CATHOLICS AT UN CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE 7—18 DECEMBER

The Vatican Delegation is being headed by the experienced diplomat Archbishop Celestino Migliore the Vatican’s permanent observer at the UN and includes experts on the environment.

Archbishop Migliore, addressing the UN General Assembly last November, said a new global strategy must seek long-term solutions and help alleviate poverty by giving special attention to developing countries. He warned against fostering short-term economic growth without regard to the environment, saying

we should not burden future generations with our overstated energy consumption.

Caritas Internationalis linking 150 Catholic charities will also be represented in Copenhagen. Caritas is bringing bishops and representatives from 25 countries. Caritas is promoting three criteria for solving the problem: by pledging money to developing countries, to keep global warming below 2 degrees and in developed countries cutting greenhouse gas emissions to below 40% of 1990 by 2020.

Caritas says Copenhagen conference is a ‘once-in-a-generation’ chance to save the human family from a future of climate chaos’ (full story—CNS Catholic News Service 03 Dec 09).

Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the prophets of our time and may we be open to their teaching.

Fr Kevin

CATHOLICS AT UN CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE 7—18 DECEMBER

The Vatican Delegation is being headed by the experienced diplomat Archbishop Celestino Migliore the Vatican’s permanent observer at the UN and includes experts on the environment.

Archbishop Migliore, addressing the UN General Assembly last November, said a new global strategy must seek long-term solutions and help alleviate poverty by giving special attention to developing countries. He warned against fostering short-term economic growth without regard to the environment, saying

we should not burden future generations with our overstated energy consumption.

Caritas Internationalis linking 150 Catholic charities will also be represented in Copenhagen. Caritas is bringing bishops and representatives from 25 countries. Caritas is promoting three criteria for solving the problem: by pledging money to developing countries, to keep global warming below 2 degrees and in developed countries cutting greenhouse gas emissions to below 40% of 1990 by 2020.

Caritas says Copenhagen conference is a ‘once-in-a-generation’ chance to save the human family from a future of climate chaos’ (full story—CNS Catholic News Service 03 Dec 09).

Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the prophets of our time and may we be open to their teaching.

Fr Kevin

OUR 2009 ADVENT PROGRAM

The Sunday Readings move to Cycle C and the weekday readings move to Cycle 2 from today.
Advent Masses for the Sick
Tue 1 December 3.00pm Goonawarra Aged Care Facility— relatives & friends welcome.
Wed 9 December 10.00am St Anne’s Church for all parishioners.

Advent Sacrament of Reconciliation: Wed 16 December at 7.30pm in St Anne’s Church (4 priests).

PARISH COORDINATING TEAM MEETING

A report from the meeting of the 25th Nov 2009

Prayer A carefull hearing of the latest Neighbourhood letter followed by a communal reading of the prayer in the letter

Parish Target This short statement was read to the assembled team.

By the end of 2009 all the people of Our Lady of Mt Carmel Parish Sunbury, through their experiences and through structures of communication and participation, are aware of the value of every person.

PCT Membership Each Neighbourhood will elect a permanent representative to be a member of the PCT from the Parish AGM on the 27th Feb 2010. This representation will likely be for a twelve month period which will be renewable if the Neighbourhood and the representative is willing. In order to facilitate this, Neighbourhoods will be asked to meet and arrange the drop of an invitation to all the Catholics in the neighbourhood so all will have an opportunity to elect a representative to the Parish Coordinating Team.  At the meeting where the PCT representative is elected, the Neighbourhoods will also be asked for any proposals they may like to present to the Parish AGM.

Parish Assembly or AGM Will be held on the 27th Feb 2010 and written reports/posters from all Parish groups will be hung on the walls and each group will be asked to give a verbal report of about half a minute. Proposals will also be accepted from the Neighbourhoods via their elected representative. Proposals will need to be submitted in writing by 19th Feb.

Next meeting Wednesday 3rd Feb 2010 at 7.30pm

PAINTING OUR OWN CHURCH

Next Friday and Saturday there will be a paint-a-thon to paint the entrance area and outside of St Anne’s Church beginning 4.00pm to 10.00pm Friday 4 December and 8.00am to 4.00pm Saturday 5 December. Please bring your own paint brushes (4cm and 8cm are best sizes) rollers and trays, step ladders, paint containers and rags.
Please sign up for a 2-hour session during Mass today.
Other parishes paint their church.

NEW CHURCH YEAR—NEW TIMES OF WEEKDAY MASS

From next week, the First Week of Advent (ie Tuesday 1st Dec), the weekday Masses will be –
Tuesday….. 7.00pm O.L.M.C.
Wednesday…… 9.15am St Anne’s
Thursday…… 9.15am O.L.M.C.
Friday…..  9.15am O.L.M.C.
The weekly evening Mass will allow those who are employed to take part in one Mass during the week. Please note the above Mass times are subject to change.

