Volume 56, No 2 JULY 2020 $2.00
Before and after the Pandemic “The Lord did not choose or seek an ideal situation to irrupt into the lives of His disciples. Certainly, we would have preferred that all this had not happened, but it did happen…”.
dedication and skill which marks the quiet daily service, not only of health care and other emergency workers, but also those in a variety of occupations which we normally take for granted.
life becomes busy again: but let’s consider what benefits we have gained and actively pursue ways to continue.
hat is Pope Francis, writing on Pentecost Sunday to the priests of Rome, his own Diocese, about their journey through the days of pandemic. I will include some more quotes from this deeply hopeful letter later in my remarks, but you may wish to read the whole document, available at:
In this, I want to thank God for the priests of our Diocese. They have responded without missing a beat in the pastoral hearts they have for the people entrusted to them. They have had to come up with new ways of connecting and of sometimes giving priestly care, including Anointing, Confession and Viaticum, in quite challenging practical situations. They have continued to accompany families in bereavement through the (now, thankfully easing) restrictions on funerals. And their prayers and Masses have supported us in faith.
When this terrible virus has run its course and things “return to normal”, will we be the same as we were before the crisis?
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https://bit.ly/2C4KYWp For the people of Italy, the experience of the COVID-19 outbreak has been devastating. Although we may not have not suffered on the same scale here in Australia, we cannot forget the more than 100 families who have lost a loved one to this virus; the many more who became gravely ill; or those who lost their jobs or their businesses as a result of the shutdown.
“He Himself offered His hands and His wounded side as a way of resurrection. He neither hides nor conceals His wounds; on the contrary, He invites Thomas to touch with his hands how a wounded side All of us have had our lives can be the source of Life in upended in one way or abundance…” Pope Francis. another: and some have The experience of the past found the anxieties that this few months has given most produced deeply distressing. (not all) of us more time However, we have also with the people closest to us; seen that these events have and more time for reflection brought out the best in many and prayer, especially with people. We have found a the scriptures. It will be new appreciation of the easy for this to slip away as
As I wrote on Holy Thursday this year:
When the doors of the churches open again, will people walk through them with a deeper sense of what our gathering for the Eucharist really means for our lives? Will we discover, in the silences and distances of these days, where our priorities in life should be; and listen to again, or hear for the first time, God’s call to become truly Christian? Will the deprivation of worshipping together; and the deprivation of Jesus in the Sacrament of the Altar: lead us, in our hunger, to be more thankful this immense gift? Will we discover that full participation in the Mass means living a Eucharistic life, in generous service and forgiveness of one another every day? Or, as Pope Francis put it:
establish an ever new time: the time of the Lord. If an invisible, silent, expansive and viral presence has put us in crisis and caused us upheaval, let this other discreet, respectful and non-invasive Presence call us again and teach us not to be afraid to face reality. If an impalpable presence has been able to disrupt and overturn the priorities and seemingly irremovable global agendas that so suffocate and devastate our communities and our sister earth, let us not fear that it is the presence of the Risen One that traces our path, opens horizons and gives us the courage to live this historic and unique moment”.
Our Lady of the Central “Faith allows us a realistic West, St Patrick and St Mary and creative imagination, of the Cross, pray for us! capable of abandoning the logic of repetition, replacement +Michael McKenna or preservation; it invites us to Bishop of Bathurst
Our front cover - ‘Drinks at Dusk’
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his beautiful shot was taken by Kaitlyn Rutledge from Woodstock, a Year 8 student at St Raphael’s Catholic School, Cowra. It captures perfectly the effect of some wonderful autumn rain and reminds us that while
Australia (RDA) - Central West 2020 ‘Central West is Best’ photography competition. Budding, professional and social media photographers were tasked Entitled ‘Drinks at Dusk’, with capturing ‘Hometown Kaitlyn entered the photo in Pride - Icons of the Central the Regional Development West’ as this year’s theme. COVID-19 was a challenge for most of us, the natural environment has benefited from everyone slowing down a little.
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RDA - Central West received more than 150 entries across the junior and open sections, with Kaitlyn winning the Junior Under 18 years old section. Congratulations Kaitlyn! Kimbalee Clews
Entrusting Australia to Mary Help of Christians
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n Ascension Sunday, Australian bishops united in prayer, entrusting Australia to our Holy Mother on the eve of the feast of Mary Help of Christians celebrated on 25th May. In a message to the people of the Diocese of Bathurst, Bishop Michael McKenna explained that in 1844, the Catholic bishops entrusted our country to the patronage of Mary, under her title Our Lady Help of Christians. This was renewed in 2001, the centenary of the Commonwealth of Australia. “As we face together the dreadful blow of the current COVID-19 pandemic, let us once again pray for the intercession of our Mother”, said the Bishop. At the conclusion of Mass on Ascension Sunday, bishops across Australia prayed the Act of Entrustment to Mary. Bishop Michael kneeling on the Altar of the Assumption Church, in front of a portrait of Our Lady Help of Christians, requested all participating in Mass online to join with him in their own prayers in this simple but solemn entreaty. Kimbalee Clews
‘Be a Light to our World’ by Mr Steve Todd, artist and former MacKillop College Principal
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Moving celebration for Adelaide’s new shepherd
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delaide’s new Archbishop Patrick O’Regan was installed in a near empty St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, Adelaide on 25th May 2020; but the occasion was full of beauty, grace and emotion as the former Bishop of Sale and priest of the Diocese of Bathurst committed himself to his new flock. The two-hour service was live streamed to more than 6,000 people and watched by thousands more on demand and on community television. While saddened that not as many people as possible could be there in person because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Archbishop O’Regan said he was pleased that “this virtual alternative” gave people a chance to share in the ceremony in some small way. “You can see us, but we can’t see you”, he said with a smile. After a smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country, Archbishopdesignate knocked on the Cathedral doors and was received by Apostolic Administrator Bishop Greg O’Kelly SJ. Bishop O’Kelly read the Bull of Appointment in which Pope Francis said Archbishop O’Regan was “endowed with exemplary conduct” in his apostolic work with the Diocese of Sale. In his first homily as Archbishop of Adelaide, Archbishop O’Regan made several references to the COVID-19 pandemic, comparing it to the chaos of the first Easter. He also referred to a ‘message’ from God that he’d received since moving to Adelaide. “Yesterday afternoon I decided to go for a walk to clear my mind,” he said. “I noticed a new piece of concrete in the footpath and someone in that inimitable Australian style had simply written into the fresh concrete the words ‘we can do this’.”
Apostolic Administrator Bishop Greg O’Kelly SJ presenting Archbishop Patrick O’Regan with his crozier
“It was a little encouraging word to constrained way and yet it’s a hopeful me – we can do this, with God’s help, way and a way that all of us can share with the spirit’s overshadowing, we in the goodness of God”, he said. can do this together”. “Today our voices cry out in joy at “Just over five years ago I came to the utter faithfulness of God, praying adopt a prayer, a very simple one, that God will indeed be ‘all in all’.” ‘God is good’, with the response ‘God But it was when he came to his family is good indeed’; the people of Sale that Archbishop O’Regan struggled to are probably sick of hearing it, but keep his emotions in check. since that day I have repeated that phrase many times and nothing has “I’d love that you would have happened in that time that has caused been able to be here”, he said as the me to stop saying it. As long as God tears welled. After a long pause he continued: “My Bathurst family, wants me here, may it be so”. my Sale family, and all those other After the Rite of Communion, families that you get to belong to, it’s a Archbishop O’Regan moved to Our deep sense of belonging, and I feel that Lady’s Shrine to read the Prayer already here as well, so thank you”. of Entrustment of Australia to Immaculate Mary, Our Lady Help of “To all those who have been praying for me, I know there have been Christians, on her solemnity. many of you, I have really felt that Archbishop O’Regan returned to the today… it is by the gift of prayer and Altar to give words of thanks to all communion today that we celebrate those who played a role in “making the gift of life and grace”. me look good today”.
“To me it was one of God’s wonderful daily interventions, reminding me “We thank our good God, whose how that grace, that overshadowing brilliant sense of humour has brought us together on this day; it’s a (of the Spirit) is always present”.
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Courtesy of Jenny Brinkworth The Southern Cross Archdiocese of Adelaide
Laudato Si’ Praise be to You!
