St. Patrick's Catholic Church Kogarah
Parish Notices
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1) COVID-19 update
9 September 2021NSW Government announces targets for easing of COVID-19 restrictionsThe NSW government has announced a target for the easing of restrictions on churches for all of Greater Sydney, including the Blue Mountains and Wollongong regions.Churches will be closed to the public until the Monday after NSW passes the 70 percent target of residents having had two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.Funerals may proceed at this time, with a maximum of ten members of the congregation, following a four square metre rule.
2) COVID-19 Prayer resources
The Archdiocese of Sydney website has a dedicated page of prayer resources including links to popular podcasts in this time of pandemic, which you may wish to share with your parishioners. Webpage address.
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4) Sign the No Euthanasia Petition to prevent state-sanctioned killing in NSW
Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP is urging all Catholics to sign an e-petition to prevent the NSW parliament passing laws that sanction the killing of vulnerable human beings. There is never a good time to introduce laws such as this, but to do so in the middle of a pandemic and amidst lockdowns adversely affecting the lives and livelihoods of millions is unconscionable. Our sick and elderly have already suffered 17 months of increasing isolation and right now that is being intensified. Meanwhile, people are losing their jobs, businesses are going under, families are under the pressures of schooling and working from home, people’s movements are severely restricted, and depression rates are up. The last thing we need to hear from our leaders in this situation is a pro-suicide message. Please sign this petition, calling on the Government to keep us focused on the present challenges and once they have been met, let us focus on medicine at its best and not its most lethal.Write to your local NSW MP to stop proposed euthanasia laws in our state.
Parishioners are encouraged to please contact your local NSW MP, expressing your opposition to the voluntary assisted dying bill, proposed by Independent MP Alex Greenwich. The anti-euthanasia coalition, HOPE has developed an online tool that will allow you to send an email directly to your state MP and to all members of the NSW Upper House. The tool is available here: https://www.noeuthanasia.org.au/petition_2108_ocp_nsw . If parishioners do not wish to use an online tool, you can download a a series of sample letters here, and a letter writing guide here.
5) Humanitarian crises unfolding in Afghanistan and Lebanon
MSC Mission Office AustraliaAfghan RefugeesAfghans have a long and respected role in the development of Australia, particularly the inland trade routes. The role of the Afghan camel trains in early transport is remembered in the name of the Ghan railway, now a luxury railway service on the North-South route from Adelaide to Darwin. Afghans have continued to contribute in many ways to Australian society over the past 200 years. Over the coming months many Afghans will begin arriving in Australia to start a new life as so many others have done before them. Through our partners we are planning to provide some capacity for delivery of welfare and advocacy for these people to help the get settled into their lives in Australia. Please help by donating through Paypal (Credit Cards accepted) All donations are tax deductable.
Find Out More! Click Here Donate – Click Here or send your cheque or money order to:
Afghan Refugees
MSC Mission Office
PO Box 177
Kensington NSW 1465
Australia.
As the situations in Afghanistan and Lebanon deteriorate, you can help to support families caught up in the crises. In Afghanistan, people have been forced from their homes, with half of the population in urgent need of food, water, shelter and protection. In Lebanon, the country is running out of power, water, fuel, medicine and food. Even hospitals are facing massive fuel shortages and will soon have to turn off the lights. Please donate to Caritas Australia so that we are able to respond to crises like these and others across the world. Visit caritas.org.au/lebanon or www.caritas.org.au/afghanistan or call 1800 024 413 toll free to provide much needed support.
6) Save Our Graves E-Petition. Send a strong message to NSW MPs to reverse the decision to remove faith-based groups from the management of cemeteries
To express your concerns about the Sydney cemeteries takeover by the NSW Government of Rookwood Catholic, Liverpool Cemetery, Kemps Creek + Macarthur Memorial Parks, we urge you to sign the petition.Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP has asked for your support in signing an e-petition on this issue to be presented to the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly, since the government’s decision amounts to an attack on religious freedom in NSW. For more than 150 years in NSW, Catholic Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust has been trusted not only by Catholics, but by the Islamic and Jewish communities and other people of faith to bury the dead, maintain their graves respectfully and comfort grieving families. The NSW Government wants to exclude faith groups from this precious ministry and replace them with a new and costly Government bureaucracy which has no understanding of religious customs around burials, including the importance of leaving graves undisturbed by future generations. Sign the epetition here. You can also write to your local State MP to voice your concern about this proposal. Please also share the attached tile on your parish social media platforms.
