Broken Bay News October 2015 by bbcatholic

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BROKEN BAY NEWS PUBLICATION OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BROKEN BAY OCTOBER 2015 ISSUE 178

What is Truth? For Those whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve come Across the Seas Social Justice Sunday

Our Neighbourhoods of Grace Frenchs Forest Parish

Love your Neighbour as Yourself World Mission Month

HEART TO HEART

What is Truth? At times of moral complexity, understanding what is the truth of the matter can be a real challenge. Dear friends in Christ Jesus, Pilate asked him: “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate asked him, “What is truth?” ( Jn 18.37-38) For all his weakness of will, Pontius Pilate asked Jesus a fair question. Being Caesar’s Governor in Judea, he was a man of considerable authority and power, used to navigating the tricky currents and dangerous whirlpools of politics. Pilate’s world was not one where honest and candid speech flourished. Therefore, it would have been difficult for him to appreciate the deeper dimensions of truth when immersed in a world of intrigue. Arguably, the same applies today in politics, even in a democracy like ours: better a word of expediency than a negative headline. But is it not the case that all of us struggle with Pilate’s question? I certainly do. At times of moral complexity, understanding what is the truth of the matter can be a real challenge. And of course, as a sinner, the

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temptation to avoid being truthful in the midst of a personal difficulty can undermine my integrity as a man of God. In moments of personal weakness, the words I speak can so easily compromise the good of others and the truth of things. So, what is truth, such that it might be a mark of my speech and a sign of my life? Let me start by saying something about what truth is not. St Paul can help here. As he said to the Ephesians: “But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way … into Christ.” (Ep 4.15) The point to learn here is that the truth can never be ‘true’ if it is spoken in a way that is devoid of love. Getting the facts correct is important, but the manner in which it is conveyed is also critical. We cease speaking truthfully when our words are delivered without a care for the one to whom we are speaking. Truth cannot be imparted to someone with a baseball bat! I hope you may have noticed I have been referring to truth in terms of our speech and language. This is because truth is not so much a thing ‘out there’ (that’s what we call a fact), but a manner of conveying something that is the case (hence, the link between truth and charity). It is in our speech – in the words we choose – that truth can be conveyed. This being the case, the language we use to say something is vitally important in conveying what is true. In this way, we

can say that the truth is to be found in the language of naming. To name someone is a deeply precious responsibility; we hold their dignity in our hands. (I had a conversation recently with two Dads about choosing the names of their children. I now know about the ‘playground test’…checking how a proposed name might fare among the name calling and arguments of the school playground!) Recall how Jesus named his chief apostle: “I tell you [Simon son of Jonah], you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” (Mt 16:18) Jesus was not just giving Simon a new name for the heck of it; he was telling us something important about him. In naming Peter (‘the rock’), Jesus spoke the truth about this man who would be the one to lead his Church. I have become acutely aware of this link between truth and naming in the manner in which some of the current moral debates in our society have unfolded. For example, in the same-sex marriage debate, much of the language used by those in favour of a change is couched in words such as equality, discrimination, rights, etc. Yet, in framing the debate in this way, are we really getting at the truth of what is at stake? Similarly, in the debate over abortion rights, the language by abortion advocates is chiefly about women’s reproductive rights. But where is the naming of – and therefore the truth about – the unborn child, in their speech? (In fact, the

To name someone is a deeply precious responsibility; we hold their dignity in our hands.

HEART TO HEART

Telling the truth is about the precious responsibility of naming something for what it is, done in a loving manner. language here is about ‘clumps of cells’ and ‘foetuses’ – designed to avoid mentioning the unborn human being involved.) There is evidence here of an active avoidance of naming things for what they are so that truth can be avoided or even marginalised. One particular moral question that is becoming more mainstream is that of euthanasia and assisted suicide. Here the truthful naming of this action is being replaced by seemingly innocuous euphemisms – expressions designed to substitute for something that is considered too harsh or unpleasant. ‘Dying with dignity’ is one such euphemism. It purports to say something ennobling; it means something entirely menacing. ‘Dying with dignity’ is dishonest. It claims to be telling a truth, but instead it spreads a falsehood. ‘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, by-passing the person altogether. Where is the dignifying of the dying person? There are any number of other euphemisms that seek to obfuscate and hide the truth of euthanasia and assisted suicide. One particularly odious phrase is ‘physician assisted dying’. In this example, what has traditionally been an ennobling sentiment – the therapeutic and pastoral assistance that a medical practitioner might be able to bring to the wellbeing of someone dying – is now rendered as a callous and calculated act of killing. The phrase is uttered as a sign of enlightenment, but is designed to hide a lie. Name it for what it is: doctor assisted killing. At times, the language used by advocates of euthanasia and assisted suicide seems to be deliberately chosen to confuse people about what is involved. Perhaps the most macabre example of this is ‘medical aid in dying’. Good medical aid has always been associated with striving for healing, and managing pain and suffering. Now it is being deliberately used to justify the opposite; the ‘aid’ is now applied to the intentional hastening of the end of someone’s life. Since when has ‘medical aid’ and ‘deliberate killing’ gone together? I hope that these examples of common-

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.

enough debates help to show that language matters when it comes to answering the question: what is truth? Telling the truth is about the precious responsibility of naming something for what it is, done in a loving manner. Adopting emotive slogans to bolster one’s own position, while belittling your opponent, might pass as acceptable in politics and the media, but it should be an anathema for Catholics, who are called always to follow and emulate Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life. Sloganistic belittling of those we disagree with is not a ploy that should determine debate over the life of a fellow human being, someone who is always our neighbour. Pray for me, as I do for you!

Most Rev Peter A Comensoli Bishop of Broken Bay

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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WORLD MISSION MONTH

Love your Neighbour as Yourself Reach out to your Australian brothers and sisters This year, for the first time ever, Catholic Mission’s hallmark celebration will have a special joint focus on two mission areas when it runs throughout October.

elebrated annually by millions of Catholics, World Mission Month will this year profile the work of dedicated missionaries in Madagascar as well as remote Indigenous Australia. The month-long celebration traditionally profiles just one country – in 2014 the campaign highlighted the mission to build a Catholic community and overcome endemic violence and crime in Jamaica. Catholic Mission National Director Martin Teulan says the new approach will better enable Australians to witness the incredible work of mission happening in places all around the world. ‘It is expected that around 1,100 appeals will take place in parishes around Australia during World Mission Month this year,’ he said. ‘At the heart of these appeals will be the story of Sister Alma Cabassi and other missionaries providing spiritual and practical support to Indigenous Australians in remote dioceses such as Broome and Wilcannia-Forbes. ‘Meanwhile, students in Catholic schools around Australia will learn about Madagascar, where efforts are being made to provide children with clean water for drinking and sanitation, while also enlivening their faith.’ Sister Rose Rasoavololona, a missionary working in the island nation off Africa’s east coast, has overseen the installation of six water pumps and eight toilet blocks at the Catholic school where she has been a principal for 12

years. She also provides the ‘Living Water’ the children need, through the provision of religious education materials. Catholic Mission’s schools fundraising campaign ‘Socktober’ encourages school students, their teachers and their families to Sock it to poverty’ by raising funds for Madagascar and other areas in need through creative, sock-themed initiatives. These can include a ‘Crazy Sock Day’, a ‘Rock Your Socks Off ’ disco, or a sock puppet theatre. In addition, resources are available online to anyone wishing to learn more about mission, or who would like to fundraise, advocate or pray for people in need in Madagascar, Indigenous Australia, and all around the world. These resources include the powerful DVD, ‘I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink’, which tells Sr Rose’s story. Mr Teulan says the resources and the parish appeals will encourage all Australians to take up Pope Francis’ call to be missionary disciples. ‘Pope Francis says in his World Mission Day address, “Mission is a passion for Jesus and a passion for his people”,’ said Mr Teulan. ‘The stories that flow through this year’s World Mission Month appeals show the often unsung work of these wonderful, dedicated missionaries of Jesus, both overseas and here in Australia.’ For more information, and where to donate, visit

www.catholicmission.org.au

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 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 Acting 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: Annie Carrett Tel: (02) 9847 0724 / 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

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Our Neighbourhoods of Grace Exploring our missionary outreach

Spirituality Through Celebration at Frenchs Forest Parish

By Debra Vermeer

A spirituality of celebration underscores the shared life of Frenchs Forest Parish, drawing the community together and strengthening faith and relationships.

arish Priest, Fr Jose Philip OSH, says the parish, which is made up of the three communities of Our Lady of Good Counsel Frenchs Forest, St Martin de Porres Davidson, and St Anthony in the Fields Terrey Hills, regularly comes together for joint celebrations. “Our team here believes in spirituality through celebration,” Fr Jose says. “So we look for occasions to bring the people together and build up the community through evangelisation and faith sharing.” In recent weeks, these celebrations have included ‘Angels Day’, during which the children who received their First Holy Communion earlier this year were invited back for a reunion.

“It’s about celebrating with the children, but also trying to link people back into the parish and to help them feel a part of parish life,” Fr Jose says. Other occasions have included Grandparents Day on the Feast of Sts Anne and Joachim and a hugely successful ‘Curry Night on Currie Road’, which included Bollywood dancing. Fr Jose is assisted by “a wonderful team”, including Fr Joy Thomas, Deacon Peter McCulloch and Emeritus Pastor, Fr Michael O’Toole, as well as the Parish Pastoral Council, the Finance and Liturgy Committee, musicians, ministers, volunteers, and the parish office staff. About 1000 people attend Mass

in the parish on a weekend, and Fr Jose says it is “very much a growing community”. A key focus for the parish at the moment is to support the eight pilgrims so far who are preparing to travel to World Youth Day in Krakow next year. There are regular fundraisers helping them to achieve their aim. “St Martin’s has a tradition of hosting a soup night, and this year we asked people attending the soup night to donate for our WYD pilgrims,” says Deacon Peter. “It was a great night, with lots of different soups on offer and a real sense of community.” Other fundraisers have included cake stalls and a sausage sizzle after the Grandparents Day Mass. The parish is in the process of building up a youth group, with 22 young people attending a trivia night recently. Under the guidance of parishioners Annette Spooner, Jo Reid and Kate Ryder, this year there has been a special youth event every month, including movies, games, a Weekend Youth Retreat and other fun activities. Youth Masses are held at St Anthony’s on the second Saturday of each month, at St Martins on the first and third Sunday nights,

and at OLGC on the fourth Saturday evening. St Anthony’s also has a widely renowned youth band and choir, called SAYBACS. Their outstanding music is a big feature of parish life. Fr Jose says the school communities of Our Lady of Good Counsel and St Martin’s are very important parts of the neighbourhood of grace that is Frenchs Forest Parish. “Both Principals are part of our Parish Pastoral Council and both schools are very much involved in the life of the parish,” he says. “Every month we have a family Mass with both schools, which is organised by the schools and features full participation from students.” Principal of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic School, Meredith Tomkins, says the close relationship between the school and the parish is integral to the life of both. “We have had a wonderful relationship with Fr Michael, and now with Fr Jose, and Deacon Peter, and that relationship is a very important part of all we do in the school community,” Meredith says. “Our Religious Education BBN

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Our Neighbourhoods of Grace Exploring our missionary outreach

Coordinator is very involved with the parish sacramental program and also helps Father with putting together the Masses and liturgies. A lot of our kids are part of the youth group and the school is also very strongly supporting the pilgrims to World Youth Day with fundraising through shared events with the parish, such as the sausage sizzle after the Grandparents’ Mass.” The playgroup run by the parish also incorporates the school’s parents and kids. “The kids join the playgroup and then move up to the early learning centre and then into school, so it’s a three step approach to transitioning into school. And it helps forge very strong connections right across the school and parish community,” Meredith says.

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Principal of St Martin de Porres Catholic School, Helen Leigh, says the school sees itself as a vital part of the Frenchs Forest Parish community. “We are very fortunate to have Fr Jose, Fr Michael, Fr Joy and Deacon Peter, who are always willing to help us with aspects of our Religious Education,” Helen says. “Fr Jose and Fr Michael regularly have morning tea with the staff and then take time to share their deep understanding of the Gospel stories with the children. “The St Martin’s children also love to have a chat with Fr Michael, whether it is at school or at the local shops, which all goes towards fostering our Catholic community.” A wonderful team of more than 60 catechists take their faith out to children in eight state schools

in the area, reaching out to around 800 students. “This year, our parish had 200 children receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation,” says Fr Jose. “We initiated a new program, where we held the Confirmation lessons just before Mass in the Church and in the parish hall. It’s just another way of providing physical connections to the parish, both for the children and for their families.” Deacon Peter says that reaching out to those in need in the broader community is a big focus of the parish, with the Social Justice Committee meeting every month. “Part of what the Social Justice Committee does is to promote awareness about important issues,” he says. “So they hold talks, events, concerts and things like that.

