LETTER OF ARCHBISHOP ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITY RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS

On behalf of Archbishop Comensoli, please find linked correspondence regarding the proposed new legislation, the Equal Opportunity (Religious Exceptions) Amendment Bill 2021 from the State Government, which will impact on all faith-based organisations in Victoria. The Archbishop encourages you to share this message widely. Read the letter here.

WORLD MISSION SUNDAY  OCTOBER 24TH

“We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20) You can read the Message of Pope Francis for World Mission Day here.

 

OPENING OF SYNOD OF BISHOPS 2021-2023 ON SYNODALITY

The Pope has officially inaugurated the next Synod of Bishops with an invitation to Catholics throughout the world to be engaged in a dialogue on the Synod theme : “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission”. The official Vatican Synod website may be visited here. An extract from the letter of the Prior General of the Augustinian Order may be viewed here.

The Archbishop of Melbourne has this weekend now officially launched the local engagement with the preparation for the Synod in a Letter to the Faithful which you may read here.

OPENING OF THE AUSTRALIAN PLENARY COUNCIL

The first General Assembly of the long anticipated Plenary Council concludes this weekend. For details of the proceedings of the Council processes visit the site here. For progressive updates and media resources click here.  A report on the First Assembly from he Tablet Magazine may be read here.

SAFEGUARDING SUNDAY SEPTEMER 12TH

The Parish of South Yarra is committed to the care, wellbeing and
protection of children, young people and people at risk in our community. May our message be that child protection and the dignity of every person is the responsibility of every adult. You can find a prayer for Safeguarding Sunday here. 

ARTICLE ON ST AUGUSTINE’S “CONFESSIONS”

The Melbourne Archdiocesan Office for Evangelization currently has an article on the “Confessions of St Augustine” that may be of interest.                                                          

AUGUSTINIANS ANNUAL APPEAL WEEKEND – 28/29 AUGUST                         

At this time of the year we conduct our annual appeal for the works of the Augustinians in Australia and overseas. This year again we were prevented from doing so in person. You may support the works of the Augustinians by donating here.

NEW PARISH BUSINESS MANAGER – WELCOME AND FAREWELL

We sadly farewell our retiring business manager, Aimee Helleren, and thank her for her time among us, as welcome our new manager Annie Shi who joins the parish admin team – our prayers for you both! 

WORLD DAY FOR GRANDPARENTS AND THE ELDERLY

 I thank You, Lord, for the comfort of Your presence: even in times of loneliness, You are my hope and my confidence,   You have been my rock and my fortress since my youth!

I thank You for having given me a family and for having  blessed me with a long life  I thank You for moments of joy and difficulty, for the dreams that have already come true in my life and for those that are still ahead of me.   I thank You for this time of renewed fruitfulness to which You call me.

Sustain me in weakness and help me to live life to the full in each moment that You give me, in the certainty that you are with me every day,  even until the end of the age.   Amen

OPEN HOUSE MELBOURNE – EVENT CANCELLED.

Unfortunately this event which was to feature St Thomas Aquinas’ Church has been cancelled due to the continuing lockdown.  You may still view The Open House Melbourne page for St. Thomas’ here. 

Alternatively you may watch a video on the history and architecture of our church here.

PARISH PASTORAL PLAN 2021

On Wednesday July 14th the Parish Council endorsed a revised Parish Pastoral Plan. The document is an ongoing work in progress given the uncertainty of the times and the imminent discussions about the future structure of the Archdiocese. You may view the document here.