Parish News
WE ARE BACK! As of 11:59pm 27th October, 2020 Regional Areas are permitted to resume Indoor religious ceremonies: permitted with up to 20 people plus one faith leader. Those necessary for the Mass e.g. readers, cleaners etc are included in the number.
For the Wonthaggi Parish this means we will be contacting parishioners on a weekly basis to invite Mass attendance and to make a fair and equitable opportunity for everyone to attend. If you would like to attend a particular Mass we would welcome your call on 03 56 721 111 to be included on the list of 20.
This weekend Father Geoff Baron will be saying the Mass for us and those parishioners have been contacted.
Father Darren Howie will return to Parish duties from Saturday 7th, November, 2020. We will then not only be offering the opportunity to attend Mass on the weekend for 60 parishioners in total, but we will also be making contact for Weekday Masses as well. That is Tuesday at Our Lady Star of the Sea Inverloch and St. Joseph’s Wonthaggi on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
In the meantime, any calls regarding a visit to the sick or urgent need please contact Father Manny Lomagno on 03 59 525 418 (if unanswered please leave a message and Father Manny will return your call ASAP)
Please pray for all who have passed away recently and ALL those who have passed due to the Covid-19 Virus. The anniversaries of Fr. Patrick Sterling, Fr. William Tierney, Archbishop Patrick O’Donnell, Fr. Cornelius (Con) Donovan and for our own loved ones. May God’s merciful love shine on them and on their loved ones left behind.
PLANNED GIVING ENVELOPES: The roll out of envelopes for the next 12 months are now available for collection from the Parish Office, unfortunately in place of the usual collection at the Masses. If you are unable to attend the office and would prefer them to be delivered or mailed please phone the Parish Office on 03 56 721 111 as we have volunteer parishioners who have offered to do this.
The envelopes apply to those who give weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Those who continue to make their contributions by Direct Debit/Credit Card will not be receiving envelopes.
Thank you to ALL for your continued generosity, as in these difficult times it has enabled us to keep the wheels turning.
ALL donations to the 1st Collection, Planned Giving envelopes can be brought to the office, passed through the secure slot into the Presbytery near the front door. The next roll out of Planned Giving Envelopes is now available see notice above. Thank you for your continuing generosity.
To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the canonisation of Saint Mary MacKillop. The Sisters of Saint Joseph have created a commemorative prayer booklet to inspire us all to “take fresh courage…”as Mary did so often. These prayers share details of her personal journey, highlighting Mary’s values and spirit, and offering prayers and blessings for our modern world. We invite you to download your free copy of Encountering St Mary MacKillop in Prayer. To order your exclusive copy please go to: www.marymackilloptoday.org.au/prayer-book or call us on Ph: 02 8912 2777.
Bishop-Elect Gregory Bennet: POSTPONEMENT! In light of the current circumstances of Covid-19 restrictions in the State of Victoria and following the announcement of “Steps” by Premier Andrews for Regional Victoria and Metropolitan Melbourne, it is necessary to postpone the planned Ordination and Installation of Bishop-Elect Gregory Bennet which had been scheduled by 20th October at St. Mary’s Cathedral Sale. The steps for Regional Victoria prevent public religious worship within the Cathedral and other settings (with special exemption for restricted funerals) until 23rd November 2020. Once the Diocese is able to receive advice that we are able to proceed with the liturgy of Ordination and Installation of Bishop-Elect Bennet you will be notified immediately. As you would understand the liturgy will respect all restrictions as required. In any event the Ordination will be live-streamed in order that we can gather as One people in faith in welcoming our new bishop among us.
A list of live streams across the Diocese is on cdsale.org.au/coronavirus page. This page has listed the Mass times which occur regularly, ie. Don’t change from week to week.
We have been emailing and sending out important communications from the Diocese and if you would like to be involved and receive this information then please contact the Parish Office on 56 721 111 or email your details to wonthaggi@cdsale.org.au.
We are a Child Safe Parish. Any children, young persons and vulnerable adults have a right to feel safe and be safe. If you are concerned about any form of abuse, or believe that someone is at significant risk, you should immediately raise your concerns with one of our Parish Safeguarding Officers. Contact Kristine McRae via the Parish Office: 03 56 721 111 or St. Joseph’s School Safeguarding Officer 03 56 721 052. Take care, we are here to help.
Last week, the Archdiocese of Melbourne launched a new resource Ready, Set, Pray! Children’s Liturgy of the Word @ Home and we have been heartened to hear that this has been a useful resource for our parish and primary school families.
The YouTube link (below) enables access to the weekly episodes of Ready, Set, Pray! This site will allow families to ‘catch up’ on previous episodes they may have missed but also access the recent episode.
Ready, Set, Pray! Children's Liturgy of the word @ Home
No Meditation or Prayer Group until further notice.
PRAYER SHAWL GROUP: Over these past months in lockdown our girls have been busy knitting, crocheting and sewing up squares! There is an amazing assortment of beautiful rugs, shawls, caps and socks on our display table in the Parish Office, ready for distribution. So, if you know anyone who is struggling with life in any way, please let us know or come in and choose an item yourself. For further information or enquiries please contact: please contact Kristine (0499 915 784), Philippa Warby (0408 331 340) or Maureen Maartensz (0407 055 447).
If you are in need of urgent assistance, please phone eithe Father Darren Howie 0356 722 923 or Kristine on 03 56 72111 or 04999 15 784.
Finding Christ in a COVID Christmas
Thank you for your patience and understanding
Father Darren Howie Mrs. Kristine McRae
Parish Priest Parish Secretary
St. Joseph’s Parish Wonthaggi