Sunday 3rd May, 2015 Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year B

Bridgeside Bulletin The weekly Bulletin of the

Catholic Parish of Forster Tuncurry

Holy Name of Jesus Parish Church 33 Lake Street, Forster

St Mary, Star of the Sea Church Cnr Kent & Peel Streets, Tuncurry

Proclaiming Christ to the communities of Forster, Tuncurry and the surrounding districts

Parish Fr Greg Barker (Parish Priest) Mr Greg Byrne (Pastoral Associate) Mrs Sharon Fowle (Administration Associate/Bulletin) Sr Kathryn McCabe (Aboriginal Catholic Ministry)

The Parish Office is at the rear of the Parish Hall and is normally staffed on Monday, Thursday and Friday from 10am to 4pm.

Items for inclusion in Bridgeside Bulletin should be received by midday on Thursday.

33 Lake Street, Forster NSW 2428 PO Box 67, Forster NSW 2428

P: (02) 6554 6304 F: (02) 6554 6425 W: Forster-Tuncurry.Parish@mn.catholic.org.au

www.forstertuncurrycatholic.org.au

Celebrating the Sacraments

Reconciliation is available on Saturday mornings at Tuncurry from 8:30am until the beginning of the 9am Mass, on Saturday afternoons at Forster from 4:45pm until 5:15pm.

Baptisms are celebrated on Sundays, either during any of our Sunday Masses or after the 9am Mass. The next Baptismal Preparation meeting will take place in the Parish Halls meeting rooms on Monday 11th May commencing at 7pm. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.

Weddings are celebrated by arrangement and with at least three (and preferably more) months notice. Please contact Fr Greg for more details, or visit the Parish website.

A Sacramental Preparation process runs each year in the Parish for children wishing to complete the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation as part of the Parish community. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.

The Parish hosts the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults process for those adults wishing to be baptised or be received into the communion of the Catholic Church. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.

Search for us on Facebook as Catholic Parish of Forster Tuncurry Follow us on Twitter: @ftcatholic

Holy Name Parish School (K-6) Mr Chris Waters (Principal)

41 Lake Street, Forster NSW 2428 PO Box 243, Forster NSW 2428

P: (02) 6554 6504 F: (02) 6554 8895 E: admin@forster.catholic.edu.au W: www.forster.catholic.edu.au

St Clares High School, Taree (7-12) Mr Peter Nicholls (Principal)

Davis Street, Taree NSW 2430

P: (02) 6552 3300 F: (02) 6552 3656 E: admin@tareesc.catholic.edu.au W: www.tareesc.catholic.edu.au

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The Parish Diary(for the week ahead)

Monday4th May

Tuesday5th May 9am Christian Meditation (Bob 6555 5914) 11am Mass @ Beaumont Terrace 3:30pm Holy Hour @ Tuncurry 4:30pm Mass @ Tuncurry 5:30pm Christian Meditation (Bob 6555 5914) 5:30pm Singing Practise @ Forster Wednesday6th May 9am Mass @ Forster 9:30am Secular Franciscan Fraternity @ Forster 11:15am Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help @

Forster 11am Mass @ Kularoo Gardens Thursday7th May 9am Mass @ Forster 7pm Womens Prayer Group (Natasha 0407 589 935) 4.30pm Parish Team Meeting @ Forster

Friday8th May 9:30am Mass @ Forster

Saturday9th May 8.30am Reconciliation @ Tuncurry 9am Mass at Tuncurry 4.45pm Reconciliation @ Forster (until 5:15pm) 6pm Vigil @ Tuncurry

Sunday10th May 7am Mass @ Tuncurry 9am Mass @ Forster

Regular Activities in the Parish

Christian Meditation Our Parish hosts opportunities for the practice of Christian meditation on Tuesdays at two distinct times, 9am and 5:30pm. Phone Bob on 6555 5914 for further information.

Womens Bible Study Group Our Parish hosts a Womens Bible Study Group that meets every Thursday evening from 7pm to 8pm. For more information contact Natasha on 0407 589 935.

