Aurora May 2020

Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle May 2020 | No.201

“We need to reconnect with our real surroundings�

Pope Francis Modern slavery: shackles still too prevalent | Pathways connect education to employment

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On the cover An almost empty Newcastle beach at sunrise.

Photo: Lizzie Snedden

Jesus, the Rising Sun, brings us hope Welcome to the May edition of Aurora.

Featured f Shackles still too prevalent

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f Reconnecting with our real surroundings

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f Let liturgy celebration shape us

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f School is where the HSC heart is

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f Volunteers keep social obligations on the boil

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f Consider living generously in a crisis

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f Friendly reminders on choosing support

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f Pathways connecting education to employment 13 f Art of the encounter

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f Isolation is not so splendid for some

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f Students keep ANZAC tradition alive

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f Temporary visa holders not immune

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f S urvival of the gifted

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You may recognise the landmark on the front cover. It's a photo taken from Bar Beach in Newcastle, looking back towards the Anzac Memorial Walk atop Strzelecki Lookout. The image was selected for several reasons; as a tribute to the Anzacs we have commemorated in recent days; as a reflection of the quieter times we find ourselves in due to COVID-19; and, as we reflect on Easter we remember that with each new day comes Jesus, the Rising Sun, bringing with him hope.

This year the celebration of Anzac Day was comparatively modest, with its exclusions of marches and gatherings. The isolation in which many of us commemorated echoed the frequent experience of soldiers in war and provided an opportunity for personal reflection. You can read more about how our school communities commemorated the Anzac spirit, on page 16.

In the Catholic Church, the month of May

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is Mary's month. Chosen by God, above all other women, Mary's faith paved the way for the Incarnation. Her example teaches us obedience, fearlessness, humility, how to love and faith, which is particularly poignant at this time.

When faced with the realities of many catastrophic events, including theatres of war and the COVID-19 pandemic, how do we individually and as a Church community, draw meaning and find hope?

As we continue to celebrate Easter, we are challenged to interpret the realities of our everyday lives holistically through the prism of faith and respond with hope in Christ. Finding the courage to accept God's guiding presence in our lives may be more complicated for some than others, but if we do, we are told we will realise God is with us through every human event within our imperfect world.

As such, this month may we be guided to stand hopefully with Mary by the Cross.

In this edition of Aurora, you will read stories of community responses to challenges presented by COVID-19, as well the Pope’s message regarding danger and opportunity. There are also interesting articles on matters such as modern slavery, the government's investment in vocational training, and Dr Philip Matthias's move south to accommodate his new role as Director of Music for the Melbourne Archdiocese.

Finally, I wish every mother, whether they be an expectant mother, grieving mother, stepmother, foster mother, mother-in-law, or mother in the most traditional sense a very happy Mother's Day. May you share the joy of the day with your loved ones in person, or from afar.

Lizzie Snedden is editor for Aurora

Aurora online

Next deadline 10 May, 2020 f M aster’s program tackles difficult questions

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f Mass movement to Melbourne

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Elizabeth Snedden P 0404 005 036 E elizabeth.snedden@mn.catholic.org.au

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Editor: Lizzie Snedden Sub Editor: Brooke Robinson Graphic Design: David Stedman Aurora appears in The Newcastle Herald on the first Saturday of the month, and in the Manning River Times the following Wednesday.

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The COVID-19 generation?

We all wonder what life will be like, you know, after this. Will we all stand four feet apart to talk to one another? Are handshakes a thing of the past? We know there will be changes in the patterns of work and school and travel, even if it’s not clear yet what those changes will be. But how much will the simple, ordinary ways that we live together be shifting in the future? Time will tell.

When whole communities go through extended difficult times, they are affected by it. My own parents, for example, were young jobseekers in Australia during the Great Depression. Their parents were out of work or doing piecework. Then there was the Second World War, just as my older brother and sister were toddlers.

Every shilling mattered, even though my father was quite well placed compared to a lot of his contemporaries, and I think the effects of that time were visible for the rest of their lives. There was a frugality, almost a positive hatred of seeing things wasted, and a sense of the need to get along with the neighbours and help each other out when needed, that marked a generation.

Bad times can produce good things.

When we lived in London, nearly 20 years after the war, they might joke about the Brits’ on-going habit of forming a queue “wherever two or three are assembled”, but the jokes were tinged with respect for the stoicism, patience and self-discipline involved. They were never a “me first” generation. Perhaps some good will come of COVID-19, perhaps some renewed civility in the toilet paper aisle?

When I think about the possible effect of the pandemic on our religious life,

however, my mind flicks much further back, six centuries further back. I once did some study of the Black Death of the mid-14th century, from a religious point of view. And it was a mixture, short and long term. That pandemic, the Bubonic Plague by its other name, came from the East and gradually arrived in Europe via the great port cities, on ships laden with travellers and, more importantly, rats. In the end, it carried off something like a third of the population of Western Europe, creating an economic downturn for a century or so. Naturally, it affected people’s minds and beliefs.

One result was religious scepticism. It quickly became apparent, of course, that gathering the village for prayer, or processing around the city walls, didn’t stop the plague. So, then as now, for those who thought religion was supposed to be a technique for getting on well in this world, there was disillusionment with God and all his minions. On the other hand, the clergy were then society’s “first responders”, tending the sick and dying as no one else did. They received some kudos for that, or, for those who ran away, the sort of contempt that actually reinforces an ideal in a community. In the end, clergy died in great numbers, leaving empty parishes across the land.

That created a long-term problem, as 15th-century bishops struggled to make up the numbers by ordaining huge groups of priests year after year. In short, there was a quality control issue that was still only beginning to be resolved as the Reformation’s critique of worldly and ignorant clergy broke out. Some historians even think the Black Death largely created

the late-medieval obsession with death, purgatory, indulgences and the like.

So, our past experience of pandemic is a mixed bag religiously. Some purging of the magical elements of popular religion.

Some heroic examples of Christian service and courage. The loss of a generation of the best representatives of that courage.

A long-term “labour force” problem. And perhaps a new fearfulness that skewed the way people saw life in this world. That was then.

Now? Well it’s too soon to know. Closed churches and social distancing are throwing believers more on to their own resources for sustaining and living their faith, and that may be a very good thing.

The “consumer” approach, where the Church is responsible for providing the “God bit” of life, when and if required, is not working out so well, after all. On the

other hand, some will conclude that what was important through all this was not an inner life and resilience, but really only plenty of masks and ventilators. Perhaps we shall stop pretending that we’re going to live forever, or perhaps we’ll swaddle ourselves in “distance” and sanitiser to try to make ourselves invulnerable. Realism or fearfulness? Concern for each other or self-protection? Community or security?

I hope for the best, but it will be what we make it. For me right now it’s “Lead Kindly Light amidst the encircling gloom”, as Cardinal Newman put it.

Bishop Bill Wright Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle

Frankly Spoken These days, while we are all locked down in quarantine at home, let us take these two things in our hands: the Crucifix, let us look at it, and the Gospel, let us open it.

Library of the Apostolic Palace Wednesday 8 April 2020

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Shackles still too prevalent DARRELL CROKER

Photo: Lizzie Snedden

Human trafficking and slavery are hidden crimes, yet researchers estimate 40 million people are enslaved worldwide and that slavery generates $US150 billion ($247 billion) for traffickers each year.

Fifty per cent of victims are in labour slavery; 37.5 per cent in forced marriage slavery; and 12.5 per cent in sex slavery.

To break those numbers down even further: 71 per cent of slavery victims today are women and girls; 29 per cent of slavery victims today are men and boys; and 25 per cent of slaves today are children under the age of 18.

Slavery is the result of vulnerability.

The poor, the uneducated, and the marginalised are exploited and coerced to work for little or no pay. Under threat of violence, they cannot walk away. The term “modern slavery” has come into vogue — an umbrella term for human trafficking and slavery-like practices such as servitude, forced labour and forced marriage.

Whether they were destined for slavery or not, the world was aghast at the peoplesmuggling effort gone wrong in Britain last October when 39 bodies were found in a refrigerated lorry in Essex. Yet a few weeks later, in November last year, the Canberra Times ran a story about a terrified Filipino massage therapist working in the nation’s capital turning up on the doorstep of United Voice.

Afghan refugee Sina with CatholicCare’s Mirja Colding-Moran

The subsequent court case was told the owner of the Belconnen massage parlour allegedly threatened to kill family members of his employees in The Philippines if they told authorities about their working conditions. She is one of the estimated 15,000 people currently experiencing modern slavery in Australia.

It’s a typical story, and unfortunately the sex industry in Australia isn’t the only sector that has elements practising modern slavery. The federal Department of Social Services notes human trafficking and slavery can include servitude or forced labour in industries such as hospitality, construction, forestry, mining or agriculture, as well as in intimate relationships. It also includes debt bondage, sexual exploitation, forced marriage, or for the purpose of organ removal.

Australia is primarily a destination country for people trafficked from Asia. But Australia has also become a refuge for those escaping slavery-like practices.

