By John Kelaart

The church community of Our Lady of Help of Christians rallied together once again to raise funds for the

construction of the Parish Centre.A group of parishioners formed a

small committee and decided to have a traditional Sri Lankan Hopper Night which was held on 27 August 2016.

There were over 220 parishioners and friends who participated on the night which was held at Don Bosco School Hall raising close to $5,000.00 for this worthy cause of the Parish.

The night’s proceedings commenced with the Parish Priest Fr Brendan saying grace and welcoming all present and thanking all involved in making the night a success. The Master of Ceremonies was the very energetic Glen Reincastle.

The night was filled with activities for the whole family and music for dancing

by DJ Kym and Ash, who provided music free of charge. The raffle which was held on the night added excitement to the program with some excellent gifts donated by parishioners – other gifts were also presented on the night for the table draws and entrance ticket draws.

We cannot forget the excellent cooks such as Desha Hoppers, Victor De Sliva, John Fernando, Sandra and Ken Weragoda, Prince and Srimani Machado, Glen Reincastle, Jeremy Cannon, Kumar Swaminathan who donated all the curries and desserts to maximize the collection on the night and support of the Parish Staff and Parishioners who helped on the night. And thanks to Marlon Ansell for the table décor too.

A big thank you to all who made it to the night to make it a great success. All those present had a great night which was concluded at 12.00 midnight. It would be great to do it again some other time!

496 Princes Highway, Narre Warren | 03 9704 7935 | email: olhc@olhc.org.au Issue 10 | December 2016

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TiffinHomemade Pickles, Chutneys and Spice blends

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Our Lady Help of Christians2 | Living Waters - December 2016

By Lynn Richards

The vast majority of Catholics today were raised and taught our faith via our parents, Catholic education

and attending Sunday Mass (for me it was in a post war environment). We were raised to accept and believe and not to question, it was just the way it was- respect our family, our church and its beliefs. The majority of us just accepted this as a matter of blind faith.

When was the last time you took the time to revisit your faith in an adult context and explore your understanding of important faith areas like Jesus’s birth, death and resurrection? And to revisit

questions like: Who is the Holy Spirit and what relevance does he have in your life; how do you pray and why do you pray; what’s the modern interpretation of the Bible; and how Christians are living out their faith in the world today?

All these great questions can now be explored through participating in an ALPHA program. Members of the PPC completed the ALPHA course this year and we have all became advocates for its continued activity in our Parish. It’s all about being given the opportunity and time to question why you believe and what you believe- and have these conversations with others in an informal surrounding, sharing a meal and getting to make friends.

This allows you to come to know other people stories and understand their views and what underpins their beliefs and learn a thing or two along the way. The ALPHA series over 7 weeks give you this opportunity. You watch a great video for 20 minutes and then are able to discuss it in a group environment. There is a retreat day too which is wonderful, allowing for a real deepening of the soul. It’s really worthwhile.

With 2017 just around the corner it’s time to make your New Year’s resolution. Why don’t you make Alpha a part of this? Review, Reflect and Reaffirm your faith and you will gain so much.

ALPHA MUST

www.olhc.org.au Living Waters - December 2016 | 3

Jamie Haith, one of Alpha’s great speakers, visiting from England, seen with Dina Delfina, Conny James and Lorraine McCarthy.

Bear Grills promotional mornings attended by Fr Brendan and

Conny James. Bear Grills will be the face of Alpha in 2017, openly

professing his Christian faith as his source of spiritual strength and

encouraging all to do ALPHA.

DISCLAIMERThe Living Waters Parish magazine does not endorse and are not responsible for the views, products or services offered or provided by sponsors/advertisers. The Parish

has attempted to ensure that information in this publication is accurate. However, it does not warrant that the information is accurate or complete nor will it be liable for any loss suffered by persons because they rely in any way on it. The magazine invites parishioners to share/submit articles regarding their ministry groups, human interest stories, suggestions or feed back. Please email conny@ohlc.org.au . The magazine is

also uploaded onto the parish website at www.ohlc.org.au

MAGAZINE TEAM

EDITOR Conny James

GRAPHIC DESIGNER George Gregorio

496 Princes Highway, Narre Warren

Tel. 03 9704 7935 Email: olhc@olhc.org.auWeb: www.ohlc.org.au

Hello to all our dear readers. Hasn’t the time flown since our midyear edition? Christmas is coming so

quickly and the holidays for kids and families too. It hasn’t been our usual hot December but I’m sure there’s heat still to come.