Holy Hour The Parish community observes a Holy Hour each Tuesday afternoon in the Tuncurry Church from 3:30pm until the beginning of Mass at 4:30pm.

Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help The Novena is prayed every Wednesday in the Forster church commencing at 11:15am and is followed by a cuppa in the Parish Hall. For more information contact Shioney on 6554 9468.

Singing Practice Singing group will take a break over the Easter holidays and will resume at Forster on Tuesday 5th May at 5:30pm.

The menALIVE Groups Our Parish currently hosts two menALIVE groups. The daytime group will next meet on Wednesday 13th May after the 9am Mass and the evening group meets on the last Thursday of each month at 7.30pm.

Secular Franciscan Fraternity The Secular Franciscans Fraternity will next meet on Wednesday 6th May 2015, coming together for Mass at 9am, followed by a cuppa at 9:30am and then the meeting 10am to 12pm.

Maintenance & Gardening Group The gardening team will have their next working bee will on Thursday 21st May. Contact Howard 6557 6826 for more information.

Evening Prayer & Benediction The Parish community celebrates on the first Sunday of each month at 5:30pm in the Tuncurry church. It will celebrated on today Sunday 3rd May 2015. All welcome. (Not celebrated in AprilEaster Sunday)

Childrens Liturgy of the Word The next Liturgy of the Word for children aged 4-12 will be on today, Sunday 3rd May 2015 at the 9am Mass. A morning tea will follow Mass.

Collection of Foodstuffs for Homebase The next collection of foodstuffs in support of Homebase is today, Sunday 3rd May 2015.

Bake for Jesus?

If you are able to assist, please bring something along on the day. Please also include ingredients on the cover. Thank you!

Calling all the wonderful bakers in the Parish. Nothing compares to a freshly baked cake or biscuit! We would be most grateful for your help to provide morning tea to our parishioners following 9am Mass on the first Sunday of each month.

Furniture Required Sr Kathryn is in need of a wooden cot, a set of drawers, a queen bed and a double bed. If you can assist please phone 6554 6470.

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From the Pastors Desk Dear Parish Family,

Am I my brothers keeper? (Genesis 4:9-10) If I am not my brothers keeper then who am I? I suspect there lays the problem for our Church and is at the heart of what I think is our crisis of identity. Not only do we not know who our brother is (or sister) sometimes but often we dont know how to be their keeper with credibility and authenticity. When Cain killed Abel the question was used as a deflection to stop the Lord looking too closely at the sin of Cain and what he had done. It can be the same for us. Am I my brothers keeper?

There is a sense of oneness in the nature of our community which allows us to understand or know that when one of us hurts we all hurt and when one of us rejoices we all do. That is a simplification of a much broader concept but in Christian faith or the Christian sense the body of Pauls letters makes some sense. Whilst we are not all a foot, or a hand or a leg when one part of the body hurts it affects us all. (1 Cor 12: 19-21) Its why the National Sorry Day is so important, the Royal Commission also and why we are moved with deep sadness to support charitable actions whether here or overseas. Am I my brothers keeper? Quite simply point yes. There is no other answer for us.

I found this quote written by a survivor of the holocaust, an author named Elie Wiesel: there may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest. No one would know the risks associated with standing for the values associated with speaking out than the victim of such atrocities. But so to the proclaimer of Christian life: Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples." But Jesus answered, "I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out! (Luke 19: 39-40)

There are so many ways for us to speak out: by our voices, by our lives, by listening to the broken hearted, by taking time to share, by the very movement of our heart beating not with sympathy but with empathy. Even when we listen we are not sidelined or spectators but witnesses and that can never be passive. A witness buys in and has a vested interest. I am my brothers keeper.

How often must I hear the story of another to know forgiveness, theirs or mine, again the answer is simple. (Matthew 18: 21-22) I cant stop seeking and listening and wanting forgiveness or offering it till my brother or sister has had the opportunity to tell their

story so that they might know they have been heard and loved to wholeness! Our response has to be from the very depth of our relationship with the one in whose image we are created; The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted. And binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them. (Psalm 147:2-4) Its really loving our brothers and sisters enough to be moved by their plight, its where we find personal and social completeness.

