Broken Bay News February 2016

BROKENBAYnews

BROKEN BAY NEWS PUBLICATION OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BROKEN BAY FEBRUARY 2016 ISSUE 180

Manly Freshwater Parish

Its treasure is in its people...

Learning More – Creating Change Project Compassion 2016

Opening our Doors to Mercy

HEART TO HEART

Mercy is God’s name for His Son

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ear friends and good people of Broken Bay Diocese, The Father’s glory, Christ our light, With love and mercy comes to span The vast abyss of sin between The God of holiness and man.

The verse above is the first stanza of a hymn sung during morning prayer from the hymnal of the Benedictine Sisters at Stanbrook Abbey in England. The Stanbrook Abbey Hymnal is one of the great collections of hymns and anthems in the Catholic musical heritage, which are used extensively in the official Prayer of the Church called the ‘Divine Office’ or the ‘Liturgy of the Hours’. Many of the well-known hymns of our Catholic repertoire – e.g. Stabat Mater; Pange Lingua – originated as hymns written for the Liturgy of the Hours.

Usually brief, sober and compact in style, yet rich in faith and theology – the hymns of Stanbrook Abbey are mainly English translations of ancient and medieval Latin hymns. When we sing them we are plunging

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Lent, as you know, has traditionally taken on a penitential character; it is offered to us as a time when we may give outward expression to our personal repentance for the wrong we have done… into the same deep well from which our ancestors in the faith also drank. Our Catholic faith has rich springs of grace to draw on, including the ways in which we give musical voice to our faith in Jesus.

What a tragedy if we were to cease singing these hymns in our Liturgies; it would be tantamount to forgetting the treasured stories of our family history!

All of this, however, is but a prelude to why I want to say something about this hymn.

We have entered into the annual Season of Lent, a privileged time of grace to prepare for the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, the summit of our Christian life. Lent, as you know, has traditionally taken on a penitential character; it is offered to us as a time when we may give outward expression to our personal repentance for the wrong we have done (or the good we have failed to do).

It is, in simple language, a time when we can acknowledge that we are all sinners, ever in

need of the saving mercy of Jesus, who died for our sins and rose so that we may know of our forgiveness. I join you all in praying for forgiveness and walking a path of penitence in preparation for Easter.

A real challenge, however, is that we live in a culture which suggests there is little need for repentance, and if there is, then we have any number of self-help and self-rectifying avenues in which to pursue ‘balance” and “wholeness”.

Humbly acknowledging that we are prone to sinning and in need of someone else’s help to overcome this inherent flaw, is viewed as weak and unnecessary. We are encouraged to call out the weaknesses of others rather than calling ourselves to account.

Yet, Jesus made his principal call to God’s people something altogether different. It was not self-help or other-blaming that Jesus came offering, but God’s help and personal

A real challenge, however, is that we live in a culture which suggests there is little need for repentance, and if there is, then we have any number of self-help and self-rectifying avenues in which to pursue ‘balance” and “wholeness”.

HEART TO HEART conversion. He said to the people (and so, to us): “Repent, and believe in the Good News” (Mk 1.15); and he then made that his life’s work, all the way to the Cross: “Forgive them, Father!” (Lk 23.34). This way of Jesus is a constant reminder to our world that there is another way to human fulfilment that is not focused on self-absorption: it is the way of humble submission to the grace of God, and the powerful gift of his mercy.

So, back to the hymn…

In those few words we have something of both the truth of our humanity and the truth about God. On our side of the equation, we are confronted with the reality that we are indeed sinners, prone to taking the dark paths so as to hide the broken and fragile aspects of our lives. On God’s side of the equation, he offers his own glory, his Son Jesus Christ, as the true light always available to illumine our paths. There is no bridge we may build with our own hands to reach the better lights of ourselves. It is only God who can bridge that gap – the darkened abyss, and he does so with the love and mercy of Jesus.

That same love and mercy of Jesus, enabled

by Death and Resurrection, is God’s greatest gift of himself. ‘Mercy’ is God’s name for his son, Jesus, given entirely and completely for

On God’s side of the equation, he offers his own glory, his Son Jesus Christ, as the true light always available to illumine our paths.

us. God cannot love us any more than this, because he gave in this love all that he had, and left nothing for himself. God’s mercy, in Jesus, is an “all of me” mercy. No ifs; no buts.

The all-Holy God made the bridge to our sinful lives out of the life of his Son, Jesus.

Lent, this season of penance – of public and humble acknowledgement that we need this bridge – opens for us the renewed opportunity to come into the Father’s glory via the Son’s light. You may think that this bridge was only meant for other people, from another time; Christ’s death and resurrection has been and gone. But I want to say to you: no! Our sinful abyss has also been bridged, and our path across is cast in light. This is so because God made his bridge out of sacramental materials, so that we too can walk across it.

The same love and mercy of God – Jesus Christ himself – is available for us as well, each and every one of us.

If I had the chance to ask our Holy Father, Pope Francis, for a favour in this Year of Mercy, it would be to change the official name we give to God’s sacramental healing. Rather than the ‘Sacrament of Penance’ (or even the more colloquial ‘Sacrament of Reconciliation’ or ‘Confession’), wouldn’t a more true and accurate name for this gift of God be the Sacrament of Mercy and Forgiving Love? So many of us avoid it because we think of it as an inconvenience, or unnecessary, or even, in Pope Francis’ words, a “torture chamber.” But as Francis explains, it is none of these things; it is a beautiful path to the Lord, one that soothes us, heals us, and prompts us back into the good company of Jesus in his merciful forgiveness and friendship. It is not a heavy creaking door that is usually closed, but a lovely door that is always open, and it is most

Especially, in this time of Lent, it is the sacramental presence of God’s forgiving mercy that lays out before us our path home. certainly a bridge made by Christ and which leads us to the Father.

Especially, in this time of Lent, it is the sacramental presence of God’s forgiving mercy that lays out before us our path home.

In this sacramental way, God is offering us His bridge, His love and mercy. May we humbly take those little personal steps to Reconciliation so that we may cross the bridge. Whatever word you use to call this great Sacrament, may you take the journey and discover that the way home across the “vast abyss of sin” is simple, welcoming and beautiful, according to the merciful love of Jesus!

Pray for me, as I do for you!

Most Rev Peter A Comensoli Bishop of Broken Bay

Reflections on Mercy lectio divina for the Jubilee Year of Mercy PRAYING THE SCRIPTURES IN LENT – Year C 2016 “May the message of mercy reach everyone, and may no one be indifferent to the call to experience mercy.” Pope Francis (MV, 19)

Available in parishes and for download at www.dbb.org.au BBN

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NEWS & ISSUES DIOCESE OF BROKEN BAY

P O Box 340 Pennant Hills NSW 1715 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) officeofthebishop@dbb.org.au

CURIA Most Rev Peter A Comensoli Vicar General: Very Rev Dr David Ranson VG Chancellor Director, Office for Pastoral Administration: Anne Walker

Good Friday Collection Providing Care To Christians In The Holy Land Every year on Good Friday, a collection is taken up in every Catholic Church to support the people and places of the Holy Land.

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hristians of the Holy Land rely heavily on the help that comes to them during this special time.

The Franciscans of the Custody of the Holy Land have the unique responsibility of caring for the Holy Places as well as caring for the Christians living in the Holy Land. It is important that this care continues in order to maintain a Christian presence.

The Good Friday Collection helps fund programs such as maintenance of Holy Places and shrines, building aged-care facilities and other residential units for the poor, operating schools and providing scholarships and faith formation.

So please visit your parish on Good Friday to help support this critical mission of keeping Christianity alive in the Holy Land.

Your Continued Prayers Please keep the Archbishop of Sydney, Most Rev Anthony Fisher OP, in your thoughts and prayers as he continues his recovery from recent illness. Regular updates will be posted on the Archdiocesan website, and messages of support can be left at http://www.sydneycatholic.org/people/archbishop/support.asp.

SMILES NORTH SHORE PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

That Go Miles

Director, Office for Evangelisation: Daniel Ang Acting Director, Office for Stewardship: John Byrne 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 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

SOUTHERN CROSS OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTRE Mr Gordon Crabb Tel: (02) 4372 1221

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

COMMUNICATIONS Manager: Annie Carrett 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 22,000 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.

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Our Neighbourhoods of Grace Exploring our missionary outreach

Manly Freshwater Parish

Its ‘ treasure is in its people’

By Debra Vermeer Whether it’s serving lunch for 170 people on Christmas Day, helping refugees resettle in Australia, visiting the elderly in nursing homes, or opening the doors daily for Mass and Adoration, the Parish of Manly Freshwater is committed to nourishing its people and reaching out to the local community.

