“Our faith calls us to help one another through prayer and action. This year our appeal will support two important ministries—enabling me to provide a dignified retirement for our diocesan clergy and ensuring that our parish communities stay connected especially during these times of pandemic. While I acknowledge the pressure that some households are facing at this time, if you are in a financial position to give, I would be very grateful if you would consider giving generously to this appeal.”
Most Rev Brian G Mascord DD
BISHOP OF WOLLONGONG
As we countdown the days to Christmas during these difficult times, we pray that by meditating on God’s Word in these daily Advent and Christmas reflections, you may be graced with moments of silence to ponder in your heart (cf. Lk 2:19) the many “blessings” in your life—inspiring you in your call to “blessedness” (that is, “holiness”) where true happiness is gained (cf. Pope Francis, Gaudete et exsultate, 64). Includes discount pricing for bulk orders as well as a GST free option for Australian Catholic Religious Groups!
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On 8 December 2020, Pope Francis published an Apostolic Letter Patris corde (With a Father’s Heart), commemorating the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. To mark the occasion, the Holy Father has proclaimed a “Year of St Joseph”, running from December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021. A number of resources are being developed by the diocese to encourage and support the celebration of the Year of St Joseph.
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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.
The following information provides the latest guidance from the Diocese of Wollongong regarding coronavirus (COVID–19) and our role in preventing its spread in our communities. We will always act in accordance with the guidelines of health authorities and update our advice as necessary. This advice should be considered in conjunction with government advice regarding hygiene and appropriate social distancing practices recommended to minimise virus transmission. The following information and directives will continue to be updated as required.
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The daily readings are taken from the lectionary which divides much of the Bible into three years worth of readings.
Weekly radio program and podcast developed by the diocese all about faith, hope, love and life.
Award winning magazine celebrating the good things happening in Catholic culture and life in the diocese.
Opportunity to explore life and the Christian faith in a friendly, open and informal environment. Alpha is an experience!
Free weekly faith-sharing small group resource to help to build and develop community and faith.
Popular pocket-sized book with beautiful artwork and daily reflections for Advent and Christmas.
Popular book and music resource for Lenten groups and individuals. Includes beautiful artwork and daily reflections.
Provides policy and guidelines, online forms, and resources to support those preparing liturgy.
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Our diocesan logo is theologically rich and very succinct. As a hand, it depicts our mission as a diocese and as individuals within the diocese, of bearing (bringing, carrying) Christ’s love to one another and to the world around us. In this, we are the hand of Jesus Christ, and we are offering ourselves to him so that he might work through us.
We can be the bearers of his love only as a response to his call and in the strength of his grace. We are reminded of this in two ways—through the symbol of the dove (the Holy Spirit) also present in the logo, and by the incorporation of the cross that segments the logo. The presence of the cross is a reminder that bearing the love of Christ will inevitably cost us if we live it authentically. However, in the way that the Cross is the portent of redemption and life—an echo of the tree of life in the book of Genesis—so becoming bearers of the love of Christ will also bring us to life.
The four fingers of the hand also represent the four regions of our diocese. The first is blue representing the beautiful water of the Shoalhaven. The second is a blue and green combination representing the waters and escarpment of the Illawarra. The third is green depicting the hills and plains of the Macarthur. The fourth is dark green illustrating the forests of the Southern Highlands.
