Broken Bay News - December 2014 Edition by Fraynework Limited

Meet Our New Bishop Most Rev Peter A Comensoli

BROKENBAYnews

BROKEN BAY NEWS PUBLICATION OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BROKEN BAY DECEMBER 2014 ISSUE 172

OUR BISHOP

Welcome to Our new Bishop On 20 November 2014, Australia received the announcement from the Holy See that the Most Rev Dr Peter A Comensoli DD, STL, MLitt, PhD, until now Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Sydney, has been appointed the third Bishop of the Diocese of Broken Bay. ishop Peter was delighted but humbled to be asked by the Holy Father, Pope Francis, to take up this new pastoral service within the life of the Church. He said he was looking forward to making his home in Broken Bay Diocese, and working with all the priests, religious and people of the Diocese in proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. “A diocese is like a great family united in the love of Christ, and I am keen to make my home with the good people of Broken Bay Diocese,” the 50-year old Bishop said, following the announcement. “I want to assure all the families of the Diocese – at home and in our parishes – that you are already in my daily prayers, Bishop of Broken Bay. After distinguished and I unite myself to you in your joys service in Wollongong, and as Auxiliary and hopes, your griefs and anxieties.” Bishop and Administrator in the Archdiocese “If I could ask one thing, may it of Sydney, he brings great abilities and be for your prayers for this sinner personal gifts to serve and care for the priests called to be your shepherd, after the and people of Broken Bay. He will receive heart of the Good Shepherd.” a very warm welcome. Ad multos annos.” A “Wollongong boy”, Bishop Peter Although Bishop Peter has undertaken was born in the Illawarra on 25 March extensive studies in moral theology in 1964. After school, he worked for four Australia and overseas, he also brings with years in the banking sector while studying him a broad range of pastoral experiences. Commerce at Wollongong University. “Parishes are neighbourhoods of grace, not Ordained in 1992 for the Diocese of just congregations,” Bishop Peter said. “And Wollongong, he served as Assistant Priest I am keen to work with all our priests and and then Administrator in a number of people in growing our neighbourhoods of grace parishes of that diocese and was Chancellor into bright beacons of faith, hope and love.” for six years before being ordained Auxiliary The Diocese of Broken Bay has been Bishop of Sydney in June 2011. vacant since the retirement of Bishop Earlier this year Bishop Peter was David Walker on 11 November 2013. appointed Apostolic Administrator of the “There has been so much good work Archdiocese of Sydney when Pope Francis already done under the wise stewardship called Cardinal Pell to Rome as Prefect of the of Bishop Walker, and before him, Bishop Secretariat of the Economy. He held this role Murphy. At this threshold of a new era, may until Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP was we come together to proclaim the evangelii appointed the new Archbishop of Sydney. guadium, the joy of the Gospel, “ he said. President of the Australian Catholic Bishop Peter will be installed as the third Bishops Conference, Archbishop Denis Hart, Bishop of the Diocese of Broken Bay at 11am welcomed the new Bishop of Broken Bay: “For on 12 December, the feast of Our Lady of the Australian bishops, I congratulate Bishop Guadalupe, under whose loving protection, Peter Comensoli upon his appointment as Bishop Peter has placed his ministry.

PRAY AS YOU GO Undertake the prayerful meditation of lectio divina as part of your Advent journey Available for download in print or as an App via iTunes or Google Store Visit www.dbb.org.au 2

DECEMBER 2014

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DIOCESE OF BROKEN BAY P O Box 340 Pennant Hills NSW 1715 Diocesan Office: Tel (02) 9847 0000 Fax (02) 9847 0201 Caroline Chisholm Centre Building 2, 423 Pennant Hills Rd Pennant Hills NSW 2120 (Access off City View Rd) officeofthebishop@dbb.org.au

CURIA Diocesan Administrator Fr Vince Casey Co-ordinator of the Curia, and Diocesan Financial Administrator: David Penny Co-ordinator Office for Clergy: Anne Walker Marriage Tribunal Rev John Hannon Tel: (02) 9847 0458 Catholic Development Fund Chris Field Tel: (02) 9847 0748

PARISH SUPPORT UNIT Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) Director: Carole Gan (02) 9847 0560

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE Director: Peter Hamill Tel (02) 9847 0000 PO Box 967 Pennant Hills NSW 1715

CATHOLICCARE Executive Director: Deirdre Cheers Tel: (02) 9481 2600 PO Box 966 Pennant Hills 1715 Children’s Services: Tel: (02) 9481 2660 Family Centres: Brookvale – Tel: (02) 8968 5100 Naremburn – Tel: (02) 8425 8700 Waitara – Tel: (02) 9488 2400 Warnervale – Tel: (02) 4356 2600 Foster and Residential Care: Tel: (02) 4340 0786 Mission, Hospital Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care (02) 9481 2658

SOUTHERN CROSS OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTRE Mr Gordon Crabb Tel: (02) 4372 1221

COMMUNICATIONS Broken Bay News: Editor: Annie Carrett Tel: (02) 9847 0724 / Fax: (02) 9847 0721 news@dbb.org.au P O Box 340 Pennant Hills, NSW, 1715 Design: Chris Murray 22,000 copies of the Broken Bay News are distributed monthly through 26 parishes and 43 schools in the Diocese of Broken Bay. The Broken Bay News is a member of the Australasian Catholic Press Association and the Australasian Religious Press Association. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply diocesan endorsement of products or services advertised.

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MESSAGE FROM BISHOP PETER

At our heart is Jesus Christ! By Bishop Peter A Comensoli Dear brothers and sisters, dear families and communities of Broken Bay Diocese.

race, fellowship and joy to you in Christ Jesus! On this first opportunity to write to you, I want to let you know how happy and excited I am to be your new bishop. God willing, I will be your Pastor for many years to come. I have been praying for you since I was told of Pope Francis’ decision. I promise to keep to this happy task every day. I am looking forward to growing our diocese in grace. We share a common journey of faith; together we are pilgrims of Gospel joy and missionaries of Christian hope. As I make my home among you, my initial aim is to take time to look around, to listen closely, and to learn about our diocese, so that I may come to love and lead you after the heart of the Good Shepherd. I am looking forward to the Mass of Installation at our Cathedral in Waitara, dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, on Friday 12 December at 11am. This is where I “take possession” of the Diocese by being led to the ‘cathedra’, the bishop’s seat (from which we get the word ‘cathedral’). It would be wonderful if we could have a great number of our people here to celebrate. The Mass will be streamed live through the Diocesan website, and archived for you to watch at any time. I certainly understand, however,

that at this busy time of the year, and on a weekday, this might be very difficult for working families. So, I have asked that there might be a way for me to come to you. To this end, there is a lovely ancient custom in our beloved Church of a diocesan bishop going out from his ‘cathedra’ to visit his people, to pray with them and to encourage them. The bishop would travel to the various regions of his diocese to celebrate Mass with the priests and people in their local communities. These occasions were called Stational Masses, and I would like to begin my time in Broken Bay Diocese by adapting this ancient custom to our local circumstances. Stational Masses date from the early third century and were instigated by the Bishop of Rome (i.e. the pope). The church in Rome was composed of diverse groups from many cultures, and regular visits by the bishop served as a way of unifying those various groups. In due course specific churches were designated ‘station churches’ where the people could gather from surrounding neighbourhoods. These visits eventually took on a more formalised structure and became associated with the season of Lent. I know we are beginning the season of Advent, but the word ‘advent’ comes from the Latin word ‘adventus’ which means ‘to

come’. And as you know, Advent is all about joyfully preparing for the coming of our Lord Jesus – in his Incarnation and in glory. So why not have Stational Masses in Advent, so that I can come to you! Therefore, over the first two weekends following my Installation, I want to come to a church in each of the five deaneries to celebrate Sunday Mass. I personally invite you to these Stational Masses so that we can pray together, seeking our Lord’s blessing on our diocese and humbly placing ourselves under His divine care. It will be a chance for me to start getting to know you, our various communities, and

our diocese as a whole. The details of where and when these Masses will be held are listed below. Feel free to come to whichever one is convenient for you and your family. It will be great to see you there, and to worship God together as a family of families. At the heart of everything is our love for Jesus Christ. So may I invite you to join with me in praying to Christ that we might continue to shine forth as a beacon of faith, hope and love to all. May our Blessed Mother Mary, Star of the Sea, pray for us, our families and our Diocese of Broken Bay.

An Invitation You are warmly invited to attend the

Installation of The Most Rev Peter A Comensoli as bishop to the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay Friday 12 December at 11am Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Waitara RSVPs are essential. Please contact your Parish Office Bishop Peter will also be celebrating Stational Masses throughout the Diocese Sat 13 December – Vigil Mass, 5:30pm, Our Lady Queen of Peace, Normanhurst Sun 14 December – 9:15am Mass, St John the Baptist, Woy Woy Peninsula Sun 14 December – 6pm Mass, Hornsby Cathedral Sat 20 December – Vigil Mass, 6.30pm The Entrance Sun 21 December – 9:30am Mass, St Joseph’s, Narrabeen Sun 21 December – 5:30pm Youth Mass, Our Lady of Dolours, Chatswood

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DECEMBER 2014

ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Families and Advent T

his year, Advent began on Sunday 30 November, and will comprise the four-week period leading up to Christmas when we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Advent means ‘coming’ and is referred to as the season of hope. It is also a time to recall the real meaning of Christmas and to reflect on how we as Christians live our lives. It gives us the chance to ask ourselves whether or not we are living the kind of lives that allow others to see Christ in us. Children will hear about Advent and ‘the coming of Jesus’ at church, school or during scripture classes and this provides an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of Advent and preparation for Christmas within your family. We don’t have to be critical of everything associated

with contemporary culture’s preparations for and celebration of Christmas, however family conversations about Advent will help to temper the materialism and consumerism involved in the marketing of Christmas to children. We hope to open up Advent for them, so they can look forward to Christmas in a deeper way enabling them to understand the true meaning of the ‘the Christmas Story’, a story about selfless love, forgiveness, hope and joy. Advent Family Reflections The following thoughts may be helpful in guiding family conversations as we reflect on how we lead our lives: • What can we do to become more loving family members?

By Janette Davidson, Parish Support Unit

• What qualities of Jesus do we most need to show within our family? • Every parent ‘prepares the way of the Lord’ in the hearts of their children. Advent is a good time to ask; ‘How can I better help my children to know Jesus?’ • Advent is the season of taking delight in giving to others and it need not be material gifts, it might be the gift of your time, patience, counsel, faith, hope and love. • Contentment is a very important quality to remember as we prepare for Christmas. It tells us that material things will never make us truly happy. As a family we need to think about all that we have and are grateful for. Family Activities A variety of suggestions follow which could be celebrated in almost every family during Advent this year: • Do something as a family to show that we are preparing to welcome Jesus into our lives e.g. Advent Calendar, Advent Wreath, Jesse Tree, reading Christmas stories, setting up a Nativity Scene; • Involve children in preparing food for others e.g. a pre – Christmas party/Christmas dinner/Parish outreach lunch, a food hamper; • Plan to visit someone who is housebound or in a nursing home at this time;

• There are small things that we can do to make our world a better place and to ‘prepare the way’, think of two or three ways in which you would like to ‘change direction’ e.g. you might be aware that you sometimes speak unkindly about others – make an effort not to do this; you might decide to spend twenty minutes less watching TV or using the computer and instead do something which will support/help someone. As we think about family traditions that make Advent/ Christmas special we may develop/ adapt some so that they more particularly fit our circumstances. Your parish and school will have various celebrations for the Advent season that your family can be actively involved in and the Diocesan Parish Support Unit supports these events with Advent Biblical and other Family Resources. Celebrating Advent in your family is a way to heighten your children’s appreciation of Christmas and the delight and awe at the birth of Jesus. It also marks a new beginning of the Church Year and as with all new beginnings comes opportunities for growth. Advent is a joyous time when we recognise that Jesus is coming and will be with us and within us and our families as we continue our journey together as the people of God.

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PARISH SUPPORT

Frenchs Forest Catholic Angels

In August this year Frenchs Forest Parish invited the children who had made their First Eucharist in June to Sunday morning Mass and asked them to dress up in their First Communion outfits.

Mark, My Word!

The Parish acknowledged the children again as they came into full communion with the Parish community. Following Mass, parishioners prepared a sausage sizzle for all the families. It was a wonderful celebration and something the Parish hopes to do in the future as they welcome Parish children and encourage them to feel part of the community.

By Pina Bernard Parish Support Unit

God’s Word in the Gospel of Mark is in a hurry.

mmediately we can see that one of Mark’s favourite words is, in fact, “immediately.” The word ‘euthus’ occurs 43 times, and is also translated as “at once”, or “straightway.” This gives the text a sense of urgency and tension … “and the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness” (Mk 1:12)* Another phrase to note is “Rise up.” This is used in Jesus’ healings, and relates the healings to the Resurrection, as the same phrase is used about Jesus being “raised up.” “He came and took her by the

hand (raised her up)” (Mk 1:31). “I say to you, stand up (rise up), take your mat and go to your home” (Mk 2:11). “And he said to the man who had the withered hand, ‘Come forward (arise)’” (Mk 3:3) The same Greek word is sometimes translated in a variety of ways so that it makes better sense in English, and we can miss the continuity of usage and deeper message running through the text. The new liturgical Year B takes its readings from Mark, and some free online resources that can help us to enter into this text more fully are:

Online Gospel Commentaries John McKinnon johnmckinnon.org

Commentary on the whole Gospel.

Ignatius Study Bible www.truthandlifeapp.com

Dramatised audio recording of Mark’s gospel, with study notes interspersed throughout the text (See Web Bible tab, or download as an App)

Bible Study – Audio format St Paul Centre for Biblical Theology

www.salvationhistory.com/studies/courses/audio/the_gospel_of_mark A 5-session study on the Gospel of Mark.

EWTN Library

www.ewtn.com.au/vondemand/audio/seriessearchprog.asp?seriesID=6715&T1=mark “The Way to Follow Jesus” A 13-session study on the Gospel of Mark.

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Lectionary-based Resources Sacred Space

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livingspace.sacredspace.ie

Reflections on all the readings for every day.

Carmelites Web Site

www.carmelites.org.au/about-us/lectio-divina.htm

A ready-made lectio divina guide for each day of the month, including opening/closing prayers, the Gospel text, a commentary, and guided questions.

Emmaus Journey

emmausjourney.org/reflecting

Small-group bible study readings, reflections and questions for each Sunday.

For more links to Scripture commentaries and resources, please visit www.dbb.org.au/bible * NRSV translation used. Ref: New Collegeville Bible Commentary The Gospel According to Mark by Marie Noonan Sabin

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DECEMBER 2014

SYNOD OF THE FAMILY

Sydney Couple Key Presenters to the Synod of the Family Well-known Sydney couple, Dr Ron and Mavis Pirola were among 14 married couples selected to participate in the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family in Rome during October.

he Sydney gastroenterologist and Professor at the University of NSW and his wife, a former secondary school teacher, are former members of the Pontifical Council for the Family, and Directors of the Australian Catholic Marriage and Family Council. They were the first couple to address the 200 bishops under the session’s designated theme, “God’s plan for marriage and the family.” Happily married for 55 years and parents to four children and grandparents to eight, the Pirolas urged the Church to learn from the sometimes “messy” lives of modern families. Their address (see below) was delivered in the role as ‘auditor’ which meant they had no vote in the proceedings, but still held prominence as a ‘voice’ of the faithful. A Spokesperson for the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference said the ACBC were pleased with the couple’s address. “Dr and Mrs Pirola were selected by the bishops because of their extensive experience in marriage and family issues. We are grateful for their contribution to the synod.” On 6 November, Dr Ron and Mavis Pirola addressed the Priests-Principals meeting of the Diocese of Broken Bay at the Caroline Chisholm Centre. Their talk about their Synod experience enabled strong discussion and further presentations about the work being undertaken in the Diocese towards pastoral care and support of families.

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Testimony at the Synod of the Family from Ron and Mavis Pirola (Sydney, Australia) “Fifty-seven years ago, I looked across a room and saw a beautiful young woman. We came to know each other over time and eventually took the huge step of committing ourselves to each other in marriage. We soon found that living our new life together was extraordinarily complex. Like all marriages, we have had wonderful times together and also times of anger, frustration and tears and the nagging fear of a failed marriage. Yet here we are, 55 years married and still in love. It certainly is a mystery. That attraction that we first felt and the continued bonding force between us was basically sexual. The little things we did for each other, the telephone calls and love notes, the way we planned our day around each other and the things we shared were outward expressions of our longing to be intimate with each other. As each of our four children arrived, it was an exhilarating joy for which we still thank the Lord daily. Of course, the complexities of parenting had great rewards and challenges. There were nights when we would lie awake wondering where we had gone wrong. Our faith in Jesus was important to us. We went to Mass together and looked to the Church for guidance. Occasionally we looked at Church documents but they seemed to be from another planet with difficult language and not terribly relevant to our own experiences.

In our life’s journey together, we were primarily influenced through involvement with other married couples and some priests, mainly in lay spirituality movements, particularly Équipes Notre Dame and Worldwide Marriage Encounter. The process was one of prayerful listening to each others’ stories and of being accepted and affirmed in the context of Church teaching. There was not much discussion about natural law but for us they were examples of what Pope John Paul would later refer to as one of the Church’s major resources for evangelisation. Gradually we came to see that the only feature that distinguishes our sacramental relationship from that of any other good Christ-centred relationship is sexual intimacy and that marriage is a sexual sacrament with its fullest expression in sexual intercourse. We believe that until married couples come to reverence sexual union as an essential part of their spirituality it is extremely hard to appreciate the beauty of teachings such as those of Humanae Vitae. We need new ways and relatable language to touch peoples’ hearts. As the Instrumentum laboris suggests, the domestic church has much to offer the wider Church in its evangelizing role. For example, the Church constantly faces the tension of upholding the truth while expressing compassion and mercy. Families face this tension all the time. Take homosexuality as an example. Friends of ours were planning their Christmas family gathering when their gay son said he wanted to bring his partner home too. They fully believed in the Church’s teachings and they knew their grandchildren would see them welcome the son and his partner into the family. Their response could be summed up in three words, ‘He is our son’. What a model of evangelisation for parishes as they respond to similar situations in their neghbourhood! It is a practical example of what the Instrumentum laboris says concerning the Church’s teaching role and its main mission to let the world know of God’s love. In our experience, families, the domestic churches, are often the natural models of the open doors for churches of which Gaudium Evangelii speaks.

SYNOD OF THE FAMILY A divorced friend of ours says that sometimes she doesn’t feel fully accepted in her parish. However, she turns up to Mass regularly and uncomplainingly with her children. For the rest of her parish she should be a model of courage and commitment in the face of adversity. From people like her we learn to recognise that we all carry an element of brokenness in our lives. Appreciating our own brokenness helps enormously to reduce our tendency to be judgemental of others which is such a block for evangelisation. We know an elderly widow who lives with her only son. He is in his forties and has Down syndrome and schizophrenia. She cares for him inspiringly and her only expressed fear is who will care for him when she is no longer able. Our lives are touched by many such families. These families have a basic understanding of what the Church teaches. They could always benefit from better teaching and programs. However, more than anything they need to be accompanied on their journey, welcomed, have their stories listened to, and, above all, affirmed. The Instrumentum laboris notes that the beauty of human love mirrors the divine love as recorded in biblical tradition in the prophets. But

their family lives were chaotic and full of messy dramas. Yes, family life is ‘messy’. But so is parish, which is the ‘family of families’. The Instrumentum laboris questions how ‘the clergy [could] be better prepared … in … presenting the documents of the Church on marriage and the family’. Again, one way could be by learning from the domestic church. As Pope Benedict XVI said, ‘This demands a change in mindset, particularly concerning lay people. They must no longer be viewed as “collaborators” of the clergy but truly recognised as “co-responsible”, for the Church’s being and action’. That would also require a major attitudinal change for laity. We have eight wonderful, unique grandchildren. We pray for them by name daily because daily they are exposed to the distorted messages of modern society, even as they walk down the street to school such messages are on billboards or appear on their smartphones. A high respect for authority, parental, religious or secular, has long gone. So their parents learn to enter into the lives of their children, to share their values and hopes for them and also to learn from them in turn. This process of entering into the lives of our other persons and learning

A Time of Discernment

from them as well as sharing with them is at the heart of evangelization. As Pope Paul VI wrote in Evangelii Nuntiandi, ‘The parents not only communicate the Gospel to their children, but from their children they can themselves receive the same Gospel as deeply lived by them.’ That has certainly been our experience. In fact, we resonate with the suggestion of one of our daughters regarding the development of what she calls a nuptial paradigm for Christian spirituality, one that applies to all people, whether single, celibate or married but which would make matrimony the starting point for understanding mission. It would have a solid biblical and anthropological basis and would highlight the vocational instinct for generativity and intimacy experienced by each person. It would remind us that each of us is created for relationship and that baptism in Christ means belonging to his Body, leading us towards an eternity with God who is a Trinitarian communion of love. Referencing for this presentation can be found at: http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/ bollettino/pubblico/2014/10/06/0716/ 03007.html#Testimonianza%20dei

By Janette Davidson, Parish Support Unit

2014 Family Synod completes its task – now begins a period of consultation and discernment in preparation for the 2015 Family Synod. 2014 Family Synod process The Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops met in Rome from 5-19 October 2014 to examine ‘Pastoral Challenges to the Family in the context of Evangelisation’. This involved consideration of the difficulties confronting families in contemporary society and different parts of the world in their faith and life journeys and new ways of pastoral outreach to meet these needs. The process involved: • consultation with the broad Catholic Community (including an online survey open to all in the Diocese of Broken Bay) and the forwarding of summaries of these responses to Rome; • distribution of a summary of all community consultation responses (worldwide) to Synod members for their consideration; • a Working Paper for the Synod (Instrumentum Laboris) summarising the responses and also observations of Synod Members; • in the first week of the Synod, presentations by Members (Interventions) and by lay persons (including Mavis and Ron Pirola from Australia) and discussions (framed by the Working Paper) and in the second week, in depth discussions by smaller Synod working parties; • issue of a Final Report (Relatio Synodi) summarising themes and discussions.

Consistent with the express wishes of Pope Francis, the Synod was notable for its consultation with the laity, its openness, with no subject out of bounds, its frankness, with conflicting opinions expressed strongly, and its transparency, with published daily summaries, a first week (halfway) report, and details of voting on all clauses in the Final Report. 2014 Family Synod report Topics dealt with in the Report include: • the indissolubility of marriage and the joy of sharing life together; • caring for broken and fragile families (including separated, divorced, single parent); • proclaiming the gospel of the family “with the tenderness of a mother and the clarity of a teacher”; • family faith formation and evangelisation; • the importance of marriage preparation and accompanying the married couple; • couples civilly married or living together; • receipt of sacraments by those divorced and remarried; • simplification of annulment procedures; • application of the Encyclical Humanae Vitae; • pastoral attention to persons with homosexual tendencies; • openness to life and challenges of a declining birth-rate. Next Steps The Family Synod Report summarises discussions which took place at the Synod. It contains no definitive proposals. It is a working docu-

ment to aid discussions at the local level in the lead-up to the 2015 Family Synod. Archbishop Hart, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, has pointed out that “… we still have one year to mature, with true spiritual discernment, the proposed ideas and to find concrete solutions to so many challenges that families must confront”. He also noted that Pope Francis in his concluding remarks to the Synod “described our church as one that has the doors wide open to receive the needy, the penitent and not only the just or those who believe they are perfect!”. (ACBC press release 20 October 2014) Specific details of the continuing consultation/discernment process will be advised as they are developed and all are encouraged to reflect on the pastoral challenges to the family and to prayer for the work of the Family Synod. All relevant Synod documents can be found on the diocesan website at www.dbb.org.au/family 2015 Family Synod and beyond Summaries of the worldwide discernment process will be forwarded to Rome and will be included within working paper material to be considered by the 2015 Family Synod (ordinary General Assembly of Bishops) which will take place in Rome from 4-25 October. The Report from the 2015 Synod will then be forwarded to Pope Francis to assist him in finalising guidelines for the pastoral care of the family which will be contained in an Apostolic Exhortation expected to be published in 2016. BBN

DECEMBER 2014

For some the end of the school year can’t come soon enough. But for CatholicCare’s coordinators of Out of School Hours Care, the lead up to Christmas are some of the best weeks of the year - for staff as well as kids attending the Active Outdoors and other learning through play programs at primary schools across the Diocese. Rebecca Haynes, Manager of CatholicCare’s before and after school hours service, says “Advent is a time of anticipation and excitement … and review. We certainly feel the kids excitement and growing anticipation. And when we look back over the year, we also have cause for celebration and great joy. “You realise all the treasured moments, all the learnings and the discoveries the kids have made, the changes a year has made in their understanding of themselves and of their world. “I know parents often think afterschool care is supervised playtime but we have our record of developmental milestones to remind us of the distance our children have travelled in the course of the year.

ast Go Cyclin sfor g - wh ich is p d): our Ac art of tive Aft er Sch Care p ool rogram . Seein childre g n with no ridin skills a g t the s ta seeing rt then that ch around ild ride with g reat ba lance.

(Waitara):

I love the uniquenes s of every child. My most memo rable learning has been thr ough one very special bo y joining us from a special sc hool. As he is non-verbal our children have learne d how to show compassion and how to communicate and include him in their games. The ch ildren adore him. His mother told me how touched she was when two of ou r OOSH children came up to her son at the swimming pool to talk to him.

“Our goal is to create environments where children can learn through play, express themselves socially, master themselves physically, explore their world creatively and have loads of fun. Personally, my enduring memory this year is of one child who’d never before ridden a bike, in fact had been too terrified to even go near a bike, wobbling his way over several sessions to two-wheeled accomplishment. The smile on his face when he told his stunned parent I won’t forget! “At another level we’re ending the year with services in 12 schools across the diocese, 4 more since this time last year, with new services having come on stream at Carlingford, Collaroy Plateau, Davidson and Manly”.

So from our 12 OSHC coordinators, some Christmas greetings about

the joy we’ve had this year, the joy we’ve seen in your children and the joy we wish for 2015. God bless.

(Forestv

ille): My wish for C hristmas is fo r my friends an d family to be happy, safe an d healthy, but if I can’t have that I’d settle for some nice sp arkly diamond earri ngs.

EARLY LEARNING AND CARE: Forestville • Lake Munmorah • Terrigal • Waitara OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE: Carlingford • Collaroy Plateau • Davidson • East Gosford • Forestville • Freshwater • Lake Munmorah • Manly • Mona Vale • Pymble • Waitara • West Pymble

justice love

serving in and

(West Pym ble): Bake offs ar

(Freshwater):

e always p opular with both b oys and girl s – a game w here teams play off agai nst each other to crea te their ow n original reci pes includin g selecting in gredients an d measurem ents to bak ea delicious an d colourful(! ) treat. Staff, of course, love them as they are are lucky en the judges ough to get and to taste ea ch creation!

(Pymble):

been all the Most memorable for me has small and so e wer y The n. Kindy childre look after to t unsure who they could trus r months Afte e. Car l hoo them at After-Sc I have eve beli I ing, talk and ning of liste in ress exp not their trust now and I can ed ileg words how priv I feel when they seek me out to tell me what happened in class that day or last night or on the weekend.

(Mona Vale):

The children we care for love the outdoors and lots of running around. They enjoy playing many inclusive games and sports that have been able to incorporate the children’s passion for physical education in their ‘time and place’ at After-School Care.

hool Program The Active After Sc opportunity gave the children the the s ort to try different sp community has on offer. This in turn encouraged children in to be more involved ity sports and commun re we en ildr sport. Ch able to develop lls such as different sporting ski g, bowls, hot shot lfin go ll, tba ne soccer, t to name a few. jus tennis and Zumba

(Carlingfor

d): I have learnt how much parents enjoy seeing our educators interacting positive ly with their children. I’ve loved the number of positive pieces of feedback we’ve received, affirming the way our team are involved with the children.

theLMent.com

ernoon after Storytelling. Every aft ter of a ap roll call we read a ch children ws allo It book together. classes er aft wn do d win time to er and gives the old nity children an opportu ir the to ud alo d rea to younger peers.

(Lake Munmorah):

(Manly):

avidson I would ): like to w ish for patience . I don’t think we have enough patience . We sp end so much time on immedia te gratifi cation and ten d to igno re the bigger p icture.

(Collaroy Plateau):

world I really want to say verty peace and end to po really uld wo I lly tua but ac love a packet of Tim-Tams that never run out!

My wish for Christma s is, that families and people around the world have the opportunity to come together to celebrate this special time of year and of course that Santa arrives with that special present!

FOSTER AND THERAPEUTIC GROUP CARE: Kariong • Pennant Hills FAMILY CENTRES: Brookvale • Central Coast • Lake Munmorah • Naremburn • Waitara HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY: Gosford • Hornsby • Manly • Mona Vale • Royal North Shore • Wahroonga (Sydney Adventist) • Wyong

ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

How will you Share the Christmas Message? People and Relationships Key to sharing the Christmas message is demonstrating to others the unconditional love that Christ has for us. This means accepting family members as they are and without criticism or recrimination. It means making peace and reconciling with someone we have become distanced from, or out of right relationship with, during the year. It means remembering with love and gratitude those who have gone before us and are with God. Christmas Cards Try to use Christmas cards which have a nativity scene or other Christian imagery and message. Consider buying some of your Christmas cards and gifts from charitable organisations such as the Cancer Council. Perhaps make your own Christmas cards and make this a family activity where everyone makes a contribution. Invitation Invite a neighbour or friend, whether a practising Catholic or not, to come with you to Mass on Christmas Day or to attend a parish carol service or similar celebration. The Workplace Where this is appropriate to your work context, include a crib or other Christian symbols in Christmas decorations at work. Faith in Action: The Elderly Visit an elderly person who lives nearby during the Christmas season. If they live

on their own and do not have family, invite them to your Christmas family celebrations. Faith in Action: Those in Need Consider giving a few hours of your time to assist a local charity or service club during the Christmas season or to a parish which is providing Christmas lunch for the needy. Children and Grandchildren Read to your children and grandchildren the Christmas story and model Christ like hospitality and generosity particularly at this time. Charity Giving and Receiving Clear out your wardrobe of unwanted clothes and give them to the St Vincent de Paul Society. Why not visit your local Vinnies, Oxfam or other charity shop to see if you can find suitable Christmas gifts and don’t forget to wish the workers and volunteers a happy Christmas. Alternative Gifts Try making gifts for members of the family rather than buying the gifts e.g. craft, paintings, bookmarks. Spend family time baking biscuits/cakes, wrapping gifts, and displaying Christmas decorations. This will help each member of the family to recognise the treasure of each other. Give a family gift to a less fortunate family that may not receive many gifts at Christmas e.g. through parish hampers for families in need.

PEACE

Memorial and Funeral Services

Religious and secular music: organist, experienced psalmists, regular Church and performance musicians. Music and program preparation Audio Visual creations

SaM SaM 10

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Contact Sonya on 0439 136 877 or Dennis on 0419 209 272 E: sam@clubmusika.com.au www.clubmusika.com.au

E C A PE PEACE E C A E P E C A PE Christmas Cards are available from Boonah Creative Arts Centre (Supporting Artists with Disabilities – CatholicCare Diocese of Broken Bay); boonah@dbb.org.au

Ecumenical Public Witness Often Christian Churches come together in a locality and organise a public carol singing or similar event. Involve your family in these events and share the Christmas spirit with your fellow Christians. Remember The joy of Christmas is in the giving more so than the receiving and in showing your love for all those who are special to you. Instead of feeling ‘frazzled’ about finding the ‘right’ gift focus on the gratitude and love you have for the person you are buying a gift for.

There are many creative ways to make Christmas a truly Christ filled celebration where we show our love for our family and friends and our compassion for those less fortunate than ourselves. Remember that the greatest gift we can give is the gift of ourselves! A final thought, why not try and make Christmas last all year long through continuing some special activity such as an ongoing donation to a particular charity or regular involvement in a parish ministry or school activity.

After you have

attended TO YOUR family,

relatives & FRIENDS, would you

BE WILLING

a gift

TO LEAVE IN YOUR WILL

for your faith community?

