Shalom College
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9 Fitzgerald Street
Bundaberg QLD 4670
Subscribe: https://shalomc.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe

Email: shalom@shalomcollege.com
Phone: 07 4155 8111

7 June 2021

Principal’s Reflection

Kids seem to be more worried now. Certainly, more than I was at their age. The world is more complex and there are so many more ‘things’ impacting on them, not least of all, Social Media. On Tuesday evening June 15 at 7pm, Dr Justin Coulson, will be speaking at Shalom. Justin will be talking to parents about anxiety and how it affects young people. This event is sponsored by our Parents & Friends association. Can I strongly urge parents to attend?

This event will be open to anyone from any school but has been organized by the four Catholic schools in town. I have been an educator for forty years. Kids, in lots of ways, are not different. They continue to rise to expectations and follow enthusiasm and they seek happiness. Getting away with what they can get away with, has also been a constant! But one of the very significant changes I have seen in my career is the rise of anxiety in our children. An ‘influencer’ when I was young, was the kid who had the latest Grey Nichols Cricket bat or the kid who was best at handball! Now, young people, at Shalom, are ‘paid’ by companies with product to advertise it on their Instagram pages. For better, but sometimes worse, they are bombarded by pressures that an earlier generation never knew. We can moan about that change and long for the ‘good old days’ (that often weren’t really that good), or, we can help equip ourselves and our children with some skills to deal with the reality today. Please make some time to come along to listen to Dr Justin Coulson on the 15th Please check out his short YouTube invite -

https://fb.watch/5UiMY5llKp/

School Renewal Processes – every five years, the College goes through an Audit / Renewal process. There are a few phases with this as we look at what we do and how we do it and identify ways in which we can provide a better service to you and your children. A significant part of that is participating in the National Schools Improvement process (NSIT). Four external professionals will be at Shalom from Tuesday June 15 to Thursday June 17. They will speak with most teachers, quite a number of students and they would really like to have a couple of sessions with some parents. I would love to hear from you if you would be able to spend an hour or so with some members of the review team on Tuesday 15 June from 2.45-3.30pm. If you are able to assist, could you please let Amanda O’Mara know on 41558103 or amanda_omara@shalomcollege.com

Communication is vital for any organization. Shalom is certainly no exception. If you ever have a concern or query, I hope that every parent feels confident in contacting me or Mrs Austin-Campbell as Deputy Principal or your child’s House Coordinator. Problems will be solved if the right people are involved. I would much prefer to hear of parent concerns directly than the very ineffective circulation of rumours or carpark discussions. I will bend over backwards to respond to any parent query within 24 hours at the latest.

Mr Dan McMahon
Principal
McmahonD@shalomcollege.com

Newsletter Articles

Curriculum

External Examination Timetable

On Friday a copy of the QCAA 2021 External Examinations timetable was emailed to all Year 12 students. Students who study a General subject in Year 12 are required to complete external examinations for each of their General subjects. The exam block runs from Monday 25 October – Tuesday 16 November. A copy of the timetable is included here. This will also be made publicly available on the QCAA website in the coming week. Once published students will have a customised copy available to them in their QCAA myQCE Learning Account.

Alternate Venue - External Examinations

It is expected that all Year 12 students will sit their scheduled external examinations at Shalom College. If there is any exceptional circumstance as to why your child cannot complete their exams at the College please contact Mrs Norris immediately to discuss this. It is a requirement of QCAA that an alternate venue be identified so that extra-ordinary arrangements can be made ahead of time.

QTAC Information Session for Parents & Students

This session is for parents of students who are interested in going to University. The Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre (QTAC) will be running an information session at Shalom College on Monday 21 June. This will be held in the Performing Arts Precinct (PAP) commencing at 3.30pm. During the information session QTAC will talk to you and your student about applying for higher education and ATAR information. They will also be able to answer any questions you may have with regards to the tertiary admissions process. This is a must attend if you have students on an ATAR and tertiary pathway. Please mark this date on your calendar!

Mrs Gail Norris
Assistant Principal – Curriculum
Gail_Norris@shalomcollege.com

Mission

Br Rochford

Please pray for Brother Rochford who is unwell at this time. Here are the Year 12s sending him their best wishes.

