Following the latest Public Health order, our church will be closed from 6pm Saturday 26th June until further notice.

Vaccination against COVID-19 is strongly recommended by Pope Francis, all of our Church leaders and NSW & Australian governments Chief Medical Officers. It is imperative that we all have our vaccinations as soon as possible to enable us to reunite in our faith/church community. Vaccinations will help protect our most vulnerable parishioners, and lead us back to our new normal

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,
Greetings to you and your families. It looks like our time of lockdown is coming gradually to end. We have all felt the restrictions & disruptions to our normal lives. I feel we do need to give thanks to God for His blessings even in this time of Pandemic. Along with Government and Religious leaders I ask you, if possible, to get your 1st or 2nd inoculation against the COVID virus. You are protecting yourself and your family against possible hospitalisation and safe-guarding our parish and community. During this week we celebrated the feast day of St Teresa of Avila. Who reformed the Carmelite Order of nuns and priests. She, with grit and courage, opened many convents throughout Spain, calling her nuns to a new and intimate prayer life with Jesus Christ. Her call is as relevant today as it was in the 15thC. Along with St John of the Cross, who joined & supported her reforms, St Teresa shared many mystical experiences of her faith & an extraordinary relationship with the Lord. Her writings are still widely read by Christians wanting a deeper friendship with the Lord. As we continue our journey of faith let us be open to the great love that Jesus Christ has for each of us. Fr. Richard & myself continue to keep you all in prayer. In the Peace of the Lord. Fr. Patrick.

ROAD MAP TO THE OPENING OF OUR CHURCHES.

THE DIOCESE OF WOLLONGONG CHURCHES WILL NOT BE OPENING UNTIL STAGE TWO OF THE ROAD MAP

When 80% Are Fully Vaccinated – Estimated Date 25th October. From this date it is proposed to open our churches for the celebration of Mass and other sacraments to all, irrespective of vaccination status in accordance with the Public Health Order in force at that time, including capacity limits and other requirements.

Capacity limits for St. Joseph’s Bulli is 65 people at 1 person/4m². Masks still required to be worn. You will need to QR code in, it will be on a “first in, first seated” basis.
More information will be issued over the coming weeks taking into account any further information received from the NSW Government.
We are expecting weekday Masses to return on the week beginning 25th Oct. and our first Sunday Mass on 31st Oct. Mass schedules and rosters will be published in next weeks bulletin.

Masses will continue to be video recorded and uploaded to the parish website until we return to full capacity at Mass. Recorded Sunday Masses will be available from 6:00pm Saturdays.

Synod of Bishops:

On Sunday, 17th October, dioceses around the world will launch local preparations for the Synod of Bishops, which has the theme: “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission”. The Catholic Church in Australia will invite the People of God to make submissions via an online portal that will open on 17th October. Those submissions will help the Bishops develop a national report to support the global process leading to an international gathering in 2023. Find out more at: http://www.catholic.org.au/synodalchurch

Roadmap to opening our churches

Roadmap to opening our churches

Dear Parishioners, Welcome to Week 16 Lockdown! We are all weary of these lockdowns and not being able to be with family, friends and Parish community but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Our Churches will be gradually opening up the week of the 25th October with the weekend Masses on Sat 30th & Sun 31st. It will be wonderful to welcome parishioners home initially in limited numbers.
Last week we celebrated the Feast of St Francis of Assisi who is now seen as the Patron Saint of the Environment. We all need to care for the beautiful world and environment that God has given us. Last week we also celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and we know that October is the month of the Holy Rosary.
The Rosary when said alone or with family is a special prayer in this time of Pandemic. Fr. Richard and myself keep you in prayer.
God Bless you and your Family. Fr. Patrick
Our Lady of the Rosary – Pray for us

Prayer Seminars: Experience various prayer styles – All Welcome

Week 4 Tuesday 12 October at 7pm – 8:30pm via Zoom.
The presenter this week is Sr Sue Barker SGS who will lead us in the beautiful practice of Lectio Divina. Each week a different presenter will lead us in a style of prayer that is
meaningful to them. The seminars will include information, but also the opportunity to be led by an expert in the prayer experience. These are open to anyone in the Diocese to attend any of the evenings available the prayer experience finishes on the 30th Nov. To register: https://www.dow.org.au/

With sadness, we inform you of the passing of Mary McGorry, a long time parishioner of St. Joseph’s. Please hold Mary and the McGorry family in your thoughts and prayers.

Please find below the link to Mary’s Funeral tomorrow: Friday 8th of October 2021 at 10:30am, family and friends are kindly invited to watch her service via https://jummedia.com.au/live/mary-mcgorry/

On Saturday 2nd October, St Joseph’s Parishioner, Jean Ryan celebrates her 101st birthday. Unfortunately, Jean is in Shellharbour hospital recuperating from a fall last week, where she suffered a distal fracture of her right femur. We pray for Jean’s speedy recovery, her family who cannot be with here during this time and wish her a very Happy 101^st Birthday.

