Whether you are sitting in a pew or involved in parish ministry, each person with a smile, greeting or considerate action contributes to the climate of warmth and welcome in your community.

This program provides an opportunity for participants to develop and enhance parish welcome and hospitality.

Training Dates:

Saturday 8 June 10am-3.30pm—Lectio Devina and the Universal Call to Holiness, at Caroline Chisholm Centre, Pennant Hills.

Sat 27 July and Sat 31 August 10am-3.30pm—Input and Practical Component at Lakes Parish Centre, Narrabeen.

Sat 28 Sept 10am-3.30pm—Reflection Day at Caroline Chisholm Centre, Pennant Hills. Enquiries and RSVP to Janette Davidson by

31 May at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Eight Beatitudes

for Catechists

Blessed are the catechists who

listen to their students,

especially the ones with repeated questions,

for they possess The Ears of CHRIST.

Blessed are the catechists who

see the needs of their students,

especially the ones unrecognized by others

for they possess The Eyes of CHRIST.

Blessed are the catechists who

speak kindly to their students,

especially the ones without positive motivation,

for they possess The Mouth of CHRIST.

A number of guest speakers are presenting on a series of topics:

Thursday 20 September (7.30pm – 9pm) at The Light of Christ Centre, Waitara -

‘Made in God’s Image’ for parents of children with special needs

Thursday 27 September (9.30am – 11am) at Caroline Chisholm Centre, Pennant Hills –

‘To Love to the End – Who will make your choices?’ for all interested in end-of-life issues

Thursday 27 September (11.30am – 12.30pm) at Caroline Chisholm Centre, Pennant Hills –

‘Walking with Love – Alternatives & Responses to Abortion’ for all interested in this Bishop’s Conference Program

Please call Janette Davidson on 0409 074 908 for more details or RSVP to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The ‘Gather Us In’ Disability Forum to be held on 20 September at the Caroline Chisholm Centre, Pennant Hills is for parish representatives. It is hoped we will have representatives from all parishes attend the Forum.

When:        Saturday, August 25, 2012 08:30AM -  Sunday, August 26, 2012 05:00PM

Where:       St Aloysius College ,47 Upper Pitt Street, Milsons Point NSW 2061

Cost:          $250.00 per person (18yrs+ only)

This forum is the inaugural event of Caritas Australia’s Walk As One Campaign, Connecting With Our World’s Indigenous Peoples. Over two days, 200 Indigenous and non-Indigenous delegates will come together to build cross-cultural relationships and participate in open and constructive discussions.

Ticket price includes the full two day conference program and workshops, all meals and take home conference bag. Early bird tickets, available at a reduced rate of $250 until 27 July 2012.

To register go to www.caritas.org.au.

TIME OUT FOR BUSY MOTHERS AND GRANDMOTHERS—

A GIFT TO YOURSELF!

This is a unique opportunity to nurture your spirit and reflect gently on your life.

A series of Mothers’ Spirituality Mornings will be held around the Peninsula Region and in this parish on Friday 17th August, 2012. Time: 9.30am-12.30pm at St. Kieran’s Catholic Primary School, 2 King street, Manly Vale.

Presenters include: Virginia Ryan and Fr John Frauenfelder (Catholic Schools Office) and Jenette Davidson (Parish Support Unit). No cost and child minding provided. To register your attendance and your child minding requirements, please contact Mrs Sue Labutis— This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 9847 0304. See flyers at the back of the Church.

The Diocese of Broken Bay and The Guild of St Stephen

Invite you to a Faith Enrichment Seminar—

“Living our Baptism”

Nourished by the Word—Sr. Michele Connelly rsj

THE WRITINGS OF ST PAUL 4 July 10.00am—2.00pm

Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral Multi Purpose Hall,

23 Yardley Avenue, Waitara

RSVP 1 week prior to each session is helpful but not essential

Anna Chang—43853163/0417853142. BYO lunch—light refreshment provided. Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral is an easy five minute walk from Waitara Station. For those travelling by car, there is ample parking at the Cathedral.

What is your local Catenian men’s group up to this month?

Dinner meeting 8 pm Wed 16 May 2012 at Manly Golf Club

Topic: “Current trends for Australia in Immigration, Refugees, and Multiculturalism”

An open discussion with Pino Migliorino, Chair of the Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia.

Dinner 2 course - $50 + drinks; Dress - smart casual

For bookings – all welcome but call in advance to reserve your place

RSVP Monday 14 May

Romano Di Donato (Pres) - 0407 153 626; Colin Lawler (MO) - 9451 8563; Paul Pearson (Sec) - 0410 311 376

Bishop David Invites you to join him for the Diocesan Ecumenical Liturgy to re-affirm the Tri-Diocesan Covenant.

