Bulletin 17Th Jan, 2021
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St Mary Queen of Heaven, Georges Hall 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time | Year B | Sunday 17th January 2021 A Message from Fr Joseph People follow Jesus for various reasons, depending on one’s idea about him. As Today’s Old Testament lesson shares the Thomas Merton said, “Our idea of God tells story of a young Samuel. He is awakened us more about ourselves than about Him.” several times in the night by a voice calling This has been adequately shown in the his name, but because he was not yet familiar Gospels. Many see him as the great Healer. with the Lord, he did not realise who it was And so they follow him in order to be healed that had been speaking. Eli, who had of their various ailments. Others likewise been awakened because of Samuel’s acknowledge him as the one who teaches earnestness to respond on being called, with authority. They follow him because they realised that it must have been God who was like to listen to his teachings. Still others speaking to Samuel, and encouraged him to admire him as the Miracle Worker and they Mission Statement: respond to the voice the next time with the want to witness his miracles. We the St Mary Queen of Heaven parish, are called to be a strong, words “Speak, LORD, for your servant is My first memory was of my mother, the one loving, caring family united in listening.” Ultimately, Samuel again heard who sought to teach me as a young boy to faith. Guided by the Spirit of the voice calling to him, and did respond as read the Bible and strengthen my faith. She Jesus we desire to use our diverse directed, beginning a life-long relationship demonstrated God’s love through her actions talents to reach out and with his Lord. and her words, and I’ve always tried to encourage others. We cherish the This Sunday, therefore, Jesus asks us: “What emulate her example. Because of her, I pray living tradition of our Catholic are you looking for?” In other words, he the rosary regularly. I talk to God and listen church and will seek to heal misunderstandings and hurt in wants to know why we are following him. to His voice. I have a conversation with God. our midst so that Jesus’ prayer This is a crucial question that has to be God speaks to us this Sunday in the way that may be realised, “Father may they answered honestly in order to purify our Samuel did. Like many of you, I suspect, I be one, as you and I are one.” motivations and intensify our commitment to seek God and I regularly find God in a breeze follow Jesus. Peter accurately responded: on my face or in the laughter of a child. “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the Maybe in an answered prayer, I understand Parish Priest: words of everlasting life.” If you desire that God has spoken to me through action. In Fr Joseph Kolodziej progress in the life of the spirit, you must those moments I construct an interpretation constantly ask ‘What am I really looking for? in my head of the grace or the lesson that Parish Office: What are my deepest desires?’ God has sent to me. Monday - Friday ph: 9727 3759 [email protected] Safeguarding Officer/Secretary: Veronica Dening EACH WEEK IN OUR PARISH: THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH: [email protected] SATURDAY: Sunday 17: (Please email to join our Bulletin Mass // 9am 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time mailing list) Reconciliation // 4pm Vigil Mass (English) // 5pm; Wednesday 20: Parish Website: Vigil Mass (Vietnamese) // 6.30pm Saint Sebastian www.smgh.org.au SUNDAY: Thursday 21: Parish Facebook: Mass (English) // 8am, 10am, 5pm Saint Agnes Follow: fb.me/smgh2 Mass (Vietnamese) // 3pm Saturday 23: MONDAY: Saint Polycarp Mass // 8am Sunday 24: Prayer Group in the Chapel // 5.00pm 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Parish School: TUESDAY Ph: 9727 0000 Holy Hour and Rosary // 5pm www.stmgeorgeshall.catholic.edu.au Mass // 6pm “Let us, therefore, forsake the WEDNESDAY vanity of the crowd and their false Rosary // 7.45am; Mass // 8am teachings, and turn back to the THURSDAY word delivered to us from the Rosary // 7.45am; Mass // 8am beginning.” - St Polycarp FRIDAY Rosary // 7.45am; Mass // 8am PLEASE REMEMBER IN Youth Corner (Ephesus) YOUR PRAYERS: Sick: Are you looking for a way to serve the Church? Bourke Gibbons We are looking for enthusiastic and committed leaders Christina Apolinari to join the Ephesus Youth Group! Daniel Matesic, Daniel Clarke If this sounds like something you’d be interested in David Sanders, Eileen Ellery Heather Graham, Irma Buoro please contact Grace on 0450 757 377, or find one of John Sanders Kerry Gibbons