Bearers of Christ's Love

Who we are

We exist to make Jesus known and loved in the Illawarra, Macarthur, Southern Highlands and  Shoalhaven.

In discovering the saving love of God, we have a passion for sharing that love.
Our prayer and worship unites us with Jesus and with each other, empowering us to be bearers of Christ’s love.

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Welcome home

"My prayer is that, in our diocese, you encounter and share the love and mercy of the Father, accompanied by a loving community of believers." - Bishop Brian

Meet our bishop

Get away from it all

Immersing yourself in a quiet setting can provide the ideal environment for you to focus your attention on listening to God.

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Always connected

CatholicCare provides community services, supporting people to overcome life's challenges, thrive in their relationships, build positive futures and flourish.

Do you need support?

Lighting the way

In our Catholic schools, our students encounter Jesus through an inclusive, holistic and authentic Catholic education.

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A safe community

We are committed to developing and maintaining a safe culture for both children and adults across all areas and activities in the diocese.

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Ordination to the priesthood of Deacons Sinh Le, Darren McDowell & Joseph V. Nguyen

livestream backup linkdownload mass booklet

The Diocese of Wollongong warmly invites you to celebrate the ordination to the priesthood of Deacons Sinh Le, Darren McDowell and Joseph V. Nguyen, to be conferred by Bishop Brian Mascord on Saturday 13 December 2025, 10am at All Saints Catholic Church in Shellharbour City Centre (19 College Avenue).

This is a moment of great grace for our diocese. With three deacons being ordained together, a large congregation is expected and seating will be limited. To welcome our wider diocesan community, as well as family and friends joining us from interstate and overseas, the ordination Mass will also be livestreamed. (see above).

Thanksgiving Masses

You are warmly invited to attend one of the Thanksgiving Masses celebrated by our newly ordained priests on the evening of the ordination and the following day. These liturgies are an opportunity to gather, rejoice and pray with them as they begin their priestly ministry.

Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Unanderra

Time: 6pm, Saturday 13 December 2025
Principal Celebrant: Fr Joseph V. Nguyen
Concelebrants: Fr Sinh Le and Fr Darren McDowell
Address: 48–50 Princes Highway, Unanderra NSW 2526

St Mary MacKillop Church, Oran Park

Time: 10am, Sunday 14 December 2025
Principal Celebrant: Fr Sinh Le
Concelebrants: Fr Darren McDowell and Fr Joseph V. Nguyen
Address: 94 Oran Park Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570

St John the Evangelist Church, Campbelltown

Time: 5pm, Sunday 14 December 2025
Principal Celebrant: Fr Darren McDowell
Concelebrants: Fr Joseph V. Nguyen and Fr Sinh Le
Address: 35 Cordeaux Street, Campbelltown NSW 2560

Please keep our ordinands, their families, and our diocese in your prayers.

Prayer for the Ordinandi

Almighty and ever-living God,
look with love upon your servants Sinh, Darren and Joseph
as they draw near to the day of their priestly ordination.
Kindle in them a heart aflame with love for you and your people.

Make them gentle in compassion yet firm in faith,
humble in service yet courageous in preaching the Gospel.

Purify their minds and hearts,
strengthen them in fidelity to the promises they will soon make,
and let the joy of Christ be their constant strength.

May they become living reflections of your Son,
shepherds who lead with wisdom, holiness and hope,
so that all who encounter them may encounter Christ himself.

Amen.

Latest news

Celebrating Our Catechists in the Jubilee Year of Hope

Celebrating Our Catechists in the Jubilee Year of Hope

Catechists, Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee, St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Catholic education - November 25, 2025
The Annual Catechist Mass and Awards Ceremony was held on Saturday 22 November, gathering SRE catechists from parishes across the Diocese of Wollongong for a...
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Position vacant—Safeguarding (Records and Case Management) Officer

Position vacant—Safeguarding (Records and Case Management) Officer

Professional standards and safeguarding, Jobs - November 11, 2025
Job Title Safeguarding (Records and Case Management) Officer Job Type Full time Employer Catholic Diocese of Wollongong Department Office of Professional Standards and Safeguarding (OPSS)...
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In loving memory of Sr Martina Sarkis RSJ

