TRUST—Lenten Program 2019 | ORDER NOW!

We are pleased to announce that we are now taking orders for our TRUST—Lenten Program 2019 book and triple CD resource.
TRUST is a 76-page full colour book (240x170mm) with bulk pricing starting from only $5.00 per copy (for GST Free Catholic Religious Groups).
TRUST also includes short daily reflections (from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday) in addition to the longer-form Sunday Gospel reflections, spiritual direction, gospel readings, responsorial psalms, prayers and reflection questions that are traditionally part of the Lenten program for groups.
Therefore, TRUST is also perfect for individuals who cannot attend a Lenten group.
For those part of a Lenten group, we are honoured to have Fr Sean Cullen (parish priest at St Thomas Aquinas Parish in Bowral and St Michael's Parish in Mittagong) and Sr Hilda Scott OSB (vocations director at the Benedictine Abbey, Jamberoo) providing the Sunday Gopel reflections and spiritual direction. The shorter daily reflections have been written by 14 fantastic clergy, religious and lay contributors from around the world.
TRUST also features beautiful religious artworks from the Masters such Rembrandt, Rivière, Rubens, Fetti, Batoni and Ciseri which Monsignor Graham Schmitzer expertly breaks open as part of his popular artwork reflections.
TRIPLE CD RESOURCE TRUST is accompanied by a Triple CD Resource that includes six beautiful responsorial psalms recorded especially for the Lenten program—written by acclaimed Catholic composer, Paul Mason, and arranged and performed by one of Australia's leading session musicians, Seth Harsh, and sung by the talented Michaela Rose and Fiesta Mataele.

The Triple CD resource also includes audio narrations of the readings by Bishop Brian Mascord and Jude Hennessy, and audio narrations of the Sunday Gospel reflections narrated by Fr Sean and spiritual direction by Sr Hilda.

We have intentionally kept the bulk-pricing cost as low as possible to encourage parishes, schools and communities to buy the book on behalf of their communities.

Evangelisation School 2019

Join the Sydney Archdiocese Youth Leaders Evangelisation School 2019

Be part of Sydney's first ever - Youth Leaders Evangelisation School.

An exciting project of the SCY team that will  form and shape a new generation of courageous and holy leaders for the Church!

The Youth Leaders Evangelisation School brings together a group of young, faithful and seeking adults to live in community and to discover what it means to be called out to discipleship in today's society.

The Evangelisation school program boasts; daily communal prayer through Adoration, praise & worship & Mass. talks & workshops designed to build and equip leaders pilgrimage to visit Australia's own Saint Mary Mackillop and Jamberoo Abbey community building through activities and recreation a week accommodated in Sydney Archdiocese's Good Shepherd Seminary

Through the unique time together in community life, the school will be a journey of personal transformation through encounters with self, each other and with Jesus.  The program is designed to  
build leaders in evangelisation within the many contexts of our lives.

Line up of speakers and guests for the week include;
- Daniel Ang
- Fr Thomas McFadden
- Sr Hilda Scott
- David Dowling
- Fr Epeli Qimaqima
- Fr Damian Mosakowski OSPPE
- Bishop Tony Randazzo
+ more to be announced soon!!!

The Youth Leaders Evangelisation School is open for any committed young adults between 18-35.

The cost of the school is $280 with accommodation and all meals, accomodation and activities included.

Only 30 spots available!

Get in quick and contact Elizabeth at elizabeth.pasion@sydneycatholic.org to register!

To register or find out more information!

Our mailing address is:
Sydney Catholic Youth
133 Liverpool St
Sydney, NSW 2000
Australia

CONNECT December 2018 | Download Now!

