ENGELBERT PICCOLRUAZ – A WOOD CARVER & THE POWER OF ART TO INSPIRE / P4 BISHOP ANTHONY RANDAZZO: CELEBRATING 35 YEARS OF BROKEN BAY / PAGE 2
GO TO JOSEPH! / PAGE 8 BOONAH ARTIST WINS ART COMP / PAGE 10
SENIORS LIVING LIFE TO THE FULL / PAGE 14 2021 NEW SCHOOL PRINCIPALS / PAGE 19
# 209 MARCH 2021
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BISHOP’S MESSAGE
DIOCESE OF BROKEN BAY Tel: (02) 8379 1600 Caroline Chisholm Centre Building 2, 423 Pennant Hills Rd Pennant Hills NSW 2120 PO Box 340 Pennant Hills NSW 1715 enquiries@bbcatholic.org.au CHANCERY Bishop: Most Rev Anthony Randazzo Vicar General: Very Rev Dr David Ranson Chancellor: Jo Robertson Executive Officer: Kelly Paget Diocesan Financial Administrator, Director, Stewardship: Emma McDonald Director, Diocesan Safeguarding: Jodie Crisafulli Tel: (02) 8379 1605 Director, Communications: Selina Hasham Director, Evangelisation Broken Bay: Tomasz Juszczak CATHOLIC SCHOOLS BROKEN BAY Director: Danny Casey Tel (02) 9847 0000 PO Box 967 Pennant Hills NSW 1715 CATHOLICCARE Executive Director: Tim Curran Tel: (02) 9481 2600 Family Centres: Brookvale – Naremburn – Tuggerah – Waitara –
Celebrating 35 years of Broken Bay By Bishop Anthony Randazzo My dear sisters and brothers in Christ, Anniversaries are important milestones in the life of individuals, families, and communities. This year in Broken Bay we commemorate the thirty-fifth anniversary of the founding of our Diocese. Of course, the celebration of such an event in a community of Christ’s faithful cannot be reduced merely to the past; it must also direct our gaze to the future. We can walk confidently together into the future when we know our past. By way of marking this anniversary, I would like for us to focus in a particular way on our mission as a community of disciples of the Lord
Jesus Christ. To this end, I have drawn together a small team of women and men to help probe the year with a view to future looking models of evangelisation; catechesis; marriage and family life; prayer, worship, sacramental life; Christian discernment; vocations; and ongoing formation at every stage of Catholic life and mission. Clearly this is too large a project to be contained in one calendar year, however it is my prayer that “BB35” will be a time for us to pause and acknowledge those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith, to look humbly yet confidently to the future, and to give thanks for God’s unfailing love and mercy.
Tel: (02) 8043 2600 Tel: (02) 8425 8700 Tel: (02) 4356 2600 Tel: (02) 9488 2400
Hospital Chaplaincy & Pastoral Care: (02) 9481 2600 Children’s Services: (02) 9481 2600 Disability Futures: (02) 9488 2500 Services for Seniors: (02) 9488 2500 Permanency Support Program (Foster Care): (02) 4320 7700 BROKEN BAY NEWS Editor: Melissa Loughlin Tel: (02) 8379 1618 news@bbcatholic.org.au Design: Chris Murray Cover image: Engelbert Piccolruaz Photo by Selina Hasham 10,400 copies of Broken Bay News are distributed quarterly to 26 parishes and 44 schools in the Diocese of Broken Bay. The Broken Bay News is a member of the Australasian Catholic Press Association. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply diocesan endorsement of products or services advertised.
www.bbcatholic.org.au We acknowledge the Darug, Gurringai and Darkinjung Nations, the traditional custodians of the land across our Diocese. We recognise the Aboriginal people as holding the memories, the traditions and the culture of the lands we live and work upon. We honour their wisdom and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
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Bishop Patrick Murphy at his installation as the first Bishop of Broken Bay in 1986 2/
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BISHOP’S MESSAGE
I hope and pray that BB35 will provide us an opportunity for deep and prayerful reflection upon the past. May it be a blessed time of rejoicing and celebration in the present.
On 8 December 2020, Pope Francis announced that 2021 would be a year dedicated to St Joseph, husband of Mary and earthly father of Jesus. He also declared it a special time of reflecting upon and giving witness to family love, beginning on 19 March 2021, the Feast of St Joseph. The Holy Father has recalled the 150th anniversary of the declaration of St Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. He describes St Joseph as a beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father; a father who is creatively courageous, a working father, a father in the shadows. By drawing our attention to St Joseph, Pope Francis has provided us with opportunities to see the importance of ordinary people. On numerous occasions during the past 12 months, we have witnessed people in our community reaching out beyond their comfort zone to offer support, solidarity, and compassion to those in need.
While a COVID environment has thrown up many challenges, there have been numerous opportunities through which to offer charitable works of mercy. These brothers and sisters in the Lord often go unnoticed. Their works of charity are discreet and hidden. They live the gospel in and through the ordinary things of life. They are in many ways like St Joseph. Like him they are just and virtuous. With Joseph and Mary, they are close to the Lord. Like Joseph and Mary, married couples are also close to the Lord. They regularly make sacrifices for no other reason than love. Christian marriage reflects Christ’s love for His Church. At times, marriage and family life are presented by society as mundane, onerous, and unglamourous. And yet, for centuries they have formed the basis of human society. Married and family life are the locus for the domestic church. In the family,
human values and Christian values come together in dialogue. People are formed in the ways of life and in the mystery of faith within the family. It is apt that during this year we will also have the opportunity to reflect upon marriage and the family from the perspective of Christian faith. I hope and pray that BB35 will provide us an opportunity for deep and prayerful reflection upon the past. May it be a blessed time of rejoicing and celebration in the present. And may it be a Spirit-filled time of renewal to animate our community of the Church to live and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ into the future. As we seek to follow the Way of the Lord throughout our BB35 anniversary year, I place the Diocese of Broken Bay under the protection of St Joseph. Through his intercession, may we be a joyful and hope-filled presence in the world. St Joseph, pray for us. 3/
Engelbert Piccolruaz, with one of his favourite wooden statues he created of his grandson
St Joseph, a wood carver and the power of art to inspire By Selina Hasham, Director, Communications In his workshop in Mascot, wood carver Engelbert Piccolruaz is using his mallet and chisel to shape a statue of St Joseph that will be installed in Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral and blessed by Bishop Anthony Randazzo on the feast of St Joseph on 19 March. Commissioned by Bishop Anthony, the statue is a gift from the Bishop to the Diocese of Broken Bay in memory of his father Colin and mother Caterina who have both recently passed away. When Engelbert began wood carving at the age of 12, there were 40 others in his class in the Northern Italian Alpine town of Ortisei learning the craft. Now, over six decades later in 4/
his second homeland of Australia, he is the only wood sculptor of his kind working in the country. If you have visited churches, cathedrals, cemeteries, or schools, of various denominations, chances are you have seen Engelbert’s work. Life-size crucifixes above altars, trumpeting angels atop mausoleums, statues of saints in church alcoves and figures of patrons for school courtyards are his speciality. He carves in wood for indoor works and for outdoor commissions, his wood carving forms a mould from which a bronze statue is cast. After years of studies and apprenticeships in Italy and Germany under various masters, Engelbert with his wife Isabella migrated to Australia
in 1969 and was able to secure a position as a contractor for Pellegrini’s, a major retailer of religious goods at that time. After ten years he set up his own workshop and has worked independently ever since. Engelbert’s work is prolific in the Catholic Church across many dioceses, but he has also done commissions for the Anglicans, Russian Orthodox and various rites and communities. “I have done a lot of work for the Maronites – the churches in Punchbowl and Lakemba – many, many statues,” he says. Isabella brings her skills of business management and negotiation to the administrative side of Engelbert’s work.
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“I don’t like talking money, I leave that to Isabella,” says Engelbert. “How can you put a price on my work? I carve a statue from 500 years ripe Huon pine and the statue won’t last a hundred years, but hundreds of years.” He raises his hands in the air and shrugs. Isabella gives me a knowing glance. Engelbert grew up in a strong Catholic family which was typical of all families in Ortisei at the time. His father was a cabinet maker and his mother a painter. “My father was very religious. He would never pass the church without going in on the way to and from work.” The town of Ortisei is steeped in the tradition of wood crafting. Generations of wood carvers, carpenters, painters and artists have lived there and shaped their livelihoods around the craft. Things began to change however with the introduction of machinery to produce items once hand-made on a mass scale. Working from a hand-carved mould, machines in Italy can churn out replicas from wood blocks at astonishing speed that have the appearance of being hand-carved and are often sold as such. Wooden statues and figurines in tourist shops are mass produced and can be replicated in various sizes at the touch of the button. In Ortisei, the work of dozens of people was replaced by one machine, and then another and another. The income of the town has since turned from wood carving and painting to tourism. Like many migrants, Engelbert speaks of his birthland with affection and nostalgia, but is grateful and proud to be Australian. “We never regretted coming to Australia. My children and
NEWS AND ISSUES
grandchildren have found opportunity here and I have been able to continue my work.” Many new churches were built and opened in the decades following the Piccolruaz’s migration to Australia, providing Engelbert with a constant flow of work. During 2020, his work was limited by the COVID-19 pandemic as he was unable to visit schools to discuss commissions. He laughs while recalling a moment during a visit to his workshop by a group of primary school students. At the time he was carving an earlier statue of St Joseph which he had just begun on a large block of wood. One of the children asked, “How do you know that St Joseph is in there?” “I hadn’t thought of it like that before. St Joseph may well be inside the wood, but it takes a lot of work and skill to get him out!” When I ask him if his work is a dying craft he pauses for a moment and then explains how one of his sons was contemplating following in his father’s footsteps, but then realised it would not be a stable enough career path. “There’s nobody here coming after me. Nobody.” His mood darkens for a moment but then he goes to retrieve several statues of personal works in which he takes pride and delight. Engelbert recounts the very slow and careful work of transforming a piece of wood into a sculpted creation, one that involves a great knowledge of perspective, proportion and the precise skill of drawing. He shows me sheets of sketches that are the preliminary stages of a three-dimensional
The St Joseph statue by Engelbert Piccolruaz, not yet completed, will be installed at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral
sculpture. He names types of wood and their different qualities that make them difficult or easier to work with and the various finishes they produce. He warns against the risk of splitting and how hollows must be made in the wood to allow it to expand and contract in time. He shows me samples of his work, running his large tanned hands over different grains and stains of wood in the shapes of women, saints and even an impressive elephant. Engelbert shows me a 50-year-old mallet, his first tool, shaped and smoothed by half a century of use. “My son wants to keep this to remember me when I’m gone,” he smiles. I ask him what happens if you make a mistake. My question seems shocking and he quickly replies, “You can’t make a mistake!” It is not an option to Continued on p6
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St Joseph, a wood carver and the power of art to inspire Continued from p5
discard a precious piece of wood and start again. It is clear the work of wood carving is an exchange between the artist with his tools, and the shape and form of the wood that is given up in the process. It is a journey of gentle and persistent persuasion that will reveal the hidden secrets of the wood and end in a unique work of art, whatever happens along the way. “When I work on commissions it is a role of service to the community. I am thinking what they like and what they need to see,” he says. “When I carve for myself, there are no restrictions and I am free to imagine beauty through my own eyes.”
