REFLECTION by Dianne Bergant CSS
Transcription
REFLECTION by Dianne Bergant CSS
REFLECTION by Dianne Bergant CSS The goodness of God is seen in the extravagant generosity with which God gives gifts. This is described in the psalm in the boundlessness and universal scope of God’s generosity. Like the rain that falls on the entire landscape, the blessings of God are showered on all. These blessings are true gifts. They have not been earned, nor can they be repaid. God’s openness is also seen in the reading from the Letter to the Hebrews and in the gospel. All are invited to approach the heavenly city; the heavenly banquet will be open to the poor and to those who have no way of repaying. Only the humble can receive the gifts of God. Only those who can admit their neediness are open enough to realise that God’s blessings are gifts freely given, not compensation for a job well done. Without a humble spirit we are unable to receive gifts as gifts. This is either because we are too proud or we do not know how to receive with the open hearts of children, who never think that they must return in kind. This is the kind of humility recommended by Ecclesiasticus. This is the kind of humility possessed by the disadvantaged pictured in the gospel. As we have received from the bounty of God, so we are called to give to others. Only those who have received with a humble spirit can give with the generosity of God, for they know that they do not deserve God’s goodness and they do not require anything in return. st On the 1 September we celebrate the Feast Day of the Patron of our Diocese – Our Lady of the Southern Cross. Below is the opening prayer for the Mass inviting us to pray for our Diocese: God of all peoples, you inspire us by the courage of our pioneers and enrich us by the ancient wisdom of the Indigenous people who first inhabited this land. Through the intercession of Mary of the Southern Cross may the people of this Diocese and all who live within our shores be gathered together to form one people working together for your kingdom, in harmony and peace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. I invite you to pray this prayer during this week. During this year of Mercy we are invited to participate in a “gentle revolution” through our tender and meaningful actions founded on our relationship with a forgiving God. Mercy Action # 52 Live as if Jesus is your brother and friend. At the end of July, we welcomed Sophie Grace Luck into the St Mary’s Parish family. Sophie is the daughter of Matthew & Phillipa and she is the little sister of Max. Bless this precious child oh Lord. Next Parish Council Meeting will be held on Thursday, 15th September, at 3.30pm in the Parish House. On the table at the front of the church there are a couple of copies of the “Outback Priests” published in 2004 reflecting on the lives of 25 priests of our Diocese. If you would like to take a copy to read, please do, but please return it for anyone else who may like to have a read. Thank you. If you would like to purchase your own copy please contact Gabrielle at the Diocesan Archives on 4632 7484. The cost is approx. $20. Next game: Monday, September 12th, at 9.30am in the Parish Centre Thank you for all your prayers and support for my family and myself as we farewell Mum. God Bless, Father Michael. Currently the St Vincent De Paul Society is not assisting Goondiwindi and district with welfare assistance due to the lack of a committee or conference to oversee this area of need. You are invited to an information morning tea on the 1st September at the St. Vincent De Paul meeting room, located at the shop, to look further at this area. Mr Michael Bathersby, as acting Regional Manager will be attending to provide insight and to answer any questions. Please give this some serious thought. Weekday and Weekend Masses No Masses or Services during this week. th th 27 /28 August, 2016 SATURDAY NIGHT: Goondiwindi 6:00pm SUNDAY MORNING: Goondiwindi 8.00am 3rd/4th September, 2016 SATURDAY NIGHT: Goondiwindi 6:00pm SUNDAY MORNING: Daymar 8:00am; Weengallon 10:00am 10th/11th September, 2016 SUNDAY EVENING: Goondiwindi 6.00pm 17th/18th September, 2016 Celebration of Confirmation with Bishop Robert will be SATURDAY at 6.00pm (not Mass) SUNDAY MORNING: Mass with Bishop Robert Goondiwindi 9.00am WE PRAY FOR Those who have entered your kingdom: including Mona O’Brien, Norm Hilderson, Chris Finlayson, Maria Magoffin, Mel McGuire, Alma Betts, Darren Benecke, Robert Picking, Len Collins, Vince Mullins, Mary Terry, Roy Ash, Boyd Wise, Paxie de Ronde, Beryl Pearce, Mick Maloney, Will Jakins, Hannah Turvey, Kevin Suhr, Matt Croke, Paul Heynen, Guy Langhans (Talwood), Danielle Brennan, Father Brian O’Dwyer, Margaret Beasley (Roma), Albert Knight, Sam Maiore (Roma), John Walmsley (St. George), Paul Zacka, Lyn Sutton, Thelva O’Shea, Darryl Hennessy, Bub Porter, Darrel Littlewood, Heather Glasser, Nancy Thurecht (Talwood), Anna Van Kuijck, Ray McKenna, Florence “Margy” Pavlicevich, Teresa Butler, Mark Batchelor, Ramon O’Neill, Frank Holland, Noel McGovern, Winston Thorne, Jill Welsh Field, Natalie MacPherson, Erin Laverty, Norah O’Brien, Father