They have an involvement with the Aboriginal community, with refugees, and other local groups. “ The Committee has also been active recently in encouraging awareness of the Papal Encyclical, ‘Laudato Si’, on Care for our Environment and our Common Home’. “And at Terrey Hills, the community has a long established practice of putting together hundreds of Christmas hampers every year. We have a Hamper Mass on the second Sunday of December and people come forward with goods for the hampers, and thousands of dollars is also raised to buy things for the hampers, which go to needy people all over Sydney.” In addition to this initiative, both Forestville and Davidson

Our Neighbourhoods of Grace Exploring our missionary outreach

communities have St Vincent de Paul conferences, whose members assist local people and families in need. When it comes to building a strong sense of community in the parish, Deacon Peter says Family Groups play a big role. “Family Groups are very much a part of this parish,” he says. “They started here some decades ago and they remain a big part of parish life. “So every month, Family Groups gather and sometimes they go out for a meal together or on a little trip, or they just get together. It’s about creating community and mutual support. It’s good modelling for the kids and families and it’s great social involvement for the elderly. Deacon Peter says the Parish of Frenchs Forest

works hard at building a happy, cohesive community. “Because of its history as three separate parishes, this parish is very much a community of communities, and we are working to bring those communities together,” he says. “Each is a community with its own heritage, history and story to tell. “So one thing we do is that every year on the Feast Day of each of our three churches, we ask all the communities to come together and that is growing into a wonderful celebration. On November 8, Bishop Peter Comensoli will be presiding over our big celebration at St Martin’s.” Faith formation is also an important feature of parish life, both for adults and children. There is a children’s liturgy at

OLGC every Sunday and for adults, the parish has been hosting regular faith formation sessions, including ‘Journey into Truth’ by Fr John Flader and programs on St Augustine and St Teresa of Avila, by Emeritus Bishop David Walker. As part of the parish’s desire to reach out, it maintains strong links with other local Christian communities through the Forest Interchurch Network, as well as shared prayer initiatives, such as Taize Prayer, held on the first Friday of the month at St Martin’s. Fr Jose says he is looking forward to developing the ‘Spirituality of Celebration’ even further in the parish. “You need some cause to bring people together,” he says. “And people always like to share a meal together and then, at the same time,

we can do some evangelising or faith formation together.” The recent Curry Night and Bollywood Dance, which took place on the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and Indian Independence Day, was extremely popular, attracting about 360 people. “Some of my friends made the curries and came to do the dancing,” he says. “We had some of the youth performing and singing and there was fundraising for World Youth Day. “People in Australia love a celebration and so we try to tie these celebrations to special events in the life of the Church. This gives us an opportunity to get together and have fun and also to teach a little about various aspects of the faith. We have a great time.”

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OCTOBER 2015

FAMILIES

Kincumber Family our Broken Bay Representatives Saint John Paul II, hailed as the Pope of the Family, created the World Meeting of Families in 1994 in Rome to explore the critical role the family plays in society and to give families opportunities to talk about the challenges and blessings that all families have.

he World Meeting of Families is held every 3 years and families from all over the world are invited by the Holy Father to attend this global gathering. In 2015 the World Meeting of families was held in Philadelphia, USA, 22-25 September under the theme, “Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive”. The Ball family embarked on a pilgrimage to attend the 2015

World Meeting of Families. Commencing in Washington DC, they had the opportunity to visit and worship with other Catholic communities to learn and support each other in Christ, whilst celebrating the unity of the Family. The pilgrimage then moved on to Philadelphia to gather for the World Meeting of Families Congress, which gave families the opportunity to attend educational lectures

and workshops along with tailor-made activities for children and youth. The Ball family felt truly blessed to be attending this event as the delegate family for the Diocese of Broken Bay. As Holy Cross Kincumber parishioners, they expressed their gratitude for the support and spiritual guidance of their Parish Priest Father Jim McKeon. A highlight of their

pilgrimage was the celebration Mass in the presence of His Holiness, Pope Francis. David and Kylie, along with their children Clayton, Brooklyn, Fraser and Makenzie were looking forward to the experience as a time to meet families from all around the world and work together to grow as individuals and as a family. We look forward to sharing more of their experiences when they return.

Pope Francis speaks on the importance of family and the 2015 Family Synod By Janette Davidson, Diocesan Co-ordinator Family Life Ministries

“The family is the nearest hospital, the first school of the young, the best home for the elderly… It cannot be replaced by other institutions, it needs to be helped and strengthened. “

n his homily at Mass in Guayaquil, Ecuador (5 July 2015) Pope Francis proclaimed that Jesus “came to serve and not to be served” (Mark 10:45). He then went on to say: “Service is the sign of true love. We learn this especially in the family where we become servants out of love for one another. In the heart of the family no one is rejected. The family is the nearest hospital, the first school of the young, the best home for the elderly… It cannot be replaced by other institutions, it needs to be helped and strengthened. “ In speaking of the 2015 Family Synod of Bishops in Rome (4-25 October 2015) Pope Francis then said: “Shortly before the opening of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, the Church will celebrate the Ordinary Synod devoted to the

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family, [will] deepen her spiritual discernment and consider concrete solutions to the many difficulties and significant challenges facing families in our time.” He then listed some specific challenges including domestic violence, alcoholism/drug addiction, sexism, unemployment, and urban unrest, abandonment of the elderly and homeless children. Finally he asked the Catholic community around the world to pray fervently for the intentions of the Synod. We can gain some further insight into issues confronting the Synod from an address given by the Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin (All Hallows College, 4 March 2015) particularly when speaking of what the Church might regard as irregular marital and family situations. The Archbishop said that the Church must reach

out to families where they are, but this does not mean leaving them where they are. He said that we can all be led by the help of grace to move gradually step by step towards living our Christian vocation more fully. He concluded that a fundamental challenge of the Synod will be to reawaken a sense of the importance of the mission of married people in the Church. Highlighting the important role parents play in their children’s human and spiritual upbringing Pope Francis plans to declare as saints the parents of St Therese of Lisieux, Zelie and Louis Martin, on 18 October during the Synod. The couple had nine children, four died in infancy and five daughters entered religious life. They were known to attend mass daily, pray and fast, visit the elderly and sick and welcome the poor into their home.

Following the conclusion of the Synod a final report (Relatio Synodi) will be forwarded to Pope Francis to assist him in finalising guidelines for the pastoral care of the family to be contained in an Apostolic Exhortation expected to be published in 2016. Family Synod documents can be viewed on the Diocesan website www.dbb.org.au/family Updates on the 2015 Family Synod process and deliberations can be viewed on the website and the Diocesan Family Life Ministries Facebook page. The Australian Catholic Marriage and Family Council has distributed a 2015 Family Synod Prayer card and a leaflet on ‘Families and Pope Francis’ to dioceses as resources for parishes and schools, and copies are being made available across the Diocese.

EVANGELISATION

To Be Missionaries of Mercy By Daniel Ang, Director, Office for Evangelisation evangelisation@dbb.org.au

It is a providential year for our new Office for Evangelisation to begin taking shape, as part of a process of renewal led by Bishop Peter.

n early December 2015 we will not only commemorate the closing fifty years ago of the Second Vatican Council but enter into a Jubilee Year of Mercy inaugurated by Pope Francis. By this Jubilee Year (8 December, 2015 – 20 November, 2016), the Holy Father calls the whole Church to grow deeper in awareness of the Father’s merciful and forgiving love, a love that sets us free to be who we are called to be as sons and daughters of God, and to bring that mercy to the world. As the parishes and people of the Diocese of Broken Bay our perennial mission is to evangelise, that is, to proclaim the gift of God’s love and mercy embodied in the person of Jesus as Good News, as the best news the twenty-first century could ever hear. In the midst of a turbulent world, where many have lost confidence in the person and promises of God, where others lie under the bridges of life, hungry in spirit and circumstance, we are sent forth as disciples of Jesus to bear witness to Him as the face of God’s compassion literally come down to earth. By his healing of the blind, deaf and sick, his forgiveness of the sinner, and ceaseless outreach to and blessing of the poor, Jesus reveals the intimate, loving concern of God. It is in Jesus, who lived, died and rose for us, that we know God’s friendship is offered to all people. It is in Jesus that we know that God is not remote or anonymous but seeks to encounter us personally with hope and joy even in the Good Friday experiences of our lives. As the face of the Father’s mercy, Jesus Christ seeks to befriend us and the Jubilee Year of Mercy invites us to encounter Him, to trust in His promise to carry us into a fullness of life that never ends. The personal challenge that an encounter with God’s mercy brings is the recognition that we

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36).

are not complete or sufficient unto ourselves, that we are pilgrims in faith with imperfect hearts, with something yet to learn and a relationship in which we can yet grow. In his beautiful catechesis on the sacraments, including Reconciliation, Pope Francis reminds us that these sacraments make present the constant companionship of Christ who forgives and renews his covenant with us time and again and who gives us the desire and strength to live as his disciples in every time and place. God’s mercy challenges us to recognise our limitations but at the same time opens us up to the possibilities that God can bring about in our lives, if we allow his merciful and loving grace to shape us. The social dimension of mercy is perfectly captured by the theme of the upcoming Jubilee, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). We are called to show mercy and compassion to others as it has been shown to us. It is instructive that the Latin translation of ‘mercy’ is misericordia, meaning to have one’s heart (cor) with the poor (miseri). In a world in which some 60 million people are displaced and without a home on account of war and violence, with so many isolated in fear and loss, our own parishes and homes can play a vital role in fostering understanding of this humanitarian crisis and promote solidarity in the protection and respect of human dignity. By our prayer, conversation and local action our communities can be, as Bishop Peter affirms, genuine ‘neighbourhoods of grace’ in a time when compassion and mercy are most in need. This is the kind of generosity of

heart and neighbourly love that is invited by the approaching Jubilee Year of Mercy. As the Office for Evangelisation prepares to launch in 2016, may we be comforted and challenged even now by the gift of mercy that we encounter in Jesus, Son of the

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Living God (Matt. 16:16). Like the father of the Prodigal Son, God has run out to meet us on the road of life, to take us into his embrace and accompanies us on our mission to share that Good News, that infinite mercy of Jesus Christ, with others.

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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Celebrating Fifty Years of Interfaith Dialogue By Teresa Pirola

Fifty years ago, the Church took a major step in positively rephrasing its understanding of its relationship to other religious communities.

he drafting of the document Nostra Aetate began as a statement of a renewed relationship with the Jewish people, and soon broadened its scope to include Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists, encouraging dialogue with followers of other religions. Nostra Aetate (its Latin title means ‘In our time’) was promulgated 28 October 1965. Over the past fifty years the Church and the world have undergone immense change. Australia today is a multicultural and relatively tolerant and peaceful society. The Church views diversity as a blessing and promotes dialogue as an essential trait of the Catholic life. However there remains much work to be done, especially in these globally complex and tense times, to encourage Catholics to embrace the Church’s commitment to interfaith dialogue and to act as leaven for peace and understanding in Australian society.

Emma Baynie, parishioner of Hornsby Parish, attended an International gathering in Rome commemorating Nostra Aetate’s fiftieth anniversary.

In many dioceses around the world the fiftieth anniversary celebrations of this remarkable document are in the form of conferences. Taking a different approach, the Diocese of Broken Bay has introduced an action-oriented grassroots strategy called “Get to Know the Neighbours.” As a way of furthering the vision of Nostra Aetate ‘on the ground’, parishes are encouraged, over the next 12 months, to make at least one meaningful contact with another religious tradition which resides within or near their neighbourhood. An accompanying leaflet offers practical suggestions and offers the Broken Bay Interfaith Commission as a resource in finding or making local contacts. [See www.dbb.org.au/ ecumenism-interfaith ] Already this year, our Diocese can celebrate examples of these interfaith neighbourhood connections. During Ramadan, for instance, 75 Catholics and Muslims from the Hills District came together for an Iftar Dinner hosted at St Agatha’s Pennant Hills. Joining in this ‘neighbourhood Iftar’ was the Grand Mufti of Australia Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammed who will again visit St Agatha’s on 1 November. In our Diocese invitations are also being issued to experience Saturday BBQs and Sunday breakfasts with Muslim families (courtesy of Affinity Intercultural Foundation). A number of neighbourly connections have been made this year with Jewish communities where groups of teachers and parishioners have visited synagogues at Chatswood and St Ives, where Catholic representatives recently

Torah scrolls viewed at synagogue by Catholic visitors.

participated in a Jewish Shabbat Dinner, where others joined in High Holy Day services, and where Catholics gather every month to learn Torah with a local Jewish Rabbi. Opportunities for neighbourly connections also exist with the Baha’i community, given that our Diocese shares a neighbourhood with one of seven Baha’i Temples throughout the world. There is also a number of Buddhist prayer places tucked away in our neighbourhoods as well as opportunities for Hindu and Sikh connections. Meanwhile, a number of key young adults from Broken Bay forge interfaith leadership networks, and we are blessed with school teachers and catechists responsive to the interfaith links arising naturally through their work. For more about the strategy “Get to Know the Neighbours”, visit:

www.dbb.org.au/ecumenism-interfaith

or contact Teresa Pirola

teresa.pirola@dbb.org.au

0417 438 736

Come together to pray for persecuted Christians: 13 October, Chatswood Powerless we may feel in the face of the persecution of Christians in the Middle East and the refugees pouring out of Syria. However, on 13 October our Diocese will do something powerful indeed.

n an evening of prayerful solidarity, Bishop Peter Comensoli will join with Bishop Haigazoun Najarian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand, in leading an ecumenical service in remembrance of persecuted Christians, past and present. This special gathering has been organised in the Centenary Year of the Armenian Genocide. One hundred years ago, 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children were subjected to a terrible persecution: killed, tortured, raped, starved, subjected to mass deportation, forced to abandon their cultural identity. In remembering this humanitarian tragedy of the early 20th century, Bishop Comensoli and Bishop Najarian will also lead prayers for today’s Christians subjected to similar atrocities in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere. In remembering

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the resilient faith of Armenian Christians over the course of history, the service will also call for Christian courage and active solidarity in our own time. We hope many clergy and parishioners from our Diocesan community will join with their Bishop in this important ecumenical event which will take place at Our Lady of Dolours Catholic Church at Chatswood, 7pm on Tuesday 13 October. Why Chatswood? Because in the Chatswood/Willoughby area our respective communities overlap: here Broken Bay Catholics and Armenian Christians are neighbours in worship, and it is here that the Armenian Primate, Bishop Haigazoun Najarian resides. Our prayerful solidarity on 13 October will indeed mark this area as a ‘neighbourhood of grace’. *

Deported Armenian mother and children.

