April 2010 Welcome to our April Edition of our Faith & Life eNewsletter. Besides the offerings below, please keep in mind the national e-conference on Mary - First Disciple, taking place on 18 May. Please also be sure to participate in our pastoral planning process. Go to www.ourjourneyahead.org.au to read the 16 page pastoral planning information guide, to find out consultation times and venues, and to have your say on-line. Please keep our Diocese in your prayers during this process, and encourage others to participate. We are also seeking a new diocesan position: Ministry Support Coordinator. The successful applicant will become a member of our Parish Services Team, supporting the pastoral needs of parishes. Contact Helen on helen.bennett@dow.org.au or call (02) 4253 0900 to receive a position description. Applications close on 9 April 2010. May the blessings of the Easter Season be with you and yours! April Events 1 – 3 April Easter Triduum Join in the Easter Triduum liturgy in the context of your own prayer journey. St Mary's Towers, Douglas Park. 4630 9159 Due to re-roofing at St Mary's the retreat will be conducted at Hartzer Park Centre, Eridge Park Road, Bowral. 2 April Good Friday 3 April Holy Saturday 4 April Easter Sunday 4 April Dawn Chorus Parish of Ss Peter & Paul, Kiama Lighthouse Project Break open your senses – gather on Kiama's Surf Beach to experience the hope of the Easter Dawn through the wonders of God's creation. In stillness, prayerful reflection and music we will welcome the Risen Lord anew into our lives. Contact Ann 4234 0865, Marie 4232 1535 or Ben 4232 2319 8 – 16 April Eight day directed Retreat In the silence of retreat we make a space in our busy lives to hear the echo in our hearts of God's abundant love for us. St Mary's Towers, Douglas Park. 4630 9159 Due to re-roofing at St Mary's the retreat will be conducted at Hartzer Park Centre, Eridge Park Road, Bowral. 9 April Life Ascending Bookclub 10.00am – 12noon Life Ascending is for Catholics and all Christians in their middle and later years. Spirituality to deepen awareness of God in their lives. Friendship to create and enjoy close and lasting friendships. Loving Service to share their wisdom and concern for all those in need. Our Bookclub tries to achieve the above by sharing our insights in the books we have decided to read. Contact Simonette Bunder 4227 5637 11 April Creation Walk Parish of Ss Peter & Paul, Kiama Lighthouse Project Join a walk into the prehistoric past to the Permian Period along Love's Bay rock escarpment at Gerroa or Gerringong. Learn about the geology and view fossils on that part of the earth we now live in. Contact Ann 4234 0865, Marie 4232 1535 or Ben 4232 2319 17 April Prayer Around the Cross Reflection day, Benedictine Abbey, Jamberoo 9.30am – 4.00pm. Contact Gabrielle Fogarty 4232 2735 or email gfogarty@exemail.com.au, Pat Boniface 4232 1034 or Pam Waters 4236 0202 18 April Y God. Topic: Lest We Forget: The Anzac Spirit in a War Torn World. 3.00pm Venue information at www.dow.org.au/youth Y God is a series of gatherings for young people in the Diocese; a chance to discuss and ponder the issues of today and the challenge of living Christian values in a world of competing values. Together we will seek answers to the eternal question – Y God? 18 April Prayer Day – Seeing with Easter Eyes Facilitator Sr Megan Donohue olsh Burradoo. Contact 4861 3223 hartzprk@bigpond.net.au 20 April Catholic Women's League Moss Vale CWL 20th Anniversary 27 April Catholic Women's League Diocesan Meeting, 10.00am. Parish Centre, Berry 30 April – 30 May Life's Journey Experience A month-long sabbatical retreat of renewal and healing for your life's journey, opening and building a deeper intimacy with your God. The Life's Journey Experience can be made as a month-long sabbatical with three eight-day stages or as one of the stages separately. 1. Spirituality for Intimacy (offered also January 2011) -explores relationships with self, others, God. It embraces the ability to grieve and let go. 2. Life's Healing Journey - drawing on the spirituality of the Hear of Jesus. Any hurtful life experience, or loss, is within the scope of this retreat. 3. Contemplative Directed Retreat – deepening my covenant relationship with God. As a sabbatical the format of the first two stages is: daily input session; group prayer; daily meeting with Prayer Companion; daily celebration of Eucharist; celebration of Reconciliation; celebration of Anointing (Healing Retreat). The format for the third stage is: daily meeting with prayer companion and celebration of the Sacraments. St Mary's Towers, Douglas Park. 4630 9159 1 – 9 May Exploring Sacred Intimacy Eight day guided Retreat with daily spiritual direction The Spirituality for Intimacy Retreat explores our capacity and resistances for intimacy towards God, others and our very selves. We only risk intimacy when we grow in the trust and confidence that is born out of the experience that we are loved by a Divine Lover, who has loved me with an everlasting love. The Intimacy Retreat is composed of: daily input session; the opportunity of a daily meeting with a prayer companion; daily celebration of Eucharist and the opportunity for individual sacramental Reconciliation. The retreat beings with the 6.00pm meal on the evening of the first date, followed by an introductory talk and Eucharist. It usually concludes after 2.00pm Eucharist on the last date shown. St Mary's Towers, Douglas Park. 4630 9159 1 – 9 May Eight day directed retreat Come to the silence, there to hear your God speaking deep within. St Mary's Towers, Douglas Park. 4630 9159 1 – 9 May Eight day directed retreat Come to the silence, there to hear your God speaking deep within. St Mary's Towers, Douglas Park. 4630 9159 3, 10, 17 & 24 May Partnership Course (Marriage and relationships) Campbelltown. 7.00pm – 9.30pm. Enquiries 4628 0044 4, 11 & 18 May Partnership Course (Marriage and relationships) Wollongong. 6.30pm – 9.30pm. Enquiries 4227 1122 |