Dear friends,

We begin the season of Advent and a new liturgical year this Sunday. In the three yearly cycle of readings, this year is Yr A, and will mostly hear from the gospel of Matthew. Matthew is the most Jewish of the gospels, and highlights Jesus as “the new Moses” – the new law-giver. While we begin a new church year, other parts of our parish are winding down. On Friday night, we gathered for a most enjoyable celebration to say “thank you” to all who have contributed to our parish throughout this year. Every parish is heavily reliant on volunteers and this parish is no different. As I said on Friday night, I am deeply grateful to all who continue to support the various ministries and activities of the parish. Many tasks go unnoticed, but many tasks would certainly be noticed if they didn’t happen. Thanks to all who work quietly for the good of our parish community.

This coming Wednesday, we will celebrate the graduation of 35 Year Sixes who will be completing their primary schooling. We wish them well as they move onto secondary school and we hope that St. Agatha’s will always have a special place in their hearts. We invite these girls and their families back for a special reunion Mass, Reconnect7, on February 12th next year. And we wish our whole school community a happy and relaxing holiday and we look forward to seeing them back at school in 2017.

In July this year, we moved the 6pm Saturday Mass to 5pm on a trial basis. This change has been reasonably successful, however, I did promise that we would revisit this trial at the end of the year. On the end of the pews, there is a survey form about whether the parish community would like to see this trial made permanent and continue with the 5pm Mass. There is a box at the front door in which to place your responses.

Finally, Archbishop Mark Coleridge has appointed Fr. Kevin to Jubilee Parish (Ashgrove, Bardon, Herston, Red Hill, Rosalie, Newmarket) from next year. We will have a farewell morning tea for Fr. Kevin after the 9am Mass on December 18th. There are envelopes on the seats if you wish to contribute towards a “thank you” gift for Fr. Kevin. There is also a card available for people to sign and write a message. I am sure that many of you will take the opportunity over the next couple of weeks to personally thank Fr. Kevin for his presence and ministry among us for the past 8 months.

Fr. Anthony