For further information please contact Teresa Pirola:

teresa.pirola@dbb.org.au

ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Pope Francis has written you a letter Living and integrating the Encyclical Laudato Si’

Over 100 people from across the Diocese of Broken Bay gathered at St Agatha’s Primary School, Pennant Hills on 22 August to attend a day hosted by Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC) and the Filipino Chaplaincies Co-ordinating Council.

he Filipino Chaplain of the Broken Bay Diocese, Rev Fr Norberto Ochoa (CS AP) began the day with prayer taken from the Encyclical. Thea Ormerod, President of ARRCC, then gave some context and background to Pope Francis’ spirituality, formation and life as a Jesuit. Nick Grosfeld from the Climate Change Research Centre, University of NSW, provided a basic overview of the greenhouse effect and covered material surrounding the present increase in temperatures, impacts of rising sea levels, threats to food security and the unpredictability of rainfall where poor communities can’t plan or respond to seasons as they have traditionally been able to do.

“I appreciated the time to focus on the document and to listen to speakers who presented the document in a very accessible way, with both scientific and theological perspectives. I gained an appreciation of the richness of the document.” Trish Wilson, Chatswood Catholic Parish

“It brought together a broad cross section of people, not just Catholic. It was faith in action, opening up possibilities of a group to do something and make a difference, showing that people who have faith, want to act to better the world.” Margaret Cantrall, Hornsby Catholic Parish

Professor Neil Ormerod, Professor of Theology at Australian Catholic University (ACU) then delivered the framework and background of Pope Francis’ new Encyclical Laudato Si’. Starting with the prayer of St Francis – Praise to You Lord, Neil gave a beautiful overview of the spiritual and theological content, highlighting the significant contribution this encyclical will now play in our Church’s long tradition of Catholic social teaching. Laudato Si’, being unique in its significance and focus on both creation and human ecology certainly challenged those present to hear both the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth. Although a very challenging and daunting

issue, the interconnectedness of the message led the discussion in small groups to hope for action, from small individual changes to family, community, neighbourhood and national action. Much gratitude went to the Filipino community who so generously and warmly offered hospitality on the day. The breaks and lunch offered special time for continued lively discussion, supporting a sound human ecology. The participants were certainly informed and enthused by the day and many look forward to continuing on the journey of conversion as they take up the Diocese of Broken Bay’s offer to partake in a parish discussion group. To enquire, telephone 9847 0514 or email david.patterson@dbb.org.au

“There was this feeling of KINDNESS that overwhelmed me all day. I was so filled with care for our earth, for love and kindness towards our mother earth rather than extraction and profit.” Margy Dale, Social Justice Around the Bay, Diocese of Broken Bay

faith night TUESDAY 27 OCTOBER – GREENGATE HOTEL, KILLARA TUESDAY 24 NOVEMBER – REVIVER, GOSFORD Join us from 6.30pm – Open to all 18+ {youth@dbb.org.au} BBN

OCTOBER 2015

ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

We proclaim a crucified Christ 1Cor1.23

How do we become good neighbours? We proclaim a crucified Christ 1Cor1.23

As borders in Europe and the global public conscience continues to be roiled by the Syrian refugee crisis, Bishop Peter has expressed solidarity with the Holy Father and leaders in the Church in Australia by calling on us all to respond to this humanitarian crisis with charity and compassion. To the people of the Diocese of Broken Bay Dear friends, It was good news indeed to hear that our Federal Government has decided to welcome 12,000 more Syrian Refugees, who, like countless others, are fleeing places of violence, threat, and danger to their families. With this news, I am looking to put in place ways in which we – as the Church in Broken Bay – can become actively involved. We are awaiting details from the Australian Government as to how the increased intake of refugees will be processed, and what opportunities there might be to welcome them into our homes and communities. I have asked CatholicCare to consider what advice we might be able to obtain, and how we can act on this in the local Church.

If it is possible, I intend to offer a property owned by the Diocese to a family. Other properties might also be available if this fits in with government requirements. (I am hearing that some of our parishes are keen to provide ways of welcoming and supporting families.) Just a few weeks ago, I sent a video message to our parishes inviting us to respond to the globalisation of migration with a ‘globalisation of charity and cooperation.’ This echoes the sentiments of Pope Francis, who has asked all parishes in Europe to open their doors to at least one refugee or their family. In addition, and by a happy coincidence of timing, this year’s Social Justice Statement Mostthe RevAustralian Peter A Comensoli (2015-16) from Bishops has Bishop of Broken Bay been released, appropriately titled: For Those

Who’ve Come Across the Seas: Justice for refugees and asylum seekers. I invite you to read it and reflect deeply: http://www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au/files/ SJSandresources/2015-SJS-Statement.pdf

Bishop Vincent Long, Chairman of the Australian Social Justice Council, has written a reflection piece on the Statement which can be found on the following page here in the Broken Bay News. Meanwhile, I invite all our clergy and lay leaders, our parishes and schools, and especially our families, to consider what they might be able to do to welcome refugees and their families, and to be ambassadors of mercy. Yours sincerely in Christ Jesus, Bishop Peter A Comensoli

Caroline Chisholm Centre, PO Box 340, Pennant Hills, NSW 1715, Australia Most Rev Peter A Comensoli • Tel: (+61 2) 9847 0214 • Fax: (+61 2) 9847 0201 • bishop@dbb.org.au • www.dbb.org.au Bishop of Broken Bay Caroline Chisholm Centre, PO Box 340, Pennant Hills, NSW 1715, Australia • Tel: (+61 2) 9847 0214 • Fax: (+61 2) 9847 0201 • bishop@dbb.org.au • www.dbb.org.au

Youth Parliament of World Religions – A Landmark Event Over 500 young leaders gathered at the Sydney Baha’i Centre, Silverwater, on the 17 September for the inaugural Youth Parliament of World Religions (Youth PoWR), an interreligious initiative led by the Columban Mission Institute.

outh leaders from Jewish, Baha’i, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, Hindu and Christian communities appealed to their religious and civic leaders to promote the work of religious dialogue and exchange as well as to provide appropriate facilities and protections so that all Australians can live their faith freely with dignity and without vilification. Daniel Ang, Director of Evangelisation, represented the Christian faith and commended the initiative as firm recognition of our neighbour as one who travels on the same path of humanity, and affirmed that the nobility of the human person lies not only in their creation but in their destiny, their capacity to foster unity, love and solidarity towards a more humane and transcendent future. He shared

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that the Good News of Jesus Christ commits the Christian to move in love toward the other, with the same love with which God has reached out toward us (1 John 4:19) and affirmed interreligious dialogue as a bridge

by which we not only come to understand others but arrive at a firmer understanding of ourselves in the integrity of our own faith. In addition to testimonies of faith, the night included inspiring spoken word poetry,

a powerful performance by Polynesian youth, and concluding praise from Ms Dai Le, Advisory Board Member of Multicultural NSW, for this ground-breaking event in the work of interreligious dialogue.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

For Those who’ve Come Across the Seas By Bishop Vincent Long OFMConv The former Prime Minister’s announcement that Australia will be taking an extra 12,000 refugees from Syria and Iraq on a temporary basis is a generous response to the refugee crisis we have been watching on our television screens over the past week.

he journey of a refugee is chaotic and risky. From the moment of departure, there is the risk of injury, starvation, separation, persecution, imprisonment and even death. Such desperation and human misery invites us to respond with compassion, solidarity and generosity. The increasing global movement of people and our nation’s response mean it is timely for us to reflect on this important issue, which is why Australia’s Catholic bishops launched our Annual Social Justice Statement on justice for refugees and asylum seekers. For me, the desperate plight of refugees is particularly poignant because I came to Australia as a boat person, fleeing as a teenager from Vietnam in the wake of the Fall of Saigon. I experienced communist oppression and I saw how tyranny and cruelty can leave people with no choice but to seek refuge elsewhere, in any way possible. I am grateful Australia gave me refuge and a new life. My brother bishop, Archbishop Amel Nona, was Archbishop of Mosul in Iraq until he and his fellow Christians were driven from that ancient city. He, like me, now calls Australia home. When people are forced into flight, it is the neighbouring countries that are usually most affected. Five years ago, Syria was ranked the second largest refugeehosting country in the world. Now it has become the world’s largest refugee-producing country, with around four million people fleeing mostly to the neighbouring countries of Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt. Just last year around 120,000 Iraqi Christians were forced to flee their homes and resettle in Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan. These people are living in terrible conditions and they are gradually losing hope of returning to their homes and are worried

about the future of their families and children. Who can blame people for travelling to Europe in the hope of a better life? Today, millions more are fleeing and dying; Rohingyas, Syrians, Hazaras and Somalis. In 2014 there were almost 60 million people who had been displaced because of persecution, conflict or violence. The Prime Minister’s announcement contrasts with recent asylum seeker policies focused on asylum seekers in our region, which seem to have lost sight of the human dignity of the person seeking asylum and our obligation to assist and protect. We have come to believe that harshness and rejection will be enough to deter desperate people from their flight to safety and their right to protection. However, for too many asylum seekers, this is not a decision which they made lightly. We need to walk in their shoes, hear their stories and appreciate their courage and determination for a better future. Pope Francis speaks of how the journey of the asylum seeker is characterised by the search for understanding, acceptance and solidarity. As a global citizen, Australia has the opportunity to lead a regional response that respects the right of each nation to protect its borders while ensuring protection for asylum seekers and the establishment of prompt refugee status determination and resettlement options. We need to work globally to develop in-country solutions that can effectively protect displaced people, regionally to increase genuine protection spaces in countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, and locally by substantially increasing Australia’s humanitarian intake. The billions of dollars spent each year on deterring and detaining thousands of vulnerable people

would be better spent in our region on policies that are far more humane and effective. Australia rose to the challenge in the past with its generous embrace of migrants and refugees. It proved itself especially courageous during the Indochinese exodus and accepted an unprecedented number of Asian refugees. We are right to be generous to Syrian refugees. Once we have resettled the 12,000 Syrians, we should consider whether there is capacity to do more. Australia changed for the better as it always has with each successive wave of new arrivals. Australia is what it is today because of their determination and drive for a better future. We honour the legacy of this great nation not by excessive protectionism, isolation and defence of our privilege at all costs. Rather, we make it greater by

our concern and care for asylum seekers in the spirit of compassion, solidarity and generosity that has marked the history of our country from its beginning. Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFMConv is Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne and Chair of the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council. The 2015-2016 Social Justice Statement, ‘For Those Who’ve Come Across the Seas: Justice for refugees and asylum seekers’ was launched for Social Justice Sunday 27 September 2015. BBN

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VOCATIONS

A Sign of Unity

By Debra Vermeer

From the edge of the Great Sandy Desert to England and back home again, the Rev Kenneth Hagan’s ministry, as an Anglican, took him and his wife Margaret on great adventures, and he sees his upcoming ordination as a priest for the Anglican Ordinariate in the Catholic Church in Australia as a continuation of that great adventure.

ishop Peter Comensoli ordained Ken as a Transitional Deacon for the Ordinariate of the Southern Cross, during a joyous Mass at St Mary of the Cross MacKillop parish, Warnervale on July 31. Ken says it was a wonderful occasion, shared with the Warnervale parish community, who have welcomed him and Margaret during the three years they have been worshipping at St Mary of the Cross. “I’ve belonged always to the Catholic tradition in the Anglican church,” he says. “And one of the features of that tradition is that we’ve always hoped for reunion with the rest of the Church. “So when Pope Benedict set up the Anglican Ordinariate to help facilitate that reunion it seemed logical for me to move towards that unity and to join the Ordinariate.” At a recent clergy conference for the Ordinariate of the Southern Cross, Ken says an official from the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said that ordination

