AURORA - Winter 2024

OUR LOCAL OLYMPIANS

The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is located on traditional lands of Awabakal, Biripi Darkinjung, Kamilaroi, Wiradjuri, Wonnarua, and Worimi peoples. We honour the wisdom of and pay respect to, Elders past, present and emerging, and acknowledge the spiritual culture of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australia. We have much to learn from this ancient culture.

Reflections and hope

We set out to tell a range of stories in Aurora, a mix of human-interest pieces along with showcasing the work that’s happening within our diocese. With each issue published quarterly, it gives way for the topical articles to change and for the news cycle to go through a few iterations.

While I understand this isn’t new information or particularly interesting to write about in an editor’s note, it feels like the news cycle has been chaos over the past couple of months.

There have been relentless stories that perpetuate random acts of violence, horrific acts of domestic abuse and escalating global conflicts. It all feels a bit heavy.

When a woman from my hometown lost her life to domestic violence in April, it struck a personal chord. I too, joined many other women in Australia, with feeling the weight of,

“when will enough be enough?”

Working in media requires staying up to date with the news, and I admit to consuming it excessively. While I understand this isn’t everyone's preferred way to engage with the news, it felt disingenuous to compile a magazine without acknowledging the gravity of the current landscape.

So, I reached out to Kelly Pavan, Rosewood Executive Manager and Psychologist, to provide insight on whether we need to turn off the news for the sake of our mental health. I hope her article offers practical and thoughtful advice for our readers.

In this issue, you will also find a sense of hope in the air. Stories like Teresa Brierley’s are a testament to the growth of our Diocese in particular.

We also highlight some of our Catholic Schools alumni who are

embarking on their journey to the Paris Olympics next month. We are excited to watch as the culmination of their hard work, determination and talent comes to fruition.

Through the following pages, you will see more stories of light, triumph and hopefully some thought-provoking content too. From our NAIDOC week story highlighting how we can learn from our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sisters and brothers, through to the story on Natalia Hogan overcoming homelessness to now helping others, I think we can all take a reminder to check in with one another and move forward with kindness.

As Bishop Michael says, “we don’t need to be convinced that we possess dignity – we just know that we have it.”

Madie Leeming Editor

Editor: Madie Leeming

Design: Emma Barnett, David Stedman

Regular Contributors: Liz Baker, Tim Bowd, Brooke Cross, Alex Foster and Elizabeth Symington

Leeming P 02 4979 1200

Our local Olympians - the sporting talent who are on track to the Paris Olympics

Advancing Human Dignity

– One Person at a Time

“Every human person possesses an infinite dignity, inalienably grounded in their very being, which prevails in and beyond every circumstance, state, or situation the person may encounter.” (1)

This is a quote from a recent Church declaration Dignitas Infinita on human dignity commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in December 1948.

We don’t need to be convinced that we possess dignity – we just know that we have it. We are particularly aware of it when we sense that our dignity is being undermined or threatened.

A particular contribution that Christianity and the Church makes to our understanding of human dignity is to remind us that our dignity is given to us

by God, and it is never withdrawn. “Our dignity is bestowed upon us by God; it is neither claimed nor deserved. Every human being is loved and willed by God and thus has an inviolable dignity.” (11)

It continues, “Dignity is not something granted to the person by others based on their gifts or qualities such that it can be withdrawn… Dignity is intrinsic to the person… it cannot be lost.” (15)

Delving a little deeper, the Church says we possess this dignity because we are made in the very image and likeness of God and redeemed by Jesus Christ (1); because in the incarnation of Jesus Christ, God has united himself with every human being (19); and because each of us is called to communion with God for all eternity (20).

Whilst we are generally protective of our own dignity, our collective history and perhaps our own experiences confront us with the reality that we don’t always protect and promote

the dignity of others as we should. In fact, it was the en masse inhumane treatment of millions of human beings in the twentieth century that prompted the need for an explicit declaration of every person’s rights and dignity in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

A person’s dignity is infringed whenever due respect is not given to their rights to life, to freedom, to profess their religion, to the essential things they need, and to participate in society (4). Whilst a person’s dignity might be infringed because of their living conditions or by illness, violence, addictions, and other hardships (7-8), our dignity as such can never be lost because as a member of the human species we are willed, created, and loved by God. (7 & 24)

Many of the Church’s teachings and customs on matters to do with life and death, sexuality, justice, poverty,

migration, war and more besides might not always be understood or accepted by everybody. But they have their foundation in the infinite dignity possessed by every person from conception till natural death and in our duty to strive to live up to the full measure of this dignity. (22)

It is this same commitment to human dignity that propels so many good people to give of their time, talents, and money to protect and promote the dignity of those at risk, for “the arduous journey of advancing human dignity remains far from completion.” (32) As so many people suffer from war and violence, from injustice and discrimination, from poverty and illness, may we all play our part in this important journey of protecting and advancing human dignity – one person at a time.

(Dignitas Infinita, 2023)

Photo: Peter Stoop

“ The Diocesan Catholic education has always been known for the way it supports children with additional and diverse needs, and this is something that will continue... ”

Investing in our students and our region

The Diocese recently announced that work would soon commence on its newest school, Catherine McAuley Primary School at Medowie. This will be the fourth school that the Diocese has developed since the opening of St Aloysius Catholic Primary School at Chisholm. The Medowie primary school will connect both the existing St Nicholas Early Education Centre and Catherine McAuley Catholic College which, from next year, will cater for students Years 7 to 12, providing families with a continuum of education from the early years through to the HSC.

This new primary school will enrol its first students in 2026 and commence with Kinder through to Year 2. It is another example of the Diocese responding to the community and having a clear focus on providing Catholic education where it’s needed. I know there is great excitement in the community, with many already asking, “when will the primary school be built?”

The project will be funded by loans from the Catholic Community Fund and by

parents through their contribution to the school building levy. The levy ensures that all schools, including new developments, can leverage limited resources to ensure existing schools are of a high quality. It also ensures that new schools are available to growing communities, and that contributions are fairly distributed across the system. The many significant projects that the Diocese has undertaken in recent years require careful planning and of course prudent fiscal management, so that Catholic education remains an affordable option for parents.

Similarly, our community has been telling us that they want education resources where their children most benefit - the classroom and at their schools. This means having the best teachers working with children to grow, learn and deepen their faith. Families value the work of teachers in the classroom, and I am pleased we have acknowledged that with recent significant remuneration increases. However, that has not been matched by increased

government funding and we have tried to limit the burden on families as they juggle mortgages, power price increases and other cost of living pressures.

Catholic education is not free. Certainly, families who are struggling do receive support, but families contribute their tax dollars as well as fees to their children’s schooling so that they can exercise their choice in how their children are educated. Particularly, to ensure they enjoy their faith traditions. So, we must ensure that each child receives the education that meets their needs.

The Diocesan Catholic education has always been known for the way it supports children with additional and diverse needs, and this is something that will continue, both at St Dominic's Catholic College in Mayfield and across all our schools.

I was fortunate to have recently addressed the Catholic Schools NSW High Potential Gifted Education network and I also had the pleasure of

addressing the principals of Diocesan schools. My focus for both of those days was to highlight the outstanding work Catholic schools do to support the needs of academically gifted students and to reinforce how important it is to ensure these students also receive the educational opportunities they deserve.

Diocesan schools provide many opportunities for these children –activities such as the Virtual Academy or external events like participation in the da Vinci Challenge, as well as support from their classroom teachers and other specialists in Catholic schools. Far from being elitist, these programs ensure students remain engaged and reach their full potential in Catholic education.

As a system we will continue to strengthen what we do in this area to make sure that Catholic education is the first choice for families who want their children to achieve academically, but still receive the wellbeing support and spiritual nourishment that develops the whole person.

Photo: Peter Stoop

NAIDOC Week 2024

BY PIERRE LOUYS

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.

A call for celebration in a socio-political context, is usually warranted when one person or more need to express and show their pride and joy after they have succeeded at something. Last year, we saw the failed referendum on The Voice to Parliament, a proposed piece of legislation to alter the Constitution in order to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. This result lead to sadness in the hearts of many Australians and may lead us to think, what is there to celebrate, in this Diocese and beyond, about First Nations in 2024?

The answer to that question demands a personal and spiritual determination to look towards the possible future of our nation, and deeper into the relationship we – non-Aboriginal Christians - have with the land we call Australia. In engaging in such reflection, all Christians in Australia must consider and recognise that the initial European settlement and subsequent displacement of First Peoples from the land – whom they loved as their ‘mother’ - was decisively motivated by medieval Christian

theology and doctrine. This was most clearly expressed in the Doctrine of Discovery (1493)1 , which legitimised the colonisation of lands discovered beyond Europe.

Theologian and Professor, Anne Pattel-Gray was the first Aboriginal person to be awarded a PhD (1995) and she has since published extensively on the negative consequences of both the colonisation process and the Christian missionaries, who acted as agents of that process. In an article written before the Voice to Parliament referendum, she explains what such relationship with ‘Country’ means for Aboriginal Australians.

“The Creator Spirit was with us long before the British invaded our lands, and our faith has been nurtured over thousands of years. As a result, we have an intimate relationship with the Creator Spirit and when we speak of this relationship, we invoke the Spirit Creator in our midst”.

Another reflection by Miriam Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann also provides valuable insight into that spiritual connection, “When I am out hunting, when I am in the bush, among the trees, on a hill or by a billabong; these are the times when I can simply be in God's presence. My people have been so aware of Nature. It is natural that we will feel close to the Creator”.

This spiritual dimension which has always existed, and which will continue to flourish in the foreseeable future is exactly what we need to celebrate.

Late theologist, Dennis Edwards, together with a group of so-called eco-theologians, have explored the content and ambiguous significance of the Christian faith for a time of ecological destruction. In order to ‘keep the fire [of the Spirit] burning’ as part of our celebration, each and every one of us is called to work with Aboriginal communities and engage with government and other partners to improve our relationships with ‘Country’, and develop sustainable social, cultural and economic

outcomes for Indigenous people and the wider community. The Indigenous people have already shown how this can be done.

The Firesticks Alliance Indigenous Corporation (for instance) provides leadership, advocacy and action to protect, conserve and enhance cultural and natural values of people and ‘Country’ through cultural fire and land management practices. Firesticks values and respects country, local knowledge, protocols of Elders and ancestors and are committed to providing a supportive Indigenous-led network that fosters a community of practice to maintain and share Cultural fire knowledge and practice on ‘Country’.

Through our collective efforts, we can forge a future where the stories, traditions, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are cherished and celebrated, enriching the fabric of the nation with the oldest living culture in the world.

1 Nicholas V, Dum Diversas, 1452.

Our commitment

BY LIZZIE WATKIN

In their 2023 Social Justice Statement, Australia’s Catholic bishops called on the nation to seek “a new engagement which involves a commitment to listen to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sisters and brothers and learn from them”.

They said that listening, learning and the actions that flow from this must be grounded in a spirit of love if there is to be a change for the better.

Locally, the Diocese of MaitlandNewcastle has signalled its commitment to developing relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, through its Reconciliation Action Plan. The Reconciliation Action Plan outlines various ways in which the diocese will take steps towards reconciliation. Examples of these commitments transferring into action abound, and include the Moree ‘Makarrata’ Immersion, which is led by the Catholic Schools’ Religious Education and Spirituality team for staff across diocesan schools. Reflecting on the pilgrimage, which includes the exploration of the historical context of the massacres that occurred

to the Aboriginal people in Myall Creek, co-ordinator Ryan Gato said that it was a deeply spiritual experience, “through their participation, pilgrims developed an appreciation of community engagement as a means of reconciliation, healing and truth-telling.”

Mr Gato emphasised that the diocese’s vision for reconciliation follows the principles of Catholic Social Justice Teaching; to promote a vision of a just society that is grounded in biblical revelations, and principles to end poverty, promote justice, uphold dignity, love of God, and love of neighbour.

“When we embrace and learn from the diversity around us and can acknowledge respectfully the first Australians and their traditions under whom this land flourished, we are truly blessed.”

“However, for us to fully embrace the gifts of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sisters and brothers, we must begin to understand and accept that in the past, wrongful policies and practices have contributed towards their discrimination and disadvantage. Learning, acknowledging and drawing from the culture, story and spirituality of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, is one way in moving towards healing and reconciliation,” Mr Gato said.

