Monday 13 February 2012 marks the first anniversary of a significant moment in the history of Australia. The Aboriginal Catholic Ministry remember the apology from former Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, who apologised to the Aboriginal people for the “Children of the Stolen Generation”- a very sad part of our Australian History. We remember this day, and pray that as we move forward as a nation, that we learn from the mistakes of our past and remember the dignity of all families and all people.
WELCOMING A CANDIDATE
On Sunday 12 February 2012 at 8.30 Mass, we shall welcome Christine into our parish community. Christine who is a baptized Catholic, embarked on her RCIA faith journey in July 2011 and through the Rite of Acceptance on 12 February, will enter the Catechumenate and continue to learn about Jesus and the teachings of His church. Please keep Christine in our prayers as she continues to journey towards the sacraments on Initiation at Easter.
…. R.C.I.A. Team
FUNERAL OF FR PETER FULTON
Last Wednesday, 600 people took part in his funeral at St James the Apostle, Greensborough North, including five bishops and seventy priests. The singing by all the people was wonderful. His family described the funeral as “Magnificent”.
I thank you for your expressions of sympathy in the loss of my best friend of nearly
50 years. His parents became friends of my parents.
…Fr Kevin McIntosh
EMMAUS CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP “THIS PROMISE IS FOR YOU”
“THIS PROMISE IS FOR YOU”
This is a six week seminar on the life changing work of the Holy Spirit, will be held at St Anne’s church on the evenings at 7.30pm commencing on February 23.
Topics covered include: The Certainty of God’s Love, Freedom in Jesus, The Power of the Holy Spirit, The Spiritual Gifts of Charisms, Fullness of Life and Empowered to Serve.
For registration please contact a Sunbury Emmaus Prayer Group member or phone 9744 4029.
LENT PROGRAM
At the Ash Wednesday Eucharist we are signed with the cross of ash.
At the beginning of Lent “we stand at a cross road and are given an opportunity to re-assess the direction of our lives” (Towards the Light)
As a Parish we intend to have a weekly Lenten reflection, a choice of one of three sessions:
Tuesday 7.30-8.15pm OLMC Church
Sunday 9.40-10.30am St Anne’s
Sunday 4.45-5.30pm OLMC Church
Everyone is welcome to register so as enough resources can be ordered.
Also, we are looking for 3 leaders (we will arrange training) to run the sessions.
If you are able to assist, please contact the Parish Office on 9744 1060.
YOUTH GROUP
The Childens/Youth Choir are having their first practice on 17th February at 6.30pm.
The Youth Group are organising a ‘Trivia & Pizza’ Night on 24th February at 6.30pm in the Parish Centre.
WOOD ITEMS FROM BETHLEHEM
Christian families in Bethlehem are supported by making and selling items of a religious nature made from olive wood.
At Masses on 4/5 February and 11/12 February there will be a sale of items priced from $5 to $150.00.
YOUTH GROUP CAROL SINGING AT GOONAWARRA NURSING HOME
MILITARY PRAYERBOOK FUNDRAISING DINNER
On Friday 10th February the Knights of the Southern Cross are holding a dinner at the Celtic Club in Melbourne in order to raise money to assist in the purchase of ten thousand new Military Prayer Books. These books are printed on waterproof paper and will conform to the new english translation.
The Dinner is open to the general public.
For more information contact John Stafford 0411151663
STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READING
In the gospel today, Jesus heals the sick and performs other such miracles. He then tells His disciples that He cannot stay. He must move on to the next town and continue preaching and healing others. “For this purpose have I come,” Jesus says.
As Christ’s disciples, it is our purpose and our mission to proclaim the Word of God to the world today. We are, in effect, the hands and feet of Christ, and He calls each one of us to continue His ministry of proclaiming the good news. In fact, that is why He established the Church – to call all men to Himself.
