BISHOP ANTHONY RANDAZZO: A NEW YEAR, A NEW OPPORTUNITY / PAGE 2
GO REBUILD MY CHURCH THOUSANDS OF YOUNG AUSTRALIAN CATHOLICS CHALLENGED TO REBUILD GOD’S CHURCH AT ACYF IN PERTH / PAGE 4
CATHOLIC CHURCH SUPPORTING BUSHFIRE VICTIMS / PAGE 8 PROJECT COMPASSION: GO FURTHER TOGETHER IN 2020 / PAGE 30
# 204 FEBRUARY 2020
BISHOP’S MESSAGE
DIOCESE OF BROKEN BAY Diocesan Office: Tel (02) 8379 1600 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 bishop@bbcatholic.org.au
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A new year, an opportunity to ask yourself: Who am I? What do I believe? By Bishop Anthony Randazzo
This year, I would like each of us in the Diocese of Broken Bay to ask ourselves two questions:
CHANCERY OFFICES Bishop: Most Rev Anthony Randazzo Vicar General: Very Rev Dr David Ranson Chancellor: Jo Robertson
1. Who am I? 2. What do I believe?
Executive Officer: Kelly Paget Diocesan Financial Administrator, Director, Office for Stewardship: Emma McDonald Director, Diocesan Office for Safeguarding: Jodie Crisafulli Tel: (02) 8379 1605 Director, Marriage Tribunal: Adrienne Connaghan Tel: (02) 8379 1680 Manager, Office for Communications: Melissa Loughlin Manager, Office for Evangelisation: Jenny Hildebrandt Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD): Alison Newell CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE Acting Director: Tony Bracken Tel (02) 9847 0000 PO Box 967 Pennant Hills NSW 1715 CATHOLICCARE Executive Director: Lyn Ainsworth 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) 4320 7700 Mission, Hospital Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care: (02) 9481 2658 BROKEN BAY NEWS Editor: Melissa Loughlin Tel: (02) 8379 1618 news@bbcatholic.org.au Design: Edward Baricevic Printed by NCP Printing 18,500 copies of the Broken Bay News are distributed bi-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. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply diocesan endorsement of products or services advertised.
www.bbcatholic.org.au
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My dear sisters and brothers in Christ, welcome to the first edition of Broken Bay News for 2020. One of the big-ticket items for our Diocese this year is the Fifth Plenary Council. Expectations are high because we desire that the community of the Church in Broken Bay, and indeed in every diocese in Australia, becomes a beacon of Christ’s light and love in our world. The six themes¹ that have emerged from prayer, listening, and discernment are focused on one question: How is God calling us to be a Christ-centred Church? For most, the Christo-centric nature of the Church is a no-brainer. The Body of Christ – the Church, cannot exist if Jesus Christ is not the Head of the Body. The Body simply cannot live separated from the Head. The Truth is simple. Through Baptism, we are incorporated into the Body of Christ. Through Confirmation, we are anointed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and animated for mission as the living Body of Christ. Through Eucharist, we are nourished by Christ, really present in His Body and Blood, and we become His living presence in the world.
It is my hope that these two questions will help us to focus on our identity, as baptised sisters and brothers of the Lord, and on our faith, as living members of the Body of Christ. We often talk about belonging to the Church, being part of the Church, being included in the community of the Church. And these are all good references to make. However, the Church is not merely an association or gathering where people find themselves fitting in as part of the crowd.
There are two dimensions that I hope we will explore. The first is belonging². Having been washed clean of sin through baptism, each of us has been given the dignity of being sons and daughters of our Father in Heaven³. Our dignity comes not necessarily because of what we might say or do, but because of who we are. So, what does it mean to be a member of the Body of Christ? What rights, capacities, and obligations do I hold as a member of the Church? These are some fundamental questions that might lead us deeper in the knowledge of who we are. The second dimension is believing⁴.
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BISHOP’S MESSAGE
Scripture and Tradition form the two pillars of our faith . As disciples of Christ and members of the Church, we are united by what we believe. Saint Paul taught the community of the Church at Thessalonica to “stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter” (2Thess 2:15). At the heart of his teaching is the desire to build up the communion of Christ’s Body through faith, sacraments and unity. Asking the two questions who am I and what do I believe, will hopefully lead each of us to ask one further question: what is God calling me to do with my life? That is, what is my vocation? With this third question, I invite you to join me in the great mission of the Church as together we put Christ at the centre of our lives, our Church, and our world. ¹ 1. Missionary and evangelising; 2. Inclusive, participatory and synodal; 3. Prayerful and Eucharistic; 4 Humble, healing and merciful; 5. A joyful, hope-filled
and servant community; 6. Open to conversion, renewal and reform. ² CIC83 Canon 204 § 1. Christ’s faithful are those who, since they are incorporated into Christ through baptism, are constituted the people of God. For this reason they participate in their own way in the priestly, prophetic, and kingly office of Christ. They are called, each according to his or her particular condition, to exercise the mission which God entrusted to the Church to fulfil in the world. ³ “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well
pleased’”. Mark 1:9-11 ⁴ CIC83 Canon 205. Those baptized are in full communion with the Catholic Church here on earth who are joined with Christ in his visible body, through the bonds of profession of faith, the sacraments and ecclesiastical governance. ⁵ Sacred tradition and Sacred Scripture form one sacred deposit of the word of God, committed to the Church. Holding fast to this deposit the entire holy people united with their shepherds remain always steadfast in the teaching of the Apostles, in the common life, in the breaking of the bread and in prayers, so that holding to, practicing and professing the heritage of the faith, it becomes on the part of the bishops and faithful a single common effort. Vatican II, Dei Verbum 10
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ACYF pilgrims told: ‘Rebuild my Church’ Thousands of young Australian Catholics were challenged to “go out and rebuild” God’s Church at the Australian Catholic Youth Festival, which was held in Perth from 8-10 December 2019. Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, the host of the Festival as the Archbishop of Perth, welcomed pilgrims and encouraged them to bring every part of themselves to the gathering. “You are welcome here with your questions, with your hopes, with your dreams. You are welcome here with
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your doubts and with your fears. You are welcome here with your hesitations and you’re welcome here with all your enthusiasms,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
“God is real. Christ is alive. The Church of which you are a part is yearning to help you and to hear you, to teach you and to learn from you,
to challenge you and to be challenged by you.” Archbishop Costelloe’s opening address drew upon the exhortation that St Francis of Assisi received 800 years ago and a similar encouragement from Pope Francis in more recent times. He combined God’s request to St Francis’ – “Go and rebuild my Church, which is falling into ruin” – with Pope Francis’ comments at World Youth Day 2016 in Poland.
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Archbishop Costelloe challenged young people: “Get up off your couches, go out and help rebuild my Church. Help it to set out on new and uncharted pathways. Help stop the Church, my Church, from falling into ruin.” Over the three days, pilgrims were inspired to take up this challenge with talks from international guest speaker Katie Prejean McGrady, humanitarian Grace Forrest and The Amazing Race stars Sr Judy and Sr Therese from the Missionaries of God’s Love. They were entertained with music from American Catholic rapper Joe Melendrez, Steve Angrisano and local favourites Fr Rob Galea and Gen Bryant amongst others.
CATHOLIC YOUTH BROKEN BAY
An open-air Mass at Trinity College in East Perth was the culmination of the three-day Festival, which also drew members of the wider Perth Catholic community.
“All I can say is stay tuned and start preparing already and look forward to the announcement hopefully early in the new year on where the next ACYF will be held.”
At the end of the closing Mass, Archbishop Costelloe announced that the next Australian Catholic Youth Festival will take place in December 2021, with the bishops planning to host the event in regional Australia.
Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green OSPPE, the Delegate for Youth for the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, said the Perth Festival had been a great advertisement for the vibrancy of the Catholic Church in Australia.
“Having been to four of our five major capital cities, next time we’re going to try and host ACYF in one of our rural centres,” he said.
“It has been a privilege to be part of this remarkable experience, which has demonstrated the rich tapestry that is the Church in Australia,” he said.
