A training session has been arranged for all Lectors and Ministers of Communion as per the letter sent out last week.
The dates are:
Lectors have already been done.
The date for the Ministers of Communion is: Wed 16 Nov at 10am and 7.30pm.
Please come along to support each other and grow in these very important ministries. Also take the chance to meet some interesting fellow parishioners.
New Ministers will be most welcome.
JILL GIBBS NEIGHBOURHOOD GARDEN POTATO GROWERS
SOME OF OUR GARDENERS SOWING POTATOES IN THE COMMUNITY PLOT
(THE CAMERAMAN DID HELP)
STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
In today’s Gospel, Christ says the religious leaders of the day, the Scribes and the Pharisees, do not practice what they preach. They seem to be using their positions of power for their own glory. Christ uses this example to teach a lesson — “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
In the second reading, St. Paul and his companions are in Thessalonica doing the Lord’s work – proclaiming the Gospel, and, for the ability to do so, Paul says, “We give thanks to God unceasingly.” They are there to serve the Lord, to show the people the truth of the Gospel and to rejoice with them as they convert to Christ. Talk about stewardship in action!
There’s nothing wrong with being appreciated for our talents. But as Christian disciples and stewards of God’s many gifts, we must always remember that all good things come from Him, and we must live our lives in humble service and in gratitude for all He has given us.
Copyright © 2011 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
THANK YOU
Last weeks special collection for Catholic Mission raised $1071.90.
Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
VALE REVEREND ROGER RYAN
Fr Roger Ryan was the Parish Priest of Mount Waverley and died at Dandenong Valley Private Hospital on 17 October. Father Ryan served the Church in a very positive and pastorally enriching manner, giving fine example to both his brother priests and the community for over 38 years. The Archdiocese is most grateful for his untiring service to the Church of Melbourne. He served as Assistant Priest at the parishes of Camberwell, Dandenong and Greensborough and St Patrick s Cathedral East Melbourne. He served in the Military Ordinariate (RAAF) and then was appointed Parish Priest serving in the parishes of Lilydale, North Dandenong and Mount Waverley.
CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME
Congratulations and welcome to the new members of our Altar Server Team– Courtney Oehms, Vitalia D’Monte, Ethan D’Lima and Daniel Roche.
WORKING BEE
St Anne’s Church 1 October 2011 from 9-12. Please bring shovels, wheelbarrows and whipper snipers. Refreshments provided. All welcome.
MONSIGNOR FRANK LYONS
MONSIGNOR FRANK LYONS served the Church in a very positive and pastorally enriching manner, giving fine example to both his brother priests and the community for 62 years. The Archdiocese is most grateful for his untiring service to the Church of Melbourne. He was Assistant Priest at the parishes of Healesville, and Armadale, Chaplain at St Catherine’s & St Augustine’s Orphanages, Vocations Director, Chaplain to the Royal Australian Navy. Created a Prelate of Honour in 1973 and awarded the AM in 1976. Returning to the Archdiocese he was appointed Parish Priest of Clayton 1978 and Parish Priest of Glen Iris in 1984. On his retirement on the 15th February, 1994 he was appointed a Pastor Emeritus.
PARISH ASSEMBLY
A very brief and much condensed report of the recent Parish Assembly can be found on our Parish Reports page.
Just click here.
WELCOME TO FATHER MICHAEL
Fr Michael has come to reside and minister among us during September and October. As stated last Sunday, he is an experienced educator in the faith having been involved full time in the Catholic Education Office and later as the Director of Continuing Education of the priests of Brisbane. For the past 16 years, he has been the Australian Director of the apostolic group promoting a better world.
As announced last Sunday, Fr Michael will speak over the next five Sundays about formation on the liturgy fulfilling the Pope’s exhortation when he received the new Mass texts from Cardinal Pell that we should approach the texts “with a renewed mentality.”
Father Michael’s presence here allows me to work for 14 days at the international meeting for the Community for a better world in Rome where we will review the group’s work over the past four years and plan for the next four years. Then I shall take some of my 2010 annual leave and this year’s leave for a holiday. In November I will be part of a group of 29 Australians on a liturgical study tour led by lecturers from Yarra Theological Union, Box Hill. We will begin our study in Cologne and conclude in Milan, visiting parishes, monasteries and theological institutes specialising in liturgy.
………………..Fr Kevin
THANKSGIVING OFFERING TOKENS
At every Mass, we offer ourselves to God the Father through Christ. To help those who give by automatic payments (direct debits, credit card and internet banking) to become conscious of their offering at every Mass, we shall have available tokens to be placed on the collection plate. These tokens have the printed text: “We support our parish by automatic payments“. The tokens will begin next Sunday.
STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
Although many in our culture deny any responsibility for the wrong they do, God does not see it that way. We may claim social ills or ignorance caused us to do evil, but the Lord declares, “The wicked shall die for his guilt.” Our words and deeds have consequences, and there are choices we can make that God sees as sinful.
But God does not want us to choose sin, and so we have the responsibility of warning the sinner, firmly but gently, of the results of his actions. If we’re the one who has been hurt, Jesus tells us to seek reconciliation privately first of all, but if that does not work, then bring in others. But ignoring sin is not an option, for then it grows and festers.
The steward is accountable to God for his use of the time, talent, and treasure entrusted to him. One aspect of being accountable is responsibility for fellow members of the Body of Christ. Offering correction, in a way that can be understood and accepted, comes with the territory. Otherwise, as the Lord announced through Ezekiel, “The wicked shall die for his guilt, but I will hold you responsible for his death.”
Copyright © 2011 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
NO WORKING BEE 3 SEPTEMBER
Due to the Parish Assembly on 3 September, next working bee will be on Saturday 1 October St Anne’s Church.
A RENEWED MENTALITY WITH NEW MASS TEXTS
Pope Benedict has exhorted us to develop “a renewed mentality” as we use the new texts. To prepare us internally, Father Michael Fallon will give us formation at all Masses for five Sundays from 11 September. Fr Michael was ordained a priest for the Church of Brisbane in 1968. Later he obtained a Masters in Religious Education at Catholic University of America. Then he was involved in assisting teachers in RE at the Catholic Education Office Brisbane. Later, he was the Director of Continuing Education for the Clergy in Brisbane. Then he was a Parish Priest. He came here in 2005 for our parish renewal week. Fr Michael will be residing and ministering in our Parish for a couple of months.
At the Liturgy Planning meeting last week, we decided on the music for the new texts and we will begin this after the school holidays. From the first Sunday of Advent, the new texts are to be used in the English speaking world. We need several teams to operate the computer for the screens showing the new texts. Please contact the Parish Office so a roster can be drawn up.
STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
Jesus throws out a challenge to all who wish to follow him in today’s Gospel. Immediately after St. Peter identified him as “the Christ, the Son of the living God,” Jesus declares that he is not the sort of Christ people expected. Instead of being a conquering hero, he must suffer greatly and be killed. Even worse, each of his followers “must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
That’s the contradiction of the Christian life. The fallen world, what St. Paul terms “this age,” is centered on self – indulging what our wills want so we can achieve maximum pleasure, power, and prestige. But Christians are called to let our minds be transformed and renewed by Jesus Christ, so that our wills are conformed to the will of God. We die to self so we can live for God.
When we allow God’s formation to renew our minds, we discover that it changes how we use our time, apply our talent, and spend our treasure. We pray, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” When our minds have been renewed by God’s grace, we do our best to make this prayer come true.
Copyright © 2011 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
THANKSGIVING OFFERING
The Thanksgiving Offering of each parishioner is our life blood. Our generous givers give back in thanksgiving to God for all that we receive. Without givers, the Parish would not have began 100 years ago. Without our generous givers, we would cease to exist now.
Statements on our giving have been sent last week and today new sets of envelopes are available to be collected. You may find it more convenient to give electronically by direct debit or by internet banking instead of finding cash each Sunday. Our banking details are enclosed with your statements to assist with any changes you may need. Electronic giving is also more convenient for our Parish.
SPECIAL COLLECTION FOR SRS MAUREEN & MARY
A special collection will be taken up next weekend as a token of appreciation for the work done by these two wonderful ladies. There will also be an opportunity to say farewell to Srs Maureen and Mary at a shared lunch in the Parish Centre on Sunday 28 August from 12.00 lunch time. Please bring a plate to share.
STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
One emphasis that appears in the Old Testament is the need for the Jewish people to keep themselves apart from the surrounding nations to preserve the purity of their faith from the paganism around them. But there is also the teaching that appears in today’s reading from Isaiah that the Lord God is the only true god, and he welcomes the foreigners who worship him, “for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”
God’s love for all humanity is also behind St. Paul’s teaching in Romans that God allowed the Jews to reject Jesus as the Messiah so the Church would proclaim to the Gentiles that he is the universal Savior of all peoples. And Jesus, while limiting his mission to the Jewish during his earthly ministry, responded with compassion to Gentiles who approached him in faith.
These Scripture readings make clear the God welcomes all who turn to him, without regard to nationality or class. As we seek to be good stewards, how closely do we follow that example? How well do we practice hospitality, one of the pillars of a stewardship parish? Do we welcome all who come to worship God, or do we erect barriers of class or color?
Copyright © 2011 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury 
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