CATHOLIC CARE
75th Anniversary Gala Ball Thursday 19 May at Plaza Ballroom, 191 Collins St. Melbourne. Time: 6.30pm for 7.00pm. Dress: Formal (with a touch of swinging 30’s). Tickets: $200 per person. All proceeds raised from the evening will be directed towards CatholicCare’s Alcohol and other Drug Family Service.
Further info. 9287 5517.
CatholicCare is the new name for Centacare Catholic Family Services, formerly called Catholic Family Welfare Bureau established in 1948.
ECUMENICAL GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE
The Christian Churches of Sunbury have again arranged an Interdenominational Good Friday Service to be held on the Village Green commencing at 10.00am. Traditionally there has been a great spirit of Christian unity associated with this service, as members from all the Sunbury Christian Churches gather together in remembrance of the sacrifice made by Jesus some 2000 years ago for our salvation. All parishioners are encouraged to attend and to afterwards enjoy a cuppa and hot cross bun with fellow Christians.
Volunteers are needed to set up on Thursday afternoon.
RCIA—EASTER VIGIL SUPPER
On Saturday 23 April we will celebrate the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist with our Elect—Michelle Walker, Michael Monahan and Alex & Roslina Yala as they come to full communion with the Catholic Church. After the Vigil we will share supper with them and their families in the Parish Centre. You are all invited to join us in congratulating them and celebrating Easter as a parish community.
Please bring a plate of food to share.
NEWS FROM PARISH SOCIAL JUSTICE GROUP
Navi Pillay, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, will visit Australia in May. Last year Aboriginal Elders visited Geneva to raise the Northern Territory Intervention with the Commission. The intervention imposed in June 2007 without consultation, continues to be a source of grave injustice. You can help by signing a letter requesting Navi Pillay to address this issue. Copies from http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au or at Welcoming Desk. Also at Welcoming Desk copies of ‘New Detention Centre—a hard-hearted response: Bishop’; Pope Benedict’s World Peace Day Message—The Path to Peace; Feast Day Mass of St Joseph the Worker—all workers are invited.
CATHOLIC DOCTORS WARN OF ALCOHOL & DRUGS DAMAGING YOUTH
Dr Clare Walker, president of the Catholic Medical Association (U.K.) has warned drugs are responsible for a huge rise in mental illness among young people and the problem is not being properly addressed. ‘The quintupling of intractable depression rates in young adulthood after a history of taking cannabis or certain other illicit drugs is still not publicised’. She pointed to studies which show that teenagers who drink alcohol regularly are more likely to suffer from depression.
CATHOLIC MISSION VOLUNTEERS
For 50 years, lay Catholic missionaries from Australia have been sent through Palms Global Mission program. There is enormous potential to serve and learn in such communities. Experienced teachers, medical staff, farmers and tradespeople are needed in Africa, Timor and the Pacific.
Placements start from July 2011.
Enquiries: www.palms.org.au
THE CONTEMPLATIVE PARISH
A 2-day program by Catholic Education Office to explore our Christian contemplative practices and foster opportunities for contemplative prayer in parish life.
Dates: 4 May and 27 October from 10.00am to 3.30pm at 362 Albert Street, East Melbourne.
Application forms in Parish Office.
FATHER RON MERRICK
Fr Ron was ordained in Melbourne in July 1950. After serving as an assistant priest in Healesville, Gordon, Clifton Hill and Brunswick West, he was appointed the founding pastor of Seaford in 1964, followed by appointments as parish priest at Avondale Heights, Williamstown and Wattle Park (their last full-time resident priest) from which he retired in 2001. He entered eternal life last Sunday and may he enjoy eternal peace after all his labours.
CALL FOR PRO LIFE VOLUNTEERS
Pregnancy Counselling Australia runs a 24/7 telephone counselling for pregnant women in crisis, providing compassionate, non-judgemental support.
Volunteer counsellors are needed.
For more info. call Tahlia—9740 7378.
CONFERENCE IN LONDON ON CHRISTIAN—MUSLIM RELATIONS
Last month, key thinkers at a two-day conference saw as a basis for unity, the common belief of Christians, Jews and Muslims that God erupts into human history. From this basis, we can build towards a recognition of the centrality and sanctity of the human person as a seeker of God, and neutralise ideologies that aim to sideline religion or promote violence and intolerance. We can also work towards a recognition of religious freedom as the first of human rights. Christians and Muslims, who together make up 54% of the world’s population, have the common task of helping society open itself up again to God.
SOUTHERN CROSS CARE
Established in 1969 and sponsored by the Knights of the Southern Cross, Southern Cross Care is a community-based program of aged care guided by a Christian ethos caring for 5,300 aged Victorians.
Enquiries about services and packages—9244 0900 or www.southerncross.org.au
THANK YOU VERY MUCH
Thank you for the ways in which you have ‘farewelled’ me—
to all those parishioners who have taken the time to write a card expressing gratitude and wishing me well;
for the generosity of my farewell gift;
for the kind words and special memories shared;
for the morning tea last Sunday and the opportunity to say what I wanted to say as I bring to a close this extraordinary chapter of my life.
I will always fondly remember my time working in this place. I will not forget you and I will continue to remember you in my prayers.
……With a grateful heart, Irene.
RCIA
Today (Sunday 10th April) at 8.30am Mass our Elect—Alex, Roslina, Michelle and Michael will be presented with the Lord’s Prayer as they reach another milestone on their continuing Lenten journey towards full communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.
We offer them our congratulations and prayerful support as Easter approaches.
AUSTRALIAN CATHOLICS
Available this weekend.
Please take a copy home with you. Special issue on the parish of the future.
PALM SUNDAY—NEXT SUNDAY
There will be the Blessing of the Palms and procession before each Mass, which will commence outside the church. Donations of palm would be very appreciated—please place palms at both churches.
EMMAUS CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP
The Emmaus Charismatic Prayer Group meets at St Anne’s Church at 10.15am on Thursdays.
All welcome including children.
For further info/transport please contact Lambert & Elaine van der Weerden on 9744 4029.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury 
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