SPECIAL COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND

MELBOURNE OVERSEAS MISSION

Since its foundation in 1969, Melbourne parishioners have supported our own mission fund to help developing nations.  Currently, the major beneficiaries are people in Papua New Guinea, Timor, Sierra Leone, Pakistan, Botswana, Nigeria, Haiti and Peru.  Archbishop Denis Hart commends the fund to your continuing support. Donations of $2.00 and over are tax deductible.

FR BILL JORDAN

Parish Priest of Flemington and Kensington Parishes, is celebrating his Golden Jubilee of priestly ordination today.  God bless, Fr. Bill.

PENITENTIAL SERVICE IN ADVENT

The Penitential Service will be held on Wednesday 15 December at 7.30pm St Anne’s Church.  The Penitential Service held in Lent was very well attended.  This is an opportunity to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord.

CHRISTMAS NOVENA

The Novena begins 17 December.  The Advent focus shifts to the Christian story and Blessed Virgin Mary.  These days are to prepare more directly for the Lord’s birth.  This is the best time to hold Carol Services and to begin to sing Christmas Carols in the liturgy…….Liturgical Commission—Brisbane 2010.

ST MARY MACKILLOP PILGRIMAGES TO SYDNEY & PENOLA

Two pilgrimages have been organised for 2011
(1)   A 6 night pilgrimage to Sydney from 19-25 May.
(2)  A 3 night pilgrimage from Bacchus Marsh to Hamilton, Portland & Penola from 9—12 September.
Pilgrimages will depend on the number of people interested.
To register your interest contact Sr Mary Fermio on 53 672 078, email mary.fermio@sosj.org.au  before Christmas.
Further details see noticeboard St Anne’s Church.

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.

THANK YOU

We would like to express our deepest thanks to all members of the parish community for your prayers and support during the time of John’s illness and recent death. We would also like to extend a special thank you to those who attended the Mass, sang or helped in any way in the hall that afternoon. It was a wonderful example of our faith in action. Our family has been overwhelmed with flowers, cards, visits and calls. You cannot underestimate how much this has helped us as we grieve our dearly loved husband and father John.

Sincerely…….Therese, Stephen, Jacqui & Chris, Nicole & Matt, Mark and David Arthurson

THE JESSE TREE

The Jesse Tree comes right out of a classic Advent passage from the prophet Isaiah:

‘A shoot will sprout from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a branch will bear fruit’ (Isaiah 11:1).

The Jesse Tree is hung with ornaments representing Old Testament people and events, and lead up to Jesus.  The traditional symbols hung on the tree are based on the genealogy of Jesus as recounted by the first chapter of the Gospel of St Matthew.

NEW FENCE AT OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

As indicated in our newsletter of 12.09.2010, the new fence is now being installed.  The gates will be open from 8.30am to 9.00am and 3.00pm to 3.30pm.  All entry is through the school office for the safety of our children and the security of our property.  The entry for morning Mass will be the gate in front of the Presbytery.

LAITY ENDORSE MARRIAGE

A number of Catholics wish to collect a petition to be forwarded to the local Federal Member of Parliament.  The words of the petition were agreed by the bishops as:

‘As a parishioner of ………………(within your electorate) please consider my position on the meaning of marriage.  Given the variety of domestic arrangements available in Australia, I request that you  protect  the unique institution of marriage as traditionally understood and actually lived as the complementary love between a man and a woman’.

Please forward before 22 December or sign a copy of the petition at the Welcome Desk.

MORNING TEA

The Parish Coordinating Team is looking at reintroducing morning teas after Mass on a more regular basis as a way of keeping up social ties within the parish community.  This was a suggestion from parishioners at the last parish assembly.  As an initial start morning tea will be held in the foyer of St Anne’s Church after 8.30am Mass and before 10.30am Mass on Sunday 12 December so stay late or come early for a cuppa and chat!
Suggestions or queries to Julie—9740 3590 or Mary 9744 1049.