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to the Catholic priesthood should be seen as “a continuation of our ministry, rather than starting again”. “And that’s how I do see it,” he says. “It’s not as if we are 23 years old and starting out again. We are carrying our experiences in ministry into the Catholic tradition.” Ken was born in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney into an Anglican family which was not particularly religious, but thanks to Sunday School, religious instruction at school, and going to church, his faith grew and he felt a call to the priesthood in his early teenage years. After school, he applied to the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle and was accepted for training at St John’s College, Morpeth, being ordained a priest in 1965. Ken’s first appointments were to the suburbs of Newcastle and the nearby coalfields, but after five years, he and Margaret, who he describes as “perhaps even more adventurous than I am”, stretched their wings and took an “on-loan” appointment in the Diocese of

VOCATIONS the North-West Australia. There, he established the parish of Mount Newman, south-east of Port Hedland, on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert. “It was a defining experience,” he says. “I learnt to become more than just a parish priest. I had to also be the general counsellor for both religious and non-religious people, the undertaker and the supervisor of grave digging. But it was wonderful. I was caring for some very remote, interesting communities, travelling 180 miles between masses on a Sunday.” After five years there, and with no vacancies in his home diocese of Newcastle, Ken and Margaret and the first of their two sons, headed for England, where Ken was appointed as Assistant Priest at the large parish of St Mary’s Portsea, in Portsmouth in the South of England. They later welcomed a second son there. “It was altogether a different experience, in a very deprived urban area which was once described in the 19th Century as the worst slum in England,” he says. “But it was a great place. We had a church congregation who embraced not just church life, but the whole of our activity in the community. We were the only non-council organisation who were housing people in the area, and we set up two playgroups and an old people’s day centre. It was demanding, but very interesting.” Following that, Ken took up a team ministry appointment, working with six rural parishes in the English Midlands and then worked with the St Mungo community in London, helping to provide housing and care for homeless men and women. They returned to Australia in 1989, taking up a parish appointment in Hamilton, the suburb of Newcastle that was badly damaged by an earthquake in that same year. “We had one church that had to be demolished after the quake and another building that fell off its brick piles,” Ken recalls. “And we were very involved in the community, helping to distribute generous donations from people in the parish to people who had been badly hit and were in need. I buried

six or seven people who were killed in the main street of Hamilton. Later, I was on the committee which helped to rebuild Beaumont Street into the café and restaurant precinct that it is today.” After a few years, Ken and Margaret responded to an invitation from an Anglican bishop who was a friend to go to Portland in western Victoria and they stayed there until Ken’s official retirement six years later. Deciding to head back to England for a holiday, Ken took up a job caring for a group of tiny parishes in East Anglia and then, after three years there, they returned to Australia and retired at the Central Coast. Ken says he is looking forward to trying to establish a community of the Ordinariate of the Southern Cross in the local area. “A lot of Anglicans may feel a sense of being drawn into the wider Catholic Church,” he says. “And there may be some Catholics who have come from an Anglo-Catholic background, or have perhaps converted to Catholicism who may find the English style of worship appealing to their spiritual development. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.” The Ordinariate brings great gifts to the Catholic community, Ken says. “It provides a broader outlook for people, many of whom perhaps don’t realise that the Anglican church has had any Catholic tradition,” he says. “So I think we can bring things. “We offer a slightly different tradition of language and liturgy and we’ve inherited a long English tradition of music – both the great choral music and the sort of music you might see on ‘Songs of Praise’. “So I think that as priests for the Ordinariate, we are a sign of unity, and we bring not only our theology, our gifts and talents and our experiences, but also, no doubt, our foibles and human weaknesses.” Ken’s ordination to the priesthood for the Ordinariate is scheduled for Saturday, 28 November, at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral.

Sisters of St Joseph Spirituality Ministry Live contemplatively through a deepening consciousness of God h Attend a retreat, contemplative weekend or morning reflection. For 2015 and 2016 offerings see the brochures on www.stjosephskincumber.org.au and www.stjosephscentre.org.au h Arrange your own retreat and book your group into St Joseph’s Baulkham Hills or St Joseph’s Kincumber. You will find the beautiful facilities, Chapels, prayer rooms, grounds and accommodation so conducive to spiritual nourishment. Email Baulkham Hills (frontdesk@stjosephscentre.org.au) and Kincumber (bookings@stjosephsretreat.org.au) for more information and/or booking forms. h Participate in one of the sabbaticals or programs on offer: Retirement for Mission 20 March – 27 April 2016 Cross Cultural Summer School 22 January – 2 February 2016 Acculturation Winter Program 10 July – 20 July 2016 Email frontdesk@stjosephscentre.org.au for further information and/or application form.

Sisters of St Joseph Retreat Centres, Australia Listening to theHeartbeat of the World

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OCTOBER 2015

EDUCATION

Cill Dara – Church of the Oak St Brigid’s Catholic College in Lake Munmorah unveiled its new buildings in an Official Opening Ceremony on Friday 28 August.

Unveiling the plaque: Left to right: Peter Hamill, Director of Schools, Most Rev Peter A Comensoli Bishop of Broken Bay, Senator Arthur Sinodinos, Julie Terry, Principal St Brigid’s Catholic College.

he ceremony began with a liturgy of blessing lead by Most Rev Peter A Comensoli, Bishop of Broken Bay, and was followed by Senator Arthur Sinodinos officially opening the buildings. Also attending were Jill Hall, Federal Member for Swansea, Yasmin Catley, State Member for Shortland, Councillor Doug Eaton, Mayor of Wyong Council and Peter Hamill, Director of Schools. Following the unveiling of a plaque the special guests were invited to take part in an Oak

Peter Hamill, Director of Schools planting the oak tree.

Tree Planting. The oak tree is a symbol attributed to St Brigid and the Abbey of Kildare (Cill Dara). It was from the sacred oak that ‘Cill Dara’ got its name, meaning Church of the Oak. “The Blessing and Opening signified an exciting stage in the life of St Brigid’s,”

Principal Julie Terry said. “The facilities have been designed to complement contemporary teaching and learning in an ITrich environment. We want our graduates to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes to leave us prepared for the changing landscape of life after school.”

Alive with the Sound of Music Ellie Drennan from St Joseph’s Catholic College East Gosford, has been crowned overall winner of ‘The Voice, Australia’ competition in 2015 and is the show’s youngest winner to date.

he Year 11 student has been a force to be reckoned with from day one of the fourth season of the reality TV show. Aged just 16, Ellie wowed the crowd each week with the depth and range of her voice as she took on complex acoustic versions of already famous songs. Ellie’s love of singing started at the age of five and she began playing the guitar when she was eight. She also has performed in front of 70,000 people at Carols in the Domain. Nathan Hawes, another top four finalist on The Voice, is a student at St Edward’s College

next door. Nathan and Ellie often performed together at joint school liturgies. Ellie has been presented with some unique opportunities to develop her craft as an artist and pursue her love of music on a fulltime basis, with her first album released in September. St Joseph’s is not only revelling in Ellie’s success but also celebrating their college choir winning the National Choral Eisteddfod Canberra in August. The choir, under the musical direction of Mr Phil Rees OAM, won the Under 19 Years Championship section of

the eisteddfod for the second time, after winning in 2013. The 21 singers performed three contrasting songs, one of which was Australian, another unaccompanied and the third a Hungarian folk song. They were complimented by the adjudicator for their interesting and varied choice of repertoire.

A Close Result The Br Tony Whelan Public Speaking Competition for Year 6 students has been running for 18 years in the Broken Bay Diocese, with this year’s Diocese Grand Final at St Patrick’s Catholic School, Asquith on 24 August.

tudents presented a threeminute prepared speech and were then given ten minutes to compose a one-minute speech. Special guests included

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Hornsby Mayor, Steve Russell and Peter Hamill, Director of Schools. As the adjudicators met to deliberate on their decisions, family, friends and guests were treated to a superb piano recital by Kevin Fan, a Year Seven Music Scholar of Knox Grammar School and Youth Ambassador for Fine Music since 2013. Dr Mark Askew, Head of Educational Services from the Catholic Schools Office, one of the three adjudicators commented, “The speakers were

all outstanding. It is wonderful to hear young people who are so confident, articulate and engaging as speakers, both in terms of their prepared and impromptu speeches. Congratulations to each participant!” In what was described as a close

result, Mason Fitzgerald from St Mary’s Catholic School, Toukley, Jessie Massoud from St Gerard’s Catholic School, Carlingford received second place and Nicholas Townsend from Sacred Heart Catholic School, Mona Vale came third.

EDUCATION

Yellow-bellied Glider Students from schools on the Central Coast descended on Taronga Zoo on 29 July to immerse themselves in 24 hours of learning about the Yellow-bellied Glider.

he 160 students, from Holy Cross Catholic School, St Patrick’s Catholic School, St Joseph’s Catholic College and St Edward’s College, learned that the glider is threatened in the Gosford region. Primary students were guided by glider experts including Wendy Gleen, a zookeeper and breeding expert, and senior horticulturalist Kevin Crowe. The students also received guidance from CSO Aboriginal Education Officer, Dave Ella and high school mentors. The learning journey continued with an excursion to Kincumba Mountain in August to see the native habitat of the gliders. Students will initiate bush regeneration activities, learn from a senior ecologist about Yellow-bellied Glider habitat and seek an Aboriginal perspective from the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council. Vocational Education Officer Phil Cox commented that “The in-situ day at Kincumba Mountain was very successful. The students experienced a number of well thought out and informative sessions about the Yellow-bellied Glider and its surroundings. I am really looking forward to seeing the student presentations at the Community Expo Day on 15 September at Holy Cross.” This year, the project has been generously supported by Gosford Council’s Protection of the Environment Trust grant, and a donation of one hundred books about gliders from Australian author Jill Morris.

Project Yellow-bellied Glider is a Term 3 project-based integrated learning experience facilitated by Taronga Zoo in partnership with the DBB Catholic Schools Office Educational Services team.

St Vincent de Paul Night Patrol Van Parents and students at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic School, Forestville and St Martin’s Catholic School, Davidson devised a plan at last year’s Peninsula Learning Community of Schools Mission Project Day to come together and support the St Vinnie’s Night Patrol Van.

he schools raised funds, purchased food and made sandwiches which were distributed by Marist College on their Monday night run with the Night Patrol Van. The initiative was a resounding success and was well-supported by the parents and students of both schools. Steve Foresto, the Religious Education Co-ordinator at Our Lady of Good Counsel, in turn proposed to the P&F committee that the initiative be continued on a more regular basis. The committee unanimously supported the proposal and hopes to increase contributions to fortnightly in the future and will also supply non-perishable items such as toiletries, socks and beanies. BBN

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EDUCATION

I Love Pittwater Pittwater Council has been working with students at Maria Regina Catholic School, Avalon, as well as two public schools in the Northern Beaches area, to engage primary students in stormwater education.

he project ‘Nothing but Rain down the Drain’ was carried out during Term Two when the Maria Regina students attended a number of workshops about stormwater pollution. Natural Environment & Education Manager Mark Beharrell said, “The goal of the education program was to engage and give students a thorough understanding of stormwater issues. Some of the students were then invited to create a twominute eco movie on the topic that Council could use to help educate the broader community.”

The Maria Regina students were involved in all aspects of movie-making – including script writing, storyboard creation, and performing in the production. A local production company, assisted the Council with film production. The project was funded by the NSW Government Greater Sydney Local Lands Services and supported by the Peninsula Community of Schools. The videos can be viewed online at Council’s YouTube channel, I Love Pittwater Facebook page or on the Coastal Environment Centre’s website: www.pittwater.nsw.gov.au/cec

Heated Debate in Council Chambers S

The hot topic of developing Warringah reignited when some of our youngest citizens recently took their views to Warringah Council.

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tudents from Year 3 and 4 at St Kevin’s Catholic School, Dee Why took on the roles of mayor, concerned residents, reporters and others. They discussed the pros and cons in the council chamber. Year 3 discussed ‘Should Warringah build a water theme park?’ and Year 4 discussed whether ‘Warringah should use the parks to build more units’. In the end, the opponents to

change prevailed and there was no change to local laws. The visit was part of Local Government Week and teacher Rebecca Raso said, “It was a fun and interactive way for the children to discover the role and importance the local council plays. Above all, the highlight most definitely was dressing up and getting into character for a heated discussion led by councillor Vanessa Moskal.”

EDUCATION

St Paul’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations On 7 August, St Paul’s Catholic College celebrated 50 years on the current St Patrick’s Estate site in Darley Road, Manly and the official opening of Waterford Hall.

he day began with a Mass led by Bishop Peter A Comensoli at St Mary’s Catholic Church Manly. Celebrations continued up at the College with a traditional smoking ceremony by Aboriginal elder Uncle Max as staff, students and guests made their way into Waterford Hall. Bishop Comensoli then blessed the new building and The Waterford Hall was officially opened. The afternoon saw the College play host to the Hon. Tony Abbott, former Prime Minister

and the Hon. Mike Baird, NSW Premier, who toured the new hall and facilities and addressed the students then mingled with those present. The VIPs also unveiled a commemorative plaque on the site of the new Waterford Hall, which will be completed in December this year. Mr Abbott addressed the assembled staff and students and described St Paul’s as “a fine school” with “outstanding” teachers. He said that he was certain the new building would be “marvellous.”

