From Fr Greg's Desk: Sunday 23rd July, 2023

Hi everyone!
World Youth Day (WYD) Pilgrims Safely Landed
We have received word that our 28 intrepid WYD pilgrims led by Fr. Steve have now all safely landed in Rome, en route to Lisbon and are trying their best to adjust to the change in time zone. We did manage to get a photo of them at the airport before flying (page 6). We wish them all the very best and pray that this experience with another couple of million Catholic Youth may mark their lives permanently.

Fr. Dan and Br. Antonio left on Friday night with the combined Sydney Catholic Schools and Sydney Catholic Youth contingent, numbering at around 800 people all told. They will eventually meet up with our own, (which is quite an effort) and a wonderful opportunity for many youth in the Archdiocese to reconnect with their faith and discover a wider and youthful Church on the horizon. We look forward to hearing more from them over the next three weeks of their pilgrimage.

Fr. Greg's 'Executive Assistant' at the Parish: Judy Raumer
RGCP is a very large and vibrant Parish, with more than a thousand people walking through our doors every week. It is not hard to imagine, therefore, the many demands such a large 'clientele' makes on both the Parish Priest and his Assistant Priests, still ensuring its smooth operation, and that the myriad of administrative, compliance and organisational requirements, both state and Archdiocesan, be carried out.

For this reason, over the past four years of my time here at the Parish, I have appointed Judy Raumer as my 'Executive Assistant'. Her duties include overseeing the general running of the Parish Office, both of our Churches (SCB and OLQP), my calendar of appointments, my correspondence, the administrative functions of the Parish, and the multiple matters involving ministries, weddings and funerals, rosters and enquiries and the like.

Judy Raumer is therefore your overall "go to" person at RGCP for any general enquiries, bookings to see me, or issues arising regarding the operations pf the Parish and our Ministries. She can be reached at the Office on 02 9807 2966 or via her parish email address: ea@rgcp.org.au.

Judy is officially employed full time at the Parish Office, yet gives much, much more than is expected of her, working many more extra 'volunteer service hours' for the good of the whole Parish, not just my own, as she also 'mans' the emergency number for the Parish when I am unable to do so.

I am indebted to her for all that she does, as she is the 'unsung hero' and the backbone of our Parish Office. I thank you in advance for your ongoing courteous enquiries and patience in getting responses to all your requests, from both her and all the other part time Office staff who are currently employed by the Parish: Virginia Dignan, Liz Eaton and other casual staff. Please also respect her need for her own 'quiet time' at Mass, as she happens to also be a long time parishioner at RGCP, alongside all of us (she has also served as past Chair of the Parish Pastoral Council).

And that’s about it for now. Please keep in mind that I will be the only resident Priest here at the Parish for the next two weeks, until Fr. Daniele returns. Please welcome any visiting priests who will be helping out at this time.

God bless, and take good care of yourselves in this cold snap that is affecting us all - me included!

Fr. Greg.