The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is located on traditional lands of Awabakal, Biripi Darkinjung, Kamilaroi, Wiradjuri, Wonnarua, and Worimi peoples. We honour the wisdom of and pay respect to, Elders past, present and emerging, and acknowledge the spiritual culture of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australia. We have much to learn from this ancient culture.
Team
Editor: Lizzie Watkin
Design: David Stedman and Elle Tamata
Regular Contributors: Elizabeth Baker, Tim Bowd, Alexander Foster, Gemma Lumsden and Elizabeth Symington
Contact
Aurora editorial and advertising enquiries should be addressed to:
Lizzie Watkin P 0404 005 036
E Lizzie.watkin@mn.catholic.org.au
PO Box 756 Newcastle 2300
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Creating connections
Coinciding with Aurora’s transition to become a quarterly magazine in 2022, the editorial team also stepped away from creating themed editions. While the topic-driven publications produced for the two years prior were well-received, we sought to turn a new leaf.
And so, as this edition was nearing completion and I looked over the stories which cover a diverse range of issues- from foster care to the future of the Church, domestic violence to alternate education models, I was somewhat surprised to discover an underlying theme had emerged. It was clear that the common thread that exists between these stories is the value of relationships.
But should I have been surprised? Probably not. The Catechism of the Catholic Church instructs Catholics to follow a spiritual and moral life that revolves around spiritual devotion, devotion to the family unit and Church family, charity work and respect for and promotion of human dignity. This blueprint roughly translates to mean that if we are to live life to the fullest, we must prioritise the connectedness and wellbeing of ourselves, each other, and Creation.
WHEN IT MATTERS
I am blessed to have wonderfully supportive family and friendships that have spanned many years, including some that originated in preschool. Without a doubt, these relationships nourish my soul. But so too does the relationship I have formed with my neighbours, who only moved next door earlier this year. Their smiling faces, which greet me daily, and the casual conversations that follow have provided immense joy over these past few months. Similarly, this morning as I popped into the supermarket, I noticed a beautifully dressed lady and proceeded to compliment her on her beaming smile. It led to a fiveminute exchange about the play she would later see with friends and a conversation about the origin of our names. It seems her smile was contagious as the grin that came across my face during our brief connection has remained.
I share these anecdotes because so many of us have been raised to see strangers as dangerous. But I can’t help but wonder what would happen if instead we saw these people we don’t yet know as potential sources of comfort and belonging that could complement the longer-standing
LIZZIE WATKIN
relationships that many of us are fortunate to have.
In a world where people are becoming increasingly time poor, I encourage you to make space in your day to connect with those around you. While these exchanges may be fleeting, even a brief relationship with another person can be meaningful. In fact, various studies have shown that those who participate in conversations with people they don’t know – or know well – report being happier, more connected to their communities, mentally sharper, healthier, less lonely, and more optimistic. Not sure how to go about talking to someone you don’t know?
I have found offering a genuine compliment, asking thoughtful questions or simply introducing myself with a smile has always worked a treat.
I hope you enjoy reading about the various connections occurring throughout the Diocese in this edition of Aurora as much as we have enjoyed writing about them. And of course, if you ever see me around, be sure to introduce yourself.
enquiry@codea.com.au www.codea.com.au
DANE TWOHILL
Listen to what the Spirit is saying
FR GREG BARKER
The second session of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia should be remembered as an event featuring many blessed defining moments. The session, which concluded on 9 July 2022, was a success, however, there is a risk that the silent protest regarding the statement, ‘Witnessing to the Equal Dignity of Women and Men’, will be remembered as having overshadowed the final outcomes of the Council. The protest was a defining moment creating a shift in thinking and a more synodal opportunity for the Church in Plenary. The original iteration of the statement failed to meet its two thirds majority to pass, falling short by one vote. Of the remaining one third a significant number voted yes but with reservations. A scary moment for many of us. Would the Church at this most important gathering have nothing to say on the
significant role that women have in our Church, or their dignity?
Whilst a crisis at one point for the Plenary, a more open conversation was the outcome of the protest and subsequent deliberations. More interventions for each of the motions was welcomed by the Chair. A more open listening was not only the synodal process in action but also the voice of the Holy Spirit moving and guiding the members and delegates of the Plenary Council.
It takes great courage to stand for what is right, to be open to listen and to hear what others are saying and to respond appropriately takes heart. It will remain a significant and defining moment of the Fifth Plenary Council for me personally.
There is much to be proud of in the synodal journey the Church made in
getting ready for this Plenary and in the Plenary itself. The gathering in parish, agency and small groups of friends and family to ‘listen to what the spirit is saying’ is a significant achievement in and of itself. It will influence, shape, and define our Church for generations to come where it matters most, at the coal face of our Church communities and in our invitation to live faith more broadly.
Whilst we here in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle are well on the way to fulfilling many of the Decrees of this Fifth Plenary Council already, once they are enacted formally it will add a language and a credibility nationally to many of our statements and action plans. The declarations of the Fifth Plenary Council will help define our future and assist us to continue to develop the work first recorded in the Gospels and lived in Jesus.
There is much in our history that brings us shame. It continues to influence and shape us as it should. However, there is also much that we as a Church can and should be proud of. We can let our good works define who we are now and into the future, without losing sight of what has been. The Fifth Plenary Council is certainly one moment we can be proud, it was wonderful work. There are many other instances where we continue to do great work and are seen as a blessing by the many communities we as Catholic Christians are a part of.
Fr Greg Barker is the Diocesan Administrator of the Diocese of Maitland‑Newcastle.
Read more about the history of the Fifth Plenary Council and the outcomes of the Second Assembly on pages 16 & 17.
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It takes great courage to stand for what is right, to be open to listen and to hear what others are saying and, to respond appropriately takes heart.
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Childcare subsidies welcomed, but at what cost?
Early childhood education and care is currently a hot topic in Australia. Governments at all levels are throwing money at childcare consumers. The recent federal election put childcare front and centre of the debate. The new government is proposing to subsidise care up to 90 per cent of the daily fee. At a state level, the NSW government is looking to support all families of preschool-aged children to access early years education.
These initiatives seem admirable. Who would not want access to more affordable care or see all children receive the benefits of pre-school learning? However, they are not without complications.
