Father Martin s Message

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1 Secondar y St ory Hea dline The is the official quarterly Newsletter of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Cnr Exford & Wilson Road Melton South, VIC 3338 Tel: Fax: sapmssec@netspace.net.au Parish Priest: Father Martin J Fleming Editorial Committee Dolores Turcsan Edwina La Rose Lorraine Tellis Kim Barton Godwin Barton Publishing Team Anne Consiglio Doris Bonnelo If you are interested in being part of the Editorial Committee, please contact any one of the committee members or paduanews@yahoo.com.au Issue 11 Father Martin s Message Recent weeks have seen the tragic events of the devastating fires in Victoria in which 200 or so people have perished, scores injured and many have lost homes and livelihoods. The State and Federal Governments have responded through their various agencies and we have also seen the heroic work of our fire fighters along with the emergency services personnel. Bushfires are commonplace on the Australian landscape and have been for more than the 200 years of European settlement. The natural environment is reinvigorated by them and indeed grows back abundantly. The people who have been affected by the bushfires are not so able to move on with any sense of the fires being part of a natural or normal event. Tragic loss of life, injury and the sheer horror of the huge flames and smoke sear a person s memory. For a great number the effects of this tragic event will take a long time to heal. People will need a long time to move on at their own pace. The immediate response to this tragedy from the Australian community has been one of extraordinary generosity and good will. Just as the flames were huge and people were overcome, the response has been huge and hopefully the survivors will be helped deeply. Let us rejoice that at times like this, we as Australians do come to the aid of our brothers and sisters in need. We are about to enter the Church s season of Lent before the celebration of the Easter event. A lot of people and not just those caught up in the fires will be rethinking priorities in their lives. One of the effects of a tragedy like the fires is that March 1, 2009 we are motivated to rethink what is important in our life. The Easter event of the Resurrection came after the tragedy of Good Friday. As we look forward to celebrating Christ who is our Light on Holy Saturday night, may our lives be illuminated this Lent by the hope which Christ shows us through the generous response of people every day. All the Best! Rev Martin Fleming Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. Just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. II Corinthians 1:3-5

2 Issue 11 Page 2 Thanksgiving Campaign - speech by Mila Little In October 2008, we carried out our Thanksgiving program. Many of our parishioners were involved to make the program a success. Amongst the many volunteers was Mila Little, who shared with us her own experiences in our Parish. Mila has kindly agreed to allow us to print her speech for those who missed it! When I was asked to do a talk about thanksgiving I felt uncomfortable! Like everybody else I don t like talking about money, let alone stand up here in front of you all asking for money. When I stopped to think what the church meant to me, my attitude changed. I realized that the church is my spiritual home and a home like any home requires upkeep. When my husband and I came to this parish seven and a half years ago the first people we met were the people of this parish. Immediately we had a base. As a Christian meditator, I was able to advertise this fact in the church newsletter, have other people join me and we were given a space in the church where we meet once a week. If it is hot we have an airconditioner and if it it is cold we have a heater. This is a gift that we as a parish make possible. Over the years much has been achieved in our parish, extensive painting, new chairs, carpet, altar space, new altar etc. This year - our Silver Jubilee Year - it seems so appropriate to thank all our parishioners who contributed so much of their time, talents, financial resources, especially BINGO, to get to where we are today. But as all homes require a review of where we have come from and where we are going, so does our spiritual home. The theme this year of the renewal program is Sharing God s Gifts, so very appropriate for a parish as each of us is gifted in some way. There are many ways that we can share our gifts; as a reader, arranging the flowers, as a special minister, choir member, handy person, or a visitor etc. There is so much that we can do. If anyone has a talent that I have not mentioned please come forward and let the parish know. The Church is rapidly changing all around us. Today, more than ever, each of us is called through our Baptism to be the church by sharing our talents. No longer can we rely on Father or the Sisters to do it all! In order to serve the Church well there is a need to recruit, train and resource many more lay people for this ministry. And together with this there is the upkeep of the building and its surrounds. Can we afford to fund the new challenges that we face? YES, WE CAN but not on our current income! While BINGO has played a strong part in the story of our parish the main part of our finances comes from our Thanksgiving program. The weekly average for the last three years has been $1673 and the weekly average for the last three months has been $1633. We require a target to manage. It is not long ago since I was quite slack in my commitment to our spiritual home. Now I feel a little better that I am not taking for granted the services provided, that now I am an involved contributor. Please review your commitment and help us make sure that St. Anthony s moves into the future as a viable strong parish. Contributed by: Mila Little October 2008 We are pleased to report that the response to the Thanksgiving programme was very generous. Thank you to all who responded. Further contributions are always welcome.

