INCLUDING +BISHOP MCKENNA’S PASTORAL LETTER: ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM
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OUR COVER
‘The Birth of Jesus’ Blair, Year 5
St Joseph’s Primary School, Portland
“Ahead of them, went the star that they had seen in the East. How important must this star have been, shining high in the night sky, telling all of the good news of the birth of Christ? Shining so bright, guiding the shepherds and the Magi to the special place where the Saviour lay in a manger. How wonderful it would have been to see it in all its glory. My artwork, acrylic paint on canvas, is a somewhat abstract depiction of The Visit of the Magi. The Magi have yet to arrive, they are somewhere off in the distance being guided by the bright star to where Jesus lay. The stable is represented as a simple yet strong structure of heavy supporting beams protecting the infant as he lay in the manger. I have painted a bright luminous glow coming from Jesus that has lit up the inside of the stable. The glow shows that Jesus is truly holy and blessed. The immensity of the star draws the viewer’s eye straight to the manger, the focal point of my painting. The background of my painting was deliberately painted quite dark to show the barren night sky of the desert landscape.”
Bishop’s Christmas Message
Pope’s New Encyclical
Diocese Welcomes Two New Priests
Rise Youth Festival
Rise: What’s On in 2025
Support the Bishop’s Christmas Appeal
Diocese Welcomes New Prison Chaplain
Rosario’s and Natalia’s Year of Mission
Priests Gather at Wallerawang
SRE Catechists Awarded Papal Blessings
CDF: 60 Years in Bathurst Diocese
The Closure of Perthville: A Reflection
Take a Pilgrimage during Jubilee Year
Vale Bishop Kevin Manning
Bible Formation Sessions
CentreCare’s HIPPY Programs
CentreCare’s Relationship Programs
CentreCare’s Commitment to Flood Recovery
CentreCare’s Family Dispute Resolution
Diocese Observes Safeguarding Sunday
Shalom House of Prayer Turns 50
Youth Opportunities in the Diocese
Iconography Classes in Carcoar
+Bishop McKenna’s Pastoral Letter: One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism
Obituaries
Orange and Dubbo: Parish Events in 2024
Gilgandra Parish Celebrates 50 Years
Alpha Expands Across the Diocese
Australian Catholic Youth Festival 2025
Vocations Reflection Day
CEDB Executive Director’s Message
Catholic Education: 200 Years Young
Reconciliation Week Mass
CEDB Team Wins Awards
Upgrades For Schools
Christmas Story Art Competition
Diocesan Sport
St John’s Baradine: 100 Years of Learning
Easter Art Awards
Spelling Bee 2024
Christmas Mass Times
BISHOP’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
Helpless but not hopeless
Dear Friends in Christ,
At Christmas, we look to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. The name of the town means “house of bread (food)”. This has great significance for us who believe that Jesus is the bread come down from heaven: for the life of the world. An important detail in Luke’s account of the Nativity is that, after he was born, Jesus was placed in a manger. “Manger” is an old word, no longer in common use, which means feeding trough. From the outset, Jesus is presented as the living bread offered for those who desire to live with God forever.
As our gaze turns to Bethlehem, we grieve for the present reality of the land where the Son of God took his first human breath. The words I wrote earlier this year, at Easter, are still sadly true: “Violence has begotten more violence; and ordinary and defenceless people are being ground up in the unforgiving wheels of history, politics and the arms trade.”
We may feel helpless, but let’s not give in to hopelessness. The true message of Christmas is that a light has shone into our darkened world. God has entered our world to redeem it from within. Each one of us can say yes to this hope every time we say yes to the acts of forgiveness, reconciliation and love that we can decide to do. And we can find the strength to keep doing that when we come to Mass, and are nourished by the living bread who is our Saviour.
+Michael McKenna Bishop of Bathurst
Bishop’s Christmas Art Award Winner
Hunter, Yr 6, St Joseph’s Primary School, Molong
“My artwork captures the Journey to Bethlehem and was inspired by Aboriginal dot painting, a style deeply meaningful to me and rooted in my ancestral heritage. The stark black and white path vividly illustrates the challenging journey of Mary and Joseph, with white representing new beginnings and the promise of hope.
The background features intricately painted mountains, symbolising the immense obstacles and the length of their travels. Above, a radiant sun illuminates the sky, acting as a guiding light and a beacon of hope for Mary and Joseph. The use of Aboriginal symbols on Mary, Joseph, and the donkey, highlights their journey and resting places along the way.
My artwork reflects the resilience and faith essential to reaching Bethlehem, celebrating the spiritual and physical endurance required for this sacred journey.”
Hunter’s winning entry ‘The Journey of New Beginnings’.
Bishop Michael McKenna with Hunter.
WE ALL NEED TO OPEN OURSELVES TO CHRIST’S INFINITE LOVE: POPE FRANCIS
A world that has become “heartless” and indifferent to greed and war, and a Church in need of revitalising its missionary joy must open themselves up to Christ’s infinite love, Pope Francis says in his new encyclical.
By contemplating Jesus’ Sacred Heart, the faithful can be filled with the “living water that can heal the hurt we have caused, strengthen our ability to love and serve others, and inspire us to journey together toward a just, solidary and fraternal world,” the Pope wrote in his encyclical, Dilexit nos (‘He loved us’): on the Human and Divine Love of the Heart of Jesus Christ.
The Vatican released the 28,000-word text in October 2024.
While it is the Pope’s fourth encyclical, he wrote that it is meant to be understood in tandem with his previous two encyclicals, Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home, and Fratelli Tutti, on Fraternity and Social Friendship.
“The present document can help us see that the teaching of the social encyclicals … is not unrelated to our encounter with the love of Jesus Christ,” he wrote.
“For it is by drinking of that same love that we become capable of forging bonds of fraternity, of recognising the dignity of each human being, and of working together to care for our common home.”
The encyclical includes numerous reflections from the Bible, previous magisterial texts and the writings of saints and his fellow Jesuits to re-propose the centuries-old devotion to the whole Church.
“In the deepest fibre of our being, we were made to love and to be loved,” the Pope wrote.
The Oceania delegation attending the Synod second assembly in Rome, with Pope Francis. Image: Courtesy synod.va/Langarica
However, he wrote, “when we witness the outbreak of new wars, with the complicity, tolerance or indifference of other countries, or petty power struggles over partisan interests, we may be tempted to conclude that our world is losing its heart.”
“It is heartbreaking,” he wrote, to see elderly women, who should be enjoying their golden years, experiencing the anguish, fear and outrage of war.
“To see these elderly women weep, and not feel that this is something intolerable, is a sign of a world that has grown heartless.”
“The most decisive question we can ask is, ‘Do I have a heart?’“, the Pope wrote.
Source: CNS
DIOCESE WELCOMES TWO NEW PRIESTS
On Friday April 12, at the Cathedral of St Michael and St John, Bishop Michael McKenna ordained Cong Van Hoang and Duong Van Ha to the priesthood.
Fr Cong and Fr Duong were born in Vietnam, in towns which are part of the Diocese of Vinh. They travelled to Bathurst eight years ago as potential seminarians and are now amongst us as priests for the people of God of the Diocese of Bathurst.
The Cathedral was overflowing with family and friends, parishioners, clergy, religious and seminarians, from across the Diocese and further afield.
Particularly among them were the parents of Fr Cong
and Fr Duong and many family members of the newly ordained who travelled from Vietnam to share in this special moment.
Bishop McKenna, in introductory remarks, reminded all of the strong links between the Dioceses of Bathurst and Vinh, Vietnam.
In the homily, the Bishop reminded the newly ordained to “be representative of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, passing on the forgiveness and the promise of a new life to those they minister to and serve in their ministry”.
At the conclusion of the Mass, Fr Cong shared a note of thanks on behalf of himself and Fr Duong. In both English and Vietnamese, Fr Cong praised and thanked God for many blessings, particularly the gift of the priesthood. He also thanked all the people who prayed, supported and walked with them in this vocational journey and formation.
In particular, he gave thanks and gratitude to the people of the Diocese of Bathurst for welcoming, accepting, and supporting them during the past eight years since they arrived in the Diocese.
He especially thanked their families. Fr Cong said, “Thank you for your constant support, your prayer and
encouragement in difficulties, but most of all, thank you for your unwavering love, sacrifice and faith.”
The two new priests are continuing their ministry where they have been serving as deacons. Fr Cong is an Assistant Priest in Mudgee, and Fr Duong is an Assistant Priest in Orange.
Fr Nam Van Le Vocations Director
Fr Cong and Fr Duong with Bishop McKenna.
Frs Cong and Duong with some of their family and Bishop McKenna.
RISE YOUTH FESTIVAL: FAITH, FRIENDSHIP AND FUN
The RISE Youth Festival has become an eagerly anticipated annual gathering, drawing together young people from parishes and schools across the Bathurst Diocese. This year’s event did not disappoint: it was filled with engaging activities, deep moments of encounter with God, the Church and each other.
Among the highlights of the event were the Thursday night activities, which included a Reconciliation Evening, and the annual presentation of works that the various groups collaborated on during the day. This set the tone for the entire event.
“Seeing all the kids from different schools come together was truly inspiring,” said one participant. The atmosphere was electric as everyone eagerly participated, creating a real sense of joy and laughter amongst old friends and new.
A major theme of RISE was connecting through faith. “RISE gave me an opportunity to meet new people through connecting via our faith,” shared one participant. Another highlight for attendees was meeting the Youth Ministers who work in our schools and the fantastic musicians.
This connection was further deepened through the activities and discussions. “I enjoyed the small-group activities and really getting to know the people in my group through the liturgical dancing,” another participant noted.
The workshops, covering topics such as ‘Eras Tour’ and social media, were both informative and engaging. “The workshops were really insightful and fun,” said one attendee. Another said they “felt inspired”.
Seeing everyone getting involved and having a laugh was a joy to behold. The small groups, led by the RISEN team, fostered meaningful discussions.
“The small groups were great for building connections and sharing experiences,” said one participant.
The sports option and various other activities ensured there was something for everyone.
RISE also offered times for reflection. “I enjoyed the quieter times of reflection which allowed me to reflect on my relationship with God,” said one participant.
The overall impact on their faith was profound. “I think that RISE has really helped my faith to grow because it has allowed me to see the strong faith that is still prevalent in youth today and has allowed me to be a part of a kind, loving and accepting faith community.”
The opportunity to make new friends and meet new people was a common theme throughout the event. The sense of camaraderie and fellowship was palpable, with everyone eager to build lasting connections.
The Adoration and Reconciliation night was a profoundly moving experience for many, old and young. “The Adoration/Reconciliation night was incredible,” one participant said. This sentiment was echoed by others who found the night to be deeply spiritual and transformative.
