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Sydney Catholic Schools

Following St Joseph’s example

A powerful prayer life throughout 2020 led Berala parishioner Ivica Kovac to a unique new role as a Sydney Catholic primary schools’ Family Educator.

“Encouraged by two priests, I was praying to St Joseph; I wanted to do something more,” Mr Kovac, who comes from an equipment rental business background, said.

Sydney Catholic Schools has welcomed 16 new Family Educators Sydney Catholic Schools has welcomed 16 new Family Educators

Ironically, this was before Pope Francis had announced a Year of St Joseph (8 December 2020 to 8 December 2021) in honour of the 150th anniversary of Saint Joseph being named as patron of the Universal Church.

“St Joseph, such a humble, wise, loving man and a most powerful intercessor,” Mr Kovac said.

“He is the most wonderful role model for all boys and men of all ages with all his titles – my favourites are ‘Terror of Demons’ and ‘Patron of a Holy Death’ – and is so relevant and needed now in 2021.

“If we look at who was at his side when he died on earth, it was Jesus and Our Lady, Mary; just wow!”

“Family Educators of the future must be courageous to share the truth in love always, because only this can truly set us free. Love and truth are one, inseparable!”

As part of his new role as a Family Educator at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School Earlwood Mr Kovac will help connect families with the religious life of their school and Parish communities.

Asked how he hoped to do this, he said: “Being the Year of St Joseph, I hope to offer the community the wonderful opportunity to complete a 33-day consecration to St Joseph.”

“With each Wednesday being dedicated to St Joseph I hope and pray that we can …

February 5, 2021|
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New Family Educators welcomed

Today we welcomed 16 new Family Educators into the Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) family.

“It’s really exciting to actually have all our primary schools – bar three – with a Family Educator now,” SCS’ Educator Officer: Church Engagement, Bernadette Bridle, said.

“They’re all really eager and excited to start. We have such a diverse group of FEs that bring a variety of gifts and perspectives to this role.”

“They’re coming in during a challenging time, during COVID,” added Ms Bridle’s peer, Elsa Manu. “We’re also very excited to have a male presence among the Family Educators.”

Ivica Kovac joins Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School Earlwood as its Family Educator.

“It feels like somewhat of a calling,” Mr Kovac said.

“I’m trying to be open to God’s will” – Ivica Kovac

The Family and Faith program is an initiative of Sydney Catholic Schools, and new Family Educator Michelle Thompson is secretly hoping the program will be extended to other Dioceses.

“I learnt about the whole program from friends,” Ms Thompson said.

Family Educators liaise between our school and parish communities, working on and creating invitational events, information sessions and activities that aim to:

  • connect families with the religious life of the school and the parish;
  • provide further support to families in the development of their child – spiritually, socially and educationally;
  • promote Catholic mission and identity;
  • promote a welcoming, vibrant faith community.

Qualities needed in a Family Educator are: Deep, genuine faith; a willingness to serve; a real ‘yes’ attitude; and a passion to evangelise. Meet Our Family Educators: Laura Neeson

February 2, 2021|
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Giving from the heart

From doctors to cleaners, all staff at Fairfield Hospital have been gifted hand-stitched felt hearts to keep in their pockets or handbags.

The 1000 hearts were made with love by the Minnie Vinnies at Marion Catholic Primary School Horsley Park.

The school’s Family Educator, Leonie Casha, said she hopes the hearts will remind hospital staff that their hard work is appreciated.

Marion Catholic Primary School students hold felt hearts they have made to donate L-R: Laila Aprim, Natalia Romeo, Pasquale Demarte, Annabelle Baleos and George Nader with some of the hearts they have lovingly made for staff at Fairfield Hospital.

St Vincent de Paul Society’s Mini Vinnies program provides opportunities for primary school students to put their faith into action through volunteering, advocacy and fundraising.

As part of this, Mini Vinnies gather regularly to identify current social justice issues in their local community and discuss what they can do to help.

Ms Casha said after returning to school from remote learning, the Mini Vinnies decided they wanted to give back to the essential workers in their community including at Fairfield Hospital.

Fellow students, parents, parishioners, grandparents and friends helped them lovingly make the hearts which Ms Casha then personally delivered to Fairfield Hospital general manager, Paul Crowe, to give to staff.

The gesture moved the staff who presented Ms Casha with a certificate of appreciation to give to the students by way of thanks.

Marion Catholic Primary School Horsley Park students hold felt hearts made for staff at Fairfield Hospital Marion Horsley Park students hold felt hearts made for staff at Fairfield Hospital.

“We in our community saw two firemen lose their lives during the summer bush fires – now, in the midst of …

September 21, 2020|
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Publicity to purpose

For more than 15 years, Laura Neeson owned a successful PR agency. She worked with big fashion, beauty and lifestyle labels but often felt she had to push her faith to the side to fit in.

It was on a life-changing pilgrimage to Medjugorje, a town in Bosnia and Herzegovina, that the mother-of-two “encountered God.”

“It felt like I was sitting in the foyer of Heaven. I just felt so loved,” Laura recounted.

“For the first time in my life, it felt like my life had meaning and I had a purpose. I realised in that moment that I want to do something in my life that helps someone.”

Laura Neeson Family Educator Laura Neeson with Kindy students Pearl and Hugo at Galilee Bondi. Photo: Kitty Beale

From there, Laura decided to focus on being a full-time mum, and started a prayer group at her children’s school St Charles’ Catholic Primary School Waverley with 12 other women. “I just felt so nudged – that is how the Holy Spirit works,” Laura said. “My faith had exploded.”

Laura taught the women in the prayer group how to pray the Rosary and around this time became interested in becoming a Family Educator at Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS).

She said she first heard about the role through a friend and then saw a meme on social media saying: “God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called.”

She saw this as a sign to follow her heart. That’s how she met Anna Novak, principal at Galilee Catholic Primary School Bondi, who hired her on the spot.

That was nearly two years ago.

ROLE OF A FAMILY EDUCATOR

“It’s more than a role, it’s a mission,” Laura said. “My role is to nourish and cultivate the faith life of the families that come …

September 15, 2020|
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Sydney Catholic Schools’ students perform an ‘Acknowledgement of Country’

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