From Fr Greg's Desk: Sunday 7th August 2022

Hi everyone!
Back From My 28 Day Retreat on the Isle of Wight, England
It is nice to be back after my five week hiatus in England. I spent four of those weeks in silent retreat on the Isle of Wight (I was giving the retreat in tandem with another), where our Verbum Dei community has a lovely retreat house sighted in a place called Paradise Valley (see photos). It is quiet, beautiful, and we had the most spectacular English summer in recent history ... only 20 minutes of light showers in all that time! As my Australian phone was basically switched off during that time, I barely attended to anything from the Parish, but I am getting back into the swing of things now. I apologise for not getting back to you if you happened to write to me or phone during that time. Please get back in contact with me this week and we can arrange an appointment at a mutually convenient time.

Stunning Results From Our "Let's Build A Vinnies Van” Fundraiser!!
I am absolutely stunned at the final figures for the fund raiser of our "Let's Build a Vinnies Van” project! At over $180k, we have more than exceeded our expectations and easily have enough for a second van and the work of getting the service up and running. My thanks to John Booth and Greg Turner from the TWT for their extensive coverage for the project which, no doubt, helped to achieve this marvellous result. I will keep you informed of the progress in buying, fitting and housing the vans in the coming months. Once again, a huge thank you to everyone who helped to get the project up and running, especially Bruno Maurel and Judy Raumer who were instrumental in planning the fundraiser.

Second Annual Charitable Works Fund Appeal (CWF) This Weekend
This weekend we will be having out thrice yearly CWF appeal, to support the charitable and pastoral activities of the Archdiocese of Sydney, which includes: CatholicCare (over 100 programmes in Ageing, Disability, Children & Youth, Employment Training/Support, and Family Services), Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, Chaplaincies (hospitals, prisons and universities), Catechetical support (public schools), Ephpheta Centre (Deaf and hearing impaired) and the Good Shepherd Seminary of the Archdiocese. Every year we are expected to raise just over $65k towards this work of the Archdiocese, and your contributions are fully tax deductible. It is very helpful to the Parish that you support this work, as any shortfall in the amounts received has to be made up from the Second Collection donations, so everything you can contribute towards this very worthwhile charity will be very much appreciated!!

And that's about it for now!

God bless, and take good care of yourselves in these unusual 'COVID' times!

Your brother in Christ's service,

Fr. Greg