Category: Better World

Building a better world by building a better me

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CARITAS AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND

CARITAS AOTEAROA New Zealand has launched an appeal  to  assist  those  affected by the Christchurch earthquake.  Donations can be made directly to Caritas New Zealand by phoning 0800 221 022 for credit card donations; donating online using a credit card http://www.caritas.org.nz; posting to Caritas New Zealand, PO Box 12193, Thorndon, Wellington 6144, New Zealand (mark envelope ‘Christchurch Earthquake Relief’).
SPECIAL COLLECTION TODAY AT ALL MASSES.

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MADRID WORLD YOUTH DAY

Madrid World Youth Day.
Costs have lessened.  The week in Madrid is now $4,850.00, extensions to Italy and Holy Land are $6,300.00.  Final payments due 15 April.
Enquiries Archdiocesan Office for Youth—9412 3326.

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CURRENT CRISES IN MENTAL HEALTH

Current Crisis in Mental Health, a presentation by John McGrath, former Deputy Chair of Beyond Blue at St Francis’ Pastoral Centre, Lonsdale St. City on Wed 23 February 12 noon to 1.00pm.  Sponsored by St Vincent de Paul Society.

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THIRD NATIONAL FAMILY GATHERING

This will be held in Melbourne 15-17 April. A brief meeting will be held next Tuesday 15 February at 7.30pm at Thomas Carr Centre 278 Victoria Parade, Melbourne. Our parish needs some representatives to promote this conference. Enquiries Penny 9287 5579

Bishop Eugene Hurley, Chairman of the Australian Catholic Bishops Commission for Pastoral Life says on the website www.sharethedream.org.au

I am delighted to invite Catholic families throughout Australia to participate in this National Catholic Family Gathering.

Share the Dream echoes the call of the late Pope John Paul II to families – to become what you are – the communities of life and love which make the presence of our Lord real to those around us.

God himself affirmed the importance of the family. Born into a human family, Jesus lived the greater proportion of his life among us following the universal path from childhood into the daily routine of home and work as he “grew in wisdom and stature” (Lk 2:52). So we are reminded that it is through the family that the natural bonds of God’s own love hold firm that foundation upon which our society depends.

The Marriage and Family Council together with the Melbourne Life, Marriage and Family Office have brought together an inspiring line up of speakers and interactive workshops to help participants to reflect on family life, gain new skills, and be encouraged in living family life.

Please come and join this celebration of family life.

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OUR SERVICE OF ONE ANOTHER

In March during our Stewardship Program we will reflect on how we can serve one another in the various ministries within our parish. I recently came across Pope Benedict quoting Cardinal John Henry Newman:

God has created me to do him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. 

…..Fr Kevin

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CENTENARY OF THE ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT–1910-2010

During his recent visit to England and Scotland, Pope Benedict XVI gave his most extended body of ecumenical teaching to date. He recalled the Edinburgh 1910 Missionary Conference, the birth of the modern ecumenical movement and expressed his thanks for the remarkable progress so far. He acknowledged the difficulties that the ecumenical path has encountered and strongly re-affirmed the ultimate goal of the restoration of full ecclesial communion. Speaking in Westminster Abbey, the Pope said what we share in Christ is greater than what continues to divide us.
This year, our parish needs several more parishioners to be actively involved in the ecumenical ministry in Sunbury.
If interested, please contact me in the next week.
….Fr Kevin

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A VOCATION VIEW

Isaiah’s  vocation  was  to  be a light to the nations. Nations and neighbourhoods need missionaries – lay, clergy and religious. Listen to the call!

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NEED FOR MORE PRIESTLY VOCATIONS

As in most Western countries, we have a decreasing number of active priests.  As at today, there are 35 active parish priests serving in Melbourne Archdiocese who are aged 70 years or more.  In five years they will have reached the age of 75 years the retirement age, unless they need to retire earlier for health reasons or indeed enter eternal life.  Usually there are two or three new priests ordained annually in Melbourne.
As we celebrate Jesus’ beginning his vocation at his baptism, let us encourage our sons and grandsons to be open to a priestly vocation of service.