So I pray: May the souls of Myuran Sukumaran, Andrew Chan and the six prisoners executed with them find rest in peace. May the souls of those who lost their lives as a result of the earthquake in Nepal also find peace and their families find consolation. May I and you remember that we are always our brothers and sisters keepers and find in our hearts a generosity of spirit to comfort and support them in their hour of need or time of trial.

Regards,

Greg (Father)

Guiding Childrens Faith Did you know it is a parish community responsibility to ensure Catholic SRE classes continue? Due to illness SRE classes (Scripture) are being cancelled at Forster and Tuncurry schools each week. Volunteers are needed to help. You will be supported and guided in the ministry. There are teachers manuals and each student has a workbook kindly donated by the parish. Lesson are not difficult and preparation usually takes about an hour. The families and schools support SRE and encourage us to continue. This can only happen with active support from the parish community. The greatest threat to this Ministry continuing in the parish is not having enough volunteers to help in the ongoing mission of our church.

Position Now Vacant: Enthusiastic, caring volunteer required for Special Religious Education classes at Tuncurry PS. Fridays of school term 11.20am to 12.30pm (2 small groups) Year 1 and 2.

At Forster PS volunteers are needed to act as back up from time to time when the regular SRE teacher is unable to attend For more information please Contact Loretta Heffernan Mobile: 0408 895 951, at the parish office email:loretta.heffernan@mn.catholic.org.au

I am the true vine

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Mark Allan Zoe Allen

Leteesha Amato Izaac Boag

Georgia Daley Ruby Daley

Madison Darcy Rhyan Dodds

Rory Falk Alice Fowle Peter Gnosh

Ashleigh Harris Keegan Herb Kade Hickson Ella Hobson Lily Hodges

Bayley Joughin Amelia Joughin

Olivia Keen Harrison Le Rougetel

Bridan McNamara Savannah Murray

Cooper Payne Mitchell Provost

Mauro Ragno Joseph Reardon

Amelia Robertson Amy Rowell

Clare Rozario Clary Russell Rory Russell Larissa Ryan Logan Smith

Olivia Van Haren Genevieve Wayte

Grace Wicks

Sacrament of Confirmation We hope you have had an opportunity to pick up a prayer card last weekend for the children involved in the Sacrament of Confirmation. Please continue to prayer for them over the coming weeks as they prepare for this significant event in their lives.

Bishop Bill will be here to confirm the children on Tuesday 26th May at 7pm in Forster. We welcome all Parishioners to join us for this momentous occasion.

Gardening Group Needs Your Help Please consider joining the Gardening Group. They are fun to be around and always have the most delicious cake available to share at morning tea, following their endeavours. Their next working bee is on Thursday 21st May. Call Howard 6557 6826 for more information.

Cursillo A number of parishioners are participating in this years Cursillo to be held at Myuna Bay Sport and Recreation Centre, Wangi Rd, Myuna Bay. We would like to extend a welcome to parishioners who are interested in attending.

The 3 day weekend consists of several faith talks, discussions, meditations, prayers and songs.

The event takes place on the June long weekendbeginning 7pm on Friday 5th June to Monday 8th June 2015.

Phone Anne Moloney on 6555 8918 for further information.

A New Commandment Refrain A new commandment I give unto you; that you love one another as I have loved you, that you love one another as I have loved you.

By this shall all know that you are my disciples: if you have love, one for another. (x2) Refrain

You are my friends if you do what I command you. without my help you can do nothing. (x2) Refrain

I am the vine and my Father is the gardener; remain in me, I will be with you. (x2) Refrain

True love is patient, always kind and never boastful; love bears all things, love is eternal. (x2) Refrain

Vocation View Who shall come forward to explain the love God has for His people who should be one in faith? We need more faith-filled, prayerful and spirited people to make the Vine and the Branches One again. How about you? For more information regarding Vocations contact Fr Brian Mascord on 02 4979 1112 or vocations@mn.catholic.org.au

Parish Dinner Its that time of year again when we get together to celebrate our Parish Community.

This years event takes place at The Slipway Restaurant in Tuncurry on 29th May 2015, 5.45pm for 6pm start. Speaker to be confirmed. Trivia will also be included but this years questions promise to be easier!

Tickets $30, available for purchase after Mass from this weekend. Also available from the Parish Office.

Menu Roast chicken breast on garlic roast potatoes with

bacon and braised onion Jus alternative serving

Pan Seared Salmon on a green pea risotto with asparagus and shellfish sauce

Dessert Warm banana pudding with butterscotch sauce and

vanilla ice cream alternate serving

Apple and rhubarb crumble served with fresh cream

Espresso coffee and tea

Music: From the Anon. Arr. Pulkingham. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Australian AgentLicenSing Online Lic No. 624844.

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New Testament Commentary Make your home in me. Acts 9:26-31; John 15:1-8 I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Make your home in me as I make mine in you. These words express the profound insight of this Gospel that God dwells in us as we dwell in God. God is at home in our living and we have our home within the life of God. I struggle to find words for this truth and can only speak of a famous Icon of the Trinity where there are three figures sitting at a table with an empty space in the foreground. The icon draws the viewer into this space, inviting the viewer to sit at this table, to join the communion and become part of this divine household.

Just as I use this ancient Russian Icon as an image of our reciprocal dwelling in God, so Jesus gives his disciples an image they would be familiar with, the image of the vine. A vine is one entity. While there may be times when it is technically more accurate to speak of the vine-stock and the vine branches as separate, usually they are regarded as one. The vine has no reality apart from its interwoven branches. The image Jesus offers speaks of the profound intimacy and reciprocity God desires with us. I am the vine, you are the branches.

Just as a vine needs to be cared for by the vine-dresser, being at home with another requires time and tending. Home-making is the task of a lifetime. May we attend to the God who is at home with us and may we find our home within the loving embrace of God.

It is important to recognise that these verses from John are part of the Last Discourse just prior to the Johannine passion. The Discourse functions to console the disciples on the eve of Jesus departure to the Father, and it also interprets the Johannine meaning of the Cross, which is very different to the Synoptics. For John, the cross was a means of drawing disciples into Jesus own relationship with the Father. On the cross, Jesus changes the relationship between disciples and himself when he says to the disciple, behold your mother. If the disciple now has the same mother as Jesus, then disciples are now brothers and sisters of Jesus, (see 20:17) and therefore children of God. It is through the disciples relationship with Jesus, taking on his sonships that disciples are reborn as Gods children. The image of the vine is one way of expressing the intimacy between disciples and Jesus and disciples in Jesus with the Father.

In the readings today, notice the language of brothers (Acts) and children (1 John). We can take

this language for granted but it expresses the faith of the early disciples of Jesus. They are now in a new relationship with Jesus and with God. The Resurrection message in John is, Go to my brothers and sisters and tell them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. (20:17) This became the spiritual experience of the early believers who looked on each other as brothers and sisters and children of God.

These readings in the weeks after Easter offer an interpretation of the meaning of the Passion and how this impacted on the lives of the believers. For them, the death and resurrection was not just something that happened to Jesus; it also impacted on their own lives. They were changed. The Christian message was never meant to be an ideology, a set of belief statements or moral laws; it was a whole new way of seeing oneself, ones world and ones relationship with God and others. In the 1st Epistle of John, the impact of Easter is expressed as a commitment to love for Easter revealed the depths of God love.

Mary Coloe

Email Addresses Further to Fr. Gregs request, we have placed a form at the rear of the church to enable you to include your email details. There is also a box to place a business card as an alternative.

Please also note the new Parish email address is now Forster-Tuncurry.Parish@mn.catholic.org.au

Womens Community Shelter The community of Forster Tuncurry have pledged its support for a domestic violence shelter to be built this year. A petition in support of this endeavour and to encourage funding is available to sign at the rear of the church.

Under One Sky The African Childrens Choir Australian Tour 2015 includes a performance at the Manning Entertainment Centre on Monday 1st June, at 7.30pm. The St. Josephs Primary and St. Clares High Schools Combined Choir will also be performing. Adults $25, Children/Concession $15. Tickets available from the Manning Entertainment Centre on 6592 5466.

