This week's message from Father Duane Sunday 6th of April 2025

Fr Duane Fernandez

We have recently updated our parish website, and whether you are a new parishioner or have been coming along for years, it contains a lot of updated information and accessible ways to connect with various new and ongoing activities in our parish. A big thank you to Cliff Bunten, Andrew Thornberry and Rebecca Hall for their work through recent years in making the ever-growing life of our parish community more accessible to all online. Check out the latest at https://www.sttherese.com.au/ - the more visitors to the site, the better!

We are fast approaching Holy Week and Easter, and the details of the ceremonies are in the main section of the bulletin. As the high point of the Church year, we will have many people coming along to our Church who don’t usually attend, and it would be great if we could help them to feel as welcome as possible. If you would be able to volunteer to greet people at the door with bulletins and other materials (and a smile) at either of the Good Friday services or any of the Easter Masses, please contact the parish office at westwollongong@dow.org.au with the subject “Welcoming for Holy Week”.

This weekend, with the Church throughout the world we celebrate the “Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers”. We remember with thanksgiving the nurses and doctors in our health system who I have regularly seen attend to the sick and dying with the utmost care and compassion. We remember also the many people who lovingly care for their sick and aged family members, often behind the scenes. We thank God for the ministry of Communion to the sick and housebound that enables our sick parishioners to remain spiritually united with us though they can no longer physically attend Mass. Above all, we pray for the sick, that they may know the healing mercy of Jesus, our Saviour, and the peace and hope that only he can give – especially through the prayers of the Church and the support of health care workers and loved ones.

Finally, we are planning to commence a new high school youth initiative in Term 2 called “Youth Alpha”. This will be a joint initiative of West Wollongong and Unanderra parishes, on Saturday evenings 7pm-8:30pm at St Therese Parish Centre West Wollongong, with food, followed by a fun and engaging video, and small group reflection on life and faith where every young person will feel welcome, safe and respected.

This will be facilitated by young adults who have received appropriate training in youth ministry and safeguarding and will be wonderful role models for our young people. If your child or anyone else you know might be interested in joining Youth Alpha, please contact me as soon as possible on duane.fernandez@dow.org.au with the subject “Youth Alpha” and I will share more details with you.