Broken Bay News April 2016

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B R O K E N B AY N E W S P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E C AT H O L I C D I O C E S E O F B R O K E N B AY A P R I L 2 0 1 6 I S S U E 1 8 1

St Benedict’s, Arcadia:

A parish with a country heart

Broken Bay

to host Sr Helen Prejean

PROCLAIM

comes to Broken Bay in 2016

WYD Palm Sunday celebration

HEART TO HEART

At the Spiritual Heart of our Diocese

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his year marks the 30th anniversary of the Diocese of Broken Bay. Our Diocese is named after the body of water into which the Hawkesbury River flows to the Pacific, providing a natural place of meeting between the northern (Central Coast) and southern (North Shore and Northern Beaches) parts of the Diocese. The Diocese of Broken Bay (‘Dioecesis Sinus Tortuosi’ being its official Latin name) was erected by Pope St John Paul II on 8 April 1986, with the first Bishop of Broken Bay, Most Rev Patrick (Pat) Murphy, being installed on 28 May 1986.

While we are a very young diocese in Church terms – in fact the youngest territorial diocese in Australia (along with Parramatta which was formed on the same day) – thirty years is still quite an achievement in a world where things come and go at an ever increasing rate. So, I believe our ‘pearl’ anniversary is well worth celebrating.

As we reflect on the occasion, a ‘pearl’ anniversary is a particularly fitting one to celebrate. Our Lord spoke of the ‘pearl of great price’ (Matt 13: 45-6), that great treasure a wise merchant obtains by selling everything else he owns. A pearl becomes precious over the course of time because layers are added to it through the years and it becomes more durable, stronger, with a mysterious depth is on display. A pearl wedding anniversary offers a similar story, in which the joys and sorrows over thirty years of shared life give the world the ‘shine’ of real bonds of communion and love. A Diocese, in celebrating its first thirty

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years, ought to be learning from the Lord and from such other examples of human trust, mutual forgiveness and openness to life as that displayed in marriage. And as every faithful married couple know, thirty years is thirty years young (not ‘old’!).

Dioceses go back to the very earliest times of the Church, when Christians would identify themselves by gathering around their local bishop. It is a word derived from ancient Roman civil structures where the Empire was organised into administrative regions. By way of a definition (and here comes the technical bit!): A diocese is a portion of the people of God which is entrusted to a bishop for him to shepherd with the cooperation of the presbyterium, so that, adhering to its pastor and gathered by him in the Holy Spirit through the gospel and the Eucharist, it constitutes a particular church in which the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church of Christ is truly present and operative. (Can.369 of the Code of Canon Law) I could spend pages unravelling what all this means, but the part I wish to draw your attention to is this: “A diocese is a portion of the people of God… [which] constitutes a particular church.” We are, in other words, a local manifestation of the universal Church: the Diocese of Broken Bay – her priests and people gathered around her bishop – is the fullness of the Catholic Church, localized in our particular area. In celebrating the 30th anniversary of Broken Bay, therefore, we are celebrating thirty years of the Church’s local presence.

So, who are we? This is a question that can be answered in all sorts of ways. In this short article I thought I would answer it in terms of some facts and figures. The Diocese of Broken Bay stretches from the southern shore of Lake Munmorah in the north to the Lower North Shore of Sydney in the south, and it extends to Pennant Hills and Arcadia in the West (of course, the best set of beaches in the world marks out the eastern boundary!).

There are three distinct regions to the Diocese:

Dioceses go back to the very earliest times of the Church, when Christians would identify themselves by gathering around their local bishop. It is a word derived from ancient Roman civil structures… the Central Coast; the North Shore; and the Northern Beaches.

Broken Bay Diocese has a little over 225,000 Catholic faithful (being approximately 27% of the general population); 61 priests in active ministry; many women and men living a consecrated life; 4 seminarians (more please!); 26 parishes and 47 churches; 45 diocesan schools and 9 congregational schools; and a significant number of aged-care and welfare facilities.

There are many people employed in our Diocese, and by its various parishes and agencies; and there is a veritable army of volunteers working to bring Christ and his Gospel to the wider population. It is worth noting that the Diocese of Broken Bay, and the Catholic Church more generally, is arguably the largest employer in our region, after government agencies.

By 2041 (25 years’ time), the projected population of the Diocese will be 1,280,000, which means the average size of a parish in Broken Bay will be approximately 49,200 people, of whom 13,300 will be Catholic. In 2041 the five largest parishes will be: 1. The Lakes; 2. Chatswood; 3. Toukley; 4. Pittwater; 5. Epping-Carlingford. The five smallest parishes will be: 22. Terrigal; 23. St Ives; 24.

Wahroonga; 25. Kincumber; 26. Arcadia.

Of the Catholic population of 225,000, a little over 23,000 faithful currently attend Mass on any given Sunday across the Diocese, which equates to approximately 10% of the Catholic population. That is down from

HEART TO HEART approximately 30,000 Mass attendees in 2001, when the Catholic population of the Diocese was 188,000, equating to around 15% of Catholics. (This drop is something well worth sober reflection.)

Historically, our people have predominantly come from Anglo-European backgrounds, but increasingly we are coming from Central/ South America and Asia (mainly India, Korea, China, and The Philippines). By the time of our golden anniversary we will be a much more Asian Church in both look and feel.

This is a very good thing, I believe, because it is in Asia and Africa that the great growth and vibrancy in Christianity is now happening.

The once missionary territories of the world are now the ones who are re-evangelising us!

At the spiritual heart of every Diocese – and usually at the geographic heart as well – is the local Cathedral.

A Cathedral is unlike any other Church in a Diocese as it takes on a special role as the spiritual centre. In fact, the word ‘cathedral’ comes from the Latin word ‘cathedra’, which means ‘seat’. In this way, a Cathedral is the seat of the local Bishop, and is to be the symbol of ecclesial unity within a diocese. The Cathedral of the Diocese of Broken Bay is Our Lady of the Rosary, Waitara, located within the Parish of Hornsby.

We have had an interesting short history of the Cathedral in our Diocese. At the very beginning, and as a temporary measure only, the Church of Our Lady of Dolours, Chatswood, acted as the Cathedral of the Diocese for a short time. Not long after taking up his appointment as the first bishop of Broken Bay, Bishop Murphy designated Corpus Christi church, in the parish of St Ives, as the Cathedral of Broken Bay. To strengthen the sense of the Cathedral as the heart of the Diocese, the second bishop of Broken Bay, Bishop Walker, took the decision in 2008 to re-locate the Cathedral to Waitara.

These changes are a little unusual, especially for a diocese as young as ours. It perhaps highlights the reality that, unlike every other diocese in Australia, our Diocese is not named after a city or town of significance within the Diocese (e.g. Wollongong; Bathurst; Parramatta), but after a body of water. (Let us assume that building our Cathedral above the Mooney Mooney Bridge would not have been a good idea!) Our Diocese does not have such a city or suburb that could naturally be identified as the location of pre-eminence and geographic unity for us.

Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral itself celebrates some significant milestones this year. It is the centenary of the parish in which it is located, Hornsby, and it is the silver anniversary of the current church building.

These are reminders that every Cathedral – like every parish – changes, adapts and renews itself with every generation who come to worship there.

The 30th anniversary of the Diocese affords us all the opportunity to reflect on the place that our Cathedral has in the life of the Diocese. In what ways is it a sign of unity for Christ’s people gathered around their bishop? How do we identify with it as the spiritual heart of the Diocese? In what ways can this be enhanced and strengthened? Is our Cathedral adequate for the needs of the future? In asking these questions, I am keen to begin a conversation with you about how we might together raise the profile of our Cathedral at this significant juncture in our Diocesan history.

The chief celebration for the anniversary is to take place on the anniversary of the day when Bishop Murphy was installed, that is 28 May, 2016. There will be a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Waitara, at 7.30pm. All are most welcome. Further information will be made available after Easter.

In marking the thirtieth anniversary of the Diocese of Broken Bay, may I take this opportunity to ask for your prayers for all the faithful of the Diocese, and for her parishes and agencies, for her works and activities, and for her bishop (who is always in need of your prayers). The Diocese of Broken Bay exists to evangelise, to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, gathered as friends in the Lord

By the time of our golden anniversary we will be a much more Asian Church in both look and feel. This is a very good thing, I believe, because it is in Asia and Africa that the great growth and vibrancy in Christianity is now happening. and sent to be missionary disciples. May this be our calling and our purpose as we celebrate this moment in our history.

Pray for me, as I do for you!

Most Rev Peter A Comensoli Bishop of Broken Bay

Be what you are called to be

Vocations Office || 02 9484 1427 || vocations.ministry@dbb.org.au Vocations Broken Bay || www.dbb.org.au/vocation

VOCATION RETREATS Saturday 28 May: a one day retreat for men interested in priesthood and diaconate at St Patrick’s Gosford 24-26 June: a weekend retreat for men interested in priesthood and diaconate at Seminary of the Good Shepherd, Homebush.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Sr Margaret 0418 522 449 or Fr Paul 0425 746 749

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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

DIOCESE OF BROKEN BAY Most Rev Peter A Comensoli Bishop of Broken Bay Diocesan Office: Tel (02) 9847 0000 Fax (02) 9847 0201 Caroline Chisholm Centre Building 2, 423 Pennant Hills Rd Pennant Hills NSW 2120 (Access off City View Rd) PO Box 340 Pennant Hills NSW 1715 officeofthebishop@dbb.org.au

CHANCERY OFFICES Office of the Bishop Private Secretary: Nigel Zimmermann Vicar General: Very Rev Dr David Ranson VG Diocesan Financial Administrator, Director, Office for Stewardship: Emma McDonald

Arise Sir David!

O n 24 February, Bishop Peter A Comensoli presented David Penny, former Co-ordinator of the Curia and Diocesan Financial Administrator, the Award of Knight Commander of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St Gregory the Great, in recognition of David’s dedicated and outstanding service to the Diocese of Broken Bay and the wider Church for over 17 years.

Established in 1841, the Order of St Gregory the Great is one of five Orders of Knighthood of the Holy See that is bestowed upon Catholic men and women in recognition of great personal service to the Church.

The motto of the Order of St Gregory the Great is Pro Deo et Principe (“For God and Ruler”).

Chancellor Director, Office for Chancery Services: Anne Walker Director, Office for Evangelisation: Daniel Ang Director, Office for Communications: Annie Carrett Director, Marriage Tribunal: Adrienne Connaghan Tel: (02) 9847 0458 Catholic Development Fund: Chris Field Tel: (02) 9847 0748 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) Alison Newell

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE

David Penny left the Diocese of Broken Bay in December 2015 after 17 years of service.

