Reflecting on a year of service: 2024 year in review
Reflecting on a year of service: 2024 year in review At St Agnes’ Catholic Parish, we are proud to be known for our strong and trusted aged care services, including innovative dementia care, quality retirement living, residential aged care, and home care. While aged care remains a vital part of our identity, it is just one chapter [...]
Sue Williams on her role as a volunteer
Sue Williams on her role as a volunteer Volunteering is part of my family history. I learned through the example of my parents, especially my mum, Norma Williams, who did all sorts of volunteering and received a Premier’s Award through local government for her efforts. When the time came in my life when I was able to [...]
Building pastoral skills through Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
Building pastoral skills through Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Five members of the St Agnes’ Care & Lifestyle Pastoral and Spiritual Care Team (Justine, Roy, Rebecca, Steve and Beth) and Fr Alejo Despacio Jr participated in 40 hours of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) training over 3 months with Reverend Canon Roger Zorab (Deputy President of the NSW College [...]
Staff long service milestones recognised at Mass
Staff long service milestones recognised at Mass St Agnes’ Catholic Parish celebrated its annual Staff Long Service Awards on 26 March 2025 with the celebration of Mass, the presentation of Service Awards and supper in the Parish Hall. The Mass was celebrated by Fr Paul Gooley (Parish Priest) , Fr Prodencio Bognay and, newly ordained deacon, Shane [...]
A lifelong connection to St Agnes’ Catholic Parish
A lifelong connection to St Agnes’ Catholic Parish For Belinda Howell, being part of St Agnes’ Catholic Parish isn’t just a job – it’s a deep part of who she is. A proud Port Macquarie local, Belinda’s connection to the Parish began in early childhood when she attended St Joseph’s Preschool, the Parish’s first early education centre. [...]
Online religious education resource secures subscription for all schools in Brisbane diocese
Online religious education resource secures subscription for all schools in Brisbane diocese Understanding Faith, an online religious education platform, has secured a 12-month subscription agreement with Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) to provide access to the Understanding Faith religious education resource for 2025. Understanding Faith was established by St Agnes’ Catholic Parish in Port Macquarie in the 1990s [...]
Carol Briscoe: It all began with a small ‘yes’
Carol Briscoe: It all began with a small ‘yes’ During this Jubilee Year of Hope, Carol Briscoe, who was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the 2025 Australia Day Honours List, reflects on her time as a volunteer with St Agnes’ Catholic Parish in Port Macquarie and what brings her hope for the future. Modest [...]
People just keep coming back to The Francis Retreat
People just keep coming back to The Francis Retreat The Francis Retreat in Bonny Hills is celebrating another successful summer season as, year after year, families and community organisations keep coming back to this picturesque location. During school terms the retreat is kept busy with groups of students visiting for camps and excursions. The summer holidays are [...]
Creating Green Connections: ISS’s New Grounds and Landscaping Service at St Agnes’
Creating Green Connections: ISS’s New Grounds and Landscaping Service at St Agnes’ Since September, ISS has been thrilled to deepen its partnership with St Agnes’ Catholic Parish by taking on grounds and landscaping services in Port Macquarie on the Mid-North Coast. This expansion allows ISS to bring its personal touch to the cherished spaces that mean so [...]
‘Empowered to Excellence’ is Parish value in focus for 2025
‘Empowered to Excellence’ is Parish value in focus for 2025 This year’s value in focus, ‘Empowered to Excellence’, was chosen by Parish Priest, Fr Paul Gooley, and CEO, Tony Leahy because: The Catholic Church is celebrating a Holy Year in 2025, the Jubilee of Hope. It is hope that inspires us to strive for positive outcomes in [...]
Graduates celebrate success at 2024 JHI graduation ceremony
Graduates celebrate success at 2024 JHI graduation ceremony The 2024 ceremony for graduating students at John Henry Institute (JHI), held on Tuesday 20 November at St Agnes’ Catholic Parish Hall in Port Macquarie, marked the graduation of the first group of JHI plumbing apprentices, the second group of Ni-Vanuatu aged care workers, and more than 40 other [...]
John Henry Institute comes through Smart & Skilled review with flying colours
John Henry Institute comes through Smart & Skilled review with flying colours Congratulations to the team at the John Henry Institute (JHI) for successfully fulfilling their Smart & Skilled Contract. JHI received a satisfactory rating in the latest NSW Department of Education review. The results of the 2023 Student Outcomes Survey were considered as part of the [...]