How busy our community has been over the last 6 months, both in celebrating Feast days and liturgical occasions like Our Lady of Velankanni and in social gatherings like the Hopper night. You can read all those things within but some others that have not had a longer write up I would just like to mention here:

During the second half of the year we have been having morning tea after Wednesday morning Masses. Rosa Ribic had baked a lot of lovely cakes for us and regular Mass goers have enjoyed a chance to talk with each other and get to know each other better.

The “church moving” on November 6th required a big team of volunteers to empty out the church and take all the chairs to storage, if not being used in the Don Bosco Hall. It was a day of much hard work for all but the new set up in the hall proved to be a successful

outcome of all the labour.The annual Migrant and Refugee

Sunday Mass was at Cranbourne this year but some of our parishioners went along to show support. It is very important that we pray hard for our migrants and refugees given all that has transpired in Syria and other crisis points around the globe this year. How lucky we are to have a safe home.

Safe churches night was held at the Uniting church in Altona where Dina Delfino and myself were guests. It was an ecumenical night to learn about what other churches are now doing to improve their child safe standards.

The office has been working hard on the new Working With Children Check requirements. All volunteers in any ministry in the church has had to go online at the department of Justice website and select our church as their volunteer organisation. This has proved difficult for some so the office staff have been assisting many who have needed some guiding in this area. And from here on in all volunteers have to sign the child safety code of conduct letter of compliance which is part of the diocesan commitment to making our churches

safe for children and vulnerable adults. It requires patience and understanding but we will get there in the end.

The Peter Kearney concert was held to celebrate the end of the Year of Mercy. It was a lovely concert but we would have liked to see a few more in attendance. Many people enjoyed the pre-concert sausage sizzle cooked by a great team of volunteers. We thank parishioners for their generosity in supporting this.

The universal Church celebrated the canonisation of Mother Teresa, who is now an official saint. May we all remember her example in loving Jesus as she did.

The Swans didn’t win the grand final but were great runners-up!

And finally the Parish Carols was on December 10th. The three parish primary schools worked hard to join with the whole parish in celebrating Christmas. Occasions such as these bring great joy to the parish community and remind us of Jesus the Christ child who brought love and peace into this world.

May this peace be with you during this beautiful Christmas season.

Conny JamesPastoral Associate for OLHC Parish.

EditorA Word or Ten from the

Our Lady Help of Christians Living Waters - December 2016 | 54 | Living Waters - December 2016 www.olhc.org.au

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family needs to have a sense of how ordained ministry will impact family life. Every deacon realises very early on just how much the family’s generosity at sharing husband and father with others means to his ability to serve. This is a blessing, and a challenge. It demands that communications skills between husband and wife, and between parents and children, be as healthy as possible. Through all of this, one of the most important things for the deacon to maintain is right balance. The harmonising of two sacraments means constantly accessing and balancing the obligations of marriage, family life and ministry.

My wife Viviane and I have five adult children and fourteen grandchildren. Becoming a deacon has brought a new and joyous dynamic to our marriage of thirty seven years. Over the years we have experienced much kindness and generosity from our new and extended family …the parish community and our fellow clergy and church staff. Deacons are colloquially known as “the Bishops men”, the Bishop places them wherever he sees the need, and what joy and blessing it has been to be part of the lives of so many good people in Narre Warren Parish.

