Catholic Outlook March 2016

CatholicOutlook 

The official publication of the Diocese of Parramatta | www.catholicoutlook.org 

VOLUME 19, MARCH 2016 

Catholic Schools 

celebrate diversity 

Catholic Schools Week March 6 - 12 

Visit your local 

Catholic School 

and celebrate the 

Year of Mercy 

FR FERNANDO 

MONTANO: THE 

MEXICAN WITH 

THE AMAZING 

LEXICON 

page 8 page 20 

PARRAMATTA 

YCW PUTTING 

NEW LIFE 

INTO OLD 

COMPUTERS

FROM THE DIOCESAN ADMINISTRATOR 

Very Rev Peter G Williams 

CONTENTS 

DIOCESAN 

NEWS 

3, 5, 6, 16, 21, 23 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

INSTITUTE FOR MISSION 

DIOCESAN 

PASTORAL PLAN 

PARISH PROFILE 

FAMILY & LIFE OFFICE 

4 

7 

8-9 

10 

I have previously raised in this column 

the changing landscape in terms of 

modern communication. It is not only the 

omnipresence in our lives now of the World 

Wide Web, smart phones, tablets and the 

tools provided to communicate an instant 

opinion on everything through online 

channels such as Facebook or Twitter, but 

the fact that such exposure can make an 

ordinary person into a ‘social media’ hero 

or pariah in what sometimes seems like a 

nanosecond! 

Further to that, we see that overall such 

communication is often hostile and angry 

and we have witnessed the emergence of 

so-called internet ‘trolls’ and the destructive 

phenomenon referred to as ‘revenge porn’. 

‘Online’ bullying, particularly of schoolage 

children, continues to be a concern to 

parents and school authorities. 

Are we as a society becoming more 

discontented and angry about our lives and 

the world we inhabit? There is little doubt 

that rampant individualism has led to a selfobsessed 

and selfish cohort of people who 

show little regard for others and simply ‘live 

for the moment’. 

Some commentators would suggest that this 

has always been the case with the human 

race, and that we are only more aware of 

it now because of social media and the 

constant bombardment of information 

hitting us 24/7! 

The Church too has come into the 

foreground of comment in recent weeks, 

much of it connected to the Royal 

Commission and the attempt by some to 

close the Church down from participating 

in any debate relating to the social structures 

that underpin our way of life and which 

provide stability and social cohesion. 

It is true that Christianity, and in particular 

the Catholic Church, is under assault on 

various fronts, and given our vulnerability 

as a result of the proceedings of the Royal 

Our seminarians will, in time, be the future priests of our Diocese. Photo: Alphonsus Fok. 

Commission we are perceived to be in a 

position of moral and institutional weakness. 

The enemies of the Church know this and are 

exploiting the moment to inflict maximum 

damage on our credibility and our place in 

society. 

In the midst of all this we find ourselves 

once again on the journey of Lent and our 

annual walk to Calvary. It is a time for 

serious spiritual introspection, a time to 

review lifestyles and life choices, a time to 

focus particularly on the dignity of our own 

Baptism and how we have measured up to 

Christ’s call to each of us to be authentic 

disciples in the world. 

At the same time we look at our Church as a 

human institution and recognise that there 

have been serious deficiencies because of 

past mistakes and a certain inertia leading 

to cautiousness prevails as we look to the 

future. 

And some may rightly wonder, where is God 

in all this? 

But of course the Lenten journey doesn’t end 

with Good Friday, as important as that day is 

in the scheme of salvation, but rather it ends 

(or begins) with the empty tomb on Easter 

morning. 

On the First Sunday of Lent I had the 

privilege of presiding at the Rite of Election 

where 110 adult men and women were 

formally elected as catechumens to be fully 

initiated at the Easter vigil through the 

Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and 

Eucharist. 

What a blessing to the Diocese of Parramatta 

and our parish communities! God is still 

at work in drawing people into living faith 

through Jesus Christ. 

The Second Sunday of Lent saw the 

commencement Mass for our diocesan 

Seminary of the Holy Spirit. I was pleased 

to welcome two young men to begin the 

process of discernment that will hopefully 

lead them to the ministerial priesthood. 

They join our existing seminarians at various 

stages of formation who will, in time, be the 

future priests of our Diocese. 

These are signs of the new life that are 

celebrated liturgically in the ceremonies 

around the Easter Triduum. 

As I reflect on the life of the agencies, 

parishes and schools that constitute the 

Diocese of Parramatta it is very evident that 

many good things are happening on so many 

levels. 

There is clear evidence that the Spirit of God 

is alive and manifesting Divine Presence and 

working mysteriously as the lives of young 

and old are being transformed. 

In all this the Church of Parramatta remains 

committed to proclaiming the Good News 

of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen. As we 

approach the holiest time of the year, may 

all the people of the Diocese encounter in 

their lives the risen Christ and take Him with 

them wherever they may go. 

With my prayers in this Holy Season, 


Diocesan Administrator 

OFFICE FOR 

SAFEGUARDING 

& PROFESSIONAL 

STANDARDS 

CATHOLIC 

EDUCATION 

CATHOLICCARE 

SOCIAL SERVICES 

CATHOLIC YOUTH 

SOCIAL JUSTICE 

NEWS & EVENTS 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 

CatholicOutlook 

The official publication of the Diocese of Parramatta 

Publisher: 


Diocesan Administrator 

Tel (02) 8838 3400 

Fax (02) 9630 4813 

PO Box 3066, 

North Parramatta, NSW, 1750 

Email: diocese@parra.catholic.org.au 

Website: www.parra.catholic.org.au 

Editor: 

Jane Favotto 

Tel (02) 8838 3409 

editor@parra.catholic.org.au 

PO Box 3066, 

North Parramatta, NSW, 1750 

Journalists: 

Adrian Middeldorp 

Elizabeth McFarlane 

Designer: 

Aphrodite Delaguiado 

School news: 

Catholic Education Office 

Tel (02) 9840 5609 

news@parra.catholic.edu.au 

Deadlines: 

Editorial and advertising 

– 10th of the month prior to publication 

11 

12-14 

15 

17-19 

20 

22 

23 

Mass of the Holy Chrism on Wednesday 

23 March at 7.30pm 

Principal Celebrant His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, 

Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana 

St Patrick’s Cathedral, 1 Marist Place, Parramatta 

Everyone is invited to celebrate the Chrism Mass with Archbishop Yllana, Bishop Emeritus Kevin 

Manning, the Diocesan Administrator Very Rev Peter Williams, the priests, deacons and faithful. 

The Oil of the Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick will be blessed and the Oil of Chrism 

consecrated. These holy oils will then be given to the parishes for use during the year. 

During the Mass, the priests renew their commitment to priestly service. 

A listing of Holy Week ceremonies and Easter Mass times across the Diocese of Parramatta will be published at: 

www.catholicoutlook.org 

Advertising: 

Tel (02) 8838 3409 

Accounts: 

Alfie Ramirez 

Tel (02) 8838 3437 

ARamirez@parra.catholic.org.au 

Printing: 

Rural Press Printing, North Richmond 

40,500 copies of Catholic Outlook are 

distributed monthly through 47 parishes and 

86 schools. All material in this publication 

is copyright and may not be reproduced 

without permission of the editor. Catholic 

Outlook is a member of the Australasian 

Catholic Press Association. 

2 CatholicOutlook | MARCH 2016 

www.catholicoutlook.org

By Michelle Davis, Chaplain at Nepean Hospital 

DIOCESAN NEWS 

MASS FOR WORLD DAY OF THE SICK ON 11 FEBRUARY 

Supporting carers and those for whom they care 

Concelebrating priests assisted with the 

anointing of the sick. 

Mons John Boyle gave the homily, which was 

signed by Daina Caruana. 

May the soothing balm of God’s love and mercy continue to radiate to the sick and aged and 

their carers. Photos Alfred Boudib. 

Archbishop Brian Barnes OFM with 

seminarians Chris del Rosario and Joe Murphy. 

Students from Our Lady of Mercy College 

Parramatta provided music and singing. 

On the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, more 

than 450 people gathered in St Patrick’s 

Church at Blacktown for the 2nd annual 

diocesan Mass for World Day of the Sick on 11 

February. 

For this year’s theme, Pope Francis chose: 

Entrusting Oneself to the Merciful Jesus like 

Mary: ‘Do whatever he tells you’ (Jn 2:5). 

The principal celebrant for the Mass was 

Mons John Boyle, Priest responsible for 

Health and Chaplaincies within the Diocese of 

Parramatta. 

The Mass was concelebrated by Rev Peter 

Confeggi, MC and Parish Priest of Mary, Queen 

of the Family Parish, and 18 priests of the 

Diocese who assisted with the anointing of the 

sick. 

In his homily, Mons John shared some of his 

experience as a hospital chaplain and elaborated 

on the Pope’s theme in his message for the 24th 

World Day of the Sick, in which he said: 

“Illness, above all grave illness, always places 

human existence in crisis and brings with it 

questions that dig deep. Our first response 

may at times be one of rebellion: Why has 

this happened to me? We can feel desperate, 

thinking that all is lost, that things no longer 

have meaning … 

“In these situations, faith in God is on the 

one hand tested, yet at the same time can reveal 

all of its positive resources. Not because faith 

makes illness, pain, or the questions which they 

raise, disappear, but because it offers a key by 

which we can discover the deepest meaning of 

what we are experiencing; a key that helps us to 

see how illness can be the way to draw nearer to 

Jesus who walks at our side, weighed down by 

the Cross. And this key is given to us by Mary, 

our Mother, who has known this way at first 

hand.” 

The prayer of the faithful was not only for 

the sick, their carers and those who work in 

health care but also for governments; that they 

continue to understand the importance of 

chaplaincy and holistic healthcare. 

The anointing of the sick was a special point 

in the Mass and one of the family members 

present said that, for her, the anointing “was 

a soothing balm, which will help me carry on 

caring for my husband”. 

She shared how caring could be tiring 

and stressful but this Mass showed carers 

are not forgotten. This is the main reason 

the Diocese initiated this Mass last year: in 

acknowledgement of the sick, their carers and 

all who work in health care. 

At the Mass were the Member for Granville, 

Julia Finn; the Member for Parramatta, Dr Geoff 

Lee, representing the Premier and John Ajaka, 

Minister for Ageing, Disability Services & 

Multiculturalism; and the Member for Prospect, 

Dr Hugh McDermott. 

Catholic organisations included Catholic 

Health Care, St John of God Health Care 

(Richmond and Hawkesbury), the Ephpheta 

Centre for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People 

who provided signing during the Mass, Sr 

Georgina Sultana OP and residents of St 

Dominic’s Hostel, and Our Lady of Consolation 

Nursing Home. 

Chaplains from Nepean, Blacktown 

and Westmead Hospitals and healthcare 

professionals were also present. 

The Mass was a gathering of all age groups: 

45 girls from Our Lady of Mercy College 

Parramatta provided music and singing, 15 

students from Patrician Brothers College and 

15 students from Nagle College at Blacktown, 

supported the sick and aged into the church 

and assisted Blacktown parishioner Len and her 

generous crew in serving a light luncheon. 

Archbishop Brian Barnes OFM, Archbishop 

Emeritus of Port Moresby, and Fr Dan Neylan 

OFM, Franciscans who are residents at Our 

Lady of Consolation Home, provided great 

inspiration to the seminarians who were 

present. The seminarians also assisted with 

helping the residents safely on to the bus. 

Members of St John of God (Patron Saint of 

the Sick) Health Care were very generous in 

providing the aged and sick with a medal of 

St John of God, which came from Granada in 

Spain. 

May the soothing balm of God’s love and 

mercy continue to radiate to the sick and aged 

within our parishes and Diocese by the care and 

love we show. 

To view a gallery of photos from the Mass, 

visit www.flickr.com/parracatholic/albums 

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CatholicOutlook | MARCH 2016 3

INSTITUTE FOR MISSION IFMCONNECT IFMCONNECT IFMCONNECT 

The IFM’s logo and work 

What do a criminal act and a 

graduation have in common? 

By Rev Paul Roberts, Director of the Institute for Mission 

At the Institute for Mission, 55 people completed year-long programs in theology and pastoral formation. Photos: Alfred Boudib. 

Mons John Boyle congratulates a group of graduates. 

can you forgive this 

arsonist?” This was a 

“How 

challenging question 

asked of Rev John Boyle in 1996 

when he was Dean of St Patrick’s 

Cathedral in Parramatta. 

On behalf of Bishop Bede 

Heather, Fr John had just returned 

from a prison visit to offer 

forgiveness to the man who burned 

down the Cathedral. Some Catholic 

people weren’t ready for this gesture 

so early in the piece. Some were 

never prepared to consider it. 

Such was the reflection Mons 

John Boyle used on 28 January this 

year to begin his homily at the Mass 

of graduation and commissioning 

for the 55 people who had 

completed year-long programs in 

theology and pastoral formation at 

our Diocese’s Institute for Mission 

(IFM) at Blacktown. 

He developed his thoughts 

from there, affirming the central 

importance of faith development 

and active lay leadership, in 

influencing the missionary challenge 

for the people who are Church, to 

more and more become a conduit 

of difference, of mercy and of 

alternative values in and for the 

world. 

A further 100-200 family and 

friends along with several priests 

of our parishes attended the special 

evening to celebrate with the large 

group that had completed the 

programs. 

After the beautiful liturgy, 

the music ministry for which 

was generously provided by the 

2Celebrate choir of Mary, Queen of 

the Family Parish, Blacktown, the 

IFM team hosted a ceremony and 

supper to commend and encourage 

The music ensemble from Mary Immaculate Parish. 

those being commissioned. 

An excellent musical ensemble 

of young adults from Mary 

Immaculate Parish, Quakers Hill, 

provided background entertainment 

and atmosphere. 

Being held at Mary Immaculate 

Parish was an example of the IFM’s 

priority to physically have some of 

its offerings and activities in parish 

communities, the support for which 

is a central reason for its existence, 

not only at its Blacktown centre. 

The IFM gives its energy 

to various once-off formative 

experiences and mini-programs, 

along with resources and events for 

the Diocese. 

The two programs from which 

participants were honoured at 

this special evening, however, 

run right across the year. As such, 

they provide an opportunity for 

IFM Director Rev Paul Roberts. 

IFM Associate Director Donnie Velasco. 

participants to take significant steps 

to further their faith, insights and 

capacity for ministry leadership and 

mission. 

Acknowledgement was given at 

the graduation/commissioning night 

to some associates of the IFM who 

generously contribute their time 

and talents to presentations and 

mentoring. 

