With all our photos below, if you wish to see a larger version, click on the photo and scroll through!
DECEMBER 2018
Baptism of Robyn Pegler
It was with joy that we officially welcomed Robyn into the church through the waters of Holy Baptism on 22nd December.
Lollies and Nativity Service (Nine lessons and Carols!)
The parish Carol Service this year had a slightly different twist to it. Instead of the usual Nine Lessons and Carols, we held a Nativity, Carols and Lollies Service. If you check out the photos from the Fete in November, you will see an enormous jar of lollies won by Fr Andre and Warden Dean Saitta. These were donated back to the parish by them and all shared and enjoyed by those who came to the Carol Service.
A wonderful all inclusive Nativity was acted out by most present with a ‘real’ baby Jesus who was Grace Davidson, baby daughter of past parishioner Sarah (Burge) and husband Paul, with her parents as Mary and Joseph. The wise men, shepherds and angels all volunteered from the congregation.
The Carols were enjoyed by all and accompanied by Kathleen Taylor on the organ and Sarah Davidson on the flute. Fr Andre and Patty also sang a very moving first verse of Silent Night in their native tongue (see clip on the video page).
Bishop John’s 10th Anniversary at Bishop of this Diocese
What a wonderful day celebrating the 10th anniversary of Bishop John Parkes as the 10th Bishop of Wangaratta. With flooding to the area just two days earlier, God was kind and opened the roads for all to enter and celebrate with our lovely Bishop. Happy anniversary Bp John from all in our parish and across your diocese.
Remembrance Garden at Christ Church
Great things are happening in the grounds at Christ Church. The parish will be celebrating 170 years in 2019 and preparations started this week on this wonderful flower bed. It is planned that anyone who has lost a loved one can donate a rose bush. What an amazing rose bed this will be next year when the roses will be in flower. With thanks to Patty and Sherine for getting this going.
Please contact Patty or Sherine (or email publicity@anglicankilmore.org) for more information on how you can donate, and what is involved.
NOVEMBER 2018
Parish Fete
Thank you to all those who gave their time by helping or supporting, donating or buying at our Parish Fete in Kilmore. What a wonderful day with so much fun and community enjoyment. Thanks everyone for helping make the day such a success.
Remembrance Day - 11th November
In towns and cities, churches and communities across the world, on the 11th of November we stopped and remembered those who died and suffered during our World Wars. In the parish and in our churches of Christ Church Kilmore, St Matthew's Broadford and St Stephens at Tallarook, we prayed for those who gave their lives. Our bell was tolled before the service, and during the services, parishioner and Warden Bruce Radford gave the Homily.
Following the services, the monthly BBQ was held at the Rectory- see photos for the great time had by all.
OCTOBER 2018
Ian Staring - RIP
The prayers of the whole of our parish were with the Staring family at the sudden death of Ian on October 13th. Ian was so much to so many people and we are indebted to him for the time and the love he gave the parish. Ian was an integral part of the renovations of Christ Church, and the parish is indebted to him for his vision with the work that was carried out. His life will live on in all who visit our churches. May God bless you Ian. Your life touched many who knew you.
September 2018
St Matthew’s Patronal Festival
On September 24th the parish gathered at St Matthew’s Broadford for their Patronal Festival. With Anthony in charge of the overhead projector, and Eleanor and Gareth assisting at the Altar, it was a lovely occasion with all involved.
Beris’s Beanies
Over the last three years, parishioner Beris Hannam, has made hundreds of beanies to be sent over to East Timor with students from Assumption College. This year alone Beris seemed to knit faster than ever, and in September nearly 150 beanies were distributed to villagers in Laumana high on the side of Mt Matebein. Whilst these gifts were originally given to the children, now whole villages come out to receive their gifts from the parish of Kilmore. God bless you Beris in this wonderful ministry of yours.
Also photographed here - Beris with a framed photo given to her by the students from Assumption College; and also a group of parishioners proudly wearing some of the samples to be sent in 2019.
Creation Sunday
On September 9th, at all our morning services we kept Creation Sunday, thanking God for his wonderful creation and all his gifts to us. With huge thanks to Patty for her floral and artistic skills. It was lovely to welcome Rector of Wodonga Fr Jacques with us. We also wished our organist Kathleen well as she leaves us for a spell for shoulder surgery. All this was then followed by our monthly parish lunch.
Creator God, you have generously blessed us with an abundance of gifts in this, your world. Help us to share in that generosity by living in a way that ensures that your gifts will continue to be available for future generations. Amen.
August 2018
Bishop John’s Winter Appeal
In support of Bishop John's winter appeal, our monthly parish lunch for August was in the form of a "Soup Lunch" for a gold coin or folded note donation. A great afternoon was had, and all freshly made soup left over will be frozen and kept to give out to those families who are struggling. As part of the 'entertainment' for the afternoon, a photo slide show was shown showing our parish life over the last ten years from 2008 to 2018 with past Parish Priests - Fr Martin Johnson, Fr Trevor Smith and Fr Kim Benton, and Assistant Priests - Andrew Coleman and Maryann Leonard. We have certainly been blessed with many wonderful clergy to lead our parish. Over $100 was raised for this worthy cause.
