FOOTPRINTS LAVERTON PARISH NEWSLETTER Winter Edition 2019 Laverton Parish is committed to the safety, wellbeing and dignity of all children and vulnerable adults.

Welcome to our quarterly newsletter. The name comes from our Parish theme for this year : Celebrating our Footprints in the Sand: Past, Present and Future. -------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Friends, Welcome to our second edition of ‘Footprints’, our quarterly magazine celebrating the life of our Parish Community. I have been with you for just over four and half years now and I delight in the footprints we have made together and I look forward to the future footprints we will make. We are one of the biggest parishes in the Archdiocese, spread out between RAAF Bases, a Parish made up four suburbs, Laverton, Altona Meadows, Seabrook and Point Cook, but we are one. The recent process of choosing a name that unites us under one name was a great community event and I thank you for your contribution. Details of the process is found in this edition of Footprints. When I think of Parish Life I see us as a community of people that are active, willing to accept change and look to the future in joyful hope. Time changes nothing, people do. One of my favorite books on my self is ‘There is a Season’ by Joan Chittister. The book is based on a passage in the Book of Ecclesiastes: “For everything there is a season….” As I reflect on our community, I believe we are being called to once again to be sowers. Joan has the following to say about a time to sow. • What we want for tomorrow we will have to begin doing today. That is what sowing is about. • The spirituality of the sower, is the spirituality of urgent patience. • The role of the sower is simply to build up the fullness of time, to work without ceasing, never knowing when the seed will take root, never quitting until it does. -----------------------------------------------------------------

The Laverton Catholic Parish acknowledge the Kurung-Jang-Ballok Aboriginal people of the Woiwurrung clan as the Original Owners who have walked upon and cared for this land for thousands of years.

Trust and abandonment mark the souls of the sower, true.

As l look into the horizon of our Parish Community the task before us is once again to be the sower.

Past generations have sown that seed of faith for us, a seed sown more than fifty years ago. It is now time for us to reflect and act upon the seeds of faith we now wish to sow for future generations.

Our Parish Mission Statement reminds us: We are a diverse community, welcoming people of all ages and cultures, embracing Jesus in worship and prayer. We convey Jesus message of hope and love, encourage participation, and provide support sharing the spirit of togetherness. We aim to enable all members of our community, to have a personal relationship with God that enriches our faith.

As we move into the next chapter of our faith journey, we are called to write that chapter through the lens of our Parish Mission Statement. I hope you enjoy reading this Winter Edition of Footprints. Blessings – Fr John ----------------------------------------------------------------

St Vincent de Paul Society – Laverton/Altona Meadows Conference Thank you to everyone who donated to our Winter Appeal. We had a terrific response from our parishioners, our students, and our Mini Vinnies. Two groups of Mini Vinnies (Queen of Peace Primary School and St Mary of the Cross Primary school) had organised and collected a very welcome and much needed quantity of food items. We thank the students, parents and teachers for their continued support of this very worthy cause. Students at St Martin de Porres Primary School held a “Crazy Hat Day” where the participating students donated a gold coin, with the money collected given to the Winter Appeal, a total of $248.80. How creative is that? Well done and thank you to all who participated in wearing a crazy hat!

The total amount of money raised for our Winter Appeal was an outstanding $4625.80.

Our “beanie collective” achieved an amazing total of 846, consisting mostly of hand knitted beanies however, some hand knitted scarves and mittens were made. A wonderful ongoing commitment and achievement!

Some parishioners signed up for more information about volunteering their time to the society and we will be hosting further information sessions for those who would like to attend, details will be published in forthcoming issues of the weekly Parish Bulletin.

I would also like to formerly acknowledge the great support and involvement of both Father John and Father Tho, and our parish team who have always been so helpful and supportive with each of our major events.

Our members and I give thanks to each of you for your generous support. God bless each and every one of you who have tangibly demonstrated true “Love of Thy Neighbour”, Together, we can and do make a difference to those in need. Angie Boyd St Vincent de Paul Society President Laverton, Altona Meadows & Point Cook ---------------------------------------------------------------

The Preca Community officially known as the Society of Christian Doctrine – Societas Doctrinae Christianae was founded in Malta in 1907 by St George Preca (1880 – 1962). A diocesan priest St George Preca, was born and lived on the Mediterranean island of Malta. Aware of the urgent need in spreading the Word of God and making it accessible to all, he was compelled to form an apostolic lay group to meet the need for a deeper formation in faith. Empowered to learn and teach the Word of God, the group flourished under his direction.

What we do in the Laverton Parish?

Sacraments: For the past 28 years the Preca Brothers (as we have come to be called) have been preparing children, not attending catholic schools, to receive the Sacraments . For the past 8 years we have been preparing adults to become Catholics through the “Right of Christian Initiation of Adults” (RCIA).

PRECA COMMUNITY

REPORT FROM PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL (PPC)

The PPC continues to look at how we can build a community that gathers and supports each other. Early in the year, we hosted the Sunday morning tea after mass. This was a great success, now in conjunction with the Parish Rosters we will be able to establish our Sunday morning cuppas.

Our focus for the PPC over the last few months has been the organisation of the Jubilee Dinner Dance on Saturday 14th September. ----------------------------------------------------------------

REPORT FROM THE PARISH FINANCE COMMITTEE

Financially, the Parish is able to meet its day-to-day commitments. However, when we look at the infrastructure we need to set up systems for future parish needs. On Wednesday 24th of July, twenty parishioners gathered to look at how we might realize our future vision and needs:

Refurbishment of St Martin de Porres Church in Laverton,

Building of the new church in Point Cook The extension of Queen of Peace Church in

Altona Meadows.

The outcome of the meeting was the establishment of three committees:

1. Stewardship Program Committee: will look at how we can increase our income through the weekly Stewardship Program.

2. Social Events Committee: the establishment of annual social gatherings in our parish community that aim to bring us together to socialize with each other and where possible to raise some funds for parish projects. Examples of such annual events in our parish calendar could be: Parish Dinner Dance, Family Picnic, Trivia Night, Movie night etc.

3. Specific Fund Raising Events Committee: conduct specific fund raising events and activities in a spirit of friendship and financial support for our parish projects. Examples of such events could be a raffle, food truck night, fetes, seeking donations from outside organizations etc. I am looking to you as a parishioner of our Parish to be involved in three possible ways.

1. By joining one of these committees 2. Suggesting possible fund raising activities 3. Supporting the various activities

APPRECIATION OF THE MONTH

Appreciation & Thank you!

We say thank you to Fr John and Fr Tho & staff, the various community groups and volunteers who generously give of their time and talents each week – the Parish could not function without you. This month we say a special Thank You to all the Church Cleaners, Collectors, Flower Arrangers, Piety Stall Helpers, Ministry of Eucharist and Readers in our Parish. ---------------------------------------------------------------

BIGGEST MORNING TEA On Wednesday 29th May 2019 the Biggest Morning Tea was held at the Parish House to raise money for Cancer Council. Through prayer and song we remembered those currently touched by Cancer and those who have passed away. Our gathering was supported by St Martin de Porres Staff who organised their own morning tea. Next year we hope to have all Laverton Parish Schools participate. Thank you! Total raised: $355.00

CELEBRATING OUR PARISH SCHOOLS

Queen of Peace School Queen of Peace School is very fortunate to have a ‘Minnie Vinnies’ Group. Mini Vinnies is a group of primary school young people who get together to help those in need within their school community. Mini Vinnies introduces children to social justice issues, to the St Vincent de Paul Society and to living faith through action. This term our ‘Minnie Vinni’ organised a food and blanket collection for the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal. The children designated a food item for each year level. For example- one year level collected rice, another year level collected milk. A group of children transported the food collected to St Martin de Porres where the food is stored and sorted.

