My Dear Friends!
After many months of preparation, our 18th Charity Night, held on 22nd of October, looks like being most of the most successful on record. We don’t have a final total yet, because still some of benefactors are contributing towards our poorest of the poor children at Akamasoa. However at this stage, we have reached $78,000+ and counting, an awesome effort!
Thanks to God, we drew over 180 people to the All Saints Parish Hall at Liverpool. I’d like to express my heartfelt appreciation to all those who brought together all their skills enthusiastically contributed to this year’s event.
Above all, we have to acknowledge the great welcome from the new Parish Priest, Fr Paul Monkerud. His sincere care for the premises being used for the event was remarkable. Since our last visit, the Parish Hall floor has been entirely redone, with the kitchen also looking good. And the garbage bins empty ready for the after-event cleaning!
Preparations
On the night before, from 4.30pm to 10.30pm dozens of people came together to prepare the premises for the event.
Venues and events are often judged by their qualities of food and service they offer. Our skilled and devoted team responsible for the running of the kitchen were Marie-Claire Perrine assisted by her husband Alphonse, and helped by Paul Aloir, Marcienne Broudou, Juanita & Nabil Chidiac, Rissette Hawes, Danielle & Gervais Joseph, Jocelyne & Hervé Juste, Georgette & Ramon Paltoo with Anne Acosta, Chrissy Boutros and Stacey D’Silva (from the ‘Tangara Old Girls Society’). Mario Iunius did a great job ensuring the smooth flow of food between the kitchen and the buffet tables in the hall.
The generous providers of exquisite variety of food and sweets were: Nadia & Laurent Schwarz from C’est Si Bon, Marie-Claire & Alphons Perrine, Teresa Cuomo, Sabra & Harry Hunt, Jocelyne & Hervé Juste, Clivie Clement, Leanne & Didier Sockeel from Ganache, Thi-Phuong Loan Vu from Caffetteria Italia, and Jeannette Beaudoin. Top quality French baguettes were in abundance for all the participants thanks to the generous contribution by Florence & Steve Motte from their newly opened Label Baguette.
Wine for the guests of honour was provided by Valore Cellars and Italian sparkling and flat water at all tables by Lamonica Homewares.
Sincere recognition to Mario Iunius from International Ceramics who found us two big electrical ovens to facilitate the warming up the food for that night.
The preparation and decoration of the venue was done by skilled and dedicated team of Jeannette Beaudoin, being assisted by Steve Du Casse (with his sons: Jacques & Paris), Sinisita Filitoga, Michele & Bernard Fortin, Mario Iunius, Andrew Jelavic, Maryse & George Maurice, Emma Soler, Ghislaine et Gilbert Soler and Hélène & Jean-Louis Worobec. Beautiful flowers bouquets decorating tables were donated by our faithful and generous Alvisio & Lauretta Olivieri from A & L Florist.
Thanks to Gerard Clement, who with his son Kevin installed their DJ system for us, with help from Wayne Fairweather from Collins Honda who lent the company truck to transport the equipment.
Our stalls were stocked with Malagasy artefacts brought to us and home made items thanks to Francesca Chow. Our silent auction, run by Sharon & John McDivitt, was furnished with gifts by Elizabeth Lee (Bowerhaus Pearls), Robert Lamonica (Lamonica Homewares), Frank Cupido (Hako) and Tish Pagano (Ambient Living).
Celebration
On Saturday, from 6pm three young ladies: Cecilia Abrams, Gabrielle Abboud Baddoui and Maggie Goco (from ‘Tangara Old Girls Society’) were at the entrance joyfully issuing receipts for the donations of those who didn’t do it before the event.
At 7pm the Charity Night was opened by Ky Chow, our MC for the event. Fr Jan introduced and welcomed the guests of honour: His Excellency Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana (Apostolic Nuncio for Australia), Mrs Regina Jurkowska (General Consul of Poland), Mr Antholy Knox (Honorary General Consul of Madagascar) and his wife Suzanne, Mr John Mac Coll (Honorary Councillor of the French People Abroad in Paris; President of French Assist Charity), Sr Telesia Talalua (assisting the sick people from Wallis and Futuna in Sydney hospitals).
His Excellency, Mr Christophe Lecourtier (French Ambassador), Mr Nicolas Croizer (General Consul of France) and Hon. Michel Daley (MP) sent their kind apologies.
They were joined by our special guests of honour Lily Schmitt (94) and Liliane & Jean Dubourdieu (67 years of marriage). The youngest among us was Christian Shimwa Yandamutso (4 months of age) enjoying the night with his parents, siblings and aunty…
His Excellency Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana in his address in English, French, Italian and Spanish impressed us with his very wonderful and striking remainder that our charitable gesture of helping the poor in Madagascar, was not limited to that part of the world only. When we consider humanity as being a family of God, when we offer help to Akamasoa, our actions have universal impact.
Very appreciated and beautiful performance by Steve Du Casse (Elvis impersonator) ended with invitation to all to join together in prayerful expression of unity.
Our Elvis was joined in intertaining participants by the very gifted voices of George Maurice and Clivie Clement. Clivie and her husband Gerard provideda wonderful DJ for the night.
