Broken Bay News December 2015 by bbcatholic

Embrace God’s Mercy Year of Mercy Artwork: “Welcome Home Prodigal Son” by Jaiden Szymanski, Year 8 student, St Paul’s Catholic College, Manly

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BROKEN BAY NEWS PUBLICATION OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BROKEN BAY DECEMBER 2015 ISSUE 179

HEART TO HEART

This Christmas,

receive the Light of Christ I would like to tell you something very personal. I like St Joseph very much. He is a strong man of silence.

n his private rooms at the Vatican, Pope Francis has a rather unusual and rare figurine sitting on his desk. Actually, sitting is not quite right: the figure is of St Joseph, lying down asleep at the nativity. The sleeping St Joseph was popular in the early Middle Ages but died out in later religious art. Pope Francis is doing his bit to return this lovely image to our imagination. As he has said of this image himself: I would like to tell you something very personal. I like St Joseph very much. He is a strong man of silence. On my desk I have a statue of St Joseph sleeping. While sleeping he looks after the Church. Yes, he can do it! We know that. When I have a problem or a difficulty, I write on a piece of paper and I put it under his statue so he can dream about it.

(Address at Meeting with Families, Manila, Philippines, 16 January 2015)

Of course, a sleeping Joseph will not be found in the scriptures at the time of Jesus’ birth. (And Mary, who had been doing all the hard labour, might reasonably have expected

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St Joseph to be awake at that moment while she got some rest from giving birth!) Yet, Joseph is found asleep and dreaming on a number of other occasions. It was in his sleep that Joseph learnt of Mary’s pregnancy and his call to protect her and her unborn baby. (Mt 1.18-25) It was also in his sleep that Joseph later learnt of the threat to Jesus’ life and the need to seek asylum in Egypt. (Mt 2.13-15) So, how might these biblical images help us to appreciate a sleeping Joseph at the birth of Jesus? We need to remember that the primary symbol of Advent and Christmas is that of light. The light of expectation grows as the candles of our Advent wreaths are lit. The light of Christ dawns on our world as Jesus is born. The light of angels announces the good news to shepherds and their families. The starlight in the sky guides the Magi to the infant King. Through the darkness, the light of salvation shines. Joseph plays an integral part in this shift from darkness to light. As we know from our faith, Joseph was chosen by God to be the

guardian of Mary and Jesus. But a guardian only goes to bed when the night is far-gone. The sleep of Joseph at the birth of Jesus is not the sleep of an exhausted man, but the sleep of a secure and comforted man. The light of Christ – the promised light of salvation – had finally come into the world, and Joseph was now a relieved and happy man. He slept, secure in the knowledge that all would now be well with the world. Pope Francis spoke of this image of Joseph as guardian at his inauguration as the successor of Peter. The mission which God entrusts to Joseph is to be the custos, the protector [guardian]. The protector of whom? Of Mary and Jesus; but this protection is then extended to the Church… How does Joseph exercise his role as protector? Discreetly, humbly and silently, but with an unfailing presence and utter fidelity, even when he finds it hard to understand… How does Joseph respond to his calling to be the protector of Mary, Jesus

Much in our world remains enveloped in deeds of darkness. There is the obvious darkness of ideology and terror in parts of the world unfolding like a nightmare.

HEART TO HEART and the Church? By being constantly attentive to God, open to the signs of God’s presence and receptive to God’s plans, and not simply to his own.

(Homily, Mass of Inauguration, 19 March 2013)

St Joseph has tended to be presented as a passive presence at the birth of Jesus. Perhaps it is time for Joseph – step-father of the Son of God – to step forward. His silent but strong presence reminds us all that God sent us his Son – born of Mary, but just as loved by Joseph – so that all of our human experiences can be touched by the tenderness of God. Much in our world remains enveloped in deeds of darkness. There is the obvious darkness of ideology and terror in parts of the world unfolding like a nightmare. There are also the shadows of moral indifference and cultural weakness that infuse our own communities, undermining the dignity of human life, re-engineering our God-given purposes, and neglecting the care of the most vulnerable. For these reasons, the sleeping Joseph might well be an image for our day. It is not without reason that the guardian of Jesus, Mary and the Church is known as a man of justice. To be a guardian calls for acting justly in all situations. This was certainly the case with

The comfort of an enlightening dawn only makes sense because it dispels the shadows and fears of night. Our world is still in need of Christ’s saving light, still in need of a watchful Joseph, still waiting in places for the rest and hope of God’s dawn St Joseph, that great man of justice, St Joseph also knew how to be a man of mercy. In justice, Joseph intended to separate from Mary quietly, but in mercy and tenderness towards her, he took Mary as his wife. In justice, Joseph looked to the truth of the matter, but in mercy he looked to the truth of the person. Mercy would always find a way through justice in the heart of Joseph. In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, we would not do better than to follow in the example of St Joseph. The comfort of an enlightening dawn only makes sense because it dispels the shadows

and fears of night. Our world is still in need of Christ’s saving light, still in need of a watchful Joseph, still waiting in places for the rest and hope of God’s dawn. His peaceful rest at the nativity is a sign of hope that the light of Christ will be ours as well; God will not leave us alone to struggle on in the dark. We need the light of Christ all the more today, so accept it, trust in it, be guided by it, that you may come upon the sleeping Joseph, assured that all will be well in the presence of Jesus. Be assured that an infant boy, born of a loving mother and protected by a faithful step-father, is indeed the true light for our world to see by, and the steady light for us to shine on our paths through life. Pray for me, as I do for you!

Most Rev Peter A Comensoli Bishop of Broken Bay

Christmas Mass Times All are invited to join us this Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

For a full list of Christmas Mass Times in the Diocese of Broken Bay, please visit:

www.dbb.org.au BBN

DECEMBER 2015

ACROSS OUR DIOCESE DIOCESE OF BROKEN BAY

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

CURIA Bishop Peter A Comensoli Vicar General: Fr David Ranson Chancellor Director, Office for Pastoral Administration: Anne Walker

Insights into Islam On Sunday 1 November, over 100 parishioners from Broken Bay parishes gathered at St Agatha’s Pennant Hills with Bishop Peter Comensoli for an interfaith event involving a conversation between Rev Dr David Ranson, Vicar General and the Grand Mufti of Australia Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammed.

lso joining the conversation was Captain Mona Shindy, Strategic Advisor of Islamic Cultural Affairs, Royal Australian Navy, and recently named Telstra NSW Business Woman of the Year. “I am passionate about four things: the mercy of Islam; the justice of Islam; the dignity and the freedom of Islam. These values are always paramount”, said Dr Ibrahim. “Islam and Christianity are two trunks of the one tree. The roots are the same, the roots are God. The problems in both religions are not the religions themselves, they are the

followers. The religions themselves are sent down by God. God did not create us to fight amongst ourselves. He created us to live and work with each other for mutual goodness.” “The four pillars that are mentioned are ways in which we can grow and share,” said Bishop Peter Comensoli. “I would also like to add from my perspective mercy, charity and love. This is the language of God. The language that we share – of peace, of justice, of mercy, of freedoms, of the dignity of the human person, of love that draws us together. This is the language that allows us to grow as one, in our one creator.”

Director, Office for Evangelisation: Daniel Ang Director, Office for Stewardship: David Penny Director, Marriage Tribunal: Adrienne Connaghan Tel: (02) 9847 0458 Catholic Development Fund: Chris Field Tel: (02) 9847 0748

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

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

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

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

COMMUNICATIONS Broken Bay News: Editor: Melissa Loughlin Tel: (02) 9847 0722 Fax: (02) 9847 0721 news@dbb.org.au P O Box 340 Pennant Hills, NSW, 1715 Design: Chris Murray 22,000 copies of the Broken Bay News are distributed monthly through 26 parishes and 44 schools in the Diocese of Broken Bay. The Broken Bay News is a member of the Australasian Catholic Press Association and the Australasian Religious Press Association. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply diocesan endorsement of products or services advertised.

www.dbb.org.au

DECEMBER 2015

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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, Terrigal ‘Family of Families’

By Debra Vermeer

he parish is the ‘Family of Families’, according to Fr Jacek Kokosa CSMA, and, with a community that is brimming with life, relationship, and activity, it’s plain to see that Our Lady Star of the Sea at Terrigal is one big, thriving family. “Everyone should feel comfortable here in the parish,” says Fr Jacek, who has recently been appointed Parish Priest of Our Lady Star of the Sea. “As a parishioner, I should feel as though I am not judged by the priest or the school principal, or anyone, but simply that I am trying to grow in my Catholic faith. The goal is to work together.” Fr Jacek, who is a Michaelite priest, grew up in Poland,

studied in Italy and spent seven years as a parish priest in Switzerland, and three years in Canada as Associate Priest, learning English, ahead of his appointment at Terrigal. He joins Fr George Gorzkowski CSMA, assistant priest at Our Lady Star of the Sea. “I’m so happy to be here,” he says. “Every parish is different, and this is a very good parish. It is very alive and active, with many people volunteering in different ways. We are blessed especially to have a very nice collaboration between the parish and the parish school, and also a wonderful staff.” Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic School Principal Robert Peers agrees that a

strong relationship between parish and school is a hallmark of the parish community. “A parish without an active, visible, warts-and-all presence of the school is not alive,” he says. “Parish and school are so crucially dependent on one another.” Robert says this relationship starts on the very first day that a parent comes for their enrolment interview. “Every interview ends with a visit to the Church,” he says. “We want to establish right from the beginning an explicit connection between parish and church, so that our parents can embrace who we are and what we stand for.” Family Masses play a big role in bringing the school and parish together into one community.

