3 April 2022
Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year C

Let the person without sin be the first to throw a stone.  John 8:1-11

Daylight Saving ends this weekend

On Sunday morning at 3.00 am the clocks will go back one hour.

From the Parish House

This week marks the fifth week of Lent and we are presented with the Gospel passage of John 8:1-11, let the person without sin be the first to throw a stone.  The story is probably well known to us.  The scribes and the Pharisees bring to Jesus a woman, they claim, was caught committing adultery and ask his opinion on whether or not she should be put to death by stoning.

Penance Service

The Lenten Penance Service will take place this Tuesday, 5 April at 7.00 pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 10 Whitehorse Road, Deepdene.

Palm Sunday

As part of the Palm Sunday liturgy, Our Lady of Victories will host an Ecumenical blessing of palms beginning at 10.00 am in front of the Basilica at 548 Burke Road, Camberwell.  

Easter Liturgies

Join our celebration of the Easter Liturgy, details are available on the Parish website.

Bearers of the Memory

Last week, I met someone who is bearing the memory of another so powerfully that she came alive for me.  The memory was of a religious sister of 93 who had died suddenly.  She had lived in a religious community and the shock of her death had affected the community members profoundly.

Easter Egg Hunt & Family Fun Day

This Sunday, 3 April.  Everyone is welcome to attend. Tickets and tokens are still available to purchase online. Download the flyer...

For those who are contributing baked goods, these may be dropped off at OLGC School on Saturday afternoon between 4.30 pm and 5.30 pm (drive through the playground) or on Sunday before 11.00 am.

Visit the Parish Blog

For news on sacraments in Sacrament of Reconciliation and Sacramental Milestones; to read about the life of Sandor Zallar in Life is changed not ended and for the two series by Fr Frank O'Loughlin - Living Lent and Understanding our Faith.

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 Rosa Curatore-Ficarra and Val Sanderson, and that those whose anniversaries occur at this time might continue to know God's love, particularly Peter Reed and Tan Swee Chew.

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.

What's on Across our Parishes

• Mont Albert Road Level Crossing Works will continue until 6.00 am this Monday, 4 April.  Union Road, Surrey Hills and Mont Albert Road, Mont Albert will be closed to vehicles at the level crossings.  Further information...

• SHWP Men's Breakfast Group will meet for fellowship this Saturday at 9.00 am at a local café . Contact Denis Billings for further details.

• Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project (BASP) baskets will be available in the Camberwell, Balwyn and Deepdene Churches this weekend.  Non-perishable foods, toiletries, nappies, washing powder, cleaning goods and other necessities can be placed in the baskets provided.

• Parking on the OLGC Primary School playground will not be available this Sunday due to the Easter Egg Hunt and Family Fun Day.

• Hospitality will take place this Sunday in the Gathering Space following 10.30 am Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church.  Visit the Parish Cafe at the Family Fun Day for refreshments.  Hot Cross Buns and cakes will be available to purchase.

• Youth led Mass will take place this Sunday, 3 April at 5.00 pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Deepdene.  Hospitaility will take place after Mass in the Gathering Space.

• SHWP St Vincent de Paul Conference will meet this Monday, 4 April at 7.30 pm in the OHR Meeting Room.

• RCIA will meet this Tuesday, 5 April in the Gathering Space at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church following the Penance Service.

• Lenten Discussion Group: Restoring Freshness in the Time of Lent - the final part in the series takes place this Wednesday, 6 April. The series is based on the program written by Fr Michael Elligate and is facilitated by Rose Marie Prosser. Read more...

• First Eucharist registration, for children attending schools other than the parish primary schools, will close this Wednesday, 6 April.  The after school preparation classes will commence after the school holidays on Tuesday, 26 and Thursday, 28 April.

• The Friendship Group invites you to a Movie & Lunch on Thursday, 7 April commencing at 11.00 am at Palace Cinema, Balwyn to watch the movie, The Duke, starring Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren. A catered lunch will follow in the Gathering Space at OLGC Church. Cost $20 for movie and lunch (or $10 for only the movie or lunch). RSVP by Monday, 4 April to Teresa Molella.

• The Australian Boys Choir Vocal Consort invite you on a global musical mystery tour this Thursday, 7 April at Our Lady of Victories Basilica, 548 Burke Road, Camberwell. Parishioners can take advantage of $5 tickets to this concert, simply apply the promotional code FIVE at checkout when booking an adult ticket(s). For further information and ticket bookings read more...

• Film Extras Required  Read more...

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

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

What's on in the Wider Community and Other News

• Project Compassion 2022 working together for justice and dignity. Walking together in hope.  Building together a better future for all.  To donate and learn more about Project Compassion  Read more...

• Take the Way of the Gospel - after Victoria's tumultuous year of COVID lockdowns and restrictions, clergy of the Archdiocese of Melbourne met for an opportunity to pray and reflect on the Archdiocese's initiative of missionary renewal 
  Read more...

• The 2022 Palm Sunday Walk For Justice For Refugees will be held on Sunday, 10 April from 2.00 pm at the State Library, corner of Swanston and Latrobe Streets, Melbourne.  Show your support with other individuals and groups and stand up for justice, decency and compassion.  Read more...

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

• CathNews 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:-