French's Forest Catholic Parish eNEWS

My Dear Parishioners, We celebrate another Solemnity this weekend with The Most Holy Trinity. In the gospel reading, the extent of God’s love is drawn in bold lines in two different ways. The first is the scope of divine love; the second is the price that God is willing to pay because of that love. The reading from John’s Gospel tells us that God's love for the world is so deep and so magnanimous that nothing is spared for the world’s salvation, not even God's only Son. God sent His Son first in the incarnation and again in his saving death. This Son was truly a gift from God. I would like to sincerely thank all those who have contributed to the Diocesan Pastoral Appeal. We have not at this stage met our target so if you still have an envelope to donate or wish to contribute please could you do so this weekend. Till today, we are on shortfall of $ 6460 to gain our target. Your generosity is much appreciated. We continue to pray for the children preparing for First Holy Communio

Years ago I was asked to take a parish-based catechetics class for children from a government primary school. I started by trying to work out how much the children knew about the basics. I asked, ‘When we make the sign of the cross, what do we say?‘ ‘Father, Son and Holy Spirit’ came the firm reply. So far so good! I tried upping the bar. ‘What do we call the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?’ There was complete silence. I tried another track. ‘What do you think of when you make the Sign of the Cross?’ There was an awkward silence and then a bright little boy cheerily said, ‘The old man, the young fella and the bird!’ No one can blame those children for the poverty of their images of the Trinity. Many older Catholics have similar images from paintings and holy pictures. The mystery of the Trinity means that in whatever way we portray God as Father, Son and Spirit it will always be inadequate and incomplete. No one has ever seen God or the Holy Spirit. No one has a portrait of Jesus. All the

Due to the Broken Bay Diocese Clergy Conference the following Masses will be cancelled: OLGC: Tues 13th June Weds 14th June St Anthony's: Weds 14th June St Martin's: Tues 13th June Thurs 15th June Fr 16th June

On Sunday 18th June we will celebrate the Feast of St Anthony of Padua, our Patronal saint of Terrey Hills. Please join us for morning Mass at 9am followed by morning tea. Let us Pray: St. Anthony, faithful servant of Christ, you offered comfort and consolation to all who came to you in times of trouble. Pray for me now, that I may know true peace of mind, heart and soul. Help me grow in faith, so that I may be free from all useless and needless anxiety in this life. Fill me with a complete and lasting confidence in God’s healing graces. Grant me the serenity known by those who let go of resentments, bitterness and anger. Reassure me that Our Divine Saviour, Jesus Christ, is with me every step of the way, every day of my life, and that in His gracious love I need not worry or fear any of life’s difficulties. Amen. “ When you look into muddy or choppy water, you will not see your face reflected. If you want the face of Christ, who looks on you, to be reflected within you, come away fro

In order to celebrate the feast of the Sacred Heart we will be saying a 9 day Novena from the 16th June until the 24th after morning mass. All are welcome to join us.

For the Abolition of Torture We pray that the international community may commit in a concrete way to ensuring the abolition of torture and guarantee support to victims and their families.

CELEBRATION Please save the date for our annual Parish curry night on Saturday 24th June. We will celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart with 5:30pm Mass and follow with the Curry dinner in the OLGC school hall. Invite your family and friends, all are welcome. Please RSVP to the office email parishoffice@ffcp.org.au or ph: 94515097 or sign up on the clipboards at the back of the Churches.

This weekend our parish children will attend their third and final class as they prepare for their First Holy Communion. In this Session they learn about the two parts of the Mass called the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. They practise receiving Communion. Through the Eucharist we are empowered to reach out: we are sent forth from Mass to share the love of Christ with others. Let us pray for our parish children and their families that through this program and the Sacrament they feel empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The 2023/24 Family Based Sacramental Program is due to commence with a parent information evening on Thursday 27th July 2023 . 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 23 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

Sunday 4th June. Bush Tour 3pm. Music 4pm. Uncle Johnny Nicol, Stiff Gins, Microwave Jenny, Green Hand Band, Michael Birk and The Recognisers, Gii Music, Corey Kirk, Radical Son. St Anthony in the Fields Church, Bookings at www.trybooking.com/CHGNK

Would you like to find some time to stop or slow down and rest with God? June 6 is the first Tuesday of the month when you are warmly welcome to simply come and rest with God for a little while. The setting is restful..... contemplative music, reflections and meditations to appreciate the gift of the presence of God in your life and how you may wish to draw nearer to him. Look forward to seeing you, anytime between 10am-12pm, at St Martin’s Church.   

As we prepare for the new financial year, 2023/24, 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. Please note some of the envelope numbers may have changed due to consolidating the unused numbers we now have. 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 credit card giving or if you wish to increase your contribution please let the Parish Office know and we can help you arrange this. 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. Thank you again fo

Wednesday 31st from 12.00midday Just a reminder of this coming Wednesday, the last couple of months have been disappointing so a please to anyone who has been before and anyone who may be interested in a nice catch up with fellow parishioners. Just bring your sandwich, Tea and Coffee provided.

Catholic Social Services Victoria and Catholic Social Services Australia are offering a three-part webinar series on this year’s Voice to Parliament referendum. The Indigenous Voice to Parliament: Moments for healing this country event will bring together a range of speakers on this important topic.  On May 25, Professor Melissa Castan will explore questions including: What is the history surrounding the referendum? Should First Nations people have a Voice in Parliament? Why is it being proposed as an adaption to the Australian Constitution? The second webinar on June 29 will be given by Fr Frank Brennan SJ, who will look at how the Church has engaged in Aboriginal affairs, and why Catholics should take serious interest in the referendum. The final session on July 27 will feature three different voices of First Nations peoples who will consider what the Voice means for them, for their communities and for Australia. Details: www.trybooking.com/CHXKH

The Diocese has two Pastoral Works appeals each year – in May and November. These appeals support two key Diocesan ministries which get little or no government funding. They are: The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) – around 650 volunteer catechists taking the Gospel to approximately 14,000 state school children during the schools terms. CCD provides a large range of online resources for the students plus newsletters, training, and workshops for the volunteers. Hospital Chaplaincy & Pastoral Care Program – again Chaplain and care practitioners visit more than 3,000 individual hospital patients each year. Some are end-of-life patients, many may feel isolated, lonely or fearful; others will recover but are grateful to receive the sacraments; while some are parents trying to come to terms with very sick children or babies. Pastoral Works Broken Bay also support: St Lucy’s School and St Edmond’s College – serving students with disabilities, The Ephpheta Centre – w

The Diocese of Broken Bay is hosting this year’s Ignite Conference in the Cathedral Precinct, Waitara between 28 September and 1 October. The Ignite Conference is one of the most powerful Catholic youth conferences – but it is also so much more for people of all ages. Students, young adults, teachers, clergy, families are all welcome. This year’s theme for Ignite is “Wonder” and it will feature dynamic workshops and preaching, music, the sacraments and faith formation. Register now and save the date.  https://igniteconference.com.au/

A new website recently launched! - Becoming Catholic The Catholic Enquiry Centre has launched a new website, “Becoming Catholic”, to help answer the questions that people commonly ask when they consider becoming Catholic, and to invite people into the life of the Catholic Church. The Catholic Enquiry Centre is a work of the National Centre for Evangelisation, and this website is designed as a gateway for people to connect with their local Catholic community. It provides introductory information on God, including Jesus and the Trinity, explores the birth of the Church, and covers other key topics like Mary, the Bible, the saints, and sacraments. A companion booklet, “Discovering God and what it means to be Catholic” is also available. Visit the Becoming Catholic website

Congratulations to all the organisers, helpers and participants on a very successful celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Passionist Family Group Movement. Thank you to all the priests who came to celebrate the Mass especially our Vicar General, Fr David Ranson and Fr Tom McDonough, the Provincial Superior of the Passionists. Below is a link to watch/rewatch the beautiful Mass and speeches from the day. https://www.familyvideo.com.au/private/pfgm-50th-anniversary

Would you like to find some time to stop or slow down and rest with God? You are warmly welcome on the first Tuesday morning of each month, at any time between 10am and 12pm to enjoy the calm and quiet at St Martin’s. To simply come and rest with God for a little while. The setting is restful..... contemplative music, reflections and meditations to appreciate the gift of the presence of God in your life and how you may wish to draw nearer to him. First Tuesday mornings of the month anytime between 10am-12pm. May 2, June 6, July 4, August 1, Sept 5 at St Martin’s Church. Flyers are in the foyer of the church.

You are warmly welcome to our  Pause & Reflect gatherings  resuming on Tuesday mornings.....May 9, 16 & 23 & June 13, 20 & 27 - 10am - 12 pm at St Martin's. The themes we will reflect upon will be: Hidden Women of the Gospels Pentecost: Outpouring of the Spirit Presence: The Mystery of the Eucharist.

In September 2023 Fr Shiju and Deacon Peter will lead a pilgrimage to The Holy Land including Jordan, Israel, Palestine and Egypt– Would you like to join us? Highlights include Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Cenacle, Garden of Gethsemane, Bethlehem, Nazareth, St. Catherine Monastery, Cruise on the River Nile, Egyptian Pyramids & Sphinx. Dates: Departing 7th-19th September -12days/11 nights. If you would like to join us, contact Fr Shiju or Jessica in the Parish Office on 9451 5097 or parishoffice@ffcp.org.au . Tour will be limited to 35 people.

Yes we still need help, if you or someone you know would like to find out more about how to volunteer for this Ministry please contact the Parish Office or email Fran on pastoral@ffcp.org.au .  Our Parish children in State Schools really need you. Please consider joining us.