the leaders at the 5pm Sunday Masses. Margaret Ward, Marie Reic Mary Strambio, Paul Roughley Phillip Nehme Go Make Disciples Romela Onkowidjaja Rosa Agostino, Tamara Kalass Tony Strambio, Vic Ryan This ‘great commission’ is given anew to every generation. As Pope Francis affirms, Warren Clarke “In our day Jesus’ command to ‘go make’ disciples’ echoes in the changing scenarios and ever new challenges to the Church's mission of evangelisation, and all of us are Recently Deceased: called to take part in this new missionary ‘going forth’. Like the first disciples some of Bishop Geoffrey Robinson Samira Charbel, Dennis Graham us are worshippers, some doubters, some a bit of both. Like them we need to draw June Ryan, Eddie Marks close to Jesus if our doubts are to be dispelled. Luisa Ius Like them, changed by that encounter and empowered by the Spirit, we can do great Remembrances: things. Jesus’ parting mandate was not just to ‘go and make disciples’ but also to Olive Boyle, Joseph Wehbe baptise and teach. By Baptism (and all the sacraments and worship that follow), we Paul Loc Van, Phan Maria Thi become witnesses to God’s saving love - poured out in the life, death and Tuu Nguyen resurrection of Jesus Christ. Rosario Ivan Kucic (2017) Anniversaries: ~ from Go Make Disciples; A Mission Plan for the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney Joseph Pham Manh Ngu Hiliary Joseph Lawler Terry Richards Sacraments Margaret Davern ● Baptism: Any weekend Mass or Sundays at 11am; bookings via Parish office. Arturo Nesci (2013) John William James ● Marriage: At least 6 months notice is needed, a preparation course if required. Tony Kaumair, Alfred Vella ● Reconciliation: Sat @ 4.00pm or by appointment, please contact Fr Joseph. Kathleen May Evans Max Brown, Elena Raymont Francesco Antonio Di Giorgio Family & Faith John Knight (2016) Patricia Wilson Leslie Raymont, Paul Broderick Look Closer… What’s in your Prayer Listening. Space? For the Souls of the Faithful The first reading is the story of Samuel An Ear. Departed: being called by God. Eli taught Samuel to Spirit of God, make himself ready for the Lord by Eternal rest grant unto them You are always O Lord and let perpetual light saying, “Speak, your servant is listening”. present to us. shine upon them. Often when we pray, we put all of our Make our May all the souls of all the faithful energy into telling God what we want and restless minds departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. we forget to listen. still that we Try it: Listening prayer. After reading the Amen. may hear you scripture, close your eyes and breathe speak to us. deeply. Listen and become aware of Amen. God’s presence. Our lived streamed Masses are available from https://cutt.ly/StMarys COVID Update ● Guidelines restrict the parish to 85 people indoors under the 4 sq metre rule, seating is available outside. ● Please ensure you have registered by using the Service NSW app or by signing at the front table. ● Masks are mandatory in places of worship, if possible please bring your own, though masks are available to those who require them. ● No congregational singing is allowed under the current guidelines. Saint Agnes St. Agnes of Rome was born in 291 AD and raised in a Christian family. Agnes was very beautiful and belonged to a wealthy family. Her hand in marriage was highly sought after, and she had many high-ranking men chasing after her. However, Agnes made a promise to God never to stain her purity. New Appointment Her love for the Lord was great and she hated sin even more than death! Whenever After 13.5 years of service at St Mary’s Parish, Fr a man wished to marry Agnes, she would Joseph Kolodziej has been appointed by the always say, "Jesus Christ is my only Spouse." Archbishop to be the new parish priest of All Hallows According to legend, the young men she turned away Parish, Five Dock. Fr Joseph will begin his became so angry and insulted by her devotion to God and appointment at the end of the month. We are very purity that they began to submit her name to authorities as grateful for the service he has given, characterised by a Christian follower. Saint Agnes died in Rome, she gave a love of work, generosity of spirit and a deep sense her life to preserve her virginity consecrated to Christ. She of family spirit. Fr. Lawrence Cauchi has been is remembered in Eucharistic Prayer 1 (The Roman appointed as the new Parish Priest of St Mary’s Canon). Parish, Georges Hall. Please pray for our priests so that they can be faithful servants for the people. New Years Advice (from the Saints) “During this new year I resolve to begin a new life. I do not know what will happen to me during this year.