On Sunday, 14 September, Gosford Parish marked Safeguarding Sunday with a public renewal of commitment to the safety and wellbeing of all entrusted to its care.
Fr Greg Skulski SDS, Parish Priest of St Patrick’s Gosford, led the renewal alongside school leaders: Mr Kevin Williams, Principal of St Patrick’s Primary School; Ms Carolina Murdoch, Principal of St Joseph’s Catholic College; and Mr Mark Bonnici, Principal of St Edward’s College. Together they stood as a united witness to safeguarding as not only a priority, but a defining value of parish and school life.
Fr Greg emphasised that this recommitment is “not just in words, but in action.” He added: “Our dedication is to listening, to vigilance, to creating a culture of transparency, accountability, and love. We commit to walking alongside survivors, to learning from the past, and to ensuring such failures are never repeated.”
Each year, this act of recommitment sends a strong message: safeguarding is more than a policy—it is a promise to act with integrity, responsibility, and compassion. It is also a reminder that protecting children, young people, and vulnerable adults is a responsibility shared by all—leaders, staff, volunteers, and parishioners alike.
By strengthening practices, education, and culture, Gosford Parish and its schools honour the trust placed in them by families and the wider community.
May Safeguarding Sunday continue to renew in each of us the call to uphold the dignity and safety of every person.