Each grade in turn takes responsibility for the running of the Mass, providing readers, servers, singing and prayers of the faithful, and there is a sausage sizzle after Mass. The music ministry for Family Masses is now being run by parents, and supported by school and parish. Parish Pastoral Associate, Janette Merrotsy says the sacramental program is another opportunity to engage with parents. “We’ve changed our model of sacramental program over the years,” she says. “It was more formal to start with, and we came to realise that we were talking at the parents, rather than engaging them. BBN

DECEMBER 2015

Our Neighbourhoods of Grace Exploring our missionary outreach

“Now, the program has become a wonderful tool to bring the parents closer to their faith, closer to Jesus, to re-evangelise and reconnect them, which also naturally helps to draw the children into the faith.” At the beginning of the sacramental program, the parish holds parent evenings, where Fr Jacek opens with a prayer and the parents are given some spiritual enrichment from the parish sacramental co-ordinator and school support. “For example, this year for our First Eucharist, at the parent night, we spoke to the parents and then brought out the Blessed Sacrament for Exposition, and we prayed for our children. It was beautiful,” says Janette. “We want the parents to have

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a spiritual encounter themselves, so that the sacramental program becomes a faith experience rather than just faith information.” This year, 104 children received their First Holy Communion, with similar numbers for Confirmation and Reconciliation. “We also have a very active RCIA program, with 12 candidates this year,” says Janette. “Fr George is the spiritual advisor and supports a wonderful support team.” A big parish team of 45 volunteer primary catechists and 10 high school catechists visit the state schools in the local area to share the faith. Fr Jacek also visits the State schools, personally inviting the children there to Mass on Sunday.

“It’s wonderful when you see one of the children come up to you after Mass and say, ‘Hello Father. You invited me to Mass and I came!’” Fr Jacek says. With the missionary Michaelite fathers having led Our Lady Star of the Sea for over nine years, there is a mission awareness within the parish. “We support the Michaelites in fundraising for their mission work, selling the paschal chocolate lambs at Easter but also spiritually, in prayer,” says Janette, who recently returned from visiting the missions in the Papua New Guinea highlands. “And it’s not just the Michaelites that we support – there is Catholic Mission and Caritas Australia and other Catholic agencies.”

Parish outreach is local too, with an active Vinnies Conference in the parish, as well as Minnie Vinnies, through the school. Ecumenical outreach in the area is present, with the parish being part of the Terrigal Ecumenical Community. The priests and pastors of different denominations in the local area meet for coffee once a month and the communities gather at Easter and Christmas for ecumenical celebrations, including an Easter sunrise service of prayer and hymns on Terrigal Beach. Parish life is busy at Our Lady Star of the Sea, with devotions, adult formation and spirituality opportunities available for every age group or interest.

Our Neighbourhoods of Grace Exploring our missionary outreach

The Legion of Mary meets regularly and holds a Mass and celebration each year on Our Lady’s birthday – an event to which people from other parishes are invited. The Catholic Women’s League is also active in the parish, focusing on advocacy for various social issues. A small group meets regularly for lectio divina and a book club gets together to discuss spiritual works. We have a social justice group, prayer group to St Michael, Divine Mercy and Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. “We also have a lovely group of young mothers,” says Janette. “They try to meet once or twice a month for prayer, a guest speaker, social time, and just some time out for themselves.

“And then there is a playgroup – a group of strong, wonderful, faith-filled mums, welcoming other young mothers in and helping them to connect to the community. “At the other end of the spectrum, there are monthly outings for seniors, visitation to the local nursing homes and hospitals, so that we are embracing the elderly and the sick as well. A parish bus, with a volunteer driver, picks up older parishioners and brings them to the 10am Mass. “We often say that this parish is like a big jigsaw, where all the different pieces come together to build this wonderful picture, and every person is an important piece of the puzzle.” All the activity and

community building comes together in the worshipping body, with good liturgy a priority at Star of the Sea. “We’ve always been strong on having good liturgy here and a number of us have had ongoing formation with the Diocese in this area,” says Janette. “We also have a very devoted group of people serving in the various liturgical ministries, from altar servers, lectors, wonderful choir, musicians and others. We are currently providing encouragement and formation to attract more young altar servers, and we now have reintroduced Children’s Liturgy, called “ Sunday friends of Jesus”. Twelve young parishioners are heading to Poland for World Youth Day next year and

the parish is supporting their pilgrimage through fundraising, with hamburgers on sale recently and an International Food Evening coming up. “One of the great things about this parish is that there is a strong sense of ownership from the people,” says Janette. “Thirteen years ago, this parish moved to an entirely new site and there were some fears that you could lose community through that. “But it’s been the opposite. Every day of the week, when you look around, you see volunteers doing something, the gardens or cleaning the church, or the windows, taking Holy Communion to the sick, and any number of things. “It really is a family, and we love it in all its facets.”

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DECEMBER 2015

YEAR OF MERCY

Year of Mercy 8 December 2015 – 20 November 2016

Sancta Porta (Holy Door), St Peter’s Basilica Vatican State.

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Holy Door The Holy Door is a symbol of our starting anew in the life of Christ. The Door represents Jesus, who is the Good Shepherd and the gate [door] of the sheep pen ( John 10:7, 9). Jesus is the way to the Father, and by passing through the door we are consciously professing our firm conviction in Christ Jesus, our identification with the faith community, and our desire to journey in the way of Jesus towards our merciful Father. We make a performative statement: In receiving a palpable experience of the mercy of the Father, we are pledging ourselves to manifest this same mercy in the world. In this way, we help actualise the mercy of God in the here and now. The tradition of opening and closing of Holy Doors can be traced back to at least the 15th century. There are seven Holy Doors in the world: Four in Rome (one in each of the four papal basilicas), one in France at the Shrine of Saint John Vianney, one at the Shrine of Saint James in Compostella, Spain, and in 2013, a Holy Door was opened in the Cathedral-Basilica of Notre Dame de Quebec in Canada to celebrate its 350th anniversary. Pope Francis, in proclaiming a Jubilee Year of Mercy to begin 8 December 2015, gave permission for the first time for each diocese and significant shrine to open a Holy Door. In the Diocese of Broken Bay, there will be one Holy Door in each of the five deaneries – at the Hornsby Cathedral, Chatswood, The Entrance, Kincumber (Holy Spirit, South Kincumber), and ManlyFreshwater (Manly) parishes. What does it mean to walk through a door? At times, a door is simply a utilitarian structure; a perfunctory means of spatially moving from one location to another. At other times, it can be a powerfully symbolic action that speaks the deepest truths of our journey in life and faith. There are many doors we pass though in life. Some we eagerly anticipate, others we pass with trepidation. It takes courage to

The tradition of opening and closing of Holy Doors can be traced back to at least the 15th century. cross a threshold to enter the unknown, to risk it, to not be in control. The Church has the mission to make known the Good News of Jesus Christ, and this command requires that we open many doors for ourselves and others. As Pope Francis relates in his book, The Church of Mercy, “It is not enough simply to open the [Church] door in welcome because they come, but we must go out through that door to seek and meet the people.” Symbolically, the opening of Holy Doors represents a removal of obstacles to Jesus. Contrasted with “sign” which points to a single reality and thus involves a relatively low level of engagement, “symbol” has what is referred to as an excess of meaning. Symbols demand our participation and are a means of grasping the deepest connection between things. It’s not just about information and function but rather meaning and value. We are familiar with the workings of symbol in the Mass. Where words leave off, symbolic action helps to communicate the deepest Mystery of our faith. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 188) tells us that the Greek word symbolon meant half of a broken object, for example, a seal presented as a token of recognition. The broken parts were placed together to verify the bearer’s identity and the authentic partners to a contract. Thus, when placed together, the two halves represented a relationship between the parties. Liturgist Nathan Mitchell states that symbols are “actions that disclose relationships.” In a very real way, the symbol of passing through the Holy Door discloses our most profound

YEAR OF MERCY relationship: that of ourselves to Jesus Christ. Cultural anthropology has been a helpful science in unpacking the richness of ritual and symbol. Anthropologist Victor Turner used the seminal work of Arnold van Gennep (Rites of Passage, 1909) to describe a three-fold character of ritual: separation, liminality, and re-aggregation. We can apply these same movements to our walking though the Holy Door in the Jubilee Year of Mercy. In order to pass through the Holy Door, we have to separate from our everyday ordinary lives, our troubles and our cares, our roles and responsibilities, and join in a pilgrimage to something beyond ourselves. This leads to a state of liminality (from the Latin limen, meaning threshold). Parenthetically, Janus was the god of the threshold, of gates and doorways, in the pagan Roman pantheon. He was a god of beginnings and endings, of looking back at the past for self-understanding, and looking towards the future for a new beginning born of hope. Liminality describes an in-between stage, being at the threshold in a state of anticipation, a state of hope. Irish liturgist, Michael Drumm, describes “a loss of self and ego boundaries, a powerful sense of at-oneness, an awakening of the transcendent dimension through… symbol… [and] a new sense of power based on… the sacred.” There is the sense of being in this together; witnessing to each other. This leads to an experience of communitas, a communion which is at once both inviting and liberating. While we naturally can only walk for ourselves through the Holy Door, it’s also a declaration to the community of believers that we’ve “thrown our lot in with them.” Doors and doorways are symbolic structures that bear great significance in our lives. Their representation can carry many meanings from moving through difficulties; to change and embracing new opportunities. Liturgies for the Church’s Rite of Baptism for Children, the Rite of Marriage, and also the beginning of the funeral Mass, direct the priest to begin at the church door. Like the secular tradition

