LATEST NEWS

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COMING TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION

In 2008, the Australian Bishops directed that we should bow slightly one back from the minister of communion. Genuflecting before receiving was not permitted as it is a safety hazard especially for people behind unsteady on their feet, who can be easily tripped up and fall causing a broken hip. We have just prayed aloud: ‘Lord, I am not worthy to receive you………’ Our parish is committed to having a safe environment for the benefit of all and to satisfy the parish’s legal responsibilities.

Fr Kevin

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CATHOLICS IN HOSPITAL

Some hospitals including Melbourne Private no longer give lists of Catholic patients to the Catholic chaplains due to their understanding of the Privacy Act.
Catholic patients or their families should ask the hospital to contact the Catholic chaplain if desiring Catholic pastoral care.

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VOLUNTEER REQUIRED

Volunteer needed to fill a vacancy on our Counters’ roster.
You would be rostered on every six weeks—duration would be 2—2/12 hours.
Please contact the Parish Office 9744 1060.

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EVERGREENS

First outing for the year:
St Patrick’s Day lunch 17 March at Sunbury Football Club 12 noon.
Cost $14.
Bookings essential—contact Frances 9744 1999.

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NOTES FROM OUR PARISH LENTEN EXERCISE

We started with a welcome and a prayer and then went straight into an introduction and an overview.

There was discussion of how we, as the people of God, are a sacrament to the world.

The group was sitting in Neighbourhoods and these were joined with other Neighbourhoods to discuss the subjects of ourselves as a Sacrament of Communion, as a Sacrament of the Reign of God, and as a Sacrament of Universal Salvation. A good starting place is the old Childrens Catechism which says a Sacrament is an outward sign of inward Grace. We didn’t get too far into sacramental theology but we were able to see that we, as a group, are a sign and an instrument of the presence of Jesus in the world now.

Next came a brief discussion on prayer, centred on the words of Jesus in Mathew 7:7. Ask, Seek, Knock.

Then we moved to “What the Parish does”

Community Life…
  • Whole Parish Community
  • Neighbourhoods
  • Small Groups
  • All Families
Pastoral Service…
  • Catechesis
  • Liturgical
  • Schools
  • Justice, Peace, Environment
Workers in the Vineyard…
  • Recruitment
  • Formation and Training
Decision Management…
  • PCT/PC
  • Parish Team
  • Finance
  • Office Administration
  • Maintenance
  • General Gatherings
Other Sectors…
  • Play Group
  • Youth
  • Evergreens

The next step in our Neighbourhood Plan is to move a considerable amount of this to the Neighbourhoods by the Neighbourhoods taking on a four phase strategy, namely To Gather, To Serve, To Represent, and To Communicate. By this strategy we can decentralise many of our services and the Neighbourhoods can become small, active faith groups.(that is Big Faith, Small Groups) The Neighbourhoods can bring their issues via their PCT representative to the PCT meetings.

The Neighbourhood Groups then had a practice run at a Neighbourhood meeting using a guide book written for that purpose and available in the future from the Parish Office. Each meeting involves some prayer, scripture reading an discussion/sharing of our faith.

There was a break for lunch and much discussion. This was followed by a summing up and a discussion on “Where to now?”

Those Neighbourhoods who had a Coordinator present set up meetings to present the theme of Gather, Serve, Represent, and Communicate. Others would take the information and the strategy back to their Neighbourhoods to then do the same.

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SALESIAN COLLEGE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM

We are looking for a number of adult volunteers (including former Salesian students) to supervise four Year 11 students at Sacred Heart Mission, St Kilda on Wednesdays during school term.
Students assist with the preparation and serving of the midday meal. Students travel together and we would need the adult supervisor to meet them outside the Mission by 9.00am. The volunteer session finishes at 2.30pm and students make their own way back to Sunbury. Volunteers will need a Working with Children check which the College can help organise.
If you can help contact Stephen Connelly on 9744 0058.

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BLESSING OF THE CENTENARY BELL

The Blessing of the Centenary Bell on the new tower will be held on Sunday 21 March at 10.00am in the grounds of OLMC Church within the Liturgy of the Word of Sunday Mass.
Following the Blessing, we shall move to St Anne’s Church for the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the second part of Sunday Mass. St Anne’s Church will accommodate the numbers expected.
This is the first celebration of our centenary year as we recall the opening of OLMC School on 26 March 1860 and the establishing of OLMC Parish in 1911.
Hence, the times of Sunday Mass on 20/21 March are 6.00pm (St Anne’s) 8.30am (St Anne’s) 10.00am (OLMC) and 5.30pm (OLMC).

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RCIA—PRESENTATION OF THE CREED

Today at 8.30am Mass, Eni Saban, Alison Fisher, Jason and Sue Wight will be presented with the Creed as part of their Lenten journey towards full Communion into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.
We offer them our congratulations and prayerful support as Easter approaches.

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PREPARATION FOR FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST COMMUNION FOR FAMILIES NOT ATTENDING THE PARISH SCHOOLS

If you wish your child to begin preparation for these sacraments this year, you are requested to attend an information and registration sessions for PARENTS at either 2.00pm or 7.30pm in the Parish Centre on TUE 9 MARCH.
At these sessions we will explain the preparation process and you can register your child.
This is the only opportunity for enrolment.
If you are unable to attend either of these sessions, contact Richard Hallett at the Parish Office—9744 1060.

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CHILDREN IN PREP GRADE AND THEIR PARENTS

Children in Prep Grade and their Parents are invited to a Parenting in Faith Evening this week.
Wednesday at OLMC School and Thursday at St Anne’s School.
Both evenings commence at 6.30pm and will conclude about 7.30pm with the children all dressed and prepared for bed.
Parents are asked to take their children to their classroom.

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PROJECT COMPASSION

This week’s story takes us to East Timor where Domingas is being supported in a Caritas-funded Family & Community Violence Prevention Program. Domingas, like many women in her community, was the victim of violence and abuse. The program has provided her with ongoing counselling and a small grant to enable her to build a business and give her economic independence. Your donation helps to support women survivors of violence and to work for just relationships.

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PRAYERS FOR THE FAMILY

We all have family and friends to pray for.

  1. Every First Friday 7.00pm—8.00pm at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.  Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; Holy Rosary, Hymn; Divine Mercy Chaplet, Hymn; Divine Praises and quiet time for Adoration.  Don’t miss your chance to thank God for  prayers  answered  and graces received.

  2. Every Saturday 9.00am—10.00am—Holy Rosary, Hymn; Divine Mercy Chaplet, Hymn and quiet time for Adoration.

CHILDREN (OUR FUTURE) MOST WELCOME.