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http:You may have read that there has been 2 meetings in May with clergy and lay representatives from the 209 Parishes in the Archdiocese which was attended by Cathy O'Brien. The purpose of the meetings is to consider how the Churches in the Archdiocese are best organised for the future. To read Cathy's report please click here:

The next meetings in regional areas will commence in August. For more information about the missions you can refer to the following websites: www.melbournecatholic.org/mission

03/12/2021

As you are aware, the Archbishop has outlined his vision for changing the current arrangements of individual parishes.  We have been aware for some time that the existing structures are unsustainable with declining numbers of Catholics participating actively in

parishes and a declining number of priests available to minister in individual parishes.  

A combined group has been formed by the partnered parishes of St Mary's, Sacred Heart and St Thomas to begin the process of

information sharing, discussion and discernment.

Please watch the video https://youtu.be/cn7PXVsZhQo on the parish websites for further information on this project.

Religious Discrimination Bill

We can at times cringe or even feel ashamed when we read what the media publicises about what the Catholic Church may do or state about matters, especially in the area of morals. I know many people have turned away from the Church because of the positions they understand the Church has adopted in various aspects of social life. Sometimes it is more embarrassing when the Catholic Church says nothing regarding important social issues where it could faithfully represent the compassionate and inclusive teachings of Jesus.

With the current Religious Discrimination Bill being debated by the Federal Government, it appears that the Catholic Church is just one among all Christians who are lobbying the Government to discriminate against homosexual and transgender people in its concern to end discrimination of religious organisations. But the strong Christian lobby does not represent all Christians, and maybe the Catholic Church needs to officially distance itself from this lobby.

I attach an article written by Fr. Bill Edebohls, the parish priest of Ivanhoe (and with his permission) that clearly articulates this issue and the Catholic Church’s position on the matter.

Fr Steven Rigo

The Parish Pastoral Council consists of the Parish Priest Father Steven, ex-officio members and a group of parishioners put forward by the parish community.

During our first meeting in March, the following office bearers were chosen: 

• Tim Holland Chairperson
• Cathy O’Brien Deputy Chairperson
• Lisa Leahy Secretary
• Emilia Sacchetta Deputy Secretary

The other parishioner members are:  Michael Bates, Sandra Bishop, Chris Leahy, Michael O’Keeffe.

Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to contact your PPC or have something you would like to raise for discussion please feel free to email: stthomasppc@gmail.com

PPC Meeting 19th October 2022

Since the establishment of the PPC’s in March we thought we would let you know of what we have achieved in such a short period of time. ?

•  2 Prayer for peace liturgies - school and parish. ? 
• 2 AV Screens and new amplifier replaced in the church. ? 
• Painting behind TV’s. ?
•  2 Liturgies to bless the completed St Thomas statue and plaque - school and parish. ?
•  Outside lighting in aboriginal garden/pathway to St Thomas Village fixed. ?
•  Tabernacle security issues addressed - key safe installed. 
• Tabernacle prominence addressed/ Area open up by chairs being moved/awaiting extra "sanctuary" light.
• Survey for school parents. ? 
• Meetings regarding the proposed Early Learning Centre construction. ?
•  Partnered Parishes Plenary Council Facilitators Group. 
• Plaque on rock is located under Magnolia tree in front of Church. Blessing to be organized for weekend Mass. ? Further planting in our Rose garden and annuals planted in the garden bed at the side of the church.

PPC meeting 21st September 2022

 With the new audio visual screens installed, there are now two further tasks to addressed. 

• The white walls behind the screens need to be painted with a colour matching the paintwork in the area beneath the screens. To achieve these ends we are eager to find a painter within the parish. ?
•  There needs some adjustment to the lights to overcome reflection on the screens. To achieve this we would need someone with access to a scissor lift or similar device. If you have any suggestions for either or both of these issues please contact Lisa in the office. ?
•  The St Thomas the Apostle statue, marble base and plaque has been completed, and marked with 2 ceremonies, one for the School 15th Sept., and one after Mass 25th Sept. The plaque Scripture “My Lord and my God” was identified as an aspiration during the “Concepts for Religious Art” program 20 years ago (copies available in the foyer). ?
•  The poor response to the recent Thanksgiving Campaign has emphasised the reliance on income from the proposed Early Learning Centre, a meeting for which was held 18th Aug. Expect to see plans of the Centre displayed in the foyer of the Church soon. ?
•  A survey is being prepared to gather data from School parents. ? 
• Discussion took place regarding the placement of a “sorry” plaque. At the conclusion of the meeting the members explored possible locations, from the roundabout to the presbytery, with the emphasis that it is not to be in the School area. ?
•  Regarding tabernacle placement, it is proposed that the responses emailed to Fr Martin will be available on the St Thomas website prior to Wednesday 5th Oct meeting. ? 
• Security of the Blessed Sacrament has been enhanced with the tabernacle key now held in a key safe, the combination of which has been given to those taking Holy Communion to the sick.

PPC Meeting 20th April 2022

The Parish Pastoral Council consists of the Parish Priest Father Steven, ex-officio members and a group of parishioners put forward by the parish community. In our first meeting in March, the following office bearers were chosen: ? Tim Holland, Chairperson. ? Cathy O’Brien, Deputy Chairperson. ? Lisa Leahy, Secretary. ? Emilia Sacchetta, Deputy Secretary. The other parishioner members are: Michael Bates, Sandra Bishop, Chris Leahy, Michael O’Keeffe. ?

