Catholic Outlook September 2015

CatholicOutlook 

The official publication of the Diocese of Parramatta 

VOLUME 18, SEPTEMBER 2015 

CELEBRATING FATHER’S DAY 

A father needs to ‘be close to his children as they grow: 

when they play and when they strive … when they are 

carefree and when they are distressed, when they are 

talkative and when they are silent …’ 

(Pope Francis) 

page 10 

CARING FOR 

THOSE WHO 

CARED 

Please give generously to 

the Father’s Day Appeal for 

Retired and Sick Priests. 

page 3 

IT’S AN 

HONOUR 

Diocesan awards recognise 

service and commitment to 

Church and community.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

As many of you know, my postgraduate 

study was in liturgy and I try to keep up in 

the field by receiving various publications 

and journals. 

Recently, the latest copy of Worship (from 

the Benedictines in Collegeville, US) 

arrived, and in a regular column called 

‘The Amen Corner’, there was an article by 

my friend and colleague, Fr Paul Turner, 

with the title: ‘Between Consultation and 

Faithfulness: Questions That Won’t Go 

Away.’ 

In the opening paragraphs he makes 

mention of a venerable letter from 

Decentius, the Bishop of Gubbio, sent 

to Pope Innocent I on 19 March 416 in 

which he sought advice from the Pope on a 

number of liturgical questions. 

The first of these concerned the Greeting 

of Peace and where it should be placed in 

the liturgy. 

The Roman tradition had always been that 

it was placed after the Lord’s Prayer and 

before the reception of Holy Communion. 

This is attested to by many early Roman 

Church documents and even by St 

Augustine in one of his sermons where 

the custom had also been adopted by the 

Church of Hippo in North Africa. 

It would seem that some of the clergy 

in Gubbio wanted to place the Greeting 

of Peace at the offertory and before the 

Eucharistic Prayer, which was, and is still, 

the custom in the churches of the East. 

What intrigued Fr Paul Turner was, and 

to quote: “Why – after 1600 years – are 

we still hearing differences about the sign 

of peace? ... People argue over when the 

peace should take place, whether it should 

take place, and, if it takes place, how 

should it be done?” 

The extension of the Greeting of Peace to 

all who participate in a Eucharistic liturgy 

was one of the reforms that emerged from 

the Second Vatican Council, but is one 

reform that had not really been properly 

understood and which still sits, I think, 

uneasily with many people in the assembly. 

The practice of Christians greeting each 

other with a Holy Kiss is very ancient 

and St Paul mentions it four times at the 

conclusion of his letters and St Peter in one 

of his letters. 

Ritually, it found its way into the very 

earliest Eucharistic celebrations and it 

would seem that this exchange, either 

during the liturgy or at the end of it, 

had profound meaning to the Christian 

community. 

FROM THE DIOCESAN ADMINISTRATOR 

Very Rev Peter G Williams 

The Greeting of Peace 

In the Greeting of Peace we are united by the common bond of Baptism. Photo: Alfred Boudib. 

Clearly then, it was not some casual 

greeting or awkward exchange. 

The most recent edition of the General 

Instruction of the Roman Missal explains 

its purpose and meaning: “There follows 

the Rite of Peace, by which the Church 

entreats peace and unity for herself and 

for the whole human family, and the 

faithful express to each other their ecclesial 

communion and mutual charity before 

communicating in the Sacrament.” 

What does it mean to express ecclesial 

communion and mutual charity? 

Firstly, the exchange is a gesture. Unlike 

the Tridentine Rite where at High Mass the 

clergy in the sanctuary said “Pax tecum” 

(peace be with you) there are not meant 

to be any words uttered in the reformed 

rite. The gesture is a sign that requires no 

words. 

In the Australian adaptations to the Missal, 

authorised by the Bishops, it states that 

the gesture is to be a hand clasp to those 

immediately around you. 

The ecclesial communion expressed here 

is that often those we greet in this manner 

are not necessarily known to us personally, 

but are united to us by the common bond 

of Baptism. 

The other meaning relates to mutual 

charity. It is a desire to intend to live in 

harmony and love with other members of 

the Christian community. 

Sadly, this solemn moment before the 

reception of Holy Communion often 

becomes in some congregations a ‘break 

out’ moment where general chatter and 

free movement erupts in the assembly. 

I am convinced this occurs because 

there has been inadequate catechesis 

on this part of the rite and some are 

clearly embarrassed and default to casual 

conversation. 

In the Maronite rite that I sometimes 

attend, this Greeting of Peace has 

somewhat more decorum and while it 

is placed following the ancient Eastern 

liturgical tradition before the Eucharistic 

Prayer, it is a very ordered yet a moving 

and meaningful exchange. 

Given the fact that life in the Church and 

in parishes can be fractious at times as 

we discern what is the best way to live the 

life of the Gospel, and our own personal 

lives can also periodically be a source 

of disquiet, this moment in the liturgy 

provides a privileged opportunity to 

restore ourselves grounded in the peace 

that only Christ can give. 

It might well be worthwhile for clergy 

and liturgy committees in our parishes to 

revisit the Greeting of Peace with a view to 

inviting a revised practice with appropriate 

liturgical formation. 

Signs and gestures are important means 

of communicating that which otherwise 

cannot be expressed in words. 

Our liturgy is a treasure trove of such 

signs that lead us to the mystery of God 

expressed in the person of Christ to whom 

we are united in the Eucharist as a visible 

expression of His Body. 

Let us not lose that moment, which can 

express such a profound understanding of 

who we are in Christ. 

With my prayers, 


Diocesan Administrator 

CONTENTS 

NEWS & EVENTS 

YEAR OF 

CONSECRATED LIFE 

FAMILY & LIFE 

NEWS FROM THE CCD 

DIOCESAN PASTORAL 

PLAN 

2015 FATHER’S DAY 

APPEAL 

CATHOLIC 

EDUCATION 

CATHOLICCARE 

SOCIAL SERVICES 

CATHOLIC YOUTH 

DIOCESAN HONOURS 

LAUDATO SI’ 

SOCIAL JUSTICE 

CatholicOutlook 

The official publication of the Diocese of Parramatta 

Publisher: 


Diocesan Administrator 

Tel (02) 8838 3400 

Fax (02) 9630 4813 

PO Box 3066, 

North Parramatta, NSW, 1750 

Email: diocese@parra.catholic.org.au 

Website: www.parra.catholic.org.au 

Editor: 

Jane Favotto 

Tel (02) 8838 3409 

editor@parra.catholic.org.au 

PO Box 3066, 

North Parramatta, NSW, 1750 

Journalists: 

Adrian Middeldorp 

Elizabeth McFarlane 

Designer: 

Aphrodite Delaguiado 

School news: 

Catholic Education Office 

Tel (02) 9840 5683 

news@parra.catholic.edu.au 

Deadlines: 

Editorial and advertising 

– 10th of the month prior to publication 

Advertising: 

Tel (02) 8838 3409 

Accounts: 

Alfie Ramirez 

Tel (02) 8838 3437 

ARamirez@parra.catholic.org.au 

3-4, 20-21 

Printing: 

Rural Press Printing, North Richmond 

40,500 copies of Catholic Outlook are 

distributed monthly through 48 parishes and 

86 schools. All material in this publication 

is copyright and may not be reproduced 

without permission of the editor. Catholic 

Outlook is a member of the Australasian 

Catholic Press Assoc. 

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2 CatholicOutlook | SEPTEMBER 2015 

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Warm welcome for 

Archbishop Miller 

NEWS & EVENTS 

Diocesan honours include 

2 new awards By Elizabeth McFarlane 

During lunch, Archbishop Miller spoke about the Church in Vancouver. Photo: Alfred Boudib. 

The Archbishop of Vancouver, Most 

Rev J Michael Miller CSB, addressed 

a gathering of Clergy, Principals and 

Religious Education Coordinators (RECs) 

at a forum at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse 

on 6 August. 

Archbishop Miller has served as 

Secretary of the Vatican’s Congregation for 

Catholic Education and Vice President of 

the Pontifical Work of Priestly Vocations. 

Over lunch with diocesan clergy and 

clergy from the Archdiocese of Sydney and 

the Diocese of Broken Bay, the Archbishop 

gave a talk about the Church in Vancouver. 

The day was a celebration of St 

John Vianney Day with Jubilarians 

acknowledged including Rev Robert 

Anderson and Rev Paul Hanna, both 50 

years, and Rev Chris Sharah FSF and Rev 

Giovani Presiga, both 25 years, from the 

Diocese of Parramatta. 

In the morning, Archbishop Miller 

gave a keynote address to Principals and 

RECs entitled, ‘Educating for today and 

tomorrow: a renewing passion’. 

In his address, he said Catholic schools 

played a vital role in the evangelising 

mission of the Church, asking the 

question, “is personal witness to the 

Gospel evident in the life of a school?” 

“It is necessary now, more than ever, to 

make people aware of the responsibility to 

give witness to Christ and the Gospel,” he 

said. 

“In addition to all the other things 

Catholic teachers do, they have the 

proclamation of the Gospel at the centre of 

everything they do. 

“The best way anyone supports it is 

by personal witness of life, being a joyful 

Christian around students and on occasion 

to share explicitly what makes their own 

heart sing. 

“Teaching is one of the noblest 

vocations because you touch the 

minds, the hearts, the souls of the next 

generation.” 

The Executive Director of Schools, 

Greg Whitby, said Archbishop Miller 

challenged leaders in their work of 

Catholic schooling. 

“Archbishop Miller brings an 

understanding of the universal Church 

and affirmed our direction of ‘renewing 

and adapting’,” Greg said. 

“In a simple yet powerful way he asked 

the hard questions and laid before our 

leaders four challenges if they are to truly 

lead schools that live up to the evangelising 

mission of the Church. 

“At the heart of his challenge is the call 

to act and be Church, not just talk about 

being Church.” 

Sr Monica Armstrong SGS received the Diocesan Medal of Honour in recognition of her compassion and 

dedication to her parish of St Matthew’s, Windsor, and St Thomas Aquinas Primary, Springwood. Sr Monica was 

congratulated by St Thomas Aquinas’ Principal Sergio Rosato, Sr Veronica Griffith SGS and Sr Moya Weissenfeld 

SGS (right). 

The recipients of two new categories 

of awards were among those who 

received diocesan honours at a 

ceremony in St Patrick’s Cathedral on 7 

August. 

Following vespers, the Diocesan 

Administrator, Very Rev Peter G Williams, 

presented the inaugural Diocesan Citation 

of Merit for Youth and the Diocesan 

Certificate of Recognition, together with 

the Diocesan Medal of Honour. 

Award recipients included seven 

Citations of Merit for Youth, one 

Certificate of Recognition, 48 Medals of 

Honour and two posthumous Medals of 

Honour. 

The Diocesan Citation of Merit for 

Youth seeks to encourage and recognise 

young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 

who have shown outstanding contribution 

and service to the parish, Diocese and 

community. 

The Diocesan Certificate of 

Recognition seeks to encourage and 

recognise outstanding contribution by 

non-Catholic members of the community 

for work supporting the parish, Diocese 

and community. 

These new awards are in addition to 

the Diocesan Medal of Honour, which 

was instituted by the previous Bishop of 

Parramatta, Most Rev Anthony Fisher OP, 

in 2012. 

The Medal of Honour seeks to 

encourage and recognise outstanding 

contribution and service by members of 

the diocesan community in work on behalf 

of the Church and society. It is awarded 

for outstanding services to parish, Diocese 

and community. 

Fr Peter Williams said the recipients 

were “honouring their Baptism and 

proving that the Holy Spirit can work in 

the lives of ordinary human beings.” 

He said the night was about 

“honouring the fact that the Grace of 

God can work in those who have opened 

themselves up to the Holy Spirit.” 

See Pages 17-19 of this issue for the full 

list of award recipients. 

A photo gallery can be viewed on 

Flickr – CatholicDioceseofParramatta 

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CatholicOutlook | SEPTEMBER 2015 3

NEWS & EVENTS 

Men, women and children wait for help in the Dadaab refugee camp in Somalia. Photo: hikrcn/Shutterstock.com 

FOR THOSE WHO’VE COME ACROSS THE SEAS: 

Justice for refugees and asylum seekers 

This year’s Social Justice Statement by 

Australia’s Catholic bishops is entitled, 

For Those Who’ve Come Across the 

Seas: Justice for refugees and asylum seekers. 

The Social Justice Statement for 2015–16 

challenges Australians to think again about 

our national response to asylum seekers, 

especially those who come by sea. It invites 

us to recognise the desperation that has 

driven these people to seek refuge far from 

their homes. 

The title, taken from the words of our 

National Anthem, is intended to remind all 

Australians of how this nation has aspired to 

be a place of welcome and inclusion. 

The bishops address the divisive national 

debate over asylum seekers, especially those 

who arrive by boat. They confront Australia’s 

current deterrence-based response and 

remind us of the needs of the nearly 60 

million people who are displaced around the 

world. 

The statement takes its inspiration from 

the actions and words of Pope Francis on his 

2013 visit to the Italian island of Lampedusa, 

where he met the survivors of a refugee 

tragedy and mourned for those who had 

died. 

It begins and ends with the Pope’s own 

words and is strongly based on the Scriptures 

and Catholic teaching. 

The bishops’ document traces the 

experiences of asylum seekers from their 

flight from persecution and danger, through 

their perilous journeys, to their experience in 

Australia of indefinite detention, deprivation 

and insecurity. 

