AURORA - Summer 2023

DIOCESE OF MAITLAND-NEWCASTLE | 2023 | NO.226

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-3On the cover:

Inside: Contents A time to reflect

3

Bringing our Year to the Child Jesus

4

In brief

6

Do you have room for one more heart?

8

Compassion in crisis

10

2023 – our year in review

12

Riding the wave of mental health

16

Art speaks louder than words

18

The trailblazers

19

More than a meal

20

Hidden in plain sight

22

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: Madie Leeming Design: David Stedman, Emma Barnett Regular Contributors: Elizabeth Baker,

A time to reflect It’s quite unusual to commence being Editor of a publication while the next issue is well underway. I was told in our early production meeting that we had made the conscious decision not to theme this issue of Aurora.

However, as we crept closer to deadline and the stories developed, it became evident that without intention, the theme had found us; a time to reflect.

across the Diocese over the past twelve months. As I’ve poured over each detail in each story on these pages, it has made me feel proud to work somewhere the foundation is embedded in accomplishing the common good.

Like Bishop Michael writes, this is a chance for us to bring the year that has been to our Lord Jesus, or as Sister Annie reflects on her work in the community in the 90s, or as we hear about the trailblazing journey of the first Year 12 graduates at St Bede’s – we hope you enjoy the reflections across this edition.

Every interaction I have had has carried the same sentiment; people love their work in the Diocese and at work, they love their people. Almost every introductory conversation I have had has highlighted the broad scope of the work and the wonderful nature of our colleagues. I can confirm both to be true.

If I thought my timing of becoming Editor was unusual, writing an editor’s note reflecting on the year only six weeks into the role feels more than a little imposter-ish.

The Catholic Diocese of MaitlandNewcastle reaches so many parts of the community. We continue to expand our resources to ensure we can show up for any person from any walk of life and we understand the power in connecting and listening.

But I too have taken time to reflect.

Working on this issue of Aurora has been a welcome gift. It has allowed me to understand the breadth of work that has been undertaken

So, as I reflect on my short time here, there are a few key learnings that might be interesting for readers:

There is heart in all that we do and if a job feels bigger than us, we find a way to get it done. We are working towards

Time to Reflect - across the Diocese and beyond.

a higher calling which is centred in community and serving others.

To continue the theme of reflection, on a personal note, when I think about my year there is one word that continues to come to mind: privilege.

Whether this be in the ability to turn away from the news when it becomes too consuming or too sad, or that I sleep at night with the knowledge I am safe. More deeply than ever before, the awareness of my privilege makes me want to be better and show up for those that are not so fortunate as we move into another year.

At this time of year, as Catholics, we find solace in religious traditions while others engage in secular festivities. Regardless, the end of the year invites us to look back with gratitude, acknowledge the journey we’ve undertaken, and set intentions for the possibilities that lie ahead.

May this season be a time of joy, reflection, and renewal for all, and may we remain steadfast in doing our part for the common good.

Madie Leeming Editor

Tim Bowd, Alexander Foster, Christina Hutchinson, Kellie O’Sullivan and Elizabeth Symington

Contact Aurora editorial and advertising enquiries

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should be addressed to: Madie Leeming P 02 4979 1200

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MY WORD - BISHOP MICHAEL KENNEDY

Bringing our Year to the Child Jesus

Photo: Peter Stoop

If you are like me, the sight of Advent wreaths and Christmas trees, lights, and nativity scenes, as well as the sounds of Christmas carols begin to fill you with a sense of hope and joy. While Christmas may not be our holiest day of the year, it is often our most joyful. For the birth of the child Jesus – the Son of God born in human flesh – expresses most tenderly the love that God has for us, his closeness to us, and his desire that we draw closer to him and to one another.

Christmas and the child Jesus do indeed draw us closer together around him.

It seems to be the time of year that we most desire to be together, and so we come together in these Christmas weeks for all manner of gatherings as workmates, as friends, as neighbours, and as family.

Christmas also seems to be the time in which we reflect upon the year that has just been and the year that is about to begin. There is something more profound happening here than Christmas merely coinciding with the New Year period.

Rather, I encourage us all to more consciously bring our year that has just been to our Lord Jesus, to present it to him with all its joys and challenges, to reflect in his light on how we have fared in our choices and actions, and to seek his guidance, grace, and blessing upon our lives and plans for the year ahead.

As I reflect on the past 12 months to bring them to the Lord, I would like to share four things with you.

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First, personally it was a big year for me as God’s changing plans for me unfolded in my move from Armidale to Maitland-Newcastle. This came as a surprise to me, but it gave me the opportunity to renew my trust in God and my commitment to serve. I reflect with gratitude on the warm welcome, open hearts, and human kindness that I have received here from so many people both within and outside the Church.

Second, at a local level I am reminded of the deep sorrow that gripped our community earlier this year after the Hunter bus tragedy. The loss of precious life shook many of us to the core as we mourned together. But we also prayed together and supported one another through this profound grief. In that time of darkness, we witnessed the grace of God and the best of human nature.

Third, the most significant event of the year at a national level was probably the Voice referendum. Whilst

both the result and the tone of some of the campaigning may have been disappointing to some, I think the whole process highlighted a couple of things on which we as a nation should be proud and can build for the future: Australians are greatly concerned for wanting better lives and outcomes for our indigenous people, and it is possible for good people to reach different conclusions about the best way to achieve desired goals and outcomes, in which case listening to each other is crucial.

Fourth, at a global level, we were shocked and horrified by the Hamas attack on Israel, reminding us of the hatred that can be stirred up in human hearts and, as a result, just how precarious peace can be. Our thoughts continue to be with those living in conflict, as well as those in Ukraine. In the face of such violence, we are called to be instruments of peace, to pray earnestly, and to strive for understanding. For those with eyes

to see, these events also brought about many acts of solidarity and kindness.

So, this Christmas we bring to the Lord a year of both darkness and light, sorrow and joy, grief and hope. I’m sure your own life too which you bring to the Lord reflects this same interplay of good and evil in some way, as does mine. Our world and each of our lives need the faith, hope, and love of God who in the Child Jesus brings us together. I wish you a truly joyful Christmas and blessed new year.

