Faith and Life News - April 2010

	Faith and Life News | Catholic Diocese of Wollongong 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  News items or events are featured here...
Catholic Diocese of Wollongong, 86-88 Market Street (PO Box 1239), Wollongong NSW 2500. For more information, please call (02) 4253 0900 or email info@dow.org.au

Social Justice Thought For The Week

"I was a stranger and you welcomed me in your homes." (Matthew 25:35)

Social Justice Thought For The Week

"Compassion is the basis of morality."
Arnold Schopenhauer

New Parish Web Site

We have a new parish web site!

It is still being built up, but you can have a look at  at http://www.sjpc.org.au

Youth Ministry eNews - March 2010

	Born for This, Lent, WYD 2010 and more... News for Young People in the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong Greetings to you all! 2010 is certainly racing by with such speed that it is hard to believe that Lent is nearly over and Holy Week and Easter just around the corner. How are you going with your Lenten promise? This Lent has seen our diocese blessed with the tour of 'Born For This', a powerful telling of the story that is at the heart of our faith as Christians. If you haven't seen this youth production yet, don't miss out! This young cast have performed for thousands of people in schools and parishes and will have staged 33 performances by the time their final show comes around. World Youth Day 2010 will be celebrated in dioceses around the world on Palm Sunday and this year we will be celebrating in the Wollongong Diocese on the eve of Palm Sunday at our Cathedral. Make sure you're there to get the details of our trip to Madrid 2011! The diocese has also launched its consultations for Pastoral Planning. This is your chance to have your say about the future of our Church in your own backyard. If you can hear about a consultation happening near you... GO! It's important that young people are heard in these important conversations. I pray that your Lenten journey will lead you to the beautiful season of Easter as we celebrate the grace and joy of the Resurrection. Loretta Brinkman youth@dow.org.au NB. The Y God scheduled for Sunday March 21 has had to be cancelled. Apologies for any inconvenience that may have been caused. MARCH Friday 19 7.30pm BORN FOR THIS St Michael's Parish Hall, Nowra Thousands across our diocese have already witnessed this powerful Way of the Cross. Don't miss out on your chance to be a part of the 'Born For This' journey. Tickets are only $10/$5 for all public performances and are available online at www.dow.org.au/born-for-this or at the door. Friday 19 7pm VOICE OF THE YOUTH "Without God We Are Nothing" His Eminence George Cardinal Pell, Archbishop of Sydney Sacred Heart Parish, 13 Park Road, Cabramatta Sunday 21 4-6pm AFTERNOON TEA WITH THE GOOD SAMARITANS Have you ever wondered about a vocation to Religious Life? The Sisters of the Good Samaritan invite you to an afternoon tea to meet some Sisters and our novices. To let the know if you are coming, or if you need more information, please email ritafitt@hotkey.net.au or phone/text 0419 169 400. Friday 26 7.30pm BORN FOR THIS St John Bosco Parish, Engadine Tickets are only $10/$5 for all public performances and are available online at www.dow.org.au/born-for-this or at the door. Saturday 27 3.00pm BORN FOR THIS St Mary's College Hall, Harbour Street, Wollongong* Don't miss your last chance to be a part of the 'Born For This' journey. Tickets are only $10/$5 for all public performances and are available online at www.dow.org.au/born-for-this or at the door. Refreshments will be served in the Cathedral Meeting Room following the performance. *NB. Venue has been changed to enable better viewing. Saturday 27 6.00pm DIOCESAN WORLD YOUTH DAY MASS St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Wollongong Celebrate World Youth Day 2010 with this year's theme, "Good Teacher, What must I do to inherit eternal life". Come along and be a part of this milestone on the journey towards WYD 2011 in Madrid. The Diocesan Pilgrimage to WYD Madrid will be launched at the end of Mass – be one of the first to see where we are headed on our pilgrim route. Read Pope Benedict's message for World Youth Day 2010 - attached to this email. APRIL Sunday 18 3pm Y GOD – "Lest We Forget – The Anzac Spirit in a War Torn World" MAY 15-29 'TEST DRIVE THE BROTHER'S LIFE' by signing up for a two week challenge program to Balgo Hills, WA with the De La Salle Brothers Cost: Travel, insurance and personal expenses (meals and accommodation provided) Applications close Monday 29th March Contact: info@delasallebrothers.com Sunday 16 3pm Y GOD – "Mum's the Word – The Demands of Family Life" Have a blessed Lent and Holy Week. See you at Born for This or the Palm Sunday WYD Mass...
Catholic Diocese of Wollongong, 86-88 Market Street, Wollongong NSW 2500. For more information, please call (02) 4253 0900 or email info@dow.org.au

Y God - Cancelled

Unfortunately the Y-God for Sunday 21 March has been cancelled.

Y God

Y GOD begins for 2010

• Y God is a series of gatherings for young adults to discuss and ponder the issues of today and the challenge of living Christian values in a world of competing values. Together they will seek answers to the eternal question - Y God! Come along, hear what others have to say and debate, affirm or just listen and ponder.

You are invited to join in the first conversation with Jenni Hickson, exploring the topic "Love in the Age of Facebook".
Jenni Hickson has worked with young people in the area of faith formation, spirituality and justice, for both the St Vincent de Paul Society and the Australian Jesuits.
Recently she worked on an Ignatian World Youth Day program, designing and leading numerous immersion programs for young people throughout Asia and Australia.

When: Sunday 21 February 2010 @ 3.00pm

Where: St Mary's College Library, (Market St entrance), Wollongong

NB: Even if you are not quite Gen Y, you are welcome to come along if you are aged between 16 and 35.

Social Justice Thought For The Week

"If we love God and our neighbor we desire only to give, to serve, to pour out all that we have at the feet of life." Henry T Hamblin

Social Justice Thought For The Week

" Therefore, whatever you want people to do for you, do the same for them, because this summarizes the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:12