Parish News and meetings

March 28, 2024

What’s happening in Our Parish this week: 28 March -6 April 2024

Thursday

  • Mass at 7.30pm followed by Adoration in the hall until midnight.

Friday

  • Stations of the Cross at 10am
  • The Passion of Our Lord at 3pm

Saturday

  • Morning Prayer service at 9am
  • Easter Vigil Mass at 7pm

Sunday

  • Easter Mass at 9.30am & 5pm

Monday

Tuesday

  • Friendship Group at 9.30am (following 9am Mass)

Wednesday

  • Baptism Preparation at 7pm

Thursday

Friday

  • Alliance of the 2 Hearts Mass & Devotion meets on the first Friday of each month at 7.30pm

Saturday

  • Intercessory Prayer group  Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held every Saturday at 9:30-10:30am. 
  • Sacrament of Reconciliation is available on Saturdays from 11am.
  • Altar Server Training is at 4pm on 4 Saturdays in April.

Upcoming:

  • Youth Ministry Gathering meets on the second and fourth friday at 6.30pm.
  • The Filipino Mass is held on the third Sunday of each month at 11.15am.
  • The Divine Mercy Devotion is held on the third Sunday of each month at 3pm.
  • Book Club meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 10am.
  • Children’s Choir meet on the third Friday of each month at 7.30pm.
  • Children’s Ministry Gathering is held on the fourth Sunday of each month at 3pm.
  • Readers Ministry Meeting meets on the last Tuesday of every 2nd month at 7pm via zoom.
  • Holy Family Fellowship Prayer Group is meets on the 4th Saturday of the month at 7pm.
  • The Children’s Mass is held on the fifth Sunday (in months when there are 5 Sundays) at 9.30am.
  • The Samoan Mass is on the first Sunday of even numbered months at 12 Midday:
  • The Maori Mass is on the first Sunday of each month at 2pm.
  • Healing Mass is held on the first Saturday of each month at 9am.
  • Knitting group meets every 2nd & 4th tuesday from 11am – 1pm.
  • Pastoral Care Team meeting at 9.30am on friday 19 April.
  • Fiesta Committee Meeting Save the date for our first planning meeting for 2024 on Tuesday 9 April at 7.30pm in the parish meeting room. 
  • Faith Circles meets every Monday at 2pm and 7pm via zoom.
  • Bible Reflection Group meets each Monday at 10am.

Pastoral Care in our Parish Our parish is blessed with a Pastoral Care Team who seek to spiritually support those in our parish who may not be able to attend Mass for a number of reasons; eg, illness, bereaved, living in a nursing home, grieving or lonely. We aspire to be visible signs of God’s loving and caring presence in the life of a person who feels they need or will benefit from prayer and spiritual support.  Prayer and a kind listening ear is often balm that promotes healing.  This ministry is able to celebrate the Eucharist on such visits if requested.  If you or anyone you know would like more information please contact the parish office.

Fundraising news: The parish fundraising team will be collecting “return and earn” bottles and cans this year. Please bring your bottles and cans that are recyclable for 10c to the parish and leave them in the signposted area for collection.

Youth Ministry is on fire for faith, friendship and specially for God!  All 13-17 years old are invited to join every fortnight on the 2nd & 4th Friday of every month, at 6:30 pm.

Fiesta Committee Meeting Save the date for our first planning meeting for 2024 on Tuesday 9 April at 7.30pm in the parish meeting room. 

RCIA helpers needed: Appeal for parishioners willing to assist in supporting adults and children new to the Catholic faith in our parish. There are many small ways that you can make a difference. To have a conversation about this contact Diane, RCIA coordinator, via the parish office or leave your contact details with Sr Jill.

Working with Children  If you are involved in a ministry that works directly with children it is your responsibility to ensure you have obtained a WWCC and submitted the approval to the parish office before you commence working in your ministry. Various ministries in our Parish involve adults working directly with children including Altar Servers, Children’s Liturgy of the Word, Sacramental Preparation teams, Children’s Ministry, Children’s Choir and Children’s Pageant.

Emmaus Silent Retreat  Friday 19th April – Sunday 21st April, Varroville: Embark on the sacred journey of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, where the victorious love of God is revealed through the abiding presence of Jesus. Be renewed in spending time alone with the Lord, and watch as He slowly sets your heart ablaze.  This retreat is run by the MGL Sisters and is a retreat for both men and women: trybooking.com/CNSXK

Palestinian Christians in Australia We Palestinian Christians are often referred to as the “Living Stones”, a term made popular over centuries referring to the first Christians from the Holy Land. Our ancestors were there when the spirit fell on them in Jerusalem during Pentecost; they were the first to venerate the Holy Places, the actual stones where Jesus walked and suffered.

Our community are facing a big obstacle in settling refugees from Palestine in Australia especially with the accommodation expenses.  We at Palestinian Christians in Australia managed to get 7 families a temporary rented apartments with basic needs but we still have many Christian families on the waiting list.  If all the families who got visas end up arriving we will need a large amount of funds to host them in apartments for at least 3 or six months, till they have time to get settled and find work. We initiated an accommodation drive to try and raise some funds for that purpose.  If you are able to help please go to the website for more information.  The link to the website is: https://palestinianchristians.org.au/accommodation-drive/

An invitation to join electronic parish planned giving from our Parish Finance Council: An electronic regular gift provides many benefits. You will find it a secure, convenient and efficient way to regularly support your parish, while also reducing our administration costs. It will also help us to confidently forecast and plan, as we know that we can rely on your support. You can increase, decrease, discontinue or restart your monthly gift at any time. Please visit https://www.dow.org.au/giving2/parishgiving/ to learn of the four simple ways you can support our parish electronically.

A New Vision for Parishes: Bishop Mascord has supplied multiple copies of Come and See Go and Make – A vision for Parishes in the Diocese of Wollongong for distribution amongst the faithful. Further to this, a short introductory video message from Bishop Mascord may be viewed / downloaded at http://dow.sh/CSGMvision. Come & See, Go & Make: A Vision for Parishes resources may be found at http://dow.sh/CSGMresources .

Get Connected with what is on around the Diocese: Every week, there are many great opportunities to be part of special events, courses, free resources and to nurture and encourage you and your family in your faith. Stay informed by subscribing at dow.sh/stayingconnected or visit dow.sh/weeklybulletin to see a full list
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