For more information regarding a bequest to the Diocese of Broken Bay or your local parish, please contact the Diocesan Bequest Officer on 9847 0750

ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Farwell to a True Pastor and Friend

By Debra Vermeer

Fr Patrick (Paddy) Gillic, who died recently, aged 80, has been remembered as a considerate, compassionate and understanding priest, with a lively Irish humour and a devoted love of the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

t was one of the great joys of Fr Paddy’s life to see the Rabbitohs win their first Rugby League premiership in 43 years, just weeks before he died. Fr Paddy was born on February 16, 1934 to James and Annie Gillic, on the family farm in Kilnacrott, Ballyjamesduff in County Cavan, Ireland. He was the youngest of seven, with all of his three sisters and three brothers having predeceased him. Fr Paddy attended All Hollows Seminary in Dublin and was ordained a priest in 1958. Following his ordination, Fr Paddy had the opportunity to choose a country in which he would like to serve as a priest. At the time, it was snowing and freezing in Ireland, and, having been assured that it didn’t snow in Sydney, Australia, he chose to come here, along with a number of his classmates. Until his death, he was one of the few remaining Irish priests of that era still living in Sydney. His first appointment was in Redfern, which accounts for the allegiance to the Rabbitohs, and he also held appointments at Concord West, Penshurst, Lakemba, Ashbury and Caringbah. In the Diocese of Broken Bay, Fr Paddy was appointed to Forestville, Davidson, St Ives and Terrey Hills, before spending the last 18 years of his full-time ministry at Harbord (now part of the Manly Freshwater Parish). He retired in 2008, not long after celebrating 50 years of priesthood. At his funeral, held at St John the

Baptist Catholic Church, Freshwater, Fr Paddy was remembered as a larger than life personality and a true pastor and friend. Long-time friend Ron Collins, who delivered a eulogy at the Funeral Mass, said that while Fr Paddy was extremely knowledgeable about a wide range of subjects, he was “truly a priest of the people and for the people”. “He was kind, considerate, compassionate, understanding of people’s problems and would go above and beyond his duties to help someone in trouble,” Ron said. “He was a marvellous man, and we have lost a truly great friend. “People loved attending his Masses. He incorporated reverence, simplicity, personality and never a sermon passed, without a joke being told.” Fr Paddy was famous for his love of sport, and along with his passion for Rugby League, he never forgot his beloved Irish sport of Hurling, despite its reputation for being a brutally dangerous activity. “In defence of the game, Paddy maintained that injuries suffered were virtually nil,” said Ron. “He would say, ‘The mortality rate was high – but injuries few!’” Long-time parishioner and friend Rupert Hudson, who also spoke at the Funeral Mass, said that while a friendly rivalry existed between the Rabbitohs-loving priest and his dyed-inthe-wool Manly Sea Eagles parishioners, Fr Paddy was “always there, and ready for a chat, and he endeared himself to many for that”.

“So there he was – Irish, a great sense of humour, a dedicated pastor, a good friend, a good leader, a great story-teller,” Rupert said. “It’s a good innings, to make 80, and the good Lord spared him until Souths broke the drought after 43 years. They did it just in time for Paddy to savour.” Along with his devotion to the Church and his parishioners, Fr Paddy will also be remembered for the large building programs he undertook in the parishes of Davidson and Harbord, which resulted in new classrooms, libraries and administration blocks for the parish schools. “He channelled an enormous amount of energy in to those programs, with magnificent success, and they stand today as monuments to this wonderful man, who moved away from his family and home in Ireland to devote his entire life to all of us here in Australia, and we are so much richer for it,” said Ron.

McEwen Investment Services – offices at Lindfield and Waitara Visit www.mcinvest.com.au to book a seat at our monthly seminar Do you get regular portfolio reports? As a minimum, a comprehensive face to face annual review? For McEwen clients the answer is yes. Are you ever pressured to make a quick decision on an investment? You should never be pressured to make a decision. Do you invest in tax driven schemes? Managed investment schemes? Geared strategies? We have never promoted tax driven schemes – an investment should stand on its own merits. Are you invested mainly in managed funds? Via a platform? Do you pay three tiers of fees? Most investors pay three tiers of fees – you can do away with two tiers of fees.

Does your portfolio generate adequate income?  A good blue chip portfolio will pay at least 5% plus franking credits. Has your trust deed been updated in the last three years? Super law changes – trust deeds should be updated regularly.

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McEwen Investments Services – shares, self managed super, life insurance. • Level 1, 41-45 Pacific Highway, Waitara NSW 2077 • www.mcinvest.com.au • 1300 623 936 • rob@mcinvest.com.au Principal: Robert McEwen B.Ec M. Bus (App Fin) CFP AFSL: 235915 BBN

DECEMBER 2014

RELIGIOUS ART PRIZE

Outstanding Showcase of Talent Across Broken Bay By Rachel Tyne, Education Officer, Mission Services for the Central Coast, Catholic Schools Office

The 2014 Bishop David Walker Religious Art Prize was a resounding success.

he theme for this year was ‘A scriptural person, passage or theme’ in which all Catholic students in Government and Nongovernment schools were invited to enter. Students were encouraged to use any creative medium to portray their connection to scripture. Over 120 entries from all areas of the Broken Bay Diocese were received from Early Stage 1 through to Stage 6. Judging was performed by Julie Hawkins – Visual Arts Teacher from St Joseph’s College East Gosford, Margot Beckett – Mission Services and Joshua McPherson 2013 Finalist –The Archibald Prize. The judges were extremely impressed by the

standard of the artworks submitted, the variety of media used and the scriptural theme evident throughout. In their summation they described the overall gallery as ‘Colourful, dynamic, vibrant and creative art works’. Entries included multimedia presentations such as Lego animation, original music composition, photography, collage, sculpture, paintings in different styles such as oils and watercolours as well as some more unconventional entries using loom bands and cake decorating. A variety of themes were also represented from Old Testament creation stories, personal relationships with scripture, images of Mary, and paintings of Bishop David indicative of the influence he

has had on our youth. All these contributed to an outstanding showcase of the talents of the students of Broken Bay. Winners, accompanied by family and friends, gathered at the Caroline Chisholm Centre on 20 October for a special presentation evening with Bishop David Walker, Fr Vince Casey (Diocesan Administrator) and Mr Peter Hamill (Director Catholic Education Office Broken Bay). First place entries received a cash prize and Highly Commended entries received art supply vouchers. The 2014 prize winners are:

Stage One • Highly Commended ($50 art supplies voucher): Anna Yoo (Mercy College, Chatswood) for “Poor Widow’s Offering” • First Prize ($100): Vanessa Heien-Ramos (St John the Apostle, Naraweena) for ‘Moses opening the Red Sea’. • Highly Commended ($50 art supplies voucher): Salvatore Murdocca (Mater Maria College, Warriewood) for Lego animation • Highly Commended ($30 art supplies voucher): Kayla McKeon (St “…how Moses got given the Ten Commandments... ” Agatha’s, Pennant Hills) for “God created amazing creatures…” Stage Five • Highly Commended ($30 art supplies voucher): Isabella Saroukas (Our Lady of Good Counsel, Forestville) for “The three Crosses” • First Prize ($300): Lachlan Smith (St Pius X, Chatswood) for photograph based on Luke 3:22 Stage Two • Highly Commended ($50 art supplies voucher): Hannah • First Prize ($200): Nathan Irvine (Holy Cross, Kincumber) Solomans (Stella Maris, Manly) for “When the oceans rise for photogragh inspired by 1 Corinthians 3:7. and thunders roar, I will soar with you above the storm...” • Highly Commended ($30 art supplies voucher): • Highly Commended ($50 art supplies voucher): Mia Wilson Alexis Krenich (Epping North Public School) for Brown (MacKillop College, Warnervale) for “...Bishop “..believing in myself and having faith…” David Walker preaching and teaching the Scriptures ” • Highly Commended ($30 art supplies voucher): James Shahinian/ Stage Six Salvador Alfaro (St Thomas, Willoughby) for “Mosaic of Mary” • Highly Commended ($50 art supplies voucher): Stage Three Ruby Reid (Stella Maris, Manly) for a two-part • First Prize ($200): Elise Beldoza (St Agatha’s, work inspired by Isaiah 59:12 and 52:7 Pennant Hills) for ‘Mother Teresa’ Caroline Chisholm Centre Staff People’s Choice Award • Highly Commended ($30 art supplies voucher): Rose Primary Lowrie (Holy Cross, Kincumber) for “Tree of Hope” • Caroline Chisholm Centre Staff Award: ($30 art supplies voucher) • Highly Commended ($30 art supplies voucher): Chelsea Wong Elise Beldoza (St Agatha’s, Pennant Hills) for ‘Mother Teresa’ (Our Lady Help of Christians, Epping) for “Three Wise Men” Secondary Stage Four • Caroline Chisholm Centre Staff Award: ($50 art supplies voucher) • First Prize ($200): Emma Morton (Mercy College, Kaleb Rose (St Peter’s College, Tuggerah) for sculpture ‘Noah’ Chatswood) for an original song ‘Not Giving Up’ Prize winners of the Bishop David Walker Religious Art Prize can be viewed at www.dbb.org.au

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Vanessa Heien-Ramos

Nathan Irvine

Emma Morton

Lachlan Smith

Elise Beldoza

RELIGIOUS ART PRIZE

Bishop David with Vanessa Heien-Ramos – St John the Apostle, Narraweena.

Isobella Saroukas and Sofia Saroukas.

Nathan Irvine – Holy Cross, Kincumber

Elise Beldoza – St Agatha’s, Pennant Hills.

Alexis Krenich – Epping North Public School (With Bishop David and Catechist, Ana Covacha).

Proud father with his son, Salvador Alfaro – St Thomas’, Willoughby.

Salvatore Murdocca – Mater Maria, Warriewood.

Chelsea Wong – OLHC, Epping.

Anna Yoo – Mercy College, Chatswood.

Lachlan Smith – St Pius X, Chatswood. BBN

DECEMBER 2014

EDUCATION

Jai-Gantic win for St Paul’s At the end of last Term, Year 11 photography students from St Paul’s Catholic College, Manly entered The Pixel Prize Photography competition run by the Australian Catholic University.

articipants were encouraged to use their creativity to express what community means to them. St Paul’s students came up with the idea of ‘Jai-Gantic’ in support of their classmate Jai Maurice who suffers from a rare condition called Friedreich’s Ataxia which affects the nervous system and has recently left Jai

wheelchair bound. The class did an excellent job and extended their creative ability through collaborative brainstorming, concept creation and their individual image making process. Winners were announced and the NSW most original category winner was St Paul’s student Aidan Biasi with his image of Jai at Longreef.

Invested in Social Justice? Year 10 students from across the Diocese had the opportunity to attend workshops and discuss key social justice issues at their Social Justice Day held at Oxford Falls.

ven though a range of different topics were aired as one student stated they realised “we all share the same principles and concepts; even though we may live in different parts of the world, practise different religions or come from different backgrounds.” Meg Renfrew and Natasha Hassall both from St Peter’s Catholic College, Tuggerah, commented “one of the most shocking parts of the day was finding out the amount of

Marlisa has the X Factor It is official, Marlisa Punzalan has the X Factor becoming the 2014 winner.

arlisa, a Year 9 student at Mercy Catholic College, Chatswood was the youngest contestant on the show. The judges recognised her potential from the beginning commenting on the strength of her voice at her very first audition. Mentored by Ronan Keating, Marlisa produced a string of strong performances and shone in the finals which saw her emerge victorious in the end. From school girl to teenage sensation, Marlisa’s dreams have come true. She knows the road ahead may not be easy but is happy and very grateful for the support. Humbled by the win yet determined “to make the most of this opportunity” Marlisa will no doubt continue to shine and inspire.

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Mercy Catholic College staff and students are thrilled that Marlisa’s musical talents have been showcased and are now widely recognised. They are all so proud of her achievements and admire her courage, passion and commitment to follow her dream.

children in detention centres and the effect that it has on them. It inspired many of us to want to do something about it, sharing ideas of what we could do to make a difference.” They also felt “it was an amazing experience sitting with a group of people who were just as passionate as each other and at the end of the day we were left with questions to contemplate, namely: How invested in Social Justice are you? What change do you want to see in the world?”

EDUCATION

St Gerard’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations It was back in September 1964 that the St Gerard Majella Catholic School at Carlingford was opened by Father Nolan and by 1969 there were three Sisters of Mercy on the staff and 130 applications for Kindergarten alone.

ver the years volunteer parents and parishioners provided labour for building projects, working together to build a community and a school. This strong spirit of service still endures today with parents helping the teaching staff organise celebrations for the school’s 50th anniversary this year. Students, teachers and parishioners, all with ties to the school, were invited to craft their own tile which was in turn applied as part of a complete artwork on a prominent wall within the school grounds – a wonderful memento in recognition of a proud history of education. A special celebratory mass was held recently in conjunction with the school opening its classrooms to display students’ work including iMovies they had produced. An estimated 800 visitors enjoyed the hospitality on offer; a BBQ, cakes and refreshments. Visitors included

members of the school and parish, ten past staff members, five past principals, several Sisters of Mercy and representatives from the Catholic Schools Office and Broken Bay Diocese. The event also included an unveiling of a timber plinth kindly donated by the 2014 Year 6 families and the P&F Association in celebration of the 50 years.

In closing, a parent remarked “St Gerard’s was at its best, showing a beautiful, modern school, outstanding teachers who are just as much a part of our community as the parents and who provide guidance to the children and parents. All staff come from a place of love and celebration for our school. I felt very proud to be part of this school community and it will be a day that my family remembers”.

Holy Cross, Kincumber show their “TRUE COLOURS” Students from Years 5 and 6 at Holy Cross Catholic School, Kincumber, recently competed in the annual Wakakirri Story/Dance competition.

ore than 20,000 children across Australia participated in this performing arts festival. Schools had seven minutes to tell a story through music, dance and drama. Holy Cross’s entry was an anti-bullying story titled “True Colours”. The story focused on two main protagonists; the “victim” and the “bully”. Strips of colour were used to represent the victim’s self-esteem, which were stripped from the victim by the bully and her gang. This loss of self-esteem plunged the victim into a dark state of despair from which she was able to summon the courage to rise up and face her tormenter, encouraging other victims to similarly resist those who seek to oppress them. Holy Cross was thrilled to

win the NSW title at the final held at the State Sports Centre, Homebush in September. The head judge was extremely moved by the sensitivity of the casts’ performance, commenting that the story brought him to tears. This comment is testament to the tremendous performance level the children exhibited. They trained a minimum of three times a week for three terms in an effort to achieve personal excellence as performers. On top of this the school was awarded the Best School in Public award at both the heat and state final for their exemplary behaviour during a long day and night of rehearsal and performance. Photos courtesy of Winkipop Media BBN

DECEMBER 2014

EDUCATION

Raise Your Hand

TV doctor and campaign ambassador, Dr Andrew Rochford recently launched a new allergy awareness campaign at his old primary school, St Rose Catholic School in Collaroy Plateau.

he Channel 7 personality knows just how scary it is when your child suffers a serious allergic attack after his son had to go to hospital suffering a reaction to a tick bite. Dr Rochford told the students at St Rose all about allergy symptoms, how to look after their friends and create a safe environment. “They understand, they get it and they are keen to learn,” he said. Josie Vescio, School Principal, said seven of the school’s 230 pupils had food allergies, including the daughter of canteen manager Anne-Marie McInnes who was allergic to nuts. As a result, the canteen was exceptionally allergyaware. “Ninety per cent of our canteen food is made on site,” Mrs Vescio said and the school has a no sharing of food policy.

“This is a very important campaign for schools because more and more students are being diagnosed with severe allergies and have to take allergy medication with them to schools, such as adrenaline auto-injectors,” Dr

Rochford said. “It is especially important at the primary school level, where many children are too young to understand the severity of these issues and rely on staff and parents to initiate and encourage proper preventative measures.”

Mini Mack’s Busy Year Students in Years 5 and 6 at Mackillop Catholic College, Warnervale, had the opportunity to participate in the school’s Mini Macks program this year which supported the needs of their local community. he students were very Friday a handful of Mini Mack the school terms and on hangman, coits, bean bag busy throughout the children volunteers visit one their initial visit introduced tossing, Uno, and scrabble year with various activities of their local nursing homes, themselves and shared photos to name a few. They evened and fund raising ideas. William Cape Garden, where of their friends and families played tennis with balloons. There was one activity in they met with the residents to which was a great ice breaker. This term the students particular that the group have play games and tell stories. The weekly activities ranged have been learning a few taken on with gusto! Each The students rotated over from dominoes, bingo, old time songs to sing along with the residents, their first one being ‘Ain’t She Sweet’ and plans are afoot for a team bake-off to raise further funds for new games. Megan Smith, primary school teacher, commented on how “these Mini Macks give up their recess each week to visit the residents at William Cape Garden Nursing Home and are touching the hearts of many. Mackillop Catholic College is indeed blessed to have such special souls at our school. It has been wonderful to see everyone joining in, having an absolute ball and it is amazing to witness is how easy it is for the children to mix socially and put a smile on the faces of all they meet.”

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EDUCATION

The Doors of Time Year 6 Finley Turner, Year 6 student at St John Fisher Catholic School, Tumbi Umbi, wrote this special poem for his memory book to celebrate his seven years of learning in primary at his local Catholic School. I hear my desolate, far-away footsteps as I traverse the halls of time and memories I see the barrage of familiar memories of 2014’s adverse adventures I feel the cold cover of the beloved book as I slide them in the carefully organised shelves I taste the perfectly prepared, metric meals served at the marvellous Canberra Motel I smell the ink on the paper as I carefully complete the daring daily grind I feel the excitement as I board the ballistic blue bus and the satisfaction of a hard day completed I see the black abyss of teenhood, frightening but so alluring I taste the unfamiliar air around it as I get ready to jump; I look behind me, others also ready to jump, I extend my foot and lean forward I hear the wind rushing past my ear I feel my body changing to unfamiliar proportions I see the new friends, teachers and experiences I smell the hormones changing my body but more importantly, my mind I taste the good times, the bad times and the adventures to be had Even though teenhood is like an unexplained abyss at first, you realise you’re not the only explorer By Finley Turner, October 2014

Pedal Power Students at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Catholic School in West Pymble were enthusiastic and active participants during a recent Bicycle Power presentation.

his Bicycle Power event was organised to complement Science Week and gave students the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge they had learnt as part of their Science program. Year 3 and 4 classes were learning about energy with the focus on light and heat whilst Years 5 and 6 were studying electric circuits.

Sarah Betts from Milkcrate Events and her colleague Zak provided an interactive audio visual presentation on sustainable energy production and storage. Sarah and Zak gave students a real life opportunity to create electricity using their own energy to power various appliances including a blender. The favourite outcome by far was the banana smoothie each received.

Sarah and Zaks’ Bicycle Powered presentation on sustainable energy production and use provided the students with an entertaining and educational experience. The students asked lots of questions and were very enthusiastic about the cycle power process, learning more about sustainability and the need to be sustainable energy users.

Broken Bay Diocese students soar in sport Sport plays an important role in primary and secondary schools in the Diocese of Broken Bay, not only to promote health but to foster diocesan spirit, develop skills and support talents.

t is an opportunity for participation and development of relationships; it empowers youth and promotes higher self-esteem; and teaches values such as teamwork, discipline, and fair-play. The Diocese of Broken Bay supports a variety of sports in primary and secondary schools and provides opportunities for children to represent their schools and compete in regional, state and Australian competitions. By the time they reach high school students have a chance to participate in The Broken Bay Secondary Schools Sports Association pathway program, which hosts 20 events and gala days each year.

The program continues to achieve impressive results with secondary students from across the region playing sport at NSW representative level in 2014. Jack Cogger from MacKillop Catholic College, Warnervale, went on to be selected at National level in the Australian Rugby League Schoolboys team. A team of 119 Broken Bay students also attended the NSWCCC Athletics Championships where the the Diocese secured 15 first places and 17 second places. Frank Morris from St Leo’s Catholic College, Wahroonga breaking a record in the age group 17/18 boy’s javelin, 1 of only 11 records broken on the day.

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DECEMBER 2014

PARISH SUPPORT

Members of the Parish Support/CCD staff pictured with Members of the CCD Advisory Committee.

Rebecca Bishop receiving her Award from the NSW Minister for Education, The Hon Adrian Piccoli.

NSW Education Minister Recognises Involvement of Religious Faiths in School Teaching Education Minister Adrian Piccoli and other NSW politicians joined with representatives from Christian and other faiths at Parliament House at the end of October, to mark the contribution Special Religious Education (SRE) makes to the Public Education system.

n a powerful representation of the unity in Schools and commended approved diversity in society, the SRE Celebration providers for their dedication to ensuring event showcased how providers of SRE added the quality delivery of SRE in NSW. significantly to the lives of students through Bishop Peter Comensoli, speaking as the faith choice of their family, especially Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese in the development of values that are at of Sydney at the time, and on behalf of the the heart of the world’s major religions. Inter-Church Commission on Religious In his role as guest speaker, Mr Piccoli Education in Schools (ICCOREIS), said he fully supported the place of said the event reaffirmed for him what SRE in the public education system. an incredible contribution the major “I congratulate all the award recipients faiths all made to Public Education. for the creativity and innovation that “The celebration of SRE at Parliament they have shown in their work with House reaffirms the incredible contribution students and teachers. SRE teachers the major faiths make to public education. play an important role in providing It was a privilege to join with leaders support to our students and I commend from the various Christian churches and them for the important work they do other faiths to recognise and celebrate in our schools.” Mr Piccoli said. how SRE provides quality formation Also supporting the event was the in the faith of families.” he said. Shadow Minister of Education, Ryan “SRE is a choice that very many Park, who said SRE was a “vital choice parents across NSW want as an integral for parents, one that I fully support in dimension to their children’s education. our multicultural multi-faith society.” The implementation of SRE in NSW is 1 6/11/2014 12:39 pm for other systems to emulate. He saidM1410_subad_Broken_100_99.pdf faith groups invested considerable an exemplar resources in the delivery of SRE in Public It is a model which promotes competent

formation in a context of diversity, reflecting our multicultural and multi-faith country.” The contribution made by a volunteer base of SRE teachers from many faiths was recognised through the presentation of awards to 13 outstanding SRE teachers for their excellence, innovation and creativity in the way they deliver SRE to students across NSW. Rebecca Bishop from Broken Bay CCD was among the Award recipients, being honoured for her creativity and innovation in eth development of SmartBoard and multimedia curriculum resources. The event concluded with a note of thanks from ICCOREIS chairman Neville Cox, “ICCOREIS has been proud to enable the Celebration of SRE across all faiths,” he said. “We are grateful for the bi-partisan support and recognition by major political parties of the contribution made to Public Education in NSW by approved providers across faiths, and with them remain committed to the development of sound curriculums, quality training and effective implementation of quality SRE.”

