Catholic Outlook Magazine September 2020

M A G A Z I N E
ON THE SAME
wavelength
FRANK AND CECILIA:
A LOVING CATHOLIC MARRIAGE
The Well launches | Cooking with Christ | St Nicholas of Myra Parish
SPRING 2020 EDITION

Latest Appointments
in the Diocese of Parramatta
Most Rev Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, has confirmed
these appointments in the Diocese of Parramatta:
Very Rev Peter G. Williams
Reappointed as Vicar General and
Moderator of the Curia from 18 June
2020 for a term of three years.
Very Rev Peter G. Williams
Administrator and Dean of St Patrick’s
Cathedral, Parramatta from 4 July
2020 until 30 November 2020.
Very Rev Christopher de Souza
Reappointed as Vicar General and
Episcopal Vicar for Education from 18
June 2020 for a term of three years.
Very Rev Wim Hoekstra
Reappointed as Episcopal Vicar for
Clergy from 18 June 2020 for a term of
three years.
Very Rev Peter Blayney
Reappointed Episcopal Vicar for
Judicial Matters and Episcopal Vicar
for Migrant Chaplaincies & Pastoral
Associates from 18 June 2020 for a
term of three years.
Rev Peter Blayney
Dean of the Eastern Deanery from 17
August 2020.
Sr Alisa Mackinnon RSM
Reappointed as Vicar for Consecrated
Life from 18 June 2020 for a term of
three years.
Msgr Ronald J. McFarlane
Reappointed as Chancellor,
Administration from 18 June 2020 for
a term of three years.
Very Rev Luis Fernando Montano
Episcopal Vicar for Social Welfare from
18 June 2020 for a term of three years.
Rev Carlos Walker IVE
Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Angels
Parish, Rouse Hill from 1 July 2020 for
a term of six years.
Rev Omar Mazzega IVE
Assistant Priest of Our Lady of the
Angels Parish, Rouse Hill from 1 July
2020 for a term of six years.
Rev Evergisto Bernaldez MSP
Assistant Priest at St Matthew’s
Parish, Windsor from 4 July 2020.
Rev Gayan Thamel
Parish Priest of the Parish of
Richmond from 4 July 2020 for a term
of six years.
Rev Clifford D’souza MSFS
Assistant Priest of St Patrick’s
Cathedral, Parramatta from 4 July
2020.
Rev Father Chadi Ibrahim SDB
Priest in Residence, Our Lady of the
Rosary Parish, St Marys.
Rev Gregory Jacobs SJ
Reappointed as Parish Priest of Holy
Family Parish, Mt Druitt from 1 July
2020 for a term of six years.
Mrs Sue Walsh
Member of Curia from 23 June 2020.
Rev John McSweeney
Parish Priest of St Mary of the
Cross MacKillop Parish, Upper Blue
Mountains from 15 September 2020
for a term of six years.
Rev Jolly Chacko MS
Parish Priest of St John XXIII Parish,
Glenwood-Stanhope Gardens from
15 September 2020 for a term of six
years.
Rev Abraham Kunnatholy Varu CMI
Assistant Priest, St Mary of the
Cross MacKillop Parish, Upper Blue
Mountains from 15 September 2020.
The offi cial publication of the Diocese of Parramatta
Imprimatur and Publisher:
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv
Bishop of Parramatta
(02) 8838 3400
PO Box 3066,
North Parramatta, NSW, 1750
bishop@parracatholic.org
www.catholicoutlook.org
Printing:
IVE Group Australia Pty Ltd,
Silverwater
Editor & Vicar for
Communications:
Br Mark O’Connor FMS
(02) 8838 3400
PO Box 3066,
North Parramatta, NSW, 1750
comms@parracatholic.org
Communications Manager:
Christina Gretton
Communications Officer:
Mary Brazell
Designer:
Stephen Poleweski
Nihil Obstat:
Fr Wim Hoekstra
Accounts:
Alfi e Ramirez
(02) 8838 3437
alfi e.ramirez@parracatholic.org
All material in this publication is copyright
and may not be reproduced without
permission of the publisher. 44,300 copies
printed and distributed to 48 parishes and 80
schools. Catholic Outlook is a member of the
Australiasian Catholic Press Association.
© Diocese of Parramatta 2020
Cover Image: Frank & Cecilia Zammit.
Image: Mary Brazell/Diocese of Parramatta.

Bishop’s Column
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
We live in interesting times!
Who could have predicted the crises and struggles we
have all been through these last few months?
As we approach the season of Spring and the breaking
forth of the beauty of new life in nature all around us, let’s
use this crisis well!
Spring is a good time for us to be creative and use this
pandemic crisis to deepen our prayer and put lived faith
in Jesus.
So let’s practice some ‘Spring cleaning’ of our souls. At
such times we move the furniture in our life, take down the
curtains, wash the windows and create space by removing
what clutters our daily lives.
It is not just a matter of getting rid of mess. It is rearranging
things, finding ways to create more room, a better space.
We see ourselves differently and make more room for God.
Pope Francis has recently begun a new catechesis on
how we need ‘spring cleaning’ to heal our world and learn
important messages from this gruelling pandemic.
He speaks about the need to adopt a new way of life that
promotes a circular, harmonious relationship with all life
and nature. This mode of living contrasts with the prevalent
mode of domination, competition, separation of nature
and humanity. The foundation of a good life is essentially a
matter of living in harmony with oneself, with nature, with
human beings and with God.
The planet itself and the poor have been the major victims
of this crisis. We must create a society and church that
ensures we become protectors of life in a time of disease
and death.
Let’s renew our church and society as we journey ahead as
the pilgrim people of God! Let’s open our hearts and minds to
a deeper, fuller awareness of God within us and around us.
May we become agents of change for a purified church,
more faithful to the Gospels and a more just society
that respects the environment and protects the most
vulnerable.
During our life on earth we struggle to protect our future with
bank accounts, credit cards and investments. We protect
the future with health plans, life insurance, social security
and retirement plans. There is nothing wrong with that.
But this COVID-19 pandemic calls us to move beyond
individualism to a genuine renewed commitment to
promote the common good.
Listen to Christ Jesus as he cries out to each of our hearts,
this Spring 2020:
Do not be greedy.
Be lavish in giving your goods to others.
Live the generosity of God.
Do not be violent.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.
Do not be spiteful.
Be merciful as your heavenly father is merciful.
Heal the sick and protect our precious environment.
Make the poor our first priority
Do not be frightened.
I am with you all days, even to the end of time.
Come to me all you who find life weary and
burdensome,
and I will refresh you.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv
Bishop of Parramatta
3

WHAT WILL BE
YOUR LEGACY OF
FAITH, HOPE AND
CHARITY?
“ The priesthood is the love
of the heart of Jesus”
St John Vianney
Good deeds will live
beyond your lifetime
with a gift in Will to your
parish and faith community.
After providing for your
family and loved ones,
please consider sharing
God’s blessings with
future generations.
God is calling You
to be His priest!
Contact Fr John Paul Escarlan, Director of
Priestly Vocations, Diocese of Parramatta
M: 0420 310 771 or E: vocations@parracatholic.org
For information on remembering your family in Christ in your Will
please visit yourcatholicfoundation.org.au/giftsinwills
We all wear our masks to Mass
Don’t forget to wear yours.
4

Contents
Diocesan & Parish Life
2 Latest Appointments
3 Bishop’s Column
6 Nanette and Brian D’Arcy
and the Boat People
10 New Diocesan platform
offers a well of resources
12 Social media keeps faith
alive during lockdown
14 Catholic podcast for women
celebrates first anniversary
17 Solemnity of Pentecost
20 A thousand pieces: Sherrie’s life
of heartbreak, kindness and faith
22 On the same wavelength
Frank and Cecilia: A loving
Catholic marriage
27 Blessed are the merciful:
For they will receive mercy
28 Priest profile:
Fr Jose Manjaly MS
31 Parish profile:
St Nicholas of Myra Parish,
Penrith
34 St Finbar’s Legacies
of Faith and Love
36 Update on the Plenary
Council 2020
39 Rekindle the fire
44 The Voice of the People
46 Cooking with Christ
in the convent
48 Acolytes celebrate 85 years’
combined service to the people
and Popes
50 To Jesus, Through Mary
51 New national office will
streamline, coordinate
safeguarding efforts
52 Book Review
Deacons Today: New Wine
& New Wineskins
Catholic Education
54 Growing in faith and learning
54 Construction commences at
Santa Sophia Catholic College
55 Inspirational new approach to
Religious Education approved
for study
55 St Luke’s community welcomes
students with high support
needs
56 New Directors lead the way
58 About Early Childhood Services
in The Diocese of Parramatta
58 “Graduation” to Kindergarten
made easier
59 Catholic Early Learning
Partner with CathWest
Innovation College
59 Catholic Out of School Hours
Care Expansion
59 Early childhood services
during COVID
60 Special Religious Education
Lessons Resume in Public
Schools
The Permanent Diaconate
A God-given calling to ordained ministry, open to married and single men. In the service of the Liturgy,
the Word and Charity. If you would like to find out more about the ordained ministry of the permanent
diaconate in the Diocese of Parramatta contact: T: (02) 8840 8521 W: parracatholic.org/permanent
5

Nanette and Brian D’Arcy
and the Boat People
By Madeleine Hoang
Brian D’Arcy OAM and Nanette D’Arcy OAM. Image: D’Arcy Family
This past year has
been one of the most
difficult in living memory
for many Australians.
While recovering from
crippling drought, many
communities have
suffered record bushfires,
only now to find
themselves confronted
with an unprecedented
pandemic.
In the midst of the of chaos, this year,
our community lost two of its most
beloved and cherished members.
In 1958, Nanette and Brian D’Arcy
happened upon the community of
Castle Hill. They arrived with two girls
and would continue to have six more
children to form a family of ten. Brian
built their home and in the years that
followed, their family would become
permanent fixtures in the community
of St Bernadette’s Parish, where their
children attended school.
Our story with the D’Arcy family
begins in 1979. Fleeing in leaky,
rotting fishing boats, over one million
Vietnamese refugees were forced by
war to leave their homeland, with no
fixed destination but for the hope of
future freedom. Swept along in this
tide was my family of six. My parents
were barely 30 and my cousin,
brothers and I were twelve, three, five,
and six-years-old.
Then-Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser
had recently opened Australia’s
doors to the “boat people” and in
response, Cardinal Bede Clancy,
then-Archbishop of Sydney, appealed
for Catholics to open their hearts
and lend their hands to resettle these
Vietnamese refugees.
Answering his call, Nanette and Brian
D’Arcy found their way to Westbridge
Hostel in Villawood to meet the Hoang
family – my family. I know not what
was said between Uncle Brian, Aunty
Nanette and my parents on that day,
only that within the month, we were
being driven in Uncle Brian’s van to
6

our new home in West Pennant Hills.
Not long after that, my cousin started
at Oakhill College and my brothers
and I enrolled in St Bernadette’s
Primary School. We were the first
family resettled by Brian and Nanette
D’Arcy via the St Bernadette’s
Refugee Resettlement Committee and
over 200 families would follow.
Strangers in a strange land,
completely isolated from our customs,
our language, our family and our
friends, it was Nanette and Brian
D’Arcy who extended their friendship,
opened their hearts, and shared their
home in welcoming us.
From 1979 up until the early 1990s,
the caravan in the backyard, the
flat downstairs beneath the D’Arcy
home, and even the rooms of the
D’Arcy children contained a constant
flow of Vietnamese refugees. They
were families, single mothers, young
couples, old couples, lovers, brothers
and sisters, and even orphans who
had managed the treacherous boat
trip on their own. Some stayed a few
weeks as they sought assistance or a
temporary abode whilst finding their
feet. Others stayed for months and
even years, choosing to raise their
children within the safety, security and
warmth of the D’Arcy home.
Uncle Brian would come home from a
long, hard day of building, and Aunty
Nanette would immediately send
him, with van and trailer, to pick up
an old bed, refrigerator or furniture
for the new refugee family. It was not
uncommon for the D’Arcy boys to
find themselves exiled to sleep in the
family room, making way for the latest
refugee family. Their youngest child,
Naomi, often spent holidays playing
and teaching English to her new
friends, myself included.
When sleeping over at the D’Arcy’s,
my favourite meal quickly became
Aunty Nanette’s beef mince. Then,
each Sunday on the drive home after
Mass, Uncle Brian routinely dropped
by the petrol station to fill up the van.
I relished in the sheer delight of being
allowed to choose a treat as he paid
for his tank. In the early days, my
parents could not afford to spoil us
with such treats!
Playing hide and seek, I grew to know
every nook and cranny of the D’Arcy
home, including the hidden laundry
chute in the ensuite, which enabled
a quick escape to the ground floor.
It did not occur to me that I was
different from any of Naomi’s friends.
How perfectly normal it felt to be
sharing the special dress previously
worn by all the D’Arcy girls on my First
Holy Communion day. In the D’Arcy
home, it was easy to forget that one
had been a refugee.
Aunty Nanette would constantly be up
at the local school office, challenging
principals into enrolling the resettled
refugee children, despite being
repeatedly told that the schools were
at capacity. She would stand in at
parent-teacher evenings for those
unable to speak English. At the tennis
club, she would collect old uniforms
and hand-me-downs to clothe these
new arrivals. She’d arrange cleaning
jobs for many of the women and
factory jobs for the men, easing the
way for those eager to make a start
in their new life. Uncle Brian’s van
was continually in service of refugee
families moving from the hostel to
their new homes. Being in the building
trade allowed him to provide many of
these men jobs, though more than a
few found it difficult to keep up with
his blistering pace.
Some families were very quick to
integrate into the Australian way of
life and find their community. For
others, resettlement and integration
was a challenge, but Nanette and
Brian were always patient and would
hold their hands for as long as it took.
They would accompany visits to
doctors, dentists, hospitals, schools,
universities, banks, Medicare,
Centrelink, airports and many more.
Born from these countless
resettlements are now farmers, artists,
musicians, designers, nurses, doctors,
engineers, bankers, accountants,
writers, lawyers, entrepreneurs,
academics and small business
owners. Spanning the country from
Perth to Adelaide and Tasmania to
Darwin, all of these families are now
actively contributing to a culturally
diverse Australia.
Brian and Nanette’s generosity,
compassion and empathy have
allowed three generations of
Vietnamese refugees to successfully
adopt the Australian way of life.
In uncountable acts of kindness,
they shared their home with perfect
strangers and in doing so, have
enabled those displaced to call this
lucky country their home.
On behalf of the hundreds of us,
whose lives have been enriched
because you both have lived, we
thank you from the bottom of our
hearts for your boundless generosity
and constant compassion.
This pandemic has robbed many of us
the chance to properly bid you both
farewell. But instead of letting death
silently steal you away, we have chosen
to celebrate your legacy by sharing
stories of how you’ve touched our lives
and influenced us all so profoundly.
7

Author Madeleine Hoang poses for a photograph with her family and
Brian and Nanette D’Arcy during her First Holy Communion in August 1980.
Image: Madeleine Hoang.
We came to Nanette and Brian with
our complex stories, oftentimes
unfamiliar, perplexing and even
humorous to a white Australian
and they welcomed us. There was
never judgement from them, only
the warmth of their generosity, the
wisdom of their counsel and the
support to guide us through whatever
challenges we faced.
Nanette and Brian were happily
married for over 60 years. No one
who felt their touch could avoid the
inspiration of their shared faith and
unity. They neither sought gratitude
nor acknowledgement, however, in
1992 their work was recognised by
the Governor-General when they
received the Order of Australia medal
for their role in shaping Australia’s
multicultural landscape.
If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
– Emily Dickinson
They will always remind us that despite
society’s continuing and sometimes
disruptive changes, faith, love, and
compassion remain our foundation.
Madeleine Hoang is a parishioner of
St Bernadette’s Parish, Castle Hill.
8

Madeleine has also collated these individual
stories from other Vietnamese families who
were welcomed into the D’Arcy family.
Nanette and Brian D’Arcy. Image: D’Arcy Family
Ai Minh
“Brian and Nanette were among the first Australians
who made us feel warmly welcomed and respected,
despite our being refugees.
It was Nanette who comforted me when I had
difficulties handling my teenage daughters because of
cultural differences. It was Nanette who taught me to
stand firm amidst challenges. In many ways, Nanette
shaped the person I am today.
It was Brian who drove my husband Tien from Castle
Hill to Kensington to sit entrance exams to resume
Medical studies. It was Brian who drove me to the
Conservatorium for my entrance exam and sat
patiently in his big working van waiting for me. He was
my best friend, my supporter and my surrogate father.
To our children, they are Pop and Nan, because they are
family. We have thoroughly cherished their friendship
throughout the years, and will forever remember the
many memories that we shared with them.”
Hao
“One of the pivotal moments of my life was when I
discovered I was pregnant with my fourth child. The
news of pregnancy filled me with concern and anxiety.
I came to Brian and Nanette not knowing what to
do, full of uncertainty and trepidation. Brian held my
hands and said ‘God creates and God will provide.
Nanette and I will be there to support you.’ I could
see tears well in his eyes, full of empathy and
understanding. In that moment I knew that everything
would be okay.
Brian was one of the most gentle souls I have ever
known. He was a true gentleman, always ready
with a handkerchief, whether in his work overalls
or his Sunday best. And even in death, he was a
gentleman… he waited for his dear wife Nanette to go
first and gently followed her thereafter.”
Dom Nguyen
“To this day I do not know how the D’Arcys could
have been so trusting. To embrace strangers like us,
from a foreign land, into their home and share their
lives, without reservation. For a man, like me, who had
just escaped the cruelty of war and the darkness of
humanity, their trust in us gave hope, that this might
be a country for us to call home.
Often Mr D’Arcy would come down to our flat
beneath his home in the evenings and watch
television with us. I later realised this was his way of
teaching and encouraging us to speak English. On
one of these evenings, we watched a documentary
about refugees together. Mr D’Arcy shook his head
in sadness and could not stop the flow of tears. I
realised that here was a man with a gentle heart and
kindness like no other.”
Anh
“Brian and Nanette… I have always known them as
Nanna and Poppy, from the moment I start talking.
They were always in some way a part of my life.
When dad first arrived, he had no family, no money,
no job and did not speak a word of English. Nanna
and Poppy housed him, bought him new clothes and
found him his first job.
Dad always loved going to Poppy’s and Nanna’s
house as it was a happy place for him. When times
were tough in Dad’s life, he would confide in Poppy
and Nanna. I don’t know how they understood each
other but they always did.
My memories of my childhood don’t really exist
without Nanna and Poppy. They were always there.
Dad always said that we owe our life in Australia to
Nanna and Poppy D’Arcy.”
9