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he parish, which currently hosts one of the Diocesan Holy Doors for the Jubilee Year of Mercy, is made up of St Mary’s Manly and St John the Baptist Freshwater and, according to Parish Priest Fr David Taylor, its treasure is in its people.

“We have a lot of people involved in the various ministries of the parish,” Fr David says. “ They are very generous, with their time and talent.”

A shining example of this generosity was the assistance of many parish volunteers who helped host Christmas Day lunch for about 170 local people who would otherwise spend Christmas alone.

“It’s always a great occasion,” Fr David says.

“We hold it in the Church Hall, and through the generosity of donors, apart from the free lunch, we are able to have a Christmas gift for each person who comes to the lunch.”

The parish also has a longstanding reputation for helping refugee families come to Australia and settle here, through the Northern Beaches Refugee Sanctuary (NBRS).

Parishioner David Addington, who is Chair of the NBRS, says the group has helped just under 4,300 refugees come to Australia since it began in 2002, who would otherwise not have been able to take up their humanitarian visa because they couldn’t afford the airfare to get here or didn’t have a sponsor.

“So through fundraising, we set up an interest-free loan scheme to assist people who

need help in getting here and they then repay us fortnightly over about two years,” David says.

“We have lent about $7 or $8 million over the years and we have a failure-to-repay rate of just 1 per cent.”

The group also helps newly arrived refugees to settle into the community by referring them to the appropriate agencies and support avenues.

While the NBRS is a work of the Manly Freshwater Catholic Parish, it has gained widespread community support and the 10-person Committee is made up of some parish members and some people from the broader local community.

The Northern Beaches Refugee Sanctuary is now working with the Diocese of Broken Bay to see how the Diocese can best respond to the needs of the Syrian refugees accepted by the Federal Government.

Fr David welcomes such outreach initiatives, and says the parish, in its two beachside locations, is always trying to connect with its local community.

“In some ways we have a slightly unusual demographic, because we have some very longstanding parishioners who have lived here their whole lives, but we also have a high-turnover population of renters, tourists, backpackers and visitors,” he says.

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Our Neighbourhoods of Grace Exploring our missionary outreach

“ The local area has its fair share of social problems, despite being seen as an affluent area.”

Fr David says he is assisted by a great parish team, including Assistant Priest Fr Paul Kim, Parish Secretary Jenny Beninati and Parish Pastoral Coordinator Michelle Ellis, as well as the Parish Pastoral Council.

Apart from the weekend Masses, both Manly and Freshwater have daily Mass from Tuesday to Friday and a Liturgy of the Word and Communion on Mondays. Eucharistic Adoration is held each weekday morning from 9.45am to 11am in St Mary’s, as well as Wednesdays from 3pm. There is a Holy Hour at Freshwater on the first Monday of each month at 2pm.

“We’re very fortunate to have a range of cultural groups in our parish,” says Fr David.

“We’re blessed to have a strong music ministry, with beautiful choirs, including from the Filipino and Tongan communities.”

Regular morning teas are held at both Freshwater and Manly after Sunday Mass. At St Mary’s, the Filipino Family Group hosts

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the morning tea on the second Sunday of the month after 10.30am Mass and the Tongan Community hosts morning tea on the third Sunday after 10.30am Mass.

Other devotional and spiritual opportunities in the parish include Advent and Lenten groups, RCIA, Christian Meditation, Lectio Divina, the Divine Will Prayer Group, a parish Playgroup, and the Rosary. A well-stocked and popular piety stall (operated by Colin and Gloria Fisher, parents of Archbishop Anthony Fisher) is open at Manly before and after Mass.

Social groups also abound, with a craft group meeting on Tuesdays and Crazy Whist Card Morning on the last Tuesday of the month.

The parish has a strong and active St Vincent de Paul conference, reaching out to those in need in the local area.

A new youth group is starting up and the parish is fundraising to help 10 young parishioners make the pilgrimage to World Youth Day in Poland later this year.

Fr David says the parish schools and local Catholic high schools are also at the heart of the parish.

“Our schools are wonderful,” he says. “ They are very important parts of our parish community and we try to maintain a high degree of interaction between parish and school.”

The parish has two primary schools – St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Manly and St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School, Freshwater. St Paul’s Catholic College Manly is the local Catholic boys’ high school and the non-systemic (Good Samaritan Education) Stella Maris College for girls also has a good relationship with the parish.

Principal of St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Paul Maguire says there is a positive relationship between parish and school.

“It’s a very vibrant community across the parish and school,” he says. “The relationship is a very community based one, driven first by (former long-serving Parish Priest) Fr John Hannon and now with Fr David and Fr Paul.

“The culture here is that the priests engage with the community, the schools and the parish as a whole.

“We have a very strong outreach and social

Our Neighbourhoods of Grace Exploring our missionary outreach

justice element to the parish, for example in visits to the local nursing homes by priests, students and staff.”

Paul says the students visit the Wesley Heights Nursing Home every Thursday. The school fundraises from its clothing pool to buy games, puzzles, music and books etc, for the students to engage with the residents. Students also take part in a monthly Mass at Wesley Heights, and on other occasions go up and play shuffle board or do art and have dinner with the residents.

“St Mary’s and St John’s schools and both church communities also take on a Mission Project each year, as well as collect care packs (with parishioner-donated personal hygiene items) for Vinnies to distribute to homeless people.”

Mark Baker, Principal of St Paul’s Catholic College, Manly, says the relationship between school and parish is longstanding.

“We have a close working relationship with the parish, which we value, and have done since 1929,” he says.

“Apart from the regular Masses and other

liturgical activities, we have Fr David and Fr Paul up here for lunch with our staff Mission Team and we always keep the parish priest informed about the developments in the school, such as the building of our new Waterford Hall.

“Once a month, the students are involved in the parish Mass on a Sunday night, providing the music, and the students also take part in parish outreach initiatives, such as the Christmas lunch for older parishioners, where some of our boys went down to help set up.

“The school and the parish are closely involved and we value that involvement.”

A close relationship between school and parish also lies at the heart of life at St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School, says Principal Judy Slattery.

“As a Catholic school, we work closely with parents to give each child the opportunity to experience the fullness of their faith, provide opportunities to practise it and foster each child’s growth as part of the Manly Freshwater Parish,” she says.

Elizabeth Carnegie, Principal of Stella Maris,

Manly says the College has a “great relationship” with Fr David and the parish community.

“Most recently we farewelled our long serving Deputy Principal, Mary Ryland, and at the Mass, Fr David spoke glowingly of her as a role model for the young women of the College,” Elizabeth says.

“Our students also assist with the parish St Vincent de Paul throughout the year as part of their Community Service.”

Fr David says the Catholic schools play a crucial role in the sacramental programs of the parish, as do “our wonderful team of catechists” who share the faith with children in local government schools.

“We have so many good people doing things for the running of the parish, and we try to thank them by holding parish dinners to celebrate the Feast Days of our churches,” he says. “ Those dinners are really great parish celebrations, bringing people together and showing appreciation for what they do, as well as helping newer parishioners get to know people.”

“It’s just one little way of saying thank you.”

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VOCATIONS

Welcome to the Diocesan Office for Vocations!

“We do not choose a vocation! We may seek to find our vocation, to do all we can to hear and discern God’s call. Where vocation is concerned, God speaks, calls and commands: we do not choose, but listen and obey.”

(1903, Sermons 70-71)

What is the role of a Vocations Ministry?

• To foster and nurture a “vocation culture” across the Diocese of Broken Bay • To foster an awareness and understanding of the specific vocation of Priesthood, Diaconate and Consecrated Life, and encourage men and women to consider these lifestyles as possible and life-giving options for the future • To accompany and guide those who are discerning their vocation • To support and assist men in exploring a vocation to the priesthood, and women and men exploring a vocation to consecrated life • To assist men and facilitate the process of entering the Good Shepherd Seminary • To organise events and provide one-on-one advice in discerning the priesthood, diaconate or consecrated life • To provide resources on vocations and discernment.

Meet the Team…

Fr Paul Durkin Director, Office for Vocations E: frpaul@stagatha.org.au T: 9484 1427 M: 0425 746 749

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r Paul was born the sixth of seven children, and these days, is part of a big extended family!

Fr Paul’s tertiary education included teacher training followed by a Grad Dip in Educational Leadership, and he has held various positions of responsibility in four Catholic Secondary Colleges and at the CEO, Sydney. Later, in preparation for the priesthood, he completed a Bachelor, and then Master’s Degree in Theology from the Sydney College of Divinity.

