Catholic Parish of Sts Peter and Paul South Melbourne

From Fr Bob Maguire - 25 September 2008

Friday, September 26, 2008

It's school holidays. I wish I had a fist full of free tickets to the cinema. Public housing school kids could come to the Parish Centre and ask for some - not from me, mind you, for obvious reasons, but from a kind, motherly parishioner on duty for such benevolent purposes.
Or, free tickets to the Melbourne Show. The rich kids may be in Paris or Vanuatu. The poor kids should have a free ticket to something local. Read more.

First Eucharist

Sunday 16 November, 2008 at 10am Mass
Classes for instruction in the Sacrament of Eucharist will be held at the back of the Church starting at 4.30 pm and finishing at 5.3Opm. These classes will be conducted by our Parish Catechist Sue Kidd on Mondays 13, 20, 27, October and Monday 10November. A practice ofor the ceremony will be held on Thursday 13 November at l.00 pm. For further information please call Sue on 9646 2686.

Of the Spirit, of the will

Gasworks theatre will host a performance that is a collaboration between Victoria University Performance Studio and City of Voices Community Theatre on 8 October at 3 pm, 9 October at 6 pm, 10 October at 3 pm and 11 October at 6 pm. Cost $8/$4. Bookings 9660 9666

Wellbeing, healng & meditation

The Carmelite parish will present a day of refreshment in which participants will explore peace and harmony in their lives as a means to bring about healing of the body, mind and spirit.It will be facilitated by Peter Thomas and guests.
Saturday Oct 11, 10 am - 3 pm. BYO lunch. Cost $20/$10 cons.

Mission to Seamen

On Sunday 5 October a special collection will be taken up to support the work of the
Seaman's Mission.

The 35th anniversary celebrations

Friday, September 19, 2008

Many thanks are extended to those parishioners who helped to make last Sunday's celebration of Fr Bob's 35th anniversary as Parish Priest a great success.
The children from Galilee added richly to our celebration, especially with their joyous singing of 'These Hands'. We look forward to the next time they join us for one of their School Masses.
To read a parishioner's tribute, click here.
After Mass most of the congregation stayed for a cuppa and a chat. Birthday greetings were sung and the cake was cut.
Thank you to those who supplied food for the occasion. There was plenty of it. What leftovers there were, went out on the bus for the street people.

Shameless plug
I have been buying our special event cakes from "Pudding and Pie" cake Shop in Victoria Pde, Albert Park. They have always done a good job and the cakes are always very nice. If you are wanting a cake for a special event, at a reasonable price, I recommend you contact Jocelyn, Julie or Michael at Pudding & Pie. They will give you good service and good quality. Carol

From Fr Bob Maguire - 18 September 2008

Tent's gone. Garden's back to normal, ready for the wedding season.
For church readers of this column / blog may, I provide an explanation of style. Otherwise what I write here could be deciphered as the ravings of an angry old man — just that.
Granted there may be an element of that, I've copied Paul of Tarsus' style.
Catholics are supposed, by Vatican decree, to be 'studying' Paul during '08/'09. I've decided to imitate while studying. Read more.
http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

Emerald Hill Mission

Last Friday our backyard barbecue was enlivened by the presence of the Year 10 class from Warragul Special School. They and their teachers helped spruce the place up, pack the store cupboards and prepare and serve lunch. Then they sat down with our visitors and enjoyed the barbecue and the company.
The young people had come from Warragul to deliver a gift they had knitted themselves, a big, warm, brightly coloured blanket for a homeless person. Henry Ser will ensure it goes to someone who will benefit from it. What a lovely surprise for that person.

Christian Meditation

Evelyn Rein ehr, Member of the Australian Christian Meditation Community will lead a 6-week introductory course in Christian meditation at Kilbride Centre. This contemplative form of silent, imageless prayer, using mantra, or prayer word, is rooted in the Gospel and letters of St Paul. Presenter: The sessions will be on Wednesday evenings Wednesday evenings, October 8 15 22 and 29, November 5 and 12. The cost is $10 (or donation). Registration (Ph: 9690 1076) closes 3 October.