New Diocesan platform
offers a well of resources
By Mary Brazell
The Diocese of Parramatta is proud to launch what can be described as
‘Netflix for Catholics’ – The Well.
A view of The Well.
Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
With over 80 (and growing) videos,
podcasts and other online resources,
The Well – www.thewell.org.au – is a
new online platform that provides free,
‘on-demand’ inspiration for families,
children, young people and faith
communities.
Initially designed as a solution
to supporting our faith whilst in
lockdown due to the pandemic, the
Diocese of Parramatta quickly realised
the longer-term potential of such a
fluid, living library.
At any time of day or night, you can
watch and listen to:
• High-energy children’s shows;
• Information and reflections on the
sacraments;
• Recordings of young musicians
around the Diocese leading praise
and worship;
• Thought-provoking discussions
from local and international
speakers;
• Inspirational sharing from young
people and young women.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv,
Bishop of Parramatta, described The
Well as being an initiative of the various
ministries and agencies of the Diocese
that responds to the “growing need for
a strong Catholic presence online.”
“Through our work with our youth,
with our parishes, and our councils,
we have understood the importance of
offering a relevant and engaging online
space, and what is being offered seeks
to support and complement the work
of our faith communities, as we work
together to share and grow our faith in
Jesus Christ.
“In launching The Well, we recognise
the Patron of the Diocese, St Mary
of the Cross MacKillop, and her call
to ‘never see a need without doing
something about it’.
“Our hope is that it will be another
way that people can connect with our
Church, whether they attend Mass
regularly, or are unable to, particularly
at the current time of the pandemic.
“Our desire is for the content to both
feature local communities as well
as relate to the needs of our local
people,” Bishop Vincent said.
Inspired by online streaming platforms
such as Netflix and Stan, The Well
provides refreshment in our faith
and an encounter with Jesus Christ,
akin to his famous meeting with the
Samaritan woman in the Gospels.
James Camden, Director of Catholic
Youth Parramatta explained, “we’ve all
had to do something a little differently
this year. But we dug deep, and a new
digital space was born.
“This is about bringing faith, joy and
hope into a digital space, and then
into your living room, workspace, or
on the go,” he said.
Sr Ailsa Mackinnon, Chancellor
for Ministries, who directs the
project, described the need of the
Diocese’s young people, families and
communities to find meaningful online
content about their faith.
“They want something that speaks to
them, and the added benefit of The
Well is that these videos and other
resources are both provided at no
cost, and are all accessible from the
one space,” she said.
Richard McMahon, Director of the
Pastoral Planning Office, explained:
“Our Church is always called to be
innovative in our mission, to go out
into the deep, and this new service
speaks to a mission field that is vital
for us to be meaningfully present in
the online world.”
You are invited to meet at The Well
by visiting www.thewell.org.au
10

11

Social media keeps faith alive during lockdown
By Mary Brazell
At the peak of the coronavirus-induced lockdown, Chloe Zaiter felt her faith being
tested. Churches were closed and public Masses were suspended.
saw the benefits of the social isolation
challenge as keeping parishioners
connected during isolation.
Granville Catholic Community parishioner and creator of the 30-Day Catholic Self-
Isolation Challenge Chloe Zaiter takes a photograph of her prayer space at home.
Image: Chloe Zaiter/Supplied.
“It was an exceptional means of
evangelisation because it gave
parishioners a chance to speak about
the faith and to learn from others
about the faith in a way that was quite
personal and in ways that they may
not have done before.” Fr Andrew told
Catholic Outlook.
But instead of locking herself away,
Chloe decided to keep her faith alive
through social media.
Chloe, from the Granville Catholic
Community, is behind the ‘30-Day
Catholic Self-Isolation Challenge’,
which ran on Instagram through the
@catholiccarddo account and on
Facebook in the days following Easter.
“I’ve had the idea of starting a social
media page dedicated to spreading
the faith through games and fun
activities I’d seen on Instagram,”
Chloe told Catholic Outlook.
“But once COVID hit, and we had to
start closing churches, it struck me
that maybe we should be doing more
with our faith and find ways to spread
our faith through [social] media.
“Our churches are closed, but what
can we do as a community to try and
draw on our faith and make ourselves
more of a part of it, even though we
can’t physically be in the church?
“A lot of my friends on Facebook
are from the Catholic faith, and they
were sharing riddles and mathsthemed
puzzles instead of sharing
live-streamed Masses from church
or sharing posts about prayers. So
I thought, why not try and get them
involved?” she said.
Throughout the 30 days, participants
were asked to complete different
activities, including creating a Catholic
music playlist, taking a virtual tour of
the Sistine Chapel, and praying the
rosary as soon as they wake up.
“It was quite easy to come up with the
posts because I felt that I needed to
do it, rather than wanting to,” Chloe
explained.
“My favourite part was being able to
interact with people that I wouldn’t
normally interact with, in a way that
involves the faith. A lot of people that
were getting behind it were people
that I might have seen before or
spoken to, but never really spoken to
them about our faith.
“It was also a way to bring the community
together when we were so far apart.
“Being able to connect with people
through the challenge, and having the
ability to watch Masses from around
the world and not be restricted in
celebrating Mass at a particular time
strengthened my faith, knowing there
was still a way to connect with my
faith because God is always there,”
she said.
Fr Andrew Bass, parish priest of the
Granville Catholic Community, also
“The Catholic Self Isolation Challenge,
as with all the other great initiatives
of the Granville Catholic Community,
was a way to engage and connect
with parishioners, and parishioners
with one another.
“It was a remarkable sign of the
vibrancy of the parish and the way in
which parishioners pull together to keep
building up the community,” he said.
Looking ahead, Chloe is planning
on conducting a second isolation
challenge, focussed on Christ during
his last days on Earth.
“The first challenge was more for fun,
but the second challenge is more to
do with how the faith connects with
our emotions.
“I would tell people hoping to
participate to not be afraid. I think
a lot of people fear that if they post
something, they’ll be ridiculed or
looked at strangely, but that’s not
what it’s about, it’s about your faith.
“If you believe and want to be a part
of something, do it, and don’t let
anyone tell you otherwise.”
To keep up to date with the
upcoming social-isolation challenge
and to participate, follow
@catholiccardco on Instagram
and Facebook.
12

13

Catholic podcast for women
celebrates first anniversary
By Mary Brazell
A Catholic podcast for women produced by the Diocese of Parramatta has
celebrated its first anniversary.
Through its youth agency Catholic
Youth Parramatta, the At The Well
podcast recently recorded its 12th
episode in a series that delves into
issues that are relevant to women
and faith.
Looking back over the last twelve
months, co-hosts Qwayne Guevara
and Rosie Drum mgl, Local
Engagement Leader and Assistant
Director from Catholic Youth
Parramatta, and writer and mother
Joy Adan spoke to Catholic Outlook
about the joys they’ve received from
encouraging young women to explore
and question their faith.
“I can’t believe it’s been 12 months
since we launched,” Qwayne said.
“We recognised a need in our Diocese
especially in young women who
desired to strive for holiness with
others.
“It’s truly an affirmation of the work of
the Spirit. Thanks be to God!”
Joy added, “That it’s continued for
a year and been able to provide
connection and inspiration at the time
when people miss physically gathering
together as a community has been
such a blessing, and I’m just grateful
to be part of it.”
Rosie explained that the podcast “Is
definitely one of my favourite projects
from the last six years of working in
the CYP team, and I’m proud of how
it’s developing.”
The idea to start a podcast for women
followed the success of two “At The
Well” evenings for young women
hosted in the Diocese, which were
inspired by the Australian Catholic
Bishops Conference’s Year of Youth.
The podcast, the hosts explain, is a
chance to build on the joys of the “At
The Well” evenings on a more regular
basis, a chance to give a feminine
perspective on questions of faith and
Opening
opportunities for
women to ask the
tough questions
allows us to delve
deeper into the
heart of who we
are as women, and
how God is calling
each of us to live
in the world today.
At The Well podcast co-hosts Qwayne Guevara, Local Engagement Leader, Catholic Youth
Parramatta; Joy Adan, mother and writer; and Rosie Drum mgl, Assistant Director, Catholic
Youth Parramatta. Image: Mary Brazell/Diocese of Parramatta.
14

Cover art images of episodes from the At The Well podcast.
Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
life, and to continue the conversations
sparked during the face-to-face
gatherings.
Rosie explained, “The Catholic faith
holds up a high moral standard for us
to follow and young women who take
their faith seriously can find it a lonely
and isolating experience.
“Giving them a platform to explore
with other women those topics that
they want to understand better in
order to share with their friends who
have different values, is
very valuable.”
Qwayne added, “Opening
opportunities for women to ask the
tough questions allows us to delve
deeper into the heart of who we are as
women, and how God is calling each
of us to live in the world today.”
Joy described that the podcast can
be a safe space for women to discuss
tough and personal questions where
they may feel alone and isolated in
their experiences.
“I hope this podcast offers an
alternative and shows Catholic
women that they are not alone, that
the Church recognises the unique gifts
we bring to our community and our
relationships, and that our questions
and our experiences can be talked
about and celebrated,” she said.
Over the last twelve months, the
co-hosts have discussed a range of
topics including modesty, the feminine
genius, exploring vocations and what
the Resurrection means to them.
Even though the topics can be
serious, the hosts speak with genuine
joy (no pun intended), compassion
and hope using examples from their
own life experiences, and making the
podcast feel like “having a chat with
my mates,” according to Rosie.
The hosts wished to thank their
supporters over the last year for
journeying with them, and for sharing
their enthusiasm for the podcast with
other young women and encouraging
new listeners to give it a go.
15

A screenshot of the At The Well podcast episodes as featured on Soundcloud.
Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
Joy said, “It’s always encouraging
to receive a message or email from
someone who has discovered an
episode and enjoyed the podcast,
especially women I’ve never met.
It’s so affirming, and I’m grateful that
we’re making a difference.
“Qwayne, Rosie and I are just three
ordinary women who have our own
unique experiences of how God
has seen us as we are, offering
to transform our deepest sins,
strengthen our hearts and celebrate
our triumphs.
“We are simply journeying together,
and I hope you will join us as we learn
and grow together.”
Qwayne added, “Don’t be afraid to
open your heart to Jesus. He already
knows you and desires nothing but
your good.
“Take the risk!”
The ‘At The Well’ podcast is
recorded monthly and can be found
on thewell.org.au or by searching
for “Catholic Youth Parramatta” on
Soundcloud and Spotify.
You are welcome to join the
conversation through the ‘At The
Well Podcast – Community’ page on
Facebook, where you can submit
your own topics and questions for
discussion.
We are simply
journeying
together, and I
hope you will join
us as we learn and
grow together.
16

Solemnity of Pentecost
Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis
Solemnity of Pentecost, Vatican Basilica, Sunday, 31 May 2020
“There are different kinds of spiritual
gifts, but the same Spirit” (1 Cor 12:4),
as the Apostle Paul writes to the
Corinthians. He continues: “There are
different forms of service, but the same
Lord; there are different workings but
the same God who produces all of
them in everyone” (vv. 5-6). Diversity
and unity: Saint Paul puts together
two words that seem contradictory. He
wants to tell us that the Holy Spirit is
the one who brings together the many;
and that the Church was born this way:
we are all different, yet united by the
same Holy Spirit.
Let us go back to the origin of the
Church, to the day of Pentecost.
Let us look at the Apostles: some of
them were fishermen, simple people
accustomed to living by the work
of their hands, but there were also
others, like Matthew, who was an
educated tax collector. They were
from different backgrounds and social
contexts, and they had Hebrew and
Greek names. In terms of character,
some were meek and others were
excitable; they all had different
ideas and sensibilities. They were all
different. Jesus did not change them;
he did not make them into a set of
pre-packaged models. No. He left
their differences and now he unites
them by anointing them with the
Holy Spirit. With the anointing comes
their union – union in diversity. At
Pentecost, the Apostles understand
the unifying power of the Spirit.
They see it with their own eyes when
everyone, though speaking in different
languages, comes together as one
people: the people of God, shaped
by the Spirit, who weaves unity from
diversity and bestows harmony
because in the Spirit there is harmony.
He himself is harmony.
Let us now focus on ourselves,
the Church of today. We can ask
ourselves: “What is it that unites us,
what is the basis of our unity?”. We
too have our differences, for example:
of opinions, choices, sensibilities. But
the temptation is always fiercely to
defend our ideas, believing them to be
good for everybody and agreeing only
with those who think as we do. This is
a bad temptation that brings division.
But this is a faith created in our own
image; it is not what the Spirit wants.
We might think that what unite us are
our beliefs and our morality. But there
is much more: our principle of unity is
the Holy Spirit. He reminds us that first
of all we are God’s beloved children;
all equal, in this respect, and all
different. The Spirit comes to us, in our
differences and difficulties, to tell us
that we have one Lord – Jesus – and
one Father, and that for this reason we
are brothers and sisters! Let us begin
anew from here; let us look at the
Church with the eyes of the Spirit and
not as the world does. The world sees
us only as on the right or left, with one
ideology or the other; the Spirit sees
us as sons and daughters of the Father
and brothers and sisters of Jesus.
The world sees conservatives and
progressives; the Spirit sees children of
God. A worldly gaze sees structures to
be made more efficient; a spiritual gaze
sees brothers and sisters pleading for
mercy. The Spirit loves us and knows
everyone’s place in the grand scheme
of things: for him, we are not bits of
confetti blown about by the wind,
rather we are irreplaceable fragments
in his mosaic.
Pope Francis celebrates Mass during
the Solemnity of Pentecost at St Peter’s
Basilica on Sunday 31 May 2020.
Image: Vatican Media.
17

What is it that unites
us, what is the basis
of our unity?
Pope Francis celebrates Mass during the Solemnity of Pentecost
at St Peter’s Basilica on Sunday 31 May 2020. Image: Vatican Media.
If we go back to the day of Pentecost,
we discover that the first task of
the Church is proclamation. Yet we
also see that the Apostles devised
no strategy; when they were locked
in there, in the Upper Room, they
were not strategising, no, they were
not drafting any pastoral plan. They
could have divided people into groups
according to their roots, speaking first
to those close by and then to those
far away, in an orderly manner... They
could have also waited a while before
beginning their preaching in order to
understand more deeply the teachings
of Jesus, so as to avoid risks... No.
The Spirit does not want the memory
of the Master to be cultivated in
small groups locked in upper rooms
where it is easy to “nest”. This is a
terrible disease that can also infect
the Church: making her into a nest
instead of a community, a family or
a Mother. The Spirit himself opens
doors and pushes us to press beyond
what has already been said and done,
beyond the precincts of a timid and
wary faith. In the world, unless there is
tight organisation and a clear strategy,
things fall apart. In the Church,
however, the Spirit guarantees unity
to those who proclaim the message.
The Apostles set off: unprepared, yet
putting their lives on the line. One
thing kept them going: the desire to
give what they received. The opening
part of the First Letter of Saint John
is beautiful: “that which we have seen
and heard we proclaim also to you”
(cf. 1:3).
Here we come to understand what
the secret of unity is, the secret of
the Spirit. The secret of unity in the
Church, the secret of the Spirit is gift.
For the Spirit himself is gift: he lives
by giving himself and in this way he
keeps us together, making us sharers
in the same gift. It is important to
believe that God is gift, that he acts
not by taking away, but by giving.
Why is this important? Because our
way of being believers depends on
how we understand God. If we have
in mind a God who takes away and
who imposes himself, we too will want
to take away and impose ourselves:
occupying spaces, demanding
recognition, seeking power. But if
we have in our hearts a God who is
gift, everything changes. If we realise
that what we are is his gift, free and
unmerited, then we too will want
to make our lives a gift. By loving
humbly, serving freely and joyfully, we
will offer to the world the true image
of God. The Spirit, the living memory
of the Church, reminds us that we are
born from a gift and that we grow by
giving: not by holding on but by giving
of ourselves.
Dear brothers and sisters, let us
look within and ask ourselves what
prevents us from giving ourselves.
There are, so to speak, three main
enemies of the gift, always lurking at
the door of our hearts: narcissism,
victimhood and pessimism.
Narcissism makes us idolise
ourselves, to be concerned only with
what is good for us. The narcissist
thinks: “Life is good if I profit from it”.
So he or she ends up saying: “Why
should I give myself to others?”. In
this time of pandemic, how wrong
narcissism is: the tendency to
think only of our own needs, to be
indifferent to those of others, and
18

not to admit our own frailties and
mistakes. But the second enemy,
victimhood, is equally dangerous.
Victims complain every day about
their neighbour: “No one understands
me, no one helps me, no one loves
me, everyone has it in for me!”. How
many times have we not heard these
complaints! The victim’s heart is
closed, as he or she asks, “Why aren’t
others concerned about me?”. In the
crisis we are experiencing, how ugly
victimhood is! Thinking that no one
understands us and experiences what
we experience. This is victimhood.
Finally, there is pessimism. Here the
unending complaint is: “Nothing
is going well, society, politics, the
Church…”. The pessimist gets
angry with the world, but sits back
and does nothing, thinking: “What
good is giving? That is useless”.
At this moment, in the great effort
of beginning anew, how damaging
is pessimism, the tendency to see
everything in the worst light and to
keep saying that nothing will return
as before! When someone thinks this
way, the one thing that certainly does
not return is hope. In these three –
the narcissist idol of the mirror, the
mirror-god; the complaint-god: “I
feel human only when I complain”;
and the negativity-god: “everything
is dark, the future is bleak” – we
experience a famine of hope and we
need to appreciate the gift of life,
the gift that each of us is. We need
the Holy Spirit, the gift of God who
heals us of narcissism, victimhood
and pessimism. He heals us from the
mirror, complaints and darkness.
Brothers and sisters, let us pray to
him: Holy Spirit, memory of God,
revive in us the memory of the gift
received. Free us from the paralysis
of selfishness and awaken in us the
desire to serve, to do good. Even
worse than this crisis is the tragedy
of squandering it by closing in on
ourselves. Come, Holy Spirit: you are
harmony; make us builders of unity.
You always give yourself; grant us
the courage to go out of ourselves, to
love and help each other, in order to
become one family. Amen.
It is important to
believe that God
is gift, that he acts
not by taking away,
but by giving. Why
is this important?
Because our way
of being believers
depends on how we
understand God.
19