His presence, wisdom, grace and abundance of experience will be missed.

Welcome to our new Diocesan Financial Administrator On 7 March, the Diocese of Broken Bay welcomed our new Diocesan Financial Administrator, Ms Emma McDonald.

“I

am very pleased to appoint Emma McDonald to this important position in Diocesan administration,” said Bishop Peter Comensoli.

The role of Diocesan Financial Administrator is a key leader in the life of the

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local Church, and Emma brings significant professional experience as a strategic business executive developed from over 20 years working in the professional services, legal, educational and NFP sectors.

Beyond the Diocese, Emma has already given remarkable service to the Church and has held the senior positions of Strategic Projects & Property Director and Strategic Partnerships Director with the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney. Prior to these roles, she was Business Partnerships Manager for World Youth Day 2008. Emma holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, and professional qualifications in Account Management and Company Direction.

“I am honoured to have been given this appointment, and humbled by Bishop Peter’s confidence in my ability to lead this Diocesan Office,” said Emma. “I look forward to working with fellow staff, clergy, parishes and agencies in building a solid ground of service for the people of the Diocese.”

Director: Peter Hamill Tel (02) 9847 0000 PO Box 967 Pennant Hills NSW 1715

CATHOLICCARE Executive Director: Trish Devlin Tel: (02) 9481 2600 PO Box 966 Pennant Hills 1715 Children’s Services: Tel: (02) 9481 2660 Family Centres: Brookvale – Tel: (02) 8968 5100 Naremburn – Tel: (02) 8425 8700 Waitara – Tel: (02) 9488 2400 Warnervale – Tel: (02) 4356 2600 Foster and Residential Care: Tel: (02) 4340 0786 Mission, Hospital Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care (02) 9481 2658

BROKEN BAY NEWS Editor: Melissa Loughlin Tel: (02) 9847 0722 Fax: (02) 9847 0721 news@dbb.org.au PO Box 340 Pennant Hills, NSW, 1715 Design: Chris Murray

21,000 copies of the Broken Bay News are distributed monthly through 26 parishes and 44 schools in the Diocese of Broken Bay. The Broken Bay News is a member of the Australasian Catholic Press Association and the Australasian Religious Press Association. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply diocesan endorsement of products or services advertised. www.dbb.org.au

Our Neighbourhoods of Grace Exploring our missionary outreach

St Benedict’s, Arcadia A parish with a country heart

By Debra Vermeer It’s the most rural parish in the Diocese of Broken Bay, and St Benedict’s Parish, Arcadia lives up to its country reputation, with a village-like community in which everyone knows each other’s name and generations of families are active in their faith and their support of parish life.

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t Benedict’s is under the care of the Benedictine monks who live on the adjoining property. The parish has no Catholic school, but there are a range of State, Catholic and private schools in the district, as well as a number of home schooling families.

Parish Priest Fr Bernard McGrath OSB, says the parish takes its character from the farming community in which it lies.

“We have a lot of immigrant farming families in the parish, from a range of backgrounds including Italian, Lebanese, Maltese, Croatian, Filipino and English backgrounds, as well as Australians,” Fr Bernard says.

“The village atmosphere means that there is

a lot of gentleness here, and at the same time, the parishioners are passionate people, which is great. There’s nothing lukewarm about them or their faith.”

The parish community is made up of a mix of age groups, with a significant elderly population, but also lots of young families and teenagers.

“Because of the small local villages, the people all know each other, which is great when it comes to the sacramental program, for instance. When the children come along they and their parents are already known by name, simply by being a part of the local community,” says Fr Bernard.

“The people running the program know the families, they know the kids, and that creates a wonderful spirit across the board.

“And it’s not at all uncommon to have three or four generations of families living in the parish and attending Mass together.”

Last year, 61 children received the sacraments of Confirmation, First Holy Communion and Reconciliation in the Arcadia parish.

Fr Bernard says he is assisted in the running of the parish by the Parish Pastoral Council, Parish Finance Council and Parish Secretary Theresa Neely. The Sisters of the Good Samaritan have also had a long association with St Benedict’s.

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Our Neighbourhoods of Grace Exploring our missionary outreach

“But beyond that, the parish community as a whole is very supportive with their time, their donations either of goods or funds and their general willingness to work hard for the parish,” he says.

One example of this generosity is the famous Parish Fete held every year, which last year raised $35,000 to help with parish expenditure, regular maintenance and improvements to parish facilities.

“The work that the people do for that fete is incredible,” Fr Bernard says. “Whole families will come and help set up, as well as provide the rides and the stalls, and the produce and cooking for stalls. It’s a big day for us and everyone contributes.

“And the fete is not just for our parish, it’s for the whole community, so it’s a great day of inviting all the local people to come and be a part of it.”

Fr Bernard says a Liturgy team helps enhance worship in the parish and a small but strong group of singers and musicians provides the music ministry. This includes a youth choir

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and a group of local high school students who sing and play at Youth Masses, as well as a junior ensemble. The parish has held three music workshops for young people over the last year to help them learn and grow in the ways they can share their musical gifts in worship with the parish community.

Children’s Masses take place every first Sunday of the month and a Youth Mass on the fourth Sunday evening of the month.

Another big community event last year was the Carols by Candlelight, in which the children conveyed the Christmas story through drama and the crowd joined in by singing and waving their candles. It was followed by supper and fellowship.

And on Christmas night, the parish held a banquet for the fourth year, called ‘The Spirit of Giving’, for about 40 people in the local community who were away from home or who were on their own.

Devotional life at St Benedict’s is varied, with a range of different prayer groups available, including a Friday Prayer Group in which

people come together on the last Friday of the month to pray the Rosary, the Litany and the Divine Mercy Chaplet in Italian.

There is a procession to celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima, with about 300 people attending from all over Sydney. Every Monday afternoon the Italian Rosary Group meets for Adoration, Rosary, Liturgy of the Word and Benediction, and the Christ Catholic Community Group gathers every Wednesday morning and Friday evening to hear the word of God and embrace it in their lives. Outings and gatherings are also held for those who attend. A Catholic Charismatic Renewal Group meets weekly on Tuesdays and there is a Healing Mass on the last Sunday of each month at 4pm.

While young people are very much a part of parish life, seniors are also much loved and well looked after, with a Seniors Group meeting every Thursday to nurture one another in loving care and friendship. The gathering starts with Mass and continues with fellowship.

Our Neighbourhoods of Grace Exploring our missionary outreach

Fr Bernard celebrates Mass monthly for seniors at the nearby Rowland Village and parishioners are currently engaged in exploring new ways of visiting and supporting the seniors in the community, both at home or at Rowland Village, with an emphasis on caring for those with dementia.

The parish’s St Vincent de Paul Society Conference also visits people in nursing homes and people with disabilities as well as caring for those in the community who might be in need, including single mums and dads and their children.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Benedictine parish without celebrating the Feast of St Benedict on 11 July. Last year’s feast day celebrations included a Mass, a barbeque, games for the kids and mingling for the adults.

Fr Bernard says the parish has four or five young people going to World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, later this year and the parishioners have been supporting them with fundraising.

“One of our young people came up with the idea of raising funds for World Youth Day by inviting our parishioners to contribute a favourite recipe and then compiling them all into a Parish Recipe Book,” he says. It was a big success. We kept having to print more.”

When it comes to social justice, the St Benedict’s community engages with its local community through Vinnies and visits to the aged and other initiatives, as well as with those in need in rural Australia.

“For some years our parish has had a relationship with St Patrick’s Parish, Brewarrina,” says Fr Bernard.

This includes fundraising for the community’s needs, as well as providing funds and support for three children whose parents died, leaving them orphans. Last year, $2,000 was raised for the three children who are now living in foster care. The St Benedict’s parish also supports a couple in Brewarrina who lost the roof of their house in a tornado event.

The parish’s faith outreach includes having a

team of catechists going into the State schools, as well as ecumenical initiatives such as prayer breakfasts and dinners with the local church groups. The monks in the monastery also host an interfaith gathering a few times a year, featuring Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Catholics sharing time together in conversation and reflection.

Fr Bernard says the relationship between the parish and the monastery has always been warm.

“The people have supported us and we’ve supported the people,” he says. “There’s a wonderful mutual support.

“I think the fact that the community sees us working our small farm also helps to break down any barriers. This gives us a common language with lots of people in this area, the idea that we work for our living, as well as providing our priestly ministry.”

Fr Bernard says one of the big projects for 2016 will be the remodelling of the Church and parish centre, to allow parishioners to hear the Mass better.

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NEWS & ISSUES

Broken Bay to host PROCLAIM 2016 For the first time, the Diocese of Broken Bay will host the Proclaim Conference, a national conference on parish evangelisation.

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ROCLAIM 2016 will run across three days from 1-3 September, 2016 at The Concourse Chatswood, in Sydney’s northern suburbs.

Being held for the third time, this important initiative of the Bishops Commission for Evangelisation is expected to draw together over 500 participants to discuss, exchange and learn fresh ways in which parishes can become evangelising communities of the twenty-first century, filled with missionary disciples that announce the profound joy and mercy of the Gospel.

The theme of this year’s Conference, “On a Mission of Mercy: Evangelising Parishes”, embraces the challenge of Pope Francis for the joyful and pastoral conversion of our parishes, so that our practices, resources, language and structures can be suitably channelled for the evangelisation of today’s world (Evangelii Gaudium 27).

Keynote speakers include Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, Bishop Nicholas Hudson of Westminster and Dr Susan Timoney from

Washington, with a focus on parishes as oases of mercy and centres of missionary outreach. Their input will be complemented by numerous workshops that will offer some of the best practices and strategies by which the mercy and joy of the Gospel can be

2016 will bring to the parishes of Australia and beyond,” said Bishop Peter Comensoli.

“PROCLAIM provides an inspiring forum for the people in our parishes, those at the frontline of the Church’s mission, to gather, discuss and learn new ways of evangelisation.”

lived out by local communities of faith. Conference liturgies, panel discussions, social media initiatives, and a night of praise and worship open to young people will also form part of the Conference.

