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

Assistant: Rev Fr Phan Nguyen Office: 9823 2572 Fax: 9822 9954 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

website: www.johnthebaptist.org.au Deacon: Rev Mervyn Francis Email: [email protected] Parish Secretary: Leanne Lang Bookkeeper: Yvonne Smolinski

Youth Ministry Co-ordinator: Joe Sullivan Email: [email protected] Office Hours: Tuesday- Friday 10am to 4pm

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

PSALTER 3 21st and 22nd January, 2017 ‘Prayer of the Church’ Morning Prayer is prayed at St John the Baptist “From that moment Jesus began his preaching with the message, ‘Repent, for the 10 minutes prior to kingdom of heaven is close at hand’” ( Cf. Matthew 4: 17) weekday morning Masses The Gospel according to Matthew in today’s reading introduces us the moment of Jesus’ public ministry. On this episode of the Gospel according to Matthew, we encounter the Monday - No Mass moment of change and renewal in the land of Jesus’ upbringing Galilee. This change was Tuesday - 9:10am St Francis de Sales, bishop, not about geographies or about politics. It was the change on the understanding about the doctor prophecy and the message of Saint John the Baptist. For John Rappai (sick) This starting point of Jesus’ public ministry, according to Mathew, happened after the Wednesday - 7:00pm arrest of Saint John the Baptist. We can see that the message of Saint John the Baptist was The Conversion of St Paul, continued by Jesus in Galilee. The beginning of Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee as apostle Mathew interprets is the fulfillment of the prophecy (Matthew 4: 15-16). Historically, the For the soul of Arcadio Napuli Thursday - 9:10am tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali occupied lands north and west of the Sea Galilee. In the Australia Day eight century BC, these territories were overrun by the expanding Assyrian Empire and the Friday - 9:10am Israelites inhabited in these lands were hauled off into exile (2 Kings 15:29). St Angela Merici, virgin It is very interesting to note that the imperial policies of Assyria deported most of the Sts Timothy and Titus educated and influential persons of Israel and made them servants somewhere else in the Saturday - 9:10am St Thomas Aquinas, priest, empire, while they left much of the peasant population behind in the land. It was this doctor painful memory from Israel’s past that stood behind the darkness and death spoken by the prophet Isaiah – “the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those who NEXT SUNDAY dwelling in a land overshadowing by death light has arisen” (cf. Isaiah 8:23-9:1). The SUNDAY 28/29 JANUARY beginning of Jesus’ mission at his upbringing town gives a significant change to the ( Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Galileans. It suggests that those Israelites experienced the darkness of conquest and exile Time) will now be the first to see the light of God’s goodness in the person of Jesus, the Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:30pm Sunday Masses : prophesied Messiah. 8:00am, 10 :00am and 5:30pm It is important to keep in mind the subject of Jesus' preaching which expresses the same

4th Sunday of the Month: massage of Saint John the Baptist that is “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at

5:30pm Mass in Tagalog hand”. This is what Jesus and his disciples have done and we now in our time continue to Reconciliation: listen and bring this message to the end of the earth as Jesus’ command. The message urges Saturdays— 4:15 - 5:00pm the audience to change the direction of their lives, to adopt a new way of thinking and acting. Why ‘Repentance’ is important for the kingdom of heaven? Repentance is the effort Reflection Questions one deliberately makes to turn away from all that is sinful and selfish and to accept the ♦ Simon, Andrew, James and responsibility and the consequence of one’s action in accordance with the laws of God. In John all “left their nets” to other words, repentance is the act of one making commitment to live up the commandments follow Jesus. At this point in my life, what I have to leave of God and avoid sins. Indeed, repentance is one of the important conditions for one to gain in order to follow Jesus access to the kingdom of heaven. Repentance is the acceptance of one’s failure before God. more fully is.. It signifies the transformation of one’s attitude from pride to humility. One cannot ♦ I experience the inbreaking of the “gospel of the recognize his or her sins, shortcomings or weaknesses until he or she possesses the merits kingdom” when.. of repentance. We can see clearly that the kingdom of heaven in which proclaimed by Jesus ♦ Encountering Jesus’ Presence, the new teaching fulfills by his words and actions. Yes, Jesus humbled himself and became man. And Yes I hear is.. Jesus taught us to follow his example to find the entrance to the Kingdom of Light. So let ♦ The new healing is us start to live up the message which Jesus has given to us “Repent, for the kingdom of experience is.. ♦ The new Life I receive is.. heaven is close at hand”. Fr. Phan Nguyen 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 25th January at 7:00pm as we pray for the following Emmanuel POLJAK, Ciro PUNZO, Valerie McCARTHY, intention: For a safe and Christ-centred year in our hearts, Pamela LEVERS, Lily TANTIYA, Cecilia ABELA, Brindley & homes, lives and families If you would like to offer an intention Virginia CAVALLARO, Sarah CANCERI, Doug ANDERSON, one week, please contact Joe to do so. Come along for a chance Darren OWM, Joe SAMMUT, Giannino MORASSUT, to pray the rosary, celebrate Mass and worship Jesus in Diana VUKOV, Florence JIANG, Isabel TANTIYA, 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

