Dear Parishioners, 1. The Promises of God When God told Abraham to leave home, God was asking a lot of him. The world was not a global village then. Travel wasn’t easy; there were no planes, taxis, or hotels. Furthermore, leaving home was a decisive break with all the good of home, because going back for a visit was difficult or just out of the question entirely. So leaving home then was a loss that we can’t imagine well anymore, in our era of video calls and texting. Still, when God told Abraham to leave, Abraham went. Why did he go? Presumably because he wanted what God offered him. If Abraham left, God told him, then he would become a great nation, and all the communities of the earth would find blessing in him. That is a fairly stunning reward. So Abraham, who had a great desire for that reward, obeyed God, left what was familiar and beloved to him, and wandered off as a stranger in a strange land. And then notice what happened. Abraham lived a very long time after this promise of God’s and he stayed faithful to God’s commands his whole life. But by the time Abraham died, this is all Abraham had: one son to carry on his posterity under this promise and two grandchildren. By anybody’s estimation, this is a very small family. Certainly, one son and two grandsons is not a great nation. Furthermore, hardly any communities knew Abraham at all, let alone found a blessing in him. The idea that all the communities of the earth would find blessing in Abraham really would have been completely laughable at that time, wouldn’t it? Of course, as we now see it, all Jews, Christians, and Muslims are the Abrahamic peoples. Many great nations are included among the Abrahamic peoples. All of them know Abraham and think that they find blessing in Abraham. And so God’s stunning promise to Abraham has been completely fulfilled. But Abraham did not live to see it. He had to take the fulfilment of God’s promise to him on faith. So maybe Abraham is the father of faith because he was willing to stake his life on a promise whose fulfilment did not come in his lifetime on earth. In this, he is not only the patriarch of the family of faith but also a pat- tern to follow for all those in his family. Celebrating FAITH, LIFE and LOVE in COMMUNITY. 16th March, 2014 - Year A SECOND SUNDAY of LENT ALL HALLOWS’ PARISH CHURCH 2 Halley Street FIVE DOCK 2046 Parish Priest: Fr Greg McGregor Associate Pastor: Fr Salas Muttathukattil MSFS Secretary: Elena Di Perna Presbytery: Monday: Closed Tues - Fri: 8.30am - 3.30pm Closed for lunch 12.30-1.30 pm Phone: 9713 7960 Fax: 9713 5172 Email: [email protected]Web: www.allhallows.org.au All Hallows’ Catholic Primary School Principal: Mr Paul Wilson Phone: 9713 4469 Fax: 9712 5184 Email: [email protected]Web: www.ahpsfivedock.catholic.edu.au Sacramental Life Eucharist: Saturday - 9.00am & 5.30pm Vigil Sunday - 8.30am Sunday - 10am Children’s Liturgy Sunday - 6.00pm Youth Mass Monday - 9.00am Tues - Wed - 8.00am Thurs - Fri - 9.00am Lauds (morning prayer) is prayed 20 minutes before morning mass daily. All Welcome. Italian Mass: No Italian Mass until further notice. Reconciliation: Saturday 9.30 - 10am & 4.45 - 5.15pm Anointing: Every 2 months - check bulletin for dates. Sick Calls: Any time - day/night. Funeral Masses: In co-operation with Funeral Directors.
Transcript
Dear Parishioners, 1. The Promises of God When God told Abraham to leave home, God was asking a lot of him. The world was not a global village then. Travel wasn’t easy; there were no planes, taxis, or hotels. Furthermore, leaving home was a decisive break with all the good of home, because going back for a visit was difficult or just out of the question entirely. So leaving home then was a loss that we can’t imagine well anymore, in our era of video calls and texting. Still, when God told Abraham to leave, Abraham went. Why did he go? Presumably because he wanted what God offered him. If Abraham left, God told him, then he would become a great nation, and all the communities of the earth would find blessing in him. That is a fairly stunning reward. So Abraham, who had a great desire for that reward, obeyed God, left what was familiar and beloved to him, and wandered off as a stranger in a strange land. And then notice what happened. Abraham lived a very long time after this promise of God’s and he stayed faithful to God’s commands his whole life. But by the time Abraham died, this is all Abraham had: one son to carry on his posterity under this promise and two grandchildren. By anybody’s estimation, this is a very small family. Certainly, one son and two grandsons is not a great nation. Furthermore, hardly any communities knew Abraham at all, let alone found a blessing in him. The idea that all the communities of the earth would find blessing in Abraham really would have been completely laughable at that time, wouldn’t it? Of course, as we now see it, all Jews, Christians, and Muslims are the Abrahamic peoples. Many great nations are included among the Abrahamic peoples. All of them know Abraham and think that they find blessing in Abraham. And so God’s stunning promise to Abraham has been completely fulfilled. But Abraham did not live to see it. He had to take the fulfilment of God’s promise to him on faith. So maybe Abraham is the father of faith because he was willing to stake his life on a promise whose fulfilment did not come in his lifetime on earth. In this, he is not only the patriarch of the family of faith but also a pat-tern to follow for all those in his family.
