Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
First, I have some news to share. On Friday 16th August, I received notice from Gudrun that she has accepted a new full-time role with Cultura as a refugee case manager in the Geelong region. This means that Gudrun’s time as our Evangelisation Coordinator will conclude on Friday 30th August. Gudrun’s position was initially made possible by a twelve-month grant from the Archdiocese. Looking towards next year, I could see that the structure of the role would need adjusting to meet the needs of the parish and remain financially viable. Gudrun has accomplished a lot for the parish over the last twelve months. In particular, she has assisted in establishing our youth groups, delivering faith formation, and coordinating our fellowship opportunities. I am personally extremely grateful to Gudrun for her excellent work ethic and her strong faith. I wish her all the best in this new role. Gudrun anticipates an ongoing presence at Corio and Lara, though as a parishioner rather than an employee. In the short to medium term, I’m not planning to fill the vacant role. I am confident that, with the support of the Mission Team, we will be able to build a vibrant parish life.
As mentioned a few weeks ago, I have invited some new faces to join the parish Mission Team. A couple of people are still discerning their decision, so I will wait a couple more weeks to announce the Team’s membership. The next meeting of the Mission Team is scheduled for Thursday 29th August.
This Sunday, we have our second and final group of children receiving their First Communion at St Anthony’s. We extend our congratulations to the children and thank their families and the school staff for their work in helping the children prepare to receive the Most Holy Eucharist.
Next weekend, the first Annual Parish Financial Statement will be published. This document will provide an overview of the parish’s financial position for 2023 and the first half of 2024. I am very grateful to Jasna Brdar, the parish Finance Committee, and Davidsons Accountants for their assistance in preparing this report.