“I am excited and have high hopes for what PROCLAIM

Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay

P R O C L A I M 2 0 1 6

On aMission ofMercy: Evangelising Parishes

Sydney Conference

1-3 September 2016

Keynote Speakers Cardinal Donald Wuerl (Washington) Dr Susan Timoney (Washington) and Bishop Nicholas Hudson (Westminster)

For more information, email proclaim2016@dbb.org.au Phone: (02) 9847 0504

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NEWS & ISSUES

Truth and Biotechnology

By Cardinal Donald Wuerl Reprinted with permission from Cardinal Wuerl’s blog ‘Seek First the Kingdom’. His Eminence will be a Key-Note Speaker at the National PROCLAIM 2016 Conference in September.

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arlier this year, in a speech to a group of bioethicists, Pope Francis warned against the dangers of biological and medical technologies being used in ways that offend human dignity. Our Holy Father recognizes that while technology can provide us the ability to do many wonderful things and in many cases has improved the quality of life, at the same time, “our immense technological development has not been accompanied by a development in human responsibility, values and conscience” (Laudato Si’, 105).

Technology can be a blessing yet, like all science, it requires ethical reflection on its use if it is to be truly at the service of all of us who struggle in the human condition, that is, if it is to remain authentically human. Technology without ethics can easily become inhuman, particularly biotechnology, treating human beings as a mechanical thing to be manipulated and exploited.

We cannot allow our technology to outstrip our ethical reflection. The two need to move forward together. All our capability to develop and use technology and science must always be done within the context of God’s plan – the natural moral order. It is not enough to ask what can be accomplished, we must ask what we ought to do and how it is done. The ends cannot justify immoral means.

Unfortunately, in our quest to keep biological science and technology human, we are challenged by the reality that many who form the opinions and guide the discussions and debates in our nation on bioethical issues seem intent on limiting the topic to the supposed benefits of these biotechnologies or otherwise manipulating language which clouds the truth.

For example, abortion is rebranded as “choice” and physician-assisted suicide is falsely called “compassion” and “death with dignity.”

Here I would like to discuss the truth of a few biotechnologies that people may not be aware of. It is vitally important that people

know the truth, particularly when we come to those things that are contrary to the moral order. Thus, it is incumbent upon those who do know the truth to speak out. It is when we remain silent that evil is able to continue.

The issue of embryonic stem cell research is not in the news much these days, but when it was, what people were mostly told were the promises of all kinds of cures and health care advances. What was left unsaid or minimised was the fact that this research involves the intentional destruction of human life at its earliest stages. Hence, a not insignificant number of people who are pro-life were enticed into supporting this immoral practice. Once they learned that innocent human life was being killed, support fell.

Another instance of people of good will being drawn into practices that are against the objective moral order is in the area of assisted reproductive technologies, as I discussed last month. Couples struggling with infertility are told that they can have the baby they long for, but many do not fully realise the ramifications of their decision.

Today, there are thousands upon thousands of human lives who have been consigned to a perpetual frozen existence, presenting the moral dilemma of what to do with these frozen embryos. At this point, it appears that there is no good answer; every option – implant them, thaw them or keep them in place – is morally problematic. As the Instruction Dignitas Personae explains, “All things considered, it needs to be recognized that the thousands of abandoned embryos represent a situation of injustice which in fact cannot be resolved … there seems to be no morally licit solution regarding the human destiny of the thousands and thousands of ‘frozen’ embryos which are and remain the subjects of essential rights and should therefore be protected by law as human persons” (19).

Even if the teaching of the Church on the dignity and worth of every human life and how all technology must be directed to serving human life may not always be appreciated and

at times even publically challenged, we have to ask ourselves what would life on this planet be like if there were no objective moral constraints that grow out of the very fact of our human existence. If the worth and value of everything and every person is determined by majority agreement among people, we really face a new moral order that recognizes no limits to its power over human life.

We all long for the cures and therapies that can overcome the limitations of human life. At the same time, people need as well to know the full truth of what is promised. What raises our use of technology to a truly human level is our capacity to consider that truth and reflect on the ethical and moral dimensions of what we ought to do, not simply what we can do.

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NEWS & ISSUES

51st International Eucharistic Congress Maureen and Vince Mulheron from Warnervale Parish attended the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu, Philippines, on behalf of the Diocese and with the aid of the Office for Evangelisation. Below they share their experience of this international gathering, entitled “Christ in You, Our Hope of Glory” which took place between 24-31 January, 2016.

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t was with quiet apprehension that Maureen and I set out to represent the Diocese of Broken Bay at the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu. Two souls venturing into unknown territory! Thankfully, all apprehension quickly subsided as we met up with our pilgrim buddies from the Armidale and Bathurst Dioceses.

I would like to talk about the one, stand-alone event at the week-long International Eucharistic Congress.

I don’t want to talk about the time Maureen and I got lost and were driven back to our hotel by three policemen in a police car (they even used the siren!)

I will spare you the details of the few days we endured Bali belly and I can’t talk about the time we were approached by three young men in a restaurant. They noticed that we were Australian and asked to join our table.

After a couple of beers and a little talk I asked them what they did for a crust and they replied they were priests. In total disbelief, and assuming that the joke was on me, I sought further verification and to my shock their story checked out! My shock was a great amusement to all.

After 7 days of lectures, Daily Mass and Adoration, the stand-alone event was a Mass attended by 1.5 million people. The Faithful stretched out as far as the eye could see. All age groups were represented. People flooded into the space soaring up second and third floor balconies, all straining to see and be part of this monumental event. Side streets were crammed full of people and roads were closed. The only way for many to see the Mass was on large TV screens placed around the area. More than thirty Bishops and a hundred Priests celebrated the Mass. It was an unbelievable sight. The size of the congregation was breathtaking. The Mass lasted about two hours but the time flew. It was easy to lose track of time in the beauty of the moment. Afterwards we lit our candles and joined the 5 kilometre Eucharistic Procession through the streets. Taking about three and a half hours, we were shoulder to shoulder with 1.5 million Catholics from all around the world. It was both humbling and reassuring to know we belong to such a huge family started by Jesus.

Upon reflection of my time in Cebu, I feel as though I have reopened a little gift. The cement between the bricks has been filled.

After listening to several speakers talk about the True Presence in the Eucharist supported by passages in The Bible, gaining insight into what The Apostles had said, and done, what theologians had said over the centuries, my mind was heavy with thought. Then on the last day we listened to a Bishop speak. At the end of his talk he said a few throw away lines to conclude which touched my heart and made everything clear. He said “Jesus said to the blind, see, and they did. To the crippled, walk, and they did. To Lazarus, come forth, and he did”. Jesus’ words are words of action. He does not lie. When He says This is My Body and This is My Blood, they are. These few words went straight to my heart. A feeling of joy came over me. That was the highlight of my time at the International Eucharistic Congress.

Maureen and I hope we represented the Diocese of Broken Bay in a loving and compassionate way. We found it overwhelming to be in such a huge volume of devout people who were so openly living their faith. We have returned with a deeper appreciation of the real presence in the Eucharist. We offered all prayers and Masses in Cebu for everyone back home in our Diocese.”

Annual Ecumenical Service of Worship

to celebrate and reaffirm the Tri-Diocesan Covenant

Wednesday 25 May, 7.45pm, Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral Waitara

Annual Ecumenical Service of Worship to celebrate and reaffirm the Tri-Diocesan Covenant

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This year’s Ecumenical Service of Worship to renew the Covenant signed in 2008 by the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay, the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle and the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is to be hosted by our own Diocese of Broken Bay on 25 May at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral. The Service will be jointly led by Bishop Peter Comensoli, Bishop Greg Thompson and Bishop Bill Wright.

Join in this celebration and show your support for this important ecumenical event for our Diocese.

ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Broken Bay Parishes say ‘Let Them Stay’

By Jessica Brown Broken Bay parishioners may have noticed these words boldly standing out on their own Church notice boards of late.

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hey are certainly eye catching … But what exactly do these words mean?

And why is it such an important and vital message to share?

The Australian government’s latest statistics as of 31 January 2016 revealed that: • 54 children are held in Australian funded detention facilities in Nauru.

• 88 children are held in detention facilities on the Australian mainland.

• 293 children in community detention on the Australian mainland.

Children Out of Immigration Detention (http://www.chilout.org/) ‘Let Them Stay’ is advocating that detention is no place for children and people seeking asylum to be staying.

Many Australians hope that arbitrary and prolonged detention for families seeking asylum in Australia will be ended.

‘Let Them Stay’ is a statement expressing concern for the detrimental effect that onshore and offshore detention has on people especially children. Organisations such as ChilOut (Children out of Immigration Detention) believe that “every child deserves to be free and have the right to play, learn, be healthy and grow up in a safe environment, regardless of how they arrive in Australia.”

It is important to clarify the language used in this humanitarian discussion, as there is often confusion and misuse of terms such as ‘refugee’ and ‘a sylum seeker’.

The Refugee Council of Australia (2016) defines a refugee as: “Any person who owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his/her nationality and is unable, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country.”

Asylum seekers are “people who have applied for protection as a refugee, but whose claims have not yet been recognised by a government. However, since recognition by a government is not required to meet the definition of a refugee, an asylum seeker may also be at the same time a refugee. Most refugees will have sought asylum at some point.”

Exploring these definitions can clarify confusion and highlight the fact that there is nothing illegal about either of these status’ despite messages often expressed through mainstream media.

Pope Francis in his statement for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees this year relayed his concern that “Indifference and silence lead to complicity whenever we

stand by as people are dying of suffocation, starvation, violence and shipwreck.” He goes on to further state that: “God’s fatherly care extends to everyone, like the care of a shepherd for his flock, but is particularly concerned for the needs of the sheep who are wounded, weary or ill.” Pope Francis is urging us to “welcome the stranger” because “in the faces of others we see the face of Christ himself.”

The Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office is an organisation involved in this call to action and is a great place to source more information and statements from the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. Familiarising ourselves with the Australian Catholic Church teachings on issues of asylum and migration can help foster greater understanding and better enable us to “prevent unwarranted fears and speculations“ which are described as detrimental by Pope Francis himself.

It’s therefore moving to see Pope Francis’ sentiment echoed on our own parish notice boards. ‘Let them stay’ is visible on at least six parish notice boards within our Diocese.

These faith communities have united in their stand against the inhumane treatment of their fellow human beings and are certainly adding towards Pope Francis’ efforts to “overcome complicity.”

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NEWS & ISSUES

Four young Missionaries

By Margaret Cantrell

Four young adults from the Diocese of Broken Bay have given one year of their lives in service to high school students in Australia.

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ll are from the Hornsby deanery of Broken Bay Diocese. They have made a commitment for 2016 to serve on the Youth Mission Team (YMT), an outreach of the Disciples of Jesus covenant community.

