Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury
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REMEMBRANCE CARDS
Our parish offers cards of remembrance to parishioners who would like to remember those who cannot be with us throughout the time of Lent and Easter. If it due to distance or loss that loved ones are not with us, we can still remember and pray for them at this time. Please take a card from either of our churches and place in the basket.
This year we will explore “The Gift” that we have of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The following topics will be covered during the six week program:- The Father’s Loving Plan, The Joy of the Gospel, The Gift of the Spirit, Unwrapping God’s Gift, Encountering God’s Spirit and Living in the Spirit.
Morning sessions will be held at 10.00 am on Thursdays commencing on March 2nd. The first evening session will be on Tuesday February 28th at 7.30 pm. The rest of the evening sessions will be on Thursdays at 7.30 pm. All sessions will be at St. Anne’s Church.
The topic for the this week is “The Joy of the Gospel”.
From 1987 to September 2016, the Ministry of Health recorded the cumulative number of HIV infections in Indonesia as many as 219 036 cases. Meanwhile, the cumulative number of HIV infections in 2010-2016 are as many as 184 779 cases, in which 13 263 (7.18%) of whom were children aged 0-19 years (P2P DG, Ministry of Health, 2016). This number will continue to grow if prevention of transmission is not performed. HIV prevention programs have mainly focused on key populations such as injecting drug users, sex workers and other high-risk groups. Children born with HIV are often missed in the government program, but the child is a traveling source of HIV transmission in the high-risk group.
The Ministry of Health is strongly committed to tackling HIV and AIDS. One of the efforts is through the provision of Anti-Retroviral drugs (ARV) for people with HIV, including children. “Up to the month of November 2016 recorded 74 879 people living with HIV on antiretroviral treatment in Indonesia and about 4% of them are children,” said Director of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Direct, dr.Wiendra Waworuntu, Kes. This is also supported by David Bridger, UNAIDS Country Director for Indonesia, said: “If children have access to proper treatment, children can grow and develop properly, like the other kids.”
The issue of HIV, both in adults and children, is often seen as a health issue alone. Though there are many aspects in life that are ultimately affected. The challenges faced in addition to health problems is access to education. Discrimination often occurs in the school environment so that the child had to go out and look for a new school. To cope, this should be considered together with a platform and framework that enables a sustainable cross-sectoral involvement, as submitted by the Director General of Culture Ministry of Education and Culture, Hilmar Farid.
Another challenge faced is the parenting issue that is the responsibility of a guardian such as grandparents or other family members. Ineligibility for shelter and a lack of knowledge about parenting also have an impact on the quality of life of children with HIV. To realize the quality of life for children with HIV, the important role and commitment of various parties including the government and the public is needed. Currently, services and comprehensive programs that serves children with HIV are still few in number. Nahar, SH, MSi., Director of Social Rehabilitation for Children Ministry of Social RI said that the involvement of the Social Worker in the prevention, protection and social rehabilitation for children with HIV should continue to be pursued through partnership with community organizations or institutions that have a concern in the protection of children with HIV.
Through a photo exhibition “One Child One Life Projekt” Rainbow Kids Lantern (LAP) is opening so that the public can learn more about the lives of children with HIV. The exhibition is expected to be the initial idea for all parties to be involved in programs and support services for children with HIV. In addition as a means of advocacy and education to raise public awareness, it also exhibits an appreciation for the volunteers, the community, government, and all parties that already provide support to LAP in assisting children with HIV in Jakarta.
LAP was established in 2009 upon initiation Prof. Irwanto, Ph.D., to address the challenges that exist in the community about HIV-infected children. LAP is part of a community service unit under the auspices of HIV Research Centre (PPH) Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia. As the mentoring program of children with HIV in Indonesia, LAP aims to improve the quality of life of children with HIV. In addition, LAP also educates the public and the government to take part in efforts to reduce the adverse effects on the child. Through home-based care program, LAP want to make sure that every child has greater access to family care, health facilities, education, and does not experience discrimination in society. This effort was supported by the National AIDS Commission (NAC) through funding Indonesian Partnership Fund (IPF) for 1.5 years. Since 2011, LAP gain support from various public and private groups to this day
LAP is currently assisting 100 children in Jakarta and surrounding areas. LAP Team consists of permanent staff, part-time, and volunteers with various backgrounds who work wholeheartedly. Without the help of donors, volunteers, communities, the government and all those who have provided support for LAP, this program cannot continue.
In the end, the support given by all parties is very meaningful. Whatever its form, the support is like a beacon for the life of children with HIV to experience a better quality of life and have a better hope in the future, just like the other children.