Walsh House Mass

On Thursday Fr Peter celebrated Mass with Walsh House. He used this opportunity to not only say Mass but to explain to the students the parts of the Mass. The students felt they understood more about what happens and why. Thank you, Father Peter!

Mrs Mary Taylor
Assistant Principal – Mission
TaylorM@shalomcollege.com

Student Drivers

Parents and Carers of Year 11 & 12 Students

If your child has obtained their Provisional Licence and wishes to drive to and from school you are required to fill out a Permission to Drive Form and return it to Student Reception for approval by Mrs Elizabeth Austin-Campbell. Once approved the details will be placed on our School Register.

Thanks to those Parents who have already completed this form for their child.

Mrs Amanda O’Mara
Executive Assistant to the Principal/ Enrolment Officer
amanda_omara@shalomcollege.com

Absentees

FOR ALL ABSENTEES

Preferred option is Email absentees@shalomcollege.com or Phone Absentee line 41558181

ALL student absentees should be notified to the office by 9am each day. If no notification has been received, an absentee text message will be sent out to parents to advise of the student’s absence.

Maths Team Challenge 2021

On Wednesday 26 May, Shalom sent 13 teams to compete in the annual Mathematics Team Challenge at the Multiplex Centre. A total of 65 teams from the Bundaberg district took part in the competition which provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their mathematical prowess both individually and as part of a team.

There are two main events: a team round (competitors can work individually or as a group) and the relay round (only two competitors from a team work on a question until they solve it or pass, then the next question is given to another pair). In both events, teams are faced with a variety of problems solving questions from many different areas of Mathematics designed to be challenging for their age section: Junior (Years 7 and 8), Intermediate (Years 9 and 10) and finally the Senior section (Years 11 and 12).

We are proud to announce that our “Junior 2” team consisting of Lana Grant, Sienna McLeod, Ethan McKeown, Wil McMahon and Maxwell Clancy took out first prize in the Junior section.

Also, our “Intermediate 3” team consisting of Charlie Dove, Thomas Stevenson, Kay Hu, Daniel Cairns and Zain Ali took first place in the Intermediate section.

This is even more of an achievement considering this team is comprised of only Year 9 students. Our “Senior 2” team which included Sarah Juillerat, Sarah Krebs, Ethan Wooldridge, Joel Clancy and Meg Freeman came in at 5th place

There are many people who need to be thanked for their involvement. Firstly, our volunteer supervisors from Years 11 and 12 who supervise teams from other schools; our “Gappies” (Lily Christensen, Thomas Pascoe and Zoe Hess) and Mr Denis Sheehan for helping out on the day and being available to supervise or mark as needed; as well as Stacey Murdoch on the Administration team for her organisation of the paperwork. Finally, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Mrs Rhonda Cutmore for taking on the organisation of our Shalom Teams this year, it is a huge job and one she does so well.

Mrs Lucia Briggs
LAC Senior Mathematics
Lucia_Briggs@shalomcollege.com

Pathways

School Based Apprenticeships

What are they?

A school-based apprenticeship is the opportunity to start a trade while still at school; the opportunity to combine traditional school work with a trade such as plumbing, carpentry or hairdressing among many others.

How do they work?

A school-based apprentice would be employed by a business and would be signed up by an Australian Apprenticeship facilitator such as Busy at Work, MEGT (among others) into their apprenticeship contract. This is a contract between the business and the student.

There is a theory (trade qualification) and practical (work) component to every SBA.

How often does a SBA work?

Normally a school-based apprentice would work one school day each week with a minimum of 7.5 hours a week over a four week period. Electrical school-based apprenticeships are an exception and school-based apprentices must work a minimum of 15 hours a week over a four week period usually requiring two days a week of work. Extra hours can be negotiated with any school-based apprenticeships outside of school hours (eg school holidays)

Does a school-based apprentice get paid?

Yes - as per the award wage for the relevant industry.

How does a school-based apprentice's subject load change?

SBA are eligible to drop one elective subject to gain a Study. Study is supervised and assistance is provided.

How does a SBA do their trade theory?

This might be delivered online/via distance, or in blocks where a student attends a training facility periodically.

Does the school provide school-based apprenticeships?