It asks why both sides of Australian 

politics have felt the need to introduce such 

cruel and self-defeating policies as offshore 

processing and indefinite detention. 

This Social Justice Sunday we are invited 

to reflect on the call of Jesus to welcome 

those in most need and to give comfort to 

those who come to us in flight from fear and 

suffering. 

Complementary resources 

The Australian Catholic Social Justice 

Council’s website will have resources 

available for download free of charge on 

10 September. They will include Social 

Justice Sunday liturgy notes, a PowerPoint 

presentation and community and education 

resources. 

Prayer Cards and Ten Steps leaflets can 

be ordered from the Council tel (02) 8306 

3499 or admin@acsjc.org.au 

Catholics tackle housing crisis 

in New South Wales 

By Elizabeth McFarlane 

Housing is a fundamental human need 

because it provides security and a 

bedrock for raising a family, but 

to be able to access housing it needs to be 

affordable. 

The Family & Life Office and the Social 

Justice Office of the Catholic Diocese of 

Parramatta organised and ran a Table Talk 

on Housing Affordability at the Institute for 

Mission in Blacktown on 19 August. 

The night gathered Catholics from across 

the Diocese to share their personal struggles 

in finding and buying a house, as well as the 

issues faced when renting. 

Jon O’Brien from UnitingCare NSW 

provided statistics on the night. 

House prices in Australia are the second 

most expensive in the world but the option 

to rent is limited, with a shortage of 539,000 

rental properties. 

The largest number of homeless 

Australians are in NSW. Unaffordable housing 

is clearly rife and it is the low income and 

disadvantaged who are wearing the costs. 

Social housing is in demand but people can 

be waiting for up to 10 years to secure a place 

to live. 

A young family also gave a glimpse into 

the issues surrounding renting for those with 

very young children, “We have to tell our kids 

to behave so the agent doesn’t think we’re 

going to destroy the house. The whole system 

is very hard for young families.” 

For those who attended the evening Table 

Talk, it was obvious that the personal stories 

were also very much a public story. 

Ben Smith, Director of the Family 

and Life Office, spoke on the night about 

why Catholics should care about housing 

affordability. “To be denied housing is to lose 

a sense of dignity and to lose a sense of hope,” 

he said. 

“As Catholics, we believe everyone is made 

in the image of God and has an inherent 

dignity. We believe families are of the utmost 

importance to our faith community, using the 

Holy Family as our guiding star.” 

Affordable housing increases financial 

stress, leading many to work extensive hours. 

Pope Francis warned against this way of living 

the day before the event in his weekly general 

audience: 

“When work separates itself from the 

Finding a place to live is a critical issue for many young 

families. Photo: Elizabeth McFarlane. 

covenant of God with man and woman, when 

it separates itself from their spiritual qualities, 

when it is hostage to the logic of only profit 

and scorns the attachments of life, the 

discouragement of the soul contaminates all: 

even the air, the water, the herbs, food.” 

Sister Louise McKeogh FMA, Coordinator 

of the Social Justice Office, said that being a 

nun does not make housing affordability any 

less relevant to her. 

“My family couldn’t afford a lot and we 

lived on the outskirts of Melbourne,” she said. 

“My dad was a builder. He built our house and 

he even built the Catholic School and Church 

I attended. He built a home for the whole 

community. 

“I know what having a home means and 

why it is important. I also have four nieces 

and nephews who are all still at home and I 

can see the impacts on them.” 

The night’s organisers made sure that the 

discussion led to practical engagement with 

the community. The ‘asks’ on the night were: 

1. For the NSW Government to commit 

to a formal plan, with numerical targets, to 

increase the supply of social and affordable 

housing in NSW over the next four years. The 

plan should be developed on a cross-portfolio 

basis within the NSW government and in 

partnership with the Federal Government. 

2. For a new planning provision to be 

created for all new developers, building in 

30% affordable housing at the seven Urban 

Growth precincts. Inclusionary zoning 

requires a given share of new construction to 

be affordable by people with low to moderate 

incomes. 



YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE 

Religious called to ‘Wake up the World’ 

By Sr Ailsa Mackinnon RSM 

The day’s celebrations for the Year of Consecrated Life began with a Solemn Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral. Photos: Alfred Boudib. 

Mass was celebrated on the 2nd Sunday in National Vocations Awareness 

Week. 

The Schoenstatt Sisters’ display stand at the Vocations Fest. 

It was standing room only in St Patrick’s 

Cathedral in Parramatta on 9 August 

as many religious gathered with 

parishioners during National Vocations 

Awareness Week to celebrate the Year of 

Consecrated Life. 

The Diocesan Administrator, Very Rev 

Peter Williams, was the principal celebrant 

for the 11am Solemn Mass, which was 

concelebrated by Emeritus Bishop Kevin 

Manning, many of the religious priests 

in the Diocese and the priests of the 

Cathedral Parish. 

Specially selected hymns 

complemented the readings of the day. In 

an inspiring homily, Fr Peter encouraged 

the congregation to aspire to the heights of 

Christian life, just as the founders of many 

religious orders have done in the past. 

The celebrations then moved to the 

Cloister, where there were displays of the 

lives and works of many of the religious 

congregations who minister in Western 

Sydney. 

The Cathedral hospitality team 

graciously provided lunch while the 

visitors perused the displays. 

Guests then sat down to listen to talks 

Enjoying the Vocations Fest are, from left: Sr Justina Pham 

CMR, Sr Margaritta Vu CMR, Sr Kate Atkins MGL, and Fr John 

Paul Escarlan. 

on aspects of religious life – reflections 

from religious on how religious life is 

lived, reflections from those who had been 

educated in schools conducted by religious 

congregations and inputs from family 

members on the impact the religious had 

on the family. 

The MC was stand-up comic and 

television star Rob Shehadie, who provided 

plenty of entertainment in the midst of 

inspirational and insightful reflections. 

The day concluded with a holy hour 

of prayer and benediction during which 

those gathered prayed for vocations to 

Sr Rosie Drum MGL entertains the guests with her guitar playing. 

consecrated life. The religious of the 

Diocese are grateful for the support of all 

the people. 

Father Peter’s concluding words are 

still ringing in our ears – we don’t know 

what challenges the future will bring, yet 

we do know that religious life will endure 

in our Church. 

Pope Francis has challenged religious 

to ‘Wake up the World’. May religious life 

not only endure, but flourish. 

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5

FAMILY & LIFE 

Witnessing 

to the 

strength 

and value 

of marriage 

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. 

Jonathan Doyle, renowned speaker on relationships and 

founder of Choicez Media, in his address to the 2015 Faith 

in Marriage Conference on 23 August outlined to the 

audience the transforming nature of the witness to marriage 

and family life by Christians in ancient Rome. 

On Sunday 20 September, the Celebrating the Journey 

Mass will be such an example of witness to the strength and 

value of lifelong marriage. 

Each year many couples in the Diocese attend this special 

Mass of witness to blessings and longevity of their marriages. 

All couples celebrating anniversaries of 25 years or more 

and their families are warmly invited to attend the 11am Mass 

in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Parramatta. 

The Diocesan Administrator, Very Rev Peter Williams, will 

be the Principal Celebrant. 

Those couples celebrating significant anniversaries of 25, 

30, 35, 40, 45, 50 years and over will receive a certificate of 

blessing. All couples and their families are invited to attend a 

light lunch in the Cathedral hall afterwards. 

To participate in Celebrating the Journey this year please 

register by 12 September through your Parish Secretary or 

contact CatholicCare Social Services Diocese of Parramatta tel 

(02) 9933 0222 or send an email to: marriage@ccss.org.au 

NEW APPOINTMENTS 

The Diocesan Administrator, Very 

Rev Peter G Williams, has confirmed 

the following appointments in the 

Catholic Diocese of Parramatta: 

Rev Christopher Antwi-Boasiako 

Administrator 

Padre Pio Parish, Glenmore Park 

From 6 September 2015 

Rev George Suresh Kumar 

Incardinated into the 

Diocese of Parramatta 

11 August 2015 

Mr Richard McMahon 

Director of Pastoral Planning & 

Implementation 

From 28 September 2015 

Rev Walter Fogarty 

Chair, Diocesan Interfaith 

Commission 

Greg Whitby 

Chair, Diocesan Ecumenical 

Commission 

RETIRING 

Paul Worthington will be retiring 

as Director of the Confraternity of 

Christian Doctrine (CCD) on 

18 December 2015 

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MEDICAL CENTRE

Fatherhood: A journey that changes you forever 

By Ben Smith, Director of the Family & Life Office 

I 

hope all fathers enjoy the presents and affection they 

receive on Father’s Day on 6 September. The wonderful 

hand-made cards that I get from my children are 

special and make me reflect on how fatherhood has 

changed me over the past 10 years. I believe these changes 

have been at an emotional, a physiological and a spiritual 

level. This process has been aided by the paternity leave 

that has allowed me to spend at least three weeks at home 

after the birth of each of my five children. 

Emotionally, I am more vulnerable now that I have 

children and I have developed the capacity to shed a tear 

or two, especially when I am away from home and missing 

my family. This tendency is new and I think it has resulted 

from the emotional bonds that I have developed with my 

wife and children. 

At a physiological level, I can recall how in the lead-up 

to the birth of a new child, I experienced a vagueness that 

meant that I became a little forgetful. I think it could be a 

form of baby brain syndrome. 

But isn’t this syndrome something that only pregnant 

women experience? My scientifically trained mind 

ignored this experience as I thought it was a figment of 

my imagination. 

But that all changed when I discovered the results of 

some recent research studies on this topic. Firstly, in 2011, 

US researchers from Northwestern University found that 

fathers experienced a reduction in testosterone after their 

baby was born. 

Another group of US researchers from the University 

of Michigan in 2014 found that these changes in 

testosterone also occured in fathers before their child was 

born. 

The researchers believe that the reduction in 

testosterone may reduce the level of aggression in males 

Proud father Joseph Younes cradles his firstborn son, Charlie. 

and make them more committed to helping nurture their 

child. Now there is an explanation for my prenatal baby 

brain! 

But other researchers have discovered changes in the 

levels of other hormones. A study published in 2010 by 

Israeli researchers from Bar-Ilan University found that 

fathers experienced an increase in bonding hormones 

such as oxytocin and prolactin. 

The size and duration of these hormonal changes is 

impacted by the level of involvement that fathers have in 

caring for their newborn child. 

This new area of research is bound to reveal a range of 

amazing discoveries and enhance our understanding of 

FAMILY & LIFE 

the biological basis of fatherhood and its importance in 

the upbringing of children. 

At a spiritual level, fatherhood has taught me to be a 

lot less selfish. I no longer get to watch much sport on the 

television and it doesn’t really bother me too much. 

I regularly have an interrupted sleep but I am happy to 

tuck my kids back into bed and I love saying a little prayer 

with them to settle them down. This level of self-sacrifice 

would have seemed impossible before I became a father. 

Being a father has developed my spirituality as I now 

see myself as the spiritual leader of my family. I have 

grown as a person to be able to be a strong leader to my 

five strong-willed children. I have had to reflect on the 

example I give my children in matters big and small. A 

father’s behaviour has a big impact on their children. 

Pope Francis spoke about the importance of fathers 

in his general audience on 4 February this year. He spoke 

about the need for a father to “be close to his children as 

they grow: when they play and when they strive, when they 

are carefree and when they are distressed, when they are 

talkative and when they are silent, when they are daring 

and when they are afraid, when they take a wrong step and 

when they find their path again; a father who is always 

present.” He also pointed out that “a good father knows 

how to wait and knows how to forgive from the depths of his 

heart.” 

The change that men undergo when they become 

fathers prepares them to play an indispensable role in 

their family. Good fathers find time to be present to their 

children. When fathers let their work take priority over 

their family, their wife and children can suffer. 

St Joseph is a great model for fathers. While he was a 

man of few words his example spoke volumes to his foster 

son, Jesus, the Word of God. 



NEWS FROM THE CCD 

Celebrating the service of Special Religious Educators 

Bishop Kevin with recipients of the Papal Award for 20 

years of SRE service. 

Representatives of Catholic schools whose students support parishes in providing SRE in state primary 

schools. Photos: Alfred Boudib. 

Last month’s annual Mass for the 

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine 

(CCD) and presentation of service 

awards was a wonderful celebration 

and acknowledgement of the dedicated 

ministry of SRE personnel across the 

Diocese. 

The Diocesan Administrator, Very Rev 

Peter Williams, was the principal celebrant 

for the Mass on 21 August at St Paul the 

Apostle Parish, Winston Hills. 

Awards were presented to 58 SRE 

personnel whose length of service ranged 

from 15 to 40 years. 

More than 500 people attended the 

Mass, which was concelebrated by Bishop 

Emeritus Kevin Manning and 13 priests 

assisted by two deacons, two seminarians, 

an acolyte and altar servers. 

Fr Peter spoke of the important 

evangelising role that SREs undertake on 

behalf of each parish. 

The Diocesan CCD Director, Paul 

Worthington, spoke on behalf of the 

retired SRE Parish Coordinators and 

commended their service to their parishes, 

their SRE teams and their support for their 

parish priests. 

Bishop Kevin presented the years of 

service and Papal Awards for the 20-year 

Bishop Kevin presents Lesley 

Bosci with her 35 years of service 

award. 

Norma Carlon receives her award 

from Fr Peter Williams for teaching 

the whole school in the Megalong 

Valley for the past 25 years. 

recipients. The Chair of the CCD Advisory 

Board, Fr Ian McGinnity, presented 

Graduate Certificates to Level 3 personnel. 

