Catholic Church 26 Swanston Street, St Marys, NSW 2760 Tel: (02) 9623 1962 Parish Email: [email protected]

T HE ASCEN SION OF T HE LORD - Year B - 16 May 2021 Entrance Antiphon: Responsorial Psalm Gospel Acclamation: You kingdoms of the earth, Ps 46:2-3. 6-9. R. v.6 Alleluia, alleluia! sing to God: praise the Lord, who (R.) God mounts his throne to Go and teach all people my gospel. ascends above the highest heavens; shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets I am with you always, until the end his majesty and might are in the skies, for the Lord. of the world. Alleluia. Alleluia! 1. All peoples, clap your hands, cry to God with shouts of joy! First Reading: Acts 1:1-11 For the Lord, the Most High, we must Why are you standing here looking into fear, great king over all the earth. (R.) the sky? has been taken into heaven. 2. God goes up with shouts of joy; In my earlier work, Theophilus, I dealt the Lord goes up with trumpet blast. with everything Jesus had done and Sing praise for God, sing praise, taught from the beginning until the day sing praise to our king, sing praise. (R.) he gave his instructions to the apostles 3. God is king of all the earth. he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, Sing praise with all your skill. and was taken up to heaven. He had God is king over the nations; shown himself alive to them after his God reigns on his holy throne. Passion by many demonstrations: for (R.) forty days he had continued to appear to them and tell them about the king- dom of God. When he had been at ta- GOSPEL: Mk 16:15-20 ble with them, he had told them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for The Lord Jesus was taken into heaven what the Father had promised. ‘It is,’ and is seated at the right hand of God. Jesus showed himself to the Eleven he had said, ‘what you have heard me and said to them, ‘Go out to the whole speak about: John baptised with water Second Reading: world; proclaim the Good News to all but you, not many days from now, will Eph 1:17-23 creation. He who believes and is be baptised with the Holy Spirit.’ Now He made Jesus to sit at his right hand in baptised is saved; he who does not having met together, they asked him, heaven. believe will be condemned. These are ‘Lord, has the time come? Are you go- May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the signs that will be associated with ing to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ the Father of glory, give you a spirit of believers: in my name they will cast He replied, ‘It is not for you to know wisdom and perception of what is out devils; they will have the gift of times or dates that the Father has de- revealed, to bring you to full knowledge tongues; they will pick up snakes in cided by his own authority, but you will of him. May he enlighten the eyes of their hands, and be unharmed should receive power when the Holy Spirit your mind so that you can see what they drink deadly poison; they will lay comes on you, and then you will be my hope his call holds for you, what rich their hands on the sick, who will witnesses not only in Jerusalem but glories he has promised the saints will recover.’ And so the Lord Jesus, after throughout Judaea and Samaria, and inherit and how infinitely great is the he had spoken to them, was taken up indeed to the ends of the earth.’ As he power that he has exercised for us into heaven: there at the right hand of said this he was lifted up while they believers. This you can tell from the God he took his place, while they, looked on, and a cloud took him from strength of his power at work in Christ, going out, preached everywhere, the their sight. They were still staring into when he used it to raise him from Lord working with them and confirm- the sky when suddenly two men in the dead and to make him sit at his ing the word by the signs that accom- white were standing near them and right hand, in heaven, far above every panied it. they said, ‘Why are you men from Gali- Sovereignty, Authority, Power, or Domi- lee standing here looking into the sky? nation, or any other name that can be The Gospel of the Lord Jesus who has been taken up from you named, not only in this age, but also in into heaven, this same Jesus will come the age to come. He has put all things under his feet, and made him, as the Communi0n Antiphon: back in the same way as you have seen Christ, offering a single sacrifice him go there.’ ruler of everything, the head of the Church; which is his body, the fullness for sins, is seated for ever at The Word of the Lord of him who fills the whole creation. God’s right hand, Alleluia! st nd PARISH TEAM 1 and 2 Collections: Parish Priest: Fr. Brendan Murphy SDB 1 st Collection: for the support of the Parish Priests Assistant Priest: Fr Leo Choi SDB 2nd Collection: goes towards the weekly Parish Secretary: Fleur Mathias operating budget for the Parish. Parish Telephone: 9623 1962 Parish Email: [email protected] We Thankyou for your ongoing support. Web: www.olrchurchstmarys.org.au ———————————————————————————————- If you prefer to donate using ONLINE BANK- Enquiries: Please phone the Parish Office ING, details are as below: between 9:30am - 12:30pm & 1:30pm - 3:30pm, (1st Collection) - Priests Monday to Friday. BSB NO: 067 950 ACCOUNT NO: 00004414 Salesian Community: Phone: 9623 1220 ACCOUNT NAME: St Marys Pastoral Revenue Rector: Fr John Walenciej SDB (2nd Collection) - Church Don Bosco Youth Centre: Phone: 9623 0450 BSB NO: 067 950 Director: Fr John Walenciej SDB ACCOUNT NO: 00222 Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School ACCOUNT NAME: St Marys Catholic Church Principal: Mr Siciliano Phone: 8856 8301 FOR THE SICK Email: [email protected] Web: www.olorstmarys.catholic.edu.au Jesus the Healer, we commend to your gentle hands Emmaus Catholic College those who are sick Principal: Mr Robert Nastasi Mitchell, Bruce Fernandes, Peter Wetton, Margaret Lawrence, Phone: 9670 4588 Emil Delos Reyes, Kate Medina, Suzette P, Gerard Marcelo, Vanessa, Josie, Clayton B, Zoiya P, Linda Weightman, Patrick Email: [email protected] Paris, Coral Peters, Emmanuel & Josephine Vella, Patricia Mont- Web: www.emmauskempscreek.catholic.edu.au gomery, Libby, McEwen Pereira, Cathie Marcel, Rhoda Bertu- men, Tenesha Faulkner, Edison Saynes, Declan Hampsey, Ce- cille Quizon, Kelly Balgowan, George Rehani, Kristen Rouen, Bobby Jose, John McCann, Bernadette Fernandes, Covid pa- tients, Simy Sebastian, Caroline Santos, Georgina Rastegorac, Madrasto & Afuang Family, Patricia McGee, Wendy Edgett, Ber- tumen Family, Aubree Timmins, Leanne Furey. Sat 15 May 6:00pm William & Kathleen Watson