Anointing: Every 2 months - check bulletin for dates.
Sick Calls: Any time - day/night.
Funeral Masses: In co-operation with Funeral Directors.
2. Caritas Just a reminder Project Compassion boxes and envelopes will be available this weekend in the Church. Please take one home if you would like to donate to Caritas Australia during Lent. The boxes/envelopes will be collected during Holy Week. 3. Parking in front of Garage We please ask parishioner to consider when parking on presbytery grounds so as not to restrict Fr Greg or Fr Salas using their vehicles. Thank you for your consideration 4. Police Checks Eucharistic Ministers who are part of the Nursing Homes roster are reminded it is time to re-register for the police checks . Please see Elena in the office with your 100 points of proof of identification. 5. Altar Servers Fr Salas will be starting another program soon to train altar servers, if any young person who has made their First Communion and would like to be an altar server please contact the parish office for details. 6. Damage to Church As you have noticed there was damage to the Church ceiling due to the heavy rain. This has extensively wet the carpet and damaged the ceiling to the left of the Church. I would ask that as much as possible people stay away from the wet areas. These areas are indicated by the blowers which will be running continuously except for Mass times. The damaged section of the ceiling has been made safe by the builders, we expect a more permanent repair to begin shortly. For your safety please be careful around the damaged areas. Thank you for your patience. God Bless You Fr Greg
CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE
Silver Circle
Congratulations to Week 2 winners: 1st No. 16 Maria Megna;
2nd No. 19 Dora Benfatto
Next CWL meeting will be on Monday 17
March in the Parish Hall commencing with a shared lunch at 12pm
Catholic Care The Pregnancy Counselling Support service
provides free ongoing counselling and support to women during their pregnancy acknowledging
this may be a time of stress and difficulty. This is primarily a face to face counselling service
supporting women, their partners and family throughout this critical and vulnerable time and
assisting them to build a safe, healthy and loving place for their child. There are postcards in the pamphlet stand in the gathering space if you
would like further information
Getting Married in the Catholic Church – Frequently Asked Questions
Is a web-based resource prepared by the Australian Catholic Marriage and Family Council for the
Bishops Commission for Pastoral Life. This publication answers all those questions, great and
small, that couples wishing to marry in the Catholic Church need answered. It is not a doctrinal or theolog-
ical statement, but a practical guide to everything a couple would wish to know.
You can find this resource on the website at: www.acmfc.org.au & go to the Council “documents”.
Farewell Mass for His
Eminence, Cardinal George Pell Thursday 27 March, 2014 7.30pm (doors open from 7.00) St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney
Please join us as we farewell His
Eminence, Cardinal George Pell and give thanks for his service as the
Anniversaries: Antonio Querin, Giovanni La Scala, Giuseppe Capizzi, Michael Pellegrino Also for: Michele Mustaca, Eugenio Vuchich, Domenico Triulcio
For the following ill members of our community:- Antonietta Ciaglia, Tomas Laming,
Fr Miah Mc Sweeney, Angela Colantonio, Antonia Merlino, Ida Bova, Amelia Casarotto,
Mirella Mercuri, Alex La Rossa, Norma and Bernie Lloyd, Peter Hankinson, Monica Moschella,
Madelina Michael, Marcello Cheles, Brian Lees.
(Names will remain on list for 1 month unless notified.)