John (Jack) Clancy, Father Jeff Scully, Marion O’Leary, Matthew Palmen. For all whose anniversary is at this time: including Frank Smith, Ziggy Schmidt, Terence Collins, Alma Rigney, William “Des” Whittle, Joseph Fraser, Olive Thompson, Noel McGovern, Jill Field, Frank Holland, Trish Taylor, Madeline Cubby, Noela McDonald, Barbara Bardsley, Mary Cannon, Rita Johnson, Edward Holcombe, Kevin O’Brien, Beryl O’Keefe, John Webber, Robert “Bob” McCall, Sarah “Dot” Drew, Constance Butler, Norman Montgomery, Gay Brydon, Clarence Manton, Kathleen Kyte, Jason Webster, Kathleen Nolan, Gordon “Matey” Cairns, Dolly Cubis, Jamie Smith, Norman Harpur, Peter Lloyd. For those who are ill: including Tara Watts, Rosemary Lawson, Bill Dyer, Brian Freeney, Deanna Dawson, Kevin Lawless, Audrey Albeck, Ray Mackie (Michael Heynen’s father in law), Peter Keehn, Joan Fleming, Frank Brosnan, Gloria Bale, David Croft, Tim Bourke, Joe Cowmeadow, Shirley Schluter, Stasia Lawless, Paul Lloyd (son of Basil and Marie), Mavis Gordon, Jean Ramada, Stella McGovern, Trish Dyer, Jean Sizer, Francis Lloyd (Basil’s brother), Madonna Nicoletti, Kathy McDonald, Steph Adamson, Bailey Brennan, Pauline Robinson, Win Skinner, Sonya Horrigan, Helen Paige, John Toohey, Marie Cook, Phillip Carney, Shirley Riley, Therese Sullivan and Joseph Hord. Also those ill at home, in hospital and for those in Kaloma. If you would tofor include the name someone in these lists, please check the person Let uslike pray all those clergyofwhose anniversaries occur during thiswith month: or family concerned and then phone Kath on 4671 5087 (Thursday 9am to 3pm). Rev Fr Mark Cosgrove (07/08/47) Rev Fr John Ryan (09/08/01) Rev Fr Patrick Kelly (10/08/86) Rev Fr Charles McDonald (24/08/70) Rev Msgr Patrick Doyle (27/08/00) Rev Fr Bryan Nolan (28/08/68) Rev Msgr Stanley Skehan (29/08/00) Lord, be merciful to your servants, the Bishops and Priests of this Diocese, welcome them into the company of your Saints, in the Kingdom of light and peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen. VOLUNTEERS WELCOMERS AT DOOR ANN W EBSTER & JOAN COWMEADOW (27/08) SHIRLEY W HITTLE & CLAIRE CHARLES (03/09) TRISH W ELSH & PAM MORRIS (11/09) WELCOMER AT MICROPHONE CAROL ORMES (27/08) ST MARY’S SCHOOL (03/09) PHIL ORMES (11/09) 1ST READER/PSALM CARMEL SCHAUMBURG (27/08) GRAHAM MCGOVERN (03/09) BRETT POLLARD (11/09) 2ND READING/ALLELUIA ROBYN LINDORES (27/08) JOE HANNA (03/09) ROSE KEEHN (11/09) EUCHARIST MINISTERS BRIAN COOK, YVONNE ISAAK & CLAIRE CHARLES (27/08) CARMEL GEESON, DAWN LLOYD & DAWN CLANCY (03/09) MICK CLANCY, ROS PHILLIPS & MARY BURCHELL (11/09) DATA PROJECTOR MARY COLLINS (27/08) ROS PHILLIPS (03/09) CAROL ORMES (11/09) MONEY COUNTERS DENISE MCCORMACK & JENNIFER LAWLESS (27/08) TERESA HEYNEN & BELL FAMILY (03/09) KERRY O’CONNOR & CLAIRE CHARLES (11/09) GROUNDS ROSTER AUGUST: PHIL & CAROL ORMES SEPTEMBER: ALAN & MARK W ELSH THANK-YOU FOR YOUR Contributions: 21/08/16 ENVELOPES LOOSE $417.00 $270.00 22ND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME 28TH AUGUST, 2016 Introduction Today’s readings focus on humility and instruct us to attend to those who are most needy. After all these centuries, they seem especially relevant now. How to conduct ourselves when we live in a culture that promotes success, power, selfaggrandizement at every level? Awareness — both of self and others — is essential. Jesus calls us to forego our own wants, pay attention to those in need and expect no reward in return. That sounds easier than it is, which is why we’re still talking about it. First Reading Ecclesiasticus 3:17-20, 28-29 Wise advice on humility. Responsorial Psalm God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor. Second Reading Hebrews 12:12:18-24 The glory of living in the new covenant with Christ. ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA! Take my yoke upon you; learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart. ALLELUIA! Gospel Luke 14:1, 7-14 A banquet parable on living humbly and serving the most needy. Prayers of the Faithful For the church: that it may show us how to be humble servants … we pray, For those who struggle with humility, who fear that it will be disempowering … we pray, For those who live — for whatever reason — in debasing, dehumanizing circumstances … we pray, For the ability to demonstrate humility as a viable national position … we pray, For the wisdom to know when to be humble and when to resist bullying … we pray, For individuals, groups and organizations serving those most in need especially our local St. Vincent De Paul Society … we pray, For the suffering, the sick and the dying in this community; and for those who have died, especially those we hold in our hearts today …… we pray, Parish Information Parish Priest: Fr. Michael O’Brien Phone: 0422 308 955 or 4671 1091 St Mary’s School: Mr Brett Pollard Ph: 4671 1730 Care for the Aged Co-ordinator: Mrs Jane Blomley Ph: 4675 4132 Parish Office Parish Secretary: Mrs Kath Gore Thursday: 9.00am – 3.00pm 69 Callandoon Street or PO Box 45, Goondiwindi 4390 NEW PARISH PHONE NUMBER: 4671 5087 Father Michael’s house Phone: 4671 1091 [email protected]