From the Parish Priest, Fr Sam Lynch

As we make our way out of COVID, I hope that we can begin to resume many parish activities that have been sadly curtailed in recent times.  I also hope that there will be interest in pursuing new activities as well.

In particular, I would love to encourage greater devotion and more communal prayer now that we are able to gather again in greater confidence.  I am very open to paishioner's suggestions for such activities, however, I am accustomed to making a holy hour daily, and I would love to have the people of the parish join me for that.

After I have had a chance to consider where that will best be accommodated in the schedule, I will make an announcement.  Please feel free to make your ideas known to me, I welcome your suggestions.

As often happens when a fresh set of eyes comes into a parish, I have noted that there are some liturgical items that might need a refresh.  I will report back to parish about that in the near future.

I look forward to meeting you all at Sunday Mass!

Latest News  

St Michael's Parish Centenary Celebrations 2022

Our parish is celebrating its centenary this year on 18 September.

9.30am     Centenary Mass celebrated by Most Rev Anthony Fisher 

11.00am    Morning tea with the Archbishop in the Parish Hall

12.30pm    Centenary Family Lunch at Saint Ignatius' College                          

Click here to book your Centenary Lunch

St Michael's Primary School is running a Centenary Art Competition to mark the occasion. Click here to download the flyer.

Opportunity to be involved at St Michael's Parish

St Michael's Parish is looking for people interested in becoming Special Religious Education teachers to our local public school students during the school term. It involves giving a 30-40 minute lesson once a week on either a Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday.

All training, lesson plans, activity books and other materials are provided an no prior experience is necessary. If you are interested in this, please contact Victoria Coorey by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Lisa or Ledi in the Parish office on 9427 2034.

Sacrament of Confirmation 

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated over three Masses on June 21, 22 and 23 at St Michael's Church. Church.  www.lanecoveparish.org.au/index.php/sacraments/confirmation

Children's Liturgy

We are very pleased to announce Children's Liturgy has recommenced the 9.30am Sunday Mass during term time.

We are still in need of volunteers to be Leaders and Assistants. If you would like to join the Children's Liturgy ministry please contact Ledi Hector in the parish office to arrange an interview. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Sunday Mass at Greenwich

From Sunday 24th April there will only be 8am Mass at Mary Help of Christians Chapel.

Holy Hour with Confessions

Starting on Thursday 24 Feb, there will be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament ending with benediction from 7pm to 8pm.  During the silent adoration, Fr Sam will be available to hear individual confessions in the main body of the church.

Thinking of Becoming a Catholic?

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is designed for those who have never been baptised, but also for members of other Christian church who would like to learn more about the Catholic Church.  Please contact the parish office if you would like more information. 

Supporting the Parish Financially

In these difficult times, could I appeal to you to support the parish through electronic transfer of funds.  The first collection at Mass supports the clergy of the Archdiocese, and the second collection supports the work of the Parish.  Please contact Ledi directly for EFT bank account details This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Thank you for your support. 

 Watch Mass live, links on Archdiocese of Sydney website

Link to website page

Catholic Weekly now available online at this link

 Child Protection

NSW Government legislation requires people working with Children to obtain a Working With Children Check.  The Archdiocese has recently extended this requirement to include parishioners who are readers at Mass, Ministers of the Eucharist, Wardens, Senior Servers, Children's Liturgy Coordinators and Catechists in State schools.

Volunteers who require a WWC are also required to complete and sign a volunteer registration and code of conduct form.  An online training course comprising 2x20 minute sessions also needs to be undertaken.
If you are involved in any of these ministries  - at St Michaels, Riverview or Greenwich - and do not yet have your WWC check, please go to the Parish website for further information.
A copy of the Archdiocese Fact Sheet, Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions on the Working with Children Check is on the Parish Noticeboard. 

Parish 2020 Survey Report

The results of the Parish 2020 survey are complete and can be viewed on the link below.  Our response rate was commendable and we thank those who took the time to complete the survey, your valuable input will help shape the planning process of our parish.

To recap, this survey was part of the Pastoral Plan for our Archdiocese.  People were asked to participate and provide their input on their parish experience, parish priorities and ways to grow and strengthen our community.

The formal Parish 2020 process will continue to address archdiocesan wide issues with deanery based focus groups commencing in the near future.  In the meantime, equipped with the data from our Parish survey, our team will be working to introduce new ways to improve pastoral care and strengthen our ministry.  

We hope you will take the time to review our results.
http://www.lanecoveparish.org.au/images/Lane-Cove-Survey-Profile.pdf

Pope Francis' Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation

That’s a bit of a mouthful, but Pope Francis has just released this document, titled in Latin Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love), on marriage and the family.  Amoris Laetitia gathers together the contributions of the two Synods on the family convoked by Pope Francis in 2014 and 2015, and draws on a long history of Church teaching.   Click here to read Pope Francis' Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on Love in the Family:  http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20160319_amoris-laetitia.html

Archbishop's Pastoral Letter for the Consecrated Life

Copies of Archbishop Fisher’s pastoral letter for the Year of Consecrated Life are available in the foyer of the church.  Alternatively, you can watch the Archbishop deliver his message on Youtube.  Click here: https://youtu.be/O-yDId_Wsy4

Social Justice Statement

The Australian Catholic Bishops annual Social Justice Statement for 2015-16 is For Those Who’ve Come Across the Seas: Justice for refugees an asylum seekers. For those interested you can access the statement and information on actions we can take at http://www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au/publications/social-justice-statements#SJS2015 

Pope Francis' Encyclical on the Environment

Pope Francis has just released an Encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si’.  The name of this encyclical comes from its opening words, “Laudato si’ mi’ Signore” (Praise be to you, my Lord).  In the words of this beautiful canticle, St Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home (planet Earth) is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us.  “Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs.”  Pope Francis makes the point that “this sister now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her.”  To read Pope Francis' Encyclical on the Environment (Laudato Si'), click here:  http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html

WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECKS 

All parishioners who have a parish ministry that involves working with children must obtain a Working with Children Check number.  At St Michael’s this means: Catechists, those helping with children’s liturgy, and senior servers.  People who do not have  a WWW check number will not be able to work with children.  Because you work on a volunteer basis, there is no charge.  Paid employees must pay an $80 fee.
Step 1:  This is an online process.  The website that you must go to is: www.newcheck.kids.nsw.gov.au 
Step 2:  Once you have accessed the website, click on “Start Here”.  You go to the “For individuals” section (not “For employers”), and click on “Apply”.  That will open up the online application form which will ask you for your personal details.  It takes about 5 to 10 minutes to complete the form.  The information you give on this form must match your “proof of identity” document (e.g. your driver’s licence).  In the section, “purpose for the check”, make sure you click “volunteer”.
Step 3:  You will receive an application receipt number, beginning with APP.
Step 4:  You must then go to a Motor Registry Office with your APP number and proof of identity (e.g. a NSW driver’s licence).
Step 5:  The parish must then verify that you have received a Working With Children Check Number.  Your check will be valid for five years.
If you have any questions, please contact the parish office.