Category: Stewardship

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SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH CENTENARY IN SUNBURY

PARKING BEHIND CONVENT SUNDAY

The Parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel cordially invite you to join us in Thanksgiving celebration for a Hundred Years of service of the Sisters of St Joseph since 1916. Commemorative Mass will be celebrated at St Anne’s Church on Sunday 21 February 2016 at 10.30am.
Light refreshments served at the convent to renew acquaintances and share memories from 12.30pm.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and School will be open from 2.0pm-3.0pm.
Please bring a plate to share.
tea and coffee will be provided.

NOTE: After a great meeting last Thursday, we are seeking those who would like to share their memories of the Josephites in Sunbury. We would also like to hear from those who are able to help on the day. Please contact the Parish Office on 9744 1060.

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STEWARDSHIP RESULTS….WE HELP JESUS WITH HIS MISSION BY FINANCING IT AND WORKING IN IT

Jesus gave us a mission. We have responded.
THANK YOU TO THE 319 DONORS FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR PARISH. THIS IS 17% INCREASE IN DONORS.

Our Stewardship Program has finalised and once again we wish to warmly thank everyone for their involvement and generous support. A special thank you goes to Karen Rose and Program Leadership Team and Lorella DiPaolo and to all the volunteers who assisted with the follow-up process.
Letters of confirmation, and where possible, new sets of Stewardship envelopes, are available for collection today– in alphabetical order of surname. Members of the Program Leader- ship Team will be on hand to assist at all Masses. The new pledges take effect from next week and some envelope numbers will have changed. To avoid any confusion please destroy any old envelopes that you may still have.
Pledge cards are available at the church entrance if you have not yet had the chance to complete one. Completed cards can be left in the collection plate or delivered to the Parish Office.
A reminder that Time & Talent sheets are currently being processed and those who responded will be contacted in the near future.

 

 

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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.

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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

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NEW MASS VESTMENTS

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New Mass Vestments have been created by our artists Judy and Deb. They have been designed to fit in with our tapestry on the Paschal Mystery. There are five vestments for the five liturgical seasons: Advent, Christmas, Easter, Lent, Pentecost and Ordinary Time. The artists have spent 500 hours planning and sewing. In the past, parishioners have donated a vestment. Anyone wishing to donate a vestment in memory of a loved one whose name is discreetly sewn inside the vestment, is asked to contact the Parish Office.

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PALM SUNDAY HE SENT TWO OF HIS DISCIPLES, AND SAID……YOU WILL FIND A YOUNG DONKEY

 Mark 11:1-11World English Bible (WEB)

When they came near to Jerusalem, to Bethsphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, and said to them, “Go your way into the village that is opposite you. Immediately as you enter into it, you will find a young donkey tied, on which no one has sat. Untie him, and bring him. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs him;’ and immediately he will send him back here.”
They went away, and found a young donkey tied at the door outside in the open street, and they untied him. Some of those who stood there asked them, “What are you doing, untying the young donkey?” They said to them just as Jesus had said, and they let them go.
They brought the young donkey to Jesus, and threw their garments on it, and Jesus sat on it. Many spread their garments on the way, and others were cutting down branches from the trees, and spreading them on the road. Those who went in front, and those who followed, cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
Jesus entered into the temple in Jerusalem. When he had looked around at everything, it being now evening, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

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MINISTRY MONTH–SIGN-UP THIS WEEKEND. YOUR GIFT TO THE PARISH

During February, our parish will be running Ministry Month. This is an opportunity for all the vibrant groups of the parish to display what their groups do for the parish and to recruit new members. Last year we had a very good result which included about 40 new members to various rosters. Please consider where you would like to be active in the parish and below are some of the roles of the various groups in our parish.

ALTAR CARE
A few of times a year those on altar care roster help by dusting and sweeping the altar, water the plants and do a general tidy up around the church.

ALTAR SERVERS
Assisting the priest at Mass as an Altar Server provides a great opportunity for young members of our community to take an active role in parish life and for their experience of the Eucharist to grow and develop.  This opportunity is open to all children who are over 10 years of age.  Training and ongoing support are provided.  A roster is developed to suite the times that you are available.

CHURCH CLEANING
Our Churches are vacuumed fortnightly by a team of great volunteers.  Occasionally there is a need for a cleaning team to prepare the Church for a special occasion.  This valued work can provide the opportunity for a quiet and reflective period.  You may choose to work with a small team.  The work can be done at any time when the church is not in use and a roster can be arranged to suit your availability.

