ONLINE GRATITUDE WALL

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Until the end of October, it is Time to Say – Thank you !

As part of this Year of CaRE, please join the AARE in simply saying ‘THANK YOU’

to our amazing chaplains and religious educators – past and present –

by leaving a message on our online Padlet gratitude wall.

Go to the Padlet App to add and read more submissions to the Padlet Gratitude Wall

Also see below, where this webpage has begun to fill … where colleagues, parents, community members, students and ex-students can express their appreciation and gratitude for a particular chaplain or educator.

Our honoured AARE 2024 Awards Recipients are truly appreciated by the AARE WA State Committee. We have added them to this Gratitude Wall as a reminder that MANY go about their role faithfully, not going about seeking recognition, but making themselves available for students to approach for the various pressures and impacts they face. The Award Booklet included these words: “In a child’s world containing doubt and confusion, genuine chaplaincy and authentic education in religion has the potential to provide real hope and nurture the best in the individual and in society.”

Appreciate with us – these worthy 2024 Award recipients … and consider who you might nominate in furture years?

Below are these Awardees;

Justine Rotondella

Ciara Boyle

Beverley Pabedinskas

Joshua Stock

Brenda Chester

Canon Rev Frank Sheehan OAM

Here are their Award comments from their Nominators:

Justine Rotondella

Justine epitomizes the essence of meritorious service in Religious Education, reflecting her genuine character and unwavering dedication. She embodies a ministry of presence, ensuring that every child feels valued and cherished under her care. Her commitment to the Religious Education curriculum extends well beyond the classroom, as she willingly provides additional support to help each student grasp its nuances comprehensively.

Her impact within the teaching community is both profound and transformative. Justine is known for her steadfast Christian values and her generosity in sharing her expertise. She enriches the collective knowledge and skills of her colleagues through her guidance on curriculum delivery, meticulous marking processes, and empathetic listening. As a result, she stands as a pillar of support and wisdom within her educational community.

A member of a Mercy associate school, Justine personifies the virtues of Catherine McAuley through her hospitality and compassionate service as a Homeroom teacher. She demonstrates warmth and attentiveness, listening to students’ concerns and showing solidarity with those facing challenges. Her proactive communication with Heads of Year, House Leaders, and parents underscores her commitment to providing exceptional pastoral care, ensuring that no student is left unnoticed or unsupported.

For these outstanding qualities and her significant impact on the school community, Justine is profoundly deserving of this year’s AARE award for meritorious service in Religious Education. Her contributions are a testament to her enduring dedication and heartfelt care for all she serves.

Over the past nine years, Justine has dedicated herself to teaching Religious Education to students in Years 8 to 12 at Ursula Frayne Catholic College. Inspired by her love for learning and her students’ enthusiasm, she remains motivated by their commitment to making a positive impact. At the core of her vocation is the mission of evangelisation, drawing students closer to God and encouraging them to live with faith and openness.

Justine’s commitment is reflected in her tireless efforts for both her students and colleagues. She is known for her ability to recognize and support struggling students, providing a safe and supportive environment. Leading by example, Justine embodies the spirit of Australia’s first canonized saint with her motto: “Never see a need without doing something about it.”

Ciara Boyle

Ciara Boyle is a woman of mercy who truly embodies the spirit of Catherine McAuley, the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy. Since joining Santa Maria College in 2019, Ciara has made a profound impact on the Years 7-12 Religious Education curricula. Her deep understanding of theology, social justice, and current educational trends has allowed her to develop innovative and rigorous Religious Education programs that challenge and captivate students, making learning both meaningful and engaging.

Ciara’s ability to integrate the Religious Education curriculum with meaningful content not only enhances students’ knowledge but also builds their skill sets, preparing them for life beyond the classroom. Her mentorship of early career teachers is exemplary, characterised by generous support and guidance as they navigate the complexities of the Religious Education classroom. As a leader in mission activities, Ciara’s influence extends beyond the classroom through her facilitation of Retreats and Reflection Days, fostering spiritual growth among students across various year levels. Additionally, her talent as an accomplished musician is showcased in her leadership of the Chapel Choir at Friday morning Mass.

Ciara’s contributions to Santa Maria College and the broader Catholic Religious Education community in Western Australia are a testament to her commitment to the Mercy values. She brings a genuine kindness to her classroom, where students feel respected, valued, and encouraged to excel not only academically but also in their interactions with others. Her faith is evident in her everyday actions, making her an outstanding role model for young women.

