Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury

July 4, 2013

STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE

CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS

“The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few.” With these words, Jesus sent His disciples to the far ends of the earth to evangelize and bring the faith to the many people they encountered. Blessed John Paul II delivered a homily directed to that exact statement in November 2004.

As is the case with sermons given by the Pope, that message was meant for all of us. John Paul II made it clear that all of us were the laborers. He also explained that the world was still filled with souls who had not heard nor understood the message. Perhaps centuries had passed, but we still needed to be “heralds and witnesses” to the faith, as there is a “sense of need for Christ” rising up from the people of the world.

In Matthew’s relating of this incident, Matthew quotes Jesus as saying, “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send our laborers.” The point is clear to us as stewards of the Church: first, we must recognize our role as evangelizers, as laborers in the harvest, by living out our faith as examples of Christian witness; second, we need to pray, consistently and constantly, for as John Paul II went on to say in that homily, “Prayer moves the heart of God.”

June 28, 2013June 28, 2013

PARISH CONCERT

PARISH CONCERT

Well we had our Parish Concert, “A Banjo Sandwich“. Mind you a banjo was one of the few things Father Andrew Hayes didn’t actually play. He played keyboards, guitar, ukelele, mouth organ, whistle and others but not a banjo. The banjo sandwich came from the fact that the show started with and finished with, readings from The Bard of the Bush, Banjo Paterson.
Sandwiched between the works of Banjo Paterson were poetry and prose readings, almost all original, songs and stories, equally original, sing-a-longs and various audience participation segments.
The audience was laughing from the first minute, and probably there were a few tears shed during the reading of the “Black Saturday” poem although the part that affected me the most was the reading of “I Married a Vet“.
There was a surprisingly large turnout for a frosty winters night and I feel safe saying that everyone had a wonderful time. If fact it took Fr Andrew several attempts to get the audience to even begin to leave.
It was a packed two hours of entertainment, reflection, and community.

……………Ed

PS……if you were there leave a comment below. (Click on “Leave a Reply)

ABC interview with Fr Andrew’s Band The Stumpy Gully Bush Band here.
Website here.

June 28, 2013June 28, 2013

STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE

CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS

The readings for this Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time deal with the dichotomy of emotions found in Christ’s Crucifixion. It was a tragedy and an extremely sad occurrence; at the same time, as it meant salvation for us, it was a time of great joy.

The first reading from Zechariah recounts this time of great mourning, yet also as a time when the people will be given a “fountain to purify from sin and uncleanness.” In the Gospel, the Lord points to a similar contradiction when He says, “…whoever wishes to save his life must lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”

Our lives are filled with sadness and joy. Those who practice stewardship as a way of life focus on the joys. If we concentrate on our blessings, the crosses we must bear become less burdensome and more tolerable. The noted author and lecturer Helen Keller, who was both deaf and blind, had a wonderful stewardship outlook on life. She once said, “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.” That is our challenge as stewards — to concentrate on the good in life because that is what brings us great happiness.

June 28, 2013

WORKING BEE

A working bee will be held at St Anne’s Church on Saturday 6 July. Please bring your own tools and help keep our church grounds looking beautiful.

June 28, 2013

SING A LONG

A Sing-a-Long will be held at Goonawarra Aged Care on Friday 5 July from 2.30pm. All welcome. Come along and meet some of our Parishioners, relatives, etc. If you think you can’t sing, then hide at the back with us.

June 28, 2013

CONGRATULATIONS TO FR KEVIN

Saint Thomas Parish in Greensbourgh North, have dedicated a building in Fr Kevins honour last Thursday, as part of their parish Feast Day, for his 19 years of dedicated service .

June 28, 2013

MORNING OF REFLECTION

In response to the retreat held in April, a morning of reflection has been planned to celebrate our Parish Feast Day. Titled “Living Prayer” a morning spent with the teaching and wisdom of St Teresa of Avila, Doctor of the Church and Founder of the Reformed Carmelite Communities of both women and men. You are welcome to come along and bring a friend. Saturday 20 July, 9.30am to 12 noon in the Parish Centre.

June 28, 2013

CATHOLIC MISSION SPECIAL COLLECTION

Thank you for putting faith and action together by responding to the Catholic Mission Church Appeal. Together as a Church we raised $1762.00. Your generosity has helped missionaries in India and across the world reach out in the name of Christ, rescuing children from horrific situation such as child trafficking, child labour and extreme poverty– helping give them hope for the future.
Please consider becoming a “Friends in Faith Partner” with a regular monthly gift to continue your support of our vital work. Call 1800 257 296 for more information or to sign up today.
catholicmission.org.au/rescue

June 28, 2013

CONGRATULATIONS AND OUR PRAYERS

Congratulations and our prayers to our 79 children who were accepted into preparing to begin celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Eucharist at our four parish Masses last Sunday.

June 28, 2013

WORK AT ST ANNE’S CHURCH

Work will commence on the platform of St Anne’s Altar from Monday 1 July.
All weekday Masses will be held at OLMC Church next week.