•  Documents regarding mission, role, functions and guidelines of the PPC were accepted. 
• Issues of how we communicate across the parish, including with the school and parish groups, were raised. ? 
• We also discussed the Archdiocese project of forming missions throughout the diocese; ?
•  Organising a gathering of Prep parents early each school year. ?
•  Code of Conduct declaration for volunteers. ?
•  Initiating a prayer service for peace in the world, one with the school children and one for parishioners in the evening. The following matters were discussed at the April meeting. ? The peace services at the school and for parishioners in general were reviewed. It was agreed that they were very meaningful, reflective and engaging. Small numbers at the night service. ?
•  There was discussion about how to improve and broaden our communication, with the school and regarding everything we do. We believe it is important to have strong connections and communication with our school and we are exploring ways to strengthen these and to do more together. ? 
• Father Steven reported on a meeting with the neighbouring parishes of Eltham and Montmorency regarding possible mergers in the future. Ongoing discussions to continue. ?
•  Further discussion about planning an evening with the parents of Prep children next year. ? 
• Offering an Alpha parenting course is also being explored. ?
•  We talked about the feast of St Thomas in July and the completion of the statue of St Thomas near the church. ? We have also initiated an inventory of works that are needed around the parish, such as lighting. ?
•  An updated list of parish groups is also being compiled.

PPC Meeting – 18th May, 2022

 John Bohan attended the meeting to present the finances of the parish. This gave the group some context of where the parish is at financially and will assist in shape the groups direction going forward. The group continue to discuss ideas about how we can grow the parish. Ideas included looking at the viability of offering the Alpha parenting course, making mass more welcoming and gathering data for future projects. The Council will continue working towards their goals of building a strong relationship with the school community, work with other Parish Councils to share ideas and build on existing programs at St. Thomas parish.

PPC Meeting 16th June 2022

The PPC was pleased to welcome Tess Dwyer, Vice-Principal of St Thomas school who will be joining PPC meetings on a regular basis as a means of strengthening connections between the school and parish communities.

•  Discussion regarding the ongoing formation of the PPC and maximum productivity of meeting time included the possibility of: ?
•  members emailing progress reports prior to meetings in relation to respective projects and goals ?
•  the use of a PPC Action Sheet summarising status of such projects and goals ?
•  working with other Parish Councils to share ideas and build on existing programs at St Thomas’. ?
•  Feedback was given regarding status of current plans to enhance parish and school community life. This included ongoing developments in initiatives such as a Early Learning Centre, new church AV equipment, further securing of outdoor lights, possibility of introducing alternative Mass forms and tabernacle placement, completion of St Thomas statue and Partnered Parishes Plenary Council proposal for both a statue in the grounds of St Patrick’s Cathedral and plaque at St Thomas.
•  In an endeavour to gather data to assist in future planning, a survey inviting school parents’ participation is in the process of being finalised.

PPC Meeting 17th August 2022

• The following matters were discussed at this meeting: ?
•  Audio Visual system in the church – the current screens will be replaced by two large televisions and the system upgraded. We await a start date for installation. ?
•  The Council expressed deep appreciation of the work of Tony Rendina who installed the marble casing for the St Thomas statue’s plinth. A plaque has been ordered to complete the work. ?
•  Plans to establish an early learning centre on parish land are progressing. Members of the Council attended a recent meeting with representatives of the Archdiocese, the parish priests, Parish Finance Committee, the developer, parishioners, the school, and St Thomas Village. Information was presented on the contract including lease arrangements, a possible design for the centre and how the rights and interests of all stakeholders would be taken into account as planning proceeds. Various questions were raised and detailed answers provided. Further information will be provided to the parish in coming weeks. ?
•  Liturgy matters included holding some candlelight Masses next year and playing quiet music for a short time before Mass begins each time as a way of transitioning from our everyday lives to the sacred space of the Eucharistic celebration. ?
•  A questionnaire is being developed to gather information from our school families about their involvement with the parish, their needs and how we may work together. ?
•  Parish finances were discussed. The recent thanksgiving campaign has not increased our finances significantly. The Finance Committee will present an update to the Council in the next quarter. ?
•  The Partnered Parishes Plenary Council Facilitators Group continues to finalise plans for a plaque in each parish which recognises and expresses sorrow for the hurt caused by the abuse of children and others by members of the Church. ? 
• Some members of the PPC attended a meeting on parish renewal. The Council will consider issues raised. ? Discussion regarding the possible addition of another tabernacle. 
• A committee was formed recently to look at the placement of the tabernacle and recommended moving it from its current position. Various thoughts and opinions were presented at the Council meeting including taking our time to reflect and gather further input before making any changes about such an important matter. To provide a visual depiction for parishioners of having a tabernacle in a different place, as a temporary measure the Adoration Chapel will be screened and a tabernacle placed in the Seasonal Chapel. This will remain until the first week in October. Parishioners may submit their feedback to Father Martin by 2 October. A meeting to consider the feedback will occur on 5 October. An explanation of this process to be placed in the parish newsletter.