The Premier said, “I congratulate St Paul’s on their half a century and their commitment to produce generations of young men that understand service, community and the value of a well-rounded education.” The $7.5 million building will include a hall, auditorium, computer labs, gymnasium, music rooms, and art rooms, as well as a kitchen. Principal Mark Baker said “the school was buzzing with the visit all day and that the staff and students were thrilled.”

The Parliament of Prouille Recently, as part of their learning in Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE), the Year 5 students at Prouille Catholic School, Wahroonga engaged in an election campaign for the ‘Parliament of Prouille’.

oth Year 5 classes created their own political parties, the US Party (United Students) and PEACE Party (People Ensuring A Caring Environment) and developed their campaign elements around the needs of the community. Advertising and various forms of promotional material were circulated throughout the campaign, with an election being held at the end. Students Manaya Uskovic and Lucie Cuda commented, “We even had real election booths, ballot boxes and polling officer tags!

Throughout our campaign we enjoyed the advice and guidance from two State MPs – Alister Henskins and Matt Kean. They gave us some great insight into the privileges of living in a democratic country. It was a fantastic

experience, one that we will remember forever!” Both State MPs were impressed by all the students had learned and how active they had been in engaging with their local school community.

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OCTOBER 2015

EDUCATION

‘Pope’ Brings Joy on Schools Tour A cardboard cut-out of Pope Francis has embarked on a tour of Broken Bay schools. The tour is set to take him to all schools throughout the Diocese over the next year.

t is known as the ‘Joy Tour’ in recognition of some of the positive messages of Pope Francis, including his famous statement that priests should stay close to the marginalised because “shepherds should smell of their sheep.” Students and teachers alike at schools on the Central Coast were very excited to receive their visits from the ‘Pope’ throughout August. He spent time in the classrooms and engaged in all areas of

OCTOBER 2015

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school life, including attending staff meetings, supporting students donating blood at MacKillop Catholic College in Warnervale, and attending Sunday Mass with families from St Cecilia’s Catholic School in Wyong. With the ‘Pope’ looking on, the students learnt more about the Pope and his message. To follow his journey visit http://dbbjoytour.blogspot.com.au/

YOUTH MINISTRY

Our Hearts were Stretched Wide Open Broken Bay Diocese Youth Ambassador Immersion – Zambia, Africa

By Cathy Martorana

Who has heard of such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be delivered in one moment? Yet as soon as Zion was in labour she delivered her children.

ur hearts were literally opened on the very first day of our Young Adult Immersion to Zambia, Africa. How could this happen? How could a nation and a people-group stretch wide our hearts and flood in, in such a short time frame? This is the effect of the welcome, warmth and hospitality of the people and the African Church. The immersion gave our Youth Ambassadors the extraordinary opportunity to not only experience the life of the universal Church in the developing nation of Zambia, but also enabled the Diocese of Broken Bay and the Diocese of Chipata to have another opportunity to further strengthen their friendship. Our twelve Diocesan Youth Ambassadors spent the majority of time in Zambia, in the Diocese of Chipata, the rural Eastern Province of Zambia. Here we were welcomed most enthusiastically by Bishop George Lungo, Bishop of Chipata Diocese, and Fr Jacob Zulu, Director for Communications. We had the privilege of visiting Tivwirane School, a primary/high school of 1000+ children, and Cheshire Home for Disabled Children. We had the pleasure of interviewing young seminarians and sharing their joy

Isaiah 66:8 (NRSV)

and enthusiasm for Christ and the youthful African Church. Our visit to Radio Maria (Vatican Radio) enabled us to witness first hand a successful evangelisation ministry that speaks to an audience of 1.5 million rural locals 24 hrs/day. Time spent interacting with the Diocesan youth, sharing in their dances, plays, poems and Mass, was very special. We spent time in remote areas of the Diocese including Chikungu and Kalichelo Parish, where we joined in traditional Ngoma dance, shared with catechists, and with the Catholic Women’s Organisation. A highlight was celebrating Sunday Mass, where for nearly four hours we joined the vibrant dancing Church of Africa in celebrating Eucharist, which most unusually for us, included offerings of live chickens and a goat. On our way to Lusaka Diocese, we stopped at Chamilila Clinic, very close to the Mozambique border, and due to open in August 2015. Here, at this modest and basic clinic, we heard that women were already waiting at the border for the clinic to open, so that they would have a place to deliver their babies safely. In the capital of Lusaka, we visited the Cathedral,

Kasisi School and Orphanage, and had the amazing opportunity to play with the orphaned children and hold babies at Mother Teresa House, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity. The opportunity to encounter God in creation on safari at South Luangwa National Park and Victoria Falls in Livingstone left us speechless at God’s creative hand in nature, and the power,

wonder and majesty of our God. To witness an African sunrise and sunset is also something that we will never forget – what a delight to view God’s artistry as He paints His breathtaking blessing over the land of Africa each day! Yes Zambia, your people, your Church, and your land stretched open wide our hearts. We will never forget you, we are forever changed.

YOU’RE INVITED TO OUR

SOCIAL DINNER 2015 ........................................ Celebrate the end of the year with our incredible DBB Young Adults Community with drinks & canapes followed by a three-course meal and entertainment at The Epping Club, Epping Saturday 14 Nov 2015 from 6.30pm Open to all 18-35 years old $45p.p.

WWW.DBB.ORG.AU/YOUTH

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OCTOBER 2015

ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Conference Renews Hope and Enthusiasm for RCIA Ministry By Carole Gan, Director Parish Support Unit

Every day, clergy and laity in parishes around the world assist others in their preparations to receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist).

hey do this through the process of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), where they share their own faith journey, break open the Word and explore the Church’s teaching on various subjects. Over seventy conference participants from dioceses and parishes around NSW gathered for the 2015 RCIA NSW/ACT State Conference, which was proudly hosted by the Diocese of Broken

Bay from 28-30 August at the Diocesan offices at Pennant Hills. Throughout the Conference participants: heard keynote addresses from Daniel Ang (Director, Office for Evangelisation) and Fr John Frauenfelder (Adult & Parent Faith Formation Coordinator, Catholic Schools Office); had their RCIA questions addressed by an expert panel consisting Fr Frauenfelder, Fr Elio Capra (Archdiocese of Melbourne)

and Mrs Marita Winters, (Director, National Office for Evangelisation); attended various workshops from RCIA practitioners from around the State; and attended a Conference dinner. It was encouraging yet humbling for the organisers to learn that numerous participants took from the Conference a renewed sense of hope and enthusiasm for the ministry, and plenty of ideas to try out in their parishes and dioceses.

The keynote addresses and workshops which were designed to be practical; providing ideas, tips and the opportunity for the novice through to the veteran RCIA teams to ask questions and share stories had clearly achieved what they were meant to do. Resources for the RCIA, including material from the above mentioned conference can be found in the RCIA section on www.dbb.org.au/liturgy.

Religious Education in NSW Public Schools – A Parent’s Choice By Alison Newell, Diocesan Coordinator, Confraternity of Christian Doctrine

There has been a lot of media hype lately about the place of religion in NSW public schools.

pecial Religious Education (SRE) has been an integral part of the NSW school curriculum for over 130 years and has made a significant contribution to public education in this State. In the multicultural, multi-faith society in which we live SRE continues to offer quality choices to parents of children who attend public schools. Some misconceptions have arisen about the place of SRE in public schools in NSW. Below are some facts to set the record straight. Parents of children who attend public schools in NSW have always had the right of choice to enrol their children in Special Religious Education (SRE) classes. This right of parents is enshrined in law. The NSW Education Act states: “In every government school, time is to be allowed for the religious education of children of any religious persuasion…” (Education Act 1990, Section 32)

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Similarly parents have always had the right of choice to exclude their children from SRE classes. The Education Act further states: “No child at a government school is to be required to receive any general religious education or special religious education if the parent of the child objects to the child’s receiving that teaching or education”. (Education Act 1990, Section 33) A parent organisation known as Fairness in Religions in School (FIRIS) is currently campaigning against SRE in public schools. FIRIS claims that there is a lack of regulation around SRE and that proselytising takes place in NSW public schools. The Department of Education (DEC) Religious Education Policy and Implementation Procedures provide comprehensive guidelines that regulate the place of SRE for the purpose of religious education, which exclude proselytising. SRE in NSW public schools is provided by approved religious

persuasions under these very clear DEC RE policy and procedures. Students cannot attend SRE without the consent of their parents. SRE teachers are required to undergo mandatory initial and ongoing training to equip them to work with children in the SRE classroom. SRE teachers are also required to teach the authorised curriculum of their approved religious persuasion. SRE providers are required to authorise those who teach SRE. Authorisation of SRE teachers includes a NSW Working with Children Check. SRE providers are required to display their approved SRE curriculums on their websites. Further, SRE providers must comply with requirements relating to authorisation, training, curriculum and pedagogy and they are required to declare their compliance on an annual basis in order to be approved by the Minister for Education as an SRE provider for the following year.

The Catholic Church is the largest denominational provider of SRE in New South Wales and has always respected the right of parents to choose SRE or non-SRE for their children. SRE teachers from all faiths respect the rights of parents and other religious persuasions and ethic providers who teach in the schools. In a democratic society, parents should have the right to choose or not to choose religious education for their children in a public school system. The fact is that hundreds of thousands of children attend SRE in NSW public schools on a regular basis because their parents choose for them to do so. In the pluralistic society in which we live, SRE provides options for parents who choose to educate their children in the NSW public school system. SRE in public schools is a wonderful model of inclusiveness and equity in our multi-faith, multi-cultural society.

NEWS & ISSUES

Learning from our Asian brothers and sisters in Christ On Saturday 18 July, Bishop Peter gave a presentation to an international conference of Catholic moral theologians in India on the topic, ‘The task of moral theology in a secular society – some episcopal reflections.’

osted at Christ University Bangalore, the conference gathered theological ethicists from across Asia (and Australia) for the Asian Regional Conference of a global network called ‘Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church’. These include priests and deacons, religious brothers and sisters, bishops and lay men and women from across the world, who gathered to discuss: ‘Doing Catholic theological ethics in a cross-cultural and interfaith Asian context.’ Other Australians present for this important event were Professor Robert Gascoigne (Australian Catholic University), Sandie Cornish (Society of the Sacred Heart in Australia and New Zealand), Dan Fleming (Broken Bay Institute), Hoa Trung Dinh (Catholic Theological College, Melbourne), Philip Malone MSC (Yarra Theological Union), and Nigel Zimmermann (Diocese of Broken Bay). Bishop Peter highlighted the

fact that India is one of the most populated countries of the world, and that Australia has its home alongside Asia in this part of the world. The Bishop invited humility, prayer and a trust in the biblical message, as well as a focus on the cross and on mercy. Other attendees included the Cardinal Archbishop of Bombay, Most Rev Oswald Gracias, who celebrated Mass with Bishop Peter, and the Archbishop of Manila in the Philippines, His Eminence Cardinal Luis Tagle, who noted in his talk that for Pope Francis: ‘The future of the Church is in Asia.’ Bishop Peter spent much of his time hearing the remarkable stories of our brothers and sisters in the Church through Asia, many of whom face struggles we can barely imagine in a safe and prosperous country like Australia; but in countless ways their faith is richer and more beautiful than our practice of it in our own country. In the poorer parts of Asia,

political and cultural realities often impact most heavily upon women and children, and the faith of Catholic Christians has cultivated a love and solidarity for those who suffer poverty, oppression and marginalisation. For India alone, Catholics number under 2% of the total population, yet when driving around Bangalore and across the countryside it is noticeable how many of the orphanages, schools, homes for the disabled and hospitals are resourced and run by Catholic Religious Orders. In his talk, Bishop Peter drew on the story of St Paul in the Book of Acts, who changed his approach when he went from preaching to the Jews to preaching to the Gentiles. St Paul realised that he could not simply preach the resurrection to the Gentiles, whose philosophy and outlook could not yet understand this teaching. Instead, he shifted his emphasis to the ‘crucified Christ’ (1 Cor 1:23), which is part of

the quotation from St Paul that Bishop Peter took as his episcopal motto: ‘We preach a crucified Christ’. Australia is very different from our brethren in Asia, and one of the major character traits of our culture is that much of the Catholic moral vision has been lost to our neighbours, friends, colleagues and family; if a Christian vision once permeated Australian culture, it does not any more. For this reason, Bishop Peter was keen to learn from our Asian brothers and sisters in Christ, many of whom know more of suffering for the Gospel than we do. “We must embark on a ‘new proclamation’ of the Catholic moral vision, which rests totally in the person of Jesus Christ,” Bishop Peter said. “The effectiveness of such an engagement will not depend on theoretical prowess nor on intellectual acquiescence to the new paradigm, but on the quality of our witness to a life understood as, and lived out in, Christ’.”

Nigel Zimmerman pictured with Cardinal Luis Tagle.

