Neighbourhoods – Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury

April 15, 2017April 19, 2017

FR KEVINS NOTES

FR KEVINS NOTES

ONE FEAST OVER THREE DAYS
Over these three days we proclaim Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. It is such an immense and awe-inspiring mystery that we need three days to enter its truth. The mystery is called the paschal mystery. We gaze at the mystery on Holy Thursday as Jesus kneels on the floor to wash feet, sits at the table for the Last Supper and anguishes in the garden of Gethsemane. On Good Friday we gaze at the Cross and on Easter Day, we are gazing in another garden and see the empty tomb. There is no attempt to soften either the sadness or the joy.

THE PASCHAL MYSTERY—THE NEW CREATION—THE NEW TREE OF LIFE
John’s gospel presents Jesus as dying as a King and that Jesus is in complete control of his own destiny, with Jesus carrying his own cross.
John’s passion begins and ends in a garden—a feature unique to John. Jesus’s cross is erected in the middle of the garden. The tree of life was in the middle of the garden of Eden. His mother is called ‘woman’ the same term used for Eve in the Garden of Eden.
(Genesis 2:23)
Only in John’s gospel, there is the scene where Jesus from the cross says: “Woman, this is your son. Then to the disciple he said, “This is your mother” (John 19:26) This changed the relationship between Jesus and his disciples. Now we share the same mother as he—we hence become his brothers and sisters.
The body of Jesus is buried in a new tomb in the garden. In John 2:19, Jesus said “destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up”.
The risen Lord appears to Mary Magdalene saying: “Go and tell my brothers and sisters, I go to my Father and your Father” (John 20:17).
Jesus and we share a relationship of being children of God. We by baptism are the Household of the Father—the New Temple.
“As I have washed your feet, you should wash each others feet”.
At the Last Supper, Jesus shows he is Servant, one who is ready to do the dirty jobs, to be at the bottom of the social heap. He kneels on the floor to wash the feet. (John 13:15)
Today, attached is a list of the various ways we can serve each other in our parish. There is a tear off slip to leave today at the Welcome desk.

OUR PRAYERFUL SYMPATHY:
we offer to Fr Martin Ashe and to his mother and family in Ireland as his sister Maureen entered eternal life last week.

MATTRESS APPEAL:
The Bishop of Lismore, Bishop Greg Homeming has launched an appeal for mattresses for the people of Lismore who have lost their bedding in the wake of Cyclone Debbie. Our parishioners at Mass on Thursday evening donated to this appeal. Others wishing to give are invited to leave donations at our Parish office.

MELBOURNE PRIESTS RE-COMMIT:
Last Tuesday during Mass at the Cathedral, 254 Melbourne priests renewed their commitment to serve the people in the Melbourne Archdiocese. Please continue to pray for our priests and for more to follow in their footsteps as Melbourne grows bigger. Some parishes are relying on priests aged in the nineties to celebrate Mass for the people. Hundreds gathered for the funeral of their beloved pastor of 32 years Fr Jim Kierce on Wednesday.

OUR PARISH DONKEY:
We thank the Honner family for looking after our donkey on their farm. The donkey will feature on the “Melbourne Catholic” website melbournecatholic.org.au this week re-enacting Palm Sunday. The donkey is aged 25 years and in good health

…..Kevin McIntosh

March 25, 2017April 17, 2017

REMEMBRANCE CARDS FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT BE WITH US AT THIS TIME

REMEMBRANCE CARDS

Our parish offers cards of remembrance to parishioners who would like to remember those who cannot be with us throughout the time of Lent and Easter. If it due to distance or loss that loved ones are not with us, we can still remember and pray for them at this time. Please take a card from either of our churches and place in the basket.

