01.11.2016 Views

CO_November16

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

CatholicOutlook<br />

The official publication of the Diocese of Parramatta www.catholicoutlook.org | VOLUME 19, NOVEMBER 2016<br />

LIFTED Live:<br />

Young talent rocks<br />

St Patrick’s Cathedral<br />

Photo: Alphonsus Fok<br />

THE SHRINE OF THE HOLY<br />

INNO CENTS AT KELLYVILLE<br />

PROVIDED A WON DERFUL<br />

SPACE FOR THE FAMILIES<br />

WHO AT TENDED<br />

THIS YEAR’S FAMILY<br />

SUNDAY GATHERING.<br />

page 3 page 21<br />

A DECISION BY THE<br />

CITY OF PARRAMATTA<br />

TO BE<strong>CO</strong>ME A REFUGEE<br />

WEL<strong>CO</strong>ME ZONE HAS BEEN<br />

WEL<strong>CO</strong>MED BY<br />

LOCAL CHURCH AND<br />

<strong>CO</strong>MMUNITY GROUPS.


Dear friends,<br />

Over the past couple of weeks, one<br />

of the stories that made headlines<br />

was the perks of politicians that many argue<br />

fail the pub test. They say our MPs gain<br />

from highly generous ‘entitlement’ schemes<br />

including superannuation payments,<br />

retirement benefits, Life Gold Passes, etc.<br />

At the heart of this debate, they contend,<br />

is not just the system needs fixing but also<br />

the sense of entitlement that goes against our<br />

deeply held Australian concept of “a fair go”.<br />

We might resent such entitlements and<br />

those who benefit from them. However,<br />

there is another sense of entitlement that is<br />

more innate, more subtle and more pervasive<br />

in all of us.<br />

This is the mentality that attributes our<br />

successes and achievements to ourselves. It<br />

leads us to claim credit for what we have and<br />

it makes us less appreciative of the gratuity of<br />

God’s grace. More importantly, this mentality<br />

inclines us to be judgmental of those less<br />

fortunate than we are and blame them for<br />

their predicaments and failures.<br />

The Word of God today exposes such a<br />

mentality as fundamentally self-serving<br />

and delusional. Jesus tells the parable of the<br />

Pharisee and the tax collector in a way that<br />

cuts through layers of human prejudices.<br />

The Pharisee is often held up as an example<br />

of moral uprightness. Yet through the prism<br />

of Jesus, he is seen as self-serving and<br />

delusional. The Pharisee is the person with<br />

the ultimate sense of entitlement.<br />

He attributes his moral superiority to<br />

himself: “I thank you, God, that I am not<br />

grasping, unjust, adulterous like the rest of<br />

mankind.” He is totally blind to his self-made<br />

and self-earned illusion.<br />

As a result, he is unable to see that there is<br />

a shared humanity between him and the tax<br />

collector. He puts himself above the latter: “I<br />

am not like this tax collector here.”<br />

As far as Jesus is concerned, it is not<br />

self-made righteousness but empathy<br />

and compassion that truly matter. The<br />

THE BISHOP'S DIARY – NOVEMBER 2016<br />

2 7.30pm: Celebrates Solemn Holy Mass for All Souls<br />

Day in St Patrick's Cathedral, Parramatta.<br />

THE BISHOP'S HOMILY<br />

Most Rev Vincent Long OFM Conv<br />

3 Attends a meeting of the Bishops of the Province of<br />

New South Wales.<br />

4 7.30pm: Celebrates Holy Mass with RCIA and<br />

Sacramental Teams from the Diocese at St Patrick’s<br />

Cathedral, Parramatta.<br />

6 Celebrates Holy Mass for Back to McAuley Day at<br />

Catherine McAuley Westmead.<br />

9 6pm: Attends a gathering of the Religious of the<br />

Diocese, St Joseph’s Centre for Reflective Living,<br />

Baulkham Hills.<br />

10 Attends a meeting of the Australian Catholic Social<br />

Justice Council, Justice, Ecology & Development.<br />

11 3.30pm: Hosts a Thank You afternoon tea for World<br />

Youth Day 2016 Leaders.<br />

Homily for 30 th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, 23 October 2016<br />

Pharisee fails the litmus test of authentic<br />

discipleship because of his lack of empathy<br />

and compassion.<br />

The tax collector, on the other hand,<br />

is praised because free from any sense of<br />

entitlement, he is totally open to the gratuity<br />

of God’s grace.<br />

This is the hard message of the Gospel. It<br />

disarms us because it takes away the security<br />

that we rely on in terms of who we are, what<br />

we have and the sense of worth that is linked<br />

with our successes and achievements.<br />

The parable of Jesus says that the Pharisee<br />

is not more valued than the tax collector<br />

because of the badge of honour he wears,<br />

the status he has or the social prestige he is<br />

entitled to.<br />

It challenges the notion that we deserve<br />

more than others because of what we have<br />

inherited or earned: our talents, gifts,<br />

contributions or our race, religion and other<br />

accidents of birth. Jesus consistently tells us<br />

that God does not see things the way we see<br />

nor judge people the way we judge.<br />

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus,<br />

the Good Samaritan or the 11 th hour worker<br />

convey this same message: God looks upon<br />

the humble who recognise the gratuity of his<br />

love, rather than the proud who boasts about<br />

his own record of achievements.<br />

Brothers and sisters,<br />

The Word of God thus challenges us about<br />

our relationship with God and with one<br />

another. If God refuses the proud and hears<br />

the cry of the humble poor, we cannot but<br />

identify ourselves with them.<br />

We cannot be the disciples of Jesus and<br />

think and act merely in terms of what we<br />

are entitled to by virtue of our birthright or<br />

conquest. None of us could be saved if God<br />

applied the strict justice on the basis of our<br />

merits and failings.<br />

The parable is actually designed to prod<br />

at our sense of entitlement and our claim<br />

to what is ours at the exclusion of others. It<br />

challenges us to think and act in the way that<br />

God in Jesus has shown us, which is based<br />

If God refuses the<br />

proud and hears the<br />

cry of the humble<br />

poor, we cannot but<br />

identify ourselves<br />

with them.<br />

on the justice of the kingdom and the very<br />

mercy of God.<br />

Pope Francis often comes into sharp<br />

criticism even from Catholic circles because<br />

of the way in which he lives out the message<br />

of God’s gratuitous love and mercy. In an age<br />

of trickled down economy and entitlement,<br />

he challenges us to see and value people the<br />

way Jesus taught and showed us.<br />

His embrace of refugees, Muslims,<br />

prisoners … is quite frankly confronting.<br />

If tax collectors, Samaritans, lepers, etc …<br />

were the beneficiaries of God’s unstinting<br />

goodness, who are we to exclude the outcasts<br />

of today?<br />

If the socially marginalised, the ritually<br />

unclean, the morally inferior, etc … found<br />

favour in the company of Jesus, who are<br />

we to judge as not entitled to what we are<br />

entitled to?<br />

Let us pray that like St Paul who turned<br />

away from his self-made illusion after<br />

his Damascus experience, we learn to be<br />

humble, open and docile to God’s way. May<br />

we learn to see the way God would see and<br />

it is often from the bottom up or from the<br />

vantage point of the outcast rather than from<br />

a privileged position.<br />

May our lives and prayers be led by a<br />

humble spirit and acceptable to God. May<br />

we grow in empathy and compassion after<br />

Christ’s generous and loving heart.<br />

13 8.30am: Celebrates Holy Mass for the 33 rd Sunday in<br />

Ordinary Time with the Blessing of Our Lady of the<br />

Nativity Church, Lawson; 6pm: Celebrates Holy Mass<br />

of the 33 rd Sunday in Ordinary Time with the Closing<br />

of the Holy Door for the Extraordinary Jubilee of<br />

Mercy at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta.<br />

15 7pm: Confers the Sacrament of Confirmation at<br />

St John the Evangelist Parish, Riverstone.<br />

16 Attends Clergy Professional Standards Workshop.<br />

17 Convenes a meeting of the College of Consultors.<br />

21-25 Attends Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.<br />

26 Celebrates Holy Mass of the 1 st Sunday of Advent with<br />

the Rite of Ordination to the Diaconate, St Thomas the<br />

Apostle Parish, Blackburn, Victoria.<br />

<strong>CO</strong>NTENTS<br />

THE BISHOP’S HOMILY...................... 2<br />

LIFE, MARRIAGE & FAMILY...........3, 8<br />

SOCIAL JUSTICE............................ 4, 21<br />

CATHOLIC YOUTH.............................. 5<br />

NEWS & EVENTS.......................... 6, 23<br />

DIOCESAN NEWS......................... 7, 18<br />

<strong>CO</strong>NFRATERNITY OF<br />

CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE............... 9, 20<br />

PARISH PROFILE......................... 10-11<br />

DWF APPEAL............................... 12-13<br />

CATHOLIC EDUCATION........... 14-16<br />

INSTITUTE FOR MISSION...............17<br />

OFFICE FOR WORSHIP....................19<br />

YEAR OF MERCY................................22<br />

CatholicOutlook<br />

The official publication of the<br />

Diocese of Parramatta<br />

Publisher:<br />

Most Rev Vincent Long OFM Conv<br />

Bishop of Parramatta<br />

Tel (02) 8838 3400<br />

Fax (02) 9630 4813<br />

PO Box 3066,<br />

North Parramatta, NSW, 1750<br />

Email: bishop@parra.catholic.org.au<br />

Website: www.parracatholic.org<br />

Editor:<br />

Jane Favotto<br />

Tel (02) 8838 3409<br />

comms@parra.catholic.org.au<br />

PO Box 3066,<br />

North Parramatta, NSW, 1750<br />

Journalist:<br />

Jordan Grantham<br />

Designers:<br />

Chris Murray<br />

Stephen Poleweski<br />

School news:<br />

Catholic Education Office<br />

Tel (02) 9840 5609<br />

news@parra.catholic.edu.au<br />

Deadlines:<br />

Editorial and advertising<br />

– 10 th of the month prior to publication<br />

Advertising:<br />

Tel (02) 8838 3409<br />

comms@parra.catholic.org.au<br />

Accounts:<br />

Alfie Ramirez<br />

Tel (02) 8838 3437<br />

ARamirez@parra.catholic.org.au<br />

Printing:<br />

Rural Press Printing, North Richmond<br />

40,500 copies of Catholic Outlook<br />

are distributed monthly through 47<br />

parishes and 86 schools. All material<br />

in this publication is copyright and<br />

may not be reproduced without<br />

permission of the editor. Catholic<br />

Outlook is a member of the Australasian<br />

Catholic Press Association.<br />

2 CatholicOutlook NOVEMBER 2016 www.catholicoutlook.org


LIFE, MARRIAGE & FAMILY<br />

2016 DIOCESAN FAMILY SUNDAY<br />

‘Family: An Oasis of Mercy’<br />

From the Life, Marriage & Family Office<br />

THE SHRINE OF THE Holy Innocents<br />

at Kellyville provided a wonderful<br />

space for the families who attended<br />

this year’s Family Sunday gathering<br />

to explore the theme of ‘Family: An Oasis<br />

of Mercy’.<br />

With the aid of a Pilgrim Family Prima,<br />

each family could prepare to walk through<br />

the Holy Door at the shrine at the conclusion<br />

of the event and gain a plenary indulgence<br />

for the Year of Mercy. To aid this preparation,<br />

programs for children and adults were run<br />

in parallel.<br />

With the sound of babies crying in<br />

the background, Dr Jim and Genevieve<br />

McCaughan spoke to a packed room of<br />

parents about their experience in raising<br />

11 children and how their family reaches out<br />

to the broader community.<br />

Following afternoon tea, Bishop Vincent<br />

Long OFM Conv gave an address on the<br />

relevance of the Year of Mercy and how this<br />

relates to families. Sr Antonine from the<br />

Missionaries of Charity also spoke about the<br />

charism of St Teresa of Kolkata and shared<br />

some insights into how this can be lived out<br />

in family life.<br />

The children’s program provided the<br />

opportunity for children to really delve<br />

into the works of mercy, exploring how<br />

they may be enacted within the context of<br />

the family and beyond, with the help of our<br />

generous volunteers.<br />

A number of Missionaries of Charity<br />

taught the children about the love of God,<br />

and the resulting acts of charity and mercy<br />

that flow forth from this to our neighbour.<br />

With the sisters in their white and blue,<br />

and the Franciscan friars in their grey, the<br />

children were able to see a beautiful witness<br />

of religious life – undoubtedly one that may<br />

inspire future vocations!<br />

Family Sunday was an opportunity for families in the Diocese of Parramatta to come together to share their faith.<br />

Photos: Art in Images.<br />

Bishop Vincent spoke to the children<br />

about the Jubilee Year of Mercy, about<br />

their families, and on a personal note his<br />

own experience of family life, growing up<br />

and as a refugee.<br />

At the conclusion to the event, the<br />

children helped prepare the crowd for<br />

their passage through the Holy Door<br />

by singing, in three-part harmony, the<br />

beautiful Latin hymn Ubi caritas et amor,<br />

Deus ibi est (Where there is charity and<br />

love, there God is).<br />

With this contemplative beginning,<br />

families proceeded to walk through the<br />

door, greet Our Lord in the tabernacle<br />

and venerate the Mercy Cross and Relics<br />

of St Teresa of Kolkata and our diocesan<br />

patron, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop – a<br />

wonderful opportunity as the Year of Mercy<br />

draws to its close.<br />

T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F<br />

NOTRE DAME<br />

A U S T R A L I A<br />

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED BY STUDENTS<br />

10 YEARS OF 5-STAR RATINGS<br />

– Good Universities Guide<br />

APPLY DIRECT NOTREDAME.EDU.AU<br />

TWILIGHT TOURS & <strong>CO</strong>URSE INFO EVENING TUES 22 - THURS 24 NOV<br />

