Dear Parishioners,
Thank you for your continued support of the Parish in these difficult COVID and flu-like times.
I hope you are continuing to keep well, and while grateful for some nice sunny winter days, remind you that if you are not feeling well to stay at home and watch the Mass via the link below.
As you are aware, discussion continues about the need to wear masks in places where people are gathered. NSW Health strongly advises people get fully vaccinated and wear a face mask where they cannot physically distance. Masks are available from the front of the Church, should you wish to wear one.
CONFIRMATIONS AT ST MICHAEL’S THIS WEEK
This week, about 120 children will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. Please keep them and their families in your prayers during this time.
RECONCILIATION AND FIRST COMMUNION AT OLOL
Registration for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Communion at Our Lady of Lourdes begins on Monday. A Parents’ Information evening will be held at 7.30pm on Tuesday August 16th in the Open earning area at OLOL School. Please check details in the bulletin.
DEACON ANDREW CALLED TO ORDINATION AS PRIEST
Bishop Vincent will ordain Deacon Andrew to the priesthood at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta at 7.30pm on Friday, August 26th. All are invited to attend this Mass. We congratulate him on this call.
Please keep Andrew in your prayers, especially this week as he is on retreat in preparation for his ordination.
The newly-ordained priest will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving at St Padre Pio Church, Howell Drive, Glenmore Park on Saturday, 27 August at 1pm. Further details to be advised.
PLENARY COUNCIL NEWS – ACTS AND DECREES – Topics 1 and 2
As part of our concern for all to be aware of the Plenary Council deliberations, we are presenting the various Acts and Decrees of the Plenary Council for your study and perusal. Last week we provided the Introduction to the document.
This week we provide Acts and Decrees of Topic 1 (Reconciliation: Healing Wounds, Receiving Gifts) and 2 (Choosing Repentance – Seeking Healing).
PARISH UPDATE – PARISH WORKING GROUP
The Parish Working Group met on Thursday, 14 July.
The group reviewed its progress and considered the way forward, with the goal of forming a Parish Pastoral Council that flows from a Parish Forum, and it is this Forum that the Group is working towards. Group members would connect with parishioners to discover parish needs through spiritual conversations, and report back at the next meeting.
The Group also recognised that there are residual issues relating to the suppression of Baulkham Hills South Parish in 2014, and the Group is working towards the Listening Circles concept to discern these matters. We hope to organise these for October.
The next meeting of the group will be on Thursday, 18 August 2022 at 7.30pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Centre.
Please pray for the group and its work.