Today Fr Paul is Parish Priest of St Agatha’s,

Pennant Hills and also Director of Vocations for the Diocese. Previous placements have included MacKillop Catholic Parish Warnervale and Holy Spirit Parish, Kincumber – he has enjoyed serving in each community.

“In any day or week, as a priest, I am involved in many aspects of the life of the Church, says Fr Paul.

“Preparing for and celebrating the Mass; celebrating and administering the other Sacraments; proclaiming the Gospel and teaching the Faith in many contexts; visiting schools, and those who are poor, sick or elderly; leading or being part of prayer and faith formation groups for youth, families and others; seeing people who seek spiritual direction and advice; working with others who form a parish team and doing the work of administration; and many other aspects that make up a rich and varied life of prayer and service.”

Fr Paul observes: “There are many aspects to being a priest, and many different personality types, with all their gifts, are called. Priests all share in the one priesthood of Christ. At the heart of it must be a deep love for God, and a desire and call to serve God’s people as a priest – to be an image and instrument of Christ.

“Examples of the Call of God are evident throughout Scripture and the history of the Church. A call is usually persistent and personal. It feels like good news and it feels right – even if it may seem impossible in human terms. The Call of God may be risky and costly to follow; it may seem contrary to what popular culture tells you to do. Nevertheless, it remains a firm conviction and vision for who you are and how you are to live your life.”

“I would encourage any men who consider God may be calling them to priesthood or diaconate to take it seriously, to pray about it and to seek advice,” Fr Paul says, “because there is clearly a great need, and with it comes great blessing – for you and for others.”

Sr Margaret Kozub CSFN – Vocations Officer Vocation.Ministry@dbb.org.au T: 9484 1427 Mob: 0418 522 449

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r Margaret is a member of the international Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. She is originally from Poland and came to Australia in 2006. She followed God’s call to consecrated life when she was 19, and since then has worked with children and youth through a variety of ministries including teaching, parish group and sacramental preparation. Lately Sr Margaret has been involved in vocation and formation ministry for her congregation. She is very dedicated to helping young adults to discover God’s call in their lives. Sr Margaret enjoys reading, music and nature. She especially finds in bushwalking and hiking her own way to be connected with God and her inner world.

Upcoming Events: Monthly Holy Hour for Vocations

Discernment Retreats at Good Shepherd Seminary

When: Last Wednesday of the month (from February – November) Dates: 24 February, 30 March, 27 April, 25 May, 29 June, 27 July, 31 August, 28 September, 26 October, 30 November Time: 7:00pm – 9:00 pm Where: St Agatha’s Parish, 17 Trebor Road (enter through car park), Pennant Hills Outline: Adoration, Reflection on Scripture, Evening Prayer of the Church. After prayer a social gathering will be held and meal provided.

Booklets with prayers will be provided.

Cost: Free

Discernment Weekend Retreat for men (age 18 and above) who are discerning their vocations especially for priesthood and diaconate.

Retreat is run by Vocation Centre Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney.

Dates: 11-13 March Where: Good Shepherd Seminary, 50-58 Abbotsford Road, Homebush Cost: Free

Where can you find us?: Vocation Office, St Agatha’s Parish, 20 Boundary Road, Pennant Hills NSW 2120 www.facebook.com/BrokenBayVocationsMinistry/ www.dbb.org.au/vocations

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PROJECT COMPASSION 2016

Learning More – Creating Change ‘Education is an act of hope’ Pope Francis.

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unning each year throughout Lent, Project Compassion is Caritas Australia’s annual fundraising and awareness-raising appeal that links thousands of Australians in solidarity with the women, children and men most vulnerable to poverty and injustice, who are rich in the eyes of Jesus.

This year marks 50 years of Project Compassion. Every year since 1965, the

DONEY’S STORY

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oney (pictured below) is a quiet and humble woman, but thanks to an innovative program supported by Caritas Australia, she’s creating big changes in her life– and in her village.

Doney beams when she talks about how much her life has changed in the last five years. ”My life has been transformed,” she smiles. “I am now more knowledgeable on a number of issues and I have a vision.”

Located in East Africa, Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world. Over half the population is living below the poverty line, with more than 80% of people living in rural communities, and relying on farming small plots of land to produce adequate food to live on.

Catholic Caritas family across Australia, have supported the six-week Lenten appeal in an extraordinary demonstration of faith, love, generosity and compassion.

Year round, Caritas Australia’s team work with dedicated partners, inspiring program beneficiaries, and compassionate supporters to end, promote justice and uphold dignity.

Project Compassion 2016 celebrates learning

and Caritas’ work with local partners to ensure all children, women and men can harness the power of education, training and shared knowledge.

Broken Bay will officially launch Project Compassion 2016 on Ash Wednesday (10 February) with 11am Mass celebrated by Bishop Peter at Sacred Heart Church Mona Vale. Everyone is warmly welcome to join the gathering.

In Doney’s remote village in the Blantyre region, her family have often gone months without enough food. Yet, when Caritas Australia and the local Caritas, called CADECOM (the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi), began a program in Doney’s village, they didn’t simply see poverty, isolation and food shortage, they saw potential.

Empowering the community to make the most of their land, CADECOM trained families in new farming techniques, so they can produce more plentiful and reliable crops. ”The problem of malnutrition in my household is old song now,” smiles Doney.

As the community looked at their strengths, Doney’s skills and passion for education were quickly recognised. “I was chosen by

the community and after that CADECOM took me for training in Adult Literacy as a Facilitator,” she says.

Doney is determined that her five children complete secondary school. Even though just 7% of 15-24 year olds in Malawi complete secondary education, she has strong hopes. “I encourage my children to attain education so that they can be independent in the future,” she says. “This would make me proud!”

“The village is developing,” she says. “I would like to thank the people of Australia. The support you provide to us is going to the right people, and is helping us.”

Please donate to Project Compassion 2016 and help people in remote areas of Malawi harness their strengths and pave the way towards a thriving future.

“Education “Education isis an an act act of of hope” hope” Pope Pope Francis Francis

Please Pleasedonate donateto toProject Project Compassion Compassionand andempower empowerthe the world’s world’spoorest poorestcommunities communities through throughlearning, learning,to tocreate createreal real and andlasting lastingchange. change. www.caritas.org.au www.caritas.org.au1800 1800024 024413 413 #ProjectCompassion #ProjectCompassion

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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Apostolic Nuncio blesses Broken Bay Filipino Community

By Violi Calvert The First Filipino Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, His Excellency Adolfo Tito Yllana, headed the celebration of Mass at the Paskong Pinoy 2015 (Filipino Christmas) event held at Our Lady of Rosary Cathedral Parish on 29 November.

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is Excellency was joined by Bishop Peter Comensoli together with the Broken Bay Diocese Filipino Chaplain, Fr Norberto Ochoa and other members of Diocesan clergy.

In his homily, the Nuncio spoke about the need to guard against the commercialisation of the celebration of a religious feast. We need “..to anticipate and prepare for Jesus being incarnated, to be a man among us…in the birth

of our Lord in the solemnity called “Christmas” or in Filipino ‘ang Pasko ng pagsilang ng ating Panginoon.’ We have to prepare for this solemnity in hope, in prayers and in joy.

“In our liturgy we celebrate both the physical birth of our Lord…but also we prepare ourselves and look forward to welcome Him in His second glorious coming.”

The Mass was the highlight of

Paskong Pinoy 2015, which was organised by Broken Bay Filipino Chaplaincy Committee Council (FCCC). The FCCC is the integration of congregations from Chatswood, Dee Why, Gosford and Waitara which took shape under Fr Norberto’s guidance from the seeds planted by previous chaplains especially Fr Hamilton (Casey) Ureta. The first joint event was Palarong Pinoy held in July 2012 at Waitara.

Following the Mass, the Papal Nuncio, Bishop Peter and the clergy joined the 700 attendees in sharing a sumptuous lunch at the Light of Christ Centre. Everyone present also enjoyed the cultural and choral presentations from the four congregations. Before he left, the Nuncio expressed his appreciation of the presentation of the combined choirs and gave his blessing to attendees.

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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

Priestly Ordination of Fr Ken Hagan Fr Kenneth Hagan is the newest priest ordained in the Diocese of Broken Bay.

F Photo by Tom Croll.

r Ken was ordained to the priesthood in the Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross, on 28 November, 2015 at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Waitara.

Bishop Peter Comensoli and a number of priests from the

Diocese were present, as well as Rev Msgr Harry Entwistle PA, Ordinary of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross.