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audato Si’ Praise be to You! Thus begins the song composed by St Francis of Assisi, by which he gives glory to God for all creation, and through which he acknowledges all creation gives glory to God. Thus too begins the letter of Pope Francis to the Church and to all people of good will, in which he pleads with the human family to care for our common home, which he acknowledges is God’s creation. In this letter, Pope Francis expresses appreciation for the wonder of the natural world and profound distress at its wanton destruction at the hands of human beings. Not only is our way of life threatening the existence life on the planet, it is a sin against God the Creator, the giver of all life. Pope Francis, furthermore offers some suggestions about a way forward - a call to what he and other Popes have described as “ecological conversion”. listen critically to the conversation of the scientists, economists and What is a Pope doing worrying politicians, and become involved in about creation? Shouldn’t he be change, bringing Gospel values to our concentrating on preaching the decisions. Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ, succinctly summed up in Pope Francis didn’t just write his the Creeds, which list the beliefs letter and leave it at that. Throughout of Catholics within the Christian the five years since the publication of tradition? Shouldn’t he be leaving the Laudato Si’ he has actively encouraged natural, secular world to the scientists, the establishment of committees economists and politicians to sort out. and organisations at the Vatican and Shouldn’t he be praying about it? around the world, to study this issue The answer to these questions is and consider how to respond. Many not “either/or” but “both/and”. The of these groups began their work by Gospel must be preached in every age, forming Laudato Si’ circles, reading but not in isolation from the reality and reflecting together on the Pope’s of the age. Preachers of the Gospel letter. must make visible the relevance of the Gospel for the age in which they This year is the fifth anniversary live. Or else what is the point of the of the launch of Laudato Si’. To Good News? Prayer will guide our commemorate this event, the Pope actions but it is not a substitute for appeared on-line to invite us to participate in Laudato Si’ Week from responsible action. 16th-24th May, repeating his urgent In our age, Pope Francis has identified request to respond to the ecological the plight of the planet - our Common crisis. The theme of the week was: Home, shared by all living beings, not “We are all connected”. This week just human beings - as the most urgent, opened an entire year of activities all-encompassing crisis that needs to dedicated to implementing his ecobe addressed. It underpins so many encyclical, aimed at spurring global other ills suffered in the world today, citizens to adopt more sustainable especially among the poorest of the practices. He said, “I invite all people poor. His letter urges the whole human of goodwill to take part, to care for community, but especially those of us our common home and our most who share the faith of the Creeds, to vulnerable brothers and sisters”.
Some of the activities available during Laudato Si’ week were online training sessions for leading discussions on the document; a worldwide day of prayer on 24th May; on-line retreats and reflection days, Laudato Si’ discussion circles and on the last day of the week, the Feast of the Ascension, a global on-line Mass, celebrated in Nairobi, Kenya, with participants ‘Zooming’ in from all over the world. As part of the year-long Anniversary activities, a ‘Laudato Si’ Action Platform’ will be launched, with various institutions committing to a seven-year project aimed at reaching total sustainability in the spirit of Laudato Si’. In the Southern Hemisphere, most events for the anniversary year take place in spring, including a month-long ‘Season of Creation’, which is set to begin on 1st September, the World Day of Prayer for Creation, and which will end on 4th October, the feast day of St Francis of Assisi. The initiative is designed to involve families, dioceses and local parishes, schools, colleges and universities, hospitals and other healthcare centres, businesses, farms, and religious orders and provinces, in drafting plans for sustainable living going forward. Sr Patricia Powell rsm
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 • July 2020 • Page 5
First priestly appointment in a time of pandemic
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hen parishioners saw the technology and equipment that I have been using for livestreaming Mass at St Mary of the Presentation Church, Mudgee, they asked me: “Did you learn all this before or have you just learnt to do this since you arrived in Mudgee?”. This same question can also be asked about my priesthood: had I been trained to exercise my priestly ministry in this challenging time, or did I just adapt since the COVID-19 outbreak? I have to admit that I had never imagined this is how my first few months of priesthood would turn out to be. After my ordination on 21st February, I returned to Vietnam for Masses of Thanksgiving, together with a group of Aussie friends from the Diocese of Bathurst. There was a lot of joy and gratitude during that Fr Dong Van Nguyen livestreaming Mass from St Mary’s, Mudgee time at home. After the Masses I came back to Australia, just in time before the country closed its border to all Despite the challenges and difficulties, allowed. However, as a newly ordained it was also a time for creativity and priest, I realise that I will have to non-residents. discovering other ways of connectivity. continue to be ready to adapt. None I quietly arrived in Mudgee on the With the help of advanced technology, we of us is fully equipped to navigate Wednesday of Holy Week, after two found the opportunity to connect with through our life easily, however we weeks of self-isolation. It was quiet people; not only with our parishioners, should live each day with hope and in a couple ways. Mainly, it was quiet but also with others outside the Mudgee confidence. Each new day we will because parish life had changed so Parish. The Holy Mass was ‘delivered’ to find new challenges; at the same much due to COVID-19: the church homes through livestreaming. It seemed time, we will certainly find plenty of was no long open to the public, Masses as if when our parish communal church opportunities. Therefore, be positive were celebrated in private, nursing was closed, each household, to some and ready to greet each new day with home visits and a few other pastoral extent, became a church. the interesting surprise that life itself activities were banned. That was how brings. I, a newly ordained, enthusiastic and Now, with the easing of restrictions, Fr Dong Van Nguyen energetic priest, started my ministry. we are able to get back together as a As I reflected on this experience, I community of faith again. Our social Assistant Priest realised that I was not fully prepared life and church life are going back to a Parish of St Mary of the to face the situation. I had to adapt. new kind of normal. Public Mass is now Presentation, Mudgee
A BOOK FOR THOSE WHO WENT TO SCHOOL AT PERTHVILLE St Joseph’s Perthville – 1872-2017 – Mary Mackillop’s First New South Wales School by Dr Marie Crowley, traces the history of the early school, the College and St Joseph’s House. Following the cancellation of the launch, copies can now be ordered by phoning Marie Crowley on 02 6334 3488 or mobile: 0439 938 504 or emailing: sjphistory@bigpond.com or post: 1/271 Rankin Street, Bathurst NSW 2795 Page 6 • July 2020 • 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
Connect@home
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or our world, this time of pandemic and isolation has been frightening and, for so many, deadly.
readings of the day with a short reflection and prayer from either Bishop Michael or a priest or deacon from the Diocese of Bathurst.
It has affected the ability of people to meet and gather. Importantly, for disciples in parishes, the inability to gather together for Mass.
If you would like to subscribe to this free email service, please visit bathurst. catholic.org.au and look for Connect@home to sign up.
For many, being part of Mass online has assisted in expressing their faith and allowing connection to occur with their parish, diocese and wider Church. To support those people, as well as those that are unable to be part online Masses, the Diocese of Bathurst has developed a few initiatives and projects to assist prayer and connection.
It invites individuals to enter daily into the beauty and power of the Scriptures. It offers a chance to be nourished and formed by the Word of God. You could read this sacred Scripture on your own, or with members of your household.
Connect@home daily readings and reflections
This is a chance for us as a local church to connect with one another and with Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, who is with us in all we are going through.
Pray@home
Pray@home is a series One element of Connect@ of liturgical resources home is a daily email sent also available at bathurst. to subscribers with the catholic.org.au. These
resources include home liturgies, guides to praying as a family and tools to help identify and facilitate prayer. It is designed to support individuals and families in their prayer life during this time, when gathering normally as a community isn’t possible. Even with COVID-19 restrictions being slowly
lifted, it may be a while yet until we can gather as before. Both Connect@home as well as Pray@home are available on the diocesean website or if you have more questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Jacinta Thatcher: Mission and Renewal Project Worker on mrp@bathurst.catholic.org.au Deacon Josh Clayton
Zoom ‘Word and Faith’ group
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small group of parishioners from St Michael and St John’s Cathedral Parish, Bathurst has been meeting regularly on a Tuesday evening each week to share in a ‘Word and Faith’ group that Bishop Michael encouraged us to begin. It has been a good experience sharing our faith as we pray and reflect on the readings for Mass for the following Sunday. With the COVID-19 event, we were unable to physically be together on a weekly basis. Instead, the group, with a wide range of ages, decided to Zoom our meetings. We send the readings to the group prior to each zoom meeting and we have found the experience to be quite good, under the circumstances. The screenshot of some members of the group reflects our effort to keep in touch with each other, to pray together on a weekly basis and to be more aware of the readings and more prayerful as we listen to them on line; hopeful for when we can return to Mass together on a regular basis.
Jacinta Thatcher, Sr Alice Sullivan, Hilary Reedy and Peter Judge
Sr Alice Sullivan rsj 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 • July 2020 • Page 7
Churches pray together during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Jesus prayed that we might all be one (Jn 17:21)
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ach year, between the Ascension of the Lord and Pentecost, Christians in Australia dedicate time to pray for unity among and within Churches. This year, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was celebrated from 24th-31st May. This year’s theme calls us to move from shared prayer to shared action. The 2020 theme, “They showed us unusual kindness” (Acts 28:2), remembers the historic shipwreck of Paul on the island of Malta and calls us to a greater generosity to those nearby.
leaders from across the region to be from the Christian Ministry Centre, part of an online time of prayer, and Orange. The religious leaders shared sharing with the Word of God. this time with around 30 people from Scripture, reflection and prayer as various religions across the region.
