ARCHBISHOP COSTELLOE: ASK GOD TO CONTINUE TO RAISE UP PEOPLE WHO HAVE HEARTS THAT DRIVE THEM TO REACH OUT WITH COMPASSION
By Jamie O’Brien
Great works of mercy and charity begin from very simple and humble beginnings, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has said last week, as he joined with the St Patrick’s Community Support Centre – affectionately known as St Pat’s - in celebrating it’s 50th anniversary.
The occasion, on Thursday 1 December, was marked with a gathering of the St Pat’s community, as well as the launch a commemorative book depicting stories and voices of 50 years of St Pat’s history.
In his speech for the occasion, Archbishop Costelloe explained that 50 years ago, Br Ignatius Hannick OMI came across an elderly man under a tree, close to St Patrick’s Basilica in Fremantle.
At the time Fremantle, Archbishop Costelloe noted, had something of a rough reputation and had become a haven for people who in one way or another had been shunned or excluded from other parts of society.
“People who, in Pope Francis’s words, were on the margins - the site of a homeless man would not have been all that uncommon,” Archbishop Costelloe highlighted.
“It seems, however, that there was something about this man
which touched the heart of Brother Ignatius,” he said.
Archbishop Costelloe continued by explaining that Br Ignatius went back into the presbytery, gathered what was left over from the community meal, and took it out to give it to the man.
“It was not very long before Br Ignatius, with the help of the presbytery housekeeper, was regularly preparing up to 100 hampers to give people who would queue up on the Presbytery veranda.”
St Patrick’s Community Support Centre CEO, Michael Piu, said it was wonderful to be able to celebrate and reflect on St Pat’s journey over the last 50 years with Archbishop Costelloe, Bishop Sproxton, and more than 100 guests at the Fremantle Basilica Parish Hall, where our story began.
“In particular, it was an important opportunity to pause to honour the memory and incredible legacy of Br Ignatius Hannick OMI, and the mission he founded in the spirit of the Oblate Charism, which has reached out to so many of those most poor and marginalized in our community over the years,” Mr Piu said.
“Many who attended played an important part in St Pat’s 50-year history, and indeed some had generously contributed to our oral history ‘50 Years of St Pat’s’ which was launched on the day."
St Pat’s CEO Michael Piu, Fremantle Parish Priest and Member, Board of Directors, Father John Sebastian OMI, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe and St Pat’s Board Chair Dr Pat Colgan AM cut the cake for the 50th anniversary of St Pat’s Community Centre, Thursday 1 December 2022. PHOTO: SUPPLIED / ST PAT'S COMMUNITY CENTRE.
ADULTS AT RISK A KEY PRIORITY WITH ADOPTION OF NEW NATIONAL SAFEGUARDING STANDARDS
Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd (ACSL) has this week formally launched the second edition of the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (NCSS) covering adults at risk as well as children.
ACSL has worked with the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC), Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) and the Association of Ministerial Public Juridic Persons (AMPJP) to develop the NCSS Edition 2.
The release of NCSS Edition 2 comes just one week before the five-year anniversary of the Royal Commission into Institutional Response to Child Sexual Abuse’s final report.
ACSL Board Chair the Hon Michael Lavarch AO said that the adoption of the new Standards clearly demonstrates that the Church is vigilant of emerging safeguarding risks for everyone in Catholic communities, especially children and adults at risk.
“The Standards address the safeguarding requirements of adults (with a focus on adults at risk) by both reflecting the duty of care owed to everyone, as well as recognising that there are particular risk-factors that cause some people to be more susceptible to abuse,” Mr Lavarch said.
“Including adults at risk within the safeguarding standards is a major milestone for the Church, as there are many groups running ministries with adults as well as children,” he said.
“The new Standards aim to address the power imbalances that can occur in a range of Church contexts, which can be a risk factor for abuse,” Mr Lavarch continued.
“Church organisations embraced Edition 1 of the Standards, and put measures in place to create safer environments for children, consistent with the National Child Safe Principles. They will now consider what they can do better to improve safety for adults at risk in our communities as well,” he said.
“Importantly, these Standards have been developed in consultation with Church Authorities, safeguarding personnel, and those with a lived experience of abuse.
“Addressing safeguarding requirements for adults at risk is part of the Catholic Church's ongoing response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
“NCSS Edition 2 is one way in which
the Church is being proactive in responding to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability,” Mr Lavarch said.
Commenting on the launch of the Standards, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference said that collaboration had been a hallmark of the Standards development process.
