Broken Bay News Issue #214 June 2022

BISHOP INVITES STUDENTS TO JOIN HIM ON PILGRIMAGE TO WORLD YOUTH DAY ‘23 WE STILL LOVE AND FORGIVE DESPITE THE SUFFERING – BISHOP RANDAZZO/ PAGE 2

ONE IN CHRIST – STAGE 2 OF DIOCESAN PASTORAL MISSION/

PAGE 6-7

RELICS AND TWO SHRINES FOR THE DIOCESE/ PAGES 12-13

# 214 JUNE 2022

BBN / JUNE 2022

BISHOP’S MESSAGE

DIOCESE OF BROKEN BAY Tel: (02) 8379 1600 Caroline Chisholm Centre Building 2, 423 Pennant Hills Rd Pennant Hills NSW 2120 PO Box 340 Pennant Hills NSW 1715 enquiries@bbcatholic.org.au

While there is suffering, we still love and forgive

By Bishop Anthony Randazzo by the persecutors, “Where is your God now… where are your miracles?”

CHANCERY Bishop: Most Rev Anthony Randazzo Vicar General: Very Rev Dr David Ranson Chancellor & Executive Officer: Kelly Paget Diocesan Financial Administrator, Director, Stewardship: Emma McDonald Director, Diocesan Safeguarding: Jodie Crisafulli Tel: (02) 8379 1605 Director Communications: Katrina Lee Director, Evangelisation Broken Bay: Tomasz Juszczak CATHOLIC SCHOOLS BROKEN BAY Director: Danny Casey Tel (02) 9847 0000 PO Box 967 Pennant Hills NSW 1715 CATHOLICCARE Executive Director: Tim Curran Tel: (02) 9481 2600 Family Centres: Brookvale – Naremburn – Tuggerah – Waitara –

Tel: (02) 8043 2600 Tel: (02) 8425 8700 Tel: (02) 4356 2600 Tel: (02) 9488 2400

Hospital Chaplaincy & Pastoral Care: (02) 9481 2600 Children’s Services: (02) 9481 2600 Disability Futures: (02) 9488 2500 Services for Seniors: (02) 9488 2500 Permanency Support Program (Foster Care): (02) 4320 7700 BROKEN BAY NEWS Editor: Katrina Lee Tel: (02) 8379 1618 news@bbcatholic.org.au Design: Chris Murray 10,400 copies of Broken Bay News are distributed quarterly to 26 parishes and 44 schools in the Diocese of Broken Bay. The Broken Bay News is a member of the Australasian Catholic Press Association. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply diocesan endorsement of products or services advertised.

www.bbcatholic.org.au We acknowledge the Darug, Gurringai and Darkinjung Nations, the traditional custodians of the land across our Diocese. We recognise the Aboriginal people as holding the memories, the traditions and the culture of the lands we live and work upon.

We honour their wisdom and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

Cover picture by Tom Kroll

FSC LABEL HERE

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I was reading a short story recently regarding the early Christians in Rome and the torture and persecution that they endured at the hands of the Imperial authorities. The author referred to Christians being thrown to lions in the Colosseum. I immediately thought that modern historians have differing opinions as to the veracity of the claim that Christians were devoured by wild beasts in such a fashion. Nevertheless, they do agree with the fact that Christians, in the early centuries anno domini, were indeed victimised and persecuted to the point of death, at the behest of the State.

Of course, martyrdom, the shedding of one’s blood in defence of the faith, is not restricted to the Roman Empire, nor is it frozen in the first few hundred years of the first millennium. Just this week, I received the draft copy of the Roman Martyrology – English translation, according to the Second Typical Edition. Approved by Saint John Paul II in 2001, this updated 2022 edition of the Martyrology lists hundreds of Martyrs of the Church who have died for the faith up until our time.

Whether ancient or new, the common thread is the faith in Jesus Christ professed by women and men in every age. Another common thread is the repetitious questions often posed

Non-believers will seldom dialogue with believers in a logical and respectful manner. More often than not, they are aggressive and belligerent in their encounters with people of faith, especially Christian faith. This quarrelsome approach can never be the path chosen by a Christian believer.

This provocation is also a temptation for the Christian to forget Christ’s way, which is to love one’s enemy, to do good to those who persecute you, and to offer sacrifice through prayer and fasting for the salvation of all – men, women, young, old. It is not a sign of weakness if one is respectful in listening and patient in accompanying others on the journey from this life to eternal life. That is our vocation and our mission.

Non-believers will seldom dialogue with believers in a logical and respectful manner. More often than not, they are aggressive and belligerent in their encounters with people of faith, especially Christian faith. This quarrelsome approach can never be the path chosen by a Christian believer.

BBN / JUNE 2022

BISHOP’S MESSAGE

It is a deep challenge for all members of the Body of Christ to take up the Gospel each day and live it to the best of our ability.

However, it is possible.

In our time the position that Christians once enjoyed in society seems a distant memory. When I was a child, bishops and priests were respected and consulted. In many circumstances now it seems that we are simply tolerated, and sometimes not even that. There are a variety of reasons for this. One is past failure to lead with truth and justice.

I recognise that the failures of our past are serious. I am also conscious each day of the suffering that has been endured by so many innocents in our Church and in our society. I am sorry for the pain and injury caused to innocent children and vulnerable people. This kind of behaviour is criminal and sinful. It certainly is not the life professed by a faithful Christian. It is shameful. To be honest and with humility, we have done better in the past, we are learning to live the Gospel more authentically each day, and with the help of God we are committed to walking respectfully into the future.

I have thought and prayed long and hard over these stumbling blocks which demoralise the faithful, weaken trust by society, and dilute our capacity to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to lead the community of the Church. And over again, I return to the questions of

the persecutors, “Where is your God now… where are your miracles?”

Through prayer, the Holy Spirit strengthens me to reply, “Our miracle is here before you! It is, that while there is suffering, we still love and forgive.”

It is a deep challenge for all members of the Body of Christ to take up the Gospel each day and live it to the best of our ability. However, it is possible.

The great consolation which holds us fast is that the Holy Spirit, the comforter not only soothes the pain of persecution, but emboldens the believer to tell out the saving power of God. How can we not announce to the world the goodness and mercy of Jesus Christ Our Lord?

It is also a deep challenge for the entire People of God, that is all the baptised – Christ’s lay faithful, consecrated Religious, and the clergy, to give witness to the faith that we profess. Again, it is possible. In some ways, the simplest profession of faith is the one made during Mass each Sunday. Both forms of the Creed provided in the Roman Missal are time honoured formulas that contain the fundamental doctrine of the faith.

The greater test is to put these words into action. It will be a fruitless task if we are not first steeped in love, for it is it the love of Christ that urges us on (2 Corinthians 5:14).

I am by nature an optimist – I hope in God, who gives us life and strength to endure. Placing our hope and faith in Jesus Christ can help us pursue an authentic, holy life. Our world needs authentic and holy people. This is our vocation; this is our mission. So, when life is threatened, we must speak up

in defence of life. When people in our community are being marginalised, we must go to the periphery to be with them. When justice is delayed or denied, we must stand together in solidarity to defend the rights of the poor, the disadvantaged, and the vulnerable. When those entrusted with authority – in the Church or the State – do not seek the common good, we must dialogue respectfully in truth, remembering that consensus does not lead to the truth, truth leads to consensus.

I hope for a community in our time that respects life from conception until natural death. I hope for a society that recognises the equality of all people, while accepting the diversity of each man and woman, made in the image and likeness of God. I hope for our children, that they will grow in faith and knowledge, learning to recognise God’s holy presence in nature and in human life. And I hope that our community of the Church will always revere and love Jesus Christ who is ever present in the Word, Sacrament, priest, and people.

When those entrusted with authority – in the Church or the State – do not seek the common good, we must dialogue respectfully in truth, remembering that consensus does not lead to the truth, truth leads to consensus.

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Broken Bay 2023 World Youth Day pilgrimage launched Bishop Anthony Randazzo has called upon the young people of Broken Bay to join him in pilgrimage to 2023 World Youth Day, just over a year out from the festival set to be celebrated in Lisbon, Portugal.

The Diocese of Broken Bay officially launched its 2023 World Youth Day pilgrimage to Lisbon as part of its regular Praisefest event on Friday, April 29.

The evening was held at The Light of Christ Centre in Waitara and hosted by Catholic Youth Broken Bay, the ‘Glorious’ team (a Broken Bay community of creatives) and a host of volunteers. Over 300 young people, youth leaders and clergy gathered to enjoy games and Portuguese-style dinner, while posing for photos with ‘Pope Francis’ at the photobooth.

As the keynote speaker at the event,

“I am inviting you to come to World Youth Day in Portugal with me, my first World Youth Day!” Bishop Anthony Randazzo Bishop Anthony introduced the history and purpose of World Youth Day and unveiled the pilgrimage route that Broken Bay will be taking.

The pilgrimage will begin in Venice before journeying through various Italian cities and towns including Padua, Bologna, Florence, Siena, Assisi and Rome. After that, the group will fly over to Lisbon, Portugal for the World Youth Day week with Pope Francis. Following World Youth Day, the pilgrims will travel to Fatima for a retreat before returning home.