7) Support your Archdiocese of Sydney newspaper: The Catholic Weekly - available in our Church for $2
Churches should be open for all, not just the vaccinated, Sydney Catholics unite in online Holy Hour in Lockdown, Plenary 2021: Realities we can't avoid: The Catholic Weekly Digital Edition, 19 September 2021
While our churches are closed at this time, the Catholic Weekly is producing a free digital flipbook edition. Sign up for updates directly to your email inbox click here. Parishioners still wishing to receive a hard copy of The Catholic Weekly can take advantage of a special postal subscription offer during lockdown and receive 5 editions for $20. To order call Rita on 9390 5411 or Steve 0429 188 800. To subscribe online go to GIVE A GIFT.Sharing parish stories in time of pandemic
Parishes are encouraged to share any stories of your work with those in need during the extended COVID-19 lockdown to help spread the word to the broader community at this time.
Please contact: Michael Kenny. Email: michael.kenny@sydneycatholic.org ---
We are all called. Whether it’s to single life, life as a religious, to priesthood or to sacramental spousal love, we’re all called. The VOCATIONS MAGAZINE provides a unique opportunity for Catholic orders and institutions to speak with the largest, committed, Catholic newspaper audience in Australia. Vocations Magazine 2021 PDF---
8) Maximus: Taking a Stand on Hot-Button Issues
In this episode our discussion will focus on how to engage with some of society’s most divisive issues. Special attention will be paid to the threat of euthanasia that we are currently facing in New South Wales.
Date: Friday, 17 September, Time: 4:00 PM, Platform: LifeMarriageFamilySydneyFacebook & maximusmensydneyFacebook & TheMustardSeedBookshopFacebook
9) Sumner House: Who is God inviting you to be?
A priest? Religious? Spouse and parent? Single person? We discover the treasure of our true selves by learning to recognise the voice of Jesus and through discerning and deciding. We also need the right conditions for our faith to be nourished and grow so that we can discern effectively and be open to listening to the voice of God. If you are a young man or know of one looking to dive deeper into your relationship with Christ, Sumner House is the perfect place to begin answering these three fundamental questions:
1. Who am I as a man?
2. Who am I as a man before others?
3. Who am I as a man before God?
The first round of applications for 2022 is NOW OPEN and will close on Friday 17 September 2021. Click on this link to find out more about Sumner House and submit an Expression of Interest before applying.On 12 May 2019, the Archdiocese of Sydney opened a House of Discernment for young men in a vacant property formerly used as a Monastery by the Marist Brothers. Sumner House has a house chapel, common kitchen, living and dining rooms, offices, and 10 individual bedrooms. The Property is located on the grounds of Saint Joachim Parish in Lidcombe. Looking to create a vocational culture in the Archdiocese, Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP and his then Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Randazzo founded Sumner House. The house was named after the first priest to be ordained in Australia, Father Bede Sumner. By a happy coincidence, Sumner House was officially blessed and opened on the anniversary of Father Sumner’s ordination.
10) Zoom training for RCIA Coordinators
An online training facilitated by Simon Yeak for RCIA Coordinators in the Archdiocese of Sydney to learn how to use the Zoom platform and how it can be utilised to accompany RCIA catechumens and candidates as a mode for the mission of evangelisation. Date: Part I: 18 and 21 September; Part II: 25 and 28 September, Time: Part I: 10 AM and 6:30 PM; Part II: 10 AM and 6:30 PM, Platform: Zoom – via email invitation, Enquiries: simon.yeak@
sydneycatholic.org
11) Sacramental Coordinators Deanery Gathering
An online forum facilitated by Simon Yeak for Sacramental Coordinators to network, receive formation, and to share ideas and resources as they prepare others for initiation into the life of Christ and His Church.
Date: Mondays 20 September, 4 and 18 October, Time: 7:30 PM, Platform: Zoom – via email invitation, Enquiries: simon.yeak@sydneycatholic.org
12) Archdiocesan Invite to Online Sacramental Coordinator Gathering for the St George & Sutherland DeaneriesThis upcoming online gathering will be held on Monday, the 20th of September, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. I will provide the Zoom call invite details that Monday morning.The intention for this forum is threefold. To provide:1) an opportunity for Sacramental Coordinators to gather together and to share their current program facilitation experience – challenges and successes;2) a formation opportunity which will be drawn from key catechetical foundational texts; and3) information about projects in place to support the Archdiocesan Sacramental program.Please be sure to RSVP by Thursday, the 16th of September, using the following online form: https://forms.gle/9HKCkem8yfpXZmPg7 .