Fr Ken is based at St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Parish, Warnervale. Congratulations and welcome to Broken Bay Fr Ken!

even in the recent past, would hardly have dreamed about, let alone considered. Who would have thought that the sacral language of the Book of Common

Prayer and many of the liturgical traditions of Anglicanism would find an honoured place in the life of the Catholic Church in the 21st century?

A new Catholic Missal A new Missal of the Catholic Church was used for the first time in the Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross in Australia, the same weekend as Fr Ken Hagan’s Ordination.

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t was an historic occasion with ecumenical implications.

The Missal, called “Divine Worship – The Missal” is remarkable because its texts are largely drawn from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer and the Anglican tradition or “patrimony”.

It stands alongside the Roman Missal as an officially authorised liturgical use of the Catholic Church, and is not a separate rite.

This means that the life of the Catholic Church is to be enriched and enlarged by the finest liturgical and spiritual traditions specific to Anglicanism. This is the first time in history that distinctive elements of an ecclesial tradition influenced by the Reformation have found an honoured place in the life of the Catholic Church.

This is a situation which both Roman Catholics and Anglicans,

Photo by Tom Croll.

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*Competition runs from 01/02/16 – 1/04/16. Prize is drawn on 5/04/2016 at Level 13, 2 Market St Sydney. Winner’s name published in The Australian on 8/04/2016. Authorised under NSW Permit No: LTPS/15/08899; ACT Permit No: TP15/08124, SA Licence No: T15/2050. Promotion terms and conditions available here or at allianz.com.au/prize. Promoter is Allianz. Catholic Church Insurance Limited ABN 76 000 005 210, AFS Licence No. 235415 (CCI) arranges personal insurance as promoter of the underwriter Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFS Licence No. 234708 (Allianz). Ferrari driving experience Participant must be at least 18 years of age, with a maximum height of 195cm and a maximum weight of 105kg. Participant must hold an eligible driver’s licence in order to participate in the Ferrari 458 Italia driving experience. We do not provide any advice on this insurance based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply. Before deciding please consider the product disclosure statement (PDS) available by calling 1300 655 003; or from www.catholicinsurance.org.au. If you buy this insurance CCI may be paid a commission that is a percentage of the premium depending on the product. Ask us for details before we provide you with any services. View the Financial Services Guide (FSG) for further information.

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LENT 2016

The Works of mercy on the road of the Jubilee Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for Lent 2016 “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice” (Mt 9:13) 1. Mary, the image of a Church which evangelizes because she is evangelized In the Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, I asked that “the season of Lent in this Jubilee Year be lived more intensely as a privileged moment to celebrate and experience God’s mercy” (Misericordiae Vultus, 17). By calling for an attentive listening to the word of God and encouraging the initiative “24 Hours for the Lord”, I sought to stress the primacy of prayerful listening to God’s word, especially his prophetic word. The mercy of God is a proclamation made to the world, a proclamation which each Christian is called to experience at first hand. For this reason, during the season of Lent I will send

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out Missionaries of Mercy as a concrete sign to everyone of God’s closeness and forgiveness.

After receiving the Good News told to her by the Archangel Gabriel, Mary, in her Magnificat, prophetically sings of the mercy whereby God chose her. The Virgin of Nazareth, betrothed to Joseph, thus becomes the perfect icon of the Church which evangelizes, for she was, and continues to be, evangelized by the Holy Spirit, who made her virginal womb fruitful. In the prophetic tradition, mercy is strictly related even on the etymological level – to the maternal womb (rahamim) and to a generous, faithful and compassionate goodness (hesed) shown within marriage and family relationships.

2. God’s covenant with humanity: a history of mercy The mystery of divine mercy is revealed in the history of the covenant between and his people Israel. God shows himself ever rich in mercy, ever ready to treat his people with deep tenderness and compassion, especially at those tragic moments when infidelity ruptures the bond of the covenant, which then needs to be ratified more firmly in justice and truth.

Here is a true love story, in which God plays the role of the betrayed father and husband, while Israel plays the unfaithful child and bride. These domestic images – as in the case of Hosea ( cf. Hos 1-2) – show to what extent God wishes to bind himself to his people.

This love story culminates in the incarnation of God’s Son. In Christ, the Father pours forth his boundless mercy even to making him “mercy incarnate” (Misericordiae Vultus, 8). As a man, Jesus of Nazareth is a true

son of Israel; he embodies that perfect hearing required of every Jew by the Shema, which today too is the heart of God’s covenant with Israel: “Hear, 0 Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Dt 6:4-5). As the Son of God, he is the Bridegroom who does everything to win over the love of his bride, to whom he is bound by an unconditional love which becomes visible in the eternal wedding feast.

This is the very heart of the apostolic kerygma, in which divine mercy holds a central and fundamental place. It is “the beauty of the saving love of God made manifest in Jesus Christ who died and rose from the dead” (Evangelii Gaudium, 36), at first proclamation which “we must hear again and again in different ways, the one which we must announce one way or another throughout the process of catechesis, at every level

LENT 2016 and moment” (ibid., 164). Mercy “expresses God’s way of reaching out to the sinner, offering him a new chance to look at himself, convert, and believe” (Misericordiae Vultus, 21), thus restoring his relationship with him. In Jesus crucified, God shows his desire to draw near to sinners, however far they may have strayed from him.

In this way he hopes to soften the hardened heart of his Bride.

3. The works of mercy God’s mercy transforms human hearts; it enables us, through the experience of faithful love, to become merciful in turn. In an ever new miracle, divine mercy shines forth in our lives, inspiring each of us to love our neighbour and to devote ourselves to what the Church’s tradition calls the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. These works remind us that faith finds expression in concrete everyday actions meant to help our neighbours in body and spirit: by feeding, visiting, comforting and instructing them. On such things will we be judged. For this reason, I expressed my hope that “the Christian people may reflect on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy; this will be a way to reawaken our conscience, too often grown dull in the face of poverty, and to enter more deeply into the heart of the Gospel where the poor have a special experience of God’s mercy” (ibid., 15). For in the poor, the flesh of Christ “becomes visible in the flesh of the tortured, the crushed, the scourged, the malnourished, and the exiled... to be acknowledged,

touched, and cared for by us” (ibid.). It is the unprecedented and scandalous mystery of the extension in time of the suffering of the Innocent Lamb, the burning bush of gratuitous love. Before this love, we can, like Moses, take off our sandals (cf. Ex 3:5), especially when the poor are our brothers or sisters in Christ who are suffering for their faith.

In the light of this love, which is strong as death (cf. Song 8:6), the real poor are revealed as those who refuse to see themselves as such.

They consider themselves rich, but they are actually the poorest of the poor. This is because they are slaves to sin, which leads them to use wealth and power not for the service of God and others, but to stifle within their hearts the profound sense that they too are only poor beggars. The greater their power and wealth, the more this blindness and deception can grow. It can even reach the point of being blind to Lazarus begging at their doorstep (cf. Lk 16:20-21). Lazarus, the poor man, is a figure of Christ, who through the poor pleads for our conversion. As such, he represents the possibility of conversion which God offers us and which we may well fail to see. Such blindness is often accompanied by the proud illusion of our own omnipotence, which reflects in a sinister way the diabolical “you will be like God” (Gen 3:5) which is the root of all sin. This illusion can likewise take social and political forms, as shown by the totalitarian systems of the twentieth century, and, in our own day, by the ideologies

Artworks taken from Wikimedia in the Public Domain

of monopolizing thought and technoscience, which would make God irrelevant and reduce man to raw material to be exploited. This illusion can also be seen in the sinfuI structures linked to a model of false development based on the idolatry of money, which leads to lack of concern for the fate of the poor on the part of wealthier individuals and societies; they close their doors, refusing even to see the poor.

For all of us, then, the season of Lent in this Jubilee Year is a favourable time to overcome our existential alienation by listening to God’s word and by practising the works of mercy.

In the corporal works of mercy we touch the flesh of Christ in our brothers and sisters who need to be fed, clothed, sheltered, visited; in the spiritual works of mercy – counsel, instruction, forgiveness, admonishment and prayer – we touch more directly our own sinfulness. The corporal and spiritual works of mercy must never be separated. By touching the flesh of the crucified Jesus in the suffering, sinners can receive the gift of realizing that they too are poor and in need.

By taking this path, the “proud”, the “powerful” and the “wealthy” spoken of in the Magnificat can also be embraced and undeservedly

loved by the crucified Lord who died and rose for them. This love alone is the answer to that yearning for infinite happiness and love that we think we can satisfy with the idols of knowledge, power and riches. Yet the danger always remains that by a constant refusal to open the doors of their hearts to Christ who knocks on them in the poor, the proud, rich and powerful will end up condemning themselves and plunging into the eternal abyss of solitude which is Hell. The pointed words of Abraham apply to them and to all of us: “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them” (Lk 16:29). Such attentive listening will best prepare us to celebrate the final victory over sin and death of the Bridegroom, now risen, who desires to purify his Betrothed in expectation of his coming.

