LITURGY MEETING 23RD JUNE

This is just a quick report on the last Liturgy meeting which started, as usual, with a prayer.

The first issue was the 10.30am Mass on 27th which will involve the Baptism of two infants and two older children. A video camera will be used to display the proceedings on to the large screens for all the parishioners to see. It is hoped that this can also be recorded and made available to the parents. Sheila and John Stafford will be celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary at this Mass.

The Children’s Choir, utilising the children from both our schools is still a work in progress which we are hoping will get under way next term. At this stage we are hoping to have them at one Mass per month.

There was a discussion about the next Neighbourhood Theme which ties in with the Parish Centenary Celebrations, namely to “Honour the Past and Polish our Present”.

The next item is our Parish Feast Day on the 25th July where it is hoped the Children’s Choir can take part in the 10.30am Mass. The readings were discussed and some suggested themselves as the day is to be a celebration of Mary, the Mother of Jesus under her title of  Our Lady of Mount Carmel, also a celebration of service via our  “Workers in the Vineyard” day, and finally as this Liturgical Year utilises the Gospel of St Luke, we will probably use one of St Luke’s stories that show the service of Our Lady.

On the Parish Feast Day we will be celebrating the service of all our “Workers in the Vineyard”. Whether you are praying for us all, or joining us in community at Sunday Mass, or standing drenched in the car park while directing traffic, or singing in a choir, you inspire us all. St Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, lists God’s appointments in the Church, starting with the Apostles, Prophets, teachers etc and then once we’ve become comfortable throws it all out and says “I will show you a more excellent way”.(Vulgate) So a quick look at 1 Corinthians Ch13 says everything about our individual service to our Parish Community.

One of the things we have learnt from last year is that it is an enormous job to  check with everyone on whether they will stay on the current rosters so this year it will involve parishioners “opting out” and we will assume those that don’t “opt out” are willing to stay. Some parishioners volunteered for some services that didn’t get off the ground as there weren’t enough people. Things such as tea/coffee after Mass and Children’s Liturgy didn’t have enough volunteers although some Neighbourhoods have said they would be interested in tea/coffee after Mass in conjunction with a Neighbourhood Mass. It may be possible to get someone to give a short talk on how the receiving of a ministry of giving has affected them. All parishioners at Mass that Sunday will be given a tag at the beginning of Mass on which to put their name.
Areas which particularly need volunteers are the “Welcomers”, “Hospitality” and AV operators.

Finally the meeting looked at a night to come together to watch the canonisation of Bl Mary MacKillop on Sunday 17th October. This is now also a work in progress.

SELECTION OF A NEW PRINCIPAL FOR ST ANNE’S SCHOOL

The process of selection and appointment has begun and school staff have written their views on the qualities needed in a future principal. School parents are now being invited to forward their views before Wednesday. The Selection Panel is: Brian O’Loughlin, Chair of St Anne’s School Advisory Board, Amanda Ferraro, Parent Representative of the Advisory Board, John Kremers, Principal, Resurrection School, Fr Kevin, Parish Priest and Maryanne O’Rourke, Principal Consultant, Catholic Education Office.
Please keep the process in your prayers over the next two months.

REFUGEES ARE WELCOME

End the freeze on asylum seeker claims—Rally and March on World Refugee Day Sunday 20 June, 12 noon State Library, Swanston Street.

CROSSWAYS

An in-depth study of the whole Bible over six terms. Presented by Bethany Lutheran Church and supported by the Sunbury Christian Ministers Fellowship. See brochure at Welcome Desk for full details and registration or contact Pastor Jim Pietsch 9743 4643.

CARDINAL JOHN HENRY NEWMAN

Cardinal Newman is to be beatified in Coventry, U.K. in September. Two of his famous sayings are:

‘In all times the laity have been the measure of the Catholic Spirit’ (Present Position of Catholics lecture 9)

‘Persons influence us, voices melt us, deeds inflame us. We are not converted by philosophical statements’ (Grammar of Assent, ch. 4)

PARISH COORDINATING TEAM MEETING 15TH JUNE 2010

The Parish Coordinating Team meeting on 15th June mainly discussed the preparation needed for the forthcoming Parish Assembly on 16th Oct. In our Parish Renewal sessions held in August and September 2006, the parishioners looked at the problems with the then current structures for Parish Decision-Making and with the current structures for Making Proposals and for Planning. The basic problem was seen to be that the decision makers were unrepresentative and that there was no means of reporting back.