Sun 16 May ASCENSION OF THE LORD PRAYERS FOR T HE DECEASED 7:30am Pro Populo Please remember in your prayers our deceased 9:00am Madrasto & Afuang Families parishioners, family and friends especially 10:30am Daragan Katic Sean Teague, Sime Cirjak, Patricia Dubier, Anthony Red- 5:30pm Thelma Moreno, Cezar Fanio, Jnr mund, Gerardus Heynis, Stefano Catanea, Edme David, Al- Mon 17 May fred Equilina Carmel Sciberras, Carl Pereira, Bruno Premu- 6:30am Holy Souls in Purgatory 9:00am Personal Intention tico, Robin Fernandes, Nelly Comelli, William Ebzery, Sam- Tue 18 May ST JOHN I uel Castle, Patricia Mitchell, William Weightman, George 6:30am Vinko Teklic Borg, John Steele, Leo Pereira, Mary Bonanno, Jakov Lalic, 9:00am Mary Kutty Sr Marie Blanche, Elena Zamora, Ronaldo Jurado, Carmela Wed 19 May Banea, Glenn Peters, Mattie Finn, Boja Djodan, Jela Milk- 6:30am Maria & Family ovich, Corazon Ronas, Linda Miller, Monica Kok, Kabalin & 12:00pm Parish Dedication to St Joseph Rina Seecy, Gautam Mukherjee, Louis Fernandes, Lawrence Thurs 20 May ST BERNADINE OF SIENA D’souza, Malcolm Howse, Luciano Morlin, Antionette An- 6:30am Julie Sequeira gello, Alan Christian, Silvio Patrizi, Brian Pereira, Clare Har- 9:00am Mikolaj & Janina Wielgosz ris, Pedro Enriquez Jnr, Jonathan Potts, John Hoare, Isla Fri 21 May ST CHRISTOPHER MAGALLANES & CO Bishop, Franklin Lopez, Maria Roxas-Lopez, Pat McCann, 6:30am Theresa & Leo Pereira Mercedes Batbat, Philu Mendes, Oswald D’souza, Mayok 9:15am Cyril Wijeratne Bumanglag-Ylag, Susan Chiu, Lucy D’souza, Carol D’souza, Sat 22 May ST RITA OF CASCIA Maxima Alburquerque, Julian Carvalho, Theresa P, Jean 8:00am Ronald Lopez Hampsey, Kerry Porth. Eternal rest grant unto their souls O Lord, let per- RECONCILIATION TIMES: petual light shine upon them, may they rest in peace. Amen Wednesday: 11:15am - 11:45am. Mass at 12 noon Saturdays: 9:00am - 10:00am, 5:00pm - 5:30pm Rosary Statue ADORATION BEFORE THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Mr & Mrs Bonnici Thursdays: 9:30am - 8:50pm, (All welcome) 169 Forrester Rd, Masses / Reconciliation at the MacKillop Centre St Marys COMING EVENTS FOR THE DIARY WE WELCOME