Let us not waste this season of Lent, so favourable a time for conversion! We ask this through the maternal intercession of the Virgin Mary, who, encountering the greatness of God’s mercy freely bestowed upon her, was the first to acknowledge her Iowliness (cf. Lk 1:48) and to call herself the Lord’s humble servant (cf. Lk 1:38).

From the Vatican, 4 October 2015 Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi +Francis BBN

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YEAR OF MERCY

Prodigal Mercy

By Pina Bernard, Office for Evangelisation

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he words “mercy”, “Luke” and “prodigal son” certainly belong together, but would you consider adding “Jonah” and “fish” to this list? In fact, the book of Jonah is a wonderful story of God’s mercy in which there are parallels with Jesus’ well-known parable.

The Gospel of Luke, which we are reading in the Liturgy in this Year C, contains an abundance of stories revealing the merciful face of God. Indeed, the theme of the Jubilee of Mercy, “Merciful Like the Father,” is taken from Luke chapter 6 where Jesus exhorts his followers to love their enemies since God “is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.”

The story of the prodigal (ie wastefully extravagant) son, in Luke chapter 15, is where God’s prodigal mercy is most clearly seen. It is one of our Lenten Gospel readings this year, along with the parable of the patient gardener who gives the fig tree one more year in Luke 13; and the passage about the woman about to be stoned in John Chapter 8. Reflections on these Lenten weekly readings can be found in the Diocese of Broken Bay Lenten lectio divina

booklets which are available at www.dbb.org.au and have also been distributed to all parishes so that the themes of mercy found in our Scriptures can inform our lives in this holy season.

But mercy is not limited to the New Testament. The Old Testament also richly communicates the mercy of God as the story of Jonah shows in a dramatic way. God calls Jonah to go as a prophet to Nineveh, the capital city of Israel’s powerful enemy Assyria. Indeed the Assyrians had invaded Israel’s north and led the people into exile in the 8th Century BCE. Jonah, though, makes way to Tarshish.

Instead of going east to Nineveh, he heads west to Spain at the far end of the Mediterranean, literally as far away as he could possibly go. As we know, a storm hits and he ends up in the sea swallowed by a fish, until he comes to his senses and seeks help (echoes of the struggles of the ‘younger son’ in Luke’s parable who goes off far away, finds himself in trouble and returns).

Eventually Jonah does go to Nineveh and the city does indeed listen to his words and repents

from its wicked ways. God relents and any punishment is averted. One would think that Jonah would be pleased at the success of his mission, but instead he is angry. Why were they not punished? Isn’t that what they deserved?

In fact, this is the very reason that Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh in the first place, because he knew that God was gracious and merciful. He knew God would do this! Instead of doling out their punishment, God shows them mercy! Jonah can’t understand how this could be right. Jonah goes out of the city and waits to see what will happen to Nineveh.

God comes to explain that it should be right that the city is saved as God’s care and concern extends also to them (strong echoes of the ‘older brother’ here).

The book of Jonah is one of the voices in the Old Testament that speaks of God’s salvation to other nations. The message is not just exclusively for Israel, the chosen people, as perhaps was thought at the time the book was written, but other nations are God’s created people as well who can receive forgiveness and mercy. It is not just for the older son, but for the younger son too – for all the children of the Father.

This is the ‘mercy of the father’ that we are asked to embrace and take on in this Year of Mercy, and to contemplate the interplay between justice and mercy – both are needed.

Pope St John Paul II gives us some insight: “It does not mean overlooking evil, or even worse, denying it. God does not forgive evil but the individual, and he teaches us to distinguish the evil act, which as such must be condemned, from the person who has committed it, to whom he offers the possibility of changing. While man tends to identify the sinner with his sin, closing every escape, the heavenly Father instead has sent his Son into the world to offer everyone a way to salvation. Christ is this way: dying on the Cross, he has redeemed us from our sins.” (Angelus 29 March, 1998)

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YEAR OF MERCY

God is patient – and His offer of Mercy endures Bishop Peter’s Homily for the Opening of the Holy Doors in Broken Bay

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s we enter the Jubilee of Mercy. I have opened five Holy Doors in Broken Bay…. one for each region of the Diocese. “Overkill,” do I hear you say? Well, five doors might seem quite a few, given that all of Rome will have only four. But isn’t that precisely the way mercy should be? The more of it, the better.

This is something of the sentiment expressed by Pope Francis when he opened the Holy Door at St Peter’s. This Holy Year is to be a time for the primacy – the ‘more-ness’ – of grace and joy in God’s loving mercy. As he said in his homily: This Extraordinary Year is itself a gift of grace. To pass through the Holy Door means to rediscover the infinite mercy of the Father who welcomes everyone and goes out personally to encounter each of them. It is he who seeks us! It is he who comes to encounter us! This will be a year in which we grow ever more convinced of God’s mercy.

How much wrong we do to God and his grace when we speak of sins being punished by His judgment before we speak of their being forgiven by His mercy! But that is the truth. We have to put mercy before judgment, and in any event God’s judgment will always be in the light of His mercy.

In passing through the Holy Door, then, may we feel that we ourselves are part of this mystery of love, of tenderness. Let us set aside all fear and dread, for these do not befit men and women who are loved. Instead, let us experience the joy of encountering that grace which transforms all things.

A Holy Door is meant to be an open door; it is to draw us forward so that we can see what’s going on inside. A Holy Door is about what it opens onto – a year of jubilee, a life of mercy.

We open doors of mercy to remind us that God has opened His heart of mercy to all of history.

So, the first thing to do with our Holy Doors is a very practical thing: open it up, walk through it, and have a look around.

And what might we see? Well, Pope Francis has described it this way: “the Holy Door is to

become a Door of Mercy through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons, and instils hope.” (MV.3) So, our door is not to be a selective door where only certain people can enter. Rather it is to be a door that anyone can enter. This tells us something about what we are not to find at the door: that is, gatekeepers to mercy. Mercy is not something that God holds back for only a few deserving people. The grace of mercy is for everyone, no matter their present circumstances or their past dispositions. If God desires mercy for all, then we need to ensure we don’t become gatekeepers, restrictors of his mercy. Welcome all; refuse no one.

Let us also acknowledge that walking through this door will be hard for some people.

Someone might hope for mercy for everyone else, but think God will not want to be merciful to them. Or someone may have been deeply hurt by the Church and find it difficult to pass through this door. So, how can we help?

By being people of hospitality and generosity.

Make people feel welcome. Invite them to share a simple prayer. Don’t force your own preferences on them, but learn to listen. Cease all gossiping. Be gentle and humble. These are simple things we can all practice: from bishop, to priest, to laity.

Finally, our Mercy Doors are to be entrances

into an experience of God’s consolation, forgiveness and hope. How might this happen? Thankfully, God has given us some great sacramental means to mercy. When, for instance, was the last time you experienced the forgiving mercy of God in the Sacrament of Penance? You can tell God anything there, confident that he wants to forgive you, no matter what. Then there is the greatest sacrament we have of God’s love – the sacrament of his Son’s sacrifice on the Cross.

The Eucharist is indeed the greatest sign of healing and hope, the greatest sign of God’s mercy and compassion. In taking Jesus into yourself in Holy Communion, know that he loves you; his entire soul, body and divinity is open to you.

To walk though this Door of Mercy – and the four other doors located throughout the Diocese – is to make an act of pilgrimage, not just to a physical place but into the heart of God, made visible to us in the person of Jesus.

God wants us to receive his mercy, and we have this Jubilee, indeed the rest of our lives, to grow more deeply in His tender-hearted love. God is infinitely patient and His offer of mercy endures.

May the doors of our hearts be opened wide this Year, allowing God to flood the rooms of our lives with his merciful light.

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Opening our Doors to Mercy

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ur Diocese has opened five Holy Doors – symbols of transformation and grace marking the solemn beginning of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy in the universal Church. In this Year of Celebration you are invited to walk through these doors as an act of pilgrimage – into the heart of God…

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Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Hornsby Cathedral Parish 8 December 2015

YEAR OF MERCY

Photos: Rowdy Photography

St Mary’s Church, Manly-Freshwater Parish 12 December 2015

Holy Cross Church, Kincumber Parish 19 December 2015

Our Lady of Dolours Church, Chatswood Parish 13 December 2015

Our Lady of the Rosary Church, The Entrance Parish 19 December 2015 BBN

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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE

ALBERT & MEYER FUNERAL DIRECTORS

100 Years – A Faith Community On 13 March 2016 it will be 100 years since the former Waitara Parish was founded.

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he area from Cockle Creek as far as the Hawkesbury River was cut off from the Pymble Parish and became that of Our Lady of the Rosary, Waitara.