Overall, RISE in the Diocese of Bathurst was a remarkable experience that brought together young people in faith, friendship and fun. The event’s success builds on the work of previous years and is a testament to the hard work of schools and parishes to support our young people to attend. We thank them for their ongoing work and support of RISE.
Due to the success and energy of this year’s event, RISE Youth Ministry is offering the chance to register for 2025 now to lock in the 2024 rate.
For more information, contact youth@bathurst.catholic.org.au
If you’re interested in registering, please scan the QR code.
JOIN RISE YOUTH MINISTRY AND BE PART OF SOMETHING BIG!
Hey students! Looking for a place to connect with friends, dive into your faith and have an awesome time? The RISE Youth Ministry in the Diocese of Bathurst has you covered with some epic events coming up. Check out what’s in store:
RISEN (Years 10-12) – April 11-13, 2025: Head out for a weekend retreat in Carcoar that wraps up at Bathurst’s Cathedral. It’s an amazing chance to grow in your faith and build leadership skills!
RISE Youth Festival (Years 6-12) – July 9-11, 2025: If you’re in Years 6-12, this one’s for you! Packed with games, music, and small-group challenges, it’s a festival experience you won’t forget.
Ignite Conference – July 10 -13 (Sydney): Join other young people for worship, workshops and loads of fun in Sydney in 2025.
Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) – November 28 to December 1, 2025 (Melbourne): Stay tuned for ACYF, which gathers young Catholics from across Australia for an unforgettable experience of faith, connection and inspiration!
Don’t miss out on these chances to grow in faith and meet amazing people. Grab your spot at RISE Youth Ministry. Let’s make this year unforgettable!
For more information, go to bathurst.catholic.org.au/rise-youth-ministry/
HELP BUILD A FUTURE: SUPPORT THE BISHOP’S CHRISTMAS APPEAL
Meet Verongo, a dedicated teacher on the island of Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu. Each day, Verongo works tirelessly in a simple UNICEF tent with a dirt floor, teaching children whose lives were uprooted after volcanic eruptions forced their families to flee from neighbouring islands. Her students learn in overcrowded, makeshift shelters, yet their dreams for a brighter future remain alive.
For the past six years, the Diocese of Bathurst has fostered a strong partnership with the Diocese of Port Vila, supporting initiatives that strengthen both educational and community foundations. This relationship has led to meaningful projects, from improved financial stewardship to providing young people from Port Vila the opportunity to attend World Youth Day.
Now, Bishop Michael McKenna, in collaboration with Bishop John Bosco Baremes SM of Port Vila, has pledged to focus the Bishop’s Christmas Appeal on constructing cyclone-resistant classrooms.
Bishop Bosco is eager to offer these children and their families a safe, stable place to learn – a crucial step towards restoring a sense of normalcy and hope.
By supporting the Bishop’s Christmas Appeal, you can help make Bishop Bosco’s vision a reality for Verongo’s students. This Christmas, please consider a donation. Together, we can provide children with a place to learn and build a future they deserve.
All donations to the Bishop’s
Appeal are Tax Deductible
SCAN THE QR CODE TO SUPPORT THE BISHOP’S CHRISTMAS APPEAL >>>
Diocese welcomes new prison chaplain
We are delighted to welcome Jude Besterwitch to the Correctional Services Chaplaincy team in the Bathurst Diocese.
Jude has already begun to make a remarkable impact on those he ministers with and to.
Jude joins a dedicated team of chaplains: Fran, Sr Virginia, and Sarkis, who minister in Bathurst, Lithgow, and Macquarie Correctional Centre respectively. Together, they provide pastoral care, support, and a sense of hope to individuals during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. Their work is truly a ministry of mercy, embodying our faith in action within the justice system.
In addition, Fr Tony and Deacon Mike continue to support our chaplains as Sessional chaplains across the Diocese, offering their guidance and reinforcing the ministry’s commitment to those in need.
If you feel called to learn more about becoming a Correctional Services Chaplain, please reach out to any of our chaplains, or contact Deacon Josh on 0458 261 513. We invite you to join in our prayerful support for this vital ministry and the lives it touches across our Diocese.
The makeshift classroom on the Island of Espiritu Santo where Verongo teaches.
Christmas
Bishop McKenna with Corrective Services Chaplains Fran, Sr Virginia, Sarkis and Jude.
ROSARIO’S AND NATALIA’S YEAR OF MISSION
Since February 17, 2024, Rosario and Natalia, missionaries from DeoQuest, have been living and working in the Diocese of Bathurst, experiencing the beauty of Australia, meeting the welcoming Catholic community, and supporting various initiatives throughout the Diocese. Their year has been filled with meaningful encounters and impactful service.
Rosario, from Honduras, says that this experience “has been an answered prayer in my life.
“I’ve always wanted to go on a mission and what a blessing it has been to do it here in Bathurst. It has been a once in a lifetime opportunity not only to serve God but also the faithful community here that is fervently looking for him. I’ve been inspired by the amazing work that they do with a lot of faith and trust in God; reminding me that we are called to be missionaries from wherever we are.”
Natalia, from the Dominican Republic, says that her time in Bathurst has been a time of great growth, in her personal, professional and, above all, spiritual life.
Priests Gather at Wallerawang
A couple of times a year all the priests of the Diocese gather for professional development, a chance to share and support each other and also to discuss with Bishop McKenna the overall pastoral care of the Diocese.
This year we gathered at Wallerawang from September 2 to 4. We used a process similar to that used by the Australian Plenary Council and the Synod in Rome. This process engages the participants in deep listening and prayer. We shared what is good in our current pastoral assignments and what are the challenges; we then repeated the process for the Diocese.
It was a great chance for the priests and for the Bishop to hear and respond to where the Spirit is moving, and where we are being called to take new steps.
“I’m grateful for the wonderful people I have met and how much I have learned from them. I’ve felt very welcome, cared for and loved by the community. God’s unexpected plan for me has proved once again to be infinitely better than my own.”
This past year, Rosario and Natalia have been working with different initiatives linked to young Catholics across the Diocese of Bathurst, such as the university chaplaincy and various youth groups in different parishes. Their efforts have been aimed at connecting Catholic students with parish groups and activities.
They’ve helped to coordinate a young adult group in Bathurst, providing a space for prayer, fellowship and fun, and they’ve started to explore ways in which they can replicate this in other parishes across the Diocese.
Rosario and Natalia have also contributed to large diocesan events, including RISEN Youth Formation, the RISE Youth Festival, and accompanied the students that went to Ignite Youth Festival in Sydney.
In Catholic schools, they have helped with retreats, shared personal testimonies and facilitated small-group discussions, helping students deepen their faith. They are also supporting teachers and Religious Education Coordinators to enrich their retreats and reflection days by using the DeoQuest resources.
“We have encountered friendly and committed priests, sisters and lay people who do not take their faith for granted, and who have been open to support the different initiatives we have presented to them, which has been a real blessing”, the missionaries said.
We also met with Rosario and Natalia, the DeoQuest Missionaries, who have been working with youth groups mostly in the parishes of Bathurst and Orange. We discussed their experience of the Diocese and talked about possibilities in youth ministry and outreach to the peripheries of our Diocese. Other topics covered included, protocols for the clergy and some long and hard sessions on the financial side of our Diocese. As always, the communal sharing and time together was really valuable, as we seek the way forward under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Our next time together was at our annual retreat from November 21 to 26.
Fr Greg Kennedy EV
Missionaries with DeoQuest Rosario and Natalia have been working with young people in the Diocese this year.
PAPAL BLESSINGS AWARDED TO EXTRAORDINARY SRE CATECHISTS
Bishop Michael McKenna presented six of our extraordinary SRE Catechists with a Papal Blessing on November 3. Two more where unable to attend. Each of these wonderful people has taught Special Religious Education in the Diocese of Bathurst for 30 years or more.
Nicole Johnstone Brenac is celebrating 56 years of service as an SRE Catechist in the Parish of Dubbo, and previously in Sydney.
Frances Hansen is celebrating 46 years of service in the Parish of Blayney at Carcoar Public School, and previously in Orange.
Lynette Frecklington is celebrating 42 years in the Parish of Orange at Cudal Public School.
Bernadette Sheehy is celebrating 41 years in the Parish of Cowra, teaching at Mulyan and Cowra Public Schools.
Rosemarie Sciuto is celebrating 40 years in the Parish of Orange, and previously in Sydney.
“You are the light of the world…. Let your light shine before others, So that they may see your good works, And give glory to Your Father in Heaven.”
Mt 5: 14-16
Denise Basha is celebrating 32 years in the Parish of Bathurst, teaching at Kelso Public School.
Jann Whitty is celebrating 31 years in the Parish of Cowra, teaching at Mulyan and Cowra Public Schools.
Norman Dowton is celebrating 30 years in the Parish of Dubbo.
Unfortunately, Frances and Nicole were unable to be present on the day so will be presented with their Papal blessing in their own parishes at a later date.
Following Mass, a lunch was hosted by Bishop McKenna at Matthew Quinn House.
Friends and family of these much-loved SRE Catechists were in attendance to help them to celebrate on this special and joyful occasion.
We give thanks to God for these generous people and ask that many blessings be bestowed upon them for sharing their gift of faith with God’s little ones.
Bishop McKenna with some of the SRE Catechists who received a Papal Blessing in 2024.
CATHOLIC DEVELOPMENT FUND: 60 YEARS IN THE DIOCESE
Since its founding in 1956, the Catholic Development Fund (CDF) has become a pillar of support for parishes and schools across Australia, rooted in a mission to build financial stability for generations. Established by Fr James Wall as the Schools Provident Fund, the CDF began as a grassroots initiative in Melbourne, empowering parishes to invest in each other. This cooperative model helped Catholic communities fund and build schools and parish facilities, meeting the needs of growing communities.
In 1964, the Diocese of Bathurst launched its own CDF branch under Bishop Thomas’ leadership. The fund became essential for providing loans to parishes, schools, and presbyteries, uniting the Catholic community in a mission of growth and support. Parishioners invested funds, creating a self-sustaining model that benefited local projects and empowered Diocesan growth.
Today, with deposits exceeding $180 million, the CDF continues this legacy, financing Diocesan needs including school construction, church restoration and pastoral initiatives. Parishioners who invest in the CDF enjoy returns that often surpass traditional bank offerings, while knowing that their funds support vital projects across the Diocese. Every dollar reinvested contributes to the growth, vitality and spiritual health of 17 parishes, building a sustainable future for generations to come.
As the CDF celebrates its 60th anniversary, it has embarked on a Diocesan journey, sharing its history and inviting parishioners to invest in their parishes’ future. Join us in celebrating this legacy of faith and communitybuilding.
How will you support the future of our community?