A thousand pieces: Sherrie’s life
of heartbreak, kindness and faith
By Catholic Outlook staff
Image: AntmanStocker/Shutterstock.
Sherrie Williams’s words of comfort, encouragement and advice to her clients
come from a place of lived experience. Sherrie knows what her clients are going
through because, chances are, she’s been there herself.
Sherrie joined CatholicCare Western
Sydney and the Blue Mountains in
2018, starting work as a tutor with
HIPPY Emerton, a home interactionbased
education and parenting
program for families. This year, she
began a traineeship as an Aboriginal
caseworker, with the Family Support
Program. Sherrie will be a qualified
Aboriginal caseworker by the end
of 2022.
“My role is to help those who are
struggling - whatever they’re facing,”
Sherrie said. “It could be anything
from helping people cope with mental
health, navigate child custody issues,
teaching parenting skills, or helping
someone find their purpose in life. The
number one thing I teach, however, is
self-care. I help my clients understand
how to support themselves so they
can be strong for their loved ones.
You can’t help others if you haven’t
taken care of yourself first.”
Sherrie’s perspectives are shaped by
her own life experiences. Listening
to her story, we’re entrusted with
memories of extreme hardship and
heartbreaking loss, but also of
immense faith and hope. Etched
into her heart and tattooed on her
skin, these experiences have shaped
the person Sherrie is today, and the
significant role she plays in the lives of
others as a Family Support Worker.
A light in the dark - A sister’s love
“I grew up in a rough family. My mother
had schizophrenia and my father was
an alcoholic. I was partially deaf until I
was 16. I didn’t know any better; I was
happy. I had several operations over
the years to restore my hearing and
after my last operation at 16, I could
hear again. Being partially deaf had
affected my learning, but as a teenager,
I taught myself to read and write for the
first time.”
As Sherrie picked up a pen and paper,
her sister, Sarah, was by her side.
“Sarah and I were really close. She
was very smart and an incredibly
spiritual person. Sarah helped me
learn to read - we read the Bible
together eight times, scripture by
scripture.”
Sherrie’s restored hearing gave her a
new mechanism through which she
could interpret the world. However,
20

she discovered a reality she only
wanted to withdraw from.
“Being able to hear took a toll on me. I
wasn’t happy with how people voiced
their opinions all the time. I didn’t
want to listen anymore. It made me
want to go back to being deaf. That’s
why I consumed drugs and alcohol. I
wanted to escape.”
Lost in a dark place, it was her
sister’s shared words of scripture that
presented the seeds of Sherrie’s faith
in herself, and in God.
After leaving school, Sherrie and
Sarah moved to Wagga Wagga to
live with their grandmother. Then, in
2016, Sarah sadly became very ill with
cancer and, tragically, passed away at
the age of 32.
“My sister was everything to me, I
was devastated. Sarah had helped
me turn my life around. All throughout
my beautiful sister’s life, she had been
working to assist others. Her clients
came up to me and said, ‘Sherrie, if it
wasn’t for Sarah, I wouldn’t be where
I am today. I would not have a family,
a home or a nice car, if I had not
listened to your beautiful sister.’ We
would cry together and laugh together.
It took a while before I realised that
Sarah’s work was something I could
do too.”
The journey on
In search of a fresh start after her
sister’s passing, Sherrie moved to
Sydney and found herself living in a
women’s refuge in Penrith. Sherrie
found permanent accommodation,
but her struggles continued, until a
moment that changed her life.
Around Christmas Eve, 2017, Sherrie
lay in bed with her two young
children, crying and praying. The
small room contained her family’s
only possessions: a mattress and
an esky. In this moment of need,
Sherrie clasped her hands together
and prayed for the opportunity to
help others; a chance to continue her
sister’s work.
Sherrie lifted herself up and walked
with her children to their local Holy
Family Church. Sherrie noticed
the Aboriginal CatholicCare Social
Services Centre behind the church
where she was collecting a Christmas
hamper.
“A lady named Linda offered me
another hamper; a Christmas hamper
filled with toys. Linda offered an
opportunity to work with HIPPY at
Emerton. We got talking and she
signed me up for a HIPPY Program,
explaining to me there was an
opportunity for some work with HIPPY
Emerton. I couldn’t believe it; my
prayers had been answered. I was
overwhelmed with tears. This proved
to me the strength of prayer.”
With every step that followed, Sherrie
drew inspiration from her sister.
However, she also discovered that she
herself had the qualities needed to
make a difference.
“My sister was amazing in what she
did for the community. Sarah inspired
me to follow this new path but I
realised it was natural to me – I’ve
been caring for people on the streets
all my life without even realising it. I’ve
had people in and out of my home,
over the years. I’ve helped them
overcome issues - come off drugs
and alcohol or get their children back.
They’ve become dear friends. They
may not see me for two years, but if
they were down and out, they know
I’d be there for them.”
New beginnings
Sherrie says that joining CatholicCare
Emerton was going to turn her life
around. Sherrie draws a deep breath
as she reflects on how her life has
changed. Her heart is filled with
gratitude for everything life has to
offer.
“My faith in God and my prayers were
answered by the opportunity to work
with HIPPY. The worldwide HIPPY
program has offered me training and a
part time permanent position through
CatholicCare Western Sydney and the
Blue Mountains.”
“My faith in God and my prayers were
answered by the opportunity to work
with CatholicCare Western Sydney
and the Blue Mountains. I’ve never in
my life felt happier or more settled.
Since joining HIPPY, I’ve become
a passionate mother and partner. I
appreciate every little gift because,
realistically, we had nothing. Now,
we have everything we could ever
ask for - and more. It’s the first time
I’ve recognised that I have a gift to
support others. I have a clean slate
where I can help others to understand
how to make changes. I couldn’t be
more proud.”
Sherrie has a lot of love and respect
for her managers, who she says
believed in her when she was
struggling to have faith in herself.
“I have incredible bosses; Linda
McDonald and now Linda Davis. They
are amazing. They work so hard to
ensure people are happy and they’ve
brought so much good out of me. I
would not have coped without their
understanding and patience. It means
the world to have someone to support
you. In one year, I feel I have become
a completely different person. I have
seen myself succeed - and I want to
see others succeed too.”
As our conversation draws to a close,
Sherrie shares some final thoughts
about the many lessons life has
thrown her way over the years.
“I wish I could cut myself into a
thousand little pieces and be there for
everyone. I understand why people
are the way they are. I have lived in
those dark places myself. Sometimes,
clients want to fight with me. I say,
‘I’m not a fighter, I’m a lover. The only
thing I’ll fight for is to help you move
forward.’ And they get it. They feel this
from me.”
21

22

Frank and Cecilia Zammit.
Image: Mary Brazell/Diocese of Parramatta.
ON THE SAME
wavelength
FRANK AND CECILIA:
A LOVING CATHOLIC MARRIAGE
By Mary Brazell
Pope Francis has said “The Joy of Love experienced
by families is also the joy of the Church.” i
With COVID-19, there are extra pressures on our families. CatholicCare
Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains earlier this year reported
“Specialists in Australia and around the world report sharp spikes in the
number of people experiencing relationship and mental health problems as
mums, dads and kids try to cope with living, sleeping and working under
the one roof.”
For many of us, the current crisis is forcing us to think differently and
deeply about our relationships. To look to others who seem to be doing ok.
To seek advice, support or inspiration. To possibly use the crisis to make
changes for the better.
Cecilia and Frank Zammit have been married for 45 years and have
generously told Catholic Outlook the story of their marriage, their love and
their faith.
The couple have contributed to the Catholic Church in Western Sydney and
the Blue Mountains for most of their lives. We hope that by sharing their
story, others may find insights and ideas to enrich their own relationships
and answer “What part does a couple’s faith play in keeping the love,
contentment, commitment and fun in a relationship? And in turn, how does
a successful marriage serve our church?
i
Pope Francis, Amoris laetitia: Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on Love in the Family, (19 March 2016), 1.
23

Frank and Cecilia Zammit.
Image: Mary Brazell/Diocese of Parramatta.
Cecilia and Frank Zammit are two very
different people.
Cecilia is outgoing and sociable.
Frank is quiet and reserved. Cecilia
is the Director of the Diocese of
Parramatta’s Confraternity of Christian
Doctrine, Frank is a retired engineer.
She is fast-paced, he prefers to take
his time.
“We’re quite different, but we’re
complementary. We’re on the same
wavelength and we have the same
things we’re striving for,” Cecilia
explains.
In August, Cecilia and Frank,
parishioners of Our Lady of the Way
Parish, Emu Plains, celebrated their
45th wedding anniversary. Despite the
challenges and difficulties they have
faced in life and more recently during
lockdown, the couple remain strong in
their love for one another and their faith.
Faith a Common Bond
Cecilia and Frank both believe that
faith has been a core pillar of their
marriage, having grown up in Catholic
Maltese families in Western Sydney.
“When we met, faith wasn’t an issue.
I don’t think it was one of the first
things we talked about, but practising
the faith, going to Mass and attending
novenas was very much part of our
lives when we were married four years
later,” Cecilia recalls.
“I don’t know how that would work
for me [if he wasn’t religious]. It’s
been so much easier to have that
common ground.”
Frank adds, “During the 1970s, I was
starting to be reluctant about going
to church. Once I met up with Cecilia
who was a regular churchgoer and
came from a Catholic family, I slowly
came back in. It was much easier
going to church with someone else.”
Commitment, co-operation and
compromise
Cecilia and Frank have four children -
Damian, Timothy, Emily and Gabrielle
- and five grandchildren. ‘We are
grateful to the ‘village’ of extended
family and friends that have helped us
raise this family.”
When asked what they want to see
in their own children’s marriages
and relationships, Cecilia and Frank
hone-in on three C’s – commitment,
co-operation and compromise.
“Fortunately for us we have a strong
support of family and friends who
have helped us keep our vows.
“It’s why we make our vows in front of
family and friends” confirms Frank.
Cecilia agrees, “I think commitment
is an important part of marriage. You
come to a point in your relationship
where you want to say ‘yes’, even
though you don’t know what you’re
saying ‘yes’ to. You’re saying ‘yes’
no matter what lies ahead in the
relationship.”
Frank goes on to say “We have
different personalities and interests
and we don’t always view things in
the same way, so compromise is part
of our lives. Somehow we get back to
some middle ground.”
“I think we’re aware of when we’ve
stepped over the line in some way,
and we try again to work it out”
agrees Cecilia.
24

“You’ve got to give and take. Over the
years it has been less about ‘his job’
or ‘her job’, and more about covering
for the other.
“Everyone says that communication
is important. I would agree but we are
still working on that!” she adds.
Service, socials and support
Over their 45 years of service to the
church as a married couple, Cecilia
and Frank have found ministries to
serve, and have received the gift of
friendship and support in return. This
has provided new opportunities to
learn from each other and to grow
closer.
At St Aidan’s Parish, Rooty Hill, where
the family were based for the first 18
years, Cecilia and Frank participated
in Lenten and Advent programs
organised by parishioners.
“There were couples around us that we
met with quite regularly” recalls Cecilia.
This was a new but welcome
experience to Frank. In Malta, his
father went to church activities alone.
“Here we were, having Lenten
meetings and morning teas and
picnics after Sunday Mass at different
families’ places” remembers Frank
“It gelled a lot better for me, having the
kids and couples having fun together.
It changed my idea of church from
being a ‘men’s thing’ to both genders
discussing the same things. For us,
church was social as well as spiritual.”
When the family moved, they
continued to join parish groups, this
time at Glenmore Park Parish.
“I have fond memories of setting the
Last Supper table for Holy Thursday
and seeing what lay people can
achieve together” says Cecilia.
Full Circle
“Our own parents and siblings have
been a great support to our faith and
our lives,” Cecilia says. “My parents
generously looked after our children
while I was teaching, and they had a
lot of fun on their farm. As a result, our
extended family is close too.
“We now enjoy looking after our
grandchildren on weekends and
school holidays. It is a joy to see them
grow and develop. I give thanks to
God for how their parents are raising
them.”
Nourishing their faith during the
pandemic
When churches were closed and
Masses were celebrated online,
Cecilia and Frank proactively
nourished their faith in different ways.
This strengthened their ‘domestic
church’ at home.
“Our family, working from home
in Glenbrook, used COVID to be
together for faith in new ways”
Frank says.
“Like many other families, we sat
together at the dining room table for
‘Mass on the laptop’. Tim would read
the scriptures, and we’d share our
insights on the Word.”
“We looked forward to Mass online
with Fr Paul [Roberts, parish priest of
Our Lady of the Way].The recordings
made it feel very intimate and
inclusive, and we were spiritually
nourished all those weeks. We really
felt Fr Paul and the small Mass group
was right there with us.”
Cecilia and Frank also joined the
online Alpha Catholic program and the
Saturday Formation sessions, where
people from near and far discuss
relevant faith topics organised by the
Diocese’s Pastoral Planning Office by
zoom technology.
“It’s been a time of reading, reflecting
and prayer” explains Cecilia.
“Hearing other people talk about
church in a really open, healthy and
vibrant way gave us strength and
hope for our Church. Together we
have been imagining a new church
which is more inclusive and where
men and women actively participate
Cecilia and Frank Zammit
with members of their family in 2016.
Image: Cecilia and Frank Zammit.
25

in liturgy, in decision making and in
outreach to the wider community.”
Once churches reopened, Cecilia
and Frank eagerly attended, keen for
the chance to pray with others and
receive the Eucharist again.
Passing on the gift of faith
“The focus of our prayers each day is
that all our children will come to know
and trust in God and to practise their
faith” reveals Cecilia
“It’s not just about going to church,
but knowing that God is in our lives,
and that they can always turn to God.
“I want my children to know that God
is always waiting for us, and our lives
are more complete and fuller when we
believe that Jesus is accompanying
us. This is what I love about my work
in CCD too, working with a large
team of volunteers who go into public
schools to share their faith and trust in
God’s love and hope for them.”
Looking forward to the next part of
the journey with Hope
When describing what gives them
hope, Cecilia and Frank return to the
importance of their faith, explaining
that “God is always there for us.”
They are grateful for the many
opportunities they have had in this
great land, to know a loving God, the
teachings of Jesus and the ongoing
presence of the Holy Spirit.
Cecilia concludes “COVID has shown
us how much we all need to stay
connected. We have become more
aware of offering help when we see a
need whether that be a listening ear or
offers of food and friendship. It is not time
to sit on the sofa yet. Much to be done!”
To contact CatholicCare Western
Sydney and Blue Mountains or to
find out more about the Saturday
Sessions, CCD or other Diocesan
initiatives to nourish your faith
during COVID-19 go to our website
parracatholic.org
Cecilia Zammit during the inaugural
Diocese of Parramatta Forum in 2019.
Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
26

