The Centenary Committee last Wednesday decided that the first major event of the Centenary Year will be a blessing of the Centenary Bell Tower on Sunday 21 March at 9.30am at O.L.M.C. Church. The liturgy will then continue at St Anne’s Church, and this will be followed by morning tea in the Parish Centre.
Also in the Parish Centre will be an historic display organised by the Parish Historical Committee and the O.L.M.C. School Board.

Prayer Service at St Francis’ Church Melbourne on Wed 11 November at 7.00pm for the recognition and support of persons affected by crime and violence and in remembrance of all victims. All welcome! Refreshments to follow.

In mid 2006, all parishioners were invited to a discernment about renewing our churches held over five Saturdays. The group of up to fifty-five parishioners published a booklet of concepts to guide the renewal and was delivered with your Thanksgiving envelopes in December 2006. One concept was ’at both locations, we long to be called to our liturgical celebrations by the sound of a church bell. At Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, this may only require restoration of the existing tower bell.
To mark the centenary of our parish and the sesquicentenary of our school, the Centenary Committee is promoting a new tower to house the original bell which was at O.L.M.C. from about 1908 to 1922.
The Parish Finance Committee states the project needs to be funded before commencement.
There are two main forms of fundraising—Raffle and a Dinner:

(a) Raffle for a Home Theatre Package valued at $3,500—tickets are $2.00 each. Please take home a book of ten tickets today and return the book sold or unsold this Sunday.
(b) Dinner 4-course at Rupertswood Mansion on Friday 13 November at 7.00pm. Tickets $120 per person. This function is nearly sold out—the remaining thirty places are now for sale. Please contact Pat Reddan 0418 310 866 or Margaret McLellan 9740 5020.

Don’t forget to return sold or unsold raffle tickets this weekend.

The Little Sisters of the Poor of St Joseph’s Home, Northcote celebrate 125 years of welcome and care of the Aged in Melbourne and the Canonisation of their Foundress Jeanne Jugan.
The Little Sisters welcome you to attend this special celebration.
Details: http://www.littlesistersofthepoor.org.au

Sat 24 October 7.00pm to 10.30pm at Sunbury Uniting Church Hall, cnr. Brook & Barkly Streets.
Supper provided.
Adults $8 Students $5 Family $20 (2 adults, 4 children).
This is a ‘no alcohol’ event.

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL BELL TOWER RESTORATION RAFFLE

1st prize: Home Theatre Package—value $3,500. Tickets only $2.00—limited number of tickets. Tickets available after Mass next weekend.

Special Collection last weekend Caritas Australia Communities in Crisis—Asia Pacific Appeal – amount donated $1,736.20. Many thanks.

There are copies at Welcome Desk. One of the feature items depicted is the new oval at St Anne’s School to which Catholic Development Fund gave financial assistance by granting a loan to be repaid over ten years.

We are mid-way in the current three–year program and today one of our parishioners will outline the current state of our parish finances. There will be a handout after Mass.

The Christian vocation has expression through marriage, single life, priesthood and consecrated life. Our call to holiness is to answer God’s call to build the Kingdom of God.

‘Let the little children come to me;….for it is to such as these that the Kingdom of God belongs’.

Sydney this week to examine applications for declaring some marriages null. To prepare for the session, I burnt the midnight oil in recent weeks reading and assessing 1,326 pages of evidence. The process shows how respectful the Church is of people when they say ‘I take you as my husband/wife’. Unfortunately, some people lack the ability to put their intentions into practice

Fr Kevin

Sunday 11 October at Croatian Catholic Church, cnr Fitzgerald Rd & Whitesides Ave Ardeer (Melway 25J12).
Commencing at 2.30pm with Rosary followed by Mass. Main Celebrant & Homilist: Bishop Hilton Deakin.
All most welcome to this celebration that brings together the ethnic chaplains and their communities to celebrate not only the cultural diversity of the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Melbourne, but also its unity.

We are mid-way in the current three–year program and next Sunday one of our parishioners will outline the current state of our parish finances.

: If your relationship has ended, you may be interested in this program for separated, divorced or widowed people who are experiencing feelings of loss, sadness or emptiness, or they feel stuck and want to do something positive for themselves. This is a live-in weekend program with follow up sessions. Further info or an application form, phone 52 217 055 or visit www.centacaremelbourne.org

The Rupertswood Heritage Assocation will be hosting an Antique Appraisal and Open Day in the mansion on Sunday 27 September 10.00am to 4.00pm.
Admission $10.00 Entrance Fee (includes one valuation (time permitting) children under 12 free.
Additional pieces $5.00 per item.
All funds raised by the Association are used for restoration of the Rupertswood Estate.

We celebrate Social Justice Sunday on 27 September. Today’s Social Justice Sunday Statement is titled ‘And You Will Be My Witnesses’.
During World Youth Day 2008, Australia saw thousands of young Christians inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Yet many people are marginalised, excluded and deprived of dignity.
The bishops recall the challenge of Pope Benedict:

’What will you leave to the next generation? What difference will you make’?

and present it again to all Australians, young and old. Copies of the statement are available at the Welcome Desk or on line at www.acsjc.org.au