ND1892J | CRI<strong>CO</strong>S PROVIDER <strong>CO</strong>DE: 01032F<br />

www.catholicoutlook.org<br />

NOVEMBER 2016 CatholicOutlook 3


SOCIAL JUSTICE<br />

Bishop Vincent launches A Place at the Table<br />

By Sr Louise McKeogh FMA<br />

Social Justice Director<br />

SOCIAL JUSTICE SUNDAY ON 25<br />

September saw a most significant and<br />

meaningful launch of this year’s Australian<br />

Catholic Bishops Social Justice Statement<br />

at Sacred Heart Parish, Blackheath.<br />

A Eucharistic celebration began our<br />

morning with the celebrants being Bishop<br />

Vincent Long OFM Conv and Parish Priest<br />

Fr Bob Sheridan. Our Eucharist began<br />

with a prayerful PowerPoint reflection. We<br />

then invited Don (as the representative<br />

for our senior community members) and<br />

Chantelle (as the voice of the young) to<br />

read the prayer for Social Justice Sunday, A<br />

Prayer for All Ages.<br />

Communion reflection was an inspiring<br />

social justice hymn written and sung by Pat<br />

Drummond and supported by the rest of the<br />

music ministry team.<br />

We then gathered in the parish hall to<br />

launch and break open the social justice<br />

statement, beginning with a reflection and<br />

challenge from Pope Francis.<br />

“There was a father, mother and their<br />

many children, and a grandfather lived with<br />

them. He was quite old, and when he was at<br />

table eating soup, he would get everything<br />

dirty: his mouth, the serviette … it was not<br />

a pretty sight!<br />

“One day the father said that, given what<br />

was happening to the grandfather, from<br />

that day forward he would eat alone. And<br />

so he bought a little table, and placed it in<br />

the kitchen. And so the grandfather ate<br />

alone in the kitchen while the family ate in<br />

the dining room.<br />

“After some days, the father returned home<br />

from work and found one of his children<br />

playing with wood. He asked him, ‘What<br />

are you doing?’ to which the child replied,<br />

‘I am playing carpenter’. ‘And what are you<br />

building?’ the father asked. ‘A table for you<br />

papa, for when you get old like grandpa’.<br />

“This story has stayed with me for a lifetime<br />

and done me great good. Grandparents are a<br />

treasure.” (Pope Francis)<br />

After being welcomed by David Buckley,<br />

chair of the Parish Council, Bishop Vincent<br />

launched the statement.<br />

“At this time in Australia, we face a<br />

threefold challenge: to work for an inclusive<br />

society that brings older people into the<br />

heart of the community; to ensure the<br />

dignity and care of people who are frail and<br />

most vulnerable to neglect or abuse; and<br />

to foster solidarity among all generations,<br />

recognising the special affinity that exists<br />

between young and old.<br />

“We must never forget that the older person<br />

before us is a spouse, a parent, a brother or<br />

sister, a friend and, most importantly, a son<br />

or daughter of God. All of us are called to<br />

have our rightful place at the table.”<br />

The faith community of Sacred Heart Parish at Blackheath hosted the launch of the 2016-17 Social Justice Statement.<br />

Photos: Art in Images.<br />

Bishop Vincent as chair of the Australian<br />

Catholic Social Justice Council spoke of<br />

his concern for all areas of Social Justice<br />

and the impact of his recent meeting with<br />

Pope Francis.<br />

Monica Bright then spoke of a local parish<br />

response to A Place at the Table within the<br />

context of parish community. The care and<br />

concern of this inclusive faith community<br />

flowed through all of their preparation,<br />

including the beautiful sacred space<br />

prepared in the hall.<br />

Trace, Irene and Val from Blacktown<br />

Neighbour Aid then spoke of the<br />

CatholicCare program in the Blacktown<br />

LGA to encourage and support inclusion<br />

and social contact for seniors within<br />

the community.<br />

It was inspiring to hear of the energy,<br />

joy and vibrancy for life that this program<br />

was bringing to people and the support<br />

it was providing them in remaining<br />

connected and socially engaged within<br />

the wider community.<br />

Before we concluded with some final<br />

words of recommendation from Fr Bob<br />

Sheridan PP, we gathered in small groups to<br />

reflect on what we had shared, and to take<br />

up the challenge of the Ten Step action leaflet<br />

that accompanies the statement.<br />

Led by the ACU Strathfield Student Choir<br />

MONDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2016<br />

6pm, followed by light refreshments<br />

Barron Memorial Chapel<br />

ACU Strathfield Campus, 25A Barker Rd, Strathfield<br />

For further information contact 02 9701 4223 or email:<br />

AVC.NSW-ACT@acu.edu.au<br />

4 CatholicOutlook NOVEMBER 2016 www.catholicoutlook.org


CatholicYouthParra @cyp_parramatta @CatholicYouthParra<br />

CATHOLIC YOUTH<br />

LIFTED Live in the Forecourt<br />

Young talent rocks<br />

St Patrick’s Cathedral<br />

By James Camden,<br />

CYP Director<br />

THE SKIES CLEARED, the clouds<br />

lifted, and the energy soared as 450<br />

young people from across the Diocese<br />

of Parramatta descended on the forecourt<br />

of St Patrick’s Cathedral in Parramatta<br />

on 22 October to celebrate the Feast Day of<br />

St John Paul II.<br />

LIFTED Live in the Forecourt is a<br />

celebration of the talent exhibited by young<br />

people in Western Sydney and the Blue<br />

Mountains and was the last of Catholic<br />

Youth Parramatta’s large-scale evangelisation<br />

events for the year; an evolution of last year’s<br />

highly successful Diocese Youth Rally.<br />

As the sun set over the precinct, the<br />

Cathedral stairs were transformed into a<br />

spectacular stage for youth bands from<br />

the parishes of Greystanes, Marayong,<br />

Blacktown and Quakers Hill who performed<br />

short sets of popular music to the impressive<br />

crowd that had gathered.<br />

This year the event increased its capacity<br />

with the construction of an acoustic<br />

forecourt stage that allowed smaller acts to<br />

play in between the more significant parts of<br />

the program.<br />

This stage hosted more intimate<br />

performances from Andrew Gorkic and<br />

Sarah Agbulos who are World Youth<br />

Day pilgrims from St John XXIII Parish,<br />

Glenwood-Stanhope Gardens, Glen<br />

Lumanta who is a graduate of Patrician<br />

Brothers’ College Blacktown and now a<br />

professional singer/songwriter, as well<br />

as special guest Emma Fradd from NET<br />

Ministries Australia.<br />

LIFTED Live is now a key strategy of<br />

CYP in drawing young people into a safe,<br />

welcoming, and affirming environment that<br />

mirrors the positive ingredients of popular<br />

culture, yet showcases the gifts of identifying<br />

with the young Church of Western Sydney<br />

and the Blue Mountains.<br />

Countless priests, religious, and youth<br />

leaders of the Diocese were present to<br />

LIFTED Live in the Forecourt is a celebration of the talent exhibited by our young people. Photos: Alphonsus Fok.<br />

connect with those searching for inclusion<br />

in all that the Diocese has to offer in the<br />

broader mission of the Church.<br />

A new addition to the LIFTED Live<br />

concept was the further development of the<br />

Diocesan Dance Crew – a new group that<br />

invites talented dancers to come together,<br />

choreograph and perform at the event. The<br />

crew was outstanding and within minutes<br />

had the crowd dancing.<br />

The event celebrated many things – the<br />

return of pilgrims from WYD 2016 in<br />

Krakow, the feast day of St John Paul II,<br />

the 30 th anniversary of the Diocese, and<br />

the continued growth and popularity of<br />

LIFTED Live.<br />

However, nothing could beat welcoming<br />

Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv to a<br />

youth gathering for the first time and<br />

hearing him share his vision for the<br />

Church’s local mission.<br />

LIFTED Live nights now complement<br />

CYP’s range of other programs designed<br />

for training and forming youth leaders in<br />

schools and parishes.<br />

To contact CYP tel (02) 8838 3428,<br />

JCamden@parra.catholic.org.au<br />

To view a gallery of photos from LIFTED<br />

Live, visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/<br />

parracatholic/albums<br />

Join CYP on https://www.facebook.<br />

com/catholicyouthparra/<br />

Proud photography partner of Catholic Outlook<br />

catholicinsurance.org.au<br />

1300 655 003<br />

Home Contents Car Personal Accident Travel Landlord Caravan<br />

CCI CatholicOutlook Sponsorship printAd APR15.indd 1<br />

www.catholicoutlook.org<br />

16/04/2015 8:16:47 AM<br />

NOVEMBER 2016 CatholicOutlook 5


NEWS & EVENTS<br />

Sharing God’s message through music<br />

By Jordan Grantham<br />

HOMELESS AND DESPERATE,<br />

Francis Muyeeka thought his life<br />

had no meaning. Expelled from<br />

school and disconnected from separated<br />

parents, the mean streets of Uganda were a<br />

harsh reality. “I thought I wouldn’t make it<br />

through,” Francis said.<br />

Now Francis is a 26-year-old man,<br />

confident in himself and the faith. He<br />

performs vibrant Christian music, in the<br />

style of soulful pop.<br />

For most of this year he toured Australia,<br />

giving musical support to the Australiawide<br />

team of the National Evangelisation<br />

Team ministries.<br />

NET ministries is a group of young<br />

Catholics who speak at schools, youth<br />

groups and facilitate prayer across many<br />

cities in Australia. Six NET teams are<br />

stationed around Australian cities.<br />

Francis was on the Uganda-wide NET<br />

team for two years, which transformed<br />

his life. It taught him elementary<br />

worship music, public speaking and<br />

leadership skills.<br />

Since then, Francis’ life mission is to share<br />

God’s message using music.<br />

“It has the unique capability to link<br />

the natural to the super-natural, and<br />

the spiritual to the physical. Music can<br />

heal your emotions without you even<br />

noticing it.”<br />

Music is a tool of God, which Francis has<br />

witnessed “stabilising the shaken, restoring<br />

the fallen and keeping all as one in faith<br />

and love”.<br />

His positive message is more than a ‘feelgood’<br />

mantra. He brings a serious message<br />

that grapples with suffering and sin.<br />

“If we don’t exercise this tool, the enemy<br />

will and already is using it to promote sin,”<br />

he said. “As we evangelise, the principalities<br />

that Ephesians 6:10 talks about are also<br />

evangelising, and we cannot let them take<br />

the most effective means from us, music!”<br />

Francis said music has helped him grow<br />

in holiness. “Worship music specifically has<br />

helped me overcome depression, anger, and<br />

habitual sin,” he said.<br />

“What seemed an addiction turned<br />

into a testimony! I found myself thinking<br />

about God instead of sin, I like to call<br />

that ‘victory’!”<br />

Francis’ prayerfulness has grown in<br />

adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, thanks<br />

to worship music. “It’s always good to be<br />

quiet before Jesus in prayer but personally,<br />

music has always been that thing that sets<br />

a foundation for me to build on during<br />

adoration when the silence comes in.”<br />

Francis Muyeeka: “Music can heal your emotions without you even noticing it.”<br />