Childcare subsidies are electorally popular. However, they also drive demand for services. This is a major issue, as the early childhood education and care sector currently faces an acute shortage of trained staff.
Recently, there was media commentary that suggested childcare operators’ preference cities and large towns because that’s where they can make more money. The article claimed that
operators were in a race to build centres in large communities rather than small towns. As the Chief Executive Officer of the Catholic Diocese of MaitlandNewcastle, which operates 11 notfor-profit St Nicholas Early Education centres in both city and regional locations, I feel these claims are at worst very cynical, and at best, ill-informed.
Most operators of early childhood education and care are single centre operators. There are a few large operators, including not-for-profits. Most of the small operators are in their local communities and money is not the primary objective, children are put first.
Building an early education childhood education and care centre in a regional community is more often cheaper than in larger cities. The land is more affordable, builders are often easier to find and there is an unmet demand for care, so there are typically lots of willing customers. But there are not enough staff to run those centres and so, they are not built. It’s a human resources shortage that becomes more chronic the further you move from population centres.
To rectify this matter, many would argue that childcare operators should pay employees more money to attract them to the sector. This is a simplistic view – higher pay would need to be met by higher childcare fees, which seems to defeat the government’s intention of making care more affordable.
I recently discussed the shortage of workers in aged care with a chief executive officer of a local service. She was adamant the dignity of aging people was important but staffing the sector is just as challenging. Would higher pay resolve that shortage as well? It seems that in both aged care and early childhood education and care, there are not enough people who want to do this work. We must have the right people, not just people who are chasing money.
The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle recognised this shortage and in response, developed St Nicholas Pathways. St Nicholas Pathways operates in a range of locations and through its various programs and study options, is designed to excite and engage those in the community who
are interested in exploring a career in early childhood education and care. Ultimately, our hope is that it also identifies and supports the right people to work in this very rewarding sector. However, that’s not enough. Attracting and retaining staff to enter the early childhood education and care sector must be prioritised at all levels of government. This must be an area government gives attention. There must be further subsidies offered to operators to bolster staff wages, as well as increased opportunities for training and real support to the providers of services outside major centres. Otherwise, those families living in remote and regional areas will never have the same work and education opportunities as their city counterparts and the divide between these communities will only become greater.
Sean Scanlon is the Chief Executive Officer of the Diocese of Maitland Newcastle.
SEAN SCANLON
Pope praises alliances that span the ages
During an address which took place in front of the Pope’s general audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall in August, Pope Francis emphasised the family’s need for healthy relationships and dialogue between the young and the elderly.
“The alliance – and I am saying alliance – the alliance between the elderly and children will save the human family,” he said. “If this dialogue does not take place between the elderly and the young, the future cannot be clearly seen.”
In his address, the pope said “it is painful – and harmful – to see that the ages of life are conceived of as separate worlds, in competition among themselves, each one seeking to live at the expense of the other: this is not right.”
“Old age,” he said, “must bear
witness – for me, this is the core, the most central aspect of old age – old age must bear witness to children that they are a blessing.”
“This witness consists in their initiation – beautiful and difficult –into the mystery of our destination in life that no one can annihilate, not even death. To bring the witness of faith before a child is to sow that life. To bear the witness of humanity too, and of faith, is the vocation of the elderly.”
According to the Pope, “the witness of the elderly is credible to children,” and “young people and adults are not capable of bearing witness in such an authentic, tender, poignant way, as elderly people can.”
He praised when an old person can lay aside any resentment he or she feels at growing old in order to bless life as it comes.
A step towards reconciliation
Hundreds gathered in support of the launch of the Diocese of MaitlandNewcastle’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) last month.
The Reflect RAP is the start of the Diocese’s formalised reconciliation journey. It builds on various initiatives that Diocesan agencies and the local Church have been undertaking for many years, with the aim of fostering the spiritual, cultural, social awareness and development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
The Reflect RAP is endorsed by Reconciliation Australia and centres on pillars of relationships, respect, opportunities and governance.
Director of Pastoral Ministries and Chair of the RAP Reference Group, Teresa Brierley said the Reflect RAP provides an opportunity for us to all reflect on the important role that we can play in the reconciliation journey.
“It will lead us on a path to progress our mutual trust and develop an understanding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
Can you help make a difference?
During winter, the Food Programs operated by CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning experienced an increase in patronage across all locations. The organisation is asking for the community’s support to ensure it can continue to deliver this invaluable service and that everyone is welcomed with food, support and a smile.
Can you make a difference?
By making a tax-deductible donation to its 2022 appeal you can help CatholicCare’s staff and volunteers continue to provide meals and connect more people to services. Visit catholiccare.org.au to make your donation.
Protecting children
National Child Protection Week (4-10 September) aims to engage, educate, and empower Australians to understand the complexity of child abuse and neglect, and work together to prevent it. In line with the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle’s commitment to the safety, welfare and wellbeing of all children and vulnerable adults, its agencies will be taking part in various initiatives to designed to encourage communities to engage in conversations around children’s safety and wellbeing. To find out more, visit officeofsafeguarding.org.au
Help Catholic Mission build brighter futures
This October, you are invited to celebrate World Mission Month, a month dedicated to the life-giving work of mission around the world.
World Mission Month provides an opportunity for you to partner with Catholic Mission and the Church in Ethiopia to build brighter futures for families in need.
As a consequence of the drought, 70 per cent of families in the rural region of Emdibir are unable to put food on their tables.
Together with the Church of Ethiopia and the local community, Catholic Mission is working toward providing families with life-changing opportunities by building a goat rearing centre. The resources produced through the centre will help fight malnutrition, a phenomenon that is responsible for 50 per cent of children’s death in the local area.
More than just providing food and creating employment, it helps the local community build a brighter future.
To learn more visit: catholicmission.org.au/families
Aurora
Listen to the voice of creation
Christians across the world are being encouraged to come together and care for our common home during this year’s Season of Creation (SoC). The theme for this year’s ecumenical movement, which spans from 1 September until 4 October, is ‘Listen to the voice of creation’.
The 2022 SoC symbol is a burning bush. The symbol originates from the story of Moses, (Exodus 3:1-11) where God acknowledged the cries of injustice and calls Moses to make a change. We, like Moses, are called to act and make a difference.
