French's Forest Catholic Parish eNEWS

My dear Parishioners, Last Friday we celebrated the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as you know Fr Shiju, Fr Biju and I belong to the Oblates of the Sacred Heart so this is a special feast for us. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the second popular Catholic devotion among Catholics, the first being the Rosary. On Saturday we remember the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We are blessed in our Parish to have many people who have a devotion to Our Lady, they spend many hours praying for this community and we are grateful to them. Everyday, after Mass some of our parishioners gather and pray the Rosary at OLGC, we appreciate their prayers and devotion. This is the 13th week in Ordinary Time, so what is Ordinary Time? While not regarded as a specific season, the weeks that are outside the periods of Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week and Easter are known as Ordinary Time. There are 34 weeks of Ordinary Time which, for the most, part incorporate semi-continuous readings of the Gospel of

Today we consider some of the personal difficulties we might have to face as disciples. First, there is no part-time discipleship. Our commitment must be wholehearted and complete. We must have a willing attitude that frees us interiorly from all other concerns so that we might be able to follow Christ regardless of our state in life or our occupation. This attitude of commitment comes not merely from our own generosity of heart but from our having been transformed into Christ through faith and baptism. We may face conflicts when our various allegiances seem to clash. We may have family responsibilities. There are children to raise, elderly parents or infirm relatives to care for. What does discipleship require of us? We all must earn a living. Are we expected to leave our employment to follow Jesus? And if so, what then will we do? All disciples must face the interior struggle caused by the conflict of legitimate responsibilities. The freedom of which Paul speaks comes with genuine lo

Monday 20 June 2022 Dear Fathers, Deacons, my sisters and brothers of the Diocese of Broken Bay, Through my term as Bishop, I have been provided with insight into the character and potential of our local Church. We have developed a range of initiatives and projects over this time. At the heart of the Diocese, however, is our Cathedral, the most important symbol of our identity. It is here that our whole local Church is brought together under the unity of the Bishop, together with my clergy, and the entire people of God entrusted to my care. It is the first church amongst others, the one from which the life of the Diocese radiates and returns……………... Sincerely yours in Christ, + Anthony Randazo Click here to access full Letter.

This Appeal is on this weekend. Please give generously. Your gift to those experiencing disadvantage, poverty, loneliness and homelessness will be much appreciated. If you wish to donate to our local Vinnie's please click on the link below for Davidson or Forestville Conferences and follow the prompts. Davidson Conference Donations https://my.fundraise.vinniesnsw.org.au/fundraise-your-way/davidson-st-martin-de-porres-conference Forestville Conference Donations https://my.fundraise.vinniesnsw.org.au/fundraise-your-way/forestville We thank you for your donation

Young Adults are invited to join the Catholic Youth Broken Bay team for a bush walk on Sunday, 17th July. We will be walking part of the Crosslands to Berowra Waters track, following 10:00am Mass at St Patrick’s Church, Asquith. This return walk starts from the Crosslands Reserve and follows the Great North Walk along Berowra creek, a beautiful place of natural flora and fauna. The walk is relatively flat, with the final part of the hike leading to Naa Badu Lookout, offering magnificent views over Berowra Creek, as well as Sams and Calna Creeks. Bring your own snacks/lunch for the hike, as well as a water bottle, hat and sunscreen. Contact Jen for more information: jen.healey@bbcatholic.org.au. .

Catholic Youth Broken Bay together with Glorious, a group of enthusiastic and creative young adults, invite young people across the diocese to ‘Praisefest: Welcome to Mercy.’ Date: Friday, 19th August from 7:00pm – 9:00pm at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish at The Entrance. More details to come later

This Sunday we celebrate the 10th World Meeting of Families. While Rome is the main venue for the event this weekend, Pope Francis has asked dioceses around the world to make it possible for every family to participate in the World Meeting of Families (WMOF), for this year is “Family love: a vocation and a path to holiness”. Our Diocese will celebrate WMOF with a Mass on Sunday 26 June at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Waitara at 2pm with Bishop Anthony Randazzo. All families are warmly invited. The Mass will be followed by refreshments, and fun games for kids at The Light of Christ Centre. For more on WMOF, reflections, news, videos and resources, visit Dicastry for Laity Family and Life at http://www.laityfamilylife.va/content/laityfamilylife/en/sezione-famiglia/incontri-mondiali-delle-famiglie/wmof2022.html and join us on Sunday.

