This year we are pleased to announce the launch of our PD “Lunchtime Sessions”. These sessions are designed to educate and inspire action, with accessibility in mind. Held over one hour around lunchtime, participants are encouraged to bring their lunch and an openness to engage in meaningful conversations. The sessions are open to members from all pastoral works and will additionally be livestreamed over Zoom to provide the opportunity for those working remotely to connect in with each session.
Session takes place in-person, at the Xavier Centre Conference Room (38 Harbour Street, Wollongong, on the Cathedral grounds) and online via livestream (a unique Zoom meeting link will be made public to access the livestream).
Registration is not required to attend these PD Lunchtime Sessions, but we encourage participants to add their selected session dates to their diary or calendar. Attendance (both in-person and on the livestream) will be recorded at the commencement of each session.
Below, you will find session descriptions and presenter details for the Lunchtime Sessions being offered in 2026. We encourage you to select sessions that spark your interest or are relevant to your work or ministry.
If you have any questions , do not hesitate to contact the Office of Professional Standards and Safeguarding team at [email protected], or call us on (02) 4222 2428.
“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve.” (1 Peter 5:2)
Date:
Thursday 23 April 2026
Time:
12:30pm – 1:30pm
Location:
Xavier Centre Conference Room, Wollongong & Zoom (online)
Description:
You have probably heard people refer to safeguarding as ‘common sense’, and in many respects it is. However, an appreciation of safeguarding as a practice and principle is not so common. The focus of this session is to rethink the obvious when it comes to safety and pastoral care. A lack of safety fundamentally undermines our efforts in pastorally supporting those in our communities including children and vulnerable adults. If things are unsafe then we have failed to exercise our Christian wisdom. Grounded in scripture and Gospel values, this session will reframe your understanding of “safeguarding” as a by-product or result of being pastoral, and as integral to our shared mission to be Bearers of Christ’s Love.
Presenter:
Stefanie Kusters
Office of Professional Standards & Safeguarding, Catholic Diocese of Wollongong Safeguarding (Training & Pastoral Works Support) Officer
Stefanie Kusters is a member of the Office of Professional Standards and Safeguarding for the Diocese of Wollongong. Prior to commencing her role in the Diocese, Stefanie completed a double degree in Law and International Studies at the University of Wollongong whilst working as a Paralegal in an Illawarra-based law firm. Stefanie undertook 2 years of full-time volunteer work as a Youth Minister with Youth Mission Team Australia, ministering in high schools across both Sydney and Melbourne. She also served on the Wollongong Diocesan Youth Council from 2024-2025.In her current role, Stefanie brings together her legal and ministry experience to offer an integrated approach to safeguarding in a pastoral, faith-based context.
Psychosocial Hazards in the Workplace (2 units)
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“So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then,
whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.” (Galatians 6:9-10)
Date:
Thursday 7 May 2026
Time:
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Location:
Xavier Centre Conference Room, Wollongong & Zoom (online)
Description:
Encompassing a broad array of detrimental effects to mental health and physical wellbeing, psychosocial hazards have become increasingly common across workplaces. Understanding the toll and influence of competing demands, trauma, relational dynamics, safeguarding responsibilities and the need for a work-life balance, is necessary to support a healthy workplace and preserve individual peace and wellbeing. This session will assist participants in identifying the psychosocial hazards that can be present in the workplace, and how to manage them effectively and holistically.
Presenter:
Marie Iemma,
Illume HR & Investigations Founder
Marie Iemma is the founder of Illume HR & Investigations and is both a qualified Lawyer and HR professional with a heart for supporting faith-based organisations. Over the past ten years, she has worked across human resources and safeguarding within the Diocese of Parramatta in both in-house and consulting capacities, walking alongside leaders through complex and sensitive matters. She has extensive experience conducting and overseeing workplace and reportable conduct investigations under the NSW scheme, including matters involving children and young people. Marie also served as Director of People and Culture for the Archdiocese of Hobart, where she led the development of safeguarding protocols in response to the newly introduced Tasmanian Reportable Conduct Scheme. Marie is passionate about helping church leaders create safe, healthy and sustainable environments that reflect both strong governance and Gospel values.