They gathered with 20 other candidates for a two week training camp at the YMT head office in Wollongong in late January. After training they were grouped under a team manager into four teams and sent to the capital cities across Australia, where Disciples of Jesus communities can support them in their ministries to the schools.

The Perth branch welcomed Dominic Cantrall and Andrea Dingley, the Melbourne branch welcomed Juliette Dahdah and the Wollongong branch welcomed Andrew Placko.

For the year the team members agree to: 1. Join in and participate fully in the lifestyle of DOJ. Including involvement in their local parish.

2. Maintain a “single” vision for the year by not entering into relationships.

3. Work part time (Monday & Tuesday) to support their household.

4. Minister to youth to the best of their ability under the grace of the Holy Spirit.

The team’s ministry is not done in isolation. They are supported by community prayer and their own prayer so they may always be open to the grace of the Holy Spirit, unifying them in their life and witness.

The ministry of the team

From left to right: Andrew Placko, Andrea Dingley, Juliette Dahdah and Dominic Cantrall.

encompasses School retreats of 1, 2 or 3 days, weekend retreats, youth groups on Friday nights and social events for teens and young adults.

Dominic: “Youth Mission Team is an opportunity to love and to serve; I want to be part of that life.”

Andrea: “The teams that I have known were able to create a community where I felt loved and safe. I feel so passionately about doing the same for other young people.”

Andrew: “Youth Mission Team offers a unique experience of formation. Through serving God in

this way I am able to empower others and provide them with hope.”

Juliette: “I am doing Team because they have made such a profound difference in my life by showing me G od’s love.”

During 2016, the team members hope to grow in their spiritual maturity, broaden their vision for evangelisation and meet hundreds of young people by sharing and witnessing to the power of God in their life.

For more information visit www.ymt.com.au

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So when you choose CCI Personal Insurance, you’re not the only one who benefits.

Visit our website or call us to learn more about CCI’s dedication to the Catholic community.

catholicinsurance.org.au/ community 1300 655 003

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NEWS & ISSUES

Sister Helen Prejean in conversation in Broken Bay Sister Helen Prejean, the real life nun whose story featured in the Oscar winning film Dead Man Walking, will be a special guest of the Diocese of Broken Bay via Skype on 7 May.

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ister Helen will be in conversation with Fr David Ranson, Vicar General, about the “Consistent Ethic of Life”, which centres on the Church’s pro-life perspective at all stages in the human lifecycle, from birth to natural death. The Consistent Ethic of Life honours the inalienable dignity attached to all life, both ‘innocent’ and ‘guilty’. A captive audience will listen and participate in the conversation at the Light of Christ Centre, Waitara.

Sister Helen has long been an advocate for prisoners on death row in the United States, made famous in her book “Dead Man Walking”, which was made into a feature film in 1995 starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn.

In February this year, Pope Francis appealed to Catholic leaders around the world to work to stop executions during this Year of Mercy.

“The commandment ‘You shall not kill’ has absolute value, and covers both the innocent and the guilty,” said Pope Francis. “Even the criminal keeps the inviolable right to life, a gift from God.” “I appeal to the conscience of the rulers, so that we achieve an international consensus for the abolition of the death penalty,” Francis told the crowd gathered in St Peter’s Square.

“And I propose to those among them who are Catholics to make a courageous and exemplary gesture that no sentence is executed in this Holy Year of Mercy.”

More about Sister Helen Prejean Sister Helen Prejean has been instrumental in sparking national dialogue in the USA on the

death penalty and helping to shape the Catholic Church’s newly vigorous opposition to state executions, touching upon themes of family, mercy and justice. She travels around the world giving talks about her ministry. She considers herself a southern storyteller.

Sister Helen is a member of the Congregation of St Joseph. She spent her first years with the Sisters teaching religion to junior high school students. Realising that being on the side of poor people is an essential part of the Gospel she moved into the St Thomas Housing Project in New Orleans and began working at Hope House from 1981 – 1984.

During this time, she was asked to correspond with a death row inmate Patrick Sonnier at Angola, the Louisiana State Penitentiary. She agreed and became his

spiritual adviser. After witnessing his execution, she wrote a book about the experience. The result was Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty in the United States.

It became a movie, an opera and a play for high schools and colleges.

Since 1984, Sister Helen has divided her time between educating citizens about the death penalty and counselling individual death row prisoners. She has accompanied six men to their deaths. In doing so, she began to suspect that some of those executed were not guilty. This realisation inspired her second book, The Death of Innocents: An Eyewitness Account of Wrongful Executions, which was released by Random House in December of 2004.

Sister Helen is presently at work on another book – River of Fire: My Spiritual Journey.

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EVANGELISATION

Cultivating a Culture of Evangelisation

By Daniel Ang, Director, Office for Evangelisation

The Diocese of Broken Bay exists to evangelise, to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, gathered as friends in the Lord and sent out to be missionary disciples.

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t is this mission that shapes the particular work of the Office for Evangelisation under the direction of Bishop Peter and that promotes the growing missionary outlook of our parishes, faith communities and individuals.

I am conscious that the word ‘evangelise’ is one we hear frequently in the Church today and this prominence has been the fruit not only of Pope Francis’ charismatic papacy but of his predecessors who, over recent decades, have supplied great encouragement to the whole body of Christ in this missionary and outreaching impetus. Since the Second Vatican Council, a renewed baptismal consciousness among the laity, a growing recognition of the significance of local context for mission, and an upsurge of Catholic literature on the subject has delivered fresh energy to this task which we now embrace in the twenty-first century, “a new phase of evangelisation that [has] existed from the beginning” (Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus 4).

The word ‘evangelise’ has in fact ancient roots in the Judeo-Christian tradition which provides great clarity to our contemporary task. In the

Old Testament, notably the Book of Isaiah, we locate the origins of the concept in the Koine Greek for ‘gospel’ or ‘good news’. In the New Testament this Good News is revealed to be located in the person and the message of Jesus for it is He who incarnates and heralds the joy of the Kingdom, the sovereignty of God who loves without end.

As contemporary disciples of Jesus this mission of proclaiming and witnessing to God’s Kingdom of love, justice, forgiveness and sanctification, becomes our own. We are ‘sent out’ to be bearers or messengers of this joy in our local parish, to “bear much fruit” among our network of relationships, amidst our contemporary culture and in the everyday space of our lives, where we work, live and gather (John 15:8).

Much research and literature about this project of evangelisation suggests that what is called for as Church is a variety of different paths or doors to discipleship that enable people to find ways of connecting with or drawing closer to Jesus Christ. This means that all the activities of the local parish or community of

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faith need to be seen in the light of the primary call to make disciples.

As 26 parishes and more than 40 communities of real people, living our faith in a particular economic, cultural, and ecclesial setting with its own history, personalities, resources, and a range of gifts and charisms, each parish will need to wrestle with and assume this task in its own way. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to the variety of people whom we seek to engage as communities of faith nor the stories that shape them.

While one book, program or structure cannot provide the complete or total way of taking the Gospel into the lives of others, the spiritual experience of the Church tells us this: the mission of evangelisation, the making of disciples, is fundamentally grounded in one person telling another how the encounter with Jesus Christ has radically changed their life. Whether in the context of youth gatherings such as World Youth Day, experiences of adult formation, whether through activities to support life, marriage and family life, or our catechetical outreach in government schools, the primacy of personal witness, testimony and exchange arises above all else as the living heart of personal and spiritual change.

It is the experience of pastors and parishioners that pre-packaged programs do not make disciples. Disciples make disciples.

We all need significant spiritual support and this calls forth a culture of discipleship in the communities, neighbourhoods and homes of our Diocese. Overlapping spiritual influences, learning experiences, conversations of faith, and the thoughtful effort of all members of our Diocesan community promote that real and vital breakthrough which is at the same time a gift: the embrace of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as the total meaning of our lives.

The teams of the Office for Evangelisation look forward to sharing in and promoting this mission throughout the Jubilee Year.

Opportunities for your parish and people to grow in discipleship are offered in our menu of short courses as well as the new pull out calendar featured in this issue of the Broken Bay News. We look forward to journeying with you in this new chapter of evangelisation marked by joy.

CATHOLIC YOUTH BROKEN BAY

Catholic Youth Broken Bay Ready to Evangelise, Gather and Send

By Kelly Paget, Diocesan Co-ordinator Youth Ministry

2016 is shaping up to be a very exciting year for Catholic Youth Broken Bay (CYBB). As we move forward under the direction of Bishop Peter we have launched a refreshed look and feel as we move confidently forward in our role of evangelising young people.

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imply put, the purpose of CYBB is to Evangelise, Gather and Send. We do so by promoting a culture of youth discipleship in the Diocese by fostering growth in the Gospel, by drawing young people into participation in the life and mission of faith communities, and by empowering them to live as disciples in the world. Our work focuses on resourcing and empowering our communities in their mission with high-schoolaged youth and young adults, while also engaging with national and international gatherings that help to nurture youth discipleship throughout the Diocese of Broken Bay. Part of our mission under

the banner of the Office for Evangelisation, is to provide opportunities for our young people to gather and gain a broader sense of discipleship across the Diocese at our Praisefest and Twilight Talks evenings. As we move closer to the life-making pilgrimage of World Youth Day, we are also looking at new and innovative ways to re-engage our young pilgrims back into their local communities.

This has always been one of the greatest challenges following on from any WYD. I encourage your communities to start thinking now about how you can participate in this World Youth Day experience, whether it is physical or virtual.

This will open up opportunities for our young pilgrims to share

their stories and hopefully their newly found joy for participation and service for the Church, joy to be a missionary disciple.

Please follow us on our Social Media channels and watch for more exciting news from Catholic Youth Broken Bay.

Praisefest WYD Palm Sunday Celebration and Raffle Winners On Sunday 20 March, Palm Sunday, the Diocese of Broken Bay came together to celebrate World Youth Day at St Edward’s College, East Gosford.

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arishes and schools ran stalls to raise money for their pilgrims, selling cupcakes, flowers, hair braiding and wonderful Polish food. Bishop Peter Comensoli shared catechesis on Blessed are the Merciful and the crowd participated in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. It was a great celebration as the youth of Broken Bay build up to World Youth Day in Krakow in July.

One of the most anticipated events of the day was the raffle draw. The DBB WYD Raffle made over $140,000

for DBB pilgrims, and the lucky winners are: 1st Prize: $16,694 Hyundai Accent 5 door hatchback. Winner: Ashleigh Bell – ticket sold by St Peter’s Catholic College 2nd Prize: $6000 Cosmos Travel Voucher. Winner: Jason Ding – ticket sold by Manly Freshwater Parish 3rd Prize: Apple Sport Watch.

