Next gathering of parish groups is on Wednesday 8 October at 7.30pm in St Anne’s School.
PARISH MEETING NIGHT
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST IN RCIA
RCIA stands fro the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is a process whereby we can develop our relationship with God, each other and the Catholic community, while learning more about Jesus and His Church.
If you would like to know more about the Catholic faith, an Inquiry night will be held in the meeting room off the St Anne’s church foyer on Monday 4 August 2014 at 7.30pm that will last about an hour.
For more information please contact the Parish Office on 9744 1060 or Jo Wiegerink on 9744 5788. Those who have already inquired via the parish Office, please confirm your attendance by calling Jo direct. Thanks
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
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.
2014 YEAR OF GROWTH
This year our parish theme is Year of Growth. On the weekend of 15 & 16 February and 22 & 23 February, we will have our Parish Expo. In the foyer of St Anne’s church will be A3 pages with descriptions of the various ministries. Currently the number of parishioners in ministries is really good, but we are looking for new people to help out as well. It will mean our parish will continue to grow and for everyone to feel part of a vibrant and great community. We encourage you all to become part of at least one ministry and try it for just one year. If you like it, continue for another year but if you prefer to explore something else, you can! You can sign up on the A3 pages in the foyer, or be part of the Sign up weekend on 22 & 23 February and 1 & 2 March– Just before Lent! We will ask people at Mass to sign up for a ministry, then will contact them to advise of training for their chosen ministry. It is an opportunity to share our talents with others and receive the talents of others.
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.
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.
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.
Parish Assembly 7th September 2013
ENQUIRY ABOUT THE CATHOLIC FAITH
Those interested in learning about our Catholic Faith are warmly invited to an evening in our Parish Centre on Monday 29 July at 7.30pm to 8.30pm where the program of enquiring and learning from August to November here in Sunbury will be outlined. Those unable to attend this gathering are invited to contact the Parish Office.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW CATHOLICS
This Easter Sunday we welcome Tierry Wurcel and Angelo Damianos into full communion in our Catholic Church. They are among over 500 new Catholics in Melbourne Parishes. Most parishes have a team which leads and sponsors people seeking to come into our Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults ( RCIA). We are fortunate to have such a team which began meeting each week, except in school holidays, since July last year. Thanks to our RCIA team.
NEW CATHOLICS
Today, the first Sunday of Lent, our Candidates, their sponsors and families together with the RCIA Team, will join hundreds of others at the Rite of Election at St Patrick’s Cathedral at 2.30pm this afternoon. The Candidates and Catechumens are presented, on our behalf by their sponsors to the Archbishop and reaffirm their commitment to becoming members of the Catholic Community. It is a very moving ceremony which marks the beginning of an intensive period of preparation for those who will be received into the Church, by Baptism, Confirmation and reception of the Eucharist for the first time at the Easter Vigil. If anyone is interested in attending this inspirational ceremony, you will be most welcome.
RCIA WELCOME MASS
On Sunday the 2 December 2012 at the 8.30am Mass, we will welcome two people interested in becoming Catholics, into our parish community.
Angelo Damianos and Tierry Wurcel are Inquirers at present but through the Rite of Acceptance on Sunday, the 2 December, they will enter the Catechumenate and continue to learn about Jesus and the teachings of His church.
Please keep them in your prayers as they commit to continuing their faith journey.
WISHING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CATHOLIC FAITH?
RCIA stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is a process whereby we can develop our relationship with God, each other and the Catholic community, while learning more about Jesus and His church.
If you would like to know more about the Catholic faith, an Inquiry night will be held at the Parish Centre on Monday, 30 July at 7.30pm that will last about an hour. For more information, please contact the Parish Office on 9744 1060 or Jo Wiegerink on 944 5788.
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST IN RCIA
RCIA stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is a process whereby we can develop our relationship with God, each other and the Catholic community, while learning more about Jesus and His church.
If you would like to know more about the Catholic faith, an Inquiry night will be held at the Parish Centre on Monday, 30 July at 7.30pm that will last about an hour. For more information, please contact the Parish Office on 9744 1060 or Jo Wiegerink on 944 5788.
250 NEW ADULT CATHOLICS
250 new adult Catholics took part in the Rite of Election at the Cathedral last Sunday.
151 will be baptised at Easter and another 99 Christians are being received into full Communion in our Church.
These numbers include four from our Parish.
RCIA
Today, the first Sunday of Lent our Candidate, her sponsors and family together with the RCIA team will join hundreds of others at the Rite of Election at St Patrick’s Cathedral at 2.30pm this afternoon. The Candidates and Catechumens are presented, on our behalf by their sponsors to the Archbishop and reaffirm their commitment to becoming members of the Catholic Community. It is a very moving ceremony which marks the beginning of an intense period of preparation for those who will be received into the Church, by Baptism, Confirmation and reception of the Eucharist for the first time at the Easter Vigil and at Pentecost. If anyone is interested in attending this inspirational ceremony, you will be most welcome. Please contact Jo Wiegerink on 9744 5788 if you are interested in coming.
WELCOMING A CANDIDATE
On Sunday 12 February 2012 at 8.30 Mass, we shall welcome Christine into our parish community. Christine who is a baptized Catholic, embarked on her RCIA faith journey in July 2011 and through the Rite of Acceptance on 12 February, will enter the Catechumenate and continue to learn about Jesus and the teachings of His church. Please keep Christine in our prayers as she continues to journey towards the sacraments on Initiation at Easter.
…. R.C.I.A. Team
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury 