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Australian Catholic Superannuation
FOUR FINANCIAL HABITS TO AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC SUPERANNUATION AND RETIREMENT FUND: DEVELOP IN 2021
The start of the year is usually a time when people vow to cultivate healthy habits and ditch those that no longer serve them. Given that money touches many parts of our lives, managing our personal finances is a habit that is useful to help us achieve our goals and provide peace of mind. Not sure where to start? The tips below provide some things you may like to consider to stay on top of your money.
1.
TRACK YOUR MONEY
A budget is an effective way to identify which of your expenses are essential and those that you could potentially reduce. It also helps you assess all sources of income that keep your household running. You can use Australian Catholic Superannuation’s Budget Calculator to assist you with staying on top of your income and expenses and to help you get a step closer to your goals. After you’ve created a budget, the next steps are to implement and stick to it, as well as to conduct regular reviews to ensure it’s meeting your needs. In fact, why not set up a reminder in your calendar to do a budget check-in over the next few months.
2.
START SMALL AND START TODAY
Whatever your goals are, you’ll have a higher chance of realising them if you start saving today. Thanks to the power of compounding, even small amounts that you save can grow by reinvesting the returns with the initial amount. To get started, you may like to set up an automatic transfer from your regular account so that a certain amount is transferred to a high interest savings account, an investment or your super each time you receive your pay. If there’s one thing that the global pandemic has taught us, it’s to expect the unexpected. Having money for unexpected situations such as a job redundancy or a major car repair can minimise the need for you to take up a personal loan or use your credit card, both of which can attract high interest charges.
3.
MAKE YOUR SUPER WORK HARDER FOR YOU
Planning for retirement may not be your priority especially if you have many more years before you leave the workforce. However, the funds you set aside now can determine whether you have enough to live on after you stop working. In addition to growing your nest egg, there are a couple of other advantages of making voluntary contributions to your super or your spouse’s super. If you meet the Australian Tax Office’s eligibility criteria, you may benefit in the following ways: • receive a government co-contribution of up to $500 to your super if you are a low or middle income earner, who has made an after-tax contribution. • save on taxes if you make post-tax contributions to your spouse’s super. These contributions can also help grow your spouse’s super especially if they’ve taken a career break. • use your super contributions towards a deposit for your first home under the First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS). Another thing you may like to check is whether you have multiple super accounts. Having more than one account could mean that you’re paying multiple fees and insurance premiums out of your super balance. Consider consolidating multiple super accounts to ensure that you are not using your retirement savings to cover unnecessary costs.
4.
MANAGE YOUR DEBT
If you have debt with interest that isn’t tax deductible, consider reducing those with the highest interest rates first. You may like to check with your lender to ascertain if there are any early repayment penalties. Other ways that may help manage your debt include making repayments more frequently or consolidating your loans. Determining whether to increase your loan repayments or to use any surplus cash flow for other purposes can be complex. A financial adviser can help you with these decisions and with identifying opportunities to become debt-free in the best possible way, while taking your circumstances and other goals into account. Australian Catholic Superannuation understands that different people have different preferences when it comes to learning, so we offer various ways for you to learn more about making your money work harder for you. Choose one or several of the following resources that suit you within www.catholicsuper.com.au: • Advice - comprehensive advice (cost for service) or limited financial advice at no additional cost for members • articles (/news-hub) • webinars (/seminars) • videos (/education/video-education)
Norbertines community in Australia prepared for all the good works
WORDS Theresia Titus
