News in Brief 146

PRIESTHOOD – A WAY OF LIFE WHICH COULD BE FOR YOU
Sometimes we only think of a priest in terms of what we see them do at Mass on Sunday. Priests have a rich and diverse life which includes sharing in the high and lows of families and individuals at privileged times. 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

PARISH PASTORAL PLAN - RESTRUCTURING OUR PARISHES
The work on this project is progressing well. The timeline however, has been extended to allow wider involvement and engagement with the process from people across the Diocese. The Parish Education Sessions will now be held in February and March 2013 and the Regional Consultations will be held in April. Bishop Ingham will make an announcement on the future Parish Structures in the Diocese on the Feast of Pentecost, 19 May. All parishioners will be invited to be part of the process and will receive more information prior to the end of the year.

JOURNEY MAGAZINE – DIOCESAN NEWS
The new issue of Journey contains: an account by one of our seminarians on why belief in God is rational in the face of the claims of the New Atheism; the amazing story of how a local refugee family fled persecution in Burma to find a new life in our Diocese; and the national; as well as regular updates from parishes and schools. Please pick up your free copy today.

TRUCE: a 7 week program for young people who have a parent with cancer
This free program, run by Canteen Counselling Services, in partnership with CatholicCare is for young people (14-22 years) to help them cope.
Where: Catholic Care, 25-27 Auburn Street, Wollongong
When: Tuesdays at 4.00pm, starting 16 October 2012
For more information, contact Esther Davis on 1800 234 007 or email truce@canteen.org.au or go to www.truce.org.au

STEWARDSHIP CORNER – 24th Sunday Ordinary Time
In the second reading today, St James has harsh words for those who do not put their faith into action. Indeed, the Gospel message impels us to ‘lay down our life’ for the sake of the Kingdom. Sharing in Jesus’ mission we too are called to put our faith into action, taking up our cross and following him, putting our faith into practice.

YOUNG MEN OF GOD NATIONAL CONFERENCE
(Theme: “The Lord is my Strength’), Friday 12 – Sunday 14 October 2012 at The Tops Conference Centre, Stanwell Park for men aged 16-35. YMG’s pinnacle event of the year draws Catholic men from around Australia for a powerful weekend of teaching and brotherhood. Inspiring speakers will help take you deeper on your faith journey and be strengthened in your walk as a Christian man in the world today. Cost $195 (includes all food Sat & Sun and accommodation; reduced price available for locals who don’t need accommodation). Registration desk opens Friday 6.30pm. Conference ends 1.00pm Sunday For more information contact Luke on 0437 842 272 or Nick on 0433 412 837 or email conference@ymgmovement.org

ENCOUNTER – WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Take time out to consider God’s call for your life and what each of the vocations offer: single life, marriage, ordained ministry and consecrated life. Guest Speaker: Peter Gilmore, involved in youth and young adult ministry, as well as music ministry for over 11 years in the Wollongong Diocese and works as a Regional CCD Coordinator. The evening will include a Q&A panel of members from particular vocational choices as well as time for prayer, reflection and reconciliation at “The Venue”, 18 Cawley Street, Bellambi; Wednesday 10 October, 7.00pm - 9.30pm (includes dinner).
Who’s invited: young men and women wanting to deepen their relationship with God and reflect on where they are going in life. Cost: Free. RSVP: Cameron Smit | cameron.smit@dow.org.au | (02) 4253 0822

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.

ALL SAINTS CHURCH, SHELLHARBOUR CITY.
The final Masses to be celebrated in Sacred Heart Church will be the Vigil Mass on Saturday, 15 September and the 9.00am Mass on Sunday, 16 September. (Sunday evening Mass will be at Stella Maris Church on Sunday, 16 September).

The first Mass in All Saints Church will be on Saturday, 22 September at 6.00pm.
Dedication of the Church will be held on Wednesday, 3 October at 7.00pm.

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.

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

SELECTING MUSIC FOR SUNDAY MASS (Wollongong)
NEW DATE & LOCATION!
Sunday, 11 November 2012 from 1.30pm – 4.00pm
St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Harbour Street, Wollongong
Music directors, choir directors and music coordinators, please put this date in your diary! This workshop will review the available resources and proven processes for developing a coordinated parish liturgical music repertoire to meet the needs of the various assemblies at Sunday Masses, including children, youth and young adults. Topics include: the new Diocese of Wollongong PSALMIST Music Program, establishing the music director and music coordinator ministries; reviewing the functions and genres of the different songs in the Mass; practical application of the concept of "progressive solemnity" in a Mass; sources for repertoire; copyright considerations and developing repertoire for various assemblies across parish and school, including children, youth and young adults. RSVP ESSENTIAL to Helen Bennett on 02 4253 0934 or email helen.bennett@woll.catholic.org.au by Monday, 5 November.