Hornsby Cathedral Parish would like to acknowledge that a Faith Community has existed in this area since 1916 by celebrating Mass on Sunday 13 March 2016 at 9.30am, followed by morning tea and a historic photo display ‘Walk down memory lane’ in the Fr Nulty room.

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Current and former Parishioners are invited to submit a short story (especially those families who have been in the parish for a long time or families who have had an interesting journey to our parish) for possible inclusion in a Memento book. Please submit story before 1 March 2016.

Please more information contact the Cathedral Parish Office on 9483 2300 or email:

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Under delegated authority from the Board, the CEO Jesuit Mission will have day to day responsibility for all aspects of the enterprise, in particular, the CEO will lead; • The effective working of the administrative and organizational aspects of the Jesuit Mission Office • Effective collaboration with the Board • The fundraising and assistance enterprise of Jesuit Mission A salary competitive with that available in comparable positions in not-for-profit organisations is available.

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Information about Jesuit Mission and this position including the position description, selection criteria and the application form is available at www.pathwaysic.com.au (positions). For further information about the position please contact Dennis Doherty, Principal Consultant, Pathways International Consulting, on 1300722076 or 0412636899 or email at dennis@pathwaysic.com.au.

Interested applicants will need to complete the on-line application form not later than close of business on 15th February, 2016.

EDUCATION

World Class Skills The WorldSkills Central Coast Regional Competition was held at the end of last year at St Peter’s Catholic College in Tuggerah Lakes.

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econdary students from the Central Coast and upper North Shore competed in a variety of skill-specific tests designed by experts in a range of industries, including hospitality, building and construction, business and computing.

WorldSkills Australia is

a national program run for apprentices, trainees and students, which is held every two years.

Jayden Woodards from St Peter’s took out second place in Cookery for his three-course menu, which he created with a prescribed list of ingredients in only four hours.

Jayden made bruschetta as an entree, followed by a main course of chicken with vegetables and honey mustard sauce, and dessert of a chocolate brownie served with chocolate sauce and chantilly cream. This was especially impressive because temperatures in the kitchen reached thirty-five degrees!

“For some of the students the competition could really be the start of their career,” Phil Cox, Education Officer for Secondary Vocational Learning and Curriculum, said.

In Business Services two students from Mount St Benedict College in Pennant Hills took out the top two places: Tarana Fernando came first and Lauren DeSouza placed second. Their Business Services teacher Miss Christine Takchi commented “ The girls worked diligently and demonstrated their skills and professionalism.”

Making a positive difference Three schools in the Diocese received awards in 2015 as part of the national KidsMatter program, with only seven schools recognised in the state.

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ur Lady Star of the Sea Catholic School at Terrigal, St John the Baptist Catholic School at Freshwater, and St Brendan’s Catholic School at Lake Munmorah were recognised for improving the mental health and wellbeing of their students.

KidsMatter provides proven methods, tools and support to help schools work with parents

and carers, health services and the community to nurture happy, balanced kids.

Since March this year, students have had explicit teaching of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and have learned strategies to promote positive mental health, while staff have undergone specific training and development.

Marylynne Heffernan,

St John’s: left to right: Marylynne Heffernan (Assistant Principal), Grace Morissey, Alice Lovett, Zara Howes (Civics & Citizenship Yr 6 Leaders), Jane Nethery (Education Officer – Student Wellbeing) and Leah Robertson (Wellbeing Leader).

Assistant Principal at St John’s, said, “We provide students with methods, tools and support to help them develop into happy, resilient, well-adjusted kids who are prepared to take on challenges and ‘face the world.’”

Robert Peers, Principal at Our Lady Star of the Sea, said that his school does not measure success in purely academic terms. “Learning

in our community is characterised by the growth of the whole child – mind, body and spirit,” he said.

The Principals Australia Institute presented the award in partnership with beyondblue and the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

Mr Peers said, “We are honoured yet humbled in receiving this award.”

Our Lady Star of the Sea: Robert Peers (left), School Principal receiving award from Christine Rheinberger (right), Team Leader Pastoral Care and Wellbeing from the Catholic Schools Office of Broken Bay.

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EDUCATION

Mission Madagascar St Agatha’s Catholic School at Pennant Hills supported Catholic Mission last term by participating in challenges to raise awareness and funds for children facing water shortages and poverty in Madagascar.

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uring Mission Month in October, the theme was “I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.”

To educate the students about the hardships facing children, the school ran five challenges over six weeks. These included going for

an afternoon without technology, a week of conserving water at home, a day with no food treats and a day without play equipment and toys such as balls.

The final challenge was to walk for one kilometre carrying four litres of water. The students

wore something blue as a sign of hope for a world where everyone has access to running water.

The second part of the initiative was to raise funds for water pumps for villages in Madagascar. Children purchased cardboard water droplets for

$1 each and then stuck their droplet onto a cut-out of a water pump. This gave a useful visual record of the fundraising and was a great motivator. The children raised $1,302 which will go towards purchasing the water pumps.

Stephanie Gilmore visits school to get kids active Six-time World Surf League Champion Stephanie Gilmore visited Holy Cross Catholic School at Kincumber in November to promote the largest kids’ triathlon series in the world.

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lose to fifteen hundred kids aged 7-15 will swim, ride and run their way around the course at Peninsula Leisure Centre on Sunday 7 February, in the Central Coast Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon.

“I love seeing kids getting active with their mates,” said Gilmore.

“Inactivity continues to be a big problem for Aussie kids.”

Every participant will receive an official Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon gold medal and a Champion Certificate.

“TRYathletes” will be cheered all

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the way to the finish line at their local event by the all-star TRY Hero team, which will include sportspeople such as Brett Lee, Stephanie Gilmore, Tim Cahill and Joel Selwood.

The TRYathlon is designed for kids aged 7-15 no matter what their abilities or experience.

“It’s so great to witness kids experiencing the joy of achievement as they cross the finish line. It gives kids a real boost in confidence,” said Daniel Derrick from Sanitarium, which sponsors the event.

EDUCATION

Sporting Success for Primary Schools The 2015 Broken Bay Primary Sports Council Outstanding Sports Achievement Awards were held at St Agatha’s Catholic School in Pennant Hills in December last year.

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tudents who had reached high levels of sporting success or represented the State received awards presented by international cricketer Shane Lee. Four of the thirty-one students had just competed at the Pacific School Games in Adelaide.

James Nati from St Agatha’s and Thomas Meredith from St John Fisher Catholic School in Tumbi Umbi were in the undefeated champion softball team. Lucy Dillon also from St John Fisher Catholic School was in the touch football team and Joshua

Smith from St John the Baptist Catholic School in Woy Woy won four bronze medals in the multi-class swimming.

Results for Broken Bay Diocese students who participated in the Australian Schools Athletics Championships included some outstanding achievements: Gabriella Taylor (St Rose Catholic School, Collaroy Plateau) – 1st 10yrs 100m, 1st junior girls 200m, 1st junior girls relay.

Lara Williams (St Mary’s Catholic School, Manly) – 2nd

James Nati (right) and Thomas Meredith (left) who both received awards with their medals at Pacific School Games.

junior girls 800m, 1st medley relay.

James Gladman (St Bernard’s Catholic School, Berowra) – Para Athletics 1st 100m, 2nd 200m, 2nd long jump, 2nd shot put, 1st relay.

Anita Brown (Mackillop

Catholic College, Warnervale) – 4th 12 yrs shot put.

Cameron Torpy (St Cecilia’s Catholic School, Wyong) – 6th 12 yrs long jump, 7th 12 yrs multi event.

Students ready for World Youth Day Krakow Students from across the Diocese will join international pilgrims in Krakow for World Youth Day in an international celebration of faith.

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n Sunday 31 July 2016, up to five million people aged sixteen to thirty-five will gather to hear Pope Francis give the closing Mass after a week of catechesis, festivals and much more.

Pope Saint John Paul II established World Youth Day (WYD) in 1986, with the first WYD being held on Palm Sunday in Rome. It is now celebrated on Palm Sunday every year at a local diocesan level.

Every two to three years WYD is taken to an international host city for a week-long series of

events attended by the Pope and millions of young people from all over the world who unite in a pilgrimage of faith where they can encounter the love of God. In Rio de Janeiro 2013, more than 4 million people gathered for the closing Mass.

At the conclusion of World Youth Day Rio, the Holy Father Pope Francis announced that the next international gathering of World Youth Day would take place in Krakow, Poland in 2016.

This will be a unique opportunity for the young people of the world to encounter not

only the universal Church, but the local Church in Poland.

Over the past year, students from our Diocese have been raising funds through their Parish and School communities for their pilgrimages.

Danielle Mifsud from the Diocesan World Youth Day team said that World Youth Day was a wonderful opportunity for students to meet like-minded Catholics from around the world.

“The pilgrimage begins as soon as students say yes! Coming together as a Diocesan community to fundraise, and then sharing our

stories about the journeys through Italy, Greece & Turkey or the Holy Land onto Krakow will be an incredible opportunity to expand our hearts and come to know Jesus as a part of our own lives. It also ties in perfectly with the Jubilee Year of Mercy, as Krakow is known as the City of Mercy.”

Ms Mifsud said that many students go on to return to subsequent World Youth Days as leaders after they have left school and become active members in their Parish communities.

If you know of anyone between 16-35 years who would like to be a part of this extraordinary pilgrimage with our Bishop Peter Comensoli and 300+ Diocese of Broken Bay pilgrims email wyd@dbb.org.au or visit www.dbb.org.au/wyd for more details. Registrations are open till May 2016. Follow the journey on social media ‘DBB WYD Krakow 2016’ or @dbbwyd #dbbwyd #bemerciful

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EDUCATION

Building Blocks of Resilience

St Patrick’s Catholic School in Asquith opened its new adventure playground last year.

I

t has been designed to encourage social and emotional learning by allowing children to explore their world through play.

The new playground includes a model shop and kitchen, a sandpit, building blocks, and an adventure climbing wall.

“There’s a kitchen area for pretend play, with equipment like plastic fruit, and a saucepan and so on,” said Bernard Cumming, the Principal. “For older kids we’ve got a climbing wall, a log to climb on, and a big fort. There’s also a stage so that teachers can have lessons outside.”

There is also a vegetable garden.

“The Year Twos are using it to grow seasonal vegetables and

learn where food comes from,” Mr Cumming said.

The school held a working bee involving parents to knock down the old playground.

“The idea is that after the parent and teacher, a child’s environment can be their third teacher,” said Sally Harrison, Early Learning Officer at the Catholic Schools Office.

“They’re learning to share, to take turns, modelling real world behaviours when they play shops and play kitchens,” Bernard Cumming, the Principal. “It’s all designed to build up kids’ social skills and resilience, and help kids make sense of the world through play. The kids love it.”

Identifying Us Year 1 students from Sacred Heart Catholic School, Pymble had the opportunity to participate in an excursion to Ku-ring-gai National Park to further their knowledge on the Human Society and its Environment (HSIE) unit, Identifying Us.

T

he students explored Aboriginal customs, practices, symbols, languages and traditions and made the connection between their own lives, the land and its people. This day was an overwhelming success thanks to Dave Ella, Aboriginal Education Officer at Broken Bay.

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One of Dave’s passions is finding crossover between his Catholic faith and traditional Aboriginal beliefs. “I take the students to our sacred sites and marry that in to our Catholic beliefs,” he says. “I think it’s so important to show the kids how to do that with our sacred sites.”

EDUCATION

Diocese of Broken Bay Community of Catholic Schools 2016 School Open Days SCHOOL NAME

SUBURB

PHONE

OPEN DAY DATE & TIMES

St Patrick’s

Asquith

9477 3800

9:30am - 11:00am Thursday, 10 March

Maria Regina

Avalon

9918 2608

9:00am - 10:30am and 7:00pm - 8:00pm Wednesday 9 March

St Cecilia’s

Balgowlah

9948 3069

9:00am - 10:30am Wednesday, 9 March

St Bernard’s

Berowra Heights

9456 2104

9:30am - 10:30am Tuesday, 8 March

St Gerard’s

Carlingford

9871 1633

9:00am - 11:00am Thursday, 17 March

Our Lady of Dolours

Chatswood

9419 2645

9:30am - 11:00am Wednesday, 9 March

St Rose

Collaroy Plateau

9982 1467

St Martin’s

Davidson

9452 2022

St Kevin’s

Dee Why

9971 1644

9:30am - 11:00am Wednesday, 9 March 9:30am and 7 pm Twilight Tour Wednesday, 9 March 9:30am and 5:00pm Twilight Tour Friday, 20 May 9.30am - 11am and 7pm Tuesday, 8 March

St Patrick’s

East Gosford

4325 1159

Contact the school for Open Day details

Our Lady Help of Christians

Epping

9868 3322

9:00am - 10:30am Wednesday, 9 March

Our Lady of Good Counsel

Forestville

9972 7311

9:30am - 11:00am Thursday, 10 March

St John the Baptist

Freshwater

9939 6699

Contact the school for Open Day details

Holy Cross

Kincumber

4369 6638

St Brendan’s

Lake Munmorah

4358 1501

Holy Family

Lindfield

9416 7200

St Mary’s

Manly

9977 2225

St Kieran’s

Manly Vale

9949 3523

Sacred Heart

Mona Vale

9999 3264

St Joseph’s

Narrabeen

9913 3766

St John’s

Narraweena

9971 9297

Contact the school for Open Day details 5:30pm - 7:00pm Thursday, 10 March & 9:00am - 10:15am Friday, 11 March 9:00am - 12:00pm Wednesday, 9 March 9:00am Tours 7-11 March Open Day 9:30am - 11:00am and 7.00pm Tuesday, 24 May 9:00am - 10:30am Tours Tuesday, 8 March Open Day 9:00am - 10:30pm Tuesday, 15 March 9:15am Friday, 18 March 9:00am - 11:00am Wednesday, 9 March Tours the following four Fridays 9:00am - 10:30am and 6:30pm - 7:30pm Tuesday, 8 March

St Philip Neri

Northbridge

9958 7136

Contact the school for Open Day details

St Agatha’s

Pennant Hills

9484 7200

9:30am - 11:00am Wednesday, 9 March

Sacred Heart

Pymble

9440 8056

9:00am - 10:30am Thursday, 10 March

Corpus Christi

St Ives

9988 3135

9:00am - 11:00am Tuesday, 8 March

Our Lady Star of the Sea

Terrigal

4365 6229

6:30pm Tours and Information Session 7:30pm Tuesday, 29 March

Our Lady of the Rosary

The Entrance

4332 5594

9:15am - 11:00am and 7:00pm Wednesday, 9 March

St Mary’s

Toukley

4396 5100

7:00pm Kinder Information Evening Monday, 4 April

St John Fisher

Tumbi Umbi

4388 5800

Contact the school for Open Day details

Prouille

Wahroonga

9489 3233

9:30am - 11:00am Friday, 11 March

Our Lady of the Rosary

Waitara

9489 7000

9:30am - 11:00am Tuesday, 8 March

MacKillop (K-6)

Warnervale

4392 9399

4:00pm - 7:00pm Wednesday, 9 March

Our Lady of Perpetual Succour

West Pymble

9498 6055

8:30am - 11:00am Thursday, 3 March

St Thomas’

Willoughby

9958 7308

St John the Baptist

Woy Woy

4341 0884

Our Lady of the Rosary

Wyoming

4324 6641

St Cecilia’s

Wyong

4353 2922

9:00am - 11:00am on 8, 9 & 10 March 7:00pm Information Evening Tuesday, 5 April 9:30am - 11:00am Under 6 Morning & Tour Wednesday, 6 April 7:00pm Information Evening Tuesday, 5 April 9:15am -10:45am Under 6 Morning & Tour Wednesday, 6 April 9:15am - 10:30am Fun Morning and 7:00pm Tuesday, 22 March

Mercy

Chatswood

9419 2890

St Joseph’s

Gosford East

4324 4022

St Brigid’s

Lake Munmorah

4358 4278

St Paul’s

Manly

9977 5111

11:00am - 2:00pm Sunday, 6 March 9:00am - 11:00am Tuesday, 16 August 3:45pm - 7:30pm Monday, 14 March 7:00am - 8:30am Breakfast Friday, 4 March 1:30pm - 6:00pm & Parent Information Session 6:00pm - 7:00pm Tuesday, 8 March 4:00pm - 7:00pm Thursday, 3 March

St Peter’s

Tuggerah

4351 2344

4.00pm, 4.30pm, 5.00pm, 5.30pm Tuesday, 15 March

St Leo’s

Wahroonga

9487 3555

9:30am - 12:00pm Friday, 4 March

MacKillop (7-12)

Warnervale

4392 9399

4:00pm - 7:00pm Wednesday, 9 March

Mater Maria

Warriewood

9997 7044

11:00am - 2:00pm Sunday, 13 March

PRIMARY SCHOOLS

SECONDARY COLLEGES

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CHRISTMAS AT MARY MACS More than 80 people were given gifts and treated to a Christmas lunch with all the trimmings hosted by the supporters and volunteers of Mary Macs Place at St John the Baptist, Woy Woy, the week before Christmas.

