St Francis of Assisi is perhaps best known for his appreciation of nature and animals. He should, however, be recognised even more for his love of Jesus in the Eucharist, as that was one of the most important aspects of his spirituality and a major theme of his writings. Last Sunday the Church celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi, also known as The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. This Feast commemorates the immense gift of the Eucharist in our lives and the life of the Church. On Sunday, the Gospel talked about the kinds of hunger that people have, in addition to physical hunger. It described the hunger that a family nourishes (love, compassion, forgiveness, and so on). May we be renewed, strengthened and graced with the gifts which will assist us in building our communion with one another and as members of the Body of Christ.

In our last newsletter, we shared an announcement from Bishop Brian Mascord which stated for many years the parishioners of St Francis of Assisi Parish Warrawong and St Mary’s Parish Berkeley have benefitted from the presence and service of the Conventual Franciscan Friars.  The Provincial Delegate of the Friars, Fr David Blowey OFM Conv, has informed Bishop Brian that due to a decline in numbers, the Order is no longer able to provide Friars to pastorally care for the parishes of Berkeley and Warrawong.  Thus, on the weekend of 26-27 December 2020, the Friars will complete their pastoral ministry for the faith communities of St Francis of Assisi Warrawong and St Mary’s Berkeley.
On the Solemnity of Christ the King on 22 November 2020, a thanksgiving Mass will be celebrated to acknowledge the pastoral ministry of the Friars and to wish them well for the future. Please place this date on your calendar.

Following this announcement, Bishop Brian Mascord has appointed Fr Damien Ellis as the new Parish Priest of Warrawong and Berkeley from 1 January 2021. 
Fr Damien Ellis has previously served in the Parishes of Camden and Kiama and for the past ten years has served as a Military Chaplain, currently as Regional Support Chaplain in Townsville, Queensland.
We look forward to celebrating with the Friars at the end of the year and welcoming Fr Damien Ellis in January.