LATEST NEWS

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PETITION FOR CALEB FARIA

At each Mass this weekend we welcome Michelle Faria. Her family are part of Sunbury Parish and their little boy Caleb has a very serious illness that needs very expensive life saving medicine.
There are petitions to sign that can be forwarded to our local member of Parliament, Ms Vamvakinou.
Please support this lovely little boy by signing the letter.

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THANKSGIVING OFFERING

The Thanksgiving Offering of each parishioner is our life blood. Our generous givers give back in thanksgiving to God for all that we receive. Without givers, the Parish would not have began 100 years ago. Without our generous givers, we would cease to exist now.
Statements on our giving have been sent last week and today new sets of envelopes are available to be collected. You may find it more convenient to give electronically by direct debit or by internet banking instead of finding cash each Sunday. Our banking details are enclosed with your statements to assist with any changes you may need. Electronic giving is also more convenient for our Parish.

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CELEBRATION OF FIRST RECONCILIATION

The celebration of First Reconciliation began last Thursday evening and will continue this Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Please remember these children in your prayers as they meet the forgiving Lord in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

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PARENTS SESSION ON CYBERSAFETY

A CyberSafety information evening this Wednesday at 7pm at St Anne’s school is open to all our parents. Please contact the school office for tickets. The session will focus on social networking.

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HELP WANTED

Please contact the Parish Office on 9744 1060 if you are able to assist with setting up the Saturday 6.00PM Mass on a rostered basis.

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SPECIAL COLLECTION FOR SRS MAUREEN & MARY

A special collection will be taken up next weekend as a token of appreciation for the work done by these two wonderful ladies. There will also be an opportunity to say farewell to Srs Maureen and Mary at a shared lunch in the Parish Centre on Sunday 28 August from 12.00 lunch time. Please bring a plate to share.

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TRIVIA NIGHT AND AUCTION

A Trivia Night and Auction will be held by the Sunbury Chaplaincy Committee on Saturday 20th August at Sunbury College commencing at 7pm. Come along for a fun night with raffles, prizes and auctions of sporting memorabilia. BYO basket supper and drinks. Tickets are $15 at “Just Planet” (37 O’Shannessy St) or ring Helen on 0407 506 507.

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ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY

The Assembly will be held on Saturday 3 September from 9am to 12.30pm in the Parish Centre. Every parishioner is invited. As Pope Benedict said in 2009, “we must improve pastoral structures in such a way that we gradually promote the co-responsibility of all members of the people of God in their entirety. Lay people must no longer be viewed as collaborators of the clergy but truly recognised as co-responsible. (The Tablet– 16 July 2011 pg 17)
The assembly is one such structure for participation in decision-making and of being involved in the evangelising mission of the Church.
All parish groups and neighbourhoods are being asked to make a brief presentation on their activity in the past year and plans for the future.

(Have a look here for a pdf copy of last year’s report.)

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VOCATION VIEWS

It’s so easy to push people out of our lives. But the Lord knows no boundaries or races or colours. Spread the Good News that we are all God’s people.

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STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE

 

CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS

One emphasis that appears in the Old Testament is the need for the Jewish people to keep themselves apart from the surrounding nations to preserve the purity of their faith from the paganism around them.  But there is also the teaching that appears in today’s reading from Isaiah that the Lord God is the only true god, and he welcomes the foreigners who worship him, “for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”

God’s love for all humanity is also behind St. Paul’s teaching in Romans that God allowed the Jews to reject Jesus as the Messiah so the Church would proclaim to the Gentiles that he is the universal Savior of all peoples.  And Jesus, while limiting his mission to the Jewish during his earthly ministry, responded with compassion to Gentiles who approached him in faith.

These Scripture readings make clear the God welcomes all who turn to him, without regard to nationality or class.  As we seek to be good stewards, how closely do we follow that example?  How well do we practice hospitality, one of the pillars of a stewardship parish?  Do we welcome all who come to worship God, or do we erect barriers of class or color?

Copyright © 2011 www.TheCatholicSteward.com

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PARISH COMMUNITY GARDEN

This proposal was raised at the last Parish Assembly and much planning has gone into the project. All at the last Parish Co-Ordinating Team meeting voted in favour of the garden to be situated at 107 Riddell Road, near the Parish Office. Access will be from Riddell Road.
……..Fr Kevin

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CHILDRENS LITURGY WORKSHEETS

Every  week  we  have  a  new children’s worksheet  available at both Masses. The worksheets are relevant to the weekly Gospel readings, which help the children to be engaged in the Mass.  Please encourage the children to take a worksheet before Mass.

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MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND

Married couples, make 2011 the year that you prioritise your relationship. It underpins your family life. Please join the Marriage Encounter weekend this year. Our weekend helps you to remember why you married and gives you skills to maintain your love for one another. Couples and a priest present the weekend. It is based around Catholic values but you don’t need to be Catholic to attend. There is no group sharing. The next weekends will be held on 19-21 August and 11-13 November. For further info. and bookings, contact Peter & Erika Smith on 03 9899 0824 or email vicbook@wwme.org.au.
Check out  website for more information on http://www.wwme.org.au.

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ST. MARY OF THE CROSS MACKILLOP

To celebrate the first Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop on 6-8 August 2011, the Sisters of St Joseph invite you to visit Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre from 10am to 4pm at 362 Albert St, East Melbourne. Entry by donation. The Museum, chapel and gift shop will be open and refreshments available. Enquiries call 03 9926 9300.

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CITIZEN ADVOCACY SUNBURY

Volunteers are required to assist with the Citizen Advocacy Sunbury program. Each advocate volunteers their time to assist an intellectually disabled person. Simply by being a friend or helping with administrative or emotional needs, the volunteer advocate will assist with day to day issues. If you are able to help some fliers are available on the Welcome Desk or contact the CAS office on 9744 7378.

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CARITAS AUSTRALIA EMERGENCY APPEAL

East Africa Crisis Appeal will be held 13-14 August to assist  those areas of East Africa affected by drought. There is great suffering in this part of the world and any financial assistance offered would help many thousands of people to get access to food, clean water, medicine and veterinary assistance for animals.

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ABOUT THE OPEN LETTER TO THE HOLY FATHER

This letter has recently been doing the rounds of many Parishes, e.g. Manly Vale/Balgowla and Templestowe and Catholic websites, e.g. the website of the National Council of Priests of Australia. And many more besides.
David Schütz, on his blog Sentire Cum Ecclesia has some comments worth reading. David is the Executive Officer of the Ecumenical & Interfaith Commission of the Archdiocese of Melbourne and his comments can be found here.