Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury

January 27, 2012

STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE

CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS

An old icon showing Jesus with authority over all

As Christ’s disciples, we are called to recognize all of our gifts as God-given – our time, our talents, and our treasure and to use them accordingly, putting them at the service of the Lord.

Today’s readings remind us that it is the Lord whom we serve. In the gospel, when Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit, “Quiet! Come out of Him!” the gospel tells us, “The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed.”

It is amazing. God has authority over the whole world, and He has seen fit to bless us with so many good gifts, to give us life and family and faith, time and talents and treasure. It is only fitting that we recognize those gifts as God-given and give of them in gratitude to the One who has blessed us so.

So, we live to love and serve Him in all we do. Whether we are a mother or father, brother or sister, married or single, doctor or lawyer, writer or singer, it is our duty as Christian stewards to live our lives to the praise and glory of God. All that we do ought to proclaim His goodness to those around us.

In the first reading from Deuteronomy, the writer reminds us of this call. Speaking of prophets whose role it is to proclaim the Good News, he says, “But if a prophet presumes to speak in My name an oracle that I have not commanded him to speak, or speaks in the names of other gods, he shall die.”

Indeed, it is God whom we serve. We are called to live not for our own sake, but for the sake of the Gospel, being sure that through all we say and do, we help others see God.

January 27, 2012

WORKING BEE

Working bees around St Anne’s Church resume on Saturday 4 February 2012 starting at 9 til 12.00. Our work will concentrate on the grounds around St Anne’s Church and the Parish Centre. Please bring weeding gear, wheelbarrows, shovels, whipper snipers, etc. All welcome, help make St Anne’s look like the Garden of Eden.

January 27, 2012

DIARY DATES 2012

DIARY DATES 2012

Welcoming children into the Christian Community

Reconciliation in 2012 and First Communion in 2013:
* Information and Registration sessions for all parents: 2pm or 7.30pm, Tuesday 6 March, Parish Centre
* Celebration of First Reconciliation: 9, 14 and 16 August, 7pm St. Anne’s Church
* Celebration of First Communion: May 2013

First Communion 2012:
* May/June…………………Families have been advised of the preparation and celebration dates.

Confirmation:
* Information and Registration sessions for all parents: 2pm or 7.30pm, Tuesday 21 February, Parish Centre
* Celebration of Confirmation: 2pm and 4pm, Sunday 14 October at St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Baptism of School Age Children:
* Sunday 17 June and Sunday 25 November

Contact the Parish Office NOT LESS THAN 6 WEEKS before these dates to arrange preparation.
For more information contact the Parish Office on 9744 1060 or e-mail: richard.hallett@cam.org.au

January 27, 2012

PARISH BINGO IS BACK!

Parish Bingo is held every Thursday Evening at the Sunbury Football Social Club, Clarke Oval, Riddell Rd Sunbury. $999.00 last game prize. Come on give it a go! Eyes down at 8.00pm Ticket sales from 7.00pm.
Dinner and snacks available.

January 27, 2012

EVENING ADORATION

Held at St Anne’s Church on Friday 2 December from 7-8pm.

January 27, 2012

KEY REGISTER

A proposal at the Parish Assembly in September was to establish a Key Register for the Parish Properties. If you currently hold a key to any Parish Property, could you please contact the parish office on 9744 1060 as you will need to sign the Key Register.

January 27, 2012

VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED

We would love to hear from people who are able to assist with Children’s Liturgy of the Word at Sunday Mass. Please contact the Parish Office on 9744 1060 to register your interest.

January 20, 2012

WOOD ITEMS FROM BETHLEHEM

Christian families in Bethlehem are supported by making and selling items of a religious nature made from olive wood.
At Masses on 4/5 February and 11/12 February there will be a sale of items priced from $5 to $150.00.

January 20, 2012January 20, 2012

STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE

jesus_fishermen — I will make you fishers of men!

CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS

Jesus walked along the Sea of Galilee and called the first disciples, inviting them, “Come after me and I will make you fishers of men.”

In much the same way, Christ calls each of us to follow Him and to use the time, talents, and treasure He has given us to build the Kingdom.

St. Paul reminds us, “the world in its present form is passing away.” So, we ought not to get caught up in the things of this world. We ought to live in this world but not of it, proclaiming the goodness of God and the glory of His Kingdom.

Each one of us has been given particular gifts of time, talent, and treasure, and it is up to us to recognize those gifts and to share them lovingly in such a way that God will be glorified and we will call others to come to know him. In all we say and do, we must honor Him. He must be more important to us than anything else – more important than our careers, more important than our hobbies, even more important than our families. The disciples in today’s gospel show us just how unreserved our response to God must be. They left their nets – their careers as fishermen – and left their father, to serve the Lord.

For most of us, the call to discipleship will not require us to leave behind family and friends and even our secular career. But for all of us, the call to be a disciple means God must be first and foremost in our lives, and we must offer Him the first fruits of our time, talents, and treasure as His faithful followers.

January 20, 2012

WORKING BEE

January 20, 2012

DIARY DATES 2012

DIARY DATES 2012

Welcoming children into the Christian Community

First Communion 2012:
* May/June…………………Families have been advised of the preparation and celebration dates.

Baptism of School Age Children:
* Sunday 17 June and Sunday 25 November

Contact the Parish Office NOT LESS THAN 6 WEEKS before these dates to arrange preparation.
For more information contact the Parish Office on 9744 1060 or e-mail: richard.hallett@cam.org.au

January 20, 2012

PARISH BINGO IS BACK!

January 20, 2012

EVENING ADORATION

Held at St Anne’s Church on Friday 2 December from 7-8pm.

January 20, 2012January 20, 2012

HELP PLEASE

It is that time of year again where we will be sorting the new Thanksgiving envelopes.
We will be sorting the new envelopes on Wednesday 25 January after morning Mass.
If you are available to help, please meet at the Parish Centre.

January 20, 2012January 20, 2012

FOSTER CARE

If you are in a position to open your heart and home to help a child, please consider foster care. Every night in Victoria there are thousands of vulnerable children who need a safe place to stay because they are unable to live at home.
If you can help, please contact MacKillop Family Services on 8398 6800.

January 20, 2012

KEY REGISTER

January 20, 2012

VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED

We would love to hear from people who are able to assist with Children’s Liturgy of the Word at Sunday Mass. Please contact the Parish Office on 9744 1060 to register your interest.

January 13, 2012

VALE FR TOM MCCARTHY

Fr Tom entered eternal life last week aged 90 years after being a priest for 64 years, even after retiring in 2006, he ministered in a local nursing home. He served in the parishes of East Brighton, Elsternwick, Mansfield, Clifton Hill, Glen Iris, Ascot Vale and then as parish priest of Geelong North, Macleod and Balwyn until 2006. As he began his studies for the priesthood in 1940, his local priest described Tom as “a young man of excellent, manly character, solid piety, as well as a thorough gentleman in his manner.”