Photography by Tom Croll / Archdiocese of Perth / ACBC
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CATHOLIC YOUTH BROKEN BAY
To be Shepherds of the Youth A reflection on The Australian Catholic Youth Festival 2019 in Perth. By Lachlan Smith
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public to celebrate Mass. As a young member of the Catholic Church from Wyong Parish in Broken Bay; I was excited to celebrate this year’s festival after a very exhausting year through my physical and mental trials that HSC threw my way. While attending many youth events before, none of them have given me so much to contemplate as the 2019 Festival in Perth. This year’s theme echoes the scriptural focus of the Australian Church’s momentous Plenary Council which is “Listen to what the Spirit is saying.” (Revelations 2:7). After many, many months detached from my faith, the course of this year drew me further away from the warm embrace of Jesus and lured me closer to sadness and depression. But I held onto a growing hope that this festival would open a new door to a brighter future. To reconnect with my faith and ‘listen’ to what lies for me next.
The Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) is a biennial event organised by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. The three-day long event brings together young Christians from across the nation, featuring inspirational speakers, dancers and musicians from not only just the Australian Catholic Church, but other Christian influencers that relay the message of Christ to young people. The event wraps up with one final Mass which welcomes all of the bishops, clergy and young pilgrims to come together with members of the 6/
But by the time the festival was coming to a close, I felt that I was still missing what I was searching for. Feeling lost and in doubt I felt the urge to turn to a youth minister to help me understand how to make sense of how I was feeling. I turned to Deacon Adrian Gomez and he listened and realised how much I was lost in my journey of faith. But he told me not to lose faith, to hold onto hope, that the Lord is searching for me. After this, he led the Broken Bay pilgrims in a small liturgy on our journey to the final Mass. By sheer coincidence, Deacon
Adrian read the parable of the lost sheep and the shepherd leaving the 99 other sheep to search for this lost sheep and then to be filled with joy to find the lost sheep. In the festival’s host, Archbishop Tim Costelloe’s official welcoming speech, he focused on the message that St Francis heard from God, “Go and rebuild my Church, which is falling into ruin.” I believe it is the responsibility of every member of the Diocese to help ‘rebuild’ the faith of young people who may feel lost or disconnected just as I have felt over the course of this year. To paraphrase a call to all of us in Bishop Anthony’s homily at his installation Mass, “Side by side as brothers and sisters let us encourage, challenge and support each other, especially our youth as we respond to our vocation to ‘go and rebuild the Church.’” After my experience at the Australian Catholic Youth Festival, I pray that we may see more leaders, across the Church, especially in our Diocese, to step up and guide young people on their journey of faith. I pray that you may be called to be shepherds of the youth as we need elders in our lives for guidance and wisdom. And we need each and every of person in the Diocese, each and every one of you, because without YOU, there is no YOUth in our Church.
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Lenten Listening 2020 – A Lenten Program offered by the Diocese of Broken Bay
ACROSS OUR DIOCESE
This Lenten program experience draws on the rich Scripture texts of this Year A Lenten Season, and invites us to reflect on these in conjunction with the Plenary Council themes, to discern what the Spirit is saying to us in our own local parish, school or ecclesial communities today. This is a process of communal discernment, sharing with one another and seeking God’s direction, guided by the Holy Spirit. Lenten Listening 2020
Each week will look at one of the six themes arising from the Plenary Council, with themes as follows:
A Lenten resource to facilitate local discernment on the six Plenary Council 2020 Themes, in conjunction with the Lenten Year A Scripture texts.
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The Plenary Council conversations continue at a national level, with deeper listening and discerning of the six themes that have arisen from the first Listening and Dialogue Phase. These themes are also a good starting point for local discernment and can offer us a guide for asking what we could focus on to make a difference in our own community.
Artist’s impression
A home that’s quietly big on the little things
Artist’s impression
Week 1: Week 2: Week 3: Week 4: Week 5: Week 6:
Prayerful and Eucharistic Missionary and Evangelising Inclusive, Participatory and Synodal Humble, Healing and Merciful Open to Conversion, Renewal and Reform A Joyful, Hope-Filled and Servant Community
This resource can be accessed at the Plenary Council pages at the Diocesan website www.bbcatholic.org.au under ‘Our Resources’.
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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE
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Catholic Church supporting bushfire victims Our new year has started in the most dramatic of circumstances. We have been confronted with the enormity of the scale of the bushfires which have brought loss of life, the destruction of property and our landscape, and the demise of so much wildlife. It has been a heartbreaking time for many in Australia, and an anxious one for us all. Many of us are now wondering how we might assist those who have been as tragically affected. It is important that along with so many who are now contributing to help those people and communities affected by this crisis that, as a Diocese, we too join this effort. The Diocese of Broken Bay joined with all other dioceses across Australia in holding a special collection on the Australia Day weekend for the Vinnies bushfire appeal. 8/
Vinnies is responding in all affected states and territories. Its network of local conferences and support services has seen them rapidly respond throughout the nation as the fire crisis has spread. In his statement in January, Archbishop Mark Coleridge said, “Our experts on the ground – from agencies like Vinnies, CatholicCare in parishes and other Catholic communities, including Catholic hospitals and aged care providers – know this will be a long-term process to help people and whole towns rebuild. “With broad and deep roots across the nation, the Church stands ready to walk alongside people throughout their journey of recovery.
“Facing this exceptional crisis, we renew our call for insistent prayer for those stricken by drought and fire, for those who have lost their lives in the fires and their families, for rain to quench the parched land and extinguish the fires, and for urgent action to care for our common home in order to prevent such calamities in the future.
A genuinely Catholic response to a crisis of this magnitude must draw strength from prayer which inspires concrete and compassionate action.”
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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE
St Thérèse pilgrimage to raise money for Vinnies Bushfire Appeal As Australia battles its worst ever bushfire and drought emergency, Catholic Mission is joining others across the country and around the world in responding to the crisis. The mission organisation will partner with the St Vincent de Paul Society during the pilgrimage of St Thérèse of Lisieux and her parents Louis and Zélie Martin, which commenced on 22 January.
friends, families and fellow Australians affected by these devastating bushfires to do so.”
Catholic Mission has reconsidered plans to raise funds for its global mission projects during the fourmonth pilgrimage, instead inviting those attending to give to the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal. Fr Brian Lucas, National Director of Catholic Mission, says the unique circumstances call for contingency. “We recognise that it is difficult to focus on the need abroad when an unprecedented crisis of such scale is happening here in Australia,” he said.
“Communities right down the South Coast are really doing it really tough at the moment, but it’s inspiring how so many-from local parishes to celebrties -have pulled together to support those who have lost everything.”
“We have many supporters in badly affected dioceses across Australia and it is incumbent on us to offer a missionary response and to enable those who want to prioritise their
Funeral provider InvoCare and its affiliated brands, who are joining with Catholic Mission to bring the relics to 17 Australian dioceses, have expressed full support of the move to
David Harrison, Catholic Mission’s Diocesan Director in Wollongong, a diocese heavily impacted by the crisis, said the local and international response has been heartening.
invite Vinnies to collect donations. To learn more about how Catholic Mission and InvoCare are partnering with the St Vincent de Paul Society during this crisis, please visit catholicmission.org.au/relics
Relics Tour in Broken Bay Thursday 5 March: Corpus Christi, St Ives Friday 6 March: St Rose, Collaroy Plateau. Morning St Joseph’s, Narrabeen. Afternoon Saturday 7 March: Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Waitara Sunday 8 March: St Patrick’s, East Gosford Monday 9 March: Our Lady of the Rosary, The Entrance
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carers welcome
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Our Programs FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Facilitated by a Nutritionist/ Dietician, our cooking program includes smart, healthy and proven options to encourage and maintain good physical and brain health. Clients and carers participate from cooking to plating.
DANCE WITH ME
This program will be facilitated by a Dance Therapist to build connectedness and joy in seniors. This program will run from a separate location.
OPENING JANUARY 2020 IN WAITARA 10 /
catholiccaredbb.org.au/aged-care
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ovations centre LET’S GET MOVING
BUILD YOUR BRAIN
ARTS SMARTS
SPECIALIST SUPPORTS
Facilitated by a Exercise Physiologist, you will improve wellbeing using physical exercise and education specifically designed to enhance capacity for seniors.
This program will be facilitated by a Creative Art Therapist and is designed to engage the creative side of each person. No experience required - we will untap your inner artist!
MORE INFO & BOOKINGS
Jessica Margules Seniors Support P: (02) 9481 2659 E: seniors@catholiccaredbb.org.au
Facilitated by a Psychologist and supported by the latest technology, this program includes a variety of different initiatives aiming to improve brain function and learning for seniors.
A Senior Specialist, Occupational Therapist & Speech Pathologist will also be working at the Centre to provide education and consultations.
SENIORS
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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE
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Fr Barry Nobbs – a true missionary priest 28 January 1938 – 23 November 2019
Fr Barry Nobbs, a much-loved retired priest of the Diocese of Broken Bay, passed away on 23 November 2019. Fr Barry has been unwell for some time since surgery in July 2018 and had deteriorated significantly in the weeks before his passing. Fr Barry was born 28 January 1938 in Bankstown, the second of five children (and the only son) to Margaret and Percy Nobbs. He attended St Felix’s, Bankstown (Primary) from 1943 to 1948 and then St Patrick’s, Strathfield (Secondary) from 1949 to 1955. His seminary studies were at St Columba’s College, Springwood from 1956 to 1957 and then St Patrick’s College, Manly from 1958 to 1962. Fr Barry was ordained on 21 July 1962 at St Mary’s Cathedral by Cardinal Gilroy. He served as Assistant Priest at North Leichhardt from 1962 to 1965 and at Lidcombe from 1965-1966. In 1967, Fr Barry offered his services to the Diocese of Madang, Papua New Guinea in which he was incardinated in 1974. Over the next 38 years he was Parish Priest of Tanggu, Manam Islan, Bosmun, Joseephstaal, Saidor and Annaberg. As Archbishop William Kurtz SVD wrote at the time of Fr Barry’s ‘retirement’: 12 /
“Fr Nobbs has been a true missionary, close to the people, dedicated to this work of evangelisation and a good example to us all . . . Fr Barry has always worked in the most isolated parts of the Diocese, areas where a lot of long distance walking was required, but he never refused to go wherever he was asked to go, living a simple lifestyle, never complaining.” In 2005, upon his departure from PNG, Fr Barry, a classmate of Bishop David Walker’s, came to the Diocese of Broken Bay. He was appointed in March 2005 as Assistant Priest at both St Anthony in the Fields, Terrey Hills and Corpus Christi, St Ives. In February 2008 he was appointed Assistant Priest at Woy Woy Parish, and then in March 2011 to the Parish of The Lakes. From September 2013 Fr Barry was appointed as Assistant Priest, Chatswood where he ministered until his retirement in May 2017. In retirement, Fr Barry lived at Reynolds Court, Bateau Bay until surgery in July 2018 during which we suffered a severe stroke. He moved to Revesby close to his sisters Margaret Innes & Noelene Byron (deceased) and extended family.
Fr Barry celebrated his 81st birthday in January last year and on 21 July 2019 he celebrated his 57th Anniversary of Ordination to Catholic priesthood. Fr Barry was a quiet, unassuming man, who never complained, never made a fuss, and just got on with the job. He loved a punt at the races, and always attended the Diocese of Broken Bay Race Day at Gosford each year. He also was a rugby league fan, supporting his beloved Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs his whole life, despite encouragement from others to follow Manly when he moved to the Northern Beaches. Fr Barry was farewelled with a Vigil Mass at Our Lady of Dolours, Chatswood on Monday 2 December, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial held the next day, 3 December, at St Felix’s Bankstown, where Fr Barry had celebrated his first Mass as an ordained priest. Bishop Anthony Randazzo and Bishop David Walker, along with many other clergy of the Diocese and beyond, concelebrated the Mass. Thank you Fr Barry for your faith and service. You will be missed.
ACROSS OUR DIOCESE
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Golden Jubilee - a time to celebrate By Fr Tomy Kuruvelil Ouseph CFIC
On Saturday 30 November 2019, the Parish of Toukley-Lake Munmorah celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the Blessing and Dedication of St Mary’s Church, Toukley. Every Jubilee Celebration is a moment to thank and reflect. As we celebrated the Dedication of 50 years of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church Toukley, it was a celebration of faith and love in the presence of our Bishop, Most Rev Anthony Randazzo, Vicar General Fr David Ranson, a good number of clergy and a Parish community which gathered into the packed church. The Latin word ‘Jubilaeus’ is from ‘iubilo’, which means “I shout for joy,” So a Jubilee is ‘a time of celebration or a time for rejoicing’. Any achievement is worthy of a celebration. As a Parish community we returned to celebrate all that has happened over the last fifty years. The purpose of any celebration is to heighten and intensify the meaning of something; celebrations demand to be shared, heightened and widened. We are happy, therefore, that so many joined us on this great occasion. On an occasion and a gathering such as this we too are invited to revisit our own personal story. We grew into our vocation. There is a great deal of life still to
be lived. It simply depends on how we live it. Each person makes their own individual journey to God. There have been great moments in all our lives – difficulties too, and challenges. Many people have crossed our path and supported us; we sometimes, perhaps, received more than we were able to give. Jubilee is looking back and looking forward. According to the spirit of Jubilee seen in the book of Leviticus (25:8-28) it is an occasion of remembrance of the past events; of repentance for the faults committed; committed; of redemption of what is lost; of return to the spirit of the founder, to the family; of rejoicing for the graces received; of reception of the freedom of the children of God, of recognition of God’s mercy towards his people and of re-dedication
looking forward for making ‘the Kingdom of God at hand’ (Mk.1:16). This Jubilee celebration was certainly a wonderful expression of faith and worship for the Parish community. It was wonderful to see so many people gathered in the church including students from our three Parish Schools of St Mary’s, Toukley, St Brendan’s, Lake Munmorah and St Brigid’s Catholic College, Lake Munmorah. These students formed a combined choir, who joined our Parish choir and musicians, to lead us in the singing of hymns and the parts of the Mass which enhanced our beautiful celebration of Eucharist. In addition to the combined choir, students also welcomed both our parishioners and visitors to our celebrations.
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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE
Opening a New Chapter with the Bible By Pina Bernard
Who are Jacob, Joseph, Joshua, Jesse, Jeremiah, Josiah, Joseph and Joanna? How are they related to Jesus?* We may have heard these names, and recognise them from the Bible, but we may have difficulty recalling their stories and how they fit into the wider biblical narrative. We meet our family The Bible was written over a period of roughly 1000 years, with the earliest portions being written from the time of King David at around 1000 BC, to the latest New Testament writings in the first Century. It tells the stories of many, many people and communities who walked with God through many centuries and all situations, at times far from God, and at times close to God. As we read about Jesus and of his teachings and miracles, we also meet his early disciples who become like friends - our fellow travellers in our Christian faith family: Mary, Peter, Paul, Mary Magdalene, John, James and many others. We meet ourselves As we find out who they are, we discover who we are. We see reflected our doubts (think: Thomas), our need for repentance (Peter) and God’s great desire to heal us and set us free (the blind man; or the woman who touched his cloak). As disciples of Jesus, these are our stories. They tell us where we fit within the great story of God’s great love for us in Jesus. We are the ones that Jesus calls by name (Mary Magdalene), and who are being called to follow him (the first disciples). We’re the sinners needing rescuing (the lost sheep, the prodigal son); and we’re the ones Jesus died for, and rose for, to give us new life.
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We meet God In our reading of the sacred Scriptures, we find not only ourselves and our faith family; we find God. This is where reading the Bible becomes transformational. This is God’s Word, and as ‘Word’, God wants to speak and has something to say. Do we approach Scripture with a listening heart? That the Bible facilitates an encounter with Jesus can seem a hidden reality. The following analogy can be useful. We speak of Jesus as “the Word made flesh.” Jesus as the divine Word, took on human flesh. He looked human, and yet, he was also fully God. In a similar way, the Scriptures are also the “Word”, but taking on human words. God’s word can surprise you, guide you, encourage you, challenge you, comfort you. Whatever its effect, it will not leave you the same. Sunday of the Word of God On 26 January 2020, the Church celebrated the very first Sunday of the Word of God. Pope Francis this Sunday, as an occasion to grow in our knowledge and love of the Scriptures, not only on this day, but throughout the whole year. Take up the Bible Consider taking up reflection or study of the Bible this year. A number of our parishes offer weekly Biblical formation opportunities, in particular prayerful reading of the Scriptures using the lectio divina method to facilitate a more meaningful reflection on the text and how it applies to our life.
*Jacob (approx. 1700BC, twin son of Isaac and Rebecca, grandson of Abraham and Sarah; had 13 children from which were formed the 12 tribes of Israel), Joseph (approx. 1600BC, son of Jacob and Rachel, had a coat of many colours, sold into slavery by his brothers, went to Egypt to become chief administrator), Joshua (approx. 1200BC, led the Israelites into Canaan, the promised land, after the death of Moses), Jesse (approx. 1000 BC, farmer and sheep breeder in Bethlehem, father of King David), Jeremiah (6th Century BC, prophet writing at the time of the exile into Babylon), Joseph (1st Century, Jesus’ earthly father), Josiah (7th Century BC, reformer king of Judah, died in battle), Joanna (1st Century, wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, followed Jesus and provided for him.)
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ACROSS OUR DIOCESE
Free apps now give immediate access to the biblical text. There are services that provide Scripture in your email inbox daily and a number of excellent podcasts that can be used for breaking open Scripture as you drive. Perhaps you may wish to join a small group, or even start a new group.
Bibles through the Fr Harry Davis Estate, and is available to assist with implementing biblical formation courses and opportunities within your community.
Two recent initiatives in the Diocese
Please visit www.bbcatholic.org.au/bible or contact faith.formation@bbcatholic.org.au or Pina Bernard 8379 1627 or Tania Rimac 8379 1629 for more information.
Epping and Carlingford Parish ran Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible, an 8-week video course that tells the whole story of the Bible using an informative Bible timeline and workbook. One participant described his experience as follows:
New Subsidised Bible Offered Through the Fr Harry Davis Estate
“The combination of home bible reading and preparation; the excellent videos by Jeff Cavins and accompanying workbook; the great group discussions; and the warm and committed environment of parishioners made this a unique turning point in my life.” (Anthony O’Reilly)
The Lion Read & Know Bible Fr Harry Davis Estate Price $15.00 RRP $24.99
St Ives Parish offered The Big Picture, a 12-week course that explores the ‘big picture’ of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, by looking at selected key texts from the Scriptures and spending time daily prayerfully reflecting on them to deepen our understanding of the great story of our salvation in Jesus Christ. The Catholic Life and Faith Formation team offers parishioners and parishes of the Diocese subsidised
This hardcover edition features over 50 bible stories, retold in simple language, easy for young readers to engage with. Stories are accompanied by colourful illustrations. Ideal for ages 5-8. To order, please contact Tania Rimac, Catholic Life & Faith Formation team, at faith.formation@bbcatholic.org.au or 8379 1629.
LOCAL PEOPLE CARING FOR LOCAL FAMILIES Our team live, work and play in the Northern Beaches. We understand the local community and are here for you when you need us most. Whether it’s to plan an immediate funeral for a loved one or plan ahead for your own with a prepaid funeral, we’re here to help.
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annwilsonfunerals.com.au 15 /
FEBRUARY – APRIL 2020
BBN / FEBRUARY 2020
Office for Evangelisation Event Calendar February – April 2020
with ! Katie
Saturday Sessions
Fertility Awareness Education
Catholic Youth Broken Bay Praisefest
Saturday Sessions With Katie Fertility awareness education for single women, couples, and those wanting to know more. This session has updated information on natural fertility and how it is not only used for family planning but also used in combination with medicine to treat reproductive issues ranging from PMS and PCOS to infertility. Great for engaged couples.
Catholic Youth Broken Bay are hosting their first PRAISEFEST of the year! Whether you’re coming for an ACYF2019 reunion or just to be in a place to gather as young Catholics from across the Diocese, come and join us for an evening of fun, a free BBQ, fellowship, and experience energetic worship with a life-giving message. Date: Friday 20 March 2020 Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm Venue: MacKillop Catholic College, 91 Sparks Rd, Warnervale
Speaker: Katie Fullilove, FertilityCare Practitioner Date: Saturday 7 March 2020 Time: 10.30am – 11.30am Venue: Caroline Chisholm Centre, Building 2, 423 Pennant Hills Rd, Pennant Hills RSVP: Katie Fullilove katie.fullilove@bbcatholic.org.au
An Hour For My Beloved An hour of Adoration on the first Friday of every month devoted to praying for “your beloved”, be that your future, current, separated or deceased spouse. All marriages need prayer. Come and light a candle, write an intention and pray with us for your marriage and others. Date: Fridays 7 February, 6 March, 3 April 2020 Time: 8.00pm – 9.00pm Venue: St Agatha’s Church, 20 Boundary Rd, Pennant Hills
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2020 CCD Training and Formation Offerings Compulsory training for new catechists and helpers CCD Ministry Induction course is compulsory for all new catechists and those catechists returning to teach after an extended break from teaching. The CCD MI is also available to complete online, except for Teaching the Authorised Curriculum which is required to be completed ‘face to face’, along with Using the Interactive Smartboard. Please contact registrations for more details. Ph: 8379 1643 or Email: registrations@bbcatholic.org.au
BBN / FEBRUARY 2020
CCD Ministry Induction Course Units • The Mission and Ministry of the Catechist • SRE Teacher in the Parish and the School • Safeguarding and Child Protection • Lesson Planning: Teaching the Authorised Curriculum (must be completed face-to-face) • The Development of the Child and Adolescent I • Classroom Management: Positive Discipline • Introduction to the Bible • Using Interactive Whiteboard Resources (must be completed face-to-face) NORTH SHORE HORNSBY REGION Location: Caroline Chisholm Centre, Building 2, 423 Pennant Hills Road, Pennant Hills Morning Tea Provided, BYO Lunch Date: Friday 14, 21, 28, February & 6 March Time: 9:30am - 2:30pm Register by: Friday 7 February 2020 NORTHERN BEACHES REGION Location: St Kieran’s Parish Hall, King Street, Manly Vale Morning Tea Provided, BYO Lunch Date: Monday 17, 24 February & 2, 9 March Time: 9:30am - 2:30pm Register by: Monday 10 February CENTRAL COAST REGION Location: Leo Mahon Room, St John the Baptist, 54 Victoria Rd, Woy Woy Date: Friday 21, 28, February & 6, 13 March Morning Tea Provided, BYO Lunch Time: 9:30am - 2:30pm Register by: Friday 14 February 2020
Spirituality Morning CCD offers Reflection/Spirituality mornings for catechists and their friends. CENTRAL COAST REGION Location: St Cecilia’s Parish Hall, Byron Street, Wyong Date: Monday 16 March 2020 Time: 9:30am - 12:30pm Register by: Monday 9 March 2020 NORTH SHORE HORNSBY REGION Location: Caroline Chisholm Centre, Building 2, 423 Pennant Hills Road, Pennant Hills Date: Friday 3 April 2020 Time: 9:30am - 12:30pm Register by: Friday 27 March 2020
FEBRUARY – APRIL 2020
NORTHERN BEACHES REGION Location: Our Lady of Good Counsel, 11 Currie Road, Forestville Date: Monday 6 April 2020 Time: 9:30am - 12:30pm Register by: Monday 30 March 2020
CCD Level One Certificate: Tools for Ministry Consists of six, 2-hour units, and is complimentary to the CCDMI. The units offered are ‘tools for the CCD ministry’ presenting teaching strategies for the classroom. It is offered as additional training and is not compulsory. A certificate is awarded on successful completion of the CCDMI and Levels One. Units include:
• • • • • •
Teaching Strategies: Prayer in the Classroom Teaching Strategies: Listening and Questioning Teaching Strategies: Using Music in the Classroom Teaching Strategies: Miracles and Parables Teaching Strategies: Using Drama in the Classroom Teaching Strategies: Using Stories and Visual Resources
NORTH SHORE HORNSBY REGION Location: Caroline Chisholm Centre, Building 2, 423 Pennant Hills Road, Pennant Hills Morning Tea Provided, BYO Lunch Date: Friday 13, 20 & 27 March 2020 Time: 9:30am - 2:30pm Register by: Friday 6 March 2020 NORTHERN BEACHES REGION Location: St Kieran’s Parish Hall, King Street, Manly Vale Morning Tea Provided, BYO Lunch Date: Monday 16, 23 & 30 March 2020 Time: 9:30am - 2:30pm Register by: Monday 9 March 2020 CENTRAL COAST REGION Location: Leo Mahon Room, St John the Baptist, 54 Victoria Rd, Woy Woy Date: Friday 20 & 27 March & 3 April 2020 Morning Tea Provided, BYO Lunch Time: 9:30am - 2:30pm Register by: Friday 13 March 2020
CONFRATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE (CCD) REGISTRATIONS FOR ALL REGISTRATIONS AND TRAINING ENQUIRIES PLEASE PHONE: 8379 1643 OR EMAIL: REGISTRATIONS@BBCATHOLIC.ORG.AU
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EDUCATION
Skills for Life
BBN / FEBRUARY 2020
Girls Kicking Goals The first annual Girls AFL and Rugby Sevens Gala Day was held at the end of last year, with ten teams from secondary colleges across the Diocese competing. Five rugby teams started the day with a warm-up and basic skills training before they began their matches, while five AFL teams kicked off at EDSACC Oval (North) in Bateau Bay. Development officers representing each code provided support, training and referee services on the day. In the AFL Grand Final, the girls from St Joseph’s Catholic College, East Gosford narrowly defeated Mount St Benedict’s College, Pennant Hills by one point in a nail-biting game.
Secondary students from across the Diocese came together in friendly competition for both the WorldSkills regional final and the Battle of the Builder in Term 4 last year. The WorldSkills regional competition took place at St Peter’s Catholic College, Tuggerah where students prepared and cooked an entrée, main and dessert for four. Elliza Helm from St Peter’s took out the Gold Award on the day, with Kaitlin Foell and Eliza Ellis, both from MacKillop Catholic College, Warnervale, winning Silver and Bronze. The Battle of the Builder competition was held at MacKillop Catholic College, Warnervale, where teams of VET (Vocational Education and Training) Construction students from within the Diocese competed in levelling (a branch of surveying) and carpentry. In the levelling task, teams from each school used a dumpy level, (an optical surveying instrument) tripod and staff to determine the levels of a number of points around MacKillop’s grounds. The second session was held in the workshop, where students built an accurate and well-constructed mitre box. The winning team was from St Peter’s, with MacKillop taking out second place and the team from St Brigid’s Catholic College, Lake Munmorah winning third prize. “The students were a real credit to their schools and their engagement and performance on the day highlighted the excellent teaching and learning that is happening in the VET Construction classrooms,” said Phil Cox, the VET Co-ordinator at the Catholic Schools Office.
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St Peter’s Catholic College, Tuggerah took out the prize in the Rugby Sevens Grand Final against Stella Maris College, Manly on a try countback, in a game played in stormy conditions. Claudia Bell, the Rugby Development Officer – Women and Girls at NSW Rugby Union, said that the day showcased the positive values of the sport. “It displayed the capabilities and passion that girls have for Rugby Union, showcasing their skills and ease to pick up the game quite comfortably,” she said, praising “the abundance of smiles, laughter and willingness to seek coaching advice and feedback”. Arabella Hanger, a Year 8 student at St Joseph’s, said that by the end of the day everyone wanted to join a local team. “Lots of the girls had never played before and came out loving the game and wanting to play it more.”
BBN / FEBRUARY 2020
A Spiritual Pilgrimage
EDUCATION
Sports honours Thirty-six students from across the Diocese were honoured at the annual Catholic Primary Schools Sports Council Outstanding Sports Achievement Awards ceremony at the end of last year. The former Australian Kangaroos and NSW State of Origin Rugby League champion Craig Wing was the special guest speaker and shared his experiences as a child participating in sport. Craig congratulated the awardees on their achievements and said that the most important thing was to put their best effort into training as well as competitions, so they would always look back with satisfaction, regardless of the outcome of the game. Twenty-three students represented NSW at the School Sport Australia Championships this year.
The Aboriginal Education Team from the Catholic Schools Office held its spiritual pilgrimage to the Northern Territory towards the end of last year. Seventeen Aboriginal secondary students from across the Diocese flew to Darwin to visit the waterholes at Litchfield National Park, explore the Mindil Beach Sunset Market and see the jumping crocodiles at Kakadu National Park. While in Kakadu, the students visited sacred sites at Ubirr and Nourlangie Rock and learned about the rich, colourful history of Aboriginal traditional life, including the importance of ceremonies and connection to creation spirits. The group camped in Elsey National Park at the hot thermal pools, where they saw freshwater turtles, before travelling to Tennant Creek in Central Australia.
Cross country runner and athletics champion Sienna Scahill from St John the Baptist Catholic School, Woy Woy and cricketer Emily Horstead from Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic School, Forestville spoke on behalf of the students about the highlights of primary school sport. They recognised the support of their families and schools acknowledging that sport, like life, has many disappointments as well as celebrations; you have to be able to get back up, work harder and try again. Julie-ann Thompson, the Primary Sport Coordinator for the Diocese commented, “The annual Sports Awards are a great opportunity for the Broken Bay Community of Catholic Schools to celebrate the God-given talents of our students and their commitment to strive to be their best.”
The traditional owners, the Warumungu people, showed the group the region’s most famous landmark: the Devil’s Marbles, which they believe are the eggs of the Rainbow Serpent. The group then travelled to Alice Springs, where Aranda Aboriginal Community Elder, Uncle Norman Elders, gave them a tour of the local Aboriginal rock art site. The final campsite was the Ayers Rock Campground, where the group rose early to see the sun rise over Uluru. Taylah, a Year Ten student on the trip, said, “This was the trip of a lifetime I will never forget. We are now closer to our culture but also as a family and we formed a bond that is indescribable.”
Left to right: Lacey Cross, Sacred Heart Mona Vale, Beau Alexander, St Augustine’s College Brookvale and Sienna Thomas, St Brendan’s Lake Munmorah - all in the NSW Touch team, were presented their awards by Craig Wing.
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EDUCATION
BBN / FEBRUARY 2020
Catholic school students St Paul’s celebrates 90th Anniversary saving the planet Across the Diocese, schools have started simple initiatives to look after their local area and lessen their environmental impact. Schools set an environmental goal, and as each of these are met, the young leaders receive Environmental Achievement certificates to celebrate. St Agatha’s Catholic School, Pennant Hills created a Go Green Keep It Clean video in preparation for their school fete, an initiative which saved two skips of landfill compared to previous years. The children sold reusable cutlery sets made from families’ odd cutlery brought from home on their Sustainability Stall. St John the Apostle Catholic School, Narraweena and Sacred Heart Catholic School, Mona Vale both undertook waste audits which led them to identify small but effective changes to make. They are now diverting about 200kg of food waste per year from landfill through composting ‘Crunch and Sip’ waste. Last year, Holy Family Catholic School, Lindfield purchased two Vegepods (self-watering raised garden bed kits), compost and worm farms and now has a flourishing school veggie garden and composting system. A number of schools have begun Return and Earn, single use plastic recycling and Waste Free lunch days, while others have focused on developing habitat for local wildlife.
St Paul’s Catholic College, Manly celebrated its 90th anniversary on 19 October 2019 with over 150 old boys from graduating classes as far back as 1940 attending the celebration and launch of the new St Paul’s Honour Roll. Seven old boys were inducted to the inaugural Honour Roll which pays tribute to Old Boys from the College who have made a significant contribution to the world. The Acting Director of Schools, Dr Tony Bracken, attended the launch, as well as Br Tony Whelan, former Director of Schools and former principals Andy Martin and Mark Baker and former Assistant Principal Tony Gleeson. The attending Old Boys shared many stories and laughs over the afternoon and took the opportunity to visit familiar old areas of the College. For the Old Boys who were students at the Raglan Street site it was an opportunity for them to see how the school had changed since its move up the hill. 20 /
BBN / FEBRUARY 2020
EDUCATION
A hive of activity Channel 7’s breakfast program Sunrise, broadcast live from St Martin’s Catholic School, Davidson during December last year. Sunrise resident weatherman, Sam Mac, spent the morning with the students and Principal Adrian Pulley learning about St Martin’s new environmental initiative. The school received a Landcare grant from Woolworths which has seen the installation of a hive full of 5,000 native stingless bees. “We have such extensive grounds here and to be able to use our outdoor areas for lessons is such a blessing,” said Mr Pulley. “The children look after the garden, harvest the vegetables we grow and now they can learn about pollination and honey production by looking after the bees”. It’s an important concept that’s not lost on the students. Year 6 student Sam knows just how vital bees are for survival. “If we didn’t have bees then we wouldn’t have plants,” said Sam. “Then we wouldn’t have animals or food”. “I’m so proud of this community,” said Mr Pulley. “The students took the whole event in their stride and relished the opportunity for a new and different learning experience.”