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OCTOBER 2015

ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Why Fathers Still Matter Hornsby Parish Men’s Breakfast

Do men have anything special to contribute to the raising of children? Is “father” just a sexist term for a parent whose role could be filled by any number of people? And if so, where does that leave men?

ne man who has strong views on the importance of fathers to the well-being of society is acclaimed author, speaker and businessman Robert Falzon, founder of menALIVE, the national Catholic ministry for men. And the men of the Hornsby parish will benefit from his insights at a men’s breakfast to be held at the Light of Christ Centre on 28 November. The event will run from 7.30 to 9am with breakfast provided for a cost of $20 ($15 for early bird bookings). Any money left over will be donated to the parish’s African orphans appeal. Robert will be introduced by the Bishop Peter Comensoli, and will talk about why fathers still matter. Last year Robert released a book he co-authored entitled The Father Factor which examines the connection between fatherchild relationships and long-term happiness, financial success and work success. As one reviewer put it, the book asserts that “the

impact of engaged and responsible fathering is felt far beyond the boundaries of the family. Indeed society is safer and healthier for all because of it.” Robert describes the increasing number of children growing up without fathers as the biggest social problem facing Australia. “It is a social disaster and a far bigger problem than smoking, alcoholism and drug addiction,” he says. For example studies in the US found that more than 70 percent of all male prisoners were raised in households with an absent, alcoholic or abusive father, or no father at all. In contrast almost all young men who stay active in the Church after leaving school not only have fathers at home but fathers who regularly attend church. For daughters, fathers are just as important and play a crucial role in building self-esteem, confidence and self-respect.

But learning to be a father is not as easy as picking up a manual, says Robert who has four children with his wife of 31 years, Alicia. “I received more instructions

on how to set up our new Blu-ray DVD player with its two manuals (one written in five languages), warranties and a help-line, than anything that I had been given to be a father.”

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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

‘The Heart of Jesus beats within us all’

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) National Assembly 2-6 July, Darwin The NATSICC National Assembly attracts participants from a diverse range of backgrounds. The gathering is an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (and those working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) to come together and discuss faith, culture and spirituality in contemporary Australia.

his year’s theme is ‘The Heart of Jesus beats within us all’, which calls for us to look within ourselves and work together as a strong, faith based people. Julieann Coombes, Chair of DBB’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Ministry Committee, attended the Assembly and reported that the event ran smoothly, with a larger than expected number of attendees. Charlie King (OAM), MiriamRose Ungunmerr-Baumann (AM) and Vicki Clark were the keynote speakers. They shared their personal stories of growth in the Catholic Church and spoke on the importance of enculturation and the need for a culturally appropriate liturgy. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from St Martin de Porres Church gathered with

delegates to celebrate Sunday Mass. Everyone joined together as the smoking ceremony welcomed participants and singing echoed through the building, accompanied by music from members of the local community. The Broken Bay Diocese proudly displayed a newly acquired banner in amongst the many from around Australia. Aboriginal Catholic students were invited to come along and share the unique aspects of their faith, culture and spirituality. DBB was well represented by three students from Central Coast Catholic Schools, Kiesha Bovill, Shana Leonard and Tiarna Baker; the girls were accompanied by Dave Ella, Aboriginal Education Consultant for DBB, and Donna Sutton, Aboriginal Education Worker for DBB. The students attended youth

Singing Up Country

workshop and other presentations with the main Assembly, and were able to share with Elders and role models from all over Australia. In their free time they took in the beauty of the Northern Territory. All in all, Julieann found the Assembly enlightening and extremely motivating and feels that Committee members are ready to start the next chapter of the Diocese’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Ministry.

Since the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Ministry was set up by Bishop David Walker in 2010 it has organised a number of Aboriginal themed Masses. The next Mass will be held on Sunday 29 November at 10.00am at Corpus Christi, St Ives with Bishop Peter Comensoli presiding. All are welcome. Further information on ATSICM is available at http://www.dbb.org.au/ATSICM

By Anne Lanyon, ATSICM Committee Member

“Congratulations! It was deadly! What a great night! Joyous and solemn all at the same time! Wonderfully organised. What talent!”

hese are some of the comments about the first ever Singing Up Country Concert held at St Anthony in the Field, Terrey Hills on Sunday evening, 31 May.

Cody, Lois and Leo.

Frenchs Forest parishioners and visitors from all over were treated to a truly inspirational evening of Aboriginal and nonAboriginal voices celebrating Aboriginal languages. The Smoking Ceremony prepared us as we entered the church with the sun setting in the west. The campfire pointed us to our gathering. Neil Evers (descendant of Bungaree) welcomed us to Country. “Singing Up Country” was a community event aimed at building on the long-held “Sharing the Story, Sharing the Land” relationship with the parish community. The concert program

Group with Graham – Singing Up Country.

was put together by Michael Birk, with Graham Merrit as MC. As well as Michael there were singer/guitarist Corey Kirk and Bangali, singer Haley McAulie, the Gerard McMinn dance group, singer/pianist Nick Paton and singer/guitarist Johnny Nicol. Well known jazz pianist Kevin Hunt came to watch and ended up playing. Interval was a time for keeping warm on the delicious soups prepared by members of the Social Justice Group and for visiting the community resource table. This included information about “RECOGNISE” on the need and desire for recognition of Aboriginal peoples in the Australian Constitution (www.recognise.org.au). The performances highlighted the importance of identity and knowing our shared history. They paid special attention and respect to local and surrounding Aboriginal Languages, land and

community. There were so many highlights but probably the greatest was “Ngaya Wugal” (We are Australian) sung in Dharug. The local Indigenous Australian community on the Northern Beaches is a diverse group and includes descendants of the original inhabitants of the area as well as from all over Australia. The connection between them and our church community is important from a spiritual perspective. The Holy Spirit is present among us in a special way when we connect with the deep spiritual connection to Country with which our Aboriginal brothers and sisters gift us and for which we are all searching in our own way. We look forward to more “Singing up Country” performances. Thanks to all those who were part of this amazing evening, especially to the wonderful Social Justice team and to the Yeagl family, Michael, Jessica and Lois Birk who made it happen. BBN

OCTOBER 2015

HARVEST HUBSTERS HAVE IT ALL BOXED UP Forget fibre to the node, this is veggies to the desk! Every Wednesday a truck rolls up at Caroline Chisholm Centre and an eclectic bunch of delivery men and women get out to unload fresh produce sourced direct from local Sydney farmers. These are CatholicCare’s own Harvest Hubsters, a group of people with disabilities who are developing skills in money management, timekeeping, task focus, reading and following directions through a work based program, which also meets growing consumer need for fresh produce sourced locally and direct. Run in conjunction with Harvest Hub, a fresh food based social enterprise, the program is a great learning opportunity. Says Julian Baez Avellaneda, Disability Futures Program Designer of the work experience program: “Our Hubsters love the learnings this wholesale distribution and packing operation provides. An increasing number are involved in the tasks which vary from cleaning and sorting the vegetables, quality and stock control, managing orders and liaising with suppliers. And of course our buyers! d Anyone local to Waitara intereste or ghtly ortni kly/f wee a up in picking gly lovin veg and fruit of r monthly orde est Harv our by d selected and boxe er Hubsters can email Julian for furth rg.au info on baezavellaneda@dbb.o

Photo L-R: Disability Futures support workers Thomas Philip, Sue Khullar and (far right) Nat Tharratt. Hubsters: Sarah, Jessica, Buffalo (Andrew!), Brent and Sam (seated).

BOOK WEEK IS NOT JUST FOR KIDS Book Week this year was an extra special event at CatholicCare Early Learning Centres. With the Children’s Book Council of Australia celebrating its 70th anniversary, our Early Learning Educators celebrated by reading some of the children’s favourite Australian books and our pre-schoolers celebrated by dressing up as their favourite book characters! At Our Lady of Good Counsel ELC, Forestville, the children came dressed as superheroes, pirates, princesses and even Harry Potter came to play! The highlight of the dress-up day of course was also the invitation to parade as book characters

at the ‘Big School’ next door, including a special tour of the staff room with OLGC Primary School Principal Meredith Tomkins leading the way. Well done OLGC educators for showing such great spirit. Books should always be read by a hearty pirate, fairy queen or inscrutable geisha!

P.S. Anyone who

works in Caroline

Chisholm Centre

can have their box

delivered to the

desk for free

Photo: ELC Educator Rachel Groot Obbink with some of our young princesses.

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

Photo: Tony Cameron, Eliza Miller & Martin Derby

GREAT FEEDBACK FOR CATHOLICCARE! Many CatholicCare staff work on a daily basis with people in our diocese who are close to the edge or in need of help or support. Or healing from the pain of domestic violence, sexual abuse, relationship breakdown or a wide range of other problems or situations. We often get verbal thanks which is immediate and heartfelt because of the work we do. But it is much rarer – and altogether lovelier – in this age of texts and tweets and emoticons, to receive a formal expression of gratitude clearly designed to name and praise specific workers. It is even more special when the person writing was referred to us by another Catholic agency who can then feel

reassured in their referral – and take delight also – that the many arms of the Church, together, have worked to provide relief. And this is what happened recently, when Sr Georgette Rolland referred someone needing assistance to our Naremburn Family Centre, while working at St Vincent de Paul at Crows Nest. We were delighted to get this letter (rignt hand column) and wanted to share our pride in our financial counselling team at Naremburn. The team provide assistance with short term money crises, including help with budgeting, advocacy and negotiation with utilities or creditors, + referrals to other services as needed, and long term financial crisis prevention strategies.

Dear [CatholicCare], It gives me great pleasure to inform you of my positive experience I have had with the professional care and assistan ce I received from Martin Derby and the office staff at Narem burn CatholicCare and including Sister Georgette from Crows Nest St Vincent de Pauls. I am suffering from severe financial hardship and homeless with no family support and had ended up in hospital collapsed from not being able to afford sufficient food. It was Sister George tte who referred me to CatholicCare Martin Derby to help ease the burden of my financial debt. If it wasn’t for Sister George tte I would have not known about CatholicCare. On my initial visit I met Martin and immediately felt at ease and supported. Martin is a genuine, respectful caring yet profess ional person. Martin assessed my financial circumstances helping me with my budget and found how to resolve the burden of my debt. This was helpful news indeed. Martin supported and accompanied me at a very concerning stressful time in my life. Sometimes we must realise there are things we just can’t manage on our own and need to allow others who genuinely want to help us. With Martin’s incredible skills and knowledge he was able to release the debt and aid a ray of hope in my life. Martin truly is a remarkable human being who’s passion for helping people is adamant and loyal. I must also thank Tony from the Naremburn office as when Martin was working in another office when I telephoned for advice Tony aided my call. I was embarrassed to call to ask how to work out a financial problem, however Tony was only too happy to help. After discussing the matter Tony saved me from making a regrettable decision. Tony also has a genuine caring spirit without prejudice. Also Eliza the receptionist is very approachable whom is a sincere warm and friendly person. What a lovely group of people! You know you feel cared for as soon as you walk in the door. It’s peaceful and sincere. I just wanted to praise CatholicCare for their assistance. And please if you feel stuck in a financial situation no matter how embar rassed or certain you are that you just couldn’t get out of it, see how CatholicCare can help you you may be very surprised indeed . Warm Regards,

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

Tania on her bike before the accident.

“I know without a doubt that God was with me throughout it all…”

By Debra Vermeer

When a motorbike accident left Tania McLeod-Yu in hospital for 21 weeks and struggling to learn to walk again, it was her faith that got her through the long days and nights, a fact she acknowledged publicly upon her recent homecoming, with a message to her friends on Facebook: “To God be the Glory”.

“D

ay 145 – WHOOHOO!! I am being discharged today!” she wrote. “It certainly has been a long journey; after all this time, I’m finally going home. To God be the Glory.” Tania, from Pennant Hills, ended up in Hornsby Hospital back in April when her long-held dream of owning and riding a motorbike went horribly wrong one Saturday morning. “I had always wanted a bike,” she says. “But then there always seemed to be some reason not to get it.”

Earlier this year however, Tania decided to make her dream a reality. She got her motorbike license and ordered a custom made, brand new bike and began cautiously to ride it around town. “I was doing all the right things,” she says. “I did an extra riding class. I didn’t ride at night or in the rain. I wasn’t going to take any chances. “And then I woke up one Saturday and it was a really pretty, sunny day and I decided I would go for a ride. I put on

my protective Kevlar pants and a denim jacket I had bought for riding and off I went.” Tania struck trouble on the bike less than a block and a half from her home. “I’ve put it down to pure lack of experience and dumb luck,” she says. “All I remember is that I was heading towards a tree, but at the last second, something happened. The bike skidded, the kill switch kicked in and the bike dropped on my leg.”

Tania says she had no idea of the extent of her injury and called her daughter Jessica to come and pick her up. “But then when I tried to move, I couldn’t,” she says. “I still didn’t think I’d done anything too serious though, even when the ambulance came and they said they were going to have to cut my pants off.” In fact, the accident had smashed Tania’s knee and she needed a complete knee reconstruction.