St Augustine of Hippo’s dictum that “he<br />

who sings well prays twice” inspires him.<br />

Music has assisted Francis with<br />

maintaining prayerfulness.<br />

“Listening to worship has given me<br />

an opportunity to keep my dial at the<br />

‘heavenly frequency’ all the time and that<br />

is what we as Christians should be striving<br />

for; constant communion with our Messiah<br />

and the Holy Spirit.”<br />

Under Francis’ leadership, a group of<br />

friends in Uganda started a music unit, New<br />

Era Inspirations (NEI). It compiled a music<br />

album and produces videos.<br />

NEI has continued to grow with programs<br />

that encourage young people to gather<br />

and strengthen each other’s faith weekly,<br />

conducting charitable works and running<br />

worship ministries.<br />

“The three years I have done with NET<br />

have been instrumental towards the vision<br />

God planted in me, and my heart overflows<br />

with gratitude to every party responsible<br />

and, of course, God above all,” Francis said.<br />

“I would greatly encourage every young<br />

person who wants to grow into the best<br />

version of themselves to do NET.”<br />

To watch a music video produced by Francis,<br />

visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/<br />

UCxAecPiU4ETPYWDnh8P1nQg<br />

Bulk Billing for GP Services<br />

MEDICAL CENTRE OPENING HOURS<br />

Monday-Friday 9.00am-6.00pm<br />

Saturday 9.00am-2.00pm<br />

CLOSED SUNDAYS<br />

NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY<br />

DOCTOR HOME VISITS AND AFTER<br />

HOURS SERVICES AVAILABLE<br />

Parking on-site available<br />

Pathology on premises<br />

DOCTORS<br />

DR. ARUNTHA JESUTHASAN (Female GP)<br />

DR. CHARLES HAYES (Male GP)<br />

DR. VAN NGUYEN (Male GP)<br />

Natural Family<br />

Planning is<br />

Available in<br />

the Surgery<br />

NaPro<br />

TECHNOLOGY<br />

&<br />

Fertility<br />

Care<br />

ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS<br />

DILHAN JAYAMANNE (Physiotherapist)<br />

ERNESTINA BURCHMORE (Acupuncturist)<br />

BUDDY ABDULAHAD (Podiatrist)<br />

• Children’s/Women’s/Men’s Health<br />

• Immunisations<br />

• Health Assessment<br />

• Prevention of Chronic Illnesses<br />

• Weight Loss Programme<br />

• Skin Diseases Management<br />

– including Skin Cancer<br />

• Minor Surgical Procedures<br />

• WorkCover<br />

• Pre-employment Medicals<br />

• Travel Medicine<br />

Monaghan<br />

& Gleeson<br />

FUNERAL DIRECTORS<br />

Peter Monaghan JP & Scott Gleeson JP<br />

MEDICAL & DENTAL CENTRE<br />

81 – 83 Richmond Rd, Blacktown, NSW l 9622 1998<br />

6 CatholicOutlook NOVEMBER 2016 www.catholicoutlook.org


DIOCESAN NEWS<br />

New Blacktown centre brings ministries together<br />

By Jordan Grantham<br />

THE DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA<br />

Ministry Centre was officially opened<br />

and blessed last month by Bishop<br />

Vincent Long OFM Conv.<br />

The new centre brings together five<br />

diocesan ministries: Office for Worship,<br />

Catholic Youth Parramatta, Life, Marriage<br />

& Family Office, Social Justice Office, and<br />

Pastoral Planning Office.<br />

Bringing the ministries together helps<br />

them achieve their complementary missions,<br />

which facilitate the “spiritual, pastoral and<br />

social services of our young and growing<br />

Diocese,” Bishop Vincent said.<br />

The ministries have overlapping relevance<br />

to different stages of the Catholic life.<br />

From protecting unborn life and Baptism,<br />

becoming a Catholic youth and getting<br />

involved in social justice activities, to the<br />

Sacrament of Marriage, starting a family<br />

and contributing to the pastoral life of<br />

parishes, and preparation and participation<br />

in the sacraments.<br />

On 6 October, about 50 people gathered to<br />

join in a Liturgy of the Word and Blessing at<br />

the centre, which is located in Mary, Queen<br />

of the Family Parish.<br />

In his address, Bishop Vincent<br />

acknowledged the work of his predecessors<br />

and promised to build on their legacy and<br />

to make the Diocese of Parramatta into an<br />

“oasis of mercy”.<br />

Diocesan Chief of Operations &<br />

Finance, Geoff Officer, acknowledged the<br />

work of many people in establishing the<br />

ministry centre, including Very Rev Peter<br />

Williams VG EV, Joe Cashman, Director of<br />

CatholicCare Social Services Parramatta,<br />

and Amy Donohue, Special Projects Officer.<br />

Bishop Vincent’s address pointed to<br />

Christ’s love and service as the source of the<br />

Church’s strength.<br />

“The Scriptures tell us that the strength<br />

of the Church is ultimately measured by its<br />

commitment to Christ-like love and service.”<br />

Referring to the first letter of Peter, Bishop<br />

Vincent said: “Peter likens the believers to<br />

living stones making a spiritual house. They<br />

are to learn from the example of Christ –<br />

the stone rejected by the builders that has<br />

proved to be the keystone.”<br />

Bishop Vincent broke down the mission<br />

of salvation through the Church to the most<br />

essential qualities of Christian life. “In other<br />

words, it is through their enduring love and<br />

discipleship that the vitality of the Church is<br />

manifested,” he said.<br />

The Diocesan Ministry Centre is located<br />

at 51-59 Allawah Street, Blacktown,<br />

tel (02) 8838 3460, ministryreception@<br />

parra.catholic.org.au<br />

Bishop Vincent with<br />

members of the ministry<br />

teams in the new Diocesan<br />

Ministry Centre. Photo:<br />

Adrian Middeldorp.<br />

NEW APPOINTMENTS<br />

Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv has<br />

confirmed the following appointments:<br />

Rev Fr Florito Apalias<br />

Assistant Priest<br />

St Thomas Aquinas Parish, Springwood, and<br />

Our Lady of the Way Parish, Lawson<br />

Commencing 19 November<br />

Rev Fr George Azhakath MSFS<br />

Assistant Priest<br />

St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish, Parramatta<br />

Commencing 19 November<br />

Rev Fr Bollar Santana Barreto OFM Cap<br />

Assistant Priest<br />

The Good Shepherd Parish, Plumpton<br />

Effective 29 September<br />

Rev Fr John Paul Escarlan<br />

Assistant Priest<br />

Parish of Richmond<br />

Commencing 19 November<br />

Gregory Lazarus<br />

Director Social Services<br />

CatholicCare Social Services<br />

Commencing 14 November 2016<br />

Zenda Arkwright<br />

Director Business Services<br />

CatholicCare Social Services<br />

Effective 24 October<br />

LEARN SECRETS TO SAVING TAX ON SUPER<br />

Nov 14 Rooty Hill, Nov 15 Lidcombe, Nov 22 Wollongong, Nov 23 Campbelltown – SEATS STILL AVAILABLE<br />

Age 50 or over?<br />

This seminar may benefit you.<br />

Book a FREE retirement planning seminar and learn how to<br />

optimise your savings for retirement and potentially SAVE TAX<br />

(until 1 July 2017)^ with an account based pension. *<br />

* members aged 56+ years and still working ^subject to implementation of 2016 Federal Budget.<br />

In this session you can learn about:<br />

• Retirement strategies<br />

• Tax-saving potential<br />

• Optimising your contributions<br />

• Managing market risk<br />

• 2016 Federal Budget update<br />

• Financial advice services<br />

PARTNERS<br />

& FRIENDS<br />

WEL<strong>CO</strong>ME<br />

BOOK NOW – www.catholicsuper.com.au/seminars | 1300 658 776<br />

SCS Super Pty Limited, ABN 74 064 712 607, AFSL 230544, RSE L0002264 Trustee of Australian Catholic Superannuation & Retirement Fund, ABN 24 680 629 023, RSE R1055436. This document is not intended to be financial advice, therefore, you should consider obtaining<br />

independent financial advice before making any decisions about your benefits in the fund. Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement and fact sheets available on our website. The Australian Catholic Superannuation financial planning service is offered through an arrangement<br />

with Industry Fund Services Limited (AFSL 232514)<br />

www.catholicoutlook.org<br />

NOVEMBER 2016 CatholicOutlook 7


LIFE, MARRIAGE & FAMILY<br />

Fight the good fight for marriage but<br />

don’t forget those in the field hospital<br />

By Ben Smith<br />

Director of the Life,<br />

Marriage & Family Office<br />

ON 1 OCTOBER, POPE FRANCIS<br />

declared in a meeting with priests,<br />

religious, seminarians and pastoral<br />

workers in Georgia that, “Marriage is the<br />

most beautiful thing that God has created.”<br />

However he went on to observe that, “Today<br />

there is a world war to destroy marriage.”<br />

According to Pope Francis, this war is<br />

taking the form of “ideological colonisations<br />

which destroy, not with weapons, but with<br />

ideas.” His comments were aimed at gender<br />

ideology that is creeping into schools,<br />

workplaces, unions and parliaments all<br />

over the western world with significant<br />

negative consequences.<br />

Gender ideology “denies the difference<br />

and reciprocity in nature of a man and a<br />

woman and envisages a society without<br />

sexual differences, thereby eliminating the<br />

anthropological basis of the family.” (Amoris<br />

Laetitia, 56)<br />

Furthermore, “this ideology leads to<br />

educational programs and legislative<br />

enactments that promote a personal identity<br />

and emotional intimacy radically separated<br />

from the biological difference between male<br />

and female. Consequently, human identity<br />

becomes the choice of the individual, one<br />

which can also change over time.” (Amoris<br />

Laetitia, 56)<br />

In the context of Australia, the Safe<br />

Schools Coalition program, that has received<br />

considerable media coverage in the past 12<br />

months, promotes gender ideology in more<br />

than 500 state schools across the country.<br />

In terms of legislation, marriage equality<br />

advocates have promoted gender ideology<br />

by embracing a vision of marriage that<br />

involves a partnership between two people<br />

irrespective of their “sex, sexual orientation,<br />

gender identity or intersex status” in a<br />

number of private members’ bills that have<br />

been introduced into Federal Parliament in<br />

the past two years.<br />

Pope Francis warns of the danger of gender<br />

ideology when he states that, “Let us not fall<br />

into the sin of trying to replace the Creator.<br />

We are creatures, and not omnipotent.”<br />

(Amoris Laetitia, 56)<br />

These are strong words from Pope Francis.<br />

Some people may find it hard to reconcile<br />

these words with his promotion of mercy<br />

and forgiveness for those on the margins.<br />

He was asked a question by a journalist on<br />

this issue during his flight from Azerbaijan<br />

to Rome on 2 October. His response pointed<br />

out that, “In my life as a priest, as a bishop<br />

– and also as Pope – I have accompanied<br />

many people with homosexual tendencies<br />

and also homosexual activity. I have<br />

accompanied them, I have brought them<br />

closer to the Lord; some cannot do it, but<br />

I have always accompanied them and never<br />

abandoned anyone.”<br />

His response also highlighted how he<br />

was accompanying a transgender man who<br />

recently married a woman.<br />

It seems on the surface that Pope Francis<br />

is being hypocritical by saying one thing<br />

and doing another. But a deeper reading of<br />

the matter leads to a different conclusion. In<br />

Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis cited a quote<br />

from a speech given by Martin Luther King<br />

that states, “When you rise to the level of<br />

love, of its great beauty and power, you seek<br />

only to defeat evil systems. Individuals who<br />

happen to be caught up in that system, you<br />

love, but you seek to defeat the system.”<br />

(Amoris Laetitia, 118)<br />

So “as Christians, we can hardly stop<br />

advocating marriage simply to avoid<br />

countering contemporary sensibilities, or<br />

out of a desire to be fashionable or a sense of<br />

helplessness in the face of human and moral<br />

failings. We would be depriving the world of<br />

values that we can and must offer.” (Amoris<br />

Laetitia, 35)<br />

But at the same time we are called to reach<br />

out in love to all members of our human<br />

family, including those who are experiencing<br />

gender confusion or same-sex attraction,<br />

to accompany each other on our journey<br />

towards the Lord.<br />

To contact the Life, Marriage & Family<br />

Office, Parramatta tel (02) 8838 3441 or send<br />

an email to lmf@parra.catholic.org.au<br />

HOSTED BY LIFE, MARRIAGE & FAMILY OFFICE, DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA<br />

Waiting for Gabriel<br />

Diocesan Development Fund<br />

Catholic Diocese of Parramatta<br />

Supporting the<br />

growing needs of the<br />

institutions and agencies within<br />

the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta<br />

www.parra.catholic.org.au/ddf<br />

Seminar for couples hoping to conceive<br />

Sunday 20th November, 2016<br />

1:30pm-4:00pm<br />

The Parramatta Institute for Mission (IFM)<br />

1-5 Marion St, Blacktown, NSW<br />

Couples will have the opportunity to hear from<br />

trained professionals on the different methods of<br />

Natural Fertility Awareness.<br />

These include:<br />

• The Sympto Thermal Method<br />

• The Billings Ovulation Method ®<br />

• The Creighton Model FertilityCare System<br />

used in conjunction with<br />

• NaPro Technology (Natural Procreative Technology)<br />

Featuring guest speaker,<br />

Dr Van Nguyen<br />

The afternoon will also include guest couples’<br />

testimonies, and a visit from Parramatta’s<br />

Bishop Vincent Long.<br />

Afternoon Tea will be catered.<br />

Disclosure Statement<br />

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<br />

by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.<br />

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

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,<br />

Religious and Educational works of the Catholic Church.<br />

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;<br />

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<br />

the charitable purposes of the DDF.<br />

To reserve your place, please RSVP<br />

to lmf@parra.catholic.org.au<br />

or 8838 3441<br />

For more information about the speakers,<br />

please see website www.parralmf.org.au<br />

8 CatholicOutlook NOVEMBER 2016 www.catholicoutlook.org


<strong>CO</strong>NFRATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE<br />

Celebration day of young teachers of the faith<br />

By Jordan Grantham<br />

SE<strong>CO</strong>NDARY STUDENTS WHO<br />

volunteer as Special Religious Educators<br />

(SREs) in state primary<br />

schools gathered at Bede Polding College,<br />

South Windsor, for a day of fun, faith and<br />

formation to celebrate their contribution<br />

to faith education.<br />

Eighty students from five Catholic schools<br />

attended the first celebration day to receive<br />

inspiration and encouragement. In the<br />

workshops, students learned from common<br />

experiences and shared their growth over<br />

the course of the program.<br />

Many reported increased confidence and<br />

expressed what an honour it had been to<br />

support the primary school students.<br />

The day was a collaboration of the<br />

Confraternity for Christian Doctrine<br />

(CCD), Catholic Education Diocese<br />

of Parramatta and Catholic Youth<br />

Parramatta. It combined presentations<br />

and group workshops.<br />

Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv<br />

congratulated the students and commented<br />

on the uniqueness of the program, which<br />

was the first of its kind in Australia.<br />

The program commenced 15 years ago<br />

in Caroline Chisholm College, Glenmore<br />

Park, and now has spread to 19 colleges in<br />

the Diocese.<br />

Bishop Vincent empathised with the<br />

courage of students to share and teach the<br />

faith and encouraged them to persevere.<br />

“We can only be a better person when<br />

we are prepared to launch into the deep,”<br />

Bishop Vincent said.<br />

Cecilia Zammit is the Director of the<br />

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. “Being<br />

involved in Scripture lessons, the high school<br />

students reflect on their own faith and the<br />

younger students seem to engage easily with<br />

the older students,” Cecilia said.<br />

“The positive attitude of the SREs can help<br />

state school staff understand the benefit and<br />

purpose of religious education in schools.”<br />

The story of the Good Shepherd is a<br />

favourite among small children and Bede<br />

Polding College, South Windsor, was the<br />

perfect venue with its agricultural program<br />

and several sheep grazing on the site!<br />

Eighty students from five Catholic schools attended the first celebration day to receive inspiration<br />

and encouragement.<br />

Bishop Vincent congratulated the students and commented on the uniqueness of the program.<br />

Photos: Jordan Grantham.<br />

Catholic Super – providing superannuation<br />

services for more than 45 years<br />

OFFICES IN BRISBANE, CANBERRA, DARWIN,<br />

GEELONG, HOBART, MELBOURNE, PERTH, SYDNEY<br />

& WARRNAMBOOL<br />

ư Industry super fund returning all profits to members<br />

ư Superior long term investment performance<br />

ư Fees well below Industry average<br />

ư Flexible investment options<br />

ư Superannuation and pension products<br />

ư Low cost personal insurance<br />

ư Financial planning advice<br />

1300 655 002 | csf.com.au<br />

Authorised by CSF Pty Limited (ABN 30 006 169 286; AFSL 246664), the Trustee of the MyLifeMyMoney Superannuation Fund (ABN 50 237 896 957).This information is about the Fund and is general information only.<br />

It has been prepared without taking into account your personal investment objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not intended to be, and should not be construed in any way as, investment, legal or financial advice. CS106 220916<br />

www.catholicoutlook.org<br />

NOVEMBER 2016 CatholicOutlook 9


PARISH PROFILE<br />

One big holy family at<br />

Mount Druitt Parish<br />

By Jordan Grantham<br />

HOLY FAMILY PARISH, Mount<br />

Druitt, lives up to its name. Indigenous,<br />

Tongan, Samoan, Filipino<br />

and Caucasian families build up this harmonious<br />

and generous community. The<br />

people are passionate about the truth of the<br />

Catholic faith.<br />

The beauty of the faith is expressed when<br />

the choirs praise the living God in their<br />

church. The annual re-enactment of the<br />

Good Friday Way of the Cross gathers more<br />

than 1000 parishioners, many of whom<br />

participate as characters.<br />

Fr Gregory Jacobs SJ is the Parish Priest.<br />

A former pathology chemist, he recognises<br />

the elements that make Holy Family a rare<br />

concoction: “The people are incredibly<br />

generous with their time and energy.”<br />

Part of the mix is a vibrant musical<br />

tradition: “There is a Tongan choir, a<br />

Samoan choir, a Filipino choir and also a<br />

mixed choir.”<br />

The parish community works to help all<br />

in need. Ignite Food Store is the parish’s<br />

cooperative food pantry. It is almost a fullsized<br />

supermarket.<br />

Friendly volunteers keep the operation<br />

The parish grounds include an extensive native plant garden.<br />

ALBERT & MEYER<br />

FUNERAL DIRECTORS<br />

Serving the<br />

Parramatta Diocese<br />

since 1967<br />

Australian Family Owned & Operated<br />

301-303 PENNANT HILLS ROAD, THORNLEIGH<br />

9484 3992<br />

ALL SUBURBS 24 HOURS<br />

www.albertmeyer.com.au<br />

well oiled. There is a café and clothing shop.<br />

Hospitality training occurs at the café,<br />

creating new professional skills, increased<br />

self-esteem and employment opportunities.<br />

Fr Gregory jokes that it is also handy when<br />

you run out of milk.<br />

Harris Farm, IGA and other suppliers<br />

generously donate many of the items,<br />

some of which are given away for free.<br />

Customers purchase (or are given) a<br />

voucher that entitles them to a number<br />

of items worth approximately double the<br />

price of the voucher.<br />

Don Mulholland runs the Men’s Shed. He<br />

is a Gurindji man and dedicated to suicide<br />

prevention. The Men’s Shed is designed to<br />

welcome Indigenous men, who are more<br />

concentrated in the Mount Druitt area than<br />

anywhere else in urban NSW.<br />

A 40ft didgeridoo stands near the<br />

entrance. Indigenous designs, plants and a<br />

boomerang-shaped path present a strong<br />

sense of identity.<br />

Laid-back BBQs run up the side of the shed,<br />

facilitating the regular Wednesday lunch<br />

gatherings. Service providers visit the men<br />

at the Shed, where they are comfortable, to<br />

offer legal, medical and financial assistance.<br />

The benefits are innumerable, Don said.<br />

Rebecca Pincott Michael Bolton<br />

Don Mulholland from the Men’s Shed with Fr Gregory Jacobs SJ. Photos: Jordan Grantham.<br />