�o��n �omers-�a�

Singer • Soloist • Soprano • Cantor •

Funerals, Memorial Services, Weddings, Social Occasions Phone: (02) 9958 7919 0418 973-656 Email: robyn@sopranosinger.com.au Website: www.sopranosinger.com.au

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PARISH NEWS

Something for Everyone: Parish EXPO at The Entrance By Fr Bill Stevens PP

ur Parish Pastoral Council, looking at ways to interest more of our people in our varied Ministries, discovered that few people knew of how varied our outreach to others was. Following on a past experience, they decided to stage a “Parish Expo” in the Parish Centre to showcase what our community had to offer. Over a weekend in October twenty-six

ministries mounted an exhibit highlighting their particular work. After each of our weekend Masses, parishioners and visitors were invited to view the exhibits and enjoy a “cuppa” and refreshments. It was a great success, not only as a recruiting tool, but also as a social event where people who attend a regular Mass were able to mix and meet people from other

Masses. Visitors were delighted and even our own people were surprised at the range of experiences on offer – for the very young, school children, parents and the “seniors” there were religious, educational and social venues, Bible study, children’s liturgies, music and drama – it was all these and more. The Parish Pastoral Council decided – “they had done something good”.

Ministry of Prayer for Seniors On 18 October, 80 MacKillop Seniors’ had Bishop David Walker join the parish priest Fr John Hodgson CssR as the special guest celebrant and speaker at their monthly anointing Mass assisted by Deacon Jim Caulfield.

ishop David identified with the group as a “retiree”. He acknowledged that as we grow older we are unable to physically do as much around our parish as in the past but we have an extremely valuable role to play by being a part of the ‘Ministry of Prayer’. Bishop David proposed that it is not just a question of saying more prayers, but making one’s life a prayer. This can be done by having intention in all that we do, we do it for the glory of God. It may begin in a morning offering, but can be taken up during the day. We can associate this with the practice of the presence of God, i.e. at times during the day make an effort to recall the presence of God.

The Angelus, prayers at meals etc. are all examples of this. If we do this each moment can become a sacrament in which we meet the Lord. We come to live our normal life more consciously and intentionally. This ministry of prayer is not just a poor substitution for an active ministry. It is a power in itself which can affect the whole Church. St Therese of Lisieux never left her convent, yet she is one of the Patrons of the Church’s missions. This shows the power of the ministry of prayer. After Mass, 55 people joined Bishop David for lunch organised by a great team of seniors. This gave everyone the opportunity to speak to the bishop. He

was very impressed by the friendliness of the seniors and their care for each other. Prayer and opportunities for spiritual development of the seniors has always been at the forefront of the Seniors’ Ministry at Warnervale. Every Month on the 3rd Saturday for a healing Mass followed by morning tea. Also, we have a 4-day Retreat at St Mary’s Towers at Douglas Park. This year our retreat was led by Dr John Frauenfelder. The theme was “Spirituality for the Ageing”. We had input sessions followed by reflective time. There was also plenty of ‘FELLOWSHIP’ time. The seniors’ Ministry is alive and well at St Mary of the Cross Warnervale. BBN

DECEMBER 2014

WYONG CENTENARY

Official opening of the church in 1908.

St Cecilia’s 2014.

Faith Community Celebrates 100 Years On 22 August, Wyong community marked an important milestone, the Centenary of the Parish, with a special Mass attended by Fr Vince Casey, various clergy, religious, parishioners and visitors.

he night was a joyous and beautiful celebration recognising the past with gratitude and looking to the future with hope – ‘for this is God’s work in which we are privileged to share.’ Initially Wyong was part of Gosford Parish in the Archdiocese of Sydney, but in 1914 Wyong was made a separate parish called ‘Wyong & Lake Macquarie’. It covered a large area, including The Entrance, Morisset and Cooranbong, and all territory to the north as far as Boolaroo; to Swansea and Belmont on the east of Lake Macquarie; and south to Ourimbah. These boundaries remained in place until 1926 when the northern boundary was changed.

Centenary Cake.

DECEMBER 2014

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Centenary Mass.

Fr R J O’Regan was appointed Parish Priest in 1914 and set about building a residence. The foundation stone for the Presbytery was laid on 28 November 1915 and it was officially opened on 11 May 1916. The evening was also celebrated with a wonderful supper in the Parish Centre and the cutting of a ‘special cake’ to mark this occasion. Message from Fr Vladimir Echalas SOLT, PP to Commemorate the Centenary Celebrations: “We come together today to celebrate a milestone in the history of our Parish. Whilst some churches and parishes are closing down because of the inability to sustain the life of the parish, here we are still standing, grateful and humble. In 2008 the Parish gathered together for the 100th year

of the official opening of the church as a place of worship, this year is equally important as the anniversary of the canonical erection of Wyong as a Parish. In the Eucharist we acknowledge the fidelity of God and the work and gifts of those who have built up his parish for 100 years; the years before and hopefully the years beyond. For a century now, there has been much history and many stories in the church of St Cecilia and the Parish, not just written words and pictures, but especially our own personal stories written in the heart of God. No matter how insignificant we may be, as parishioners we are blessed being part of this Centenary which happens only once in a lifetime. I feel very blessed being your Parish Priest during this most important event in the Parish, even though

I have only been here for two years. The SOLT community is privileged to have been given this Parish under the care of the SOLT priests (Fr Raul, Fr Alex and myself ) during the time of this Centenary. Our stories, not just of those families and individuals who have stayed in the Parish for more than 70 years, but also those who have recently joined us, are bound together to the larger story of the People of God. This Centenary celebration challenges us not to just look back where our predecessors have walked but to appreciate the contribution of our present Parishioners as we look forward to the future with hope, praying that the fruits of our labour will be blessed by God as we continue to help build God’s Kingdom. Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity and St Cecilia, pray for us!”

CHARITABLE RACE DAY

Fundraising the Winner at Charity Race Day C

lose to 250 people gathered at Gosford Race Course’s new Entertainment Grounds at the end of October for the 11th Annual Diocesan Charity Race Day. The day was another great success with over $12,000 raised for the Charitable Works Fund, going towards supporting those in our community who are in need. Thank you to the generous Race Sponsors and the many supporters, particularly parish groups, who purchased tables and provided donations for an amazing raffle. Visit the Diocesan website for more photos www.dbb.org.au

Thank you to our Major Sponsors for 2014: AVIUM Moore Stephens Accountants and Advisors Makinson d’Apice Lawyers Paynter Dixon W N Bull Funerals We also acknowledge the generous support of: Church Resources Catholic Church Insurance B-Mac Constructions Pty Ltd Empire Air Conditioning Services

The success of our Charity Race Day would not be possible without the generous sponsorship and donations. We sincerely thank the following groups and organisations: Amazement; Australian Walkabout Wildlife Park; The Beachcomber Hotel; Boydita Flowers; Bunnings Warehouse Thornleigh; Captain Cook Cruises Pty Ltd; Central Coast leagues; Dell Australia; diggers@theentrance; Featherdale Wildlife Park; Hoyts Erina Fair; JMP153 Pty Ltd; Kair Group Australia; Lakehaven Shopping Centre; Lenovo Australia; Lindt and Sprungli; Lollipops Playland and café Castle Hill; Lowes Bear & Ley Schoolwear; Mediaform Computer Supplies Pty Ltd; Odeon Cinema Hornsby; Mars Food Australia; Senator Deborah O’Neill; Skydive the Beach and Beyond

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DECEMBER 2014

ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Planting the Seeds – Nurturing the Fruit By Debra Vermeer Myanmar (Burma) is, by most measures, a “forgotten country”, but thanks to retired librarian Hans Arns and Catholic Mission, Burmese seminarians now have access to a growing, fully catalogued theological library and Hans is hoping that others will take up his work into the future.

ans, from Thornleigh, is a parishioner at Hornsby Catholic Parish (Queen of Peace, Normanhurst). He stepped down from full-time employment as a theological librarian years ago, but has spent much of his so-called retirement travelling to countries in the South Pacific and Asia, to help regional seminaries to reorganise their libraries, automate and catalogue their collections, train their staff and to ship from Australia books needed by seminarians. His 23 year experience as librarian at St Patrick’s College, Manly, Strathfield’s Catholic Institute of Sydney and The Broken Bay Diocesan Library has been shared with seminaries in Port Moresby, the PNG Highlands, Sri Lanka, India, Suva and now in Myanmar. “It all started when I saw an ad in The Catholic Weekly saying that the national seminary library at Port Moresby needed organising” he says. “So I went up there in 1999 and managed to reorganise and recatalogue it completely. We also redesigned the inadequate building and found funding to reconstruct it.

Hans pictured with Yangon library staff.

“Later on we were able to collect a lot of books from Australia to send up there. For example, when the Columbans moved their library out of Turramurra, they donated a whole Philosophy collection to send to PNG. “It was a big job. I catalogued about 15,000 books in six months after which an Australian donor provided funding for an automated library system and hardware, which was installed during a subsequent visit” In 2004, Hans was asked to come to the Pacific Regional

Seminarians from St Joseph’s Seminary Yangon.

DECEMBER 2014

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Seminary in Suva, Fiji and, over six months, he did the same for them as he had done in PNG. “During my stays I was also able to train library staff in these various places to continue the work,” he says. During intervals in Australia, Hans took on jobs cataloguing the Bishop David L. Walker Library at the Diocese of Broken Bay, as well as special collections at Catholic Institute of Sydney and the Benedictine Monastery at Arcadia. Following a six week stint in

the PNG Highlands in 2006, automating the Banz seminary library he went to Bangalore in the following year to conduct a training course for monastery librarians in India. In 2008 he spent six weeks reorganising and cataloguing a Benedictine seminary library in Sri Lanka. “I had been urging the appropriate people in Rome to do something collectively about seminary libraries in the majority world because they had been badly left behind” Hans says. “But nothing ever seemed to happen.”

