News

VINNIES CHRISTMAS APPEAL: SUPPORT FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH THE ESCALATING COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS THIS CHRISTMAS.

Over the last year, the cost-of-living crisis has become increasingly dire as prices continue to soar and inflation is at some of the highest levels we’ve seen since the early 1990’s. It’s hitting families and other vulnerable members of our community incredibly hard. Many are experiencing poverty and struggling to keep a roof over their heads. As the crisis deepens, so does their desperation.

More and more people are so desperate to survive, they just don’t have the resources to think about Christmas. How can they begin to dream of buying the little extras that make Christmas so special when they can’t even afford to pay the bills?

The Vinnies Christmas appeal is providing hampers and gifts for 18 local families.  The Christmas tree is in the foyer and if you haven’t yet taken a tag please take one this weekend and return the item listed as soon as possible. 

The Piety Store in the foyer is managed by our Vinnies group.  All the proceeds from the piety store support the good works of Vinnies.  2024 Columban Calendars are available plus a great range of Christmas cards and religious gifts.

This weekend we will have a leaving collection to support the work of Vinnies in our local area. 

• The new rosters have been sent out via email:  Thank you to everyone who has committed to the next 6 months.  Please note there are quite a few spaces available for anyone wishing to join a ministry and commit to serving our parish in ministry.
• 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 Redmayne RCIA coordinator via the parish office or leave your contact details with Sr Jill.
• Christmas Pageant preparation; Please check on the parish calendar on our website for pageant preparation times during December or call the parish office for more information about how to join in.
• This summer the Children Ministry Team will hold a Bible Camp on 19 – 20 January 2024 here in the Parish grounds.  Children aged from 8 to 14 years old are invited to participate. Adult support is also encouraged for facilitators and helpers. For more details contact: Sr. Jill Sudario: 0481 373 124
• Christmas Carols at Carmel House (345 St Andrews Rd, Varroville) on Thursday 21 December at 6pm.  Join the MGL Sisters for a picnic dinner and carols and praise.  Bring your picnic and a picnic blanket or chair.
• The new rosters have been sent out via email:  Thank you to everyone who has committed to the next 6 months.  Please note there are quite a few spaces available for anyone wishing to join a ministry and commit to serving our parish in ministry.
• On The Journey This Week: Fr Chris Sarkis says only prayer, sacrifice, and graced personal holiness of life can straighten what has become twisted and buried in the moral and human turmoil. Mother Hilda says God is like the freezer repair man, checking the gas of grace that keeps us ticking over. Plus, Fr Tony Percy, Fr John Nguyen, and more Advent reflections. The Journey podcast available at www.jcr.org.au.
• Vinnies Christmas tree is in the foyer.  Please take a tag off the tree and return the item next week. The Piety store is currently selling 2024 Columban calendars for $10 and packets of Christmas cards, plus many nice religious gifts for Christmas and special occasions. 
• 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 Redmayne RCIA coordinator via the parish office or leave your contact details with Sr Jill.
• Church Renovations: Construction of Alterations and Additions to our Church building have been approved and construction will commence early in 2024. Watch this space for updates.
• Thank you from fundraising Committee. Throughout the year we have had quite a few events, the raffle and 3 bunnings BBQ. There is another bunnings BBQ on 17 December. Helpers are invited to join in. Our fundraising committee welcomes new members and fresh ideas for next year.
• Holy Family Fellowship Prayer Group We gather at, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Varroville, on the 4^th Saturday every month after the Vigil Mass. We have a short time of Praise and Worship followed by a time of fellowship and sharing of a light meal. Contact : Ryan
• St Patricks College Registrations are open now! Don’t miss your opportunity to register today. We invite you to join us to celebrate our College Open Day on 24 February 2024. We look forward to sharing with the community our stunning College campus and why we are specialists in girls’ education. Have you considered St Patrick’s College for Girls for your daughter?
• Caritas Australia’s Gaza Crisis Appeal Please donate to Caritas Australia’s Gaza Crisis Appeal. You can donate online www.caritas.org.au/gaza or phone 1800 024 413. An estimated 1 million people have been displaced in Gaza with immediate food, shelter, health, and psychosocial needs. ‘This is a period of incredible turmoil and sadness. The escalation of violence has only exacerbated needs for the people in Gaza and West Bank, who already live in dire conditions. We are working with our partners on the ground to provide comprehensive and critical support to over 17,000 families affected by this devastating conflict.’ With your support, we will be able to help our partners on the ground to assist people displaced and affected by the current conflict.
• Summer School of Evangelisation (Sydney): 7-14 January Mount Carmel Retreat Centre: Summer School is a week-long, live-in, life-changing retreat featuring praise and worship, inspiring talks, engaging liturgy, time to chill and learn and more in the midst of a community of 150+ young people aged 16-35. Registrations open 31st October. Register by 30th November to receive early bird rates {concession $525/adult $625). More info: contact@ summerschool.org.au. Bookings: summerschool.org.au
• Diocesan Youth Ministry Leader – Catholic Diocese of Wollongong: Suitably experienced and qualified persons are encouraged to apply for the role of Youth Ministry Leader in the Diocese of Wollongong. Applications close on Tuesday, 12 December 2023. For more information and a detailed role description, please go to: dow.org.au/position-vacant-diocesan -youth-ministry-leader/ or for enquiries contact helen.bennett@dow.org.au
• 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 h.tlw dow.sh/CSGMresources
• CatholicCare are currently looking for Community Support Workers. Becoming a CatholicCare Community Support Worker will give you a career that you love, whilst providing a valuable connection to people living with a disability or the aged in our Diocese. If you want to find out more about becoming a Community Support Worker go to catholiccare.dow.org.au/get-involved/careers/or call 4227 1122.
• • In Our Parish

• Intercessory Prayer group  Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held every Saturday at 9:30-10:30am.  Everyone is welcome.
• Sacrament of Reconciliation is available on Saturdays from 11am.
• Faith Circles meets every Monday at 2pm and 7pm via zoom.
• Bible Reflection Group meets each Monday at 10am.
• The Children’s Mass is held on the fifth Sunday (In months when there are 5 Sundays) at 9.30am.
• The Samoan Mass will be at 12 midday on the first Sunday of every 2 months; December 2023
• The Maori Mass is on the first Sunday of each month at 2pm.
• 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.
• Healing Mass is held on the first Saturday of each month at 9am.
• Friendship Group meets on the First Tuesday of each month after 9am Mass for morning tea and activities.
• 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 gather at, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Varroville, on the 4^th Saturday every month after the Vigil Mass. We have a short time of Praise and Worship followed by a time of fellowship and sharing of a light meal.
• Alliance of the 2 Hearts Mass & Devotion meets on the first Friday of each month at 7.30pm

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.

Sisters of Charity of Australia Heritage Centre  We invite you to come and share in the story of Australia’s first religious sisters. We’d love to welcome you! Open Tuesday to Thursday 10am- 3pm or by appointment at Potts Point. Bookings recommended. Our centre celebrates over 180 years of ministry of the Sisters of Charity of Australia. Enquiries please contact concierge@rscoffice.com or (02) 9138 0835

Morocco Earthquake  Caritas Australia has launched an appeal for the victims of the earthquake in Morocco. Over 2,000 people have been confirmed dead. Thousands of people have been injured, over 1,000 critically. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, with many people still trapped under rubble. The time to act is now. Caritas agencies are on the ground as they assess the scale of the damage and critical needs. Your donation today can help communities affected by the earthquake. Please give generously at www.caritas.org.au/donate/emergency- appeals/morocco-earthquake/

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.

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

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