John the Baptist Catholic Parish Mount Street, Bonnyrigg Heights 2016 - Jubilee Year of Mercy (incorporating Bonnyrigg Heights, Green Valley, Edensor Park, Abbotsbury, Cecil Hills, Elizabeth Hills & Elizabeth Park) 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 Parish Secretary: Leanne Lang Email: [email protected] Bookkeeper: Yvonne Smolinski Youth Ministry Co-ordinator: Joe Sullivan Accountant: Michael O’Mara Email: [email protected] Office Hours: Tuesday- Friday 10am to 4pm

MASSES THIS WEEK Fifth Sunday of Lent (Year C) PSALTER 1 12th & 13th March, 2016 ‘Prayer of the Church’ prayed at John the Baptist “Neither do I condemn you, said Jesus ‘go home, and don’t sin any more” (cf. John 8: 11) 10 minutes The scribes and the Pharisees in the gospel narratives are not only the enemy of Jesus; they before weekday Masses are a foil to him, that is, they set Jesus off to advantage by their contrast with him. They are Morning and Evening Prayer petty when Jesus is generous; they are snobbish when Jesus is gracious; they are self- Monday - No Mass righteous when Jesus is understanding and forgiving. Tuesday - 9:10am Wednesday - 7:00pm In the story of today’s gospel, some of the scribes and the Pharisees hoped to make Jesus Thursday - 9:10am look bad in the eyes of the people. They presented him with the case of a woman. They said St Patrick, bishop they had caught her in the act of adultery. Just how they managed this apprehension induces Friday - 9:10am the imagination to consider their perversity, and perhaps Jesus himself did not fail to attend Stations of the Cross 7:00pm to that aspect of the situation. It is possible that it was one of the thoughts in his mind when Saturday - 9:10am he said to them, “If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw the St Joseph, Husband of Mary stone at her” (cf. John 8:7). SUNDAY 19/20 MARCH Of course their perversity was obvious in the question they proposed to Jesus. It was meant (Palm Sunday of the Passion of the to be a dilemma so that whatever Jesus answered they hoped to use his statement against Lord) him. If Jesus was to consent to the stoning, he would be made to look like a dissembler who Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:30pm preached forgiveness but did not practice it. Sunday Masses : Our Lord’s answer to the men must not be interpreted as indifference to sin. His point was 8:00am, 10:00am, 5:30pm simply that they had no right to judge and condemn a fellow human being, both because of 4th Sunday of the Month: their own sinfulness and because they could not possibly see into the heart of the woman. 5:30pm Mass in Tagalog And our Lord’s refusal to condemn the woman himself does not mean that he condoned her Reconciliation: sin. He did know what was in her heart and he saw there the spark of repentance. He put into Saturday morning 19th March words for the woman what her repentance should be: “go home, and don’t sin any more”. 9:40am—10:20am Jesus was understanding and forgiving, while the scribes and the Pharisees were self- Saturday afternoon 4.15 - 5.00pm righteous in their condemnation to the woman. One thing we should learn from this gospel message is that we must not judge others. And more importantly, we should learn that it is God who will judge us and not one of our fellow human beings. Jesus reveals to us today that God is infinitely more understanding and forgiving than human beings could ever possibly be. He sees the temptations to which we are subject. He understands the weaknesses of our human condition. And he knows the secret workings of the human heart. For this we should cry out with great confidence, “Lord, have mercy”. This confidence should not induce us to be indifferent or careless about sin in our lives. Rather it should make us realize that the repentance to which we are called during Lent is really worthwhile. “Go home, and don’t sin any more”, said Jesus. And the sincere honest Reflection Questions  What is satisfying to me in effort to avoid sin with God’s grace is the spark of repentance that will win from God the pointing out the sins of others is … response, “Neither do I condemn you”.  What helps me stop this and face In the Creed we will profess our faith in the truth that Jesus “will come again in glory to my own sinfulness is…..  When Jesus has said to me, judge the living and the dead”. Today Jesus gives us every hope that if with God’s grace we “Neither do I condemn you,” I are truly repentant and we will share in that glory. Amen. have felt…..  What helps me repent of my own Fr Phan Nguyen sinfulness and change my way of living is… Your Prayers are requested for the following, YOUTH CORNER for whom Mass will be offered: Sick: Fr John LANGTRY, Archbishop Anthony FISHER. QUOTE OF THE WEEK Sebastian AGUIAR, Maria KONTREC, Bishop George PHIMPISAN, Fr Paul STENHOUSE, Fr John B CHIANG, Ray CLARKE, Maila CORKILL, Fahed JREISAT, Emmanuel ARAPA, Bishop Geoffrey ROBINSON, Facunda MARTINO (7 years), Luis MARTINO, Anna MILLZARSKI, Bogdan MILLZARSKI, Justin ZERAFA, Cherish ADINA (1 year), Carmen SPITERI, Audrey SPITERI, Christine TRIGAS, Crystel SACOBOS, Eugene KLEIBERT, Dora BADINO, Guido BADINO, Sue SHERMAN, Emmanuel POLJAK, Ciro PUNZO, Valerie McCARTHY, Gemma GATT, Pamela LEVERS, Lily TANTIYA, Cecilia ABELA, Brindley and Virginia JORDAN & GALILEE YOUTH GROUPS Thank you to all those who came last CAVALLARO weekend to help kick-start our year! Recently Deceased: Fr Francis (Frank) MARTIN (in his 100th year, We hope to see more years 7-10 students at our Galilee the oldest Priest in the Archdiocese of Sydney), Solidad SWING, Youth Group, the next big one being Friday 8th April, from 3:30pm- Mario CABILUNA, Samuel CARUSO, Joseph Le NGUYEN, 5:30pm. The next Jordan Youth Group for our years 5-6 students will be held on Saturday 9th April, from 3:30-5:30pm. Listen out James A SMITH, Irene V SMITH, Elaine TREUER, to see what’s going to be happening and what we’ll be doing! Renato ANTONELLI Anniversary: Paul