A brief report on the Parish Assembly can be found on our Parish Renewal page here
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LITURGY MEETING
Minutes
Some matters arising from the last minutes were:
- that some lectors may need to be reminded that a pause after the reading, for reflection is appropriate.
- Audio Visual preparations for the canonization viewing in the hall is underway.
General Business
It was decided that Mary MacKillop leaflets to be ordered ( 50c per copy) for distribution on the day. These are glossy double sided leaflets with her biography.
The 5.30pm Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church will be transfered to St Anne’s Church and music etc was arranged for the day. The readings chosen will be used at all Masses on the day and will be as follows:
- 1st Reading – Colossians 3 12-17
- Psalm : (sung) Like a Shepherd… AOV 160 (verses to be sung by cantor)
- Gospel: Matthew 6 25-34
Hymns as follows:
- Gathering Hymn: We are many parts…AOV 86
- Psalm : Like a Shepherd… AOV 160
- Offertory: Instrumental music
- Communion: Song of the Body of Christ….AOV 27
- Recessional: instrumental music
A team of volunteers will gather after the 10.30am Mass on the day to set-up the Parish Centre .
Saturday November 6th – gathering at the Sunbury cemetery for Prayer & Blessing for all souls at 9.30am and Bulla cemetery at 11am
Neighbourhood hosted Masses for sacramental children- Richard to organise
Advent Focus:- Jesse Tree, Our parish family tree/history over the last 100 years
Christmas masses:
- Christmas falls on a Saturday this year which means Sunday Masses will also be the next day. It was decided that the 6pm Sunday vigil mass be dropped as the Christmas masses will have been held
- Friday 24th at the Salesian Stadium at 7pm & St Anne’s at 10pm
- Saturday 25th at 8.30am & 10.30am
- Sunday 26th to continue as usual at St Anne’s at 8.30am & 10.30am & 5.30pm at OLMC
Next Meeting scheduled – Wednesday 17th November 7.30pm
ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY
Our Parish Assembly will be held in the Parish Centre on Saturday 16 October from 9.30am to 2.00pm including a shared lunch. This is an occasion to plan for future initiatives in the mission of our parish to bring the Good News to all in our area.
SUBMISSIONS FROM NEIGHBOURHOODS
Neighbourhoods are asked to forward their proposals for the Annual Parish Assembly to the Parish Office by next Friday 8 October.
JACKSONS HILL NEIGHBOURHOOD GATHERING
Venue: Sunbury Hall (student accommodation) Building 17, Circular Drive, Jacksons Hill.
Parking: car park opposite
Date: Tuesday 21 September at 8.00pm.
Come along for the neighbourhood meeting and enjoy a tour of the student accommodation on completion of our meeting. We need you to come along to discuss your needs and ideas for our neighbourhood and how we can support each other.
ARE YOU PART OF THE STUDLEY PARK NEIGHBOURHOOD?
If so, you are invited to ‘Drop in for afternoon tea’ for this neighbourhood TODAY 5 September between 2.00pm and 4.00pm at the Parish Centre. Come along to meet people in your area and share any ideas, thoughts and suggestions. Tea/coffee, cordial, biscuits available. Please bring the children. Anyone needing transport please ring 9744 3172.
SING A LONG
Goonawarra Nursing Home Friday 6 August 2.30 to 3.15pm
Please come!
Enquiries: Irene 9744 1060
WORKERS IN THE VINEYARD
July is the month when we consider how we can make a difference in our community by contributing a small amount of time and energy to one another.
- How do we feel when someone welcomes us at the church door with the newsletter and a smile?
- Who drives someone to the occasional hospital visit?
- If someone is housebound, how would it brighten their day to have a short visit, prayer and communion?
- How important to us is being able to join in the liturgy more fully with the music and AV screens?
- Who washes the linen, opens and closes the church, sets up for each Mass for us?
With encouragement and a little support we call all contribute sometimes.
Please feel welcome to become a ‘Worker in the Vineyard’.
WORKERS IN THE VINEYARD
During the month of July the parish will focus on the many ministries that are carried out in our community and how we may become involved in one. Each one of us has been given some gift that we are able to share with another, the gift of listening, driving, visiting or praying for others, the gift of technology, setting-up or preparing for our liturgies. With many sharing the load you would be asked to give a small amount of time and energy in our own parish community.
