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各位教友： 過去數週，堂區的「一人一磚」認購，得到各位教友的熱烈響應，你們的慷慨令我萬分欣喜，依建築師的計算，沿著未來堂區中心的小徑，只有總數 180 塊的地磚，將鋪在小徑的邊緣，至今已有 160 塊獲得教友的認購，並已籌到 $10,408，我們另需付造磚的款項，如果你仍未交回認購表格，該火速交回啦！ 我本不精通於計算及財務，然而，今年是我首次以本堂的身份參與籌劃未來一年的堂區財政計劃，戛然看到那堂區中心的日常運作經費，確令我咋舌，想起以前合作的一位本堂神父常說：「單是財政和開會就足以弄垮一位神父嘍」，他真是一語道破箇中之玄機！有關未來堂區中心的運作經費，日後有機會再與你細細分享吧！ 我深覺培養及建立信仰團體的優良素質，遠比建造堂區中心重要。試想堂區中心落成後，若欠缺一個在此營建我們信仰殿堂的團體，豈不令人嘆息？故此，我們實在需要祈求天主多加照顧，建設我們的團體，在此，容我以《聖詠》127篇作結： 第一二七篇 信賴天主照顧
莫靖龍神父 (此乃莫神父致教友書信之意譯，書信內容以英文為準) |
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Dear Parishioners: For the last few weeks we have been promoting the selling of pavers to contribute into the building of the parish centre. As I have mentioned manytimes during masses, the pavers will fit into the final design at the edge of the path way and according to what the Architect estimates we can only fit 180 pavers. Your response to our appeal has been very generous, so far we have managed to sell 160 pavers and raised $10,408 AUD. We are still waiting for some of the forms to come back to us to have the final estimate. We also need to pay for the production of the pavers but still I think your response has been more than generous and I want to take this opportunity to thank all those who have contributed in one way or the other to get this done. I remember one of my previous Parish Priests always used to tell me. “There are two things that can kill a Parish Priest, Finances and Meetings”. Now I understand why he said it. As the financial year is just beginning, in a meeting with the Finance Committee, we agreed on preparing the budget for the coming year. It will be interesting to have an idea on how much money we need to run the parish in a year. In my first year as a parish priest I am really looking forward to see where we are financially. When the time comes, I hope to share this information with you. Since I am not very good talking about finances, I want to end this article with the thought that, community is more important than any building project, what would be the use of having a parish centre when the community is not there to enjoy and use it? That is why we have to keep working and praying to ask the Lord to build our house. This is the thought that I wanted to have in one of the pavers one of you let me to design at my discretion. I was inspired for what the Psalmist says in Palm 127, I want to leave that with you for your personal meditation. If YHWH does not build a house in vain do its builders toil. If YHWH does not guard a city In vain does its guard keep watch. In vain you get up earlier, And put off going to bed, Sweating to make a living, Since it is he who provides for his beloved as they sleep. Sons are a birthright from YHWH, Children are a reward from him. Like arrows in a warrior’s hand Are the sons you father when young. How blessed is the man Who has filled his quiver with them; In dispute with his enemies at the city gate He will not be worsted. Peace in Jesus Fernando Montano MG |