Mary Help of Christians,
patroness of Australia and of the Military Ordinariate (Feast: 24th May)

Almighty God, deepen in our hearts our love of Mary Help of Christians.
Through her prayers and under her protection, may the light of Christ shine over our land.
May Australia be granted harmony, justice and peace.
Grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens.
Bless especially the men and women
of the Australian Defence Force and their families.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Work Health Safety

This week priests and parish staff attended a seminar for local parishes looking at the new Work Health Safety Legislation (WHS) and how it affects the parish. This has resulted in the decision to form a WHS committee. The committee will commence a review of our parish to ensure we remain a safe environment for parishioners, staff and visitors, as well as ensuring that the parish complies with the new legislation.

Charitable Works Fund

Thank you to all the parishioners who have returned or are returning their CWF envelopes this weekend for the third and final collection this financial year. If you did not collect an envelope last week they are available in the Church and can be placed on the collection plate or handed in at the office. The CWF funds are used to support Centrecare, Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, St Lucy’s & St Edmunds special schools and many other agencies within our Diocese and are 100% tax deductible.

Chris Burrows

St. Cecilia’s Renovations

A Working Party to further plans for the renovations of St. Cecilia’s Church meets at the church this coming Thursday 24^th at 7.30pm.

We thank those who have offered to assist us in this work. Any further expressions of interest in joining the group should be directed to the Parish Office before the meeting.

As the Diocesan Synod moves towards its conclusion on 25th May 2012, the final phase of consultation is focused on the topic of “leadership”. This consultation, conducted during February and March, involved engagement with a variety of people across the Diocese including clergy, leaders who work in Diocesan agencies and Principals in Catholic Schools.

St Kieran’s is again participating in the Woolworths Earn and Learn program as a way to gain valuable classroom resources. Last year with the help of the school and parish community we were able to redeem over 8000 points, which translated into some wonderful books and learning equipment for the school. This year Woolworths will be giving out stickers at the checkout and we would love to collect as many as we can. We have placed a box in the entrance of the St Kieran’s Church for parishioners to place their stickers into and would like to thank you in advance for your continued support of the school.

Kind regards Kirsty Conlon

‘They will lay their hands on the sick who will recover.’      Mark 16:18

At school :  As a friend of Jesus, do I help to make people feel better?

At work or study: Do I have time for friends and workmates who are sick, addicted, depressed?

In my family life: How selfless and devoted are we when someone is sick?

Words for this week.  Repeat frequently with love.

“Christ, you are our glory.”

Take a look at some of the photos from the sold out Farewell Sister Josie Open Mic Night.

May Open Mic - Farewell Sr Josie

Kindergarten class of 1960

Looking for students who went to

St. Kieran’s and were in kindergarten in 1960—Miss Kelly was our teacher.

My maiden name was Catherine Vince and I’m wanting to organise a reunion later in 2012.

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or

mobile 0439 631 192.

“Wherever your journey takes you, make sure you find your way to The Way”

Fr Richard Leonard - Director of the Australian Catholic Film Office

Set against one of the most stunning backdrops in the world, The Way was filmed in Spain and France along the actual Camino de Santiago.

 Starring Martin Sheen

Released on 25th April and showing at these local outlets:

Hayden Orpheum Cremorne , Cremorne
United Avalon, Avalon
Hoyts Chatswood Mandarin, Chatswood
Balmoral Cineplex, Balmoral

If you have any pre-loved books that you can donate, please leave them in the church at St Cecilia’s or the Parish Office at St Kieran’s.

We are collecting children’s and adults books, fiction and non-fiction and magazines.

Thank you for your help,

Jeremy Smith, Jack MacDonagh, Sam Smith

www.yourfaithproject.com.au—this is the website link to our new faith formation initiative designed specifically for parents.

We encourage you to take a look and subscribe. We hope that these articles and ideas inspire you.

Catholic Schools Office

This year is the year of UNICEF, which stands for

United Nations International Children’s Education Fund.

UNICEF is non-political and works in over 150 countries to

make a lasting difference to children’s lives

by providing health, education and protection.

Toastmasters meet every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 7.00pm to 9.30pm in the parish centre, Manly Vale.

The Gavel Club (Toastmasters for youth) meet the 2nd Sunday of the month from 11am to 12.30pm in the parish centre, Manly Vale.

A number of significant issues were discussed including plans for the Parish Planned Giving (Thanksgiving ) Campaign which is being launched this weekend.

The continuing work of the Diocesan Synod, a forthcoming Pastoral Visitation of the Bishop later in the year, and plans for the Season of Lent.

This year again the Augustinians in Australian have sponsored a program for lay volunteers, that began in our own community in North Harbour, with the arrival of a number of young local and interstate participants for a three week intensive experience of studies, training , prayer and reflections organised and lead by our Augustinian Justice and Peace Officer, Mr. Paul Wilson and Fr. Paul Maloney O.S.A.

We pray for the success of the program that all involved may be richly rewarded and we warmly welcome them in our midst.

Who are the Augustinian Volunteers?

Augustinian Volunteers are young (and not so young) adults who commit to work at the margins of society in ministries alongside The Augustinians. Volunteers work at least one day per week for a period of 12 months.

Copies of the latest copy of the Augustinian magazine ‘Amici’ are available at the back of the church.

CARITAS AUSTRALIA OPENS PHILIPPINES FLOODS APPEAL

With well over 400 people feared dead, tens of thousands of families displaced and many people still missing, aid and development agency, Caritas Australia, has requested urgent public support from Australians to deal with the large-scale emergency response needed in the Philippines. The floodwaters from Typhoon Washi destroyed roads and infrastructure in numerous cities and towns, leaving many of them very difficult to access, making the immediate response even more challenging. In response, Caritas Australia has opened its Philippines Floods Appeal. More information at www.caritas.org.au or

1800 024 413.

Sharing the Tradition

Christmas Day is the climax of the second great season of the Church’s year (Advent/Christmas) but the season of Christmastide continues for several more weeks as aspects of this child are revealed.

UNDERSTANDING THE 2^nd RITE OF RECONCILIATION

The second form of the sacrament of penance is a communal liturgical celebration from beginning to end. It begins with the community listening to the word of God. During the examination of conscience, the assembly reflects together on where and how they have fallen short of their baptismal commitment to follow Christ.

The second rite of reconciliation can be a moving experience as we witness fellow parishioners humbly approaching a confessor for forgiveness.

As they do so, we pray for them and ourselves, that we will know the fullness of God's grace and mercy.

After the confessions, the ceremony concludes with a proclamation of praise, a prayer of thanksgiving and a blessing.

These are an integral part of the celebration, not an optional extra!

Thank you for hearing the voice of our indigenous brothers and sisters through your prayers and financial gifts during the recent Catholic Mission World Mission Day Appeal.

Your gift has helped raise up leaders and brought new hope to Indigenous communities. If you would like to become a “Friends in Faith Partner” with regular donations to support local leaders, catechists and missionaries in communities in 1,100 dioceses across the world, please call 1800 257 296.

Over 120 members of the Catholic Community of North harbour contributed to the recording and production of our North Harbour Parish CD entitled “One Heart One Mind”.

The music was recorded in many different locations including our churches of St. Cecilia and St. Kieran, our Parish Centre, the ‘Ignite Retreat” 2011 and even the homes of some of our parishioners. The final product is something that the entire music ministry team is very proud of, and we want to share it with the rest of the North Harbour community and the world!

CD’s are available at the Parish Centre for $20 and proceeds will go to further supporting our parish music ministry.