At 10.30am Mass this weekend, the children in Years 1 & 2 attending St Anne’s Primary School and Our Lady of Mount Carmel schools, will be attending Mass. We give thanks for the gifts these families bring our parish community.
THE TRANSMISSION OF THE FAITH IN THE FAMILY
Parents are the first educators in faith for their children. In today’s Mass we recognize the great care and concern of all parents for their children. Let’s pray for all families that they may be ever more effective places where the faith is passed on. Take home the handout ‘Parents Passing on the faith”, available at the Welcome Desk today.
PARISH MEETING NIGHT
PARISH MEETING NIGHT
This is a concept where all the parish groups gather on one night a month, beginning with a brief prayer session together in the church, followed by their group meeting for one hour, concluding with supper together. At the parish of Kings Park (formerly St Albans West), they have followed this concept for 16 years with about 230 people involved each month. There, they use classrooms and other spaces for meetings. Each year, parishioners are asked to be in a group whichever they have the energy for in that year. Coming together on one night enthuses people as they are not meeting in isolated venues. Minutes are done at the meeting and emailed to those not present. At our Parish Assembly, this proposal was accepted for us to implement next year. Parishioners can be part of multiple Ministries as they do not need to attend monthly meetings whereas Parishioners are asked to be part of one Group who do attend a monthly meeting. The difference between Ministries and Groups will be outlined in the Parish Expo on 15 & 16 February 2014. Information will also be part of the next Neighbourhood letter to describe the various Ministries and Groups for parishioners to be part of for the next 12 months.
REMEMBERING LOVED ONES IN NOVEMBER
The month of November is dedicated to the prayerful memory of the Faithful Departed.
Our parish will celebrate the memory of loved ones in a number of ways:
- At each of our two churches there will be blank leaflets to write the names of those who have died, to be placed in a Memorial Book of the Dead. This book will be open for display and be presented at each Mass during the Procession of the Gifts. The leaflets may be taken home and returned completed during October.
- The graves at Bulla and Sunbury cemetery will be blessed on Sunday afternoon, November 10 at 2.30pmand 3.30pm respectively.
- We will celebrate a Mass of Remembrance at OLMC Church at 7.30pm on Tuesday November 19.
CHRISTMAS ON THE GREEN 2013
The message of Christ brought to the Community by the combined churches of Sunbury
Saturday 14th December 2013
Activities starting 5pm. Nativity Stable with real animals, puppet show, clowns and crafts, food and drink stalls. This is followed by Carols on the Green at 7pm. Workers are needed for setting up tents and foodstalls and for actors in the stables. Everyone is very welcome.
MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND
Married couples, we encourage you to prioritise your relationship. It underpins your family life. Please join us for a Marriage Encounter weekend. Our weekend helps you to remember why you married and gives you skills to maintain your love for each other. Couples and a priest present the weekend. It is based around catholic values but you don’t need to be catholic to attend. There is no group sharing.
Our next weekends in Melbourne are on: 18-20 October, 2013 (full), 22-24 November, 2013, and 4-6 April, 2014.
For further information and bookings contact Marianne & Marcel Van den Bronk
(03) 9733 0997 or Email vicbookings@wwme.org.au
ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY
On the walls of our Gathering space are posted the reports and proposals of our numerous parish groups which were presented at our Parish Assembly on 7th September.
PARISH DONKEY HEALTH REPORT
A recent inspection of our donkey found him very well cared for so that his excess of weight has gone. He has been booked for “Christmas on the Green” on the 14th December.
(The Editor will be checking with the donkey to get some tips)
ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY REPORT 2013
ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY
Saturday 7 September, 2013
Over 30 Parishioners gathered in good spirit, commencing with prayer.
Michael McConville again facilitated with humour and encouragement.
Several apologies were noted.
