Catholic Observer June 2016 issue

Volume 51, No 2 JUNE 2016 $2.00

The Dedication of the St John de Brito Chapel, Timor-Leste

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n May, Bishop Michael McKenna and five people from the Diocese of Bathurst travelled to the central highland of Timor-Leste to attend a ceremony at Cairui, Diocese of Baucau, for the dedication of the St John de Brito Chapel.

Cairui, part of the Parish of Laleia, has not had a permanent chapel for religious services and gatherings for over 30 years. The Chapel’s construction has been majority-funded by the Diocese of Bathurst through the generosity of all parishes giving to Bishop McKenna’s annual missionary appeal. The appeal from 2012-2014 raised over $130,000 for the Chapel.

The Chapel seats 120-130 people and the project has been 10 years in the planning. Until the Diocese of Bathurst became involved, it looked to be an impossible dream.

The St John de Brito Chapel

It has been constructed in a traditional Timor-Leste style using modern materials. Two of its features are the stained glass skylight in the ceiling and the 50 windows of various sizes in the wall behind the altar. The stained glass skylight casts light on the baptismal font, ambo, altar and tabernacle at different times of the day. Each of the 50 windows represents a decade of the 500 years of the Catholic Church in Timor-Leste.

Now complete, the Chapel is quickly becoming recognised as a unique house of worship and one destined to become a national pilgrimage site for Timor-Leste.

Bishop Michael and the pilgrims visit a school in Laleia

The date chosen for the dedication of the Chapel was the 24thMay, the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians, Patroness of Australia. It provided yet another important and tangible link between the Diocese of Bathurst and the struggling missionary churches in Timor-Leste.

At the Blessing, Bishop Michael addressed the people of Cairui and said, “Today, in God’s providence, I am grateful to be with you in person. My fellow pilgrims and I bring the greetings and the prayers of God’s People of the Diocese of Bathurst. Each Christmas, we try to lift our eyes from our own needs and troubles to give something to churches beyond our shores. For the past few years, it has been a blessing and privilege for us to raise money for the building of St John de Brito Chapel.

Today, we thank God together as we bless this place of worship”.

The procession to the Blessing of the Chapel Front Cover: Chris and Judy Dwyer are pictured presenting an icon entitled Mary - Seat of Wisdom to two young ladies from the Cairui Parish at the altar of the St John de Brito Chapel. Chris and Judy are from Orange and accompanied Bishop Michael to Timor Leste. The icon was painted by Mary Clancy. It was a gift to the Cairui Parish from the Diocese of Bathurst Chancery team members who, in lieu of giving each other gifts last Christmas, donated the money to purchase the icon.

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Bishop Michael with Bishop Nascimento of Baucau

Judy with a villager from Cairui

The interior of the Chapel showing the effect of the stained glass skylight

Children of Cairui preparing for the Chapel Blessing

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Josephites celebrate 150 years

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ne-hundred-and-fifty years since the day St Mary MacKillop donned a simple black dress and went to school to educate the poor, the nation celebrated the beginning of the Sisters of St Joseph, which Sister Mary MacKillop founded with Father Julian Tenison Woods.

The Catholic Diocese of Bathurst met centrally in Wellington and during Mass, Father Carl Mackander spoke about the Sisters’ lives among the poor.

He said they rarely lived in large numbers or centres like Dubbo, Orange or Wellington, but chose to live among the community in small rural areas like Yeoval, Bodangora, Dripstone and Stuart Town, often in tents and slab hut, as they followed the gold fields (in Wellington’s case moving west from Bodangora).

He said their legacy continued in the community where many people still remembered their kindness and generosity.

Sister Marjorie Fitzgerald of the Sisters of Mercy, Wellington said the anniversary of the Josephites was a significant day for all, as people across the country, and even the world, including New Zealand, Peru, Ireland and Scotland, marked the sesqui-centenary on the Feast of St Joseph. “We’re all serving God and working together with the Lord - not for him, but with him”, she said.

More than 400 people from as far as Bathurst, Lithgow, Canowindra, Mudgee and Coonabarabran arrived in Wellington to mark the occasion.

One of the organisers, Sister Helen Saunders, said it would be hard for Mary MacKillop to imagine how far-reaching her legacy would become.

“It could have gone either way” she said, “but the order grew quickly”.

“Father Julian Tenison Woods was in a big parish in Penola, South Australia (where the Josephites began) and always on horse, riding around the

parish which was 22,000 square miles; and he would see kids not educated and had a dream. Then when Mary MacKillop arrived, she was a teacher so she could bring that dream to reality. She didn’t want children growing up without knowing faith”, Sister Helen Saunders said.

“And she saw education as a way of bringing them out of poverty. She wanted the nuns to be like a mobile task force and it was an order generated to Australian conditions. If Poppy Sargent, Sue Guilfoyle, Sopeck Neaves, Sr Jean Cain and Cleo Cheney from Assumption School, Bathurst the people were in tents, the nuns were in tents. It was really about giving the kids a chance”.

Father Carl Mackander said a wealth of information could be retrieved about the early Sisters of St Joseph from Mary MacKillop’s letters and other sources. “(It) makes their life stories rich, because they were unique characters who lived out the individuality of their humanity. God uses our Students from St Matthews, Mudgee with humanness, with our gifts and Sr Alice Sullivan and Principal, Jason Hanrahan shortcomings, to bring about the kingdom of justice, peace, understanding, mercy and compassion”.

The early Sisters’ style and attitude to religious life reflected the freedom and simplicity which charactersied the rural and town-reared young and older women who joined St Mary and Fr Woods’ new institute for teaching poor children and caring for the urban down-and-outs, the prostitutes, prisoners, orphans and aged poor”.

Students from St Joseph’s, Gilgandra with the Sisters Courtesy of Michelle Barkley Wellington Times

Sr Alice Sullivan with Sr Helen Sullivan

Sr Mary Comer, Sr Helen Sullivan, Fr Carl MacKander and Sr Madeline Breen

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Amoris Laetitia – On Love in the Family

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was very happy when Pope Francis called two meetings of the Synod of Bishops on the topic of the family. In my first pastoral letter back in 2010, I had written: “The renewal of the domestic church must be our pastoral focus. If we could begin to do that, how many dry branches in the Church would begin to bud with life again!”.

The Synod assemblies were prepared for with extensive consultation and surrounded by lively public comment and debate. At times, it seemed that the only issue was about how divorced and remarried Catholics should be cared for.

However, as the Pope himself made clear, inside and outside the Synod hall, this was but one important part of a much bigger picture.

Now, after listening to a range of voices in the Church, and prayerfully discerning what is of the Holy Spirit and what is not, the Successor of Peter has given us a large teaching document, designed to be read and reflected on, not overnight, but in the days and years ahead. Amoris Laetitia

(literally, “the joy of love”) presents the beauty of the Christian vision of marriage and family in a context of the cultural pressures and human frailty that good pastoring must recognise. In a simple word to pastors about their duties, Pope Francis states: “We have been called to form consciences, not to replace them.” (n.37) Marriage is a unique human relationship, but the basic way to live it as a Christian is the same way to live all relationships.

It is the way of love that we discover in relationship with Christ. Chapter 4 of AL is entitled “Love in Marriage”, but could be used by all of us, whether married or not, to reflect on how well we are living as true Christians.

The chapter takes a well-known passage, often used in Marriage liturgies, from St Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. “Love is patient, love is kind…” it begins. You can read it in your Bible at 1Cor 13: 4-7.

Pope Francis leads us through, verse by verse, a sacred reading of this inspired text.

In the Year of Mercy, it could be a very helpful way of examining your conscience

when you prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The call to be in relationship with others as we are in relationship with Christ is the central theme of this document. It calls us away from abstractions to the reality of human lives. It shows a shining path of escape from selfishness to a full life that is real in so many Christian marriages and families. But it does not cast off those who are struggling, or who have not started, on this journey.

“The Joy of Love” need not be read from cover to cover. Pope Francis himself invites us to go first to those sections that concern us most. I encourage you to read the introduction, then begin to explore.

This document will be good for many days to come. +Michael McKenna Bishop of Bathurst Amoris Laetitia can be found at bathurst.catholic.org.au

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C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t • June 2016 • Page 5

Josh’s call to Candidacy

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n 29th May 2016 we celebrated Corpus Christi Sunday. At the same time, Joshua Clayton was admitted as a Candidate for Ordination to the Diaconate.

Bishop Michael McKenna was the principal celebrant for Mass at the Cathedral of St Michael and St John and called on Josh to take the next step to becoming a Permanent Deacon.

This is the final and most public stage in a journey of more than five years of formation and discernment. Josh will continue along this journey in partnership with his wife, Anna and his four children until called to ordination by the Bishop.

Josh is the third candidate within the Diocese to be called to Candidacy for the Permanent Dioaconate, with Terry Mahony and Charles Applin being ordained as deacons earlier this year, and Mike Williams of Wellington is set to be admitted as a candidate on 10th August.

Deacons directly help the Bishop in reaching out to people on the edges of Church life.

These distances may be geographical or social and economic. They assist with works of charity, catechesis and co-ordination.

Deacons can baptise, preach and officiate at marriages and funerals. The Bishop commented on the generosity of all those involved with this program. They have been willing contributors to the life of the Church.

Bishop Michael with Josh and Anna Clayton

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Preparations take shape for Diocesan Assembly

Members of the DAC were delighted to share a meal and time with Fr Mark McGuigan and parishioners of St Patrick’s Parish, Lithgow recently, at one of the first meetings.

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ur second Diocesan Assembly will be held on the weekend of 29th-30th October 2016, in conjunction with the conclusion of the Sesquicentenary celebrations for our Diocese.

As part of the preparations for this event, members of the Diocesan Assembly Council are visiting each parish to share with parishioners the vision that Bishop Michael McKenna has for the Assembly and discuss the objectives and practicalities of establishing a Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC).

