Author: MtCarmel

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EVERGREENS

First outing for the year:
St Patrick’s Day lunch 17 March at Sunbury Football Club 12 noon.
Cost $14.
Bookings essential—contact Frances 9744 1999.

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NOTES FROM OUR PARISH LENTEN EXERCISE

We started with a welcome and a prayer and then went straight into an introduction and an overview.

There was discussion of how we, as the people of God, are a sacrament to the world.

The group was sitting in Neighbourhoods and these were joined with other Neighbourhoods to discuss the subjects of ourselves as a Sacrament of Communion, as a Sacrament of the Reign of God, and as a Sacrament of Universal Salvation. A good starting place is the old Childrens Catechism which says a Sacrament is an outward sign of inward Grace. We didn’t get too far into sacramental theology but we were able to see that we, as a group, are a sign and an instrument of the presence of Jesus in the world now.

Next came a brief discussion on prayer, centred on the words of Jesus in Mathew 7:7. Ask, Seek, Knock.

Then we moved to “What the Parish does”

Community Life…
  • Whole Parish Community
  • Neighbourhoods
  • Small Groups
  • All Families
Pastoral Service…
  • Catechesis
  • Liturgical
  • Schools
  • Justice, Peace, Environment
Workers in the Vineyard…
  • Recruitment
  • Formation and Training
Decision Management…
  • PCT/PC
  • Parish Team
  • Finance
  • Office Administration
  • Maintenance
  • General Gatherings
Other Sectors…
  • Play Group
  • Youth
  • Evergreens

The next step in our Neighbourhood Plan is to move a considerable amount of this to the Neighbourhoods by the Neighbourhoods taking on a four phase strategy, namely To Gather, To Serve, To Represent, and To Communicate. By this strategy we can decentralise many of our services and the Neighbourhoods can become small, active faith groups.(that is Big Faith, Small Groups) The Neighbourhoods can bring their issues via their PCT representative to the PCT meetings.

The Neighbourhood Groups then had a practice run at a Neighbourhood meeting using a guide book written for that purpose and available in the future from the Parish Office. Each meeting involves some prayer, scripture reading an discussion/sharing of our faith.

There was a break for lunch and much discussion. This was followed by a summing up and a discussion on “Where to now?”

Those Neighbourhoods who had a Coordinator present set up meetings to present the theme of Gather, Serve, Represent, and Communicate. Others would take the information and the strategy back to their Neighbourhoods to then do the same.

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SALESIAN COLLEGE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM

We are looking for a number of adult volunteers (including former Salesian students) to supervise four Year 11 students at Sacred Heart Mission, St Kilda on Wednesdays during school term.
Students assist with the preparation and serving of the midday meal. Students travel together and we would need the adult supervisor to meet them outside the Mission by 9.00am. The volunteer session finishes at 2.30pm and students make their own way back to Sunbury. Volunteers will need a Working with Children check which the College can help organise.
If you can help contact Stephen Connelly on 9744 0058.

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BLESSING OF THE CENTENARY BELL

The Blessing of the Centenary Bell on the new tower will be held on Sunday 21 March at 10.00am in the grounds of OLMC Church within the Liturgy of the Word of Sunday Mass.
Following the Blessing, we shall move to St Anne’s Church for the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the second part of Sunday Mass. St Anne’s Church will accommodate the numbers expected.
This is the first celebration of our centenary year as we recall the opening of OLMC School on 26 March 1860 and the establishing of OLMC Parish in 1911.
Hence, the times of Sunday Mass on 20/21 March are 6.00pm (St Anne’s) 8.30am (St Anne’s) 10.00am (OLMC) and 5.30pm (OLMC).

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RCIA—PRESENTATION OF THE CREED

Today at 8.30am Mass, Eni Saban, Alison Fisher, Jason and Sue Wight will be presented with the Creed as part of their Lenten journey towards full Communion into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.
We offer them our congratulations and prayerful support as Easter approaches.

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PREPARATION FOR FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST COMMUNION FOR FAMILIES NOT ATTENDING THE PARISH SCHOOLS

If you wish your child to begin preparation for these sacraments this year, you are requested to attend an information and registration sessions for PARENTS at either 2.00pm or 7.30pm in the Parish Centre on TUE 9 MARCH.
At these sessions we will explain the preparation process and you can register your child.
This is the only opportunity for enrolment.
If you are unable to attend either of these sessions, contact Richard Hallett at the Parish Office—9744 1060.

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CHILDREN IN PREP GRADE AND THEIR PARENTS

Children in Prep Grade and their Parents are invited to a Parenting in Faith Evening this week.
Wednesday at OLMC School and Thursday at St Anne’s School.
Both evenings commence at 6.30pm and will conclude about 7.30pm with the children all dressed and prepared for bed.
Parents are asked to take their children to their classroom.

