DATE: July 24TH , 2016
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (YEAR C)
INTRODUCTION:
How much effort do we put into developing our relationship with God
throughout our daily lives? We learn today that the more we connect with
our creator, the more we will be aware of the blessings
which come our way.
FIRST READING: Genesis 18:20-32
RESPONSORIAL PSALM:
YEAR OF MERCY
Response: Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
I thank you, Lord, with all my heart,
you have heard the words of my mouth.
Before the angels I will bless you.
I will adore before your holy temple.
I thank you for your faithfulness and love
which excel all we ever knew of you.
On the day I called, you answered;
You increased the strength of my soul.
The Lord is high yet he looks on the lowly
and the haughty he knows from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of affliction
you give me life and frustrate my foes.
You stretch out your hand and save me,
your hand will do all things for me.
Your love, O Lord, is eternal,
discard not the work of your hands.
Response: Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
SECOND READING: Colossians 2:12-14
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION:
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Alleluia, alleluia!
You have received the Spirit which makes us God’s children,
and in that Spirit we call God our Father.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL: Luke 11:1-13
REFLECTION ON THE GOSPEL
Jesus teaches his disciples to turn to God
as a Father, just as he did.
Such an approach to God is one of the
most important features of Christianity.
God is our Father. Yet, while this is
remarkable and comforting, it is
challenging. As we pray we take the risk of
asking, first of all, that his name be held
holy, and that his kingdom come. Yet we
spend so much of our lives advancing our
own name and constructing our own
kingdoms.
Due to strict privacy laws, names of the sick can only be put in the
Bulletin with the permission of the immediate family. Thank you.
Names for the sick or anniversary list can be added by emailing details to
[email protected] or by ringing 4997 1822.
WE REMEMBER IN OUR PRAYERS
The sick and deceased members of our families and our parish especially
Kevin Boland and Suzie Gay Blair, recently deceased and the anniversaries
of Gabriel Labour and Noeline Rose.
Sick List: Matthew Carter, John Jones, Carmel Bentley, Belinda Cale, David
Houlahan, Marlene Goodall, Paul Buesel, Judi Coates, Kevin Weir, Frank
Lantry, TJ Welsh, Annette Rhodes, Marion Cooper, Tony Knight, Frank
Screpis, Pam Skewes, Noelene Casey, Quade Watson, Shirley Moran, Betty
Dudley, Luke Spalding, Sophie Jordan, Mollie Collins, Monica and Peter
Buckley, Gloria Beale, Nigel Tristram, Geoff True, Maxine Munro, Dave
Jordan and Amber Wallis.
It is in his kingdom that bread will be given,
that sins will be forgiven. Only in a place
where God the Father of Jesus is King will
we be prepared to forgive others. In our
own kingdoms the sins of others are long
WEEKDAY TIMETABLE
held against them until they pay. How dare
EUCHARISTIC
CELEBRATIONS AND DEVOTIONS
we ask our God and King to forgive us our
sins. Our King is also a Father and no father
asks his child to give more than his best. Monday: 25 July, Matthew 20:20-28
God our Father has no desire to ‘put us to Tuesday: 26July, Matthew 13:36-43
the test’.
Tea Gardens – Rosary at 4.30pm, Mass at 5pm
Wednesday: 27 July, Matthew 13:44-46
The two parables which follow continue
Thursday: 28 July, Matthew 13:47-53
the theme of prayer to God our Father…
Bulahdelah – No Mass. School Liturgy of the Word at 9.15am
At the heart of all prayer lies the Friday: 29 July, John 11:19-27
Tea Gardens – 7.40am Rosary followed by Liturgy of the Word
preparedness to allow God to be God to
and Communion
us. Even those of us most committed to
religious values have a tendency to play
NEXT WEEKEND TIMETABLE Fifth Sunday of the Month
God to ourselves and to others. There is a
great deal of risk in saying ‘may your name
5.15pm Mass
be held holy, your kingdom come’. We Saturday: 30th July, Karuah
Bulahdelah 7.00pm Mass
often say these words without being
aware that our lives often point in the
Tea Gardens 8.30am
opposite direction, as we advance our own Sunday: 31st July,
Sunday Celebration in Anticipation of Eucharist
fame and we work hard to construct our
own kingdoms. We only turn to God when
our plans are disturbed.