Afghan refugee, 21-year-old Sina* endured trying conditions in a textile factory in Iran. The Islamic Republic of Iran hosts one of the largest and most protracted urban refugee populations in the world — 951,142 Afghan refugees and 28,268 Iraqi refugees.

Sina’s situation was desperate, and he and his family of eight – father, mother, brother and four sisters — registered with the UNHCR. He was informed they would be part of a new settlement plan, but that it might take several years. It ended up taking eight years, and after arriving on 26 June last year the family are now happily settled in Newcastle.

CatholicCare Multicultural Family Support worker Mirja Colding-Moran, whose role involves supporting the Refugee Hub, says Sina has been engaging with the service and is a bright and proactive young man.

Refugee status in Iran had provided hope, but he still had to survive and there were other hurdles to overcome, especially the conditions in the textile factory.

“The Iranian government allowed refugees to be hired in some particular jobs, but my job wasn't on that list,” he said. “So, based on the law, I was working Illegally.”

He was in fact, factory fodder.

“There was no insurance, no weekends and no benefit for retirement. But I didn't have any other choice. We were a big family, we needed money. I worked in that factory for two years. The pay depended on our statistics at the end of the day. If it was high, we would get more money, if it was low, we would receive less.

“I graduated from high school in Iran but because of the family’s financial problems I couldn’t continue my studies during the two years working in the textiles factory.

“I just kept working there. I didn't get out of that situation. Day after the day, I was just thinking of coming to Australia. It was my last hope to continue my study and have a better life. Otherwise, I might have ended up working there for the rest of my life.”

Ms Colding-Moran has no doubt Sina will do very well in Australia. He started an Open Foundations course at the University of Newcastle this year, but the on-campus component of the program was suspended after five weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I would like to do a bachelor of IT,” he said, “with the aim eventually of a masters in web development or data analysis.”

The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is a member of the Australian Catholic AntiSlavery Network. Aurora intends to run further articles regarding the diocesan response to modern slavery. *Didn’t want full name disclosed.

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Reconnecting with our real surroundings LIZZIE SNEDDEN When Pope Francis was interviewed by The Tablet last month regarding COVID-19 he explained every crisis contains both danger and opportunity: the opportunity to move out from the danger.

“Today I believe we have to slow down our rate of production and consumption and to learn to understand and contemplate the natural world. We need to reconnect with our real surroundings. This is the opportunity for conversion.”

Any suggestion the pandemic has been a good thing is unlikely to be well received by the public. Taking a global view, COVID-19 has caused thousands of deaths and made many people extremely ill. Unemployment has skyrocketed and we are facing a global economic downturn that could last years. The speed with which the crisis has unfolded has left the community stressed, anxious and struggling to adapt to a troubling new reality.

Fortunately, our local communities have not been severely impacted by a major outbreak. Still, with daily news reports focusing on death and infection rates it can be challenging to find the light among the darkness.

While we must be mindful of the risks to our mental health, good things are still happening and it's no sin to point them out and be thankful. For let us not forget that our Christian tradition centres on modelling our lives on Jesus’s values, and that they offer us a way through hardship.

Now more than ever it’s important to identify things for which we are grateful, particularly our teachers, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, grocery store workers, garbage collectors, cleaners, and many more — who have kept our society going.

Photo: Jessica Ward

For some the consequences of COVID-19 has been limited to a disruption of their normal routine. While governmentenforced regulations regarding social distancing came as a shock initially, Australians now realise we can make sacrifices for the greater good. And, as the Pope points out, there is opportunity for conversion that comes from this.

The past few months have provided a chance to discover new ways to connect with ourselves and our families. In an era when most Australian families have both parents working, either full or part-time, spending any length of time together has become a rarity. Working from home, while also taking care of and attempting to educate children, has its challenges. And yet the abundance of time together is also rare and precious.

For many, being cooped up in their homes has birthed a love for new hobbies or a chance to revisit childhood pastimes.

Walking the streets, the sound of laughter bursts through the front doors of many homes where families are playing together with their pets, baking treats and generally delighting in each other's company.

Out on the footpaths, now adorned with chalk murals created by enthusiastic children sharing messages of hope, couples of all ages are walking in the sunshine. Spotting teddy bears left in windows by neighbours has become a popular pastime, as has taking the time to greet each other from afar.

In fact, with many travelling far less in cars for work or pleasure, having extra time to spend in the great outdoors is a blessing in itself. The immensity of the outdoors provides the sense that, despite all the

current adjustments and difficulties, nature continues, unabated.

As a result of the pandemic and associated restrictions, pollution around the world is the lowest it has been in years. With fewer vehicles on the roads, and planes grounded, the environment is breathing easier. Overseas, Venice's canals are clearer than they've been in decades, skyscrapers in China that were once shrouded in smog are now visible, and closer to home, our beaches- now closed for recreation- have never been more clear of rubbish, nor adorned with shells and wildlife.

Enjoying a laugh over Zoom with extended family or Face Timing with mates will never compare to a warm hug, but remaining connected online has offered far more comfort than many would have thought possible. The very apps we scold for being harmful to our collective lives during regular times are now our very lifelines to loved ones. It may be that the virus is forcing us to use the internet as it was always intended — to connect, share information and resources, and come up with collective solutions to urgent problems.

Of course, not everyone has access to the internet, and so it is important that we make an extra effort to stay connected with these people by rediscovering the joy of handwritten letters or picking up the telephone to say ‘hello.’

Schools across the Diocese, and further afield, have adapted to the disruption masterfully. Teachers and students alike are embracing the transition from the comfort of their lounge rooms, and while improvements will continue to be made it has certainly helped imagine what's possible and given a lesson in resilience.

There aren’t too many people more involved in their local community than Helene O’Neill.

Ms O’Neill is a Family Ministry Co-ordinator for the Diocese, Chaplain at Cooks Hill Surf Life Saving Club, Chair of Northern NSW Football, a 1233 ABC sports commentator and Chair of the Parish Team at Blackbutt South Parish.

She says while the government-enforced restrictions have impacted the community groups with which she is involved, she has been impressed with how well most people have adapted to the changes. “When you’re out and about it’s clear to see that people are much more present and noticing things around them,” she said. “When you listen to people speak there seems to be more connectedness, and that’s despite social distancing.” Ms O’Neill said that with the

Technological advances have not been limited to our computer screens, with scientists around the world, including those at the Hunter Medical Research Institute, working frantically to come up with a vaccine for COVID-19. In some reports they appear to be getting closer but the public has also been frequently warned that a vaccine may never be found.

If that is the case it will take even greater ingenuity and goodwill by the global community to live with this virus long term.

The pandemic has exposed shortcomings in healthcare systems throughout the world, but also provided an opportunity to improve them. Although bittersweet, we can be glad the pandemic has instilled good hand hygiene habits among millions worldwide and thankful that most people with the virus have been able to recover.

Ironically, for many, government-mandated social distancing has enabled them to rediscover their need for others. This crisis, as with the bushfires a few months ago, has revealed the resilience of the human spirit and the extent to which people will go to help each other, even at considerable risk. It’s uplifting to hear stories of volunteers putting their skills to use sewing medical masks for local health workers or uniting to deliver meals to the vulnerable.

There are still a lot of unknowns about the virus and its wide-reaching impacts, but one thing is certain: it will change our world forever. This pandemic has brought about an opportunity to demonstrate what’s possible if we all unite for the common good. The real hope is that the positive changes enacted by our collective response to the virus, most importantly, compassion for each other, remain long after the pandemic passes.

COVID-19 has brought with it many changes and challenges to our society. If you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed, you may like to reach out to a professional for support. For confidential mental health support call the 24-hour Lifeline crisis support line on 13 11 14 or contact CatholicCare during office hours on 4979 1120.

recent beach closures, Bar Beach was looking better than it had done in years. “The water is notably clearer, there’s no rubbish on the sand and I’ve never seen so many shells.” Ms O’Neill is hopeful the Northern NSW Football competition, which this year had a record number of nearly 70,000 players registered, will commence in July. “The league will follow advice based on facts from health authorities, and not emotion, regarding when we return,” she said. When asked if she had any advice for people of the Hunter and Manning in remaining connected during this time, Ms O’Neill replied: “Not everyone has the internet and some may be feeling particularly isolated now, so checking in with people — even if it’s over the phone or from the front yard, is particularly important.”

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Amy and Michael Eccleston, and their two boys Patrick and Jake, have taken part in the Project Quarantine 2020 activity, which is inspired by the much-loved book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. Ms Eccleston says the family placed teddy bears in the front window of their Georgetown home after coming across the idea on social media. “We thought it would be a fun way to encourage families to go for a walk and have some fun together, spotting bears,” she said. “It’s great that so many people have got involved.” The family of four have also enjoyed going on bike rides together, baking, and building with LEGO.

Photo: Lizzie Snedden

Stephen McGrath was diagnosed with coronavirus after returning in mid-March from a work trip to the United States. Mr McGrath says he is grateful his symptoms were minor, and that he was able to make a full recovery from home where he was quarantined with his wife Sophie and their daughter, Addy who were fortunate to have not contracted the virus. The trio have taken on several projects while at home, with Sophie rediscovering her passion for craft. Once Mr McGrath was given a clean bill of health the family began going for walks around their neighbourhood and have enjoyed getting to know their neighbours from afar.