Cecilia Zammit, Rev Wim 

Hoekstra, Rev Paul Slyney and 

Daniel Ang are treasured associates. 

New mentors in 2015 were Paul 

Worthington and David Bourne. 

Offering small group processing 

support were Margaret Wiseman, 

Bronwyn Dollin, Angel Penano and 

Fran Jackson. 

To view a gallery of photos from 

the evening, visit www.flickr.com/ 

parracatholic/albums 

The new logo of the IFM is a 

cog that invites our connection. It 

recognises that it is God’s mission 

into which we are all invited. 

For us Catholic Christians, that 

connection has a sacramental 

centre and so you’ll notice that the 

centre of the logo doubles with 

the appearance of the Blessed 

Sacrament at Mass or in a time of 

adoration. 

And you’ll notice the cross of 

Christ as central. As well you can see 

some blank lines, some boundaries, 

representing the boundaries across 

which the very meaning of ‘mission’ 

calls us. 

The boundaries might be 

across hearts and minds, across 

backgrounds and experiences, 

across the street or parish or city, or 

indeed across the world. 

As Pope Benedict XVI said: 

“Mission is a workshop that has 

room for all!” This catchy phrase 

recognises our variety of vocational 

responses in faith and mission and 

makes priority for our own learning, 

growing and receiving of grace. 

It recognises that as we grow in 

participation in God’s mission, it isn’t 

about having the answers top down. 

Rather, it’s about entering into the 

life of the world and learning to 

more and more recognise God’s 

presence there; God’s presence 

in others, in ourselves and in life’s 

situations, calling us to engage 

with that presence and develop as 

responders in grace. 

In brief, these are some of the 

driving principles of the IFM’s work 

for faith formation in our Diocese. 

Currently, among the IFM’s high 

priorities are initiatives for the Year 

of Mercy, development of a further 

mini-program of spiritualty sessions 

for parishes, an extension program 

and network for younger adult 

leaders across the Diocese and a 

dramatically increased move into 

online resourcing and social media 

engagement. 

Visit us at www.ifm.org.au or on 

social media @ifmconnect 

CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL 

WOMEN’S DAY AT ACU 

Join us on 8 March 2016 in North Sydney 

Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from influential and engaging speakers 

such as our graduate Melina Marchetta, author of Looking for Alibrandi 

Are you an ACU alumni? 

Please update your details and connect with ACU 

www.acu.edu.au/iwd 

CRICOS registered provider: 00004G 

Artwork by Cassandra Gibbs 



Mass for commencement of the seminary year 

DIOCESAN NEWS 

NEW APPOINTMENTS 

The Diocesan Administrator, 

Very Rev Peter G Williams, 

has confirmed the following 

appointments in the Diocese of 

Parramatta: 

Appointed for three years: 

Rev Mr James Phelan 

Deacon assisting St Anthony of 

Padua Parish, Toongabbie 

Rev Mr Nicephorus Tan 

Deacon assisting St John XXII 

Parish, Stanhope Gardens 

For the Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral, 13 

seminarians joined their Rector Very Rev John 

Hogan, Very Rev Peter Williams, Deacon Willy Limjap 

and Very Rev Bob Bossini, Dean of St Patrick’s 

Cathedral. Photos: Alphonsus Fok. 

Rev Mr Owen Rogers 

Deacon assisting Mary, Queen 

of the Family Parish, Blacktown 

Mass for the commencement of the 

year for the Seminary of the Holy 

Spirit was celebrated on 21 February. 

The Diocesan Administrator, Very Rev Peter 

Williams, presided at the Mass in St Patrick’s 

Cathedral in Parramatta. 

“I was pleased to welcome two young 

men, Tom Green and David Sebastian, who 

are beginning the process of discernment that 

will hopefully lead them to the ministerial 

priesthood,” Fr Peter said. 

“They join 11 fellow seminarians in various 

stages of formation who will, in time, be the 

future priests of our Diocese.” 

Seminarians for the Diocese of Parramatta 

are: Chris del Rosario, Jack Green, Joe Murphy, 

Andrew Rooney, Shinto Francis, Adam Carlow, 

Matthew Dimian, Galbert Albino, Jack Elkazzi, 

Jessie Duan Balorio, George Stanton, Tom 

Green and David Sebastian. 

Situated in cosmopolitan Harris Park, the 

seminary is centred on historic Kenilworth 

House. The heritage-listed Italianate building 

has been restored to its former glory to meet 

the needs of the growing cohort of seminarians. 

The construction of accommodation for 

up to 22 seminarians is well under way and 

due to be completed in coming months. In the 

meantime, seminarians share accommodation 

in several rented homes nearby. 

The precinct will also include residential 

facilities for retired priests and is located 

adjacent to St Oliver Plunkett Parish, Harris 

Park. 

The entry procession in St Patrick’s Cathedral. 

In general, the formation of a Catholic 

priest takes seven years. This may seem like 

a long time but it goes by quite quickly. It’s 

true that there is much to learn in theology, 

philosophy and associated subjects. 

Just as import is the development that 

occurs within the individual to help in their 

personal and spiritual maturity. This is a slow 

but rewarding process. 

Our seminarians are given every support 

in this journey of personal transformation. It 

is a shared endeavour and the seminarians can 

count on one another for help in this work. 

With the years in seminary and the close 

living that is experienced, the men make close 

friendships that continue after ordination as a 

support throughout priesthood. 

As seminarians come to recognise more 

deeply that Christ is the unifying principle of 

their lives as individuals and their common 

life together, they devote themselves more 

wholeheartedly in the brotherhood of disciples 

sharing the one vision. 

Seminarians (from left): Tom Green, Jack Elkazzi and 

David Sebastian. 

If you feel as though God may be 

calling you to the priesthood, the Diocese 

welcomes the opportunity to help you with 

your discernment. The Director for Priestly 

Vocations, Rev Warren Edwards, is the first 

point of contact. 

Fr Warren is always available to listen, offer 

guidance and explain the four-step admissions 

process: 

• Inquiry; 

• Discernment; 

• Aspirancy; and 

• Recommendation and acceptance. 

To find out more about priesthood, please 

contact Fr Warren tel 0409 172 700 or send an 

email to vocations@parra.catholic.org.au 

Every third Thursday of the month at 7pm 

a holy hour takes place in St Patrick’s Cathedral 

to pray for vocations. This is a time of prayer 

and reflection before the Blessed Sacrament in 

adoration and concluding with benediction. 

The next holy hour will be on Thursday 17 

March. 

Rev Mr Leon Decena 

Deacon assisting Mary 

Immaculate Parish, Quakers 

Hill, and the Filipino Chaplaincy 

Rev Mr Anthony Hoban 

Deacon assisting Christ the 

King Parish, North Rocks 

Rev Mr Joseph Ledang 

Holy Family Parish, Granville, 

and the Vietnamese Chaplaincy 

Rev Mr Willy Limjap 

Deacon assisting St Patrick’s 

Cathedral Parish, Parramatta 

Rev Mr Robertus Kim 

remains on leave for a further 

12 months 

Mr Joe Cashman 

Acting Chief Executive Officer 

of CatholicCare Social Services 

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DIOCESAN NEWS 

PROJECT COMPASSION 2016: Learning more, creating change in Malawi 

The launch of Project Compassion in the Diocese of 

Parramatta took place at St Mark’s Catholic College at 

Stanhope Gardens on 8 February. Project Compassion is 

Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten appeal. 

This year’s overseas guest was Martin Mazinga from Malawi. 

Martin spent the morning with students and staff, sharing how 

donations to Project Compassion are making a real difference to 

the people of Malawi. 

Martin joined diocesan Caritas Director Sr Louise McKeogh 

FMA and students for a pancake toss, heralding the start of Lent 

on Ash Wednesday. 

Lent is a penitential period of penance, abstinence and 

almsgiving. Making pancakes is traditionally a way of using up 

the household butter and eggs that are associated with rich food 

before Ash Wednesday. 

Running each year throughout Lent, Project Compassion 

is Caritas Australia’s annual fundraising and awareness-raising 

appeal that links thousands of Australians in solidarity with 

the women, children and men most vulnerable to poverty and 

injustice, who are rich in the eyes of Jesus. 

This year marks 50 years of Project Compassion. Every year 

since 1965, members of the Caritas family across Australia, 

have supported the six-week Lenten appeal in an extraordinary 

demonstration of faith, love, generosity and compassion. You 

can show your support for Project Compassion with the hashtag 

#projectcompassion 

Year round, Caritas Australia’s team works with dedicated 

partners, inspiring program beneficiaries, and compassionate 

supporters to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. 

Every year, Caritas Australia staff and their international 

partners take time to visit Australian schools and parishes to 

share their experiences with the people who make their work 

possible. 

Martin Mazinga is the National Programs Coordinator of the 

Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM), 

Caritas Australia’s local partner. Martin oversees Caritas 

Australia’s initiatives under the Australian NGO Cooperation 

Program (ANCP), and the Australia Africa Community 

Engagement Scheme (AACES) supported by the Australian 

Government. 

Martin began working with CADECOM in 2012. He brings 

a wealth of experience in project management, community 

engagement, capacity building and research from his roles at the 

Women’s Legal Resources Centre, the University of Malawi, and 

the Catholic University of Malawi. 

Martin and his team at CADECOM ensure that Caritas 

Australia’s programs create meaningful and sustainable 

development opportunities for the most marginalised 

communities. With a focus on food and water security, Martin’s 

work tackles inequality at its roots, empowering people to 

develop livelihoods, earn an income, to learn new skills and 

access education. 

Martin is passionate about working at the grassroots. To 

him, Malawi has some of the richest communities in the world. 

Through Caritas Australia’s partnership with CADECOM, 

Martin works with communities to harness their unique 

Catholic Super – providing superannuation 

services for more than 40 years 

Martin Mazinga and Sr Louise McKeogh FMA joined students at St Mark’s Catholic College for the launch of Project Compassion in the Diocese of 

Parramatta. Photo: Elizabeth McFarlane. 

strengths, skills and natural resources and to realise their vision 

of a just and equal world. 

This year, Project Compassion celebrates learning and 

Caritas’ work with local partners to ensure all children, women 

and men can harness the power of education, training and 

shared knowledge. 

As Pope Francis says: “Education is an act of hope.” Project 

Compassion is a reminder of how education can empower the 

most vulnerable communities to realise their hopes for peace, 

equality, dignity and justice. 

To make a donation to Project Compassion pick up a 

collection box from your parish or Catholic school or visit: 

www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion 

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CS106 150915 Catholic Outlook 260wx165h_v1.indd 1 

16/09/2015 12:48 pm

Make a connection this Easter – you can do it! 

By Richard McMahon, Director of Pastoral Planning & Implementation 

DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLAN 

An elderly lady rang me 

recently. Her husband passed 

away last year and she is very 

isolated. She just wants to connect 

with someone. We all know someone 

who needs a friend: at work, in our 

family circle, in our neighbourhood. 

But we sometimes get stuck when it 

comes to the next step. 

Here are some tips that may help 

you to invite them to an Easter cup of 

tea (offer to assist your parish, school, 

workplace or neighbourhood group 

to organise something). You may also 

invite them to an Easter Mass, or just 

to share a conversation. By the way, if 

you are feeling isolated, the following 

applies to you too! 

No more excuses 

I am too shy. Maybe they will 

reject me if I make contact with 

them. Maybe someone else is better 

placed to make a connection. All 

these things may be true. But deep 

down, they are all excuses. The truth 

is, if you have noticed someone, or 

have been thinking about someone, 

then they have already connected 

with you on some level. Maybe if you 

don’t make the connection, no one 

will. 

Pray for support 

Okay, it can take lots of courage 

to make that first step. Ask God to be 

with you. Start praying for the person 

you have in mind to approach. 

Make a commitment 

Commit to God your decision 

to connect and tell a close friend. 

Ask them to hold you to account. 

Be specific. Set a day and a time for 

making contact. 

Be safe 

If you are approaching a person 

from your parish who you don't 

know well, do so in a public place 

and let someone know what you are 

doing. If you are uncomfortable in 

an encounter, politely break it off or 

don’t initiate it. Your safety comes 

first. 

What will you say? 

If you don't know the person, 

introduce yourself. Seek common 

ground. Are you at the same place for 

a reason such as sport, Mass or work. 

Ask their opinion: “What do you like 

best about living around here?” is 

better than, “Have you lived in the 

area long?” 

What are you inviting them to do? 

People are naturally suspicious. 

Be quick to explain the purpose of 

making contact. You may invite them 

to an event, share a prayer card (see 

top right), or just make a connection. 

If inviting them to an event such 

as Easter Mass, Easter cup of tea, 

street party, be sure to give clear 

instructions. People usually want to 

know what to wear, what to bring, 

if it costs anything, how long it will 

be. Also reassure them you will meet 

them there and sit with them. On the 

day, introduce them to two or three 

others if possible. 

Worried about if they ask faith 

questions? 

If we identify ourselves as a 

Catholic, we can sometimes fear 

getting questions we may not know 

how to answer. It is okay to respond 

by affirming their questions and 

experiences, for example, “That is a 

good question. To be honest, while 

I love God and my faith, I don’t 

know the answer to that. If you are 

interested, I could find out more.” 

Or “I am sorry to hear that you have 

had a bad experience. I understand if 

you don’t want to come to the Easter 

cup of tea. But I would still like you 

to come.” 

Using our Year of Mercy cards 

One great initiative is the pocketsized 

Year of Mercy cards available 

at your parish and also in some 

diocesan schools. Each card comes 

with a beautiful image and quote, 

and a space for someone’s name, your 

name and a short message to tell 

someone you are praying for them 

for a certain reason. 

How would an approach work? 

It’s a simple idea that allows us in a 

non-threatening way to share our 

faith, for example, “Hi Emily. You 

were telling me about your brother 

being sick recently and I thought 

of you with one of these message 

cards. It’s just something to let you 

know that I’m keeping you and your 

brother in my prayers.” Think of 

people outside of the faith/Church 

circle and write a special message on 

these cards as an appealing way to 

share your faith. 

Following up 

It is best to keep follow-up 

contact as natural as possible. Jesus 

invites us to love one another. He 

does not ask us to force people or 

pretend to be their friend. Once we 

#mercyhasaface 

mercyhasaface.org.au 

have made initial contact, sometimes 

a wave or a “hello” helps keep the 

connection going, rather than racing 

across for an in-depth chat every 

time. Allow the connection to grow 

at its own pace. 

As we prepare for Easter, let us 

bring the resurrection to one other 

person through the simplest of 

interactions! Smile and say “hello” to 

someone new. 

