This week's message from Father Duane - Holy Week April 2025

Father Duane Fernandez

It is a great joy for our community to celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation for 12 adults this Easter! Congratulations to Declan Homonnay, Hayley Millsom, Sofia Martin, and Stephanie and John Steele who will receive Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil, as well as Anna Douglas, Anna Pigott, Ella De La Cruz, Marilyn Thompson, Matthew Smith, Sophia Johnson and Stephanie Ivkosic who will receive Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Sunday 10am Mass. They have all shown wonderful commitment throughout their journey of preparation for the Sacraments, and it has been a joy for me to witness their openness to God. Thank you to their sponsors and families who have supported them and let us all continue to pray for them and support them and each other in our shared journey of faith and life. If you or anyone you know might be interested in knowing more about becoming Catholic, please don’t hesitate to contact me at duane.fernandez@dow.org.au or see me after a Mass and I’d love to chat with you!

It has also been a joy for our parish to welcome Joseph Nguyen into our community in recent months as a seminarian. Joseph will be ordained as Deacon very soon, and as Priest hopefully by the end of the year, working with me in serving the parishes of West Wollongong and Unanderra. I encourage you all to take the opportunity to meet Joseph after Masses this weekend and in the weeks and months ahead, and also to consider joining Joseph and Sinh for their celebration of Ordination (details in the main section of the bulletin).

Thank you to everyone who has shared their time and gifts so generously in preparing for our Easter ceremonies. There are too many people to thank in person, but God knows who you are and may you be richly blessed for your service to our community! Thank you also to each and every one of you for coming along to join us for Mass at this high point of our Church year. It is an exciting time for our parish community with many new opportunities to get more involved as you’ll see in this bulletin. Have a read and see what you or your loved ones might like to get involved in. May the risen Lord be with you and bring you strength, hope and peace, this Easter and always!