A Holy Week tradition at Queen of Peace School is the annual walk to the 100 steps for the re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross held on Friday 5th April. Families are invited to come along and children dress as people of the time during the period of Jesus’ life. It is a real community event and many families and community members attend.

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St Martin de Porres School Feast of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne – 26th July 2018 On Tuesday 23rd July St Martin de Porres Parish school celebrated the contribution that Grandparents and special older and experienced persons make to our families and our children. The celebration coincided with the feast day of St. Joachim and St. Anne, which is recognized by the Church on July 26th. Joachim

and Anne were the parents of Jesus’ mother, Mary. We honour Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anne, as saints. Their love for one another and for Mary is an example to us of how God calls us to live. They also remind us to honour our own grandparents and to thank them for the blessings they have passed down to us in love. We celebrated this event for our Grandparents and special people in our community, with Mass followed by morning tea on Tuesday 23rd July 2018.

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Lumen Christi School Lumen Christi celebrates Grandparents on Thursday July 25th, 2019. Each year near the Feast day of St Anne & St Joachim, Lumen Christi Faith Community honours them and all grandparents and significant others for their contribution to our lives and the many wonderful ways they show their love. We begin the day with a special Mass of Thanksgiving and this year it was hosted by the Grade 4 teachers and children. We also thank Mrs Baron. After Mass, families are invited to visit classrooms and join them in activities, followed by a beautiful morning tea, this year supplied by Grade Prep and Grade 1 families.

Susie Gerraty: Teacher, Queen of Peace Parish Primary School Mentor, Q.O.P. Green Team

Some human activities leave a large footprint, other activities have a gentler impact. A group of Queen of Peace students recently learned that more trees are cut down in the world than are planted (Hansen et al., 2013). Far from being depressed by this disturbing statistic, the students immediately swung into action. In less than a month they prepared a plan and budget for the purchase of one hundred trees and shrubs, successfully lobbied Hobson’s Bay City Council for free mulch, and hustled teachers for permission to hold a fundraising Free Clothes Day which raised nearly $700. The ‘Green Team’ then purchased tiny plants (tube-stock) from Newport Lakes Nursery which specialises in indigenous flora. Young plants are cheaper and establish more quickly than mature plants, and indigenous plants are also better adapted to our environment in the West, and do a better job of supporting native birds and insects. With the help of some grown-up volunteers all plants will soon be in the ground at Queen of Peace, prayers said, and flexible tree guards erected to protect tender saplings from rambunctious kids at recess! I am personally grateful to the Green Team for the creativity, energy and optimism they have demonstrated this Winter; they believe that problems can be solved and positive change is possible. They inspire me with the same faith. …those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit…(Mark 4:20) Reference: Hansen, M. C., Potapov, P. V., Moore, R., Hancher, M., Turubanova, S. A. A., Tyukavina, A., ... & Kommareddy, A. (2013). High-resolution global maps of 21st-century forest cover change. science, 342(6160), 850-853.

New Parish Name As a community, we have been reflecting on our Parish identity. Our history has been one Parish that has encompassed three suburbs and incorporated three Mass Centres, five Primary Schools and one Secondary School. After consulting with Laverton Parish Pastoral Council, we asked the parish community to suggest suitable names keeping in mind that our criteria needed to have some reference point to us as a parish community. As a result, over fifteen names were suggested then short-listed to four. • St Joseph the Worker - Our Parish was founded on the hard work of our early families and migrants. • Holy Trinity - Our Parish has three Mass Centres but we are one Parish Community. • St John XXIII - As a Parish we were founded after Vatican Council ll and are aiming to be a Church in the modern world. • Our Lady of Loreto - As a Parish the RAAF is very much part of our story with a RAAF Base at Laverton and Point Cook. Our Lady of Loreto is the Patron Saint of Aviators. Results were: • St Joseph the Worker - 218 • Holy Trinity - 494 • St John XXIII - 54 • Our Lady of Loreto - 125 In light of our result, our Parish Community will be known as: Holy Trinity Parish incorporating the communities of St Martin de Porres, Queen of Peace, Lumen Christi, Stella Maris and St Mary of the Cross. We will celebrate Holy Trinity Feast Day each year with our focus being one Parish, one Community. Finally, we are planning a special Mass on Sunday 24th November where we will gather as one community for one Mass. From that day, we will be known as Holy Trinity Parish beginning our new Church year with our new name.

