Parish News

Pope's Intentions for March

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Let us pray that we may experience the sacrament of reconciliation with renewed depth, to taste the infinite mercy of God.

Reflection for March 2021 -- Robert Falzon

 St  Matthews  Secondary  School - Building Update 

At the end of last year, we received confirmation that the  State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for our  new secondary campus had been approved. This is wonderful news for our community and means that we are now very close to commencing construction.

I am pleased to be able to let you know that the construction of St Matthews Catholic School Secondary Campus is due to commence in mid-March this year and the aim is for the project to be completed for the beginning of the new school year in 2023. Once completed, the new secondary campus will cater for up to 680 students from Years 7 to 12.

The Catholic Diocese of Bathurst is fully funding the project and has partnered with North Construction and Building to build the new campus. Designed by Alleanza Architecture, the new spaces will provide a flexible and unique learning environment. Local contractors will be utilised throughout the building project wherever possible.

We will be providing you with regular updates throughout the construction process, so keep an eye on our newsletters, social media and school website for more information.

God Bless
Angela Myles
Executive Principal

Ministries In Our Parish

"There is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit; there are all sorts of service to be done, but always to the same Lord; working in all sorts of different people, it is working in all of them.” 1 Cor 12:3-7.12-13 

It's not too late to register for a Ministry in our parish of St Mary's. Forms are available at the back of the church or from the Parish Office. If there is a Ministry you would like to do and is not listed on the form, please let us know. This is your parish, help us grow it.

GULGONG EVENTS

MUDGEE EVENTS

KANDOS EVENTS

Weekday Mass will be held on Wednesday 3rd March, 11am at Rylstone

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SRE TEACHERS AND ASSISTANTS REQUIRED

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, ...And remember I am with you always to the end of the age.”

Mt 28:19-20

SRE teachers and assistants are required to assist in spreading the Good News of Jesus to students in Public Schools in our parish.

If you would like to be a member of our parish SRE team so that you can help spread the Good News to these children who might other-wise not hear about Jesus please contact the Parish Office.

Parish News

FOR PRAYING AT HOME DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

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A CONTACTLESS SIGN IN FOR MASS

You can scan a QR code on your phone and enter your details 
OR
You can have an individual card that a Welcomer will scan for you as you come into Mass.

All information will be confidential. No information will be stored on any portable devices (e.g. phones).

What do you need to do?

If you would like to have an individual card to be scanned by the Welcomer at arrival at Mass, you will need to provide the Parish with you details. Please place you name, contact number on the BLUE SHEET provided on the clipboard at the back of the church.

If you are happy to scan a QR code on you phone, you don't have to do anything at this stage. We are waiting for new poster with our Parish QR to arrive from Bathurst.

Calling for Volunteers

We are needing volunteer parishioners to help with the scanning each week for those with a card. Training will be provided for volunteers.

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CHURCH ENTRY NOTICE

COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease. In order to to reduce and prevent the spread ... read more

CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITY

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, we strongly encourage the following measures ... read more

Please take home a Project Compassion box and/or a set of donation envelopes and support Caritas Australia this Lenten season themed “Be More”. Through your generosity and by aspiring to be more, you are assisting some of the world’s most vulnerable people build better futures for themselves, their families and their communities.

You can donate through Parish boxes and envelopes, or by visiting www.caritas.org.au/project
compassion or phoning 1800 024 413.

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CORONAVIRUS HELP

If you or someone you know need help or just someone to talk to during this time of crisis, please contact the parish office on (02) 6372 2122

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Word and Faith Group

St Mary's has a Word and Faith Group on Sundays at 6pm in the Parish Centre. If you would like to be part of the Group or you would like to find out more information, please contact the Parish Office.

Diocese News

200 years of Catholic education 

The bicentenary of Catholic education in Australia commemorates the anniversary of the first official Catholic school established in 1821.

Bishop McKenna celebrated Mass today at St Mary's Church, Orange to recognise the contribution of religious, clergy and lay people to the foundation of Catholic education, and the distinctive role Catholic schools play in educating and forming young people of faith and service in their communities.

Read Bishop McKenna's homily HERE

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BISHOP McKENNA's 
LENTEN MESSAGE 2021

Bishop Michael McKenna Lenten message is available to read HERE

RISEN 2021

13-14 March 10am Saturday until after lunch on Sunday. Yes, it's in person! at St Joseph's House, Perthville. And yes, there will be more music than last year!

Are you or do you know someone in Year 10 to Year 12 who might like to come?

We will be:

• Welcoming you into times of meditation and prayer throughout the weekend.

• Give you the opportunity to give back to the community through a practical service activity.

• Linking into Laudato Si through practical activity of decorating and potting a plant.

• Participating in a Mass and Reconciliation evening.

• Embarking on a pilgrimage up the Mount Panorama walking track.

The cost for the time is $110 and if this is an issue, as usual, please speak to your school or parish.

Subscribe to our email list via this link http://eepurl.com/hpJGbf and that will send you an email with a link to the registration page. (If you’re under 18 your parents also need to subscribe to the email list).

NEW NATIONAL CHURCH PROTOCOL FOR RESPONDING TO SEXUAL ABUSE

Adopted by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference in November 2020, a new National Response Protocol for responding to contemporary and historical concerns and allegations of child sexual abuse will be implemented from Monday, February 1. The protocol is the results of two years of consultation within and beyond the Church, and draws on wisdom from the Royal Commission, governments, universities and the Catholic Church in other countries. 

 The National Response Protocol can be accessed via the Bishops Conference website at:

https://www.catholic.org.au/
nationalresponseprotocol