Second Reading: 1 Jn 5:1-6 Anyone begotten by God has already overcome

the world.

Whoever believes that Jesus is the

Christ has been begotten by God; and

whoever loves the Father that begot

him loves the child whom he begets.

We can be sure that we love God’s

children if we love God himself and

do what he has commanded us; this

is what loving God is – keeping his

commandments; and his command-

ments are not difficult, because any-

one who has been begotten by God

has already overcome the world; this

is the victory over the world – our

faith. Who can overcome the world?

Only the man who believes that Jesus

is the Son of God; Jesus Christ who

came by water and blood, not with

water only, but with water and blood;

with the Spirit as another witness –

since the Spirit is the truth.

The word of the Lord

Gospel Acclamation:

Alleluia, alleluia!

You believe in me, Thomas,

because you have seen me;

happy are those who have not seen

me, but still believe!

Alleluia!

GOSPEL: Jn 20:19-31 After eight days, Jesus came in and stood

among them.

In the evening of that same day, the

first day of the week, the doors were

closed in the room where the disci-

ples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus

came and stood among them. He

said to them, ‘Peace be with you,’

and showed them his hands and his

side. The disciples were filled with joy

when they saw the Lord, and he said

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER- Year B 7– 8 April, 2018

Entrusted to the Salesians of Don Bosco

Catholic Church

to them again, ‘Peace be with you.’

‘As the Father sent me, so am I

sending you.’ After saying this he

breathed on them and said: ‘Receive

the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins

you forgive, they are forgiven; for

those whose sins you retain, they are

retained.’ Thomas, called the Twin,

who was one of the Twelve, was not

with them when Jesus came. When

the disciples said, ‘We have seen the

Lord’, he answered, ‘Unless I see the

holes that the nails made in his

hands and can put my finger into the

holes they made, and unless I can

put my hand into his side, I refuse to

believe.’ Eight days later the disci-

ples were in the house again and

Thomas was with them. The doors

were closed, but Jesus came in and

stood among them. ‘Peace be with

you’ he said. Then he spoke to

Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look,

here are my hands. Give me your

hand; put it into my side. Doubt no

longer but believe.’ Thomas replied,

‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to

him: ‘You believe because you can

see me. Happy are those who have

not seen and yet believe.’ There

were many other signs that Jesus

worked and the disciples saw, but

they are not recorded in this book.

These are recorded so that you may

believe that Jesus is the Christ, the

Son of God, and that believing this

you may have life through his name.

The Gospel of the Lord

Communion Antiphon:

Bring your hand and feel the place of

the nails, and do not be unbelieving

but believing, Alleluia.

Entrance Antiphon:

Like newborn infants, you must long

for the pure, spiritual milk; that in him

you may grow to

salvation, Alleluia.

First Reading: Acts 4:32-35 The whole group was united, heart and soul.

The whole group of believers was

united, heart and soul; no one

claimed for his own use anything that

he had, as everything they owned

was held in common. The apostles

continued to testify to the resurrec-

tion of the Lord Jesus with great

power, and they were all given great

respect. None of their members was

ever in want, as all those who owned

land or houses would sell them, and

bring the money from them, to pre-

sent it to the apostles; it was then

distributed to any members who

might be in need.

The word of the Lord

Responsorial Psalm:

(R.) Give thanks to the Lord for he

is good, his love is everlasting

1. Let the sons of Israel say:

‘His love has no end.’

Let the sons of Aaron say:

‘His love has no end.’

Let those who fear the Lord say:

‘His love has no end.’ (R.)

2. The Lord’s right hand has

triumphed;

his right hand raised me up.

I shall not die, I shall live

and recount his deeds.

I was punished,

I was punished by the Lord,

but not doomed to die. (R.)

3. The stone which the builders re-

jected has become

the corner stone.

This is the work of the Lord,

a marvel in our eyes.

This day was made by the Lord;

we rejoice and are glad. (R.)

