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EVENTS
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Feast Days
The Conversion of St Paul the Apostle Monday 25 January. Australia Day Tuesday 26 January. St Thomas Aquinas Thursday 28 January. On Holidays Bible Study, Men’s Group and Secular Franciscans will not be meeting over the holidays. Enjoy the break everyone! Theft Warning There have been two occasions of theft in past years. Please keep your bags in front of you and take them to Communion with you. Parish Pastoral Council Minute Secretary Needed Simple notes at meetings held during the day bi-monthly. Please call the parish office. Christian Meditation Group Still in Recess The Meditation Group has been instructed by ACMC NSW to continue with the suspension of meetings at this time. Natural Fertility Awareness Are you wondering how you can find out more about your reproductive health during these times of isolation and social distancing? Billings LIFE has the answer!! Why not learn how to track your fertility using Fertility Pinpoint™- it’s more than an App! It is an online service that provides you with your own personal accredited Billings Ovulation Method® tutor who can help you learn how to track your unique cycles and recognise your fertility and infertility on a daily basis – all remotely and safely. It’s the healthy alternative. For more information go to: www.fertilitypinpoint.com Little Way Sunday School Little Way Sunday School is an online evangelisation tool for children developed by a family in the Diocese of Raphoe, Ireland. The engaging videos are produced weekly and are designed to connect children to the teachings of the Church by providing videos with an explanation of the Gospel of the day, a reflection from a priest and a weekly mission for the kids. The Little Way Sunday School’s videos are free to use and suitable for families, children’s and youth ministries or school education. This resource can be accessed via their YouTube channel or FaceBook. A Catholic Response to Domestic Violence The Broken Bay Domestic Violence Booklet: A Catholic Response to Domestic Violence has been refreshed including a message from Bishop Anthony Randazzo who reminds us that “Through this, may we together become better educated so as to work against the various personal and social factors that contribute to all forms of abuse within our homes.” View and download the booklet from: https://www.bbcatholic.org.au/parish-community/catholic-life-faith-formation/social-justice/domestic-violence Memory Innovations Centre Programs focus on having fun, connecting with others and stimulating your brain. Cooking, exercise, dance, art and mind exercise programs available. Visit us for a free trial session in Waitara or join our online programs – open to all in the Diocese! Call Jessica on (02) 9481 2659 or visit www.catholiccaredbb.org.au/mic The Catholic Weekly Stay up-to-date and informed with all Catholic news. Now available on the Church tables. Offertory Procession - SUSPENDED Children are encouraged to take part in the Offertory Procession. Come to the Offertory Table when invited by the Commentator. Car Park Warning The car park gates close half hour after Saturday/Sunday services. Be aware if locked in -the carpark reopens next morning. Natural Fertility Awareness Did you know a woman’s health is often reflected in her fertility? Learn The Billings Ovulation Method® to manage your fertility naturally and monitor your reproductive health. Accredited Billing Teachers are available to assist you throughout Australia. For further information ring Billings LIFE on 1800 335 860 or visit www.billings.life Catholic Engaged Encounter Engaged Encounter marriage preparation programme provides you with deeper insights into each other and into married life. Go to www.engagedencounter.org.au Welcome New Parishioners If you are new to our parish please contact us at the office so we can send you a welcome pack with all our parish information! Going to Hospital? When you or a relative need to go to hospital remember to register as a Catholic on your admission form. This will help your Church community to serve you while you are sick. If you, on the other hand, would like to help serving the sick in hospital please contact the parish office for details. Shop Locally! Please support the shops in the Carnival Hall building 40-48 The Entrance Road. These shops support our Parish. Be a Volunteer Out There Palms Australia volunteers immerse themselves in overseas communities. Contact Palms on 02 9560 5333 or go to www.palms.org.au/volunteer Catholic Bushwalking Club Did we meet you at the ACYF? We are waiting to hear from you. Come bushwalking and camping, on canyon and skiing trips. Apply via our website www.cbcnsw.org.au Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends Relationship enrichment for married couples at Mt Carmel Retreat Centre Varroville NSW. Bookings online at www.wwme.org.au or Adrian and Janet Sullivan on 0490 774 419 or adrian.janet1@bigpond.com Pro-Life Pregnancy Help Do you have a phone? Do you want to help those worried by pregnancy issues? Can you work from home? Contact Pregnancy Help Sydney now to find out about their free training course you can do by mail from your own home and 2 in-service weekends in Sydney. You can make a difference. Phone Carmel Jeffreys on 9730 for more info. Could You Be a Friend to Someone? Compeer, a special work of St Vinnies, matches volunteers in friendships with someone who is lonely and in the recovery process of a mental health challenge. Training is provided. Contact 0436 111 102 or 4341 0432 or www.compeer.org.au |
Covid-Safe Practices
The Church is again restricted to 100 people. We will also have Masses in the Parish Hall. Wearing of masks is now mandatory. No congregational singing is allowed.
