From Fr Greg's Desk: Sunday 17th September, 2023

Hi everyone!
Spring has arrived and the grass is finally appearing where topsoil had been placed to correct the unevenness of the lawns outside the SCB Church. I thank you all for having helped me to keep people off the lawns over the last few weeks. The barriers around the lawn will be removed over the coming weeks when the lawn is sufficiently restored, so thanks for your patience. The gardens out the front are also looking magnificent (see photos below), thanks to Ann Roumanos and her little team of helpers. Thanks Ann!

100th year Celebrations for OLQP Church
As previously noted, March 1925 was the day the Foundation Stone for Our Lady Queen of Peace Church was laid, so we will be celebrating 100 years of local Church History in just under 18 months. I'd like to form a committee to plan for this great event so please contact Judy in the parish office ea@rgcp.org.au to register your interest.

Archbishop Anthony Fisher has kindly accepted our 'advance invitation' to celebrate the 100th Anniversary Mass near that day at OLQP Gladesville, I am keen to showcase the Church and its history at that time, and would welcome any articles, old newspaper clippings or other paraphernalia you might have at home to mark the event.

Welcome Back Fr. Steve!
It is nice to have Fr. Steve back once again after the World Youth Day celebrations in Portugal and his month of retreat in Spain with our Verbum Dei community. He will be celebrating the 6pm Sunday Mass this week with all the youth who have returned from their trips after World Youth Day. I am sure he will have lots of stories to tell us about his overseas travels over the coming months. Welcome back, Fr. Steve!

News from John McCaffrey in Quezon City
John sends his greetings from Quezon City in the Philippines, having arrived there late on Tuesday

evening. He was joined there by two other young men from Vietnam who have begun their initial training for missionary work with our Verbum Dei community. He tells us that "it is hot, but there is a lot of joy," and sends his warmest greetings (no pun intended) to all of you, and thanks you for your
prayers.

This is a photo of a Mass being celebrated with the local community there. Good on you, John!

Feast Day for RGCP on 5th November on the SCB Primary School grounds

We have begun our initial preparations for our annual RGCP Feast Day, which will once again be held on the grounds of SCB Primary School at Ryde. on Sunday 5th November. with an 'international lunch'. I am keen to form a planning committee to get this up and running. Any takers please email ea@rgcp.org.au.

And that's about it for now.

 
Your brother, in Christ's missionary service,

Fr. Greg