CATHOLIC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE DIOCESE

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Catholic Bishops reflect on referendum While the referendum to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament did not succeed, the Catholic Church says this moment in time should still usher in a new era.

Bishop Charles Gauci, chair of the Bishops’ Commission for Relations with Aborinal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, said that while people can draw different conclusions from the referendum material, the overwhelming consensus coming out of the debate is that more should be done to address the injustice experienced by so many First Nations people.

Project Compassion At this point in time, the Church and its ministries should redouble the plight to close the gap. Bishop Gauci says this must be done by “listening to, learning from and loving our Aboriginal and Toress Strait Islander brothers and sisters.”

Read Bishop Gauci’s full statement through the QR Code.

Remembering the long history that has led to the current violence in the Middle East is the first step to finding a way beyond the violence to a just end of the conflict.

Peace can come only from justice.

The Australian Catholic Bishops call people of faith to pray for a lasting peace and the triumph of human dignity.

Acts of charity and generosity to provide for the material needs of people who

Registration details will be provided early 2024.

Acts of Kindness

Kindness Lent for of Acts for Lent

40 acts of kindness for lent

Colour each

number as you

complete 40

kind for a classmate.

1. Do something family make dinner.

2. Help your today. free lunch box 3. Pack a plastic at lunchtime.

4. Pick up litter note to your teacher. box.

5. Write a kind in your Compassion fridge.

6. Donate a coin for your neighbour’s 7. Draw a picture after dinner today.

8. Skip dessert a task at home.

9. Help with

days of action

for Lent.

with your family.

10. Watch a sunset with your family.

11. Watch a sunrise day.

12. Have a tech-free prayer.

13. Write a gratitude hungry children for the sick and 14. Write a prayer the prayer at night. in the world. Read shop. toys to a charity 15. Donate unused shop. clothes to a charity box.

16. Donate small in your Compassion 17. Donate a coin

before you eat prayer of thanks, 18. Say a silent lunch one day. it to a friend/teacher. flowers and give 19. Pick some at your school. deed for someone 20. Do a kind in your church. deed for someone 21. Do a kind in your family. deed for someone 22. Do a kind in your street. deed for someone 23. Do a kind end of the day. teacher at the box.

24. Thank your in your Compassion coin a 25. Donate

your teeth. water when brushing 26. Turn off the you get home. school bag when 27. Unpack your on Sunday.

28. Go to Mass arer at the end sibling/parent/c 29. Thank your of the day. today. work in the classroom 30. Do quality day.

31. Have a tech-free did for Lent. about what you 32. Write a story day.

33. Have a sugar-free

are /carer what you 34. Tell your parent grateful for today. would not someone you 35. Say “hi” to to. usually say hi box. in your Compassion 36. Donate a coin for a day. media/gaming 37. Give up social for clean water.

38. Be grateful TV for one day.

39. Give up watching 40. Be positive!

Lent resources Lent commences with Ash Wednesday on 14 February 2024.

Gaza Crisis The Australian Catholic Bishops join with the Australian Catholic community in expressing grief and anguish over the suffering of people in the Holy Land.

The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle will be launching the Caritas Australia 2024 Project Compassion Lenten Appeal at a special Shrove Tuesday Liturgy presided by Bishop Michael Kennedy.

are isolated and facing the greatest hardship is encouraged.

The Lenten Resource: Transformation through Revelation is now available on the Diocesan website. http://mn.shor.tn/LentenProgram24

Transformation through Revelation LEN T 2024

mn.cath olic.org.

Caritas has launched an emergency appeal to support those in need. Read more at www.caritas.org.au

au

First session of the Synod on Synodality From CathNews A report summarising discussions at the Synod on Synodality’s first assembly said the Church may need more welcoming pastoral approaches, especially to people who feel excluded, but also acknowledged fears of betraying traditional Church teachings and practices.

Among the topics addressed in the report were clerical sexual abuse, women’s roles in the Church, outreach

Café • Catering • Functions

to the poor and the concept of “synodality” itself.

The assembly with 364 voting members, in addition to Pope Francis, met in October in Italy.

Read more: Synod’s final report shows both agreement and divergences CathNews

841 Hunter Street, Newcastle West hello@martha.org.au | 0497 300 808 martha.org.au

AND AROUND THE WORLD

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Welcoming Year 7, 2024 at St Francis Xavier’s College Hamilton From 2024, Catholic secondary schools in Newcastle will be commencing a staged transition to Year 7 to Year 12 schools. Commencing this transition, St Francis Xavier’s College, Hamilton will welcome its first Year 7 students in 2024.

Welcoming a cohort of nearly 150 students, Principal Greg Ptolemy and his team have been preparing for the

Pope Francis pens environmental update Pope Francis announced in August that he is writing a second part to his 2015 environmental encyclical Laudato Si’.

The Pope said that this update would cover current issues with regard to recent environmental crises and environmental protection.

“We must never forget that the younger generations are entitled to receive from us a beautiful and livable world and that this invests us with grave duties towards the creation we have received from God’s generous hands,” Pope Francis said.

Laudato Si’ is the second of three encyclicals published in Pope Francis’ pontificate thus far. It was released in June 2015. The theme of the encyclical is human ecology, a phrase first used

by Pope Benedict XVI. The document addresses issues such as climate change, care for the environment, and the defense of human life and dignity.

Years 7 to 10 curriculum, learning spaces and facilities, wellbeing and student engagement.

Incoming student, Louis said, “I’m looking forward to making history at SFX as the first group of Year 7s. It’s going to be a bit of a different way of learning and moving around to classrooms but it will be interesting.”

DECORATE YOUR GATE for National Child Protection Week The Office of Safeguarding’s ‘Decorate Your Gate’ initiative returned in 2023 for the second year, as part of National Child Protection Week.