St Stephen’s Tallarook Patronal Festival
Our parish comprises of four centres, and on the 5th August we celebrated the Patronal Festival at Saint Stephen's at Tallarook. St Stephen's is one of our smaller centres but it was filled with parishioners from around the parish who joined together for the celebration. To the delight of the congregation, as part of the celebrations, the Singing Group from Christ Church (photo: Caroline, Dean, Anna, Patty, Noel, Fr Andre and accompanied on the organ by our Organist Kathleen) sang “Mansion Builder”.
May 2018
Baptism of Lily Birney
On the 27th May it was a joy to welcome Lily Birney into the church through the waters of Holy Baptism. As a bonus to the morning, it was lovely to have our Archdeacon Clarence Bester join us for the day.
Bunnings BBQ Fundraiser
Our parish loves getting out into the community and the Bunnings fundraising BBQ’s are no exception. Thanks to all the helpers (the cooks and the servers) and of course the lovely customers who support us.
Pentecost
The Feast of Pentecost was celebrated in a sea of red at both Christ Church, Kilmore and St Matthew’s, Broadford. Young and old alike celebrated in style!
Broadford Friendship Group - Cancer Council Biggest Morning Tea
Big congratulations to the Broadford Friendship Group for once again holding the “Biggest Morning Tea” for Cancer research. This wonderful group of people have run this event in Broadford for many years now with a huge amount of money being donated to this cause. This year Fr Andre was the Guest Speaker.
Mother's Day
The Parish of Kilmore has held a monthly lunch for the last 7 years. What started out as a summer BBQ, soon became a regular feature on the parish calendar with a BBQ in summer and bring and share hot food in winter.
With the lunch always held on the second Sunday of the month, Mother’s Day is always going to be a problem with many people getting together with their own families. This year, new Parish Priest Fr André Du Plooy, suggested that we spread the word to all those who don’t get to see their Mothers due to distance, death or just busy lives. What a success!
The day started off with all Mother’s receiving a fresh posy of flowers at the Eucharist, followed by the lunch. Between lunch courses, parishioners Doug Whitbourn and Norman Rose entertained all with some songs and ditties adding to the afternoon fun. What a joy to have one of our oldest parishioners Beris Hannam there plus the youngest - 3 month old Grace Davidson (daughter of Sarah and Paul Davidson) who came for the lunch.
March, april & may 2018
Baptisms around the parish
It is always a joy to welcome new members into the church through the waters of Holy Baptism.
Welcome and God's blessings to:
Ivy Pauline Saunders who was baptised on 4th March at St Matthew's, Broadford.
Charlotte Capstick who was baptised on 25th March at St Stephen's, Tallarook
Ruby Eve Coles-McArthur who was baptised on 15th April at Christ Church, Kilmore
Jye DeKeizer who was baptised on 6th May at Christ Church, Kilmore
Lily Birney who was baptised on 27th May at Christ Church, Kilmore
april 2018
Harvest Festivals
On “Low Sunday” in the Parish of Kilmore, several Harvest Festivals were held around the parish in Kilmore, Broadford and Tallarook. In keeping with past traditions, at the end of each service, all the food and produce was gathered together to auction at the monthly Parish BBQ with money raised going to missions.
Generally the monthly BBQ is held at different homes around the parish, but on this particular Sunday the BBQ was held at Gavan Hall in Broadford, where a sumptuous lunch was held for all in attendance. With more food donated than could be auctioned, it was unanimously decided to sell what we could to those present, and to donate the vast amount left over to the Broadford “Love in Action” Group.
A surprise visitor to the lunch was Archdeacon Clarence Bester who called in to Gavan Hall, having taken the services at the Parish of Central Goulburn at Seymour and Nagambie that morning.
At the end of the day, a car full of fresh produce was donated to local families in need through the care of “Love in Action", as well as over $140 being raised for ABM.
April 2018
Kilmore Historical Society visit Christ Church
On Tuesday 3rd April, about 50 people turned up at Christ Church to hear parishioner and long time local, Noel Baker talk of the history of the church. A few years ago Noel and the Building Committee at the time had initially instigated the start of the discussions on the renovation works. Project Manager and parishioner, Ian Staring, followed and spoke of the renovation project from a builders perspective, talking about the building materials found under the flooring and behind the bluestone exterior. On display in the church were samples of the old nails and foundations which were found under the flooring, as well as an 1883 thrupence (3d). In attendance on the night was Marion Stott who had travelled up from Mooroolbark to be part of the evening. Marion is the great-great granddaughter of the first Incumbent in the parish.
april 2018
Easter Day
Our Easter Services around the parish were a great joy to witness and be part of. Christ is risen.... He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Pictured: Our welcomers - Doug and Anna; our children's corner; Dean preparing the candles before hand; Caroline singing the Easter anthem; Doug reading the first Lesson; Christ Church Music group sining "Hear the bells ringing" (this is found on our video page); Fr André and his serving team; Phoebe presenting Fr André and Patty with her Easter drawing 'He is Risen'.