During the SoC, our common prayer and action can help us listen for the voices of those who are silenced. In prayer we lament the individuals, communities, species, and ecosystems who are lost, and those whose livelihoods are threatened by habitat loss and climate change.
Locally, the Catholic Diocese of MaitlandNewcastle invites individuals to take part in its SoC film competition. The purpose of the competition is to; build awareness of our role as stewards of creation; build and foster a Christ-centered community; and, to celebrate God’s creation. To find out more visit www.mn.catholic.org.au/ news-events/season-of-creation/
Going green-er
In line with its commitment to be a leader in sustainability and proactively assist the region to transition to a more sustainable future, the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle recently launched its new Sustainability Plan 2022-2025.
Diocesan Chief Executive Officer, Sean Scanlon, said the plan is underpinned by Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Diocesan Strategic Plan 2022-2026.
“Daily, our Diocesan operations influence and impact more than 25,000 children and young adults who access our schools, early education or after school care, as well as more than 4,500 employees who work across our various agencies. We know our people care deeply about sustainability, and we consider it our responsibility to equip the next generation to understand global challenges our planet faces and the role they can play in rising to meet them,” he said.
In rural Ethiopia 70 percent of families are unable to put food on their tables.
catholicmission.org.au/families
To read more Catholic news from across the Diocese of MaitlandNewcastle and around the world visit www.mnnews.today or scan the QR code below. There, you will also find links to upcoming events, important dates for your diary and to live stream Sunday Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral.
A world of love, learning and laughter
For Lake Macquarie couple Lisa and Geoff, the decision to become foster carers was a simple one.
“We foster because we enjoy it and because it makes the children happy,” Geoff said.
“It means we can share our experiences and our values with them as well as our hobbies, our interests and our families.”
For the last year they’ve considered themselves fortunate to be respite carers for eight-year-old Toby*.
Every time he visits they roll out the welcome mat by replicating something you might see at a sports match.
“We have this opening ceremony, because he is so sports oriented,” Lisa said.
“We have music playing and then we turn on an electric candle and then we unpack his clothes and walk the dogs.
“It’s not even a conscious thing anymore, it’s this routine, we all love it,
especially Toby*, and it always involves some laughter.”
The couple’s love for Toby is immediately obvious.
“He is part of the family, he’s met our parents and brothers and sisters and friends,” Geoff said.
“A couple of months ago he said ‘I love you’ for the first time and it was pretty special.”
Every attempt is made to create memorable experiences for Toby*. They often go to Sydney to see a theatre show and visit family but one of their favourite things to do is play games and read books.
However, Toby isn’t the only child the couple have welcomed into their lives.
Since 2016, Lisa and Geoff have helped shape the future of six other young people aged six to 14.
When asked why they have chosen to be respite carers Lisa and Geoff
“ We foster because we enjoy it and because it makes the children happy. It means we can share our experiences and our values with them as well as our hobbies, our interests and our families.
”
explain they have space in their hearts and home and get great satisfaction from helping.
“It’s a combination I think of being Catholic and the social justice aspect of that as well as there is an obvious need in the community,” Lisa said.
“Also, it opens up a new world to us – a colourful innocent world that we wouldn’t normally have access to, and it really opens our eyes to our own problems, it puts it all in perspective.
“Our problems are not as big as we think they are.”
Lisa adds that being respite carers has made them grateful for the dedication and hard work of long-term foster carers.
“We don’t have capacity to be full-time carers and this has made us really appreciate what they do.”
The pair encourage anyone who can to become foster carers. Whether it’s
long-term, short-term or respite you can make a real difference to the life of a child or young person in need.
Lisa encourages people to push through the difficult early stages.
“It’s different with every child, every child has their own challenges and fears,” she said.
Lisa and Geoff add it is helpful to have a supportive service provider, like CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning.
“CatholicCare have been outstanding,” Lisa said.
“They encourage us to do training, they invite us to meet people and they’ve been very open to receiving our concerns and our doubts and they’re always happy to help.”
Photo Peter Stoop
Respite carers Lisa and Geoff with their dogs Sadie and Little Man.
ELIZABETH SYMINGTON
Perpetual Day of Remembrance
Each September, the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle pauses to acknowledge the devastation caused to victims and survivors of child sexual abuse by clergy and other Church personnel, as well as the impact to their families, and the whole community. Although historical, survivors and their families live with the impact every day.
In my role as Manager of Zimmerman Service Healing and Support, I have the privilege of meeting people who are directly or indirectly impacted by the abuse. In listening, it is clear the Church’s historic failure to protect children, deal with perpetrators appropriately and, at times, withhold acknowledgement and support, has caused a re-traumatising impact that is varied and complex.
Accordingly, meanings associated with the day are individual and equally valid.
Catholicism embraces diversity, and if one member suffers, we all suffer.
These teachings are very relevant when it comes to survivors of child sexual abuse within the church context.
For some, the Perpetual Day of Remembrance is an important day to commemorate, so that the past is not forgotten nor repeated, and so that the many lives that have been lost to suicide are remembered. For others it is a painful reminder of crime and coverup and they refuse to participate.
I asked some individuals to share their views on the Perpetual Day of Remembrance and the ongoing impact of the abuse that occurred.
“The Perpetual Day of Remembrance is an important day for all Catholics. The focus must always be on remembrance if we are to ensure that the past is never repeated.” (R. O’Toole, survivor and Co-founder and Chairperson of Clergy Abused Network.)
“My son is not a part of our family. His children don’t know us or we them.
I often ponder on all that we’ve lost and the misery that is always there, but especially so on this particular day.” (Single mother estranged from her now adult son who was assaulted as a child.)
“It reinforces that child sexual abuse did happen. There was no acknowledgement of what we were going through as children... we lived in fear and shame, called liars and no one supported or believed us.” (Survivor)
Experiences and their impacts are diverse. The path to recovery has many twists and turns and can take many forms. For many, there is no sense of completeness. It is up to the whole community to acknowledge the crimes of the past, their ongoing impact, and take the time to listen, reflect, and never forget. This is true always, but especially so on the Perpetual Day of Remembrance.