September 7, 2015September 30, 2015

REPORT AND SLIDESHOW FROM THE 2015 PARISH ASSEMBLY

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September 5, 2015September 11, 2015

ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY 2015

ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY
This occurred on Saturday 5th September from 9.30am to 12 noon in the Parish Centre.
Those present thanked the representatives of our schools and Parish Pastoral Team and the representatives of all our various volunteer groups that are active in our parish.
The future development of the current and additional schools in our parish, as well as the maintenance required by our two churches, was subject to concerned discussion. It was discovered that some important work needs to be carried out immediately in St Anne’s Church. A contract has been let for the repairs to the St Anne’s car park.
All this discussion led to the urgent need for viable funding required to carry out God’s work in our parish. Our evangelising efforts will come to nought if those evangelised lose their cars down a hole in our car park.
Additionally it was discussed as to ways to call more parishioners to a more active role in all the tasks that are required so that the Word of God may be heard in our parish area.
“I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit” John 15:16

August 28, 2015September 3, 2015

PARISH CENSUS DATA

Thanks to the hundreds of you who filled in the census cards last Sunday. If you did not fill in a census card last Sunday, please do so today. The census data is only for our the good of our parish. The cards will be handed out at the first collection and collected at the second collection.

April 1, 2015April 25, 2015

WELCOME TO THE TABLE

Our parish has a theme of “Welcome to the Table” for 2015. This theme carries forward from the theme in Advent of “Welcome at the Inn”. When we welcome others to the table of the Lord at Lent, we are serving each other. Through- out Lent, our choirs will sing “The Servant Song” as our entrance hymn. The hymn asks us to serve each other, as servants, and then to accept the service of others also. As mentioned in the ministry sign up newsletter item, many parishioners serve others in the various parish ministries. Service is all around us. We serve our families by going to work and helping them in daily life; we serve our communities in various ways also. Please remember to welcome each other to the Table of the Lord. It is there we give spiritual nourishment to each other– which is needed in these challeng- ing days. Our own Sunbury community kitchen is receiving high numbers of people who struggle to receive enough food. Maybe there is something you can identify in your life that will call you to action! Jesus acted as a servant to us all. It is our time to remember what he teaches us every week– to serve one another! Our Parish theme reminds us all that we are all welcome at church and we are all valued by our parish community.

January 12, 2015February 6, 2015

HOW THE FAMILY CHRISTMAS MASS AT RUPERTSWOOD UNFOLDED

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December 26, 2014January 9, 2015

WELCOME AT THE INN

Thanks to all the marvelous helpers who made these special Christmas celebrations possible. In the spirit of our “Welcome at the Inn” model, our church 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.

December 5, 2014December 26, 2014

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.

October 17, 2014November 7, 2014

WANTED……POSTIES

It won’t be as hard as delivering the mail to Birdsville but Goonawarra/ Rolling Meadows are in desperate need of posties. Our posties currently deliver the parish newsletter to Catholic households 4 times per year. It would be great if we could reduce the load of those already helping in this large area by having more volunteers help out. If you can help, please contact the Parish office on 9744 1060. It would be much appreciated.

October 3, 2014October 3, 2014

PARISH MEETING NIGHT

Next gathering of parish groups is on Wednesday 8 October at 7.30pm in St Anne’s School.

July 25, 2014

MORNING TEA

Morning tea will be held after 8.30am Mass on Sunday 3 August and will be hosted by Mt Lion Neighbourhood. Please bring a plate to share. All are welcome.