Diocesan Catholic schools and St Nicholas services were invited to decorate their school or centre gate, fence, or alternative space in line with the theme of National Child Protection Week, ‘Every child, in every community, needs a fair go’.

Congratulations to winners of this year’s ‘Decorate Your Gate’ competition:

St Nicholas OOSH, Forster

St Pius X, Windale

Christmas mass times Christmas mass times are available on your local parish website or on the Mass Times App. St Joseph’s College, Lochinvar

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.

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ELIZABETH SYMINGTON

Photos: Peter Stoop

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Imagine not having a home for Christmas.

Not having a family to spend time with, no fancy lunch or opening presents around the tree.

That’s going to be a sad reality for far too many children and young people across NSW this year.

Currently, there are almost 500 children and young people, including more than 35 across the Hunter and Central Coast**, living in emergency or temporary care placements while they wait for a place to call home.

It’s children like 13-year-old James*, 10-year-old Lara*, and sibling trio Sam* (three), Riley* (two) and Benjamin* (one).

James is living in a motel, Lara is in a group home scenario and the loveable brothers have been separated and are living with short-term emergency placement carers.

What they’re wishing for this Christmas is a family.

“There is an overwhelming shortage of carers in our region, and it is devastating to think that a number of children and young people will be struggling this Christmas,” CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning Team Leader Michael Jordan said.

“What they need is a safe place to call home. So, if you have room for one more, please consider becoming a foster carer,” he said.

As a carer himself, he knows how vitally important the job is.

“Foster carers play such a pivotal role in the lives of young people – they are carers, nurturers and teachers,” he said.

“It can be challenging, but it is also the most rewarding experience.

“Seeing a young person smile and knowing that you have played a role in that is the best thing.”

Upper Hunter local Hannah* is a testament to the positive difference foster care can make in a young person’s life.

When she was born, Hannah was placed into foster care because her parents struggled with intellectual disability and were unable to look after her.

“I had some family members put up their hands and I went on and stayed at a few different places until I settled at my Auntie Edith and Uncle Rob’s house,” she said.

“Then I stayed there until I was 18 and just became part of their family.”

While Hannah was lucky enough to stay with her relatives, she still faced many challenges around her identity and sense of belonging.

“It’s a really hard space to grow up in because on one hand you’ve been welcomed into this new family but then on the other hand, you know that there’s another family that you technically belong to as well,” she explained.

“Add that to the stigma around kids in care and it takes time to figure out who you are.”

She encourages all children and young people who find themselves in a similar situation to be themselves.

“Just be who you are and find a support person who is going to care about you – somebody who will be there for you in your life, who will stick up for you and have your back,” Hannah said.

Carers have the power to make a positive difference for a child or young person who is struggling.

“Carers can help kids develop into good, happy and healthy human beings,” Hannah said.

That is why her heart breaks when she hears of children and young people living in motels or other emergency placements.

“It’s just really sad that there’s not a placement out there for them,” she said.

“A lot of kids would be thinking that

who are paid.”

“We need more carers to help these children and young people find their place in society and grow into the best version of themselves,” Hannah said.

Hannah would like people to know the

If not you, then who?

attributes needed to become a foster

For more information about fostering with CatholicCare, please visit fostercare.catholiccare.org.au or contact our friendly team on 1300 590 898.

nobody wants them, or nobody wants to help them other than people

carer are simple.

“If you are genuine about helping young people, you’ve got a big heart and are generous with your time, you should become a carer.”

Today we are asking you to think about

We welcome carers from all walks of life, regardless of religion, gender, ethnicity, or disability.

what you can do for children and young

*To protect the identity of children in care their names have been changed.

people in need.

**Accurate at the time of writing in November 2023.

Types of care Immediate care Also known as crisis care, this type of short-term care is provided to children or young people who need an urgent place to stay because there are concerns for their imminent safety.

Respite care This is short-term care provided to children or young people with the intention of giving their regular carers a reprieve from caring duties.

Short/medium term This type of care can last anywhere from a few months to two years, and usually takes place while restoration with the child’s family is being explored.

Long-term care This type of care is more permanent, lasting longer than two years, and usually when restoration with the family is not possible.

When a child or young person is on a long-term care permanency pathway other permanency goals can be explored such as restoration, guardianship or adoption.

Relative/kinship care This is when a child or young person lives with other family members or someone they already know, such as a grandmother or family friend. This is the preferred option when it is in the child or young person’s best interest, and where the child or young person is unable to be restored to their parents.

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Compassion in crisis LIZ BAKER

Travelling by train from Newcastle to Kings Cross in the late 1980s, Sister Annie Laurie was unaware of the extent of the journey she was commencing.

She spent her first week simply walking the streets of the Cross, talking to people about their needs and fears.

“I didn’t wear a habit, actually I didn’t even wear a cross. I felt I probably looked like a farmer’s daughter, I certainly didn’t fit in, but I sat on the beautiful fountain at the Cross and different people just started talking to me,” she said.

“I walked the streets, went into bars and discovered another world really. I thought I knew a bit, but quickly realised I knew nothing. It was enlightening.”

Those six nights were all Sister Annie needed. She quickly saw first-hand there was no place to stay for people suffering from AIDS when they left hospital. They were either too sick to return to their families or had been ostracised by society, some hounded by media due to the stigmas of the time.

Sister Annie’s discovery in that first week began a decade long ministry supporting AIDS sufferers by establishing a home for the sick and dying. Above all, the home would offer dignity.

“People said to me, we don’t know how to keep our people safe and that’s what MacKillop House became – a safe place where people were able to live with their fears of dying and feel protected,” she said.

Sister Annie came back to Newcastle and said to her order, the Sisters of St Joseph Lochinvar, “We need to do something, we

can do this and make a difference.”

“I asked for a house and a couple of nuns.

They looked at me – probably thought how on earth are some nuns going to help the AIDS crisis,” she laughed.

It was this support from the Sisters and a “great element of naivety”, combined with Sister Annie’s drive to make a difference that sparked the establishment of MacKillop House in Carrington in 1989.

“We really believed in it. It had to be done.”