To learn more visit shareourpride.org.au

For more information on the diocese’s commitment to reconciliation, you can access its Reconciliation Action Plan via QR code.

For more information and resources to celebrate NAIDOC week visit: www.naidoc.org.au/resources/ naidoc-downloads

Photos: Supplied by Ryan Gato

Volunteers needed

The CatholicCare Refugee Hub is looking for volunteers to assist people from refugee backgrounds in our driving program.

These volunteer roles involve mentoring and driving with suitably skilled program participants in CatholicCare’s insured fleet cars to help the learner complete their logbook hours so they can eventually obtain their full NSW driver licence.

This has been life-changing for many of our clients, it allows them to access employment, transport family and access services and activities that were not previously possible. It’s a rewarding opportunity where

Year 11 at Trinity Catholic College

From 2024, Catholic secondary schools in Newcastle have commenced a staged transition to Year 7 to Year 12 schools.

St Francis Xavier’s College, Hamilton welcomed its first Year 7 students in 2024 and now St Pius X High School, Adamstown is preparing to become Trinity Catholic College in 2025, welcoming Year 11 students.

Principal, Robert Emery spoke of the many preparations underway for new uniforms, facility upgrades, staff professional learning and more.

“Students who choose to continue their education here, at Trinity Catholic College, for Years 11 and 12 will have the advantage that they are known as people, and as learners, by our teachers and their strong connection to our school community will

you make real connections and play an integral part in people’s journey towards independence and successful settlement in Australia.

No particular background is required for these roles other than a full NSW driver licence, a suitable amount of driving experience, a safe driving record, good communication skills, plenty of patience and a very calm, friendly approach!

For more information or to express interest, visit QR code.

*Please select Refugee Hub in the program dropdown list and please add comments in the ‘notes’ field stating the driving program, your availability, brief background, etc

assist them to commence a new, exciting phase of their education in 2025,” he said.

Trinity Catholic College also welcomes enrolments for Year 11, 2025 from the wider community.

For more information visit QR code.

DioSounds goes Beyond Limits in 2024

More than 450 high school students from all 12 Catholic Diocese high schools will perform in the DioSounds music festival at the Civic Theatre in 'Beyond Limits’, an exciting night of musical performances on Friday 14 June.

DioSounds is an initiative of the music teachers in the Catholic Schools of Maitland-Newcastle and showcases the incredible musical talents and skills

of students ranging in age from 12 to 18 years. Individuals, small ensembles, choirs and concert bands from all across the diocese, take to the stage with a wide variety of performance items from Contemporary Rock to serious Art Music.

DioSounds 2024 promises to be another feast for the eyes and ears so grab a ticket and enjoy a night out! Tickets are available online at civictheatrenewcastle.com.au or via the Civic Theatre box office.

Connect with Disconnected

Tickets are now on sale for ASPIRE's 2024 production, Disconnected.

The residents of Singlebrook have decided they no longer need a town crier! Daniel is outraged when Quentin Wordsworth is fired as town crier but nobody else seems to care, all they want to do is stare at their phone screens…. until the internet is mysteriously cut off.

Featuring a great soundtrack of music that punctuates an original script, the production brings over 150 young creatives from Diocesan Catholic

Christian Formation Course

schools to the stage of the Civic Theatre as they show us the chaos that ensues as a town goes offline and young people bring back the art of town crying!

Tickets are available online at civictheatrenewcastle.com.au or via the Civic Theatre box office.

SESSION TIMES:

Wednesday 31 July 2024, 11:00am

Thursday 1 August 2024, 11:00am Friday 2 August 2024, 11:00am & 7:00pm Saturday 3 August 2024, 7:00pm

Expressions of interest are open for the 2024/25 Christian Formation Course.

The course is a face-to-face learning experience that allows participants to explore their life’s journey and their faith within the Catholic Tradition.

For more information visit QR code.

New primary school for Medowie

A new primary school is one step closer for the Port Stephens region, with Medowie’s Catherine McAuley Primary School officially on the way.

Scheduled to open in 2026, the primary school will cater to the demand for Catholic education within the region and form part of the education precinct which is already home to Catherine McAuley Catholic College and the St Nicholas Early Education Centre.

Initial expressions of interest for enrolment or enquiries can be made by contacting info@mn.catholic.edu.au or by visiting www.mn.catholic.edu.au.

Congratulations to our finalists

Congratulations to Mia Dial and Jasmin Robinson who have been selected as finalists for the Hunter and Central Coast 2024 NSW School Based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year award.

St Joseph's Catholic College Aberdeen student, Mia, started her School Based Traineeship in 2023. The traineeship, which she undertook in conjunction with her HSC, secured her Certificate III in Health Services as well as her university entry into nursing.

Jasmin received a nomination for School-based Trainee of the Year and commenced her School Based

Traineeship at St Nicholas Early Education Centre Singleton in 2020.

During this time, she has gained her Certificate III in Early Childhood Education as well as her Diploma.

Well done to both of the finalists!

St Nicholas Pathways recently attended the Career Links Newcastle and Lake Macquarie expo, meeting with many eager students looking for inspiration as to potential postschooling career choices.

Through the St Nicholas programs, students can start working towards securing a rewarding career in the early childhood and care sector.

To read more Catholic news from across the Diocese of MaitlandNewcastle and around the world visit www.mnnews.today or scan the QR code below. There, you will also find links to upcoming events, important dates for your diary and to live stream Sunday Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Start a career with St Nick’s

Jasmin Robinson Mia Dial

Artist impression

OurLocalOlympians

BY MADIE LEEMING

Former Holy Family Primary School Merewether Beach student, Sam Fricker, debuted at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games where he represented Australia in the Men’s Diving 10 metre platform.

the stadium was completely quiet – you could hear a pin drop in there.”

Since then, Rose has been hitting the competition circuit and working hard to get herself primed for Paris.

Working with her long-term coach, Scott Westcott, Rose achieved personal bests over 3,000 metres, 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres in 2022, also establishing her ranking of number four in Australian history.

In 2023, Rose continued to smash her own personal best performances, competing across the globe from Australia to Japan to Norway to Budapest.