Kelly Henman is the Religious Education Co-ordinator at St Patrick’s Primary School in Wallsend. At the end of Term 1, Ms Henman organised a special concert at the school, inviting students to take part from home using Zoom while those students and staff who remained at school danced and sung in the courtyard to the song The Joy of the Lord is my Strength. “I thought it would be nice in this time of isolation and fear that we proclaim God’s goodness and joy, and that our faith is sustaining us,” Ms Henman said.

Photo: Lizzie Snedden

Janice Musumeci is the owner of fashion boutique July Jones, located on Beaumont Street in Hamilton. Ms Musumeci says while she is still permitted by government to operate, foot traffic in the ordinarily buzzing inner-city suburb has come to a halt, impacting her trade. Consequently, Ms Musumeci has reduced her store’s opening hours and, in a bid to ensure social distancing rules are maintained and customers feel safe and appreciated is now encouraging them to book in ahead of time for free, in-store style consultations. She is grateful for the support of her loyal customers, and new customers who have reached out to her via the store’s online presence.

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Let liturgy celebration shape us FIONA DUQUE

Are we, the People of God, seizing this moment as an opportunity to live more fully as the Body of Christ?

was an incredibly moving and emotional moment when I could once again share in the Body of Christ.

In the past few months we have witnessed significant change in communities, parishes and schools. There has been anxiety, suffering, disillusionment, sadness, confusion, and pondering. Some of the significant changes are the closure of our churches to parishioners, the inability of schools to hold liturgies and Masses, and a postponement of sacramental programs.

So, I get it. Not being able to share in the Eucharist can be difficult, but it certainly doesn’t mean you can’t still experience the Body of Christ, fill up on God’s Word and learn what the Spirit is trying to teach.

This has certainly caused many of us to think about how we can go without all these religious puzzle pieces of our normal faith lives. We have been questioning how it is still possible to go to the supermarket, but not to Mass. Don’t we need spiritual nourishment as well? Don’t we need to receive the Body of Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist?

As someone with coeliac disease, I didn’t share in the Eucharist for ten years. This was mainly because of misinformation. It was a real desert time for me. It caused me to reflect and meditate more deeply on the Word of God. It was many years later that someone gave me low gluten host. It

In St Paul’s letters we see four different “senses” of the Body of Christ: there is the historical Jesus, who physically walked the Earth; there is the crucified Body of Christ, whose death freed us and raised us to new life; there is the Eucharistic Body of Christ through which we join ourselves to Christ and on which we are fed so we can live in his memory: “Do this in memory of me”, and then there is the fourth, the Church as the Body of Christ.

This fourth sense is the one we need to remember and practise more fully at this moment. We need to remember that being sacramental isn’t just about the Sacraments. By worrying about not receiving one Body of Christ we can forget that to be truly authentic in our faith means we need to also be the Body of Christ and be the presence of Jesus to others. St Paul

warns of complacency in this regard in his first letter to the Corinthians.

So how is it possible to maintain our life as members of the Body of Christ when we are in a state of social distancing? We are truly blessed as Catholics when we look to our tradition. It has a wealth of beautiful ways we can be the Body of Christ, in particular through a deep, strong, authentic prayer life.

When the government continued to change the allowable sizes of gatherings, in my role as a ministry co-ordinator at a high school I had to continue to rethink how we could come together as a Catholic community.

Masses, liturgies, and assemblies were not possible.

I am always looking for ways to strengthen the prayer life of the school and I saw this as an opportunity. Each school day, students now receive a College Prayer of which there have been many varieties.

During Holy Week, students were provided with a family prayer service they had to lead in their own homes. We have also developed an online community prayer request form.

Students have been encouraged to think

about and pray for others, assist their families, reflect on what they are seeing in the world, and what they can do about it.

What a valuable time this has been.

There are many ways we can explore prayer in this desert time. Reading scriptures, practicing Lectio Divina, the Rosary, an Examen, listening to hymns, writing in a prayer journal, praying with a friend on the phone, forgiving others and being kind or still. Let us all try to be more sacramental and Christ-like. We must re-establish our homes as the Church, because wherever we are, so too is our Church.

Fiona Duque is a member of the Diocesan Liturgy Council and the Ministry Coordinator at St Bede’s Catholic College in Chisholm.

Sunday Mass will continue to be live-streamed from Sacred Heart Cathedral at 9.30 am every Sunday, while COVID-19 restrictions are in place. Visit: www.mn.catholic.org.au/places/live-stream

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School is where the HSC heart is TODD DAGWELL Photo: Lizzie Snedden

Newcastle Year 12 student Mackenzie Hepple feared her HSC results were headed over a cliff due to COVID-19 but she’s since breathed a sigh of relief after learning NSW schools would reopen on 11 May. “I’ve been quite concerned that having to complete my schoolwork from home was not allowing me to perform to the best of my abilities,” the St Francis Xavier’s College (SFX), Hamilton pupil said.

“Studying from home has limited my faceto-face communications with my teachers, which is my preferred method of learning.”

Although teachers had been consistently organising Zoom video meetings, Mackenzie said maintaining concentration without the structure of the classroom had its challenges. “Zoom meetings don’t go for the whole lesson, so you’ve got to be self-motivated since there is nobody watching over you.”

Mackenzie’s Year 12 classmate, Jessica Chagorski, agrees it is harder to stay motivated at home. “I do find it difficult to stay focused on my studies in the comfort of my own home,” she said. “I’m not performing to my full capabilities at home

Mackenzie Hepple is looking forward to returning to face-to-face learning, as is her classmate Jessica Chagorski (inset)

and am worried this will negatively affect my final HSC marks.”

Despite the obvious challenges, Mackenize said there had been some benefits to working from home. “Home learning has enabled me to study at a pace that suits me,” she said. “I’ve also appreciated the flexibility the teachers have shown in supporting us. They are always quick to respond when I ask a question.”

In recognition of these challenges and the crucial role the HSC plays in future life success, Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle director of Catholic Schools, Gerard Mowbray, said the resumption of faceto-face learning across all 57 schools in the Diocese would involve “a staggered approach to the return of on-campus learning”, with an emphasis placed on particular year groups.

“We will be placing concerted emphasis on Year 11 and Year 12 students' face-toface learning, as they prepare to sit for their Higher School Certificate,” he said.

Mr Mowbray said the NSW Education Standards Authority is committed to delivering the HSC but is aware it must be very flexible with assessments, major

works, exams and work placements.

“I can say we aren’t going to lose this year,” Mr Mowbray said. “We will ensure Year 12 finishes 2020 with a credential and an effective pathway to proceed with work and study next year.”

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said while students would start returning to the classroom from 11 May, it would not be “school under normal circumstances”.

“Initially, it will just be a day a week and then progressively two days, and then we hope by the end of Term 2 we'll be in a position to have students going back to school in a full-time capacity by Term 3,” she said.

Parents could expect an increased emphasis on safety by way of extra cleaning, Ms Berejiklian said.

Aside from the focus on Years 11 and 12, Mr Mowbray said it was also important younger age groups, such as Kindergarten, remained familiar with face-to-face learning and for this reason they would also be a priority when on-campus learning resumes.

Lauren Payne’s daughter Millie attends Kindergarten at St Joseph’s, Merewether,

and she has mixed feelings about the Premier’s announcement.

“They have put so much effort into establishing online learning. I think they should have all of Term 2 off and bring them back for Term 3 when hopefully the health situation will be much clearer,” she said.

Ms Payne said safety was still a significant concern for her and she intended to keep Millie home for a few more weeks after 11 May to assess the situation before sending her back.

Mr Mowbray said the gradual shift back to a school based program would be completely dictated by the expert medical advice. “We will commence a transition to school based learning from week three (Term 2) onwards but we are not going to rush anything,” he said.

“Parents can rest assured we will always make educational decisions based on the best expert medical advice provided by the government.

“Our goal is for all students and staff to return to on-campus learning in a measured and timely manner, but only when it is safe to do so.”

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Volunteers keep social obligations on the boil BROOKE ROBINSON

Photo: Callum Howard

When Pope Francis gave his extraordinary blessing to the world on 27 March, he recognised the essential workers who continue to serve and give hope to others in a time of uncertainty and need.

On the eve of National Volunteer Week (Monday 18 May – Sunday 24 May), two agencies of the Diocese of MaitlandNewcastle have demonstrated the Pope’s call to care for others and are calling for volunteers to join them and make a difference in this time.

Food is essential, and the Development and Relief Agency (DARA), and Taree Community Kitchen, have adapted to continue their services and meet the needs of people while the community is in lockdown due to COVID-19.

DARA food programs co-ordinator Baden Ellis is organising home-delivered meals to those in need, saying “it’s our social justice obligation to keep things running”.

“Home deliveries are a way to keep social distancing and ensure our friends at home don’t have to travel,” Mr Ellis said.

