News in Brief 144

WANT TO HELP PEOPLE IN THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF THEIR LIVES?
Baptisms, funerals, weddings, hospital visits, and family crises are all privileged opportunities where people seek the spiritual and pastoral care of a priest. Does this way of life speak to you? To know more contact your Parish Priest or Fr Richard Healey on priesthood@dow.org.au or 0401 621 591, or visit http://dow.org.au/priesthood

PRO-LIFE PARISH SEMINAR.
Family Life International will be hosting a seminar day on “The Defence of Life and Family in the 21st Century – a Christian Response” at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, 80 Demetrius Road, Rosemeadow on Saturday, 22 September 2012. The day will commence with Mass at 10.00am followed by talks, and conclude at 5.00pm. Speakers will be: Paul Hanrahan, Executive Director of Family Life International (Australia); Eamonn Keane, Teacher, university lecturer, author; and Wanda Skowronska, registered psychologist, counsellor. The focus of the day will be ‘Life, Marriage and Family’ with special attention to the protection of life from conception to natural death. An invitation is extended to all parishes in the Macarthur Deanery and anyone else who may be interested. BYO lunch. Tea and coffee provided.

CONSOLING MASS
will be celebrated at 12noon on Friday, 14 September 2012 at Mater Dolorosa Church, Balmoral Street, Balgownie. Parishioners, parents, families and friends who wish can gather together and remember and honour those who have died as a result of suicide and other tragic circumstances.

STEWARDSHIP CORNER – 22nd Sunday Ordinary Time
“Every worthwhile gift, every genuine benefit, comes from above,” says St James in the second reading. But, he reminds us, true worship of God involves using those good gifts to benefit the less fortunate. Good stewardship is not optional; it is the hallmark of our faith!

PILGRIMAGE OF GRACE 23-25 SEPTEMBER 2012
As part of the Year of Grace, the Church in Australia has organised a pilgrimage of a relic of Saint Francis Xavier throughout Australia. The pilgrimage aims to help us contemplate and imitate Christ by contemplating the life of Saint Francis Xavier, one of the foremost Church missionaries and evangelisers and a significant exemplar of the imitation of Christ. The pilgrimage will visit St Francis Xavier Cathedral Wollongong, St Thomas More Ruse, St Francis Xavier Berrima, St Patrick’s Port Kembla, Mary Mother of the Church Macquarie Fields and St Paul’s Camden. For details of the pilgrimage, please see the flyer on the Church noticeboard. 

PASTORAL SUPPORT WORKERS
CatholicCare has a brand new Program

CatholicCare is looking for suitably qualified people to work as Pastoral Support Workers delivering a range of non-therapeutic welfare, faith-formation, spiritual and emotional support to students, families and staff of Catholic primary schools.
If you think you have something to offer and would like further information, please visit www.catholiccare.woll.catholic.org.au/ Specific enquiries should be directed to Peter Burgoyne on 02 4254 9354 during business hours.
Working Together to Make Difference in People’s Live

RACHEL’S VINEYARD RETREATS -
a Catholic healing retreat for women and men affected by abortion. The next weekend retreat will be held at Pennant Hills (Sydney) on Friday 19 – Sunday 21 October, 2012. Confidential enquiries can be made by contacting the Sydney office on 0400 092 555 or emailing info@rachelsvineyard.org.au. More information on Rachel’s Vineyard Ministries can be found on the website: http://www.rachelsvineyard.org.au/

REMEMBERING MARRIAGES AT ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL, SYDNEY.
Those married at St Mary's Cathedral are invited to return with their families for a special Mass of Thanksgiving, Blessing and Renewal of Vows on Sunday, 14 October, 2012 at 10.30am, followed by morning tea in the beautiful and historic Chapter Hall. Certificates will be presented for 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th or 60th anniversaries. Those with ancestors married at St Mary’s are also invited to join in this wonderful celebration. To register your interest, RSVP by Monday, 24 September to the Event Coordinator via email valentina.markovina@sydneycatholic.org or telephone 0400 309 337.

ALTAR SERVERS CONFERENCE
The Guild of St Stephen for Altar Servers will hold its altar servers’ camp from Monday 24 to Wednesday 26 September 2012 (first week of school holidays) at The Tops Conference Centre, Stanwell Tops. Open to all Altar Servers from Year 5 and above, the youth camp will celebrate the Year of Grace. Day participants possible. Final day held in Jamberoo. For more details, see Parish Office for a form or contact the National Secretary, Miss Karen Man, on 0433 765 400 or Fr Danai Penollar 0417-259-617. www.guildofststephen.org.au

MINISTRY TRAINING OCTOBER – NOVEMBER
Please make a note of the following Diocesan Ministry Training days:

• “PREPARING THE SACRED MYSTERIES” – A COURSE FOR SACRISTANS
  Saturday 20 October 2012, 10am – 2.30pm, St Columbkille’s Church, 99 Princes Hwy, Corrimal
• “PROCLAIMING THE WORD” – A COURSE FOR READERS
  ILLAWARRA: Saturday 27 October 2012, 10.00am – 2.30pm,
  St Brigid’s Hall, 115 Gipps Road, Gwynneville
• MACARTHUR AND SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS: Saturday 3 November 2012, 10.00am – 2.30pm,
  St John the Evangelist Parish Hall, Campbelltown
• SHOALHAVEN: Saturday 17 November 2012, 10.00am – 2.30pm,
  St Michael's Parish Centre, Nowra

More details and registration information will be published four weeks prior to the training days.

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCILS’ REGIONAL GATHERINGS

• ALBION PARK: Wednesday 24 October 2012, 7.30pm – 9.00pm, St Paul’s Parish, Tongarra Road
• VARROVILLE: Tuesday 30 October 2012, 8.00pm – 9.30pm, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, St Andrews Road
• BELLAMBI: Thursday 8 November 2012, 7.30pm – 9.00pm, Xavier Resource Centre, 2 Bond Street.

Clergy and Parish Pastoral Council members are invited to the next round of regional gatherings. The focus will be ‘Developing Youth Ministry’. These sessions offer the opportunity to continue sharing about the good work happening in your parish as well as discussing ways to develop ministry within the parish. Attendance at any one of the gatherings is most welcome. Please RSVP your attendance by contacting Jane Edwards on 4253 0899 or jane.edwards@woll.catholic.org.au

CHURCH/SCHOOL BELL WANTED in any condition.
The bell needs to be big and loud enough to used daily for the Angelus. We will pick up at your convenience. Please contact St Paul’s Albion Park parish office on 4256 2038 or Matthew Brookes on 0438 585 838 or brookes9@bigpond.net.au

AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC YOUTH MINISTRY CONVENTION
Registrations are now open for this national event that is being hosted right here in our own Diocese from Friday, 21 September to Sunday, 23 September 2012. Head to acymc.org for more information or to register and make sure you check out the promo video at www.youtube.com/acbcyouth. If you have any further questions please contact Loretta on 4253 0809 or email youth@dow.org.au.

DADS AND LADS CAMPING WEEKEND
from Friday, 7 September to Sunday, 9 September, 2012 at Cataract Scout Park. The Disciples of Jesus Community, supported by the Youth Mission Team, is organising a camping weekend for men of all ages, not just fathers and sons - but granddads, uncles, men without sons - all are welcome! Cost is $25 per person for the weekend. BYO camping gear and food (cooking facilities available). Archery and Challenge Valley will cost $10 per person per activity. Send an email to wollongong@ymt.com.au to receive a registration form or, for more information, text or call Chris Brennan on 0433 636 359. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

iSTAND WEEKEND (14-18 year olds)
from Friday, 5 October to Sunday, 7 October 2012 run by the Wollongong Youth Mission Team at Cataract Scout Park. It is going to be an awesome weekend filled with fantastic activities like archery, ‘Spot Light’, Challenge Valley, Capture the Flag, bonfires and campfires with marshmallow roasting, and to top it off – an amazing band! Cost is $98.00 per person and includes accommodation (lodges), food and activities. Email wollongong@ymt.com.au to receive a registration form or text or call Chris Brennan on 0433 636 359 for more details. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

MenALIVE DIOCESAN RETREAT WEEKEND,
suitable for all men from 15 years of age to 80+ on Saturday and Sunday, 17-18 November 2012 at St Therese Parish Hall, West Wollongong. The retreat is organised by men within the Diocese and conducted by an experienced team of menALIVE leaders. The weekend is designed so that participants may return to their homes on Saturday night and it concludes with Mass at lunch time on the Sunday. For more information contact Vince Fitzwilliam on 0413 126 095.