Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury
Scroll down for more information
In order to prepare the Convent for the celebrations planned for the 21 February, a working bee has been scheduled between 9am and 12 noon on Saturday 13 February at the Convent of St Joseph, 37 Macedon St, Sunbury.
Please bring the following tools and equipment, if you have them, otherwise just yourselves and everyone will be made welcome; gloves, rakes, spades and brooms. Thank you for your participation and for further information call Jo Wiegerink on 9744 5788.
This year in the 50th year of Project Compassion, we celebrate learning and Caritas’ work with local partners to ensure all children, women and men can harness the power of education, training and shared knowledge.
Please join us to hear how strong partnerships between the Australian and Malawian communities are transforming lives and bringing hope.
Martin Mazinga is the National Programmes Coordinator of the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi. Martin and his team at CADECOM are responsible for sustainable development opportunities for the most marginalised communities in Malawi. Martin is passionate about working with grassroots communities.
CLICK HERE FOR A BIO ON MARTIN
Thursday 11th February at 7.30 p.m.
St Joseph’s Parish Hall
49 Stanhope Street Malvern
RSVP Alicia Ocampo at aliciao@caritas.org.au or 9926 5706
SALESIAN COLLEGE SUNBURY IS HAVING AN OPEN DAY FRIDAY 12TH FEBRUARY AT 9.30AM
MEETINGS THIS WEEK
Wednesday 10 February: 5.30pm Parish Education Board
Wednesday 10 February: 7.30pm Parish Monthly Meeting
Thursday 11 February: 7.00pm Northern Region Youth Gathering—St Anne’s
Reflection on the Gospel-The Baptism of Jesus Year C, (Luke 3:15-16, 21-22)
Today’s feast marks the end of the Christmas Season and the beginning of Ordinary Time. Over the Christmas season, the liturgy invited us to reflect on and to experience the various comings of Christ in our world and to open ourselves to the action of God’s grace at work in our encounters with the living Christ. The readings from Luke’s gospel have taken us from the birth of Jesus to the story of his personal decision at age twelve to remain in God’s house, the Jerusalem Temple, listening to the teachers of the Law and astonishing them with his answers to their questions.
Now, as an adult and along with “all the people”, Jesus receives John’s water baptism. The crowds are wondering if John the Baptiser is the Christ or Messiah, God’s anointed one. John points the people away from himself and towards Jesus who “will baptise …with the Holy Spirit and fire”. Did Jesus also engage in a ministry of baptising the people “for the forgiveness of sins” or is John’s reference to Jesus’ activity of baptising with the Holy Spirit and fire a metaphor for the distinctive features of his future gospel ministry? In the Acts of the Apostles, Luke’s second volume, the presence of the Holy Spirit is marked by tongues of fire. Fire is a powerful symbol that functions as a threat on the one hand and as a source of energy and light on the other.
Jesus is God’s Chosen One, the Beloved, on whom God’s Spirit rests. In light of the first reading from Isaiah 42, the voice of God in the baptism scene commissions Jesus to bring forth justice, sensitively and without fanfare; to be a light to the peoples; to open the eyes of the blind and to set the captives free. Those baptised into Christ through the ages are baptised “with the Holy Spirit and fire” and are called to the same mission as Jesus and the same sensitive approach to the mission. The fire in our hearts sometimes flickers in the face of life’s challenges. We are sometimes guilty of crushing “the bruised reed” or extinguishing the flickering flame of hope. As we move into Ordinary Time with its often extraordinary demands, we might think about stirring the embers and fanning the flame of God’s love so that justice might prevail in our world and for our planet – justice without violence, if not without pain.
http://www.catholicreligiousaustralia.org/index.php/resources/gospel-reflections
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP IN TODAY’S READINGS
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord. This officially brings to an end the season of Christmas. You might say this is a second Epiphany. It is important to us as Catholics and Christians because it represents a second creation involving the entire Trinity.
In fact in the Eastern Church this feast is called Theophany because God appears in three persons. Jesus the Son is baptized; the Holy Spirit descends upon Him; and God declares “You are my beloved Son; with You I am well pleased.”
