Striving to be a “Loving, Caring, Christian Community”
PARISH STAFF
Rev. Sebastian Savarimuthu, Parish Priest
……………[email protected]
PRIESTS' HOUSE
110 Mimosa Road, Bossley Park NSW 2176
Tel: 9604 8927/9729 4005 ........................ Fax: 9729 2128
[email protected] ......................... Web: www.mibp.org.au
PARISH SECRETARY (Church foyer) Tel:9604 8927
Mrs Maria Cabiling .................................... [email protected]
Office Hours: Monday12-4pm, Tuesday-Friday9.30am-4pm
SACRAMENTAL & LITURGY OFFICE Tel:9609 6087
Maria Cabiling & Teresa Baroni, Sacramental
Coordinators……………. [email protected]
Rita Cordina, Music & Liturgy…………[email protected]
Tues 10am-3pm Wed 9:30am-3:30pm & Thurs 9:30am-
12:30pm
FILIPINO CHAPLAIN
Rev. Nards Mercene, Filipino Chaplain…[email protected]
Resides next to the Priests' House.
Tel: 9604 5512 Fax: 9604 5380
ITALIAN CHAPLAIN
Scalabrini Fathers
230 Humphries Rd, Bonnyrigg 2177 Tel: 9610 1025
MARY IMMACULATE PRIMARY SCHOOL
Corner Mimosa & Restwell Roads, Bossley Park
Tel: 9604 3877 Fax: 9609 4988
Mrs Lisa Wahab, Principal
SUNDAY MASSES
Vigil Saturday 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am 10am 6:00pm
On the second Sunday of each month, at 11.00am, a Mass is
celebrated in Tagalog, the Filipino language.
WEEKDAY MASSES Tuesday – Friday, 9am
RITE OF RECONCILIATION
Saturdays between 5pm and 5.30pm or after any weekday
Mass or by appointment. Conducted only in an open space
within the clear line of sight of another adult.
HOSPITAL CALL : Fairfield Parish 0439 615659
EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT:
Saturday, 4.30pm—5.30pm
BAPTISMS: By appointment only.
Baptisms are celebrated on the of 1st and 3rd Sundays of the
month.
MARRIAGES: By appointment at least 6 months notice.
Catholic Parish of Mary Immaculate, Bossley Park Striving to be “A Loving, Caring, Christian Community”
3RD SUNDAY OF LENT/C
24TH MARCH 2019
Vol. 43 No.17
Gospel Reading Luke 13:1-9 Jesus preaches a lesson on repentance. We may be unfamiliar with fig trees, but we might know about the growth of spring flowers. Perhaps we have looked at a dry, brown flower bulb and wondered how this produces the colorful tulip or daffodil blossom that we expect to bloom in the spring. Perhaps we've even thought about the patience and hope that are required to plant flower bulbs in October. We don't have to be gardeners, however, to know about patience and hopefulness. As parents, we practice these virtues each day with our children. We may become frustrated and even angered by their willfulness and lack of cooperation. Yet we continue to offer our attention and guidance in hope that one day our efforts will bear fruit. Today's parable suggests that God is like that with us, working with us in patience and in hope that one day we will show evidence that such work is not in vain. As parents, we know God's kindness when we find evidence for our hope for our children. Does God find such glimmers of hope as he works with us? Gather your family and show a spring flower in bloom. Recall that in the fall this flower was a dry bulb (if a flower bulb is available, show this as well). Talk about the hopefulness and patience shown by those who plant flower bulbs in the fall in the hope that they will bloom in the spring. Read aloud today's Gospel, Luke 13:1-9. Compare the parable of the barren fig tree to your discussion about spring flowers. Consider the patience and hopefulness that God has with us as he works with us, calling us to return to him when we sin. Offer prayers of thanks and praise to God for his patience and hopefulness towards us. Conclude by praying together today's Psalm, Psalm 103. Reconciliation for preparation for Easter on Monday-Wednesday (8-10 April) 6pm-6:45pm.
We acknowledge the Dharuk People, traditional custodians of this land. May we walk gently and respectfully upon the land.
Fr Sebastian
Celebrating Community
Congratulations to Mikky Baroni and Jessica Cockerton for their
wedding at Boxgrove, Bathurst this weekend.
May God bless them with love, happiness &
good health.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney have introduced new policies and requirements for all those who are 18yrs and over and volunteer in the parish.
