Parish Directory
CaFE
CaFE Unanderra
(Catholic Faith Exploration)
What CaFE has done for us.
The parish of Unanderra has now experienced three modules of CaFE (Catholic Faith Exploration). Each module has been rewarding for those who attended. Late in 2003 we experienced the first module of CaFE over seven weeks. For the second module in 2004, we had four weeks in March and four weeks in May. In 2005 there were seven sessions held in October, November and December. The last gathering was on the parish’s feast day of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, so it provided a suitable occasion to celebrate with Mass, followed by a parish dinner and the final session of CaFE.
It is sometimes observed that Australian Catholics are not very good at sharing the faith. At least some of those barriers appear to have broken down because of the appealing atmosphere of our cafe-like meetings. But of greater significance has been the excellent content of the talks, given by a variety of presenters. There have been challenges given to us as well! It is very easy to lament the state of the world today, but it requires effort to do something positive to address these issues.
The essential purpose of CaFE is to help us to grow in our faith; both in terms of what we know, and also in what we do.
Fr Mark O'Keefe
10 January 2006
CaFE Photos - 2005
CaFE Photos - 2004
Confirmation - 2014
The minimum age for the reception of this sacrament is a child in Year Six, who has already been presented for the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion.
| Collection of enrolment forms – phase one and phase two | The enrolments for Confirmation will be in two phases this year. The collection of the first phase enrolment forms is at Mass on either 16th or 23rd February and it involves a requirement for the attendance at Mass on every Sunday. Once this is completed, the second phase of enrolment forms can be collected at any of the Sunday Masses on 30th March or 6th April |
|---|---|
| Return of enrolment forms – phase two | Will take place in the St. Joseph’s Room (behind the church), on Tuesdays, 1st or 8th April at 3.15pm or 5.15pm. The child’s baptism certificate will need to be presented (this will be returned) and $20 to cover the costs of the programme |
| Leaders meeting | Sunday, 4th May at 6.15pm |
| The Parents’ Information Night | Will be held in the church on Thursday, 8th May at 7.30pm. |
| Commitment Sunday | Sunday 11th May (at the 9am and 5pm Masses only) |
| Lessons commence | The week commencing 12th May. Most of the lessons will be held in the St. Joseph’s Room. |
| Retreat Day | Monday 16th June |
| Confirmation practice | Monday, 23rd June at 3.30pm The practice will be in the church and will be followed by confessions. Additional confession times will be advised. |
| Confirmation Masses |
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Special notes for all sacraments
- The baptism certificates that will need to be presented when the enrolment forms are returned should be obtained beforehand and not requested when returning the forms.
- People from other parishes, such as Berkeley or Dapto, should normally enrol for the sacraments in their own parishes.
- The details on this form are as accurate as they can be at this time. Some adjustments may occur during the year.
- More complete details will be provided with the enrolment forms for each sacrament.
Confirmation Photos
2014
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
Contact Details
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| Phone Number: | (02) 4271 1068 |
|---|---|
| Fax Number: | (02) 4271 1298 |
| Postal Address: |
The Presbytery PO Box 14 Unanderra NSW 2526 |
| Physical Address: |
The Presbytery 48-50 Princes Highway Unanderra NSW 2526 |
| Office Hours: |
Mon: 8:30am-3:30pm |
| Name | Position | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fr Duane Fernandez | Parish Priest | 0414 626 357 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Fr Jerzy Slowinski | Polish Chaplain | 0410 225 975 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Sr Kerry Gardiner | Parish Assistant | 0421 463 871 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Mrs Melissa Bridges | Parish Secretary | 4271 1068 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Mrs Pauline Chrostowski | School Principal | 4271 3550 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
COVID-19
Latest update (Wednesday 20th October, 2021)
Dear Parishioners,
As mentioned in my communication on Sunday, we begin public Masses this weekend, 23-24 October, with 6pm Saturday Vigil and 8am Sunday Mass at Unanderra, and 10am and 5pm Sunday Masses at West Wollongong, followed by usual weekday and weekend Mass timetable.
