30 years on St Francis of Assisi Chapel is still ‘an oasis of peace’
30 years on St Francis of Assisi Chapel is still ‘an oasis of peace’ St Francis of Assisi Chapel in Lochinvar Place celebrated its 30th Anniversary on 5 May. This beautiful chapel is now part of the fabric of our parish. The story below recalls a little of the day it was dedicated and how it came [...]
What is an apostle?
What is an apostle? Apostles were those entrusted by Jesus to help build the church and spread the message of His teachings. The word apostle comes from the Greek word, ‘apostello’, meaning a messenger or one sent on a mission. While we all are called to spread the Good News, not everyone is given the gift of apostleship [...]
‘United as one body’ Parish offers practical help and hope in the aftermath of the floods
‘United as one body’ Parish offers practical help and hope in the aftermath of the floods The Parish is liaising with over 50 local families affected by the floods, as well as those who drop into the Pop-up Pantry, to support their recovery. Many, who have lost some, or all, of their possessions, cars, homes, treasured mementoes [...]
Flood support for Riverside Village
Flood support for Riverside Village During the March flood event 40 - 50 residences at Riverside Village (256 Hastings River Drive) were absolutely swamped by floodwater. During the crisis some residents were taken to hospital and alternative accommodation was found for many others. About half of the 'swamped residents', many of whom were not insured, returned over [...]
Annual Kindergarten Information Night a big hit
Annual Kindergarten Information Night a big hit Last Tuesday 30 March, over 130 people attended the Information Night for Kindergarten in 2022 across St Agnes’ Catholic Parish primary schools at St Agnes', St Joseph’s and St Peter’s. Of the attendees about 50% were new families sending their first child to our schools. It was held at St [...]
Pop-Up Pantry helps with flood relief
Pop-Up Pantry helps with flood relief St Agnes’ Catholic Parish has set up a Pop-Up Pantry to assist those recovering and rebuilding after floods hit the local area. St Agnes’ Catholic Parish Director of Mission Anne O’Brien said the Pop-Up Pantry is here to help locals with non-perishable food and other supplies to help after the floods. [...]
Parish repurposes retreat to help flood victims
Parish repurposes retreat to help flood victims St Agnes' Catholic Parish has repurposed The Francis Retreat at Bonny Hills for temporary accommodation for residents from Laurieton/Dunbogan and surrounds that have been displaced by floods. St Agnes' Catholic Parish CEO Adam Spencer said this was one of the outcomes from working with the NSW Government's Disaster Preparedness Group, [...]
Flood Disaster Relief – Update from our CEO, Adam Spencer
Flood Disaster Relief - Update from our CEO, Adam Spencer As you know many of our employees, businesses and members of our community are suffering under the current flood disaster. They are constantly in our prayers and thoughts and as such, we are working hard to determine how we can assist them and the broader community. Since [...]
Hair gone for a great cause!
Hair gone for a great cause! Seven students at St Peter’s Primary School chopped their hair to raise money for kids with cancer. “I cut my hair for cancer to help people in need of support when they are going through that kind of sickness” commented year six student, Ella Oliver. Ruby Merrit (year six) added, “I [...]
COVID Vaccine Roll Out in our Residential Services
COVID Vaccine Roll Out in our Residential Services Residents at St Agnes’ Site and Emmaus were selected as some of the first aged care services to receive the Federal Government’s COVID-19 vaccination program. At St Agnes’ Site, 115 vaccinations were done on Monday 8 March and at Emmaus, 147 vaccinations were completed on 11 March. Health Care [...]
Ember Days: what are they? How are they connected to sustainability?
Ember Days: what are they? How are they connected to sustainability? The Catholic Church celebrated Autumn Ember Day on Friday 5 March (2021). The word ‘ember’ in this context does not mean a glowing or smouldering piece of coal or wood but a ‘recurring period’. In Australia we celebrate both Autumn and Spring Ember Days. While the [...]
Camp Quality at The Francis Retreat
Camp Quality at The Francis Retreat The Camp Quality crew, made up of 20 children and 5 companions, lit up the lives of everyone at The Francis Retreat during their five-day stay in January 2021. For those who don’t know, Camp Quality is an organisation that gives kids facing cancer the chance to be kids again through [...]
