We do not choose a vocation completely on our own. We must prayerfully reflect on how we can best give to God what is God’s, and then live as though everything depends on God.
DREAMING IN THE CITY
PRAYING THE ROSARY THE ABORIGINAL WAY
Please join us on Sunday 16 October after 10.30am Mass as we come together to pray, in the month of the Rosary, accepting the contribution to our Church from our Aboriginal Catholics. Aboriginal artwork for each Mystery will be shown on the screen in St Anne’s Church. These are the signs and symbols of this land.
MARY MACKILLOP WALKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS
Sat 22 October.
MacKillop Young Adult Community (MacYAC) invites young adults to come and visit significant sites in the life of our first Australian saint here in Melbourne. Meet at St Francis Church, Cnr Elizabeth & Lonsdale Streets, Melbourne at 2pm. Visit the birthsite, Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre and the site of the First Providence. Come and be inspired by the person of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop-Australia’s First Saint in her home town. The walks are held on the fourth Sunday of each month. For bookings phone: 9926 9300 or macyac@sosj.org.au. MacYAC is a ministry of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart of the Victorian Province.
ANTI-POVERTY WEEK 2011
Poverty ends life, inhibits education and denies people basic privileges which we take for granted. It attacks the God-given dignity of the human person.
Our faith compels us to take a stand against poverty in all its manifestations. As Catholics we have a rich social doctrine and moral teaching which binds us to respond to the cry of the poor.
Anti-poverty Week starts on 16 October until 22 October. Archbishop Denis Hart is encouraging parishes to get involved in local activities to bring dignity to those affected by poverty. St Vincent de Paul is a major agency who make a huge difference to the lives of so many. St Vincent de Paul currently needs help from volunteers able to help with the vital work they do. If you have any time available to help out as a volunteer, training will be provided by the friendly volunteers at the Sunbury office located at 156 O’Shannessy St, Sunbury. Contact Anthony Rocco for further info on 0416 008 967.
STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
People who think they’re only serving themselves can actually be carrying out God’s will despite themselves. So it was with Cyrus the Great, the Persian emperor. His military conquests were for his glory, he thought, but the Lord used him to restore the Jews, the Chosen People, to their homes in Palestine. He allowed their return after he conquered the Babylonians, who had taken the Jews into captivity. Isaiah even referred to him as God’s anointed, for he was serving God’s purposes.
This reminds us that God is the one who gives authority to governments, as well as to the Church, and that each has its sphere of responsibility for our welfare. The problem is that governments often seek to expand their powers in ways that are tyrannical rather than beneficial. That’s why the Church’s witness is needed so that we can return to Caesar what is his, as well as return to God what is God’s.
But it also means that as stewards we are responsible to share our gifts and serve the wider community beyond the parish wall as well as worship and serve within the Church. Both are needed for a healthy society. God’s care extends to all aspects of our human life.
Copyright © 2011 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
INVITATION
His Lordship Mons Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo Malta will be celebrating Mass at Ta Pinu Shrine, Bacchus Marsh on Saturday 15 October at 2.30pm. Everyone is welcome.
INVITATION
His Lordship Mons Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo Malta will be celebrating Mass at Ta Pinu Shrine, Bacchus Marsh on Saturday 15 October at 2.30pm. Everyone is welcome.
CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME
Congratulations and welcome to the new members of our Altar Server Team– Courtney Oehms, Vitalia D’Monte, Ethan D’Lima and Daniel Roche.
SEEKING ASYLUM
Is there a solution?
Rerum Novarum Oration 2011 Tuesday 11 October 7pm at Central Hall, 20-22 Brunswick St, Fitzroy.
Bishop Vincent Long van Nguyen OFMConv, who arrived on Australia’s shores as an asylum seeker, will examine this issue through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching. The Official Response to the Oration will be given by the Hon. Malcolm Fraser, who was instrumental in formulating an immigration policy that enabled the compassionate and orderly integration of asylum seekers and refugees.
RSVP 7 Oct 9926 5727 or justice@cam.org.au.
ST MARY MACKILLOP
Her influence on Catholic Social Service Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow; Melbourne 13-14 October. Bookings are now open for this conference. A flyer which includes a registration form available at http://www.css.org.au/MaryMacKillop. Cost for full participation including meals $200. More details at Welcome Desk.
Social Justice Group
PARENT SEMINAR
The topic for this month is “How to engage young people in conversation” and the presenter is Chris Daicos.
It will be held on 12 October at Mercy College, 760 Sydney Rd, Coburg from 7-9pm.
Cost is $10 and RSVP to Shirley O’Sullivan on 9464 5225.
“DIFFERENCE TO ETERNITY”
CatholicCare Marriage Enrichment day is for couples who are happy with their marriage and would like to spend a day together. This program explores the personalities that each person brings to their marriage and it challenges couples, in a fun way, to accept and appreciate the growth opportunities their differences offer. Cost is $80 per couple and includes lunch, morning tea and afternoon tea. Sunday 16 October 9.30-4.00pm. RSVP Karin 9287 5516 or www.ccam.org.au.
ADORATION OF BLESSED SACRAMENT
First Friday of each month at St Anne’s Church 7.00pm—8.00pm. All welcome.
SINGALONG
Goonawarra Nursing Home, Sunbury Friday 7 October 2.30 to 3.15pm
Please come along and help entertain the residents.
MARCH FOR THE BABIES
The march is being held on Saturday 8 March at 2pm starting from Cnr Claredon St & Wellington Pd, East Melbourne to the steps of Parliament. Join this peaceful witness to life, and hear inspirational speakers and music with a message of courage and hope for the babies and mothers. More info at www.marchforthebabies.org.au.
CHILDRENS LITURGY WORKSHEETS
Every week we have a new children’s worksheet available at all Masses. The worksheets are relevant to the weekly Gospel readings, which help the children to be engaged in the Mass. Please encourage the children to take a worksheet before Mass.
ANNUAL PARISH DINNER DANCE
The Parish Dinner Dance will be held at the Calabria Club, Uniting Lane Bulla on Saturday 8th October 2011 from 6.30 to 11.30pm.
Cost is $50.00 per person (seating tables of 12)Four course meal and drinks.
Contact Eileen Cardillo on 5428 5354 or Maree Salm on 9744 1657.
STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
It is commonplace in religious instruction that the first half of the liturgical year focuses on what God has done for us. During Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, and Easter, we emphasized Jesus’ Birth, Suffering, Death, and Resurrection, and the Descent of the Holy Spirit. The second half then focuses us our response to these wonderful demonstrations of God’s love for us. This scheme is an oversimplification, of course, but it has a kernel of truth.
In particular, the last few weeks of the liturgical year remind us that we are accountable to God for all the gifts he has given us and all he has done for us. And when the accounting is done, it becomes evident, sadly, that God’s people have not produced as rich a harvest as they ought to have done.
Such is the case with the ancient Israelites, whom Isaiah compared with a vineyard which produced only sour, wild grapes. Jesus used the vineyard image, but introduced tenants who refused to turn over his share of the harvest to the landowner. They will be replaced by people who will obey the terms of the agreement, and others will be welcomed into the kingdom of God. How do we measure up with the harvest of spiritual gifts we should develop and turn over to God?
Lest we lose heart, St. Paul reminds us that we are to “have no anxiety at all.” Indeed, even our requests should be offered to God “with thanksgiving.” We have a fuller revelation of God’s will for us, and a never-ending stream of grace from the sacraments. If we keep our minds on what is true, pure, and excellent, “then the God of peace will be with you.
Copyright © 2011 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
One of the freedoms God has given us is the freedom to change our minds. The two sons in Jesus’ parable exercised that freedom when their father asked them to work in his vineyard one day. The first son refused, but then changed his mind and went. The second agreed to work but never showed up. In the same way, the sinners who responded to the preaching of St. John the Baptist obeyed God when those religious leaders who seemed to be holy refused to actually do so, and so the repentant sinners were the ones who entered the Kingdom of God.
We Christians know we should do the will of God the Father, but we tend to be fickle and not follow through on our intention to obey God’s will. We need God’s grace to be constant and to help us develop “the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus,” as St. Paul wrote to the Philippians. As Christ gave up the glory of heaven to die on our behalf, so we have a challenge: “Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves.”
If we accept that challenge, and change our minds from serving ourselves first, it will inevitably change the way we use the time, the talent, and the treasure entrusted to us.
Copyright © 2011 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury 
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