The new World Youth Day logo for Broken Bay’s pilgrimage was also unveiled, and Bishop Anthony

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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

spoke about the four key elements: a crown (representing Our Lady), water (aligned to the beaches and rivers of our Diocese), the Eucharist, and an inviting open church window.

WYD Portugal’s theme, “Mary arose and went with haste” (Lk 1.39), was presented by Bishop Anthony during a time of Adoration. In his catechesis, he reflected on Mary’s pilgrimage to visit her cousin Elizabeth, one that would have been filled with many joys and many sufferings.

In the theme of pilgrimage, former World Youth Day pilgrims shared their own joy and transformation, encouraging the youth to take up the opportunity to travel to World Youth Day. “Before World Youth Day, I would describe my relationship with Jesus as being sort of forced upon me,” said WYD Panama Pilgrim, Ivica Covic.

“But one of the graces that came out of it was that I developed a deeply

Students looking forward to seeing the “real Pope Francis” in Lisbon.

personal relationship with Jesus, to a point where I can speak to Him on a personal level and feel His presence and know that He is there.”

Monica Reyes, another former pilgrim, shared how she was inspired by the young and joy-filled Catholics she met at WYD in Panama.

“One of the things that’s really special

about being Catholic is that we believe in the communion of saints,” she said. “At WYD, you get a real sense of just how many people that is. It is incredibly inspiring!”

Pilgrimage details and next steps will be announced over the coming weeks.

For more information and to keep up to date with Broken Bay’s WYD 2023 Pilgrimage, visit bbwyd.org.au

World Youth Day Lisbon 2023 World Youth Day next year will be a wonderful celebration of youth and evangelisation.

I invite the young people of Broken Bay to join me on pilgrimage to Italy and on to Lisbon, Portugal, late July - early August for WYD23.

www.bbwyd.org.au 5/

BBN / JUNE 2022

A warm retreat with food, friends, conversation and engaging stalls.

One in Christ Despite the first blast of winter, parishioners from across the Diocese gathered to celebrate the feast of

Mary Star of the Sea and Patroness of the Diocese on 31 May at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Waitara.

“My prayer for the Church of Broken Bay has always been that it will be a community of faith, One in Christ…”

The Mass was followed by the launch of the second stage of the Diocese’s Pastoral Mission by Bishop Anthony Randazzo at The Light of Christ Centre.

The single figure temperature outside was quickly forgotten during the cocktail dinner where around 300 people gathered in a celebratory atmosphere, enjoying the warm and friendly conversation.

Bishop Anthony spoke about his vision for evangelisation in the Diocese which began when he was first appointed the fourth Bishop of Broken Bay on 7 October 2019.

One in Christ – is Stage 2 of the Diocese’s Pastoral Mission.

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“My prayer for the Church of Broken Bay has always been that it will be a

BBN / JUNE 2022

ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

community of faith, One in Christ,” he told the gathering.

“One where we are guided by the Holy Spirit towards Jesus Christ.

“A community where everyone is welcomed, especially the poor and the vulnerable. One where we truly put the Gospel into practice.”

Bishop Anthony spoke of his 20202021 Pastoral Letter, “Jesus Christ, our beginning and end” as Stage 1 of the Pastoral Mission of the Diocese.He spoke of the intrinsic importance of three key goals or foundational pillars – the Common Good, Commission and Community – from which six priorities were developed.

Launching Stage 2, One in Christ, Bishop Anthony said the document highlights how the four teams within Evangelisation Broken Bay – Parish Renewal and Discipleship; Catholic Youth Broken Bay; Life, Marriage and Family/Justice and Peace; and Confraternity of Christian Doctrine – will support parishes and advance the mission of evangelization.

The third mission stage will implement and activate the team’s initiatives and objectives, creating key strategic pathways to build on the culture of the common good.

The night also featured the working collaboration within the Diocese with teams and agencies highlighting their work and support at stalls around the Centre which created a wonderful festive atmosphere.

The Pastoral Letter “Jesus Christ, oiur beginning and end” 2020-2021 and “One in Christ” can be found on the Broken Bay website www.bbcatholic.org.au

ONE IN CHRIST Pastoral Mission Evangelisation Broken Bay

Evangelisation Broken Bay Pastoral Mission

The Community of the Church of Broken Bay Six Mission Priorities 1.

The person of Jesus Christ, and His message of Good News

2.

The Holy Spirit leads us in the way of discipleship

3.

Building together a culture of vocation for all the baptised

4.

A united Message reflecting the voice of the bishop at the service of his people

5.

Authentic Catholic education for the flourishing of human and faith development

6.

Justice and mercy above the poor at the heart of the Church 7/

BBN / JUNE 2022

NEWS AND ISSUES

Euthanasia legalised in NSW William McInnes Church leaders, religious healthcare providers and pro-life groups have expressed their profound disappointment after the Upper House of the NSW Parliament passed a bill legalising voluntary assisted dying in the state.

Despite efforts from notable politicians including Labor MLC Greg Donnelly, independent MLC Fred Nile and Liberal MLC Damien Tudehope to oppose the bill, it passed the Upper House, 23 votes to 15 on May 19.

The bill had already been approved in The Legislative Assembly or Lower

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House but returned there with minor amendments, before being swiftly passed again, meaning euthanasia’s legalisation is confirmed.

Key amendments to the bill which would have provided religious health care protection from being forced to facilitate assisted suicide on their premises were rejected by a majority of the Legislative Council, NSW’s upper house.

Most Rev Anthony Randazzo, Bishop of Broken Bay said it is an extremely disappointing situation when we accepted the sanction of the State to determine who lives and who dies.

“Assisted suicide is a completely

“A genuinely human society is not how we decide to eliminate those who suffer, but how we care for them." unacceptable solution to the problem of suffering,” he said.

“A genuinely human society is not how we decide to eliminate those who suffer, but how we care for them.

“While deeply moved by many comments aired during the years of this debate, it is clear the social mood

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and the narrative has evolved in a way that the language of personal rights now dominates over our concern for the common good.

“We should be considering and caring for the rights of all citizens to be well, to have the care they need, and not lost to the margins.

“We now have to consider what this means to our health care and aged care, the vulnerable and confused.”

The vast majority of tabled amendments were voted down by supporters of the legislation.

Opponents have commented no meaningful amendments were accepted suggesting a ‘winner takes all’ approach by the proponents of the bill.

Religious health care providers had expressed their concern the bill would force them to facilitate assisted

“We should be considering and caring for the rights of all citizens to be well, to have the care they need, and not lost to the margins.

“We now have to consider what this means to our health care and aged care, the vulnerable and confused.”

NEWS AND ISSUES

dying, pleading with lawmakers to provide legislative protection for them. Despite amendments being tabled which would have allowed them to abstain from participating in the assisted suicide of those under their care, the Legislative Council rejected them all.

“Catholic health and aged care providers are disappointed and saddened by the passing of a law that violates their ethic of care,” said Brigid Meney, Catholic Health Australia’s director of strategy & mission.

“This law will force organisations that do not agree with assisted suicide to allow doctors onto their premises to prescribe and even administer restricted drugs with the intention of terminating a resident’s life – without even informing the facility.

“These laws ignore the rights of staff and residents who may choose to work and live in a particular residential facility because of their opposition to assisted suicide.”

New South Wales is the last state to allow voluntary assisted dying although it is not legal in Northern Territory or the Australian Capital Territory due to a Federal law banning the practice in both territories.

The Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021 bill was introduced into the NSW lower house by Independent MP Alex Greenwich in October last year.

The bill was co-sponsored by 28 MPs from across the political spectrum, the highest number of co-sponsors for any bill in an Australian parliament.

Politicians from both major parties were given a conscience vote on the

“As we transition to a society in which assisted suicide is an option, we give thanks for the religious healthcare providers who continue to oppose this process and invest in the highest quality medical care for patients who are terminally ill.” bill. Once passed by both houses, the law will become effective next year.

“While the legalisation of euthanasia is a disappointing development, legislative change does not alter the good news of Jesus Christ that every life is sacred,” said Emma Baker, team leader for Life, Marriage & Family at Evangelisation Broken Bay. “Fear, economics and access to healthcare should not determine how we respond to the end-of-life process.

“As we transition to a society in which assisted suicide is an option, we give thanks for the religious healthcare providers who continue to oppose this process and invest in the highest quality medical care for patients who are terminally ill,” said Ms Baker.

“Let’s ensure members of our family, friends, those who are alone, the vulnerable in our community know and understand that they are loved, that we will be with them in their journey, and that they are not a burden.”

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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Early discernment data tells a story of hope There is much to celebrate and much to plan for.

Patti Beatie On Sunday, May 15, Bishop Anthony Randazzo joined priests and parishioners of the Central Coast to participate in the next phase of the Pastoral Discernment Central Coast consultation journey.

