Take a moment to look at your fingerprint. Experts say it is unique. You share it with no one who lives or has ever lived. Let it remind you that God wanted you, specifically you, to come into this world. And let it remind you that our loving God grieves for you, when you hurt, and misses you, specifically you, when you turn away.
Let this week’s Gospel dispel all the false views of God you may have heard. God is not angry or vengeful when you sin. God is not an accountant who tallies our sins against our good deeds or a cop who waits to punish us. Unfortunately, many people hold on to those images. Some pastors and teachers even teach them, often because they misunderstand Old Testament Scripture passages that seem to portray God as angry or vengeful.
Look at the lost son in the Gospel story this week. He basically had wished his father dead by asking for his inheritance. But when he returns because he has nowhere else to go, the father runs to him, gives him the family ring, clothes him in the best robe, and kills a fattened calf (people ate meat rarely). If you read the text closely, you see that the father doesn’t even let his son complete the apology before ordering all this.
Lent is a time to come home. We all stray. We live in a world that often calls us away from God. But God knows each of us by our fingerprint, knows when we turn away, and still always stands waiting, scanning the horizon, maybe weeping, hoping to see us turn back, looking for a chance to run toward us and embrace us once again.
In what ways do you need to come home to God this Lent?
READINGS: Joshua 5:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Luke 15:1-3 11-32 ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast. RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus Christ! I will rise and go to my Father and tell him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus Christ! COMMUNION ANTIPHON: You must rejoice, my son, for your brother was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found. Liturgy Help
Welcome to our St. Francis Xavier Church choir at 9.30am Mass this weekend. We are very grateful that
they will lead music for us once per quarter.
Please keep the following individuals in prayer…..
For those who are sick
Fiona Jarvis Maryanne McGrath
Rex Sullivan Cody Bonner
Wesley Benedet Luke Ward
Fiona Moore Marlene Lawless
Jennycar De Jesus Gloria De Andrade Michael Rodriguez
Gim Carey Eileen Dean
Cathy St Joseph Pauline Chifley
Devin R. Kiera Whitehead
Doug Honess Mary Bogue Luke Mahon
Mary Ugwumba Alan Dent
John Fitzgibbon Ashley Herring Mara Brophy
Al Bensley Lisa Harminto
Alberta Harminto Kay O’Sullivan
Jenny de Jesus Carr Luke Bogue
Frank Correia Diana and Angus Howell
Erika and Walter Schranz Peter and Gayle Hanley
Recently Deceased
Bibiana Lejano Ivan Crnjac
Pacita Cerna Sharon Au
Richard Cater
Anniversaries Benito Magbutay Therese O’Shea Richard Moon
Murray and Greg McQueen Norbert Sobraty
Lisa Natoli Lai Thi Nguyen
Peter Roach Eliza Dy
Jo Malouf Stevo Jagarinec
Anastasia Ligasari Lukman Maria Erna Banawa
Prayer cards are available
in the foyer.
Parish News and Activities
Saints Of The Week
Parish Bank Account Details (We thank you for your generosity)
Michaela is a 21-year-old trainee at Purple House, a dialysis center in the Central Desert for people suffering from kidney disease. The Aboriginal-controlled service gives patients the opportunity to stay connected with their culture. They do this through traditional healing practices and income-generating activities, such as making bush balms and soaps. With the support of Caritas partners, Michaela is helping to build a social enterprise, a connection to culture and a new outlook for the chronically ill.
Please donate to Project Compassion 2019 and help provide essential health care,
employment and training for First Australians like Michaela.
Lives change when we all give 100%. You can donate through Parish boxes and envelopes, by
visiting www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion or phoning 1800 024 413.
PALM SUNDAY WEEKEND - Weekend 13-14 April Saturday 6:00pm, Sunday 8:00am, 9:30am and 5:30pm at Holy Spirit Amaroo Sunday 8:30am Mass at St Francis Xavier, Hall HOLY WEEK - at Holy Spirit Church, Amaroo unless indicated otherwise Tuesday 16 April 7:00pm Second Rite of Reconciliation Holy Thursday 18 April 7:00pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper Good Friday 19 April 9:00am Walking Station of the Cross (please see a note below for details) 11:00am Stations of the Cross 11:00am Stations of the Cross (St Francis Xavier, Hall) 3:00pm Liturgy of the Passion Please bring flowers to lay at the foot of the cross EASTER MASS TIMES Saturday 20 April 7:00pm Easter Vigil Mass Sunday 21 April 8:00am Easter Sunday Mass 9.30am Easter Sunday Mass
5.30pm Easter Sunday Mass Are you around during Holy Week and Easter? We need your help to set up for the various Liturgies.
St Isidore of Seville was born in Spain in C. 560 AD to parents of high social rank. His elder brother, St Leander, served as Archbishop and was one of a body of learned men who taught Isidore at the Cathedral school of Seville. Following his brother’s death in C. 600 AD, Isidore succeeded as Archbishop of Seville. During his 32 years of service, he worked to assimilate the remaining Roman culture with the ruling barbarian culture of the Visigoths through education – introducing his countrymen to the Greek philosopher Aristotle. Regarded as one of the most learned men of his age, Isidore was the first Christian writer to attempt to compile an encyclopedia of universal knowledge. In 1997, he was nominated to be the patron saint of
the internet by Pope John Paul II.
WALKING STATIONS OF THE CROSS, GOOD FRIDAY
An invite to walk with Jesus The Way of the
Cross. Join us as we walk to each of the Stations and
reflect on Our Lord’s Passion in a powerful
way. Please bring the small cross and non-Catholic
friend with you.
When: Good Friday, 19 April at 9:00am
Where: Starting point at the parish car park, walk
outside Parish grounds.
Contact: Jakub 0406 233 830 or Peter 0437 672 069
PUBLIC SQUARE ROSARY
Come join us as we pray The Rosary together for peace in Australia and the world.
When: Saturday 6 April and 11 May at 10.30am to 12:30am
Where: Corner of Hibberson and Gungahlin Place
Contact: Jakub 0406 233 830 or Peter 0437 672 069
Holy Week and Easter Mass Times
Stations of the Cross
Friday 5 April Stations of the Cross are going to be led by a Spanish
and India/Pakistan group. Followed by Mass and the Holy
Please register your interest for the sacrament of Baptism on our Parish Website. Once the registration form is completed a Parish staff member will be in contact to arrange a meeting with you and your family regarding the important sacrament of Baptism.
Parish News and Activities
Children’s Sacramental Program
Sacrament of Confirmation For children in Year 6 and above.
Families please be reminded of these important
dates coming up in Week 1 of Term 2
Prayer Night - 6:15pm Tuesday 30 April Spirit Day - 9:15am - 2:30pm Wednesday 1 May
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated
on 7, 8, 9 May.
Celebration of First Reconciliation Week of 26 August
Celebration of First Eucharist
At Masses on weekends 14-15 September and 21-22 September
should reach the Parish Office by COB on: 29 March 2019.
Tap and Go
Just a friendly reminder if you have forgotten
your cash that you can use your credit/debit card
to make a contribution of $10 to the second
collection.
WOMEN’S RETREAT AFTERNOON next Sat 6th April from 2.00-4.30pm at St Joseph’s Parish O’Connor. Reflection based on the Stabat Mater. Adoration, Reconciliation, Afternoon Tea. Please join us as we journey through Lent in companionship with Mary and the women who accompanied Jesus to the Cross. Donation $10 for afternoon tea. Enquiries Clara Geoghegan Anima Women’s Network [email protected] or 0448 411 389
LENTEN REFLECTION AT ST MONICA’S CHURCH, EVATT SATURDAY - 6 APRIL Everyone is invited to an afternoon of prayer, worship, talks and reflection from 2.00pm to 5.30pm, 6th April, at St Monica’s church, 2 Deffell St, Evatt, lead by Fr David Lemewu MGL. Mr Tim Kirk, one of Australia’s best winemakers, will also speak. There will be Silent Adoration from 4.15pm with the availability of the Sacrament of Reconciliation at 4.30pm. For further enquiries contact the Belconnen North Parish Office on 6241 3364.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY is currently looking for enthusiastic and passionate volunteers to take part in our Compeer program. Compeer matches people with a mental health diagnosis with a “friend” who is a caring and compassionate volunteer, to circumvent social isolation for people with mental health issues. Info: [email protected].