Viviane and I would like to wish you and your families a Holy and Joyous Christmas.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Bert Fulbrook, who my wife and I had known since he was a Christian Brother, when we worked together for the Antioch Youth Program, was the first one to suggest that we explore the permanent diaconate. I didn’t really know anything about it at the time but quickly learnt that it was a lifelong vocation. I found out that it is one degree in the Holy Sacrament of Order, or Holy Orders. With the Priest, the Deacon shares in the Bishop’s fullness of the sacrament of Order. Prior to being accepted for ordination, like the priest, a deacon has to undergo years of preparation, successfully obtain tertiary level theological and pastoral qualifications, to a high standard and prove himself able to serve the people of God as a commitment for life. Unlike most Catholic priests (although the church does now have some married catholic priests) the deacon has the joy and challenge of harmonising the two sacraments of Holy Orders and Marriage. In fact the Bishop has to receive written permission from the deacons’ wife before he is allowed by church law to ordain him to Holy Orders.

The family is a critical dimension in the living out of a deacon’s vocation. The deacon brings the lived experience of marriage and family to his vocation. He understands first hand marriage and family dynamics. The whole

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CON LILLEY’S 40 YEARS OF SERVICE and not finished yet

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist the priest in giving Communion to the assembly. They may also take Communion to the sick and elderly at home or in hospitals. (Immensae Caritatis, 1)

The selection of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion is a parish initiative and responsibility.

This is a very important and privileged ministry in the life of the church. Given this importance, an individual would normally be invited by the parish priest or by a delegated member of his pastoral team to serve in this ministry. We are blessed at OLHC to have many dedicated ministers. One of those ministers, who many of you would know, is Con Lilley. In September he received a Certificate of Appreciation from Fr Brendan marking 40 years of service as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. “Living Waters” took the opportunity to speak with him about this important milestone.

Con, could you tell us about how you first became involved in this ministry , how things have changed over the years, and what it means to you now?

I was a Parishioner of St Peter’s East Bentleigh in 1976 and was asked to be a lay Reader as the decisions from Vatican II were being implemented. In my early years in England I was under the influences generated by Pope Pius X who encouraged the receipt of the Sacraments at an early age and consequently I had become an altar server before my 5th Birthday (Benedictions only) and a Mass Server with Confession, Communion and

Confirmation before I was 7.

How were you introduced and trained for this ministry?

Well it seemed logical to get involved at age 45 with the laity assisting the clergy and I went for training over four two hour sessions before being appointed.

Were both men and women involved in this ministry at that time?

More men than ladies put their names forward and there was a general feeling that the ladies would only get involved “if there were not enough men available”.

How times have changed!

What does this ministry mean to you?As for me, I have always been

conscious of the responsibility attached to the ministry and feel privileged when taking Communion to sick or aged parishioners in their homes. Having won a scholarship to a Jesuit Secondary College in England, I was trained to prefix all my work with “AMDG”……Ad Majoram Dei Gloriam …To the Greater Glory of God. This sentiment still pervades my activities.

Well done Con,… “Living Waters” congratulates you on your wonderful achievement and thanks you for continuing to serve the Lord and his people as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.

Almighty God . . .You make the Church, Christ’s body, grow to its full stature as a new and greater temple. You enrich it with every kind of grace and perfect it with a diversity of members to serve the whole body in a wonderful pattern of unity.You established a threefold ministry of worship and service, for the glory of your name. As ministers of your tabernacle you chose the sons of Levi and gave them your blessing as their everlasting inheritance.

…The consecratory prayer for ordination of deacons

by Deacon Peter Stringfellow

Most permanent deacons are married men who feel called to serve the Catholic Church

as members of the clergy. Since its restoration 52 years ago the permanent diaconate has been a great vocational success for the worldwide church. In 2015 there were around 100 permanent deacons in Australia and, according to Vatican statistics more than 43,000 around the world. Permanent deacons follow a call to be ordained for a ministry of service for the rest of their lives. This is what happened to me.

In 1998 I had a strong feeling God was calling me to “something else” besides a demanding full-time career in Human Resource Management. A friend Fr.

Deacon, Husband, Father, Grandfather…Permanent Deacons – Harmonising the Two Sacraments of Order and Marriage

Our Lady Help of Christians Living Waters - December 2016 | 76 | Living Waters - December 2016 www.olhc.org.au

Looking back and looking forward while being firmly planted in the present is quite a challenge for us. One of the modern approaches to living a full life is supposedly

achieved by finding a lifestyle coach. When I was much younger and in my football playing days our coaches were strong on discipline. Demands were made around diet, training and rest so that we could be effective and achieve our best result. Coaches help us look back at our old ways of doing things and look forward to new approaches for lifestyle change. While most of us would not enlist the help of a life style coach we actually as baptised Christian entrust Jesus with this role in our life.

