From Fr Greg's Desk: Sunday 7th December, 2025

Hi everyone.
Our Annual Christmas Postcard Letterbox Drop is on for Young and Old
Yes, it is that time once again!... We have about 14,000 Christmas Cards to put into letterboxes near you - or at least within the Parish boundaries that is. The cards have the details of the Christmas Masses on them for both St Charles Ryde and Our Lady Queen of Peace Gladesville. As about 900 Catholics a year move in and out of the Parish boundaries, as specified in the past two National Censuses, it is important to 'get the word out' to let our surrounding community know what's happening at RGCP at Christmas and Easter.

Please give us a hand by taking several packs of cards for specific streets in the area. If your street has already been taken please take someone else's street and then you can get in a bit of 'Parish tourism' at the same time as clocking up the steps... Thanks in advance for your help.

Christmas Lights at the Cathedral 17th December (free bus leaves 5 pm)
Our bus to the Christmas lights still has 40 places available for the opening night presentations of the 'Christmas Lights" at St. Mary's Cathedral. This year the lights will cover the full 'city side' of the Cathedral and the theme will be of "the Little Drummer Boy". Looks like being really lovely - why not take the kids or grandchildren and make a nice evening of it, to prepare for the coming Christmas festivities? See the information box on the opposite page for booking details or ring the office on 9807 2966.

Altar Server Training
Calling all kids who have made your First Holy Communion!! You are now eligible to become an Altar Server at either of our two Churches, SCB and OLQP. We will be having a training session (which is a MUST if you want to serve) at St. Charles this Thursday 11 December, from 3.30pm to 4.45pm. Even if you are intending to serve at OLQP Church, you will need to come along to this session. See the information box on the opposite page for more information.

Vinnies Christmas Appeals
You are once again invited to lend a helping hand to the needy in our area, with our annual Vinnies Appeals. Vinnies envelopes will be available on the pews. As per last year, all envelopes and gift cards donated at St. Charles will go to our Vinnies Van service and all monies and gift cards donated at Gladesville will go to the Gladesville Vinnies Conference. Little presents are also welcome to be left under the Christmas trees at either Church. Vinnies Christmas Cards are also available at $10 for a pack of 10 (limited supply). You can drop the envelopes and gift cards into the collections during all weekend Masses. Thanks in advance for your help.

The SCB Lawns Are 'Almost There'...
Thank you to everyone for being patient as the grass grows on the new turf laid at St Charles Ryde. We did our first 'mow' of the new grass on Thursday and topped up the crevices that had appeared through natural settling of the soil. We will still have the plastic tape up over the back sections for a few more weeks, as that part is the most unstable of all, being on a slope. In any case, if you could kindly keep off the grassed areas as much as possible over the next few weeks and stick to the concrete paths instead, that would be greatly appreciated. Our goal is to have the place looking beautiful for Christmas.

There are many other items in the bulletin about what's happening at the Parish this week. I can't mention them all ... so check them out for yourselves instead.

God bless, and have a great week!

Fr. Greg