From Fr Greg's Desk: Sunday 20th August, 2023

Hi everyone!
Vinnies Van On-Site This Weekend at SCB Church Grounds
I know many of you are keen to know when the new 'Vinnies Van Service' we have helped 'build' is going to grace the streets of our Parish vicinity at Ryde. Well, this weekend we have parked the new Vinnies Van outside the SCB Church on the Church concourse for you all to see! (See photo below).

And, so that you can get a feel of the 'Vinnies Van Hospitality' to our clients, visitors this weekend will be treated with a free cup of coffee/tea/hot chocolate and biscuits, as we would serve all our friends at our 'stops on each nightly run. (Just remember to tell them 'how many clicks' of coffee, sugar or chocolate you want!).
Vinnies has already set up a workstation and 'home' for the van at the rear of the West Ryde Vinnies retail outlet (situated at 47-49 Ryedale Rd, West Ryde). The rosters and the 'stops' in each nightly 'run' have yet to be finalised, due to permissions and processes of local authorities, but rest assured that this is a short-term 'work-in-progress' for our very capable Vinnies Staff.

The 'Night Patrol' service should be up and running soon, and in addition to the standard coffee, teas, hot chocolate, biscuits and sandwiches will also offer small food hampers (with snacks, fruit juices, and other food items that are easy to eat) hot soups (in winter), and other items such as sleeping bags, beanies, blankets and personal hygiene packs for the benefit of our 'clients'.

Current Vinnies Van volunteers (Fr. Greg is a regular volunteer driver for the service) will be on-hand at all SCB Masses this weekend to explain how the service operates, and how you could be a part of it (going out with us, or preparing sandwiches, hampers, hot soups to give away, or donating financially to keep the service afloat). We hope to give you a 'window' into how it feels to be a part of this magnificent St. Vincent de Paul service.

We are currently thinking of beginning with a 'two nights a week' service in the Ryde area, increasing that to more nights (or days) as more volunteers are found. For that reason, we will have registration forms and more info available should you wish to participate personally. More info can also be found on page 3.

So, kindly roll up to any of the Masses on the weekend (Saturday 19th at 8am, 6pm, and Sunday 20th at 8am, 10am, and 6pm) and see what we have to offer. See you there!!

Father's Day Memorial Mass at SCB Sat 2nd September 2023
Each year, on the Saturday before both Mother's Day and Father's Day, we will be holding a Memorial Mass at SCB Church at 10.30 am. This year's Father's Day Mass is set for Saturday 2nd September. We look forward to having you come along. I will happily be offering the Mass that morning for all of your parents and grandparents, which you may note at the door of SCB Church as you come in.

And that's about it for now!!

God bless, and have a lovely week ahead.

Fr. Greg