March 2007

Dear Volunteers In Action

We are well into Lent on this 2nd Sunday which invites us to look at the glory of God shining from the face of Jesus. The Eastern Church sees the transfiguration of Jesus as the aim of our spiritual life and the source of what we are to be. We are to be transformed in Jesus into the likeness of God.

On Mt Tabor Jesus resolved to undergo the cross, his Passover, his exodus, to bring us into the promised life of Easter. His new life with the Father which is available to us all now.

On Saturday 24th March, 9.00am-3.00pm, Dr Michael Jackson is taking us deeper into this mystery. “To Know Christ and the Power of His Resurrection” as it impacts on our life now. Michael’s sessions are very down to earth, inspiring and relevant to our lives. Bring your own lunch, but tea and coffee will be provided. Contact Fr Pat  or Sr Joy on 9802 8538

Preparation for WYD08 is hotting up. We had a great camp on February 23-25 at Casa Pallotti, a Pallottine Youth Encounter Camp.

We got in touch with the person of St Vincent Pallotti, his life and times, and the spirit and experience of the life-giving, loving God that motivated him. Sub-committees for our Pallottine Youth Encounter, July 4th 2008, were set up with leaders for each of the following areas: Secretariat, Billeting, at Millgrove and Syndal; Catering, Finance, Formation of Team and of Youth, Marketing, promotion and outreach,  Pilgrim activities,  OHS & Welfare, Technology and Information services.

If you are keen to be part of the experience of World Youth Day with both overseas and local Pallottine youth you will find a form enclosed with this VIA.

The sub-committees are meeting at St Christopher’s Syndal on March 18th and we’d love to have your name in one of the sub-committees. If you are 16 years of age on the 1st July 2008 you are eligible to be a pilgrim. Check the WYD08 site on our web: www.syndalcatholic.org.au. for more info.

On January 28th Fr Zenon Hanas our Pallottine vice General from Rome shared in our Assembly and also met everyone after the 10.30 Mass at Syndal. He is a very warm and outgoing person. He was sharing with us a youth forum in Rome which he organises for young people from all over the world.

On Friday, May 4th our General, Fr Fritz Kretz will visit Syndal to meet school staff and parishioners, and again on Sunday 6th at the 10.30 Eucharist.

On Saturday 5th he will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Mariana Community at 7.30pm at Kew and launch a special UAC Scholarship Fund and also the Walter Silvester Memorial Lecture to be held on May 22nd at UAC Campus, Fitzroy. The speaker will be Archbishop Mark Coleridge.

Visit our website:  www.syndalcatholic.org.au

Preparation at Syndal

Beginnings

Sunday 28th January at midday in the Meeting Room saw a gathering of distinguished guests and parishioners to commence discussions regarding WYD08 and how we might best prepare….

May this Easter, find us shuffling off the winding sheets from the tomb to enter into the glorious new day of Easter rising in us. May this time of Lent be a renewal, a taking hold of our baptism and the promise of new life.

Fr Pat.