The Diocese of Parramatta has expressed its sincere thanks to the concern and offers of support from the public. There has been considerable damage to lives and property in the Blue Mountains of NSW, as covered in the Media recently. Please continue to pray for the communities affected by the devastation of these fires. If you are able to support financially, donations can be made via CatholicCare social Services Parramatta via www.ccss.org.au
EVERGREENS
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Preps have invited us to luncheon in the Multi-Purpose Room on Thursday 28 November at 12 noon. Bookings Frances 9744 1999
EVERGREENS
Christmas Lunch & Nativity Play on Friday 13 December. More details to follow.
At Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary School.
WELCOME BACK SALESIAN COLLEGE RUPERTSWOOD PAST PUPILS
You are invited to a Past Pupils’ Open Day on Saturday 30th November 2013, 10am–12noon.Wander the grounds, take a farm tour and enjoy a complimentary morning tea together.
Please RVSP to Lisa Cole, Alumni Relations Manager by 15 November 2013. LCole@scr.vic.edu.au or 9744-0000
MASS FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS
On Sunday 1 December 2013 at 11am in St Patrick’s Cathedral, all expectant mothers are invited to be part of this special Mass. Please register your details by calling 9287 5587 by Friday 22 November. All women who register will receive a small token of recognition.
STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
Most of us have no trouble visualizing Zacchaeus, a short man who climbed the sycamore tree so he could see Jesus as the Lord passed. Zacchaeus was on the verge of something important, but he probably did not go up in the tree so Jesus would notice him; he climbed the tree because he was seeking Jesus.
Zacchaeus was wealthy; he was wealthy because he had over-collected taxes from the people. They hated him, but as Jesus reminds us all at the end of the Gospel passage, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.” Zacchaeus was not a good steward of his blessings.
Jesus was aware of that when he went to Zacchaeus’ home to be fed. Something important happened to Zacchaeus; he went through a conversion experience – an encounter with Christ, an event that changed his life. He began to share with special regard to the poor. He began to reach out to those whom he had mistreated. That’s what stewardship can do for us, too. We must undergo a transformation of mind and heart. Then we must reach out to God, to one another, and especially to those who are destitute, both spiritually and actually. As Blessed Mother Teresa once said, “Love is not patronizing, and charity isn’t about pity; it is about love.”
Copyright © 2013 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
FROM LITURGY TEAM — PRAYER OF SORROW
Prayer of Sorrow: in response to the abuse of children in institutions
On Wednesday 13th November in St Anne’s Church at 7pm, a service called “Prayer of Sorrow: in response to the abuse of children in institutions” will be held.
We wish to acknowledge the abuse that has happened in our Church in the past. We wish to welcome everyone to the service. We invite those who were physically affected by abuse, families of those abused and all parishioners who have felt betrayed by the treatment of the abused by the Church. We would wish that all parishioners could come and by their presence say that we are sorry for the hurt done by our Church. Experts tell us that healing only begins when trust is established. Trust is based on truth. Truth comes packaged in honesty and humility.
The Truth Justice and Healing Council is engaging with the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse on behalf of the Catholic Church in Australia. CEO, Francis Sullivan, can be contacted on 02 6234 8900 or visit the website: www.tjhcouncil.org.au.
REMEMBERING LOVED ONES IN NOVEMBER
The month of November is dedicated to the prayerful memory of the Faithful Departed.
Our parish will celebrate the memory of loved ones in a number of ways:
- At each of our two churches there will be blank leaflets to write the names of those who have died, to be placed in a Memorial Book of the Dead. This book will be open for display and be presented at each Mass during the Procession of the Gifts. The leaflets may be taken home and returned completed during October.
- The graves at Bulla and Sunbury cemetery will be blessed on Sunday afternoon, November 10 at 2.30pmand 3.30pm respectively.
- We will celebrate a Mass of Remembrance at OLMC Church at 7.30pm on Tuesday November 19.
WELCOME TO YEAR 1/2 SCHOOL FAMILIES
At 10.30am Mass this weekend, the children in Years 1 & 2 attending St Anne’s Primary School and Our Lady of Mount Carmel schools, will be attending Mass. We give thanks for the gifts these families bring our parish community.
THE TRANSMISSION OF THE FAITH IN THE FAMILY
Parents are the first educators in faith for their children. In today’s Mass we recognize the great care and concern of all parents for their children. Let’s pray for all families that they may be ever more effective places where the faith is passed on. Take home the handout ‘Parents Passing on the faith”, available at the Welcome Desk today.
