"Of Gods & Men" tells the true story of a goup of Monks & Priests who live inside a  monastery in Algeria.  Missionaries give medical & religious assistance to the peasant community of Tibhirine.  The issue is that its 1996 and the Algerian Civil War is in its midst, causing a masive amount of military presence, governmental decay, and, worst of all, the fundamentalist Muslim terrorists, whose tactice and anarchism place immense pressure on the Christians.

Readings, Waurn Ponds, Sunday 11th September at 6.30pm

Tickets from Wing & a Prayer, Malop St or St Mary's Parish Offices, 150 Yarra St., Geelong

Best Foreign Film Cannes 2010

Fr Vincent Nguyen OFM Conv. has been appointed as the Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne with reponsibility for the Wester Region for the Archdiocese, including Geelong and districts. 

Fr Nguyen will be ordained as Bishop on Thursday June 23 at 7.30pm at St Patrick's Cathedral.

A Journey of Faith is a  program conducted in St. Mary’s Parish for anyone who is interested in discovering more about the Catholic Faith.  The group meets on Thursday evenings between 7.30 pm and 9.00 pm in the meeting room at 150 Yarra Street.  For more details, phone Sr. Anne 5222 1977 Tuesday – Friday: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. 

 [The group is currently in recess for the month of July and will resume on Thursday 4^th August.]

Become Quiet.
For a moment accept yourself gently
as a loving as well as a sinning person.
Allow yourself to be loved by God
whose love is freely given, always
available, ever faithful.
Hollow out a space within yourself
and take into it
all the suffering people of the world.
Recall them to mind:
the sick, the blind, the deaf,
the victims of violence, prisoners,
people in mental homes, the lonely,
the aged, those suffering from discrimination,
the hungry, those with marriage problems.
Open your heart to them.
Let them rush in on you and smother you.
Let the compassion of Jesus
be within you to welcome them.
 Pray to the Father out of their midst.
Let the Spirit express your groan of compassion.
Be silent.
Afterward, go out and be gentle to people.

Sean Caulfield

A workshop for the Southern Region entitled "Singing the New Mass Settings" will take place at St Peter's Church, 38 Guinane Ave., Hoppers Crossing, on Tuesday May 3, 2011 from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

All Parish Musicians are welcome.  The Revised and New Mass Settings recommended by the National Liturgical Council to accompany the implementation of the revised Mass tests.  Settings include Mass of Creation, Mass Shalom and Mass of St Francis and A Chant Mass for the Assembly.

Presenters:  Larissa Cairns (Cantor, St Francis' Church) and Paul Taylor (AOFE)

Cost:  $15 per person (including supper)

Registration:  Suzanne Hermon, Archbishop's Office for Evangelisation, Tel:  9926 5761  Fax:  9926 5767; email: 

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ARE YOU A FORMER ST PAT'S STUDENT? In 2011 St Patrick's Primary School celebrates 100 years of schooling at its Petrel Street site in Geelong West. To mark this occasion, the school's history is to be researched and published - we are desperately seeking photos and memorabilia; uniforms, yearbooks, newsletters and newspaper articles. If you'd like to share your recollections with us, a questionnaire is available, or, if you’d rather have a chat we are very keen to listen. If you'd like to know more, phone the school office on 5229 4412. Submissions closing soon!

All services for Holy Week are listed on the Calendar - Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday, including Penitential Services.

Advent

Advent invites us to open the eyes and ears of our heart to a joyful receptivity of Christ's presence.  There is a spotlight on Joy in Advent.  We can grow from joy as well as from sorrow.  All depends on our attitude.  Suffering can lead to compassion or to bitterness.  Joy can also move to self-orientation but it most ofter promotes gratitude, praise, eagerness to share and enthusiasm for the Creator's gifts.  Perhaps the best present we can give one another this Christmas is a joyful heart and a cheerful attitude.

Living Faith Daily Devotions 2010