Forms will be available at our churches during July.
We will celebrate the gifts we offer to one another at our Parish Feast Day on 24/25 July.
Please consider how you may be able to offer some time to working in the parish vineyard.
NEIGHBOURHOOD COORDINATING TEAMS
Teams are asked to attend a meeting this Sunday 4 July at 9.25am to 10.15am in the Parish Centre as we look to plan more decision-making within our neighbourhoods and parish.
Those unable to attend are invited to a repeat session on 15th July at 7.30pm.
PARISH COORDINATING TEAM MEETING 15TH JUNE 2010
The Parish Coordinating Team meeting on 15th June mainly discussed the preparation needed for the forthcoming Parish Assembly on 16th Oct. In our Parish Renewal sessions held in August and September 2006, the parishioners looked at the problems with the then current structures for Parish Decision-Making and with the current structures for Making Proposals and for Planning. The basic problem was seen to be that the decision makers were unrepresentative and that there was no means of reporting back.
We have already held a Formation Session of one and a half hours for Neighbourhood Teams, groups of Parish Posties, and indeed anyone who was interested and available back on the 27th Feb. It’s now time for a follow-up session with the Neighbourhood Coordinators so that they can go back to their Posties and Parishioners in order to get a representative (and some ideas from the group) who will become a member of the Parish Coordinating Team, representing their Neighbourhood.
Each Neighbourhood representative will be given about a minute to put forward any reports and proposals for action etc. that the Neighbourhood group would like to undertake such as inviting all the parents (and children) of any children from the Neighbourhood who have made their First Communion recently to a get-together of the Neighbourhood after Mass. Or any other ideas they may like to carry out.
Other Parish Groups and Organisations will likewise have that opportunity during the Assembly
The Team also discussed some details of the forthcoming “Workers in the Vineyard” program coming up shortly.
PARISH POSTIES
The next letter is being printed at the moment for distribution by you within your neighbourhood.
NOTES FROM OUR PARISH LENTEN EXERCISE
We started with a welcome and a prayer and then went straight into an introduction and an overview.
There was discussion of how we, as the people of God, are a sacrament to the world.
The group was sitting in Neighbourhoods and these were joined with other Neighbourhoods to discuss the subjects of ourselves as a Sacrament of Communion, as a Sacrament of the Reign of God, and as a Sacrament of Universal Salvation. A good starting place is the old Childrens Catechism which says a Sacrament is an outward sign of inward Grace. We didn’t get too far into sacramental theology but we were able to see that we, as a group, are a sign and an instrument of the presence of Jesus in the world now.
Next came a brief discussion on prayer, centred on the words of Jesus in Mathew 7:7. Ask, Seek, Knock.
Then we moved to “What the Parish does”
Community Life…
- Whole Parish Community
- Neighbourhoods
- Small Groups
- All Families
Pastoral Service…
- Catechesis
- Liturgical
- Schools
- Justice, Peace, Environment
Workers in the Vineyard…
- Recruitment
- Formation and Training
Decision Management…
- PCT/PC
- Parish Team
- Finance
- Office Administration
- Maintenance
- General Gatherings
Other Sectors…
- Play Group
- Youth
- Evergreens
The next step in our Neighbourhood Plan is to move a considerable amount of this to the Neighbourhoods by the Neighbourhoods taking on a four phase strategy, namely To Gather, To Serve, To Represent, and To Communicate. By this strategy we can decentralise many of our services and the Neighbourhoods can become small, active faith groups.(that is Big Faith, Small Groups) The Neighbourhoods can bring their issues via their PCT representative to the PCT meetings.
The Neighbourhood Groups then had a practice run at a Neighbourhood meeting using a guide book written for that purpose and available in the future from the Parish Office. Each meeting involves some prayer, scripture reading an discussion/sharing of our faith.
There was a break for lunch and much discussion. This was followed by a summing up and a discussion on “Where to now?”
Those Neighbourhoods who had a Coordinator present set up meetings to present the theme of Gather, Serve, Represent, and Communicate. Others would take the information and the strategy back to their Neighbourhoods to then do the same.