As a condition of entry into the Church and buildings, attendees must use the QR code or sign the booking sheet at the front door, (Please print clearly as we must enter all names and phone numbers onto a computer programme), use hand sanitiser provided and keep social distance in the pews, while processing to Communion and when leaving the Church. Do not congregate outside. If you have cold or flu symptoms please do not enter the premises, and contact your doctor. (NSW Government public health requirements.) Please be sure to sit in the designated seating spots. Families from the same household may sit together. Pay Wave Tap & Go
We now have 4 new donation point tap devices for our First and Second Collections. These devices enable donations to be made with a simple tap of the card. Each time you tap you will be donating $10. For those who wish to donate more you will need to tap again after a break of about 5 minutes. This is a safety measure to avoid repeat taps by mistake. You will note that one device will credit the First Collection and the other will credit Second Collection, with two devices stationed at the front doors and two at the courtyard doors.
The introduction of these Covid-safe devices is for the convenience of those who do not like to carry cash. Cash donations may still be placed in the collection boxes. The First Collection supports all the Priests in our diocese, the Second Collection is for the running and upkeep of our parish. Thank you for your support. Bible Cafe
The Decalogue explained! Fr. Benedict Groeschel describes the commandments not as rules to limit our freedom but as signposts for our greater good. Fr. Groeschel explores these ten divinely given laws, too often dismissed as impossible for human fraility to uphold, with great sensitivity and depth of insight. The Ten Commandments state grave obligations, but what God commands he makes possibly by grace. Wednesdays 10:30am-11:30am or 7pm-8pm. Muldoon Room. All Welcome!
Bible Study on Holidays
Bible Study is now on holidays until February. Thank you Fr Kevin for your inspiring talks! A merry Christmas to all!
Children's Liturgy SUSPENDED
Our Children’s Liturgy is held during Sunday 9.30am Mass, with lots of kids coming along to hear the Gospel at their level and have fun doing activities. We’d love to meet you too, so come along next time and make some new friends. All children aged 3-12 are welcome. Parents welcome too! If you would like to help with Children’s Liturgy contact Alicia Klein on
0412 677 964. (N.B. Not on during school holidays.) Parish Bus SUSPENDED
Our bus plays an important role in our Parish life - but we cant’ keep it going without several more drivers. Please consider joining our roster of drivers to enable this service to continue and keep the bus rolling. (Light Rigid license required.)
The Parish Bus is available for transport to the 6pm Saturday & 9:30am Sunday Masses. Contact the Parish Office on 4332 2216 to book. Supporting God's Work
Regular Planned Giving can be made via the collection boxes at the doors, in person at the parish office, monthly on credit card, direct deposit into the Church account, or through direct debit arrangement. You may also like to consider a bequest to the parish in your will. Your generosity can have a huge impact on your parish’s future. Speak with Fr Stevens or the Parish Office on
4332 2216. Plenary Council
The National Centre for Pastoral Research has just published ‘Listen to what the Spirit is saying’, the final report of the Listening and Dialogue stage of the Plenary Council. The report captures the voices of the more than 222,000 people who shared their submissions, questions and stories of faith during the 10-month process. Access the report at: www.plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/resources/reports
Vocations Ministry
Does a life of joy in knowing you are following the Lord as a priest, deacon or in the consecrated life inspire you? Contact the Vocation Office at 0418 522 449 or email: vocations.ministry@bbcatholic.org.au
Holy Hour for Vocations Join our gathering for an hour of adoration, reflection, prayer and music at St Agatha’s Parish Pennant Hills on the first Friday of each month from 7-8pm. Discernment Evenings Join us once a month in order to pray, reflect and discover individual vocations or a lifetime call from God. Last Wednesday of the month from 7-9pm. For more information: 0418 522 449 or vocations.ministry@ dbb.org.au Accessibility to our Church
We are pleased to provide wheelchair access to parishioners and visitors to our Church, Parish Centre and toilets, as well as designated disabled parking spots in our carpark.
The Church and Parish Centre are equipped with a Hearing Loop for those with hearing aids. The Church also has a big screen with large print of the hymns and responses, for those unable to read small print. Diamond Women's Support
Diamond Women's Support is a not-for-profit organisation that seeks to provide help and support to women and families facing an unplanned pregnancy.