May 15: Campfire, MacKillop Centre Grounds, 7pm May 16: Mary Help of Christians Novena Begins Ashton Anthony Farrugia

May 18: First Reconciliation Info Night, 7:30pm Into our Parish Family through the Sacrament of May 20: First Reconciliation Info Night, Parish Hall May 24: Mary Help of Christians Feast Day May 25: Mass for Fr John Joseph Therry LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMI- May 27: Pre-Baptism Programme, 7:30pm, Parish off. NAR May 29: Bishop’s Good Shepherd Appeal May 30: Pilgrim Mother Apostolate Rosary, Flowers Starts Friday 28 May 2021

for Mary 7:00pm June 7: Catechist Meeting, Parish Meeting Rm, 10am ————————————————————— Don Bosco Youth Centre Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Novena held on St Marys Wednesdays, 7:30pm - 9:00pm, Adoration Chapel.

Devotion to the Holy Wounds of Jesus 28 May : God’s love and The Good News 2nd & 4th Mondays of the month, 7pm, 4 June: The New Life MacKillop Centre Chapel 11 June: Receiving God’s Gift 18 June: You shall receive Power DEVOTION TO THE HOLY WOUNDS OF JESUS 25 June: Growth and Transformation

Devotions to Holy Wounds of Jesus to be held on “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit When: 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month comes on you; and you will be my witnesses” Time: 7:00pm Place: Chapel - Mackillop Centre NEXT 24th May 2021 Community Visitors Scheme Further enquiries, please contact Denis on 9670 Volunteers Needed

The Community Visitors Scheme, a CatholicCare Social Justice COVID-19 program, is looking for volunteers to provide a Food and Toiletries Drive friendly visit to residents in local Aged Care Facilities who are lonely or isolated from their Jesuit Refugee Service and House of Welcome are family and friends. dealing with a 400% increase in emergency assistance calls and are needing to feed over 1,000 people facing If you feel you could spare 1 hour weekly or destitution each week. You can help by running a food fortnightly to help a person feel more valued and toiletry drive or donating yourself. and respected, please contact the Manager, For more information, contact House of Welcome on

Parish Church use:

Please support our seminarians to answer Dear Parishioners, God’s call to the priesthood Mass bookings are no longer necessary At our Holy Spirit Seminary, Harris Park, young men Please sign-in using the QR Code displayed near are training to become future priests for the Diocese of the entrance or use the sign-on sheets. Parramatta. Your caring gift and prayers are needed to  Parishioners who are not well are support our seminarians to prepare for a life of service requested NOT to attend Mass. to our community.  The use of masks while attending Mass is Please give generously via the Bishop’s Good Shepherd no longer mandatory but encouraged. Appeal giving envelopes or online at  Social (physical) distancing must be yourcatholicfoundation.org.au/appeal. observed at all times in the worship space. If you are waiting for a COVID-19 test result, please isolate and DO NOT attend Mass ROOM TO LET  Assistance with sanitising the pews after Fully furnished 3 Bedroom house with one bedroom the Masses is appreciated.

Year of Saint Joseph, Month of Pope recalls 40th anniversary of assassina- Mary tion attempt on JPII

May 15-16 2021: Ascension of the Lord 75th Anniversary Year

Dear Parishioners,

Condolences: We offer our sympathy and assurance of prayers to Alvin Mercado and family on the recent loss of his father Angelito; Richard D’Souza and family on the recent loss of his mother Lucy; and Fleur Mathias and family the recent loss of her mother The Polish Pontiff was certain Our Lady of Fatima Theresa. May they rest in peace. saved his life on her feast day. Pope Francis recalled the 40th anniversary on May Thank you: After many years arranging the flowers in 13 of the assassination attempt on Pope Saint John the church, Grace Militano is now unable to continue, due to family commitments. Thank you, Grace, for all Paul II. “He was certain that he owed his life to Our your service to God and to the parish. Lady of Fatima,” Francis said, noting that “this makes us aware that our lives and the history of the Farewell: Mrs Patricia Montgomery, parishioner for fifty world are in God’s hands.” seven years, has recently relocated to a Catholic nursing The Argentine pope mentioned the anniversary at the home in Surry Hills. Farewell, Patricia, and every bless- end of the May 12 general audience, in his special ing. Thank you for your contribution to the life of the greetings to Polish-speaking pilgrims. parish over so many years. Pope John Paul II was shot as he passed through St Peter’s Square during the general audience on First Reconciliation Parent Information nights will be on this Tuesday May 18 and Thursday May 20 at Wednesday, May 13, 1981, on the liturgical feast of 7:30pm in the hall. Our Lady of Fatima. All to the Immaculate Heart Coming up: “Let’s entrust the Church, ourselves and the whole May 16: Novena for Mary Help of Christians begins. world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Let’s pray May 18, 20, 7:30pm: First Reconciliation Info nights. for peace, for the end of the pandemic, for a spirit of May 22-23: Parish Council membership call. penitence and for our conversion,” Pope Francis Mon May 24: Mary Help of Christians, patroness of Aus- said. tralia. Masses 6:30am, 9am, 7:30pm. And recalling tomorrow’s feast day dedicated to Our Sunday May 30: Flowers for Mary Lady of Fatima, he said: “Let us place ourselves Fri June 11: Sacred Heart of Jesus: Masses 6:30am, with trust under Her maternal protection, especially 9:15am, 7:30pm. when we find ourselves in difficulty during our Monday June 14: Bush Picnic Euroka Park st life.” The topic of the audience today was the June 19-20: 1 Special Church Refurbishment collection. difficulties encountered in prayer. Sunday July 25: Grandparents Lunch. Rosary relay Monday July 26: Ss Joachim & Anne. Mass for Grand- The pope also urged praying the Rosary, especially parents. Sunday August 1, 10:30am Mass: Church re-opening in this month dedicated to Mary. celebration with Bishop Vincent. A Rosary Marathon is underway, which Pope Fran- Sat August 14: St Hildegard Festival of Sacred Song. cis began on May 1 and will conclude May 31. A Sat August 21, 6pm Mass: Confirmations (Bishop Vin- different shrine each day is leading the Rosary for cent) the general intention of the end of the pandemic, as Sunday September 12: Parish Council AGM well as a specific related intention. Saturday September 18: Parish Concert Kathleen N. Hattrup – Aleteia, 12/5/21 Sunday October 3: Marian Procession. Monday October 4: Wentworth Lake Picnic. ****************************************** Monday October 18: Fra Angelico Art Exhibition. ** Sunday November 21: First Communions. "The power of Christ's Cross and Resurrection is Saturday November 27: Parish Anniversary Ball. greater than any which man could or should Sunday November 28: 75th Anniversary Mass. fear." Pope JP II

God bless. ******************************************

Fr. Brendan ********************************