The most common outcome is “saving them<br />

from prison and, most importantly, getting<br />

their health back,” he explained.<br />

The Men’s Shed “offers an opportunity to<br />

provide assistance to men in need. There are<br />

a lot of men around that have health issues<br />

– such as mental health, suicide prevention<br />

… and everyday help with food vouchers,<br />

electricity, relationships, gambling, drug and<br />

alcohol,” Don said.<br />

Holy Family Primary School is a key part<br />

of the community. It opened in 2004 and<br />

now caters for Kindergarten to Year 6. Holy<br />

Family emphasises events like Father’s Day<br />

and Mother’s Day to support and recognise<br />

the importance of family.<br />

Loyola College is the local senior secondary<br />

school and forms part of the Jesuit network<br />

of schools, providing formation inspired by<br />

St Ignatius of Loyola.<br />

The Jesuit connection is important to<br />

the parish, with a community of 10 Jesuits<br />

(three working in the parish and schools, a<br />

Spanish chaplain working in Fairfield, the<br />

Novice Master with four novices, and one<br />

retired Spanish chaplain). The Jesuit novices<br />

also serve in the parish during their first two<br />

years of formation.<br />

Holy Family has become part of the Jesuit<br />

family, twinned with Our Lady of the Way<br />

Parish, North Sydney, also in the pastoral<br />

care of the Jesuits.<br />

In the spirit of solidarity, students from<br />

St Ignatius’ College, Riverview, and Loreto<br />

Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy<br />

Penrose Park<br />

Fatima Day: Sunday 13 November<br />

A day of prayer with Rev Janusz Pawlicha OSPPE.<br />

Come and pray with us in this month of the Holy Souls!<br />

Exposition 10am, Holy Mass 11am, After Lunch; Procession and Devotions at<br />

Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes.<br />

Principal Celebrant:<br />

Monthly Divine Mercy Sunday<br />

6 November<br />

11am: Solemn Mass followed by Devotions<br />

including Chaplet of Divine Mercy.<br />

Kirribilli volunteer in the parish community<br />

as part of their immersion experiences.<br />

Whether they are reading or playing<br />

games in the pre-school and primary school,<br />

or helping in the Store or Op-Shop, or other<br />

parish activities, the idea is to give them their<br />

own experience of people living in Mt Druitt.<br />

This has the effect of restoring a more<br />

balanced view of the struggles of poverty,<br />

and the normal lives that people live in both<br />

Eastern and Western Sydney.<br />

Despite the hardships, against the odds,<br />

the Church perseveres to provide for her<br />

spiritual children, as one family, especially at<br />

Holy Family.<br />

5 facts about the<br />

Society of Jesus<br />

• 35 moon craters are named after Jesuit<br />

scientists.<br />

• The Jesuits educated former Prime<br />

Minister Tony Abbott, Barnaby Joyce,<br />

Joe Hockey, Christopher Pyne and Bill<br />

Shorten.<br />

• Descartes, Voltaire, Moliere, Castro,<br />

Joyce and Hitchcock also benefitted<br />

from a Jesuit education.<br />

• The Holy See suppressed the Jesuits<br />

from 1773 to 1814.<br />

• Jesuit linguists wrote the first<br />

grammars for many African, Asian and<br />

American indigenous languages.<br />

Rev Janusz Pawlicha OSPPE<br />

Fatima Family Sunday<br />

20 November<br />

11am: Holy Mass with Renewal of<br />

Wedding Vows, followed by Devotions.<br />

Upcoming celebrations in Our Shrine<br />

Friday 11 November: St Martin of Tours.<br />

11am Holy Mass followed by Exposition and Benediction.<br />

Pauline Fathers’ Monastery<br />

Address: 120 Hanging Rock Road, Berrima, NSW, 2577 Phone: 02 4878 9192<br />

Email: paulinefathers@yahoo.com.au<br />

Website: www.penrosepark.com.au<br />

10 CatholicOutlook NOVEMBER 2016 www.catholicoutlook.org


PARISH PROFILE<br />

Fr Greg Jacobs SJ: a servant to the queen of the sciences<br />

By Jordan Grantham<br />

FATHER GREGORY JA<strong>CO</strong>BS SJ is a<br />

kind-hearted and enthusiastic priest.<br />

A library of books and many degrees<br />

line the walls of his office. Years of learning<br />

are worn lightly, as he makes guests feel welcome<br />

at the parish office at Holy Family Parish,<br />

Mount Druitt.<br />

Science, religion and the environment<br />

are his key interests. Fr Greg introduced<br />

the topic to the parish. This interest “is<br />

something I want to engage people with,<br />

maybe not as passionately as I am!” Other<br />

strong passions include sacred music,<br />

serving the poor and the Collingwood<br />

Magpies AFL team.<br />

Mount Druitt is a far cry from the<br />

University of Edinburgh, where Fr Greg<br />

completed a Master of Science, on Science<br />

and Theology. The connection is greater<br />

than many assume. Theology was known<br />

in the Middle Ages as the ‘Queen of the<br />

Sciences’, in the sense that a science is a<br />

field of knowledge.<br />

He has been in the parish for two years<br />

and his down-to-earth demeanour endears<br />

him to the local community. Mount Druitt<br />

can be a difficult assignment; previous<br />

parish priests have been assaulted inside<br />

the presbytery.<br />

Fr Greg’s Jesuit identity grounds his<br />

vocation, wherever it takes him. The<br />

possibility of joining the Society of Jesus<br />

emerged while he was working in a hospital<br />

pathology lab.<br />

“This was a way to combine those<br />

two great loves – science and religion,”<br />

Fr Greg explained. The Jesuit order is<br />

renowned for intellectual firepower and<br />

a fundamental contribution to many<br />

scholarly fields, including astronomy,<br />

geography and mathematics.<br />

His love of science grew from his first<br />

degree, on chemistry. He then worked<br />

in a hospital pathology laboratory. The<br />

chemistry enthusiasm persists; a complex<br />

molecular model sits on Fr Greg’s coffee<br />

table. ‘cis-Rose oxide’ from the scent of a<br />

rose, was assembled from a ‘Molecule of the<br />

Week’ email list he receives.<br />

The Jacobs family has Dutch Catholic<br />

roots, coming from the town of Tegelen.<br />

The town has a large passion play,<br />

recreating Our Lord’s crucifixion. The<br />

family has supported the play, with Fr<br />

Greg’s Grandmother playing the Blessed<br />

Virgin Mary in the first production.<br />

In 2008, Dutch relatives flew in for Fr<br />

Greg’s ordination at Sacred Heart Church,<br />

Kooringal, in the Diocese of Wagga Wagga.<br />

The family was based in Wagga Wagga for<br />

Fr Gregory Jacobs SJ with an image of St Ignatius and ‘cis-Rose Oxide’. Photo: Jordan Grantham.<br />

much of Fr Greg’s childhood and culturally<br />

aligned to Melbourne, hence the barracking<br />

for Collingwood.<br />

As an Air Force family, they had previously<br />

been stationed in Malaysia, Richmond and<br />

Melbourne. The family was living in Ballarat,<br />

where Fr Greg – and his identical twin<br />

brother Chris – were born the day after their<br />

father entered the RAAF.<br />

The itinerant childhood prepared him<br />

well for the priesthood, as St Ignatius,<br />

founder of the Jesuits, said, “a Jesuit is<br />

a man with one foot in the air” and the<br />

Now<br />

enrolling<br />

for 2018<br />

Jesuits are affectionately known as the<br />

‘SAS’ of the priesthood.<br />

Sacred music also inspires Fr Greg’s<br />

faith. Back in Melbourne, he joined the St<br />

Francis Church Choir, whose repertoire<br />

includes sacred masters such as Palestrina<br />

and Vittoria.<br />

Who Did You See? by Australian Jesuit<br />

composer Christopher Wilcock is one of Fr<br />

Greg’s favourite pieces.<br />

Holy Family’s four choirs inspire Fr Greg,<br />

as they express the cultural breadth of the<br />

parish, united in worship.<br />

MEDICAL & DENTAL CENTRE<br />

Child Dental Benefit Scheme:<br />

Free dental treatment for children between 2-17 years*<br />

Mercy Scholarships<br />

OLMC Parramatta is now taking applications from girls entering<br />

Years 7, 9 or 11 in 2018 for Mercy Scholarships in the areas of<br />

Academic Excellence<br />

Music Excellence<br />

REASONS<br />

TO SEE<br />

US<br />

PAIN FREE DENTISTRY<br />

• Health Fund Patients<br />

No gap for check-up / clean / fluoride<br />

• Non-Health Fund Patients<br />

Special introductory offer<br />

($150 check-up / clean / fluoride<br />

• Pensioners and Healthcare card holders:<br />

Special discount<br />

T 9683 3300 E olmc@olmc.nsw.edu.au W www.olmc.nsw.edu.au<br />

A Mercy Education is Treasured for Life<br />

• Veteran Affairs: Claims available online<br />

•Special Offer for Tooth Whitening<br />

• Interest free payment plans for eligible patients<br />

* Conditions apply<br />

81 – 83 Richmond Rd, Blacktown, NSW l 9622 1998<br />

www.catholicoutlook.org<br />

NOVEMBER 2016 CatholicOutlook 11


–Share your Christmas joy and donate today! www.faithatwork.org.au<br />

Seeing God’s voice<br />

By Jordan Grantham<br />

FINDING SILENCE TO HEAR God’s<br />

voice can be difficult in these busy,<br />

connected times but the deaf Catholic<br />

community in Seven Hills regularly ‘sees’<br />

God’s voice in a quiet signed Mass, each<br />

third Sunday of the month at Our Lady of<br />

Lourdes Parish.<br />

The Ephpheta Catholic Centre for Deaf<br />

& Hard of Hearing People – based in<br />

Punchbowl – provides the Sunday Mass at<br />

rotating locations across Sydney and the<br />

Central Coast. It also offers pastoral care<br />

and support for deaf people throughout the<br />

greater Sydney area.<br />

‘Ephpheta’, “be opened”, is from the sacred<br />

Aramaic language, spoken by Christ when<br />

he cured a deaf man in St Mark’s Gospel.<br />

Fr Michael Lanzon is Chaplain to the<br />

Ephpheta Centre and shares the duty of<br />

providing the deaf Mass at Our Lady of<br />

Lourdes Parish, Seven Hills, with Fr John<br />

Paul Escarlan.<br />

They use Auslan, Australian sign language,<br />

to communicate the words of the Mass. “I’m<br />

still working on improving my Auslan,” Fr<br />

Lanzon admits.<br />

The Masses also use professional Auslan<br />

interpreters, which means the Mass is quite<br />

elaborate, being said in two languages at the<br />

same time. At Mass the readings are led by<br />

deaf people in Auslan.<br />

“It is quite different to what you would<br />

experience. When deaf people attend this<br />

Mass, they remain seated the whole time to<br />

maintain a line of sight. We also normally<br />

have a PowerPoint so that the Mass is<br />

accessible to everyone.”<br />

The Vatican released guidelines for the<br />

pastoral care of deaf people in 2009. The<br />

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference<br />

implemented recommendations from<br />

the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral<br />

Workers, providing liturgical, catechetical,<br />

social and employment support, dedicated<br />

to the deaf.<br />

Fr John Paul Escarlan started his<br />

involvement with the deaf chaplaincy<br />

in 2009, at the Diocese of Parramatta’s<br />

Seminary of the Holy Spirit.<br />

“One of the readers at my ordination to the<br />

priesthood was from the deaf community<br />

and there was a voiceover translation of the<br />

Auslan signing,” he said.<br />

This pastoral connection to the seminary<br />

continues today with Shinto Francis, a<br />

current seminarian.<br />

Daina Caruana from the Ephpheta Centre signs during Mass. Photo: Alfred Boudib.<br />

The Catholic Church has for many years<br />

had a long and proud tradition of support for<br />

the deaf community. The centre’s previous<br />

Director, Stephen Lawlor, was the first deaf<br />

leader of a Catholic deaf facility in the world.<br />

Nicole Clark is the Interpreter and<br />

Consultant for the staff and community<br />

at the Ephpheta Centre. She said Stephen’s<br />

appointment “was a very overt way that<br />

Cardinal Pell recognised the importance of<br />

self-determination for the deaf community.”<br />

“We have a rich Catholic heritage from<br />

Ireland, through the Dominican Sisters from<br />

Cabra. Many signs in our Masses come from<br />

the Irish sign language.”<br />

Folklore holds that the Cabra deaf school<br />

started when a bishop’s sister had a deaf<br />

child. The mother was considering sending<br />

the child to the only available school for the<br />

deaf – a Protestant institution. “‘We won’t be<br />

having any of that!’ was the bishop’s hearty<br />

response,” Nicole said. The rest is history.<br />

You can learn more about the work of the<br />

Ephpheta Centre at www.ephpheta.org.au<br />

Your donations to this month’s Diocesan<br />

Works Fund Appeal will help to support<br />

the work of the Ephpheta Centre. Appeal<br />

envelopes are available from your parish<br />

or you can make an online donation at:<br />

www.faithatwork.org.au.<br />

BUILDING SERVICES LOCALLY TO MAKE A CRITICAL DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE’S LIVES<br />

$49 $24 $10 $__<br />

$49 can help provide<br />

financial or family<br />

counselling<br />

$24 can help provide<br />

refugees educational<br />

supplies for English courses<br />

$10 can help provide<br />

equipment and uniforms for<br />

employment courses.<br />

Your support will go a long<br />

way in providing counselors<br />

and case workers to our<br />

disadvantaged across<br />

Western Sydney and the<br />

Blue Mountains<br />

Please give generously today and support our social services<br />

CatholicCare Social Services:<br />

Choices (employment) | Blacktown Neighbour Aid | Financial Counselling | Relationship and Family Counselling | Solo Parents Ministry<br />