Consider investing in the CDF to directly contribute to the needs of our parishes, schools and Diocesan projects. Together, let’s strengthen the foundations laid over 60 years for the next generations to come.
For more information: Call us on 02 6334 6400, or email cdf@cdfbathurst.org.au
In 2024 the CDF has visited every parish to celebrate its 60th birthday. Coffee and cake was given to all.
THE CLOSURE OF ST JOSEPH’S PERTHVILLE –A REFLECTION BY MARY COMER RSJ
I received the news of the closure of the ministry at St Joseph’s Perthville and the marketing of the site with deep sadness, although with some awareness of the inevitability of this happening. On reflection, I was filled with appreciation and deep gratitude to the people of the Diocese of Bathurst and beyond who have supported and partnered with the Sisters over the 152 years that they have been here.
Perthville is the first foundation made by Fr Julian Woods and St Mary MacKillop in NSW. The Sisters are mindful of the importance of this site as a founding Josephite community and the place from which the Diocesan Josephites of Whanganui, Goulburn, Lochinvar and Tasmania were founded. Both St Mary MacKillop and Fr Julian Tenison Woods stayed at Perthville on separate occasions in its early times.
The site has been significant not only for the Sisters, but also for the women who were boarders here. It has been an important hub for those whose parishes were served by the Sisters, those who enjoyed retreat and conference experiences, for parishioners, staff, volunteers, friends and families of the Sisters – all of whom have been part of its life and culture for decades.
present to provide education and to serve the people in small communities, they depended largely on the generosity and support of the very people they served. They depended on them for food, transport, maintenance of buildings, advice… and many of their daily needs. The Sisters shared in the joys and sorrows of communities, at the same time providing hospitality and support to the many priests alongside whom they served. What resulted was the growth of a ‘diocesan family’, for which we were, and are, forever grateful.
The arrival of Bishop Thomas in the mid1960s brought changes to the Sisters’ living conditions. Stipends for the Sisters’ living expenses were introduced and cars became available for transport. There were more opportunities for further education and lay teachers were introduced into the school system. At the same time changes in education introduced by the Wyndham Report brought about the need to ‘let go’ the educational component of St Joseph’s College at Perthville as well as some of the smaller secondary schools. This led to greater cooperation with the Sisters of Mercy to develop the Diocesan Catholic Girls’ High School, now MacKillop College, Bathurst.
For the many boarders over the years, Perthville was a place of varying experiences. For some it was a home, for some a place of solace and belonging, for some a source of loneliness. For many it has been a place of companionship, and a flourishing of lifelong friendships, of a growth of independence and an absorption of a value system that has inspired them throughout their lives and across generations.
For approximately the first 90 years of the Sisters of St Joseph Congregation’s existence, when the Sisters were
More lay teachers in the schools enabled the Sisters from Perthville to expand their ministries to adult faith education, youth ministry, catechetics in state schools, prison ministry, parish ministry, counselling, family support, and university lecturing.
Over the last few decades, many societal changes have resulted in fewer religious vocations being taken up, at least in local congregations… and so we are faced with ever decreasing numbers of Sisters.
On reading sections of Church history there are many examples of the birth of religious congregations which
Buildings on the Perthville site.
The Perthville Chapel.
began and conducted specific ministries, flourished and eventually died out because the need for that time was met or passed on to others to continue the work.
It is somewhat sad and confronting to be part of a similar moment in history, but with the numbers of Sisters progressively declining this is what must be faced.
At the same time we have an appreciation of being part of this era, of the history of the Diocese of Bathurst where Sisters came, ministered in harsh circumstances and lived in a manner that religious in this country hadn’t lived before. They chose to be close to the people in isolated places to educate and sow seeds of faith, as well as modelling the possibility of rural religious life.
Many of us were given amazing opportunities… and have given others a similar experience. Many have been able to move out of a poverty trap, empowered by education that would have been denied them.
Amidst the reflection on many memories and the facing of current realities we are starkly reminded of Mary MacKillop’s words “We are but travellers here...” along with some of the wise statements in The Oscar Romero Prayer…
“We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work…we plant the seeds that one day will grow.”
And we are acutely aware of the words of Pope Francis –that we are not dealing with an era of change, but rather “a change of era” when more than ever, evangelisation and
lived faith is the mission of us all – lay people as well as the few remaining local religious and clergy.
It is hoped that whoever purchases the Perthville site will continue a goal of helping others and hold precious the history and heritage contained in it.
Mary Comer rsj
A bust of St Mary MacKillop, at Perthville.
The grounds at Perthville.
JOIN OUR JUBILEE PILGRIMAGE TO ITALY
A Holy Year is the most exciting and grace-filled time for pilgrims to visit a place such as Rome. During this year there will be many moments of pilgrimage, including wellknown rites such as the Opening of the Holy Door in St Peter’s Basilica, Rome, which is only open during a Jubilee Year, as well as Holy Doors in the three major basilicas of Rome: the Archbasilica of St John Lateran, St Paul Outside the Walls and St Mary Major. The first door to be opened is the door at St Peter’s Basilica. The other doors will be opened in the following days and remain open until the end of the Jubilee, when they are once again ceremonially walled up.
Taking advantage of this rare opportunity, the Diocese of Bathurst is organising a pilgrimage to Italy to celebrate the Jubilee. A highlight of the experience will be a walking pilgrimage from the town of Assisi to Rome, and participation in the Jubilee of Youth. The inspiration for the location of the pilgrimage walk is Bishop McKenna’s Pastoral Letter, ‘Rebuild my Church’ written in 2012.
The route from Assisi to Rome is often referred to as the “Via di Francesco” or the “Way of St Francis.” This route traces the journey that St Francis of Assisi made from his birthplace in Assisi to Rome, where he met with Pope Innocent III and received approval for his religious order. It is significant for those following in the footsteps of St Francis and seeking a spiritual journey through the lovely landscapes of central Italy. While in Assisi, we will visit important sites connected to St Francis and also the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis. Carlo, who died of leukaemia in 2006 at the age of 15, was inspired by St Francis of Assisi in his love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
Along the Via di Francesco pilgrimage route, pilgrims typically stay in a variety of accommodation ranging from simple hostels to hotels and guesthouses.
For more information contact Deacon Josh Clayton: M: 0458 261 513
E: mrd@bathurst.catholic.org.au
20 NIGHTS/21 DAYS
DEPARTURE FROM SYDNEY: 14 JULY 2025
ARRIVAL IN ROME: 15 JULY
RETURN TO AUSTRALIA: 4 AUGUST
EXPECTED PILGRIMAGE PRICE:
BETWEEN $5,000 - $6,000
The Basilica of St Francis of Assisi, Italy. Image: Shutterstock
REMEMBERING BISHOP KEVIN MANNING
The Diocese of Bathurst mourns the passing of Bishop Emeritus Kevin Manning, who died on 15 July 2024, aged 90.
From 1962 to 1978, he served as a priest of the Diocese of Bathurst. In 1978, he was appointed Assistant Secretary to the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference in Canberra for five years, and then as Secretary from 1983 to 1991.
In 1991, Bishop Manning was appointed the eighth Bishop of Armidale, NSW, where he served until his appointment as Bishop of Parramatta.
Bishop Manning was appointed as the second Bishop of Parramatta on 10 July 1997, and was installed at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, on 21 August 1997. He served as Bishop for over 12 years until his retirement on 4 March 2010. During this time he led the young diocese during a period of rapid growth as more migrants and people chose to live in the western suburbs and Blue Mountains.
Bishop Manning was well-known and well-loved by many in the diocese and across Australia. During his time as Bishop of Parramatta, he raised the new St Patrick’s Cathedral, after the disastrous fire of 1996 that burnt down the old one, and was renowned for his outreach to the marginalised and the poor. He worked tirelessly campaigning and advocating for justice for workers, First Nations people, migrants and refugees, women and children and the growing youth population in the Diocese.
He was the first bishop to reach out to the Muslim community in Western Sydney, building relationships based on mutual respect, and continued this interfaith and ecumenical work with other Christian communities and faiths.
His legacy and work continued after his retirement, with his appointment as Apostolic Administrator of the WilcanniaForbes Diocese in 2010 until 2012. Bishop Manning was the epitome of a Good Shepherd. He was a dutiful and humble servant full of compassion, humour and a love for the Church.
Source: Diocese of Parramatta
Deepening Our Understanding of Scripture: A Journey with Dr Emmanuel Nathan
The recent Bible Formation sessions with Dr Emmanuel Nathan offered participants across the Diocese of Bathurst an incredible opportunity to deepen their understanding of Scripture, bringing fresh insights and inspiration to all who attended. Dr Nathan, a respected theologian and academic, guided us through an exploration of the scriptures, illuminating the Bible as not only a historical text but as a living document that speaks directly to our faith, questions, and daily lives.
This Bible Formation is part of our Diocese’s ongoing mission to make the Word of God accessible and meaningful to all, developing a greater love and awareness of the place of scripture in the lives of all Christians. We extend thanks to Dr Emmanuel Nathan for his guidance and wisdom, and to everyone who participated, making these session so successful.
Bishop Kevin Manning, who died in July, spent 16 years as a priest in the Bathurst Diocese.
HIPPY PROGRAMS GIVE KIDS THE BEST START
HIPPY is a free home-based early learning play-based program that empowers parents, carers, grandparents and children alike. HIPPY is provided for three-year-olds for the two years before starting big school.
HIPPY helps build parents’ skills and confidence as their child’s first teacher. HIPPY supports parents to complete learning activities which are designed to give children the confidence to start school and develop a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.
Each HIPPY program is staffed by a qualified coordinator and a team of tutors. Tutors are usually parents also doing HIPPY at the same HIPPY site as the parents they support. Tutors are paid employees and receive training and support from the coordinator. Becoming a tutor offers parents a pathway to training and employment and fosters community leadership.
HIPPY Dubbo
Dubbo is growing rapidly and there are many more young families moving there from the cities. Many are culturally and linguistically diverse families who speak Arabic, French, Urdu, Hindi and many other languages. Some families move to Dubbo as a condition of their visa and end up staying.
Overview from the recent Dubbo visit by the HIPPY Site Advisor:
“During my visit I joined a gathering where we all enjoyed play, craft and activities outside in the garden. It was great seeing ‘role play’ transformed into ‘doing’, with parent and tutor having so much fun together. Thank you to the tutors, Katie and Nicole, for taking me out on visits and sharing their HIPPY practice with me. I could clearly see their efforts in delivering HIPPY in flexible ways, being curious about the HIPPY child’s experience and an interest in reflecting on their own practice. I was very impressed in seeing the ‘Fun Fizz’ activity in action in the kitchen at one of Katie’s mums and how the ‘doing of the activity’ added so much fun to the experience.”
