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NEWSLETTER                               25^th  May  2008

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We have just this Saturday celebrated the Solemnity of Our Lady Help of Christians.  We have also in the last few days received an appeal from the Secretary of State in Rome with a prayer for China in its troubles.

The Virgin Most Holy is venerated with great devotion at the Shrine of Sheshan under the title of “Help of Christians”.  We are encouraged to pray the following prayer for China ~

~  Prayer To Our Lady Of Sheshan  ~

Virgin Most Holy, Mother of the Incarnate Word and our Mother, venerated in the Shrine of Sheshan under the title “Help of Christians”, the entire Church in China looks to you with devout affection.  We come before you today to implore your protection.  Look upon the People of God and, with a mother’s care, guide them along the paths of truth and love, so that they may always be a leaven of harmonious coexistence among all citizens.

Our Lady of Sheshan, sustain all those in China who, amid their daily trials, continue to believe, to hope, to love.  May they never be afraid to speak of Jesus to the world, and of the world to Jesus.  In the statue overlooking the Shrine you lift your Son on high, offering him to the world with open arms in a gesture of love.  Help Catholics always to be credible witnesses to this love, ever clinging to the rock of Peter on which the Church is built.  Mother of China and all Asia, pray for us, now and for ever.  Amen!

VOLUNTEERS  NEEDED  FOR  DISTRIBUTION  OF  HOLY  COMMUNION  AT  WORLD  YOUTH  DAY  MASSES

World Youth Day 2008 is seeking applications from instituted acolytes and commissioned extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, to assist in the distribution of Holy Communion at the Opening and Closing Masses in July.  Also needed are hundreds of escorts (no experience required) to provide practical support for those distributing Holy Communion.  Interested?  Please email liturgy@wyd2008.org with your name and contact details for more information.

Local Note  ~ any North Rocks volunteers are asked to contact Ian Campbell 9873 2918.

REGISTER  NOW  FOR  WYD08  ~  To receive the Full Service WYD Pilgrim Pack you need to register before 1 June.  WYD presents an opportunity to:  engage and connect young people with the Church;  provide youth with an understanding that the Catholic faith is broader than a parish/diocese/country;  grow and mature in faith so as to make a greater commitment in the local Church;  share, witness and evangelise belief in Jesus;  show the world the richness and diversity of Catholic youth.  Young people aged 18-35 can register at: www.wyd2008.org

HOST  2  PILGRIMS  IN  YOUR  HOME  ~  during WYD and be guaranteed access to Randwick Racecourse for the Final Mass.  Deadline to register – 13 June – Telephone 1300 993 793, www.wyd2008.org/homestay.

LITURGICAL  ROLES  ~  e.g. Acolytes, Sacristans, Communion escorts.  Contact Bernard Toutounji:  bernard.toutounji@wyd2008.org.

PARISH  HELPERS  NEEDED  ~          2 for breakfast 6am – 9am  ~  5 for lunch 11am – 1pm.  Please sign clipboard in foyer.

POSITIONS  VACANT  ~  (1)  Diocesan Youth Co-ordinator, based in Parramatta.  Closing Date:  Friday 13 June.    (2)  Manager – Emmaus Disabled Persons Catholic Service, based in Blacktown.  Closing Date:  Friday 20 June.  For details of these positions go to www.parra.catholic.org.au.

ATTENTION  YOUNG  ADULTS (20s & 30s)  ~  “Being Single – The Opportunities and the Challenge”, presented by a panel of speakers at DIALOGUE, 7:30pm Sunday 1 June, Parish Hall, St Francis Xavier, Mackenzie Street, Lavender Bay (on harbour side of North Sydney Railway Station).  Donation $5.  All young adults welcome!  For more information go to yucan.org.au.

CaFE ~ EUCHARIST AND PRIESTHOOD  ~  is central to our faith and is the big screen video topic to be presented by Fr John Corapi for discussion next Tuesday night 27 May at St Bernadette’s 367 Old Northern Road, Castle Hill.  We promise an enthralling night with good fellowship, fine wine, coffee, tea, table assortments, plus lucky door prizes and much more.  All we ask is your company and a gold coin donation.  Come to CaFE for answers, all welcome, from 7:30pm to 9:15pm in the Parish Hall.  Enquiries 9899 4727.