Dear Parishioners,
Greetings in the Lord Jesus. As we move into the 15th week of lockdown there seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel. Again with Church and government leaders I encourage you to get vaccinated to protect yourself against the COVID 19 Virus. The Wollongong area has seen an increase in the number of people contracting the virus. I am particularly concerned about our overwhelmed Hospital system.
Our doctors, nurses and hospital staff as exhausted with so many patients. Vaccination can help them in their important work. Being vaccinated protects our families and loved ones too.
As Parish Priest I offer each Sunday Mass for your needs and intentions. Fr. Richard and myself will continue to upload the Masses to our Parish websites. May the Lord Jesus continue to walk with us on life’s journey. St Mary MacKillop, Pray for us.
Yours in the Peace of Christ,
Fr Patrick

Dear Parishioners,
I hope you and your families are well. Greater Sydney (of which Wollongong is a part) is now experiencing the 13th week of lock down. It is not an easy time for any of us.
Fr. Richard and Myself remembering, in prayer, all your needs. We gather in prayer in the most beautiful way during the recorded Masses from St Columbkille’s and the Sunday Mass from St Joseph’s. As Parish Priest I offer that Mass each Sunday for your needs and
intentions.
Government and Church leaders are asking that to be able to “open up” our communities, we need to be getting the vaccination to protect us against the COVID 19 virus. We will be much safer and most importantly can begin to enjoy the fellowship of our Christian
community again. An increase in vaccination rates also helps our hospitals. Doctors, nurses and all hospital workers are under a great deal of pressure with the surge in COVID 19
patients. By being vaccinated we are much less likely to be admitted to hospital as a covid patient. I ask Our Lord Jesus to Bless and Keep you always, Fr Patrick
Our Lady Help of Christians – Pray for us.

PRAYER DURING THE PANDEMIC
Almighty and eternal God, ore refuge in every danger,
to whom we turn in our distress, in faith we pray,
Look with compassion on the afflicted, grant eternal rest to the dead,
Comfort mourners, healing to the sick, peace to the dying,
Strength to our healthcare workers, wisdom to our leaders,
And the courage to reach out to all in love,
So that together we may give glory to your holy name.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you
In the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is bill-kennedy-1.jpg — **Please pray for long time parishioner Bill Kennedy who passed away during the week. May he rest in peace**.

PLENARY COUNCIL 2021–3 TO 10 OCTOBER 2021
The Church in Australia will commence its fifth Plenary Council – the first in 84 years. Six themes will be focused on after responses of over 220,000 people. AGENDA: IS called to develop concrete
proposals to create a more missionary, Christ-centred Church in Australia at this time. Questions for the six themes: CONVERSION how might we better accompany one another, heal the wounds of abuse, meet the needs of the vulnerable, respond to the call of ‘ecological conversion’?; PRAYER (how might we become more contemplative, embrace the diverse liturgical traditions?; FORMATION (how might we form better leaders, better equip and form ordained ministers?; STRUCTURES (how might we better become local centres for formation, be better structured for mission?; GOVERNANCE (how might we approach governance in the spirit of synodality?; and
INSTITUTIONS (how might we see the future of Catholic education, of Catholic social services as key missionary and evangelising ministries? The full Agenda is found at http://www.plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au

Youth Ministry Online

Catholic Youth Ministry Wollongong (CYMW) have been continuing to link in with young people via the school’s network to bring them to an encounter with the beauty of the Gospel and the Church. One of the initiatives has been LIVE online. You might like to click on the link below to get a sense of what they are doing with young people. It includes some vibrant worship and the talks given by Joel Duval and new Diocesan Youth Ministry Coordinator, Meg McAlister. Included to encourage parents to watch it with their family.

Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTphLF5OdSt8V_yo7ZLrVgg

Get Connected with what is on around the Diocese

Conscious that with many messages to choose from to put in your bulletins every week, I am continuing to include a short message near the top of the message suggestions that captures an opportunity for the faithful to stay connected with what is happening 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. A simple way to stay informed and connected is to invite the faithful to subscribe at https://dow.sh/stayingconnected

Prayer Seminars to experience different prayer styles:

The first six prayer seminars are as follows, and you are welcome to come to any or all of these seminars:

· 21st Sept Rachel Fleurant MGL- Centering Prayer

· 28th Sept Peter Gilmore Praying with the Holy Spirit

· 5th October Frances Tilly on The Examen

· 12th Oct Sr Sue Barker SGS Introduction to Lectio Divina

· 19th Oct Sr. Magdalen Mather OSB on Benedictine Path to Prayer.

See the bulletin for registering details.

THE BISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL
Caring for those who have cared for us.