The Bishop has invited each parish to nominate two people as members of the new Council and they will represent their parish at the Diocesan Assembly.

One of these must be a current member of their Parish Pastoral Council, to facilitate effective communication

and co-operation between the Council and parishes. With the establishment of the DPC, the Diocesan Assembly Council’s work will be finished and that Council dissolved.

The new DPC will meet annually and this meeting will in effect become our annual Diocesan Assembly. The main work of the Council however, will be carried out during the year by members, working under the auspices of the six groups developed through the 2013 Diocesan Assembly: ●● ●● ●● ●●

Hearing and Proclaiming the Word of God; Worshipping God in Prayer and Sacrament; Building a Community of Love and Service; Participation of Indigenous Catholics;

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Each DPC member will join one of these groups, which between them seem to cover all the issues we are currently looking to address in our Diocese. These groups will work closely with the Bishop and an Executive, meeting regularly throughout the year. They will be able to co-opt other people to their groups as required and have assistance available from the Chancery, the Catholic Education Office and Centacare, as required, to help them in their work.

The dates for the meetings will be published in parish bulletins and more information on the Diocesan Assembly will be published in due course.

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C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t • June 2016 • Page 7

Blown away by Diocesan generosity

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hen Cyclone Winston tore through Fiji on 20th February 2016, it was the strongest and most damaging cyclone that had ever swept through the island nation.

Shocked by vision of the destroyed villages and people living under tarps, Rosie Frecklington was inspired to get involved in raising funds and approached the Vicar General, Father Paul Devitt, about raising money in the Orange Parish to help pay for some of the cost of freighting the goods across the Pacific.

Father Paul decided the project was such a good idea David and Val Frecklington with Rosie and Barry Frecklington that he mentioned it to Bishop Michael McKenna, who that we could put together 50 full crockery and cutlery the way from Australia. was also supportive of the boxes and send them to Fiji sets, towels, cookware and “We are extremely happy,” initiative. all on our own, including the implements, and sundry other said Verenaisi Tuwai of “With the 17 parishes in the container and freight”, Mrs items were packed into the 50 Koronubu Settlement, “We removalist’s boxes.

Bathurst Diocese involved, we Frecklington said. lost everything to tropical were able to raise $22,218.75 Purchasing the goods in The container took 10 days to cyclone Winston, nothing was in just three weeks” Mrs Orange and then freighting arrive in Fiji. Unpacking began saved. When we received this Frecklington said. “I was them to Brisbane would have on 24th April and the packages today, we couldn’t believe it. blown away by the kind hearts added an extra, substantial were distributed to families It’s all brand-new and they’ve of the people in Orange and cost, so Mrs Frecklington and thanks to the overwhelming given us the very things that across the Diocese”. her husband Barry, along with support of the people of the we needed the most. All I can say is: thank you very much to When the final amount was David and Val Frecklington, Bathurst Diocese. tallied, the fundraisers came travelled to Brisbane to At the end of April, The Fijian these wonderful people”. to realise they had enough to purchase everything they Times reported that more fund our own container full of needed there. than 50 families were very Courtesy: Mark Logan, assistance.

Fifty two room tents, 100 sets thankful when relief supplies Central Western Daily and “We had so much money of double and single doonas, were distributed to them all

Parish secretaries catch up

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ome of the parish secretaries met in Orange in April to have lunch, a chat and catch up. It was lovely to see everyone and a very enjoyable time was had by all. We look forward to the next time we are once again together.

Katherine Southwell Front: Katherine Southwell, Trish Ryan, Louise Ellison, Pauline Pollard, Patti Keddie and Robyn Rhodes Back: Sharon Hughes, Enid Traynor and Judy Clarke Page 8 • June 2016 • C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t

Fijian Times

Vale Neville Bowers

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eville Bowers died peacefully on Wednesday 23rd March 2016 at the Orange Health Service Hospital, with his wife Helen and family by his side The hearts of many of those who Neville had touched throughout his life were saddened by the news.

Neville and Helen Bowers were the founding members of Shalom House of Prayer at Carcoar in 1975. A convert to the Catholic Church in 1973, Neville sought, through prayer and meditation, the will of God in his life - the direction he should travel and the pursuits he should follow. In 1974, Neville received the words, “Go to Carcoar, reopen the old convent and make it a place where my people can find or renew their relationship with me”.

He was faithful to this calling and the vision. He established the House of Prayer on a firm foundation; he oversaw

the renovation and repairs required for the buildings to accommodate and care for the many hundreds of people who, over the years, would pass through the doors of Shalom. Neville went about his tasks as Director of Shalom for 16 years with no fanfare, empowered by the constancy of his prayer life and the depth of his relationship with the one who had chosen him.

Along with his devotion to “Shalom”, Neville also remained faithful to his first call to be a loving husband, father and grandfather. Even in retirement, he remained a gentle, guiding influence and wise counsel for the community members who were to follow the call to Shalom; and in many ways remained the spiritual head of the House. Neville’s legacy can best be described in the words of Helen’s dedication at the front of her book, “Let the Bells Ring Out”: “For my husband, Neville Bowers, whose searching led him to rediscover God whose longing opened him to Jesus, the Word of God and who was empowered by the Spirit of God to: “Go to Carcoar, reopen the old convent and make it a place where my people can find or renew their relationship with me”.

We thank the Lord for his inspiration and guidance in Neville’s life.​ The Shalom Community Members

Reset Midnight BBQ

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n a warm evening in April, members of the Cathedral Parish Young Adults Group and members of the Cathedral Parish gathered to host another Reset Midnight BBQ. These BBQs are designed to be an outreach to the local community, especially young adults who may be out having a drink with their friends, giving them the chance to ‘reset’ the night.

The time begins with prayer and then we cook some sausages (with onion of course) for the people who might be out and about in Bathurst.

Fr Owen was chief BBQ cook

At this latest BBQ, we were lucky enough to have Father Owen cooking and Fr Paul and Nick handing out the sausages.

It was a very pleasant night with many great conversations and opportunities to talk about the important issues of life, and a wonderful chance to have a positive conversation with the youth of our community.

The Cathedral Parish is currently looking at increasing the regularity of the midnight BBQs. If anyone is interested in helping out, they are encouraged to contact the Cathedral Presbytery. It might seem a challenging thing to do, but the time spent at the Reset Midnight BBQ is fulfilling beyond measure.

Josh Clayton

C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t • June 2016 • Page 9

New Ministries after Vatican II

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he Sisters of Mercy, like many other religious orders, heeded the words of Vatican II in the 1960s and 1970s and noted how the documents spoke to the whole of humanity and alerted all to read the signs of the times and interpret them in the light of the Gospel (Gaudium et Spes 4). Many changes occurred in ministries and lifestyle for the Sisters that could not be accounted for or understood by the general public. We recall something of the history of these years now as we celebrate the Sesquicentenary of the arrival of the Sisters to Bathurst in 1866.

We could liken the dynamics of those years of change to the workings of a computer. Behind the programs that are visible and which we are accustomed to using, are other programs that are running but are invisible, but have an impact on the efficiency and performance of the computer. In the lives of the Sisters, there were visible changes in habit, residence, religious practices and customs. But underpinning these changes were deep spiritual, philosophical and theological changes that motivated the Sisters to undertake new ministries and new ways of being in the world, rather than separate from it. For example, Janet Walker left teaching and seemed to disappear from public ministry in 1981. But if we delve into her story, it tells of interesting details of a spiritual

Sr Janet Walker rsm

transformation that led to a changed ministry that bore fruit for a particular group of people.

Janet taught for several years in Mercy schools before she was given the opportunity to attend the Sabbath IX Spirituality Course at Stella Maris, Geelong, Victoria. There, in an atmosphere of prayer and reflection, she discerned her future and knew she could assist people with a hearing disability. She returned to teaching in North Dubbo to tie up the ends to her teaching career. She was then given a year in 1983 to re-train with various Catholic Agencies in NSW, Victoria and South Australia. She explains, “These agencies enabled me to gain experiences in the needs of the deaf and provide some information to assist them. Many doors opened and I was able to gain further information through continuing Conferences, Workshops and Courses. I was supported by the local Diocese and the Sydney Chaplain for the Deaf. In the wider community, I was appointed by the local Bathurst Deaf Resources Group to be their Welfare Officer”.

Janet later observes, “My years in this apostolate enabled me to respond in freedom to whatever was placed before me and in situations and places I would never have ventured without the support of my Mercy companions and the goodness of so many professional people”. She still lives in Bathurst and acts as sacristan at St. Catherine’s Nursing Home, as Eucharistic Minister to other nursing homes and visits the aged in their homes.

Marjorie Fitzgerald also thought that her path in life was clear. Teaching was her ministry and she would give all her energies to it. Then, in 1987 the Bathurst Mercy Congregation received a call from the Diocese of Wilcannia Forbes for someone to teach within a context different from the Catholic schools. Because of Marjorie’s rural background and experience, she had gifts and skills well suited to responding to this new need. She was invited to consider the call to go to Bourke to work in the Parish there. Marjorie comments on this experience: “This was different to anything I had ever done before, especially when it came to travel. Instead of getting into the car to visit the out-stations, our mode of transport was a small plane which, I must admit, took some getting used to; but at the same time opened up places with wonderful sounding names such as Tilpa, Hungerford, Engonnia and Fords

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Bridge. Mass was more often than not celebrated with the local community in the pub or on a log. Wherever shade was to be found when it was just too hot to be inside”.

Sr Marjorie Fitzgerald rsm This experience in Bourke changed Marjorie’s ministry from education of children to one of care and pastoral development of adults. She has recently taught as a casual teacher at St Mary’s, Wellington and as a Pastoral Associate, been involved in liturgy, funerals, minister to the sick and dying and been involved with the Uniting Church as an occasional speaker. She assisted with the care of her dying mother and extended her support to her brother who was suffering from ill health. She now shares a house with an Ursuline Sister from Sydney who came to work in Wellington in 1997.