He particularly enjoys carving statues of his grandchildren. He shows me a light wood carving of a cheeky boy with a cap on and says this was how his grandson appeared at the airport and ran towards him. “I wanted to remember that moment!” The collaboration of Engelbert and Isabella for over 50 years in this humble and beautiful craft has left a legacy to the Church in Australia, one that will be here for generations to come. I suggest the gravity of this valuable contribution to Engelbert, but the concept seems too immense. “I don’t like to think about it,” says Engelbert.
I love my work. It is important for me. When I work for the Church I give the people a piece of inspiration. When I create a statue, I don’t create an idol, it’s a piece of art to inspire. “I love my work. It is important for me. When I work for the Church I give the people a piece of inspiration. When I create a statue, I don’t create an idol, it’s a piece of art to inspire. Through this beauty they can imagine God.
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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE
A Lenten program with a difference Bishop Anthony Randazzo has been delighted with the reception of his first pastoral letter to the people of the Diocese of Broken Bay and has developed a Lenten method based on his top six pastoral priorities to bring the communities of the Diocese together in preparation for Easter. The Lenten Program 2021 is titled Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega, and considers the Bishop’s priorities alongside the Sunday readings of the Lenten liturgical season. The priorities include the person of Jesus Christ and themes such as discipleship, building a culture of vocation, unity, education and the poor. Small gatherings such as what can be expected as groups journey through a Lenten program are ideally suited to the times we have been experiencing in the past year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“You can walk this journey together in family, parish or community groups, or you can choose to do it individually,” said Bishop Anthony. “It will help us probe the mystery of faith during Lent this year.” The Lenten Program was developed by the dynamic new Evangelisation Broken Bay team, that has recently employed new appointments in the areas of youth; life, marriage and family; and RCIA and sacramental life. “I pray you have a fruitful Lenten season so that we might approach together the Easter mystery, with joy and expectation to meet the Risen Lord,” said Bishop Anthony. The Lenten program includes printed and online resources, features reflections from leaders in the Diocese, suggestions for music and audio testimonies from local parishioners.
To access the Program, collect a booklet from your parish, or download the digital resource here: www.bbcatholic.org.au/ lentenprogram
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NEWS AND ISSUES
Go to Joseph! By Tomasz Juszczak, Director, Evangelisation Broken Bay There is a popular term making the rounds amongst Catholics who have a particular devotion to St Joseph: “go to Joseph.” The term originates from the Old Testament and references Joseph who was sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers. When the people came to Pharaoh for food due to severe famine in the land, Pharaoh advised them to “go to Joseph”. Joseph had been entrusted with custodianship of Egypt’s harvest during the years of plenty. Whilst those of us in the developed world may not be suffering a physical famine, one could argue that we are experiencing a more severe spiritual famine. Pope Francis’ answer is the same as Pharaoh’s: “Go to Joseph.” Pope Francis has officially declared a year dedicated to St Joseph from 8 December 2020 until 8 December 2021. The start date was not only the Solemnity of The Immaculate Conception, but it also marked the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of St Joseph as Patron (and Protector) of the Universal Church. While it may seem a little surprising that we have a full year dedicated to this quiet saint, part of the reason behind this is found in this particular title given to him. As Joseph of the Old Testament was entrusted with custodianship of food for Egypt and beyond, St Joseph was chosen by God to protect Our Lady and God’s own Son, the Bread of Life, Jesus. This wasn’t merely a symbolic “protector” role, St Joseph had to save the lives of his family on a number of occasions. He protected Mary from the community when she was found to be pregnant, he protected Jesus from Herod’s soldiers who were out 8/
to kill him, and he protected his family whilst living as foreigners in Egypt – a dangerous land for Jews at the time. The Church today is under heavy worldly and spiritual attack. The sexual abuse crisis, the increasing attempts to silence the voice of the Church in the secular world and even within our own faith communities, the increasing numbers of faithful becoming discouraged, disenchanted, and falling away. The rest of the world is in crisis too. An obvious example is the current pandemic, but it gets far worse. We are witnessing a greater division in ideology leading to increased violence; the basic unit of society – the family – is threatened more than ever; and the most vulnerable in the world are being completely ignored and discarded. Pope Francis, in his wisdom, has decided to go to the same man that was chosen by God to come to our aid. St Joseph endured his fair share of crises. From facing the gravity of his role in the great mystery of Mary’s pregnancy through the Holy Spirit, to looking for a suitable place for the birth of God’s Son; fleeing with his family to protect Jesus’ life, and living as a refugee in a dangerous and foreign land, St Joseph knew what it meant to endure faithfully in the face of adversity. Yet his answer each time was the same. He listened to and trusted God. Much of the time he did so without a clue of what the outcome might be. He simply trusted God, and that was enough. The reality is, it’s hard to trust in God when we are going through tough times. That’s why we need help from the Patron and Protector of the Universal Church. And let me tell you, St Joseph is someone we can certainly count on. Over the centuries, God has
I first experienced the power of St Joseph’s intercession a few years ago. My wife Sarah and I had been married for almost three years and found ourselves unable to conceive. It was a very difficult time in our marriage. Eventually we began to discuss the possibility of adoption or fostering, the latter of which I particularly struggled with. been raising up St Joseph from a man who was relatively unknown, to a saint that sits just below Our Lady when it comes to intercessory muscle. We are living in the time of St Joseph, and praise God for giving us such a gift. I first experienced the power of St Joseph’s intercession a few years ago. My wife Sarah and I had been married for almost three years and found ourselves unable to conceive. It was a very difficult time in our marriage. Eventually we began to discuss the possibility of adoption or fostering, the latter of which I particularly struggled with. Fast forward to 19 March 2016, the Solemnity of St Joseph. Sarah and I went to a talk on this great saint and I learned many things about St Joseph that I had never heard before. I was incredibly inspired. One of the things that really hit me was that St Joseph was himself a foster father.
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Jesus wasn’t his biological son (he was God’s) and he knew that eventually he’d have to give him back to his Father. It was a moment of grace for me which completely opened my heart to the idea of fostering.
NEWS AND ISSUES
is a great book by Fr Don Calloway that prepares you perfectly to do so. Here at Evangelisation Broken Bay, our team has been preparing for the consecration on 19 March using this book. We also intend to walk
with you all throughout this year and give you several opportunities to receive graces through St Joseph’s intercession. Whatever your need may be, there is one thing I would encourage you to do. Go to Joseph.
After the talk, I went to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament with great conviction in my heart. I spoke with God and St Joseph saying that I wanted to be a husband and father exactly like he was. Whether that was a biological, adoptive, or foster father, it didn’t matter. Whatever God wanted I would trust and be open to. I promised, however, that if God ever blessed me with a biological son, I would call him Joseph. A couple of months later, on our third wedding anniversary, my wife revealed to me that she thought she may be pregnant. This was directly after I had told her I thought we should look into fostering. On a subsequent GP visit we not only confirmed the pregnancy, but the problems we had regarding conceiving had also disappeared and we were told it would be an entirely normal pregnancy. When the GP checked the charts, she concluded that the date of conception was 19 March, the Solemnity of St Joseph. This was a clear sign for me of his intercession. Many months later, our first son, Joseph, was born. This is the first of many examples of how this saint has interceded in my life. Since then we have completed a consecration to St Joseph, and he has continued to intercede for us countless times. St Joseph wants to intercede for you, and there is no better time to run to him than now, in this year of St Joseph. I would encourage you to consider consecrating yourself to him. There
The fresco of St Joseph in the church of Sacro Monte della Beata Vergine del Soccorso by F. Grandi 9/
The winning artwork “The Story of a Friend” by Michael Buzinskas
Boonah Artist Michael wins Willoughby Art competition By Patrice Buzinskas, Wahroonga Parishioner “Connect, Collaborate or Celebrate” were the themes chosen by Willoughby City Council for the second annual art competition open to people living with a disability, experiencing social isolation or at risk of marginalisation. Willoughby City Council acknowledges the importance of this event held to celebrate Social Inclusion Week and the International Day of People with Disability. All artworks submitted were displayed in the Dougherty Community Centre, Chatswood, during the exhibition period from 24 November to 14 December, 2020. The winner and two highly commended artists were announced at a COVID-19 Safe 10 /
Michael Buzinskas and Karlene Wilcox
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celebratory morning tea by Mayor Gail Giles-Gidney on Thursday, 3 December, 2020. All entrants were presented with a Certificate of Participation and a small Christmas gift at the morning tea. The winner was Michael Buzinskas with his acrylic painting entitled “The Story of a Friend” which focused on the themes of “Connect and Celebrate”. Michael won a $500 Eckersley Arts and Crafts voucher, along with a solo exhibition at the Dougherty Centre, scheduled for August, 2021. Michael describes his winning entry in the following way: “The Story of a Friend is a gift for my friend, Christian, to celebrate his 30th birthday and our 25-year friendship which began in kindergarten. Using a predominance of blues, my painting is a reflection of how I see my friend making connections as he goes about his daily life. I am the observant onlooker who is missing from the artwork because I want to highlight his life and what is important to Christian in keeping connected in his world”.
NEWS AND ISSUES
International Day of People with a Disability. In Michael’s words, “Boonah is a place that encourages me along with my painting. It has a very motivating, community atmosphere. I have made good friends and I can work at my own pace. Boonah is like being in a family. The staff are understanding, caring, supportive, personal, welcoming and go out of their way to help me”. Michael has been attending Boonah for five years and is a central part of the community there. “Michael brings a real community spirit to the Centre,” said Karlene Wilcox, Activity Leader at Boonah. “He makes everyone feel welcome, including all the other artists and staff. He is an absolute joy to have here. “Michael is a self-directed artist, he doesn’t require too much assistance from the staff, and he has really
“The Story of a Friend is a gift for my friend, Christian, to celebrate his 30th birthday and our 25-year friendship which began in kindergarten. Using a predominance of blues, my painting is a reflection of how I see my friend making connections as he goes about his daily life. grown and improved over the years. We are very proud, and not surprised, that he won the Willoughby City Council Art Competition”.