This year, parishes have also been 

supported by students from 18 Catholic 

secondary schools. More than 500 students 

are involved in teaching and supporting 

SRE parish teams. 

These young people are a wonderful 

resource for the parishes and a great help 

to experienced SREs and certainly the 

students in state primary schools. 

Paul Worthington will retire as CCD 

Director on 18 December. He was lavish 

in his praise for members of the diocesan 

Fr Ian McGinnity with Level 3 award recipients. 

CCD Team for their wonderful work as a 

servant ministry to the parishes. 

It was excellent to see four CCD 

Regional Coordinators receive service 

awards for their commitment to their own 

parishes. 

Celebrating the Journey 

Diocesan Development Fund 

Catholic Diocese of Parramatta 

Supporting the 

growing needs of the 

institutions and agencies within 

the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta 

www.parra.catholic.org.au/ddf 

St Patrick’s Cathedral 

on Sunday 

20 September 

at 11am 

Open to all married couples and 

their families but with special 

acknowledgement to those 

couples who have significant 

wedding anniversaries 

of 25 years and over. 

The Diocesan Administrator, 

Very Rev Peter Williams, will 

be the Principal Celebrant 

for the Mass and will 

host lunch afterwards. 

Disclosure Statement 

The Diocesan Development Fund Catholic Diocese of Parramatta (DDF) is not subject to the provisions of the Corporation Act 2001 nor has it been examined or approved 

by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. 

Deposits with the DDF are guaranteed by CDPF Limited, a company established by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference for this purpose. 

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, 

Religious and Educational works of the Catholic Church. 

Neither the DDF nor the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Parramatta are prudentially supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority; 

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 

the charitable purposes of the DDF. 

Couples celebrating 

anniversaries of 25, 30, 35, 

40, 45, 50 years and over will 

receive a certificate of blessing. 

Please register by 12 September through your Parish Secretary 

or contact CatholicCare Social Services 

tel (02) 9933 0222 or email marriage@ccss.org.au 



Great resources for parishes and groups to 

advance God’s mission! By Fr Paul Roberts – Institute for Mission, Blacktown 

Pastoral Plan goals 

DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLAN 

Many will be familiar with Faith in 

Our Future, the Diocese of Parramatta’s 

Pastoral Plan. It was the result of extensive 

consultation led by Fr Paul Marshall and 

Daniel Ang. 

Daniel then contributed so richly for us as 

Director of Pastoral Planning until his recent 

move to assist our neighbouring Diocese of 

Broken Bay. 

We look forward to the arrival of Richard 

McMahon on 28 September. Richard will 

work with us in the key role of Director of 

Pastoral Planning and Implementation. 

In the meantime, the Pastoral Plan continues 

where it belongs, in the hands and hearts 

of those in grassroots ministry in our 

communities in the Diocese. Its five key broad 

goals or pastoral priorities, in summary, are: 

Goal 1 – Supporting family life 

Goal 2 – Connecting better with the young 

Goal 3 – Building upon our ethnic diversity 

Goal 4 – Growing and supporting laity and 

clergy 

Goal 5 – New Evangelisation 

FORMING 

THEYoung 

& 

Church Adult 

A PARISH RESOURCE 

IN SUPPORT OF 

GOALS 2 AND 4 OF 

‘Faith in Our Future 

2014-2018’ 

GOAL 2 – CONNECTING BETTER WITH THE YOUNG 

GOAL 4 – GROWING AND SUPPORTING LAITY AND CLERGY 

Connecting Better with the Young 

Invite and support youth and young adults to grow in holiness and to become 

leading participants in the renewal of society and the Church by living their faith 

with commitment and enthusiasm. 

A superb resource collection to 

help us is here! 

Earlier in the year, helped by his parttime 

staff of Margaret and Lindsay, Daniel 

prepared a major collection of resource links 

and suggestions to support Goals 2 and 4 

of the Pastoral Plan. He drafted this into a 

resource book entitled Forming the Young and 

Adult Church. 

A number of the diocesan agencies, especially 

Catholic Youth Parramatta and the Office for 

Worship, were hugely helpful in contributing 

ideas to the resource book. 

As well, many clergy and ministry leaders 

contributed recommendations from their 

pastoral experience. We recently took it 

on at the Diocese’s Institute for Mission at 

Blacktown to do the finishing touches to the 

resource book and arrange for its publishing. 

If you scan through the pages of the resource 

book, you’ll see plenty of evidence of the 

ministry, energy and best practice that 

is being exercised through the Church’s 

networks to connect people and faith. 

It contains a wide spectrum of offerings from 

youth ministry and leadership formation to 

prayer and liturgy support to ideas for faith 

formation, RCIA, seniors’ ministry, pastoral 

councils and bereavement care. 

Fostering a sense of belonging 

Youth groups present an opportunity to develop fellowship among our Catholic 

youth and foster within them a sense of belonging to parish community. 

The first one related to Goals 1 and 5 and was entitled Welcome and 

Evangelise. For parishes or groups who would also like more of that first 

resource book, contact us at the Institute for Mission on (02) 9831 4911. 

Getting the new resource book to parishes and groups 

This month, our small team from the Institute for Mission is visiting 

every parish in the Diocese. We’ll hand deliver a bundle of the new 

resource books, Forming the Young and Adult Church, for use by parish 

teams and ministry group leaders. 

During these visits we also look forward to sharing outlines of the 

current and upcoming initiatives of the Institute for Mission to support 

the work and goals of parishes. Other groups keen to receive the new 

resource book are welcome to contact us on (02) 9831 4911. 

Growing and Supporting Laity and Clergy 

Provide lifelong support for laity in their vocations, and grow and support our 

priestly vocations as well, provide opportunities for faith formation, and encourage 

the development of pastoral leadership in service to our common mission 

as the People of God. 

The biggest problem for parishes and groups 

will be how to limit the number of resources 

and new ideas they access and use, as the 

opportunities suggested are many indeed. 

This new resource book is the second one 

available to support the Pastoral Plan. 

Contact us at the IFM 

Fr Paul Roberts and the team at the Institute for Mission 

can be contacted on (02) 9831 4911. 

Called to live the mission of the Church 

‘Parish Pastoral Councils are councils of the whole church, 

where priests, religious, church workers and laity all come together 

and give leadership to the parish as it discerns its call to 

live the mission of the Church in these times in this community.’ 



2015 FATHER’S DAY APPEAL 

CARING FOR THOSE WHO CARED: Your support for retired and sick priests 


Your priest has been at some of your 

most memorable and meaningful 

family events. They were there when 

you married. They were there when your 

child was baptised. They were there when 

you lost loved ones. They were there every 

Sunday, watching your family grow, not 

just in number but also in faith. 

Priests often reflect on the honour 

that comes from being a witness to such 

significant moments. The Diocesan 

Administrator, Very Rev Peter Williams, 

reflected, “As priests it is a privilege for us 

to be able to share in the joyful moments 

of your lives and to be with you in times of 

heartache and sadness.” 

But what happens when a priest 

retires? What happens when a priest 

becomes sick? They have been a part 

of your family for so long and in their 

retirement and through their sickness and 

age, they can still remain a part of your 

family. 

Last year you gave more than $195,000 

to support the retired priests and sick 

clergy of the Diocese through the Father’s 

Day Appeal. There are 27 Parramatta 

clergy who are currently retired – two 

bishops, 23 priests and two deacons. 

Your donation helps them cover 

healthcare costs and expenses associated 

with everyday living, supplementing the 

pension that some receive. 

“The appeal is a way of acknowledging 

the priests who have ministered 

throughout our Diocese over many years, 

but who are now in need of our assistance,” 

Fr Peter said. 

Parishioners continue to inspire 

Fr Mick O’Callaghan 

A 

priest for almost 40 years, Fr 

Mick O’Callaghan said he has 

been sustained in his faith by 

parishioners who continue to inspire him 

with their inherent goodness. 

“Parish ministry is the greatest joy of 

my life as it enables me to touch and be 

touched by people from all walks of life,” 

he said. “Every day is different and so, 

often, the best laid plans are thwarted by 

an unexpected visitor or event.” 

At the age of 73, Fr Mick is 

transitioning to retirement and is currently 

Administrator of Our Lady of the Way 

Parish at Emu Plains. 

Reflecting on his vocation journey, 

Fr Mick said his parents were great role 

models in ensuring that the Catholic faith 

played a significant part in family life. 

“There was always weekly Mass, the 

rosary (especially in May and October) 

and frequent visits by the parish priest for 

family meals,” he said. 

“In my early teens I considered 

priesthood and it was a persistent thought 

over many years. 

“When I was in high school, Sr Adrian 

RSM was a great influence in my life. 

She posed the idea of priesthood and 

encouraged an interest in the Carmelites as 

her brother was a member of that order. Sr 

Adrian remained a family friend until her 

death.” 

After leaving school he worked in 

banking and studied accountancy. While 

living in Melbourne he was active in the 

YCW and in the Victorian Catholic Lawn 

Tennis Association. 

“Despite having a great social life, I 

always felt drawn to the priesthood. In my 

20s I made contact with the Carmelites 

and eventually joined them in 1971,” Fr 

Mick said. 

His first five years of priesthood were 

involved as Vocation Director and Youth 

Minister, which gave him great insights 

into the lives of young people. 

“I worked with a number of religious 

orders running retreats and discernment 

weekends for high school pupils and 

university students,” he said. 

In 1986, Fr Mick approached Bishop 

Bede Heather regarding the possibility of 

transferring from the Carmelites to being 

a priest of the newly formed Diocese of 

Parramatta. 

Fr Mick said that in his gentle manner, 

Bishop Bede guided him through a process 

of transfer and in 1987 accepted him as 

member of the diocesan priesthood and 

appointed him to Our Lady of Lourdes 

Parish at Seven Hills. 

“We are blessed to have many clergy 

aged over 65 still in active ministry. It is 

also true that in the near future, many of 

them will need our support.” 

The retired and sick clergy of our 

Diocese have served our community well 

and can continue to do so with your help. 

They are grateful for your support now and 

in the future. 

Last financial year, the Clergy Support 

Foundation spent about $500,000 caring 

for the needs of these retired priests. The 

Foundation also spent just over $90,000 

in preparing for the future retirement of 

clergy, of whom about 10 may be seeking 

to retire over the next five years. 

There are units under construction for 

retired priests and seminarians, which will 

be located next to Holy Spirit Seminary in 

Fr Mick O’Callaghan and seminarian Joe Murphy inspect construction of the new units at Harris Park with site 

manager Josh Haymen. Photo: Alfred Boudib. 

Subsequently, Fr Mick has served 

in the parishes of Leura, Richmond, 

Baulkham Hills and now Emu Plains. 

Fr Mick said the scourge of clerical 

sexual abuse had caused huge changes in 

the Church and in a priest’s relationship 

with the people. “I find this very sad. I 

love children and have always had a good 

relationship with them,” he said. 

“In my early years of priestly ministry 

there was much more trust, openness and 

freedom to be yourself amongst the young 

people – and people in general.” 

As he approaches retirement Fr Mick 

said he tends to stay in his comfort zone 

rather than be challenged with new 

ideas. “This is frustrating as I have always 

considered myself a bit radical.” 

Harris Park. 

The retired priest building will consist 

of nine rooms with two bedrooms and two 

bathrooms, basement parking, a chapel 

and a common lounge area. 

The seminary accommodation will 

consist of 22 studio apartments, dining 

room, library, common lounge, outdoor 

entertaining area, extensive landscaping 

and parking. 

Construction is scheduled for 

completion in April 2016. 

Donations to the Father’s Day Appeal 

can be made through the envelopes 

available from your parish or online at: 

www.csfparra.org.au 

Donations of $2 or more are tax 

deductible. 

He hopes to have more time for 

reading, listening to classical music and 

attending the opera. 

Fr Mick’s favourite passages from 

Scripture are the parable of the ‘Prodigal 

Son’ and Jesus’ encounter with the 

‘Woman at the Well’. “They show God’s allencompassing 

love in action. My favourite 

hymn is Here I Am Lord.” 

But priests never really retire, and Fr 

Mick will celebrate Mass whenever called 

on and hopes to stay in touch with many 

of the parishioners he has come to know 

over the years. 

Asked for advice to men contemplating 

priesthood, he said: “Give it a go. Nothing 

ventured – nothing gained!” 

theLMent.com 

Our retired Priests have always been a part of 

your FAMILY, 

in your celebrations, unions, 

happiness & sadness 

CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA CLERGY SUPPORT FOUNDATION 

In their retirement, 

they can still remain a part of your 

FAMILY 

CARING FOR THOSE WHO CARED 

Please support our sick and 

retired Priests through the Clergy 

Support Foundation. 

Donations are welcome at any 

time – amounts of $2 or more are 

tax deductible. 

If you are preparing or changing 

a Will you may consider 

bequeathing a donation to the 

Foundation. 

For more information please call 

(02) 9639 0598 or donate online 

at www.parra.catholic.org.au 



CARING FOR THOSE WHO CARED 

THE FATHER’S DAY APPEAL FOR RETIRED AND SICK PRIESTS 

SATURDAY 5 & SUNDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2015 

They have always been a part of 

your FAMILY, 

in your celebrations, unions, happiness & sadness 

In their retirement, 

they can still remain a part of your 

FAMILY 

Please give generously 

Donations to the Father’s Day 

Appeal will help to ensure that our 

‘spiritual fathers’ are cared for in 

their retirement. We know that you 

are most grateful for the dedicated 

ministry of our priests and that you 

want to see them properly housed and 

looked after. So please give generously 

to the Father’s Day Appeal. 