It is a healthy life choice to find time to be reflective. The Greek philosopher Socrates said, “The unreflected life is a wasted life”. Parish life provides many opportunities to slow down and look at our lives with gratitude. To rejoice in the blessings and discern where changes need to be made. One of the more challenging aspects since arriving in OLHC Parish has been discerning the masterplan for our parish. Our first task has been to move from our Church to Don Bosco School Hall. While we have found this challenging it has been wonderful to see the support of parishioners who despite the awkward moments, are still with us celebrating our parish. In many ways it would easier to go to another parish during this time, so our resilience is inspiring.

Our Masterplan Committee have worked hard to define the project we require to help us build the kingdom. Their work has allowed Law Architects to narrow down to a builder who will provide our vision and dream for our community. I have also been impressed with the response to Alpha in our Parish this past year. The Parish Pastoral Council engaged with this dynamic process to help bring our community together. Our sacrament program continues to bring life to our community and our many ministries are ever inviting and engaging with our community bring life and fellowship.

OLHC is a wonderful parish and remains so because we are committed to offering our gifts for the life of the community. While the Eucharist is the source and summit of what we do and personal and communal prayer is vital, Jesus was constantly on about connecting people with each other, reaching out to the outcast, welcoming the stranger and simply getting to know one another.

Jesus came for the one Lazarus and one Mary Magdalene. We build community by making decisions for each other. By engaging in conversation and fellowship with each other after Mass we put ourselves on the line. We look for someone to talk with, we hear each other’s stories- we coach each other to trust in Jesus, who is the only person who can satisfy the hunger of our hearts.

Looking back over 2016 brings great joy. We have much to be grateful for. I hope that Christmas is richly blessed and the New Year brings all that you desire. I look forward to 2017 with great hope. It will be a very significant year in the history of our parish.

Looking back and looking forward...

Fr Brendan’s Christmas AddressDecember 2016

Our Lady Help of Christians8 | Living Waters - December 2016 www.olhc.org.auOur Lady Help of Christians

By Suzie SchumacherParish Secretary

Our parish recently completed a stewardship renewal campaign which is undertaken every three

years. This program is conducted by a program director from the Development Office from the Arch Diocese of Melbourne. They coordinate all aspects of the program for which the parish pays a remuneration at the end of the campaign. Our program was supported by a parish chairperson, leadership team and volunteers. The success of this program is due entirely to the dedication of our parish volunteer group.

The final results of the program were;An increase of 28.2% in the final result

– $12,558 per week

The average pledge $13.50 Pledges received 931 an increase from

787 giversNew pledges 143Envelope givers 520

Credit Card givers 244Direct Debit givers 155Direct Credit givers 12 We thank everyone for their generosity,

love and support to our parish.

OLHC Stewardship Drive 2016

By Fernando De Larrazabal

Being the last publication of the Parish Magazine for 2016, our prayer group takes this opportunity

to thank Fr Brendan, the parish pastoral team and the parish staff, for all the support they have given our prayer group over the years.

Last 16 September 2016, our prayer group, OLHC Servant Community celebrated our 19th year anniversary, our biggest anniversary yet! Our anniversary program started off with a mass at the Don Bosco school hall, celebrated by 5 priests led by Fr James, our assistant parish priest and Fr Edgar from the congregation of PACEM, whose mission work focuses on evangelization and community building (organizing cell groups).

A cell group is a small group of 5-10 people that meet weekly in each other’s

home in an informal setting to explore how the bible speaks to them and to share their experience in their own lives. An authentic, honest attitude is formed as people gather to apply the bible practically, laugh together, pray together, cry together, challenge each other and minister to each other with the spiritual gifts God has given each of us.

Fr Edgar’s one month visit last September was fruitful, with seminars conducted in 3 parishes. A cell conference was conducted involving all the cell groups in the Sale and Melbourne diocese and several meetings were held, to strengthen the different ministries of the community.From the efforts of our expansion ministry, 5 cell groups were formed in the Sacred Heart, Oakleigh and St Joseph, Warragul parishes. Together with Fr Edgar, our expansion ministry made a trip to Tasmania and succeeded in forming 3 cell groups.

Looking back 19 years as a community, what we find fulfilling are the different opportunities in supporting our Parish. From the music choir on Sunday 11am mass and our availability for liturgical support, you will find our community members involved with the different parish groups and organizations.And for the parish building project, our community is supporting the parish building fund by hosting a musical play entitled “Change Of Heart” which is a modern day version of the Prodigal Son on 26 March 2017 from 2:30-4:30 pm at the Saint Francis Xavier Auditorium (Beaconsfield campus).Tickets are on sale for $15.00. Part of the proceeds are going towards the Parish building fund. Contact Linda-0432435402

We’re inviting all parishioners to join us in our prayer meeting every Friday at the Don Bosco school hall at 7:30pm after the 7:00pm Mass. Thank You.

Living Waters - December 2016 | 98 | Living Waters - December 2016

For those of you who love great Christian contemporary music this is for you. Lifted is not your average

Church music group. Formed 3 years ago after a chance meeting at St Patricks Cathedral in Melbourne, it is clear that the Holy Spirit brought together Mark, Jason and John to do something special. Using their music influences which range from Matchbox 20 to Keith Urban and then Chris Tomlin to Audio

A contemporary Christian acoustic rock LIFTED. at the service of the Christian community

praise and worship group

HARVEST – from OLHC Servant Community

Vailankanni a small town in Tamil Nadu. India has one of India’s largest Catholic and Marian

pilgrimage centres, the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health. The title Our Lady of Good Health is given to the Blessed Virgin Mary who is said to have appeared on three separate occasions in Vailankanni. Devoted to Our Lady of Vailankanni, it is popularly known as the “Lourdes of the East” as the Basilica is designed to resemble the Basilica which is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, in Lourdes, France. Its origins can be traced back to the 16th century. The church’s founding is attributed to three miracles.

First Miracle: The apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her Child Jesus to a shepherd boy and the miracle of the overflowing milk churn.

Second Miracle: The healing of the lame buttermilk vendor.

Third Miracle: The rescue and survival of Portuguese sailors on a merchant vessel who were fighting a violent storm and very rough seas.

Nowadays millions of pilgrims visit the Shrine in Vailankanni throughout

OUR LADY OF VAILANKANNI Our Lady of Good Health

the year, praying to Our Lady for various needs and thanking her for the favours received through her intercession; but since the devotion to Our Lady of Good Health has spread worldwide, many miracles, petitions pleading for the intercession of Our Lady of Vailankanni have been answered and healings (body and soul) have been reported in connection with this devotion which first began so long ago in a little town called Vailankanni.

At our Lady Help of Christians

Parish in Narre Warren, we have a large congregation with a strong devotion to Our Lady of Vailankanni or Our Lady of Good Health under which title she is also known. Every Tuesday evening, we gather and pray the Novena to Our Lady of Good Health, followed by Benediction and then Holy Mass. On the 30th of August we pray the 9-day Novena to Our Lady of Vailankanni which culminates on the feast day which is the 8th of September, when we celebrate the Nativity of our Lady.

Velankanni Feast

Adrenaline, it is clear that these guys bring with them a vast array of differing styles into their music; and it shows in the diversity of sounds that they are able to produce: Mark with his mastery of the acoustic guitar and backing vocals, is also the producer. The album called HIGH was recorded in his own studio (Jumpsound). The studio is available to the public. Jason, (who sleeps with his guitar under his pillow!!), is constantly researching new sounds in praise and worship music, keeping up to date with the latest trends. He has already played at a few different Catholic events across the country. John brings his powerful vocals and the occasional bit of guitaring, and combines that with his giftedness in leading people to praise and worship the Lord; in fact, all of these guys have a passion to lead people to the Lord through their music. This is reflected in the debut CD HIGH which is quietly

achieving some recognition in Catholic circles. HIGH is a praise and worship CD designed for prayer communities who don’t have any music ministry, and also for those who like to praise the Lord wherever they find themselves. The songs are covers of well-known Christian songs which the band Lifted have reinterpreted. As the guys say themselves ‘please make sure that when you’re driving your car and praising the Lord, you keep both hands on the steering wheel’! HIGH will inspire you to do that, so please take care!!

