This month we have added over 200 households to our neighbourhoods, bringing to 3,122 the number of households in our parish where a Catholic resides.
With the statement of our Thanksgiving Offering, there is a summary of our finances for 2009. We are able to service our debt of $739,608 (excludes debts on schools) and our annual running costs of $328,815 due to the generosity of 928 parish families who contribute the first hour of their income to God’s work in thanksgiving for all God’s gifts.
Further details are with your new envelopes which will be available in approx. two weeks.

A weekly Mass at Servite Priory Chapel, 32 Park Drive, Parkville every Tuesday at 7.30pm.

A weekly Mass at Servite Priory Chapel, 32 Park Drive, Parkville every Tuesday at 7.30pm.

Please check and, if so, return it ASAP……thank you.

The Youth Group will next be meeting at St Anne’s Church at 6.30PM on 16th May.
We meet every 3rd Sunday at 6.30PM between St Anne[‘s Church or Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.

The Group’s Mission Statement can be found in pdf format here.

And some photos of members running the BBQ at the Parish Centennial Bush Dance can be seen here.

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Parish Centennial Celebration Bush Dance

Take at least 400 people, a mixture of excited children, parents, grand parents and friends, Shenanigans Bush Band, a sausage sizzle from the Youth Group, an old farm shed courtesy of the Reddan family, soft drinks and nibbles from OLMC P&F, Tea coffee and Anzac Biscuits from St Annes, blend it all together and you have one great Parish Centennial Celebration Bush Dance. Thanks to the army of workers that made it happen.

Let people know that Jesus has the solution. Cast your net on the other side of life. Listen to God’s Son. And tell the world what you hear!

A Memorial Mass for the Polish plane crash victims will be celebrated at the Cathedral this evening at 6.30pm by the Archbishop. All welcome.

We extend to Kath Kilgariff and her son David on the passing of Mike Kilgariff into eternal life on Good Friday after receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist at home the previous evening, Holy Thursday as all Eucharistic Catholics endeavour to do. The overflowing congregation in St Anne’s Church last Thursday was testament to Mike’s involvement in community life at Diggers Rest being awarded life membership in the C.F.A. and the Lions Club. Two of his children, Jeannie and Daniel, after a long illness went ahead of him to eternal life.

This Mass will be celebrated this Wednesday 14 April at 10.00am in St Anne’s Church followed by morning tea.

OLMC PARISH CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION BUSH DANCE

SAT 17 APRIL
7.00PM TO 10.00PM

Venue: Kinkora Park, Shepherds Lane off Sunbury Bulla Rd. BYO basket supper, drinks and chair. Sausage sizzle, soft drinks, tea/coffee on sale! This Centennial Celebration ideal for all ages reminds us of our roots as a farming community as the Bush Dance will be held in a very large shed on a working farm.
Over 300 tickets have already been sold.
Tickets $5.00 single $10.00 family: contact Laura 0419 771 717.

WORKING BEE-HELP NEEDED

Sat 10 April 2.00pm

Ten people to help clean out the shed for the Bush Dance. Please call Michael McConville on 9744 2674.

‘VATICAN  II—MADE SIMPLE’

This is a small book by Fr Bill O’Shea of Brisbane, a well-known scripture scholar and author in Queensland. At the parish meeting on 27 February, several people wanted more knowledge about the Church teaching at Vatican II. The book is on sale at the Gift Shop / Piety Stall at $8.00.

Last year Australian Catholics donated $1.1 million. 71% of this collection was spent on the poor Christians in the Holy Land: 47% on charitable programs for the poor, 19% on education programs, 5% on pastoral programs. 29% of the collection was spent on restoring the Holy Places, e.g. Bethany, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nazareth etc. Many Christians are living in intolerable conditions with scarce housing and constant threat of violence and hatred. The Franciscans have supported Christians in the Holy Land since the time of St Francis, in spite of persecution and martyrdom.

Thank you to those who planned and prepared the Power Point and rehearsed the liturgy and music during Holy Week; to those who cleaned the churches, provided the flowers, washed the linen, welcomed others, etc……THANKS…..Fr Kevin

Features include: A lifetime as a humble beginner – a profile of Melbourne born Fr Gerald O’Collins SJ, back from the Vatican after 33 years; Sunday Mass: do not miss the Eucharist – New York’s Archbishop Dolan tells New Yorkers the Sabbath is a window on eternity; our encounter with the sacred; All should offer their body and blood at Mass – the Eucharist invades our entire day, claims preacher of the Pontifical household.

The next three weekends will be held on 16-18 April, 25-27 June and 20-22 August. Further info / bookings contact Peter & Erika on 9899 0824 or email: vicbookings@wwme.org.au. Visit website on www.wwme.org.au