13) Men of Virtue Series
All men are invited to join Chris Da Silva for two inspiring and motivational formation sessions on how to grow in virtue and holiness, and how to invite our family and friends to do the same. Sessions will include a presentation, small group discussion and prayer. Dates: 21 and 28 September, Time: 7:30 PM, Platform: Zoom - Register via email
14) Free Webinar: Voluntary Assisted Dying and Suicide Prevention
Tuesday 21 September 2021, 6pm-7:30pm
Presented by the Institute for Ethics & Society, University of Notre Dame Australia
Speaker: Dr David Albert-Jones, Director of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre, Oxford.
To register, email kate.jones1@nd.edu.au
15) Jesus: I trust in you Retreat
Join us for this life-changing discussion & retreat group coming up about the book by Sr Faustina Maria Pia of the Sisters of Life! Based on the profound Litany of Trust, this 30-day retreat will include 5 Zoom meetings beginning on Wednesday, September 1, at 7:30 pm and continuing each Wednesday. Date: 15, 22, 29 September, 6 October 2021, Time: 7:30 – 8:30 PM, Platform: Zoom registration For more information, contact Sydney Catholic Youth. Find out more HERE. REGISTER HERE. Facebook event page.
16) The Upper Zoom – The Life of St Padre Pio
Join us on the Feast of St Padre Pio, where Fr Bernard Mary will be reflecting on this great saint – his stigmata, his suffering, his incredible life – and teaching us how we can learn from Padre Pio for our own lives. DON’T DO IT ALONE! The Upper Zoom is your reminder that you are not alone, and faith + ministry shouldn’t be done alone. Date: Thursday, 23 September Time: 7PM – 8:30PM Platform: Zoom Registration in advance for this meeting. For more information, contact Sydney Catholic Youth.
17) Dominican Sisters of St Cecilia : Online Womens' Retreat
Women of all ages are invited to join the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia for an online retreat into silence, 24-26 September. You will provide the silent times and spaces over the course of the weekend. The sisters will provide common times for Mass, communal and private prayer, and talks that delve deeper into the theme of silence. For more information or to register: https://www.trybooking.com/BTYGD
18) Annual March for Life Mass Sydney
Please join us for the Inaugural March for Life Mass Sydney where the main celebrant will be His Grace Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP. The Mass will be livestreamed from St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney.
Date: Sunday, 26 September 2021, Time: 10:30 AM, Platform: St Marys Cathedral YouTube Channel
19) RCIA Coordinators’ Deanery Gathering
An online forum facilitated by Simon Yeak for RCIA Coordinators in the Archdiocese of Sydney to network, receive formation, and to share ideas and resources for this key ministry in the mission of evangelisation.
Date: Mondays, 27 September, and 11 October, Time: 7:30 PM, Platform: Zoom – via email invitation, Enquiries: simon.yeak@sydneycatholic.org
20) Think Tank – Navigating Tough Questions
Join this open forum of ideas and advice among fellow youth leaders. We'll share new initiatives, troubleshoot hurdles, and brainstorm creative ideas to reach new young people in today's climate.
Learn and share:
- The importance of sharing Truth in Love
- How to be a role model towards young people
- The need to challenge young people to think critically
Date: Monday, 27 September, Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM, Platform: Zoom registration. For more information, contact Sydney Catholic Youth.
21) Online Holy Hour for the needs of Sydney Catholics: Thursday 30 September​Go Make Disciples Prayer Night - Online Holy Hour for Parish Renewal
Opening Hearts to Christ
The Parish Renewal Team in the Sydney Centre for Evangelisation is inviting all Sydney Catholics to an online Holy Hour for the spiritual needs of our people and parishes on Thursday 30th September, the eve of the first Friday in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Feast Day of St Therese, patron saint of missionaries. St Therese knew that her daily union with Christ in prayer was the most effective help she could offer for the Church's proclamation of the Gospel. As we await the end of lockdown, let us unite ourselves with Christ and pray that many hearts will be open to his love and granted the grace to encounter Him in this time of challenge and to live ever more deeply as his disciples. Registrations essential.
