WHAT IS THE XT3 WEBSITE?

“When people exchange information, they are already sharing themselves, their view of the world, their hopes, their ideals. It follows that there exists a Christian way of being present in the digital world: this takes the form of a communication which is honest and open, responsible and respectful of others… I would like then to invite Christians, confidently and with an informed and responsible creativity, to join the network of relationships which the digital era has made possible.”
– Pope Benedict XVI, Message for the 45th World Communications Day, 5 June 2011

Pope John Paul II asked of us: “You young people have in a special way the task of witnessing today to the faith; the commitment to bring the Gospel of Christ – the Way, the Truth and the Life – into the third Christian Millennium, to build a new civilization – a civilization of love, of justice and of peace.”
And so Xt3 represents Christ (Xt) in the 3rd Millennium.
Xt3 is a content driven social networking site. It has the functionalities of the most common social networks, but with a broad resource base of the latest media that relates to the Catholic faith! Xt3 is sponsored by Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney.
Xt3 supports and bring to life the Holy Father’s 2009 theme for the 43rd World Communications Day this: New Technologies, New Relationships. Promoting a Culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE SITE.

CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP

CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS

Today’s readings emphasize for us what it means to live as a Christian disciple – both in the early Church and today over 2,000 years later. It means living a life rooted in faith. That faith leads us to love.

The second reading tells us, “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the Father loves also the one begotten by Him” (1 Jn. 5:1).

As Christian disciples, we live a life of love – love of God and love of neighbor, and we use all that we have – our time, our talents, and our treasure – in love of others, following Jesus’ footsteps. Remember, Christ’s whole life on Earth was lived for love of others, so much so that He died out of love for all of us. And so it is our responsibility as His disciples to use all that He has given us out of love for others, proclaiming the Gospel by the way we live.

 

Copyright © 2012 www.TheCatholicSteward.com

CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD

CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD

Childrens Liturgy of the Word starts next Sunday 22 April at 10.30am Mass in St Anne’s Church. Children will be welcome to join the leaders in front of the altar after the opening prayer of the Mass. After being blessed by the priest, the group will then gather in the Meeting room for the Gospel reading, a chat and sharing of stories and un activities relating to the Gospel.
Our leaders will present the Gospel in a variety of ways, such as the use of figurines to play out the readings. Music and actions will also be part of the Children’s Liturgy in order to appreciate the Word of the Lord. Children will return to the congregation to take the Gifts up as a group then return to their families. Children may have activities to show their families, or be able to take the activity home to work on. Please discuss these with children so they can tell you what they have experienced.
Children aged 3 and under are also welcome with parental supervision please. Any parents who are interested in helping with Children’s Liturgy, please contact Joanne on 0448 566 270.

RIGHT TO LIFE AUSTRALIA

Right to Life Australia is hosting a dinner on 28 April 2012 to fundraise to support their Pregnancy Counselling 24 hour service which is a telephone service to assist pregnant mothers in crisis.
The trained counsellors provide voluntary help Australia wide around the clock, every day of the year.
This service does not receive government funding.
Support Pregnancy Counselling Australia to continue to provide this vital service and have a great time at a fun event www.pregnancycounsellingaustralia.com.au Mary Collier, Right to Life Australia ph (03) 9385 0100.

FOSTER CARE

Every night in Victoria there are thousands of children who need a safe place to stay because they are unable to live at home. Also, the long-term  benefits of  providing a stable and loving home environment are crucial to development of the vulnerable children and young people MacKillop work with every day.
For further information please  contact  MacKillop Family Services  on 8398 6800  or www.mackillop.org.au.

CARITAS AUSTRALIA

CARITAS AUSTRALIA would like to thank you for supporting Project Compassion.
If you still have your Project Compassion box or set of envelopes at home, please bring them back next week or visit http://www.caritas.org.au to make your donation online.
Together we are working towards the creation of the just and compassionate world that God desires.