Having met with Immaculate Conception and St Therese (ICAST) PPCs last night, we have decided upon the following:
PUBLIC HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
As per the Diocesan Directives:
- Vaccination is encouraged but not mandatory
- Masks must be worn inside the church
- 4 square metre rule applies at this time
- No congregational singing at this time
- Strong hygiene practices will be maintained
- QR Registration
REGISTRATION PROCESS
There will be no pre-registration for Masses. That process was demanding in terms of admin hours, and we will need to ensure ready availability of digitized records at short notice to the government in case of a Covid case. All attending Mass will be asked to use the Service NSW QR Code at first, and if unable to do so, the monitors will sign you in using a parish QR code.
4 SQUARE METRE CAPACITY LIMIT
Given that there will be no pre-registration, and the 4 square metre capacity, there is a chance that we will reach capacity at Sunday Masses. Based on average Mass counts this will be most likely at the Sunday Morning Masses. We ask your understanding if this occurs as monitors are legally bound to maintain 4 square metre rule (86 at WW, 96 at Unanderra)
7PM SUNDAY MASS DURING OCTOBER-NOVEMBER (STAGE 2)
During stage 2 only, starting this weekend, I will celebrate an additional 7pm Mass at St Therese on Sundays. Many are unable to attend such a late Sunday Mass. If you yourself are able to attend, please consider doing so to free up spaces at the 4 standard Sunday Masses. Only if attending this Mass please email Melissa at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
IF YOU ARE RELUCTANT TO ATTEND PUBLIC MASSES AT THIS TIME
We understand that some are concerned about attending public Mass during stage 2 as churches are among the only venues allowing "mixing" of vaccinated and unvaccinated. If you are concerned for this reason, please do not hesitate to contact us, and we will do our best to organize Communion to be brought to you at home. (All ministers attending your home will be double vaccinated.)
RECONCILIATION
Normal times for Reconciliation to resume from 5pm Saturday 23rd October, please refer to the weekly bulletin this Friday for the details. In addition, Fr Jerzy will be offering Reconciliation from Monday 25th October until Saturday 30th October after Mass as needed.
BAPTISMS
We are in the process of rescheduling baptisms that were postponed during lockdown. For any new requests please contact Melissa at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
God bless you all,
Fr Duane
First Holy Communion - 2014
The minimum age for the reception of this sacrament is a child in Year Three who has already been presented for the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation)
| Collection of enrolment forms | The enrolment forms can be collected at any of the Sunday Masses on 29th June or 6th or 13th July |
|---|---|
| Return of the enrolment forms |
Will take place in the St. Joseph’s Room (behind the church) on
|
| Leaders meeting | Sunday, 20th July at 6.15pm |
| Parents’ Information Night | Will take place in the church on Thursday, 24th July at 7.30pm |
| Commitment Sunday | Sunday 27th July (at the 9am and 5pm Masses only) |
| Lessons commence | The week commencing 28th July |
| Retreat Day | Monday 8th September |
| Practice for Holy Communion |
|
| First Holy Communion Masses |
|
Special notes for all sacraments
- The baptism certificates that will need to be presented when the enrolment forms are returned should be obtained beforehand and not requested when returning the forms.
- People from other parishes, such as Berkeley or Dapto, should normally enrol for the sacraments in their own parishes.
- The details on this form are as accurate as they can be at this time. Some adjustments may occur during the year.
- More complete details will be provided with the enrolment forms for each sacrament.
Photographs from First Holy Communion 2013
Photographs from First Holy Communion 2012
Photographs from First Holy Communion 2011
History
Immaculate Conception Church at Unanderra in 1954
A Brief History of our Parish
In 1838 the Wollongong parish was established, with Fr John Rigney appointed to lead the parish which originally extended to Moruya.
In 1840 a Catholic school was established at Charcoal Creek (former name for Unanderra) under J Stapleton. It was also used at times as a Mass centre and remained in use as a school until 1881.
St Clement’s Church at Mount Kembla was opened for use on 7 January 1894 and remained in use until December 1976, with a final Mass on 22 March 1981.
During the 1940s Mass was celebrated in private homes in Unanderra and later in the shire hall, now the community hall.