AV
Our Sunday Masses are supported with Audio Visual Presentations.  A rotating roster has someone setting up the Lap top, turning on the screens and working through the prepared Power point, by remote control, following a running sheet.  All training is provided. You would be required no more than once per month at your preferred Mass time.

BAPTISMAL PREPARATION TEAMS
Our teams hold monthly meetings are held to support families looking to have their children baptised in our parish. Meetings include an information session with the opportunity to book the date of the child’s baptism. Two teams alternate monthly. This is a great way to welcome new families into the parish.

BINGO
Every Thursday night for the past 21 years, we have enjoyed Bingo at the Sunbury Football Social Club. There is a representative team from the Parish who, while having a great time, have made many friends and raised funds for the Parish needs. You are most welcome to join the team or attend.

CHURCH LINEN
The linen used during Mass is washed and ironed and returned to the Sacristy of our Churches for use the following week.

COLLECTION TEAM LEADER
At each Mass a team leader organizes collectors from the congregation. You can choose which Mass you would like to be part of.

COMMUNION TO THE SICK
A key aspect of our parish life is the care and support of those who are not well or are unable to come to Sunday Mass .  As well as maintaining and demonstrating a strong link with the Church through the reception of Communion, visits from our Ministers of Communion to the Sick also provide an opportunity for conversation, friendship and a sense of belonging.  You may choose to visit people in their homes or in the residential care facilities in our area.  Appropriate training and ongoing sup- port are provided and visiting times are arranged to suit your availability.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD
At 10.30am Mass on Sunday during school terms, children are invited to be part of the Children’s Liturgy of the Word in the foyer of At Anne’s. We have two leaders with the group of children who coordinate the session. All resources including take home sheets, are prepared for the sessions  and sent to the leaders  two weeks in advance. All training is provided. What better way to share your faith with the children of the parish!

COUNTING
On a rostered basis, a team of parishioners arrange for the collections to be counted in preparation for banking. Each team is rostered approximately every 6 weeks. Counting
is usually Sunday and takes about 2 hours.

GARDENING/ MAINTENANCE
The gardening at the Church is looked after by our diligent volunteers who manage to keep the grounds and the church properties in tip top shape! If you are handy in
the garden or love working with your hands, we would love you on our team.

GIFT SHOP
The gift shop at St Anne’s Church is open after each Mass for a short time. No retail experience needed- just a welcoming smile!

LECTORS
A ‘reader’ is the person who proclaims the First and Second Readings during the Liturgy of the Word.  This ministry involves more than just ‘reading’.  When you stand before the assembled community the words that you will speak are not your own; they are God’s Word. It is not an exaggeration to say that you are acting as a prophet, called by God to enable God’s people to be able to hear what God is saying to them today.  The Word of God which you speak sustains the life of each person present and the life of the community.
To exercise this ministry well you will need to grow in your own familiarity with, and understanding of the Scriptures; this experience will greatly enrich your own life and faith.  You will need to prepare with care, and speak clearly and in such a way that your hearers recog- nise that you understand and believe what you are speaking. This is responsible, life-giving work but very rewarding.

MINISTERS OF COMMUNION
The Minsters of Communion at Mass feed the assembled community with the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation, just as the disciples did with the loaves and fish.  This is the work of every Christian – to become a ‘waiter’, serving all others.  It is not a work which requires us to be ‘worthy’; none of us is.  It is a work that requires us to want to follow Jesus and to give life to others.   You get to see all kinds of faces, all kinds of hands, all with their different stories, young and old.  Give it a try;  you will not regret it!   Appropriate preparation on what to do and why will be provided and roster arrangements can be made to suit your availability.

MUSICIANS AND SINGERS
The great Saint Augustine said, ‘To sing is to pray twice’.  Musicians and singers enrich the worship life of our community by leading and enabling the community to participate more fully in the celebration of the Liturgy.  They place their unique gifts and talents at the service of the community in such a way that those who might otherwise be unable or unwilling to join in are encouraged and inspired to no longer be merely passive observers but to become more actively involved in the life and celebration of the community.  If you have musical gifts you are envied by those who do not! And these gifts are given to be shared with others.   We have a number of groups already serving our parish and always willing to welcome others to join them.