July 18, 2014August 21, 2014

PARISH MEETING NIGHT

On Wednesday 16 July, we celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, our patron, in two appropriate ways: with a school and parish Mass at 12.30pm at OLMC and with a parish meeting at St Anne’s Primary School at 7.30pm. The old OLMC church was packed with school children and parishioners joyfully celebrating the feast of Mary our Mother and patron of our parish. I would like to say more about this Mass and the reverent way our children entered heart and soul in this liturgical celebration, but the purpose of this article is to report on the event that took place in the evening of that same day.
Led nobly by our parish team – Lyn Plummer, Richard Hallett, Sr Jose and Joanne Spiteri – sixty parishioners representing various active groups in our parish attended our inaugural Parish Meeting Night. I went partly as a participant and partly as an observer and reporter. I came away from the meeting heartened and impressed by these people who go the extra mile to give life to our parish.
For the record these were the names of the groups represented at our meeting: Baptism Preparation Team, Knights of the Southern Cross, Liturgy Planning Group, Overseas Humanitarian Project, Maintenance, Marriage Encounter, Neighbourhood Development, RCIA, School Advisory Committee OLMC & St Anne’s, Small Christian Communities, St Vincent de Paul and Youth Group.
Sixty people represented YOU, our brothers and sisters in Christ, you who share with us the Eucharist that binds us together in communion with Christ Jesus. Ours is not a perfect parish – no parish can boast that it is – but there is much to like about our parish and much to be thankful for as we celebrate this weekend the feast of Our Lady of Mt Carmel and look forward to the feast of St Anne and St Joachim. May God continue to bless our parish.

Fr Bert Fulbrook sdb

June 1, 2014July 17, 2014

PMN………….PARISH MEETING NIGHT 16th JULY

Please note a change of date. The first PMN will take place on 16th July, not as previously advertised.

On Tuesday 6 May our Parish groups gathered to discuss the invitation to take part in a Parish Meeting Night. PMN is an initiative that aims to have as many Parish groups as possible meeting on the same night, monthly. All groups gather in prayer for 15 minutes then disperse to their individual meetings, later to reconvene to enjoy supper together. Most of the Parish groups were represented and having such diverse and energetic groups gathering regularly, concerns and the benefits of a Parish Meeting Night were raised. All group representatives took part in an open and fruitful discussion. It was decided to hold an expo of the groups and their work during May . A very important aspect of the PMN is that it is “invitational”: that is, groups are invited, encouraged and welcomed to attend as a community, the very same community of people who are already building and giving life to our Parish. The first PMN will take place on 16th July, gathering in the library at St Anne’s school. Please park in the Stewarts Lane Car Park.

May 2, 2014

PARISH GROUPS (OUR YEAR OF FAITH)

All parishioners belonging to any group are warmly welcomed to a gathering on Tuesday May 6 at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre. There we will discuss the commencement of the PMN (Parish Meeting Night) Initiative.

April 24, 2014May 9, 2014

EASTER TRIDUUM-THANK YOU ALL

We thank those who prepared the liturgies which helped us towards reverent and meaningful Easter celebrations.
Our sincere thanks to Fr Bert who without hesitation readily led us in all the ceremonies. Thank you to all the community who fully and actively participated in these ceremonies.
FR KEVIN IS STILL IN HOSPITAL. WE WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY

April 18, 2014May 2, 2014

NOTICES —— Mainly meetings and promises of meetings

MEETING FOR MINISTERS OF THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND:
Sunday 27 April, 9.30am (between Masses) or Friday 9 May, 9.45am (after Mass)

MINISTERS OF COMMUNION:
Formation for all Ministers of Communion will be held on Wednesday 30 April at 10.00am or 7.30pm in the Parish Centre.

PARISH GROUPS:
All parish group contacts have recently been sent a letter regarding the Parish Meeting Night initiative. All members and / or representatives are warmly welcome (as noted in the letter) to a gathering on May 6 at 7.30pm at the Parish Centre. Any enquiries please call the Parish Office 9744 1060.

ST ANNE’S CHURCH CLOSURE:
St Anne’s Church will be closed from Monday April 28 to Saturday May 3 for cleaning, maintenance and the installation of the Tapestries. Scaffolding will allow cleaning of the high areas in the apse.
Saturday evening Mass will be at the usual time of 6.00pm on May 3.

“PASCHAL MYSTERY”- TAPESTRIES:
Tapestries will be blessed at the 8.30am Mass on Sunday May 4. Morning Tea after will be hosted by Sunbury West Neighbourhood.