WELCOME TO FATHER MICHAEL
Fr Michael has come to reside and minister among us during September and October. As stated last Sunday, he is an experienced educator in the faith having been involved full time in the Catholic Education Office and later as the Director of Continuing Education of the priests of Brisbane. For the past 16 years, he has been the Australian Director of the apostolic group promoting a better world.
As announced last Sunday, Fr Michael will speak over the next five Sundays about formation on the liturgy fulfilling the Pope’s exhortation when he received the new Mass texts from Cardinal Pell that we should approach the texts “with a renewed mentality.”
Father Michael’s presence here allows me to work for 14 days at the international meeting for the Community for a better world in Rome where we will review the group’s work over the past four years and plan for the next four years. Then I shall take some of my 2010 annual leave and this year’s leave for a holiday. In November I will be part of a group of 29 Australians on a liturgical study tour led by lecturers from Yarra Theological Union, Box Hill. We will begin our study in Cologne and conclude in Milan, visiting parishes, monasteries and theological institutes specialising in liturgy.
………………..Fr Kevin
EVANGELISING LETTER
The latest letter with the gospel theme acceptance of others, is now printed and will be delivered to our homes by our “Parish Posties”. The letters are written by Jill Gibbs of the Community for a better world who has been at our last two Parish Assemblies. Presently, Jill is in palliative care in St Vincent’s Brisbane. However, she has her laptop in her room and is still producing letters for us and for a parish in NSW. She sends her love and prayers– let us keep her in our prayers. She has been a full time worker for the Church since 1966, firstly a missionary nurse in PNG and then in the renewal of world and church. She was based at the international centre in Rome for 18 years.
CATHOLIC EDUCATION NEWS
There is a strengthening link between the three Catholic Schools which serve our parishioners: Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Salesian College and St Anne’s. Regular contact is made between the students and staff of the schools. Last week, the teachers of Years 6 and 7 of the respective schools met for the benefit of our children. With the advent of the National Curriculum, on-going contact between the staff will be necessary.
The Principal of Salesian College, Mark Brochaus, attended our Parish Education Board last Wednesday and future initiatives between our three schools was discussed, especially in the area of professional development of our teachers. He also announced that the VCAL program at Salesian will continue despite some media reports.
St Anne’s has concluded the regular four-year review which all Catholic schools undertake to improve the education we offer our children. The review process takes about eight months and the external reviewer who was present in the school last week to meet staff, students and parents has been very impressed.
FLOWERS NOT TO BE ON THE ALTAR
The Church teaches flowers should not be placed on the top of the altar (General Instruction of Missal No. 305). The reason for this is “the altar on which the Sacrifice of the Cross is made present under sacramental signs” (No 296)Flowers do not relate well to the sacrificial aspect of Eucharist. In addition, vases may stain and damage the beautiful American Cherry wood of our altar.
SPIRITUAL PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION
On this Tuesday at 7.30pm there will be celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation for all candidates. Several priests will be present. Hence, Tuesday Mass is at 6.30pm.
………Fr Kevin
MORNING TEA
Please join us for morning tea this Sunday 4 September after 8.30am Mass hosted by Jacksons Hill.
THANK YOU
Thank you again for being so generous. The special collection for Migrants and Refugees raised $979.15.
OUR LADY’S BIRTHDAY
Mass will be celebrated Thursday 8 September at 9.15am with Morning Tea afterwards. Please bring a plate to share.
A MESSAGE FROM SR MAUREEN & SR MARY
“Gratitude is the memory of the heart” St Mary MacKillop.
Sincere thanks to Father Kevin and the Parish Co-Ordinating Team for organising such a wonderful farewell. Grateful thanks to all those involved in the preparations.
We found the spirit of St Mary MacKillop very evident.
For your generosity with your gifts both monetary, flowers, cards and useful gifts, which will remind us of your presence—We are most grateful. THANK YOU. We were overwhelmed. Mass will be celebrated by the Blessed Sacrament Fathers for all your intentions.
May God bless and reward you,
…..Srs Maureen and Mary
EXAMINING ETHICS FROM A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Mon nights 7.30pm in Sep at St Mary’s Anglican Church hall, O’Shannassy St.
OUR COMMUNION PROCESSION
As we approach the Eucharistic Table of the Lord to receive the Body and the Blood of Christ, we sing if possible and one communicant from the front we make a bow of our head in humility (not a profound bow from the waist) and then look at the Host and express our faith by saying “Amen”. This is as the Australian Bishops have taught. Genuflecting is a health hazard to our fellow communicants as there is the possibility of tripping the person behind when we stick our leg out behind us to genuflect. There is no need to bow again when receiving the Cup of the Blood of Christ as Christ is already present within us at this stage.
RSJ IN MISSION
Next meeting at Parish Centre meeting room on Wed 7 September at 1.30pm.
Guest speaker Sr Mary Fermio RSJ.
All welcome.
Enquiries Jenny Coutts 9744 3472.
ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY
The Assembly is being held on September 3 in the Parish Centre from 9am to 12.30pm. Please come along to have input into the Parish. EVERYONE is welcome and valued in this very important meeting to help make our Parish even better. All Neighbourhoods and Parish Groups are invited to take a Proposal form from the Welcome Desk to give a brief presentation of their suggestions.
THANKSGIVING OFFERING TOKENS
At every Mass, we offer ourselves to God the Father through Christ. To help those who give by automatic payments (direct debits, credit card and internet banking) to become conscious of their offering at every Mass, we shall have available tokens to be placed on the collection plate. These tokens have the printed text: “We support our parish by automatic payments“. The tokens will begin next Sunday.
STEWARDSHIP……A WAY OF LIFE
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
Although many in our culture deny any responsibility for the wrong they do, God does not see it that way. We may claim social ills or ignorance caused us to do evil, but the Lord declares, “The wicked shall die for his guilt.” Our words and deeds have consequences, and there are choices we can make that God sees as sinful.
But God does not want us to choose sin, and so we have the responsibility of warning the sinner, firmly but gently, of the results of his actions. If we’re the one who has been hurt, Jesus tells us to seek reconciliation privately first of all, but if that does not work, then bring in others. But ignoring sin is not an option, for then it grows and festers.
The steward is accountable to God for his use of the time, talent, and treasure entrusted to him. One aspect of being accountable is responsibility for fellow members of the Body of Christ. Offering correction, in a way that can be understood and accepted, comes with the territory. Otherwise, as the Lord announced through Ezekiel, “The wicked shall die for his guilt, but I will hold you responsible for his death.”
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