From Fr Greg's Desk: Sunday 10th November, 2024

Hi everyone!

Springtime has well and truly arrived at our Parish. The roses are out in bloom, the birds are 'dive bombing' us (one even did a 'low level run' over the Parish Priest outside his house last week!) and the African Olive outside the Church is at last showing signs of producing some fruit, thank God. It is looking a bit 'spindly' so I hope this is a sign of better days to come for the elderly tree. It certainly serves us to provide shade nicely on hot summer days, so please God, it will continue to flourish.

First Holy Communion Masses over the Next Two Weekends
We have our first 'First Holy Communion Masses' this weekend and the next at both SCB and OLQP. We have about 145 children involved this year, which is a nice sign of 'springtime' even in a spiritual sense. These will all be held at 12 pm and 3 pm 'time slots', both Saturday and Sunday, placed that way to avoid overly filling our regular Masses and creating more problems of finding parking for parishioners. So please join me in welcoming any newcomers at the Parish as they accompany family members on this important day.

Annual 'Mass of Remembrance' Tues 12th November 7.30 pm SCB Church
Just a reminder that the annual 'Remembrance Mass' for loved ones who have died over the last two years will be held at SCB Church next Tuesday 12th November. It kicks off at 7.30 pm, but please come early to reserve a special memorial candle (glass casing) with thanks to our friends at Candle Supply for the candles and Joanne's Flowers for the flowers.

Please also be advised that only those people who have passed away in the last two years will be offered a Remembrance Candle. All other prior deceased loved ones can be noted down on the night on the respective sheets to be included in our Book of Remembrance up near the Altar.

Please don't bring along your own candles to the Mass, even if they were used at the funeral, as they will be politely refused. This is due to us having a standard common size for the candles, due to limited available space in front of the altar, and, being enclosed in glass, the ones provided will not pose a fire risk as in previous years. You will also get to take the candle home afterwards to place in a prominent spot and remember them throughout the month of November.

'School of the Word' Down at OLQP this Tuesday 12th November
Due to the Mass of Remembrance being held at SCB this Tuesday night, the School of the Word will be temporarily held at OLQP Church (same time as usual). Apologies for the move, and thanks for the cooperation!

Fr. Greg's 60th 'Birthday Bash' Raised over $5k for Philippines' Retreat House
I want to heartily thank all of you who kindly donated towards my 'pet charity' (instead of giving me gifts) for my 60th Birthday three weeks ago. Whilst still finalising the details, we've tallied the proceeds from the night at about $5000. This will greatly help to rebuild our Retreat House in Cebu (Philippines), which was badly damaged a few years ago in a typhoon. In all truth, I much prefer this kind of a gift to anything you could buy me in the shop, as.I lived there for two years prior to my coming to the Parish, so the work being carried out there is very close to my heart.

We still have a long way to go to rebuild and improve it, but the money raised will be instrumental in galvanising their efforts over there (Leo, of our Cebu community, was in Sydney for a family visit in October, and was able to be present at the celebrations over at Holy Cross College. He also sends his many thanks to you all). Again, thank you!

And that's about it for now. God bless you all, and I pray that the experience of receiving Jesus in the First Holy Communion Masses will be an unforgettable moment for all our young 'First Communicants' and their families.

Fr. Greg