Yangon Seminary.

ACROSS OUR DIOCESE Then, in 2012, while on holidays in Rome, Hans was contacted by the Society of St Peter the Apostle, the Vatican department that allocates funds for seminaries as part of the Pontifical Mission Society. “We discussed my specific proposals to help support seminary libraries in developing countries and in the same year we set up a project called ‘Sharing the Word’.” under the directorship of Catholic Mission, Sharing the Word is a Project linking up Catholic seminary libraries and librarians throughout the world. It seeks to overcome the isolation faced by seminary libraries in many countries struggling to provide just basic services to seminarians and teaching staff. Although still in its infancy, the project aims to provide better information resources and educate library staff. It also promotes the installation of the excellent and free Koha library automation/cataloguing software. “The Sharing the Word project hopes to give every seminarian, priest, pastoral worker and laity in these countries access to the best in a faith education resources“, Hans says. “We started with the Pacific Regional Seminary library in Suva as the first library to be updated with this open-source, fully automated library system. “And it’s wonderful,” says Hans. “It’s all online; you can search it from anywhere and it already provides access to over 1400 free e-books”. In recent times, Hans’ attention has turned to Myanmar, where, because of the country’s political turmoil and enforced isolation since the 1960s, the seminaries and their libraries had greatly stagnated “I had hoped to install a hosted system, as in Suva, but the Internet was too bad. There was no way we could do that. So, a young, self-taught fellow helped me to install a stand-alone Kohl automated library system for them. “The two nuns who work in the Yangon seminary library were so keen to improve things that they have catalogued the whole library already. We also sent them thousands of suitable books, donated by the Catholic

Institute of Sydney, Broken Bay Library and many private donors. Another big shipment of books from the USA will reach them in January or February.” Hans says the hardships faced by seminarians in Myanmar are incredible. “The Yangon seminary has about 160 students who live in buildings that are falling down around their ears,” he says. “In fact, some of the students are accommodated in scrubbed-out pig pens. They are now planning to rebuild the 1960’s temporary buildings, if help can be found”. “They have very few resources. It’s a forgotten country, which has fallen by the wayside after fifty years of military rule, but they are such a lovely, humble and hard working people.” Hans, who is now 77, says it is time for him to retire “properly”, but he is hoping that other people will come forward to take up the work. “I’m hoping that there might be people within the Diocese of Broken Bay who can form a support group and help on an ongoing basis,” he says. “We are now welcoming many priests in Australia from overseas and our Diocese has a special working relationship with seminaries in Myanmar for that purpose. It is therefore important to assist them with their education and formation. While the Project needs help with providing library and teaching material and with postage costs, the seminaries in Myanmar also badly need professional help and expertise in many areas to make up for its long isolation. An immediate task is to find seed money of $3,000 for about five years to employ a sister in Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar, to help carry on the work that Hans and Catholic Mission have begun in the seminary library there. He will be going for a last working visit to Myanmar early next year and also hopes to use that opportunity to train a sister to undertake that task. “It’s not a lot of money, but it would make such a big difference to the quality of their seminary education” he says You can contact Hans at arns.hans@gmail.com

Seminary Library Yangon.

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DECEMBER 2014

ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

SPARK

By Danielle Mifsud, Youth Communications Project Officer

We climbed, flew, jumped, sang, danced, laughed and much more!

uring the beginning of the school holidays, 32 Year 7-9 students joined the Youth Ministry Team for their Annual SPARK Youth Camp at the Southern Cross Outdoor Education Centre. It was an amazing experience filled with will fun, friendship and faith. The theme of the camp was “Do to others as you would have them do to you”(Mt 7:12). They arrived with nerves on their faces, not knowing many of the other young people there, and unsure what to expect from the next three days of the school holidays. However they left feeling sad to be saying

goodbye to their many friends they had made during the camp and that all the fun was over. Many of the participants are already looking forward to the next SPARK Camp. During the Camp some of the activities included Pirate Climb, Flying Fox and Archery, which unified the group and saw many of the youth break their comfort zones and fears to enjoy what was on offer. They also had joined together for reflection time and discussion around camp fires, in the bush, in sacred spaces, and around ping pong tables. Some of the highlights of the camp included an inspiring guest speaker who shared her struggle to find

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God during a difficult time in her life. And how her willingness to never give up and to keep seeking, is the reason she is filled with God’s love and continues to share this love with others. The other highlight was during the final night activity ‘Minute to win it’ competition which saw teams going head to head in many fun one minute games and challenges. Overall the Camp allowed participants to foster new friendships, learn to trust their own skills, spend time in reflection and have fun! Many thanks to our amazing Youth Ministry and Diocesan Volunteers as well as the Youth Ministry Team.

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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Lifetime of Service Recognised By Huang Zhi-Wei aka Reg Wong Does lightning strike twice in the same place? You better believe it, especially if the place is the Catholic Parish of Frenchs Forest. wo years ago, our parishioners Tony and Curious, I was prompted to ask, “How did Carmel Smith, who worship at St Martin’s, you become so involved with Vinnies?” He had a were awarded the Order of Australia for ready answer. “Going to work at the GPO in my Community Service. This year, Bruno Spedalieri, first years in Australia, I discovered something I another parishioner, an OLGC regular, was the hadn’t seen before – even though I come from a deserving recipient of the same award. These war-torn country. I saw homeless people sleeping parishioners do us proud. on the street pavements, propped up against What is striking about these award winners the closed doors of shops, and dressed in rags! is that each of them has spent a virtual life time That scene disturbed me greatly, prompting me working as St Vincent de Paul volunteers to alle- to join the St Vincent de Paul Society, and do viate the sufferings of the poor, the destitute, the something about it. Also almost immediately I marginalised, and the mentally ill. went to visit the homeless men at the Matthew Bruno came to Australia as a tourist in 1973 Talbot Hostel in Woolloomooloo to reinforce for a look-see. Although always lucky, his for- the lesson I had learnt.” Thirty-six years have tunes blossomed during his short stay. “When elapsed since then. I went to visit the Liuzzo family, I noticed the Bruno is now actively involved with home visibeautiful young Zina. Eighteen months later tation, serving meals to the homeless at Matthew Zina and I got married!” Had his association Talbot, and fund raising. Distinguished posts with the French for five years and his mastery he has held for Vinnies are as President of the of the language of love anything to do with the Forestville Conference for three years and as the lightning speed at which he won over the young Society’s Overseas Partnership Coordinator for Zina? The happy union has produced two chil- six years. “At present I am the Spiritual Advisor dren, Flavio and Yolanda, who are both married of the Broken Bay Diocesan Office.” and have made Bruno and Zina grandparents With me as his captive audience, he took the three times. time to familiarise me with his own ethos. And

Moved by the desperate plight of Christians throughout the Middle East, the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) calls on your support to help the region’s beleaguered Christian population.

Bruno and Zina Spedalieri.

the scene was worth recapturing: Bruno, an Italian from Sicily, spoke to me, a Chinese gentile, in English but with a velvety French accent about an Albanian charity worker who practised the tenets of a Jewish Rabbi – all this in an Australian setting. He reminded me, “In 1981 at The Parramatta Oval, Mother Theresa said that ‘Todays’ poor are the unloved, the lonely, the depressed and the marginalised. How can we call ourselves Christians if we don’t jump out of our comfort zone and go where help is needed? We must become beacons of hope and doves of peace in this suffering world, show love to each other, and be united in Christ. We must convert from our wrong doings; and pray fervently for the Good Lord to give the world good and wise and visionary civilian leaders as well as inspirational and holy religious leaders.’” Bruno, congratulations on receiving your much-deserved award. You are an inspiration.

fear as increasing poverty and growing extremism threaten the survival of these ancient communities.

ACN is helping to keep faith and hope alive throughout the region by providing urgent aid to priests, religious and lay people, offering subsistence help to refugees and building and repairing Churches and convents. Please help us strengthen and rebuild the Church in the land of Christ’s birth.

A mass exodus of Christians from the Middle East is now taking place. For some, like the Christians of Iraq and Syria, it is a question of their very survival as they flee the bloody persecution of the militants of the Islamic State (formerly ISIS). A beautiful, olive wood crucifix, handcrafted in For others, in parts of the Holy Land that Our Bethlehem, will be sent to all those who give a Lord Jesus Christ knew so well, the proportion of donation of $20.00 or more to help this campaign. Christians has plummeted from 20% to as little as Please tick the box below if you would like to 1.4% in the last forty years. The faithful now live in receive the little olive wood crucifix*.

Send to: Aid to the Church in Need PO Box 7246 Baulkham Hills NSW 2153 Tel No: (02) 9679-1929 Email: info@aidtochurch.org Web: www.aidtochurch.org I enclose a cheque/money order payable to Aid to the Church in Need OR please debit my Visa or Mastercard:

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DECEMBER 2014

WHAT’S ON

Handel’s Messiah 2014 Christmas Mass Times

All are invited to join us this Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ. For a full list of Christmas Mass Times in the Diocese of Broken Bay, please visit:

www.dbb.org.au

In aid of Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter An ecumenical combined massed choir performance of the best-loved highlights of Handel’s Messiah.

Thursday 11 December, 8pm Light of Christ Hall, Yardley Ave, Waitara

Musical Director, Phillip Linquist, Organist Heather Boyd and the Choir, will be joined by an ensemble of musicians and young professional soloists singing favourite arias. Google ‘Handel’s Messiah Hornsby’ or email: hcmessiah@gmail.com

When experience counts

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For over 120 years WN Bull Funerals has been serving the people of Sydney there has been significant growth and change in the community. We are proud to have been able to readily adapt to these changes and remain compassionate, sensitive and responsive to the needs and wishes of our client families. WN Bull is especially proud of its heritage of providing real comfort and care when caring for the deceased and their families. This care extends to the recommendation of prepaid funeral plans. A prepaid WN Bull funeral will assist family members and ensure that every detail is attended to. When the care you seek is unconditional – talk to us.

