Annual Catechist Mass & Awards 2024

Our Annual Catechist Mass & Awards Ceremony was held this year on Saturday 7 December, the Memorial of St Ambrose.

How fitting that we could celebrate the generosity of our SRE Catechists on the Feast of one of the Catholic Church’s greatest teachers of the faith!

Saint Ambrose says:

“When we speak about wisdom, we are speaking about Christ. When we speak about virtue, we are speaking about Christ. When we speak about justice, we are speaking about Christ. When we speak about peace, we are speaking about Christ. When we speak about truth and life and redemption, we are speaking about Christ.”

These are the very values that we all try to live out in our daily lives. It is our SRE Catechists who follow in the footsteps of St Ambrose when they help the children to come closer to God by recognising the origin of these values in the teachings of Jesus. This assists them to integrate their Catholic faith with their daily living.

Bishop Brian Mascord, our principal celebrant continued this theme in his homily, reminding us that we are planting seeds in the hearts of children that will one day grow and although we may not see the fruits just yet, Bishop Brian encouraged us by giving a powerful and engaging personal testimony of seeing those fruits himself in a former SRE student of his. He continued to say that in planting these seeds, we are introducing the children to the faith and giving them a sense of identity. We do this by not just giving them the facts of the faith, but by guiding them in becoming saints!

The Bishop noted that SRE Catechists, like St Ambrose are spiritual teachers and instruments bringing the Good News to children, not simply conveying knowledge, but guiding them on the right path, making God known, especially in the Diocese of Wollongong.

Thank you Bishop Brian for welcoming us so warmly and leading us beautifully through the liturgy and to the concelebrating clergy from the diocese for taking the time to support and encourage us by their presence, especially Fr Leo Duck PP (Albion Park), who proclaimed the Gospel most reverently, Fr Michael Healy, (Ruse), Fr John Ho (Campbelltown), Fr Francis Tran, (Dapto), Fr Leo Mifsud (Eagle Vale), Fr Chris Roberts (Kiama) and Fr Michael Dyer (Milton).

Thank you also to the Cathedral Sacristan, Denis Bristow who prepared the altar and assisted the Bishop throughout the Mass.

Many people contributed to making the Catechist Mass & Awards such a special occasion this year. Dr Chris Halloway (Wollongong) proclaimed the Word to us very respectfully. The Prayers of the Faithful were led in a most heartfelt way, by Alison Sharwood (Unanderra), and during these prayers, Anne Bower of Thirroul presented Bishop Brian with our Book of Remembrance wherein the names of SRE Catechists who have died are recorded.

This year we remembered and gave thanks for the lives of Sr Grace Cini FCJ, Kath Pollard, Carmel Hurrell, Lola Moors, Bob Bower, Dr Roger Baxendale, Fr Patrick Kenna, Mary (Marie) Brennan and Hannah Plowman and in a very special way our Principal Catechist and Bishop representing all SRE Teachers in New South Wales, Bishop Peter Ingham.

Thank you to Cindy Oliver (former CCD Resource Centre Manager, Micah House), Madira Arnold (former Coordinator, Nowra) and Angelina Cutroni (Nowra) who reverently brought up the offertory gifts.

Thank you also to Kerrie Hennessy, Gavin Fairs and family members Bridget, Henry and Xavier who worked alongside Helen Bennett assisting in the hospitality and clean up and Dona Eady (Berkeley) for delivery of the catering. A highlight of the Mass was the beautiful music provided by Gabriella De Battista.

A special mention must be made to thank the Sydney Archdiocesan CCD members who came to support the CCD Ministry in Wollongong and celebrate with us including Doug Mawhinney (former CCD Director) and his family, along with the new Director of the Sydney CCD, Juliette Morched.

This memorable day only came together because of the hard work and dedication of the CCD Wollongong team – Frances Fairs, Sue Clark and Helen Bennett – under the leadership of Jude Hennessy, Director of the Office of Renewal & Evangelisation.

Truly this year’s celebration reached new heights with one of the largest attendances, setting itself apart in a special way. Thank you to all for generously sharing your talents and time to make this celebration a most joyful and memorable one!