26 Swanston Street, St Marys, NSW 2760

Tel: (02) 9623 1962 Fax: (02) 9833 1063

Parish Email: secretaryolrchurch@iinet.net.au

Parish Website: www.olrchurchstmarys.org.au

PARISH TEAM Parish Priest: Fr. Brendan Murphy SDB Assistant Priest: Fr Guy Riolo SDB Parish Secretary: Fleur Mathias

Parish Telephone: 9623 1962 Parish Email: secretaryolrchurch@iinet.net.au Web: www.olrchurchstmarys.org.au

Parish Fax: 9833 1063

For Enquiries Please Phone The Parish Office

between 9:30am - 12:30pm & 1:30pm - 3:30pm, Mon-Fri

Salesian Community: Phone: 9623 1220

Rector: Fr John Walenciej SDB

Don Bosco Youth Centre: Phone: 9623 0450

Co-Directors: Sr Jenny Doudle FMA Fr John Walenciej SDB

Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School

Principal: Mr Michael Siciliano Phone: 9623 2500 Email: olorstmarys@parra.catholic.edu.au

Web: www.olorstmarys.catholic.edu.au

Emmaus Catholic College

Principal: Mr Robert Nastasi

Phone: 9670 4588 Email: emmaus@parra.catholic.edu.au Web: www.emmauskempscreek.catholic.edu.au

PARISH MINISTRIES St Vincent de Paul Society: meets every Tuesday at 7:00pm in the St Vincent de Paul Office beside the Parish Hall.

Junior Legion of Mary: meets on Fridays, 5:00pm to 5:45pm in the Parish Hall and Parish Meeting Rooms. Young people welcome

Senior Legion of Mary: Tuesdays, 6:30-8pm in the Parish Hall Meeting Room. All Welcome to join.

The Cenacle: Every Thursday after 9am Mass, you are invited to join us to pray the Cenacle of the Marian Movement of Priests.

Cuppa and Craft Club: Thursdays at 9:30am, Parish Hall. Contact Parish Office 9623 1962. Computer Class (50 years & over):Basic:9.30am-11.30am and Advance:1.30pm-4pm, Parish Hall Mtg Rm. Please contact Parish Office. Rosary Statue: Mr & Mrs Sequieira, 39 Marsden Rd

RCIA: meets Thursdays, 7:30pm, Parish Meeting Room. Know someone who would like to be a Catholic? New enquirers welcome.

Catechists: Teaching God’s Word in our State schools. Volunteers needed. Contact Maureen Watts 9623 9272. Mother’s Prayers: Every Monday, 10am at the Infant School.

Ladies Auxiliary: 2nd Mon’s, Parish Office Meeting Room, 7:30pm

Youth Choir: Choir Practices on the 2nd Sunday of the month, 2.30pm – 4pm. Choir sings at the 9am Mass on the 4th Sunday of the month. All young people welcome, 6 -16 years. OLR-Schoenstatt Pilgrim Mother Apostolate (PMA) Rosary Prayer: every 4th Sunday of the month after the 10.30am Mass (11.45am) in the Church. All Welcome!

Sat 7 April 6:00pm Alfred Briggs

Sun 8 April DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

7:30am Frank & Maria Cerkvenik 9:00am Peter Banach

10.30am Pro Populo 5:30pm Jennifer Fernandopulle

Mon 9 April THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD 6.30am Holy Souls in Purgatory 9:00am Rolando Rayco

Tue 10 April 9:00am Fafette Sao

Wed 11 April ST STANISLAUS 12noon Woolger Family

Thur 12 April 9:00am Elizabeth Pinter

Fri 13 April ST MARTIN, POPE 9.15am Elizabeth Pinter

Sat 14 April 8:00am Elizabeth Pinter

PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED Please remember in your prayers our deceased

parishioners, family and friends especially Grazia Gullo, Nella Capasso, Vency Pinto, Brian Buan, Sejundina Sacun, Celes-tino Zapanpa, Moises Sorrigaga, Iris Warne, Francesca Premutico, Kevin Ken-nedy, Malcolm Wood, Betty Cox, Linda Dunn, Pamela Polland, Gwendoline Cash, Ron Hopkinson, Daniella Siciliano Carbone, Rory Hampsey, Peter Mur-phy, Elizabeth Chidgey, Malek Athum Abaker, Rosina Paulo, Jim Kama, Julie Ramsay, Ester Santos, Ernest Perez, Frank Attard, John Ryman., Patrick Cul-len, Fay Moulds, Mark Vella, Najwa Hadchiti, Maureen Cocks, Arthur Zamora, Bienvenido Bulaong, Pompeo Cignarella, Patrick Shiels, Linda Lyons, Peter Reinhart, Mrs Lam, Fr George O’Mara, Rose Camilleri, Gloria Warbuton Eternal rest grant unto their souls O Lord, let perpetual light shine

upon them, may they rest in peace. Amen

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK Jesus the Healer, we commend to your gentle hands

those who are sick Anna R, Donna, Joan Law, Joseph Camilleri, Charlie Sultana, Maria Macie-jewska, Peter Wetton, Daniel Jacobson, Linda & William Weightman, Tracey Bokor, David Fuller, Adrian Durando, Andrew Boulos, Ricardo Herft, Grant Butterfield, Avalee, Dana, Garry, Meerle Steere, Elivra Puyat, Renato Cazar, Vera Gould, Loyd, Carol Greentree, Tangey Fernandes, Vitas Varnas, Luzia J. Vinuya, Joan Sattlar, Anna Clarke, Imelda & Joe Bonser, Wiloto Seng, Padraig Smith, Sally McFarlane, Michael McDermott, Alicia Santos-Yu, Greg Hines, Sr Jenny Doudle, Annette Axiak, Baby Cristiano, Valeria Bruzzese, Gary Zac, Maria Castiglioni, Sylvanna Frassetto, Ela O’Neil, Katie S, Sr Aileen Crowe, Ber-tha Wetton, Arturo & Elena Zamora., Jonathon Wright, Brian Mostert, Pat McGannon, Roberto Rayco. Samuel Healey. Patricia Butterfield, Pat Paynter.

Next Sunday’s Readings: THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

1st Reading: Acts 3: 13-15, 17-19 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 4:2, 4, 7, 9 2nd Reading: 1 John 2:1-5 Gospel: Luke 24:35-48

1st and 2nd Collections: 1st Collection: for the support of the priests of the parish 2nd Collection: (including planned giving envelopes) goes towards the running costs of the Parish.

Thankyou for your ongoing support.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults - RCIA Do you know anyone interested in becoming a Catholic?

Please invite them to contact: Vera on 0416 008 582 or the Parish Office on 9623 1962

RECONCILIATION

Every Wednesday: 11:15am - 11:45am.

Every Saturday: 9:00am - 10:00am, 5:00pm - 5:30pm

ADORATION BEFORE THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Wednesday: 11:15am - 11:45am, Mass at 12 noon

Every Thursday: 9:30am - 6:00pm (after 9:00am Mass) Friday: 8:30am - 9:00am. followed by Mass at 9:15am

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY - April 8 Masses at the usual Sunday times, and... 1:30pm Exposition of the Blessed Eucharist.

1:30 - 2:50pm Sacrament of Reconciliation.

1:45pm Rosary.

2:20pm Divine Mercy chaplet.

2:40pm Benediction

2:50pm Blessing of Divine Mercy image.

3:00 pm Mass

St Marys Gardens Nursing Home Communion Roster

Sun 8 April: Miranda L, Geraldine D

Sun 15 April: White Family, Violet P, Marcy P, Mila H

COMING EVENTS FOR THE DIARY 8 April: Divine Mercy Sunday, 1:30pm. 3pm Mass

9 April: Women’s Assembly begins with Mass at 6pm

11 April: Catechist meeting, 12.45pm, Parish Centre

21 April: Parish Bingo, 7:30pm start (Please support)

5 May: OLR Parish Dinner Dance, 6pm, Parish Hall

12 May: Seniors Mother’s Day Morning Tea & Lunch WYD Raffle Tickets on sale next weekend. Please support.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

ADORATION CHAPEL

Mondays & Tuesdays 8am - 9pm

CHURCH Thursdays 9:30am - 6pm

Dinner Dance is on again!!! Dear fellow Parishioners!!!

You are invited to another night of fun and dancing

and some Line/Latin dancing too….. The DJ along

with our talented local dance performers will be sure to entertain

us. Not forgetting the scrumptious dinner that will be served.

When: Saturday, 5 May 2018 Time: 6:00pm - 11:00 pm

Where - OLR Parish Hall (Cnr Swanston & Collins St)

Cost: $25 pp (All payment to be paid by mid April)

All proceeds will go towards the much needed Refurbishment of our Church

Contact – by text message only please.

Beth 0449 292 090 Nida 0469 867 601

OLR WOMEN’S ASSEMBLY - 9 APRIL

FEAST OF THE ANNUCIATION We invite all women to come to come along

6:00pm - Mass (Church)

6.45pm - Gathering (Parish Hall) includes light supper

7:10pm - Feminine Genius. Speaker - Fr Brendan

7:30pm - Discussion

8:00pm - Guest Speaker Madeleine Carrington

8:30pm - Closing prayer

OLR BINGO NIGHTS - 2018 We are holding 3 nights of Bingo fun on

Saturdays - 21 April, 30 June, 20 October

Funds raised are for 2 good causes

Church Refurbishment and to help Salesian

Orphanage schools & Clinics in Timor Leste

Where: OLR Parish Hall

Time: Sausage Sizzle on sale from 6:50pm

Bingo Starts 7:30pm. BINGO - $15 for 10 games. Everybody Welcome. Please Come, Have Fun & Help!!!

WYD RAFFLE TICKETS

R affle booklets will be on Sale after

all weekend Masses. We have 700 booklets left to be

sold. $20 for a book of 10 tickets. You can also pay

pay and take a booklet and complete the stubs and

return back later, so you can be in the running to win

one of the many fantastic Prizes listed on the notice

board eg. Mazda 5 Door Automatic, Cosmos gift card

$2000, Apple iPad Mini, Cash prizes gift card etc.

Please note down the booklet number and the total

number of books you are taking. All Raffle booklets

must be in by the first week of JUNE 2018 along

with the stubs and money. The pilgrims thank you

and assure the parish of their prayers. Donations are

much appreciated. God bless you, Fr Guy

OLR PARISH PILGRIMAGE - 19 MAY Date: Saturday, 19 May 2018

Time: 10am Coach leaves OLR church

Please put your name on the list in the Church foyer

$15 per person to cover coach costs. Payment to be made

at Parish office in envelopes provided.

Contact: Beth - 0449 292 090. Text message only please.

MOTHER’S DAY PARISH CELEBRATION All Seniors are invited to the Mother’s Day

Morning Tea and Lunch. Cost $5 per person

Saturday 12 May, 10.30am - 2.30pm. Kindly put your name and contact number on

the clipboard provided in the church foyer. Also, please indicate if you require transport.

Thank you. Ladies Auxiliary Team

ST VINCENT DE PAUL CONFERENCE

The SVP Conference of St Marys will be

holding a clothing drive over next weekend

the 14-15 April. We are in need of good, clean,

undamaged clothing and blankets. Please bring your

bags of clothing back next Saturday & Sunday morn-

ing between 8.30am -12.00pm to the Parish Centre

Offices beside the Parish hall. Members of the

Conference will be available to assist in unloading

your donations. Donation bags are available in a

box at the entrance of the church this weekend or you

can fill up your own. For any enquiries please phone

Peter Morgan 0417 403 248.