Michael attends Boonah Creative Arts Centre in West Pymble, supporting artists with a disability, a service of CatholicCare in the Diocese of Broken Bay. Karlene Wilcox and her team at Boonah are an exceptionally dedicated, talented and hard-working group of people who support artists with a disability to further enhance and develop each person’s giftedness. This is clearly evident through artworks displayed and for sale in the annual art exhibition held in December each year. The staff also encourage artists to extend their scope beyond Boonah through such events as the Kings School Annual Art Exhibition and Kuring-gai Council who also celebrate
Michael working on his latest artwork at Boonah Creative Arts Centre 11 /
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Memory Innovations centre CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR MEMORY? Our Memory Innovations Centre improves quality of life, wellbeing and helps support positive brain health for seniors in the community. Our professionally run programs focus on having fun, connecting with others and stimulating your brain. The programs combine science and social activity and are run by experienced facilitators to ensure you get the best outcomes for your health and wellness. Our programs are simple, enabling people to use the strategies at home. Payment options include the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, a direct Home Care Package charge or Fee for Service.
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Our programs Art smarts
Mindfulness & Relaxation
No prior art making experience required, just a willingness to have a go. This program is facilitated by an Art Therapist who provides individual attention while promoting fun and camaraderie. A variety of art making materials are used to unleash your inner artist.
Dance with me
Learn how to calm your mind from your daily stressors, which can cause you to become tired and experience “brain fog”. Relax and recharge your mind through simple breathing exercises and focusing your attention on what you are thinking and feeling.
Let’s Get moving
A place to be yourself as you move, groove and unwind to a range of musical styles. Enjoy the benefits of connection, dance-based exercise, creativity and self-expression. Facilitated by our Dance Movement Therapist.
Navigating technology
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These workshops will teach you how to access email as well as zoom and skype to stay in contact with loved ones. We will walk you through how to access essential Government sites as well as learn about technology to keep you safe at home.
A group exercise class catering to all fitness and mobility levels. The exercises are designed to improve your cardiovascular fitness, strength and balance, in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. Cognitive challenges are thrown in to ensure you are stimulating your body and mind.
Build your brain The program is designed to stimulate your brain by engaging you in new and fun learning experiences. Learn strategies to cope with memory changes and things you can do to maintain your brain health. The program consists of a variety of workshops, including brain games and brain benders.
Food for thought Facilitated by a Dietitian, our cooking group aims to empower seniors to prepare meals and snacks that may help support their cognitive health. Our recipes are designed to be simple and cater to different dietary needs.
Monday
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Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
10.00am – 11.00am 10.00am – 11.30am FOOD FOR THOUGHT DANCE WITH ME
1.30pm – 3.00pm BUILD YOUR BRAIN
11.30am – 12.30pm 2.00pm – 4.00pm FOOD FOR THOUGHT ARTS SMARTS
2.00pm – 4.00pm ARTS SMARTS
10.00am – 11.00am MINDFULNESS & RELAXATION 11.30am – 1.00pm DANCE WITH ME
11.00am – 12.00pm LET’S GET MOVING
1.30pm – 2.30pm LET’S GET MOVING
1.00pm – 2.00pm NAVIGATING TECHNOLOGY
12.30pm – 2.00pm BUILD YOUR BRAIN
(Erina)
Exercise and games are part of the program at the Memory Innovations Centre
Seniors living life to the full! By Debra Vermeer Depending on what day you drop into CatholicCare Broken Bay’s Memory Innovations Centre in Waitara you might see seniors dancing, navigating their way through technology, or engaging in mindfulness and brain-training exercises, but one thing’s for sure, you’ll definitely see them having fun. The Memory Innovations Centre opened its doors last January, and despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gathering together, the Centre has proved to be extremely popular. “The Centre was established by CatholicCare to meet the needs of older people who may be noticing changes in their memory, or who have been recently diagnosed with dementia or who may simply want to be proactive in their brain health,” says Michelle Dickson, Team Leader and Senior Specialist at the Memory Innovations Centre. The professionally-run programs which combine science and social activity, focus on having fun, connecting with others, stimulating 14 /
the brain and using emerging technologies. Programs include dance, art, exercise, food preparation, mindfulness and relaxation, brain training, and navigating technology.
outcomes for our clients and we operate in a dementia-friendly environment, where the space is orderly and well signposted.”
“All of the programs have been popular, including our new Navigating Technology program,” says Michelle.
Many of the Centre’s clients enjoy it so much that they attend more than one class and for those who may not wish to go onsite due to COVID vulnerability, programs are available online, with appropriate support.
“The aim is to help seniors to use technology to assist in their daily lives – things like Zoom catch-ups with family or buying groceries or using the MyGov website or the My Aged Care portal.
“Our clients are absolutely lovely,” says Michelle. “Most of them stayed with us during COVID when we had to go online, and now it’s great to have a lot of them back in person.
“With COVID, some clients have been quite isolated from loved ones who couldn’t come to visit because of infection vulnerability, so Zoom and smart phone technology has been really important in keeping up that family and social contact.”
“One of our goals is to introduce people to each other in the local community, so it’s been really encouraging to see the clients exchanging phone numbers and catching up socially outside the program.
Michelle says the programs are based on science and directed by highly qualified staff with experience in aged care and dementia care services. “We use research and innovative tools, such as tablets and virtual reality devices, to get the best
“All of the programs have been well received and we’ll be soon be starting to run some programs on the Central Coast at Connectability in Erina too.” One happy client is Maria Schilt, who says that at “87 years young”, she loves the programs on offer at the Memory Innovations Centre.
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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE
Maria has a long history of volunteer work on the Central Coast and when she moved into an over 55’s residential community on the upper North Shore, she missed the activity. “I missed being amongst people,” she says. “It’s lovely living here, but sometimes I feel as though I have to get out. I don’t want to just sit here. I’m lucky because I’ve still got my drivers’ licence, so I can drive myself to places.” Maria started out attending seniors programs run by Catholic Health Care at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral before getting involved with the Memory Innovations Centre. “I started with the mindfulness
program and then the dancing and then Build Your Brain. I always like to try out anything new they put on,” she says. “At the moment, I do the Let’s Get Moving exercise session on a Monday morning and then head home for a quick lunch and come back in the afternoon for the Navigating Technology class. Then on Tuesday, I do the Dance with Me session. “With the technology class, I think it’s the case as you get older that if you don’t use it you’ll lose it. The technology keeps changing and you have to keep up with it.” One of her favourite activities at the Centre was spending time with a group of pre-schoolers last year as they did various craft projects.
“We sat with them when they made Christmas cards for their parents and we made biscuits and a necklace. They’re such fun. And I’m going to sign up again to do that, but this time we’ll be teaching them some dance movements together.” Maria says that together with spending time with her family, her outings to the Memory Innovations Centre help keep her active and engaged. “It’s a full life that I’m living,” she says. “I don’t feel depressed or negative at all. “The people who work at the Centre are so lovely. I consider them my friends. You come through the door and they greet you with a big smile. It’s just so nice.”
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Led by the Spirit this Lent A reflection on Bishop Anthony’s priority for the Diocese “The Holy Spirit Leads us in the Way of Discipleship” By Pina Bernard, Team Leader, Parish Renewal & Discipleship, Evangelisation, Broken Bay From the very first Sunday of Lent, we know the journey is probably not going to be easy. Every year, whether the readings are from Matthew, Mark or Luke, we hear the Sunday Gospel reading of the temptation of Jesus in the desert. Lent begins, therefore, with the story of the Spirit leading Jesus to face the evil one. It is helpful to realise that immediately before this passage, Jesus is baptised and experiences the power of the Holy Spirit. The heavens are opened and the Spirit descends on him. Jesus, in his humanity and as an example to us, was able to make amazing inroads into the darkness he encountered in 16 /
the wilderness. This was his mission, to break into those things that dominate and keep people captive, and to bring freedom. We, too, have been baptised in the Holy Spirit, and share the same Spirit and mission. We can often forget, though, about the presence of the Spirit and the power that the Spirit brings us. There are many names that we give to the Holy Spirit – helper, advocate, comforter, counsellor, guide. These are drawn from the Greek word ‘paraclete’ that is used in our Scriptures (see John 14:16 for example). ‘Paraclete’ literally means ‘called to come alongside’. There is a story referred to in the Alpha video series of a pilot and passenger who were flying over
There are many names that we give to the Holy Spirit – helper, advocate, comforter, counsellor, guide. These are drawn from the Greek word ‘paraclete’ that is used in our Scriptures (see John 14:16 for example). ‘Paraclete’ literally means ‘called to come alongside’.
BBN / MARCH 2021
Florida in August 2000. The pilot lost consciousness whilst flying, leaving the passenger to land the plane. The passenger’s call for help was picked up by a flight instructor who was in the middle of a lesson. The instructor was able to fly his plane alongside the plane in trouble. Through radio communication, he was able to give instructions to the passenger and talk him through what was needed to bring the plane to a safe landing. This is similar to how the Holy Spirit guides us, coming alongside us, comforting us, advocating for us, and steering us in the right direction. You could say that the Spirit ‘conspires’ with us. Usually the word ‘conspiracy’ has negative connotations, of plotting together for a malicious act. But in this instance the Spirit is plotting with us towards a positive end. The word ‘conspire’ means ‘to breathe together’, and this ‘conspiracy of the Holy Spirit’ is the Spirit collaborating with us by breathing into our lives and guiding us. The Spirit as our helper is often the best-kept secret! This then leads to the question, where is the Holy Spirit leading us to? As disciples of Jesus, baptised in his name, we are on a path to becoming like him. Being anointed with the oil of Chrism, we share in the anointing of being set apart for God’s great purpose. Our ultimate aim is to be holy as God is holy – to be Christ-like; to live in the freedom of the children of God; to discover and fulfil our purpose as human beings; to live a life of love; and to share this with others. We can’t do this on our own, so the Holy Spirit comes to help us by bestowing gifts on us such as courage, understanding, right-judgement and wisdom. One thing we must remember,
ACROSS OUR DIOCESE
however, is that The Spirit is not a ‘thing’, but rather a ‘person’. We can pray specifically to the Spirit, to invite the Spirit’s action in our lives and circumstances. A recent guest on an Alpha Series in my parish shared that she always prayed to ‘God’. She did not see the need to pray to all three persons of the Trinity. But during Alpha, she was invited to pray to the Holy Spirit. She says, “Alpha explained Christianity and the role that Jesus and the Holy Spirit play in our lives and in prayer. I started testing this around week three by making sure I included Jesus and the Holy Spirit in my evening prayers, and was surprised at the peace, love and reassurance it brought me.” The Alpha Series also involves a retreat on the Holy Spirit which acquaints (or reacquaints) guests with the Spirit and invites them to welcome the Spirit into their lives. This can really transform their spiritual lives and open them up to the power of God in a new way. Praying to the Holy Spirit and asking the Spirit to come is one of the most courageous prayers because we open ourselves to allowing the Spirit to act in our lives in whatever way the Spirit chooses. And the Holy Spirit is unpredictable – the Spirit can be like breath, gently guiding; or like fire, tearing through and burning up. This is the journey that Lent invites us into – allowing the Spirit to move in whatever way we might need right now. Will the Spirit lead us into the desert to face our own sinfulness and lead us to a necessary repentance? Or will the Spirit guide us gently through a difficult time and help us find a loving path forward that brings us peace? The Holy Spirit can surprise us, and we can be assured
Praying to the Holy Spirit and asking the Spirit to come is one of the most courageous prayers because we open ourselves to allowing the Spirit to act in our lives in whatever way the Spirit chooses. And the Holy Spirit is unpredictable – the Spirit can be like breath, gently guiding; or like fire, tearing through and burning up. that ultimately it will be for our good, to lead us further on our path towards holiness. In the book of Acts, Chapter 1, we read: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8). This power is what the Church needs right now, to help chart our way forward with renewed enthusiasm and courage. This Spirit has been given to us already, so we should expect the Spirit to act and to animate and stir up what has been lying dormant or forgotten. This Lent, let’s recognise that we don’t have to be overpowered by what is oppressing us, such as fear, anger or guilt. We have help, so let’s ask – and expect – the Sprit to act. Let’s have the courage to pray, ‘Come, Holy Spirit’. References: Pentecost Pilgrimage talks by Dr Mary Healy and Fr Ken Barker (2020)
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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE
Celebrating difference at the Mass of Inclusion On Sunday 6 December 2020, Bishop Anthony Randazzo celebrated the annual Mass of Inclusion for people with disabilities and their families, at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Waitara. With COVID-19 restrictions in place, the number of attendees at the Cathedral was limited to 97. However, one of the advantages of the restrictions forced upon our parish communities in 2020, was the introduction of high-quality live streaming of Masses, so no one is left out. It was wonderful that so many could watch the Mass from their homes, even though they were not able to attend. The Mass of Inclusion is a special Mass held each year to celebrate the diversity of abilities in our community. In his homily, Bishop Anthony said “As sons and daughters of God, we are equal. However, a quick glance around the community will reveal that we are not all the same. “It’s troubling when some people think equality means the same. This kind of vision of the world, and the Church, is bland, stagnant, and
Bishop Anthony with representatives from the Ephpheta Centre
uninteresting. It lacks a spirit of creativity, ingenuity and authenticity. It tends to overlook charisms and abilities by reducing all and sundry to the lowest common denominator. “That perception hardly captures the dynamic and creative spirit that we know.” In 2020, we were grateful for the presence of the Ephpheta community. The Ephpheta Centre is one of the special ministries of the Diocese who work to support our deaf and hard of hearing brothers and sisters.
Two Auslan interpreters were present and interpreted the Mass for the deaf community, and staff from the Ephpheta Centre led the Universal Prayers. It was great to have input from the Ephpheta Centre team about how to make a Mass accessible for the deaf community. “It was wonderful for us and our community to be so warmly welcomed into this special Mass,” said Liz McDowell (Manager of Business) and David Parker (Manager of Community) from the Ephpheta Centre. “We have worked with Bishop Randazzo for many years and he always is so friendly and welcoming. He always makes time to talk with us after Mass. Our special thanks to the parish community and the team in the Diocese of Broken Bay for ensuring that our Mass was accessible not only to our deaf members who were present in the Cathedral that day but also to those who were watching from home via live stream.
Bishop Anthony gives his homily, with the Auslan interpreter beside him 18 /
“It was a very special day and properly reflected the spirit of welcome and inclusion which is alive in the Diocese.”
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EDUCATION
Welcome to our new Principals for 2021! Catholic Schools Broken Bay recently welcomed 11 new principals, some new to the Diocese and others moving schools, all of them innovative educators with a strong vision for learning opportunities. They were appointed by Danny Casey, Director of Schools, who invited them to shape the future of education in our Diocese under the leadership of Bishop Anthony Randazzo.
Alicia van der Merwe St John the Baptist, Freshwater When the new Principal at St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School in Freshwater started this year, she planned to get to know each child personally. “St John’s is a boutique style school and one of the strong benefits of that is we can know every student,” said Alicia van der Merwe, who was Assistant Principal of St Mary’s in Manly for seven years. “The numbers mean the teachers and leaders know every family and can respond to every student’s learning needs and wellbeing needs.” Mrs van der Merwe says “student-centred learning” is essential for making children feel engaged in their lessons. “I want them to be happy, challenged learners who thrive every day at school,” she said. Mrs van der Merwe says that working with families to get to know each student is essential. Mrs van der Merwe is a local of the Northern Beaches, having attended primary school at St Kieran’s in Manly Vale and then high school at Stella Maris Catholic College in Manly. As a parent of two young children, she says she understands the concerns of parents.
Marco Ianni Our Lady of Dolours, Chatswood The first order of business for the new Principal at Our Lady of Dolours Catholic Primary School is simple: to make sure no child feels left out. “I’m very much about inclusive education,” said Marco Ianni, who took over the role as Principal at the Our Lady of Dolours in January. “We need to cater to the needs of all students in a school that allows everybody to participate and make a contribution.” Born in Sydney, Mr Ianni attended Catholic schools and received a Master degree from Australian Catholic University. He lives in Sydney with his wife Larissa and teenage son, who also attends a Catholic school.
Michael Reid St Paul’s Catholic College, Manly High school can be a hard time for boys, who sometimes see their grades fall behind. But the new Principal at St Paul’s says that every student can succeed if given the individual attention they need. Michael Reid, a veteran educator of 27 years, began as the new Principal at St Paul’s Catholic College in Manly this term. “Being a smaller school, every boy is known and cared for,” he said. “We can identify with every boy individually and work with them in small groups to improve achievement in all areas.”
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EDUCATION
Michael Hopkinson
John Barton
St Agatha’s, Pennant Hills
Our Lady Star of the Sea, Terrigal
When Michael Hopkinson started as Principal at St Agatha’s Catholic Primary School in July last year, he couldn’t wait to get started … he was motivated by the opportunity to contribute to the learning needs of the students and the professional needs of the staff.
The first day of school can be nerve-wracking for even the most confident of kids, but the new Principal at Our Lady Star of the Sea, Terrigal says it doesn’t have to be that way.
The experienced teacher of 35 years brought with him a keen interest in new technologies and a passion for “student-centred learning.” “Every decision that’s made in the school has the student at the centre – I’m really passionate about the social and emotional wellbeing of the student,” he explained. “I want learning to be engaging and exciting across the curriculum for all students.”
“Parents often don’t know what they need to do to make their children ready for school,” said John Barton, new Principal at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School in Terrigal. “Children don’t need to know everything before they start, but if they have some basic skills, they can use them as building blocks to become great learners.” Mr Barton said parents could help by teaching simple things to their children, such as how to grip a pencil, as well as knowledge of numbers and shapes. “Being able to count and do those basic things in the early years will enable children to fly at big school,” he said.
Maria Regina, Avalon
A teacher and principal in Catholic schools for 37 years, Mr Barton brings his passion for early childhood education to Star of the Sea, which has an on-site pre-school.
Many people think of Maths and creativity as being completely different skills, but the new Principal of Maria Regina Catholic Primary School in Avalon wants to change that.
Brenda Timp
Kirsty Thorpe
Kirsty Thorpe, who was Assistant Principal at Our Lady of Dolours Catholic Primary School in Chatswood for four years before beginning at Maria Regina this term, said that children can use Maths to improve their creative thinking. “Maths sometimes gets a bad rap from people, but I actually think it can be the most creative subject,” she said. In 2019, Ms Thorpe won the Premier’s Mathematical Association of NSW Scholarship for her work on Mathematics and creativity, which allowed her to travel to Singapore and the United States for her studies. Born and bred on the Northern Beaches, Ms Thorpe first encountered Maria Regina when she was working with Catholic Schools Broken Bay as a Science and Technology Education Officer.
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Mercy Catholic College, Chatswood The new Principal at Mercy Catholic College in Chatswood understands better than most the challenges facing young women. “I am passionate about ensuring children are ready for the challenges of the adult world, because I have a real understanding of what that means,” said Brenda Timp, who worked in the mining sector for twelve years before becoming a teacher. Brenda Timp also brings twenty years’ experience as an educator to the role at Mercy. Ms Timp said that she planned to increase practical opportunities for students at Mercy to meet women working in a range of fields of work. “One of the things I want to do is connect the girls with women in the world of work so they can have exposure to what’s possible,” she said.
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EDUCATION
Fiona Dignan
Yvette Owens
Our Lady of Good Counsel, Forestville
Our Lady of the Rosary, The Entrance
The new Principal at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Forestville believes that every child deserves to feel included in the classroom.
The first day of school is daunting for many, but for Yvette Owens, the new Principal at Our Lady of the Rosary at The Entrance, the prospect is exciting.
Fiona Dignan, a veteran teacher of 28 years and former Principal of Aspect Vern Barnett School in Forestville, said that the school catered to all learners, from gifted and talented children to those with disability. “Inclusion is bigger than diversity,” she explained. “Diversity is being invited to the party – but inclusion is being asked to dance.” Ms Dignan said that teaching children at different levels required strong relationships between teacher, parent and student. “It’s about making sure that we understand each of our learners. It’s the mindset that this child belongs in this school and is part of our community and we will therefore meet your needs,” she said.
Genevieve Smith Prouille, Wahroonga The new Principal at Prouille is passionate about using technology in the classroom. “I am a tech head – I’m really into digital technologies and ICT [Information and Communication Technologies],” said Genevieve Smith, who took over as Principal at Prouille Catholic Primary School in Wahroonga. Ms Smith said that the world has changed since most parents were at school, and schools needed to move with the times. “Teachers don’t need to teach content anymore because it’s accessible to everyone from their device,” she said. “We need to embed skills such as collaboration and teamwork instead.” In her previous position as Assistant Principal at St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School in Springwood, Year Four children learned basic block programming and coding, eventually designing an app to combat bullying.
