John the Baptist Catholic Parish Mount Street, Bonnyrigg Heights

(incorporating Bonnyrigg Heights, Green Valley, Edensor Park, Abbotsbury, Cecil Hills & Elizabeth Hills) Parish Administrator: Rev Fr James McCarthy Parish Pastoral Centre: Email: [email protected] 45 Mount Street, Bonnyrigg Heights, 2177 Office: 9823 2572 Fax: 9822 9954 Assistant: Rev Fr Phan Nguyen Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

website: www.johnthebaptist.org.au Deacon: Rev Mervyn Francis Email: [email protected] Office Hours: Tuesday- Friday 10am to 4pm Parish Secretary: Leanne Lang

MASSES THIS WEEK Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

PSALTER 4 25th and 26th February, 2017 ‘Prayer of the Church’ Morning Prayer is prayed at St John the Baptist PREPARING FOR LENT 10 minutes prior to In the season of Lent that begins next Wednesday, we seek to experience the mercy of God the weekday morning Masses Father, and to practice it in our daily lives. But first we must experience our need for mercy , that is our brokenness and, indeed, our sinfulness, insofar as we have failed to love God above all, and to Monday - No Mass love our fellow men and women as ourselves. This is why the Church’s Canon Law reaffirms the Tuesday - 9:10am obligation to do penance – to interrupt the usual comforts of life, to rediscover in prayer the Ash Wednesday - merciful love of God, and to practice charity and justice towards those in need. The special times of 9:10am & 7:00pm penance are all Fridays throughout the year and the entire season of Lent.

Thursday - 9:10am We recall that St John the Baptist prepared for the coming of the Lord by ‘preaching a baptism of Friday - 9:10am repentance’. Jesus began his ministry with the exhortation: ‘Repent and believe the Gospel’ (Mk Autumn Ember Day 1:15). Repentance means the rejection of sin. It implies conversion to, and reconciliation with, God. Saturday - 9:10am Prayer, self-denial, and works of charity are the concrete expressions of repentance. Each of these identifies us more closely with our Saviour. By penance we make satisfaction for our sins, and take NEXT SUNDAY real steps in the renewal of our lives. Repentance and conversion are central, on-going, and even SUNDAY 4/5 MARCH daily practices of Christian living. ( First Sunday of Lent) Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:30pm In nominating special times of penance, the Church encourages and promotes in all of us the habit Sunday Masses : of penance. Furthermore, observance of these special times by all Catholics throughout the 8:00am, 10 :00am and 5:30pm universal Church emphasises what we call ‘the social dimension of sin’. The sin of the individual

4th Sunday of the Month: member always in some measure infects the whole body. Therefore during Lent and on every

5:30pm Mass in Tagalog Friday throughout the year, we do penance, not only on our own account, but also in the name of Reconciliation: the Church and on the world. We must take very seriously our penitential obligations and be sure to Saturdays— 4:15 - 5:00pm carry them out. The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference has not restricted our penance to fast and abstinence; in all cases, it has left room for our own responsible choice. We should carefully STATIONS OF THE CROSS select the form of penance that we consider most appropriate for our own circumstances and growth Every Friday - 12pm & 7pm in the Christian life. LENTEN ADORATION Every Friday 12.30pm to 7pm DAYS OF PENANCE Come and spend time with Jesus! 1. Abstinence from meat, and fasting, are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday . All who have completed their 18 th year and have not yet begun their 60 th year are bound to fast. All who have completed their 14 th year are bound to abstain. 2. On all other Fridays of the year, including Fridays of Lent, the law of the common practice of penance if fulfilled by performing any one of the following: A) Prayer – for example – Mass attendance; family prayer; a visit to a church or chapel; reading the Bible; making the Stations of the Cross; praying the rosary. B) Self-Denial – for example, not eating meat; not eating sweets or dessert; giving up entertainment to spend time with the family; limiting food and drink so as to give to the poor.

