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Oxfam Trailwalker in Australia has raised more than $42 million since 1999. With the support of our Trailwalker teams, Oxfam has the funds to carry out their vital work and enable the people they help to bring about positive change in their lives. Your support helps provide orphans in South Africa with a healthy start. We are blessed to have a team in Sunbury called “The Proclaimers” doing the 100km walk on April 19-21 to raise much needed funds for Oxfam.
If you are able to help with a donation, please go to http://trailwalker.oxfam.org.au/melbourne/teams/team/?team id=13715

From Fame to Faith is the name of the exclusive National tour presented by ACU. It is the inspirational story of Hollywood actor Eduardo Verastgui, who starred in the Award winning movie “Bella”. This is a free event on Thursday 28 February from 8pm at Central Hall, Australian Catholic University, 20 Brunswick St, Fitzroy. Further info from Mary McInerney on 9953 3072.
Have a look on youtube here.

Salesian College Open Day will be held on Wednesday 13 February 2013 from 9.00 until 12.00pm. Tours of the College, Information Packs, Curriculum Information and Enrolment Information will be available and Parents/Students are invited to stay for refreshments and to chat with staff on duty. Please note that Applications for Year 7, 2014 are currently being accepted and will close on 1 March 2013. For further information contact the College Registrar, Mrs Marylou Jones on 9744 0060 or click on this link here.

LED BY THE SPIRIT is the title of a history of our parish since 1852.
Remaining copies for sale availalbe from the Piety Stall or Parish Office for $20.

The Chorale begins weekly rehearsals again at 7.30pm from Monday 4 February for approx. 1 hour at St Mary’s Church, O’Shanassy St. Sunbury. The choir would be happy to see any new members both men and women. No auditions or music knowledge necessary.
The Chorale lead hymns at 4 combined church events during the year. You will be most welcome at some or all events.

On October 11 2012, the fiftieth anniversary of Vatican II, the Pope released an Apostolic Letter titled “Porta Fidei” for all to read. We have many copies of the letter in each church, so please take them. On page 11, Pope Benedict XVI tells us what we should be trying to achieve as a Parish in 2013. Did you know within our Parish we have Small Christian Communities? These groups gather to pray regularly and if you are interested in being part of it , please contact Jennifer Poon on 9740 9650.

Calendars are available from the Piety Stall at $9 each.

The Salesians of Don Bosco invite you to the Eucharistic celebration of the Feast of St John Bosco and the Perpetual Profession of Peter Phung Ba Dat SDB and Charles Arun Michael SDB at St Margaret Mary’s Church, 51 Mitchell St, North Brunswick on Thursday 31 January at 7.30pm.
RSVP to Fr Anthony Quang 0412 560 445. Light meal following Eucharist.

The HEARTBEAT BALL 2013 will be held on Saturday 16 February from 7pm-12am at Elizabethan Lodge, 604-610 Middleborough Rd, North Blackburn.
Costs $85 per head ($80 concession) and includes 3 course meal with unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks. Tickets can be purchased via Doris on 9385 0100. The money raised will support the work of Right to Life Australia and Pregnancy Counselling Australia.

Christmas Masses

About 3000 people took part in our four family Masses, a higher number than in other years. Many leaving the Church and the Stadium commented very favourably on our celebrations. A priest in inner Melbourne told me their participants were also up and their collections were greatly increased.

Thanks for your Christmas Offerings

30% is forwarded to support the ninety-three retired Melbourne priests, as well as the archbishop and other Bishops and priests in parishes unable to support their priest. The remaining 70% is spent on the lease and running costs of a car, the running costs of the Presbytery and a living allowance for myself.
This Christmas the offerings were 61% higher than 2011 for which I am very grateful.
……Kevin McIntosh

Prayerful condolences to Leanne, Alyssa and Tegan Harry for the loss of their husband and father, Peter Harry. Peter bravely fought fires as a CFA volunteer, but unfortunately died after being badly burned on 29 December while fighting fires in Gisborne. Please remember Peter and his family in your prayers, and also for all the brave people who protect us all from the horrors of bushfires. There were two fires in our parish last Tuesday extinguished by many CFA members.

Farewell and Godspeed to Pastor Jim Pietsch of the Sunbury Lutheran Church who after six years among us has taken up an appointment in the Lutheran Church, Wellington, NZ. Jim has been a great promoter of Biblical Studies, a member of the Victorian Council of Churches and the secretary of the Sunbury Ministers Association. Some members of our parish were at his farewell service last Sunday.

 Parish Bingo resumes every Thursday evening from 17 January in the Sunbury Football Club, Clarke Oval, Riddell Rd.
Eyes down at 8pm, Meals available beforehand.

The Parish is able to offer “Gluten Free” breads to be consecrated during Eucharist. If you wish to receive the gluten free host, please inform the person setting up for Eucharist.

The Minister of Communion at the central aisle will have your host in a separate pyx.

 Leaders of the Columban Missionary Society from around the world met recently. A young Columban priest from Korea works in China; a young Fijian priest is now a parish priest in Chile; a young Filipino priest is involved in forming students for the priesthood. So the former missionary countries are now producing missionaries.
One purpose of the Columbans was to help Churches overseas mature until they are able to evangelize to their own and then to other people. The goal has been achieved in the Philippines and Korea. Our purchasing the Columban Art Calendar supports the Columban missionaries work.

On 13 December, Cyclone Evan hit Samoa. Four people are confirmed dead, 12 are missing, more than 4,500 are in evacuation centres and 4,000 homes have been destroyed. Please help. The Caritas Australia Pacific Emergency Appeal is now open.
You may donate through the Caritas website www.caritas.org.au, the toll free number 1800 024 413 or GPO Box 9830 in your capital city

Vicki Ward is the wife of Reverend Gavin Ward who is the Minister at the Sunbury Anglican Church, St May’s . Vicki is currently undergoing further radiation treatment following the discovery that existing tumours in her brain have begun growing again and further tumours have been discovered.Our community is connected via the Sunbury Lay Echumenical Committee and the various Christian activities in our area. We ask pairshioners to continue to pray for Vicki and the Ward family.  The Anglican community are holding a prayer vigil on Tuesday 8 January at St Mary’s Church in O’Shannassy St, Sunbury from 6pm to 10pm. All are welcome to join the Anglican community for silent prayer. The Ward family hope to join the service from 7.30-8.30pm for a directed period of led prayer.
Donations can be made to help support the financial needs of the family. Please contact the Parish Office if you are able to assist.

Thank you to Val Quinn as she leaves us to move to a new home. Val has been a regular worshipper with us on Sundays and Weekdays. She has contributed to Thanksgiving and has been involved in the music ministry and Minister of Communion. Val has also driven parishioners to Church and Evergreen events and will be missed. We wish her every happiness in her new home.