GET YOUR COPY OF THE CATHOLIC
WEEKLY
• Hero to Croaan Jews: ‘Nazi’ prelate risked life to
save families
• Abuse vicms should be able to sue Church:
Cardinal Pell
• Ash Wednesday in Rome: breathing new life into
an ancient tradion
• Some heroism required: Bishop Anthony Fisher
discusses the New Evangelisaon
• The links between religious faith and terrorism
• Project Compassion: a flower in the favelas of Sao
Paulo
• Vista: what’s on in your parish and diocese
ONLY $2.00 AVAILABLE FROM THE STAND
FROM OUR FAMILY EDUCATOR
Thank you to everyone who has been generous in
there giving. Please keep in mind to only place
items listed in our tubs in the gathering space.
Other items can be placed in the Charity bin at
Top Block or taken to the proper outlets. Below is
the list of items we have been assigned to collect:
Shampoo, Black socks, Conditioner, Bath towels,
Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Deodorant, Shaving
cream & Pkt Razor Blades.
NEXT NIGHT PATROL SANDWICH RUN FOR 2014
- 21 March
All Hallows Community Garden - Parish Garden
We invite you to come along to our next working bee on Saturday 12th April, 2.00pm - 4.00pm . It’s a rewarding social event and no experience necessary, just an interest to be involved in the community and an enthusiastic attitude. Working bees only come around once a month for a couple of hours so there are many opportunities to put some time aside to be involved and learn more about the purpose and benefits of the school and parish gardens. Future dates for your diary: Garden Planning Meeting, Wednesday 9th April, 6.30pm - 8.30pm in the Parish Hall. Working Bee, Saturday 12th April, 2.00pm - 4.00pm meet outside the Parish Hall If you would like to be included on our garden roster please contact: Lynne 0405 222 153.
MESSA DI GUARIGIONE E
LIBERAZONE
Il Movimento Cattolico del “Rinnovamento
nello Spirito Santo” invita la comunita’Italiana
a prendere parte alla Messa di Guarigione e
Liberazione che sara celebrate Giovedi 20
Marzo alle ore 13pm da Don Patrizio di Pinto
(DallÍtalia) e Pr. Frank Furfaro nella Chesa di St
Joan of Arc, 97 Dalhousie St, Haberfield.
Tutti ben venuti Per informazione telefonare
Albina 9713 8961, Marisa 9745 5191 or Anna
9712 2970
Mount Carmel Retreat Centre
2014 Programme is on the noticeboard for your
information. Day and weekend retreats
Call 8795 3400 or visit website
www.carmelite.com
Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
People - Exploring Perspectives
Wednesday 26th March - 7pm
Ashfield Town Hall - Activity Rooms
260 Liverpool Road, Ashfield
POPE FRANCIS’ COLUMN
Twelve months ago today, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, a low profile archbishop of Buenos
Aires, stepped out onto the Loggia of Saint Peter’s Basilica to greet the thousands gathered in
the square as the newly elected bishop of Rome.
Elected just two weeks after the historic resignation of Benedict the XVI, the Argentinian cardi-
nal – taking the name of Francis – became the first pope to hail from the Americas.
Yet Cardinal Bergoglio was not considered “papabile”; 76 years old at the time of his election, the Jesuit prelate
was thought to be too old to be elected pope. “This was where the brave decision of Pope Benedict to resign
was very important because it meant that age didn’t come into it,” said Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor in an
interview with ZENIT. “For instance, if Pope Francis at some time, in years to come, felt his health wouldn’t do
the job as it were, then he, too, could retire from the job.”
Despite being largely unknown at the time of his election, Pope Francis has received a warm welcome from
Catholics and non-Catholics alike in what many have described as the “Pope Francis effect”.
The benefits of this “Pope Francis Effect,” Cardinal O’Connor explained, is that “it will help bishops to feel ‘freer’
in being evangelical, freer in the public forum to pronounce the values and the truths of the Gospel. And [they]
won’t be afraid to take risks, if they are genuinely for the good of the Gospel.”
“Pope Francis is setting up structures which, I think, if he were to go and die, the actual collegial character which
he’s trying to encourage in the Church here in Rome, but especially in the worldwide Church, will continue.”
The “Effect”
Although there may be positive aspects to the “Pope Francis Effect,” Sean Patrick Lovett, director of Vatican
Radio’s English language program, warns against using the term lightly. “I’m wary of anything that has the word
‘effect’ suffix to it,” he told ZENIT, “because it implies transience. It implies some kind of superficiality, like the
word ‘special’ effects. It’s something which is there, then it’s gone. It’s there to distract your attention, in a sense.