BAPTISM OF SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN
A number of school age children will be baptised at the 10.30am Mass on Sunday 24 November, the Feast of Christ the King. If you have children who wish to be baptised at that time please contact the Parish Office on 97441060 or Richard Hallett on 0421471073 as soon as possible. Preparation will start at 4pm at St Anne’s Church on Wednesday 6 November.
Prayer For Yr 12s
God our Father, We pray for the students of Year 12, 2013. We especially pray for the well-being of all the students of Year 12 in our local community who now begin the process of journeying towards a new chapter in their lives. As they commence a period of examinations or finalising their commitments to their work places and certificates, we who have been fortunate enough to know them, ask for your guidance and support and your love and goodness be extended to all members of the class of 2013 over the coming final days, weeks and months ahead, as they make important decisions about their futures. As a parish community, we ask that the class of 2013 be blessed with the wisdom to make wise choices and clarity of vision to see the pathway that may lie before them. We ask that the class of 2013 be blessed with the success and rewards that comes with effort and commitment.
We pray that our Year 12s may never fail to realise that the intentions of many who place their trust in God to watch over and guide them, are not mere words but genuine heartfelt desires that they will always be happy and well.
We pray for Year 12s, that amidst all their fears about the future and the worry and stress of exams, that the peace and surety that can come from confidence in their friendship with Christ will comfort them. And we pray that the Lord be always at their side and may they continue to grow in his love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
……Stephen Connelly, SCR
YOUTH MOVIE NIGHT
YOUTH MOVIE NIGHT
Bring your favourite movie and bean bag. The movie screened will be voted by the majority. Food & a can of drink will be provided between 6.45 to 7PM at no charge. Gold Coin donation welcome. Movie starts from 7PM. Bring family and friends. RSVP to 0411286428 by 30th Oct 2013. A Youth Group initiative recruiting Youth for future activities. Sponsored by OLMC Youth Group.
SOCIAL JUSTICE FUNDRAISER
SOCIAL JUSTICE FUNDRAISER FRIDAY 15TH NOVEMBER AT 6PM
Our Parish is supporting St Anne’s Grade 6 teacher, Kerry Champness raise funds for “Hands Across the Water Charity 500km Bike Ride”. She is attempting to raise $5000 by December to donate to a new orphanage in Thailand set up for children with HIV.
The first event is a live band- “The Projectors” who will play their own original music. A DJ will also be part of the night.
BYO drinks and food to the Parish Centre
Friday 15 November from 6pm onwards, to support this worthy cause.
Tickets are $15 from the Parish Office.
HIGH TEA
On Tuesday 26 November (notice change of date) from 11am to 1pm, a High Tea in the Parish Centre will raise funds for “Hands Across the water”.
Tickets are $28 from the Parish Office.
MORNING TEA
Morning Tea will be hosted by Paynes neighbourhood next Sunday morning after 8.30am Mass.
All welcome.
Bring a plate to share if possible.
SING ALONG
There will be no sing a long this month. This is not to reflect adversely on the singers but I suspect that the standard is so high that the residents at Goonawarra Nursing Home need more time to prepare for the next session. So my resident mother-in-law says and shes deaf.
WORKING BEE
Working bee at St Anne’s church on Saturday 2 November from 9am to noon.
All welcome.
(When we say “All Welcome”, if possible could we get more than the four people that came last time)
ADORATION
ADORATION
Friday 1 November in St Anne’s Church from 7-8pm.
All welcome.
LAWN MOWER NEEDED
If any parishioners has a lawn mower that still works, that they can donate to a family in need, please contact Levitt on 0405 598 102. Thank you for any assistance you can provide.
STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
“I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.” With those words, Paul compared his life to a race, something to which most people can relate. We live in a world that is infatuated with sports and athletics. Perhaps Paul’s world was not like that, but his willingness to use it as a metaphor certainly strikes a chord with our society today.
Our faith lives, our lives of stewardship, parallel Paul’s in terms of it being a race. We are not talking about a sprint, mind you, but a long, drawn out marathon. It is easy to stumble and it is easy to quit, but the real challenge is maintaining our faith and following our faith. Stewardship as a way of life presents us with many challenges and many hurdles, to use another racing term.
The faithful steward strives to keep moving, to keep praying, to keep trying to fulfill Jesus’ call and exhortation to us to be His disciples, His followers. Paul admits that he could not have run the race, could not have remained true to it, without the help and strength offered to him by the Lord. There is no shame, and no humility, in admitting that we need help, lots of it, to maintain our faith in a world which tests it constantly.
Copyright © 2013 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury 
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