Staying connected

Dear Parishioners,
We are now heading into the 12th week of lockdown and are all suffering from ‘lockdown fatigue’. Myself and Fr Richard are struggling with this life-style as well. With the weekday Masses and Sunday Masses at Corrimal and the Sunday Mass at Bulli we are connected spiritually to you, our brothers and sisters in Christ.
This week we are remembering the tragic events of 9/11 in the United States with it’s terrible loss of innocent lives and grave world- wide repercussions.
We think of the suffering in Afghanistan and Lebanon too.
Our prayers are so very much needed at this time. I offer each Sunday Mass for your needs and intentions. I’d like to thank you for the great cards and gifts to celebrate my 30th Anniversary of Priesthood. I will try and thank you all more personally as the weeks go by.
Remember the words of Jesus Christ: “I am with you always even to the end of time.’ God Bless and keep you & your families. In His Love, Fr. Patrick.

Here is a Message from Fr. Patrick for you all:

Dear Parishioners,

I hope you are all well and keeping safe. No one expected to be back in lockdown but this new Delta strain of the COVID virus is so contagious that this is the only way to suppress the new infections. Please have the “jab” and get vaccinated as soon as you can. Compared to much of the world in this pandemic, Australia is still so blessed.

Fr Richard is offering Mass on YouTube from St. Columbkille’s for our communities. As from Sunday 25^th July 2021, I’ll be offering Sunday Mass for all parishioners from St Joseph’s Church, Bulli via our website: www.saintjosephsbulli.com

We continue to keep Fr. Geoff, who died recently in our prayers.

You are all in my thoughts and prayers,

Fr. Patrick

]

With great sadness, we advise you all on the passing of long time Parishioner and friend to many of you, Marie Harding.

Marie passed away on Wednesday 25^th August.

Please keep Marie and all her family in your prayers.

Trusting in God, we pray together for Marie as we say farewell. There is sadness in parting, but we take comfort in the hope that one day we shall see Marie again and enjoy her friendship.

Now at this time we feel sorrow, but the mercy of God will gather us together again in the joy of his kingdom.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.

Receive her soul and present her to God the Most High. Amen

Bulli Parishioner Marie Harding was laid to rest on Wednesday 1^st September. With the blessing of Marie’s family, below is the link her funeral for those in the parish whom might have missed it and would like to prayerfully say goodbye. RIP Marie

https://jummedia.com.au/live/marie-gwendoline-harding/

Below is a notice from the Bishop

Fr. Patrick’s 30th Anniversary of his Priesthood Mass can be viewed below, from 8:30am on Tuesday 24th August 2021.

Vaccination against COVID-19 is strongly recommended by our Church leaders and NSW & Australian governments Chief Medical Officers. It is imperative that we all have our vaccinations as soon as possible to enable us to reunite in our faith/church community

Click on the link below to view the Mass of Christian Burial for the late Fr. Geoffrey Allen.

11am Mass of Christian Burial for Fr Geoffrey Lawrence Allen – 1 July 2021 – YouTube

The Parish Leadership Team is an advisory body to the Parish Priest and has a consultative vote on pertinent issues within the Parish. It shares the responsibility for building a vibrant community that is founded in the Holy Eucharist and built on Faith, Hope and Charity. A Parish meeting was held on Thursday 11th March and the new leadership team was elected.

We welcome our 2021 Parish Leadership Team members:

Jose Perez, Gonnie Keogh, Tony Murphy, Mark Hall and Peter Lalli. Congratulations.

Privacy Policy

On arrival at the church, you must check in with Services NSW by scanning the QR code, posted on the doors to the church.

You can download the Services NSW app here:

Service NSW Mobile App | Service NSW

Only 65 attendees will be allowed entry (in addition to clergy and essential assistants).
Masks must be worn in the church.
Congregational singing not allowed.
A parish-appointed Attendance Monitor will check that all attendees have checked in as above.
All attendees must sanitise their hands upon entry using the sanitiser provided in the narthex.
Entry from the narthex to the nave of the church is through the double glass doors only.
Worshippers must only sit in allocated seating which is marked with green stickers to ensure 1.5 metre distance between worshippers.
Worshippers can seek assistance from the Attendance Monitor if required during the Mass.
Worshippers must not shake hands and instead offer a verbal exchange of peace.
Members of the same household may sit within 1.5 metre distance of each other (e.g. married couple, parent with children) if they have advised their relationship with the Attendance Monitor during registration.
The Attendance Monitor will maintain alertness to identify worshippers presenting with flu-like symptoms (cough, runny nose, etc.) and advise any worshippers with symptoms they must leave the premises.
The Attendance Monitor will ensure worshippers do not congregate in the entrance or any area of the building.
The Attendance Monitor will ensure staggering of worshippers as they enter the building and walk to their seats.
Worshippers must maintain 1.5 metre distancing at all times including lining up for communion.
Communion will be received in the hand only (not on the tongue).
There will be no communion from the chalice for worshippers.
The Attendance Monitor will coordinate a staggered exit of worshippers through the exit door located near the sacristy.
Vaccination against COVID-19 is strongly recommended by the NSW and Australian government Chief Medical Officers.

Church/Chapels will not be open for Private Prayer under the current directives due to the significant cleaning and sanitising requirements that are involved to protect parishioners, clergy, parish staff and volunteers.