News from our Parish

NEWS FROM THE PARISH

English Language: Would you like to improve your English, or learn English. We are holding free classes on Tuesdays in the Parish Hall from 10am until 12pm. If you are interested, please contact Gwen Fitzgerald though the Parish House or in person at Church after 11am Mass on Sundays.  All welcome.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word has begun at the 11am  Mass. 

This is for young children to hear the Gospel read and taught in a way they can understand. They will also be given an activity sheet to take home. The children will be taken over to the school after the welcome at Mass and return for the Eucharistic Prayer. Parents who would like to come are most welcome to do so.

St Anthony’s 2022 Christmas Day Dinner Report

We would like to thank everyone who helped in many different ways to make our 30th Christmas Day Dinner run so successfully.

Due to the work at our Hall, we had to improvise with a takeaway meal served outside. But, as we know, God can overcome any difficulties. It was a beautiful sunny day and the marquees and trestles we set up looked festive and inviting.

However, the icing on the cake was yet to come.  A few days before Christmas, we were offered a very large quantity of food and drinks from a new supermarket and so we were able to set up a pantry. This Christmas gift caused great excitement and also relief for our guests, who asked us to pass on their thanks to everyone who helped make their Christmas so great, especially to our donor, Shane Cosgrave of IGA at 549 Hampton Street, Hampton.

Although we had no room to sit down we served our 324 guests a take-away traditional three course dinner.  A take-away container of Christmas cake and other goodies provided something nice for them to take home for later. There was a bag of lollies for each of the 33 children and soft drink or water for everyone.  Drivers delivered 49 meals to people who were not able to come in person.

Thanks to all the 148 people who helped in so many ways, from the team in the kitchen to all who prayed for the success of the Dinner. To those who gave financial help, or food and drinks, thank you, we had enough of everything.  We even made a profit of $18.00. Thank you to everyone who helped with the administration and the packing of the sweet boxes, the setup on the day, the serving, cleaning up and all the many, many details. Most of all thanks be to God for moving your hearts to help those whom you don’t know to have a lovely Christmas. May God bless you all with a wonderful year.

With grateful thanks from Gwen and all the team at St Anthony’s.

St Anthony’s 2022 Christmas Day Dinner Report.

We would like to thank everyone who helped in many different ways to make our 30th Christmas Day Dinner so successful.

The Dinner ran smoothly under what seemed likely to be very difficult circumstances. In late November a new floor was laid in the parish hall. Just before Christmas, the polishing was completed and all seemed ready.  But by Christmas Day the polish had not dried out completely and so we had to improvise with a takeaway meal outside. 

However, God can overcome anything with people like you, who are prepared to do your best and keep a good sense of humour at the same time. It was a beautiful sunny day and the marquees and trestles we set up looked festive and inviting.

But the icing on the cake was yet to come.  A few days before Christmas, Shane Cosgrave, a young man who grew up in the parish, rang and offered us food and drinks worth $20,000.00 dollars from a business he had recently bought. So we were able to set up a pantry for our guests to take what they needed. What a bonus! This Christmas gift caused great excitement and also relief for our guests, who asked us to pass on their thanks to everyone who helped make their Christmas so great, especially Shane. We pray God will keep His hand on Shane and that his new Supermarket in Hampton Street, Hampton will be a success. 

Although we had no room to sit down we served our 324 guests a take-away traditional three course dinner.  The menu consisted of an entrée of cantaloupe and ham; main course of roast turkey and ham, roast potatoes, pumpkin, cauliflower with white sauce, peas, carrots, stuffing and gravy; dessert of plum pudding, custard, cream and ice-cream.  The meal was appreciated by all.  A take-away container of Christmas cake, mince tarts, shortbread, after dinner mints, a bonbon and some lollies provided something nice to take home for later. There was a bag of lollies for each of the 33 children and a can or bottle of soft drink or water for everyone.  Drivers delivered 49 meals to people who were not able to come in person.

Thanks to all the 148 people who helped in many ways, from the team in the kitchen, which ran so smoothly, to all who prayed for the success of the Dinner. Your prayers were heard.  To those who gave financial help, or food and drinks, thank you, we had enough of everything.  We even made a profit of $18.00. Thank you to everyone who helped with the administration and packing of the sweet boxes, the setup on the day, the serving, cleaning up and all the many, many details. Most of all thanks be to God for moving all your hearts to help those whom you don’t know to have a lovely Christmas. May God bless you all with a wonderful year.

With grateful thanks, Gwen, and all the team at St. Anthony’s.