“The Bishops Conference is pleased to endorse this second edition of the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards, which is the result of significant energy, mutual collaboration and discernment,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
“These Standards, broadening the scope to include adults at risk and refining our practices and procedures, are the latest milestone on the Church’s committed and ongoing journey of creating and maintaining safe environments for all people,” he said.
Dr Ursula Stephens, ACSL CEO; Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay, Bishop of the Maronite Diocese of Australia; Archbishop Charles Balvo, Apostolic Nuncio; Archbishop Christopher Prowse, Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn. PHOTO:SUPPLIED/ASCL.
JOB READY PROGRAM LED TO CAREER DISCOVERY IN THE AGED-CARE SECTOR
Centacare Employment and Training has launched a new free course called Introduction to Ageing and Disability, which aims to provide entry-level skills and knowledge required for roles in the aged care and disability sectors.
The course is suitable for students interested in the Aged Care and Disability sectors but unsure if they would like to commit to the full Individual Support qualification. This course comes after the WA State Government announced their partnership with Western Australia’s resources industry to pilot a new Job Ready pathways to employment program.
Under this initiative, Jobseekers aged 18-25 are able to undertake free short course training with registered training organisations in May 2022. Nageena Maskinyar was a student under the Job Ready program, where she undertook the taster program at Centacare.
After working as a barista for a couple of years, Nageena was determined to take a turn in her career in the Individual Support industry. She started the Job Ready program looking for work in the aged care and disability industry.
“My younger sister sent me an email with the Job Ready Program flyer. I was instantly interested and thought it is a good program as it assimilates
you straight into the workforce in a way,” she said.
Before the Job Ready program, Nageena gained two university degrees, including a Bachelor of Arts (Anthropology & History) and a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources.
“I was nervous on the first day here and worried that it would be too full-on, but the orientation part was really helpful and Vicky was so helpful and understanding if we have other issues that came up,” she said.
The course offers four units of competencies from the nationally recognised Certificate III in Individual Support qualification and requires students to attend class five days a week for three weeks.
It also offers two weeks of work experience where students can apply their knowledge to practical use and gain industry experience.
“I did enjoy learning the four units but there was also a lot of information to process,” Nageena continued. “It was a little different when it comes to applying to the work placement, I think because we get marked on the placement we will need to do some of the Individual Support unit and activities of the daily living support. I do think in theory wise, it did prepare us for the application when we go on work
placement.”
Centacare Employment and Training is one of the many social service agencies established and supported by the Church in the Archdiocese of Perth.
The Archbishop’s 2022 Christmas Appeal for LifeLink which was officially launched in all parishes on the weekend of Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 November 2022 is the only opportunity the Archbishop takes each year to ask the Catholic community to support our brothers and sisters in need.
The appeal aims to raise at least $650,000 for people in need this Christmas.
Donate to the 2022 LifeLink Christmas Appeal by Clicking Here https://lifelink.com.au/donate/
Watch Archbishop Costelloe’s 2022 Christmas Appeal Message https://youtu.be/m5t_9Ht5cS8
Read the Archbishop’s Letter by Clicking Here 2022-Archbishops-Christmas-AppealParish-Letter.pdf (lifelink.com.au)
Before the Job Ready program, Nageena gained two university degrees, including a Bachelor of Arts (Anthropology & History) and a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.
HAPPY 108TH BIRTHDAY, BID!
Good health and a can of beer a day have helped Catholic Homes
Bridget Grocke achieve her 108th birthday, making her a top Australian supercentenarian.
Known affectionately as Bid to her family and friends, Mrs Grocke was born 18 November 1914 to a family of seven children.
Bid and her siblings were raised mostly around Kalgoorlie but moved around WA due to her father’s job as a train driver.
Remarkably, her mother cared for her family with only one arm –doing all the cooking and cleaning single-handedly – after losing her right arm in an accident, Bid keenly
pointed out.
When asked how she felt about turning 108, Bid cracks a smile and joked: “it feels much the same as 100!”
“I am just lucky I have good health,” she said.
“I have confidence that helps a lot, I’ll take anything on.”
Bid has seen many changes in Perth over the decades and she is astounded at the growth of the city. Meeting her husband Jim at a social event in West Perth, the couple soon married due to his conscription into the armed forces during World War Two.
The couple had four children and
Bid counts 12 grandchildren and several great-grand kids as her descendants.
While not an indulgent drinker, Bid enjoys a can of Emu Export beer a day — her favourite brew for many years.
Supported by Catholic Homes, Bid is proud to live independently in her own home; and for many years was an active member of a local exercise group. She has an eye to the future too, hoping to travel to country WA to take in the sights. And her advice for a good life? Naturally, good food, some exercise and, of course, a can of Emu!
Mrs Grocke was born 18 November 1914 to a family of seven children. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.