The Bulletin

WORLD YOUTH DAY 08 ~ Commencing Monday 5 May there will be 4 consecutive weeks of meeting for WYD08 at Mary MacKillop Hall – 7:30pm – Meetings for Homestay Volunteers. May 12, 19 and 26 – Mary MacKillop Hall – 7:30pm – Meeting for all Pilgrims in our group.

The Catholic Bishops of Australia have called for a national day of prayer this Sunday, in solidarity with the people of Burma who are suffering so greatly from the tragic effects of Cyclone Nargis. Meeting together in Sydney, the Bishops called on Catholic parishes around the nation to include a prayer for the Burmese people in their Masses as they observed Pentecost Sunday this weekend.

“We call on people of faith to pray for all the people in Burma, for the enormous suffering they have endured with the great tragedy that is emerging to us in the wake of Cyclone Nargis,” the Bishops said. “We know that a million people are homeless and tens of thousands have been killed. Tragically, we may not yet have heard the worst of this crisis.”

The Bishops, who have written a letter of solidarity to their counterparts in Burma, said that the Catholic Church, through its international aid agency, Caritas, is delivering assistance to the needy. “The urgent need for clean water, food, shelter and medical attention remains severely hindered in many of the worst affected areas in the Irrawaddy Delta,” they said.

Caritas’ partnership across the world with grassroots organizations is also strong in Burma and faith communities, including Catholic, Buddhist and others, are among the first to deliver assistance.

CARITAS Australia ~ has opened an appeal for the people of Burma affected by Cyclone Nagis. Donations can be sent to: Caritas Australia Burma Cyclone Appeal, GPO Box 9830, Sydney NSW 2001. Facilities for on-line donations are available on www.caritas.org.au. Telephone donations can be made on 1800 024 413.

Z The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~ Rajneesh

OAKHILL COLLEGE OPEN DAY 2008 ~ will be held on Sunday 18 May, 1:30pm – 3:30pm. All families interested in the College are welcome to attend for a relaxing afternoon of guided tours of the College and its facilities. A special welcome for Year 5 students and their families who may be interested in the Year 7 2010 intake. For further enquiries please call Mrs Maryanne Cordina-Maree (Registrar) 9899 2288.

COMPEER ~ A Special Work of the St Vincent de Paul Society. Making Friends. Changing Lives. NSW winners of the 2007 NAB Volunteer Awards, Compeer is a program sponsored by the St Vincent de Paul Society which helps to break down the stigma associated with mental illness through friendship and social support. We currently need female and male volunteers aged 30 to 65 in the Parramatta areas. A small gift of your time can make a world of difference to someone who is lonely. Free training and ongoing support are provided and our next volunteer training course will be held on Saturdays June 28 and July 5. Contact Rhonda Wannan on 9622 2411.

YOUTH SPEAKS ~ You are invited to spend an evening with ~ Sara Lenton –YCW ~ Megan O’Donnell – Youth Officer St Vincent de Paul ~ Evan Ellis – Caritas Australia ~ Anna Vercellone – Youth Office Diocese of Parramatta. These young Leaders will form a panel to talk about their work with youth for social justice. Monday 2 June 6:00-9:00pm, The Parish Hall, Swanston Street, St Marys. RSVP: Libby Rogerson 8838 3413 – Monday May 26.

THE DAUGHTERS OF ST PAUL ~ Do you long to give your life to something meaningful? What questions is World Youth Day stirring for you? The Daughters of St Paul are a community of religious sisters focused on Christ. Engaging with the world through modern media and technology, we proclaim Christ in new ways to the people of each new generation. We invite you to share our mission and explore the gifts that religious life can offer. Inquiries ~ to Sr Joanna on 0403 175 251 or vocations@pauline.com.au. You can find out more about us at www.daughtersofstpaul.org.au or meet us at WYD08!

ANNUAL SCHOENSTATT MARIAN PILGRIMAGE - “With Mary to Jesus in the Holy Spirit to the Father” 18 May 2008. Program – 10am Welcome Hymns and Prayers; 10:30am Holy Mass with Bishop Manning and Re-commissioning of Pilgrim Mother Coordinators. Lunch, Hot Food, Tea & Coffee available or BYO. 2pm Eucharistic Procession with Rosary and Benediction. Please bring chairs, rugs, etc for this outdoor event. Mt Schoenstatt, Fairlight Road, Mulgoa. Inquiries 4773 8338. info@schoenstatt.org.au.

& & & SUNDAY MASS READINGS & & &

11^th May ~ Pentecost Year A Acts 2:1-11; Corinthians 12:3-7.12-13; John 20:19-23.

18^th May ~ Holy Trinity Year A Exodus 34:4-6.8-9; Corinthians 13:11-13; John 3:16-18.

25^th May ~ Body Blood of Christ Deuteronomy 8:2-3.14-16; Corinthians 10:16-17; John 6:51-58.

PARRAMATTA INSTITUTE FOR MISSION LIBRARY ~ We have a number of people who use the library for many different reasons. Students doing the Certificate in Pastoral Formation use the library on a regular basis. Teachers and students from different schools in the Diocese find the library very helpful when it comes to religious studies and assignments. Parishioners from the local parishes call in to borrow books that will assist them in their ministries or for private use. You can join the library for only $5 per year. We are open from 9-5pm Monday to Friday and you will find us at 1-5 Marion Street, Blacktown. Enquiries phone Maryann on 9831 4911. www.instituteformission.com.au

EMBRACE : Preparing To Live In Love. Whether you are engaged to be married, thinking about marriage, or in a serious relationship, Embrace is an ideal way to take your relationship to the next level. In two packed days, discover more about the unique gift you each bring to your relationship and learn valuable skills for resolving differences and deepening your intimacy. Sunday 15 & 22 June 2008, 9am – 50m. St Pat’s Parish, Summer Hill. Bookings essential – www.embrace.org.au or 9662 7272.

CaFE ~ on Tuesday night 14 May at St Bernadette’s Parish Hall, 367 Old Northern Road, Castle Hill. A NIGHT TO REMEMBER 7:30pm to 9:15pm. A fascinating personal testimony from an ex Lutheran Minister, Peter Holmes, now convert and apologist of the Catholic Faith. An excellent presenter, Peter understands both sides. Please bring all your friends to enjoy the fellowship of our Parish with discussion over a cuppa or a pleasant wine. Just a gold coin donation. Lucky door prizes. Enquiries Jeannette 9899 4727.

DIVORCE, SEPARATION & BEREAVEMENT RECOVERY WORKSHOP The Diocesan Solo Parent Ministry is offering a series of workshops to assist people to move through their pain and hurt, to heal some wounds, and to recover some self-confidence and hope, following the loss of a spouse or partner. The Recovery Program will run over 7 consecutive Wednesdays at 7:30pm at the Diocesan Assembly Centre, 1-5 Marion Street, Blacktown. Donation $35 for full Program. Bookings Sr Eileen Quade 9890 2968 or equade@bigpond.com.

HOLY SPIRIT PARISH YOUTH GROUP CONCERT ~ Our Parish Youth Group, ‘BASIC GIFT’ (Brothers And Sisters In Christ – Growing In Faith Together) wish to invite your parish youth and families to our first ever Back2Basics Carpark Concert. Live Bands, Praise and Worship, stalls and prizes. Profits go towards funding to send our 40 pilgrims to World Youth Day. Holy Spirit Parish Car Park, Cnr Moore Street & Todd Row, St Clair. Sunday 25 May 2008 11:00am – 4:30pm. Cost $12 per person or $50 for family of five.