Father Bob Maguire Foundation

Friday, September 12, 2008

The Foundation welcomes all to its 4th Annual Commemorative Service to celebrate the short lives of those whose names are recorded on the plaque.
14 September is my birthday. I prefer to remember 14 September as the day I was blessed to be embedded at Sts Peter & Paul.
A very big part of that experience has been, for better or worse, with neighbourhood young people, conscripted into the struggle to survive inner-city social poverty and its toxic effects.
I have installed a plaque in the parish garden, back to back with the poignant memorial to infants after birth.
There are almost 40 names of locals who died just before or just after their 20th birthday. They died victims of the drug wars of the 1980's on my watch.
This 14 September is more important to me as the Fr Bob Maguire Foundation Memorial Day. Before the l0am Mass, I will use water and smoke to bless the plaque and dedicate my Foundation to rescue young people, whoever, wherever, whenever in danger of falling by the wayside like those whose names are engraved, with respect, on our garden memorial.
No one but I will be at all impressed with the FBM Foundation Memorial day thing, but I have got to do it, nevertheless. I am 74 and haven't a moment to lose in helping the homeless!

RJM

From Fr Bob Maguire - 11 September 2008

I'll have to pull down the two tents in the church garden. They've been there for a couple of months. Two TV channels had expressed interest in homelessness. They asked for interviews and pictures.
. . .
Incidentally, while my mates, Kevin and Dave, both union officials, put up the bigger tent on the parish lawn, our local school (Galilee) kids put up a colourful smaller tent 'just in case there's homeless kids as well'.
Click here to read more.

Congratulations from the Carmelites

Dear Bob,
Warmest congratulations on your 35 years as Parish Priest at South Melbourne.
Both the Carmelites and the parishioners send their thanks for your leadership in our local area and best wishes for the future.
David Hofman, O.Carm

Jan Toogood's new home

Please remember in your prayers Jan Toogood who has been moved to Alexandra Nursing Home 304 Hawthorn Road, Caulfield.

Star of the Sea, Gardenvale -125 Year Celebrations

To mark this special milestone in the school's history, the Past Students Association has planned a number of celebrations: Saturday 22 November: dinner in Sebastial Hall, Sunday 23 November: Mass followed by a light luncheon and tours of the School. www.star.melb.catholic.edu.au (click on 125 calendar) or telephone 9592 7214 and leave your name and address.

From Fr Bob Maguire - 4 September 2008

Friday, September 5, 2008

The reason I want web cam operating in our church building and, indeed, in all churches, mosques, ashrams, temples and synagogues, is to let the world know that big things from little things grow.
Lots of good little things are nourished in small spiritual/religious communities worldwide.
http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif Read more

Invitation to deanery Mass

Dear Members and Friends of the Central Deanery,
You are warmly invited again, to join us at our 2008 Central Deanery Mass to be held on Tuesday, 9 September from 7.3O pm at St James Church, 162 Kent Street (between Davison & Bumley Sts. Please note: Kent St is closed at Burnley St) North Richmond.
Fr Stan Lim, our new Parish Priest at Richmond / North Richmond parish will be our principal celebrant, with priests from Central Deanery concelebrating. We would love to have your company at this special mass.
Supper & refreshments will be served afterwards.
If you have any queries, please contact Margaret Pullar on 9428 4365 or 0425 831 573.
Bernadette

Celebrating Father Bob Maguire's 35th anniversary as parish priest of South Melbourne

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

It was on 14 September 1973 that Father Bob was appointed our parish priest.
We'll take up a collection on Sunday 14 September this year for the Fr Bob Maguire Foundation in recognition of his 35 years' service. After Mass there will be an extended morning tea and the opportunity to share your memories of these years. Bring some food to share.
If you can't be there on the day, please send a cheque to the Father Bob Maguire Foundation to 377 Dorcas Street, South Melbourne, Vic 3205. All donations are tax deductible.

From Fr Bob Maguire - 28 August 2008

This is Melbourne, Australia. I have to put out that identifying signal because what's written here is meant for the parish newsletter (local) and the parish/foundation blog (global).
Australia is millions of years old. You can tell by its flatness. White Australia is just over 200 years old. This Church, South Melbourne, is over 150 years old. Click to read the rest of the post.

Annual Fathers' Day collection for priests

The diocese is looking for $500,000 from this collection to meet part (about one quarter) of the year's budget of the Foundation. Appeal envelopes will be available on the day.

Conversation evenings at Kilbride

The conversations will follow DVD presentations of Rev. Michael Himes, Professor of Theology (Boston College) on 'The Mystery of Faith: An Introduction to Catholicism' and will be led by Maryanne Confoy rsc on 11 and 18 September from 7.30 to9.00. Donation. RSVP 9690 1076.

2008 Rerum Novarum Lecture

Claudette Werleigh will speak on 'Peacebuilding initiatives in Africa' at 7.30 on 23 September at the Cardinal Knox Centre, East Melbourne. Claudette is secretary general of PAX Christi International and a former Prime Minister of the Republic of Haiti.

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