Each week, volunteers will deliver food to people in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and Port Stephens.

“Anyone is welcome to get a meal,

Photo: Jessica Ward

A Taree Community Kitchen volunteer serves lunch insert: Baden Ellis and Anthony Rouse prepare takeaway meals for DARA

regardless of the reasons why,” Mr Ellis said. “If they are recently out of a job, are homeless, or just can't make ends meet, everyone is welcome.”

Meals are being prepared with the help of chefs who have been stood down due to businesses temporarily closing. Anthony Rouse, chef at Belmont 16 Footers, was the first to jump in and help cook 500 meals of curry beef, bolognaise, rissoles and beef braise.

Volunteer Shaun Serafin delivered the first lot of meals just before Easter and said everyone he visited was grateful someone had gone out of their way to help them.

Essential food is also being provided in the north of our Diocese.

The Taree Community Kitchen supports vulnerable people in the Manning, serving meals from 12pm until 1pm Mondays to Fridays. It has adapted the way it provides meals, serving only takeaways with two diners at a time collecting their meals.

Co-ordinator Sue Abdoo says due to many current volunteers being in the “at risk” category, the kitchen is in need of more volunteers.

“There are many ways people can get involved,” Ms Abdoo said, “including the

collection of food donations from local businesses, assisting with the preparation of the daily meal, making up fruit and vegie packs for our diners, cleaning, serving meals and greeting the people we support with a smile.”

For anyone seeking a meal delivered by DARA please fill in a form online at http:// dara.org.au/home-delivery/ . You can

Shelter from the storm The Catholic Church is inviting its various agencies across the country to consider facilities that might be made available to support national efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Archbishop Mark Coleridge, president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, says Catholic parishes, schools, religious orders and other ministries have a role to play in increasing the capacity of state and territory governments and their health departments to respond to this pandemic.

Susan Pascoe is chair of the Advisory Council of Catholic Emergency Relief Australia, a collaboration harnessing the Catholic Church’s collective strength in response to crises.

also request a meal, or your interest in becoming a volunteer with DARA, by calling 4979 1339.

Meals from the Taree Community Kitchen are available to the public each weekday.

To register your interest in becoming a volunteer with the Taree Community Kitchen please call 6539 5900.

“When this collaboration was emerging in January in response to the bushfire crisis affecting multiple states and territories, we knew it would be in place to co-ordinate efforts on future national emergencies,” Ms Pascoe said.

“We couldn’t have known how quickly that ‘future’ would become our ‘present’ — and a ‘present’ that has necessitated historic measures from the Commonwealth government all the way down to individual behaviour.”

Ms Pascoe said a national audit has commenced to understand what Catholic buildings might be put on standby to be made available if more facilities are needed for testing people who could be infected, for people to self-isolate, for front-line workers to be accommodated away from their homes, or for other reasons.

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Consider generosity in a crisis ROSIE KENDALL

The world is in crisis. None of us quite know what to do. Surely something this big should have been planned for. How can everything change so quickly?

It feels like every 24 hours brings new shocking statistics. People are hoarding and gathering for their own protection and survival. We are facing a huge economic crisis and we don’t quite know how we should be responding. Our own world safety nets fall apart as we realise we are no longer in control. We are overwhelmed and it’s hard to cope.

Today I have been overwhelmed by sadness — sadness for the lives that will inevitably be cut short, sadness for financial stress and loss of livelihoods.

People are facing social isolation and conflicting priorities. None us can predict how long the COVID-19 pandemic will last, and how long it will take for us to recover.

Rosie Kendall

Social media and news feeds are running 24 hours a day, there’s not much else we are talking about, it’s hard for our hearts to consume on a daily basis. It’s overwhelming even for the most optimistic in society. The temptation is to join in with the chaos, stockpile our resources and make sure we have enough to survive.

Each of us has an inbuilt navigation towards self-preservation.

But maybe there is another way. Twothousand years ago there was a man called Jesus who told people to love their neighbour just as they love themselves. In a society that largely thinks the teaching of Jesus is outdated and irrelevant, I think most of us would see wisdom in why loving our neighbour through this season is a good idea. Living generosity through this crisis gives us an opportunity to reduce the mental and economic devastation.

Imagine if we all responded to the call to be more generous than we have ever been before. Imagine that instead of self-preservation we positioned ourselves towards service to those around us.

I have worked in the not-for-profit sector for 12 years and am constantly impressed by how far human beings will go to look after others. I’d like to suggest we can all take this opportunity for caring for others by providing vital supplies to our neighbours, giving generously to charities, and continuing to support local businesses.

If we all could ask ourselves “what more could I do?” I believe this will be the defining moment for Australia through this crisis. A heart of generosity and care for our neighbours gives us something positive to be part of. There is no doubt the effects of COVID-19 are going to be

heartbreaking, but I do believe we have an opportunity to respond with kindness and love for one another. If we are able to rise to this significant challenge then we might just get out the other side of this crisis and look back and say “wow, look what we managed to survive together”.

Rosie Kendall is chief executive of Christians Against Poverty, Australia, working for the organisation here and in the UK for 10 years. She loves the Church and seeing the bride of Christ respond to Jesus’s call to serve the poor and save the lost. She is passionate about equipping others to flourish in all that God has created them to be. Her husband Dave also works at CAP and they have three beautiful daughters, Esther, Lydia and the most recent addition, Maeve. Find out more: www.capaust.org/Get-Involved

Come home to Calvary.

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Friendly reminders on choosing support CATHERINE MAHONY Photo: Peter Stoop

As a blind person I've lived through many highs and lows navigating relationships with my support workers. Can you really be friends when your support worker is being paid to spend time with you?

My friend Mel Schlaeger has a support worker with whom she regularly socialises, arranging catch-ups outside working hours.

Cath Mahony with her support worker.

answer is, 'Yes, it absolutely still can'."

As part of their role, Jacob's family asks Jane and Lucy to include Jacob in their social networks, for example going to the football, to the pub and trivia nights.

While Jacob relies on his support workers to assist with decision-making and communication, he is still in charge.

"I'm very clear that she doesn't put me into bed," Mel said. "She might pick me up [for transport beforehand] if she chooses to.

But if she couldn't, I'd be happy to meet her there and that wouldn't be a problem."

"I like to choose the people who support me," Jacob said. "We like each other. It's not too bad having support when I like the people. They are kind and let me make decisions for myself."

Lucy Biddle, who works with Jacob Hughes, says it's different to other friendships.

Brendan Purvis, who has been a support worker for Joe Nebe for the past seven years, says "the power dynamic is a bit skewed".

"I think it's complicated," she said. "I think that naturally, when you're spending so much time in the week with someone — and kind of being really intimately involved in their life — I think it's difficult not to form a relationship."

She said she would "definitely consider Jacob my friend" and so does Jane Hoppe, another of Jacob's support workers.

"Yes, I get paid to be with Jacob," Jane said. "So, there is that sense of, 'Well then, is it a friendship? Can it be?' But I think the

"Doing intimate things with your boss in the shower, that's a big power difference," Brendan said.

An example of the confusing power dynamic occurred when Joe and Brendan applied for a share house when moving interstate.

"Trying to explain that to the real estate agent was really difficult," Joe said. "They see Brendan's payslips and they don't know how I can pay him."

Brendan added: "And the description of that was it looked dodgy, because I'm effectively moving into a house with my employer."

administrative assistance.

Support worker break-ups are something Mel Schlaeger and I have debriefed about in the past.

That's how Ros Talbot found the “perfect” support worker for her daughter Georgia.

"I don't even pull people up as much as I should nowadays," Mel said. "Because let's face it, when they come and you're in bed, you can spend five minutes saying you're not happy. Or you can [get their assistance to] go to the bathroom as quickly as possible because you're busting."

There are many reasons why people need to break up with their support workers, from being late, to using your computer like it's their own, to stealing money or breaking confidence. The thing to remember is when the time comes, it's best to make it a clean break where you have alternative support lined up.

So how do you find the forever relationship, the perfect support worker?

I've employed a stylist as a support worker to assist me in choosing, buying and then mix and matching my clothes. I've also used a mainstream office administration business when the support I required was

Word of mouth is one way. We all ask around.

"It was talking to one person, a friend of mine who has a business, and she happened to know Linda," Ros said.

Georgia had done some hand sewing before Linda came on board, but wanted to learn more about making and designing clothes.

"She was very quiet, and we just discussed what she had to do for school," Linda said. "We discussed things about each other as well, getting to know each other a little. After just a couple of weeks, me and Georgia had formed a really good friendship."

Georgia attended her Year 12 formal in a dress she designed and made herself.

Catherine Mahony is a parishioner and singer at Sacred Heart Cathedral Newcastle and the 2019 ABC Regional Storyteller Scholarship winner who has produced a five-part ABC Radio series called A Fine Line.

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Pathways connecting education to employment LIZZIE SNEDDEN Photo: Peter Stoop

Hannah Hunter, left, and Sonia Liddiard, right, of St Nicholas Pathways, pictured with Helen Harvey, senior project officer at Training Services NSW

The Hays Job Report for January 2020June 2020 identifies early childhood teaching as Australia’s most in-demand education role.

