Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury
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Archbishop Denis Hart has sent through a letter for our Youth. The topic of the letter is “Faith expands our hearts in love.” There are copies in the foyer of St Anne’s Church, but can also be accessed online via www.cam.org.au/YouthLetter.
In the letter, it says,
“No one can force someone else to believe something they do not want to believe. Neither the Church, nor our parents nor our teachers can impose faith on us. God could, but he does not.”
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
Jesus calls us to “Love one another” many times in Holy Scripture. That admonition seems so simple. Yet, many of us struggle with it. It is as if the Lord says to us, “Stewardship is actually quite simple. Rather than trying to grapple with definitions and specifics, if you just do this, you will indeed be living lives of stewardship: Love one another.”
How is that love reflected in stewardship? Paul and Barnabas in the first reading exemplify stewardship by proclaiming the Good News; however, their willingness to travel so extensively and to meet so many and to work with them can be summarized with the word “persistence.” That is what our approach to stewardship needs to be persistent and consistent.
As John says in the second reading from Acts, it is time for us to make all things new. That, too, is what stewardship calls us to do, especially during this Easter season, a time when we should solidify our plans and efforts from Lent and Easter.
Finally, Jesus does more than just tell us to “Love one another” in today’s Gospel. He also reminds us that this is merely a reflection of the love He has and has shown for us. The more filled we are with the love of Christ, the more love we have, and the better stewards we can be.
Copyright © 2013 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
There is a story going around Rome at the moment. A few days ago, at dawn, the time the Pope wakes up, he came out to the corridor (at Sanctæ Marthæ where he is still living), and he found in front of his door the sentry, a Swiss Guard standing with his halberd at attention.
He asked him: “And what are you doing here? Have you been up all night?”
“Yes,” replied the guard with deference and a bit surprised.
“On your feet?”
“Your Holiness, my duty since I took over from my companion.”
“And aren’t you tired?”
“It’s my duty Your Holiness; I should watch for your safety.”
Pope Francis looked at him again with kindness, went back to his suite and after a minute he came out carrying a chair: “At least sit down and rest.”
The guard rolled his eyes and answered: “Santo Padre, forgive me, but I cannot! The regulations do not allow that.”
“The regulations?”
“Orders from my captain, Your Holiness.”
The Pope smiled, “Oh, really? Well, I’m the Pope and I order you to sit down.”
So, caught between the regulations and the Pope, the Swiss Guard (so much for the halberd) chose the chair.
The Pope returned to his apartment. After a couple of minutes, the Pope came back to the Swiss Guard, still obediently seated on the chair, carrying “panino con marmellata” (Italian bread with jam) which he had prepared.
Before the soldier could say anything, the Holy Father, exhibiting his Argentinean smile, told the Swiss Guard, “With all the hours spent standing on guard you must be a bit hungry.”
The Swiss Guard had no time to object because the Pope right away wished him a good bite: “Bon appetit, brother”.
Pope Francis in such wonderful simple acts of kindness is showing us the type of “spirit-filled” living that should characterise us as Catholics. An even more poignant visual example of the Spirit of kindness at work was the way the Holy Father greeting disabled and sick people when he took recently possession of the Lateran Church… his own church as Bishop of Rome.
…….From Br Mark O’Connor– Office of Evangelisation
Parenting in Faith will be held on two evenings at 6.30pm in the Parish Centre
Last week, our archdiocese lost two priests as they were called home to the Father: Fathers Tom Furey and Dick Rafter.
Father Tom was ordained 48 years, including the Pastor at West Heidelberg and Kealba.
Fr Dick was ordained 74 years. 68 years of priesthood was exercised in Geelong. He was aged 98 years.
Will some persons from our parish begin their formation to replace these two long-serving priests?
Touring another land can help us to understand the people, history and culture of that place. A tour led by Fr John Magri and Sr Margaret Mary is being organised for later this year. The tour wanders through Jordan and Israel, visiting places where Moses, Joshua, Ruth and other Old Testament people of faith travelled, as well as where our Lord was born, grew up, worshipped and carried out his ministry.
“Walk the very ground that Jesus walked!”
If you are interested please register your interest with Fr John (9568 1206 / oakleigh@cam.org.au ) or Sr Margaret Mary (0423 813 361 / servants2hearts@yahoo.com.au ) and for an itinerary.