These two women are among the many who responded to the needs of a wider world and engaged in Pastoral Ministry with specific groups of people. They use modern means of communication, live in small houses rather than the large convents of the past and dress as women of the culture. Their availability and commitment is based on the mercy story of Catherine McAuley and her call to respond to the poor and needy of the world. It is a continuing story and challenge for our day.

Patricia Powell rsm, Paula Smith rsm, Mary Trainor rsm

Mass and Blessing of Memorial Stone St Patrick’s - Pyramul

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n Saturday 23rd April 2016, more than 80 people attended an open-air Mass and Blessing of a memorial stone to commemorate St Patrick’s Catholic Church and Convent, which once stood on the two acre site at Pyramul. Mrs Betty Croake, a former resident of Pyramul, together with her granddaughter Eva Croake, unveiled the plaque.

Fathers Tony Hennessy and Carl Mackander concelebrated the Mass and it was lovely to have nine Sisters of St Joseph in attendance. Three Sisters in attendance were originally from Pyramul: Sr Ruth Tomlinson, Sr Kathy Jennings and Sr Catherine O’Brien.

Fr James O’Donnell brought three pioneering Sisters of St Joseph to the Convent at Pyramul in 1883: Sr Mechtilde Doyle, Sr Philomela Chatley and Sr Barbara Kelly. As the gold rush that brought so many people to the area waned, the Convent was closed in 1892.

Fr Nugent obtained the land as a Government grant in 1875 and St Patrick’s Church was almost completed in that year.

Regular Masses were held once a month with priests coming from the Parishes of Kandos and then Mudgee. Baptisms, weddings and other sacraments took place at Pyramul. It was a small but strong community, grateful for the past and looking forward to the future.

The last Mass held in the church was 20th March 2005.

Sometime after that, it collapsed in a windstorm. The convent had already fallen into disrepair and no longer existed either. A Catholic cemetery sits on the site, with over 84 pioneers and local people buried there.

After Mass and the unveiling, a well-attended afternoon tea was served in the Pyramul Community Hall, with photographs on the history of the church and convent on display.

Jennifer Maloney

Fr Carl and Fr Tony with Eva and Betty Croake

Sisters Margaret Tomlinson, Maureen Sanderson, Catherine O’Brien, Kathy Jennings, Clare Hopper, Kath Luchetti, Ruth Croome, Carmel Sheridan and Joan Farrell

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Palm Sunday in Mudgee

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he Palm Sunday gathering was held on 20th March 2016 in Mudgee. Since its inception a few years ago, the annual event sees the communities of the Anglican, Catholic and Uniting churches gather to hear the Passion story.

It is either the Anglican or Catholic Church who hosts the function and a highlight of the gathering is “Cahill” the donkey, who leads the procession around the church area and into the main street.

Owned by David Lowe, Cahill attracts a number of young primary school children, making the Palm Sunday story become more real to them.

The children love following the donkey in procession, giving lots of pats and affection with the donkey being remarkably calm in their presence. It is a powerful way to start Holy Week for young families.

There are prayers and general intercessions and some hymns with the Passion reading.

Then, each church group returns to their own community and continues with their liturgies for the day.

The Palm Sunday gathering attracts a crowd of over 200 people and fosters good relationships with the other denominations, sharing a common liturgy together.

Fr Tony Hennessy

The children at the Palm Sunday procession, Mudgee

Cahill the donkey leading the procession

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2016 National Count of Mass Attendance

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ass attendances for the whole of Australia have been recorded every five years since 2001, in a project known as the National Count of Attendance. Many dioceses and parishes also conduct their own annual counts.

The National Count was again conducted throughout Australia, including the Diocese of Bathurst, last month. It was a simple headcount: no other information about attenders was collected.

The count is conducted over four consecutive Sundays (and Saturday evenings) to ensure that fortnightly and monthly Masses are not overlooked. This is particularly important for many country towns and migrant communities. The method used for the count enables reporting of actual numbers attending on any particular weekend of the count and also the calculation of the total number likely to be in attendance on a typical weekend, after special events like Confirmations have been taken into account.

The national count is conducted in the same year as the Australian Census (to be held on 9th August) and the National Church Life Survey (NCLS, to be held in October and November) so that the information collected can most effectively be used in association with results from the other two projects. Combining the national Count and NCLS data reveals that about 85 per cent of the people at church on a typical weekend attend every weekend, but the remaining people range from one-off visitors, to those who attend from once or twice a year, up to two or three times a month.

Church attendance is perhaps the most basic measure of religious practice. According to the 2011 National Count, about 12.2 per cent of Australia’s Catholic population, or 662,000 people, went to church on a typical weekend. Most of those attended Mass in a parish, but the figure also included people attending Mass in non-parish centres, such as migrant centres, hospitals, gaols and boarding schools, and also some who were not attending Mass at all, but rather a Sunday assembly in the absence of a priest.

A report based on the 2011 National Count of Attendance showed some interesting statistics such as: in 2011, about one-third of Mass attenders had been born in non-English speaking countries.

In particular, respondents born in India, Sri Lanka or the Philippines accounted for much larger proportions of attenders compared to their proportions of the Catholic population as a whole. The full report can be downloaded free of charge from the Pastoral Research Office website: pro.catholic.org.au.

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Bishop Michael visits Nagaland

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n April, I completed a short visit to the church in Nagaland in the far northeast of India. Accompanied by Mr Mike Deasy, the Director of Catholic Mission in our Diocese, we brought the presence of our local church of Bathurst to the Diocese of Kohima: and bring back to you their gratitude for our support and promise of future sharing in proclaiming the Gospel together.

As you know, the annual Christmas appeal across our Diocese, starting last year and continuing in coming years, is for St Peter’s Parish in the remote mountainous village of Sanis. Specifically, we want to help them build new classrooms for their school, St Paul’s, of 230 students.

The Church in Nagaland, a region with 16 major tribes, is growing strongly. More people are becoming Catholic and local vocations to the priesthood and religious life are increasing. A big factor in this has been the work of Catholic schools, which are open to all. They provide a better general education than the government schools offer: and an introduction to Catholic faith to the students and their families.

Life in the hills of Nagaland is simple and the people are hardworking, mainly in agriculture. The ancient culture is still alive and respected and affirmed by the Catholic Church. It is beautifully present in the Liturgy when the people sing in natural harmonies. I told them how wonderful this sounded and that it expressed a deep reality of the Church: different voices working together in one song. May our voices join with theirs. +Michael McKenna Bishop of Bathurst

Bishop Michael with Mike Deasy being welcomed to the Carmel Parish

The Bishop of Kohima, Most Rev Dr James Thoppil, Bishop Michael and Mike Deasy with the Carmel Parish clergy

Bishop Michael and Mike visit with children from Chavara Home

Bishop Michael is welcomed to the Sanis Parish

Bishop Michael with Bishop James, Mike and the Religious of Sanis

Bishop Michael dressed in Naga robes

Page 14 • June 2016 • C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t

MacKillop College’s ANZAC 100 Years

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n 2015, to mark the 100th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli, the MacKillop College community wanted to reflect and remember those service men and women who went to war and the sacrifice they made for us to live in the freedom of our great nation.

A number of years ago, MacKillop College was given a small gift of a tree, a descendant of the Lone Pine found at Gallipoli. This tree was nurtured and cared for over the years and finally planted in the College surrounds. It has now grown into a beautiful tree in our school grounds and is the focal point of a new commemorative garden.

Mr Steve Curry, College groundsmen and Mr Robert Kreuzberger, TAS /PDHPE Co-ordinator, have developed a landscaped area and garden incorporating this Lone Pine, where the College community can gather every year to reflect, pay respect and give thanks for the freedom we all enjoy today.

The commemorative garden consists of 102 Gallipoli Rosemary plants. The ancient Greeks believed that rosemary made their memories stronger and this idea continues today as members of the College will wear sprigs of rosemary to remember those who has died in all theatres of war. Each of the rosemary plants have been sponsored by families, staff, students, roll groups and friends of the College. They have been

planted out in two rows and will be hedged over the coming years as the garden develops and matures.

The landscape materials have been kindly donated by the MacKillop College’s P&F committee and Australian Native Landscapes. Without these sponsored plants and donations our commemorative garden would not have been possible. We thank all those who have been involved.

Our College members are now able to reflect in this special garden and give thanks to those who were involved in the war and for all the sacrifices they have made, which helped define World War I and shape early Australia.

The commemorative garden was designed

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to show that we, as young Australians, have not forgotten the 102,826 Australian service men and women who gave their lives in wars and conflicts during the past 101 years. From the towering cliffs of Gallipoli and the trenches of the Western Front to the valleys of Afghanistan, we at Mackillop College commemorate the bravery, courage, mateship and sacrifice of both the past and present members of the Australian Defence Force.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.

Lest we forget.

Megan Walton Y9 MacKillop College

A multi-sector dialogue on living the joy of the Gospel and leading mission

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Above all, the conference purpose is to affirm, inspire, nurture and imagine. It wil enable participants to ‘go forth boldly’ (EG 261) living the joy of the Gospel and leading mission.

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Page 16 • June 2016 • C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t

St Dominic’s Parish, Kandos celebrations

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unday 1st May was a significant day for St Dominic’s Parish, Kandos, with Bishop Michael McKenna celebrating Mass and confirming six young people from the local area.

This occasion was also an opportunity for the Parish to celebrate the 150 years of the Diocese of Bathurst.

The commemorative plaque presented by the Bishop, during his sesquicentenary pilgrimage around the Diocese last year, has been placed permanently in the porch of St Dominic’s and was blessed by the Bishop during his visit.

