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Continue stepping forward for our Council
A number of parishioners
have put their hands up to
become part of the St Rita's
Pastoral Council.
The calibre of those who
have expressed interest in
volunteering their time and
energy is quite high and it
augurs well for the longterm
future of our parish.
Please continue to pray for
those considering stepping
forward; also keep in mind
those who are opting to
withdraw from being on
council.
Will you put your hand up? Our Parish Pastoral Council needs people to step
forward and at least indicate a willingness to find out what's involved.
Meanwhile, newspapers
and parish bulletins have
been contacted to advertise
a different type of 'position
vacant': mine! As some of
you may already be aware,
I have been offered the
position of Director for the
Brisbane Archdiocese, with
Catholic Mission. I will
begin in this role on
Monday, November 17 and
complete my remaining 30
hours with St Rita's in and
around my new posting.
This is a role I am
extremely excited about,
and humbled to have been
chosen for. While I have not
had any experience in
overseas missions, I believe
that we are all called to
engage in mission, as part of
our expression of faith.
I will you all informed about
my progress, and the
wonderful work of Catholic
Mission, and hope that you
will continue to support me
with the same eagerness and
generosity that I have felt has
been given to me over these
past two years.
Please let me know if you
have any dates, events,
programs or activities you
would like included in the
2009 edition of the parish
calendar. I hope to have it
completed before I officially
finish as Parish Pastoral
Assistant. I still would like it
to be as expansive as possible.
I also would like to
include some photographs
from some of the special
events held throughout the
year-send pics to my email
(see above) and I will be in
touch.
Once again, I'm a man with a Mission!
The opportunity to work with
an organisation like Catholic
Mission was not something
that I had thought much about
i n recent months. I was
content completing my
teaching studies, at ACU,
holding down the part-time
role at St Rita's, and keeping
the landlord at bay with some
freelance journalism and DJ
jobs along the way.
But when the Lord starts to
reveal His plan for you, you
have to start taking notice.
There were many signs along
the path to veering in this new,
and unexpected, direction.
The loudest voice amidst the
silence was Brodie's latest
admission to hospital. I came
to see, very quickly, that my
teaching aspirations had to be
curtailed: I could not commit
to a class of other peoples'
children, in the knowledge that
I may eventually have to spend
seemingly endless days and
nights by the bedside of my
own child.
Another sign was Celena's
comfort with me resuming
fulltime work, for yet another
church-run organisation. Her
support emboldened me to
throw my hat into the ring!
Fr Leo also helped! He was
keen to have me 'show my
hand' as to my plans for next
year (understandably so) and
went to great pains to assure
me he would accommodate my
hours around family needs.
This was extremely humbling,
and encouraging to hear ... and
yet I found myself still feeling
drawn to 'something more'.
I n the long run, taking on this
new position was also very
much about my own need for
personal and professional
satisfaction. Ultimately, it will
allow me to change lives, both
at home and abroad.
Content prepared by Parish Pastoral Assistant, David McGovern. He can be contacted on either (07) 3207 9076 or 0431 481 731,
or email livedogster@gmail.com. This is the penultimate
insert he will produce, in his capacity as the Parish Pastoral Assistant. The final one will be included next week.
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Prayer points for the week ahead
- For the Year 7 students as
they prepare to mark the
final stages of primary
school and make the
transition into high school.
- For those families who have
children starting in Prep
next year-that all will be
excited about what lies
ahead.
- Thanks for all those who
have contributed to Brodie's
recovery, be it through
prayer, practical support or
phone calls/messages.
View from the Pew
This particular section of the
PAPER was always meant to
contain the thoughts and
insights of those who make up
our parish (ie You!)
Over the two years, I managed
to secure some thought-provoking
comments and
opinions. Thanks to all those
who had material published!
Perhaps for the next two weeks,
I could ask you to complete the
following questions, clip the box
and place it on one of the plates
(or post it to the Parish Office).
Your feedback and comments
could help Fr Leo and my replacement
identify the best way
forward in 2009:
What aspects of this job have
you felt have most benefitted
the parish (rank in order)?
- Keeping in touch with people
- Supporting Fr Leo
- Working on specific programs (eg Sacramental Programs, Baptism Buddies etc)
- Writing material for the parish to read and ponder
What one quality do you think
the Parish Assistant needs?
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