If your parish would like a 

workshop on ways to reach out, 

contact the Pastoral Planning Office 

tel (02) 9831 4911, rmcmahon@ 

parra.catholic.org.au 

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Fr Fernando: The Mexican with the amazing lexicon 

By Joseph Younes 

While living in Hong Kong, Fr Fernando was invited to 

Australia in 2006 by the then Bishop of Parramatta, 

Bishop Kevin Manning. The invitation was simple 

enough, to lead the Chinese Chaplaincy in the Diocese of 

Parramatta. 

Fr Fernando took up the offer and quickly settled into his 

dual role at St Monica’s Parish, North Parramatta, initially as 

assistant priest under Fr Brian Rooney and by 2008 as parish 

priest. 

“Initially, I struggled with the Australian language, people 

speak so fast here,” the jovial Fr Fernando said. 

Fr Luis Fernando Montano Rodriguez MG, affectionately 

known as Fr Fernando to his parishioners, has a well-travelled, 

multilingual history. 

Ordained a priest in 1991 by the Guadalupe Missionaries 

(see panel below), Fr Fernando was born into a devoutly Catholic 

family in Mexico City, Mexico. He recalls his tender upbringing 

as laying the foundation for him wanting to become a priest. 

“From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a priest. The idea 

of being a priest was natural as I come from a devout practising 

Catholic family. This was normal, like someone wanting to 

become a lawyer or an engineer, I wanted to become a priest,” Fr 

Fernando said. 

“I want people to know who God is and what God can do for 

them. People need to know who Jesus is.” 

Undeterred by his initial hurdle in trying to understand 

Australian English, Fr Fernando puts his language skills to good 

use in his “highly, highly diverse, very highly diverse” parish. 

“We are small in geography, but a tight-knit community. I 

have people from all over the world; Australians, Europeans, 

South Americans, Lebanese, Indians, Sri Lankans, Filipinos, 

Chinese,” Fr Fernando said. 

“I speak Cantonese, Spanish, English, and Chinese signlanguage. 

My parish and chaplaincy are very close. We are a 

friendly Catholic community and are proud of being Catholic.” 

Fr Fernando’s ability to speak many languages is a gift to his 

parishioners at St Monica’s and the 300 faithful who make up his 

Chinese Catholic community. 

“People want to pray in their own language. The number 

of people from Hong Kong and, more recently, from China has 

The Guadalupe Missionaries 

The Guadalupe Missionaries ‘MG’ (Spanish: Misioneros de Guadalupe) are 

a missionary society from Mexico City, Mexico. Founded in 1949, they are 

dedicated to foreign missions around the world and have a presence through 

150 priests in Mexico City, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Kenya, Angola, 

Mozambique, Brazil, Cuba and Peru. 

“As Guadalupe Missionaries we go to countries in need. As a society, we are 

dedicated to giving out of the little we have,” Fr Fernando Montano MG said. 

“Our work is in foreign countries where there is a need.” 

Fr Fernando Montano MG. Photos: Elizabeth McFarlane 

increased. Me speaking to them in their own language is a huge 

experience, especially as some people have not heard the Gospel 

preached in their native tongue before,” Fr Fernando said. 

As for his chaplaincy work, Fr Fernando believes “there is 

always a need to minister”. “Language is important for people to 

speak to God. All chaplaincies are trying to be a bridge between a 

local ethnic community and the Church in Australia.” 

As a priest, Fr Fernando believes his work is about Jesus and 

His message of love, regardless of who the person is. “I want to 

help Jesus establish the Kingdom,” Fr Fernando said. 

What’s the secret to his ability to communicate with so many 

different groups of people with seemingly little in common other 

than a shared faith? 

“People come to church to hear the word of God, and for 

me, it’s about how I break down that message to such a diverse 

community. I try and use plain, simple, language” Fr Fernando 

said with a smile. 

Fr Fernando with the Southern Lion mask. 

The lion dancers pose for the 'eye opening' ceremony. 

Fr Fernando is the sole MG representative in Australia. 

Sr Angeles Melero MN practising using chopsticks. 

Music of 

J.S. Bach 

MUSIC OF JS BACH 

and Sacred Readings for Good Friday 

Friday 25 March 2016 at 7.30pm 

The Blue Mountains Chorale 

Robert Ampt 

Conductor and Organist 

Amy Johansen 

Choir Accompanist 

Readers from St Finbar’s Parish and neighbouring Christian Churches, 

Fr Jolly Chacko – St Finbar’s Parish Priest 

at 

St Finbar’s Church 

46 Levy Street, Glenbrook 

There will be a retiring collection; Suggested donation $15, $10 concession 

Inquiries tel (02) 4754 1780 

Bulk Billing for GP Services 

MEDICAL CENTRE OPENING HOURS 

Monday-Friday 8.00am-6.00pm 

Saturday & Sunday 9.00am-2.00pm 

Public Holidays to be advised 

NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY 

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Parking on-site available 

Pathology on premises 

DENTIST 

(DR GARIMA MALHOTRA) 

• Free initial check-up • 10% discount for seniors 

• Veterans’ Affairs cover and pensioners 

• Dental X-rays 

• Patients from all funds welcome 

• Medicare Bulk Billing - Health fund claims on the spot 

- for eligible children aged 

between 2 and 17 years of age 

Benefits up to $1000/child 

DOCTORS AND PHYSIOTHERAPIST 

DR. ARUNTHA JESUTHASAN (Female GP) 

DR. CHARLES HAYES (Male GP) 

DR. VAN NGUYEN (Male GP) 

DILHAN JAYAMANNE (Physiotherapist) 

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Immunisations Health Assessment 

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MEDICAL CENTRE 

81– 83 Richmond Rd, Blacktown, NSW | 9622 1998 




Chinese community 

welcomes New Year 

By Elizabeth McFarlane 

The Chinese community gather in St Monica’s Church, North Parramatta. 

Krystal Au and Tony Ng. 

Young families attended the celebration. 

There was a flurry of noise and colour as the Chinese 

New Year celebrations unfolded in St Monica’s Church, 

North Parramatta, on 14 February. 

St Monica’s Parish Priest and Chinese Chaplain, Rev 

Luis Fernando Montaño Rodriguez MG, was the principal 

celebrant for the Mass, which was concelebrated by Mons John 

Boyle and Rev Clement Hill. 

The church was adorned with the sights and sounds of 

China, with hanging Chinese lanterns adding a splash of red 

and orange to the milieu. 

Members of the Chinese community welcomed each other 

with a Happy New Year greeting: “Kung Hei Fat Choy!” 

A banquet lunch followed at Phoenix Restaurant located in 

Westfield Shopping Centre, Parramatta. 

“It was a big celebration of life, joy, community spirit and 

the richness of the Chinese culture,” Fr Fernando said. 

In China, families gather for the New Year to take part 

in a 15-day festival and enjoy meals, gift exchanges, parades, 

fireworks and theatre. 

Making wishes for luck, prosperity and good fortune, and 

warding off evil spirits, are central to the Chinese New Year 

celebration. 

Every year, a zodiac animal is featured; 2016 is the year of 

the fire monkey. 

Enjoying the cultural experience of the Lunar New Year 

festivities and dressed in Chinese attire, Fr Fernando took 

part in the traditional Chinese ‘eye opening’ ceremony of the 

dramatic lion dance. 

There was a burst of sound in the restaurant as the Chinese 

drum rolled. 

Two young women donned helmet doll masks, as two 

others stepped into the lion costume. 

As the lion sat on the ground, Fr Fernando dotted the lion’s 

eyes to wake him from his slumber and imbue his spirit. 

The Southern Lion represented in the performance is 

associated with the legend of a mythical monster called Nian. 

The lion worked its way around the tables, interacting with 

diners. The rhythmic and sprightly music continued as the lion 

operators danced in unison. 

Spectators fed the lion with red envelopes filled with 

money to help fundraise for the youth of the Chinese 

community attending World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, in 

July. 

Tony Ng and Krystal Au represented the youth and 

directed the running of the day. 

The day’s activities not only offered an up-close and 

personal view of the country’s customs and culture, but also 

provided a hands-on opportunity for the non-Chinese present 

to practise eating with chopsticks. 

Sr Angeles Melero MN of the Missionary Daughters of 

the Holy Family of Nazareth and her fellow Spanish Sisters 

relished the opportunity. 

Guided by onlookers, they learnt quickly, diving into the 

bowls of delicious Chinese cuisine with the chopsticks at hand. 

Originally from Mexico, Fr Fernando is the first non- 

Chinese Chaplain for the Chinese Catholic community at St 

Monica’s. 

He speaks Spanish, English and Cantonese, and knows 

Chinese sign language. 

As he engaged with those who attended the New Year 

lunch, he could be heard speaking all three languages. 

Parishioners were eager to get a photo with the energetic 

young priest. 

Allison Hamilton, Parish Secretary of St Monica’s, said 

Fr Fernando makes the parish unique. “He is very clever. He 

is brilliant in everything that he does. He gets involved with 

everyone,” she said. 

“He is the best boss I have ever had. He is so caring and he 

would do anything for anyone!” 

The parish is a cultural hub with 40% of the congregation 

being Chinese. Mass in Chinese is celebrated every Sunday at 

11.30am in St Monica’s Church, North Parramatta. 

To view a gallery of photos from the event, visit 

www.flickr.com/parracatholic/albums 

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY DEVOTIONS 

2.30pm on 3rd April 2016 

ST NICHOLAS OF MYRA PENRITH 

326 High St, Penrith 

• Blessing of Divine Mercy Image 

• Chaplet of Divine Mercy 

• Stations of the Cross 

• Homily and Benediction 

• Reconciliation till 4pm 

• Afternoon tea 4.15pm-5.15pm 

• DIVINE MERCY MASS 6pm 

‘Jesus I trust in you’ 

FROM* 

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CALL: 1800 819 156 

VISIT: harvestjourneys.com 

GRACES OF ITALY 

A 16 day pilgrimage 

departs 30th May 2016 

with Fr Ray Chapman SM 

Not only is Italy a land of unforgettable 

charm and beauty, it is also a land made rich 

in grace by its colourful history of holy men 

and women. 

Featuring: Venice • Padua • Florence 

• Assisi • Loreto • San Giovanni Rotondo 

Also departing 9th April and 29th September. 

Rome extension available. 



FAMILY & LIFE www.parrafamlife.org.au @parrafamlife parrafamlife 

Mercy: Not just a matter for 

judges but for families as well 

By Ben Smith, Director of the Family & Life Office 

To help families enter more deeply into the Year of Mercy 

it is important that we unpack the meaning of the word 

mercy. In our popular culture, the word mercy is often 

used in association with pleas for clemency for people facing 

the death penalty. 

This use of the term mercy is connected with the idea that 

someone who has power shows compassion by reducing the 

level of a person’s punishment. 

In this context, mercy can be seen by some as a form of 

judicial weakness stemming from a ‘bleeding heart’. 

However, this understanding of mercy only captures a 

small part of its full biblical meaning. 

The Old Testament used two particular words to express 

the mercy of God: hesed and rahamim. 

Hesed refers to God’s faithful love of Israel and is connected 

with a form of generous love that does not depend on whether 

it is deserved. 

It is also related to a self-sacrificial love that remains 

strong despite the challenges that might test the relationship. 

This aspect of mercy is associated with the image of God as a 

bridegroom who loves Israel His bride. 

Rahamim is a word that means womb-compassion. It is 

connected with the heartbreaking love that a mother has for 

her children. This sense of mercy portrays a feminine aspect 

to the mercy of God. It is also an aspect of mercy that is 

connected with strong feeling that springs from deep within a 

person. 

These two aspects enable us to gain a deeper appreciation 

of the word mercy if we apply this richer meaning to works of 

mercy. One dimension (the hesed dimension) of these actions 

is that as all human beings are created in the image and likeness 

of God, they have a dignity that needs to be respected. 

Consequently, as we are all human beings we have a 

responsibility to care for each other, especially the vulnerable. 

This care for the vulnerable should not stop at just an annual 

donation to Project Compassion or the Diocesan Works Fund. 

The rahamim dimension of a work of mercy is that it 

should also be heartfelt. The more personal a work of mercy is, 

the more this dimension can operate. 

For most people, it is in the family that we become acutely 

aware of the suffering of others. Our familial bonds make a call 

on us to provide help, but sometimes it can be harder to show 

mercy in our families compared to a stranger. The old saying 

“charity begins at home” also applies to mercy. 

Pope Francis recently identified the family as “the first and 

most important school of mercy, in which we learn to see God’s 

loving face and to mature and develop as human beings.” 

He sees that the family provides an antidote to 

individualism that creates a “kind of indifference towards our 

neighbours which leads to viewing them in purely economic 

terms.” 

Family life is extremely busy but we should regularly make 

some time as a family to visit the less fortunate in our extended 

family or our local community. 

This exposure will help form our children so that they will 

be less likely to spend too much time on Facebook and give 

mercy a face in the family and the community. 

For some ideas on how your family can perform works 

of mercy check out: www.parrafamlife.org.au/lent2016/ 

worksofmercy 

Polyptych with the Seven Works of Charity, Master of Alkmaar. 

Source: Rijksmuseum (www.rijksmuseum.nl) 

Our Our Lady of of the Rosary Parish, Kellyville 

Sunday 3 rd April 

1:00pm Eucharistic Procession 

Rosary Rosary in 5 in 5 languages in in church for those who cannot join the procession 

Blessed Sacrament street procession 

with the Relic of St. Faustina 

Exposition of the 

Blessed Sacrament 

Divine Mercy Novena 

Divine Mercy Chaplet 

Benediction 

Confessions 

Holy Mass 3:00pm 

Jesus I I Trust in You 

+ Veneration + Veneration of of St. St. Faustina’s Faustina’s Relic Relic 

+ Religious items items will will be be on on 

takes 

takes 

place 

place 

after 

after 

Mass. 

Mass. 

sale 

sale and 

and 

blessed 

blessed 

after 

after 

Mass. 

Mass. 

St. 

St. 

Faustina’s 

Faustina’s 

Relic 

Relic 

permanently 

permanently resides 

resides 

at 

at 

Our Our Lady Lady of of the the Rosary Rosary Parish, 8 Diana Ave, Ave, Kellyville Kellyville 

Bring your family and friends, refreshments afterwards 

Bring your family and friends, refreshments afterwards 

Enquiries: Steve Boland 0405 206 695 

Enquiries: Steve Boland 0405 206 695 



www.safeguarding.org.au 

OFFICE FOR SAFEGUARDING & PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS 

Driving a cultural shift: ‘Child protection is everybody’s business’ 


Claire Pirola is the new Manager of the 

Office for Safeguarding and Professional 

Standards. She comes to the Diocese of 

Parramatta from the Catholic Education Office 

in the Archdiocese of Sydney, where she worked 

for three years as part of the Safety, Wellbeing 

and Professional Services Team. 