No woman should ever feel that she is cornered, or that there are no options left for her except to terminate her pregnancy. Lack of support and education, alongside continual bombardment by the media, instils fear - that an unexpected pregnancy is ‘the end’. But we believe everyone is entitled to support, respect and compassionate care. If you are pregnant, or think you might be and want to talk, give us a call. We can give you and your family support and help for free. Call us on 4399 7099. www.diamondpregnancy.com |
Welcome Visitors!
A very warm welcome to anyone visiting our parish this Australia Day weekend. It is good to have you with us. If you have any questions or would like to know more about our community at The Entrance please ask Fr Bill, Fr Vincent or phone 4332 2216 and leave a message. We wish you a wonderful holiday and please visit again!
Helpers Needed
We are extremely short of Helpers to assist the Catechists with teaching Catholic Scripture to the children in our 4 state schools within our parish this year. Scripture takes place once a week on Thursdays and classes are for just half an hour. The schools are Brooke Avenue, Killarney Vale, Bateau Bay and The Entrance Public Schools. Lesson materials comprising of comprehensive teacher's manual and student workbooks are provided. A set curriculum is followed. The Diocese also provides free training sessions and fun workshops for Catechists.
If you think you would like to get involved and be part of this enjoyable and rewarding ministry or you would simply like more information please contact me in the Parish Office ASAP: Leanne McGill Catechist Co-Ordinator The Entrance Parish 4332 2216 Tuesdays & Wednesdays. Tabernacle & Book of Gospels Cover
Our new Tabernacle features the Last Supper.
The Book of the Gospels cover features Christ the King and symbolic representation of the four Evangelists. For photos go to our Photo Gallery page. Adoration
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held on all first Saturdays of the month. Prayer and quiet time is held throughout the day from 9:30am to Benediction at 4:30pm (before the 5pm Mass).
Adoration is also held on all Saturdays of Advent, Lent, June and September. More Gift Centre
The Gift Centre is open each weekend before and after the 5pm Saturday and 9:30am Sunday Masses. You will find us in the foyer of the Church. For any enquiries or purchases during the week please call the parish office on 4332 2216.
Help! - the Altar Society
The Altar Society is always in need of able-bodied persons (male or female) to help with Church cleaning on Friday mornings for an hour or less. It’s on a roster basis of teams of four, so not a huge commitment. No vacuuming, just sanitising of pews, dusting and cleaning of Altar and sweeping up of leaves around entry doors to the Church. Please leave your name and number at the parish office. Many thanks.
The Catholic Weekly is not Free
It has been found that some people have not been paying for The Catholic Weekly newspapers. This is apparent because the poor boxes are in deficit for their costs. If this continues the Society will no longer be able to provide paper copies and it will only be available online. This would be a great shame for the many who appreciate this quality newspaper. Please be sure to keep supporting the St Vincent de Paul Society by buying your copy of The Catholic Weekly and placing $2 in the poor boxes. Please also support Vinnies by your donations to the poor as well. All donations are very much appreciated.
St Joseph's Workshop
St Joseph’s Workshop Volunteers Needed
We are looking for volunteers 7am to 12noon one or more days per week, making timber furniture for welfare and sale. Training given. Contact Bob Monday to Friday on 4323 9013 to arrange a visit to the workshop at 18 Dignity Crescent West Gosford. Working in a Child-Related Ministry
Paid and volunteer workers who have direct face to face contact with children (under 18 years) are required by law to obtain a Working with Children Check number. Please note though exemptions may apply in some cases. The Parish is the employer of the paid or volunteer worker and therefore is required by law to verify the Working with Children Check number. All paid or volunteer workers engaged in a child-related role must have a cleared Working with Children Check to work in a child-related ministry. This disclosure references the legislation, Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.
Safeguarding
National Catholic Safeguarding Standards: Leadership, monitoring & improvement
The Parish regularly reviews and improves systems for keeping children safe. Key Elements: Regularly reviews and improves practices, analyses concerns and complaints to identify causes and potential system failures, reports findings of relevant reviews. Help a Child be Safe, Happy & Secure
There are children in our community who have been through experiences few of us could begin to fathom and who, without our help, will go through a childhood without the love and support of a family. CatholicCare Broken Bay is looking for everyday families who might consider taking a child or young person into their home - to love and support them, whether for one or two nights, a few weeks, months, or long term. This just might be you. If you have room in your heart and space in your home contact one of our team at CatholicCare Foster Care 4320 7700, catholicarefostercare@dbb.org.au or www.catholiccaredbb.org.au or come to an Information Evening Wednesday 28 February 6pm 1/32 Central Coast Highway West Gosford.
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