Blessed are the merciful:
For they will receive mercy
By Br Mark O’Connor FMS
Feeling mercy… changes everything… This is the best thing we can feel:
it changes the world. A little mercy makes the world less cold and more just.
—Pope Francis, Angelus, March 2013
‘Epiphany’.
Image: © Jan Richardson.
janrichardson.com
Some people are suspicious of all this
contemporary talk about the beatitude
of ‘mercy’—especially if one begins a
conversation about how it is pastorally
applied to people who are hurting.
Not only do they seem to disagree
with Jesus and Pope Francis,
curiously they are also in dispute
with Pope St John Paul II, whose
neglected encyclical Dives in
Misericordia (Rich in Mercy) also
argues for the centrality of mercy.
Of course, the battleground of mercy
has a longer history still. It involves an
ancient and permanent fight between
the God of mercy and a humanity
forgetful of mercy received or mercy
lived. That spiritual tussle goes on in
every life, between a heart of stone
and a heart of flesh.
It is captured beautifully in the Book
of Jonah, the story of a fugitive who
eventually decides to obey his call
and preach repentance or destruction.
But his God is made in Jonah’s
image, and so he gets angry with
the intolerable mercy of God, even
though in his rage he admits, ‘I knew
you were a God of tenderness and
compassion’.
The late Fr Michael Paul Gallagher SJ
has pointed out that God responds
to this infantile rage with a sense
of humour. Jonah is soothed and
delighted with the shade of a plant,
but when it withers he enters another
suicidal sulk. And the final words of
this shortest of texts are an ironical
and unanswered question challenging
all our pettiness with the hugeness
of God’s mercy: ‘Am I not right to
have mercy on this city where people
cannot tell their right hand from their
left, to say nothing of the animals?’
For Fr Gallagher this sums up
everything: if our picture of God is
too small, our own mercy will be
too mean. So we are on a long and
permanent journey out of smallness
and towards enlargement of heart.
How can we help heal the ‘Jonah
syndrome’ within ourselves? The only
really effective way is not more words
but the witness of real mercy in action.
Hearts are touched by images of
dedication and compassion.
This is a key to the huge impact Pope
Francis has had on the secular world.
His words on mercy are strong but his
gestures of mercy are stronger. One
has only to think of his long embrace
of the man with the visibly terrible
illness of the skin, an image that went
‘viral’, as they say.
We can never dare forget that Christ
has told us plainly about the Last
Judgement (see Matthew 25), and it
has nothing to do with belonging to
the right party, church or even being
‘theologically’ correct. We will be judged
not on membership cards but according
to our readiness to let the mercy of God
pass through us to others.
This article is part of a series of
reflections entitled Blessed Are You:
Meditations on the Beatitudes &
Daily Life by Br Mark O’Connor FMS.
27

Priest profile
Fr Jose Manjaly MS
By Mary Brazell
Fr Joe back home in Penrith.
Fr Jose Manjaly MS believed that he had returned home
upon his installation as the 23rd parish priest of St Nicholas
of Myra Parish, Penrith, in November 2019.
“When I came back from [being an Administrator at St
Anthony of Padua Parish] Toongabbie because I already
knew the community, [and] I was only two years away from
this parish community, it’s like I’m coming back home,
like a boomerang,” Fr Joe, as he is known, told Catholic
Outlook.
“The people know me, I know them, that makes a big
difference.
“I feel that my ministry as a priest is a special gift [and] I
enjoy ministering to people in parishes. Over the past 15
years, I have been in parishes to minister, whether it is as
an assistant priest, or administrator, or parish priest, so I
feel that it is my special call, even though I am a missionary
priest,” he added.
Fr Joe was born in the central Kerala region of Southern
India and has four siblings. He was ordained as a member
of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette on 8
September 2005, Mother Mary’s birthday.
“I used to go to the church every day with my sister,
and my sister once told me ‘maybe you can become a
missionary priest’, and that caught my attention. [From
that day], I prayed to be commissioned as a priest, and
finally, when I finished my high school studies, I joined the
Missionaries of La Salette,” Fr Joe said.
Following his ordination, Fr Joe served in various parishes
in Kerala before moving to Atlanta, Georgia in the United
States, where he ministered as an assistant priest for four
years.
In September 2011, Fr Joe came to Australia, where his
first appointment was as an assistant priest at St Andrew
the Apostle Parish, Marayong for one year, before joining
Penrith as an assistant priest in 2012. In 2016, he became
Fr Joe Manjaly, Parish Priest of St Nicholas of Myra Parish, Penrith
(right) with Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta,
during his installation as parish priest in November 2019.
Image: Mary Brazell/Diocese of Parramatta.
Administrator of Toongabbie and returned to Penrith in
February 2019.
During Fr Joe’s installation, Bishop Vincent Long OFM
Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, told the congregation, “We
join in prayer for Fr Joe for his ministry and service and
leadership, which is reflected in the ministry of Christ,
which is to serve and not to be served. Your prayers and
presence ensure Fr Joe is supported in his ministry.
“Today, we celebrate a new beginning or a new chapter in the
life of this community. We give thanks for the pioneers, who
have left us with the legacy of service in mission. We unite
ourselves with the new shepherd Fr Joe who exemplifies the
missionary spirit by his embrace of the unknown.
“Together as disciples of Christ, we endeavour to be the
Church that is an oasis of hope and a soothing presence
for all,” Bishop Vincent said.
One of the most recent examples of stepping into the
unknown for Fr Joe has been the coronavirus pandemic.
With the changing government and diocesan regulations,
parish life had to change from week to week. But Fr Joe
remained resilient and continued in his service of the
parish.
28

“A parish without parishioners is very
hardening to see,” Fr Joe explained.
“The parish had live streaming
Masses since the lockdown started,
but during Holy Week, I felt sad seeing
the empty pews. Even though I knew
my community is spiritually connected
with the live stream Masses we
organised and the Holy Week liturgies,
it is not the same when they are not
physically present.
“I also realised that despite the
lockdown and their absence from the
church, people continued to practise
their faith and tried everything to be
spiritually connected.
“During this time, a few people
shared with me their devastation and
sadness over the loss of their loved
ones from the COVID-19 outbreak in
the Newmarch House nursing home.
However, the parish was able to
journey with them in their celebration
of life.
“The parish office and priests were
always available for the people during
the main lockdown. As a result, lots of
people continued to touch base with
the parish and its activities.
“As Pope Francis said, ‘despite the
suffering and challenges posed by
COVID-19, the Church’s missionary
journey continues’,” Fr Joe said.
Jacinta Ortiz, Business Manager
of the parish, told Catholic Outlook
that during the pandemic, Fr Joe
would regularly check in with his
parishioners, and even went so far as
to help older worshippers set up their
own Facebook accounts.
Assistant Priest Fr Jobi Payyappilly
MS, who has been with the parish
for over a year, explained that Fr Joe
has encouraged him to embrace his
ministry in the parish.
“I respect Fr Joe as the parish priest
and I follow what he wants me to do
for the Church, especially carrying
out my ministry.
“Fr Joe gives me the opportunity to
learn the sacramental activities of the
parish and to get to know people. He
has made me comfortable to stay here
and minister.
“I’m happy to do my ministry here
in Penrith along with Fr Joe,” Fr Jobi
said.
Sharon Clarke, secretary of the
parish council, appreciates Fr Joe’s
youthfulness and energy.
“We’ve had some amazing priests
throughout the years I’ve been here,
and it’s been wonderful. They [Fr Joe
and Fr Jobi] are young, so I think they
bring an energy to the parish. People
find them very approachable, and they
relate really well to young and old,”
she said.
In addition, Fr Joe is a good listener
Fr Joe Manjaly, Parish Priest of St Nicholas of Myra Parish, Penrith (right) with Bishop Vincent
Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, during his installation as parish priest in November
2019. Image: Joe Tabone/St Nicholas of Myra Parish/Supplied.
29

and easy to talk to, according to
Joe Tabone, the chair of the parish’s
finance committee.
Jacinta added, “Fr Joe and I are
great friends, and I think that makes a
difference when it comes to bouncing
ideas off each other and respecting
each other’s ideas. That relationship
has helped us in the past couple of
months, navigating through the tough
and challenging times.”
Fr Joe said, “I would like to thank God
for the great gift of my priesthood. It
is because of His kindness and mercy
that I am a priest.
“When I came here [in February 2019],
I said that quote from the Bible of
King Solomon’s prayer, ‘O Lord God,
You have let me succeed my father
as king, here I am among the people
you have chosen to be your own, give
me the wisdom I need to serve your
people with love and compassion,’
“The Diocese [of Parramatta] has been
a huge support, not just now, but over
my eight years of priestly ministry
here. All the priests are always very
supportive and encouraging.
“I was humbled and I am thankful to
the Diocese and to Bishop Vincent for
giving me such an opportunity and
trusting me as a priest to bring good
things to these people of Penrith.
“I consider this as my home – this
parish, this church, where I am
assigned – I always work hard, as
if it is my home. That makes a big
difference for people, they see that I
don’t do anything just for myself.
“It is a very humbling experience
and a great privilege to serve in this
local church as the parish priest of St
Nick’s,” he said.
Jacinta concluded, “I hope that
through his leadership, Fr Joe will
be able to reaffirm the Catholic
community of their absolute worth and
their need to be prominent examples
of faith in Penrith.”
I also realised
that despite the
lockdown and their
absence from the
church, people
continued to
practise their faith
and tried everything
to be spiritually
connected.
St Nicholas of Myra Parish Priest Fr Jose (Joe) Manjaly MS (left) and Assistant Priest Fr Jobi
Payyappilly. Image: Mary Brazell/Diocese of Parramatta.
30

Parish profile
St Nicholas of Myra Parish, Penrith
By Mary Brazell
Situated in the centre of the Penrith CBD, St Nicholas of Myra Parish acts as a
beacon of hope with its tall spire inviting those in the local community towards it.
A digital sign outside the church
welcoming one and all doesn’t hurt
either.
“I think this is a great parish with so
much love in its parishioners, and
so much potential to serve the wider
community,” Jacinta Ortiz, Business
Manager, told Catholic Outlook.
Located 34 kilometres from
Parramatta, and at the foot of the Blue
Mountains, St Nicholas of Myra Parish
dates back to 1839, when Fr Charles
Sumner, the first priest ordained in
Australia, was appointed Parish Priest
at Penrith.
On 12 December 1839, Archbishop
Polding laid the foundation stone for
the first St Nicholas of Myra church
on land donated by John Tindale.
By 1850, a more substantial building
was constructed and was then
consecrated by Archbishop Polding
that November.
This same church, which underwent
some renovation and restoration in the
1890s, would serve the community
for decades until it was demolished to
build the current structure, which was
opened and blessed on 30 April 1967.
Jacinta explained that the church
works closely with local organisations
to support those in need in the
community, and she hopes that
people know that the church is a “safe
space”.
“We often get people coming to our
door for assistance or to spend the
night on our veranda. Fortunately, St
Vincent de Paul Penrith Hub is a few
doors down and we can immediately
refer those in need to them.
“On our premises, we have an
active Vinnies Conference who work
very hard in our community and
CatholicCare Social Services who
offer pregnancy and parenting support
and family relationship services. I
hope we can continue to link our
community to these vital services in
our area.
“The parish has had instances of
theft and vandalism, and there was a
shooting across the road, which says
to me that there are people hurting in
I knew a lot of
parishioners in their
80s signing up
to Facebook and
Zoom for the first
time so that they
could follow their
parish activities.
(L-R) St Nicholas of Myra Parish Catechist Coordinator Fred Keuneman, Business
Manager Jacinta Ortiz, Volunteer Administration Staff Member Margaret Cobden, Parish
Priest Fr Joe Manjaly MS, Sacramental Coordinator Mary Gale, Assistant Priest Fr Jobi
Payyappilly MS, Administration Assistant Mary Goh and Volunteer Administration Staff
Member Usula Gomez. Image: Mary Brazell/Diocese of Parramatta.
31

Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, celebrates Mass during the Feast
Day of Our Lady of Peñafrancia at St Nicholas of Myra Parish, Penrith, in September 2019.
Image: Mary Brazell/Diocese of Parramatta.
this area, and I feel like it is a time for
this parish to be that beacon of light.
“We’re located in such a wonderful
space that I hope people working,
living, and going to school in the
area know we can go to that church,
we can find help and solace in this
church, even if it’s sitting in our
garden, or sitting at our grotto, or
knowing that there’s access to Vinnies
and CatholicCare,” she said.
A few months ago, at the peak of the
coronavirus pandemic, parishioners
were unable to respond to the beacon
call of the church, as it was closed to
public celebrations.
“There was lots of stress and
anxiety [during the pandemic].
Parishioners who might normally look
to their church for love and care and
acceptance when struggling to cope, I
felt this support may be unavailable to
them due to lockdown,” Parish Priest
Fr Jose (Joe) Manjaly MS told Catholic
Outlook.
However, Fr Joe applauded the
resilience of his parishioners and his
parish team to stay connected when
they couldn’t be together.
“The parish had live streaming
Masses since lockdown started, and it
continues even now. The parish office
and priests were always available for
the people during the main lockdown.
As a result, lots of people continued
to touch base with the parish and its
activities.
“I knew a lot of parishioners in their
80s signing up to Facebook and
Zoom for the first time so that they
could follow their parish activities.
Their commitment and spirit were very
encouraging for me to continue the
live Masses,” Fr Joe said.
Deacon Wilfredo (Willy) Limjap
was able to see how overwhelmed
parishioners were when restrictions
began to ease, and public Masses
could be celebrated.
“They were missing it, and one of the
things I found about the parishioners
is that some of them would come to
Mass and celebrate in our hall instead
of the church, giving their spot to
others. I thought it was very selfless
of them, it wasn’t a ‘me first, but us’,”
he said.
This selflessness of the parishioners is
also found in the number of volunteers
who serve the parish in their own time,
even inspiring their pastors.
“The church is filled with real, faithful
people who are open and caring.
I never thought this would be the
situation [arriving in Australia],”
Assistant Priest Fr Jobi Payyappilly
MS described. St Nicholas of
Myra Parish is his first overseas
appointment.
“There are a lot of volunteers who help
run the activities in the parish, such as
the sacramental activities. They really
inspire the priests, their commitment
is wonderful, and they have no
other motive other than it being an
expression of their faith in a significant
way,” he said.
One such volunteer who goes above
and beyond his duties is Catechist
Coordinator Fred Keuneman, who has
been in the role for 15 years. Fred,
who is only scheduled to work in the
office twice a week, can be found
almost every day.
Fred credits his predecessor, the late
Anne Tucker, for helping him find his
true happiness in life in serving the
parish.
“When I was working, for around 27
years, I didn’t worry about God, I didn’t
have time for God. But then, after all
that, around 15 years ago, I retired.
“I would come to this church with my
wife, and then one day, a lady tapped
32

me on the shoulder and she wished
to speak to me about becoming the
catechist coordinator.
“I told Anne and Fr Chris [de Souza,
former parish priest] that I’ll help you
out, but she insisted I become the
coordinator. I said I’d do it for two or
three months, and then they can find
someone else to do it, so 15 years
later, I’m still here.
“I enjoyed my role so much that, to
me, it is very forthcoming into my
life. It took me to places in my mind I
never thought would be there. It got
me thinking about my religion, about
my God, and I found that it helped me
to be a better person.
“I was not content with myself until
I was appointed as the catechist
coordinator here. Now, I’m devoting
my time for the betterment of the
church,” Fred said.
Sacramental Coordinator Mary Gale,
who was baptised at St Nicholas
of Myra before her family moved
to Katoomba, is in awe of the
overwhelming support she receives in
her role.
“I know I’m here to serve, but I’m also
served and enriched by the people
whose lives I come into contact with,
and they mightn’t even realise it, but
they bring Christ to me.
“The team here are very supportive
and very helpful, as well as the
volunteer base. We might not have a
large volunteer base, but those that
have put their hand up have been
wonderful people to work with.
“Some of the challenges around
COVID-19 have been a bit
overwhelming for me, but I’m
supported and knowing that there
are people who want to come and
help out, I think, is a testament to the
parish,” Mary said.
When asked what keeps them
motivated in serving their faith
community, interviewees expressed
the family nature of the parish and
their deep sense of belonging to this
community.
“It’s my faith family, and it’s important
to me. I love going to other churches
when I’m away and seeing what it’s
like, but to me, it’s my home,” Sharon
Clarke, Secretary of the parish council
said.
Margaret Cobden, one of the
volunteer administration staff at
the parish, described that when
she chose to make Penrith her new
home, she was welcomed into the
community and well supported when
her mother passed away in 2015.
“To change my parish was hard, but
I’m so happy to be in this parish.
“When my mother passed away, I
chose to stay at St Nicholas because
I found them to be so friendly and so
obliging, and the people that I’ve met
have been fantastic.
“I’ve made many friends here and
I really enjoy it. It was great to feel
welcomed,” she said.
Joe Tabone, Chair of the finance
committee gives back to the church
through his roles. “I feel like it’s good
to give something back to the church,
rather than being a participant.”
Jacinta added, “There’s a huge sense
of community. There’s a deep sense
of belonging to this place, not only to
each other, but to the building, and St
Nicholas himself.
“Being new to the community, I’ve
experienced a sense of generosity and
care from parishioners here in Penrith.
They appreciate me and what I do
here. They have care and compassion
for me and all the staff, really wanting
to take care of them and make them
a part of their family, I think, is really
beautiful.”
Fr Joe concluded, “It’s a humbling
experience to be parish priest in this
local place.”
I know I’m here to
serve, but I’m also
served and enriched
by the people
whose lives I come
into contact with.
33

St Finbar’s Legacies
of Faith and Love
By Parramatta Catholic Foundation staff
During Include a Charity Week, which runs between 7 to 13
September, Australians are asked to consider the beneficial
legacy that they can leave to the community by including a gift in
their Will to causes close to their heart.
St Finbar’s magnificent 1880s pipe organ donated through gifts in Wills.
Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
34