Claire’s role includes general oversight of the 

Diocese’s engagement with external authorities 

including the NSW Ombudsman’s Office, the 

Office of the Children’s Guardian and NSW 

Police. 

“I have a passion for being a voice for 

minorities and for those who are vulnerable,” 

Claire said. “Children are one of a number of 

vulnerable people in our community. I want to 

ensure that they are seen and they are heard.” 

Claire said she wants to be part of the vision 

of the Office of Safeguarding and Professional 

Standards. “It is breaking new ground in setting 

up structures and models that I have not seen 

elsewhere.” 

The needs and the work of the office are 

constantly changing and Claire said one of 

their main roles is to drive a cultural shift in the 

community. 

“We can do the best that we can here but 

unless that’s supporting a shift in the community 

and in our parishes, then nothing much is going 

to change. “We all have a responsibility. Child 

protection is everybody’s business. 

“The only way we’re going to see a cultural 

shift is by giving a voice to survivors and the 

people who are close to them. They hold us 

accountable and tell us what we missed or have 

done wrong previously.” 

Claire Pirola: “The only way we’re going to see a cultural shift is by giving a voice to survivors and the people who 

are close to them.” Photo: Elizabeth McFarlane. 

Claire’s role has its emotional and personal 

challenges, but it’s the growth she can see in the 

community and in survivors that affirms her 

work. 

“Listening to people and walking with those 

who have suffered trauma is hard. We need to 

ensure that that sharing is not immobilising but 

that it mobilises us. 

“When you see a change in how people 

respond to the topic it is affirming. People 

can now talk about abuse and the abuse in the 

Church. Only by being able to talk openly about 

it can we begin to prevent it. 

“Many people identify with the Church 

and so when they see people in the Church 

have abused children or covered up abuse, and 

the reputation of the Church is harmed, it is 

personal for them. They personally feel harmed 

or their own personal faith feels harmed. 

“We have to acknowledge that this is part of 

our Church and who we are – as painful as that 

may be. 

“The change in the community is two-fold in 

that there is now a conversation about the abuse 

in the Church and because of that survivors 

are now able to seek healing and the Church 

leadership has opportunities to make change.” 

Claire said that because of the Royal 

Commission into Institutional responses to 

Child Sexual Abuse it was now permissible to 

talk about abuse. “Some people haven’t spoken 

about it for almost 50 years. We need to invite 

people to come forward and support them when 

they do.” 

Claire’s role will involve responding to 

referrals or calls from people within the 

community who have concerns about abuse and 

to report any allegations of abuse. 

“We assess the issue and we look at the most 

appropriate response. It’s about managing that 

and making sure it goes to the correct authorities 

and avenues within the Church and outside the 

Church.” 

Claire is looking forward to getting to 

know the different parishes and agencies in the 

Diocese. 

“I’m not from the Diocese so I don’t know 

everyone yet. I’m looking forward to working 

with and getting to know the parishes and 

agencies to see how best to support them in 

achieving the vision of a cultural shift and clearer 

response. 

“I won’t be working alone. We’ll be working 

closely with the other dioceses and looking state 

wide and nationally so that people don’t slip 

through systems. It’s a global issue and we are 

working to stand together. 

“The team here is fantastic and it’s been an 

easy transition. They have made me feel very 

welcome.” 

Celebrate the Holy Year of Mercy by supporting 

priests, religious sisters and brothers wherever 

the Church is poor, persecuted or threatened 

A priest visiting the 

sick in Peru 

Through their hands, God’s hand caresses the earth ... 

Priests and religious are above all the apostles of Divine 

Mercy - and not merely during the extraordinary Year of 

Mercy that Pope Francis has proclaimed for the whole 

Church. They feed the hungry, comfort the grieving, endure 

injustice. They promote reconciliation and absolve the 

repentant from their sins. Day by day, through the works 

of spiritual and corporal mercy, they show people the Face 

of the Merciful God. ‘They’ are the priests and religious 

of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis has proclaimed an 

Extraordinary Year of Mercy, which is intended to be “a 

time of grace for the Church and to help render the witness 

of the faithful stronger and more effective.” It is surely also 

an occasion to reflect with great gratitude on the witness of 

those who proclaim this Mercy with their whole lives. 

Throughout the world wherever the Church is poor, persecuted or threatened, there are 

tens of thousands of priests and religious daily living the ‘Yes’ they have already given 

to God. It is vital that the indispensable work of priests and religious in Christ’s Holy 

Catholic Church and throughout the missions worldwide continues. You can help this 

important work by donating online to the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need. 

A complimentary ‘Year of Mercy’ rosary designed 

by the Vatican Rosary makers and blessed by 

Pope Francis will be sent out to all those who 

donate $15.00 or more to help this cause. 

The inspiration behind the rosary design 

Every confessor must accept the faithful as the father in 

the parable of the prodigal son. Confessors are called 

to embrace the repentant son who comes home and to 

express the joy of having him back. Chosen to be the 

Mother of God, Mary from the outset was prepared by 

the love of God to be the Ark of the Covenant between 

God and man. She treasured divine mercy in her heart in 

perfect harmony with her Son Jesus. The red and white 

beads represent the rays of light of the Divine Mercy. 

Donate on line at www.aidtochurch.org 

ENROLLING 

now for 2017 

Catherine McAuley is a Catholic girls' secondary 

school, located at Westmead. Our broad curriculum 

encourages young women to pursue independent 

lifelong learning. 

OPEN NIGHT 

Tuesday 15 March 2016 

4.00pm - 7.00pm 

This school open event will give visitors the opportunity to tour the school and 

view facilities as well as meet our School Principal and School Leadership Team 

CONTACT OUR SCHOOL ON 9849 9100 FOR AN ENROLMENT PACK. 

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 1ST APRIL 2016 

Catherine McAuley, 2 Darcy Road, Westmead | www.mcauley.nsw.edu.au 



CATHOLIC EDUCATION 

www.parra.catholic.edu.au @CatholicEdParra CatholicEdParra 

Everything’s 

Connected 

When Pope Francis’ 

long-awaited encyclical, 

Laudato si’, was published 

last year, media reports 

tended to focus on its 

strong environmental 

message. Yet Pope Francis’ 

key focus, ‘Everything 

is connected’ is much 

broader: “Concern for 

the environment … needs 

to be joined to a sincere 

love for our fellow human 

beings and an unwavering commitment to resolving the 

problems of society,” the Holy Father teaches. 

On 21 January, school leaders from across Western 

Sydney and the Blue Mountains gathered at Rosehill 

Gardens for ‘Everything’s Connected’, an inspirational 

System Leadership Day. The event featured speakers 

including Rev Chris de Souza PP; Neal Murphy, Director 

of Mission at St John of God Health Care and former 

student and Triple J newsreader Nas Campanella. 

Together we watched a powerful short film on the 

inclusion of people with disability, The Interview, 

featuring local actor Gerard O’Dwyer. It’s available on 

YouTube from Bus Stop Films and it’s a must-watch. 

Inclusion of people with disability is an important feature 

of Pope Francis’ message: “When we fail to acknowledge 

as part of reality the worth of a poor person, a human 

embryo, a person with disabilities – to offer just a few 

examples – it becomes difficult to hear the cry of nature 

itself; everything is connected.” 

As Neal Murphy from St John of God Health Care 

reminded us, the experience of belonging (including 

in school communities) is often denied to people with 

disability. Neal’s passion about schools’ role in the 

healing mission of Christ is an inspiration. 

We also had a real-life example of the power of inclusion 

in Nas Campanella, a graduate of Sacred Heart Primary, 

Mt Druitt; St Agnes Catholic High School, Rooty Hill, 

and Loyola Senior High, Mt Druitt. Triple J newsreader 

Nas, who is blind, shared her personal story of the lifechanging 

impact of teachers. 

Pope Francis has also declared 2016 the 'Year of Mercy'. 

We had the opportunity to reflect on mercy in our 

communities and were asked three searching questions: 

How will you be the merciful face of Christ to students, 

colleagues, parents and community; when will our 

students and teachers experience mercy this holy year; 

and when will our students be the merciful face of Christ 

to others? 

It’s a call not just to be Christ-like but to see Christ in all 

members of our communities, especially those on the 

fringes. That’s why I asked every school leader to love 

most those so-called ‘difficult’ students, who struggle to 

belong not just in the playground and classroom but in 

everyday life. 

I’ve often said that the time for improvement in 

education has passed, that our focus must be 

transformation. Pope Francis’ vision of connectedness 

is a sublime challenge to educators, to really transform 

schools and ‘Our Common Home’, the earth. 

A challenge to create communities without outsiders, to 

see Christ in the other, especially when it’s tough. I think 

it’s a challenge that we’re not just equal to, but made for! 

Greg Whitby 

Executive Director of Schools 

@gregwhitby 

blog: bluyonder.wordpress.com 

Everything’s Connected at S 

Rev Chris de Souza, Delegate of the Diocesan Administrator, focused on what leaders need to be thinking about in their work as Catholic school leaders 

and educators. 

More than 450 school and education office 

leaders in the Diocese of Parramatta gathered 

at Rosehill Gardens on 21 January 2016 

for the annual system leadership day, prior to the 

commencement of the new school year. 

Opening the day with a focus on student diversity, 

Executive Director of Schools Greg Whitby said the 

theme ‘Everything’s Connected’ was taken from Pope 

Francis’ encyclical on the environment, Laudato si’, 

which calls for humanity to accept shared responsibility 

for the care of nature and our human relationships in a 

changing world. 

At the end of last year, Greg spoke at the Vatican World 

Congress in Rome delivering a keynote address, ‘How 

do we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land’. He shared 

some of the key points with school leaders, highlighting 

the need for Catholic schools to transform learning and 

teaching, not just improve. 

“We’re learning to sing a new song in a strange land but 

we’ll be well positioned in the work that we do,” Greg 

said. 

“Improvement has had its time, we now need to talk 

about transformation – to go about the re-imagination 

process,” he said. 

Greg launched the System Strategic Direction 2016-19 

outlining five key priorities: 

• Forming committed disciples of Jesus Christ; 

• Focus learning and teaching to meet the needs of 

each student; 

• Build capacity to use data to inform teaching and 

system decision making; 

• Develop new ways to partner with parents and 

families; and 

• Develop innovative learning environments. 

Rev Chris de Souza PP, Delegate of the Diocesan 

Administrator, focused on what leaders need to be 

thinking about in their work as Catholic school leaders 

and educators. 

“We need to ask ourselves, do I see everything; engage 

with everything; have I left anything out; can I do that 

through engaging with colleagues – what do you hear; 

what do you understand?” Fr Chris said. 

“(The) challenge to be inclusive means everything is new 

and the gift that is Jesus can keep on challenging us to 

see new possibilities in the present moment,” he said. 

A highlight of the day was the moving address from 

keynote speaker Neal Murphy, Director of Mission 

at St John of God Health Care, ‘To belong, I have to 

be missed’. Neal shared his vision of schools’ work 

towards the healing mission of Jesus Christ through 

involving disabled students and their families in school 

communities. 

Neal, who works with children and young people with 

disability and their families on a regular basis, challenges 

established mindsets about disability education. 

His address provided meaningful insights into the 

daily struggles families advocating for a disabled child 

experience. “Parents are always asking ‘why are people 

not interested in my child belonging?’,” Neal said. 

“To be successful as teachers, we have to see inclusion as 

an act of love,” he said. 

Describing himself as ‘an encourager’, Neal’s message to 

school leaders is that inclusion is not easy but achievable. 

Schools have a powerful role to play in modelling the 

inclusion of people with a disability with dignity in 

mainstream education and society. 

Team Leader Student Services Mary Creenaune spoke 

about the work of schools in making ‘diversity the norm’. 

“I am inspired by passion in schools to create ‘Diversity 

is the Norm’,” Mary said. 



www.parra.catholic.edu.au @CatholicEdParra CatholicEdParra 

CATHOLIC EDUCATION 

ystem Leadership Day 2016 

Keynote speaker Director of Mission at St John of God Health Care Neal 

Murphy challenged leaders’ established mindsets about disability education. 

The Executive Director of Schools Greg Whitby launched the System Strategic Direction 2016-2019. 

Triple J newsreader and graduate of Catholic schools in the Diocese of 

Parramatta Nastasia Campanella. 

“Leaders need to consciously continue to create an 

inclusive culture for students seeking a Catholic 

education that is attainable for students with disability. 

“I urge leaders to recognise each person as unique, rather 

than being identified by their disability,” she said. 

Triple J newsreader Nastasia Campanella is a graduate of 

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Parramatta. Nastasia, 

who was blind from the age of six months, spoke to 

educators and leaders about managing diversity from a 

student perspective. 

From her own experience of being blind and unable 

to read Braille due to Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, 

which affected the sensation in her hands, Nas recalled 

the challenges she overcame in her schooling and 

professional life. 

Nas was introduced to screen-reading software called Job 

Access with Speech (Jaws) and the use of audio books to 

help her to read. 

"Suddenly that child who hated 

reading and used to cry herself to 

sleep every night for feeling like a 

failure, wanted to do nothing more 

than sit with a book." 

"I hope that from having me as a student my teachers 

have learnt how to be resilient and creative in their 

teaching. 

“I can’t stress enough how important the beginning of 

term meetings were to me; they allowed us to set goals 

and discuss issues honestly and openly, and at the end of 

the term have another meeting to evaluate the strategies 

that we had used and to evaluate how we could do things 

better. 

“I was asked every step of the way what I wanted and I 

believe that has contributed to my success,” she said. 

Director of Evangelisation and Religious Education Ian 

Smith spoke about the Year of Mercy. 

“Pope Francis has reminded us that we are living in the 

time of Mercy, the time to heal wounds,” Ian said. 

Ian asked attendees to reflect upon times God has shown 

His mercy, and attendees will be the merciful face of 

Christ to their students, colleagues, parents and the 

community during the Jubilee Year. 

Throughout the year, school leaders and education staff 

will have further opportunities to participate in their 

professional learning such as the Principals Masterclass 

and the Catholic Education, Ann D Clark lecture. 

For more school news, visit: 

CatholicEdParra 

@CatholicEdParra 

www.parra.catholic.edu.au 

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS 

WEEK 6-12 MARCH 2016 

I belong. You belong. We belong. 