How to support the Father’s 

Day Appeal for Retired and Sick 

Priests 

EITHER add the appeal envelope with the 

details of your contribution to the special 

Father’s Day collection. 

OR, if you are unable to make a contribution on 

Father’s Day, ask your parish office for an appeal 

envelope and post your donation to the Clergy 

Support Foundation, PO Box 702, Baulkham Hills 

BC, NSW, 1755. 

To make a donation online please visit www.csfparra.org.au 

BEQUESTS 

If you are preparing or changing a will you may 

consider bequeathing a donation to the Foundation. 

Ask your solicitor or executor to telephone the 

Clergy Support Foundation on (02) 9639 0598. 

theLMent.com 

CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA 

CatholicOutlook | SEPTEMBER 2015 11 


CATHOLIC EDUCATION www.parra.catholic.edu.au @CatholicEdParra facebook.com/CatholicEdParra 

Faith and 

action 

STEM 

from 

Catholic 

education 

At our recent Priests, Principals and RECs Forum, we 

had the opportunity to listen to the Archbishop of 

Vancouver, Most Rev Michael J Miller CSB, speak about 

the future of Catholic schools. 

During this address, Archbishop Miller shared a powerful 

statement from Pope Francis to Jesuit teachers and 

alumnae in 2013: “I also want to encourage you 

educators to seek new unconventional forms of 

education so as to comply with the needs of places, 

times and people. This is important. Always go a step 

further and never be satisfied with conventional things.” 

When Archbishop Miller went on to call for “boldness, 

creativity and courage” in Catholic education, my mind 

immediately turned to a new project we have announced 

at the Sydney Science Park in Luddenham. 

We will be establishing an innovative new STEM school 

inside the Science Park, which will offer students 

unprecedented learning opportunities in Science, 

Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. 

So how does STEM relate to Catholic education? 

American presidential candidate Rick Santorum recently 

dismissed Pope Francis’ leadership on climate change 

with the comment that the Church should leave “science 

to the scientists”. 

Mr Santorum was quickly reminded that Pope Francis 

is a university graduate in Chemistry. Not only does 

the Holy Father draw on scientific learning in his 

recent papal encyclical Laudato Si’, he advocates for 

environmental education for young people. 

I’m excited about the growth of STEM education, and 

the Sydney Science Park project in particular, because 

STEM education is about problem solving: education in 

action. 

Pope Francis in his encyclical, The Joy of the Gospel, said 

“there can be no true evangelisation without the explicit 

proclamation of Jesus as Lord”. He also said that the very 

essence of evangelisation is bringing Jesus to those we 

meet in the every day. 

“It has to do with bringing the Gospel to the people 

we meet, whether they be our neighbours or complete 

strangers … constantly ready to bring the love of Jesus 

to others, and this can happen unexpectedly and in any 

place: on the street, in a city square, during work, on a 

journey.” 

Catholic schools offer opportunities for young people to put faith into action. 

A deep dive into formation 

By Kim Brownlie 

Across the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta, schools and parishes have 

partnered with diocesan agencies to focus on the evangelisation of young 

people and support the formation of students. 

The first session had an unexpected 150 students attend 

and the initiative has had a profound effect on the 

personal formation of the students. 

St Mark’s School Captain, Alex Surdich, said the youth 

group was an opportunity to connect with students from 

across the school. 

“Youth group is not centred towards a certain year group, 

it’s different individuals from different year groups 

professing their faith and sharing how they got to that 

journey,” Alex said. “Everyone’s faith journey is different.” 

As Archbishop Miller reflected on curriculum, he spoke 

with passion about the study of Science from a Catholic 

worldview. I’d like to think of Catholic STEM education 

as faith and education in action, an opportunity to lead 

on what Archbishop Miller called “the complementarity 

of faith and reason”. 

The NSW Minister for Planning, Rob Stokes MP, 

announced the approval of the first stage of the project, 

which will see this semi-rural spot hold 3400 homes, 

12,000 high-skilled jobs and places for approximately 

10,000 students, including those to be enrolled at the 

Catholic STEM school. 

As Western Sydney has some of the highest youth 

unemployment rates in Australia, the Catholic STEM 

school is an innovative way to meet a community need 

for pathways to employment, particularly in the areas of 

Science and Mathematics. 

The Sydney Science Park school is just one of a number 

of projects we will be developing in the coming years 

that will enable new models of schooling to support the 

needs of today’s learners and the community. 

It is part of our response to the call from Archbishop 

Miller to be bold, creative and courageous. 

Greg Whitby 

Executive Director of Schools 

@gregwhitby 

blog: bluyonder.wordpress.com 

Catholic schools play a key role with families and parishes 

to offer opportunities for young people to deepen and 

explore their faith and to put their faith into action. Here 

are some of many formation initiatives across the Diocese. 

St Mark’s Youth Group 

The Catholic Learning Community of St John XXIII, 

Stanhope Gardens, is uniquely placed where the primary 

school and college accommodates for the evangelisation 

of students from Kindergarten through to Year 12. 

The students of St Mark’s Catholic College, Stanhope 

Gardens, the secondary school within the learning 

community, has started an initiative that invites students 

from Years 7-12 to join youth group to support social 

justice activities. 

Leading the initiative in his first year of teaching is 

Anthony Ndaira, who said the youth group started in 

Term 2 and offered students the opportunity to talk about 

the ‘big questions’ in life and to help students deepen their 

personal formation. 

“When we evaluated where the students were at in their 

spiritual journey, we thought a youth group would act as 

the hands and feet of social justice in the school and help 

students deepen their faith,” Anthony said. 

Year 11 student Chloe Nguyen said although her faith was 

already strong, she wanted to discuss her faith in a group 

setting with other people experiencing the same journey. 

“It was a chance for me to open up about my beliefs and 

to be with others who are also on the same page as me,” 

Chloe said. “In this day and age, it’s hard to talk about 

things like faith with others who don’t experience it or 

who don’t feel the same way.” 

Anthony said that although the initiative was still in its 

infancy, the future of youth group was bright. “What it 

needs to have in the future is the idea that it will always 

continue to unite people from Years 7-12 and the teachers; 

it brings the school together,” he said. 

“Another part of the future is to train up young people 

specifically to be leaders of ministry in the school to help 

sustain the movement in the school in the long term, we 

want them to be agents for change.” 

Encounter pilot program 

The Encounter Student Leadership pilot program 

commenced this year in Our Lady of Queen Peace 

Parish, Greystanes. The program is a joint initiative 

of Catholic Education and Catholic Youth Parramatta 

(CYP) with students attending three Saturday events 

and a commissioning ceremony at Campion College, 

Toongabbie. 



www.parra.catholic.edu.au @CatholicEdParra facebook.com/CatholicEdParra 

CATHOLIC EDUCATION 

Students at the commissioning ceremony of the Encounter program. 

St Mark’s students participate in their Friday lunchtime youth group initiative. 

Encounter was developed as a means of forming 

secondary school leaders in a way that helps them learn 

more about Jesus Christ as a key model for Christian 

leadership. 

Year 10 students from Catherine McAuley Westmead, 

Cerdon College, Merrylands, Parramatta Marist High, 

Westmead, St Pauls Catholic College, Greystanes and Our 

Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta, who had attended 

primary school at Our Lady of Queen Peace Primary, 

Greystanes, were invited to be involved in the program. 

CYP Director James Camden said Encounter acted as a 

stepping-stone for students who wanted to participate 

in and attend other youth evangelisation events and 

leadership roles in the coming years. 

“Encounter opens up opportunities for students to attend 

other festivals that are directly tied to the Diocese,” 

James said. “We believe the program trains the students 

to become leaders either within their school or in the 

community.” 

Year 10 students from St Pauls Catholic College, Lucas 

Bertoncelj, Kieren Gerardis and Luigi Vella, said the 

program gave them a greater understanding of the 

Catholic faith and taught them how to become leaders 

within their own communities. 

“I have been part of the parish youth group since I was in 

Year 6 and I feel like the parish is looking to me to step up 

and become a leader one day,” Kieren said. 

“Something I really took away from the program was 

‘don’t just say it, be it’ and it is something I want to apply 

to my life after Encounter,” Luigi said. 

“The more I learned about Catholicism, the more I started 

to believe and to see what Jesus did as a leader, and this 

showed me how to become a leader,” Lucas said. 

The pilot program is being evaluated to see how it will run 

in the future. 

Special Religious Education 

Secondary students from across the Diocese have been 

involved in teaching Scripture in government primary 

schools as part of the Special Religious Education (SRE) 

program for more than 17 years. 

The joint initiative with the Confraternity of Christian 

Doctrine (CCD) has grown from 50 students in one 

school to more than 500 students across 19 schools. 

CDD Director Paul Worthington said he hoped more 

students would choose to be involved in SRE in the future 

and the program would continue to grow. 

“I’m hoping students will one day be able to teach SRE in 

state secondary schools and not just primary so that they 

can do a bit of youth to youth ministry,” Paul said. 

Australian Catholic Youth Festival 

The Australian Catholic Youth Festival, established by 

the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, is a national 

gathering of young people which aims to deepen their 

faith and empower them to be evangelisers in their dayto-day 

lives. 

The festival includes plenary sessions, workshops, 

dialogue spaces, prayer experiences, live music and social 

justice activities. 

It is hoped that 130 young people from the Diocese of 

Parramatta will join around 3000 young people from 

across Australia at the festival hosted by the Archdiocese 

of Adelaide in December. 

For more information visit 

http://youthfestival.catholic.org.au/ 

Prayer is a day to day part of the school community. 

World Youth Day 

In 2016, World Youth Day (WYD) will be held in Krakow, 

Poland. Millions of young people from around the world 

will join Pope Francis for a week-long festival of faith. 

The Diocese of Parramatta is hoping more than 350 young 

people aged 16-35 from Western Sydney will attend. 

Following on the success of WYD 2013 Rio and 

immersion in Lima, Peru, the Diocese will include a 

mission immersion experience to the Philippines in the 

lead-up to WYD2016. 

The immersion to Bohol Island, which was devastated by 

an earthquake in 2013, will allow the pilgrims to spend 

four days working with young people in schools, parishes 

and orphanages. 

Following the mission immersion the pilgrims will travel 

to Poland for World Youth Day week in Krakow, the 

homeland of St John Paul II who founded the first World 

Youth Day. 

The WYD2016 Coordinator for the Diocese of 

Parramatta, Mark Tuffy, said it was a terrific opportunity 

for young people to come together to share their faith, to 

share the sacraments, to pray, to be involved in liturgy and 

to meet the Pope. 

“The four-day mission immersion and pilgrimage will be 

a cultural exchange of the Filipino and Australian cultures 

where there are many differences, but where we all share 

the same faith,” Mark said. 

“In Krakow, pilgrims will visit a number of shrines, 

including the Shrine of Divine Mercy, and will visit 

Auschwitz. 

“The young pilgrims will visit the concentration camps, 

which show the worst of humanity, contrasted with the 

best of humanity through their outreach to the Filipino 

community and the joy of World Youth Day.” 

For more information about WYD2016 visit 

http://worldyouthday.com/krakow-2016 

For more school news, visit: 

CatholicEdParra 

@CatholicEdParra 

www.parra.catholic.edu.au 



CATHOLIC EDUCATION www.parra.catholic.edu.au @CatholicEdParra facebook.com/CatholicEdParra 

Principals visit sacred 

sites of Australia 

Catholic Educations wins WSABE 

award for Excellence in Education 

Group photo in front of the church 

at the Santa Teresa Mission after 

Mass with the community. 

Uluru just before sunset. 

Principals from across the Diocese 

recently embarked on an Australian 

pilgrimage, visiting sacred sites 

and places of spiritual significance, 

including Penola and Uluru. 

Pilgrimage Chaplain and 

Sacred Heart Parish Westmead 

Administrator Fr Walter Fogarty 

celebrated Mass at locations 

including Mary MacKillop Chapel in 

Adelaide and Kata Tjuta (Olgas) in 

Central Australia. 

Executive Director of Schools Greg 

Whitby said the pilgrimage was an 

important formation opportunity 

for schools’ leaders. 

“It’s not only important that we 

have excellent educators, but we 

need leaders who witness to the 

Catholic world view,” Greg said. “The pilgrimage provided an 

opportunity for our schools’ leaders to spend time in prayer and 

reflection on how they can best be leaders.” 

Mother Teresa Primary, Westmead Principal, Gary Borg, 

said the pilgrimage allowed him the opportunity, space and 

companionship to understand the life and spirituality of St Mary 

MacKillop. 

“Through the people we encountered and the stories told, 

we began to understand how this ordinary woman lived an 

extraordinary life,” Gary said. 

Sacred Heart Primary, Westmead Principal, Mary Harb, said 

that the pilgrimage reflected the significance that Mary placed 

on having fun and being open to whatever life brings us in each 

moment. 

“During the celebration of Mass in Penola, Fr Walter reflected in 

his homily that we must ‘see with the eye of the heart’ and, like 

Mary, enjoy ourselves, be happy and above all serve the Lord 

with a big heart,” Mary said. “In the busyness of our lives and the 

demands of being connected 24/7 we often forget to switch off 

and connect with the people around us, to see with the eye of 

the heart, to find the joy in every circumstance. 

