News in Brief 122
RCIA – Palm Sunday Retreat for Elect and Candidates.
The annual retreat is being held on Sunday, 1 April 2012 at St Mary’s Towers, 415 Douglas Park Drive, Douglas Park from 11.00am - 4.00pm. Please pray for those who are journeying towards Baptism and reception into the Church this Easter. Further information can be obtained by contacting Darren McDowell on 4253 0985 or darren.mcdowell@woll.catholic.org.au
MUSICIANS’ WORKSHOP – ADDITIONAL MASS SETTINGS
will be held on Sunday, 29 April, 2012 from 1.00pm – 4.00pm at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, Wollongong. The Diocesan Liturgical Commission in conjunction with the Wollongong Chapter of the Australian Pastoral Musicians’ Network (APMN) will hold a “Sing the Mass” workshop. It will showcase additional Mass settings used widely throughout Australia and examine the resources available to help communities prepare for the introduction of additional settings. It is recommended that parishes begin to introduce additional settings to complement the Diocesan Mass setting, the Glendalough Mass, so that people will be able to participate in Masses with people outside the Diocese. RSVP
ESSENTIAL to Helen Bennett on 4253 0934 or email helen.bennett@woll.catholic.org.au
iSTAND GENERATION School Holiday Camp.
Are you aged between 14-18? Do you know someone is this age bracket? Then this is for you! Youth Mission Team Wollongong is holding their first last iSTAND camp for the year from Wednesday 11 to Friday 13 April 2012. This is a great opportunity to mix and mingle with other young people, with games, interactive activities, dramas, recreation and beach, talks and sharing, great music, Mass, good food and lots of fun! For further details, please contact YMT Wollongong Manager, Christopher Brennan on 02 4284 1635 or 0433 636 359 or wollongong@ymt.com.au Hope to see you there!
SPIRIT ALIVE! DIOCESAN MINISTRY FESTIVAL – SAVE THE DATE!
You are invited to join the Diocese on Saturday, 26 May 2012 at John Therry Catholic High School, Rosemeadow to celebrate the many gifts and opportunities we have to participate in the life of the Church. This festival day promises to be a wonderful witness to the life and vitality that exists within our Catholic community with rides for the children, over 100 stalls, music, keynotes, showcases and a whole array of food from the many cultures in our Diocese. So save the date in your calendars now! If you would like to participate on the day with a food stall, music or a stall showcasing your ministry, contact Darren McDowell on 4253 0985 or darren.mcdowell@woll.catholic.org.au by Wednesday, 28 March.
PRAYER AROUND THE CROSS,
drawing inspiration from the prayers and music of Taize in France to be held on Friday, 27 April 2012 at St Paul’s Parish, Albion Park from 7.00pm.
REFLECTION MORNING
on Church and the Baptismal Priesthood with Fr John Frauenfelder to be held on Saturday, April 14 2012 at Holy Name of Mary Parish Hall, 3 Mary Street, Hunters Hill from 9.30am – 12.30pm. Enjoy some reflection, silence and solitude in the beautiful Maris grounds. Entry by donation. No booking. Tea and coffee provided. Enquiries Carole on 9869 1036 or Michelle on 9958 5963.
STEWARDSHIP CORNER – FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
As stewards of God’s gracious gifts, through sharing of our time, talent and treasure, we can enrich the lives of others so that all people can grow to their full potential. Lent calls us to new areas of ministry in order to use our gifts for those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Like the grain that yields a great harvest, Christians strive to become the seed for new life in the community. May we always be prepared to sacrifice our own wants in order to help meet the needs of others.
Gospel Notes
- Gift of self-sacrifice for the benefit of others – dying to rise anew
- Gift of giving and letting go
- Cultivating responsibly our gifts for the benefit of others
- Sharing generously our gifts and talents
APPIN MASSACARE MEMORIAL CEREMONY
to remember the Dharawal people killed in the massacre of 1816. The ceremony takes place on Sunday, 15 April 2012 at Cataract Dam picnic area from 12noon – 3.30pm. Sausage sizzle lunch will be provided. The ceremony involves a short walk to the site so appropriate footwear, hats, sunscreen and bottled water are highly recommended. Feel free to bring your own fold-up chair as seating is limited. Contact Aunty Muriel Brandy on 9605 4540, Uncle Ivan Wellington on 0447 581 306 or Sr Kerry Macdermott on 9605 1838.
EARTH HOUR
St Paul’s Parish, Albion Park will be hosting a special night of prayer NEXT SATURDAY (31st March) to coincide with Earth Hour. The program is as follows: 6pm: Vigil Mass for Palm Sunday - Vigil of World Youth Day; 7pm – 7.45pm: PIZZA supper in parish meeting room; 7.45pm – 8.15pm: Candle lit Rosary (Mysteries of Light) in narthex (that will be in darkness); 8.30pm - 9.30pm: Reflective ‘Earth Hour’ liturgy, candle lit, silent prayer interspersed with some reflections from Pope Benedict. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed at the foot of the Parish WYD Cross that will be in the narthex. All parishioners, irrespective of age, are invited to attend. Some seating will be provided, however those attending are encouraged to bring a cushion and/or rug to sit on. For more information contact St Paul’s Parish Office on 4256 2038.
PILGRIMAGE TO FRANCE
Harvest Pilgrimages have invited Fr David Catterall, Parish Priest of Albion Park to lead 2 pilgrimages in September 2012. The first of these pilgrimages “Visitations of Mary” will depart Sydney on 9th September (cost of $6590). This pilgrimage of 16 days will visit places such as Fatima, Avila and Lourdes. The second of these pilgrimage “Graces of France” will depart Sydney on 18th September (cost $6490). This pilgrimage of 14 days will visit places such as Lourdes, Taize, Chartes, Lisieux and Paris. While you can do either pilgrimage on its own, you can do both pilgrimages ‘back to back’ for $9490 (a saving of over $3500). For more information, or to arrange for a booking form and full itinerary to be sent to you contact Harvest Pilgrimages on 1800 819 156.