Even with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, it was still not possible to gather in person to pray together and be united. Alternatively, Bishop Michael McKenna invited Christian
Deacon Josh Clayton
well as music, was presented via Zoom by Bishop Michael; Bishop Mark Calder, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Bathurst; Pastor Brad Hewitt from the Baptist Church, Blayney; and Pastor Gavin Brett
Thanks again to all who allowed this time of celebration and prayer to occur and increase our unity in Christ across all the Churches.
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1800 451 760 Email: cdf@cdfbathurst.org.au Disclosure: 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. AFSL No: 497040
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Podcast launched “Connection: Faith and Life”
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eacon Josh Clayton and Fr Karl Sinclair, Assistant Priest at St Mary's and St Joseph's Parish, Orange, recently released a new podcast with the aim to help people with their faith and enable connection.
national, and local issues relating to faith and life, in a relaxed manner.
After the pilot received favourable feedback, the podcast has been launched and is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Don't forget to subscribe, Called 'Connection: Faith and Life', that way you will get each episode the podcast provides a new channel automatically and for free. of communication to God's people in the Diocese and further afield, sharing If you wish to be involved via a question, initiatives and providing an opportunity or suggest someone to be interviewed, an to hear from people working locally in email can be sent to: podcast@bathurst. church ministry and agencies. catholic.org.au The format is simple, with Deacon Josh and Fr Karl discussing international,
Jacinta Thatcher
Formed to serve
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n 9th February 2020, 12 people from the parishes of Dubbo, Wellington, Mudgee, Gulgong, Orange and Bathurst, graduated from the Diocesan Ministry Formation Program, which commenced in mid-2017. The Program was conducted over two and a half years and offered individuals who volunteered, the opportunity to participate in a solid program based on the spiritual, academic, human and pastoral formation model. It was designed to equip participants to serve in various parish and diocesan ministries. The Ministry Formation Program was an amazing journey for all the participants, taking them into new areas of in country areas. The support of the ACU in this venture has academic learning and challenging them to grow in their been appreciated. own personal life and faith. Bishop McKenna, in presenting the Diocesan Formation It was designed to give the participants an introductory Program certificates, thanked the group for their hard work, background in spirituality, theology, Scripture, liturgy, commitment and dedication to the program, which was coMass and the sacraments, moral theology, canon law, ordinated by Tony Eviston, Deacon Josh Clayton and Sr communication skills and reflective practice. The Program Mary Comer rsj. included an Introduction to Clinical Pastoral Education Sr Mary expressed the gratitude of all involved to the program and a weekend on focused on loss and grief, Bishop and the Diocese for the support and significant conducted by the National Association for Loss and Grief. financial investment put into this program. “I know of no Some participants opted to do an additional two units other diocese in this country which has been prepared to of study through the Australian Catholic University financially support the faith formation and pastoral skills (ACU), which qualifies them for a Graduate Certificate development of its laity to this degree”, said Sr Mary. in Theological Studies from ACU, as well as the Diocesan Participants included: Bradly Baker, Dorothy Baker, Ministry Formation Certificate. Jennifer Williams, Rhonda Gleeson, Peter Duffy, Margaret The Program required a large commitment of time (approx. Dunnachie, Kristie Newman, Jacinta Thatcher, Carmen one weekend per month) and travel from the participants Beard, Peta Lesberg, Amy Sullivan and Ruth Fitzgerald. and the presenters, who made their time, skills and energy Fiona Lewis available to make additional learning and formation available
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 • July 2020 • Page 9
A local message with a global impact
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ust four simple words are comforting the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable communities, as they face the devastating impacts of the global COVID-19 crisis. #WeAreStillHere is the message of an awareness and fundraising campaign recently launched across social media by Catholic Mission and is quickly becoming an international rallying cry for Catholic missionaries around the world. “In times of hardship, it’s important that we stick together”, says Catholic Mission National Director, Fr Brian Lucas. “COVID-19 is having a significant impact on our mission partners and the Church, and it’s vital that we help support the work of mission to the most vulnerable in this time”. “Just four words - we are still here - constitute a simple message with great impact. It’s saying that those most in need are still being given the
best practical and pastoral support is here, under any circumstances”, during the current global emergency”. reported Fr Rajesh Lobo, Director of the home. The organisation is also running an Lucas says missionaries appeal for funds to ensure the critical Fr work for children, communities and around the world, like Fr Rajesh, remain dedicated to serving their future church leaders can continue. communities, despite the COVID-19 At the Eden Gardens Children’s impact. Home in Nagaland, India, eightyear-old Nathaniel and 16 other “They are there, supporting with vulnerable children have no family solidarity and compassion; saying we or safe place to return to during the are still here, doing our best to keep crisis. Meanwhile, their friends have vital, life-changing projects running despite COVID-19 restrictions”. returned home. Fr Lucas says Catholic Mission will remain in service to those in need around the world. “We are still here for our project partners in the same way that they are there for the children, communities and church leaders that they serve”. “For those children who have nowhere to go, Eden Gardens For more information and to support remains open all day, every day. Our the appeal, visit catholicmission. mission is to help the kids, whoever org.au/Nathaniel.
We are still here for Nathaniel and we are still here for you Find out more today catholicmission.org.au/mission
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Plenary Council assemblies set for 2021 and 2022
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he two assemblies for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia will now take place in October 2021 and July 2022, following the disruption of the original schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
unfortunate speed bump on the church’s path to the Plenary Council assemblies, but we are committed to using this extra time wisely”.
to help parishes, families, workplaces and other Catholic communities and organisations consider the unique contribution they
tradition and relevant practices from beyond the Church, as well as responses received during the Listening and Discernment phase.
“These papers are the fruits of communal discernment and provide a major focus for our continued prayer and reflection. They represent another significant step in our national discernment process as we move towards the working document, or Instrumentum Laboris, make to the life and mission for the Council assemblies of the Church”. and the Council agenda”, The next step on that journey Archbishop Costelloe said. occurred at Pentecost, when “We sincerely thank the the papers prepared by the chairs and members of the Discernment and Writing Discernment and Writing Groups were released. Groups for their contribution Each group was tasked with and we ask all the faithful writing a document on one to continue to pray for the of the six national themes for Church in Australia as we discernment, which emerged travel through the pandemic from the voices of more and towards October 2021”. than 220,000 people who The papers can be found at participated in the Council’s bathurst.catholic.org.au Listening and Dialogue phase.
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference decided to postpone the opening assembly by 12 months, with it now to be held in October 2021. Adelaide remains the venue for the first assembly. Plenary Council facilitator The second assembly will be Lana Turvey-Collins said the in Sydney in July 2022. continuing preparation for “Mindful of the ongoing the Council will take on some challenges of COVID-19, it new characteristics, shaped was felt that delaying the first by the experience of the assembly by a full year would pandemic. provide some certainty that travel and social distancing “A program of webinars, and other guidelines will have been podcasts lifted for the assembly”, said multimedia projects will be Plenary Council President rolled out in the latter half Archbishop Timothy of 2020 to help the people of God explore and share about Costelloe SDB. how they respond to the “Just as importantly, we Spirit and live out their own believe that period of time will call to mission - as individuals allow for an adequate period of and collectively”, she said. preparation for the delegates The papers draw upon and the Catholic community. “The material will be both Scripture, authoritative and The postponement is an formative and dialogical papal teaching, Catholic
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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 • July 2020 • Page 11
Diocesan delegates for Plenary Council announced
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ecently, Archbishop Tim Costelloe SDB and the Plenary Council Organising Committee announced the delegates to attend the Plenary Council from across Australia.
Bishop Michael expressed his gratitude to Hayley and Matt for accepting the nomination to represent the Diocese. “Hayley and Matt will offer a unique perspective to the Plenary Council, one that is youthful, hopeful and full of joy. I look forward In addition to Bishop Michael to their contribution to this major McKenna, Fr Paul Devitt VG and Fr event in the history of the Church in Greg Kennedy EV, it was announced Australia”, said Bishop Michael. that Miss Hayley Farraugia, from Lithgow and Mr Mathew Brown, from Hayley Farrugia is a parishioner Orange, will represent the Diocese of in St Patrick’s Parish, Lithgow and Bathurst as delegates at the Plenary a teacher at St Patrick’s Primary Council assemblies. School. She is actively involved in youth ministry and has represented the Diocese at a number of faith and formation events. Matt Brown is a graduate of James Sheahan Catholic High School, Orange and is currently the Youth Minister at St Mary’s and St Joseph’s Parish, Orange. Matt has been part of Alpha online recently and has been a driver in the online strategy for youth ministry in the Diocese.
Deacon Josh Clayton
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A new Housing Plus local centre for Bathurst
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ousing Plus is soon to commence renovations to transform the former Opal aged care facility in Boyd Street, Kelso, into a local service base for a range of its community services as well as a multipurpose centre for residents and groups of Kelso/South Bathurst and the wider community.
maintenance services and its training and employment program, Opportunity Pathways, which supports social housing clients to access practical and financial assistance, training and work opportunities to help them prepare for employment, find a job, work more hours or improve their employment options.
