About
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Thurgoona
The Parish of Thurgoona in the Diocese of Wagga Wagga began on the on the 8th December 1998, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Bishop Brennan named the parish in honour of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The Immaculate Heart of Mary is a devotion that honours the heart of Mary who was pure and immaculate and a model of holiness. She was chosen by God to be the mother of our saviour Jesus. The devotion provides a way for us to unite ourselves to God through Mary’s extraordinary love for her son Jesus. Because she was sinless, she is able to love God perfectly.
The origins of the devotion can be traced back to the Middle Ages, but it was not until the 17th century that it began to gain popularity. In 1648, Saint John Eudes, a French priest, established the first congregation dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He also wrote extensively about the devotion and encouraged others to promote it.
In the 19th century, the devotion gained even more popularity due to the visions of Saint Catherine Labouré, a French nun. Catherine received a vision of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, surrounded by rays of light and encircled by the words "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee." This vision became the basis for the Miraculous Medal, a medal that bears the image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on one side and the image of Saint Catherine on the other.
In the early 20th century, the devotion was further promoted by the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal. In 1917, three young shepherd children received messages from Mary, urging people to pray for peace and to make sacrifices for the conversion of sinners. Mary also revealed her Immaculate Heart to the children and asked that the world be consecrated to it.
Today, the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary remains an important part of Catholic spirituality. It is celebrated on the Saturday after the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The devotion is often associated with Marian consecration, a practice of dedicating oneself to Mary and asking for her intercession and guidance in living a holy life.
A life-sized statue of The Immaculate Heart of Mary of Mary is in the church on the left of the Altar to honour her as patroness of the parish. It was donated by the Marist Mission House in Melbourne when it closed. See History
BISHOP’S STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT TO CHILD PROTECTION
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS, 15 SEPTEMBER 2020
The abuse of any vulnerable person, especially child sexual abuse, is evil, disgraceful, unacceptable and a crime. Its harmful effects, especially on primary victims, can be traumatic and lasting and are often deeply debilitating. These scars can prevent those who have been hurt from growing to be the people God dreamed they could be. Whole communities are also damaged for people, loved and valued, are not able to return love or function as freely as they would otherwise have.
Abuse of children and of other vulnerable people has been committed by some members of the Catholic Church. Further, some other members of the Catholic community have not reported these serious offences. These people have betrayed those in their care, God and the Church by perpetrating abuse and by protecting and enabling such perpetrators.
The abuse was wrong and should not have happened.
On my own account and on behalf of the diocese, I apologise for these failures and assaults to those who have been abused, to all those who love and support them and to all the good, faithful members of the Church.
I commit the diocese of Wagga Wagga to being a safe place for vulnerable people and children by continuing to improve our processes, training and expectations in accordance with State and National safeguarding standards and legislation.
Bishop Mark Edwards OMI
Bishop of the Diocese of Wagga Wagga
Date: 11 September 2020
For more information, visit safeguarding.wagga.catholic.org.au
CONTACT SAFEGUARDING DIOCESIAN OFFICE
Telephone the Safeguarding Office at McAlroy House – 02 6937 0008
Email [email protected], a restricted group of confidential child protection professionals will respond.
Write (marked CONFIDENTIAL) to:
Safeguarding Officer
McAlroy House,
PO Box 473,
Wagga Wagga, 2650
For any complaints that may relate to criminal conduct we also encourage you to contact NSW Police (Crime Stoppers) on
1800 333 000
For current immediate danger of physical or sexual assault call 000 and ask for Police.
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