OUR OVERSEAS HUMANITARIAN PROJECT. A VISIT BY THE PROGRAM MANAGER NITA ANGGRIAWAN

LAP-2Nita 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.
LAP-1Nita spoke at each of our Masses and also joined us for morning tea after the 8:30 Mass.

LAP-3 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.

LAP 5

FUND RAISING DINNER FOR VICTIMS OF CYCLONE KOMEN IN MYANMAR (BURMA)

MESSAGE FROM FR WILL MATTHEWS

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.

myanmar-flooding-_kuma-a

FR KEVIN AT RENEWAL CONFERENCE IN POLAND

In 1952 following the destruction of World War II, Pope Pius XII urged Catholics to build a better world. In response, Fr.Riccardo Lombardi S.J. of Italy formed a group of Catholics of various vocations and the Pope resourced substantially this new group. Today, this group has 565 members in 25 countries, e.g., 83 in India, 52 in Korea, 42 in the Congo, 39 in PNG, 38 in Italy and smaller groups e.g, 9 in Spain, 8 in Australia, and 6 in France. Our parish renewal project is from this group.
The delegates of the group meet every four years over twelve days. This year they met in September in Krakow, Poland where I attended as a delegate of Australia. We gathered in a centre for spiritual formation. The Cardinal Archbishop of Krakow met us all individually. The conference uses three languages; imagine listening to a sermon three times in French, Spanish and English!
Krakow is where St. John Paul II was born in 1920 and lived until he was elected pope. This year, the diocese had seventy priests ordained. The city is 97 per cent Catholic with 150 churches. It is the venue for World Youth Day in August 2016.
We visited the nearby Auschwitz concentration camp where 1.1 million persons were executed by the Nazis – a very confronting place. We saw the hair, the clothes, and the children’s shoes of those exterminated between 1940 and 1945.
Today, since the fall of communism Poland is growing economically, with good educational and medical facilities, a safe place with good public transport.   …..Kevin McIntosh

END POVERTY………..15YEARS OF ACHIEVMENT

Millennium Development Goals Report 2014
(Click here to read the full report)

Fourteen years ago, the Millennium Declaration articulated a bold vision and established concrete targets for improving the existence of many and for saving the lives of those threatened by disease and hunger. There has been important progress across all goals, with some targets already having been met well ahead of the December 31st 2015 deadline.

Several MDG targets have been met

 • The world has reduced extreme poverty by half

 • Efforts in the fight against malaria and tuberculosis have shown results
 If the trends continue, the world will reach the MDG targets on malaria and tuberculosis.

 • Access to an improved drinking water source became a reality for 2.3 billion people
The target of halving the proportion of people without access to an improved drinking water source was achieved in 2010, five years ahead of schedule.

 • Disparities in primary school enrolment between boys and girls are being eliminated in all developing regions
By 2012, all developing regions have achieved, or were close to achieving, gender parity in primary education.

 • The political participation of women has continued to increase

 • Development assistance rebounded, the trading system stayed favourable for developing countries and their debt burden remained low

 • Major trends that threaten environmental sustainability continue, but examples of successful global action exist

 • Hunger continues to decline, but immediate additional efforts are needed to reach the MDG target

 • Chronic undernutrition among young children declined, but one in four children is still affected

 • Child mortality has been almost halved, but more progress is needed

 • Much more needs to be done to reduce maternal mortality

 • Antiretroviral therapy is saving lives and must be expanded further

 • Over a quarter of the world’s population has gained access to improved sanitation since 1990, yet a billion people still resorted to open defecation

 • 90 per cent of children in developing regions are attending primary school

The MDGs brought together governments, the international community, civil society and the private sector to achieve concrete goals for development and poverty eradication. Much has been accomplished through the concerted and focused efforts of all, saving and improving the lives of many people, but the agenda remains unfinished. The analysis presented in this report points to the importance of intensifying efforts to meet all MDG targets.
The post-2015 development agenda is slated to carry on the work of the MDGs and integrate the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Continued progress towards the MDGs in the remaining year is essential to provide a solid foundation for the post-2015 development agenda.
Wu Hongbo
Under-Secretary-General for Economic
and Social Affairs

OVER $4000 RAISED LAST WEEKEND!!! A THANK YOU VIDEO FROM L.A.P.

To the wonderful people of the OLMC Parish Community and the Staff and Children at St Anne’s – thank you for your generosity! Over $4,000 has been raised from last week’s fundraising appeal and Coloured Clothing Day at the School.
The Parish Office will be forwarding the funds direct to the Team at the Catholic University in Jakarta caring for the children living with HIV-AIDS. We know how grateful they will be for your wonderful support.
Thank you, again, – Mick Hetherington, Frank O’Connor, Julie Reddan and Tony Kiley on behalf of the Parish Coordinating Team.

THE FOLLOWING VIDEO HAS BEEN SENT BY LENTERA ANAK PELANGI IN INDONESIA TO THE PARISHIONERS OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL PARISH IN SUNBURY TO SAY THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT AND TO SHOW SOME OF THEIR WORK.

PROJECT COMPASSION 2015

The Theme for Project Compassion 2015 is “Food for Life”.

Food is essential for all life, yet many of the world’s poorest people do not have food security. That means they live from day-to-day, uncertain of how to afford or how to access their next meal. Without food, the rest of life is impossible to contemplate: how can you plan for the future or educate your children when you fear you will be hungry?

As Pope Francis says: “It is a well-known fact that current levels of production are sufficient, yet millions of people are still suffering and dying of starvation. This is truly scandalous.”

Project Compassion 2015 explores how Caritas Australia is helping the world’s poorest people establish sustainable food, walking with them as they free themselves from the burden of food insecurity and develop new, improved income streams for a better future.

OVERSEAS HUMANITARIAN PROJECT – THANK YOU

To the wonderful people of the OLMC Parish Community – thank you for your generosity! Over $4,355 has been raised from last week’s fundraising appeal. The Parish Office will be forwarding the funds direct to the Team at the Catholic University in Jakarta caring for the children living with HIV-AIDS. We know how grateful they will be for your wonderful support. We would also like to thank the Parishioners who have already filled in pledge cards authorising regular contributions to the project. If you are considering making a regular contribution, pledge cards can be handed in at Masses or at the Parish Office. We will have more information on the total value of these regular contributions in the next week or so.

THANKS TO THE YOUTH GROUP FOR THE ST VALENTINES DAY DANCE

Thanks to the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Youth Group for the great work they did with the Valentines Day Dance last Saturday night. The Youth Group raised $240 for the Overseas Humanitarian Project which will support the medicine and food required for the children afflicted with HIV/AIDS in Jakarta. Thank you also to the parishioners who supported the night by attending.

Valentines Day Flyer Body

OVERSEAS HUMANITARIAN PROJECT

The Care Group at the Catholic University in Jakarta continue their crucial work in caring for the children living with HIV AIDS in the slums of that city. The Parish has made a commitment to support their work for the longer term and so will be conducting a fundraising appeal on 7/8 Feb—similar to that held in March of last
year. Your generous support would again be mu h appreciated by the children. More details in the bulletin over the next few weeks.
Mick Hetherington, Frank O’Connor, Julie Reddan and Tony Kiley on behalf of the Parish Co-ordinating Team.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY ASSISTING REFUGEE STUDENTS

MERCY CONNECT PROJECT MELBOURNE

Mercy Works Ltd. is currently recruiting volunteers to support Refugee and Asylum Seeker Children and Adults in the Melbourne Archdiocese. The volunteer commitment is approximately half a day per week for four school terms. Experience working in an educational setting is preferred but not limited to. Interview process will be in February followed by a Training Day in March. Please contact Sister Mary Lewis RSM for an application form and further information. Email: somml@bigpond.com  – preferable Tel: 9326 1895 Website: www.mercyworks.org.au

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary School Mini Vinnies Update

OLMC GardenersSome of our members are involved with the Sunbury Community Kitchen and we saw the opportunity to get Mini Vinnies involved by contributing towards Monday night meals, by having a vegetable patch in our school.
With the generous donation of $500 from the Rotary Club of Sunbury, we have been able to make our idea a reality. Mini Vinnies Conference members enthusiastically weeded and turned the soil over to make a healthy environment for our vegetables to grow in. We purchased the seedlings, vitamins, soil and mulch and regularly watered our garden. We have now harvested spring onions and different types of lettuce and they were used at the kitchen. The excess vegetables will be sold and the money raised will be used towards next years crops.

Another project we have been very proud to be involved in, is Operation Christmas Child, which is run by Samaritan’s
Purse. It gives children who live in poverty a chance to receive a Christmas Present for possibly the first time.

We organized the delivery boxes and asked each grade in our school to fill the shoe boxes with small toys or stationary. We had two boxes for each grade – one for boys and one for girls. Each grade could also choose what age group they wanted to give their donations to –  2 – 4 year olds, 5 – 9 year olds or 10-14 year olds. Our school students were excited to be able to donate to this cause. Once they were filled, a volunteer from Samaritan’s Purse collected the boxes and the Rotary Club donation paid for the postage, to get the boxes to Cambodia. The boxes are on a freighter right now and are due to arrive in Cambodia on December 12th.
(more info here on Operation Christmas Child Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OCCshoeboxes)

By Erinn, Mackenzie & Rick, on behalf of OLMC Mini Vinnies

WELCOME AT THE INN

Ninety parishioners have volunteered to assist in various ways in our project “Welcome at the Inn”. Forty turned up on Monday night and we set up the stage and altar and 1600 chairs in 25 minutes– a record.
We as Parish thaqnk all the marvelous helpers who made these special Christmas celebrations possible. To make our church welcoming it has been cleaned thoroughly, you may have noticed the beautiful windows! The wonderful Nativity scene has been set up and brings joy to all who see it. The lovely Wreath was put on the Sanctuary for all to see. On Thursday 18 December, the parish office was buzzing with activity as the Christmas Packs that all families will receive at all Christmas Masses, were collated. We had an excellent response from the whole parish to helping out with all Christmas Masses. From being a Special Minister, Collector, Car Park Attendant, Welcomer and Usher, to setting up the Rupertswood Stadium and packing it back up. Attending the Multicultural Day on December 7 and supporting the Vinnies Christmas Appeal are all ways that parishioners supported each other during this precious time, Advent, of waiting for the Saviour to be born.
It is as a community we give thanks to God for the gift of our Saviour Jesus Christ. And by sharing our own gifts with our community we can show our thanks by giving ourselves.

TYPHOON HAIYAN ANNIVERSARY

It has been a year since the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines and killed 6300 people, causing 4.1 million people to be displaced and 1.1 million homes were damaged or destroyed. Caritas Australia raised a huge $6 million to assist in the rebuilding of lives and infrastructure to the communities affected by the devastation. Caritas reports that they work is still continuing to rebuild the lives and communities so badly affected by this natural disaster of which the world has not seen before. The full report will be on the St Anne’s noticeboard or check out the link at www.caritas.org.au/haiyan.

TRUTH JUSTICE HEALING COUNCIL

 Francis Sullivan, CEO of the Truth Justice and Healing Council has called upon all Catholic Communities to stay in touch with the reforms which are starting to take place in the church as the Royal Commission into child sex abuse continues its work. To subscribe to the councils weekly newsletter or find out about the Catholic Church and the Royal Commission and details for the Church’s reform agenda, go to  www.tjhcouncil.org.au.
You can contact the Council via phone on 02 6234 0900 or email admin@tjhcouncil.org.au.
Mr Sullivan said the church, through the council, is working closely with the Commission on a new approach to helping survivors of child sexual abuse find justice.

STRENGTHENING ASYLUM SEEKER SUPPORT

Friday 21 November from 9am to 3.30pm at Cardinal Knox Centre, East Melbourne. Cost $20 including lunch. Forum to hear of update on issues, focus on current needs, etc. Further info on noticeboard in St Anne’s Church foyer.

HOLY LAND CHRISTMAS DISPLAY

Holy Land Christmas gifts will be available for purchase after Masses at St Anne’s Church this weekend. The proceeds of sales goes to support the last Christians of Bethlehem to stay and work in the Holy Land. These would make great and unique Christmas gifts.

FREE THE CHILDREN: ART INSTALLATION

Thursday 20th till Sunday 23 November 2014, 9.00am-5.00pm each day.
Official launch: 11.00am on Thursday 20th
On the lawn adjacent to St Paul’s Cathedral, Swanston Street, Melbourne
COME BE PART OF A SYMBOLIC FREEING OF REFUGEE CHILDREN FROM IMMIGRATION DETENTION.
Info on noticeboard in St Anne’s church foyer.

A STITCH IN TIME

A Stitch in Time  is an Oration delivered by Prof Patrick McGorry AO (2010 Australian of the Year) presenting early intervention in the identification and treatment of psychosis, particularly among young people.
Prof John Gleeson, will give the response to Prof McGorry’s Oration.
Monday 1 December 7pm at Phillipa Brazil Theatre, Daniel Mannix Building, ACU 8 Brunswick St, Fitzroy.
Light refreshments from 7pm. Info call 9926 5727.

A GIANT CAR BOOT SALE AND CRAFT MARKET

 A  giant car boot sale and craft market will be held by Sunbury Uniting Church on the Village Green and inside the church hall, on Saturday 15th November from 8.30am.  There will be outside car sites (over 60 cars!) plus inside craft stalls and Devonshire Teas. Sites still available ($20) but be quick!  Phone Helen on 9744 3031.