In Defence of Human Dignity: The Fight Against Human Trafficking in Australia (2 units)
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“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
Date:
Tuesday 2 June 2026
Time:
1:30pm – 2:30pm
Location:
Xavier Centre Conference Room, Wollongong & Zoom (online)
Description:
Our Catholic faith compels us to action and to an authentic expression of our values. Being made in the image and likeness of God, every human being has inherent dignity and worth. We are called to defend human dignity and the basic human rights of all people.In this session we will unpack the impact of human trafficking and modern slavery, as a prevalent issue in Australia today. We will look at the application of Catholic social teaching and what practical steps we can take to make a difference in supporting and promoting human dignity, in the context of human trafficking.
Presenter:
Carmel Shaw
ACRATH Community Development Coordinator
Carmel Shaw works in Community Development for ACRATH (Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking of Humans), coordinating advocacy with government, awareness raising in schools and communities, and coordinating a volunteer support program for victims and survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking. She holds degrees in Business, Theology and Education and has worked in Mission Leadership in Catholic Education and Healthcare and in the social enterprise sector.
ACRATH aims to increase awareness of the existence of modern slavery in Australia, build the capacity of frontline workers to recognise signs of exploitation, improve access to appropriate support services for victims and survivors, and prevent slavery and human trafficking in Australia.
Safeguarding Our Vision (2 units)
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“Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7)
Date:
Tuesday 4 August 2026
Time:
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Location:
Xavier Centre Conference Room, Wollongong & Zoom (online)
Description:
In all things we are bearers of Christ’s love. Our Vision sets out a simple blueprint for the expression of our conviction that God is Love (1 John 4:8). As members of the Diocesan Pastoral Works and as individuals – whether clergy, religious, or laity – we are invited to keep Christ’s love at the center of all we do, so that we are living representatives of His love in our world. This session will focus on the expression of love that occurs through approaching our work with the safety and wellbeing of all in mind. Attendees will be provided input about how safeguarding is an inherent part of our Vision and its grounding in the Church’s teachings to love God and our neighbour. Our guest speaker will illustrate the Vision and its application within a safeguarding framework, using anecdotes of his experiences of the challenges and learnings he has faced in the various work and ministry that he has undertaken in the Church. We invite you to join us at this session to dive deeper into the connection between safeguarding and being a bearer of Christ’s Love.
Presenter:
Dn Seth Harsh
Catholic Diocese of Wollongong Deacon
Deacon Seth Harsh is a member of the clergy for the Diocese of Wollongong, who is preparing for ordination to priesthood with the Beda Pontifical College in Rome. He is also currently studying at the University of St Thomas Aquinas, also known as the Angelicum, in Rome. Prior to joining the seminary, Dn Seth completed studies in Theology and Philosophy at an undergraduate level through the Catholic Institute of Sydney and at a post-graduate level at the University of Notre Dame, and then held the position of Diocesan Youth Ministry Coordinator for Catholic Youth Ministry Wollongong (CYWM). In the seven years in his role with CYMW, Dn Seth pioneered youth ministry initiatives, notably the initiation of regional youth groups, youth ministry in schools, LIVE Festival and LIVE Nights, bringing together young people from across the diocese and providing a space for them to explore and express their faith.
Responsible Stewardship (2 units)
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“The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” (1 Corinthians 3:8-9)
Date:
Thursday 29 October 2026
Time:
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Location:
Xavier Centre Conference Room, Wollongong & Zoom (online)
Description:
Stewardship may not be a foreign concept, but we are called to go one step further and practice responsible stewardship. It is easy to become complacent and fall short in our attempts to care for and cultivate God’s gifts and the resources that we have been blessed with. These gifts and graces come in many forms, such as through our neighbour, creation or even through the special skills and charisms we have. What we do with these gifts matters.So what does it mean to be a responsible steward, what does it mean to be a ‘fellow worker with God’ (1 Corinthians 3:9)? This session will explore the opportunity God affords us to be co-workers with Him, through the lenses of our professional responsibilities in our respective roles and our duties as faithful Catholics. Exercising responsible stewardship today, actively challenges a culture of entitlement and selfishness, to rather honour the gifts of God and put ourselves at the service of others.