Months of education, training, partnering with local health units, government organisations and other religious orders was required to set up the team with the skills and resources needed.

Sister Annie’s background working as a nurse, combined with her work in death and bereavement pastoral care served her well.

“My nursing training taught me about care of the whole being and perhaps it was there I learned not to be afraid of the pain of the suffering. That doesn’t mean I don’t feel the pain, you just do it and live with the realities every day,” she said.

“When others stand by, I can’t imagine not doing it. I worked in death and dying for 38 years in the end, but it became a lifestyle to respond to a need. I found a privilege in that.”

At its peak in the early 1990s, about 1,000 Australians died from AIDS each year.

Sister Annie said while the numbers were substantial, it was the loss of a friend or family member that made people think differently. “That’s when we saw a change in attitudes,” she recalled.

Criticised by a frightened and anxious community, there was little acceptance of the people MacKillop House helped and the work that was being done.

“For me, I can’t see the difference between you and I if we had AIDS – it really doesn’t matter. We all have a need and we all have to care for one another,” Sister Annie said.

“When you’re sick you are in a very needy place and so vulnerable. In the 90s, as soon as you were diagnosed with AIDS you knew you were going to die. Many people were very sick but also completely ostracised.”

“In many ways I suppose we cared for the churched and the unchurched in the community,” Sister Annie reflected.

The work was truly living the charism of the Sisters of St Joseph - ‘Never see a need without doing something about it’.

The Sisters and their community partners supported hundreds of people and their families.

“I can remember after we first opened – we heard about a man and his partner living in the bush. We decided to visit him and encourage him to come down to MacKillop House,” she said.

“We went for a long drive and we spoke to them. They travelled down with us and he died at MacKillop House. It sounds strange but we took energy from that. They could have been alone in Woop Woop without support if it weren’t for MacKillop House.”

Sister Annie said tragically many people suffering from AIDS died a horrible death

but Mackillop House staff tried to keep them comfortable and give them dignity in their last days.

A decade later, in the year 2000, some of the fear had subsided and needs were changing.

Sister Annie closed her eyes and paused.

“It was difficult closing MacKillop House.

There had been a great need but AIDS became HIV and people were living with it. Government funding changed and so we made the decision to close MacKillop House,” she said.

“I think back to all the people who did this work together decades ago. It was a team of passionate people who wanted to make a difference and they did.”

“The impacts were felt not only in our community but across the world. During this time so many of our most creative, artistic people were lost. They were amazing people and our world has suffered from this loss.”

Despite the closure of MacKillop House, a legacy of advocating for others was not lost. Sister Annie is now 75 and as decades have passed she feels our communities can still learn more about acceptance and how to love others.

“During my work with AIDS I really tried to learn not to judge and remind myself that I didn’t have to know everything. People think that knowing everything is power but actually, it is a respect and honour of others’ story that is essential. We must accept each other to live our best lives. The people I worked with in the 90s taught me that, as well as to laugh and to cry. Don’t be afraid to simply ask – what can we do to help you?”

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Photo: Peter Stoop

Photo: ‘MacKillop House’, University of Newcastle Special Collections, Living Histories.

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2023 – a special year in the life of our Diocese SEAN SCANLON

As Bishop Michael Kennedy writes on page 4, this time of year is a time to reflect. When I reflect on the work of 2023 I think of the more than 5,200 staff, the volunteers, people in our parishes – all united in our common work, to serve all in the community so they may experience life to the fullest.

Across these pages you will read some of the work of our people and the highlights of the year across the Diocese, in our parishes, our schools, our St Nicholas Early Education and CatholicCare services.

Our work is varied but our purpose and our values are united – through a Catholic faith and a desire to serve.

2023 has been a special year in the life of the Diocese – most importantly we welcomed our new Bishop. Bishop Michael Kennedy was installed as the Ninth Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle on Friday 17 March and has spent many months travelling the Diocese to meet his people and connect with their work.

Our newest agency, Hunter Community Housing, launched in March 2023. It is a registered Tier Two community housing provider offering secure and affordable housing to people in need in our community.

Hunter Community Housing supports people across the Hunter and seeks to provide crucial housing and additional support to those most in need. This work is not new to the Church but establishing this new agency, signals our strong commitment to reducing homelessness by expanding our social, affordable and disability housing footprint.

Across the Diocese, we strengthened our commitment to sustainability practices with the transition of all Catholic Schools and St Nicholas sites to 100% green energy.

As I reflect on the work showcased in the summaries across these pages, I am reminded of the planning, collaboration and dedication that each of our agencies across the Diocese has put in over the year to continue to deliver serving all in our community.

It is the embodiment of our values – compassion, hope, integrity, justice and

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Some Highlights:

Welcomed Bishop Michael Kennedy More than 5,200 staff Hunter Community Housing launched Catholic Community Fund record surplus of $12.8m CatholicCare served its 100,000th meal 100% renewable electricity, across Diocese 3X increase in enrolment of Certificate III in Early Childhood Education with St Nicholas

participation - that we continue the good work in empowering our diverse Diocese to experience life to the fullest.

Catholic Community Fund In the last 10 years, the Catholic Community Fund has given back more than $51m to support the charitable works of the Diocese, its agencies and parish communities. The support of our members and their investments has been critical to this result.

This continued in 2023 with the Fund donating $500,000 to support the great work of CatholicCare and with the support of our members we aim to increase this to $1,000,000 in 2024. The Fund also provided $40,000 of targeted financial support to CatholicCare’s Community Kitchens and Social Enterprise programs.

This assisted with the purchase of equipment for Martha Café and the upgrade of the kitchen facilities at the Hamilton South Community Hall.

Loan funding this year was more than $27m which was utilised on the acquisition, construction and

upgrading of schools, early education centres, accommodation and facilities for CatholicCare as well as our parish communities and many other projects and infrastructure to support our community.

Continuing to reflect our new name that was launched in late 2022, the Catholic Community Fund has supported community engagement activities by providing financial support to parishes as they undertake this important community outreach and connection.

