From Fr Greg's Desk: Sunday 21st September, 2025

Hi everyone!
SCB School Fete - Oh, What a Glorious Day It Was!
It was so good to see such a huge crowd of people there last Sunday at the SCB Primary School Fete and so many of our own Parishioners there during the day. As a community-building and fund-raising event, it was truly a tremendous success. Well done, organisers and volunteers, you did the School and Parish proud. Apologies to all those who could not get a parking spot at our Masses last Sunday and had to climb the hill to get to church. Thanks for your patience all the same.

OLQP Primary School Centenary Mass and Dinner Dance October 16 & 31, 2025
The next 'big events' on our Parish calendar are the Centenary Celebrations of OLQP Primary School Gladesville. You may recall our 100 Year Anniversary for the Church on the 1st March this year; OLQP Primary School was opened in October of the same year. So, we as a Parish want to get behind their Centenary celebrations, just as they got behind ours. I will definitely be attending both events ... how about you come along as well?

The OLQPPS Centenary Mass will be on Thursday 16 October, 2025 at 9.30 am, followed by the unveiling of a commemorative plaque and morning tea on the OLQP School grounds. Seating at the Mass, though limited, will be open to all on the day. Tickets for the OLQPPS Centenary Dinner Dance on Friday October 31 at The Epping Club are still available and on sale for the last remaining places. The tickets include canapes on arrival, three Course dinner, and unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks on the night. See the info boxes on the opposite page for more details.

Info Evening Held Last Thursday on the RGCP NCLS Survey
Last Thursday Night we had a truly enlightening and encouraging evening when Dr. Sam Sterland (NCLS Research Team) and Daniel Ang (Director of the CAS Evangelisation Office), led a discussion with over 40 RGCP parishioners about what the NCLS results mean for the Parish in the context of the wider Australian Church and that of the Sydney Archdiocese in particular. It was very encouraging to see the high levels of both participation and satisfaction in the Parish with how we are building Church together, and they also helped identify present strengths and weaknesses in our pastoral efforts and outreach. Huge thanks to both of them, and to Andrew McLachlan who 'compered' the evening. We will give you more information in future bulletins to digest the insights given on the night.

Sydney Synod Meeting Tuesday 14th October St. Mary's Cathedral 6 - 9 pm
Archbishop Anthony has invited you to share your own positive and practical suggestions on how we can become a more prayerful, Christ centred and missionary Church and Parish. He has called a number of consultative meetings, and the one closest to us will be in St. Mary's Cathedral Hall on Tuesday night 14th Oct 2025 from 6 to 9 pm. You will, however, need to reserve a spot on the night as places are limited - see the info box on the opposite page for more details.

Training Days For 'SCB Coffee Van Trainees' Wednesday 1/10 @ 10 am & Saturday 11/10 @ 12 pm.
In response to requests for training to operate the Coffee Van, Frankie of Frankie's Coffee Shops (husband to Tina who operates the van on Thursday mornings) has very generously offered not one, but two training sessions of about an hour (including an opportunity to make and perfect your own coffees) so that those who can make it on a Wednesday morning and those that would only be available after work hours can attend one of them. You can choose from either Wednesday 1st October @ 10 am or Saturday 11th October @ 12 pm. More info on this next week - just please 'Save the Date' all you budding SCB baristas!

Can Anyone 'Man the Coffee Van' on Wednesday Mornings [Please]?
I am making another 'special appeal' for someone to open and run our Coffee Van on Wednesday mornings. We try to open up (during schooltime) both for the Mums and Dads accompanying school kids, and for the people after the 9.20 am Mass who would like a coffee. Any takers? Just call the office to find out more.

We Still Need More Wardens at SBC Church During the Day
There are still a few gaps (due to absences) during the week when we have no Wardens to keep the Blessed Sacrament exposed on the altar at SCB Church. From Tuesday to Sunday there are available slots for the taking. Could you please consider sparing an hour or two of your time to serve as a Warden in the Church? Details of available time slots are visibly marked with a yellow colour on the notice board on the left wall panel after you enter the internal swinging doors of SCB Church. I thank you in advance for your help!

And that's enough for one bulletin! God bless, have a lovely week.

Fr. Greg