Parish Bulletin
COUNTING ON YOU
Recognition of Christ’s love for us personally and collectively is what makes us “Christian.” The image of Jesus the vine and we the branches (John 15:1-8) is one of the most evocative in Christianity but the image is often distorted into “survival of the fittest”, simply portraying unworthy branches being tossed on the fire. That is not Jesus’ message. We are most fruitful together, connected to the true vine, so Jesus highlights the perils of loosening our grip, exhorting us all to “abide” with him no matter what.
Daily we are bombarded with distractions seeking to disconnect us from the vine, but our faith isn’t about feelings or opinions or inherited customs or moral recipes, rather about focus on Christ’s love and remaining united to him and each other, day after day, motivated and sustained by his word. Jesus knows our difficulties and exhorts us to cling to him, especially in the bad times, the times of challenge and doubt, the times when it is most difficult to be our best and stay faithful to him.
Discounting the false adage, “It’s ok to do what you like if you’re not hurting anyone else”, Vatican Observatory Director, Br Guy Consolmagno explains our entwining, “If you are ever less than you could have been, you’re ultimately hurting the rest of us. We were counting on you. We all need everyone else to be good, all the time, in order for us to be able to overcome evil ourselves. And that, of course, is another reason why we can’t realistically expect to accomplish anything without the only person who can forgive us all and make us whole for all the times we are less than good.”(Consolmagno, G. God’s Mechanics p216). If we are to plentifully bear fruit together we must remain (abide) in Christ lest we wither on the vine.
Deacon Mark Kelly
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PREPARATION
TONIGHT for GRADE 5 parents
There will be a parent only Eucharist information meeting for last year’s
First Communion candidates (Grade 5 this year) on:
Wednesday, 28th April at 7pm in St Ita’s Church,
or on Thursday, 29th April in St Joseph’s Church.
At least one parent from your family is asked to please attend one of these nights. Information packs and enrolment forms will be given out at these meetings.
If the families of our Grade 5 candidates also have a child in Grade
4 wishing to receive their First Communion they may prepare and
receive their First Communion with their sibling.
A First Communion Commitment Mass will take place at any Mass this weekend in Warragul or Drouin.
*Please note this year’s Grade 4 candidates will begin their preparation in Term 4.
For any enquiries please contact Thérèse on: 0499 116 428
BOOKINGS FOR MASSES
Weekend of May 1st:
Go to https://www.trybooking.com/BQUPA
This will bring up the list of Masses.
Click on book now button and follow the prompts
Click on the Mass you wish to attend (please only choose one Mass)
Then click on the number of tickets required.
(Please note Children over 12 months need to have a ticket booked)
Then fill in your details.
Click on purchase ticket. TICKETS ARE FREE.
Make sure that you have completed the purchase of your ticket by checking your email confirmation. If you do not get an email confirming your ticket please contact the parish office.
(You don’t need to print or bring your ticket.)
You must book in to come to a Sunday Mass.
Warragul & Drouin Masses are strictly limited to 80 people. Neerim South 50 people.
If you have any issues please call Prue at the Parish office p: 5623 1642.
ST VINNIES DROUIN - PANTRY ITEMS REQUIRED
Thank you for your generous support in the past. We need your help again with items for our pantry as stocks are depleted.
We would like donations of tea, coffee, long life milk, jam, vegemite and sweet or dry biscuits.
Your donations can be left in the St. Vincent De Paul box in St. Ita’s Church Foyer.
Your generosity is very much appreciated by our Members and those we help.
Sincere thanks,
Frances Godfrey
St Ita’s Conference