CatholicCare Hunter-Manning Inclusive, just, strong communities where all people feel safe, validated and have their voice heard - this is the vision of CatholicCare Social Services Hunter Manning, and in 2023 we continued to work hard to realise this vision as we supported people in their time of need through our varied services.

Our social enterprise program enhanced its services in two projects – a commercial cleaning service and a café that also offers catering. Both initiatives aim to deliver sustainable and professional services while employing individuals in our local community.

Across the sector there continues to be demand for foster carers. Our team seeks to support our carers and the children, young people, and their families, so that carers can provide optimal care for children and young people throughout their foster care journey.

Our Rosewood Centre team continued to strengthen and grow, now offering services from Hamilton, Cardiff, Maitland, Gloucester, Taree and Port Macquarie.

In partnership with the Diocese and Pastoral Ministries team, we recognised mental health month in October with a breakfast event to support staff across the Diocese and raise funds for our services.

Our community programs remain unfunded but fill much needed gaps.

In 2023 we served our 100,000th meal – a confronting milestone that demonstrates the increase in demand across our community kitchens. At Hamilton South our community kitchen was renovated and generously funded by the Catholic Community Fund.

From our Beyond the Gates program to GambleAware counselling, through to the Refugee Hub and our child, youth and family portfolio, we nurture and encourage

strong relationships where the individuality and strengths of each person are respected, valued and celebrated.

Office of Safeguarding The first half of 2023 was a period of renewal in the Office of Safeguarding, starting with our work leading the Diocese’s external audit of compliance with the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards. The audit was conducted

by Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd (ACSL) and has been ongoing over the duration of the year. The Diocese is hopeful in achieving a strong, positive result which will demonstrate our commitment to safeguarding all children and vulnerable persons.

The year has seen an unprecedented demand placed on most of the functions undertaken by the Office of Safeguarding.

As part of National Child Protection Week 2023, a ‘core competency’ online training module was developed for all Diocesan employees to undertake.

National Child Protection Week also saw the return of our Decorate Your Gate competition that seeks to unite as a community and show our commitment

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to protecting and safeguarding children.

By participating in Decorate Your Gate our schools and services made a powerful statement that child protection is a priority for our Diocese and our wider community.

Catholic Schools This year Catholic Schools continued to walk alongside our parishes in support of our families, as we build skills, attributes and values for today, and for our graduates to take long far their future.

Our schools continued to record increases in enrolments in 2023.

Supporting this growth is a commitment from the Diocese to ensure we have the staff, physical assets, pastoral resources and pedagogical approach for our school leaders.

Work on the new Religious Education curriculum continued with new courses implemented throughout the year, which was greeted with positive staff feedback and increased levels of student engagement.

ASPIRE, our creative and performing arts program held a host of projects and performances, the largest being ‘The Pirate Code’ which wowed over 5,000 audience members over five performances at the Civic Theatre.

Additionally, ‘DioSounds’ created by the Secondary Music Teachers allowed interested students the opportunity to be part of a music showcase at the Civic Theatre.

Work continued formalising the detail of Newcastle secondary schools transitioning to Years 7 to 12. These modifications to school admissions and curriculum offerings will commence in

2024, with Year 7 students commencing at St Francis Xavier’s College Hamilton.

Following community consultation it was announced that St Pius X High School Adamstown’s name be changed to Trinity Catholic College in 2025 in parallel with their first Year 11 students commencing.

The Growing Minds Inspiring Readers project was an example of this initiative, culminating with St Pius X Windale students working with a children’s author to co-publish their own book, Stolen Heart!

SchoolTV, a new online wellbeing resource for parents and staff providing credible information and an extensive range of wellbeing resources in one location was launched. SchoolTV hosts a large range of informative topics accompanied by podcasts, articles, factsheets, books, apps and video interviews with wellbeing experts and researchers from around the world.

Over the course of 2023, St Nicholas has taken the opportunity to deliver several key initiatives designed to improve our services for the communities we serve.

After a pilot program at St Paul’s Catholic College Booragul, trialling the provision of free sanitary products, the Period Positivity initiative has been rolled out across all Secondary Schools in the Diocese. This means sanitary products have been made available to students for free, via dispensers in the toilet blocks.

This initiative is complemented by an educational awareness program which provides students with knowledge and dignity in relation to their menstrual health.

Our educators welcomed opportunities for spiritual growth and continuous professional advancement throughout the year. This enthusiasm was fuelled by a renewed Professional Learning initiative L!FT, developing lead learning in literacy and numeracy meaning our teachers could continue to uphold the foremost standards in nurturing student development and well-being within our schools.

St Nicholas

The beginning of this year marked a pivotal moment for St Nicholas as we welcomed Fletcher Early Learning Centre and Montessori into our family.

Our unwavering commitment to providing quality education persevered, ensuring that every child entrusted to us found a nurturing and stimulating environment in which to grow.

In 2023 we proudly celebrated a record intake of school-based trainees (SBATs), 63 enthusiastic individuals who embarked on a journey of learning and personal development as they commenced study of their Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care whilst completing their HSC. Simultaneously, our Early Childhood Immersion program experienced almost triple the growth of the previous year, with 310 young minds immersing themselves in a simulated Early Childhood service environment. This expansion underscores our dedication to enriching the lives of as many young learners as possible.

Fundamental to our achievements in 2023 are St Nicholas' refreshed core values: Hope, Integrity, Justice, Participation and Compassion. These

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values are more than words; they are the guiding principles that shape our community. This encapsulates our mission, purpose and unwavering dedication to making a positive impact on the communities we serve as we embrace 2024.

Pastoral Ministries Pastoral Ministries finds its meaning and purpose in Christ and the faith of the Church.

A review process of Pastoral Ministries has been taking place during 2023 with the Pastoral Ministries Team imagining the opportunities for continuing to serve our parishes, agencies and local communities. Our diocesan five foundation framework shapes the structure of Pastoral Ministries – Identity and Community, Worship and Prayer, Formation and Education, Mission and Outreach, Leadership and Structure.