of carrying a new bride across a threshold, the church door represents passing through an in-between time towards change and transformation. Having experienced the liminal, there is a re-aggregation back to “ordinary” life, refreshed, renewed and nourished. We are not the same after crossing the threshold. We integrate our identity as belonging to Christ. We are changed by the experience in some way with new insights into faith, life, self and others. To use religious language, we undergo an experience of conversion. However, this conversion is only possible if we cooperate with grace and desire to change. We don’t simply “walk through a door.” In what seems on the surface to be counter intuitive, St Thomas Aquinas taught that “Symbols are given to people so that they can move from things that they know to things that they don’t know” (Summa Theologiae, IIIa, 60, 2). What a grace it is to move from our limited conception of God, one we feel we can name and appropriate, into the great expanse of his being – to a deeper way of knowing and a deeper form of compassion. This is the blessing Saint John of the Cross refers to as “luminous darkness.” A plenary indulgence can be gained by walking through a Holy Door in the Jubilee Year of Mercy. In order to obtain it, the faithful must, in addition to being in the state of grace: – have the interior disposition of complete detachment from sin, even venial sin; – have sacramentally confessed their sins; – receive the Holy Eucharist; – pray for the intentions of the Pope Historically, people have made a pilgrimage to a Holy Door and performed works of mercy and acts of penance such as fasting or abstinence to be receptive of the holy encounter. In preparing to cross the threshold in this Jubilee Year of Mercy, how might you prepare to meet Jesus? Will you make part of the journey on foot? The mercy of our Father awaits us. The arms of his son, Jesus, are open wide to receive us. Let us resolve to pilgrimage to meet him at the door, to come face-to-face, as it were, with his merciful presence.

J u bil e e of M e r c y

embrace God’s mercy

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DECEMBER 2015

2015 FAMILY SYNOD

Photography: Fiona Basile

2015 Family Synod completes its task By Janette Davidson, Diocesan Coordinator, Family Life Ministries The 2015 Family Synod concluded its work on 24 October with approval given to all 94 paragraphs of its final report (Relazione Finale), each of which was voted on by the 265 participants and in each case reached the necessary two-thirds majority in favour.

he Report is divided into three parts reflecting the work of the Synod over three weeks, the first considering the challenges to marriage and family in contemporary society/cultures, the second reviewing the application of the Church’s teachings and insights, and the third considering ways the Church can walk with people (offering pastoral care) in various ‘complex situations’ (e.g. cohabitation, civil marriage, mixed and interreligious marriages, abandoned spouses, single parents, the divorced). The Synod process under Pope Francis has been one involving consultation, dialogue, discernment, collaboration and collegiality. All Synod participants have been free to speak their mind with the aim of ultimately reaching a consensus, with the aid of the Holy Spirit. The Australian Bishop participants were Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane and Bishop Eugene Hurley from Darwin. In summarising the Synod, Archbishop Coleridge has said:

“…what there has been is a genuine step forward on a long and complex journey to try and deal with people in a way that respects truth…(that) we have received, respect the truth on the one hand but at the same time accompany people. Don’t just hurl doctrine in their direction… It’s not all or nothing, it’s exploring the crucial middle ground where we can walk together.” (ABC Local, 25 October) And Bishop Hurley has commented: “I think the whole theme of the Synod has been that of reverential listening….There’s a real reverence for the goodness, fidelity, faithfulness and prayerfulness of families. We constantly talk about the mission of the Church to the family but from my point of view I am very convinced of the mission of the family to the wider Church.” “…what we’re looking at now is, how do we accompany people? How do we reach out to people? …..How do we engage people? How do we show mercy? How is the compassion of the Church clear for people? How do we look after good families? How do we stretch ourselves to

embrace people and not exclude people? How do we walk with people who are wounded? How do we set up things in such a way that we are inviting, engaging, offering to listen to, accompany people and to offer solutions to their woundedness?” (ACBC Blog, 26 October) The final Report has been submitted to Pope Francis with a request from the Synod that it be used to assist him in writing a document (anticipated to be an Apostolic Exhortation to be published during 2016) dealing with the pastoral care of the family in contemporary society/cultures. Arising from the Family Synod outcomes and Pope Francis’ consequent pronouncements we can anticipate much discussion and discernment in Australian dioceses during 2016 concerning new ways of offering pastoral support to families. (An English translation of the Relazione Finale will be placed on the diocesan website at

www.dbb.org.au/family as soon as published.)

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DECEMBER 2015

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NEWS & ISSUES

Dignify the Dying By Most Rev Peter A Comensoli Bishop of Broken Bay and Australian Catholic Bishops’ spokesman on euthanasia (First published Daily Telegraph, 11 November 2015)

‘Dying with dignity’ is a euphemism. It purports to say something ennobling; it means something entirely menacing.

‘D

ying with dignity’ is dishonest. It claims to be telling a truth, but it is spreading a falsehood instead. ‘Dying with dignity’ is a dishonest euphemism because it reduces people who are dying to nothing more than the pain and suffering associated with their dying. Language matters in the question of whether or not to legalise euthanasia in Australia. Adopting slogans to emotionally bolster one’s own position, while belittling the thought-out reasoning of your opponent’s position, might pass as acceptable in political electioneering. It is not a ploy that should determine debate over the life and death of fellow human beings, our neighbours. “But who is my neighbour?” This is the question a pious scribe once asked Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus’ answer, given in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10), was to tell the scribe to take a good look at himself, and ask instead: How am I being a true neighbour to others? Advocates for legalising euthanasia seem to have forgotten this wise counsel. The Judeo-Christian tradition, which has held the line on allowing euthanasia advocates to determine the measure of a human life, has always claimed that every human person is made in the image and likeness of God. This is, of course, a declaration of belief; it is equally a statement of reasoned argument. We cannot proclaim a common humanity unless that humanity has been invested with a purpose and worth not of our own making. This is precisely what euthanasia advocates deny: a common humanity and worth not of our own making. Therefore, the value of the life of a healthy (functioning) person can be measured differently from that of a dying (dysfunctioning) person. Do we really want to become a society with a law that ends up creating its own demand Do we really want to become a nation that legalises

the assisted killing of our citizens who have dementia or depression Do we want to become a people known for our lack of love, compassion and care towards our neighbours precisely at the point when they are suffering most as they die? Some might assert that euthanasia is a private matter between a patient and a willing assistant, and that it will have no impact on others in the wider community who do not want to participate in this action. Tell that to the disabled people who feel pressured to think of themselves as a social burden, or the elderly person whose life is now subject to whispered cost-benefit analysis. These are some of the less savoury – and usually unmentionable – implications of a euthanasia-friendly society. Human actions are never without their wider influence on our humanity. No matter how many safeguards are put in place, legalising euthanasia will always result in a denial of the broader and deeper horizons of our humanity. As Paul of Tarsus once put it: “For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself.” (Rom 14) The life and the death of each of us will have its influence on others. Euthanasia forgets this. Our lives are a gift received, endowed with a meaning beyond anything science can account

Committed to care and social justice for all?

for. This is why the pain and suffering of someone who is dying cannot be ignored or dismissed or explained away. The suffering is real; the pain is felt. These are profound human mysteries touching the core of our being. Yet, euthanasia does not seek to confront the suffering and pain of a person but to offer ‘treatment options’ (another euphemism) that eliminate the person. It reduces a person to his or her condition, and then deals with the problem. Confronting the pain and suffering of a dying person calls for a human solution, not a medical fix. Rather than eliminating suffering persons, how about nurturing their lives. In the end, the only real question that euthanasia can muster is the question of the scribe: Who is my neighbour? Our dying is unique to each of us, to experience and live out. (Yes, we live out our dying.) Why then, as euthanasia advocates would have it, eliminate the humanity of our dying? Wouldn’t it be better to accompany someone as they are dying: to be with them in their pain; to fight for them in their suffering; to allow their humanity to shine forth? Rather than buying into the false hope of ‘dying with dignity’, we would do better to adopt the way of the Good Samaritan by instead dignify the lives of the dying.

Make a difference for the homeless, abused and people living with a disability in our local community by joining CatholicCare’s Advisory Council. If you have expertise in ICLT or corporate governance, or are a current or former client of CatholicCare services, and can commit to attend eight meetings per year held at our Head Office in Pennant Hills, contact Sue Vesperman for more details: 9481 2604 /sue.vesperman@dbb.org.au

www.catholiccaredbb.org.au

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DECEMBER 2015

ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Christmas Giving within our SVdP Tradition Each Christmas the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVdP) in Broken Bay has a tradition of reaching out to people with hamper deliveries.

he Christmas Hampers have been donated by parishes, schools and various community groups. All have been extremely generous enabling the Society to help many people have a more enjoyable Christmas. I often recall the report from one Conference which had delivered a hamper to one family. The father was assisting the Conference members take the hamper articles from the vehicle. A

small child came to the door, observed the scene, then rushed back inside to bring a sibling. Then he called out to his father “Dad, we going to have presents this Christmas”. Such a story really takes the whole program onto a different level. This year, Bishop Peter Comensoli has enabled the SVdP Christmas Appeal to be in our Churches on the weekend of Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December. The SVdP Society

here in Broken Bay relies heavily on the winter and Christmas appeals within our parish communities to fulfil our “hands up” program of assisting our many clients who come to us for support. Please assist the SVdP Conferences in Broken Bay to help people not only at this Christmas period but also in our important Home Visitation program.

