News in Brief 124
NOMINATIONS CALLED FOR DIOCESAN PASTORAL COUNCIL
Our Diocesan Pastoral Plan, Bearers of Christ’s Love, calls for the re-establishment of the Diocesan Pastoral Council. The Diocesan Pastoral Council considers the pastoral questions of our day and makes appropriate recommendations to the Bishop. It acts as a significant form of collaborative dialogue and discernment in service of the pastoral needs of the Diocese.
Bishop Peter Ingham is now calling on people to nominate for the Council. These nominations include a questionnaire offering a reflective process to detail the gifts and experience that the nominee would bring to the Council. Interested applicants will need to be endorsed by the priest in their parish of worship and send in their nomination before the end of April. Then, at the beginning of May, Bishop Peter will appoint the final Council from nominations received.
If you are interested in joining the Diocesan Pastoral Council or know someone with the qualities to offer a rich contribution, please contact your local priest, download a copy from our diocesan website at www.dow.org.au, or contact the Bishop’s Office and speak with Jane Edwards on 4253 0899.
IS GOD CALLING YOU TO THE PRIESTHOOD?
Have you ever thought about becoming a priest? For help in discerning whether this is for you, visit http://dow.org.au/priesthood or contact priesthood@dow.org.au
STEWARDSHIP CORNER - Second Sunday of Easter.
The Christian community described in Acts understood and practiced total stewardship. St Paul reports that the believers did not claim anything as their own, but held everything in common, and distributed to each whatever was needed. Like the early Christians, we too are called to understand that all we have is from God and is to be used for the growth of God’s kingdom. How might we share our gifts today with those in need?
PRAYER AROUND THE CROSS – Pentecost Celebration, drawing inspiration from the prayers and music of Taize in France. Friday, 25 May 2012 from 7.00pm at St Michael Catholic Church, 20 North Street, Nowra. For further information contact Gabrielle Fogarty on 4232 2735 or Pat Boniface on 4232 1034.
REFLECTION MORNING
with Fr Michael Stoney sj on Saturday, 5 May 2012 at Holy Name of Mary Parish hall, 3 Mary Street, Hunters Hill. Enjoy some reflection, silence and solitude in the beautiful Marist grounds. Entry by donation. No booking. Tea and coffee provided. Enquiries Carole on 9869 1036 or Michelle 9958 5963.
YOUTH MINISTRY ESSENTIALS. 21-22 April & 19-20 May
Youth Ministry Essentials is an exciting, intensive training program for those involved in ministry with young people. Facilitated by Catholic Youth Ministry Brisbane, the program is open to anybody wishing to further develop their skills and knowledge in ministry with young people. The program will provide an opportunity for valuable personal growth and an experience that will deepen participants’ understanding and appreciation for this important ministry of the church. The program itself is a tool, a developed series of sessions to assist you in developing yourself as a minister with young people. Much of the learning will occur with the interaction between participants over the course of the program. This is a free event for participants who live or work in the Diocese of Wollongong. Registration and enquiries to Loretta Brinkman 4253 0809 or email youth@dow.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 by Friday, 20 April, 2012.
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 Friday, 27 April.