THANK YOU HOLY SPIRIT! OUR MULTICULTURAL
CELEBRATION LAST SATURDAY NIGHT
WAS A GREAT SUCCESS!
So much fine food, and wonderful singing and dancing.
We are amazed and grateful for the incredible effort of all
the chefs and the entertainers to give us a ‘taste’ of their
cultures. There were over 50 different cuisines
represented on the night – reflecting the diversity of our
Parish. Thank you for that fine effort. Thank you too to
the Parish. You attended in big numbers and raised
$3,300! The success of the night was made possible by
the sound and lighting provided by Lixson
– thank you. Such a big event takes
dedicated and meticulous planning – for
which we deeply thank Pradeep, Joachim
and Dilu and their organising committee.
A thought for today
We ask for the grace of never tiring of asking for
Our Parish Schools Mother Teresa Catholic Primary School & Early Learning Centre Mapleton Ave and Wimmera St, Harrison Principal: Peter Hughes P: 6241 5604 (Primary School) 6241 3211 (ELC)E:[email protected]
Saint John Paul II College Gungahlin Drive, Nicholls Principal: Catherine Rey P: 6163 4800 E: [email protected]
Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School & Early Learning Centre Kelleway Ave, Nicholls Principal: Brad Gaynor P: 6241 8640 E:[email protected]
Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School Burdekin Ave, Amaroo Principal: David Austin P: 6255 7888 E:[email protected]
Weekend Mass Times
Holy Spirit Amaroo Saturday 6:00pm Sunday 8:00am, 9:30am* and 5:30pm
Couples for Christ Danny & Ner Ambida on 0448 243 508
Novena—Mother of Perpetual Help Tom 6253 9779, Parveen 0439 642 571 Wednesdays at 6pm-6.45pm in the church
Holy Spirit Prayer Group Kathy Torcasio 0401 920 028 Wednesdays at 7:30pm in the church
MenAlive Gathering Steve Seesink 0421635675
Cursillo Movement Gatherings Irma and Joe Jambor on 62427332
Legion of Mary
Jakub Szymanski 0406 233 830 Thursday 10am and 7.30pm at the Parish Office Youth Ministry Lachlan Bull [email protected] Kyla Velasquez [email protected]
I am a forgiving person, or so I have always thought. But every now and then I recall something unfair that happened to me, and I can still feel the anger and frustration that I felt then. There was a teenage boy in the neighbourhood who kept coming around; it almost felt like snooping, and within three weeks our house was robbed. This happened to others in the neighbourhood as well. The police knew he was involved but could never prove it. So hard to forgive! I’m not sure I have really forgiven him, though he has grown up and perhaps repented of his involvement.
The father in today’s gospel is an excellent model of forgiveness. His son had done the unpardonable and yet the father waited for him to come home and even ran out to meet him. When we are angry with others, we can take comfort in knowing that God forgives us and teaches us how we ought to forgive unconditionally.
Unconditional Forgiveness … This is a very difficult practice because as human beings we put conditions on everything. I’ll forgive but it better not happen again. I’ll forgive this time because I got a good apology. I’ll forgive later when he or she really means “sorry”. I’ll forgive if he changes and when she makes restitution … Make an effort today to forgive with no conditions.
When I hold anger in my heart, forgiving God, help me to let it go and to forgive others as you have forgiven me. May I open my heart to others, especially those who have hurt me, and may I forgive as unconditionally as the father of the prodigal son. In a word, may I forgive as you forgive. Amen.
A Little Prayer Dear God, help me when I turn away from you. You always call me back, help me listen to your voice. Give me the strength to forgive as you forgive. Amen.