Houses to Homes and Project Elizabeth | Mamre, Refugee Education (English Course)<br />

Ephpheta Centre (for deaf and hard of hearing people):<br />

Community Visits | Education Programs | Marriage Services | Funeral Services | Volunteering<br />

You can donate using the DWF Appeal envelope or donate online at parracatholic.org/dwf<br />

12 CatholicOutlook NOVEMBER 2016 www.catholicoutlook.org


– Please give generously and provide hope to someone this Christmas www.faithatwork.org.au<br />

Blacktown Neighbour Aid lends a helping hand<br />

BLACKTOWN NEIGHBOUR AID is a<br />

service of CatholicCare Social Services<br />

in the Diocese of Parramatta that assists<br />

frail aged people, people with a disability<br />

and their carers who are living within the<br />

Blacktown Local Government Area (LGA).<br />

The service is primarily directed towards<br />

meeting a need for social contact and/<br />

or a companion to assist participation in<br />

community life.<br />

Blacktown Neighbour Aid provides a<br />

community-based service to consumers and<br />

carers, which assists them to remain living<br />

independently in their own homes.<br />

The service is provided Monday to Friday<br />

during normal business hours. We employ a<br />

social support worker initially to establish a<br />

routine that meets individual needs.<br />

A trained volunteer is then allocated, on a<br />

one-to-one basis, to visit for up to two hours<br />

per week at a time that suits the personal<br />

needs of consumers and carers.<br />

Anyone can refer a person to Blacktown<br />

Neighbour Aid. Referrals may be made<br />

by a family member, relative, a friend<br />

or neighbour, community group, health<br />

professional, or consumers can self-refer.<br />

We endeavour to support and<br />

complement other services, including<br />

family and friends, by providing a social<br />

Dedicated volunteers provide companionship and assistance.<br />

support worker or trained volunteer who<br />

offers practical assistance, social support<br />

and companionship.<br />

Services include:<br />

• Friendly home visits;<br />

• Assistance with filling out forms, writing<br />

and posting mail;<br />

• Reading;<br />

• Assistance with banking & paying bills;<br />

• Phone support;<br />

• Support to attend a social activity;<br />

• Transport and assistance to shopping (fees<br />

apply); and<br />

• Transport and accompany to medical<br />

appointments within Blacktown LGA<br />

(fees apply).<br />

Blacktown Neighbour Aid needs<br />

volunteers to assist our frail aged, people with<br />

a disability and their carers. The requirement<br />

is a couple of hours of your time, either<br />

weekly, fortnightly or monthly.<br />

Volunteers receive training, supervision<br />

and support, and reimbursement of travel<br />

and out-of-pocket expenses. There is<br />

the opportunity to socialise and enjoy<br />

engaging with consumers and a team of<br />

like-minded people.<br />

To find out more about becoming<br />

a volunteer, contact CatholicCare tel<br />

(02) 8822 2222, bna@ccss.org.au<br />

Recover Wellbeing tackling mental distress<br />

Mamre House was originally part of Rev Samuel Marsden’s South Creek farm.<br />

Mamre programs for migrants and refugees<br />

MAMRE HOUSE AND FARM is set on<br />

an 85ha property at Orchard Hills. It was<br />

originally part of Rev Samuel Marsden’s<br />

South Creek farm established in 1804.<br />

Mamre House was the working farmhouse<br />

of a busy rural property, a model farm<br />

that included orchards, exotic pasture and<br />

other crops.<br />

For the past 30 years, the focus has<br />

been on social justice and bringing the<br />

community together. CatholicCare Social<br />

Services took over the operation of Mamre<br />

Farm from the Sisters of Mercy Parramatta<br />

in 2014.<br />

CatholicCare has developed innovative<br />

approaches that improve individual<br />

and community wellbeing. Mamre<br />

operates programs for migrants,<br />

volunteers and refugees.<br />

CATHOLICCARE SOCIAL SERVIC-<br />

ES in the Diocese of Parramatta has<br />

a team of highly skilled and dedicated<br />

people who work in its Houses to Homes<br />

program. This service for pregnant girls or<br />

parenting young women who are homeless<br />

or at risk of homelessness offers:<br />

• Transitional semi-independent housing;<br />

• Referral pathways towards long-term<br />

stable housing solutions;<br />

• Case management support;<br />

• Access to brokerage;<br />

• Home visits to young mothers and<br />

their babies;<br />

• Empowerment for independent living;<br />

• Access to parenting and living skills,<br />

employment and education;<br />

Mamre Farm plots are provided to refugee<br />

families or larger community groups for a<br />

nominal fee. It is an opportunity for families<br />

to cultivate the produce they grew up with,<br />

to learn about Western produce and to<br />

start a conversation with people they have<br />

not met before.<br />

Mamre’s Refugee Program offers a caring<br />

and supportive community environment<br />

where lessons are structured around<br />

students’ needs. English classes cater for all<br />

levels of English and Australian citizenship<br />

classes are offered.<br />

A creche accommodates the childcare<br />

needs of parents while they are studying.<br />

Pastoral care is available to families, as well<br />

as financial counselling.<br />

For more information about Mamre’s<br />

programs contact CatholicCare<br />

(02) 8822 2222.<br />

Houses to Homes support for young mums<br />

• Advocacy, support and referral; and<br />

• Assistance in accessing community<br />

resources.<br />

The demand for this service is constant.<br />

Vulnerable members of our community are<br />

afforded the opportunity that many of us<br />

take for granted.<br />

Louise Masters heads the team: “All<br />

babies and children have the right to lead<br />

a healthy and fulfilling life with safe and<br />

secure housing and early intervention,”<br />

Louise said. “We are committed to<br />

providing the best service possible so this<br />

can be achieved.”<br />

For more information about Houses<br />

to Homes contact CatholicCare tel<br />

(02) 8822 2222.<br />

CATHOLICCARE SOCIAL SERVICES<br />

runs Recover Wellbeing in the Diocese<br />

of Parramatta. It is a unique program<br />

offering practical recovery-oriented<br />

education and support to people living<br />

with mental distress.<br />

Recover Wellbeing providing pathways<br />

to positive mental wellbeing through a<br />

combination of education, social activities<br />

and peer-led recovery groups in accordance<br />

with the principles of REACH, the Black<br />

Dog Institute’s nine-week psychoeducational<br />

program.<br />

Recover Wellbeing’s combination of<br />

professional support, social inclusion<br />

and informal camaraderie between<br />

participants is what makes the program<br />

appealing and beneficial for people living<br />

with mental distress.<br />

Groups include a culturally specific<br />

Aboriginal program at Emerton in addition<br />

to monthly get-togethers that include Art<br />

and Writing Group 4 Wellbeing, Visual<br />

Arts & Crafts Group 4 Wellbeing, Create<br />

4 Wellbeing, Walk 4 Wellbeing, Dance 4<br />

Wellbeing, Drum 4 Wellbeing and Breaking<br />

Habits 4 Wellbeing.<br />

For more information about Recover<br />

Wellbeing contact CatholicCare<br />

(02) 8822 2222.<br />

All babies and children have the right to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.<br />

Your donations to this month’s DWF Appeal will help to support the Diocese of Parramatta’s social services<br />

www.catholicoutlook.org<br />

NOVEMBER 2016 CatholicOutlook 13


CATHOLIC EDUCATION<br />

www.parra.catholic.edu.au @CatholicEdParra CatholicEdParra<br />

The test is not the<br />

final score<br />

440<br />

510<br />

The Higher School<br />

Certificate can be a testing<br />

time, not just for students<br />

and teachers but for<br />

families too. Though there<br />

is a range of assessments<br />

throughout any young<br />

person’s schooling, the<br />

HSC and NAPLAN are<br />

seen as the big ones.<br />

Despite the industry that<br />

has developed around<br />

NAPLAN preparation, these useful tests for Years 3,<br />

5, 7 and 9 students simply take a snapshot of literacy<br />

and numeracy skills (see story right). However, the<br />

HSC demands plenty of preparation, but also plenty<br />

of perspective.<br />

For me, and many of my classmates, education<br />

opened doors that had been closed to our families<br />

in previous generations. This is true of many of<br />

the young people studying for the HSC across the<br />

Diocese today.<br />

In my day, study included an ample supply of<br />

handwritten notes on pastel-coloured index cards<br />

from the local newsagency. Far fewer students<br />

completed the HSC and schoolies was yet to<br />

be invented.<br />

These days, students have access to a wide range<br />

of study tools online and often receive their<br />

results by SMS rather than haunting the letterbox<br />

in late December.<br />

At times, there can be an over-emphasis on the ATAR<br />

score as if more than a decade of learning can be<br />

reduced to a single number. Do tests at school really<br />

prepare us for the tests that life throws our way?<br />

Though not all of life’s opportunities and challenges<br />

will be academic, I do see an enduring value of<br />

learning and application to study that the HSC<br />

requires from students over an extended period<br />

– the need to plan, research, collaborate and the<br />

chance to really hone in on a particular area of focus.<br />

436<br />

432<br />

428<br />

424<br />

420<br />

NAPLAN growth the result of continued<br />

focus on teacher learning<br />

In May this year, students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sat the<br />

National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy<br />

(NAPLAN) tests, which measure student performance<br />

in reading, writing, spelling, grammar/punctuation<br />

and numeracy.<br />

The 2016 NAPLAN results indicate that Catholic schools<br />

in the Diocese of Parramatta have shown significant<br />

improvement in a number of areas including Year 5 and 7<br />

numeracy and Year 5 and 7 reading.<br />

In numeracy, 97.6% of students showed growth at or beyond<br />

expected levels from Years 3 to 5, 93.3% showed growth<br />

from Years 5 to 7, and 91.6% showed growth from Years 7<br />

to 9.<br />

In writing, there were more students in the top two bands<br />

for Year 3 and fewer students in the bottom bands for Year<br />

3, 5 and 7.<br />

Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta (CEDP) is<br />

continuing to reduce the number of vulnerable students<br />

508<br />

506<br />

504<br />

502<br />

500<br />

who are represented in the lower two bands in Reading and<br />

Mathematics for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.<br />

Deputy Executive Director Sue Walsh said the improvement<br />

was attributed to the focus on teacher professional learning,<br />

literacy and numeracy classroom practice and intervention<br />

programs, including Reading Recovery and Extending<br />

Mathematical Understanding (EMU).<br />

“CEDP has engaged academic partners such as Prof Peter<br />

Sullivan to facilitate teacher professional learning aimed<br />

at increasing student performance in numeracy through<br />

challenging and rich Mathematics tasks,” Sue said.<br />

“Lyn Sharratt from Ontario, Canada, has partnered over<br />

four years with CEDP to lead professional learning in<br />

literacy, which will continue next year.<br />

“These partnerships have delivered quality teacher<br />

learning in literacy and numeracy with a focus on<br />

improving students most at risk and extending students at<br />

the higher levels.”<br />

If students have come away from school with a<br />

lifelong love of learning and re-learning then this will<br />

stand them in good stead for the future.<br />

It’s important to remember, however, that the HSC<br />

and other examinations are a means to an end, rather<br />

than an end in themselves. In my case, these studies<br />

led to the privilege of dedicating my working life to<br />

transforming young lives through education. I wish<br />

every 2016 HSC student the blessing of an equally<br />

rewarding vocation.<br />

Congratulations to our class of 2016 as they<br />

prepare to continue on this next stage of their<br />

learning journey.<br />

Greg Whitby<br />

Executive Director<br />

900<br />

850<br />

800<br />

750<br />

700<br />

650<br />

600<br />

550<br />

500<br />

450<br />

400<br />

560<br />

540<br />

520<br />

500<br />

480<br />

460<br />

@gregwhitby<br />

blog: bluyonder.wordpress.com<br />

14 CatholicOutlook NOVEMBER 2016 www.catholicoutlook.org


www.parra.catholic.edu.au @CatholicEdParra CatholicEdParra CATHOLIC EDUCATION<br />

From left: Sebastien Nakhoul, Tiarne McLuskey and Taylah Hodgson-Harvey.<br />

Voices of youth speak out for justice<br />

On 20 September, six Year 6 students from<br />

the Diocese of Parramatta competed in the<br />

2016 Voice of Youth Grand Finals.<br />

Tiarne McLuskey from Our Lady of the<br />

Angels Primary, Rouse Hill, won the<br />

Grand Final for her amusing speech,<br />

‘Life is Better with BBQ Sauce’. Taylah<br />

Hodgson-Harvey from St Monica’s<br />

Primary, Richmond, received the Social<br />

Justice award for her speech about child<br />

abuse and domestic violence titled,<br />

‘Child Abuse’.<br />

“So many children are going through this,<br />

and it is not OK,” Taylah said. “I’m really<br />

passionate about this issue and feel it is<br />

very important to share this with students,<br />

parents and teachers, hopefully, to have an<br />

impact in some way.”<br />

Our Lady of the Way Primary, Emu Plains,<br />

Assistant Principal and Voice of Youth<br />

Grand Final Host, Michael Mifsud, said he<br />

was very impressed by the scope of talent in<br />

the 2016 competition.<br />

“Once again the students demonstrated<br />

how we need to let them capture their<br />

spirit and energy, and express themselves,”<br />

Michael said. “The talent was so impressive,<br />

everyone deserved to be a winner.”<br />

Watch VOY speeches: https://www.<br />

youtube.com/watch?v=7sdyn-<br />

XMBaw&feature=youtu.be<br />

Keen golfers Bro Bernard Bulfin FSP and Ian Jordan at the 30 th Annual Diocesan Golf Day.<br />

30 th Annual Diocesan Golf Day hits for success<br />

On 27 September, 156 people attended<br />

the 30 th Annual Diocesan Golf Day, held<br />

at Richmond Golf Club. An all-time<br />

fund record was set with more than<br />

$12,500 raised for the homeless in the<br />

Hawkesbury Community.<br />

The Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay<br />

took out the coveted DDF best scratch<br />

score trophy for a team score of 59<br />

with 11 under.<br />

Foundation sponsors Diocesan<br />

Development Fund (DDF) and<br />

Catholic Church Insurances (CCI) were<br />

acknowledged for their support and<br />

commitment over 30 continuous years.<br />

Diocesan Golf Day organiser Ian Jordan said<br />

the event was a huge success. “Each year<br />

our success continues to grow and I believe<br />

this is testament to the faith and spirit of<br />

our community, coming together for a good<br />

cause,” Ian said.<br />

www.catholicoutlook.org<br />

NOVEMBER 2016 CatholicOutlook 15


CATHOLIC EDUCATION<br />

www.parra.catholic.edu.au @CatholicEdParra CatholicEdParra<br />

More than 100 second-year teachers took part in the two-day retreat.<br />

Beginning teachers’ retreat enriches faith<br />

From 12-13 September, more than 100<br />

second year beginning teachers from the<br />

Diocese attended a two-day retreat at the<br />

Benedict XVI Retreat Centre, which offered<br />

an opportunity for deep reflection, prayer<br />

and peer networking.<br />

Director Mission Ian Smith said the days<br />

provided an opportunity for beginning<br />

teachers to deepen their own prayer life and<br />

The Way of Mercy Cross and Relics at St Bernadette's Primary, Lalor Park.<br />

Pilgrimage of the Way of Mercy Cross and<br />

Relics across the Diocese of Parramatta<br />

On 8 August, hundreds of students, parish<br />

members and Catholic Education staff<br />

from around the Diocese gathered in St<br />

Patrick’s Cathedral for the official Way of<br />

Mercy launch.<br />

to resource strategies that might assist in<br />

building up the faith experiences of their<br />

school communities.<br />

“The beginning teachers were invited<br />

to reflect on ways in which they could<br />

enrich the sacramental lives of their<br />

students and to think about the deeper<br />

questions around faith and culture,”<br />

Ian said.<br />

St Oliver’s Primary, Harris Park, Principal<br />

Barbara Young said the ceremony provided<br />

students, teachers and parents with a<br />

valuable opportunity to share stories about<br />

how they live their faith.<br />

Ready, set … read! St Agnes’ 2016 Reading Relay<br />

On 1 September, Year 7 students from<br />

St Agnes Catholic High School, Rooty<br />

Hill, participated in the school’s annual<br />

Reading Relay.<br />

Initiated in 2015, the relay involves<br />

students working in teams to read and<br />

summarise a set topic. With the topic for<br />

this year’s relay being ‘Australia’, students<br />

were required to read and analyse a<br />

paragraph about Australia, move to<br />

the other end of the field and provide<br />

a summary of what they read before<br />

tagging their teammate to complete the<br />

next paragraph.<br />

St Agnes’ Literacy teacher Linda Hicks said<br />

the Reading Relay was an excellent way to<br />

make reading fun and interactive.<br />

“We had overwhelmingly positive<br />

feedback from the students who<br />

participated in last year’s relay,” Linda<br />

said. “It is a great way to get students<br />

excited about reading and to help engage<br />

them in literacy.”<br />

Students had to read, run and summarise each paragraph before tagging their teammate to complete the<br />

next paragraph.<br />

Maths teachers deepen their learning<br />

In August and September, a number of<br />

teachers from schools across the Diocese<br />

participated in Extending Mathematical<br />

Understanding (EMU) program<br />

professional learning workshops as part<br />

of the ongoing commitment to improve<br />

student learning outcomes.<br />

The EMU program supports vulnerable<br />

students at risk of falling behind<br />

in Mathematics.<br />

Year 1 EMU specialist teacher, Fiona<br />

Lambert from St Paul the Apostle Primary,<br />

Winston Hills, said the program was not<br />

only professionally rewarding, it also<br />

produced great results for students.<br />

“Throughout the program you can really<br />

see the students’ confidence start to grow,”<br />

Fiona said. “As a Year 1 teacher the EMU<br />

training has been great for my professional<br />

development and the support that has been<br />

offered has been outstanding.”<br />

A key part of the learning for teachers<br />

is participating in a ‘Behind the Screen’<br />

lesson, where teachers observed an EMU<br />

lesson and then provided feedback on what<br />

they observed.<br />

The launch marked the beginning of a<br />

three-month pilgrimage (8 August -<br />

13 November) of a Mercy Cross and the<br />

Relics of our diocesan patron, St Mary<br />

of the Cross MacKillop, and St Teresa<br />

of Kolkata from the Cathedral to the<br />

churches, schools and communities<br />

across the Diocese.<br />

Meet the new Principal of St Luke’s, Greg Miller.<br />

“A representative from each class brought<br />

forward their class candle, which was lit<br />

from the Way of Mercy candle and placed<br />

in front of the Cross,” Barbara said. “At<br />

the conclusion of the ceremony, each<br />

student, teacher and parent was given the<br />

opportunity to come forward to venerate<br />

the Cross.”<br />

Meet the Principal of St Luke’s College, Marsden Park<br />

With 28 years in Catholic education across<br />

five dioceses in Sydney and regional NSW,<br />

and more than 14 years as a senior leader,<br />

Greg Miller said he feels “well placed to<br />

take on the exciting and privileged role”<br />

of founding Principal Leader at St Luke's<br />

Catholic College, Marsden Park.<br />

“In a place where ‘Learning = Infinite<br />

Possibilities’, St Luke's will soon engage<br />

with parents, students and teachers of the<br />

Learning Community to explore, discover<br />

EMU teachers at the Aengus Kavanagh Centre after the ‘Behind the Scenes’ lesson.<br />

and establish the ‘new normal’ for pre- to<br />

post-school learning in an environment<br />

which prepares students for a changing<br />

world,” Greg said.<br />

“From day one, St Luke’s will nurture<br />

and grow faith-filled, curious children<br />

to become critical thinkers and creative<br />

problem solvers.<br />

“Literacy and numeracy will be strong<br />

enablers for each student to engage<br />

with a flexible curriculum, which will focus<br />

on preparing students with<br />

21 st Century skills.<br />

“Part of my role will be to collaboratively<br />

nurture and develop the leadership<br />

capabilities of leaders and teacher leaders<br />

so they can have the greatest impact on<br />

students’ learning.”<br />

Meet St Luke's New Principal<br />

https://youtu.be/nAeX9_nfSAo<br />

16 CatholicOutlook NOVEMBER 2016 www.catholicoutlook.org


INSTITUTE FOR MISSION<br />

Nourishment for your life in faith – is 2017 your time?<br />

HAVE YOU BEEN promising to<br />

nurture your faith or enthuse<br />

your mission with God? You are<br />

welcome to consider one of two programs<br />

being announced for 2017 by the Diocese<br />

of Parramatta’s Institute for Mission (IFM)<br />

at Blacktown.<br />

Formation in Themes of Faith – starts 6<br />

February 2017 – apply now!<br />

Formation for Reflective Ministry – starts<br />

March 2017 – express interest now!<br />

Formation in Themes of Faith – a<br />

guided exploration of key components of<br />

Catholic life.<br />

This program (formerly named Beginning<br />

Theology) is a mix of group and individual<br />

experience. Participants are part of a group<br />

that comes together with a mentor for four<br />

enjoyable Monday night sessions for each<br />

of four topics across the year (16 gatherings<br />

in total).<br />

An engaging collection of provided<br />

readings is the stimulus each time for the<br />

group to further explore the Catholic faith.<br />

Group members share brief prepared<br />

thoughts and reflections from their guided<br />

reading, as well as join in conversation that<br />

the mentor assists within the group.<br />

A part of each evening brings the groups<br />

together as a whole for a topic summary<br />

and to provide a great chance to get to know<br />

other people.<br />

No prior formal studies in faith are<br />

required. This program helps the participants<br />

in their competency and ongoing growth<br />

regarding some key areas:<br />

1. God (themes of Spirituality and Trinity);<br />

2. Word of God (themes of Scripture – Old<br />

and New);<br />

3. People of God (themes of Church,<br />

Sacrament and Spirit); and<br />

4. Living in God’s Love (themes of Catholic<br />

teaching and living).<br />

Cost: $220 per person with parish<br />

reduction and sponsorship options.<br />

Speak to Fr Paul or Raimie from the IFM<br />

team for more info, tel (02) 9831 4911 or<br />

send an email to connect@ifm.org.au<br />

Starts 6 February 2017. APPLY NOW<br />

at www.ifm.org.au (applications close<br />

11 December).<br />

Formation for reflective ministry –<br />

Pastoral theology for those serving in and<br />

through Catholic communities<br />

This new program is a change of<br />

structure from the former Certificate<br />

in Pastoral Formation and now consists<br />

of a series of gatherings across autumn<br />

and spring. There is a long break during<br />

the winter except for a retreat day<br />

and a session about spiritual gifts and<br />

ministry goals.<br />

The Formation for Reflective Ministry<br />

program includes input from a number of<br />

qualified presenters and some enriching<br />

readings which include a focus on:<br />

• Foundations of spirituality for life in faith;<br />

• Biblical background and the study and<br />

application of Scripture;<br />

• Theological emphases at the heart of<br />

Catholic life and belief; and<br />

• The mission of evangelisation.<br />

It is a program aimed at enthusing those<br />

who have been or are currently involved in<br />

an expression of ministry/service through a<br />

Catholic community and who want to keep<br />

discerning such involvement in the living<br />

and sharing of their faith.<br />

And so there are priorities in this program<br />

for nourishing and skilling in practical<br />

priorities such as:<br />

• Contemplation and praying with<br />

the Scriptures;<br />

• Relational and missionary qualities for<br />

ministry; and<br />

• Strategies and priorities for today’s<br />

Church communities.<br />

The Formation for Reflective Ministry<br />

program combines 18 enjoyable Tuesday<br />

evenings with a few half Saturdays and some<br />

enriching reading, journaling, processing<br />

and sharing.<br />

Cost: $390 per person with parish<br />

reduction and sponsorship options.<br />

Speak to Fr Paul or Donnie from the IFM<br />

team for more info, tel (02) 9831 4911 or<br />

send an email to connect@ifm.org.au<br />

Starts March 2017. EXPRESS<br />

YOUR INITIAL INTEREST NOW at<br />

www.ifm.org.au (formal applications open<br />

this month).<br />

www.catholicoutlook.org<br />

NOVEMBER 2016 CatholicOutlook 17


DIOCESAN NEWS<br />

Tamils’ devotion to Mother Mary<br />

By Jordan Grantham<br />

FATHER ROBERT WILLIAM is Chaplain<br />

to the vibrant Tamil Catholic community<br />

in the Diocese of Parramatta,<br />

which includes Tamils from Sri Lanka, India,<br />

Malaysia, Singapore and other parts of<br />

the world.<br />

Fr Robert is Assistant Priest at Blessed<br />

John XXIII Parish, Glenwood-Stanhope<br />

Gardens, and celebrates the Tamil Mass on<br />

the last Sunday of every month at Sacred<br />

Heart Church, Westmead.<br />

The Tamil people are an ancient ethnic<br />

group, with roots in India and Sri Lanka.<br />

Christianity came with the colonial<br />

expansion of the Portuguese.<br />

St Thomas the Apostle, St Francis<br />

Xavier, the Italian Jesuit Robert de Nobili<br />

and St John de Britto from France are the<br />

key evangelisers of the Tamil people, who<br />

developed a distinct cultural expression<br />

of Catholicism.<br />

Tamil Catholicism is growing in our<br />

Diocese, with multiple annual events. Marian<br />

devotion is demonstrated in spectacular style<br />

at the Tamil celebration of Mother Mary’s<br />

birthday. The Tamil Chaplaincy prays and<br />

feasts on the first Sunday after the Nativity<br />

of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on 8 September.<br />

This is held each year at Mt Schoenstatt<br />

in Mulgoa where almost 1000 people gather<br />

for the day. On the same day after the Mass,<br />

the Mt Schoenstatt’s image of Mary Thrice<br />

Admirable is placed on a float and decorated<br />

with colourful floral arrangements.<br />

Women wear the sari and men dress<br />

formally. A group bears the float for each<br />

decade of the rosary, prayed by the gathered<br />

crowds. After each decade, rosaries are<br />

held to the image of the Mother Thrice<br />

Admirable and all sing the Lourdes Hymn.<br />

People with special intentions carry the<br />

image and offer the service as prayerful<br />

sacrifice with their prayers.<br />

Families bring their favourite dish to<br />

share and celebrate from early afternoon<br />

until the evening. Devotion to Mother<br />

Mary is important to Tamil families. “This<br />

helps the children to grow in faith and<br />

love,” Fr Robert explained.<br />

The annual celebration of Mother Mary’s birthday takes place at Mt Schoenstatt.<br />

Fr Robert William is Chaplain to the Tamil Catholic<br />

community in the Diocese. Photo: Jordan Grantham.<br />

Pilgrimage to Mother Mary is given special<br />

emphasis in Tamil culture. The shrines of<br />

Our Lady of Velankami (India) and Our<br />

Lady of Madhu (Sri Lanka) receive millions<br />

of pilgrims annually. “This is a massive feast<br />

day for Tamils,” Fr Robert said.<br />

More than 1000 gather for Tamil<br />

midnight Mass on New Year’s Eve at St<br />

Patrick’s Cathedral in Parramatta. “People<br />

wish to receive abundant blessings of our<br />

Lord on the very first day of the New Year,”<br />

Fr Robert said.<br />

The Tamil Family Day celebration is on the<br />

first Sunday of December at Mt Schoenstatt.<br />

Love and prayer within the family are<br />

emphasised. “The faith starts from the<br />

family,” Fr Robert explained.<br />

Every couple attending the Family Day<br />

Mass publicly renews their vows.<br />

A pilgrimage to Berrima is organised<br />

during Lent. “We observe penance,<br />

including a passion play of Our Lord’s final<br />

moments on earth,” Fr Robert said. “I see<br />

the sincerity of the Tamils and the faith of<br />

the families. Faith and family are the pillars<br />

of the Tamil community.”<br />

The community’s special devotion to<br />

Mother Mary and respect for mothers go<br />

hand in hand. “In Tamil culture, mothers<br />

play an important role,” Fr Robert said.<br />

Shinto Francis was drawn by the strong faith, growth and multiculturalism of the Diocese of Parramatta.<br />

Photo: Jordan Grantham.<br />

Shinto a candidate for Holy Orders<br />

By Jordan Grantham<br />

SEMINARIAN FOR THE DIOCESE of<br />

Parramatta Shinto Francis was accepted<br />

as a candidate for Holy Orders at Richmond<br />

Parish during Mass with Bishop Vincent<br />

Long OFM Conv on 16 October.<br />

Shinto’s journey on the path to ordination<br />

has been rewarding; strengthening faith,<br />

discernment and joy. The journey of<br />

discernment has taken him far from his<br />

family but now he has “found my home<br />

here”, he said.<br />

Shinto, aged 32, is a tall and slim figure,<br />

with a bright face. He speaks kindly, with<br />

an ever-present smile. Originally from<br />

Kerala, South India, Shinto grew up in a<br />

faith-filled family.<br />

“We had the rosary daily, during evening<br />

prayer,” he said. Shinto is the fourth of seven<br />

children and they also gathered daily for<br />

morning prayers.<br />

Though living in a rural area, the local<br />

parish was based in a hall only 200m from<br />

his childhood home. Shinto grew up as part<br />

of the Syro-Malabar Rite, an Eastern Rite of<br />

the Catholic Church.<br />

St Mary’s Church, Cholathadam,<br />

replaced the hall more than a year ago. The<br />

architectural style of Syro-Malabar churches<br />

is renowned for colour; the churches are<br />

beacons of faith to the parish area.<br />

At the age of 13, while serving as an<br />

altar boy in this parish, Shinto first<br />

sensed God calling him to the priesthood.<br />

Soon afterwards, he inquired to the local<br />

diocese and at the age of 15 entered the<br />

minor seminary, a common occurrence in<br />

this system of upper secondary formation<br />

for the priesthood, which no longer exists<br />

in Australia.<br />

In his early 20s, Shinto took leave from the<br />

seminary, wishing to gain more experience<br />

in the workforce. During this break, Shinto<br />

undertook secular studies and managed a<br />

team in a graphic design firm.<br />

Sensing God was calling him to Australia,<br />

Shinto was drawn by the strong faith, growth<br />

and multiculturalism of the Diocese of<br />

Parramatta, where he has lived for the past<br />

three years.<br />

“Multiculturalism itself is a huge difference<br />

for anyone coming from a non-multicultural<br />

society. After coming here I met people<br />

from many countries, which I knew nothing<br />

about,” Shinto shared.<br />

Prior to joining the Seminary of the Holy<br />

Spirit at Harris Park, Shinto frequently played<br />

the keyboard and guitar. Now he can also<br />

play the piano. Lang Lang and Yiruma are<br />

some of Shinto’s favourite recent composers.<br />

Unusually, the seminary contains stained<br />

glass depictions of master composers because<br />

its Victorian era building was previously a<br />

music school. Beethoven is depicted in the<br />

main stairwell’s window.<br />

Haydn is depicted above Beethoven, in the<br />

same window. Shinto has much in common<br />

with Franz Joseph Haydn; including two<br />

names (Joseph is Shinto’s baptismal name),<br />

devotion to the holy rosary and a joyful spirit.<br />

Haydn was a devout Catholic with a warm<br />

demeanour, who remarked, "As God has<br />

given me a cheerful heart, He will forgive<br />

me for serving Him cheerfully." This applies<br />

equally to Shinto.<br />

Gratitude marks his attitude towards those<br />

around him. Shinto is especially thankful to<br />

the seminary’s Rector, Fr John Hogan, and Fr<br />

Robert Riedling, among many others, whose<br />

generous support has allowed him to flourish<br />

in his vocation.<br />

The spiritual, pastoral, intellectual and<br />

human formation programs of the seminary<br />

have been “amazing,” Shinto said.<br />

He looks forward to learning from<br />

experienced priests about being a pastor and<br />

part of a parish community.<br />

His experience in the Church<br />

and world places him in a good position<br />

to give encouragement regarding vocational<br />

discernment.<br />

“Pray constantly. Take your discernment<br />

seriously. If you think God might be calling<br />

you to the priesthood, try discerning it living<br />

inside a seminary rather than outside it.<br />

Seminary is the best place to discern your<br />

vocation,” Shinto advised.<br />

18 CatholicOutlook NOVEMBER 2016 www.catholicoutlook.org


OFFICE FOR WORSHIP<br />

More than 70 people gathered at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Parramatta for a Bishop Vincent Long welcomes presenter Nick Wagner, founder of Team There were opportunities to connect with RCIA teams across<br />

reflection day on the RCIA process.<br />

RCIA in the US.<br />

the Diocese.<br />

Exploring new pathways of RCIA<br />

By Sr Mary Louise Walsh ISSM<br />

Liturgy Educator in the<br />

Office for Worship<br />

On 24 September, more than 70 people<br />

gathered at St Patrick’s Cathedral<br />

in Parramatta for a reflection day on<br />

the RCIA process.<br />

The day was sponsored by the diocesan<br />

Office for Worship and was open to<br />

participants from the parishes of the<br />

Diocese and any interested people from the<br />

neighbouring area.<br />

The presenter for the day was Nick<br />

Wagner. Nick is the director and founder of<br />

Team RCIA. He has worked for many years<br />

in the ministry of Rite of Christian Initiation<br />

of Adults in the US and beyond and has a<br />

vast array of experiences and knowledge as<br />

the source of his sharing.<br />

The day began with a welcome by Bishop<br />

Vincent Long OFM Conv who had many<br />

encouraging words to offer. We were all<br />

delighted that he was able to be with us at<br />

this time.<br />

The morning session gave the<br />

participants an opportunity to review<br />

the development of RCIA in the Church<br />

in the period following the revival at<br />

the Second Vatican Council. Then Nick<br />

outlined some useful strategies to assist<br />

teams in involving the wider membership<br />

of their parishes.<br />

The inspirational sharing offered by Nick<br />

Wagner demonstrated his gift for translating<br />

theological principles into simple and clear<br />

language that inspires joy, commitment and<br />

passion for faith.<br />

In the afternoon we continued with a<br />

sharing and reflection on the period of<br />

Purification and Enlightenment followed by<br />

a brief reflection on Mystagogia.<br />

Throughout the day there were also<br />

opportunities to connect with RCIA teams<br />

across the Diocese. In the coming months the<br />

Office for Worship will facilitate workshops<br />

so as to continue the formation and support<br />

of RCIA teams.<br />

For information about the RCIA, please<br />

contact the Office for Worship, tel (02) 8838<br />

3457 or send an email to MLWalsh@parra.<br />

catholic.org.au<br />

The Office for Worship is offering Liturgical Ministry<br />

Courses in 2017, open to all parishes and individuals<br />

seeking formation and training for serving at the altar.<br />

Held at the Diocesan Assembly Centre in Blacktown on<br />

Mondays and at St Nicholas of Myra in Penrith on Thursdays,<br />

the formation courses are for anyone who is interested in<br />

becoming a Minister of the Word, Holy Communion, Communion<br />

to the Sick and Dying, Adult Altar Server or Acolyte. Please<br />

refer to the dates below for the ministry course schedule:<br />

Compulsory<br />

Introductory Session<br />

Ministers of<br />

the Word<br />

Extraordinary<br />

Ministers of<br />

Communion<br />

Communion to the<br />

Sick & Dying<br />

Altar Servers &<br />

Acolytes<br />

Mondays 7pm @ Blacktown<br />

Thursdays 7pm @ Penrith<br />

20 February 23 February<br />

27 February & 6 March 2 & 9 March<br />

13 & 20 March 16 & 23 March<br />

27 March 30 March<br />

1 & 8 May 4 & 11 May<br />

For more information about these courses and to register,<br />

please contact the Office for Worship tel (02) 8838 3456 or visit<br />

www.parracatholic.org.au/office-for-worship<br />

Lourdes Medical & Dental Centre is a new non-corporate purpose<br />

built medical practice in Western Sydney. This is a rare and exciting<br />

opportunity to join our practice where we aim to provide a friendly<br />

environment for both patients and staff.<br />

General Practitioner<br />

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to be involved from the ground up.<br />

Current registration with AHPRA and medical indemnity insurance are<br />

essential. Female GPs are encouraged to apply.<br />

Percentage of billing available. The practice is conveniently located near a<br />

new housing estate (Fairwater) with lots of potential for new patients. Please<br />

note our practice is not located within a DWS area.<br />

Registered Nurse – Casual<br />

The successful applicant must have current registration and previous<br />

experience as a practice nurse in a medical centre. Good communication<br />

skills with both patients and doctors is required. Proven accreditation in<br />

women’s screening and childhood immunisation is essential.<br />

The role will involve: Wound care, ECG, Venepuncture, Health assessments &<br />

Care plans. Full AHPRA registration and insurance required. Computer skills<br />

are necessary. Award rates commensurate with qualifications. Days and<br />

hours flexible.<br />

Application process: For more information about these positions, please<br />

email resume to dorothy.cragg@lourdesmc.com.au or telephone<br />

Therese Phan 0421 218 072 or Dorothy Cragg 0404 906 949.<br />

Our practice is home to General Practitioners, Allied Health Professionals<br />

and Dentists and is supported by onsite pathology and a registered<br />

nurse. The practice is easily accessible and has onsite parking. The<br />

surgery is computerised and assisted by experienced administrative<br />

staff. Full Accreditation has been achieved with AGPAL.<br />

www.catholicoutlook.org<br />

NOVEMBER 2016 CatholicOutlook 19


<strong>CO</strong>NFRATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE<br />

Catechists join Bishop Vincent for annual CCD Mass<br />

SPECIAL RELIGIOUS EDUCATORS<br />

(SREs/catechists) travelled from all<br />

parts of this Diocese to celebrate<br />

Eucharist at Padre Pio Parish, Glenmore<br />

Park, where the Parish Priest, Fr Chris<br />

Antwi-Boasiako, hosted the 2016 diocesan<br />

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Mass<br />

on 21 October.<br />

Cecilia Zammit, Director of CCD<br />

Parramatta, welcomed the clergy and<br />

more than 600 people assembled for this<br />

celebration. This was Bishop Vincent<br />

Long’s first opportunity to meet and greet<br />

the catechists – women and men who each<br />

week go into 200 local state schools to share<br />

their faith and the love of God.<br />

In his homily, Bishop Vincent announced<br />

that the Church is moving beyond a<br />

clerical structure to the “arrival of the age<br />

of the laity” with core responsibility in the<br />

building of the community.<br />

Bishop Vincent said, “The signs of the<br />

times talked about in the Gospel today<br />

is a source of new hope and that armed<br />

with the Gospel we can be the faces of<br />

Christ and ambassadors of his mercy. The<br />

hallmarks of our discipleship are faith,<br />

service and engagement.”<br />

Student representatives from 15 Catholic<br />

colleges joined the entrance procession<br />

behind their school banners and the Jubilee<br />

Mercy Cross and Relics were carried in by<br />

students of Caroline Chisholm College,<br />

Glenmore Park, and by Veronica and<br />

Frank Sultana.<br />

It was, in fact, Veronica who more than 14<br />

years ago initiated the student SRE program<br />

with students from Caroline Chisholm<br />

College. This ministry has now spread to 20<br />

Catholic colleges in our Diocese.<br />

A very important part of this celebration<br />

was the presentation of Diocesan CCD<br />

Awards immediately after Mass. Bishop<br />

Vincent presented awards to catechists who<br />

had served the Church as SREs for 40 years<br />

(Sabine Harriss), 35 years (Cecilia Fanning<br />

and Margaret Ryan) and 30 years (Julie<br />

Daly, Lyn Burton, Clare Brcar, Mila Svehla<br />

and Laura Eid).<br />

Papal blessings (20 years’ service)<br />

were presented to June Brennen, Patricia<br />

Duncan, Lorraine Gordon, Maureen Jones,<br />

Bernadette Leccese, Maria Long, Peter<br />

Stapleton and Maureen Watts, and SREs<br />

who had served for 25 years and 15 years<br />

were also recognised.<br />

More than 600 people came together for this year’s CCD Mass and presentation of service awards.<br />

Photos: Alfred Boudib.<br />

Twelve SREs were conferred with<br />

Graduation Certificates for completing<br />

Level 3 Primary Training Course and nine<br />

others who had retired from roles as parish<br />

coordinators were shown appreciation for<br />

their service.<br />

Celebrations continued afterwards as<br />

catechists shared stories over lunch in the<br />

Bethany Primary School hall.<br />

As the number of schools in Western<br />

Sydney continues to grow each year,<br />

parishes are always keen to hear from<br />

anyone interested in joining this band<br />

of catechists. Alternatively, you are<br />

welcome to contact Maree Collis at the<br />

CCD Office, tel (02) 9890 4731 or<br />

mcollis@ccdparramatta.com.au<br />

Orientation and training is provided and<br />

volunteers usually begin this ministry as a<br />

helper SRE.<br />

20 CatholicOutlook NOVEMBER 2016 www.catholicoutlook.org


City of Parramatta a<br />

Refugee Welcome Zone<br />

THE JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE, the<br />

Sisters of Mercy Parramatta and the<br />

Refugee Council of Australia together<br />

approached the City of Parramatta recently<br />

to propose that the council become a Refugee<br />

Welcome Zone.<br />

This national initiative recognises local<br />

government areas that make a commitment<br />

in spirit to welcoming refugees into the<br />

community and acknowledging the positive<br />

contribution refugees make to society.<br />

On 10 October, the City of Parramatta,<br />

led by Administrator Amanda Chadwick,<br />

formally endorsed this recommendation<br />

and at a ceremony planned for later this<br />

year, Parramatta will become a Refugee<br />

Welcome Zone.<br />

Maeve Brown is the Manager of Jesuit<br />

Refugee Service’s Arrupe Project, which<br />

provides casework support, emergency relief,<br />

legal assistance and social and educational<br />

support to people seeking asylum.<br />

“The City of Parramatta has a long<br />

history of welcoming many thousands<br />

of refugees and people seeking asylum,"<br />

Maeve said. "Becoming a Refugee Welcome<br />

Zone recognises the council’s ongoing<br />

commitment and support for refugees.”<br />

Sr Catherine Ryan RSM, Congregation<br />

Leader, Sisters of Mercy Parramatta, also<br />

welcomed the endorsement by the City<br />

of Parramatta. “The council’s decision<br />

demonstrates a commitment in spirit<br />

to welcoming refugees into our local<br />

community, upholding the human rights<br />

of refugees and demonstrating both<br />

compassion and an understanding of the<br />

suffering and traumas many of these people<br />

have endured.”<br />

Sr Catherine acknowledged that<br />

becoming a Refugee Welcome Zone was an<br />

important recognition of the tremendous<br />

contribution refugees have made over the<br />

years to enhancing the religious and cultural<br />

diversity of the Australian community.<br />

The Refugee Council of Australia Acting<br />

Chief Executive Officer, Tim O’Connor, said<br />

the Refugee Welcome Zone initiative was a<br />

simple and effective way local councils could<br />

exercise positive leadership on refugee issues.<br />

“Councils sign a declaration to welcome<br />

refugees, uphold their human rights,<br />

demonstrate compassion for new arrivals<br />

and enhance cultural and religious diversity.<br />

How councils implement the pledge is<br />

entirely up to them,” he said.<br />

SOCIAL JUSTICE<br />

The decision demonstrates a commitment in spirit to welcoming refugees into our local community.<br />

Bringing Laudato Si’ to Life: From Vision to Action<br />

10 & 11 November 2016<br />

With Fr Sean McDonagh SSC, Irish eco-theologian and Columban missionary who will contribute<br />

to bringing the vision of Laudato Si’ to life and action in churches and the wider community, in<br />

dialogue with other faiths and with environmentalists.<br />

10 November: Public Event<br />

• 6pm for 6.30pm start, finishes 8.30pm • ACU, Gleeson Auditorium, Barker Rd, Strathfield<br />

11 November: Priests & Parish Workers<br />

• 1pm for 1.30pm start, finishes 3.30pm• ACU, Tenison Woods House, Napier St, North Sydney<br />

RSVP for both events is Monday 7 November: admin.cmi@columban.org.au<br />

Further details at www.columban.org.au or tel (02) 9352 8021.<br />

MASS TIMES AND REGULAR SERVICE<br />

Weekend Masses<br />

Saturday 8am, 9:30am<br />

(Mass in the Extraordinary Form – Latin),<br />

6pm (Vigil) Sunday 8am, 9.30am (Family Mass),<br />

11am (Solemn Mass), 6pm<br />

Weekday Masses<br />

Monday to Friday 6.45am,12.30pm<br />

Public Holidays 8am<br />

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament<br />

Monday to Friday 11.30am-12.20pm<br />

Sacrament of Penance<br />

Weekdays 11.15am-12.20pm<br />

Saturdays 8.30am-9am, 5pm-5.30pm<br />

Devotions<br />

Morning Prayer of the Church<br />

Monday to Friday 6.30am<br />

Saturday and Sunday 7.30am<br />

Angelus<br />

Monday to Friday noon<br />

Rosary<br />

Monday to Friday after Angelus at noon<br />

Evening Prayer of the Church<br />

Monday to Friday 5.15pm<br />

Canticle of Our Lady’s Marian Movement<br />

Friday 1pm<br />

Christian meditation<br />

Tuesday 9.30am-10.15am<br />

Baptism - Sunday 12.45pm by appointment<br />

Marriages - By appointment<br />

Contact the Parish Secretary<br />

tel (02) 8839 8400<br />

email secretary@stpatscathedral.com.au<br />

www.stpatscathedral.com.au<br />

ST PATRICK’S<br />

CATHEDRAL<br />

1 Marist Place, Parramatta<br />

Put those you love in the<br />

hands of those who care<br />

Sydney (02) 9519 5344<br />

Parramatta (02) 9687 1072<br />

wnbull@wnbull.com<br />

www.wnbull.com.au<br />

www.catholicoutlook.org<br />

NOVEMBER 2016 CatholicOutlook 21


YEAR OF MERCY www.mercyhasaface.org.au #mercyhasaface<br />

Way of Mercy<br />

Pilgrimage concludes<br />

as Year of Mercy<br />

draws to a close<br />

The Way of Mercy in images<br />

The Way of Mercy Pilgrimage with the<br />

Mercy Cross and Relics of St Teresa of<br />

Kolkata and our diocesan patron, St Mary<br />

of the Cross MacKillop, will conclude<br />

on Sunday 13 November at St Patrick’s<br />

Cathedral in Parramatta.<br />

As the Jubilee Year of Mercy draws to a<br />

close, Holy Doors in the basilicas of Rome<br />

and in dioceses across the world will close<br />

on this day. Bishop Vincent Long OFM<br />

Conv will close the Holy Door at St Patrick’s<br />

Cathedral following the 6pm Mass.<br />

Bethany Primary School, Granville.<br />

Migrant and Refugee Sunday, Blacktown.<br />

Photo: Art in Images.<br />

The Mercy Cross & Relics visited Holy Trinity<br />

Primary and Delany College, Granville.<br />

Prior to the Mass, the Cathedral Parish will<br />

host a Way of Mercy Regional Gathering<br />

with St Monica’s Parish, North Parramatta;<br />

St Bernadette’s Parish, Dundas Valley;<br />

Christ the King Parish, North Rocks; and<br />

Holy Name of Mary Parish, Rydalmere.<br />

Everyone is welcome to take part in the<br />

ceremony, which will commence with the<br />

arrival of the Cross and Relics and the Way<br />

of Mercy procession at 4.30pm.<br />

St Patrick’s Primary School, Guildford.<br />

Our Lady of the Angels Primary School, Kellyville.<br />

Mercy representatives from across<br />

the Diocese will represent parishes<br />

and schools, religious communities,<br />

migrant communities, health, prison and<br />

university chaplaincies, and Catholic<br />

groups and movements.<br />

After the 6pm Mass, there will be a sausage<br />

sizzle fundraiser with proceeds going to<br />

Arrupe Place, a drop-in centre in North<br />

Parramatta for newly arrived Australians<br />

run by Jesuit Refugee Service Australia.<br />

Mercy Cross & Relics at Mary Immaculate Primary School, Quakers Hill.<br />

The Jubilee Year of Mercy called by Pope<br />

Francis will end on the Solemnity of Our<br />

Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, on<br />

Sunday 20 November when the Pope will<br />

close the Holy Door in St Peter’s Basilica<br />

in Rome.<br />

To view photo galleries and videos of the<br />

Way of Mercy in the Diocese of Parramatta<br />

visit the website:<br />

www.mercyhasaface.org.au<br />

The Mercy Cross is raised.<br />

St Andrew’s Primary School, Marayong.<br />

Celebrate the Holy Year of Mercy by supporting priests, religious sisters and brothers wherever the Church is poor, persecuted or threatened<br />

A priest visiting the sick in Peru<br />

*<br />

22 CatholicOutlook NOVEMBER 2016 www.catholicoutlook.org


NEWS & EVENTS<br />

Students create a place at the table<br />

NOVEMBER CALENDAR<br />

By Sr Louise McKeogh FMA<br />

Social Justice Director<br />

ST PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL HALL<br />

filled with the sounds of 100 excited<br />

Year 9 student leaders on 12 October,<br />

all seeking to learn more about creating a<br />

place at the table, this year’s social justice<br />

statement from the Australian Catholic<br />

Bishops Conference.<br />

The day was a student-led day by<br />

student for students, meeting new friends<br />

and sharing their thoughts, reflections<br />

and actions for justice.<br />

The inaugural social justice awards were<br />

presented by Greg Whitby, Executive<br />

Director of Schools, along with a stirring<br />

call for us all to continue to lead and live<br />

this Gospel call within our communities.<br />

In conjunction with this day, students<br />

from across the Diocese had participated<br />

in an essay competition. Casey Pennell<br />

from Marian Catholic College, Kenthurst,<br />

presented her significant reflections as the<br />

inaugural winner of the Bishop’s Social<br />

Justice Award.<br />

“As I watch the news daily I can’t<br />

help but wonder what has happened<br />

to our world today. Have we forgotten<br />

how to care for one another and treat<br />

friends and strangers alike with respect<br />

and understanding?<br />

“I hope that my generation can one day<br />

help to make a difference by listening to<br />

those who dare to speak up against the<br />

violence in this world and the effect it has<br />

on so many lives.”<br />

Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv who<br />

is chairman of the Australian Catholic<br />

Social Justice Council challenged us with<br />

a keynote address in which he shared<br />

that, like Pope Francis, as leaders we<br />

are called to reach out to those on the<br />

margins of society.<br />

Here in Australia it is often our<br />

Bishop Vincent with recipients of the inaugural Bishop’s Social Justice Awards. Photo: Art in Images.<br />

elderly who are on the margins as they<br />

face various forms of social isolation<br />

and exclusion.<br />

A short video on the local experience<br />

of students from Emmaus College<br />

visiting Emmaus Village aged care facility<br />

at Kemps Creek. Both students and<br />

residents spoke of the importance of the<br />

relationships and engagement that these<br />

visits provided.<br />

It was inspiring to hear what the visits<br />

mean to the residents of the village<br />

and to hear what the students received<br />

from conversation and friendship with<br />

the residents.<br />

Then it was over to individual groups<br />

to break open different parts of the social<br />

justice statement. Each student had a<br />

different section of the statement to reflect<br />

on and report back to our whole group.<br />

After lunch we heard from Rayella<br />

Haines, a parishioner from Our Lady of<br />

the Rosary, St Marys, who shared what<br />

it means for her to have the energy and<br />

enthusiasm of young adults in her life.<br />

Luke Tobin, Caritas Australia’s<br />

Justice Educator, challenged us with<br />

a call to action on the importance of<br />

being Gospel people who put into<br />

action Catholic Social Teaching – Luke<br />

stressed that we are called as leaders to<br />

do this now within our communities<br />

and families.<br />

Time for a second workshop on making<br />

the statement real and lived within our<br />

school communities. This was a time to<br />

share in our discussion groups what we<br />

were already doing and how we can call<br />

the community to bring this to life when<br />

we return to school.<br />

Taking up the challenge of being leaders<br />

not only in the future but in the here and<br />

now. Each group developed a strategy for<br />

the way ahead.<br />

The day was a great success because<br />

of the support and work of the Catholic<br />

Education Office Mission Team and safe<br />

to say that all left this inspiring day with<br />

the desire to create a place at the table<br />

for all.<br />

11-13 LEADING AN ENERGISED LIFE<br />

This weekend workshop is for those who are<br />

interested in exploring and developing their<br />

spirituality in ways that energise their lives.<br />

Facilitated by Br (Dr) Barry Donaghue, Director<br />

Emeritus of Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality<br />

Center, Cedar Rapids, US. Venue is the Edmund<br />

Rice Retreat & Conference Centre, Winbourne,<br />

1315 Mulgoa Rd, Mulgoa. Information:<br />

www.winbourne.org Bookings: (02) 4773 5555.<br />

17 HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS<br />

Join the Holy Hour for Vocations from 7pm-<br />

8pm for an hour of adoration, prayer, music and<br />

quiet time in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in<br />

St Patrick’s Cathedral, 1 Marist Plc, Parramatta.<br />

To find out more about priesthood contact<br />

Fr Warren Edwards, Director of Priestly Vocations,<br />

vocations@parra.catholic.org.au<br />

20 ‘WAITING FOR GABRIEL’ SEMINAR<br />

FOR <strong>CO</strong>UPLES HOPING TO<br />

<strong>CO</strong>NCEIVE<br />

From 1.30-4pm at the Diocesan Assembly<br />

Centre (attached to IFM building), 1-5 Marion St,<br />

Blacktown. Hosted by the Life, Marriage & Family<br />

Office, Diocese of Parramatta. RSVP: (02) 8838<br />

3441, lmf@parra.catholic.org.au<br />

26 REFLECTION DAY FOR WOMEN:<br />

ADVENT – A SEASON OF HOPE<br />

Presented by Sr Mary Louise Walsh ISSM from<br />

9.30am-3pm at Mt Schoenstatt, Fairlight Rd,<br />

Mulgoa. Cost: $25. To register tel (02) 4773 8338,<br />

info@schoenstatt.org.au<br />

30 SCRIPTURE REFLECTION EVENING<br />

– THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW<br />

The Institute for Mission is hosting a Bible study<br />

evening led by Dr Michele Connolly RSJ, a biblical<br />

studies lecturer at CIS who will be opening up<br />

the Gospel of Matthew in preparation for the<br />

upcoming Advent season and liturgical year. From<br />

7pm-9pm at the IFM, 1-5 Marion St, Blacktown.<br />

RSVP 25 November: charbel.dib@ifm.org.au<br />

For more events please go to:<br />

http://catholicoutlook.org/event/<br />

Supporting families in<br />

a time of need is what<br />

Allan from Allan Drew<br />

Funerals has done best for<br />

over 25 years.<br />

Ph: 9680 1344<br />

Allan Drew OAM, JP<br />

allandrewfunerals.com.au<br />

“The most beautiful<br />

and visually<br />

compelling film<br />

I have ever seen. I did<br />

not want it to end.”<br />

Kim, Brisbane.<br />

Filmed and Edited by<br />

Michael Luke Davies<br />

A unique inside portrait of<br />

the world of the Tyburn Nuns.<br />

“This film takes you into<br />

another realm…”<br />

What is life in a cloistered Benedictine<br />

community really like? Let the Tyburn<br />

Nuns take you to their 9 monasteries<br />

around the world. Witness the nuns’ holy<br />

life of prayer and work, centred on the<br />

Eucharist, in this remarkable film.<br />

ORDER ONLINE:<br />

www.tyburnconvent.org.uk<br />

or send cheque/money order for $25<br />

payable to:<br />

Tyburn Priory, 325 Garfield Road East<br />

RIVERSTONE NSW 2765<br />

Name.........................................................<br />

..................................................................<br />

Address.....................................................<br />

..................................................................<br />

..................................................................<br />

..................................................................<br />

www.catholicoutlook.org<br />

NOVEMBER 2016 CatholicOutlook 23


BUILDING SERVICES LOCALLY TO MAKE A CRITICAL DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE’S LIVES<br />

$49 $24 $10 $__<br />

$49 can help provide<br />

financial or family<br />

counselling<br />

$24 can help provide<br />

refugees educational<br />

supplies for English courses<br />

$10 can help provide<br />

equipment and uniforms for<br />

employment courses.<br />

Your support will go a long<br />

way in providing counselors<br />

and case workers to our<br />

disadvantaged across<br />

Western Sydney and the<br />

Blue Mountains<br />

Please give generously today and support our social services<br />

CatholicCare Social Services:<br />

Choices (employment) | Blacktown Neighbour Aid | Financial Counselling | Relationship and Family Counselling | Solo Parents Ministry<br />

Houses to Homes and Project Elizabeth | Mamre, Refugee Education (English Course)<br />

Ephpheta Centre (for deaf and hard of hearing people):<br />

Community Visits | Education Programs | Marriage Services | Funeral Services | Volunteering<br />

You can donate using the DWF Appeal envelope or donate online at parracatholic.org/dwf

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!