The Sunbury Action Group of the Leprosy Mission invite you to their 30th Birthday Celebrations at St Andrews Uniting Church on Thursday 9 May at 1.30pm. Admission by donation.
Speaker and Afternoon Tea available (for sale).
RSVP Joycelyn Young on 9740 5948 by Monday 6 May.
A report on our retreat and its implication in our life as parish will be given next Sunday.
At the time of printing this newsletter the Retreat was still in progress.
Calling all busy bees– even one’s under 50!
Our Parish working bee will be on Saturday 4 May from 9am to 12 noon.
All welcome.
Please bring your tools.
www.facingthetruth.org.au
From Monday 29 April, the Catholic Church will commence appearing before the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into child abuse. Bishop Bird and Bishop Connors from the Diocese of Ballarat, and representatives from the Salesians and St John of God Brothers will appear on 29 April. Other Catholic Church representatives will appear over coming weeks.
Go to www.facingthetruth.org.au to find:
On the website homepage, please register to be notified when new information is added.
First Communion preparation continues today as the Children are presented with the only prayer given to us by Jesus– the “Our Father”.
Interviews of parents and children commence on Tuesday 30 April and continue until Friday 31 May at the Parish Office. It is essential the prospective student attends with the parents or guardians.
Gorgeous, friendly kitten 6 weeks old.
Call Will on 0406 786 422 or Jan on 0422 912 456.
The Rotary Club of Sunbury will be holding a Country & Western night on Saturday 18 May from 6.30pm in Sunbury Memorial Hall.
BYO supper & Drinks.
$15 entry includes entertainment, Tea & Coffee.
Fantastic Live Band.
Tickets available from N & M Catering on 9744 7283 or Mannie on 0421 490 134 or Kerry 0411 287 781.
More info on St Anne’s foyer Noticeboard.
Morning tea will be hosted by Sunbury West Neighbourhood on Sunday 5 May, after 8.30am Mass.
Please bring a plate to share and enjoy a cuppa with friends.
All welcome!
Palms Australia is a Catholic organisation which has been sending volunteers on mission for over 50 years. Palms global volunteers mentor and exchange skills in countries across Asia, Africa and the Pacific. Positions exist in education, health, administration, agriculture/farming, trades and other areas. Pope Francis calls Catholics back to Core Values. Volunteering to share your skills is a great place to start. Come to Palms Information Session on Saturday 11 May, 11:00 AM at Ross House, Ground Floor Room 1, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. If you know anyone who may be interested in volunteering but is unable to attend, please ask them to contact Sarah Torcasio on 02 9518 9551 or at sarah@palms.org.au for more information.
City Sights
Tuesday 7 May. Cost $20. Includes bus and lunch. Leaves St Anne’s Church at 9.15am. Bookings essential. Leave money in envelope with name at the Parish Office by Sunday 5 May. Bookings through Frances on 9744 1999.
Network Ten has advised that from Sunday 7 April, the program will be broadcast on Channel 11 at 5.30am.
For those who can’t get up at 5.30am, Mass is broadcast on the radio at 7.00am on 89.9 Light FM every Sunday morning.
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
According to the Gospel of Luke, Jesus gives his final instructions to His Apostles just prior to His Ascension into Heaven, which we celebrate today. He tells them that they are His witnesses, and charges them to go out and spread the Good News. In addition, in the first reading from Acts we learn that they are to spread this Good News, be witnesses, “to the ends of the earth.”
Nevertheless, we subsequently learn that they went back to Jerusalem (the Ascension occurred at Bethany, which is only a few miles from Jerusalem), and they prayed. In fact, they prayed until Pentecost (next Sunday, May 19). That was in many ways an act of stewardship. Jesus had cautioned them that they were not prepared for the ministry to which He was calling them. We are all called, but that does not mean we are prepared.
They prayed, and we need to pray. Scripture also notes that they “prayed with one accord.” Assuredly they prayed as individuals, but they also prayed together. As good stewards, we need to do that, too. It brings us closer to the Lord we must serve; it helps us to understand what Jesus expects of us. Prayer provides the foundation for lives of service, lives of stewardship. If we remain close to Jesus, we will never be left unprepared to be good stewards.
Copyright © 2013 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury 
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