ONE HOUR OF PRAYER

One Hour of Prayer to honour Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Rosa Mystica—Tuesday 8 December 12.00—1.00pm St Anne’s Church.
All welcome.

CHRISTMAS REMEMBRANCE SERVICE

Thursday 3 December 7.30pm at Tobin Brothers Chapel, 22 Barkly St Sunbury.
Bookings 9373 7000 or email Christmas@tobinbrothers.com.au by Monday 30 November to reserve your seat and assist with catering.
Further details on noticeboard.
The service is being conducted by the Christian Churches of Sunbury.

PARLIAMENT OF THE WORLD RELIGIONS

Melbourne Convention Centre 3 to 9 December.
Over 5,000 from all around the world will be present including the Dalai Lama, Sr. Joan Chittister, Joy Wandin Murphy of Catholic Aboriginal Elders, Fr. Laurence Freeman etc.
The theme is ‘Make a world of difference, hearing each other, healing the earth’.
Further info. www.parliamentofreligions.org

THE YEAR FOR PRIESTS (JUNE 2009-10)

Catholics are invited to pray for their priests during this year that they may be prophets like John the Baptist preparing the way for the Lord by pointing people to Jesus by their life and ministry.
A card of prayer for priests is available today from the Welcome Desk.

WORLD YOUTH DAY 2011

World Youth Day 2011 will be held in Madrid, Spain 16-21 August.
Our Archdiocese will be coordinating the Melbourne pilgrims, not individual parishes and schools as in Sydney in 2008.
The estimated number of pilgrims is 2 million present in the middle of the Spanish summer.
Cost is about A$4,000 to $5,500 including airfares, accommodation and side trip.
Enquiries 9412 3322.

MELBOURNE OUTER PARISHES

The Archdiocesan Office for Evangelisation holds two meetings a year for parish teams from the growing outer parishes. Last Thursday, our parish was one of four parishes (others being Hoppers Crossing, Hoppers Crossing North and Narre Warren) asked to make a presentation on models for fostering participation.
We outlined the processes for contacting all the baptised, our renewal retreat in 2006, our planning, our setting up of the neighbourhoods and our letters delivered by the parish posties to our 3,100 Catholic homes. Our presentation was well received.

LOURDES DAY MASS

A Lourdes Day Mass will be celebrated at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Saturday 5 December at 10.00am. A special day of healing and hope for sick and infirm people, their carers and all parishioners. Celebrant: Archbishop Denis Hart. The celebration of the Liturgy will be followed by a blessing of the sick with water brought from the spring at the Shrine of Lourdes. Wheelchair access is by the side door, off Albert Street. Brochures at Welcoming Desk.

ABBOTSFORD BISCUITS………GIFTS THAT GIVE TWICE!

Abbotsford Biscuits is a Jesuit Social Services enterprise, employing people who have been excluded from mainstream work and training opportunities. In a warm and supportive environment, our Bakery Assistants make our fine products whilst at the same time completing a Certificate II in Hospitality. The opportunity for gentle conversation and reflection is wonderful, and sometimes life changing.
In the words of one Abbotsford trainee: ‘My job at Abbotsford Biscuits has given my life meaning and purpose’.
A Christmas Gift Order Form is on the noticeboard at St Anne’s Church.

WEBSITE: www.abbotsfordbiscuits.com.au

BUSHFIRE RECOVERY MASS

Remembrance—Recovery—Renewal…… at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Sunday 29 November at 11.00am. In a message from the Archbishop of Melbourne, he asks that you join with him often in saying this prayer:

Lord, bless those who suffered in the Victorian bush fires.
Grant eternal peace to those who have died, strength and grace to the living and help us to value the gifts we all have and to use them for the good of all.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Brochures at Welcoming Desk.

SHARE THE SPIRIT OF MARY MACKILLOP!

Be a Josephite Associate!

A meeting of Josephite Associates and anyone else interested in knowing more will be held in St Joseph’s Convent, 37 Macedon St. Sunbury on Wed 25 November at 1.30pm.
Josephite Associates are men and women of any age, married or single, who are attracted to the person and spirit of Mary MacKillop.
Associates gather for friendship, prayer and to deepen their understanding of Mary MacKillop’s life and spirituality, reflecting on how they can daily live this spirit so as to make a difference in our world.
All welcome to come and meet Sr Mary Fermio RSJ, Victorian Coordinator and discover what being an Associate means.