The Catholic Diocese of Bathurst purchased the property in late 2019 and has since entered into a lease agreement with Housing Plus to manage and operate the premises. Housing Plus is a not for profit charity that provides both accommodation and community services and has operated in Bathurst for over 30 years.
From 1 July, the Bathurst and Lithgow Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service will also operate from there as will the team responsible for building 51new homes currently under construction in Bathurst. Housing Plus CEO, David Fisher, says, “We have outgrown our current Howick Street office and with a range of new community services, we were looking for new premises. This arrangement with the Diocese is ideal as it brings back into use a large facility for community use”.
The new Housing Plus Connect office will contain meeting, conference and event facilities for up to 60 people. Housing Plus will also relocate its existing Bathurst-based community As part of the renovation the Diocese services to the centre. process, These include tenancy and and Housing Plus have
Fr Paul Devitt, Vicar General, Diocese of Bathurst; Irene Jones, Rotary Club of Bathurst Daybreak; Gary Wright, Manager Assets and Procurement, Housing Plus; Erik Mol, President, Rotary Club of Bathurst Daybreak; David Fisher, CEO, Housing Plus distributed furniture to the local homeless service in Bathurst. The Rotary Club of Bathurst Daybreak is helping to distribute the medical equipment and furniture left at the aged care facility when the patients were relocated. The medical equipment will be going to a charity called Donations in Kind who will be accepting the beds, battery operated lifters, walking frames and wheelchairs and donating them to hospitals in the Pacific Region.
“Members of the Rotary Club of Bathurst Daybreak have assessed the equipment and made it ready for transport to their warehouse in Castle Hill. From there, it will be distributed throughout the Pacific region with the first shipment to TimorLeste. This has been a most valuable gift and we have been delighted to work with Housing Plus and the Catholic Diocese in this way” said Erik Mol, Club President. Rochelle Monoghan
Pope Francis’ extraordinary Urbi et Orbi blessing
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n 27th March, Pope Francis delivered an extraordinary blessing “To the City and to the World”, from the steps of St Peter’s Basilica, praying for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pope reflected on Jesus’ words to his disciples: “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?”. Usually a colourful event reserved only for Christmas and Easter, this extraordinary blessing was held in keeping with
the gravity of the current global situation.
Standing in a deserted St Peter’s Square, with steady rain falling, Pope Francis spoke to the world through Facebook, YouTube, TV and radio. Kimbalee Clews
Pope Francis leads a prayer service in an empty St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican (CNS photo/Vatican Media) 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 • July 2020 • Page 13
RISE@home
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he Diocesean Youth Festival, RISE, is back for 2020! This year it will be an online event, running over Thursday 9th July and Friday 10th July for students in Year 6 - Year 9.
We are excited to announce that Fr Rob Galea will be joining us live for part of the event. The Festival will be full of faith, fun and friendship. It will include music, workshops on a range of topics, small group challenges and special guests. Each participant will receive a special edition RISE polo shirt. Jacinta Thatcher For more information go to bathurst.catholic.org.au or email Deacon Josh Clayton mrd@bathurst.catholic. org.au Register at https://forms.gle/Acu2HnsdEGvaPTnc9 before 29th June. Fr Rob Galea
RISEN reboots online
RISEN online participants joined together via Zoom
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ISEN was so good in February this year that we decided to do it again on 23rd April. The Ministry Formation team invited the young people who attended RISEN to join together again via Zoom. More than 20 people from across the Diocese gathered online to share music, watch a video and do small group activities. RISEN Online was a great way to stay connected with each
other when most people were either and ask questions. learning from home or working from We start each session with music and home at the time. a Kahoot as an icebreaker. As RISEN Online was such a success, Thank you to Lillian, Matthew, we have started to run Alpha Youth Caitlin, Bailee, Anna, Emily, Ellen, online every week. The Alpha Fr Karl and Fr Dong for helping to Youth series is designed to engage run Alpha Youth and to the awesome students in conversations about life, participants for coming along each faith and Jesus. Discussion time is week. interspersed throughout short talks, so there is time to share thoughts Jacinta Thatcher
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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 • July 2020 • Page 15
Butcha runs top business college
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he Diocese of Bathurst has an important link to Sydney’s premier business college. Dominic Buchta originally hails from the Diocese and is now the Academic Director and Head Lecturer in Business Administration at Patrick Careers Academy (PCA), founded in 1923 by the Sisters of Mercy as St Patrick’s Business College. Dominic was proudly born and raised in the Central West and has fond memories of his schooling and the friends he grew up with. He attended primary school at St Raphael’s Central School, Cowra; Years 7 to 10 at St Stanislaus’ College in Bathurst and completed his senior years at James Sheahan Catholic High School, Orange. Dominic Butcha with a student of For the last 12 years, Dominic has guided hundreds of young Patrick Business Academy women and men to success in studying business administration and gaining successful employment. Graduates of PCA are The College has an enviable list of internship, job placement employed in Sydney’s top law firms, hotels, government offices and industry liaison agreements with Sydney’s top corporates. and companies by the end of their 40-week diploma course. “The mission of the College is to secure meaningful employment for our graduates. PCA has 97 years of experience in this and “Patrick Careers Academy is a great option for students from my goal is to uphold that mission”, Dominic said. the Central West who may be considering the big move to Sydney. Particularly those students from the Catholic schools What advice would Dominic give a Year 12 student from the where students are taught respect, etiquette and self-discipline Diocese? “Consider the move to Sydney for study, work and - the perfect platform to launch into study and work in Sydney. living but never forget where you come from or rule out a I would welcome applicants from the Diocese to chat with me return”. about opportunities in Sydney through PCA”, said Dominic. Patrick Careers Academy is operated by the Australian familyAlthough no longer operated by the Sisters, PCA is still owned Capital Education Group and is located in the Manning affectionately known as ‘St Pats’ by students and staff, and Building at Level 7, 451 Pitt St, Sydney. For more information operates under an ethos of pastoral care and Catholic social visit pca.edu.au or contact Jacob Munday, Recruitment Manager on 0450 291 797 or jacobm@pca.edu.au teaching.
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Vale Diane Quade
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he St John’s College community in Dubbo experienced a deep sadness at the end of May. Students and staff were shocked to hear of the death of Mrs Diane Quade, Year 12 Co-ordinator, on 24th May 2020. Mrs Quade had been unwell, fighting cancer, but we were planning for her return to the College in the longer term. Unfortunately, her condition deteriorated rapidly. The morning after Mrs Quade’s death, SJC staff prayed together for Di, Michael, Georgie and Di’s extended family. The loving presence of God assists us to try and come to terms with this devastating news. In Period 1, Year 12 students were asked to gather in the Barbara Amos Hall and were gently told of the unexpected news. We prayed together with the students and then the students were given time to reflect and spend time with their peers.
the College joined with teachers and students from other Dubbo Catholic schools to form a Guard of Honour along Brisbane Street, with family and police approval. This was an opportunity for the College community to farewell Mrs Quade and celebrate her outstanding contribution to St Johns College.
Year 12 students expressed their love for Mrs Quade by filling the front of her office with flowers. I know she would have thought that this was too much fuss as she was always selfless, strong The College staff attended a prayer and professional in everything she did. service on the day of the funeral to find Mrs Quade’s funeral was held on comfort in the loving presence of God Friday 29th May. Year 12 students from at this very sad time.
Mrs Quade commenced at the College in 1995. Her career touched the lives of so many staff and students throughout the College community. Her personal commitment to Year 12 students and to the success of the College was resolute. She was an outstanding teacher, leader, mentor, role model to students and staff alike, and a dear friend we all loved. During her career as a member of staff at SJC, Mrs Quade held many executive positions. In addition to these leadership roles, she supported senior students as the Stage 6 Careers and Pathways Advisor and TAFE VET Co-ordinator. Her extensive knowledge of career, university and TAFE opportunities has given Year 12 students very successful outcomes from their HSC experience over the past 21 years. Mrs Quade was a supreme professional, a true friend and a personal support to me. Mrs Quade will be missed terribly and certainly remembered as an extraordinary lady who was admired by her peers as a great leader and mentor.
St John’s College students form a Guard of Honour at the funeral procession of Diane Quade. Photo: Amy McIntyre, Daily Liberal
Mrs Kerry Morris Principal, St John’s College
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 • July 2020 • Page 17
Celebrating 200 years of Catholic education
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his year, schools and systems across Australia are celebrating 200 years of Catholic education in Australia. The first Catholic school opened in October 1820 and now there are more than 1,750 nationally, educating some 765,000 students; that is, one in five Australian students. From Baradine and Coonamble in the north, to Cowra and Oberon in the south, Catholic Education Catholic Diocese of Bathurst (CEDB) provides a diverse range of educational opportunities to over 9,000 students in 33 schools primary and secondary, in rural communities and large regional centres. Catholic education is holistic and student-centred and encourages innovation. Teachers encourage students to strive for excellence and
prepare them to become responsible citizens and agents for change in seeking a more just and sustainable society. Right from kindergarten, students are taught to be successful learners. A six-week program at the beginning of kindergarten teaches young students how to settle in class, how to learn, how to correctly hold their pencil and to develop social and emotional skills. Solid foundations are developed in literacy and numeracy, and great intervention programs support and extend students. Older students are exposed to state-of-the-art technology, vocational training resources, shared partnership programs with universities and a wide array of extra-curricular activities. The Diocese acknowledges the Wiradjuri, Gamilaraay and Wailwan peoples as traditional
The Catholic Observer is published by the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst (Diocesan Publications) PO Box 246, Bathurst, NSW, 2795
St Patrick’s School, Bathurst around 1906 custodians of the lands are schools are on and indigenous students are encouraged to be proud of their heritage. Catholic schools provide affordable, inclusive, quality learning environments. Bathurst’s Bishop Michael McKenna said, “Our fundamental principle remains that no family will be denied a Catholic education due to genuine financial hardship. CEDB will continue
to provide affordable, quality Catholic education for all”. We encourage you to visit one of our Catholic schools to experience a safe, supportive learning community where the unique dignity of each child is respected, nurtured and valued, and students can flourish in a safe environment. Just contact one of our schools to arrange a meeting with the principal and request a school tour.
St Lawrence’s Primary School Coonabarabran
ph: (02) 6334 6400 fax: (02) 6331 9453 email: observer@bathurst.catholic.org.au Editor ~ Fiona Lewis Communications Coordinator ~ Kimbalee Clews Designers ~ Jacqui Keady/Kim Gierden 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.
Ph (02) 6842 1732 stlawrencescoona@bth.catholic.edu.au
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Remembering Mrs Janet Miller
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t was with great sadness that the community of St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Orange learnt of the death of Mrs Janet Miller on 15th May 2020. Mrs Miller was a much treasured teacher, having a wonderful influence on students at St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, Lithgow; St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Molong and finally at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School. Mrs Miller dedicated over three decades of her life to teaching in the Catholic education system and the Diocese of Bathurst. Mrs Miller was a strong and capable woman who fought her illness with dignity and determination. Even though she had been unwell for a number of months, we were all of the belief and understanding that she would soon return to her teaching role at St Mary’s. It was a deep sadness and dreadful shock to learn that her fight had come to an end so soon.
on her tips, tricks and love of learning. She possessed a dry sense of humour and her clever use of the English language, brought much laughter from those who worked closely beside her. She enhanced the sporting opportunities of those in Orange and the Southern Region in her years as Sports Co-ordinator for St Mary’s and many a time it was said that, “No one could organise a swimming carnival like Janet Miller. She even made the water faster!”. Janet was fiercely proud of her three daughters and delighted in their achievements, of which there were many. In the past few years, she enjoyed the addition of two beautiful granddaughters and often she giggled about their developing personalities and the amazing rate at which they were learning. Her husband Geoff was truly her biggest support, her soulmate, her best friend and the love of her life.
Mrs Janet Miller with her husband Geoff condolences, their memories and their gratitude to Mrs Janet Miller. She was a wife, a daughter, a sister, a mother, a grandmother, a teacher, a co-ordinator and a dear friend.
be held for Mrs Miller in the near future. It will be an opportunity for communities throughout the Diocese to pay their respects for the years of dedication of Janet Miller.
We know that you will join with us in keeping Geoff and daughters Gabrielle, Hayley and Bridget, and their extended family, in Janet cared deeply about her Many people have taken your hearts and prayers. students and loved passing the time to pass on their A memorial service will
Eternal rest grant unto Janet, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her. Mrs Kerry Maher and Mrs Kerry Basha
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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 • July 2020 • Page 19
Our school communities have risen to the challenge
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arly in March, prior to the closure of many of our businesses and institutions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I read a prayer called “Lockdown” to our staff at Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst. Written by Richard Hendricks OFM it reads in part: All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting. All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way. All over the world people are waking up to a new reality. To how big we really are. To how little control we really have. To what really matters. To Love. The prayer goes on to look at how we can focus on what really matters and not to be drawn into the negativity and panic (epitomised by panic buying) that accompanied the early phases of the lockdown across the world. This negativity, when combined with the continual state of change we are in as a society, has induced anxiety in some people and communities.
that “online learning during the coronavirus crisis could squander weeks of education for Australian children”. However, other articles counter the view that remote learning will have a long-term negative impact on students. John Hattie, Professor of Education and Director of the Melbourne Education Research Institute at the University of Melbourne, and Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) chairman, was the adviser for the New Zealand Qualifications Authority that oversaw school examinations after the devastating Christchurch earthquakes of 2011. Schools were closed for weeks and most students did not have the opportunity for online learning. But their results did not suffer. Professor Hattie said the difference was that teachers focused on “what has to be learned” instead of getting through a lot of curriculum.
He emphasised that students should embrace online (or remote) learning opportunities and that it could be a chance to improve outcomes. This highlights an interesting statistic; some research shows In many ways I see the same that on average, students negativity and resultant retain 25-60% more material anxiety reflected in the tone when learning online. of articles from major news outlets and the request by the Our CEDB schools have Premier to keep children at used a number of modes of home rather than send them to remote learning, amongst school. The Sydney Morning which was online learning. Herald on 27th April reported The effectiveness of online
learning varies amongst age groups. Some students are able to learn faster because they can learn at their own pace, going back and re-reading, skipping, or accelerating through concepts as they choose. They have few distractions from other students and can learn with customised guidance. The general consensus on younger children is that a more structured environment is required. As our teachers discovered, to get the full benefit of online or other kinds of remote learning, there needs to be a concerted effort to provide this structure and go beyond replicating a physical class through video capabilities. Instead, schools used a range of collaboration tools and engagement methods, including games, that promote ‘inclusion, personalisation
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and intelligence’. Many of our Kinder students will, in fact, be ahead in several learning dispositions such as: self-regulation, commitment and perseverance, as a result of this unusual experience of learning. There has been a focus on discovery, imagination, choice and flexibility across our schools. We have confidence that our teaching staff are aware of the learning and wellbeing needs of our students and will assess what the they need when they return to the classroom. While there has been significant focus in recent weeks on the economic imperative of schools for our society, there has also been an increased awareness of and appreciation for the work of teachers. This has not simply
been because parents have realised how challenging it is to motivate children and keep them focussed on their learning. As our teachers and leaders have responded flexibly and creatively to the crisis, our community has come to value the deep engagement that teachers and schools have with children and their learning and wellbeing. Professor Hattie said: “You have to be amazed what teachers have done to turn the whole system around so that kids can work at home...”. By 25th May, all CEDB schools had all students attending face-to face every day. The return to the classroom has been accelerated more than had been anticipated by the government, due to the lifting of restrictions. One of the challenges for us as a system of schools is to use what we have learned to enable us to transform learning in new and exciting ways, with less urgency than
Marietta’s
we felt in March, but with the same determination to utilise the resources that we have to provide the very best learning opportunities for our students. I am proud of the work of our schools, the principals, teachers and support staff and of the support given by the CEDB team. All have responded creatively and flexibly and displayed leadership, commitment and hard work. We have had to respond to ongoing challenges in every area: teaching and learning, wellbeing, communications, attendance, compliance, sport, vocational education, finance, HR and industrial, WHS, in the procurement of hygiene materials, and the list goes on. Everyone has done an extraordinary job in difficult the wonderful support we have had from our families; circumstances. this has been a real team effort. Parents have also done an amazing job, juggling work We have so much to be thankful and family responsibilities for in our communities within while encouraging their the Diocese of Bathurst. Let us children. We are grateful for not accept the negativity but
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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 • July 2020 • Page 21
School fee relief offered during COVID-19
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he Diocese has offered school fee relief to families suffering financial hardship due to COVID-19
to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bishop Michael McKenna said, “Our fundamental principle remains that no family will be denied a Catholic education due to genuine financial hardship. Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst will continue to provide affordable, quality Catholic education for all”.