“Everyone has a cross to bear, and while we may feel our crosses 

are more difficult at times, we are challenged to have courage, to 

trust in the Lord, and like Mary believe in the providence of God.” 

Xavier College, Llandilo Principal, Michael Pate, said the journey 

was a meaningful formation experience. 

“The pilgrimage into the desert allowed me to realise that the 

heat of the desert leaves us nowhere to hide and the cold of the 

night reminds us that without the constant flow of grace and 

divine energy we cannot exist,” Michael said. 

“Both St Mary of the Cross and our Aboriginal brothers and 

sisters remind us that in the desert we have no option but to let 

God be God.” 

Catholic Education WSABE award winners. 

At a gala dinner on 14 August, Catholic Education 

Diocese of Parramatta was recognised with 

the award for Excellence in Education at the 

prestigious Western Sydney Awards for Business 

Excellence (WSABE). 

The award nomination highlighted the innovative 

and evidence-based practice that teachers 

and leaders have embraced, supported by the 

use of three high-yield strategies: data walls, 

instructional walks and case management. Some 

specific examples of innovation highlighted in 

the nomination were Parramatta Marist High, 

Westmead, and St Monica’s Primary, North 

Parramatta’s use of project-based learning 

to develop students’ 21st Century skills in 

communication, collaboration, critical thinking 

and creativity. 

Other successes acknowledged in the nomination 

were the Delany Connective at Delany College, 

Granville, which uses connected and agile spaces 

to support a contemporary model of learning and 

teaching, Loyola Catholic Trade Training Centre’s 

innovative careers hub and the Nirimba Education 

Precinct, which provides flexible post compulsory 

schooling opportunities for students. 

McCarthy student recipient of 

Rotary Youth Award 

McCarthy Catholic College, 

Emu Plains Year 10 student, 

Elayna D’Ermilio. 

McCarthy Catholic 

College, Emu Plains, 

Year 10 student, Elayna 

D’Ermilio, has won 

the 2015 Rotary Youth 

Community Service 

Award. 

Elayna has served 

the college and local 

community through her 

involvement in many 

activities including teaching Scripture at local 

public schools, assisting with Salvation Army 

programs and raising money for the Red Cross 

appeals. 

McCarthy’s Careers Adviser, Craig Laffin, said 

Elayna was an extraordinary young Australian who 

set a fine example of what it meant to be a part of 

the Catholic community. 

NSW Governor hears stories of 

hope at St Thomas Aquinas 

His Excellency General the Hon David Hurley AC 

DSC (Ret’d), Governor of NSW, accompanied by 

Linda Hurley, visited St Thomas Aquinas Primary, 

Springwood, on 11 July to speak with students and 

families who had lost their homes in the October 

2013 bushfires. 

NSW Governor David Hurley meets Blue Mountains families. 

Governor Hurley said he seized the opportunity to 

see first hand how the rebuilding was progressing. 

“I really wanted to meet people and hear their own 

stories face-to-face,” he said. 

St JPII students benefit from HSC 

holiday tutorials 

St John Paul II Year 12 students undertaking HSC holiday tutorials 

with HSC Food Technology Teacher, Melissa Scott. 

With HSC trial exams underway and final exams 

only months away, the dedicated teachers at St 

John Paul II Catholic College (StJPII), Nirimba- 

Schofields have run 18 HSC holiday tutorials 

during the school holidays to help students 

prepare. 

Since 2010, students have benefited from the 

additional assistance and time that StJPII teachers 

have offered as these tutorials give students the 

opportunity to bring all their questions to the table 

and receive study advice to prepare for the HSC 

trial exams. 

Loyola hosts the chefs of the future 

HTN Master Chef, Michael Lopez, demonstrates the spatchcock 

chicken competition dish to competitors. 

Loyola Catholic Trade Training Centre (CTTC), 

Mt Druitt, hosted the annual Hospitality Training 

Network (HTN) Inter Schools Culinary Challenge 

on 18 June. Three student competitors had 90 

minutes to replicate the dish of spatchcock 

chicken. 

The five-hour event was a huge success with all 

participants, sponsors, schools and industry 

representatives impressed by the unique learning 

challenge. 



CATHOLICCARE SOCIAL SERVICES 

DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA 

… providing compassionate, professional and relevant support to the people in our diverse community 

SERVICE 

SPOTLIGHT 

Family & Relationship Counselling 

Counselling and support for individuals, couples or families 

CatholicCare Social Services have a team of friendly qualified social 

workers, counsellors and psychologists who are able to listen and 

assist you and or your loved ones to work through challenging 

times or situations. 

Our Family Relationship Service may be useful if any of the below resonate 

with you: 

• Struggling with couple communication and family issues, 

• Thinking of separating from partner due to unresolved issues, 

• Parenting issues after separation, 

• Personal issues that impact on relationship with partner, family, others, 

• Personal issues impacting your employment, 

• Support for life transitions such as loss of job, diagnosis of illness, 

empty nesters and readjustment, 

• Adjusting to parenting together for the first time, 

• Struggling to feel safe and trusting in a relationship, 

• Unable to resolve family issues, 

• Children struggling with parents separation or parent having a new 

partner, 

• Step parenting issues, family issues, feeling stuck and unable to move on. 

Our services are offered from Blacktown, 

Parramatta, Penrith, Springwood and Emerton. 

Call 02 9933 0222 or email enquiries@ccss.org.au 

COURSES 

& EVENTS 

• Family Bush Dance – 

Saturday 19 September at 

St Thomas Aquinas School 

Hall, 168 Hawkesbury Rd 

Springwood. Free Sausage 

sizzle from 5.30pm. 

Dancing 6.30pm – 9.30pm. 

• International Day of Older People –Food, 

Fun and Socialising 1st October 2015 

10am – 4pm 20 Sir Hercules St Bungarribee. 

• Problem Gambling Saturday Support 

Group – every Saturday 10am – 11.30am. 

Allawah St Blacktown. Call 02 8822 2222 

• Recover Wellbeing comprising REACH 

(Black Dog Accredited 9 week program) 

and support groups for people 

experiencing mental distress and carer 

support groups. Call 02 8822 2222 for 

more info. 

• Bereavement Support Program – 8 

sessions fortnightly from Wednesday 2nd 

September, St Thomas Aquinas Parish 

Centre, 168 Hawskesbury Rd, Springwood 

10.30am-12.30pm Cost: $5.00 per session 

Register by calling 02 9933 0205 or 

email: soloparentservices@ccss.org.au 

Volunteers 

needed 

If you are interested in making a difference 

for local services email volunteer@ccss.org.au or 

call 02 8822 2222. 

At the moment we are eagerly looking for a 

second volunteer Bus Driver to take elderly clients 

of our Blacktown Neighbour Aid Service to and 

from various activities. 

WIN! 

Can you recommend a great family/ 

child friendly app, book or movie? 

Please email support@ccss.org.au to be eligible 

to win 1 x $30 Event Cinema gift voucher. 

We will announce the winner in the October edition. 

Our SEPTEMBER winner ... 

Congratulations to Dominick who recommended 

Evan the Almighty. “The family had some laughs and learned some 

lessons like spending time together and supporting each other 

through ups and downs”. 

• Post Separation Recovery Program – 

7 consecutive Wednesday nights: 

21st October to 2nd December 2015 

7:30pm - 9:45pm at DAC 1-5 Marion 

Street, Blacktown. Fee $80.00. Register 

by calling 02 9933 0205 or email: 

soloparentservices@ccss.org.au 

Parramatta: (02) 9933 0222 Blacktown: (02) 8822 2222 Springwood: (02) 4751 4956 

Visit www.ccss.org.au 


www.facebook.com/CCSSParramatta 


CATHOLIC YOUTH 

‘Made For Each Other’ 

explores authentic love 

By Madeline Arnold 

CatholicYouthParra @cyp_parra @cyp_parra 

Live webcasting of 

youth festival sessions 

By Rebecca DiGirolamo 

The day was an opportunity to share personal insights and experiences. 

On the Feast of the Assumption 

last month, about 20 young 

people from across the Diocese 

of Parramatta and beyond gathered at the 

Institute for Mission in Blacktown to take 

part in ‘Made For Each Other’. 

This day-long seminar on 15 August 

was organised by the diocesan Family 

& Life Office and focussed on the 

complementarity of man and woman. 

The program was centred on six 

short films from the Humanum series, 

supported by the Congregation for the 

Doctrine of the Faith and co-sponsored by 

the Pontifical Council for the Family, and 

others. 

The dignity and beauty of the family 

and marriage was at the forefront of 

discussion. 

The day began with prayer, followed 

by a screening of each film combined with 

small and large group discussion. This was 

a great opportunity to hear other young 

people’s views and thoughts about the 

concepts touched on in the films, and to 

share personal insights and experiences. 

Fr Benedict Mackenzie FSF celebrated 

Mass and gave a homily about what Mary’s 

Assumption tells us about the value and 

dignity of the human person and what this 

means for the body. 

The youth were blessed to hear some 

insights and wisdom about married life 

from Ben Smith and Annabelle Bhandoo 

from the Family & Life Office. 

Those participating in the seminar 

heard about how the dignity of the body 

has been degraded by society and the 

consequences of this in light of how we are 

made in God’s image and likeness and how 

the body is an outward expression of the 

human person. 

At the end of the day, Chris Da Silva 

and Frances Hopkins from The Culture 

Project spoke about their mission to 

restore culture through advocacy of life 

and love. 

Chris and Frances explained the 

difference between ‘solid love’ and ‘liquid 

love’, a concept touched on in the films, 

and shared personal insights into their role 

in upholding this idea of authentic love in 

today’s culture. 

All the participants went home with a 

deeper understanding of the beauty and 

dignity of every human, how to love others 

with a ‘solid love’ and the beauty of the 

complementarity of man and woman. 

As part of a broader plan for 

engagement of young people in the 

Church, the Diocese of Parramatta 

will facilitate the involvement of up to 

100 young adults to attend the Australian 

Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) to be held in 

Adelaide from 3-6 December. 

The rapid pick-up of new social media 

applications by Catholic youth is playing a 

major part in the coordination, planning and 

delivery of the festival. 

Project Manager for the Australian 

Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) Office 

for Youth, Gabrielle Sinclair, said over the 

past five years social media had become an 

essential part of communicating any event, 

particularly to young people. 

The ACYF in Adelaide will be the first 

of the ACBC-sponsored events to stream 

live radio. This will be in addition to live 

webcasting of the plenary sessions. 

Gabrielle said the official hashtag 

#ACYF15 would be used to encourage youth 

to search for friends and post live during the 

festival. An event app is also being developed. 

Youth can follow the conference @ 

ACBCYouthMin on three platforms: 

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Social 

media will be used to communicate special 

announcements and feature particular 

elements of the festival. 

Radio broadcaster and journalist Gianna 

Gianna Lucas will 

be coordinating live 

radio streaming for 

ArchD Radio at the 

Festival. 

Lucas will coordinate and co-present live 

internet streaming of Adelaide’s ArchD Radio 

program at ACYF 2015. 

She will head a team of Catholic youth to 

plan interviews and special guest appearances 

before a live audience at the Adelaide 

Convention Centre over the three-day event. 

“Live streaming is perfect for people who 

cannot get to the festival,” she said. “They 

might be working in Adelaide or interstate 

and so in this way they can be right among 

those at the festival just by tuning in on their 

laptop or smartphone. It’s a great initiative.” 

Catholic Youth Parramatta has secured 

beds at the Mercure and Ibis Hotel across 

the road from the venue. Catholic Education 

Diocese of Parramatta has secured a similar 

number at the Adelaide YHA for Year 10 

students. 

Young adults from the parishes of 

Baulkham Hills, Blacktown, Castle Hill, 

Granville, Greystanes, Harris Park, Lalor 

Park, Marayong and Mt Druitt have already 

reserved beds in these sponsored rooms. 

Young adults and priests in the Diocese of 

Parramatta who would like more information 

about the festival can contact CYP Director 

James Camden tel (02) 8838 3428, JCamden@ 

parra.catholic.org.au 

More info about ACYF is available at: 

http://youthfestival.catholic.org.au/ 

Saturday 12 Sept 

8.30 – 4pm 

Strathfield Campus 

25A Barker Rd Strathfield 

www.acu.edu.au/openday 

CRICOS registered provider: 00004G 



Citation of Merit for Youth: from left, Very Rev Bob Bossini, Troy Gordon, Bishop Emeritus Kevin Manning, Christina Asimus, Very Rev Peter 

Williams, Lisa Hoban, Julia Hoban, Rev Chris de Souza, Walker Falemaota Aloiai and Michael Constantine Setefano. Photo: Alfred Boudib. 

Mr Walker Falemaota Aloiai 

For his commitment to the 

Youth of Parramatta through 

his work in the Parramatta 

Young Christian Workers and 

Students movements. While at 

Loyola Senior High, Mt Druitt, 

he created the Dei Gratia Group 

with a mandate to serve the 

community. 

Miss Christina Asimus 

St Michael’s Parish, Baulkham 

Hills: For her tireless work, 

planning and coordinating 

parish youth ministries. 

Mr Troy Gordon 

St Finbar’s Parish, Glenbrook: 

For his dedication to parish 

Youth and Music Ministries, 

from his early days as a member 

to being a leader of these 

groups. 

Miss Julia Hoban 

Christ the King Parish, North 

Rocks: She continues to set 

an example for the youth 

through her Music Ministry and 

charitable activities. 