It would be wonderful if Shalom could do this but because they are a contract of employment between a business and a student the control is with the business. Sometimes we are approached by a business to assist with finding a school-based apprentice and if this occurs we always advertise the opportunity and details on how to apply.

Where can I get more information if I am a potential employer?

Mrs O’Donnell is very happy to answer any questions and can and link businesses with an Australian Apprenticeship facilitator such as Busy at Work.

Is a potential employer eligible for incentives?

The Government provides different incentives for employers. Currently the "Boosting Apprenticeships Commencements" incentive provides employers with a 50% wage subsidy for a 12 months period

How can I get a school-based apprenticeship?

Work experience is a great place to meet potential employers and prove your employability.

https://bit.ly/3q0MQ5P

What should I have ready?

Students should have a USI and TFN.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A USI -

https://bit.ly/3laMbNy

CQU Post Year 12 Study Options Webinar

Graduating high school and starting university is an exciting time for Year 12 students and there is a lot of information needed to navigate this transition.

Whether you're a parent or a student in Year 12, CQUni can help provide the answers.

CQUni’s Post Year 12 Study Options Webinar talks through what option students can pursue after Year 12, and making a career choice. Guests will also learn where to look for information on courses, entry requirements as well as detailed information about how to apply.

Date: Wednesday, 16 June
Time: 4 – 5pm

Register now to attend:

https://bit.ly/2R8575N

The Pathways Team
Mrs Liza O’Donnell, Mrs Kathy Laing & Mrs Julia Fox
Liza_ODonnell@shalomcollege.com
LaingK@shalomcollege.com
Julia_Fox@shalomcollege.com

Film and Media Excursion

Venturing out into the Bundaberg CBD, the Year 11 Film, Television and New Media students and 11/12 Modern History students found ourselves immersed in the magic of theatre. We embarked on a historical journey into the lives of both European settlers and First Nations people at a showing of High Ground at the Moncrieff Theatre. Whilst the line-up to purchase a snack was a sea of scuttling students, watching this Australian film was the real treat.

Beauty was encapsulated into High Ground; the Australian bush captured from its most flattering angle: the bird’s eye view. Watching as a Film and TV student, it was engaging to see the way the director constructed an intense and confronting topic on the screen and used explosive sound effects of gun shots to juxtapose the serenity of the Australian bush. Miss Lancaster’s scribble of notes represented our experience; as we subconsciously analysed the shot types, camera movement, lighting and characterisation.

For modern history students, the movie provided us with a look into the two perspectives of frontier wars, and consider the way history is often written by those in power. The film High Ground visualised the horrific and brutal mistreatment of First Nations people from 1919 through to the 1930s.

Lily Norcott-Wall and Jai Wheat
Year 11 Students

Year 7 Guest Speaker

Jess Borg has offered to speak to our Year 7 students in period 3 on Thursday 10 June in the Performing Arts Theatre. Jess graduated from Shalom College in 2016 and moved to Brisbane shortly after to pursue her studies at Griffith University - Nathan Campus, studying Business and Law (Honours). She grew up in Moore Park on her Parents farm and has a brother, Steven, currently in Year 12 at Shalom. Jess is 21 years old and has been competing in Taekwondo for 15 years and on the National team since 2018. 

Taekwondo has given Jess so many opportunities not just within the sport but with travelling to 21 countries by the age of 21 and the opportunity to meet amazing people all over the world.

Jess speaks about finding a passion and sticking to it. She talks about fighting to achieve your goals through the highs and lows. She also talks about setting goals and looking after your mental health.

We are proud to welcome Jess back to Shalom College and look forward to her presentation to our Year 7 students. Jess will also speak for 5 minutes at the College Assembly.

Jess Borg

Read Write Wonder

A place for English teachers to respond to texts they have encountered during the previous week.

Staff member: Brendan Cunningham

Text: The Castle
Text Type: Film

As part of the current unit in Essential English, Year 12 students are required to study The Castle.

Few Australian films have had quite the cultural impact of The Castle.

Despite being released more than 20 years ago, it's still regarded by many as one of the best Aussie films of all time — and certainly the most genuine depiction of modern Australian life.

