Last Thursday hundreds, including our Archbishop Denis, gathered at St Peter’s Basilica, Rome to recall the Council’s opening and re-dedicate themselves to implementing the teachings of the Council. Scholars say it takes seventy years to implement a major shift like Vatican II- “the great blessing to the Church in 20th Century” (Pope John Paul II in 2000).
CATHOLIC THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE– OPEN DAY
Wednesday 31 October at 278 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne.
“Study your faith– Understanding your spirituality.”
Two sessions 4-6pm or 6-8pm.
Enquiries on 9412 3314 or email ctc@ctc.edu.au
STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
Listening to Jesus’ words in today’s gospel: “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven,” many of us sat back in our seats and breathed a sigh of relief. We are not rich, and thank God. It must be easier for us to enter heaven. Right?
But the fact is, whether we are wealthy according to the world’s standards or not, Jesus’ words are meant for every single one of us. We are all very rich. God has given us innumerable gifts – our time, our talents, our treasure, our very lives are gifts from the Lord. We have so much, and as Christ’s disciples, we are called to give it all to the Lord – to use our time, our talents, and our treasure to serve God and build His kingdom.
Living a life of stewardship as a Christian disciple requires giving completely of one’s self. It means living our lives for the Lord and giving all we have and all we are to serve Him. This is not an easy task. It is radical. It is extreme. And it is richly rewarding.
At the end of today’s gospel, Jesus exclaims, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.”
Have you given all that you have to serve the Lord?
Copyright © 2012 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF VATICAN II
This Thursday marks 50 years since 2300 bishops gathered in Rome as invited by Pope John XXIII to begin the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council. It was only the second Ecumenical Council in 400 years; the previous council, Vatican I, was in 1870 which was cut short by war and never completed.
Pope Pius XII in 1940’s prepared for Vatican II by his teaching on the Church, liturgy and scripture.
Pope John Paul II described Vatican II as the grace given by God to the Church in the 20th Century.
To mark the 50th Anniversary, Pope Benedict has announced a Year of Faith which begins this Thursday.
Today and the next five Sundays there will be a special perspective “Time to go a little deeper” about Vatican II on www.cathnews.
INTER-FAITH DIALOGUE IN OUR ELECTORATE
Last Tuesday our local member, Maria Vamvakinou MHR, invited Kevin Rudd MHR to address representatives from the Christian Churches and other faiths to discuss interfaith dialogue in multicultural communities. The Sunbury clergy from the Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran and Methodist Churches postponed their normal monthly meeting to be present.
He began by saying multiculturalism had benefitted Australians in three ways: firstly by enriching our cuisine; secondly, new migrants and refugees brought us a freshness, by their spirit of enterprise making employment opportunities; and thirdly, each wave of migrants challenges those already present here, but it keeps our country young.
We can show the world how to do get on as we work well togther. It also gives us bridges back to the world.
Some state that faith and religion divide people. Not so, he said. The Abrahamic religions (Jewish, Christian, Moslem) all have mutual respect at their core.
Kevin Rudd said he is optimistic for the future. Australia has a first-class relationship with Indonesia, the largest Moslem country in the world with 260 million peopls. Our relationship shows the world how to co-exist. Another miracle of modern Australia is how our indigenous brothers and sisters have accepted our apology and reconiliation is proceeding. Most Australians have respect for diversity. It is better to ignore the hate– talkers as what the haters fear most is non-publicity.
OCTOBER BABY MOVIE SCREENING
The Life, Marriage & Family Office & Australian Catholic University invite you to a screening of the movie October Baby. Based on the story of Gianna Jessen, an abortion survivor, October Baby is a powerful and poignant movie about forgiveness, healing and an enduring truth – that every life is beautiful.
When: Thursday 18 October
Time: BBQ at 7pm / Screening at 8pm
Venue: Cardinal Knox Centre, 383 Albert St, East Melbourne
For more information: lmf@cam.org.au Cost: By donation
ST FRANCIS XAVIER
As part of the Year of Grace, the relic of St Francis Xavier will be part of a national pilgrimage.
Wednesday 8 October at 7pm in Holy Eucharist Church, St Albans South.
PREPARING FOR SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
A celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held on Tuesday 9 October at 7.15pm in St Anne’s Church. Several priests will be present.
MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND
Married couples, we encourage you to prioritise your relationship. It underpins your family life. Please join us for a Marriage Encounter weekend. Our weekend helps you to remember why you married and gives you skills to maintain your love for each other. Couples and a priest present the weekend. It is based around catholic values but you don’t need to be catholic to attend. There is no group sharing.
Our last weekend for 2012 is 12-14 October in Melbourne.
