Diocesan News - National Office for the Participation of Women

Thuruna: A place of gathering.

he Annual Eyre Peninsula Women’s Retreat brought together women from across the region to hear well known identity, Archbishop Leonard Faulkner. The beachside setting at Thuruna provided a relaxing atmosphere for a wonderful time of storytelling, and reflection in our lives during the two days.

... On death, the message was delivered with dignity and compassion. “Don’t panic, death is for everyone, prepare, nourish and live your baptismal life for peace of mind” he said. In coping with the limitations that come upon us in daily life, we were reminded that God is very gentle with us. In searching for meaning, St Augustine was quoted “you have made us for yourself o Lord, and our hearts find no rest until they rest in you”. We were reminded that while formal prayers were good, speaking to Jesus honestly and as a friend added a dimension to prayer. Those present were privileged to hear some readings from the writings of his late Mother, on her reflections of her past life, as it drew to a close. Wisdom and encouragement for her family flowed through to the gathering in a very special time.

Reflective moments as retreatants walked the wide white beach, or found space on the cliffs overlooking the gulf renewed individuals. Animated chatter filled the hall at meal times, in contrast to the quiet and deeper moments during Mass.

Heartfelt farewells were exchanged, as vehicles were loaded for the sometimes long journey home – in the knowledge most would meet again next year, for what has become a ‘highlight’ on the calendar for Catholic women of Eyre Peninsula.

For the full report...

Real Women

We are ….
a Women’s group operating within the Catholic parish of Boolaroo/Warner’s Bay located in the city of Newcastle, New South Wales, calling the group: “Real Women”.

Our mandate ….
is: “Placing Value On Womanhood” - developing and encouraging an atmosphere of positive influence through relationship with each other and with God.

We have ….
a core team of 4 women who work to serve the needs of this group, as well as a larger team consisting of 26 women. Three brave men look after security and parking on our café nights.

We gather ….
together approximately 150 women ranging in age from 25 to 85 years. We gather on a Monday night, four times each year commencing at 7.00pm and finishing around 9.00pm.

Our format ….
is café style. At these café nights we endeavour to spoil, love, serve and challenge our precious women by providing coffee and cake, local entertainment and a guest speaker. Our team of 26 women serve on the night ensuring that the girls are connecting and have plenty of coffee!

We request ….
a donation of $7 per person for each cafe night.

Our guest speaker ….
shares a gentle message for approximately 20 minutes. The messages are relevant and real and have a ‘God sprinkle’. They bring hope to our Easter Sunday women living in a Good Friday world. And bring splashes of joy to those who are in the cesspool of life!

It is all about ….
encouragement and serving. It is all about having fun and enjoying the solidarity that these evenings engender. It is all about:

“Placing Value On Womanhood”

For further information ….
please contact Kerry Bush on 02 49 47 47 45. E-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wagga Wagga Area: Guided Prayer or Reflection Day

If you live in the Wagga Wagga area and your parish or town would like to organise a guided prayer week or reflection day, Sr Margaret Walsh pbvm is happy to talk to you about your needs.

Margaret Walsh, a Presentation Sister, is a Spiritual Director and Regional Coordinator of the Weeks of Guided Prayer. The first ecumenical prayer week began in October 1999 in Coolamon. From Oct 1999 to 2008 there have been 45 weeks of Guided Prayer in the Riverina.

What is a Week of Guided Prayer?
The week brings the retreat experience to the people, where they live, so that they may have the experience of being accompanied in prayer whilst continuing the routine of everyday life. Many people do not have the resources of time and money to make an individually-given retreat at a residential retreat centre over several days. It is suitable for men and women of all ages.

What is involved?
The format is based on having a 30 minute prayer time with a Scripture passage each day and receiving spiritual guidance each day from a trained Prayer Companion. Participants have their prayer time at home, and come to an arranged venue for prayer guidance for up to half an hour from Monday to Friday. In the beginning Sunday and closing Saturday, there is a gathering of the whole group.

For more information contact
Sr Margaret Walsh pbvm, Makaria House
13 Marns St, Wagga Wagga 2650
Phone: 02 6971 7140
Fax: 02 6971 0216
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

WYD08: Who Received the Power? Who Held It?

In communities, parishes, deaneries and dioceses the slogan being heralded is “Let’s not let the spirit of World Youth Day pass us by”. We need to capture the enthusiasm and experiences of these young people and use it to reinvigorate our Church. Tracey Edstein, editor, Aurora, Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle offers her reflection on World Youth Day along with suggestions to make a difference for the future.

WYD08

WHO RECEIVED POWER?

WHO HELD IT?

I don’t think I have spoken to anyone who wasn’t impressed by Australia’s World Youth Day 2008, centred in Sydney but embracing the whole country and indeed, the world. I have heard remarks like “It was much better than I expected”; “If only we’d known what it would – or could - be”; “Wasn’t it all wonderful?” Even those who might be excused indifference – Sydney commuters, jaded clergy, cynical Catholics, non-Christians and Rail Corp staff – were won over, if not converted.

The question on many people’s lips is “Where to from here?” and that is a vital and urgent question. However, I believe that other equally significant questions are calling out for answers: What actually happened? What kind of church were we celebrating? Who was in the foreground and who was in the background? Who was excluded or marginalised?

Sue Botfield: Silver Jubilee of Commitment to Ministry

On Monday 2 June 2008 at 5.30pm at St Joseph’s Cathedral Rockhampton a Eucharistic Celebration was held to honour the silver jubilee of commitment to full-time ministry of Sue Botfield. A large crowd of the people whose lives Sue had touched over twenty-five years gathered to celebrate with her.The celebration was presided over by Bishop Brian Heenan and concelebrated by a large number of the priests of the diocese, many of whom Sue has worked beside and befriended during her time in the diocese.

Bishop Brian honoured Sue during his homily with the following words:

We gather tonight to honour Sue who thanks God for her twenty-five years of ministry in the Diocese of Rockhampton, a ministry which has touched the lives of countless children, families and parishioners in Blackwater and here in Rockhampton.

We gather to give thanks to Sue for all she has been and all that she has done, to be a bearer of the Good News of Jesus for all.

The Eucharist we share is in itself a great expression of thanksgiving and it is just so appropriate that we gather in this Cathedral to centre this celebration in the person of Jesus. For, to give twenty-five years of one’s life to any cause is praiseworthy, but to do so in the service of the Lord, adds a beautiful dimension.

..............

Sue, with you we thank God for all the years you have served. We thank you for all you are to us and to all you have given to us through the years of ministry. You made a commitment to serve the Lord twenty-five years ago. We celebrate that commitment with you. May our experience speak loudly to others who might be thinking of following your way.

Picture above:L-R: Bishop Brian Heenan, Sue Botfield and her father Alan Botfield

Left: Sue Botfield cuts her Silver Jubilee cake with the help of her nieces

Parramatta: 2008 Women of Faith Dinner

About 200 women from different faith traditions came together for the 2008 Women of Faith Dinner in Parramatta, NSW, on 31 May.

This annual event was organised by the Affinity Intercultural Foundation with the support of the Diocese of Parramatta, Columban Mission Institute, Kings Cross Interfaith Centre, North Shore Temple Immanuel, Jewish Board of Deputies and Uniting Church NSW Synod.

The dinner began with readings from the Holy Scriptures followed by the keynote address and speeches from Jewish, Christian and Muslim speakers.

The North Shore Temple Emmanuel Choir performed multi-lingual song items underpinning the theme “cast no fear for love is perfect.”