Family Mass
All families are warmly invited to attend our Family Mass on Saturday 17 August at 5pm. Refreshments will be available after Mass in the parish hall. Please RSVP using this link: Family Mass, the QR code or phone 4332 2216 for catering purposes.
Fr Hill's 60th Anniversary of Ordination
Last Sunday we celebrated Fr Hill’s gift of 60 Years of Priesthood, with Mass and morning tea. Congratulations again Fr Hill!
KidsClub
Next date - 27 July! KidsClub is a parish social group for 5-12 year olds who want to make new friends, have fun, and learn more about Jesus! Games, craft, activities and snacks provided. Siblings also welcome. Parents may stay or drop off and pick up. Parents of under 5 year olds must stay with child. We meet at 3-4:45pm in the Reynolds Room. You are most welcome to join us at 5pm Mass afterwards. No RSVP required - just turn up! Enquiries to 4332 2216.
Diaconate Ordination for Rosan Mathew
We are happy to let you know that Bishop Anthony Randazzo has announced that he intends to Ordain our seminarian, Rosan Mathew, to the Diaconate here at OLR on Saturday 21 September at the 5pm Vigil Mass.
This is a great honour for the parish as we have never had an Ordination here in the 77 years of the parish history. Please keep Rosan, who has just returned from holidays in India, in your prayers as we prepare for this important event for him and our parish community.
Fr Brian
Vinnies Thanks OLR School Children
A big thank you to the children from OLR School who contributed hampers and gift cards to the Vinnies Winter Appeal. Well done all!
NAIDOC Week 7-14 July
National NAIDOC Week is a time when all Australians can come together to celebrate and recognise the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. You can support and get to know your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across Australia. Go to: naidoc.org.au
Please enjoy the beautiful artworks on display in the Church, produced by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at OLR Primary School.
PECs - Working with Parents & Parishes
On Friday, 28 June 9 Parent Engagement Coordinators (PECs) from 11 out of 14 Central Coast Broken Bay Catholic Schools gathered for a lunch meeting with Jo Spek from Catholic Schools Broken Bay at our parish hall. The schools represented were: Naomi Hepplewhite (St Brigid’s), Victoria Price (St Brendan’s & St Mary’s), Kate Benton (St John Fisher), Joanne Helm (St Peter’s & St Cecilia’s), Jo Spek (Catholic Schools Broken Bay), Lucy Marien (Mary MacKillop), Colleen Smith (Our Lady of the Rosary), Lauren Malek (Our Lady Star of the Sea), Nichola Dunn (St John the Baptist), and Maria Nardi (St Joseph’s). The meeting was very productive and enjoyable, with plenty of idea-sharing and collaboration. It was a great way to wrap up Term 2 and prepare for Term 3.
New Audio Visual System
We are very pleased to have our new TV screens up and running after the old projector failed. The screens may not be visible from everywhere in the Church, so please move to where your can see them clearly. We have plenty of room in pews with good views. This was the best positioning possible for the screens to be located.
New OLR School Building
You may have noticed much building activity at Our Lady of the Rosary School. We have been blessed with the construction of a new 15 classroom building with lots of shared spaces and a fabulous undercover area. This is a long-awaited, and very much needed, project. When the building is complete, we will also finally see the portable classrooms removed and a much larger oval.
We can’t wait until it is finished and look forward to inviting our Parish family to see the new building.
Congratulations First Eucharist Candidates!
Last weekend two groups of children received their First Eucharist. The children were beautiful and very excited for this special day in their lives. We have loved having so many young families in the Church on these occasions. Congratulations to all and thank you to Colleen and the OLR Teachers for their preparation of the children, and the parents and families for their support and participation in the programme! We look forward to seeing you all again in the near future.
Safe Places for Faith Communities Grant
Our security fencing is now complete thanks to the grant we received under the Multicultural NSW Safe Places for Faith Communities Programme. We are very grateful to Multicultural NSW and Steve Kamper MP for this grant, which contributes to the safety and wellbeing of our parish community. If you would like to show your appreciation: safeplacesgrants@multicultural.nsw.gov.au
First Friday Cuppa
Our First Friday Cuppa is on again next Friday after the Anointing Mass. Come along to the Parish Centre for tea, coffee, biscuits and nibbles (provided). BYO sandwich or lunch if you prefer. Relax for a while in great company instead of rushing off home! Everyone welcome! Enq: 4332 2216.
New Hand Rail
We have recently installed a new hand rail on the steps of the Sanctuary leading to and from the Lectern. This addition is to provide safety for Readers and Ministers. Please make good use of it.
