Annual Catechist Mass & Awards 2025

Our Annual Catechist Mass & Awards Ceremony was held this year on Saturday 22 November.

The readings were chosen from the collection the Church has chosen for the Spread of the Gospel, for Evangelisation. They focus on mission — on what it means to share the Good News — which makes them especially meaningful for Catechists.

Bishop Brian Mascord, our principal celebrant explained in his homily, “The readings that we listen to today (Acts 13:46-49 & Mt 28: 16-20) speak directly to your ministry as teachers of the Gospel, especially in the unique and sometimes challenging environment of our state schools. To you as disciples who are called to proclaim the Word in those places where you educate in faith those who are placed into your care...Many of you step into classrooms where the Gospel is not always expected, welcomed, or understood. Some of you face students who have never heard the name of Jesus spoken with love. Others meet children who hold a patchwork of beliefs or whose families carry wounds from the Church. And yet you go. You step forward. You plant seeds. Your ministry is not always easy. Some children come with no experience of faith. Some come with confusion, indifference, or hurt. Yet you go. You prepare, you teach, you pray. You give your time with love. And you do it not for applause, not for recognition, but because Christ has touched your hearts and you want to share that gift. For this, we say thank you, deeply and sincerely. Like Paul and Barnabas, you proclaim not because it is easy, but because the Spirit has asked you to shine Christ’s light exactly where you are.”

Thank you Bishop Brian for your uplifting homily 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 Christopher Sarkis PP (Rosemeadow), who proclaimed the Gospel most reverently, Fr Patrick Vaughan PP (Bulli-Corrimal), Fr John Ho (Campbelltown), Fr Leo Mifsud PP (Eagle Vale), Fr Damien Ellis PP (Nowra) and Fr Joseph Nguyen PP (Shellharbour City).

Thank you also to Acolyte Edsel Parke, and Sacristan Denis Bristow and 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. Peter Crowe (Catechist Coordinator Corrimal) proclaimed the Word to us clearly and respectfully. The Responsorial Psalm and Gospel Acclamation were beautifully led by Jo Mortimer (Catechist Coordinator Ingleburn). The Prayers of the Faithful were led in a most heartfelt way, by Sue Bohacs (Catechist Coordinator Oran Park) and Josephine Theunissen (Catechist Coordinator Varroville), and during these prayers, Diana Hill (Catechist Coordinator Campbelltown) 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 Martina Sarkis RSJ, Lisa McSweeney, Rita Burgess, Judith Margaret Jones and Christine O’Donnell.

Thank you to Veronica Passoni (Catechist Coordinator Nowra), Roseanne Mullany (Nowra) and Angelina Cutroni (Nowra) who reverently brought up the offertory gifts.

A highlight of the Mass was the beautiful music provided by Elise Burns and members of the Diocesean Choir.

Thank you also to Gavin Fairs and family members Henry and Xavier who worked alongside Helen Bennett assisting in the hospitality and clean up.

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.

A blessed addition to this year’s Mass was the presence of the Jubilee Migrant Cross, which toured the Diocese from November 15-23.