Perpetual Day of Remembrance Sunday
LOUISE GANNON rsj
Resources to support the community’s prayer response on The Perpetual Day of Remembrance (15 Sept) and Perpetual Day of Remembrance Sunday (11 Sept) are available on the diocesan website.
The range of resources enables everyone to participate in whatever way is most authentic, from lighting a candle and perhaps saying a prayer in your home, to joining with others at Mass on Perpetual Day of Remembrance Sunday.
For Perpetual Day of Remembrance Sunday Mass times in your local Catholic parish, please visit the Diocese’s website or download the Diocesan App.
If the light of Christ is to shine, if the mercy of God is to reach into this time and place, if hope is to be found, we all need to work to rout from our hearts and society those human qualities that continue to enable even subtle forms of abuse – disrespect, silence, judgment, privilege.
We pray for this change.
MAGDALENA MYCAK
From surviving to inspiring
ELIZABETH SYMINGTON
“Often you’re living through the bad days to hope for one good day, and you can’t keep doing that to yourself because it’s physically and mentally destroying.”
That’s a statement from mother of three, Sophia*, who’s been through something no one should ever have to face – an abusive relationship.
About nine years ago Sophia met Doug*, a man she thought she wanted to build a life with. While their relationship started out innocently, she said it soon turned into a “toxic circle” of physical, mental, and financial abuse.
“I met Doug not long after my mum had passed away. It was a sad time in my life, and I was very vulnerable,” Sophia explained from her home on the Central Coast.
When entering the partnership, Sophia knew of Doug’s previous drug abuse, but at the time he was not using.
“Within six months of us being together I fell pregnant with our first daughter,” Sophia said. “While it wasn’t planned, we were very excited and hopeful for our future.”
However, not long after their daughter was born, Doug returned to old habits. Sophia believes Doug’s drug use was the catalyst that led to the abuse that ensued.
“Doug started showing signs (of drug abuse) in the sense he was paranoid, always wondering what I was doing or where I was going and just being very controlling,” she said.
“He also became very manipulative and started isolating me from my people. I now realise that’s because if I didn’t have anyone else in my life it meant that I only had him to depend on, which gave him a sense of power.
“I think that is why I stayed in that relationship for so long because of the fear of not having anywhere or anyone to go to.”
Sophia still remembers the first time Doug was physically abusive towards her as if it happened yesterday. Her voice trembled as she described the moment she was sitting on the lounge holding their newborn baby when Doug accused her of having an affair and slapped her across the face.
“I was so scared and worried, I was beside myself because it was a real shock,” she said.
The abuse and control continued for years. Despite this, Sophia and Doug added to their family.
Just five weeks after the birth of their third child, the baby contracted meningitis – an inflammation of the fluid and membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. While in hospital with the baby and away from Doug, Sophia realised things had to change.
“I was sitting there in hospital with my youngest and I just had this brain snap where I went: ‘You have to leave’.”
Soon after, the now single mother temporarily relocated her young family to Forster to live with a friend until she found her feet.
That was less than a year ago and while it’s been a bumpy road ever since she left, Sophia is sharing her story to raise awareness and encourage women to come forward if they need help.
Her advice to other victims of domestic violence is simple.
“Because of the abuse and control, the thought of leaving may seem difficult to imagine but once you do you will feel such a sense of relief and achievement,” Sophia said.
“You just need to have faith in yourself that you are strong and capable enough to do it. We always underestimate how strong we really are and what we can get through.
“Often you’re living through the bad days to hope for one good day, and you can’t keep doing that to yourself because it’s physically and mentally destroying.
“Now I can go to sleep at night knowing that my children and I are safe.”
Sophia also encourages women to seek out support services and said
she felt lucky to have the support of CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning.
CatholicCare provides support to victims of domestic abuse and violence via government funded programs including Renewing Pathways and Staying Home Leaving Violence.
“CatholicCare has helped me in so many ways, and I am going to be forever thankful for that,” she said, adding that the support her caseworker provided was a big part of the reason she didn’t return to her ex-partner.
“They helped me with everything from obtaining food vouchers to returning to the Central Coast.”
If you are in immediate danger, call the NSW Police on 000. Or if you or someone you know are experiencing domestic and family violence call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit www.1800respect.org.au
Sophia’s bravery in sharing her story coincides with the release of the Australian Catholic Bishop’s Council’s 2022 Social Justice Statement entitled ‘Respect: Confronting Violence and Abuse’.
The Statement draws on data around family and domestic violence and gathers the insights of people –especially women – on that data. It also reflects on the words and example of Jesus.
“The teaching of Christ urges us to promote relationships marked by respect and freedom rather than coercion and control,” Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB writes in the foreword.
The Statement also promotes programs and agencies that support those who suffer various forms of violence but also highlights the importance of support for those who perpetrate such violence.
• Listen to, support, and believe those who are experiencing violence and abuse.
• Speak out about the sinfulness of family and domestic violence and the responsibility of perpetrators to change.
• Publicise the support available in your area for victim-survivors and for perpetrators who want to change their behaviour.
• Reflect together on how we might be caught up in structural and cultural violence.
“You just need to have faith in yourself that you are strong and capable enough to do it. We always underestimate how strong we really are and what we can get through.”
• Reject spiritual abuse by debunking the misuse of faith sources to justify violence, abusive behaviour or to coerce women to stay in unsafe situations.
• Connect with programs, ensuring our responses are evidence-based and trauma-informed.
• Promote resources on responding to family and domestic violence produced by dioceses e.g. Perth, Broken Bay and Parramatta.
A new chapter for St Dom’s
GEMMA LUMSDEN
Nestled in the heart of Mayfield is an innovative and growing school.
The St Dominic’s Centre or ‘St Dom’s’, as it is often fondly referred to, is rich in history.
Founded in Waratah in 1875 by Dominican Sisters, St Dominic’s established itself as a school for girls who were deaf or hearing impaired. In the years since, not only has it moved locations but also expanded to become a co-educational school that provides education for students from Kindergarten to Year 10 with a range of moderate cognitive disabilities.
Now, the close-knit St Dom’s community is embracing the next chapter in
the school’s journey, with the recent announcement that from 2023 its students will be able to access the first ever senior class.