As Christian stewards, we are called
to receive God’s gifts gratefully;
cultivate them responsibly; share them
generously with others; and return
them with increase.
For many Catholics, giving a gift in
their Will is an enduring way to share
their blessings of God’s gifts with
future generations.
Giving a gift in your Will is one of the
most significant acts of generosity
that anyone can make. It enables you
to share your Christian values; and
support your family, loved ones, and
causes that you are passionate about.
Gifts in Wills, coupled with the time,
talent, love, dedication and financial
support of parishioners at St Finbar’s,
helped transform their parish at
Glenbrook into the beautiful house of
worship and flourishing ministry it is
today.
The gift of sacred music at St Finbar’s
is the legacy of thoughtful gifts in Wills
from parishioners.
At the heart of St Finbar’s is a
magnificent 1880s pipe organ,
generously donated through gifts in
Wills from the Late Noel Gibson and
Fr Patrick Frost. The late Jim Gormly,
a fine musician who loved playing
the organ, also left a gift in his Will to
ensure that this historic instrument
would be maintained for years to
come. The organ is central to the
renowned Masses and recitals held
at St Finbar’s every Easter, Christmas
and throughout the year.
“The gift of the organ has been a
means to reach out to the community
in the Blue Mountains and attracts
many fine choirs,” said parishioner
Judy Burrett.
The famed organists, husband and
wife Robert Ampt and Amy Johansen,
keep the tradition of the concerts
alive at St Finbar’s. “Robert conducts
the Mass choirs and Amy plays the
organ,” said Judy. “It is the most
wonderful atmosphere in the Church
with scripture readings, Bach and the
joyous singing.”
The finishing touch to St Finbar’s
development – a glorious stained
glass window depicting the risen
Christ – was made possible last year
through a gift in Will from the late Fr
Brian Larkey.
The former parish priest, a driving
force in building St Finbar’s Parish,
commissioned artist Patti Robinson 25
years ago to design a floor to ceiling
window, representing the creative and
restorative power of God. Fr Larkey’s
legacy gift enabled his vision for a
remarkable religious artwork drawing
inspiration from God’s beautiful Blue
Mountains, to finally become a reality.
There are many ways a gift in Will can
make a meaningful contribution to the
Church’s ministry.
After providing for the needs and
security of your family and loved ones,
what other legacy would you like to
leave?
It is a question many consider at
some point in their lifetime. But for
Catholics, the question is deeper and
more profound because being raised
in the faith means contributing to
the world as part of caring for God’s
kingdom here on earth.
We aspire to make a difference,
to give back in the spirit Christian
stewardship.
Will you consider a gift to your Parish
and faith community or a vital Catholic
ministry? Such a significant gift,
whatever you can give, will support
acts of faith, hope and charity for
many generations.
For information on giving a gift in
your Will or a gift in memory to your
Parish or the Diocese of Parramatta,
please call 02 8838 3482, email
giftsinwills@parracatholic.org or visit
www.yourcatholicfoundation.org.au/
giftsinwills
Giving a gift in
your Will is one
of the most
significant acts
of generosity that
anyone can make.
35

styleguide 1.0
Update on the Plenary Council 2020
First Assembly of Plenary Council Postponed
The two assemblies for the Fifth Plenary Council of
Australia will now take place in October 2021 and July
2022, following the disruption of the original schedule due
to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In May, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
decided to postpone the opening assembly by 12 months,
with it now to be held in October 2021. Adelaide remains
the venue for the first assembly. The second assembly will
be in Sydney in July 2022.
“Mindful of the ongoing challenges of COVID-19, it was felt
that delaying the first assembly by a full year would provide
some certainty that travel and social distancing guidelines
will have been lifted for the assembly,” said Plenary Council
President Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB.
“The one year change to our initial timeline affords each of
us the opportunity for a more extended period of individual
and collective discernment leading into the first assembly
than we would otherwise have had,” he said.
Plenary Council facilitator Lana Turvey-Collins said that
this time will be utilised for all people to re-engage with the
journey of discernment toward the Council assemblies after
the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“A renewed engagement will take place in a societal
context that’s been altered by the pandemic,” she said.
“The time and space between now and the first assembly,
now in October 2021, enables deeper reflection, dialogue
and consideration of how we’ve all been affected by recent
global events.”
36

Bishop Vincent Long Very Rev Peter G Williams Very Rev Christopher de Souza
Very Rev Peter Blayney Very Rev Wim Hoekstra Very Rev Luis Fernando
Montano Rodriguez
Very Rev John Hogan Wendy Goonan Carol Teodori-Blahut
Diocese of Parramatta delegates announced
In late March, over 250 Catholics across the country
were called as delegates for the Fifth Plenary Council of
Australia.
For the Diocese of Parramatta, canon law outlines those
who must be called as delegates to a plenary council. They
include:
• Most Rev Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv, Bishop
of Parramatta.
• Very Rev Peter G Williams VG, Vicar General and
Moderator of the Curia.
• Very Rev Christopher de Souza VG EV PP, Vicar General
and Episcopal Vicar for Education and Formation.
• Very Rev Peter Blayney EV PP, Episcopal Vicar for
Migrant Chaplaincies and Pastoral Associates, Episcopal
Vicar for Canonical Matters.
• Very Rev Wim Hoekstra EV PP, Episcopal Vicar for Clergy.
• Very Rev Luis Fernando Montano Rodriguez EV PP,
Episcopal Vicar for Social Welfare
• Very Rev John Hogan, Rector, Holy Spirit Seminary.
Joining them will be two lay women delegates chosen
by Bishop Vincent – Wendy Goonan from the Parish of
Baulkham Hills and Carol Teodori-Blahut from Our Lady of
the Nativity Parish, Lawson.
We ask that you continue to pray for our delegates as
they prepare themselves to be the voice of our Diocese of
Parramatta during the assemblies.
37

National Discernment papers brings major themes and issues into focus
Six Discernment and Writing Groups, one each for the six
national themes for discernment that emerged from the
Council’s Listening and Dialogue phase, were tasked with
writing papers to bring some major themes and issues into
focus.
“The papers are the fruits of communal discernment. The
aim of the discernment process was to draw upon the lived
faith and experiences of more than 220,000 Australians,
the living tradition of the Church, sacred Scripture, papal
teachings and additional insights from outside the Church,”
said Archbishop Costelloe.
“While not the final word on the six thematic areas which
emerged from the Listening and Dialogue process, I
encourage everyone to receive them in the spirit of faith
and discernment with which they have been written.
“They both invite and challenge us to continue to ‘listen to
what the Spirit is saying’,” he said.
Each paper provides a reflection on some elements of the
relevant pastoral reality, articulates a theological vision,
outlines a number of challenges to be overcome, suggests
prioritised questions to be answered and develops some
proposals for change.
The Discernment Papers were published on Pentecost
Sunday and are available to read on the website: https://
plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/continuing-the-journey-ofdiscernment
Working document next step on Plenary Council journey
The working document – or instrumentum laboris – for the
Plenary Council will provide a constant reminder of the
need for deep and ongoing discernment of God’s will for
the Church, the Council’s president has said.
Work recently began on the development of the
instrumentum laboris, with the document drawing heavily
on the first two preparatory phases of the Council journey:
Listening and Dialogue and Listening and Discerning.
The voices of more than 220,000 people across the
country, as well as discernment and writing papers on
each of the six National Themes for Discernment, are being
considered alongside Church teaching, Scripture, papal
documents and a range of other sources – within and
beyond the Church – in preparing the instrumentum laboris.
Dr Trudy Dantis, the director of the National Centre for
Pastoral Research, who collated and summarised more
than 17,000 submissions during the opening state of the
Council, said the instrumentum laboris carries forward the
voices heard in that period.
“The joys and hopes, questions and challenges that have
been shared during this phase and through the writing of
thematic papers form the basis for the continued process
of reflection and discernment,” she said.
“They continue to be a crucial element of the path of
synodality as we work towards the ongoing mission of the
Church in Australia and for the proclamation of Christ to
the world.”
She said the document the writing group produces will discuss
“the pastoral realities and issues essential to the faith and life
of the Church in Australia and synthesis them with inspirations
from the Gospels and the teachings of the Church.”
The instrumentum laboris will be finalised in October this
year and be considered at the bishops’ November plenary
meeting. It will then be sent to the Holy See, while local
work continues on the development of the agenda for the
first assembly in October 20201.
Archbishop Costelloe said the process of listening and
discernment remains central to the Council journey – for
the instrumentum laboris team, for the delegates and for
the wider Catholic community.
“The six papers that were published at Pentecost provide
valuable insights that can be prayed with and reflected
upon in a local, diocesan and national context,” he said.
“I encourage people to remain engaged in the Council
process and, most importantly, to pray for those of us
engaged in this writing task, for the delegates and for our
Church in Australia.”
To keep up to date and for more information on the
Plenary Council 2020, please visit https://plenarycouncil.
catholic.org.au/
Information provided by the Australian Catholic Bishops
Conference and Plenary Council 2020.
38

Rekindle the fire
Lecture by Bishop Robert McElroy, Bishop of San Diego, California, United States.
and sisters and the whole of the
created order. The consultation also
pointed to the suffering of the people
of the region, especially within the
indigenous communities.
Bishop Robert McElroy, Bishop of San Diego, California, United
States. Image: Catholic Diocese of San Diego.
Listening in the synod assembly to the
voices of the Church of the Amazon –
village leaders and catechists, women
religious and lay missionaries, bishops
and priests – was a poignant, hopeproducing,
complicated, painful, joyful
experience. But it was the experience
of a Church that is alive and unafraid
to ask fundamental questions of
reform and renewal, of creative new
pathways for moving forward in the
present moment, of believing that the
Holy Spirit is leading God’s people
constantly, lovingly, vigorously.
During the month of October 2019, I
had the great privilege of participating
in the synod on the Amazon in Rome.
It was a gathering overflowing with
the spirit of God that constituted a
dramatic, prayerful effort to address a
central question: How can the Church
in the Amazon ever more effectively
proclaim the salvation of Jesus
Christ in its fullness, so that all men
and women of the region, especially
indigenous peoples, might find in the
Church a true sacrament of God’s love
and the pursuit of justice for the poor
and for the Earth?
In order to begin to answer this
question, the Church in the region
had engaged during the previous
two years in a massive process of
discernment reaching into the depths
of the Catholic communities in the
villages and the forests, in the cities
and among the landless communities
of itinerants. This process of
consultation and discernment gave
particular priority to hearing the voices
of those who are usually excluded
from meaningful participation,
particularly the indigenous peoples of
the region who have historically been
the victims of discrimination within
society and in the life of the Church.
It revealed a tapestry of deep and
beautiful faith, devotion to family, a
closeness to the Earth as the great
blessing of God’s creation, and a
dedication to a vision of the good life,
which is centred not upon material
acquisition, but rather living in good
relationship with God, our brothers
I have been asked in this lecture so
suggest how the Church in the United
States might move forward from this
most painful moment in its history.
My suggestion would be to embrace
the type of synodal pathway that
the Church in the Amazon has been
undergoing – one filled with deep and
broad consultation, the willingness to
accept arduous choices, the search
for renewal and reform at every level,
and unswerving faith in the constancy
of God’s presence in the community.
The synodal pathway
Synodality is an ancient concept
in the life of the Church which has
been given new emphasis and
vitality through the teachings of
Pope Francis. Fundamental to these
teachings is the principle that the
whole people of God must take
39

to reanimate our evangelising and
believing Church. For each of them
addresses a specific element of
atrophy in the American Catholic
community which weighs us down
in the present moment, and each
has the capacity to reorient us in our
mission of proclaiming Christ crucified
and Christ risen.
A missionary Church
Two major elements of the culture of
the Church in the United States are
particularly burdensome today, and
cause us to turn inward, rather than
outward toward the evangelisation of
the world.
Worshippers pray during Mass celebrating the visitation of the Relics of St
Therese of Lisieux and her parents Sts Louis and Zelie Martin at Our Lady of
Mount Carmel Parish, Wentworthville. Image: Mary Brazell/Diocese of Parramatta.
part in the process of discernment
that guides the Church in its sacred
mission to proclaim the Gospel of
Jesus Christ. Rooting the entire
process of synodality in the baptismal
call of all believers, Francis holds
that “all of the baptised, whatever
their position in the Church or their
level of instruction in the faith, are
agents of evangelisation, and it
would be insufficient to envisage a
plan of evangelisation that would be
carried out by professionals while the
rest of the faithful would simply be
passive recipients.” Quite bluntly, the
Holy Father states, “the flock has an
instinctive ability to discern the new
ways that the Lord is revealing to the
Church.” Thus, an authentic process
of synodality must never be an elite
process, for it represents the action of
the whole people of God.
Just as importantly, synodality is
inherently a process of listening. “A
synodal Church is a Church which
listens, which realises that listening
is more than simply hearing. It is a
mutual listening in which everyone
has something to learn.” A synodal
pathway would an opportunity to set
that type of renewal in motion.
The Church of the Amazon sought to
create through synodality a Church
with four characteristics that arise
from the identity of the Church and
the current pastoral moment. It sought
to build a missionary Church looking
outward to the world with the fire
of evangelical zeal. It embraced a
participatory Church inviting believers
to active engagement in the Church
and in the world. The Church in the
Amazon endeavoured to build a
welcoming Church. And finally, the
Catholic community in the Amazon
desired to become a Church of
harmony that fosters the values of
peace, mercy and communion.
These four hallmarks could constitute
for the Church in the United States
a charter for renewal through which
The first is the bunker mentality
that suffuses the life of the Church,
especially for those of us who are
bishops or Catholic lay, priestly, and
religious leaders in the United States.
We are frequently paralysed by the
constancy and substance of attacks
launched upon the community of
faith which we love so deeply and
to which we have given our lives.
In great part, this bunker mentality
has arisen because of the pervasive
failure of the Church and its leaders
to recognise the enormity of the crime
of clergy sexual abuse, particularly
against minors. But this bunker
mentality within the Church is also
the result of secularising trends in
society that have led to drift and
alienation from the Church, especially
among the young, as well as the
disaffection of mainstream Catholics
from elements of Catholic teaching on
sexuality and the moral life. There is
a palpable sense of siege among the
leadership of the Church in the United
States. It saps our ability to engage
constructively with the world, to find
the energy and the hope-filled zeal
to undertake new initiatives and our
ability to clearly discern where the call
of Christ is truly leading us.
The second element of the culture
in the Church in the United States
which is crippling is the “culture of
maintenance” that pervades our
decision making. We are the inheritors
40

of vast institutions, structures,
buildings and financial commitments
that were established in a prior
age. We are also the inheritors of
patterns of decision making that place
enormous value on how decisions
were made in the past as a guide as
to how they should be made today.
That is why a process of synodal
discernment that seeks to advance
truly missionary discipleship holds
the potential to free the Church in
the United States from the powerful
grip that the bunker mentality and
the culture of maintenance have
upon us. Missionary discipleship by
its very nature faces outward and
refuses to become entrapped by longstanding
patterns of ecclesial action
and decision making. It demands a
willingness to leave behind treasured
practices that have served the Church
well in past ages, but now imprison the
Gospel. It proclaims that believers and
Church leaders must find joy in their
understanding of and commitment
to the spread of the salvation that
we find in Jesus Christ. The ethic of
missionary discipleship refuses to
adopt a bunker mentality not because
it is blind to the failures of the Church
or the antagonism that so many have
toward Catholicism in today’s world,
but because it proclaims that precisely
in times of hardship and sin in the life
of the Church, God stands steadfast in
our midst.
Missionary discipleship also
categorically rejects that strain of
defeatism in the life of the Church
which proclaims that the Catholic
community today must decline in
numbers in order to maintain fidelity
to the gospel. This vision of a smaller
and purer Church is diametrically
opposed to the missionary impulse
which has been at the centre of the
Christian life since the first apostles.
The embrace of the Church is wide,
not because she ignores the failures
that are rampant in the human heart,
but because the mercy of God stands
as the central attribute of God in
relation to men and women.
A critical point must be made here
about the bunker mentality and
clergy sexual abuse. Moving out
from a bunker mentality can in no
way mean moving away from or
beyond the searing issue of clergy
abuse. The Church’s obligation to
protect the vulnerable, minister to
and compensate victim/survivors
and acknowledge our sinfulness
individually and collectively must
grow, not diminish, in the coming
years. Precisely in moving out of a
bunker mentality in the life of the
Church we will be freer to carry out
our responsibilities regarding clergy
sexual abuse with greater clarity,
zeal and compassion, because our
relationship and love for all those who
have been abused will not be seen
through the distorting lens of distance
and protectiveness that are all too
often the by-products of viewing out
from a bunker.
In addition, the reality of clergy sexual
abuse and the Church’s failure to
confront this evil in our midst through
blindness, denial, obfuscation and
minimisation must help to shape our
perceptions of what it means to be
a missionary Church. For our history
and current failures to protect minors
and adult victims of abuse act as a
critical check on the all too alluring
impulse within the life of the Church
to embrace a sense of triumphalism
We must find affective bridges within the life of the
church to heal the divisions that hobble our ability
to be the unified sacrament of God’s presence in
the world that the church is called to be.
in missionary outreach within the life
of the Church or in the world. The
image of the Church as a field hospital
that Pope Francis has given to us
must convey the reality that even in
being a source of grace and healing,
the Church itself remains broken and
sinful battered and in need of reform.
A co-responsible and participatory
Church
The issue of clericalism stands as a
rupture within the life of the Church in
the United States today. It is a poison
that protects abusers of children from
detection and justice. It is a cultural
pattern in parish life that permits the
mistreatment of lay men and women
and excuses words and actions that
have no place within a Christian
community. It distorts effective
patterns of decision making in ecclesial
communities at all levels. It warps
the souls of priests and bishops, and
alienates them from Christ.
The only effective corrective to
clericalism is a theological vision
and ecclesial reality that powerfully
frame the ordained priesthood within
a participatory and co-responsible
Church where lay women and men are
empowered, respected, well-formed
and cherished. For this reason, any
process of synodal discernment
in the Church in the United States
must confront forcefully the avenues
through which lay ministry and
empowerment are enhanced in the
concrete life of the Church, and how
they are frustrated.
The vision of a participative and
co-responsible Church contains
and calls for a deep theology of the
ordained priesthood and episcopacy
that is truly rooted in the vocation
to be prophet, shepherd and priest.
But it always places those roles in
relationship to the call and the grace
of God to leadership and the need
to be truly servant to the community.
The call of God to a priest or bishop
is not a possession, a source of a
collection of rights, or a bestowal of
status. It is a call to service, prayer
and compassion.
41

