16 <strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong> <strong>October</strong> <strong>2011</strong>Liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a multifaithcommunityPeter HerbornThe <strong>Catholic</strong> Diocese of Parramattacovers a diverse region physicallyand socially. It extends from theurban heart of Parramatta to WorldHeritage wilderness <strong>in</strong> the BlueMounta<strong>in</strong>s. For many thousandsof years it was the home of theDharug, Gangandara, Dark<strong>in</strong>gjungand Gur<strong>in</strong>gai people.It was one of the first areas ofsettlement <strong>in</strong> colonial NSW. Todayit is a rapidly grow<strong>in</strong>g, multiculturalregion <strong>in</strong> Australia’s largestand most cosmopolitan city. It isthe home of many recent migrants,refugees, Indigenous people andAustralians with ancestry go<strong>in</strong>gback to colonial times.In August this year, theAustralian Government conductedits five-yearly Census ofPopulation and Hous<strong>in</strong>g. Whenthe figures become available it willbe <strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g to exam<strong>in</strong>e trends <strong>in</strong>religious affiliation.An analysis of the 10-year periodfrom 1996 to 2006 reveals somefasc<strong>in</strong>at<strong>in</strong>g trends <strong>in</strong> the geographyof religion <strong>in</strong> Sydney. In overallterms Sydney did not becomemore secular. There was a verysmall <strong>in</strong>crease <strong>in</strong> the number ofpeople declar<strong>in</strong>g “no religion” <strong>in</strong>Sydney, which has a smaller percentageof non-believers than theaverage for Australia.Secularisation has advanced <strong>in</strong> afew specific areas <strong>in</strong> the <strong>in</strong>ner westbut there has been little changeoverall. The bigger changes havebeen <strong>in</strong> the decl<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g proportionsof Christians and the grow<strong>in</strong>gproportions of non-Christianreligions. This has been mostpronounced <strong>in</strong> the outer westernsuburbs, which have become<strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>gly multi-faith, ratherthan <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>gly secular.The epicentre of change <strong>in</strong> themove from dom<strong>in</strong>antly Christian tomulti-faith has been the local governmentarea of Auburn. In 1996,more than half of the population<strong>in</strong> Auburn was Christian, but by2006 Islam was the largest religiousgroup and non-Christians outnumberedChristians.In every local governmentarea <strong>in</strong> Sydney the percentage ofnon-Christians grew <strong>in</strong> the period1996-2006. This growth wasmost marked <strong>in</strong> Sydney’s westwith <strong>in</strong>creases greater than 8%<strong>in</strong> Bankstown, Holroyd, Fairfield,Auburn, Strathfield, Parramattaand Liverpool.Christians are <strong>in</strong> the majority<strong>in</strong> every local government areaexcept Auburn but the mix haschanged and the movement hasbeen <strong>in</strong> the direction of the multifaithcommunity.With<strong>in</strong> our Diocese there are<strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g patterns of religiousaffiliation. St Patrick’s Cathedral,Parramatta, is located <strong>in</strong> the postcodewith the lowest proportion ofChristians and highest proportionsof H<strong>in</strong>dus and Buddhists.Islam f<strong>in</strong>ds many adherentsWe are all travell<strong>in</strong>g on a spiritual journey. Photo: Hamilton Lundaround Granville, Guildfordand Merrylands.The proportion of Christians ishighest <strong>in</strong> the Hills District, thenorth west growth sector and <strong>in</strong> thesuburbs along the Nepean River.The Blue Mounta<strong>in</strong>s has the highestproportions of people profess<strong>in</strong>gno religion.One response to a multiculturaland multi-faith society is to buildwalls and retreat to the old andfamiliar social network and worldview.Beh<strong>in</strong>d the walls fear andignorance grow.A more constructive response isto build bridges. Cultural differencewith mutual respect is a signof a healthy and resilient society.One way of build<strong>in</strong>g bridges is bybe<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>clusive <strong>in</strong> the workplace,neighbourhood and family. Insteadof mak<strong>in</strong>g assumptions about whatothers th<strong>in</strong>k and believe we can listendeeply and engage <strong>in</strong> dialogue.With<strong>in</strong> the Diocese there are agrow<strong>in</strong>g number of opportunitiesto engage <strong>in</strong> multi-faith prayer,social justice and education. We areall travell<strong>in</strong>g on a spiritual journeyand we have much to learn fromliv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a multi-faith community.Peter Herborn is a member of theCommission for Ecumenism andInterfaith Dialogue <strong>in</strong> the <strong>Catholic</strong>Diocese of ParramattaHAWKESBURY DISTRICT HEALTH SERVICEW<strong>in</strong>dsorPastoral Care WorkerPermanent Part Time‘pilgrims of truth,pilgrims of peace’An Ecumenical and Interfaith ConversationSunday 23 <strong>October</strong> <strong>2011</strong>, 3.30pm-6pmSt Patrick’s Cathedral Hall, 1 Marist Place, ParramattaRemember<strong>in</strong>g and celebrat<strong>in</strong>gWorld Day of Prayer for Peaceat Assisi <strong>in</strong> 1986We are all pilgrims of truth and peace regardless of our beliefs.We are all seekers of the truth and are conscious of a shared responsibilityfor the cause of justice and peace <strong>in</strong> this world of ours.Program3.30pm: Beg<strong>in</strong> with afternoon tea4.30-6pm: Ecumenical and Interfaith conversationRSVP: Thursday 20 <strong>October</strong> tel (02) 9683 6277Hosted by the <strong>Catholic</strong> Diocese of ParramattaCommission for Ecumenism & Interfaith DialogueThe person we seek will have a deep sense of the Christian spiritual tradition anda desire to build relationships which add life and mean<strong>in</strong>g to people’s lives.ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:• At least one unit of Cl<strong>in</strong>ical Pastoral education;• Recognised tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Theology (preferably Tertiary or work<strong>in</strong>g towards);• Previous experience <strong>in</strong> Pastoral Care;• Commitment to and demonstrated understand<strong>in</strong>g of the Pastoralneeds of patients <strong>in</strong> a general hospital sett<strong>in</strong>g;• Will<strong>in</strong>gness to support the Mission of CHCS (<strong>Catholic</strong> Healthcare);• Will<strong>in</strong>gness to undertake further tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g and development;• Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to confidentiality;• Ability to work as a member of a multidiscipl<strong>in</strong>ary team; and• Basic counsell<strong>in</strong>g skills tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g.DESIRABLE CRITERIA:• Experience and / or tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> bereavement counsell<strong>in</strong>g; and• Experience <strong>in</strong> prepar<strong>in</strong>g and support<strong>in</strong>g worship services or other appropriate rituals.HOURS OF DUTY:Two days – 16 hours per week.SALARY: $26.50 per hour – HDHS Contract.ENQUIRIES: Steve Blunden tel (02) 4560 5731.CLOSING DATE: 14 <strong>October</strong> <strong>2011</strong>.For an <strong>in</strong><strong>format</strong>ion pack which outl<strong>in</strong>es the full selection criteria please contactRobyn Knowles tel (02) 4560 5664 or email: rknowles@chcs.com.au
15 profess vows as Dom<strong>in</strong>ican Sisters of St CeciliaFifteen young women professedthe simple vows of poverty,chastity, and obedience asDom<strong>in</strong>ican Sisters of St CeciliaCongregation <strong>in</strong> Nashville,Tennessee, <strong>in</strong> the US. Amongthose who made their FirstProfession on 28 July wasSr Cecilia Rose Pham OP, aformer parishioner of GoodShepherd Parish, Plumpton.Sr Cecilia Rose is the daughterof Ngoc Thanh Pham and ThiHong Nguyen, also parishionersat Good Shepherd. Her brother,Bro Tam Pham, professedsimple vows as a FranciscanCapuch<strong>in</strong> on 6 August this year.Sr Cecilia Rose is a graduateof Good Shepherd Primary,Clare <strong>Catholic</strong> High Schoolat Hassall Grove, and LoyolaCollege at Mt Druitt. She earneda Bachelor of Nurs<strong>in</strong>g Degreefrom the University of Sydney.Sister served as a volunteer <strong>in</strong>youth m<strong>in</strong>istry for the Archdioceseof Sydney (2007-09) prior toher entry to St Cecilia Convent.Presently, she is study<strong>in</strong>g atAqu<strong>in</strong>as College <strong>in</strong> Nashville toprepare for the teach<strong>in</strong>g apostolate.Most Rev David Choby, Bishopof Nashville, was the pr<strong>in</strong>cipalcelebrant for the Mass for the Riteof First Religious Profession atthe Cathedral of the Incarnation<strong>in</strong> Nashville. The homilist wasRev André-Joseph LaCasse OP.The Congregation ofDom<strong>in</strong>ican Sisters of St Ceciliawas established <strong>in</strong> Nashville <strong>in</strong>1860. The Sisters of St Ceciliaare dedicated to the apostolateof <strong>Catholic</strong> education.The community of 270sisters serves <strong>in</strong> 38 schoolsthroughout the US. They havea house <strong>in</strong> Sydney and newmission houses open<strong>in</strong>g thisyear <strong>in</strong> Houston, Texas, and <strong>in</strong>Vancouver, British Columbia.St Cecilia Motherhouse islocated <strong>in</strong> Nashville, Tennessee.For more <strong>in</strong><strong>format</strong>ion onthe Dom<strong>in</strong>ican Sisters of StCecilia Congregation, pleasevisit their website atwww.nashvilledom<strong>in</strong>ican.org<strong>Catholic</strong><strong>Outlook</strong> <strong>October</strong> <strong>2011</strong> 17Sr Cecilia Rose Pham OP was one of 15 Dom<strong>in</strong>ican Sisters ofSt Cecilia who made their first profession of vows <strong>in</strong> NashvilleCommunity leader at Ryde Bro Mark Ryan FSP with Bishop Anthony‘Old Boy’ welcomed at Holy Cross CollegeA warm welcome greetedBishop Anthony Fisher OPwhen he returned to HolyCross College, Ryde, as theschool’s <strong>2011</strong> dist<strong>in</strong>guished‘Old Boy’ on the Feast of theHoly Cross on 16 September.Bishop Anthony was thepr<strong>in</strong>cipal celebrant for the Mass,which was concelebrated byFr Paul Monkerud, ParishPriest of St Charles BorromeoParish, Ryde-Gladesville.In his homily, the Bishop spokeof the power of the Holy Crossto transform lives through whatit represents – the person andthe example of Jesus Christ.At the Patrician CommunityService Awards ceremony thatfollowed, Bishop Anthony gavethe feast day oration. He spoke ofhis role as Coord<strong>in</strong>ator of WorldYouth Day 2008 when more than amillion of the world’s youth cametogether <strong>in</strong> Sydney for a festivalof faith with Pope Benedict.Bishop Anthony describedthe experience of WYD Madrid<strong>in</strong> August this year and saidhe was delighted that thebiggest s<strong>in</strong>gle group of highschool pilgrims <strong>in</strong> the Dioceseof Parramatta’s cont<strong>in</strong>gentwas from a fellow PatricianBrothers’ school – PatricianBrothers’ College at Blacktown.The Patrician CommunityService Awards were presentedto a student <strong>in</strong> every year groupat Holy Cross. The awardrecognises <strong>in</strong>dividuals for theway <strong>in</strong> which they live their livesand the service they provideto others. Bishop Anthony waspresented with the Holy CrossCommunity Service Award.Student award recipients were:Brendan The (Year 7), LukeBiady (Year 8), Andrew Dong(Year 9), Bradley Denlow (Year10), Liam Brundle (Year 11),and Dae-Uk Han (Year 12).Holy Cross Pr<strong>in</strong>cipal AdamTaylor said the attentiveness,reverence and respect shownby the students throughout theMass and awards ceremony wasoutstand<strong>in</strong>g. “It was a very proudday for Holy Cross College.”FertilityCare In<strong>format</strong>ion Night for Doctors7pm on 14 <strong>October</strong> at The Epp<strong>in</strong>g ClubThe <strong>Catholic</strong> Diocese of Broken Bay is sponsor<strong>in</strong>g an <strong>in</strong><strong>format</strong>ionnight about the Creighton Model FertilityCare System.The system can be used by doctors to help treat causes of<strong>in</strong>fertility and a number of gynaecological conditions.All doctors are <strong>in</strong>vited to attend the <strong>in</strong><strong>format</strong>ion night at 7pm onFriday 14 <strong>October</strong> at The Epp<strong>in</strong>g Club, 45 Rawson St, Epp<strong>in</strong>g.RSVP by 7 <strong>October</strong> to Agi Reefman:(02) 9847 0474, agi.reefman@dbb.org.au