This program is designed to run over a series of weeks and provide Year 10 students with an introduction to the early childhood and care profession.

It comes 12 months after the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, through its St Nicholas Early Education agency, set about developing a vocational training arm.

The NSW Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education, Geoff Lee, supported the Diocese’s plans, saying investment in education and training is critical to the success of the state’s economy. He says the program will empower Hunter students to make informed decisions about their future and underpin development of a skilled workforce.

In January 2019, Sonia Liddiard took up the opportunity to assist St Nicholas Early Education establish vocational training.

With almost three decades in vocational education and training (VET), Ms Liddiard is a passionate advocate for the sector.

Within months of Ms Liddiard coming on board, St Nicholas Pathways was launched, and she is now operations manager for the program.

At the time, Diocese of MaitlandNewcastle chief executive Sean Scanlon, said the Pathways initiative would create “meaningful pathways to employment” and, “support the growing demand for early childhood educators”.

Ms Liddiard and Mr Scanlon suspected the Pathways program would be popular, but the response the training initiatives have received from students, the NSW government, and industry partners, has exceeded their expectations.

The first program St Nicholas Pathways launched was the School-based Apprentice Traineeship (SBAT). Following its success an application was made to the NSW government to support St Nicholas Pathways’ Industry Immersion program.

“The NSW government is committed to helping our students transition from school to work and make sure they are on a right pathway to a job or further education while they are still at school,” Mr Lee said.

When applications for the program first opened at the beginning of this year, St Nicholas Pathways was poised to undertake a marketing campaign to promote enrolments, but staff quickly realised there was no need.

“Our goal was to offer the program to nine groups of about 12-15 students, over the course of Term 2, Term 3 and Term 4,” Ms Liddiard said. “We sent a flyer to local Catholic, public and independent schools and were flooded with enquiries. It was only a matter of weeks until we reached capacity.”

And while implications arising from COVID-19 may delay the start, nothing will dampen the enthusiasm of Pathways staff to get the program up and running as soon as it safe and practicable to do so.

As part of the program, students will engage in practical and study opportunities within a fully functional play-session environment, based out of St Nicholas’s purpose-built facility in Maitland.

“The Industry Immersion program, which includes daily interaction with children and families, is designed to give students a taste for what it’s like to work in the sector,” Ms Liddiard said.

St Nicholas Early Education’s general operations manager, Kerri Armstrong, says having this type of insight is beneficial for students as they begin to seek training and employment opportunities, and gives employers confidence that applicants have a realistic understanding of the industry.

“Working in early education involves far more than simply childcare,” Ms Armstrong said.

“Employees who do well in this industry will inspire a love of learning for the children they engage with, through gaining knowledge in development and curriculum.

Most importantly, they’ll also embody the ability to communicate effectively, use their initiative and operate as part of a team.”

Accordingly, Ms Armstrong and Ms Liddiard have been working together to ensure all these components are incorporated into the program, as well as information about future opportunities in the early education profession.

And, according to the Minister, the clearer understanding students have of further training and employment prospects, the better.

“At the heart of these programs is the NSW government’s desire to improve career advice, increase school-based apprenticeships and traineeships,” Minister Lee said. As such, the NSW government supports the program and there are no costs for students to participate.

Year 10 students who enjoy their Industry Immersion experience and are considering a career or further training in early childhood education are encouraged to apply for the St Nicholas Pathways SBAT program, delivered in partnership with the International Child Care College (ICCC RTO ID 90018). The SBAT program provides Year 11 students with an opportunity to undertake a schoolbased apprenticeship, delivering them with entry-level qualifications in Early Childhood Education and Care, which can then be used to gain a diploma and/ or towards an undergraduate degree in a Bachelor of Education. Applications for the SBAT Program open in Term 3 and though beneficial, it is not a prerequisite that students have taken part in the immersion program to be successful in their application.

“I truly believe in the essence and intent of VET courses and the meaningful opportunities they provide young adults as future workforce participants,” Ms Liddiard said.

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Art of the encounter ROSE MCALLISTER When the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference wrote its Social Justice Statement 2019-2020, “Making it Real: Genuine human encounter in our digital world”, it could not have predicted its relevance in light of the world’s current situation.

COVID-19 has had an astronomical effect on everyday life and the thought of not being connected in some way, shape or form is difficult for the human race to come to grips with.

Interestingly, since the dawn of the digital age there has been a trend to get back to bare basics and live off the grid. It is a way of rejecting the social isolation the digital world may bring.

Now we find ourselves only being able to sustain genuine relationships through digital means. Social media platforms are building communities more than ever before. We are connected via Zoom and other digital platforms to pray, to sing, to hold meetings, to share family dinners and this year, to celebrate Easter.

In such a challenging time of social distancing and isolation we are thankful for the World Wide Web, now in its 30th year,

Photo: Lizzie Snedden

as this has been a way and means to stay connected with each other.

The Social Justice Statement 2019-2020 invites us to consider the parable of the Good Samaritan as inspiration. We are called not only to love our neighbour but bring the love of God to the new global neighbourhood.

Unfortunately, there is a question over these digital platforms and whether they are used for the betterment of the human person and if they are bringing love at all.

Too often the digital world has become a place of hatred, sexual objectification, exploitation and trafficking of women and children and the related production and dissemination of pornography.

Cyberbullying is another way in which digital technology is used without regard for human dignity.

Most of us do not question the platforms we are using and why we are receiving the product for free. But the core business of social media platforms is to sell advertising and maximise profits.

With massive amounts of our data at the hands of the advertisers or political campaigners, equipped with behavioural

science modelling, we can be directly targeted and in ways previously unthinkable.

There is also a great digital divide that has been thrust upon society when e-government services have replaced faceto-face services. Access to the internet also poses many concerns among the marginalised and disadvantaged.

While our digital world has many advantages this Social Justice Statement clearly points out the many dangers and ways in which society can be disadvantaged through its use.

The statement calls us to not just be inhabitants of this new digital world, but be active citizens shaping it. We have a responsibility in rejecting hatred and division to foster a neighbourhood that promotes human dignity, solidarity and the common good.

Genuine relationships are based on the dignity of the other who is made in the image and likeness of God. True encounters make real the love of God in life with our neighbour. Technology allows us to work across cyberspace without human touch. When we do emerge from

the pandemic and can live together in a community once more there may be a trend to put devices down, to connect and make real, genuine human encounters.

We are inviting artists to create a work based on the themes found in the Social Justice Statement. Works must be on A3 paper, with their name, title, school, parish or phone number clearly labelled on the back. This information plus a 150-word (maximum) artist statement must accompany the work and be emailed through to rose.mcallister@mn.catholic.org. au before 14 August.

Entries close: Friday 14 August, delivered to Catholic Schools Office reception.

Exhibition date: Saturday 29 August Location: Veritas Centre, San Clemente High School, Mayfield Time: 2pm–5pm Categories: Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 5, Stage 6, Adult $150 prize for each category For more information contact rose. mcallister@mn.catholic.org.au

Rose McAllister is manager formation and education – pastoral ministries for the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle

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Isolation is not so splendid for some STEPHEN GROOMBRIDGE

COVID-19 forced isolation is impacting on us all and significantly our capacity to see friends, engage in community activities and enjoy life in general. Some of us may be feeling disconnected, dejected and alone as we navigate this challenging time. But we know it is temporary. For some individuals and their families, these feelings are the norm.

Fearing the embarrassment of a meltdown, parents, siblings and the child avoid social gatherings with friends.

Isolation, social exclusion, limited capacity to participate in community-based activities, impacts upon work-life balance.

Sound familiar? Sadly, this is the scenario many Australian families have been living with for years.

I speak of a small cohort of people with complex disabilities who, at times, may display significant behaviours that challenge us and at times challenge the community. A classic example of this is some of the children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. These kids find it tremendously difficult to understand and communicate with others, manage change and successfully navigate complex environments. These factors can have a deleterious impact upon the child, with certain situations and environments causing significant stress, cognitive confusion and emotional overload.

While this is difficult and problematic, the good news is there have been significant advances in behavioural science over the past few decades. Notably, there has been a significant shift away from using punitive consequences for behaviour to a model that fundamentally seeks to better understand the purpose of behaviour. If we understand the drivers of the behaviour, we can often modify environments so they actually work for the child. We can teach and we can teach well using an array of educational methodologies the child understands.

So what happens? Sadly, some kids, in an attempt to escape this significant emotional turmoil, may escalate into what many parents call a “meltdown”.

They cannot communicate, they cannot regulate and at times their one and only option is to melt down. These “meltdowns” are serious and can consist of behaviours such as aggression, selfharm and property damage. In worstcase scenarios these behaviours can occur several times a day and often result in someone getting hurt or property being damaged beyond repair.

In addition, the collateral damage of such behaviour can be also quite pronounced.

These kids and their families are often ostracised, excluded and fundamentally isolated from a range of community activities and environments. Such behaviours impact on the child’s learning as they may be suspended from school and isolated again in the family home.

Furthermore, these children are often prescribed medication — often the heavy artillery of psychopharmacology — to quash the frequency and severity of the behaviour. While it may be effective in controlling the child’s behaviour, these medications may do little to enhance the environment and the build the skills the child needs to regulate their behaviours.

Because the environment is finally working for the child and we have helped them build skills with communication and emotional regulation, they do not need to melt down to say “get me outta here” or “please help me, I need something”.

Over time, the behaviour extinguishes and for the first time, possibly for many years, the individual and their family can emerge from their COVID-like exile and enjoy community life.

We often take social inclusion as a given. It is only when it is taken away we experience what it must be like. The next time you think about the tough conditions of COVID-19 isolation, spare a thought for the individuals and families dealing with complex behaviours and the impact this is having on their collective lives.

Stephen Groombridge is a CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning clinical specialist with more than three decades of experience in the field of disability, mental health and behaviour support.

Behaviour Support Services is an important addition to CatholicCare’s suite of clinical services. As a NDIS-approved provider these services are available as part of an individual’s NDIS Plan, or on a fee-for-service basis.

Stephen Groombridge is a clinical specialist, working at CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning

Photo: Lizzie Snedden

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Students keep ANZAC tradition alive DARRELL CROKER

St Jospeh's Primary School, Taree insert: St Patrick's Primary School, Lochinvar

With COVID-19 restrictions forcing the cancellation of Anzac Day marches and remembrance ceremonies, schools across the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle were creative in acknowledging the sacrifice of those who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.

Students were encouraged to stand at the end of their driveways, on their balconies, or in their loungerooms at 5.30am on Saturday 25 April and to watch the broadcast of the Dawn Service.

Diocesan schools still joined their local communities to reflect on the sacrifice of our Anzacs but many of the activities undertaken this year were more “homely”.

They included baking Anzac biscuits, doing Anzac Day crafts, and singing and playing Anzac-appropriate music such as The Last Post, Advance Australia Fair and Waltzing Matilda.

Schools were also creative on social media, and visible ways in which students showed their respect included sharing medal-wearing and military uniform photos.

In Muswellbrook, St James’ Primary School principal Aaron Moon encouraged students, their families and staff to supply a photo with messages such as “Lest We Forget”, “We will remember them” and “ANZAC Day 2020”. Mr Moon then compiled these into a video for the school and community Facebook pages.

Mr Moon said it was important to encourage students on school holidays to commemorate Anzac Day “Our nation has grown up on the Anzac tradition,” he said.

“The qualities of mateship, endurance, courage and good humour that were developed on the battlegrounds in World War 1 are now ingrained in everyday life.

We must be eternally for grateful for this.”

Commemorating Anzac Day also reflects the school’s mission.

“St James’ vision states that to be successful learners we must be informed and engaged global citizens,” Mr Moon said. “Through identifying and commemorating Anzac Day, our aim is that our students will develop an understanding of the importance of human life and the importance of peace.”

At St Patrick’s Primary School, Lochinvar, an installation at the school’s entrance created a visible statement.

The installation incorporated poppies handmade by St Patrick’s students.

When they were brought together, the installation became one larger-than-life poppy that stood as a sign of respect.

Year 6 leaders at Holy Family Primary School, Merewether Beach, created a video to share with their community on Facebook. The video captured the student leaders performing wreath-laying, The Ode, The Last Post and a minute's silence, allowing those at home to join

them in paying respect to all servicemen and women past and present.

Leading up to Anzac Day, staff and student leaders from Holy Name Primary School in Forster shared instructional videos on the school’s social media sites, demonstrating the ways their school community could create red poppies, paint beautiful Anzac themed artworks and bake delicious Anzac biscuits.

Simone Maloney is the primary school co-ordinator at the school and explained that the staff aim to enrich students’ understanding and appreciation of Australia's wartime history and the impact it has had on many generations of Australian families.

“Most importantly, we try and nurture a sense of gratitude and respect for our servicemen and women, praying particularly for those who have given their lives in active service,” Ms Maloney said.

The school’s captains, Jack Thacker and Lylah Darcy, accompanied principal Brooke Stephens and Parish Priest Greg Barker to the Tuncurry War Memorial in Lone Pine Park to lay an Anzac wreath.

Meanwhile their classmate and fellow leader, Riley Paine, marked the significance of the day with family.

“I am a school leader and I was looking forward to leading my school in the Anzac

Day March,” Riley said. “Instead, I got up early with my family and listened to the Dawn Service on the radio. Mum then told us the story of our great grandpop who was in World War II and was shot in the leg on the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea and carried to safety by the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels. I understand my great grandpop was a hero and that is why I can do all the things I like today.”

St Joseph’s Primary at Taree commemorated Anzac Day with a post attached to the school’s Compass site, Facebook page, and website. It also posted the hashtag #LightUpThe Dawn on all digital platforms. Students also made a PowerPoint presentation and took a photo outside the school’s Anzac display, which also included poppies handmade by students.

Leaders from St John Vianney, Morisset, kept alive the tradition of visiting Cooranbong Cemetery to honour returned servicemen and women who have now passed. On Anzac morning, the leaders and their families visited three gravesites and placed a flag, said a prayer and reflected on the sacrifice made many years ago. The flag was left flying high for the day so passers-by could also remember and honour the fallen.

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Temporary visa holders not immune TODD DAGWELL Photo: Lizzie Snedden

Hunter families on temporary visas made jobless by the pandemic are unable to afford food and rent because they’re ineligible for federal government assistance.

CatholicCare is reporting a large spike in calls for help from desperate families who have no access to the multi-billion-dollar JobSeeker and JobKeeper payments keeping hundreds of thousands of recently sacked Australians fed and housed.

More than one million people in Australia are on temporary working visas including: the majority of asylum seekers, many refugees, international students, working holidaymakers, bridging visa holders, and those on temporary protection visas; most are ineligible for government support packages.

CatholicCare Multicultural Family Support worker, Nina Niemeyer, says the social services organisation is presently supporting 30 families on temporary visas, many of whom lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are now experiencing extreme financial hardship.

“The situation is getting worse – we are receiving more and more referrals from

Kargombe Muhinde Karungurungu and his wife Feza Noela are grateful for the support CatholicCare and the Australian government provide

other support agencies every week and our waiting list is growing quickly,” Ms Niemeyer said. “We are forced to prioritise the referrals and at the moment we’re prioritising people who can’t afford food and other basic essentials along with those at risk of domestic violence and homelessness. Many are asylum seekers.”

moment,” he said. “I open the business every day, but no customers are coming into the shopping centre. It’s the quietest it’s ever been.

Requests for food support has resulted in the greatest increase followed closely by rental assistance. “OzHarvest delivers ‘food bags’ to the Diocese cool-room and then my colleagues and I drive around Newcastle dropping them to homes,” Ms Niemeyer said.

Mr Sido is attempting to negotiate a rental freeze for his home but says the shopping centre is not offering a lease reduction.

“Rent is the other big problem for people.

We are talking to landlords on tenants’ behalf attempting to secure rent freezes.”

Darwich Sido spoke no English when he and his family of five arrived in Newcastle in 2016 after fleeing war-torn Syria. A tailor by trade, Mr Sido worked incredibly hard and established his own business two years later — Sido Tailor at Stockland Jesmond.

Despite the fact he’s a genuine multicultural success story, Mr Sido remains on a refugee visa and ineligible for government assistance. “It’s very difficult at the

“Finding money for rent is now extremely hard for me. I have to pay rent to the shopping centre and for my home.”

Federal Labor has called on the Morrison government to expand eligibility for financial assistance to temporary visa holders but has been repeatedly rebuffed.

The message from the government has been blunt.

"You're very welcome here, however if you cannot support yourself over the next six months, then you should consider leaving the country," acting immigration minister Alan Tudge said last month.

Labour economist at the University of Melbourne, Professor Jeff Borland, speaking on ABC radio program The Economists, said temporary visa holders were in an extremely difficult position as their jobs had disappeared and it was often

impossible for them to return home.

“The federal Treasurer has said they had to draw the line somewhere to avoid it being too expensive, but I think there’s an arguable case that it was appropriate to at least consider whether temporary visa holders should now be eligible for JobSeeker,” he said.

“I feel we should be treating temporary visa holders in the same way we would hope Australians would be treated if they were overseas in another country during this episode.”

Despite his own hardship, Mr Sido is trying to help the community tackle coronavirus by using his skills to make face masks while there’s a shortage of personal protective equipment.

“I’m now making masks for everybody’s safety, which I sell very cheaply,” he said.

“I know I can’t get the financial assistance packages but a 50 per cent rent reduction would be a big help to my business.”

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A U R O R A C AT H O L I C D I O C E S E O F M A I T L A N D - N E W C A S T L E

Gifted students Xavier Collingwood and Emily Rose explore the beach

Survival of the gifted BRITTANY GONZALEZ Agility and the ability to adapt are necessary for survival, but sometimes assistance comes in handy. Education is no different, and research continually throws up new ways of meeting challenges and rethinking the culture around learning.

