Last week’s reading leads into this astounding affirmation. The story of Israel was meant to be a great sign of God’s fidelity so that this community, struggling at the end of the first century, could be assured that God was with them. We are at the beginning of a third millennium, and if we recall the many centuries of Christian faith, we too have a great crowd of witnesses supporting, encouraging and assuring us. Look around the Church today; everyone who is here celebrating this Eucharist is part of this cloud of witnesses. One Church I visited where this is beautifully displayed is the Cathedral in Los Angeles. Along both sides of the Church are tapestries depicting past and present people of faith: St Francis, St Joan, Mother Teresa, Oscar Romero, John XXIII. As one enters the Church he or she is enfolded into this community of faith.
The Letter reminds us, ‘Let us not lose sight of Jesus.’ No matter how much we struggle, no matter how dark the times are, our faith is focused on Jesus, risen and alive with God.
The harsh words of today’s Gospel are in keeping with Jesus’ message that the reign of God is breaking into the world. The imagery of fire comes from the trade of a metalworker who uses fire to burn away the impurities. In the context of this Gospel ‘fire’ refers to the future gift of the Spirit (Luke 3:16) which will be poured out on believers but only after Jesus’ death and Resurrection. For this reason, Jesus speaks with great urgency of the future events that await him in Jerusalem and he calls these events a ‘baptism’. As one who goes down into swirling waters, Jesus will be engulfed by events beyond his control when he reaches Jerusalem.
Faith is not always comforting or comfortable, particularly if that faith is at odds with the surrounding culture. Faith calls for real choices about how we live, what we buy, where we shop, whom we vote for, and such choices will cause conflicts with those who think differently.
If we do look seriously at the Gospel values we may be faced with some hard choices about our lifestyle and our personal comfort. Can we do with less so that others might be simply able to live? Such disconcerting questions can be like ‘the fire’ that purifies. Like the metal in the hands of a master crafts-person, we need to be purified constantly until we ‘ring true’.
Come, Holy Spirit of Pentecost. Come, Holy Spirit of the great South Land. O God, bless and unite all your people in
Australia and guide us on the pilgrim way of the Plenary Council.
Give us the grace to see your face in one another and to recognise Jesus, our companion
on the road. Give us the courage to tell our stories and to
speak boldly of your truth. Give us ears to listen humbly to each other and a
discerning heart to hear what you are saying. Lead your Church into a hope-filled future, that we
may live the joy of the Gospel. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, bread for the jour-
St Bernard’s: John Cassidy, Vikki Enright, Luke Lim; Nathalie Dudson, Mary Kubainski, Jan Rhoades; Dierdre Robinson, James Chow, Carol
Wilson; Michele Alexander, Andre Adolphe, Patrick Vialle.
St Martin’s: Jacob Cheruvankalayil, Jasmine Cheruvankalayil, Renata
Tsiamis.
St Catherine’s: Joanne Blanchfield, Novita Jurry, Celine George; Rae Hurrell, Blythe Bishop, Clare Jones.
Multicultural Sunday
Let us celebrate our unity in diversity.
To remind us that we are all different yet
unique in God’s eyes, and that we are
united in Christ Jesus,
today in church we are each invited to
pray the Our Father in our own
language.
Next Week: All are invited to attend
the Archdiocesan Multicultural Mass on
Sunday 25th August, 2.30pm, at the
Cathedral of St Stephen.
Pray, Sing, Play:
a Workshop for Cantors &
Musician Accompanists
To all who Cantor, individuals,
small groups, or accompanists
are asked to attend a workshop
on Saturday 14th Sept from 9 -10.30am in
St Catherine’s Church.
Brisbane Assembly 2019
Through a process of ‘Listening &
Discernment’ let us continue the Plenary
journey with the Archdiocese of Brisbane
and help develop the agenda for the
Plenary Council in 2020. You are invited:
4-5 October, Edmund Performing Arts
Complex, St Laurence’s College, South
Brisbane.
