Catholic Outlook Magazine | Ordinary Time| 2023 Issue

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M A G A Z I N E
DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA NEWS AND VIEWS
Taking stock in Ordinary Time I Walk with us to find where the Holy Spirit is guiding our Church
The Pope’s latest movie I How to help children with their words
Living in the moment at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish I Follow our World Youth Day pilgrims in Europe
Ordinary Time | Winter 2023

Taking stock in Ordinary Time I Walk with us to find where the Holy Spirit is guiding our Church
The Pope’s latest movie I How to help children with their words
Living in the moment at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish I Follow our World Youth Day pilgrims in Europe
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
Editor & Vicar for Communication:
Br Mark O’Connor FMS
(02) 8838 3400
PO Box 3066,
North Parramatta, NSW, 1750
comms@parracatholic.org
Deputy Editor and Senior
Communications Manager:
Christina Gretton
Head of Communications and
Engagement:
Anita Sulentic
Communications Officer:
Mary Brazell
Nihil Obstat:
Fr Wim Hoekstra
Accounts:
Alfie Ramirez
(02) 8838 3437
alfie.ramirez@parracatholic.org
Printing:
IVE Group Australia Pty Ltd
All material in this publication is copyright and
may not be reproduced without permission
of the publisher. 8,500 copies are printed
and distributed to 47 parishes, schools, after
school care centres and early learning centres
in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
Catholic Outlook is a member of the
Australasian Catholic Press Association.
© Diocese of Parramatta 2023
Art by Bundjalung Elder and volunteer at Aboriginal Catholic
Care Aunty Rhonda. Aboriginal Catholic Care provides a drop-in
centre for First Nations people in Western Sydney so they can
access practical assistance.
Acknowledgement of Country
Here in the Diocese of Parramatta, we gather on Country on which
members and Elders of the Darug and Gundungurra communities
and their forebearers have been custodians for many centuries and
on which Aboriginal people have performed age-old ceremonies
of celebration, initiation and renewal. We acknowledge their living
culture and their unique role in the life of the region.
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DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA NEWS AND VIEWS
The Diocese of Parramatta reaffirms the
wise axiom attributed to Saint Augustine of
Hippo, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials,
freedom; in all things, charity.” In this spirit,
Catholic Outlook publishes a variety of
Catholic viewpoints. They are not necessarily
the official views of the Diocese of Parramatta.
Ordinary Time | Winter 2023
Bishop Vincent will lead a pilgrimage of 170 young
people and supporters to World Youth Day 2023
in Lisbon Portugal in July. He recently attended
one of the preparation nights to speak with the
young pilgrims.

A message from the Editor
Dear friends,
We Christians are a pilgrim people of hope!
Our personal journey begins at our birth, when we
are ejected from a secure habitat into a beautiful but
also threatening world. Gradually, most of us learn
that the world is not simply there for our convenience
and that, although we are stars in our own drama,
we have mere walk-on parts in the dramas of others.
As we mature further, we eventually realise that an
ordinary life is both an exercise in survival and an
adventure story!
And so it is with our faith journey as disciples of
Jesus of Nazareth. We are never saved alone. We
are baptised into a community. We always walk
with others, in hope, on the road to the Kingdom.
Crises and difficulties are routine and normal on
this ‘Camino’.
Therefore, we must regularly pause along the way
- to pray, listen and learn from each other, as we
navigate our way forward. A fancy word for this
‘Emmaus-like’ like process is synodality.
This Ordinary Time edition of Catholic Outlook is a
special resource for our diocese, as we prepare for
our own important local experience of synodality: our
October Diocesan Synod (which will coincide with
Pope Francis’ Universal Synod in Rome).
Some particular highlights in this issue are especially
worth your attention as we prepare for this
momentous event.
Bishop Vincent’s message on page 32 beautifully
articulates the challenge of the prophet Isaiah for our
Diocesan Synod as we seek to reform and renew our
Church as called for by Vatican II and in our own day,
Pope Francis.
Please read the delightful pieces by Michael McGirr
and Michael Whelan SM which unpack for us how we
need to open our hearts to the process of synodality,
in our Looking Deeper pages.
Always attentive to the ‘signs of the times’, please
ponder the marvellous story of Phil Russo and his
journey to affirm the dignity of our Indigenous sisters
and brothers on page 12. We Australian Catholics
must listen and act for justice to The Voice.
Sadly, in our day, some on the journey of faith
can be easily tempted by ‘prophets of doom’.
Negativity, violent language, conspiracy theories
and an unwillingness to face their own ‘shadow
side’, characterise a noisy minority who oppose the
synodal vision of Pope Francis.
But true prophets do not just denounce, they also
energise and affirm the presence of the Holy Spirit
everywhere.
Let’s be true prophets. Let's dream together at our
October Diocesan Synod - so that in our prayer,
conversation and decisions, the Holy Spirit will well
up from within our hearts.
May our October Synod bear much fruit so that we
can pass on our Catholic faith to future generations
with faithfulness and imagination.
For what have we to fear when a God who
loves us beyond our wildest dreams awaits us at
journey’s end?
Yes, the best is yet to come!
Br Mark O’Connor FMS
Editor of Catholic Outlook & Vicar for Communications
01

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32 10
22
KEEP
CALM
IT'S
ORDINARY
TIME
18
Why
World Youth Day?
On the Inside
Ordinary Time | Winter 2023
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Diocese of Parramatta
@parracatholic
Nourish – young peoples’ relationships with Jesus are nurtured on a global scale
Encounter – millions of young Catholics encounter others | Community – our pilgrims’ experience of faith community grow
Rejuvenation – our youths’ joy and enthusiasm reaches into our parishes | Renewal – young people carry on the mission
04 Outlook Looks
05 What’s on in the Diocese
07 Pope’s Prayer Intentions
08 Short & Sweet
09 Prayer for our Diocesan Synod
“World Youth Day changed my life for
ever. During the opening Mass at WYD
Madrid 2011, God seemed to call me from
my lowliness
to be a Priest of his.”
10 The Good News of
Ordinary Time
Fr Christopher del Rosario
(WYD Madrid 2011)
Assistant Priest at St Patrick’s Cathedral,
Parramatta
12 A lifetime advocate says
‘YES’ to The Voice
14 Your guide to taking part in the
first Synod for our Diocese
17 Answering the
Synod Questions
18 Why World Youth Day?
19 Journey to Lisbon 2023,
“We met in 2019, and if it weren’t for my
faith and the Holy Spirit working through
me
the
on my
Parramatta
own faith journey,
Way
we wouldn’t
have seen the same things that set our
hearts on fire.”
20 Following our pilgrims
from home
Andrew and Ziairina Gorkic
(WYD Panama 2019)
Parishioners of Our Lady
of the Angels Parish,
Rouse Hill
21 Review, The Pope: Answers
22 Aboriginal Catholic Care:
helping First Nations People
through tough times
24 World Day of Grandparents
and the Elderly: Things to
make and do
26 Go make a difference
28 Putting feelings into words
30 Looking Deeper
32 Let us dream together
36 Seeking bold humility
in the Synod
“World Youth Day 2019 in Panama
was an experience to feel God’s deep
love for me once again – a step of
reconversion back to the faith.”
Patrick Laurente
(WYD Panama 2019)
Third-year seminarian at Holy Spirit
Seminary, Harris Park
“Before World Youth Day 2016 in
Kraków, Poland, I was ‘stuck in life’.
Feeling little and lost, I saw and felt
my place in the Church. It was then I
knew where I was going.”
Raimie Caramancion
(WYD Kraków 2016)
Parish Support Assistant,
Diocese of Parramatta
“Pilgrimages don’t stop affecting you
life once you return home. Even thoug
it’s been 12 years since Madrid, I’m sti
seeing the effect of it in my faith and
walk with God and my ministry with th
youth and young adults of our parish
and diocese.”
38 The road most shared:
what is synodality all about?
40 Growing into synodality
42 Commandments for
the long haul
44 A cuppa with the priest
Fr Januario Pinto OCarm,
Parish Priest, Our Lady
of Mount Carmel Parish
Wentworthville
46 Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Parish, Wentworthville:
Grounded in Carmelite
spirituality
Claire Brown
(WYD Madrid 2011)
Youth ministry leader
and parishioner at
St Finbar’s Parish, Glenbrook
“At the closing Mass of WYD in
Panama in 2019, Pope Francis said,
“you are the Now of God” and these
words have remained with me and
guide me in my mission.”
Genevieve Banks
(WYD Panama 2019)
Director of Formation
and Mission,
Catherine McAuley,
48 Watch, Read, Listen, Reflect
50 Get Active4Vocations
in the City2Surf!
51 Kids Corner
52 Directory of services
53 Latest appointments
53 Voice of the people
Westmead

Outlook Looks
Celebrating freedom during
Refugee Week
This year, Refugee Week is celebrated from 18 to 24
June. This year’s theme, “Finding Freedom” explores
what it means to be free. Freedom should not be an
ask, it should be a way of life.
Image: Refugee Council of Australia.
Find out more at refugeeweek.org.au
Sharing food with those who
are struggling
In Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, families
who have fled their homes and are now seeking
safety need our support. In many cases they
struggle to put food on the table. The Diocese of
Parramatta, with Jesuit Refugee Services and the
House of Welcome, have created a video on how
you can be involved in a ‘Foodbank’ and donate
essential food items. Look out for it in your parish
during Refugee Week. Image: Nico Smit/Unsplash.
NAIDOC Week 2023:
For Our Elders
From 2 to 9 July, we celebrate NAIDOC Week. This
year, in light of the upcoming National Referendum
on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice,
NAIDOC Week recognises our Elders, whose
strength, knowledge and guidance inspire us to work
together towards a better future for our Indigenous
brothers and sisters. Image: NAIDOC Week.
Learn more about how you can celebrate our
Indigenous Elders by visiting naidoc.org.au
World Day of Grandparents
and the Elderly
For the upcoming Third World Day of Grandparents
and the Elderly on 23 July, Pope Francis has chosen
the theme “His mercy is from age to age” (Lk 1:50),
which connects to the celebration of World Youth
Day in August. His message encourages us to create
bonds between the young and the older.
To get the conversation going between the
generations, see the activities on page 24.

