Chaplaincy and Inclusive Communities


Contact

For more information and support please contact Daniel Jantos Inclusive Communities Coordinator on 0402771543 or email d.jantos@westernsydney.edu.au

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What is Chaplaincy and Inclusive Communities about?

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Inclusive Communities at Western Sydney University embraces the diversity of all of our students which means we believe that each has something vital to contribute to the strength and richness of the student community. We are keenly interested in each student’s academic success and know that academic success often is enhanced by social, emotional and spiritual factors. We work towards education here at Western being as personally fulfilling as possible for each one. We create opportunities for connecting, dialogue and friendship across ethnic and religious backgrounds.

The Chaplaincy service at Western Sydney University attends to the spiritual well-being of students and the university community more broadly. The pursuit of a higher education and the honing of career pathways is a spiritually rich and challenging process that involves deep reflection about one’s purpose, values and relationships. It is also a time in which students have the opportunity to make lasting friendships. Our multifaith chaplaincy operates in acknowledgement of a diverse community of ethnic and religious backgrounds. We see ourselves as a key collaborator in the University’s purpose of embracing diversity.

We pursue a capacity for supporting all students – those interested in particular religious traditions and those who have no affiliation with religious tradition but who are interested in spiritual questions and curious about clarifying their own values and priorities.

You may often find us cooking meals. This is in order to slow things down in this fast-paced lifestyle and create opportunities for connecting, dialogue and friendship. Such activity is the old-school approach to hospitality. We are keenly interested in each student’s success so that the process of education here at Western can be as personally fulfilling as possible for each one.

Our chaplains come from a variety of spiritual traditions, offering:

  • Confidential conversation
  • Opportunities to nurture, express and explore your own experiences and learning
  • Links to religious groups and faith communities
  • Exploration of ethical issues and action for social justice
  • Care and support in times of uncertainty, crisis and loss.
  • A chance to de-stress and lower anxiety.

Multifaith facilities

Multifaith facilities are available for students and staff on all campuses.

 

Multifaith Prayer, Meditation and Yoga Room

Muslim Prayer
Rooms
Multi-faith Facilities
Bankstown City Level 4 (1.4.44)

Level 4 (Female)
Level 4 (Male)

Level 4 (1.4.44)
Campbelltown   Building 2.2.02 Building 2.2.07
Hawkesbury   Building P9 Building P9
Liverpool   Level 1 Level 1
Parramatta   Building EA.LG.13 Building EF.G.07
Parramatta City

PSQ1.1.23-24 (women after 12)

PSQ1.1.26-27 (men after 12)

- PSQ 1.1.35
(small groups
and Chaplaincy)
Penrith   Building H Building H

Our Multifaith facilities acknowledge the spiritual heritage of the Darug and Dharawal People, the traditional stewards of these lands. They are available for all who come in goodwill and in an attitude of respect – those who hold to a faith tradition as well as those who do not. They offer a safe place to meet, pray, reflect, meditate or simply take some time for yourself. Multifaith facilities are places where your inner life is respected and honoured.

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Denominations


The University is served by chaplains from a broad range of denominations/faith traditions:

Anglican

Contact name

Phone number

Email

Rev Richard Blight

(02) 9772 6526

0478 102 453

r.blight@westernsydney.edu.au

richardblight1@gmail.com

Rev Cameron Howard

0422 427 939

cameron.w.howard@gmail.com

Canon Alistair Seabrook

0433 335 159

alistair@dundasanglican.com.au

Marian Martin0412 273 829Marian.Martin@westernsydney.edu.au

Buddhist

Contact name

Phone number

Email

Sunim BomHyon

0435 612 667

bomhyon.sunim@gmail.com

Tina Ng (Metta centre Bankstown)0457 160 553contact@mettacentre.com

Catholic

Contact name

Phone number

Email

Fr Andrew Fornal

(02) 4721 8945

0405 200 937

afflo123@me.com

Fr. Piotr Kruk OP

0407 732 509

kruk2000@gmail.com

Christian/Interfaith

Contact name

Phone number

Email

Kathy-May Sanayeh (Young Christian Workers)0432 155 655kathym.sanayeh@ycw.org.au

Christian

Contact name

Phone number

Email

Tim Gleeson (Citywest Church)

0406 734 043

tim.gleeson@citywest.org.au

Jennie Rawlings (Foursquare Church)

0490 024 955

jennierawlings@bigpond.com

Sonya De Martin0430 008 737sonya@inchurch.com.au

Fresh Hope Church

Contact name

Phone number

Email

Steve Hodgson

0401 477 745

steve.hodgson@freshhope.org.au

Greek Orthodox

Contact name

Phone number

Email

Fr Panagiotis Protopsaltis

0402 219 214

revpanagiotis@steuphemia.nsw.edu.au

Hindu

Contact name

Phone number

Email

Sai Paravastu (Hindu Council of Australia)

0402 449 524

cht@hinducouncil.com.au

Islamic

Contact name

Phone number

Email

Ziad Raad

0449 098 998

z.raad@westernsydney.edu.au

Jewish

Contact name

Phone number

Email

Rabbi Eli Feldman

 

junisydney@gmail.com

Non Denominational Spiritual Care

Contact name

Phone number

Email

Dr Milad Milani

02 9685 9428

M.Milani@westernsydney.edu.au

Uniting Church in Australia

Contact name

Phone number

Email

Rev Dr Christine Gapes

0422 498 371

c.gapes2@westernsydney.edu.au

Rev Tara Curlewis

02 8838 8922

taraC@nswact.uca.org.au

Rev Christine Bayliss Kelly

0409 925 607

c.baykel@gmail.com

The University is also visited by other denominations/faith traditions. For more information please contact Daniel Jantos 0402 771 543 or alternatively via email at d.jantos@westernsdyney.edu.au or inclusivecommunities@westernsydney.edu.au.

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