From the Parish House

I’d like to share an important update regarding our Parish Office team.

As we all know, after many years of dedicated and faithful service, our Stewardship Coordinator Kate Baines has retired.  We are deeply grateful for her commitment and contribution to the life of our parish.

In response to this transition, our current Administrative Assistant, Sally McIntosh, has graciously stepped forward to take on an expanded role as Office Manager and Finance Assistant.  We sincerely thank her for her generosity and willingness to serve the parish in this new capacity.

As a result of this change, a vacancy has arisen for the position of Administrative Assistant within the Parish Office.

We are now inviting applications for this role.  This position offers a meaningful opportunity to serve our parish community through administrative support and engagement in parish life.  A detailed role description is available on the Archdiocese of Melbourne Job Vacancies page.

If you, or someone you know, may be interested in this opportunity to serve, we encourage you to review the position description and apply online via the link above.

We have also engaged a Property Coordinator to support the care and maintenance of our parish properties.  Tony McIlroy has kindly accepted this role and will be working from the Parish Office one day each week.

If you notice any maintenance issues, please report them to a member of the Parish Life Team or contact the Parish Office by phone or email.

In 1964, in response to the decline in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, Pope Saint Paul VI established the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.  Its purpose was to encourage the faithful throughout the global Church to pray for, foster, and appreciate vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.  The Fourth Sunday of Easter each year was designated for the celebration of this special day of prayer, and this tradition has continued ever since.  Needless to say, every vocation in life is precious and unique.  Each vocation – including married and single life – serves the Church in its own fruitful way.  Priesthood and consecrated life, nevertheless, invite and enable individuals to serve in distinct capacities with different charisms and roles within the Church.  All these vocations, indeed, enrich the Church with their diversity and beauty.

As I began my ministry here as Parish Priest at the end of 2024, I met many religious men and women across our parish communities – at Masses, liturgical celebrations, forums, and events.  I have witnessed a profound spirit of service and humility among them.  Even though they have retired, they continue to offer themselves in service to others, through both great and small acts.  I have often marvelled at the many faithful years they have dedicated to service.  They have tirelessly reached out to care for our brothers and sisters – the poor, the sick, the underprivileged, and the marginalised – as well as those most in need in their own circumstances.  My heart is filled with gratitude for their lives, gifts, and talents.

I wish to designate a special day to gather and celebrate the religious men and women in our parish.  This occasion will not only provide an opportunity to honour and celebrate them but also create space and time to share the life experiences and charisms of each religious community with one another.

For further details about the Celebration honouring the Consecrated Religious Life in our Parish, download the invitation…

During the week, I was invited to meet with a group of Grade 4 students at Genazzano FCJ College to share and explore with them the Sacrament of the Eucharist.  They are preparing to celebrate this Sacrament for the first time on Friday evening next week.  The meeting was joyful and fruitful, with many interesting questions from these young students.

This visit provided a wonderful opportunity for us to meet, encounter one another, and reflect on the important message of the Eucharist: the presence of Christ in Holy Communion and the gathering of the people of God to celebrate, pray in thanksgiving, and worship.  Seeing the enthusiastic and engaged participation of the students in our conversations truly filled me with great joy and hope.

I invite you to keep these students in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Eucharist for the first time.  May they experience a special encounter with the Lord in the Eucharist and be nourished by His constant presence in their lives.

After spending time with the students, I was invited to share lunch with a group of Catholic residents at Sackville Grange Retirement Village.  The dynamic of the conversation shifted – from enthusiastic young students full of questions, to a group of retirees with a deep and rich knowledge of the Church’s history – which was quite interesting.

Despite the difference in age, the hospitality and welcoming spirit of both groups were equally special and beautiful.  Each embraced me in their own way, and what they shared was both meaningful and valuable.

We also keep our school communities in our thoughts and prayers as they begin their second term this week.  A special Mass was celebrated with the OHR school community on Friday morning, not only to commence the term but also to commemorate the spirit of ANZAC Day, praying for those who have died protecting our nation.  OLGC School also held its beginning-of-term Mass at 2.30 pm on Friday afternoon.  May all have a wonderful term of learning, discovery, and growth, filled with joy and enthusiasm.

By Fr Sang Ho