Despite her constant rounds on the international circuits, Rose said that her time back home in Newcastle is always grounding for her.

“I love being in Newcastle because it helps me to reset. I train twice a day, averaging around 140 kilometres a week. Other than that, I’ll head to the beach, or catch up with friends for coffee or spend time with my family. It really is just normal life when I’m home,” she said.

At just 12 years old, Sam became a triple-gold medallist in the boys 12-13 years age category at the 2015 National Age Diving Championships, winning the 1 metre Springboard, 10 metre Platform and 3 metre Synchronised Springboard dive, seeing him crowned Diver of the Year.

“I can’t think of a better place to come back to.”

Rose stumbled upon her destiny as a professional runner quite unexpectedly. At 12-years-old, she clinched a spot on the NSW team for the National Cross Country Championships. This pivotal moment ignited her transformation from a novice runner to an Olympic competitor.

She said the Olympics felt like a pipe dream, even in 2016.

“I remember watching Rio and thinking how amazing it would be to qualify, but it’s not something I seriously thought was going to happen.”

Less than a decade later, she is shaping up for her second Olympics.

“I think it shows how much things can change, and how far hard work, but also enjoying your life can take you.

“Paris would be everything and is obviously the goal; but I’m conscious of not letting that take away from each experience I have in the lead up,” she said.

“I’m an athlete, but I’m also a daughter, a friend, a student… I never want to forget to enjoy all the parts of the journey.”

Sam completed at the 2022 Commonwealth Games where he won a bronze medal in the men’s 3 metre springboard event.

Later that year, he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal by the Governor of New South Wales.

SAM FRICKER

TORRIE LEWIS

Former St Paul’s Catholic College Gateshead student, Torrie Lewis, has already qualified for the Paris Olympics.

In January, Torrie broke the national record in the women’s 100 metres at the ACT Championships in Canberra.

In April, Torrie made her Diamond League debut in the 200 metres in Xiamen, China, with an outstanding triumph against her competitors.

In May, the Australian relay squad anchored by Torrie smashed the national 4x100 metres record to claim an automatic spot at the Paris Olympics.

CHRISTIE DAWES

Former St Francis Xavier’s College Hamilton student, Christie Dawes, has earned herself a reputation as one of the fiercest wheelchair racing athletes in the game.

Christie has competed in seven Paralympic Games, and some of her greatest sporting moments include winning a silver medal in the women’s 4x100m T53/54 at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games and placing third at the 2008 New York City Marathon.

ONESTOWATCH

There’s an abundance of up-and-coming talent in the Diocese. Keep your eyes peeled for the below students at the 2028 Olympics.

SEBASTIAN STACE

St Joseph’s Primary School

East Maitland student Sebastian Stace made an impression at the School Sport Australia Athletics Championships last year. He qualified in the 8-10 years multiclass 800 metre, resulting in him being crowned the second fastest 10-year-old in this race in Australia.

EVA POTTS

St Mary’s Catholic College Gateshead student Eva Potts recently swam at Nationals where she finished in the top 10 in Australia.

Eva broke the record in the 16-years 100 metres freestyle. In the 50 metres freestyle, she broke a 2011 record and in the 50 metres butterfly she swam an incredible time of 29.56. She also broke a 2010 record in the 200 metres freestyle.

ISLA BOWER

St Pius X High School

Adamstown’s Isla Bower began skating when she was 11-years-old after finding a skateboard at the top of a wardrobe and deciding she wanted to test it out.

Isla is currently ranked the number one skater in Under 16 Girls in Australia and has started competing in the international arena. She will go to Prague this month for the Mystic Cup and to America in October for Exposure. Her goal is to one day compete at X Games and the Olympics.

All Saints’ College Maitland student Hope White has been named in the 2024 Under 19’s Australian National Netball Squad.

St Aloysius Catholic Primary School Chisholm student, Sienna Compton, is a multi-class athlete who qualified for nationals in swimming, cross country and athletics in 2023.

Catherine McAuley Catholic College Medowie Year 11 student, Dixie Conlon, is fast approaching the Olympic circuit.

Last month, Dixie made the Under 18’s Oceania Athletics Championships.

She is an athletics all-rounder, competing in long jump, triple jump, hurdles, 100 metres and 60 metres.

St Pius X High School Adamstown multisport talent, Caoimhe Bray, is already making waves in soccer and cricket.

At 14-years-old, Caoimhe was named in the Junior Matilda’s squad bound for the Under 17’s Asian Cup.

She was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament during last year’s National Youth Championships for Girls and she also led the Greater Hunter Central Coast cricket team to its maiden title in the New South Wales Women’s Brewer Shield Cricket Competition.

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle encourage and support students to develop positive lifelong attitudes to participation, competition and healthy living. The talent within our schools highlights our commitment to Diocesan Primary and Secondary sporting pathways, as well as our mission to offer a wide range of sports and equal opportunities for all students.

DIXIE CONLON

CAOIMHE BRAY

HOPE WHITE

SIENNA COMPTON

Creating a future free of fillings

BY TIM BOWD

As part of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle Catholic Schools Office High Potential and Gifted Education program, the Virtual Academy provides students with the opportunity to go beyond their classroom curriculum and complete research projects close to their hearts, or even their teeth!

At the 2023 Virtual Academy Showcase day, where students across the Diocese presented their projects to panels of experts, one presentation stuck out like a sore tooth.

Ivy Mansfield, a Year 6 student at St Paul’s Primary School, Gateshead, and a budding talent within the academy, captivated the panel with her unique creation—a self-authored book on dentistry – The Bad Cavities.

The Virtual Academy serves as a supportive learning pathway for students like Ivy. With a focus on high potential and gifted students, the Virtual Academy provides personalised support through dedicated staff and regular video conferences. This collaborative environment encourages students to explore diverse disciplines and tackle

real-world challenges through inquiry-based learning.

Ivy is just one of a number of Virtual Academy students from St Paul’s, and one of many students from across our 58 Catholic Diocesan schools.

Candice Gibson, Gifted Education Mentor at St Paul’s Gateshead, said “I have the pleasure of working closely with Ivy and her Virtual Academy peers, helping to guide them, along with the Virtual Academy educators, with their individualised learning. Ivy is a perfect example of a student who benefits from the gifted programs our Diocese offers, as she thrives when engaged in individualised learning programs focused on her needs, interests and abilities”.