June 28, 2013

KNIGHTS OF SOUTHERN CROSS

Winter dinner meeting at Sunbury Football Club on Wednesday 3 July 7pm sharp.

June 28, 2013

THANK YOU

Thanks to Joe and Mary Kloss and Des and Bernadette Dowling for allowing our parish to use their rates notices for tip passes. It saves our parish around $100 per trip.

June 28, 2013

FROM GENERAL INSTRUCTION OF CELEBRATING THE EUCHARIST

It is most desirable that the faithful, just as the priest himself is bound to do, receive the Lord’s Body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass and that, in the instances when it is permitted, they partake of the chalice (cf no. 283),
so that even by means of the signs Communion will stand out more clearly as a participation in the sacrifice actually being celebrated. (No.85)
Reverencing the Blessed Sacrament, all ministers genuflect or bow when they approach the Altar and when they depart from the Sanctuary but not during the celebration of Mass itself. (No. 274)

June 28, 2013June 28, 2013

ANNUAL MARRIAGE ANNIVERSARY MASS

Are you celebrating your 25th, 40th, 50th, or 60th-70th wedding anniversary this year? The Life, Marriage & Family Office invite you and your families to join us at the Annual Anniversary Mass. The Mass will be celebrated at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Sunday 28th July at 11.00am by Archbishop Denis Hart. Couples who register will receive commemorative certificates and packs. To register visit: www.cam.org.au/lifemarriagefamily
or contact the Life, Marriage & Family Office on: 9287 5579 / lmf@cam.org.au.
Registrations close on Friday 12th July.

June 27, 2013June 28, 2013

CHRISTMAS IN JULY DINNER & DANCE

Christmas in July Dinner Dance will be held on Saturday 27 July in St Anne’s Parish Centre from 7.15pm to 11.30pm.
Cost is $15 for adults and $8 for children 5-12 years old.
Children under 5 years old are free.
Dinner and drinks will be sold at the venue.
Dance the night away to The Megabites and solo artist Maurice Saunders.
Bingo, dance competitions, spot prizes and lots more on the night.
All proceeds will go to the OLMC Youth attending the Australian Catholic Youth Festival in December 2013.
Please contact Jo on 9744 1060.

June 27, 2013June 28, 2013

GROWING GOOD MEN

This is a unique opportunity for dads and their teenage sons to embark on a quest of discovery. A son’s relationship with his father can be a powerful guiding force. July 5-7 will be the next chance for fathers and sons to reconnect.
For all enquiries contact mail@menalive.org.au or 0439 172 465 Michael Bohan.

June 27, 2013

STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE

CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS

We need some historical perspective to truly understand the first reading from 1 Kings, but once we grasp that viewpoint, there is a solid stewardship message. Elijah, like Moses and the Apostles, has been called by God to serve Him. Elijah and his follower Elisha served in the northern kingdom of Israel. Although there are some subtle pieces of information in today’s reading, the base of it is Elijah with the intercession of God calling Elisha to follow him. The cloak or “mantle” thrown over Elisha by Elijah is symbolic of him being called to be a prophet. God calls us in a similar way. Stewardship calls for us to assume the mantle of God, to follow Him, and to serve him. Like Elisha we have a vocation — the most important aspect of it is to be a disciple and a steward.

In Luke’s Gospel, we join Jesus on His final journey to Jerusalem, His passage that leads Him to His death and resurrection. The stewardship key to this Gospel nonetheless is Jesus’ call to three different persons to “follow me.” In the first reading, Elisha receives the call from Elijah, but responds basically “Yes, I will follow you, but first let me say goodbye to my mother and father.” The three people included in the Gospel respond to Jesus the same way, “Yes, I will follow you, but first let me…” As mentioned, just as we are called to some vocation, the basis of our calling is to follow Jesus — to be a disciple of the Lord. As harsh as it may seem, there are no excuses for not being a disciple. That is the point of the Gospel. Our call to discipleship, to stewardship, is not timeless; it is urgent and it is immediate. It is something we must do right now.

June 21, 2013

Returned to the Father: Father Len Egan

The youngest and the last to enter eternal life of the thirteen Victorian priests ordained in 1944. Fr Len later was parish priest of North Sunshine, Yarraville and Ivanhoe. He retired from active ministry in 1993.
Len was a loyal friend to many parishioners and priests. He had a quirky sense of humour and was a delightful raconteur.
When he was 60 years a priest, he said “I wish to thank those thousands of lay people– all those people whom we have got to know over the years. All those who befriended us. No one could have more friends than a diocesan priest.”

June 21, 2013

The One Priestly Ordination in Melbourne in 2013

Next Friday 28 June at 7pm Rev Simon Grainger will be ordained a priest for the Melbourne Church at the Cathedral. Next morning at 10am he will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving at All Saints Church, Fitzroy. All are welcome at both liturgies.
Presently, there are 38 students in formation for the priesthood for the Melbourne
Church.
“Have you sometimes heard the Lord’s voice…Did he invite you to follow him more closely?” Pope Francis 21 April 2013