Lam Song Tran, Duong Van Ha, Clare Chadwick, Hope Norris, Kevin Large, Thomas Large, Bishop Michael McKenna, Alex Morrissey, Daniel Chadwick, Rowena Jenik, Father Tony Hennesy and Cong Van Hoang

After Mass, the Parish provided a sit-down lunch for 90 people in the parish hall. This was not only a celebration for those confirmed and their families, but a welcome to the three recently arrived Vietnamese seminary candidates. Also present was Daniel Salamoni from Mudgee, who will be attending World Youth Day in Poland. Daniel met with local Polish parishioners Stasia Rozenblatt, Maggie Swientek and Irena Mistak.

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Daniel Salamoni, Bishop Michael McKenna and Stasia Rozenblatt discussing what to see in Poland

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BLAST 2016 - an explosion of possibilities!

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LAST is on again over the weekend of 20th-21st August! This is the Diocese of Bathurst’s Youth Festival for students in Y6-9 and has been an annual event since 2009.

BLAST provides an opportunity for the young people of our Diocese to gather together, deepen their faith, form friendships and have a lot of fun. Once again, BLAST will be held at Ridgecrest, overlooking Burrendong Dam. This wonderful setting provides a great space to experience the love of God and the joy of the Gospel.

Past attendees will attest that BLAST is a truly fantastic weekend. Some of the experiences include great talks and presentations on topics like social justice, prayer and resilience; singing along to the fantastic music of our Diocesan youth band PPK (Priest, Prophet, King); participating in the small group challenges, including So You Think You Can Liturgically Dance; and a special Mass with Bishop Michael McKenna. BLAST is a great opportunity for our young students to build on what they have learnt in the classroom, with new experiences of fellowship, liturgy and prayer.

If you are in Y6-9, I strongly encourage you to attend this very worthwhile event, and encourage others you know who might enjoy the experience.

We are also looking for older youth to participate as BLAST Leaders. During the next school holidays (6th-8th July) we will be holding BLAST Leader Formation at Shalom House of Prayer, Carcoar, in order to both challenge and deepen the

BLAST leaders from 2015 faith of our young people and equip them with skills so they can effectively guide the BLAST participants, ensuring a great experience is had by all. If you are in Y10-12, or are currently at university, I urge you to join us.

Finally, concurrent to BLAST, we run a program called BLAST Radius, which is aimed at empowering people to act as leaders in their parishes. If you are concerned that we aren’t doing enough to foster the faith of young people, or

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have a passion for youth ministry and think it is something you might be interested in taking up in your parish, I would ask you to talk to your parish priest about attending BLAST Radius.

Online registrations are open now. To register or for more information visit bathurst.catholic.org.au or contact Josh Clayton at ministries@bathurst.catholic. org.au. We hope to see you there!

Karl Sinclair

The Catholic Observer is published by the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst (Diocesan Publications) PO Box 246, Bathurst, NSW, 2795 ph: (02) 6334 6400 fax: (02) 6331 9453 email: observer@bathurst.catholic.org.au Editor ~ Fiona Lewis Communications Co-ordinator ~ Kimbalee Clews Designer ~ Jacqui Keady Printed by: Rural Press Printing, Richmond NSW All material in this magazine is copyright and may be reproduced only with the written permission of the Editor.

The Catholic Observer is a member of the Australasian Catholic Press Association.

Page 18 • June 2016 • C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t

Planning for the future at the Josephite Foundation

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he enthusiastic Board members and Executive Officer of the Josephite Foundation (JF) met recently to create a path for the future. The Josephite Foundation, which operates No Interest Loans Schemes (NILS) in Bathurst, Lithgow, Cowra and Young, and administers StepUp loans in two centres, is keen to address the needs of marginalised people in the communities in which they operate.

Plans have been put in place for the Josephite Foundation to expand its services over the next year to include enabling low income earners in the workforce to access NILS, as well as allowing interviews to be conducted over the telephone for existing NILS clients. JF NILS programs have been registered on the community ‘YourLink’ app, to assist with the promotion of the various programs to potential users. Site committees in each of the JF centres support and Board Members, Executive Officer and Facilitator at the recent Josephite promote the Josephite Foundation Foundation planning meeting NILS and StepUP loans in their local area. limited incomes, is not just about budget and, in many cases, enhancing giving them access to socially their sense of self-respect”.

The strategic planning meeting was responsible finance options, but it is facilitated by Sister Therese Carroll The Josephite Foundation looks also about giving people a “hand-up” rsj with the aim of ensuring that the confidently to the future as it seeks in life and respecting their dignity. good work of the JF in the field of to promote the dignity of people As expressed by Kirsty Gilmore, the microfinance and financial inclusion by enhancing self-determination, JF Executive Officer, “These small is carried on into the future. personal growth and justice for loans have proven themselves to be those who are marginalised in the The Sisters of St Joseph are proud ‘life changing’ to so many people, community. of this ministry as the provision allowing them to purchase essential of microfinance loans to people on items without breaking the fortnightly Sister Therese McGarry rsj

Preparing for Confirmation

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hroughout the year, hundreds of children from across the Diocese receive the sacrament of Confirmation.

Although the Bishop cannot get to every school each year, he manages to visit many, especially as Y6 students are preparing for Confirmation.

Bishop Michael recently spent time with the children from Cathedral Primary School and talked about the sacrament, their preparation and answered any questions the students had.

“I always enjoy talking to the children as they prepare to be confirmed. It is with much interest that we discuss many things, including the next step in their faith journey”, said Bishop Michael.

Kimbalee Clews

Bishop Michael with Y6 students from Cathedral Primary School, Bathurst

C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t • June 2016 • Page 19

“Young people call us to renewed and expansive hope…” Pope Francis

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ach year, a key event within our school communities during term two is the coming together of the Religious Education Co-ordinators for their conference.

This year, they were joined by teachers involved in music education, along with teachers and parishioners involved in music and catechetical ministries. Led by the team from Emmanuel Worship, the focus of the two days was contemporary worship music. I had the privilege of being a participant for part of the conference and experiencing the beauty, power and potential of the music with which we engaged.

Just one week later, I attended the family Mass at St Michael’s, Manildra where the students led the congregation in singing, having been taught several of the hymns which featured at the REC Conference. What a joy it was for all of the congregation to see the active participation and deep reverence of the students whose prayerful engagement in the liturgy was inspiring.

These two events, in the course of just one week, are indicative of the efforts being made by teachers across the Diocese as they strive to animate one of our six Diocesan Assembly themes, the participation of young Catholics in the life of the Church.

When our young people were surveyed last year in this regard, unsurprisingly they indicated that music in the liturgy can open up the opportunities for an encounter with Christ, if it is music which resonates with them. Young people do wish to be enlivened, to come alive in their faith and in their worship and music can be a wonderful catalyst for this, as we all experienced recently at Manildra.

In our ministry with youth, an ever present challenge is to

Helen Ryan, Diocesan Director CCD with Jenny Allen offer new and creative insights into the stories and teachings they have heard as Catholics many times over. Music is potentially a powerful and highly enjoyable means to this end.

These reflections call to mind Pope Francis’ assertion that ‘young people call us to renewed and expansive hope, for they represent new directions for humanity and open us up to the future, lest we cling to nostalgia for structures and customs which are no longer life-giving in today’s world’ (EG 108).

Jenny Allen Executive Director of Schools

PLCs in D

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rofessional Learning Communities (PLCs) consist of educators committed to working collaboratively to achieve better results for the students they serve.

As a Diocese, we are committed to developing and modelling PLCs across our system of schools with expert support from a specialist team from Hawker Brownlow. Six of our schools: St John’s, Baradine; St Brigid’s, Coonamble; St Lawrence’s, Coonabarabran, St Columba’s, Yeoval; St Joseph’s, Manildra and St Mary’s, Dubbo, recently met in Dubbo as part of a network forum day to work together and plan for the next phases of their school PLC journeys.

All participants worked solidly during the day and left with some great plans and actions to take them through 2016 and beyond.

Janine Kearney

Kate from St Columba’s explaining their journey so far

Page 20 • June 2016 • C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t

Supportive Gulgong

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he students and staff at All Hallows in Gulgong are very lucky to have such a beautiful, functional school environment to be learning in each day. Not only are the classes full of wonderful resources and up-to-date technology, but the children also have great learning support at all levels and across all stages.

One example is Mrs Menchin taking a group of students for some extra work on ‘grouping’. The support that students receive is offered when ‘no new learning’ is happening in the classrooms, to ensure these students don’t miss out on any essential learnings.

Congratulations on the great set up you have at All Hallows. No wonder you have such happy students!

Janine Kearney

Mrs Menchin and her “grouping” group

Perfect Portland “Preppies”

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he three Kinder girls at St Joseph’s in Portland may only have been at school for a short time but they already have all the big concepts sorted… including the full stop. Mrs Taylor is also very impressed with their language skills, but I think she sometimes wishes for evidence and understanding about full stops in conversations.

Janine Kearney The delightful Kinder girls from Portland: Olivia, Maya and Lillijana

St Matthews Catholic School

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4 Lewis St Mudgee Phone: 6372 1742 New website: www.stmattsmudgee.catholic.edu.au C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t • June 2016 • Page 21

Speaking Out – Publically

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t’s that time of year again when the CWA Public Speaking competition sees finalists from schools across the Diocese eagerly anticipating pitting their skills against students from all over the region. Congratulations to the finalists from St Joseph’s, Eugowra: Keiley Whatman, Sienna Carver,

Olivia Holland and Ty Jones, who represented their school in the regional finals. Thanks also goes to Mrs Frances Anderson and to all the judges in our schools who have the unenviable task of choosing the winners in each school community.

Janine Kearney

Dubbo teacher recognised

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eterans support, a helping hand for hospital patients, refreshments for blood donors and covering the City’s library books these are the jobs a bunch of dedicated Dubbo volunteers ensure are done for the community.

Sixteen people who had quietly carried out tasks for others across many years were presented with Dubbo Day Awards late last year.

Amongst the recipients was Robert Exner, Religious Education Cooridinator at St John’s College, Dubbo. Robert received his Dubbo Day Award for contributions to Dubbo South Rotary Club, Dubbo Roos, Dubbo Junior Rugby, Dubbo Junior Basketball and St Brigid’s Parish. Congratulations Rob! Keiley, Sienna, Olivia, Ty and Mrs Anderson

Dr Angelo Belmonte

Construction begins at James Sheahan

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onstruction of a multipurpose facility has begun at James Sheahan Catholic High School thanks to a State Government grant. The school has received more than $1.36 million towards the construction as part the Building Grants Assistance Scheme. The facility will feature music rooms, a room for seniors to use in bad weather, an outdoor amphitheatre and a larger multipurpose room, with adjustable walls according to needs. It will allow for the teaching of dance and drama, but is flexible enough to have a lecture, to use for students doing exams and to hold large exhibitions. The staff and students are looking forward to the completion of the facility, which is estimated to be in September.

Mark Pauschman

Work begins on site at James Sheahan High School

Page 22 • June 2016 • C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t

All Hallows Catholic School - Gulgong Mothers’ Day

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ur school community came together to honour our Mums for Mothers’ Day. Kindergarten and Y1 led the School in a beautiful Liturgy that reminded us of all the wonderful things that our Mums do for us. Our Y4 parents then hosted our guests with a beautiful High Tea; just one way our school community comes together to celebrate.

Y6 Christian Living Camp

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uring May, our Y6 students went to Christian Living Camp (CLC) at Lake Burrendong. They joined peers from Assumption School, Bathurst and St Michael’s, Dunedoo. They had a fantastic time and represented All Hallows proudly.

Jean and Des Kelly with granddaughter Holly and Sr Carmel Sheridan rsj

Y6 said: “At CLC we took part in many activities over the three days. With the Sport and Rec Staff we tried tennis, gym, grass skiing, canoeing, ping pong, rocking the dance floor and our favourites – archery, mini Olympics, kayaking and paint balloon battles”.

“Our presenter for the “Christian Living” activities was Chris Doyle. He was hilarious and an excellent mentor. He talked about his life as a Christian and the importance of making good choices. He is a musician with a great sense of humour and worked with us to help us understand that we must value our life and that of our friends and family”.

“We will remember this experience because it gave us the opportunity to meet new friends and try new things”.

All Hallow’s Y6 students at the Christian Living Camp

Carolyn Holland

St Lawrence’s Primary School Coonabarabran

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C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t • June 2016 • Page 23

“Strong women: may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them!”

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wonderful Mothers and Motherly Ones breakfast was held at MacKillop College to honour the important relationships between women and to celebrate Mothers’ Day. The theme for the event was: “Strong women: may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them!”.

Over 160 women aged from 4 to 74 attended and enjoyed a breakfast of

croissants, fruit, a cuppa, entertaining music and good company in the Trade Training Centre. Attendees were blessed in prayer and were entertained by some lovely songs sung by Y12 students Sophia Grant and Laine Redden.

which help to deepen the bonds of love and develop healthy mutual respect.

Many thanks go to the wonderful team of MacKillop College staff and students who co-ordinated and assisted in the morning and all the lovely women who came along The teenage years are especially important to make it such a successful event. for young women to be able to spend Ann Watton quality time with positive female mentors Photos by Tina Watson engaging in conversations and activities

Kylie and Gabrielle Bennett, Jane and Emily Thompson

Leanne and Macy Hunter-Knight with Shirley Hunter

Chloe and Louise Haberecht

Janine and Lilly O’Toole with Vicki Evans

MKC students preparing the delicious breakfast

Sophia Henderson-Lang and Susan Macintosh

Page 24 • June 2016 • C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t

A Wild Time at the Zoo

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t the end of Term 1, all students, staff and some parents from St Joseph’s Primary School, Eugowra went for a sleep over at the Taronga Zoo, Dubbo. Thanks to an anonymous benefactor, everyone had the chance to adventure together and have a wonderful positive learning experience about the greater world around us.

The trip to Dubbo included a visit to St Laurence’s Primary School where our staff and children were able to experience the fun and opportunities of a ‘large’ school.

“There are 16 girls in Y5!” said Olivia Holland, the only girl in Y5, with three boys.

The staff enjoyed the opportunity to meet up with fellow colleagues and compare notes and strategies about Professional Learning teams.

St Joseph’s at Taronga Zoo, Dubbo the children heading to the Education and then the gibbons, before going on to Centre to meet some slimy, scaly see the tigers and rhinos. creatures in the reptile house and then After a nourishing breakfast, it was exploring outside in the dark, meeting time for all to spend the rest of the some Australian nocturnal animals. day exploring the zoo on two and four Whilst most of the children slept, the wheels.

Siamang monkeys ‘entertained’ the Everyone enjoyed a wonderful couple adults all night so they were glad to rise of days which was educational, at 5.30am, ready for the morning walk! entertaining and a great life experience.

Everyone met the Siamang monkeys in daylight, who were actually quite funny, Sarah de Lange

After a short stop at the amazing and whimsical world of the Aladdin’s Cave Bottle Shop, it was out to the zoo to set up camp for the night.

A delicious BBQ dinner was followed by

Pop up classrooms and projects at St Joseph’s, Manildra

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n line with the theme of ‘pop up restaurants’, ‘pop up dances’ and ‘pop up coffee shops’, St Joseph’s Primary School, Manildra recently held their very own ‘Pop Up Classroom’ in central Manildra.

Early one morning in March, a team of teachers from the School transformed the local park into a classroom before surprising students with the news as they arrived at school that their classroom was ‘downtown’ for the day!

Students engaged in the learning activities of writing and charcoal sketching, focusing on the iconic Manildra Flour Mill, before completing maths challenges in teams and finishing with a sausage sizzle lunch.

Surprised on-lookers and visitors ranged from parents and grandparents, to local mill workers and Manildra business owners who enjoyed watching the children’s lessons in a setting they wouldn’t normally access.

students to play on and to enhance the aesthetic aspect of St Joseph’s.

Already, there are signs of new growth occurring and we are looking forward to complete coverage in the months to During the April school holidays, two come. major projects were completed at the School. An underground irrigation Also, after a very generous fundraising system was installed recently to assist effort by the School’s P & F in the development of lawn for the Association, combined with a very

generous contribution from Manildra Group Flour Mill, new playground equipment was recently installed. This equipment provides students with the opportunity to improve skills in co-ordination, balance, strength and flexibility, whilst providing a colourful and friendly environment to play in.

Josh Dunn

C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t • June 2016 • Page 25

St Vincent de Paul Day

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he Day and Boarders Conferences have commenced a number of community outreach activities for Term 2. These activities include iPad for the Elderly, Green Team and visits to St Catherine’s. ‘iPad for the Elderly’ classes have commenced with seven members of the community attending the first class. Each Monday afternoon, Stannies students from Y7-11 will tutor their students in the use of their iPads or Android Tablets. The students are learning to ‘google’ and email on their device as well as downloading apps, books, games, music and movies.

The Green Team sees the students attending the home of community members to assist with gardening work that the residents may not be able to do themselves. This includes Stannies students mowing lawns, weeding, potting and most recently assisting with a local permaculture garden.

Stannies students now also visit St Catherine’s each Monday afternoon to chat, play games and share stories with the residents.

Green Team member Lachlan Madden with Mr Martin

West Side Story hits the stage at Stannies

An ‘iPad for the Elderly’ session

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n May, St Stanislaus’ College, had the west side of New York City on stage with its energetic production of West Side Story. The Stannies students, supported by students from Mackillop College, bought to life one of Bernstein’s most famous musicals.

Rehearsals for the production began in January and lead characters Chris Brennan (playing Tony) and Antonia Fish (playing Maria) said after months of rehearsals the cast and crew were ready for the season. “Everyone worked really hard in the lead up to the production, so we were really excited to show our families and friends that the hard work was worth it”, they said.

The production ran for four nights, gaining excellent reviews, with audiences being wowed by the colourful and energetic performance of all involved. Not to go unnoticed were the brilliant efforts of the crew. They worked behind the scenes doing everything from the curtains to back stage work and painting back drops.

To quote an audience member from the opening night “Wow! What a fantastic, professional performance! I loved it. There was so much talent!”

Dr Anne Wenham Head of School

Antonia Fish (Maria) and Chris Brennan (Tony)

The cast of West Side Story

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Mudgee students to visit remote WA Indigenous community

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small group of Mudgee students will make the 3,000 kilometre journey to a remote community in Western Australia this year to immerse themselves in the Indigenous culture.

The Y10 students from St Matthews will travel to Kununurra in the Eastern Kimberley where they will spend seven days learning.

It’s the fourth time the School has taken part in the program facilitated by Catholic Mission – the international mission agency of the Catholic Church in Australia.

“It’s an immersion program where the kids go and immerse with the community, they develop relationships, they don’t build anything, they don’t paint anything, so it is going in and developing relationships,” Indigenous Immersion coordinator Fran Kelly said.

Twelve Indigenous communities are engaged with the program and just one group visits per year to protect the community.

“Students learn about the disparity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous, they see the disparities, they engage with the disparities, we look at the facts”, Ms Kelly said.

“So we do it from an educational background with the hope that we are going to break down some barriers in Australia and that they can influence the next generation and their kids”.

Students from St Matts at Mudgee Farmer’s Markets raising funds Upon their return, students share their have here and also, of course, education experience with their school, parish, and and so on”, Ms Bray said. wider community.

“So we’re going there to be immersed, Having travelled on numerous immersion we’re not going to teach or to do. We’re trips, Ms Kelly said she has found “culture going to be part of the community”. shock transforms the heart”.

She said students do a lot of growing up “I really would like them to be confronted on the trip away from their families. by disparity because it’s through this “I’m hoping that they will see life culture shock that they have this change of differently and see that the community heart and they do come back as different we visit will be different, which doesn’t people”, she said. make us right and them wrong, it’s just a The trip will be the fourth immersion for different way of living and connecting to St Matthews’ teacher and organiser, Lois the land”.