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EVANGELISATION

The Good News and Mercy of Christmas By Daniel Ang, Director, Office for Evangelisation evangelisation@dbb.org.au

As we journey toward Christmas, which marks the highpoint of God’s journey toward us, we are drawn near to the source of our joy and mission as Christians.

e are drawn near to Jesus Christ himself. As a community of faith or local church, we exist to evangelise, to proclaim this Good News of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, as a gift of love and salvation offered to all. The child Jesus, given to the Holy Family at Nazareth, reveals the love of God and also reveals us to ourselves, as people called to give ourselves in love and mercy to others as God has given himself to us. Christian disciples live in the light of Christmas each day and seek to be ‘friends in Christ’ whether gathered as parishes, faith communities or in our homes. We share our life with Him, draw together around His holy Word and the Eucharist which is His body, partake in a common life of worship, prayer and service, and enjoy communion, forgiveness and sanctification – all the privileges of friendship with Christ. However, our gathering as Christians is never for its own sake. Our communion around the Lord is for mission; he gathers and befriends us for our sending to and befriending of others. In his stirring reflections on joy, Pope Francis addresses us with this personal and communal challenge, “If something should rightly disturb us and trouble our consciences, it is the fact that so

many of our brothers and sisters are living without the strength, light and consolation born of friendship with Jesus Christ” (Evangelii Gaudium 49). Each day in faith we are invited not only to grow in relationship with Christ as the living source of our joy and God’s mercy but are invited to grow in awareness of, and outreach to, those who stand in need of the faith, hope and love which Christ offers in abundance. To evangelise is to reach out in Christ to our neighbour by word and deed, by works of mercy and justice, by listening as well as speaking and by making room for others in our hearts and in our lives. This is the call of the Jubilee Year of Mercy which we now enter; this is, in fact, the call of the Great Feast of Christmas. Indeed, the description of the birth of Jesus in the city of Bethlehem to a woman named Mary is telling in its details, “She gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7). For the early Fathers of the Church, the ‘crowded inn’ was a powerful sign or portent foretelling the ultimate rejection of Jesus on the Cross. It was the first denial of hospitality in a world for which Jesus had come. It cannot help but move us to

hear of this humble beginning for the Christ child, in exile and obscurity, among the poor and set aside. As Jesus later confides to his disciples, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head” (Luke 9:58). However, not all are unresponsive as we learn from the nativity accounts. Both the royal and fellow poor come to pay homage to this child who is God, kings and shepherds alike. Those who see with the eyes of faith ‘make room’ for this newborn. They come to adore Him. The Gospel of Luke tells us that the shepherds ‘returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things

they had heard and seen’ (Luke 2:20). They left transformed by the Good News which they had received and encountered in person; they returned to their fields as evangelists. This Advent and Christmas we gather as friends in the Lord and are too sent out to be missionary disciples. As local neighbourhoods of grace and faith, who have encountered Jesus as the gift of the Father’s love, may we be stirred and emboldened to announce the Good News with renewed life and vigour. May we make room for Christ and make room for others this Christmas, with the joy and divine mercy with which God has first reached out to us.

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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Join us for Handel’s Messiah Since 2009, the Hornsby Ku-ringgai Ecumenical Choir of ‘100 voices’ has been performing the best-loved choruses of Handel’s Messiah in Hornsby Cathedral. Its twin purposes each year are: • to promote the Cathedral as a centre of cultural excellence for the whole community of the Hornsby/North Shore/Broken Bay area (Catholic and non-Catholic); and • as a means of fundraising for charitable work for the needy of the local community For the last six years, the Hornsby Ku-ringgai Ecumenical Choir has raised and donated over $31,000 to worthy local causes, including building a bathroom facility for the homeless in

Brooklyn and supporting the Hornsby Ku-ringgai Women’s Shelter. This year’s performance will be held at our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral Church, 23 Yardley Avenue Waitara on 10 December. Doors open 7:30pm for an 8:00pm start. Tickets are available on Trybooking or at the door. Adults: $30, Concession: $20, Students: $10, Children under 10: Free

Once again the ‘100 voices’ of the choir will be joined by young professional soloists and musicians from Sydney. For further information e-mail: hcmessiah@gmail.com.au or Google ‘Handel’s Messiah Hornsby Cathedral’. Any proceeds from this year’s performance will be given to the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter.

Insurance that gives back to the Catholic community When you choose CCI Personal Insurance, you not only get great insurance at a great price, you’re also supporting the Catholic community. Each year we give back via a range of Catholic community programs. We also support worthy initiatives and causes, all with the objective of making a positive contribution to the Catholic community. So when you choose CCI Personal Insurance, you’re not the only one who benefits. Visit our website or call us to learn more about CCI’s dedication to the Catholic community.

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DECEMBER 2015

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NEWS & ISSUES

Zeina the ‘Disruptor’ is 2015 Brother John Taylor Fellow A self-described ‘disruptor’ has been awarded the 2015 Brother John Taylor Fellowship, a $25,000 research prize given annually by Catholic Education Commission NSW (CECNSW).

eina Chalich, leader of Learning and Innovation at St Finbar’s Primary School in Sans Souci, will embark on academic study into Makerspaces – virtual and physical spaces where students can tinker, invent and learn in a practical, hands-on way with mentors, experts and the latest ‘edutech’ tools. “I want to explore how Catholic schools can use Makerspaces to revamp student-centred teaching to engage learners of all ages in an innovative way,” said Zeina, a school teacher for 10 years. “I’ve always enjoyed harnessing the power of technology to improve learning. The reality is young people are now learning online, without their teachers. As educators, we need to become disruptors and find ways to support our students to think critically and creatively – to give their learning authentic purpose.” Zeina says a Makerspace is a nonstructured environment where students of all ages can connect with experts, create, collaborate, share, invent, tinker, build and explore the elements of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and maths) through experiential play. “The aim is for students to acquire skills and knowledge while solving a problem, creating a product or generating a new understanding. We want our students to turn their knowledge into action, to become creators, not mere consumers,” she said. “Makerspace uses the hands-on philosophy of learning through building things. It overlaps with the natural inclinations of children and the power of learning by doing.” Zeina said she will use the Fellowship to attend two conferences in the United States to

study the latest innovative edutech resources and teaching methods. “I will also visit the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Lab in Boston and hope to develop my design thinking skills and connect with like-minded educators at the Design School at Stanford.” The Brother John Taylor Fellowship is offered each year to an educator with a passion for teaching, to enable research into a priority or challenge facing Catholic education.

About Zeina Zeina writes for Educational Technology Solutions magazine and is a tutor at the Australian Catholic University. She won a 2015 ‘New Voice in Leadership’ Scholarship from the Australian Council for Educational Leaders for her work in Digital Pedagogy, Gifted Education and Mentoring work with pre-service and beginning teachers. Zeina is a co-founder of #aussieED – Australia’s largest educational professional learning network on Twitter.

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DECEMBER 2015

Celebrating Bishop Peter Comensoliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first year as Bishop of Broken Bay Appointed Bishop of Broken Bay 20 November 2014 Installed as Bishop of Broken Bay 12 December 2014

GIVE A GIFT OF MERCY FOR 2016 In 2016 CatholicCare would like to invite individuals and families and especially young people in our Diocese to be directly or financially involved in some of our work. In Family Centres and programs across the Diocese CatholicCare’s 570+ staff are privileged, through their work at the coalface of caring, to be agents of mercy on a daily basis. “Our work with those in need in our community including the abused, the homeless and the excluded, only reveals how much opportunity there is for others to show mercy in personal and practical ways,” says CatholicCare Executive Director Trish Devlin. “There are all sorts of needs in our local community. Big and little. “Acts of mercy need not be largescale or heroic. Simple acts of hospitality or kindness, friendship or practical support, can be profound and wonderful in their effect. “A simple commitment of time to someone in need, whether an hour a week, two hours a fortnight, a weekend per month — or on some other basis — can be truly transformative. “Similarly, what may seem to some to be very a very modest financial gift can be life changing for someone whose needs cannot be met through our current government or community funding.”

ples of Here are a few exam would be gifts of mercy which atitude. gr t ea received with gr out our full Please also check ifts of Mercy’ 2016 wish list for ‘G bsite in January on our we bb.org www.catholiccared ar So if your school ye oup or gr h ut yo h group or paris or music parish home group inburgh Ed class or Duke of r group! he ot group — or any re ways plo — would like to ex please , cy you can show mer n: contact Anna Brow 9481 2680 org.au anna.brown1@dbb.

Join in active recreation for kids aged 7-14 with a disability Join our groups and just have fun. Enjoy activities such as rock climbing, bushwalking, indoor playgrounds, going to the beach and kids performances at the Opera House 10am-4pm, 10 Saturdays per school term (minimum 1 term) Starting from / returning to Waitara Costs per activity

Join in recreational activities for teenagers with a disability Join our groups and just have fun. Enjoy activities such as the Open Air Cinema, Jamberoo, Wet’nWild, the Darling Harbour Latin Festival etc. 10am-4pm, 10 Saturdays per school term (minimum 1 term) Starting from / returning to Waitara Costs per activity

FAMILY CENTRES: Central Coast • Naremburn • Waitara DISABILITY FUTURES: Central Coast • Northern Beaches • Northern Suburbs OUT OF HOME CARE: Foster Care • Therapeutic Group Care EARLY LEARNING AND CARE: Forestville • Lake Munmorah • Terrigal • Waitara

justice love

serving in and

Be a friend to a nursing home resident Be a Family Fun Friday helper Put your craft, cooking, tradie or soccer/cricket/dancing coaching skills to good use (and get fed at the end)

Be a Weekend Buddy

Brighten the week of an elderly nursing home resident isolated from family and friends by visiting and having a chat, perhaps reading aloud or sharing a song or just a cuppa.

Make a difference in a foster child’s life by providing a safe and nurturing home and give their full time foster family a break

1 hour per fortnight per year (minimum)

48 hours per month per year (minimum one year)

Northern Beaches Lake Munmorah OSHC

Central Coast/Upper North Shore

3-6pm one Friday per month

Join in recreational activities with adults (18-45 years) with a disability Join our groups and just have fun. Enjoy activities such as the Open Air Cinema, Jamberoo, Wet’nWild, the Darling Harbour Latin Festival etc.

Provide DV support and legal advice Provide pro bono advice to women escaping domestic violence attending court hearings at Hornsby or Manly Local Courts Tuesday mornings (minimum: one morning per month per year)

Be a party starter! Help set up, attend and run our special events – e.g. twice yearly discos – for people with a disability 2-4 Saturdays per year (plus planning meetings) Brookvale and Waitara areas

Women solicitors only

10am-4pm, 5 Saturdays per three months (minimum 3 months) Starting from / returning to Waitara Costs per activity

Make school holidays fun for young people (7-18 yrs) with a disability Be a Book Buddy Supplement the Inclusive Support Scheme for children needing reading help Lake Munmorah + East Gosford OSHC One afternoon per week

Join our vacation care groups to help run excursions to places such as the Powerhouse Museum, indoor playgrounds etc 8.30am-4pm, weekdays per school holidays (minimum 5 days)

Provide a woman escaping domestic violence WITH crisis accommodation If 365 families — or 8-10 families per parish — donated $51 each we could provide one extra woman (+ her children) escaping violence with crisis accommodation … each night of the year! Donate now www.catholiccaredbb.org

Starting from / returning to Waitara All activity costs covered

OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE: Carlingford • Collaroy Plateau • Davidson • East Gosford • Forestville • Freshwater Lake Munmorah • Manly • Mona Vale • Narrabeen • Pymble • Waitara • West Pymble HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY: Gosford • Hornsby • Manly • Mona Vale • Royal North Shore • Wahroonga (SAN) • Wyong

ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Ecumenical Service of Prayer and Remembrance By Teresa Pirola

Over 300 people gathered at Our Lady of Dolours Catholic Church Chatswood on 13 October for a service of prayer and remembrance for the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

osted by the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay, Bishop Peter Comensoli welcomed His Grace Bishop Haigazoun Najarian of the Armenian Apostolic Church and dignitaries and members of the Armenian community, along with Bishop Robert Rabat of the Melkite Catholic Diocese, Bishop Bill Wright of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, Fr Basil Sousanian of the Armenian Catholic community, representatives of the Greek Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, and Uniting Churches, and other religious, ecumenical and civic leaders. In his homily, Bishop Najarian described the history of Armenian Christians which has

DECEMBER 2015

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been one of repeated struggle under persecution and at the same time resilience forged through faith and hope. Bishop Comensoli observed the genocidal impulses of our own time that link us to the remembered events of a century ago. Prayers were read by representatives of various Churches, with the variety of liturgical vestments and customs mingling colourfully in a vibrant ecumenical tapestry. An Armenian choir and a Catholic choir led the congregation in song, a remembrance wreath was laid at the Paschal candle (a symbol of hope and resurrection) and a minute of silence observed. The participation of Catholic and Armenian youth was a living symbol of hope.

Parishioners of Our Lady of Dolours offered warm hospitality and supper. As Parish Priest Fr Paul Finucane noted, the evening was a truly ecumenical experience of prayer and solidarity. Among the dignitaries attending in the service were Fr Shenouda Mansour, General Secretary of the NSW Ecumenical Council; Sr Elizabeth Delaney, General-Secretary of the National Council of Churches Australia; Sr Giovanni Farquer, Sydney Archdiocesan Ecumenical Commission; Mr Peter Hamill, Director, Broken Bay Catholic Schools Office; The Hon. David Clarke MLC, representing the NSW Minister for Multiculturalism; Councillor John Hooper, Willoughby City Council.

EDUCATION

Students Immerse Themselves in Indigenous Culture Eight Year 11 students from St Joseph’s Catholic College in East Gosford travelled to Warmun, a remote Indigenous community in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

armun, also known as Turkey Creek, is a small town located three thousand kilometres north of Perth and is home to just two hundred people. The traditional owners of the area are the Gija peoples. The trip was an “immersion” trip, which meant the students stayed in the town with local families and had an opportunity to live in the community. “The community welcomed us so warmly into their culture, which allowed us to make strong connections with the people of this town,” Allyson Todd, one of the students, said. “It was a privilege to be involved.” The students were welcomed with a traditional smoking

ceremony, and then spent ten days living in Warmun, helping at the local school and building friendships with the kids there. “Every morning we were greeted with their cheerful and loving natures and their contagious smiles instantly brightened up our mornings,” Allyson said. St Joseph’s Principal, Tony McCudden said, “We have been running this immersion trip for a few years now and have built up a wonderful relationship with the Warmun community. While our girls are very generous in what they give to this experience they are also very fortunate to receive so much from their interaction with the students and the rest of the Warmun community.”

Getting to Know Your Neighbours The staff at Our Lady of Dolours Catholic School at Chatswood visited the local Synagogue as part of a Staff Development Day organised by their Religious Education Coordinator, Kathy Gray.

he day began with a session led by Teresa Pirola, from the Mission Services Team at the Catholic Schools Office, exploring a theme in Pope Francis’ “Joy of the Gospel” where he reaffirms Catholic teaching on JewishChristian relations. The group then walked a few blocks to North Shore Temple Emanuel Synagogue where Rabbi Gary Robuck introduced them to the essentials of Jewish belief, practice and worship, and generously responded to questions.

A particular highlight for everyone was a viewing of the Torah scrolls. After enjoying a middle-eastern style kosher lunch, the group reflected on the morning’s input before walking back to school, enriched by a fresh perspective on the neighbourhood in which they work. All in all, the day was a practical example of Pope Francis’ call to “work on a small scale, in our local neighbourhood, but with a larger perspective” (EG, 234-5) and to be “joyful in one’s own identity” while

being open to interfaith relations “knowing that dialogue can enrich each side” (251). The experience was followed up a few weeks later with a visit to the same Synagogue by Year 3 students.

Lauren shoots for her dreams A Year 12 student at St Peter’s Catholic College in Tuggerah will fulfil her childhood dream of playing netball at a professional level when she leaves school next year.

eventeen-year-old Lauren Moore was recruited to join the NSW Swifts team representing the state in the 2016 ANZ Championship. Lauren received the phone call from Head Coach Rob Wright offering her the position when she was in class. “I left the room and Rob said ‘Is it alright to talk to you?’ and I said, ‘Absolutely!’” Lauren told NSWSwiftsTV.

During this year’s ANZ Championship, Lauren was recruited as a replacement player for the Swifts and will be joining the team as a core player next year. Lauren said that playing on the team was a dream come true. “Even just … to be in the same room as all the girls I’ve grown up being inspired by, was just great,” she said.

Photo courtesy of Murray Wilkinson

Lauren, on right of photo. BBN

DECEMBER 2015

EDUCATION

Bishop David Walker Religious Visual Art Prize The 2015 Bishop David Walker Religious Visual Art Prize once again demonstrated the many and varied artistic talents of the students in the Broken Bay Diocese.

he theme for this year was ‘A scriptural person, passage or theme’ in which all Catholic students from Early Stage 1 through to Stage 6 in government and non-government schools were invited to enter. This year the number of entries increased to over 150 from all areas of the Broken Bay Diocese. Judging was performed by

Mrs Katie McGilvray, Acting Religious Education Coordinator St Cecilia’s, Catholic School, Wyong, Mr Adrian Walker, Religious Education Coordinator and Visual Arts teacher St Paul’s Catholic College, Manly and Mr Joshua McPherson, professional artist and 2013 Finalist in The Archibald Prize. The judges were suitably

Early Stage One • First Prize ($100): Mathias Arango-Rincon (St Patrick’s, Asquith) for “Jesus on the Cross” • Honourable Mention ($30 art supplies voucher): Aurelia Bedford (St John the Apostle, Narraweena) for “Joseph and his Coat” • Honourable Mention ($30 art supplies voucher): Josh Fenton (Our Lady Star of the Sea, Terrigal) for “The Good Shepherd”

Stage One • First Prize ($100): Haylie Dimitropoulos (Our Lady of Good Counsel, Forestville) for Noah’s Ark Dove with Olive Branch” • Honourable Mention ($30 art supplies voucher): Emily Chu (St Gerard’s, Carlingford) for “In the beginning… God’s Creation” • Honourable Mention ($30 art supplies voucher): Siena Stuckey (Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, West Pymble) for “Jesus feeds the Five Thousand”

Stage Two • First Prize ($200): Daniela Cantafio (St Ives North Public School) for “Dove and 3 Crosses…Jesus wants us to be peaceful” • Honourable Mention ($30 art supplies voucher): Thomas Arango Rincon (St Patrick’s, Asquith) for “Jesus dying on the Cross” • Honourable Mention ($30 art supplies voucher): Alaska Steele (Our Lady of the Rosary, Wyoming) for “Sad Mary”

Stage Three • First Prize ($200): Luke McGuire (St Rose, Collaroy Plateau) for “Genesis 8:8-12 The Dove Returns” • Honourable Mention ($30 art supplies voucher): Paris Wilson (St Rose, Collaroy Plateau) for “Forbidden Fruit” • Honourable Mention ($30 art supplies voucher): Monique Todarello (Our Lady of the Rosary, Waitara) for “Jesus dies on the Cross”

Stage Four • First Prize ($200): Fynlay Turnbull (St Peter’s, Tuggerah) for “Noah’s Dove”

impressed by the standard of artworks submitted, the variety of techniques used and the diversity of scriptural themes represented from the Old Testament and New Testament scriptures. This year students were asked to include a description which demonstrated their understanding of the scripture and its personal connection to their lives.