Parish Celebrations
Last weekend we had much celebrating with a Family Mass at the Saturday Vigil, First Eucharist Candidates being presented, and new Altar Servers who have completed their training, followed by supper. And on Sunday Family Groups celebrated their 30th Anniversary in our parish followed by Morning Tea. Congratulations to all!
Our Family Groups Celebrate 30 Years!
This weekend, join our Combined Family Groups for morning tea in the Parish Hall after 9:30am Mass, to help them celebrate their 30th Anniversary in our parish. Congratulations to our Family Groups, ‘Pelican Blue’, ‘Simply the Best’ and ‘Ambrosian’ and all their members.
What is a Family Group? A family group is for all who wish to belong, whether they are young or old, church-going or not, married, single, widowed, separated or divorced. There is acceptance for everyone, and everyone is welcome to join. The family group's aim is to get to know each other and support one another through good times and bad, sharing each other’s joys and sorrows.
Family groups are usually made up of 10-15 families including all ages, just like an extended family. They have activities which are varied and organised by the members of the group… picnics, BBQ’s, special celebrations and weekends away.
The Passionist Family Group Movement was established in 1972 by Fr Peter McGrath cp at St Anthony in the Fields Catholic Church, Terry Hills in the northern suburbs of Sydney. From humble beginnings, the movement has now spread to New Zealand, USA, UK and Ireland.
If you would like to know more about our family groups please contact our Coordinators, Anne and Des Little, on 4334 1642, or for more information about the Passionist Movement go to https://www.pfgm.org/
Children's Liturgy of the Word
Jesus said "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them." Matthew 19:14
Are you looking for a chance to make a real difference in the lives of children while spreading the Gospel message? Then we have some fantastic news for you! Starting in term 3, we're thrilled to announce that we'll be hosting Children's Liturgy of the Word at the 5pm Vigil Mass. But we can't do it alone - we need your help! We're on the hunt for enthusiastic volunteers to lead and assist the children, who range from 4-12 years old, in learning about faith. Ideally, we would like at least 8 people to go on a 4-week roster basis (team of 2 each week) and don't worry, all materials will be provided and training will be given. Plus, you'll get to work with some of the most amazing kids around! So what are you waiting for? If you're interested in this exciting opportunity, please speak with Fr Brian or email Colleen Smith (Pastoral Associate) at colleen.smith@bbcatholic.org.au. Remember, volunteers will need to comply with the Working With Children Check (WWCC) requirements. Let's make a difference together!
Presentation of New Altar Servers
This weekend our new Altar Servers will be presented to the parish as they complete their service training. Rosan has been working with the children for the past 6 weeks, instructing them in all areas of assisting at Mass. We congratulate the children and appreciate their presence at the Masses. A big thank you also to the families who support them on their journey of faith.
Our Local Heroes
This Anzac Day was celebrated with some of our local heroes attending the 9am Mass. Pictured here are Michael Rhodes, Richard Drover, Fr Brian Moloney, Vince O’Sullivan, Alan Fletcher and Peter Drinan.
OLR School Staff Spirituality Day
On the last day of Term 1, which was Friday 12 April, we hosted the staff from Our Lady of the Rosary Parish School, Shelly Beach. The staff had organised their spirituality day here, where Fr. Brian spoke about our history and took them on a guided tour of the church and facilities. Those present at Friday Mass witnessed Fr Brian bless the staff, who found the day enjoyable and beneficial, as they got to spend time in the parish and work with Fr. Brian to prepare school Masses for the children. Please continue to pray for our teachers and staff as they educate our children and guide them to know the love of Jesus.
Central Coast Atrium
The newly opened Central Coast Atrium is running Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for 3-6-year-olds. The aim is to help the child nurture their own personal relationship with God. Sessions run Saturdays 9-10:30am, in the new Atrium (behind the CCD Office).
For information or to join our waitlist contact centralcoastatrium@gmail.com or call Ashleigh on 0466 255 033.
Family Groups Morning Tea
One of our Family Groups hosts the Morning Tea each month, on the second Sunday after 9:30am Mass. The Morning Tea is for all parishioners and friends and is held in the Parish Centre. It is a lovely time to catch up with or meet new parishioners. Group members are asked to bring a plate and leave it in the centre prior to Mass.
Men's Social Group
The Men’s Social Group has expanded to include wives and friends. They have a lovely lunch and a chat at one of the local venues like this one at Shelly Beach Golf Club. Everyone is welcome to come along on the third Wednesdays of the month at 12 noon. (Watch this space for venue details.) Just turn up or for more information call Lui 4388 9510.