TAX RECEIPTS 2015 – 2016
A balance is needed. God has given the A few Tax receipts envelopes are now available for those who requested
world into our hands to care for, but this them. In Tea Gardens, they are on the front seat on the organ side of the
never takes away from the fact that the church.
Lord of the whole of creation is our God
and Father. Prayer which starts with this
recognition will be good prayer.
CONGRATULATIONS – SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION
Francis J Moloney sdb, This is the Word of the Lord.
Richard Rohr ofm states that when we
pray “Thy kingdom come”, we are also
praying “my kingdom go”. How do you
allow God to be God in your daily life?
Congratulations to Myles Tyrell Jerrard who will be
received into our community this weekend at Our Lady of the Rosary
Karuah. He will receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and
Eucharist at the 8.30am Mass. Welcome to our parish family, Myles!
ST BRIGID’S– BULAHDELAH 30/7/16
Church Cleaning: Emmie Griffis, Irene Dorney & Maria Mason; Readings:
Barbara Mason; Prayers of the Faithful: Gwen Smyth; Presentation of the
Gifts: Rosie Newton & Beryl Barry; Altar Server: Brendan; Eucharistic
Ministers: Ian & Mike.
Readings for next week:
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
st
1 Reading: Ecclesiastes 1:2;2:21-23
2nd Reading: Colossians 3:1-5,9-11
Gospel: Luke 12:13-21
ST STEPHEN’S – TEA GARDENS 31/7/16
Church Cleaning: Group 4; Leader: Monica Fitzmaurice; Welcome: Donna
PARISH ACTIVITIES
Howarth; 1st Reader: Cathie Henry; 2nd Reader: Ronelle McKay; Gospel:
AUGUST
Paul Carter; Reflection: Sr Libbey; Communion Minister: Ariadhne Labour;
Tuesday
2
Anointing
Mass at the Manor at
AV: Lidia Izquierdo; Organist: Michael; Flowers: Kerrie Collins.
10am
Wednesday 3 Y4M at 9am
OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY – KARUAH 30/7/16
Wednesday 3 Men’s Discussion Group Tea
Church Cleaning: Marcia & Yvonne; Greeters: Julie-Gai & Trent; Reader:
Gardens 4pm
Lyn; Presentation of the Gifts: Lucas & Cliffy; Minister of Communion:
Thursday 4 Bulahdelah Community Meeting &
Rae.
Dinner at 6pm
↘WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH? ↙
Friday 5 Jesus in the Gospels
Monday 8 Sharing the Journey at 9.30am
Wednesday 27 Wrap with Love at 1pm
Tuesday 9 Women’s Shed at Karuah 9.30am
Wednesday 27 St Vincent de Paul Meeting at 3pm
Wednesday 10 Catholic Church Service at
Friday 29 Jesus in the Gospels
Peter Sinclair Gardens at 10am
Wednesday 10 Wrap with Love at 1pm
Thursday 11 Bulahdelah Nursing Home Mass
ST JOSEPH’S SCHOOL
There were smiles all round as the children and staff returned this week to at 10.30am
commence term three of the 2016 school year. We have been holding Friday 12 Jesus in the Gospels
Parent Teacher interviews in order for parents to gain valuable feedback Tuesday16 St Stephens Morning Tea at
from our first semester reports. All are looking forward to a term full of 10.30am
debating, public speaking and athletic carnivals. I look forward to giving Wednesday 17 Men’s Discussion Group Tea
you updates as the term progresses. With every good wish, Joanne Trotter Gardens 4pm
Wednesday 17 Y4M at 9am
Principal
Wednesday 24 St Vincent de Paul Meeting at
3pm
WHAT’S IN A WORD: MERCY
Wednesday 24 Wrap with Love at 1pm
Fr Michael Tate writes: ‘Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those
Wednesday 31 Y4M at 9am
who trespass against us.’ … I think it was Portia in the Merchant of
Venice who says ‘The quality of Mercy is not strained. It falleth as the
gentle rain of Heaven on to the place beneath.’ We know that if the
ST STEPHEN’S TONTINE
surface of the earth is concreted over it cannot absorb ordinary rain and
First Prize: Roger Chivers
it runs off to water elsewhere.