April 7-8 2018 : Divine Mercy Sunday

2nd Sunday of Easter:

Dear Parishioners,

Ladies’Assembly: The Parish Ladies Assembly is on

tomorrow, Monday April 9, feast of the Annunciation of

the Lord. Parish Mass is at 6pm, and the Ladies Assembly

in the hall at 7pm. Ladies, come together, come to this

inaugural event.

Our annual St Marys Cathedral pilgrimage to

commemorate our national patroness, Our Lady Help of

Christians, will occur on Saturday May 19. All welcome.

Easter holy water: may be taken from the urn in front of

the baptismal font, for use in the home.

“Paul, Apostle of Christ”: Now in cinemas.(Filmed in

Malta.)

Coming up:

Sun April 8: Divine Mercy Sunday.

Mon April 9: Annunciation of the Lord

Masses: 6:30am, 9am, 6pm Mass.

Parish Ladies’ Assembly 7pm

April 21: Parish Bingo Night

April 24: Rosary for Australia.

April 27: Paul Ninnes talk on pornography.

Sat May 5: Parish Dinner Dance in hall.

Sun May 13: Oz Rosary Around Australia

Sat May 19: St Mary’s Cathedral Pilgrimage

Sat June 9: Parish meal at Don Bosco (Fr B’s ord 40th)

Sun Nov 4: Parish/school fete.

God bless.

Fr Brendan

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DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY During the course of Jesus' revelations to Saint Faustina on

the Divine Mercy He asked on numerous occasions that a

feast day be dedicated to the Divine Mercy and that this

feast be celebrated on the Sunday after Easter. The liturgi-

cal texts of that day, the 2nd Sunday of Easter, concern the

institution of the Sacrament of Penance, the Tribunal of the

Divine Mercy, and are thus already suited to the request of

Our Lord. This Feast, which had already been granted to

the nation of Poland and been celebrated within Vatican

City, was granted to the Universal Church by Pope John

Paul II on the occasion of the canonization of Sr. Faustina

on 30 April 2000. In a decree dated 23 May 2000, the Con-

gregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the

Sacraments stated that "throughout the world the Second

Sunday of Easter will receive the name Divine Mercy Sun-

day, a perennial invitation to the Christian world to face,

with confidence in divine benevolence, the difficulties and

trials that mankind will experience in the years to come."

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY These papal acts represent the highest

endorsement that the Church can give to

a private revelation, an act of papal in-

fallibility proclaiming the certain sanc-

tity of the mystic, and the granting of a

universal feast, as requested by Our Lord

to St. Faustina.

“I want the image solemnly blessed on

the first Sunday after Easter, and I want

it to be venerated publicly so that every

soul may know about it. (Diary 341)

This Feast emerged from the very depths

of My mercy, and it is confirmed in the

vast depths of my tender mercies”.

(Diary 420)

“On one occasion, I heard these words: My daughter, tell

the whole world about My Inconceivable mercy. I desire

that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls,

and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths

of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of

graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My

mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive

Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of

sins and punishment. [Emphasis added] On that day all

the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened.

Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be

as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man

or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity.

Everything that exists has come forth from the very depths

of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me

will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity.

The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of ten-

derness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on

the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace

until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy.” (Diary 699)

“Yes, the first Sunday after Easter is the Feast of Mercy,

but there must also be deeds of mercy, which are to arise

out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to our

neighbours always and everywhere. You must not shrink

from this or try to absolve yourself from it. (Diary 742)

I want to grant complete pardon to the souls that will go to

Confession and receive Holy Communion on the Feast of

My mercy.” (Diary 1109)

As you can see the Lord's desire for the Feast includes the

solemn, public veneration of the Image of Divine Mercy by

the Church, as well as personal acts of veneration and

mercy. The great promise for the individual soul is that a

devotional act of sacramental penance and Communion

will obtain for that soul the plenitude of the divine mercy

on the Feast. http://www.ewtn.com.au/devotionals/mercy/feast.htm

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