Winners and their families gathered at the Caroline Chisholm Centre for an awards evening on 4 November, which was an incredible showcase of their talents. Prizes were presented Bishop Peter Comensoli and students were also congratulated by Mr Peter Hamill, Director of Schools. The 2015 prize winners are:

• Honourable Mention ($50 art supplies voucher): Leonardo Zanetic (St Paul’s, Manly) for “Noah’s Ark” • Honourable Mention ($50 art supplies voucher): Jaiden Syzmanski (St Paul’s, Manly) for “Welcome Home – The Prodigal Son”

Stage Five • First Prize ($300): Flynn Capell (St Paul’s, Manly) for “Lost in Thought” • Honourable Mention ($50 art supplies voucher): Max Heytman (St Paul’s, Manly) for “Where is your Faith?” • Honourable Mention ($50 art supplies voucher): Chloe DeMarco (MacKillop College, Warnervale) for “The Crucifixion”

Stage Six • First Prize ($300): Brigitte Graham-Hayes (MacKillop College, Warnervale) for “They Twisted a Crown of Thorns” • Honourable Mention ($50 art supplies voucher): Gabrielle Graham-Hayes (MacKillop College, Warnervale) for “Faithful Soul” • Honourable Mention ($50 art supplies voucher): Brittany Smith (MacKillop College, Warnervale) for “Cross of Patterns”

Caroline Chisholm Staff Awards In addition to the formal awards announced above, an informal judging of the artworks by Caroline Chisholm Centre staff, resulted in the award of two additional prizes:

Primary • Caroline Chisholm Centre Staff Award: ($30 art supplies voucher): Aurelia Bedford (St John the Apostle, Narraweena) for “Joseph and his Coat”

Secondary • Caroline Chisholm Centre Staff Award: ($50 art supplies voucher): Gabrielle Graham-Hayes (MacKillop College, Warnervale) for “Faithful Soul”

A gallery of all 2015 entries can be viewed on the Diocese of Broken Bay website www.dbb.org.au

DECEMBER 2015

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DECEMBER 2015

EDUCATION

Taking prayer into their own hands Year 5 students at St Joseph’s Catholic School in Narrabeen learned how to pray in Auslan, Australian Sign Language, after their new parish priest Fr Joseph issued them with a challenge.

r Joseph, of the Lakes Parish, was inspired after the students told him about their buddies at St Lucy’s Catholic School in Wahroonga for children living with disabilities. Some of those children are deaf or hearing-impaired, but communicate through Auslan and other means. Fr Joseph challenged the students to learn the ‘Our Father’ prayer in Auslan, and the children took to the challenge with determination. Year 5 classroom teacher, Kathryn McCamey, and Stef Thom, the Religious Education Coordinator, who is fluent in Auslan, shared this new way of praying with the children. The students of Year 5 quickly learned the prayer, practising repeatedly throughout the day, and sharing it with siblings,

parents, and other members of the community. At a special Mass to celebrate grandparents and grand-friends,

students took to the stage to lead the prayer in Auslan. The students shared the ‘Our Father’ prayer in front of the packed crowd, with

Fr Joseph praising them for taking up the challenge and bringing back their learning to share with the people of our Church.

Count Us In Music: Count Us In brought teachers, parents, students and the music industry together in celebration, as more than half a million people united to sing the same song at the same time, right across the country which this year was held on Thursday 29 October at 12.30pm for 2015 National Song Day.

everal of the Broken Bay Diocese primary schools participated this year including St John the Baptist Catholic School, Woy Woy with Cheryl Frazer, Music Teacher commenting, “The song ‘Gold’ was written by a group of young students who were supported by music industry mentors, including Marcia Hines and John Foreman. Our students here at SJB had a great time learning the lyrics, and adding actions to perform, including some from Auslan. (Australian Sign Language) It really is a case of “that’s gold!” St Patrick’s Catholic School just up the road at East Gosford was awash with gold on the day as the whole school participated in the 2015 National Song Day, singing ‘Gold’. ‘This year’s song was really uplifting, focusing being

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grateful for what we have – ‘What we’ve got is gold’!’ explained Susan Morris the music teacher. “We are so fortunate at St Patrick’s to have a music program and aim to expose students to a range of music experiences – this was a really fun opportunity to sing, play and dance together.” Lynda Burke, Music Teacher at St John Fisher Catholic School, Tumbi Umbi remarked “ being involved was free and very well resourced. We were still able to continue our normal learning program whilst having fun with the song. We dressed up on the day of the live feed and were so excited to see our school name on the big screen and a picture of some of our students up there in front of a huge audience. They can definitely ‘count us in’ next year!”

EDUCATION

Making a positive difference St Brendan’s Catholic School at Lake Munmorah were recently presented with an award from Principals Australia Institute (PAI) in partnership with Beyond Blue and APA, in recognition of their work in embedding a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing as part of the KidsMatter initiative.

K PHOTO: L TO R: Jane Nethery, Education Officer – Student Wellbeing, Luanna Fletcher, School Principal and Jo Spec, Parent Education Co-ordinator.

idsMatter is a mental health and wellbeing program for primary schools and is proven to make a positive difference to the lives of Australian children. The program provides proven methods, tools and support to help schools work with parents and carers, health services and the wider community, to nurture happy, balanced kids. Luanna Fletcher, Principal at St Brendan’s, summed up the school’s methodology in that “Our holistic approach means we live by the mantra; ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ and at St Brendan’s

it is our philosophy and mission to support every child and their family in faith, love and education. St Brendan’s staff ’s commitment to the health and well-being of students we know supports their ability to maximise their learning and is a protective factor in all students’ school life.” Luanna went on to say, “We are honoured yet humbled in receiving this award of National recognition through Kidsmatter, this again allows us to promote and celebrate the ongoing commitment that as a staff and community we have to our students at St Brendan’s.”

Once Upon a Refugee Excitement and adrenaline were running high at MacKillop Catholic College, Warnervale following the announcement of their selection for the ‘Story of the Year Award’ in the 2015 Wakakirri Story Telling Competition.

n late August, MacKillop’s primary students were in the spotlight at Riverside Theatre, Parramatta. The school presented their story, ‘Once Upon a Refugee’. Their piece tells the tale of a group of refugees fleeing their war torn country bound for safety. It highlights what refugees can

endure in the hope of a new home in a new land. The focus of the competition is on storytelling and the importance of sustainability. To this end, students borrowed, recycled and reused all their props and costumes. While this is the children’s first experience

of Wakikirri, lead teacher Mrs Claudette Radford has been involved in previous years. “What a wonderful first time experience for these amazing, dedicated children. It was our dream to create a story that would touch the hearts of people. We are so proud of the way the children have brought this very important world story to life”. The school was very excited to perform their piece as the children thought they had an important message to share. This belief was affirmed in the school’s feedback given by judge Christopher Horsey, “You’ve dealt with this very important topic with due regard and respect”. Following this positive feedback, the team had an anxious wait,

as the competition continued throughout the week, showcasing talent from other New South Wales schools. The wait proved fruitful as the school was awarded with three performance awards for group acting, set design and lighting. In addition to this, the performance was also awarded the highly coveted State Award for ‘Best Current Affairs’ story in Division 2. This qualified MacKillop Catholic College to perform at the Awards Night, where the school was awarded with the further accolade of ‘The Spirit of Wakakirri’ Award. The school enjoyed sharing their story ‘Once Upon A Refugee’ with a wider audience, thus highlighting this important message.

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EDUCATION

From High Flyer to High School Teacher: Tim Emmerson

Tim Emmerson always wanted to be a teacher. Previously a business researcher and economic forecaster, travelling the world for economic giant BIS Shrapnel, he threw it all in to pursue teaching.

“P

eople used to say, ‘What do you want to do that for in your forties?’” he says. “But it was something I’d always had in the back of my mind, to move towards teaching.” This year was his first teaching Business Studies and Commerce at St Paul’s Catholic College, Manly, but Tim says that the transition was not as hard as some people might expect. “It’s like a chef who goes from working in a kitchen to teaching young people about his industry – although in my case, about business,” he explains. A rugby fan, Tim had previously coached students for Manly rugby club and St Aloysius College in

Milson’s Point, and says that this prompted him to make the change to teaching. “I found that year of coaching more rewarding and more fulfilling than all my years working in corporate,” he says. St Paul’s has been a good fit for Tim, as he says the school shares many of the values he found helpful in business. “The school is very focused on developing character,” he explains. “The questions in your mind when you meet someone [in business] are: Do they work hard? Are they presentable? Are they somebody who can get on with people? That’s what you’re looking for in a business type environment and

that’s what we try and coach at the school.” Tim has been happy to find

that the work is as enjoyable and challenging as he hoped “It is hard work, but I like a challenge.”