St Dominic’s principal, Rachel Jones, said that offering Years 11 and 12 (Stage 6) was the next, logical step to providing a continued educational experience for each student and one that would help prepare them for life beyond school.
“Up until now, students who completed Year 10 at St Dom’s would either go on to complete Stage 6 elsewhere or, finish school altogether,” Ms Jones said.
“However, this announcement signifies a third and really valuable option for students that provides families with
more choice and aligns with St Dom’s philosophy which is to help our students build skills for life by providing a continuum of learning in a safe and supportive environment.
“I am overjoyed to be a part of this new chapter of St Dominic’s growth.”
In the last month, St Dom’s has also celebrated the opening of their very own mini Woolworths store, Dom’s Fresh Food, which has been established to replicate the operations of a Woolworths supermarket. With baskets for fresh food, shelving for groceries, check-out registers, signage and forest green uniform, the store aims to provide hands-on learning experiences.
“ When we told him that he had another two years at St Dom’s, he was just really happy. He probably wants to stay there forever! ”
Eilis Corrigan, Conor Galvin, Rachel Jones and Xavier and Kerrianne Scanlon at St Dominic's Centre in Mayfield.
Photo
“Dom’s Fresh Food helps students to build real-life skills within a structured learning environment that they feel safe, regulated and focused in. It gives those students, who are unable to access the wider community regularly, a space to learn and practice the fundamentals of accessing big chain supermarkets without the barriers they may experience in the community,” Ms Jones said.
“We are now tailoring our curriculum to incorporate Dom’s Fresh Food across multiple Key Learning Areas and stages, which will also include Stage 6 in the new year.”
Conor Galvin is in Year 10, and his mother Eilis is confident that the opening of Dom’s Fresh Food combined with the school expanding to Year 12, will bring innovative learning opportunities for her son that will assist him for life.
“The way the staff at St Dom’s approaches each child as an individual and nurtures their unique abilities and strengths is very positive. They focus a lot on developing students’ life skills and interests, which for Conor includes cooking and being out in the community. Over the years, these experiences have been really helpful in building his independence and self-esteem,” Mrs Corrigan said.
While much has changed in the almost 150 years since its inception, underpinning St Dom’s continued success has been its partnership with families to meet the evolving needs of its students and the community.
Ms Jones said that the decision to extend the school to Year 12 was influenced by feedback she received from families.
“Parents were asking me at our end of year celebrations to extend our classes to Year 12,” she said. “It was really important for me to listen and seek consultation from
our community around what they needed from our Diocese to support their child,” Ms Jones said.
One such parent is Kerrianne Scanlon whose son, Xavier, will be one of the first students to start Year 11 at St Dom’s next year, alongside Conor.
“I can’t tell you how excited and relieved we were when we found out,” Mrs Scanlon said.
Xavier started at St Dom’s in Year 9. Prior to this, he had been living with his family in America and attended school there.
“Xavier is really comfortable with the size of the classes and his teachers are amazing. They seem to be so aware of his needs and they help him to regulate his emotions. It has been quite tricky for Xavier to transition to different schools, and prior to this announcement I was thinking that at the end of Year 10 he would have to do it all again,” Mrs Scanlon said.
“When we told him that he had another two years at St Dom’s, he was just really happy. He probably wants to stay there forever!”
Mrs Corrigan agreed, explaining that the transition into Year 11 will now be seamless for Conor also.
“While another school might have brought opportunities, it also would have brought new challenges. So, to have that option at a place where he feels like he is part of the gang, and he belongs is so important,” Mrs Corrigan said.
“I think overall for Conor it’s a positive that he can stay where he feels happy and comfortable. He is so excited to come to school each day and he looks forward to it and I think that’s a huge plus for him and for us as a family.”
St Dominic's students enjoying learning in Dom's Fresh Food.
TIM BOWD
A bright forecast predicted
It’s Monday morning on a cold winter’s day in August. The prevailing westerly wind cuts through the youth as they approach the gates at St Laurence Flexible Learning Centre at Broadmeadow.
The mood, however, changes markedly as soon as we enter the gates. A sense of calmness prevails, the bite in the wind eases and it suddenly feels warmer as the students, or young people as they are referred to by the staff, are individually greeted.
Some of the greetings are short and some are lengthy. Yet one thing is consistent - all conversations are distinct and discuss the student’s unique personalities – the types of personalities that don’t always fit into mainstream schooling environments.
Head of Campus Kelly Anderson is one of the staff at the gate. With a disarming Moodle Loki in tow, Ms Anderson explains how what may seem like a simple greeting means so much more. It’s a way for staff to check on those students fresh from a weekend away. “It allows us to check-in and ensures we are engaging with students potentially at risk of not fulfilling a day of schooling for various reasons, with real one-to-one individual engagement”.
Year 10 student Elijah said the morning welcome from the staff was very important. “The welcome into the gate, followed by the pastoral care at the start of the day and having breakfast helps me settle into the day”.
“Compared to my old school, here I have real relationships with the staff. We work
together, and they take time to make sure we are okay”.
Since opening its doors in 2019 the St Laurence Flexible Learning Centre at Broadmeadow has aided young people to re-engage with learning and community.
Created in partnership with Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA), the centre is the first of its type in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. The centre provides educational opportunities and supports students who, for a range of complex reasons, have not remained in mainstream education.
The Director of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, Gerard Mowbray explains that the centre was created to address a real need within our local community for flexible learning.
“It is also provides an opportunity to respond to the needs of our young people, which is in keeping with the mission of the Catholic Church,” he said.
Ms Anderson said that rather than having set rules, the centre operated with four key principles – honesty, respect, participation, and safe and legal– in an environment where staff and students had a similar status, a sense of common ground and shared responsibility.
“Students must be open to change and willing to give it a go,” she said.
When issues do arise, Ms Anderson says staff work collaboratively with young people their families and carers deal with matters and share responsibility for the outcome.
Businesses all over Australia are crying out for more workers. There are currently more than 423,000 job vacancies according to recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The St Laurence Flexible Learning Centre caters for young people completing Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10) with opportunities for them to complete curriculum and non-curriculum programs, including vocational education training (VET) courses.
The centre is also the only flexible learning provider in NSW that offers students the opportunity for a Record of School Achievement at the end of Stage 5, similar to mainstream education.
the real-life practical skills on offer here, the staff go out of their way to support me,” he said.
