Serving The Communities Of Star of the Sea, Crescent Head

St Patrick’s, Gladstone/Smithtown

All Saints, Kempsey

Our Lady Star of the Sea,

South West Rocks

St John’s, Willawarrin

Parish Office 52-58 Marsh Street

West Kempsey, NSW 2440.

9.30am-3.30pm, Tuesday-Friday.

P: 02 6562 5182

E: pastoraloffice@mvcp.org.au

W: www.mvcp.org.au

Postal Address:

PO Box 3007,

West Kempsey, NSW 2440.

Parish Priest: Fr James Foster

Schools St Joseph’s Primary School,

Kempsey

Principal: Mrs Melissa Turner

P: 6562 5501

W: www.kmpplism.catholic.edu.au

St Paul’s College, Kempsey

Principal: Mr Kevin Lewis

P: 6562 7200

W: www.kmpslism.catholic.edu.au

Aged Care Vincent Court

Acting Manager: Mrs Janet Reay

P: 6562 6062

W: www.vincentcourt.org.au

Social Services & NDIS Centacare

Manager: Mrs Lorraine Cornell

P: 6562 3918

W: www.stagnesparish.org.au/centacare

Always Be Thankful

Today’s gospel is one of the stories unique to the gospel of Luke. At the same time, it is a commonly known story that is often cited to demonstrate the value of saying thank you. However, as usual, there’s more to this story than initially meets the eye. One of the recurrent themes of the gospel is at play here: the message of salvation that Jesus brings is available to all, not just the Jews. The first reading is an interesting link with the gospel of Luke. In chapter 4 of the gospel, when Jesus visits Nazareth and preaches in the synagogue, he later tells a story about the prophets Elijah and Elisha responding to the needs of Gentiles rather than Jews. He tells the story to make the point that the message of salvation is not reserved exclusively for the Jews. The incident involving Elisha that Jesus refers to in chapter 4 is the one we hear in today’s first reading.

Whilst both the first reading and the gospel tell stories about the healing of those with skin diseases, the common factor is actually about their expressions of gratitude and conversion of heart. In the gospel, all ten men are healed but it is only the stranger; the foreigner; the Samaritan, who comes back to give thanks and to praise God. The others – Jewish men, presumably – are only concerned about themselves and have no time to acknowledge the graciousness of God that they have experienced. The gospel writer has Jesus emphasise the point that it is the Samaritan – the outsider – who has recognised God’s activity in his cure and come back to give praise and thanks. It is only he who has experienced the change of heart; the conversion of faith. In ancient times, a wide variety of skin diseases were loosely labelled as ‘leprosy’. Because of Jewish purity laws, people with skin diseases were automatically regarded as ‘unclean’ and were forced to live away from others. The assumption was that such disfigurement must be a punishment from God for sinful behaviour. When Jesus encounters the men they are outside the town and keep the required distance from Jesus. He tells them to go and show themselves to the priest, whose authority was relied upon to declare a person healed and fit to return to society after extensive ritual purification. When Jesus encounters the ten men, he is travelling along the border between Galilee and Samaria. The level of distrust between the Jews of Galilee and the Samaritans was deep and abiding. The land that fell between the two countries was sparsely populated and mostly barren. That Jesus should encounter the men in this environment is not surprising for these men literally and metaphorically were at the border of society. Not welcome in any town, the men roamed the very edges of society. They lived their whole lives on the borderline – welcome nowhere and belonging nowhere. ‘The other nine, where are they?’ asked Jesus. Why would the other nine not have come back to give thanks? It is insufficient to say that the miraculous healing these men experienced changed their lives. Being healed of this disease meant so much to them: they could return to their families; they could return to work; they could touch another person; they could walk among other people; they could join in prayer at the synagogue. As they hurried back toward town they must have been overwhelmed by the possibilities and opportunities that lay before them. But they neglected to acknowledge the source of their great joy! © Greg Sunter, LiturgyHelp.

13 October 2019, 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C

UPCOMING PARISH MORNING TEAS

SAVE THE DATES AND PLEASE BRING A PLATE TO SHARE

South West Rocks Sunday 20th October after 7.30am Mass

Share some time with Bishop Greg

Kempsey Sunday 20th October after 9.30am Mass

Share some time with Bishop Greg

Kempsey Sunday 3rd November after 9.30am Mass

Celebrate the blessing of our new parish office & our parish Feast Day

ST JOSEPH’S PRIMARY: 125 YEARS

On the 25th October 2019, St Joseph’s Primary School will be celebrating the 125th Anniversary of Catholic Education in Kempsey. The day will commence at 9.30am with Mass in All Saints Church, followed by morning tea and a special assembly at the school. There will be special displays and the unveiling of a new mural. Parishioners are invited to dress up in period costume for the occasion. Please save the date and tell all your friends about this wonderful occasion.

REAL WOMEN’S GROUP

Date: Monday 4th November Time: 7pm to 9pm Venue: Catholic Parish Hall Theme: DRESS UP for the CUP (in Casual, Formal or Fancy dress) Cost: $10 The Melbourne Cup 2019 There will be $4, $2 and $1 sweeps with prizes.

Tickets for the $4 sweep will be sold at the SWR and Kempsey Church doors from 12th October and parishioners will be

notified by phone, on the morning of the Race, if they draw a horse on the Monday night. The tickets for the $2 and $1 sweeps will be sold only during the Monday evening event.

PIANO TO GIVE AWAY

If anyone is interested in obtaining a piano please

contact Mrs Margaret Patterson on 6562 7980

PARISH KEY REGISTER

The Parish office staff are compiling a register of keys for all buildings owned by the Parish. If you have keys for any of the Parish buildings please advise the Parish Office staff. Also if you have parish keys that you no longer need could you please return them to the office. Thank you.

OLDIES BUT GOODIES CONCERT From Baroque to Rock

Date: Sunday 27th October at 2.00 pm Venue: Bandbox Theatre, Sea Street, Kempsey Featuring: Kempsey District Silver Band Macleay Choristers and Special guest artists Entry: Adults $10 Children and Concession $5 Tickets sold at the door and Afternoon tea available.

BRAND NEW HOUSE FOR RENT

One of our parishioners has a brand new 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom house for rent. Close to West Kempsey shops, church and school, in a beautiful new estate.

If you or someone you know is interested, please leave your name with the parish office.

THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be held on

Friday 18th October, 5.30pm, at All Saints Church

Kempsey. Please keep the children, their sponsors

and families in your prayers.

BAPTISM PREPARATION NIGHT

Wednesday 6th November, 7pm

Parish Meeting Room

Please contact the Parish Office

to advise of your attendance.

Our leaders for this meeting will

be Judy Brady & Karen Daley

Those who are Recently Deceased: Christine Graham, Don Burns. Those whose Anniversaries are at this time: Barbara Abood, Louisa Dunning, Bernard Eakin, Jim Crotty, Leslie Western, Bruce Abbotts. Special Remembrance: Peg Tedd, Gladys Farley. Special Intentions: Liza Molloy, Peter Clarke, Colin Clarke, Paul Kirkman, Toby Tyne, Tom Purcell, Maureen Morris, Suzanne Tyrrell. Jack Chapman (100th Birthday) George Seeliezycki (96th Birthday) John Henry snr (92nd Birthday) Sr Cabrini (85th Birthday)

SOUTH WEST ROCKS

CATHOLIC WOMEN’S SOCIAL GROUP

First Wednesday of each month,

SWR Church Hall from 10.30am.

Please bring a plate.

Next meeting will be 6th November 2019

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Yr C

First Reading: Exodus 17:8-13

Responsorial Psalm: Our help is from the

Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2

Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia!

The word of God is living and active; it

probes the thoughts and motives of our

heart. Alleluia!

Gospel: Luke 18:1-8

Jesus shows us that the measure of faith is service. "We are useless servants" is an expression of humility and availability

that does so much good for the Church.

NEXT SUNDAY’S READINGS

POPE FRANCIS ON TWITTER

Our parish family wishes Jack a most wonderful

and blessed 100th Birthday!

May your celebrations with family and friends

be extra special and we thank you for all the

wonderful works of service you have performed

for our Parish over many years and which you still

continue to this day!

VARIOUS APPOINTMENTS

Bishop Greg has made the following appointments in our Diocese:

Fr Michael Nilon, Parish Priest of Ballina Parish, as the Diocesan Director of Clergy Life and Ministry.