3 Reflections on the Silver Jubilee of St Anthony of Padua in Melton South Issue 11 Page 3 Well, here we are. The first months of 2009 are already behind us and we are in our 26 th year as a parish. As I ponder back to the first meeting of the Steering Committee in May 2007, it seems just like yesterday. I recall very clearly that our main goal was to plan a celebratory year that would be worthy of and remembered by the entire parish family. We consciously tested all events and suggested dates so that they would be all inclusive and provide every opportunity for people to attend. That we hosted the World Youth Day 2008 pilgrims from Pembroke diocese Canada was a fantastic blessing. The parish of St Anthony s Melton South extended the hand of warm welcome in exactly the same way parishioners had been doing towards new comers for the previous quarter century. Host families said that they received much joy from being able to provide a roof and in addition claim they now have good friends in Canada The dinner dance at Luxor was a momentous affair. From all accounts, the tablegrams and the photos are testaments to everyone having a great time. The Church dedication in June was a formal recognition that we are now a fully fledged parish. I still feel humbled being invited to lead the 25 th Anniversary Steering Committee. However, I was only part of a great team of individuals who took responsibility and made things happen. Our early planning meant we were not overwhelmed at the last minute. It also meant that the Parish Quadrant system had a chance to prove its value. They took up the challenges and the results were beautifully smooth running celebrations. (neither I nor my wife Anne were able to attend the Dinner dance or the Church dedication, but they went on seamlessly.) We had many groups of people willing to help. We probably did aim a little high on some expectations, but practicalities prevailed. For me, one of the highlights was the International night. Yummy food, great people and interesting memories of Rev. Father Martin, pretending he was some sort of bird wandering around in circles. What a rich set of cultures we are lucky to be able to participate in. A lot happened in 2008 and I feel happy with them all. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so if you would like to relive some of these memories just click along to: wordpress.com and have a browse through the pictures. We are already planning our Golden Jubilee. How you ask, well just by taking an active part in St Anthony s activities now means we create those bonds that will draw us back together in another twenty five years. How about we practice with say a thirtieth, thirty fifth and so on? Will you be there? I hope to be. Contributed by: Colin Consiglio Silver Jubilee Steering Committee Then.. And Now Photos from top left to bottom:: Yummy food, Father Martin and cultural dance performance at International Night, Jubilee Year Opening Mass; Adult Education by Tim Costello; Consecretation of Church; Anniversary Cake and Cake cutting ceremony at Dinner Dance at Luxor; Pembroke Diocese Flag and pilgrims - World Youth Day DID at Melton South; Father Peter James Anniversary Mass