Since enrolling at St Laurence, Elijah too has received his white card as well as a Certificate 2 in construction and a barista course among others. He says that making the move from a mainstream school to the centre has been the right choice for him. “I get more out of the learning here. The smaller classes and individualised programs support what I want to do,” he said.
“ I get more out of the learning here.
The smaller classes and individualised programs support what I want to do.
Ms Anderson said flexible programs were designed for each student and included onsite and off-site work. Students are empowered via “independence in the classroom”, with each student given the responsibility to drive their own learning pathway.
With recent reports highlighting the current shortage of skilled workers in Australia, the opportunity for these young people to acquire work-ready skills and VET qualifications while at the centre is more valuable than ever.
Year 9 student Jimmy has thrived in this environment and with a construction white card already under his belt says he is “looking forward to getting into a trade” when he finishes at the centre. “I enjoy
”
Elijah says that he is also grateful for the support he receives beyond the school’s gates. “I have had the opportunity to go mountain bike riding at Awaba, Holmesville, Dungog and Glenrock,” he said. “The teachers take time out to help you”.
Ms Anderson says the centre’s elective program, which includes mountain bike riding as well as range of other activities, not only keeps students active but improves social interaction, teaches important life skills and helps the students positively channel negative feelings.
With an emphasis on acceptance, support and transitioning to adulthood and meaningful employment, the future looks bright for the students at the St Laurence Flexible Learning Centre. Even a cold westerly in August can’t pervade the warmth inside the gates.
Jimmy and Elijah at St Laurence Flexible Learning Centre in Broadmeadow.
Photo Peter Stoop
Plans progress for the future of our Church
LIZZIE WATKIN
“The Church is not the presence in our society it once was. We need to take a measure of that and make decisions accordingly. The culture in which we have to proclaim the Gospel is very different to what it was even 20 or 30 years ago.”
Archbishop of Brisbane, Mark Coleridge, made these powerful remarks in 2016 after he was elected to chair a special bishops’ commission to plan and run the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia. At that time, it had been 79 years since Australia’s last plenary council was held.
“What the Plenary Council is all about is planning for the future of the Church in this country at a very complex time,” Archbishop Coleridge said at the time.
It was determined that the Fifth Plenary Council would have three phases: preparation, celebration and implementation. It is a process, still underway, that spans several years and gives the Catholic community time to listen, dialogue and discern with one another.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has caused some delays to the Fifth Plenary Council process, the Holy Spirit continues to guide its members. In July this year, the nine-month celebration phase of the Fifth Plenary Council ended. Council members approved a concluding statement, which reflected discernment that took place over six days.
The statement said the Fifth Plenary Council had been an “expression of the synodality that Pope Francis has identified as a key dimension of the Church’s life in the third millennium”.
Acknowledging that while some moments during the week had been “calm and harmonious”, and others were “tense and difficult”, the statement also said, “every moment has been blessed; the entire week has been grace-filled, though never a cheap grace”.
“The Holy Spirit has been both comforter and disrupter.”
Three Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle Council members attended the Second Assembly. Helen Belcher was one of those members and is a member of the Diocesan Synod Working Party.
Ms Belcher said that while Part 4 motions regarding the equal dignity of women and men failed to pass, which resulted in a silent and spontaneous protest, it ultimately “produced better discernment and better decisions.”
“The Assembly could have descended into chaos. Instead, members opened themselves to respectful conversations and to the guidance of the Holy Spirit,” she said.
Fellow Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle council member, Bernadette Gibson said that she went into the Second Assembly of the Fifth Plenary Council concerned that
the motions and proposals were a fete accompli.
“Initially unconvinced of the power or purpose of spiritual conversations, I exit a great fan of both the Holy Spirit and the process,” Ms Gibson said.
She said the anticipated decrees will confer more certainty for many of the Church’s already signposted directions, “like greater communion with our First Nations people, ecological conversation, formation and education ” and added they will also “solidify the position and provide the building blocks for the next steps forward into a new way of living a Christ-centred Church.”
Ms Belcher and Ms Gibson believe the Second Assembly did not address all issues raised in the Listening and Dialogue phase of the plenary process and that not all the motions are perfect.
“The motion on the equal dignity of women and men highlighted that there is still a lot of work to be done, and not just in this area. We must do more to reach out to our LGBTIQA+ brothers and sisters. Ignorance because of privilege can no longer be an excuse for any of the those we have left on the sidelines”, Ms Gibson said.
However, as the Church now begins the third and final phase of the plenary council process – implementation, they both remain hopeful.
“The Second Assembly of the Fifth Plenary Council gave me hope in the ability of the Church to genuinely behave synodally. I hope this lesson can be translated to all levels of the Church in the future,” Ms Gibson said.
Ms Belcher added that while the decrees are yet to be promulgated, she believes that as a local Church, we can embrace the outcomes as part of our Diocesan Synod process which is already underway.
“We can examine the decrees and motions and map what we are already doing and what we need still to do.”
And, she said that she will be taking inspiration from the Council celebration that occurred when guiding engagement in the Synod.
“The use of spiritual conversations as the means of addressing the motions was a highlight. Members were invited into a space where we could listen, dialogue and discern before casting our votes. I favour their adoption as our preferred way of engaging and working within the Diocese.”
After the November meeting of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, the decrees will be sent to the Holy See. Once recognitio is received by the Holy See, the decrees will be implemented and become the law of the Church in Australian six months later and therefore
“
The Assembly could have descended into chaos. Instead, members opened themselves to respectful conversations and to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. ”
formalise a refreshed approach to how we proclaim the Gospel.
Ms Gibson said that as a Church, we may be disappointed at times by the actions and views of some who oppose the new direction, but that we should take consolation from the power of the Holy Spirit.
“As the Church of Maitland-Newcastle, we need to step into this hope and applaud the decisions ratified in the Council as foundational,” Ms Gibson said. “It is time for all of us to stand up and be the Church in the way she has always desired us to be – the hands and heart of Christ.”
Photos: Fiona Basile
Memories of the Mater
Calvary Mater Newcastle has a proud history of being at the heart of our community, and this year celebrates 100 years of service.