Winner: Tiffany Chan - ticket sold by Chatswood Parish 4th prize: Apple iPad Mini. Winner: Raymundo Cantu – ticket sold by St Paul’s Catholic College.

Our first PRAISEFEST event of the year was held on 11 March at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Forestville with Bishop Peter Comensoli and over 100 young people from across the Diocese.

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e shared dinner provided by our amazing hosts, Frenchs Forest Parish, and then were led in a praise filled Youth Mass with Bishop Peter and Fr Jose. At the end of the night

our hearts were opened to the Father of Mercy, who loves us with endless compassion and kindness. You’re welcome to join us at our next PRAISEFEST on Friday 13 May.

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Celebrating Community Everyone gets excited about new things. It was the official opening of CatholicCare’s new Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) service based at MacKillop Catholic College in Warnervale that was the source of much excitement on Wednesday the 9 March. t was a wonderful time of celebration IMacKillop that reflected the spirit of the Catholic College.

Attendees included Fr Vince Casey (Parish Priest), Sue Deitrich (MacKillop Primary Principal), Trish Devlin (CathlolicCare, Executive Director), as well as a number of families from the school and CatholicCare representatives. It is testament for all involved to the dedication of the business of collaboration in order to

provide quality care and education to all children.

As well as a celebration of community, it was an opportunity for our OSHC to display the quality extra-curricular activities that have already become so popular. The spacious brightly painted room well equipped with resources were proudly on display, while children also had the opportunity to participate in ‘Soccer 5’s’, teaching our OSHC children soccer skills through play.

We take this opportunity to thank the MacKillop Catholic College and community for your welcome and we look forward to a long and successful relationship. We also thank the children and families who have already joined our OSHC service and have made it a fun and supportive environment.

For more information on CatholicCare’s MacKillop OSHC contact the team on 0418 384 678.

FAMILY CENTRES: Central Coast • Naremburn • Waitara DISABILITY FUTURES: Central Coast • Northern Beaches • Northern Suburbs OUT OF HOME CARE: Foster Care • Therapeutic Group Care EARLY LEARNING AND CARE: Forestville • Lake Munmorah • Terrigal • Waitara

justice love

serving in and

What Parents think (about OSHC at Mona Vale!)

We all know the power of referral, endorsement, or getting a good rap!

Recently Kylie Trabi, Coordinator of the OSHC service at Sacred Heart Mona Vale, asked parents of children attending the service to give her some written feedback to be shared publicly on the Children’s Services pages of the new CatholicCare website being built. ere are just some of the Hreceived: lovely comments Kylie “Our son has been going to after school care two days a week for the past five years and it’s been a great experience. As parents we feel comfortable that he is in a safe and caring environment where he is well looked after by the friendly carers there. More importantly, he enjoys it – he loves the activities and gets to play with kids from other years who he might not ordinarily play with.

He also really enjoys his chats with Linda (one of the carers) about how Manly is going in the footy season!”

“Both of my daughters can’t wait to attend OSHC after school each day. They love the interaction with the older children, the fun crafts, outdoor play and they develop new skills that they don’t have the opportunity to during the

school day like jumping rope. Linda, Kylie and the casual carers are all so friendly, involved and have all formed strong bonds with my daughters. It is comforting for me to know that my children are in safe hands. I recommend the program highly.”

“Being new to school in kindy year I was worried about how my daughter would settle in OSHC but she loves it. It has allowed her to develop new friends outside her class and she gets so involved in the craft it’s hard to persuade her to come home at pick up time.”

“We love before and after school care, Kylie, Linda and Corey engage with the kids and make sure they have a good time. I was worried about my kindy kids starting afterschool care, but they look forward to going and playing with their friends.”

OSHC SERVICES

(Outside School Hours Care Broken Bay) Carlingford – St Gerard’s Primary School Coordinator: Michael Stonehouse Street Address: 543 North Rocks Road, Carlingford 2118 Phone: 0417 193 647 Email: carlingford.oshc@dbb.org.au Collaroy Plateau – St Rose Primary School Coordinator: Ashleigh Clarke Street Address: 8 Rose Avenue Collaroy Plateau Phone: 9982 1467 Mobile: 0407 316 875 Email: collaroy.oshc@dbb.org.au Davidson – St Martin’s Primary School Coordinator: Bianca Zammit Street Address: 147 Prahran Ave, Davidson 2085 Phone: 0409 877 663 Email: davidson.oshc@dbb.org.au East Gosford – St. Patrick’s Primary School Coordinator: Antony Brown Street Address: Cnr Melbourne and York Streets, East Gosford, NSW 2250 Phone: 4323 4819 Mobile: 0408 165 671, 0400 916 619 Email: eastgosford.oshc@dbb.org.au Forestville – Our Lady of Good Counsel Primary School Coordinator: Anna Hole Street Address: 11 Currie Rd, Forestville NSW 2087 Postal Address: PO Box 48, Forestville NSW 1630 Phone: 0400 787 186 Fax: 02 9451 1325 Email: forestville.oshc@dbb.org.au Freshwater – St John the Baptist Primary School Coordinator: Kirsten Transell Street Address: 7 Johnson Street, Freshwater NSW 2096 Phone: 0427 716 593 Email: freshwater.oshc@dbb.org.au Lake Munmorah – St Brendan’s Primary School Coordinator: Ruth Lipski Street Address: 29 Carters Road, Lake Munmorah NSW 2259 Phone: 02 4358 8157 Fax: 02 4358 2674 Email: munmorah.oshc@dbb.org.au Manly – St Mary’s Primary School Coordinator: Patricia Downey Street Address: Whistler St, Manly 2095 Phone: 0409 455 359 Email: manly.oshc@dbb.org.au Mona Vale – Sacred Heart Primary School Coordinator: Penny Widmer Street Address: 1 Keenan Road Mona Vale Phone: 0408 435 494 Email: monavale.oshc@dbb.org.au Narrabeen – St Joseph’s School Coordinator: Flavia Granadeiro Street Address: 108 Ocean Street, Narrabeen NSW 2101 Phone: 0448 869 324 Email: narrabeen.oshc@dbb.org.au Pymble – Sacred Heart Primary School Coordinator: Phoebe Arthur Street Address: 4 Richard Porter Way, Pymble, NSW 2073 Phone: 0427 013 778 Email: pymble.oshc@dbb.org.au Waitara – Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School Coordinator: Margaret Byrne Street Address: 23 Yardley Ave. Waitara NSW 2077 Postal Address: PO Box 636, Hornsby NSW, 1630 Mobile: 0418 637 451, 0437 374 155 Fax: 02 9487 8144 Email: waitara.oshc@dbb.org.au West Pymble – Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Primary School Coordinator: Cathy Connery Street Address: 66 Kendall St, West Pymble, NSW 2073 Phone: 02 9418 4409 Email: westpymble.oshc@dbb.org.au Warnervale – MacKillop Coordinator: Paula Colvin Street Address: 51 Sparks Road, Warnervale NSW 2259 Phone: 0418 384 678 Email: mackillop.oshc@dbb.org.au

OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE: Carlingford • Collaroy Plateau • Davidson • East Gosford • Forestville • Freshwater Lake Munmorah • Manly • Mona Vale • Narrabeen • Pymble • Waitara • West Pymble HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY: Gosford • Hornsby • Manly • Mona Vale • Royal North Shore • Wahroonga (SAN) • Wyong

ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Terrigal’s day of celebration

By Janette Merrotsy, Parish Pastoral Associate

On St Valentine’s Feast Day 14 February 2016 we celebrated a special day in our Parish.

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ur Bishop Peter came and officially installed Fr Jacek Kokosa as our new Parish Priest and blessed our new Shrine and reflection garden. Also present on the day was Bishop Michael Malone, Michaelite Provincial Rev Dr Janusz Bierniek, local Michaelite Superior Fr Stan Kluk, local priests from the Central Coast, our Local Member Adam Crouch, former Local Member Chris Hartcher and many parishioners who filled the church.

FatherJacek in his own words on the day said: “When I arrived here in June I could see the space between the car parks where the Shrine and reflection garden were to be built.

Then I learned prior to that it was just a big hole in the ground until through a generous grant from the NSW Government, it was filled.

Mr Paul George in 2010, gave a generous bequest for a Marian Shrine and reflection garden to be built. It was for the children and parishioners to use and to enhance their devotion to Mary. Paul, I hope today you would be very proud to see what has been done. It is a beautiful thing you have done for your Parish.

Thank you to the dedicated Finance Committee for their hard work in making this possible. To our wonderful workman who made this happen quickly in the last few months, despite the rain and extreme heat.

Thank you to Steve Imbruglia who kept a promise to his friend that this was done to how he and family would have wanted. Thank you for the loyal support of the Parish Pastoral Council.

Thank you to Robert Peers, and staff for your support in bringing

St Augustine’s celebrates 60 years 2016 marks the 60th Anniversary (1956-2016) of St Augustine’s College – Sydney, a Catholic congregational College for boys in Year 5 to 12, teaching the Augustinian values of Truth, Love and Community.

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he College will celebrate throughout the year and officially began with a special Commemorative Mass held at St Mary’s Cathedral Sydney on 25 February.

Bishop Peter Comensoli celebrated the Mass, together with Bishop Christopher Saunders and Fr Dave Austin OSA. Following the

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Commemorative Mass, staff, students and guests returned to the College in Brookvale for the Blessing and Opening of their recently opened $14m Clancy Project buildings, the Good Counsel Primary School, the Clancy Wing and the Mendel Wing. Guests toured the new facilities and enjoyed lunch on the new terraces.

the children and families to the church, and we look forward to a closer relationship.

Thank you to all of you, my dear parishioners for the support I received from the first day. I know it is not possible to please everyone, but with God’s help I will do my very best and promise to help those under my care grow in holiness. God bless you all.”

Our parish, the family of families, came together on a very hot day with a feeling of gratitude, and a loving feeling of togetherness. I was speaking to a young grandmother in

the parish who told me on her granddaughter’s first day of school she pointed out Mary’s Garden and said with such respect “that’s the quiet garden”.

Another small child kissed Mary’s feet one Sunday and said “See you next week Mary”. Such a simple and sweet gesture shows the simplicity of a child’s faith.

Eventually we will invite parishioners to have their loved ones names put on a plaque and placed around the back of the Shrine to make a beautiful remembrance wall.

