FROM FR GREG'S DESK: SUNDAY 8TH DECEMBER, 2024

 

Hi everyone

Christmas at the Cathedral Thur 12 Dec - Last Bus Tickets Available

Next Thursday it's on! The opening of the annual Christmas Lights at the Cathedral with Archbishop Anthony. We have nearly filled the bus to St. Mary's Cathedral to take part in the opening of the Christmas Lighting on the Facade of St. Mary's Cathedral on Thursday 12th December. So, if you haven't booked, get in quick, because there are only a few seats left. Fr. Daniele will be accompanying you on the night, so you can catch up with him as well. More details in our Info box on the opposite page.

Advance Warning: No Boxing Day Masses at SCB or OLQP

As all of us will be visiting family members on Boxing Day (26th Dec), we have decided to cancel both the 6.30 am Mass at OLQP and the 9.20 am Mass at SCB for that day. We apologise in advance for those of you who wish to come here each day, but I have been told that there will be the regular 9.15 am Mass at St. Michael's Meadowbank and the 9 am at Villa Maria Hunters Hill on Boxing Day. Our regular Masses at both SCB and OLQP Churches will resume on Friday 27th December with the 9.20 am Mass at SCB.

RGCP Parish "After Hours" Emergency/Urgency Phone Number (0413 226 508)

Many of you might not be aware that there is an "After Hours Urgency/Emergency" phone number for our Parish of Ryde-Gladesville (0413 226 508) which has been created for situations of a very grave nature, or which would objectively require urgent attention by your Parish Priest (me!!). Please be aware that we have very generous "Office Hours" for the Parish, Mon - Fri from 8.30 am - 4.30 pm, which makes RGCP one of the best attended Parish Offices in the Archdiocese. However, there will always be situations which urgently need to be brought to my attention outside of Office Hours (which would be the normal way of contacting us for help).

This emergency phone number exists for this purpose. We priests pledge to attend to it, as best as possible, '24/7 minus Office Hours' by one of our four priests for very urgent matters and for emergencies (such as a request for anointing of the gravely ill (what was once known as "the Last Rites"), deaths, and other 'objectively urgent matters' requiring immediate attention, etc). All we ask is that you please refrain from using it for everyday matters which could be dealt with during our regular office hours. Okay??

Urgent Plea for Help at Christmas!!! RGCP 'SOS' ('Save Our Staff')

Christmas is nearly upon us, and I need you to again consider how YOU can help us out with volunteer services, particularly at our Christmas Day Masses, as these are the ones that tend to lack sufficient helpers (and yeah, I DO get it ... everyone has something to do on Christmas Day ... including your friendly Priests and Parish Staff!)

Our Churches will normally be full to overflowing at Christmas (we seriously expect about 3000 people to attend, from the 4.30 pm Kid's Vigil Mass in the SCB school grounds to the 10.30 am Italian Mass at OLQP; last year we had about 900 people just at our 10 am SCB Christmas Day Mass...). So we are going to need extra ushers (to find seats for the elderly and 'special needs' people), parking attendants (to fit as many cars in as possible and avoid SUVs parking on our grassy areas!!), energetic helpers (to set up and remove chairs and gazebos), first aid people at all the Masses (as someone nearly always faints or needs attention); collectors (as we rely heavily on our 'Christmas Collections' to help run the Parish all year round), and all the rest. Phew!! Please see info box on opposite page.

And, yes, Fr. Greg cannot do this alone!! I thank you in advance for 'saving the date', offering to help us, and actually rostering yourself on at a specific Mass rather than just 'turning up to help', as this avoids Christmas headaches for Parish priests and Office Staff, (as in, 'headaches' not related to Christmas celebrations and their aftermath!!)

Final 'Thank You' for the Philippines Retreat House Donations

I just wanted to say a final huge 'thank you' to everyone who 'chipped in' - on the occasion of my 60th Birthday Bash - towards the rebuilding work of our Verbum Dei Retreat House in Cebu (Philippines). The house was badly damaged in a typhoon several years ago, so we will be rebuilding and enhancing it over the next few years, to make sure it can withstand the winds of the next one. I was particularly taken back by the generosity of so many of you, (which came to a total of just over $8300), which is a really great start.

I will be over in the Philippines from time to time to check on how the work is going, and I will keep you posted. So, as we say in 'Cebuano': Daghan Salamat!!

And that's about it for now (as if this wasn't much??) God bless, and have a lovely week ahead.

Fr. Greg