For gifted students, the challenges can create unique opportunities.

Holy Spirit Primary School, Kurri Kurri, has been part of the Catholic Schools Office (CSO) Gifted Education Lead Schools (GELS) program for the past year. This year, two Year 6 students, Emily Rose and Xavier Collingwood, were included in the CSO Virtual Academy.

Emily has always been interested in why humans behave the way they do, and what triggers certain emotions such as fear, love and hate. Xavier likes solving problems close to his heart.

They are the first students from Kurri Kurri to be accepted into the Virtual Academy and from their initial information session both were visibly elated to be included in the program.

Their core passion is ridding the oceans of pollution, and the vision of their Virtual Academy project is to eventually solve the problem of shark endangerment and rid

people's fear of sharks. Their method is to take advantage of the popular pastime of gaming.

The Holy Spirit duo have not only had to adapt to their homes now being their classroom, but also to the methods they use to collaborate. The pair use Zoom videoconferencing and OneNote to engage with each other, their gifted education mentor Penny Banister, and the Virtual Academy educators.

Before COVID-19 restrictions came into place, Emily and Xavier were given at least three hours per week to work on their Virtual Academy tasks and were provided with a meeting room for conferencing.

Now they do it all from home. The Virtual Academy has also become more flexible with various conferences for small groups now offered such as a girls-only group.

“I wasn’t expecting school to finish as suddenly as it did, and I didn’t get a chance to say a proper goodbye to my friends,” said Emily. “It has been really hard without that social connection. But this is one of the reasons I’ve enjoyed the girls-only Virtual Academy group. I can talk to like-minded people. We’re all working towards the same goal and the feedback has been really useful.”

She says she and Xavier are getting used to working from home using OneNote and Zoom videoconferencing to complete their project, which aims to provide a medium to educate the community on the patterns of human behaviour whilst also acting as a platform to raise awareness about shark extinction and the greater marine ecosystem.

And where better to convey the message than the popular gaming platform Minecraft.

“Gaming is my biggest hobby,” Xavier said.

“We believe Minecraft can be educational and is a platform that will be well received and help achieve the change we want to see with this problem.”

Their end aim is a computer game-style shark education and awareness campaign.

Each obstacle in the game would debunk a myth about sharks and make people aware of their endangerment and their importance to the ocean’s ecosystem.

As Australian Geographic recently stated, many recent scientific efforts have suggested that most (but not all) shark populations are declining. This decline in number has implications for management (environmental, fisheries and public safety), conservation and pure public interest.

Holy Spirit Primary principal Paul O’Heir says one of the school’s key teaching strengths is the commitment to curriculum differentiation and ensuring that students’ individual needs are met.

“Giftedness is found across society and therefore we need to provide these students with the relevant support,” Mr O’Heir said.

Adaptation has its rewards and Ms Banister says the passion and enthusiasm Emily and Xavier have shown towards their Virtual Academy tasks and the new way of learning is a credit to them, their families and the Holy Spirit staff.

“To say that the staff at Holy Spirit, Kurri Kurri, are proud of them is an understatement,” Ms Banister said. “The idea that these two children were given the opportunity to extend and challenge themselves in an area of interest to them has been amazing. Not only to extend themselves academically, but for their emotional wellbeing.”

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Master’s program tackles difficult questions BREYON GIBBS

Confronted by the largest global health crisis in more than a century, nations are working together to contain, treat and prevent COVID-19.

In doing so, difficult questions are being asked and difficult actions are having to be made in homes, hospitals and communities.

In response, the University of Notre Dame, a private Australian Catholic institution, has established a Master in Bioethics program.

Notre Dame vice-chancellor Professor Francis Campbell says collaboration between governments, health systems and scientists worldwide during this crisis has been unprecedented. Notre Dame is focusing its scholarly contribution on addressing the ethical dimension of dealing with these difficult questions.

“With two medical schools, two schools of philosophy, and theology and deep international connections, we can make a unique contribution to the immediate challenges of COVID-19 and the many other contemporary and emerging issues

in health and biosciences,” Professor Campbell said.

Building on world-class studies in bioethics developed in Notre Dame’s medical programs over the past decade, the new graduate-entry, one-year master’s program will offer an innovative, applied approach to developing ethical thinking and decisionmaking.

Available to graduates from a range of disciplines including medicine, law, nursing, health sciences, philosophy and theology, the course aims to enrich ethical considerations from many perspectives. A multidisciplinary faculty from the schools of Medicine, Philosophy and Theology, and Law as well as from the national Institute for Ethics and Society will teach and supervise students in the degree. Courses will be available online during the COVID-19 crisis and will commence in Semester 2 2020.

Deputy vice-chancellor and former dean of Notre Dame’s medical school in Sydney, Professor Christine Bennett, applauds the

establishment of the new program.

“More than ever the events of this year — bushfire tragedies, 100-year floods and now the global COVID-19 pandemic, have highlighted the need for expert critical thinking and ethical decision-making in our governments and our health system,” Professor Bennett said.

Dean of Medicine in Fremantle, Professor Gervase Chaney, says bioethics is a critical component of its Doctor of Medicine (MD) program.

“It’s designed to ensure that we best engage and challenge our students — preparing them for their future as medical practitioners,” Professor Chaney said. The new Masters in Bioethics will provide an opportunity to further extend their training in ethical decision-making as an essential part of modern healthcare.”

The master’s program will help meet the growing need for ethics-trained health and legal professionals, policy writers and advisers, educators, philosophers and theologians. Integrating several disciplines,

co-taught coursework will enable students to grapple with key principles and essential problems that arise within the healthcare setting. Students will also have the opportunity to plan and undertake a supervised research project.

The new program is timely. This year, bioethical issues have become daily news items across the globe. Questions such as: “who will have access to intensive care units and ventilators?” and “how should we care for our older Australians?” along with personal and collective responsibility have become a matter of public discussion and debate.

In Australia as elsewhere, health professionals and politicians repeatedly address matters of life and death, both publicly and urgently.

To register your interest in the program visit notredame.edu.au/bioethics.

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CatholicCare’s registered psychologists address a new issue each month. This month Jess Smith answers your question.

The advice provided is general in nature and does not replace ongoing support and advice from your health professional.

To talk to someone about counselling support, call CatholicCare P 4979 1172 or Lifeline 24/7 on P 131 114.

Calm the farm for toddler temper Q. My almost two-year-old has started having huge tantrums. They can happen anywhere. He cries, arches his back, throws things, and becomes generally stubborn. I feel so embarrassed having to carry my screaming toddler through the shops that I just want to stay home. I hate seeing him so upset, but also need to get things done. Please help, it seems like I have tried everything and nothing has worked.

A. It isn’t often widely publicised, but parenting is hard work; really hard work.

While, mid-meltdown in the middle of the grocery store, it can feel like you are the only parent struggling with their child’s tantrums, you are most definitely not alone. I can also tell from your words that you are a loving parent and doing your best.

When it comes to toddler tantrums, it often helps to know a little bit about the toddler brain.

From conception to about two years of age, a child’s brain undergoes its most rapid period of growth and plasticity.

The toddler brain develops from side to side with the right side assisting sensory information and emotions, and the left side helping with thought and language.

Between the ages 0-2, the right side undergoes a lot of growth (for example, development of walking), and between 2-4 years of age, the left side undergoes a lot of growth (for example, development of speech).

Do you have a question for us?

Email your question to aurora@mn.catholic.org.au or write to Aurora-CareTalk PO Box 756 Newcastle 2300.

A U R O R A C AT H O L I C D I O C E S E O F M A I T L A N D - N E W C A S T L E

The toddler brain also develops from the bottom up, like a house under construction. The downstairs level includes the “reptile” and “mammalian” parts of the brain, involved in survival and the “fight, flight, freeze” response. The upstairs level includes the “thinking” parts of the brain, which are largely undeveloped in toddlers; not fully developing until well into adulthood.

And so, what does all this mean for a parent in the middle of supporting their child through a downstairs brain

meltdown? Parenting with the brain in mind, reminds parents that their child is not throwing a tantrum on purpose, they are likely overwhelmed by sensory information and/or big feelings that they can’t quite manage on their own. Parents can be empowered to know that tantrums offer an opportunity to foster healthy connections in their toddlers’ developing brain.

While there is no one size fits all, you might like to consider this. f What is the feeling or need underneath this tantrum or meltdown? Is the toddler tired, hungry, or thirsty? Does the toddler need to know what is coming up next? Do they need some extra stimulation? Do they need less stimulation? Are they learning a new limit? f Once a meltdown has started, often there is no quick fix and your child just needs you to stay close by and offer comfort when they appear ready. f You might have heard the saying “share our calm”. This means that calming your downstairs brain (for example, with a few breaths, reminding yourself that this is just one of the joys of parenting, maybe making a cup of tea or coffee) can help to calm your child’s downstairs brain. f As the meltdown subsides, it can help to put words to what happened.

