All the News.

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The next weekday Masses are

Tuesday 29th April at 5 PM,

Wednesday 30th April 9 AM

BENEDICTION: First Fridays 7:00 PM.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Coming Events​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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• Special Mass for Pope Francis

• Dear Lawson Community, 
  It is with profound regret we learnt of the passing of our beloved Pope Francis last weekend.
  To that end we will celebrate his life at a special Mass next Saturday 26th April at 11:00AM. There will also be a book of condolence for all to record their message of love for Pope Francis. 
  After some weeks, this book will be given to the Papal Nuncio in Canberra to forward to the Vatican.
  Blessings to all,
  Fr Paul.
   

• Fr Jessie Balorio will be joining us as our resident clergyman on 9th May, 2025.
   

• Catalyst for Renewal Programme for 2025 is here  
  The third catalyst for 2025 is on 17th May with Corrine Loxton, "Living the flow of grace
   

• Letter from Bishop Vincent Long re Blue Mountains parishes
  is here --------------------------------------------------------------->
   
• Safeguarding Face-to-face Training 
  If you would like to complete your 6 points online, ‘sign up’ NOW at: https://learning.safeguarding.org.au
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• Creative Mondays Dates 2025 started 10th February.
  2nd Monday of each month, in the Hall from 10.30 – 2.30. February 10, March 10, NOT in April, May 12, June 9.
  For more information please contact Sr Veronica vgriffith@goodsams.org.au or 0419 532303
   

• Taize Prayer and Song.You are warmly invited to Taize Prayer & Song at Leura Uniting Church, Grose Street, Leura.All are welcome at Taize Prayer & Song for prayer, singing and meditation.Taize Prayer & Song is held on the third Sunday of every month at 5pm.
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We are desperately looking for readers, commentators and ministers of the altar.

At Our Lady of the Nativity, we are sorely in need new Ministers at the Altar as we are down to three serving members. Ideally, we would like 6-8 people.

Mass times, as we know are Saturday 5:00 PM & Sunday 8:30 AM and will take around an hour. Complete training is available in our parish.

If you are interested, please call Richard on 0418 214 548 to discuss the role.
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The Sacrament of First Reconciliation for 2025

Baptised children who are in YEAR 3 OR ABOVE in 2025 will be invited to join the First Reconciliation  (First Confession) preparation program to be held in term 4 in 2025.

Detailed information is also available via the link Sacramental Preparation.

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Parish Morning Tea 1st Sunday of the month,

after the Sunday Mass, in the Santa Maria hall from 9.30 to 11am.

Ideally, TWO volunteers are required each month to take care of these parish get togethers. Volunteers would need to take care of the setting up in the hall of some tables, chairs, cups, tea/coffee etc. (supplied) all could be completed within half an hour prior to Mass commencing. Assistance would be given initially. As in the past, parishioners are happy to help with the clean up so that the hall is left in the same condition that it is found. At first, parishioners will be asked if they could bring a small plate to be shared. Biscuits would also be available. If anyone has any special dietary requirements, it is recommended that they bring their own food.

• If you are interested in participating in this parish ministry until June, please contact Paula Currie on 0416 185 651 (after 7pm preferred).

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Gaza Crisis Appeal Caritas Australia

Help provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the people affected by the conflict.

Donate via www.caritas.org.au/gaza

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Sponsoring Refugees Who Have Been Accepted For Immigration

Dear Parishioners.....the Blue Mountains Deanery Pastoral Council has been given the challenge to recruit anyone that feels called to serve on a team of 5 or more sponsoring a refugee family. This is a 12 month commitment with many challenging responsibilities which would assist the family to settle in Australia. Is this invitation something that sounds in harmony with the time and space you find yourself in?

Please consider. Then please give me an initial call (0405 916 326) with all the questions you may have to see if it sounds like something for you right now. Training is given to the team to take on this unique challenge.

Many thanks,  Len Blahut

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From the Bulletin.

Articles you may want to read published in the Bulletin.​​​​​​​
 

• Masks are strongly recommended   To quote the Diocese, "It's everyone's responsibility. Don't forget to wear your mask to Mass."
   

• Office Repair is continuing.
  Once we have the approved plans will be shared with the parish for comment.

 

• Supporting your Parish
  Thank you for your contributions to both the first and second collections, credit card using the Tap and Go machine or by EFT to the Parish bank account. The First Collection is used by the Diocese to pay all Diocesan Clergy so that they are all supported equally.The Second Collection is used to pay the costs of running our Parish. This collection now is 80% of the amount that was being collected before Covid 19 lockdowns. This means at that level (80%) the Parish is operating at a deficit. If that situation continues, we will not be able to continue long as a Parish.It is appreciated that some Parishioners are on fixed incomes (pensioners, young families, etc.) are giving all they can . However, we ask those that can afford to, increase their support of the Parish.The Parish needs to increase its weekly collections by about $400, which when split over the parishioners that can afford it is between $5 to $10 extra a week.Please consider increasing your contributions to support the Parish so we can remove the deficit. 