The Castle stars Darryl Kerrigan (Michael Caton) as working-class tow-truck driver who takes a great deal of pride in his home of 15 years that stands adjacent to an airport and some tall power-line towers. His family mean the world to Darryl and he takes enormous pride in them and their achievements.

The idyllic world of the Kerrigan family is threatened when they receive a letter from the government stating that their house is being "compulsively acquired" for a major expansion of the airport. Darryl has no intention of selling and decides to fight the large investment group behind the project. However, in this David-versus-Goliath battle, his friend Dennis Denuto (Tiriel Mora) proves to be an inadequate lawyer. By chance Darryl finds a champion for his cause in Lawrence Hammill (Charles Bud Tingwell), a retired lawyer whose specialty was constitutional law.

Whilst analysing the film, students commented on the contentment within the Kerrigan family, because to the them everyday was a good day. One student remarked how The Castle portrays that the simple things in life are often the best and as a society, we need to focus more on gratitude.

The Castle is a powerful reminder that even in the hectic nature of modern life, we must take time to fully appreciate all the goodness in our world.

Ms Louise Hume
English Learning Area Coordinator
Louise_Hume@shalomcollege.com

Music Department

5 Reasons Why You Should Join The Senior Vocal Group

  • Singing causes endorphins to flow, stimulating good feeling throughout the body and stimulating brain activity.
  • Singing encourages deep breathing, which brings more oxygen to the brain
  • Singing requires the brain to work at many tasks simultaneously
  • Singing strengthens memory
  • Singing is enjoyable!!

All these things are going to help you cope in your senior schooling! Many people enjoy singing and singing in a group is even more enjoyable, because when you sing in harmony, something magical happens. Join us every Wednesday morning from 7.30-8.25am in the PDR classroom in the PAP. Guys and girls welcome. Contact Mrs Helbig for more details: Rebecca_Helbig@shalomcollege.com

Vacancies for Piano Students

Mrs Christie McLucas is the newest member to the Shalom College Instrumental Music department and has a wealth of experience teaching piano and performing regularly. She has limited spaces for anyone wishing to begin piano lessons with her. Please contact Christie_McLucas@shalomcollege.com or go to the link below for further information and our online enrolment form.

https://sites.google.com/view/shalommusiceducation/enrolment-tutoring-fees

Mrs Rebecca Helbig
Instrumental Music Teacher
helbigr@shalomcollege.com

Slay Cancer Day Prize Winners

The winner of the Apple Airpods is Ellehra Wilkin (Year 8) and the winner of the Grundig Bluetooth Speaker is Montana Weder (Year 9).

Ms Claire Stallard
Rice House Coordinator
StallarC@shalomcollege.com

Vicki Wilson Netball Preliminary Round

Tuesday 25 May, the Shalom College Junior Shield and Senior Cup teams competed in the first round of the 2021 Vicki Wilson Netball Competition. This is a progressive state-wide competition open to ALL secondary schools (both state and non-state). The Preliminary round required teams to play a number of games in a round robin format to determine the winner of the Wide Bay North Region.

The VW Junior SHIELD team played very well, losing only one game to a strong Xavier College team. Unfortunately, the round robin format means that Xavier College were declared the Wide Bay North winners and will progress to the Regional Final.

Junior Shield Competition Results

Shalom College def Hervey Bay High

20-2

Shalom College def Bundaberg SHS

8-6

Shalom College def St James Lutheran College

20-6

Xavier Catholic College def Shalom College

15-9

Shalom College def St Luke’s Anglican School

15-2

Shalom College def Bundaberg Christian College

22-1

The VW Senior CUP team were too strong for the other teams in the same division, winning all of their games in a convincing manner. The VW Senior Cup team now progresses to the next round, which requires them to play the winning team from the Wide Bay South Region – St Patrick’s College Gympie. This game is scheduled to be held in Week 9 of Term 2. If they are successful in this game, they will then progress to the State Finals in Brisbane in August