RADMAN Y-FACTOR “SHINE” 2016! Join us for Y-FACTOR “SHINE 2016! We can’t even begin Other: Philiphe (Phan Bat Thien), Very Special Intention to tell you how incredible last year’s camp was. You’ll just have to pack a bag and join us this time round. ATTENTION EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS: The new The CYS Staff and Youth Ministers from all over the Roster is now available for collection after all Masses. Sydney Archdiocese have been working for months to make this year’s camp even better (if that’s possible). So, if you are currently PARISH BULLETIN DEADLINE: in years 7-12, then come have the time of your life these Easter school holidays with 60 friends you haven’t met yet! If you have any items that need to be included in the Parish There’ll be heaps of time for games, activities, talks, discussion, Bulletin could they please be at the Parish office NO LATER prayer and a chance to grow in your faith and relationship with God. than 12:00pm on Wednesday. Any late items will not be This camp is so big we can only run it once a year so get on board included in the Parish bulletin for that coming weekend. now or miss out! Please check out more of the details at http:// Thank you for your understanding and our apologies if this causes www.catholicyouthservices.org/events/y-factor-archdiocesan-youth- any inconvenience. camp/ CADBURY CHOCOLATES RCIA PROGRAM - Adult Initiation to the Sacraments If you would like to support our youth going to Poland in another An RCIA program facilitated at St John the Baptist will start in way, we have chocolates that need selling! All help would be mid April 2016. Included in this program is adult preparation for greatly appreciated and is something relatively simple. If you would those who have not yet received Baptism, Holy Communion, like to help, please come and visit me in the parish office. Reconciliation and/or Confirmation. There is now a good number Thank you. of applicants who are wanting to join the program. During this LENTEN PROGRAM time of waiting for the program to start, we continue to extend our Please join some of our young adults in a parish Lenten program invitation to everyone who would like to become a Catholic or that will be running throughout the next 5 weeks of Lent. It will would like to receive other sacraments as listed above to contact commence at 6:30pm on Sundays in the parish hall. Since this is a the Parish Office. Jubilee Year of Mercy, each week we will be primarily focused on Mercy and how we can apply it to our day-to-day lives during this HEAR OUR LORD JESUS’ WORDS OF MERCY Lenten season and beyond. Saturday 19th March from 9am - 4pm at the Shrine of Youth Prayer Intentions and Mass St Benedict’s Hall, Cnr of Justin and Neville Streets, Smithfield All the youth and young adults of JB Parish are Talk: Rev Jarek Zan invited to the weekly Wednesday night Mass to pray for specific intentions (which will change each week). Come and See how a gift to CatholicCare There will be a chance to celebrate Mass, pray for the intention can help transform lives. during the Holy Hour as well as some time for fellowship with other Visit our Lewisham site on 18th March, enjoy a light lunch and youth. So please join us this Wednesday 16th March at 7:00pm as learn about CatholicCare programs that support families impacted we pray for the following intention: For all priests and religious in our diocese. If you would like to offer an intention one week, by problem alcohol, drug use and gambling as well as helping please contact Joe to do so. Come along for a chance to pray the individuals with substance abuse and gambling problems. rosary, celebrate Mass and worship Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration. Visit the Norma Parker Respite Centre at Lakemba on 9th April, The last Wednesday of every month, we’ll be heading out for a enjoy a light lunch and learn about how the Centre provides meal for a night of fellowship and relaxation, so please join us for that if possible. respite care to people with an intellectual disability from this local area, and their families and carers. Antioch meet every Sunday BOOKINS ESSENTIAL: Fundraising: T 9509 1111 evening from 6:30-8:30pm at JB Parish Hall. Come and join Email: [email protected] www.catholiccare.org us for some great talks, participate in sharing, music, prayer and more! All youth from 16-24yo are more than welcome to attend! PARISH HOUSIE: Every Saturday 2pm – 4:30pm at the Liverpool Catholic Club. WYD - Only six more weeks until registrations close Think about your choices. Gambling More, enjoying less? for World Youth Day. There is still room for For free and confidential information and advice about problem registrations especially if you are aged between 18- gambling, contact Gambling Help 1800 858 858 35. So if you are interested in attending please visit www.gamblinghelp.nsw.gov.au www.catholicyouthservices.org/wyd RAISE YOUR VOICES! Entrance Antiphon: Give me justice, O God, and plead my cause against a nation that is faithless. From the deceitful and cunning rescue me, for you, O God, are my strength. Responsorial Psalm: The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.. Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory! With all your heart turn to me, for I am tender and compassionate. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory! Communion Antiphon: Has no one condemned you, woman? No one, Lord. Neither shall I condemn you. From now on, sin no more. First Reading Isaiah 43:16-21 Second Reading Philippians 3:8-14 A reading from the Book of Isaiah A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Philippians Thus says the Lord, I believe nothing can happen that will outweigh the supreme who made a way through the sea, advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For him I have a path in the great waters; accepted the loss of everything, and I look on everything as so who put chariots and horse in the field much rubbish if only I can have Christ and be given a place in and a powerful army him. I am no longer trying for perfection by my own efforts, the which lay there never to rise again, perfection that comes from the Law, but I want only the snuffed out, put out like a wick: perfection that comes through faith in Christ, and is from God No need to recall the past, and based on faith. All I want is to know Christ and the power no need to think about what was done before. of his resurrection and to share his sufferings by reproducing See, I am doing a new deed, the pattern of his death. That is the way I can hope to take my even now it comes to light; can you not see it? place in the resurrection of the dead. Not that I have become Yes, I am making a road in the wilderness, perfect yet: I have not yet won, but I am still running, trying to paths in the wilds. capture the prize for which Christ Jesus captured me. I can The wild beasts will honour me, assure you my brothers, I am far from thinking that I have jackals and ostriches, already won. All I can say is that I forget the past and I strain because I am putting water in the wilderness ahead for what is still to come; I am racing for the finish, for the (rivers in the wild) prize to which God calls us upwards to receive in Christ Jesus. to give my chosen people drink. The Word of the Lord The people I have formed for myself will sing my praises. The Word of the Lord Gospel Acclamation Joel 2:12-13 Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory! With all your heart turn to me, for I am tender and compassionate. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory! Responsorial Psalm Psalm 125:1-6 The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy. When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, Gospel John 8:1-11 it seemed like a dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At daybreak he appeared in on our lips there were songs. the Temple again; and as all the people came to him, he sat down and began to teach them. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy. The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman along who had The heathens themselves said: ‘What marvels been caught committing adultery; and making her stand there in the Lord worked for them!’ full view of everybody, they said to Jesus, ‘Master, this woman What marvels the Lord worked for us! was caught in the very act of committing adultery, and Moses Indeed we were glad. has ordered us in the Law to condemn women like this to death by stoning. What have you to say?’ They asked him this as a The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy. test, looking for something to use against him. But Jesus bent Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage down and started writing on the ground with his finger. As they as streams in dry land. persisted with their question, he looked up and said, ‘If there is Those who are sowing in tears one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a will sing when they reap. stone at her.’ Then he bent down and wrote on the ground again. When they heard this they went away one by one, The Lord as done great things for us; we are filled with joy. beginning with the eldest, until Jesus was left alone with the They go out, they go out, full of tears, woman, who remained standing there. He looked up and said, carrying seed for the sowing: ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No they come back, they come back, full of song, one, sir’ she replied. ‘Neither do I condemn you,’ said Jesus ‘go carrying their sheaves. away, and do not sin any more.’ The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy. The Gospel of the Lord Pope Francis weekly tweet @ Pontifex. “ Jesus Christ, with his closeness and tenderness, leads sinners into the place of grace and pardon. This 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 is the mercy of God.” Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc, and used by permission of the publishers. Text of the Psalms: PARISH SACRAMENT INFORMATION UPCOMING PARISH & Baptisms are usually held on Sundays. It is necessary to make a WESTERN DEANERY EVENTS booking through the parish office and attend a Baptism Preparation session with either Fr James, Fr Phan or Deacon Mervyn. The Baptism Stations of the Cross During Lent Fridays 7:00pm at will be pencilled in, and will only be confirmed once you have attended John the Baptist Church. a Baptism Preparation session. Sacrament of First Penance/Reconciliation/Confession: DAYS OF PENANCE Will take place in term 4 (November 2016). 1. Abstinence from meat, and fasting, are to be observed on First Holy Communion: Will take place on 18, 19, 25 and 26 June. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Confirmation: Will take place on 25th September, 2016 (the first 2. On all other Fridays of the year including the Fridays of Lent, the law of the common practice of penance is weekend of the school holidays). fulfilled by performing any one of the following: Please keep watching this space for changes or updates (a) prayer - for example, Mass attendance; family prayer; a or call the Parish Office. visit to a church or chapel; reading the Bible; making the Stations of the Cross; praying the rosary. EASTER TIMETABLE (b) self denial - for example, not eating meat; not eating RECONCILIATION: sweets or dessert; giving up entertainment to spend time The Second Rite of Reconciliation for Western Deanery - Friday18th March with the family; limiting food and drink so as to give to from 7:00pm at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Parish, Mt Pritchard. the poor of one’s own country. c) helping others - for example, special attention to Saturday 19th March 9:40am - 10:20am at John the Baptist Church. someone who is poor, sick, elderly, lonely or Wednesday 23rd March 6:00pm - 7:00pm at John the Baptist Church. overburdened. Good Friday 25th March 10:30am - 12:00pm (Midday) John the Baptist Church.