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WORLD MISSION DAY APPEAL

Catholic Mission thanks you for your response to the World Mission Day Appeal.  Your generosity empowers us to witness Christ’s love in 160 countries of the world.  In contributing $1,196.70 you have joined fellow Catholics throughout the world, even in the poorest areas, in supporting Christ’s mission to all people.

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THE NEW YEAR 2011

  • Our town Sunbury is celebrating its 175th year.  The Christian Churches are planning a celebration in Lent for the 175th Year.
  • In our neighbourhoods, we shall launch groups to share the Word of God and reflect on life in Lent/Easter time.
  • Both our schools will have the full use of their new facilities and a number of new staff.
  • We shall bless and open the new school facilities at O.L.M.C. School, have a school reunion and celebrate our final centenary event on February 26 and 27.

Wishing you blessings at Christmas and in 2011,

….Fr Kevin

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THE LAST SUNDAY OF 2010

Our centenary year has been full of activity and celebrations.  In early February Bishop Tim Costelloe, our regional bishop, dedicated the new altar and font in St Anne’s Church in a moving ceremony.  In March we blessed the new Bell Tower at O.L.M.C. Church to house the bell first rung in 1911.  In April over 450 attended a real Bush Dance in a huge shed on a local farm.  In May 121 children were admitted to the Eucharistic Table of the Lord in ten sessions.  In late May I celebrated with thanksgiving forty years of ordained priesthood.  In June the adults tested their knowledge at a trivia night in a packed Parish Centre.  In August the long process of selecting a new principal, Noelene Hussey, for St Anne’s School concluded.  In September our Parish Ball at the Calabria Club was a great success.  Late September we gathered for Mass in the Bulla Hall to remember how Catholics first met in homes (nearby in Oaklands Road) for Mass from 1852 with the priest coming by horse from Coburg.  In November we had the blessing and opening of the new classrooms and other facilities at St Anne’s School.  In December we farewelled Lucy Jackanic as she completed her term as principal.  This year 141 Baptisms were celebrated in our church.  In 1911 Fr. John Gallivan P.P. celebrated 13 Baptisms.

As we look back on 2010, let us be grateful for all we have received from our generous Lord and from each other.
We have had opportunities to pray together daily in one of our churches.  We rejoice in the canonisation of our Melbourne Saint Mary Mackillop.  We have been supported by the prayers of those housebound or in care.  We have been blessed with new school facilities at our three Catholic schools.  Our parishioners have been generous in Thanksgiving Offering so that we have paid off $140,567 from our debt leaving us with a current debt of $620,105.  We have also paid for our running costs.
We also give thanks to those who gave their time and shared their talents this year:  altar servers, Baptism prepararation teams, bingo workers, church cleaners, crib erectors, collection counters, communion ministers to sick, education board, finance committee, flower providers, gardeners, Legion of Mary, liturgy ministers, liturgy planners, maintenance people, music ministers, neighbourhood coordinating teams, parish posties, parish coordinating team, P.T.F.A. (2), Parish Centre management committee, parish photographer, school helpers, those who set up for Masses, and website manager.
As I told Archbishop Hart, we have such a great team here.

Fr Kevin

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VALE FR JOHN BEGLEY S.J.

Fr John returned to the Father last week aged 88 years, a Jesuit for 70 years.  A country person, he was educated at Assumption College, Kilmore.  After gaining his Doctorate in Philosophy  in  Rome,  he  came  to  teach  us at Werribee in 1964.  He revolutionized the course of studies for priesthood, broadening the course to relate to the modern world.  We were so fortunate to have him as dean of studies.  I last met him this year at a lecture on the priesthood—he was still learning!  Father John was a very loved and loving uncle and great-uncle.
……Fr Kevin

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OUT OF KENYA

This Sunday we were privileged to have Fr Antony return to us from Kenya along with Fr Patrick. They celebrated Mass with us this weekend. Fr Antony gave a talk about his activities since he was here for WYD a few years ago. He discussed a partnership program that he was hoping we would be able to join in with his parish and school in (near?) the Masai Mara in Kenya. More information will be published as it comes to hand. Anyone interested in joining a committee to kick some form of inter-parish partnership off, contact the Parish Office.

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