When a second priest arrived in Port Kembla in March 1940, the districts of Unanderra and Mount Kembla were transferred from Wollongong Parish to Port Kembla. Some years later they were again taken over by Wollongong.
The first Bishop of Wollongong, Bishop Thomas McCabe, arrived on 24 February 1952.
The Parish of Unanderra was established on 16 November 1952. The first parish priest was Fr Tarcisius Prevedello who was assisted by Brother John Setti. They belonged to the Scalabrinian Missionaries, which at that time was known as the Pious Society of Saint Charles.
On 21 November 1954 the beautiful Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception was blessed and opened by Bishop McCabe. The architects were Hirst & Kennedy of Wollongong. The Scalabrinian Order provided £15,000 for the building of the church.
On 2 February 1960 St Pius X School was opened. The Good Samaritan Sisters provided the principal until 1975 and the Sisters of St Joseph provided the principal from 1975 to 1980.
26 June 1977 marked the end of the Scalabrinian Period in the parish with the departure of Fr Victor Basso. Fr Leo Stevens appointed first diocesan priest on 1 July 1977. Fr Graham Schmitzer became parish priest on the 2 November 1990. Fr Eugene Weber, Fr Richard Hazlitt, Fr Peter Comensoli and Fr Joe Gillis assisted in the parish during the time of Fr Schmitzer. Fr Mark O'Keefe became parish priest on 13 June 1997.
The parish church was solemnly dedicated by Bishop William Murray on 14 November 1992, and on 25 March 1993 was declared the diocesan shrine to Our Lady.
On 21 December 1997 extensions to the church, including two new confessionals and the portico, were blessed by Bishop Philip Wilson.
The parish observed its golden jubilee of establishment in November and December 2002.
The 50th anniversary of the opening of Immaculate Conception Church was observed on 21 November 2004 with Bishop Peter Ingham leading a celebration of Mass with Solemn Evening Prayer, followed by a parish dinner in St Pius X school hall in Unanderra.
Gallery
Statistics
| Parish Statistics since 1997 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Baptisms | 1st Holy Comm | Confirmations | Marriages | Funerals |
| 1997 | 64 | 70 | 82 | 20 | 19 |
| 1998 | 67 | 87 | 69 | 28 | 26 |
| 1999 | 63 | 71 | 70 | 21 | 15 |
| 2000 | 69 | 60 | 55 | 21 | 12 |
| 2001 | 52 | 77 | 64 | 14 | 27 |
| 2002 | 73 | 48 | 72 | 14 | 23 |
| 2003 | 55 | 58 | 55 | 12 | 19 |
| 2004 | 39 | 52 | 60 | 8 | 20 |
| 2005 | 49 | 63 | 56 | 5 | 11 |
| 2006 | 48 | 71 | 50 | 10 | 16 |
| 2007 | 48 | 46 | 59 | 8 | 24 |
| 2008 | 35 | 60 | 47 | 9 | 22 |
| 2009 | 37 | 36 | 53 | 11 | 21 |
| 2010 | 38 | 46 | 44 | 6 | 26 |
| 2011 | 31 | 46 | 46 | 8 | 18 |
| 2012 | 29 | 44 | 45 | 10 | 21 |
| 2013 | 18 | 45 | 37 | 4 | 27 |
| 2014 | 20 | 26 | 46 | 7 | 23 |
| 2015 | 30 | 37 | 7 | 19 | |
| 2016 | 26 | 48 | 8 | 18 | |
| 2017 | 33 | 32 | 6 | 28 | |
| 2018 | 24 | 50 | 4 | 20 | |
| 2019 | 17 | 42 | 25 | 13 | 17 |
Home
A Prayer for the People of Ukraine
Gracious God, we pray for the people of Ukraine suffering from war.
May they be held in your loving care and protection and given the strength to endure their suffering and hardship.
Transform the hearts and minds of those who perpetuate the violence and oppression.
Grant wisdom to world leaders in advancing efforts toward peace; may they not be compromised by self-interest and blind indifference.
We ask all this through the intercession of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and in the name of your Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
The Immaculate Conception Church at Unanderra was opened in 1954,
solemnly dedicated in 1992, and became the diocesan shrine
to the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1993.
Fr Duane Fernandez is the Parish Priest.