All volunteers must read and sign a Volunteer Acceptance Form, a Code of Conduct for Working with Children and Young people and complete an Induction Training Course on Safeguarding Children.
The Safeguarding Office have announced the introduction of an ONLINE Induction Training Course for parish volunteers. To complete the course online, please register by following this link— https://goo.gl/forms/fSnOR2jrB2COg0wG3 . After registration, please wait for them to email back your login. Also, some volunteers are also required to obtain and Working with Children Check (WWCC). These include *Ministers of the Word, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, Children’s Liturgy of the Word, Collectors/Warden, Acolytes, etc. For those who have already submitted their training certificate, signed and returned the forms, thank you.
Catholic Parish of Mary Immaculate, Bossley Park
2
We pray for… Our sick: Christine Smith, Frances De Silva, Dorothy Rundle-Kerley, Domenico Dileo, Rhea Mae & Xander James Abrahams, Presley Nolan Petilla, Franko Jaka Ivan, Luke Gia Luan Chaw, Nanette Cabardo, Ante, Albert & Theresa Purkiss, Anita Marson, Samantha Barrios, Joel Sugay, Neda Stapic, Tony Surace, Marin Batistic, Rita Zammit, Marcel Lapierre, Benedetta Peci, Teresa Skorup, Anita Guillermo, Matthew Joseph, Marija Sipina, Edwina Borg, Sam & Teresa Barbara, Angela Vivona, Darren Mack , Evelyn Siskovic (Names will be removed from the sick list after 3 months unless Parish Office is notified otherwise). Please keep in your prayers the soul of the recently deceased: Donald Clive Schiemer, Caterina Froio, Dario Babich, Giovanni Rossi, Marian Kalinski, Marcello Girotto, David Morrissey, Jeffrey & Lola, Filip Orlovic Stivala, Giuseppe Varrica And those whose anniversaries occur at this time: Rolando Olano, Guido Pontello, Augusto Ballarin, Angelina Piredda, Maria Teresa Badolato, Marija Bakic other deceased including: Enzo Girabaldi, Lina Bonora, Angelina Piredda, Maria Teresa Badolato, Fr Giuseppe Cassarini, Franceso Mesiti, Antonino Vella, Daniel Vella, A Susai, Stefano Collu, Agostino Ranieri, Maria Vothi Co, Pasquale & Francesco Papalia, Maria, Antonino Ieroianni, Maizie Colomb, Rosenda Oclarit, Michael Reitano, Patrick Anderson, Vincenzo & Domenico Oliveri, Maria Luppino, Peter Le Minh Hoang, Maria Nguyen Thi Tu, Clarito Uy, Carmelo Riviera, Josip Lozina, Nina Sultana, Paul Formosa, Manuel Santos, Stefano Cantele, Anthony Camilleri, Vincenzo Bugge, Carmelo Oliveri, Derrick Mack, Bruno & Catherine Viler, Lourdes Balgos, Saverio Laria, Andelko Lozina, Josefina Borbe, Agapita Valdez, Rosa Marando, Sybil Roache, Milan Bakic, Joseph Pham, Stella & Carmen Galea, Frances Borg, Rocco Leuzzi, Concetta Papalia, Fr Denis Foley, Chris Baddock, Panneer Selvam, Joseph Schembri, Maria Sulfaro, Philip Cauchi, Conchita San Miguel, Dulcie Soans, Mary Mahony, Bernarda Debono, Tom Anderson, Mariantonia Pisano, Marcello & Elsa Soligo, Don Smith, Daphne Watts, Vincenzo & Anna Peci, Chang You Chiu, Gloria Roache, Anthony & Antonia Cardona, Mario Manea, Manea-Melosso Lucia, Marcello & Angela Seraglio, all deceased in the families of Borg, Seraglio, Skondro family & Mario & Beniamino Fuser & all Souls in Purgatory. May they rest in peace.
Parish Diary
Monday
25th March
9.00am Communion Service
10.00am Italian Prayer Group
Tuesday
26th March
9.00am Mass
Wednesday
27th March
9.00am Mass
9.30am Rosary
7.30pm Choir
Thursday
28th March
9.00am Mass
9.30am Prayer Group
7.30pm Baptismal Info
Friday
29th March
9.00am Mass
9.30am Divine Mercy Rosary
7.00pm Stations of the Cross
7.30pm JHPC Praise & Worship
7.30pm Disciples
Saturday
30th March
4.30pm Adoration
5.00pm Reconciliation
6.00pm Vigil Mass –Family Mass
Rite of acceptance-1st Reconciliation
Sunday
31st March
4th Sunday of Lent
8.00am Mass
9.10am Legion of Mary
10.00am Mass –Rite of Acceptance
6.00pm Mass-Rite of Acceptance
Rite of Christian
Initiation of Adults (RCIA):
Congratulations to our Catechumens name-
ly, Stephanie Klaver, Tommy Baccam,
Dandan Lou and Jane Dang, who partici-
pated in the “Rite of Election” last Sunday
at St Mary’s Cathedral, presented to Archbishop An-
thony Fisher. Please continue to support our catechumens
through your prayers and encouragement. Thank you.
If you are interested to know more about the Catholic
faith pls call 9604-8927 or 0432-078640 (RCIA Team)
$2 in the foyer.
LENTEN SCHEDULE 2019
Mary Immaculate Parish, Bossley Park
29 March—12 April—Stations of the Cross Every Friday throughout Lent commencing at 7pm in the Church. Plenary Council Discussions-7:30pm in the Church led by Lina Piccione Thursday 21 March, Thursday 4 April 8—10 April—Lenten Retreat led by Fr. Gilbert Carlo SVD Focused on Eucharist, The Word of God & The Passion of our Lord for Healing
14 April—Passion (Palm) Sunday
With Procession of Palms into the Church Masses: Vigil 6:00pm, Sunday 8:00am, 10:00am, 6:00pm 18 April—Holy Thursday - Celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7.30pm followed by Adoration at the Altar of Repose until 11:00pm
19 April—Good Friday 10:00am - Morning Prayer followed by the Stations of the Cross 1:00pm - Filipino Liturgy 4:00pm - Celebration of the Lord’s Passion & Veneration of the Cross 20 April—Easter Saturday Morning Prayer at 10am followed by the Blessing of Easter foods. Easter Vigil commencing at 6:00pm with the Blessing of Easter Fire, Lighting of the Paschal Candle and Procession of candles into the Church. 21 April - Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord Masses: 8:00am, 10:00am Note : No 6pm Mass
Consent to Film and Photograph a child/children in the Parish :
As a general rule, no consent is required to photograph or film
groups of 10 or more children (where they are not identified by
name). However, for one child or a group of less than 10 children,
general consent form should be obtain by parent/guardian.
Striving to be a “Loving, Caring, Christian Community”
Rosters for next weekend
30th - 31st March 2019
Vigil 8.00 am 10.00am 6pm
Min of
the
word*
1st
2nd
Comm
M Cabiling
S Cabardo
J Habelreeh
C La Delfa
D Pizzin
A Pizzin
R Agostino
A Jaser
C Thomas
F Morandarte
N Redoblado
P Redoblado
Acolytes* E Cardona J Gerardis
ALTAR SERVERS K Bitetto
M&M Petros
J&H Olive
C&T Reid E&O Jaser
X Thomas A Paul
T Aboujaoude
Collectors/
Wardens*
E Sadsad
J De Jesus
P Cabiling
N Wright
B Martignago
P Fernandez
V Zammit
H Pante
R Noronha
R Salenga
L La Rosa
T Zerafa
G Bykowski
F Seraglio
E Garzaniti
MUSIC CD
C Labis
M Vargas M Balgos CD
Volunteer
Data Projector S Poullath T Pham T Balgos L Karabatic
WELCOMERS —
General
MIPS N Lozina Volunteer Volunteer
PIETY STALL C Piredda G Smith M La Rosa A Morandarte
COUNTERS :
Group 5
B&M Cruz
A&S Karabatic
Children’s Liturgy:
M Aboujaoude
L Tesoriero
MORNING
TEA : After
8am–
Baddock
Family
10am-
M Biag
L Tesoriero
ALTAR
LINEN :
Angelina
Trimboli
Altar Flowers:
No Flowers
during Lent
CHURCH
CLEANING
Group 8 B Yaqo
R Aziz
K Oraqaa
L Ezarya
Office
Helpers :
T Baroni
A Hanna
Jenny
E Olive
EXTRA-
ORDINARY
MINISTER OF
HOLY
COMMUNION *
F Labis
A Sterrey
E Olive
R Bitetto
G Marabella
M La Delfa
M Gaspi
A Mirabilio
R Wright
A Sartoretto
B D’Costa
N D’Costa
R Ranola
H Vella
E Ventura
V Zammit
Volunteer
T Corpus
R Morandarte
L Bykowski
Y Harvey
E Gubert
SACRAMENT OF
1ST HOLY COMMUNION
LAST DAY OF Registration will be on the
29th March. No late registration.
Rite of Acceptance is on the 30th/31st March—
Pls. bring the form
Parish Bulletin notice for Mass Talks
WorldWideMarriageEncountercoupleswill
speakonatMassesthisweekendof
23-24March2019.Thisisagreatopportunityand
encouragesyoutobookforanenrichingweekendexperience.
TheWeekendisscheduledfor26-28April2019heldatthe
MountCarmelVarroville.ThereisalsooneinAugustand
November2019.Forbookings,pleasecontact:Adrian&Janet
SullivanTel.0490774419Email:
Please donate generously.
Mary Immaculate Excursion—Blue Mountains
Tuesday 2nd April 2019
Inviting Parishioners to come to an excursion at Bygone
Beauty’s Treasured Teapot Museum and Tearooms at
Leura in the Blue Mountains.
Price includes bus morning tea
entry to museum, 2 courses
homemade lunch tea or coffee
and handmade shortbread. Cost
50.00
Depart at 8am in front of the Presbytery and return
between 4-4.30pm. Please give your payment in an
envelope with your name and contact number to the
Parish office. Only three seats left.
Third Sunday of Lent—A�er revisi�ng the Gospel for the
week, take some �me to reflect on the ff:
Adults: What important work could bear fruit in your life
right now if you have more confidence in God’s loving care?
Children: What great work would you like to do as you grow
older? What can you do to begin now?
LITURGY OF THE WORD
3*+ S,-+./ 01 L2-3
1st Reading : Ex 3:1-8,13-15
Responsorial Psalm:
The Lord is kind and merciful.
2nd Reading : Cor 10:1-6,10-12 Gospel: Lk 13:1-9
N2B3 W22C2-+ : 43E S,-+./ 01 L2-3
Josh 5:9-12; Cor 5:17-21; Lk15:1-3,11-32
HELPERS NEEDED FOR HOLY WEEK AND TRIDUUM
As Holy week and Easter draw closer, your help is needed
to ensure that all our celebrations run smoothly.
If you are able to assist at any of our celebrations, please
write your name and contact number on the appropriate
clipboard in the Church foyer. Thank you and God bless
Fatima Night—13th May 2019, 6pm at Mary
Immaculate - Fr Iacono will celebrate the 102nd
Anniversary of the 1st Apparition of Fatima Portugal with
Healing Mass, Rosary, Confessions, silent, prayerful personal
adoration on the 13th May at 6pm.
Watson Stafford Zipkis Solicitors Attorneys Conveyancers
*buying & selling prop. & businesses *
Leases * loan assistance * wills and estates * police and criminal matters
* debt recovery * family law property settlements
Suite 1, 1st Floor, 41 Spencer Street, Fairfield, Tel 9728 7000 Fax 9728 4455
mention this ad for a 10% discount off a standard Will fee
SMASH REPAIRS
www.westfieldsmash.com.au
FRANK SPAGNOLO
Managing Director
20-22 Tangerine Street, Fairfield NSW 2165
Smash repairer for all major leading
insurance companies.
Ph : (02)9726 8866
Fax: (02) 9726 2381
Frank Mob: 0412 305 506
24 Hr Towing 9757 2666
We We focus on Business and Family Law, with experience in all areas. Led by principal Susan
Dinkha, who has served the community for over 20 years, delivering legal advice with quality, integrity
and dependability,
Susan Dinkha Solicitor 310 Prairievale Rd Phone: 9604 6470 Prairiewood 2176 Fax: 9729 0259
[email protected] www.emmaus.com.au
MARY IMMACULATE PARISH REGISTRATION FORM : New to the Parish/details changed?
Name:______________________________________________ Address _____________________________________
Home Phone: ________________ Mobile: ______________ Email:______________________________________
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN : REGISTERING IN PARISH : __________ SACRAMENTS___________
VOLUNTEER IN ANY MINISTRIES__________ OTHERs:_____________________PG Envelope _________
Please place this completed form in the collection or give to Fr Sebastian or Parish Office and will be in contact with you.
For info : email [email protected] or call 9604 8927 or visit our website : www.mibp.org.au
MALTA TRAVEL/PENDLE HILL TRAVEL: Tours for 2019
16 Days Highlights of New Zealand: 6 - 21 March - SOLD OUT.
15 Days Europe River Cruise: 5 - 20 May
One single lady to share with Monica Ledger. The rest SOLD OUT!
Call Monica on 98960712 or 0414859386
12 Days- Gold Coast to Cairns: 3 - 14 August.
Gold Coast - Brisbane - Sunshine Coast - Noosa - Bundaberg - Rockhampton - Mackay -Proserpine - Townsville - Karunda - Fitzroy Island and Cairns! We join the Australian Outback
Spectacular! Enjoy the Great Barrier Reef Cruise! Call Charlie Felice on 9631 2689 or 0412 523 893.
Advertising
Space available
for $165 for 3
months
Pray for the Plenary Council
Across Australia, Catholics are gathering to pray, talk and
listen to one another about our experiences of faith and
the Church. Many parishes within the Archdiocese have
commenced their journey towards the Plenary Council
2020, sharing and reflecting on the future of the Catholic
church in Australia. Please continue to pray for the
community of the Sydney Archdiocese that we will respond
well to the call of the Holy Spirit, by engaging in the
preparatory phase of the Plenary with open and humble
hearts, listening to what the Spirit is saying to each one of
us as we share our experiences of faith towards the
preparation of the agenda of the Plenary Council. The
Plenary Council Prayer: http://
plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/pray/
Want to know more or on how to become involved? Please
contact 9390 5147 or email
Servicing the community for their Travel needs since 1974.
In 2020 we will be arranging a pilgrimage tour to either the Holy lands or Lourdes & Fatima. Register your interest with our office by phone or email and we’ll update you once when more information is available. Suite 1, 9 William Street, Fairfield NSW 2165 Tel: (02) 9728 1900 Fax: (02) 9725 7627
Email: [email protected]
Child protection policies are accessible on the
Safeguarding tab of the Catholic Archdiocese
of Sydney (CAS) website
www.sydneycatholic.org PH 9390 5812 Kids
Help Line on 1800 551800. Policies are
posted in the church foyer.
NAIL AND BEAUTY SERVICE
Specialize in :
Acrylic, SNS, Manicure, Gel
( shellac)
Eyebrow, Eyelash perming
Appointments are essential
Contact : LUCY on 0452369012
Striving to be a “Loving, Caring, Christian Community”
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
FOR LENT 2019 “For the creation waits with eager longing
for the revealing of the children of God” (Rm 8: 19)
Dear Brothers and Sisters Each year, through Mother Church, God “gives
us this joyful season when we prepare to celebrate the paschal mystery with mind and heart renewed… as we recall the great events
that gave us new life in Christ” (Preface of Lent I). We can thus journey from Easter to Easter
towards the fulfilment of the salvation we have already received as a result of Christ’s paschal mystery – “for in hope we were saved” (Rom
8:24). This mystery of salvation, already at work in us during our earthly lives, is a dynamic
process that also embraces history and all of creation. As Saint Paul says, “the creation waits
with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God” (Rom 8:19). In this
perspective, I would like to offer a few reflections to accompany our journey of
conversion this coming Lent. 1. The redemption of creation
The celebration of the Paschal Triduum of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection, the
culmination of the liturgical year, calls us yearly to undertake a journey of preparation, in the
knowledge that our being conformed to Christ (cf. Rom 8:29) is a priceless gift of God’s mercy. When we live as children of God, redeemed, led by the Holy Spirit (cf. Rom 8:14) and capable of
acknowledging and obeying God’s law, beginning with the law written on our hearts and
in nature, we also benefit creation by cooperating in its redemption. That is why Saint
Paul says that creation eagerly longs for the revelation of the children of God; in other
words, that all those who enjoy the grace of Jesus’ paschal mystery may experience its
fulfilment in the redemption of the human body itself. When the love of Christ transfigures the lives of the saints in spirit, body and soul, they
give praise to God. Through prayer, contemplation and art, they also include other creatures in that praise, as we see admirably
expressed in the “Canticle of the Creatures” by Saint Francis of Assisi (cf. Laudato Si’, 87). Yet
in this world, the harmony generated by redemption is constantly threatened by the
negative power of sin and death. 2. The destructive power of sin
Indeed, when we fail to live as children of God, we often behave in a destructive way
towards our neighbours and other creatures – and ourselves as well – since we begin to think more or less consciously that we can
use them as we will. Intemperance then takes the upper hand: we start to live a life that
exceeds those limits imposed by our human condition and nature itself. We yield to those
untrammelled desires that the Book of Wisdom sees as typical of the ungodly, those who act without thought for God or hope for
the future (cf. 2:1-11). Unless we tend constantly towards Easter, towards the
horizon of the Resurrection, the mentality expressed in the slogans “I want it all and I
want it now!” and “Too much is never enough”, gains the upper hand.