Registration is now open Adults $50;
Concession $35. For more information visit
www.archbne.org/brisbaneassembly
Coming Soon…….
The 2019 Annual
Catholic
Campaign
Weekend of 7 & 8 September.
Funds raised will support ministries that
directly impact this parish - training future
priests, caring for elderly priests, helping
families access Catholic education, caring
for the vulnerable in our local community.
VOLUNTEER
REQUIRED
We are urgently seeking a volunteer to temporarily pro-vide transport for two parishioners to the 9.30am mass at St Bernard’s Church. Sundays 1 Sep-tember to 6 October inclu-sive. If you would like to help, but are not currently registered as a volunteer in this parish, could you please contact the parish office asap to complete the rele-vant paperwork. Phone 3849 7158 or email: [email protected]
WE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED Especially Ngee Ho, Sheelagh Arnell, Mark Murden, Kevin Long, Elizabeth O’Brien, Maureen O’Connell, Fr Frank Crane, Fr Peter Schultz, Benvenuta Fanara, who have died recently. Also Peter Beiers, Agatha Waniganayake, Tony Fernandes, Gus Sim, Brian Lawton, Rita Galea, Simon Tinh, Laura Sim, Dr Hilary & Cleta Desouza, Phyl Barrett, Irene Bobbermein, Les Kilburn, Fay Shashall, Graham Frederickson, Ron Tully, Les Lindner, Brian Tully, Heath Johnson, Jack Johnson, Ben Tracey, Shirley Partridge, Netta O’Reilly, Carmel Bartels, Doreen Laverty, Thelma Mottram, Kevin Bunce, whom we remember.
Upper Mt Gravatt Wishart Parish
21st SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME/C 25 August 2019
READINGS: Is 66:18-21 Heb 12:5-7; 11-13 GOSPEL: Lk 13:22-30
PLANNED GIVING PROGRAM
Thank you for collecting your Planned Giving Envelope Packs. This assists us greatly with postage costs. After this weekend any remaining envelope packs will be forwarded by mail to parishioners.
CATHOLIC LEADER Archbishop Mark Coleridge to
present a submission to Qld Parlia-ment’s aged-care inquiry on August 23.
Brisbane man Fr Joseph Murphy among six newly ordained in Sydney, says he wants to build his ministry around teaching.
More than 1200 Brisbane Catholics gathered at St Stephen’s Cathedral to celebrate the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.
DIVINE MERCY HEALING NOVENA A Novena to the Divine Mercy continues every Friday at St Bernard’s church after 8am Mass, ending 11 October. All welcome. Jesus said to St Faustina, ‘By this Novena (of Chaplets) I will grant every possible grace to souls’. (Diary 796).
CRAFT STALL THIS WEEKEND 17/18 August after mass, St Catherine’s Church, Wishart. Find gifts for family, friends and your-self! Profits to SVdP Wishart & UMG, and Rosies support of the homeless.
SENIORS BUS TRIPS Ipswich Railway Museum
Wednesday 28 August Trip departs St Catherine’s 8am
Morning tea and a stroll through the Japanese Garden at Queens Park, followed by a tour of the Railway Mu-seum. Lunch in the Strand Hotel, North Ipswich. Bookings & enquiries, contact Ros & Arthur 3349 9218 or E: [email protected]
Schulte’s Paddock to Plate Thursday 5 September
Trip departs St Bernard’s 8.30am Schulte’s Meat Tavern & delicatessen in the beautiful Lockyer Valley. Meats, gluten free smallgoods, local and imported cheeses and local con-tinental dry goods, plus more. Lunch at the National Hotel, Laidley. Bookings & enquiries: Sue Moriarty Phone: 3349 8198 or 0488 498 198.
POSITION VACANT Our Lady of Graces Parish invites applications for the part time position of Parish Secretary, 30 hours per week. The successful applicant will demonstrate a willingness to work within the Mission and Vision of the Catholic Church. Responsibilities in-clude day-to-day running of the parish office, reception & general office du-ties, See noticeboards for more infor-mation. Enquiries and to obtain a position description, contact James Herd on 3324 3331 or email: [email protected]. Applications close 28 August 2019.