Ivy meticulously crafted Bad Cavities with her original illustrations and storyline. Motivated by a concern for dental decay among younger children, Ivy took it upon herself to address this issue.

Ivy’s concerns stemmed from a statistic she became aware of, that around 1 in 4 (24%) children aged 6–14 had experienced dental cavities in their permanent teethi

Ivy has been putting her book to good use, educating Kindergarten students on the importance of brushing their teeth.

Ms Gibson said it was obvious the kinder

class enjoyed the story based on the interesting questions they asked Ivy when she finished reading.

"They learned a lot, thanks to the fun and engaging way the facts were presented, and it has been great to see Ivy reading her story to younger students who were the target audience she had in mind during the creative process,” she said.

Beyond her literary endeavours with the Virtual Academy, Ivy is also an accomplished dancer and has been a performer in the Catholic Schools Office’s ASPIRE program since she was in Year 5.

Ivy’s journey reflects the supportive environment fostered by the Virtual Academy. Ivy is highly motivated, creative and driven, and the learning environment created by the Virtual Academy fosters the type of challenging learning high potential and gifted children require. Through her initiative and creativity, Ivy has made a positive impact within her school community, raising awareness about dental health and inspiring students to take proactive steps toward preventive dental care. Sharing her wisdom with young students, to create a future free of fillings. Oral Health and Dental Care

MORE FROM THIS SPACE

In May 2024, as part of the Maitland-Newcastle Catholic School High Potential and Gifted Education program, a group of Year 7 students were selected to participate in the da Vinci Decathlon State Championships at Knox Grammar School in Sydney. This prestigious academic competition is designed to challenge and stimulate young minds. Our Year 7 team, comprising of students from various schools within our Diocese, achieved remarkable success at the Regional da Vinci Decathlon event. The team claimed first place, earning the opportunity to represent our Virtual Academy and Diocese at the State Championships.

Congratulations to Noah Keegan, Dane Clarke, Joshua Elliot, Oscar Yeates, Tristan Ma, Griffin Wilkinson, Leo Ramsay and Jayan Paris.

Photo: Peter Stoop

Make a difference this winter

BY GARY CHRISTENSEN

A confronting privilege.

Somewhat a juxtaposition, but this statement is how it sometimes feels to lead the CatholicCare team and our diverse services, as we serve our community.

Work in social services and the church is a true privilege. To serve others and be able to make a difference in people’s lives as we seek to fulfil our mission at CatholicCare - to build a stronger, kinder, and more fair society.

However, it is through this work supporting our local community that our team hears stories that can be quite confronting.

Stories of homelessness, stories of family breakdown, stories of people who through no fault of their own, land in tough times.

In the Mid-North Coast region we became aware of a number of people having to live in a national park campsite with no hot water and no electricity. We know of families who have been living in cars and turn to our community kitchen to get food.

But amongst these challenges, there are many stories of hope.

I think of the people who attend the Hamilton South Community Kitchen. We hear wonderful stories of how volunteers touch the lives of those who attend. The space gives locals a place to meet, a place to find friends, and a place to access support through a soft entry process that we operate, all while receiving a meal.

Our Refugee Hub and our dedicated volunteers help people with support on their learner driver licence. They assist with driving lessons across 120 driving hours and watch people graduate with their licence and a newfound independence.

Each year we call on others in our community to be part of this hope and contribute to CatholicCare’s ability to make a difference.

There's always a spike for our services in winter, but this year we are seeing more of it and earlier than we usually do.

People are particularly struggling with their household incomes, affordable housing pressures and the rise of expenses. It’s significant pressure.

The people impacted this year don’t fit the stereotype of traditional homelessness.

It’s a neighbour approaching a marriage breakdown with no ability to pay rent on their own. It’s the customer in front of you at Coles who hasn’t yet been paid and last fortnight’s budget has $10 remaining.

Bishop Michael writes on page 4, “It is a commitment to human dignity that propels so many good people to give of their time, talents, and money to protect and promote the dignity of those at risk.”

At the core, that is CatholicCare’s true impact. Providing dignity to someone in need at a time when they need it most.

We can’t do this without others.

Our community programs receive no government funding, yet they make a significant impact in the local community as we work tirelessly to support people's lives.

We rely on donations from the community and donations from the Catholic Community Fund.

Our volunteers are doing a tremendous job in trying to keep up with the demand. Our donors are giving us lots of food and fresh produce but we need more.

Please, help us make a difference in the lives of others with a gift to the CatholicCare Appeal before June 30. These gifts, a contribution to give others dignity when they need it most, are the real stories of hope and privilege in our local community.

To make a donation or hear more from Gary visit QR code.

Photo: Peter Stoop

Fake it till you make it

BY MADIE LEEMING

The teenage years are a rough time for most people. Finding your identity, adapting to changing relationships, navigating a rollercoaster of emotions while trying to figure out who you are and where you fit in the world.

Imagine juggling this, while dealing with all the responsibilities an adult carries.

Housing, finances, grocery shopping, cooking, laundry, cleaning, and daily bus and train commutes to school all on your own.

In 2016, this was the reality for 15-yearold Natalia Hogan.

Unbeknownst to her peers and teachers at St Paul’s Catholic College Booragul, Natalia found herself at risk of homelessness.

“During the time, I pretended like I lived a normal, perfect life in front of most people. I really didn’t talk about the reality,” Natalia said.

“Looking back on it, I was just living in survival mode. There was never any question how I was going to manage everything that I had on my plate. I just knew that’s what I needed to do.”

After stints living with other families, Natalia started living independently via a student accommodation program, Youth Allowance and Rental Assistance enabled her to support herself financially.

When asked how her mental state was

following this move, Natalia said she was "stoked".

“It was really exciting because I finally had a stable place to call home,”

Natalia said.

“When I got the place, it felt like I could start opening up about my circumstances and I was amazed by the support I received.”

“St Paul's was such a supportive environment. And I think if I had gone to a different school, I don't know, it could have completely changed my outcome.”

Natalia said thinking about that 15-yearold girl who was forced to become selfreliant prematurely, made her emotional but proud.

“I would tell that young girl that you're doing so well and that you aren't alone, and that you are so loved.

“It's just crazy to see the difference from her to where I am now,” she said.

Natalia graduated from St Paul’s in 2018. She immediately moved to London for a gap year before returning to Australia to study physiotherapy at the University of Newcastle.

While studying she has worked to raise the public's awareness of youth homelessness and the crucial role charitable organisations play in supporting people to turn their lives around.

She has run marathons to raise money and often speaks at public events. As a result of her efforts to help others overcome adversity, as she did, Natalia was awarded the Ma and Morley scholarship by the University of Newcastle.

Now in the third year of her degree, Natalia has expanded her community and built a new family by leaning into her passions, ultra running and CrossFit.

At the time of interviewing, she had just come second in her age group at the Newcastle Marathon.

“I’m so, so lucky. I have so many friends and family who are just incredible,” Natalia said.

“I’ve found amazing community and a bonus to it all is I’ve found a way to push myself mentally. I’ve found this power in my mentality that I’ve got from my childhood.”

Reflecting on what has gotten her through her hardest days, Natalia said it came down to her energy.

“I love to be smiling and laughing and busy. I think if I wasn’t that way, things may have been different,” she said. Really, it’s fake it till you make it. Leaning into being energetic and happy is a better way to cope than feeling lousy.”

Next on her agenda is completing her university placements next year where she hopes to be on a hospital rotation. Helping people will not stop there - Natalia has big plans to continue supporting people who are facing a similar story to hers.

“I’ll definitely always have a place in my heart to continue raising awareness and to let people know that they’re not alone, even if they’re feeling helpless and stuck,” she said.

“Even if you think there’s no way out of it, or you feel like there’s no hope or no different path; there always is. Even if you have to push for so long through those hard times, there’s always a tiny little gap you can squeeze through to get out of it. Things can completely change. I’ll carry that attitude through my life now. I know I can get through anything.”

“ St Paul's was such a supportive environment. And I think if I had gone to a different school, I don't know, it could have completely changed my outcome. ”

Photo: Peter Stoop

Photos: Peter Stoop

Heartfelt Handbags lift spirits

BY ELIZABETH SYMINGTON

Handbags full of hope have been delivered by some passionate people in our Diocese, to a community that’s feeling a “little bit forgotten”.

More than 160 people are living in temporary housing in Wardell after Cabbage Tree Island was ravaged by floods in 2022, forcing them from their homes.

In a bid to make their lives a tiny bit brighter, one of our parishes – Jesus the Good Shepherd, East Lake Macquarie –began collecting donations of handbags, filled with toiletries and other treats, as a gift for the mothers on Mother’s Day.

However, it’s not the first time the congregation has taken action, the parish craft group, along with the Belmont Quirky Quilters, have been supporting the people of Wardell and Coraki for a number of years.

“It started back with the bushfires in 2019 – there are a couple of Sisters of Mercy up there who became involved because they are emergency chaplains,” parishioner Margaret said.

“They let me know about it and our craft group wanted to see what we could do to help and because it was coming on winter we started knitting and

crocheting warm things.

“The people there just needed someone to care about them.

“When the floods came through in 2022, the [Jesus the Good Shephard] craft group helped again by collecting gifts for the children at Christmas.

“And now, it’s the handbags. It’s been great to see the community so supportive of our work with those who are struggling,” Margaret said.

“People are very kind when they know there are people in need.”

The Heartfelt Handbags initiative reached more people than originally expected – donations came in from across the Diocese of MaitlandNewcastle as people rushed to help.

Formation and Education Officer Nicki Graham said the influx of donations, while perhaps insignificant to some people, would go on to mean a lot to families in need.

Popular donations included bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and

soaps. These items went on to form part of the contents of the “Heartfelt Handbags”.

“Collecting the items was a small way for us to support people,” Nicki explained.

“It’s great knowing they will go to people who really need them.”

They ended up filling 80 handbags.

Jess Wilkes, Program Coordinator at the temporary housing site, said any bit of support made a big difference.

“The residents are so grateful that someone is thinking about them,” she said.

“The ongoing relationship from the multiple donations to the impacted community means more than what we can put into words.

“Living in a constant state of not being sure takes its toll so any kind of support we can offer the community through charities, organisations, churches and everyone who donates is pivotal in maintaining people’s wellbeing out here.”

So, how does it help?

Lisa*, a resident who was displaced by the bushfires in 2019, says the donations helped her feel some joy and hope.

“I am very grateful to the people who sew/crochet each stitch with love and care for those who have been knocked down through no fault of their own,” she said.

“The beautiful things bring a spark of colour and care to our lives, especially to the young ones.”

Another resident, Caroline*, believes the donations have a “healing effect on our hearts”.

In 2022, Caroline, her husband, and their seven children had to flee their home when it was inundated with flood waters. They lost their vehicles and many belongings –resulting in “great stress and need”.

While losing their home was devastating, the family also experienced great love, generosity, and kindness from many people in the community and across Australia.

“We received the most beautiful handmade blankets, beanies, and scarves from the craft ladies and this meant so much to us all,” she said.

“It helped us practically, and it also helped us emotionally – to know that people care is a blessing.”

*Names changed to protect identities

Artificial intelligence and the war on creativity

BY ALEX FOSTER

In June 2023, Aurora ran an article on the AI Revolution. Since then, AI has continued to evolve rapidly across various domains, including but not limited to its use in healthcare, autonomous systems, business, regulation and policy, research and collaboration and even being utilised as a tool to address climate change. The latest annual McKinsey Global Survey confirmed that 2023 was the breakout year of generative AI tools.

Less than a year after many of these tools debuted, one-third of survey respondents say their organisations regularly use generative AI in at least one business function.

This rapid integration signals a transformative shift in how industries perceive and utilise artificial intelligence, ushering in an era where AI's influence on creativity and our daily lives is profound and increasingly indistinguishable from human effort.

This reality hit home recently when images appeared online of Pope Francis atypically wrapped up in a stylish white puffer jacket and silver bejewelled crucifix. The image, first published on Reddit, was generated using the AI software Midjourney.

Pope Francis, acknowledging that he was a victim of a deepfake photo, weighed in, stating the technology "becomes perverse when it distorts our relationship with others and with reality."

