‘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 [...]
Volunteers enjoyed catch up on International Volunteers’ Day
International Volunteers’ Day was the perfect opportunity for St Agnes’ Parish volunteers to get together for afternoon tea and a pre-Christmas catch up. United Nations’ International Volunteer Day (IVD), held on 5 December each year, is a global celebration of the vital role volunteers play in addressing the world’s challenges. It highlights the power of volunteering to strengthen communities and [...]
Thirteen plumbing apprentices graduate in first JHI cohort
Thirteen plumbing apprentices graduate in first JHI cohort The mid north coast can celebrate the graduation of thirteen fully qualified plumbers thanks to the John Henry Institute (JHI) plumbing apprentices’ training program. At a ceremony for the 2024 graduating students at John Henry Institute (JHI), held on Tuesday 20 November at St Agnes’ Catholic Parish Hall in [...]
Inaugural ‘Christ the King’ community celebration exceeds all expectations
Inaugural ‘Christ the King’ community celebration exceeds all expectations St Agnes’ Catholic Parish ‘Christ the King’ celebration held on Sunday 24 November at St Joseph’s Regional College Port Macquarie exceeded all expectations with around 650 people attending the event. Fr Paul Gooley, Parish Priest of St Agnes’ Catholic Parish, said the parish had chosen the Solemnity of [...]
Official opening of Emmaus Village and Community Centre marks new era in dementia care
Official opening of Emmaus Village and Community Centre marks new era in dementia care Emmaus Village and Community Centre, which offers an innovative alternative mode of care for people living with dementia, was officially opened at 16 Colonel Barney Drive in Port Macquarie on Wednesday 2 October 2024. Based on best-practice models such as the world-leading The Hogeweyk® [...]
Whole of community gathering scheduled for 24 November, the Feast of Christ the King
Whole of community gathering scheduled for 24 November, the Feast of Christ the King One of our parish values is ‘United as one body’, yet we rarely get the opportunity to come together in one group as ‘one body’. This year’s celebration of the Feast of Christ the King on 24 November is set to change that. [...]
Colouring Competition highlights the importance of Safeguarding
Colouring Competition highlights the importance of Safeguarding For National Child Protection Week the Learning & Development team at St Agnes’ Catholic Parish in Port Macquarie led a Colouring Competition (open to children and adults) to highlight the need for ongoing awareness regarding Safeguarding. The winners, announced on 25 September, received a small prize for their efforts. Congratulations [...]
Bishop Greg asks ‘What if a brick was missing?’ as he blesses newly renovated chapel at Emmaus
Bishop Greg asks ‘What if a brick was missing?’ as he blesses newly renovated chapel at Emmaus Bishop Greg Homeming OCD, Bishop of Lismore, concelebrated Mass with Fr Paul Gooley, Parish Priest of St Agnes’ Catholic Parish, at the St Teresa of Kolkata Chapel at Emmaus on Tuesday, 17 September. The Mass was held to bless the [...]
1,345 years of service celebrated at Parish Long Service Awards
1,345 years of service celebrated at Parish Long Service Awards Well over a millennium of service (1,345 years) was recognised at the 2024 St Agnes’ Catholic Parish Long Service Awards presented on Wednesday 4 September, after the celebration of Mass by Fr Paul Gooley. In total, 74 staff members were acknowledged for reaching significant 10, 20, 25, [...]
Three long-serving staff members reflect on their time working with the Parish
Three long-serving staff members reflect on their time working with the Parish After the Long Service Awards presentation and Mass on Wednesday 4 September, we caught up with three staff members, Denise Smith, Claire Gerke and David Gerke, who celebrated 35 years of service at that event. Below are their reflections on their time working with the [...]