St Joseph's Parish, Malvern

Weekly Newsletter

under the pastoral care of the Vincentian Community of Priests and Brothers

September School Holidays: Parish Office Hours

 

18^th – 22^nd:              1^st Week of School Holidays

                               Please note that the Parish Secretary will be away the first week of the September school holidays.  The office will be unattended, but you can still contact Fr Brian by leaving a message on his voicemail.

 

25^th – 29^th:             2^nd Week of School Holidays

The Parish Office will be Open:

*Monday 25^th   *Tuesday 26^th   *Friday 29^th

9:00 am – 4:00 pm

 

ROSTER for Eucharistic Minister & Readers

 

The new roster starts this weekend 16^th/17^th Sept.  Rosters have already been posted out.  If you did not receive one in the mail, please contact Fr Brian.

 

WANTED … People to be Sacristans

 

It is with great sadness that one of our Parish Sacristans, Bobbie Will, has retired.  Bobbie has given wonderful service and support for the priests over many years.  This leaves a vacancy (or a couple of vacancies) for the position of Sacristan.  If any person or perhaps several persons are interested, then please contact Fr Brian as soon as possible.   There is a basic outline of what is required – regarding time needed and tasks required.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bobbie for her dedication and ministry to everyone in our Parish Family.  In the words of St Paul, “I constantly thank God for you …”

 

Re-appointment of Fr Brian

 

During the last week, I received confirmation of my re-appointment as Parish Priest here at St Joseph’s for the next two years.  My normal 6 year term was due to expire at the end of the year and the Archbishop and my Provincial have kindly allowed me to stay on for another couple of years.

 

Church Renovation

 

With thanks to the weather, the outside works are going along apace.  While we are still behind on the outside works, we are catching up … and the interior works are on schedule.  So, hopefully our opening (moving back to the Church) will occur on schedule (early December).  By the way, the new disability ramp was poured during the week, as were the new steps on the eastern exit.  The “planter boxes” were also completed.  The artist for the feature window has given an initial draft which captures the idea of forgiveness and acceptance of Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well.  Our understanding of Baptism and new life is also highlighted with the image of water in the draft.

 

Other things happening with the Church are the design of the Baptismal font (to be made out of granite and with “flowing water”) and the altar.  All our altar furnishings are going to be made out of Australian ironbark.

 

Thanks for your support of this.

 

I hope to have a brief video or PowerPoint presentation of the church renovations available in the next couple of weeks.

 

Seeking Former Students of Yarra Theological Union

 

If you have ever studied at Yarra Theological Union and would like to be on the YTU alumni/alumnae list, please send us your contact details.  Email us at:  admin@ytu.edu.au – writing “YTU contacts update” in the subject line – or write to us at PO Box 79, Box Hill, 3128.  Please pass this on to any other ex-students you may know.

 

We look forward to the opportunity of keeping you in touch with what is happening at YTU and we will happily send you our popular college e-newsletter, “A Little Yeast”.  We also invite you to visit our website above.

 

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference

 

Pastoral Projects Office presents Dean Hodge Tuesday 10^th October @ 6:30 pm at:  ACU Mercy Lecture Theatre (Entry from Young Street, Fitzroy)

 

Public lecture from a Sociologist and author of the ground-breaking book, “International Priests in America:  Challenges and Opportunities”.

 

During his visit to Australia, Dean will draw on the findings of his studies to discuss topics such as young adult Catholics, how they are different and what they think of the institutional church;  international priests serving in the USA, the debate about them, the problems and the possibilities;  the priest shortage and our options for carrying out the mission of the Church;  and trends in priestly life since the 2^nd Vatican Council.

 

CONTACT:                   Pastoral Projects Office 9953 3458.

                                       RSVP needed by 3^rd October.

 

Advent & Christmas Seminars

 

Tuesday 31^st October at:  St Mary’s Church, 208 Dandenong Road St Kilda (Melways 2P K4).

 

Keynote presentation: Advent Scriptures by Rev Chris Monaghan CP.

 

Choice of 4 Workshops:

1. Prayer & Spirituality with Sr Dorothy Maher RSC

2. RCIA with Greg Bourke PP

3. Liturgical Environment with Anne Muirhead

4. Liturgical Music with Ms Larissa Cairns & Paul Taylor

 

9:45 pm             Night Prayer

 

Cost:  $15.  RSVP:  2 days prior to lecture.

Info:  9412 3325 or Email: office@evangelisation.org