EDUCATION

Diocese welcomes two new Principals Broken Bay Diocese welcomes two new Principals to our schools: Jeanette Fowles takes the helm at St Bernard’s Catholic School in Berowra, and Craig McNee is the new Principal at Holy Cross Catholic School, Kincumber.

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eanette said she was delighted to be taking the top job at St Bernard’s, after holding the Assistant Principal position there since 2013. “Becoming the Principal at my current school has enabled a smooth transition and ensured the 2016 academic year has commenced in a vibrant and positive manner,” she said.

She said she was “overwhelmed” with the support from staff, parents and students as she began her first Principal role, and that the school community was particularly supportive. “I continue to be energised and deeply committed to making a positive difference in the lives of students at St Bernard’s,” she said.

Parents of students at Holy Cross in Kincumber may also remember Jeanette as the Assistant Principal there before she moved to St Bernard’s.

Co-incidentally Craig McNee joined Holy Cross Catholic School Kincumber in Term 4 last year following six years as Assistant Principal at St Bernard’s Catholic School Berowra and St Brendan’s Catholic School Lake Munmorah.

Having been part of Catholic Education for over 34 years in various schools throughout Australia, Craig is honoured to take on the role of Principal at Holy Cross and commented “It is a privilege to be working with such a dedicated staff and parent community. I am blessed to be at a school where the children are friendly, happy and excited about their learning.”

St Leo’s Turns 60!

Over one thousand people attended a special Mass to mark the sixtieth anniversary of St Leo’s Catholic College in Wahroonga on 23 February.

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ishop Peter Comensoli celebrated the Mass, at which he congratulated the school community on the milestone of achieving sixty years.

A special smoking ceremony was conducted by Mr Gavi Duncan from Bara Barang Corporation in Gosford, to pay

tribute to the sacred site. Mr Dave Ella, Aboriginal Education Officer for the Diocese of Broken Bay, was also a special guest.

Six Christian Brothers attended to represent the original founders of the College, although the Brothers are no longer involved in the administration of the school.

Bishop Peter praised students, staff and families for their continued support.

Mr Gleeson thanked the parents, past, present, and future, for their “constant belief and support”.

Mr Gleeson said that the congregation represented just

a small portion of the many thousands of people who have been associated with St Leo’s since its opening in 1956, and acknowledged that current staff “carry forward the great name of the College, and enhance the grand honours that have flourished here.”

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EDUCATION

Young Citizen of the Year

St Paul’s Catholic College student Ivica Covic won the 2016 Manly Council’s Young Citizen of the Year award for his tireless community work and his selfless commitment to his family.

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vica was dux of Year Eleven at St Paul’s in 2015 and has juggled numerous community groups and three part-time jobs as well as his studies.

“Ivica always puts others before himself, and has a proven service contribution to all communities he encounters,” Joanna Kalayzich, St Paul’s Youth Ministry Coordinator, said. Ms Kalayzich nominated Ivica after she noticed

him working three jobs to help support his family as they faced financial hardship.

Ivica was also committed to several community groups, including literacy groups, Relay for Life, and is a catechist at both Harbord and Manly Village Public Schools.

He is also a Senior Altar Server and recently participated in a soccer referee state final. In 2015,

Ivica was named Manly Warringah Football Association ‘Referee of the Year’.

Ms Kalayzich said that Ivica’s interests in community started at primary school, where he was

a member of Mini Vinnies and became Vice School Captain.

“Ivica makes a positive contribution to all aspects of life – family, school, church, sports and his friends,” said Ms Kalayzich.

St Kevin’s farewells Anne Moriarty If ever there was a face of a place it would be Anne Moriarty.

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nne has been the welcoming face of St Kevin’s Catholic school, Dee Why for over thirty years and it is with mixed feelings

that they farewell Anne from her role as Senior Administration Officer. The St Kevin’s Community will miss her greatly

but are pleased that she and her husband Eugene have plans to travel and wish them both safe and happy travels. They will also be able to spend time with their family and in particular their four beautiful grandsons.

It would be hard to list all the tasks that Anne has covered over the years and there would be many in the community who would be able to tell an Anne Moriarty story. St Kevin’s past and present students, parents and staff all have benefitted from the generosity of spirit shown her.

The St Kevin’s Parish community have also been part of Anne’s life at the school and there is a

genuine fondness for her by many of the parishioners, Parish staff and priests.

Anne has been part of a network of other Administration Officers in the Peninsula Catholic schools and great friendships have developed. Anne’s thirty years of service have touched many lives and her personal touch has made life just a little easier and happier for all.

A Mass will be celebrated at St Kevin’s Catholic Church on Friday 8 April at 12 noon. Come and join the St Kevin’s community at this Parish Mass to say farewell and good luck to Anne Moriarty, the face of St Kevin’s.

Spectacular KidsMatter Launch Corpus Christi Catholic School, St Ives is one of many schools across our Diocese taking part in the KidsMatter framework, a Federal Government approach to improving children’s mental health and wellbeing, and the program was launched in spectacular style recently.

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special day dedicated to building community, started with family photo sessions where students and their parents were photographed together. They also added their thumb print to beautiful fingerprint trees. The photos and the fingerprint trees will become part of a permanent display that celebrates Corpus Christi as a KidsMatter school.

Parents then spent time in classrooms with their children and joined in with games and story

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time. All this fun was followed by a delicious lunch where pizza was prepared freshly on-site.

The highlight of the day was the arrival of a helicopter! One of our talented parents in the helicopter took aerial shots of all the Corpus Christi students on the field in the shape of a smiley face. The Smiley face was selected to compliment the theme ‘Every Face has a Place’.

The KidsMatter framework is part of the extensive Pastoral Care approach that Corpus Christi

school has implemented to ensure the continued health and wellbeing of all our students. KidsMatter

gives us another way to assist and support families as they raise their children in these challenging times.

EDUCATION

Quasi-high school This year St Rose Catholic School in Collaroy is running a transition program for Year Five and Six students, preparing them with a quasi-high school environment, after the program was successfully introduced last year.

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or a whole year, students are given their own lockers and diaries to prepare them for the expectations of Year Seven.

“It’s very similar to high school,” said Josie Vescio, the Principal. “Students are also given assignments and have an exam week, to mimic the high school environment.”

“It’s all about organisation,” Mrs Vescio said. “We want

them to be organised. They can deal with forgetting their locker combination in a familiar space, before they get to the new environment of high school.”

“High schools have different expectations to the primary setting, and we found that when they started in Year Seven this could be quite daunting,” Mrs Vescio said. “We did a lot of consultation and research around

expectations of high school and we thought, we’re doing the students a disservice by not preparing them.”

Danielle Fleming, whose son Darcy was in the transition program last year, said that the skills he learnt in the program set him up with the confidence and ability to negotiate high school.

“The transition has been seamless,”

she said. “I think that it’s a wonderful program and a must for every school.”

St Rose consulted with St Paul’s Catholic College School in Manly to deliver the programme and this is the first year the school is including Year Five in the program, after the success of running the program for Year Six last year.

Sporting Excellence The NSW Combined Catholic Colleges Blue Award night was held at St Patrick’s College in Sutherland with three hundred people attending the dinner and watching the recipients honoured for their respective sports.

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he evening marked the nineteenth year the award ceremony had been held.

Broken Bay recipients included

Mater Maria students Oliver Howitt for baseball and Darcy Boyd for golf; St Edward’s students Maxwell Stewart for rugby and

Jake Wigham for hockey, and Mercy Catholic College student Karina Brown for athletics. Touch footballer Jasmine Dillon from St Joseph’s and netballer Kristen Kessler from St Peter’s were also honoured as the best in their respective sports.

Karina Brown, who achieved international success in athletics events including heptathlon and hurdles, said that she played sport

All in the Name of Fun

as a way to keep a healthy balance both physically and mentally.

“School sport is a great way to balance other aspects of school life,” she said.

Special guests included rugby league stars Michael Maguire, coach of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, and Aaron Woods, captain of the West Tigers, both of whom were affiliated with Catholic Schools in their school years.

Local Central Coast radio station Sea FM recently aired their Breakfast Show live from Holy Cross Catholic School on the Central Coast.

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he Bree and Gawndy Breakfast Show promoted the school’s upcoming Open Day, played games with students on-air, brought along a fresh fruit breakfast, interviewed the Mariner’s players, Nick Montgomery and Roy O’Donovan who came to the school and told listeners about the wonderful opportunities Holy Cross offers students.

A highlight of the day was the new principal, Craig McNee, volunteering for a ‘Pie in the Face’ all in the name of fun. Local business the Brian Hilton Motor Group also kindly donated $1000 to the school which Craig outlined would be used towards the purchase of Chromebook computers for the classrooms.

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EDUCATION

Students’ success recognised at awards night Top performing Catholic school students had their HSC success awarded at a special supper and ceremony on 11 February in Pennant Hills.

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he inaugural High Achievers Awards Ceremony was held at the Catholic Schools Office for Broken Bay students with an ATAR which placed them in the top three. Students were recognised individually with a certificate.

Oliver Horne, from St Leo’s Catholic College in Wahroonga,

said that he achieved his success by setting himself achievable goals. “A lot of people go in confident and think ‘I can absolutely destroy this’, but you’ve got to be realistic about it or you won’t get anywhere,” he said.

Ivana Ilievski, from Mercy Catholic College in Chatswood, said that she hoped students

taking the HSC this year would remain enthusiastic and disciplined. “My advice would be to give it your everything and try your best,” she said.

Greg Miller, Secondary Schools Consultant, who hosted the evening, said that the ceremony recognised effort as well as achievement. “It was a wonderful occasion,” he said.

Mr Peter Hamill, Director of the Catholic Schools Office, said that the awards recognised the HSC as the end result of thirteen years of education, not just the final college years.

“It is with pride that I note that the majority of award recipients completed their primary schooling in Catholic schools within our Diocese,” he said.

2016 Opening Mass Each year the Diocese welcomes new staff, newlyappointed leaders and congratulates staff who have served in Catholic education for 25 years or longer.

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ew staff members in our Diocese were recipients of the Diocesan education ministry pin, a sign of their sharing in the ministry of education in the Broken Bay Diocese.

Of particular note were three siblings who all went to St Patrick’s Catholic School at Asquith for primary school and St Leo’s Catholic College for their secondary schooling.

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Now all three are teachers in our Broken Bay schools, with Meagan Sullivan back at her primary school, St Patrick’s Catholic School Asquith, Nadine Smith being the newly appointed Assistant Principal at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic School, Epping, and their brother, Nathan Smith, teaching back at his secondary college, St Leo’s at Wahroonga.