Adult Faith Education

I have attended two meetings of the Men's Group since it started in May 2019. I have found the group to be very inviting and met people in the Parish that I haven't had the opportunity to speak with. There is a nice presence when you enter the Parish House often the fire will be burning which is particularly inviting. The sessions have been enjoyable and it’s an important group that I am happy to be a part of. I would like to thank Father John and his team for organising these meetings. By David

The Men’s Group night is a time to just get together with fellow parishioners and talk about work, things you are doing at home or with family or any other item of interest in a layback atmosphere over a glass of wine or beer. By Joe

If you ever wondered how talented and friendly people could be in our parish? The Craft Group meets fortnightly in the Parish House on a Thursday morning. The craft being done, is whatever each group member brings to do. We have had knitters, sewers and a lace maker. Our skill level ranges from beginner to expert. We like to learn new skills from each other but we are first and foremost a social activity. In summary, we are a group of open-hearted people who enjoy sharing our craft making together. By Suzanne

------------------------------------------------------ ADULT FAITH EDUCATION REFLECTIONS…

Attending ‘The Beatitudes’ has taught me to read the bible daily and contemplate on the words to understand and practice forgiveness, reconciliation, compassion, justice, mercy, peace, love, and do all things that are pleasing to God. The Kingdom of God is not a geographical area but the way we ought to live in this world. By Rosa

‘Beatitudes Reflection’ Of supreme happiness and joy. Travelling along with me, As we walk along on sandy or rocky shores…A fantastic and wonderful clan! By Jeanette

INTRODUCING ALEXANDER CHOW

Seminarian for the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne

For the past two years, I have studied at the Pontificio Collegio Beda in Rome. I am back in Melbourne to do five weeks parish placement for the months of July and August 2019. I am grateful to the Laverton Parish Community for welcoming me. I look forward to learning about the life of a Parish Priest within this community. Here’s a bit about myself… I was born in Brunei Darussalam (Abode of Peace), a tiny Islamic sultanate in the island of Borneo. I am one of three children of a devout Catholic family of Taoist ancestry. In 1995, I graduated as a Scientist (Chemistry) at Monash University, Clayton. I returned to Melbourne in 2006 as a migrant and worked for 22 years as a Quality Assurance Scientist for various international Oil and Gas companies in Brunei Darussalam, the Netherlands, various parts of Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia. The lure of money, career opportunities and the adventure of expatriation to amazing places and cultures took the ‘better’ of me. However, there was always a stirring in my heart for a deeper relationship with God, a hunger for belonging and strong desire to share God’s unconditional love and mercy with his people. Two years ago, after a long period of discernment with my spiritual director as well as the church, I embraced the call to serve God and community in the vocation of priesthood. After this placement, I will return to Rome to continue my studies. Please pray for us seminarians, as we journey, pray and discern together with the Church to seek God’s will in our lives. God Bless. Alex Chow, 18 July 2019

We sincerely thank Alex for his

contribution at Laverton Parish. May

he continue to further his studies

with great passion and faith!

LAVERTON PARISH YOUTH GROUP Pope Francis has always been concerned for our young people and he has emphasised that they are our future. He says, “Let us encourage the generosity which is typical of the young and help them to work actively in building a better world. Youth do not solely need material things. Above all, they need to have those non-material values which are the spiritual heart of a people ... spirituality, generosity, solidarity, perseverance, fraternity, and joy.”

Laverton Parish Youth Group: Meets monthly on a Saturday evening from

7pm – 9pm Where: at the Parish House

Here are some activities we’ve enjoyed together:

Social/ Faith: we’ve come together to watch a YouTube clip, short movies and discussed current social issues and looked at our personal faith journey.

We have enjoyed Ten Pin bowling, basketball and soccer.

On behalf of Laverton Parish Youth, I would like to thank all those who have committed to this ministry and also encourage and invite more young people to join us. There is so much fun, friendship and joy. If you are interested in coming along please feel free to contact Fr Tho Tran on 9369 6877 or email tho.tran@cam.org.au ---------------------------------------------------------------

COMING EVENTS Parish Jubilee Dinner Dance When:Saturday 14th September 7.30pm-11.30pm Where: Queen of Peace School Hall Cost: $25 pp Chn. u/14 free inc. two course meal Band: ‘Tropical’ BYO Drinks ----------------------------------------------------------------

Parish Play Group

Laverton Parish is planning to have fortnightly Playgroup for our families beginning Friday 11th October (Term 4) from 10am-11.30am. If you are interested, please come along. For further information contact the Parish Office on 9369 6877. Cost: Gold coin donation ----------------------------------------------------------------

Rosary in October To celebrate the Month of Mary, the rosary will be prayed each evening at Queen of Peace Church from Sunday to Friday 7pm and Saturday 5.30pm before the Vigil Mass.

ADULT Faith Education

There will be a six week session on ‘OUR FATHER’ beginning Tuesday 29th October at the Parish House from 7.30pm – 8.30pm.

MASS TIMES & CONTACT DETAILS Saturday: 9.15am: Queen of Peace 6.00pm: Queen of Peace Sunday: 8.00am: Queen of Peace 9.00am: Stella Maris 10.00am: St Martin de Porres 11.00am: Queen of Peace Weekdays: Tuesday: 9.15am St Martin de Porres Wednesday: 9.00am St Mary of the Cross 9.15am: Queen of Peace Thursday: 9.15am Lumen Christi 9.15am St Martin de Porres Friday: 9.15am: Stella Maris 9.15am Queen of Peace RECONCILIATION: Saturday: 9.45am – 10.30am COMMUNITY MASS: Filipino: first Saturday of the month 6pm Indonesian: first Sunday of the month at 11am Syro Malabar: every Sunday of the month at 4pm SMdP Every Wednesday at 7.30pm at SMdP Portuguese: second Sunday of the month at 4pm PARISH OFFICE/HOUSE 62A Everingham Rd. Altona Meadows 3028 PO Box 68, Laverton 3028 Tel: 9369 6877 Email: laverton@cam.org.au www.lavertonparish.org.au PRESBYTERY 2 Pearce Street, Laverton

WELCOME TO LAVERTON PARISH

If you have recently moved into the area, we welcome you to pick up a Parish Registration Card from the Parish Office. Please contact the Parish Office on 9369 6877 for Stewardship Envelopes.

SAVE THE DATE

Feast of Christ the King,

Sunday 24th November Our new Church year always begins on the First Sunday of Advent. This year the Feast of Christ the King will have a special meaning for us as a Parish Community. From that date onwards we will be known by our new name Holy Trinity Parish. The Parish Council have been looking at how to mark the occasion. After some discussion and a suggestion from Fr John we will mark the event by a special Mass and picnic. To celebrate the oneness of our community we will have only ONE SUNDAY MASS at 10.30am in Queen of Peace School Hall, followed by a picnic on the school grounds. There will also be a mass at St Martin de Porres at 6.30pm on the Saturday night, but we encourage parishioners to come to the Sunday morning Mass. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Footprints of the past…do you recognise

anyone in this photo?

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Thank you to all those that contributed

to our ‘Winter Footprints’ Edition.

Next ‘Spring Edition’ will be available in

November 2019.