OUR SPECIAL LENTEN EXERCISE FOR 2010
On Saturday 27 February commencing at 9.30am, all are invited to the Parish Centre to experience meeting in small neighbourhood groups so that we can continue renewing our lives as Christians and strengthen our sense of belonging in our large parish. ‘Where two or three are gathered, I am in your midst’, Jesus said.
All parishioners and especially those workers in the Vineyard, those ministering in various ways—parish posties, coordinating teams, are invited. Our facilitator is Jill Gibbs who has been involved with parishes and religious orders for over thirty years worldwide.
The session will include some input, an actual experience of a small group meeting and some practical details. We will spend time together and conclude before 2.00pm. Please bring some lunch to share.
OUR SPECIAL LENTEN EXERCISE FOR 2010
On Saturday 27 February, all are invited to the Parish Centre to experience meeting in small neighbourhood groups so that we can continue renewing our lives as Christians and strengthen our sense of belonging in our large parish.
‘Where two or three are gathered, I am in your midst’, Jesus said.
All parishioners and especially those workers in the Vineyard, those ministering in various ways—parish posties, coordinating teams, are invited. Our facilitator is Jill Gibbs who has been involved with parishes and religious orders for over thirty years worldwide.
The session will include some input, an actual experience of a small group meeting and some practical details. We will spend time together and conclude before 2.00pm. Please bring some lunch to share.
PARISH COORDINATING TEAM MEETING 3RD FEB 2010
We started our first meeting for 2010 with a prayer and reflection on the current “Year for Priests”. We prayed
That the Simplicity of the Gospel may reach the ends of the Earth
We then recited Mary’s Magnificat, followed by a reading from Mark
Jesus called them and said, `You know the people who rule over countries make their people obey them. The great will tell the others what to do.
But that is not the way it is among you. Anyone among you who wants to be great must help the others.
Anyone among you who wants to be first shall be a servant to the others.
The Son of Man did not come to have others help him. But he came to help others. He came to give his life to make many people free.’
We continued with prayers of intersession and finished with the Lord’s Prayer.
Then it was down to the evening’s business.
We looked again at “Journeying Together”, the book of analysis and diagnosis that resulted from the continuing Parish Renewal sessions held in August and September 2006. In particular we looked at the problems with the then current structures for Parish Decision-Making and with the current structures for Making Proposals and for Planning. The basic problem was seen to be that the decision makers were unrepresentative and that there was no means of reporting back. Also that the processes have to be sufficiently visible so as to promote participation.
With this in mind we decided to move the proposed Parish Assembly back a little and hold a Formation Session of one and a half hours for Neighbourhood Teams, groups of Parish Posties, and indeed anyone who may be interested. These sessions will cover both the spirituality of what needs to be done as well as the practicalities. There will be a choice of times and dates (2nd and 3rd March) to try and spread as wide a net as possible. It is then to be hoped that the attendees will take the information back to their neighbourhoods, groups, friends etc. and assist the whole parish to become an active participant in the upcoming Assembly.
The Dedication of the Altar, Ambo, etc. at St Anne’s Church was discussed, as was the working bee for cleaning up around the church on the 6th Feb from 9.00am to 12.00. Indeed a group from the local Knights of the Southern Cross were out shortly after this meeting removing dead wood etc from the St Anne’s grounds.
The next item was a discussion of activities for the second half of the Year for Priests. Tenative proposals were for a dinner on the 23rd May and a working bee around the presbytery.
Finally there was a report back on the Parish Centenary Book (………a work in progress), and a suggestion that an A3 signature booklet be produced in full colour (4 X A4 pages) containing information about the parish and some of our timeline as well. The plan would be to get this publication incorporated into the “Home-Buyers Pack” that is handed out by local real estate firms.
The next meeting will be on the 4th March, immediately following the “Building Communities” formation sessions.
FOUNDATIONS FOR PASTORAL MINISTRY
This Program is for those in parish ministries and other settings to enable them to learn more about their faith and to assist them in their Christian ministries. Brochures of courses beginning in February are at the Welcome Desk.
