This weekend anyone who comes to the church will be presented with a bracelet with an attached cross. Fr Bob has asked us to wear it during the season of Lent as a reminder to one another that we are connected to each other in many ways.
The colour green represents the old meaning of Lent.You are also encouraged to make a difference through random acts of kindness as shown on the notice board outside the church.So for Lent, we can travel with the Cross each day as pilgrims on a journey.
We can wear our Cross bracelet as a sign of connection to each other and we can reflect on the Stations each week, travelling with Jesus as he takes up his cross.

Do something like this For 40 days straight And you've done Lent.

Project Compassion envelopes and boxes are available at the church. Your donation to Caritas through Project Compassion will allow many communities to gain food and security to become self reliant, enabling them to look forward to the future with hope.

Architects of their own progress: South African HIV/AIDS worker Mpogeng Mahlangu shares her experience as the manager of the Siyabbabha Trust.
Mpogeng's story highlights the broad impact that HIV has, not only on those who have the virus, but also on the family, community and country.
You can hear Mpogeng in Melbourne. She will speak at the Cardinal Knox Centre at 7.30 on 1 March and at 1.00 on 2 March. On 3 March at 10 am she will speak at the Kildara Centre, Stanhope St, Malvern and on the 5th at 7.30 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Deepdene.
If you wish to attend any of the above sessions please contact Caritas Australia on 9926 5786.

To those parishioners who attended our Ash Wednesday evening paraliturgy/reflection service.
I am sure you all agree that Maria Forde presented a wonderful reflection to start us on our Lenten journey. Next week, we hope to reproduce some of Maria's presentation on this page.

On 4 March people making their first reconciliation or first communion or being confirmed this year will make a commitment at the 10 o'clock Mass that they intend to prepare for and to receive these sacraments.

Classes for instruction in the Sacrament of Reconciliation will begin on Tuesday 6 March. They'll be held by our Parish Catechist Sue Kidd in the Emmaus Room between 4.30 and 5.30. Subsequent sessions will be on 13 and 20 March. For any further information please do not hesitate to ring Sue Kidd 9646 2686 please leave a message.

From Fr Bob Maguire
We appeared, I won't say 'starred' in a pre-record of an episode, to screen in May, of a Channel 9 quiz show 1 vs 100. That was last Thursday morning.
No sooner had I got back to the safety of the Parish, than Channel 9 rang. What the...! Thought I. Do they think I had escaped with the Prize Money? But, no, dear readers. This time it was a journalist from "A Current Affair" about to "expose" a bloke who, allegedly under false pretenses, picked up bread and cakes from bakeries. Those worthy donors intended their surplus goods for 'the poor'. The bloke under investigation, allegedly, grabbed the goods for himself and his family and friends.
'Maybe they themselves are poor', said I to the ACA producer, remembering that many an early migrant to Australia had been guilty of just such a 'crime', stealing a loaf of bread! Not so, said the producer.
Anyway, I appeared briefly last night on ACA muttering platitudes like 'It's a blow against civil society', 'Anyone who does such a thing ceases to be (genuinely) religious.'
Back to 1 vs 100. I won't bore you with details of the quiz. Nor will I reveal the results. Did the single contestant take home the money or did I get a share of the loot? I can reveal that another priest, Peter Norden, recently made an Officer of the Order of Australia, AO, a Jesuit, founder of the excellent Brosnan Centre, Parish Priest of Richmond, Vic, joined me in a 'pod' of two out of the 'mob' of 100.
No sooner had the single contestant, Simone, taken her place on the podium, opposite quiz master extraordinaire, Eddie McGuire, than she became agitated as Peter and I were introduced to the audience.
'I know that priest!' exclaimed Simone. 'I used to walk his dog, Franklin.' Thank you, God, prayed I. Simone didn't claim on national TV, that she used to walk ME!
Then Eddie chipped in, 'I know him, too, as my chaplain at CBC, St. Kilda.'
This was in the first few minutes of the pre-record. It was a marketer's delight. It may even have satisfied a televangelist.
The rest of the show must remain shrouded in mystery. How long did Peter and I last? Did Simone outlast the mob? My lips are sealed.
Is this what blogging is all about? Do I post stuff like the above, trivial, like a chocolate, soft and sweet on the outside with a bit of a nut in the centre?
Or is blogging to be deep and meaningful? Being an activist and not an actor makes me opportunistic. I say 'yes' to publicity hoping that a bite on the chocolate will feel good, not break a tooth on the nut in the centre but, rather, provide nourishment.
Bob.

A very special thank you is extended to Addenne DeBono who for a few months now has been a part of the team who buy and arrange our altar flowers. Unfortunately, Addenne is no longer able to help out. Our thanks are extended to her for the time she has given so generosity to our Parish.

If there is anyone who would like to help out with the flowers please give Margaret a call on
9686 5434.