Donations can be made to Our Lady of Nativity Parish Lawson via direct deposit to the bank account below. 

Account name:    Lawson Our Lady of the Nativity BSB:    067-950 Account Number:   00000164

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• Lawson Vinnies  are looking for more volunteers
  Lawson Vinnies is very active in our Community, and we are looking for more volun- teers to assist the needy in the Mid Mountains.
  If you are considering a transition to retirement in the coming year or two or just have a bit of spare time once a month or so, could you please contact Paul Gannon on 0409592055 to discuss (I’ll shout the coffee). Thanks, in anticipation on behalf of the Lawson Vinnies Team.
  President and Justice of the Peace
  St Vincent de Paul Society - Lawson Conference
  M: 0409 592 055 LOLN.Conference@Vinnies.org.au

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• Bishop’s Good Samaritan Appeal for Catholic Care’s Project Elizabeth
  Will you strengthen the dignity of struggling mums?
  Your compassionate generosity and prayers will provide struggling mums with the practical and emotional support they need to overcome adversity and build a bet- ter future for themselves and their families. Please give generously to the Bishop’s Good Samaritan Appeal at parracatholic.org/appeal . Thank you.
   

• NEW Diocesan website launched

  The new parracatholic.org website is now here with exciting new features and functionality including a comprehensive ‘Find a Mass’ function which includes Daily and Weekend Masses, Reconciliation and Adoration times; a centralised event calendar; Daily Mass readings and different ways you can contribute to the Church in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains. Check it out today!
   

• Free English and Citizenship Classes.

  Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains are offering English and Citizenship classes at Mamre House, 181 Mamre Rd, Orchard Hills, on a Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am to 2pm during school terms. Free childcare is available. If you are interested in enrolling, please contact Mamre Crèche on (02) 8843 2506 or Nepean Community College (02) 4724 9000.
   

• Bishop’s Good Samaritan Appeal for Aboriginal Catholic Care at Emerton.

  Will you be the face of Christ for our First Nations people in need? Your compassionate generosity and prayers will support a welcoming place where Aboriginal people can express their identity, share their culture and knowledge within our community, access practical support and development opportunities, and make so- cial connections. Please give generously to the Bishop’s Good Samaritan Appeal at yourcatholicfoundation.org.au/appeal
   

• Soul Food Podcast – Pastoral Formation.

  Do you find life & faith inspiration by listening to the experiences of others?

  Pastoral Formation’s Soul Food Podcast features life & faith stories of people from our diocesan family. Listen now, FREE via our website https://pfparra.org.au/soulfood/
   

• Refugee and Migrant Support. 

  One support is through the "Work and Welcome" program, which is a project of St Francis Social Services and the House of Welcome.

  Work & Welcome assists people seeking asylum and refugees to be job ready by providing empowering work experience and employment opportunities in supportive host organisations. By creating structured, short term, paid job placements,

  It also works through the generosity of the staff, themselves, who pledge a regular  amount from their own pay towards sponsoring "Work and Welcome" in their own workplaces.
   

• Bishop’s Good Samaritan Appeal raising funds for Catholic Care’s Community Drop-In Centres’

  Catholic Care is working hard to reach our neighbours in need and to reduce social isolation and loneliness throughout our community. Will you be a Good Samaritan and help Catholic Care reach our

  vulnerable neighbours, so they have safe, welcoming places to connect with others and access support? Please give generously to the Bishop’s Good Samaritan Appeal at yourcatholicfoundation.org.au/appeal. Thank you for your heartfelt prayers and support
  
   

•   Tonga in Afghanistan and Lebanon and Caritas Australia responds to humanitarian crises

  Visit www.caritas.org.au/donate/emergency-appeals/ or call 1800 024 413 toll free to make your donation.
   

Are You Interested in Learning about the Catholic Way of Life?

If you are interested, you are welcome to join a group of diverse interests and ages  who meet each week for an hour to discuss some aspect of Catholic life on Fridays at 4pm. 
Please call Len Blahut on 0405 916 326 to enquire and find out more about what’s happening​
 

Parramatta Diocesan Synod​

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Pastoral Plan from Synod

Through a combination of prayer, analysis and discernment, six key themes were identified and presented in the Working Document: “Becoming a more synodal Church in the Diocese of Parramatta”

See details here --------------------------------------------------------------->
 

Consider your chocolate your cotton AND Slavery

Challenging Slavery
       by harrison.pocknee@catholic.org.au
Each Easter, millions of Australians will enjoy a chocolate egg or bilby, but few consider the dark reality of exploitation that lurks within its supply chains. The chocolate industry has long been tainted by reports of forced labor and slavery, particularly in West African countries such as Ghana and Ivory Coast, which produce most of the world’s cocoa.
The International Labor Organization says that an estimated 1.56 million children are involved in hazardous work in cocoa production in West Africa, with many forced to work long hours, use dangerous equipment, and endure physical and emotional abuse.
“Every person ought to have the awareness that purchasing is always a moral – and not simply an economic – act.” ( Pope Francis)

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How can we support homeless people?

“To end homelessness we need a plan”.

Find out more at homelessnessaustralia.org.au and show your solidarity in ending homelessness, e.g., by attending or supporting Vinnies’ Community Sleepout supporting the Everybody’s Home campaign and signing their current petition for more social housing attending the National Homelessness Conference (8 –10 Aug in Canberra or online)

Vinnies also has some helpful information on homelessness in Australia on their website under

Our Impact

Sebastian Salaske-Lentern Diocesan Peace Justice and Ecology Co-ordinator.

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Radical Inclusivity

On the  30th July there was  Diocesan Meeting which included all the Deanery Pastoral Councils, the Diocese's  Mission Enhancement Team, the Diocesan Pastoral Council and Bishop Vincent Long who was the keynote speaker. A highlight of the day came towards the end when  the Diocesan Pastoral Council launched the  Council's Radical Inclusivity Statement.  This document, subtitled "Living the Call of the Gospel',' is firmly based on Pope Francis' exhortations to welcome our marginalised brothers and sisters into our Catholic Church community. 

We are all  called  both within the  diocese and  in our local church communities to find ways  of welcome  and inclusion for everyone, including those who are alienated from our church family, such as those brothers and sisters  in  the LGBTQI+ community or those who have been divorced and remarried.

Please see the attached Radical Inclusivity Document here ------->

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Blue Mountains Catholics take Action (previously Gathering of Talents) update is here

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​Our Parish's Over 50s Group

OLN PARISH SENIORS' GROUP's next outing is being held on Wednesday, 20th November, when we will be enjoying a lunch/cruise up the Nepean Gorge on the Nepean Belle. This will be our last coming together as a group for this year.

Our first meeting in 2025 will be  held on Wednesday, 29th January, 2025 in the Santa Maria Hall.​

If you would like to know a little more about our active group, please contact Paula Currie on 0416 185 651. Also see here for details

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Catholic Mission page is updated here

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Deanery News is HERE

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Masses online

Apart from the Mass at OLN published on this website each week, many parishes around the Diocese are celebrating Masses online. For more information, please visit the Diocesan website www.parracatholic.org/covid19.

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The Parramatta Way of safeguarding is to ...

act with justice, and state that we have a zero tolerance for any form of abuse or harm to children or any person.     Act with justice and ensure that laws and obligations are upheld, and safety is paramount.

A poster detailing the rest of the Parramatta Way is here.  

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Refugee Support details are here

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Diocesan “Laudato Si’ Action Campaign” 

On Friday 22 April, the annual Earth Day, the Diocese of Parramatta responded to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor by launching a Diocesan “Laudato Si’ Action Campaign”. Via a video message, Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv will invite all Catholic parishes, schools, families, and organisations across the Diocese to participate. Please visit parracatholic.org/laudatosi from 22 April to download the launch video and for further information.  Also see the Video here, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3YkNMuj7_0  Please also see the Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor document--->

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Please note most of the news is in the Bulletin available by clicking on the Bulletin link here

 

Older, Current News

Blue Mountains Deanery Council April Communique  here
 

Bishop Vincent’s pastoral letter on the proposed Parental Rights Bill.

Bishop Vincent has released a pastoral letter to the pastors, parents and the faithful of the Diocese of Parramatta on the proposed Parental Rights Bill. The letter can be read here 

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Bishop's Good Shepherd Appeal

Please support our seminarians to answer God’s call to the Priesthood.

At our Holy Spirit Seminary, Harris Park, young men are training to become future priests for the Diocese of Parramatta. Your caring gift and prayers are needed to support our seminarians to prepare for a life of service to our community. Please give generously via the Bishop’s Good Shepherd Appeal giving envelopes or online

at yourcatholicfoundation.org.au/appeal. Thank you for your kind accompaniment.

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.Pope Francis attended the Climate Conference COP28
Pope Francis has asked to sign a petition to the president of the Climate Conference. There are 7 parts to the petition.

The first 3 requests are :

He is very concerned about the state of the planet suffering from climate change.

1. Accelerate the Transition to Clean Energy and Make It Just.

2. Commit to Concrete and Binding Agreements.

3. Develop and implement a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
 

The Plight of the Afghan Refugees.

Last August Bishop Vincent urged us all to support the Afghanis in whatever way we can including asking government for an increase in our Afghani refugee intake."Catholic and other faith-based groups are joining with refugee advocates in calling on the Australian Government to respond humanely to the crisis unfolding in Afghanistan as the Taliban seizes power." Catholic Outlook magazine pub Parramatta Diocese.However, the government still needs to take significant action.

Afghani Crisis Fact Sheet is here -------------->