Caritas Australia Media Release – Crisis spreads in the Congo. Church Leaders say the Democratic Republic of Congo is on the brink of war. Read the Bishops of Africa’s full statement at http://www.caritas.org.au/media. To support Caritas Emergency response, donations can be made to Caritas Australia Congo Appeal at www.caritas.org.au/donate.
The Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project presents Julian Burnside A.O Q.C., a leading advocate for the human rights of asylum seekers, on Mon 10th Dec 2012 from 7.30 – 9.30 pm at St Joseph’s Hall, 274 Rouse Street, Port Melbourne. Melway Map 2JC6. Admission: $20 $15 Student/Senior. Includes Supper. Rsvp email gm_moore@bigpond.net.au
THANK YOU
Thank you to our generous parishioners for their support of the Melbourne Overseas Mission last weekend. Our Parish will be sending $1131.30 to support the important work of this organisation.
STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
Today’s scripture readings remind us that as we celebrate the Advent season and await the celebration of Christmas, we are to do so actively – boldly proclaiming the Lord’s praises and giving Him glory in the way we live our lives. Advent is a season of waiting, but the wait is not a passive one. Rather, we are called to be actively preparing the meet the Savior, readying our hearts and our minds for His coming.
The gospel for today encourages us, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight and the rough made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
But how do we do so? We live our lives for the Lord. We offer Him ourselves in gratitude for the many things He has given us and the many things He has done, and, in so doing, we proclaim His greatness to the world, helping others come to recognize His wonder and His majesty.
“Bear on your head the mitre that displays the glory of the eternal name. For God will show all the earth your splendor: you will be named by God forever the peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship.”
This Advent season offers us a time to reassess how well we are living for God. Is it obvious to everyone we meet that we are stewards of God’s many gifts? Does the way we use what the Lord has given us proclaim His praises to the world? Are we ready to greet Him – both as we celebrate Christmas and when we meet Him face-to-face when He comes again? Or is there more we can do?
Copyright © 2012 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
ADVENT PENITENTIAL SERVICE
This will be held in St Anne’s Church on Wednesday 12 December 2012 at 7.30pm. Our Penitential Service will be one of reflection on the Advent readings with periods of meditation. There will not be individual Sacramental Reconciliation at this Service.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING CALEB FARIA
Michelle & Biju Faria would like to thank all parishioners for their generous donations and support for the Caleb Faria Trust.
They would like to wish many blessings to all.
Caleb is suffering from Hunters Syndrome and has been denied government funding of the medicine that will help his quality of life.
Caleb and his family are our parishioners.
Anybody wanting to donate funds to the Caleb Faria Trust can donate via www.calebfaria.com.
Please continue to pray that Caleb may get access to the medicine through government funding in the near future.
YOUTH GROUP NEWS
Saturday 15 December after 6pm Mass– ‘Parish Carol Night’ at St Anne’s Parish Centre. Philipino group will sing a few traditional carols, followed by our church choir groups who will lead us to sing some carols. Youth and children will sing a few carols with action. Santa will visit with lollies.
RSVP 7 Dec.
RSVP gljsjacob@gmail.com
DIARY DATES FOR 2013: SACRAMENT PROGRAM
Reconciliation:
OLMC & St Anne’s school families
Info & Rego 2pm & 7.30pm Tues 4 June Parish Centre
All other school families
Info & Rego 2pm & 7.30pm Tues 5 March Parish Centre All Families celebrating First Reconciliation on 13 or 14 August 2013, St Anne’s Church.
First Communion: All families
Info session 2pm or 7.30pm Tues 19 February Parish Centre
Celebrations: 18, 19, 25, 26 May & 1 & 2 June 2013
Confirmation: All families
Info & Rego 2pm & 7.30pm Tues 3 July Parish Centre
Celebration: 2pm & 4pm Sun 13 October St Patricks Cathedral
EVERGREENS
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary School students in Grade Prep have invited us back for another lunch on Friday 16 November at 12.30pm .
For bookings contact Frances Arians 9744 1999.
Afterwards, we are gathering at the Ballcourt Hotel for the Annual Christmas Lunch.
Cost $17.50.
Bookings by 10 December to Frances on 9744 1999.
SING A LONG
Christmas sing a long at Goonawarra Nursing Home will be on Thursday 13 December at 2.30pm.
Please come and join in.
CHILD ABUSE ENQUIRY
VICTORIAN PARLIAMENTARY ENQUIRY AND NATIONAL ROYAL COMMISSION INTO CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
The first focus is our compassion for the victims. Many of you will know a victim abused by a church person or someone else. Some of my friends are abuse victims and the devastating effects of the abuse can be seen 40 or 50 years later.
My hearing first hand from victims has made me realise how debilitating such abuse is.