In a letter to parents and carers of children attending Catholic schools in the Diocese, Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst (CEDB) has assured families that in these uncertain times, financial Therefore, the following will assistance is available to measures will apply: those who are experiencing levels of financial stress as • Diocesan school fees, a result of job loss, business including the Capital downturn or closure, or Works Levy for 2020, be reduced working hours, due waived for recipients of
Centrelink Job Seeker Families who are experiencing Payment plus C19 financial hardship of any kind are encouraged to apply for supplement. fee concessions - particularly • Any family may apply for those experiencing the effects deferral of all school fees, of the ongoing drought. for four months, including Families are encouraged to those on payment plans. contact their Catholic school for assistance and more • No payment request will information. be made in relation to unpaid fees to any family “I hope that this support is a practical expression of for four months. our Catholic values in this As the situation is extremely challenging time unpredictable, the CEDB for our community”, said will continue to monitor and Bishop McKenna. respond to changes as they happen. Kimbalee Clews
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Page 22 • July 2020 • 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
SRE News
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informal way, to put a familiar name to a face, in some cases for the first time.
here has been no face-to-face teaching of SRE in public schools during Term 2 due to COVID-19. Instead, students accessed their SRE lessons through the online ‘Learning from Home’ portal. Catechists/SRE teachers will return to classes in Term 3, when most school activities will return to normal. During this time of isolation, many catechists have taken the opportunity to learn how to use Zoom in order to meet and catch up. SRE CCD directors and co-ordinators from the 11 dioceses in NSW normally meet twice a year, taking turns to host one of these informative gatherings. CCRESS (Catholic Conference of Religious Educators in State Schools) members were unable to meet in Sydney for our usual May conference;
This was a wonderful opportunity for co-ordinators to ask questions, share ideas and to be updated on important issues to face when returning to the SRE classroom. Jacinta Thatcher, Northern Region SRE Co-ordinator, facilitated one of the CCRESS online training modules titled: “Introduction to the Bible” via Zoom. The module took the 11 participants two hours to complete. Thank you to all the organisers and instead, 30 members representing all participants of these virtual gatherings. Hopefully there will be many more NSW dioceses, connected via Zoom. SRE training opportunities available in SRE co-ordinators from the Diocese the near future. of Bathurst also met via Zoom. It was great to be able to connect in this Vicki Mair
A special gift for Mother’s Day
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ATHURST: Given our usual Mother’s Day celebrations were not possible this year, Cathedral Catholic Primary School decided to produce an iMovie, capturing images of our mothers/carers with their children. The Mother’s Day project was a way of combining many elements of school life, while still respecting the restrictions we were under. The Cathedral School teamed up with the talented musicians and producers from Bathurst Academy of Music (BAM). We invited our senior music students to participate in this collaboration project who performed and recorded the song “Mother” by Kasey Chambers. The arrangement of parts, individual recordings and editing took place in the week prior to Mother’s Day. Ten students individually attended the BAM to record their parts. It was a great chance for our musicians to participate
Audrey on vocals and guitar
Harley on vocals
and share music together without being project was a beautiful feature of our celebration of this special day. Please able to physically be together. visit the Cathedral Catholic Primary The result was a cover of Kasey School, Bathurst Facebook page to view Chambers’ song which featured the the finished product. singing and instrumental talents of the Cathedral School students. This Patrick Allen
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 • July 2020 • Page 23
All things online at St Matt’s
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espite the daunting task of moving to an online learning platform within a very short time frame, our students and teachers at St Matthews Catholic School took to the task with enthusiasm and rose to the challenge! These photos show some of our teacher and student learning spaces. Angela Myles
Learning during lockdown
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UGOWRA: St Joseph’s Primary School students did not stop learning during the lockdown period - they learnt via a different method - at home in comfort and safety.
From Week 8 of Term 1, after initiating Zoom and the Google Classroom, our students were well set up at home and continued at least three hours of numeracy and literacy lessons daily, and continued with their projects on Space and Public Speaking. Even
music lessons continued online! In the first 2 weeks of Term 2, school online at home continued and then great joy! Everyone was able to come back to school and catch up with friends. So much to talk about! Thank you to our amazing staff and the great support from the CEDB during this time. Catherine Eppulsten
St Matthews Catholic School Providing a comprehensive and quality education in the Catholic tradition for young people from Kindergarten to Year 12.
4 Lewis St Mudgee Phone: 6372 1742 New website: www.stmattsmudgee.catholic.edu.au Page 24 • July 2020 • 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
Assumption’s Tree of Hands
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ATHURST: National Reconciliation Week was marked this year from 27th May-3rd June and provided the perfect opportunity to reflect on our nation, aspects of its history and some important decisions and their impacts.
Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
During this week the students from Assumption School were involved in many ways including praying National Sorry Day prayer on 27th May, a prayer service for National Reconciliation Week on 28th May and art activities focusing on hands throughout the week.
“In This Together” was this year’s theme for National Reconciliation Week. We have embraced this as a school community. ‘The Tree of Hands’ collectively created by students, symbolically acknowledges they’ve got it and how we the importance of acceptance can help them to get more! of all people, by all people. In the first full week back to Student wellbeing school at The Assumption, online schooling Wellbeing - it’s a word after because of the pandemic, we hear a lot these days. We understand that it’s we just loved having all our important for our kids; but happy, smiling, laughing it’s not always clear exactly students back with us again what it is, how we know if doing what they do best:
All the class artworks were combined to create an amazing school artwork, ‘The Tree of Hands’. Thank you to Mrs Martinez, Miss Pickavance and Mrs Peck for organising our school activities.
being social, playing games, reading, writing and sharing lots of isolation anecdotes with us! Teachers felt the need to celebrate our student return by organising a hot chocolate and marshmallow for each student at recess on the first Friday back. David Maher
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 • July 2020 • Page 25
St Raphael’s Catholic School, The Brigidine dream at St Raphael’s 1894-1987
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ontinuing our story of the history of St. Raphael’s Catholic School to celebrate our 150th anniversary, we tell the narrative of the early pioneering Brigidine Sisters.
The Sisters had a continuing financial struggle to grow their little school. To finance their new venture, the Sisters borrowed £200 and used this to renovate the top floor area over the convent community room by demolishing the roof and attic space of the old church and raising the walls to create a two-storey building, thus adding a dormitory.
On 29th June 1894, the first party of Brigidines arrived in Cowra. Mother Superior Aloysius Shanahan was accompanied by Mistress of Novices, Mother Alacoque Miller, Sister Catherine Bergin and a novice, Sister Stanislaus In October 1894, Mother John arrived Nolan. Some early accounts suggest the from Ireland with three professed Sisters braved the threatening winter Brigidines: Mothers Vincent Crow, flooding of the Castlereagh River. Patrick O’Flynn and Terese O’Flynn. The second party of Sister Francis They were accompanied by two young Humphreys, novice Sister Brigid Kelly students from Ireland who intended to and postulant Marie Barry (Sister enter the novitiate: Nora Cooke (Sister Alphonsus) also set out for Cowra hoping Claver) and Mary Anne Kenny (Sister to beat the rising waters. They travelled Xavier). at night by “the light of two candles stuck in lemonade bottles on the front of the The St Brigid’s Boarding School opened coach”. They arrived in Cowra at 2am, in 1895 with one boarder: Grace Fox weary and exhausted but excited to take from Mt McDonald. By 1897 the school up the mission of continuing the school had 150 pupils, 16 of whom were boarders. and work of the Jospehite Sisters. They re-opened the school on 9th July 1894, with 61 pupils in an ironbark shed on the school grounds. The high school began the following day with one student.
The school continued to flourish and witnessed many successes through its pupils. It was also building a reputation of teaching excellence. The Brigidines had saved more than £5,000 over two decades. It was during this time that plans were drawn up for extensions and the new St Raphael’s School built. Finally, the Brigidines saw their “dream” realised. The Brigidine community was a great benefit to the town. Commercial classes for the business people of Cowra were regular weekly fixtures, with Mother Brigid Kelly in charge. In their early years in Cowra, the Sisters may not have been able to venture far beyond the convent walls but the world came to them. The Brigidine Sisters continued to teach until 18th December 1987. We thank them and acknowledge the Brigidine charism of “strength and gentleness” that still permeates our school community.
We acknowledge the research of the The Brigidine community had Brigidine archivist, Sister Kathleen expanded to 11 with the addition of Butler and Janice Garaty in sourcing this novices Kate Coady (Sister Francis), information. and by now, Sisters Stanislaus Nolan and Brigid Kelly were professed. Inel Date
Cowra Brigidine Community 1906 (from left to right) Mother Patrick Flynn, Mother Stanislaus Nolan (Julia Nolan), Mother Agnes, Mother Alphonsus Barry (Marie Barry), Mother Xavier Kenny (Mary Ann Kenny), Mother Clare Glesson, Mother Brigid Kelly, Mother Frances Humphreys (Catherine “Katie” Coady), Mother Aloysius Shanahan – foundress of the Brigidine convent and first Superior
1916 Brigidine nuns in the beautiful Convent garden they cherished. It was called the “Bird Cage” and the Cloister
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Cowra celebrates 150 years Looking back...
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s we celebrate our sesquicentenary this year, we look back at some of our history.