For further information & bookings contact Marianne & Marcel Van den Bronk (03) 9733 0997 or Email vicbookings@wwme.org.au. Website for more information on www.wwme.org.au
NEW ALTAR SERVERS VESTMENTS
It is proposed to have a new style of vestment and sewers are needed.
If you can help, please contact the Parish Office on 9744 1060.
STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
It’s no secret that married life isn’t easy. Most of us are living proof of that. It takes a great deal of commitment and constant self-giving love to truly live out the vocation.
But it is not just married life that requires such loving commitment and self sacrifice. The vocation of Christian discipleship, the vocation to which every one of us is called — married or single, clergy or layperson — requires that we give of ourselves in loving service, committing our lives to Christ forever. We give of our time, our talents, and our treasure as a way to show The Lord that we love Him and that we want to give our lives to Him. He has given us so much; it is an honor for us to give ourselves to Him in return.
It is not an easy task, especially when society is encouraging us to live selfishly, to want more and more things, to look out for ourselves before others, etc. Indeed, it is a higher calling to live for the Lord, to give rather than to want, and to lovingly put others first, and it is a life full of joyful rewards. In this, we will find true fulfillment!
Copyright © 2012 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
Today’s readings lead us to reflect on the gifts we have been given, and the source of those gifts — God.
In the first reading and in the gospel, we hear of men who raise objections when they see others participating in God’s mission. Moses’ followers were appalled when they noticed that two men who were not among their company had been given the gift of prophecy. Surely prophesying was not their place. And, in the gospel reading, Jesus’ disciples objected to men who were casting out demons in Christ’s name.
In both cases, the objectors were assured that the men had been given gifts from God, and their decision to use those gifts to serve God’s kingdom was indeed a good thing.
The readings serve to remind us that every one of us has been given great gifts, and we are called to recognize those gifts, to receive them gratefully, and to use them in service of God and neighbor. When we do this, we participate in Christ’s own mission of loving service. He came to give Himself for us, and He has given us many gifts so that we can join Him in His earthly mission, using our gifts to proclaim His truth and serve one another.
What gifts has God given you? How are you using them? Do you find yourself caught up noticing the gifts others have been given and wondering about their proper use of them? Or, do you rejoice in the gifts God has given you and others and do your best to participate in the mission of the Church, serving God by giving yourself and your gifts back to Him in gratitude for all He has given you?
Copyright © 2012 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
MORNING TEA
MORNING TEA will be held after 8.30am Mass next Sunday and will be hosted by Old Town Neighbourhood.
All welcome.
SING A LONG
SING A LONG at Goonawarra Aged Care from 2.30pm on Friday 5 October.
Please come along and join in the fun.
(P.S. Roy Rogers won’t be available)
EVENING ADORATION
EVENING ADORATION will be held at St Anne’s Church on Friday 5 October from 7-8pm.
THANKYOU
Thank you again to the generous people of the Sunbury Catholic Church.
The collection for CatholicCare last week raised a massive $1423.40!
The funds will help create infrastructures to support families in communities like ours.
EVERGREENS
The next outing is on Wednesday 3rd October from 10am to 11.30am at Rupertswood Mansion morning tea and show “Hot Flushes”.
Cost $15 all inclusive.
Booking essential.
Contact Frances on 9744 1999
KNIGHTS OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS
MEETING
Knights of the Southern Cross meet at the Parish House, 16b Stewarts Lane, on Wednesday 3 October at 8pm.
NEWS FROM SOCIAL JUSTICE GROUP
We celebrate Social Justice Sunday this weekend. The 2012-2012 Social Justice Statement is titled “The Gift of Family in Difficult Times: the Social and economic challenges facing families today.” The Statement affirms the family as the basis of our community of faith and the very foundation of society. Nurturing a family is a vocation, inspired by love, which faces many challenges. The Statement names the social and economic structures of our society that impact in a significant way on the majority of families. These are competing for time, competing for wealth and the pressure these factors put on family relationships. It also ask us to ‘rediscover’ the Sabbath and to show a special concern for the poor and vulnerable families.
“Love is always patient and kind; love is never jealous; love is not boastful or conceited, it is never rude and never seeks its own advantage.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
Social Justice is not just for one day, but every day. People go through bad times and it is comforting that we are not alone at those bad times. As a Catholic Community, we are called to act like Jesus– simply to help others in their times of need. Praying is one way we can support those in need, but also by giving time to help people is very selfless.
Full text (15 pages) is available from www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au
WORKING BEE
WORKING BEE at St Anne’s Church on Saturday 6 October from 9-12.
Please bring your tools and your good humor and help keep our Parish looking beautiful.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury 
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