St. Thomas More Catholic Church 298 BAY ST, BRIGHTON -LE -SANDS, NSW 2216, Australia Phone: 9567 3589 Parish Priest : Fr Manuel Santiago

Home , Romano Guardini

St. Thomas More Catholic Church 298 BAY ST, BRIGHTON -LE -SANDS, NSW 2216, Australia Phone: 9567 3589 Parish Priest : Fr Manuel Santiago. Permanent Deacon : Rev Raymond Hung Weekend Mass Times: Sat: 5.30pm, Sun: 8.00am, 10.00am, (7pm IS BACK!) Confessions 4.30pm—5.15 pm Saturday Afternoons

4TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - 31ST JANUARY 2021 (B)

1st Reading Deuteronomy 18:15-20 world's affairs and devote himself to pleasing his wife: he is torn two ways. In the same way an Moses said to the people: 'Your God will raise unmarried woman, like a young girl, can devote up for you a prophet like myself, from among herself to the Lord's affairs; all she need worry yourselves, from your own brothers; to him you about is being holy in body and spirit. The must listen. This is what you yourselves asked of married woman, on the other hand, has to worry the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the about the world's affairs and devote herself to Assembly. "Do not let me hear again" you said pleasing her husband. I say this only to help you, "the voice of the Lord my God, nor look any not to put a halter round your necks, but simply longer on this great fire, or I shall die"; and the to make sure that everything is as it should be, Lord said to me, "All they have spoken is well and that you give your undivided attention to the said. I will raise up a prophet like yourself for Lord. The word of the Lord. them from their own brothers; I will put my words Thanks be to God. into his mouth and he shall tell them all I command him. The man who does not listen to Acclamation Matthew 4:16 my words that he speaks in my name, shall be Alleluia, alleluia! held answerable to me for it. But the prophet A people in darkness have seen a great light: who presumes to say in my name a thing I have a radiant dawn shines on those lost in death. not commanded him to say, or who speaks in Alleluia! the name of other gods, that prophet shall die."' The word of the Lord. Gospel Mark 1:21-28 Thanks be to God. Jesus and his followers went as far as Capernaum, and as soon as the Sabbath came Resp Psalm Ps 94:1-2. 6-9 Jesus went to the synagogue and began to R. If today, you hear his voice, teach. And his teaching made a deep impression harden not your hearts. on them because, unlike the scribes, he taught Come, ring out our joy to the Lord; them with authority. hail the rock who saves us. In their synagogue just then there was a man Let us come before him, giving thanks, possessed by an unclean spirit, and it shouted, with songs let us hail the Lord. R. 'What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Come in, let us kneel and bend low; Have you come to destroy us? I know who you let us kneel before the God who made us are: the Holy One of God.' But Jesus said for he is our God and we sharply, 'Be quiet! Come out of him!' And the the people who belong to his pasture, unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions the flock that is led by his hand. R. and with a loud cry went out of him. The people were so astonished that they started asking O that today you would listen to his voice! each other what it all meant. 'Here is a teaching 'Harden not your hearts as at Meribah, that is new' they said 'and with authority behind as on that day at Massah in the desert it: he gives orders even to unclean spirits and when your fathers put me to the test; they obey him.' And his reputation rapidly spread when they tried me, though they saw my everywhere, through all the surrounding Galilean work.' R. countryside. 2nd Reading 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 The Gospel of the Lord. I would like to see you free from all worry. An Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. unmarried man can devote himself to the Lord's affairs, all he need worry about is pleasing the Lord; but a married man has to bother about the PARISH DIRECTORY

Parish Office Hours. Mondays, Wednesdaysand Fridays. and9.30am Fridays. till 3.30 9.30am pm and 3.30pm. Contact Details : Phone: 9567 3589 Email: [email protected] FinanceContact Chairman Details : :Phone: Mr Patrick 9567 Bugden 3589 Email:WEB SITE [email protected] : www.thomasmorebrighton.org.au StFinance Thomas Chairman More Primary : Mr Patrick School: Bugden Tel: 9597 WEB 5884 SITE -: Principalwww.thomasmorebrighton.org.au Mrs Jenny Frost St Thomas More Primary School: Tel: 9597 5884 - Principal Mrs Jenny Frost Lost Items - If an item is left behind, and you find it, please take it to the Sacristy .

