In response to a request from the Multicultural Communities Council of the Illawarra, there is now located on the Cathedral Precinct a garden that is being farmed by recently arrived Afghani refugees.
There are a number of ethnic communities which continue to enrich church life in the Pastoral Region. The Italian Community celebrates Sunday Mass at FairyMeadow at 10am, the Vietnamese at FairyMeadow at 4pm, the Spanish-speakers at Gwynneville at 11.30am, the Dutch every six weeks at Gwynneville at 1pm. There is a significant presence of Polish, Tongan, and Philipino people in our parishes. A stained glass window honouring Catholics “who have come from across the seas to share our boundless plains” is located at the southern side entrance of the Cathedral.
The Verbum Dei Sisters conduct the chaplaincy in the University. Two Sisters live in the Cathedral Precinct. During semester time there is a weekly University Wednesday Mass.
Under the leadership of our Pastoral Associate, a vibrant team of Catechists bring the word of God’s love to the Catholic children in our local government primary schools:
- Keiraville Primary School
- Gwynneville Primary School
- Pleasant Heights Primary School
- Balgownie Primary School
- Fairy Meadow Demonstration School
- Towradgi Primary School
- Coniston Primary School
- Mt St Thomas Primary School
- Wollongong Primary School
- Para Meadows Special School, North Wollongong
How do we ensure that the Word and the Sacraments will continue to be brought to the children in these schools?