CATHOLICCARE OUTREACH PROGRAM

In the past our community has given generously to Catholiccare. Our community has access to the services provided by this wonderful organisation through the outreach program.
It is run through the Sunbury Community Health Service and the hours of operation are: Mon, Tues, Thurs 9-5; Wed 11.30am-7pm.
Services provided range from individual, couple and family counselling, stress management, grief and loss, pain management and parenting.
Please contact 9744 4455 to arrange an appointment if you need to use this service.

USED STAMPS

Saint Mary MacKillop S10317

Srs of St Joseph are raising funds for Mary MacKillop International Mission Fund Australia and the Peruvian Mission from collecting used stamps. If you could bring any used stamps to the Parish Office for on forwarding to the Josephites it would be much appreciated. Please leave a 1cm border around the stamps.

ALTAR CARE ROSTERS

Please collect the current Altar Care rosters for St Anne’s and Our Lady of Mount  Carmel churches. Thank you for helping to keep our Churches looking beautiful for our worship.

STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE

Jesus and Mary of Magdalene at the tomb

CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS

This Sunday we celebrate the greatest event in all of history – Christ’s resurrection from the dead. It is the greatest mystery of all time and, therefore, today is the highest celebration of the liturgical year.

As Christian disciples, we not only rejoice in the reality of the resurrection, but, as St. Peter tells us in his speech in the first reading today, we are commissioned to proclaim the good news. We proclaim Christ to the world by the way we live our lives. Filled with sheer gratitude and joy for what Christ has done, we put Him first in our lives, committing to love and serve Him before all else. We recognize our time, talents, and treasure as gifts from Him, and we use them to give Him glory.

Then, those who bear witness to our lives see the beauty of Christ in us, and we invite them to live to love and serve Him as well.

This is what it means to be a disciple. We rejoice in the good news, and we proclaim it to all the world!

 

Copyright © 2011 www.TheCatholicSteward.com

50th ANNIVERSARY OF VATICAN II

It is 50 years this October since  the bishops of the world gathered at the Vatican for an ecumenical council. Pope Benedict has called for a Year of Grace from October to renew the Church as the Council Fathers taught. An excellent article on Vatican II is by Professor Richard Gaillardetz of Boston, USA, posted on http://www.cathnews.com on 11 March 2012. He writes of the dynamics of the Second Vatican Council how the   bishops listened to one another respectfully, were humble learners and were open to the world.
…..Kevin McIntosh

EASTER OFFERINGS

Our Easter Offerings are given to support the bishops of Melbourne,  priests  in  parishes  and  our  ninety-three  retired  Melbourne priests, including priests who served in Sunbury, Fathers Jim Feehan and Alan Mithen.

PROJECT COMPASSION REFLECTION

Happy  Easter from all at Caritas Australia!
Celebrate that your generosity to Project Compassion continues aid and development work reflective of the life of Jesus Christ, and shaped by the tradition of Catholic Social Teaching principles, in over 35 countries around the world.
You have offered new life to your brothers and sisters struggling with poverty and injustice. Thank you for supporting Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion 2012 appeal.

If we want peace, we must work for justice.


Click on the image below to go to the Caritas website.

CLICK THE POSTER FOR PROJECT COMPASSION WEBSITE

FLAGS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AWARENESS

Last Wednesday, our local Federal Member Rob Mitchell M.H.R visited and presented our parish with three flags; Aboriginal, Australian and Torres Straits. He met some members of the Parish Social Justice group, inspected paintings on indigenous themes by our school children and the plaque of acknowledgement of the original owners of our land erected in 2002.
Social Justice was the theme of our teachers’ professional development last month and is being developed in the schools curriculum.

PARISH DONKEY

More volunteers to care for our donkey are sought for a roster to continue the care given by Gary & Jack Reddan who have been complimented by the RSPCA for having such a well conditioned donkey.
We thank Gary & Jack for their many years of service.
Volunteers please contact the Parish Office on 9744 1060.

COMPUTER SESSION

Fr Dispin John will run a computer session for those interested in running the computer during Mass. The session will be on Tuesday 10 April at 7.30pm in OLMC Church.

MORNING TEA

Ashfield Neighbourhood will be hosting morning tea this Sunday 1 April.
Everyone is invited to join in for a cuppa and a chat.
Please bring a plate to share.
See you there!