Find a Catholic school near you, visit catholicschools.nsw.edu.au 

Proudly supported by 

CELEBRATING THE 

YEAR OF MERCY 



CATHOLIC EDUCATION www.parra.catholic.edu.au @CatholicEdParra CatholicEdParra 

Hub Schools provide pathways for creative and 

performing arts 

CAPTIVATE Hub Schools provide pathways for Music, Dance and Drama students. 

In 2015 Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta established Hub Schools, providing 

pathway for deep learning in Music, Dance and Drama for students in years Years 7-10. 

CAPTIVATE’s Artistic Director David Russell said the courses are designed to bring together 

students interested in excellence in performance. 

“They are highly practical courses with a heavy emphasis on learning through performance 

preparation,” David said. 

“Theoretical knowledge and technical skills are developed, however assessment is on the 

practical demonstration of knowledge and skill as a performer,” he said. 

For more information about CAPTIVATE Hub Schools, visit http://captivate.parra.catholic. 

edu.au/hub-schools 

More Reading Recovery teachers to support literacy 

On 3 December 2015, the Reading 

Recovery Graduation ceremony 

was held at St Francis of Assisi 

Primary, Glendenning, where 

33 teachers completed their first 

year of training and 38 completed 

their second year and received 

their registration number. Seven 

teachers also graduated with L2 

qualifications, which are integrated 

with Year 2 comprehension and 

writing. 

Reading Recovery teachers at their graduation. 

Reading Recovery is an early 

literacy intervention that provides 

one-to-one teaching for children who need greater assistance in learning to read and write 

following their first year at school. 

Our Lady of the Angels Primary’s Reading Recovery teacher Frances Eisenhuth said that 

when reflecting on the group's learning she was reminded of the story of the butterfly who 

was assisted out of its cocoon by a well-meaning human cutting the cocoon open, making it 

easy for the butterfly to escape its confines. 

“We know not to cut their ‘cocoons’ but work with them to develop a self-extending system,” 

Frances said. 

“Teachers aim to produce independent readers whose reading and writing improve whenever 

they read and write,” she said. 

St Patrick’s Marist student wins UNSW Women in 

Science 50:50 award 

St Patrick’s Marist College, 

Dundas Year 12 student In Hee 

(Christy) Baek. 

St Patrick’s Marist College, Dundas, Year 12 student In Hee 

(Christy) Baek won the University of NSW (UNSW) Women in 

Science 50:50 competition for 2015. 

Christy developed a filter mask and skin lotion that reduces the 

level of micro-dust penetration. 

The UNSW Women in Science 50:50 award meant Christy also 

received $4000. 

Christy thanked St Patrick’s Marist College’s Leader of Learning 

for Science Michael McFarland for teaching her science for two 

years. 

Michael said it was a wonderful achievement. “It is wonderful to 

see Christy win this prestigious prize,” Michael said. 

“The skill set that she has developed at St Patrick's Marist has 

certainly come to the fore,” she said. 

Religious Education leadership program forms ‘disciples’ 

Religious Education Coordinator graduates of the Forming Intentional 

Disciples in Every School (FIDES) Leadership Program. 

On Monday 30 November 

2015, 33 Religious Education 

Coordinators graduated from the 

Forming Intentional Disciples in 

Every School (FIDES) leadership 

program. 

The ceremony was led by Director 

of Evangelisation and Religious 

Education Ian Smith who said 

FIDES was a transformational 

program. 

“FIDES focuses on Christian 

discipleship, collaborative leadership, evangelisation, mentoring and formation,” Ian said. 

“This annual program includes eight days of professional learning, an intensive pilgrimage 

and being partnered with a peer-mentor,” he said. 

Holy Family’s Maths Challenge Club 

Holy Family’s Maths Challenge Club. 

On 2 December 2015, Holy Family 

Primary, Emerton’s Math Challenge 

Club had their end-of-year celebration 

after a successful year of Maths 

Challenges. 

Teaching Educator (Numeracy) 

Tammy Roosen said this year students 

from Stage 3 at Holy Family chose 

to join Maths Challenge Club every 

Wednesday after school. 

“The weekly one-hour session 

was run by tutors from Australian 

Catholic University, as a way to create 

a partnership between the school 

community and the university,” 

Tammy said. 

“Students enjoyed the club and were able to describe how learning during Maths Challenge 

Club helped with their classwork,” she said. 

2016 

Calendar 

Parents Representative Council, Parramatta Diocese (PRC) 

ALL PARENTS WELCOME! 

Term Meeting Date & Time Venue Presentation Topic Presenters 

1 Mon 29 Feb 2016, 7pm Patrician Brothers’ College, Blacktown Setting up for Success for your child in 2016 

Sue Veling, Principal Our Lady of the Way Primary, Emu Plains 

Kathy Ferrari, Teaching Educator, Catholic Education, 

Santo Passarello, Principal, Patrician Brothers’ College, Blacktown 

2 Mon 30 May 2016, 7pm Diocesan Assembly Centre, Blacktown 

Special Needs classes in our schools including 

ASPECT Western Sydney School Satellite Classes 

ASPECT Western Sydney School 

3 Mon 22 Aug 2016, 7pm Nagle College, Blacktown Helping your child manage Anxiety 

Anoushka Houseman, Clinical Psychologist/Lead counsellor, 

Catholic Education 

4 Mon 14 Nov, 2016, 7pm Diocesan Assembly Centre, Blacktown Future Directions/Where we’re heading Greg Whitby, Executive Director of Schools, Catholic Education 



ALL presentations occur during the PRC General Meeting

www.ccss.org.au CCSSParramatta 

CATHOLICCARE SOCIAL SERVICES 

Providing compassionate, professional and relevant support to the people in our diverse community 

Offices at Blacktown, Emerton, Parramatta, Penrith, Springwood, call (02) 8822 2222 

Baulkham Hills Family Day Care 

Are you looking for high quality and 

affordable accredited child care? 

Baulkham Hills Family Day Care (BHFDC) has been 

providing child care to the local community since 

1979. Providing individualised education and care for 

children, BHFD supports the provision of home-based 

child care. 

Family Day Care offers childcare for children aged from 

six weeks to 12 years. Care is provided in the homes of 

registered educators, who are trained, supported and 

monitored by the qualified staff in the coordination unit. 

Family Day Care provides children with the opportunity 

to play and learn in a small home-like environment. 

Activities provided are targeted at children's interests 

and needs. Children are able to interact socially within 

a small group as well as establishing a one-on-one 

relationship with the individual educator. 

May is one of many BHFDC Educators who has been 

praised on numerous occasions. One client commented: 

“May is an amazing educator and carer. My two love 

going to May’s every day. May is not just an educator, she 

is like a second mum and she treats all her kids like they 

were her own. We can't speak highly enough of May.” 

Flexible hours, overnight care, weekend care, and care 

for school-aged children is available. Child care benefit 

is available to assist with childcare fees, and parents are 

also eligible to receive the Child Care Rebate. 

Educators provide an educational program for children, 

and are working within the National Quality Standards, 

which include the Education and Care national 

regulations and Education and Care National Law 

and Early Years learning Framework and School years 

Framework. 

Family 

RELATIONSHIPS 

SERVICE 

When life presents challenging personal, family or unexpected events, 

the experienced and qualified counsellors at CatholicCare’s Family 

Relationship Service are there to provide support, counselling and 

education to individuals, couples, parents and their children. 

Children are able to interact socially within a small group. 

BHFDC covers the Baulkham Hills Shire area including: 

Winston Hills, Baulkham Hills, Bella Vista, Kellyville, 

Rouse Hill, Stanhope Gardens, Beaumont Hills, Rouse 

Hill, Castle Hill, Kenthurst and Glenwood. 

This is an expanding service and we are currently 

looking to increase our areas of operation. Any inquiries 

are welcome, whether you are seeking care for your 

child or children, or interested in becoming an educator. 

Please contact (02) 9639 1346 for further information. 

BEREAVEMENT 

SUPPORT 

PROGRAM 

For men and women who grieve the death of 

their spouse or partner. 

COURSES & EVENTS 

Responsible Gambling Support Group ̶ this group is free 

and is held every Saturday, 9.30am-11am. CCSS Centre, 38 

Prince St, Blacktown. Tel (02) 8822 2222. 

Financial Literacy for Youth ̶ would you like to know more 

about managing your money and strategies to achieve your 

financial goals? CatholicCare Social Services in partnership 

with The Hills Community Aid & Information Service Inc 

and Blacktown Youth Services Association are holding 

sessions on 'Financial Literacy for Youth'. 9 & 16 March, 

3.30pm-5pm, 15 First Ave, Blacktown. Tel (02) 9639 8620. 

Couple Evening ̶ 'Text, Twitter, Tweet - Couples, the 

Internet and Social Media', Friday, 18 March at 7.30pm. 

Shane Smith, Director of Prepare/Enrich Australia and 

Vice President of the Marriage and Relationship Educators 

Association of Australia, will give an address on the impact 

of the internet, mobile technology and social media on 

couple relationships, and how digital technology matters 

in the lives of Australian couples. Free event. St Paul the 

Apostle Parish Hall, 40 Buckley's Rd, Winston Hills. Light 

supper served. To register tel (02) 8822 2222, marriage@ 

ccss.org.au 

Blacktown Neighbour Aid ̶ can you volunteer one hour 

a fortnight to brighten the life of an elderly person in 

Blacktown? To find out more tel (02) 8822 2222, bna@ccss. 

org.au 

Stepping Beyond – Post Separation Support is on the last 

Tuesday of the month, 7.30pm-9.30pm. CCSS Centre, 38 

Prince St, Blacktown. Fee: $5 per meeting. Tel (02) 8822 

2222, soloparentservices@ccss.org.au 

Younger Widowed Support Group ̶ third Tuesday of 

each month, 7pm-9pm. OLOL Parish Centre, 1 Canyon Rd, 

Baulkhan Hills. Fee $5 per meeting. Tel (02) 8822 2222, 

soloparentservices@ccss.org.au 

Bereavement Support Program ̶ for men and women who 

grieve the death of their spouse or partner. Fortnightly on 

Tuesdays, 10.30am-12.30pm. CCSS Centre, 38 Prince St, 

Blacktown. Fee $5 per meeting. Bookings essential. Tel (02) 

8822 2222, soloparentservices@ccss.org.au 

Natural Fertility Awareness Evening ̶ learn about natural 

fertility methods. Wednesday 4 May, 7.30pm, Holy Spirit 

Parish, St Clair, 5 Todd Row, cnr Moore St, St Clair. Free 

event, supper provided. To register tel (02) 8822 2222, 

nfs@ccss.org.au 

Circle of Security ̶ program designed to enhance 

attachment security between parents and children. 

Help parents raise their children with love, warmth and 

emotional intelligence. Thursdays from 28 April – 16 June, 

10am-12.30pm, Blacktown CCSS Centre, 38 Prince St, 

Blacktown. Tel (02) 8822 2222. 

Our Groups Include 

KEEPING KIDS IN MIND (KKIM) for separated parents. 

Next group starts Wednesday 11 May in Parramatta for 5 weeks 

MY KIDS AND ME for parents whose children are in kinship or 

out-of-home care. Next group starts Friday 29 April 2016 in Penrith 

ROLLERCOASTERS FOR KIDS support primary-aged children and 

their families struggling with family separation. Next group starts Monday 

23 May at Blacktown 

COOL KIDS for primary and pre-school children experiencing anxiety 

Next group starts Wednesday 11 May in Springwood. 

For further information on any of the groups, please contact 

Trish Nowland | Phone: (02) 8822 2222 

A series of eight workshops providing 

an opportunity for those who are 

widowed to further understand the 

ways grief impacts on their lives. 

TUESDAYS FORTNIGHTLY 

5 April - 12 July 2016 

10.30am to 12.30pm 

38 Prince Street (cnr First Ave) 

Blacktown 

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL 

Ph (02) 8822 2222 

or email soloparentservices@ccss.org.au 

Springwood Drop-in Centre ̶ Drop in for a cup of tea 

and a chat, public use computers, WiFi and study space, 

community information, volunteering and bushfire support, 

counselling services and referral. Open Monday to Friday, 

10am-4pm. To arrange an appointment for counselling tel 

(02) 4751 4956 or visit the Drop-in Centre, Shop 3/163 

Macquarie Rd, Springwood. 

Recover Wellbeing ̶ recovery oriented program and 

support groups for people living with depression and 

bipolar and their families. Monthly get togethers 4 

Wellbeing include Drum4Wellbeing, Dance4Wellbeing, 

Sew4Wellbeing, Create4Wellbeing, Splash4Wellbeing. 

Further information tel (02) 8822 2222, julie.webster@ 

ccss.org.au 

CreateAbility Day Options ̶ provides a service for people 

with disability. Offers opportunities and programs tailored 

to fulfil individual needs and aspirations. For further 

information tel (02) 9670 5321, createabilityenquiries@ 

ccss.org.au 



DIOCESAN NEWS 

Maria Lette celebrates 100 years of life 


The lines on her face tell the 

story. It was her smile that 

drew me in, shortly followed 

by her piercing blue eyes. 

Maria Christina Lette has 

an enduring gaze and her wispy, 

silver hair can be said to match her 

silver-tongue. 

After another flash of the 

camera, she quipped: “Have you got 

your money’s worth yet?” 

It was a lively jest. 

Maria’s youngest child, Theresa 

Brazell, and her second eldest, 

Alphons Lette, quickly chimed in. 

Maria Christina Lette celebrated her 100th birthday last month with more than 200 family 

members. Maria’s secret to a long life could be a large and loving family. 

Photo: Elizabeth McFarlane. 

“She’s always had such a 

great sense of humour!” Theresa 

exclaimed. 

“She’s never given up the fun,” 

Alphons said with a chuckle. 

Maria celebrated her 100th 

birthday on 6 February at St 

Anthony’s Church, Toongabbie, with 

more than 200 family members. She 

was presented with a Papal Blessing 

from the Parish Priest, Rev Arthur 

Bridge. 

With 12 children, 56 

grandchildren and 99 greatgrandchildren 

(and the 100th on 

the way), Maria’s secret to a long life 

could very well be a large and loving 

family. 

“We mix so much together. To 

keep in touch with each other we 

had a family newsletter going out 

every fortnight for quite a few years,” 

Alphons said. 

Maria was born in 1916 in 

the Netherlands, growing up in a 

town called Hengelo, which is east 

of Amsterdam and close to the 

German border. 

Her parents, Maria and Hendrick 

Boevink, had 11 children. 

It was a different time. Maria 

grew up hearing the clattering 

hooves of horses pulling bread and 

milk carts in the early morning. 

She would ride her bike around 

the town, passing corner stores and 

the market in the town square where 

her family would buy fruit and 

vegetables. 

She was 19 when she attended 

the local dance hall and met 

Herman, the love of her life and the 

father of her 12 children. Herman 

was a machinist who made silk 

stockings. 

When Maria was 23 they married 

and went on to raise 10 children 

before deciding to migrate to 

Australia. 

“In the mid-1950s, nylon was 

invented. It went from silk stockings 

to nylon stockings and the factory 

my Dad was working in started to 

install the new machines," Alphons 

said. 

"But that meant they would need 

less than half of the staff. Six of the 

machinists, including my Dad, came 

to Australia because Holeproof 

in Sydney was still making silk 

stockings." 

Once in Australia, Maria and 

Herman had two more children 

and in 1959 they bought a house in 

Toongabbie, just a 10-minute walk 

from St Anthony’s Church. 

“We’re very involved in the 

parish. Prayer and church were 

foremost with both our parents. 

Toongabbie Parish means a lot to 

us,” Theresa said. 

Almost all of Maria’s children 

were married in St Anthony’s 

Church, as well as many of her 

grandchildren. Even some of 

her great-grandchildren have 

been baptised and received other 

sacraments in the parish. 

Maria and Herman were married 

for 32 years before Herman died of a 

heart attack in 1971 at the age of 57. 

“It was sudden. I was 11,” Theresa 

said. 

“Mum did it pretty rough at the 

time,” Alphons said. “But she kept us 

all together." 

Theresa said Maria's biggest 

regret was that Herman was not 

there to share this special occasion. 

"She always says, ‘My family is 

wonderful but Dad should be here 

with me,’” she said. 

Maria’s 100th birthday was an 

opportunity for her extended family 

to come together to celebrate her 

long and blessed life. 

“There was a lot of catching up 

to do between the cousins and the 

grandkids,” Alphons said. 

The celebrations concluded 

with lunch at a restaurant in Seven 

Hills where Maria was presented 

with congratulatory letters from 

the Queen, the Prime Minister, 

the Governor-General, the NSW 

Premier, and other political 

dignitaries from both houses of 

parliament. 

Diocesan Development Fund 

Catholic Diocese of Parramatta 

Supporting the 

growing needs of the 

institutions and agencies within 

the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta 

www.parra.catholic.org.au/ddf 

Disclosure Statement 

The Diocesan Development Fund Catholic Diocese of Parramatta (DDF) is not subject to the provisions of the Corporation Act 2001 nor has it been examined or approved 

by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. 

Deposits with the DDF are guaranteed by CDPF Limited, a company established by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference for this purpose. 

We welcome your investment with the DDF rather than with a profit oriented commercial organisation as a conscious commitment by you to support the Charitable, 

Religious and Educational works of the Catholic Church. 

Neither the DDF nor the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Parramatta are prudentially supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority; 

contributions to the DDF do not obtain the benefit of the depositor protection provisions of the Banking Act 1959; the DDF is designed for investors who wish to promote 

the charitable purposes of the DDF. 

ST PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL 

MASS TIMES AND REGULAR SERVICE 

Weekend Masses 

Saturday 8am, 9:30am 

(Mass in the Extraordinary Form – Latin), 

6pm (Vigil) Sunday 8am, 9.30am (Family 

Mass), 11am (Solemn Mass), 6pm 

Weekday Masses 

Monday to Friday 6.45am,12.30pm 

Public Holidays 8am 

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 

Monday to Friday 11.15am-12.20pm 

First Friday of the month 6pm-7pm 

Sacrament of Penance 

Weekdays 11.15am-12.20pm 

Saturdays 8.30am-9am, 5pm-5.30pm 

Devotions 

Morning Prayer of the Church 

Monday to Friday 6.30am 

Saturday and Sunday 7.30am 

Angelus 

Monday to Friday noon 

Rosary 

Monday to Friday after Angelus at noon 

Canticle of Our Lady’s Marian Movement 

Friday 1pm 

Christian meditation 

Tuesday 9.30am-10.15am 

Baptism - Sunday 12.45pm by appointment 

Marriages - By appointment 

Contact the Parish Secretary 

tel (02) 8839 8400 or email 

1 Marist Place, Parramatta 



DIOCESE OF 

CatholicYouthParra @cyp_parramatta @CatholicYouthParra 


PARRA-MATTERS! PALM SUNDAY AND POLAND 

By James Camden, Director of Catholic Youth Parramatta 

Parra-Matters! Strengthen your team for 2016 

In late February, we gathered a number of team leaders from 

various Catholic youth teams that provide youth ministry 

services to schools, parishes and movements in Sydney. 

Their wisdom and experiences gave much-needed formation 

on how to foster a positive team approach and get the right 

people in the right jobs for our important ministry with young 

people. A great way to start 2016! Thanks to the young people 

of St John XXIII Parish, Glenwood-Stanhope Gardens, for a 

wonderful evening. 

Palm Sunday & Good Friday Night Walk 

Join us on Palm Sunday at Parramatta Town Hall at 5.15pm 

when Church Street will be closed as we process to St Patrick’s 

Cathedral on 20 March. Following the Mass, there will be an 

event in the cloister celebrating World Youth Day and the WYD 

2016 raffle will be drawn. 

The Good Friday Night Walk will again begin at St Patrick’s 

Church in Blacktown at 10pm. The Youth Council has developed 

a program that will deepen our appreciation of the Year of Mercy 

in the context of Holy Week and the Passion of our Lord. 

LIFTED Live! Fr Rob Galea and his Band 

LIFTED Live! is the new name for our large-scale 

evangelisation events for young people here in the Diocese. 

We’re proud to announce that we will be hosting Fr Rob Galea 

and his Band for a two-hour concert at the Riverside Theatre on 

Friday 8 April. The concert is open to people of all ages. Tickets 

are $30 and selling fast. Make sure you don’t miss out! Book 

online at: www.riversideparramatta.com.au 

The Youth Mission Team at St Patrick’s Cathedral. Photo: Elizabeth McFarlane. 

Welcome to the Sydney Youth Mission Team 

Members of the Youth Mission Team are giving up a year 

of their lives to take the Gospel to our high schools. They’ve 

put work, their career or tertiary study on hold for the sake of 

reaching out to young Australians. The Sydney team resides in St 

Michael’s Parish in Baulkham Hills. 

Each team member commits to living with their teammates 

in a radical lifestyle of prayer, simplicity and mission for one year 

at a time. 

They spend two days a week in the regular workforce and 

pool their wages to cover their basic living expenses, leaving 

Wednesday to Sunday available for full-time ministry in schools 

and youth groups and on retreats and camps. 

This year’s team consists of Peter Dominish (manager), 

Jacqui Holden (Sydney), Jenelle Xerri (Melbourne), Eric Della 

Bosca (Melbourne), Catherine Lee (Adelaide), Paul Fam 

(Sydney) and Grace Barclay (Canberra). 

We look forward to working alongside these talented and 

generous young adults as they carry out the mission of the 

Church here in Sydney. For more information, check out 

www.ymt.com.au 

WYD 2016 Krakow Poland Update 

There has been a remarkable response to our pilgrimages 

with registrations and deposits coming in every day. We now 

expect in excess of 300 pilgrims making this epic journey of 

faith. 

Our current projections indicate that the two pilgrimages 

will consist of approximately: 

• 120 young adults from 22 parishes; 

• 90 Year 11 school students; 

• 70 young teacher pilgrims (under 35YO) from primary & 

secondary schools; and 

• 50 support staff, Diocesan Leaders and Chaplains. 

As the WYD raffle will be drawn on Palm Sunday, we 

encourage parishes to support young people in selling their 

tickets at Mass up to a week before. 

To be in the barrel for the draw, all purchased ticket butts 

must be returned to Tony Jose, diocesan Director of Financial 

Services & Development, at the Chancery by Monday 14 March. 

Follow us on @cyp_parramatta 

Join us on Catholic Youth Parramatta 

CATHOLIC YOUTH PARRAMATTA 

PRESENTS 

Put those you love 

in the hands 

of those who care 

FR ROB GALEA 

LIVE IN CONCERT 

FEATURING GARY AND NATASHA PINTO 

FRIDAY 8 APRIL 2016 

7.30PM 

RIVERSIDE THEATRES 

CNR CHURCH & MARKET STREETS 

PARRAMATTA 

TICKETS $30.00* 

*TRANSACTION FEES MAY APPLY 

CATHOLIC PRIEST • SINGER • SONGWRITER • YOUTH WORKER • THE X-FACTOR AUSTRALIA 2015 

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM 

MAJOR SPONSORS 

ENDORSED BY 

8839 3399 

RIVERSIDEPARRAMATTA.COM.AU 

BROKEN BAY 

SOCIAL MEDIA 

FRROB.COM 

@FRROBGALEA 

Sydney (02) 9519 5344 | Parramatta (02) 9687 1072 

wnbull@wnbull.com | www.wnbull.com.au 




Palm Sunday Procession 

WYD Mass & After Party 

Friday March 25 

Sunday 20 March 

5pm Blessing of Palms at 

Parramatta Town Hall 

5.30pm Procession through 

the Parramatta CBD 

6pm World Youth Day Mass 

followed by an After 

Party with Filipino 

and Polish Food, 

Dancing, WYD updates 

and Drawing of the 

WYD Raffle 

Good Friday Night Walk 

10pm Gather in St Patrick’s Church, 

51-59 Allawah St, Blacktown 

Overnight Walk overnight from Blacktown to 

Parramatta 

6.30am Arrive at St Patrick’s Cathedral for 

pancake breakfast 

get updates on Catholic Youth Parramatta 

James Camden - CYP Director 

tel (02) 8838 3428, JCamden@parra.catholic.org.au 

www.parrawyd.org 

Gala dinner raises more 

than $100,000 for WYD16 

pilgrim project in Philippines 

A 

rebuilding project on the 

earthquake-devastated 

island of Bohol in the 

Philippines was the focus of a 

fundraising dinner hosted by 

the Diocese of Parramatta on 19 

February. 

More than 600 people filled 

the Grand Ballroom of the 

Westella Renaissance Reception 

House at Lidcombe. On the night, 

over $100,000 was raised due to 

enthusiastic support for a silent 

auction, the purchase of Year of 

Mercy candles and ticket sales. 

Money raised will directly 

fund a Learning Centre at the 

Sacred Heart Academy and other 

smaller projects in the Parish of 

Loon. 

The work will be undertaken 

in July this year by 350 young 

people taking part in the Diocese 

of Parramatta’s pilgrimage 

to World Youth Day (WYD) 

in Krakow, Poland, via the 

Philippines. 

In welcoming guests, the 

Diocesan Administrator Very 

Rev Peter Williams said that 

participation in WYD had been 

life changing for many pilgrims. 

“To engage in a pilgrimage 

is a very ancient practice of the 

Church, and for many it is not so 

much the destination that matters, 

but rather the journey to get 

there,” he said. 

“For one group of pilgrims 

this will involve a ‘stational’ 

experience in the Philippines. 

Many of you will be aware of the 

recent devastation in parts of the 

Philippines due to the earthquake. 

“The destruction has seen 

essential infrastructure destroyed 

and, in particular, parish churches 

and schools. 

“In supporting this evening, 

you will make it possible for 

young people from our Diocese to 

participate in a rebuilding project 

that will have a lasting effect upon 

one Filipino community.” 

The after-dinner address was 

given Hon Madam Mayor Leonila 

Montaro of Panglao Island. Guests 

included Madam Anne Jalando- 

On Louis, the Philippines’ Consul- 

General in Australia; and Rev Fr 

Joel A Ruyeras, Parish Priest of 

Our Lady of Light Parish in Loon 

in the Diocese of Tagbilaran. 

Entertainment was provided 

by singer and comedian Adam 

Scicluna. 

"In supporting this 

evening, you will 

make it possible for 

young people from our 

Diocese to participate 

in a rebuilding project 

that will have a lasting 

effect upon one 

Filipino community." 

Background to the project 

On the morning of 15 October 

2013, when many residents were 

on their way to work and school 

on Bohol Island, a 7.2 magnitude 

earthquake, energy equivalent to 

32 Hiroshima bombs, shook the 

region. 

The earthquake killed 222 

people, with eight declared 

missing and more than 900 

injured. As well as the human toll, 

73,000 buildings were damaged – 

14,500 destroyed. Many parishes 

and schools in the region were 

completely devastated. 

As part of the first leg of 

our diocesan WYD pilgrimage, 

pilgrims will assist seven of the 

parishes in most need and will be 

working alongside Filipino youth; 

teaching, mentoring, painting, 

preparing vegetable gardens, 

feeding malnourished children 

and completing minor repairs. 

The major project is the 

building of a learning centre for 

Sacred Heart Academy with 756 

students in Our Lady of Light 

Parish. Students in schools in the 

area are still receiving lessons in 

makeshift classrooms. 

Diocese of Parramatta 

pilgrimages 

The Diocese will be taking two 

pilgrimages to WYD in Krakow – 

one via the Philippines and one via 

Poland, the homeland of St John 

Paul II. 

Current projections indicate 

that the two pilgrimages will 

consist of approximately: 

• 120 young adults from 22 

parishes; 

• 90 Year 11 school students; 

• 70 young teacher pilgrims 

(aged under 35) from primary 

and secondary schools; and 

• 50 support staff, Diocesan 

Leaders and Chaplains. 

Full travel details, including 

pricing, are now available online. 

Young people aged 16-35 are 

invited to register at http:// 

parrawyd.orwg/the-pilgrimage/ 

For more information contact 

Mark Tuffy, Executive Officer 

for WYD 2016 in the Diocese 

of Parramatta: mtuffy@parra. 

catholic.edu.au 

James Camden, Director of 

Catholic Youth Parramatta: 

JCamden@parra.catholic.org.au 

To view a gallery of photos from 

the evening, visit www.flickr.com/ 


theLMent.com 

Our retired Priests have always been a part of 

your FAMILY, 

in your celebrations, unions, 

happiness & sadness 

CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA CLERGY SUPPORT FOUNDATION 

In their retirement, 

they can still remain a part of your 

FAMILY 

CARING FOR THOSE WHO CARED 

Please support our sick and 

retired Priests through the Clergy 

Support Foundation. 

Donations are welcome at any 

time – amounts of $2 or more are 

tax deductible. 

If you are preparing or changing 

a Will you may consider 

bequeathing a donation to the 

Foundation. 

