MESSAGE ON THE 5TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YR B)
Friday 2nd February 2024
My dear people,
On the 19th December last year, there was another meeting to discuss the church refurbishments. It was a wonderful meeting with more interaction among people present and with more feedback given to the architects. They were given the task of preparing plans which take into consideration all the feedback given on that night. When these are obtained, they will be made available to you.
We will conduct the survey to determine the change of Mass times in the parish on the weekend of the 17th and 18th February. As mentioned in my letter dated 14th December 2023, the survey will ask you to decide one of two options. The options will be either 8am, 10am and 12pm, or 8:30am, 10:30am and 12:30pm. We will go with the option which shows itself as the preferred one and thus the consensus from the parish survey. For those not attending Mass here that weekend, an opportunity will be provided for you to have your say.
I am delighted to bring you the wonderful news that a seminarian has been appointed to our parish for his pastoral internship. Greg Lewis will begin his time with us on the weekend of the 18th February and will be here until the 25th December. Greg hails from the parish of St Francis Xavier in Corio and is a 4th year seminarian at Corpus Christi College studying for the Sacred Priesthood for the Archdiocese of Melbourne. I invite you to make him welcome when he arrives in two weeks. Greg’s appointment here is somewhat an answer to prayers for vocations which are part of our parish daily prayers.
A reminder that we will resume Devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the year this evening. We will begin with Mass at 7:00pm and this will be immediately followed by prayers for the Devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. There will be a period of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the Sacrament of Confession will be available at that time.
As we begin the new year, the PLT will have a planning day on Saturday the 17th February. I invite you to pray for us as we dedicate a day to discern what is best for the parish in terms of missionary renewal. I try my best to have an open-door policy in the way the parish is managed. I sincerely encourage you to share with me any ideas, concerns, or feedback you may have. If you feel uneasy talking to me, kindly talk to another member of the PLT or a member of the parish staff.
Today, we celebrate the Feast of The Presentation of the Lord. This feast is a wonderful reminder that the parents of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, were faithful jews who were obedient to the Law of Moses. From the Gospel of the Feast, we are told that Our Lord is “a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel.” Let us remember to allow Our Lord to bring His light to our lives and let us allow His glory to shine in them. Happy Feast Day!
We continue turning to our patron saint and we ask for her intercession.
St Catherine of Siena, Pray for us.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
Fr Richard Rosse PP