Worthy of mention are: Sinisita Filitoga who behind the scene helped to make the night run smoothly and Pierre Bonanza (Mauritius Studio) who kindly shared with us some of his pictures taken that night.
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After enjoyment of abundant dessert course, came time for the excitement and drama of the door prize lotteries done by Sister Telesia. Tickets were placed into the big and brand new lottery barrel given to our Charity Association by Dina & Mario Iunius from International Ceramics valued at $400.
Thank you to all our prize donors for the great lottery, congratulations to the winners:
- Bowerhaus Pearl Necklace/Earring set valued at $2000.00 – donated by Elizabeth Lee won by number 03091
- Oil painting (“Megalong Valley – Blue Mountains” 890x640mm) by David Robert Hill valued at $1800.00 – donated by Elena & John Galluzzo, won by number: 00954
- Microwave oven (Dedietrich DME721X) valued at $1,015.00 donated by Maeva Tokoragy from Schmidt Kitchens won by number: 00405
- Bowerhaus Pearl Necklace/Earring set valued at $1000.00 – donated by Elizabeth Lee won by number: 03757
- Gift Voucher valued at $687 (3 Nights Midweek Accommodation in a Deluxe Room for 2, including full breakfast and Dinner for 2 to the value of $60 at the Peninsula Nelson Bay) from Valore Cellars won by number: 08528
- Voucher $500.00 donated by Cadry’s Persian Carpets Specialists at Edgecliff valid for one year won by number: 09095
- Voucher $500.00 from Myer – donated by Nadia Fortuné won by number: 07025
- Gourmet hamper valued at $280.00 – donated by Guy Roose from Apromo Pty Ltd won by number: 08084
- Voucher valued at $200.00 for Bella Fonte Restaurant at Comfort Inn Hunts Liverpool valid until 31/01/17; donated by Sybra & Harry Hunt won by number: 01570
- Voucher valued at $200.00 for ‘Bella Fonte’ Restaurant at Comfort Inn Hunts Liverpool valid until 31/01/17; donated by Sybra & Harry Hunt won by number: 08954
- Voucher $200.00 from Lamonica Homewares at Haberfield donated by Dina & Mario Iunius from International Ceramics won by number: 08917
- Gift Basket valued at $150.00 – donated by GJ Food won by number: 09436
- Dolci D’oro Hamper valued at $150.00 – donated by Sweet House Confectionery Pty Ltd won by number: 04871
- Gift Basket valued at $120.00 – donated by Petersham Liquor Market won by number: 07692
- 2 Vouchers each valued at $50.00 donated by Ganache Pâtisserie Française at Castlecrag won by number: 08342
There was much celebration from our lucky door winners, especially the lucky person who won the painting donated by herself to our Charity Night! Maybe it’s a sign!
The prizes were provided by our generous friends: Jeannette Beaudoin, Laura Diek, George Rezcallah, Fabian Marsden, George Maurice, Daniel Polo, Anne-Marie Puaud, Nadia & Laurent Schwarz, Lise Selvon, and Danielle Vesperman.
With heartfelt gratitude, I’d like to acknowledge the dedication, work and commitment of our SFRCC Committee and of all those who with God’s help, made this event such a beautiful success.
It's my pleasure to give you the details of this year fund rising to help Fr Pedro in his care for the poorest of the poor (children in majority) at Akamasoa in Madagascar:
- Centennial Park "Branch"…..6695
- Donations………………………33030
- Participants……………………16430
- Sales………………………………5154
- Silent Auction…………………..1390
- Tombola………………………..18964
TOTAL 81663
Only expense – the Parish Hall hire fee: 500
Final TOTAL ………………………………….. 81163
May God’s words: “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Mt 25,23) one day be our reward. There is no greater recognition that HIS!
I would like to invite all of you, Dear Friends of the poor in Madagascar, to join us with your generous hearts at our next, 19th Charity Night, wich will take place on the last Saturday of October 28, 2017 at 6.30 pm at All Saints Parish Hall in Liverpool.
CENTENNIAL PARK “BRANCH 2016”
A week later, for the third consecutive year, a successful Charity event dedicated to the poor children at Akamasoa took place. The event was organised by Francesca Chow in conjunction with Elizabeth Lee’s assistance and hospitality, on the 28th of October 2016.
The Spirit of generosity and solidarity with our poorest of the poor in Madagascar brought together many great ladies who enjoyed the best hospitality of Betty Lee, who offered fine quality finger food and sweets, with coffee and tea available at all time.
We are very grateful and honoured by the presence of our First Lady of New South Wales, Mrs Kerryn Baird, wife of the NSW Premier Mr Mike Baird.
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Highlights included some of the wonderful jewellery on display for sale, as well as Malagasy artefacts and valuable items brought especially for the occasion by Francesca Chow. There was also a successfully run raffle and some donations.
With a result of Branch 2016 at $6695, we can say: Deo gratias (again!), with the best wishes and all the abundance of God’s blessing upon all the participants and their families!
Fr Jan
SFRCC sent directly to Akamasoa $61,973.00 (13 January 2017)
Catholic Mission will send soon $19,190.00 less 10% for administration fee ($17,271.00)