St Marys Catholic Parish Geelong

SAMARITAN HOUSE, GEELONG

Can you help provide an “Inn” for Geelong’s homeless?

A most suitable property, which is to be “Samaritan House,Geelong”, has been purchased for $500,000.

Can 1,000 Geelongpeople or organisations combine to provide total ownership through contributions of $500?

Can you be one of them? Or can you give the details of organisations or groups who might be invited to help?

What a fantastic way to honour the homeless family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

Celebrate Christmas in a special way this year by making “Samaritan House,Geelong” a reality in 2012.

Please return this form to: “Samaritan House”, c/- 150 Yarra St., Geelong 3220

or Fax to: 5229 0587, or e-mail to frkd@stmarysgeelong.com.au

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NAME: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

ADDRESS: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

PHONE: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

E-MAIL ADDRESS: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

I / We would like to support the purchase of “Samaritan House” by contributing

______ unit(s) at $500 per unit towards its cost of $500,000.

(Send no money yet—we will contact you)

And / or

I / We suggest that an invitation to contribute be sent to this organisations / groups:

NAME OF ORGANISATION : …………………………………………………………………………………………………………

POSTAL ADDRESS: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

CONTACT PERSON: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

SAMARITAN HOUSE DONATIONS: Samaritan House has just been granted Tax Deductibility Status, so pledged amounts will now be gratefully received.

Cheques should be made out to “Samaritan House Geelong”, and posted to Samaritan House, c/ - Registered Office, 150 Yarra St., Geelong 3220.

Direct bank payments should be paid to Bendigo Bank, BSB 633 108, Account No. 144974029 .

Sincere thanks to all generous contributors. New donations to assist the quest to pay for the property through 1,000 x $500 donations are still most welcome. Please notify Samaritan House at the above address prior to making a direct bank donation.

SAMARITAN HOUSE VOLUNTEERS: Samaritan House Geelong is seeking two male volunteer supervisors for each night of operation, 7pm to 7am (one of whom would be awake while the other grabbed a few hours sleep – only waking the other if the shift was over, or if a problem had emerged). Volunteers will be rostered for a maximum of one night per month – probably the same night (e.g. 2^nd, 9^th, 17^th etc.) each month. Appropriate preparation and training from experienced people will be provided. Also, we need daytime volunteers – male or female– who will undertake the cleaning, gardening, laundry, perhaps food preparation etc. Those replying will be given ample opportunity to learn more about Samaritan House, how it will work, and what will be expected of them as volunteers, before making any proper commitment.

NAME:…..………………………………………………………….

ADDRESS:…………………………………………………………

PHONE(s):…………………………………………………………

[ ] I would like express interest in being an overnight supervisor for “Samaritan House”.

[ ] I would like to express interest in being a daytime volunteer at Samaritan House with cleaning, laundering,

gardening, food preparation etc.

Return this form – at your earliest convenience – to:

Fr. Kevin Dillon,150 Yarra St., Geelong 3220

Post: 150 Yarra St., Geelong 3220

Fax: 5229 0587

E-mail:frkd@stmarysgeelong.com.au

A HISTORY OF ST.MARY'S BASILICA (12-May-2006)

Copies of this wonderful book by the late Ian Wynd are now available for purchase. The work was completed by Ian just three weeks before his death in 2003, and includes 32 full-colour pages of photographs of the restored Basilica. It is available as a cloth-covered, bound edition at $30, and a paperback with full-colour glossy card cover at $20. Books can be purchased during office hours at St. Mary's office, or from the Stall at St. Mary's, or Centrepoint Books. Order forms (not required, of course, for over the counter sales) are available in the Narthex of St. Mary's, St. Margaret's & Christ the King, & St. Robert's.

Whilst the above will suit Geelong locals or visitors to the area, any interested persons from further afield, interstate or overseas can contact the St Mary's Parish Office on 03 5222 1977 (0011+61+3+52221977) for details of how to obtain a copy.

Also, email or fax a request:

Email: markb@stmarysgeelong.com.au Fax : 03 5229 0587 (0011+61+3+52290587)

BASILICA CREST (3-Aug-2005)

A large sculptured crest has been installed at the front of the basilica - above the front doorway and immediately below the circular Rose Window. The crest is that of the Holy See and is a little over a metre square in size. It has been magnificently cast in bronze and is a striking visible symbol of St Marys' status as a minor basilica.

On Tuesday 2 August 2005, the crest sculpture was blessed by Fr Kevin Dillon and dedicated to the memory of the late Sheila Maguire, who represents the unselfish and kind nature of the "ordinary parishioner". It was Sheila's generous bequest to St Mary's that made possible the beautiful crest which is now an enduring symbol to the parish. Please take some time to admire this new addition to St Mary of the Angels Basilica.