News

What’s happening in Our Parish this week: April 19 – 26 April 2024

Saturday

• Mass at 9:00am
• 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.

Sunday

• Mass at 9.30am & 5pm
• The Filipino Mass is held on the third Sunday of each month at 11.15am.
• Bunnings BBQ at Gregory Hills Bunnings: Fundraising event

Monday

• Mass at 9:00am
• Bible reflection prayer group at 10am
• Faith Circles at 2pm and 7pm via zoom

Tuesday

• Mass at 9:00am
• Knitting group meets at 11am

Wednesday

• Mass at 9:00am
• Fundraising Team Meeting at 7.30pm

Thursday

• ANZAC DAY
• Mass at 7:30pm

Friday

• Mass at 9:00am
• Pastoral Care Team meeting at 9.30am on friday 26 April.
• Youth Ministry Gathering 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.

Ministry Drive: You are called to serve. In our Parish Pastoral Plan we are called to Ministry/Service: “Giving of ourselves: Our community enables every member to use their unique gifts and skills in ministry, giving of themselves in service to others”. What gifts and skills can you share in our parish community. Stop at the ministry table after mass  and ask about the many practical ways you can support our parish community. All ministry volunteers currently serving on a roster are requested to recommit for the next 6 months till the end of November.

Upcoming:

• Parish Fiesta on Sunday 14 July 2024 Our Lady of Mount Carmel FEAST DAY From 10 am onwards. This year it will be held in the grounds of Mount Carmel Catholic College. Next committee meeting on Tuesday 30 April at 7.30pm.

• Youth Ministry Gathering meets on the second and fourth friday at 6.30pm.
• Readers Ministry Meeting meets on the last Tuesday of every 2nd month at 7pm via zoom.
• Readers Refresher Training will be held on Sunday 28 April at 11am.
• 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.
• Holy Family Fellowship Prayer Group is meets on the fourth 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 odd 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 26 April.
• Faith Circles meets every Monday at 2pm and 7pm via zoom.
• Bible Reflection Group meets each Monday at 10am.
• Alliance of the 2 Hearts Mass & Devotion meets on the first Friday of each month at 7.30pm

Catechist Training Course Level 2 The Level 2 Course is a chance for all SRE Teachers and Helpers to take their knowledge of teaching and the Catholic Faith deeper. Time: 9:30am – 2:30pm Dates: 6 weeks starting – Mon 29 April / Fri 3 May in Campbelltown.
Enquiries: Sue Clark 4222 2416 or email support@ccdwollongong.com

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.

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.

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
of notices sent to Parishes weekly.