AI has continued to be a point of interest to Pope Francis.

In his message for the 58th World Day of Social Communications, the Pope spoke of the power of AI to give rise to new forms of exploitation and inequality, or on the flip side, the potential to lead to greater equality by promoting correct information and greater awareness of individuals and peoples.

He says it is up to us to decide whether we will become fodder for algorithms or whether we will nourish our hearts with the freedom of being able to source wisdom beyond our means.

Manipulation using AI can go far beyond false images, too. The challenge of AIgenerated audio extends to the music industry, where an AI-generated version of Taylor Swift’s latest single "Fortnight" became a fan favourite before the artist’s actual release.

When the real song debuted, some fans even preferred the artificial creation. “After

I listened to the real version, I sat there and thought, ‘oh… the AI version is so much better than this,” one fan lamented.

AI technology has also seen rapid advancement in video generation.

OpenAI, the trailblazers behind the well-known generative language tool ChatGPT, recently unveiled their latest product: "Sora."

This innovative program transforms simple text prompts into elaborate video sequences, heralding a significant advancement in content creation.

OpenAI is candid about the dual-edge nature of this innovation. "We cannot predict all of the beneficial ways people will use our technology, nor all the ways people will abuse it.”

While it remains uncertain when, or even if, Sora will be made available to the public, OpenAI assures that if released, the program will include a robust filtering system designed to reject any text prompts that call for content against its ethical guidelines, including extreme violence, sexual content, hateful imagery, exploitation of celebrity likenesses, or violations of intellectual property rights.

These instances all underscore a growing trend: AI is not just a collaborator

but sometimes a competitor—in creative processes. The ease and efficiency of AI can enhance our capabilities but also risk diminishing the value we place on the uniquely human touch.

AI's power to create believable narratives can mislead the public and distort our understanding of truth, bringing into question the future of many creative professions.

Microsoft's Chief Scientific Officer Eric Horvitz recently predicted that if technology isn't developed to enable people to easily detect computergenerated content within a decade or so, "most of what people will be seeing, or quite a lot of it, will be synthetic. We won't be able to tell the difference."

His warning resonates at a time when AI’s ability to replicate and innovate can both enrich and complicate our interactions. The challenge now is to harness this powerful technology responsibly, ensuring it augments rather than undermines human efforts.

As we navigate this new landscape, we must decide how to integrate these tools in ways that uphold our values and enhance human experiences. The question isn't merely what AI can do, but what we should do with AI.

Photo Credit: MidJourney/Pablo Xavier

CREATED WITH AI

Should we turn off the news for the sake of our mental health?

BY KELLY PAVAN

In today’s interconnected world, staying informed is more accessible than ever before. Whether it’s an official channel or via social media, the 24-hour media cycle amplifies exposure to news content, making it challenging to escape a bombardment of negative and frightening information

So, should we turn off the news for the sake of our mental health?

Consuming news can help us stay informed about current events, enhance our understanding of the world and promote mental stimulation. Positive news stories can inspire hope, gratitude, empathy and foster a sense of community and optimism. Additionally, being knowledgeable about local and global issues can help us to engage in meaningful conversations, connect with others and participate in collective efforts towards positive change. However a relentless stream of negative news can have an adverse effect on our wellbeing. Consuming depressing media stories can lead to feelings of anxiety, helplessness and even depression.

Constant exposure to tragic events can overwhelm our senses and leave us feeling emotionally drained. Random knife attacks, domestic violence, the cost-of-living crisis, climate change and international conflict, are just a few examples of recent headlines that are cumulatively causing people distress.

Research published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology found that exposure to negative news leads to increased anxiety, sadness, and general negative mood; and similarly, a study in the Journal of Media Psychology revealed that frequent consumption of negative news is associated with higher levels of stress and lower psychological well-being (Utz & Breuer, 2017; Davey et al., 2019).

To find a balance between staying informed and safeguarding our mental health, it’s essential to adopt mindful media consumption habits. Here are some strategies to support this balance:

1. Limit exposure: Set boundaries on time spent consuming news each day. Make specific times to check the news rather than constantly refreshing feeds throughout the day. This could include adjusting notification settings on your device.

2. Diversify your sources: Avoid relying solely on sensationalist or fear-inducing media outlets.

3. Practice media literacy: Use your critical thinking skills - be sceptical of clickbait headlines and verify information from multiple sources. The lack of gatekeeping and fact-checking mechanisms on social media allows misinformation and falsehoods to flourish on an international scale.

4. Manage your social media content: Social media algorithms target your newsfeed by analysing your past behaviour; including likes, comments, and shares, to tailor content that aligns with your interests, preferences and what you’re most likely to click on. If social media is bombarding your feed with distressing headlines, you can hit snooze on or unfollow those pages to give yourself a break and by doing so, reshape the type of content that shows up for you over time.

5. Look for exceptions: Seek out stories that showcase positive developments in society. It’s important to acknowledge hope and optimism amongst adversity.

6. Engage in self-care: Know your triggers and recognise your signs of burn out. Use selfcare measures to get back on track – connecting with others, mindfulness, therapy, physical activity - you need to know what works for you and when to make time for self-care.

Twenty years with Teresa

BY BROOKE CROSS

Teresa Brierley was never meant to stick to the status quo.

As a woman in Biomedical Science, a woman who worked full-time while raising five children in the 80’s, and a woman who became a leader in the Catholic Church close to 20 years ago, she has touched thousands of lives and made an impact not even she is fully aware of.

But if you ask Teresa, her becoming a leader was not out of the ordinary.

“I wouldn’t have thought of it that way at the time…I am just a normal person that did what they’ve done,” she said.

Humility aside, Teresa’s life story demonstrates she is anything but “your average Joe”.

When Teresa was appointed Vice Chancellor of Pastoral Ministries in 2005, little did anyone know the profound effect she would have on the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

Arriving at the Diocese as a female member of the leadership team, Teresa was hope-filled and commenced her role as the church was growing and changing.

Teresa said that being a female in a leadership position as the church navigated its way through a change of era was both significant and a privilege.

Despite the admiration and inspiration she evoked in others at the Diocese, Teresa remained humble, seeing herself

as just another voice at the table, not a role model or a trailblazer.