Senior Cup Competition Results

Shalom College def Bayside Christian College

38-0

Shalom College def BCC

24-1

Shalom College def BSHS

15-3

Shalom College def Hervey Bay SHS

22-2

Shalom College def St James Lutheran College

21-8

Shalom College def St Luke’s Anglican School

19-8

Shalom College def Xavier College

20-9

Vicki Wilson Netball Boys Competition

Shalom College are also leading the way in promoting Boys Netball in schools. In 2019, the Shalom Boys team participated in the inaugural Boys Vicki Wilson Netball competition, held as a one-day competition at the State Finals. Although Netball Queensland have been slow to expand this concept to the regions, this year, the Wide Bay North Region held their own Boys Competition, with seven teams taking part. With the one-day round robin format acting as an excellent warm-up event to their QISSN debut in the coming holidays, the Shalom Boys Netball team led the way, undefeated in all of their games. While this regional competition was a showcase event, the team has applied for a place in the Boys competition to be held at the State Finals in August.

Boys Competition Results

Shalom College def Bundaberg SHS 1

18-2

Shalom College def Bundaberg SHS 2

11-3

Shalom College def Bundaberg SHS 3

11-1

Shalom College def St James Lutheran College

11-2

Shalom College def St Luke’s Anglican School 1

15­0

Shalom College def St Luke’s Anglican School 2

13­2

Queensland Selection

Rugby League

Shalom was well represented at the recent State Championships with 11 students being members of the Wide Bay team. As you can see, from the photo below, the Shalom boys made up a large portion of the Wide Bay team.

Left to right. Dawson Hess, Blake Powter, Noah Law, Dane Zardus, Jack Schmidt, Thomas Morcom, Malachi Solomon, Jett Maher, Daniel Cavanagh, Talon Manton. Absent due to illness is Sebastyn Brennan.

Congratulations to Year 10 Student Thomas Morcom, Thomas has been selected in the QLD Schoolboys Rugby League 15 Years team. Thomas was selected in the centre as # 4. Thomas is also contracted with the Brisbane Broncos who look after him well.

Thomas Morcom

Swimming

Congratulations to Year 8 Student Kasey Krueger, Kasey has been selected into the QLD School Sport Swimming Team.

Mr Gills presenting Kasey with her QLD SS Certificate.

Hockey

Year 10 Student Samuel Aitkenhead recently competed in the QSS Hockey state championships which were held in Cairns from 22- 25 May. The Wide Bay team finished 3rd overall. Samuel was selected in the U/16 Qld team but unfortunately due to COVID no National championships are being held again this year.

Samuel Aitkenhead

Wide Bay Football - Bronze Medal winners!!

Congratulations to 5 Shalom boys representing Wide Bay at the recent Football State Championships where they came 3rd place. Congratulations to Henry Brophy, Oliver Georgeson, Preston Cox, Connor Patterson and Patrick McMahon.

Henry Brophy, Oliver Georgeson, Preston Cox, Connor Patterson and Patrick McMahon.

Mr Peter Robinson
High Performance Program
Peter_Robinson@shalomcollege.com

Rowing

A busy couple of weekends for the Shalom Rowing crews. Last weekend saw the rowers working hard at the fundraising High Tea, an event where 165 guests from the wider Bundaberg community, including rowing families from other schools, gather to support Shalom Rowing. Our rowers fully immersed themselves in their roles, waiting on their guests while talking about Shalom Rowing and why we are fundraising. Elegant Events transformed the sports hall into a beautiful location for a high tea. With a very filling menu, steaming teas as well as a glass of wine or two flowing, the afternoon was a great success, helping us to get a few steps closer to a shiny new, Shalom red quad racing scull.

No rest for some of our rowers and their families, who followed up this weekend with a trip to Rockhampton to compete in the Rockhampton City Regatta. The Rockhampton Regatta was a well organised, but relaxed event that gave our rowers an opportunity to compete on a new course in different conditions. Our crews rowed away with 6 x first places, 9 x second places and 8 x third places. Well done to all our rowers!

Training continues this week with only three weeks until the Central Queensland Regatta, being hosted by Bundaberg Rowing here at Bucca. This regatta will see some stiff competition travelling in from around the state and we’d love it to be a sea of red Shalom supporters cheering the rowers down the course.