Sam Mac was fascinated with the school’s facilities saying the new playground and thriving vegetable patch were a great initiative. “Learning in a practical way is amazing and to cap it all off, I can’t believe the name of the teacher responsible for looking after the bees - Mr Beefeld of course!” Though the Assistant Principal’s name is usually spelt Biefeld, St Martin’s are running with ‘Bee-feld’ for now!
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SCHOOL OPEN DAYS 2020
BBN / FEBRUARY 2020
School open days 2020 School Name
Suburb
Phone Number
Event
Date
Start
Finish
CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS St Patrick’s
Asquith
9477 3800
Open Morning
Tuesday 31 March
9am
10.30am
Maria Regina
Avalon
9918 2608
Open Morning
Tuesday 2 June
9am
10:30am
St Cecilia’s
Balgowlah
9948 5370
Open Morning
Tuesday 17 March
9.15 am
11am
St Bernard’s
Berowra Heights
9456 2104
Open Day
Tuesday 5 May
9am
11am
St Gerard’s
Carlingford
9871 1633
Open Day
Wednesday 11 March
9.15am
11am
Wednesday 4 March
9am 6:30pm
10.30am 7.30pm
Our Lady of Dolours
Chatswood
9419 2645
Open Morning Open Evening
St Rose
Collaroy Plateau
9982 1467
Open Day
Thursday 14 May
9.30am
11am
St Martin’s
Davidson
9452 2022
Celebration of Learning Open Day
Friday 20 March
9am
10.30am
St Kevin’s
Dee Why
9971 1644
Open Day/Open Evening
Tuesday 10 March
9.15am 7pm
11am 8.00pm
St Patrick’s
East Gosford
4325 1159
Kinder 2021 Information Session
Thursday 26 March
9am School Tours, 9.30am Information Session
10am
Our Lady Help of Christians
Epping
9868 3322
Our Lady of Good Counsel
Forestville
9972 7311
Open Day
Wednesday 4 March & Wednesday 13 May
9.30am 6pm
11am 7pm
St John the Baptist
Freshwater
9939 6699
Open Day / Evening
Tuesday 10 March
9.30am 6.30pm
10.30am 7.30pm
Holy Cross
Kincumber
4369 6638
Open Day
Monday 6 May
9.15am 6pm
11am 7pm
St Brendan’s
Lake Munmorah
4358 1501
Open Morning / Evening
Tuesday 24 March
9.00am 5.30pm
10.15am 6.30pm
Holy Family
Lindfield
9416 7200
Open Day / Evening
Tuesday 10 March
9.15am 6pm
10.30am 7pm
St Mary’s
Manly
9977 2225
School Tours
Monday 2 - Friday 6 March
9.15am
11am
Please see school website for details
St Kieran’s
Manly Vale
9949 3523
Open Day
Tuesday 24 March
9.15am
11am
Sacred Heart
Mona Vale
9999 3264
Open Morning
Thursday 30 April
9.15am
11am
St John the Apostle
Naraweena
9971 9297
Open Day
Tuesday 31st March
9.15am 6.30pm
10.45am 8pm
St Joseph’s
Narrabeen
9913 3766
Open Morning
Tuesday 17 March
9.15am
10.15am
St. Philip Neri
Northbridge
9958 7136
Open Morning
Wednesday 4 March
9.15am
10.30am
St Agatha’s
Pennant Hills
9484 7200
Expo
Tuesday 10 March
9.30am
10.30 am
Sacred Heart
Pymble
9440 8056
Open Morning
Friday 20 March
9.15am
10.30am
Corpus Christi
St Ives
9988 3135
Open Day
Friday 13 March
9am
11a.m
Our Lady Star of the Sea
Terrigal
4365 6229
Open Evening
Tuesday 24 March
6pm
8pm
Our Lady of the Rosary
The Entrance
4332 5594
Open Day / Evening
Thursday 26 March
9.30am 6.30pm
11am 7.30pm
St Mary’s
Toukley
4396 5100
Information Evening
Monday 23 March
7pm
8.30pm
Tuesday 3 May
10am 7.30pm
11am 8.30pm
St John Fisher
Tumbi Umbi
4388 5800
Open Morning / Evening
Prouille
Wahroonga
9489 3233
Open Morning
Friday 20 March
9am
10.30am
Our Lady of the Rosary
Waitara
9489 7000
Open Morning
Tuesday 10 March
9.30am
11am
MacKillop
Warnervale
4392 9399
Open Afternoon Showcase
Wednesday 11 March
4pm
6pm
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BBN / FEBRUARY 2020
SCHOOL OPEN DAYS 2020
School open days 2020 School Name
Suburb
Phone Number
Event
Date
Start
Finish
CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS Our Lady of Perpetual Succour
West Pymble
9498 6060
Open day / School Tours
Monday 2 March
8.30am
St Thomas’
Willoughby
9958 7308
Open Day School Tours
Tuesday 10, Wednesday 11 & Thursday 12 March
Every half hour from 9.30 - midday
St John the Baptist
Woy Woy
4341 0884
Information Evening
Thursday 2 April
7pm
8pm
Under 6 Fun Morning and School Tours
Friday 3 April
9.30am
10.30am
Twilight Open School
Friday 6 March
4.30pm
7pm
Information Evening
Tuesday 17 March
7pm
8pm
Under 6 Fun Morning
Wednesday 18 March
9.15am
10.45am
Information Night Kinder / Fun Morning
Tuesday 31 March & Wednesday 1 April
7pm 9.15am
8pm 10.30am
Our Lady of the Rosary
St Cecilia’s
Wyoming
4324 6641
Wyong
4353 2922
11.30am
CATHOLIC SECONDARY COLLEGES Mercy
Chatswood
9419 2890
Open Day
Sunday 1 March
11am
2pm
St Joseph’s
East Gosford
4324 4022
Open Afternoon
Monday 2 March
3.45pm
7pm
St Brigid’s
Lake Munmorah
4358 4278
Open Afternoon
Tuesday 3 March
5pm
7pm
St Paul’s
Manly
9977 5111
Open Evening
Wednesday 26 February
4pm
7pm
St Peter’s
Tuggerah
4352 9816
Open Evening
Monday 9 March
3.30pm
6pm
St Leo’s
Wahroonga
9487 3555
Open Day & Expo
Tuesday 10 March
4pm
7pm
MacKillop
Warnervale
4392 9399
Open Afternoon Showcase
Wednesday 11 March
4pm
6pm
Mater Maria
Warriewood
9997 7044
Open Day
Wednesday 4 March
4pm
7pm
ALIA’S AUSTR EST LARG OF ER RETAIL LISED A I SPEC OOL SCH RMS UNIFO RETAIL ON-CAMPUS SHOP WHOLESALE ONLINE
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE PHONE 1300 1 LOWES OR EMAIL: schoolwearenquiries@lowes.com.au * Each year, one scholarship up to the value of $5000 will be awarded to every secondary school (for a year 12 student) to which Lowes is the official Schoolwear supplier.
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BBN / FEBRUARY 2020
Filipino community launch of Simbang Gabi By Roslyn Rajasingam
The ‘Simbang Gabi’ (literally translated as Night Mass) is usually celebrated at Dawn for nine consecutive days in anticipation of Christmas. It is a tradition of the Filipinos that dates back to 1669 during the Spanish rule. Almost all the parishes in the Philippines celebrate the ‘Simbang Gabi’ which is also now celebrated in many parishes around the world where Filipinos have migrated to. The homilies help the Mass attendees to reflect on their lives as they spiritually prepare for Christmas.
the Pastoral Leadership Team from the different deaneries in Broken Bay, collaborated and decided to highlight the liturgical celebrations with a joyful launch of the ‘Simbang Gabi’ in different parishes specifically the Dawn masses at Our Lady of Dolours in Chatswood and Vigil masses at St Kevin’s in Dee Why.