If you would like further information on the HIPPY Program, or the other early childhood and community programs that Centacare delivers within the Diocese, please call Centacare on (02) 6331 8944 or email reception@centacarebathurst.com.au
Centacare is committed to helping couples build strong, lasting relationships with our specialised relationship education programs. Designed for couples preparing for marriage, our programs offer valuable insights and practical tools to support lifelong partnerships. Couples can choose between two programs: the one-day group experience “To Us”, or the personalised “Prepare Enrich” program tailored for individual couples.
We provide flexible delivery options to suit busy schedules, with in-person sessions available in Dubbo, Bathurst and Orange, or via Zoom from anywhere.
The “To Us” program offers a supportive and interactive group setting. This relationship education program covers essential topics such as communication, conflict management, problem-solving, decision-making and family influences. With a focus on fostering healthy, lasting partnerships, “To Us” equips couples with the tools and insights needed to build a strong foundation for their future together.
The “Prepare Enrich” program offers a personalised, oneon-one experience. Each partner completes a detailed questionnaire helping them gain deeper insights into their unique relationship dynamics. Rooted in relationship education, “Prepare Enrich” encourages couples to explore key areas of their partnership, fostering open communication and mutual understanding about the aspects that matter most in their relationship.
Both programs are grounded in evidence-based research, combining expert guidance with interactive activities to explore key aspects of marriage and relationships.
Our professional facilitators help couples reflect on their bond, strengthen communication, and build essential relationship skills.
If you would like further information on Centacare’s relationship programs, please call Centacare on (02) 6331 8944, or email reception@centacarebathurst.com.au
COMMITMENT TO FLOOD RECOVERY
Project Compassion launch
Ash Wednesday on March 2nd marked the official launch of Project Compassion 2022, Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten appeal, which runs for the six weeks of Lent.
With thanks to the generous contributions from the Bishop’s Flood Appeal in 2022, Centacare extended direct support to flood-affected communities, delivering muchneeded assistance to those affected by the devasting flood events in the small towns of Eugowra and Cudal. In late 2023, Centacare secured a 12-month grant from the NSW State Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) under the NGO Flood Recovery Program. This funding allowed Centacare to continue the invaluable support it has been providing since November 2022.
Project Compassion is one of Australia’s longest running fundraising campaigns and has been a long-standing Lenten fixture in parishes across Australia with its iconic donation boxes. Over the past 57 years, Australians have raised millions of dollars for marginalised communities worldwide. Caritas Australia helps over 1.8 million people in Australia and overseas every year - walking hand-inhand with those in crisis.
The entire Centacare team has been involved, both on the ground and behind the scenes, in supporting floodaffected communities. In early December 2023, the team hit the road for their first outreach effort, joining Rural Aid’s Christmas get-together at the Eugowra Showground. Led by Centacare’s Director, Robert George, the team— Counsellor Delia, Group Programs Facilitator Ann-Maree, Finance Officer Leanne, and Community Wellbeing Program Manager Louise—set up a festive family Christmas photo booth.
Caritas Australia engages with parishes and schools throughout the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst, from Lithgow to Dubbo to Quambone and everywhere in between. On Shrove Tuesday, a day to reflect and prepare for Ash Wednesday and Lent, Bishop Michael McKenna launched the Diocesan Project Compassion appeal at St Mary’s Catholic School, Wellington with students, staff and parish community in attendance. “The students’ understanding of the need to raise money to contribute to the benefit of others, mostly children their own age in less fortunate circumstances, is evident. Their plans for cake stalls and chicken noodle lunch fundraisers, which they run themselves, are Project Compassion staples” says Bishop Michael. We look forward to hearing the stories of their success.
Melinda, Centacare’s Manager of Clinical Services, leads a team of clinicians who provide counselling in traditional office settings to individuals, families, and children. However, as Melinda explains, the shift to bringing support directly into the heart of flood-affected communities was a profound change. “Members of the Clinical Services Team took on a very different approach to the way we would typically complete therapeutic intervention. Rather than seeing clients in an office space, we travelled to Eugowra to meet with individuals and families to offer support and financial assistance.
You can find out more about Project Compassion and how Caritas Australia helps people from all over the word at www.lent.caritas.org.au
As clinicians, meeting with people in their home environment was a privilege and not something we take for granted. It allowed us to connect to people in a meaningful way and share closely in their experience. We
Christine Sweeney
Littlebourne St, Kelso (02) 6331 1833
‘We
have been touched by the warmth and the willingness of people to share their journey with us.”
Centacare partnered with CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes, the Red Cross, Salvation Army Rural Chaplains, the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program, and the Reconstruction Authority. At events in Canowindra and Eugowra, Centacare partnered with Creative Community Concepts and Homestart, providing not only therapeutic support but also distributing warm clothing to residents. Our counsellor Dan and Homestart’s Kirstin, were present to offer comfort and practical help, creating safe spaces for people to heal and rebuild.
As Centacare concluded the outreach efforts in September 2024, it was clear that the bonds formed within the communities will leave a lasting impact.
From Louise Hennessy, Project Coordinator:
“To wrap up our outreach work out in these communities I could only say how deeply moved and privileged we have been to be welcomed into their homes and hearts. I personally will never be able to make the trip to either Eugowra or Cudal in the same way, knowing the kindness, courage and gratitude these communities have. We are blessed to have been able to support them”.
SUPPORTING FAMILIES IN DISPUTE
Separation is often a challenging time for families, particularly when children are involved. At Centacare, we provide support through the dispute resolution process, helping families access support networks and create parenting plans that offer certainty for the future.
One important aspect of our service is child inclusive practice, where the safe participation of children is encouraged. This approach allows parents to gain deeper insights and make more informed decisions regarding their parenting arrangements.
Additionally, Centacare offers a property settlement service, designed to assist former couples, family members, or others in dispute to reach agreements on dividing assets, liabilities, and financial resources. Our dispute resolution practitioners help navigate this process, exploring options to achieve tailored outcomes that suit all parties.
In the workplace, our mediation services focus on fostering open communication, resolving conflicts, and enhancing working relationships.
Centacare is proud to be approved by the Federal Attorney General’s Department to provide family dispute resolution under the Family Law Act, providing these services in a number of locations throughout the Diocese.
If you would like further information, please call (02) 6331 8944 or email reception@centacarebathurst.com.au
Did you know that the Combined Catholic Uniform Pool has quality second hand items available?
• All MacKillop College uniform items
• All Stannies school uniform items
• Shirts, trousers and blouses for Scots All Saints
• Alteration and repair service
• All Bathurst Catholic primary school items
NEW School Uniforms for all Bathurst schools
& La Salle Lithgow are available from Marietta’s Uniforms 231-233 George St Bathurst 2795 Phone 6331 1078
Easy Parking - near the cinema
SAFEGUARDING: CREATING A SAFE AND NURTURING CHURCH
On the second Sunday of September, the Catholic Church in Australia observes Safeguarding Sunday, a day dedicated to acknowledging the profound harm caused by the sexual abuse of children and adults at risk within Catholic contexts. This year that fell on September 8. Formerly known as Child Protection Sunday, this important day marks the conclusion of National Child Protection Week and underscores the Church’s unwavering commitment to fostering safe environments for all people.
Safeguarding Sunday is a time for the church to reflect on the immense damage inflicted by abuse, whether perpetrated by priests, religious, or lay people. It is also a time for the community to come together in prayer, offering support and healing for those who have been directly or indirectly harmed by such atrocities.
In recognising Safeguarding Sunday, the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst joins the broader church in Australia in reaffirming its dedication to practices and protocols that prioritise the safety and well-being of every individual.
For those seeking further information on the church’s response to child sexual abuse, additional resources are available on the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference website www.catholic.au/s/. This page includes details on reporting allegations, the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards, and the various national organisations responsible for safeguarding and child protection.
The Diocese of Bathurst has further information here: bathurst.catholic.org.au/safe-church-awareness/
The Diocese is undertaking new initiatives to ensure the ongoing safety of children and vulnerable persons leading into 2025.
A new Safeguarding Advisory Panel has been established by the Bishop to provide advice on professional standards and safeguarding. In all decisions and deliberations of the Advisory Panel, the best interests of children, young and vulnerable people will be the paramount consideration.
The panel consists of members from all agencies within the Diocese, clergy, and parishioners who have expertise and experience in matters relating to children and vulnerable people. The panel will meet regularly and consider initiatives to build on the work done to date with the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards established by Australian Catholic Standards Limited (ACSL) to support the principles for child-safe organisations recommended in 2017 by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
In early 2025, the Diocese will undertake an audit on safeguarding conducted by an accredited ACSL Auditor to ensure that the extensive work undertaken to date regarding safeguarding is elevated, and continuous improvement is evident in line with the standards.
Let us all commit ourselves to creating a church that is a safe and nurturing environment for everyone, especially the most vulnerable among us. Let us pray for the healing of those who have been harmed and for the strength to continue building a future where such tragedies are never repeated.
Shalom House of Prayer: a place of hope for 50 years
This year, 2024, marks the 50th anniversary of Shalom House of Prayer, located in Carcoar, NSW. Founded in 1974 by Neville and Helen Bowers, Shalom was born from a profound vision to create a space for people to come together, renew their relationship with God and deepen their spiritual lives. Since its inception, Shalom has served as a retreat centre dedicated to prayer, reflection and community service.
To commemorate this milestone, a special series of celebrations were planned for December 8. The day began with Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael McKenna, followed by a shared meal where participants can connect and enjoy the chance to share stories as well as make new ones. Additional community activities will be organised, offering everyone an opportunity to reflect on the legacy
of Shalom and its impact over the past five decades.
The anniversary is a celebration of the vision of its founders and the place Shalom has had in the life of our Diocese as well as the countless people whose lives have been touched by this sacred space. All are welcome to join in the celebrations and give thanks for Shalom House of Prayer as it continues to offer a place of peace and spiritual renewal for all.
YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES IN THE BATHURST DIOCESE: EXCITING TIMES AHEAD!
The Diocese of Bathurst offers a range of fantastic opportunities for young people to connect, grow in their faith, and make lifelong friends. Across our parishes, youth groups and activities are thriving. Here’s a quick look at what’s happening in youth ministry throughout the Diocese and how you can get involved!
Bathurst:
A Hub for Youth Connections
In Bathurst, young people can connect through the Young Adults Group, Youth Group, and Bible Study sessions, all providing a welcoming space for faith, fun, and friendship. Interested? Reach out to Bathurst Parish at (02) 6331 3066 for more info.
Orange:
Faith and Fun in Motion
Orange Parish is engaging young people with Youth Outreach events and Monthly Soccer games - a fantastic way to give back and stay active. To learn more or join, contact Orange Parish at (02) 6362 2378.