Recently Deceased: Barbara JONG, Doris LIGHTOWER, Maria Here in our parish, we are starting the Youth Film Series, known as TRAN My Linh, Giuse TRINH Tong Chi, Donald JULIEN, Mirella Youth Alpha . This will be occurring once a fortnight and is BORSATO, Alma WOODS designed for those who are in years 10, 11 & 12 and anyone who Death Anniversary: Peter Nghia TRAN has recently finished school. It will be a chance for us to come Other: Arcadio NAPULI, Special Intention together to discuss Jesus and feel connected with God for just one hour every two weeks. There will be opportunities for us to come BIBLE STUDY: Every Thursday 10am - 11am together socially over some food and drink also. More details are to follow next week, so please make sure to read next week’s Gathers in the Church Meeting Room (after the bulletin for further details. 9:10am Mass and Rosary). For further information Please keep this in mind if you are trying to make more room for please contact Meding on 9823 7121 or 0410 177 673. God in your life but struggling to do so. This is something suitable for young people and is always fun and engaging. Make a New Years Resolution - Become involved in a Ministry! St John the Baptist Catholic Parish is a welcoming, supportive community of believers inspired to live and share the life of Jesus DEVOTIONS TO HONOUR OF LADY OF LOURDES Christ. We are called to make Christ present in our parish, local Mass and Blessing of the Sick will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes community and our world. Our mission is to know Christ and to make Grotto, Earlwood, on Sunday 12th February (behind Our Lady of him known; to be a community committed to discovering Christ Lourdes Church, Earlwood), entrance via St James Avenue, present in each person through our ministry to each other, our service commencing with recitation of the Rosary at 2:30pm followed by to the wider community, the joyful celebration of the Eucharist and Mass and the Blessing of the Sick at 3:00pm. The Principal other sacraments, and our active concern for social justice. celebrant will be Bishop Richard Umbers. By participating in ministries within the parish, parishioners grow in Disabled Parking will be limited to the main drive entrance to the their love and relationship with God. All Christians are called to share Grotto. Parking is also available in the surrounding streets and their God-given talents to promote the life of Christ and His Church. Council car park. Ministries are involved in all facets of the Parish life, ranging from Liturgical, Faith Development, Administration and Service together TOOLS FOR THE YEAR AHEAD with Prayer Groups, Mission and Social Justice. Day Retreat presented by Sr Hilda Scott osb

Please consider becoming active with your faith in a particular Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; can you ministry in 2017. Please speak with one of our priests or lay leaders, not see it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, river in or contact the Parish Office 9823 2572 for further information. the desert Isaiah 43:10 God is always doing something new in all our lives! This year has These are just some of our ministries: never been before, even if we are already sure of much that it may Faith Development: Catechists, RCIA, Sacramental Preparation, bring. Join us for a day of reflection as we explore the tools that Adult Faith Formation and ALPHA. will enable us to work with God in all the love, hope and healing Prayer Groups and Social Justice: Bible Study, Christian Meditation, Charismatic Prayer, Bereavement Support, Piety Stall, St that awaits us this year. Vincent De Paul Society. The retreat will be held on Saturday 4th February , 2017 at the Youth Ministry: Jordan Group (Yr 5-6), Galilee Group (Yr 7-10), Benedictine Abbey , 695 Jamberoo Mountain Rd, Jamberoo. Antioch (16-25 yr old). Commencing with Mass at 9;00am, and concluding with Vespers Service and Administration: Counters, Parish Finance Council, at 5:00pm. The cost is $30.00 with morning and afternoon tea Parish Pastoral Council, New Church Building Committee, WHS and provided. Please bring your own lunch - tea and coffee are Maintenance Committee, Flowers, Parish Working Bees, Church available. Bookings - Petrina 02 4236 0533/ Cleaning Group, Parish Suppers and Morning Teas, Parish Housie. [email protected] Liturgical Ministries: Altar Linen Group, Altar Servers, Acolytes, Banner Group, Children’s Liturgy, Church Greeters and Collectors, PALMS ENCOUNTERS: An experience to share this Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Flower Group, Easter and beyond. A Palms Encounter is an intimate, Powerpoint Preparation, Liturgy Group, Musicians and Singers, immersive, inter cultural experience providing insights Readers . that challenge perceptions and deepen understanding. Palms long-term volunteers guide the Encounter with our Catholic CHURCH CLEANERS NEEDED : Communities in East Timor. If you can spare 1 hour every 8 weeks to clean the Register now for our 2-14 April Encounter and receive $400 off Church, then please contact Ann 0425 284 860 or Leanne a 2nd ticket . Call Roger on 02 9560 5333 or go to 9823 2572 at the parish office. Our present cleaning groups are in www.palms.org.au/Envounters for more. need of extra members. Real encounter, real people, real exchange, real life 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 AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATIONS session. AT ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL . Sacrament of First Penance/Reconciliation/Confession (for Yr 2 and St Mary’s Cathedral will open its doors to older: Will take place in Term 4 (28 November - 1 December, 2017). celebrate Australia Day 2017 with: A First Holy Communion (for Yr 3 and older): Will take place on 11th, special Mass to pray for God’s blessings on all Australian 17th, 18th, 23rd, 24th and 25th June, 2017. people at 9.00am; Organ Recitals and Bell Ringing in the

