Author: MtCarmel

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FR KEVINS NOTES

FR KEVINS NOTES

ONE FEAST OVER THREE DAYS
Over these three days we proclaim Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. It is such an immense and awe-inspiring mystery that we need three days to enter its truth. The mystery is called the paschal mystery. We gaze at the mystery on Holy Thursday as Jesus kneels on the floor to wash feet, sits at the table for the Last Supper and anguishes in the garden of Gethsemane. On Good Friday we gaze at the Cross and on Easter Day, we are gazing in another garden and see the empty tomb. There is no attempt to soften either the sadness or the joy.

THE PASCHAL MYSTERY—THE NEW CREATION—THE NEW TREE OF LIFE
John’s gospel presents Jesus as dying as a King and that Jesus is in complete control of his own destiny, with Jesus carrying his own cross.
John’s passion begins and ends in a garden—a feature unique to John. Jesus’s cross is erected in the middle of the garden. The tree of life was in the middle of the garden of Eden. His mother is called ‘woman’ the same term used for Eve in the Garden of Eden.
(Genesis 2:23)
Only in John’s gospel, there is the scene where Jesus from the cross says: “Woman, this is your son. Then to the disciple he said, “This is your mother” (John 19:26) This changed the relationship between Jesus and his disciples. Now we share the same mother as he—we hence become his brothers and sisters.
The body of Jesus is buried in a new tomb in the garden. In John 2:19, Jesus said “destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up”.
The risen Lord appears to Mary Magdalene saying: “Go and tell my brothers and sisters, I go to my Father and your Father” (John 20:17).
Jesus and we share a relationship of being children of God. We by baptism are the Household of the Father—the New Temple.
“As I have washed your feet, you should wash each others feet”.
At the Last Supper, Jesus shows he is Servant, one who is ready to do the dirty jobs, to be at the bottom of the social heap. He kneels on the floor to wash the feet. (John 13:15)
Today, attached is a list of the various ways we can serve each other in our parish. There is a tear off slip to leave today at the Welcome desk.

OUR PRAYERFUL SYMPATHY:
we offer to Fr Martin Ashe and to his mother and family in Ireland as his sister Maureen entered eternal life last week.

MATTRESS APPEAL:
The Bishop of Lismore, Bishop Greg Homeming has launched an appeal for mattresses for the people of Lismore who have lost their bedding in the wake of Cyclone Debbie. Our parishioners at Mass on Thursday evening donated to this appeal. Others wishing to give are invited to leave donations at our Parish office.

MELBOURNE PRIESTS RE-COMMIT:
Last Tuesday during Mass at the Cathedral, 254 Melbourne priests renewed their commitment to serve the people in the Melbourne Archdiocese. Please continue to pray for our priests and for more to follow in their footsteps as Melbourne grows bigger. Some parishes are relying on priests aged in the nineties to celebrate Mass for the people. Hundreds gathered for the funeral of their beloved pastor of 32 years Fr Jim Kierce on Wednesday.

OUR PARISH DONKEY:
We thank the Honner family for looking after our donkey on their farm. The donkey will feature on the “Melbourne Catholic” website melbournecatholic.org.au this week re-enacting Palm Sunday. The donkey is aged 25 years and in good health

…..Kevin McIntosh

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EMMAUS CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP

We meet at St Anne’s Church at 10.00am on Thursdays. All welcome, including children. For further info/transport please contact Lambert & Elaine van der Weerden on 0418 322 596.
The closing Mass for the Northern Region of the Jubilee Cross will be celebrated by Bishop Curtin and will be held at St Mary’s, 204 Grimshaw Street, Greensborough on Sunday 23 April com- mencing at 2.00pm. If attending please bring a plate for afternoon tea.

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GOOD FRIDAY COLLECTION

Our Good Friday collection supports the church of the Holy Land. It promotes the missionary work of the Church in the Holy Land by providing welfare assistance to local Christians in areas such as health, education, employment and housing. Parishes, schools, orphanages and medical centres also rely on support from this collection. The collection also is relied upon to maintain the 74 churches and shrines associated with the life of Jesus. Please also pray for peace and harmony will become a reality in the land where Jesus lived.

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REMEMBRANCE CARDS FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT BE WITH US AT THIS TIME

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.

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LENTEN PROGRAM (A note on the Jubilee Cross)

 

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”.

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OUR OVERSEAS AID PROJECT LAP (CHILDREN OF THE RAINBOW LANTERN)

OUR OVERSEAS AID PROJECT LAP

ONE CHILD – ONE LIFE

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.

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ASH WEDNESDAY– 1 MARCH 2017 (Mass Times etc)

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:

  • 9.30am St Anne’s (with St Anne’s Primary School)
  • 12.30pm OLMC (with OLMC Primary School)
  • 7.00pm St Anne’s

Archbishops Message for Lent 2017: a message from Archbishop Denis Hart is on the Noticeboard in the foyer of St Anne’s Church.

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JOSE` NOY– A FOLLOWER OF MARY MACKILLOP – CELEBRATION SUNDAY 26TH AFTER 10.30AM MASS

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

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SALESIAN COLLEGE SUNBURY ENROLMENT (2018 Closing date 17 Feb 2017)

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.

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ST VALENTINES DAY DANCE ON 18TH 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.

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CHRISTMAS MASS IN OUR PARISH

ADVENT MASSES WITH ANOINTING OF THE SICK

  • Tuesday 20 December Riddell Gardens 2.30pm
  • Wednesday 21 December St Anne’s Church 11.00am
  • Wednesday 21 December Lions Hostel 2.30pm

FIVE CHRISTMAS FAMILY MASSES IN ST ANNE’S CHURCH

  • Saturday 24th December at 6pm, 8pm and 10pm
  • Sunday 25th December at 8.30am and 10.30am.
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THE LITURGY EXPLAINED (COMMUNAL RECONCILIATION: THE SECOND RITE)

LITURGY LINES
© Liturgy Brisbane

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.) 

COMMUNAL RECONCILIATION
THE SECOND RITE

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!

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NEWS FROM OUR OVERSEAS HUMANITARIAN PROJECT

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.

i-am-brave

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.