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NEWS & EVENTS Sharing God’s message through music By Jordan Grantham HOMELESS AND DESPERATE, Francis Muyeeka thought his life had no meaning. Expelled from school and disconnected from separated parents, the mean streets of Uganda were a harsh reality. “I thought I wouldn’t make it through,” Francis said. Now Francis is a 26-year-old man, confident in himself and the faith. He performs vibrant Christian music, in the style of soulful pop. For most of this year he toured Australia, giving musical support to the Australiawide team of the National Evangelisation Team ministries. NET ministries is a group of young Catholics who speak at schools, youth groups and facilitate prayer across many cities in Australia. Six NET teams are stationed around Australian cities. Francis was on the Uganda-wide NET team for two years, which transformed his life. It taught him elementary worship music, public speaking and leadership skills. Since then, Francis’ life mission is to share God’s message using music. “It has the unique capability to link the natural to the super-natural, and the spiritual to the physical. Music can heal your emotions without you even noticing it.” Music is a tool of God, which Francis has witnessed “stabilising the shaken, restoring the fallen and keeping all as one in faith and love”. His positive message is more than a ‘feelgood’ mantra. He brings a serious message that grapples with suffering and sin. “If we don’t exercise this tool, the enemy will and already is using it to promote sin,” he said. “As we evangelise, the principalities that Ephesians 6:10 talks about are also evangelising, and we cannot let them take the most effective means from us, music!” Francis said music has helped him grow in holiness. “Worship music specifically has helped me overcome depression, anger, and habitual sin,” he said. “What seemed an addiction turned into a testimony! I found myself thinking about God instead of sin, I like to call that ‘victory’!” Francis’ prayerfulness has grown in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, thanks to worship music. “It’s always good to be quiet before Jesus in prayer but personally, music has always been that thing that sets a foundation for me to build on during adoration when the silence comes in.” Francis Muyeeka: “Music can heal your emotions without you even noticing it.” St Augustine of Hippo’s dictum that “he who sings well prays twice” inspires him. Music has assisted Francis with maintaining prayerfulness. “Listening to worship has given me an opportunity to keep my dial at the ‘heavenly frequency’ all the time and that is what we as Christians should be striving for; constant communion with our Messiah and the Holy Spirit.” Under Francis’ leadership, a group of friends in Uganda started a music unit, New Era Inspirations (NEI). It compiled a music album and produces videos. NEI has continued to grow with programs that encourage young people to gather and strengthen each other’s faith weekly, conducting charitable works and running worship ministries. “The three years I have done with NET have been instrumental towards the vision God planted in me, and my heart overflows with gratitude to every party responsible and, of course, God above all,” Francis said. “I would greatly encourage every young person who wants to grow into the best version of themselves to do NET.” To watch a music video produced by Francis, visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCxAecPiU4ETPYWDnh8P1nQg Bulk Billing for GP Services MEDICAL CENTRE OPENING HOURS Monday-Friday 9.00am-6.00pm Saturday 9.00am-2.00pm CLOSED SUNDAYS NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY DOCTOR HOME VISITS AND AFTER HOURS SERVICES AVAILABLE Parking on-site available Pathology on premises DOCTORS DR. ARUNTHA JESUTHASAN (Female GP) DR. CHARLES HAYES (Male GP) DR. VAN NGUYEN (Male GP) Natural Family Planning is Available in the Surgery NaPro TECHNOLOGY & Fertility Care ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS DILHAN JAYAMANNE (Physiotherapist) ERNESTINA BURCHMORE (Acupuncturist) BUDDY ABDULAHAD (Podiatrist) • Children’s/Women’s/Men’s Health • Immunisations • Health Assessment • Prevention of Chronic Illnesses • Weight Loss Programme • Skin Diseases Management – including Skin Cancer • Minor Surgical Procedures • WorkCover • Pre-employment Medicals • Travel Medicine Monaghan & Gleeson FUNERAL DIRECTORS Peter Monaghan JP & Scott Gleeson JP MEDICAL & DENTAL CENTRE 81 – 83 Richmond Rd, Blacktown, NSW l 9622 1998 6 CatholicOutlook NOVEMBER 2016 www.catholicoutlook.org
