PULPIT POINTS 26 March 2023
• Violence and staff shortages triggers stress for principals
• Bishop Meagher commissions 13 young catechists for Sydney
• New York speakers to lead marriage renewal retreat and course in May
• New Bishop installed for Newcastle diocese
• Students rally for fun, faith and family
• Catholic schools celebrate St Patrick’s Day
In this week’s edition:
George Cardinal Pell AC Magazine
Purchase a copy of our Special Tribute Magazine to Cardinal George Pell AC
To purchase the special tribute magazine go to
https://mustardseed.org.au/
POPE BENEDICT XVI SPECIAL TRIBUTE MAGAZINE
Purchase a copy of our Special Tribute Magazine to Pope Benedict XVI
To purchase the special tribute magazine go to
https://mustardseed.org.au/
Divine Retreat Centre: March programs
To celebrate the Feast Day of St Oscar Romero, Caritas Australia invites you to connect with our staff and partners and discover how our work is making a difference now and for all future generations.
‘Connect with Caritas Australia’ is a unique opportunity to ask questions about our programs in Africa, and to dig deeper into the work of our partner in Zimbabwe.
Date: Thursday, 23 March, 2023
Time: 7-8pm AEDT
Register for this Zoom event: www.caritas.org.au/connect
Discernment Retreat for Men – Identity, Vocation & Mission
24-26 March at Seminary of the Good Shepherd
50-58 Abbotsford Rd, Homebush
This retreat is for men 18-35 years old at all stages of their discernment who are considering a vocation to the Priesthood. This is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in an ideal environment for you to really focus your attention on listening to God. The weekend includes Mass, talks, time for personal prayer, sacraments, adoration, spiritual guidance, Q&A with seminarians and discussions.
Retreat Speakers:
Opening Keynote: Bishop Danny Meagher, Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney
Fr Edmond Travers MSC, External Spiritual Director, Seminary of the Good Shepherd
Fr Joseph Gedeon, Parish Priest of St Jerome’s Parish, Punchbowl
Registration: $99
Registration is essential! *Every inquirer’s/participant’s details are kept confidential.
For any enquiries, please contact the Vocation Centre on (02) 9307 8424 or email at vocations@sydneycatholic.org
Parishes are invited to share this flyer to help promote the retreat.
The Liturgy Office, in cooperation with St Mary’s Cathedral, has organised a one day workshop for Sacristans. It will be run by Chris Backhouse, the Cathedral Sacristan, on Saturday 25th March 2023, 9:30am-12:30am in St Mary’s Cathedral. Please find attached the registration form with some additional information about the course. The course is free and everyone is welcome, both those who already serve in the sacristy, as well as those who are willing to start.
The Liturgy Office has now a working web-page, so if you are planning to send someone to this course, or any other course, please ask them to register on-line in advance. The address is of the web-site is https://liturgy.
Consecrated Life Weekend: Discernment Retreat, 25-26 March 2023
An opportunity for single women aged 16-35 to come and listen for the voice of Jesus, ask questions and experience prayer, talks, sisterhood and times of sharing to help you discern your vocation.
Registrations: mglsisters.
Parishes are invited to promote this retreat using this social tile or this flyer.
Day of the Unborn Child
Feast of the Annunciation Mass and Procession
Sunday 26th March at St Mary’s Cathedral
- 10:30am Mass (Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP as Principal Celebrant)
- 12 noon Street Procession
- 1:30pm Benediction
Parishes are invited to share this poster to promote the event.
Walking With Our Lady Through Holy Week
A Womens Retreat Day with the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia
Date: 1 April
Time: 10am-4pm
Where: St Peter Chanel Church, 62 Kingsland Rd, Berala
Along with talks and discussion, the day will include time for silence and prayer during a Holy Hour. An opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available. Morning tea and lunch are provided. Register online: https://www.trybooking.com/
Parishes are invited to promote the retreat, using this tile.
7 April 2023
Holy Land resources can be downloaded here: http://
Archdiocesan marriage preparation course: Of Life and Love
20-21st May 2023
St Christopher's Church, Holsworthy, 195 Heathcote Rd, Holsworthy.
The course will provide opportunity for formation from marriage experts, time for reflection, couple discussion and reception of the sacraments.
Register by the 10th of May at www.trybooking.com/CGMSP . Please note: A second Marriage Preparation Program will be offered in November 2023.
An Evening with Sherry Weddell
Join international speaker and author of ‘Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus’, Sherry Weddell for an evening dedicated to exploring the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives and renewing the Church for mission.
Endowed with spiritual gifts, each of us is chosen by God in a special way to witness to Christ in the world and to build His Kingdom here on earth.
Monday 22 May 2023 (Liverpool) and Wednesday 24 May 2023 (Strathfield)
Cost: $30 plus booking fees. Refreshments served from 6:00pm – 6:45pm.
Registrations open Wednesday 29 March at https://www.gomakedisciples.
Parishes are invited to share this poster to promote the event
Save the Date: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be celebrated between Ascension and Pentecost, 21-28 May 2023.
This prayer takes on particular significance if it is celebrated with other local Christian congregations. Yet, even if this is not possible, the parish is encouraged to make prayer for Christian unity a focus of that week.
The theme for the Week in 2023 is “Do Good; seek Justice” (Is 1:70). Resources have been prepared for the Holy See and the World Council of Churches by a multi-denominational group in Minnesota USA, and have been slightly adapted for use in Australia. The resources include a poster for notice boards, with space to write in the details of any local celebration.
The full list of resources is available at https://www.ncca.org.au/faith-
Today the sisters continue to aid their local community with youth groups, spiritual support and counselling, as well as providing the poor with basic necessities. But they are facing a major problem. Their ancient heating system has finally broken down and needs to be replaced, but they cannot afford the cost. The sisters need your help!
To make an offering and learn more visit www.aidtochurch.org/
Free Nativity Scenes
Free nativity scene statues of child Jesus, Mary, Joseph, wise men, shepherds and angel available. The statues are of plaster, painted, between 80cm and 100cm tall. Contact Brooke at St James’ Forest Lodge for inspection, 02 9660 1407, or info@bbjcatholicparishes.org.