There will also be a public workshop on Tuesday 2nd June at 7pm. Adult $15, Child/Concession $10. Tickets available from St. Josephs in Taree on 6557 7031.

Further information is available at the rear of the church.

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Kids Corner I am the vine and you are the branches n 15:1-5. 7-8

Try to find these words:

clean

cut

disciples

Father

fruit

gardener

mine

prayer

produce

stay

teach

vine

A E N A D F R U I T O R R B P

R T P D I T O C F A T H E R R

N B P U S D B G Z G L S U T A

W A L F C W P X Q I J V W G Y

L M C U I G T T Q A P V T H E

P V M I P O S T A Y Z P O W R

Z A M H L R R M C L E A N F R

W T I Y E A P I D D P C U T Y

R R N B S T E A C H R F W E G

F G E G V D N G G P O P M P P

V I N E W L M K L X D Z R M M

E K R D B L O Q F V U H F I S

W U D C B L C T M X C B N R M

N W Z V R K O V E N E E E I S

A G G A R D E N E R B P J A H

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Opportunities Outside The Parish

Pints With A Purpose Monday 4th May at 6:30pm at Northern Star Hotel, Beaumont St, Hamilton. This month we welcome Deacon Gerard McCarthy to share about his ministry in St Heliers Correctional Centre, Muswellbrook. Join us for dinner at 6.30pm, talk begins at 7.30pm. All welcome!

SafeTALK Suicide Prevention Awareness Program Program will be held on Tuesday 5th May at 1pm at St Mary's High School, Pacific Highway, Gateshead. Cost is free. Companions must register at www.goodgrief.org.au. All other participants please P 4979 1355 or E jenny.harris@mn.catholic.org.au.

Wollotuka Yarning Circle 50th Anniversary of 1965 Freedom Ride will be held on Tuesday 5th May beginning at 6:00 PM at Birabahn Building, Callaghan Campus, University of Newcastle. Hear the experiences of original Freedom Riders - Dr Robyn Iredale, Mr Brian Aarons & Ms Chris Page. Light refreshments will be available. RSVP to Amanda Kelly P 49212011 E Amanda.Kelly@newcastle.edu.au

Mums Night Out TWECs Mums Night Out will be held on Wednesday 6th May at 5:30pm at West Wallsend Workers Club, Carrington St, West Wallsend. RSVP 30th April on 4939 9601 or twec@ssjl.org.au.

Diversity of people with Disability Exhibition Outing Disability will be held on Friday 8th May beginning at 12pm at Lovett Gallery, Newcastle Region Library, Laman St, Newcastle. A photographic exhibition celebrating the diversity of people with disability.

TWEC Dinner Annual TWEC Dinner with Phil Glendenning will be held on Friday 8th May at 6:30pm at the Therry Centre, New England Highway, East Maitland. Phil Glendenning is the Director of the Edmund Rice Centre and is currently President of the Refugee Council of Australia. RSVP by 30 April to Secretary P 4930 9601 E twec@ssjl.org.au. Cost for hors d'oeuvres, drinks, main meal and dessert is $60 per person. Tables of 10 & individual bookings are available.

Taize Song and Silence Taize will be held on Sunday 10th May beginning at 6:30pm at 178 Glebe Rd, Merewether. Experience the sacred through song and silence in the spirit of Taize. Followed by supper, please bring a plate if you are able.

Chapel Jazz Morpeth 'ChapelJazz' Weekend will be held on Saturday 16th May at 10am at Morpeth Church of the Immaculate Conception. Come and listen to free jazz. Finishes with Sunday lunch at the River Royal Hotel Morpeth. Also includes jazz in the street and a special Saturday afternoon concert by the New Empire Ballroom Ragtime Dance Orchestra at Historic Closebourne. P 4933 3312 or 0428 331 407, go to www.chapeljazz.com or E info@chapeljazz.com

Mission: One Heart, Many Voices Conference Conference will be held on Monday 18th May at SMC Conference Centre, 66 Goulburn St, Sydney. Mission: One Heart, Many Voices is for those inspired to strive creatively for justice, truth, peace, freedom, reconciliation and the Reign of God. Visit www.mohmv.com.au for more information or P Catholic Mission 9919 7800.