AGED CARE IN QUEENSLAND TODAY A public talk sponsored by Knights of the Southern Cross Qld, Branch 1.
St. Michael’s Church Hall, 250 Banks Street, Dorrington
Thursday 5 September at 7.30pm Speaker Nick Ryan, CEO of Lutheran Services, recent Acting CEO of Southern Cross Care Qld. Find out what services are available for older people in our community, how the system works and how to sort out what is available for older citizens. Supper provided. RSVP by Sunday 1st September to Stuart Beavis 0408 321 582 or email: [email protected]
ST THOMAS’ CAMP HILL 90TH ANNIVERSARY Please join us for a community celebration honouring the 90th birthday of our school. Sunday 8 September, St Thomas’ Parish Church, 10 Stephen Street, Camp Hill. Mass at 9am followed by morning tea and memorabilia display.
CONTEMPLATIVE ARTS CIRCLE Sat 31 August 9.30am - 12.30pm, Faber Centre of Ignatian Spirituality, 111 Sir Samuel Griffith Dve, Bardon.
‘TASTE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT’ In contemplation with the gospel, taste the fruits of the Spirit in the prayer of the senses, in writing and/or artwork. All adults welcome. No prior art or spiritual awareness nec-essary. Suggested donation $35. Contact Lynne 0409 198 545 or email: [email protected]
HARVEST JOURNEYS Visitations of Mary
Fatima to Lourdes with Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers
10 – 21 SEPTEMBER 2019 Lisbon, Fatima, Avila, Segovia, Santo Domingo de Silos, Calereuga, Loyola, Lourdes, Montserrat, Barcelona. Air & Land Tour Cost: from $6170. Visit www.harvestjourneys.com/pilgrimages or Phone 1800 819 156
1. God of day and God of darkness, now we stand before the night; As the shadows stretch and deepen, come and make our darkness bright. All creation still is groaning, for the dawning of your might,
When the sun of peace and justice fills the earth with radiant light.
2. Still the nations curse the darkness, still the rich oppress the poor; Still the earth is bruised and broken by the ones who still want more. Come and wake us from our sleeping, so our hearts cannot ignore,
All your people lost and broken, all your children at our door.
4. You shall be the path that guides us, you the light that in us burns; Shining deep within all people, yours the love that we must learn, For our hearts shall wander restless, ‘til they safe to you return;
Finding you in one another, we shall all your face discern.
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia! My sheep hear my voice; I know them and they follow me. I know them and they follow me; my sheep hear my voice, says the Lord.
Lord, we come to your table; Where two or three are gathered in my name, Lord, we hear your word. Know I am with you, I am with you! Lord you are the Bread of Life, Where two or three are gathered in my name, And we, the Body of Christ. Know I am there to be with you.
1.God of mercy and compassion 2. Let forgiveness be our passion Draw us deeply to your heart, Reaching out with hands of peace Lead us to a place of healing, Turning from the chains that bind us
where we’ll never be apart. Finding freedom and release. Ref.
Refrain: Mercy, ever flowing, freely given. 3. May our mission be of mercy Mercy, Welcome all without reserve mercy from the heart of God. As one heart we stand for justice Mercy from the heart of God With compassion called to serve.
1.Lord, the light of your love is shining, In the midst of the darkness, shining; Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us, Set us free by the truth you now bring us.
Shine on me, shine on me. Ref.
2.Lord, I come to your awesome presence From the shadows into your radiance; By the blood I may enter your brightness, Search me, try me, consume all my
darkness. Shine on me, shine on me. Ref.
3.As we gaze on your kingly brightness, So our faces display your likeness, Ever changing from glory to glory,
Mirrored here may our lives tell your story. Shine on me, shine on me. Ref.
All Music is used with
permission and reported weekly to
ONE LICENSE #A-641326
Refrain: Shine, Jesus, shine, Fill this land with the Father’s glory; Blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our
hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow, Flood the nations with grace