EVER  SLEPT  IN  A  BISHOP’S  BEDCHAMBER ?  ~  Good Night and God Bless – The Modern Traveller’s Bible.  The first in a series of guides to convent and monastery accommodation for tourists and pilgrims travelling in Europe.  Hundreds of contacts, reviews, directions, pilgrimage sites and tourist activities.  Available from your local bookshop in April 2008.  www.goodnightandgodbless.com.  info@goodnightandgodbless.com.

CHANGE,  LOSS  AND  GRIEF  SEMINAR  ~  An exploratory approach to some of the effects and principles of change and loss, and considerations on some key issues related to grief.  Thursday 5 June, 10am – 2:30pm.  Diocesan Assembly Centre, 1-5 Marion Street, Blacktown.  Cost – Donation (morning tea and lunch provided).  Registration Sr Eileen Quade 9890 2968, equade@bigpond.com.

CHRIST THE KING PRIMARY SCHOOL ~ POSITION VACANT  ~  Groundsman – Duties include lawns, gardening, emptying bins, minor maintenance.  15 hrs per week.  1:30pm to 4:30pm daily.  Please contact the school office on 9871 7438 for further details.

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FIRST EUCHARIST AND CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME ~  Approximately 70 children and their families have commenced preparing for the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist.  Please continue to pray for these children and their families as they prepare to be fully initiated into the Church.

FIRST  RECONCILIATION  PROGRAMME  ~  The Parish’s First Reconciliation Programme will be conducted in Term 3.  Children of Year Two age and older who have been Baptised are invited to register in the programme.  Registration forms will be available in the Church foyer on the weekends of 7/8 and 14/15 June.

For enquiries on either programme please contact Tony Hughes on  9639 7417 (H)  ~  0413 222 523 (M)

YEAR 11 STUDENTS AT OUR LADY OF MERCY COLLEGE PARRAMATTA ~ are holding an afternoon at the College for elderly people on Thursday 19 June from 11:30am to 1:30pm.  Contact 9683 3300.

SANCTA  SOPHIA  COLLEGE  ~  University Student Accommodation – Applications Now Open.  Sancta Sophia College is a friendly and vibrant residential college for undergraduate women and post-graduate men and women.  The College is set in beautiful grounds on campus at the University of Sydney and is open to those studying at any of the universities in Sydney.   Sancta offers students the opportunity for intellectual development and companionship.  You are welcome to tour the College on our Open Days, Saturday 30 August 2008 and Tuesday 6 January 2009.  For more information and details about applications and scholarships please see the website or contact Mrs Jacqui Ingram on 9577 2100 or email sancta@mail.usyd.edu.au.  www.sanctasophiacollege.edu.au

CARITAS  AUSTRALIA’S  BURMA  CYCLONE  APPEAL  ~  Caritas Australia with the support and encouragement of the Australian Bishops Conference has launched an appeal for the people of Burma affected by Cyclone Nargis.  Caritas Australia has been supporting projects in Burma for over 20 years.  In this time we have developed very strong partnerships.  As international aid agencies are finding it difficult to gain access, the strength of local Church organisation to deliver assistance is amplified.  All funds raised through the Burma cyclone appeal will be spent in assisting the rehabilitation in Burma.  Caritas Australia is mandated to deliver at least 92% of all funds raised in emergencies to the emergency in question.  Envelopes for the appeal are in the foyer.  You can also donate online at www.caritas.org.au or by calling Caritas Australian on 1800 024 413.

ABORIGINAL  ART  SALE  ~  St Patrick’s Hall, 51 Allawah Street, Blacktown.  7:30pm Friday 30 May to 3:00pm Saturday 31 May.

JOURNEY  OF  FAITH ~ Presenter Sr Bridie O’Connell RSJ.  Institute for Mission. Monday June 2, 15, 23, 30 – 1-15 Marion Street, Blacktown.  10am – 1pm.  Cost $40.  Booking essential 9831 4911.  Email:  ifm@tpg.com.au.

Items for Newsletter please phone Barbara Haddad by 5/6/08.

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