Sydney this week to examine applications for declaring some marriages null. To prepare for the session, I burnt the midnight oil in recent weeks reading and assessing 1,326 pages of evidence. The process shows how respectful the Church is of people when they say ‘I take you as my husband/wife’. Unfortunately, some people lack the ability to put their intentions into practice

Fr Kevin

Sunday 11 October at Croatian Catholic Church, cnr Fitzgerald Rd & Whitesides Ave Ardeer (Melway 25J12).
Commencing at 2.30pm with Rosary followed by Mass. Main Celebrant & Homilist: Bishop Hilton Deakin.
All most welcome to this celebration that brings together the ethnic chaplains and their communities to celebrate not only the cultural diversity of the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Melbourne, but also its unity.

We are mid-way in the current three–year program and next Sunday one of our parishioners will outline the current state of our parish finances.

: If your relationship has ended, you may be interested in this program for separated, divorced or widowed people who are experiencing feelings of loss, sadness or emptiness, or they feel stuck and want to do something positive for themselves. This is a live-in weekend program with follow up sessions. Further info or an application form, phone 52 217 055 or visit www.centacaremelbourne.org

The Rupertswood Heritage Assocation will be hosting an Antique Appraisal and Open Day in the mansion on Sunday 27 September 10.00am to 4.00pm.
Admission $10.00 Entrance Fee (includes one valuation (time permitting) children under 12 free.
Additional pieces $5.00 per item.
All funds raised by the Association are used for restoration of the Rupertswood Estate.

We celebrate Social Justice Sunday on 27 September. Today’s Social Justice Sunday Statement is titled ‘And You Will Be My Witnesses’.
During World Youth Day 2008, Australia saw thousands of young Christians inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Yet many people are marginalised, excluded and deprived of dignity.
The bishops recall the challenge of Pope Benedict:

’What will you leave to the next generation? What difference will you make’?

and present it again to all Australians, young and old. Copies of the statement are available at the Welcome Desk or on line at www.acsjc.org.au

In mid 2006, all parishioners were invited to a discernment about renewing our churches held over five Saturdays. The group of up to fifty-five parishioners published a booklet of concepts to guide the renewal and was delivered with your Thanksgiving envelopes in December 2006. One concept was……’at both locations, we long to be called to our liturgical celebrations by the sound of a church bell. At Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, this may only require restoration of the existing tower bell’. To mark the centenary of our parish and the sesquicentenary of our school, the Centenary Committee is promoting a new tower to house the original bell which was at O.L.M.C. from about 1908 to 1992. The project needs to be funded before commencement

Fr Kevin

(1) Centacare Catholic Family Services—amount raised $984.90

(2) Priests’ Retirement Foundation—amount raised $1,665.85.

John Reddan was born in County Clare Ireland around 1835. He came to Australia in October 1860. John’s older sister Johanna arrived in Victoria before him in 1854. It is believed that John spent his first night at Johanna’s place in the Bulla area. They were later joined by their brother Michael and their sister Mary. On 11 January 1870 John Reddan married Ellen Geary, also from County Clare, at St Francis Church in Melbourne. John signed his marriage certificate with an ‘X’ and probably never learnt to read or write. He spent his life in the Bulla area as a farmer.

Just prior to his death on 19 September 1909, John received confirmation of the direct family connection between the Reddans of Bulla and the Reddans from Mullagh/Milltown Malbay in County Clare. John and Ellen have hundreds of descendants throughout Australia.

Following a family collection, the headstone and memorial for John and Ellen were erected at Bulla Cemetery in September 2007.

…..Luke Reddan, grandson of Michael Reddan