“I was often in a room with all men, and sometimes what they said challenged me, but I never felt that I didn’t have a voice. It was essential that I used it from the feminine perspective when I was there, as the reality was that I brought something different to the conversation,” said Teresa.

“Firstly, as a female, but also someone who had lived across the Diocese, who was married and had children. Those experiences changed my life and perspective, and I had something unique to add to the discussion.

“I understood that at the worst time of the sexual abuse crisis, I brought a female perspective,” she said.”

When starting in her new role, Teresa was unaware of “this shameful part of our story as a church.”

When asked how she navigated working through the darkness, she said: “I just took it one day at a time.”

Teresa has often been praised for her strong leadership and faith during this challenging period of the church's history.

Reflecting on this time, she shares: “While we now have robust systems to keep children and vulnerable people in our Diocesan community safe, that part of our history continues to haunt many of us. We continue to seek forgiveness for these past failings.”

Samantha Hill, a former Family Ministry Coordinator at the Diocese of MaitlandNewcastle, said the significance of her as a leader in 2005 cannot be underestimated.

“Twenty years ago, I imagine when

Teresa first stepped into that role, it would have been a real statement to have a woman sitting in a pastoral ministries space looking after the formation of the faithful along with mission and outreach,” Samantha said.

“Having a woman leader being a voice, and intentionally bringing people together would have been so important.

“Being a lay woman in leadership too, traditionally, her role probably would have been held by a nun, so her sitting in that space would have been a real representation of the beginning of lay people doing ministry in the church, and she was definitely at the forefront of that.”

Samantha, now the Director of St Vincent de Paul for Queensland, says having Teresa as a supportive and guiding leader affected her career path and would have also been meaningful to other women in the Diocese.

“When you are a woman working in ministry in a very male-dominated world, to have a woman's voice that can think differently to men, that looks at things with a broader lens, and can support and educate other women in that space is so important,” she said.

A high achiever from the beginning, Teresa decided against the odds and her mother's preference to pursue the Higher School Certificate at St Anne’s Adamstown. From high school, she completed a degree in Biomedical Science at the University of Technology Sydney and loved working in hospital pathology.

While completing her degree, Teresa met Allen as a member of the Natovi Youth

Group at Marsfield Parish in Sydney. They married in 1975, and shortly after, Teresa undertook her Diploma of Education. While the progression from Biomedical Science to teaching may seem like an interesting leap for some, for Teresa, it was what she was destined to do.

“So even though I loved Biomedical Science, I always knew God's call for me was to be a teacher,” she said.

When Allen and Teresa became engaged, her lecturers and hospital specialists indicated that this would be the end of her career and that it would be a waste. This was a time when most married women, once they had children, did not continue pursuing their careers.

However, as was her destiny, Teresa’s journey of motherhood would include both. After the birth of her firstborn Nicole, a forward-thinking and supportive priest who was the principal at the local Catholic college, offered her a part-time teaching position.

Teresa recalls thinking: “Am I allowed to work? I didn’t know anyone who had worked and had children.”

So, after discerning, she began working as a Senior Biology teacher in Bowral at the school where she had completed her practicum, which was life-changing. Her call to become a teacher didn’t end there though.

With a diverse career spanning decades, many would struggle to pick one defining moment that shaped their future. However, Teresa says teaching religion was something she felt called to.

“Realising in 1990 that lay people would need to have qualifications in theology

was a significant moment in my life. Because the church was changing at the time, I could see there wouldn’t be priests or religious to do what previously had to be done. And that was what came to me, and I was gifted enough by God to study theology, which has guided me in my work over the last two decades,” she said.

Listening to Teresa’s story, the overriding impression is that she is committed and passionate about her work and purpose but unaware of the impact she has had on the people around her.

Samantha believes that one of the reasons Teresa positively influenced so many was her capacity to invest in everyone she met, particularly her staff, whom she often supported by walking them through life, helping them discern what their journey might be, and unpacking that.

“When you look at Teresa, she was someone who lived and breathed the church, she lived and breathed her faith, and she took all of her staff on that journey as well, helping them with whatever they had going on for them, in their work or personal life,” she said.

“I think one of the things that I was most fond of was Teresa’s ability to sit in a space and dream. So, with Teresa, no ideas were off-limits. There was always a possibility of bringing something to life and making something a reality.”

So, what’s next for Teresa?

Anyone who knows her understands that she is always on the move. In fact, when Teresa shared her story for this article, she was on a road trip with Allen and had visited three States in one day!

Rather than sitting and enjoying some downtime, this hectic holiday seems fitting for this new phase of her life, and she clearly has no plans to slow down.

To read the full story visit QR code.

Photos: Supplied

Standing on the Shoulders –Diocesan Resource Centre

BY MARY O’CONNOR

There aren’t many places in Newcastle that are intentionally built with hopes, dreams and visions for the community.

Places that are built as symbols of God’s grace, where everyone is truly welcome.

A place for formation, education, retreat, reflection – no matter what your background or life circumstances may be.

On 31 May 2024, the official Blessing and Opening of the Diocesan Resource Centre saw the little building at 12 Tudor Street, Newcastle West, open its metaphorical arms to the local community, inviting people to study, learn, read, relax and feel the connection of being part of the family of God.

The Diocesan Resource Centre is a community library, built on a site that holds rich history to the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. This history spans back to 1957 when the Adult Education Institute and Legion of Mary opened and operated a library, which then went on to

face many iterations at differing locations over the decades.

At the heart, it has remained a space where people are welcomed and can find a sense of community, or a quiet place for quiet reflection.

The rich history and legacy that comes with this library is integral to its foundation; it is built on the shoulders of those who have come before us.

The vision for the Diocesan Resource Centre is that it is a place where people of all ages can gather, feel safe, grow spiritually, and learn through sharing and storytelling.

The diocese wants people to bring their life experience to this space, then offer a reflective lens into current sound scholarship about matters of faith, ideally enabling us to move forward in hope.

The Diocesan Resource Centre provides faith-based resources to support those in our diocese engaged in Religious Education, Worship and Prayer, Formation and Education, Mission and Outreach, Leadership and Structure, academic study and personal development.

All resources (print and electronic) are available to borrow; and are searchable on the library catalogue which can be found online.

For more information visit QR code.

Photos: David Stedman