Mrs Nicole Heinz
Shalom Rowing Fundraising Coordinator
rowingfundcoord@shalomcollege.com

Stepping into Bundaberg Sports

This completely free program is designed to get children with autism to try out different sports in a non competitive way. This program is designed to get these children socialising in a constructive way, improve hand eye coordination, improve fitness levels and give them an opportunity to try out a multitude of sports. Each term we run 2 seperate sports and offer school holiday clinics. If you have any questions at all feel free to call Luke on 0449007590.

https://www.trybooking.com/BPUSG

https://www.trybooking.com/BQOSQ

Year 7 Camps 2021

Mr Peter Robinson
High Performance Program
After School Activities
Peter_Robinson@shalomcollege.com

Uniform Shop Opening Hours

MONDAY to THURSDAY - 8:00am – 12:00pm
FRIDAY – CLOSED

Mrs Leanne Barker
Uniform Shop Co-ordinator
barkerl@shalomcollege.com
Phone : 41 558 121

Term Dates for 2021

Term 1: Wednesday 27th January - Thursday 1st April (10 weeks)
Term 2: Monday 19th April - Friday 25th June (10 weeks)
Term 3: Monday 12th July - Friday 17th September (10 weeks)
Term 4: Tuesday 5th October - Friday 3th December (9 weeks)

Parent and Carer Tuckshop Volunteers

At the start of each school year we ask parents to indicate their availability for volunteering in the College tuckshop.

Life is busy and forever changing, so for this reason we have set up a booking system that will not only accommodate our very much appreciated regular volunteers, but also families who may not be able to commit on a regular basis and who may have a day here or there throughout the year to come along and lend a hand and support our students. The beauty of this system is that you can select your day and manage your booking, so if something comes up, you can quickly and easily go online to reschedule or cancel. Your booking will generate a confirmation email with links to manage your booking, it can be synched with your calendar and an SMS is sent the day before as a reminder. Of course, we are also here to help - simply contact Shalom College on 41 55 8111.

For those of you who are regular volunteers your shifts have already been added to the schedule for this year and you should have received an e-mail for each booked shift.

Shifts last from 2 to 3 hours (school drop off to around 11.30 am).

No experience required!

https://shalomtuckshoproster.youcanbook.me/

Tuckshop

Breakfast

Breakfast is now available in the tuckshop for purchase each morning 8:00am – 8:30am.

Items include

Bacon & Egg Muffins - $3.50
Ham & Cheese Croissant - $3.50
Porridge & Cereal - $3 (self-service option with milk and bowl & cutlery are supplied)
Fresh Fruit - $1 (seasonal fruits such as; Bananas, Apples, Mandarins etc.)

Plus, the already available items of Yoghurt Pots, Up n Go drinks & Flavoured Milk

Students who train before school need to consider utilising the breakfast menu to replenish energy lost during their training sessions, however must be dressed appropriately before entering the tuckshop and must not be late for class.

Shalom Sunday Markets

Shalom Markets will continue to operate (with restrictions) until further notice!

  • Fresh food stalls fruit, vegetable & local food products
  • BBQ and tuckshop are operating, social distancing practices are in place
  • Social distancing to include gaps between stalls (all outdoors)

SHALOM MARKETS 6AM TO 12PM EVERY SUNDAY!

Markets Tuckshop Roster

New volunteers are DESPERATELY required for the Markets Tuckshop or BBQ, if you have any queries please contact Leanne via email – barkerl@shalomcollege.com

Sunday 13 June

6:00 am – 9:30 am

Brenda/Colby Jay

9:00 am – 12:30 pm

Chris Dennien

Maria McMahon

Sunday 20 June

6:00 am – 9:30 am

Craig Warner

9:00 am – 12:30 pm

Brendan/Astrid Clancy

Jo Medcalf

John Pappalardo

Vicki Saffioti

Sunday 27 June

6:00 am – 9:30 am

Jeanne Ferguson

9:00 am – 12:30 pm

Jo Medcalf

Markets BBQ Roster

Sunday 13 June

Shalom Rugby League

Neil Feather

Sunday 20 June

Shalom Rowing

Gretta Waters

Sunday 27 June

East Bundaberg Rotary

David Baldry

Sunday 4 July

St Joseph’s P & F

Jess Marsellos

Sunday 11 July

Rotary Club of Bundaberg Sunrise

Tony Castro

Community Notice Board

Drivers College

Qld Government Autism Hub

The Autism Hub are offering a range of professional development sessions online.

