Parish gives thanks for the many blessings received through their service

The long service of 63 employees was acknowledged last Tuesday (12 September 2023) evening with the celebration of Mass, the presentation of Service Awards and certificates and supper in the Parish Hall after Mass.

The lengths of service celebrated ranged from 10 years through to an amazing 45 years. Of the 63 employees honoured, thirty-nine work in our Parish Schools and twenty-three work in our Care, Pastoral and Early Education services.

During his homily, Fr Paul spoke about the importance of living our lives in the service of others using as an example the life of Fr Mychal Judge, who was killed when he rushed to assist first responders during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He noted that Mychal’s life reflected service, love, care, faith, duty, sacrifice, generosity, time, giving, devotion and more.

These qualities, Fr Paul went on to say, are all very Christ-like ways to live our lives. Christ himself lived them when he was here among us. They are the same things he called the Apostles to live out when he called them to continue his work.

“Today we recognise the many people who work in our Parish, and we recognise their service, their love and care, their sacrifice, faith duty, generosity, time and devotion and we recognise what they have given and more,” said Fr Paul.

“We give thanks to God for the many blessings we have received through the service and work of each of those people recognised at this service.”

After communion, Tony Leahy (CEO) presented Awards to St Agnes’ Care and Lifestyle and St Agnes’ Assist staff members:

Suzanne Laurie	St Agnes’ Residential	10 years
Anne Schofield	St Agnes’ Uniform Store	10 years
Veronica Swadling	Home Care	10 years
Jaclyn Padden	Parish Administration Centre	10 years
Leilani Steele	Parish Administration Centre	10 years
Deborah Kennedy	St Joseph’s Family Services	10 years
Christine Abel	Parish Administration Centre	10 years
Thelma Niddrie	St Agnes’ Residential	10 years
Jayson Corr	Social Support	10 years
Sharon Franklyn-Smith	Business Enterprises	10 years
Benny Mathew	Emmaus	10 years
Rasa Jones	Emmaus	10 years
Sr Anne Hannigan	Emmaus	10 years (in 2020)
Christine Fell	St Agnes’ Residential	20 years
Nerelle Duck	Emmaus	20 years
Diane Griffen	Disability Support	20 years
Michael Erdelyi	Food Services	20 years
Helen Annetts	St Agnes’ Residential	20 years
Belinda Oldfield	Disability Support	25 years
Donna Hanley	Home Care	25 years
Karen Johnston	Emmaus	30 years
Lois Clarke	St Agnes’ Residential	30 years
Matthew Rourke	Parish Administration Centre	30 years
Patrick Donnelly	St Agnes’ Residential	35 years

Then, Stephen Pares (Regional Leader/Hastings Catholic Schools Office) presented Awards to staff members from our Parish schools.

Sharon Hugo	St Agnes’ Primary School	10 years
Nicola Jackson	St Joseph’s Primary School	10 years
Laura Stapleton	St Joseph’s Primary School	10 years
Casey Whitehouse	St Peter’s Primary School	10 years
Rani Tink	St Peter’s Primary School	10 years
Amy Packer	St Peter’s Primary School	10 years
Tracey Kirkman	St Peter’s Primary School	10 years
Anne Marie Stacey	MacKillop College	10 years
Stephanie Mullens	Newman College	10 years
Peter Sciberras	Newman College	10 years
Michelle Smith	Newman College	10 years
Deanne Fyffe	St Joseph’s Regional College	10 years
Timo Gobius	St Joseph’s Regional College	10 years
John Sprague	St Joseph’s Regional College	10 years
Michael Walsh	St Joseph’s Regional College	10 years
Jeremy Buckley	St Joseph’s Regional College	10 years (in 2022)
Angelique Alchin	St Agnes’ Primary School	20 years
Tracy Bancroft	St Joseph’s Primary School	20 years
Lyn Kelly	St Joseph’s Primary School	20 years
Kathie Bailey	St Peter’s Primary School	20 years
Kylie Kipreotis	St Peter’s Primary School	20 years
Richard May	MacKillop College	20 years
Bronwyn Avery	MacKillop College	20 years
Nichola Lutton	MacKillop College	20 years
Christine Harmer	MacKillop College	20 years (in 2021)
Christopher Green	Newman College	20 years
Heidi Flanagan	St Joseph’s Regional College	20 years
Jason Warneken	St Joseph’s Regional College	20 years
Larissa Toohey	St Agnes’ Primary School	25 years
Kristy Robb	St Peter’s Primary School	25 years
Bruce Smith	MacKillop College	25 years
Jenny Watson	MacKillop College	25 years
Leanne Johnson	St Joseph’s Regional College	25 years
Anne Twomey	St Joseph’s Regional College	25 years
Debbie Rennes	St Joseph’s Primary School	30 years
Cath Eichmann	MacKillop College	30 years
Gordon West	St Joseph’s Regional College	30 years
Karen Bale	St Joseph’s Regional College	35 years
Tess Tarrant-Clarke	Newman College	45 years