TWEC 2014 in review

TWEC 2014 in review
Much has happened at the Tenison Woods Education Centre (TWEC) during 2014. TWEC, a ministry of the
Sisters of St Joseph of Lochinvar, is closely connected with the Adult Faith Formation Council of the Diocese of
Maitland-Newcastle. TWEC’s mission is to provide opportunities and resources for people to deepen their faith
through hospitality, education, formation and spiritual direction offered at the Centre and in local communities.
Christian Formation Course (CFC) has had two groups running concurrently.
The nine surviving members of the Lochinvar group will complete their last unit,
The Liturgical Life of the Church in December thus completing the second year
of their course. The Broadmeadow CFC began in July and has now moved on to
its second unit, Speaking of God with twenty-four participants. Each unit
required a commitment of ten weeks, each of three hours duration.
Congratulations to those who have persevered throughout the year.
Some CFC members settling into class
at Broadmeadow
Sr Patricia Boland conducted a series of five-week sessions in Broadmeadow
entitled Taste and See. It is a program designed to deepen people’s
appreciation of their biblical heritage. Three units were covered on the books of
the Old Testaments.
Other Activities
Fr Gittins, international speaker at
Souths Leagues Club, Merewether
Happy mothers at Mums’ Night Out in
Holmesville
Tim Fischer told many stories at the
TWEC Dinner in the Therry Centre

The number of reflection days held included days on Discipleship with
Anthony Gittins CSSp (Click Here); Catholic Social Justice teaching and Pope
Francis’ Letter, The Joy of the Gospel.

Mums’ Time Out in 2014 was hosted by the proprietors of the Holmesville
Hotel. The evening celebrating motherhood was in the capable hands of
Benita Tait and Sally Lavis with the support of Sr Lynette.

Dads’ Night Out also went further afield this year being held at the Windale
-Gateshead Bowling club with great support from the Men’s Shed at
Windale.

130 Year 9 Students from St Mary’s High School Gateshead visited Lochinvar
for their annual Heritage day where they learned about the Lochinvar
Sisters’ story which is also their story.

The TWEC Annual Dinner brought two hundred people together to socialise
and hear Mr Tim Fischer speak on From the Riverina to Rome: Cardinals,
Cathedrals and Canapés and much more (Click here)

Disciples Under the Southern Cross, a TWEC sub-committee focusing on
justice issues joined with Catholic Care Social Services Hunter–Manning in
presenting Foster Care: Stories from the Heart. Sixty people heard moving
accounts from people directly associated with foster care. The tone for the
evening was set by the thoughtful artistic contributions from the Yr 10 Art
class at St Joseph’s Campus, Lochinvar.

TWEC’s year will end with our annual Carols in the Cloister where people
come for our festival of carols, music, reflections and Christmas cheer.

Srs Patricia Egan & Maureen Salmon travelled to various parishes to assist
local teams with pastoral planning and parents’ information sessions during
preparation for children’s sacramental Initiation.

Sr Lynette offered Spiritual Direction both at Lochinvar and Taree during
the year.
Throughout the year Sr Jenny Riley welcomed various craft groups who spent
It all starts with a Good Night. A student’s the weekend cementing bonds of friendship as well as learning new skills.
thoughts about foster care
Maureen Salmon, Coordinator