Bulletin 2020-03-29

Readings for 5th Sunday of lent

SUNDAY MASS from St Joseph’s Church – celebrated by Fr. Patrick will be available on the St. Joseph’s website www.saintjosephsbulli.com to watch on Sundays.

I ask you not to print the bulletin but instead forward this email on to those may not be on our email list.

Please encourage them to join the email list by contacting the office. This is the only safe way we can get all information to our parishioners.

I have been inundated with people offering support of ways to help all our parishioners through this trying time especially in the absence of the Sacramental life of the Church. Below are some links to places online that may be of benefit spiritually and mentally.

Bishop Barron speaks about how Catholics who are struggling with the absence of Mass services and receiving the Eucharist can find alternatives and additional ways to connect with their faith at this time. There’s some interesting discussion as to why God might permit evil to exist; and possibly some helpful ways to think about these challenges.

https://www.wordonfire.org/resources/video/bishop-barron-on-the-coronavirus-quarantine/26906/

It is also available in podcast format if you would just prefer the audio. Just search ‘Word on Fire’ in your podcast app.

 Daily Mass is celebrated by Pope Francis and can be viewed anytime. http://www.catholictv.org/shows/pope-francis-daily-mass

 Prayer Resources for Individuals and Families

During this time of social isolation it is important that we pray and stay connected to our community. A range of online resources are available to assist with this. These include daily prayers and readings, prayer services, the Sunday Office, commentaries, homilies and reflections as well as Gospel based activities and resources to support personal and family prayer.

Type in browser: liturgyhelp.com/aus/woll/pray  and follow the prompts to access. Hopefully these resources will help create prayerful solidarity with our community and the whole Body of Christ.

 Most importantly take care of yourselves and one another.

I need to ask people not to visit the office but instead call or email and I will help you all out as much as I can.

 Continue to pray for all who are affected directly by this and join in the nightly 6pm prayer we can do as our parishes combine.

Planned Giving Envelopes:

During this period of time where Masses in the diocese are suspended, parishes are urgently in need the ongoing financial support of parishioners more than ever, as their overhead costs will not change. As the vast majority of parishioners give physically to their parish in the first and second collection baskets during Mass, we are encouraging all parishioners to join the electronic parish planned giving program. The Diocese has created a page with two simple options for parishioners to give to their local parish electronically. Please find this at www.dow.org.au

Or you can download the Direct Debit Planned Giving form here.

Please hold onto all planned giving envelopes and project compassion boxes for now.

Catholic.Social

Can you remember another time when the world was completely united against a common enemy? That which comes to isolate us, unites us. 

We have to do what we need to do take care of each other. For now this means those of us who can stay at home, need to stay home. Those who cannot – teachers, nurses, hospital staff, doctors, supermarket employees, paramedics, police and many others – we need to stay home for them too. This is important, but it has consequences. People will feel isolated or lonely, maybe anxious and sad. We are missing the person to person contact and with any loss it leaves a space.

A new online space, using Catholic.Social, has been created for parishioners of the Illawarra to help fill the void. We can be vulnerable, anxious, sad, scared and hopeful, together. Do not underestimate the impact of a message. This group is a community in which we can encourage and support each other through the challenging times and share and celebrate the good times.

Catholic.Social is a CATHOLIC, low barrier of entry, platform for online discussions with groups. It’s free and there are no inappropriate 3rd party ads or “related” content. It’s built with parish groups in mind and easy to use for young and old. 

At this time when we are having to physically distance ourselves from one another, and we must do this, it is faces and voices that are able to reach through the distance and uncertainty. It is not just through connecting with people we know, but also in the words of strangers that it can be felt we are in this together. 

Please click the link, sign up and request to join. Please forward this email to family and friends.

https://app.catholic.social/group/illawarra-parishes

Please feel free to call or email if you have any questions, our details are below.

Looking forward to chatting with you.

