Pastoral Associates minister collaboratively with Priests and Parishioners to support the people of God in their faith journeys. They provide leadership in areas such as worship, formation, outreach and pastoral care.
Information is on the Welcome Desk at St Anne’s Church for those interested in this exciting ministry. Alternatively, www.apamelb.com
GETTING A FAIR FUNDING DEAL FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Catholic school families are similar to those in government schools.
Catholic schools play an important part in some of Victoria’s most disadvantaged communities. Like government schools, Catholic schools also cater for families with middle and high incomes. Catholic school students, on average, receive 20 per cent less government funding than government school students. There is also a significant gap in funding for students with special needs. To make up the difference, you pay fees. Even then, most Catholic schools like ours still operate at around 90 per cent of the cost of education in government schools. As it stands, paying fees is not easy for many Catholic families. If Catholic parents are forced to pay more in fees, it will put a lot of pressure on many families. They may have no option but to move their children to government schools which are already under pressure.
TABOR JOURNEY PROGRAM
TABOR JOURNEY PROGRAM 5-7 OCTOBER 2012 AT TEMPLESTOWE
Tabor Journey is a program for separated, divorced or widowed people coping with the loss, the grief, the heartache and struggle that follows the end of a marriage/relationship. This live-in weekend is designed to provide a reflective time, a time to share, to bring some closure on what has happened and move on with life with greater freedom.
For further information phone 5221 7055 or email geelong@ccam.org.au.
ST FRANCIS XAVIER
As part of the Year of Grace, the relic of St Francis Xavier will be part of a national pilgrimage.
For the dates and places please visit www.pilgrimageofgrace.org.au.
STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
Christian stewardship is all about selflessness. We are called to follow Christ’s example and give ourselves out of love for others and expect nothing in return.
In today’s gospel, we see Jesus explaining to the disciples that He must suffer and die. But they are confused. To them, the Messiah is one whom they praise and glorify, not one who suffers. So Jesus explains further.
His earthly mission is to give of Himself for our sake out of love. And He tells the disciples their mission as His followers is to do the same — to give of themselves expecting nothing in return.
So, we too, as present day disciples, follow the Lord’s example. We have all been called to be His disciples. Do we live the stewardship way of life, giving our time, our talent, and our treasure, in loving care of one another? Do we give of ourselves not because we want recognition, or because of the promise of earthly rewards, but because we are grateful to the Lord for giving Himself for us, and because we love both God and neighbor?
Copyright © 2012 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
PASTORAL CARE OF SAME-SEX ATTRACTED CATHOLICS
Last week, Fr Paul Check from the USA visited Melbourne. He has been caring for those with same-sex attraction (SSA) and their parents for ten years.
He addressed two groups: Courage and Encourage at the diocesan centre.
MACKILLOP YOUNG ADULT COMMUNITY
MacYAC Penola Roadtrip
There are still places on the “MacYAC Penola Roadtrip’ for young single adults (18-35).
Friday, 5pm 19th October to Sunday 7pm – 21st October.
Cost for weekend is approx $120 employed and a concession rate for students. Leave Melbourne CBD. Mini bus transport. Final RSVP date : Wed 10th Oct.
Enquiries:MacKillop Young Adult Community macyac@sosj.org.au
Phone/Fax : 9306 8903 or Sr Rita 0419 299 065 or Sr Mary 0409 023 3331
NEWS FROM SOCIAL JUSTICE GROUP
Anti Poverty Week: Human Rights matters. A conference to mark this week will be held on Wednesday October 17, 2012 at Cardinal Knox Centre, Cathedral Room, 383 Albert Street, East Melbourne. RSVP by Monday 8th October. Places are limited. rsvp@svdp.vic.org.au or o3 9895 5935.
For a full program or to book on line http://www.trybooking.com/29676
The recently screened “Go back to where you come from” on SBS is now available.
“Stories that Matter” is available at Sanity or on line.
SCHOOL REUNION CAROLINE CHISHOLM CATHOLIC COLLEGE
CALLING ALL EX-STUDENTS AND TEACHERS
Seeking all past students and teachers of Caroline Chisholm Catholic College (comprising St John’s and Christ the King). We are holding a reunion in early November 2012 for the Graduating Classes of 1972, 1982, 1992 and 2002.
Please send an email with your Full Name (including Maiden name), Current Address, Contact Phone Number and the Year you Graduated to the Alumni Secretary alumni@cccc.vic.edu.au to register to receive an invitation to this SPECTACULAR EVENT.
CATHOLICCARE
CATHOLICCARE will be holding the annual church appeal this week at all masses. This year the focus for the Appeal is the needs of families in the rapidly growing suburbs and communities around the edges of Melbourne and Geelong. These areas typically lack social services and social infrastructure and yet have families with high levels of need.
CatholicCare is seeking to provide a greater presence in these communities.
Info can be found at www.ccam.org.au or call 9287 5555.
