“..living fully in community.”

Listening to Jo Pye at the last P&F meeting was truly inspiring. She spoke passionately about how involvement in Parish life can be profoundly fulfilling, and I can attest to this with absolute certainty.

Reflecting on my youth at St Joseph’s in Bulli, I recall how our family was an integral part of the Sunday morning Mass community. My brother, fresh from the surf with salt still in his eyebrows, my sister and I with our netball gear ready for the day’s carnival—these were our Sunday mornings. We sat in the front row, with Mum and Dad strategically placed between my sister and me to curb our sibling antics. My brother often served on the altar alongside at least one of my cousins, while my grandmother, who sang in the choir, would discreetly pass them handkerchiefs when needed.

The sense of community extended beyond Mass. It seemed like the entire school was there, with children running around after Mass as the adults discussed plans for the Sunday BBQ and whose place it was going to be at. These gatherings were more than mere social events; they were the heartbeat of our community.

Why am I sharing this with you? Because the connections formed within our Parish went far beyond school-day interactions. They created a support network, a village, that has shaped every aspect of my life. These relationships were more profound than casual school gate conversations; they were rooted in our shared faith and communal activities. This sense of unity and belonging is the cornerstone of a fulfilling Parish life.

Once my children started school, I found myself yearning to recreate the same enriching childhood experience for them. My husband and I immersed ourselves in the life of the Parish, participating in parent gatherings and planning our next get-togethers after Mass. We became actively involved in children's liturgy, church cleaning, playing guitar during services, and organising various Parish social events. Initially, we believed that our involvement made us richer, but we soon realised that it was our children who truly benefited the most.

The vibrant community (village) that surrounded them played a crucial role in their upbringing. The strong connections and unified belief structure within our Parish have had a lasting impact, extending into their adult lives and careers. When our older daughter attended university and moved to Broken Hill, she relied on those foundational connections, as did both of our sons.

The bonds you form within our Parish community are profoundly deeper than those found in other types of community involvement. While God is present in all that we do, our actions within the Parish are uniquely enveloped in His presence. This spiritual and communal support system is what makes our Parish life truly special.

In Fr Ken’s homily last weekend, he referred to how we come to the communal table, to share the Eucharist and to share each other. We come together so that we are spiritually fed in order to continue the mission of Jesus - to go out and share love for one another.

What’s been happening…

On Monday the 27th of May, Year 2 led our school in a prayerful celebration marking Our Lady Help of Christians - Patroness of Australia (Official date 24th May). In groups, they came into each class and led the class in a beautiful prayerful experience.Mrs Cheetham prepared the students well. 

On Tuesday Morning, the fabulous Year 1 class led the whole school in prayer to commemorate Reconciliation week. 

Confirmation

Over the coming weeks, many of our Year 6 students from our school and surrounding schools will be preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation. This, along with Baptism and Eucharist, is a sacrament of initiation.

Confirmation is not marked by a choice to believe or not believe in the Catholic faith. Rather as disciples we are chosen by God to receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit, to be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit generously bestowed by God, and we are called to cooperate with that grace. Every Sunday we affirm our personal response to this election as we proclaim our faith through the Creed and say "Amen" to Jesus in the Eucharist. Taking personal responsibility for one's Catholic faith is something that is a habitual choice made by grace. Faith is a theological virtue, bestowed by a loving God, which grows over time, not something that is chosen once and for all at confirmation.

"Age of body does not determine age of soul". Children can be mature spiritually. Children are often the most receptive to the gifts of the Holy Spirit and their childlike trust and wonder is beautiful to behold. Many times their ability to see the truth and have complete trust in God is strikingly better than our own. It allows for a deeper receptivity of the graces of the sacrament. 

Confirmation is a sacrament of initiation which gives the fullness of the Holy Spirit. This gift of the Spirit completes baptism and bestows a special strength that enables one to be a witness to Jesus Christ, more perfectly binding one to the Church, and allows one to worship the Father in spirit and truth. 