God bless,

Pru Hall
Email   pruahall@gmail.com
Phone  0422 540 484

Mark Hall

Email   hallmarkaus@gmail.com

Phone  0423 119 984

 

Bulletin 2020-03-22

PASTORAL STATEMENT BY BISHOP BRIAN MASCORD

Updated parish directives as a result of coronavirus (COVID–19) 19th March 2020

All Wollongong Diocesan public Masses suspended until further notice. Please read the message from Bishop Brian Mascord by clicking on the link below:

FAITHFUL_200319_BM_Pastoral_Message_Covid-19

 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s address to Australia 18th March 2020

The focus for the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments is the health and wellbeing of Australians and their livelihoods, ensuring that Australia is positioned to emerge strong and resilient from this global pandemic crisis.

Leaders met last night for the second National Cabinet meeting and agreed to further actions to protect the Australian community from the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

General Population – Indoor Gatherings

As part of our efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Australia, the National Cabinet has accepted further restrictions on gatherings.

The National Cabinet has accepted the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) advice that non-essential indoor gatherings of greater than 100 people (including staff) will no longer be permitted from Wednesday 18 March 2020.

• An indoor gathering refers to a gathering within a single enclosed area (i.e. an area, room or premises that is or are substantially enclosed by a roof and walls, regardless of whether the roof or walls or any part of them are permanent, temporary, open or closed).
• This does not apply to essential activities such as public transportation facilities, medical and health care facilities, pharmacies, emergency service facilities, correctional facilities, youth justice centres or other places of custody, courts or tribunals, Parliaments, food markets, supermarkets and grocery stores, shopping centres, office buildings, factories, construction sites, and mining sites, where it is necessary for their normal operation (although other social distancing and hygiene practices may be required in these settings).

The states and territories will give further consideration to practical guidance and rules for non-essential indoor gatherings of fewer than 100 people (including staff) such as cinemas, theatres, restaurants/cafes, pubs, clubs, weddings and funerals. This will be considered at the next National Cabinet meeting on Friday 20 March 2020. In the meantime these venues should continue to apply social distancing and hygiene practices.

• This includes being able to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres between patrons. 
• Hand hygiene products and suitable waste receptacles need to be available, with frequent cleaning and waste disposal.

This may require significant changes to the operation of some venues, such as reducing the maximum capacity or increasing the space available. 

Bulletin 2020-03-15

Disciples School of Mission

The Disciples School of Mission (DSM) is fast approaching. The DSM Youth Ministry Training School will take place at the Mount Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville, from 16th to 19th April 2020. After the school there will be opportunities for optional short-term missions to Darwin, Townsville and PNG. The school is a great opportunity to be formed in Christian discipleship and to be equipped for ministry and evangelisation. Over the past 20 years many young people have been strengthened in their faith journey and empowered for mission as a result of participating in the DSM and its predecessor the Asia-Pacific School of Evangelisation. Please encourage the next generation of missionaries to come and participate in DSM. The flyer for DSM is attached, and more information can be obtained at: http://www.disciplesschoolofmission.com.au.

Weathering the Storm – Sharing our Stories of Drought, Fire and Rain. Restoring Life in Times of Crisis

Wednesday 18th March 2020

Daytime Session 9:30am – 3.00pm or

Evening Sessions 5.:0pm – 8.30pm

Everything is provided, just bring yourselves, your stories, your experiences. No cost to participants.

RSVP/Enquiries: Patricia Thomas, Grief Care: 9646 6908 care@griefcare.com.au or Sr Merrilyn Lee, Hartzer Park on 4861 3223, hartzprk@bigpond.net.au

SCARF Refugee Support is a Wollongong based organisation helping refugee entrants to build a sense of belonging and navigate the practical and personal challenges of starting a new life in Australia.

SCARF is currently on the lookout for a new home in 2020. We are looking for a suitable base that is reasonably close to public transport CBD fringe or a suburban centre accessible to SCARF community members.

We love the idea of having access to space (and ideally a kitchen) to run our activities and programs but we recognised the need to be flexible and pragmatic, and the importance of keeping operating costs low.

If you have any suggestions or are aware of any spaces that might be suitable for SCARF, please get in touch with Pippa Rendel at ceo@scarfsupport.org.au and, please feel free to put the extend this notice out to your local networks.