On Christmas Eve in 1120, the first 40 Norbertine Canons professed in the Valley of Prémontré, France. This year, Norbertine Canons worldwide will celebrate the 900th anniversary of the Order founded by Saint Norbert of Xanten with a yearlong jubilee. Australia’s Norbertine community was founded in Perth in 1959 when young priests Father Peter O’Reilly O Praem, Father John Reynolds O Praem and Father Stephen Cooney O Praem arrived in Perth from Kilnacrott Abbey in Ireland, upon the invitation from then Archbishop of Perth, Redmond Prendiville, to Abbott Felim Colwell O Praem. Now aged in his 90s, Fr Cooney, one of the founding fathers, still lives at the Queens Park Priory with three Norbertine Brothers studying to become Norbertine priests. Just a few years after the arrival of the three Norbertine Canons, St Norbert College was opened by Archbishop Prendiville, on 27 February 1966, and has since grown to be known as “the hidden gem on Treasure Road” in Queens Park, one of the few schools in the world with a link to the Order. Speaking with The Record, Prior of the Norbertine Community in Australia, Father Peter Joseph Stiglich O Praem, who lives at the Priory next to the College, said the spirit of community instilled in the Order differentiates it from the others. “We are a small, independent community and follow the rule of St Augustine which some other [Orders] do. However, one of the hallmarks from St Norbert of Xanten was that he followed the rule because it starts with: ‘the first reason you have come together is to be common in the house, to be at one heart and mind on the way
LEFT College Principal Simon Harvey and Prior of the Norbertine Community in Australia, Father Peter Joseph Stiglich O Praem. Photo: Theresia Titus ● RIGHT Class of 2020 graduate Chloe Reder received the All-Rounder Award presented by College Principal Simon Harvey. Photo: St Norbert College/Lisa Quartermain
“... the first reason you have come together is to be common in the house, to be at one heart and mind on the way to God’
to God’,” Fr Peter said. “Hence in our formula, we promise life and community and the vows of poverty, chastity and consecrated celibacy. But the first thing we promise is life in the community.” It was also the community spirit that enabled St Norbert College - an apostolate of the Order and the only Norbertine-owned school in Australia - to enjoy a successful 2020, a challenging year for many, including those in the education sector as COVID-19 crippled the world. College Principal Simon Harvey believes that as challenging as 2020 was, there were many gains and wins worth celebrating at the College. “If we focus too much on the challenging period we had, we would forget the gains and wins we had during the year - that we never thought possible,” Mr Harvey said. “The support we receive from the community, parents and family - and the teachers’ focus on the students’ - needs just escalated to another level. I believe that is something we need to celebrate. “The collaborative nature of our staff working with our students and parents in a remote learning sense, I think it was just amazing, and that’s the greatest win. To be able to look at opportunities to celebrate our community, such as the graduation of our Year 12 students and other key liturgical events, while following restrictions, were also incredible,” he continued. With the motto Ad Omnia Paratus – Prepared for All Good Works”, the College community aims to provide “an authentic Catholic education in the Norbertine tradition”, which is more than academic results. Class of 2020 graduate Chloe Reder told The Record the College community she belonged to since Year 7 had prepared her to pursue her aspiration in becoming a midwife. “When I look back at everything that the school did, including the rules that they gave out, it all helped me to get where I am today,” Miss Reder said. “The College helped me to move into the future; to get the marks, a job and into uni. I couldn’t have got here if I didn’t go to school and learn these things.” Ranked in the top 12 WA Catholic schools and the top 50 WA schools for 2020, based on median ATAR results, 920 students are returning to the College in the new academic year, along with 100 staff, to be involved in the many celebrations planned for the 900th anniversary of the Order the College community belongs. “It will be a privilege to be able to celebrate 900 years of the Norbertines throughout the world,” Mr Harvey said. “We, as staff, students, parents and members of our community, owe a sense of gratitude to the Norbertines for founding St Norbert College.” “We’re very comfortable saying that the greatest strength [that] people have attributed to us is a sense of community - and we get that directly from the Norbertines. We must treasure their warm and genuine presence in our school community.”
St Norbert College managed to secure a spot in the top 50 schools in WA for 2020 amid a challenging year. Photo: St Norbert College/Lisa Quartermain
Port Pirie’s Bishop “ready to go wherever God leads”
WORDS Amanda Murthy
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Trzebinia, Poland, proudly displayed the Church’s universality during a three-hour live-streamed Mass on Polish Catholic television, to officially welcome Salvatorian Bishop Karol Kulczycki SDS as the 12th Bishop of Port Pirie (formerly Port Augusta) on 29 September 2020.