The Conversation Forums were an invitation for the community to come together to hear about the themes and data beginning to emerge following local consultation sessions held during February and March of this year. Those who gathered had the opportunity to engage in rich and fruitful conversations.

Data collated throughout phase one of the project was shared with community members during the gathering. The data shared told a story of hope and excitement for the opportunities that are possible. The data also told a story that will allow for the future planning needs of the Central Coast to be considered.

The Pastoral Discernment framework provided an opportunity for the laity, priests, and deacons, together with our bishop, to be one – listening to each other and all listening to the Holy Spirit. The journey has been one of genuine discernment. In our community of the Church, and through our work and mission across our agencies, Pope Francis names this framework synodal.

The synodal journey allows everyone the opportunity to listen to others and share the gifts of knowledge and wisdom with one another, recognising that each person has a unique and valuable contribution that will bear fruit for generations to come.

Concurrently, we have a few synodal processes occurring across the Diocese that are linked and support the journey forward.

“It was amazing to hear the information presented and have the opportunity to further add to the conversation.

I went away from the afternoon feeling really energised and positive about where we are headed on the Central Coast in terms of our Catholic faith.”

Mrs Yvette Owens, Principal at OLOR The Entrance From the many submissions received, seven themes have emerged. The synthesis of the emerging themes was shared with those gathered. It was evident that the voice of the Holy Spirit has been with and amongst the people of the Central Coast over the past few months during each of the many community consultation sessions that were held.

Following the local consultation listening and dialogue sessions, an evaluation and recommendations will be compiled. A report will be handed to Bishop Anthony in the coming months.

The report will be considered

by Bishop Anthony, and an implementation plan will be developed as the project’s fourth phase unfolds.

Bishop Anthony was particularly thankful for the time and effort of the facilitators for the discernment project.

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Regular project updates can be found by visiting; www.bbcatholic.org.au/pdcc

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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

International facilitator at Clergy Conference Most Rev Michael J. Byrnes, Archbishop of Agana in Guam is the facilitator for this month’s Diocesan Clergy Conference.

While Archbishop Byrnes will provide spiritual input on each day of the conference and contribute to the discussions and workshops, he will no doubt keep up his fitness regime. Once a regular competitor in marathons and triathlons, Archbishop Byrnes still keeps active, playing golf and swimming several days a week.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, the Archbishop became interested in athletics while studying a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology at university where he also served as apart-time campus minister. He entered formation at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit in 1990, where he later earned a Master of Divinity degree and a Master of Arts degree with a concentration in Scripture. His priestly ordination was 25 May 1996. He was ordained Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit in 2011 and appointed Archbishop of Agana in 2018 and Metropolitan Archbishop of Agana in 2019. The island of Guam is the most westerly

territory of the United States and since his appointment Archbishop Byrne’s ministry has included healing a fractured faith community while dealing with financial and social problems.

“I first met Archbishop Byrnes in Detroit in 2003,” said Bishop Anthony Randazzo.

Archbishop Michael J. Byrnes – facilitator.

“I am personally grateful to him for his willingness to come and spend time with us at our Clergy Conference this year and I am confident that he will assist us in our mission and ministry.”

will provide input to the workshops and discussion groups covering health and wellbeing and current key social issues including parental rights, euthanasia and religious freedom.

Delivering the keynote dinner address at the conference will be the newly appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, His Excellency Archbishop Charles Balvo.

The theme for this year’s conference which takes place between June 13-17 is “The Father’s Heart”, taken from Jeremiah 3:15.

Originally from New York, Archbishop Balvo has served for 35 years in the Vatican’s diplomatic service. He is also no stranger to Australia having visited here while appointed to New Zealand, including a meeting of the bishops of Oceania and for World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008.

Professionals from a variety of fields

I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”

“There will be much to unpack from this theme which I believe will be invigorating and nourishing for all of us, to love the people entrusted into our care with the heart of the Father and to love the vocation of deacon, priest, and bishop,” said Bishop Randazzo.

SUBSCRIBE TO BBNEWS, OUR FORTNIGHTLY ENEWSLETTER FROM THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BROKEN BAY. Complementing the quarterly Broken Bay News magazine, BBNews will highlight the activity and stories of the Church in Broken Bay and beyond.

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BBN / JUNE 2022

Fr Grzegorz Skulski SDS, St Patrick’s Church, Gosford.

A double blessing for Broken Bay and a future pilgrimage destination The Diocese of Broken Bay has received a double blessing, with two new shrines for first-class relics of beloved modern saints being unveiled

by Bishop Anthony Randazzo on Divine Mercy Sunday, in April.

A bone relic of St Faustina Kowalska has been installed at the Divine Retreat Centre in Somersby, on the Central Coast, and a relic of St Pope John Paul II’s hair will be installed at St Patrick’s Church in East Gosford on October 22.

Both saints were born in Poland in the 20th Century and contributed in unique but extraordinarily profound ways to the Catholic Church.

Bishop Randazzo said; “This is a wonderful thing for the people of Broken Bay. “I know our people are very excited about not only the first-class relics but the plans for the diocesan shrines.

“This is not just a glorious attribute for the people of our Diocese… It is something all the faithful of Sydney and indeed pilgrims from right around Australia can share in the years ahead.”

“To install the relic of St Faustina on Divine Mercy Sunday was very special.

I am now very much looking forward to the installation of St John Paul II’s relic in October.”

Bishop Randazzo said the relics would be a sight of pilgrimage for the faithful across the state and the country.

Sr Faustina Kowalska.

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“This is not just a glorious attribute for the people of our Diocese,” he said. “It is something all the faithful of Sydney and indeed pilgrims from

BBN / JUNE 2022

right around Australia can share in the years ahead.”

Bishop Randazzo thanked St Patrick’s parish priest Fr Grzegorz Skulski and retreat centre director Fr Roni George for their cooperation in establishing the shrines which he said would be “for the spiritual benefit of all the faithful”.

Upon the establishment of the Shrine of St Faustina, Bishop Randazzo decreed that those who visited on her feast day on October 5, may obtain a partial indulgence.

He also said those who visited the Shrine of St Pope John Paul II on his feast day, October 22, may also obtain a partial indulgence.

“I warmly invite you, my brothers

ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

and sister in Christ to participate in pilgrimages to these shrines in the months and years ahead,” he said.

St Faustina was a Polish nun who had private revelations from an encounter with Christ, including the Divine Mercy, a special devotion told to her by Christ, dedicating God’s loving mercy to all people, especially sinners.

St Pope John Paul II was the second longest serving pope in modern history and is widely remembered for his role in ending communism, transforming the teachings of the church, giving new life to the church across many parts of the world through his many travels and bring the celebration of World Youth Day to millions of young people around the people.

St John Paul II.

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BBN / JUNE 2022

ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

A special visit to Chatswood Parish The Parish of Our Lady of Dolours, Chatswood, along with Our Lady of Dolours Primary School and Mercy College, welcomed Cardinal Berhaneyesus Souraphiel, Archbishop of Addis Ababa, as a special guest in May. Cardinal Berhaneyesus Souraphiel, a guest of Catholic mission, visited Australia to promote the work of the Church in Ethiopia and talk to people about how the organisation was creating a positive long-term impact through its projects in the country.

Cardinal Souraphiel was hosted at Our Lady of Dolours by Parish Priest and Vicar General of the Diocese, Very Rev Dr David Ranson and he also had the opportunity to meet a number of parishioners.

Ethiopia has faced decades of political and civil unrest, revolution, ethnic wars, devastating drought and economic decline.

A few years after being ordained to the priesthood in 1976, Cardinal Souraphiel was imprisoned by the Communist regime between 1979 and 1980, along with many other religious leaders

The Vicar General of the Diocese of Broken Bay and Chatswood Parish Priest, Very Rev Dr David Ranson welcomed Cardinal Souraphiel to the parish during his visit.

After his release, he moved to Rome, where he served as a delegate to the General Assembly of the Congregation of the Mission and also earned a master degree in socio-economic development at the Pontifical Gregorian University. He returned to Ethiopia and in 1985 to continue his ministry.

by Pope John Paull II. He became Archbishop of Addis Ababa in 1999.

In 2015, Pope Francis created and proclaimed him Cardinal.

In January 1988 he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Addis Ababa and in July 1999 Pope John Paul II appointed him Archbishop of Addis Ababa. In 1998

Human rights and the humanitarian situation in Ethiopia has again deteriorated in the past year with growing violent and devastating ethnic violence, especially around Tigray following recent elections.

While in Sydney Cardinal Souraphiel said there is much many countries, including Ethiopia, can learn from a peaceful transition following elections.

Cardinal Souraphiel asked for ongoing prayers for the people.

Addis Ababa is the capital and largest city of Ethiopia. The city features a relatively small Catholic population, with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church being the most predominant religion in the area.

Visiting Cardinal meets a number of Broken Bay parishioners.

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The Archdiocese serves 27,000 Catholics and has close to 200 priests across 23 parishes and seven missions.

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NEWS AND ISSUES

A month for the Sacred Heart The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The term Sacred Heart is a symbol of God's boundless and passionate love for mankind. It is one of the most widely practiced devotions in the Catholic faith. Pope Leo XIII established June as a special month of devotion to the Sacred Heart.

