The children at Anglicare's Kingsdene Special School have received a big Christmas gift thanks to the generosity of St Andrew's Cathedral membership and those who visited the Cathedral over Christmas.
Fifty per cent of the offerings received at the Cathedral's seven Christmas services were donated to the school, totalling many thousands of dollars. The Cathedral leadership have chosen not to disclose the exact figure.
Senior Minister at St Andrew's Cathedral, the Rev Chris Moroney says he is encouraged by the generosity Christians have shown.
"People have given generously. It says people do care about those in need, especially at Christmas time," he says.
This is the second year the Cathedral has donated half of its Christmas offertories to Kingsdene.
"Kingsdene needs a lot of money and require donations from people to keep the school open," Mr Moroney says.
Kingsdene was on the brink of closure in 2004 when Anglicare was operating at a loss and could no longer afford to spend the $1 million a year " or $37,000 per child " to run the school.
However, through increased government funding and a parent-led fundraising drive enough money was raised to keep the school open.
But Kingsdene parents still need to raise $200,000 per year to keep open the only residential school of its type in Sydney caring for children with moderate to severe physical, intellectual and emotional disabilities.
Mr Moroney says the generous donations from Cathedral members are a show of support for laypeople in the Diocese.
"The financial contributions spread the word that Kingsdene is doing a good and worthwhile work and that they need support. Hopefully people will continue to show their support in other ways as well," he says.
Mary Lou Carter is a parent who is very thankful for this support.
"I just want to say how absolutely touching it is for this to happen. Its just so wonderful that the school is in people's minds and that the children are receiving such great consideration," she says.
Mrs Carter's son 14-year-old son Nicholas, who has a rare variant of Angelman's syndrome, a form of autism, has been at the school for four years and looks forward to going back to start the new term more than most teenagers.
"He has no speech, but everyday these holidays he asks me when he is going back to school by pointing to the school logo his shirt."
"We have a calendar and we cross out the dates and I say there are only 26 more sleeps then he turns his mouth down at the side as if to say it's so sad and long until he gets to go back. He misses his school friends just like anyone else," she says.
Mrs Carter says the impact the school has on people's lives is unfathomable.
"Anglicare's motto is "The care that changes lives' which is so apt, because when you look at what is done at the Kingsdene school live are changed by the hope the children are given."
The life change is no more obvious than in the case of Nicholas.
"The progress made by son has been quite miraculous. His behaviour was so bad that respite services had nothing to do with him," Mrs Carter says.
"We have had such real progress and it's a joyful thing to see him learn to get along with other people. What he has learnt is quite staggering."
"When you walk in the school you know Jesus walks there. You feel him everywhere."
Happy Birthday
Meanwhile Sydneyanglicans.net would like to congratulate the former Dean of Sydney, Stuart Barton Babbage, who turned 90 this week.
A packed congregation gathered at St Jude's, Randwick at 3pm last Sunday and joined Dr Babbage and his son, the Rev Malcolm Babbage in celebrating his birthday.
Many friends and colleagues of Dr Babbage were present including former Archbishops Sir Marcus Loane and Harry Goodhew.
Those present enjoyed the choral leadership of the Jacobean singers in a service of Evensong.
Last year, New College named its new Post Graduate Scholarship after Dr Babbage, who was New College's second Master from 1973 to 1982.
