Our centenary year has been full of activity and celebrations. In early February Bishop Tim Costelloe, our regional bishop, dedicated the new altar and font in St Anne’s Church in a moving ceremony. In March we blessed the new Bell Tower at O.L.M.C. Church to house the bell first rung in 1911. In April over 450 attended a real Bush Dance in a huge shed on a local farm. In May 121 children were admitted to the Eucharistic Table of the Lord in ten sessions. In late May I celebrated with thanksgiving forty years of ordained priesthood. In June the adults tested their knowledge at a trivia night in a packed Parish Centre. In August the long process of selecting a new principal, Noelene Hussey, for St Anne’s School concluded. In September our Parish Ball at the Calabria Club was a great success. Late September we gathered for Mass in the Bulla Hall to remember how Catholics first met in homes (nearby in Oaklands Road) for Mass from 1852 with the priest coming by horse from Coburg. In November we had the blessing and opening of the new classrooms and other facilities at St Anne’s School. In December we farewelled Lucy Jackanic as she completed her term as principal. This year 141 Baptisms were celebrated in our church. In 1911 Fr. John Gallivan P.P. celebrated 13 Baptisms.
As we look back on 2010, let us be grateful for all we have received from our generous Lord and from each other.
We have had opportunities to pray together daily in one of our churches. We rejoice in the canonisation of our Melbourne Saint Mary Mackillop. We have been supported by the prayers of those housebound or in care. We have been blessed with new school facilities at our three Catholic schools. Our parishioners have been generous in Thanksgiving Offering so that we have paid off $140,567 from our debt leaving us with a current debt of $620,105. We have also paid for our running costs.
We also give thanks to those who gave their time and shared their talents this year: altar servers, Baptism prepararation teams, bingo workers, church cleaners, crib erectors, collection counters, communion ministers to sick, education board, finance committee, flower providers, gardeners, Legion of Mary, liturgy ministers, liturgy planners, maintenance people, music ministers, neighbourhood coordinating teams, parish posties, parish coordinating team, P.T.F.A. (2), Parish Centre management committee, parish photographer, school helpers, those who set up for Masses, and website manager.
As I told Archbishop Hart, we have such a great team here.
Fr Kevin
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury 