Catholic Diocese of Bathurst in Bathurst, New South Wales | Catholic Church

Catholic Diocese of Bathurst

Locality: Bathurst, New South Wales

Phone: +61 2 6334 6400

Address: 118 Keppel Street 2795 Bathurst, NSW, Australia

Website: https://bathurst.catholic.org.au

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24.01.2022 The September edition of the Catholic Observer is out now! With a focus on vocations, catch up on news from the Diocese, parishes and our local schools. Read it here: https://issuu.com//catholic_observer_vol_56_no_3_september

19.01.2022 Word&Faith@home will take place several times a week throughout Advent via Zoom and take around 30 minutes. It will commence on 25 November on Wednesdays at 7:00pm, Fridays at 11:00am and Saturdays at 2:00pm. Everyone is welcome to take part in these gatherings, which will focus on the upcoming Sunday's readings. Use the QR Code below to join the sessions or go to: https://bthcatholic.zoom.us/j/4582615130 For more information, contact Deacon Josh Clayton on 0458 261 513.

18.01.2022 The latest episode of Connection: Faith and Life is available to listen to here.

18.01.2022 HA TO BE ADMITTED AS LECTOR Bishop Michael McKenna will admit Ha Van Tran to the Ministry of Lector at the 6pm Mass in St Raphael’s Church, Cowra on Saturday 3rd October 2020. The Mass will be live-streamed on this Facebook page. As part of journey of discernment and formation before ordination, seminarians make three important steps: Admission as Acolyte, Lector and as a Candidate for Ordination.... Lectors take on a special office within the Church and are called to be servants of the living Word of God. In proclaiming the readings, the Lector does more than simply read. A Lector’s spirituality must include an understanding of Holy Scripture as God’s Word made present to humankind throughout history, but most fully present in the person of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. We offer Ha our congratulations and ask for your continued prayers for him as he marks this important milestone.

17.01.2022 "I was in prison and you visited me" - An information session will be held via a Zoom meeting, that will focus on the important role of Prison Chaplaincy in the mission of our local church. The Prison Chaplains of the Diocese; Fr Greg Walsh CM, Geraldine Bowers, Deacon Mike Williams and Fran Schubert will share information about this important role and how we can reach out to our brothers and sisters who are in prison. You will also hear about the opportunities open as a p...rison chaplain. Maybe you have a calling to work in this field. When: Monday 10 August 2020 Time: 6.00pm - 7.00pm Zoom link: https://bthcatholic.zoom.us/j/4582615130

17.01.2022 Each year, on Fathers Day, we have a special collection in support of our retired priests. They have given years of service to God's people and many continue, as health and strength allow, as ministers of Word and Sacrament. They continue to help our local church with their prayers. I encourage you to give generously to this appeal.... +Michael McKenna Bishop of Bathurst Given that we are still limited to the number of people who can attend Mass and collections are not currently being taken up, this year's Father's Day Appeal will move to an ONLINE format that you can donate to here: https://www.bpoint.com.au/pay/CATHOLICDIOCESEOFBATHURST

17.01.2022 Sunday Mass celebrated by Fr Laurie Beath at St Raphael’s Church, Cowra.

16.01.2022 As we celebrate the Feast day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, the Sisters of St Joseph offer the following reflections about their founder: Reflection on Mary MacKillop August 8, 2020 St Mary MacKillop’s Example.... This year (2020), Australia will celebrate the tenth anniversay of the canonisation of St Mary MacKillop. Let us reflect on Mary MacKillop’s characteristics and the features of her courageous life that gave her sainthood. Mary’s life had many valleys: she had to make decisions as to which path and which direction she would take. Sometimes, she had no choice of direction, and then chose how she would react to the given circumstances. There is evidence that she fought long and hard, both inside and out. I think it important to equate her struggles and handling of them with our own lowly lives. Mary MacKillop has been declared a Saint, but who knows, had she not made a conscious decision to trust in her God-given journey and to the love the obstacles (crosses) with the same fervour as she loved the straight roads, we may not even be hearing about her now. Ita Buttrose, Absolute Faith, Reproduced in Mary MacKillop: A Tribute, 1996, p 21. Holiness, the heart of canonisation, consists in doing the will of God. That is why in those last years of paralysis in her wheelchair Mary was far from being a ‘retired saint’. She was a saint at her very best, because she was doing the will of God in most trying circumstances. It is not achievement that makes saints, it is holiness. Paul Gardiner SJ 2010. Consider: Mary endured many trials during her life. Take time to name for yourself what you believe enabled her to rise above these obstacles; What do you see as Mary’s saintly qualities that gave recognition to her as a saintly woman whom we recognize as a great example throughout the nation and indeed the world? How does Mary MacKillop’s example help us to endure the obstacles in our daily life? Spend some time in quietness and prayer thanking God for your own and for God’s incredible care. Michele Shipperley rsj

15.01.2022 The launch of Catholic Mission World Mission Month 2020 in the Diocese of Bathurst took place today at St Stanislaus' College, Bathurst with schools across the Diocese participating virtually. You can view the launch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ugu1X4pVX4

15.01.2022 Bishop Michael McKenna officially named and blessed John Therry House on 13 August, giving the previous Kelso Nursing Home a new mission and lease of life. Members of the local community, including State Member for Bathurst, Mr Paul Toole, and representatives from local advocacy groups, joined with Bishop Michael to celebrate this milestone. The Catholic Diocese of Bathurst purchased the previous Kelso Nursing Home in late 2019 and has since entered into a lease agreement wit...h Housing Plus to manage and operate the premises. Housing Plus will relocate its existing Bathurst-based community services to the centre. These include tenancy and maintenance services and its training and employment program - Opportunity Pathways, which supports social housing clients to access practical and financial assistance, training and work opportunities to help them prepare for employment, find a job, work more hours or improve their employment options. The Bathurst and Lithgow Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service will also operate from John Therry House. The pioneer Catholic priest, Father John Joseph Therry (1790-1864), was an advocate for the forgotten, including the Aboriginal people, in the Australian colonies from 1820 until his death. In November 1830, he celebrated the first Mass in this region, at the Golden Fleece Inn at Kelso. He had been called from Sydney to minister to the convict, Ralf Entwhistle, who was to be hanged on 2nd November, along with nine other men - all part of the notorious Ribbon Gang. Pictured: Mr Paul Toole, Mr David Fisher, CEO of Housing Plus with Bishop Michael McKenna #housingplus

14.01.2022 A wonderful message of inclusion from Stannies' Year 7 student, Knox Gibson.

14.01.2022 YOUTH MINISTER: Full-time Temporary Position commencing 27.01.2021 17.12.2021 A great opportunity for a student who might be finishing Year 12 and looking to... work during their gap year, is available at each of the following schools within the Diocese of Bathurst (6 positions): MacKillop College, Bathurst St Raphael’s Catholic School, Cowra St John’s College, Dubbo La Salle Academy, Lithgow St Matthew’s Catholic School, Mudgee James Sheahan Catholic High School, Orange The core role of the Youth Minister is to assist in the animating of spirituality and faith formation of youth and promote attitudes based on Gospel values. The Youth Minister is to provide faith formation and leadership opportunities to youth within the parish, school and throughout the broader community, as well as develop a strong sense of faith amongst youth, drawing them into, and allowing them to identify with, a nurturing and supportive faith community. There are a few things that you will need to download from the CEDB website to apply. Sorry - this part is a bit clunky, but we're here to help and have provided the links below: 1. Download the position description and selection criteria for here: http://www.bth.catholic.edu.au/Employment---Position-Select 2. Complete an application form (Non-Teaching Position) available here: http://www.bth.catholic.edu.au/Employment---Application-For 3. Obtain a valid Working with Children Check Number; this is required for this position and must be provided at the time of application. To apply for a Working with Children Check Number visit www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au 4. Send your completed application with a covering letter to Dr Angelo Belmonte by email: [email protected] by 3.00pm, Friday, 11 September 2020. Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst is an is an equal opportunity employer.

14.01.2022 Mass was concelebrated today, All Souls Day, by Bishop Michael and Fr Paul Devitt in the Mortuary Chapel at the Bathurst Cemetry Today's reflection is by Fr Carl Mackander, Parish Priest, St Patrick’s Parish, Wellington. "Living in faith"... All Souls’ Day, the commemoration of all the Faithful Departed, is dear to Catholics. Behind it is the belief that our prayers can assist those faithful departed who have not immediately entered into the glory of the Risen Jesus. The Church in Ireland developed a strong devotion to the living assisting the deceased by prayers, and the sacrifice of Jesus’ death and resurrection in the Eucharist. There are many readings from Scripture that could be used for Mass today. One of them is the ‘Sermon on the Mount’; it encourages us to live our faith through poverty of spirit, gentleness towards others, feeding the hungry, creating peace and suffering persecution, while acting on values which are right and good. When we live like this we will be satisfied, consoled, called children of God, shall see God and inherit a great reward in heaven. In the meantime, we can identify with and assist the destitute, the sad, the meek, those concerned for justice, the merciful, the faithful focused on God, those who shun violence and those who experience persecution. Who else would we add to the list to be congratulated for their Christian lifestyle, actions and compassion? Risen Jesus, grant eternal rest and peace to our dear departed loved ones. Amen.

