Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury
Scroll down for more information
Sunday night 29th June we gathered in St Anne’s Church in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury to join with Rev Matthew Baldwin as he celebrated his Thanksgiving Mass following his Ordination on the previous day. His friends and family had come to celebrate with him, including his Uncle John from Cessnock. Apparently the Hunter Valley is much warmer than Sunbury at 5.30 at night.
Here is a slideshow of some photos of the night.
Training for Girls and Boys wishing to join the Altar Server Team will be held at 11am on Saturdays 5 and 12 July in St Anne’s Church.
New members must have received or are about to receive 1st Eucharist. Enquiries to Michael McConville 97442674
ORDINATION
June 28, Matthew Baldwin, a former student of St Anne’s school and Salesian College will celebrate his Ordination to the Priesthood at St Patrick’s Cathedral.
THANKSGIVING MASS
Sunday June 29, Matthew will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving at our 5.30pm Parish Mass, at St Anne’s church. After Mass all are invited to share refreshments in the Parish Centre, to meet and congratulate Matthew. Please bring a small plate to share.
A recent addition to the Parish Website is the story of our first Parish Priest Fr J Gallivan. Further additions relating to our history will be made in the future.
Two statues from St Michael’s Church in Bulla have recently come back to the Parish and are on display in the Historic Room.
We are always grateful to receive copies of any photos that relate to Parish. Please write names of those in the picture on the back (for future reference).
Please note a change of date. The first PMN will take place on 16th July, not as previously advertised.
On Tuesday 6 May our Parish groups gathered to discuss the invitation to take part in a Parish Meeting Night. PMN is an initiative that aims to have as many Parish groups as possible meeting on the same night, monthly. All groups gather in prayer for 15 minutes then disperse to their individual meetings, later to reconvene to enjoy supper together. Most of the Parish groups were represented and having such diverse and energetic groups gathering regularly, concerns and the benefits of a Parish Meeting Night were raised. All group representatives took part in an open and fruitful discussion. It was decided to hold an expo of the groups and their work during May . A very important aspect of the PMN is that it is “invitational”: that is, groups are invited, encouraged and welcomed to attend as a community, the very same community of people who are already building and giving life to our Parish. The first PMN will take place on 16th July, gathering in the library at St Anne’s school. Please park in the Stewarts Lane Car Park.
Father John Gallivan was born in Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland on 8th February 1856.
He was ordained to the priesthood at All Hallows College Dublin on 24th June 1880. He was 24 years of age.
Fr Gallivan came to the Melbourne Archdiocese in November 1881 and was curate at Kilmore for five years.
In 1887 when Father John Gallivan was appointed to Gisborne, Sunbury was part of the Gisborne Mission. The new Gisborne Parish Priest was just thirty years of age.
In 1911 Archbishop Carr established the Parish of Sunbury with Father Gallivan as the first Parish Priest. Father Gallivan, now fifty five, took up residence in Sunbury.
Father Gallivan was transferred to Northcote in 1923 having spent thirty seven years caring for the people of Sunbury. He passed away in Northcote on 9th June 1939 and is buried in the Sunbury Cemetery. He was in his eighty fourth year.
He was held in great esteem by all. When leaving Gisborne to come to Sunbury a farewell was organised by the people of Gisborne and was attended by all the Ministers of the other denominations. The clergy of the other Churches all spoke well of him and this was widely reported in the local newspapers of the time. This was during a period in our history when Catholics were not encouraged to be involved with the other Churches.
Father Gallivan was a regular guest at Rupertswood the home of Sir William Clarke. When the Bishop attended ceremonies at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church he travelled to Sunbury by train and Father Gallivan would meet him at the station in Sir William’s carriage and they would be conveyed to Rupertswood for lunch prior to attending to the ceremonies. On the Sunday following the sudden death of Sir William, prayers and eulogies were offered in all Churches across Melbourne, but it is reported that it was the eulogy given by Fr Gallivan in the Sunbury Church that drew the most attention.
Father Gallivan was a great entrepreneur. He was renowned for his skills in organising bazaars and concerts featuring leading entertainers. Artists were always eager to be a part of anything he organised as the events were always of a high standard. The Grand Bazaar at Easter in 1901 was an example. Lady Clarke officially opened the Bazaar and there was a great coverage of the event in the local Sunbury Newspaper.
Father Gallivan rode a horse and in the early days at Gisborne this would have been his mode of transport to Sunbury. There is a chimney on the roof of the sacristy at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church so presumably at some stage there was a fireplace which some kind parishioner would have alight to greet Father Gallivan on his arrival from Gisborne on the cold winter mornings.
Father Gallivan visited parishioners in a horse and buggy. He travelled to Bulla for Sunday Mass at St Michaels and as there were rules of fasting from midnight before receiving the Eucharist, it would be lunchtime before he got back to Sunbury and was able to eat.
During his time in Sunbury a harmonium organ was purchased for Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church. The bell was installed in a bell tower to summon parishioners to Mass. Each day the students of Our Lady of Mt Carmel rang the bell at twelve noon for the Angelus. This was looked forward to by the people in the town as they eagerly waited for it to be rung each day as it signalled that it was time for their lunch break.
Father Gallivan was one of the officials of the Sunbury Cricket Club formed in 1897. The population of Sunbury in 1897 was 705.
A parishioner and former student of Our Lady of Mt Carmel School recalled that during heavy rain the Blind Creek near Kismet would flood and students would not be able to get across to get home. Father Gallivan used to bring his buggy and ferry the students across.
His greatest achievement was that he was instrumental in requesting that the Sisters of St Joseph come to Sunbury in 1916. He personally donated the land for the Convent.
He was held in such high esteem by the people of Gisborne that Gallivan Road in Gisborne has been named in his honour.
This is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.” The harvest is great but the labourers are few. Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send more labourers into the Harvest.” In today’s Gospel, the Evangelist records that unlike the thief who enters the sheepfold by another way, the Good Shepherd enters by the door. The Sheep hear his voice, he calls them by name and leads them out. Will you hear the Lord’s voice when he calls you? Will you choose the vocation that He has made for you? He has chosen YOU for some work. If you do not do it, it will not get done!
Last Friday, Linh graduated with a Bachelor of Theology from the University of the Melbourne College of Divinity. Linh studied at the Catholic College of Theology, a member college of the University. Well done, Linh Pham B. Theol.
Our Parish has been asked to provide three men to pack up chairs at 11.30am on Friday.
A working bee will be held at St Anne’s Church on Saturday 5 April from 9am. Please bring along your tools. The more the merrier!!
Sing along will be held at Goonawarra Nursing home on Friday 4 April from 2.30pm.
Please come along. It’s much anticipated by the residents, many of whom are old parishioners, old relatives, and old friends. We haven’t been there for a few months so there may be quite a few new faces.
Do you know someone? An important part of the Citizen Advocacy Sunbury program is to find suitable community members to become part of the Committee of Management.
Citizens Advocacy Sunbury needs a Treasurer. If you someone who might be able to take on the role, please contact Brendan Morganti on 0408 021 070 who will be more than happy to discuss it in detail and provide any further information required.
The Lay Ecumenical Choir has resumed practice at 7.30pm every Monday evening at St Mary’s church. Contact Gwen Hutchinson 9740 5258 for more details. New members are always welcome.
This year our parish theme is Year of Growth. On the weekend of 15 & 16 February and 22 & 23 February, we will have our Parish Expo. In the foyer of St Anne’s church will be A3 pages with descriptions of the various ministries. Currently the number of parishioners in ministries is really good, but we are looking for new people to help out as well. It will mean our parish will continue to grow and for everyone to feel part of a vibrant and great community. We encourage you all to become part of at least one ministry and try it for just one year. If you like it, continue for another year but if you prefer to explore something else, you can! You can sign up on the A3 pages in the foyer, or be part of the Sign up weekend on 22 & 23 February and 1 & 2 March– Just before Lent! We will ask people at Mass to sign up for a ministry, then will contact them to advise of training for their chosen ministry. It is an opportunity to share our talents with others and receive the talents of others.
Sing-A-Long on Friday 7 February at Goonawarra Nursing Home from 2.30pm to 3.20pm.
Come along and help entertain the elderly folk. Say hello to old parishioners and old friends.
All welcome.
A working bee will be held at St Anne’s Church on Saturday 1 February from 9am to noon. All are welcome to come help keep our church looking so beautiful.
On Wednesday 22 January, after morning Mass in the Parish Centre, we will need volunteers to assist with getting the Thanksgiving envelopes ready. If you have time, your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
The Diocese of Broome, WA, requires volunteers to assist with the work of the local Church on Aboriginal Missions. There are various important voluntary tasks: administration, building maintenance, gardening, shop staffing, cooking, cleaning etc.
In particular we are seeking a couple to oversee the needs of several church properties. The role is based in Broome but will include travel to remote missions. Accommodation, transport and food provided. For further details, and an application form, please contact:
Volunteer Coordinator: Anneliese Rohr Phone: 08 9192 1060
Email: volunteers@broomediocese.org
The Message of salvation through Jesus Christ will be brought to the community by a Nativity Stable, activities and songs on Saturday 14 December.
Festivities on the Village Green start at 5pm, followed by the Carols at 7pm.
Entertainment and Children’s Activities; live crib, food, music 5-7pm
Christmas Carols 7-9pm BYO Chair
Looking for little Angels! Come all heavenly Angels– Dress up children, wear
‘your wings’ and receive a gift!
Volunteers are needed in the following areas:
3-5pm setting up of marquees and nativity stable
5-7 and 7-9pm serving at the food stalls
5-7pm helping with children’s activities
6-9pm keeping grounds and toilets tidy
After 9pm taking down of marquees and stable of our parish donkey
Please find the volunteers sheet on the St Anne’s Noticeboard and sign on to
help making this event a success. If wanting to help with the children’s activities, contact Wilmy 9740 9448.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury 
You must be logged in to post a comment.