Three faith-filled local teachers have recently taken on the leadership of the Mission Directorate within Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD), continuing in their commitment to foster vibrant partnerships between schools, local parish communities and Diocesan church agencies.
CSPD’s new Director Mission, Mark Smith, accompanied by Andrew Wilson in the role of Head Mission and Tania Melki as Mission Manager, may be familiar names to many within the Diocese of Parramatta.
Stepping into his role as Director Mission, Mark said he feels confident by the mentorship and experience he has gained along the way.
“As Head Mission from 2018 to 2021, I had the privilege of working alongside two Directors of Mission – Gary Borg and Monica Officer – who taught me a great deal about leadership and commitment to our mission of Catholic education,” said Mark.
“I hope to build on the legacy of Gary and Monica as we move forward with projects and programs that were in development during their time as Directors.”
Mark previously led roles in student formation and evangelisation in Broken Bay and Sydney Catholic Schools as well as a variety of mission and formation educational leadership roles with the Sisters of the Good Samaritan. He joined CSPD as Head Mission in 2018 and has been Acting Director Mission since September 2023.
An experienced educator, Mark is passionate about the role Catholic schools play in supporting children and young people to grow in their faith and learning.
He said he is particularly looking forward to CSPD school communities integrating a new Religious Education Curriculum from 2025, titled Encountering Jesus.
“Like the name suggests, this new RE curriculum invites all students and families to an encounter with Jesus Christ,” Mark said.
“This encounter will be of the head, heart and hands.
“For our students from other religious backgrounds, this encounter is aimed at helping them grow in their understanding and appreciation of the Catholic Church and faith.”
Joining Mark in the leadership of the Mission Team are Andrew Wilson and Tania Melki. CSPD’s Mission Team plays an integral role in nurturing the Catholic identity and mission of schools and office staff to support quality Catholic education opportunities for families in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
For Andrew Wilson, now Head Mission, his faith journey is deeply personal and communal. Residing in the serene Blue Mountains with his wife and three daughters, Andrew is a parishioner at St Thomas Aquinas Parish, Springwood, where he also supports music ministry.
A former Religious Education Coordinator at Nagle College, Blacktown, and Assistant Principal at St Patrick’s Marist College, Dundas, Andrew is dedicated to ensuring teachers are equipped to work, teach and lead within our Catholic school communities.
“I believe that quality Religious Education, formation and outreach are vital to the ministry of Catholic education,” said Andrew.
“I am excited to step into this new role and look forward to working with our students, leaders and families to support and grow these important aspects of the Catholic story in our system.”
Tania Melki is also excited about her new role as Mission Manager. Since stepping into the acting role in October 2023, she has navigated the team through significant transition and alignment with CSPD’s new strategic plan.
With a background as a Religious Education Coordinator at St Andrews College, Marayong, and as a Mission Partner/Mission Teaching Educator within CSPD, her leadership led to the development of CSPD’s Stage 6 Learning for Mission program, the Faith in Action Team network and the annual CSPD Office Staff Renewal week.
“I am looking forward to continuing my work with the Mission team to develop diverse opportunities and agency partnerships for school communities to deepen their relationship with Jesus through mission work, fostering close collaboration with these communities,” said Tania.
As they embark on their next journey within CSPD, the Mission leadership team are united in their faith and commitment.
“Andrew and Tania are faith-filled, inspirational leaders of mission who have been immersed in the Diocese of Parramatta for many years,” said Mark.
“You can be sure that they will do all that they can to support our Catholic school communities.”
Samantha Rich is a Media and Communications Specialist at Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese.
This article was originally published in the 2024 Season of Creation | Spring edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine. You can read the digital version here or pick up a copy in your local parish.