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PROJECT COMPASSION

This week’s story takes us to East Timor where Domingas is being supported in a Caritas-funded Family & Community Violence Prevention Program. Domingas, like many women in her community, was the victim of violence and abuse. The program has provided her with ongoing counselling and a small grant to enable her to build a business and give her economic independence. Your donation helps to support women survivors of violence and to work for just relationships.

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PRAYERS FOR THE FAMILY

We all have family and friends to pray for.

  1. Every First Friday 7.00pm—8.00pm at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.  Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; Holy Rosary, Hymn; Divine Mercy Chaplet, Hymn; Divine Praises and quiet time for Adoration.  Don’t miss your chance to thank God for  prayers  answered  and graces received.

  2. Every Saturday 9.00am—10.00am—Holy Rosary, Hymn; Divine Mercy Chaplet, Hymn and quiet time for Adoration.

CHILDREN (OUR FUTURE) MOST WELCOME.

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PROJECT COMPASSION SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

Second Sunday of Lent 28 February

Teneille says that one day “I’d like to travel from one end of the earth to another to achieve peace.”
Teneille says that one day “I’d like to travel from one end of the earth to another to achieve peace.”
As Christians we are called to walk with those who are in need. This week’s story introduces us to Teneille, from Derby in Western Australia.
Limited job opportunities, low family literacy levels and poor health and housing are some of the issues affecting poor school performance amongst Indigenous children in the area. Teneille participates in a Caritas Australia-supported program that is empowering children to attend school, have healthy and nutritious food and improve the school performance amongst the area’s children. Your donation to Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion helps to work towards the goal of ensuring primary education for all children.
As Christians we are called to walk with those who are in need. This week’s story introduces us to Teneille, from Derby in Western Australia.

Limited job opportunities, low family literacy levels and poor health and housing are some of the issues affecting poor school performance amongst Indigenous children in the area. Teneille participates in a Caritas Australia-supported program that is empowering children to attend school, have healthy and nutritious food and improve the school performance amongst the area’s children. Your donation to Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion helps to work towards the goal of ensuring primary education for all children.

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WORLD DAY OF PRAYER INTERDENOMINATIONAL

Next week over 3 million people worldwide will take part in the World Day of Prayer Service which, this year, has been prepared by the Christian women of Cameroon with the theme ‘Let everything that has breath praise God’. Founded in 1887 this international Order of Service is translated into more than 60 languages and 1000 dialects in 176 countries and islands. In Australia nearly 100,000 people are expected to participate in over 1300 Services to be held in Churches, Centres, Schools and Nursing Homes.
In Sunbury the service will be held at St Andrew’s Uniting Church in Brook St. on WED 3 MARCH commencing at 7.30pm with supper to follow.
All parishioners are invited to join our sisters and brothers from other Christian Churches in this special service. A plate of supper to share after the service would be much appreciated.

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EASTER REFLECTION FROM THE AUST BISHOP’S CONFERENCE

Media Release

As Catholics begin to plan their Lenten journey this year, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference is calling on people to take up a new and exciting challenge.

“Instead of just giving up something for Lent, why not take up something as well,” said ACBC Commission for Mission and Faith Formation Chair, Archbishop John Bathersby.
“This year we are asking that you consider spending time with friends and family reflecting on the Scriptures that lead us to this joyous celebration of the Church”, he said.

The call goes out for people to share their Easter journey with others, in an innovative online experience called The Reflection.

The Reflection will offer people an accessible opportunity for faith formation via the World Wide Web.

“The responses we received last year from the St Paul and St Luke eConferences were extremely positive and very humbling” said Archbishop Bathersby. “The fact that more than 20,000 participants came online highlights a hunger in people to deepen their faith.”

Twelve Australian Bishops have agreed to participate in this pilot series, and will explore the Sunday Gospels of Lent with participants using a lectio divina model of prayer. Commencing the 15 February at 7pm, The Reflection comprises seven short weekly episodes that will remain archived on the site so that people may participate at their own pace.

Visit the website http://thereflection.vividas.com now to find out more about this project; guidelines for undertaking lectio divina; a downloadable booklet to take you through the readings for the period, and Q&A’s to assist further discussion.

Archbishops and Bishops who will be featured in the reflection include:

Most Rev Philip Wilson (Adelaide),
Most Rev John Bathersby (Brisbane)
Most Rev Denis Hart (Melbourne)
Most Rev Mark Coleridge (Canberra-Goulburn)
Most Rev Adrian L. Doyle (Hobart)
Most Rev Michael Putney (Townsville)
Most Rev Christopher Saunders (Broome)
Most Rev David Walker (Broken Bay)
Most Rev Gregory O’Kelly SJ (Port Pirie)
Most Rev D. Eugene Hurley (Darwin)
Most Rev Gerard Hanna (Wagga Wagga)
Most Rev Joseph A. Grech (Sandhurst)