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.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL
St Vinnies is seeking retail volunteers to help out in our Sunbury Centre, 156 O’Shanassy St.
No retail experience is necessary.
Contact the manager on 9744 1447.
SHARE THE DREAM—FAMILIES TRANSFORMING THE WORLD
Friday 15 Apr—Sunday 17 Apr at Xavier College, Barkers Rd. Kew.
Registration details on pamphlets at Welcoming Desk— www.sharethedream.org.au
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.
LENTEN PENITENTIAL SERVICE
Our Lenten Penitential Service will be held this Tuesday 12 April at 7.30pm at St Anne’s Church based on the gospels of the Sundays of Lent Year A.
STEWARDSHIP & FIRST COLLECTION
At the recent Parish Information Session on Stewardship, a request was made for knowledge about the Presbytery Account which receives the First Collection, Baptism and Funeral donations. No money from Stewardship is deposited in the Presbytery Account.
30% of the Presbytery Account income is forwarded to support the ninety retired Melbourne priests, our four bishops, fifty-nine priests in parishes unable to support fully their priest and two Melbourne priests on overseas mission.
Other expenses paid from the account are: the payment of the lease and running costs of the priest’s car, fees for Fr. Bert assisting at Sunday Mass, provision of food and laundry at the Presbytery, and finally a living allowance of $320 a week from which the priest prays for his professional development, retreat, holidays, Thanksgiving Offering and other charities.
PREP 2012 ENROLMENTS
Applications for enrolment at our two schools should be forwarded to the school office before this Friday 8 April. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal a further increase in Catholic school enrolment in Victoria. From 2005 to 2010, enrolments increased 5.3%. Parents are choosing Catholic schools for their unique and distinctive learning environment and their strong academic results. In 2010, Catholic schools in Victoria continued to score well above state averages in national tests.
VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED
We would appreciate hearing from anyone available to read at any of our Easter Celebrations. Please contact Joanne Spiteri on 0448 566 270 or 97407151.
EMMAUS CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP – CHANGE
The Prayer Group will not meet on Thursday April 14 but will be attending a ladies’ day at the CCR Centre, 101 Holden Street, Nth Fitzroy (enter from Dean Street) from 10.00am to 3.00pm. BYO lunch to share. Those attending will meet at St Anne’s church at 9.00am. All ladies welcome. Further info/transport please contact Lambert & Elaine on 9744 4029.
SALESIAN COLLEGE
Applications for Year 7/2012 are still being accepted at Salesian College ‘Rupertswood’ Sunbury. Further info. assistance and Enrolment Application forms are available at the College Office—please call in or contact the Registrar on 9744 0000.
PROJECT COMPASSION
Bach lives with his wife and four children in Thua Thien-Hue, one of Vietnam’s poorest provinces. He lost his fingers in a mining accident. His daughter is deaf and paralysed, requiring constant care.
Sadly, like many people with disabilities, Bach’s family lived isolated from their community until recently, struggling to make ends meet.
Caritas Australia supports the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development to improve the health, livelihoods and social integration of 750 people living with a disability, encouraging them to form Disability Support Groups to gain practical social and employment skills.
“We people with a disability started coming together, which had never happened before,” Bach explained. “We shared our experience of caring for our daughter, started accessing information, creating household plans and feeling more confident.”
The program provides a healthcare and rehabilitation fund for each group to manage, agriculture training and small loans. “I received finance skills and a loan to buy a pig,” Bach explains.
Caritas Australia also funds the province’s Disability Vocational Training and Employment Centre, training staff to teach employment skills to people with disabilities. Bach hopes his daughter can join these activities one day.
“Participating in this group has increased my hope in life. I’m earning an income from growing cassava, rice and beans. I want to invest more in pig-raising,” Bach told us. “Now I help others to participate, be confident and look for relevant jobs.”
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