Second Prize: Margaret Swift
If we develop a harshness of heart which refuses to show mercy and
forgiveness ourselves, then we are like earth concreted over and unable
SAMARITAN CHRISTMAS BOXES
to absorb God’s mercy and forgiveness into our own lives.
Thank you for your donations over the past
weeks. For the next couple of weeks we would
When we forgive someone, we become more able to absorb the gentle
especially appreciate some face washers, tennis
rain of divine mercy and forgiveness. So, Heaven and Earth need not be
balls and small toys such as yo-yos, toy cars etc.
as distant as supposed. Our Lord has shown us how we can help make
Thank you, Rose Smith.
these dimensions of existence coincide.
Pray the ‘Our Father’ often. … It is the prayer to be embodied in our lives.
NAME BADGES
Fr Michael Tate, Homily 16th week in Ordinary Time ©
Do you have one? Parishioners who do not
have a name badge can speak with Sister
How does the “Our Father” mirror your own experience of giving and
Libbey as an order will be placed next week.
receiving forgiveness?
Cost $6.00
BULAHDELAH COMMUNITY MEETING & DINNER
Numbers are needed a.s.a.p. for the dinner to farewell Anita and Max
Pinkerton on Thursday August 4th, please let Gemma Stace know 4997
4846.
CUPPA This Weekend at
Karuah.
FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
July 26 Sts Joachim and Ann, parents of Mary
While they are not mentioned in the Gospels, tradition holds, on the grounds of very old testimonies, that Saints
Joachim and Ann were the father and mother of Mary, the Mother of God.
July 29 St Martha
‘Jesus loved Martha and Mary and Lazarus.’ This unique statement in John's Gospel tells us of the special relationship
Jesus had with Martha, her sister, and her brother. Jesus was apparently a frequent guest at Martha's home in
Bethany, a small village two miles from Jerusalem. On one visit we see Martha’s frustration when her sister Mary
ignores the rule of hospitality in order to sit and listen to Jesus. Martha asks Jesus to intervene. Jesus' response is
not unkind, as he reminds her that there is only one thing that is truly important -- listening to him. The next visit
shows how well Martha learned this lesson. She is grieving the death of her brother with a house full of mourners
when she hears that Jesus has just come to the area. She gets up immediately, leaves the guests, and goes to meet
him, stating clearly without doubt that she believes in Jesus' power, in the resurrection, and most of all that Jesus is
the Son of God. Of the three siblings Martha is the only one acknowledged with a Feast Day.
FOR THE DIARY
THE INAUGURAL CATHEDRAL LECTURE: Celebrating 150 years of the Diocese.
The Inaugural Cathedral Lecture Tradition: Engaging God’s Future, Our Past, and the Challenges of the Present will
be given by Professor Richard Lennan, Professor of Systematic Theology in the School of Theology and Ministry at
Boston College, Massachusetts and Professor Ordinarius. Richard grew up in Newcastle and is a priest of our diocese.
The lecture will take place on Wednesday 3rd August, 2016 in the Sacred Heart Cathedral, 841 Hunter Street,
Newcastle West, beginning at 6pm (gathering from 5.30pm) and will be followed by a brief question and answer
session. Light refreshments will be served afterwards in the adjoining facilities.
NATIONAL CATHOLIC YOUTH CONFERENCE 2016
Ignite Conference is a national Catholic youth conference held in Brisbane for adults, students, kids, ministry leaders,
teachers, priests and religious. The conference is being held from 22-25 September 2016 at the Mueller Performing
Arts Centre, Redcliffe, Qld. The conference aims to draw young people from across Australia and beyond to encounter
Jesus and be drawn into a positive experience of the Church, equipping them to live out their faith and empowering
them to impact their world. The theme for 2016 is “Revelation”. For more information and costs please speak to Sr
Libbey.
JOKE: Somebody has said that there are only two kinds of people in the world. There are those who wake
up and say, “Good morning Lord,” and there are those who wake up and say “Good Lord, its morning.”