Intercultural Study Tour

Christine Mooney, English and History Teacher at Mercy College, Chatswood, as part of the 100 year commemoration of the landing at Gallipoli accompanied five of their Year 11 students on a joint Intercultural Study Tour to Turkey with Amity College students, from Prestons in south-west Sydney.

he students explored a different culture, tasted an array of delicious foods, stepped back in time at the ancient sites of Ephesus, Troy and Pergamum, and felt a deep sense of the tragic loss of life on both sides of the conflict that was World War One on the Gallipoli Peninsula. They visited Greek Orthodox and Presbyterian churches as well as mosques, developing a deeper understanding of true Islam. The girls in turn shared their Catholic faith with their travel companions from Amity. Rebekah Smith, one of the Mercy Students commented, “It was a special privilege to walk alongside our Muslim friends as we visited mosques, churches and Gallipoli, as well as sharing food, shopping and lots of laughs

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together. We were also able to experience a different side of Islam to that which we see on the news. It is an experience I will never forget.’ Prior to their departure the girls had a barbeque at school to raise funds to donate to Kimse Yok Mus, a relief organisation in Turkey. When handing it over they specifically requested that their donation be used to assist orphaned children. In summing up the tour Christine Mooney remarked, “We learned the fine art of bargaining at the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar, shared meals with Turkish families and gained just a little bit of insight into the very hospitable Turkish culture. It was a wonderful experience for us all and some long lasting friendships were formed.”

ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Gathering under their Banner SJ Around the Bay is a network of Social Justice groups from parishes throughout the Diocese of Broken Bay.

comprehensive website www.sjaroundthebay.org

outlines activities and concerns of the various local groups and the association aims to unite with others to support Social Justice, Development and the Environment. To further their work, the network recently designed and produced a banner to be used as a focal point at gatherings such as marches, expos and forums and the banner made its public debut in Sydney’s Domain on Sunday 29 November when members joined millions of people in hundreds of major cities in Australia and around the world to march for an end to the use of fossil fuels and a planned transition to 100% renewable energy. The Peoples Climate Change March, timed to coincide with the United Nations climate summit in Paris, saw representatives from hundreds of faith, community and cultural groups in Australia march in all major Australian cities because they believe our government is out of step with the Australian community and

Under their new banner – members of SJ Around the Bay prepared to march in the Peoples Climate Change March on 29 November.

the rest of the world. They are demanding our politicians back all communities that are building a better, safer and fairer future for all. In the words of Pope Francis, “We know that technology based on the use of highly polluting fossil fuels – especially coal, but also oil and, to a lesser degree, gas – needs to be progressively replaced without delay. “Politics and business have been slow to react in a way commensurate with the urgency of the challenges facing our world. Although the postindustrial period may well

be remembered as one of the most irresponsible in history, nonetheless there is reason to hope that humanity at the dawn of the twenty-first century will be remembered for having generously shouldered its grave responsibilities.” Laudato Si’, #165. Organisers of the March write: “A world free of dangerous global warming, and the poverty and inequalities it brings, is within our reach. Together we can show the world Australians care... “We have a vision for a better Australia – one that runs on clean energy, and a fairer

economy. Climate change hurts people. It hurts our health, our economy, our jobs, our food, water, environment and communities. And those who did the least to cause the problem feel the impacts first and hardest, like our brothers and sisters in the Pacific.” They echo the plea of Pope Francis, and the Bishops of Bolivia, who point out, ““Both everyday experience and scientific research show that the gravest effects of all attacks on the environment are suffered by the poorest”. Laudato Si’, #48

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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Faith and a helping hand

the keys to a fulfilling life for Ethel

By Debra Vermeer

Life as a migrant in Sydney has been a challenging learning curve for Ethel-Terra Jacks, who moved here with her partner Cyril-Titus to try and live their dream, but in spite of hardship and tragedy she has faced while forging her new life, she says it is her growing faith that has sustained her.

“I

found God at a very young age, which is not a common experience, but I am grateful it happened because I had a much longer period to mature in my awareness of God,” she says. “This experience was useful several years later when I needed an anchor.” Ethel grew up in in Accra, the capital city of Ghana, in a welleducated and well-off family, but had a strong sense of social justice as a child. “I grew up in a very academic and strict household. As a teenager, I thought I could solve all the world’s problems,” she says. After high school, she took the equivalent of a gap year and went to the city of Kumasi, where she honoured her obligation under the National Service Scheme, teaching English at a primary school. She then started a Political

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Science degree, leaving university in her first year, against her father’s wishes, to take up work in Ghana’s Internal Revenue Service. Ethel and her boyfriend Cyril were both active in political organisations and had dreams of working towards a better society. They decided that a move to Australia could help them with those aims. “Nobody in my family supported us coming here, because we lived a very privileged life and they were worried we might run into unexpected challenges,” she says. Despite the opposition, Ethel and Cyril came to Australia, but soon found themselves overwhelmed with unexpected challenges. Cyril developed depression which was compounded by the

absence of family support and the privileges they were used to back home. “I suggested we return home, but Cyril worried about losing face and having to eat humble pie, so we stayed,” Ethel says. During those early days in Australia, Ethel and Cyril also had a son, who is now 15 years old. “We were running out of money, but didn’t return home for fear of been labelled failures. Now I understand how all that pressure just swirled into a very bad depression,” Ethel says. At the height of Cyril’s illness, Ethel realised she was pregnant again, but, feeling hemmed in by the pressure of their dire circumstances, she chose, against Cyril’s will, to terminate the pregnancy. Shortly afterwards, with his

depression deepening, he passed away, leaving a shattered Ethel alone in a strange country with their son. “It just seemed like the world evaporated,” she says. “I thought I was going to go insane.” The lifeline for Ethel during these dark days was the parish priest at Carlton in Sydney’s southern suburbs where they lived at the time, and where their son was baptised. In her late teenage years and first year of university Ethel denounced her Catholic faith, although, at Cyril’s request, she was a regular attendee at Mass with him. “I was still very much a believer in God and read lots of Christian literature, but just didn’t belong to any denomination,” she says. “Between 2004 and 2006 I was

ACROSS OUR DIOCESE able to evaluate and relate events and life’s experiences to my relationship with God during my childhood, adolescence and now adult life.” Consequently, in 2006, Ethel reverted to Catholicism and reaffirmed her Catholic faith. When Ethel and her young son moved to Waitara, Catholic Care provided crucial support for them, with accommodation and legal assistance to apply for residency in Australia. “My parents pleaded with me to return home, but I had a strong desire to strive towards our original dream,” Ethel says. “I was keen to turn our dream into reality, contribute to the community, make a mark and reverse a seemingly dire situation into a triumphant story.” Ethel qualified for a Skilled Migration Visa. However to be successful, she needed a company to sponsor her. Through CatholicCare, the Broken Bay Diocese stepped forward to provide that support, with Diocesan Business

Manager David Penny acting as Ethel’s sponsor. “I was amazed that someone who’d never met me, would do something like that,” Ethel says. “David Penny’s extraordinary kindness was immediately etched deep down in my soul. That’s why David has always been in my heart and mind. His unreserved generosity impacted me in a profound way.” Ethel also made good friends through the local parish. “ They are extraordinary people, who welcomed us as part of their families,” she says. Now thriving in Australia, Ethel is doing her utmost to provide wonderfully for her son, who now attends one of Sydney’s prestigious private boys’ schools. When her son was in Year 5, Ethel enrolled part time in an International Communication degree at Macquarie University. After several years of study, she graduated in September. With her graduation ceremony coming up, Ethel tried to track down David Penny, whose

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

support with the Permanent Residency application opened many doors, allowing her to achieve her goals. “Finally, I did find him, and David phoned and said he was very proud of what I’d achieved,” Ethel says. “Former Executive Director of CatholicCare, Deidre Cheers also couldn’t be more proud. Their comments meant the world to me.” Nowadays, Ethel works for the Department of Education and Community Services and started a second job with MultiLit Pty Ltd, a research-based initiative of Macquarie University, which aims to address the needs of students with reading disabilities and similar problems. She is also currently studying Public Policy for her Master’s Degree at the University of Sydney. “I am just so grateful,” she says. “So many people encouraged me along the way.” One friend who played a special role in Ethel’s life was the late Margaret Gallagher, who she met at a memorial service in

Sydney and who she found out was the founder of Pregnancy Help at Brookvale. “Margaret was very important to me,” she says. “If only I’d known Margaret back in 2002, I would not have terminated my pregnancy.” Ethel, who is part of the Hornsby Cathedral Parish, says her faith is the cornerstone of her new life in Australia. “I take my faith very seriously,” she says. “In fact, my faith underpins my very existence. When confronted with a challenge, remembering I have Christ, who knows every detail brings immediate calmness.” Looking to the future, Ethel is hoping to start up a service where volunteers can help migrant families to feel a sense of family, by attending football games or school meetings, as a source of support. “I am eternally grateful to all who have walked next to me and I’m really looking forward now to giving back to this community.”

