In the year 2000 the two parishes of Epping and Carlingford entered a common relationship through the sharing of a single Parish Priest. Over the next six or seven years the parishes entered a process of increasing collaboration and sharing of resources and pastoral programmes, including the sharing of a common parish staff. In July 2007 the two parishes formally became one parish with the name of The Catholic Parish of Epping and Carlingford. In the model we are following however we still retain two distinct (though of course collaborating and cooperating) communities within our single parish structure the communities gathered around our two parish churches of St Gerard's at Carlingford and Our Lady Help of Christians' at Epping.

For more information about our way of working as two communities within one parish please click here.

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

Dear Parishioners,

This weekend we have our annual Antioch weekend taking place at St Gerard’s. Approximately ten new recruits have signed up to be part of the Antioch experience and a lot of hard work has gone into preparing for the weekend especially on the part of team members and parent support personnel. In particular, I wish to thank the school community at St Gerard’s especially our Principal Ann Milling for making the school premises available as generously and willingly as they so often do….not all parishes enjoy this sort of cooperation!

It is also worth mentioning that this year marks the 35th anniversary of Antioch here in the parish! Thanks to the initial efforts of Fr Vince Casey and the support of many families over the years, Antioch continues to provide a wonderful way of assisting young people to grow in their faith and connect with the Church community in a way that is meaningful and supportive. Please keep all those participating on the weekend in your prayers!

Finally, I draw your attention to the parish update included in this weekend’s bulletin which details where we currently are with our plans for developing the parish land at Epping. Much has happened and continues to happen quickly as we approach various milestones in moving the process of development forward. I believe we have managed to be faithful to the original brief which many of you, the parishioners, supported at our five previous Parish forums and in response to the written reports I have included in the bulletin following each of the forums.

I realise there is a lot of information in this report and I am keen for everyone to have the opportunity to gather together again to review and explore this material further as well as take your questions and comments on board.

I would, therefore, like to invite you to join me and representatives of the various stakeholders for our next parish forum on Wednesday, 14th March 2018 commencing at 7pm in the parish hall located in the school grounds at Epping. All parishioners are welcome and encouraged to attend!

Fr Peter
This week's parish bulletin
(For urgent or late notices not available when the bulletin was printed please click on Stop Press)