We are very grateful for the work Fr Michael Fallon has done in our parish over the last 6 weeks. He has prepared us for the New Mass Order at nearly every Mass over that time and helped in countless many other ways in our community. We thank Fr Michael and wish him all the very best with his new appointment in Brisbane. Please join us for morning tea after the 8.30 Mass.
STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
The theme of this Sunday’s readings is love, and Jesus reminds us that the most important duty of a Christian disciple is to love the Lord with his whole self, and to also love his neighbor as himself.
But love of neighbor is not always an easy task, especially when we recognize that others don’t always treat us with that sense of selfless love and, in fact, can be downright cruel to us at times. Nonetheless, Christ’s law of love stands firm. We are to love. Always.
Jesus offers us the perfect example of selfless love on the cross. He died out of love for us. In order to make reparation for our sins so that we could enjoy life everlasting, the Lord experienced the most excruciating suffering, simply because He wanted us to reap the reward. The stewardship way of life calls us to follow Jesus’ example and act on this selfless love. By doing so, we set an example and call others to follow Christ, just as St. Paul praised the Thessalonians for doing in the second reading.
The Lord has given us the gift of love and, through His own suffering and death, He has shown us how to selflessly share that love by laying down our lives for others. What’s more, He has given us our time, our talent, and our treasure, and it is our duty as Christian stewards to use them in love of God and in love of neighbor.
Copyright © 2011 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
ANTIPOVERTY WEEK 2011 ACTIVITY
A must-see feature film by Catholic filmmakers impacting people globally is a film named “The Human Experience”.
If you would like to borrow a copy contact the Communications Officer, Kristen Toohey on kristen.toohey@cam.org.au or call 03 9926 5778.
RESPECT LIFE SUNDAY ON SUNDAY 16 OCTOBER
Heavenly Father, Help us to see that death and suffering are not the end.
Your Son defeated death and gave us the hope to eternal life.
Help us not to fear the moment when You will call us home.
We pray that when confronted with suffering and dying, we may follow Your way of true love and mercy.
May we always be ready to respond to those who are suffering with companionship, empathy and love.
We pray for health care professionals and policy makers, that they will uphold the unique dignity of every human person regardless of age, sickness or disability.
We humbly ask that You will be with us during our own times of suffering and at the hour of our death.
Give us, we pray, the grace of a good death.
We pray that we might be witness to the gospel of life and transform our world with love.
Amen.
MacYAC
MACYAC
MacKillop Young Adult Community (MacYac) is a network of young adults and Sisters of St Joseph centred at the MacYac gathering place at 155 Melbourne Ave, Glenroy.
It provides an opportunity for young adults (1835 years) to `live in’, share life, prayer, reflection, vision and outreach to those in need.
MacYac is offering a `Come and See’ weekend from Friday 28 October to Sunday 30 October to find out more about the young adult community.
Alternatively, there is a `Come and See’ session on Saturday 29 October at 2pm.
For more info contact 9306 8903 or email macyac@sosj.org.au.
Mary MacKillop wrote “Believe in the whisperings of God to your own heart.”
INVITATION FROM THE SISTERS OF NAZARETH
The Sisters of Nazareth invite young women who are open to discerning a vocation to religious life and wishing to share a “live in” experience from Friday 21October to 23 October.
It will be held at Nazareth House, 218 Mill St, Ballarat.
Please reply to sister Rosalie O’Malley CSN on 0450 355 014.
VOCATION VIEW
We do not choose a vocation completely on our own. We must prayerfully reflect on how we can best give to God what is God’s, and then live as though everything depends on God.
DREAMING IN THE CITY
PRAYING THE ROSARY THE ABORIGINAL WAY
Please join us on Sunday 16 October after 10.30am Mass as we come together to pray, in the month of the Rosary, accepting the contribution to our Church from our Aboriginal Catholics. Aboriginal artwork for each Mystery will be shown on the screen in St Anne’s Church. These are the signs and symbols of this land.
MARY MACKILLOP WALKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS
Sat 22 October.
MacKillop Young Adult Community (MacYAC) invites young adults to come and visit significant sites in the life of our first Australian saint here in Melbourne. Meet at St Francis Church, Cnr Elizabeth & Lonsdale Streets, Melbourne at 2pm. Visit the birthsite, Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre and the site of the First Providence. Come and be inspired by the person of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop-Australia’s First Saint in her home town. The walks are held on the fourth Sunday of each month. For bookings phone: 9926 9300 or macyac@sosj.org.au. MacYAC is a ministry of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart of the Victorian Province.
ANTI-POVERTY WEEK 2011
Poverty ends life, inhibits education and denies people basic privileges which we take for granted. It attacks the God-given dignity of the human person.
Our faith compels us to take a stand against poverty in all its manifestations. As Catholics we have a rich social doctrine and moral teaching which binds us to respond to the cry of the poor.
Anti-poverty Week starts on 16 October until 22 October. Archbishop Denis Hart is encouraging parishes to get involved in local activities to bring dignity to those affected by poverty. St Vincent de Paul is a major agency who make a huge difference to the lives of so many. St Vincent de Paul currently needs help from volunteers able to help with the vital work they do. If you have any time available to help out as a volunteer, training will be provided by the friendly volunteers at the Sunbury office located at 156 O’Shannessy St, Sunbury. Contact Anthony Rocco for further info on 0416 008 967.
STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
People who think they’re only serving themselves can actually be carrying out God’s will despite themselves. So it was with Cyrus the Great, the Persian emperor. His military conquests were for his glory, he thought, but the Lord used him to restore the Jews, the Chosen People, to their homes in Palestine. He allowed their return after he conquered the Babylonians, who had taken the Jews into captivity. Isaiah even referred to him as God’s anointed, for he was serving God’s purposes.
This reminds us that God is the one who gives authority to governments, as well as to the Church, and that each has its sphere of responsibility for our welfare. The problem is that governments often seek to expand their powers in ways that are tyrannical rather than beneficial. That’s why the Church’s witness is needed so that we can return to Caesar what is his, as well as return to God what is God’s.
But it also means that as stewards we are responsible to share our gifts and serve the wider community beyond the parish wall as well as worship and serve within the Church. Both are needed for a healthy society. God’s care extends to all aspects of our human life.
Copyright © 2011 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury 
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