For more information please call 

(02) 9639 0598 or donate online 

at www.parra.catholic.org.au 



CatholicYouthParra @cyp_parramatta @CatholicYouthParra 


WITH GRATEFUL 

THANKS 

Guests included: Hon Madam Mayor Leonila Montaro of Panglao Island; Madam Anne Jalando-On Louis, Philippines' Consul-General in 

Australia; and Rev Fr Joel A Ruyeras, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Light Parish in Loon in the Diocese of Tagbilaran. Photos: Alfred Boudib. 

Fr Joel A Ruyeras (left), Parish Priest of Our Lady of Light Parish, 

with Fr Ruben Elago MSP, Parish Priest of Mary Immaculate Parish, 

Quakers Hill. 

James Camden, Director of Catholic Youth Parramatta. 

Hon Madam Mayor Leonila Montaro of Panglao Island 

Sr Rosie Drum, Deputy Director of Catholic Youth Parramatta. 

Dinner guests purchased Mercy Has a Face candles. 

The Diocese of Parramatta is grateful to the sponsors and 

supporters of the WYD Gala Dinner on 19 February. Their 

generosity made it possible to raise more than $100,000 for 

our WYD pilgrim project in the Philippines. 

The money will directly fund a Learning Centre at the Sacred 

Heart Academy and other smaller projects in the Parish of 

Loon on Bohol Island. 

Diamond sponsors 

Deloitte, ME Document Solutions, Patrician Brothers’ College 

Blacktown, Terry Shields Toyota, FAL Construction Group, 

Western Sydney Plumbing, Celestin, Oz Fashions, Cisco Secure 

Agility, Austwide Property Maintenance Services, Diocese of 

Parramatta, Diocesan Development Fund, Catholic Education 

Diocese of Parramatta 

Platinum sponsors 

Reitsma Constructions 

Gold sponsors 

Catholic Commission for Employment Relations, Cingle Vue 

Silver sponsors 

Dance Fever Multisport, Friends of Bohol, 

Emmaus Catholic College, Kemps Creek 

Our thanks to 

Westella Renaissance, the Institute for Mission, CAPTIVATE and 

Parramatta Marist High, Westmead students and staff for their 

support on the night. 

To those who made donations 

Catholic Church Insurance, CPL Architecture, Baxter Bus Lines, 

Australian Turf Club, Parramatta Leagues Club & Parramatta Eels, 

St Dominic's College Kingswood, HelloWorld Tamworth, GWS 

Giants, Hawkesbury Fine Dental, St Bernadette's Primary, Dundas, 

Master Bathrooms & Kitchens, St Aidan's Primary, Rooty Hill, and 

El-Phoenician Restaurant. 

Diamond sponsor Oz Fashions is providing our WYD pilgrim merchandise. 

Hawkesbury Youth Parish Action (HYPA) Group is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic part-time 

Youth Ministry Leader who will be responsible for leading the faith formation program for youth in the 

Hawkesbury area. 

The successful applicant must have a strong desire to develop a successful youth ministry program 

within the Hawkesbury parishes and be a practising Catholic who is knowledgeable in his/her faith. 

The applicant should also possess excellent communication and organisational skills needed to work 

both independently and cohesively with parish and diocesan organisations, schools and families. 

Demonstrated experience in youth ministry or currently studying/completed study in a relevant field 

would be an advantage. 

For further details and an application package send an email to irenegalea@bigpond.com 

Applications close Friday 11 March 2016. 

Child protection legislation requires preferred applicants to be subject to employment screening. 



SOCIAL JUSTICE 

Parramatta YCW putting new life into old computers 


"...the service fulfils 

a greater mission 

than simply reducing 

waste. It engages 

young people to 

use their gifts and 

talents to help others. 

The more suppliers 

we have, the more 

volunteers we will 

need." 

Greg Tsiamoulis, Rafael Tordilla and Phillip Tsiamoulis hope the services will help to transform lives. 

Photos: Elizabeth McFarlane. 

Phillip Tsiamoulis and Greg Tsiamoulis (right) have a passion for computers and volunteering. 

The Parramatta Young Christian Workers 

(YCW) is calling on parishes, schools and 

organisations to donate older or unwanted 

computers that can be refurbished for re-use. 

The demand for refurbished computers is high 

but the service requires suppliers to be able to 

run. 

Located at 25 Union Street, Granville, the 

Parramatta YCW House is filled with the gentle 

hum of computers. 

Every Saturday, young volunteers can be found 

inspecting the cavities of old machines. 

They are currently refurbishing old computers 

from St Joseph’s Parish in Kingswood to send to 

East Timor where 60% of the population is under 

25 years of age. The majority of these young 

people are considered unemployed. 

One young woman who will benefit from the 

refurbished computers is Elia, whose university 

studies were interrupted when she gave birth and 

became a single parent. 

When she is able to work, it is low paid or 

unpaid work in the hospitality industry. 

The refurbished computers will be utilised 

to provide Elia with support in monitoring job 

advertisements, updating her resume, writing 

applications for relevant jobs and preparing for 

interviews. 

The YCW is also running similar services in 

our Diocese in Parramatta and Granville. 

The YCW is a Catholic movement with the 

mission to engage young people and form them 

in the faith through community action, reflection 

and review. 

Rafael Tordilla, the Project Worker for the 

Parramatta YCW, coordinates Computer Classes 

and Job Club Services in Parramatta Library 

and Granville Library, as well as the Computer 

Refurbishment service. 

The services work to transform the lives 

of disadvantaged people in the community. 

Together they provide resources, training in the 

use of those resources and insight into how to use 

those new skills to find employment. 

“The Computer Refurbishment service aims 

to make sure nothing goes to waste and that the 

resources go to a good place,” Rafael said. 

“But the service fulfils a greater mission than 

simply reducing waste. It engages young people 

to use their gifts and talents to help others. The 

more suppliers we have, the more volunteers we 

will need. 

“It is important to engage with more young 

people so that we can support them in reflection 

on how their faith plays out in the volunteer work 

they undertake.” 

Without the dedicated volunteers, the services 

would not run and it is their willingness to 

give up their time to give back that Rafael finds 

inspiring. 

Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy 

Penrose Park 

Fatima Day: Sunday March 13 

Principal Celebrant: Fr Suresh Kumar 

Assistant Priest at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Greystanes 

Divine Mercy Devotions - First Sunday of the Month 

Fatima Family Sunday: March 20 

“We need passionate and dedicated volunteers. 

The services wouldn’t exist without them. The 

services belong to them. The way they run and 

how they are organised is largely dependent on 

them,” he said. 

“I see their faith being put into action. They 

choose to be here on a Saturday morning and 

that passion to make a difference is inspiring.” 

One of the key volunteers is Phillip Tsiamoulis, 

a software developer for the Australian Securities 

and Investments Commission (ASIC). 

“Phillip is basically the lynchpin for the 

service. If he ever goes, he will be very 

difficult to replace. His skills are not limited to 

computing. He has electrical skills and he trains 

other volunteers to sustain the service,” Rafael 

explained. 

Phillip has a great passion for computers and 

volunteering. 

“Computers have always been a part of me. It’s 

just something I really enjoy. The fact that I can 

share what I enjoy with other people and that 

they also want to learn is rewarding,” he said. 

Phillip installs open source software on to old 

hardware. This allows the old computers to run 

smoothly. 

“To put it simply, open source software 

means you’re provided with all of the code so 

you can develop the operating system. Linux 

is free open source software, and you can run 

multi-functional operating systems like Zorin OS 

on it,” he said. 

“Once installed, you can use old hardware. 

Microsoft is closed and therefore you can’t see 

how it runs. It’s also more expensive and more 

susceptible to viruses. 

“This refurbishment revitalises old hardware 

and overrides all of the issues associated with 

using Microsoft on old hardware.” 

But volunteering for the Computer 

Refurbishment service does not require a 

thorough understanding of operating systems. 

“It helps if you know a bit about the 

components of a computer. But having said that, 

if you’re dedicated, a good listener and have some 

Lego-building skills, you can volunteer for this 

service,” Rafael said. 

“The issue is not the number of volunteers we 

have. We have the volunteers. We need suppliers 

to maintain this service.” 

For more information on the services provided 

by the Parramatta Young Christian Workers, 

please contact: 

Rafael Tordilla 

Project Officer 

Parramatta YCW 

E-mail: rafael.tordilla@ycw.org.au 

Tel: (02) 9682 6719 

Mobile: 0412 536 753 

Upcoming celebrations in Our Shrine: 

Passion Play starts at 11am on Good Friday 25 March 2016 

The moving Re-enactment of Our Blessed Lord’s sufferings will 

commence at the front entrance of the Shrine. Please note that the 

gates will close at 10.45am so the Passion play may begin without 

traffic coming through. 

Address: 120 Hanging Rock Rd, Sutton Forest, NSW, 2577 

For map please see our website www.penrosepark.com.au 

Pauline Father’s Monastery 

Address: 120 Hanging Rock Road, Berrima, NSW, 2577 Phone: 02 4878 9192 

Email: paulinefathers@yahoo.com.au 

Website: www.penrosepark.com.au 



Liturgical Ministry Formation 

Course commences 

By Sr Mary Louise Walsh ISSM, Liturgy Educator in the Office for Worship 

DIOCESAN NEWS 

Are you called to a 

ministry of pastoral care 

in hospitals? 

By Joy Bowen, Hospital Liaison Manager 

The first participants commenced the course at the Institute for Mission in Blacktown. Photos: Adrian Middeldorp. 

Last month’s diocesan Mass for World Day of the Sick was an acknowledgement of carers 

and those for whom they care. Photo: Alfred Boudib. 

During the course the participants develop practical and pastoral skills. 

A 

course that provides 

participants with the 

opportunity to deepen their 

faith through their understanding of 

liturgy and ministry commenced in 

Blacktown and Penrith last month. 

The Liturgical Ministry 

Formation Course in the Diocese of 

Parramatta focuses on formation for 

readers of the Word, extraordinary 

ministers of Communion, 

Communion to the sick either at 

home, in a nursing home or hospital, 

adult altar servers (senior servers) 

and acolytes. 

Participants from across Western 

Sydney commenced the course at 

two venues: the Institute for Mission 

at Blacktown and St Nicholas of Myra 

Parish at Penrith. 

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During the course the 

participants develop practical and 

pastoral skills. The awareness of 

duties involved in these ministries is 

also covered. 

The ministry of acolyte, available 

to male applicants, provides the 

participants with a practical 

understanding of how to assist the 

celebrant at the Eucharist. 

The preparation for this role also 

includes preparation for the ministry 

of the Word as the role of the acolyte 

demands that the person ministering 

as an acolyte is also responsible to 

ensure that the reader knows exactly 

how and what to do during the 

liturgy of the Word. 

In a similar way, the acolyte 

must be aware of the role of the 

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The awareness of duties involved in these 

ministries is also covered. 

extraordinary minister of the 

Eucharist. Therefore, the candidate 

for this role will complete the whole 

course. 

Senior servers (who may be 

females) will also need to know and 

understand the roles of extraordinary 

minister of the Eucharist and the 

participants in the ministry of the 

Word. 

The Liturgical Ministry 

Formation Course is held twice a 

year. The next course will take place 

in August 2016. 

For further information contact 

the Office for Worship tel (02) 9831 

4911 or ofw@ifm.org.au 

If you would like to consider 

being involved in liturgical ministry, 

please contact your parish priest. 

$1299 

Catholic pastoral care volunteers 

and extraordinary ministers 

of the Eucharist visit 

hospitals throughout the Diocese of 

Parramatta, providing comfort and 

care to Catholic patients and others. 

Many of our volunteers have been 

committed to this ministry for years. 

Would you like to join the team? 

If you are a person who loves 

practical learning, gathering with 

like-minded people and meeting new 

friends, this course is for you. You 

can make a very real difference, while 

earning a recognised qualification. 

The NSW Department of Health, 

recognising the importance of this 

ministry, asks that prospective 

volunteers undertake 40 hours of 

training in order to minister to those 

in public hospitals. 

At present, this is the only 

40-hour course officially endorsed 

by the Civil Chaplaincies Advisory 

Committee and the Diocese of 

Parramatta. 

The course is open to those 

who already volunteer in a hospital 

context, those who might be deciding 

if they are suited to this ministry or 

anyone who just wants to improve 

their life skills. 

The first step for each participant 

is to speak with their Parish Priest 

and have him complete a letter of 

recommendation. A template can be 

provided. 

The program is organised by 

Ms Joy Bowen, a Hospital Liaison 

Manager who has worked for more 

than 15 years in chaplaincy, including 

as a full-time chaplain at Westmead 

Adults Hospital and The Children’s 

Hospital at Westmead. 

The course is offered over five 

evenings and is complemented by 

written tasks and course readings. 

For further information, please 

call Joy on 044 88 22 625. 

To register for the program, 

please send an email to JBowen@ 

parra.catholic.org.au 

Course dates for 2016 

Five Mondays: 4, 11 and 18 April, 

2 and 9 May 2016. 

Time: 7pm-9.30pm. Cost: $50 

Venue: St Nicholas of Myra 

Parish Meeting Room, 326 High 

Street, Penrith. 

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NEWS & EVENTS 

Divine Mercy Holy Year in 

Upper Blue Mountains 

Church network 

critical to Fiji response 

The Parish of St Mary of the 

Cross MacKillop, Upper 

Blue Mountains, has entered 

into the Jubilee Year of Mercy with 

various celebrations. 

Before every Mass on Sundays 

and weekdays the Divine Mercy 

prayers are said. On the first Sunday 

of every month beginning at 3pm 

there is a 90-minute Divine Mercy 

celebration at St Bonaventure’s 

Church at Leura, with song, music, 

prayer, readings and at times a 

special talk, all before the Blessed 

Sacrament exposed. 

A first-class relic of St Faustina 

is often present. It ends with 

benediction in time for the Sunday 

evening Mass at 5pm. 

Every Friday at 5.15pm there is 

a special 30-minute Divine Mercy 

devotion at St Bonaventure’s Church 

at Leura. During Lent there are 

weekly Stations of the Cross in both 

St Canice’s Church at Katoomba 

and St Francis Xavier’s Church at 

Wentworth Falls. 

The several Lenten groups have 

the divine mercy as their theme, and 

daily Confessions are available. 

On 20 February, the parish 

hosted a day-long seminar at Leura, 

presented by a special Divine Mercy 

team from Sydney. 

As a follow-on, on 4-5 March 

the parish will celebrate 24-hours 

for the Lord. Planning has begun to 

take the Divine Mercy to the streets 

on Winter Magic Day in the Blue 

Mountains in June. 