This weekend we welcome Bishop Christopher Prowse, our Regional Bishop. Bishop Prowse will be celebrating both 7pm and l0 am Masses. All parishioners are invited to stay after the l0 am Mass to meet with the Bishop and enjoy a cuppa.

Welcome home to Jan Toogood who has been in hospital for ages. If you would like to give Jan a call, her number is 9699 8740, or if you would like visit please phone her first.

The Parish of Elwood and St Kilda West invites us to join in Lent 2007 through a series of evenings: Sharing the Journey to New Life at Easter.
The meetings start at 7.30. To book, contact Claire on 9531 6120.
• 27 February at Sacred Heart Church, Grey St, St Kilda (supper afterwards)
Chris Monaghan (Passionist Priest) 'Journeying with the Gospels through Lent' - input and reflection on the weekend Gospels for lent 2007 - especially the Lukan gospels and the challenge of Lent to 'Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel'
• 8 March at Sacred Heart Church, Grey St, St Kilda (supper afterwards)
Kerrie Haines 'Sharing some stories from a Pilgrimage Journey' - story telling and reflection on the call to journey within and sense God's presence with us along the ways of life
• 15 March at St Columba's Parish Centre, 24 Glenhuntly Rd, Elwood (supper afterwards)
Janet Cribbs and Claire Griffin 'Sharing stories of challenge: make poverty history - sharing the journey of justice' round table conversation
• 27 March at St Columba's Parish Centre, 24 Glenhuntly Rd, Elwood (dinner at 7 pm)
Brian Gore (Columban Priest) Sharing the Journey as Partners for justice.'

A course from the School of Prayer. Christian Mysticism with Fr. John Dupuche. Learn of the vast Christian tradition of meditation and its practice. 6.30 - 8.30 pm Tuesdays, 27 February to 3 April. Cost $80.00. For enquires or enrolment phone 9412 3325.

Who are the Catholics? I'm one. My Foundation isn't.
Tony Abbott's speech in launching, today, a book about a fascinating man, Bob Santamaria raises the question: 'Who are the Catholics?'
Abbott provides a quick summary of who's who in Australian religion-politics. He says the secular humanists run the ALP and the Catholics (even DLP!) heavily influence the Coalition.
I submit that Abbott should define Catholics. If he means Roman Orthodox Catholics, I'd probably agree with him.
But, let me put readers at ease, there is another big, big bunch of Catholics much more at home with secular humanism than with roman Orthodoxy.
I can't take sides, of course, because I'm a cleric in good standing with the Romans and a practitioner in good standing with the secular humans.
Not a bad place for a 'catholic' to be, eh?

Water leak
Got 'dobbed' for an errant leak in the parish garden via a dysfunctional sprinkler system. Sylvie of South East Water, wont' give us any details of the offence. We are guilty and warned. Maybe Sylvie could offer us an exemption on the grounds that we provide hospitality for many locals to commemorate their dear departed in a green and pleasant spot.

Fr. Sean McDonagh SSC will speak on Climate Change - The Challenge to all of us on Thursday 15 February at the Lecture Theatre, Cardinal Knox Centre, 383 Albert Street, East Melbourne at 6 pm. Fr McDonagh is a Columban Missionary who spent over two decades in the Philippines. He has written numerous books on ecology and religion including To Care for the Earth; The Greening of the Church and The Death of Life. For catering purposes please RSVP to Tristan Mungatopi 9926 5709 or email justice@melbourne.catholic.org.au

A Commitment Mass for all Sacraments will be held on 4 March
Classes for instruction in the Sacrament of Eucharist will begin on Wednesday 16 May, and will be held in the Emmaus room between 4.30 and 5.30 pm. First Eucharist will be celebrated on 17 June.
Classes for instruction in the Sacrament of Confirmation will begin on Wednesday 18 July, and will be held in the Emmaus room between 4.30 and 5.30 pm. Confirmation will be held on 26 August.
For further information please ring Sue Kidd 9646 2686. If there's no answer, please leave a message.

Xavier College is offering a range of scholarships for students entering Years 7, 9 and 11 in 2008. The closing date for applications is Friday 9 February 2007. For registration and information see Xavier's website www.xavier.vic.edu.au/scholarships or contact Mrs Dianne Odgers on 03 9854 5307.

On Thursday of next week Bishop Christopher Prowse will be visiting our parish. He will visit the school and celebrate the 12 noon Mass. If you can to attend, that would be good. On the following Saturday and Sunday the Bishop will celebrate the Saturday 7 pm and Sunday l0 am Masses. After the l0 o'clock Mass you are invited to stay and have a cuppa and meet the Bishop.

Sue, David's niece phoned to say that David has been moved to the main part of Caulfield Hospital and may soon be moved to the Bethlehem Hospital. Please remember David and all of our sick parishioners during your prayers and Masses.

An invitation is extended to parishioners, especially past students and prospective students and their families to attend Presentation College, Windsor Open Day on Sunday 25 February between 1.30 and 4.00 pm. Displays of student work and guided tours. Further details can be obtained from the College Secretary, 8517 2704.