Page 24 - Demo

24 Regional – Northern NSW
New lifestyle gateway continues mission
of service at st agnes’ in port Macquarie
PoRt mACQAuRIe
LISMORE Bishop Gregory Homem- ing blessed and opened a new lifestyle gateway for Catholic Care of the Aged services for St Agnes
Parish in Port Macquarie in August. For more than 40 years Catholic Care of the Aged in Port Macquarie has championed the mis-
sion of St Agnes’ Parish to be the face of Christ in our community through serving others.
In that time, the aged care industry has seen many changes, resulting in an increasingly com- plex environment.
At the service Bishop Homeming spoke of the ne example set by St Agnes’ Parish in reaching out to others.
“I am delighted with what I’ve seen in this Parish. This Parish in many ways is an example not simply to other Parishes, but indeed to the Diocese itself... I see here in what we are about to open today something that is preeminently of the will and the love of God,” Bishop Homeming said.
The new lifestyle gateway is housed in Don- nelly House and is named in recognition of St Agnes’ parish priest Fr Leo Donnelly, whose leadership and faith has inspired the parish to act on opportunities to be of service to the commu- nity.
“I am delighted to be here because your people see in you, not Father Donnelly, but Jesus Christ ... In calling this Donnelly House, we are ac- knowledging, not you Father Donnelly, but that you have allowed Christ to be present to your people through your own life,,” Bishop Homem- ing said.
“If in each of us Christ is seen then the church will be strong. If in each of us Christ is present for others, then the work of Christ will continue.”
St Agnes’ CCA Director of Care Joy Walsh said the new CCA lifestyle gateway aimed to reduces stress on people trying to access Aged Care and other lifestyle services.
“Donnelly House represents a new way of providing choice and person-centred special- ised services, including community home care, retirement living and residential care services as well as pastoral care, lifestyle and wellbeing programs,” Mrs Walsh said.
“It’s about providing a welcoming place where, regardless of life stage, clients can be connected to the services they need to maintain the lifestyle of their choice.”
St Agnes’ Parish chief executive of cer Adam Spencer said the introduction of the CCA lifestyle gateway was very much in line with the
New lifestyle: Bishop Gregory Homeming, Fr Leo Donnelly, CCA Director of Care Joy Walsh and St Agnes Parish chief executive officer Adam Spencer at the opening of Donnelly House, Catholic Care of the Aged’s new lifestyle gateway.
Parish’s faith mission to be of ‘service to all, particularly those in need’.
“We want our community to know that if they need something for their lifestyle or their care, then this is where they come,” Mr Spencer said.
St Agnes’ Parish, Catholic Care of the Aged, has grown to be the largest provider of aged care on the NSW Mid North Coast, caring for thousands of people in the community on a daily basis.
Father Donnelly ...
you have allowed Christ to be present
to your people through
your own life
Mission: Bishop Gregory Homeming addresses those gathered for the opening and blessing of Donnelly House.
After almost 50 years, Joy says goodbye to St Vincent’s
LISmoRe
AFTER a career that has spanned more than 47 years, Joy Scott announced her retirement from St Vincent’s Hospital.
Employed on February 1, 1970, Mrs Scott joined St Vincent’s as the switchboard operator and front desk reception.
Mrs Scott said the Sisters of Charity were run- ning the Hospital when she started, who “were caring, compassionate and strict but they earned a lot of respect”.
“So many changes have happened, such as procedures, the size of the building, many more staff working part time rather than permanent full time,” Mrs Scott said.
She may have seen many changes in the hos- pital but said that the thing that had stayed the same was the service given to customers’ right from when they entered the hospital until their discharge.
“People ask me how I can stay so long to work in one place and it is an easy answer: I enjoyed my job very much. I always felt happy at the end of the day to think that I had helped people,” she said.
“I could help people phoning the Hospital with almost all enquiries and if I couldn’t I would always nd someone who could.
www.catholicleader.com.au
“I would always try and help my work col- leagues where possible. Working as a team gives great results. It was very rewarding work.
“I will always treasure my time at St Vincent’s for many reasons. I have achieved a lot, learned a lot and made many good friends who I will love and cherish forever.
“The hospital has become one big family to me over the years and this was certainly shown to me in many ways earlier this year.
“I thank each and every one of those wonder- ful people.”
Mrs Scott experienced tragic family circum- stances that led to her retirement announcement. St Vincent’s Hospital chief executive of cer
Steve Brierley said that Joy would be missed. “Joy was the welcoming face at our Dalley
Street Reception. Joy is an exceptional team member, a dedicated employee to St Vincent’s and a lovely person,” Mr Brierley said.
Mrs Scott is looking towards the next and new stage of her life.
“After getting up for work early most of my working life I am really enjoying not hearing that alarm,” she said.
Farewell: Joy Scott and St Vincent’s Hospital chief executive officer Steve Brierley.
The Catholic Leader, September 10, 2017