Once again our diocese of Broken Bay, the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle and the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle will gather with our bishops for the annual Ecumenical Service of Worship to re-affirm and renew the Diocesan Covenant which unites us.   This year’s celebration, coming just one week before the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, will take place as follows:

Josephine Mary of Beniganim (1625-1692) was an Augustinian Sister noted for her deep spirit of prayer and for her service to her community.

She was born January 9, 1625 in Benaganim, Valencia, Spain. She was baptized Josephine Teresa. Her family was poor, and became poorer when her father died while she was still a child.

Josephine entered the local Augustinian convent, where she took the religious name Sister Josephine Mary of Saint Agnes. The other sisters usually called her Mother Agnes.

Because she had little formal educaton, Josephine's ministry was initially limited to providing domestic service for her community. She developed a deep life of contemplative prayer, where she was gifted with theological understanding and the ability to counsel others. This allowed her to expand the scope of her ministry.

She died January 21, 1692. Her remains are preserved at the Augustinian convent in Beniganim. Pope Leo XIII declared her Blessed in 1888.

Veronica of Binasco (1445-1497) was known as a great contemplative who also gave loving care to sick sisters in her community and ministered to the people of Milan. She had the gifts of prophecy and discernment.

Although she never learned to read and write, she was known and respected by the secular and ecclesiastical leaders of her day. Several times Christ gave to her in prayer important messages which she carried to influential persons such as the Duke of Milan and Pope Alexander VI.

Epiphany is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ. It falls on January 6 or, in many countries, on the Sunday that falls between January 2 and January 8. Since the Julian Calendar, which is followed by some Eastern Churches, is at present 13 days behind the Gregorian Calendar and the revised Julian Calendar, 6 January in that calendar corresponds at present to 19 January in what is the official civil calendar in most countries.

What is the origin of the word ‘Yuletide?’

Yule," like many of our Christmas terms, dates back to "pagan" traditions in pre-Christian Europe, and didn't originally have anything to do with Christmas. The word "yule" comes from the Old English "geol."

BOXING DAY—The exact etymology of the term "boxing" is unclear and there are several competing theories, none of which is definitive. The tradition has long included giving money and other gifts to those who were needy and in service positions. The European tradition has been dated to the Middle Ages, but the exact origin is unknown and there are some claims that it goes back to the late Roman/early Christian era; metal boxes placed outside churches were used to collect special offerings tied to the Feast of Saint Stephen.

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.

God chose Mary to be the mother of his Son. She was a teenager and her parents were Joachim and Anne. Mary loved God and her Jewish religion. She was probably considered ordinary by her neighbors. It would be God's work in her that would make her so special, so blessed. God sent the Archangel Gabriel to Mary's town of Nazareth. The angel asked her to accept a wonderful plan-wonderful for her and for all of us. Mary wanted to please God and she accepted the plan. She became Jesus' mother. Mary and her husband, Joseph, tried to raise Jesus the best way they could and with great love. Jesus spent many happy, quiet years with Mary and Joseph in Nazareth.

The Feast of St. Nicholas – December 6th

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Come and join Augustinian Friends and hear Fr. Paul Maloney osa speak to us on th etheme of - “Sing Alleluia – and Keep on Walking”.

At 7.30 pm in the Parish Centre at Manly Vale Wednesday 14th September, 2011 For an enjoyable evening
 

Everyone welcome

Please contact Sue Mackey 0409 392 662

Saturday 3 September 2011 9.30-12.30 at Hunters Hill Parish Hall, 3 Mary Street, Hunters Hill.

Robert Tilley will guide us in reflection on "Spirituality and Self Deception".  No charge but a donation appreciated.

Enquiries: Michelle 9958 5963

My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God
For you have been my help;
In the shadow of your winds I rejoice.
My soul clings to you;
Your right hand holds me fast.
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my god.

The Romans are being taught about a new type of God...one that loved us sinners so much that “while we still were sinners Christ died for us.”

What a God!

Not only this, but Christ’s action brings us to share the glory of God.

What a gift!

How thankful, joy filled and praise offering is our community...blessed to know all this?

Timothy needed reassurance that his community was on the right track, amid persecution from unbelievers and amid controversies and competing theologies within the community.

His advisor reminds him to have courage because it is God who called him (and us) to proclaim the Gospel, “not according to our works, but according to God?s own purpose and grace.”

God?s grace will be enough.