The great English Cardinal Newman (1801-1891) wrote “We must face the facts.. we can’t change the facts; we must face the truth.”
“Facing the Truth”, the submission to the Victorian Enquiry from the Victorian Catholic Church has been accepted by the Enquiry and can be viewed on the special website www.facingthetruth.org.au The website has an 8 page executive summary with graphs and the whole report of 155 pages. There are updates on this website.
The Church has three goals:
1. To assist the healing of the victims. In Melbourne, the Church provides special counselling.
2. To deal promptly and effectively with those guilty of abuse.
3. To prevent further abuse in the future.
As we mentioned in March this year, there has been another revision of the Code of Conduct for caring for children in the Melbourne Parishes. Our Parish is implementing this Code, especially in regard to “Working With Children Checks” (WWCC).
In our two primary schools, we are teaching children to be aware, to speak up and be assertive. The FBI states the best defence against predators is assertive children as abusers prey on quiet, isolated children. We have recently installed a higher fence around St Anne’s School. All visitors to our schools must sign in. All classroom helpers and contractors must have a WWCC.
As Jesus taught, “The truth will set you free.”
……..Kevin McIntosh
THANK YOU
Thank you to the generous parishioners of Sunbury for their kind donation of $665.25 for the Catholic Deaf.
We will send this money to them this week.
REQUEST FROM OUR LADY OF ROSA MYSTICA
She wishes people to celebrate each year on December 8, between 12-1pm in St Anne’s Church, the hour of graces for the whole world.
With this exercise, one will receive numerous spiritual and bodily graces.
All are welcome.
For those who wish to learn to pray the rosary, check out a beautiful and helpful website at www.therosary3.com.
MELBOURNE OVERSEAS MISSIONS APPEAL
Since its foundation in 1969, Melbourne parishioners have supported our own mission fund to help developing nations. This has marked our Archdiocese for its exceptional generosity. Currently, the major beneficiaries are people in Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Ghana, Pakistan, Botswana, Nigeria and Peru. Archbishop Denis Hart commends the fund to your continuing support.
BAPTISM OF SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN
Baptism of School Aged Children
Sunday 16 June 2013 & Sunday 24 November 2013
Please contact the Parish Office no later than 6 weeks prior to these dates to arrange preparation.
For further information, please contact Richard Hallett on 9744 1060 (Tues & Wed) or email richard.hallett@cam.org.au
RCIA WELCOME MASS
On Sunday the 2 December 2012 at the 8.30am Mass, we will welcome two people interested in becoming Catholics, into our parish community.
Angelo Damianos and Tierry Wurcel are Inquirers at present but through the Rite of Acceptance on Sunday, the 2 December, 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.
CHRISTMAS ON THE GREEN
Christmas on the Greenwill be held on the Sunbury Village Green on Saturday 8 December from 4.00pm-9.30pm.
There will be lots of Christmas Carols and family oriented activities. There will even be an inter- active display of a stable with real animals.
If anyone is able to help with the Collection of money on the day, please see the organisers at the event, or contact the Parish Office on 9744 1060.
SCHOLARSHIPS XAVIER COLLEGE, KEW
Scholarships are being offered for students entering Years 7, 9 and 11 in 2014.
The closing date for applications is 8 February 2013.
For registration and information see Xavier’s website www.xavier.vic.edu.au/scholarships or contact The Registrar, Mrs Di Odgers at Xavier on 9854 5307.
2013 STUDY TOUR AND PILGRIMAGE CATHOLIC THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE
“An experience of Catholic Culture” Catholic Theological College Study Tour & Pilgrimage on 15 Nov to 14 December 2013.
Ireland– England– Spain– Italy.
Tour leaders: Rev Prof Austin Cooper omi AM & Dr Frances Baker rsm.
Information session: Thursday 6 December 2012 between 5-7pm.
RSVP & further information: Dr Frances Baker rsm
Phone 9412 3303 or email fbaker@ctc.edu.au
STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
Today we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. He is the greatest king there is yet He does not sit on a golden throne. He hangs on a cross. As the King of Kings, Jesus hows us what true greatness is. It is loving and serving one another, giving ourselves in love for one another, and using the gifts God has given us to glorify Him.
In today’s gospel, Jesus tells us, “For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.” Likewise, we are called to use the lives God has given us to testify to the truth. We are called to bear witness to the gospel by the way we live our lives, giving of our time, our talents and our treasure to serve the Lord by serving one another. Then, people will surely see God in us, and we will call others to Him.
Copyright © 2012 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
WORKING BEE
Our parish working bee will be held on Saturday 1 December from 9am to 12 noon. Only 3 people came to the last working bee in November. Please help keep our parish looking beautiful by giving a few hours of your month. Please bring your tools.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury 
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