Parish News

MENTAL HEALTH GROUP
Meets at 7.30pm every 4th Wednesday. The group meets to give support and information to carers of the mentally ill or consumers, however all are welcome. Please contact your parish rep or Lesley McMinn.

LADIES CRAFT & FRIENDSHIP GROUP
Meets every Tuesday at 12.45pm. All welcome.

ACTIVE OVER SIXTIES GROUP & WELCOMING COMMITTEE
The Active Over Sixties Group and the Welcoming Committee require two new coordinators. If you are interested in filling these positions please let Juliana know on 93101747 or email

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM
Our Parish runs an extensive after school Religious Education Program for those children in years 1 to 7 that are not attending Catholic schools. The program also prepares children for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First communion and Confirmation. Classes run each Wednesday during term starting at 4pm on Wednesday February 18. for enquiries please contact Annemarie or Tina on 9310 1747 (Wednesday 10.30am to 5.30pm or Thursday 9am to 3pm) from Wednesday February 4. Enrolment forms are available from the church foyer, church office or on the enrolment day, Wednesday February 11 between 4pm and 5pm in the church courtyard. Please note that fees for the year can be paid on enrolment, $30 per year for a single child, $40 per year for a family.

RIGHT OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE (RCIY)
A course is held on Wednesday afternoons from 4pm to 5pm in the hall for young people of school age (12 - 17) who are not Catholic and wish to be baptised or received into the Church and for young people who are baptised but have not made their Reconciliation, First Communion or Confirmation. The course will finish in late June in time for confirmation. Give your name to one of the Priests or the Parish secretary on 9310 1747.

THINKING ABOUT AN INTEREST IN 2006?
Have you considered Special Religious Education (Scripture in Government Schools) as an option? If you are an adult member of one of the major Christian Churches you may be interested in contributing. The programme is run in this area at Riverton, Shelley, Rostrata and Willetton Primary schools. If you are interested in teaching or training to be an SRE teacher, contact the area coordinator Yvonne Urquhart on 9450 5201. This is voluntary work.

THINKING ABOUT ENGAGEMENT OF MARRIAGE?
Catholic Engaged Encounter can help get your life together off to a great start! (Parents/grandparents - it's a great gift idea.!) An Engaged Encounter Weekend provides a couple the opportunity to discuss openly and honestly with each other their future lives together. Research indicates that couples, who possess good communication, problem solving and decision making skills stand a much better chance of the their marriage lasting. The weekend dates for 2004 are January 31/Feb 1, May 15/16, August 14/15 and November 20/21. Ring 9281 8314 for booking information, and 9451 1798 for enquiries.

MARRIED COUPLES
Register for the next Marriage Encounter Weekend - it's the best gift you'll ever give to each other and your marriage! For more information call Joe & Margaret Cordina on 9417 8750. Upcoming dates for 2004: March 26-28, June 18-20, October 29-31.

ENGLISH CONVERSATIONAL LESSONS
Just a final reminder that we have taken a break for the school and Christmas holidays, but will recommence in February 2004 so keep your eye out for the notice in the bulletin.

PARISH LAWNS
At the recent Parish Council meeting concern was expressed over the sprinklers of the reticulation that are destroyed by cards parking on the lawns. Also people must park safely and exercise greater care when reversing or leaving the car parks. Please leave your car secure during Masses especially 6.30pm Saturday and 6.00pm Sunday.

PARISH BADGES
Please wear them and if you do not have one, why not order one for the Christmas Masses so you can really welcome people at our Christmas and Holiday Masses.

SPECIAL MINISTERS
New Special Ministers were blessed at the Masses on The Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ.

ELECTRONIC CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
The CathNews is a highly commended free news service which keeps you abreast of the latest Catholic issues. Here is one subscriber's feedback: "I find your articles and links to other sites informative, relevant and thought provoking..." Subscribe for some interesting holiday reading. Simply go to www.cathnews.com.au and insert your email address in the olive green subscribe box.

MORECARE
To find out more about Morecare please contact the parish.
Our goals relate to the provision of short term emergency help for community members. Parishioners can become involved by helping with transport, emergency meals, visiting the sick or lonely, emergency housework and baby-sitting.
Morecare Contact Numbers
Lesley   9337 6295
Yunita    9317 2919
Monica   9313 5149
Teresa 9310 5092
Ian   9337 1129

MORECARE BEREAVEMENT DROP-IN –CENTRE Open every 2^nd and 4^th Saturday of each month from 10.00am to 11.30 am at Parish Hall, Bateman. The purpose of the centre is to provide a regular opportunity for the bereaved to receive and to give support, begin to think about new directions and to meet socially in a safe place. These informal gatherings enable you to meet fellow parishioners and other bereaved people from the wider community. If you wish to talk individually with our trained counsellors/volunteers please let us know. All welcome! Contact: Lesley 93376295, Elizabeth 9313 8894 or 0417 170 147, Justina A/H 9310 2070 or 0409 684 748.

Shrines of St Thomas More in and Around London and Canterbury
Parishioners visiting England will find it very interesting to visit Shrines of Our Patron. Parishioner Beverley Bucat has kindly prepared a leaflet giving some details of these places, transport, entrance fees etc. Presbytery has copies.