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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE During the recovery from the operation, as she started to get up and begin doing exercises and walking, Tania says she kept telling doctors that her leg felt like it was burning. It turned out that she had contracted a serious Staph infection. What followed, to try and arrest the infection, was five operations within 14 days. “It was between operations three and four that I was at my most vulnerable,” she says. “I was in excruciating pain and I thought I would not walk again.” A sixth operation followed and then a seventh in Royal North Shore Hospital, complete with a skin graft. By the time she was released the number of operations had risen to nine. “There did come a time when I got to the operating room knowing that if I didn’t survive, I was ok with it,” she says. “It wasn’t like I didn’t care, but I knew that if I didn’t survive, I was ok. I think my faith had a lot to do with that. I was in Jesus’ hands.” Tania, who attends Sacred Heart Parish, Pymble, with her Mum and Jessica, says her faith got her through many long, dark nights in hospital. “I downloaded an Audio Bible app on my iPhone,” she says. “And as I was lying in bed, unable to sleep, I would open it up and put on my headphones and listen to the Bible being read. For a long time it always seemed to open up in the books of Acts and Romans. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve heard Acts and Romans now!

“I couldn’t read much, because of the pain and the medications I was on. I couldn’t concentrate. But it didn’t matter, so long as I could hear it.” Tania says her husband, daughter, family and friends, the healthcare professionals, staff and chaplains at Hornsby Hospital also helped her through the dark times, and as she lay in bed, she came up with an idea to help her always remember them. “I had been passing the time by trying to find a patch to sew onto my denim jacket, of an angel on my shoulder,” she says. “And then all of a sudden, I thought, ‘Why am I looking for an angel on my shoulder when I’ve got all of these wonderful people looking after me?’ “So I came up with the idea of having all their names embroidered on my jacket; the names of all the people who have been a part of

this journey with me, from the ambulance drivers to the doctors, nurses, physios, chaplains and tea ladies – everyone.” The result is a jacket that is full of meaning, which is now one of Tania’s most prized possessions. Among the names on the jacket is that of Fr Anselam Lakra of Hornsby Cathedral Parish, who is chaplain at Hornsby Hospital, and who, along with Anna Pawlak-Simpson (pastoral care), was a regular visitor to Tania during her long hospitalisation. “Fr Anselam has really been there for me,” she says. “I’m so glad he’s been with me on the journey. I don’t think he’s realised how big a help he’s been to me, and Anna as well. My faith has definitely been my anchor and their visits were so important. “Some people along the way, including fellow patients, have asked me about my faith, saying

‘Where was God when all this was happening?’ “I tell them that I know without a doubt that God was with me through it all and has definitely been both on my side and at my side. “Throughout this whole thing, I kept my favourite Bible verse from Isaiah as my screensaver on my phone: ‘Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand.’ “I definitely felt that I was being upheld, and so now that I’m walking again and going home, albeit with crutches, I know it’s all thanks to God, and to Him be the glory.” Despite her ordeal, Tania hasn’t ruled out climbing back on the bike one day: “I dream about riding again,” she says. “But we’ll see.”

DATE CLAIMER:

Annual Diocesan Charity Race Day THURSDAY 29 OCTOBER 2015 Mark your diaries for this annual charitable fundraising event at Gosford Entertainment Grounds.

If you would like more information on how to support the day through sponsorship or prizes, and for reserving tables, please contact Rhonda Andersen on (02) 9847 0726 or rhonda. andersen@dbb.org.au

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OCTOBER 2015

SOCIAL JUSTICE IN ACTION

A Partnership for Young and Old

In a large industrial factory in West Gosford, more than 100 people, many retirees, volunteer their time and skills each week to manufacture furniture and toys for those in need.

he St Joseph’s Workshop, a project of the St Vincent de Paul Society, was established in 1992 by a small group of tradesmen in a home garage. It has now grown into a full working factory, manufacturing new furniture from mostly recycled material which would have been added to landfill. About 2 years ago, the not-forprofit Aboriginal education group, Gunawirra, became aware of the workshop and approached them for some timber offcuts to make wooden blocks for use in their preschool education. Members of the workshop quickly embraced the worthy cause and today young preschoolers on the Coast have are

able to experience an exciting start to their education. On Friday 4 September, the St Joseph’s Workshop and Gunawirri jointly hosted an Aboriginal Cultural Day in the workshop premises. Special Guests included Ms Lucy Wicks MP, Member for Robertson; Mr Lawrie McKinna, Mayor of Gosford; Mr Rae Reynolds, St Vincent de Paul State President NSW; Mr Wade Hammond, Collections Manager Suez Central Coast and Ms Joy Krahe, CEO Gunawirra. The gathering was a chance to spotlight the wonderful work done by the volunteers and also provided an opportunity to feature interesting

presentations on Aboriginal art and culture by Graham Toomey and Brendan Kieran. The beautiful toys on display have been designed, not only to be colourful and durable, but as good teaching aids for counting, telling the time, fine-motor skills and having fun! The collaboration of the two organisations in assisting Aboriginal pre-schoolers and their families to get an early start in education has proved a wonderful success. Mr Wade Hammond from Suez took the opportunity to donate $2,000 to the Workshop to assist in purchasing some urgently needed equipment. Mr Hammond

said he was thrilled to support a local organisation that both encourages community involvement and inspires participation in sustainable activities. The Workshop’s local President, Bob McGrath said that without support from organisations like Suez, they wouldn’t be able to continue to offer the program to the wonderful volunteers. “The new equipment will greatly improve the professional finish of all recycled items and will give our volunteers a real sense of satisfaction,” said Bob. To find out more about the work at St Joseph’s contact: 4323 9013 or StJosephWorkshop@vinnies.org.au

Home help in a hurry 12 months’ Emergency Home Assistance now included

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* Promotion runs 01/10/15 - 27/11/15 and is valid for new CCI Personal Insurance Home Building, Contents or Landlord policies purchased. Emergency Home Assistance (EHA) membership provided by AGA Assistance Australia Pty Ltd ABN 52 097 227 117 trading as Allianz Global Assistance (AGA). Full Terms and Conditions available at allianz.com.au/EHA. Catholic Church Insurance Limited ABN 76 000 005 210, AFS Licence No. 235415 (CCI) arranges personal insurance as promoter of the underwriter Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFS Licence No. 234708 (Allianz). We do not provide any advice on this insurance based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply. Before deciding please consider the product disclosure statement (PDS) available by calling 1300 655 003; or from www.catholicinsurance.org.au. If you buy this insurance CCI may be paid a commission that is a percentage of the premium depending on the product. Ask us for details before we provide you with any services. View the Financial Services Guide (FSG) for further information.

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SOCIAL JUSTICE IN ACTION

“Winter Sleep Out” By St Kieran’s Mission Team and Mrs Kerrie Wetzlar REC

Year Five and Six students from St Kieran’s Manly Vale and their teachers spent a chilly evening at school at their “Winter Sleep Out” on Friday the 17 of July.

he evening was the culmination of planning, information, prayer and organisation by the Year Six Mission Leadership Team. The Mission Team attended the “Peninsular Mission Workshop” which this year focused on “Homelessness”. Students were informed about issues related to homelessness and the many forms homelessness may take. Various guest speakers and high schools students spoke about their social justice initiatives to the Stage Three students. Mr John McCarney, from St Kieran’s local chapter of St Vincent De Paul, spoke about homelessness in the

local area and what help is available to people. In learning about the many people who sleep on the floors of friend’s homes or sleep rough on the streets, or in cars and bus shelters, the Mission Team wanted to share this information with their peers. The children organised for Mr McCarney to come to the school and speak to Stage Three students. They shared information from the CARITAS and Vinnies web sites and overlaid the Gospel message of ‘love for our neighbour’ over our thinking, actions and words about homeless people. Finally, they organised a “Winter

Recently the children of St Patrick’s Primary School Asquith enjoyed a mug of warm chicken noodle soup for lunch, all in aid of raising money for the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal. The Year 4 MAG team (Mercy Action Group) organised the soup day and the children brought in a gold coin donation. Their efforts raised $374 toward helping people in need.

Sleep Out” for the Year 5 and 6 children. Students were expected to raise funds for their “Winter Sleep Out” by doing odd jobs around their home and neighbourhood. The students were also supported by the Parish of St Kieran’s and the school Community. Wearing day

clothes and bringing only a sleeping bag, the children shared a cup of soup for dinner. Many children went without lunch and afternoon tea to experience the hunger the homeless feel. At a school assembly the Mission Team handed St Vincent De Paul a cheque for over $1000.00. Mr McCarney accepted the cheque and informed the children how the money raised would be spent in the local area for the homeless people. Learning through actions and service to others is a powerful experience in developing social justice and empathy. The children from St Kieran’s experienced, for a short amount of time, what it truly means to be homeless.

Buon Appetito! This month Domus Australia’s Chef Francesco has sent a favourite recipe. With Summer close around the corner, this would be a lovely light meal for celebrations.

Spaghetti with Shellfish (serves 2 – preparation time 10 minutes) Ingredients 160gms of spaghetti Salt, white pepper Oil Red chilli One clove garlic (skin on) 1kg mixed shellfish (clams, mussels, cockles etc.) Parsley for garnish Method

salt and pepper. Once the pan is very hot, pour cleaned, drained shellfish into pan. Cover with a lid and cook for 4 minutes.

First clean the shellfish in water

Serve and garnish the dish with chopped parsley.

Heat a large pot/frypan with lid with 100mls water, the garlic, a pinch of chili and parsley,

After four minutes, drain the seafood and reserve the pan liquid. Shell the seafood and put aside. Cook the spaghetti for 7 minutes and drain. In a separate pan add oil and the boiled garlic, drained pasta and the reserved shellfish liquid. Cook for two minutes, add the seafood and turn off the heat.

Buon appetito!

Domus Australia is a 32 room guest house established by the Australian Catholic Church, welcoming travellers to Rome seeking comfortable accommodation and an ideal base from which to explore historical and cultural sites of the Eternal City. Centrally located with a magnificently restored Chapel featuring daily Mass in English and many Australian comforts, Domus Australia is the perfect oasis in the heart of Rome for Aussie pilgrims and travellers. Enquiries: reservations@domusaustralia.org / www.domusaustralia.org. BBN

OCTOBER 2015

NEWS & ISSUES

Broken Bay heads Far North

By Margaret Walker

The North West coast of Western Australia may seem an isolated spot to many Sydneysiders, but it has been the focus of two trips by groups from this Diocese in recent weeks.

n 10 September, Bishop Peter Comensoli visited Broome as part of the Australasian Catholic Press Association (ACPA) Conference, joining outgoing president Annie Carrett and Melissa Loughlin from the Diocesan Communications Office. Celebrating its 60th anniversary, the ACPA group drew in members from across Australia and New Zealand. As Chair for the Australian Bishops Media Advisory Council, Bishop Peter was able to meet with many editors and communications people from the rich diversity of Catholic publications that play such an important part in our missionary evangelisation. The choice for a regional gathering was so delegates could immerse themselves better in

the voices of those who need their story told – celebrating the great works of people on the ground and hearing the words and wisdom from such people as Professor Pat Dodson, Bishop Chris Saunders, Richard Dinnen (ABC Broome), Jodie Ball (Goolari Media), Rachel Bin Sallah (Magabala Books), and Sr Pat Rhatigan AO ssjg. Bishop Chris Saunders, Bishop of Broome, celebrated a moving eucharist in Our Lady Queen of Peace Cathedral joined by Bishop Peter, Cathedral Assistant Priest Fr Marcelo Gonzales, and ACPA delegates, Frs Frank Freeman SDB and John Jegorow. Two weeks prior to Bishop Peter’s visit, Father Peter Dowd led a group from his parish of Epping and Carlingford to Beagle

Fr Peter Dowd (right) pictured with Fr Hilary Rotich, Administrator, Dampier Peninsula Beagle Bay.

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Bay, 100km north of Broome to partake in a Parish Immersion. ‘It was a magnificent experience,’ wrote Father Peter, as his group shared in the ‘life and country with the local communities which make up this incredible part of God’s Vineyard.’ The Nyul Nyul people are the traditional owners of this land, described by Angela Lindstad from Epping as ‘beautiful, harsh and unforgiving.’ She wrote of the peace of the community, and, for her, feelings of inclusion as it shared in fellowship with the group. Life at Beagle Bay has not been easy and bears the scars of separation and tragedy. Children from the Stolen Generation were sent here by the government before Word War 1, and cared for by the Irish sisters of St John

of God. The parishioners heard of suicides and other deaths, as well as experiencing the calm of the present and the memories of the strong Catholic presence that has been there since 1883. They were welcomed by Father Hillary and his assistant, Father Chris, of the Sacred Heart parish, and the Parish Immersion was also made possible by Catholic Missions and the Bishop of Broome, Bishop Christopher Saunders. Those who are interested may find Father Peter’s full report commencing 6 September in the Parish Bulletin on their website: www.eppcarl.org.au/bulletin.

‘It was an encounter with another culture, ‘concluded Angela Lindstad, ‘To which present Australians owe a great debt and don’t know it.’

Pearl shell Altar at Beagle Bay.

NEWS & ISSUES

Bishops call on politicians to support Marriage and consider a Popular Vote Australia’s Catholic bishops have urged politicians to resolve the divisive debate on proposals to redefine marriage.