A brick school building was erected in Kendal Street in 1905. It was furnished with desks donated by the parishioners – it also served as an entertainment hall for parish functions. In 1924, more school buildings were built at a cost of £5,000. The new building was opened in 1925 by Bishop O’Farrell and was described as “magnificent, equal to anything in the county”. By mid-1930, there were 450 pupils enrolled. Two large staircases at the eastern end of the building led into a spacious room upstairs, fitted with collapsible doors which enabled the teacher to divide the area into three sections. In 1964, the building was sold to Caltex and the building of the current primary school commenced. Inel Date
Playing basketball next to original school – Kendal Street in the background
The former St Raphael’s school facing onto Kendal Street (1924)
Celebrating 150 years Please contact the St Raphael’s Catholic School office if you have archival photos and mementos for us to document. We will be sharing the St Raphael’s story throughout the year as we build up to our 150th Anniversary/ Reunion celebrations.
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 • July 2020 • Page 27
St Joseph’s School rolls out a ‘Campaign of Kindness’
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LAYNEY: St Joseph’s Catholic School has been on a campaign of kindness since returning to school in Term 2! Students and staff have adopted an “attitude of gratitude” in these unprecedented times. We have been connecting with our local community and demonstrating our gratitude by putting together thank you packages for the essential workers in our community, who have continued to support us all during these extraordinary times. Our thank you packs included flowers, chocolates and morning tea vouchers, which were purchased locally. Students also designed and created beautiful cards and As it was Mother’s Day that messages to say thank you! weekend, students made cards Our visits began in week for the residents as well as one in Term 2 and our first thank you packs for the staff. delivery was to the local hospital. Then in week two, In week three, students visited we visited the Lee Hostel, an the community medical aged care facility in Blayney. practice and finally, in week
Poppie and Tyson with Krissy for Blayney Family Medical Practice
four, a delivery was made to It was also a great way for the local supermarket. our students to demonstrate some social justice, kindness Our school captains, Poppie and care to those in our and Tyson, did a fantastic community who do so much job expressing our gratitude for us. and delivering goodies to well deserving essential workers. Sally Ostini
Residents from the Lee Hostel, Blayney
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Stannies stands for community
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ATHURST: For more than 150 years, St Stanislaus’ College has been caring for day students, boarding students and their families. The Bathurst school fondly known as Stannies, is not only the oldest Catholic Boys’ Boarding School in Australia, but it is also the only Vincentian school in the country. While the College has a strong heritage, it is one with a focus very much on the future. Mr Geoff Melville, Deputy Head of College said “A Stannies education is about preparing young men for a promising life after school. The foundation for this is a focus on the four Cs: communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. Qualities essential for those joining the workforce of tomorrow”. “Stannies achieves outstanding academic results, but there is more to learn here than just the ability to pass exams. Pupils leave Stannies as successful, yet caring members of the community. Many progress to university, while others take up apprenticeships or go back to the land. The breadth of curriculum is outstanding and includes agriculture, a trade centre and automotive technology”, said Mr Melville.
The Stannies Ag team As an all-boys school, the education is specifically crafted to suit the needs of boys. “Educating boys is all about developing confident and enthusiastic learners. Once they understand that learning is something positive, they can do anything. The sky’s the limit”, said Mr Melville. There is also a varied co-curricular program, equestrian and agricultural program and involvement in the St Vincent de Paul Society and other social justice programs.
Stannies students at the annual swimming carnival
Stannies is now taking enrolments for Years 7 to 12 from 2021 and beyond. Please call the College Registrar on 6331 4177 for more information.
Excellence in Boys’ Education
YEARS 7 TO 11 2021 ENROLMENTS NOW OPEN
Next College Tour Saturday, 13 June 2020 | Register your interest via registrar@stannies.com
CONTACT COLLEGE REGISTRAR FOR ENROLMENT INFORMATION 6331 4177
www.stannies.com
@stanniesbathurst
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 • July 2020 • Page 29
Amazing learners
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OOLAH: I am so proud of all students and families of Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, who adapted so well to Zoom online learning during the end of Term 1 and the beginning of Term 2. Our students attended their daily timetabled spelling, reading, writing, grammar and mathematics Zoom lessons with their class and their teacher. They participated with enthusiasm for their learning and were always punctual for their lessons. The most impressive character trait that I have seen in all students is perseverance. This is not a quality that always comes naturally but often needs to be taught, modelled and encouraged. Go team Sacred Heart! Camilla da Silva Tavares
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St Mary’s students Zoom in on ANZAC Day
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RANGE: When school returned to face-to-face teaching in late May, the Year 3 pupils of St Mary’s Catholic School experienced something very special when they discussed ANZAC Day. They had the opportunity to meet Vietnam War veteran, Mr Richard Barry from Narrabri, over Zoom. Mr Barry was able to give the class a first-hand account of his experience as a solider in the Australian Defence Force and what ANZAC Day means to him. Mr Barry was very impressed with the interaction he had with the children, as he explained in a Facebook post recently: “This COVID-19 environment has taught us all a few new tricks. Last month, I used Zoom and spoke to a Year 3 class at St Mary’s Catholic School. The brilliant teachers are Mrs Cheree Pell and Mrs Karen Proudford and the very proud principal is Mrs Kerry Maher. The star of the show was Miss Ivy Wynne. I was invited to speak to the class about ANZAC Day via this extraordinary medium. Each child had their own individual screens and I answered questions from many students individually. I could see every student in little squares on my iPad. It was brilliant! The teacher took a few pics and I think this one with Ivy listening intently to me on the screen rambling on is a beauty. I urge the Department of Education to investigate the possibility of incorporating Zoom in the annual curriculum, say twice yearly, whereby veterans could be approached to do this with a school class on ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day.
Harrison Kelly listening to Mr Barry
Ivy Wynne speaking with Mr Barry on Zoom
It would be a winner and more thought-provoking than perhaps looking at a text book which generally can be dismissed. I couldn’t believe the extraordinary knowledge behind the questions raised by students so young. Big hearty congratulations to all concerned”. Richard Barry. When I chatted to Mr Barry about his time on Zoom with the students, he was full of praise for the great use of technology, the interest the children showed and the dedication to the teachers involved to get the most out of the online learning environment. “I think I got just as much out of this as the kids did”, he said. “The questions the kids asked were practical and meaningful: Where did I sleep? What did I eat? Were there toilets?... and so many more. It was wonderful to speak to the children and I hope I can do it again”, said Mr Barry. Kimbalee Clews
Mr Richard Barry
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 • July 2020 • Page 31
In this together!
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ELSO: Holy Family Primary School promotes Aboriginal perspectives through the school curriculum. The School engages students in cultural, prayerful and local connection activities. Holy Family has a strong commitment to supporting students across all classes. During 2020 National Reconciliation Week, the students and staff reflected on the theme ‘In this together.’ This photo was taken in the beautiful Indigenous garden at the entrance of Holy Family School. Kevin Arrow
Students from Holy Family Primary School with their amazing National Reconciliation Week paintings
National Reconciliation Week
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ATHURST: National Reconciliation Week (NRW) provided a wonderful opportunity for Cathedral Catholic Primary School students to learn more about our shared history and culture and to consider how we can help to build positive, respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians.
The focus at Cathedral on ‘student voice’ ensured our NRW activities were led by our indigenous students. Patrick Allen
Reconciliation means everyone coming together and treating each other with respect.
Bella shares her thoughts on NRW
We need to strengthen our relationships between all people.
Gus has a great idea about Reconciliation
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Reconciliation is a time to come together to share our culture and knowledge and walk together as one.
Zoe is wise beyond her years, sharing the meaning of NRW
Easter online at St Matt’s
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UDGEE: Nothing gets in the way of our Easter Hat Parade, not even a pandemic! This is a much-loved annual event for our Kindergarten students and their buddies. Whilst they couldn’t make their hats with their buddies this year, we asked Kindergarten students to make a hat at home with their families and send us a photo to share. Staff members, siblings and the remaining students at school also had fun making hats and getting into the Easter spirit! Angela Myles
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 • July 2020 • Page 33
VISIONARY
PAR TNERS
The Cathedral Restoration Project reaches some major milestones
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he restoration of the Cathedral of St Michael and St John continues, with Cathedral and surrounding grounds currently closed to the public due to the construction work. The Cathedral precinct has been transformed into a bustling worksite, with the external grounds currently undergoing extensive earthworks and renovations progressing on the inside of the building.
The Cathedral landscape Landscaping in the Cathedral grounds is currently focused on the carpark. The excavation of the site has progressed, with the new carpark to be built as a concrete slab. These
plans have been finalised, with a small Cabling for the underground electricity depth of excavation required, reducing supply to the Cathedral and Parish the risk of disturbing any significant Centre has been completed. archaeology. Having received an arborist report that recommended the removal of the existing trees due to disease, rot and other terminal deterioration, the removal of the trees and replacement with suitably sized, appropriate trees in their place, will now be included in the landscaping design. The storm water drainage plan has been finalised with the demolition and excavation on the concrete and brick walls surrounding the Cathedral on the William and Keppel street sides will commence shortly.