The entire life of the disciple is marked by learning and growth. Life long growth in faith is an essential Characteristic of adult catholic life. John Paul 11
THANKS
Thanks to all who have supported the activity of our parish by their giving generously of their time and money to support the activity of our parish;
- worship rosters
- church cleaning
- flowers
- church setting up
- counters
- maintenance men
- bingo workers
- catechists
- ministers of communion to the house-bound and those in aged care
- music ministry
- neighbourhood coordinators
- parish posties
- finance committee
- school boards
- liturgy planners
- Thanksgiving Committee
- parish coordinating teams
- parish website, etc.
Thanks also to all those employed in our parish office and our two schools as pastoral, secretarial, support and teaching staff for their wonderful contribution throughout 2009.
HIGHLIGHTS OF 2009
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Parish Renewal—sessions of spiritual renewal were offered in April and October. We continued on our target of giving all 14,000 Catholics of our parish a sense of belonging. To assist this, our infrastructure of 22 neighbourhoods was strengthened. We were invited by the Archdiocese of outline our process to other large outer Melbourne parishes in November.
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During the first four months, we worshipped in the Parish Centre while a new ceiling, heating/cooling, a new altar, a new font, new ambo, new ambry, audio loop were installed in St Anne’s Church.
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In May a proper access ramp was constructed at O.L.M.C. Church.
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In November a gala auction dinner and raffle raised sufficient finance to restore the bell tower at O.L.M.C. Church hopefully by the time of the sesquicientary in March. The steel has arrived in the factory.
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In March, Paul Hogan, Deputy Principal at Essendon, was appointed Principal at O.L.M.C. School. In June, Shane Crawford—Deputy Principal at Heidelberg was appointed Deputy Principal at St Anne’s School. Sadly, we lost Helen Williams, a staff member for 26 years, in October as she entered eternal life.
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During the third term, the carpark at St Anne’s Church was asphalted with a new bus terminal. The Federal Government granted $200,000 and the school took out a ten year loan of $142,000.
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Painting of the exterior of St Anne’s Church—was completed over five days under the expert guidance of Santo Munafo. Sincere gratitude to the 20 parishioners who willingly gave their time earlier this month.
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123 parishioners were baptised into the Body of Christ and brought into the life of our Church.
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Confirmation was conferred at St Patrick’s Cathedral on 8 November—two sessions to accommodate the 137 Confirmands.
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27 weddings were celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.
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32 funerals took place in our churches.
PARISH COORDINATING TEAM MEETING
A report from the meeting of the 25th Nov 2009
Prayer A carefull hearing of the latest Neighbourhood letter followed by a communal reading of the prayer in the letter
Parish Target This short statement was read to the assembled team.
By the end of 2009 all the people of Our Lady of Mt Carmel Parish Sunbury, through their experiences and through structures of communication and participation, are aware of the value of every person.
PCT Membership Each Neighbourhood will elect a permanent representative to be a member of the PCT from the Parish AGM on the 27th Feb 2010. This representation will likely be for a twelve month period which will be renewable if the Neighbourhood and the representative is willing. In order to facilitate this, Neighbourhoods will be asked to meet and arrange the drop of an invitation to all the Catholics in the neighbourhood so all will have an opportunity to elect a representative to the Parish Coordinating Team. At the meeting where the PCT representative is elected, the Neighbourhoods will also be asked for any proposals they may like to present to the Parish AGM.
Parish Assembly or AGM Will be held on the 27th Feb 2010 and written reports/posters from all Parish groups will be hung on the walls and each group will be asked to give a verbal report of about half a minute. Proposals will also be accepted from the Neighbourhoods via their elected representative. Proposals will need to be submitted in writing by 19th Feb.
Next meeting Wednesday 3rd Feb 2010 at 7.30pm
MELBOURNE OUTER PARISHES
The Archdiocesan Office for Evangelisation holds two meetings a year for parish teams from the growing outer parishes. Last Thursday, our parish was one of four parishes (others being Hoppers Crossing, Hoppers Crossing North and Narre Warren) asked to make a presentation on models for fostering participation.
We outlined the processes for contacting all the baptised, our renewal retreat in 2006, our planning, our setting up of the neighbourhoods and our letters delivered by the parish posties to our 3,100 Catholic homes. Our presentation was well received.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury 
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