The Canonisation of Mary MacKillop will take place in Rome on Sunday October 17 and Catholics are encouraged to celebrate Australia's first saint.Born in Fitzroy in 1842 to a Catholic Scottish migrant family, Blessed Mary MacKillop will be recognised as Australia’s first Saint on Sunday October 17th at a Canonisation Ceremony conducted by Pope Benedict XVI at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Simultaneously in Melbourne, ‘Celebrating Australia’s First Saint – Mary MacKillop’ will be a multi-faceted event, bringing people together to celebrate, participate, learn, and join in a moment in history. The celebration will culminate with a live feed of the Canonisation ceremony.

Commencing at 2:45pm at the Royal Exhibition Buildings on October 17th, the event will be hosted by the Sisters of St Joseph together with the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.

Starting from Mary’s birthplace in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, and travelling to the Royal Exhibition Building (the site of the Nation’s first Parliament), the celebration will continue with many festivities, including music and entertainment from a broad range of cultures, informative displays outlining the life and story of Mary MacKillop and her legacy today and a prayer service, culminating in the live broadcast of the Canonisation ceremony in Rome on big screens both inside and outside the Royal Exhibition Building. 

For further information, visit:  www.cam.org.au/mackillop

A Festival of Music will take place in Geelong's historic churches on Friday 16th April to Sunday 18th April.  The program features five concerts on Saturday and five concerts on Sunday with the Feature Concert on Friday at 8.00pm at St Mary's Basilica with the Seven Last Words of Christ, a Sacred Cantata by Theodore Dubois. 

Please follow the link below for detailed information, times and addresses of participating churches.

www.musicatthebasilica.org.au

A Floral Mosaic will also be on display at the Basilica - this has been designed by Ron Eichler with flowers donated by many flower growers in the Geelong region and arranged and maintained by a happy band of volunteers - viewing of this incredible mosaic is free of charge.

MEDITATION

Fron the moment when man, as a result of sin, was driven away from the Tree of Life (cf Gen 3-23-24), the earth became a burial ground. With as many burial places as there are men.  A great planet of tombs.

Close to Calvary there was a tomb belonging to Jospeh of Arimathea (cf Mt 27-60).  In it, with Jospeh's consent, the body of Jesus was placed after being taken down from the Cross (cf Mk 15-42-66 ff). They laid it there in haste so that the burial might be completed before the feast of Passover, which began at sunset.

In one of the countless tombs scattered all over the continents in this planet of ours, the Son of God, the Man Jesus Christ, conquered death with death.  O mors, era mors tua! (First Antiphon of morning prayer for Holy Saturday).  The Tree of Life from which man was banished as a result of sin is set before mankind anew in the Body of Christ.  "If anyone eats this bread, he will live forever, and the bread which I shall give for the life of the word is my flesh" (Jn 6:51).  Though our planet is constantly being filled with fresh tombs, though the cemetry in which man, who comes from dust  and returns to dust (cf Gen 3:19) is always growing, nonetheless all who gaze upon the tomb of Jesus Christ live in the hope of Resurrection.

Holy Thursday is remembered as Christ's Last Supper with His Disciples when He instituted the Eucharist and the  Priesthood.  Both of these sacraments include an element of service where Jesus washes the feet of His Disciples, leaving us the best example of service.

We apologize for any incorrect Mass times - there is a software fault around Daylight Saving which has impacted on our Calendar.

This problem is being rectified.

Thankyou to all the stallholders and everyone who worked on the Fair@Torquay.  Inspite of the threatening weather, the Fair managed to stay open for three hours until the rain came.  There was plenty of pumping action with a rock band, song and dance routines, a lively DJ, plenty of food, rides, gift stalls and entertainment.  Stay tuned for our next blockbuster......................

"I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. " John 8:12

Jesus, you are my light.  Lead me out of darkness

When light and meaning fail you in life, look to the Word of God, shedding light and illuminating your journey.

Free those who through fear of death had been sujbect to slavery all their life.

There are two kinds of death:  Physical and spiritual.  The first is inevitable:  the second is not.  Everyone fears death, but God promises us that if we place our trust in him, he will give us strength to rise above our fears.  His eternal love will be with us to our last hour.

Today we observe the feast day of Mary, Mother of God, whilst praying for peace in the World.  We pray for peace to the Prince of Peace, who took flesh among us in the fullness of time; each of us can look within and around ourselves and discover a way to peace.  We can learn how the Prince of Peace works his miracle in us, perhaps dramatically, perhaps intimately.

"God, Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference".

For all those who would otherwise celebrate Christmas on their own, enjoy a Traditional Christmas Dinner with a wide variety of food to enjoy with others.  From 11.00 a.m.                                                                                               

                                                  Contact Peter Chiang 5221 0388                          

The Torquay Foreshore Festival will take place on 6th March, 2010 at Elephant Walk in Torquay.  It will begin at 10.30 am and finish at 4.00pm.  All proceeds will go towards the employment of the Deanery Youth Facilitator.  Stalls include:  Hamburgers, Hot Chips, Books, Amusements, Lucky Envelopes, Lucky Dips, Mystery Bags, European Food, Fairy Floss, the very popular Jams and Preserves, plus plenty of entertainment and rides.

New stalls this year are:  Small antique collectables, with a valuation service; Cappucino 2, Hot Potatoes and Salad and a large plant stall.  The Fete is now accepting gifts of -  Plums, Apricots and small jam jars which can be left at St Mary's Parish Office, 150 Yarra St., Geelong.