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

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

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

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

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DECEMBER 2015

NEWS & ISSUES

Open your hearts and your doors

Will we be a whole Church that includes all people, or will we be a broken incomplete Church? Becoming ‘inclusion ready’ in the Diocese of Broken Bay. By Zachariah Duke

n 5 November, Bishop Peter Comensoli welcomed clergy and principals of the Diocese of Broken Bay, as well as members of the Hearts Open to People Everywhere (H.O.P.E.) group to the Pennant Hills Golf Club to discuss how better the Diocese can welcome children living with a profound disability into parishes and schools. The morning began with a series of moving prayers and reflections led by Fr John Frauenfelder, where we lit candles for truth: that God will help us dispel ignorance and misinformation; healing: that troubled minds and hearts, broken lives and relationships might be healed; understanding: that the darkness of stigma, labels, exclusion and marginalisation

might be dispelled for people living with mental illness; hope: for people living with a disability and their families and caregivers for better acceptance and welcome; thankfulness: for compassionate, dedicated caregivers; faith: to dispel doubt and despair for those who have lost hope and are discouraged; and steadfast love: to remind us of God’s love and faithfulness. There were presentations by Bishop Peter, Fr David Ranson, Vicar General of the Diocese of Broken Bay, Jo Karaolis, former principal of St Lucy’s School and convenor of the H.O.P.E. group and Peter Hamill, Director of Schools, Diocese of Broken Bay. Fr David highlighted six guidelines for parishes and schools to welcome children living

with a profound disability into their community: • the use of language is important – people living with a disability are people • people living with a disability are icons of Christ – moving from exclusion to embrace • inclusion isn’t about including “them” into our lives, it’s about including ourselves into theirs • be generous with your space – allow for unpredictability when you invite and welcome children living with a profound disability into your parish and/or school community

• be creative and think about the little ways you and your community could better involve children living with a profound disability. • stop for a moment and appreciate the families and caregivers of children living with a profound disability Pope Francis is calling us to make our neighbourhoods of grace, and our hearts, accessible to all, including children living with a profound disability! What steps will your parish or school community take to be ‘inclusion ready’?

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NEWS & ISSUES

A challenge for a parish

By Frank Casadesus

Bishop Joseph Vianney Fernando, the Bishop of the Diocese of Kandy in Sri Lanka, needed a lecturer with a degree in Theology to teach his seminarians.

e chose Fr Christi Paul Jebamale, a young, clever and pious priest of his diocese, to go to Rome to study at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. Whereas most of the Pontifical Universities in Rome are centuries old, the University of the Holy Cross was started in 1984 by Blessed Alvaro del Portillo, turning an intention of St Josemaría Escrivá into a reality. It started small with about 45 students. In 1998, after having developed four Faculties and an Institute, and attracting about 1,500 students, Pope St John Paul II raised the Athenaeum to the status of Pontifical University. At present it is a top ranking Institution for the formation of priests for the New Evangelisation. The education of future priests is an essential task of any diocese, especially in our times when recent Popes are calling for a New Evangelisation. In the words of Pope Benedict XVI, “without well-educated priests, the new evangelisation of society will just be a slogan.” And St John Paul II: “The formation of future priests… is considered by the Church as one of its most demanding and important tasks”. When Fr Jebamale returns to Kandy after two years in Rome, he will be a well prepared lecturer, a firm support for the bishop and a good asset for his diocese. But to send a priest to study in Rome involves a significant financial cost, and the Bishop of Kandy can only support part of this. He has a shortfall of $A16, 000, which must be covered through a scholarship. In the last two decades many priests have come from overseas to the Diocese of Broken Bay. The Church is a communion, and it is comforting to see them coming to alleviate our temporary shortness of priestly vocations. In return for their generosity, and considering again that the Church is communion, could a parish of Broken Bay adopt as a project for the next three months to raise this shortfall? The Bishop of Kandy is not the only one that needs help for the higher education of a priest of his diocese. The Bishop of Nakuru, in Kenya, is in the same predicament. He has selected Fr. Benjamin K. Njuguna to study in Rome and he has a shortfall of $A15,000. Again, could another parish adopt the project of raising this amount to provide a scholarship?

In the early years of Christianity particular churches were helping each other. At the urging of St Paul, the Christians from the Greek city of Corinth were making donations to the church of Jerusalem, as we read in the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians. In the last 15 years the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross Foundation, based in Roseville, has raised funds to grant

scholarships to 20 priests and seminarians from 13 countries across the world. Now, parishes and individual persons are offered the opportunity to bolster the work of this Foundation. Any parish that wishes to take up this challenge can contact Francis Casadesus, trustee of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross Foundation, at 0409 832 499 or pontiuni.au@gmail.com

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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Parish Priests installed TWO of our priests were recently officially installed as Parish Priests by Bishop Peter in their parishes. Fr David Ranson VG was installed on 12 November at Holy Name Parish, Wahroonga, and Fr Jose Philip on 1 November at St Martin de Porres Church at Davidson. Fr Jose is now Parish Priest of Frenchs Forest parish which also includes Our Lady of Good Counsel, Forestville and St Anthony in the Fields, Terrey Hills.

Mass for People with Special Needs and their Families ON Sunday 1 November, All Saints Day, families from across Broken Bay gathered at St Kieranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church, Manly Vale for the annual Mass for People with Special Needs and their Families. Bishop Peter celebrated the Mass for the first time as Bishop of Broken Bay.

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CHARITY RACE DAY

Most successful Charity Race Day ever! N ot even a truck accident and a blocked M1 freeway could stop the fun and fundraising at the Diocese of Broken Bay’s Annual Charity Race Day on 29 October at The Entertainment Grounds, Gosford. More than 200 parishioners, priests, diocesan and parish staff, sponsors and guests had a wonderful day, despite the traffic and

Thank you to our major sponsors: • Avium • Paynter Dixon • Makinson d’Apice Lawyers • Pitcher Partners • WN Bull Funerals • Modular Building Systems • New England Constructions The success of the Charity Race Day would not be possible without the generous sponsorship and donations from the following organisations: • Empire Air Conditioning Services • Virtunet • Catholic Church Insurance • B-Mac Constructions • Blue Moon Accounting and Finance • Lowes School Wear • Catholic Schools Office, Diocese of Broken Bay

delayed start to the day. All races were put back an hour to allow for the horses and jockeys to arrive! The total money raised on the day was an amazing $23,384.25, making it our most successful Race Day ever. All the money goes to the Diocese of Broken Bay Charitable Works Fund. • Bells at Killcare • Lindt & Sprungli • Taronga Western Plains Zoo • Featherdale Wildlife Park • Amazement Farm & Fun Park • Hoyts • Bunnings Warehouse • Diggers @ The Entrance • Central Coast Leagues Club • Hornsby RSL • Mars Food • Captain Cook Cruises • Boydita Flowers • Wahroonga Flower Shoppe • Australiana Pioneer Village • Australian Walkabout Park

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DECEMBER 2015

ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Broken Bay Bible Conference a valuable learning experience In the beginning, all arrived on 18 September at the Broken Bay Bible Conference 2015 “God in Narrative and Poetry: Genesis and Psalms” in great anticipation of two days of wonderful learning on these two books of the Old Testament. By Pina Bernard

arkness covered the faces of the delegates. Then Fr Mark O’Brien OP and Sr Mary Reaburn NDS offered their presentations, and there was light: new insights into well-known stories; new eyes to see patterns that weren’t previously visible; and an awareness of the background to the stories and poems that gave them a richness that we hadn’t seen before. Truth was separated from previous misunderstandings. Prior to the Renaissance, for example, most Jewish and Christian scholars regarded the stories in the Bible as historically accurate. Modern scholarship, however, shows us the importance of understanding the historic context behind the texts and how to recognise the different styles (genres) of writings as mixtures of history, epic, myth, legend, and

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poetry (the Psalms are a good example of poetry). Myth, in this sense, does not mean something that is false as in a fairy tale, but more as a style of storytelling to illustrate philosophical and theological truth. Both Fr Mark and Sr Mary emphasised the truth of the words of the Bible with an understanding that it was written by humans using human terminology but yet inspired by the Holy Spirit. Bishop David Walker offered a presentation to mark the 50th anniversary of Dei Verbum, an important document from the Second Vatican Council on divine revelation and God’s Word. He referred to the introduction by Fr Mark and Sr Mary and reiterated that our faith in God’s Word provides us with access to God through Scripture to help us to

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Fr Mark O’Brien.

Sr Mary Reaburn.

share in a human understanding and revelation about God’s nature and God’s relationship with humans. As Catholics, we believe that the Scriptures show us that God continually saves humanity time after time, despite human tendency to stray away from God’s constant teaching, and that in the Old Testament, God is preparing us for Jesus becoming one of us for that final act of Salvation through his life, death and resurrection. And they saw that it was good. There was evening and there was morning, the first day. On the second day, the excellent presentations continued, with a breaking open of the stories of Jacob and Esau, and Joseph and his brothers. The name Jacob means “deceiver” and just as he deceived his brother Esau into gaining his father Isaac’s blessing, Jacob is then also deceived by his uncle Laban, who promises him Rachel in marriage, but gives him Leah instead. The centre of this narrative (Genesis 26-36) is the birth of the 12 sons of Israel ( Jacob’s new name) to Rachel, Leah and their maids. God’s plan advances and is fulfilled despite the human rivalries that threatens it. The Joseph story (Genesis 37-50) reveals a common theme

in the Bible of salvation coming through one person. Here it is Joseph who is the bearer of the blessing for all humanity. A key learning was the light and dark in each of the characters. Joseph may appear wholly good, but there are elements of shade also which indicate the complexity we find in these texts. In looking at the Psalms, further patterns were explored. In Psalm 136, the refrain “for his steadfast love endures forever” revealed the liturgical nature of some of the Psalms as they were used in community worship. This psalm speaks of Gods ‘hesed’ or ‘steadfast, faithful love’. The shape of the Psalter was explored, with generally more psalms of laments early in the book, and more psalms of praise towards the end, reflecting different stages in Israel’s history. And once again, they saw that it was good. As one participant noted, this was just the tip of the iceberg. But at least there is a chip in that iceberg, and it is hoped that all will continue this surprising journey of discovery into our sacred texts. The conference proceedings were recorded, and are available at www.dbb.org.au/bible