Commemoration of Mary MacKillop Morning Tea will be held on Tuesday 19th May at 9:30am at 6 Martinsville Road Cooranbong NSW 2265. St John Vianney, Morisset, invite you to join us for Mass and the Dedication of Mary MacKillop Memorial Plaques and Garden Niche and morning tea. RSVP: By 1st May 2015 to the Parish Office of St John Vianney Morisset E morparish@mn.catholic.org.au P 02 4973 6859.

Musical NarrativeSt Francis of Assisi Good Morning Good People will be held on Saturday 23rd May at 7:00pm at Adamstown Uniting Church, cnr Brunker and Glebe Sts. Peter Kearney's musical-narrative on the life of St Francis of Assisi. $15/$10 concession at door. Refreshments at interval. P 4957 1887

Africa Day Festival Africa Day Festival will be held on Sunday 24th May. Call for interest - looking for stall holders, dancers, singers, performers and volunteers to participate in Africa Day Festival. Contact Shakila P 0409 153 912 or E shakila.kader@gmail.com

Cursillo Cursillo Weekend will be held on Friday 5th June beginning at 7pm at Myuna Bay Sport and Recreation Centre, Wangi Rd, Myuna Bay. Come journey with us as we share our faith stories - a weekend of meditations, prayers, songs and talks. Friday evening 5th June to Monday 8th June 2015. P Rick McCosker 4043 2861 or Anne Moloney 6555 8918.

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Scripture Readings This Week

Today Acts 9:26-31 1 John 3:18-24 John 15:1-8 Monday Acts 14:5-18 John 14:21-26 Tuesday Acts 14:19-28 John 14:27-31 Wednesday Acts 15:1-6 John 15:1-8 Thursday Acts 15:7-21 John 15:9-11 Friday Acts 15:22-31 John 15:12-17 Saturday Acts 16:1-10 John 15:18-21 Sunday Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48 1 John 4:7-10 John 15:9-17

Todays Liturgy of the Word

Responsorial Psalm Response: I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people

Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia! Live in me and let me live in you, says the Lord; my branches bear much fruit. Alleluia!

In your charity, please pray for:

Those recently deceased.

Those whose anniversaries occur about now.

All those in our community who are sick. Ashley Hatton, Sue, Neil Pye.

Ministers this Weekend... ...of the Word ...of Communion

6pm Tuncurry

A: Valarie Ross B: Frank Hayman

Carolyn Olliffe, Frank Hayman, Maureen Stevens, Michael Siddle, Ruth Pearson.

7am Tuncurry A: Norm Chapman B: Anne-Marie Greene

Graham Griffiths, Maria Armitage, Mark Mowbray, Norm Chapman, Patricia Cornish.

9am Forster A: Barbara Kermode B: Greg Byrne

Elle Cairns-Cowan, Robert Moran, Robyn Ryan, Sharon Fowle, Trevor Turner.

Ministers next Weekend... ...of the Word ...of Communion

6pm Tuncurry A: Bob Cashman B: Colleen Cashman

Jeanette Goodacre, Margaret Smith, Michael Amato, Owen Carroll, Pat Hooker.

7am Tuncurry A: Maria Armitage B: Marie Gapps

Cushla Drake, Edna Tucker, Fred Liackman, Genevieve Williamson, Kay Griffiths.

9am Forster A: Robyn Ryan B: Rob Temesvary

Alan McCarthy, Barbara Dolahenty, Coral McCarthy, Josi Beech, Shioney Neal.

Please note: The above information reflects the rosters as originally published, and doesnt take account of any swaps that may have been organised between individuals.

Text: Excerpts from the English Translation of the Roman Missal 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL); Music: From the Mass of St Francis 2010, Paul Taylor. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Australian AgentLicenSing Online Lic No. 624844.