MESSAGE ON THE 33RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YR A)
Friday 17th November 2023
My dear people,
I am very grateful to all of you who have made comments and also to those who have made suggestions about the plans for the proposed refurbishments to the church building in order to increase its capacity both in terms of seats and for other uses. The architects are working with all of these and when their new plan is sent to me, I will make it available to you. I am likewise grateful for your comments about the change of Mass times for next year. It is apparent from many of your comments about the change of Mass times that half an hour between the end of one Mass and the start of another Mass on a Sunday morning is not enough. I will discuss with the Leadership Team how to collect your opinions about the change of Mass times in a more formal and organised manner.
Our parish is hosting 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 started on Thursday 9th November and will run every Thursday from 7pm until 9pm 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 Holy 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.
Our parish’s Carols by Candlelight will be held this year on Sunday 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 6.30pm. 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 are on sale every weekend after all the Masses.
Life seems to be a constant revolving door! Last week I announced that Llewy Berchy has decided to step down from the Parish Leadership Team (PLT). This week, I am delighted to announce that Russel Fernandes has accepted my invitation to join the PLT. Russel has been on this journey of learning about missionary renewal for a few years now as a member of the Evangelisation Team and a team member of Alpha in the parish.
Our parish will be visited by Ron Huntley, who works internationally with church leaders to achieve fruitful parish missionary renewal. It is a true privilege to have Ron with us and he will address the Ministry Coordinators between 2pm and 4pm and the PLT between 5pm and 7pm. Ron will talk to us about Missionary Renewal, which is his field of expertise. As I have mentioned before, I have put our parish on this journey of missionary renewal in order to enliven in our hearts love for Our Lord and for his Church as well as to transform the hearts of the people of Caroline Springs for a personal, rewarding and fulfilling relationship with Our Lord Jesus Christ. I invite you to continue to pray for missionary renewal in our parish.
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