Palm Sunday 19th/20th March Normal Mass times PLEASE MEET IN JOHN THE BAPTIST COURTYARD BEFORE MASS Before enrolling in a Community Health Program young midwife HOLY WEEK TIMETABLE Sreymom lacked experience. Now, she is a trusted midwife, helping to improve the health of indigenous women and children in her Monday 21st March No Mass region in Cambodia. Tuesday 22nd March 9:10am Mass Please donate to Project Compassion 2016 and help healthcare workers in isolated areas of Cambodia gain vital training to improve Wednesday 23rd March Reconciliation 6:00 - 7:00pm the health and wellbeing of the region’s indigenous women and 7:00pm Mass children. www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion 1800 024 413 Thursday 24th March No Morning Mass, Chrism Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 10:30am. In this Jubilee of Mercy Everyone is invited to the Mass. The Second Rite of Reconciliation (the Sacrament of Confession and forgiveness) 7:30pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper for the Western Deanery of Sydney Washing of the feet, Commemoration of the Last Supper and Candlelight Procession will be celebrated on Friday 18th March from 7:00pm to Garden of Gethsemane (altar of repose) at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church, 230 Humphries Rd, in the Parish Hall. Private prayer will be Mt Pritchard) available until 11pm. Priests from across the Deanery will join Mt Carmel Priests to Please return Project Compassion Boxes be available for our people just before Holy Week. This will be the first of four such Reconciliation Deanery Good Friday 25th March Reconciliation 10:30am to 12pm (midday) 10:00am Stations of the Cross Celebrations in the Jubilee Year of Mercy. 3:00pm Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion FIRST HOLY COMMUNION The Group Leaders Meeting will take place on Holy Saturday 26th March 9:00am Morning Prayer Tuesday 5th April at 7:00pm in the Parish Hall. Easter Vigil of the Resurrection of the Lord 7:30pm Mass PALMS NEEDED: Sunday 20th March is Palm Easter Sunday 27th March Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord Sunday. We would be grateful if you could bring palms 8:00am and 10:00am or olive branches to the church foyer area where there 5:30pm Tagalog Mass will be celebrated in will be baskets in which you can place your palms. English If anyone has large palms can you please bring these along also Ministries Sat Sun Sun Sun so that we can decorate the Church. Thank you. Next Week 5.30 pm 8.00 am 10 am 5:30 pm 19/20 March CHURCH WORKING BEE SATURDAY 19TH MARCH To prepare the Church and grounds for our Easter Masses, we READERS: E Vella M Lavorato N Debuisson A Watts will be holding a Church working bee on Saturday 19th March J Oliveri T Simpson A Vlahadamis G Colusso from 8am-1pm. If you can spare any time on the morning EUCHARIST D Adam M Borgia F Holden please come along with your garden tools and cleaning supplies MINISTERS: J Oliveri S Ives M Aulsebrook and help contribute to the preparations for our community. We L Topic T Simpson L Aulsebrook often have many visitors as well as our regular parishioners P Micali M Jebrail C Porreca attending Mass and it is always nice to present the Church and M Brito A Pinto courtyard looking their best. There are windows to wash, M Chum D Ellul A Goria J Papaleo gardens to tidy and tend and general cleaning required inside G Buttel and outside the Church area. Coffee and tea for all helpers. All M Bridges enquiries - Grant or Tina Dunn 9823 4704.