French's Forest Catholic Parish eNEWS

My Dear Parishioners, On the Fourth Sunday of Easter, called Good Shepherd Sunday, we continue to reflect on the meaning of the Resurrection. This is also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Today, we celebrate the risen Lord as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. Today's Gospel reminds us what Christian leadership should look like. His metaphor was of a compassionate shepherd who sleeps in the field with his flock, one who knows them so well and loves them so dearly that he lays down his own life for them. There are many ways we can be like the Shepherd and look after others and show compassion. We could take a moment to pray for better listening so that we might recognize the gospel voice of Jesus Christ, especially in the busyness of our lives. We can take him in all that we do. On this day let us pray for our clergy in our Parish, in our diocese and pray for more Vocations. This week we have seen tragedy and sadness in our city and we pray for those aff

This Sunday is traditionally known as Good Shepherd Sunday. Two major themes emerge from the readings: an image of the one who saves; and the power of salvation itself. The one who saves is not a mighty warrior who comes in military array. In fact, he is the one who was rejected, who was hunted down, humiliated, tortured and hung naked on a tree, there to die in shame. The one who saves is the cornerstone of the building, holding it together, forming a firm foundation so that the structure will not collapse. The one who saves is a lowly shepherd, entrusted with sheep, not with the affairs of state. The one who saves is an unlikely saviour. This characterisation should give us pause. Is it possible that we have been looking for a saviour in the wrong places? God’s saving power flows from steadfast covenant love. It broke open the world in the death and resurrection of Jesus and it overflows as healing grace. The saving power in the name of Jesus, a name that itself means ‘saviour’ (cf.

Our Lady of Good Counsel feast day will be celebrated  on Sunday 28 April at 10am Mass at OLGC.

Dear Parishioners, As you are aware we have been waiting on to get the approval of the Bishop about the changes to our Parish weekend Masses. This is to let you know that I have received the approval of the following changes: · The cancellation of the 6.00pm Sunday Mass at St Martin de Porres. · The cancellation of the 5.30pm Vigil Mass at St Anthony in the Fields. · The establishment of a 5.00pm Vigil Mass at St Martin de Porres. · The establishment of a 6.00pm Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Good Council. Hence, the change of weekend Masses will begin from the weekend of 1st & 2nd of June, 2024. Please note, From the weekend of 1st /2nd June the new official Parish Mass Weekend Times will be St Anthony in the Field · 9:00am Sunday Mass St Martin de Porres Davidson · 5:00pm Saturday Vigil Mass 8:30am Sunday Mass OLGC Forestville 5:30pm Saturday Vigil Mass 10am Sunday Mass 6pm Sunday Mass I thank everyone for their support of this process. I acknowledge that the change will be difficult

Mass with Bishop Anthony on ANZAC Day Bishop Anthony will celebrate Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral at 10.30am on ANZAC Day, Thursday 25 April, and extends a very warm invitation to clergy and the People of God in Broken Bay.   ANZAC Mass at St. Anthonys If you are unable to attend the ANZAC Day Mass with Bishop Anthony at the Cathedral, come along to St. Anthonys on April 24th for a special ANZAC Commemoration Mass.  After the 10.15am Mass, join us for morning tea in the kitchen. 

Giving is an expression of our thankfulness and praise to God. It comes from a heart of worship that recognises everything we have and give already belongs to the Lord. Our ability to earn money is a gift from God. Returning a percentage of our treasure back to God is one way that we live our faith. Just like our family households, our parish community needs financial resources in order to operate, serve, and minister. God provides for these needs through you - you ARE the parish. We have installed two Tap N Go machines in each of our church community. Each one is labelled to let you know the purpose of the collection. The First collection is to support the priests and bishops of our Diocese. And the second collection goes towards the needs of the parish. Theses funds support our parish ministries, meet the administration costs including electricity, insurance, maintenance and development of the Parish buildings. Each machine has allocated to donate $10, $ 15 and $ 20. If anyone wishes

This coming Wednesday 24th April 12.00MD We are having a GUEST SPEAKER from Catholic Care Broken Bay Diocese joining us to speak on “ ACCESSING AGED CARE SERVICES ” Please come and join us, bring your sandwich (tea and coffee provided) Our speaker has planned to join us at approx. 1.00pm.

Are you ready to be the guiding light in our parish community? We're on the lookout for passionate individuals like you to step up and join our volunteer force! Our parish ministries are the heart and soul of our community, but we need more hands to make a bigger impact. Whether you're a seasoned volunteer or just starting out, there's a place for you here. From helping with Sunday celebrations, there are countless ways you can get involved and make a difference. No special skills required – just a willingness to lend a helping hand and a heart full of love. By volunteering with us, you'll not only be serving your community but also growing spiritually and forming meaningful connections with your fellow parishioners. Together, we can strengthen our bond as a community and spread the love of God far and wide. No matter your age or background, there's a place for you in our parish ministries. Together, let's make a positive impact and continue to spread God's

All are invited as we launch into the Community Engagement phase of the Project When:   4 May 2024 11am – 12pm Where: OLGC Catholic Primary School hall, 11 Currie Rd, Forestville NSW 2087 What:    An in-person gathering for all in the community to hear what the data is saying, learn of the guiding themes and questions for consultation, and hear of the methodology that will be used to guide community listening and dialogue conversations. You can access event flyer here . Please register your attendance here: https://forms.office.com/r/W28mjLvNKq

The Parish is in need of more Catechists to work in schools. All training and support provided. Please contact Caroline Fisher on 9451 5097 or catechists@ffcp.org .

My dear sisters and brothers in Christ, In February 2023 I committed the Diocese to an innovative annual Diocesan Safeguarding Awareness Framework. This framework seeks to increase awareness of our own personal and collective ongoing responsibility as a Church community to be vigilant in safeguarding. This is a commitment marked by consistency and constancy. After consultation and discernment, I have decided that the theme for Safeguarding Awareness for 2024 is The Voice of the Vulnerable with a particular focus on Domestic Family Violence. Our approach to this theme is one of advocacy. Domestic Family Violence (DFV) often occurs behind the closed doors of the family home, a place which should be reflective of communion in God’s self-sacrificing love. Recent statistics show that 1 in 4 women, and 1 in 8 men, have experienced some form of violence since the age of 15. (see video on link below) The outcome is that relationships become disfigured to the detriment of the entir

This is a special invitation to all Children in Year 5,6 & 7 at school. At the end of last year, we launched a new Youth Group for our parish called PRIME. In April we would like to start up the PRIME Youth Group for children in years 5, 6 and 7 at school. Michaella Formosa (youth group coordinator) and Susanne Bragge (Parent Engagement Coordinator and Parish Sacramental coordinator) will be supervising events. Details for PRIME youth group are: Who: Children in year’s 5, 6 & 7 from the parish When: Starting April 12, the youth will meet every 2nd Friday night of the month. 5:30-7pm. Where: Parish centre behind the OLGC Forestville church What: in April we will have a Pizza and Games night. Come along and have some fun and meet new friends. So that we have some idea of numbers could you please RSVP via the link  https://forms.office.com/r/ejqq7piArJ or via QR code below. All are welcome even if you don’t get a chance to RSVP.

Contribution to Parish Magazine need to be in by 10th April We apologise for those who had issues submitting articles. The problem has been fixed, please don’t hesitate to resubmit. Thank you those parishioners making us aware of the issue. We are calling for all parishioners who are interested to contribute towards this magazine to forward their articles to the following email address editor@ffcp.org.au , before the 10th of April. Alternatively you can hand your articles into the Parish Office before the closing date. Expecting your valuable support with this new endeavour.

Fr. Joseph & Fr. Shiju and team will lead a 14 days Tour to India in November 2024, visiting Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Kerala. Dates: Departing 4th November 2024 (14 days/13 nights) Package inclusions: Domestic Airline tickets (Jaipur – Cochin) with 15 + 7 kg baggage. Accommodation in 4 and 5 star category Hotels / Resorts. All Meals. All transfers and sightseeing using air-conditioned Luxury Coach (Volvo) English speaking accompanying guide as per the itinerary. Elephant Safari at Thekkady Ayurveda Massage at Thekkady Spice Plantation Tour at Thekkady Service of Intersight Tour Manager All taxes. Costs: Tour Package $2900pp Twin Share. Per person $3900 single room (Visa, Air ticket and Travel Insurance not included) Visit OSH Monastry, Kerala Boating on Kerala's famous labyrinthine backwaters. If you would like to join us, contact Fr. Joseph  fr.joseph@ffcp.org.au or 0493 783 379. Tour will be limited to 35 people.

SAVE THE DATE Please save the date for our feast day celebration of Our Lady of Good Counsel which will be on Sunday 28 April at 10am Mass.

Interested?  Click Here to find a list of schools, dates and register.

Our yearly planner has been published on the website and printed for you take a copy.  Please note the dates in your diaries however please note that some changes may occur through the year.

We pray that the violence between Israel and Palestine will give way to sincere dialogue, leading to peaceful and enduring solutions. Amen Peace Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.