While the entire month is dedicated to the Sacred Heart, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus as a feast day. It is a “moveable feast”, celebrated after the Corpus Christi octave, on the 19th day after Pentecost.

This feast wasn’t always on the liturgical calendar. It took many

centuries before it was established and spread throughout the world.

St Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French nun and mystic, received private revelations from Jesus on 16 June 1675, asking her to specifically promote a feast that honoured His Sacred Heart.

The first country to institute a liturgical feast was Poland and then in a decree from the Sacred Congregation of Rites on 23 August 1856, Pope Pius IX established the feast for the universal Church.

St John Paul II, a great devotee of the Sacred Heart, said: “This feast reminds us of the mercy of the love of God for the people of all times.”

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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Eilia after his Baptism with his father Mousa, who received the Sacrament of Confirmation in the same ceremony; with Fr. Raphael Kimaro AJ PP.

A personal journey to the baptismal font Br. Bernard Mary Fonkalsrud OFM Conv.

Sacramental Life & RCIA Coordinator

and are united to Jesus Christ truly present in the Eucharist.

Each year on the Vigil of Easter, new life is breathed into the Church through the amazing witness of countless men and women, young and old, from different cultures and life experiences, who, after months of preparation and reflection in the RCIA process (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), willingly approach the sanctifying waters of Baptism; receive the grace of the Holy Spirit through Confirmation;

These new Catholic Christians, or Neophytes as they are traditionally known, are fully initiated into the Body of Christ, the Church, and may now participate entirely in the Sacramental life of the faithful, receiving the graces that the Lord wishes to shower upon them as they continue their journey of faith.

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One young man who was received into the Church this year through St.

My journey from Atheism to Catholicism began with a bad heartbreak in 2020.

I was devastated like never before.

During this time, I looked for answers in Hindu philosophy and meditation…

BBN / JUNE 2022

Agatha’s Parish, Pennant Hills, was Eilia Keyhanee. He shares his journey with us.

My journey from Atheism to Catholicism began with a bad heartbreak in 2020. I was devastated like never before. During this time, I looked for answers in Hindu philosophy and meditation, different life philosophies, and modern psychology, among other things.

Researching these made me more open minded about the nature of the world and myself. I realised there was a lot I didn’t know but none of it truly helped me get over this pain.

Over a year into this endeavour, a good friend of mine suggested I do Alpha, a program that introduces people to the fundamentals of Christianity, being run by the local Catholic parish. I decided that it couldn’t hurt, so I signed up and attended the online sessions all the way until the end when we had a “virtual retreat. We learnt about the Holy Spirit and what He could do in our lives, and at the end of the day they asked if anybody would like to be

As they prayed for me, it was as though someone had a grip around my heart and I slowly felt that grip release. This was followed by a cool feeling radiating from my heart, as though someone had poured cold water over my chest.

ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

prayed for. I decided at that moment that if these people were right about this Holy Spirit, I would want Him in my life. So, I was put into a breakout room with a priest and one of the organisers, and I asked them to pray that the Holy Spirit would come into my life and that I would be able to go on living again without this constant heartache. As they prayed for me, it was as though someone had a grip around my heart and I slowly felt that grip release. This was followed by a cool feeling radiating from my heart, as though someone had poured cold water over my chest.

This prayer was the start of my conversion.

I began to read scripture and studied more about the faith. I discovered that faith is not about blind acceptance.

Rather, faith concerns truth that is above nature, that my limited mind is not able to grasp on its own.

Having been raised in a Protestant household, though not baptised, I initially wanted to join a Protestant church, but as I learnt about the Catholic Church’s teaching on the Eucharist, Sacred Tradition, the authority of St. Peter as instituted

by Christ and various historical arguments, I eventually decided to join the Catholic Church.

I decided that it was time to sign up to RCIA and see what else the Church had to teach me. Along the way there were certainly many times of doubt and weakness, but the new friends that I had made in the Church always helped and supported me along the journey.

I was baptised during the 2022 Easter Vigil at St. Agatha’s Parish, Pennant Hills. Having started my new life as a

I began to read scripture and studied more about the faith.

I discovered that faith is not about blind acceptance. Rather, faith concerns truth that is above nature, that my limited mind is not able to grasp on its own. full member of the Body of Christ, and having received the Sacraments, I now feel closer to God than ever. Beyond this, I feel privileged to have received God’s graces in so many ways and am now striving every single day to make sure it doesn’t go to waste.

Brothers and sisters, pray for me!

Although the process of RCIA officially concludes at Pentecost, the process of conversation never ends for any of us until we are with God in Heaven. We continue to pray for all our Neophytes as they begin to live the Christian life, and for others who are feeling the pull towards the truths of Catholic Christianity to be filled with the Lord’s confidence and peace as they discern their next steps.

Anyone who is interested in enquiring about the process of RCIA is encouraged to contact their local Catholic parish, or to contact Br. Bernard Mary Fonkalsrud OFM Conv., the Sacramental Life & RCIA Coordinator for the Diocese of Broken Bay, at bernard.fonkalsrud@bbcatholic.org.au 17 /

BBN / JUNE 2022

ACROSS OUR SCHOOLS

A Word from the Director of Schools Chatswood who was recently announced as the 2022 Simpson Prize runner-up for NSW. Very recently, some of our students and staff were fortunate to meet and speak with both the NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, and the Minister for Education and Early Childhood, Sarah Mitchell. We were grateful for these opportunities to engage with government leaders and role models, and to share their experience.

Finally, you may have heard that Bishop Anthony announced the formation of a Strategic Working Party to renew and enhance Catholic Education on the Northern Beaches. We welcome this opportunity and provide an update on the work undertaken so far.

I hope you enjoy this edition of Broken Bay News across our schools and invite you to connect with us.

Danny Casey As each term ends and another begins, we are provided a significant opportunity to look back and evaluate the progress we are making. It is exciting to be able to share this with the wider Broken Bay community. For this edition of BBNews, we have selected just a few of the wonderful experiences and work being undertaken at Catholic Schools Broken Bay (CSBB). While only a small sample of the exciting things happening at CSBB, I invite you to enjoy reading our update.

With our focus firmly placed on delivering an authentic, professional Catholic education, delivered with care and compassion, we have continued to drive the work of our Learning Improvement Program across all our schools. In this edition of BBNews, we explain the three drivers that underpin the Learning Improvement Program and its aim in more detail.

Earlier this term, our entire cohort of Year 6 students, across our 44 schools, had the wonderful opportunity to participate in a leadership formation day inspired

by Bishop Anthony. I was delighted to be asked to introduce the day for this wonderful cohort of inspiring young leaders.

A student’s life extends beyond their daily routine at school, and we are always proud to share with the wider community, some of the varied experiences and success stories that our students are enjoying. This edition we celebrate Lana Marsic from Mercy Catholic College, 18 /

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STAY CONNECTED If you have any news you would like to share with the CSBB Community, please email comms@dbb.catholic.edu.au We would love to hear from you.

BBN / JUNE 2022

ACROSS OUR SCHOOLS

Improving student outcomes – Towards 2025 Kevin Williams Driver 3 Lead, Learning Improvement Program The Catholic Schools Broken Bay (CSBB) Towards 2025 strategy places our students at the heart of everything we do.

Our Learning Improvement Program, launched this year, is the core work of the Towards 2025 strategy for 2022 and beyond. It is a group of initiatives that are focused on enhancing learning and ensuring all in our care, come to know Christ, love learning and be the very best they can be. Underpinned by three main drivers, it will bring cohesion and focus to our work aimed at strengthening leadership, formation, learning and teaching across all our schools.

An example of the work happening within each of the drivers includes:

Driver 1: Strengthen a Catholic culture that promotes learning, relationships and human flourishing.

As we journey Towards 2025 and beyond, we are committed to “Inspiring Hearts and Minds to Know Christ and Love Learning”. One of the many ways we are working towards this for our community is through the introduction of a new Religious Education Curriculum.

The innovative approach for Kinder to Year 2 is based on “Educating in Christ” by Dr Gerard O’Shea. It is grounded in the early learning principles of Maria Montessori and Sofia Cavalletti. It acknowledges that people are both spiritual and physical beings. This year all our Kindergarten classes are implementing this approach including the use of concrete materials to allow our young students to engage more deeply in Bible stories.

This way of learning gives time and space for children to reflect on what has been presented, connecting liturgy and Scripture.

“The RE Curriculum” written by Sydney Catholic Schools will be adapted in our Year 3-10 classes. This year, we are trialling the units of study with our Year 7 cohort. The teachers are working together in Professional Learning Communities to support one another in how they can best meet the needs of their students, providing opportunities for a Religious Education that: •

provides witness to Jesus’ example of accompaniment 19 /

BBN / JUNE 2022

ACROSS OUR SCHOOLS

•

supports students to encounter Jesus

•

provides opportunities for personal and communal transformation

Driver 2: Ensure systematic delivery of curriculum to enable consistency of teaching and learning of the curriculum.