Reflection Questions C) Helping Others – for example, special attention to someone who is poor, sick, elderly, ♦ I worry about.. lonely or overburdened. ♦ When.. st th ♦ My worry consumes me Lent lasts from Ash Wednesday (1 March) to the Mass of the Lord’s Supper exclusive (13 April). by.. On Good Friday, and if possible until the Easter Vigil, the Easter Fast is observed. ♦ I’ve learned to trust in God’s care from.. + ANTHONY FISHER ♦ Choosing God has gifted me with.. OF Your Prayers are requested for the following, YOUTH CORNER for whom Mass will be offered: Sick : Fr John LANGTRY, Archbishop Anthony FISHER, Youth Prayer Intentions and Mass Sebastian AGUIAR, Maria KONTREC, Bishop George All the youth and young adults of JB Parish are invited PHIMPISAN, Fr John CHIANG, Maila CORKILL, Fahed JREISAT, to the weekly Wednesday night Mass to pray for Emmanuel ARAPA, Bishop Geoffrey ROBINSON, specific intentions (which will change each week). Anna MILLZARSKI, Bogdan MILLZARSKI, Justin ZERAFA, There will be a chance to celebrate Mass, pray for the Carmen SPITERI, Audrey SPITERI, Christine TRIGAS, intention during the Holy Hour as well as some time for fellowship with other youth. So please join us this Crystel SACOBOS, Guido BADINO, Sue SHERMAN, Wednesday 1st March at 7:00pm as we pray for the following Emmanuel POLJAK, Ciro PUNZO, Valerie McCARTHY, intention: For an increase of courage in our hearts, that we may Pamela LEVERS, Lily TANTIYA, Brindley & Virginia not be afraid to give ourselves to the Lord. If you would like to CAVALLARO, Sarah CANCERI, Doug ANDERSON, offer an intention one week, please contact Joe to do so. Come Darren OWM, Joe SAMMUT, Giannino MORASSUT, along for a chance to pray the rosary, celebrate Mass and worship Diana VUKOV, Florence JIANG, Isabel TANTIYA, Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration. Nguyet-Thi-PHAM, John CODNER, Robin ISHAC, Nancy VARTULI, Tan LE, Bibeth BUENCAMINO, Rhea Mae ABRAHAMS, Felicitas VALENCIA, Presley PETILLA, Bruno BORSATO, John RAPPAI, Emilia Petilla DOTONG, Veronica MARIC

Recently Deceased: Maria MOLINARI, Josephine CUSCHIERI, Sylvia BUTTIGIEG, Maria VUKOBRAT, Sr Marie LANGTRY (Fr Alpha Youth Here in our parish, we are starting the Youth Film Series, known as John Langtry’s Sister and Brigidine Nun Randwick for 70 years) Youth Alpha . This will be occurring once a fortnight and is Death Anniversary: Maria and Andrea PORTOLESI designed for those who are in years 10, 11 & 12 and anyone who

Other: Linda and Antonio DELLE-VEDOVE, Special Intention has recently finished school. It will be a chance for us to come together to discuss Jesus and feel connected with God for just one hour every two weeks. There will be opportunities for us to come together socially over some food and drink also. We congratulate the families of Anneliese NGUYEN and Benjamin and Aiden FELTHAM who will be Please come to Wednesday evening Mass at 7pm if you can, this baptised here this Sunday 26th February. is the best way to make time for God in our hectic lives! When we’re busy and flat out with so many things to do, giving God half an hour of our time in the celebration of the Eucharist can be the PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL NEWS most rewarding thing you can do for yourself and nothing can This is an invitation to all Parishioners to consider nominating to please God more! ☺ join the very active and supportive Parish Pastoral Council. Afterwards, we will be meeting outside the Meeting Room after As required by the PPC Guidelines a rotation must occur every 2 Mass at 7:30pm on Wednesday evening, March 8th . If you’re keen, please bring $5 to help cover pizza and drink cost. years with a number of our current members retiring due to reaching the maximum term and other commitments. Please keep this in mind if you are trying to make more room for A discernment afternoon is planned for Saturday April 1st from God in your life but are struggling to do so. This is something suitable for young people and is always fun and engaging. Hope to 2pm to 4pm from which new members will be selected. Please see you there! ☺ pray for many nominations to support the service of our priests and our parish. Contact the parish office if you are interested. Xt3 LENT CALENDAR WEBSITE AND FREE APP. What will you give up or take up during Lent? Xt3 can help you journey through the season with the Xt3 Lent Calendar. The calendar is both a website and a FREE App with fresh content daily, including Catholic videos, audio reflections, interviews and blogs. The Lent calendar also includes the Gospel readings of the day and daily challenges focussed on prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Give God a moment this Lent visit: www.xt3.com/lent.

AFTERNOON FOR COUPLES HOPING TO CONCEIVE: Married couples (Catholic or otherwise) who are hoping for children, struggling to conceive, or who wish to better understand – what the Church offers and promotes in regard to fertility awareness and assistance are invited to an afternoon of - information and discussion. It is also an important opportunity for wwwww fellowship with other couples facing similar difficulties. w@ WHERE: Dooleys Waterview Club, Silverwater Rd, Silverwater. MARCH RETREATS - MT CARMEL RETREAT CENTRE WHEN: Saturday 18 March 2017 , 2:00pm-4:30pm. Please direct See Church noticeboard or Phone (02) 8795 3400 RSVPs and inquiries to [email protected] or [email protected] www.carmeliteretreats.com.au phone 9307 8403. 15-17 MAY 2017 MT SCHOENSTATT SPIRITUALITY CENTRE MULGOA SMC Conference & Function Centre, Retreats and Gatherings specifically for Families and Young 66 Goulburn Street, Sydney Adults. Please see Church noticeboard for more details. Great speakers, specialised masterclasses, creative experiences of liturgy, faith and action. It will be a transformative moment of SISTERS OF CHARITY OUTREACH VOLUNTEERS PROGRAM mission for you. To find out more please see the church noticeboard We are seeking mature people who have some time to spare to or visit the Conference website at www.mohmv.com.au or support the vulnerable in our community. Please see the Church 1800 257 296. noticeboard for a list of the programs which need volunteers. PARISH SACRAMENT INFORMATION UPCOMING PARISH &

Baptisms are usually held during weekend Masses. It is necessary to WESTERN DEANERY EVENTS/ NEWS book through the parish office and attend a Baptism Preparation session The date for Baptism will be confirmed once you have attended a session. ASH WEDNESDAY MASS TIMES Sacrament of First Penance/Reconciliation/Confession (for Yr 2 and Wednesday March 1st older): Will take place in Term 4 (28 November - 1 December, 2017). 9.10am - Parish Mass with Year 2 to 5 of John the Baptist

First Holy Communion (for Yr 3 and older): Will take place on 11th, School attending. 17th, 18th, 23rd, 24th and 25th June, 2017. 7pm - Parish Mass 9.30am Year 6 will attend Mass with Freeman Catholic College Confirmation (for Yr 6 and older) : Will take place on Sunday 24th September, 2017. Message from Archbishop Anthony Fisher Contact the Parish Office for more information. Dear friends in Christ, On Ash Wednesday we will receive the mark of ashes on our Project Compassion Sunday foreheads, a sign of penance and humility as we begin the Compassion26 th February Sunday 2017 season of Lent. We do so with a heightened awareness of the 26 th February 2017 pain and suffering of all victims of sexual abuse, especially Please take home a Project Compassion box and/or a set those who were abused by clergy and others representing the of donation envelopes and support Caritas Australia this Church. May our Lenten penance this year be an act of Lenten season themed “Love your neighbour”. intercession in solidarity with all who suffer, praying that they

As said, “Love of God and love of our may find healing and a renewed trust in God and in other neighbour is one and the same thing.” people.

You will be helping to empower our world’s most vulnerable neighbours to grow stronger and share their STATIONS OF THE CROSS strengths with their communities to build a better future Every Friday in the Church during Lent at 12:00pm and for our common home. 7:00pm commencing on Friday 3rd March and concluding on Friday 7th April. You can donate through Parish boxes and envelopes, by visiting www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion or phoning 1800 024 413. LENTEN EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Every Friday in the Church during Lent between ARCHDIOCESE SURVEY 12:30pm and 7:00pm commencing on Friday 3rd March. Parish 2020, the new pastoral project launched by the Archbishop last Jesus invites us to come and spend an hour with him as year, is a journey of renewal in the Archdiocese of Sydney. It is about he journeys towards his passion and death. all of us working together to explore and discern God’s will for the

Archdiocese. Until the end of March 2017, Archbishop Fisher wishes to PARENT EVENING for FIRST HOLY COMMUNION hear the views and opinions of as many people as possible across the All parents who desire to enrol their Yr 3 or older child in the Archdiocese on ways of renewing and strengthening our Parishes and First Holy Communion Program are asked to attend a Formation communities for the future. Meeting on Tuesday 28 February from 6.30pm to 8pm in the You are invited to complete an online survey by visiting https:// Parish Church. This will include a Pancake Supper for Pancake www.surveymonkey.com/r/2V7XL9X/ Tuesday! No need for the candidates to attend. For those unfamiliar with technology, there is a paper version of the survey available at the Church noticeboard and pamphlet area. The Parish will be running the ‘Alpha in a Catholic Context 10AM SPECIAL KINDY WELCOME GRADE MASS 26TH FEBRUARY Course’ during Lent and Easter LAST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH MORNING TEA 2017. Alpha is a tool for Please stay after Mass this weekend to enjoy a cup of tea or evangelisation and faith- coffee with your community. enrichment that is being used by thousands of Catholic parishes in over 70 countries around the world. The CHURCH CLEANERS NEEDED : Course will run once a week over ten weeks If you can spare 1 hour every 8 weeks to clean the Church, then (during Lent and Easter) and will include a please contact Ann 0425 284 860 or Leanne 9823 2572 at the retreat weekend. It consists of a meal, a talk parish office. Our present cleaning groups are in need of extra members. (or video) followed by discussion. Ministries Sat Sun Sun Sun BIBLE STUDY: Every Thursday 10am - 11am Next Week 5.30 pm 8.00 am 10 am 5:30 pm 25/26 FEB Gathers in the Church Meeting Room (after the 9:10am Mass and Rosary). For further information READERS: J Victorino I O’Connor G Zangari G Colusso A Pace L Barilla J Habib please contact Meding on 9823 7121 or 0410 177 673.

