French's Forest Catholic Parish eNEWS

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

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

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

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.

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.