LATEST NEWS

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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

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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.

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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.

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ONE HOUR OF PRAYER

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

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BELL TOWER RESTORATION APPEAL

This appeal has been very successful mainly due to the raffle for the Home Theatre package and the Gala Auction Dinner which was an outstanding evening with quality food, music and weather.
The auctioneer Anthony Delaney, the Victorian champion auctioneer, was in dazzling form helping the guests to buy well.
The raffle was a huge success. Rupertswood Mansion was a generous and competent venue.
The fundraising committee met weekly for seven weeks at the Mansion.
This week our architect, structural engineer and steel fabricator are meeting to advance the construction of a new bell tower.

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REMEMBRANCE BOOK OF THE DECEASED

The Remembrance Book of the Deceased is now placed in the Ambry at St Anne’s Church in a secure cabinet. Concerns about the security of the book at O.L.M.C. were recently raised by a parishioner. Those who wish to have the names of deceased relatives added to the book are invited to forward their names and date of death to the Parish Office. A volunteer with good handwriting is sought.

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PARISH LITURGY TEAM REPORT

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Liturgy Team Report

It was good to see quite a few new faces on the team. These were parishioners who had volunteered during the “Workers in the Vineyard” program.

Parish Target

The team looked at the Parish Target. (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.) This grew out of the program “Journeying Together” in August and September 2006 in which the parishioners arrived at their vision of the ideal parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. With the end of 2009 almost upon us we need some reflection on the target.

Neighbourhood Letter

The final letter to all the parishioners on the parish list will have the theme of “Acceptance and Hospitality” and this will be the theme of this years Advent. As the letters are delivered there will be an invitation to any Catholics who are not on the parish list to consider sending in their details and also a timetable for the Christmas Masses. This invitation will be dropped in all the other letter boxes that don’t get a copy of the Acceptance and Hospitality letter.

Advent

The theme will be “Acceptance and Hospitality”.
An Advent Wreath needs to be organised for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.
The Tuesday 9.15am Mass at St Anne’s Church will be cancelled and there will be a 7.00pm Mass at Lady of Mount Carmel Church on Tuesdays instead. This will enable those whose working hours preclude them from attending Mass during the week to be able to come. The Wednesday 9.15am Mass will move from Lady of Mount Carmel Church to St Anne’s Church.
Once again we will have the lighting of the Advent Candles with a community prayer and a community sung response.
There will also be an Advent Hymn.
The audio/visual has been optimised so all the congregation will be able to read from the screens.

Christmas Music

A sub-committee was formed to look at the music for the parish Christmas celebrations, as well as the requirements for Advent. This will involve writing the community prayers, composing the sung responses and composing the Advent Hymn.

Consecration of the New Altar

On February 7th 2010 at 10.30am Bishop Tim Costelloe will come to at St Anne’s Church in order to consecrate the new Altar and dedicate the new Font, Ambo and Presiders Chair. This is an exciting occasion in the Church and the liturgy contains elements that go back through the mists of time to the very early church practices. We hope to be able to inform parishioners of the Why, What, How, etc so that they may get the most from the occasion.

Blessing of the Mount Carmel Bell

This will take place at 9.30am on the 21st March 2010. The Blessing will take place outdoors at Lady of Mount Carmel Church and will then move to St Anne’s Church for the Eucharist Celebration. Afterwards we will gather in the Parish Centre.

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PARISH RENEWAL TARGET

Some time ago we gathered as a parish to look at how we could revitalise and renew ourselves, and through ourselves, our parish. We decided on a target for the parish as follows:

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.

Earlier this year we gathered for an evaluation of the results so far. A report is available here.

As the end of 2009 is nearly upon us, it’s possibly a good time to reflect on how we have done in the pursuit of the target. Do we need to extend the time? How well do you thing the parish has gone? How far do you think we have gone? What else needs to be done?
One of the things that was requested at the evaluation meetings was a way to give feedback to the rest of the parish. Here is one way. If you have any comments on this or on anything else on this site, just leave a comment at the bottom of the article in a nom de plume or in your own name. I think the parishioners would dearly love to know what their fellow parishioners think.

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R C I A

On Sunday 15 November at 10.30am Mass, we will welcome four people interested in becoming Catholics into our parish community.
Alison Fisher, Eni Saban, Sue & Jason White are Inquirers at present but through the Rite of Acceptance on Sunday 15 November, they will enter the Catechumenate and continue to learn about Jesus and the teachings of His church.
Please keep them in your prayers as they commit to continuing their faith journey.

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DON BOSCO BRUNSWICK YOUTH FOUNDATION FUN & FOOD FESTA

Saturday 21 November 6.00pm at Ferraro Receptions, 14 Onslow Avenue, Campbellfield.
The evening will again feature great food, dancing, drawing of the major raffle, lucky dips, prizes galore and fun for all.
Tickets $45 per person (includes food, drink & music) are available by contacting Foundation Office—9386 3948, Foundation Secretary—9380 8759 or Foundation Treasurer—0411 790 221.

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NEW VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT FUNDING AGREEMENT FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

Last Wednesday, the Premier John Brumby, announced a new funding agreement moving funding from 19% to 22% of the cost of education of students in Victorian Government schools during the next four years.
The increase is about $250 per student annually. Last year our parents strongly campaigned that the Victorian Government lift funding to 25% of the cost of a student in a government school. The increase granted is very welcome and gives us the opportunity to provide more for our students.
Currently, Catholic schools teach 22% of Victorian students.

Fr Kevin

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CELEBRATION OF CONFIRMATION

Last Sunday Archbishop Denis Hart conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on 137 of our children during two Masses at St Patrick’s Cathedral. Many positive comments have been received and the Parish Religious education team is to be congratulated on the inspiring celebrations.
We thank the Archbishop for his interest and time in meeting the children during their rehearsal on the Thursday beforehand, the Cathedral staff, our servers Michael, Ryan and Stephanie and our cantors Mary Barraclough and Kevin Carville. These five people gave all their afternoon in assistance.

Fr Kevin