EXTRA– M Brito D Triganza G Rapisarda ‘COME AND SIT WITH THE LORD’ ORDINARY J Burxgx L Barilla C Goodyer CHRISTIAN MEDITATION MINISTERS: V Petrovic P Vujica D Vella Every Tuesday at 8pm. Give 20 minutes of your busy M Chun R Morellini J Vella day to Jesus and experience the difference in your life. Held in A Goria G Zangari the Church chapel. Duration time is approximately 30 minutes. B Goria R Hibbs M Harvey F Holden For further information, contact Frances on 0438 213 313. M Aulsebrook L Aulsebrook PARISH HOUSIE: Every Saturday 2pm – 4:30pm at the Liverpool Catholic Club. COUNTERS: F Aloe P Abordo J Coiera CHURCH Think about your choices. Gambling More, enjoying less? For free and confidential information and advice about problem

CLEANERS: S Peters K Boya S Shabo D Toma gambling, contact Gambling Help 1800 858 858 Group 2 www.gamblinghelp.nsw.gov.au RAISE YOUR VOICES!

Entrance Antiphon: The Lord became my protector. He brought me out to a place of freedom; he saved me because he delighted in me.

Communion Antiphon: I will sing to the Lord who has been bountiful with me, sing psalms to the name of the Lord Most High.

THE GLORIA Gospel Acclamation Hebrews 4:12 Alleluia, alleluia! Glory to God in the highest, The word of God is living and active; and on earth peace to people of good will. it probes the thoughts and motives of our heart. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, Alleluia! we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Gospel Matthew 6:24-34 Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; Jesus said to his disciples: ‘No one can be the slave of two masters: you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; he will either hate the first and love the second, or treat the first you are seated at the right hand of the Father, with respect and the second with scorn. You cannot be the slave have mercy on us. both of God and of money. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, ‘That is why I am telling you not to worry about your life and you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, what you are to eat, nor about your body and how you are to clothe with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen. it. Surely life means more than food, and the body more than clothing! Look at the birds in the sky. They do not sow or reap or First reading Isaiah 49:14-15 gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not A reading from the prophet Isaiah worth much more than they are? Can any of you, for all his Zion was saying, ‘The Lord has abandoned me, worrying, add one single cubit to his span of life? And why worry the Lord has forgotten me.’ about clothing? Think of the flowers growing in the fields; they Does a woman forget her baby at the breast, never have to work or spin; yet I assure you that not even Solomon or fail to cherish the son of her womb? in all his regalia was robed like one of these. Now if that is how Yet even if these forget, I will never forget you. God clothes the grass in the field which is there today and thrown

The Word of the Lord into the furnace tomorrow, will he not much more look after you, you men of little faith? So do not worry; do not say, “What are we Responsorial Psalm Psalm 61:2-3,6-9 to eat? What are we to drink? How are we to be clothed?” It is the Rest in God alone, my soul. pagans who set their hearts on all these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need them all. Set your hearts on his kingdom In God alone is my soul at rest; first, and on his righteousness, and all these other things will be my help comes from him. given you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow: tomorrow will He alone is my rock, my stronghold, take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.’ my fortress: I stand firm. The Gospel of the Lord Rest in God alone, my soul. In God alone be at rest, my soul; The Nicene Creed for my hope comes from him. I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, He alone is my rock, my stronghold, of all things visible and invisible. my fortress: I stand firm. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, Rest in God alone, my soul. born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, In God is my safety and glory, not made, consubstantial with the Father; the rock of my strength. through him all things were made. Take refuge in God, all you people. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, Trust him at all times. At the words that follow, up to and including ‘and became man’, all bow. Pour out your hearts before him. and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,

Rest in God alone, my soul. and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, Second reading I Corinthians 4:1-5 he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. People must think of us as Christ’s servants, stewards entrusted He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead with the mysteries of God. What is expected of stewards is that and his kingdom will have no end. each one should be found worthy of his trust. Not that it makes the slightest difference to me whether you, or indeed any human I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, tribunal, find me worthy or not. I will not even pass judgement on who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, myself. True, my conscience does not reproach me at all, but that who has spoken through the prophets. does not prove that I am acquitted: the Lord alone is my judge. There must be no passing of premature judgement. Leave that until I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. the Lord comes; he will light up all that is hidden in the dark and I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins reveal the secret intentions of men’s hearts. Then will be the time and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead for each one to have whatever praise he deserves, from God. Copyright © 1996-2015 Universalis Publishing Limited: see www.universalis.com. Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc, and used by permission of the publishers. Text of the Psalms: The Word of the Lord Copyright © 1963, The Grail (England). Used with permission of A.P. Watt Ltd. All rights reserved.