The Catholic Weekly 21 March 2021

catholicweekly.com.au 2 NEWS 21, March, 2021 AFTER TEACHING thou- sands of children during her long career, Sr Judy Ellis ad- mits she doesn’t remember a young Anthony Fisher in her kindergarten class of 70… but then laughed “I also only re- ally remember the naughty ones”. More than 55 years later, the pair caught up inArmidale where Sr Judy is now retired and neither had any doubts about the other’s identity. Delivering a historical ora- tion for the 150th Anniversary of the Installation of the First Bishop of the Diocese, Arch- bishop Fisher OP took the op- portunity to meet and thank his first school teacher and swap memories of that time. “We exchanged stories of 1965 and I handed her a pho- to of myself on my first day at school with her and a copy of my kindergarten report card signed by her,” he said. “It really was a delightful reunion after 56 years! “I actually remember com- ing home from my first day and announced Mummy, my teacher is so old! Really, she asked, how old dear? I looked up at her and said, “I think she’s older than you! “Well, my mother was then 26-years-old and my teacher, then known as Sr Paul Mi- chael, now Judy, was probably even younger. “As I recently told a group of new teachers, ‘you never know who you are teaching and what they will become, nor what an influence you’ll have on them’. “Thank you Sr Judy RSJ. Thank you to all my teachers.” Sr Judy taught Sydney’s Archbishop at St Therese’s at Lakemba in 1965 and said Back to kindy for His Grace with 70 kids in her care it was “hard to teach them but also very easy to love them”. She said meeting him after all those years she felt very proud knowing she had a hand in the making of a future Archbishop. “As soon as I met him I could feel he was very human and completely in love with God,” she smiled. “His love just shone out and that made me feel so at peace. “The kiddies were just de- Sr Judy Ellis with Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP show his kindergarten report card and photo of him on his first day at school. PHOTO: SUPPLIED lightful and now knowing a little Anthony Fisher was among them is very special. “He told me he’s praying for me, he has a list of all of his former teachers and I am first on that list which gives me a great sense of peace.” Sr Judy said she remem- bers her first day in Archbish- op Anthony’s kindergarten classroom writing the names of all 70 students on a card and tying it around their necks. All went well until lunch- time when the kids came back in the classroom and the boys were wearing girls names and vice versa. “The names all got mixed up because they couldn’t read,” she laughed. “I was worse off than be- fore and decided to never do that again. “Looking back I really feel so very honoured to have taught Anthony Fisher and that he took the time to catch up with me again more than 50 years later.” I n this edition Our story begins in 1839 with the Australasian Chronicle, continuing with the Freeman’s Journal in 1850. Level 13, Polding Centre, 133 Liverpool Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. Phone (02) 9390 5400 | Vol 73, No 5176. The Catholic Weekly is published by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney ABN 60 471 267 587 and is printed by ACM Australian Community Media, 159 Bells Line of Road, North Richmond NSW, 2754. News Movies, books Archbishop’s homily Editorial & Letters 1-15 10-11 25 28-29 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael Kenny (02) 9390 5348 EDITOR Peter Rosengren (02) 9390 5400 REPORTERS Marilyn Rodrigues (02) 9390 5410 Debbie Cramsie (02) 9390 5396 SUBSCRIPTIONS Rita Ng (02) 9390 5411 ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Steve Richards (02) 9390 5404 Katie Clarke (02) 9390 5402 DESIGNERS Renate Cassis Mathew De Sousa Faith in the trajectory of life catch it now at: thiscatholiclife.com.au LEAVE A GIFT Archdiocese of Sydney Catholic CHARITIES Order your FREE Wills and Bequests Guide today 1800 753 959 or [email protected] myWill SUPPORTINGTHE MINISTRIES OF THE CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY Leaving a gift in a Be met on arrival at Melbourne Airport or Southern Cross Station. Personal and caring service. Pre-bookings preferred. Baby seat available. English-speaking driver greets you on arrival. » Meet and greet service » Female-friendly and safe BOOKINGS 1300 139 740 or email [email protected] MELBOURNE? Coming to Your safety is our No.1 priority! PERSONALIZED CABS ¾ Debbie Cramsie Find the career you deserve SEE OUR LATEST JOBS Call Katie (02) 9390 5402 catholicjobsonline.com. au NEW