CatholicCare Staff Reunion To celebrate our 40th year, CatholicCare invites all previous staff members and volunteers of CatholicCare (Catholic Family Life Centre and Centacare) to attend a staff reunion,

to be held at the Wollongong Golf Club on Friday 27 March 5:30pm RSVP by 20 March on 4227 1122 or enquiries@catholiccare.dow.org.au

Bulletin 2020-03-08

Bulletin 2020-03-01

Bulletin 2020-02-23

Calling All Business People
Catholic Business Connections (CBC) is an opportunity for businesswomen and men in our diocese (active and retired) who share common values, to network and engage with each other and leaders representing the diocese. CBC gathers four times a year for lunch and to listen to guest speakers chosen to inspire with their unique story and share how they relate their work and spiritual life experience to the context of living in a modern world. The first luncheon for 2020 will be held on Friday 28th February at Rydges Hotel, Campbelltown (11:45am-2pm).
As part of the diocese’s local inter-agency emergency response to the recent bushfires in our region, our social services arm, CatholicCare, has been on the ground helping people as they deal with the immediate aftershock of the fires and will continue to be there as these people rebuild their lives in the medium and long term. Bishop Brian has invited CatholicCare’s Director Michael Austin and Executive Manager Rosanne Plunkett to be the guest speakers. They will speak on a “A heart that sees … and responds”. For more information on CBC and how to join, visit http://www.cbc.dow.org.au or contact Debbie Gates, Diocesan Director of Development and Community Engagement (02) 4222 2446.
RSVP for February luncheon is Monday 24th February.

Rising from the Ashes – A Time for Healing:
A Bushfire Recovery Family Event – Saturday 29th February 2020 at the Ulladulla Civic Centre
PROGRAM: Midday – 4 pm including 1:00 – 1:30 Healing & Blessing Ceremony. Food Fair, Music, Family Entertainment, Activities and More! This event is being coordinated by the Milton Catholic Parish, in collaboration with other churches, community groups, schools & local businesses, and embracing the whole community. Everyone is welcome, including pets. Please donate to a combined churches Cake and Condiment Stall, packaging and labelling what ingredients you’ve used for your goodies. Kindly deliver these to our Churches Stall at the Civic Centre on 29/02/20. Please volunteer and support this event. (Even one hour of time is very helpful and appreciated.) For further information, contact Vivienne Benson-Hodge E: yulan@westnet.com.au M: 0407 264 665 and/or Fr Michael Dyer: michael.dyer@dow.org. au or T: 4455 1313

Bulletin 2020-02-16

Rising from the ashes – a time for healing: Bushfire Recovery Family Event – Saturday 29th February 2020 at the Ulladulla Civic Centre.
PROGRAM: Midday – 3:00p.m. Outdoor Food Fair, Music, Family Entertainment, Activities & More!
1p.m. – 1:30p.m. Healing Ceremony: Acknowledgement of Country, Singing, Speech, Poetry, Meditation, Scripture Reading, Prayer & Blessing.
This event is being coordinated by the Milton Catholic Parish Outreach Team in collaboration with other churches, regional community service groups and local businesses.

Come and Celebrate – Diocesan Rite of Election 2020
Sunday 1st March 2020 2pm at St Francis Xavier Cathedral, 36 Harbour St Wollongong
Each year the Diocese, at the Rite of Election, welcomes and affirms the journey of many adults who desire to join our Catholic faith. The Rite of Election celebrates the calling and invitation by God to become part of his family. You are invited to join and celebrate with our candidates and catechumens who are taking this next step along their journey towards full initiation into the Catholic Church. For more information please contact Darren McDowell at darren.mcdowell@dow.org.au

Worldwide Marriage Encounter |Marriage Enrichment Weekend. 17th – 19th April 2020 at Mt Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville.
Take the time to step back from everyday distractions and rediscover your relationship!
Book online at http://www.wwme.org.au Alternatively contact Adrian and Janet Sullivan: on 0490 774 419 or adrian.janet1@bigpond.com

Reach Beyond: Become Simply Rich.…
All trades and professions are being requested by communities abroad seeking to build the capacity of their organisations and the skills of their people. They’re not asking for money or gifts that contribute to degrading dependence. Your assistance will help to develop self-reliance and sustainable solutions to poverty. Palms Australia will provide you with thorough preparation and support. You will be rewarded with riches greater than you might imagine.
Look at http://www.palms.org.au and talk to Roger on O422472567, or email palms@palms.org.au

 

Bulletin 2020-02-09

Bulletin 2020-02-02

Bulletin 2020-01-26