Another Filipino tradition is the paról, a colourful star-shaped lantern which Filipinos create to adorn their homes. It was appropriate then that Matthew 2:10: “When they saw the STAR, they were overjoyed” became the theme for the Launch of Christmas Novena Masses.
Weeks before the Launch, young people went to the Cathedral’s Nulty Room on Saturdays to create paper and bamboo Christmas star lanterns or to adorn the glass walls of the Cathedral on launch night. The Dean of the Cathedral was quite happy with their creations and requested that these lanterns be left hanging until the Feast of the Epiphany. The other paper paról creations were to be used to decorate the Light of Christ Centre during the fellowship evening.
This year, inspired by the Pastoral Coordinator, Deacon Roberto Corpuz,
The grand combined Filipino choir, composed of choir members from
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different deaneries, immediately scheduled their practices and chose the relevant Filipino hymns. The Launch included a concelebrated Mass with Bishop Anthony Randazzo as the main celebrant, assisted by other priests and deacons of the Diocese. It was held at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral in Waitara on 14 December 2019, followed by a Christmas party at The Light of Christ Centre.
BBN / FEBRUARY 2020
In his homily, Bishop Randazzo mentioned that the “Filipino Community is steadily carrying the light for others to come to the Divine Saviour.” He also said that “the paról is a wonderful design that symbolises the victory of light over darkness.” He went on to say that “ultimately, the paról is a sign and symbol of Christ, who is our light and our salvation.”
“become the light so that others will come to know the Lord.” He encouraged everyone to take their paról home but not to allow the light to remain there. Instead, each one should “become the light so that others will come to know the Lord.” The launch had several elements. These included: • The “Panunuluyan,” a Pantomime of Mary and Joseph searching for an Inn; • Holy Mass with the Readings and Prayers in Filipino dialects and Hymns in Filipino; • The grand combined choir from all deaneries; • Blessing of the Deanery representatives holding their “paról”; • Blessing of a mother-and-son carving;
ACROSS OUR DIOCESE
• ”Parol” competition; • “Kakanin” (Filipino delicacies) competition; • Over a hundred raffle prizes; • Kids carols; • Fellowship; • And, of course, Filipino food (with Lechon, whole roast pig!)
The Cathedral was decorated with several small paról and members of the Filipino community brought along their home-made paról to add to the decorations outside the Cathedral.
The Light of Christ Centre stage was decorated with a large lighted manger and several colourful paról. A large cloth, where people could write their own meaning of Christmas, was also provided. Around 500 people joined in the celebrations. Bishop Randazzo emboldened and cheered on the hearts of the Filipinos in attendance to go out and “be the paróls of our Diocese!”
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NEWS AND ISSUES
BBN / FEBRUARY 2020
Ashleigh Donnelly named to new Vatican advisory group Young People that the recommendation came for an international advisory group to be established. When she received the invitation to be a member of that group, Ashleigh went through a range of emotions.
Broken Bay’s Ashleigh Donnelly (nee Green) will represent young Australian Catholics on the Church’s new International Youth Advisory Body, which the Holy See has just established. Ashleigh, who was the Australian delegate at preparatory meetings for the Synod of Bishops on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment, said that experience was a transformative one for her as a Catholic. “Some of the young people I met challenged me to look at my faith as a gift and not just something to be taken for granted,” she said. “I mixed with young people from countries where Christians are persecuted, where they have to flee their countries in order to practise their faith. I met one young person from Syria who, for years, travelled from country to country as a refugee, and said that the Church was her only home. “I was challenged not only to appreciate my faith but to consider how a young refugee would feel if they turned up at my parish. I was challenged to ask myself: ‘If a young refugee came to my parish, would they experience welcome?’” It was from that Synod of Bishops on 26 /
“At first I was just shocked. Then came the excitement. And then an overwhelming feeling of responsibility,” she explained. “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would be given such a platform in the Church. I am committed to using it well – not for my benefit, but for the young people of Oceania and beyond.” Ashleigh works for CatholicCare, the social welfare agency of the Archdiocese of Sydney. The 28-yearold said that work will also significantly shape the way she represents her fellow Catholics. “I will continue to make a case for a Church that engages young people who are disconnected and marginalised,” she said. “We now have the wisdom of Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation Christus Vivit to draw upon, which speaks to the dignity of all young people, but particularly young people who are hurt and suffering. “One of the key themes of Christus Vivit is ‘accompaniment’ and I am committed to building a Church that is more about relationship and less about a one-size-fits-all approach.” Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green OSPPE, the Bishop Delegate for Youth, said Ashleigh will be a strong voice for young Australians
and young Catholics across the world. “Ashleigh has been someone who has represented herself, as a young Catholic woman, and represented the Church in Australia with great distinction as we all prepared for the Youth Synod,” he said. “Our Church in this country is blessed to have such fine young people and Ashleigh will be able to take her wisdom to the universal Church through this group, but also bring wisdom back to us to help grow the Kingdom of God here.” The first meeting of the International Youth Advisory Board will take place in April. Ashleigh said “in the spirit of a true Millennial”, she will be sharing her experience using social media, multimedia and blogs.
“This appointment isn’t about me. It is about the young people of Australia and I’ll do whatever I can to share this journey with as many people as possible.”
BBN / FEBRUARY 2020
ACROSS OUR DIOCESE
Parishes partnering with CatholicCare in Broken Bay the need is great.” “We are planning to provide disability services, our services for seniors, clinical/allied health consultative services, counselling and mediation services, and some of our parenting programs.”
CatholicCare Broken Bay plays a vital role in helping those in need in our communities. CatholicCare provides people with hope for a brighter future, especially those who have lost, or are at risk of losing hope.
Skulski had some space available to rent on the premises, and approached parishioner Paul Hussein, who is a member of the CatholicCare Advisory Board, to ask if CatholicCare could use the space.
The support they receive from the community is vital to keep their important work going, and recently our parishes in Broken Bay have thrown their support behind CatholicCare in innovative ways.
“I am so glad that he thought of us,” said Lyn Ainsworth, Executive Director of CatholicCare Broken Bay. “It is great to be connected into the Parish community. It has provided us with an opportunity to extend our reach for those in need of our services and it has pushed us to develop a more innovative model. Meanwhile, it raises awareness and provides an income stream for the Parish.”
Terrigal Parish recently took a great initiative to raise more money for CatholicCare’s Shout a Mate a Plate campaign (www.shoutamateaplate.org.au), for Mary Mac’s Place at Woy Woy. On one weekend in September, they set up a table outside the church with a tablecloth on it, an empty plate and knife and fork and information on the Shout a Mate a Plate appeal. Their aim was to raise enough money to buy 300 plates for Mary Mac’s. They raised enough for 405 plates (over $2,400) in one weekend and are committed to helping Mary Mac’s become a regular part of their Parish fundraising. One couple, who were intending to go out for lunch after Mass, decided to give the money they would have spent on lunch to the appeal, as they felt that it would do more for Mary Mac’s. At Gosford Parish, Parish Priest Fr Greg
The flexible, multi-purpose hub will provide access to a range of services which will evolve with demand, but replicate CatholicCare services offered in other parts of the Diocese. “This new arrangement will provide us an opportunity to extend access to support for those in need across the lower Central Coast,” said. “We know
Lindfield-Killara Parish has been partnering through Woods Cottage, a group home for adults with intellectual disabilities, for many years. CatholicCare provide the support services for Woods Cottage, which continues as a community project of the Parish. The Woods Cottage Trust Board remains responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the property. It is another wonderful example of the partnership between parishes and CatholicCare. If you would like to support the work of CatholicCare, there are many ways to do so. Firstly, if you know someone who may be in need, please refer them to CatholicCare. Secondly, if you are a member of a Parish Social Justice Committee and would like to talk about how you can collaborate, CatholicCare would love to hear from you. Lastly, if you are part of a Parish that has access to residential or other property that may be useful for CatholicCare programs, they are keen to understand what resources there may be across the Diocese that could be purposed for temporary supported accommodation, domestic violence, disability accommodation or transition programs for young people who have been in residential out of home care placements due to family breakdown. Call Phillipine Santineer at CatholicCare 02 9481 2600 or visit www.catholiccaredbb.org.au 27 /
BBN / FEBRUARY 2020
All abilities celebrated at the Mass of Inclusion By Colleen Smith
The 9:30am Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Waitara on Sunday 1 December 2019, was a wonderful example of welcome, as Bishop Anthony Randazzo presided over the Annual Diocesan Mass of Inclusion. Hornsby parishioners were joined by people of all abilities, families and carers from around the Diocese. This year the name of the Mass was changed from ‘The Mass for People with Special Needs’ to the ‘Mass of 28 /
Inclusion’ to recognise that not all disabilities are visible and to embrace the Diocese’s Safeguarding message of creating communities of safety and care.
coming or our Lord, Jesus Christ. It is also an opportunity to encourage a truly pastoral view that embraces our total community as the living Body of Christ.