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DECEMBER 2014

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16/07/13 10:58 AM

CHRISTMAS APPEAL

Vinnies asks You to make a Christmas Wish come True this Year As it calls for support of its 2014 Christmas Appeal, the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW says it is a bleak situation when, providing people with a basic need such as food, accounts for more than 50% of the total spend of assistance provided by the Society during the Christmas period.

he reality is that for many people Christmas is a stressful time and far from the joyous celebration it is for most Australians. These people will struggle to pay their bills and put food on the table let alone dream of buying gifts for their children or preparing a special Christmas meal. St Vincent de Paul Society NSW CEO, Michael Perusco says that the difficult situation many families find themselves in is beyond what most of us could ever imagine. “As rental and living costs continue to put pressure on the family budget, people continue to juggle with difficult decisions about how to provide for their families with very little income. We really need the support of those Australians who can

afford to do so, to dig deep and make a generous donation to the Vinnies Christmas Appeal,” said Mr Perusco. The St Vincent de Paul Society will provide people in New South Wales this Christmas period with financial assistance, clothing, utilities, food hampers and gifts for children. For the period November 2013 to January 2014, the Broken Bay Central Council provided over $404,500 worth of assistance to people in need, including over $204,468 worth of assistance for food. In addition, the Broken Bay Central Council provided over $104,000 worth of Christmas hampers to families experiencing disadvantage. St Vincent de Paul Society NSW President, Ray Reynolds says that the across 420

communities in New South Wales, close to 6,000 members are visiting people in their homes every day to lend crucial financial and emotional support. “Our members and services go about their work each and every

day ensuring that those people experiencing disadvantage are able to turn to someone for help when things get too hard. Many people that we assist tell us that without our help, they would not be able to cope,” said Mr Reynolds.

Please donate to the 2014 Vinnies Christmas Appeal so that we can continue to change lives every day. To show your support and make a donation visit vinnies.org.au or call 13 18 12.

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Visit our new and improved website to learn more of CCI’s dedication to the wider Catholic community. www.catholicinsurance.org.au

Image: Australian Catholic Youth Festival, Melbourne, December 2013

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Catholic Church Insurance Limited ABN 76 000 005 210, AFS Licence No. 235415 (CCI) arranges this insurance as promoter of the underwriter Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFS Licence No. 234708 (Allianz). We do not provide any advice on this insurance based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply. Before deciding please refer to the PDS available by calling 1300 655 003; or from www.catholicinsurance.org.au.

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DECEMBER 2014

Brookvale Family Centre Unit 9B, 44 Wattle Road, Brookvale Tel: 8968 5100 • brookvalefamilycentre@dbb.org.au

Central Coast Family Centre GP Super Clinic, 3 Mary Mackillop Drive, Woongarah Tel: 4356 2600 • centralcoastfamilycentre@dbb.org.au

Naremburn Family Centre 40 Merrenburn Ave, Naremburn Tel: 8425 8700 • naremburnfamilycentre@dbb.org.au

Waitara Family Centre 29 Yardley Avenue, Waitara Tel: 9488 2400 • waitarafamilycentre@dbb.org.au

CatholicCare also provide a comprehensive range of counselling, family dispute resolution & mediation, family support & referral services, as well as domestic violence advocacy & support and a wide range of respite, recreation, life & employment skilling for those with disabilities.

Naremburn Family Centre Tues/Wed 6.15 - 8.15pm Ring 8425 8700 for start date Waitara Family Centre Wednesdays 10.00am - 12.00pm: Starts 29 October

Brookvale Family Centre Tuesdays 6.00 - 8.30pm: Starts 24 February Central Coast Family Centre Wednesdays 10.00 - 12.30pm: Starts 25 February Waitara Family Centre Tuesdays 6.00 - 8.30pm: Starts 17 February

awareness with sessions on understanding adolescent development, accepting and guiding your teen’s increasing independence, dealing with peer pressure and how to create opportunities for connection.

Parenting post separation

5 week group program $100 ($20 per session)

Free

Central Coast Family Centre Ring 4356 2600 for Term 1 times/dates

Keeping kids in mind: Learn strategies for working better as co-parents for the well-being of your children; how to support them through and beyond the separation to deal with feelings of loss and grief. Learn how to communicate with less conflict and how conflict impacts on your children.

Men’s Group: This group will discuss the changing role of fathers and how to cope with life stress. Learn how to understand your children’s needs and to develop their wellbeing, even if you are not living with them.

6 week group program Free

Waitara Family Centre Wednesdays 10.00am - 12.00pm Starts 11 February

Waitara Family Centre Wednesdays 6.30 - 8.30pm: Starts 11 February

Parenting for dads

Hey, dad!: Add to your parenting toolkit a range of practical tools to assist with communications, emotions, child development and self-esteem.

8 week group program Free

Northern Women’s Health Centre Rose Cottage, 7 Rose Ave, Wyong Mondays 10.00am - 12.00pm Starts 2 February Book via Central Coast Family Centre

8 week group program $100

Parenting for dads

Women of strength: Provides a confidential support group for women who are currently in, or who have been in, an abusive relationship.

6 week group program (women only) Free

Northern Women’s Health Centre Rose Cottage, 7 Rose Ave, Wyong Tuesdays 10.00am - 12.30pm: Starts 10 March Book via Central Coast Family Centre

Parenting for dads

Beyond domestic violence

Reclaiming home: Focuses on understanding and addressing the impacts of domestic violence on children, how and when to talk about the violence, how to manage anger and difficult behaviours, and how to rebuild family relationships and manage post separation contact with the other parent.

4 week group program (women only) Free

Just for dads: Tips for all dads, but especially those who are frequently away from home, solo fathers, stepfathers, access fathers, men who grew up in difficult or abusive situations or did not grow up in Australia.

Parenting after domestic violence

The Shark Cage®: This program is for every woman who has asked “Why does this keep happening to me?” It offers a conceptual framework and practical tools for victims of abuse to understand and reduce re-victimisation.

Naremburn and Brookvale Family Centres Ring for times/dates

Waitara Family Centre Thursdays 6.30 - 8.30pm: Starts 26 February

Escaping the cycle of serial domestic abuse

Free Independent Confidential

Fortnightly group

Financial Counselling

*Our counsellors are not legal advisors, mortgage brokers, financial planners, investment advisors or money lenders.

For assistance with short-term crises and long term prevention strategies, including budgeting, advocacy and negotiation with utilities or creditors, and referral to other services if necessary.

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Most parents struggle from time to time with parenting and helping their children manage difficult situations. Your local CatholicCare Family Centre provides parents with a range of free or minimal cost groups on key parenting topics to help build stronger relationships with your children, as well as on other issues commonly faced by families. All courses and facilitators are fully accredited by the trademarked program owner and the appropriate funding agency at State or Commonwealth level.

Infants to pre-school

Infants

Circle of Security: Learn how to better understand your child’s needs and behaviours; help them manage their emotions; develop skills to build a positive relationship with your child and to build their confidence and self-esteem.

Baby’s first touch – infant massage: Learn massage skills beneficial for bonding. Learn your baby’s body language and ‘touch’ for your baby’s healthy development; sleep and settling; colic and tummy troubles; and relaxation (for baby and parent!)

Bringing baby home: Helps equip expectant couples to prepare for life with baby. Learn how to strengthen your friendship and intimacy as a couple as well as how to regulate conflict and promote your infant’s social and emotional development.

8 week program $60 / 30 Concessions apply

6 week program $60 / Concessions apply

2 full day sessions $200 per couple

Brookvale Family Centre Wednesdays 10.00am - 12.00pm: Starts 18 February Central Coast Family Centre Ring 4356 2600 for Term 1 times/dates Waitara Family Centre Mondays 6.30 - 8.30pm: Starts 9 February

Waitara Family Centre Fridays 10.00am - 12.00pm: Starts 6 February

Waitara Family Centre Saturday 31 January and Saturday 7 February 9.30am - 4.00pm

Free

3 week seminar series

Infants to pre-teens

Triple P (Positive Parenting Program): Addresses general parenting issues including: why children behave in certain ways and what they best respond to; how to deal decisively and effectively with aggression, noncooperation and disobedience; how to recognise and manage sadness, anxiety, difficulty with separation and problems mixing with other children.

5 sessions + 1 telephone consultation

6 week program $50

Central Coast Family Centre Ring 4356 2600 for Term 1 times/dates

Central Coast Family Centre Ring 4356 2600 to be waitlisted for Term 2 Naremburn Family Centre Mondays 12.30 - 2.30pm: Starts 16 February

Free

6 week program $60

Naremburn Family Centre Tuesdays 6.00 - 8.00pm: Starts 17 February Brookvale Family Centre Thursdays 10.00am - 12.00pm: Starts 5 February Waitara Family Centre Tuesdays 10.00am - 12.00pm: Starts 17 February

Lane Cove Library Wednesdays 10.30am - 12.00pm: Starts 4 March Book via Naremburn Family Centre Dee Why Public School / Community Centre Tuesdays 9.30 - 11.00am: Starts 3 March Book via Brookvale Family Centre

Toddlers to pre-teens

Tuning into kids (Emotional intelligent

Tuning into teens (Emotional intelligent parenting): Learn the core skills of emotional

parenting): Learn skills to assist your child understand and manage their emotions, deal with frustrations and conflict, and develop social skills and positive behaviours.

Triple P (Positive Parenting Program): Builds on the seminar program. Provides an opportunity to develop and practice skills, gain support from other parents and view video demonstrations of core parenting skills.

Pre-school to pre-teens

Teens

Want to learn more about your faith, theology and spirituality? Turn to BBI for flexible affordable online study and distance education - we have something for everyone...

National Annual eConferences

Adult Faith Online

5 $45-u5 rse p/co

Free “At my church, we make the eConferences an important event on the parish calendar, with a facilitator and plenty of group discussion. It’s a chance to deepen my understanding by hearing leading educators speak about Jesus, the Gospels, Mary, Pope Francis and more – streamed live over the internet. Our parish buys the DVD (at $29.95) after the event to add to our adult faith library which anyone can borrow from.”

“Adult Faith Online suits me because I want to learn in my own time, at my own pace. I enjoy the reading, reflection, listening to music and responding to the questions online from my laptop. There are no assessments or exams and navigating the site is easy. I’ve already done two courses: Spirituality for Today and Ecotheology which I thoroughly enjoyed. I think I’ll do Bread for Hungry Hearts next to learn about the Eucharist.”

Catholic Correspondence Courses

Degrees in Theology

*$25e0+

theLMent.com

p/cours tion applica fee

“I like pen and paper and the idea of submitting written work to a tutor after each course is completed. Although it’s considered ‘non-academic’, each course contains teaching notes, a study guide and a copy of all the readings essential to the topic. I can enrol in a course at any time during the year and there are lots of topics available, from Christian Ethics to Biblical Studies.” * $50 discount to parishioners or staff of Diocese of Broken Bay

This is a snap-shot of the feedback we receive from prospective and current students about the rich array of theological offerings available at BBI. Please visit

www.bbi.edu.au/study_theology for more information.

1,551

#$ “I’ve always wanted to study e p/cours Theology and now I can through BBI – the online mode gives me the flexibility to fit study in around my work and family commitments. I’m also able to apply for FEE-HELP, to help me pay my tuition fees. I want to learn about my faith and I want the intellectual and personal challenge but more than that, I want to discover the real meaning of our lives.” #

Indicative price for 2015.

Broken Bay Institute

THE BROKEN BAY INSTITUTE Caroline Chisholm Centre 423 Pennant Hills Rd, Pennant Hills NSW (Access via City View Rd) PO Box 662, Pennant Hills NSW 1715

P: (02) 9847 0030 • F: (02) 9847 0031 E: bbi@bbi.catholic.edu.au