Ms Owens first taught at Our Lady of the Rosary 18 years ago and it was the school her daughters attended as children. “This place has always been special,” she explained. “The motto here is celebrating community. For me, building relationships and being a part of the community is critical because without that, we don’t have a school.” Ms Owens brings with her 38 years as an educator, most recently as Principal of St Cecilia’s Catholic Primary School in Wyong. Her primary focus as the new leader is to build the children’s social and emotional wellbeing, she said.
Marta Chylewska St Cecilia’s, Wyong The new Principal at St Cecilia’s Catholic Primary School in Wyong brings with her a unique approach to teaching. Marta Chylewska, an educator of 19 years, most recently as co-Principal at Our Lady of Good Counsel Primary School in Forestville, says that an “inquiry-based approach” to learning helps children solve problems and think for themselves. “We need to move beyond just possessing knowledge because answers are so accessible on the internet nowadays,” she said. “I want to develop active learners and effective thinkers, people who can communicate, collaborate, innovate, and solve problems.” Inquiry-based learning teaches children to work towards a “conceptual understanding” rather than rote learning or being told the right answers. 21 /
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EDUCATION
Former St Paul’s students starring on the sporting field Two former students from St Paul’s Catholic College Manly have shown amazing resilience to overcome injuries and hit the sporting big time in cricket and soccer.
Patrick Wood, who graduated from St Paul’s last year, has been playing soccer for Sydney FC since he was 14 years old. During this time, he has fractured his foot and his back, among other injuries. “I had to remain mentally strong and worked hard to come back stronger and fitter,” he said.
Patrick Wood
Patrick’s National Youth League team won the Grand Final last year, and more recently, he visited Qatar with the AFC Champions League Squad. In January this year he made his official debut for Sydney FC in the 81st minute against Wellington. “It was a goal of mine for many years so it was quite surreal,” he said. “Playing at Stadium Australia was a fantastic experience.” “While Oliver and Patrick undertook different academic pathways at the College, the common theme was balance,” said Mrs McGregor, Director of Teaching and Learning at St Paul’s. “As senior students, their commitment to both their sporting and academic pursuits was obvious. Ollie Davies
Ollie Davies, who was Vice Captain at St Paul’s when he graduated in 2018, played in the Big Bash League with the Sydney Thunder this past summer. In February, Ollie made his debut for NSW and scored a half century in the OneDay Cup against Victoria. Steve Smith was at the crease with Ollie when he reached his 50 off just 35 balls.
“Both students were active members of their cohort, participating in compulsory and extra-curricular activities as often as their schedules permitted. As I watch them both achieve personal success in their chosen sports, I am reminded not only of their obvious talent, but their camaraderie and humility among their classmates.”
Ollie suffered a broken wrist while fielding in 2019, which makes his success all the more amazing. “Setbacks are all a learning curve and how you deal with them is what counts,” said Ollie. He was Vice Captain of the Australian team in the U/19 World Cup in South Africa and after his wrist healed, he spent the winter training with Australian Test players Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Steve Smith. “It was just the perfect experience I needed to test myself against the best NSW Cricket has to offer,” he said. So far this season, Ollie has already scored 660 runs for Manly, including two centuries. 22 /
Patrick Wood in action for Sydney FC
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EDUCATION
“Always Was, Always Will Be” Elijah Guest from MacKillop Catholic College in Warnervale was awarded a Highly Commended prize in this year’s NAIDOC awards for his artwork showing a family journey. Elijah said his picture showed a journey through the bush and sandhills of his local Budgewoi area. “You can see our campfires and the lakes, waterways and oceans that we fish in,” he said. “You can see the sun, moon and stars that we get direction from and the storms and rain that provide us with life. We are one with our environment.” The theme for this year’s NAIDOC week was “Always Was, Always Will Be” and Elijah’s work was ranked in the top of five of more than 1500 entries. MacKillop is also part of the Message Stick initiative from the Ngara Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) which honours a time-old Indigenous tradition by passing a Message Stick between schools. MacKillop received the Message Stick, which depicts a kangaroo and emu, from St Peter’s in Term 4 and has now passed it onto Lakes Grammar. “The kangaroo and emu were chosen because they are always moving forward and never take a backward step,” said Marilyn Fraser, the Aboriginal Education Worker at MacKillop. “The Message Stick represents celebration and the community working together as one.”
Bernard Cumming, Principal OLR, Fraser Maple, Year 4 and Danny Casey, Director of Schools
Digital Technologies Champion Fraser Maple, a student at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic School Wyoming, received a perfect score in the Digital Technologies Competition (NSW/ACT) from more than 6,000 entries last year. Fraser Maple’s outstanding achievement was recognised with a prestigious award from the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS), an independent, skills-based assessment program administered by the University of NSW. Every year, over one million student entries are accepted for the award from over 6,300 schools in Australia and New Zealand. Fraser’s perfect score was in the Year 4 Digital Technologies category in NSW and the ACT. Medals are awarded to students with the top score in each subject in each year level.
President of AECG, Cindy Berwick, Elijah Guest and his father, David Guest
While in normal circumstances, Fraser would have received his medal at a special ceremony at the University of NSW, in the time of COVID-19, medals were sent directly to the school. Our Lady of the Rosary was honoured that Mr Danny Casey, Director of Schools and an alumnus of the University of NSW, visited the school to present Fraser with his medal. 23 /
EDUCATION
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MacKillop won the group award for Outstanding Dancing
MacKillop dancers win at festival Students from MacKillop Catholic College, Warnervale took out the group award for Outstanding Dancing at the 2020 OzTheatrics Junior Theatre Festival Australia late last year at the Civic Theatre in Newcastle.
“The students’ singing, dancing and acting all came together to create a really entertaining performance of High School Musical Junior,” said Sharon Baird, Leader of Learning and Teaching – Performing Arts at the College. “I am so proud of the MacKillop Performing Arts students.” This festival is one of the largest worldwide events exclusively dedicated to celebrating young people and student-driven musical theatre. In 2019, nearly 20,000 people worldwide attended a Junior Theatre Festival.
Junior Theatre Festival allows students and teachers representing a wide range of theatre programs to come together to share their talents and cheer each other on. Students from high schools across Australia competed in the event, which was held both in-person at the Civic as well as online. The 22 MacKillop students, ages 11 to 17, performed a selection of songs from High School Musical Junior in front of several leading Australian musical theatre personalities. Year 10 student Trinity Young had the opportunity to perform with TONY nominee Eddie Perfect (fresh from his run as Beetlejuice on Broadway) as part of the event’s program. “I have learnt more about myself as a performer and will take his advice with me as I continue on my journey,” she said. 24 /
MacKillop students performing High School Musical Junior
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EDUCATION
St Leo’s Celebrates Milestone with Rededication Ceremony St Leo’s Catholic College, Wahroonga recently marked a major milestone with a day of great celebration and reflection. On Friday, 5 February, Bishop Anthony Randazzo visited St Leo’s to officially Bless and Rededicate the College and Reconsecrate the Chapel, marking the finish of a decadelong, $25m building program. While COVID restrictions limited the number of attendees, the College hosted a range of dignitaries including clergy, politicians, representatives of each of the College House Saints’ religious orders, past students, parent representatives, staff and students. Together, they prayed and acknowledged the contributions (both financial and physical hard work) all sections of the College community have made over many years. Referring to St Leo’s as the ‘flagship’ school of the Diocese, Bishop Anthony emphasised it was not just bricks and mortar that made the College exemplary – it was, and continues to be, the individual people who make up its community.