Bishop Peter gave a special blessing for our WYD pilgrims.

ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

A Centenary of Faith

By Bill Aitken An estimated 550 parishioners, former parishioners, local dignitaries and clergy packed Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral Church, Waitara on Sunday, 13 March for a special Mass celebrating 100 years of being a Faith Community.

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L A S IM V P IT A A E IL C D A E B LE

new Parish stretching from Cockle Creek in the south to the Hawkesbury River, encompassing the areas of Normanhurst, Waitara, Hornsby through to Berowra and Brooklyn was excised from the Parish of Pymble, and on 13 March 1916, a new brick Church opened.

Prior to this, an excellent foundation for the establishment of the then Waitara Parish had been made.

A stone laid for a new church in 1908 by His Eminence Cardinal Moran recognised the growth in the area which had seen the establishment in 1897 of an Orphanage or Foundling Home on Peats Ferry Road (now Pacific Highway) by the Sisters of Mercy and a small wooden church that served the faithful.

Among those celebrating 100 years in the life of this community of faith were local State MPs, Alister Henskens, (Member for Ku-ring-gai) and Matt Kean, (Member for Hornsby). They joined Dean and Administrator of Hornsby Cathedral Parish Fr Robert Borg and former Parish Priest, Fr Paul Foley to cut a massive cross shaped cake emblazoned with the emblem of the Parish.

Fr Borg then led those gathered in a spirited rendition of Happy Birthday and three strident cheers before the crowd moved on to a photographic and documentary display of Parish life over the 20th and 21st Centuries.

Among the memories revisited were those of the development of the Parish school; the history of

(l-r) Alister Henskens MP (Member for Ku-ring-gai), Matt Kean MP (Member for Hornsby), Fr Robert Borg and Fr Paul Foley joined together to cut the celebratory cake recognising the centenary of the Waitara Community of Faith.

various Sodalities that were part of the fabric of faith in the Parish; the popular Debutante Balls; the various youth, sporting groups and teams that were an intrinsic part of social activities over the years and the development of the Parish to embrace the diverse cultures that are integral to the congregation it serves today.

Along the way, the exhibition

touched on memories as esoteric as: Papal Zouaves (Infantry soldiers in service to the Pope) and as mundane as the Parish Finances in the 1940s.

Many recognised themselves and friends from their schooldays and from photographs embracing all aspects of the Parish life which continues unabated into its second Century.

GRACES OF ITALY

FROM*

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$5390 *PLUS AIRFARES

Not only is Italy a land of unforgettable charm and beauty, it is also a land made rich in grace by its colourful history of holy men and women.

Featuring: Venice • Padua • Florence • Assisi • Loreto • San Giovanni Rotondo Also departing 29th September. Rome extension available. *Costs have been based on prices as at 30 September 2015 and must remain subject to change without notice based on currency exchange rates, departure city and minimum group size contingency.

Prices are based on twin share or double rooming. Lic. 2TA 003632

CALL: 1800 819 156 VISIT: harvestjourneys.com

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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Warringah Parish Lenten Retreat God’s Love in the Year of Mercy!

By Clive Pereira, Light of The World Evangelisation Ministries

he Light of the World team from Warringah Parish hosted a one day ‘Rekindle the Flame’ Retreat during this Jubilee Year of Mercy on Saturday 5 March.

About 25 parishioners experienced a day filled with the peace and joy of God’s love.

The day started with a DVD presentation on ‘ The Teachings of Jesus’ from the

Catholicism DVD series by Bishop Robert Barron, focusing on the Beatitudes & Prodigal Mercy, followed by Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, Mass and a scrumptious lunch.

The retreat provided a platform for faith formation, sharing, prayer and community during this season of Lent and Year of Mercy.

Moved by the desperate plight of Christians throughout the Middle East, the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) calls on your support to help the region’s beleaguered Christian population.

It certainly was a spiritual day where we were able to take time away from the noise of this world and spend time in the Lord’s presence and rekindle in us the flame of God’s Love!

Thanks to our parish administrator Fr Tiziano Torresan and the Parish Pastoral Council for their support in making this a faith filled day for our parish.

poverty and growing extremism threaten the survival of these ancient communities.

ACN is helping to keep faith and hope alive throughout the region by providing urgent aid to priests, religious and lay people, offering subsistence help to refugees and building and repairing Churches and convents.

Please help us strengthen and rebuild the Church in the land of Christ’s birth.

A mass exodus of Christians from the Middle East is now taking place. For some, like the Christians of Iraq and Syria, it is a question of their very survival as they flee the bloody persecution of the militants of the Islamic State (also known as ISIS, ISIL or Daesh).

An olive wood rosary handcrafted in the Holy Land, For others, in parts of the Holy Land that Our Lord will be sent to all those who give a donation of $20.00 Jesus Christ knew so well, the proportion of Christians or more to help this campaign. has plummeted from 20% to as little as 1.4% in the last Please tick the box below if you would like to receive forty years. The faithful now live in fear as increasing the olive wood rosary*.

Carole Al Farah

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Keeping hope alight in the Middle East

Send to: Aid to the Church in Need PO Box 7246 Baulkham Hills BC NSW 2153 Tel No: (02) 9679-1929 Email: info@aidtochurch.org Web: www.aidtochurch.org I enclose a cheque/money order payable to Aid to the Church in Need OR please debit my Visa or Mastercard: Made of olive wood from the Holy Land, the rosary is simple in design and yet profound in its symbolic significance.

The rosaries are lovingly handcrafted by families in need in Bethlehem and your donation enables the faithful to put food on the table for their families.

Yes please send me the olive wood rosary*

Broken Bay News

Signature .................................................... Exp Date ....... /.......

Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Rev ......................................................................................................

Address ................................................................................................... PC ..................

Ph ................................... Email .....................................................................................

AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED...a Catholic charity dependent on the Holy See, providing pastoral relief to needy and oppressed Churches

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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Supporting Persecuted Christians In February 2016, Pope Francis met with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow. In their joint declaration, several paragraphs were devoted to their shared pain with regard to victims of religious persecution. It reads, in part; “We call upon the international community to act urgently in order to prevent the further expulsion of Christians from the Middle East. In raising our voice in defence of persecuted Christians, we wish to express our compassion for the suffering experienced by the faithful of other religious traditions who have also become victims of civil war, chaos and terrorist violence.” (Paragraph 9)

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he suffering of individuals and communities for their faith is real, and in recent times the news of persecuted Christians has been unremitting. What can be done in the face of such tragedy?

The website “Act Now for Persecuted Christians” can assist our response. Flowing from our Tri-Diocesan Covenant, it unites Anglicans and Catholics in working together in support of fellow Christians.

The site firstly offers prayers – Scripture verses to turn to; prayers of intercession able to be used at Mass; sample prayer cards; and ideas for a prayer service. Pray now.

Secondly, monetary assistance is always welcomed, and the website offers details of reputable

organisations working in areas of conflict. Give now.

A third element of the website is the wealth of stories and articles that shed light on this issue, from messages of Church leaders, to media articles, to real

stories that show its human face.

Read it now.

Access the site at: www.actnowforpersecutedchristians. weebly.com

“We unite our hearts and voices with the cries of our persecuted

brothers and sisters, let us pray to the Lord.”

Contact: Pina Bernard, Catholic Life & Faith Formation, Office for Evangelisation

pina.bernard@dbb.org.au

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NEWS & ISSUES

Dr Gerard Goldman, CEO of BBI and Jacqui Emery, Head of Partnerships at AICD.

Flagship Company Directors Course Tailored to Church Leaders

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BI is proud to announce a unique partnership with The Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), which aims to use the expertise of both organisations to build the governance capabilities of Christianled organisations.

BBI is one of the largest Catholic providers of professional development, short courses and online education in Theology, Religious Education, Governance and Leadership in the Asia-Pacific region.

AICD is Australia’s pre-eminent body for directors and governance leaders committed to achieving excellence in governance. It is dedicated to making a positive impact on society and the economy through world-leading

governance education programs, director development and advocacy.

Dr Gerard Goldman, CEO of BBI, said BBI and AICD have a shared commitment to excellence in governance and together will offer education in an exclusive combination of secular and religious governance principles. The course will run in Sydney from 30 May to 3 June 2016.

“The new partnership will enable all Church leaders to benefit from the outstanding learnings provided by AICD’s esteemed Company Directors Course (CDC),” Dr Goldman said.

Together, AICD and BBI will enrich the CDC by adapting the course for a Church context and tailoring it to members of Church

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We are committed to providing the very best in dental care for your children CDBS accepted Referral not mandatory No bulk billing Parking in the building premises

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ministry and agency boards, trustees, senior organisational leaders and more through customised case studies in decision making and ethics, law, risk, strategy and finance. The case studies will be based on real experiences of Catholic boards and developed in consultation with expert governors to form a critical part of the delivery of the CDC. “Those charged with the responsibility of leading or governing Christian and Catholic organisations must be able to effectively balance various civil and canonical challenges and approaches, and the case studies will reflect this,” said Dr Goldman.

Jacqui Emery, Head of Partnerships at AICD said, “We are delighted to be working with BBI in developing and delivering what is an Australian-first program for this sector. Good governance is a critical driver for success and high performance in any organisation. We are confident that this partnership will lift governance practices to the highest possible standards.”

BBI will further add value by offering articulation from the CDC program into their governance and leadership pathway which offers a range of learning opportunities including professional development, targeted short courses and higher education. This partnership will also open doors to avenues of research into Church governance and leadership.

In the spirit of BBI’s mission to provide and enable access to quality education for all members of the community, BBI is delighted to offer a subsidised enrolment fee by absorbing costs associated with this program. This subsidy is offered in recognition of the importance of religious-based boards and agencies to access AICD’s CDC program, which is often beyond the financial means of many Church agencies and not-for-profit organisations.

For more information about the partnership, the tailored CDC course of BBI’s governance offerings, please visit www.bbi.catholic.edu.au

The Diocese of Broken Bay invites all members of the community to join with us for a

A Liturgy of Lament and Hope We come from many places, From east and west, north and south, From pain and disillusionment, From anger and confusion, From sadness looking for hope We come together, To raise our hearts and voices In the hope that raising them in lament, yet in faith, They may be healed in their brokenness And know the transforming power of God’s love.* Solemnity of the Sacred Heart 8pm, 3 June 2016 Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Waitara For further information please contact news@dbb.org.au

To lament is to taste the tears of God * from the Cleveland Liturgy of Lament 2003

Confraternity of Christian doCtrine

CCD training and formation opportunities serve those involved in the mission of special religious Education in our state schools but are also open to all those involved in catechesis and evangelising outreach in our Diocese. the office for Evangelisation offers CCD level 2 and level 3 courses to all interested people, providing formation that enables the Gospel to be taken into the lives of others.