What’s On in the Diocese?
Outlook Looks
15 JULY
Diocesan Liturgical Conference
Celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Constitution on
Sacred Liturgy
met@parracatholic.org
16 JULY
World Youth Day Commissioning Mass
St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta at 6pm
21 JULY TO 11 AUGUST
Diocesan World Youth Day Pilgrimage
170 young people join with Pope Francis in celebrating the
Universal Church
parrawyd.org
STARTING 3 AUGUST
MET Worship RCIA Workshop
Formation for RCIA teams over five weeks
hannah.portelli@parracatholic.org
9 AUGUST
Peace, Justice and Ecology Sharing
Quarterly online gathering for everyone interested in Social
Justice, Care for Creation or Global Peace.
met@parracatholic.org
11-13 AUGUST
Pre-Marriage Weekend Course
marriage@parracatholic.org
BEGINS 4 SEPTEMBER
Liturgical Ministry Courses
officeforworship.org.au
5 SEPTEMBER
Adult Confirmation
St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta at 7.30pm
met@parracatholic.org
8 – 10 SEPTEMBER
Pre-Marriage Weekend Course
marriage@parracatholic.org
15 SEPTEMBER
WYD One-Month Reunion
Our pilgrims gather to reflect on their post-WYD experience
16 SEPTEMBER
World Day of Migrants and Refugee Celebration
met@parracatholic.org
20 SEPTEMBER
Theology Hour
Community and formation for young adults
met@parracatholic.org
22 SEPTEMBER
The FaithFeed
For mid-20s to 40s to converse on life and faith
met@parracatholic.org
STARTING 22 AUGUST
FaithLIFE Scripture
Three-part Scripture short course with Sr Patty Andrew OSU
www.pfparra.org.au/faithlife
Have your say on the future
of our Church
All people inside and outside our faith
communities are invited to reflect on the
following question: “In what ways can we
respond to the call of the Holy Spirit to be
a more synodal Church in the Diocese of
Parramatta?” The answers will be considered
at the Diocesan Synod – a first for our Diocese.
Read more about our Synod and how you
can participate on page 14, and in our
Looking Deeper section.
05

Outlook Looks
Bishop Vincent dances with
young people as they prepare for
World Youth Day. Image: Mary
Brazell/Diocese of Parramatta.
Countdown is on for World Youth Day
It is just weeks away before 170 young people depart for a life-changing and faith-affirming pilgrimage to
World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal. Over 21 days, our young people and supporters will walk in the footsteps
of saints through France, Spain, Portugal and Italy.
Find out how to follow them on page 20.
Upcoming events at
4-7 jul
Winter Program
Winter Program
11-12 jul
HSC Workshops
16 Sep
Annual Campion Ball
22-23 sep
3-4 OcT
5-6 OcT
28 oct
Shakespeare Conference
HSC Workshops
Campion Sleepover
Campion College Festival
Bundjalung Elder Aunty Rhonda. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Helping our First Nations People
Aboriginal Catholic Care does amazing work in our
Mt Druitt area to provide support for the highest
urban Indigenous population in Australia and any
locals needing assistance. Having a centre that feels
like home is life-changing for people like Bundjalung
Elder Aunty Rhonda.
Scan the QR Code to learn more or
visit www.campion.edu.au/events
Find out how you can be the face of Christ to help
our First Nations people on pages 22 and 23.
06

Pope’s Prayer Intentions
Outlook Looks
Each month, Pope Francis asks us to pray as a global community.
JULY 2023 | For a Eucharistic life
We pray that Catholics may place the celebration of
the Eucharist at the heart of their lives, transforming
human relationships in a very deep way and opening
to the encounter with God and all their brothers
and sisters.
AUGUST 2023 | For World Youth Day
We pray the World Youth Day in Lisbon will help
young people to live and witness the Gospel in
their own lives.
SEPTEMBER 2023 | For people living on the margins
We pray for those persons living on the margins of
society, in inhumane life conditions; may they not be
overlooked by institutions and never considered of
lesser importance.
Pope Francis is seen with thousands of young people
during the Final Mass of World Youth Day 2019 in
Panama City, Panama. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Make an impact
this tax time.
www.caritas.org.au
1800 024 413

Short & Sweet
My hope is that the Synod inspires us to listen to the Holy Spirit and to renew
participation, communion and mission in the life of our local Church. The success
of the Synod relies on your participation. I want to hear from our entire community;
each person, from all walks of life.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv in his invitation to the Synod for the Diocese of Parramatta
2023. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
Our shared mission as Christians is to bear joyful witness wherever we find
ourselves, through our actions and words, to the experience of being with Jesus
and members of his community, which is the Church.
Pope Francis from his Message for the 60th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, which was
celebrated globally on Good Shepherd Sunday, 30 April 2023. Image: Shutterstock.
For me, the generosity of spirit of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and the
gracious Welcome to Country with which we so often engage, is testament to the
desire of Australia’s First Nations people to be an “us” with all Australians. A vote for
‘Yes’ in the Referendum will be an opportunity for all Australians to reciprocate.
Sr Patty Fawkner SGS from her March 2023 reflection in The Good Oil, the e-journal of the
Sisters of the Good Samaritan. Image: Supplied.
FEDERATION OF
ASIAN BISHOPS’ CONFERENCES
“The Church must begin in a spirit of inclusion where everyone feels both
welcomed and a sense of belonging inside the tent.”
From the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences’ Final Document of the Asian
Continental Assembly on Synodality, 16 March 2023. Image: Supplied.
Vatican II gave the Bible back to Catholics. Only those Final who perceive Document this Word
in their heart can be part of those who will help achieve renewal of the Church,
of the
and who will know how to respond to personal questions with the right choice.
The Word of God is simple and seeks out Asian as its Continental companion a Assembly heart that on listens. Synodality ...
Neither the clergy nor ecclesiastical law can substitute for the inner life of the human
person. All the external rules, the laws, the dogmas, are there to clarify this internal
voice and for the discernment of spirits.
Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini SJ, from his last interview in August 16 March 2012. 2023
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
08

PRAYER FOR OUR DIOCESAN SYNOD
O God, who always walks with us
on the journey of life, we call upon you
to lead us forth united.
Bless and guide our Diocesan Synod.
Keep us anchored in your love.
Open our hearts as we listen and discern.
Reveal to us the way we are called
to go out into the deep.
Give us the courage to pursue
the mission with bold humility.
May we experience renewal in our local
Church today, and for generations to come.
We ask this prayer through Jesus Christ,
who in the power of the Holy Spirit
continues to guide your Church, to the
fullness of your Kingdom now, and forever.
Amen
Our Lady Help of Christians, pray for us.
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, pray for us.

The Good News of Ordinary Time
STORY FR DAVE AUSTIN OSA
We’re in that part of the year known as Ordinary
Time. Fr Dave Austin OSA tells us how ‘ordinary’
Sundays are so much more than downtime.
Our experience of liturgy this year has been very rich
– the Christmas Season, Lent, Holy Week and the
Triduum, the Easter Season, then the great feasts of
Pentecost, Holy Trinity and the Body and Blood of
Christ – bold reminders of our Catholic Faith! Each
expands our understanding of the Paschal Mystery
which we celebrate every Sunday.
The liturgical year honours the Mystery of Christ in its
fullness, so Ordinary Time is definitely not ‘ordinary’!
‘Ordinary’ – from the Latin ordo – refers both to a
counting or numbering and an order – the counted
weeks. Ordinary Time occurs twice each year in
the liturgical calendar – beginning after the Baptism
of the Lord in January and ending on the Tuesday
before Ash Wednesday, and then from the Monday
after Pentecost until the Saturday before the First
Sunday of Advent.
This year, we celebrated the Second to the Seventh
Sundays in Ordinary Time between the Baptism
of the Lord and Ash Wednesday. Ordinary Time
resumed on 29 May and included the Sunday
Solemnities of the Trinity and the Body and Blood of
Christ on 4 and 11 June respectively. The Sundays in
Ordinary Time then continue with the 11th Sunday on
18 June.
Ordinary Time is not an invitation to put our feet
up and have a rest from serious liturgy – definitely
not ‘downtime’! As we continue to celebrate the
Paschal Mystery, these Sundays are by no means
‘ordinary’ or unimportant. Ordinary Sundays
have been described as ‘simply and gloriously only
Sunday, the Lord’s Day’. Sunday defines who we
are as the Christian Community.
Green vestments are worn except on feast days and
Sundays when a major Feast of Our Lord, Our Lady
or Holy Day occurs. This year, the Transfiguration of
the Lord on 6 August replaces the 18th Sunday in
Ordinary Time. The Feasts of All Saints and All Souls
in November help us connect with the Communion
of Saints and with those who are with the Lord and
whom we carry in memory. Why not sing the Litany
of the Saints as we gather for Sunday Eucharist
around that time? Then there is the Book of the
Names of the Dead that can be reverenced in some
way in the Mass.
Reflection on Jesus’ encounter with the two disciples
on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24) is helpful here.
As their conversation unfolded, the disciples’ sad
story of their loss of Jesus in death became their
‘faith story’ as Jesus broke open the Scriptures for
them and their eyes were opened as they recognised
Jesus in the Breaking of the Bread. This describes
well the dynamic we are invited to experience
throughout the Liturgical Year. We grow in selfknowledge
as we engage with both our sad stories
and joyful stories and they become part of our
personal and communal ‘faith story’.
All liturgy celebrates Christ’s saving work, the
Good News of his Death and Resurrection.
God’s Word is proclaimed and preached and we
listen to the Sunday readings in the three-year cycle,
with the focus on a different Gospel each year. In
2023 (Year A), Matthew’s Gospel exposes us to
Jesus’ life and ministry – the Sermon on the Mount,
the spread of God’s Kingdom, miracles and parables,
the beginnings of the Church, our call to love ‘the
least of these…’, and Jesus’ death and resurrection.
The final Sunday in Ordinary Time is the Solemnity of
Christ the King.
10

KEEP
CALM
IT'S
ORDINARY
TIME
Ordinary Time offers many opportunities to
‘refresh’ our celebration – learning new hymns and
Mass settings, varying decoration by changing the
banners, wise use of visual media, and of course
commemorations such as Mother’s Day, Father’s
Day, Social Justice Sunday, NAIDOC Week, all of
which can link faith and life.
Of course, supporting our understanding of the
Gospel through good homilies and other forms of
catechesis is always a given. Our goal is always ‘full,
conscious and active participation’ as we strive to
connect the Sunday Eucharist and our daily living.
As we gather for Eucharist, we the Assembly are the
primary presence of Jesus – the Body of Christ, an
affirmation of St Augustine’s invitation to Eucharist
in Sermon 272: “Be what you see and receive what
you are!” Indeed, just as the bread and the wine are
changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus, so we
must go forth from Eucharist changed: “Go in peace,
glorifying the Lord by your life!”
Now there’s nothing very ‘ordinary’ about that!
Fr Dave Austin OSA is Assistant Priest of Holy Spirit Parish,
St Clair-Erskine Park.
11

A lifetime advocate says
‘YES’ to The Voice
STORY CHRISTINA GRETTON
Former Parramatta Deputy Mayor and longtime advocate for First Nations People, Phil Russo OAM with Cr Donna Davis,
Member for Parramatta and former Lord Mayor of Parramatta, at the 2022 Parramatta NAIDOC Week celebration.
Image: Parramatta City Council.
12