One very special guest was the original architect of the College, Mr Laurie Glendenning, proudly pictured with two of his granddaughters, who are current student leaders
Bishop Anthony blesses the new Mary MacKillop Centre at St Leo’s 25 /
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EDUCATION
School Open Days 2021 School Name
Suburb
Phone Number
Event
Date
Start
Finish
CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS St Patrick’s
Asquith
9477 3800
Open Morning & Evening
Tuesday, 30 March
9.00am 5.30pm
10.30am 7.00pm
Maria Regina
Avalon
9918 2608
Open Days
Wednesday, 17 March & Tuesday, 1 June
9.15am
10.45am
St Cecilia’s
Balgowlah
9948 5370
Open Day
Tuesday, 16 March
9.15am
11.00am
St Bernard’s
Berowra Heights
9456 2104
Open Mornings & Evenings
Thursday, 11 March & Thursday, 24 June
9.00am 6.00pm
11.00am 7.00pm
St Gerard’s
Carlingford
9871 1633
Open Morning
Wednesday, 10 March
9.15am 6.00pm
10.30am 7.00pm
Our Lady of Dolours
Chatswood
9419 2645
Open Day
Tuesday, 9 March
9.30am
10.30am
St Rose
Collaroy Plateau
9982 1567
Open Morning Open Evening
Thursday, 6 May Tuesday, 18 May
9.30am 3.30pm
10.30am 4.30pm
St Martin’s
Davidson
9452 2022
Open Day
Wednesday, 10 March
9.15am
10.45am
St Kevin’s
Dee why
9971 1644
Open Morning & Evening
Tuesday, 9 March
9.15am 7.00pm
11.00am 8.00pm
Open Morning
Tuesday, 4 May
9.15am
11.00am
St Patrick’s
East Gosford
4325 1159
Open Morning Open Evening
Monday, 15 March Tuesday, 16 March
9.00am 6.45pm
10.30am 7.45pm
Our Lady Help of Christians
Epping
9868 3322
Open Day
Wednesday, 10 March
9.00am
10.30am
Our Lady of Good Counsel
Forestville
9972 7311
Open Morning Open Evening
Thursday, 18 March Wednesday, 12 May
9.30am 7.00pm
11.00am 8.00pm
St John the Baptist
Freshwater
9939 6699
Open Mornings & Evenings
Thursday, 18 March & Thursday, 6 May
9.30am 6.30pm
10.30pm 7.30pm
Holy Cross
Kincumber
4369 6638
Open Morning & Evening
Wednesday, 24 March
9.15am 6.30pm
11.00am 7.30pm
Open Evening
Wednesday, 28 April
6.30pm
7.30pm
St Brendan’s
Lake Munmorah
4358 1501
Open Mornings & Evenings
Tuesday, 23 March & Thursday, 25 March
9.00am 6.00pm
10.15am 7.00pm
Holy Family
Lindfield
9416 7200
Open Mornings & Evenings
Tuesday, 9 March & Wednesday, 5 May
9.00am 6.00pm
10.30am 7.00pm
St Mary’s
Manly
9977 2225
Open Morning & Evening
Tuesday, 4 May
9.00am 6.00pm
10.00am 7.00pm
St Kieran’s
Manly Vale
9949 3523
Open Morning & Evening
Tuesday, 16 March
9.15am 5.30pm
11.00am 6.30pm
Open Morning
Monday, 7 June
9.15am
11.00am
Sacred Heart
Mona Vale
9999 3264
Open Days
Thursday, 22 April & Wednesday, 21 July
9.00am
11.00am
St Joseph’s
Narrabeen
9913 3766
Open Day
Wednesday, 17 March
9.15am
10.45am
St John’s
Narraweena
9971 9297
Open Days
Tuesday, 2 March, Wednesday 3 March & Thursday 18 March
9.15am
10.40am
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EDUCATION
School Open Days 2021 School Name
Suburb
Phone Number
Event
Date
Start
Finish
CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS St Philip Neri
Northbridge
9958 7136
Open Morning
Wednesday, 10 March
9.15am
10.30am
Open Morning & Evening
Monday, 3 May
9.15am 4.00pm
10.30am 5.00pm
St Agatha’s
Pennant Hills
9484 7200
Open Morning & Evening
Tuesday, 9 March
9.30am 5.00pm
10.30am 6.00pm
Sacred Heart
Pymble
9440 8056
Open Days
Thursday, 25 March & Thursday, 6 May
9.00am
10.30am
Corpus Christi
St Ives
9988 3135
Open Days
Friday, 5 March & Friday, 23 April
8.45am
10.30am
Our Lady Star of the Sea
Terrigal
4365 6229
Open Evening Info Evening Fun Morning
Tuesday, 16 March Tuesday 23 March Wednesday, 24 March
5.00pm 7.00pm 9.00am
7.00pm 8.00pm 10.30am
Our Lady of the Rosary
The Entrance
4332 5594
Open Evening Open Morning
Tuesday, 16 March Wednesday, 17 March
7.00pm 9.30am
8.00pm 10.30am
St Mary’s
Toukley
4396 5100
Evening session School Tours School Tours
Monday, 15 March Wednesday, 28 April Thursday, 27 May
7.00pm 10.30am 9.30am
8.00pm 11.00am 10.00am
St John Fisher
Tumbi Umbi
4388 5800
Open Morning
Monday, 26 April
10.00am
11.00am
Prouille
Wahroonga
9489 3233
Open Morning
Tuesday, 9 March
10.00am
12.00pm
Our Lady of the Rosary
Waitara
9489 7000
Open Morning Open Morning & Evening
Tuesday, 16 March Thursday, 27 May
9.30am 10.00am 5.00pm
11.00am 11.00am 6.00pm
MacKillop
Warnervale
4392 9499
Open Evening
Wednesday, 10 March
4.00pm
6.00pm
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour
West Pymble
9498 6055
Open Morning Open Evening
Friday, 5 March Wednesday, 3 March
7.30am 7.00pm
11.00am 8.30pm
St Thomas
Willoughby
9958 7308
Open Days
Tuesday, 9 March, Wednesday, 10 March & Thursday 11 March
9.30am
12.15pm
St John the Baptist
Woy Woy
4341 0884
Open Evening Open Morning
Tuesday, 30 March Wednesday, 31 March
7.00pm 9.30am
8.00pm 10.30am
Our Lady of the Rosary
Wyoming
4324 6641
Open Evening Open Evening Open Morning
Friday, 5 March Tuesday, 16 March Wednesday, 17 March
4.30pm 7.00pm 9.15am
7.00pm 8.00pm 10.45am
St Cecilia’s
Wyong
4353 2922
Open Evening Open Morning
Tuesday, 16 March Wednesday, 24 March
7.00pm 9.15am
8.00pm 10.30am
CATHOLIC SECONDARY COLLEGES Mercy
Chatswood
9419 2890
Open Day
Sunday, 7 March
11.00am
2.00pm
St Joseph’s
East Gosford
4324 4022
Open Evening
Monday, 1 March
3.45pm
7.30pm
St Brigid’s
Lake Munmorah
4358 4278
Open Day
Tuesday, 9 March
1.30pm
5.00pm
St Paul’s
Manly
9977 5111
Open Day/Expo
Wednesday, 24 February
4.00pm
7.00pm
St Peter’s
Tuggerah
4351 2344
Open Evening
Monday, 8 March
4.00pm
7.00pm
St Leo’s
Wahroonga
9487 3555
Open Evening
Tuesday, 16 March
4.00pm
7.00pm
Mater Maria
Warriewood
9997 7044
Open Evening
Thursday, 4 March
4.00pm
7.00pm
27 /
BBN / MARCH 2021
NEWS AND ISSUES
Pope Francis proclaims Year of “Amoris Laetitia Family” By Emma Baker, Team Leader, Life Marriage Family, Evangelisation Broken Bay As the world continues to battle the devastating effects of a pandemic, with life in lockdown the new normal for many, the Holy Father has turned his focus once more to the family. For countless Catholics, the family as domestic church has become a living reality as COVID-19 restrictions have meant attendance at a local church has often not been possible. It is in this environment that Pope Francis has proclaimed a year dedicated to the family called Year of “Amoris Laetitia Family”. Commencing on 19 March 2021, a date which marks the five-year anniversary since the proclamation of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, the year will conclude with the celebration of the 10th World Meeting Families in Rome, in June 2022. With Australia fortunate enough to have been spared the worst of the pandemic, life, nevertheless, has been unpredictable, challenging and at times, lonely. Despite the difficulties, or perhaps because of them, many have received a greater appreciation of the gift of family and it is with a sense of gratitude and hope that the Pope has asked us to delve more deeply into the themes of Amoris Laetitia in the upcoming year. Addressed to all parishes, dioceses, ecclesial movements, schools and universities, but above all, families throughout the world, the Pope has put forward 12 Ways to Walk with Families to make the “joy of love experienced by families” (AL 1) tangible and real. With an emphasis on pastoral care and support for married 28 /
Despite the very human struggles that come with everyday family life, the Year of “Amoris Laetitia Family” is a reminder that family is a gift to be celebrated! couples, families and the elderly, the 12 proposals relate to initiatives such as strengthening marriage preparation for engaged couples, fostering a culture of accompaniment for married couples, helping parents in the education and faith development of their children, developing a missionary outlook for families and supporting couples and families in crisis.
“Amoris Laetitia Family” is a reminder that family is a gift to be celebrated! Keep an eye out for ways in which we will be doing just that here in the Diocese of Broken Bay. Emma Baker is the new Team Leader, Life Marriage Family in the Evangelisation, Broken Bay Team. She is working towards a PhD in theology examining St John Paul II’s writings on the family as an image of the Trinity. She holds a Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws and has previously worked as a family law solicitor. She is married with four children and is passionate about parish renewal, poetry, pugs and good coffee (although not necessarily in that order!) And of course she loves her family!
Interestingly, the Pope has called for an in-depth study of Amoris Laetitia by parishes and communities with the hope that such study will raise awareness of the pastoral opportunities that exist in our local parishes. The Pope has announced a “10 videos Amoris Laetitia Project”, in which the Holy Father will explain each chapter of the exhortation, with one video to be released each month. More information on the resources available can be accessed here: http://www.laityfamilylife.va/ content/laityfamilylife/en/amorislaetitia.html#destinatari Proclaimed five years ago, Amoris Laetitia is “an invitation to Christian families to value the gifts of marriage and the family” (AL 5) and “to become a light in the darkness of the world” (AL 66). Now, more than ever, those words are true. Despite the very human struggles that come with everyday family life, the Year of
Emma Baker
BBN / MARCH 2021
CATHOLIC YOUTH BROKEN BAY
Why I love evangelisation and Australia
By Alex Leach, Team Leader, Catholic Youth Broken Bay, Evangelisation Broken Bay Alex Leach has just joined Evangelisation Broken Bay as the Team Leader for Catholic Youth. In this edition he shares with us what drives him and why he has come to Broken Bay. Along with soccer and Tolkien, evangelisation is one of the great passions of my life. Why is this? What is so exciting about evangelisation? The reason is simple: I have seen so many people changed by meeting Jesus and getting to know His love and power at a deeper level. Sometimes the changes have been drastic: people have left behind drug addiction, despair or violence.
a great awakening in the Church all over the world with regards to our shared responsibility to evangelise – to help others meet Jesus and receive His Spirit. This same awakening is happening here in Australia. I love our country enormously. It’s far from perfect but we have blessings here that other nations can only dream about. I also believe that God has a unique call to holiness for Australia in which the Holy Spirit plays a special role.
In addition to these events, Australia became federated on 1 January 1901 – the same day when Pope Leo XIII prayed the Veni Creator Spiritus by the Holy Spirit window in St Peter’s Basilica, asking God for a great outpouring of the Spirit on the Church. Finally, the theme that was chosen for us for World Youth Day in Sydney was “you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be my witnesses to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
There are many signs of this in our history. Firstly, as our Indigenous Catholic brothers and sisters teach us, there are constant threads of a ‘creator spirit’ in Indigenous Australian beliefs, whom they believed watched over and provided for them. Secondly, Catholics first set eyes on Australia on the day of Pentecost 1606, causing the Spanish Captain of the ship to name Australia The South Land of the Holy Spirit.
These signs of God’s plan to pour out His Holy Spirit on us as a nation can give us all great hope and excitement for the Church in Australia. For young Catholics in particular, the Spirit offers us the clarity to choose worthwhile dreams and the energy to pursue them no matter the obstacles. He can open our hearts to God’s love and enable us to love others in ways we didn’t think possible. Let’s give Him the chance.
Other times it has been a slower process of discovering that God loves them inside and out and that He has beautiful plans for them. In my life, I too have had similar experiences and my hope for every person is that they would come to experience this as well. These transformations are also common amongst different countries and cultures. There is no doubt that we are experiencing 29 /
BBN / MARCH 2021
NEWS AND ISSUES
Catholic education in Australia celebrates 200 years In 2021, Australian Catholic education celebrates 200 years of Catholic schooling in this country. Today, there are 1,751 Catholic schools educating 768,000 students and employing 98,000 staff. Nearly 40 per cent of Catholic schools are located outside of metropolitan cities in regional, rural and remote communities. National Catholic Education Executive Director Jacinta Collins said the bicentennial celebrations recognise the enormous contribution of Catholic schools in Australia. “Over 200 years Catholic schools have educated millions of Australian students,” Ms Collins said. “We have grown alongside the government sector in ensuring the education of generations of young people, and have contributed to the development of individuals, local communities, and the economic and social fabric of this nation. “Australian Catholic schools have a long and proud tradition of delivering high-quality, faith-based education. Our graduates have made, and continue to make, a significant contribution in business, civic and public life, sport, performing and creative arts, community services, and all facets of society. “The bicentenary is an opportunity to celebrate those who have served in Catholic education since its earliest days; the contribution of religious institutes, clergy and lay people in the foundation of schools in cities, rural and remote parts of Australia; and the continuity of this mission with the leaders, staff, families and the wider Church community today. We look forward with great hope and faith in the future of Catholic schools by continuing to respond to our mission of meeting the educational and 30 /
spiritual needs of young people and our communities.
colony, opened the school for Fr Therry and ran it for three years.