Presenter:
Jude Hennessy
Office of Renewal & Evangelisation, Catholic Diocese of Wollongong Director
Jude Hennessy is married to Kerrie, they have 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren and he was a teacher in Catholic Schools for 21 years before commencing work with the Office of the Bishop in 2010. In his role as the Director of the Office of Renewal and Evangelisation in the Diocese of Wollongong, he oversees support and renewal of parishes for mission, training and resourcing of a variety of ministries, and oversight of the provision of Special Religious Education for almost 7000 Catholic students in 122 State Schools. He is the host of the weekly Diocesan Journey Podcast, which is broadcast across 34 Radio stations around Australia.
Behind the Scenes of Safeguarding (2 units)
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“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that\ Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5-6)
Date:
Thursday 19 November 2026
Time:
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Location:
Xavier Centre Conference Room, Wollongong & Zoom (online)
Description:
Have you ever wondered about the work of OPSS? This session will explore the varied and perhaps unexpected work of the Office of Professional Standards and Safeguarding, and look at the deeper reasons why certain safeguarding requirements must be carried out. Participants will have the opportunity to hear from the OPSS team directly, and ask questions to further unpack the scope of their work. From supporting our Pastoral Works, to maintaining legal compliance requirements, managing civil claims, engaging with survivors, managing risks, and providing safeguarding training, the day-to-day work of OPSS is broad and diverse. Participants will have the chance to go “behind the scenes” to gain a comprehensive understanding of ‘why we do what we do’ as the safeguarding arm of the Diocese.
Presenters:
Asante Viswasam & the OPSS Team
Office of Professional Standards & Safeguarding, Catholic Diocese of Wollongong Director
Asante Viswasam is the Director of Professional Standards and Safeguarding for the Diocese of Wollongong, and has held this position for over 8 years. Asante previously held the position of Assistant Manager for the Office for Safeguarding and Professional Standards at the Diocese of Parramatta. Over the several years in this role, she managed the development and implementation of the training and education program for the Diocese. Prior to this, Asante held management roles within the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian, in the Working With Children Risk Assessment Team and NCAT Team. Asante has undergraduate tertiary qualifications in law and postgraduate tertiary qualifications in Human Rights and Criminology. She is also a trained and experienced risk assessor, mediator and investigator.
Our Legacy (2 units)
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“In all things give thanks.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Date:
Tuesday 8 December 2026
Time:
11:00am – 12:00pm
Location:
Xavier Centre Conference Room, Wollongong & Zoom (online)
Description:
Where have we come from and where are we going? The landscape of safeguarding has undergone significant change and development in recent times, and has called us as a Catholic community to reflect and adapt in meaningful ways. As a Diocese we have navigated this changing and challenging environment with openness, curiosity and a steadfast commitment to the safety and wellbeing of all people.
This session will explore what we have learned from the past, as well as our commitment as a Diocese to move forward into the future, with a strong culture of safeguarding which focuses on ensuring that everyone feels heard, respected, empowered, informed and safe. During this session we will unpack several safeguarding developments and their application to the Diocese of Wollongong, and the Bishop will provide reflections on his hopes for how we continue to apply a safeguarding lens in our efforts in leading all people to know, love and serve God and their community.
Presenter:
Bishop Brian Mascord
Catholic Diocese of Wollongong Bishop
Bishop Brian Mascord has served as the fifth Bishop of Wollongong since his appointment in 2017 by Pope Francis, leading the Diocese and contributing to national Church bodies including the Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry. Prior to this, he was Vicar General of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle from 2012 to 2018, providing senior leadership and oversight of diocesan operations. He also served as Vocations Director from 2007 to 2018, guiding the discernment and formation of future priests while continuing in parish leadership roles. Earlier in his ministry, he was parish priest across several communities. Before his ordination to the priesthood, he worked as a primary school teacher in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle after completing his Diploma of Teaching.
Service Agreement
Definitions
Account means the account held at your financial institution from which we are authorised to arrange for funds to be debited.
Agreement means this Direct Debit Request Service Agreement between you and us, including the direct debit request.
Business day means a day other than a Saturday or a Sunday or a listed public holiday.
Debit day means the day that payment is due.
Debit payment means a particular transaction where a debit is made, according to your direct debit request.
Direct debit request means the Direct Debit Request between us and you.
Us and we and our means the Catholic Development Fund.
You means the customer(s) who signed the direct debit request. Your financial institution is the financial institution where you hold the account that you have authorised us to arrange to debit.
Debiting your account
By submitting a direct debit request, you have authorised us to arrange for funds to be debited from your account according to the agreement we have with you.
We will only arrange for funds to be debited from your account:
As authorised in the direct debit request; if the debit day falls on a day that is not a business day, we may direct your financial institution to debit your account on the following or previous business day. If you are unsure about which day your account has or will be debited, please check with your financial
Changes by you
If you wish to stop or defer a debit payment you must write to us at least 5 business days before the next debit day.
This notice should be given to us in the first instance.
Your obligations
It is your responsibility to ensure that there are sufficient clear funds available in your account to allow a debit payment to be made.
If there are insufficient clear funds available in your account to meet a debit payment:
you or your account may be charged a fee and/or interest by your financial institution;
you or your account may be charged a fee to reimburse us for charges we have incurred for the failed transaction;
you must arrange for the payment to be made by another method
Please check your account statement to verify that the amounts debited from your account are correct.
Dispute
If you believe that there has been an error in debiting your account you should call us on (02) 4222 2444 and confirm the details in writing with us as soon as possible so that we can resolve your query quickly.
Accounts
You should check:
with your financial institution whether direct debiting is available from your accounts offered by financial
your account details which you have provided to us are correct by checking them against a recent account statement; and
with your financial institution before completing the direct debit request if you have any queries about how to complete the direct debit
Warning: if the account number you have quoted is incorrect, you may be charged a fee to reimburse our costs in correcting any deductions from:
an account you do not have authority to operate; or
an account you do not
Confidentiality
We will keep any information (including your account details) in your direct debit request confidential.
We will make reasonable efforts to keep any such information that we have about you secure and to ensure that any of our employees or agents who have access to information about you, do not make any unauthorised use, modification, reproduction or disclosure of that information.
However, we may use your contact details to provide information about the fund. Should you wish this not to be the case, please advise the fund in writing.
Disclosure statement
The Catholic Development Fund, Diocese of Wollongong (the Fund) is required by law to make the following disclosure: The Fund is not prudentially supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority nor has it been examined or approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. An investor in the Fund will not receive the benefit of the financial claims scheme or the depositor protection provisions in the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). Investments in the Fund are intended to be a means for investors to support the charitable, religious and education works of the Diocese of Wollongong and for whom the consideration of profit are not of primary relevance in the investment decision. The investments that the Fund offers are not subject to the usual protections for investors under the Corporations Act (Cth) or regulation by Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Investors may be unable to get some or all of their money back when the investor expects or at all and any investment of the Fund are not comparable to investments with banks, finance companies or fund managers. The Fund’s identification statement may be viewed at www.cdfwollongong.org.au or by contacting the Fund. The Fund does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence.
Our diocesan logo is theologically rich and very succinct. As a hand, it depicts our mission as a diocese and as individuals within the diocese, of bearing (bringing, carrying) Christ’s love to one another and to the world around us. In this, we are the hand of Jesus Christ, and we are offering ourselves to him so that he might work through us.
We can be the bearers of his love only as a response to his call and in the strength of his grace. We are reminded of this in two ways—through the symbol of the dove (the Holy Spirit) also present in the logo, and by the incorporation of the cross that segments the logo. The presence of the cross is a reminder that bearing the love of Christ will inevitably cost us if we live it authentically. However, in the way that the Cross is the portent of redemption and life—an echo of the tree of life in the book of Genesis—so becoming bearers of the love of Christ will also bring us to life.
The four fingers of the hand also represent the four regions of our diocese. The first is bluerepresenting the beautiful water of the Shoalhaven. The second is a blue and green combination representing the waters and escarpment of the Illawarra. The third is greendepicting the hills and plains of the Macarthur. The fourth is dark green illustrating the forests of the Southern Highlands.
