CCD Wollongong

Employment Announcement - CCD Clerical Assistant

It is with pleasure that I announce the appointment of Mrs Cindy Oliver as the CCD Clerical Assistant based at CCD Resource Centre, Micah House Campbelltown, effective today, Monday 17 October 2011.

As the CCD Clerical Assistant, Cindy will provide secretarial and administrative support to the CCD Diocesan Director and Regional Faith Education Officers (FEO’s) and assist in the running of the Catechist Resource Centre. Cindy Oliver comes to the position with significant experience in various clerical and secretarial roles. Further to this, Cindy has experience as a Catechist and brings to the role a good understanding how to appropriately help support Catechists in their work. Cindy will work from Mon-Thursday from 9am-3pm. I have assured Cindy that she will be warmly welcomed by Clergy, Catechists and Staff of the Office of the Bishop, as she commences her role, supporting the Ministry of CCD. Cindy will attend our Morning Tea at 10am tomorrow in order to meet and be welcomed by the other members of the Office of the Bishop staff.

Regards,

Jude Hennessy
Diocesan Director
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Wollongong

Announcement of Faith Education Officers

A Message from Bishop Peter Ingham:

It is with pleasure that I announce the appointment of Mr Peter Gilmore and Miss Patricia (Trish) McCarthy as CCD Regional Faith Education Officers for the Diocese of Wollongong, effective 4 July 2011.

The CCD Regional Faith Education Officers have responsibility for assisting the CCD Diocesan Director in providing Catholic Religious Education for State School students.  Mr Peter Gilmore has been allocated responsibility for the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region and Miss Patricia McCarthy for the Macarthur-Highlands region.

Peter Gilmore has a strong commitment to the evangelizing mission of the Church, particularly as it relates to young people. He has worked in Catholic and State Schools across a number of Dioceses in Australia, offering faith formation for young people. Peter’s qualifications and experience in Information Technology and Graphic Design have equipped him to design programs that engage young people with the Gospel message. Among other projects, he has developed web based faith formation programs and promotional material for Catholic Schools Youth Ministry Australia (CSYMA) and Youth Mission Team Australia (YMT).  In addition, Peter has significant experience in forming volunteer teams to assist with catechesis and evangelization in schools. For the past four months Peter has worked in a temporary capacity as CCD Regional Coordinator for the Macarthur-Highlands region.

Trish McCarthy’s working life has been predominantly in the field of faith formation for young people, a reflection of her belief in and commitment to the evangelizing mission of the Church. She holds a Bachelor in Education and a Certificate of Religious Education and has had significant involvement in the design and delivery of programs for young people in Catholic and State Primary and Secondary Schools. Trish has also been responsible for the development and presentation of seminars and reflection days for adult volunteers working in evangelization and catechesis in a number of Dioceses. In addition, Trish brings to the position experience in working with children and young adults with disabilities and special learning needs. She has training and experience as a Catechist.

I have assured Peter and Trish that they will be warmly welcomed by both clergy and catechists as they collaborate with them in the graced work of evangelization and catechesis of children and young people in the State Schools of our Diocese, an important aspect of our mission to be “Bearers of Christ’s Love” (Diocesan Pastoral Plan).

Bishop Peter Ingham

Catechist Training Level III 2011

Every year, catechists in the Diocese of Wollongong have the opportunity to engage in training. This training takes on many different forms - from the practical to the deeply theological, from basic teaching principles to how to operate a SmartBoard. One thing that is consistent across all the training however is the oft repeated comment, "This training is just so good!"

We are pleased to announce that Level III Catechist Training has commenced in the Illawarra/Shoalhaven region and will commence shortly in the Macarthur/Highlands region.

Last week at the Xavier Centre in Bellambi we were incredibly blessed to spend time learning from an amazing man of God, Fr. Ronan Kilgannon. It was noted afterwards that we felt like we had engaged in a retreat in the process! This week, participants will draw on the wisdom of Fr. Ken Cafe from Thirroul.

It is not too late to register for the Macarthur/Highlands region which commences on August 8th and runs for 6 consecutive Mondays. If you would like to enroll, please contact Faith Education Officer, Miss Trish McCarthy on 02 4640 8549.

Responding to a growing desire within our Church for further learning the Director of CCD, Jude Hennessy, has decided to open Catechist Training Level III up to not only Catechists but any interested persons*.

Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to grow in our faith.

*to receive the Diploma, participants must have completed Level I, Level II and Level III training. 

Campbelltown Catechist Training (Level II) Completed!

For the past seven weeks, eleven keen and faithful Catechists have traveled to Micah House in Campbelltown for the Level II training. Diving headfirst into important topics like The Story of God's People, Helping Children learn about The Church, Dimensions of Child Development and Children with special needs, the Catechists engaged wholeheartedly in the content and the sessions. We were incredibly blessed to have the much valued input of many gifted speakers - Fr Ken Cafe ofm,  Fr Joseph Sobb sj, Fr Richard Healey and Kerrie Hennessy - A special thank you for your help! A special mention must be made about the CCD Director, Jude Hennessy, who managed to step up to the plate most weeks and deliver some inspiring and insightful material. Thanks Jude for all your hard work. 

The Catechists were always sure to invade the CCD Resource Centre en masse after the formal input each Monday. Borrowing everything from CDs to books to posters, it was a real pleasure to see them utilise this great resource we have here in Campbelltown. If you have never been to the resource centre, be sure to come visit (Click here for details).

Thanks to Maurice Dal Santo for taking some photographs for us during the presentation of the Level II Certificates. Copies of the photos are available from the resource centre in Campbelltown.

Level III training commencing soon - Campbelltown August 8th and Illawarra July 22nd. If you have completed Level I & Level II training and you would like to take your Catechist Training to the diploma level, consider enrolling in this course. Click here for more details

Catechists from the Illawarra region have also been undertaking the Level II course. A write-up will be coming soon. 

Our proud graduates of Catechist Training (Level II) at Micah House, Campbelltown

Positions Vacant - CCD Faith Education Officer

Would you like to work for the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine? Do you have a passion for educating young people in the faith and working with wonderful volunteers who share your passion?

The Bishop of Wollongong, Most Reverend Peter Ingham, invites applications for two positions of Faith Education Officer (FEO) in the Diocese of Wollongong, one with responsibility for the Macarthur-Highlands Region and the other for Illawarra-Shoalhaven. The successful applicants will assume duties as soon as possible. Please review the linked PDF document for the full job advertisement.

An information package can be obtained by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by contacting Jane Edwards on (02) 4253 0900.  Applications must include the names and contact details of at least three referees, one of whom must be your Parish Priest, and should be addressed to the Director of CCD, PO Box 1239 Wollongong NSW 2500.  Applications close on Friday, 3 June 2011.   

CCD FEO Job Advert.pdf

Leonie Green to conclude as Regional Coordinator

The Diocese is currently undertaking a process of restructuring the current roles of CCD Regional Coordinators for the Illawarra-Shoalhaven and Macarthur-Highlands regions. This new position of Faith Education Officer (FEO) will be established to ensure the current and future needs of the ministry will be appropriately catered for in both regions. Parish Catechist Coordinators will be invited to provide input on the nature of the re-structured position in due course.

Mrs Leonie Green has elected not to continue her employment in this new position of FEO and will conclude her role as CCD Regional Coordinator for Illawarra-Shoalhaven on Friday July 1, 2011.

Leonie has made a significant contribution to the Diocese in her role as Illawarra-Shoalhaven CCD Regional Coordinator since commencing in 2002. She has provided valuable support to Clergy, Parish Catechist Coordinators and individual Catechists in their efforts to ensure Catholic Children in Government Schools are given quality faith formation.

Read more:

Catechist Training Course (Level I) Completed!

Micah House - Campbelltown Resource Centre &
Xavier Centre Bellambi

Over the course of six weeks in Term 1, almost 50 Catechists completed Level 1 Catechist Training courses at Micah House Campbelltown and the Xavier Centre Bellambi.

Covering topics central to our faith like The Creed and introductions to Old & New Testament understanding, these eager men and women dove headfirst into the world of the catechist. Along with important aspects of theology, they also learnt vital classroom skills like use of visual aids, storytelling and prayer in the classroom.

The course was overseen by CCD Director, Jude Hennessy and Coordinated by Leonie Green and Peter Gilmore.

Read more: