Students at Mater Dei Primary School in Blakehurst recently held a school-wide CWF Fun Day to raise funds for the Charitable Works Fund Schools

Appeal. Supported by Catholic Education Office, all classes took up one of the CWF agencies to promote. The event ran from 11am to 12.30pm and Assistant Principal Vanessa Chisholm said that the children really took up the call to find out about, and promote the work of their chosen agency.“Our children raised a record $3,884 which, through the CWF will help the pastoral and charitable works of the Church,” said Mrs Chisholm.“Not only do they have the opportunity of doing something practical and learn about the act of charitable giving, they learn more about specific projects that benefit people in need.”

Classes set up stalls and tables throughout the school grounds with the help of teachers, support staff and parents. Stalls ran games or sold second-hand books or toys and other goods. Activities ranged from jelly eating to bobbing for donuts. Posters were displayed featuring information about a CWF agency and the children handed out homemade bookmarks.

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Putting Fun into the CWFun Day

Fr Isidore Anantharaj observing the activities of the CWF Fun Day.

2015

Training our future priests is another important part of our ministry and is funded by your donations to the CWF. The Seminary of the Good Shepherd show how the camaraderie of sport can be used to build a lasting fraternity among the Catholic Church’s most important resource, our future priests. The Redemptoris Mater Missionary Seminary celebrate the completion of their new library as well as the fantastic products of their mission of three newly ordained priests this year.

The CWF is working with the Christian music group Two By 2 to create a number of shows for Catholic primary schools designed to bring Bible stories and the Christian message to life in an exciting new way. In addition a special DVD/CD pack is now available exclusively through the CWF and funds raised will be used for our vital works. The music and the shows not only assist in school children’s faith formation but also highlight the need to keep exploring creative alternatives in promoting and developing a lasting relationship between our young parishioners and the Catholic faith beyond the confines of their school years.

Stories are what draw us in. They help us understand where people have come from, their experiences and issues and more

importantly, what truly bind us as God’s people. This newsletter highlights just some of the stories from the Charitable Works Fund’s (CWF) benefiting agencies.

The Ephpheta Centre provide an essential link between the hearing and non-hearing communities, reminding us that the Christian message of belonging, equality and strength forged through spiritual and emotional connections must be nourished across all boundaries.

Through our stories we hope to illustrate the difference our CWF agencies continue to make in our local communities – action with faith at its best, where the tangible effects can be felt through the thousands of people whose lives have been touched by the men and women who work tirelessly on their behalves.

your givingyour charity,

National Week of Deaf People 2015Ephpheta Centre Celebrates

The National Week of Deaf People is a week that is celebrated all around the world to

acknowledge the contribution Deaf people make to society, to celebrate the diversity that Deafness brings to the world and to remind all people of the rights of Deaf people to live full and satisfying lives. As Christians it is an opportunity for us to stop and consider God’s great plan to have a world that is diverse, for us to thank God for the gift that the Deaf Community is to our world and to pray that all people see the value and worth of all Deaf people.

Before we can understand NWDP we must first understand who we are talking about. When we talk about the Deaf Community, we often use a capital ‘D’ because the word is used as noun not an adjective. It is the name a group of people use to identify themselves but it is not a description of them – it does not describe how much or how little they hear, it identifies a group of people

Luke Dolahenty and Gemma Knight in action at a Two By 2 show.

Guests at an Ephpheta Centre social gathering.

The Charitable Works Fund has forged a new partnership with children's music brand

Two By 2 as part of a campaign to strengthen and sustain community support for the charity. Two By 2 is not new to the scene, having already produced three volumes of their CD, Let’s Sing Sing Sing which presents stories from the Bible in a fresh, highly engaging way for preschoolers

CWF Partners with Two By 2and primary school children as part of their early Catholic faith education. Characterised by catchy tunes and easy-to-understand lyrics, Two By 2’s music is allowing kids to learn the lessons of their faith and have fun doing it at the same time.