Mudgee: Building a Youth Community
Mudgee’s Youth Group meets regularly, bringing young people together for lively gatherings filled with fun and faith. Call Mudgee Parish at (02) 6372 2122 to get involved.
Dubbo:
Young Adults Group Coming Soon
Dubbo is excited to launch a Young Adults Group soon, offering a supportive space for young adults to connect, share their faith, and make lasting friendships. For more info, reach out to Dubbo Parish at (02) 6882 4233.
Oberon: Youth Group for Young People
Oberon Parish has also joined in with a Youth Group, offering a fun environment where young people can connect, grow in faith, and be part of the community. Get involved by contacting Oberon Parish at (02) 6336 1022.
And More...
These local groups are just the beginning. With events like RISEN Retreat, RISE Youth Festival, and IGNITE Conference on the horizon, there are even more ways for young people to explore their faith and leadership.
For any young person looking to deepen their faith, make friends, and get involved, now is the perfect time. Contact your parish today and be part of something truly special in the Bathurst Diocese!
Beginner iconography class
Mary Clancy is an iconographer living in Carcoar. Her work is in our Cathedral and in many dioceses around the world.
In 2025 Mary is offering a course of two classes for those interested in learning this ancient art form. The classes will be running in the meeting room at St James’ Church in Blayney, on Saturdays February 8 and 22, from 9.30 am until 3.30pm.
Contact Mary on mjlclancy@gmail.com or 0401 753 243
These classes are a work of St James’ Parish Blayney and are open to anyone.
The cost will be $75 per session plus $60 for board, practice board, pigments and brushes. We will complete a small icon of the Mother of God using egg tempera and gold leaf. You will also learn about the symbolism in Byzantine icons and later Christian art.
A PASTORAL LETTER TO GOD’S PEOPLE OF THE DIOCESE OF BATHURST
ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM
CHRISTIAN UNITY FOR A TORN AND TATTERED WORLD
Dear Friends in Christ,
In this letter, I want to offer a word of encouragement and gratitude to all of you who pray and work for unity in the Church, whether in large or small ways. I also want to offer a word of instruction, in fidelity to Catholic doctrine, for those who may be confused about, apathetic or even resistant to this vital activity.
The title of the letter comes from chapter 4 of St Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, written from prison. I invite you to read the chapter in full, to take in the gentleness and strength with which he urges us to move from the imperfect unity we experience now to the fullness of unity in Christ.
Speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love (vv. 15-16).
I will be talking about our Catholic commitment to seeking full and visible communion between churches and communities who already belong to the Body of Christ, but are currently institutionally separated from one another.
At the same time, it is important to remember that, even within denominations, even at the parish level, our human frailty can bring divisions which also need to be reconciled in truth and love.
The Dialogue of Mutual Conversion
The two great blockages on the road to Christian unity are, at one extreme, mutual suspicion and hostility; and, at the other, complacency. We have to begin by recognising that attitudes of distrust and of refusing to recognise one another’s ecclesial gifts come from a painful history.
The visible sign of unity is when we can share in the Eucharist together. Each celebration of Mass connects us back in time to the Last Supper and Calvary; and forward to the Marriage Feast of the Lamb. One of the many images of the Church used in Vatican II is the Bride of Christ. Towards the end of the Book of Revelation, the concluding book of the Christian Bible, we read:
Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready (Rev 19:7)…I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband (21:2).
Over a millennium later, in 1170 to be exact, the Doctor of the Church St Hildegard had a similar revelation:
I had a vision of a woman of such beauty that the human mind is unable to comprehend. She stretched in height from earth to heaven. Her face shone with exceeding brightness and her gaze was fixed on heaven…
Then, this vision goes on to show the Church, not only as she will become, but as she is now:
But her face was stained with dust, her robe was ripped down the right side, her cloak had lost its sheen of beauty and her shoes were dirty... And I heard a voice from heaven which said: ‘This image represents the Church’.
(letter to Werner von Kirchheim)
Hildegard wrote about this in a letter to a community of priests, as part of her work to warn the clergy against seeking pleasure, wealth and power, by which some were corrupting and dividing the Church.
However, it is not only those entrusted with the sacred ministry who have the opportunity to foster selfishness and division. In the first century, St James alerted all Christians to this danger:
Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? … you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. (James 4:1-2)
We can read in the Gospels several instances of jealousy and rivalry among the Apostles. And, in the epistles and the Acts of the Apostles, it is clear that there were disputes over doctrine and practice in the first generation of Christians. Some of these were at the local level; others went to the top, such as the arguments between Peter and Paul.
As membership of the Church grew, and Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, it all became larger and more complex. The task of judging new ideas according to their fidelity to the preaching of the Apostles began to be enmeshed in the wider social and political realities of the time.
This has continued through the centuries; and the entanglement of doctrinal disputes in local and
Bishop McKenna, left, with other Christian leaders at St Mary’s Cathedral for the awarding of an Honorary Doctorate to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
international rivalries, as well as love of riches, has led Christians to imprison, torture and kill one another. The memory of these wounds and scars inflicted by our forebears remains; and contrition for them is the beginning of reconciliation for us today.
The painstaking work of honest dialogue is carried on at global and regional levels by church leaders, theologians and scripture scholars. Inevitably, the various international and national dialogues are sometimes misunderstood as negotiations: “if you give up this, we’ll give up that”. However, these projects should truly be seen as dialogues: in which each side seeks to understand more thoroughly the beliefs and ideas of the other; and in doing so comes to clarify and even deepen its own position; and, God
willing, move together towards new-found expressions of truth.
What the Second Vatican Council’s decree on ecumenism called the impulse of God’s grace gently and insistently pushes us forward. In his major encyclical three decades ago, Ut unum sint, Pope St John Paul II accepted this responsibility, like the popes before him, as central to his ministry as Bishop of Rome; and both of his successors have continued in that awareness. The awareness includes the insight that the Petrine ministry itself may either be an obstacle or, potentially, a pathway to full communion (See UUS nn 88-96).
Please scan QR to read the study ‘TheBishopofRome’ >>>>>
Recently, the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity published a study called The Bishop of Rome, harvesting the fruits of the many ecumenical dialogues which have taken place in response to John Paul’s invitation to look at how the Pope could exercise his primacy in a new situation.
Participation in the search for Christian Unity is not limited to leaders and specialists. In fact, it is incomplete unless it involves the engagement of people at the local level. Like all Christian service, it begins in prayer, both individually and with others, including those with whom we are seeking full communion.
1. Whatever divides us, we believe in Jesus’ promise that, where two or more are gathered in my name, I am there (Mt 18:20). Our unity may be imperfect, but in prayer we already experience belonging together to Christ. As John Paul said, when Christians pray together, the goal of unity seems closer (cf UUS nn. 22-27).
2. Opening together the Scriptures that we share can let God speak truth to us in new ways.
3. Listening to one another witness to the ways that the Spirit is moving in our lives can be a revelation and encouragement for us.
4. Working together on projects of justice and mercy means meeting Christ together in the poor and afflicted.
Overcoming Complacency
At the beginning of the Eucharistic Prayer The Church on the Path of Unity, we pray:
For by the word of your Son’s Gospel you have brought together one Church from every people, tongue, and nation; and, having filled her with life by the power of your Spirit, you never cease through her to gather the whole human race into one.
This description of the Church as the sacrament of unity may be found in the teachings of Vatican II, and as far back as St Cyprian in the 3rd century. It is why John Paul, in his encyclical Ut unum sint, told us that to seek the goal of full communion is not an optional extra. The work for unity is not only for the removal of a stumbling block that inhibits the preaching of the Gospel: it is above all because of the deep identity of the Church as a sacrament of unity for the whole human family.
This unity, which the Lord has bestowed on his Church and in which he wishes to embrace all people, is not something added on, but stands at the very heart of Christ’s mission. Nor is it some secondary attribute of the community of his disciples. Rather, it belongs to the very essence of this community. God wills the Church, because he wills unity, and unity is an expression of the whole depth of his love. (n.9)
The central insight of the encyclical’s argument is worth remembering in times when we are discouraged by
tiredness or uncertainty of direction in our familiar ways of ecumenical endeavour. More than just a dissatisfaction with particular methods, there has also been a weakening of zeal and even a cessation of effort among some members of the Church.
Our human family cries out for justice, reconciliation and peace. As I write this letter, we can see, with sorrow and anxiety, the social and political divisions that bring the wounding and the killing, the famines and displacements of wars, to so many people in our world today. Even where these divisions have not so far developed into full scale hostilities, injustices and tensions pullulate; even in lucky countries like our own.
Many Christians are engaged in working for peace and in changing the conditions that undermine it. But, as John Paul asks, how can we proclaim the Gospel of reconciliation without at the same time being committed to working for reconciliation among Christians? (n.98)
Blessed Maria Gabriella Sagheddu, pray for us
Maria Gabriella was a Trappist nun who was born in 1914, died in 1939 and was beatified in 1983. Pope John Paul said of her:
Praying for unity is not a matter reserved only to those who actually experience the lack of unity among Christians. In the deep personal dialogue which each of us must carry on with the Lord in prayer, concern for unity cannot be absent. ...It
was in order to reaffirm this duty that I set before the faithful of the Catholic Church a model which I consider exemplary, the model of a Trappistine Sister, Blessed Maria Gabriella of Unity, whom I beatified on 25 January 1983. Sister Maria Gabriella, called by her vocation to be apart from the world, devoted her life to meditation and prayer centered on chapter seventeen of Saint John’s Gospel, and offered her life for Christian unity. ...The example of Sister Maria Gabriella is instructive; it helps us to understand that there are no special times, situations or places of prayer for unity. Christ’s prayer to the Father is offered as a model for everyone, always and everywhere.
May the simplicity of St Paul’s words, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism lead us into what is at once a reality and a hope.
+Michael McKenna Bishop of Bathurst
Memoria of Pope St John Paul II, 2024
VALE FR JIM AND SR CATHERINE
Sister Catherine Grant RSJ
Having not long marked her 70 years of profession as a Sister of St Joseph, Sister Catherine Grant died unexpectedly in her sleep on May 3, 2024.
Catherine was born in Canowindra in 1933, the daughter of Doug and Myra Grant, and attended school at St Edward’s Canowindra and St Mary’s College Bathurst. In 1951 she joined the Sisters of St Joseph at Perthville and, known then as Sr Maria Goretti, was professed on March 30, 1954. Catherine was a primary school teacher, a ministry that spanned the Diocese of Bathurst.
Although a competent and caring teacher and school principal, Catherine recognised a call to take up nursing and completed her training at St Vincent’s Hospital Bathurst. Following four years at Mt Druitt, Catherine returned to Gilgandra as a community nurse. It was her generous care and respect for others that characterised Catherine in her 14 years in this ministry and for which she is still well remembered in Gilgandra.
