From Fr Greg's Desk: Sunday 30th March, 2025

Hi everyone!
Day of the Unborn March and Rally outside NSW Parliament House and Online Petition
It was good to see such a great turnout for the "Day of the Unborn" at the Cathedral last Sunday. My apologies for not getting there as promised ... I had lots of 'impromptu enquiries' (as usual!) after the 10 am Mass, and by the time I had dealt with all those, the rally would have already been in swing, so it didn't make much sense to go into the city after all. However, I am so glad to have heard so many of you from RGCP managed to get there and make your presence felt. There is still time to write to your local NSW Member of Parliament to voice your opposition to the new bill being debated to force Catholic Hospitals in NSW to provide abortion services, force dissenting doctors to refer patients to those who will, and permit midwives and nurses to perform 'chemical abortions' (via the use of pills). This is a truly appalling development, and one that should move us all to action. A positive way to do that is to sign an online petition such as this one which you can sign at www.freedomforfaith.org.au/petition/ 

Homily for the 100th Anniversary of OLQP Church at Gladesville in the Catholic Weekly this week
You will be pleased to see that the wonderful homily Archbishop Anthony delivered at our Centenary Mass two weeks ago has made it into the Catholic Weekly in full. You can catch it on page 10 (or here at the Catholic Weekly website: https://catholicweekly.com.au/archbishop-homily-a-century-of-gladesville/. There are a few more photographs on the website page than made into the printed edition. There is also a link on our own Parish webpage to the article. Thank you, Patrick Lee, for the photos!

Rosary Makers Unite at RGCP!
We have received a lovely response to our quest for 'Rosary Makers', to pass on the knowledge of one of our finest, Mrs. Livia Mio. She has been a ‘Rosary Maker’ for over 35 years now, and has honed in her skills so well it is impossible to see the difference between a machined version and her own hand made ones. She wishes to pass that skill onto others to continue making rosaries into the coming decades, as her hands are not what they used to be. So far five people have come forward, (which is great!!)... but there is still room for more. A request was also made for a session outside of working hours, which is also possible. Any more takers? Call the Parish Office on 9807 2966 or write an email to office@rgcp.org.au.

Easter and Holy Week Volunteers Badly Needed at RGCP
Every year we put out an SOS to the Parish to get more people to volunteer at Easter. Part of the reason is that we are growing, the other is that people get older and move out of the Parish for all sorts of reasons. Can you please help us out? We usually need people especially on Easter Sunday, at all the Masses (particularly the 10 am Mass). Please call the Parish Office on 9807 2966, write an email to office@rgcp.org.au or sign up at https://forms.gle/cNPS2tTohVQA6tqm6.

West Ryde Easter Celebrations Sat 12 April, Anzac Park, West Ryde
A lovely family day is being prepared as a kind of 'Pre Easter' Easter celebration on Saturday 12 April (Saturday just before Palm Sunday). Along with many of our other Christian Churches in the area, this has been going on now for the last 25 years or so, and I feel that we should also be a part of it. Our own St. Charles Primary School Choir will be singing for us on stage at the 'Easter Concert' (at 9.45 am), I will be giving the 'Easter Message' this year (after 11 am) and I believe some of our local talent at the Parish will be competing in both the 'Colouring In', 'Easter Bonnet’ and 'Singing' competitions. We plan to have a stall there, with Vinnies Vans represented as well as Holy Cross College. Why not come along and join in the fun? Kids rides, animal farm, face painting, food trucks and BBQ, and the rest? 9 am - 3.30 pm, Sat 12 April 2025 at Anzac Park (West Ryde).

And that's about all for now. Big thanks to all our Youth currently preparing for the 'Live Stations of the Cross' for Good Friday at SCB School grounds. This year we hope to be able to 'live stream' it, so that it be as 'impactful' as possible. God bless you all.

Fr. Greg