Miss Lisa Hoban 

Christ the King Parish, 

North Rocks: For her tireless 

involvement in Youth and Young 

Adults groups, Music Ministry 

and SRE classes. 

Mr Anthony Mackett 

St Anthony of Padua Parish, 

Toongabbie: For his constant 

dedication to the parish, first 

as a member and now leading 

the Youth Music and Liturgical 

ministries. 

Mr Michael Constantine 

Setefano 

Good Shepherd Parish, 

Plumpton: For his commitment 

to youth through his work 

in the Parramatta Young 

Christian Workers and Students 

movements. While at Loyola 

Senior High, Mt Druitt, he 

created the Dei Gratia Group 

with Walker Falemaota Aloiai. 


It’s an honour – celebrating our diocesan award winners 

2015 Citation of Merit for Youth recipients 

2015 Certificate of 

Recognition recipients 

Mr Derrick Slade 

Holy Spirit Parish, St Clair: 

For his quiet generosity to 

the parish, behind the scenes 

over many years, offering his 

professional services and advice 

as an electrician. 

2015 Diocesan Medal of 

Honour recipients 

Mrs Felicitas Apparthurai 

St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish, 

Parramatta: For her unceasing 

commitment to parish for nearly 

40 years. Her kindness and 

service have touched the lives 

of many. 

Sr Monica Armstrong SGS 

St Matthew’s Parish, Windsor, 

and St Thomas Aquinas 

Parish, Springwood: For her 

compassion and dedication to 

her parish of St Matthew’s in 

Windsor and St Thomas Aquinas 

Primary School in Springwood. 

Mrs Vicki Baiada 


Toongabbie: For her active 

participation in the parish since 

its inception. From when she 

was a young child with her 

family, Vicki’s involvement has 

continued through her youth to 

the present as a parent. 

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 

Put those you love in the hands 

of those who care 

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Conference Centre 

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Winbourne is a place of quiet reflection, peace and tranquillity, set on 100 hectares, located in Mulgoa. 

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Staff spirituality days 

School day groups 

Church groups 

Professional groups 

Sporting groups 

Reflective groups 

Special occasions 

Hermitage available for single retreat 

Our Centre offers various sized conference rooms with all AV equipment supplied, including free 

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Enquiries 

Phone: 02 4773 5555 Fax: 02 4773 5500 Email: reception@winbourne.org 

Website: www.winbourne.org Address: 1315 Mulgoa Road, Mulgoa, NSW, 2745 

OOf all life’s celebrations 

the funeral liturgy can touch 

us the most deeply. 

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reliance on those who have the skill 

and experience to plan a funeral that has 

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At least that’s what Sydney families look for 

when they choose WN Bull Funerals. 

As the funeral liturgy expresses faith, it also 

contextualises the life of the deceased with 

traditional and contemporary elements. 


(02) 9519 5344 

wnbull@wnbull.com 

www.wnbull.com.au 

AUSTRALIAN OWNED 



Mrs Patricia Barry 

Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, 

Kellyville: For her contribution 

as a catechist, sacristan 

and member of the parish 

community over many years. 

Mrs Constance Bennett 

Our Lady of the Way 

Parish, Emu Plains: For her 

compassionate dedication 

spanning nearly 40 years, 

Connie has been active in the 

primary school and parish life. 

Mr Joseph Butler 

Our Lady Queen of Peace 

Parish, Greystanes: For more 

than 40 years, he has been 

a generous and dedicated 

presence at the parish, in 

particular for members of the 

Sudanese community and those 

who are struggling. 

Mr Louis Camenzuli 


Parish, Greystanes: For his 

involvement in the parish 

since its foundation; Lou has 

participated in committees, 

co-ordinated marriage 

preparation courses and given 

of his professional building 

experience. 

Mrs Wilhelmina de Raadt 

St Thomas Aquinas Parish, 

Springwood: For her active 

dedication in the parish for 

many years; she has always 

been willing to take on 

additional catechism classes and 

participate in parish life. 

Mrs Maria Loretta Doohan 

Our Lady of the Way Parish, 

Emu Plains: For her commitment 

to the parish for more than 

40 years, Laurie has been a 

dedicated catechist and minister 

to the sick. 

Mr Edward Duffy 



conscientious care of the parish 

for more than 20 years; Ted has 

cared for the parishioners in 

their Baptism preparations, the 

parish grounds and as a member 

of various committees. 

Mrs Margaret Edmunds 

St Nicholas of Myra Parish, 

Penrith: For more than 40 

years Margaret Edmunds 

has contributed to Liturgical, 

Pastoral and Eucharistic 

ministries. 

Mr Brian Arthur Flynn 

Our Lady of Mount Carmel 

Parish, Wentworthville: For 

nearly 60 years, he has been 

active in parish life; as a member 

of various committees and 

charities, his quiet mentorship is 

a wonderful legacy. 

Mrs Catherine Forbes 

Sacred Heart Parish, Blackheath: 

For sharing her gift of music 

through her support of liturgies 

and ministries for more than 25 

years. 

Mrs Giuseppina Frasca 

Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, 

Kellyville: For her support and 

care of those in need at the 

parish and the Shrine of the 

Holy Innocents; Pina has been 

a compassionate presence for 

more than 45 years. 

Cameroon 

Mrs Doreen Friend 


Penrith: For more than 40 years, 

Doreen Friend has served the 

parish in various ways; ranging 

from Eucharistic Ministry to 

banner making. 

Mr Peter Gardner 

St Anthony of Padua 

Parish, Toongabbie: For his 

contributions to the parish for 

more than 30 years; assisting in 

various areas from technological 

to charitable and the Men’s 

Breakfasts. 

Mr Charles Hage 


Parish, Greystanes: For serving 

as an acolyte for more than 35 

years; bearing witness to each 

liturgy whether Mass, Baptism 

or Funeral. 

Mr Lorensz Herft 


For his dedication to the 

parish for more than 30 years; 

supporting the Sri Lankan and 

local Indigenous communities 

through his charitable works, 

both at home and overseas. 

Mr Christopher Jaja 


Penrith: For his contribution 

spanning more than 30 years 

in both leadership and support 

roles, giving of his time and 

skills whenever there was a 

need. 

Mr John Karam 

Holy Family Parish, Granville: 

For his quiet dedication to the 

parish for more than 50 years; 

caring for the clergy, church and 

parishioners. 

Mr John Knight 


Toongabbie: For his dedication 

for more than 50 years with 

his wife, Maureen, helping to 

maintain the school and church 

grounds and as a football coach. 

Mrs Maureen Knight 


Toongabbie: For her many 

and varied efforts spanning 

more than 50 years; actively 

volunteering on both parish and 

school committees. 

Mr Anthony John Lette 



contributions spanning more 

than 50 years since his youth, 

including as President of their 

Catholic Youth Organisation, an 

Acolyte and Music Director. 

Mrs Mary Lopez 

St Finbar’s Parish, Glenbrook: 

For sharing her gift of music 

for more than 35 years; she 

has been an inspiration in 

her dedication to nurturing 

musicians of all ages, especially 

the children’s choirs. 

Mr Kevin Denis Lyons 

Mary Immaculate Parish, 

Quakers Hill-Schofields: For his 

A priest in the Andes 

annointing the sick 

Monaghan 

& Gleeson 

FUNERAL DIRECTORS 

Catholic Outlook 




The inaugural Diocesan Citation of Merit for Youth and Diocesan Certificate of Recognition were presented with the 2015 Diocesan Medal 

of Honour. Photo: Alfred Boudib. 

creative support for more than 

two decades; supporting the 

Liturgical team by ensuring the 

decorations reflect the season. 

Mr Brian Masonwells 



conscientious guidance for 

more than 40 years, sharing 

his professional knowledge to 

ensure the financial security of 

the parish. 

Mrs Annette Morris 

Padre Pio Parish Parish, 

Glenmore Park: For her tireless 

and generous efforts; teaching 

SRE classes and ensuring those 

who are in need are provided 

for. 

Mrs Margaret O’Connor 


Parish, Greystanes: For her 

nurturing guidance of new 

members through the RCIA 

for more than 35 years; she 

continues to be involved in 

parish life. 

Mr Vincent Gerald O’Farrell 


Penrith: For his generous and 

immeasurable support spanning 

more than 85 years, always 

offering care to those most in 

need. 

Mr Frank O’Malley 



immeasurable contributions 

over more than 50 years in 

maintaining the parish and 

coaching the local sports teams. 

Mrs Anne Marie Pletkan 


Penrith: For her passionate and 

tireless support of the parish, 

continually working to better 

the education experience of 

children. 

Mrs Marian Polizzi 

St Patrick’s Cathedral 

Parish, Parramatta: For her 

warm hospitality and gifted 

contributions for more than 20 

years, including establishing the 

Cloister Café, the Hospitality 

Ministry and St Pat’s Matters 

publication. 

Mrs Lorraine Robertson 

Holy Spirit Parish, St Clair: For 

her energetic participation and 

co-ordination of various groups, 

which ensures the parish is 

always beautiful, warm and 

welcoming. 

Mrs Sophie Ryan 

Catholic Education Diocese 

of Parramatta: For her faithful 

and continuous dedication 

for nearly 40 years to support 

opportunities of education to 

children through her work as a 

teacher, principal and leader of 

education in the Diocese. 

Mr Raymond Samonte 

St John XXIII Parish, Glenwood- 

Stanhope Gardens: For his 

dedication and leadership of the 

Music Ministry since the earliest 

days of the parish when church 

services were held in Holy Cross 

Primary School library. 

Mr Roberto Sarlabus 

St John XXIII Parish, Glenwood- 

Stanhope Gardens: He has 

been active in considering the 

needs of the parish and tireless 

in ensuring the clergy feel 

supported. 

Mrs Robyn Sawtell 


Penrith: For her creative and 

generous contributions to the 

parish, in particular designing 

the liturgical banners and 

guiding the production team. 

Mrs Patricia Shaw 


Parish, Greystanes: For her 

diligent and compassionate 

service, most notably in the 

Eucharistic Ministry for more 

than 30 years and leading the 

Heart Speaks to Heart Prayer 

group for more than 25 years. 

Mrs Shirley Stewart 


Toongabbie: For her tireless 

dedication for more than 40 

years in both her official and 

unofficial activities at the parish, 

including as Parish Secretary for 

half that time. 

Mrs Janice Van Rys 


Parramatta: For her quiet 

generosity over nearly 30 years, 

assisting the Sacristan and 

involved in the Music Ministry 

both as a chorister and in the 

production of choir robes. 

Sr Joyce Vella RSM 


Toongabbie, and Mary, 

Queen of the Family Parish, 

Blacktown: For her inspirational 

commitment to these parishes 

and her efforts during the 

inception and development of 

the Mamre Project under the 

auspices of the Sisters of Mercy 

Parramatta. 

Mrs Manel Viswasam 


Penrith: For her enthusiastic 

participation in the parish and 

local community for 40 years; 

a dedicated Catechist who 

ensures those most in need are 

remembered. 

Mrs Sue Walsh 

Catholic Education Diocese of 

Parramatta: For her passionate 

commitment to improve 

educational opportunities 

for more than 33 years as a 

teacher, principal and now 

Deputy Executive Director of 

Catholic Education Diocese 

of Parramatta; Sue continues 

to advocate for support of the 

parishes through education. 

Mr Richard Ward 



compassionate dedication for 

more than 40 years as both 

Parish Manager and parishioner, 

caring for clergy and his 

community. 

Mr Leo Weekes 


For his active participation on 

various committees, especially 

his work on behalf of the St 

Vincent de Paul Society. 

Mrs Shirley Wehbe 


Parramatta: For her quiet 

generosity for more than two 

decades in the Cathedral Parish 

and in the Maronite community; 

most notably for her family’s 

tradition of hosting a Christmas 

Day Lunch at the Town Hall for 

those in need. 

Sr Pauline Marie Wong SPC 

Chinese Chaplaincy, Diocese 

of Parramatta: For her tireless 

and inspirational ministry 

to the Chinese Chaplaincy; 

encouraging and passionate 

in her example of serving the 

community. 

Mr Phillip Youngman 

Our Lady of the Way Parish, 

Emu Plains: For his many 

contributions over four decades; 

unstinting with his time and 

participation through various 

committees and ministries. 

2015 Diocesan Medal 

of Honour Posthumous 

recipients 

Mr Thomas Joseph Coogan 

Our Lady of Mount Carmel 

Parish, Wentworthville: For his 

generous support of the parish, 

local and religious communities 

for more than eight decades; 

his warm hospitality and sense 

of service ensured that no 

need was unmet and no one 

went unwelcomed. His widow, 

Mrs Pat Coogan, accepted the 

award. 

Mrs Kathleen Mary O’Farrell 


Penrith: For her unceasing, 

selfless support of the parish 

spanning more than 85 years, 

with her husband Vincent. 

Kate befriended many through 

the years with her kindness 

and charity. Her daughter, Ms 

Catherine O’Farrell, accepted 

the award. 

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Australian Family Owned & Operated 

301-303 PENNANT HILLS ROAD, THORNLEIGH 

9484 3992 

ALL SUBURBS 24 HOURS 

www.albertmeyer.com.au 

Rebecca Pincott Michael Bolton 



NEWS & EVENTS 

Bicentenary of Don Bosco celebrations at St Marys 

Principal celebrant Fr Shane Reade SDB 

The bicentenary of the birth of St 

John Bosco, founder of the Salesians 

of Don Bosco, was celebrated at St 

Marys on the weekend of 15-16 August 

2015. 