A synodal process that seeks to
promote a Church of co-responsibility
and participation will strengthen the
priesthood in the United States even
as it strengthens the call to broader
lay ministry and involvement in the
Church and in the world. For the
overwhelming majority of priests and
bishops in our nation ardently strive to
incorporate into their lives the primacy
of Christ, the call to be servant,
the acceptance of sacrifice for the
Church and the inherent compassion
for sinners, which means all of us.
A participatory and co-responsible
Church is not a replacement for, a
threat to, or a diminishment of the
essential role that priests and bishops
play in the life of our communities. It
is instead a call to complementarity
in the deepest sense, understanding
that the rich gifts of the Spirit are
meant to be used widely and wisely
with the ecclesial community, and
that to continue structural and
cultural patterns which inhibit this
expansiveness is to reject outright the
grace of God.
If the Church in the United States
were to undertake a robust and
piercing synodal process regarding
our efforts to become a participative
and co-responsible Church, two
major issues would have to be dealt
with creatively, substantively and
prayerfully.
The first of these issues is the role
of women in the Church. It is time
that the Catholic community had a
substantive discussion on how the
Church in the United States can
maximise the co-responsibility and
participation of women. The process
of discernment which led to the
Amazon synod created a profound
consensus about the essential role
of women’s existing and potential
ministries, both in the Church and
in the world. It led to a conviction
among the Amazonian bishops who
gathered in Rome that women should
be included at every level in every
ministry which is not precluded by
Catholic doctrine.
The second question within the
Catholic community that must be a
focus of any synodal process touching
upon the themes of participation and
co-responsibility is the role of young
adults in the Church and in the world.
The recent universal synod in Rome
has provided new pathways for us to
embrace at every level in the Church
in the United States. If we do not
take up this challenge inspirationally
and systematically in the life of
the American Church, we will see
the drift away from Catholicism
cascade into the type of exodus
that has emptied the Churches of
Europe and produced a generation
of non-believers. We are currently
completing a diocesan synod in San
Diego focusing on young adults, and
the overwhelming trajectory of our
consultation and renewal has focused
on the simple truth that we must find
a way to recognise and witness to
the reality that young adults are not
dependents in the Church community,
but eager to be co-responsible in the
comprehensive life of the Catholic
community. We must invite them in.
A welcoming Church
The ministry of Jesus Christ is preeminently
one of invitation, loving
embrace and healing. When the
Lord approaches men and women,
particularly in distress, his pattern
of encounter is constant and clear.
First, he embraces them with the
overpowering love of God and assures
them of the presence of God’s grace
in their lives. Then he heals them of
the affliction that is consuming them.
And only then does call them to
reform their lives.
The pastoral action of the Church
must follow this very same pattern.
Often it does not. Instead of showing
the patient dialogue of Jesus with the
Samaritan woman at the well, instead
of showing the joy which Christ did
in his encounter with Zacchaeus,
instead of rejecting the judgmentalism
of the crowd like Jesus in defending
the woman accused of adultery, the
Church so frequently is indifferent to
those who are seeking, inhospitable
to those who want to find a place in
God’s Church, judgmental to those
who carry failure in their lives as all of
us do.
If we are to build a more welcoming
Church in the United States, the
searing issue of judgmentalism must
be faced. There is no sin that Jesus
condemns in the gospels more often
than that of judgmentalism. Probably,
this results from Jesus’ recognition
that this is a sin that virtually all of us
fall into easily and frequently. It is a
mystery of the human soul why men
so often find satisfaction in pointing
to the sins, rather than the goodness
in others. It is a mystery of the
human soul why we feel better about
ourselves because someone else has
failed.
But this mystery of the human soul
has imprinted itself deeply within
the life of our Church. The Church of
Jesus Christ must be a Church that
proclaims the Catholic moral life in all
of its fullness, and calls believers to
high standards of faith and conduct.
But the Church must proclaim that
life in the recognition that it is the
mercy of God which saves us, not
our own merits. Unless we reflect
this fundamental principle of our faith
in the lived reality of our ecclesial
life, we risk legitimate rejection by
the very young adults whom we are
seeking to invite into the Church. It is
not that young adults live better lives,
or do not fail in being judgmental
themselves. But millennials and those
who are coming after them have
a particularly low threshold for the
hypocrisy that lies in professing to
follow the Lord Jesus while rejecting
his continual condemnation of
judgmentalism in our individual and
ecclesial lives.
A Church of harmony and dialogue
A final characteristic of the vision
for the Church that emerged from
the synod on the Amazon is that of
harmony, the promotion of the values
of peace, mercy and communion.
42

In the United States, no less than in
the Amazon, there is need for such a
Church. It is always tempting to look
back in the history of the Catholic
community and envision an age where
harmony was profoundly emblematic
on levels of ecclesial life. There is
no such age. There have always
been conflicts of demographics,
institutions, ideologies and factions
in the life of the Church in our nation.
But our age is a particularly turbulent
time in the Church on so many levels.
The sexual abuse crisis has left a gulf
between the bishops of the United
States and so many laity and priests.
Issues of sexual morality form another
cleft within the life of the Church and
between the Church and American
society. The very nature of religious
liberty has become controversial,
and the teachings of the Church on
religious freedom have been distorted
by both sides. Bishops often seen to
reflect different positions and different
priorities on contentious public policy
questions.
The great danger is that our ecclesial
life is becoming like our political life
- polarised, distorted and tribal. That
is why a deep and broad process of
synodal dialogue within the Catholic
community in the United States could
empower an alternative pathway
forward.
We must find affective bridges within
the life of the Church to heal the
divisions that hobble our ability to
be the unified sacrament of God’s
presence in the world that the Church
is called to be. We must put aside
the weapons of distortion, faux
scandal, guilt by association, and
tribal identification, and take up the
conversation that seeks to find unity,
peace and communion in substantive
and enduring ways. In doing so, we
would not only prevent the further
intrusion of the most negative
elements of our nation’s current
political life into the life of the Church,
but we could contribute to the healing
of our nation’s institutional, moral
and political crisis by speaking to a
politics which seeks harmony and the
common good.
Being faithful
In his homily at the Mass opening the
synod on the Amazon, Pope Francis
emphasised that in the Second Letter
to Timothy, “St. Paul reminds us
that our gift has to be rekindled. The
verb he uses in the original text is
fascinating: to rekindle, literally which
means stoking a fire. The gift we have
received is a fire, a burning love for
God and for our brothers and sisters.
A fire does not burn by itself; it has to
be fed or else it dies; it turns
into ashes. If everything continues
as it was, if we spend our days
content that ‘this is the way things
have always been done,’ then the gift
vanishes, smothered by the ashes of
fear and concern for defending the
status quo.” At this moment of turmoil
and stasis for our Church, it is alluring
to believe that the easiest and safest
pathway is to stand firm. But for the
Church, turmoil and stasis are the
calls to renewal and reform. Let us
look outward rather than inward. Let
us move in synodality.
Let us rekindle the fire.
Bishop Robert McElroy is the
Bishop of San Diego, California,
USA. In 1986, he obtained a S.T.D.
in moral theology from the Pontifical
Gregorian University in Rome and in
1989 a PhD in political science from
Stanford University.
He was one of only two USA Bishops
personally appointed by Pope
Francis to attend the 2019 Synod on
the Pan-Amazonian region in Rome.
This is an abridged version of Bishop
McElroy’s full lecture given as part
of the 2019 MacTaggart Catholic
Intellectual Tradition Lecture Series
at St Mary’s University, San Antonio,
Texas, on 6 November 2019.
Reproduced with permission.
Bishop Robert McElroy, Bishop of San
Diego, California, United States.
Image: Catholic Diocese of San Diego.
43

The Voice of the People
By Richard McMahon
Our Diocesan Pastoral Council,
Deanery Pastoral Councils and Parish
Pastoral Councils are significant
bodies who seek to both represent
and engage our communities
in caring, Christ-centred and
collaborative ways as we seek to
become the community Christ calls us
to be. Our councils seek to enable the
“voice of the people”, in and through
listening to what the Holy Spirit is
saying, as they remain faithful to heart
of our faith.
Pope Francis says: “How necessary
pastoral councils are! A bishop cannot
guide a diocese without pastoral
councils. A parish priest cannot guide
without pastoral councils!” (from
discourse during the meeting with
clergy, consecrated persons and
members of pastoral councils, Assisi,
4 October 2013).
In these days of the pandemic, our
councils have taken on an extra
significance as they develop pastoral
responses to COVID-19, offering
positive pathways forward.
Some of the Parish Pastoral Councils
which our Pastoral Planning Office
has accompanied recently, have
been liaising with their various
ministries and works, exploring new
ways of building up the body of
Christ and outreaching to their local
neighbourhoods. Initiatives such as
phone trees and checking in with
isolated parishioners have been
simple yet meaningful responses.
Oher parishes have worked with the
pastoral planning office in planning
for their ongoing mission, reshaping
priorities in light of the pandemic, and
looking for online ways to enhance
their mission via approaches such as
Alpha and Saturday Sessions. Some
Pastoral Councils have also taken
this opportunity to spend quality time
in understanding different models of
church leadership. As more parishes
establish leadership teams to work
with the parish priest/community
leader these councils have developed
how these key bodies can work most
effectively together to bring to life the
mission of the Church.
Each Deanery Pastoral Council, with
members drawn from the deanery
parishes, shares what is happening
across the parishes, and are always
44

Image: Shutterstock.
on the look out for how they can
support each other with ideas and
initiatives. One of our deaneries has
developed an online hub for sharing
the goodness of parishes with one
another. Questions being asked at
council meetings include how they are
ensuring their parishes are COVIDsafe,
and how are they addressing the
support of sacraments and spiritual
and pastoral care of parishioners.
The Deanery Pastoral Councils are
also keen to support those doing it
particularly tough. One such group is
our refugees and asylum seekers, who
are unable to access the supports
being offered by our government in
response to the pandemic. One major
issue is ensuring foodbanks that
refugees and asylum seekers access
are well supplied on a consistent
basis. Our deanery pastoral councils,
in consultation with Patrice Moriarty,
Social Justice Coordinator, are
beginning to collaborate together in
ensuring a steady supply of donations
from our parishes to support the
work of services such as House
of Welcome and Jesuit Refugee
Services.
Our Diocesan Pastoral Council has
not been idle either. Earlier this year,
Bishop Vincent Long shared priorities
for the work of the Diocesan and
Deanery Pastoral Councils, including
their role in promoting baptismal
responsibility, attentiveness to the
vulnerable and marginalised, while
remaining aligned to the Plenary
Council 2020 process.
The Diocesan Pastoral Council,
supported by the Pastoral Planning
Office, and in consultation with the
five Deanery Pastoral Councils, is
developing vision, mission and focus
areas based on the priorities offered
by Bishop Vincent Long. This forms
the operational plan for the Deanery
and Diocesan Pastoral Councils for
the next two years, in the absence of
a new diocesan pastoral plan, which
awaits the outcome of the Plenary
Council. This plan will also be shared
with our Parish Pastoral Councils.
It is clear that our councils and
communities are creatively bringing
to life the recent document from the
Vatican regarding parishes, which
states: “every member of the faithful
is created for the building up of the
whole Body and, at the same time, the
whole People of God, in the reciprocal
co-responsibility of its members,
participates in the mission of the
Church, that is, discerning in history
the signs of the presence of God and
becoming witnesses of His Kingdom.” i
Our Councils always welcome your
ideas and questions. Contact your
parish to find out more about your
local parish pastoral council or
contact the Pastoral Planning Office
on pastoralplanning@parracatholic.
org or 02 8838 3441 for information
about our diocesan and deanery
pastoral councils. The Pastoral
Planning Office also is available to
support the growth and resourcing
of parish pastoral councils.
Richard McMahon is the Director
Pastoral Planning at the Diocese of
Parramatta.
Fr Giovani Presiga Gaviria, Parish Priest
of Sacred Heart Parish, Luddenham-
Warragamba, speaks to a member of the
faithful. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
i
The pastoral conversion of the Parish community in the service of the evangelising mission of the Church,
Congregation for the Clergy, 20/7/20.
45

Cooking with Christ
in the convent
By Mary Brazell
Move over Curtis Stone, there’s a new bunch of chefs
creating meals for $10 or less.
The Sisters of the Holy Family of
Nazareth (CSFN) have decided to take
their faith into the kitchen to create
some joy and love in their community
and the wider community.
“For a long time, I really wanted to
show people that we Sisters need
to take care of our daily life as any
average family,” Sr Grace Roclawska
csfn, Provincial Treasurer and Program
and Engagement Representative at
the Institute for Mission, told Catholic
Outlook.
“We do not have cooks in our
communities, as it was in the older
days. We all share our house chores.
“We need to prepare and cook our
meals to make sure our community eats
nutritional meals to keep us healthy for
our ministry life,” Sr Grace said.
Sr Sophie Boffa, one of the newest
members of the congregation, and a
chaplain to Westmead and Blacktown
Hospitals added, “Cooking is super
important in the community. It’s most
of all a way we can show love and
care for our sisters.”
What started off as a ‘one woman
show’ evolved into an online cooking
series, with step-by-step instructional
videos and recipes uploaded to
YouTube and their provincial website.
The videos may not be shot in a
fancy studio kitchen, nor have time
pressures that would be seen on any
cooking show, but they are downto-earth
and modest, like the sisters
themselves.
“We were thinking about ways
to reach out to our friends and
neighbours during Lent, especially as
we couldn’t see them in person. Then
the idea came to cook and it just went
from there,” Sr Sophie explained.
“The cooking videos started in Lent
and were published on a weekly basis,
showcasing recipes for meatless
meals, and continued during Easter,
which included recipes for happy,
festive meals. We will now start to
share recipes for ordinary time,” Sr
Grace added.
Creating meals for around $10
provided the sisters with an attainable
goal that can be replicated outside of
their community.
“Things are getting so expensive
these days, and many people find it a
struggle to find and cook affordable
and tasty meals, especially for a
family,” Sr Sophie said.
Sr Grace added, “I love to challenge
myself when I cook. I always calculate
how much my ingredients cost and
how available they are in the nearby
supermarkets.
“We wanted to show others that we
understand people living on a small
budget and want to help them to find
yummy food.”
For the saintly chefs who feature in
the online videos, cooking brings
people together and also has strong
ties to their families.
Sr Paula Volchek, Director of
Vocations, told Catholic Outlook, “my
inspiration for cooking and sharing
was my mum, who recently passed
away. She cooked very simple food,
but she cooked from her heart and
everything was delicious.
“Cooking for me is a celebration.
Firstly, the process of preparation
– planning the menu and shopping
– makes me excited. After that, the
cooking, smells and taste give me
a lot of happiness. When the meal
is ready, we gather together and
celebrate.”
Provincial Leader Sr Margaret Kozub
added, “Cooking is an important
part of my life and gives me the
opportunity to share with the sisters
who I am. Many times, I cook what I
learnt from my mum. This is also my
small way to take care of my Sisters,
to let them know I love them.
“Cooking is not about me and my
skills, but is about the joy that I might
bring to those I share a meal with,”
she said.
Living in community with 25 people
from five different nationalities
provides the sisters with the
opportunity to share and try local and
international cuisines.
Sr Christine Ramada, a member of the
vocations team, explained, “one of the
best things about living with sisters
from different cultural backgrounds
is that you get to try different types
of cooking and food from different
countries.
46

“I’d say the sisters I live with are
adventurous in their cooking, and
every now and then, I get to try new
food, which is exciting.”
Sr Rita Apura, Provincial Secretary
said, “Cooking for my community of
sisters is very important when it is
done with love.
“For me, it is in cooking that we are
not only expressing out gifts and
talents, but also sharing ourselves, our
culture and allowing us to experience
joy,” she said.
Cooking is not about
me and my skills, but
is about the joy that I
might bring to those I
share a meal with.
When asked if there were any cooking
tips they’d like to share, the sisters
mentioned loving what you are
creating and the joy they experience
when they do.
“My favourite quote is ‘food is God’s
love made edible’. I heard it some time
ago, but cannot remember the author.
I truly believe that. Food is a gift which
needs to be received with gratitude
and celebrated,” Sr Grace said.
“Don’t cook, create! It is fun. Learn
from others, learn from your mistakes.
Always taste before you serve anyone
anything, and never give up.”
Sr Margaret said don’t compare
yourself to other cooks, because
“every person brings something
unique to each dish.”
Sr Rita hoped that people use cooking
as a chance to share joy, and not
to cook “because you have to or
because it is just a duty.”
Sharing joy should also be in what it is
you are cooking, Sr Sophie said.
“And as our Sr Grace says, always
taste!”.
You can find the whole range of
the Sisters of the Holy Family of
Nazareth’s online cooking videos on
their YouTube channel, and copies
of the recipes on their provincial
website csfn.org.au.
Sr Margaret Kozub CSFN is recorded
preparing a meal for the Convent Cooking
YouTube series. Image: Sisters of the Holy
Family of Nazareth.
47