In preparation for Divine Mercy 

Sunday on 3 April, the Divine 

Mercy Novena will begin in the 

parish on Good Friday. On Divine 

Mercy Sunday the special afternoon 

of celebration at St Bonaventure’s 

Church at Leura will start at 

3pm, and all visitors will be most 

welcome. 

There will be exposition of 

the Blessed Sacrament, prayer, 

praise, music, organ and choir, 

adoration and sung chaplet of 

Divine Mercy. Confessions will 

be available throughout, finishing 

with benediction and then the Feast 

Day Mass at 5pm. There will be 

refreshments and conviviality in the 

parish hall after Mass. 

A new parish initiative for 

the Year of Mercy is a monthly 

series of faith-formation seminars 

at Katoomba, featuring visiting 

speakers. 

This series was launched on 

6 February with four Sydney 

speakers: Robert Haddad, Charbel 

Raish, Madeline Vella and Simon 

Carrington. All visitors are welcome 

for these monthly seminars. 

On Saturday 19 March, we 

will welcome Sarah Swafford, the 

first of our international speakers. 

Sarah is from the US and has been 

seen regularly on the international 

EWTN Catholic network and is 

featured in the Chastity Project 

range, available through Parousia 

Media in Australia. 

Sarah Swafford event in 

St Canice’s Parish Hall: 

10am: Mass in St Canice’s 

Church, Katoomba. 

11am: Talk 1 – Emotional 

Virtue. Men and women today 

are faced with a constant 

assault on their emotions from 

the media or the environment 

around them. Sarah targets this 

battle within by setting forth 

a vision for virtue in the 21st 

Century, one that focuses on 

beginning with the end in mind 

and building what will last. 

12.40pm: Lunch (BBQ at the 

parish hall) 

1.20pm: Talk 2 – 

Understanding Emotional 

Virtue by parents and friends. 

As a parent, relative, friend, 

or anyone close to a young 

woman or man passing 

through stages of life, it can be 

hard to watch your loved ones 

go through this challenging 

time. How can someone help 

and not just stand by? Sarah 

offers an understanding of 

Emotional Virtue for the friend 

or carer. 

3pm: Finish. 

Time for some sights at 

Katoomba, with Sunday 

Vigil Mass at 5pm in St 

Bonaventure’s Church at Leura. 

Our parish churches 

St Canice’s Church, 158 

Katoomba Street, Katoomba; 

St Bonaventure’s Church, cnr 

Railway Parade & Hartley 

Esplanade, Leura; and 

St Francis Xavier’s Church, Day 

Street, Wentworth Falls. 

Tropical Cyclone Winston left 

a trail of destruction in Fiji 

and the Tongan islands of 

Vava'u and Ha'apai last month. The 

category five storm is thought to be 

one of the strongest to have hit the 

Southern Hemisphere with winds 

gusting to 300km per hour. 

In Fiji, the Archdiocese of Suva 

through the Commission for Justice 

and Development is assessing the 

damage and planning a coordinated 

response. 

Shelter is a major priority 

and there are an estimated 750 

evacuation centres around the 

country. 

The Catholic Church, supported 

by Caritas Oceania agencies 

including Caritas Australia and 

Caritas Aotearoa NZ, is responding. 

The Caritas network, part of 

one of the largest humanitarian 

networks in the world, remains 

ready to respond in Fiji as needs 

become clearer. 

Caritas Australia’s Pacific 

Programs Manager, Stephanie Lalor, 

said preparing communities to be 

first-responders in emergencies was 

a fundamental part of the overseas 

aid and development agency’s 

humanitarian work. 

“Our thoughts and prayers are 

with all the communities, friends 

and partners in Fiji and the region 

where the cyclone has made landfall. 

We remain in close contact with 

our partner organisations on the 

ground, ready to provide support 

where necessary,” she said. 

Caritas Australia’s partner 

Peoples Community Network 

(PCN) in Fiji, works in informal 

settlements where many of the 

poorest and most marginalised have 

been impacted. PCN is urgently 

assessing the damage but initial 

reports indicate these low-lying 

communities have been hit hard. 

The Church plays a key role in 

reaching out to the most vulnerable 

Supported by Caritas Australia, education 

and training gave Eric and Ma the tools they 

needed to overcome a life of uncertainty in 

Fiji. Photo: Caritas/Drew Morrison. 

communities, particularly those on 

the margins in the outlying islands. 

Iosefo Nainima, the Archdiocese 

of Suva’s Director for Justice and 

Development, said Cyclone Winston 

had caused extensive damage to 

homes, public offices, businesses, 

trees, crops, roads, electricity lines, 

telephones and bridges. 

“Most of the villages along its 

path are completely destroyed with 

sea walls washed away. The most 

immediate need is for tarpaulins, 

blankets, food, farming equipment 

and seedlings for vegetables,” he 

said. 

After responding to immediate 

needs following the cyclone, 

Caritas Australia is committed to 

accompanying Fiji and Tonga and 

other Pacific nations that remain 

vulnerable through the cyclone 

season. 

“We are encouraging our 

supporters to raise funds for the 

current Project Compassion Lenten 

Appeal, which helps vulnerable 

Pacific communities such as Tonga 

and Fiji respond to emergencies 

build back stronger and prepare for 

future disasters,” Ms Lalor said. 

You can make a donation 

today at: www.caritas.org.au/ 

projectcompassion 

Thursday 17 March 2016 

Holy Hour for Vocations 

St Patrick’s Cathedral, 1 Marist Place, Parramatta 

Everyone is welcome to join the Holy Hour for Vocations from 

7pm-8pm on the 3rd Thursday of each month for an hour of 

adoration, prayer, music and quiet time in the Blessed Sacrament 

Chapel in St Patrick’s Cathedral. 

To find out more about priesthood in the Diocese of Parramatta 

contact Fr Warren Edwards, Director of Priestly Vocations 

Tel 0409 172 700 or email vocations@parra.catholic.org.au 

Calling for nominations 

for 3 diocesan awards 

Nominations are now open for three diocesan awards: 

The Diocesan Medal of Honour 

The Diocesan Medal of Honour seeks to encourage 

and recognise outstanding contribution and service 

by members of the Parramatta diocesan community 

in work on behalf of the Church and society. The 

Diocesan Medal of Honour is awarded for outstanding 

service to parish, Diocese and community. 

The Diocesan Citation of Merit for Youth 

The Diocesan Citation of Merit for Youth seeks to 

encourage and recognise youth between the ages of 18 

and 25 who have shown outstanding contribution and 

service to the parish, Diocese and community. 

The Diocesan Certificate of Recognition 

The Diocesan Certificate of Recognition seeks to 

encourage and recognise outstanding contribution by 

non-Catholic members of the Diocese of Parramatta 

community, for work supporting the parish, Diocese 

and community. 

An overview for how to make a nomination and 

notations are available from: 

Rev Dr Arthur Bridge AM PP 

Chairman of the Diocesan Honours 

Committee 

Tel (02) 9631 3316 

arthurbridge@arsmusica.org.au 



The inter-church law service was held in St Patrick’s Cathedral. Photos: Elizabeth McFarlane. 

Inter-church service for law year 

An inter-church service to 

mark the commencement of 

the 2016 law year was held in 

St Patrick’s Cathedral in Parramatta 

on 3 February. The service is an 

opportunity to pray for guidance for 

those seeking or dispensing justice 

during the coming year. 

Participants included magistrates, 

judges and members of the legal 

fraternity, Members of Parliament 

and other civic leaders and 

dignitaries, members of the NSW 

Police Force, representatives and 

members of local Christian churches 

in the Parramatta region. 

The Dean of St Patrick’s 

Cathedral, Very Rev Bob Bossini, 

presided at the service. The readings 

were proclaimed by Rev Neil Atwood, 

representing Rt Rev Ivan Lee, Bishop 

of the Western Region, Anglican 

Diocese of Sydney, and His Honour 

Justice Foster. 

The Gospel was proclaimed by 

Rev Keith Hamilton, Senior Minister, 

Uniting Church in Australia, and 

Group CEO of Parramatta Mission. 

The prayer of intercession was 

prayed by Supt Dean Smith of NSW 

Police and Mr Chris Maley. 

Other participants included 

Most Rev Kevin Manning, Bishop 

Emeritus of Parramatta, and Rev 

Fr Chris de Souza, Delegate of the 

Diocesan Administrator, Very Rev 

Peter Williams. 

The address was given by Rev 

Fr Paul Roberts, Director of the 

Institute for Mission in the Catholic 

Diocese of Parramatta. Fr Paul spoke 

of the relationship between justice 

and mercy as “not two contradictory 

realities but two dimensions of a 

single reality that lead us higher”. 

He said that in encouraging a 

Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis 

stresses justice as both a necessity 

for civil society and as that which is 

rightly due to each person. 

“In his background document, 

Misericordiae Vultus, … he also 

highlights, as in our religious history, 

that law as legalism rather than for 

serving and embracing a higher 

possibility misses the boat,” Fr Paul 

said. 

“Francis paints a picture of 

religious leaders whose righteousness 

lacks any abandonment to the higher 

gift that is the source of good. Mercy 

on the other hand is the way of 

reaching out gratuitously to offer 

transformation.” 

Fr Paul went on to say that “Pope 

Francis makes the big call that if God 

limited Himself to only justice, He 

would cease to be God, and would 

instead be like those who ask merely 

that the law be respected. 

Superintendent Dean Smith of NSW Police 

chats to Fr Paul Roberts. 

Rev Neil Atwood proclaims the first reading. 

“And limited only to this 

appeal he points out will lead to the 

destruction of the law, for it needs 

also the transformation it serves. 

So from a faith perspective, God 

doesn’t deny justice but holds it and 

then surpasses it with mercy and 

forgiveness.” 

“Let’s ask blessing on the 

endeavors of our work; especially the 

various roles and works of the law 

that are represented here and likewise 

by our networks of colleagues and 

friends,” Fr Paul said. 

“For most people exercising 

these roles and works there was an 

ideal that led them there, a hope that 

life would be influenced and made 

different, lifted and imbued with 

possibility. And yet the shine can 

quickly dull and the pressure or even 

the mundane can overwhelm. 

“And may our service of others, 

in the midst of their hopes and goals, 

and our service of others amidst some 

of their more dramatic and broken 

experiences of life, hold and continue 

to reorient them.” 

Members of the legal profession 

joined together in praying the prayer 

of commitment. 

To view photos from the 

service, visit www.flickr.com/ 


11 

12 

17 

19 

21 

23 

8-10 

MARCH CALENDAR 

PENITENTIAL SERVICE 

The Church recognises the Call to Continuing Conversion of 

Candidates who are preparing for Confirmation and/or Eucharist 

or Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church. 

Time: 7.30pm in St Patrick's Cathedral, Parramatta, followed by 

supper. 

MERCY AND THE FEMININE GENIUS 

The Anima Women’s Network invites you to explore how women 

can make a unique contribution to the Year of Mercy. Speaker 

Karen Doyle is the co-founder of CHOICEZ MEDIA, an author 

and speaker. She is also the co-founder of Sisterhood, a national 

Catholic women’s movement. From 9.30am-noon in St Patrick’s 

Cathedral Hall, Parramatta. Cost: $5 students & $10 adults. RSVP 

by 9 March: famlife@parra.catholic.org.au Details: http://goo. 

gl/2nFQFp 

HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS 

Everyone is welcome to join the Holy Hour for Vocations from 

7pm-8pm for adoration, prayer, music and quiet time in the 

Blessed Sacrament Chapel in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. 

FEAST OF ST JOSEPH MEN’S BREAKFAST 

Learning from St Joseph – Living purity of heart in a porn 

saturated culture. Speaker Paul Ninnes is the Managing Director 

of Real Talk Australia, an organisation that focuses on the topics 

of sex, relationships and personal identity from a Christian 

perspective. Mass at 8am in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, 

followed by breakfast with speaker, ends 10.30am with morning 

tea. Cost: $15 students, $20 adults. RSVP 16 March: famlife@ 

parra.catholic.org.au www.parrafamlife.org.au/category/events/ 

THE OFFICE OF TENEBRAE 

Join the Diocesan Administrator, Very Rev Peter Williams, for 

a special meditation liturgy during Holy Week. Tenebrae is a 

Liturgy of Psalms, Chanting, Motets and Scripture celebrated in 

the shadows of candlelight at 7.30pm in St Patrick's Cathedral, 

Parramatta. 

CHRISM MASS 

The Apostolic Nuncio will preside at this year’s Chrism Mass. The 

Oil of the Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick will be blessed 

and the Oil of Chrism consecrated. These holy oils will then be 

given to the parishes for use during the year. During the Mass, 

the priests renew their commitment to priestly service. Everyone 

is welcome. Mass at 7.30pm in St Patrick’s Cathedral. 

APRIL CALENDAR 

WEEKEND FAMILY CONFERENCE 

The National Association of Catholic Families is hosting a family 

conference at Merroo Christian Centre, Kurrajong, with talks and 

activities for all ages. Speakers include Bishop Peter A Comensoli. 

Family catechesis and prayer, evening social entertainment and 

the company of other Catholic families. Registration closes 11 

March. Details: nacf.sydney@hotmail.com or tel Mary (02) 9875 

3664 or Karen 0413 539 378. Register at: www.trybooking. 

com/159690 

For more events visit: http://catholicoutlook.org/event/ 

Free e-book for computer, e-reader, tablet or iPhone 

Son of God: 

The Daily Gospel Year C-2 

This e-book is authored by Father Ted Tyler, Parish Priest of St 

Mary of the Cross MacKillop Parish, Upper Blue Mountains. Copies 

may be downloaded free of charge to a computer or e-reader or 

tablet. 

The e-book offers the Gospel for every day of this Liturgical Year 

C-2 (Sundays Year C, weekdays Year 2), together with a reflection 

of some 750 words on each daily Gospel. This Liturgical Year C-2 

continues till November 2016. 

The e-book contains the Gospel passages not only for this present 

Liturgical Year, but for any C-2 Liturgical Year in the future, 

together with their reflections. 

It may be passed on to friends or acquaintances as desired. It 

carries the Imprimatur of Most Rev Anthony Fisher OP, Archbishop 

of Sydney. 

Son of God: The Daily Gospel Year C-2 may be accessed at: 

www.catholic-thoughts.info/ebook/ 

“The most beautiful 

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Filmed and Edited by 

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A unique inside portrait of 

the world of the Tyburn Nuns. 

“This film takes you into 

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What is life in a cloistered Benedictine 

community really like? Let the Tyburn 

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ORDER ONLINE: 

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Catholic Outlook March 2016

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