In 1997, Parramatta City Council made the
first Australian council apology to the Stolen
Generations – the children of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander descent who, from the mid-
1800s through to the 1970s, were removed from
their families due to government policies.
This historic event, 11 years before the Australian
Government’s National Apology in 2008, came
about through St Patrick’s Cathedral parishioner Phil
Russo. Phil, Parramatta’s Deputy Mayor between
1993 and 1994, and then again in 1997 to 1998,
had attended the conference where Bringing Them
Home, the report into the separation of Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander children from their families,
was launched. At his report back to the Council, he
moved an apology, which was narrowly approved 8
to 7 votes. At the time, people feared the worst – in
Phil’s words: “All hell broke loose” as people worried
about what the ramifications might be.
As history showed, it was the right thing to do.
Former City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Donna Davis,
now Member for Parramatta, explains how the
Council continues to lead in this area. “It is time
for the Australian Constitution to reflect Australia’s
identity and recognise our shared history and
continuous ancient Indigenous culture,” she says.
“I’m proud that the City of Parramatta resolved in
early 2022 to support the principles of the Statement
from the Heart and for the constitutional recognition
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
Phil, who was awarded an OAM in 2013, and has
been a parishioner at St Patrick’s for over 50 years,
has turned his attention to raising the ‘Yes’ case
for The Voice referendum scheduled to take place
later this year. “This is the most important vote ever
in our history, to right the wrongs, and recognise
the mistakes of our past in the treatment of the first
peoples of this land,” says Phil.
Phil believes it is time Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islanders in Australia are given the chance to be
recognised in the Australian Constitution and advise
the government on matters relating to their wellbeing
and culture.
Phil agrees there is so much discussion about The
Voice, that it can be confusing. Recently, he points
out, the Solicitor-General released his legal opinion
that the Voice doesn’t pose a threat to Australian
democracy. He also advises people to check
the Australian Electoral Commission’s register of
disinformation about the referendum and to get the
facts from the official website about The Voice.
Phil’s passion for social justice has been lifelong.
Growing up in the 1930s and 40s, he experienced
regular discrimination, even from within his own
family, due to his father’s Italian heritage. Then, as a
young man, travelling in the merchant navy, he saw
how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were
treated differently, even down to only being allowed
to sit in the worst seats in the cinema. At the time,
17-year-old Phil mustered the courage to tell the
cinema owner it wasn’t right. “He just told me I could
leave if I didn’t like it,” he recalls.
He particularly credits his Catholic upbringing for
his views and advocacy. “My mother was a devout,
practising Catholic who instilled a strong devotion to
charity and love for everyone,” he says. The Sisters of St
Joseph nuns who educated him also made an impact.
“By example and prayers, these good women
showed us to respect and love everybody,” he says.
Phil is appalled that it wasn’t until 1967 that
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were
counted as part of the population of Australia and
sadly discusses the devastating impact colonisation
has had on every aspect of their lives. He is hopeful
the results of the 1967 referendum, 90% ‘yes’, will
encourage voters today, and like the 1997 apology,
all fears will be shown to be unfounded. At 89, he is
still actively contributing to the social justice pages
in St Pat’s Matters, the magazine of St Patrick’s
Cathedral and until recently was a member of the
Parramatta Council Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Advisory Committee.
The last line of the 2017 Uluru Statement from the
Heart, which was endorsed by the Australian Catholic
Bishops Conference in 2021, particularly resonates
with him, with its message of accompanying
Indigenous people to build a better future.
“We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the
Australian people for a better future.”
For more information on The Voice go to
voice.niaa.gov.au and ulurustatement.org
In May 2023, the Australian Catholic
Bishops Conference released a statement
on The Voice to Parliament, urging all
Australians to engage in the debate
productively and respectfully, and
acknowledging The Voice could be a
significant step towards a more just and
equitable Australia.
To read the full Bishop’s statement go to
bit.ly/BishopsVoice

14

15

Robert Eremugo combines his love of football with his love
for his faith. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
Robert Eremugo, parishioner from St Patrick’s
Church, Mary, Queen of the Family Parish,
Blacktown and passionate footballer:
“Get involved with Church. You should definitely seek
it. Once you’re involved, you find yourself being able
to connect with God Himself. Being able to connect
to a Church and God and also pursue something you
love should be important for yourself.”
Anastasia and Andrew Badaoui from Our Lady of
the Rosary Parish, Kellyville:
Answering the
Synod Questions
We are seeking a wide variety of people to
answer the Synod questions. All thoughts and
ideas are welcome – the more voices who speak
the better.
“COVID-19 helped us to adapt and develop new
skills, expanding to previously unfamiliar territory,
such as Mass online and virtual community
announcements.
“However, many opportunities to meaningfully
engage people, build genuine connections and
translate our faith into the modern realities of life
in 2023 pass by unrealised. Parishes need to be
supported and equipped with digital capabilities,
knowledge and resource capacity to make
choosing ‘what’s best’ just as effortless as choosing
‘what’s easy’.”
Will
Will
you
you
be
be
the
the
face
face
of
of
Christ
Christ
for
for
our
our
First
First
Nations
Nations
people
people
in
in
need?
need?
Your gift will provide practical
Your assistance, gift will learning provide opportunities
practical
assistance, and social connection learning opportunities
for those
and experiencing social connection hardship. for those
experiencing hardship.
Please support Aboriginal Catholic Care with a gift to the Bishop’s
Please support Aboriginal Catholic Care with a gift to the Bishop’s
Good Samaritan Appeal: yourcatholicfoundation.org.au/appeal
Good Samaritan Appeal: yourcatholicfoundation.org.au/appeal

Why
World Youth Day?
Nourish – young peoples’ relationships with Jesus are nurtured on a global scale
Encounter – millions of young Catholics encounter others | Community – our pilgrims’ experience of faith community grows
Rejuvenation – our youths’ joy and enthusiasm reaches into our parishes | Renewal – young people carry on the mission
“World Youth Day changed my life for
ever. During the opening Mass at WYD
Madrid 2011, God seemed to call me from
my lowliness
to be a Priest of his.”
Fr Christopher del Rosario
(WYD Madrid 2011)
Assistant Priest at St Patrick’s Cathedral,
Parramatta
“World Youth Day 2019 in Panama
was an experience to feel God’s deep
love for me once again – a step of
reconversion back to the faith.”
Patrick Laurente
(WYD Panama 2019)
Third-year seminarian at Holy Spirit
Seminary, Harris Park
“Pilgrimages don’t stop affecting your
life once you return home. Even though
it’s been 12 years since Madrid, I’m still
seeing the effect of it in my faith and
walk with God and my ministry with the
youth and young adults of our parish
and diocese.”
Claire Brown
(WYD Madrid 2011)
Youth ministry leader
and parishioner at
St Finbar’s Parish, Glenbrook
“We met in 2019, and if it weren’t for my
faith and the Holy Spirit working through
me on my own faith journey, we wouldn’t
have seen the same things that set our
hearts on fire.”
Andrew and Ziairina Gorkic
(WYD Panama 2019)
Parishioners of Our Lady
of the Angels Parish,
Rouse Hill
“Before World Youth Day 2016 in
Kraków, Poland, I was ‘stuck in life’.
Feeling little and lost, I saw and felt
my place in the Church. It was then I
knew where I was going.”
Raimie Caramancion
(WYD Kraków 2016)
Parish Support Assistant,
Diocese of Parramatta
“At the closing Mass of WYD in
Panama in 2019, Pope Francis said,
“you are the Now of God” and these
words have remained with me and
guide me in my mission.”
Genevieve Banks
(WYD Panama 2019)
Director of Formation
and Mission,
Catherine McAuley,
Westmead

Journey to Lisbon 2023,
the Parramatta Way
STORY VIRGINIA FORTUNAT
Our young pilgrims depart for World Youth Day in
Lisbon in mid-July this year. Here’s how they are
preparing for this life-changing experience.
Bishop Vincent’s invitation to the Youth of Parramatta
to join him on pilgrimage to World Youth Day in
Lisbon set the wheels in motion for the teams from
Catholic Schools and Catholic Youth Parramatta.
Our task: to prepare 130 young people spiritually,
emotionally and practically for the journey over
18,000 kilometres to Lisbon.
The seven preparation sessions were based around
the formation of the head, heart and hands. As we
travel from Paris to Spain to Portugal, guided by
Mary, we will follow in the footsteps of the saints:
women and men who throughout history have carved
a path to God just as our young people are today.
As a teacher and a leader in the Diocese, I’ll be
privileged to support young teachers as they grow
in faith and love for their vocation. I have previously
worked with Isabella Plust, a young FIAT (Faith in
Action Team) teacher who is heading to Lisbon.
She is looking forward “to spending some time with
God, to reflect, to take a step back and to come back
hopefully feeling refreshed and renewed.
“I found as teachers, we’re always busy and on
the go. Always having to prepare lessons, marking,
registers, and programming – which is all part of our
job, and we love doing it – but there’s never really
a chance to just stop and take a step back. So, I’m
most looking forward to just spending some time
with God and to nurturing that relationship,” she said.
I’m also travelling with students I taught many
years ago, such as Lucy Keene, who I remember
as a seven-year-old at St Nicholas of Myra Primary,
Penrith, and is now a Year 11 student at Xavier
College, Llandilo. Lucy says,
“I’m really hoping to make a lot of friends but then
also learn more about myself, learn about different
things and grow as a person. I’m really excited to go
to all the Churches and to see them all.”
Young teachers and aspiring Religious Education
Coordinators are also on the pilgrimage. Luigi Zucco,
a teacher at St Agnes Catholic High School, Rooty
Hill has never left Australia. He is looking forward
to “walking in the footsteps of the Saints. It is
something I’m going to cherish and I know is going
to teach me many life lessons beyond school.”
I’m inspired by our pilgrims who have put their
hands up through their parishes, such as Leonie
Nahhas of Holy Spirit Parish, St Clair-Erskine
Park. Leonie is preparing every day, “taking every
opportunity to encounter Jesus daily, in quiet and
little ways, to draw near to Him as a source of hope,
encouragement and deeper revelation.”
I know many parishes are helping our pilgrims with
prayers and fundraising – Thank you!
We hope you will follow along with our pilgrimage
at the parrawyd.org website and subscribe to
receive emailed updates. There’s plenty of spiritually
enriching resources to explore on the official World
Youth Day website as well. We look forward to
bringing you highlights from this once-in-a-lifetime
trip, which concludes with Bishop Vincent leading us
for three days in Assisi, in the spirit of St Francis.
Virginia Fortunat is a Mission Partner at Catholic Schools
Parramatta Diocese and is part of the Formation Team for the
Diocese’s Pilgrimage for World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon,
Portugal, in August.
19

Lisbon is getting ready to host young Catholics from around the world at World Youth Day 2023. Image: World Youth Day 2023.
Following our
pilgrims from home
The World Youth Day Pilgrimage from the Diocese
of Parramatta is going to take our young pilgrims
through some of the most beautiful and sacred
parts of Europe.
You can follow along too, starting with our departure
from Sydney on 21 July 2023.
We will be posting videos, photos and articles
throughout the trip, so you can see and hear what
our pilgrims are experiencing.
Starting in Paris, we celebrate Mass in the beautiful
Sacré-Cœur, then visit the Daughters of Charity in the
Rue du Bac and the chapels where the relics of St
Catherine Labouré and St Vincent de Paul lie.
We will also explore Lourdes including Mass at the
site where young St Bernadette saw Our Lady.
Each of the 21 days on pilgrimage is full of spiritual
experiences, including the celebration of the Papal
Mass with millions of other young people who share
our faith on 6 August 2023.
Follow:
1. Sign up to our newsletter to
receive the latest pilgrimage
news as the pilgrims progress
across Europe. Sign up at
catholicoutlook.info/WYD23News
2. Check out the pilgrimage website
which will be updated with pilgrimage
news. parrawyd.org
3. Look up the World Youth Day Lisbon
2023 website for the programs and
resources including the popular ‘WYD
Minute’ video featuring the spiritual
highlights of Portugal. lisboa2023.org
Our Lady of the Visitation,
you who left in haste towards the
mountain to meet Elizabeth, lead us
also to meet all those who await us to
deliver them the living Gospel: Jesus
Christ, your Son and our Lord!
Official World Youth Day Prayer to Our Lady of the
Visitation. Find the full prayer at parrawyd.org
20

