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Au Revoir and sincere gratitude to Fr Kevin, Fr Bert, Sr Jose` and all the lovely parishioners for their support over the last 10 years.
This is not goodbye but Au Revoir.                                                ……Val Quinn

This year it is 100 years since his arrival in Melbourne in 1913 and 50 years since his entry to eternal life in 1963. On 16 March 2013, there will be a day conference at the State Library of Victoria. Keynote speaker: Professor Dermot Keogh, Professor Emeritus of History, Ireland. Cost $100, concession $70. Enquiries Melbourne Diocesan Historical Commission 9926 5677 or email archive@cam.org.au.

The funeral Mass will be held on Monday 7 January at 11am for Salesian Br Henry Van der Laan at Rupertswood College Chapel. Br Henry was part of the Sunbury Salesian community in 2008. His burial will be at Salesian College in the Priests Graveyard.

Your contribution has enabled our Parish to continue its service this year, unlike some schools which have closed due to financial  problems. During the year we have paid $3134 per week making our Parish Loan Repayments and have given $596 per week as our Diocesan Levy to support various diocesan agencies eg. Evangelisation Office, Hospital and Prison chaplains, Catholic Social Services and Formation of priests etc.
The support of our priest is given not from Thanksgiving Offering but from the first collection and Christmas Offerings. The support includes the lease and running costs of a car, board and lodging and a living allowance. Visiting priests are paid from these offerings also.

Strong academic performance of Catholic Schools is seen by a higher percentage of Catholic students achieving at or above the National Minimum Standard, compared to the Victorian average.
In addition, research at Melbourne University reported that our Catholic students in low socio economic (SES) communities are more likely to attend university. cf www.vcspb.catholic.edu.au.

A recent study by Rupert Shortt has shown there were more Christian martyrs in the 20th century than during the previous nineteen centuries put together. Jon Sobrino S.J. a famous theologian from Central America sums up “the Church is being persecuted because it defends the life of the poor, denounces the unjust destruction of life and promotes the right practice of justice”.

The leaders of the TRUTH, JUSTICE AND HEALING COUNCIL set up last week by the Australian Catholic Church are the Honorary Barry O’Keefe QC, (Chair) and Francis Sullivan (CEO). Mr O’Keefe is a former Chief Supreme Court Judge (NSW) and Chair of Interpol’s International Group of Experts on Corruption. Mr Sullivan is a former Secretary General of Australian Medical Association (AMA).

The Church supports the establishment of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The Truth, Justice and Healing Council has three tasks:
    Identifying systematic institutional failures that have impeded the protection of children
    Promoting lasting healing for the survivors of previous abuse
    Identifying all necessary measures to prevent abuse of children in the future.

“What a great Parish we have” was a comment heard on Friday. Let us give thanks to all who have given their time and finance to make our Parish be great, the list of givers is endless – but you know who you are. May the generous Lord reward your generosity.

Your contribution has enabled our Parish to continue its service this year, unlike some schools which have closed due to financial  problems. During the year we have paid $3134 per week making our Parish Loan Repayments and have given $596 per week as our Diocesan Levy to support various diocesan agencies eg. Evangelisation Office, Hospital and Prison chaplains, Catholic Social Services and Formation of priests etc.
The support of our priest is given not from Thanksgiving Offering but from the first collection and Christmas Offerings. The support includes the lease and running costs of a car, board and lodging and a living allowance. Supply priests are paid from these offerings also.

Copies of an executive summary of our submission to be heard probably in March is available today from the Welcome Desk.

Our Parish has recently ordered new chairs for the Parish Centre to replace the old, heavy chairs. If you or anyone you know are interested in purchasing  any of the chairs please contact the Parish Office on 9744 1060. Make an offer!

 

As we put up our Christmas trees, let us reflect on the symbolism: by a tree we were lost, by a tree we were saved: the Christmas tree, in a sense, prefigures the Easter cross also it is evergreen symbolising new life or eternity. A new book by Bernd Brunner places the first Christmas tree in Estonia in 1441.
               …..Kevin McIntosh

 

THANK YOU to Jo Wiegerink and Jim Reilly for the beautiful work they have done on restoring the Christmas statues and building a new stable. The crib will be assembled next Tuesday by Eileen and Kelvin Cardillo, for all to enjoy.

Caritas Australia Media Release – Crisis spreads in the Congo. Church Leaders say the Democratic Republic of Congo is on the brink of war.  Read the Bishops of Africa’s full statement at http://www.caritas.org.au/media. To support Caritas Emergency response, donations can be made to Caritas Australia Congo Appeal at www.caritas.org.au/donate.

The Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project presents Julian Burnside A.O Q.C., a leading advocate for the human rights of asylum seekers, on Mon 10th Dec 2012 from 7.30 – 9.30 pm at St Joseph’s Hall, 274 Rouse Street, Port Melbourne. Melway Map 2JC6.  Admission: $20  $15 Student/Senior.  Includes Supper. Rsvp email gm_moore@bigpond.net.au

Thank you to the generous parishioners of Sunbury for their kind donation of $665.25 for the Catholic Deaf.
We will send this money to them this week.

 “An experience of Catholic Culture” Catholic Theological College Study Tour & Pilgrimage on 15 Nov to 14 December 2013.
Ireland– England– Spain– Italy.
Tour leaders: Rev Prof Austin Cooper omi AM & Dr Frances Baker rsm.
Information session: Thursday 6 December 2012 between 5-7pm.
RSVP & further information: Dr Frances Baker rsm
Phone 9412 3303 or email fbaker@ctc.edu.au

The topic for the final conversation for 2012 will be “Refugees” with Bruno Lettieri, with guest speakers.
On Monday 26 November at 6.30pm.
$10 entry or $5 for secondary students.
RSVP 0422 298 643 or blettieri@scr.vic.edu.au.

Please pause to remember our HIV positive brothers and sisters this World AIDS Day December 1. HIV positive people can be highly stigmatised, and can easily fall into poverty and depression. HIV affects 34 million people globally. On this day, let us support those who live with HIV/AIDS, and remember those who have passed away.
World AIDS Day Mass at St. Francis Church, Lonsdale Street Melbourne.
Friday November 30 at 5.30pm.

Saturday 1 December at 10.30am, St Patrick’s Cathedral, East Melbourne.
Mass of hope and comfort for the sick and fragile.
The Lourdes Day Mass is hosted by the Order of Malta and supported by the Development Office of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.
There will be a blessing of the sick by the Archbishop with water from the spring at the Shrine of Lourdes.
Each attendee will receive a gift bag containing a small bottle of Lourdes Water, rosary beads and a “How to pray the Rosary’ card.

“Labouring for the Common Good” by Senator John Madigan and Dr Matthew Tan. Lecture Theartre, Daniel Mannix Building, Australia Catholic University at 15 Young St, Fitzroy from 7pm Tuesday 13 November.
RSVP Mark Clarke 9926 5727.