The Port Pirie Diocese is one of the largest in Australia, stretching from Uluru to Port Lincoln and from the Western Australian border to the River Murray. Bishop Kulczycki made history as the first priest from the Polish-Salvatorian province, to be ordained a Bishop on Australian soil. The Australian celebrations took place at Saint Mark’s Cathedral in Port Pirie on 28 October, with the installation concelebrated by past and present bishops from the Adelaide Province. “Due to COVID-19, I could not return to Australia for a while and instead God blessed me with two amazing celebrations, with many people from all over the world reaching out to me to express their prayers and support upon the announcement of my appointment – I honestly could not ask for more,” he said. “It was an extremely meaningful and emotional in the best way, a blessing to have the Mass at the basilica where I was first ordained to the priesthood in Trzebinia, back in 1994. “Yes, there was much preparation and coordination to do in terms of organising the Mass, speaking to bishops for advice, guidance and support – which was a busy time for me and all who helped behind the scenes - but it was very important that I prepared myself spiritually. So, I dedicated one week, where I went away in private to the monastery to have the time to reflect, give thanks, pray and rely on God’s grace as I humbly accepted this new role,” Bishop Kulczycki added. Born in Poland in 1966, Bishop Kulczycki previously spent 21 years as a missionary priest in the dioceses of Perth, Bunbury and Geraldton (from 1997), before returning to Poland in 2018 after being elected ViceProvincial of the Polish province of the Society of the Divine Saviour. Reflecting on his journey, Bishop Kulczycki shared that although he had always been a Church-going Catholic, it was a mere 15 minutes of deep contemplation before the Blessed Sacrament as an 18-year old, that would change his life forever. “I attended a Salvatorian-run retreat, and like any other teenager, I took this as a time to spend time with friends; we celebrated Mass every morning, participating in all the activities planned without putting much thought into it.
“On one of the days, the priest challenged us to sit before the Blessed Sacrament for 30 minutes. I had never prayed for so long in my life, I thought to myself! “For the first 15 minutes I was praying the traditional prayers and not really concentrating at times, but for the final 15 minutes, as I knelt there in silence, something amazing happened. “I heard a strong call by God, calling me by name, and a voice asking me what I am going to do about it?” Bishop Kulczycki left the retreat a changed man but vowed that he would give himself three years to complete his studies, before making any further decisions. “There were times that I tried to make other plans for my future, but for those three years, everything I did always directed me back to the priesthood and it was then that I knew, there was nothing left to do, but to drop everything and follow Him.
● ABOVE A screenshot of the livestream from Bishop Karol Kulcyzki’s installation mass at the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Trzebinia, Poland. Photo: Sourced. ● LEFT Bishop Karol Kulczyki at his installation Mass on 29 September 2020. Photo: Supplied. ● TOP RIGHT Bishop Karol and other concelebrants outside the Basillica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Trzebinia, Poland. Photo: Supplied. “I find it amazing to recount that after becoming a priest in the Salvatorian order, my first placement was at the vocations office, running retreats for young people, the same kind of retreats that led me to realise my very own vocation! “It was at the vocations office that I also met many fellow priests from different countries, many who served in Australia – and another calling to serve God in another part of the world was answered – the rest was history!” In a statement prior to the ceremony, Bishop Karol said God has always worked in “mysterious ways” in his life. “Firstly, calling me unexpectedly to religious and priestly life; secondly, directing my heart to serve Him in Australia and now serving Him and His people in Port Pirie Diocese,” he said. During the Australian installation service, Bishop Karol spoke of the three components of building a “family of families” – common home, common table and common goal. “I relate how God is working in our daily life by relating it to a relationship between an idealistic family-life. For me these three factors are extremely important, as a family of God in His Church, having a place we can all call home, sit together at the same table (although sometimes challenging) is a step in building strong communities. “Building our relationship with God, through the three components mentioned above. By understanding our human relationships and their importance, we can understand how God is working with us, and in us. “My mission will always be to be opened to God’s call, to go wherever He leads, to serve His people,” he concluded.
I have been so blessed to have had many years in this profession, and access to great faith formation. I was a Brigidine Sister for 11 years, where I was an untrained teacher for some of those early years. I’ve spent 47 years in schools in Victoria and Western Australia, and 26 years as a principal. This includes the seven-and-a-half-years that I have been Foundation Principal of this college and other leadership roles, as well as six-and-a-half years as Coordinator of Primary Curriculum and Teaching, as well as Coordinator of Leadership at Leederville. I also served in the rural and remote areas of Australia, including in the Kimberley.
Mother Theresa Catholic College’s Foundation Principal Geri O’Keefe. Photo: Supplied
With some 47 years of experience across the education sector, Mother Teresa Catholic College’s Foundation Principal Geri O’Keefe spoke to The Record journalist Amanda Murthy about why community building, religious values and education go hand-in-hand.
LEADERSHIP:
‘Do as Mother Teresa did’, Principal Geri’s recipe to success
WORDS Amanda Murthy
“Strong in Faith and Love” is your school’s motto. How does the school uphold this motto for students and staff?
Our motto comes from the words of our patron Saint Teresa of Kolkata. They remind all of us in the college community of the way she lived her life – with great outreach to every person, with great love and humility, with a sense of service. We try to model her inclusivity and limitless service in everything we do here. Mother Teresa said and put to action so many other beautiful things including, “Give only Jesus to all you meet”. She made no distinctions as to race or religion, social status or world views and modelled what Christian love is supposed to be. At the same time, the staff and our older students know that Mother Teresa’s great challenge was her “Dark Night of the Soul” (as coined by St John of the Cross). For many years, Mother Teresa was deprived of any sense of God’s presence in her own life. She shared the burden of Jesus’ sense of being utterly abandoned in the Garden of Gethsemane – and yet, to everyone she encountered she radiated joy and cheerfulness. “We shall never know the good that a simple smile can do” and “Let us always meet each other with a smile, for a smile is the beginning of love.” So this is what I try to remind myself and instil, as a leader, in the staff and students of this college.
What were some of the steps taken by Mother Teresa College to remain connected as a school community, especially during the earlier stages of the pandemic?
The staff worked hard to set up the online learning, staff trialed it the week before home-schooling started, to make sure everything would run smoothly. Teachers and extended members of the leadership team checked-in with every family at least once a week. Our Teachers and Educational Assistants supported the homeschooling by responding to children’s queries about their work all day long using the TEAMS platform. We remained open the whole time for students whose parents were essential workers, and staff delivered ‘thank you’ cards and chocolates to these parents. Members of the Extended Leadership Team organised online messages of encouragement and care from all staff to all the 570 plus families of our school. You can see how hard the staff worked behind the scenes, out of their kindness and generosity.
Can you tell me about your leadership style?
Our leadership style at MTCC is different in the sense that all staff exercise leadership. We work on six pillars that can increase in number according to staff consensus. Our current pillars are: Making Jesus Real, Inquiry Learning, Sustainability, Well-being, Technology and Student Learning Data. Each staff member chooses a pillar to commit to, and that will become their means of contribution and decision-making for the whole college, and together we will work in community to bring out the best in one another and our students. We also have many opportunities for the staff to connect – to have fun and share stories, including faith-journey sharing. Our staff-parent sessions support a friendly and understanding environment and sense of belonging. We also encourage the students to be leaders by encouraging them to express and implement their ideas, acknowledging their efforts and supporting them the best we can. Our team for evangelisation and religious education focuses on Catholic curriculum, catechesis and Christian Service Learning, encouraging young people to contribute to society by ’Making Jesus Real’ in their lives.