Bray.

Student are currently fundraising for the “It gives our students at St Matthews a July excursion.

Ellie Watson really good opportunity to experience a Courtesy of The Mudgee Guardian life that is quite different to the one we

Dreamtime Tuka at St Mary’s Wellington

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rs Lindy Whale, Food Technology Teacher at St Mary’s School Wellington, recently arranged a visit by Mr Herb Smith, the founder of Dreamtime Tuka.

Mr Smith delighted staff and students with his products as a part of the Food In Australia unit that is being studied.

Mr Smith is a local and proud Wiradjuri man and ex-police officer, who fondly recalls memories of his grandfather saying, “Good tucker and a full belly makes you sleep and have good dreams”.

When Mr Smith was considering a name for his company he chose ‘Dreamtime Tuka’ out of respect for his grandfather.

Dreamtime Tuka aims to promote recognition of Australian native bush Principal, Simon Price; Herb Smith and Lindy Whale with St Mary’s students food amongst people of all nationalities, in Australia and across the world.

Recently, Mr Smith signed an agreement with QANTAS and now supplies his Coconut and Lemon Myrtle slice/biscuits (using his grandmother’s modified recipe) to their domestic flights.

Jennifer Simpson C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t • June 2016 • Page 27

St Raphael’s School, Cowra

Refurbished School – Refurbished School Crest

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t Raphael’s is a co-educational school providing quality education to the the vibrant community of Cowra and its surrounds. The School has existed for more than 140 years, educating many generations of local people.

St Raphael’s has been undergoing some impressive changes recently. It is now a K-12 school, with the first cohort of Y11 students commencing at the beginning of this year.

The expansion and upgrades to buildings and facilities have recently been completed. Watch out in Term 3 for an official opening to showcase our students and their work.

Whilst there have been many upgrades to facilities to ensure the School maintains its traditions in a contemporary world, it was also decided to upgrade the School crest, to bring it into this new environment.

●●St Brigid Cross: this is the badge of the Congregation of St Brigid; ●●Lamp of Knowledge: this represents the light of Christian faith and the light of learning; ●●Large cross of diamonds – this is taken from the badge of Bishop Daniel Delaney, who founded the Brigidine Sisters; ●●Strength and Gentleness: the motto of the Bishop Delaney and represents the characteristics of Brigid of Kildare.

The crest represents who we are, how we educate our students, what our values are that underpin the life of our For more information about St Raphael’s contact the School School. on 6342 2940 or visit the website straphaelscowra.catholic.

The background story of the crest is based on the foundations edu.au the School is built upon - the charism of the Brigidine Sisters.

Michael Gallagher Each element represents this link to our founding Sisters:

Students utilising St Raphael’s new classrooms

St Raphael’s new Trade Training Centre

HERE’S A GREAT WAY TO SERVE GOD IN 2016

Renshaw’s Funeral Service 88 Bentinck Street Bathurst Ph: (02) 6331 4265

In 2016 we will need Special Religious Education (SRE) Teachers & Assistants.

More men who have flexible working hours would be especially welcome!

Could you be a Prayer Partner with a SRE Teacher & Assistant?

OUR CHALLENGE FOR 2016 is to have..

SRE Teachers & Assistants for every Primary class in public schools A Prayer Partner for every SRE Teacher & Assistant Please note you will need a Working with Children Check number

COULD YOU HELP?

Please contact your parish priest.

Page 28 • June 2016 • C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t

Terry’s Royal Easter Show Champions

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eeks of lunchtimes spent in the ag plot paid off for the students of St Lawrence’s Primary School, Coonabarabran, who swept the floor with their show team of Dorset Horn and Poll Dorsets at the Sydney Royal Show in March.

Ten wide-eyed Y6 students showed on behalf of Bimbadeen Park, owned by teacher, Sue McGoldrick.

They claimed a number of ribbons and trophies, including the prestigious W. J. Dawkins Perpetual Trophy for the best bare shorn Dorset Horn ram. In the schools interbreed competition, they won the champion schools ram and took out the title of grand champion schools exhibit.

The team’s success was extra special to the small School’s family, following the sudden passing of their beloved Principal, Sue’s husband Terry McGoldrick, in October 2015. A Sue McGoldrick with the winning Y6 students long-time exhibitor, he was also dear to many sheep breeders, judges and stewards who gather each year at the success, “They broke in the sheep, clip their feet and wash them for the Sydney Royal. fed them and looked after them for show ring,” she said.

Mrs McGoldrick said the the three months leading up to the Jessie Davies students worked hard for their show and helped me card their wool, Courtesy of The Land Newspaper

Catholic Schools Week Celebrations at St Brigid’s, Coonamble

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atholic Schools Week was celebrated in March. The theme was ‘I belong, you belong, we belong’. At St Brigid’s School, the major celebrations incorporated the annual invitation to grandparents, older friends, parents and carers to visit. The crowd was huge. Several visitors had travelled for many hours to be with their grandchildren and younger friends.

The morning began with Mass celebrated by Father Reynold Jaboneta.

Highlights included the Kindergarten, Y1 and 2 students reciting a poem for their visitors. The Y5 and Y6 students sang a song about how they get help from their relatives and older friends.

Y5 students sang the Responsorial Psalm and led the congregation in the verse before the Gospel. Y3 students re-enacted the Gospel about the most important commandments. Several Y4 students read clearly and confidently, while two were altar servers. The

Rhylee, Carol and Shane during a class visit tribute song, ‘Grandma’s Hands’ by the and delicious morning tea, donated by primary choir was beautiful. the parents and carers, was politely After Mass, many visitors took the distributed by the Y6 students, while opportunity to visit students in classes. the parents serving the tea and coffee The rooms were filled with interested were flat out keeping up with the adults who enjoyed the varied activities orders. It truly was a fabulous morning. the children undertook. The plentiful Patricia Crawley C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t • June 2016 • Page 29

Catherine McAuley School celebrates a new era in Catholic Education

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he official opening of Catherine McAuley Catholic Primary School on Friday 1st April celebrated a new era of Catholic education in Orange, which began with the formation of the School in 2012.

A massive building and refurbishment project in 2015 brought the former Sacred Heart Infants School and St Joseph’s Primary School together, allowing students from Kindergarten through to Y6 to be educated on the one site for the first time.

The move also allowed the Byng Street site (formerly Sacred Heart School) to be transformed into a hub for special education, drama, music and the creative arts.

Catherine McAuley Principal, Michael Croke, said the changes were all part of keeping in touch with modern learning theories.

The newly designed open-planned classrooms

“The industrial model of education is finished,” he said.

“The rows are gone, the classrooms are open-plan and there is loads of technology. It’s about making learning practices at school reflect the learning practices and communication technology of the home environment. We recognise the partnership between school and home in providing an educational, faith filled environment that also seeks to develop the full potential of each and every child”.

The addition of a School Chapel has also provided a formal spiritual centre for the School and houses mementos from Catherine McAuley’s birthplace in Dublin.

Catherine McAuley Primary School, Orange

Mr Croke said there was a direct link between the work of Catherine McAuley and the School motto of ‘Faith, Learning and Justice’.

“We hope that all children are given maximum opportunities in our School for educational learning and, that by their actions and their kindness towards others, they can make the world a better place”, he said.

Mr. Croke paid tribute to the State Government and the Diocese of Bathurst in contributing the funds for the project and made special mention of the efforts of Mr. Brian Morrissey from the Catholic Education Office for his role.

The new play equipment

Page 30 • June 2016 • C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t

National Church Life Survey 2016

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ll Australian churches have been invited to take part in the sixth nationwide survey of churchgoers - the 2016 National Church Life Survey (NCLS). The survey will take place across Australia in October and November. The Survey is conducted the same year as the National Census.

All parishes in the Diocese of Bathurst will participate in this survey which requires parishioners attending Mass over the survey period to complete a questionnaire.

The 2016 NCLS is about the Life of church in Australia: the lives and hopes of people who attend churches all around the country. It is about the lives of leaders and how they can be effective and sustainable. It is about the life and times of Australians, how they approach matters of faith and how churches and communities can better connect.

Archbishop Julian Porteous, Chair of the Australian Catholic Council for Pastoral

Research, has acknowledged “the important role that NCLS research plays in Australian church life and Australian society, as its research findings can inform pastoral practice and pastoral planning at all levels of leadership”.

National Director of NCLS Research, Dr Ruth Powell, is hoping to build on previous strengths of the survey, as well as introduce some innovations.

“We will ask questions to help map the Australian church landscape, and as previously, will ask local churches

questions to help them reflect on their own health and vitality”, said Ruth. “We also want to find the lighthouse churches, those that are being innovative”.

“We hope to meet the needs of many parts of the church, including schools and agencies, by gathering information that is helpful for their mission objectives”.

For more information about NCLS 2016, visit the website ncls.org.au Kimbalee Clews

St Matts enters research partnership with University of Sydney

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t Matthews Catholic School is entering into a collaboration with University of Sydney, which will involve a group of Y10, 11 and 12 students being part of a research mentor program, working with a research team on breast cancer detection techniques.

The objectives of this program are to further develop students’ enthusiasm for STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects through both role modelling, as well as providing students with the opportunity to undertake research that will have a significant impact on the wider community.

Science teacher at St Matthews Catholic School, Lou Puslednik, said that the School is excited about this collaboration and the opportunities this program presents to the students.

“They’re going to be working on a project with Professor Brennan and they’re going to have data to analyse and eventually write up a scientific paper”, she said.

“So for them, it’s all about using all of those critical thinking and problem solving skills to be able to do that. The best part is that it’s not just science that you can’t see, it has that real world application and it fits in with our ethos

here at St Matthews where it’s about service to the community and helping others”.

“They’re also going to be mentored by a Ph.D. who’s a part of Professor Brennan’s team. The idea behind that is that they’ll help our students, not only with their skills, but also provide an insight into what university is like. It’s ultimately about providing these students from a rural community with the opportunity to see that university is possible”, said Dr Puslednik.