CCD Level 2 – The Church in the Third Millennium CCDl2-01 Catechist spirituality CCDl2-02 vatican ii and renewal in the Church CCDl2-03 Development of the Child and Adolescent ii CCDl2-04 sacraments of initiation CCDl2-05 tools for Catechesis – Catechism & General Directory CCDl2-06 natural world and religion CCDl2-07 the old testament: Exodus, sinai CCDl2-08 the history of liturgy CCDl2-09 the new testament: jesus, the new Covenant CCDl2-10 Catholic social teaching CCDl2-11 interfaith Dialogue & Ecumenism CCDl2-12 Australian Perspective on world religions NSH Region - Course Type: Level 2 location: Meeting Room, St Gerard Majella’s Parish, 543 North Rocks Road, Carlingford Dates: Wednesdays 27 April, 4, 11, 18, & 25 May, 1,8,15, 22 & 29 June, 20 & 27 July 2016 time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm rsvP: registrations@dbb.org.au or 9847 0448 / 4332 9825 by Wednesday 20 April 2016 Central Coast Region - Course Type: Level 2 location: Lecture Room, Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Ashton Avenue, The Entrance Dates: Fridays 13, 20 & 27 May, 3, 10 & 17 June 2016 time: 9:30am - 2:30pm rsvP: registrations@dbb.org.au or 9847 0448 / 4332 9825 by Friday 6 May 2016 MWP Region - Course Type: Level 2 location: Our Lady of Good Counsel, 9 Currie Road, Forestville Dates: Fridays 20 & 27 May, 3, 10, 17 & 24 June 2016 time: 9:30am - 2:30pm rsvP: registrations@dbb.org.au or 9847 0448 / 4332 9825 by Friday 13 May 2016 ANDREW CHINN WoRkSHoP Since 2000 Andrew has been recording Christian music for children (and some for adults too) for use in Religious Education and liturgy.

Andrew has an extensive background in Catholic education having taught in Catholic primary schools in Sydney for twenty years.

Morning Tea provided, BYO lunch. location: Parish Centre, Our Lady of the Rosary, 239-243 The Entrance Road, The Entrance Date: Friday 6 May Time: 10:00am – 2:30pm Please note: Limited Seating rsvP: registrations@dbb.org.au or 9847 0448 / 4332 9825 by Friday 29 April 2016

Lesson Planning: Teaching the Authorised Curriculum This unit is part of the CCD Ministry Induction course. It gives an understanding of the use of the Diocese’s SRE curriculum, Walking with Jesus, Pathways of Discipleship. This training includes:  Opportunity to discuss and share ideas  How to plan your lessons  What works well  Resource ideas Suitable for Catechists, helpers and those considering joining SRE ministry. For those who have undertaken online training, this session needs to be completed face to face. Catechists wishing to revise this unit are also welcome to attend.

Location (NSH Region): Caroline Chisholm Centre, Building 2, 423 Pennant Hills Road, Pennant Hills (Vehicular access via City View Road) Date: Wednesday 13 April 2016 time: 10:00am – 12:00pm rsvP: registrations@dbb.org.au or 9847 0448 / 4332 9825 by Wednesday 6 April 2016 oR Location (MWP Region): St Kieran’s Parish Centre, North Harbour, 2 King Street, Manly Vale Date: Thursday 14 April 2016 time: 10:00am – 12:00pm rsvP: registrations@dbb.org.au or 9847 0448 / 4332 9825 by Thursday 7 April 2016 oR Location (CC Region): Leo Mahon Room, St John the Baptist Parish, Blackwall Road, Woy Woy Date: Friday 15 April 2016 time: 10:00am – 12:00pm rsvP: registrations@dbb.org.au or 9847 0448 / 4332 9825 by Friday 8 April 2016 CHILD PRoTECTIoN AND INTEGRITy WoRkSHoP This presentation incorporates an overview of the child protection requirements in NSW and the Diocese of Broken Bay. It further looks at strategies to create a safe working environment for children, young people and catechists and explores how to serve the Church with integrity.

Location (NSH Region): Caroline Chisholm Centre, Building 2, 423 Pennant Hills Road, Pennant Hills (Vehicular access via City View Road) Date: Saturday 14 May 2016 time: 10:00am – 12:30pm rsvP: registrations@dbb.org.au or 9847 0448 / 4332 9825 by Monday 9 May 2016

april - june 2016

Office for Evangelisation The Diocese of Broken Bay exisTs To evangelise, To proclaim The gooD news of Jesus chrisT, gaThereD as frienDs in The lorD anD senT ouT To Be missionary Disciples. The office for evangelisaTion serves This mission anD promoTes The growing missionary ouTlook of parishes, faiTh communiTies anD inDiviDuals.

CatholiC life & faith formation

ENCOUNTER Courses Called and Chosen: our Baptismal Mission Baptism is the foundational sacrament that draws us into the life of christ and of the church. This presentation captures what it means to be a baptised person and to be a disciple of christ for the sake of the world.

Course duration: 2 x 2 hours.

Tuesdays 5 & 12 April

7pm – 9pm caroline chisholm centre, pennant hills rsvp: by friday 1 april Fridays 15 & 22 April 10am – 12pm The entrance parish centre, The entrance rsvp: by friday 8 april Thursdays 21 & 28 April 10am – 12pm st kieran’s parish centre, manly vale rsvp: by friday 15 april Presenter: Rev Dr John Frauenfelder, Evangelisation and Catholic Formation, Catholic Schools Office, Diocese of Broken Bay rsvP & Enquiries: registrations@dbb.org.au 9847 0448 / 4332 9825

evangelising Parishes as church, we exist in order to evangelise, to proclaim the good news of Jesus christ in the world. This encounTer course will equip our parishes and people to live out this mission, focusing on our call to make disciples. it will recall god’s vision for our parishes to grow, name opportunities and challenges for spiritual growth, and discuss practical, effective ways to foster personal and spiritual change.

Course duration: 1 x 2 hours.

Wednesday 18 May rsvp: Tuesday 24 May rsvp: Thursday 26 May rsvp:

10am – 12pm caroline chisholm centre, pennant hills by friday 13 may 10am – 12pm st kieran’s parish centre, manly vale by friday 20 may 7pm – 9pm holy cross church, south kincumber by friday 20 may

Presenters: Mr Daniel Ang, Director Office for Evangelisation & Mr David Patterson, Coordinator Catholic Life & Faith Formation rsvP & Enquiries: registrations@dbb.org.au 9847 0448 / 4332 9825

CatholiC youth broken bay

A yEAr oF MErCy EvEnt

The Consistent Ethic of Life: A ConvErsAtion with sr hElEn PrEjEAn Sr Helen is a prominent defender of life, ministering to men and women on DaTe: death row in the U.S. Sr SaTurDaY 7 MaY 2016 Helen will be joining us live Time via Skype to speak on the 10:15aM – 12:15PM topic “The Consistent Ethic venue: of Life”. In conversation The LighT oF ChriST CenTre with Fr David Ranson VG, a enD of yarDley avenue, waiTara focus of the discussion will rsvp: www.TryBooking.com/kmeZ be on the mercy of God.

By TuesDay 3 may Enquiries: registrations@dbb.org.au 9847 0448 / 4332 9825

AbrAhAMiC sEMinAr:

The God of Mercy in Judaism, Christianity and Islam Judaism, Christianity and Islam share an intimate understanding of the merciful nature of God. Join us as we explore this common theme. Speakers DaTe: SunDaY 5 June 2016 from top left: Time: 2:00PM – 4:00PM Dr Michele A. Connolly rsj, venue: Sheikh Wesam Charkawi, The LighT oF ChriST CenTre Rabbi Gary Robuck and enD of yarDley avenue, waiTara facilitated by Rev Dr Patrick rsvp: www.TryBooking.com/kmfB McInerney SSC.

By ThursDay 2 June Enquiries: registrations@dbb.org.au 9847 0448 / 4332 9825

SAVE THE DATE:

brokEn bAy biblE ConFErEnCE 2016

The acts of the apostles: Taking the gospel to a wider world DaTe: 14 & 15 ocToBer 2016 caroline chisholm cenTre pennanT hills

regisTraTions open augusT 2016

presenters: Dr michele a. connolly, rsj and Dr laurie woods

Diocesan World Youth Day Formation Sessions These formation sessions session 1: TueSDaY 5 aPriL 2016 are to provide spiritual chaTswooD caTholic parish and logistical formation WeDneSDaY 6 aPriL 2016 to all WYD pilgrims Terrigal caTholic parish while gathering them together to bond prior session 2: to leaving. All pilgrims, TueSDaY 7 June 2016 Terrigal caTholic parish leaders and parents of under 18 pilgrims should WeDneSDaY 8 June 2016 chaTswooD caTholic parish attend session 1 in April and session 2 in June.

Time: These sessions will cover 7:30pm – 9:00pm logistics, participation, safety and spiritual rsvp: conTacT your local wyD formation. conTacT regarDing your aTTenDance aT These sessions

Twilight Talks A regular event for the Young Adults, Youth Ministry Leaders & Clergy/ Religious in our Diocese to connect with the community, share a meal, and be nourished through inspiring speakers/topics.

DaTes: TueSDaY 26 aPriL 2016 reviver, 37 mann sTreeT, gosforD TueSDaY 31 MaY 2016 greengaTe hoTel, 655 pacific highway, killara Time: 6:30pm To purchase meal 7:30pm – 9:00pm for Talk anD Discussion rsvp: youTh@DBB.org.au

DBB WYD Pilgrim Blessing Mass

DaTe: TueSDaY 28 June 2016

venue: The WYD pilgrim blessing our laDy of The rosary Mass is to publicly caTheDral, yarDley avenue, acknowledge and formally waiTara bless the DBB WYD rsvp: pilgrims prior to leaving on youTh@DBB.org.au their WYD pilgrimage. At for caTering. clergy rsvp By 20 June this Mass for all pilgrims, if conceleBraTing mass leaders and chaplains, pilgrims will receive their pilgrim pack and representative T-shirts for the event. We also invite all community leaders and pilgrim family members to join in this joyous event.