Online Holy Hour Date: Thursday, 30 September, Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM, Platform: Online via Zoom; please register at www.gomakedisciples.org.au/cas-events
For further information, please contact Sister Anastasia via sr.anastasia.reeves@sydneycatholic.org
22) Communications Workshop: Digital Communication in Lockdown
Join the Sydney Centre for Evangelisation communications teams for a discussion around what has been effective in the area of digital communication during the latest lockdown. From social media campaigns through to e-newsletters, the team will present insights alongside members of Sydney parish teams around what specific strategies have worked well and lessons to be learned as well.
Date: Friday, 1 October, Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Platform: Online via Zoom, For more information, contact Peter Rodrigues.
23) An Evening Retreat for Married Couples: Session 1. In the Beginning - Marriage in the Divine Plan
An online retreat for married couples that provides for a marriage enrichment opportunity, couple’s prayer and reflection, and quiet time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, closing with Benediction.
Date: Sunday, 03 October, Time: 8:00 – 9:00 PM, Platform: Livestreamed on Facebook
24) Evening with Mary - Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary
Join us on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, where we will be reflecting on this feast day and the importance of Mary in our Catholic life.
Date: Thursday, 7 October, Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM, Platform: For more information, For more information, contact Sydney Catholic Youth.
25) SCY Community Night - Escape Room
Come join your SCY Community in escaping your room virtually, despite the lockdown! Are you feeling a bit disconnected? Trapped? Bored? Don’t miss out on this awesome chance to share some laughter and bust your brain with these amazing puzzles planned!
Date: Wednesday, 13 October, Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM, Platform: For more information. For more information, contact Sydney Catholic Youth.
26) Prayers in time of Pandemic: Honouring Mary in the month of the Rosary
In times of great need, Catholics find solace and comfort in prayer through the intercession of Our Lady. October is traditionally the Month of the Holy Rosary. The Sydney Centre for Evangelisation is preparing a series of online prayers from 11 - 17 October where you will be able to join with members of religious congregations and lay communities in praying the Rosary and other Marian devotions including the Angelus and the Magnificat to honour Our Lady at this time. Dates: Monday, 11 - Sunday 17 October, Platform: Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney Facebook page, Schedule: A full schedule of prayers will be posted on the Archdiocese of Sydney Lockdown events page closer to the launch date. For more information, contact Michael Kenny.
27) Upper Zoom Formation on St John Paul II
Join us on the night before St John Paul II’s feast day, where we will be reflecting on the incredible life and service of JP2. We will discover how this great saint contributed to building the kingdom of God through his many acts of heroic virtue. Date: Thursday, 21 October, Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM, Platform: For more information. For more information, contact Sydney Catholic Youth.
28) Trailblazer - Kerygmatic Ministry
Calling all youth leaders and ministers! Come join us in a night of learning and understanding how to apply the kerygma, the core message of the Gospel, to your ministry!
Date: Wednesday, 27 October, Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM, Platform: For more information. For more information, contact Sydney Catholic Youth.
29) An Evening Retreat for Married Couples: Session 2. The Great Mystery and the Concrete Reality
An online retreat for married couples that provides for a marriage enrichment opportunity, couple’s prayer and reflection, and quiet time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, closing with Benediction. Date: Sunday, 31 October Time: 8-9PM Platform: Life, Marriage and Family Facebook Page
30) Got Your Wedding Plans Under Control?
How prepared are you for marriage? Engaged Encounter provides you with deeper insights into each other and into married life. We give you a chance to spend time together to strengthen and enrich your relationship. For further information visit our website. Choose any of the coming Weekends: Nov 13-14 2021; Feb 19-20 2022. If COVID-19 restrictions prevent a face-to-face seminar, the CEE weekend will be held via Zoom.
31) Accompanying Children Video Series
The Life, Marriage and Family Team have produced a series of videos to help parents guide their children in preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation. The three videos, covering preparation for each of these sacraments have been uploaded to the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney You Tube channel.
32) Online Childrens' Liturgy in Lockdown
St John Bosco parish Engadine has launched an online Children's Liturgy to help parents and carers share Sunday readings, prayers and reflections while churches are closed. For more information, please contact Sacramental Coordinator, Kay Macadam via email.
33) St Vincent De Paul- Support for the Disadvantaged in Lockdown
St Vincent De Paul volunteers have recently distributed 900 snack packs, 250 self-care packs and 130 hampers through a range of services including Redfern Youth Connect, Parramatta Mission Meals Plus and local support hubs. Find out more and what support is available here (pdf).