Acolytes celebrate 85 years’ combined
service to the people and Popes
By Mary Brazell
Acolytes Peter McGann (left) and William ‘Bill’ Hardy pose for a photograph at St Padre Pio Parish, Glenmore Park.
Image: Mary Brazell/Diocese of Parramatta.
In his first few years as an acolyte during the 1970s, people would avoid receiving
the Eucharist from Peter McGann during Mass and instead go to the priest.
“People didn’t know what an acolyte
was in those days, and I think it took
them a while to accept that somebody
other than the priest was going to give
out Communion and take Communion
around,” Peter told Catholic Outlook.
“There was a lot of doubt as to
whether we should be doing what we
were doing, and I had personal friends
who queried me as to why and what I
was doing.”
The ministry of the acolyte is known
to have existed in the Latin Church as
early as the 3rd Century. An acolyte
previously formed part of the minor
orders of the priesthood.
St Pope Paul VI issued Ministeria
quaedam (On certain ministries) on
15 August 1972, which revised these
minor orders, allowing for lay people
to be acolytes.
“The acolyte is appointed in order
to aid the deacon and to minister to
the priest. It is his duty therefore to
attend to the service of the altar and
to assist the deacon and the priest in
liturgical celebrations, especially in the
celebration of Mass,” it reads.
Peter, 82, and his friend William ‘Bill’
Hardy, 83, from St Padre Pio Parish,
Glenmore Park, were among the
first men to be instituted as acolytes
for the Catholic Church in Western
Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
Over 40 years as acolytes, Peter and
Bill would train junior altar servers,
prepare the altar and sacred vessels
for Mass, distribute Communion
during Mass and during visits to the
sick and homebound, and serve
alongside priests, bishops, cardinals
and even popes.
Both men would serve a combined 85
years in ministry before Bill’s retirement
in November 2019 and Peter’s
retirement in March 2020.
Before becoming friends, Peter and Bill
served for many years in their respective
parishes of St Patrick’s, Guildford, and
St Nicholas of Myra, Penrith.
Peter was instituted into the ministry
of acolyte for the Archdiocese of
48

Sydney by then-auxiliary Bishop Bede
Heather (who would later become
the first Bishop of Parramatta), in
Guildford on 11 December 1977.
Bill joined Peter in the ministry of
acolyte just under a year later on
27 November 1978, when he was
instituted by then-Bishop Edward
Bede Clancy at St Patrick’s Parish,
Blacktown.
After retiring from their working
careers, both men and their wives
moved to Glenmore Park in Western
Sydney in the early 2000s, when the
parish was a parochial district of St
Nicholas of Myra Parish, Penrith.
Bill explained, “When we first moved
to Glenmore Park, it was a very small
Catholic community, which was a very
close community.
“I was involved in the construction of
the new church at Glenmore Park and
was a representative to the Diocese
during its construction and I was on
the parish councils for a while,” Bill
said. In 2014, Bill was awarded the
Diocesan Medal of Honour for service
to the Diocese and the Australian
Catholic Community.
In Ministeria quaedam, Pope Paul VI
mentions that an acolyte, “should
learn all matters concerning public
divine worship and strive to grasp
their inner spiritual meaning: in that
way he will be able each day to offer
himself entirely to God, be an example
to all by his gravity and reverence
in church, and have a sincere love
for the Mystical Body of Christ, the
people of God, especially for the weak
and the sick.”
Both Bill and Peter exemplified this
role in their love for the Body of Christ
and their love for the people of God.
For Bill, being of service was a part
of who he was. “I felt my ministry
the most when I would celebrate the
Communion services in the absence
of the priest. I thought that was a
very important and honourable role for
me to do.
“Serving and being of service is part
of who I am, it’s my responsibility in
life to help where I feel I can help.
“I haven’t done anything that I would
consider outstanding. If people
needed help and I was able to help,
well, why not?”
As for Peter, he found that when he
would take Communion to the sick
and at home, “You could see how
much joy it was for them to be able to
have someone come to them.
“I’ve met some wonderful people,
I’ve met a lot of interesting acolytes,
and it was a very rewarding thing to
be able to see the benefit of taking
Communion to people who couldn’t
get to church.
“The Eucharist is very important to me
because, I find, to receive Communion
and being able to give Communion
gives you satisfaction. You can not
only have the choice of receiving but
also of being able to give as well.
You’re able to do something for the
Church and for Christ,” he said.
When reflecting on their ministry, both
Bill and Peter held close memories of
serving at Masses important to their
families.
“I served as an acolyte for my
mother’s requiem Mass, and Fr [John]
Grady [Parish Priest of St Nicholas
of Myra Parish, Penrith, from 1964 to
1984] told me I wasn’t to do anything,
I was the chief mourner. But I still
served and stood beside him the
whole time,” Bill said.
“In the last few weeks of Fr Grady’s
life, I used to, every morning, go and
help him celebrate Mass. He needed a
lot of help during that time, and I used
to prepare the altar and do everything
else, except the consecration. I often
think back on that as a treasured
moment of mine,” he added.
In Peter’s ministry, serving alongside
two different popes was another
proud moment.
Serving and
being of service
is part of who
I am, it’s my
responsibility in
life to help where
I feel I can help.
“Two of the things that stick out in
my mind as an acolyte was being
able to give both my sons their first
Holy Communion, which Fr [Louis]
Breslin [Parish Priest of St Patrick’s
Parish, Guildford from 1975 to 2009]
suggested would be nice.
“The other time was when we were
visited by the Pope John Paul II [in
1986] and Pope Benedict XVI [in
2008], we were able to go out to
Randwick [Racecourse] and distribute
communion on behalf of the Pope,”
he said.
Residing on the other side of the altar,
Bill said that it was a true honour for
him to have served the Church in such
a spiritual way.
“I was very conscious that I was
the servant of the people. I always
considered myself a servant at God’s
table. It was my honour the whole
time [to be serving].
“I’ve enjoyed being an acolyte. It’s
been an honour,” Bill said.
49

To Jesus, Through Mary
By Jennifer Healey
2020 is going to be a memorable year
for many of us: the year of COVID,
the year of bushfires, the year of
floods, the year of Zoom calls. The
past six months have challenged
us to rely more on God and less on
ourselves, to see Him through all of
the challenges we have faced and will
continue to face. Through the thick
of social isolation, I knew that I was
being called to grow deeper in my
faith, to get closer to Christ. However,
He was calling me to a relationship,
through Him, in a way I had not
explored before, through the heart of
His mother, Mary.
It is so often assumed that young
Catholic women have a strong
relationship with Mary. For me, that
was not the case. I struggled to find
any common ground between us; she
seemed so ‘perfect’ and ‘virtuous’
and I knew that I could never be ‘like’
her. I wanted to form a connection
and be inspired by someone who
really struggled, having the effects of
original sin and not being full of grace.
I brought up these concerns with
a priest earlier this year and he
explained to me that forming a
devotion to Our Lady is the best way
to love and trust Jesus. Of course, I
wanted to do that! I wanted to love
Jesus with everything that I had, to
trust Him with my life and to give it
all to Him. But I didn’t want to do it
through Mary.
He suggested that I go and have a
read through the beginning of the
Gospel of Luke, call on the Holy Spirit
and reflect on the Annunciation. And
so I did. The following day I took my
Bible to adoration, flicked open to
the Gospel of Luke and had a read.
I scrutinised the text, trying to find
something – anything – that might
provide potential for a relationship
with Mary.
God is truly good, and I was really
drawn to the moment of Mary’s ‘yes’:
Then Mary said:
“Behold, I am
the handmaid of
the Lord. Let it
be done to me
according to
your word.”
Luke 1.38
Mary’s “yes”, her fiat and surrender
to the will of God changed the face of
history; it was only by her obedience
that Christ could come into the world.
If it wasn’t for her, I would not be here,
the Catholic faith would not exist,
and my soul would not be saved.
Mary didn’t know what was going to
happen following the Annunciation,
but she surrendered her own desires
and ambitions to God and became
the handmaid of the Lord. As a result
of her humility and faith, she changed
the course of history.
I would love to have her virtues, to
have a heart so tender and full of love,
and I’ve learnt that this is possible!
Mary is wanting to show us and
intercede for us, so that we might
be granted the graces to say ‘yes’ to
God, just like she did. She has such
an immense love for each of us and
she is waiting for us to ask for help.
Too often, I get so caught up and
distracted with the possibilities of
what could happen, and the things
that could go wrong, that I don’t listen
to what God is asking of me in the
PRESENT moment. The ‘ifs, buts and
maybes’ paralyse me and stop me
from being the woman that I am called
to be. It’s in these moments that I’m
learning to call on my mother Mary,
asking her to grant me the graces
I need to keep moving forward, to
say ‘yes’ to the will of God. And who
knows, perhaps if I say yes, just like
Mary did, maybe I’ll change the course
of history too, in my own little way.
Jennifer Healey is the Youth
Coordinator at Our Lady of the Angels
Parish, Rouse Hill.
A rosary sacred space in the home of
Youth Coordinator Jen Healey from Our
Lady of the Angels Parish, Rouse Hill.
Image: Jen Healey/Supplied.
50

New national office will streamline,
coordinate safeguarding efforts
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Mark Coleridge
says a new national office for safeguarding will streamline and coordinate the
Church’s work to protect children and vulnerable adults.
The Catholic Church in Australia is
bringing into a single entity several
national agencies working in the area
of child protection and safeguarding,”
he said.
“This has been intended since 2016,
when Catholic Professional Standards
Limited was established.”
The work of Catholic Professional
Standards Limited (CPSL) has been
pivotal to the Church’s progress in the
past four years, in the final stages of
and beyond the Royal Commission
into Institutional Responses to Child
Sexual Abuse, Archbishop Coleridge
said.
“For all its excellent work in
developing the National Catholic
Safeguarding Standards, beginning
the audits of dioceses and religious
institutes, and training Catholic
leaders, CPSL has not become the
single national office envisaged,”
Archbishop Coleridge said.
“That the Church is looking to achieve
its goal of a single national entity does
not and cannot diminish the work
currently being done.”
The various national agencies that
now exist alongside CPSL include
the Australian Catholic Centre for
Professional Standards (formerly the
National Committee for Professional
Standards), the Implementation
Advisory Group and Australian
Catholic Redress Limited, which
facilitates diocesan engagement with
the National Redress Scheme.
“We didn’t plan such a disjointed
national approach to safeguarding
and professional standards beyond
the Royal Commission. But different
entities emerged as the need arose
– without too much thought for
coordination,” Archbishop Coleridge
said.
The proliferation of Catholic entities
has come at a time when various
state, territory and Commonwealth
bodies have also been established,
adding regulation and risking still
more duplication.
Archbishop Coleridge said to see
the decision to bring various national
organisations into a single entity
as a diminishment in the Church’s
commitment to child protection
and safeguarding was “seriously
mistaken”.
“For more than 18 months, guided by
some of the leading authorities in child
safety in the Church and elsewhere,
we’ve been moving towards the
single national office that’s long been
intended,” he said.
“Two earlier reviews and the work
of the current expert group have
been done in conversation with
all key professional standards and
safeguarding organisations, including
Catholic Professional Standards
Limited.”
In a statement on June 1, CPSL’s
board said it “anticipates being
engaged in the planning for the new
entity and until decisions as to the
work of the new entity and transition
plans are clear, CPSL will continue
with its current work”.
Archbishop Coleridge said the new
national office will assume key
functions of CPSL and will supervise
independent audits of Church
institutions, the training of Catholic
leaders and the development and
review of national standards.
It will also incorporate functions
currently entrusted to other national
organisations, including the oversight
of a new national protocol for handling
complaints of sexual abuse.
“The new office will retain the
operational independence that
Catholic Professional Standards
Limited has enjoyed,” Archbishop
Coleridge said.
“We are confident this national entity
can deliver on our commitment to
the safety of children and vulnerable
adults while also eliminating
duplication and reducing costs at a
time when all Church institutions are
under financial pressure.”
With thanks to the ACBC.
51

Book Review
Deacons Today: New Wine & New Wineskins
Reviewed by Deacon Tony Hoban
Deacon Roque Dias from the
Parish of Baulkham Hills.
Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
“When Bishops from around the world
were consulted as to what key topics
they believed should be discussed at
the Second Vatican Council, one of
the top three to emerge was one that
may have surprised many people. It
was to restore the permanent ministry
of deacons (the diaconate).
The Council ultimately
overwhelmingly voted for this
restoration. But how has it played out
in the six decades since then?
Deacon Anthony Gooley has a timely
new book addressing the global
situation of the diaconate but very
much with an Australian lens. He
argues that the restoration of the
diaconate has not been fully received
into the life of the Church and
represents new wine which needs to
be placed into new wineskins.
He believes the confusion that exists
today about the role of deacons
goes back to the way certain Biblical
texts have been translated. One key
text, Acts 6: 1-7, is seen by many
as marking the appointment of the
first deacons (Saint Stephen and six
others) in answer to Greek widows
being neglected. But Gooley points
out that Vatican II, in restoring the
diaconate, did not appeal to Acts
Chapter 6.
Some translations say the Greek
widows were being neglected “in the
daily distribution of food.” However,
Gooley, drawing on work by the
Australian Biblical scholar, John N
Collins, which uncovered the original
Greek language, writes that the
Revised Standard Version correctly
translates Acts 6:1 as “…their
widows were neglected in the daily
distribution.” Not the daily distribution
of food. He adds that the needs of the
Greek widows were that they were
not being ministered the word of God
in their own language – not that they
were missing out on food.
Gooley says that (while there were
deacons in the church from the very
early days) the seven men in Acts 6
may or may not have been deacons.
“The one word Luke does not use
for them is diaconos, the noun from
which we get our word deacon.”
In the New Testament, those called
by the noun diaconos are associated
with very significant roles such
as proclaiming the Word, leading
communities, and taking messages
between communities.
Gooley argues that the mistranslation
of Acts 6 was the beginning of the
deacon ‘servant myth’. “I do not
argue that deacons cannot have or
will not have a charitable or service
role, only that it is not the distinctive
character of their ministry,” writes
Gooley. Instead, they are primarily
called to the diaconia of Christ, being
the proclamation of the Gospel or the
ministry of the Word.
But confusion around the diaconate
is not limited to the servant myth. As
a permanent deacon myself, when
I am introduced to people in the
church as a deacon, they often say:
“Oh, when will you be ordained?” The
answer is “I have been ordained. I’m a
permanent deacon – a married man.”
The confusion stems from men seeking
the priesthood being firstly ordained
as (transitional) deacons. Gooley
takes up this issue writing on the
cursus honorum (course of honours)
which plots the stepping stones of
Holy Orders. This has a man seeking
Ordination starting by installed as a
lector, then acolyte, before ordination
52

as a deacon, presbyter/priest and, for
some, as bishop.
Gooley argues: “There is, in fact, no
theological justification for sequential
ordination or transitioning candidates
for the diaconate and presbyterate
through the lay ministries (lector and
acolyte) and we must ask ourselves
how much flexibility we have to
engage with a new way of thinking.”
He argues ordination should be
direct. That is for a priest, ordination
directly to the presbyterate and
not as a deacon along the way. He
says men being ordained as priests
are not formed to be deacons and
their formation is directed at the
presbyterate. This is nothing new.
He points that in the first 1000
years of the Church it was common
direct ordination. “That is why it was
common for deacons to be ordained
bishop but not as presbyters along
the way “and no one considered this a
theological problem to be solved.”
In terms of ministry today for deacons,
Gooley suggests that the primary
orientation of the deacon is toward the
dispersed community (for example,
young adults, couples preparing for
marriage, RCIA, migrants, refugees,
university or school chaplaincies,
hospital chaplaincies, ministries of
evangelisation and outreach to those
who have left the church, the poor,
marginalised and homeless) “…But
that is not because deacon means
servant of the poor but because the
Christian community has identified
a need and is sending a minister to
bring the grace and presence of the
church’s ministry to this situation.”
He adds: “As heralds of the new
evangelisation, the deacon must go
where, perhaps, the church has not
gone before or go in a way that the
church has not gone before.”
In terms of putting the new wine into
new wineskins, Gooley concludes
with a set of ten recommendations,
including advocacy for women
deacons, arguing that it seems
convincing that “at one time the
Church intended to ordain women
to the order of deacon, however
ordination and the sacrament of
orders was understood at that
time.” He advocates for promotion
of vocations to the diaconate so
that every diocese has deacons, for
substantial resources to be put into
deacon formation, and for review of
the cursus honorum to allow for direct
and not sequential ordination.
He argues that, rather than
implementing a diaconate “… that
really has the presbyterate and
presbyteral type ministry in mind…”
that each bishop “… in communion
with the deacons, presbyters and
lay people, should carefully discern
who is neglected in the daily diaconia
(ministry) and find fresh and creative
ways to appoint deacons to new
ministries, to new places and to find
new ways to bring the Gospel to where
people are. That place will frequently
be some place other than parish.”
The book constitutes a valuable
contribution to the discussion on
how the restored diaconate should
evolve in Australia and throughout the
universal Church.
Anthony Gooley is a permanent
deacon of the Diocese of Brisbane
who has worked as a theologian
for several Catholic institutions in
Australia and currently works in
the Mission Directorate at Catholic
Health Australia.
Deacon Tony Hoban is the Pastoral
Director of St Luke’s Parochial
District, Marsden Park, and the
Director of Formation for Deacons in
the Diocese of Parramatta.
Deacons Today:
New Wine & New
Wineskins. By
Anthony Gooley,
Coventry Press,
Melbourne 2019.
The front cover of Deacons Today: New
Wine & New Wineskins by Anthony Gooley.
Image: Supplied.
53