Nowadays, as well as serving the local community through its critical care, medical and surgical services Calvary Mater Newcastle is recognised as a leading research centre. The hospital also provides specialist medical care in a range of cancer services, palliative care, and toxicology.
To celebrate Calvary Mater Newcastle’s centenary Aurora asked one of its longest serving employees, Ludmilla (Milly) Sneesby, to share a reflection of her time at the hospital.
As we go to print, Milly is preparing for retirement, but as you will read, she has created memories at the Mater that will last a lifetime.
I started my nursing training at the hospital in February 1974. This training undoubtedly changed my life forever. I was 17 years old and straight out of school, naive and innocent. I had so much to learn not only in nursing but in life.
At the time, the training school was headed by Sr Vern Dilley and of course the Sisters of Mercy. I remember my tutor Sr Ferry telling me I would never make a nurse and here I am over 48 years later.
I have wonderful memories of living in the Nurses’ Home… fun, laughter, and forming forever friendships. In those days we didn’t have access to psychologists, clinical supervision, meditation and the like, but in the evenings, we would provide our own counselling, debrief and reflect on our practice in the smoke-filled haze of the tearoom.
Sr Kath Gleeson was our surrogate mother. She had the unenviable job of making sure we kept our rooms tidy, polished our shoes, wore our hair correctly and came home on time. We could go home on our days off, but when staying in the home, we had to be home by 10pm and one night a week, midnight. Coming from a strict background, I thought this curfew was freedom. However, if we arrived even one minute late, we would have to report to the night supervisor who would eventually unlock the door after much chastising.
Despite the strict rules we always had great support and were made to feel valued. As Matron, Sr Mary De Lellis, once commented, she could always tell a “Mater Nurse”.
“
From a teenager to a grandmother, I have grown with and from the Mater. ”
One of the major advancements for nurses since then, was in the pan room. In those days pans were emptied into the toilet, scrubbed with ajax, rinsed then plunged into a large vat of boiling water. After waiting 15 seconds we gingerly fished out the pan with a hook, careful not to splash ourselves with boiling water and who knows what else!
Another advancement was the introduction of lifters and slide sheets. One sign of being a “good nurse” was the ability to be a “good lifter” having to position and lift patients, obviously putting ourselves at risk.
Machines have now been invented to safely deliver IV therapy, I remember having to count the drops, losing count and having to start again. The patient would move their arm and the drop flow would change and we started again.
We were certainly ‘Jacks of all trades’. We served the meals, and cooked and cleaned. Tidy rounds were done routinely, wiping down tables, emptying ash trays (yes smoking was allowed inside the hospital), washing beds, and attending to flowers. Allied
health services were limited. The only occupational therapist I was aware of was in the children’s ward. Mrs Gee was our only social worker and you went down to physio if you broke a leg.
In 1985 hospital training was moved to the university. It was a time of change and challenge. There was trepidation among some hospital trained nurses. Comments such as the university nurses will think they are too good to do the “dirty work” and they think they know everything, were often heard.
The opposite actually occurred. Young men (no male nurses during my training) and women came armed with nursing skills and knowledge. The qualities of good nurses have never changed –empathy, kindness and compassion.
Nursing has become a profession, a discipline in its own right, not just a vocation. Our communities recognise the amazing work, dedication and talent that nurses bring to their work each and every shift.
From a teenager to a grandmother, I have grown with and from the Mater. It is with sadness but also with
excitement that I am facing the next stage of my life – retirement.
My time spent in general nursing and the children’s ward, midwifery suites and operating theatres and finally, in palliative care, has taught me much about life. I am so thankful to those in my career who have inspired, enriched and shaped my world more than they will ever know.
To work with people when they are at their most vulnerable and honest has been an absolute honour and I will be forever grateful to have been a small part of their lives. It might sound cliché, but they have taught me to make every day count.
I know I am leaving the Mater in great hands. Our current generation of nurses have all the qualities needed for this challenging but incredibly rewarding profession. The qualities I’m sure Sr Mary de Lellis would have recognised in her ‘Mater Nurses’ then and now.
Photo: Peter Stoop
Milly Sneesby retired as a nurse in August after working at Calvary Mater Newcastle for 48 years.
Newcastle Mater Misericordiae Hospital (1935).
Inequity has young advocates seeing red
LIZZIE WATKIN
Period poverty – the lack of access to sanitary products due to cost – is widely recognised as a major barrier to learning in schools and now a group of Year 12 students from St Paul’s Catholic College, Booragul, have said enough is enough.
Last year’s ‘Period Pride’ report by Share the Dignity, found 1 in 5 people who menstruate use toilet paper or other unsuitable options because they can’t afford appropriate period products.
The report was based on responses from more than 125,000 Australians and written by Dr Jane Connory of Swinburne University of Technology. It also found that 49 per cent of respondents didn’t have enough menstrual products and were wearing a pad or tampon for more than four hours at a time.
Disturbed by this reality the St Paul’s students approached community leaders with a mission to promote greater equity, accessibility, and dignity for all students through access to free menstruation products.
Having all elected to study Community and Family Studies as a Higher School Certificate subject, the students requested a meeting with Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle’s Director of Catholic Schools, Gerard Mowbray.
At the meeting the young advocates presented a survey which encapsulated the experiences of St Paul’s female students.
Student Christina Swinsburg said the survey, featuring responses from female students in Years 7-12, highlighted the severity of the problem and motivated the group to create change.
Student advocates Alex Holliday, Charlotte Ferry and Christina Swinsburg.
The survey found 67 per cent of female students had taken time off school as a direct result of having their period and for 10 per cent this was directly related to a lack of period products.
“When we met with Mr Mowbray, we used the data we collected at St Paul’s to demonstrate that periods, and the lack of ready access to free menstrual hygiene products, is disadvantaging students and impacting their education,” Christina said.
Christina said that as part of the Community and Family Studies syllabus taught to them by Nicole Burns, the Year 12 group had learnt about community concerns, access to services, and the marginalisation of groups in society.
“At the same time we were covering these topics in class and there had been some discussion in the media about the shame, silence and stigma associated with periods, and so we wanted to change this.”
Over 90 per cent of students surveyed said having free access to sanitary products at school would be beneficial, citing reasons such as: cost, convenience and dignity. Enacting this change became the students ‘s primary goal.
