From Fr Greg's Desk: Sunday 4th February, 2024

Hi everyone!
Welcome Back to Staff and Students at our Schools and Colleges
It is great to once again have you all back from summer vacations (although I must confess it was a nice and relatively quiet January). I witnessed first hand both the excitement - and the tears - in the eyes of parents and their 'kindies' as they came to school for the first time. But fortunately all seem to have survived, and most were enthusiastic to come back to school the next day, so I will consider that a success.
Mr. Frank Cohen is our New Executive Principal at both SCB and OLQP
We are very pleased to welcome Mr. Frank Cohen as the new Executive Principal of both SCB and OLQP primary schools, replacing Peter Watkins after 13 years of service in our Parish schools, and which is no small feat to manage. Please make Frank very welcome to our Parish community when you see him.

Celebrating our Catechists this Sunday
This weekend our intrepid Catechists will be speaking at all Masses about their work in State schools to nurture the faith of Catholic kids studying there. This is an essential outreach programme of our Parish, as it is of the whole Archdiocese, and we thank them all for their continued dedication and enthusiasm. Every year, however, Catechists move away to other places or retire from active service, often due to health reasons. For that reason, we are making a new appeal to your good selves to consider helping out with this ministry and becoming a Catechist.

At the Masses the following Catechists will be presented with awards for long years of service:

Edmina Saab (15 yrs),
Irsa Gonsales (10 yrs)
Edna Palomo,
Barbara Yeung,
Catherine Gallo and
Sacha Wiratunga (5 yrs).

We are indebted to you for your faithful service.

"Marriage Course" starts Friday 16th Feb
Don't forget you can now book your places for a course of renewal in your marriage starting Friday 16th. The course is a really good opportunity for married couples to explore their marriage from a faith perspective and get some quality time together with other like minded couples.

It runs for 6 consecutive weeks during Lent, from 6.30 to 8.15 pm, skips Good Friday (naturally) and finishes the week after. Philippa Manley is coordinating the event. More details can be found on page 7 of the bulletin.

And that's about all for now. God bless you all,

Fr. Greg