In loving memory of Sr Martina Sarkis RSJ

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Religious life, Bishop Brian Mascord - September 29, 2025
It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Sr Martina Sarkis RSJ on Saturday 27 September 2025, a much-loved...
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Celebrating love that lasts at the Marriage Anniversaries Mass 2025

Celebrating love that lasts at the Marriage Anniversaries Mass 2025

Liturgy, Bishop Brian Mascord - August 27, 2025
On Sunday 24 August 2025, couples from across the diocese gathered at St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Wollongong, for the annual Marriage Anniversaries Mass, a beautiful...
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A joyful day of ordination for Deacon Darren McDowell

A joyful day of ordination for Deacon Darren McDowell

Liturgy, Vocations, Parish life, Clergy life, Bishop Brian Mascord - August 26, 2025
On a radiant Saturday morning, 23 August 2025, amid sunshine that felt like the Holy Spirit shining down upon us after weeks of rain and...
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A life of faith and love: diocese farewells Fr David Catterall

A life of faith and love: diocese farewells Fr David Catterall

Clergy, Parish life - July 28, 2025
The Diocese of Wollongong has farewelled one of its beloved priests, Fr David John Catterall, in a deeply moving series of liturgies attended by thousands,...
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Bishop launches Come and See, Go and Make: A Vision for Parishes

This weekend on the solemnity of Christ the King, Bishop Brian has shared his transformative vision for parishes in the Diocese of Wollongong!

His heartfelt message echoes the beating heart of our communities—the person of Jesus. Come & See, Go & Make: A Vision for Parishes is an inspiring call to encounter Jesus, be transformed, and become disciples.

This weekend, parishes across the Diocese of Wollongong will receive:

Additionally, in December, parishes will receive several worksheet documents that will support communities in the process of prayer, reflection, and discernment in the New Year. Engagement with these activities will be a crucial part of the renewal process in parish communities.

We embark on this journey together, trusting in the goodness and mercy of God who promises, “I know the plans I have for you … plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

VISION DOCUMENTPRINCIPLES & FOUNDATIONS DOCUMENTGOING DEEPER DOCUMENT

Diocese’s Mass for You at Home on national television

The diocese’s weekly television production in partnership with the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference of Mass for You at Home (MFYAH) broadcasts around the country on Network Ten (6am) and Foxtel’s Aurora Channel 173 (10am) each Sunday morning. It is then available to watch on demand on Network Ten’s streaming platform 10play.com.au and the new MFYAH website massforyou.com.au where you can also subscribe to the MFYAH YouTube channel.

This important ministry reaches into people’s homes, hospital beds and prison cells, inviting them to pray along with the priests and other ministers. If you are able to support Mass for You at Home through prayer, promotion or financial support, see below link.

View mass readingsSUPPORT MFYAH

Behind the scenes with Mass for You at Home

Ever wondered how Mass for You at Home is made? Check out this behind the scenes featurette on the vision behind the ministry and the making of Mass for You at Home including interviews with viewers, the makers of Mass for You at Home from the Diocese of Wollongong, and our very own Bishop Brian Mascord.

Feature

Looking for the daily Mass readings?

Step into a profound spiritual journey with our daily Mass readings, guiding you through the Word of God and nurturing your spiritual growth. Taken from the lectionary, these readings span three years, offering a rich tapestry of biblical wisdom to accompany you each day.

Read now
Feature

Mass times finder and parish giving on the go with the new DOW App!

Did you know you can set up your parish giving on the new DOW App? It only takes a couple of minutes and then you have full control of your regular and one-off giving to first, second and special parish collections. The App also has an amazing diocesan Mass times finder, daily Mass readings, upcoming diocesan news and events, and links to other important diocesan media and resources. Download now!

LEARN ABOUT DIOCESAN GIVING

Safeguarding commitment statement

The Catholic Diocese of Wollongong is unwavering in its commitment to the safety and wellbeing of all persons in the diocese, in particular children, young people and vulnerable persons. This is at the heart of everything we do.

Every person has the right to be informed, heard, respected, empowered and to feel safe.

As a diocese, and as individuals, we commit to being safe people in the lives of all persons in the diocese, in particular children, young people and vulnerable persons, and to work together with them to create cultures that honour dignity, enrich wellbeing, and keep them safe.

LEARN MORE