OUR LADY OF FATIMA PARISH

CARINGBAH

May they rest in peace.

Communion To the Sick

January 4, 2009 - Bernard Iffland & John Jaeger.

January 11, 2009 - Van Bucek and Brian McGregor

Baptism

This week we welcome into our church family through the waters of Baptism Tahli Christensen and Mateus Lima. Through their Baptism we pray that they  will love and serve the Lord always.

In a Nutshell.

Jesus is recognised by wise men who come from a far country.  They have relied on the guidance of a new star in the heavens, and are convinced that they need to follow this star, even though it leads them on a path that they do not know.  Their faith, and ours, will finally lead us all to Jesus, who is king of all the nations of the world.

From darkness to light

Keep the lamps of your souls ever burning, and let no darkness dwell in your hearts, for, as the Apostle says, ‘once you were darkness but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of the light.’ Make real in yourselves what you see in the figures of the Magi, and ‘thus let your light shine before men, so that seeing your good deeds, they may glorify your heavenly Father.’

            St. Leo the Great (c. 400-461)

Wonderful epiphany!

World Youth Day was like nothing I had ever experienced before.  In this gathering of the nations, we saw the dawning brightness of the youthful face of the Church, alive with the Spirit and manifesting the gracefulness of the Lord to a modern, secular city.  The whole city of Sydney was transformed into a place of joy and peace.  I suspect that hearts hardened against the event were, even if only temporarily, moved by this wonderful epiphany! Each of us went back to our own country, our own place in a different way! (Gerard)

When I was about seven or eight years old, growing up as a Protestant in Northern Ireland, I remember sneaking into the Catholic church just up the road from where I lived.  I was curious about the ‘different papists or Fenians as they were called.  My most vivid memory of the church is always finding it filled with light, more light than came just from the candles in the Lady Chapel.  I have hung onto this memory throughout my life when times were rough. (Lynette)

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL REPORT - NOVEMBER 2008

Business arising included: Positive response following Mass of Thanks for Volunteers; Promotion of Music CD and Fr. Mac’s Puddings; Request continues for ground maintenance helpers; Good response to Kindergarten 2009 Welcome Mass and November Mass of Remembrance; General maintenance issues were addressed.

Reports were presented from the Parish Team and OLF School: Church roof to be repaired in 2009; Planned giving around May; Christmas collection moved to after Communion; Parish Hall to be repaired and managed; Christmas Masses – 4pm, 6pm, 8pm, Midnight, 8am and 9.30am; Position of Deanery Youth Coordinator to be further discussed in 2009; Friday Night with young people to be continued in 2009, although level of funding has changed; Post WYD initiatives at Deanery level continue in 2009.

General Business: Cook awards to be considered for Parishioners in 2009; Baptismal candles; St. Vincent de Paul Day Conference to coordinate the Christmas Hampers.

11 January 2009

Baptism of the Lord               A/V Operator             Commentator                         First Reader                           Second Reader

Saturday Vigil                           Joseph Pons                 M. Prosser                               T. Ziems                                       J. Sinclair

Sunday 8.00 am                       P. Whiteman                 P. Lawson                                B. Moroney                                 A. Willis

Sunday 9.30 am                       P. Bird                         B. Doherty                               E. Maher                                     Lewis Mexted

Sunday 6.00 pm                       A. Wenborn                 L. Galvin                                  J.  Byrne                                       A. Gregory.