It might be: “When I said 'no' to running around the shops, you looked frustrated and sad, you had a frown and were crying. It’s not safe to run

around the shops. We can go to the park and do some running after the shops.” f Is it possible to plan ahead to minimise tantrums in the future? This might include having food and drink at the ready, having a routine or ritual when you go to the shops or park, working around naptimes, being playful and silly as you make a request or give an instruction.

For more information and support, see parenting books I recommend: f The Whole Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson f No Drama Discipline by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson f Raising a Secure Child by Kent Hoffman, Glen Cooper, and Bert Powell, with Christine M. Benton Parenting courses or workshops I recommend include: f Tuning in to Kids f Tuning in to Teens f Circle of Security A psychologist or other health professional with expertise working with parents, children, and families can also help.

To arrange an appointment with a CatholicCare psychologist, call 02 4979 1120.

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Mass movement to Melbourne BROOKE ROBINSON Newcastle’s loss is St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne’s gain following the appointment of Dr Philip Matthias as Director of Music.

Previously a casual organist at Sacred Heart Cathedral and other parishes, Dr Matthias moved his family of five to Melbourne at the beginning of the year, in circumstances he describes as “a bit surreal”.

Paul Taylor, composer of the widely used Mass of St Francis, commissioned Dr Matthias to write a Mass for the Melbourne Archdiocese. Once the Mass was complete, Dr Matthias was brought to Melbourne to rehearse and direct the Cathedral Choir. By Christmas time, he had been offered the job as Director of Music.

Writing a Mass is not a new task for Dr Matthias. In fact, he had already written eight. These were for Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle, while he was an Anglican and Director of Music there.

Dr Matthias became a Catholic in 2011 and says different experiences have shaped his new approach.

“This was done with a different sense of

the creation of music,” Dr Matthias said.

“It’s a journey I’m on. Our family have been very close with the Torres Strait Islander community and have sung a lot with them in Newcastle and Townsville. I just tried to get some of the spirit, the essence of the way the Islanders create music.”

The most important part of writing was getting the congregational part right.

“Then everything else flowed from there,” he said. “It was my aim from the start, to make it be able to be sung with great spirit, disregarding in many ways a set time signature.”

could be heard through the live stream of its Mass.

Dr Matthias plans to record with his wife Bernadette singing the congregational part of the Mass and then share it with dioceses throughout Australia.

The Matthias family are missing their Newcastle connections and friends, but are enjoying the new challenges, describing the journey to Melbourne as “strange but also meant to be”.

Dr Matthias was determined to make it “something that people can actually sing”.

He began with the rhythm of the words, which then informed the rhythm of the music.

Archbishop of Melbourne, Peter Comensoli, confirmed that achievement after he heard the Mass for the first time.

“Finally, we have a Mass we can all sing,” he said.

Dr Philip Matthias with the choir at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne

Over Easter, the new Gloria was sung at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne, and

Community Noticeboard Plenary Council gathering postponed

Sharing our story

In response to the dramatic changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the bishops of Australia have made the “difficult, but necessary” decision to postpone the first assembly of the Plenary Council. Originally scheduled for October this year, Plenary Council president Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said in a time of such upheaval, including severe restrictions on travel and group meetings, the postponement was unavoidable.

Everyone has a story.

Plenary Council facilitator Lana Turvey-Collins said work has already begun to consider how the changed timeline provides opportunities to embed the practices of dialogue, listening and communal discernment. “There is obvious disappointment in the postponement of the first assembly, especially so soon after the excitement of announcing the Plenary Council delegates,” she said. “But once the pandemic has eased, people will have a thirst to look to the future – and the Plenary Council is about the future of the Church.” Announcements and up-to-date information will be made available through www.plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au

No matter how ordinary yours may seem, we all have a story to tell and you never know what it can mean to someone until you share it.

As we enter a fallow period, we have been given the gift of time. A time to reflect on our life, a life of being faithful people. We invite you to share your story.

You could use the following questions as a guide.

Who are the people who guided your faith journey? How did they do that?

Describe some defining moments of your faith journey? What made them significant?

How has your faith been reflected in your work, your hobbies, your values, your choices, and your priorities at various times in your life?

In what ways has your faith guided and supported you over your lifetime? How has your church/faith community guided and supported you?

For more events please visit mn.catholic.org.au

We hope to use these stories as part of a Diocesan Formation and Education project.

Please send your story to: shareourstory@mn.catholic.org.au Marriage and relationship education courses 2020 Marriage education is a vital part of planning for a life partnership. CatholicCare offers a selection of courses for married and soon-to-be married couples. It also offers a Bringing Baby Home workshop, which assists couples transition to parenthood. For further information on CatholicCare’s relationship and parenting courses, including costs, please contact Robyn Donnelly, 4979 1370, or rdonnelly@ catholiccare.org.au or visit www. catholiccare.org.au For more events please visit mn.catholic.org.au.

For the latest news & events in our Diocese You can download the Diocese phone, iPad or tablet app

For your diary May 1 Feast of St Joseph the Worker 3 World Press Freedom Day 15 International Day of Families 16 Laudato Si’ Week begins 18 National Volunteer Week begins 26 World Communications Day 27 National Reconciliation Week begins 31 Pentecost Sunday

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A U R O R A C AT H O L I C D I O C E S E O F M A I T L A N D - N E W C A S T L E

Littlies have skin in the game BROOKE ROBINSON BANANA MUFFINS

In St Nicholas Early Education centres across the region, cooking is regularly demonstrated to children as part of a broad education program.

Due to COVID-19 many families have elected to keep their children at home, and St Nicholas educators have began delivering online videos to help keep children feel connected, entertained and to promote continued learning.

Lucy Faithfull is an educator St Nicholas Early Education Lochinvar, and was recently filmed baking banana muffins so the video could be shared with children watching on from home. In the video, Lucy encourages the children to cook at home with their parents and demonstrates the correct way to wash their hands.

If you or your children would like to watch the video to get some baking inspiration head to stnicholasmn.org.au

Ingredients f 2 cups of self-raising flour f 2 tablespoons of butter f 4 ripe bananas f 1 pinch of salt f 1 cup of sugar f 1 egg f 2 tablespoons of milk Method f Step 1 First, make sure you wash your hands. Wet your hands, apply two pumps of soap and scrub for the duration of the Happy Birthday song, then rinse.

f Step 2 Peel your bananas, place them in a large mixing bowl, and mash using a fork. f Step 3 Add butter, egg, milk, sugar and self-raising flour and mix with a wooden spoon until batter is smooth. f Step 4 Spray 12-space muffin tin with oil before spooning in mixture.. f Step 5 Place in a fan-forced oven at 180 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown. f Step 6 Serve and enjoy!

Lucy Faithfull making banana muffins

The School of Restoration REVIEW BY ASHLEIGH BANKS Alice Achan is a remarkable person and her story is inspiring, heartbreaking and unforgettable.

In 1987, Alice was a 13-year-old living in northern Uganda when the brutal Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) descended upon her once peaceful and quiet village. In the book, The School of Restoration, Alice describes how the LRA prowled around the village “like a pack of wild dogs, looking for girls just like her”. She recalls how they used torture, rape, abduction and child soldiers. They taught the young boys in the village how to kill, giving them a terrifying ultimatum: kill or be killed. Alice recalls the LRA ordering the young boys to “first kill your mother”, words she will never forget.

Alice details the LRA’s 20-year campaign of violence, destruction and senseless killing, in the process ripping families apart and traumatising young lives. Watching those she loved decimated and defeated, Alice

kept asking herself one question over and over again: why am I still alive when almost every person I rose for each morning is gone?

After tragically losing her mother and young nieces to AIDS, Alice was plunged into a deep depression. It was a chance meeting with a pregnant teenage girl and her toddler who had escaped captivity that gave her a glimmer of hope. Motivated by her young friend’s plight, Alice began to house, and nurture survivors of the sexual violence inflicted by the LRA. Out of this, Alice’s School of Restoration was born, Padar Girls’ Academy. Alice went on the help, educate and care for hundreds of girls. Many of the girls were left with AIDS, unwanted pregnancies and babies they cannot help but reject, seeing them only as reminders of their enslavement. Alice was a beacon of hope for these young women, refusing to give up or succumb to the anguish.

The School of Restoration is a captivating story and highlights the human capacity to survive and even thrive against unfathomable horror. Alice’s qualities of hope, forgiveness and redemption shine through making this a heartwarming story in the face of war and chaos.

The School of Restoration by Alice Achan and Philippa Tyndale. Published by Allen & Unwin 2020.

Photo: Peter Stoop

We are here to help

As the situation regarding COVID-19 evolves St Nicholas OOSH, St Nicholas Early Education and our Catholic schools remain committed to the safety, health and wellbeing of children and young people, as well as our staff.

We share our families’ passion for wanting the best for their children and continue to monitor and adhere to regulatory authorities’ advice. In line with current recommendations, our doors remain open so that we can continue to serve and support those who require our services during these extenuating circumstances.

If you would like information about our increased protection measures, fee relief, or any other matters please visit our websites.

www.mn.catholic.edu.au

www.stnicholasmn.org.au

www.stnicholasoosh.org.au

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