We recall our own Baptism on this day, because Christ’s Baptism represents in many ways what occurred at our Baptism. At Christ’s Baptism the Holy Spirit descended upon Him. At our Baptism the Trinity occupied our soul; Christ was declared the “Beloved Son”; at our Baptism we became a child of God. At Jesus’ Baptism the heavens were opened, and at our Baptism heaven was opened to us.
On this Holy Day we need to reflect upon our own Baptismal calls — calls to live and love on this earth, a command to seek holiness, to actively be disciples of Christ, calls which can be achieved in part by embracing stewardship as a way of life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (#1213) states: “Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the door which gives access to the other sacraments. We are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission.”
Copyright © 2016 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
Reflection is an essential element of our growth in Christ. As we reflect over what we have learnt and ponder it in our hearts, we come to recognise the presence of God in our lives.
This Sunday’s Reflection provided by Sr Kym Harris osb
Benedictine Monastery
Tanby via Yeppoon, Capricorn Coast
Queensland Australia 4701
http://www.prayasyoucan.com.au
Les Misèrables tells the story of people with hopes and ideals living in a squalid world marred by sin. We follow them in their differing response to the challenges of life. We see Inspector Javert who believes that adherence to the law reveals goodness, fosters peace in society and will be rewarded both in this world and the next – but his narrow understanding fails to recognise the compromises people must make just to survive in a complex world. We see the revolutionaries who place their hopes in a changed political system bringing justice to the poor and destitute but who fail to realise that hunger and destitution can undermine the courage and tenacity needed for political change. In contrast to these, we see Jean Valjean. His heart and life had been transformed by the generosity and love of Bishop Myriel and, in consequence, he is able to sustain the love and care of his brothers and sisters beyond what seems humanly possible – and indeed is humanly impossible. Having been loved so extraordinarily as a child of God, he was able to love all as children of God. That, for us, is the essence of our baptismal call. We are washed into the life and love of God. In the story of Jesus’ baptism, we are given a sign of what baptism means to us. As Jesus stood with us, so we are to stand with him and hear the words: “You are my beloved.” In hearing and owning this reality, we are given the power to love in ways beyond what may seem humanly possible. Our lives may not be as dramatic as Jesus’ or Jean Valjean’s, for that matter, but we still have the call to offer love in the small and great events of life.
The Parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel cordially invite you to join us in Thanksgiving celebration for a Hundred Years of service of the Sisters of St Joseph since 1916. Commemorative Mass will be celebrated at St Anne’s Church on Sunday 21 February 2016 at 10.30am.
Light refreshments served at the convent to renew acquaintances and share memories from 12.30pm.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and School will be open from 2.0pm-3.0pm.
Please bring a plate to share.
tea and coffee will be provided.
NOTE: After a great meeting last Thursday, we are seeking those who would like to share their memories of the Josephites in Sunbury. We would also like to hear from those who are able to help on the day. Please contact the Parish Office on 9744 1060.
This Sunday and next Sunday, there will be our usual collection for St Vincent de Paul Society to assist the local residents of Sunbury who are in need this Christmas.
The generous parishioners of Sunbury have helped St Vincent de Paul volunteers to achieve the following last month:
NEW VENUE & TIMETABLE FOR OUR CHRISTMAS FAMILY MASSES:
Vigil
Thursday 24 December 6.00pm St Anne’s Church
Thursday 24 December 8.00pm St Anne’s Church
Thursday 24 December 10.00pm St Anne’s Church
On Thursday evening St Anne’s School carpark on Stewarts Lane will be open, for a short walk to our church through the school grounds.
Children are invited to take part in the dramatization of the Gospel story of the Nativity at the 6.00pm and 8.00pm Masses.
Christmas Day
Friday 25 December 8.30am St Anne’s Church
Friday 25 December 10.30am St Anne’s Church
On Tuesday 22 December at 7.00pm there will be a brief working bee to set up St Anne’s Church for a larger congregation. Volunteers are needed for carparking, welcoming, ministering communion. Please sign up next Sunday.