“As we celebrate 200 years of Catholic education in Australia, we recognise and pay respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the First Australians and first educators of this land. They have educated their children for tens of thousands of years and make a significant and valued contribution to our school communities and the cultural and spiritual heritage of Australia.
This school was transferred to the site of the present St Patrick’s Cathedral in 1837 and was entrusted to the care of the Marist Brothers in 1875. Parramatta Marist High School, now located in Westmead and St Patrick’s Primary, Parramatta trace their origins back to this first school. There were said to be at least two other Catholic schools operating in New South Wales before the school opened by George Marley, however, both schools were closed by 1818.
“We also acknowledge that throughout our 200-year history we have not always lived up to our mission to safeguard the wellbeing of the children and young people in our care. We recognise these failings and are committed to ensure Catholic schools are safe and life-giving places for all students.” The bicentenary commemorates the anniversary of the first official Catholic school in Australia, founded in October 1820 by Irish Catholic priest Fr John Therry. The school, which Catholic historians believe was located on Hunter Street in Parramatta, taught 31 students. An Irish Catholic convict George Marley (also identified as George Morley), who was sent to the
“It is a wonderful achievement for us to celebrate in Australia, 200 years of Catholic Education,” said Danny Casey, Director of Schools, Catholic Schools Broken Bay. “In Broken Bay we also have a long history of Catholic education, including the Sisters of the Good Samaritan and St Mary MacKillop’s Order, the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, establishing many of our Catholic schools.” On 24 May, the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians, Catholic Schools in Broken Bay will join with all other schools across the nation in a special Mass to celebrate the bicentennial.
Celebrating 200 years of Catholic Education. Students from the Marist Parramatta school, with linkages to the first Catholic School in Australia
BBN / MARCH 2021
NEWS AND ISSUES
Be More this Lent, and support Project Compassion Twenty-two-year-old Jamila, is a single mother, living in the world’s largest refugee camp in in Bangladesh. A Rohingya woman, she fled the armed conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State to save herself, her elderly mother and eight-monthold baby daughter. Having been abandoned by her husband, she faced life in the camp on her own. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya people have crossed into Bangladesh since August 2017. Over 1.3 million people remain in the densely populated camps, in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. Thanks to the generosity of Caritas Australia’s supporters and through their partnership with Caritas Bangladesh, Jamila had access to emergency food and shelter.
As her stay in the camp stretched on, Jamila joined the Women Friendly Spaces project where she received counselling and emotional support. She learnt about health and hygiene, participated in a parenting program and learnt sewing skills, to help her to earn an income. “For the first time in my life, in the camp, I felt cared for and accepted,” Jamila says. “The facilitators took care of my daughter, so that I could attend classes or take a nap if needed. My worries of an uncertain future are disappearing. It was like a ray of hope that spreads in the dark night, through the light of the Women Friendly Spaces,” Jamila says. Jamila now has a sense of community around her and feels less alone and
more supported – and she is able to ‘Be More’ to her family. As part of this program, Caritas Bangladesh has also trained a group of counsellors from the Rohingya community to reach out to other women. They go door-to-door, visiting women in their shelters, talking to them, and helping them to face the challenges of living in a camp, including how to manage their hygiene needs and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I want to offer my thankful greetings to those who are kindly thinking of us from overseas”, Jamila says. “Thank you, and thanks Caritas Australia.” To donate to Project Compassion, go to lent.caritas.org.au or phone 1800 024 413.
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Matthew with his parents and siblings and Archbishop Anthony Fisher at the opening of the Seminary Year at the Seminary of the Good Shepherd, Homebush
Called by Name: My Journey at the Seminary Begins By Matthew French In late January, I entered the Seminary of the Good Shepherd, as part of my discernment towards becoming a priest for the Diocese of Broken Bay. Upon starting, I hadn’t yet met any of my fellow first-year seminarians, and so I was eager to see what they’d be like; important given that many would be my companions for the best part of this decade. By God’s grace, seven seminarians started for 2021 – each coming with their own stories, charisms and eccentricities. I feel blessed to have landed myself amongst a good bunch of guys, and it’s been remarkable how quickly we’ve bonded as a group. Someone asked me just the other day how I was settling into seminary life, and as I detailed the guys with whom I’m starting, I found myself smiling, 32 /
as I could see the qualities they each possess; humility, kindness, intellect, prayerfulness; things I admire and can learn from during this seminary journey. Indeed, as I sit down to write this reflection, I’ve just come home from a day spent with my seminarian brothers, having hit the town for a celebratory dinner after our first silent retreat. We’re a tight group. As for seminary life, having had my brother Sam go through just a few years prior, I knew somewhat what to expect, and so have found settling in quite easy. We begin as first years with a special focus on prayer and developing our relationship with Jesus Christ, whilst also learning the Catechism of the Catholic Church. For me, this is something of a trip down memory lane, as every Friday morning during my years at school, Mum would require that we learn and
Matthew French
BBN / MARCH 2021
recite at least two questions from the Catechism. Failure to do so meant forfeiture of our five dollars pocket money, and so naturally, learning these pieces became a priority. Combined with the example set by both Dad and Mum in prayer, virtue and discipline, little did I know what a head-start this would give me for my first year at the seminary. Thanks Mum and Dad. If there was one thing about the seminary that did surprise me, it’s that things such as prayer, study and meals are quite structured and timetabled; a stark contrast to my previous life and work, where I could choose my own work hours, plan my own days, decide where I would go, what to eat, and for the most part, dictate my life as I deemed fit. While this aspect of seminary life is an initial challenge, complete surrender to Christ is something all seminarians are called to do (indeed, all Christians), and for me, part of this is to surrender to the program for my priestly formation. Conscious I have only been at the seminary for a short time, I have found the routine so far helpful for discipline in study and the use of my time, and of particular use in developing a stronger prayer life. My fellow seminarians have been exceptionally welcoming, the seminary chef cooks a mean meal (and even takes requests), and there is an abundance of priests, religious, formators and staff who dedicate themselves to our growth in virtue and holiness. What a blessing! Today we returned back from silent retreat, and upon my return to the seminary, Fr Arthur (our seminarian formator) asked me how it was and what I thought. I responded with exactly how I felt. “Over the moon,” I said, “I really got a
VOCATIONS
If there was one thing about the seminary that did surprise me, it’s that things such as prayer, study and meals are quite structured and timetabled; a stark contrast to my previous life and work, where I could choose my own work hours, plan my own days, decide where I would go, what to eat, and for the most part, dictate my life as I deemed fit. lot out of the retreat, and spiritually I’m feeling refreshed.” And it’s true. Having spent three days in silence at the beautiful Mt Schoenstatt, we were given good opportunities to pray and reflect on how God had spoken to us throughout our life, and how He was speaking to us now. That God is present in the gentle breeze is a truth that I can now more deeply appreciate, and through reflection on the Scripture, I can pinpoint the exact moments God has been speaking to me in my life. To detail all my prayers would be impossible in such a short reflection, but I share one thing. When I entered the seminary, I thought to myself that I wanted to be a priest to put into service the gifts and talents that God had given me. What a shock it was for me when He spoke to me and said, “Matthew, the gifts I’ve given are there to use, but what I truly desire is your
Matthew French with Bishop Anthony Randazzo at his commissioning Mass
heart.” Woah. The words struck me. Bewildered, I didn’t know what to say or what to feel. It is here that the words of God to St Paul then resonated with me, “My grace is enough for you; for my power is strongest in human weakness.” These words once again left me questioning, and admittedly, I’m still yet to grasp their full meaning. But I know that God is good, and that He has some message to reveal this to me over the coming weeks, months or years. I’m excited for what more He has to say. Until then, my brothers and sisters, I ask that you pray for me in my seminary journey, as I am certain I could never have made it this far without your support and prayers. I will continue to pray for you every day, and look forward to updating you each step of the way. God bless you. 33 /
Deacon Adrian and St Leo’s students
Chaplaincy in Francis’ Field Hospital By Deacon Adrian Gomez First published in National Centre of Evangelisation’s newsletter, The Bridge, December 2020. Republished with permission.
“I see clearly that the thing the church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful; it needs nearness, proximity. I see the church as a field hospital after battle…” Pope Francis, interview with Antonio Spadaro, SJ, La Civilta Cattolica, 2013. For me, the image of a field hospital after battle conjures up childhood memories of watching M*A*S*H, a TV series set in a US Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War. The warning sirens would sound, helicopters would land bearing wounded from the front, and the nurses and doctors would be pulled from their petty squabbles into life-and-death situations of triage and surgery. In the midst of the mud, blood and chaos bumbles Fr Francis Mulcahy SJ, their naïve and somewhat irrelevant chaplain. Yet despite him having nothing to contribute medically, increasingly as time goes on, he is honoured by the other characters because of his commitment to be where people are suffering. “…The ministers of the Gospel must be people who can warm the hearts of 34 /
the people, who walk through the dark night with them, who know how to dialogue and to descend themselves into their people’s night, into the darkness, but without getting lost,” continues the other Jesuit Francis in his interview quoted above. At the heart of Pope Francis’ pastoral strategy for the renewal of the Church is his promotion of the art of accompaniment, the ministry of walking alongside fellow pilgrims, supporting them in their journey of life and faith. It is a relational way of ministry, of spiritual companionship, walking together like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, but unlike them being attentive to the presence of the risen Jesus. As a school-based youth ministry coordinator and a permanent deacon, I have become increasingly conscious of the importance of personal
accompaniment. It is true that we do accompany one another as a Christian community, in liturgy and life, through parishes, programs and pilgrimages. But there is something significant in intentional one-to-one spiritual conversation that sets aside a time and space to allow for sacred deep listening. With the coming of COVID-19, a lot of the gathered programs which I regularly run – retreats, reflection days, youth groups and Bible studies – have ground to a halt. The grace of this has been the time it has given me to invest in individuals through spiritual accompaniment. There is nothing extraordinary or complex about it; it is as simple as booking someone in for an hour’s conversation. There is no magic formula to how the conversation goes. I start with life: “How are you going?” and, when the
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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE
be is essential. I never give advice, as tempting as that can often be. Sometimes the answer seems so blindingly obvious. But to try and shortcut their search is actually shortchanging them. I need to trust that God’s Spirit is at work in them, and that God’s will is going to unfold for them naturally when they are given the time and space to allow it to do so. I do occasionally share examples from my own story – as a fellow traveller, witnessing rather than teaching. But I am not a spiritual director and do need to be clear on my boundaries and expertise.
time is right, I move into more explicit spirituality: “And how are you going with God?” That is literally my favourite question. It is so open and lets people start wherever they feel most comfortable. When I started doing this, I was shocked at how readily people dived deep into sharing about their spiritual selves, their consolations and struggles with their faith. There are of course other types of questions that help unpack these: “What energises you and brings you joy? What drains the life from you or brings you down? Where is God in the middle of all this? How you do you connect with God? How do you feel God is calling you?”
