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BUSHFIRE FEATURE 4 For dust thou art GIVE IT UP FOR LENT 10 and unto dust shalt IN OUR SCHOOLS 22 thou return MASS TIMES 30 2 FROM THE APOSTOLIC ADMINISTRATOR TOGETHER IN THE DIOCESE OF

is published monthly, eleven 2020 - Plenary Council times per year, and is available free at parish churches, schools, presbyteries and religious houses throughout the Wagga Wagga Pilgrimage Diocese. Archbishop Christopher Prowse - Apostolic Administrator of the Wagga Wagga Diocese Publisher The Diocese of Wagga Wagga Either directly or indirectly we have Their insistence was for the Catholic gatherings.” One had a good number of McAlroy House begun already our Plenary Council Church in to re-discover with the Aboriginal youth present. The affirming 205 Street Pilgrimage in Australia. Directly – our young a new and vibrant evangelising energy atmosphere of the festival gave them extra Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 representatives coming together in Adelaide of the Holy Spirit. Just when many were confidence to share openly their hopes and Editor/Designer (October 2020)and then (2021) is surmising that the young had abandoned anxieties. Their sharings were prophetic. Karene Eggleton the Church, the opposite seems to be How can we be the Church that Jesus wants approaching. Indirectly – our gatherings of Printer all those interested throughout Australian happening! The Sacraments of the Eucharist us to be without allowing the Holy Spirit The Media Group parishes and communities is now well and Reconciliation were in great demand. to speak through this ancient culture in our Peter Street Wagga Wagga 2650 advanced. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (long midst who continue to be marginalised in our Submissions I can only – once again – encourage you periods of Ritual Silence) were a highlight. land of plenty? There was no doubt about TOGETHER would not be to participate in our pilgrimage journey It is especially pleasing to know that their love of the Catholic Church and their possible without the voluntary together, to where the Holy Spirit is leading Regional Youth movements through large desire to be active in Her future here in this labour and cooperation of many the Australian Catholic Church in these parts of Australia have now reached a certain new but ancient land. contributors from within the diocese and beyond. Submissions times. How can we become a more Christ level of sophistication. Returning from THE HEAD, THE HEART for publication are welcome but not centred Church? national (or international) youth kerygmatic AND THE HANDS always guaranteed to be printed. Through Baptism, we all become festivals youth are able now to engage in the Pope Francis often talks about the Church’s participants in the mission of Jesus in His essential catechetical formation directed at mission embracing together the head, Advertisers TOGETHER acknowledges Church. This mission of Jesus has three missionary discipleship when they return to the heart and the hands. After all, we are with gratitude the generous aspects according to our ancient tradition – their home dioceses. the one Body of Christ. Let us avoid any support of advertisers. Please sanctifying (priest), prophetic (prophet) and PROPHETIC fragmentation of our tri-partite Baptismal show your support to our governing (King). During the Perth Youth Festival, the third Mission of priest, prophet and King. We need advertisers where possible. Please note that products and/or services GOVERNANCE dimension of Christ’s mission became, for a logical and pragmatic HEAD to embrace advertised in this publication are Much emphasis has been given to the me at least, manifest in a most subtle manner. the kindly/governance dimension. We ask not necessarily endorsed by this governing (Kingly) office of Jesus’ mission. It was through the considerable presence of for a HEART that is open to the sanctifying publication nor by the bishop of this diocese. Clearly, the sex abuse scandal raises this so many youth from Aboriginal and Torres presence of the Holy Spirit, to a conversion, dimension. However, even without this Strait Islander backgrounds. The prophetic like the youth. We pray too for HANDS Copy deadline scandal in Australia, society’s aggressive (prophet) dimension of Christ’s mission was that are ready to serve the marginalised and 15th of the month prior to secularism demands governing structures heard in their essential “voice” for the future prophetic voice in our midst (especially the publication and foundational attitudes that are both of the Catholic Church in Australia. first Australians). Contact Us transparent and accountable. So much of I recall participating in several Plenary This is the Plenary Council worthy of All news stories, advertising the helpful feedback so far is focussed on Council – “Listen and Discern Youth the Lord’s blessing! enquiries, correspondence and governance issues. We are grateful. This is subscriptions to: surely a sign of the presence of the Holy Together PO Box 473 Spirit in our midst. Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 SANCTIFYING When I attended the spectacularly Email successful Australian Catholic Youth Festival [email protected] in Perth (Dec 2019), it was clear to everyone Facebook that the almost 6,000 new Millennial www.facebook.com/ Catholics from throughout Australia were togetherwagga focussing on another aspect of Christ’s Phone 0437 738 726 Mission: the sanctifying (priestly) dimension. The youth took for granted that the Catholic Member of the Church is to be transparent and accountable Australasian Catholic Press Assoc. in Her governance. Yet, their incredible Annual Subscriptions thirst and hunger for Jesus in Scripture and $33 Australia $44 Overseas Tradition (especially our Sacramental life) was a great surprise to others.

Prayer Intention for February - Pray with Pope Francis Prayer for the Knock knock. “Who’s there?” After the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph fled election of a This is a familiar format for a children’s riddle. to Egypt with their child. They escape from King Listen to the Migrants’ Cries You knock, I ask, you reply. Herod who searches for the child “to destroy Bishop We pray that the cries of our migrant brothers It’s based on a simple action– someone him” [Matt 2:13]. After this danger passes, the O God, eternal knocks on my door and I ask, “Who is it?” Holy Family returns to their homeland. They and sisters, victims of criminal trafficking, may Is this a stranger? A friend? A criminal? Who were refugees only temporarily. Perhaps they shepherd, who govern is knocking? knocked on an unfamiliar door seeking shelter. Your flock with unfailing be heard and considered. We’re right to be curious. And it’s ok to ask Imagine Joseph offering to work in exchange questions. But should we automatically be for food and housing. Knock knock. “Who’s care, grant in Your Visit this link to hear the Pope deliver his monthly prayer: suspicious? What if this is a friend, or someone there? who needs my help? Modern migration is a complex issue. A boundless fatherly love a Bishop for http://popesprayerusa.net/category/pope-video/ This February, Pope Francis asks us to hear humane response requires compassion, the Diocese of Wagga Wagga who will the cries of migrants. After all, we shouldn’t bolt wisdom, and cooperation from citizens, the door until we know who is knocking, right? churches, police, and government leaders. please You by his holiness and to us show Pope’s Worldwide He writes, “Every stranger who knocks at our If we shut our ears and lock the doors of our watchful care. Through our Lord Jesus door is an opportunity for an encounter with hearts, then we will never hear the cries of the Prayer Network Jesus Christ, who identifies with the welcomed poor seeking protection and opportunity. Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with and rejected strangers of every age” (Pope says, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one APOSVLESHIP OF PRAYER Francis, Message for the 2018 World Day of Who is knocking at our door? How will we http://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/ Migrants and Refugees). respond? God, for ever and ever. Amen.

TOGETHER - FEBRUARY 2020 NEWS 3 St Therese of Lisieux relics touring Australia with parents On the 1st April the St Therese of Lisieux relics will tour with a morning Mass being held at Saint Patrick's Church.

When St Therese’s relics last visited Christian faith. She became the 33rd Australia in 2002 an estimated person to be so recognised in the history 700,000 Catholics turned out to pray of the Church. seeking her intercession. Greater Therese was also the youngest, and numbers are expected on this tour. only the third of four women to be On this occasion her relics will be recognised with the title; the three others accompanied by those of two other are fellow Carmelite St Teresa of Avila, modern saints: her mother, Zelie and St Catherine of Siena and St Hildegard father Louis. of Bingen. The dates and locations of the visit of Therese’s appeal has grown steadily the relics of the three saints from the since her death. one family were issued in December by Key to her influence on the modern Catholic Mission, the Church’s agency Church is the only work she ever in Australia which supports missionaries wrote, a series of letters on her spiritual and respecting sacred sites. A place may around the world. The official itinerary journey, which were edited by her be sacred for a number of reasons. It can be found at www.catholicmission. sister who also became a Carmelite and may be a place of spiritual significance org.au/relics-of-saint-therese-of-lisieux eventually published under the title of to a people who identify with and are Saints Louis and Zelie Martin are the The Story of a Soul. defined by that place; as is the case first married couple to be canonised in In her letters, Therese set out her with many indigenous Australians. It the history of the Church, reflecting in famous ‘Little Way’ to holiness, which may be a place where an important part the repeated urgings of the-then was to seek friendship with God in the event took place and now is part of Pope John Paul II to find lay candidates small, ordinary daily events of life rather the national identity, such as Gallipoli. whose causes might be promoted. than big achievements or widespread It may be a building in which over Throughout his papacy St John influence. hundreds of years people have prayed Paul II repeatedly called for ordinary Circulated first to other Carmelite and worshiped, such as a church or laity – men, women and youth - who monasteries, the book was published cathedral. might be canonised to emphasise the a year after her death and has had a We all have souvenirs of people we call to personal holiness expressed by phenomenal impact on the Church. It have loved, insignificant items of little our baptismal vocation. This was also has never gone out of print. value, but to us they are treasured gems strongly emphasised by Vatican II. Modern devotees of St Therese have which move us to remember a loved one Pope Francis canonised Saints Louis included Beat Generation writer Jack or an event. When the item attaches to a and Zelie in 2015. Kerouac, philosopher and Nobel Prize person it can bring to mind the attributes The relics of the three modern saints winner Henri Bergson, legendary French and goodness of the person. In some will spend two and a half months singer Edith Piaf who maintained that cases it can even encourage us to live touring Australian diocese from January she was cured of blindness as a child according to higher values. The relics of 22 to May 10. through St Therese’s intercession, and saints fall into this category. Relics are presume that this goodness comes There are few – if any – other saints so Mother (now Saint) Teresa of Kolkata, physical remains which connect us with through the parents. Jesus was taught beloved in the modern Church. founder of the Missionaries of Charity, the goodness and holiness of the saint. by Mary and St Joseph. St Therese is Although she died virtually unknown who chose Therese for her own name as They remind us of the saint and through the daughter of holiness. The Church at the age of 24 in her monastery at a religious sister. the saint move us to live better lives. recognized that goodness is caught, and Lisieux in France after having more or The saints who are “visiting” Australia so investigated her parents, and found less forced her way into being accepted The Most Reverend Gregory are a mother, a father and their daughter. two saints. as an underage Carmelite at the age of Homeming OCD, Bishop of Lismore St Louis and St Zelie are the only These three saints show us the integrity 15, Therese is regarded as a giant of the wrote the following: married couple to have been canonized, of virtue and holiness. The path to Christian vocation to holiness. The relics of St Therese of Lisieux and and they have a daughter who was holiness is the path of struggle and She died in 1897 but her writings and her parents St Louis and St Marie-Azelie called by Pope St Pius X, the greatest ordinary life. It is carried and lived with her reputation for an astonishing (but (Zelie) will be taken through a number saint of the modern times. St Therese, love, and dependence on God. They at the time largely-hidden) sanctity saw of dioceses early in 2020. Many people who died in 1897, was a woman of experienced the mercy of the Father public demand for her canonisation wonder why the Church persists in precocious virtue and prayer. She says, and this mercy crafted the way they continue to grow until she was officially what seems to be a mediaeval piety, an “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it lived and loved. In this they are of great beatified by Pope Benedict XV in 1921 archaic practice. Why tour the remains is a simple look turned toward heaven, relevance for us. They have been where and declared a saint by Pope Pius XI in of saints and make them available for it is a cry of recognition and of love, we are, and have together allowed God 1925. the veneration of the faithful? Is this an embracing both trial and joy.” She to perfect them. Being a family, the Despite never having set foot outside outdated superstition? shows us that holiness is simple and Martins prove that the family is the seed her monastery after entering, she was Despite the scenes of intense religious hidden, it does not seek recognition but ground of holiness and goodness. We named in 1927 as co-patron of the devotion around relics, there is certainly turning away from self to God, it makes can learn from them. Church’s entire global missionary effort, nothing magical or talisman like about within the human heart a place for Jesus. Visit one of the churches which will joining the legendary 16th Century the relics of saints. Of themselves relics As is the case with Jesus, holiness and host the relics. Pray and experience the Jesuit missionary, St Francis Xavier. are not holy. It is more correct to say, goodness does not exist in a vacuum. It saints. You will experience God and In 1997 Pope John Paul II declared they are the remains of a holy person, a has a context. In Jesus’ case the context perhaps your life will change. As with her to be a Doctor of the Church, a title saint, and on account of their connection was the holy family. Extraordinary a sacred site or souvenir, you can, which means an individual is recognised to that holy person are revered. goodness does not exist in isolation. If through the saint, experience and by the Church as a gifted teacher of the In Australia we are used to caring for you see a good child, you can generally connect with the holiness of God. FEBRUARY 2020 - TOGETHER 4 BUSHFIRES Collaboration will enhance Church’s disaster response A new whole-of-Church initiative to help people and communities recover from the current bushfire crisis will set the blueprint for how the Catholic Church responds to domestic natural disasters in the future.

Earlier last month, the Australian Ursula Stephens, the CEO of Catholic Bishops Conference Catholic Social Services Australia, and a number of other national said organisations like CatholicCare, organisations encouraged Catholics Centacare and Vinnies are embedded to donate to the Vinnies Bushfire in local communities and are therefore Appeal, which is supporting people trusted and able to deliver the right who have lost loved ones, homes, services. property and animals. “One of the Church’s key social Those national organisations, teachings is about ‘subsidiarity’, representing parishes, religious orders, which means that we empower local social service agencies, schools, hospitals communities to respond to their realities and aged and community care providers, as they best see fit,” she said. have spent several weeks working “Alongside that, though, sits ‘solidarity’, collaboratively in response to the deadly which compels us to see the needs bushfire season – which is not yet over. of others and work collaboratively to One of the key features of the CERA “Our response to the bushfires, and the respond to those needs. That response can website, which was launched today, drought that has exacerbated the fires, has be most effective when it’s coordinated is the volunteer management portal. It demonstrated once again the collective and focused.” will allow organisations to list volunteer power of the Catholic Church to respond Dr Stephens said while the national opportunities for people looking to to disasters in all sorts of ways,” Bishops Vinnies appeal continues to be a channel provide practical, material and financial Conference president Archbishop Mark for people to support Catholic agencies support in the journey of recovery. Coleridge said. responding to the bushfire crisis, CERA “Our parishes, agencies and ministries “At its core, the Catholic Church is will also receive donations that will be are constantly receiving requests from about people, about families, about distributed through a recovery grants individuals and families who need a parishes, about school communities, application process managed by Catholic place to stay, who need new clothes or CERA PARTNERS: about ministries that proclaim and live Social Services Australia. appliances, who need a listening ear,” out the Gospel of Jesus. Most of those “We are establishing the appropriate Archbishop Coleridge said. ministries are local, but there is a national governance, accountability and “Much of that support will come from – and universal – dimension of the transparency measures to ensure that government, from Catholic and other Church that can sometimes be under- those who see the Church as a key charitable organisations, but volunteers utilised.” responder to national emergencies know can carry out some of the urgent tasks to The new national collaboration is financial and practical support is going to help people in their daily lives.” called CERA – Catholic Emergency those who need it,” Dr Stephens said. Archbishop Coleridge said Catholics, Relief Australia – and will serve as a “CERA will allow us to help people individually and collectively, continue coordination point for Catholic agencies on the long road to recovery from this to pray for an end to the current fires, for responding to natural disasters. ongoing bushfire crisis and to mobilise as rain to quench drought-stricken lands, for The founding organisations are the soon as our country is struck by another those affected by the fires and for those on Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, natural disaster – mindful that it’s sadly a the front line of responding to the fires. Catholic Religious Australia, Catholic matter of ‘when’, not ‘if’. Dr Stephens said CERA’s focus will be Social Services Australia and the National “This is ultimately about us being more on domestic natural disasters, noting that Catholic Education Commission. Other responsive in a crisis. This is faith in Caritas Australia is the Church’s agency Catholic organisations are expected to action and a call to follow our Christian tasked with responding to emergencies Visit the CERA website at join the collaboration soon. vocation.” overseas. www.cera.catholic.org.au

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TOGETHER - FEBRUARY 2020 BUSHFIRES 5 The Haven provides a haven to locals impacted by the bushfires Catholic Healthcare’s The Haven Residential Aged Care Home in Wagga Wagga opened its doors recently to the residents of Blakeney Lodge, and residents of Tumut, Batlow and impacted by the bushfires.

