From Fr Greg's Desk: Sunday 1st October, 2023

Hi everybody!

Well, there has been a lot of ’missionary’ movement lately, with John McCaffrey going to the Philippines, and Fr. Steve back from World Youth Day and his month of Spiritual Exercises in Spain. We have more news, however:

Welcome Back Br. Antonio!
Yes, Br. Antonio is back with us this week, after his own month of spiritual exercises in Spain, following World Youth Day in his native Lisbon. Br. Antonio flew in late Sunday night and is already 'raring to go' with the older kids of Kid's Liturgy at the 10 am SCB Sunday Mass during school times, as well as his work with our youth.
Br. Antonio will be studying theology next year at the Catholic Institute of Sydney, as a preparation for his eventual ordination to the Priesthood (God willing!) some time this decade. So, yes, he has a big year coming up. Nice to have you back in the ranks at RGCP, Br. Antonio!

Re-Appointment of Fr. Greg as Parish Priest of Ryde Gladesville for Another Six Years.
I have just got word from the Chancery of the Archdiocese that I been reappointed for another six years as Parish Priest of RGCP. I got the letter this week, and I am very grateful for Archbishop Anthony's ongoing blessing to lead the Parish, and will likewise have the pleasure of the other four Verbum Dei Missionaries alongside me here. Each appointment is for a 'once renewable' six year period, and my 12 years will end on the 12th of December, 2029. But that is a long way off. In the meantime, I will happily continue with our missionary efforts to try and move our parish 'from Maintenance Mode to Mission'.

Vinnies Van 'Snack Pack' Maker-Donors Have Begun Their Work
It was lovely to see a mum and daughter team pop in this week with two large bags of 'snack packs' for delivery to our St. Vincent de Paul clients via the Vinnies Van service. Thank you girls!! This is a really easy way of getting the kids to do something positive for others this school holidays, and I would encourage more of you to do the same. You can organise it like a 'tea party', with each participant bringing one of the items, and they package it all together as part of the fun. The list of items that can go in has been printed out on the adjoining page. If you could prepare some of these, that would be wonderful! (see example below) Bring them in to the Parish Office where we are collecting them for our Vinnies Van Services.

Vinnies Van Update
We are currently awaiting final approvals from local councils for the specific 'runs' of our Ryde Vinnies Van. I am told that we should be able to begin the new runs late October, and that the Parish is currently fielding seven teams, with two of these from SCB/OLQP schools and Holy Cross College. I believe that the nights we will begin with will be Monday and Wednesday evenings. Thanks for your patience with the logistics. Stay tuned to this column for more info in the near future.

Repainting of the Interior of OLQP Church
For the celebration of the 100th year of existence of OLQP Church, we are scheduling a complete repainting of its interior. If you look up at the ceiling you will easily notice the paint flaking off in many places, so it is high time (no pun intended) we did it anyway, and what better present for the 100th anniversary than a nice new coat of paint?

I am interested in hearing proposals for the choice of colour of the interior walls and ceiling. Please send me your thoughts via email to pp@rgcp.org.au. I will give a summary of the responses in upcoming weeks to continue the conversation.

And that's about it for now.

God bless,

Fr. Greg