From fr Greg's Desk: Sunday 5th February 2023

Hi everyone!
'Back to School' means 'Back to Kid's Liturgy'
Kid’s Liturgy is back after a summer vacation! One of the wonderful features of our 10 am Family Mass is that we try to cater for the needs of our small children by running our 'Kid's Liturgy' for the first half of the Mass. The kids are given the Gospel, it is explained to them at their level, and then they do some sort of activity in order to reinforce it. The parents are also given time in Church to listen to God's Word, the homily, and a bit of peace and quiet from the usual questions and qualms of the little ones.
In order to be able to offer that, we need a small cohort of volunteers to plan, prepare and deliver that Kid's Liturgy. We want to offer it every Sunday while school is in session, along with the 4.30 pm Christmas Mass in the SCB school grounds. Could you please help us out? We have lost a few volunteers this year, and we could really benefit with your input and creativity!

The work involved is not onerous. Philippa Manley is heading our Kids Liturgy team at the Parish; talk to her to get a better idea of what's involved. You can send her an email at philippa.manley@syd.catholic.edu.au or talk to her after the 10 am Sunday Mass at SCB. I can see what an impact it is making in our kids, in developing a sense of God in their everyday lives, a practice of regular Mass attendance and an understanding of our faith at their level.

It is really an invaluable ministry, and often leads to them being leaders in our Catholic schools and colleges later on, as they have more Christian formation than most, and a familiarity with the scriptures and with Jesus. Especially if they follow on to altar serving, our IGNITE and SPARC youth groups, annual camp and so forth. You depend on us for your spiritual support and wellbeing; we, in turn, depend on you for your support, as do our Kid's and youth.

Upcoming World Youth Day (WYD) 2023 RGCP Fundraiser
Do you remember 'WYDSYD' 2008? How could you possibly forget that week of energy and vitality from that incredible event, and the largest youth gathering ever in Australia? Well, our intrepid youth have an 'appointment' this August in Portugal for the triennial World Youth Day with Pope Francis and a couple of million other Catholic youth from literally every corner of the globe. This is a truly unforgettable experience for our youth, and one that we at RGCP fully support. It gives our youth an indelible international perspective to their experience of faith and Church, and a very worthy and worthwhile milestone in the lives and for the future of our Church.

We, their elder brothers and sisters, have got to help them get there. Each one of them will need a minimum of $6,500 for the 22 day trip, with visits to Italy, Spain and Portugal, and a retreat, in addition to the unforgettable week of WYD. You probably won't be flying their plane to Spain, or driving the pilgrim's bus to its 'Portugal terminus', but you can still 'get on board' in a very practical way by sponsoring one of them to get there, and participating in their fundraising ventures.

The next big one (there are a few little ones on either side of this one) is a Gala Ball at Canada Bay Club on Saturday 22nd April 2023. But don't just 'save the date' - talk to our youth about the trip - there are currently 25 of them going- and encourage them by booking a place for yourself and dance partner or, better still, a table of friends - for a fun-night and fund-raiser. You can even nominate one of our youth pilgrims on the Trybooking site - for a special boost to their own fundraising from the proceeds of the night (they hope to at least raise about $20,000 all told from their fund-raising, but even that is very small contribution for the considerable costs involved all up).

The Youth are also holding a Car Wash fundraiser on Sunday 19th February (see flyer on page 7 for more details). Last time ‘Becky’ (my car) missed out … but she will be there this time!

Lenten Prayer Groups
Lent is only a couple of weeks away (Ash Wednesday is on the 22nd February this year). Every lent, we have a diverse bunch of Prayer Groups to get you in 'spiritual shape' for Easter. We currently know of seven, and we invite others to maybe form your own group at your houses for the six weeks of Lent, even if only two or three of you gather. Remember what Jesus told us: "Wherever two or more of you are gathered in my name, there am I among you".

Get in contact with the Parish office at office@rgcp.org.au or phone 9807 2966 and we can get you involved. Next week we will be publishing the names of the leaders and rendezvous points and times for the groups we know about.

Valentine's 'Getting to Know You’ Date Night' - Friday 17th February
I’d like to invite all our couples on Friday 17th February at 7pm (SCB parish Hall) to a “Getting to Know You Date Night" to celebrate Valentine's Day. This is being organised for couples in committed relationships to rekindle the romance and learn more about each other. Time: 6.30 – 8.45 pm. Cost: $60 (including dinner and dessert!!) And … child minding can be arranged! RSVP via TryBooking before 15th Feb to reserve your night out. (Details on page 7 of this bulletin)

And that's about it for now!

God bless, and take good care of yourselves - and that means of your souls as well - as we get stuck into this new year and all it will entail.

Your brother in Christ's love,

Fr. Greg