We remember and pray for all our family This Week ahead in the parish Thisand Week friends. ahead in the parish Visitor Offering Envelopes are now available at the 4 FebThe Sacrifice9am Communion of the Holy Service Mass – wasFollowed back1 February of the church 9am -Mass Visitors— to the parish are Mon offeredby Rosary this week for : Mon encouraged2 February to use these envelopes for your offering— All our Parishioners who are sick at the Moment; please place them9am on Mass either—Followed collection by Rosary—Thank - you 5 Feb 9am Mass—Followed by Rosary January The Presentation of the Lord JosephTue Kos; Margaret Kazi ; Kalim Assaf; Joseph Barry Tue Cartner; Fr JanuszSt Agatha—Parish Priest of Hurstville; Alicia White; 3 February 9am Mass—Followed by Rosary - WedWe remember and pray for all our family and friends. Cabera;6 Feb Anthony9am Hunt; Mass Jose— Ramirez;Followed Sean by Finnerty; Rosary Jan Varon; Marika Mag; Maria Micalizzi ; Daniella, Mirjana, and The4 Sacrifice February of 9amthe MassHoly— FollowedMass was by offeredRosary - this week for : Family;Wed St Paul Miki and Companions Thur Sick and other intentions— All our Parishioners who are Recently7 Feb Deceased9am Mass: Josephine—Followed Rubio; Fatherby Rosary Isidore sick5 at February the moment; First Jesse Friday Valenzuela, Bernice Fahey; Anantharaj,Thur Parish Priest of Mater Dei Blakehurst ; Liliana De Fri 8AM Adoration and Benediction Pasquale; Tina Veselic; Chrish Calameros; Fred Carter; JeanRecently Deceased:9AM IvanMass Soljic;—Followed June by Waters; Rosary Garry Hood. Spiteri;8 Feb Madam8.15 Lim SooAdoration Lan; Tonko Mandzo; Noeleen St Agatha Eldridge; Attila Fodor; Yvette Kordovlos; Aurora Rabago; Deceased/Anniversaries6 February First Saturday— Lee—9 amSay Mass Hun; Followed Lee Bok by Soon and Fri Pammy; Sixto Rubio; Mary Gatt (31/1/2018); John Sultana; Charles Copeland;9am Mass—Followed by Rosary Sat First Saturday devotions and Rosary Deceased/Anniversaries Doreen Grady; Reg Grady; Evelyn Aca; Mary Cassidy; Doreen Grady (29/1/2009) John (Reg) Grady (5/2/2009),4.30pm Herbert—Confessions Fenech; The5.30 Holypm - SoulsVigil Mass in - Chung Van Nguyen; Josephine Gittany; Maria Cortiss; Purgatory; Antonina9 Feb Vella;4.30pm Vitina Sirotich;—Confessions Mary Cassidy;— Charlie Pisani; Please Book for Weekend Masses—online AnthonySat Pisani;5.30 Nita May- Vigil Fahey; Mass Veronique— 5th Sakr;Sunday Mary in 7 February 5th Sunday in Ordinary time (B) DÁmato; PheroOrdinary Tuong The Time Nguyen; Merle Neri Paras; Sun Please Book for Weekend Masses—online Paulina Kristiono; Angela Vassallo; Virgilio Lingo; Purita Calbay;10 Feb Felice and8 am Mary , 10am Mandile Morning and Family; Mass Mary Gatt; BartoloSun and Francis7pm Natoli; Evening Ruza Mass Keri; Colleen McIntosh; Jim Dickson; JuneEVERY Waters; FRIDAY Herbert —Fenech;8.15 AMPaul Russell ; Gary Hood; The Holy Souls in Purgatory; INFORMACIÓN Special ADORATIONIntention; All those who BEFORE have no-one MASS to pray for them, MISA MENSUAL EN ESPAÑOL Recuerda que la misa se celebra el tercer Childrens’ Liturgy domingo de cada mes a las 12:30 p.m.— PrayerIn for RECESS! Child Protection Returns in February!. Sunday 21st February 2021 Lord, you asked that the little children be allowed to come to you, for it is such as these that the ONLINE BOOKINGS ARE OPEN! PrayerKingdom for of GodChild belongs. Protection You entrust them to the care and protection of our Lord,communities you asked of faith. that Guidethe littleus as children be Would you like to donate to our PARISH allowedwe strive to ensurecome thatto you, our for it is such as Our Website donate button is now operational . Use this QR Code to sign right in!! theseCatholic that Communities the Kingdom provide of Goda belongs. Yousafe entrustenvironment them for to each the child. care and We pray especially for all those 2019 Rosters