Review
The Pope: Answers
STORY FR FERNANDO MONTANO-RODRIGUEZ
When I was growing up in Mexico, during Holy
Week and Easter Week, TV channels were full of
religious movies and programs.
I remember the time when my mother used to sit
us all around the only TV set my family had back in
those days to watch any of the movies or programs
available. The choices would go from Ben-Hur, The
Robe, King of Kings to more Spanish-speaking
productions like The Miracle of Marcelino or
something like that.
Since those days, I always enjoyed seeing something
more religious around Easter, not only to follow this
tradition from my younger years but also to continue
immersing myself in the atmosphere of Holy Week
and Easter.
This year, trying to follow my own little tradition,
I came across something advertised as a movie
but more like a documentary. The name drew my
attention: The Pope: Answers. What made me even
more curious was that this particular program was
available on Disney+, a platform, I must say, that
to me is not always related to the most religious
programs out there but which I subscribed for being
a big Star Wars fan and trying to stay updated with
what is going on in The Mandalorian.
The Pope: Answers is a movie, or documentary,
about a frank and honest conversation of ten young
people from different parts of the world – Spain,
Senegal, Argentina, the USA, Peru and Colombia –
with Pope Francis, who they meet in Rome.
It is a very thought-provoking program where we get
to see these young people sharing with the Pope
most of the issues many of us consider important.
The honest, warm and friendly attitude of the Pope
very quickly allows these young people to move from
shyness and nervousness to reveal their deepest
longings and questions they would like to present
to the Church, represented in the person of the Holy
Father.
Although they all come from different parts of the
world and different backgrounds, they all present
questions that young people of our generation share
A still from The Pope: Answers. Image: Hulu.
and expect an honest and pastoral answer from
the Church: Sexual identity, abortion, feminism, the
challenges of migrants, the role of women in the
Church, pornography and the loss of faith. All these
are dealt with in the most pastoral way and in a
language of respect and unconditional love.
The Holy Father manages to navigate with them
through these challenging questions with patience,
love, understanding and respect.
I was happily surprised with the language he uses
that is not dogmatic, but pastoral in every respect,
and even the Pope allows the audience to join him
in his feelings of surprise at some of the questions,
sadness at the journey some of these young people
have been through, disappointment at the way the
Church has treated some of them. However, at the
end, he allows us to join him in his hopeful vision for
the future.
After watching the program, people have been asking
me if I would recommend it. My answer is constantly
yes, very worth watching. Especially if we want to
engage and commit to the transformation that is
going on in our own time. The transformation of a
Church that wants to walk with everyone, who wants
to listen and present a response to all the voices, a
Church that wants to walk with the marginalised (the
Pope prefers to use those at the peripheries).
As we prepare for our Diocesan Synod here in
Parramatta, I think it would be a good way to start
the conversations and consultations at all levels. We
cannot give a proper answer unless we know what
the questions are.
Peace in Jesus.
The Pope: Answers can be viewed on Disney+
Fr Fernando Montano-Rodriguez is Parish Priest of St
Bernadette’s Parish, Castle Hill and the Episcopal Vicar for
Social Welfare in the Diocese of Parramatta.
21

Aboriginal Catholic
Care: helping
First Nations
People through
tough times
STORY PARRAMATTA CATHOLIC FOUNDATION
Led by Aboriginal people,
for Aboriginal people.
Community Outreach Worker Jaycee, Aunty Rhonda, and
Deanne. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Aboriginal Catholic Care provides a community
drop-in centre for First Nations People in Western
Sydney so they can access practical assistance
and learning opportunities. As times become
overwhelmingly difficult, your generosity will help
us continue the life-changing support we provide
for our First Nations sisters and brothers, and
anyone in need.
In launching the Bishop’s Good Samaritan Appeal, Very
Rev Luis Fernando Montano Rodriguez, our Diocese’s
Episcopal Vicar for Social Welfare, says: “In these
increasingly trying times, Aboriginal Catholic Care has
an even greater challenge to open its doors wider for
many more of our Aboriginal brothers and sisters, and
neighbours in need.
“Right now, First Nations People in our community are
experiencing homelessness, lack of access to social
services, unmet basic needs, limited opportunities for
personal development and social exclusion,” he says.
The good news is that our Aboriginal Catholic
Care centre in Emerton is playing an important
role in helping First Nations People, with thanks to
community support.
As one of four Catholic Care community drop-in centres
in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, Aboriginal
Catholic Care is truly a place ‘led by Aboriginal
people, for Aboriginal people’. The centre provides
a sense of belonging to First Nations People and offers
a range of free activities including a yarning circle,
parenting programs for young mums, art and craft
classes, literacy classes and technology support.
“We sit down and have a yarn and a cuppa. It’s really
nice. I especially love the stories from the Aunts and
yarning with the Elders, listening to their stories about
the old days and what tribes they’re from. It’s very
similar to what we do back home in the village,” says
the centre’s Aboriginal Community Outreach Worker,
Jaycee Edwards.
Aunty Rhonda, a 71-year-old Bundjalung
Elder, agrees: “It’s a family, giving of each other.
It’s like home.”
The benefits that Aunty Rhonda has received from
Aboriginal Catholic Care in Emerton have been
significant. With a limited and disrupted childhood
education, Aunty Rhonda has improved her reading
and writing skills by participating in Aboriginal Catholic
Care’s free weekly literacy classes.
22

Her confidence and independence have also flourished
with support from the centre’s yarning circles,
community pantry and counselling services. “It gives
you this beautiful feeling,” says Aunty Rhonda. “And I’ve
had that since I’ve been a part of it. I just belong.”
Aunty Rhonda is now giving back to the centre and
community by being a Catholic Care volunteer.
She says she wants to offer her time and talent by
“sharing and giving to others”. On Wednesdays,
Aunty Rhonda leads her art classes with a passion.
“It’s a great gift that’s nourished me and my family,
and I know God would want me to nourish other
people too”.
On Thursdays, a food pantry in partnership with
OzHarvest supports big crowds of people doing it
tough, with many families feeling the pinch of rising
economic pressures more than ever before.
Fr Fernando is calling out to our faith community for
donations so Aboriginal Catholic Care can continue
to link our First Nations brothers and sisters with vital
support and learning opportunities. Additional funds
are needed to support the daily running of the centre’s
services so we can continue to offer help.
Your generosity will help First Nations People
in need, like Aunty Rhonda, and provide
life-changing support.
Please support Aboriginal
Catholic Care with a
donation to the Bishop’s
Good Samaritan Appeal by
calling (02) 8838 3482 or visit
yourcatholicfoundation.org.au/appeal
“We used to get 20 people, now there’s about 100,
maybe more. They’re all wanting food because it’s
getting so expensive,” says Aunty Rhonda.
The Aboriginal Catholic Care team and clients. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
23

World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly
Things to make and do
For the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly
on Sunday 23 July, Pope Francis has chosen the
theme “His mercy is from age to age” (Luke 1:50),
highlighting the connection between the generations.
Young and old need each other.
Here are some activities that our catechists who teach
our faith to children in public schools in the Diocese of
Parramatta have suggested as conversation starters.
Making bread
Making bread with grandchildren is one way to talk
about Eucharist with them. While you’re kneading,
here are some talking points.
• Meals are shared with families every day and to
celebrate special occasions. The Eucharist is a
special meal we share as a parish community.
• Jesus shared a special meal (Passover) with the
disciples in Jerusalem. He shared bread with them
the night before he died.
• Jesus is present in the bread and wine when
Father says special words over the bread and wine
in Mass.
The Diocese of Parramatta is always looking for
people who can teach the faith to our children in
public schools.
To find out more about becoming a catechist
contact Maree at maree.collis@parracatholic.org
Easy Bread Recipe
Ingredients
3 cups plain
flour, sifted
3 tsps baking
powder (omit if
using SR flour)
1 tsp salt
Method
1 tbsp caster
sugar
375ml can beer
(liquid yeast)
Butter to serve
Preheat oven to moderately hot, 190 C
Lightly grease an oven tray.
Sift flour, baking powder and salt together
in large bowl.
Stir in caster sugar.
Make well in centre of dry ingredients and
pour in beer.
Using a butter knife, mix quickly to a soft
sticky dough. Do not over-mix.
Turn onto a lightly floured surface.
Knead lightly and form into a round.
Place on tray.
Bake for 35-40 mins or until it sounds
hollow when tapped.
Cool 10 mins before slicing.
Serve warm, with butter.

Prayer box
Cut out the prayer box and glue the tabs as indicated.
Roll the box and say the prayer that lands on top.
25

We heard voices from our students at the 2023 Project Compassion Launch. Image: CSPD.
Go make a difference
STORY JACK DE GROOT
The Church belongs in the public square, making
a difference to the world around us. The upcoming
Synod - the first of its kind in the Diocese of
Parramatta - is our opportunity to state anew
and with relevance, our contribution to Western
Sydney and the Blue Mountains, says Executive
Director of Catholic Schools, Jack de Groot. And,
he adds, through our Catholic Schools, we can
find diverse voices our Church needs.
As the Church in Western Sydney and the Blue
Mountains prepares to walk together and listen
to voices within and beyond us at our upcoming
Diocesan Synod, Catholic school students, staff and
local families should recognise how valuable their
voices will be in this process.
Our Catholic school communities play a crucial role
in the current and future mission of our Church.
We are called to form our students as disciples of
26

Christ, to help them develop a deep and personal
relationship with God, and to equip them with the
skills and knowledge they need to be leaders in their
communities and in the Church.
At the same time, our Catholic schools strive to be
places of welcome and inclusion for all students
and families, regardless of their backgrounds or
circumstances. As Catholic educators, we encourage
our communities to reach out to vulnerable members
of our community and work together to build a more
just and compassionate society.
During the Synod, we will be listening to one
another and to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
This is discernment and it is central to our faith and
to our decision-making processes. It challenges us to
be open to new ideas and perspectives, to question
our assumptions, and to seek God’s will above all
else. It’s also a chance to look for ways that we
can reach out to those on the margins of society,
especially those who are struggling.
Everyone involved with Catholic Schools in the
Diocese of Parramatta will recognise these as
fundamental values behind our schooling system.
When you think about it, we live synodality every day.
I hope that fact alone will give everyone in our
schools the confidence to take part in the Synod. You
have something very worthwhile to say!
Simply go to the Synod website and answer the
questions you’ll find there.
We need to have the readiness to be out and about
for the benefit of all, to live out Bishop Vincent’s
commitment to “Catholic education for all”.
We’re a Church on a mission to the world.
Website link to Synod
parracatholic.org/synod2023
Jack de Groot is Executive Director, Catholic Schools
Parramatta Diocese.
What are the big questions that our
students are asking about their faith?
The questions that children and young
people share at school help our staff to
support them as they grow in faith and
learning. They reveal the deep thinking of our
children and young people who are our hope
and inspiration for the future of the Church.
• How do we make sense of our world?
Open
Day
• How can we care for creation?
• How can we be peacemakers in our
world?
• Why are people hungry in a world
full of plenty?
• Where does faith fit in today’s world?
• How does our faith relate to other
world religions?
• Who is my neighbour?
• Why do bad things happen?
Blacktown
29 Jul
openday.acu.edu.au
CRICOS registered provider: 00004G | PRV12008

Keira Lahoud with students at Ambrose School Age Care,
St Matthew’s Windsor. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
Putting feelings into words
STORY BELINDA HARDING
Over the next few months, as part of the Synod
process, Bishop Vincent is asking us to put
our feelings about the Church into words. This
includes children’s feelings, too. But even for
adults, expressing our emotions effectively is
sometimes easier said than done.
Today, children are facing even more challenges when
it comes to sharing their feelings thoughtfully through
words, especially as technology continues to advance.
Keira Lahoud, Service Coordinator of six years at
Ambrose School Age Care, St Matthew’s Windsor,
acknowledges this hurdle. “Coming out of the
pandemic, face-to-face communication with peers
was very limited. This has forced children to adapt
by using other methods of communication, such as
social media.”
Keira loves her role at Ambrose, as it has given
her the opportunity to deliver Catholic values of
respect, encouragement and care while forming great
relationships with families in the community. Through
her job, Keira has come to the conclusion that for
children to connect the dots between their feelings
and be able to express their emotions, they need a
safe space.
“Children tend to internalise their feelings as they
grow older, hindering their ability to communicate how
they’re feeling through words. As parents, caregivers
and educators, it is important to show our children how
to walk with God both in action and words, despite the
temptation to revert to digital means.”
Asking open-ended questions is a simple strategy
for encouraging children to express themselves
through words.
“I find it important to let children know that while
they’re at Ambrose, they’re in a safe place where
they can discuss their feelings openly.” Keira
observes that questions like, “How do you feel when
you’re angry?” or “Tell me about how you’re feeling?”
encourage children to explore their emotions and
better articulate their feelings.
Keira continues, “We as adults need to understand
the context of the child’s adversity, as it allows us to
28

determine the best path and plan for implementing
individual support strategies.” Using phrases like,
“I can see you’re feeling frustrated,” or “It sounds
like you’re really happy about that!” encourages
discussion and models emotional intelligence.
Creating structure is also essential to improving a
child’s ability to express their emotions in a positive
way. Helping a child to ‘sort through’ feelings can
help them find their place in the world, whether
it be a friendship group or the wider community,
and lead to improved confidence and better verbal
communication. Group time with prayer, celebrations
and sharing establishes togetherness at Ambrose.
With the rise in technology and the noticeable
decrease in face-to-face interactions overall, many
young people may continue to struggle with how to
express themselves effectively through words. For
this reason, Keira believes it is becoming increasingly
important for adults to anticipate what a child may be
feeling through observation of their non-verbal cues.
“We use a number of strategies at Ambrose,” she
explains. “We encourage children to express their
feelings through crafts, group discussions, and in the
sensory space we share with St Matthew’s which is
designed to support children to self-regulate.”
By using such strategies, adults can help children
feel more comfortable in expressing their emotions
verbally and provide them with the tools they need to
navigate their feelings in a healthy way.
Ways to help build confidence with words
• Establish a safe space where honesty
and openness is valued
• Use open-ended questions to
encourage dialogue
• Guide your child in creating structure
• Introduce prayer to your
family’s daily routine
• Look for verbal cues that indicate what
your child is unable to express verbally
Do you know someone who would like to work
with an organisation with Catholic values?
Ambrose is always looking for great people to join
our team. Visit: www.ambrose.org.au/find-a-job/
Belinda Harding is a freelance writer.
A time to renew your spirit
the genuine pilgrim experience
Pilgrimage of Mercy
Hungary, Poland & Czech Republic
Disciples in Jerusalem
A Holy Land Pilgrimage with
Fr Ken Barker MGL & Costandi Bastoli
Red Centre
Pilgrimage
Land only from $5590 Land only from $5590
Land only from $5190
Commences 15 August 2023.
11 Days. With Bishop Karol Kulczycki SDS
Discover the charm of Budapest, Krakow,
and Prague - Eastern Europe’s captivating
cities. Visit the revered Shrines of Divine
Mercy and the Black Madonna of
Czestochowa.
Also departs September 2023
Departs 01 October 2023.
14 Days. With Fr Barker MGL
Watch the Gospels come alive as we set
out on this true pilgrimage of faith and
retrace the progressive stages of the life of
Jesus from his Nativity in Bethlehem to his
Passion on Calvary.
Optional Pre-Tour Extension to Jordan
Departs 31 August 2023.
9 Days. With Fr Dominic Murphy OP
Something deep and mystical calls all
Australians to journey to the heart of our
nation to honour its symbols, stories and
beauty in a prayerful spirit of awe and
thanksgiving. Featuring the Cross on Memory
Mountain. Also departs October 2023
BOOKINGS & ENQUIRIES
1800 819 156
www.harvestjourneys.com

Image: The Road to Emmaus. © BonnellArt.com

Looking Deeper
Looking Deeper
The following articles encourage deeper reflection,
prayer and personal learning.

Let us dream together
BISHOP VINCENT LONG OFM CONV
Dear sisters and brothers,
As we approach our first Diocesan Synod this
October, let’s listen again to the prophet Isaiah:
Behold, I am about to
do something new.
See, I have already begun!
Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway
through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the
dry wasteland.
Isaiah 43:19
These words of the prophet are an extraordinary
prophetic utterance in the midst of profound
disruption in Israel’s history. Against the background
of loss and devastation, of utter humiliation and
despair, Isaiah speaks of God doing new things that
summon the people to a new future.
Isaiah’s prophecy enlightens and challenges us as
we seek to understand and to live the meaning of
our experience in our diocese as we go on mission
to the world.
Like Israel before the exile, our Church has not
always been a place of promise and freedom, of
covenanted communion and solidarity. It has not
fully lived out the radical vision of powerlessness of
the Servant Lord. Its dysfunctional and destructive
culture of clericalism has betrayed the Gospel.
Therefore, we must have the courage to do new
things; we must be open to the Spirit leading
us to new horizons even as we tend to revert to
the old ways.
32

Looking Deeper
Bishop Vincent speaking with young people during a World Youth Day pilgrim formation session.
Image: Mary Brazell/Diocese of Parramatta
The Church in Australia is also facing a disruption
of biblical proportions. But let’s respond as people
of hope and build a healthier Church for future
generations. This calls for deep discernment and
courageous action rather than fear, intransigence and
defence of status quo. So, like the ancient disruption,
this crisis can catalyse us, the People of God in
the Diocese of Parramatta, into a new era of hope
and possibility.
The Church, as understood and articulated by the
Second Vatican Council, sees itself as a pilgrim
People of God, incarnate in the world. It is a new
paradigm - one that is based on mutuality not
exclusion, love not fear, “smell of the sheep” not
elitism, engagement with the world not flight from or
hostility against it, incarnate grace not dualism. It is
the Church going out of itself as opposed to closing
in on itself.
Our synodal renewal must be grounded in this
People of God ecclesiology. It is, I believe, at the
heart of the Vatican II and now being reclaimed
decisively by Pope Francis.
What are its key features?
Becoming a humble, healing and merciful Church:
Being merciful is at the heart of Catholic identity.
It is not simply a matter of acting with mercy and
compassion to those in need with our position of
power and privilege intact. Rather, it is a radical
discipleship of vulnerability and powerlessness in the
footsteps of the humble Servant of God.
Becoming a Church that goes to the margins:
Pope Francis constantly calls us to move beyond the
security of status quo and take the risk of going to
the periphery. The Church must be the Church of the
poor. The Church must go out of itself in order to be
close to those in need.
Becoming a listening, synodal and inclusive
Church:
As we move to a more pilgrim community model,
it is also necessary to foster a culture of encounter
and dialogue. Pope Francis speaks of an “inverted
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34

Looking Deeper
pyramid” which is a radical way of exercising power
and authority. It is not a top-down and centralised
approach reminiscent of the monarchical model.
Rather, it is a synodal Church at every level, with
everyone listening to each other, learning from
each other and taking responsibility for proclaiming
the Gospel.
Conclusion:
It’s very normal that we all fear change. But let’s trust in
the Holy Spirit of the Risen Jesus who is very close by!
There is a sense that we are being cut loose from the
safe and secure moorings of the past. But that has
been the pattern of the Judeo-Christian story even
since Abraham and Sarah left the land of Ur to go to
where the spirit beckoned. It is in their DNA and ours
to read the signs of the times and follow where the
river flows.
It humbles us to know that God is with us in the
mess and even in the perceived irrelevancy of the
Church. It comforts us, too, to know that the Church
was not at its best when it reached the heights of its
power in what was known as Christendom. It was the
Church of the Catacombs that shone forth its best
rays of hope ironically when it was poor, persecuted
and powerless.
May we all come together this October, in our
Diocesan Synod, and in unity, peace and hope
creatively imagine our path forward as the pilgrim
People of God. Let’s listen to the Holy Spirit and
commit ourselves once more to becoming a
living Church that bring the joy of the Gospel to
future generations.
Bishop Vincent speaking with parishioners at St Luke’s
Catholic Faith Community, Marsden Park.
Image: Diocese of Parramatta
35

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman by Jorge Cocco Santángelo

Looking Deeper
Seeking bold humility in the Synod
STORY CHRISTINA GRETTON
“Jesus is curious. He asks questions,” says
Qwayne Guevara, Lead Facilitator of the Synod
taking place in the Diocese of Parramatta in 2023
and 2024. Questions, says Qwayne, are a great
way to set the scene for openness and listening
and a new ‘bold humility’ to live our faith.
“Absolutely, we’re drawing from Jesus’ examples,”
says Qwayne when asked about the relationship
between synods and Jesus and what we can learn
from both.
“In order for the Synod to be successful, it really
relies on our sense of openness, and willingness to
listen to the other,” she says. “And this can be a very
difficult thing because much of the world in which we
live tells us that we need to fight to be heard.
“This fight to be heard can often lead us to this
feeling of less listening and more talking.
“Often in the Scripture, you’ll find that Jesus
approaches people with an openness. He asks
questions. This curiosity brings people out of
themselves, and a vulnerability is revealed,”
she explains.
This vulnerability will allow
people to receive God in
a way they may have not
received before.
She points to the conversations Jesus had with
others. “When we read about Jesus’ encounters –
the woman at the well, the blind man, the Pharisees
– He asked them questions that opened up the
conversation so people could see Jesus and His
message in a different way.”
So how can the Synod help the faith of those who
participate?
The Synod offers a real concrete opportunity for us to
encounter God through the other, Qwayne says. “We
can be open to the Holy Spirit and have bold humility
in the way that we live out our faith.”
True listening gives us insight, transforms us
and heals us, she says. Often, we enter into
conversations with our own perspectives, stories and
ways of thinking. Listening well, says Qwayne, allows
that other person’s story to really move us and we
look at things in a renewed way. We see the face of
Christ in the other. We are invited into reconciliation
with one another, and this can be challenging
but life-giving.
The synodal process also gives everyone a direct
way of participating in the direction of the Church.
“This is very much a way for people to feel like they
are personally contributing to how we live out Church
here in the Diocese of Parramatta,” she explains.
“And that will impact the way people and their
families will experience Church.”
What about those who may feel anxious about the
synodal process?
“It’s entirely natural for people to be wary of the
unfamiliar. I’d imagine many felt that way about Jesus
when He bursts onto the scene,” says Qwayne.
She admits that she also experiences times of
uncertainty, because of course, when a process
invites us to listen to the Holy Spirit as synods do, we
are invited to consider new possibilities of engaging
people in the life of faith.
“The outcomes and the Synod may not necessarily
look the way that we would like them to,” she says.
“But I think there needs to be a level of trust that
we have in the Holy Spirit’s movement to bring us
closer together.
“That’s going to require a lot of work internally, it’s
going to ask us to surrender and reassess what
we may perceive about one another. We need to
do this so we might allow ourselves to be changed
or affirmed about what we understand about God
and His love.”
This surrender can be hard because it means a
commitment to choosing God, and not ourselves
in the process, says Qwayne. That is why we need
each other to remind us that we are not alone.
Those moments of prayer, affirmation and
encouragement, says Qwayne, give us hope in the
One who loves us and desires that we become
one, for it is in our unity that we truly witness to
God’s love for us.
37

Image: Shutterstock.
The road most shared:
what is synodality all about?
STORY MICHAEL MCGIRR
There’s a story about Pope St John XXIII who
was pope from 1958 to 1963. Pope John was an
Italian peasant who served as a chaplain during
World War I. So, his feet were well and truly on the
ground and he thought that the Church needed
to get its feet in the same place. That is why he
called the Second Vatican Council. Like most
grounded people, he was never far from laughter.
One time a journalist came to the Vatican to interview
the Pope. It is said that the journalist asked a
tricky question.
If you knew that Jesus
Christ was coming back
to earth in half an hour,
what would you do?
The pope thought for a moment and shrugged
as he replied: “I’d look busy.”
Synodality is a bit like that. It is a serious attempt to
be a bit more light-hearted, to free our community
from pomposity and pretension. Of course, God
takes us seriously. But not too seriously.
Like all the most profound ideas, synodality is
really quite simple. The word itself is not especially
inviting, mainly because you never hear it outside
Church circles. You won’t find a synodality section
in Bunnings, although heaven knows it requires the
right tools. And you won’t find a synodality section
in Aldi, not even in the centre of the store where
they seem to sell all sorts of random items, although
synodality is certainly an idea that can feed and
nourish us.
Nor will you find a synodality aisle in Chemist
Warehouse, although the concept is deeply healing.
I may be proved wrong on that last point. You never
know what you might find in Chemist Warehouse,
especially in the vitamin section. Synodality vitamins
would be labelled ‘strengthens the heart for a shared
journey: suitable for all ages.’ They would sit beside
the tablets that help with travel sickness. These ones
will help create travel excitement.
38

Looking Deeper
If you look at the word ‘synodality’ you might notice
the ‘od’ in the middle. This is an important clue.
Every car has an odometer which measures how
far you’ve come and how far until you run out of
petrol. The od comes from the Greek word hodos,
which means a road. There are other words as well.
A period, for example, is a way of dividing up a
journey; it is part of a road. A method is a way of
negotiating a journey.
It is hardly surprising how often the word road
(hodos) appears in the Gospels. It turns up far more
often than words such as ‘miracle’ or ‘creation’.
Jesus spent a lot of time on the road. We meet blind
people by the side of the road; we see a fig tree by
the side of the road; the crowds throw palms on the
road. Jesus tells his friends to greet no one on the
road, the Good Samaritan is on a road and Jesus
tells his disciples some hard truths while they are on
the road. The Magi return home by a different road.
For Jesus, the road was home.
In one of the best-known instances, the story of the
Walk to Emmaus (Luke 24), the climax of the story
occurs when the disciples tell their story of what had
happened on the road. They had asked each other
‘Were not our hearts burning within us as he talked to
us on the road.’
The other part of the word synodality is syn. We
know this part from synthetic and synergy and
synthesise. It means together. Synodality, in other
words, is a journey taken together. It is a shared road.
It describes a Church built around partnership rather
than status, movement rather than inertia, maps
rather than blueprints for grand buildings.
The word synod itself does appear at least once in
scripture. You may recall that in Luke 2, Jesus goes
missing during an annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem
for the Passover. Of course, Mary and Joseph are
beside themselves with worry. Interestingly, the word
for their distress is yet another ‘od’ word: it implies
that they experience their pain as a journey, not a
destination. The word synod is used to describe the
community of pilgrims on the road where Mary and
Joseph presume that Jesus is being looked after. It
is usually translated as ‘group of travellers’ or ‘party’
or something like that. But the word is stronger. It
indicates a community sleeping in tents as they
undertake a shared quest where the travellers are
deeply invested in each other.
That is precisely what we mean by synodality.
Michael McGirr is Mission Facilitator at Caritas Australia.
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Growing into synodality
STORY MICHAEL WHELAN SM
The Road to Emmaus by Mike Torevell
miketorevelldesigns.blogspot.com

Looking Deeper
“We gain control by letting go. We come to know
by not knowing,” says Fr Michael Whelan SM as
he explains the power of listening within.
Life, sooner or later – if we let it – leads us into the
realisation that the more we know, the more we know
we do not know. In other words, we experience the
inexhaustible intelligibility of reality. This is what we
call mystery. Life does have many problems that invite
solutions. But life itself is not a problem. We should not
look for solutions to life. Life is a mystery to be lived.
As in life, there are many problems in the Church that
invite solutions. But, as in life, the Church – our life
together in Christ – is not a problem to be solved but
a mystery to be lived.
“Show us the way”
“Thomas said: ‘How can we know the way?’ Jesus
said: ‘I am the Way . . . ’” (John 14:6). Thomas sees a
problem and asks for a solution. Instead, Jesus invites
Thomas – and us – into the Source of all mystery.
Here we are immersed in paradox. We gain control
by letting go. We come to know by not knowing. We
discover that true success in life comes as a gift rather
than a conquest. We become fully alive by daily dying.
This demands commitment, hard work and patience.
Letting go is not easy, not knowing can be very painful,
surrendering can be frightening, dying daily can
demand every ounce of courage that we can muster.
There has to be a lot of unlearning. Our learned
inclination is to evade the discomfort of life’s
paradoxes by reducing everything to problems which
have solutions. Solutions promise control. So, we
set about developing strategies and plans, aims and
goals, we work out how we are going to get there . . .
just like Thomas! However, if we care to listen, we will
hear Jesus say repeatedly: “I am the way!” Then, and
only then, will the problem solving make sense.
Listening within
The first work – and it is hard work – is listening.
The first listening, without which all the subsequent
listening will be more or less impeded, is listening to
what is happening within. How I relate with myself is
going to significantly affect how I relate with you. There
is a helpful story from the Desert Fathers and Mothers:
Fr Michael Whelan SM is Director of the Aquinas Academy,
Sydney.
One of the best known of the Desert Fathers of
fourth-century Egypt, Saint Serapion the Sindonite,
travelled once on pilgrimage to Rome. Here he was
told of a celebrated recluse, a woman who lived
always in one small room, never going out. Sceptical
about her way of life – for he was himself a great
wanderer – Serapion called on her and asked: ‘Why
are you sitting here?’
To this she replied: ‘I am not sitting, I am on a
journey’ [Jean-Marie Howe OCSO, Secret of the Heart:
Spiritual Being, Cistercian Publications, 1999/2005, xiii].
Listening within can be aided by the practice of open
questioning. Open questions are asked, not to find
answers, but to be present in a non-judgemental and
attentive way. Open questioning can help us face
truth in our experience. Sometimes we would rather
not face truth because it is painful. It may help to
remember the rest of Jesus’ words to Thomas: “I am
the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Jesus –
“the life” – comes to us disguised as truth.
Listening within can humble us. It can make us
aware of our broken humanity – a humanity that we
share with others. This can help move us beyond
our prejudices and towards unity with others. The
Spirit can thus lead us in a journey where “there is no
longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free,
there is no longer male and female; for all of you are
one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
Conversation and synodality
Conversation is crucial. It must play a central role in
our lives, especially in our becoming Church. But real
conversation does not just happen. Common usage
of the word hides its true subtleties, challenges and
life-giving possibilities.
Real conversation can, in fact, only happen when we
are open to change through encounter with the other.
Listening within can prepare us for this openness. If
I approach conversation, thinking that I am right and
you are wrong, there can be no real conversation.
There might be arguments, discussion, debate,
light-hearted pleasantries, but there will not be real
conversation – unless I change.
Real conversation is at the very heart of synodality.
There can be no synodality without real conversation
and it is the nature of the Church to be synodal.
Pope Francis reminds us that synodality is
Journeying together … The word of God
journeys with us. Everyone has a part to
play; no one is a mere extra.
(Address to the Faithful of the Diocese of Rome,
18 September 2021).
41

Image: Bern Hagenkord SJ.
Commandments for the long haul
STORY FR RON ROLHEISER OMI
Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI admits that a life lived in
faith can be tough. Here are his tips for getting
through the journey.
Daniel Berrigan once wrote a wonderful little book
entitled, Ten Commandments for the Long Haul. It
was intended as spiritual sustenance, sustaining
food, for those who walk the lonely, long road of faith
and often find themselves discouraged.
1. Acknowledge your contingency, your
helplessness. You are a creature,
not the creator.
You are not God, but a creature. Like all creatures,
you’re dependent and interdependent. Life works
when you acknowledge this, when you accept that
you can’t give yourself life. All is gift. If you try to live
the illusion of self-sufficiency and try to guarantee
your own immortality, you mimic the sin of Adam
and Eve. Proper living begins with the words:
“I am not God!”
42

Looking Deeper
2. Pray, prayers of helplessness, gratitude,
and praise.
Pray always! Also, pray formally each day. By your
baptism, you’re a priest. Pray as priest: Hold the
world up each day to God. Hold up both its wonders
and its pain. Pray in gratitude.
Pray from your weaknesses and helplessness:
“Lord, hang on to me lest I slip away from you.”
3. Welcome and accept the present moment.
Life is what happens to you while you’re planning
your life. Don’t let the busyness, pressures, and
heartaches of life steal the present moment from you.
4. Give yourself permission to be inadequate.
Both God and nature give you permission not to be
perfect. Don’t be too hard on yourself and, especially,
on others. You’re loved as you are.
9. Accept ageing.
Rely more on the Paschal mystery than on
cosmetics. All that dies brings rich new life, even our
own bodies. Your soul must be properly aged before
it leaves and your body, like an old wine barrel, takes
on a different function and beauty as you age. Ageing
is an art form.
10. Serve the right God!
God, as Julian of Norwich assures us, “is completely
relaxed and courteous, Himself the happiness and
peace of his dear friends, His beautiful face, radiating
measureless love, like a marvellous symphony.”
Don’t serve any other God than this One. Don’t bow
to any molten calf, created in the image and likeness
of our own tensions and bitterness.
5. Be sufficiently loving and critical, both at the
same time.
If you’re critical without being loving, you’re
destructive. If you’re loving without being critical,
you’re weak. Don’t blackmail community by
constantly threatening your withdrawal. Love, be
critical, and stay. Pull from your bag the new as well
as the old.
This is an edited version of an article by Fr Ron Rolheiser
OMI, a priest of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
and a faculty member of the Oblate School of Theology in
San Antonio, Texas.
6. Be post-ideological, post-personal-history,
post-conservative, post-liberal, post-naive,
and post-sophisticated.
Be non-classifiable. Admit that the right and left
have both run out of imagination and that their
sympathies are highly selective. Don’t be naive, but
don’t be sophisticated either. See both as phases to
pass through.
Forgive your past.
7. Bless what’s good and beautiful, even as you
stand where the cross of Christ is erected.
Bless what’s good in the world. Never, for the sake
of cause, orthodoxy or justice, denigrate beauty. All
that’s good and beautiful has God as author. Imitate
Christ: First bless the world and its goodness and,
only then, go stand where the cross is perennially
erected, where the excluded ones in the culture find
themselves.
8. Be shockingly “Catholic” - earthy and winedrinking.
Bask in the goodness of life. We have divine
permission to be happy. God invented wine. Jesus
scandalised people with his capacity to enjoy life. He
drank wine and let his heart be warmed by friends.

Fr Janu in his workshop, where creating beautiful
woodwork creations brings him peace and
balance. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
A cuppa with the priest
Fr Januario Pinto OCarm
Parish Priest
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish
Wentworthville
STORY CHRISTINA GRETTON
Fr Januario Pinto (Janu) OCarm, Parish
Priest of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in
Wentworthville has mastered the art of living in the
moment. Over the course of our conversation, we
return to this point, whether we are talking about
his work as a priest, the upcoming Diocesan
Synod or even advice for our young pilgrims about
to head to Europe in the footsteps of the saints.
Originally from Timor-Leste, Fr Janu joined the
Carmelites straight from school in 2004. He arrived in
Australia in 2014 to continue his Theological studies
at the Yarra Theological Union (YTU) in Melbourne
after studying English at the Australian Catholic
University.
44

His first parish placement was in Brisbane before
arriving in Wentworthville as Assistant Parish Priest
in 2021 in the middle of the pandemic lockdown. In
December 2022, he was appointed Parish Priest.
While we sit over a ‘cuppa’, Fr Janu reflects on his
philosophy for life.
Just keep going,
keep planning,
keep doing and
keep learning.
This approach to his spirituality sees Fr Janu keeping
busy serving others, and ensuring there is balance in
his life. “We all need to have dreams and plans and
goals,” he says. But rather than focus on the goals,
he remains focused on the present.
It’s important to find God’s
presence where you are, and
whenever people need me,
I will be there.
When I ask how he can stay in the present in a busy,
stressful world, Fr Janu reveals, alongside hobbies
such as photography, fishing and cycling, his great
passion. “When I’m stressed, I go to my ‘chapel’,”
he says of his woodworking studio metres from
his parish office. The cuppa abandoned, we go to
explore Fr Janu’s converted garage. Inside, hundreds
of pieces of timber that Fr Janu collects when he is
out and about are piled alongside two mitre saws, a
planer, a table saw, a large workbench and dozens
of tools. Everything, says Fr Janu, has been donated
or recycled.
Fr Janu sees Jesus as someone who also lived in
the moment through his availability to the people
around him.
Jesus was there to listen to
people. It’s one thing that
made him famous.
“People felt listened to. They could tell him about
their grief, or their experience and he was just there
with them,” he says. “We are all called to do that in
our pastoral ministry,” he says.
Listening is healing. When
people can share their stories,
it is like a release.
The World Youth Day pilgrims will be visiting the
convent of Carmelite saint, St Teresa of Ávila. Fr
Janu’s advice? “Don’t think too much about the
history when you go to a holy place,” he advises.
“But think what it is about that saint that you can
bring into your own life right now.”
Fr Janu (left) and Fr Anthony Scerri OCarm in the
community chapel with the altar made by Fr Janu.
Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
On the wall is a picture of St Joseph teaching the
child Jesus carpentry skills. As a child in Timor-Leste,
Fr Janu’s grandfather taught him carpentry. Now,
working with wood brings him peace. Fr Janu makes
beautiful timber tables, crosses and other items
using a variety of woods. One of his favourite pieces
is a small altar used in the Carmelite Community
Chapel with an intricate pattern of inlaid wood. The
pieces he has used reflect his life in Australia so far.
“There’s wood from Glenrowan in Victoria, wood from
Brisbane, Tasmanian Oak from the old kneelers in the
Wentworthville Church and some Cedar given to me
by a parishioner,” he points out.
45

Parish Profile
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish,
Wentworthville
Grounded in Carmelite Spirituality
STORY MARY BRAZELL
The parishioners of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Parish, Wentworthville, have been blessed with
Carmelite friars since they were appointed by
Cardinal Gilroy to care for the parish in 1956.
Today, without even knowing it, the parishioners
find they are living the Carmelite charisms of
contemplation, community and service.
The parish was established in 1946, originally as St
Columba’s, Wentworthville, which included the nearby
areas of Westmead, Pendle Hill and Toongabbie.
93-year-old Fr Anthony Scerri OCarm first arrived
in the parish two years after his ordination to the
priesthood, when the parishioners were mainly
Maltese. Today, the parish has over 72 different
nationalities who have “brought a new life into the
parish,” he said.
“It’s one of the most diverse and colourful parishes
I’ve ever been fortunate enough to experience,”
Parish Secretary and parishioner of 23 years, Paola
Yévenes, shared.
Together, we’ve celebrated
countless Masses, assisted each
other in improving our parish,
grieved together and watched
our parish children grow into
wonderful leaders.
Frank Zammit, a parishioner of 58 years, explained,
“OLMC is a vibrant parishioners’ second home where
we meet, work, gather around the Eucharistic table
like a family and we do not rush out after Mass,
but stop for a while to chat with the priests and
amongst ourselves.”
Over the decades, the parishioners feel that the
Carmelite charisms have embedded themselves
into the parish.
“We know we can find them when we need them.
They are always ready to hear us and share with
us our sorrows and joys and attend to our spiritual
needs,” Frank said of the Carmelite priests who have
lived and served in the parish.
Paola added, “I think the parish has embraced the
Carmelite spirituality even without knowing it. Our
parishioners may not be able to list the charisms,
but they are living it in what they do.
“Living in the same place you work has made the
Carmelites very accessible to our community. Each
one is deeply spiritual and faithful to the Carmelite
charisms. They have taught me much about finding
God in the silence, in the people and even in the
soap bubbles in my kitchen sink,” she said.
A view of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Wentworthville.
Image: Mary Brazell/Diocese of Parramatta
Each priest has brought his own style to the
altar, parishioner of nearly 40 years, Cyprian
(Skip) Fernandes, said, describing some of the
former priests in the community as “much-loved”,
“sparkling”, “delightful”, “honest” and “full of energy”.
46

Parish Secretary Paola Yévenes (left), Parish Priest Fr Januario (Janu) Pinto OCarm (second left) and Priest in Residence
Fr Anthony Scerri OCarm are seen in the Priory at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Wentworthville.
Image: Mary Brazell/Diocese of Parramatta
The parish has been very blessed over its history to
have been visited by the relics of famous Carmelite St
Thérèse of Lisieux in 2003 and again in 2020 alongside
relics of her parents Sts Louis and Zélie Martin.
St Thérèse will be amongst the 12 saints whose
footsteps our Parramatta pilgrims will be walking
during their pilgrimage to World Youth Day. In
celebrating Mass to honour the relics in 2020, Bishop
Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, said,
“We always carry with us the gift of faith that Thérèse
and her parents Zélie and Louis exemplify for us.”
The current parish priest, Fr Januario (Janu) Pinto
OCarm, may have only been in the parish for a
short time, but parishioners appreciate his joyful,
can-do attitude.
“Fr Janu showers his youthful energy on all of us and
on anyone he meets,” Skip described.
“That smile of his is completely infectious,” Paola
said. “He’s taken on this new role which he’s never
done before and leading with example.
“When he puts his mind to anything, he will make
it work. His motto in life is ‘just do it’ – just get up
and do it.”
As the Diocese of Parramatta prepares for its
first-ever Diocesan Synod, where the voices of
our parishioners will be crucial in directing our
Church into the future, the OLMC team encouraged
the community to remember their call as
missionary people.
“We need to take little, gentle steps here and there
that will lead to huge steps later on,” Fr Anthony said.
Paola added, “What the Carmelites do really well,
in their example, is opening up God and not limiting
Him or His love and by being open to other views
and opinions.”
Fr Anthony has a new book!
After years of requests, Fr Anthony has
published a book about his life’s events
and experiences, memories of people and
places through the lens of kindness and
humour, always mindful of Our Father as
friend and companion on his journey.
You can purchase Carmelite on a Mission
from Carmelite Media for $US21.90
($A33.17), which includes postage and
handling from Melbourne, or as an e-book
from Apple Books or Amazon by visiting
catholicoutlook.info/FrScerriBook
47

Watch, Read, Listen, Reflect
Catholic content for Winter
Read
What’s Church All About? And Other Tricky
Questions About the Church by John Honner
Dr. John Honner has provided teachers and parents
with a wonderful faith formation resource. He has
degrees in science and theology and has served
on national leadership teams in Catholic education,
health care, and social services in Australia.
His delightful book aims to help parents, teachers,
and catechists answer the tricky questions that
young people ask about Church. It also provides four
supplementary chapters based on advanced questions
for adults and a vision for the Church of the future.
It uses real stories to flesh out the intentions of
Scripture and Church teaching, drawing also on
contemporary culture and learning and avoiding
Church-talk that means nothing to young people, to
make the Church’s hidden treasures accessible.
Thérèse, Rated PG
Watch
Our World Youth Day pilgrims will be vising the
birthplace of St Thérèse of Lisieux as well as the
Monastery of the Incarnation where she lived. This
2004 movie, endorsed by the Vatican tells her story.
As Peter Bierer, assistant director, Pastoral Life and
Mission, Archdiocese of Adelaide highlights: “What’s
Church All About? is an authentic exploration of real
questions young people are asking today. The book
provides the tools to ‘do theology’ and explore pastoral
possibilities for people on their journey of faith.”
Pubilshed by Paulist Press.
A pampered child from a middle-class 19th century
French family, Thérèse Martin journeys to Rome
to beg Pope Leo XIII for permission to enter the
Carmelite monastery at the unheard-of age of 15.
Once admitted she experiences the joys and rigors
of monastic life and makes the surprising yet simple
discovery that holiness can be achieved by small
acts of love and compassion – a spiritual path she
calls her “Little Way.” With a soundtrack composed
by a cloistered Carmelite nun, this film is a beautiful
retreat into the world of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, an
ordinary girl with an extraordinary soul.
Available through St Luke Productions and
Amazon Prime.
48

Listen
Plenary Matters with Geraldine Doogue
Prominent broadcaster, Geraldine Doogue continues to discuss the
Australian Catholic Church and its involvement with the global synod
launched by Pope Francis. Geraldine talks with Catholics about the
challenges and hopes in a Church still seeking what matters. In one of
the more recent episode’s you’ll also hear her interview our own Br Mark
O’Connor FMS, Vicar for Communications, Diocese of Parramatta.
Find it on Apple and Spotify.
The Ten Thousand Places
Join a former atheist, a former Protestant, and a cradle Catholic
on a search to find Christ at play in ten thousand places. From
metaphysics to Johnny Cash, He-Man to hermeneutics, how do
Christian Catholics view the world differently and why does it matter?
Take a deep dive into Catholicism and culture with friends Lewis
Pearson, the philosopher, Alex Giltner, the theologian, and Justin
Aquila, the parish pastoral minister.
Hear it on all major podcast apps.
Classifieds
Your ad here
Reach families throughout Western Sydney
and the Blue Mountains.
Catholic Outlook is the official magazine of
the Diocese of Parramatta.
This Refugee Week
Organise a food drive for Foodbank
Call James on 0476 873 519
Contact Christina Gretton on 0439 594 726
to place your ad.
49

Get Active4Vocations
in the City2Surf!
Last year Bishop Vincent and a team of 15
priests, deacons, seminarians and parishioners
ran the City2Surf fun run. In 2023, the Diocese of
Parramatta will be back!
We’d love you to join us. Sign up to run or walk
the race with us (all fitness levels welcome). Or
sponsor the team and cheer them on through
prayers of support.
Last year’s team raised over $22,000 for our
Diocese’s Holy Spirit Seminary in Harris Park.
This year, we want to double that!
Deacon Tom Green, the first team member to finish
in 2022, said, “It’s a good opportunity to spread the
Good News and to raise awareness for vocations.”
Yes, the race does involve some sacrifice. Fr
Matthew Dimian says, “It’s good to offer up your
sufferings for a good cause.”
Register for our City2Surf team
on 13 August 2023, or spur us
on with a donation at tinyurl.
com/Active4Vocations.
Watch the video here.
Are you up for fun, fitness, and fellowship?
Put your faith into action and get #Active4Vocations
Walk, jog, or run with our
priests and seminarians.
tinyurl.com/Active4Vocations
SUNDAY 13 AUGUST 2023
Scan to
register and get
#Active4Vocations

KIDS CORNER
Have you heard the story of the three shepherd children – Lúcia, Francisco and Jacinta
in Fátima, Portugal? Our Lady appeared to them and told them to pray the Rosary
every day to bring peace to the world.
Colour in this picture and think about her message.
You can pray the Rosary too!
Our Lady Fatima © 2016 TheCatholicKid.com All rights reserved

Directory of services
(02) 8843 2500 or visit catholiccarewsbm.org.au
Chancery Office
www.parracatholic.org
(02) 8838 3400
diocese@parracatholic.org
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv
(02) 8838 3400
bishop@parracatholic.org
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
parra.catholic.edu.au
(02) 9840 5600
communityliaison@parra.catholic.edu.au
Community Ventures
(Catholic Diocese of Parramatta
Services Limited)
(02) 9407 7044
enquiries@cdpsl.org.au
www.communityventures.org.au
Ambrose Early Years Education
and School Age Care
(02) 9407 7044
enquiries@ambrose.org.au
www.ambrose.org.au
Catholic Care Western Sydney
and the Blue Mountains
(02) 8843 2500
catholiccarewsbm.org.au
Mission Enhancement Team
(MET Parramatta)
Catholic Youth Parramatta;
Peace, Justice, Ecology; Marriage;
Natural Fertility; Worship;
MET Facilitators
met@parracatholic.org
parracatholic.org/met
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine
(02) 8838 3486
ccd@parracatholic.org
Tribunal Office
(02) 8838 3480
tribunal@parracatholic.org
Vocations
(02) 8838 3460
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
safeguarding@parracatholic.org
Ageing Well
Whatever your age, you will never be invisible to the people at Catholic Care. Our range of
supports aim to keep you living independently in your own home for as long as possible,
while staying connected with your friends and community.
Our Commonwealth Home Support Program support elderly people to stay living
independently at home, while our Community Visitor’s Scheme aims to reduce loneliness
and enrich people’s lives through fortnightly visits to residents at aged-care facilities.
Bringing a baby into the world
There are few things more important than caring for a newborn child. Our programs have helped
many young women who are feeling lost or have been excluded from their community and are
at risk of homelessness, to get the support they need. Our parenting support program supports
new parents finding the challenges of a newborn overwhelming.
Chaplaincy
Our chaplains provide spiritual and emotional support for patients and inmates, their
families and staff in the seven hospitals and three correctional centres throughout the
Diocese of Parramatta. An inclusive ministry available to all faiths, our 15 chaplains work
alongside others involved in the care of patients and inmates.
Children
Catholic Care offers a range of support services to ensure children are taken care of in any
situation. It starts with early years learning and childcare — our home-based early learning and
parenting program for families with young children helps them and their parents develop skills,
and our family day care helps kids get a good start with their education. Our creche is a thriving
early learning centre, providing care for children of Sudanese refugee women enrolled in English
classes offered on the grounds of Catholic Care.
Connecting with my Community
Our drop-in centres provide a safe place for people to belong and connect with others.
They are a place to be, a place to get information, join a group, and be accepted.
In Emerton, Aboriginal Catholic Services is a drop-in centre led by Aboriginal people for
Aboriginal people. In Blacktown, culturally and linguistically diverse families are accessing
support to settle into life in Australia by the team at All Saints of Africa. And at our Springwood
Drop-in Centre, established to support the community after the 2014 bushfires, clients stop by
for a chat, join a reading group or seek support with their mental health.
Living well with Disability
We all need a support network to live our lives to the fullest. Our disability support team, can
help you with living, learning and overcoming obstacles on your journey, whatever they may
look like. We can help you set goals, and achieve them, and help you build a brighter future.
As a registered National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider, we support clients
at home and in the community, whether you want to learn how to cook, need support with
personal care, or want to play sport.
Support for my Family
When life gets tough for our families, the people we care about most can suffer. Our range
of family support services can support you to better relate to your spouse and understand
their behaviour, to deal with dependence or gambling problems, single parenting, or just
connecting with your kids.
We support families who are going through the most difficult of times to cope through
separation, and with grief and loss. We help parents deal with all the stresses that can
impact your family, from anxiety and depression to money worries, gambling—we have the
people, the resources and the support to help you make it through.
52

Latest appointments
Most Rev Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta,
has confirmed these appointments in the Diocese of Parramatta:
Rev John Hogan
Director for Ongoing Formation of Clergy
as of 24 February 2023.
Rev Dr Michael Tan
Deacon assisting at St John the Evangelist Parish,
Riverstone as of 5 March 2023.
Rev Mr Tony Hoban
Vicar for Deacons as of 17 March 2023.
Rev Abraham Kunnatholy Vari CMI
Assistant Priest at St Paul the Apostle Parish,
Winston Hills as of 17 April 2023.
Rev Chadi Ibrahim SDB
Administrator of Holy Name of Mary Parish,
Rydalmere as of 22 April 2023.
Rev Peter Lamont
Assistant Priest at St Mary of the Cross MacKillop
Parish, Upper Blue Mountains and Sacred Heart
Parish, Blackheath as of 22 April 2023.
Rev Pio Yang Ho Jang
Assistant Priest at St Monica’s Parish, North
Parramatta, and Chaplain to the Korean Catholic
Community as of 24 April 2023.
Rev Wojciech Silva OSPPE
Parish Priest at St Margaret Mary’s Parish,
Merrylands as of 30 April 2023.
Rev John Paul Escarlan
Parish Priest of St Paul the Apostle Parish, Winston
Hills as of 16 June 2023.
Rev Ranillo Creta
Parish Priest of St Matthew’s Parish, Windsor
as of 16 June 2023.
Rev Clifford D’souza MSFS
Parish Priest of St Bernadette’s Parish, Lalor Park
as of 16 June 2023.
Rev Mr Roderick Pirotta
Director of Formation for the Permanent Diaconate
Program as of 1 July 2023.
Voice of the people
How does your community identify and share the gifts of its people?
“In our Parish
mission
statement, we
say ‘we are
called’, and it is
this individual
calling of
Parishioners that identifies how
we share our gifts. Through all
of our parish ministries, we are
reaching out to achieve that
‘greater realisation of the Kingdom
of God; whilst journeying together
to spread Jesus’ Good News.”
“One of the
strengths of
my parish
community is
its focus on
building and
sustaining
community by holding events that
gives parishioners opportunity to
meet, interact and connect. These
events encourages participation
of parishioners from all walks of
life and further nurture relationship
which leads to talent identification,
participation and a pathway to
community leadership.”
“Our SRE
Catechists
have answered
God’s call to
share the gift
of faith with
13,848 children
in public schools in our Diocese.
Students are encouraged to
identify their own gifts to grow
in love of God. Inspired by the
lessons of SRE Catechists,
students know that God always
loves them.”
Bill Ryan
Parishioner of St Anthony of Padua
Parish, Toongabbie and Chair of the
Central Deanery Pastoral Council.
Genevieve Lee
Parishioner of St Patrick’s Cathedral
Parish, Parramatta, and Project
Coordinator, Catholic Youth Parramatta.
Merilyn Hancock
Head of Confraternity of Christian
Doctrine, Diocese of Parramatta.
53

“The new digital payment system organised by
the Diocesan Development Fund has allowed us to
reach a diverse range of givers on a wide range of
payment platforms. It makes fundraising events easier
to organise. Payments for facilities hire, donations
for weddings and other sacraments are received
promptly.” – Mili Lee, Manager, St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta
Quest Terminal
MAKING DONATIONS EASIER
THROUGH DIGITAL PAYMENTS
The Diocesan Development Fund (DDF) is offering digital payment systems to all parishes.
Making it easier for people to donate to parishes in today’s cashless society, they reduce
the amount of cash you need to keep on premises and make reconciling easier.
DDF can help with online payment platforms including tap-to-donate solutions such as
Smart devices and Quest terminals.
The Diocesan Development Fund (DDF) provides financial services that helps to promote
the continued growth and development of a vibrant and evangelising Catholic Church in
the Diocese of Parramatta.
Smart Device
The DDF’s services include:
• Providing loans to assist Catholic agencies to further their Mission. Loans are available for any worthwhile purpose including
construction, renovation, land purchase, furnishings, and equipment.
• Facilitating transactional services to Catholic agencies such as parishes and schools.
• Operating efficiently to generate income for the Diocese to support the Mission of the Church, pastoral priorities, and ministry
programmes.
• The development of deep long-term relationships with all Catholic entities within the Diocese.
To contact the DDF please phone (02) 8839 4500 or email enquiries@parraddf.org.au
Visit the DDF website at www.parracatholic.org.au/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 thedepositor 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 an 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.