This will signal the start of the Church season of Lent. Lent is a time to recall our baptism and to seek to make ourselves better people by living true Christian values.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (14 April) are days of Fasting and abstinence from meat. On all other Fridays, except solemnities, the law of the common practice of penance is fulfilled by performing any one of the following:
Prayer-personal or communal prayer in any form. Archbishop
Hart recommends 15 minutes at night slowly reading, praying and reflecting on the daily gospel. Pope Francis reminds us that “The Word is a gift”.
Self Denial– could include giving to Project Compassion or Fasting. Self Denial frees our mind and our resources. What money or time we do not spend on ourselves, we need to spend on the benefit of others.
Helping Others– look to our neighbours and family who may need support in any way. Don’t forget the aged, the lonely, the sick, the refugees. If you can reach-out during Lent, it is a good time to start.
Lent is an opportunity to improve the way we live out our Christian values and to make our lives and the lives of others better. Ash Wednesday Masses are as follows:
Archbishops Message for Lent 2017: a message from Archbishop Denis Hart is on the Noticeboard in the foyer of St Anne’s Church.
TRUST IN GOD– GOD WILL PROVIDE
It is providential that the readings set down for today as we celebrate Sister Jose` 50 years as a Sister of St Joseph are the readings used on the Feast of St Mary MacKillop, one of the founders of the Sisters of St Joseph.
Our gospel reading is from the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is teaching us not to be distracted (a better translation of the Greek ‘to be worried’) from focusing on the Kingdom of God which needs to be our first priority. Jesus is using poetic exaggeration-of course, he knows we need food, clothing and shelter. If we trust in the love of God we will not be inordinately attached to material possessions.
Our first reading from the Prophet Isaiah teaches us God has an intimate love for us like a woman for her baby, the fruit of her womb.
In 1874, Mary MacKillop wrote: “When I could not see my way God kept my heart full of trust.” Mary grew up in Melbourne in difficult economic circumstances due to her father’s poor managing. “My life as a child was one of sorrows, my home, when I had it, a most unhappy one.” During these times, Mary often heard her mother, Flora say “God will provide.” Mary carried this attitude throughout her life.
JOSE` NOY– A FOLLOWER OF MARY MACKILLOP
102 years after the birth of Mary MacKillop in Fitzroy in 1842, Jose` Noy was born in Arnhem, Holland, the sixth child of Joseph and Mary Noy. She was born into a difficult time. The Nazis had occupied the Noy family home since May 1940. The Noy family were expelled from their home and lived for five years in a coolstore a type of animal barn without heating in the snow on their farm.
In 1951, the Noy family came to Victoria for the benefit of the children and moved around a number of places until they settled in Whittlesea. Jose` attended eight primary schools. Her secondary education was at Santa Maria College, Northcote.
Just as Mary MacKillop was a clerical worker in a Melbourne bookstore before teaching, so Jose` was a clerical worker at the Trades Hall for a couple of years before she entered religious life to be a teacher.
Mary MacKillop sent her Sisters in two’s to small towns in rural areas in 1869 so Jose` has been sent to small towns– Iona in 1969 and later to Gordon in 1978. Jose` has lived most of her religious life in small groups of one or two sisters.
After being a teacher and a principal, Jose` became a pastoral associate in parishes from 2000. In 2011, she came to our parish.
WELCOME TO OUR GUESTS
Today we welcome Jose` s siblings: Wilma, Mary, Christine and Bill. Hank, her brother is not well enough to join us. We welcome Jose`s religious family, Kerry Cusack, Province Leader and other Sisters of St Joseph.
Friendship is a primary gospel value. Jesus said: “You are my friends” (John 15:14) Jose` has maintained friends from many of the places in which she has served. We welcome some fifty of her friends who have travelled here today.
We, Sunbury parishioners, have been blessed by the love, care and friendship of Jose` – as someone aptly said: “She is always smiling.”
Congratulations Jose` , May the Lord continue to bless you in the gift of your vocation as a Sister of St Joseph.
…..Kevin McIntosh
YOUTH GROUP
Saturday 25th Feb, 2017 from 4 to 5PM Praise & Worship, Listen to the word of God, Reflect & Share!
Followed by Holy Mass at 5:30PM
Followed by a sausage-sizzle & fellowship!
As previously announced, throughout the Melbourne Archdiocese there is an earlier enrolment process for Catholic Secondary Colleges. The new closing date for applications for Year 7 (2018) is 17 February 2017. In recent years, there have been too many applications for the 232 available positions for Year 7, hence some applications have been unsuccessful. Applications endorsed by the parish need to be at the College before 7 February.
