From Fr Greg's Desk: Sunday 29th January 2023

Hi everyone!
Welcome Back to our Primary Schools & Secondary College Staff
On Friday morning we held our Welcome Back Mass for all the teachers and staff of St. Charles Borromeo and Our Lady Queen of Peace Primary Schools, as well as Holy Cross College. It was held in the College Chapel and I was very glad to see our intrepid educators, with a very challenging year ahead.

I am particularly indebted to the two Principals, Peter Watkins and Phil Stewart, for all their assistance throughout the past year, particularly during the Christmas period, with the help of their staff at our two 'outdoor Masses', and the use of the Holy Cross buses for our youth camp last week. Those items alone were a great support for all of us here at the Parish, (particularly since many of the staff live outside our Parish boundaries).

Here's to a big year ahead, and to our accomplishing great things for the Good Lord together!

Welcome Back to our Families after Summer Vacation
We welcome our families back from their first real 'vacation' in a long time due to COVID. I trust you have had a good break together and that you are primed and ready for this next school year.

It is also high time everyone came back to regular Mass attendance, and a habit of prayer and community service to the Parish. We will be here for you in those special times when you need us, for Baptisms, First Holy Communions, Weddings, Funerals and the like, but we also rely on your presence and support - financially, ministerially, and prayerfully - without which we could not continue to serve at the current level.

Next Weekend is 'Catechist Sunday'
Every year we have a drive for new catechists to help out at the four state primary schools which have been assigned to our Parish for 'Special Religious Education' classes, and this year is certainly no exception!

We need more catechists! Don't worry ... you can always start off as a helper if you feel a bit unsure of yourself. I cannot, however, underestimate the essential work that our catechists are doing in our state schools, and the vital contribution of faith they make to kids who would otherwise learn little about their Catholic faith. - except, of course, what they get via social media and the like, which often isn't very helpful (see pg 7).

We will be awarding 'Certificates of Appreciation' this year to three catechists who have 'clocked up' five years of catechetical service during the Masses. They are: Lorna Blanc, Anna Grasso and Glenda Thorpe. So please, give this appeal for more catechist’s deep consideration and speak to one of the catechists after the Mass if you have anything you'd like to discuss with them.

Big Thank You to our Youth Camp Team led by Fr. Steve and Olivia
Last week we were finally able to hold a Parish Youth Camp, after all the COVID issues of the past two years. We had some 75 young people (mainly teenagers) participate, including about 15 of our Youth Leaders) and the experience was very positive for them all - except perhaps their reduced hours of sleep!

A huge 'Thank You" to Fr. Steve and Olivia for their dedicated presence there, and for the help of a number of our parents in driving buses and helping out at various points along the way.

World Youth Day Portugal 2023
The next big thing for our older youth is World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal in late July and early August. We currently have a contingent of over 25 young people booked to go to this edifying and enthusiastic world meeting of Catholic youth. Our RGCP youth will be doing a number of 'fundraisers' to help lessen the individual cost of getting them across to this amazing event, which usually sees the participation of upwards of two million young Catholics from all over the world. I have been to five of these events in the past, and I have personally witnessed the long-term impact they make in the lives of our youth.

Although I will not be going this time, as Fr. Steve and Fr. Dan will be going instead, I nevertheless ask your support to help some 25 of our youth to get there. More about this in the coming months.

And that's about it for now!

God bless, and take good care of yourselves and others in the meantime.

Fr. Greg