We have already held a Formation Session of one and a half hours for Neighbourhood Teams, groups of Parish Posties, and indeed anyone who was interested and available back on the 27th Feb. It’s now time for a follow-up session with the Neighbourhood Coordinators so that they can go back to their Posties and Parishioners in order to get a representative (and some ideas from the group) who will become a member of the Parish Coordinating Team, representing their Neighbourhood.

Each Neighbourhood representative will be given about a minute to put forward any reports and proposals for action etc. that the Neighbourhood group would like to undertake such as inviting all the parents (and children) of any children from the Neighbourhood who have made their First Communion recently to a get-together of the Neighbourhood after Mass. Or any other ideas they may like to carry out.

Other Parish Groups and Organisations will likewise have that opportunity during the Assembly

The Team also discussed some details of the forthcoming “Workers in the Vineyard” program coming up shortly.

EVERGREENS

  • Outing to the Titanic Exhibition, Museum Victoria on TUE 15 JUNE. Cost $18.00 concession. Pay on day. Catch 9.10am train to Southern Cross. Enquiries: Frances—9744 1999.
  • Visit to Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre on TUE 24 AUGUST. Details nearer date.

SALESIAN COLLEGE NEWS

Congratulations to the Girls Basketball Team who became the Victorian Champions being premiers of all Victorian Catholic Colleges.
On Tuesday, the first classes will be held in the new $6.2 mil Science and Technology Wing—the Oswald Learning Centre. Over the next two weeks, more classes will move into the new building. Parents are funding the new wing completely as there are no government grants.
While there is a waiting list for Year 7 2011, there are a few vacancies at other year levels for 2011.

CENTENARY TRIVIA NIGHT

On 5 June, we had the third successful Centenary event (the others being the Blessing of the Bell Tower and the Bush Dance). The compere was very competent. A great spirit was among those present who filled the Parish Centre. Congratulations to the Parish Centenary Committee and St Anne’s P.T.F.A. for organising the event.

CRISIS IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY—REPLANNING THE JOURNEY

This was the title of a meeting at the Vatican early last month of some of the world’s leading social scientists and experts in economics and finance. The cause of the current crisis was the mistake made by financiers and regulators that the market, left to its own devices, would weed out poor debt. Many at the meeting considered the crisis ‘to be moral rather than economic’, in that the financial sector sought to serve itself, not the common good, by seeking higher profits. Speakers discussed the innocent victims of this financial failure—the developing world. As the economy is now global, regulation needs to be global.

Fr Kevin

CROSSWAYS

An in-depth study of the whole Bible over six terms. Presented by Bethany Lutheran Church and supported by the Sunbury Christian Ministers Fellowship. See brochure at Welcome Desk for full details and registration or contact Pastor Jim Pietsch 9743 4643.

CAN YOU HELP?

Volunteer(s) needed to clean O.L.M.C. Church on a roster basis (approx. once every three months).
Please ring the Parish Office—9744 1060.

MACYAC RETREAT WEEKENDS 2010

Young single adults (18-35) are invited to attend one of our two retreat weekends-(1) ‘Mary MacKillop Inspired & Inspiring’ – experience the inspiration of a remarkable woman Friday 9 July to Sunday 11 July at Jan Juc. RSVP 30.06.10. (2) ‘Mary MacKillop Towards Canonisation’ – become inspired through her journey to sainthood Fri 27 August to Sun 29 August at Rye. RSVP 18.08.10. Cost for either weekend is $50 employed, with a concession rate for students/unwaged.
An e-copy of the brochure for the Retreat Weekends is available from macyac@sosj.org.au Limited places-apply early.
Enquiries: Rita 0419 299 065 / Janette 0411 406 152 or 9306 8903.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL

  • Volunteers needed to help with sorting and other general shop retail duties.
  • Also Truck Jockeys/Warehouse Hands-some heavy lifting involved under safety guidelines.
  • We also need your good stuff-quality donations such as furniture, bric-a-brac, books and clothing.
  • If you run or own a business perhaps you may have some surplus stock you could donate. Please ring the manager on 9744 1447 or call into our centre-156 O’Shanassy St.