May the Holy Spirit who came down upon Mary and the apostles at Pentecost, the same Holy Spirit we received in our Confirmation, stir up the grace of God deep within our lives so that the Church may be fruitful in her mission to bring the message of Jesus Christ to our world.

Confirmation as a Sacrament of Initiation Author: Bishop Samuel Joseph Aquila

Please keep the following students in your daily prayers:

Aowyn B, Jack B,  Eliza, D, Mahli D, Monte H, Xavier K, Sofia L, Maggie L, James M, Clancy M, Elijah M, Auden R, Kai R, Nate R, Chayce S, Lochlan V, Louis Z

Year 6 also led the school in prayer, celebrating Pentecost as part of their preparation for Confirmation.

Recipe of the week

Thanks to one of our staff; Mrs Pam Cheetham

Parish news

Please find the link to the Mass for 1/2 June 2024. Click HERE  to watch the Mass.

If you would like to receive our Parish Bulletin emailed to you each week, as well as the Saturday evening Mass each week, please email our Parish Office, thirroul@dow.org.au and make your request in the email.

♥     Doing it tough?  Need a hand up? Ring our local Vinnies 4228 9355

The St Vincent de Paul Society cares and helps all people in need.

♥      Blessing of Married Couples celebrating their Anniversaries  and those celebrating Birthdays  is celebrated each month during Masses on the second weekend  (except May, when they are held on the first weekend of May).

First Penance and Communion

The Sacraments of First Penance and Communion are celebrated when a child is in Year 2 or seven years old (or older).

First Penance and First Communion Information - 2024

Enrolments for 2024 CLOSE on 10 September 2024

Enrolment Forms are returned (by email or by hand) to the Parish Office.

Do not return forms to the School Office.

Read more...

Want to be more involved in our Parish…

Parish Groups

Catholic Women's League

The Catholic Women's League (CWL) meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 11am in the McCarthy Centre [Parish Hall].

The CWL is a community of women within the Catholic Church. CWL works across all levels of society; local, state, national and international  and provides a voice for Catholic Women in Church and society by: Read more: Catholic Women's League

St Vincent de Paul

The St Vincent de Paul Society meets at every Tuesday afternoon at the Presbytery, 325 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul.

Read more: St Vincent de Paul

Rosary Group

Every Friday morning after 9:30am Mass at St Michael Church, the Rosary is prayed.  All are welcome.

Knights of the Southern Cross (KSC)

The Thirroul - Bulli - Corrimal Branch of the Knights of the Southern Cross meets at St Joseph’s Church Hall Bulli on the third Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm. The objects of the Order of the KSC are…

Read more: Knights of the Southern Cross (KSC)

Some insight from Fr Ken

The weekend liturgies celebrating the Body and Blood of Christ invites us to reflect upon a theme of great importance for the renewal of the Church’s liturgy. The Eucharist is far more than Chirst’s ‘real presence’ among us, as a kind of substitute for the fact that he is no longer among us as he was in his earthly life. In its fullness, the Eucharist is an action (‘Take and eat’, 'Take and drink’; 'Do this’). It is the central action of the Church’s life because of the presence of the Lord himself, giving himself into the hands of his Father, as creation’s perfect act of worship, and giving himself to us a s food and drink, that we may make his Paschal Mystery our nourishment for eternal life. 

Upcoming events: What’s happening in our Parish

Sunday, 9 June until Friday, 21 June, Ken teaching at Baulkham Hills [back 15/16 June]

Vision in action awards

It has been absolutely amazing to see our vision: “Inspired by Christ, we aspire to excellence in learning, living fully in community” seen in action in our playground and in the classrooms. The following students were caught in the act of displaying our vision and were recognised during our Monday morning assemblies. Congratulations and keep up the good work!

Ruby K, Isabella  F, Hazel D, Asher  D, Romeo F, Katerina M, Frankie C, Jemima S, Isabelle E, Harvey M, Maddison R, Raphaelle R.