With retirement from that role, Catherine’s was a caring presence for her Josephite sisters. With the change of identity of the Perthville Josephites, Catherine transferred to the Lochinvar Josephites, living the last decade of her life as a member of that congregation. In that time Catherine lived at Muswellbrook, Windale and then Waratah and appreciated the welcome of the Lochinvar sisters, and the community living environment of the Dominican sisters at Waratah. Living independently till the end, Catherine retained a pastoral and caring presence.
The closing words of the Gospel of the Friday of the fifth week of Easter, the day on which Catherine died, are “what I command you is to love one another”. Catherine lived that with an integrity, honesty and faithfulness that marked all her relationships. That was recognised by the significant numbers of sisters, family and friends who gathered on May 15 for Catherine’s Requiem Mass at Christ the King Church at West Mayfield, concelebrated by her cousin Fr Anthony Cook, and Fr Garry McKeown.
Catherine was laid to rest in the sisters’ section of the parish cemetery at Lochinvar. May she rest in peace.
Vale FR George (Jim) Wilkins
Father George Matthew Wilkins, known to many as Jim, died in Bathurst on April 4, 2024, at the age of 94.
He was born on July 1, 1929, to George Gray and Margaret Edna (nee Stackpool) Wilkins, in the Parish of Wellington, NSW, and was baptised in St Patrick’s Church there.
He was educated at St Mary’s School, Wellington, St Ignatius College, Riverview, and the Pope John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts, USA. He also undertook post graduate studies at Mitchell College of Advanced Education, Bathurst, and the Hebrew University, Jerusalem.
Fr Jim was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Bathurst in Boston on May 6, 1971, by the Most Reverend Albert Ruben Edward Thomas. His more than 50 years of service in the Diocese included time as Assistant Priest in Orange, Coonamble and Mudgee, and as Parish Priest of Gulargambone. He also served as Chaplain to Mitchell College (now Charles Sturt University), and from 1988 to 2004 as Chaplain to Custodial Institutions in the Diocese.
Fr Jim retired in 2004 and lived in his home in Bathurst until his health necessitated a move to St Catherine’s Aged Care Facility in 2023.
His Requiem Mass was celebrated by Bishop Michael McKenna, the priests of the Diocese and visiting priests in St Patrick’s Church, Wellington, on April 23, 2024. Fr Jim is buried in the old section of Wellington Cemetery.
PARISH HIGHLIGHTS 2024
Blessing of New Drivers
On Sunday February 25 Orange parish welcomed new drivers to the 10am Mass at St Mary’s for a special blessing. It was great to see so many L- and P-platers come to Mass to ask God to bless them on the roads. Each new driver received a blessed St Christopher medal for their car. After Mass Fr Greg needed well over half an hour to bless all the cars in the car park and even had to refill his Holy Water bucket twice because he ran out of Holy Water.
Prison Chaplains and the Democracy Sausage
On Saturday August 10, 2024, the Men’s Ministry of St Mary and St Joseph Parish in Orange was blessed to have Sarkis Achmar deliver an inspiring talk on the work of the prison chaplains across the Diocese. Sarkis, who is the Prison Chaplain at Bathurst Correctional Centre, presented a fascinating talk on the work of the chaplains, the dangers they encounter working in unpredictable and often threatening environments, and the joy and blessing they are frequently able to bring to inmates and their families both during incarceration and following release.
As a result, many men in attendance expressed interest in supporting the work of the chaplains across the Diocese, and on Saturday, September 14, 2024 (election day), the Men’s Ministry ran a fundraising barbeque at Kenna Hall in Orange, between 8am and 2pm, serving sausage sandwiches to those voting on the day.
This particular ‘Democracy Sausage’ was a great social and spiritual occasion, and it raised more than $700.
Assumption Mass in Orange
A highlight of the Orange and Molong parish calendar is the Combined Schools Mass to celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven. Around 2,000 staff and students from Years 3 to 12 from James Sheahan, Catherine McAuley, St Mary’s, St Joseph’s Molong and St Joseph’s Manildra gathered in Mercy Hall on Thursday, August 15. As Fr Greg Bellamy celebrated Mass, with special guest Fr Michel Remery (from DeoQuest/Tweeting with God), we reflected on Mary’s life, and asked for her intercession to help us to also say “yes” to God, and to love Jesus as she did. Fr Greg also commissioned and badged new Extra Ordinary Ministers of Communion, called from among the senior students and staff of James Sheahan. So many students gave of their talents, including in music, altar serving, and as Extra Ordinary Ministers of Communion, to make this a truly beautiful celebration for everyone.
St Brigid’s Parish Picnic, Dubbo
Our parish picnic was held on September 22, from 10am to midday. There was a jumping castle, lots of games, face painting, and free sausage sizzle and drinks. Little Lambs Playgroup had a mural painting for the kids. Our entertainment came from the St John’s College Jazz Ensemble, the Dubbo Town Band, and Angelina Perera, who played the violin.
ST JOSEPH’S PARISH GILGANDRA CELEBRATES 50 YEARS
As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house.
1 Peter 2: 4-5
Perhaps this is what Fr Noel Grant envisioned over more than 50 years ago when he was tasked with building a new church for the parishioners of St Joseph’s Gilgandra. Although he did not ‘quarry the stone’ he did have the drive, vision and determination to ensure he provided the St Joseph Parish and community with a unique and contemporary building which would stand the test of time. A physical space that would allow us and those yet to come to meet and to worship.
What began at least two years ago, amid the possum and mouse/rat wars, the need to make the Church vermin proof and work towards how we would mark the Golden Jubilee of our present St Joseph’s Church, has culminated in the joyful celebration of the Mass with Bishop Michael McKenna.
Naturally after 50 years our church needed a definite facelift. A committee was formed, and it was agreed to work from top to down. With the sale of the Holy Cross Church at Collie, finance from the St Joseph’s Parish and promoting a Refurbishment Appeal, we were given some hope of being able to finance the project. The estimated cost was $105,000, and with savings and some additional works we were able to complete the refurbishment within budget.
The celebratory Mass on October 27 was co-ordinated by St Joseph’s School and as always was filled with joy and praise, ending on a high with the recessional Hymn ‘And All The People Said Amen’ –by Matt Maher.
Towards the end of the Mass our parish spokesman, Paul Mann, thanked all those who supported the project in any way, with special reference to the contribution of Elaine and Rees Gilmour, Barry Konemann and Paul Healey.
Once the formalities were over an invitation was extended to share morning tea in the St Joseph’s School grounds, giving us all an opportunity for a catch up and to spend time with those who had returned to celebrate with us.
Monday- saturday 7:00am - 1:30pm
Sunday 9:00am- 12 noon
It wouldn’t be a Golden Jubilee Celebration without the cutting of a cake with Bishop Michael McKenna and two of our long-term parishioners Gwen Whiteman and Ilva Horan (seated).
Photo by Rachael Champberlain Western Advocate
ALPHA EXPANDS ACROSS THE DIOCESE
The Diocese of Bathurst is witnessing incredible growth in the use of the Alpha program, with parishes in Blayney, Orange, Bathurst and Cowra actively using Alpha as a way to reach out to their wider community.
Alpha provides a warm, welcoming space where people can come together, ask life’s big questions, and explore faith in a relaxed setting. With future Pilot Alphas planned for 2025, opportunities are opening for others to join in this great experience.
Informed and Safe Online
The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney is inviting the nation’s parents and carers to benefit from an opportunity aimed at protecting young people online. In response to increasing awareness and community fears surrounding cyber safety, this year the Council of Catholic Schools Parents NSW/ACT (CCSP) will be presenting webinars to help families navigate the perils presented when young people are learning to independently use the internet.
Orange Parish, in particular, has embraced Alpha wholeheartedly, running three Alpha seasons in 2024 alone! This reflects the significant opportunity Alpha gives in strengthening community and building connections.
The ongoing expansion of Alpha throughout the Diocese shows a commitment to providing spaces where everyone can feel valued, find friendship and grow together. As Alpha continues to spread, it’s opening doors for people across our Diocese to experience a welcoming community grounded in faith and encounter with Jesus Christ.
The first free webinar taking place in March is specially tailored for parents and carers of young people aged 10–18 and will cover: what do to about accidental exposure to content about suicide, self-harm or eating disorders, using games, apps and social media to support mental wellbeing, the pros and cons of digital mental health platforms and strategies for young people to support friends online.
Get ready for ACYF 2025
why it’s crucial we all work together to find solutions to these problems.”
RISE Youth, are you ready for an epic adventure in 2025? The Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) is happening in Melbourne from November 28 to December 1, and you won’t want to miss it!
CCSP is collaborating with the eSafety Commissioner to present eSafety’s parent guide to digital technologies and mental health. The eSafety Commissioner’s expert education and training team will deliver the highly informative webinar. Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Most Rev. Anthony Fisher OP said he was pleased the CCSP was partnering with the eSafety Commissioner to address one of the most important issues impacting young people.
children.” Mr. Davie said. “By hosting webinars online, parents and carers across rural and regional and NSW and Australia have the opportunity to participate, just like the internet, the problems faced by young people don’t have borders.”
Imagine three days filled with music, powerful speakers, faith-filled moments, and thousands of young Catholics just like you, gathering to celebrate, connect, and grow in faith. Whether you’re looking to deepen your relationship with Jesus, meet new friends, or just have a blast with your crew, ACYF is where you’ll want to be.
This festival is more than just an event – it’s a life-changing experience! You’ll be inspired by amazing stories, celebrate joy-filled Masses and it’s a chance to represent the Diocese of Bathurst as part of a huge gathering of young Catholics from all over Australia.
So, get excited! Mark your calendars, and stay tuned for more info. ACYF 2025 is going to be one for the books. Let’s show Melbourne what the RISE Youth is all about!
For more information, contact Natalia at youth@bathurst.catholic.org.au
“All parents and carers are struggling with the challenges presented by the increasing use of technology and devices at home and at school. That’s
“Everyone wants children to be safe when they are online. I hope this new resource will be of great benefit to the entire community,” Archbishop Fisher said. CCSP Chair Wayne Davie, commented “We are delighted to once again partner with the eSafety commissioner, the demand from parents to stay up-to-date with the latest information affecting their children in cyberspace has increased especially during COVID lockdowns resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.” “Parents are the first educators of their children, these webinars are an example of how CCSP are supporting parents and carers in their role as educators of their
Parents and carers can find details on upcoming events on the council of Catholic School Parent upcoming webinars on their website. Additional online events that help parents and carers support young people will be coordinated throughout the year. Topics will include challenges faced everyday such as online security, wellbeing, and other issues that are important to families.