DIOCESAN NEWS New Blacktown centre brings ministries together By Jordan Grantham THE DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA Ministry Centre was officially opened and blessed last month by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv. The new centre brings together five diocesan ministries: Office for Worship, Catholic Youth Parramatta, Life, Marriage & Family Office, Social Justice Office, and Pastoral Planning Office. Bringing the ministries together helps them achieve their complementary missions, which facilitate the “spiritual, pastoral and social services of our young and growing Diocese,” Bishop Vincent said. The ministries have overlapping relevance to different stages of the Catholic life. From protecting unborn life and Baptism, becoming a Catholic youth and getting involved in social justice activities, to the Sacrament of Marriage, starting a family and contributing to the pastoral life of parishes, and preparation and participation in the sacraments. On 6 October, about 50 people gathered to join in a Liturgy of the Word and Blessing at the centre, which is located in Mary, Queen of the Family Parish. In his address, Bishop Vincent acknowledged the work of his predecessors and promised to build on their legacy and to make the Diocese of Parramatta into an “oasis of mercy”. Diocesan Chief of Operations & Finance, Geoff Officer, acknowledged the work of many people in establishing the ministry centre, including Very Rev Peter Williams VG EV, Joe Cashman, Director of CatholicCare Social Services Parramatta, and Amy Donohue, Special Projects Officer. Bishop Vincent’s address pointed to Christ’s love and service as the source of the Church’s strength. “The Scriptures tell us that the strength of the Church is ultimately measured by its commitment to Christ-like love and service.” Referring to the first letter of Peter, Bishop Vincent said: “Peter likens the believers to living stones making a spiritual house. They are to learn from the example of Christ – the stone rejected by the builders that has proved to be the keystone.” Bishop Vincent broke down the mission of salvation through the Church to the most essential qualities of Christian life. “In other words, it is through their enduring love and discipleship that the vitality of the Church is manifested,” he said. The Diocesan Ministry Centre is located at 51-59 Allawah Street, Blacktown, tel (02) 8838 3460, ministryreception@ parra.catholic.org.au Bishop Vincent with members of the ministry teams in the new Diocesan Ministry Centre. Photo: Adrian Middeldorp. NEW APPOINTMENTS Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv has confirmed the following appointments: Rev Fr Florito Apalias Assistant Priest St Thomas Aquinas Parish, Springwood, and Our Lady of the Way Parish, Lawson Commencing 19 November Rev Fr George Azhakath MSFS Assistant Priest St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish, Parramatta Commencing 19 November Rev Fr Bollar Santana Barreto OFM Cap Assistant Priest The Good Shepherd Parish, Plumpton Effective 29 September Rev Fr John Paul Escarlan Assistant Priest Parish of Richmond Commencing 19 November Gregory Lazarus Director Social Services CatholicCare Social Services Commencing 14 November 2016 Zenda Arkwright Director Business Services CatholicCare Social Services Effective 24 October LEARN SECRETS TO SAVING TAX ON SUPER Nov 14 Rooty Hill, Nov 15 Lidcombe, Nov 22 Wollongong, Nov 23 Campbelltown – SEATS STILL AVAILABLE Age 50 or over? This seminar may benefit you. Book a FREE retirement planning seminar and learn how to optimise your savings for retirement and potentially SAVE TAX (until 1 July 2017)^ with an account based pension. * * members aged 56+ years and still working ^subject to implementation of 2016 Federal Budget. In this session you can learn about: • Retirement strategies • Tax-saving potential • Optimising your contributions • Managing market risk • 2016 Federal Budget update • Financial advice services PARTNERS & FRIENDS WEL<strong>CO</strong>ME BOOK NOW – www.catholicsuper.com.au/seminars | 1300 658 776 SCS Super Pty Limited, ABN 74 064 712 607, AFSL 230544, RSE L0002264 Trustee of Australian Catholic Superannuation & Retirement Fund, ABN 24 680 629 023, RSE R1055436. This document is not intended to be financial advice, therefore, you should consider obtaining independent financial advice before making any decisions about your benefits in the fund. Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement and fact sheets available on our website. The Australian Catholic Superannuation financial planning service is offered through an arrangement with Industry Fund Services Limited (AFSL 232514) www.catholicoutlook.org NOVEMBER 2016 CatholicOutlook 7
Page 1 and 2: CatholicOutlook The official public
Page 3 and 4: LIFE, MARRIAGE & FAMILY 2016 DIOCES
Page 5: CatholicYouthParra @cyp_parramatta
Page 9 and 10: CONFRATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE
Page 11 and 12: PARISH PROFILE Fr Greg Jacobs SJ: a
Page 13 and 14: - Please give generously and provid
Page 15 and 16: www.parra.catholic.edu.au @Catholic
Page 17 and 18: INSTITUTE FOR MISSION Nourishment f
Page 19 and 20: OFFICE FOR WORSHIP More than 70 peo
Page 21 and 22: City of Parramatta a Refugee Welcom
Page 23 and 24: NEWS & EVENTS Students create a pla

CO_November16

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