News from Catholic Education
Construction
commences at
Santa Sophia
Catholic College
With significant population
growth across Western Sydney,
Catholic Education Diocese of
Parramatta is working hard to
meet the needs of local families.
Most recently, this included
turning the sod on the site for
what will be the permanent
home of Santa Sophia Catholic
College in Box Hill.
Students from Holy Family Primary Emerton love caring for the school’s garden!
Image: CEDP.
Growing in faith and learning
Spring seems just the season to share with you good news from our schools
as Catholic Outlook returns to print. After all, Catholic schools are places of
growth in faith and learning, of renewal and of hope.
In this edition of Catholic Outlook, we share with you significant news about
the Draft New Curriculum for Religious Education being developed for Catholic
Education Diocese of Parramatta schools. I have so much confidence in this
up-to-date approach to learning and teaching aimed at the flourishing of every
child and young person.
This new co-educational school
will serve up to 1,920 students
and is already well-subscribed
at interim locations at St John
Paul II College, Schofields and
Our Lady of the Angels Primary,
Rouse Hill. The new facilities are
scheduled to open in late 2021
at ‘The Gables’, Box Hill North.
“We’re really looking forward to
being located in the heart of The
Gables supporting students and
their families close to home,”
said Mark De Vries, Principal,
Santa Sophia Catholic College.
We also introduce you to two strong women who have shown so much
leadership in growing faith and learning in our schools this year, new Director
Mission Monica Officer and new Director Learning Maura Manning.
Thank you so much to the Catholic community of the Diocese of Parramatta
for your concern and care for our students, staff and families as we responded
together to COVID-19.
God bless,
Gregory B Whitby AM KSG
Executive Director
Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta
The ‘sod turn’ marked the beginning
of construction of Santa Sophia
Catholic College Box Hill.
Image: CEDP
54

Students at St Joseph’s Primary Schofields have been trialling the new approach to learning about faith.
Image: CEDP.
Inspirational new approach to Religious Education approved for study
Catholic schools across Western Sydney are changing the
way students learn about faith. The recent endorsement
of this hope-filled new approach by the NSW Education
Standards Authority is an important milestone on this
journey towards implementation of a new Religious
Education Curriculum for students across Catholic
Education Diocese of Parramatta’s 80 schools.
Emerging from a two-year development phase involving
staff, students and families as well as ongoing dialogue
between Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta, school
and Diocesan leaders and input from parent and clergy
advisory groups, the final version of the new curriculum will
be launched in 2021.
The Draft New Curriculum is a response to the “signs of the
times” as well as the needs of local students and school
communities. It has been developed based on the big
questions students themselves ask about life, identity and
belonging.
There is a strong focus on connecting students’ faith
through a framework we call ‘Head, Heart and Hands’.
This new approach aims to nurture young people so they
might help to build a more compassionate and caring
society through being attentive, intelligent, reasonable and
responsible.
It also recognises that Catholic schools welcome many
students of different faiths. As Bishop Vincent says, “Ours
are not schools that provide education for Catholics only
but Catholic education for all.”
Consultant Theologian Professor Anthony Maher highlights
the relevant and inspirational nature of the new curriculum,
and said that its “purpose is to bring about the flourishing
of our young people.”
St Luke’s community welcomes
students with high support needs
Founded in 2017, St Luke’s Catholic College serves the
growing community of Marsden Park in Sydney’s thriving
North West Growth Area. Next year a high support learning
setting will open onsite, welcoming students with a
diagnosis of moderate intellectual disability as a primary
disability and low adaptive functioning.
Principal Greg Miller says that St Luke’s Arrunga School
will begin by serving a small number of students from
Kindergarten to Year 6. This important service will grow
over time to meet the needs of secondary students also.
“We can’t wait to welcome students and their families to
this terrific new facility,” Greg said. “We’re looking forward
St Luke’s Arrunga School will welcome students from 2021.
Image: CEDP.
to Arrunga becoming an important part of the St Luke’s
Catholic College community.”
Similar Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta settings
- Wiyanga located at St Patrick’s Marist College at Dundas
and Kirinari at Xavier College in Llandilo - enrol students
from Years 7 to 12. Learn more at http://highsupportneeds.
parra.catholic.edu.au.
55

Students collaborate with their teacher during Catholic Youth Parramatta’s LIFTED Live Jr
featuring Gen Bryant at West HQ in February 2020. Image: Mary Brazell/Diocese of Parramatta.
New Directors lead the way
Meet Maura!
Maura Manning started with Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta
as Director Learning at the beginning of 2020. It’s the chance to
transform learning and teaching on an everyday basis that really gets
Maura excited about her work.
Leading education strategy for a system of 80 Catholic schools in
Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, there have already been many
opportunities to innovate in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
“It’s important we don’t revert back to doing things the way we always
have because it’s easier,” Maura said. “We need to consistently keep
practising and refining our new way of learning.”
Maura Manning is CEDP’s new Director
Learning. Image: CEDP.
Maura has previously worked in senior roles at schools including Mount
St Benedict College, Pennant Hills, as Leader Professional Learning for
the Diocese of Broken Bay and as a national advocate for support for
disadvantaged schools.
Meet Monica!
New Director of Mission Monica Officer is leading the implementation of a
Draft New Curriculum for Religious Education across Catholic Education
Diocese of Parramatta schools.
“The thing I love is that our staff went straight to the students and asked
them what their faith meant to them,” Monica said. “It is brilliant and so
obvious and has been a moment of grace from beginning to end.”
“It puts students at the front and centre of their learning,” she said. “We
want them to look inward to discover a meaningful and flourishing life. To
ask themselves “what does my faith mean to me?”, “what am I called to
do?”, “what are my gifts that can be of service?”’
The CEDP Mission team will continue to pilot this innovative approach
throughout 2020.
Monica Officer is CEDP’s new Director
Mission. Image: CEDP.
56

57

News from Early Years Education & Care
By Anthony Goonan
About Early Childhood Services in The Diocese of Parramatta
Catholic Diocese of Parramatta
Services Limited (CDPSL), a new
agency announced in August 2019,
delivers a range of early childhood
services throughout the Diocese.
Catholic Out of School Hours Care
(COSHC) for children attending
Kindergarten to Year 6
• Before and After School Care for in
27 primary schools
• School vacation care in 11
locations.
COSHC also supports schools and
families on pupil free days.
Catholic Early Learning Centres
(CELC) for children ages 3-5 years
• Pre-school at Emerton, Blacktown
South, Greystanes and Stanhope
Gardens
• Extended Hours Pre-school/
Long Day Care at St Luke’s
Marsden Park.
Anthony Goonan, CEO of CDPSL,
leads an ambitious program not only
to increase the number of schools
provided with these services but also
to extend our services to the broader
community of the Diocese.
“We are very proud that all of our
early childhood services meet or
exceed the National Quality Standards
laid down by the Department of
Education. We have wonderful early
childhood teachers and educators
who are very invested in respect,
encouragement and care for the
children and families attending our
services” Anthony says.
More information about service
locations and enrolments can be
found at:
https://www.parra.catholic.edu.
au/Our-Schools/Catholic-Early-
Learning-Centres
https://www.parra.catholic.edu.
au/Our-Schools/Catholic-Out-of-
School-Hours-Care
“Graduation” to Kindergarten made easier
Image: Unsplash.
Pre-school children attending Diocese of
Parramatta Early Learning Centres get a
wonderful opportunity to get a taste of
Kindergarten before turning up for their
big “first day” at school.
Connections formed between Catholic
Early Learning Centres (CELC) and
Primary School Kindergarten (Early
Stage One) supports the continuity
of experience for children who will
continue their learning into Early Stage
one next year.
For example, at St Luke’s CELC
Marsden Park the children
make regular visits to the school
throughout the year, joining the
Early Stage one for shared reading
and numeracy experiences. These
visits are a wonderful way to
support the children’s understanding
and familiarity with the school
environment, building a sense of
belonging to the Preschool to Post
school community at St Luke’s.
Mrs Jo Tapley, Director, says regular
visits to the early stage one learning
spaces, along with participation in
school events such as Activities Days
and liturgies, creates a strong bond to
the St Luke’s Catholic community.
CELC educators identify strongly
with their associated school’s pillars
of learning and translate this into the
pre-school education programs to
enhance the continuity of experience
for the children and families.
58

Catholic Early Learning Partner with
CathWest Innovation College
Catholic Early Learning Centre - Stanhope Gardens has partnered with CathWest
Innovation College - Loyola to provide a pathway for students to complete an
Early Childhood qualification. Since the partnership began in 2015 students have
had the opportunity to complete a Certificate 3 in Early Education and Care as
part of their school studies while completing work experience at CELC.
Image: Shutterstock.
This partnership not only benefits the student, but also the team of teachers
and educators at the CELC. Mrs Victoria Parkes, Director, says her team take
great pride in the mentoring and support of their students, and they learn too
with the new ideas students bring. Upon graduating from School students have
continued the early childhood career pathway, successfully gained employment
with CELC and independently continued their studies.
CELC are looking forward to continuing to build their relationship with CathWest.
Catholic Out of School Hours Care Expansion
Catholic Early Learning and Care have recently opened two new services and
expanded four services to include Vacation Care.
Two new Catholic Out of School Hours Care (COSHC) were opened in
January this year at Our Lady of the Nativity Lawson and St Thomas Aquinas
Springwood. Since opening in January 2020 both services have seen a steep
growth in enrolments.
COSHC St Angela’s Castle Hill, Our Lady of Mt Carmel Wentworthville, St Paul
the Apostle Winston Hills and St Joseph’s Schofields have expanded their
services to offer Vacation Care. We have received a positive response from
families as we expanded our services to now offer 13 vacation care programs to
over 3500 children.
In 2021 we have plans for new COSHC services at St John’s Riverstone
and St Aidan’s Rooty Hill. We also anticipate our second extended hours
preschool – 6:30am – 6:30pm - at Santa Sophia Box Hill upon completion of the
construction of this new school.
COSHC St Angela’s Students marking
their first day of vacation care.
Image: CDPSL.
Early childhood services during COVID
We are very proud that all our early childhood services have remained open
during this difficult period of pandemic. This is due in no small part to the
dedication of our teachers and educators. We have had much feedback from
families who have appreciated being able to depend on us as they have had to
cope with their changing circumstances.
Image: Shutterstock.
Hygiene protocols have been continually strengthened to protect children,
families and staff alike. At all centres, children now leave and meet their
families “at the door” to minimise visitors within the service. This has had the
unexpected benefit of reducing separation anxiety and making it quicker and
easier for carers to drop off and pick up their children. An innovation we expect
to keep after COVID!
Anthony Goonan is the CEO, Catholic Diocese of Parramatta Services Ltd.
59

Special Religious Education
Lessons Resume in Public Schools
By Catholic Outlook staff
After a term’s break, the schoolchildren of Western Sydney and the Blue
Mountains public schools are back to their Special Religious Education (SRE)
lessons. Once again, they are actively exploring their faith in a safe environment.
Spiritual wellbeing, delivered by
the SRE classes, is one of the five
elements of the Department of
Education’s Wellbeing Framework,
alongside the cognitive, physical,
emotional and social wellbeing of
children and young people.
“While it’s been a welcome return,
a few factors mean we need to
encourage more parishioners to come
forward as Catechists,” said Cecilia
Zammit, Director Confraternity of
Christian Doctrine at the Diocese of
Parramatta.
“Our Catechist numbers are down
by about half, due to various issues
brought on by the pandemic. With
15,000 children and young people
in 195 public schools wanting and
needing the classes we provide,
we are calling for more faith-filled
parishioners to step forward.
“It’s so rewarding!” explained Cecilia.
“Our lessons give children room to
encounter a loving God through a
relationship with Jesus Christ. When
you’re a Catechist you bring hope and
joy to the young people you teach, as
well as playing a valuable role in their
development.”
Training for Catechists can be done in
person or online.
To find out more contact Cecilia
Zammit at Cecilia.zammit@
parracatholic.org or 02 8838 3486.
Our lessons give
children room to
encounter a loving
God through a
relationship with
Jesus Christ.
Faith Flix
Parents and teachers can share stores of
faith and life with their children through
Faith Flix now available on the new The
Well video platform. Full of energy and
music, Faith Flix engages children and
shows them how they are the “Hands
and Feet of Jesus”.
Find Faith Flix at thewell.org.au
60

Kids' Corner
Welcome to the kids’ colouring page which helps children learn about Mary, the Mother of God.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as patroness of the
Carmelite Order.
The Carmelites consider the Blessed Virgin Mary to be a perfect model of the interior life of prayer and
contemplation to which Carmelites aspire, as well as a model of virtue, in the person who was closest in life
to Jesus Christ.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel is also a Catholic parish of the Diocese of Parramatta in Western Sydney.
61

Directory of Services
Houses to Homes
Disability NDIS
(02) 8843 2500 or visit ccss.org.au
A service for pregnant girls or parenting
young women, 16-25 years old, homeless
or at risk of homelessness in the Blacktown
LGA. Accommodation and parenting skills,
with transition to education and long term
housing.
A service with people with a disability, it is
part of the Government’s National Disability
Insurance Scheme. Catholic Care provides
Plan Management and Home Support.
Chancery Office
www.parracatholic.org
(02) 8838 3400
diocese@parracatholic.org
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv
(02) 8838 3400
bishop@parracatholic.org
Catholic Education
Diocese of Parramatta
(02) 9840 5600
communityliaison@parra.catholic.edu.au
Mamre Garden
Services
Blacktown Family
Support
Financial Counselling
Problem Gambling
Project Elizabeth
Blacktown Neighbour
Aid For Blacktown
LGA
Community Visitors
Scheme
Family & Relationship
Services (FARS)
Aboriginal Catholic
Service Emerton
Springwood
Drop-in Centre
Baulkham Hills Family
Day Care Centre
62
Offers employment for people with a
disability by providing garden services in the
community, to individual homes, schools,
parishes. New gardening clients welcome.
A free service for families with children and
young people 0-17, who are experiencing
stress and/or relationship difficulties. includes
Intensive Family Preservation.
A free service offering a range of supports to
help clients manage finances.
A free service offers assistance to individuals
and families affected by problem gambling.
Counselling for people experiencing parenting
issues with children up to two years of
age, also covers still births, miscarriages,
unexpected pregnancies.
A program of social inclusion for seniors.
Provides accompaniment for social activities,
shopping, transport to medical appointments.
New volunteers welcome.
Visit socially isolated residents in aged care
facilities across the diocese. New volunteers
welcome.
Counselling for adults, couples, families,
children.Family Law Court referrals.
Grief and Loss.
Drop-In centre for local community.
CatholicCare services provided for individuals
and groups.
Drop-In centre for local community.
CatholicCare services provided for individuals
and groups.
Accredited childcare in Hills area.
Contractors offer care in own home.
CatholicCare Western Sydney
and the Blue Mountains
(02) 8843 2500
enquiries@ccss.org.au
Institute for Mission
(02) 9296 6369
connect@ifm.org.au
Diocesan Ministries
Catholic Youth Parramatta
Life, Marriage & Family Office
Office for Worship
Pastoral Planning Office
Social Justice Office
(02) 8838 3400
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine
(02) 8838 3486
ccd@parracatholic.org
Tribunal Office
(02) 8838 3480
tribunal@parracatholic.org
Vocations
(02) 8838 3400
vocations@parracatholic.org
Parramatta Catholic Foundation
(02) 8838 3482
yourfoundation@parracatholic.org
Diocesan Development Fund
(02) 8839 4500
enquiries@parraddf.org.au
Holy Spirit Seminary
(02) 9296 6300
Office for Safeguarding
(02) 8838 3419

Even worse than this crisis is
the tragedy of squandering it by
closing in on ourselves. Come,
Holy Spirit: you are harmony;
make us builders of unity.
– Pope Francis
Pope Francis walks towards St Peter’s Basilica following an Extraordinary Moment of Prayer and Urbi et Orbi Blessing on
the Sagrato of St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, on 27 March 2020. Image: Vatican Media.

The Diocesan Development Fund (DDF) is not a typical investment vehicle. While the
money invested in the DDF pays interest to its investors, a small part finds its way to
programs in your parish and throughout the Diocese of Parramatta.
For example, counselling programs to address drug addiction, marital
breakdown, family violence, and poverty together with adult education and youth
development programs are all funded by investors in the DDF.
To find out more contact us on (02) 8839 4500 | parracatholic.org/ddf
Disclosure Statement
The Diocesan Development Fund Catholic Diocese of Parramatta (DDF) (the Fund) is required by law to make the following disclosure. The Fund is not prudentially
supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority nor has it been examined or approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. An investor
in the Fund will not receive the benefit of the financial claims scheme or the depositor protection provisions in the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). Investments in the Fund are
intended to be a means for investors to support the charitable, religious and educational works of the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta and for whom the consideration
of profit are not of primary relevance in the investment decision. The investments that the Fund offers are not subject to the usual protections for investors under the
Corporations Act (Cth) or regulation by Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Investors may be unable to get some or all of their money back when the
investor expects or at all and any investment of the Fund are not comparable to investments with banks, finance companies or fund managers. The Fund’s identification
statement may be viewed at https://parracatholic.org or by contacting the Fund. The Fund does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence.