Members of our faith community would be familiar with Fiona Clarke, the Regional Coordinator for the Parramatta Region in the Diocese’s Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD).
Now, Fiona steps into the role as CCD Manager, which will allow her to support and promote the amazing ministry of teaching the Catholic faith to thousands of children in public schools across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
Gift to be in the classroom
Fiona, a parishioner at Sacred Heart Parish, Luddenham-Warragamba, has been involved as a Special Religious Education (SRE) catechist for 11 years, and served as the Regional Coordinator for eight years.
“We’re guests in the public schools, so I see it as a gift, and that gift has resonated with me through my life and flows from the classroom to my parish life, to my local community.”
Similar to many volunteers within CCD, it was a tapping on the shoulder from her former parish priest at St Padre Pio Parish, Glenmore Park, that got Fiona involved.
“I didn’t think I could do it as my son was very little at that stage, but Father said, ‘just come and see the class.’ So, I took my son with me into the classroom, saw the class, and Father said, ‘you ready to start next week?’”
Fiona served as the parish’s coordinator for two years, before she was invited by then-Director of CCD, Paul Worthington, to take on the regional coordinator position for a few months. This then turned into a full-time position outreaching to nine parishes and close to 40 public schools.
“When I started, I didn’t know where half of the parishes were, but today I have great connections with the parishes.
“In this role, I get to meet new parish coordinators, get to understand the dynamics of the various parishes, working with them and supporting them in whatever way they need.”
SRE Catechist Fiona Clarke (left) with her scripture students at Mulgoa Public School. Image: Supplied
Classroom connects to community
Fiona has personally witnessed the impact that SRE has to children as her own kids were taught the Catholic faith in public schools. “I ended up teaching both of them when they were in Year 6,” she smiled.
Alongside her new role, she will continue to teach at three public schools in her local area every week.
“Working with the public school children, because they may not go to Mass frequently, the questions you get asked really test your knowledge, your faith and where you are on your faith journey.
“We connect them with their local parish when the sacraments of initiation are on, and even though we don’t teach the sacramental lessons, they come into Scripture classes sharing how happy they are and what they are learning about the sacraments.
“It’s very important that they feel part of their local parish community, even though they don’t go to Catholic schools.
“Sometimes I’ll be walking the dog, or in the local shops, and I’ll meet some of the children and their families. When they recognise me and say ‘hello’, I feel that they’re proud that they go to Scripture and they understand the impact you have in their lives.
“This reaffirms that what we are doing is important, and that will hopefully carry on with them in their life and into their family lives as well.
“The Holy Spirit is always within them – it may not shine when they think they need it, but when it does, they’ll know.”
CCD Manager Fiona Clarke. Image: Mary Brazell/Diocese of Parramatta
Importance of volunteers
Because of the scope of the ministry, Fiona says it is important to maintain personal connections with the parishes and offering tailored support where needed.
“Our priests and the parish secretaries and coordinators are so vital to this ministry, because without them, we can’t do what we do.
“We understand that volunteers have a lot of commitments, but if you are in a situation where you can commit, we can make it work or adapt for you.
“You don’t have to have the whole day off to teach – some catechists teach in their lunch breaks, some start their day teaching and then go to work afterwards. We just need that hour of classroom time and the commitment to preparing lessons, which we can help with through our incredible and extensive resources.”
New beginnings
Following a review of CCD throughout 2024, Fiona is excited for the new beginnings of CCD, which now sits under the Diocese’s Mission Enhancement Team.
“This is a vital ministry of our Diocese and the Catholic Church, and I am proud of the hundreds of catechists who volunteer their time to support the mission of the Church,” Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, said in his announcement in May 2025.
“This new structure for the CCD will enhance and strengthen our outreach and mission. This aligns with our Diocesan Pastoral Plan, in particular our ‘Mission’ priority which emphasises that the Church exists to evangelise, that is, to share the Good News.
“By prioritising mission, we aim to live out our call to be a sign of God’s love in the midst of the human family, responding to the needs of our time with faith and compassion, and serving as a leaven for the coming of God’s kingdom.”
Fiona is excited to be working with Michael Reid and MET to upskill volunteers with the skillsets on offer in youth formation, peace, justice and ecology, sacraments and liturgy.
“It is our hope that this new breadth of information will be given to the parish coordinators, to then share with their own volunteers and act as a catalyst to get more volunteers involved, as we cannot run our ministry without them.
“We’re hoping to introduce training sessions at different times to cater more to the needs of the parish coordinators and the volunteers.
“We are planning to run workshops to expand our knowledge, because if you try something new, you’ll build up a library of skills and it’s the children that ultimately benefit.
“I look forward to updating the curriculum as it’s important in 2025 that our lessons and curriculum are age-appropriate and makes a connection to the children’s everyday lives and the wider community around them.”
Fiona wished to thank her parents, husband and family for their immense support of her ministry. She also wished to thank the CCD directors throughout her time – Paul Worthington, Cecilia Zammit and Merilyn Hancock – as well as the regional coordinators for their dedication and support over the years.
She looks forward to continuing to work with Office Manager Maree Collis and Faith Educator Carmel Fenton and the new faith educators that come on board as they jump into the deep.