2023 has seen many events and opportunities for outreach and

connection with our communities. One of the largest faith-filled moments of the year was World Youth Day, a group of people from across our Diocese journeyed from Australia to Lisbon in Portugal to come together with young people from around the world to celebrate their faith and futures. The Pastoral Ministries team also ran a local pilgrimage around Maitland to celebrate the global movement.

During NAIDOC Week in July, the team hosted a number of events and workshops to recognise the week.

This included an event with Indigenous leader and activist Noel Pearson - he spoke about his work on the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the Voice to Parliament Referendum.

Another highlight from this period was releasing our Stories from the Elders video series. This year's NAIDOC Week theme was For our Elders so we invited some Elders from around the east coast of Australia to tell their stories. It marked a time of powerful storytelling.

The return of the aMeN caMiNo was another highlight of the year. A small group of participants had the opportunity to reflect, reconnect and refresh while exploring our beautiful region and connecting with their faith. The gatherings of our Diocesan Councils continued to enhance the spiritual underpinning of our endeavours, providing direction for our mission, vision and values. This extended to the various events, courses and activities we ran throughout the year, including the launch of Project Compassion in February, the Way of the Cross in March and our Pastoral Placement Program and Christian Formation Course.

Each year, these occasions remind us of the strength and importance of community. They empower us to forge meaningful connections, celebrate diverse expressions of faith and ultimately service our communities through our steadfast commitment to our foundational principles.

Are you interested in joining the Diocesan Advisory Board?

The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is seeking expressions of interest from members of the Diocesan community to join the Diocesan Advisory Board.

Board roles are voluntary and will be appointed by the Bishop.

The Diocesan Advisory Board provides advisory support to the Bishop and Trustees of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle in their oversight of the governance of the Diocese and its Agencies, including CatholicCare, Catholic Community

Fund, St Nicholas Early Education and Catholic Schools Office.

audit, legal, finance, banking, property, governance or risk.

The Board also has the canonical responsibility as the Diocesan Finance Council to consider the financial functioning of the Diocese and relevant advice to the Bishop on the significant operations of the Diocese.

Applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as well as people with a disability or areas in which Diocesan agencies work are strongly encouraged.

We are seeking members from the Diocesan community with a background in areas such as education, childcare, social services, community housing, accounting,

For more information scan the QR code

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Riding the wave of mental health KELLIE O’SULLIVAN

Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy and the impact on family, friends and the community is profound. Luke Conners knows this pain all too well and is now leading the charge for change.

Photo: Peter Stoop

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“

“

No human was intended to walk alone...

Talk2mebro was created by Kristy Hajjar and Jack Brown after they lost their loved one to mental illness.

Luke had also been impacted by this same death when another of his mates took his own life in 2018.

“The losses hit me hard and I knew something had to be done,” Luke said.

Luke then joined the Talk2mebro movement, with the goal to reduce the number of suicides in Australia.

Through early intervention, Talk2mebro aims to create societal change by reducing the stigma around mental health challenges; it encourages men and women to feel more comfortable talking about their hardships.

By engaging the expertise of psychologists and counsellors, Jack and his friends have created programs which empower men to take control of their mental health and wellbeing.

“The cornerstone of the Church is about supporting one another and working together to help those who may be fighting a battle, no matter the circumstances,” said Father Greg Barker, Parish Priest of Boolaroo, Warners Bay and Booragul.

“Talk2mebro is forming such a strong community. Seeing people in that community feel they can be vulnerable, guys opening up and other guys listening and being that ear for people, that’s what I love and it lights me up,” Mr Lord said.

“No human was intended to walk alone, and it’s through work like Talk2mebro that we see the significance and necessity in opening up on more personal emotional issues and having real conversations about them… especially when things aren’t going well.”

Since 2018, Talk2mebro has spoken to 55,000 people face-to-face, interacted with more than two million people on social media and provided a holistic approach to mental health and wellbeing.

The Talk2mebro group also hosts free community beach sessions every second Friday at Dixon Park (men) and Merewether (women), which includes: breath work, a swim, chat, ice-bath, and a free coffee.

Kristy, Luke and Jack travel to schools, workplaces, and communities across Australia to facilitate: workshops, mental health first aid sessions, retreats and a unique Talk2mebro program to help encourage people to support each other on an emotional level.

“It isn’t just for men, it’s for everyone.

We want to create a shared space where people can feel safe, vulnerable, and unashamedly themselves. We need to bring awareness to the conversations around mental health, for men and women,” Luke said.

The team recently spoke to Warners Bay parishioners about the initiative and ways they can identify, discuss and empower people in their lives that may be struggling.

Luke Lord, regular Talk2mebro participant-turned-facilitator, credits the group for reigniting his passion for helping people after he was forced to close his gym at the start of 2023.

While the impact of organisations like Talk2mebro is clear, there are still roadblocks across Australia for those who need access to support services.

Psychologist Kelly Pavan is the Counselling and Clinical Services Manager at The Rosewood Centre. She believes accessibility, affordability, and stigma around mental health are key barriers for people struggling to receive the help they might need.

“One of the key reasons is that good longer term quality mental health care is expensive. Cuts to Medicaresubsidised therapy during a cost-ofliving crisis (which subsidises only around half the cost of a session, and now the number of sessions available have been halved), has made therapy inaccessible to the people who need it the most,” Kelly said.

“Across the sector we often see funding loaded towards early intervention services, which is incredibly valuable because prevention is obviously better than cure. However, we would really like to see additional funding and support directed at the pointy end of the risk spectrum– where people are not at risk enough to be in hospital, but too much risk for early intervention or mild-moderate services.”

Reflecting on the significance of the Talk2mebro beach sessions, Luke had some reassuring advice for anyone experiencing mental health challenges.

“Like the waves in the ocean - the ups and the downs - you can be in a down, but you’ll come out the other side. Through work and getting support and reaching out, the lows become easier and easier.”

Talk2mebro runs free community sessions every second Friday.