are now available—they are protection of our communities of faith. located on the top of the organ Guidewho have us beenas we harmed strive in to their ensure that our A GENTLE REMINDER - For all Readers and childhood, give them courage in Volunteers Needed—there are spots on our Catholicfacing the Communities past and lead them provide to your a healingsafe Extra Ordinary Ministers environmentprotection. Amen for each child. We pray BethanyPleaseLiturgy remember College Roster to forarrivewill thosebe at holdingleast that 15 minutes theircan help2019 before out — especially for all those who have been OpenMassplease andDay tocall on make the5 March your office attendance from if 3.00pm you known are toto ablethe Acolyte to help. in Theharmed Catholic in Archdiocese their childhood, of Sydney give’s policy them on the care, 6.00pm.Charged. MeetIf you havethe Principalnot arrived atfive 4.30pm minutes before the wellbeing and protection of children and young persons Mass then the Acolyte will need to find a suitable courage in facing the past and lead them replacement.7pm - I thank Sunday you all Evening for your co Mass.-operation Fr Manuel isto available your healing on the Notice protection. Board located Amen in the Choir Area, Enrolling Year 7, 2021 Enrolment packages on the western wing of the church. 1st Last6 Mass Feb in St7 FebGeorge/Sutherland 7 Feb 7 Area!Feb willSunday be available on the day — www.sydneycatholic.org ALL parishioners, of the 5.30 PM 8.00AM 10:00 AM 7.00 PM month (Sat) Vigil (Sun) (Sun) (Sun) volunteers and parish families are asked to take the time 2nd 9 February 10 February 10 February Sunday 5.30 PM (Sat) 10:00Money AM warden Theto make Catholic yourself Archdiocese aware and of Sydney familiar’s withpolicy what on the the care, of theC Vigil A Grady8:00 AM (Sun) (Sun) wellbeingArchdiocese and has protection in place in of regards children to theand Recentyoung persons month C David Ave Maria isSafeguarding available on Response. the Back Notice Please consultBoard — firstly with the C M Thompson A Grady,S Barakat L Adams M Ziehlke www.sydneycatholic.org L C Palomero Choir Parish Priest or the Parish safeguarding officer any F McManus, M Shea A Medina A Kolak ALLquestions parishioners, or concerns volunteers will be and confidentially parish families discussed. are All S Barakat, M Pirotta, asked to take the time to look at the rear notice board L AB DalamangesBeltran C Searson contact details of the Parish Safeguarding Officer and Volunteer A Grady J Meagher L Adams and make yourself, and in particular those with E E Hodgson F Yunita J Varga familiesthose of— thefamiliar Archdiocese with what can the be Archdiocesefound on the has special in CNeeded Rees, T Lenzo, D Tungul G Ataya, PlaceSafeguarding in regards Notice to the BoardRecent located Safeguarding in the ChoirResponse. Area E L Manalac T Liaw J Meagher Please be aware that the Parish has a safeguarding R Leo T Thumboo J D’Amato A R Varga A messageofficer, from anythe Archdiocese questions of Sydney or concerns Child sexual can abuse be isconfidentially a crime. ML Festa Tomasiello M RaymundoA Coll M Diel(Altar Server) Thediscussed appropriate people with to thedeal with Safeguarding a crime are the police. officer If you –. or All anyone contact you know – A havedetails been abused, of the please Parish contact Safeguarding the police. Alternatively, Officer you can contactand thosethe Safeguarding of R Hung P Healion R Legaspi andthe Ministerial Archdiocese Integrity Office can at (02) be 9390 found 5810 onor the back notice board. Please note - office will not be open before 8.30am [email protected]. You may also want to speak to your Parish Priest who will be able to provide support and guidance. The Archdiocese has a legal obligation to 1/2 E Collaro, A Sammut, T Gaut report crimes to the police. 8/2 T Fahey; T Comans