Senate report on holding a popular vote on marriage was tabled today. In a submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee for the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, the Chair of the Bishops Commission for Family, Youth and Life, Archbishop Anthony Fisher, asked senators to uphold the traditional understanding of marriage. “Marriage is a fundamental institution for all societies because of its importance in uniting spouses as potential parents and in providing for the upbringing of their children”, said Archbishop Fisher. “ The Commonwealth has an interest in ensuring that children have the benefit of those connections. To recognise these facts is not to criticise or demean other relationships; to define marriage in ways that recognise the essential connections between male-female bonding,

child-bearing and child-rearing is not to discriminate against other relationships which have other goals. “Many marriages do not involve children, but where children are born they have the right to grow up with their mother and father and marriage helps achieve that. “Redefining marriage would give legislative endorsement to motherless or fatherless families, depriving children of at least one of their biological parents. By implication, this would mean mothers and fathers are interchangeable and that whether one or other is present in a child’s life makes no important difference. The ACBC rejects that view.” The Senate Committee was holding an inquiry into “The matter of a popular vote, in the form of a plebiscite or referendum, on the matter of marriage in Australia”. The Committee handed down its report today, recommending there not be a popular vote, but that the issue be dealt with by Parliament.

“We do not have a view on whether the issue should be resolved by Parliament or by popular vote, but note there is a strong case for a public vote so the community can be consulted on a change that would alter the essential character of our community,” said Archbishop Fisher. However a popular vote, by plebiscite or referendum, should include a number of requirements. Those are listed in the submission, including: • the need for a compulsory vote to bring all Australians into the debate • a vote separate to a general election so public debate on marriage is not crowded out by other issues, and

• adequate time, information and space in the media for the public to adequately consider all the issues. “Australia’s Catholic bishops want marriage as traditionally understood to continue to be supported in our laws and social policies,” said Archbishop Fisher. “A process should be found to resolve this divisive issue that involves the whole community in an open and respectful debate. Recognising this is an important matter for all Australians, we encourage all of the parties to work together towards an acceptable solution.” A copy of the submission is available on the ACBC Public Policy webpage visit

www.catholic.org.au

ALBERT & MEYER FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Br Colin Smith Choir Festival

A celebration of Br Colin Declan Smith’s contribution to the liturgical life of Australia Sunday 18 October

…serving the Diocese of Broken Bay since 1967 Rebecca Pincott Michael Bolton

Australian Family Owned & Operated

2pm-4.30pm

301-303 PENNANT HILLS ROAD, THORNLEIGH

Our Lady Queen of Peace, GLADESVILLE

9484 3992

Bookings recommended: eccoad@gmail.com

ALL SUBURBS 24 HOURS www.albertmeyer.com.au BBN

OCTOBER 2015

WN BULL

WN Bull Funerals continuing its tradition on the Central Coast Established in 1892 WN Bull is continuing its tradition of quality service and attention to the details of the Catholic tradition by ministering to the families of the Central Coast.

aydn Donnelly, appointed the inaugural manager of WN Bull Funerals on the Central Coast is not new to funerals. Twenty years ago he began his working life as a Monumental Mason/Funeral Conductor in Gunnedah, north western New South Wales. Haydn is a resident of the Central Coast and is married with three young children, the eldest starting kindergarten this year at Our Lady Star of the Sea, Terrigal. The Donnelly family are parishioners at Terrigal. “WN Bull prides itself in the preservation and celebration of faith. Paying respectful attention to the detail and an understanding of the belief and meaning of the ritual is highly valued by us” said Haydn. In the spirit of WN Bull tradition Haydn will visit clients in their own home. “Families in the past have expressed their gratitude for the attentive service particularly at the time of bereavement “ said Haydn. Haydn visits parishes and community groups to talk about funeral planning. If your parish or group would like to organise a visit, Haydn can be contacted on 4323 1892 or 0431 694 673 or email hdonnelly@wnbull.com.

Now serving families on the Central Coast

Of all life’s celebrations the funeral liturgy can touch us the most deeply. When the care you seek is unconditional - talk to us.

E: wnbull@wnbull.com 34

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T: (02) 4323 1892

| www.wnbull.com.au

SYDNEY EVENTS THE CIRCLE OF MERCY SCHOOLS EVENT

CONCERT

Thursday 5 November, 2015 10am - 1.00 pm St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill $35pp/Group of 10 $25pp

Saturday 7 November, 2015 7.00pm St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill $45pp/Concession $35pp

THE CIRCLE OF MERCY

THE CIRCLE OF MERCY SCHOOLS EVENT

Thursday 5 November, 2015 7.00pm - 9.00pm St Leonard’s Church, Naremburn $25pp/Concession $20pp

Tuesday 10 November, 2015 10am - 1.00 pm Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta $35pp/Group of 10 $25pp

MUSIC WORKSHOP Saturday 7 November, 2015 12.30pm - 4.00pm St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill $60pp/Group of 10 $50pp

Online Ticket Sales

Ministry Hub www.ministryhub.com.au

All Father Liam Lawton events will be supported by members of Ministry Hub events@ministryhub.com.au 0412 850 883 PO Box 700 Balgowlah NSW 2093 www.ministryhub.com.au

WHERE MINISTRY & MISSION MEET

An educator from Alzheimer’s Australia will give a presentation on the psychological and social aspects of moving into care: the impact on the family, choosing a good residential facility and sharing care. Please join us for what promises to be a very informative morning with an opportunity to ask questions. All are welcome. Date: W ednesday 18 November 2015 Time: 1 0:00 am – 12:00 pm Venue: C aroline Chisholm Centre, Building 2, 423 Pennant Hills Road, Pennant Hills (Vehicular access via City View Road) RSVP: B y Friday 13 November 2015

Social Justice Advent Twilight Reflection Evening: A Joint Initiative of the Catholic Dioceses of Parramatta, Broken Bay & the Archdiocese of Sydney Please join us for a prayerful reflection on enriching the lives of Asylum Seekers and Refugees in light of the 2015-16 Social Justice Statement. When: W ednesday 2 December 2015 Time: 6 :30 pm – 8:30 pm Where: I nstitute for Mission, 1-5 Marian Street, Blacktown RSVP: S r Louise McKeogh 0409 399 505 or email registrations@dbb.org.au

Liturgical Formation Events Directory for Masses with Children: P rinciples and Application Join Fr Vince Casey in exploring the Directory for Masses with Children. Share with and hear from Fr Vince and other participants’ creative ways of exercising liturgical ministry with children. Date: Saturday 17 October 2015 Time: 9:30 am – 11:30 am Venue: Parish Centre, Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, 239 – 243 The Entrance Road, The Entrance RSVP: By Wednesday 14 October

Or Date: S aturday 24 October 2015 Time: 9:30 am – 11:30 am Venue: C aroline Chisholm Centre, Building 2, 423 Pennant Hills Rd, Pennant Hills (Vehicular access via City View Road) RSVP: B y Wednesday 21 October

Youth Events Praise and Worship Night Join young people from across the Diocese as we come together to celebrate our faith through music,

Australian Catholic Youth Festival

An opportunity for young people to deepen their relationship with Christ, be empowered to be disciples in the world today, and to encounter and celebrate the vitality of the Church in Australia. With an expected 4000 young people at this year’s Festival, it’s an event not to be missed! Date: 3 – 5 December 2015 Location: A delaide, South Australia Who: Y ear 9 students – 25 years old More details: w ww.dbb.org.au/youth & www.youthfestival.catholic.org.au

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD)

CCD Ministry Induction Course (CCD MI)

This seven unit course begins by exploring the Mission of the Church through the Ministry of Catechesis. It also provides the tools necessary to enable catechists to begin their ministry of spreading the Good News to the Catholic children who attend State schools in our Diocese.

CCD Ministry Induction

CCDL1-01MI The Mission and Ministry of the Catechist CCDL1-02MI SRE Teacher in the Parish and the School CCDL1-03MI Child Protection CCDL1-04MI Lesson Planning: Teaching the Authorised Curriculum CCDL1-05MI The Development of the Child and Adolescent I CCDL1-06MI Classroom Management: Positive Discipline CCDL1-07MI Introduction to the Bible

NSH Region – Course Type: CCDMI

Location: C aroline Chisholm Centre, 423 Pennant Hills Road, Pennant Hills Date: T uesdays, 20, 27 October, 10, 17, 24 November, 1, 8 December Time: 7 :00 pm – 9:00 pm RSVP by: 1 3 October 2015

MWP Region – Course Type: CCDMI

Location: O ur Lady of Good Counsel Parish Centre, 11 Currie Road, Forestville Date: M ondays, 12, 19, 26 October, 2, 9, 16, 23 November Time: 1 2:30 pm – 2:30 pm RSVP by: 5 October 2015

CC Region – Course Type: CCDMI

Location: L ecture Room, Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, 239 – 243 The Entrance Road, The Entrance Date: F ridays, 23, 30 October, 6, 13 November Time: 9 :30 am - 2:30 pm (13 November 9:30 am – 12:00 pm) RSVP by: 1 6 October 2015

To register for any of these programs, please telephone Leanne / Colleen on 9847 0448 or 4332 9825 or email registrations@dbb.org.au

Parish Support Unit Education and Formation Opportunities October – December 2015

Come and join the Young Adults of the Diocese for a fun and social night at The Epping Club. Enjoy drinks & canapés followed by a three course meal and amazing entertainment. This is a great opportunity to celebrate 2015 together as a Diocesan Community. Tickets are essential! Organise a table or come along and join one of ours. Date: S aturday 14 November 2015 Location: T he Epping Club, 45-47 Rawson Street, Epping Time: C anapés from 6:30 pm for a 7:00 pm dinner Who: 1 8-35 years old Cost: $ 45 RSVP: y outhministry@dbb.org.au

Young Adult Dinner – (18-35)

Date: T uesday 24 November 2015 Location: R eviver, 37 Mann Sreet, Gosford Time: 6 :30 pm to purchase your meal and drink, 7:30 pm Dr Dan Fleming Who: 1 8-35 years old RSVP: youthministry@dbb.org.au

Broken Bay Youth Office invites you to BBYAC Faith Nights 2015. Join Young Adults from around the Diocese to share a meal and be inspired in our lives and faith. These nights will be held both in Killara, Sydney and in Gosford on the Central Coast. Feel free to bring a friend! The topic for the final two events of the year will be: The Moral Life is… Musical? The Beauty of Living Ethically presented by Dr Dan Fleming. Date: T uesday 27 October 2015 Location: T he Greengate Hotel, 655 Pacific Highway, Killara Time: 6 :30 pm to purchase your meal and drink, 7:30 pm Dr Dan Fleming Who: 1 8-35 years old RSVP: youthministry@dbb.org.au

BBYAC Faith Nights – (18+)

testimony and preaching. A free BBQ dinner will be provided before our inspiring night begins. Date: F riday 20 November 2015 Location: S t Mary’s Church, 6 Raglan Street, Manly Time: 6 :00 pm BBQ for a 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm event Who: H igh school students through to Young Adults RSVP: y outhministry@dbb.org.au

The Parish Support Unit is proud to offer the following programs from October through to the end of December 2015. Courses are available to all and are free of charge (unless otherwise stated). Registration is essential. We will notify you if programs have to be cancelled due to lack of numbers or unforseen circumstances. To register for any of these programs, please telephone Leanne / Colleen on 9847 0448 or 4332 9825 or email registrations@dbb.org.au

Adult Faith Formation “The Church of Mercy: M y Vision for the Church” “Collected from Pope Francis’ speeches, homilies, and papers presented during the first year of his papacy, The Church of Mercy is the first Vatican-authorised book detailing his vision for the Catholic Church. From how to be citizens of the world to answering God’s call for evangelisation, Pope Francis’s deep wisdom reminds us that the Church must move beyond its own walls and joyfully bring God’s mercy wherever suffering, division, or injustice exists.” – Fr James Martin, SJ In joyful anticipation of the Jubilee Year of Mercy beginning 8th December, you are warmly invited to join us in reading and discussing this book by Pope Francis. Over three weeks, we’ll explore the call to share the light of Christ – to be Christ – in an often broken world. The Pope challenges us to be people of the Gospel; a Church of mission; a Church with an outward focus. Warning against the “cult of the god of money” and a “culture of waste,” Pope Francis implores us to live in the light of the word of the Lord: “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (cf. Luke 6:36). In this book, he helps show us how. Books supplied. All welcome. Dates: T uesdays, 6, 13 & 20 October 2015 Time: 1 0:30 am – 12:30 pm Venue: C aroline Chisholm Centre, Building 2, 423 Pennant Hills Road, Pennant Hills (Vehicular access via City View Road) RSVP: B y Friday 2 October 2015

Christians Learning from Judaism – An initiative of Light of Torah and Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay This 2015 education series is an opportunity for Christians to learn from Jewish speakers, texts and experiences. Over the course of the year we reflect on the Hebrew Scriptures under the guidance of Orthodox rabbi and gifted teacher, Rabbi Gad Krebs. We will also engage with other speakers, topics and places of interest to the Jewish-Christian relationship. Join us in this fascinating journey of biblical and spiritual enrichment. Dates: W ednesdays, 28 October & 25 November 2015 Time: 6 :00 pm – 7:30 pm Venue: C aroline Chisholm Centre, Building 2, 423 Pennant Hills Road, Pennant Hills (Vehicular access via City View Road) RSVP: I f you are new to the series, RSVP is appreciated: teresa.pirola@dbb.org.au or 0415 932 638

A Presentation by Alzheimer’s Australia