With her warmth, enthusiasm, and keen sense of humour, Ciara is more than just an exceptional educator – she is a loyal and active member of the Catholic community, deeply involved in the rituals and practices of the Church. Her willingness to speak out on issues of human dignity and worth further highlight her dedication to living out her beliefs. Ciara’s example of faith, compassion, and commitment to education leaves a lasting impact on all who have the privilege of knowing and working with her.

Ciara talks about her faith all the time, and it clearly influences how she interacts with her students. She is always ready to listen and offer support. She shows a level of patience and understanding that helps create a positive learning environment. Ciara’s example of faith and compassion makes a lasting impact on her students by showing that education is about more than just learning—it’s also about growing as individuals.

Ciara’s contributions to Santa Maria College and the broader Catholic Religious Education community in Western Australia truly embody the spirit of this award.

Beverley Pabedinskas

Beverley Pabedinskas (Bev) is receiving this award for her many years of service to God and the children in our public primary schools through Chaplaincy and Religious Education.

Bev began teaching RE in 1983 at a school in Victoria. Upon moving to Perth in 1985, she met another RE teacher and began volunteering at Yale PS. Since then, Bev has taught at Yale, Forest Crescent and Thornlie Primary Schools ever since – sometimes teaching at all 3. During one period, Bev taught RE in 11 classes across the three schools each week. Bev is described by another as having ‘poured’ herself into the school communities and has touched the lives of many children and staff. Her passion and enthusiasm for sharing God’s great news with children (and the teachers, staff, school community) is immense – truly God-given.

Bev has always been a great promoter of RE in schools and on the lookout for new CVE teachers. Many have been encouraged by her to train and become volunteers too. Bev has also spent years coordinating the teams at Yale, Thornlie, Forest Crescent and also South Thornlie Primary Schools over these years – and is still the convenor at Yale Primary School. She’s always been supportive and helpful, happy to step in to fill gaps, and been generous in her support and thanks of the teams.

Bev also worked at Yale PS as a Chaplain from 2000-2018, initially in a voluntary capacity but then as a paid YouthCARE chaplain. She ran support groups for students and parents, music programs for pre-school children, and particularly loved teaching English to mothers from a non-English-speaking background. She fondly remembers the satisfaction of seeing students grow in confidence, their friendships and happiness – and the joy of working one-on-one with teachers and parents and seeing their lives changed as well. Knowing the students through teaching RE and then being able to support them as their Chaplain was a delight to Bev during those years.

We thank Bev and her husband John for forgoing other income and career, so that Bev could serve in our schools through chaplaincy and CVE, bringing her character, strength, integrity – and guitar – to be God’s presence in the school communities.

And thank you Bev for being a conduit between our churches and the schools – opening up opportunities for us to love and serve the children and families in our community. Thank you, good and faithful servant. May God bless you.

Joshua Stock

It is a pleasure to nominate, a devoted husband to Juliette Stock and a dedicated father to their four wonderful children: Leah, Gracie-Anais, Ava, and Pierre. Josh’s journey in Religious Education is a testament to his deep faith and commitment to nurturing the spiritual growth of young people.

Josh’s vocation as a Religious Education teacher and leader is a calling he felt profoundly in late 2008. Since then, he has dedicated himself to this path with unwavering passion and dedication.

Since the beginning of 2017, he has served as the Learning Area Coordinator for Religious Education at Ursula Frayne Catholic College. Prior to this, Josh made significant contributions as the Head of Religious Education at Nagle Catholic College in Geraldton from 2015 to the end of 2016.

His career in education began at Mandurah Catholic College in 2010, and he continued to build on his experience at Santa Maria College starting in 2012. His diverse experience spans both co-educational and single-sex schools, enriching his approach to teaching and leadership.

Josh’s passion for Religious Education is deeply rooted in his love for Jesus. He describes his life’s journey as a profound realization of God’s boundless love, a realization he is eager to share with his students. His goal is to instill in them the same awareness of God’s love that has transformed his own life.

Josh is highly deserving of recognition for meritorious service in Religious Education. His authentic commitment to making Religious Education a meaningful and positive experience for students is exemplary. He consistently seeks innovative ways to connect with students and staff, ensuring that Religious Education is not just a subject but a transformative experience that resonates deeply in the lives of all he teaches and leads.

Brenda Chester

Brenda Chester is nominated for this award for her 35 years of dedication and service to God and the children in our public primary schools through Religious Education.

Brenda completed her training to be a Religious Education teacher with the Churches Commission on Education (now YouthCARE) in 1989 and went into her first solo class – a Year 2 class at Thornlie Primary School.

Since then, Brenda has gone on to teach Year 1, 2 and 3 classes at Thornlie, Yale and Forest Crescent Primary Schools. Brenda’s passion, dedication and care for the children in her classes is truly inspiring. In these 35 years she has shared God’s love and truth with thousands of children with great commitment, effort and love.

In addition to teaching, Brenda has made the time to support and coordinate the other RE teachers in her schools. She has coordinated the teams at all 3 schools (Thornlie, Yale and Forest Crescent) over the years, and is still the coordinator of Forest Crescent Primary School – one of our largest in-class RE schools in WA. Members of the teams have commented on how she has helped and supported them, filled-in when needed, opened her home to them and always been generous in thanking them at the end of the year. She has also helped a number of RE teachers by driving them to and from their schools, which she continues to do today. She is a beautiful servant.

Brenda has also taken a very keen interest in the teachers and staff as she has taught in their schools and classrooms. She has taken the time to speak with them, got to know them and been salt and light as she has gone about her RE teaching. This is something Brenda holds as one of her highlights over these years, as with seeing children experience God’s love through her and “getting” it – understanding something about God and His love for them.

Finally, when acknowledging Brenda, we must also acknowledge her husband Shane – who has supported Brenda in her RE role and has faithfully prayed for the classes and teachers. Thank you, Shane and thank you, Brenda. May God bless you.

Those who know Brenda and Shane really appreciate and their dedication and love for the children of their area. Brenda, will more likely meet their students at the shops or walking around their local area and be greeted with joy and love.

Canon Rev Frank Sheehan OAM

What can you write about a man named by one of Australia’s foremost historians, Manning Clark, as one of 10 great Australians, in the company of Gough Whitlam, Nobel laureate Patrick White and Barry Humphries, among others? 2020 will be remembered for many reasons, but coronavirus aside, within the Christ Church community it will always be recalled, with some sadness, as the year Father Frank Sheehan retired after 35 years of incredibly meritorious service to the school community. In this time, Frank was Chaplain, Director of the Centre for Ethics, broadcaster on religious airs for ABC Radio, football coach, friend to all and the quiet conscience of the School, providing for us all a luminous, ethical window on the world.

Over the 35 years, Frank engaged the boys in an ongoing religious conversation. In this conversation, he always told the boys in his understated, almost laconic way, stories designed to probe mysteries rather than provide answers; stories that kept alive “the rumour of God”; challenging people with the idea that there might be something more and providing a few clues about this. Frank was never one for certain certainties; he never imposed, he suggested. He was a sower of seeds that have and will continue to bear fruit.

Equally engaging were the opportunities Frank provided the boys and the wider community, especially from 1996 in his role as the foundation Director of the Centre for Ethics. In this way we were exposed to experiences such as a residency from Tibetan monks who, in the Chapel, grain by grain, painstakingly made a beautiful sand mandala with Christ in the centre and then, in a simple ceremony, consigned their beautiful art work to the waters of the Swan River where it dissolved, illustrating the impermanence of all things. This took place on Ash Wednesday. complementing the imposition of ashes which had taken place earlier that day. Along with this there were talks from speakers such as David Malouf, Tim Winton, Bruce Dawe (who spent a week’s residency at the School), Michael Leunig,

Since his arrival to WA in 1985, Canon Frank Sheehan has been a beacon of wisdom, innovation and leadership. Over his tenure, he touched the lives of countless students, parents, old boys and friends of the school. His dedication to the spiritual and moral development of students, combined with his exceptional ability to relate and to support the entire school community, has set a gold standard in chaplaincy. His unique style, intellect and profound commitment to the ethos of “what is best for the boys” has been both inspiring and transformative.

Beyond his direct contributions to Christ Church Grammar School. Canon Sheehan played a pivotal role in the Australian Association for Religious Education, the Anglican Schools community and various conferences. His leadership and service in these areas have not only enriched the immediate educational environments but have also had far-reaching impacts across the wider educational landscape.

In 1990, in recognition of his work with the wider community and with religious broadcasting, he was made a Canon of St George’s Cathedral. He was also recognised as a Face of Claremont for his contributions to the community and in 2018 he was awarded the OAM. Sadly, at the end of 2020, Frank left Christ Church, cementing his status as one who made an indelible mark on the history of the School.

Father Frank then joined St Hilda’s as School Chaplain in 2020, when a recruitment drive for a new chaplain was put on hold due to COVID. Father Frank had recently retired from Christ Church Grammar after 35 years of service. So farewelling Father Frank in December 2023 was actually his second retirement!

Father Frank has a long-standing history with St Hilda’s, initially through his position on School Council and many years later as our School Chaplain. He is incredibly well known to our parent and Old Scholar community and is loved by our staff and students.

During his three years at St Hilda’s, Father Frank brought such joy to our community. His warmth, graciousness, incredible ability to capture all of our attention in his unique story telling ways and love of all things St Hilda’s, made farewelling him very emotional indeed. With close to 50 years in education, there is not a lot that Father Frank hasn’t seen. His guidance, knowledge and wisdom has been a wonderful strength to so many.

Father Frank is an exceptional listener and the most non-judgemental person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. We look forward to welcoming Father Frank’s granddaughter to St Hilda’s in the coming years. Knowing he will still be a part of our broader community, as a doting granddad, helped us, just a little, in farewelling him as our School Chaplain.

—oOo—

YOU joined in the AARE Month of Prayer in March – thank you.

Have you seen results, answers or a challenge from God?

When God prompts YOU to put feet & hands to your request for His help?

Do everything …. “in Jesus’ name” … said quietly …. as you go about asking “What Jesus Would Do?”

THEN DO IT.

One Scripture Teacher who faithfully went about doing it

weekly in their local public school just shared this answered prayer experience –

“Sarah’s Story – An Answered Prayer”

The Scripture teacher was shopping at the local shopping centre when he heard someone call out, “Mummy, there is my Scripture teacher!”

The mother approached the Scripture teacher and asked, “Are you the one who has been teaching my daughter Sarah about praying?” Hesitantly he answered that he was.

The mother went on to tell him that she had been regularly hearing her daughter praying just before going to bed. She added that her daughter always concluded her prayers as she kneeled by her bed with, “Would you please bring Daddy home?”

This really touched her heart, as this family was one of the many in that area where the father had left the family home.

Some months passed, and in the same shopping centre, he heard Sarah call out the same recognition of him.

The mother approached and told him how she was so impressed with her daughter’s diligence to pray, that she had also adopted the habit of praying each evening with her daughter. Sarah always ended her prayers asking for the return of her father. One evening, as they were praying together, they heard the front door being opened. The mother said, “There are only two people who have a key to that door. I have one and your father is the other person.” Then they heard the shout, “I am back!”

You can imagine a little of the jubilation that followed, especially when the father stated that he would never leave there again. God heard Sarah’s cry and rewarded her persistence.

One wonders where would that family would be today if it were not for a faithful Scripture teacher teaching a little girl to pray?

Forwarded by Graham McDonald

National Children’s Advocate – “Power To Change” – the team that now brings you the Animated Story of JESUS

Previously called: Children of the World a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ Australia

Email: graham@didyouknow.org.au See also: didyouknow.org.au

ANZAC related recent example:

‘Can you loan me a Bluey?’

a friend asks to borrow $10 in Australian currency ….

But who is the guy in the hat ?

Andrew Barton ‘Banjo’ Paterson: Serving and leading in wartime Egypt.

Patterson was an Australian man famous throughout the English-speaking world for his poetry:

AB ‘Banjo’ Paterson, creator of The Man From Snowy River and Waltzing Matilda.

Smouldering fire

in a timber pump-house

deep underground

Led to one of the most terrible mine disasters in Australian history.

It also led to one of the greatest rescues – a triumph of human determination and cooperation. More than a century ago, on 12 October 1912, the day’s shift of copper miners headed deep into the bowels of Mount Lyell in Tasmania. Forty-two of the men would never make it ‘topside’ again.

When the fire started, nearly a 100 workers were trapped below it. Unable to find a passage to the surface, they urgently needed breathing equipment to have any hope of surviving. The nearest suitable gear was in the goldmining towns of Bendigo & Ballarat, Victoria = on the far side of Bass Strait. Breaking all existing shipping & railway-speed records, the breathing apparatus reached Tasmania’s west coast in time to save over 50 miners, who were finally brought to the surface 4 days later. Not all of those trapped beneath the ground had been saved, though. Many people across Australia who’d prayed for the men were grieved at the tragic losses. A Royal Commission was ordered into the safety practices at the mine; but mining remained a very dangerous occupation for decades.

Eighty years later, Bob Mellows, a manager at the Cornwall Coal Mine in Tasmania’s Fingal Valley, concluded that a Royal Commission alone was not the answer to workplace health and safety. He felt that the law of the land was not as good as God’s law: having genuine love and concern for other people’s wellbeing. Bob convinced his employers and the people who worked for him that their dangerous workplace could be vastly safer – if they started treating each other differently. He looked to the teaching of Jesus: ‘Do to others as you would have them do to you’ (Luke 6:31).

Bob Mellows explored Jesus’ teachings on love and shared his understanding of Scripture with the mine workers. He helped them to understand that real safety would come with genuine respect, care and love for their fellow human beings. In 1998, he said, ‘It is not because of legalism that Jesus Christ told us to love God and love one another. It was because he knew it was essential to our wellbeing in all aspects of life.’ He went on to say, ‘The foundation of safety is loving one another (and ourselves).’

Sharing this teaching with his co-workers made a huge difference. In the decade between 1980 and 1990, about 200 accidents a year had been reported at the Cornwall Mine. Many people had been hurt in these accidents, and the mine managers often had to pay large sums of money to people who had been injured. But when Bob Mellows’ Scripture-inspired values were taken on board, and people started caring about each other’s safety at work in a deeper and more meaningful way, the accident rate plummeted. By 1993, it was almost zero. Stephen Baxter, another Tasmanian Christian, had this to say: ‘Here we see a clear picture of how the values of Jesus work in the real world, and the result when one person takes Jesus seriously and becomes salt and light in the community.’

Occupational health and safety is something that many employers are deeply concerned about – partly because they need to obey the laws about workplace safety, and partly because accidents cost companies money when people need to be paid compensation for injuries, when valuable work time is lost or when equipment is damaged.

But the most important reason to be concerned about workplace safety is caring for the people in the workplace! Bob Mellows was able to bring an entirely new perspective to this issue when he pointed out that Jesus, the carpenter of Nazareth, knew about hard physical work and manual labour. Jesus never suggested that governments should make laws to force people to care about each other in the workplace – or anywhere else for that matter. Instead, he knew that only God’s law of real love for others can change people’s hearts and make that a reality.

Written by Annie Hamilton.

References: Information provided by Associate Professor Stuart Piggin.

Research paper: RC Mellows, ‘Improving Relationships’, Coal Operators’ Conference, 2019 http://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1275&context=coal

Earlier Example:

Revival in 1875:

Who was Kate Morcombe

and why this incredible revival?

ALL those people obviously knew exactly why … read (as copied) below what happened:

“Moonta is on the western coast of the York Peninsula in South Australia. Moonta Mines
is about 1 kilometre from the town of Moonta.
A funeral service was held Sunday 4th April 1875 for Kate Morcombe, a young woman
from the Bible Christian Church Sunday School.
After the service a Prayer meeting was held and fifteen souls affected by the death of a
much loved friend, were won to Christ.
Meetings were held daily in the ensuring week and a further forty five were converted.
On Sunday the 11th April the circus was in town but no one was really interested in
going. They were off to church where there was much excitement.
The evening Prayer meeting was accompanied with cries for mercy and another forty
souls were saved. The circus left the next day.
Revival returned to the Wesleyan church at Moonta Mines the following Sunday 18th
April 1875. After another funeral service and in the ensuing week ninety claimed to
have forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
The movement of God’s Spirit did not stop for about twelve months. In that time other
churches in nearby towns reported conversions.
Little Cornwell reported sixty conversions in one week, by May 9th the Bible Christian
had doubled its membership to nearly four hundred.
The number of conversions in all the churches was estimated by the Bible Christian
Church at 1,250 and by the Wesleyans 1,550.
Extracts from a paper from Associate Professor Stuart Piggin Macquarie University
NSW”

Gratitude Wall