https://autismhub.education.qld.gov.au/professional-learning/workshops-calendar

Love Bites

Youth Support

Headspace

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/famfriend2

https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/bundaberg/

Youth Champions Team

The Catholic Parish of Bundaberg

Office Hours: 9:00 - 1:00 Monday to Friday
Parish Office: Rossolini Place Level 1, 66 Woongarra St
Ph: 07 4151 6666 PO Box 79 Bundaberg QLD 4670
Email:
sbundaberg@rok.catholic.net.au
AFTER HOURS: Anointing of the sick for medical emergencies
phone 4151 6666 and follow the prompt
UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF MARY MOTHER OF CHURCH

Current Parish Bulletin

https://www.bundabergcatholic.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Bulletin-6th-June-2021.pdf

Letter from the Bishop

https://www.bundabergcatholic.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/20210521-21211-Appointment-of-Vicar-General.pdf

Parish News and Updates

https://www.bundabergcatholic.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Receipt-Sharefaith.pdf

FOCUS by: Marcia Sharp

Visitation Coordinator

RECOGNITION Faith may be very important to our fellow parishioners, but it may not be important to members of their family. We can all pay attention and notice if a senior who faithfully attended mass stopped coming. They may be sick and in need of prayers; they may need a ride and don’t want to be a burden to anyone and so they don’t speak up. We can show that we are truly a community of love by paying attention.

Respect and utilize the wisdom and experience of older parishioners. Many retired persons are a parish’s best volunteers. But remember to encourage them to train others, and pass their wisdom and experience along to all can benefit from it.

Respect and honour the limitations that might come with the aging process. One senior reminded me that she does not want to shake hands during the sign of peace, not because she does not want to share the peace of Christ with others, but apart because she has arthritis and others who don’t notice will squeeze her hand causing intense pain.

Older parishioners who are homebound can still be included in parish ministries. Invite these parishioners to “adopt” a parish ministry as a prayer partner. Their participation will be to pray for all engaged in that ministry, and to ask God’s blessings on all that ministry seeks to do for the parish. This can offer a meaningful connection for those whose days of active ministry might be concluding.

Become familiar with the opportunities and services offered by state and non-profit agencies in the area. Our Parish cannot provide every service older parishioner might want and need. However, there may be other agencies that can help. CENTACARE has resources and programs that can be of great assistance to older parishioners as well as for carers. CENTACARE has a host of programs designed to help seniors stay healthy and independent, as well as services for seniors when they need more assistance.

All of us are aging and at some point in our lives, all of us will face the diminishment that comes with the aging process. Our Parish provides the spiritual support we need to move through our lives and stay connected to God’s loving grace. Our Parish can also be a place where older parishioners are honoured and valued for the many contributions of their time and talents they have made. Through prayer, involvement, and referrals, we can honour our older parishioners and walk with them through a stage in life that comes to all of us. A few suggestions are:

  • Print out the parish newsletter and leave it in the letter box of an elderly or sick parishioner who does not have a computer (the same with other resources we send you).
  • Look out for elderly or sick neighbours who find it difficult.
  • Share a smile or a handshake. Be the joy in someone’s day!
  • Have the younger members of the family set up a group chat.
  • We can grow as a faith community each day. The Parish Visitation Ministry reaches out to the elderly and those in need. We are calling on all Parishioners to be conscious of those who need our help and contact the Visitation Co-ordinator. Families often forget that the most important nourishment for their Parent (loved one) is the Blessed Sacrament.

"Enjoy reading this year's edition of the 'Good News Magazine: 2020 New Vision', a look at the year that was and how we adapted to a new way of doing thins."

https://www.bundabergcatholic.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Catholic-Parish-Magazine-2020-Digital.pdf

https://catholicleader.com.au/digital-newspaper-covid19

Catholic Youth Groups

Breast Screen Queensland

Triple P

The State Government is funding free access to Triple P, which is the world’s most evidence-based parenting program and has helped more than four million children and their parents around the world develop closer, more positive relationships.

Please click on this link, which will take you to the website where you can access information relevant to your situation.

http://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/qld-uken/triple-p/

This link will remain in our Newsletter with Triple P sending us regular updates and helpful tips.