From Fr Greg's Desk: Sunday 14th September, 2025

Hi everyone!

Spring is with us, the School Fete is on our doorstep this weekend and there is a lot happening this month. Great to have you 'on board' and a part of this Parish.

SCB School Fete - Gates open Sunday 11am, after the 10am SCB Mass
The first thing on the agenda this weekend - which will be absorbing a lot of energy of our friends at SCB Primary School - is the biennial Spring Fete, with all that entails. There will be very little parking at the 10am Mass on Sunday, so please be advised to carpool, get someone to 'drop you off', or park and walk from somewhere nearby, as you may not find the parking spot you desire on Sunday. Please invite your friends and family and make it a fun day out for all. I will not be available as usual after the 10am Mass this Sunday, as I need to get to the School for the official start to the fete. If you want to speak with me about something - see me there.

No Kid's Liturgy This Sunday Due to School Fete
Due to the huge drain on 'human resources' for the School Fete, we regret to advise that there will be no Kid's Liturgy this Sunday at the 10am Mass, as the people who run it are otherwise occupied with the School Fete. We will, however, have an 'activities sheet' to hand out to all the little ones to keep them occupied while the Homily is going on... Kid's Liturgy resumes next week as usual.

Info Evening - Results of the NCLS Survey - This Thursday 18th September 7.30pm
Final Call for Attendees for our "Information Night" to 'unpack' the results of the NCLS (National Church Life Survey). Dr. Sam Sterland, who heads the NCLS Research Team, will be on hand to help us understand what the figures tell us, along with Daniel Ang, Director of the CAS Evangelisation Office. Presentation starts at 7.30pm, with coffee and nibbles from 7pm onwards. Please RSVP to help with catering. Please visit https://www.trybooking.com/DFEHG or ring the Parish Office on 9807 2906 to register your presence on the night.

Can Anyone 'Man the Coffee Van' on Wednesday Mornings (Please)?
We need volunteers to open and run our Coffee Van on Wednesday mornings. Can anyone take on this work of love? Some mornings are quiet, others are busy, we never know who will turn up looking for a bit of welcome and hospitality. We try to open up both for the mums and dads accompanying School kids and for the people after the 9.20am Mass who would like a coffee. Any takers? Training available for 'novices to coffee making'! Even if all you can do is man the automatic coffee machine, you are more than welcome. Just call the office to find out more.

Training with Frankie of Frankie's Coffee Shops for 'Coffee Van' Newbies
Tina (Wife of Frankie) who runs the Coffee Van on Thursday mornings has generously 'offered' her hubby Frank (thank you Tina!) to give a free professional training session for our 'budding baristas' to learn the art of making a really good coffee (and help run our Coffee Van better). A date and time to be confirmed for that purpose, so keep an eye out (you even get to drink your own 'barista coffee' as a selfless 'RGCP guinea pig'). Places will be limited so phone or email the office to book your spot and grind your coffee beans.

Need for More Wardens at SBC Church
I am making a personal "call-out" for people to fill in the many gaps during the entire week when we have no Wardens during the day to keep the Blessed Sacrament exposed on the altar at SCB Church. From Tuesday to Sunday there are now available slots for the taking. It really saddens me to see SCB Church open but without the Blessed Sacrament. It is normally exposed daily Tuesday - Sunday during daytime hours, when there are no other activities happening (such as funerals, school masses and the like). Can you please spare an hour of your time to serve as a Warden in the Church? Details of available time slots are visibly marked with a yellow colour on the notice board on the left wall panel after you enter the internal swinging doors of SCB Church. Talk to me about it after Mass, or call the Parish Office for more details. A huge 'thank you to all those who are already helping out as Wardens at SCB.

Funeral for Mons. Kerry Bayada Tuesday 16th September at Caringbah
Our own Monsignor Kerry will be farewelled from his last serving Parish at Caringbah Catholic Church next Tuesday. Several of our Priests will be there at both the Vigil and Funeral Masses. If you need a lift, we may be able to secure a spot in someone's car (if anyone is driving and has places in their car please advise the Parish Office). These are the details we have received from the Archdiocese regarding the funeral and Vigil Service:

Memorial Funeral Vigil Mass
Principal Celebrant: Fr John Knight
Date: Monday, 15 September, 6.30pm
Venue: Our Lady of Fatima Church
Address: 389 Port Hacking Road, Caringbah

Funeral Mass
Principal Celebrant: Bishop Danny Meagher
Date: Tuesday, 16 September, 10.30am
Venue: Our Lady of Fatima Church
Address: 389 Port Hacking Road, Caringbah

For those who cannot attend the service in person, it will be livestreamed using the following link:
http://bit.ly/KerryBayada

Please note: Parking will be limited as the former oval space now has school buildings on it. There is a council car park across the road from the church, but it is expected to fill quickly.

RIP dear Monsignor Kerry. You have served your God and people well. May you now enjoy the rewards of all your dedicated and selfless service for the last 65 years or so.

And that's about it for now.

Fr. Greg