34) Canice’s Kitchen School Sleepout
Have you ever had to sit in wet clothes with no way to get dry? This is one of the realities our homeless community face on a regular basis. This July, we are inviting young people to understand firsthand what sleeping rough means. Kids aged 12-18 years can pitch a tent, grab a sleeping and connect virtually via zoom, to learn from men and women who experienced homelessness as teenagers and then take part in a series of overnight challenges that mimic the realities of living on the street. Get your community involved today and make a difference in breaking the cycle of youth homelessness. For more information click here.
35) Jesuit Refugee Service Winter Appeal
Each year Jesuit Refugee Service Australia serves more than 3,800 children, women and men who have been forced to flee their homes and need lifesaving support. This month an important way to support these families is to donate to the JRS Winter Appeal. Find out more and how to donate here. Due to the new restrictions/lockdown JRS has closed their offices at this time, so is encouraging online donations.
36) Support for the House of Welcome
The House of Welcome works with people seeking asylum and refugees to provide critical casework, housing, employment, food bank and emergency living assistance. During COVID-19 the demand for financial assistance has risen. HoW has increased the Emergency Living Package program by 216% to respond to the amplified levels of distress and hardship amongst their clients. In the last few months House of Welcome has delivered emergency assistance and been able to support clients to maintain their tenancies and assisted those who have come to the centre homeless. There are a number of ways that you can help such as donating to the Emergency Relief Package or donate staple food items to the House of Welcome foodbank (see items needed).
37) A new feature page appearing in The Catholic Weekly called OCCASIONS.
Occasions is a new feature page in The Catholic Weekly newspaper giving our readers the opportunity to tell us about their special occasion. Whether it be a Birth, Marriage, Engagement, Confirmation, First Holy Communion or a Baptism, we invite you to be part of our feature. And it’s FREE! DETAILS: Email your hi res image + details of the event ie: names of participants, date, where it was held + 60 words about the occasion
38) Hartford College - new Independent Boys School in Sydney
Hartford College is an independent Catholic school for boys opening in 2022 in Daceyville. Commencing in Year 5, Hartford will offer personalised education through to the HSC. Hartford’s educational mission educates the whole person, combining the quest for academic excellence with the development of the student's character and faith. For more information and to lodge your expression of interest for 2022, please click here. Read a message of support for the new school from Archbishop Fisher here.
​39) Support for our Parishes in lockdown
The Sydney Centre for Evangelisation places the encounter with Jesus Christ at the heart of its mission, offering practical support to parishes and Eucharistic communities of the Archdiocese of Sydney. The commission of Christ to “go, make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19) informs the support provided by the Centre toward parish renewal and deepening discipleship, outreach to youth and families, and the services of communications, digital and design and The Catholic Weekly that support the evangelising mission of the Church. SCE Directory PDF To stay in contact with teams across the Sydney Centre for Evangelisation.
40) Connect e-newsletter for Sydney Catholic Schools
From Archbishop Anthony
Pope Francis has often reminded us of the importance of being a community that welcomes and protects refugees from danger. That message is especially important today as thousands of refugees flee the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. It was wonderful to see Sydney Catholic Schools team up with the Justice and Peace Office in the Archdiocese of Sydney last Friday to host a special online event, "Raising Hands for Afghanistan" to help raise awareness of the horrific conditions many people are facing in that country and raise funds for the Archbishop's Afghan Refugee Appeal. I encourage you to donate if you can: https://www.ourfaithourworks.org/ara/ . The appeal will raise desperately needed funds and commit Archdiocesan agencies and partners to providing pastoral, educational, health and welfare assistance to Afghan families and individuals fleeing their homeland. It’s often said that the true test of any society is how it treats the most vulnerable. Well here we have a chance to make a difference by reaching out a helping hand to those fleeing horrors, often ones who have helped the Australian forces in the past.
God bless.
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During this time of lockdown, the Mustard Seed Bookshop offers a range of spiritual reading and resources to support your people in deepening their encounter and knowledge of Jesus through the Scriptures and our Catholic tradition. It seeks to serve and nourish the life of Catholics in Sydney and beyond so they might actively cooperate in the building up of the Church and the work of evangelisation. Explore these books, including new releases, at our online store. Email or phone Atef and team 02 9307 8350 with delivery available for your convenience.
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