March 2018
Easter Eve/Holy Saturday
On Holy Saturday, or Easter Eve as it is also known, there was the lighting of the new fire, the Exsultet was sung by parishioner Dean Satiia, and the renewal of baptism vows.
Pictured: the preparations for Easter; and the Easter Vigil at Christ Church
March 2018
Good Friday
Good Friday - the day of Our Lord's death. The church's in our parish were bare and stark as our liturgies took place. The 'Seven Last Words' were read, and a meditation on each of them, with one candle symbolically being blown out at the end of each reading.
To end the service the Christ Church Music Group sang the haunting hymn "O Love that will not let me go" (can be found on our video's page) followed by the Veneration of the Cross.
Pictured: The bare church; the empty tabernacle; the consecrated bread and wine from Maundy Thursday on the Altar of Repose; the sun shining through on our covered crucifix at the end of the service; the bare and rugged cross for Veneration of the Cross; the Christ Church singing group; the seven candles representing the 'seven last words'.
March 2018
Maundy Thursday
Our Maundy Thursday with the traditional 'Washing of the Feet', Stripping of the Altar, and the Watch of Prayer at the Altar of Repose.
March 2018
Young People's Church - March
The young and the young at heart met at Christ Church Kilmore on March 25th for the monthly Young People’s Church. With nearly double the numbers of the first service for the year in February, those who gathered took part in the worship with the children taking the lead role in the prayers, readings and meditation. Following the short liturgy, all gathered under the guidance of Fr André and Patty DuPlooy to decorate four paschal candles in readiness for Easter - one for each centre of the parish. With the children responsible for the design colouring of the cross to go on each candle, we ended up with the choices of “green” - the colour of new life; “purple” - for penitence and forgiveness; “red” - reconciliation and resurrection; and a rainbow coloured cross - reminding us of Our Lord’s Covenant.
March 2018
Palm Sunday (plus the preparations)
Holy Week and Easter are without a doubt the busiest time in many parishes. Our Parish is no different with many different services being held across the Parish from Palm Sunday though to Easter Day.
Pictured is the fun had in decorating Christ Church in readiness for Palm Sunday, and then Palm Sunday itself.
Hosanna to the Son of David!
March 2018
Members from the Melbourne Focolare Group visit the parish
On March 11th, members of the Melbourne Focolare Movement (an international ecumenical organisation that promotes the ideals of unity) were invited to the Sunday Eucharist at Christ Church, Kilmore, and afterwards at the parish’s monthly BBQ at the home of Norman and Anne Rose. Norman and Anne have been members of Focolare since 1982 and 1976 respectively and meet with other members in Melbourne every two weeks.
The visiting group to Kilmore was made up of mainly Catholics were made very welcome at Christ Church, and enjoyed the ‘South African’ flavour that Parish Priest, Fr André DuPlooy, brought to the service. They commented afterwards that in the sharing in the Eucharist they came together as children of the one Father, sharing food and a loving warmth. For some of them, they felt that this small sharing gave them many much larger gifts, especially when it is clear that we are all children of the same Father, and the points where we differ are relatively minor. They felt that in this year of Mary they had an opportunity to see another point of view, and understand how it is not our view that matters, it is how Jesus sees things that matters.
Fr André started the service with a question to everyone “What world do you want to live your life in?” He explained that there were many worlds for us to choose to live in, the world God especially created for us, the secular world, even our own world! It is only in living in the world that God created for us, and by doing His will that we truly find ourselves.
Members from the Melbourne Focolare group with Fr André and parishioners at Christ Church
february 2018
"Young People's Church"
Our young peoples ministry made a start for 2018 with "Young People's Church". A time for the young and the young at heart to get together for a time of fun and joy in worship, with prayers, songs, activities and finishing up the evening with a shared dinner together.
Our activity for the February evening was to make a personalised mural with those in attendance adding hand and foot prints. This is now on display at Christ Church.
"Young People's Church" is held on the fourth Sunday of every month at 5.00pm at Christ Church.
february 2018
February monthly BBQ
Our parish tradition of a monthly social BBQ on the second Sunday of the month continues. February saw Fr André and Patty be our hosts for the day.
February2018
Farewelling the Elliott family
It is always sad to lose parishioners when they move away from the parish, and on February 4th it was no different as we farewelled Rob and Sarah Elliott and children Sam, Jacob and Jocelyn. Rob and Sarah had been instrumental in helping set out our young people's ministry in the parish and they will be sadly missed. May God bless them in their ongoing life in their new parish.
January 2018
Australia Day
26th January - Australia Day. The traditional parish BBQ was held once again this year. The day started off giving thanks for the Taungurang People, whose land on which we now live, followed by prayers for our country, our parish and our new priest, and then enjoying a time of fellowship.
January 2018
Induction of the Rev'd André Du Plooy
The Induction of our new Parish Priest, Fr André Du Plooy was held on Wednesday January 24th. What a lovely evening when priests and laity from around the Diocese joined us for a wonderful celebration to mark the start of Fr André's new ministry amongst us.