For more information visit www. talk2mebro.org.au For more information on the Rosewood Centre visit rosewoodcentre.com.au or call 1800 613 155.

If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36.

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Art speaks louder than words MADIE LEEMING

Education plays a pivotal role in the healthy development of all children but for Molly Mung it also provides a gateway to a rich and proud history spanning tens of thousands of years.

A Year 6 student at St Joseph’s Primary School Dungog, 12-year-old Molly is a Gija woman who has been raised on Worimi land but has strong familial connections to Frog Hollow and Warmun in the Kimberley.

“When I get to go to the Kimberley and spend time with my family there, it makes me feel happy and really excited,” she said.

“I get to learn from people and get knowledge and tips on fishing, bush food and dream time stories.”

For the past two years, Molly has been working with her school’s Aboriginal Education Worker, Karen Tucker, to better understand her culture and foster a deeper connection to it.

“I feel connected to my culture when I’m there (The Kimberley), I’m a different version of myself and when I come back to Dungog, doing culture with Karen makes me feel connected.”

The theme for NAIDOC week this year was, “For Our Elders”, and Karen encouraged Molly to create an artwork that was reflective of the elders that have influenced her throughout her life.

“I am proud of the artwork Molly produced, it perfectly represents what the 2023 NAIDOC theme, ‘For Our Elders’, means to her and tells a story that is rich with history and sentiment,” she said.

In creating her artwork, Molly said she thought about people and places that held great memories that would remain with her forever.

Karen said moments like these made her role as an Aboriginal Education Worker so rewarding.

“This painting is about my Grandma,” Molly said.

“The blue represents the water where we would go fishing and swimming, the brown represents the rocks where we used to dive off into the water. In the middle is a reflection of my grandma.

“My grandmother is a respected elder and I am a reflection of her.”

Karen works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students throughout their primary years to help them understand their cultural heritage and identity.

“I feel very privileged to hold this position and honoured that our relationship, which has been built on trust, has enabled Molly to feel confident, valued, seen and heard,” she said.

“Thank you, Molly, you have taught me so much.”

Louise Campbell, Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Education & Wellbeing Education Officer, Catholic Schools Office, spent some time in the Kimberley region where she was immersed in the Gija people’s culture.

Upon seeing Molly’s artwork, Louise

said it left “an incredible mark on my soul” and was able to create an entire sensory symphony akin to her experience visiting the Kimberley’s.

“Molly’s commitment to keep her culture alive is embodied in her art piece and I congratulate her that she is continuing a legacy that has been handed over from her Gija Elders, so far away from her homelands,” said Louise.

While Frog Hollow and Warmun are a long way from Dungog, Molly said the encouragement of her school and the wider community, to keep learning about her culture, made her feel respected and happy.

“I like how supportive my school and community are of me,” she said.

“I think it’s important because in the past I don’t think aboriginal people have been able to talk about this sort of thing and I don’t think they’ve had as much respect as I do today.”

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The trailblazers LIZ BAKER

St Bede’s Catholic College first Year 12 graduates History in the making, St Bede’s Catholic College Chisholm has farewelled its first Year 12 graduates.

Opening in 2018 with the now Year 12 students as the only class cohort, the school has evolved into a comprehensive 7 to 12 Secondary College.

John Murphy, Foundation Principal said, “I think back to this journey of interviewing these students and meeting their families. I feel like we’ve really created this school from Years 7 to 12 and the students have built a great culture.”

“We’ve allowed students to have a voice, allowed parents to have a voice and co-construct the type of school we wanted to build. It’s been about building relationships and the culture,” he said.

“There are so many fond memories over these school years for this group, a lot of satisfaction and I hope they are excited for their next chapter.”

Eaden Dawson, 2023 College Captain reflected on the early days.

“I think back to when we started in Year 7 and there were hardly any buildings but it’s like we’ve really grown with the school,” she said.

“Sometimes in our junior years we felt like the guinea pigs, especially as other groups coming through and things were different for them, but as we got older we started to realise, we’re not the guinea pigs, we’re really the trailblazers.

We’ve built the culture and community.”

“I feel a mixture of excitement and uncertainty and a little bit sad in ways, as it’s really hard to say goodbye to St Bede’s. I love it and I feel like we have grown so much in this College community. I feel like we’ve built a strong legacy.”

Bella Sepos, fellow Year 12 graduate agreed. “As the first Year group through we have known we had to build the culture, we could pave the way for others and that’s been really exciting,” she said.

Standing in a landscaped courtyard surrounded by St Bede’s impressive multi-storey buildings Bella gestured to the change in surroundings as she said, “I actually can’t really believe we’re here graduating considering I remember starting out across the road, basically in a little house, where we did our family interviews.”

Eaden, Bella and their peers have completed their HSC exams and are eagerly awaiting results. Many have received early acceptance to university courses locally and afar, while others are contemplating a break and part time work.

Blaze Brockman looks forward to his future with a foundation of learning from St Bede’s.

“I feel good moving onto the next chapter in my life but St Bede’s will always have a special place in my heart. Even the buildings and the people here – I’ll miss it and I feel it’s been special,” he said.

Hear more from St Bede’s graduates.

Watch this video

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More than a meal CHRISTINA HUTCHINSON

The moment you arrive at the Toronto Community Hub you are guaranteed two things – food and friendship.

Every Thursday CatholicCare Community Kitchen volunteers bring people together by providing a much needed meal and a genuine opportunity to create community.

New diner Mel* said she had been attending for two weeks and had met the loveliest people.

“We thought it would help lonely people and hungry people, they are both in need. People who are lonely at home by themselves, elderly people by themselves, single mums who don’t have someone to sit down and have dinner with.”

When COVID arrived in early 2020 the kitchen had to be closed but CatholicCare’s food programs adapted quickly to the new pandemic environment and continued to assist those in trouble.

“The food is nice but it’s all about the company. Now I am starting to meet my neighbours and I look forward to coming,” Mel said.

They set up a bulk cooking kitchen and packed individual portions ready for home delivery. The team from Toronto delivered meals from Edgeworth to Morisset throughout the pandemic.

“You don’t feel any stigma. It feels like you are just getting together with a bunch of friends and having a meal.”

“This assisted those in financial distress and those who became isolated and anxious during our lockdowns,” Bev said.

Instigated by a group of parishioners who were committed to addressing the need for food support in the local area, the Toronto Community Kitchen opened in December 2019 at the St Joseph’s Community Centre.

“After COVID the need for company and friendship was stronger than ever and we decided to relocate to make ourselves more accessible to the people of Toronto. We moved to the HUB on the Boulevard, right in the middle of town.”

Volunteer Bev McWilliam was instrumental in the creation of the kitchen and has been through its many iterations.

The Kitchen is never certain how many community members will attend each week, but around 12-18 friends are generally guaranteed to come for a meal. Some are regulars, others attend for just one night.

“I was looking for something to do, something practical. Food is an essential need, and I wanted to combine the hospitality side of it and bring people into a social space,” Bev said.

“It is always special to have someone choose to join us - there is always a story to hear,” Bev said.

Volunteer Leanne said she had been coming to the kitchen since it opened to talk to people and make them feel comfortable.

“For me I live on my own, so it becomes a social outing for me on a Thursday night,” she said.

“A lot of the people who come are regulars, so you get to know them.

That’s really important - it’s about the people and social interaction and being there for other people and hearing what they have to say.”

Belinda* is currently in community housing and knows the value this gathering provides to people who are struggling.

“There have been a few times in my life I have been homeless. I have been sleeping in my car, in caravan parks, in a tent, in hotels and with my dog,” she said.

“I’ve been coming to the kitchen for months and months. Thursday night is my social night to get out of the house and meet people. At the Kitchen they really do care about each other.”

Bev said the support of the Parish was instrumental in keeping the Kitchen running.

“Our parish community supplied almost all the food for the first year of our Kitchen. CatholicCare is now supplying bulk cooked meals. They

receive food donations from a number of supermarkets, farmers, butchers and bakeries,” Bev said.

Even a local school gets involved.

St Paul’s Catholic College, Booragul teacher Amanda Nowland said the school’s goal was to contribute to the Kitchen at least twice a year.

Recently St Paul’s students baked and supplied cookies for one of the Thursday night gatherings.

“This project enables our students to develop and practice their cooking skills and also instils a sense of social responsibility,” Amanda said.

“Through this experience, we endeavour to impart the significance of giving back to our local community while emphasising the core values of empathy and kindness.”

For Bev the goal of the Kitchen is fundamentally simple – to foster connections with others.

“When one person honours, serves and supports another person we build a connection. When we build connections, we build a community... one person at a time,” she said.

If you would like to know more about the CatholicCare Community Kitchens, or would like to donate to support its ongoing commitment to the community, please visit catholiccare.org.au *names have been changed to protect privacy

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Hidden in plain sight – the plight of the modern slave FIONA DUQUE

When you shop, have you ever paused to consider where the products you buy come from?

Were children exploited to make the beans that are in your morning coffee?

Was your latest outfit made in a factory that has hazardous working conditions?

Did those individuals have the freedom to choose to work and the right to leave if they wished? Were they given a ‘living wage’ – a wage that allows workers to live, not just survive? These questions are crucial if enslavement is to be stamped out.

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking are critical issues on the Catholic Church’s radar. There are approximately 50 million people trapped in situations of modern slavery, equating to nearly one in every 150 individuals worldwide.

The victims of modern slavery might be much closer to you than you realise. This practice takes various forms, including: entrapment, financial coercion, withholding wages, seizing of identity documents (which can lead to trafficking in persons), slavery, servitude, forced labour, forced marriage, debt bondage, deceptive recruitment for labour or services, and the worst forms of child labour.

It infiltrates numerous global supply chains, touching the products we often take for granted.

The Catholic Church has a strong commitment to eradicating modern slavery, a stance grounded in Catholic Social Teaching: “At its heart the call to eradicate modern slavery and human trafficking is a call to make a choice for respecting the intrinsic and inalienable dignity of every human person” The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle has taken a stand against modern slavery. Its Modern Slavery Policy outlines the commitment it has made to work with others to end this abhorrent practice globally. The Diocese is dedicated to protecting and respecting the freedom and dignity of people everywhere.

St Josephine Bakhita The Patron Saint of Sudan and victims of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Josephine Bakhita was born around 1869 at Dafur (modern-day Western Sudan), and was a member of the Daju people. In 1877 she was kidnapped and sold into slavery. She was bought and

sold several times, eventually finding herself in Italy. There she found freedom and became a Canossian Sister.

Josephine died on the 8 February 1947.

On 1 October 2000, Josephine Bakhita was declared a saint by the Catholic Church and 8 February was established as her feast day.

On the 8 February 2024, the Diocesan Liturgy Council will invite people throughout the Diocese to highlight the feast of St Josephine Bakhita as a way of drawing attention to the plight of modern slavery. A range of resources regarding formation and prayer have been made available to provide assistance. The goal is to create a greater awareness of the issue of subjugation and the need to uphold the dignity of all people. It is a reminder for everyone to open their minds and hearts and be inspired to act in ways that comfort and empower the oppressed, promote justice and challenge social structures. The International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking is also held on 8 February every year.

There are approximately

50 million people

trapped in situations of modern slavery.

What can you do?

• Become knowledgeable.

The more you know, the more you can help.

• Learn to spot the signs. Be aware of your neighbour/neighbourhood.

• Be a responsible consumer. Check if your favourite brands have a modern slavery statement on their website.

• Join the movement.

Support CatholicCare and other agencies.

• Spread the word. Educate your friends, family and peers.

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Your compassion can help people build back stronger when natural disasters strike PLEASE DONATE TODAY www.caritas.org.au | 1800 024 413

Every child deserves a loving home, you have the power to make a difference.

Open your heart and foster a child or young person in need.

Contact us today on 1300 590 898 or visit fostercare.catholiccare.org.au

catholiccare.org.au