Local dignitaries Deborah O’Neill, Federal Senator for NSW, Kathy Smith, MP State Member for Gosford and Anne Charlton, preselected candidate for the federal seat of Robertson, joined in the meal put on for those without homes and in need.

Santa also popped in ahead of his marathon trip on the 24th— much to the delight a number of the lunch guests, particularly those with children.

Christine: “Claudia was responsible for raising over $30,000 in donations in the four years since founding the Committee and will be sorely missed.”

CatholicCare Executive Director Trish Devlin, Mary Macs Project Coordinator Christine Burge, and Father Jack Robson, Woy Woy Parish, were on hand to make a special presentation to the retiring founder of the Mary Macs Fundraising Committee, Claudia McLeod.

“Our thanks to Claudia and, as always, to all the local businesses and individuals who provide financial and in-kind assistance, as well as to the wonderful team of volunteers who give of their time and selves.

“And special thanks also to some of Mary Macs young supporters in the annual fundraiser pre-Christmas.”

L-R: Deb O’Neill, Kathy Smith, Christine Burge, Claudia McLeod, Anne Charlton and Trish Devlin.

Christine Burge with two recipients of Mary Mac’s Young Fundraiser recognition certificates

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

Photo L-R: Denis O’Brien (PCP, Manly/Mona Vale Hospitals); Br. John Verhoeven FSP (PCP, Wyong Hospital); Gabrin Rajanayagam (St Mary’s, Toukley); Maggs Thompsett (Holy Family, Lindfield); Fr. Raja Kommareddy SVD (St Agatha’s, Pennant Hills); Margaret Kent (Queen of Peace, Normanhurst); Pam Koroknay (Holy Name, Wahroonga); Ralph Kershler (Holy Name, Wahroonga); Jillian Morrison (Our Lady of Good Counsel, Frenchs Forest); Joe Kalou (St John Fisher, Tumbi Umbi); Suzanne Ikeda (St Agatha’s, Pennant Hills); Julia Curie (St Cecilia’s, Wyong); Vivi-anne Logan (St Agatha’s, Pennant Hills); Bishop Peter; Helen Mo (Our Lady of Dolours, Chatswood); Genevieve Dennis (Holy Family, Lindfield); Dennis Robson (Holy Name, Wahroonga); Louise Smith (PCP, Royal North Shore Hospital); Anna Pawlak-Simpson (PCP, Hornsby/San Hospitals). Kneeling: Rove Varman (St Cecilia’s, Wyong).

“The guided prayer each week was a highlight for me personally and energised my faith. This course has given me the confidence to believe and trust in myself that I am good enough to do God’s work. It has armed me with some better tools to carry it out more effectively and, most of all, it has reminded me not only to find Christ in myself, but also in those I meet and to gain strength from this.

CARING PASTORALLY Each year CatholicCare offers the Diocesan Pastoral Care Course to provide the minimum 40 hours training for parishioners who serve as Eucharistic Ministers in hospitals in the Diocese as well as those who are wishing to gain further skills in their pastoral ministry to the frail or sick in their parish.

Across five Wednesdays in November and into December 16 representatives of eight parishes participated in the course led by Peter Brown, Coordinator of CatholicCare’s Hospital Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care team.

Peter: “The dynamic of this group, who shared and learned with a great spirit of openness and respect, was a highlight for me.

Each participant gained personally, as well as being strengthened in their capacity to serve.”

THANK YOU FATHER DAVID

Trish Devlin and Father David Taylor.

A PERSONAL REFLECTION...

Reflecting on the Diocesan Pastoral Care Course Maggs Thompsett said: “Having been a Eucharistic Minister in my Parish of Lindfield-Killara for the last eight years I was delighted when I saw this course advertised offering further in-depth training and certification for this important ministry.

“It was an honour and privilege to get to know the friends I have made on this course and I know that, going forward, we will be a great support to each other and to those that we visit in our communities carrying out our ministry.”

“From the onset it was evident that there was a special ambience in the room. A common thread that struck me during the introductions was that we all heard God‘s calling to do his work.

Very quickly a deep trust was established, honest heart felt stories were shared and friendships made.

This stood us in very good stead for the learning process over the next four weeks.

“I relished attending this course. I have learned so much about the art of listening, a skill I felt I already had but now appreciate I can use more effectively. I have also gained a greater understanding of empathy and a deeper awareness on how to just ‘be there’ for the person I am helping.

Maggs Thompsett

Managers responsible for the delivery of CatholicCare’s social care programs, including its domestic violence and homelessness services, joined with members of CatholicCare’s Advisory Council for a dinner in December.

Held to thank all for their contributions over the year, in the case of retiring Council member Fr David Taylor, it was to say a special thank you for his advice and counsel to consecutive CatholicCare Executive Directors over a period of more than 20 years.

In making her special presentation, Executive Director Trish Devlin said, “Fr David will be sorely missed. With degrees in social work and theology, and experience in hospital, general medical and psychiatric settings, Fr David’s counsel has been invaluable for its depth and insight. He has connected personally with everything we do and, of course, being an inaugural member of the Council, predates all our records – which only go back 12 years!

During dinner CatholicCare Managers shared with Council members stories of client milestones and responses to CatholicCare services during the year, including heart-melting stories of gratitude from women and children helped to escape family violence. Council Chair Ted Wozniak echoed comments made by a number of Councillors that “it was a privilege to hear the stories of the help, and hope, that staff had worked to provide”.

Committed to care and social justice for all?

INTERESTED? CatholicCare’s Advisory Council meets eight times a year to provide counsel to CatholicCare’s Executive team. If you have expertise in IT or corporate governance which you would like to contribute and are a former or current client of one of CatholicCare’s services and can commit to attend meetings at Caroline Chisholm Centre, ring Sue Vesperman on 9481 2604.

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

The Messiah 2015: Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral Joyous voices raise close to $7,000 for the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter.

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.

fear as increasing 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 (formerly ISIS).

A beautiful, olive wood crucifix, handcrafted in For others, in parts of the Holy Land that Our Bethlehem, will be sent to all those who give a Lord Jesus Christ knew so well, the proportion of donation of $20.00 or more to help this campaign.

Christians has plummeted from 20% to as little as Please tick the box below if you would like to 1.4% in the last forty years. The faithful now live in receive the little olive wood crucifix*.

Send to: Aid to the Church in Need PO Box 7246 Baulkham Hills 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:

Broken Bay News

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

BLOCK LETTERS PLEASE

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

Remember these deceased pastors, risen and glorified in Christ.

Fill your Australian Church today, Dear God, with the same spirit you poured out on these your Servants.

In February and March we remember our Priests who served Broken Bay: February 4: Rev Peter Brown (1992) 8: Rev Denis Ryan (1992) 9: Rev Warren Wade (2015) 15: Mons Ian Burns (1999) 17: Rev John Wakeling (2011) 25: Rev Lawrence Vincent (Vince) Pedemont (2015) 28: Rev Donald Leivesley (2005)

March: 1: Rev Peter Shiel (2004) 4: Rev Hugh Law (1990) 18: Bishop Patrick Murphy (2007) 21: Rev Patrick Ryan (1993) 29: Rev Henry (Harry) Davis (2007)

At Easter time we celebrate the greatest joy of our Catholic faith; the renewal of the whole of creation through the life, death, resurrection and glorification of Jesus, the divine Son. Share our joy and celebrate with us this Easter as we gather in our local neighbourhoods of grace.

For a full list of Holy Week and Easter Mass times in the Diocese of Broken Bay, please visit: www.dbb.org.au

Now serving families on the Central Coast

Of all life’s celebrations the funeral liturgy can touch us the most deeply.

When the care you seek is unconditional - talk to us.

E: wnbull@wnbull.com

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T: (02) 4323 1892

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Bishop Peter and the Youth of Broken Bay invite you to . .

WORLD YOUTH DAY

CELEBRATION www.dbb.org.au

SUNDAY 20 MARCH / / FROM 11.30am / / ST EDWARD’S COLLEGE, EAST GOSFORD