Father Tony's Christmas Day Luncheon

Last year more than 250 people enjoyed the inaugural Parishes of Our Lady of the Way’s Christmas Day Luncheon. The day was a huge success. 

Once again, Father Tony wishes to invite people who would like to celebrate Christmas 2011 to share another delicious meal with him. 

For too many people, Christmas may be a stressful time because of adverse circumstances. Some may find themselves isolated or may be under emotional pressure. Others may experience health or financial difficulties.

Father Tony’s Christmas Luncheon is about welcoming everyone, regardless of age, religious affiliation, social and cultural background, to experience the love and friendship anyone should receive on this special day. Guests who would like to attend this event can call the Parish office on (02) 8918 4101 and leave their name and contact details or post/hand in this guest form. A volunteer will contact them to confirm their booking.

Many volunteers and sponsors will be needed to lend their support before, during and after the event.

The lunch itself will be held in the Marist College La Valla Hall from 12 noon to 3pm on Sunday 25 December 2011. Brother Peter Corr, Headmaster of Marist College North Shore, has once again generously given Father Tony the use of their hall and kitchen. 

It is estimated up to 290 guests may be attending this year’s luncheon, and a small army of volunteers will be required to assist. Even if you are away or not free on the day itself— or if you have only a few hours available —, you can still help. At this stage, we invite anyone willing to participate in the organisation of this large event, to come forward.
The Volunteers Registration Form can be posted to or handed in to the presbytery.

Here are a few examples:

• sponsorship: find suppliers, donors and sponsors
• setting up: tables and chairs, tablecloths, plates, glasses, cutlery, napkins, etc.
• decorating: Christmas tree and decorations
• entertainment: sound system, choir, MC, musicians, artists
• driving: many guests will need assistance to get to and from the event
• cleaning: the hall must be in pristine condition after the occasion
• serving: a minimum of 40 waiters needed to ensure meals and drinks are served, tables are cleaned between courses and guests are assisted, if required
• food preparation: a proposed menu is currently being discussed and some dishes may need to be prepared
• welcoming staff: greet and direct guests to their seat and make sure they are comfortable
• medical staff: for basic medical and/or emergency assistance.

This list is by no means exhausted.

Last year, several businesses generously offered to supply items for free or at cost. We hope many of them will offer their support again. Here is a list of items and products needed:

• drinks: this is a no-alcohol event. Fruit juice, bottled water, soft drinks
• bread: fresh bread – maybe a selection of rolls
• cakes and chocolate: a small gift for each guest to take home.
• Christmas decorations: to be borrowed for a few days.
• linen: tablecloths and napkins.
• small gifts for the guests, particularly the children

This list is by no means exhausted.

Sponsor a guest ...

For those who are not in a position to offer time, goods and/or services, this is the perfect way to still contribute to making this Christmas special for someone.

Cost for sponsorship per guest is $35.

Anyone wishing to donate funds immediately can do so by direct depositing into:

BSB:                    062 784

Account No:       4775008

Account Name: North Sydney Parish Christmas Account

and in the reference field just put your name.

Or you can post or hand in this Sponsor form to the presbytery.

For more information, please contact the presbytery by email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

or call the Parish Secretary (02) 8918 4101.

Thank you

FROM FATHER TONY:

The first stages of re-creating Christmas 2011 has begun. 

The hall has once again been generously offered by Bro Peter Corr, Principal of Marist. 

The first semblance of planning has been instituted.  Within the next couple of weeks our various SOSs will go out - seeking assistance in what was, last Christmas, a mighty effort. 

The event was paid for by the generous donations of many.  We are looking for a little light entertainment - do you know someone?  Then there's the case of Fr. Christmas - considered a must for this year.  Everyone believes that the Christmas presents under the tree were sensational - can you help?  We are looking for assistance with drink demands - we have lost our generous supplier from last year!  And the list goes on. 

 We are once again reaching out to guests for the occasion - the suggestion has been made that we should bus in some families from Emerton!  And of course that fabulous band of volunteers who ensured that the whole thing went off like clockwork. 

Christmas, be in it!

Fr Tony Smith