Fellow Year 12 student, Alexandra Holliday, said the class had also identified the parallels between their campaign and social teachings, which promote the dignity of the human
person, the common good, solidarity and preferential option for the poor.
“This matter is important to us as every person deserves access to items of necessity. The greater equity we have in schooling systems, the more we can create a respectful and inclusive society,” Alexandra said.
Their peer, Charlotte Ferry agreed, adding that “Period poverty is a significant matter as it does not only affect menstruating individuals in underdeveloped countries, but it also those in wealthy countries. It causes physical, mental, and emotional challenges and illuminates the stigma surrounding periods.”
Mr Mowbray said he was impressed by the Year 12 group’s advocacy and passion which aligned with the goals of a new Diocesan Steering Committee, formed to provide better support and awareness for people who menstruate. Alexandra, Christina, Charlotte, and their teacher Nicole Burns accepted an invitation to join the Committee. The Committee also comprises staff from across the Diocese, parents, and an external consultant.
First up on the Committee’s list of objectives is to implement a trial of freely available menstrual hygiene products at St Paul’s Catholic College, Booragul. Different suppliers and dispensing units will be trialled, with student feedback
“ This matter is important to us as every person deserves access to items of necessity. The greater equity we have in schooling systems, the more we can create a respectful and inclusive society.”
collated to help inform the roll-out to other school locations.
Chief Operating Officer for the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle and fellow Steering Committee member Lisa Tierney said that the Diocese acknowledges menstruation impacts a significant portion of its workforce and schools’ population.
“We are committed to making the changes necessary to ensure that all staff, students and service users have the means to participate fully in the life of the Diocese and ensure no one is left behind,” Ms Tierney said.
“In addition to facilitating the trial at St Paul’s, the Committee will also focus its attention on developing an awareness campaign for all schools, as well as a policy that will help reinforce the promotion of dignity, gender equity and reproductive health,” Ms Tierney said.
Dr Michelle O’Shea is a gender equality researcher and joins the Committee as an external consultant. Together with a team of multidisciplinary Western Sydney University researchers, Dr O’Shea recently launched a new white paper entitled ‘What’s the Bloody Big Deal? How Australian workplaces and educational institutions can help
break the menstrual taboo.’ The white paper presents important evidence that changes are overdue to ensure that people who menstruate are supported to participate in education and work in their best capacity.
Dr O’Shea said she was passionate about being involved on the Committee, and taking on the role of project manager, as she wanted more people to talk about menstruation “because people are suffering in silence”.
“The challenge we all face as Australians is that women and girls are missing out on education and work due to a lack of infrastructure, policies and practices in place to ensure that having a period doesn’t stop someone from learning or working,” she said.
Mrs Burns agreed and said she was heartened to see her students present such a strong, collective voice and that the Diocese had been so receptive to their mission.
“I am so proud of their work as change makers. The entire process has been a way for them to see the impact that they can have on the world,” she said.
Photo Peter Stoop
St Paul's Catholic College Year 12 Community and Family Studies class
A lesson in friendship
Lucy Harvey and Maree Jones can be heard giggling like schoolgirls as they make their way through the wrought iron gates that decorate the entrance to St Joseph’s College in Lochinvar.
For more than four decades, the duo has been each other’s confidants and when required, comedic relief. Their unwavering support of each other has seen their friendship span from 1979 as Year 7 students to now, as they both shine in their roles as principals of Catholic primary schools in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.
“I think the friendship we established at St Joseph’s, all those years ago, is still as relevant today,” Maree said, with a sense of nostalgia as she sat under the arches of the school’s iconic convent.
After graduating from St Joseph’s High School in 1984, the following year they both set off to study at the Newcastle College of Advanced Education. Reflecting on her career choice, Lucy said she always knew she wanted to be a teacher and “make a difference”.
“I had witnessed how much passion the nuns and teachers put into supporting
us and ensuring that our time at school was positive. I was inspired by the Josephites and wanted to become a teacher so that I could replicate for others the wonderful experience I had,” she said.
With teaching qualifications under their belt, in 1988 Maree and Lucy parted ways for the first time since they’d met. Maree took up her first job in Taree, while Lucy headed west to Dubbo. However, it wasn’t long till they both returned to the Hunter.
“I was engaged to get married and wanted to return closer to home,” Maree said. A year later, she was offered a job teaching at St Patrick’s Primary School in Cessnock, the same school she attended as a student from Kindergarten to Year 6.
“It felt like coming home,” she said of the move. Maree has remained at the school ever since, and three years ago became the principal.
Meanwhile, after spending close to two years teaching in Dubbo, Lucy also returned to the Hunter region and in 1990 was offered a job at St James’ Primary
School in Kotara, where she held various roles up until last year. Earlier this year Lucy took on her first role as principal and in a twist of fate, is also stationed at a St Patrick’s Primary School, albeit in the seaside suburb of Swansea.
“Our careers have always been in parallel with each other,” Maree said, adding “but I think that was God’s plan to get us through this journey.”
And, in a way that only two people who have known each other for so long as they have can, Lucy seamlessly carried on the sentiment.
“Over the years it’s been so important to have each other, to support each other and guide each other,” she said, acknowledging that the profession comes with its challenges.
However, unsurprisingly, the charisms of the Josephites that they hold in such high regard shine through as they describe that these obstacles are far outweighed by the blessings that they say come with the vocation.
“I know it sounds cliché but seeing the positive impact you can have on
a students’ life by doing what you love is such an honour,” Maree said, adding “and knowing we are part of a great team of colleagues across the Diocese who so willingly share their skills and experiences makes the world of difference.”
“I think that’s one of the greatest strengths of our Catholic education system. It doesn’t matter which school you are at and whether you are a student, parent, or a staff memberwhen you walk through the gates you are welcomed as part of a faithfilled community and made to feel like you belong and are well supported,” Maree said.
And with that reassuring feeling having lasted a lifetime, it’s no wonder that as they returned to their old school for a trip down memory lane, Lucy and Maree were filled with joy and laughter that echoed through the grounds of St Joseph’s.
LIZZIE WATKIN
Photo Peter Stoop
Lucy Harvey and Maree Jones at St Joseph’s College, Lochinvar.