Each one of us plays a very important role in the Church’s mission. We are all vital members of the One Church, and the Lord has given us many good gifts with which to carry out this mission. When we live our lives for the glory of God and use our gifts – our time, our talents, and our treasure – to serve the Lord by serving others, people are sure to see Christ in us. People are sure to be drawn to our way of life, to the hope and happiness Christ offers, and men are sure to come to Him.
Later in Mark’s gospel, when Jesus tells the apostles, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation,” (Mk. 16:15), He was speaking to the whole Church. Let us take ownership of our call. May we all use our God-given gifts, our time, our talent, and our treasure – to proclaim the good news: Christ has come to save all and He offers everyone life everlasting. It is a wonderfully hope-filled message. May our lives reflect its truth!
Copyright © 2011 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED
We would love to hear from people who are able to assist with Children’s Liturgy of the Word at Sunday Mass. Please contact the Parish Office on 9744 1060 to register your interest.
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 man- agement, grief and loss, pain management and parenting. Please contact 9744 4455 to arrange an appointment if you need to use this service.
OLMC PARISHIONER HITS A HIGH IN EDUCATION
Sunbury Secondary College has just announced that the DUX of the college for 2011 was one of our parishioners who will be very familiar to all who attend 8.30am Mass on Sundays. Caitlin Allen was today informed by the Principal of the College of her achievement.
Caitlin has already accepted a science scholarship at La Trobe University to study for a Masters in Nanotechnology.
Well Done Caitlin
EMMAUS CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP
The Emmaus Charismatic Prayer Group will resume meeting at St. Anne’s Church at 10.15am on Thursday February 2nd.
All welcome including children.
For further info/transport please contact Lambert & Elaine van der Weerden on 9744 4029.
STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READING
As Christ’s disciples, we are called to recognize all of our gifts as God-given – our time, our talents, and our treasure and to use them accordingly, putting them at the service of the Lord.
Today’s readings remind us that it is the Lord whom we serve. In the gospel, when Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit, “Quiet! Come out of Him!” the gospel tells us, “The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed.”
It is amazing. God has authority over the whole world, and He has seen fit to bless us with so many good gifts, to give us life and family and faith, time and talents and treasure. It is only fitting that we recognize those gifts as God-given and give of them in gratitude to the One who has blessed us so.
So, we live to love and serve Him in all we do. Whether we are a mother or father, brother or sister, married or single, doctor or lawyer, writer or singer, it is our duty as Christian stewards to live our lives to the praise and glory of God. All that we do ought to proclaim His goodness to those around us.
In the first reading from Deuteronomy, the writer reminds us of this call. Speaking of prophets whose role it is to proclaim the Good News, he says, “But if a prophet presumes to speak in My name an oracle that I have not commanded him to speak, or speaks in the names of other gods, he shall die.”
Indeed, it is God whom we serve. We are called to live not for our own sake, but for the sake of the Gospel, being sure that through all we say and do, we help others see God.
Copyright © 2011 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
LENT IS COMING
The Parish will be conducting a Lenten Reflection ‘TOWARDS THE LIGHT’ program.
You will have a choice f one of three sessions which will be run each week.
Everyone is invited to register so that enough resources can be obtained. The cost of the 64 page booklet is $8.
Tuesdays 7.30pm to 8.15pm.
Sundays 9.40am to 10.30am
Sundays 4.45pm to 5.30pm
TO CHANGE THE WORLD
‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.’
– Margaret Mead, famous anthropologist (d.1978)
JILL GIBBS NEIGHBOURHOOD GARDEN
Today,Jo Wiegerink, convenor of the Garden will invite more parishioners to take part in our Garden.
The blessing of the Harvest at the Garden will take place on Sunday 12 February at 9.30am.
OUR PARISH SCHOOLS
Our Parish Schools will commence this week as all students return at the specific times as their parents were notified late last term. The leadership teams of our schools met last week.
KEY REGISTER
A proposal at the Parish Assembly in September was to establish a Key Register for the Parish Properties. If you currently hold a key to any Parish Property, could you please contact the parish office on 9744 1060 as you will need to sign the Key Register.
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