Outreach
Here is some of the work undertaken by members of our parish in order to reach out to others in our society.
St Vincent de Paul
We are lucky to have a dedicated St Vincent de Paul chapter running at Wahroonga. This is a group of people who meet weekly for fellowship and to discuss ways they (and the entire parish, with their guidance) can reach out to those most in need in our community. We have a special connection with the people of Whalan, assisting those in need in their area. This is especially seen at Chrismas time, when the whole parish joins together to create food hampers for families.
The St Vincent de Paul Winter/Spring Appeal will be held on the Weekends of the 14/21September.
Ecumenism
Ecumenical Celebration for Advent
Bishop David is once again inviting all members of the Diocese to join together with members of all other Christian Churches in northern Sydney for an Advent Ecumenical Celebration on Wednesday 26th November at 8.00pm at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, 23 Yardley Ave Waitara. Please be part of this opportunity to gather with fellow Christians as we prepare to celebrate the Lord’s birth
KCEA Prayer Breakfast
Thank you to all those wonderful
people who came along to the breakfast, set up,
served so hospitably and also who so graciously welcomed,
chatted and prayed with our guests from the
other Christian Churches. There was a record turn
out ...52, with standing room only. Everyone enjoyed themselves. Holy
Name has a reputation of putting on a great breakfast and we certainly didn't
let ourselves down.
Many, many thanks and we will return the favour when required. Donald
Shale and Annette Stuart-Robertson
Signing of The Diocesan Covenant:
On Wednesday evening, 2nd April in the magnificent Christchurch Anglican
Cathedral in Newcastle, during a reverent, moving and wonderful liturgy,
Bishop David Walker, Bishops Brian Farrer and Graeme Rutherford (of the
Anglican Diocese of Newcastle) and Bishop Michael Malone (of the Catholic
Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle) signed a covenant committing our two
Churches across the region of our three dioceses to arrange shared pastoral
and liturgical initiatives. More than a thousand people both clergy and laity
filled the cathedral to overflowing. This is a very exciting and major step on
the path of Christian Unity. (Annette Stuart-Robertson.)
You can read all about it through the links below:
ABC interview with the 3 Bishops involved
A DVD of the historic liturgy in Christchurch Cathedral in Newcastle back in April of the signing of the Covenant between our diocese, the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle and the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is now available. The cost will be $15.00 which includes all postage and handling and the DVD will be posted to you directly. Please see the diocesan website for more details.
From the co-ordinator, Annette Stuart-Robertson -
Holy Name has been part of KCEA for 10 years and was very involved in its establishment. KCEA provides a teacher of Christian Studies at Ku-ring-gai Creative Arts High School 4 days a week. This has been an extremely successful programme with amazing advancements in the attitudes of the students to Christian Studies. In the early years it was so difficult that at times we were concerned as to whether it would continue; the classroom situation was so demanding - student attitude ranging from indifference to open hostility.
Today it is accepted as a normal part of their education programme. The teachers involved have noted a great change in so many students. Although we cannot access figures "legally", we believe Catholics are the 2nd highest number of students in the school. The co-operation and interaction between the Churches, nine in all, has been outstanding. There has never been any disagreement or confrontation regarding the material taught and the present teacher is highly professional and experienced with talents that suit the school environment. Danielle Allen is most cautious on providing a balanced perspective and welcomes support and involvement from youth workers and ministers from the Churches. As representative of Holy Name, I have been involved in the interviewing and appointment of all teachers.
As ecumenical representative for our Parish, I attend meetings of the other reps from the Diocese three times a year where there is occasion for sharing ideas, increasing our knowledge and sharing in organising specified ecumenical endeavours within the Diocese. I am also a member of the Broken Bay Ecumenical Commission and work as Media Officer. This year has seen an increase in ecumenical activity between the Wahroonga Churches with a wonderful celebration of the five Churches in the week of Prayer for Christian Unity as well as preaching visits between Holy Name and St John's.
Inter-faith
As Australian society becomes more and more culturally, socially and spiritaully diverse, we are constantly looking for ways to reach out to members of other faiths, as well as those with no particular religious belief. If you would like to get involved in this area, or invite Holy Name to an inter-faith event, please let us know.
COEXIST -
On Saturday, 12th April, a vibrant and energetic inter-faith dialogue night was held at St Augustine's College, Brookvale, organised by the Diocese of Broken Bay WYD team. The event was one in a series of events called COEXIST, in which members of the Aboriginal community, and the Islamic, Jewish and Christian faiths come together in the presence of huge symbols of faith - the Cresent Moon, Star of David, and WYD Cross, Icon and Message stick. The night included talks from elders and youths from each community, as well as musical items, dances, and cultural exchanges.