St. Patrick's Catholic Church Kogarah

Our Mission

St. Patrick's Catholic Parish Kogarah, in the Archdiocese of Sydney, is a community of people of diverse backgrounds united by God through the Gospels, the teaching of the Catholic Church and the pursuit of common goals. We call on all the members to offer their unique gifts in a Christ-centered community, as we proclaim the Word of God, celebrate the sacraments, and promote education, hospitality, justice and service.

Our Vision

St Patrick's Catholic Parish will be a joyful Christ - centered community living in solidarity and justice and in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church.

36 Chapel Street, Kogarah NSW 2217
Phone: (02) 9587 8998 Fax: (02) 9553 7908

Website: http://stpatskogarah.catholic.edu.au/index.html

Email: info@stpatskogarah.catholic.edu.au

St. Patrick's is a Catholic primary school located in the St. George area. It was founded in 1862 and was originally staffed by lay teachers. The Sisters of St. Joseph provided the ministry for the school from the early 1900's until 1986. Since this time, lay leadership under the direction of the Catholic Education Office, Sydney, has led the school. In 2009, St. Patrick's has an enrolment of 328 students with twelve classes. The class structure is a mix of single and double stream.

Restrictions eased on churches.

Up to 50 people are now allowed to attend Mass or private prayer in a church with further restrictions eased from July 1 which will allow unlimited attendance providing there is a four square metre space around each person, with the exception of people from the same household.

Up to 50 people can now also attend baptisms and 20 attend weddings with that number also increasing from July 1. Attendance at funerals is now unlimited, providing the four square metre rule is followed.

We will send you another update next week, specifically on the July 1 changes.

In the interim, all parishes must ensure that their churches are not left unattended when their doors are open and they must keep written records with names and contact details of everyone who comes into the church at any time and these records must be kept for at least 4 weeks.

Open Our Churches national petition https://www.sydneycatholic.org/petition/

While it is pleasing to see progress made on the easing of restrictions on churches in NSW, our fellow Catholics in some other states and territories are still struggling to practice their faith under unfair restrictions at this time. You can voice your concerns directly with all the premiers and chief ministers by signing the Open Our Churches petition at this address: www.openourchurches.com.au

Frequently Asked Questions on COVID-19

To help parishioners with any questions they may have around COVID-19 and its impact on sacraments such as weddings, baptisms and funerals, you may find the FAQs page on the Archdiocese of Sydney website helpful at this time by clicking https://www.sydneycatholic.org/coronavirus-frequently-asked-questions/

ACBC National Catholic Men’s Gathering

The ACBC National Catholic Men’s Gathering for 2020 is now being offered as an online event for registered participants. This modified program will be delivered in four pre-recorded sessions of approximately 1 hour in length. Each session will offer input from a variety of speakers and musicians, along with a response and questions for group discussion or individual reflection. The program is flexible, allowing you to participate individually or gather with others from your parish/diocese or men’s ministry group.

Aim: To inspire and encourage all Catholic men with a vision for personal discipleship, service and mission in the family, parish, diocese and the world.

Cost: FREE

Registration: Available from Monday 29^th June  

Event Program: Available from Saturday 15^th August, 2020

Go to: www.catholicmensgathering.com.au 

Catholic Cemeteries Grief Care https://catholiccemeteries.com.au/suggested-support-services-and-counselling/

Catholic Cemeteries is offering tailored Grief Care seminars hosted over Zoom. 

You’ll find information in the attached flyers and should contact Leonie Duck to register via email: Leonied@catholiccemeteries.com.au

The attached flyers are tailored for different groups (via Zoom):

• Parent seminar - Supporting your child following the death of someone they love

• Seasons for Growth seminar for Young people - aged 18 - 30 (Understanding Change Loss and Grief)

• COVID-19 specific seminar  (Understanding Change Loss and Grief) 

• Seasons for Growth small group - we have a couple of people keen for this already and are ideally wanting 2 more in order for it to run well. 

NEW DATES FOR PLENARY COUNCIL Due to the COVID 19 pandemic the National Plenary Council Assembly has been postponed to October 2021(Adelaide) and April 2022 (Sydney). The discernment papers foundational to the development of the working paper and ultimately the agenda for the Assembly are available on the National Plenary Council webpage under the Discernment tab: https://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/continuing-the-journey-of-discernment/ 

Hope Campaign http://stmarthas.org.au/hope/

St Martha’s Parish Strathfield is asking for help promoting its Hope Campaign to encourage everyone to spread and carry Hope during these uncertain times. See their website or the link to The Catholic Weekly story about what they are trying to achieve https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/even-in-lockdown-st-marthas-keeps-busy/ Any assistance that you could provide to help us promote Hope would be greatly appreciated. 

Jesuit Refugee Service appeal http://www.jrs.org.au/

During COVID-19 many refugees and people seeking asylum living in Sydney need help to prevent them from becoming homeless or destitute. For many of these men women and children the Jesuit Refugee Service is their only safety net.

To donate to the Jesuit Refugee Service Emergency Cash Appeal please call (02) 9356 3888 or email jrsreception@jrs.org.au.

Appeal for Blankets http://www.jrs.org.au/

As winter is upon us, the Jesuit Refugee Service needs new blankets for their clients. If you are able to donate new blankets please contact Amelia Savage  at Amelia.savage@jrs.org.au or on 9098 9336 and see the attached image for drop off points (drop off points as for food bank donations). 

CatholicCare outreach to the lonely and isolated https://www.catholiccare.org/

CatholicCare, through its CCareline 13 18 19 number and the Parish Volunteer Program in partnership with the Archdiocese of Sydney, is working together as the ‘hands and feet of Christ in the community’ reaching out to those most in need in our parishes and beyond.

To register or learn more about the Parish Volunteer Program call CCareline on 13 18 19.

If you are struggling and need help or support, or you are worried about someone else, please call CCareline on 13 18 19 today.

CatholicCare is also offering free online counselling until 30 June 2020. The free counselling is open to all. To access this offer please call CCareline on 13 18 19 and quote the name of your parish. 

CatholicCare Marriage Preparations https://www.catholiccare.org/

Marriage Education Goes Virtual: CatholicCare has quickly adapted to social distancing laws, providing marriage education virtually from mid March. If you are engaged and are planning on getting married soon, CatholicCare is still able to provide you with your marriage education course during this time. We expect demand to surge when social distancing rules are relaxed further, so don’t miss out. Book now! Call 13 18 19. 

Aid to the Church In Need- Fundraiser on 10^th anniversary of MacKillop Canonisation https://www.aidtochurch.org/

17 October 2020 marks the 10^th anniversary of the canonisation of Australia’s first Saint, Mary of the Cross MacKillop. In celebration, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Australia is proud to have commissioned a commemorative set of Rosary Beads. All proceeds from the sale of these beads will directly support needy religious sisters around the world who - like Mary MacKillop -continue to take care of all people in so many ways. Please see website.