So, I’m wary about applying that term to any papacy, and to any person. And particularly, to this papacy, and to
this person.”
He added: "Certainly, when I look in Saint Peter’s Square during a Sunday Angelus, or a Wednesday general
audience, certainly when I read how the media treats him with such awe and admiration, I’m delighted, I’m
thrilled as a Catholic. My chest swells with pride because he’s my Pope, and when I travel around the world and
people hear where I come from and who I am and they pat me on the back and tell me how ‘cool’ my pope is. Of
course, it makes me feel good.”
However, Lovett explained, much of this “coolness” is centered around superficial aspects of his papacy, such
as the shoes he wears, the car he drives, or where he lives.
“I don’t think that’s what it’s all about," he said. "I think there’s much more substance there that perhaps we’re
missing because some of us are allowing ourselves to become distracted by the effect, and not paying enough
attention to the substance.”
Renewal
In the twelve months since his election to the papacy, one of the predominant themes of Francis is that of re-
newal. “He now has a very clear profile,” said newly-elected Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster. "He is a
Pope of radical renewal. So he wants at every step to take us back to the roots of our life of faith which is essen-
tially the gift of God, essentially the call to discipleship, to be with Christ, to be in his company day by day, and
the call to be missionary.”
Cardinal Nichols explained that this sense of renewal is largely centered on the dignity of the human person.
“It’s a renewal that he’s looking for, springs of joy, hope and vitality.”
“It doesn’t matter if your face is deformed, or your intellectual ability isn’t of the highest degree or if you have
other physical limitations. He’s saying: ‘No, you’re precious, you have a dignity that comes from God, and an
eternal destiny.’
“So I think it’s those things: it’s radical renewal and it’s invigorating.”
Theology of the Body:
Lenten course at Holy Spirit North Ryde
Date: Wednesday nights from 5 March 2014,
8 sessions.
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Loca�on: Holy Spirit Church, Parish Centre Cafe,
191 Cox's Rd, North Ryde.
Descrip�on: Blessed Pope John Paul's
Theology of the Body: unpacked over several weeks
with Eva Tarchichi, a student of Christopher West.
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COOKS WORLD
Journey with Xt3.com this Lent The Archdiocese of Sydney social networking site Xt3.com is excited to announce the release of the Xt3 Lent Calendar 2014 in partnership with The University of Notre Dame Australia. We invite you to journey with Xt3.com this Lent as we provide daily inspiration through videos, podcasts, re-flections and original artworks depicting Jesus, and the lead up to His Passion. The calendar can be downloaded for Android devices by searching for "Xt3 Lent" in the Google Play store, It is also available as a free app for download on the iPad and iPhone - just search for "Xt3 Lent" in the App store. Please check it out!!
Volunteers needed for Pastoral Care Program Are you a good listener and willing to be ‘present’
with another person through the sorrows and joys
of life?
Our pastoral care program is looking for volunteers to visit on a regular basis, older
persons or people with disabilities from various religious and cultural backgrounds.
If you are interested in a rewarding role and would like to know more, you are welcome to
attend an information session to be held on
Tuesday 1st April at 10.00 am-1.00 pm
(Lewisham) or Saturday 24 May 10.00am -1.00pm (Ryde) Please contact Kate Quinlan on
Home catering from $15 per head Weddings - Christenings - Birthdays - Corporate & Social Functions Telephone 9713 7520 120 Great North Road, Five Dock [email protected] www.casteldoro.com.au
Day of the Unborn Child – Sunday, 23 March All are warmly invited to attend the celebration of the Day of the Unborn Child on Sunday, 23 March, beginning with 10.30 am Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney. Following the Angelus at 12 noon, a procession will be led through the CBD by the Maronite Bishop in Australia, Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay. Afternoon tea will follow in the Cathedral College Hall. Celebrated in many countries on the Sunday closest to the Feast of the Annunciation, the Day of the Unborn Child is a wonderful opportunity to pray for the unborn and for a greater cherishing of the beauty and preciousness of human life. Further information available at www.fli.org.au or telephone 9519 9111.