Professor Patrick Brennan described the

partnership as a “win-win” as there are many benefits to the university as well.

“The University of Sydney has a huge emphasis on outreach activities with secondary schools because we know that the future of science relies on people from schools such as St Matthews engaging with science in universities,” he said.

“We can demonstrate to students the reallife scientific objects of issues of global importance such as breast cancer. And for us we’re gaining really bright students helping us analyse real data and engaging in real projects, having students like this is really gold dust. The BREAST team at the university is extremely committed and excited about project”.

“We’re very thankful to St Matthews Principal, Jason Hanrahan and Dr Puslednik for their engagement with this project because there’s no way this would’ve worked without their enthusiasm and that of the students”.

Professor Brennan added that the students will add new knowledge in breast cancer diagnosis, which will be published in medical journals.

Courtesy of Sam Potts Mudgee Guardian

C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t • June 2016 • Page 31

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A Journey of Mercy

n 14th July, 16 pilgrims from our Diocese will begin a Journey of Mercy to World Youth Day 2016 (WYD) in Krakow, Poland.

Krakow was the home of St John Paul II and St Faustina, both saints known for being ever aware of the mercy of God. Our group will be led by Bishop Michael McKenna and will include a pilgrimage to the Holy Door in Rome as well attending a festival in Lodz Poland run by the Archdiocese of Lodz and the Community du Chemin Neuf. This Festival in Lodz, will be an Ecumenical gathering of over 8,000 young people. It will be attended by Cardinal Tagle and Archbishop Justin Welby, the leader of the worldwide Anglican communion.

Our Diocesan pilgrimage is by no means a holiday. It is a chance to stop and reflect on the journey of life so far and a chance to really experience mercy in the lives of each pilgrims. Each has a different reason for wanting to travel to WYD and will have a different experience.

Introducing our pilgrims: The following profiles introduce several of the pilgrims attending WYD 2016. To see all the profiles of the pilgrims, visit bathurst.catholic.org.au

WYD Facts: Registered Pilgrims: 583,876 Registered groups: 4,229 Number of Bishops: 771 Amount of meals served during the World Youth Day week: At least 12 million

Daniel Salomoni Parish: St. Mary of the Presentation, Mudgee Reason for going to WYD: To discern and grow more mature in my faith.

What are you most excited about? I am most excited about meeting other like-minded young people who have a passion for God and the Catholic Church.

What will be the most challenging for you? I think the most challenging thing for me will be leaving Poland and saying goodbye to the experience and fellow pilgrims What are you looking forward to the most? Meeting other like-minded young people who share a passion for God and his Church.

Favourite Polish Food: I honestly cannot say as I have not tried any Polish food yet, but I am looking forward to experiencing the Polish culture and tasting the food on the pilgrimage.

Eliza Biddle Parish: St. Mary of the Presentation, Mudgee Reason for going to WYD: To be part of celebrating Catholicism with young Catholics from all over the world and to be able to relate new ideas and ways of worship to my own RE classroom.

What are you most excited about? Visiting Rome and the Vatican, particularly the art and architecture.

What will be the most challenging for you? The long flight.

What are you looking forward to the most? Getting amongst the crowd and meeting other young Catholics.

Favourite Polish Food: I don’t have one so I’m really looking forward to trying some Polish cuisine for the first time.

Page 32 • June 2016 • C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t

World Youth Day 2016 Matthew Gibson Parish: Cathedral, Bathurst Reason for going to WYD? I have been to WYD in 2008 in Sydney and wanted to have the experience again in another country. I want to be able to explore other cultures and their traditions through this celebration and bring back my experiences to share with my class and school community here in Australia to promote this event in the future.

What are you most excited about? The entire trip! Travelling to countries I have never been before, with people I do not know and immersing myself in the cultures surrounding us on our trip.

What will be the most challenging for you? I think the whole trip will be challenging on some level, we have a packed schedule and there will be many eye-opening experiences. That said, I am ready to take on any challenge that comes my way to make the trip the most positive experience it can be.

What are you looking forward to the most? The final night of the World Youth Day Festival. I remember the sleep-out at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, a huge mix of people from all over the world with a common purpose, as being such a positive experience. It was such a great event and I can’t wait for that again with Australians as the minority group sharing our culture with the rest of the world.

Favourite Polish food? I had to google Polish food to find out anything about it, but any food is good food, so I will let you know when I get back.

Amber Calleja Parish: St Joseph and St Mary, Orange Reason for going to WYD? As a Religious Education Co-ordinator, it is important for me to develop my faith if I am to be an authentic witness to my students. I have, thankfully, been given many chances to do so by my School and the CEO and these opportunities have allowed me to consider my faith and its role in my everyday life. I often encourage my students to reflect on their faith and take up opportunities to deepen it, so I feel that by attending WYD, I am providing a positive role model to those I teach and encounter every day.

What are you most excited about? Every part of the pilgrimage that I have heard about so far sounds wonderful to me. Encountering different people, places and cultures will be amazing. I have spent most of my time as a teacher talking about important historical places such as Rome and incredible, vibrant Catholic gatherings such as WYD, so to be able to experience them will be something I have no doubt that I will remember for the rest of my life.

What will be the most challenging for you? So much time away from my family will be a challenge. I know that my absence will be felt by my husband and two young children.

However, I have always told my children that it is important to take up these opportunities when they come along, that you cannot let homesickness or fear allow you to miss out on something that can change your life and perspective forever.

What are you looking forward to the most? I am looking forward to visiting all of the beautiful religious places in Rome, staying with a host family in Poland and every part of the WYD experience itself, but especially the Mass with Pope Francis. I think all Catholics would agree that he is an inspiration and seeing him, even from a great distance, will be incredible.

Favourite Polish food? This is something I have yet to discover! I am envisioning hearty meals. Who doesn’t love diving into some delicious comfort food?

C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t • June 2016 • Page 33

St Patrick’s Day Celebrations

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t Patrick’s Day is always a special day in the Diocese of Bathurst, given our Irish heritage and the fact that St Patrick is the patron saint of our Diocese, but this St Patrick’s Day also coincided with the sesquicentenary of the Diocese. To mark this occasion, the Diocese hosted a St Patrick’s Day Dinner at the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, where there was a sea of green with more than 240 guests attending the evening.

With this year also being the 150th anniversaries of the Sisters of St. Joseph and the Sisters of Mercy, both Congregations were special guests on the night, acknowledging their immense contribution to our Diocesan story.

Many guests had the opportunity to catch up with friends from the past and present on the rare occasion that people from so many places were in the one location. Guests travelled from Dubbo, Wellington, Gilgandra, Orange, Mudgee, Wollongong and beyond to be a part of the event.

The evening included a “Conversation exploring our Irish Heritage”, led by Michael Croke, with representatives from our Irish clergy, religious sisters and parishioners including Father Pat Ruane, Sister Ruth Croome rsj, Sister Dr Paula Smith rsm and Geoff and Brigid Mann. Fr Pat gave an enlightening account of growing up in Ireland and how the Church has changed since then.

Sisters Ruth and Paula described the challenges that their Irish predecessors faced and how they shaped the Sisters of St Joseph and Sisters of Mercy to what they are today.

The Nodding Thistles provided music and entertainment throughout the evening and it was lovely to see so many enjoy an Irish jig or two.

Many thanks go to Michael Croke, the panelists and the organising committee.

A special thanks to the St Stanislaus’ and MacKillop musicians who provided entertainment prior to dinner as well as the wait staff from both schools who provided excellent service on the night.

Kimbalee Clews

Sally Neaves with Tricia Nugent rsm

Our expert panel lead by Michael Croke

Fr Greg Walsh cm and Sr Ann-Maree O’Beirne rsm

Catherine and Vince Connor with Fr James Kane

Sr Robyn McNamara rsj with Sr Carmel Carroll rsm

Fr Pat McKenna with fellow Irishman, Fr Martin O’Mahony

Michael Croke with Fr Pat Ruane

Sr Helen Sullivan rsj and Fr Paul Devitt

Page 34 • June 2016 • C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t

Bishop Michael with the team from the Catholic Education Office

Representatives from Stannies with Fr Greg Walsh cm and Sr Ann-Maree O’Beirne rsm

The wonderful wait staff from MacKillop and Stannies

Sr Patricia Powell rsm, Bishop Michael and Sr Jean Cain rsj

Opening Hours The Catholic Development Fund office is open for counter service from 10.00am to 4.30pm – Monday to Friday.

On-Line Access You can also access the CDF On-Line via the Diocesan website bathurst.catholic.org.au or phone Freecall 1800 451 760 - for information

Disclosure: The Catholic Development Fund Diocese of Bathurst (CDF) is not subject to the provisions of the Corporations Act 2001 nor has it been examined or approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Deposits with CDF are guaranteed by CDPF Limited, a company established by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference for this purpose. We welcome your investment with the CDF rather than with a profit oriented commercial organisation as a conscious commitment by you to support the Charitable, Religious and Educational works of the Catholic Church. CDF, nor the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Bathurst are prudentially supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority; contributions to CDF do not obtain the benefit of the depositor protection provisions of the Banking Act 1959; CDF is designed for investors who wish to promote the charitable purposes of CDF.

C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t • June 2016 • Page 35

Centacare News Outside School Hours Care

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rranging safe and enriching childcare is no easy task for most parents; in the primary school years, finding care until the working day is over can be difficult.

In partnership with the Catholic Education Office (CEO), Centacare Bathurst had been exploring the possibility of providing a much needed service to our school communities and it is finally happening!

The first two centres will open at the start of Term 3 at the Assumption School, Bathurst and St Joseph’s School, Oberon.

They will employ four permanent and a number of casual staff.

Both will have the capacity to look after up to 75 children, from any primary school in Bathurst and Oberon. Vacation care will also be offered and other sites will be established in 2017.

