Catholic Outlook Magazine Autumn 2021

Close and calm in a family
of six: how it’s done
By Christina Gretton
The Aguiliera family in their home in Parramatta. From left: Tom, Zach, Oscar, Kirrily, Zoe, Ben.
Image: Mary Brazell/Diocese of Parramatta.
The Aguiliera family of
St Patrick’s Cathedral
parish lent themselves
to Catholic Outlook for a
day to discuss how they
stay a close, calm and
spiritual family.
I arrive at the home of Kirrily and
Oscar Aguiliera on the same day their
youngest child Zoe starts school.
I remember being teary at both my
children’s first days of school, but
Kirrily and Oscar are smiling and
welcoming as I step into their light,
spacious house. There is a sense of
calm in the room as we delve into
what makes this family tick.
Before we met, I didn’t know much
more besides they have four children
aged 13 to 5 years old, Kirrily is a
part-time family educator at a Catholic
primary school and Oscar works in IT.
We soon start talking about how
they develop faith in their family, how
their children’s schooling fits into this
picture and how they are involved in
their parish.
The school dropoff starts the day. “Be
good, be God’s, be safe, be saints,”
Oscar tells the children Ben (aged 13),
Tom (aged 11), Zach (aged 9) and Zoe
(aged 5) as they pile out of the car.
He explains what the saying means.
“I want them to understand they have
been created by God for all of eternity
and each of them has a purpose and
meaning,” he says. “It’s important
to know that so they can love and
appreciate themselves. We also want
them to see that everyone is your
brother or sister, and we are all on a
common path.”
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