Not Earth-Shattering but so Important

When asked to give updates on the Emu Park Maintainence Team, David Bowman, wrote in his covering lettering, " As I typed it, I thought this isn’t earth shattering …. but then again what is in this  mad world at the moment??. In truth, they are a lovely bunch of men, back each other up, utterly reliable and generous as well!! When I looked at our Church roster (pre COVID) I note that all of the Maintenance team and their wives are sprinkled across the roster …. They are a good bunch as indeed our whole parish!! 

Like many, I have missed our public practice of our faith and the people we worship with … hopefully tomorrow, we will return to Mary Immaculate!!"

So much in this newsletter isn't earth-shattering but it is important because it is kind.  

Mary Immaculate Catholic Church, Emu Park  Maintenance Team

Routine Maintenance of the Church and surrounds is carried out by a dedicated group of parishioners including Dave Bowman, Alroy Eden, Paul Jaeger, Peter Maloney and Tom Searles.

Working bees are primarily held on a Thursday morning so that the Church is well presented for weekend services but in recent times this practice has varied somewhat due to illness of various team members, travel, and the impact of COVID 19 restrictions. Nonetheless, despite the limitations in place at present, team members contact each other and ensure that the maintenance is completed satisfactorily. We at Emu Park appreciate the assistance and support from our Yeppoon “brothers” when we are faced with significant issues.

We look forward to a post COVID world!!

Activities of the Sacred Heart Gardening and Maintenance Team, Yeppoon

With maintenance of lawns, gardens, repairs and minor painting, and construction jobs at Sacred Heart, Mary Immaculate, beach house, Monastery, Presbytery and some aged parishioners’ homes – coupled with a Parish Priest who has extra time during lockdown - we are kept busy.

The Sacred Heart team and their areas of expertise is: Steve Egan, gardens; Peter Conaghan, electrical and public relations; Lyal Page, columbarium internments and installations; Ray Tamassy, banking, Presbytery lawns;  Darrell Slade, carpentry, general repairs; Rob Rohig, heavy lifting, installation of LED lights; Phil Cranny, hedges, general maintenance; Maurie Conway, heavy lifting, maintenance of leucaena patch; John Halberstater, organising and general whipping boy.

Most important are the scones supplied by Mary Quinn every Thursday, over which many problems of the world are solved.

The “Geriatric Gardeners”,   average 74,   have continued necessary maintenance observing social distancing.  Our social contact, usually once a month with our partners, has suffered.  We look forward to the lifting of restrictions. 

John Halberstater

Life at Capricorn Coast Adventist Village

 No one realised that the announcement of Covid 19 would change our lives so drastically---- perhaps forever!

The Nursing Home at Capricorn Adventist Village in YEPPOON went into " lock down" on 18/03/20. Residents in Independent Living were advised to " stay home" by Management & the Queensland Government. This was serious stuff! We were asked to keep in touch with our friends by phone.

Our children were more aware of the health danger than we were and solicitous on our behalf. They did grocery shopping for us which we appreciated. However, writing a list for groceries was a new  "experience" for those used to shopping for themselves for at least 50 years.

We had consultations with our doctor by phone!

The most alarming concern was being unable to physically attend Mass and receive Holy Communion. Eucharistic Ministers could not bring Holy Communion to the sick. All Liturgies of Word & Holy Communion were suspended. We really missed bringing Holy Communion to our friends in Care. We know that those in care love our visits and derive strength and consolation in their various illnesses from receiving Jesus in Communion. Food for the journey is so necessary when we are unwell & elderly.We miss visiting these wonderful people of Faith with whom we share Encouragement, Faith, Hope and Love as we journey towards our reward (we hope) in Heaven.

Quite a few older people do not have computers, IPads  so are not able to access Mass live from our Cathedral each day or even on Sundays. Those who have this technology are enjoying the experience. We have been surprised at the presentation of many Religious moments available to us. We have prayed with Catholics from all over the world at Mass, praying the Rosary and listening to talks on subjects which interest us. Facebook has been a reminder each day of our " belonging" to our Parish. Father Matthew's messages keep us in touch and as well as special thoughts for the day we also receive a good joke to keep us smiling or even laughing out loud. This is good medicine!

Denis Murphy, who co- ordinates Liturgy of Word & Holy Communion to the sick in our High Care Residences, delivers a PDF to Lifestyle Co-ordinators each week. At C.A.R.V. our people are assembled each Friday morning in Rose Cottage to watch Bishop McCarthy's celebration of Mass.

Being able to attend Mass once a week, if we register our names, is a blessing. However, we miss seeing members of our Congregation because of limited numbers. Phones and emails have been used more often to keep in touch with everyone.

We feel that we will be more grateful to God when we eventually gather to praise and worship Him as a Community.  We will not take such occasions for granted. We realise that we need each other in every way on Life's Journey. We look forward to praying & worshipping together.

May God bless & heal our World. Glory be to God forever!

Marie Weekers

Resident, Independent Living Units, CARV Village, Yeppoon

Digital Technologies at St Benedict's School

Digital Technologies, STEM, higher order thinking, collaboration, innovation and creativity are vital elements within the Australian Curriculum.

St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School Yeppoon (Qld) made the decision to adjust their teaching and learning program, specifically targeting these areas in 2020. The school, in partnership with their Parents and Friends Association, purchased a range of robotics and digital equipment to compliment the implementation of the program.

St Benedict’s has, for a number of years, conducted Robotics and Coding Clubs during lunch periods. The school wanted to build on these initiatives and student interest to further promote the use of technologies within the classroom setting. In 2020, with support from the Catholic Education Office (Rockhampton), the school committed to providing classes with the opportunity to participate in a ‘Genius Hour’ each fortnight.

Robotic skills and programming are explicitly taught through the ‘Genius Hour’ to ensure students are familiar with the workings of particular robots and related equipment. This allows classroom teachers to build on this familiarity and confidence, and to use equipment in other areas of the curriculum.

Mrs Robyn Finch, Information and Communication Technology Consultant, from the Catholic Education Office, Rockhampton, assisted with advice on allocating robots across classes according to their level of complexity and alignment with the Digital Technologies Curriculum. Along with the fortnightly Genius Hour, an extra five days over a period of five weeks was devoted to teaching the explicit skills for each type of robot. Students’ learning and collaboration was extended through challenging tasks, building upon prior knowledge and steadily developing skills. 

After this intense program, St Benedict’s will maintain and build on these skills throughout the year, across the curriculum. Professional development with existing and new equipment will build confidence in using the resources. The Parents and Friends Association have recently purchased two 3D printers adding to the school’s repertoire of technological equipment. The program will incorporate their use and all classroom teachers and classes will engage with this technology. The very successful lunchtime clubs will also continue to operate, building a learning environment which continually engages technological thinking and innovation.