The students in our schools deserve the opportunity to experience academic growth and achievement in a school system that is at least as good as the very best. The Learning Improvement Program helps schools focus their efforts on key areas that are known to have the greatest impact on improved student outcomes.

We know that effective teaching is one of the single biggest determinants of student improvement in schools.

Effective teaching which results in improved student learning takes place in schools with teachers who: 1.

have a deep knowledge of the curriculum

2.

are prepared with strong content knowledge in the areas that they teach

3.

have skills to utilise high impact teaching strategies suited to the curriculum they are teaching to improve student learning.

Teachers need to know what is required for them to continually improve their teaching practice. Through the work of the Learning Improvement Program, teachers will be challenged and supported to adapt curriculum to the needs of the students based on their knowledge of the subject.

We are working with skilled practitioners in schools to create best practice guides in assessment and how to use data to inform each student’s needs. It includes providing schools with resources and illustrations of exemplary teaching practice of the curriculum. Best and effective practices in our schools are being collected, curated, and annotated by networks of expert teachers and leaders in our schools.

Driver 3: Build leader and teacher expertise across the system.

Informed and influenced by the work in Drivers 1 and 2, we are building leader and teacher expertise through three main avenues: 1.

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Collaborative Coaching – building our teachers’ capacity

2.

Leadership Team Coaching – building the capacity of school Leadership Teams

3.

Principal Coaching – building the capacity of our principals.

Learning from and collaborating with colleagues is very empowering and involves teams of teachers and leaders working together, with a sharp focus on enhancing the learning of each student. This program addresses the following 4 critical questions: 1.

What is it we want our students to learn?

2.

How will we know our students are learning?

3.

How will we respond when some students do not learn?

4.

How will we respond when some students are already proficient?

Collaboration, planning and analysis is core work for teachers and leaders in schools and it is work that directly aligns with CSBB’s Towards 2025 strategy.

As part of Collaborative Coaching, every full-time teacher is given additional time to work collaboratively, to plan curriculum delivery and to discuss pedagogical responses that emerge from collaborative data analysis.

Mutual accountabilities exist in which the classroom teacher, the school leadership and the system leadership form three lines of defence to guarantee our students’ learning is strong.

Teaching is a passion that is driven by a love of learning that can be witnessed in all our classrooms, every day, every lesson and every student resulting in improved learning outcomes. Ultimately, this will be the measure of success of our Learning Improvement Program.

BBN / JUNE 2022

ACROSS OUR SCHOOLS

A trip down memory lane Dominic Perrottet, Premier of NSW and alumni of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Catholic School (OLPS), West Pymble was welcomed to his former Primary School earlier this month to visit current students and take a trip down memory lane.

The special visit was prompted by a chance discovery by the librarian at OLPS of a copy of the book Mr McGee by Pamela Allen, Premier Perrottet had donated to the school for book week in 1989 when he was 7 years old and a student at the school.

Students had the opportunity to hear a special reading with the Premier and to ask questions. Some students used the time to also give feedback on Mr Perrottet’s particularly good reading, with one student remarking, “Good job Dom!” at the end of the session.

School Captains Tegan and Joshua had the special opportunity to take a picture with their alumni visitor alongside Director of Schools Danny Casey, Principal Sue Host and Parish Priest Fr Irek Czech.

The Premier had a wonderful morning reminiscing and thanked Principal Sue Host remarking “It’s so much smaller than I remember!”

21 /

ACROSS OUR SCHOOLS

BBN / JUNE 2022

Yes Minister!

Earlier this month, three high-performing teachers at Catholic Schools Broken Bay had the opportunity to meet with Premier Dominic Perrottet and Hon. Sarah Mitchell MLC, Minister for Education and Early Learning, at the Teacher’s Advisory Roundtable.

The roundtable, held at NSW Parliament House, was a forum for driving school and system improvement by strengthening the voice of teachers.

The aim of the Teacher’s Advisory Roundtable was to provide a forum for the Minister to discuss and test new ideas and gather feedback to inform important decisions for improvements to the education system, teaching and student outcomes.

It was also to discuss the formation of a Minister’s Teachers’ Advisory Group to drive actions from the roundtable and provide a forum for high-performing classroom teachers to share their opinions, ideas, feedback and advice on education policies and evidencebased practices in the classroom.

Stef Thom, a highly accomplished teacher and Assistant Principal at St John the Apostle Catholic School Narraweena, Emily Channel, Acting Assistant Principal at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Catholic School, West Pymble and Kathryn Fairbanks, Secondary Social Sciences Faculty Teacher, and Professional Learning and Teacher Accreditation at Mercy Catholic College, Chatswood represented Catholic Schools Broken Bay. They discussed topics such as What does school success look like to you? and What tasks can be taken off a teacher’s desk to give them more time with students and remove the administrative burden?

The aim of the Teacher’s Advisory Roundtable was to provide a forum for the Minister to discuss and test new ideas and gather feedback to inform important decisions for improvements to the education system, teaching and student outcomes.

22 /

This was an incredible opportunity for our teachers to join a peer network to share their ideas and experiences, for direct access to the Minister for Education and Early Childhood to influence positive change.

After the roundtable, Stef Thom was asked to address the media conference with the Premier and Minister.

This was an incredible opportunity for our teachers to join a peer network to share their ideas and experiences, for direct access to the Minister for Education and Early Childhood to influence positive change.

BBN / JUNE 2022

ACROSS OUR SCHOOLS

The Light of my Leadership – Year 6 leadership day Simon Hyland Senior Lead, Evangelisation and Catechesis, CSBB

of servant leadership. He also encouraged them to think about how we can look out for those around us and how can we use our talents for the good of all?

“To know Christ is at the heart of what we do at Catholic Schools Broken Bay. When we look closely at the way Jesus lived, we see he was a light of hope, love, joy and peace to those he encountered, and to those who follow him 2022 years later. It was with this focus in mind, all Year 6 students gathered for the Year 6 leadership day on March 31.

Bishop Anthony was asked a range of questions about his life and leadership. Questions included: What was your favourite breakfast growing up? What’s your favourite story from the bible? Who has inspired you as a leader?

What advice would you give to Year 6 students?

The day began with an online liturgy and video message from Danny Casey, Director of Schools. Students also tuned in to an interview with students from St Agatha's Catholic Primary School, Penannt Hills and Bishop Anthony Randazzo.

The Bishop shared his favourite story from the bible – The Annunciation. He encouraged Year 6 students to follow Mary’s example and say ‘yes’ to the many opportunities presented to them at their school. He also affirmed the important role of teachers as great guides and mentors for all students.

The theme for the day was ‘The Light of my leadership’, based on the Gospel reading Matthew 5:14-16. Students were challenged with the key question: How can your leadership be a light to others?

Danny Casey encouraged students to reflect on the true meaning of leadership: to follow Christ’s example

After spending time together online, students engaged in a variety of activities to explore the theme further in their local setting. Overall, it was a very successful day. Our children are inspiring young leaders who desire to make a difference, influence their community, and be leaders in all they do.

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ACROSS OUR SCHOOLS

BBN / JUNE 2022

Enhancing Catholic Education in the Northern Beaches Brenton Gurney Project Lead – Strategic Working Party

state and are looking forward to the opportunities of the future state.

At a recent visit to St Paul’s Catholic College, Manly, Bishop Anthony Randazzo, along with Danny Casey, Director of Schools, announced the formation of a Strategic Working Party to strengthen, renew and enhance Catholic Education on the Northern Beaches.

The project team and working party are planning significant opportunities for community engagement.

The community engagement will capture the thoughts of parents and families, students, staff, parishes and the wider community. We want to uncover opportunities and options for our families for their education, and explore ways our families can be part of the Broken Bay community from preschool to post-school.

Bishop Anthony stated: “We have a deep commitment to renewing and enhancing Catholic Education on the Southern Peninsula of the Northern Beaches, not just at St Paul’s, but at all our local Primary schools.

“Our vision remains to deliver authentic professional Catholic Education and this review will provide clear recommendations to serve the needs of our community today and into the future.”

Since the announcement, a CSBB (Catholic Schools Broken Bay) working party and extended Project Team including Principals, Parish Priests and parent representatives has been established.

We have been in collaborative consultation with our local leaders and have synthesised various data sources to support the analysis and planning at each stage of the project. We are gaining a clear picture of the current

24 /

“This is an exciting initiative which builds on the achievement and growth of our students to meet the needs of our families today and into the future,” said Danny Casey.

“We welcome Bishop Anthony’s sponsorship of this important opportunity for growth and renewal.”

The strategic working party is committed to identifying all opportunities to strengthen and enhance Catholic Education in the Southern Peninsula of the Northern Beaches and delivering recommendations to Bishop Anthony by October 2022.

Information and updates on this project will be available from the Catholic Schools Broken Bay website as well as the opportunity to “Have Your Say” via an electronic form.

BBN / JUNE 2022

ACROSS OUR SCHOOLS

ANZAC legacy lives on through words Brenda Timp, Principal of Mercy Catholic College, Chatswood was very proud when she heard one of her Year 11 students, Lana Marsic was announced as the 2022 Simpson Prize runner-up for NSW. This national competition entered by year 9 and 10 students encourages participants to explore what the Anzac spirit means to Australia.

Named after John Simpson Kirkpatrick, known by the story of ‘Simpson and his donkey’, the prize reflects the character and exploits of an Australian who became famous for his work as a stretcher-bearer at Gallipoli.

As an eager historian, Lana was encouraged to enter the prestigious competition by her history teacher.

Through research and use of a range of source materials including artworks, photographs and letters supplied by the Australian War Memorial, Lana prepared her essay response to the question, ‘To what extent have the Gallipoli campaign and the Western Front overshadowed other significant aspects of Australians’ experience of the First World War?’

As an eager historian, Lana was encouraged to enter the prestigious competition by her history teacher.

Through research and use of a range of source materials including artworks, photographs and letters supplied by the Australian War Memorial, Lana prepared her essay response to the question …

Lana’s entry was selected from 474 entries nationwide by other students who wrote essays or prepared audiovisual presentations on the question.

She will join other state winners for a three-day program in Canberra.

25 /

BBN / JUNE 2022

ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

A global event on a local scale 10th World Meeting of Families “Are we there yet?”

This question sends shivers down the spine of most parents – both young and old. I’m sure many of us would’ve had that experience: the long, seemingly endless journey with bored toddlers on either a train, plane, in a car or on a bus.

Although not a heroic journey by any stretch of the imagination, one of our most challenging family trips was a four-hour flight to Perth with three children under six. Leaving the house at 4am to make the red-eye special (thank you frequent flyer points – not!), our young ones, when it was all said and done, did very well. But it was a long … long, flight.

You may not have heard of the World Meeting of Families before. That’s not surprising considering it was normally attended by only a few select families from each Catholic diocese throughout the world. The last one was held in Dublin in 2018. Then COVID happened.

Many things have changed since the start of the pandemic, and the celebration of the World Meeting of Families is one of them. No longer an event for a select few families, Pope Francis has called on all dioceses to join him in simultaneously celebrating this global event on a local level.

There is no longer any need for a long … long, flight to a destination far, far away. You can participate right here in Broken Bay! Bishop Anthony Randazzo would like all families to join him in celebrating Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Waitara at 2pm on Sunday 26 June. This will be followed by food, 26 /

formation, and fun activities for the kids. With the theme being “Family Love: Vocation and Path to Holiness”, we have Simon Carrington from Fire Up Ministries to unpack the meaning of love for us. Don’t worry parents, the babysitting is on us – enjoy an entire hour free of interruption.

In the lead up to this exciting event, you might like to have the kids join you

in praying a prayer together. Rather than constantly hearing “are we there yet?”, the question might change to “have we said our prayer yet?” See below for the beautiful prayer written as preparation for the spiritual journey that is part of the 10th World Meeting of Families. We look forward to having you join us! Contact Emma Baker at emma.baker@bbcatholic.org.au for more information.

Family Love: Vocation and Path to Holiness Heavenly Father, We come before You to praise You and to thank You for the great gift of the family.

We pray to You for all families consecrated by the Sacrament of Matrimony.

May they rediscover each day the grace they have received, and as small domestic Churches, may they know how to witness to Your presence and to the love with which Christ loves the Church.

We pray to You for all families faced with difficulty and suffering caused by illness or circumstances of which only You know.

Sustain them and make them aware of the path to holiness upon which You call them, so that they might experience Your infinite mercy and find new ways to grow in love.

We pray to You for children and young people: may they encounter You and respond joyfully to the vocation You have in mind for them; We pray for parents and grandparents: may they be aware that they are signs of the fatherhood and motherhood of God in caring for the children who, in body and spirit, You entrust to them; and for the experience of fraternity that the family can give to the world Lord, grant that each family might live their specific vocation to holiness in the Church as a call to become missionary disciples, in the service of life and peace, in communion with our priests, religious, and all vocations in the Church.

Bless the World Meeting of Families.

Amen. www.laityfamilylife.va/content/laityfamilylife/en/amoris-laetitia.html

BBN / JUNE 2022

NEWS AND ISSUES

The birth of these septuplets made world headlines – look at them now weeks prematurely – four boys and three girls delivered in six minutes.

The McCaughey siblings will turn 25 later this year and they are planning the birthday celebrations already.

The party will be another amazing step in their journey when they became the world’s first surviving septuplets to parents Bobbi and Kenny McCaughey in Des Moines, Iowa.

Siblings to a two-year old sister. At one stage doctors suggested aborting some fetuses to give the others room but the McCaughey’s said that just wasn’t an option.

There have been challenges but the generosity of friends and even

The seven children were born nine

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in home supports for seniors Australia enjoys one of the highest standards of living in the world, and we’re living longer.

Getting older should be fun – you have more time to do things you have always wanted to, to socialise with friends and learn new things. However, you may just need a little help to maximise those opportunities, to tackle changes in health, mobility and connecting with others.

At CatholicCare, help comes in lots of ways to suit your individual needs and circumstances. We can support you live independently at home, while getting the practical and social supports you need.

We know that navigating the aged care system can be daunting. From knowing where to start and what type of care and support you need – to availability and eligibility of Government support packages to help pay for your supports … we’re here to help you through the process in a way that ensures you can make choices and decisions that best suit the lifestyle you want.

We also offer fee for service options for those who are not eligible for Government supports.

Our in home supports include: • • • • •

General household assistance including housekeeping, meal preparation and shopping Help with showering and hygiene Transport to and from appointments, social events and activities Support maintaining your yard and garden Companionship and someone to laugh with … and much more.

For more information

P: (02) 9488 2488 E: seniors@catholiccaredbb.org.au W: www.catholiccaredbb.org.au/aged-care

BBN / JUNE 2022

CATHOLICCARE

Adam’s embracing care and taking steps to a brighter future A difficult start in life and added trauma along the way led young Adam to develop some challenging behaviours, disengage with school and use anger as a barrier against the world.

that supported positive, safe and healing relationships to address Adam’s complex needs. We also try to link into support from services in the community.”

But the supports he has received while living in one of CatholicCare’s Intensive Therapeutic Care homes has seen a number of small breakthroughs which are helping him to identify his emotions, modify his behaviour and re-engage with education.

Education was one of the big missing links in Adam’s life, after he ceased to engage in mainstream schooling.

“Adam was born to parents with drug addiction and spent some time in rehab with them in his first year of life,” says CatholicCare Therapeutic Case Manager in the Permanency Support Program, Jodie.

“Child protection services were involved in his removal from his parents and at the age of two he went into the care of his grandmother. He came to us at CatholicCare in 2018, following the death of his sister in a car accident in 2017 and the death of his father in 2012, due to a drug overdose. That was a really hard time for his grandmother, and she relinquished his care at that time.”

Initially, Adam spent some time in temporary accommodation before arriving at one of CatholicCare’s Intensive Therapeutic Care homes, which has up to four young people residing there at any one time.

“Adam did present with some challenging behaviours,” Jodie says.

“But now he receives support from professionals who are trained to be therapeutic in their approach, based on providing quality care environments and developing consistent service delivery. “ “We looked at Adam’s behaviour and how we could create an environment

“Adam really struggles in a mainstream setting,” Jodie says. “He has lots of social anxiety and feels like he can’t be vulnerable, which is a challenge when you are trying to learn.”

“So, we’ve engaged psychologists, paediatricians, teachers, social workers and therapeutic specialists to help him with that.”

“We had to look at a different way of delivering education as well. Adam finds it a challenge to sit and write in a mainstream setting, so a move to a smaller classroom setting has been helpful and a more tailored method of teaching.”

“These young people have had a lot of trauma in their lives and they find it hard to build up trust. They are, of course, still living the trauma because they are living away from their family, not in a normal setting.”

One of the key therapeutic supports for Adam was to help him to correctly identify, label and voice emotions he was feeling.

“For Adam, everything was coming up as anger, when in fact, if we dug further, we were able to identify that the ‘angry feeling in his stomach’ at school was anxiety and we could provide him with strategies to address that,” Jodie says.

“It’s about small steps and filling the gaps that most of us take for granted.

These young people have a lot of

missing pieces in their knowledge because they haven’t seen people model these things in a positive way.”

“What we’re trying to do is equip them with the skills to allow them to be successful in later life.”

Adam is now engaged with education again and will be supported until he is independent. He will receive help with life skills such as managing bills, cooking and cleaning and at age 16 to 18 will have the opportunity to sub-let an apartment from CatholicCare to transition him to independent living.

Asked what he has likes best about his time with CatholicCare, Adam says, “the carers”.

“Adam still has challenges communicating his thoughts and emotions, but I think he has nominated his relationship with the carers as his highlight because they are always supporting him to be the best version of himself, encouraging him to make good choices, but accepting of him when he makes mistakes. He knows he can rely on them,” says Jodie. * Name and photo changed to protect the privacy of the young person 29 /

CatholicCare is the social care and support agency of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Broken Bay. Since 1987 we have served the communities of Northern Sydney, Northern Beaches and the Central Coast, providing services and supports to more than 26,000 people every year.

