The Diocese of Broken Bay has recognised more than five centuries of cumulative service at its inaugural Awards Celebration.
Eleven award recipients have been recognised for each dedicating decades of service to the Catholic Church and the Diocese.
The awards included eight Papal Awards and three inaugural Diocesan Medals.
The recipients, accompanied by proud family and friends, included priests, a Dominican Sister, and parishioners. They were honoured at a dinner and presentation on the vigil of the Patroness of the Diocese, Mary, Star of the Sea.
Bishop Anthony Randazzo invested four parishioners as a Knight of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great, and one Dame of the Order of Saint Sylvester. This is in recognition to personal service to the
Holy See and Catholic Church but also the examples they set in their communities.
Two retired priests and a Dominican Sister, a champion for the disabled despite her own vision and hearing impairment, were awarded the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice. This medal was established by Pope Leo XIII and is conferred for distinguished service to the Catholic Church by lay people and clergy.
Three parishioners were awarded the inaugural Diocesan Medal for service and commitment to the mission of the Diocese.
In addressing the gathering, Bishop Anthony Randazzo said the evening was “more than a ceremony”.
”The individuals here tonight are being recognised for living their Christian lives as luminous beacons of hope and service,” he said.
“They have allowed their faith to guide their actions and their actions to reveal their faith.
“It is fitting that we do this under the guidance of Mary, Star of the Sea – a title that has resonated so strongly with seafarers, missionaries, and the faithful across the ages.
“For us in the Diocese of Broken Bay, bordered by the sea and shaped by waterways, Mary under this title is more than a poetic image, she is a real and guiding presence.”
“Mary is not only Star of the Sea, but in our Southern skies, we also look to the Southern Cross, that distinctive constellation that has guided generations navigating the vast oceans of this hemisphere.”
He said the award recipients can also be seen as stars, reflecting some of the divine light guiding everyone forward.
“Whether through their service as priests, consecrated religious, or lay people; through ministry to the blind and disabled, as RCIA coordinators, Saint Vincent de Paul volunteers, catechists, altar servers; or assistants to three bishops; our recipients have given exemplary and selfless service in unnumerable ways to our local Church of Broken Bay.
“And just like the stars that shine brightly in the night sky, they inspire us, and we give thanks to God for them.”
Award Recipients:
Knight of the Order of St Gregory the Great
Mr John Donnelly OAM for more than 50 years service at the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, French Forest, St Vincent de Paul and local community organisations.
Mr Barry Finch OAM for more than 40 years’ service to St Vincent de Paul, the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, French Forest, and taking Holy Communion to those in hospital for the past 15 years.
Mr Alan Henson OAM for more than 50 years volunteering with the homeless and commitment to his parish community.
Dr Michael Slattery for his dedication to his Parish of Terrigal for more than 40 years and to Catholic education including education initiatives in the Northern Territory and Kenya.
Dame of the Order of Saint Sylvester
Mrs Gina Marshall for her contribution to the music ministry of the parish of Manly-Freshwater for more than 50 years, her work as an educator and contributing to the arts and apostolate.
Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice
Rev Robert Brogan who this year celebrated his 65th anniversary of his Priestly Ordination serving throughout a large area of Greater Sydney before the creation of the Diocese of Broken Bay in 1986 when he was incardinated to the Diocese and continued to serve until his retirement in 1999. The Papal Award is for distinguished service to the Catholic Church and to the Pope.
Rev William (Terry) Johns who celebrated his 68th anniversary of his Priestly Ordination this year. He as served as parish priest, Chaplain, and at St Patrick’s Seminary, Manly and for more than two decades as Parish Priest of Lindfield Parish until his retirement. The Papal Award is for distinguished service to the Catholic Church and to the Pope.
Sister Helen Merrin OAM became a professed member of the Dominican Sisters of Eastern Australia and the Solomon Islands in 1966. Sr Merrin undertook teaching studies including teaching at St Lucy’s School for the
Blind and Vision impaired in the Diocese of Broken Bay. This commenced a life of service to those with physical and intellectual disabilities. During the 90s Sr Merrin lost her vision and gradually her hearing. Despite her challenges
It has not reduced her commitment of service. She has been a member of the former Bishops’ Advisory Council for Social Welfare, and more recently, has served nine years on the Australian Catholic Disability Council for the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.
Diocesan Medal
Mrs Libby McManus began her service to the Diocese in 2002 in the Woy Woy Parish. Since then she has served as Executive Assistant to three Bishops, two Diocesan Administrators, and currently to the Diocesan Chancellor and Head of Mission.
Mrs Elizabeth Brown has been a committed member of the Parish of Terrigal since 1974. Her roles have included coordinator of RCIA, a foundation member of the Parish Pastoral Council, reader, and an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.
Mrs Sundai Sloane has worked at the Parish of The Entrance as Parish Secretary and later bookkeeper for the last 30 years. She is still working part-time while continuing her voluntary work.