What I started with students at school I am now transposing as a new normal for all my ministry. As I prepare couples for marriage, parents for the Baptism of their child, teenagers for the sacraments of initiation and families for funerals, I am losing my fear of asking them the big questions. As I listen, most often I am inspired by the gracious workings of God in the lives of people in ways that I would never even have imagined from what I see on the surface, like the long-haired
And here’s the secret to success in accompaniment: People love to be heard! One of the most affirming things you can do for a person is to give them your complete and undivided attention – staying with the person, rather than leading them to where I think they should
AUDIO
VISION
larrikin surfie who turned out to have a profoundly rich prayer life. Some share their raw struggles with the Church or with God, their loss of faith – it is important that they too are heard and affirmed. And, on occasion, I have been called to descend into the dark night with someone, to be present to their suffering, knowing that maybe I can’t fix them, but I can be there for them, sharing the simple warmth from my own broken and bleeding heart. Like Fr Mulcahy, we may not have the answers to the chaos, suffering and sorrows of life, but we are called to have the courage to stay the road with our fellow pilgrims. Deacon Adrian Gomez is the Youth Ministry Coordinator at St Leo’s Catholic College and the Chaplain for Catholic Youth Broken Bay. As well as teaching religious education, in pre-COVID times he organised student visits to nursing homes and homeless services as well as student liturgies, retreats, sacramental preparation and participation in Australian Catholic Youth Festivals and World Youth Days.
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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE
The people who bring us to Jesus By Peter Rodrigues Growing up in a traditional Catholic family, I always felt a strong affinity for my patron saint, St Peter. I liked that I had been named after the one that was first among the apostles, the one Jesus gave the keys of the kingdom to, to lead the Church. But at Masses with my family when I was young I wasn’t so keen on hearing the stories about how he betrayed Jesus, how Jesus once called him ‘Satan’, and having to listen to St John crow about how he was “the one that Jesus loved” (presumably, the best!). I wanted St Peter to be the best, always right and perfect, the first among the apostles in every way. In the Gospel we hear St John’s account of the calling of Andrew and Simon (Peter). In this story St Peter is
honoured, but he’s not doing anything especially great. It’s Andrew who responds to Jesus’ invitation to “Come and see”, with great enthusiasm, and immediately seeks out his brother Simon and takes him to Jesus.
some answers to her own search for authentic faith, invited me with some others from our parish young adults group to a retreat run by a Discalced Carmelite priest at the Mt Carmel Retreat Centre at Varroville.
It doesn’t matter to me now that St Peter wasn’t always the first and best. I know now, as he learnt, what is more important than always being right or a success in the eyes of the people around me.
From that weekend, a friendship developed with the order and especially the founders of its reform St Teresa of Avila and St John of the Cross. These saints taught that life as a Catholic Christian is ultimately grounded in a real friendship with God. A God who, through our baptism dwells within us.
How did I find out? It took a while of searching as a young adult. University was eye opening, and that world challenged me. I was hungry for information that would somehow justify my faith and my beliefs which deep down I knew to be true, but struggled to explain to others. Marilyn, who had already begun to find
Through them I realised what I was actually looking for. It wasn’t “what”, but “who”. Just as Andrew took his brother Simon to Jesus, these people brought me to Jesus. They helped me to realise that great prowess in evangelising others wasn’t what I needed. I needed to experience the total love of God, who dwelt in me, and was waiting for me to respond more fully every day to his invitation to friendship. My parents had me baptised and faithfully formed me to the point that I was able to recognise Jesus when I met him in this deeper way as an adult with responsibility for my own life and faith. Marilyn and I have tried to do the same for our children. We know the most important thing we can do as parents is to bring our children to Jesus Christ to the best of our ability. And we trust, as in our case, that He will take care of the rest!
Peter and Marilyn Rodrigues and their children. Photo by Emma Stergio 36 /
Peter Rodrigues is a parishioner at St Agatha’s Church, Pennant Hills along with his wife Marilyn and their children, Naomi, Hannah, Joachim, Jacob and Isaac. Peter and Marilyn also both work for the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney.
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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE
When control gives way to wonderment By Ashleigh Donnelly The COVID-19 pandemic took many of us back to the basics. We were challenged to live a year stripped of its frills. Before 2020 I was guilty of an inflated sense of control over my life consistent with modern, western thinking. Then came March 2020 and our entire calendars were stripped bare. My trip to Rome. Cancelled. My cousin’s 21st birthday party. Cancelled. Every event at work. Cancelled. None of us were really sure what we would be doing next week, let alone next month. As someone who likes to plan ahead and be organised, I found this lack of certainty over my future daunting, and even scary. Then November came, and I had a baby. If I was ever to truly relinquish control, this was it. After finishing up at work, I spent November waiting and dreaming of this new life within me. Who would she become? And who would I become as I embraced this new identity as a mother? I’d resigned from my job at CatholicCare and we moved out of our unit in Ashfield to be closer to family on the Central Coast. Everything was new. And I had no idea when this baby would arrive. As the due date approached, I would wake up each morning wondering if today was the day that our life would change forever. And as night approached, I wondered whether I would be woken by the pangs of labour. Finally, the day arrived when our girl was ready to enter the world. Again, nothing about the birth experience was in my control. The birth plan I prepared became obsolete within hours and our beautiful girl entered the world by emergency caesarean 18 hours later.
Justin and Ashleigh Donnelly and baby Rosemary. Photo by WithloveBrooke.photography
As I rock my girl to sleep in the wee hours of the morning I am awed by the miracle of life. For nine months I carried this child that God created for such a time as this. As the night turns to morning after a few hours of sleep, I wonder what the day ahead will bring. I wonder, rather than plan, because any kind of routine is still weeks away. If COVID taught me to relinquish control, having a baby drilled it into me. I have learnt to be vulnerable. I have learnt to ask for help and to look to my village for support. It takes a village to raise a child. But it also takes a village to raise a mother. This experience of relinquishing control has really changed the way I enter Lent this year. During Lent we relinquish control over everything in our lives – our time, our talents, our finances and we hand everything over to God. In the Gospel, Jesus tells Simon and his brother Andrew to “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Simon and Andrew must leave their nets behind and go out into the sea despite the threat of a storm. When we venture into the deep, we
are exposed and vulnerable. In those first few weeks of motherhood I felt like everything in my life had changed. I still hadn’t come to terms with my new identity as a mother, and when Facebook memories of carefree days popped up, I became nostalgic for this past life. If there was a time in my life when I felt drawn out into the deep, this was it. And I was vulnerable, both physically as I recovered and emotionally as I embraced this huge new responsibility as a mother. I look into the eyes of my precious daughter and I am captivated by the wonder of life. There is nothing in the world I feel like I am meant to do more than being this child’s mother and raising her to be a woman of courage and faith, like the fishermen who left their nets behind to follow Jesus. Ashleigh Donnelly and her husband, Justin and daughter, Rosemary are parishioners at St Patrick’s Catholic Parish, East Gosford. Ashleigh has worked as a Social Worker at CatholicCare and is a member of the Vatican’s newly established International Youth Advisory Body. 37 /
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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE
A different Christmas gift By Melissa Loughlin, Editor Every December, the Boonah Creative Arts Centre in West Pymble has an exhibition of the artwork created by their artists, with visitors able to make a purchase. In 2020, with COVID-19 restrictions, like so many other events, the exhibition was moved online. Boonah is an art studio run by CatholicCare Broken Bay specifically to meet the needs of artists living with a disability. Art making is a therapeutic tool which promotes confidence, resilience and transcends the artist’s disability giving them meaning and purpose. At the heart of Boonah is the wellbeing of its artists. The online exhibition allowed the Communications team at the Chancery to scroll through the artworks, marveling at the talents these artists with disabilities displayed. It was close to Christmas, and time to think about giving gifts, a small gesture made each year to thank our co-workers for all the hard work of a year gone by. One of our team members had the idea to all put in and buy an artwork as our Christmas gift. Boonah explains the proceeds from sales go to the artist, recognising their talent and achievement. All
Ezra, Melissa, Selina, Edward and Steph from the Communications Broken Bay team with their purchased Boonah artwork
agreed it was a wonderful idea! We each selected our favourites, though they were selling quickly and settled on the painting called Four Windows by Ross Packman. According to Boonah’s bio on Ross: “He is a very passionate abstract landscape artist, the images seem to pour out of Ross. His process is quick and methodical, first drawing his Australian-themed landscapes from his imagination in pencil, and then filling the scene with rich colours and deep shadows.”
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The Communications team thanks Ross, and the staff at Boonah for providing them with the opportunity to enjoy great art and support their artists. Four Windows now hangs proudly in the Communications Office in the Caroline Chisholm Centre at Pennant Hills. You can still view the Boonah exhibition on the CatholicCare website https://www.catholiccaredbb.org.au/ boonah-2020/ and purchase any of the available artworks, supporting the wonderful artists with disabilities at Boonah.
BROKEN BAY NEWS SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESS We recognise that the past year has been difficult for local business due the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the Church community, strong connections have been forged in our parish and school networks, made even stronger during times of hardship. In the Diocese of Broken Bay, we want to support families and businesses by encouraging people to shop locally and use services known in our neighbourhoods. If you have a business you would like to advertise, we are here to help! Prices start from just $50.
Call 02 8379 1618 or email news@bbcatholic.org.au to book in your space!
A Musical Tribute
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YeaR Of
SaINT JosepH “Show yourself a father, and guide us in the path of life”
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage, and defend us from every evil.
Mosaic of the Holy Family, St Peter’s Italian Church, London
DECEMBER 8, 2020 — DECEMBER 8, 2021 catholic.org.au/yearofstjoseph
