Dear parishioners of Corio and Lara,

I hope the last few weeks have been as quiet and relaxing for you as they have been for me. I particularly enjoyed the chance to get a few days away on the Mornington Peninsula two weeks ago. I am very much looking forward to the year ahead. Over the next three months, several important activities will be happening around the parish.

Volunteer Recruiting Drive. Our parish is blessed with many generous volunteers. Their dedication is a key part of what makes the parish so vibrant and attractive. At the same time, I’m mindful that a lot of new faces have appeared in the parish over the last couple of years—a very good thing! I want to give everyone the opportunity to consider ways they can contribute to the parish as volunteers. To this end, over the four weekends of February we will hold a volunteer recruiting drive. For the first two weeks of February, volunteering opportunities in the parish will be explained and advertised. Then, for the last two weeks of February, parishioners will have the opportunity to sign up for those volunteering opportunities.

Music Upgrades at Corio. In mid-February, an organ will be installed in St Francis Xavier Church. The organ will give us new options when it comes to sacred music. Our young pianists are keen to begin playing the organ. At the same time, the choir (and AV inputs) will be relocated to the back of St Francis Xavier church (on your left as you enter from the foyer). This relocation is something I have been considering for some time in consultation with our musicians. The current location of the choir is very space-limited. The current location also tends to create a distraction for the congregation during Mass, drawing eyes away from the sanctuary. The new location will address both these issues. Some seating will be lost at the back of the church, but additional seating will be gained near the existing choir location. Once the choir moves, my intention is to set up the statue of St Francis Xavier, baptismal font, and paschal candle in the vacated area. I would be grateful for your patience as we make these changes.

Ash Wednesday, Lent and Easter. This year, Ash Wednesday will fall on 5th March. That day, Mass will be offered at 9.15am at St Anthony’s and 7.30pm at St Francis Xavier. Holy Thursday will be the 17th of April, Good Friday the 18th of April, and Easter Sunday the 20th of April. Take some time over the next four weeks to consider what penance(s) or good work(s) you might adopt during this Lent.

I am also looking forward to meeting with the Mission Team and Finance Committee, as well as our school Principals and Religious Education Leaders. The full parish bulletin will resume next weekend.