Tales ‘from the other side’ Our amazing residents at Emmaus are making the best of the COVID Lockdown. As one resident said… ‘We will not be beaten!’ Many residents enjoyed laughs and a few giggles having their photo taken to send a message ‘From the other side’ to their families and friends, who are thrilled to see [...]

Local partnership delivers care packages to those in need St Agnes’ Catholic Parish has teamed up with Hastings Co-op to provide care packages to those in the local community who have been impacted by the environment caused by Coronavirus (COVID-19). “The health warnings and social distancing brought on by COVID-19 combined with the scarcity of grocery items [...]

Parish reaches out to the faithful during Holy Week Even though the doors of its churches and chapels are closed, St Agnes’ Catholic Parish is using a mix of tradition and technology to encourage people in their faith at Easter and during the COVID19 lockdown. Parish Priest of St Agnes’ Parish, Fr Paul Gooley, says the Parish [...]

Ever wondered about our Holy Week and Easter Triduum traditions? Though for this year there are no congregational gatherings for liturgical celebrations during Holy Week it is important that we remember, reflect and pray during this significant time. Tony Worner, the Parish’s Leader of Lay Formation, has kindly prepared the following on this wonderful time: Holy Week [...]

Understanding the move to online education The transition to online learning for schools has been an uncertain one for teachers, students and families alike. Although, successfully educating students in an online environment is nothing new for Understanding Faith. Based locally in Port Macquarie and operating for 13 years, Understanding Faith is Australia’s most widely-used online learning resource [...]

Celebrate Palm Sunday with this symbolic gesture Parishioners of St Agnes’ Catholic Parish are finding new ways to celebrate faith during the Coronavirus lockdown with Parish Priest, Fr Paul Gooley, encouraging the faithful to mark their home with a palm frond to celebrate Palm Sunday this weekend. Palm Sunday traditionally marks the beginning of Holy Week, the [...]

Stella’s 100th birthday does not pass unnoticed Stella Urwin, who celebrated her 100th birthday on 12 March, is a remarkable woman with a great attitude to life. Legally blind, she moved to Maryknoll at St Agnes’ site in Lochinvar Place 18 months ago, Stella considers herself to be very fortunate. Born in Bendemeer, near Tamworth, on 12 [...]

Important information regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) – communique #7 (30 March) I write to update you with the latest information on what the Parish is doing to address Coronavirus (COVID-19) locally. I sent a message earlier today regarding the lockdown of our aged care services at Emmaus and St Agnes Site in Port Macquarie and Vincent Court in [...]

Important information regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) – communique #6 Hello again, As you know the environment of Coronavirus (COVID-19) is ever-changing and I would like to provide you with an update on how we are addressing COVID-19 locally. Before I do however, I want to let you know that we are conscious of wanting to communicate effectively and [...]

Important information regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) - communique #5 Over the weekend the Australian Government announced new Stage 1 restrictions on social gatherings that, although they are to be reviewed monthly, it is expected that these measures would be in place for at least six months. You can get the details of these restrictions at: https://www.pm.gov.au/media/update-coronavirus-measures-220320, but what does [...]