Each year the Mass is celebrated, where possible, on the date closest to 3 December in recognition of International Day of People with Disability. This is an appropriate time for us to all observe and celebrate as we prepare during the Advent season for the
The key to inclusiveness in Mass and other ministries is to identify what a person can do, where their talents lie and how they might best participate in various liturgical roles. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2018 there were
BBN / FEBRUARY 2020
ACROSS OUR DIOCESE
4.4 million Australians with disability, that is 17.7 per cent of the Australian population. Every person, no matter their ability, is a member of the Body of Christ and it is our responsibility to ]ensure that we develop a culture where we foster active and full participation in the Liturgy and properly respond to the spiritual needs of all the faithful.
towards an inclusive Christ filled community where we are one in the Spirit. Following Mass, everyone gathered in the courtyard to share in light refreshments and to meet and chat with Bishop Anthony who was very engaging with all those he met and happily participated in the many photo opportunities that arose.
“It is wonderful to see so many involved, sharing their abilities.”
I was grateful, also, to have had the opportunity to chat with many of the families there and am glad to be able to share some of their positive comments about the Mass.
Many of our parishes continue to work towards highlighting the gifts and talents of people with disability by developing inclusive liturgies and by identifying ways to increase involvement of people with disabilities, their families and support carers in Mass, parish ministries and parish social occasions.
“Thank you for this Mass. We need to focus on the abilities not the disabilities. Giving these people opportunities shows us that they have so much to offer.”
The Annual Mass of Inclusion is a link to developing this culture of inclusiveness in all our parishes, enabling parishioners and people across the Diocese to come together in an uplifting and moving celebration of the Eucharist. This allows us to move
“It’s wonderful to see that the Church practices inclusivity.” “Great Mass! We are all made in the image and likeness of God. Love that the Mass includes all.”
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A great big thank you to the many volunteers who assisted on the day, in particular the readers, Jacob, Jonas, Ali and Michael and the students from St Edmund’s who participated in the offertory procession. An acknowledgement, also, to the team from CatholicCare for their involvement and support.
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BBN / FEBRUARY 2020
Project Compassion: go further together in 2020 In the Philippines, Caritas Australia and its partners are working to improve outcomes for Indigenous minorities through improved access to education, employment and healthcare. Shirley, 36, is a Manide Indigenous woman living in the remote Camarines Norte province in the Philippines. She is the mother of four and the family’s sole breadwinner, as her husband is sick. But Shirley was struggling to support the whole family and keep her children in school. Indigenous minorities in the Philippines face regular discrimination and disadvantage, which limits their access to education, employment and healthcare. Despite being a middleincome country, around 2.8 million children do not go to school. Unequal access to health services impacts Indigenous children and family’s access to basic medical care. Preventable diseases such as tuberculosis, dengue fever and measles are common in Manide communities, and there is a high maternal and newborn mortality.
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With the support of Caritas Australia, Shirley trained to become an Indigenous health worker and her life has transformed. In partnership with the Socio Pastoral Action Centre Foundation Inc (SPACFI), this program strengthens the capacity of Indigenous people to lead lives of dignity, grow in self-esteem and attain sustainable livelihoods. Shirley is now leading her community to take a stand against discrimination, improve health and education, and pave the way for a better future. She recently took over her father’s role as tribal chieftain and represents her people on the Municipal Health Board. Not only has she improved her own life, she is leading her community to create change for future generations. “I became the voice of my tribe to have their needs heard,” Shirley says. “As a trained health worker, I am confident to talk, to mingle with nonIndigenous people, even with government employees.” Shirley says though there’s a way to go
before improved employment opportunities and reduced discrimination for the Manide tribe, together they’ll get there. “I am proud of what I’ve done for my tribe,” said Shirley. “My dream is to be able to provide for my kids and have them finish their studies… I am so happy and grateful for all the help of Caritas Australia. I hope and pray to continue their assistance, particularly to the needs of Indigenous people.” Your support is life-saving for people experiencing poverty and oppression. Please help more people like Shirley gain confidence and respect within their community and help improve the conditions of Indigenous people’s around the world. Please donate generously today. Let’s Go Further, Together. To donate to Project Compassion visit Caritas Australia’s website, www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion or call 1800 024 413.
BBN / FEBRUARY 2020
NEWS AND ISSUES
on his way back. Usually this parable is used to talk about loving your neighbours; but out of love comes servitude.
To serve and to love By Catherine Day For the last 12 months I have been working in the NSW Government as part of the graduate program. I’ve worked across two departments and I’ve been part of major projects that have benefited the wider community. When applying for the graduate position, I was asked why I wanted to join the Government. My answer was simple: to serve. I have had some long days; days where the work wasn’t exciting and glamorous; days where all I was doing was running around like a headless chook but, the one thing that inspired every day has been the knowledge that what I’m doing is having a positive impact on someone’s life. We all have different vocations. Some of us are called to be priests and nuns; some are to marry and have children; others to stay single. Whatever it is God calls us to do, there is one thing all vocations have in common: to serve. To serve the people around you is humbling. To serve is to willingly put your needs and desires aside to help those around you. The Bible and history is full of people who served. Think of the Good Samaritan; while others walked around and ignored the injured man – in fear that it would reflect badly on them – the Samaritan took the man to the nearest inn, paid for him to be treated and paid whatever was owed
To love is to say to someone ‘it’s good you are here. It’s good you’re in my life.’ To love is to willingly give yourself over to the other. It is an almost impossible thing to love everyone because there is only so much of yourself you can give. But if we love God, truly love Him with our hearts and minds, it then becomes an easy task to love and serve those around us - because we no longer are selfish in our love. It is in loving God that we learn to be selfless, we learn the true value and dignity of every single person, we learn to forgive; to walk away from pain and hate. It is in loving God that we open ourselves to the true beauty of life. To love is to serve and to serve is to love. Of course servitude doesn’t have to be grand gestures; it’s in the small things that love comes through. Cutting the lawn for your grandparents, visiting sick friends and family, volunteering in a soup kitchen, cooking a special meal for your husband or wife, being a shoulder to cry on, or even doing an activity someone wants to do but you know you won’t necessarily like it, are just some ways to tell a person you love them.
...servitude doesn’t have to be grand gestures; it’s in the small things that love comes through. I get so much joy out of serving - not only in my work but also with helping my family. The joy I get isn’t something I chase. I don’t spend time figuring out what will give me the most joy because then it would be selfish, and that would
defeat the purpose. The joy I get comes out of seeing how my actions have positively impacted the person or people I’m helping. The joy I get comes out of seeing the other experiencing love. There is a difference between this kind of love and romantic love. Romantic love, if not grounded in truth, if it doesn’t have a strong foundation, can be fleeting. It’s why so many people are unhappy. They use love for selfish reasons. They see the other as fulfilling a need, a requirement, and the moment the other no longer fulfils that need, they are ready to leave. However, if love is guided by God’s love - that is selfless, humble and willing to fully give to the other - the moment the romance is no longer there, the couple will remain together. They will understand that the other is important; the other is not a pawn to be used temporarily. But more than that, they will understand that love is still there because they will be serving each other. This is something that plays out perfectly in intimate relationships. One of the reasons we are told to wait until marriage is because it protects both people from being used for selfish reasons. In the context of marriage, you are freely giving to each other and not seeing the other as someone who will momentarily satisfy you. They are someone whose hopes and desires become your own and you are willing to put their happiness above yours. In the end, no matter how you look at it, to love and to serve goes hand in hand. They are foundation blocks for us to live a good and happy life. When we serve, we show those around us that they are important, that they are cared for and that they are loved.
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8379 1631 katie.fullilove@bbcatholic.org.au
2020
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