blackheath. Carmen Vanny<br />
tel (02) 4787 8706.<br />
CELEBRATING THE JOURNEY<br />
For all married couples and their families but with special acknowledgement to<br />
those couples who have significant wedding anniversaries of 25 years and over.<br />
Mass at 11am in St Patrick’s Cathedral followed by lunch. Register by 12 <strong>September</strong><br />
through your parish or <strong>Catholic</strong>Care tel (02) 9933 0222, marriage@ccss.org.au<br />
CWLA NATIONAL CONFERENCE<br />
47th National Biennial Conference at the Novotel Parramatta. Keynote speaker<br />
the Hon Pru Goward MP, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and<br />
Sexual Assault. Pauline O’Malley tel (02) 4358 1801, treasurer@cwla.org.au<br />
VOCATION DISCERNMENT AFTERNOON<br />
All young men who feel God might be calling them to the priesthood are invited<br />
to the Diocese of Parramatta’s Vocation Discernment Afternoon. Starts 2pm and<br />
concludes with a shared meal at 6pm at Holy Spirit Seminary, Harris Park.<br />
Fr Warren Edwards, Director of Priestly Vocations, tel 0409 172 700, vocations@<br />
parra.catholic.org.au<br />
29th Annual<br />
Parramatta Diocesan<br />
Golf Day<br />
Tuesday 22 <strong>September</strong> <strong>2015</strong><br />
Richmond Golf Club<br />
Tee off 8.30am sharp! ‘Shot Gun Start’<br />
(be there by 7.30am)<br />
Ambrose Competition<br />
Clergy, CEO Staff, School Staff and Parents & Friends<br />
Cost $60 per head (includes GST)<br />
if prepaid by 16 <strong>September</strong><br />
Includes delicious buffet, soft drinks,<br />
green fees, trophies, mystery prizes<br />
Limited to 30 teams this year<br />
Book early to avoid disappointment<br />
Ian Jordan 0408 219 942, ijordan@parra.catholic.edu.au<br />
Proudly sponsored by the Diocesan Development Fund,<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> Church Insurance, Oz Fashions<br />
“The most beautiful<br />
and visually<br />
compelling film<br />
I have ever seen. I did<br />
not want it to end.”<br />
Kim, Brisbane.<br />
Filmed and Edited by<br />
Michael Luke Davies<br />
www.parra.catholic.org.au @parracatholic facebook.com/parracatholic<br />
A unique inside portrait of<br />
the world of the Tyburn Nuns.<br />
“This film takes you into<br />
another realm…”<br />
What is life in a cloistered Benedictine<br />
community really like? Let the Tyburn<br />
Nuns take you to their 9 monasteries<br />
around the world. Witness the nuns’ holy<br />
life of prayer and work, centred on the<br />
Eucharist, in this remarkable film.<br />
ORDER ONLINE:<br />
www.tyburnconvent.org.uk<br />
or send cheque/money order for $25<br />
payable to:<br />
Tyburn Priory, 325 Garfield Road East<br />
RIVERSTONE NSW 2765<br />
Name ........................................................<br />
..................................................................<br />
Address .....................................................<br />
..................................................................<br />
..................................................................<br />
..................................................................<br />
<strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong> | SEPTEMBER <strong>2015</strong> 23
Mamre Festival<br />
Sunday 25 October<br />
9am – 3pm<br />
at Mamre House & Farm<br />
181 Mamre Road, Orchard Hills<br />
Face painting for kids – coin donation!<br />
Free art exhibition “SHARING THE SEEDS”<br />
Teacup rides & jumping castle<br />
Summer slush puppies<br />
Sausage sizzle AND bacon & egg rolls<br />
Music & entertainment<br />
Plants and seeds<br />
Entry is gold coin donation with<br />
kids under 12 free!<br />
A service provided by<br />
Ample parking available!<br />
24 <strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong> | SEPTEMBER <strong>2015</strong><br />
www.parra.catholic.org.au @parracatholic facebook.com/parracatholic