The root of all evil, as we know, is sin, which from its first appearance has disrupted our
communion with God, with others and with creation itself, to which we are linked in a particular way by our body. This rupture of communion with God likewise undermines
our harmonious relationship with the environment in which we are called to live, so that the garden has become a wilderness (cf. Gen 3:17-18). Sin leads man to consider himself the god of creation, to see himself as its absolute master and to use it, not for the
purpose willed by the Creator but for his own interests, to the detriment of other creatures. Once God’s law, the law of love, is forsaken, then the law of the strong over the weak takes
over. The sin that lurks in the human heart (cf. Mk 7:20-23) takes the shape of greed and unbridled pursuit of comfort, lack of concern for the good of others and even of oneself. It
leads to the exploitation of creation, both persons and the environment, due to that insatiable covetousness which sees every
desire as a right and sooner or later destroys all those in its grip.
3. The healing power of repentance and forgiveness
Creation urgently needs the revelation of the children of God, who have been made “a new creation”. For “if anyone is in Christ, he is a
new creation; the old has passed away; (Continued on page 6)
Catholic Parish of Mary Immaculate, Bossley Park
6
Lenten Retreat on Eucharist, The Word of God
& The Passion of our Lord For Healing
From April 8–10, 2019,
Confession at 6pm-6.45pm, followed by 7pm Mass and talk &
reflection at 7.30pm At: Mary Immaculate Church
Retreat is focused on Prayer, Meditation, Contemplation, Eucharist & the Word of God, which deepens our relationship with God & one another… Saturday /Sunday, April 6 / 7: Homily at weekend masses. Fr.Gilbert Carlo svd (Divine Word Missionary), has been conducting scripture based meditative retreats since 1989, in India, Australia, USA, UK, Germany and many other countries to promote contemplation in the Church. To register, please put your name and contact details in the foyer.
behold, the new has come” (2 Cor 5:17). Indeed, by virtue of their being revealed,
creation itself can celebrate a Pasch, opening itself to a new heaven and a new earth (cf. Rev
21:1). The path to Easter demands that we renew our faces and hearts as Christians
through repentance, conversion and forgiveness, so as to live fully the abundant
grace of the paschal mystery. This “eager longing”, this expectation of all creation, will be fulfilled in the revelation of the children of God, that is, when Christians
and all people enter decisively into the “travail” that conversion entails. All creation
is called, with us, to go forth “from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious
liberty of the children of God” (Rom 8:21). Lent is a sacramental sign of this conversion. It invites Christians to embody the paschal
mystery more deeply and concretely in their personal, family and social lives, above all by
fasting, prayer and almsgiving. Fasting, that is, learning to change our attitude
towards others and all of creation, turning away from the temptation to “devour”
everything to satisfy our voracity and being ready to suffer for love, which can fill the
emptiness of our hearts. Prayer, which teaches us to abandon idolatry and the self-sufficiency
of our ego, and to acknowledge our need of the Lord and his mercy. Almsgiving, whereby
we escape from the insanity of hoarding everything for ourselves in the illusory belief
that we can secure a future that does not belong to us. And thus to rediscover the joy of
God’s plan for creation and for each of us, which is to love him, our brothers and sisters, and the entire world, and to find in this love
our true happiness. Dear brothers and sisters, the “lenten” period of forty days spent by the Son of God in the desert of creation had the goal of making it once more that garden of communion with God that it was before original sin (cf. Mk
1:12-13; Is 51:3). May our Lent this year be a journey along that same path, bringing the
hope of Christ also to creation, so that it may be “set free from its bondage to decay and
obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Rom 8:21). Let us not allow this season
of grace to pass in vain! Let us ask God to
help us set out on a path of true conversion. Let us leave behind our selfishness and self-
absorption, and turn to Jesus’ Pasch. Let us stand beside our brothers and sisters in need, sharing our spiritual and material goods with them. In this way, by concretely welcoming Christ’s victory over sin and death into our lives, we will also radiate its transforming
power to all of creation. From the Vatican, 4 October 2018
Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi
Striving to be a “Loving, Caring, Christian Community”
Catholic Parish of Mary Immaculate, Bossley Park
8