Sunday 5th September 2010

Twenty-third Sunday - Year C

From our Parish Team

Happy Father’s Day: A happy Father’s Day to all fathers, grandfathers, great grandfathers and those soon to be fathers who are eagerly awaiting the birth of their first child.

Without supporting the commercialisation of Fathers’ and Mothers’ Days, these days do serve to remind us of the sacred roles our parents occupy in God’s plan for our lives. Like all celebrations of Eucharist, our Masses this weekend will be acts of thanksgiving for the face of God that has been reflected in the faces of our fathers. We give thanks for their love, care and protection, in the special prayer of blessing for those present at Mass, and for eternal life for those who have gone before us in faith.

Bishop’s Collection for Sick & Retired Clergy: In 2006, Bishop Manning established the Clergy Support Foundation of the Diocese of Parramatta to assist in meeting the needs of the retired and sick priests of the Diocese, and in 2007 authorised an annual special appeal, “The Bishop’s Collection for Retired and Sick Priests”, to be held on Father’s Day each year. It is hoped to raise $125,000 across the Diocese each year through this appeal. Bishop Anthony Fisher has asked that this appeal continue to support our retired and sick priests.

Last year, the Diocese gave over $150,000 and the Foundation thanks Greystanes Parish for their contribution of $5,200.00. This year the appeal in the Diocese will be held this weekend. A third collection will be held on this weekend at each Mass. Special envelopes are available and all donations over $2 are tax deductible. If you wish to claim a tax deduction, please tick the box and write your details clearly on the envelope. Receipts for those claiming the tax deduction will be sent out in February 2010. Thank you for your generosity

Holidays: Welcome back Fr Gerry. He is sure to let everyone know what a wonderful experience he had during his time in Europe and Malta. Our thanks to Fr David McGuire, Fr Peter Henry and Fr Bob McGuckin for helping out with Masses during Fr Gerry’s time on holidays.

Our Lady’s Birthday: On Wednesday 8th September  we celebrate the Feast of Mary’s Birthday.  There will be the two normal Masses at 6:30am and 9:15am.  This is an opportunity to thank God for Mary’s  birth  and  her  vocation as the Mother of God.

Marriage Sunday: Our Diocese has designated next Sunday, 12th September as Marriage Sunday. This provides us with an opportunity to,

• highlight marriage as a Christian vocation,
• celebrate with and encourage support of married members of our Parish
• focus on couples preparing for marriage and the commitment they make.

At each Mass next Sunday we will have a special blessing for married couples, so we encourage as many as possible married couples to attend Mass together next Sunday. We will also pray that as a Parish and community, we can assist married couples in their continued growth in the love of each other and of God.

Child Protection Sunday: Next Sunday, 12^th September has also been

designated as Child Protection Sunday by the National Committee for Professional Standards. The theme for this year is ‘Working Together to Create a Safe Environment’. We will fly white balloons at various points around the parish buildings to acknowledge what our parish is doing to provide a safe environment. Joining with others in this awareness raising campaign we proclaim our determination to protect young people and stop child abuse wherever it occurs.

National eConference: In two weeks time on Thursday the 16^th September

the Broken Bay Institute is sponsoring a new eConference ‘Jesus-the Christ’. We will host an eConference venue here in the Parish Centre from 10:30am to 3:00pm We invite you to join us as we explore Jesus Christ, as Son of God, Son of Man – fully human, truly divine. If you would like to join the conference please enter your name on the registration sheets in the narthex. Please BYO lunch and we will provide tea/coffee/cold water and morning tea.

New Altar Server Training: Being an altar server is an important ministry in our parish and is the most significant opportunity for young boys and girls to start living out their baptismal calling to ministry. So we are calling all girls and boys in our parish in 4^th class and above, who have made their First Holy Communion, to think seriously about answering the call to serve God at the Altar. Training of one and half hours per week will commence during the second week of Term 4 and run for six weeks. To register for training please complete one of the registration forms available at the Parish Office or in the Sacristy.  If you would like to have more information please contact the parish office or talk to one of the parish staff.

The Parish Team