Please support the 7pm Sun. Evening Mass—to ease the growing numbers at 10am Mass To enable registrations to flow more efficiently and Catechist Commissioning Mass effectively we ask that you book beforehand for each weekend mass via online at 7th February at the 10am Mass— www.thomasmorebrighton.org.au All Catechists are asked to attend or call the office 9567 3589 OR bring your mobile to this mass— access our NSW Services QR CODE . PLEASE REMEMBER…. Every year the parish thank and support our Catechists in a special parish mass • Please do not come to mass if you feel UNWELL. of commissioning. All catechists and • In keeping with NSW Health directives, anyone attending a church now must wear a face mask. helpers are asked to register for this Children under the age of 12 are exempt from this mass and attend for your special rule, but are encouraged to wear face masks where blessing. We also congratulate our practicable. • NSW Health can impose a $200 fine on each Catechists who will be receiving awards. individual failing to abide by this rule. CAN YOU HELP OUR CATECHISTS • Please keep social distancing between you—especially once a week! Due to a number of  Waiting outside for the church to open,  Keep your distance when processing to receive Our retirements in the past year we are in Lord at communion, and Exiting the church. need of new volunteer catechists and • Please consider other people—and move along to the centre of the pew—to save others climbing past you. helpers. We encourage anyone who • Please collect all your tissues, or belongings that fall to would like to become a catechist or the ground. • Please take the bulletin home with you—the bulletin is catechists helper to contact the parish for single use only. office by calling 9567 3589. • Please do not congregate in groups after the Mass—we are to keep a safe distance even outside. Annual Catechists Mass at St Mary’s • With so much concern in the community, it is vital that Cathedral St Mary’s Cathedral will be we keep our churches safe and open for worship, and livestreaming the Mass via its You Tube channel that our people know their church is safe. MASS BOOKINGS OPEN EACH MONDAY FOR for those unable to attend in person, via this link: THE COMING WEEKEND https://youtu.be/myqi2nC_SpQ