You can get a copy of HIGH by contacting the guys at liftedupworship@gmail.com, by contacting John on 0448 343 074, or you can search for the album on iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Spotify, Amazon, Shazam or you can download it directly from their website: https://lifted.hearnow.com/

May God bless you always.

Our Lady Help of Christians Living Waters - December 2016 | 1110 | Living Waters - December 2016 www.olhc.org.au

By Emily D’SylvaSacrament Coordinator

The gifts we give each other for birthdays, anniversaries or at other special occasions

are symbols of love, friendship and self- giving. They not only express the friendship and love that exists between the giver and the receiver, they also enhance the experience of love and friendship. A sacrament is one such symbol. A symbol of God’s love. Every

day we encounter symbols and signs of God’s love in our lives. The seven sacraments are expressions of a God who embraces, welcomes and nourishes, who forgives and heals, who loves without conditions.

This year we have had 581 children who received their Sacraments. 186 children made their First Reconciliation, 205 children made their First Eucharist and 190 children made their Confirmation and I take great joy in being involved in the faith journey

of these children and their families, providing opportunities to grow in faith and experience a sense of belonging to their parish. Through the years, especially in my role as Sacrament Coordinator, it has become very evident to me that when God’s desire and our openness touch, the result is the Grace of God at work in our lives. May God bless our children and their families and continue the work of growth in their faith that the sacraments have begun.

By Dina Delfino

“Biblical revelation urges us to welcome the stranger; it tells us that in so doing we open our doors to God and in the faces of others,

we see the face of God himself.” – Pope Francis, 17 Jan 2016

One day I took a train to Melbourne CBD. A heavily bearded young man carrying a black back-pack

boarded at Dandenong – he looked menacing. He settled himself directly opposite where I was seated. That day for some reason I was full of fears.

I was observing him from behind my sunglasses. In my nervous state I started to conjure really wild dangerous thoughts. Where was the nearest exit should an incident happen? As he took out his mobile phone, I squirmed in my seat thinking this might be it. But then a change. He seemed to be praying. So I prayed too, calling on the Holy Spirit.

My thoughts wandered to Christmas. How quick it was coming along! The rush of different emotions overwhelmed me. I was excited for those going on overseas trips for their holiday. I was extremely sad for those who lost loved ones and thought of the brave face we need to put on as a mask to help us wade through the jolly season. Then I was thinking of the possible expenses that would come along, trapping me into debt. I was worried

again. For a few seconds the train

slowed down at a station where there were trees so close that one could almost reach out to them. I observed a very old tree, noticing the hard, brown, decaying leaves on some branches, but on some twigs, tiny fresh new blooms were swaying in the wind. What a joy to behold! It brought me back to Christmas reveries and into my fears. Jesus did not come to our world to frighten us but to bring joy, peace, freedom and new life. What on earth was I worried about?

The bearded young man alighted at Richmond Station. I was relieved that no bad incident had happened and I reached St Francis Church safely. I wondered whose prayer made it to heaven. Surely not mine as they were full of noxious ruminations. The young man taught me a lesson – don’t judge, don’t worry, nothing to fear. But how do you welcome the stranger?

After Mass and lunch, I headed off towards Swanston Street. At a corner, two people were screaming expletives to each other. Oh dear... this time I prayed again... sincerely for peace, harmony, mercy, forgiveness. Somehow I felt my prayers were heard, as in a vision, I could hear the bells of Christmas ringing... Glory to God in the Highest... and peace to people

of goodwill...” The angels are singing...Jesus is born once again in our hearts... there is silence... the night is holy... all is well.”

Now I was able to look at the city stores decked with boughs of holly, tinsel and lights in a brighter, braver spirit. Christ the Saviour is born. The Source of love is here. There is nothing to fear.