Through our hubs located in Waitara, Brookvale, North Sydney and on the Central Coast we provide a range of specialist supports including domestic violence, homelessness, and therapy services for families and their children.

Family

Supports

We provide services to improve family wellbeing, parenting, relationship skills, and early childhood development. We work in partnership with other organisations and refer families to other agencies as needed.

Child & Family Support

Counselling

Domestic & Family Violence Support

Emergency Relief

Family Dispute Resolution & Mediation

Hospital Chaplaincy & Pastoral Care

Housing & Homelessness Support

Parenting Education

Relationship Support

Supported Playgroup

Therapy Services

Youth Supports

Australia enjoys one of the highest standards of living in the world, and we’re living longer. Getting older should Services be fun – you have more time to do things you have always wanted to, to socialise with friends and learn for seniors new things. However, you may just need a little help to maximise those opportunities, to tackle changes in health, mobility and connecting with others.

At CatholicCare, help comes in lots of ways to suit your individual needs and circumstances. We can support you to get things done around the home, to get you out and about, and to connect with others. We also offer a range of supports for carers.

Commonwealth Home Support Program

Community Visitors Scheme

Memory Innovations Centre

Private Services

Home Care Packages Respite Options

P: 1800 324 924 E: info@catholiccaredbb.org.au

We offer dedicated disability centres, as well as community and home-based locations across Disability Northern Sydney and the Northern Beaches and mobile programs on the Central Coast, with options futures for individual and group activities, and pathways to inclusion and independence. Plus our Support Coordination services help you organise your NDIS plan, and maximise your funding.

Our dedicated staff pride themselves on developing strong relationships with the people we support along with their families and carers. We work with you to create a world where people living with a disability are valued equally, listened to and included.

After School & Vacation Care Programs

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’ Children s services

We understand the importance of children getting off to a good start in happy, creative and supportive environments that provide opportunities to explore, make friends, build on their strengths and get any extra help they need to set them on a positive learning journey.

Our dedicated teams of educators embrace a child’s right to play and facilitate rich learning environments which are relevant, meaningful and full of possibilities so children are safe, happy, healthy and included.

EARLY LEARNING & CARE CENTRE For 0 – 5 years in Waitara EARLY LEARNING CENTRES For 3 – 5 years in Forestville ○ Lake Munmorah ○ Terrigal ○ Woy Woy OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS CARE For 5 – 12 years in Carlingford ○ East Gosford ○ Forestville ○ Freshwater ○ Kincumber ○ Lake Munmorah Lindfield ○ Manly ○ Manly Vale ○ Mona Vale ○ Pymble ○ St Ives ○ Tumbi Umbi ○ Waitara ○ West Pymble ○ Woy Woy VACATION CARE For 5 – 12 years in Berowra Heights ○ Carlingford ○ East Gosford ○ Forestville ○ Lindfield ○ Kincumber Lake Munmorah ○ Pymble ○ Tumbi Umbi ○ Waitara ○ Woy Woy FAMILY DAY CARE For early years and primary school aged children across various Sydney North and North West locations

www.catholiccaredbb.org.au

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CATHOLICCARE

Partnering with The Glen on men’s behaviour change Men who may have a history of violence but who wish to understand themselves better are taking part in a ground-breaking program delivered at The Glen on the Central Coast.

The Glen was established by the Ngaimpe Aboriginal Corporation in 1994 and is the only male specific Central Coast Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre. It provides opportunities for drug and alcohol rehabilitation for Indigenous and non-Indigenous men from all over NSW. Peter Lear, Program Lead for CatholicCare’s Men’s Domestic and Family Interventions, says the workshops came from a longstanding relationship between CatholicCare and The Glen.

“We have a long relationship of providing counselling and other programs with The Glen,” says Peter, who is a counsellor with in-depth

experience in the area of family and domestic violence.

“In conjunction with The Glen, we asked what kinds of issues are important to the men at this point.”

We are very much looking at anger and helping the men to understand anger and to explore ways of experiencing anger that are not violent…

Since then, the CatholicCare team has conducted a series of workshops, both online during the COVID pandemic and, more recently, face-to-face in an outdoor ‘yarning circle’ setting at The Glen’s Central Coast property.

“We also look at the topic of masculinity – what does it mean to be a man in today’s society? We unpack some of the unhelpful images of masculinity that might be tied to violent behaviour.

Peter says the workshop covers a range of topics, including emotional regulation.

“And finally, we focus on awareness, or self-awareness, to be aware of thinking and feeling patterns and how they can influence behaviour. We provide strategies to help the men be more aware of their thoughts and feelings, as well as options for action – options that are not harmful to other people and themselves.”

“And in July and August last year we started doing this workshop about men’s behaviour change online with a group of men at The Glen.

“We’re very much looking at anger and helping the men to understand anger and to explore ways of experiencing anger that are not violent,” he says.

As part of the workshop, the men are invited to look at the things that might trigger violent behaviours in them and are given tools to help them intervene when they feel their emotions rising.

“We look at how the body and emotions are linked and how to spot the signs in their body that they are experiencing certain emotions, and then to take action before their behaviour becomes violent,” Peter says.

Danielle Habib, who is a Primary Prevention Education Officer for CatholicCare and works in the area of domestic and family violence prevention and support, says the 32 /

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whole experience of delivering the workshops at The Glen, has been “wonderful”.

“Even just the decision to take the workshop outside, under the trees rather than inside has made a huge difference,” she says. “The men do a lot of their talking around the fire pit and it’s a very relaxed, safe and nonjudgmental atmosphere.”

She says most of the men attending the workshop have been raised in domestic violence situations and don’t know how to have healthy relationships because of a lack of positive role-modelling.

“We designed the program by finding out what are the men asking for. We thought it was really important to ask the men what they’re needing and not just to impose what we think they’re needing,” she says.

Peter and Danielle present the workshops together, which helps set the stage for the material to be covered.

“By presenting together, we’re modelling how to show respectful behaviour towards people of the opposite sex, with good humour and a positive working relationship,” she says.

“The workshop is not a shaming or blaming process. Rather, it’s inviting the men to take responsibility for identifying where the wheels have fallen off in the past and what they can change, in order to be the best man, father and partner they can be.

“We provide them with the tools for their kit in how to make the necessary behaviour change. It’s a therapeutic approach and we then give them different options and pathways to take going forward.”

We designed the program by finding out what are the men asking for. We thought it was really important to ask the men what they’re needing and not just to impost what we think they’re needing…

Peter and Danielle say that the workshops have received positive feedback and CatholicCare has also been invited to deliver programs at The Glen for Women, a yet-to-beopened drug and alcohol facility for women.

For further information please call 1800 324 924 or visit www.catholiccaredbb.org.au

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annwilsonfunerals.com.au 33 /

BBN / JUNE 2022

ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Students urged to listen to their heart Around 30 students from seven schools in the Diocese gathered for the Venio Youth Ministry Retreat at St Joseph’s Spirituality and Education Centre recently for a weekend of prayer, conversation and fun. In welcoming the students on their first night, Bishop Anthony said his hope and prayer for them for the weekend and beyond “is that

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the ears of your heart be opened to the Holy Spirit’s gentle whisper”. He said that could come in many and varied ways, through prayer or even over the dinner table! The students and teachers were from our Catholic Colleges of St Peter’s; St Joseph’s; MacKillop; St Leo’s; Mater Maria; St Paul’s and St Brigid’s.

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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Cecilia Castle (left) at The Entrance Parish for the March Community Wills Day.

Serving with a legal mind and a big heart David Armstrong Cecilia Castle conveys expertise and precision – a nod to her more than 30year career as a successful solicitor and accredited specialist in family law.

A mother and grandmother, Cecilia has a warm-hearted passion to serve her community. She’s worked in make-shift shanty communities in her birth city of Santiago, Chile, through to soup kitchens in Kings Cross and food vans run by Father Chris Riley.

A parishioner of Broken Bay, Cecilia’s daughter went to Our Lady of the Rosary School, Waitara, and through her association with the parish and Fr Colin Blainey, she helped establish a sister parish in Santiago with Jesuit Father Javier Perez, raising much-needed funds to assist destitute families.

Cecilia migrated from Chile in 1971, at the age of 11, along with her family to settle in Sydney. As a teenager she prayed and asked to join the Sacred Heart Sisters but was told she was too young. Perhaps God had other plans.

expertise to serve the Church in a unique way, sharing her knowledge and expertise at free seminars for the Catholic community on ‘Wills, Enduring Guardianship and Powers of Attorney’.

Cecilia attained degrees in Arts, Education and Law, and was admitted as a lawyer in 1988 following a sevenyear teaching career. Now principal of Castle Lawyers, Cecilia specialises in family law.

The project is helping parishioners put in place essential Elder Law documents to protect their own and their families’ welfare. The project is also encouraging charitable bequests as a simple way to support local Parishes and Diocese.

“In my office I see and experience daily miracles from God,” she says.