STM—MEN’S BREAKFAST Livestreamed Masses The Archdiocese is con- If you haven't been able to join a meeting so far—may I tinuing to publish details online of parishes which ask you to put aside one Saturday Morning to come along! are offering livestreamed Masses on this webpage We get together on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the due to COVID-19 restrictions: month and the next one will be held on the 13th of https://www.sydneycatholic.org/live-masses/ February in the Parish Centre starting at 9am for Breakfast followed by the talk/ reflection. The Morning finishes around 11am. Men of All ages are welcome, both from our parish or surrounding parishes — Hope to see you ! Fr Manuel Thinking About Priesthood? A Seminary Open Day will be held at on Sunday 14 February 2021 at the Good Shepherd Seminary, 52-58 Abbotsford Road, Homebush starting with Morning Prayer at 9 am and a public Mass at 10:00 am. The day will include prayer, con- versations with seminarians and priests, talks with information about the studies required of men training for the priesthood and a guided tour around the Seminary. Brunch will be provided. For registration or more information visit us at vocationcentre.org.au or contact us at the Vocation Centre on 02 9307 8424 or email [email protected].

A warm welcome to those who have recently returned to mass. Let us all try to encourage or invite at least one person back to the church for Sunday Mass! — You could help them by booking for them and explaining the changes . OUR WEBSITE WILL KEEPThe YOU Presence UP TO ofDATE God. WITH . . Was ANY impossibleCHANGES to Hear and Ignore* WEB SITEWe know : www.thomasmorebrighton.org.au from the Gospel that Jesus always participates in worship in the Temple and in the synagogue. This is how God manifest His Presence by being with the people in worship. This Sunday’s Gospel tells us , “In the city of Capernaum, Jesus entered the synagogue on the sabbath and began to teach.” Romano Guardini**,a theologian offers a beautiful reflection about this visit of Jesus in the synagogue: Year of Saint Joseph

“What a privilege it must have been to see the Lord at the beginning of his public ministry as he carried holiness into the crowds. How clearly he spoke to the souls of men! Pressed forward by the élan of the Spirit, he reached out to people with both hands. The Holy Spirit swept the Kingdom of God forward and the human spirit was shaken to its foundations. His speech stirred, it tore the spirit from its security, the heart from its rest; it commanded and created. It was impossible to hear and ignore. With the Apostolic Letter Volunteers Needed for the Volunteers Needed for the “Patris corde” (“With a Saint MarkLittle’s account Shop .Volunteerscontinues with are a description of the casting out of Father’s Heart”), Pope an unclean spirit.Littleneeded Obviously Shop to assist.Volunteers we havein the here Littleare a case of “possession.” The Francis recalls the 150th Lord’s acceptanceneededShop ofin thetothe assistinevitable foyer in at thestruggle Calvary Little with satanic powers belongs to anniversary of the the kernel of ShopHealthhis messianic in Care, the foyer consciousness.Kogarah, at Calvary Mon- He knows that he has been declaration of Saint Joseph sent not onlyHealthday to bear to FridayCare,witness Kogarah,10am to the truth,to Mon- to establish contact between God as Patron of the Universal and man, butday3.30pm. also to to Fridaybreak Volunteers the 10am power toare of thoseros- forces which oppose the Church. To mark the divine will. He3.30pm.tered is to onpenetrate Volunteersyour choice Satan ’are sof artificial dayros- darkness with the ray of occasion, the Holy Father God’s truth, toteredonce dispel aon month.the your cramp choice For of moreegoism of day in- and brittleness of hate with has proclaimed a “Year of God’s love, to conquer evil’s destructiveness with God’s constructive Saint Joseph” from strength.” * [excerpt from the book Mediations on the Sunday Gospels Year B, Compiled and Edited by John E. 8 December 2020, to Rotelle, O.S.A., pages 80-81, copyright 1996 New City Press] ** Romano Guardini (1885-1968) , ordained in 1910 8 December 2021. and became professor of dogmatic Theology at Breslau and in 1945 professor of Philosophy at Tübingen,Germany.

Quote for the week:

“God has not abandoned us to our unhappiness. In Jesus, he shows us that life and hope are possible.”

https://www.salfordliturgy.org.uk/ The Holy One of God

When was the last time you had a moment of grace: a time of divine insight and healing? Was that time a signpost in your life? Are you still affected by that graced moment? Jesus came to proclaim the Good News. Sometimes he used words. And, sometimes he healed. But all his words and deed reflected a greater power: God's love. He was the instrument, the conduit of that love, for he is God. The holy One made God present in tangible ways. He still does. What word would you like to hear God speak? How would you like to be healed? Take a few moments this week to listen to God and prepare yourself for his loving touch. Permission for use. All materials found in word-sunday.com are the property of Larry Broding (Copyright 1999-2018). Viewers may copy any material found in these pages for their personal use or for use in any non-profit ministry. Materials may not be sold or used for personal financial gain