11 September 2022
24th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C

There will be joy in heaven over one sinner who does penance.  Luke 15:1-32

From the Parish House

The world is full of the news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.  By any standard Queen Elizabeth was an extraordinary woman with an incredible sense of duty and an unfailing commitment to her responsibilities as Queen.  We should commend her to God and pray that she truly rests in peace after a long and fruitful life.

Pakistan Floods Appeal

After enduring some of the highest ever recorded temperatures earlier this year, Pakistan is experiencing the highest recorded rainfall in decades with torrential rains triggering the most severe flooding in Pakistan’s recent history.

Farewell Mass for Fr Trac Nguyen

All parishioners across our parishes are warmly welcome to celebrate Mass with Fr Trac on Friday, 16 September at 7.00 pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 10 Whitehorse Road, Deepdene.  Hospitality will take place in the Gathering Space following Mass.

Life is changed not ended

Catherine Mary Courtney was born on 26 August 1940 and entered eternal life on 17 August 2022.  She embodied compassion and volunteered generously; Noah's Ark Toy Library, Meals on Wheels, Mary Mackillop Coffee Shop to name a few.  She also wrote biographies for the terminally ill as a part of the Eastern Palliative Care network.

Parish Blog

This week Understanding Our Faith looks at "Seeking the World's Origins Today", in School Voices read how students supported one of their own and Sacramental Milestones acknowledges those who were baptised, married or entered eternal life during August.

Nourish your life from the table of the Word

Recently Deceased and Anniversaries

Let us pray... that those who have died may sit in glory at the feet of Christ, especially Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Redemptus Choo, Paola Curatore, Anna Gerosolimo, Livia Mariani, and that those whose anniversary occurs at this time might continue to know Gods love, particularly Fred Bendeich, Betty Duffy and James Francis Whelan.
 

If you would like a particular anniversary of death remembered in the weekend newsletter and Prayers of the Faithful, please contact the Parish Office by phone or email.

Safeguarding Sunday

The Catholic Church in Australia marks the second Sunday in September as Safeguarding Sunday.  On this day we acknowledge the enormous harm caused by the sexual abuse of children, young people and vulnerable adults in our Church.  We are invited as a Church community to pray for those who have been abused and to work together to ensure all people feel safe and supported.  Our parish communities remain committed to the care, wellbeing and protection of children, young people and people at risk in our community. Visit our website to learn more about our parishes' safeguarding commitment.

Does Sin Matter? 

Fr Frank O'Loughlin will explore his new book Does Sin Matter? Separation, Reconciliation, Redemption over two evenings. You are welcome to join us:

• Wednesday 14 September: Biblical Foundations of Sin

• Wednesday 21 September: The Future of Sin!

These will take place from 7.00 pm to 8.00 pm at Our Holy Redeemer Church, 4 Barton Street, Surrey Hills. No registration is required.

The book was published by Coventry Press and is available for purchase from the Parish Office for $27.95 (payment by credit card or Electronic Funds Transfer preferred).

What's on Across our Parishes

• Priests Retirement Foundation Appeal – thank you to all parishioners for their generous contribution to the appeal held last weekend, raising $6,085.  Your contributions will go toward the care of retired and sick priests by providing suitable accommodation, medical assistance and a comfortable standard of living.  Thank you. 

• Rite of Christian Initiation in Children (RCIC) - would you like your school aged child to be baptised at one of our Churches?  For further information or to discuss how best we can accommodate the needs of your child for Baptism, please contact the Parish Sacramental Coordinator Nanette Giovannini.

• Confirmation will be celebrated this weekend at Camberwell, Balwyn and Deepdene Parishes.  You are asked to remember all our Confirmation candidates in your prayers. 

• Season of Creation - during September, we join with Christians around the world to pray and work together to care for God's creation.  Resources for prayer, sustainable living and taking action can be found on the Parish website.

• SHWP Ladies Breakfast Group will meet this Saturday, 10 September at 9.00 am at the Boulevard Food Store.  Contact Bridget Larkin (0407 346 649) for further details or assistance with transport.

• Men's Scripture Group will meet this Saturday, 10 September at 10.00 am in the Parish Meeting Room at Our Lady of Victories.

• Hospitality will take place this Sunday at All Hallows Church following 9.00 am Mass.

• SHWP Surrey Social Club are holding a Lunch outing to Augellos, the Italian pizza and pasta restaurant, 200-202 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn, on Wednesday, 14 September at 12.30 pm.  Parking is available nearby and the 109 tram passes the door.  If you would like to attend contact Catherine McCullogh on 9890 4608 or Loretto Madden on 9836 0486.

• Feast Days this week:

  • Exaltation of the Holy Cross - Wednesday, 14 September Readings of the day...

  • Our Lady of Sorrows - Thursday, 15 September Readings of the day...

• Friendship Group Morning Tea will take place this Friday, 16 September in the Gathering Space following 9.15 am Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.

• Join Eastern Central Catholic Parishes Facebook Group Read more...

Please contact the Parish Office if you would like your group or ministry activity promoted in the newsletter.

What's on in the Wider Community and Other News

• Baltic Sounds - a concert performed by The Vocal Consort and Australian Boys Choir will take place at Our Lady of Victories Basilica this Thursday, 15 September at 7.30 pm.  Tickets for the concert can be booked online.  Parishioners can use a special complimentary ticket code: OLV.  Please note, there is a limit of two complimentary tickets per person when using this code.  Tickets for the livestream (with delayed viewing available for up to 72 hours after the performance) are available via Australian Digital Concert Hall.

• Heart of Life are holding a Gifts Differing Reflection Day, facilitated by Peter Malone msc (BA(Hons), STL, DTheol (Honoris Causa)), on Saturday, 1 October from 10.00 am to 3.30 pm.  Cost $60.  Visit the Heart of Life website for further information and to book or call 03 9890 1101.

• Melbourne Catholic online for news from the Archdiocese  Read more...

• Cath News online, a service of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference  Read more...

• Current Job Vacancies  Read more...

Financial Support of our Parishes

Your Stewardship giving provides for the continuing mission of our parishes.  You can give to the Parish Stewardship program and to the Presbytery Account by the Online Giving Portal.

Alternatively you can make a payment using EFT (please include your name and envelope number in the reference field), the bank details are:-