CONNECT - DECEMBER 2018 Available for Download Now! We are pleased to provide you with your monthly batch of Connect for the five weeks of December 2018 spanning the 1st Sunday in Advent to the feast of the Holy Family (Year C). As the use of Alpha continues to grow in the Diocese of Wollongong as well as other dioceses around Australia, we have transformed Faith Circles into a post-Alpha Connect Group resource. Whilst retaining key components of the original resource, the new Connect will become the ideal post-Alpha resource for continuing to build and develop strong community and faith relationships with God and one another. DOWNLOAD CONNECT If you know someone who would like to receive Connect, ask that they sign up at connect.dow.org.au. Download here: Alert & Awake - 1st Sunday in Advent (Yr C) Evangelisation - 2nd Sunday in Advent (Yr C) John the Baptist - 3rd Sunday in Advent (Yr C) Mary, Mother of my Lord - 4th Sunday in Advent (Yr C) Good Questions - Feast of the Holy Family (Yr C) TRANSFORMING FAITH CIRCLES INTO CONNECT With the use of outreach processes, such as Alpha, continuing to grow in the Catholic Church, we have transformed Faith Circles into a post-Alpha style group resource. Whilst retaining key components of the original resource, the new Connect is the ideal post-Alpha resource for continuing to build and develop strong community and faith relationships with God and one another. What's changed? A greater focus on group members sharing their personal faith story and relationship with Jesus. We have therefore removed the reflection by Pope Francis and replaced it with an opportunity for a group member to prepare a short, 5–10 min sharing on how the Gospel reading relates to their life and relationship with Jesus. What hasn't changed? We will continue to base the resource on the weekly Sunday Gospel reading and include points for discussion and prayer. HOW TO START CONNECT? As a post-Alpha initiative Begin meeting fortnightly, instead of weekly, with your fellow Alpha participants. You gather for some food, worship, discussion and prayer.  Connect gives you the format and reflection questions to assist in these fortnightly gatherings. In the context where Alpha is available, it is advisable to always encourage potential new members to complete Alpha before attending a Connect group. For those who have not participated in Alpha yet Whilst it is much easier to start a Connect group growing out of the Alpha experience, it is still possible to form and run a Connect group successfully if you adhere to the provided format. You'd be looking to invite 15-30 members of your Parish community who are interested in sharing faith and life to form a Connect group which meets fortnightly. We have published a great resource giving tips on how to start and run a Connect group in your community setting. Click here to download the resource. WHAT ARE CONNECT GROUPS ALL ABOUT? Connect Groups are where those who have completed Alpha go to connect and to grow. Connect groups are for building and nurturing relationships with Jesus and one another. They are small to mid-size groups that retain the key ingredients of Alpha, especially sharing food, praise and worship and small group sharing. At each Connect Group gathering, a member of the group shares how a Scripture reading connects with their life and relationship with Jesus. Time is then given for small group sharing followed by prayer with and for one another. Through Connect Groups, the parish ensures that all parishioners are known individually, loved, nurtured and cared for. These groups enable: A sense of belonging and sharing of life through the lens of faith. Group and personal prayerfulness and relationship with the risen Lord. Growing confidence to share faith with others. THREE'S A CROWD We've all heard the saying three's a crowd. When Catholics come together in faith there is always an additional presence, as the Lord is true to his promise that, "For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them." (Matthew 18:20) For this reason we are encouraging people to form Connect in their church community. ACCESSING THE RESOURCE Connect is a single-sided A4 sheet, based on the Sunday Gospel with reflection questions and prayer points. It is available to download via email subscription (see above to subscribe) or on our website at connect.dow.org.au. Connect is free, no strings attached, we just want Catholics to be nurtured by doing life and faith in groups, not on your own! You can print as many copies as you like.

Catholic Diocese of Wollongong · PO Box 1239 · Wollongong, Nsw 2500 · Australia

Evangelisation School 2019 | Registrations Open!

 

 

YOUTH LEADERS EVANGELISATION SCHOOL 2019 REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN Youth Leaders Evangelisation School 2019 is a week long live-in experience for leaders in youth ministry in the Archdiocese of Sydney. This school will allow leaders to explore their call to discipleship through community life, daily prayer, and through building a culture of responsibility for ourselves and others in our daily lives. The program is developed to encourage leaders to exercise our call to evangelisation within the many contexts of our lives, including our ministry. This school aims to equip and raise up a generation of courageous, holy and spirit-led leaders for the Church in Sydney and we want YOU to rise up to the challenge!  Only 30 spots available so get in quick! Contact Elizabeth at elizabeth.pasion@sydneycatholic.org to register or find out more.

Sydney Catholic Youth · 133 Liverpool St · Sydney, NSW 2000 · Australia

 

Teams Feedback to Plenary Council

 

 

 

The Plenary Council will be an important time of listening and discernment for our Church.  Around Australia people are getting together to prayerfully discern where the Holy Spirit is leading. 

 

The work that the Holy Spirit is doing through you with Alpha and/or with Divine Renovation is something that the wider Church needs to hear!  Your efforts to intentionally make and grow missionary disciples are bearing wonderful fruit in Parishes all over Australia.

 

Even if you have been involved in wider Parish listenings, you are still able to download the materials and work with your Team or Small Group to give some additional feedback.

 

The Plenary Council website is here

There is a short video about the Plenary here

You can download the Plenary Listening Resources here

You can upload your team/small group response here

 

Get involved in the Plenary process and tell the wider Church about how your work with Alpha and/or Divine Renovation is reaching lives and hearts in your Parish!  

 

Encounter Eagle Vale - November 24 🙌

🎤 A powerful night of prayer & worship 🎤

You're invited to a special night of praise and worship, hosted by the Eagle Vale parish and the Encounter team on Saturday, November 24. | Featuring | The Encounter Band, Amazing content, Powerful prayer, and Some fun surprises! Encounter: A Night of Worship is an opportunity to have a face-to-face experience with Jesus through powerful worship, prayer and community. When: Saturday November 24 Time: 7pm (food available from 6:30pm) Where: Mary Immaculate Catholic Parish, 61 Emerald Drive, Eagle Vale NSW To view this event on facebook, visit: ENCOUNTER EAGLE VALE ENCNight.com Copyright © 2018 The Catholic Guy inc., All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in to receive emails from The Catholic Guy Ministry. Our mailing address is: The Catholic Guy inc. PO Box 200 MACARTHUR SQUARE, NSW 2560 Australia

Plenary 2020 Small Group Discussions

Small Group Discussions. In these settings of 6 to 8 people in a relaxed environment, the Listening and Dialogue Process is very effective. It is important to keep to the Five Step Process in order to ensure a prayerful, contemplative, respectful opportunity for all participants to speak boldly and listen humbly. 

 

It is just as important to listen as well as to speak about your faith experience. It is important to set the example of reflective listening. You and other group members are not expected to agree or disagree. Just listen humbly and reverence the experience of others. 

 

The small group discussions allow for an open, honest environment free of distractions. Some people feel much more comfortable in small group settings - organize yours between now and 6 March 2019. This would be a wonderful way to respond to the invitation of Bishop Brian Mascord to “seize this opportunity”. 

 

Pick up your Plenary 2020 Group Guide from the church porch. Don't forget to put your group name on the list as well so we know.

 

Your Weekly Journey Catholic Radio Podcast | Episode 275

This week on The Journey (Ep 275) This week on The Journey, we have some fantastic segments for you! Fr Graham Schmitzer (Unanderra, NSW) joins us to reflect on the Gospel, Sr Hilda Scott OSB joins us as always with her Wisdom From The Abbey, Pete Gilmore shares his wisdom in Living the Gospel, and more! This week, we want to give you some fantastic wisdom and enrich your life! Enjoy our presenters' wise words and the great music on the show. Faith, Hope, Love, and Life - you're on The Journey! Visit www.jcr.org.au or www.itunes.jcr.org.au where you can listen anytime and subscribe to weekly shows by email. Got friends or family who you'd like to hear this show ever week? All you've got to do is send them this email and they can subscribe by clicking here. The Journey is a weekly program developed by the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong and is the only Catholic radio program in Australia aired on general Christian radio. Listen to the presenter inputs this week below: MARK 12:38-44 - Gospel Reflection by Fr Graham Schmitzer GOD'S INNKEEPERS - Wisdom From The Abbey with Sr Hilda Scott OSB THE DOCTOR - Living The Gospel with Pete Gilmore THE JOURNEY OF CONVERSION - The Catholic Guy with Bruce Downes PEACE - The Peaceful Parent with Marilyn Rodrigues WHEN DESIRES DON'T MATCH - Smart Loving with the Pirolas Or listen to the full shows (click the below graphic): You can also listen to all our past shows at www.jcr.org.au You can also subsribe to the Journey Catholic Radio Podcast on iTunes and have it automatically downloaded onto your iOS Podcast app or your iTunes Store. Click the following link to subscribe via iTunes: We love to hear feedback and comments on the show too, so drop us an email at journey@dow.org.au or call (02) 4222 2407. Yours in Christ Jude Hennessy Program Director As heard on:

Catholic Diocese of Wollongong · PO Box 1239 · Wollongong, Nsw 2500 · Australia

Saviour—Advent and Christmas Reflections 2018 | NOT TOO LATE TO ORDER! 🙏🙏🙏

With less than 25% of stock left, it's still not too late to order your copies of Saviour—Daily Advent and Christmas Reflections 2018 with bulk pricing for GST Free Catholic Religious Groups starting from only $3.00 per book. We have begun shipping orders and will have all shipped all outstanding orders in the next couple of days. Advent is such a busy time of year and we so easily forget that—at its heart—it is meant to be a time of preparation, waiting and hope for the coming of Jesus into our world and lives. This year's reflection book, Saviour, provides an opportunity for us to be still each day, listen to God and hear him declare to us as the angel declared to the shepherds: "Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11). Saviour is a 76 page pocket-size book containing short spiritually rich, yet accessible, daily reflections from the beginning of Advent (2 December 2018) through to the Baptism of the Lord (13 January 2019) primarily for personal use, but also appropriate for group use such as parish, Church agency, religious community and school staff/class prayer. Saviour also features beautiful religious artworks from the Masters such as Giotto, Lodi, Messina, Veronese, Zurbarán, Coypel and Bouguereau with enlightening "Artwork Spotlight" reflections written by Monsignor Graham Schmitzer. Many customers buy bulk copies of the book for family, friends and work colleagues as an alternative to Christmas cards and gifts. We have included a page in the book for you to write your gift message.         We have also included special discounted prices for bulk orders as well as a GST Free option for Catholic Religious Groups (eg, Catholic parishes, schools and religious communities): Pricing Qty GST Free Catholic Group AU (+ post) Retail (inc GST) AU (+ post) 1 - 24 $4.00 $4.40 25 - 49 $3.50 $3.85 50 + $3.00 $3.30 If you have any questions, or if you would like to place a phone or email order, please contact us on (02) 4222 2400 or email us at orders@dow.org.au Delivery of the books is expected to commence late October 2018. Please note, if you live in the Diocese of Wollongong, please check with your parish, school, agency or religious order before ordering as they may be ordering copies on your behalf.

Catholic Diocese of Wollongong · PO Box 1239 · Wollongong, Nsw 2500 · Australia