The Knights of the Southern Cross Sunbury Riddell and Gisbourne held their Christmas Dinner and Presentation Night on Saturday 5th December. Present were widows of past members, Fr Bert, Sr Jose, John Attard Branch Chairman, Stuart Robertson District Chairman, John Hennessy the State Chairman, and Colin Walsh the Senior Vice-Chairman of the International Order of Catholic Knights. As well as members, wives and guests.
Nita Anggriawan (the Program Manager for the LAP Support Group at the Catholic University in Jakarta) visited the parish recently to specifically thank the parish community and our two primary schools for their wonderful generosity over the past 18 months in supporting the HIV AIDS children.
(LATEST) Nita Anggriawan has now returned to Jakarta after her visit to the parish. Nita wanted to pass on her thanks to the parish and our schools for the hospitality and warm welcome she received. Nita was particularly grateful to receive $1,443 in unsolicited donations from a number of Parishioners during her visit. These contributions will be immediately put into the care of the children with HIV AIDS.
Nita spoke at each of our Masses and also joined us for morning tea after the 8:30 Mass.
Parishioners made Nita welcome and used the opportunity to find out more from Nita about how your generousity is assisting Nita and her team in their critical care for the children.
Pictured below is Is a 7 year old boy, Noval showing the change caused by 14 months of care.
Family Christmas Trivia Night
Saturday 5 December 2015
Fun starts at 7.00pm to 10.00pm
Trivia 7.00pm to 8.00pm
Carols 8.00pm to 9.00pm
St Anne’s Parish Hall, 101 Riddell Rd, Sunbury
Adult tickets: $15 with dinner or $10 without dinner
Kids ticket 6-12 yrs: $12 with dinner or $8 without dinner
Tickets call Garnet 0411 286 428 or
Jo Parish Office 9744 1060
RSVP 26 November for catering purposes
We have a new set of banners for our Altar in St Anne’s church. They were created by Judy Dioszegi and her daughter Debbie Vicini, who, with advice from Randall Lindstrom, also created our vestments and church banners. All the designs complement each other and will be used for major liturgical feasts and seasons.
Those who wish to write the names of those who have entered eternal life for prayer, the sheets for names are available from today a the rear of our churches.
The Annual Blessing of the Graves in Bulla and Sunbury Cemeteries will take place on Sunday 8 November at 2.30pm in Bulla and 3.30pm in Sunbury.
FUND RAISING DINNER FOR VICTIMS OF CYCLONE KOMEN IN BURMA
WHERE: LAKESIDE STADIUM at SALESIAN COLLEGE
WHEN: SATURDAY 31ST OCTOBER at 6PM to 10PM
WHAT: BUFFET DINNER, BURMESE CULTURAL DANCES AND SONGS
WHAT ELSE: BURMESE CULTURAL ITEMS ON SALE, FUN AND GAMES
BYO DRINKS AND NIBBLES
Tickets can be bought directly from me by ringing WORK [9744 0019] or HOME [9740 6322] before monday 20th October.
$30 adults and $15 for children under 12. This includes admission and buffet dinner..
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE AS MANY PARISHIONERS AS POSSIBLE.
Jesus gave us a mission. We have responded.
THANK YOU TO THE 319 DONORS FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR PARISH. THIS IS 17% INCREASE IN DONORS.
Our Stewardship Program has finalised and once again we wish to warmly thank everyone for their involvement and generous support. A special thank you goes to Karen Rose and Program Leadership Team and Lorella DiPaolo and to all the volunteers who assisted with the follow-up process.
Letters of confirmation, and where possible, new sets of Stewardship envelopes, are available for collection today– in alphabetical order of surname. Members of the Program Leader- ship Team will be on hand to assist at all Masses. The new pledges take effect from next week and some envelope numbers will have changed. To avoid any confusion please destroy any old envelopes that you may still have.
Pledge cards are available at the church entrance if you have not yet had the chance to complete one. Completed cards can be left in the collection plate or delivered to the Parish Office.
A reminder that Time & Talent sheets are currently being processed and those who responded will be contacted in the near future.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury 
You must be logged in to post a comment.