Glenelg Catholic Parish 15th November 2020 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time—Year A “Women in God’s Plan” Deacon Pat Edwards Growing up in the 1940’s and 50’s in a male dominated society, I adopted the patriarchal attitudes without really thinking about it. These attitudes existed in so many areas of our community, especially so in my Church. The Scriptures use language which is patriarchal and as I grew older this increasingly disappointed me. So, I find it refreshing and inspiring to read today’s first reading from the Book of Proverbs, and uplifting portrayal of women. Listen to the opening verses.“ A perfect wife; who can find her? She is far beyond the price of pearls. Her husband’s heart has confidence in her. From her he will derive no little profit.” What is remarkable in this text is that it was written in a highly patriarchal society where the husband was clearly head of the household and by whom that household was judged. Here, it is the wife who is projected as the person by whom it is judged, through her industrious behaviours, her high standards of care for all and her ability to manage the affairs of the household. But above all it is her love and respect for God. It is this latter attribute which holds everything together. It is not that women are overlooked in Scriptures. They are not, but they are rarely referred to or reflected on. Certainly Mary the Mother of God is revered and honoured in our Church, but Mary Magdalen, the women who travelled with and supported Jesus in his ministry, the woman at the well and the Syro~Phoenician woman do not feature prominently in discussion. Mary Magdalen, in particular was such an important person in Jesus ministry, and was present at the crucifixion, Jesus’ entombment and his resurrection. The book of Ruth and book of Esther are wonderful pieces of Scripture but rarely discussed. When I reflect on my life I realise the critical roles women have played in it. My wife Jan, my mother, work colleagues, fellow parishioners, the list would go on. Without their involvement my life would have floundered. I am sure we would all acknowledge this too. I often wonder where the church would be without the huge contribution women make to its life. I realise I am wading into dangerous waters in this article but my intention is not to be divisive but rather to use today’s reading as the catalyst for acknowledging, thanking and rejoicing in the women in our lives. Deo gratis! MASS ATTENDANCE SLIP Date: Mass Time: Family Name: Christian Name(s): Contact Number/Email: Please remember in your prayers Recently Deceased: Sr Winifred Cranley, Genowefa (Genny) Gorzynski Dr Yen-Yung New direct giving app Yap. You can now contribute to the first and Memorials second collections via your mobile phone. Throughout November, all Mass Download the Adelaide Archdiocese Find a offerings for anniversaries of loved ones will be published on the church Mass app or go to https:// notice board. Envelopes are available adelaide.goodgiving.com.au/app-home to in the church foyer or in your current make a one-off donation or set up recurring planned giving envelopes pack. donations to the parish (second collection) Please place the envelopes onto any and for the support of the clergy (first collection plate or hand in to the collection) as well as to special collections parish office. held throughout the year. Sick: Ivan Seman, Bill Noonan, Marie Hands (Newcastle), Karin Latisenka, Nicole, Diane Higgins, Conall McGarrigle, Ray, John Bijok, Nick Vorrendt, Mary Ryan, Joy Commane, John Mulraney, Angela Tsaliki, Anne Harkin, Francois Miller, Peter Gillard, Dawn Hill, Jan Wheatley, Anton Sylvester, Terry Olds, Michael McCalkin, Teres Zaknich, Catherine Baldwin. (Names published for 1 month) Congratulations to: **Our Lady of Victories Rosters ** Harvey Sagrestano and his parents Dennis & Elise; and Elena Nikolic and her For counters, sacristans, readers, power parents Andrej & Katie. These children point operators, lawn mowing, altar society, will be baptised this weekend. Please baptism preparation teams & linen will be remember them in your prayers as we prepared in the coming weeks. If you would welcome them into our community. like to volunteer or cannot continue please contact the Parish Office as soon as possible. We desperately need more Rite of Christian Initiation of weekday sacristans especially on a Adults (RCIA) RCIA is the way for Wednesday & Thursday. If you attend adults who want to become part of the Mass regularly on these days please Catholic Church. This is for any adult consider volunteering. Thank you. who is not baptised or who is already Please note: If you do not have a baptised in another Christian current Working With Children Check we denomination. An enquiry session will be will not be able to place you on the new held on Wed 25 Nov at 7pm in the parish rosters. Thank you. house. Please see Fr John for details. Garage Sale Book launch – Denis Edwards $2000.45 was raised from the recent ATF Press invites you to book and attend garage sale and will be donated to the a free book launch of two new books in Charity ‘Aid to the Church in Need’ to honour of Denis Edwards on Thursday support Emergency assistance for December 10 at 6pm to be held at Christian Refugees. Thank you to all who Fitzroy Community and Sports Club, have given there time, goods in cash and Swan Court, Renown Park. Finger food in kind to the Garage Sale. Thank you to and drinks to be served. Please book our parish secretary, Araceli, for her through trybooking: https:// constant help with posters. www.trybooking.com/BLZFV Anne Parnis & June Janzso Local School Chaplains Annual Christmas Breakfast Saturday 28th November 2020 8am – 9.30am Marion Salvation Army Corps 155 Sturt Rd Seacombe Gardens Come along and hear our Chaplains share about what has been happening in the local schools throughout 2020 Cooked breakfast - $5 donation Bring a personal product for the Chaplains to give to families in need in their schools. There will be a trading table. RSVP Dianne Schroeder 0439 066 470 ART EXHIBITION Ignatian Heart Spirituality Ignatian Heart Spirituality is a recently & formed group of companions offering spiritual direction, retreats, spiritual Parish Lay Ministry Expo formation and reflection experiences to the wide Adelaide and South Australian Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th community. The members of our Group of November, 10am to 7pm Companions have all been involved for many years offering this spiritual support ST MARY’S HALL, 19 High St and formation within another Centre. With the closure of this Centre, the Group has Featuring 13 Local Artists elected to continue to make available opportunities for people to experience a Fr Anthony Kain, Gary Lyons, deeper awareness of God’s presence in their Margaret Morgan, Carmel everyday life and offer pathways for Fairweather, Monica Lay, Margaret spiritual discernment and formation. If you Myers, Louisa Silvi, Jeanne Palmer, require further information please contact Nina Tudini, Catherine Shute, Chris E: [email protected] or Fraser, Moira Oldfield & Murray www.ignatianheartspirituality.com. Marks. Annual Mass For Deceased Lay Ministry Groups represented Members and Friends of the Irish Plympton/Glenelg Men’s Shed Community Vinnies Sewing Group The Annual Mass for Deceased Members Glenelg Society of St Vincent De and Friends of the Irish Community will Paul be celebrated in the upstairs clubroom at Glenelg Parish Social Justice the Irish Club, 13-15 Carrington Street, Group Adelaide at 7pm on Wednesday St Dominic’s Outreach November 18 followed by Christian Life Community refreshments. COVID-safe observations GROW Mental Health Outreach will be in place. All are welcome. For further details: Stan O’Loughlin FREE ENTRY [email protected]. Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, Grace and peace I hope that this note finds you well. I would like to take a little of your time to speak of a very important issue that you may not be fully aware of and which requires urgent action on the part of our Catholic community. A Bill entitled Termination of Pregnancy Bill 2020 is now before the SA Legislative Council, and it is the intention of the Deputy Premier that it be passed by both Houses of Parliament before the end of the year. Unlike the current legislation, this Bill allows for abortion up until birth. There is no protection for a viable baby who would otherwise be delivered alive, other than requiring the consent of two doctors. At a time when babies delivered from around 22 weeks have a very high chance of survival and enormous resources are rightfully put into their care, it is hard to fathom how anyone could justify late-term abortions. To legislate for abortions up until birth shows a total disregard for the rights, and future, of the unborn child. It sends a disturbing message to the community about the value of some lives over others. The Bill also allows abortions up to 22 weeks to be carried out with the consent of only one medical practitioner, including via tele-medicine in regional areas. There are concerns this will make vulnerable women more susceptible to social and economic coercion and compromise women’s health. I strongly encourage you to contact your local MP, urging them to use their conscience vote to reject this ill-conceived Bill. The first and most important duty of the Parliament is to protect the life of its citizens. We need to remind them of this. As followers of Christ, we are called to offer our deepest compassion for women struggling with such a difficult decision and to offer our ongoing support to them.