Diocese created 60 years ago
Bishop Peter's Message - Catholic Weekly November 2011
DIOCESE CREATED 60 YEARS AGO
On 15 November 1951, Pope Pius XII issued a Papal Bull (a scroll or letter under seal) that proclaimed the creation of a new diocese centred on Wollongong. Its territory was taken from the Archdiocese of Sydney and the Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn.
The Pope’s Decree appointed Bishop Thomas McCabe of Port Pirie, South Australia, as the first Bishop of the new diocese and named St Francis Xavier Church, Wollongong as the Cathedral.
Following the formal announcement, the new diocese actually began its life on 24 February 1952, when Bishop McCabe was formally installed by Cardinal Gilroy at St Francis Xavier Cathedral in the presence of civic and church dignitaries and a large number of laity, religious and clergy.
To Jesus Christ who was, who is, and who is to come, Lord of time and history, to the Holy Trinity be endless praise forever and ever. Amen.
St Mary’s Parish, Berkeley
St Thomas Aquinas Parish, Bowral
St Joseph’s Parish, Bulli
St Paul’s Parish, Camden
St Columbkille’s Parish, Corrimal
St John the Evangelist Parish, Dapto
Mary Immaculate Parish, Eagle Vale
Holy Cross Parish, Helensburgh
St Michael’s Parish, Mittagong
St Paul’s Parish, Moss Vale
All Saints Catholic Parish, Shellharbour City
Our Lady of Mt Carmel Parish, Varroville
St Francis of Assisi Parish, Warrawong
St Therese Parish, West Wollongong
Although comparatively young, as a Diocese, many of our Parishes and Churches enable us to trace our Catholic heritage back to the Polding era, Australia’s first Catholic Bishop (1835 – 77).
Campbelltown – Old St John’s (1835)
Wollongong – St Francis Xavier’s (1838)
Appin – (Immaculate Conception) St Bede’s (1841)
Picton – St Anthony’s (1847)
Berrima – St Francis Xavier’s (1847)
Kiama – Sts Peter & Paul (1852)
Camden – St Paul’s (1859)
Shellharbour – Stella Maris (1861)
The Oaks – St Aloysius (1865)
Nowra – St Michael’s (1863)
Burragorang Valley – St Paulinus (1865+) now submerged in Warragamba Dam
Albion Park – St Paul’s (1867)
St Mary’s Convent, Wollongong (1873)
We acknowledge with deep gratitude your abundant blessings bestowed on this Diocese and its people over the past sixty years. Inspire us today to build on the work of the faithful who have gone before us. Give us courage to embrace our Diocesan Pastoral Plan and be conscious of our baptismal responsibility to be bearers of God’s love and embody the hope of the Gospel. Through our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Pray for us
St Francis Xavier Pray for us
St John Vianney Pray for us
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Pray for us
On 15 November 1951, Pope Pius XII issued a Papal Bull (a scroll or letter under seal) that proclaimed the creation of a new diocese centred on Wollongong. Its territory was taken from the Archdiocese of Sydney and the Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn.
The Pope’s Decree appointed Bishop Thomas McCabe of Port Pirie, South Australia, as the first Bishop of the new diocese and named St Francis Xavier Church, Wollongong as the Cathedral.
Following the formal announcement, the new diocese actually began its life on 24 February 1952, when Bishop McCabe was formally installed by Cardinal Gilroy at St Francis Xavier Cathedral in the presence of civic and church dignitaries and a large number of laity, religious and clergy.
From a small Diocese of 22,000 Catholics in 18 parishes in 1951, the Diocese now has a Catholic population of about 195,000 in 31 parishes.
Throughout 60 years, the people of the Diocese have gathered to worship God, to build communities of faith in our parishes, to evangelise and catechise, to educate our young people, and to assist those in emotional, physical or economic need.