14.01.2022 The 2020 NAIDOC theme 'Always Was, Always Will Be' recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. We invite all Australians to embrace and acknowledge the true history of this country - a history which dates back thousands of generations. As NAIDOC Week celebrations continue, the Bathurst Aboriginal Education Consultative Group have released this fantastic video featuring students from local schools. Students from severa...l local Catholic schools were proud to be apart of this special project. Please enjoy this beautiful story capturing the amazing young people of this area. https://www.youtube.com/watch

13.01.2022 We quickly discuss the plethora of Catholic news this week, including two new papers released in Australia, Pope Francis' Wednesday General Audience, and a "twi...tter storm" in response to Archbishop Fisher! We also speak to Patrick Cooper about Stewardship and faith, and Daniel Ang shares with us how to share faith.

12.01.2022 Our 20th episode, coinciding with 20 years since the Sydney Olympics: we discuss sport in the life of Christians. Lisa Bright joins us to discuss all that's been happening in Parramatta during COVID19. Also, Sr Elizabeth Young returns to explain how to structure prayer for small groups.

11.01.2022 The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Today's Reflection: A vision of hope by Fr Karl Sinclair, Assistant Priest, St Mary and St Joseph’s Parish, Orange and Sacred Heart and St Lawrence O’Toole Parish, Molong... When Premier Berejiklian this week declared that NSW was on a knife’s edge with COVID-19, my heart sank. I felt the glimmer of hope, for some of the things I was hoping to be able to do before the year is out, begin to fade. COVID-19 has made it very difficult for us all to imagine what life in the future will look like. Many people are unable to find work, as there are less and less jobs. The long-term effects of the disease are only starting to be known and in the short term, many are dying from COVID-19 in Australia and hundreds of thousands more around the world. One could easily fall into despair. Today we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, wherein at the end of her earthly life, she was taken up body and soul into heaven, so that she may be more fully conformed to Jesus, her son. Her Assumption is a singular participation in the Resurrection of Christ and through it she anticipates the resurrection of the body that God has in store for us. The Assumption of Mary reminds us that grace is ever present in our human experience. It is through Jesus becoming human that we are able to experience God’s grace, and there is no better witness to that grace than Our Mother Mary in her Assumption into Heaven. In her humanity, she was embraced wholeheartedly by God. Our current reality reminds us that we too, need God’s grace, and we too, need only look to God for our comfort. Loving Father, Through the Assumption of Mary, we see your grace at work in the midst of our human reality. Make us more aware of your loving care as we continue to grapple with the fallout of COVID-19 Amen. Subscribe to the Connect@home daily reflections here: https://bathurst.catholic.org.au/

11.01.2022 NAIDOC Week was rescheduled to 8-15 November this year and we encourage all Catholics to take the opportunity to reflect, acknowledge and engage with First Nations Catholics. Resources for NAIDOC Week can be found here: https://www.natsicc.org.au//november-booklet_final_web_red

10.01.2022 Get out for a great Weekend Retreat this October at Shalom in the beautiful Carcoar Valley - we have all new Covid-Safe Protocols. - https://mailchi.mp//get-out-for-a-great-weekend-retreat-th

08.01.2022 Spring is sprung as we enter the month of September - a month where we contemplate Creation. Olivia Lee joins us to discuss her role with the Plenary Council and Patrick Cooper is back to explain how to start a men's ministry.

05.01.2022 A beautiful fall of snow at St Vincent’s Catholic Church, Black Springs. Winter at its very best in the Oberon Parish.

05.01.2022 Stay Awake - Fr Owen Gibbons There is great practical wisdom in Jesus' words in today's Gospel; ever the master storyteller and teacher. To be ready and prepare...d for the expected and the unexpected. But how can we prepare for what we don't know will happen? One of the best pieces of advice I have ever been given was in my first year of seminary training. "As a priest, you have to be able to respond to the demands of the present moment". So often in life, our best-laid plans for that day can be scuttled. However, if our day is given to the Lord in prayer, then we can have a serenity in the chaos and the strength to respond, for God is with us at all times. Simple prayer grounds us to our loving God in Jesus. If we 'stay awake' in prayer, we will be ready for whatever comes. It may be a surprise to us but won't overcome us, for we are anchored in prayer to Jesus. That prayer could be the prayer of St Monica, whose memorial we celebrate today. She persevered in prayer for many many years for her wayward son Augustine, who eventually became Bishop of Hippo. It could be the thanksgiving prayer of St Paul in our first reading, "I never stop thanking God for all the graces you have received...". It could be a prayer of praise, as in our Responsorial Psalm, "I will praise your name forever, Lord". Whatever our prayer, however simple it may be, it will help prepare us to meet not only the Master when he returns but the expected and unexpected alike, each day. Lord, I know that nothing will come across my path today that you and I together cannot handle. Amen.