By working with Two By 2, the CWF has opened up a new path to encourage a positive – and hopefully lasting – experience of the Catholic faith

to its future parishioners. The new phase involves offering a number of concerts to schools within the Sydney Archdiocese with the Catholic Education Office sponsoring the cost of the events. A concert held in August at the John the Baptist Primary School in Bonnyrigg Heights was enthusiastically received by the students, most of whom already knew the lyrics – you know you’re on a winning formula when you have a roomful of kids shouting out the lyrics with the actors on stage.

Some of the stories featured on these shows include the birth of Jesus, Jonah and the whale, Noah’s ark and the story of the Creation. The Good Samaritan single track was offered last year as part of the promotion of the Schools Appeal.

The brainchild of Paul Simon and the Sydney Archdiocese’ own Anthony Costa, the Two By 2 team is rounded up by Greg Page who is most famously known as the former yellow Wiggle from the internationally successful group. Two By 2 is getting ready for another exciting phase with the sale of their new show to Foxtel for the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand markets – increasing Two By 2’s exposure to a much wider audience, and putting the CWF in the box seat to take advantage of its unique access to the brand.

A new DVD/CD pack which will feature popular tracks from Two By 2’s collection. This will be available exclusively through the CWF for the benefit of its agencies. Details of the sale of this merchandise will be advertised soon.

David Parker.

Rector Fr Eric Skruzny.

Redemptoris Mater's new library.

who live within the social norms of a particular community – this is what we know to be Deaf Culture. The World Federation of the Deaf describes Deaf Culture: ‘Deaf people as a linguistic minority have a common experience of life, and this manifests itself in Deaf culture. This includes beliefs, attitudes, history, norms, values, literary traditions, and art shared by Deaf people.’

A Deaf person’s point of difference is the fact that they use a different language to the wider community. As culture and identity are so closely associated with language, to truly understand the Deaf Community we need to see them as a Cultural minority rather than a disabled group of people. Their culture, identity and language influence the way they see themselves and their world. Deaf people rarely long to be able to hear. Deaf people are commonly proud of their Deafness, they see their deafness not as a disability but as a part of the many individual characteristics that make them who they are. They do not mourn the loss of hearing, more so, they celebrate what they gain from Deafness.

NWDP is a work of Deaf Australia; this year’s theme is ‘With Auslan Rights Deaf Children Can...' This theme speaks of the great importance of children

have the opportunity to interact with the wider Deaf community, and to find appropriate Deaf role models. NWDP is a perfect time to begin this process.”

There are many celebrations that usually surround NWDP, all of which are accessible to those who do not know our language and culture. It’s a great week of festivity here in Sydney, around the country and around the world.

The Ephpheta Centre participated in celebrations in Sydney, including a stall at the Deaf Festival on Parramatta River on 17th October, along with many other Deaf organisations and hundreds of Deaf people. There were also plenty of food, rides and great festivity to celebrate the opening of NWDP. Last year in excess of 2,000 people were in attendance.

This year for the first time the Ephpheta hosted the NSW NWDP's closing ceremony in its beautiful garden and outdoor area. The event included a presentation from the two local young people who represented Australia at the World Federation of the Deaf International Youth Leadership Camp for deaf young people in Turkey this year. The President of Deaf Australia along with David Parker officially closed the week-long celebrations.

Seminary Provides Unique Resource

2015 marks a significant milestone in the life of Sydney’s Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary Redemptoris Mater. This year, not only did the

Building Program progress with the completion of a most beautiful library, but also another three young men were ordained, bringing the number of ordained from the Redemptoris Mater Seminary to ten.

These ordinations are the visible fruit for which the seminary was established in the Archdiocese of Sydney in 2002. As a seminary training missionary priests, Redemptoris Mater fulfils an objective born out of the Second Vatican Council, which spoke of the need for international seminaries for the good of the whole church to meet the need for an even distribution of priests.

Redemptoris Mater equips the Archdiocese with a distinctive and unique resource and strength. The seminarians training at Redemptoris Mater become missionary the moment they are sent from their Neocatechumenal Communities in their respective countries to study in Sydney.

As well as studying philosophy and theology, the semi-narians undergo a serious period of pastoral placement and itinerancy, whereby accompanying missionary priests and working with missionary families and local communi-ties, they experience first-hand the life and role of an itin-erant missionary priest.

Upon ordination to the priesthood, these specially trained men become available to serve within the Archdi-ocese of Sydney or to be sent anywhere within Australia or the world at the discretion of the Archbishop.

The rector of the seminary, Fr Eric Skruzny, says “It is a real joy to see the fruit of our labours. To see that the seminary is providing the Archdiocese of Sydney with priests specially trained for a unique and special task.”

“It is also impressive to see how this fruit is made possible through providence. Being self-funded, the Redemptoris Mater Sydney Seminary relies on good will and support from many benefactors, and continues to operate and function accordingly.”

“We are immensely grateful to the generous people of Sydney Archdiocese who pay for our tuition fees through the fund raising activities of the Archdiocese of Sydney’s Charitable Works Fund”.

“Of course, Fr Eric adds, “we are also in need of additional help to cover opera-tional costs, and we would still like to commence work on the seminary chapel.”

Anyone wishing to help may contact the seminary on (02) 9726 8114

or email Fr Eric Skruzny on rector@seminary.org.au or visit their website www.seminary.org.au to obtain more information.”

with hearing loss having access to Auslan (Australian Signed Language) from an early age, and when this opportunity is given to them, they are able to achieve as much as they aspire to. It is a sad reality that Auslan is not the first choice of communication mode for children with hearing loss in Australia. This is something that Deaf Australia, the Deaf Community and many others would like to see change in the future.

When asked why celebrating NWDP is so important David Parker, Community Manager at the

Ephpheta Centre has this to say, “We Deaf people need to celebrate our identity, our sign language and our culture and share these core values with deaf and hard of hearing children! Deaf and hard of hearing children will need to watch, learn and interact with Deaf adults.

One perfect example is that they get involved in the day-to-day activities run by Deaf leaders so they can grow up feeling empowered. Again it is very important that Deaf and hard of hearing children

Seminarians united through soccer

Few things in the world can bring people together and transcend all boundaries so easily as sport. Especially one as beloved in all parts of the

globe as soccer.The Seminary of the Good Shepherd had the privilege of hosting this

year’s Australian Inter-Seminary Soccer Competition, held from 31st July until 1st August 2015. It’s a major event on the seminarians’ social calendar that has come to be a much-anticipated occasion as the weekend allows them to mingle and share their experiences with contemporaries from all around the country. The participating seminaries included Holy Spirit College in Brisbane, Holy Spirit College in Parramatta, Vianney College in Wagga Wagga, Redemptoris Mater Missionary Seminary in Sydney, Corpus Christi College in Melbourne and Missionaries of God’s Love (a religious order) in Canberra. A total of 230 seminarians were in attendance for the weekend of sports.

The competition kicked off with a Holy Hour followed by a big barbecue. The Seminary’s resident athletes were put through their paces at a Saturday match against the Patrician Brothers’ College (Blacktown). The final came down to Vianney College and Redemptoris Mater with the latter claiming a resounding victory. The weekend was capped off with a Vigil Mass followed by a formal dinner and the presentation of trophies by Archbishop Anthony Fisher.

While such an event is important in providing an enjoyable informal gath-ering for all participants, its bigger purpose lies in its role in fostering fraternity among our future priests – for, by providing them with a well-rounded seminary experience not merely confined to books and formal learning, and allowing them to grow in spirit and mind through prayer and camaraderie, can they learn from each other and use their collective experience to someday become good

priests by the grace of God. As one seminarian, Ronnie Marie explains, ‘There is a richness in the many

different places of formation across the country, so when we are together we can share this richness and benefit from each other.’

For these men who have prayed, eaten, played, learned and possibly someday work together, the tournament facilitates the development of an important support network born of an appreciation of their common experi-ences and hopes for the future.

The Seminary of the Good Shepherd and the Redemptoris Mater Missionary Seminary are supported by your contributions to the CWF.

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Seminarians in action at the soccer competition.

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CHARITABLE WORKS FUND

Supporting Your Community

The CWF of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney needs your donations because it

helps to support your local communities through the work of its benefiting agencies namely, the Ephpheta Centre, CatholicCare, Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, our Catholic Chaplaincies and Seminaries.

A gift in your Will to the CWF means more resources to fund our vital community programs. Most of the charitable and pastoral works done by the CWF are in Sydney’s local communities, your community. If you would like to consider a gift in your Will, you can contact the CWF’s Fundraising Office on 1800 753 959 or email bequests@sydneycatholic.org for a confidential obligation-free discussion. A FREE copy of of our Wills Guide is also available upon request.

The Ephpheta Centre's Danni Wright.

Teaching our young to Be Open

The Charitable Works Fund had the opportunity to do a special presentation

at St Jerome’s Primary School in Punchbowl with the help of the Ephpheta Centre, one of its benefiting agencies (see story on National Week of Deaf People).

Community Worker Danni Wright did the presentation with Nicole Clark doing the interpreting; with her effervescent personality and natural empathy showing through, Danni managed to rein in her occasionally energetic charges as she explained the important work the Ephpheta Centre does in the community and encouraged a lively Q&A session. By explaining everything in simple terms and sharing her own experience growing up as a deaf person, Danni helped the students understand the issues facing the deaf and hard of hearing community.

One of the Ephpheta Centre’s key missions is education, using the opportunity to present on different platforms to communicate their areas of challenges and needs, as well as allowing people to see the positive impact of their work: partaking in the sacraments and being part of the Catholic faith community, family counselling, social networking activities, advocacy services and access to information, and simply providing a place where people have a different sense of belonging.

Danni’s presentation brought a positive message that difference doesn’t necessarily mean one thing is better than the other. It’s about embracing the gifts that we’ve been given by God and using these to change the world for the better. The Ephpheta Centre went through a major change this year with their formidable Director Stephen Lawlor retiring. Liz McDowell and David Parker have taken over as Business Manager and Community Manager respectively, while Pastoral Worker Donovan Mulligan round up the team with Danni and Nicole. Together they help to bring the hearing and deaf and hard of hearing communities closer.

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CHARITABLE WORKS FUND

Supporting the CWF through your Parish

The CWF asks your local Sydney parish for support through three pastoral collections each year.

Every year the CWF needs to raise nearly $4M in revenue to fund the work of its charitable and pastoral programs. In addition to our benefiting agencies, our parishes also use the money they raise from the CWF to complete vital maintenance projects on church facilities.

You can support the CWF and your parish by giving generously on the collection plate at Mass, handing in the CWF appeal envelope provided on the pews or making a secure online donation at ww.cwf.org.au

Alternatively, post your donation to the Charitable Works Fund at Level 7/133 Liverpool St Sydney NSW 2000. Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.

Your gift to the CWF funds our charitable and pastoral works through these six agencies:

� Catechists Teaching school children about our Faith. � Chaplains Providing spiritual support at our hospitals, universities and

aged care facilities.� Seminarians Training our future priests.� Ephpheta Deaf Ministry Support and advocacy for our deaf and hard

of hearing.� CatholicCare Our social welfare agency. � Aboriginal Catholic Ministry Supporting our Catholic Aboriginal

brothers and sisters live their faith. CWF SUMMER BONANZA RAFFLE

The Summer Bonanza Raffle was launched in October to promote the work of the CWF. Prizes on offer are $5,000 worth of shopping vouchers for

first prize, and $1,000 and $500 worth of shopping for second and third prizes respectively.

Proceeds from the ticket sales will go towards the CWF’s agencies and parishes, making raffles an important source of income for this charity.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney’s parishes will also benefit from the sale of tickets from raffle books with 100% going towards their nominated projects.The raffle will be drawn on 11th December 2015. Tickets are from $1 each and can be purchased online at www.cwf.org.au or by phoning the CWF Fundraising Office on 1800 753 959 or contacting your local Sydney Arch-diocese parish (see raffle coupon).

A gift in memory of your loved one

If a gift in lieu of flowers is something you’d like to consider, the CWF In Memory envelopes are available at no cost. Family and friends can make a

gift of their choosing to honour their loved one and support the Charitable Works Fund. All donations will be credited to your designated Sydney Archdio-cese parish. We suggest you speak to your family and funeral director to make the arrangements beforehand. Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible and a letter of acknowledgement will be sent to the next of kin informing them of the gift. Envelopes are available from your parish priest. Alternatively, your funeral director can contact the Fundraising Office on 1800 753 959 or email cwf@sydneycatholic.org