So on Sunday 13 November and Tuesday 15 November in every parish of the Diocese, we gave thanks as a Diocese for our 60 years of existence and pastoral activity. We gave thanks for each Parish community where faith, generosity and the communion of disciples have been nourished. We gave thanks for the faith of our pioneers, Laity, Religious and Clergy. Their courage and generosity of spirit is carried on today in continuing and in new communities particularly in the expanding areas of our Diocese (north of Camden and around Dapto and Shellharbour). As the current stewards of God’s Diocese, we gratefully proclaimed the 60th Year of the Church in the Diocese of Wollongong.To Jesus Christ who was, who is, and who is to come, Lord of time and history, to the Holy Trinity be endless praise forever and ever. Amen.
THE PARISHES OF THE DIOCESE OF WOLLONGONG CELEBRATE JUBILEE
Lumen Christi Pastoral Region- St Francis Xavier Cathedral Parish, Wollongong
- St John Vianney Co-Cathedral Parish, Fairy Meadow
- Mater Dolorosa Church, Balgownie
- St Brigid’s Parish, Gwynneville
St Mary’s Parish, Berkeley
St Thomas Aquinas Parish, Bowral
St Joseph’s Parish, Bulli
St Paul’s Parish, Camden
- St Mary’s Church, Leppington
St Columbkille’s Parish, Corrimal
St John the Evangelist Parish, Dapto
Mary Immaculate Parish, Eagle Vale
Holy Cross Parish, Helensburgh
- St Bernadette’s Church, Stanwell Park
- Holy Trinity Church, Minto
- St Matthew’s Church, Jamberoo
- St Mary’s Church, Gerringong
St Michael’s Parish, Mittagong
St Paul’s Parish, Moss Vale
- St Brigid’s Church, Bundanoon
- St Francis Xavier’s Church, Berrima
- St Peter’s Church, Burrawang
- St Patrick’s Church, Berry
- Holy Spirit Church, Vincentia
- Sacred Heart Church, Bomaderry
- Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Culburra
- St Joseph’s Church, Kangaroo Valley
- St Joseph the Worker Church, Oakdale
- Sheil Memorial Church, Picton
- St Patrick’s Church, Menangle
- Holy Family Church, Windang
- St Bede’s Church, Appin
All Saints Catholic Parish, Shellharbour City
- Stella Maris Church, Shellharbour
- Sacred Heart Church, Warilla
- Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Wombarra
- Holy Family Church, Ulladulla
- St Patrick’s Church, Sussex Inlet
Our Lady of Mt Carmel Parish, Varroville
St Francis of Assisi Parish, Warrawong
St Therese Parish, West Wollongong
Although comparatively young, as a Diocese, many of our Parishes and Churches enable us to trace our Catholic heritage back to the Polding era, Australia’s first Catholic Bishop (1835 – 77).
Campbelltown – Old St John’s (1835)
Wollongong – St Francis Xavier’s (1838)
Appin – (Immaculate Conception) St Bede’s (1841)
Picton – St Anthony’s (1847)
Berrima – St Francis Xavier’s (1847)
Kiama – Sts Peter & Paul (1852)
Camden – St Paul’s (1859)
Shellharbour – Stella Maris (1861)
The Oaks – St Aloysius (1865)
Nowra – St Michael’s (1863)
Burragorang Valley – St Paulinus (1865+) now submerged in Warragamba Dam
Albion Park – St Paul’s (1867)
St Mary’s Convent, Wollongong (1873)
PRAYER FOR THE DIOCESE
God our Father, in all the churches scattered throughout the world you show forth the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Through the Gospel and the Eucharist bring your people of the Diocese of Wollongong together in the Holy Spirit and guide us in your love.We acknowledge with deep gratitude your abundant blessings bestowed on this Diocese and its people over the past sixty years. Inspire us today to build on the work of the faithful who have gone before us. Give us courage to embrace our Diocesan Pastoral Plan and be conscious of our baptismal responsibility to be bearers of God’s love and embody the hope of the Gospel. Through our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Pray for us
St Francis Xavier Pray for us
St John Vianney Pray for us
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Pray for us