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FACING THE TRUTH is the title of the Victorian Catholic Church’s submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Child sexual abuse in our Church and other religious organisations. As the Parliamentary Inquiry continues, a website to communicate the useful material from the inquiry is www.facingthetruth.org.au.

Last Thursday hundreds, including our Archbishop Denis, gathered at St Peter’s Basilica, Rome to recall the Council’s opening and re-dedicate themselves to implementing the teachings of the Council. Scholars say it takes seventy years to implement a major shift like Vatican II- “the great blessing to the Church in 20th Century” (Pope John Paul II in 2000).

Wednesday 31 October at 278 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne.
“Study your faith– Understanding your spirituality.”
Two sessions 4-6pm or 6-8pm.
Enquiries on 9412 3314 or email ctc@ctc.edu.au

This Thursday marks 50 years since 2300 bishops gathered in Rome as invited by Pope John XXIII to begin the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council. It was only the second Ecumenical Council in 400 years; the previous council, Vatican I, was in 1870 which was cut short by war and never completed.
Pope Pius XII in 1940’s prepared for Vatican II by his teaching on the Church, liturgy and scripture.
Pope John Paul II described Vatican II as the grace given by God to the Church in the 20th Century.
To mark the 50th Anniversary, Pope Benedict has announced a Year of Faith which  begins this Thursday.
Today and the next five Sundays there will be a special perspective “Time to go a little deeper” about Vatican II on www.cathnews.

 Last Tuesday our local member, Maria Vamvakinou MHR, invited Kevin Rudd MHR to address representatives from the Christian Churches and other faiths to discuss interfaith dialogue in multicultural communities. The Sunbury clergy from the Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran and Methodist Churches postponed their normal monthly meeting to be present.
He began by saying multiculturalism had benefitted Australians in three ways: firstly by enriching our cuisine;  secondly, new migrants and refugees brought us a freshness, by their spirit of enterprise making employment opportunities; and thirdly, each wave of migrants challenges those already present here, but it keeps our country young.
We can show the world how to do get on as we work well togther. It also gives us bridges back to the world.
Some state that faith and religion divide people. Not so, he said. The Abrahamic religions (Jewish, Christian, Moslem) all have mutual respect at their core.
Kevin Rudd said he is optimistic for the future. Australia has a first-class relationship with Indonesia, the largest Moslem country in the world with 260 million peopls. Our relationship shows the world how to co-exist. Another miracle of modern Australia is how our indigenous brothers and sisters have accepted our apology and reconiliation is proceeding. Most Australians have respect for diversity. It is better to ignore the hate– talkers as what the haters fear most is non-publicity.

The Life, Marriage & Family Office & Australian Catholic University invite you to a screening of the movie October Baby. Based on the story of Gianna Jessen, an abortion survivor, October Baby is a powerful and poignant movie about forgiveness, healing and an enduring truth – that every life is beautiful.
When: Thursday 18 October
Time: BBQ at 7pm / Screening at 8pm
Venue: Cardinal Knox Centre, 383 Albert St, East Melbourne
For more information: lmf@cam.org.au Cost: By donation

As part of the Year of Grace, the relic of St Francis Xavier will be part of a national pilgrimage.
Wednesday 8 October at 7pm in Holy Eucharist Church, St Albans South.

Thank you again to the generous people of the Sunbury Catholic Church.
The collection for CatholicCare last week raised a massive $1423.40!
The funds will help create infrastructures to support families in communities like ours.

Pastoral Associates minister collaboratively with Priests and Parishioners to support the people of God in their faith journeys. They provide leadership in areas such as worship, formation, outreach and pastoral care.
Information is on the Welcome Desk at St Anne’s Church for those interested in this exciting ministry. Alternatively, www.apamelb.com

TABOR JOURNEY PROGRAM  5-7 OCTOBER 2012 AT TEMPLESTOWE

Tabor Journey is a program for separated, divorced or widowed people coping with the loss, the grief, the heartache and struggle that follows the end of a marriage/relationship.  This live-in weekend is designed to provide a reflective time, a time to share, to bring some closure on what has happened and move on with life with greater freedom.
For further information phone 5221 7055 or email geelong@ccam.org.au.

Last week, Fr Paul Check from the USA visited Melbourne. He has been caring for those with same-sex attraction (SSA) and their parents for ten years.
He addressed two groups: Courage and Encourage at the diocesan centre.

Below is an image from a parish document outlining the decision-making structure of our parish. This document can be found on the Parish Reports page or you can go direct to the document by clicking here or anywhere on either image.

MacKillop Family Services is currently looking for individuals or a couple to provide care for up to three young people aged 12-16 years who can’t live with their parents, to live in the Home Based Care House in the North West Region. This is a live in volunteer whose primary role is to provide a supportive and healing environment for the young people in their care and oversee their day to day needs and the running of the house.
Further information contact Shane McLeod on 8398 6800 or shane.mcleod@mackillop.org.au.

“Looking After our Mates”.

It is a drink driving information session with an effective message about responsible drinking, safe driving and looking after your friends, and geared to our young adults. The seminar is on this Thursday evening at 7.30pm at Sunbury Baptist Church, 207 Gap Road Sunbury and all are most welcome to attend. It consists of a 45 minute session delivered by a trained facilitator covering topics such as the effects of alcohol on the body and on performance, the law and Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC), drink driving as a road safety issue and strategies to avoid drinking and driving. This session has been developed by Vic Roads, Road-Safe Victoria, Victoria Police, TAC and the Australian Drug Foundation.

Painting has just finished and it looks great.

The Caleb Faria fundraiser will be held on Saturday 15th  September 6.30pm to 11.00pm in the Parish Centre. BYO food and drinks.
Contact Betty 0408 398 173 or Michelle 0401 283 065 for tickets.
Donated items to be raffled and auctioned and music entertainment will be provided. It will be an evening of fun with friends to help raise funds for Caleb Faria.

Caleb suffers from Hunters Syndrome and is currently ineligible to receive a government funded enzyme treatment. Donations can be made directly to the trust account via Caleb suffers from Hunters Syndrome and is currently ineligible to receive a government funded enzyme treatment. Donations can be made directly to the trust account via www.calebfaria.com website. Receipts can be printed off as all donations are tax deductable. The Fundraiser is also supported by The Rotary Club of Sunbury. A special collection will be taken today to support Caleb’s medical treatment. The event has been sold out, but any donations for raffles will still be appreciated.

Congratulations to the newest members of our Altar Servers team; Cassandra, Madeline, Erinn, Lauren, Hannah, Leah and Josh.

Born in the US and raised as a Catholic, this vibrant young woman, who now spends her life speaking about God’s love and mercy, has not always lived this way.

Leah Darrow describes her modelling career, which began on America’s Next Top Model, and all that went with it as “her past life”. Having been swept up in popular culture, the fashion world, its glitz and glamour, and all its empty promises, she gradually let her faith fall away…until a life changing moment saw her realise all that she had left behind.

She will tour Australia in September with just one day in Melbourne on Sunday 9 September. This is an event not to be missed – it will be particularly a[ppealing for women and young people. For more information see the brochure at the back of the church.

More at these links here and here.