ST MARTINS - Friday 24th June 12.30pm in the Church Foyer. OLGC - Wednesday 29th June 12.00 midday in the Parish Centre. We will be having a visit from the local Fire Brigade. All are welcome to attend. (Just bring your sandwich for lunch) Enquiries Ann Nicey: 0438 665 843 Anne Ellis: 0419 585 598

Our CUPPA & CHAT Group has arranged for our local Firemen to come to OLGC and speak to us on Fire Safety in the home. They are very pleased to be asked to come along especially as the winter months are just beginning. WEDNESDAY 29TH JUNE PARISH CENTRE FORESTVILLE AT 1.00PM All are welcome to join us from 12.00Midday (bring your sandwich) or just arrive in time for the talk. Tea/Coffee will be provided. Arrangements can be made on this day for our local Firemen to visit your home to check your fire alarm, install new batteries etc especially if you find this task difficult to do.

During the cold winter months, our monthly Taize Prayer on the first Friday night of the month at St Martin’s , will start at 7pm instead of 8pm. Please note the change in your diary. We look forward to seeing you there

Dear planned giver, As our financial year comes to an end and we begin the new financial year, 2022/23, I would like to thank you most sincerely for your ongoing contribution and support to the Planned Giving Program. Your new envelopes are now available in the back of each church. I understand that some of you were unable to pick up your envelopes last year due to the COVID restrictions, but I acknowledge that you have given generously to our parish collections and I appreciate it. It is your continued contributions that enable us to operate the Parish and your generosity provides for the administration of the Parish, maintenance, which as you know is ongoing, as well as supporting many ministries within the Parish. If you do not find your envelopes at the back of the church please understand we may have sent them to the incorrect church, so please let us know in the Parish office and we will get these to you. Should you wish to change your contributions to monthly or fortnightly cred

The 2022/23 Family Based Sacramental Program is due to commence with a parent information evening on 21 July 2022 . This evening is for parents only, children do not need to attend. This program involves preparation for the reception of the Sacraments of Confirmation, Reconciliation and First Eucharist. Confirmation will be held on Saturday 24 September . (first day of school holidays) To be eligible for enrolment in this program your child must be baptized and at least in Year 3 at school and 8 years old. Confirmation is the first Sacrament after Baptism in Broken Bay Diocese. If you are considering enrolling your child, it is essential to attend this information evening. Any enquiries please email sacraments@ffcp.org.au

It has come to our attention a fake email asking for funds for Ukraine has been sent under the name of Bishop Anthony Randazzo.Even though it has the diocesan logo and a signature of bishop Anthony, it is not legitimate. Only donate thru established and reputable organisation such as the Ukrainian Crisis Appeal, UNICEF, Caritas, Aid to the Church in Need, Catholic Mission and Jesuit Mission.

Families We pray for Christian families around the world; may they embody and experience unconditional love and advance in holiness in their daily lives

The Diocese of Broken Bay World Youth Day website is live with Bishop Anthony Randazzo inviting the youth of the Diocese to join him on pilgrimage to Italy and then on to Lisbon, Portugal for WYD23. Young people aged between 16 and 35 can register their interest at https://bbwyd.org.au/ To be held in August next year, World Youth Day is the gathering of young people from around the world with the Pope. It is a celebration of youth, the universal Church and evangelisation. Prior to the global event, Bishop Anthony will lead a group of students and young adults on a pilgrimage through Italy in July to some of the holiest sites and homes of our saints. The group will visit Venice, Padova, Ravenna, Bologna, Florence, Siena, Assisi, Cascia and St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City and Rome before flying to Lisbon in Portugal. “The theme for WYD23 is ‘Mary arose and went with haste’ (Luke1:39) and I implore all our pilgrims who join me to be filled with the same excitement and wonder for th

In response to the devastating floods impacting across NSW the St Vincent de Paul Society has launched an emergency flood appeal to assist residents with their immediate needs as well as longer-term recovery. Donate at https://www.vinnies.org.au/nswfloodappeal

Our long-standing partner, Caritas Ukraine, is on the ground providing shelter, food, clean water, medicine and psychological support. Donate now to help the people of Ukraine. Donate today at www.caritas.org.au/ukraine or call 1800 024 413 toll free. Keep up to date on how Caritas agencies are responding to this crisis - www.caritas.org.au/ukraine-news   

God of peace and justice, who change the hardened heart and break the power of violence,  we entrust the people of Ukraine to you. Protect them in this time of mortal peril; let them know not death but life, not slavery but freedom. You are Father of all; we are brothers and sisters. Give us the strength to live that truth in love, choosing peace not war. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.