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VISIONARY
PAR TNERS
window in the new doorway area of the former gift shop and the four windows from the Vesting Sacristy to the Keppel Street Annex is close to completion.
Other internal works Bishop Michael McKenna with Rob Barlow, Managing Director, Tablelands Builders replacement of worn external sandstone Traffic islands has been completed, and the scaffold will The William Street traffic island has been soon be removed. This marks a major completed, with gardens planted and milestone after more than five years of fencing erected. painstaking, detailed work, with all of the Work will now commence on the new mortar of the original brickwork of the Cathedral being replaced by hand. entryway into the carpark.
Finalisation of external restoration of the building
The construction work on the new Cathedral doorway will commence once the external restoration work to the building has been completed. Work continues on the sacristy bathroom, and scaffolding has been erected inside the Cathedral, ready for painting and new lighting to be installed once plans are approved by the Office of Environment and Heritage. The final stage of the restoration project is due for completion by the end of the year.
Stained glass window relocation
The last section of the repointing and The relocation of the stained glass
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 • July 2020 • Page 35
Ask Centacare Helping our children through these challenging times
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he day after Donald Trump was elected President of the United States of America, a colleague walking through the playground in a primary school overheard the conversation among a group of children. They were worried that President Trump was going to bomb a lot of countries around the world and another world war was imminent. More recently, our children have been worried about COVID-19 and protests around the globe. How much worry and anxiety do our children carry and we are not always aware of? We are flooded with information about everything that’s happening everywhere in the world. We don’t always have the ways and means to work out what is correct and what is incorrect, what is relevant and what is not. Our children are not immune from toxic, irrelevant and inaccurate information which leeches into their minds from social media, conversations of adults around them, television and peer groups. It is highly possible that they do not have the skills and tools to process what they see, hear or read.
can set ground rules about at what age their children can start accounts with social media platforms, when and what they access, what they post and so on. However, it is not easy or even practical to set and monitor some of these ground rules - especially if we as parents have no ground rules! As the adage goes ‘values are not taught, they are caught’. The same applies to behaviour. Children are more likely to imitate our behaviour than listen to our incongruent advice. The most important thing that we as parents can do to assist and equip our children to deal with information is to help them develop the capacity for critical thinking. This involves spending time with them, paying attention, asking them questions about the information they hold, helping them hold a position of neutral curiosity rather than blindly accepting or believing all they hear. When conversing with children, the following strategies might be handy to develop critical thinking, of course depending on their age: 1. Help them to think beyond what they say. Ask ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions. For example, “Why should we worry about climate change?”. “How will it affect us?”. “Why should people be treated equally?”. 2. Check their sources. Ask how they came to have the information they have. “How did you find out that some countries are going to disappear because of climate change?”.
3. Help them think about the issue from the opposite or a different perspective. “What do you think the Indigenous people feel about that?”. If they are exposed to the contemporary “Why do you think they are protesting?”. media, they are likely to conclude that the world is more violent than it actually 4. Get them to think about what they can do about the issue. “What do you is and people are more hostile than think you can do about racial discrimination?”. “How will you reduce they actually are. They will struggle to creating waste?”. differentiate between sensationalism and reality, authentic and fake, as their th understanding of the context often is Face-to-face counselling will recommence at Centacare from Monday 15 June. Contact Centacare Bathurst on 6331 8944 for more information. limited. How do we help them? Maddison Lloyd Psychologist
Protecting them from exposure is one strategy. For example, parents
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 • July 2020 • 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
Mass online a Godsend
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n 21st March, we learnt that the State and Federal Governments had ordered all churches to be closed until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the restrictions meant we could no longer gather in person to celebrate Mass, the Diocese of Bathurst was able to share Mass Online via Facebook and YouTube from the Cathedral of St Michael and St John, Bathurst from the very first Sunday restrictions were in place, because of a Year 11 student from St Stanislaus’ College, Charles Patterson. Charles has been working with the Diocesan communications team for the past 18 months, live streaming special Masses including Christmas and Easter services, the Chrism Mass, diaconate ordinations and, more recently, the ordination of Fr Dong Van Nguyen and Fr Karl Sinclair to the priesthood. Over the past 11 weeks, Charles has co-ordinatied the livestreaming of Sunday Mass services from the Cathedral
and, more recently, from The Assumption Church, including the busy Easter ceremonies schedule. Charles has also assisted several of the parishes in the Diocese to be able to livestream Mass from local parish churches. His knowledge in video production, technical ability, passion and commitment guaranteed a professional video stream across multiple social media platforms every week. Mass online has ensured parishioners across the Diocese, outside of the Diocese, in other parts Charles Patterson directing the online of Australia, and even in Mass from the Cathedral other countries, have had the opportunity to virtually participate in the Easter Mass schedule will lessen. I those who managed the season and Mass services would like to thank Charles livestreaming in parishes, readers, musicians, while churches were closed. and acknowledge his efforts the sacristans and seminarians Local parishes often shared over this period for his who have all assisted in the stream from the Cathedral dedication and commitment, providing the opportunity ensuring the Word of God through their own Facebook of Mass online to the many could be shared far and wide. pages when they were unable who have experienced Mass to livestream Mass locally. Thank you also to all those this way over the period of As restrictions ease gradually people in parishes across the isolation. and life begins to return Diocese who have assisted to some kind of normality in live-streaming Masses Kimbalee Clews with churches reopening for during this very challenging Diocesan Communications public gatherings, the online time of pandemic, including Co-ordinator
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Here is a great way to serve God in 2020! In 2020, we will need additional Special Religious Education (SRE) teachers and assistants. More men who have flexible working hours would be especially welcome!
Could you be a Prayer Partner with a SRE teacher and assistant? OUR CHALLENGE FOR 2020 is to have...
SRE teachers and assistants for every primary class in public schools Please note you will need a Working with Children Check number
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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 • July 2020 • Page 37
Meet the Diocesan Youth Ministers for 2020
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his year, four youth ministers have been appointed to schools within the Diocese of Bathurst. The role of the youth ministers is to be an authentic witness of the Catholic faith to the youth in our schools and parishes. They assist in implementing the Catholic Schools Youth Ministry Australia (CSYMA) program in a school and support the parish, teachers and Religious Education Co-ordinators with school retreats, liturgies and outreach to the parish and wide community.
Matt Brown – Orange
Lillian Shone – Bathurst
I’m the Youth Minister at James Sheahan Catholic High School, Orange. I attended JSCHS as a student for six years and graduated last year as school captain. Although I didn’t participate in a lot of the Diocesan youth events as a student, the role of Youth Minister always appealed to me, given the youth minister’s involvement in the school and the opportunity to help students enjoy their time in high school more.
Growing up as the eldest of eight, with gorgeous number nine due in August this year, fostering youths’ faith formation has always been a passion of mine.
Having graduated from MacKillop College, Bathurst, where I was extensively involved in the faith life of the College as a senior student, I was looking for a fulfilling opportunity to spend my gap year, after deferring university. The position of Youth Minister for 2020 at I’ve really enjoyed being a Youth Minister as it MacKillop was an opportunity that I was passionate encompasses music, youth activism, promoting a sense about and eager to undertake. of community and meeting new people, which I love So far, my Youth Ministry experience has been, and doing! continues to be, extremely rewarding and inspiring, for In my spare time, I enjoy playing guitar, watching Netflix it is the youth that remind me that “I can do all things and catching up with mates. through Christ who strengthens me”. Philippians 4:13
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Bailee Staines – Lithgow
Caitlin Brand – Cowra
I have recently joined the staff of La Salle Academy, Lithgow as the Youth Minister. As a recent graduate from this school, it has been an amazing experience since I commenced in the role, to share my personal journey and faith with the students that I know have the potential to move on to big things once they graduate.
This year is my second year as Youth Minister at St Raphael’s Catholic School, Cowra. The role of Youth Minister creates opportunities for the youth of our local church to build trust in God and their faith. Being a Youth Minister means that I get to work with people who all have a different background and even a different experience.
I cannot wait to spend the rest of the year surrounded by my team, especially La Salle Academy REC, Mrs Mary Wright, who is always helping me guide the students to a bright and faithful future.
I am excited to continue working with the students and staff of the school and to show each of them that God’s love is different for everyone and walk with them on their own journey, just as I did.
Can you hear God’s call? You’ll never know unless you begin to open your heart in prayer to the possibilities; and then to speak to someone whose faith and judgment you trust. God does not usually reveal his will in a sudden dramatic way, but in the quiet steps of prayer, sacrament, service, reflection and sharing with other Catholics.
Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life”. (Mk 10:28-30)
For more information about exploring your vocation contact Fr Carl Mackander: pp.wellington@cdob.org.au or Fr Reynold Jaboneta: pp.coonabarabran@cdob.org.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 • July 2020 • Page 39