MESSAGE ON THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD (YR A)
Friday 19th May 2023
My dear people,
On 27th March, we received the very sad news that Fr John Tollan, our parish’s first Parish Priest, died. At that time, I mentioned that we would celebrate a Memorial Mass for the repose of his soul. The Memorial Mass for Fr John will be celebrated at 7pm on Friday 23rd June 2023 here at the church. Bishop Martin Ashe, Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne, will be the Principal Celebrant. Mass will be followed by a reception at the CRC Cafeteria where we will have an opportunity to remember Fr John.
This year we will celebrate Pentecost on Sunday 28th May. In the lead up to and as a preparation for the celebration of Pentecost, there will be a novena to the Holy Spirit from 7:30pm until 7:50pm via Zoom starting tonight and running every day until 26th May. The details are as follows:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81089876467?pwd=WDdhWTN4OGhFV2VHZjV2Rmp5RVAzdz09.
Meeting ID: 810 8987 6467
Passcode: 428270.
On 27th May, the vigil of Pentecost, Mass will be followed by the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Confession and Prayer Teams will also be available. During Masses next weekend, we will incorporate some elements of the Easter Vigil to the Masses such as the renewal of Baptismal Promises while holding candles lit from the Paschal Candle and the Sprinkling with Holy Water. In a sense, we will conclude the Easter season in the way we began it at the Easter Vigil.
As mentioned before, we are organising a team of parishioners to help with the St Vinnies soup van. This is being started with the view to doing some outreach from our parish. This would also be a good way to bring parishioners together as we help with the preparation and distribution of food to those in need. There are details in the bulletin. I warmly invite you to consider helping with this important ministry.
I am pleased to announce that I now have more information about the pilgrimage to the Holy Land next year, including itinerary and indicative costs. As mentioned, it will leave on Monday 20th May 2024 and be back around 2nd June 2024. The document is too long to post here. As such, if you want more information, please email the parish and we will reply with the document.
Next week, I will be away from the parish from Tuesday until Friday. I am going to Darwin for the Ordination to the Priesthood of a friend of mine. Deacon Dean Taberdo will be ordained a priest for the Diocese of Darwin on Wednesday and he will celebrate this First Mass of Thanksgiving on Thursday. Fr Frank Buhagiar will celebrate the weekday Masses and hear confessions on Tuesday. Deacon Chris Creo will look after Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction on Tuesday. Owing to my absence, there will be no weekly message next week.
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