From Fr Greg's Desk: Sunday 5th May, 2024

Hi everyone!
A 'Synodal Church' implies a 'Synodal Parish'.
Over the next two months, I want to set up meetings with the members of all our ministries to listen with them to the 'signs of the times' and collectively discern a pathway forward with their ministries and as a Parish. Next year we are planning to have a new set of "Parish Forums" like we did back in 2018, and discuss our own Pastoral plans into the future, as when I first became your Parish Priest. This is in line with the calling from Pope Francis to make our Church 'more synodal', meaning that we 'walk together' on our common journey towards Christ, and we collectively build a better and more Christ-like Church around us. But, first of all, I want to meet with all the ministries and groups and get some 'feedback' directly from you all.
Music Ministry Meeting
With this in mind, we had a meeting last Thursday night open to all the members of the music ministries, which I think was really helpful to all of us. We were able to speak about issues, propose solutions, discuss initiatives, and share a little 'down time' getting to know each other a bit more (complete with 'wine and cheese'!) Thanks to all who could be there, and to the constructive suggestions made. We plan to have another 'get-together' in six months’ time.

Big 'Thank you' again to our "Green Fingers!"
Big thanks to all who helped us out last weekend with our 'Green Fingers' working bee to keep the lawns and gardens in order. Since cooler weather is upon us, and the grass grows less, we have put our next day's weeding/lawn mowing working bee for Saturday morning 25th May, from 8.30 am. onwards. For more info, please contact Joram Richa on 0409 644 103.

Beanies, scarfs, gloves, woollen socks and 'fleecy' blankets!!
... are needed for our 'Vinnies Van' service into the approaching winter. As you will have noticed, temperatures have dropped and our 'clients' need to keep warm. Can you give us a hand (or, better still, a set of gloves!? Please check out the info box on the opposite page for more details...

Upcoming Processions in the Archdiocese of Sydney
I'd just like to also draw your attention to a number of processions which have been organised in the Archdiocese and that you might wish to be part of. The first is next Saturday 11 May, Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, with a prayerful procession in honour of our Lady. It begins with a Vigil Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral, at 6pm followed by a candle-lit procession around the Cathedral Forecourt.

The second is the annual Feast of Corpus Christi, and the Eucharistic Procession on Sunday 2 June at 2.30 pm starting in Martin Place and working its way around to the Cathedral. We will once again be organising a free bus on the day to take you in and bring you back home again, courtesy of the Archdiocese. We need to register our attendance and organise the Bus by 24th May, so that doesn't give us a lot of time. Free bus tickets will be limited, so get in early! You can book your place here https://www.trybooking.com/CRNLH

Parish Renewal Conference Sat 3 Aug 2024 "For Such a Time as This"
For those of you interested in something along the lines of 'Parish renewal', the Archdiocese will once again be holding their annual Parish Renewal Conference at Liverpool Catholic Club on Saturday 3 August from 9 am - 5.30 pm. Please save the date. I intend to be there as well. We will gather with Archbishop Anthony Fisher and hundreds of fellow Catholics of the Archdiocese for helpful keynote talks and practical workshops, to become better equipped and strengthened for our evangelising mission as a Parish.

See you there! There's an "Early Bird' discount ($75 instead of $90, plus booking fees). Register at gomakedisciples.org.au/cas-events.

And that's all I have for you for now. God bless, and keep warm!

Fr. Greg