OPEN HOUSE @ RUPERTSWOOD MANSION
OPEN HOUSE RUPERTSWOOD MANSION
”INTRODUCTION TO LIFE WRITING”
5 sessions over 10 weeks– alternate Tuesday afternoons in the Mansion @ Rupertswood starting 11September from 1.30-3pm. Fee $60 or $30 un- waged. Contact Bruno Lettieri on blettieri@scr.vic.edu.au or 9744
0073 or 0422 298 643.
Please see the noticeboard as there are many exciting courses available including “Italian for Travellers”, “Hosting a dinner party– Mansion style”, “Sacraments of Initiation for Secondary Students”, “Experimenting in the art of Storytelling through the exploration of Dramatic Performance techniques”.
OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL PARISH ORGANISATION STRUCTURE
Below is an image from a parish document outlining the decision-making structure of our parish. This document can be found on the Parish Reports page or you can go direct to the document by clicking here or anywhere on either image.
STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
Today’s gospel reading is full of some sobering statements, as Jesus emphasizes his role as the suffering servant, and also our responsibility as His disciples to follow Him in that way.
First, He explains to the disciples that He will have to suffer, “He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days” (gospel). Jesus then tells them that, as His disciples, they must follow His lead.
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (gospel).
That is the life of a Christian disciple. We are called to not only to follow Christ’s example by picking up our crosses — recognizing that when we unite our sufferings to Christ’s they can be redemptive, they can be great blessings — but also to deny ourselves. We do not live for ourselves. We live for the Lord. Therefore, everything about our lives ought to be ordered to Him, giving glory to the Lord and calling others to do the same.
We follow Christ’s example. He emptied Himself “taking on the form of a slave” (Phil. 2:7) for the sake of the Father’s will. “Not as I will, but as you will,” (Mt. 26:42) He prayed in the garden. And so we empty ourselves — offering up all our pride, envy, jealousy, selfishness, greed, anger, and so on — to live a life of loving service focused completely on God and neighbor.
Indeed, following Christ’s example is not without cost. Even the Messiah — the Suffering Servant — endured persecution and ridicule. But that did not stop Him. His was a life of sacrifice — a life lived for others out of love; “I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting” (first reading). And so must ours be.
If we proclaim Jesus to be the Christ as Peter did in today’s Gospel, then we must follow Him. We must give our all to bear witness to His truth, realizing that it is only in doing so that we are truly free, truly happy, truly fulfilled. Our faith in Christ Jesus must be demonstrated by the way we live our lives. Our identity as Christian stewards requires that of us.
“What good is it if someone says they have faith but does not have works?” (second reading). Our words and actions should bear witness to the gospel. Then, not only will we be fulfilled, but also others will see the beauty in Christ’s truth. They will recognize that Christ is the One through whom we gain true happiness and eternal salvation, and surely then our acts will call others to Him. But that is only possible when we stop living for ourselves, for worldly glory and so forth, and empty ourselves in order to live for the gospel.
What’s more, Jesus promises us that when we do so, we are greatly rewarded. “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses His life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it” (gospel).
We were created to live for Him, to follow Him, to bring others to Him. Our lives are not our own. They are gifts from the Lord. Let us be sure to live them as such!
Copyright © 2012 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
THANK YOU
Thanks to the generous people of Sunbury for your donations to the Priest Retirement Foundation. Our Parish is sending $1655.30 to support those who have dedicated their lives to our Faith.
ST ANNE’S CHURCH ORGAN
The organ has been repaired and is safely back in St Anne’s Church.
RSJ ASSOCIATES
RSJ Associates
Meeting Wednesday 19th September at 10am in St Annes Church meeting room.
All welcome.
LIVE-IN FOSTER CARE VOLUNTEERS
MacKillop Family Services is currently looking for individuals or a couple to provide care for up to three young people aged 12-16 years who can’t live with their parents, to live in the Home Based Care House in the North West Region. This is a live in volunteer whose primary role is to provide a supportive and healing environment for the young people in their care and oversee their day to day needs and the running of the house.
Further information contact Shane McLeod on 8398 6800 or shane.mcleod@mackillop.org.au.
SUNBURY ACTION GROUP OF THE LEPROSY MISSION
Sunbury Action Group of the Leprosy Mission is holding an afternoon of Spring Delights on Thursday 20 September 2012 at 1.30pm at St Andrews Uniting Church, Sunbury. Admission is $7. Full details are in the brochure available at the Welcome Desk.
NEWS FROM SOCIAL JUSTICE GROUP
“The Gift of Family in Difficult Times”
The launch of the 2012-2013 Social Justice Statement for the Melbourne Archdiocese will take place on Sunday 23rd September at 10.30 AM in St Mary, Star of the Sea Church, Archdiocesan Shrine of the Holy Family, 33 Howard Street, Melbourne West. Followed by Light refreshments prepared by asylum seekers from the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. For catering purposes RSVP justice@cam.org.au or 99265727 please leave a message.
THINKING OF THE PRIESTHOOD?
The annual retreat for those considering the diocesan priesthood is on 21-22 September at Mulgrave.
Enquiries on 9926 5733 or email vocations@cam.org.au.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury 
You must be logged in to post a comment.