Centacare Bathurst’s Outside School Hour Care (OSHC) service will create a culture of inclusivity, fairness, and compassion, to strengthen the social mission and values of a faith-centred community. Staffed by well-trained and qualified workers, OSHC will provide fun, safe care and recreation for children 5-12 years of age. They will have opportunities to play, learn and socialise in small or large groups; or they can choose to have a quiet time reading or researching by themselves. A typical week will include activities such as arts and crafts, sports, games, dance, music, drama and play; they can even get a bit of help with their homework if needed. All this learning through play takes energy, so breakfast is on offer to start the day off right and an after-school snack is available as well.

Jayden Hadson, Assistant Principal at St Joseph’s, Oberon with Fr Philip Filby Children and families will be consulted in the programming and the OSHC will cater for the individual needs, interests and capabilities of each child. Providing a safe and enriched environment goes a long way in ensuring that children thrive in all aspects of their growth and wellbeing.

“The Assumption School community is very excited about the provision of OSHC services. Our P & F Association began exploring possibilities in 2015 and has been a great encourager of this service”, said Principal, Mrs Sue Guilfoyle.

Ms Karen Wilkie, Centacare’s Project Officer co-ordinating the services, said she is very grateful to the OSHC team at CatholicCare Broken Bay, Rebecca Haynes in particular, for their support and guidance in setting up the services in our Diocese. “For our families, the service will mean students can be cared for just a few short steps from their playground and classrooms; and feel safe and secure in a familiar environment”.

The OSHC programme further strengthens the commitment of the Diocesan mission to assist families. “This project is the result of collaboration between the CEO, the two school communities and parishes and the Diocese and we have had excellent support” said Centacare’s Director, Robert George.

Asssumption School Principal, Sue Guilfoyle with Karen Wilkie

More information about OSHC and enrolment forms are available at Assumption Primary School and St Joseph’s Primary School.

Information provided by Centacare Bathurst

Caring for Families Counselling & Mediation Services ADULTS | CHILDREN COUPLES | FAMILIES For more information about Centacare’s services visit centacarecbathurst.com.au or to make an appointment please call 1800 231 118 Page 36 • June 2016 • C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t

VI S ION A R Y

PA R TNER S

St Clare’s Craft Group

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n 11th August 2015, the feast day of St Clare, several friends from the Cathedral Parish, Bathurst came together to pray. The ladies also discussed ideas to raise money to assist in the restoration of the Cathedral of St Michael and St John. Joan McCourt suggested “it would be great if we could do some craft along the way”.

Since then, the St Clare’s Craft Group has raised and donated $4,000 towards the Cathedral Restoration Appeal in less than a year!

The group of a dozen ladies come together every Tuesday morning at the Cathedral Parish Centre to share each other’s company, to pray together, have a cuppa and to create the goods that are sold to raise the funds.

Sue Martin explained, “We sell the craft goods at stalls after Mass at different times of the year such as Christmas, Easter, Mothers’ Day, Christmas in July and Melbourne Cup. The items we make are themed around the festivity, for instance we made bunnies for Easter and so on”.

Bishop Michael with the St Clare Craft Group Maureen Clark is in charge of bringing new ideas and skills to the group including everything from knitting beanies, basket making, sewing aprons, card making and much more.

Bishop Michael joined the ladies for morning tea recently and thanked them for their generous support. “I am very grateful for the idea, the work and the most generous support”, said Bishop Michael who blessed the group The latest donation of $1,000 was and gave thanks to St Clare. recently made after the successful Mothers’ Day stalls.

Kimbalee Clews

Please give generously to the Cathedral Restoration Appeal. Donations can be made: In Person ~ Catholic Chancery Office Bathurst, or your local Parish Office

By Phone ~ 1800 451 760 By email ~ cathedralrestoration@bathurst.catholic.org.au Online ~ cathedralappealbathurst.org.au where you will find more information.

Or via the app ~ Cathedral Restoration Appeal Donations over $2 are tax deductible

C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t • June 2016 • Page 37

Vale Sister Mark Hagerty 20.09.1918 ~ 26.03.2016

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r Mark Hagerty was born in Cudal on 20th September 1918 and baptised Catherine Kathleen. She was one of ten children born to Michael and Vernetta Hagerty. The family lived on their farm “Hillwood” 9 miles from Cudal. After her schooling at a small public school and later as a boarder at Perthville, she entered the Sisters of St Joseph at Perthville, making her first profession in 1939 as Sr Mary Mark.

An accomplished teacher, she taught Secondary School at Perthville, Coonabarabran, Canowindra and Oberon.

A passionate and gifted educator, Sr Mark was often the secondary school principal. She helped many students gain their Leaving Certificate, teaching both Fourth and Fifth Years all subjects, except Needlework, in the same small classroom.

She motivated her students and helped them believe they could achieve their potential. Sr Mark fostered all round excellence, training many marching groups to first prize in the annual St Patrick’s Day events. She encouraged the boarders in physical education and tennis, gaining satisfaction from their achievements. She helped students to deepen their spiritual life, especially through the Children of Mary Society, holding meetings every Sunday. Sr Mark was well loved by the parents of her students and by many of the people she visited. She was a great communicator, able to converse freely on many subjects and was a one-eyed supporter of the Bulldogs Rugby League team!

found the changes, especially to the habit, difficult. Having completed her term as Novice Mistress, Sr Mark returned to education as a support teacher in secondary schools. Participating in Emmaus (1981) and Ecco Homo (1991) were significant moments in her spiritual growth.

In her retirement, Sr Mark was magnificent in her ministry with people in bereavement. She completed a grief and loss course and a palliative care course in 1984 and concentrated on this ministry in Oberon and Bathurst from 1984 to1999.

She was highly regarded in this field by doctors and care workers. Sr Mark’s visits, words and letters gave consolation to many people. Indeed, Sr Mark wrote beautiful letters in lovely handwriting affirming, encouraging and consoling people from all Sr Mark had a simple and total faith, walks of life. inherited from her parents and teachers. Sr Mark was renowned for her kindness, She was inspired by and had deep devotion her lively sense of humour and her to Fr Julian Woods, long before he was well ready wit. She served many terms as a known by others. She loved poetry, music Community Leader. Sr Mark was very and literature and was overcome by the hospitable and would give time whenever beauty of nature - sunsets, horses and other visitors arrived. She loved and was loved natural wonders. She was very faithful to by the many members of her family. Her her God and to the Josephite spirituality siblings all predeceased her, however, some she believed in with great conviction. of her nieces cared lovingly for her in her As Mistress of Novices, from 1960 to1968, later years. Sr Mark was delighted to have Mark faced the many changes in the lived to experience the gift of Fusion. difficult years after Vatican II. While she Sister Mark died peacefully at Macquarie had no formal training for this position, Care Centre, Bathurst on 26th March 2016. she did her best caring for the novices May God rest her soul. and frequently using taped lectures and retreats, to supplement the program. This Sr Therese McGarry rsj was a challenging time for Sr Mark, who

St Lawrence’s Primary School, Conabarabran

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n Monday 24th May, four students from St Lawrence’s celebrated Reconciliation in preparation for First Eucharist the following Sunday. In all, there were 12 students who attend the preparation retreat who, “Wished the day would never end”.

Margaret McKinnon

Photo: Jack Gould, Eva & Abigail Walden & Alexander McWhirter with Fr Reynold Jaboneta Page 38 • June 2016 • C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t

MSC Mission Office•PO Box 177•Kensington NSW 1465•(02) 9697-0983•mscmisio@mscmission.org

DO YOU REQUIRE A TAX DONATION?

The MSC Mission Office can offer tax deduction receipts for: 1. Clean Water, 2.

Disadvantaged Youth and 3. Health Projects (HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Leprosy) Last year we were able to donate over 2 million dollars to various projects. We ask for and accept no monies from Federal or State Governments.

We request what we jokingly call “clean money” which come from parishes, and through our Newsletter. This money is often given by rather poor people, such as pensioners. We also offer financial support for Priestly, Religious and Lay formation. Our preference is to offer support to, as Mother Therese would say, “To assist directly the poorest of the poor.” Through your generosity we are able to continue our activities in support of the most afflicted and marginalised in our society: justice for the poor, schools in remote villages, health centres in isolated places, emancipation from poverty, rehabilitation of those who are marginalized, support for the development of peoples, overcoming ethnic divisions and respect for life, in all its forms. – Fr. Adrian Meaney MSC

Water Facts: i) ii) One out of eight people lack access to clean drinking water, iii) Women in developing countries walk on average 3.7 miles to obtain clean drinking water for their families and iv) 3.3 million people die from water related health problems each year.

…………………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

TAX DEDUCTION I wish to claim a tax deduction and support: Clean Water Projects Disadvantaged Youth Health Projects (HIV/AIDS, Malaria Leprosy) Australian Domestic Projects Tax deductable donations support development projects and people with special needs I would also like to receive information about: Enclosed is my gift:

$25

$50

$100

NO TAX DEDUCTION I do not require a tax deduction and wish to support: General Donation Priests and Church workers in the Missions Religious Education at Home and Abroad Masses for Intention of _________________________ General donations support the running of the Mission Office, newsletters, publications and other MSC works

I wish to remember MSC Missions in my Will I am interested in giving my time to the Missions

Other $ _______

(Cheque, money order) Or please debit my credit card:

How often: Visa

Cardholder’s signature: __________________________________________ Name: ________________________________________

Once

Monthly

MasterCard

Yearly Amex

Card Expiry: ______ / _______

Address: __________________________________________________________________

Postcode: __________ Email: ______________________________________________________________ Ph: _________________________

Donations can also be made through: www.australia.mscmission.org* & Social media links: www.facebook.com/mscmissionoffice*

C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t • June 2016 • Page 39

Page 40 • June 2016 • C a t h o l i c O B S E RV E R , T h e D i o c e s e o f B a t h u r s t