Council of Catholic School Parents
BUILDING A CULTURE OF VOCATIONS
During Vocations Awareness Week, on August 3 the Diocese hosted “Building a Culture of Vocations: A Day of Reflection and Discernment”, which brought together community members to explore various vocations including marriage, ordination and religious life, at Shalom House of Prayer, Carcoar.
Bishop Michael McKenna offered reflections on holiness, reminding participants that “we are all called to holiness”, and that our baptism is central to this calling. He highlighted that “even when God created water, He was thinking of the moment of our baptism,” emphasising the depth of God’s plan for each of us.
Terry and Christine Mahony shared their journey of vocation within marriage, highlighting the small but powerful “yeses” they’ve said to each other and God. Their testimony reflected the role of love and faith in deepening relationships.
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Nic and Fran Hansen discussed their time at Shalom House of Prayer, led by the Holy Spirit to live lives of service. They expressed hope that others might continue the mission at Shalom after they retire in 2025.
Fr Nam Le spoke about his discernment journey to the priesthood, emphasising the importance of prayerful listening and daily commitment to God’s will.
The day was a meaningful opportunity for reflection on how each person can live out their vocation and contribute to the Church’s mission in their own way.
For more information about Vocations, please contact:
Student Wellbeing at Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst
The physical and mental health, wellbeing, and safety of all children and young people is foundational to the Catholic faith and tradition, and of the utmost importance to Catholic school communities in the Diocese of Bathurst. Our Catholic schools seek to develop the whole person, intellectually, spiritually, physically and emotionally so that the young are educated in faith founded in the person of Jesus Christ for a hope-filled future.
Australian Education
The Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Declaration (2019), agreed to by all Australian governments, highlights the responsibility of schools, together with students, parents, carers, families and the broader community, to promote the development and wellbeing of young Australians.
“Education plays a vital role in promoting the intellectual, physical, social, emotional, moral, spiritual and aesthetic development and wellbeing of young Australians”. (p3)
The Declaration places students at the centre of their education by emphasising the importance of meeting the individual needs of all learners, and outlines education’s role in supporting the wellbeing, mental health and resilience of young people.
Wellbeing at Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst
Encounter, Achieve and Flourish: A Framework for Pastoral Care & Wellbeing for Systemic Schools in the Diocese of Bathurst is the CEDB wellbeing framework and is underpinned by the Gospel values that characterise Catholic education in our schools.
A sense of wellbeing and connectedness in schools promotes optimal development of the person as a
whole. Relationships within our Catholic schools value the dignity of the person, promoting connection, safety, trust and respect for all within a faith-filled community. Wellbeing and learning are inextricably linked. Wellbeing is integral to school engagement and successful learning, and successful learning is a key contributor to positive lifelong wellbeing outcomes.
Student wellbeing within our Catholic schools emphasises the importance of:
• a whole school approach including support for all students and targeted intervention
• accompanying students through their spiritual growth
• providing a rich engaging curriculum with high levels of student engagement
• providing safe and supportive school environments
• actively promoting opportunities for students to engage in school life
• collaborative partnerships with families
With such principles and practices in place, our students are afforded every opportunity to flourish.
The CEDB Framework guides policies, programs, resources and practices implemented at both a system and school level, to support and enhance the wellbeing of students within the school community. Some of the wellbeing initiatives that are being utilised in our CEDB schools include:
• Centacare Counselling Program in all schools
• CEDB Student Wellbeing Framework
• School self-assessment tool
• Positive Behaviour for Learning – a framework that ensures a consistent school-wide positive approach to behaviour support
• Social and Emotional Learning - programs and practices that assist students to develop selfawareness, self-management, relationship skills, responsible decision-making and social awareness
• Youth Mental Health First Aid
• Trauma-informed practices
• Be You – a framework and resources for schools that encourages positive mental health and wellbeing
• The VIBE Wellbeing health checks enabling student voice to be heard
Christina Trimble, pictured with Principal Mr Glen Brown and students, whilst on a visit to St Joseph’s Oberon in September.
• All primary schools have a Wellbeing officer (part-time) who is responsible for proactive whole school programs
• All secondary schools have an Attendance officer who supports attendance processes in particular in communicating and following up with parents
In addition, health, wellbeing and relationships are taught in primary and secondary schools as part of Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) programs from Kindergarten to Year 12. The PDHPE syllabus provides a strengths-based approach to develop knowledge and skills so that students enhance their own health, safety and wellbeing, and is always taught with the focus of Catholic Church teachings and values.
Within the Religious Education Program, the provision of RealTalk for students, family nights at schools and
webinars, and the subscription to their resources including videos and the RealTalk parent portal, provides additional resources for schools and families and supports the parents in their role as first educators of their children.
Additional opportunities for students to reflect on their experiences, their relationship with God and others, are provided through school retreat programs which are also beneficial to their wellbeing.
Catholic education recognises that strengthening the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people is crucial to supporting student learning outcomes, the development of the whole person and the human flourishing required for a future filled with hope.
Christina Trimble
A History of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Bathurst
In honour of 200 years of Catholic education in Australia, Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst made the decision to commemorate the story of education in our Diocese from its beginnings.
In the lead up to Catholic Schools Week this year, we published this comprehensive book detailing the history of Catholic education within our Diocese. It includes wonderful stories from our schools and the congregations who helped establish our schools, as well as many delightful images from the past and present.
Catholic Church and School building, St Lawrence O’Toole Molong, c.1881-1885.
We could not have completed the book without the assistance of our school staff and school communities. We would also like to acknowledge the following congregations for their contributions: Sisters of St Joseph; Sisters of Mercy; Brigidine Sisters; Sisters of the Good Samaritan; Daughters of Charity; Dominican Sisters; Vincentians; De La Salle Brothers and Patrician Brothers.
If you would like to purchase a copy of the book, please contact the CEDB office on 02 6338 3000, or find a link to an order form on our website www.bth.catholic.edu.au
Peta Jagoe
CELEBRATING NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK
The Diocese of Bathurst hosted a moving Mass in honour of National Reconciliation Week, a time dedicated to reflecting on our nation’s history and fostering meaningful relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.
The Mass took place on Friday May 31 at St Mary’s Church Mudgee, drawing together a diverse congregation from our schools and communities in and around Mudgee.
Bishop Michael McKenna led the service and delivered an inspiring homily. The Mass featured traditional elements, including a Welcome to Country and a clearing dance, which set a respectful tone for the proceedings. Local Aboriginal community leaders were invited to participate, sharing stories and songs that resonated with the theme of unity and hope.
Following the Mass, a communal gathering provided an opportunity for fellowship and discussion about ways to engage in reconciliation efforts within our communities.
National Reconciliation Week in the Diocese is not just a celebration but a call to action, reminding us of our shared responsibility to build a more inclusive and just society.
Let us carry forward the spirit of reconciliation in our hearts and actions, today and always.
Leanne Bovington
CEDB TEAM WINS TWO MAJOR AWARDS
Australia Council for Educational Leaders Award
On August 23 members of the CEDB Wellbeing and Diverse Learning Team were presented with an ACEL ‘Team Leadership’ Award at Parramatta at the NSW ACEL Awards.
These awards are given by the Australia Council for Educational Leaders to individual educators or teams of educators who have demonstrated excellent performance in leading an educational organisation or initiative, which has accomplished significant growth in outcomes for children, students and/or teachers, or major cultural change within that organisation or the profession at large.
This is a significant achievement for Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst, and the team would also like to thank staff across our 33 Catholic schools for their collaborative work in this area.
Australian Council for Educational Research Award
On September 10, members of the CEDB Wellbeing and Diverse Learning Team were announced as the National Winners of the 2024 Teacher ACER Awards, in the ‘Improving Health and Wellbeing’ category. Teacher is published by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), a not-for-profit organisation, independent of government and education systems. The Teacher Awards celebrate the incredible work of teachers, school leaders and support staff in K-12 school settings across Australia.
The award was won in recognition of the incredible work of the team, our schools and individuals who are striving to support the students and communities within our schools.
The judging panel this year was comprised of Professor Geoff Masters, Professor Lyn Sharratt, Professor Pasi Sahlberg, Professor Pauline Taylor-Guy, Professor Amy Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles, Dr Kat Ross, Dr Troy Meston, Ben Sacco, Alex Wharton and Mali Jorm.
Members of the CEDB Wellbeing and Diverse Learning Team at the ACEL Awards presentation (L-R): Kylee Harding, Tracey Gunning, Megan Yeo, Diana Scullard, Blair Windsor, Leanne Bovington. Absent: R. van Raad, D. Murdoch and V. Hagney.
MAJOR CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS
There have been several major upgrades to Catholic school facilities this year, as well as numerous minor renovations and improvements to schools within our Diocese. We are very proud to highlight these wonderful projects that will enhance our student learning and staff amenities.
St Joseph’s’ Eugowra
After the devasting flood of November 14, 2022, which decimated the school and the entire community of Eugowra, we were thrilled earlier in the year to complete the new classrooms for staff and students in time for the new school year. Throughout 2023, staff and students were accommodated in temporary, demountable classrooms and prior to that they were generously located for a period of time at the Eugowra Public School, whilst building works commenced.
MacKillop College Bathurst
The first stage of a major two-staged project was completed this year, with a total cost of $5.54m. The project was funded by the Diocese and a $1.25m Federal Government grant. Stage One completion included a brand new modern classroom block with six classrooms and a large auditorium area, as well as a double-story spacious staffroom extension. The second stage will commence in 2025 and includes renovation of existing classroom areas.
La Salle Academy Lithgow
In 2020, CEDB commenced a capital works project to complete a full upgrade of the school’s science laboratories. In 2020, the first of two Science Lab upgrades were completed and in September 2023, works commenced to complete the upgrade of the second Science Lab, with a budget of $400,000. The full project works were completed in February of this year.
St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School Coonamble
On June 16, 2023, Bishop McKenna blessed and officially reopened the refurbished Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Coonamble, along with members of the community. During 2023 a major capital works project was also underway at the school, which included relocation of the administration block, providing larger classrooms and learning areas for all year groups, as well as new staff facilities, ramps, covered walkways and the addition of two new lifts for disabled access. On July 2 of this year, Executive Director of Schools Mrs Christina Trimble attended the official opening of the new facilities, along with Principal Mrs Gai Gilmour, staff, students, parents, representatives from Havenhand & Mather Architects and the local community. An Australian Government grant of $1.494m contributed to the Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst spend of $1.406m for these incredible renovations.
CSU Catholics invite you to share coffee and conversation!
When: Every Wednesday during term time Time: 9 30am to 12 00pm
Where: BBQ Hub in front of the Library CSU Bathurst Campus
Coffee/tea/hot chocolate: FREE
Followed by Mass: 12 00pm
Where: Cowshed
For more information: Fr Diep Nguyen 0450 326 686 or Fr Steve Sinn SJ 0408 405 453
CHRISTMAS STORY ART EXHIBITION AND COMPETITION
On September 6, Bishop Michael McKenna led the Christmas Storytelling Art Exhibition Opening Liturgy in the Mother Ignatius Croke Centre, Cathedral Precinct, Bathurst, attended by representatives of schools from across the Diocese, the Executive Director of Schools and other CEDB representatives. Mrs Rebecca Rizzo, REC, from St Philomena’s School Bathurst, was the MC. Mrs Rizzo, Mr Blaise Rizzo and the St Philomena’s School Choir provided the music for the liturgy.
The Christmas Storytelling Art Exhibition is an annual event open to Year 5 and Year 6 students. The students reflect on the sacred scriptures surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ. Through personal conversation with God in prayer, students make connections to their own life and share these life experiences through a creative artwork.
This year the Diocese of Bathurst received 225 entries into the exhibition and the standard of art continues to improve indeed. Judges were amazed by the high standard and deeply moved by the accompanying reflections. All students utilise a myriad of mediums to share the beauty of creativity, depth of spiritual reflection, and uniqueness of self-expression.
Twenty-one students received awards, in various categories. All artworks from these award winners will enter the Archdiocese of Sydney and the Dioceses of Wollongong and Bathurst, and Catholic students in Government schools Exhibition. Artworks will be shortlisted to be displayed in the exhibition and winners will be announced at a ceremony at the University of Notre Dame during Advent.
Congratulations to everyone involved!
Glenn Corben (Photos Peta Jagoe)
Executive Director of Schools Christina Trimble’s Award: Abbey, Year 6, ‘Doves of Peace’, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Molong.
Year 6 1st Prize: Charlotte, ‘Divine Guidance’, St Matthews Catholic School Mudgee.
Year 6 3rd Prize: Annie, ‘The Loving Embrace’, Catherine McAuley Catholic Primary School Orange.
Fr Paul Devitt’s Dean’s Award: Milly, Year 5, ‘#3M’, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Blayney.
Year 5 2nd Prize: Abbygail, ‘Heavenly Path to the King’, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Molong.
Year 5 1st Prize: Elodie, ‘The Journey’, St Michael’s Catholic Pirmary School Dunedoo.
Year 5 3rd Prize: Josephine, ‘Eternal Light’, St Matthews Catholic School Mudgee.
DIOCESAN SPORT
In 2024 the Diocese of Bathurst had many students participating at higher levels of sport, making their way through representative pathways. Students* who made NSW State teams are listed below, as well as a small random selection of photos from the many sporting events held throughout the year.
* Secondary students from the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes are included in our diocesan sport pathway progression.
Australian Selection
April Gardiner – Touch Football Under 15s
Jake Hurst – Softball
NSWPSSA Sports Representatives
David Kang - Golf
Alfie Dunstan - Cross Country
Angus Kelly - Rugby
Brax Barwick - 12s Rugby League
Evie Ekert - Hockey
Sophie Stoddart - Touch
NSW All Schools Representatives
Sam Westcott - 15s Hockey
James Robinson - 18s Hockey
Archie Daley - 18s Hockey
April Gardiner – Touch Football Under 15s
Jake Hurst – Softball
Simran Dhatt – Cricket
Thomas Pell - Swimming
Red Wednesday is a global initiative of Aid to the Church in Need to draw attention to the plight of persecuted Christians and all who suffer for their faith around the world. Around Australia and worldwide, cathedrals, churches and other public buildings, including The Cathedral of Ss Michael and John were lit up in red on Wednesday 22 November 2023 as a sign of solidarity.
On Red Wednesday, we join together, pray and raise a strong voice in support of the persecuted who are unable to speak freely, and who look to us - their brothers and sisters in Christ - to speak on their behalf.
Two-thirds of the world’s population live in countries where there are serious violations of religious freedom. It is also clear that the persecution of Christians is worse today than at any time in history. You may wish to read more about global religious persecution in the 2023 Religious Freedom in the World Report at https://acninternational.org/religiousfreedomreport.
EASTER ART EXHIBITION AND COMPETITION
The word “Easter” comes from the Old English and can be interpreted as meaning the “East” and sometimes means “to shine”. The sun which rises in the East, bringing light, warmth and hope, is a symbol for Christians of the rising Christ, who is the Light of the world.
Easter is the celebration of Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Jesus’ resurrection marks the triumph of good over evil, sin and death. It is celebrated on Easter Sunday and marks the end of Holy Week, the most sacred week in the liturgical year, the end of Lent, the last day of the Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday), and is the beginning of the Easter season of the liturgical year.
Once again, this year our Year 9 and 10 students from across Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst schools have immersed themselves in the events and key teachings of Easter as part of their participation in the Easter Art competition.
In their artworks they express their understanding of the person of Jesus Christ and the mystery of his suffering, death and resurrection. They effectively communicate their understanding of the human emotions of those who witnessed the events of the first Easter, and how we relate to those today. Their artworks challenge us, the viewer, as we reflect on our own faith and seek to discover the word of God anew.
Thank you to the talented teachers in our schools who have nurtured the gifts of their students: those who have helped them to know and understand the significance of Easter and those who have helped them to recognise and develop their creative and artistic talents.
Congratulations to all the students who participated in the 2024 Easter Art Competition. Our students have taken up the challenge of being inspired by the scriptures and relating them to their own lives. I invite those who view these works to similarly be open to the message of the Gospel as you let these art works speak to your heart.
Christina Trimble (Photos Peta Jagoe)
Bishop McKenna with students at the exhibition.
Natalie from St Johns College, award winner of the Director’s award, pictured with Christina Trimble.
Kassie from St Johns College Dubbo, winner of the Dean’s award.
EASTER ART EXHIBITION AND COMPETITION
Year 10 1st Prize: Isabelle, ‘Fulfillment’, La Salle Academy Lithgow.
Year 9 1st Prize: Evelyn, ‘The Prayer’, James Sheahan Catholic High School Orange.
Bishop McKenna’s Award: Ebony, Year 10, ‘The Power of the Holy Spirit’, St Matthews Catholic School Mudgee.
12TH ANNUAL CEDB SPELLING BEE
The 2024 Spelling Bee, organised by Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst, serves as a platform for students to excel in language arts, while fostering camaraderie and sportsmanship among participants. This year’s event, held on May 29 and 30, exemplified the commitment of educators and the enthusiasm of students in nurturing academic excellence.
The event showcases the exceptional talent and dedication of students across Years 3 to 10. With participants from across the Diocese, the competition was fierce, but ultimately two remarkable spellers emerged victorious in each stage.
In Stage Four, Ibrahim, from James Sheahan Catholic High School Orange, claimed the prestigious title of winner, demonstrating an impressive command of spelling skills. Laiba, from St Johns College Dubbo, showcased outstanding proficiency as the runner-up, making her school and community proud with her remarkable performance.
The excitement continued into Stage Five, where Cohan, from St Raphael’s Cowra, clinched the championship, showcasing a remarkable mastery of language. Layne, from St Matthews Mudgee, secured the runner-up position, displaying commendable skill and determination throughout the competition.
In Stage Three, the esteemed title of champion was claimed by Madapathage, from St Mary’s Orange, whose command over words stood unrivalled. Following closely behind as the runner-up was Christian, from Cathedral Primary Bathurst, whose dedication to language excellence shone brightly.
Meanwhile, in the Stage Two category, Hartley, from All Hallows Gulgong, emerged victorious, displaying an exceptional mastery over the intricacies of spelling. Ranumi, from St John’s Primary Dubbo, secured the runner-up position with an impressive display of linguistic acumen.
We are immensely proud of all the participants who showcased their talents and dedication in the 2024 Spelling Bee. Congratulations to the winners for their exceptional achievements.
Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst extends its gratitude to all participating schools, teachers, students and supporters for their unwavering commitment to academic excellence. The success of the 2024 Spelling Bee highlights the collective effort and passion for learning within the Diocese.
Kristie Ryan
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES
BATHURST
Christmas Eve
6pm - St Philomena’s Catholic Primary School (outdoors)
6pm - Cathedral
8pm - Assumption
8pm - Perthville
Midnight - Cathedral
Christmas Day
8am - Assumption
10am - Cathedral
10am - Wattle Flat
10am - Rockley
BLAYNEY
Christmas Eve
6pm - Blayney
7pm - Mandurama
7.30pm - Carcoar
Christmas Day
7.30am - Millthorpe
9am - Blayney
COONAMBLE
Christmas Eve
8.30am - Quambone Church
6pm - Coonamble Church
Christmas Day
8.30am - Gulargambone 10am - Coonamble
COONABARABRAN
Christmas Eve
6pm - Baradine
Christmas Day
9.30am - Coonabarabran
COWRA
Christmas Eve
6pm - Eugowra
8pm - Canowindra
6pm - Cowra
9pm - Cowra
Christmas Day
9.30am - Cowra
9.30am - Canowindra
DUBBO
2nd Rite of Reconciliation
Tuesday 17 Dec - 5.45pm, St Brigid’s Church
Wednesday 18 Dec - 9.30am, St Laurence’s Church
Christmas Eve
6pm - Dubbo 8pm - Dubbo
Christmas Day
7.30am - Dubbo 9am - Dubbo
DUNEDOO/COOLAH
Christmas Eve
6pm - Coolah
Christmas Day
8am - Mendooran 10am - Dunedoo
GILGANDRA
Christmas Eve
5pm - Tooraweenah
6.30pm - Gilgandra
Christmas Day
9.30am - Gilgandra
GULGONG
Christmas Eve
6.30pm
LITHGOW
2nd Rite of Reconciliation
Monday 23 Dec - – 6pm, St Patrick’s Lithgow
Christmas Eve
12.30pm Childrens’ Mass - Lithgow
6pm - Lithgow 10pm - Lithgow
Christmas Day
10am - Lithgow
MOLONG
Christmas Eve
6pm - Manildra
Christmas Day
10am - Molong
MUDGEE
Christmas Eve
6pm -Mudgee
8.30pm - Mudgee
Christmas Day
7.30am - Mudgee 9am - Mudgee
OBERON
Christmas Eve
5.30pm - Black Springs
7.30pm - Oberon
Christmas Day 9am - Oberon
ORANGE
Christmas Eve
6pm - Mercy Hall (James Sheahan Catholic High School) Orange
7.30pm - Cargo
7.30pm - Cudal
8pm - St Mary’s Orange
10pm - St Joseph’s Orange
Christmas Day
8am - Mullion Creek (outdoors)
8.30am - St Joseph’s Orange 10am - St Mary’s Orange