MASS SETUP
This Ministry involves preparing the church for the celebration of Mass.  Lights, heating/cooling, preparation of the Altar and of the other items such as chalices, bread and wine etc. needed for Mass.  It also involves putting things away after Mass. This ‘behind the scenes’ work of dedicated service is at the heart of the community’s life.  A roster is arranged to suit the availability of those performing this work and all necessary training will be provided by other friendly team members.

OFFICE HELP
Our Parish office needs help intermittently with folding of the neighbourhood newsletter and packing of Thanksgiving Envelopes. There are 6 times per year when people are required to help with this Ministry. Good company and a cuppa is provided.

PARISH POSTIE
Our Parish is made up of 22 “Neighbourhoods” which enables our very large parish to have a more personal connection to one another. Each has a Neighbourhood Coordinator and some Parish Posties.  4 times a year our Posties deliver a newsletter to the letterbox of each of our Parish families within their Neighbourhood. You are very welcome to join our team of Parish Posties and help build our Sunbury community.

Many hands make light work. Everyone is called to Service of some kind.
Training and support will be given to all members on rosters.
Please consider service in the Parish as your Lenten Response.

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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.

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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.

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OUR PARISH AND SUNBURY OUT OF HUME

On 9 September, the Local Government Panel Report was released recommending Sunbury be removed from the City of Hume. Among the Reports’ recommendations is that a population of around 100,000 is the minimum for establishing the future viability of the new municipality (P.37). Such future growth has been previously set out in Plan Melbourne when zoning was changed in 2010. Since then there has been a strategic planning group made up of members of our Parish Education Board and the planners at the diocesan office. Members of this group work with the Metropolitan Planning Authority to plan and purchase future parish sites within our parish. Hence, we hope to be ready to accommodate our future parishioners.
…….Kevin McIntosh

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ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY HELD SATURDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER

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Program:

  • 9.30am   Prayer together
  • 9.45am   Introduction to the 2014 Assembly
  • 9.55am   Read Reports from parish groups and hear from our school principals
  • Jill Gibbs Neighbourhood Garden
  • RCIA
  • Baptism Preparation
  • Social Justice
  • Historical Committee
  • Emmaus Charismatic Prayer Group
  • St Vincent de Paul Society
  • OLMC Youth Group
  • Liturgy Group
  • Small Christian Communities
  • Marriage Encounter
  • Parish Centre Manegement
  • Parish Bingo
  • Primary Schools
  • Various Neighbourhoods
  • Knights of the Southern Cross
  • 10.40am Morning Tea
  • 11.00am Life of our Parish– the year ahead, discuss the Parish Meeting Night, proposals put to the assembly and our neighbourhoods
  • 12.20pm Prayer
  • 12.30pm Close and Farewell
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SUPPORT FOR RETIRED PRIESTS – COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND

RetiredPriests

Special Collection this weekend
Priest Retirement Foundation

Priests generally retire at 75 years according to Church Law. 87 Melbourne priests are currently retired and have ministered in
most Melbourne Parishes. 1 retired priest is aged 100, 3 retired priests are in their 90’s, 50 retired priests are in their 80’s, 17 retired priests are aged between 75-80, 13 retired priests are aged between 66-75 and 3 priests under age 65 are retired due to ill health. All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible and all donations are greatly appreciated by those who served our communities. A special collection will be held this weekend.

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COMMUNION TO THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND

This week as we think of the feeding of the 5000, we take some time to reflect on the “nourishment” shared in our Parish community.
Our Parish has a dedicated team of volunteers who regularly take Communion, Parish news and a friendly smile to about 25 housebound parishioners and about 100 residents of Sunbury
Aged Care facilities.
Our Volunteers are required to have a Police Check and Working with Children Check, both of which takes some detail and effort to
arrange.
We thank the team most sincerely for their commitment to this very important Ministry and the kindness they bring on behalf of our Parish.

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FR MATTHEW BALDWIN THANKSGIVING MASS

Sunday night 29th June we gathered in St Anne’s Church in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury to join with Rev Matthew Baldwin as he celebrated his Thanksgiving Mass following his Ordination on the previous day. His friends and family had come to celebrate with him, including his Uncle John from Cessnock. Apparently the Hunter Valley is much warmer than Sunbury at 5.30 at night.

Here is a slideshow of some photos of the night.

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ALTAR SERVERS

Training for Girls and Boys wishing to join the Altar Server Team will be held at 11am on Saturdays 5 and 12 July in St Anne’s Church.
New members must have received or are about to receive 1st Eucharist. Enquiries to Michael McConville 97442674