News

The Filipino Mass is on the third Sunday of each month at 11.15am.

The Divine Mercy Devotion is on the third Sunday of each month at 3pm

Joelle Maryn: Master of the Pieces Book Tour We would like to invite all those interested in adult faith formation to join us for a very special evening on Monday 20 March 2023 at 7pm. Award winning Actress, Speaker and TV Host, Joelle Maryn will be speaking at the new CCD and Evangelisation Resource Centre in Campbelltown and sharing her message of God’s healing love as a part of her “Master of the Pieces” book tour. The event will include refreshments, good company, as well as the opportunity for Q and A and books to purchase. To register: www.dow.org.au/events

Consecrated Life Weekend: Discernment Retreat, 25-26 March 2023:  An opportunity for single women aged 16-35 to come and listen for the voice of Jesus, ask questions and to help you discern your vocation.  Registrations: mglsisters.sydney@gmail.com

Legion of Mary; Our Lady Queen of Peace Campbelltown Curia will hold its Annual ACIES CEREMONY on the Feast of the Annunciation, 2pm Saturday 25 March 2023 at St John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Cordeaux St, Campbelltown. After the church service all are invited for refreshments in the parish hall.

Legion of Mary Diocese of Wollongong ACIES CEREMONY Immaculate Conception Church Princes Hwy, Unanderra; Sunday 26 March 2023 at 2pm Legion of Mary Prayers and Rosary; Refreshments afterward in Parish rooms. Celebrant: Fr Stork. Enquiries to President Tom on 0414573305; Everyone welcome!

Day of the Unborn Child: March 26 is internationally recognised as the Day of the Unborn Child. It is a day of celebration and dignity of the unborn.  10:30am mass at St Marys Cathedral, 12 noon Angelus; 1:30pm Benediction.

Liturgy Training Workshop Saturday 1 April 2023  Ingleburn Parish is hosting a Ministry Workshop, specifically for Readers, Ministers of Communion and Acolytes, both for existing ministers and those interested in joining these ministries. The day will begin with mass at 9am, followed by the workshop at 9.30am and conclude with a light lunch at approximately 1pm. A contribution to the lunch would be appreciated. If you would like to register for this workshop please call the parish office on 96037373 / 0434 705 176.

Marriage Enrichment Weekend  Learn to live your best life in love! Join us on 14-16 April 2023 at Mt Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville, NSW a stunning & tranquil oasis on the edge of Sydney. Book online  at  www.wwme.org.au  or contact Christine & Terry Mahony; on 0490 774 419 or Email: nswbookings@wwme.org.au

Appin Massacre Memorial Ceremony Sunday 16 April 2023 Cataract Dam Picnic Area 11am – 3.30pm. Hosted by: Winga Myamly Reconciliation Group. The event will take place regardless of weather conditions. Please see flyer for contacts and additional details.

Executive Assistant to the Chief Operations Manager – Catholic Diocese of Wollongong An exciting opportunity exists for a suitably experienced and qualified person to apply for the role of Executive Assistant to the Chief Operations  Manager. Please visit the website https://www.dow.org.au/news-and- events/. Applications can be emailed to recruitment@dow.org.au. For all enquiries, call Robin Williams on (02) 4222 2402

Preparation for Good Friday Stations of the Cross will be held every Sunday at 1.30pm in the parish hall.

Intercessory Prayer group  Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held every Saturday at 9:30-10:30am.  Everyone is invited to join the prayer. 

Faith Circles is on every Monday at 2pm and 7pm via zoom.

The Samoan Mass will be at 12 midday on the first Sunday of every 2 months; April, June, August, October, December 2023

The Maori Mass is on the first Sunday of each month at 2pm.

The Journey, Weekly Podcast:  On The Journey This Week: Fr Mark De Battista says this Gospel takes us on a journey into true spiritual insight. Mother Hilda says it is not what we see that has its lasting effects, it is how we see it. The Triumph Lenten series continues with Sr Anastasia Reeves and Ken Bryant. Plus, Fr Mike Delaney and God in the Everyday. The Journey podcast available at www.jcr.org.au.

Could you provide a forever home? CatholicCare urgently needs foster carers to provide love, care and support to help children thrive and reach their full potential. Carers receive comprehensive support from the Fostering Futures team to ensure they have a full range of resources and networks to nurture their forever home. Our team have over 30 years’ experience helping carers give vulnerable children a loving home and a brighter future. We are currently looking for a forever home for two siblings, Liam* and Sofia* aged 10 & 8 years. Liam is an outgoing & active boy who loves to joke around and makes friends easily. He enjoys playing with Lego, fishing, being outdoors, riding his bike, watching movies, drawing and colouring in. His sister Sofia is a resilient, confident and kind young girl who loves playing with her friends, riding her bike, gymnastics and writing stories. Liam and Sofia are looking for a forever home with carers who are kind, loving and patient and who can give them safety, family and a sense of belonging. *names have been changed for privacy.  If you would like to learn more about becoming a carer with CatholicCare, please call 0418 783 956 or email fosteringfutures@catholiccare.dow.org.au for more information and we will support you every step of the way.

St Michael’s Parish Thirroul Centenary Monday 30 October 2023: Special events will be held on 28 October. Details will be announced in the coming months. Anyone with a connection with the parish is invited to join us. Organisers are also interested in any stories and photos of the parish to include   in a centenary  publication. Inquiries to Judy Bull, judy.bull@bigpond.com.

Mystery & Mission: The Art of Liturgical Celebration 28 – 30 September 2023, Brisbane. The Australian Pastoral Musicians Network and the National Liturgical Council are delighted to announce a combined Liturgy and Music Conference. Early Bird Registrations are now Open: For all enquiries contact liturgy@liturgybrisbane.net.au

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.

Chaldean Holy Mass at Oran Park:  Fr David Catterall, Parish Priest, St Mary MacKillop Parish, Oran Park, is pleased to announce that after a period of discussion with Archbishop Amel Nona DD – the Archbishop of the Chaldean Catholic Church – a Chaldean Holy Mass will be celebrated every second Sunday (2nd and 4th Sun of every month) at 12.30pm at St Mary MacKillop Church at Oran Park. This Mass will offer Chaldean Catholics residing in the diocese, especially the exponentially growing region of South-West Sydney, the opportunity to celebrate Mass in their own language and with their own customs and rituals. For more information, please contact the Parish Office on 4648 2226 or email oranpark@dow.org.au.

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 of notices sent to Parishes weekly.

Formed (Free for DoW Parishioners) Join hundreds of other families around the Diocese of Wollongong in nurturing your faith at home, in your own time and at your own pace? FORMED.org is a large Faith Formation Resource library website containing thousands of faith formation documentaries, courses, movies, audio and books covering all aspects of our Catholic faith. Materials for both adults and children. Sign-up for Free using our Diocesan Subscription by contacting darren.mcdowell@dow.org.au or helen.bennett@dow.org,.au

Faith Circles—free small group resource: During this period of COVID pandemic, you are encouraged to spend time in prayer and spiritual reading and faith Circles is one way that you can do this. The weekly Faith Circles resource is available for free to download. It is easy to use and could easily be done in your household or even by skype / phone with others at this time, with its questions and prayer points. It is available to download at www.dow.org.au/media-resources/faith-circles/ or have it sent to you each month via email subscription.

CatholicCare – Have you thought about becoming a foster carer? We need foster carers who provide love, care, and support to help these children thrive and reach their full potential. Carers receive comprehensive support from the Fostering Futures team to ensure they have a full range of resources and networks to nurture their forever home. Our team have over 30 years’ experience helping carers give vulnerable children a loving home and a brighter future. For more information, please call 0418 783 956, or email fosteringfutures@catholiccare.dow.org.au or go to www.catholiccare.dow.org.au

We’re always here if you ever need… These are challenging times for everyone and CatholicCare are here to support you and your family to navigate the uncertainty. We offer confidential online and phone counselling to support you with the frustration of managing family emotions, relationship pressures and employment changes. To find out more about CatholicCare’s counselling service call us on 4254 9395 or email intakeservice@catholiccare.dow.org.au

CAtHFAMILY CAtHFAMILY brings you a selection of activities, prayer rituals, crafts, and recipes from their website to assist parents and grandparents in being the first educators in faith for their kids. Don’t miss CathKids cathfamily.org/activities/

Promoting Adult Faith Formation with two popular FREE Catholic Podcasts – Bible in a Year and Catechism in a Year
• Bible in a Year
Last year, Ascension Press ran the Catholic Bible in a Year Podcast featuring Fr Mike Schmitz and Jeff Cavins. It was the world’s number 1 Religious Podcast with over 250 million downloads. It will run again throughout 2023 – and while a new podcast is released daily, you can do it at your own pace by signing up at www.ascensionpress.com/biy and it’s not too late to catch up or just work through at your own pace.

• Catechism in a Year
Following on from this success, Ascension Press has commenced the Catechism in a Year podcast. This podcast will slowly and prayerfully read through and break open the Catechism over 365 days. We have been promoting this formation amongst our SRE Catechists but would encourage you to promote it amongst the faithful of your Parish. It’s not too late to catch up, and the daily podcasts can be listened to at your own pace – over two years or longer – if that suits you. It is available at www.ascensionpress.com/ciy