MESSAGE ON THE 31ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YR A)
Friday 3rd November 2023
My dear people,
As mentioned previously over the past year and flagged last week, I have held discussions with FPPV, the architects employed for the Masterplan of our property, as well as members of the Property and Building Services Department of the archdiocese. We are tremendously blessed to be a parish in the growth corridor of the state and our Mass attendance continues to grow. As a result, our worship space has become too small. On Thursday 26th October, there was a meeting with the Ministry Coordinators to present the very first plans, ideas, and concepts for our church. Our ministry coordinators have made wonderful contributions to the discussions, and these suggestions will be taken on board by the architects, and they will come back to us in due course. The plans, ideas and concepts are on the front page of the website and in the gathering space. I must stress very strongly that no decision has been made yet and that we are now starting the discussions about the future of our church building.
While we were having these discussions, I also initiated a conversation about changing the Mass times on Sundays in our parish. Over the past year, it has become obvious there is a great challenge for us to have the flow of cars in and out of the car park between Masses. Again, this is due to the growing number of people coming to Mass here which, in itself, is a great blessing from God. The proposal is that we change Mass times on Sundays to 8am, 10am, and 12pm. This will provide one hour between the end of Mass and the start of the next Mass which will make the flow of cars much easier. We shall continue to discuss these and get your input as time goes on. Again, this is just for discussion and no decision has been made.
I am delighted to announce that our parish will host a “life in the Spirit course” based on “the Gift” video series format. It is an inspiring and practical series for all age groups to help you encounter the Holy Spirit and empower you to share your faith. The course will start on 9th November and will run every Thursday from 7pm until 9pm for 6 weeks until 14th December. This course is well aligned to Divine Renovation since one of the three keys of Divine Renovation is “The Power of the Hoy Spirit: through the power of the Holy Spirit, transformative renewal happens, and parishes come to life.” Please register via https://www.trybooking.com/CMMJW. Light dinner & refreshments will be served.
I would like to sincerely thank everyone who was able to join us for the Fund-Raising Concert – A Tribute to Elvis Presley last Saturday night. It was a wonderful way to bring the parish together for some light entertainment while raising some funds for the ongoing costs of running the parish. Everyone who was there had a fantastic time! I would like to thank everyone involved with putting the show together particularly the organiser, Matthew Spiteri, the lead singer, Sean Luke Spiteri and the band. When we know the amount of money raised, I will inform you accordingly.
Our parish’s Carols by Candlelight will be held this year on 10th December in the evening. You are invited to arrive at 5pm for the sausage sizzle as well as some activities for the children. We will start the carols from 6pm. I hope to see many of you there. The Carols by Candlelight will be held at the CRC Hall. The Christmas Raffle will also be drawn on the day and tickets for the raffle go on sale next weekend.
Finally, First Friday devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus will start at 7pm this evening with the celebration of Mass. Mass will be followed with the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, some time of silent Adoration, and we will conclude with the Devotions to the Sacred Heart and Benediction of The Blessed Sacrament at 8:15. The Sacrament of Confession will also be available.
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