4 Issue 11 Page 4 Divine Mercy Devotion From the diary of a young Polish nun, a special devotion began spreading throughout the world in the 1930s. The message is nothing new, but is a reminder of what the Church has always taught through scripture and tradition: that God is merciful and forgiving and that we, too, must show mercy and forgiveness. In the Divine Mercy devotion, the message takes on a powerful new focus, calling people to a deeper understanding that God s love is unlimited and available to everyone especially the greatest sinners. Divine Mercy Sunday this year will be celebrated at St. Anthony s of Padua church, Melton South at 2.00pm Sunday, April 19, 2009 The message and devotion to Jesus as The Divine Mercy is based on the writings of Saint Faustina Kowalska, an uneducated Polish nun who, in obedience to her spiritual director, wrote a diary of about 600 pages recording the revelations she received about God s mercy. Even before her death in 1938, the devotion to The Divine Mercy had begun to spread. The message of mercy is that God loves us - all of us - no matter how great our sins. He wants us to recognize that His mercy is greater than our sins, so that we will call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it flow through us to others. Thus, all will come to share His joy. It is a message we can call to mind simply by remembering ABC: A Ask for His Mercy. God wants us to approach Him in prayer constantly, repenting of our sins and asking Him to pour His mercy out upon us and upon the whole world. B Be merciful. God wants us to receive His mercy and let it flow through us to others. He wants us to extend love and forgiveness to others just as He does to us. C Completely trust in Jesus. God wants us to know that the graces of His mercy are dependent upon our trust. The more we trust in Jesus, the more we will receive. Source: The Image of the Divine Mercy The painting shows Jesus raising his right hand in a gesture of blessing and pointing with his left hand on His chest from which gush forth two rays: one red and one white (translucent). The picture contains the message "Jesus, I trust in You!" shown underneath to emphasize the meaning of the figure. The rays streaming out have symbolic meaning: red for the blood of Jesus (which is the life of souls) and pale for the water (which justify souls) (from Diary - 299). The whole image is symbolic of the mercy, forgiveness and love of God. Extracted from: Image source:

5 Issue 11 Page 5 Why celebrate Divine Mercy on 1st Sunday after Easter Extracts from Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska s Diary 699 On one occasion, I heard these words: My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the Fount of My Mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy. 570 On one occasion, I saw Jesus in a bright garment; this was in the greenhouse. [He said to me,] Write what I say to you. My delight is to be united with you. With great desire, I wait and long for the time when I shall take up My residence sacramentally in your convent. My spirit will rest in that convent and I will bless its neighbourhood in a special way. Out of love for you all, I will avert any punishments which are rightly meted out by My Father s justice. My daughter, I have inclined My heart to your requests. Your assignment and duty here on earth is to beg for mercy for the whole world. No soul will be justified until it turns with confidence to My mercy, and this is why the first Sunday after Easter is to be the Feast of Mercy. On that day, priests are to tell everyone about My great and unfathomable mercy. I am making you the administrator of My mercy. Tell the confessor that the Image is to be on view in the church and not within the enclosure in that convent. By means of this image I shall be granting many graces to souls; so let every soul have access to it.

6 Issue 11 Page 6 My Experience as a Bush Fire relief worker I just want to share my firsthand experience of the recent tragic event in which I participated as a relief worker from the Department of Human Services. My first impression when I arrived at ground zero in Whittlesea was the sheer size of the whole relief centre and the numerous government and non-government agencies who were at hand to offer assistance to the victims of this horrific bushfires. Community centers were instantly converted into large stores to provide food essentials, clothing, toys, shoes etc. There were the Salvation Army, Red Cross, Telstra, RSPCA, RACV, Police, Media, Centrelink and the list goes on. I was fortunate enough to assist in emergency recovery where I assisted people streaming into the centre and seeking help to guide them to the right services. There were horrific stories that were related to me which moved me emotionally. A number of times these peo- ple just wanted a shoulder to cry on. Many lost loved ones in the fire. Some houses were left intact while others burnt to the ground. People who fled the scene of the inferno only had minutes to spare before the flames engulfed everything in its path. The local papers best described the inferno as the unleashing of fifty atomic bombs at once. The radiant heat was so intense that even metal melted away. The generosity of the Australian public has been overwhelming! There was so much food, donations, clothes, mobile phones etc that it was just unbelievable. I believe everyone in this country has been touched in some way. I was approached by ordinary people who wanted to donate even their second car to families who need them. One man came to me and said that he was willing to accommodate anyone in his home as he had a large room. Food was given to anyone who passed by. There were just people everywhere willing to help! Telstra put up a large TV screen to broadcast Foxtel to the public to keep up with the latest information. The police are still discovering bodies in burnt out homes. It has been a tragic event and many people lost their lives. Please continue to pray for all those affected. The danger is not over yet. Pray! Pray! Pray! Contributed by: Ben Anthony Children s Liturgy Programme during Lent Would you like your children to understand the Gospel readings? Encourage them to attend the Children s Liturgy, (held during the Season of Lent at the 10:30am Mass) and listen and understand the Gospel/Word at their level

7 Issue 11 Page 7 Catholic Regional College Melton Principal s Report, February 2009 Start to the school year The school year has started well with the 162 new Year 7 students making the transition to secondary school. The total enrolment at the start of school year was 590 students from Years Building works for the VCE classrooms, including the Science labs, commenced on schedule on January 12 and will be completed by September this year. Additional building works in Food Technology will commence later this year, as will the development of a artificial turf sports area shaped in the size of a soccer pitch, but with capabilities for PE classes and Athletics. The Opening School Mass was celebrated this week by Fr Martin Fleming, Fr John O Reilly, Fr Michael Moody and Fr Brian Glasheen. Our Year 7 Parent Information Night was well supported last week, and was the Year 10 Parents BBQ and Homeroom teachers meeting last night. In relation to the Victoria bushfires, students have raised funds and donated clothing and personal items to St Mary s Primary School in Whittlesea. M G Sheehan, Principal New appointments to the school Mark Sheehan (Principal) and Joanna De Bono ( Deputy Principal) commenced their new roles at CRC Melton in January this year. Mark was previously Principal at Samaritan College, Preston and had also had Deputy Principal roles at St Bernard s College, Essendon and St Joseph s College, North Melbourne. Joanna had some 20 years experience in several leadership roles at St Columbia s College, Essendon. Other new staff for 2009 are: Mrs Sharryn Bertsias Emmanuelle College, Altona: Mathematics and Science Mr Nathan Guthridge -Graduate Latrobe Uni Bendigo : Physical Education, Outdoor Education and SOSE Miss Lauren Hill- Graduate Ballarat Uni--English and SOSE Mr Daniel Kelly-Graduate ACU Physical Education, Information Technology Mrs Edwina La Rose- CRC North Keilor- Religious Education, Art and Graphics Ms Clare O Sullivan-Graduate Ballarat Uni -Drama Mr Damian Pentony Graduate Ballarat Uni-Mathematics and Physical Education Joke Corner The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic primaryschool for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray: "Take only ONE. God is watching." Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note, Take all you want. God is watching the apples!

8 Issue 11 Page 8 Mid-Summer Barbeque - February 15, 2009 Submissions for next newsletter All Parishioners are welcome to give their suggestions. If you have any article of interest for the next newsletter, please submit them to the Parish Office or to: paduanews@yahoo.com.au by May 1, Editorial Policy The content of the articles contained herein may not necessarily reflect the official stance of the church or the committee and may differ from the opinion of the editors. The is approved by Father Martin Fleming prior to printing. The editors and Father Martin reserve the right to edit all articles submitted. Articles may be reproduced with permission from the writer and editor.

9 Issue 11 Children s Pullout Page 1

10 Issue 11 Children s Pullout Page 2 Did you know???? 1. Psalm 118 is the middle chapter of the entire Bible? 2. Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible? 3. Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible? 4. The Bible has 594 chapters before Psalm 118 and 594 chapters after Psalm 118? 5. If you add up all the chapters except Psalm 118, you get a total of 1188 chapters or Psalm 118:8 is the middle verse of the entire Bible? Should the central verse not have an important message? "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man." Psalm 118:8 Source: CHILDREN S LITURGY Do you know what Jesus said? Source: Unknown Come and attend the Children s Liturgy at the 10:30am Mass on Sunday during the Season of Lent and listen to the Words of