Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury

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

June 21, 2013

PRINCIPAL OF ST ANNE’S SCHOOL

Noelene Hussey has been awarded professional enrichment leave and begins today for a six week intensive course at Boston Theological College with several other Melbourne Principals focusing on Catholic identity in our schools. Later, she will take some holidays with her husband. Until the end of August, Stephen Arthurson has been appointed the Principal of the School and Marie D’Orazio the Deputy Principal.

June 21, 2013

THANK YOU

This Sunday at 5.30pm Mass, will be the last time we will listen to Mary Wicks proclaim the Word of the Lord.
Mary has been a lector at our Parish for a long time and is now ready just to enjoy the Mass from the pews. Well done Mary and thank you for such dedication to our Parish.

June 21, 2013

MULTICULTURAL ACTION PLAN 2013-2018

Last week two consultations were held in Sunbury where the residents have been born in 87 countries including Australia. 19.8% are born overseas. The top six overseas countries of birth are in order: England, New Zealand, Italy, Scotland, India and Malta (ABS Census 2011)

June 21, 2013

YOUTH SATURDAY NIGHT DISCO

On Saturday 29 June 2013 from 6.30pm to 10.00pm in the Parish Centre, 101 Riddell Rd Sunbury, our youth will be holding a disco to raise funds for the OLMC Youth Group to attend the National Youth Festival in December 2013.
Tickets cost $15 per person including dinner. Hot food and drinks can be purchased on the night . Contact Angelo on 0458 502 232 or Jo at the Parish office on 9774 1060 for tickets.
For the Juniors, you are also welcome to join in the fun from 4pm to 6pm with dinner included. Cost for juniors is $10.

June 21, 2013

PARISH HIGH TEA REPORT

On Wednesday 19 June, 37 ladies and gentlemen gathered in the Parish Centre for high tea, a fashion parade and a raffle where everyone won! We had a lot of smiling faces and laughs which was fantastic to see. The food was catered for by a local family called Essence Food Co. and the fashion show was by Postie who will donate 10% of the sales to St Vincent de Paul. Thank you to the ladies who modeled for us, Monica Rintoull, Gail Ryan and Tamara Moir. Lots of fun for all. Due to the encouraging feedback, another high tea will be arranged for later this year. Thanks to the organizer Joanne Spiteri.

June 21, 2013June 21, 2013

BRAZILIAN DANCE NIGHT

Unfortunately the Brazilian Dance Night has had to be cancelled due to technical issues.

See notice for Christmas in July Dinner Dance here, instead.

June 21, 2013

YEAR OF FAITH REFLECTION

Year of Faith started on October 11 2012. On behalf of the Legion of Mary, this month we pray for the following: For those couples in need of strength and vitality in committing their lives to one another.

June 21, 2013June 21, 2013

MEETING FOR MINISTERS OF COMMUNION

Our parish is blessed with volunteer Ministers of Communion who take communion to the sick and house bound. To review the needs of the parish and show our appreciation, a meeting for all will be on Sunday 23 June at 9.30am (between Masses) or Wednesday 26 June at 9.45am in the Parish Centre meeting room. Please notify the parish office on 9744 1060 if you are unable to attend.

June 14, 2013June 14, 2013

STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE

CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS

Perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of stewardship to accept involves how we follow our faith — how we live out our Catholic beliefs. One of our sacraments is the sacrament of reconciliation. Today’s readings deal with that sacrament.

In the first reading from Samuel, King David is chastised by the prophet Nathan for his sinfulness. David, recognizing and acknowledging his sin, says, “I have sinned against the LORD.” He is forgiven. That same theme is followed in the Gospel of Luke, which tells the story of the sinful woman who enters the house of Simon the Pharisee to honor Jesus. Like David she recognizes her sinfulness, and Jesus says to her, “Your sins are forgiven…Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

The good steward understands the importance of spiritual healing. The Sacrament of Penance is the Sacrament of this spiritual healing. It involves contrition, confession to a priest, absolution by the priest, and penance.

Some theologians have referred to reconciliation as “the more difficult Baptism.” None other than St. Ambrose, one of the original four doctors of the Church, drew a comparison between Baptism and Reconciliation: “There are water and tears; the water of Baptism and the tears of repentance.” We, too, need to strive to hear “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

June 14, 2013

WORKS REPORT ON OLMC CHURCH

A very small section of flooring at the western end has been attacked by termites. A recent inspection under the flooring from the back wall to the front has found no live termites. Further chemical treatment has been carried out costing $1950.00.

June 14, 2013

MULTICULTURAL PLAN 2013 TO 2018

Consultation with residents of Sunbury will be held next Tuesday for one hour at
2pm and 6.30pm at the Sunbury Community Health Centre.
Refreshments provided. Please register with Vicki Renner on 9205 2200.

June 14, 2013

BRAZILIAN THEME DANCE NIGHT

Bring your dancing shoes to the St Anne’s Parish Centre on Saturday 27 July from 7pm to 11.30pm.
Hot food and drinks on sale.
Dancing competitions, Lucky Ticket, Raffle, Prizes to be won.
Donations for the raffle will be accepted at the Parish office.
Tickets $15 Adults or $8 children 5-12.
This event support the OLMC Youth Group to raise funds for the Australian Catholic Youth Festival.
Open to all ages.

June 14, 2013

ST VINCENT DE PAUL WINTER APPEAL

All funds raised from the annual winter appeal go directly towards providing emergency relief assistance to people in need within the community and support the Society’s good works.
All financial donations over $2 are tax deductible.
The Winter Appeal aims to raise funds to provide emergency relief assistance and other support to people in need during winter.
For any further information regarding the Society’s appeals please call 03 9895 5800.

June 14, 2013June 14, 2013

NO EUCHARIST WITHOUT PRIESTS

Let us continue to pray for the 510 priests appointed currently to serve the 1.09 million Catholics in the Melbourne Archdiocese and pray that more men from our parish will follow them in their ministry as priests to serve the increasing number of Catholics in Melbourne. From 1930 to 2012, 933 priests have been ordained for Victoria from Corpus Christi College, Melbourne.