Confirmation (for Yr 6 and older) : Will take place on Sunday 24th ambient surrounds of the Cathedral. Organ Recitals at

September, 2017. 11.30am, 1.00pm, 2.00pm and 3.00pm. Bell Ringing at Contact the Parish Office for more information. 9.50am and 12.00pm; Guided History Tours of the Cathedral or Cathedral Crypt : Tour conducted at 10.00am, The Parish will be running the 10.30am, 11.00am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm. ‘Alpha in a Catholic Context Everyone Welcome. All Tours and Recitals Free . Course’ during Lent and Easter 2017. If you have previously taken the Alpha Course and would like You are invited to help by being part of the organising team, please speak with Fr James The Ascension Prayer Community is inviting in January. everyone for an evening of Praise and Worship, teaching/sharing, fellowship, and much more. Alpha is a tool for evangelisation and faith-enrichment that is being Why not come along and join us, to enjoy a time of used by thousands of Catholic parishes in over 70 countries around the worship, teaching, sharing and great fellowship. This is a great world. Alpha originally started from an Anglican Parish in London but opportunity, so come and be inspired, refreshed. has been reworked to include Catholic content and Catholic speakers When: 2nd February, 2017 (meetings take place on a and has the Blessing of the Church. The Course will run once a week fortnightly basis) over ten weeks (during Lent and Easter) and will include a retreat Where: Parish Hall, 45 Mount Street, Bonnyrigg Heights 2177 weekend. It consists of a meal, a talk (or video) followed by discussion. Time: 7.15pm Over 20 million people around the world have done the Alpha Course. Contact: Susan: 02 9607 5137 or 0415 342 672

Alpha is the first letter in the Greek Alphabet and refers to the ‘Beginning’. Jesus is the “alpha and the omega – the beginning and the PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL NEWS As required by our PPC Guidelines, a nomination process is to occur every 2 years and that members should serve for a maximum of 2 terms of 2 years. After serving for 5 years on the PPC, Nina Laureti has decided to retire as chairperson. The Parish thanks her and all who have served the Parish on the Pastoral Council over the last 2 years. This is an early invitation to all Parishioners to consider nominating to join our very active Parish Pastoral Council. A number of current members have elected to retire due to reaching the maximum term and due to other commitments. A Nomination and discernment process will occur in February 2017 to appoint new members. Please pray for many nominations to support the service of our priests and our parish. ‘COME AND SIT WITH THE LORD’ CHRISTIAN MEDITATION IMPORTANT CHANGES TO TAX DEDUCTIONS Every Tuesday at 8pm. Give 20 minutes of your busy day to FOR PARISH PLANNED GIVING Jesus and experience the difference in your life. Held in the Church Due to a recent NSW State Government legislative change that chapel. Duration time is approximately 30 minutes. For further took effect from 1 January 2017, the Archdiocese of Sydney has information, contact Frances on 0438 213 313. informed all parishes that it will no longer be possible to provide tax deductibility on parish planned giving through the envelopes Ministries Sat Sun Sun Sun or through direct debit donations made after 31 December 2016. Next Week 5.30 pm 8.00 am 10 am 5:30 pm 28/29 JAN A tax deductible receipt will however be provided for any contributions made for the period 1 July to 31 December 2016. READERS: L Krslovic M Lavorato A Watts A Pace I O’Connor E Villegas J Sullivan The Parish will be writing to each parishioner who is currently contributing to the Parish Planned Giving to provide them with EXTRA– M Brito M Jebrail G Rapisarda further information when more information is available. ORDINARY J Burxgx B O’Connor J Habib Parishioners are able to still receive tax deductions for donations MINISTERS: V Petrovic V Tomac A Vlahadamis to the Charitable Works Fund. The Parish thanks you for your M Chun A Esposito T Vartuli A Goria E Villegas kindness and generosity in continuing to support the work of B Goria G Dunn Christ in our Parish. M Harvey H Fenech M Lavorato J Bankowski PARISH HOUSIE: Every Saturday 2pm – 4:30pm at the Liverpool Catholic Club. COUNTERS: Mark Privitera R Demasi Think about your choices. Gambling More, enjoying less? CHURCH M Bava For free and confidential information and advice about problem M Oliveri S Leonello CLEANERS: C Monteleone gambling, contact Gambling Help 1800 858 858 Group 6 www.gamblinghelp.nsw.gov.au RAISE YOUR VOICES!