Fr Peter Padsungay, Parish Priest of Coffs Harbour Parish has been appointed to Ballina Parish as Administrator.

The Carmelite Priests have been appointed to the Parish of Coffs Harbour. Fr Shabas Crasta as the Administrator and Fr Joe D’Souza, the Assistant Priest.

Fr Anselm Okeke, Assistant in Coffs Parish, has been appointed Assistant Priest of Ballina Parish.

Fr Emmanuel Okparanaku, Assistant in Ballina Parish, has been appointed an Assistant Priest of Clarence Valley Parish.

Fr Wilber Tobe, Assistant in Ballina Parish, has been appointed an Assistant Priest of Tweed Heads Parish.

CATHOLIC MISSION APPEAL

This year’s World Mission day is focussed on Ghana and the theme inspired by Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear, for I am with you”.

Appeal to be held next weekend 19th-20th October 2019

FOLLOWING THIS

SUNDAY’S MISSAL

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Yr C

First Reading: 2 Kings 5:14-17

Responsorial Psalm: The Lord has revealed to

the nations his saving power.

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 2:8-13

Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia!

For all things give thanks to God,

because this is what he expects

of you in Christ Jesus. Alleluia!

Gospel: Luke 17:11-19

Preface II,

Sundays in Ordinary Time

Eucharistic Prayer II

Memorial Acclamation II

Other Mass Locations Date/Time

Crescent Head Thursday, 17 October, 6pm

Willawarrin Thursday, 24 October, 6pm

Macleay Valley House Wednesday, 6 November, 10.30am

Sth West Rocks Nursing Home Wednesday, 18 December, 10.30am

MASS & DEVOTIONS: 14 October – 20 October 2019

Monday 14th No Mass

St Callistus

Tuesday 15th 5.30pm: Mass, Kempsey Before Mass: Rosary for our Priests

After Mass: Exposition and Benediction

St Teresa of Jesus

Wednesday 16th 8.00am: Mass, Smithtown

St Margaret Mary Alacoque

Thursday 17th

9.30am: Mass, Vincent Court Kempsey

6.00pm: Mass, Crescent Head

4.30pm Rosary Cenacle - Mercy Chapel Kempsey

St Ignatius of Antioch

Friday 18th 9.30am: Mass, Kempsey

St Luke, Evangelist

Saturday 19th 6.00pm: Vigil Mass, Kempsey

Sunday 20th

Mission Sunday

7.30am: Mass, South West Rocks Before Mass: Rosary

9.30am: Mass, Kempsey

Before Mass: Rosary for Life

SUNDAY MASS ROSTERS: 19 & 20 OCTOBER 2019

MINISTRY KEMPSEY SAT 6PM STH WEST ROCKS SUN 7.30AM KEMPSEY SUN 9.30AM

Ministers of the Eucharist Peter Scott Betty Green

Liz Picker Mark Morrison Lesa Morrison

Readers Betty Green Laura Donnelly Sammy Walters

Ray Good

Lesa Morrison

Offertory Procession Beatrice Gray Whitehead Family Dom & Sarah MacAndrews

Hospitality Frances Dykes Violet Borg -

Commentator Patricia Cullen Carmel Ball Jill Bishton

Music Pete Fletcher SWR Choir Pat Hassett

Children’s Liturgy - - No Children’s Liturgy

Cleaning KEMPSEY: Bernadette Morrisey & Lesley Friebel SOUTH WEST ROCKS: C Ball & F Pearce

CRESCENT HEAD ROSTER –17/10/19 Reader: S Curnoe

Cleaning: S Kyle Offertory: Terrasson Family

Flowers: S Kyle Linen: G Steinmetz

THE Parrot’S parable:

“When life gets

blurry, adjust your

focus”

DIOCESAN INVESTMENT FUND

PAYS 1.65%

No fees or charges on your accounts.

1800 802 516 / www.dif.org.au

Sacrament of Reconciliation Times

Saturday Kempsey, 5pm-5.45pm

Sunday South West Rocks, 7am-7.20am

Tuesday Kempsey, 5.50pm-6.20pm

Wednesday Smithtown, Before Mass