A St Valentines Day Dance is being organized by the Youth Group for Saturday February 18 from 6.30pm-11pm in the Parish Centre. Tickets can be purchased via Garnet on 0411 286 428 or the Parish Office. Tickets are Adults $20, Pensioners $15, Family of
4 with 2 children under 12 $50, children under 12 $12. Food and music included in price of ticket.
Sponsors, Donations and Raffle prizes are welcome.
All profits will be donated to the Goonawarra House and the Youth Group.
Goonawarra House run a program to support young girls who suffer with bullying. Funds raised will pay for mentors for the girls.
The Youth Group will be looking to fund a bus trip for the parish community this year and funds from the dance will be used to fund the bus trip.
ADVENT MASSES WITH ANOINTING OF THE SICK
FIVE CHRISTMAS FAMILY MASSES IN ST ANNE’S CHURCH
Elizabeth Harrington is the education officer with Liturgy Brisbane. All of her more than 800 past “Liturgy Lines” columns are available on The Liturgical Commission website www.liturgybrisbane.net.au. Items of interest can be located by date, title or word search.
(Note: Parishes are encouraged to reproduce “Liturgy Lines” in their bulletins as a way of educating parishioners about the liturgy. No permission is required but the copyright line (© Liturgy Brisbane) must be retained.)
Most parishes schedule communal reconciliation during Advent. The official title of this liturgy is “Reconciliation of Several Penitents with Individual Confession and Absolution” or the Second Rite of the Sacrament of Penance.
The Sacrament of Penance ritual book encourages participation in this form of reconciliation which “shows more clearly the communal nature of penance”.
Sometimes the manner of celebration of the second rite of reconciliation conveys the impression that the first half of the liturgy is a communal celebration but the second part a private one, in other words a combination of the third and first rites.
I have attended second rites where, after the introduction, liturgy of the word, and examination of conscience, the priests moved to the privacy of the church’s confessionals and sacristies. One by one, people entered these rooms, often for a considerable length of time, to confess their sins and receive absolution. In fact, from this point on they were just like Saturday afternoon confessions, but with several priests and a much bigger crowd. People were even told to leave after they had had their “turn” and not wait around for the concluding rites.
This is not at all what the second rite envisages. Such poor celebrations turn people away and deprive them of a wonderful opportunity to experience communal reconciliation which “shows more clearly the communal nature of penance”. (Sacrament of Penance #22)
The second form of the sacrament of penance is a communal liturgical celebration from beginning to end. It begins with the community listening to the word of God. The homily emphasises our need for repentance and the infinite mercy of God. During the examination of conscience, the assembly reflects together on where and how they have fallen short of their baptismal commitment to follow Christ.
The individual confession and absolution that follows is communal too in that the penitents approach the confessors in full view of all present. The priests stand at appropriate points around the worship space in such a way that penitents can be seen but not heard by others. This is easily arranged in most churches. Those who wish to confess their sins approach one of the priests. While no restriction is placed on the individual’s confession, good manners and common sense dictate that people limit the time they spend with confessors. More time for integral confession and spiritual guidance is available at the first rite.
It is a moving experience to witness fellow Christians humbling themselves publicly by approaching a confessor for forgiveness. As they do, we pray for them, that they will know the fullness of God’s grace and mercy.
After the confessions, the ceremony concludes with a proclamation of praise, a prayer of thanksgiving and a blessing. These are an integral to the celebration, not an optional extra!
A post on the Facebook page of our overseas project “Lentera Anak Pelangi” about a program launched to get everyone HIV tested so all can know their status. It is a twitter challenge #sayaberani (English=I DARE YOU!) that each person can send to all their followers.
From Natasya Sitorus (Advocacy Manager)
Fight for the fulfillment of human rights of children with HIV. Participate in the challenge #sayaberani (I DARE YOU!)
80% of women / mothers whose children are in the program run by Rainbow Kids Lantern never followed the Prevention Program of Mother to Child Transmission (PPIA). Not at all. They are not lazy or can not access the service. This happens because they do not know they are infected with HIV until the onset of illness when their children are aged between 2 months and 5 years.
Doctors became suspicious of symptoms in the majority of children found with HIV during HIV testing in children. 99% of cases of children diagnosed with HIV under 5 years of age are infected from their mothers, either while still in the womb, at birth, or breastfeeding.
If all women planning a pregnancy can know their HIV status, then of course they can follow Prevention Program of Mother to Child Transmission (PPIA) from the beginning of pregnancy and reduce the risk of transmission to their children.
So! I challenge you to take the challenge #SayaBerani (I DARE YOU!), a campaign to encourage as many people to know their status through HIV testing. HIV testing is not a terrible thing. Know our status, protect couples, protect our families, protect our children.
HIV testing and PPIA is also a real effort implicitly mandated by Indonesian Law No. 35 of 2014 regarding Child Protection. Article 46 states that the State, Government, Local Government, Family, and Parent shall see to it that children born to avoid the diseases that threaten the survival and / or cause disability.
For more information on our parish project, click here to go to the page on our parish website.
FROM REDEEMED ONLINE
Last Saturday night the Knights of the Southern Cross held their Remembrance Mass for their deceased members and their wives at St Anne’s Church Sunbury. Chairman John Attard welcomed all the members and guests and Kevin Smith read the names of those departed. Fr Bert said grace and after a great dinner Tom Allen was presented with a Service Medal and before the night came to a close everyone sang Happy Birthday to Fr Bert.
Here is a clip from the Parish Facebook page.
The Combined Churches of Sunbury are seeking help to organise Christmas on the Green. We need helpers to set up and pack up stalls, selling food, drink, candles, collection, handing out program, children’s activities, etc. Please call Wilmy on 9740 9448 if you can help please. A sign up sheet is at the back of both churches for you to consider.
30TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAINT JOHN PAUL II’S ADDRESS TO ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLES
This anniversary will be celebrated on 27 November. This week our parish will remember the importance of this visit to the Australian Catholic Community when Saint Pope John Paul II reminded us of the importance of Unity and Reconciliation. Quote from Saint John Paul 2nd in Alice Springs in November in 1986 ….
“You are part of Australia and Australia is part of you. And the Church herself in Australia will not be fully the Church that Jesus wants her to be until you have made your contribution to her life and until that contribution has been joyfully received by others.”
These words were spoken to the Aboriginal Catholics in Alice Springs 30 years ago, but could equally apply to us all right now in 2016.
One way our parish took heed of his words was that following the Jubilee Year, a small group commenced a discussion in the Parish on the importance of installing a Plaque acknowledging the aboriginal people who lived in this part of the country where we now worship.
By popular vote among our Parishioners, the decision was made to install a plaque and on the wording to be used.
We shared an amazing celebration at the blessing and unveiling of the Plaque on the 28th July 2002.
Please take the time today to pass by the Rock….our garden around the Rock is looking sad, notwithstanding our best efforts…..perhaps someone has a suggestion on how it can be replanted and child proofed!
You may also like to view our Message Stick on display in the glass cabinet behind the font.
It was purchased from the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry (founded following the Papal Visit) and symbolises the sharing of cultural knowledge.
The paintings displayed on the back wall of the Church were prepared and painted by the teachers and students of our Confirmation class of 2001. These children met with Vickie Clark who was the Co-ordinator of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry Vic. to discuss Aboriginal Spirituality and gain an understanding of the links between Confirmation, ( Christian Initiation) and Aboriginal Initiation .
……Kevin McIntosh
Annual Parish Christmas Dinner Dance will be held on Saturday 3 December in the Parish Centre. Tickets will be on sale from 1st week of November.
Tickets will be pre-sold with no tickets sold at the venue. Enquiries to Garnet on 0411 286 428. Lots of cash and raffle prizes to win. Donations for the raffle would be greatly appreciated.
All funds raised will be donated to the following causes: Parish Overseas Humanitarian Project, Village Green Christmas Carols, Sunbury neighbourhood Kitchen, Parish H S I Group and Youth Group.
We would welcome any businesses to support this event. Any supporters will be advertised on all Youth group flyers. For $25 each event or $100 for 4 events in 2017. Please contact Garnet for more info.
Click on image below for a printable/readable copy of the CHRISTMAS DINNER DANCE flyer
CHRISTMAS DINNER DANCE
Every year, the Archdiocese of Melbourne celebrates Life, Marriage & Family Sunday in October. Focusing on respect for human life and the family, resources are produced to positively contribute to the conversations in our community.
This year, Life, Marriage & Family Sunday is celebrated with the theme – Walking with Families – Pope Francis & the Art of Accompaniment. Resources developed focus on Pope Francis’ recent exhortation on the family – Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love). As well as a booklet, a series of six videos have been produced featuring married, consecrated and single people. Each share their insights and experience of the mission of the family, hospitality, prayer and accompaniment.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury 
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