Unanderra Parish is now on social media:
Connect with us on Facebook and YouTube for up-to-date information and weekly Mass live streams.
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Prayer of the Parish of Unanderra
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,
with the heavenly protection of Mary,
conceived without sin, may my life this day
be guided away from all that would harm me,
may the community of faith that I belong to continue to grow,
may we all, young and old,
remain close to the Saviour every day.
I offer myself, all my actions, words and hopes,
to the glory of God, and to the service of others.
May I hear the word of the Lord with joy
and may I be generous in responding to the will of God.
Links
The following pages contain various links of interest:
Diocese of Wollongong
Australia
- New South Wales + Australian Capital Territory
- Victoria + Tasmania
- Queensland
- South Australia + Northern Teritory
- Western Australia
- Other Diocese in Australia
International
Mass Times
| Upcoming Mass Times | |
|---|---|
|
Sat 18 May |
5:00pm: Mass |
|
Sun 19 May |
8:00am: Mass 10:00am: Mass (Polish) |
|
Mon 20 May |
7:00am: Mass |
|
Tue 21 May |
5:30pm: Mass 6:00pm: Rosary 6:00pm: Adoration |
|
Wed 22 May |
7:00am: Mass |
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Thu 23 May |
5:30pm: Mass 6:00pm: Adoration 6:00pm: Reconciliation |
|
Fri 24 May |
7:00am: Mass |
|
Sat 25 May |
7:00am: Rosary 7:30am: Mass 11:00am: Reconciliation 5:00pm: Mass |
Mass times are subject to change.
Monsignor Graham Schmitzer's Retirement
On Friday 23 August 2019, Monsignor Graham Schmitzer commenced his retirement, which coincided with the date of his Golden Jubilee. The event was marked by a Mass concelebrated by approx 20 clergy, followed by a function held at Wests Illawarra. A great night was had by all, and Monsignor Graham had a wonderful time celebrating his retirement and 50 years as Priest, with nearly 300 guests.
Reconciliation and First Holy Communion - 2024
The minimum age for this sacrament is a child in Year Three.
| Registration | Via the QR code or link, which will be provided on the Parent information night |
|---|---|
| Parents’ Information Night | Will take place at the St Therese Parish Centre, Powell Street, West Wollongong on Tues 18 June at 7pm or Thurs 20 June at 7pm. |
| Cost | $30 for reconciliation and First Holy Communion - payable on the Information night. Tap machine available. |
|
Reconciliation lessons commence |
4pm Tuesday 23 July in the St Joseph’s Room, Unanderra, OR 5pm Friday 26 July at the St Therese Parish Centre, West Wollongong |
| Sacrament of Reconciliation |
Afternoon of 27 or 28 or 29 August 2024. (Individual time slot with Fr Duane Fernandez to be booked closer to the date). |
| First Holy Communion Lessons commence | |
| First Holy Communion Retreat Day | |
| First Holy Communion Sacrament |
Special notes for all sacraments
- Following registration, a copy of your child's baptism certificate must be emailed to the Parish Office at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sacraments
Immaculate Conception Parish, Unanderra offers sacramental programs that are run annually.
To find out more information on these programs, please use the links below.
Year of Mercy
The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception has been designated a Pilgrimage Church for the Year of Mercy. The Parishes and Organisations of the Diocese are invited to come on pilgrimage during this Year. A Programme will be offered, including a reflection on God as Merciful Father, time for personal prayer and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Mass in honour of Our Lady of Mercy.
For Group Bookings, contact Father Schmitzer on 4271 1068 or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Youth Group
World Youth Day - Madrid 2011
Click here to see the announcement video for the 2011 World Youth Day
The Parish Youth Group is a social group for senior primary and high-school aged members of the parish community.
World Youth Day - 2008
In July 2008, the World Youth Day event was held in the Archdiocese of Sydney. Prior to the event, the World Youth Day cross and icon visited our parish. The cross and icon were welcomed to the parish by local parishioners, students from St. Pius X, and Bishop Peter Ingham.
In addition to the World Youth Day cross and icon, we also welcomed 97 visitors to the parish from the Diocese of Osnabruck, Germany.