Entrance Antiphon: O sing a new song to the Lord; sing to the Lord, all the earth. In his presence are majesty and splendour, strength and honour in his holy place.

Communion Antiphon: Look toward the Lord and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed.

THE GLORIA Second reading I Corinthians 1:10-13, 17 A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Corinthians Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. I appeal to you, brothers, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, to We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, make up the differences between you, and instead of disagreeing we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, among yourselves, to be united again in your belief and practice. Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. From what Chloe’s people have been telling me, my dear brothers, Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, it is clear that there are serious differences among you. What I Lamb of God, Son of the Father, mean are all these slogans that you have, like: ‘I am for Paul’, ‘I you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; am for Apollos’, ‘I am for Cephas’, ‘I am for Christ.’ Has Christ you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; been parcelled out? Was it Paul that was crucified for you? Were you are seated at the right hand of the Father, you baptised in the name of Paul? have mercy on us. For Christ did not send me to baptise, but to preach the Good For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, News, and not to preach that in the terms of philosophy in which you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, the crucifixion of Christ cannot be expressed. with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen. The Word of the Lord

First reading Isaiah 8:23-9:3 Gospel Acclamation Matthew 4:23 A reading from the Prophet Isaiah Alleluia, alleluia! In days past the Lord humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Jesus preached the Good News of the kingdom Naphtali, but in days to come he will confer glory on the Way of and healed all who were sick. the Sea on the far side of Jordan, province of the nations. Alleluia!

The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light; on those who live in a land of deep shadow Gospel Matthew 4:12-23 a light has shone. A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew You have made their gladness greater, you have made their joy increase; Hearing that John had been arrested, Jesus went back to Galilee, they rejoice in your presence and leaving Nazareth he went and settled in Capernaum, a lakeside as men rejoice at harvest time, town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. In this way the as men are happy when they are dividing the spoils. prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled: For the yoke that was weighing on him, ‘Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali! the bar across his shoulders, Way of the sea on the far side of Jordan, the rod of his oppressor – Galilee of the nations! these you break as on the day of Midian. The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light; on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death The Word of the Lord a light has dawned.’

From that moment Jesus began his preaching with the message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’ Responsorial Psalm Psalm 26:1, 4, 13-14 As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, The Lord is my light and my salvation. Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew; they were The Lord is my light and my help; making a cast in the lake with their net, for they were fishermen. whom shall I fear? And he said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fishers of The Lord is the stronghold of my life; men.’ And they left their nets at once and followed him. Going on before whom shall I shrink? from there he saw another pair of brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they were in their boat with their father The Lord is my light and my salvation. Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. At once, leaving There is one thing I ask of the Lord, the boat and their father, they followed him. for this I long, He went round the whole of Galilee to live in the house of the Lord, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming all the days of my life, the Good News of the kingdom and curing to savour the sweetness of the Lord, all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people. to behold his temple. The Lord is my light and my salvation. The Gospel of the Lord

I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Hope in him, hold firm and take heart. Hope in the Lord! Copyright © 1996-2015 Universalis Publishing Limited: see www.universalis.com. Scripture readings from the The Lord is my light and my salvation. 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: Copyright © 1963, The Grail (England). Used with permission of A.P. Watt Ltd. All rights reserved.