Ascension of the Lord- Sunday 24 May

The message of the Ascension is a powerful one. It reminds us that Jesus, the human incarnation of God on earth, was limited to a specific time and place in history. Despite the physical limitations of his life on earth, Jesus ensured that his message and ministry would continue through those he had taught. Knowing that the disciples would need time to grieve and come to terms with all that had occurred in a relatively short space of time, Jesus promised that the Spirit would come upon them in the days to come. That visiting of the Spirit upon the disciples at Pentecost was the motivation to set about doing what Jesus had charged them to do. Without the Ascension, there is no Pentecost. Reflect on these questions:  How do I seek to ‘spread the good news’ to others? What are some of my actions of being a witness that might speak louder than words?

Pentecost- Sunday 31 May

Pentecost is called the birthday of the church because before Pentecost, there really was no church. Jesus had ascended back into the heavens, the Apostles were hanging around, scared and confused, and nobody knew what to do. Going out to baptise people and preach about Jesus was the last thing they had in mind because their lives would be in danger.

But Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit – the force that turned a bunch of frightened, mixed-up folks into church. There was a rush of wind, tongues of fire, and then suddenly there was courage, knowledge, direction and commitment! Everyone started speaking and was understood, no matter what the language of the listener was! These were saints suddenly on fire with the Holy Spirit. And it all began with the wind and fire of the Spirit. Reflect on these questions: What changes in you do you wish the Spirit could blow your way? How can you cooperate with the Spirit? In what ways do you need more courage, knowledge, direction or commitment? What else might you need?

Reflection for Young People – by Lisa-Marie Calderone-Stewart

Sunday Mass

In these restrictive times, we can still attend our regular Mass. The Parish Mass (with Fr Patrick inside St Joseph’s parish church) will be uploaded to the website at 5pm each Saturday. Gather the family and go to www.saintjosephsbulli.com and set your own time to view the weekend Mass. The Mass will stay on the website for the whole week.

Don’t forget Sunday Masses with Bishop Brian and priests from around the diocese are available online at dow.org.au or diocese’s Facebook page.

Laudato Si’ Week

Laudato Si' Week is officially from 16 - 24 May.

It is five years since Pope Francis released his ground-breaking environmental encyclical, Laudato Si' On Care For Our Common Home.

To mark this milestone, Catholics world-wide are engaging in ecological celebrations and sustainability actions that demonstrate a commitment to making our world a better place.

Our Wollongong Diocese covers all things environmental in its website “Environment Matters” found at https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/catholic-education/wen/news/

There are many great articles about what schools in our diocese are doing related to improving the environment through sustainable practices. Take a look!

Another worthwhile site is https://laudatosiweek.org/. Here you will read some interesting information from around the world with a special message from Pope Francis for 2020.

National Sorry Day/Reconciliation Week

National Sorry Day 2020 falls this year on Tuesday 26 May and is a day when we pause to remember the Stolen Generations of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  

It leads us into the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation and National Reconciliation Week which is held each year between 27 May and 3 June.   

The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2020 is In This Together.  

Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

For the Catholic Church in Australia, this week offers us a time to be fully the Church that Jesus wants us to be - a Church in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make their own unique contribution and that contribution is joyfully received by others. 

For more information and resources go to:

1. Reconciliation Australia websites https://www.reconciliation.org.au/national-reconciliation-week/and https://nrw.reconciliation.org.au/
2. Australians Togetherwebsite https://australianstogether.org.au/resources/nrw/
3. Common Gracewebsite https://www.commongrace.org.au/reconciliation_week_2020

May Reconciliation Week be an occasion where our school communities consider our nation's history, acknowledge past hurts and move forward creating welcoming hearts and spaces for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

Religious Literacy Assessment Year 4

The Diocesan Year 4 Religious Literacy Assessment, which was to be held on 17 August,  has been cancelled for 2020.

This decision has been made in light of the uncertainty regarding education provision as a result of COVID-19 and mirrors the decision taken earlier this year to cancel the 2020 NAPLAN testing regime.

It is anticipated that the RLA will continue in its current format in 2021.

Sacramental Programs for St Columbkille’s

Earlier this year we scheduled and sent out enrolment forms for the Sacraments of Confirmation, Reconciliation and Holy Communion. 

Unfortunately, due to the current circumstances, the directives from the Government and Diocese of Wollongong have meant that these have been postponed until restrictions have been lifted.

If you have filled out the enrolment forms, please send them into the parish office either by mail or email. That way we can create a data base, so as to contact parents and carers as soon as we are advised to go ahead with the Sacramental preparation classes and new dates are set. Parish details are:

St Joseph’s Church Bulli: PO Box 304, Woonona. NSW. 2517 or email bulli@dow.org.au

Catholic Youth Ministry Wollongong Live Online!

This is a creative, powerful show about faith in the life of young people. It is a new initiative featuring talks, worship music, fun games, guest speakers and testimonies. This is a great way for young people to not only build on their faith but also build friendships. To be involved simply follow the “CYMW” Facebook page or Instagram at “wollongongnetteam”.

Joanne Herring - Religious Education Coordinator