OLMC SCHOOL

Our Lady of Mount Carmel School is concluding its 150th Anniversary celebrations on Saturday 26 February.
At 11.00am the new buildings funded by the Federal Government’s Building the Education Revolution will be blessed.
Afterwards, until 6.00pm there will be a reunion of students and a historical display.
All welcome.

A VOCATION VIEW

Jesus speaks on Vocations: You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. Your light must shine before people so that they may see your goodness in your acts, giving praise to your heavenly Father.

NEW SAFETY FENCE AT O.L.M.C

On school days the gates will be open from 8.30am to 9.15am and from 3.00pm to 3.45pm.
All access to the school and the church at other times will be through the School Main entrance in Jackson Street. This procedure begins next Wednesday.

OUR SERVICE OF ONE ANOTHER

In March during our Stewardship Program we will reflect on how we can serve one another in the various ministries within our parish. I recently came across Pope Benedict quoting Cardinal John Henry Newman:

God has created me to do him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. 

…..Fr Kevin

CENTENARY OF THE ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT–1910-2010

During his recent visit to England and Scotland, Pope Benedict XVI gave his most extended body of ecumenical teaching to date. He recalled the Edinburgh 1910 Missionary Conference, the birth of the modern ecumenical movement and expressed his thanks for the remarkable progress so far. He acknowledged the difficulties that the ecumenical path has encountered and strongly re-affirmed the ultimate goal of the restoration of full ecclesial communion. Speaking in Westminster Abbey, the Pope said what we share in Christ is greater than what continues to divide us.
This year, our parish needs several more parishioners to be actively involved in the ecumenical ministry in Sunbury.
If interested, please contact me in the next week.
….Fr Kevin

WELCOME TO NOELENE HUSSEY , NEW STAFF MEMBERS & STUDENTS

I warmly welcome Noelene Hussey as she has taken up the principalship of St Anne’s School.
Welcome also to eight new members of staff at both our schools.
We welcome 122 new students to our schools.
As we begin the school year, let us commit ourselves to providing the best education for each child this year and ask God’s blessing on our endeavours.

…..Fr Kevin

STARTING DATES FOR BOTH PARISH SCHOOLS

OLMC School

8.45am Wednesday 2 Feb–Year 1–Year 6 students.
8.45am Thursday 3 Feb–Prep students.

St Anne’s School

8.45am Wednesday 2 Feb–Year 1–Year 6 students.
10.00am Wednesday 2 Feb–Prep students.

Please note Catholic Schools begin two days earlier than government schools.

PARISH HISTORICAL COMMITTEE

The Parish Historical Committee is continuing to work on preparing a booklet to celebrate the Parish Centenary. They require photos of Sister Agnella Kenny, Sister Bernadine Nolan and Sister Lucia Flanagan.
All photos will be returned to the owners after they have been scanned.
Please leave photos at the Parish Office.

CONGRATULATIONS TO BROTHER CAHILL

Congratulations on your 60th anniversary as a Religious Brother of the Salesian Order. Br Cahill Gleisner sdb has spent most of his religious life in Sunbury. He is a regular member of our 5.30pm Sunday congregation.

OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS CARE

From Wednesday morning, out of hours school care will be offered at both our schools now that our new buildings are completed. Children will no longer need to attend another venue for care in the mornings and afternoons.

STARTING DATES FOR BOTH PARISH SCHOOLS

OLMC School

8.45am Wednesday 2 Feb—Year 1—Year 6 students.
8.45am Thursday 3 Feb—Prep students.

St Anne’s School

8.45am Wednesday 2 Feb—Year 1—Year 6 students.
10.00am Wednesday 2 Feb—Prep students.

JOURNEY TOGETHER—REFLECTING ON OUR CHRISTIAN MISSION IN SMALL NEIGHBOURHOOD GROUPS

Our Lenten/Easter program this year will be centred on the booklet ‘Journey Together’ – the themes are:  a parish called to holiness, Jesus the Word of God, Leadership, Unity, our gifts, participation and Mary, Model of the Church.  Pope Benedict in London in September 2010, said ‘One of the greatest challenges facing us today is how to speak convincingly of the wisdom and liberating power of God’s Word to a world which all too often sees the Gospel as a constriction of human freedom instead of the truth which liberates our minds and enlightens our efforts to live wise and well, both as individuals and as members of society’.
There will be a sign-up opportunity in February.

A VOCATION VIEW

Jesus said: “Come after me and I will make you fishers of men.” Today he could say: “I will make you mechanics of souls; doctors of wounded hearts, counsellors of broken families; clowns in a joyless society.” But regardless, Come.

THANK YOU

Special Collection last weekend:  amount donated for St Vincent de Paul Rockhampton—$1,938.40.

CATHOLIC CHURCH OFFERS PRAYERS AND PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE IN QUEENSLAND FLOODS

‘The Australian Catholic Bishops and people around Australia are united in prayer and practical support as the State of Queensland suffers its worst flooding in decades.  The bishops extend heartfelt sympathy to the victims and their families.
Archdiocesan priest, Fr John Conway, is currently the administrator of three parishes in an area at the bottom of the Toowoomba ranges.  He and people in the area are responding in the aftermath:  “I’d like to express my gratitude to all the people and priests across Australia who have rung to offer support.    Many places still have no drinking water, roads are damaged so trucks can’t get through.  We can’t get fuel, milk, bread.  We’re basically rationing everything”, he said.
St Vincent de Paul Queensland President Brian Moore hopes to assist people as quickly as possible:  ‘We are appealing for money to get to the conferences to give concrete support to those affected.  When the water subsides, Vinnies is going to be there for months meeting the needs of people.  It is really heart wrenching to see all the people affected by these floods.
For  those  who  did not have the opportunity last weekend to donate to the Special Collection last weekend for St Vinnies, Rockhampton, phone 13 18 12 or www.vinnies.org.au which will allow you to contribute to the St Vincent de Paul Statewide appeal’.