Language no barrier to learning for Ratchanee at John Henry Institute When Ratchanee Swinnerton first enquired about learning through John Henry Institute (JHI) she was concerned that her English reading and writing skills would not be good enough for the Certificate III Individual Support course. Ratchanee came from Thailand where she met her husband on holiday, moving [...]

Psalms come to life at Parish Retreat About 50 parishioners gathered at The Francis Retreat in Bonny Hills on Friday 21 May for the Parish Retreat, the theme of which was ‘Drawing comfort and strength from the Psalms’. Facilitator of the retreat was Rev Dr Elio Capra SDB, a Salesians of Don Bosco priest, who lectures in [...]

National Mass Celebrating 200 Years of Catholic Education St Agnes' Catholic Parish secondary school leaders and Principals joined with schools across the diocese to celebrate 200 Years of Catholic Education at a Mass held at St Carthage’s Cathedral in Lismore. This National Mass was held in cathedrals across Australia.  In the Bishop's absence, Fr Paul Gooley as [...]

Latest on Parish Flood Recovery efforts (as at 23 May 2021) St Agnes’ Catholic Parish Recovery Support Service Resilience NSW has entered into an Agreement with St Agnes’ Catholic Parish to establish and run for an initial 12-week period a recovery centre located next to our Pop Up Pantry in William Street. The centre will open from [...]

Mass enjoyed by all Last Wednesday, for the first time since 2019, the Parish was able to gather at an uplifting, joyful Mass to celebrate and thank its volunteers for their contribution. In his homily, Fr Paul drew on the words of Pope Francis, ‘You are among the most precious things the church has. You, who every [...]

‘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 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 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 [...]