Clergy Health and Wellbeing coordinator Peter Noone says it is a privilege that he gets to work with all members of the clergy in the Diocese of Parramatta at their different stages of life.
Joining the Diocese’s Clergy Health and Wellbeing team in January this year, Peter works alongside fellow coordinator Ellen Small and Head Mark Buhagiar in caring for our priests from the seminary to retirement.
“We interact with everyone on their journey,” Peter explained.
“It’s great to be able to meet and spend time with people and hear their stories and support them in any way we can.
“I’ve met so many different people from different walks of life and I think it gives you a real appreciation for the uniqueness of the individual.
“It’s a great role, it’s a very unique role and it’s a privilege.”
Clergy Health and Wellbeing Coordinator Peter Noone. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
The team take special care of the 24 retired priests in the Diocese, whose ages range from 70 to 91. Some priests are living in our parishes, others in aged care and some are living at James Dixon House on the grounds of the Holy Spirit Seminary in Harris Park.
“We check on some of our priests in more of a social capacity rather than anything health-related because they’re very independent – they can make their own appointments, they have their own social life and they regularly go out and about,” he said.
“Then there are others who we’ll have more involvement with, as their health conditions can change quite dramatically over time.”
Peter said that his work is very individualised, depending on who he is reaching out to.
“I think the support network we offer is so important to our retired priests,” Peter said.
“When priests retire, they can lose that support network from the parishes. They often retire outside of the parish which has the potential to be isolating and especially difficult if health complications arise.
“They don’t always have immediate family or friends close by to be able to support them through the challenges.
“They might’ve retired some distance from their last parish or are living in a different part of the country to where their ministry was.
“This is where our role fills the gap. We offer assistance with their health and wellbeing in all aspects of their daily lives.”
Someone that Peter has come to know closely has been retired priest Fr John Goulding, who has been serving in ministry for 45 years before retiring last year.
Fr John Goulding (left) speaking Clergy Health and Wellbeing Coordinator Peter Noone. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
Having been hospitalised recently, Peter and the rest of the team have been looking out for Fr John by visiting him in hospital, taking him to medical appointments and organising his medications.
“They have been absolutely marvellous to me. If I need any assistance, they come straight away,” Fr John said.
“I do try and thank them, but I don’t think I can thank them enough.
“If I didn’t have the support of this Diocese, I don’t know what I’d do.”
Peter said, “it’s a unique opportunity that I have to spend time with Fr John in this role.
“It’s been great just to hear his stories and experiences. He’s always got jokes to tell and he’s got a lot of wisdom as well.
“His humble and sensible approach to things is encouraging, and a lot of what he says, I relay to my wife and to other people.
“From a spiritual perspective, there’s a great opportunity to learn from him just how he shares about his faith and how he lives his life.
“He’s been mentoring me unofficially, and I see him definitely in a father-figure role.”
(L-R) Clergy Health and Wellbeing Coordinator Peter Noone with retired priests Fr John Goulding and Monsignor John Boyle. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
One of the real joys and graces in Peter’s role with the Clergy Health and Wellbeing team is being able to support the men who have given so much of their lives to the members of the faithful in our Diocese.
“The relationship that we have with retired priests is very much like a family,” Peter said.
“What a son or daughter would be doing for their elderly parents, we’re doing for the priests.
“We’re here to help them and assist them in whichever way that they need it.
“We have the great opportunity to walk with these priests in this phase of their life, just as they have accompanied and served us in their lives.
“When they’re coming into a time where their needs are going to be great, it’s a great opportunity for us to say ‘thank you’.”
Your donation to the Clergy Support Foundation’s Father’s Day Appeal is a meaningful way to express your gratitude to our clergy for their lifetime of service and dedication.
Please support the Bishop’s Father’s Day Appeal by calling (02) 8838 3482, or visit parracatholic.org/fathersdayappeal
Your generosity will help support our ageing priests’ health and wellbeing during retirement.