The Haven welcomed 27 residents house, we still have room to welcome new from Blakeney Lodge in Tumut as residents,” added Stacy. well as patients from Tumut Hospital Everyone is doing well. Families and and residents from Batlow and friends are visiting the residents, and Tumbarumba. knitting groups are on the go, locals are Residential Manager of The Haven, coming in to give manicures, staff are Stacy Moses said, “We were contacted by providing music, DVDs and organising the Disaster Recovery Unit in the local activities such as games, playing Bingo Residents Margery Smith and Dorothy O'Donovan with RN from Blakeney Lodge, Leanne King area to ask if we could help those in the and doing crossword puzzles. beyond to help those in need. Some of our “We are especially grateful and community who needed extra care and “It’s been a supportive atmosphere. It’s people had to evacuate their own homes appreciate the services provided by Dr support.” heartening to see the visiting residents feel in Tumut due to the fires. Yet they still Lee Jeffrey from the Riverina Family “We are also providing respite services so safe and comfortable now. They are so come to work at The Haven to care for the Medicine. The team at Riverina Family for those families impacted by the fires vulnerable and have been through quite an residents. Medicine have been our main on-call and who need to protect their property and ordeal – moving to a new home, knowing “In the spirit of hospitality, staff from doctors assisting residents, visiting stock. that their families are affected by the fires. The Haven have offered accommodation residents and patients during this time. “We are only too happy to help and Yet in the process, they have made some to their colleagues if needed. There’s are The offers from many doctors in Wagga to accommodate the visiting residents, lovely new friends,” said Stacy. real sense of community and everyone is assist has been incredible,” said Stacy. patients and community members until “Staff and the Residential Manager willing and doing their part to help out The hot weather conditions were forecast the catastrophic fire danger has passed. of Blakeney Lodge, Kerry Kelly have during this crisis period,” added Stacy. to get worse and the current smoke Quality care, compassion, hospitality and also come to The Haven to support their Local community members, including blanket was set to stay so the visiting kindness are who we are at The Haven. residents and provide familiarity and doctors and pharmacists, have been residents stayed at The Haven a little “Of course, while we are a bit of a full stability. They have gone above and equally incredible in their support. while longer. The Haven fighting bushfires with seed bombs With the bushfires taking a heavy toll on the animal and plant population, residents and staff from The Haven are working to regreen and regenerate the environment with a phenomenon called seed bombs.

The Haven’s Maintenance We are simply replacing what was there Officer, Jade Kemp, who also has a originally; we are not introducing new background in horticulture, had heard plants.” of seed bombs and thought it was a “Some of the plants we hope to replenish great way for the residents to become are correas, grazing plants such as involved. kangaroo grass and poa grass, and ground Jade’s wife works for WIRES Wildlife covers such as hardenbergia. The habitat Rescue, and together they were keen to includes small animals and insects such Blakeney Lodge Residents at The Haven, Dot O’Donnovan, Margaret Bell and Margaret Walsh with Pastoral Coordinator, Ola Samuel help their community recover from the as native finches, moths, mountain pygmy fires at the grassroots level. possums, wallabies and kangaroos. “Not only did they have fun in the Residential Manager of The Haven, “Seed bombs are not explosive,” said “There’s are real sense of community, process, the residents felt they made a Stacy Moses said, “There is so much Jade. “Seed bombs are a powerhouse and everyone is doing their part to help valuable contribution and had an important devastation following the fires. It has been mixture of compost, soil, seeds and clay, out during this crisis period. The support role to play in the firefighting effort. In all, a stressful time for all. We opened our and air drying them in balls like ravioli. in the community has been overwhelming. we made 1,000 seed bombs. The residents doors to the residents of Blakeney Lodge, These can then be thrown into devasted The Haven has donated $500 for the seeds, made a huge difference, and I am proud of Tumut and residents of Tumut, Batlow and bushland areas that will grow into plants local businesses such as Chaston Street every single one of them,” said Jade. Tumbarumba impacted by the bushfires. and trees over time. The way they work Nursery and Wagga Wagga Nursery have “We will be donating the seed bombs The fires have also impacted many of our is that when it rains, the clay coating donated seeds, and the Wagga Wagga to Murrumbidgee Landcare for the staff. Some were unable to return home. dissipates and the seeds germinate,” he Pottery Club has donated the clay,” said restoration of state forests and WIRES It’s wonderful to see everyone coming added. Jade. Wildlife Rescue to disperse on private together to do something positive and “We have been working with Landcare The residents of The Haven and visiting lands. I hope that the seed bombs will meaningful. I am grateful to Jade for to ensure the seed bombs we have made residents from Blakeney Lodge have regenerate the areas destroyed by the bringing his excellent seed bomb initiative contain seeds specific to the area where enthusiastically embraced the idea of bushfires of say about 10 football fields,” to our home.” needed to replenish the flora and fauna. putting together the seed bombs. he added. FEBRUARY 2020 - TOGETHER 6 BUSHFIRES Vinnies confirms every cent will go to bushfire victims The St Vincent de Paul Society would like to we can. As we access more communities week and has reached out to the Minister and establish need, we are also Constance’s office to meet directly over assure the community that every dollar raised accelerating the rate of response. the past two days. Vinnies NSW CEO for the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal will be used to No administration fees are taken from Jack de Groot visited the South Coast this appeal, meaning the money raised two weeks ago and has also offered to support the people impacted by the fires. goes directly to the relief and recovery meet Mr Constance next week. effort. We are committed to standing by Vinnies will not, and has never kept for distribution in the coming days – Vinnies is focused on doing what our communities, helping them to funds from disaster appeals for any totalling $2.65million from the Appeal it has always done – assist people to get through today, tomorrow and for other work or cause. funds already distributed. In addition, rebuild their lives as they re-establish the future. We are so grateful to our During the bushfire crisis, Vinnies we have disbursed significant amounts their homes, their livelihoods and their volunteers and to the many thousands of volunteers are on the ground in hundreds of material goods including food, water, spirit. We will provide assistance now compassionate people who have donated of communities across the country, clothing and bedding. and during the difficult months ahead for to the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal. helping people as they deal with the The process of assessing people and those people who have lost everything. People seeking assistance can immediate aftermath of fires. Our establishing their need does take some Barnie van Wyk, CEO of Vinnies contact Vinnies on 13 18 12 volunteers live and work in the impacted time but we are focused on helping as Canberra/Goulburn, has been visiting or visit www.vinnies.org.au/ communities and will stay alongside many people as possible as quickly as communities on the far South Coast this bushfireassistance those people affected for the long months of recovery ahead. Vinnies has from day one been in communities providing assistance from our own funds and over the past three weeks has been actively distributing assistance from the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal. This includes financial packages; essential items such as food, water, clothing and bedding; and emotional support for those affected by the bushfires. The Vinnies Bushfire Appeal has raised $12.5 million to support people impacted by bushfires in NSW, Queensland, Victoria, SA and the ACT. Vinnies has distributed more than $2.4 million nationally with a further $250,000 already processed Messages of love and compassion flow from global Catholic family for those affected by Australian Bushfires At this time of crisis for many Australian communities, Caritas Australia has been touched to receive many messages of solidarity from the global Catholic community.

Catholic and Caritas agencies agencies operating in over 200 countries have reached out not only with and territories. compassionate messages but also “It truly is a blessing for us to receive to find out how they can provide such an expression of love from Staff at the Catholic Bishops Conference gather in Port Moresby, having expressed their solidarity support. our partners and a reminder of the with Australia during the Bushfire Season. “To all those that have expressed their reciprocity of our relationships within appeal letter: “As Christians we stand in to the people who have been affected with support for Australia in one form or the Caritas family. I wanted to relay that solidarity sharing the pain and suffering of the devastation (of the fires) and pray to another, we express our immense gratitude outpouring from our partners overseas families who have lost loved ones, homes, the Almighty that they are able to find the and unwavering appreciation,” said to our Australian communities,” said Ms businesses and eco-systems due to the strength to cope with the situation”. Caritas Australia’s CEO Kirsty Robertson. Robertson. raging bushfires.” Ms Robertson said, “Our heartfelt Caritas Australia is the international aid The Catholic Bishops Conference of In another example of solidarity, our thoughts and prayers go to all who have and development agency of the Catholic Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands colleagues at Caritas Bangladesh said, been affected by the fires. We thank the Church in Australia and a member of are organising a fundraiser within the next “We would like to express our solidarity global Catholic and Caritas communities Caritas Internationalis, one of the world’s few weeks to support Australians affected with our Caritas Australia family in these for your support and prayers during this largest humanitarian networks with 169 by the bushfires. They expressed in their times of extreme trials. Our heart goes out time.” TOGETHER - FEBRUARY 2020 BUSHFIRES 7 How to talk to your children about Australia's bushfire emergency It is easy to feel overwhelmed and devastated by the catastrophic scenes emerging from Australia’s vicious bushfires. Unicef Australia has the following tips to help comfort and protect children.

Families across the country are on edge. Sometimes, children don’t We know from our have ways of understanding what work on the ground that they see and can be particularly ‘ vulnerable to feelings of anxiety, it is extremely important stress and sadness. So how do we help our children cope for children affected by Children play at the show-grounds in the southern town of Bega where they are camping after being evacuated from nearby sites affected by bushfires on December 31, with this unprecedented emergency? disaster to get back to 2019. © UNICEF/UNI266318/Davey/AFP-Services How do we make them feel safe? playing and learning so Unicef’s years of experience in and every day Australians showing Community Trauma Toolkit, developed providing counseling and emotional that they can regain a compassion can be comforting and together with the Australian National support to children impacted by disaster sense of normalcy and reassuring. University's Australian Child and tells us that children and young people 6. Show them how they can help Adolescent Trauma, Loss and Grief respond differently to disaster than routine. Talking to children and showing how Network. These materials focus on adults. they can help others can be empowering supporting children and families during Some may react immediately with distress. Use age-appropriate’ language, and a vital step to restoring confidence. and in the immediate aftermath of a changes in behaviour. These changes be mindful of their reactions and be Get together and brainstorm ideas about disaster. https://emergingminds.com.au/ may include acting out, becoming sensitive to their level of anxiety. what small or big actions you or they resources/toolkits/community-trauma- clingy or changes in sleep patterns or This video from ABC’s Behind the can take. Together, your kids and their toolkit/immediate/ they may be inward focussed with the News explains the bushfires in Australia friends can raise money, make posters While media coverage during times of child becoming withdrawn and quiet. through the eyes of children, using safe or any other creative ideas that spring disaster or traumatic events is important, Some children may show signs of images and language that is easy to to mind. it is also prolific and can focus on the difficulty at a later stage. Their needs understand. 7. Take care of yourself most frightening aspects of the event. will vary depending on their ages and https://www.abc.net.au/btn/classroom/ You’ll be better able to help your kids Adults need to be mindful of how much how much they understand of what they bushfire-season/11505884 if you’re coping well too. Children will exposure children have to coverage on see. If you don’t know the answer to their pick up on your own response to the TV, radio or the internet. This factsheet But having an open, supportive questions, use it as an opportunity to news, so it helps them to know you’re will help adults to support children to discussion with your kids can help explore the answers together. calm and in control. cope with the media coverage they see them understand, cope and even 3. Offer reassurance If you’re feeling anxious or upset, of a disaster. https://emergingminds. make a positive contribution. These Tell your children that you love them take time for yourself and reach out com.au/resources/traumatic-events-the- conversations aren’t easy, but can be and remind them that the adults in to other family, friends and trusted media-and-your-child/ crucial to ensuring that children feel their lives are doing everything they people in your community. If you want Disasters and traumatic events are by safe after a disaster. can to keep them safe. Plan to spend some extra help, get in with nature, very stressful and it is normal Here is a guide for how to talk with extra time with them as they get past beyondblue. to feel overwhelmed. However, it is children overwhelmed by Australia’s the distress and anxiety. Children are Make time, however small, to do important to remember that even after devastating bushfires. resilient and hopeful. things you enjoy and join your kids in facing a disaster, most adults and 1. Focus on the child, not the 4. Help children get back to their doing something constructive to help children will cope and recover over distress normal routine the situation. time with the right help and support. Start by asking your kids’ permission We know from our work on the More resources This short video looks at how to support to talk about the issue. Follow their ground that it is extremely important for The National Workforce Centre for children immediately after a disaster lead and if they don’t want to discuss it, children affected by disaster to get back Child Mental Health (NWC) has put or traumatic event. https://vimeo. don’t push it. to playing and learning so that they can together a collection of evidence- com/280459392 Some children may be eager to talk regain a sense of normalcy and routine. based resources from the Centre’s about their concerns while others In crisis spots around the world, might find it difficult. Just remind Unicef sets up child-friendly spaces your children that they can talk to you, where children have a place to feel safe, Adolescent Counselling, their teachers and other trusted adults learn and play. Help your child regain Anger Management, Anxiety, whenever they like. a sense of normalcy by encouraging Depression, Grief, Relationships Drawing, stories and other activities them to take part in activities they enjoy Counselling, Workplace Stress, may help to open up a discussion. Don’t like playing with friends, reading and dismiss or avoid their concerns. Be sure drawing. EAP Counselling, General Counselling to acknowledge their feelings and assure 5. Show them all the good people for Mental Health Wellness them it’s natural to feel sad or scared trying to help Hope and about these things. It’s important for children to know Resilience 2. Be honest, explain the truth about the acts of bravery, generosity and Phone 0423 385 761 Children have a right to truthful kindness from ordinary people trying to Counselling 55 Gurwood Street information about what is happening help families impacted by the bushfires. Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 in the world but adults also have a Sharing stories of volunteer John Dodwell www.hopeandresilience.com.au responsibility to keep them safe from firefighters, community leaders

FEBRUARY 2020 - TOGETHER 8 BUSHFIRES Kildare Catholic College turned into a bushfire donation and collection centre During the Christmas holidays Kildare Catholic College became a bushfire donation and collection centre whilst people from surroundings areas were being evacuated from their homes.

