Category: Volunteers Needed

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NEED FOR MORE PRIESTLY VOCATIONS

As in most Western countries, we have a decreasing number of active priests.  As at today, there are 35 active parish priests serving in Melbourne Archdiocese who are aged 70 years or more.  In five years they will have reached the age of 75 years the retirement age, unless they need to retire earlier for health reasons or indeed enter eternal life.  Usually there are two or three new priests ordained annually in Melbourne.
As we celebrate Jesus’ beginning his vocation at his baptism, let us encourage our sons and grandsons to be open to a priestly vocation of service.

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VALE BISHOP JOSEPH GRECH

In 1971, he came to Australia from Malta on his own and completed his formation for the priesthood in Melbourne being ordained in 1974 (part of a group of 30 Victorian priests—the record highest number of ordinations at Corpus Christi College).  Later he became involved in the Charismatic Renewal movement.  He was ordained a bishop in 1999 in Melbourne. In 2001 he became bishop of Sandhurst (Bendigo).  As a migrant, he understood the conditions of migrants and refugees, and represented the Australian Catholic Bishops on the issues of migrants and asylum seekers.  Suffering a blood disease, he was in hospital a few days before, surrounded by priest friends, he entered eternal life last Tuesday.

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VALE FATHER TONY HICKS Ph.D., P.P

Fr Tony entered eternal life last Tuesday after a long illness.  Tony was one of us forty-one students who began our formation as priests at Werribee in 1963.  Tony was a former teacher.  We were ordained together in 1970.  Tony was extraordinarily gifted intellectually.  He was a musician and a psychologist.  He studied psychology at Melbourne University and his doctoral thesis was published in the prestigious ‘American Journal of Psychology’.
Then he ministered as a counsellor at Centacare Catholic Family Services and a consultant psychologist  at  the Marriage Tribunal for ten years.  His first appointment as parish priest was at West Heidelberg where he was well loved and established the Exodus Community for people on the margins.  Later, he was transferred and became pastor of two parishes—Surrey Hills and Wattle Park.  His funeral Mass is on Tuesday at 11.00am at Wattle Park followed by burial at Springvale.

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VALE FR JOHN BEGLEY S.J.

Fr John returned to the Father last week aged 88 years, a Jesuit for 70 years.  A country person, he was educated at Assumption College, Kilmore.  After gaining his Doctorate in Philosophy  in  Rome,  he  came  to  teach  us at Werribee in 1964.  He revolutionized the course of studies for priesthood, broadening the course to relate to the modern world.  We were so fortunate to have him as dean of studies.  I last met him this year at a lecture on the priesthood—he was still learning!  Father John was a very loved and loving uncle and great-uncle.
……Fr Kevin

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OUT OF KENYA

This Sunday we were privileged to have Fr Antony return to us from Kenya along with Fr Patrick. They celebrated Mass with us this weekend. Fr Antony gave a talk about his activities since he was here for WYD a few years ago. He discussed a partnership program that he was hoping we would be able to join in with his parish and school in (near?) the Masai Mara in Kenya. More information will be published as it comes to hand. Anyone interested in joining a committee to kick some form of inter-parish partnership off, contact the Parish Office.

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MASS WITH ANOINTING

This Wednesday 8 December we will celebrate Mass with anointing for the residents at Goonawarra Nursing Home at 3.00pm.
All those who have volunteered at the nursing home throughout the year are invited to come and join us for this special event.

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SING A LONG

Goonawarra Nursing Home on Friday 5 November 2.30 to 3.15pm. Please come along and join in.
Enquiries: Irene—9744 1060.

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CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to a new member of our Altar Servers team, Nix Hendricks.
New members always welcome.
Contact Michael McConville 9744 2674.

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LITURGY MEETING

Minutes

Some matters arising from the last minutes were:

  • that some lectors may need to be reminded that a pause after the reading, for reflection is appropriate.
  • Audio Visual  preparations for the canonization viewing in the hall is underway.

General Business

It was decided that Mary MacKillop leaflets to be ordered ( 50c per copy) for distribution on the day. These are glossy double sided leaflets with her biography.

The 5.30pm Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church will be transfered to St Anne’s Church and music etc was arranged for the day. The readings chosen will be used at all Masses on the day and will be as follows:

  • 1st Reading – Colossians 3  12-17
  • Psalm : (sung) Like a Shepherd… AOV 160  (verses to be sung by cantor)
  • Gospel:  Matthew 6  25-34

Hymns as follows:

  • Gathering Hymn: We are many parts…AOV 86
  • Psalm : Like a Shepherd… AOV 160
  • Offertory: Instrumental music
  • Communion: Song of the Body of Christ….AOV 27
  • Recessional: instrumental music

A team of volunteers will gather after the 10.30am Mass on the day to set-up the Parish Centre .

Saturday November 6th – gathering at the Sunbury cemetery for Prayer & Blessing for all souls at 9.30am and Bulla cemetery at 11am

Neighbourhood hosted Masses for sacramental children- Richard to organise

Advent Focus:- Jesse Tree, Our parish family tree/history over the last 100 years

Christmas masses:

  • Christmas falls on a Saturday this year which means Sunday Masses will also be the next day. It was decided that the 6pm Sunday vigil mass be dropped as the Christmas masses will have been held
  • Friday 24th at the Salesian Stadium at 7pm & St Anne’s at 10pm
  • Saturday 25th at 8.30am & 10.30am
  • Sunday 26th to continue as usual at St Anne’s at 8.30am & 10.30am & 5.30pm at OLMC

Next Meeting scheduled – Wednesday 17th November 7.30pm

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SPECIAL COLLECTION FATHERS’ DAY APPEAL FOR RETIRED PRIESTS

The Melbourne Church has an increasing number of retired priests. This year, ten more priests retired mainly due to age of 75 years and a couple due to illness. This brings to 97 the number of retired priests. This year eleven parish priests retired: Fathers Jack Brady (East Kew) Karmel Borg (Deer Park) Peter Carrucan (St Albans South) Tom Doyle (Gardenvale) Tony Guelen (Dandenong) Lou Heriot (Brighton East) Joe Hynan (Balwyn) John Murphy (Immigration Office) Noel Oliver (Williamstown) Mick Sheehy (Doncaster) and Len Thomas (Ivanhoe West & Hospital Chaplain). Please give generously to this worthy appeal. Donation envelopes are provided at the end of each pew.
The Priests’ Retirement Fund is a registered charity and donations are tax-deductible so please use the envelopes for a receipt.

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NEW MELBOURNE PRIESTS

Next Saturday at 10.00am in the Cathedral, four priests will be ordained at the annual ordination ceremony. All are welcome. Please keep these priests in your prayers—Fathers Aurelio Fragapane, Nicholas Pearce, Jossy Kizhakkethalackal and Richard Rosse.

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SING A LONG

Goonawarra Nursing Home
Friday 3 September 2.30 to 3.15pm.
Please come along and join in.
Enquiries: Irene—9744 1060.

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RISING NUMBER OF CATHOLICS IN THE WORLD

Latest statistics show a leap of 19 million Catholics in a year, bringing total to 1.16 billion Catholics. Number of priests increased by 1,142 to 409,166. In the last ten years, the numbers of Catholics have increased by 11.6%, but the number of priests by 1.1%.

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ANNUAL PRIESTLY JUBILEE CELEBRATION

Last Monday, 97 Victorian priests ordained from Corpus Christi College met in Moonee Ponds and celebrated the Diamond (ordained in 1950) the Golden (ordained in 1960) and Silver (ordained in 1985) Jubilees.
The Diamond Jubilarians all retired from active ministry are Fr. Chris Baker, Fr. Des Cameron, Archbishop Len Faulkner, Fr. John Griffin, Fr. Ron Merrick and Monsignor Jim Murray.
The Golden Jubilarians are Fathers Frank Arnold (P.P. Blackburn North) Karmel Borg (Seminary staff) Pat Flanagan (retired) Paul Garland (retired) Eric Hodgens (retired) Bill Jordan (P.P. Flemington & Kensington) Bob Maguire (P.P. South Melbourne) and Barry Moran (P.P. East St Kilda).
The Silver Jubilarians are: Fathers Peter Austin (P.P. Rochester) Brian Carey (P.P. Corryong & Tallangatta) Tony Hill (P.P. Euroa & Nagambie) Julian Langridge (P.P. Healesville & Lilydale) Vincent Le (P.P. Bundoora) Michael O’Connell (P.P. Macleod) Charles Portelli (P.P. Kealba & Keilor Downs) Greg Pritchard (P.P. Chelsea) Wahid Riad (P.P. Bulleen) and Michael Sierakowski (P.P. East Bentleigh).
Nine Jubilarian priests have died and returned to the Father.
There have been 918 priests ordained from Corpus Christi College since 1929. The highest number were ordained in the decades of 1960’s—209 followed by the 1970’s—164. Only 67 were ordained in 1980’s, 49 in 1990’s and 40 in 2000’s.

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SING A LONG

Goonawarra Nursing Home Friday 6 August 2.30 to 3.15pm
Please come!
Enquiries: Irene 9744 1060