Our Lady of the Rosary Parish is in the 

pastoral care of the Salesians who also have 

an outreach to young people with the Don 

Bosco Youth Centre. 

Celebrations commenced on Saturday at 

Penrith local community centre where more 

than 280 people enjoyed a fantastic night. 

The young people from the parish and local 

schools preformed a program of dance, 

choirs, solo singing and gymnastic acts. 

Cutting the 200th birthday cake. 

On Sunday, the 10.30am Mass was 

celebrated in honour of Don Bosco with 

a Filipino youth choir. Fr Shane Reade 

SDB, rector, was the principal celebrant 

for the Mass, which was concelebrated 

by Fr Brendan Murphy, parish priest, Fr 

Guy Riolo SDB, assistant priest, Fr John 

Walenciej (youth centre co-director), Fr 

Chris Riley SDB (founder and director of 

Youth Off The Streets) with Br Thuy Nguyen 

SDB (youth centre assistant). 

A large number of Maltese, Filipino and 

South American past pupils of Our Lady of 

the Rosary Primary were present to share in 

this joyful occasion. 

After Mass, parishioners and young 

people continued the celebrations in the 

Don Bosco Youth Centre. The celebration 

commenced with prayer, acknowledgement 

of country led by Sr Louise Mc Keogh FMA 

and young people of the centre. 

Sr Jenny Doudle FMA gave a short talk 

on Don Bosco, which was followed by the 

cutting of the 200th birthday cake. 

Activities and entertainment included 

a dance by pupils from Our Lady of the 

Rosary Primary. Cultural dances were 

performed by the Samoan community, 

the Atafu Lotomau Tokelau and Kajo-Keji 

communities from South Sudan, and the 

Madi community. 

There were gymnastic and trampoline 

displays, circus and unicycle displays and 

face painting. There were pool and table 

tennis competitions. A live band was led 

by Br Jeff Miller SDB, Carlos Escobar and 

Malia. 

St John Bosco 

St John Bosco was born in 1815 in 

Becchi in northern Italy of a poor farming 

family. At the age of nine he had a dream 

where Our Lady appeared to him and told 

him that one day he would be a leader of 

boys if he remained humble, steadfast and 

strong. 

Overcoming tremendous obstacles and 

setbacks, Don Bosco was ordained a priest 

in 1841 and began his ministry among the 

street kids of Turin. Many of these boys 

had come from the countryside in search 

of work, and most of them had little or no 

family support. They were often the victims 

of unscrupulous employers and became 

involved in petty crime to survive. 

Don Bosco gathered these boys on 

Sundays for games, fun, education and 

evangelisation. 

In time, the numbers of boys grew and 

so did the need for Don Bosco to find more 

permanent places for them to gather. 

From the ‘Pinardi Shed’ in a rough 

area of Turin, an educational empire was 

born that has spread throughout the world 

and has ensured the continued holistic 

education of the young, especially those 

most in need. 

In 1856, Don Bosco founded the 

Salesian priests and brothers and in 1872, 

with St Mary Mazzarello, the Salesian 

Sisters to carry on his vital mission, using 

the spirituality of the Preventive System of 

Education, Reason, Religion and Loving 

Kindness. 

Don Bosco was often heard to say, “I 

would give my life for my boys”, and, “It is 

not enough to love the young, they must 

know that they are loved”. 

The Don Bosco Youth and Recreation 

Centre continues his legacy, providing the 

young with a place of fun and recreation 

where they feel loved and noticed. The 

loving gaze of Mary and Jesus the Good 

Shepherd reaches out to them and gives 

them hope and confidence for a bright 

future. 

May the Lord bless all who continue 

Don Bosco’s legacy of kindness and love to 

the young. 

Fr Shane Reade SDB and 

Sr Jenny Doudle FMA. 

Have you ever thought 

God might be 

calling you 

to the priesthood? 

ST PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL 

MASS TIMES AND REGULAR SERVICE 

Weekend Masses 

Saturday 8am, 9:30am 

(Mass in the Extraordinary Form – Latin), 

6pm (Vigil) Sunday 8am, 9.30am (Family 

Mass), 11am (Solemn Mass), 6pm 

Weekday Masses 

Monday to Friday 6.45am,12.30pm 

Public Holidays 8am 

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 

Monday to Friday 11.15am-12.20pm 

First Friday of the month 6pm-7pm 

Sacrament of Penance 

Weekdays 11.15am-12.20pm 

Saturdays 8.30am-9am, 5pm-5.30pm 

Vocation Discernment Afternoon 

Sunday 27 September 2015 

All young men who feel God might be calling them to the priesthood are invited 

to the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta’s Vocation Discernment Afternoons. The 

afternoon starts at 2pm and concludes with a shared meal at 6pm. 

Venue: Holy Spirit Seminary, 

31-33 Allen Street, Harris Park 

To find out more about priesthood in the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta, contact: 

Fr Warren Edwards 

Director of Priestly Vocations 

tel 0409 172 700 

email: vocations@parra.catholic.org.au 

visit: www.parra.catholic.org.au/vocations 

www.parra.catholic.org.au/holyspiritseminary 

Devotions 

Morning Prayer of the Church 

Monday to Friday 6.30am 

Saturday and Sunday 7.30am 

Angelus 

Monday to Friday noon 

Rosary 

Monday to Friday after Angelus at noon 

Canticle of Our Lady’s Marian Movement 

Friday 1pm 

Christian meditation 

Tuesday 9.30am-10.15am 

Baptism - Sunday 12.45pm by appointment 

Marriages - By appointment 

Contact the Parish Secretary 

tel (02) 8839 8400 or email 

1 Marist Place, Parramatta 



Conference to 

focus on domestic 

violence and 

human trafficking 


NEWS & EVENTS 

Mark Gronow, with his academic supervisor Assoc Prof Joanne Mulligan and Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP 

at the presentation of the 2014 Br John Taylor Fellowship. 

Prize aims to lift numbers 

studying mathematics 

For Mark Gronow, the goal of having 

more students studying, and enjoying, 

mathematics is something of a 

personal mission. 

A teacher for more than 30 years, Mark 

said mathematics ‘has had a bad rap for too 

long’ - and he is determined to change that. 

“The number of students studying 

higher level maths at school and university 

has been falling. 

“As a nation, we are heading towards 

a shortage of skilled maths teachers in 

our schools, and that’s something that 

is troubling schools, government and 

business.” 

Mark said the problem was rote 

learning and the teaching procedures used 

to prepare students to pass exams. 

“The research is in and this is why most 

people hate mathematics.” 

In 2014, Mark applied to Macquarie 

University to begin a PhD in mathematics 

education, and thus began his journey to 

study how maths teaching and learning 

could be improved. 

It also motivated him to apply for the 

Brother John Taylor Fellowship, an annual 

prize offered by the Catholic Education 

Commission NSW (CECNSW), to support 

his research. 

“The fellowship has been a lifechanging 

experience,” he said. “It’s enabled 

me to attend national and international 

mathematics and teaching conferences in 

the US and the UK.” 

In April, Mark attended the National 

Council of Teachers of Mathematics 

Annual Conference and Research 

Symposium in Boston. 

“It was incredible – 10,000 maths 

teachers in one arena, hearing about 

new research and insights into teaching 

mathematics. I visited Boston College, a 

Jesuit University, to meet with mathematics 

research academics.” 

Mark also attended the Mathematics 

Educational Research Group of Australia 

in Queensland and has travelled to the UK 

to attend two workshops – one at Oxford 

University. 

He is now working with a mentor to 

finalise his research and publish it for the 

teaching profession. 

“The opportunity to travel and attend 

conferences and workshops and to meet 

leaders in the field of my research has 

been an opportunity that could only have 

happened through this fellowship. 

“I encourage anybody involved in 

Catholic education who is passionate about 

teaching and how it can improve young 

lives to apply for the 2015 fellowship.” 

CECNSW’s Executive Director, Dr 

Brian Croke, said the fellowship provided 

up to $25,000 in travel and accommodation 

to an applicant involved in Catholic school 

education, as an employee in schools or 

associated bodies, to research a challenge or 

priority in Catholic school education. 

“We want to build a body of research 

that helps the teaching profession address 

current priorities or challenges in Catholic 

schools,” Dr Croke said. 

The award honours John Taylor, a 

Christian Brother, who made his mark on 

NSW education over three decades as a 

teacher, principal and Executive Director of 

CECNSW. 

Applications for the 2015 Bro John 

Taylor Fellowship must be submitted by 

30 September using the electronic form at 

www.cecnsw.catholic.edu.au 

Domestic violence and human 

trafficking will be under the spotlight 

at a national gathering of Catholic 

women in Parramatta this month. 

About one in five Australian women 

has experienced violence at the hands of 

an intimate partner (ABS, 2013) and the 

global problem of human trafficking is also 

occurring in Australia. 

The Catholic Women’s League Australia 

Inc. will hold its 47th National Biennial 

Conference from 22-24 September at the 

Novotel Parramatta. 

The CWLA strives to be a ‘voice for 

the voiceless’ and at national, state and 

local levels, speaks out about issues such as 

violence against women and children, human 

trafficking, adoption, poverty, gambling, 

prostitution, and pornography. 

This month’s conference will focus on 

domestic violence and human trafficking 

and the need for greater education, strategies 

to overcome abuse and a renewal of hope 

around these issues. 

Gladys Meaney-Budd, a representative 

from the CWL in Parramatta, supports 

the belief that education is at the heart of 

positive change. 

“We are going to address this sad 

situation in our society by learning more 

of how we can support the victims of these 

crimes,” Gladys said. 

“Our education will be further enhanced. 

We will have more information and 

strategies to combat these evils in our society, 

remembering the words of the Holy Father, 

‘Open our ears to hear God’s word.’” 

Domestic violence can have dire 

consequences on the family unit. The World 

Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations 

(WUCWO) has launched a ‘campaign for the 

enhancement of the family’ to address these 

impacts. 

Gladys said domestic violence cannot 

be tolerated if a family is to live a normal 

life. “There has to be tolerance and 

understanding, and when this is not there, a 

family is always in disarray,” she said. 

“Domestic violence is not always 

physical. Many times, one member can be 

controlling and lack any understanding of 

Gladys Meaney-Budd, a member of the 

CWL Diocese of Parramatta. 

the damage being done.” 

Pru Goward MP, State Minister for the 

Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual 

Assault, will be a keynote speaker. 

“It is a great privilege to have Pru 

Goward with us on this occasion, and it is 

hoped in her address she will be able to give 

hope and perhaps some solace where that 

need exists,” Gladys said. 

Sr Hilda Scott OSB, a Benedictine 

Sister from the monastery at Jamberoo, 

will also speak at the conference. Other 

speakers include: Pat McDermott, Australian 

Women’s Weekly columnist of more than 

30 years; Jennifer Burn from the Faculty 

of Law University of Technology; and Ken 

Smith OAM, historian from the Parramatta 

Historical Society. 

Jennifer Burn, director of Anti-Slavery 

Australia, will speak about human trafficking 

in Australia. 

The ‘Child not Bride’ campaign was 

launched in February this year and both 

Jennifer Burn and Pru Goward spoke, 

focusing on young women and community 

leaders from multicultural communities. 

This campaign has been supported by 

fact sheets translated into Arabic, Farsi, 

Urdu, Nepalese and Hindi. “This signifies 

the spread and range of growth in the 

community in general and the Parramatta 

area in particular in recent years,” Gladys 

said. 

Both women and men are welcome to 

attend the conference. “We would encourage 

anyone to attend, especially those interested 

in, and wanting to learn more about, the 

issues,” Gladys said. 

The Opening Mass of the Conference 

will be celebrated at 6pm in St Patrick’s 

Cathedral on Tuesday 22 September. Light 

refreshments will be served in the Cathedral 

Hall afterwards. 

For more information about the 

conference, please visit: www.cwla.org.au 

To register tel Pauline O’Malley (02) 4358 

1801, treasurer@cwla.org.au 

Allan Drew OAM, JP 

Supporting families in a time of need is 

what Allan from Allan Drew Funerals 

has done best for more than 25 years. 

Tel (02) 9680 1344 

allandrewfunerals.com.au 



LAUDATO SI’ 

Laudato Si’ 

Living and integrating 

the new encyclical 

By Sr Louise McKeogh FMA, Social Justice Coordinator 

Sixty people from across the Diocese 

of Parramatta gathered at Mt Druitt 

last month for a public forum on 

Pope Francis’ new encyclical, Laudato Si’ – 

‘Praise be to you’. 

The day, entitled ‘Pope Francis has 

written you a letter’, was hosted by 

Australian Religious Response to Climate 

Change at Loyola Senior High on 15 

August. 

Fr Gregory Jacobs SJ from Holy 

Family Parish, Emerton, began the day by 

providing context and background to Pope 

Francis’ spirituality, formation and life as a 

Jesuit. 

Challenging us to hear both the cry 

of the poor and the cry of the earth, 

Dr Hamish Clarke, senior climate and 

atmospheric scientist from NSW Office 

of Development and Heritage, provided a 

local perspective by raising our awareness 

of the statistics and records of our local and 

changing climate. 

He said technology was accurate 

enough and detailed enough to provide 

local facts and statistics on the Mt Druitt 

and Parramatta regions. 

Prof Neil Ormerod Professor of 

Theology at Australian Catholic University, 

gave an overview of Laudato Si’ and the 

spiritual and theological content. 

He highlighted the significant 

contribution that this encyclical would 

now play in the Church’s long tradition of 

Catholic Social Teaching. Laudato Si’ is 

unique in its significance and focus on both 

creation and human ecology. 

Prof Ormerod outlined the framework 

and background of the encyclical with its 

starting point being the prayer of St Francis 

– Praise to You Lord. 

The day was an interactive experience 

as participants watched two videos on the 

effect of climate change on the poor in 

Pastoral Care 

Accredited Qualifications 

Pastoral Care attends in a sustained 

way to the emotional and spiritual 

needs of people through a ministry of 

presence, companionship and support. 

Nationally recognised qualifications: 

CHC41112 Certificate IV in Pastoral Care 

developing countries such as Bangladesh. 

Discussion groups provided an 

opportunity for each person to share both 

their experience of caring for creation 

and Laudato Si’s clear theology. The same 

applied to the input from Dr Clarke. 

Discussion continued around caring 

for creation as a family and at local levels, 

as well as our concerns and hopes for our 

world. 

Although a challenging and daunting 

issue, the discussion in small groups led 

us to have hope for action and make 

small changes together, as the encyclical 

highlights all of creation is interconnected. 

Lunch provided time for continued 

lively discussion and supporting a sound 

human ecology. Hospitality students from 

Loyola Senior High fulfilled an assessment 

requirement, providing us with a threecourse 

seated lunch. 

We can all affirm the skill, competence 

and warmth of the Loyola students. 

Participants were informed and 

enthused by the day as they shared the 

following comments and feedback: 

“I never realised there were so many 

active Catholics on a topic very dear to my 

heart. Good to know that the environment 

is a focus of Catholic teaching.” 

Another participant commented on 

their highlight: 

“All sessions were both interesting and 

informative. Prof Ormerod’s session was 

a centrepiece, but extremely thorough 

and made the theology clear. The same 

applies to the session by Dr Hamish Clarke. 

The input was excellent – moving and 

informative.” 

Perhaps the thoughts of this participant 

sum up the day: 

“The information was excellent, sharing 

was inspirational, the spirit is moving and I 

will listen.” 

The much-anticipated Laudato Si’ was considered by many to be the strongest pontifical action on the 

environment and climate change yet. 

A diversity of perspectives 

The first comprehensive response of its 

kind to Pope Francis’ encyclical on 

the environment has been developed 

by three Catholic agencies with the aim of 

informing Catholic leaders on the latest 

teachings of the Church. 

The Francis Effect II: Praised Be You 

– On Care for our Common Home was 

developed collaboratively by Catholic 

Religious Australia, Catholic Earthcare 

Australia and Catholic Mission. 

Catholic Mission’s Deputy National 

Director and co-editor, Peter Gates, said 

the diversity of perspectives was what made 

The Francis Effect II so compelling. 

“All of the chapters in The Francis 

Effect II are contributed by authors who 

understand the relationship between 

nature, people and God, and the 

interconnectedness of creation,” Peter said. 

Among the 14 individual contributors 

are renowned Catholic leaders, including 

eco-theologian Prof Denis Edwards, 

Director of Catholic Earthcare Jacqui 

Rémond, National Aboriginal and 

Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council 

Chairperson Thelma Parker, and Lend 

Lease National Sustainability Manager 

Building, Ann Austin. 

Jacqui Rémond, who also co-edited 

the book, said its chapters drew on the 

teachings of Laudato Si’ and offered critical 

reflections with insightful perspectives 

from Indigenous peoples, youth, health 

and aged care, social services, education, 

parish life, family, business, governance, 

and theology. 

The much-anticipated Laudato Si’ was 

considered by many to be the strongest 

pontifical action on the environment and 

climate change yet. 

The Francis Effect II, with its expert 

analysis, allows readers to explore 

the themes of the encyclical and its 

implications for the local Australian and 

global communities. 

The book is the second release in the 

series, following The Francis Effect: Living 

the Joy of the Gospel – the first worldwide 

response to Pope Francis’ 2013 exhortation 

Evangelii Gaudium. 

The Francis Effect II Colloquium 

The colloquium will assist participants 

to explore this vision, offering inspiration 

and practical ideas for caring for our 

common home. 

Tuesday 27 October from 8.30am-4pm 

at Dooleys Lidcombe Catholic Club, 4-28 

John St, Lidcombe. 

Cost $195 (concession $95). Contact 

Anita Lee, Catholic Mission, tel (02) 9919 

7800 or alee@catholicmission.org.au 

The Francis Effect II can be purchased 

and read online at www.shop.cm.org.au For 

more information on The Francis Effect II: 

Praised Be You – On Care for our Common 

Home, or the colloquium, visit www. 

thefranciseffectii.com. 

Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy 

Penrose Park 

Fatima Day: Sunday, September 13 

Main Celebrant: Fr Stephen Onyekwere 

Assistant Priest Of St. Patrick’s Parish, Albury 

Divine Mercy Devotions 

First Sunday of the Month 

Fatima Family Sunday: September 20 

Thank you! 

91561 NSW Diploma of Ageing 

and Pastoral Care 

For further information contact: 

Holy Family Services 

Registered Training Organisation 

Tel (02) 9678 8200 

email: educator@holyfamilyservices.com.au 

www.holyfamilyservices.com.au 

91448NSW 

The Pauline Fathers and Brothers of Penrose Park would like to thank all our 

pilgrims for their help and support over the past years. The first section of the 

building project (i.e. the toilet blocks) is well underway, the work will continue in 

approx. 1 months. We thank you for your continuing material help and prayers 

to continue the building of our Pilgrim Hall. May God abundantly bless you all! 

Pauline Father’s Monastery 

Address: 120 Hanging Rock Road, Berrima, NSW, 2577 

Phone: 02 4878 9192 Fax: 02 4878 9351 

Email: paulinefathers@yahoo.com.au Website: www.penrosepark.com.au 



SOCIAL JUSTICE 

MYC has created social enterprises that provide a supported entry point into the labour market. 

Marist Youth Care (MYC), a 

national non-profit organisation 

with its head office in Blacktown, 

is making a real difference to the lives of 

unemployed and disengaged Aboriginal 

young people. 

With the Aboriginal unemployment 

rate hovering around 18%, approximately 

three times that of the national 

unemployment rate of 6%, MYC has 

identified the need for a new approach in 

creating sustainable jobs for Aboriginal 

and Torres Strait Islander job seekers. 

MYC’s CEO, Cate Sydes, said 2.7% 

of Blacktown LGA’s population (8195) 

were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 

(ATSI) people, compared with 1.2% for 

Greater Sydney. 

“This is the highest proportion of 

ATSI population in urban NSW,” Cate 

said. “Blacktown LGA is in the lowest 

30% for both general disadvantage and 

also for education and occupational levels 

measured by the ABS Socio-Economic 

Index.” 

In response, MYC has invested heavily 

in creating social enterprises that provide 

a supported entry point into the labour 

market, cultural mentoring, and on-thejob 

training. 

Examples of three of these include: 

MYC Painting Services is a qualified 

and licensed painting and decorating 

contractor. Working primarily as a 

Tackling 

disparity 

with 

innovation 

sub-contractor, MYC Painting Services 

prides itself on first-class workmanship on 

a range of residential and commercial jobs. 

Currently experiencing growth, a total of 

six Aboriginal apprentices have been hired 

in the first six months of operation. 

Having already partnered with 

Programmed, Blacktown City Council and 

the Sarina Russo Group, MYC Painting 

Services is looking to expand its services 

and, in turn, create further social impact 

with its employment model. 

MYCafe operated for 12 months in 

2014-15, servicing construction workers 

at IKEA, Bunnings and Masters within the 

new Sydney Business Park development in 

Marsden Park. 

In this short window, MYC directly 

employed eight Aboriginal trainees, in 

many cases providing job seekers with 

their first employment opportunity. 

Reclaimed is a recycled furniture and 

homewares enterprise that engages young 

Aboriginal job seekers, providing a safe 

and rewarding activity that builds skills, 

confidence and employability. 

MYC currently employs 35 Aboriginal 

staff, which represents 10% of its total 

workforce. 

For more information about MYC 

or to discuss employment partnership 

opportunities, please contact Adam 

Makepeace, Senior Manager Employment 

and Training Services, tel 0407 95 49 84. 

5 

11-13 

11-13 

12 

12 

17 

19 

19 

20 

22-24 

27 

SEPTEMBER CALENDAR 

BLESSING OF ST JOHN PAUL II STATUE 

Everyone is invited to gather in St Patrick’s Cathedral forecourt at 12.30pm 

when Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP will bless a series of statues celebrating 

the life of St John Paul II. 

CONSECRATED LIFE WEEKEND 

Meet the Missionaries of God’s Love Sisters: hear what they do, day-to-day, 

how they discerned their vocations, and what consecrated life is all about. 

Sr Rosie rdrum@parra.catholic.org.au 

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND 

An opportunity to reconnect, rekindle and refresh your relationship. Mt Carmel 

Retreat Centre, Varroville. Ardell & Bill Sharpe tel (02) 4283 3435, wsharpe@ 

bigpond.net.au 

ST PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL SPRING FAIR 

Craft and plant stalls, cakes and Devonshire teas. Fun for all the family. From 

10am-4pm in Prince Alfred Park, Church St, Parramatta. 

CORPUS CHRISTI SPRING MARKET 

Stalls, sausage sizzle, popcorn, cakes, art, small homewares, baby and children 

items, candles, plants and more. From 11am-4pm at 86-92 Andromeda Dve, 

Cranebrook 

HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS 

Adoration, prayer, music and quiet time from 7pm-8pm in the Blessed Sacrament 

Chapel in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. 

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF PENAFRANCIA 

Novena at 9am followed by Mass at 9.30am in St Nicholas of Myra Church, 

Penrith. Fluvial procession on the Nepean River at noon – board the Nepean Belle 

at 11.45am at Tench Reserve wharf. Free lunch and entertainment from 1pm-4pm 

at the Factory Rd Reserve, Jamisontown. 

BLACKHEATH REFLECTION MORNING 

‘Praying with Images and Symbols’ with Bernadette Corboy SGS. From 10am-1pm, 

Sacred Heart Parish Hall, cnr Sturt & Wentworth Sts, Blackheath. Carmen Vanny 

tel (02) 4787 8706. 

CELEBRATING THE JOURNEY 

For all married couples and their families but with special acknowledgement to 

those couples who have significant wedding anniversaries of 25 years and over. 

Mass at 11am in St Patrick’s Cathedral followed by lunch. Register by 12 September 

through your parish or CatholicCare tel (02) 9933 0222, marriage@ccss.org.au 

CWLA NATIONAL CONFERENCE 

47th National Biennial Conference at the Novotel Parramatta. Keynote speaker 

the Hon Pru Goward MP, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and 

Sexual Assault. Pauline O’Malley tel (02) 4358 1801, treasurer@cwla.org.au 

VOCATION DISCERNMENT AFTERNOON 

All young men who feel God might be calling them to the priesthood are invited 

to the Diocese of Parramatta’s Vocation Discernment Afternoon. Starts 2pm and 

concludes with a shared meal at 6pm at Holy Spirit Seminary, Harris Park. 

Fr Warren Edwards, Director of Priestly Vocations, tel 0409 172 700, vocations@ 

parra.catholic.org.au 

29th Annual 

Parramatta Diocesan 

Golf Day 

Tuesday 22 September 2015 

Richmond Golf Club 

Tee off 8.30am sharp! ‘Shot Gun Start’ 

(be there by 7.30am) 

Ambrose Competition 

Clergy, CEO Staff, School Staff and Parents & Friends 

Cost $60 per head (includes GST) 

if prepaid by 16 September 

Includes delicious buffet, soft drinks, 

green fees, trophies, mystery prizes 

Limited to 30 teams this year 

Book early to avoid disappointment 

Ian Jordan 0408 219 942, ijordan@parra.catholic.edu.au 

Proudly sponsored by the Diocesan Development Fund, 

Catholic Church Insurance, Oz Fashions 

“The most beautiful 

and visually 

compelling film 

I have ever seen. I did 

not want it to end.” 

Kim, Brisbane. 

Filmed and Edited by 

Michael Luke Davies 


A unique inside portrait of 

the world of the Tyburn Nuns. 

“This film takes you into 

another realm…” 

What is life in a cloistered Benedictine 

community really like? Let the Tyburn 

Nuns take you to their 9 monasteries 

around the world. Witness the nuns’ holy 

life of prayer and work, centred on the 

Eucharist, in this remarkable film. 

ORDER ONLINE: 

www.tyburnconvent.org.uk 

or send cheque/money order for $25 

payable to: 

Tyburn Priory, 325 Garfield Road East 

RIVERSTONE NSW 2765 

Name ........................................................ 

.................................................................. 

Address ..................................................... 

.................................................................. 

.................................................................. 

.................................................................. 


Mamre Festival 

Sunday 25 October 

9am – 3pm 

at Mamre House & Farm 

181 Mamre Road, Orchard Hills 

Face painting for kids – coin donation! 

Free art exhibition “SHARING THE SEEDS” 

Teacup rides & jumping castle 

Summer slush puppies 

Sausage sizzle AND bacon & egg rolls 

Music & entertainment 

Plants and seeds 

Entry is gold coin donation with 

kids under 12 free! 

A service provided by 

Ample parking available!

Catholic Outlook September 2015

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