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Category: MISSION AND RENEWAL

Laudato Si’ Week 2022

Laudato Sí Week

This year’s Laudato Si’ Week 2022, will be held from 16 to 24 May and will be the crowning event of the Special Laudato Si’ Anniversary Year begun in 2020, and a celebration of the great progress the whole Church has made on its journey to ecological conversion. The theme for the weeklong celebration, “For we know that things can change” (Laudato Si’ 13), encourages people to take an active part in working to care for God’s creation. 
Why are the dates for the celebration of Laudato Si’ Week in Australia different from those on the international Laudato Si’ Week website? Last May the Australian Bishops decided to celebrate Laudato Si’ Week from 16 to 24 May during each year of their seven-year Laudato Si’ Action Plan journey. These dates allow both Laudato Si’ Week, and National Reconciliation Week from 27 May to 3 June, to be celebrated appropriately by Australian Catholics. While fostering right relationships with First Peoples should be part of our response to Laudato Si’ Goal Two, responding to the cry of the poor, Reconciliation Week is a major national event that draws attention to a fundamental question of justice in Australian society. 
More information and resources can be found here.

The Carcoar Camino

A PILGRIM’S WALKING RETREAT – THE CARCOAR CAMINO
Friday 6pm 6 May 6pm to Sunday 3pm 8 May

Come and enjoy a two-day retreat following the Way of the Pilgrim walking the Shalom Labyrinth and around the beautiful Carcoar Vally. This retreat is about reconnecting with your spirituality and your God through the Pilgrim’s Camino and the Christian labyrinth. You can do as much or as little as you want as we explore the designs, paths, patterns and our life’s journey through meditative walking and contemplative prayer exercises.

Cost: $280 (Includes all meals and accommodation)
For bookings:
Phone: 63673058

This retreat is about reconnecting with your spirituality and your God through the Pilgrim’s Camino and the Christian labyrinth. You can do as much or as little as you want as we explore the designs, paths, patterns and our life’s journey through meditative walking and contemplative prayer exercises.

SRE Teacher recognition

During Mass at St Columbanus’ Church Cudal on Saturday 26 March 26, Lyn Frecklington was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for having taught SRE for more than forty years at Cudal Public School. Vicki Mair Southern Region SRE Coordinator for the diocese described Lyn as – “ a living treasure”.

Lyn Frecklington has taught SRE (Special Religious Education) at Cudal Public School for a little over 40 years and is one of our longest-serving SRE teachers in the Diocese of Bathurst. She has taught generations of children who have passed through the school, children of children, including her own children and grandchildren. In 2005 Lyn received an Award and a Papal Medal from Pope Benedict LVI for her contribution to the life of her local parish community and in recognition of her important work as an SRE Teacher for our Bathurst diocese. Lyn first became involved in SRE teaching when her own children were attending Cudal Public School and the previous SRE Teacher Helen Seale was withdrawing from the ministry. When the Parish Priest at the time called for volunteers to teach SRE, Lyn answered this call and has been teaching SRE at Cudal Public school since ever, beginning in 1982.

Helen Ryan one of our past SRE Coordinators and Director of CCD  SRE  recalls that Lyn was always consistent, generous with her time and well prepared for her lessons. Helen said that Lyn knew all the children at Cudal Public School and she admired the way the children would come and greet her in the playground when she arrived at the school.  Helen also said that while Lyn was teaching that her own personal spirituality would come through in her lessons.

So why is Lyn Frecklinton still teaching Scripture after 40 years ?

Well, that’s simple!

She says because she enjoys it.

Lyn loves God.

She loves the children whom she teaches and

She has a willingness to pass on her faith to others

On behalf of St Columbanus’ Parish and the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst we would like to thank Lyn for all that she has given so generously to God’s little ones for over 40 years.

Lyn is presented with her appreciation certificate by Fr Karl Sinclair.

Summer Contemplations

As spring is a time of renewal and growth, we hope that this summer’s anticipated sunshine will shed light and focus on the season of Advent and Christmas in a way that is energising and inspiring for all of us.

Connect@home is a diocesan resource of daily reading, resources and Mass online to assist parishioners with worship at home. One element of Connect@home is a daily email which invites individuals to enter into the beauty and power of the Scriptures. It offers a chance to be nourished and formed by the Word of God, especially at a time when gathering as a community for Mass has not been as accessible or as regular as in previous years. Connect@home has been one way our congregation has kept up a strong connection.

The Church teaches that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist, in a community of two or more gathered in his name and when the Scriptures are read or proclaimed.

Each morning, you will receive an email with a link to the daily readings set by the Church and a short reflection and prayer. You could do this sacred reading on your own, or with members of your household.

This is a chance for us as a local church to connect with one another and with Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, who is with us in all we are going through.

If you like podcasts then Connection: Faith & Life, a Podcast of the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst could very well be your next favourite. Life can be hard, especially during these past weeks and months of lockdown and now living with the COVID pandemic. Each week there is an episode of the podcast to offer mutual support, necessary at all times, and to promote growth in faith and holiness. Plus we are always looking for ideas for discussion as well as people to interview.

Deacon Josh

A Podcast of the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst. Life can be hard, especially during this time of pandemic. We have made this podcast to offer mutual support, necessary at all times, and to promote growth in faith and holiness. Contact us at podcast@bathurst.catholic.org.au.

Cover Art by Emily Bennett