–––––The Philippine Times recently published

and successfully launched Dina’s book, “Under His Wings”, along with three other Filipino-Australian authors. Her book, inspired from Psalm 91 has three sections – a testimony never shared before, a selection of her spiritual reflections from her monthly column in the Philippine Times (who awarded her the Most Outstanding Columnist Award in 2015) and contributions from friends who share her courage in bringing the love of God and Jesus’ offer of new life. For details on how to order her book, please contact her on 0430 214 917.

Nothing to fear

www.olhc.org.auOur Lady Help of Christians

Fr James Mallon’s challenge: evangelise or maintain?By Joe DannaouiSecretary of the Parish Pastoral Council

Going to Church is a very solemn time of the week for me but it is also a great time of joy too. I love

to see people being a part of the service and sharing their love for our Lord, Jesus Christ. Whether you are a parishioner in the pews, at the door providing a warm welcome or providing another service for our Church, you are all community builders for our wonderful Church. Because of your commitment to our Lord, we are a vibrant and welcoming community.

However, what if we could do more or be more? What if you could be part of helping our Church to continue to move away from a maintenance model to an evangelisation model? To stoke the fires in our heart and live a purposeful life?

This is where Fr. James Mallon

comes in. A passionate priest from Nova Scotia, Canada. He gave a talk to people from many church communities last month about ‘Divine Renovation’. He provided insight and guidance from his own experiences- about the need for parishes to cultivate communities of discipleship with a vibrant and dynamic faith, not just to be satisfied with the same old ways of doing things. Through his colourful stories Fr. Mallon challenged the audience to rethink their models of parish life, from membership-based communities to communities of disciples who proclaim and share the good news with all people-who draw others in to know the love of Jesus. He articulated practical ways for injecting new life into our parishes. Many people walked away inspired to implement some of these ideas in their own parishes.

To find out more about Fr. James

Mallon and his approach to church renewal, check out his book called, ‘Divine Renovation’. He also has many videos on YouTube that give inspiration to do more to renew and transform our Church into a more alive Church.

Living Waters - December 2016 | 1110 | Living Waters - December 2016

“We are a likeminded Jnr Youth Group that come together weekly on a Friday night to share our faith, fun and friendship. We call ourselves “Slice of Faith”.

So come join us and get a slice ... of ...

Patience

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SACRAMENTS – EXPRESSION OFGOD’S LOVE

JUNIOR YOUTH GROUP

Our Lady Help of Christians12 | Living Waters - December 2016

By Ramona D’Souza

We are known to pass on a lot of things to our children. Our memories, our talents, even

recipes and hobbies. Equally important is the need to pass on faith. It is a known fact that children learn from what they experience. Families are then the basic units of life that shape faith and values in young ones. Parents are the primary catechist for every child. We the parish support the parents – the catechist together with Father Brendan and Father

James, are deeply committed to this mission. We as parishioners of OLHC are blessed that our church participates in this mission and therefore shares the responsibility.

Our catechist program that began about 9 years ago has grown and flourished. Every year we endeavor to reach out to as many children in our parish as we can. Today’s children will become the pillars of faith tomorrow. All it takes is a bit of hard work from our side for the work of the Lord to florish.

As we enter into our 10th year next

year, we would like to thank you parents and children for your support. We would like to thank the parish families without whose support this would not have been a success. Finally thank you to Father Brendan, Father James, the parish team and the Don Bosco school principal for their support and encouragement.

We look forward to reaching out to more families and look to you parishioners to support our humble efforts.

Thank youCatechetic Teachers | OLHC

Catechistkids love

21 Lyall RoadBerwick 3806

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(03) 9796 2866

FACSIMILE

(03) 9707 2666

100% Australian

Owned

Julius samarakoonBranch Manager – Berwick

jsamarakoon@tobinbrothers.com.auwww.tobinbrothers.com.au

FOR OVER 80 YEARS

NIGEL’SGARDEN SERVICES

Reliable Meticulous Local Insured

Lawn Mowing and Edging

Hedging, Pruning and Tree Trimming

Garden Clean Up and Care

Contact Nigel on 0416 288 598 for a free quoteABN 73 729 077 864