“I’m amazed at how God is woven into the intimate details of life.”

In her office is an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which she says sparks many conversations with clients from all faiths and walks of life.

Cecilia is now using her legal

The next Wills, Enduring Guardianship and Powers of Attorney seminar will be held on 14 July 2022 at The Lakes Parish and everyone from across the Diocese is welcome.

To register for the seminar, go to www.bbcatholic.org.au/willsday or contact David Armstrong 02 8379 1664.

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The Domestic Church makes a home in Broken Bay On 27 March 2022, St Patrick’s parish, East Gosford launched the Domestic Church, an international movement for sacramentally married couples and families. The first of its kind in Australia, the Domestic Church seeks to renew Catholic family life by providing a structured approach to spiritual growth and developing a personal, marital, and family spirituality.

Fr Greg Skulski, Parish Priest at St Patrick’s, has received calls from all over the country about the movement.

Describing Domestic Church “as a great formation option for families”, Fr Greg is excited by the interest ignited by the launch.

Starting in Poland during the 1970s, the movement has grown to over 30 countries, including the United States, Canada, Germany, Sweden, and the UK.

At the core of the Domestic Church movement is a vision for parish life as a living community of communities.

Founder of the movement, Fr. Franciszek Blachnicki was convinced that the renewal of the Church starts with parishes and that the renewal of family life is crucial to this.

The Domestic Church is comprised of small groups of 4 to 7 married couples who meet once a month. Known as ‘circle meetings’, couples share their joys and sorrows, pray together, go over their progress in spiritual growth, and review the new formation materials for the month.

Maria and Adrian Andrzejewska, one of the couple-leaders of the Domestic Church East Gosford, see the program as a blessing and a path to holiness in their family. Commenting on the friendly, welcoming environment Domestic Church creates in the

… the Domestic Church seeks to renew Catholic family life by providing a structured approach to spiritual growth and developing a personal, marital, and family spirituality. parish, Maria said: “There are a lot of new families and couples moving into our area. We want to make sure, as a parish, we have got something to offer for everyone to extend our spiritual growth possibilities beyond attending the Sunday mass and other common observances, and to celebrate our faith more within our family homes as well.”

Jane and Nick Eager, another married couple who are members, agree.

Jane said, “We joined Domestic Church at St Patrick’s as a way of enriching our marriage, walking alongside other families in the parish, and learning from them, as well as sharing our own faith journey.

It has been a wonderful experience.”

Mark and Elvira Bennett were also attracted to the movement because of it’s focus on families: “We were looking for a program designed especially for families, and we have been blessed to be a part of it. This is a journey new to many but very special to engage in, packed with retreats, gatherings and prayers, for we all share the same love for God”.

If you would like to know more about Domestic Church and how you can bring this to your own parish community, email Maria Andrzejewska at domesticchurchaustralia@lightlifemovement.com

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NEWS AND ISSUES

Ecological Conversion – it’s a win-win situation!

Emma Baker A small but dedicated group gathered at St Anthony in the Fields, Terrey Hills at the end of May to hear Professor Neil Ormerod and Ms Thea Ormerod speak about ecological conversion in our parish communities.

Describing the teaching on the environment as the church’s ‘best kept secret’, Professor Ormerod explored the meaning of ecological conversion and how it has several layers. Beginning with a religious conversion, Neil shared a quote from John Paul II, who said that Christians must “realise that their responsibility within creation, and their duty towards nature and the Creator, are an essential part of their faith” (cited in Laudato Si, 64). This leads one to a personal conversion, which requires cultivating “ecological virtues”, those little daily habits that help reduce our carbon footprint.

But while these individual actions are good and necessary, there is a bigger picture to ecological conversion, one that requires systemic change and a consideration of the common good. Neil discussed the need for a cultural conversion, where excessive individualism is replaced with a

Ms Thea Ormerod.

strengthening of “social bonds”. It also requires a new kind of politics, one in which the common good is given priority over special interests.

Ms Thea Ormerod followed up Neil’s insightful analysis with real life examples of what parishes have done, and are continuing to do, in their communities. Pointing out that reducing a parish’s carbon footprint also has many economic benefits, Thea described how parishes had saved money on their electricity bills by installing solar panels and assessing the use of their electricity.

Thea gave the example of how, in her own parish, limiting the use of a kitchen urn that was previously on 24/7 had reduced the parish’s power bill by 26%.

Parish Pastoral Councils take note!

With power prices set to rise by double digits in the coming weeks (due to rising gas and coal prices globally), parishes will need to look at practical ways to reduce energy consumption. Installing solar panels and assessing the use of electricity is just one of many ways parishes can do

Professor Neil Ormerod.

this. Ecological conversion is a win-win situation, one that’s both good for the environment and our hip-pockets.

Caring for our common home is good news indeed.

If you would like information on how your parish can become more environmentally sustainable, see websites: https://laudatosiactionplatform.org/ https://catholicearthcare.org.au/ earthcare-parishes/ https://www.arrcc.org.au/ 37 /

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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Here I Am, Lord – building a culture of leadership Pina Bernard Have you ever had a great idea about a new initiative or ministry that you feel is much needed in your parish, but you have no idea who could lead it, and the regular helpers are just too stretched already?

In his book, Everyone Leads, Chris Lowney talks about imagining a new culture of leadership, where every one of us leads by virtue of our Baptism. We may not see ourselves as “leaders”, but if we understand leadership as guiding or influencing others, then we all have this capacity.

Indeed, we already exercise it in areas of our lives, in our workplace or as parents guiding our children.

As parishioners, each of us has an important role to play in parish life.

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The first century Jewish teacher Hillel said, “If not you, then who? If not now, when?”

Your gifts are needed, and you’re encouraged to ponder where might you be called to take up a role at your parish.

Pope Francis, in The Joy of the Gospel (2013), reminds us of the immense value of the parish: The parish is not an outdated institution; precisely because it possesses great flexibility, it can assume quite different contours depending on the openness and missionary creativity of the pastor and the community. While certainly not the only institution which evangelises, if the parish proves capable of self-renewal and constant

The parish is not an outdated institution; precisely because it possesses great flexibility, it can assume quite different contours depending on the openness and missionary creativity of the pastor and the community. adaptivity, it continues to be “the Church living in the midst of the homes of her sons and daughters.”

(Evangelii Gaudium, #28) The Parish Renewal & Discipleship Team supports parish leaders in

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this missionary creativity that is needed today in seeking to renew our parishes.

One way has been through regular gatherings of Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) members from across the Diocese for networking, formation and sharing. These sessions allow participants to share parish good news stories, be formed, and learn from each other.

The team also works more directly with individual PPCs and Parish Teams to support clergy and parish lay leaders. This support includes facilitating the development of parish pastoral plans to move the parish towards realising its vision for the future, while also drawing on current Catholic models and examples which have proved to be fruitful in building missionary parishes.

Support is given to faith formation leaders and teams in parishes, offering training and on-the-ground assistance.

We also accompany Alpha teams of the Diocese so it can become an effective tool that helps build a culture of invitation, welcome and leadership as new people move into facilitation roles through each program cycle.

Parishioners of the Diocese are also being supported to undertake a year-long Foundations of Missionary Leadership Course at the Areté Centre.

This year, eleven parishioners from Broken Bay are enrolled in the course, from nine parishes of the Diocese.

Cheryl Thomas, from Chatswood Parish, describes the course as “amazing”.

“Through the Arete course, I am being equipped to live out my baptismal priesthood more fully through formation as well as looking at our current Church and societal needs and how evangelisation fits into these contexts,” she says.

“It’s tremendous fun and it causes us to dream of what parishes could look

“Through the Arete course, I am being equipped to live out my baptismal priesthood more fully through formation as well as looking at our current Church and societal needs and how evangelisation fits into these contexts.” like and how Christians can connect with people searching for Jesus.”

Consider whether you might like to take up this formation opportunity.

To express an interest in the 2023 cohort, please contact Pina Bernard, Team Leader Parish Renewal & Discipleship, at pina.bernard@bbcatholic.org.au or 0432 682 239.

Diocese of Broken Bay ‘Laying a Missionary Foundation’ Course 2022 As we continue as a Diocesan family to progress the Evangelisation Broken Bay Pastoral Mission towards becoming a more evangelising and missionary community, you are invited to be part of an exciting new formation course in July and August 2022.

The Laying a Missionary Foundation Course will offer formation in the foundational elements of setting a missionary outlook and direction for ourselves and our parishes.

Save the date: The Course will be a hybrid-offering. It commences with an in-person day on Saturday 30 July 2022, followed by five Zoom sessions on the evenings of Tuesdays 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 August. We are delighted to welcome as presenters Rev Dr Chris Ryan MGL, Director of the Areté Centre; MGL Sisters Katherine Stone and Judy Bowe; Cathy Kennedy, Evangelisation Coordinator St Declan’s Penshurst; and others to be announced.

All Clergy, parish leaders, ministers and interested parishioners are most welcome to attend.

To express your interest, please contact Pina Bernard at pina.bernard@bbcatholic.org.au

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