Safeguarding Sunday 2024
This weekend, the Catholic Church in Australia marks Safeguarding Sunday, on which we pray for those who have been abused, their families and supporters. We recognise and apologise for the harm done by priests, religious and lay people in Church settings. Rebuilding trust and confidence in the Church requires constant work and vigilance. We recommit to cultural change that will help the Church be a place that respects the dignity of all children and adults at risk, and empowers and listens to all people, especially those who are vulnerable.
This year’s theme is “Every Conversation Matters”. Conversations are powerful tools to keep children and young people safe and well. Conversations can help us understand issues, craft solutions, value community knowledge, and build the brains and social connections of children and young people.
Further information and resources are available on our ‘Keeping Our Community Safe’ noticeboards, on our website https://www.shscparish.org.au/keeping-our-community-safe and on the Archdiocese’s Safeguarding website https://melbournecatholic.org/safeguarding
Season of Creation
Each year from 1 September to 4 October, the Christian family unites for this worldwide celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home. It is a special season where we celebrate God as Creator and acknowledge Creation as the divine continuing act that summons us as collaborators to love and care for the gift of all that is created. We are co-creatures and part of all that God has made. Our well-being is interwoven with the well-being of the Earth. The theme this year is: To hope and act with Creation with the symbol, ‘The firstfruits of hope”, inspired by Romans 8:19-25.
Social Justice Statement 2024 / 2025
Australia’s Catholic bishops say peace is possible if people commit to speaking the truth and redouble efforts to end war.
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has released the Social Justice Statement for 2024–25, entitled Truth and Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World.
Every year, in time for Social Justice Sunday—marked this year on 25 August—the bishops seek to make a substantive comment on a key social issue. This year the focus is on the promotion of peace and the need for truth in public life.
‘Words are never enough to make peace—action is required,’ writes Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB in the foreword to the statement.
Eucharist Preparation Mass
Last weekend our Grade 4 children from St Columba's Primary School continued preparations for their Sacrament of Eucharist. We warmly welcomed the children and their families to 6.00p.m. Mass. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Archbishops Campaign 2024
Come, follow me
As the first disciples responded to Jesus’ invitation to ‘Come, follow me’ so too are we called to continue this vital and life giving work today.
To do this we have streamlined our approach to fundraising by moving to just one annual campaign for the purposes of the Archdiocese.
Your contribution to the Archbishop’s Campaign supports the vital ministries that serve all in our Archdiocese and helps build the community of faith of the future.
Parish Soup a Sweet Lunch
On Sunday 28th July, members of the parish gathered once again to enjoy "A Soup A Sweet Lunch" in St Columba's hall. Thirty-six parishioners enjoyed an array of hearty and nourishing soups which proved to be the perfect antidote to a cold winter's day. What was on the menu? Adrian's Chicken and Winter Vegetable Soup; Mairead's Potato and Leek Soup; Antonietta's (Toni"s) Moroccan Sweet Potato and Chickpea Soup, Janine's Mexican Bean Soup and Mizael's Cassava, Kale and Brazilian Chorizo Soup. Such variety and there was an abundance of steaming pots so plenty for everyone to try them all! The dessert table was full of tempting treats- again enough for several tastes. Thank you to all the people who generously donated these sweets.
This being another Social and Fundraising function, we raised $694.81 plus we received a generous donation of $1000 bringing the total to $1,694.81. All of this will go to the upkeep of our beloved parish. Thank you to all who attended and many thanks to the Social and Fundraising Committee for their tireless efforts in organising and setting up yet another social function that parishioners and friends could enjoy. Thank you to the cooks who generously donated their time and ingredients to prepare the delicious soups: Adrian, Mairead, Janine, Mizael and Toni. Thanks to all who helped to clean and pack up afterwards. See you all at the next function which will be the Spring Festival.