The local community really • Boader Small Animal Rescue came together to help those • Bunnings Warehouse - Wagga • Charles Sturt University in need. Wagga had registered • Chemworks Wagga over 1100 evacuees from Batlow, • Coles - Glenfield Park Tumbarumba, Talbingo and • Crackerjack Cafe and Takeaway Adelong. • Darryls Farm Contracting and Firewood • Dave Lugdon Catering Kildare would like to thank the Above: These 3 gentlemen turned up in a truck, full of donations from the Indian community in • Foodworks Lake Albert Parramatta in Sydney. They drove to Wagga and turned straight back around to drive back to thousands of people who donated to the • Foodworks Turvey Park Sydney once they unloaded the truck. centre over the two weeks they were • GAZMAN Clothing • Southcity Pharmacy Wagga operating. The generosity and quick • Griffith IGA and Community • Isabelle Tudor Naturopath • South City Quality Meats response to requests was amazing. • JDM Removals • Southwest Stockfeeds Thank you to over 150 volunteers • John McGlynn • SunRice who donated their time including many • Kildare Catholic College Parents and Students • Tarcutta RFS • Teys Australia Kildare students. Your selflessness, • Landmark Wagga Wagga - Livestock Operations • The Reject Shop - Glenfield Park & problem solving and compassion was • Mars Pet Supplies Central beyond compare. • Michael O’Reilly Pharmacy • The Source Bulk Foods Kildare would also like to thank the • Moorong Veterinary Clinic • Tip Top - Wagga • Turvey Park Pharmacy many businesses who made significant • My Chemist Estella • Medical Centre • United Furniture Carriers (Maurice and contributions to the centre. If we have • New Oceanic Take Away Pablo) left anyone off this list we apologise. • PACK & SEND Australia • Wagga Fruit Supply Things got pretty hectic at times so it is • Petbarns Customers • Wagga Motors • PFD Wagga • Westend Sandwich Shop more than likely we have missed some. • Plush Hairdressing • Wiseman's Organic Produce If you get the chance please support • Priceline Australia • Woolworths - Kooringal, Marketplace & these businesses: • Riverina Co Op Wagga North • Allied Pickfords • Riverina Day Surgery • WWBH Childrens Ward • Animal Rescue Collective • The Riverina Hotel • Australia Post • Riveina 4WD Club Right: Chris and his apprentice from • Australian SriLankan Cultural Association • Riverina Medical Centre Golden Gas & Plumbing supplied (WASCA) • Riverina Medical supplies materials and made some wildlife • Barbeques Galore Wagga Wagga • Riverina Party Hire watering systems to be sent out by WIRES to help wildlife access water. • Bendigo Bank • Riverina Truck Show and Kids Convoy • BIG W - Wagga • Scribbles Cafe Below: Some of the many volunteers.

A Good Life - Autism SUMMER STOCK Wagga Wagga Planning for an (extra) ordinary life. This event is for disability Wednesday 25 March providers, parents, carers and participants on the spectrum. 5:30pm

ON SALE NOW A Good Life – Autism Riverina Business This workshop will cover: Planning for an (extra) ordinary life. This event is for Enterprise Centre Plus selected After Five • The yin and yang of autism – seeing the disability providers, parents, carers and participants on the Thursday 26 March 70 Coleman Street Swimwear, Summer Fashion, Smart Casual spectrum. positives in place of the negatives 5.30pm to After Five and Mother-of-the-Bride • Long term goal setting This workshop will cover; Leeton Visitors Centre 4/209 Baylis Street Wagga Wagga • Planning goals Light Supper Provided • The yin and yang• of Howautism to – seeingbreak the large positives goals in down into Ph: 0435 838 654 place of the negativesmanageable components Leeton • Long term goal setting Thursday 26 March • Task Planning 5:30pm • Planning goals • Finding Help along the way Leeton Visitors Centre • How to breakPlease large registergoals down to into this free event at: 10 Avenue CLASSIC FASHIONS manageablehttp://becriverinaevents.eventbrite.com/ components • Task Planning TOGETHER - FEBRUARY 2020 • Finding Help along the way

Please register to this free event here: http://becriverinaevents.eventbrite.com/

Jodie Ryan

02 6024 0400

Becadvice.com.au [email protected] BUSHFIRES 9 Multi-faith bushfire vigil held Representatives of Wagga's Muslim and Catholic community joined forces recently to promote community care and support for those affected by the bushfires.

Dr Afzal from the Muslim Association The service had about 250 attendees and Riverina contacted Father Paddy was opened with a hymn by the Vanuatu Sykes and Joan Saboisky as Choir, which was made up of Pacific representatives of Wagga's Catholic Islander workers who were in Batlow to faith, with the idea to host a prayer pick fruit when they were displaced by and remembrance vigil at Victory the Dunns Road Bushfire. Memorial Gardens in Wagga. The choir earned multiple rounds of Informed by their religious traditions, applause for their rendition of Amazing the core group wrote liturgy of Grace and they also closed out the service appropriate prayers that focused on with a medley of gospel songs. the immediate needs of the Riverina Father Paddy Sykes's opening prayer community. covered the bush fires across Australia "The prayers reflect the loss of life, for the past few months and the fires Member of Wagga's Catholic association Joan Saboisky and Muslim Association of Wagga chairperson Dr Waseem Afza have joined forces to host Wednesday's vigil. Picture: Emma Hillier property, livestock and those who are that struck the South West Slopes region especially deep in distress or anxiety," Dr after Christmas. "Fire has been raging and infrastructure, by the challenges of community in solidarity. "Prayer is a way Afzal said. around this great continent like a wild evacuation by the devastation of native of unloading our burdens ... Here I am, "Prayers for those fighting the fires, for beast, consuming all in its path," he flora and fauna." in the company of all of you, unloading them to have the strength to continue. said. "We have been saddened by the In the concluding prayer, Waseem Afzal my own heart and imploring the most Prayer for our political leaders and those loss of human life, by the loss of homes, from the Muslim Association of Riverina merciful God to help all those affected by who are leading the relief efforts." buildings, livelihoods, livestock, pets said it was "so heart-warming" to see the these bush fires," he said. ErinEarth's Ben Holt named Environmental Citizen of the Year A new award introduced this year was the Environmental Citizen of the Year, with Ben Holt named the inaugural recipient.

What an exciting night at the Remember that ErinEarth Wagga Wagga Australia Day Native Garden opens its Awards Ceremony. ErinEarth's very own Education and Promotions bespoke iron gates every Officer extraordinaire, Ben Holt, Wednesday and Friday to was presented with the inaugural help the local community Environmental Citizen of the Year unwind and appreciate award. nature at their own pace. This award recognises Ben’s passion This half hectare native garden, and commitment to educating about situated in the heart of Wagga, has a climate change and how we can and unique collection of native grasses, need to adapt to it. Ben models this in shrubs and trees that is guaranteed to how he lives, works and took many help you downshift out of the rat race steps to start this community education and tune in to the sights and sounds of process long before starting with nature. ErinEarth. Congratulations Ben! We are Located at 1 Kildare Street, Turvey very proud of you and the work that you Brad Farmer, Ben Holt and Wagga Wagga's Mayor Cr Greg Conkey OAM Park, ErinEarth Native Garden is the do for and in our community. location of local not-for-profit charity, which aims to help us all tread lightly on the Earth and live a sustainable ErinEarth life. ErinEarth offers volunteering opportunities and educational services aimed at helping the people of Wagga opening times live sustainably and respectfully on Wiradjuri country. Come and relax, unwind and appreciate nature. Our garden is open 9-4 Wednesdays ErinEarth is open Wednesdays 9am - 4pm and also every Friday and 5-7 pm Fridays during the night during Daylight Savings time from 5pm – 7pm. school term. We can be contacted on The Garden is looking particularly good at the moment 6925 7150 or on our Facebook Page "ErinEarth". Follow us on Instagram so come on in for a look. "erinearthwagga". ErinEarth - 1 Kildare St, Wagga Wagga

FEBRUARY 2020 - TOGETHER 10 PROJECT COMPASSION GIVE IT UP Project Compassion is Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal. Millions of Australians come together in solidarity withFor the world’s poor to helpLent end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. There is a different story for each week of Lent for you to see how Project Compassion is making a difference. Shirley from The Philippines Shirley, 36, is an indigenous Manide woman living in a remote province of the Philippines. She is a mother of four and the sole breadwinner of the family, as her husband is sick. But Shirley was struggling to support the whole family and keep her children in school.

Indigenous minorities in education, and pave the way for a better the Philippines face regular future. discrimination and disadvantage, Unequal access to health services limiting their access to education, means that many indigenous children employment and healthcare. and families cannot access basic But thanks to Caritas Australia’s medical care. Preventable diseases, Supporters, Shirley’s life has such as tuberculosis, dengue fever transformed. She is now leading her and measles are common among Shirley (centre) poses for a picture with members of her Manide community outside their Tribal Hall in Camarines Norte, Philippines community to take a stand against their community, and there is a high discrimination, improve health and maternal and new-born mortality rate. With Caritas Australia’s support, Shirley trained to become an I became the voice of indigenous health worker and a leader my tribe to have their needs in her community. She has learned to ‘ heard,” Shirley says. “As a supplement her income as is able to feed her family. The program has also trained health worker, I am helped Shirley’s children with school confident to talk, to mingle fees, uniforms and supplies. with non-indigenous Shirley says there’s still a long way people, even with to go to fight for better employment opportunities for the Manide tribe and government employees. to reduce discrimination, but together they’ll get there. ’ Your support is life-saving for people experiencing poverty and oppression. Please help more people like Shirley gain confidence and respect within their community and help improve the conditions of indigenous people around Shirley and her children outside their home the world. Let’s Go Further, Together.

Phany from Cambodia Twenty-seven-year-old Phany, lives in a village in western Cambodia. Struggling to earn a living as a rice farmer, she was forced to leave her daughter behind in the village, to take up construction work in the city.

Then in 2016, Phany joined poverty are the most food insecure. a Caritas supported program, Thirteen percent of Cambodians live learning more productive farming below the poverty line, while 35 and irrigation techniques. Her out of every 1000 babies die due to community learned to work malnutrition. together for better water In 2016, Phany joined the Upholding management, to combat drought. Community Dignity Together program, Over 70 percent of Cambodia's where she learned new farming population live in rural communities techniques, such as a drip irrigation – and the farming family’s living in system which enabled her to get Phany working in one of her gardens TOGETHER - FEBRUARY 2020 PROJECT COMPASSION 11

a better yield from her vegetable crops and to conserve water for drier I am proud that I was periods. She also learned how to grow a farmer who had no skills vegetables and raise chickens and ‘ ducks. Phany’s community also took and now I can earn and part in training in health, nutrition, improve my living, share hygiene and disaster preparedness, my knowledge and also arming them with better strategies to cope with environmental changes. improve solidarity in the With your help, mothers like Phany family and amongst our can continue to uplift their communities neighbours,” Phany says. “I and provide food for their families. live better than before, I’m A brighter future for women, men and their families can start today. not as tired. I can earn and Let’s Go Further, Together.ROJECT live in the village, I don’t COMPASSION need to go to city to find job and not interrupt our class time. Phany and her husband Seiha prepare feed for their chickens at their home in Pursat District, ’ Western Cambodia. Barry from Australia Father of four, Barry, embodies resilience and strength. Growing up in a tough environment, he had to look inside himself to make the right choices for himself and his family.

Barry, a Gamilaroi man originally – a cultural healing program, which from western NSW, remembers his encourages participants to examine early years as a time of enormous their own personal hurt and allows hardship. He didn’t have a stable them to heal from within. The program home or support network and addresses family and personal was mostly brought up by his relationships, and what may have been grandparents. lifelong patterns of violence, abuse and He became a father in his late teens and neglect. Barry standing next to his sacred tree in a forest near Bateman's Bay, Australia. Red Dust Healing Founder, Tom was suddenly faced with responsibilities program, Barry is an inspirational father Powell, is humbled that the program for which he wasn’t ready. He started to his four girls and a respected leader has won numerous awards and helped drinking heavily, behaviour that he’d in his community. He now facilitates over 16,000 people like Barry across witnessed previously. Red Dust Healing workshops and helps Australia. Barry, and others like him, were others through their healing process. Today, thanks to the Red Dust Healing able to take part in Red Dust Healing A brighter future for men, women and their families can start today. Let’s Go I had to make some Further, Together. changes‘ – not for me, but Together will run three more stories for my daughters,” Barry from India, Malawi and Papua New said. “I just thought to Guinea in the next issue. myself, why keep doing To donate to Caritas visit: https://lent.caritas.org.au/donate/ this? That ripple effect will travel, it will flow on to my girls and my grandchildren. ’

Barry teaching his daughter dot painting

FEBRUARY 2020 - TOGETHER 12 DEMUSIC Be the Light. Be the Hope. David Enever is a teacher at Mater Dei Primary in Wagga Wagga. He initially started writing songs to combat insomnia from being a new parent and now performs concerts within our schools and parishes.

David was born and raised in Wagga support faith formation through stimulating Wagga, growing up on a now defunct dairy reflection by singing and moving to scriptural farm. Having more of an early interest in based songs. Friendly dialogue, with the , he only really got into playing music occasional 'dad joke', also help to engage late, learning guitar after finishing high student thinking around Christian themes. school, and learning some piano basics Look out for a DEMusic Concert in your area: through books his grandmother gave him. Monday February 17 David graduated from the final class of Sacred Heart Primary School, Wagga's Trinity Senior High School and studied St Mary's Primary School, to become a primary school teacher through his Monday March 23 home town's Charles Sturt University. St Anne's Primary School, North Albury After playing music at a variety of Christian Monday April 6 Schools and churches in both New South Wales Henschke Primary School, Wagga Wagga and Victoria for the past decade, David often Monday September 14 considered writing his own Christian music. St Francis of Assisi Primary School, Wodonga What really initiated this though was his third Monday September 21 Above: David performing with students from St Joseph's Primary in Lockhart. child Toby, who would often wake his wife St Michael's Primary School, Kaleen Below: David in the recording studio and the cover of his debut album. Caitlin and him up in the middle of the night, As if David isn't busy enough, he has also making it a real struggle to go back to sleep. He produced his debut album titled Be the Light (Be discovered a cure to this insomnia; reading daily the Hope). It is a collection of some of the songs scripture and its reflections, then writing lyrics he regularly perform in concerts. The first few to them! After he wrote enough to perform a songs link to Old Testament themes and then one hour set (albeit with some dad jokes and it transitions to the Gospels through two songs teaching in between ditties) David was able about John the Baptist. From here, most songs to perform a concert for his school. Gaining link to Jesus gathering His disciples, teaching confidence from this, and support from his and performing miracles, while there is also a school system, he was able to perform ten more song about St Paul’s conversion and a reflection school concerts around his region during 2019, on why we say ‘Amen’. In addition to all of all while teaching full time. This year, in 2020, these, there is also a song that was written for David's cutting back some of his teaching hours, Father’s Day, which has been received well. aiming to perform even more. In February and March, 50% of album sale His aim is to assist in Christian faith formation profits will be donated to bushfire relief in schools and for the general public through the (split between St Vincent de Paul & The Red release of music and by providing concerts. Cross). David's school concerts aim to encourage and Find out more at www.davidenever.com Take the time to step back from everyday distractions and rediscover your relationship! A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend is a Marriage Enrichment experience for married couples – set in peaceful, picturesque surroundings, away from the distractions of everyday life. During the weekend, couples have a unique opportunity to reconnect, rekindle and refresh their relationship. Weekend date: 17th – 19th April, 2020 at Mt Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville, NSW Bookings online at www.wwme.org.au or contact Adrian and Janet Sullivan on A weekend of discovery 0490 774 419 or adrian.janet1@ Shop 10 Neslo Arcade, 117 Baylis Street Wagga Wagga Ph 6921 7813 ... a lifetime of love bigpond.com

TOGETHER - FEBRUARY 2020 NEWS 13 NASA to receive a Wiradjuri Education An 11 year old Wagga student is heading over to NASA in the hopes of sharing his indigenous culture and connection to the stars with some of the world’s leading astronauts.

Xavier Williams-Byers, along connection to the land and the school followed by an excursion with five other students from stars and is hoping her son is to Disneyland and Universal Holy Trinity Primary School, is able to share that with some of Studios leaving the school and making the trip to the Johnson the world’s leading scientists and their parents glowing with pride. Space Camp in Alabama astronauts. The school has been given after achieving high scores While she’s very proud of her a grant from the Federal on his 2019 NAPLAN tests. son’s achievements Jasmine does Government to help get the His mother, Jasmine Williams, admit to being shocked when they students and their chaperones says Xavier is a proud Wiradjuri received the invitation. over to the USA in September but kid who loves his footy and is “It was a big surprise for us they're still short of about $30,000 looking forward to seeing him when we got the call at the end and are calling for donations. explore his culture’s history and of last year that he was asked to relationship with the stars. come along and be invited to go “Being Aboriginal, he’s actually and attend the space program in quite excited to go over and share the USA”. come of our stories in the sky that Xavier will be accompanied on we’ve got – ancient stories in the the trip by his classmates, but sky about some of our things in Jasmine will be keeping her feet the stars and galaxies as well”. firmly on the ground, sending her Jasmine says that the school mother instead. has been very active in teaching The trip will involve an students about the indigenous intensive program at the space

Nadia Galinec, Jeffrey Breed, Celia Van Ingen, Felicity Bacon, Joshua Annetts and Xavier Williams-Byers are the senior students selected to attend Space Camp in Alabama, USA.

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• Prescriptions • Health & Medication checks • Sleep Apnoea Services • Flu Vaccination Service 24 hour towing Jamie Morley • Webster-pack Medication Management• Diabetes Australia Agent (NDSS) • Be Good to Yourself Weight Management • Fine Fragrances 69 215 251 6925 4242 RM2802640 PAT ZIRILLI AMCAL CHEMIST 0431 290 725 398 - 400 Banna Ave, Griffith Unit 5, 73 Dobney Ave, Wagga Wagga 19 Houtman St, Wagga Wagga Fax: (02) 6962 4931 11 Forge Street, Wagga Wagga Mobile: 0428 254 211 Ph: (02) 6962 3596 Lic No: MVRL47719 FEBRUARY 2020 - TOGETHER 14 AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED Featured projects in February • Help for a two-year formation course for 10 catechists and their families at the Mobokoli training centre • A roof for a new church in Boaco • Help for the training of 27 seminarians in the diocese of Rio Branco, in the Amazonas region • A car for the Dominican Sisters in Baranovichi

Democratic Republic of the Congo and providing teaching materials and Help for a two-year formation school uniforms as well. And at the course for 10 catechists and their same time their wives also follow families at the Mobokoli training a range of courses, for example in centre needlework, domestic science, reading Formation of 10 catechist families in formation from 10 parishes at the Catechetical Centre In the Democratic Republic of the and writing and also basic courses in "Mobokoli", Diocese of Lolo, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Copyright: Aid to the Church in Need. Congo, as in almost every African Bible studies and morality. country, catechists play a vital role in The aim is to provide the future Village and set up a primary school the parish, but are far too poor ever to passing on the faith. In the diocese of catechists with both a theoretical and there. In 2012 the parish of Saint have been able to find the money to Lolo, in the north of the country, the a practical training in pastoral studies Francis was formally established build a new and bigger church. They life of the Church would practically and proclaiming the Catholic faith. For here. Up to that time there was only belong overwhelmingly to a variety of grind to a halt, were it not for the Bishop Jean Bertin Nadonye Ndongo a very small chapel, simply too small indigenous tribal groups, and struggle catechists living and working alongside the training of his catechists is a project to accommodate the growing number to make a living gathering firewood in the ordinary faithful in the villages and dear to his heart and he is quite sure of Catholic faithful. As a result, on the forest and growing vegetables to encouraging them to gather together that their improved formation has Sundays and all the major feast days, sell at market. Even at the cost of great for prayer and study of their faith. given a "new impetus“ to the diocese around a hundred people were forced sacrifice, they would never have been For many of these parishes cover vast and been a "source of inspiration“ to to attend Holy Mass standing outside able to achieve this goal by themselves areas, with numerous villages, often them all. But the need for well-trained the church. The children from the – which is why their parish priest, very difficult of access. The handful catechists is still acute, he says, and more remote and outlying villages, Father Kuriakose Kattoopara turned of priests available have to cover long this is why he has asked our help for who cannot attend the village school with confidence to ACN for help. On distances on foot, sometimes wading the training of 10 more catechists and unless they can find space in the parish behalf of all the people, he now sends through waist-high streams, in order their families. We have promised him boarding house, were likewise unable us a heartfelt 'thank you' and promises to reach the people in the villages. $21,000. to get to Holy Mass on Sundays. And their continuing prayers for all have Hence it is impossible to them to visit India the pupils and teachers from the new helped. the villages as often as they would Success Story: a new church in college, which was established by a Nicaragua need to in order to instruct and guide Majerburi Village, Assam congregation of religious sisters in A roof for a new church in Boaco the faithful. But the lay catechists are The Catholic faithful in Majerburi 2016, also wanted to be able to attend After Haiti, Nicaragua is the poorest always on hand and present in the Village, in the west of the Indian Sunday Mass. country in Latin America. So not villages. state of Assam, are delighted with The people are strong in their faith surprisingly, the Church needs help in In the diocese of Lolo there is a their new church. At last the whole and play an active part in the life of continued on page 15... catechetical centre, where the lay numerous congregation has room to catechists can gain a solid training sit inside the church together. Thanks for this precious service which they to the generosity of our benefactors perform, and also regularly update and ACN was able to contribute $100,000 refresh their knowledge. The basic AUD towards the cost. The dedication training for thse catechists lasts two ceremony was a great and joyful years. Since they generally already feast, and the people are continuing have a family, their wife and children to pray for all those kind souls whose come with them. So the diocese also contributions have made it possible for provides basic accommodation for the this long-cherished dream to be finally whole family. While the fathers are fulfilled. studying, their children also attend In 1983 the Capuchin Fathers opened school, the diocese covering the cost the first mission station in Majerburi

Construction of a Parish Church at Matia Majerburi. Copyright: Aid to the Church in Need Construction of a Parish Church at Matia Majerburi. Copyright: Aid to the Church in Need. TOGETHER - FEBRUARY 2020 AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED 15

continued from page 14... an enormous area of over 40,000 many places in order to be able to fulfil square miles (104,000 km²). The her mission. In the year 2012, on the distances are great, and many places outskirts of the town of Boaco, a new can only be reached via the rivers. parish was established, named after the Undoubtedly, their vocation is also great Pope Saint John Paul II. Over two in part a fruit of the decades of tireless thirds of the parish covers a rural area, commitment by the Italian missionary with 14 outstations, and roughly 70% Paolino Baldassarri, who even at the of the local population of some 20,000 age of almost 90 was still travelling people are Catholics. long journeys into the wilderness on It is a very lively parish, and even his simple boat in order to visit the weekday Mass attendance is around Catholic riverside communities. Since 50 people. On Sundays there are he couldn‘t swim, he always wore a life three Masses, with around 80 people vest and a motorcycle helmet. He was attending each one. There are also also a doctor, and continued to practise numerous pastoral activities, for even at an advanced age, treating and children, young people and adults, helping innumerable patients. and the number of faithful is growing When he first arrived in the region, Car for the sisters Dominican nuns in the parish Pod. Sv. Kryzha in Baranovichi. dynamically, not least owing to the almost half a century ago, he Copyright Aid to the Church in Need. general population increase in the town immediately fell victim to malaria, in now the order has a fine number of house in Minsk (190 km) and the other of Boaco. the first week of his stay. But somehow, local vocations, with no fewer than 18 Dominican houses within Belarus, a At present a new church is being miraculously, he survived and soon sisters coming from Belarus itself. And distance of up to 300 km in some cases. built in the parish in order to be able afterwards began to visit the jungle more young women are waiting to join The sisters cannot afford a new to accommodate the growing number settlements in a simple canoe. Because the order. Today the Dominican sisters vehicle from their own resources, so of Catholic faithful. The parish priest, of the shortage of priests in the region, are working in four different locations they have turned to ACN for help. It Father Miguel Angulo Rivas, is one many families had drifted away from within Belarus. would be helpful for them to have a of the most experienced and longest the Catholic faith. Father Paolino won Within the Catholic parish in vehicle with a larger boot, since they serving priests in the diocese of them back. He died in 2016, widely Baranovichi, today a city of 170,000 often have many things to transport – Granada. He volunteered to take over regarded as a saint. people, the sisters perform a number of like the Christmas parcels for example. this parish, along with this difficult and Today the people‘s faith is again different duties, as sacristans and parish So we have promised to help them with demanding new construction project, in danger, because the 40 priests clerks, working with children and a contribution of $16,130 AUD towards because he wanted to take on the struggling to minister to the 450,000 young people and caring for the sick the cost of a new vehicle. The sisters challenge of such a major undertaking or so Catholic faithful in this vast and and elderly. Around a hundred children want to thank all our benefactors in before his retirement. He is widely inaccessible region can only rarely and young people attend the catechism advance and they already enfold you in regarded as a model for the other visit some of the remotest villages classes, and the sisters also prepare their prayers! priests and for the Catholic faithful in and settlements. Meanwhile, the sects adults for reception of the Sacraments. the diocese. are spreading rapidly, seemingly well At the same time they help to ferry Important note: The projects above are The project is now well advanced, funded, wasting little time on training the frail and elderly to church or bring just a small sample of the project requests but help is now needed for the roof and their preachers, and promising miracle them Holy Communion in their homes, Aid to the Church in Need receives. Therefore when making a donation we the electrical wiring. So Father Miguel healings to all the people. comforting them and supporting them recommend you specify your gift to has turned to ACN for help, so that the In this light, the 27 future priests are in many different ways. At Christmas "projects most in need" that way your new church can be finished as quickly a great ray of light and hope for the time they also organise gifts and donation will be allocated to a project that as possible. We were only too happy to Church in the diocese of Rio Branco. presents, with parcels of clothes, food desperatley needs funding. contribute $21,000 AUD. ACN is supporting the diocese for and medical items for those in need. We greatly appreciate when you specify your donation in such a way. However if Brazil their formation, with a total of $16,800 The three sisters in Baranovichi you would like your donation directed to Help for the training of 27 AUD this year. currently have just one 10-year-old car a specific project area or country, you can seminarians in the diocese of Rio Belarus at their disposal, which is becoming leave a comment in the online donation Branco, in the Amazonas region A car for the Dominican Sisters in unreliable and costing more and form. To avoid overfunding of individual Currently there are 27 young men Baranovichi more for repairs. And yet they have projects, if a project has been fully funded your donation will be directed towards a from the diocese of Rio Branco in urgent need of a reliable vehicle, for Back in 1992, almost immediately similar project in that region. western Brazil training to serve God after the collapse of the Soviet Union, in addition to their ordinary pastoral If you have the means and would like to and their fellow men in the Catholic three Dominican sisters from Poland duties they also have to travel to the "adopt a specific project" please call 1800 priesthood. The life that awaits them came to Belarus and began their diocesan Centre in Pinsk for retreats 101 201 during business hours (AEST) and as priests will be a far from easy one, apostolate in the town of Baranovichi. and ongoing formation sessions, a we can match you with a project that you can fully or partially fund. since their diocese lies to a large extent Evidently, their example was a distance of some 180 km (112 miles), in the Brazilian rainforest and covers powerful and attractive one, for by and also to the Dominican formation

Installation of the roof and electrical systsem, San Juan Pablo II church at Boaco: Celebration of Bishop Jorge Solórzano Pérez, San Juan Pablo II church at Boaco. the feast of the patron Saint John Paul II. Copyright: Aid to the Church in Need. Copyright: Aid to the Church in Need. FEBRUARY 2020 - TOGETHER 16 NEWS Diamond Jubilee Celebration 2020 Like a diamond being cut to bring out its inner beauty, the nineteen Sisters of Saint Joseph gathered from across Australia and New Zealand on 13 January at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney.

They gathered to celebrate sixty years of religious profession, brought with them both joy and pain: concern for those suffering the terrible effects of bushfires, a Back Row left to right: Sr Margaret O’Neill, Sr Coral-Ann Flemming, Sr Catherine Woodcock, Sr Annette Lickley, Sr Therese Quinn, Sr Mary Cresp, Sr sense of loss of dear companions Catherine Thom, Sr Patricia George who have died and gratitude and Middle Row left to right: Sr Genevieve Secker, Sr Colleen Clear, Sr Gemma Wheatley, Sr Maria Dunell, Sr Connie Cummings, Sr Mary Baker and Sr delight in seeing old friends again. Monica Cavanagh, Congregational Leader of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart Front Row left to right: Sr Joan Hamilton, Carita Higgins, Sr Therese Wilson, Sr Colette Forde, Sr Jean Dunkin While the bushfires prevented them from taking long trips out of Sydney, • They bring “what we have” – with they all found ways to experience Jesus, it is enough to ‘tell the love of concrete examples of the theme they God.’ had chosen for their Mass: Building on • In these, their mature years, they foundational dreams to reach into the bring to God’s service the ripe fruit new. of wisdom and humility. Their special Jubilee Mass was a • Building on foundational dreams, particularly joyful occasion where they reach into the new. the whole-hearted participation of everyone present almost lifted the chapel roof. The presider, Emeritus Bishop Pat Power from Canberra, With great hope highlighted the importance of personal to the future; let relationships as they step into new ‘ situations. As the sisters renewed their us encourage one vows they attested once again to the power of love totally given, giving of another on our their all in union with Jesus to whom journey; let us work they cling as the branches to the vine. In their closing ritual on the evening together to give our before the sisters all left for home, world a more humane they paused to give thanks once again and to pray in the words of Benedict and communal face; XVI: and let us feel a Help us look “with great hope to the future; let us encourage one another common responsibility on our journey; let us work together towards present and Women of Healing to give our world a more humane and communal face; and let us feel future generations, Nurturing relationshipsand of compassion, Hope a common responsibility towards especially in the task present and future generations, justice, mutuality and healing especially in the task of training them of training them to be to be people of hope and builders of people of hope and peace.” The sisters are aware that: builders of peace. Email [email protected] • Like a new-born child, the next phase www.sosj.org.au of their lives holds God’s gift. TOGETHER - FEBRUARY 2020 ’ NEWS 17 Peter McPhee receives Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) St Francis de Sales Regional College's Counsellor, Peter McPhee, received the honour at this years Australia Day awards.

Together published an article in • Assistant Principal, 1983-1985. November last year on Peter McPhee • Council. and his incredible contribution over • Member, Leeton Multicultural Group. 40 years to his community, Catholic • Member, Friends of Luro Timor education and St Francis de Sales Leste. Regional College, Leeton. Other We are so pleased to inform you that in • Volunteer, Palms Australia, current. this years Australia Day Honours Peter • Co-Founder, Rite of Christian was awarded a Medal of the Order of Initiation of Adults, 1992. Australia (OAM) for service to youth • Volunteer Teacher, Chanel College, and to the community. Papua New Guinea, 1981-1982, The following achievements were 1988-1990. listed: • Ecumenical Monitor for Justice and St Francis de Sales Regional College, Peace, 1994 Election, South Africa. Leeton • Volunteer, Rural Australians for • Youth Counsellor, since 1993. Refugees (RAR), 2000-2004. Peter receiving his award last year for his contribution to the St Francis de Sales Regional • Teacher, 1977-1980, 1986-1987 and A huge congratulations for such a College's community with Seb Spina (Principal), Peter McPhee, James Hopper (Boarding House 1991-1992. major achievement. Co-Ordinator) and Brenda King (Ex-Principal)

State Religious Education SAIGON restaurant

Teachers meet for Mass Specialises in Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine fantastic experience for all. It will • Open 6 days - lunch & dinner be held again in February 2021 at On Wednesday 29th January • BYO Wagga Wagga. A big thank you to • Banquets and group bookings Catechists from around the current and retired teachers for their Diocese enjoyed faith, fellowship time and generosity in teaching. • Takeaway and business lunch menu If you are contemplating teaching [P] 6921 2212 89-91 Morgan St, Wagga Wagga and great food. or have a spare hour a week to help teach, please don't be afraid 35 State Religious Education Then the Catechists enjoyed a to have a go. Please call Wagga Would you like to receive your copy (SRE) Teachers, lay & religious, delicious roast buffet lunch at the Diocese Catechist Coordinator of Together via email? from across the Diocese first Narrandera Exies and enjoyed Trevor Dal Broi on 0407 537 994 Just email us at: [email protected] gathered together at St Mels meeting fellow teachers, many for or email [email protected]. and we will add you to the mailing list. Narrandera for a beautiful the first time. org.au. Full support and training is Mass. At the special Mass Rev Wagga Diocese Safeguarding available. Bradley Rafter shared with the Officer Damian Reeves addressed There a number of parishes catechists the importance of SRE the group at the lunch and many a needing help with sharing the and the long lasting benefits on the story was shared by the Catechists. Good News in the State Schools. children taught. The Mass and lunch was a I'm sure there is one near you!

Open every Open the first Tuesday and Wednesday Saturday of every month 10am to 2pm 10am to 2pm and also by appointment Parking: Please use Mt Erin Boarding School entrance or Kildare Ave entrance.

FEBRUARY 2020 - TOGETHER 18 KiDs - Saint Blaise - corner

& Send your coloured picture, word search or Science joke ideas with your name, age and school to: Escaping Water Together Editor Water can certainly move in mysterious ways. Get the PO Box 473 water from one cup to make its way up hill and back down Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 into a second empty cup with the help of paper towels and an interesting scientific process. We’d love to hear from you! What you’ll need: notice that the empty glass is starting to fill with water, it keeps filling until there • A glass of water • An empty glass FEBRUARY SAINTS & FEAST DAYS is an even amount of water in each glass, • Food colouring • Patience • Some paper towels how does this happen? This process is called ‘capillary action’, Instructions: the water uses this process to move along Word Search the tiny gaps in the fibre of the paper • Twist a couple of pieces of paper towel & Find all of the words or phrases in together until it forms something that towels. It occurs due to the adhesive force the puzzle that are in BOLD in the looks a little like a piece of rope, this between the water and the paper towel word bank below: will be the ‘wick’ that will absorb and being stronger than the cohesive forces St. Blaise transfer the water (a bit like the wick inside the water itself. This process can also St. Ansgar on a candle transferring the wax to be seen in plants where moisture travels St. Agatha the flame). from the roots to the rest of the plant. St. Paul Miki and • Place one end of the paper towels Companions into the glass filled with water and the St. Jerome Emiliani other into the empty glass. St. Josephine Bakhita • Place a few drops of food colouring St. Scholastica into the water. Our Lady of Lourdes • Watch what happens (this experiment St. Cyril takes a little bit of patience). St. Methodius Whats happening: St. Peter Damian Your paper towel rope (or wick) starts St. Polycarp getting wet, after a few minutes you will Presentation of the Lord

TOGETHER - FEBRUARY 2020 NEWS 19 300th meeting for St Michael’s Cathedral Junior Legion St Michael’s Cathedral Junior Legion ‘Our Lady Star of the Sea’ Praesidium had their 300th meeting on Wednesday, 5th February.

This turned into a double help the parish with is singing with celebration due to member, Sydney the Cecilian Choir at 5:30pm Sunday Wang’s, 12th Birthday Party! Mass and serving for Adoration and Our Praesidium has 18 members and Benediction on Friday evenings at St would welcome more families to join Michael’s Cathedral. Our Spiritual us. We meet every Wednesday during Director is Fr Reece Beltrame. Please school term at 3:45pm at St Michael’s contact Caronne Vella for more Parish Centre. The main ‘work’ we information on 0413 801 616.

Above: Some of the St Michael’s Cathedral Junior Legion Back row: Stephanie Vella, Viktoria Kahuligan, Rosemary Vella, Kayla Heffernan, Augustine Greenrod, Amie Heffernan, Sydney Wang, Chloe Heffernan, Mailian Wang, Caronne Vella, Rose Greenrod, Fr Reece Front row: Elizabeth Vella, Olivia Greenrod, Hailie McLenahan (obscured), Maximilian Greenrod, Peyton McLenahan.

Left: Birthday boy Sydney Wang

Holy Spirit Parish Lavington

Friday 21st February to th Sunday 23rd February ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS 50Friday 21st February 9:30am Opening Mass in Holy Spirit Church 10:30am Morning Tea 11:00am “Open Day” in Holy Spirit School 5:00pm Holy Hour of Prayer in the Church 7:00pm Wine & Cheese Night in the Hall

Saturday 22nd February 9:00am Morning Mass 3:00pm Activities for Children: Scavenger Hunt Time Capsule Recovery Tree Planting in memory of Fr. O’Connell 7:00 pm Formal Dinner in the Hall (booking required)

Sunday 23rd February 10:00 am Solemn Mass: Procession from School to Church 12:00 pm BBQ Lunch and Departure All past students or parishioners are most welcome to attend the three days of activities.

FEBRUARY 2020 - TOGETHER Centacare South West NSW Wagga Wagga | Albury | Griffith | Finley Phone 1300 619 379 www.centacareswnsw.org.au

20 NEWS

PARENTING CHILDREN WITH ADHD

This 3 day course developed specifically for parents/carers managing children with ADHD.

The course is suitable for parents An important goal of this course Topics in the course include: carers, grandparents and community is to foster solidarity and support This 3 week course developed specifically for parents/carersmembers. managing amongst the participants whereby • What is ADHD? • Creating better routines & children with ADHD. Recommended for parents of they share and discuss their parenting relationships experiences. This in turn can lead to • HowThe does course ADHD is suitableaffect family for parents carers, grandparents and communityprimary/early members. high school aged life? • Working with schools children, but all are welcome. lasting friendships, which offer parents Recommended for parents of primary/early high school aged childTheren, goal but of this all arecourse welcome. is to inform the hope of ongoing support on their • Using rewards & consequences • Building self-esteem The goal of this course is to inform and empower parents to workand together empower with parents their to child work to together cope withparenting the journey. • Managingmany difficulties difficult behaviourof ADHD by • passingFamily problem-solvingon practical, workable strategieswith their that child will to make cope with a difference the many in theWhere: lives Centacare Office 201 Tarcutta of all family members. difficulties of ADHD by passing on Street Wagga An environment conducive to the engagement of parents throughpractical, non-judgment, workable strategies empathy that andwill When: Wednesday 18th, 25th March acceptance is a priority. Plenty of time will be allowed to discussmake the home a difference practice in the exercises lives of all to encourageand 1st April 2020 parents to support each other in putting these ideas into practicefamily and members. celebrate their successes. Day session: 10.30am - 12.00pm An important goal of this course is to foster solidarity and support amongstAn environment the participants conducive to wherebythe theyEvening session: 6:00pm- 8:00pm share and discuss their parenting experiences. This in turn can leadengagement to lasting of friendships, parents through which non- offer parentsFees: $30 standard $15 concession  Family Counselling Services  the hope of ongoing support on Naturaltheir parentingFertility Awareness journey. judgment, empathy and acceptance is  School Wellbeing Program  Settlement Grants Program Facilitator: Maree M a priority. Plenty of time will be allowed  Personal Helpers and Mentors  Recovery Approaches to Topics in the course include: Bookings Essential Program to discuss the home practice exercises Dementia • What is ADHD? For further information or to register  EmployeeWhere: Assistance Centacare Program Office 201 TarcuttaPre Marriage St Education Wagga to encourage parents to support your interest please contact Centacare  Family Education Services • How does ADHD affect family life? When: Wednesday 18th, 25th March Partners and in Recovery 1st April each other in putting these ideas into South West NSW on 1300 619 379  Complex Case Services  Clinical Clergy Assessments • Creating better routines & relationships Morning Session: 10.00am - 1.00pm practice and celebrate their successes. or email [email protected] Centacare Office Locations: • Using rewards & consequences Evening Session: 6:00pm - 8:00pm ALBURY FINLEY GRIFFITH WAGGA WAGGA • Managing difficult behaviour 440 Wilson Street 2 Corree Street 140 Yambil Street 201 Tarcutta Street Fees: $30 standard or $15 concession BOOKING Centacare South West NSWCentacare South West NSW 02 6051 0222 02 6051 0222 02 6964 1447 02 6923 3888 ESSENTIAL • Working with schools Wagga Wagga | Albury | GriffithWagga | Finley Wagga | Albury | Griffith | Finley

• Building self-esteem Phone 1300 619 379 Phone 1300 619 379 Facilitator:www.centacareswnsw.org.au Maree www.centacareswnsw.org.au • Family problem-solving www.centacareswnsw.org.au

For further information or to register your interest please contact Centacare South West NSW on 1300 619 379 Or email [email protected] 4/41-43 Moorong St BRINGINGWagga Wagga Lillypilly Wines Ph: 6921 6366 Family Owned Boutique Winery BRINGINGFax:UP 6921 6493 GREAT Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm We sell Cattle at the Wagga Livestock Marketing visit us and have a taste UP GREAT Centre every Monday and Sheep and Lambs every Thursday and also offer a range of services:KIDS 47 Lillypilly Rd, Leeton NSW 2705 • Paddock sales, over the hook sales Tel: 02 6953 4069 www.lillypilly.com and direct to feedlot sales www.facebook.com/lillypillywines • On KIDSfarm Stud Sales • Auctions Plus Sales • Clearing Sales A PARENTING • Rural property sales ROB GEDDES MW PROGRAM FOR Australian Wine Vintages 2015 For any of your livestock or property Lillypilly Noble Blend BUILDING GOOD needs contact one of our friendly agents: RELATIONSHIPS Tim Francis A PARENTING0428 263 852 WITH CHILDREN Alex Croker PROGRAM0428 326 810 FOR JAMES HALLIDAY -5 STARS Matt Hawker 0418 861 320 Australian Wine Companion 2015 BUILDING GOOD Sam Sutton 0448 080 607 David Kosa RELATIONSHIPS0432 064 188 Helen De Costa 0448WITH 353 CHILDREN764 Email: [email protected] Lillypilly 2011 Noble Blend www.hfrancisandco.com.au Bringing Up Great Kids! TOGETHER - FEBRUARY 2020

What is “Bringing Up Great Kids”?? The “Bringing Up Great Kids” Parenting Program and resources is underpinned by a philosophy of promoting and supporting respectful, caring and nurturing relationships between parents and their children. Parents are encouraged to become more reflective and Bringing Up Great Kids! mindful in their parenting approach. This six session group program uses ideas of mindfulness and reflection to support parents and carers to review and enhance their communication and interactions with their children. What is “Bringing Up Great Kids”?? The “BUGK” Program: The “Bringing Up Great Kids” ParentingPromotes Program respectful and resources interactions is betweenunderpinned parents/carers by a and children, while assisting children in philosophy of promoting and supportingdeveloping respectful, a positive caring self-identity and nurturing and self-esteem. relationships between parents and their children. ParentsBUGK looks are at encouraged “messages from to the b ecomepast”, understanding more reflective early bra andin development, barriers to mindful in their parenting approach. communication and how messages from our own past can impact our reactions to our children’s behaviours. This six session group program uses ideas of mindfulness and reflection to support parents and What will I learn in “BUGK”? carers to review and enhance their communication and interactions with their children. “BUGK” is delivered over 6 sessions. Each session will build on the session before, and allow time to The “BUGK” Program: reflect on your learning. Promotes respectful interactions between parents/carers and children, while assisting children in developing a positive self-identity and self-esteem. BUGK looks at “messages from the past”, understanding early brain development, barriers to communication and how messages from our own past can impact our reactions to our children’s behaviours. What will I learn in “BUGK”? “BUGK” is delivered over 6 sessions. Each session will build on the session before, and allow time to reflect on your learning. NEWS 21

We are urgently in need of volunteers to work in the Vinnies shop at Turvey Tops. If you have some spare time in your week we would love to hear from you. Please phone Kerry on 0426 113 991 or Turvey Tops shop on 6925 2335 100th anniversary of the death of At the end of WWI in 1918, there was an Saint Jacinta exceptionally bad pandemic known as 'the Spanish Flu’. Within two years it had infected This year many girls are millions of people. It was more dangerous to considering “Jacinta" as their the young than to the old. It reached Fatima, Portugal where Jacinta and Francisco Marto ‘Confirmation saint' name! A girl, both caught the illness. They had an apparition who loves to dance, as Jacinta did, of Our Lady at the time, who said that Francisco asked me: “How did she die?” would soon be taken to Heaven, while Jacinta had a choice – to go straight to Heaven or to stay by Father Stojanovic on earth for a time to suffer for the conversion of sinners. She chose the latter option. Mary told Jacinta that she would end up in a hospital, where she would suffer a great deal for the salvation of souls, and that she would die alone. After Jacinta fell sick with influenza, she ended up in a local hospital for two months. Then she returned home, but her condition worsened as she developed tuberculosis. In January 1920, she was sent to the sick ward at an Orphanage in Lisbon. Beforehand, Jacinta said to her thirteen- year-old cousin, Lucia, that her task was to bring about a worldwide devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. There was a chapel at the orphanage, where Jacinta could participate in Mass and receive Jacinta Marco who died alone at age 10. The 20th February 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of her death. Communion. In less than a month she was seriously weak and taken to a Lisbon hospital. ‘many couples would live together without the Apart from the deadly infection she had Sacrament of Marriage’, and ‘many people inflammation of some ribs. She was in great would end up in hell because of the sin of pain, and her wounds exuded an odor. impurity’. Mary said to her: there were ‘certain Two ribs were removed without full anaesthetic fashions that offended God’. because of her weakness. Though she suffered On February 20, 1920, aged ten, Jacinta died so much, she never complained when her alone, as Our Lady had foretold. When Jacinta’s dressing was changed. She offered up all her body was transferred from a wooden coffin suffering for the conversion of sinners. to a zinc one, witnesses were astonished She had a vision in which Our Lady told that there was a beautiful fragrance, like Jacinta that times were approaching when flowers. FEBRUARY 2020 - TOGETHER 22 SCHOOLS IN OUR DIOCESE St Joseph's Primary School, Leeton Holy Spirit School, Lavington What fun we had at Junior Joey’s on 10th On 7th February Holy Spirit February! Meeting new friends and creating celebrated their Beginning of Year treasures to take home. Liturgy. Yr 6 Student Leaders for 2020 were commissioned and their first Spirit Ticket rewards were drawn. A wonderful way to end a great first week of school.

Congratulations to Mrs Maria Maybon. At the recent Deanery Mass Mrs Maybon was acknowledged for 20 years service to Catholic education. We are so blessed to have you with us Mrs Maybon.

Holy Trinity Primary, West Wagga St Joseph's Primary, Finley Year 6 Leadership camp at Holy Trinity Primary is currently underway at Our wonderful community came along to celebrate Year 6 students being Borambola. The students look like they're having a great time. farewelled by their families and staff. We love them and wish them well for what lays ahead for them all!

TOGETHER - FEBRUARY 2020 SCHOOLS IN OUR DIOCESE 23 St Michael's Primary, Coolamon Left: A busy day in the sandpit! Right: St Michael's had a very special visitor to school recently - Dolly the puppy! Dolly had a busy morning playing with everyone, then got very sleepy! The students in Stage 1 used their visit with Dolly as a writing stimulus. Thanks to the Bradley family for bringing Dolly to visit. St Joseph’s Primary, Mater Dei Primary, Wagga Wagga CLASS OF 2020 Wagga Wagga What a beautiful start for our kindergarten students! Welcome children and your family members. Exciting times lay ahead for you all - friendships, learning and fun. Welcome to BIG School.

Congratulations to all the students for a successful carnival at the pool. We witnessed many acts of great sportsmanship, bravery and persistence. A huge thank you to all the teachers, volunteers and parents who made everything run so smoothly. Well done to our age champions and our winning house Micheal.

St Joseph's Primary School, Sacred Heart Primary, Bluearth Sports began this week! What a fantastic effort from all of the students. Wagga Wagga Sacred Heart Primary School in Wagga infants began their tennis program recently. They had so much fun!

FEBRUARY 2020 - TOGETHER 24 YOUTH Australian Catholic Youth Festival pilgrims told: ‘Rebuild my Church’ Thousands of young Australian Catholics were challenged to “go out and rebuild” God’s Church on the opening day of the 2019 Australian Catholic Youth Festival.

The opening session of the session to invite delegates to be open to Festival, which drew 5500 young the voice of God in their lives. people from across Australia, “I pray that throughout this time, as featured a Welcome to Country, we gather here as a family, as we gather high-tempo music, inspirational here as your people, that you give us speakers and moments of prayer. the grace to hear you speak,” Fr Galea Archbishop Timothy Costelloe said. SDB, the host of the Festival as the “Lord, we don’t want to walk out of Archbishop of Perth, welcomed this place the same way we walked in. pilgrims and encouraged them to We know that when you speak, our bring every part of themselves to the lives, our hearts are changed forever. So Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, the host of the Festival as the Archbishop of Perth gathering. Lord, we give you the permission these “You are welcome here with your next few days to speak to our hearts, to and how God can work in people’s questions, with your hopes, with your speak into our lives. lives. dreams. You are welcome here with “Lord, we give you the permission to “If you know that you’re listening to God is real. Christ your doubts and with your fears. You mess up our plans. We want you, Jesus. the Holy Spirit, you can do anything is alive. The Church of are welcome here with your hesitations We want your guidance, Holy Spirit. with great courage that it will go well,” ‘ and you’re welcome here with all your You can take the world, you can take Sr Judy said. which you are a part is enthusiasms,” Archbishop Costelloe everything. Give us you. Come, Holy Sebastian Duhau and Holly Roberts, yearning to help you said. Spirit.” who have each represented young “God is real. Christ is alive. The In the evening plenary session on Australian Catholics at the Vatican, and to hear you, to Church of which you are a part is day one, pilgrims heard humorous and told their peers that they should take teach you and to learn yearning to help you and to hear you, faith-filled insights from Missionary of up Pope Francis’ challenge to be to teach you and to learn from you, to God’s Love Sisters Therese Mills and “protagonists of change” and “the now from you, to challenge challenge you and to be challenged by Judy Bowe, who recently appeared on of God”. you and to be you.” television show The Amazing Race. They explained that the Plenary Archbishop Costelloe’s opening Sr Judy said when someone suggested Council 2020 allows people of all ages challenged by you. address drew upon the exhortation that the idea to go on the show, they thought in Australia to be both of those things. St Francis of Assisi received 800 years it could be from God, but they needed Delegates closed the first day by Remery asking the question: “Is there ago and a similar encouragement from to – in the theme of ACYF and the participating in the meditative prayer social media in heaven?”; ’ Pope Francis in more recent times. Plenary Council – listen to the Holy form that originated from the Taizé • Catechetical sessions on prayer, He combined God’s request to St Spirit. community in France, followed by a including participation in Sunday Francis’ – “Go and rebuild my Church, “When it’s God, anything can musical performance from Gen Bryant. Mass; which is falling into ruin” – with Pope happen. It was so ‘God’ because it Other highlights on the opening day • An exploration of how young Francis’ comments at World Youth Day was so positive. It was like the whole included: Catholics can continue to advocate for 2016 in Poland. Church has this big collective laugh, all • The first two “Cruisin’ with Columba” action on climate change. Archbishop Costelloe challenged together,” she explained. conversations – chats between Bishop For more information about young people: “Get up off your Sr Therese said they were given Delegate for Youth Columba Macbeth- the Festival, including speaker and couches, go out and help rebuild my the opportunity to bring the Gospel Green OSPPE and a group of young performer profiles, go to Church. Help it to set out on new and message to people’s lounge rooms people; www.acyf.org.au uncharted pathways. Help stop the through actions like praying at the • The first Bishops X-Change sessions, Church, my Church, from falling into demilitarised zone on the border of in which bishops from across the Below left: Father Rob Galea ruin.” North and South Korea. country engage with young people on Below middle: The crowd enjoying themselves Fr Rob Galea, a priest of the Sandhurst And that allowed them to speak with important issues facing the Church Below right: Archbishop Fisher Diocese and a renowned singer- their fellow contestants and crew – and and society; Photos from Iceberg Media and the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. songwriter, used the Festival’s opening the audience – about their own vocation • Dutch priest and author Fr Michel

TOGETHER - FEBRUARY 2020 YOUTH 25 Generosity of the Youth When an Aid to the Church in Need staff member recently processed a donation and read the message attached to the donation they were touched enough by the young benefactor’s thoughtfulness and selflessness to share the donor's story with the whole office. by Laura Cain

The benefactor was Sarah an Faith campaign videos that highlight the 11-year-old from Wagga Wagga, important projects that need funding. NSW, and like most young girls to When I asked Sarah why she chose to For her 11th celebrate the special occasion of support this project (rebuilding a church birthday, in lieu of turning eleven, Sarah had invited building) and not some of the more ‘ her friends to a birthday party. popular projects such as emergency receiving presents, However, for this birthday in lieu of assistance or humanitarian assistance Sarah asked her receiving presents, Sarah asked her for Christian refugees, Sarah said she friends to make a financial contribution could not imagine if her parish church friends to make a to a project being sponsored by Aid to was destroyed due to war, terrorism or financial contribution the Church in Need. The project Sarah violence. For Sarah and her family their chose to support was the reconstruction church is very special space, Sarah’s to a project being of a Church building in Iraq that had brother has participated in altar server sponsored by Aid to been destroyed by ISIS terrorists. Sarah training and Sarah sings in the choir with the assistance of her friends raised so the family is actively involved in the Church in Need. over $300 for this project, her mother their local parish community and the Marianne transferring the donation to building and community have created reflect, gather, celebrate and receive ACN Australia on Sarah’s behalf. many happy family memories and a the sacraments. These buildings will’ Sarah and her family got to know the sense of belonging. help the community back on the road to work of Aid to the Church in Need In Iraq many of the Christian refugees normality. through the school Sarah attends, who are now returning home are having Sarah had watched the videos at Mary Mackillop College. The school to not only rebuild their damaged home with her mother Marianne. Out is blessed to have Dominican Sisters homes but to rebuild their churches of the six projects videos she chose teaching religion. Sr Mary Catherine and church buildings. This is such the reconstruction of the Church and and Sr Mary Dominica are some of an important part of healing for the a Church building in Iraq helping Sarah pictured proudly holding her ACN Gift the sisters who teach at the school and community and another sign that life Fr Thabet rebuild a church building of Faith card under the image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Sarah explained that they have also is getting back to normal. You cannot where the community can gather for created an Aid to the Church in Need underestimate the power of having a weddings, wakes, funerals, baptisms motto. It is clear that Sarah has been poor box for the children to donate to. place, a building, a church and church and other special occasions. taught well by her school and her Sarah had watched some of the Gifts of hall to come together to pray, worship, Sarah gave the invitees to her party a family, and that the spirit of our first Gift of Faith card and envelope which Australian Saint is moving amongst let them know how they had also the youth. If you would like to join contributed. Sarah in helping to construct a “Never see a need without doing Church building in Iraq you can do something about it” was Mary so by visiting www.aidtochurch.org/ MacKillop’s well known saying and giftsoffaith

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The Bible App for Kids Storybook Bible From bedtime stories to long road trips to reading together as a family, the Storybook Bible is the perfect companion to the app they already love. • 400+ pages • 28 Bible Stories • Learning questions • Part of the Bible App for Kids suite that includes the app, Storybook Bible, episodes, and the free church curriculum Present it at your child's dedication, send it as a gift, or make it your go-to baby shower gift. However you choose to share it, sign the presentation page and give the little ones in your life the thing that matters most: Would you like to advertise in Together? the Word of God. Email us today for a copy of our media kit [email protected]

FEBRUARY 2020 - TOGETHER 26 NEWS

Caritas Kitchen

Would you like to share good food with good friends and help

people in need to create better lives for themselves?

You are warmly invited to a Caritas Kitchen hosted by Our Lady of Fatima Parish, South Wagga Wagga. A Caritas Kitchen is a reminder that what you do in your kitchen can, and does, have an impact on what others can bring to theirs. Please join us at our Caritas Kitchen event and help us do something to end poverty. th Saturday 14 March Following the 5:00pm Parish Mass at

Our Lady of Fatima Church, Bourke Street, Wagga Wagga

Refreshments provided.

Online donations accepted at:

https://fundraise.caritas.org.au/mcalroykitchen

We would love to see you there

St Patrick's School Griffith appoints Daniel Tuohey and Michael Morrell as School Principals The sound of St Patrick's school bell heralded the beginning of a new era this week, when Daniel Tuohey and Michael Morrell took up the reins as the school's principals. by Kenji Sato - Journalist Area News

They've got big shoes to fill, with Mr Morrell said there's been an especially Sandra Campbell stepping down as huge paradigm shift in the last five years. school principal after working at St They've shifted towards a "Learning Pat's for 40 years. However they won't Collaborative" co-teaching model, be going at it alone; for the first time in where teachers work together to teach the school's history they'll have two co- individually catered lessons to students in principals working together to keep the open learning spaces. place running smoothly. "The core understanding is that every They both bring different strengths to teacher is responsible for every student the table: Mr Tuohey with his 14 years of in the school," Mr Morrell said. leadership experience as a "We're doing a number of programs and using a lot of new strategies, research, Daniel Tuohey and Michael Morrell are stepping up as St Patrick's new principals. They both school principal and Mr Morrell with his and data so the whole staff have an bring different strengths to the table, and they'll be working together to help the school run deep-rooted connections to the Griffith smoothly. Photo: Kenji Sato ownership and they all contribute to community. every child's development." "To build a staff with a base of local Mr Tuohey has worked in the education knowledge, particularly in Griffith, is sector for decades, and he said his invaluable," Mr Morrell said. experience has taught him the value of “It all begins with seed” "We have a lot of family connections at building networks in the community. • Insist on Hart Bros quality assured seed • Growing, cleaning, sales and distribution of all broadacre seed varieties St Pat's, which is really lovely." Mr Tuohey, who is long-time friends Mr Morrell was a St Patrick's student with Sacred Heart Parish priest Andrew back in his childhood, just like his mum, Grace, said he's especially keen to build closer connections with the church. his uncle, and his grandparents before • Cleaning, treating and sizing farmer’s retained canola seed him. "Building a strong relationship with the parish priests and assistant priests is This week his youngest daughter started paramount," Mr Tuohey said. Kindergarten at the school, meaning that Looking towards the future, the all three of his children are currently two of them are looking forward to [email protected] • www.hartbrosseeds.com.au enrolled as the fourth generation of St implementing their new, flexible, Phone: 02 6924 7206 • Fax: 02 6924 7271 Pat's students. custom-tailored approach to education Coffin Rock Lane, Temora Rd Junee 2663 The school has changed a lot at St Pat's and proving to teachers and parents alike “Remember: Hart Bros Seeds Spring Field Day is 2nd Wednesday in October” over the course of four generations, and that it's the best way forward.

TOGETHER - FEBRUARY 2020 NEWS 27 Record-breaking student enrolments for Marian Catholic College and St Francis De Sales College Catholic schools are seeing record-breaking numbers of students in their classrooms, with Marian Catholic College and St Francis De Sales Regional College taking in their biggest Year 7 cohorts to date in 2020. by Kenji Sato - Journalist Area News

Marian's new Year 7 class is 156 alike that it's the best way forward. students strong, and principal Alan To accommodate the spike in Le Brocque said the school has also enrolments the school has employed seen a large influx of enrolments several new teachers in 2020, resulting across all of the year groups, in the largest staff board in the school's bringing the grand total to around history with 62 teachers and 35 support 720. staff. The school received so many The school has also put in two Sarah Bertollo from Public, Elise Calabria from St Patrick's, Benjamin Sinclair from applications in 2019 that Mr Le Brocque demountable classrooms, and towards Public, and Johan Martinello from St Patrick's have started high school at Marian Catholic College. Photo: Kenji Sato had to "look seriously" at putting a cap the middle of the year they'll be on enrolments, but so far all applicants rebuilding their Technology and Applied years," Mr Spina said. two sites saw a decline in student have been accepted into the school. Sciences block in addition to building a "Typically we get anywhere between enrolments post-merger. Mr Tuohey, who is long-time friends new admin area and new classrooms. 125 and 140 students." However, a department spokesman with Sacred Heart Parish priest Andrew "Our school is looking forward to The school had to hire another two said that Year 7 enrolments were higher Grace, said he's especially keen to build what lies ahead with the new building teachers and teacher support officers in 2020 than in 2019, which was when closer connections with the church. program and our largest number of in order to meet the sudden spike in the school first opened its gates as a "Building a strong relationship with students," Mr Le Brocque said. student enrolments. merged super school. the parish priests and assistant priests is "It should be an exciting year." Mr Spina said a significant chunk of "The number of Year 7 students paramount," Mr Tuohey said. Meanwhile St Francis De Sales in the enrolments came from Griffith and enrolling at Murrumbidgee Regional Looking towards the future, the Leeton has taken in 154 Year 7 students, West Wyalong, with a large number of High School is up on 2019," the two of them are looking forward to which is the largest cohort principal Seb them being boarding students. department spokesman said. implementing their new, flexible, Spina has seen in all his 20 years at the When asked, the NSW Department "The Year 7 enrolment this week is custom-tailored approach to education school. of Education did not say whether 213 with indications of further Year 7 and proving to teachers and parents "It's a significant increase on previous Murrumbidgee Regional High School's students enrolling in coming days."

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Over 100 volunteer SRE Teachers generously donate their time each week to teach SRE in public schools in our diocese. for All Ages and Stages 9:30am to 3:00pm every Tuesday Together But classes are growing & we need more help. Sacred Heart is now on If you are able to help an hour or Come and go or two a week please contact Parish, Griffith Facebook..! Trevor Dal Broi 0407 537 994 stay all day or [email protected] We’d love you to drop Training is provided. by our new page at: COME & JOIN US Parishes urgently www.facebook.com/ needing SRE volunteers: Majellan Room Bring your own togetherwagga/ • Henty lunch. Church Hall • and Colleambally and like our page. ?• Berrigan and

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FEBRUARY 2020 - TOGETHER 28 BOOK REVIEW Women Still Listening to the Spirit, 20 years later Two decades since the publication of the document Woman and Man: One in Christ Jesus, the Australian bishops concede there is “unfinished business” in promoting women’s participation in the Church.

Published in 1999, Woman and Man: One in Others provide a theological reflection on Christ Jesus arose from a collaboration between contemporary dimensions of women’s lives the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, the or issues of significance. Several essays Australian Conference of Leaders of Religious emerged from the Triennial Colloquium Institutes (now Catholic Religious Australia) and hosted by the Council for Australian the Australian Catholic University. Catholic Women in Adelaide in February It employed a variety of research approaches. It also 2019. resulted in a Social Justice Sunday Statement – Woman “Every essay contributes to creating a and Man: the Bishops Respond – published in 2000. range of opportunities in the Church for To mark the 20th anniversary of Woman and Man: respectful listening and dialogue concerning One in Christ Jesus, the Bishops Commission for the experiences, needs and aspirations of Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry and the Bishops women,” wrote Andrea Dean, director of Commission for Social Justice agreed to revisit the the Church’s Office for the Participation of earlier document and assess what progress had been Women and one of the book’s editors. made. The book’s other editor, Sandie Cornish, The chairs of those commissions – Archbishop said many of the major themes considered Christopher Prowse and Bishop Vincent Long van in Woman and Man: One in Christ Jesus Nguyen OFM Conv – wrote the foreword to the new “remain live and contentious”. publication, Still Listening to the Spirit: Woman and “While there have been advances in some Man 20 Years On. areas, little seems to have changed in others, “A further 20 years down the track, women are and in some matters, things seem to have gone still listening to the Spirit and seeking to engage the backwards,” she wrote. whole Church in a conversation about a more fulsome “Despite disappointments and difficult development of the participation of women in the experiences, the contributors to this collection Church, for the sake of us all and for the sake of the are still listening to the Spirit and waiting for Reign of God,” the bishops wrote. the opportunity to participate in a full and “There is unfinished business from the action conscious way in the life of the Church for the commitments made by the bishops in 2000. There is sake of God’s Reign.” also an opportunity to contribute to the communal One of our parishioners in the Wagga Wagga discernment process of the Plenary Council 2020. This Diocese, Kelly Humphrey, a proud Gamilaroi collection of essays engages creatively with both of woman, writes about An Aboriginal Woman's these elements of the present moment.” Perspective in Part One of the book. Kelly Still Listening to the Spirit was launched on November speaks of the courage of Aboriginal women 28 at the Plenary Meeting of the Australian Catholic sharing their challenges and suggestions on Bishops Conference. moving forward. The book provides a series of snapshots into the lives Still Listening to the Spirit can be purchased of Australian Catholic women in 2019. Some essays from the Australian Catholic Bishops Launching the new book Still Listening to the Spirit, from left, Bishop reference the findings of the 1995-99 research project Conference’s website and on a number of Vincent Long, book editors Andrea Dean and Sandie Cornish, and or the subsequent Social Justice Statement for 2000. digital publishing platforms. Archbishop Christopher Prowse Catholic schools welcome Federal Government doubling drought funding A total of $8.2 million will be allocated to Catholic whose families are facing difficult years. This announcement means they times can continue their schooling and can continue to do that. schools across Queensland ($3.9 million), New that schools can support students and “This funding will go directly to fee South Wales ($2.8 million), Victoria ($810,000) and families in these situations. relief and means Catholic schools can “Many of our communities have been continue to offer the highest levels of South Australia ($660,000). experiencing drought for some years and support to all families impacted by the schools have been doing all they can to drought.” This is on top of drought relief for the announcement of much needed support the wellbeing of students with Catholic Schools NSW Acting Chief funding for Catholic schools money. counselling and other forms of support.” Executive Officer Danielle Cronin announced by the Federal “The Federal Government recognises Dr Lee-Anne Perry, Executive said: “This additional funding will help Government in November last year. the hardship faced by our drought- Director, Queensland Catholic Education families by ensuring they do not have Executive Director of National Catholic affected communities and the flow-on Commission, said: “Catholic schools to worry about where their child will go Education Jacinta Collins thanked effects for schools,” Jacinta said. have been supporting drought affected to school during the worst drought on Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan “It is so important that young people families, in some cases for a number of record.” TOGETHER - FEBRUARY 2020 NEWS 29

We are no longer closing! National Association of Catholic FamiliesNational Dear Supporters, It was wonderful to hear that many of you were disappointed that the WLC would be closing and that you were hopeful that there would be Conference some opportunity to still offer pregnancy support in some capacity in Albury. I have the good news that we have decided to incorporate Women's 2020 Life Centre into the current Esencia shop. This means the shop will function as a space for both pregnancy counselling and cafe. Our The Collaroy Centre, NSW WLC services will be available on Monday, Thursday afternoon/ 3rd to 5th April 2020 evening and Friday. The cafe will open on Tuesday, Thursday and A chance for Catholic Saturday. The signage outside will change to reflect this and we hope to reopen the Women's Life Centre in early February. families to come This change will reduce the costs of our overheads, use the one together for mutual shop space more effectively and reduce the burden on our current spiritual, moral and volunteers. We hope that by saving in this area we can focus on better advertising/marketing and use of social media to reach those who are social support in a fun in need of our service. holiday atmosphere. We are sorry for the inconvenience that our original decision may have caused you by closing off your donations, but we are now hoping Family Friendly that you will resume them! All our details are the same. The conference is designed to cater for Hume Bank whole families with conference talks for adults and catechetical talks and activities Name: Women's Life Centre Inc for teens and children of all ages. BSB: 640 000 Account number: 111 245 065 We are pleased to announce Please feel free to get in touch on the number below if you have any Registration that Archbishop Julian Porteous (Archbishop of further questions regarding our changes. All conference booking is to be done online: Peta Evans Hobart) will be present as - Coordinator - Women's Life Centre www.trybooking.com/BHPPT conference chaplain for the P 02 6040 7910 24hr Helpline 0438 407 914 Registrations Close Monday 13 March 2020 entire weekend Archbishop www.womenslifecentrealbury.org.au Porteous was formerly Download the online brochure for full auxiliary Bishop of Sydney conference details or for more info contact... and chief exorcist.

Melbourne Marc Florio 0412 252 077 The conference will feature many speakers and Sydney Mary Clare Meney 0435 496 624 presenters from across Australia including: l Cars Wagga Mark & Jenny Mannering 0419 411 161 Sisters of the Immaculata, The Culture Project, Fr N.E. Victoria Bridget & Brendan Griffin 0437 219 046 John Rizzo, Dr Gerard O’Shea, Monica Doumit and l Trucks many others. l Buses l Utes 6921 9977 TRIBUNAL OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH - Diocese of Wagga Wagga - 6-10 Edward St, Wagga Wagga www.avis.com.au Outreaching to all those who have experienced a marriage breakdown and would like the Church to look into the validity of their marriage. Enquiries to the Tribunal Office at McAlroy House PO Box 473 Wagga Wagga 2650 Phone: 6937 0017 Email: [email protected]

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FEBRUARY 2020 - TOGETHER 30 MASS TIMES

St Michael’s Church Thursday - 10.15am Weekday Masses Thursday - 9:30am (Assumption Villa) Mass timesLinton Street acrossSaturday - 9.00am Mondayour - Friday - 7.00am, 5.30pmDiocese Friday - 9:15am and 5:30pm Wagga Wagga - Cathedral 2nd Sunday - 9:30am (Christmas Day & Marrar Confessions Sacrament of Penance Easter Sunday) Saturday Vigil - 6.00pm Friday - 4.30pm to 5.30pm Friday - 4:45-5:15pm St Michael’s Cathedral Confessions Confessions Saturday - 11.30am to 12.30pm Saturday - 5:30-5:50pm Church Street, Wagga Wagga Sacrament of Penance 1st Saturday - 5.30pm Marian Catholic College Chapel Eucharistic Adoration Monday - Friday 7:00am, 12:45pm Saturdays - 11:00am-12:00noon Allawah Village 185 Wakaden Street Griffith St Joseph’s Church Leeton Weekend Masses Prior to weekend Masses or by request First Thursday of each month. Sunday - 9.00am Friday - 4:30pm Saturday - 12:15pm Mass at 9.15am Saturday Vigil - 6:00pm Sunday - 8:00am, 10:00am and 5:30pm Holbrook Lockhart Confessions Albury Corowa Monday - Thursday 12:30pm - 12:40pm Our Lady of Sorrows St Mary’s Church Friday 12:00-12:40pm & 6:30pm-6:45pm St Patrick’s St Mary’s Star of the Sea 125 Albury Street, Holbrook 55 Ferrier St, Lockhart Saturday 11:00am-12:00noon & 515 Smollett St, Albury Saturday Vigil - 6:00pm 1st & 3rd Sunday - Saturday Vigil 6.30pm Weekend Masses 4:30pm-5:30pm Weekend Mass Times Sunday - 9:00am 2nd Sunday - 8.00 am 1st, 3rd & 5th Saturday (Vigil) - 6:00pm Rosary times Saturday - 9:30am Weekday Masses 4th & 5th Sunday - 10.00am 2nd & 4th Sunday - 8:00am Monday to Thursday 12:25pm and Vigil (Saturday) - 5:00pm Refer to Parish Bulletin available in the Weekday Masses Weekday Masses Saturday 11:55am (before Mass) Sunday - 8.00am, 10.00am, and 5:30pm Church or on the parish website Phone parish for details Tuesday - 9:00am & Friday - 10:00am Carmelite Monastery Latin Mass - Sunday 12 noon Confessions/ Reconciliation Confessions Confessions Up to 5 mins before Mass. 10 Morshead Street, Wagga Wagga Weekday Mass Times Saturday - 11:00am-12:00, 5:30-6:00pm Before Mass on weekends Urangeline St Terence’s Church Monday - Friday - 7:30am Monday to Friday - 7:00am St Pius X, , St Francis De Sales Church of the Currently no Masses. Saturday - 8:00am Tuesday & Thursday - 9:30am Road. Pioneers Sunday - 9:30am Latin Mass Mondays - 7pm in the 1st, 3rd Sunday - 10:45am Mass , St Mary’s Chapel Adoration Chapel 2nd Sunday - 11:30am Mulwala Vianney College, 17 Durack Circuit First Friday - 5:30pm St Brigid’s Sunday - 9:00am Rosary before Mass Havelock Street, Mulwala Mt Erin Chapel Saturday - 9.10am and 4.30pm St Patrick’s Culcairn Weekend Masses Kildare Catholic College Sunday - 7.40am and 9.40am 1st, 4th Sunday - 8:00am 1st, 3rd & 5th Sunday - 8:00am Edmondson Street, Wagga Wagga 2nd, 3rd Sunday - 10:00am St Brigid’s 2nd, 4th Sunday - 6:00pm Saturday Vigil Sunday - 10:00am (Extraordinary Form) 5th Sunday - Vigil Mass 6:30pm (Saturday) Hovell St, Howlong Weekday Masses Albury - North Albury Henty Church of the Good Shepherd Refer to parish notices Wagga Wagga 2nd, 4th Saturday Vigil - 6:30pm Queen Street, St Joseph’s Sacred Heart Mate Street, North Albury 1st Sunday - 10:00am Weekend Mass Times - Kooringal Saturday Vigil - 6.00 pm 3rd, 5th Sunday - 8:00am Howlong Weekend Masses Sunday - 9.30 am Walla Walla Saturday Vigil - 6:00pm 1st, 3rd, 5th Sunday - 10:00am Sacred Heart Weekday Masses 1st & 4th Sunday - 6:00pm (Sunday) Walbundrie 2nd, 4th Sunday - 8:30am Lake Albert Road, Kooringal Tuesday to Friday 9.30am or as printed in Weekday Masses Sunday - 9:00am Weekday Masses Refer to parish notices Weekend Masses weekly newsletter Vary according to needs and are Masses Before weekend Masses Saturday Vigil - 5:30pm Confessions First Tuesday of month – Mercy Place announced in the Sunday bulletin Howlong Sunday - 9:00am and 5:30pm 11.00am – Includes sacrament of anointing Confessions 1st & 3rd Tuesdays - Oolong Nursing Children’s Liturgy during 9:00am Mass Confessisons Before each weekend Mass Home 10:00 am Narrandera Weekday Masses Saturday - 5.15 - 5.45 pm Saturday 9.00 am - Howlong Monday, Wednesday, Friday - 7:00am For other Masses during the week, see Narrandera Tuesday and Thursday - 5:45pm Darlington Point the parish website. St Mel’s Church, Audley Street Saturday - 9:30am Reconciliation Saturday Vigil - 6.00pm Confessions Albury - Lavington Oliver Plunkett Howlong Sunday - 9:30am Saturday - 10:00am - 10:30am Hay Road, Darlington Point Weekday Masses Holy Spirit Saturdays 9:30am (after 9:00am Mass) 1st, 3rd, 5th Sunday - 8.30am Tuesday - 5:30pm Saturday Vigil - 6.00pm 5:30pm - 5:55pm 2nd, 4th Sunday - 6:00pm (Saturday Vigil) Wednesday, Thursday - 7:30am Sunday - 8.00am, 10.00am Walbundrie Wagga Wagga Weekday Masses Friday - 5:30pm St Mary’s Jindera - 9.00am Sundays 8:30am - 8:55am Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, (subject to changes announced in the - South Wagga Weekday Masses Friday - 8.30am - Darlington Point Sunday bulletin) Monday - Friday - 7.00am Our Lady of Fatima St Peter’s Jerilderie Confessions Saturday - 9.15am Bourke Street, Wagga Wagga Cnr of Currawong Crescent and Friday - 4:30-5:20pm; Confessions Weekend Masses Kingfisher Avenue, Coleambally St Joseph’s Saturday - 9.30-10:00am Saturday - 8.15am, 5.00pm Saturday Vigil - 5:00pm 1st, 3rd, 5th Sunday - 10.30am Coreen Street, Jerilderie and 5:00-5:45 pm St Mary’s Jindera - Sunday 8.30am Sunday - 8:30am, 10:30am & 5:30pm 2nd, 4th Sunday - 8.00am 1st, 3rd, 5th Saturday Vigil - 6:00pm (Syro-Malabar Rite) Weekday Masses 2nd, 4th Sunday - 10:30am 1st, 3rd, 5th Sunday - 8.00am St Patrick’s Thursday - 8.00am Coleambally Weekday Masses Galore Sunday - 8:30am Albury - Thurgoona Holy Hour - Friday 5.00pm - 6.00pm at Are announced in the Sunday bulletin St Kevin’s Church Weekday Masses - Our Lady of Darlington Point 2nd & 4th Sunday - 8:00am Fatima Immaculate Heart of Mary Confessions Junee Wednesday - 10:00am Weekend Masses 15 minutes before 10.00 am Mass on Saturday Vigil - 6.00pm Thursday - 11:00am (Ethel Forrest Centre) Sunday or by request St Joseph’s Tarcutta Friday - 5:45pm Sunday - 9.30am, 5.30pm 21 Kitchener Street, Junee Anointing Mass Weekday Masses Finley Saturday Vigil - 6:00pm St Francis Xavier Marian Foyer, Henschke Hall Monday - 8.00am Sunday - 9:30am Sydney Street, Tarcutta 4th Tuesday of the month - 10:30am Tuesday - 10.00am Sunday - 8:30am St Mary’s Weekday Masses Weekday Masses - Calvary Hospital Wednesday - 8.00am Ladysmith 1 Denison Street Finley Monday - 9:00am Monday-Friday - 8:00am (except public Thursday - 7.00pm (Mass Novena and Saturday Vigil - 6:00pm Sunday - 10.15am Tuesday - 7:00am holidays) Benediction) Confessions Weekday Masses Wednesday - 9:00am Aged Care Facility Masses Friday - 8.00am Before all Masses Are announced in the Sunday bulletin Thursday - 7:00am Forrest Centre Confessions Confessions Friday - 9:00am Every Thursday - 11:00am Prior to Masses Saturday - 10.30 - 11.00am Confessions The Rock Nan Roberts Nursing Home Saturday - 5.30pm-6.00pm Saturday - 10:30-11:00am; - The Haven Sunday - 5.00pm-5.30pm 6:00-6:15pm or by appointment Thursday - 7.00pm following Novena St Mary’s 3rd Tuesday of the month - 10:30am and Mass of the Immaculate Heart of Mary 102 Urana Street The Rock RSL Rememberance Village Alternate Sundays - 8:00am Weekend Masses 2nd Tuesday of the month - 10:30am St. Brendan’s Ganmain Sunday - 8:00am (Extraordinary Form) Confessions Weekend Mass Times Sunday - 10:00am Saturday - 10:30-11:30am Berrigan 6:00pm (Saturday Vigil); 10:00am Weekday Masses Weekday Masses St Columba’s Church of St Joseph the Worker Monday - 7:00am Monday to Friday: Tuesday - 6:00pm Wagga Wagga 4 Corcoran Street, Berrigan December-February 7:30am (Tues., Sunday - 9.00 am 1st, 3rd, 5th Sunday - 6:00pm Saturday Weekday Masses Wednesday - 7:00am (Extraordinary Form) - West Wagga Thurs.) & 5:30pm (Mon., Wed., Fri.) Thursday - 7:00am Vigil March-November 5:30pm 9.00 am 2nd, 4th Sunday - 10:30am Confessions Confessions Holy Trinity Church Sat.: 8:00am (usually in the convent Up to 5 minutes before Mass. Bardia Street Ashmont Savernake except 1st Sat. in the church). Prior to Sunday Mass Monday-Saturday - 7:00am 1st Sunday - 5:00pm Confessions Friday - 10:15am Weekday Masses are announced in the 30 min. before every Mass each day & Leeton Tocumwal Sunday - 9:00am and 5:30pm Sunday bulletin 5:00pm-6:00pm Sat. Loreto Home of Compassion Confessions before Saturday Vigil Masses St. Patrick’s St Joseph’s Leeton St Peter’s Sunday - 10:30am Sunday - 8:00am Wade Avenue, Leeton Charlotte Street, Tocumwal Monday - 5:45pm Confessions 30 min before Sunday Mass Saturday Vigil - 6:00pm Saturday Vigil - 5.30pm Tuesday - 10:30am Coolamon Sunday - 10:00am (First Sunday of the Sunday - 8.30am Thursday - Eucharistic Adoration - 5:15pm Griffith month is Italian) Weekday Masses Thursday - 5:45pm St Michael’s St Patrick’s Yanco Thursday - 9.30am Our Lady of the Blessed Eucharist Confessions Sunday - 9.00am Sacred Heart Sunday - 8:00am Church Half an hour before weekend Masses Confessions Warrambool Street, Griffith Tuesday - 9:00am Benedict Avenue San Isidore Saturday - 4.45 - 5.15pm Saturday Vigil - 6.00pm Weekday Masses in Leeton Vigil Saturday - 6:00pm Masses Saturday - 8.00am Monday - 9:00am Wednesday - Eucharistic Adoration - 5:15pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday - 7.30am, 9.00am, (Italian), Tuesday (Yanco) - 9:00am Wednesday - 5:45pm continued on page 31... Friday - 7.30am 10.30am, 6.00pm Wednesday - 9:00am TOGETHER - FEBRUARY 2020 MASS TIMES 31

Tumbarumba Yenda - - Hanwood Please pray for those priests whose anniversary of death occurs in January and February: All Saints’ Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii 40 Murray Street, Tumbarumba 17 Edon Street, Yoogali 3 January 1933 Fr Patrick Hanrahan Saturday 9.15am Sunday - 9:30am Saturday Vigil - 6.00pm St Anthony’s - Hanwood 10 January 1938 Fr James Hennebry Sunday - 9.00am Saturday Vigil - 5.00pm 23 January 1937 Fr James Power O’Rourke Weekday Masses Sunday - 8.00am Monday - Friday - 5.30pm St Therese’s - Yenda 24 January 1882 Fr Cornelius Twomey Confessions Saturday Vigil - 6:30pm Friday 4.30pm - 5.15pm Weekday Masses 26 January 1941 Fr Martin Vaughan Saturday - 8.00am - 9.00am Tuesday - 5:30pm - Yoogali And 30 mins before weekend Holy Masses Wednesday - 8.00am - Hanwood 27 January 1938 Fr Patrick Reidy Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Tooma Thursday - 5.00pm - Yenda 29 January 2014 Fr Ralph Fitzgerald 4th Sunday - 7.30am Friday - 9:30am - Yoogali Exposition and Benediction of the Confessions 30 January 1946 Fr Patrick Gahan Blessed Sacrament Yenda - Thursday, before Mass Friday - 4.30pm & Saturday - 8.00am Yoogali - Sunday, before Mass 4 February 1932 Fr John Campbell Hanwood - Saturday - 4:30pm 4 February 1994 Fr James Michael Clark Urana Or by arrangement with the priest. 12 February 1926 Fr Thomas L Ryan St Fiacre’s Church 5 End St, Urana Please note that Mass times 14 February 1907 Mgr Michael Slattery Weekend Masses were true and correct at the 14 February 1982 Fr Thomas Aloysius Desmond 1st, 3rd & 5th Sunday - 8:00am 2nd & 4th Saturday (Vigil) - 6:00pm time of printing. For further 19 February 1948 Fr John Kenneth Charles Suna Weekday Masses clarification, please check parish Thursday - 12:30pm 24 February 1968 Bishop Francis Augustin Henschke Confessions Up to 5 mins before Mass. bulletins and noticeboards closer Oaklands to the date. These faithful servants, Lord, put their wholehearted 1st, 3rd & 5th Sunday - 10:00am trust in you - Grant that they may live in your love.

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South City Shopping Centre 74 Baylis Street Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 www.southcitynews.com.au www.cignall.com.au Call (02) 6971 3944 Call (02) 6931 7994 Family reflections for: 9th February - Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Explain that in this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus talks about Februarydo is to love others as if they were Jesus himself. The widespread use of electricity in our society may following the Law. Say: God’s Law of love can be thought of If we reach out in love to others, we are doing exactly what make us less aware of the value and importance of as rules that we are to follow in order to show our love and Jesus did. That is what perfection looks like. End this time light. To re-engage with the power of the metaphor that respect for one another. Read aloud this Sunday’s Gospel, together by praying the Act of Love. Jesus offers, gather your family in a darkened room. Bring Matthew 5:17–37. Talk specifically with one another about Leviticus 19:1–2, 17–18 Psalm 103: 1–4,8,10, 12–13 only one flashlight. how anger is to be dealt with in your family. Conclude by 1 Corinthians 3:16–23 Matthew 5:38–48 Sit together for a minute and consider what you are able praying for the grace to overcome anger and to show respect to do and see in so little light. You might try opening the for one another as a family by following God’s Law of love. Wednesday 26th February - Ash Wednesday Bible to see whether you can read today’s Gospel. Turn Sirach 15:15–20 Psalm 119:1–2,4–5, 17–18,33–34 The season of Lent presents families with an on the flashlight and experiment to see how one might 1 Corinthians 2:6–10 Matthew 5:17–37 opportunity to examine our family life and to re- use it to achieve the greatest amount of light. Then read commit ourselves to the Christian practices of today’s Gospel by the light of the flashlight. Ask everyone 23rd February - Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. Each of us is invited to consider what it means to say that Christians are to be Family life teaches us many things. It is often at home to do these things as individuals, but we can also do one or the light of the world. How might your family act in a way that we learn practical skills such as cooking, riding a bike, more actions as a family. Ash Wednesday is a good time for that is a light for others, a light that is worthy to put on a and making repairs. Talk about some of the things that the families to pray together and to plan the family’s Lenten lamp stand? Choose one thing that your family will do this members of your family have learned to do at home. We also practices. week to show that you are the light of the world. You might learn about caring at home. Talk about times when you have Gather as a family and read today’s Gospel, Matthew choose to participate in an activity that your parish sponsors, learned a lesson about sharing, forgiving, or loving through 6:1-6,16-18. Remind yourselves that Jesus expected that his such as help with a food pantry. Pray together by singing an experience that happened at home. disciples would give alms, pray, and fast and that he gave “This Little Light of Mine.” Talk about how love is the most important thing a family instructions that when we do those things, they should not Isaiah 58:7-10 Psalm 112:4-9 can share with one another. Explain that it is the same in be done for show. Determine one way that your family will 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Matthew 5:13-16 God’s family. Read aloud this Sunday’s Gospel, Matthew give alms during Lent to share what you have with people 5:38–48. Talk about how Jesus tried to teach his disciples in need. Decide upon one way that your family will pray 16th February - Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time how to love others beyond those who are closest to them. together during Lent and choose one thing that your family Families have rules. Without rules, family life would Jesus tells them to love even their enemies. As members of will give up during Lent as a reminder of your love for be chaos. As a family, brainstorm a list of rules that you God’s family, we are called to do the same thing. Talk about God. Agree to encourage one another in whatever Lenten are all called to follow in your home in order for you all to some concrete ways you can “love your enemies and pray promises each has made individually. Pray together that God get along together. Think about rules for play time, rules for for those who persecute you” will bless your family’s Lenten promises by praying together eating, rules for how to speak to one another, rules for going Remind your children that Jesus does not expect us to be today’s psalm, Psalm 51, and/or praying the Lord’s Prayer. out with friends, and so on. Emphasize that families follow perfect. Jesus knows that we are human and will not always Joel 2:12-18 Psalm 51:3-6b,12-14,17 rules as a way of showing love and respect for one another. do everything correctly. Explain that what Jesus wants us to 2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2 Matthew 6:1-6,16-18

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