Celebrate Palm Sunday with this symbolic gesture Parishioners of St Agnes’ Catholic Parish are finding new ways to celebrate faith during the Coronavirus lockdown with Parish Priest, Fr Paul Gooley, encouraging the faithful to mark their home with a palm frond to celebrate Palm Sunday this weekend. Palm Sunday traditionally marks the beginning of Holy Week, the [...]

Stella’s 100th birthday does not pass unnoticed Stella Urwin, who celebrated her 100th birthday on 12 March, is a remarkable woman with a great attitude to life. Legally blind, she moved to Maryknoll at St Agnes’ site in Lochinvar Place 18 months ago, Stella considers herself to be very fortunate. Born in Bendemeer, near Tamworth, on 12 [...]

Important information regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) – communique #7 (30 March) I write to update you with the latest information on what the Parish is doing to address Coronavirus (COVID-19) locally. I sent a message earlier today regarding the lockdown of our aged care services at Emmaus and St Agnes Site in Port Macquarie and Vincent Court in [...]

Important information regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) – communique #6 Hello again, As you know the environment of Coronavirus (COVID-19) is ever-changing and I would like to provide you with an update on how we are addressing COVID-19 locally. Before I do however, I want to let you know that we are conscious of wanting to communicate effectively and [...]

Important information regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) - communique #5 Over the weekend the Australian Government announced new Stage 1 restrictions on social gatherings that, although they are to be reviewed monthly, it is expected that these measures would be in place for at least six months. You can get the details of these restrictions at: https://www.pm.gov.au/media/update-coronavirus-measures-220320, but what does [...]

Coronavirus (COVID-19) communique #4 (20 March) The Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT) met again this morning and I would like to provide you with an update from that meeting. Please see above for a video from Fr Paul providing notification of the cancellation of Mass for this weekend and also an update on future plans for Mass [...]

Coronavirus (COVID-19) communique #3 (18 March) I would like to bring you up to date on the issues discussed at the most recent meeting of Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT) regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19). This team has been established to deliver this communique as the official communication from the Parish offering guidance and instruction regarding the Coronavirus. [...]

March 20 is International Day of Happiness Research shows volunteering makes you happier With the United Nations’ ‘International Day of Happiness’ just around the corner on Friday 20 March, it’s a great time to consider how doing things for others enhances personal happiness. According to a study conducted by Syracuse University in 2007, people who give are [...]

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update #2 Last week, the Parish convened its Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT) to highlight any issues pertaining to the COVID-19 Coronavirus and to ensure staff are kept up to date with the latest advice as to what we are doing locally. The Team has identified that the key priority is to do all we [...]

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update #1, including changes to Mass Dear Colleagues, Families, Residents, Parishioners and Volunteers, No doubt you will be aware of media reports and discussions at Federal and State Government level surrounding the activation of the Australian Government’s Emergency Response Plan for the COVID-19 Coronavirus. While not wanting to cause alarm, St Agnes’ Parish and its [...]

What Lent means to me Tony Worner - Leader of Lay Formation As the season of Lent begins each year, I am always reminded of the song Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season), by Pete Seeger of the Byrds. (The lyrics are based on the first eight verses of the third chapter [...]

Real Schools provide thought-provoking day at MacKillop College Last Monday, 24 February, MacKillop College staff participated in a Professional Learning day lead by Adam Voight from Real Schools. The day was focused around restorative practice to enhance positive relationships in the classroom such as enhanced learning and a contribution to individual wellbeing which are foundational to the [...]