Advent Explanation and History
Advent Explanation and History The word Advent comes from the Latin work Adventus which means ‘coming’. The season of Advent occurs immediately before Christmas beginning on the Sunday that is closes to the feast of St Andrew (30th Nov). The season of Advent lasts for 4 weeks. Since the 9th Century the first Sunday of Advent became [...]
John Henry Institute (JHI) graduates celebrate
John Henry Institute (JHI) graduates celebrate Sixty-one students of the John Henry Institute (JHI) gathered with their families and staff at St Agnes’ Catholic Parish Hall on Thursday 20 October to celebrate the completion of study at the JHI Graduation ceremony for 2022. JHI has significant experience in providing quality vocational education and training, that is compliant [...]
Celebrating the Feast of Christ the King
Celebrating the Feast of Christ the King The Feast of Christ the King is the last Sunday of the Church year which means we focus on the final and glorious things to come! It also means that the following Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent. When we say Jesus is a king, we mean a few [...]
Homelessness Support at the Community and Youth Hub
Homelessness Support at the Community and Youth Hub St Agnes’ Parish Community and The Youth Hub, in partnership with these other local community service providers, are holding “drop-in service” days in November for those in the community doing it tough. It will be open from 7am to 2pm and will offer a free breakfast and lunch at [...]
Retreat helps participants find peace in simplicity of the Gospel
Retreat helps participants find peace in simplicity of the Gospel The Francis Retreat in Bonny Hills was the perfect venue for the ‘Returning to the Simplicity of the Gospel’ retreat held on Sunday 30 October. Attended by 78 enthusiastic participants, the retreat was organised and facilitated by Leanne and Shane Hyland, who are parishioners of St Agnes’ [...]
Our Season of Pastoral Community Renewal
Our Season of Pastoral Community Renewal We have commenced a time of renewal for our pastoral community. The word ‘renewal’ means many things to many people. In this context, it's not about 'throwing the baby out with the bath water' rather it is about finding new ways to acknowledge what we already do and other ways to [...]
Praying the Rosary
Praying the Rosary Many of us would recall from our childhoods, family members clasping their rosary beads and sitting quietly in prayer each day. We may even own a set or two ourselves (some being precious family heirlooms). The Rosary is primarily a scriptural prayer. This was summarised by Pope Pius XII (papacy: 1939- 1958) who said [...]
Bishop drops into Trainee check-in workshop
Bishop drops into Trainee check-in workshop Ten students from Newman Senior Technical College, who are part of the Parish’s School-based Traineeship program, attended a Check-in Workshop held in the Parish Hall at the Parish Administration Centre on Thursday 15 September. The event coincided with a visit to the parish by Bishop Greg Homeming, who was pleased [...]
National Police Remembrance Day: Fr Paul Gooley reflects
National Police Remembrance Day: Fr Paul Gooley reflects National Police Remembrance Day (29 September) is a day for police and our community to pause and honour officers whose lives have been lost while performing their duty. It is also a time to remember police officers who have lost their lives through illness or other circumstances. Police Remembrance [...]
Emmaus Village on Track to Deliver Innovative Model of Care
Emmaus Village on Track to Deliver Innovative Model of Care St Agnes’ Catholic Parish’s realisation of an innovative care model that answers the needs of people living with dementia is on track for completion in mid-2023 says St Agnes’ Catholic Parish CEO Adam Spencer. Previously known as the ‘Memory Support Village’, the name was recently changed to link [...]
Fr Paul celebrates 15 years as Police Chaplain
Fr Paul celebrates 15 years as Police Chaplain Fr Paul received some unexpected recognition when he recently attended the annual training conference for the NSW police chaplains, who were gathering in person for the first time since the COVID pandemic began in early 2020. While at the conference all Chaplains who served between 1 July 2019 and 31 [...]
Three Parishes participate in Images of Jesus Virtual Learning course
Three Parishes participate in Images of Jesus Virtual Learning course Thirteen parishioners from Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Alstonville, Macleay Valley Catholic Parish and St Agnes’ Catholic Parish are participating in a Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF) course called ‘Images of Jesus’. The five-week course is being facilitated online by Julie Worch who lives [...]