Time was spent reviewing the proposals and outcomes of 2012 and the Parish Target “the people of OLMC Parish have become a Christian community in which we value one another and use our gifts for the good of all”
There were presentations from the Parish Primary School Principals. Noelene and Paul spoke of a program in collaboration with Salesian College that will enable the successful transition to Year 7, benefiting the students both socially and academically. The Religious Education Leaders, Rosalba and Colin with Richard outlined the RE program (based on the RCIA model), the Sacramental celebrations and the “Parenting in Faith” programs offered to parents.
Many of our Parish groups presented to the Assembly, outlining their work, plans and suggested proposals for the next year.
They included: Maintenance Team and Parish Centre Management, JG Community Garden, Knights of the Southern Cross, Justice and Historical Group. The Ecumenical group, Legion of Mary, RCIA, Baptismal Preparation Team and Emmaus Prayer Group were also represented. As was Bingo, Parish Web Page, Evergreens, RSJ associates, Children’s Liturgy and some of our Parish Neighbourhoods. There was a report on the Neighbourhood structure and Fr Kevin presented proposals on behalf of the Pastoral Team.
We heard of the incredible work of Saint Vincent de Paul, assisting their Sunbury clients with many hours of support and $8000 each month. The Conference is always in need of support with appeals and voluntary work.
The Youth Group are working to encourage parents and youth alike to become involved in liturgy and social gatherings.
Proposals, that were presented, to be considered by the Pastoral Coordinating Team include the financial support of an Overseas Project, Monthly Meeting Plan and a Parish Expo, maintenance issues of Parish property and involvement of Baptismal families. Other proposals suggested more Parish social gatherings eg picnic and morning teas hosted by Parish groups. Music in Sunday liturgies was discussed, as was the purchase of Liturgical banners for St Anne’s church.
A small group of parishioners gather monthly at Goonawarra Nursing Home for a sing-a-long with residents. Any musicians are warmly invited to join the fun.
All groups who were represented would warmly welcome any queries and/or new members.
Those who attended agreed that our Parish is blessed with many energetic and committed people who give freely of the time and talents for the growth of our Catholic community.
NOTE: A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT IS AVAILABLE ON THE “PARISH REPORTS PAGE HERE.
Also a comment may be left at the bottom of this page if you would like to leave any feedback.
MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND
Married couples, we encourage you to prioritise your relationship. It underpins your family life. Please join us for a Marriage Encounter weekend. Our weekend helps you to remember why you married and gives you skills to maintain your love for each other. Couples and a priest present the weekend. It is based around catholic values but you don’t need to be catholic to attend.
There is no group sharing. Our next weekends in Melbourne are on: 18-20
October, 2013 (full), 22-24 November, 2013, and 4-6 April, 2014.
For further information and bookings contact Marianne & Marcel Van den Bronk (03) 9733 0997 or Email vicbookings@wwme.org.au
CATHOLICCARE SPECIAL COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND
The annual appeal for CatholicCare will take place at all Masses this weekend. CatholicCare has been supporting and caring for the families of the Melbourne Archdiocese and relies on the support of our Catholic community. Please give generously so CatholicCare can continue to support families to deal with the complex issues they face.
Book marks from CatholicCare are at the Welcome Desk in St Anne’s foyer to thank you for your generous and continued support.
YEAR OF FAITH
The Life , Marriage & Family Centre recently produced a marriage and family resource for the Year of Faith. Titled “Eat together…Pray together.. Go to Mass together” the resource outlines the importance of families sharing the simple traditions of Catholic family life together. Families come in all different shapes and sizes. There is some reflection on the role of the family. Also, there is a beautiful card available on the Welcome Desk in St Anne’s foyer about praying the Rosary. Please take one and pray it as family if you wish or on your own as a meditation.
CATHOLICCARE SPECIAL COLLECTION NEXT WEEKEND
The annual appeal for the CatholicCare will take place in this parish next weekend. CatholicCare has been supporting and caring for the families of the Melbourne Archdiocese and relies on the support of our Catholic community. Please give generously so CatholicCare can continue to support families to deal with the complex issues they face today.
YEAR OF FAITH
The Life , Marriage & Family Centre recently produced a marriage and family resource for the Year of Faith. Titled “Eat together…Pray together.. Go to Mass together” the resource outlines the importance of families sharing the simple traditions of Catholic family life together. Families come in all different shapes and sizes. There is some reflection on the role of the family. Also, there is a beautiful card available on the Welcome Desk in St Anne’s foyer about praying the Rosary. Please take one and pray it as family if you wish or on your own as a meditation.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD
We talked to the children about humility, and why Jesus said that we should try to be attentive to the needs of others, and not always think of ourselves first. We urged the children to pay special attention to those who others neglect, and to be nice to people who can’t pay them back.
INTERNATIONAL GATHERING
The Annual Parish International Gathering will be held after 10.30am Mass on Sunday 6 October in the Parish Centre.
All families are encouraged to be part of this annual event.
In the parish Centre, people are invited to display their culture.
It may be by performing a song or dance.
Please register you details with Garnet Jacob on 0411 286 428 for further information.
PARISH CONCERT
PARISH CONCERT
Well we had our Parish Concert, “A Banjo Sandwich“. Mind you a banjo was one of the few things Father Andrew Hayes didn’t actually play. He played keyboards, guitar, ukelele, mouth organ, whistle and others but not a banjo. The banjo sandwich came from the fact that the show started with and finished with, readings from The Bard of the Bush, Banjo Paterson.
Sandwiched between the works of Banjo Paterson were poetry and prose readings, almost all original, songs and stories, equally original, sing-a-longs and various audience participation segments.
The audience was laughing from the first minute, and probably there were a few tears shed during the reading of the “Black Saturday” poem although the part that affected me the most was the reading of “I Married a Vet“.
There was a surprisingly large turnout for a frosty winters night and I feel safe saying that everyone had a wonderful time. If fact it took Fr Andrew several attempts to get the audience to even begin to leave.
It was a packed two hours of entertainment, reflection, and community.
……………Ed
PS……if you were there leave a comment below. (Click on “Leave a Reply)
ABC interview with Fr Andrew’s Band The Stumpy Gully Bush Band here.
Website here.
THE POWER OF PRAYER………..GREAT NEWS TO SHARE
Biju and Michelle Faria together with their children, Cassandra, Shanequa and Caleb would like to sincerely thank Fr Kevin and all the dear parishioners for their constant support, contributions and most of all prayers for Caleb. It has been your prayers that has made us stronger each day to push forward even harder for a “fair go”. God Bless! ….Biju & MichelleFaria
Caleb has been on our Parish sick list for the last two years. Some of you may be
aware that he has Hunters Syndrome and has been in an ongoing battle to receive funding for medicine that will give him a better quality of life. We found out last Friday that the funding has been granted for Caleb, so that he can start his treatment. Thank you to everyone for the support and prayers for Caleb.
(Anyone have a newer photo?……Editor)
CHILDREN’S LITURGY SESSIONS
At this very special time with our children beginning to receive Communion, we urge all parents to allow their children to attend the Children’s Liturgy Session at 10.30am Masses.
The Liturgy of the Word is presented to the children at their level and is an interactive session, where children will participate in a discussion or do an activity based on the Gospel of the day. It is run every Sunday during school terms.
EARLY MASS DEPARTURES
Our Mass has four essential parts: Introductory Rites, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of the Eucharist and Concluding Rites of Blessing and Dismissal. With First Communion Masses, it would be respectful and excellent role modelling to our children if all parishioners were to remain to the end of all Masses. The only time Mass should be left early is in the event of an emergency, otherwise the final blessing and dismissal are missed– these to are important parts of the Mass.
……. Liturgy Team
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury 
You must be logged in to post a comment.