WELCOME TO ST MARTHA’S PARISH STRATHFIELD

‘Because you have been faithful over a few things; enter into the joy of the Lord’ … (Matthew 25)

IMPORTANT NOTICE: GLUTEN FREE HOSTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ANY CELIAC

PARISHIONERS. IF YOU WISH TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION PLEASE TELL THE

CHURCH WARDEN OR SEE AN ACOLYTE IN THE SACRISTY PRIOR TO MASS.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR CATHOLIC PRESS.

This week’s highlights: New era for Sydney Catholic Youth

Peak Hill blossoms in the bush

St Cecilia visits St Kevin’s

Pray the Rosary for the Holy Souls

The Footy gospel

Thor Ragnorak reviewed

Fun with Faith – Kids pg – P26

Copies of the Catholic Weekly $2 & Catholic Leader $2.50 are available at the Church Entrances

Please be aware that if you “TAG” St Martha’s in photos on your Facebook page, the images also appear on an “unofficial” St

Martha’s Facebook page. This “unofficial” page was created automatically by Facebook and is not controlled by St Martha’s. We kindly remind you to take

care when uploading photos of any children without parent consent.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

IF YOU PARTICIPATE IN ANY OF THE

FOLLOWING MINISTRIES YOUR ARE

REQUIRED TO SIGN IN - ACOLYTES; READERS; EUCHARISTIC

MINISTERS; CHOIR; ALTAR SERVERS; CHILDREN’S LITURGY (LEADERS

& CHILDREN) & SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM (LEADERS & CHILDREN).

SIGN IN FOLDERS ARE KEPT IN THE SACRISTY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR

CO-OPERATION.

The third CHARITABLE WORKS FUND APPEAL is still running this weekend. Our parish quota is

$8,025 so far we have received $3,020. Envelopes are available in the pews and at the Church Entrances. Your generosity & support is will be greatly appreciated.

2nd Rite of Reconciliation

will be held at 7.00pm

on Tuesday 12th December

Administrator (Pro tem): Fr Danny Meagher

Priest in Residence: Fr Telesphor Zenda

Diaconate Formation: Conti Rodrigues

Lectors/Communion Ministry: Helen Williamson

Administration Coordinator: Nicolle Mazzaferro

Sacramental Coordinator: Patricia Saad (Thurs/Fri)

Music Ministry: Marcella Ayoub & Jane Phillips

Parish Office: Mon- Fri 9.00am-3.00pm

70 Homebush Rd Strathfield NSW 2135

Ph: 9746 6131 Fax: 9764 3040

Email: office@stmarthas.org.au

Website: www.stmarthas.org.au

St Martha’s School: 9764 1184

Principal: Judy Gastin

Assist Principal: Caroline Boulis

Acting REC: Angela Smith

Vision:

Welcoming

Eucharistic

Transformed by the Word

Full of Grace

Proclaiming Good News

Mission:

Alive with the Spirit

Inspired by St Martha

We Celebrate & Witness

God’s love

Using our Gifts & Talents

MASS TIMES

Tuesdays: 7.30am Wednesdays: 9.10am

Thursdays: 9.10am Fridays: 9.10am

Saturdays: 9.10am, 5pm Vigil Mass

Sundays: 8.00am; 10.00am & 6.00pm

RECONCILIATION: Saturday after 9.10am Mass or by appointment.

BAPTISM:

2nd

& 4th

Sundays of the month at 11.00am

by appointment only. (One months’ notice is required).

Contact the Parish Office.

Next Preparation Session: 3

rd December 2017 at 9.15am in the Parish Hall

MARRIAGES: By appointment only.

(6 months’ notice is required).

ROSARY: Tuesday after morning Mass, Wednesday to Saturday

8.30am and 7.30pm on Fridays in conjunction with Marian Movement

of Priests Cenacle and Divine Mercy Chaplet.

LIFE ASCENDING GROUP:

Tuesday 21st November at 1.30pm Marian Court

PRAYER GROUP / ADORATION AT

ST MARTHA’S CHURCH: Mondays 10.30am-11.30am

SYDNEY MALAYEALEE ROMAN CATHOLIC

COMMUNITY

Rosary, Mass & Adoration from 6.30pm to 9pm on

the 2nd

Saturday of each month. Rosary & Bible Sharing 6.30pm

on the 4th

Saturday of the month

ADORATION AT SISTER DISCIPLES

OF THE DIVINE MASTER: Daily from 2.30pm-6.00pm.

Ministry Coordinators and contact numbers

may be found on the Parish Website.

Please continue to support the St Vincent De Paul Society

through the Church Poor Boxes.

THE PARISH OF ST MARTHA’S ACKNOWLEDGES THE WANGUL PEOPLE AS THE TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS OF THE LAND ON WHICH THE CHURCH IS BUILT

Belated Birthday Wishes to Fr Danny who celebrated his

Birthday on Friday 10th November.

During the month of November we remember those who have returned to the Father!

Dear Parishioners,

Genesis has many important messages. One is that God created humanity in a garden to "till and care for it". He gave Adam the responsibility of naming the animals. He told our parents to be fruitful and multiply. That is, from the beginning, God wanted us to be co-creators with Him. It is for us to work to beautify and enhance the world into which we have been born. This is also the message of the Incarnation. When God became man, Jesus did not sit around all day. He got out and gave himself completely to his mission - preaching, healing, living rough and finally even dying for us. Jesus is our model. He leads the way for us. We are to use our talents to make our families more loving; our parish more engaging; the lonely about us better cared for: in all ways it is for us to "till and care for" the garden into which we have been born. That is our vocation. That is how we become fully human. The danger identified in today's Gospel is to have the

attitude: "I have only one talent. I am not talented. So I'll do nothing." No, we are all talented in exactly the way God wants. We are to use our talents generously and wholeheartedly and with complete trust in God. The results are up to God.

Don't forget - if you would like to contact me, please do so via the parish office.

God bless,

Fr Danny (Administrator pro-tem)

Conti’s First Mass As A Deacon And Morning Tea. The Deacon has a specific role at Mass and Conti will exercise his Diaconal Office at Mass for the first time in the parish at

10.00am on Sunday 26th November. Please come along to support our newest Deacon. Immediately following Mass morning tea will be served in the Church foyer where everyone is welcome.

Liturgy Notes:

Fellow parishioners you will notice a few subtle liturgical ministry changes to our Mass when a Deacon exercises his ministry. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) confirms these actions (171-186). When he is present at the celebration of the Eucharist, a Deacon should exercise his ministry, wearing sacred vestments. In fact, the Deacon: a) assists the Priest and walks at his side; b) ministers at the altar, both as regards the chalice and the book; c) the Deacon carries the Book of Gospels in the entrance procession and places it on the altar. The Deacon processes in front of the priest celebrant; d) the Deacon proclaims the Gospel after receiving a blessing from the presider;

e) the Deacon may at the direction of the Priest Celebrant deliver the homily;

f) guides the faithful people by giving appropriate instruction, and leads the intentions of the Universal Prayer (prayer

of the faithful);

g) exercises his ministry during the Liturgy of the Eucharist

h) assists the Priest Celebrant in distributing Communion and purifies and arranges the sacred vessels; i) carries out the duties of other ministers himself, if necessary, when none of them is present

These actions impact on some of our ministries. LECTORS

Please check the instruction sheet in the sacristy before mass commences to clarify your ministry duties for the particular Eucharistic celebration.

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF COMMUNION

Please note that 5 people only (including priest, deacon or others assisting but excluding altar servers) are required for distribution of communion at our usual Sunday Mass. For other ceremonies and large gatherings (eg Christmas and Easter) rosters are published for those occasions. I recommend that you read The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) Final Text with application for Australia (2012). ‘The purpose of this Instruction is to offer general guidelines for arranging the Eucharistic celebration properly and to set forth the rules of ordering the individual forms of celebration’, (21). It can be downloaded from the internet but you need to have the most recent version as set out above. I further recommend this very useful book: Understanding the General Instruction of the Roman Missal by Gerard Moore which gives valuable insight in to our Eucharistic celebration practically and theologically.... it explains and comments. Your participation in and understating of our Eucharistic celebration will be enhanced and illuminated by reading the above texts. Both these books can be purchased through St. Paul’s book stores. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me. Helen Williamson BTh, MA.

THE SACRAMENT OF FIRST RECONCILIATION Please keep the candidates in your prayers as they prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation

on Tuesday 21st November at 7.00pm. Patricia Saad, our Sacramental Coordinator can be

contacted at the Parish Office on Thursday & Fridays.

November Mass Intentions

All parishioners are invited to write the names of

departed loved ones in the Remembrance Books on the

Special Memorial. Please complete a Mass Intention

Envelope. Due to the large volume, regrettably, names

cannot be printed in the Weekly Bulletin.

Diary Dates 21st November The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1st December World AIDS Day 3rd December ADVENT / International Day for People with disabilities 7th-9th December Australian Catholic Youth Festival 8th December 9.10am School Graduation Mass (Bishop Tony Randazzo) 14th December 9.10am End of School Year Mass (Fr Arthur Givney)

CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES

Christmas Eve - Sunday 24th December:

5.00pm Children’s Mass (Fr Arthur Givney)

11.15pm Carols and Excerpts from the Office of Readings.

12.00am Midnight Mass (Fr John Armstrong)

Christmas Day - Monday 25th December:

8.00am (Fr Danny Meagher)

10.00am (Fr Telesphor Zenda)

(Please Note: there will be no evening Mass)

Boxing Day - Tuesday 26th December:

9.10am (Fr Michael Milinga)

(Please Note: there will be no 7.30am Mass)

New Year’s Day – Monday 1st January

9.10am (Fr Danny Meagher)

Everyone is warmly welcome to attend the Parish Nursing

Homes Christmas Masses:

Wednesday 29th November 10.00am Strathdale Nursing Home

Friday 1st December 10.00am Meredith Nursing Home

Wednesday 6th December 10.00am Jesmond Nursing Home

Friday 8th December 2.00pm Goondee Nursing Home

Wednesday 13th December 2.00pm Strathfield Gardens

NOW ON SALE IN THE CHURCH FOYER

2018 Columban Art Calendars are $9.00 2018 God’s Word Daily Reflections Liturgical Diaries $10.00 St Vincent De Paul Christmas Card Packs (10 Cards) $6.00

St Vincent de Paul

Christmas Appeal 2nd & 3rd December 2017

This Christmas, your generous donation will help Vinnies

provide much-needed help, from practical financial assistance to food

hampers and emotional support to those without. More than anything we can give

hope to many Australians in their time of need. Envelopes will be available over the

coming weeks. Donations can be placed in any of the collection plates. Thank you in

anticipation. Philip Rogers, President Strathfield Conference.

The St Vincent De Paul Christmas Giving Tree will once again be placed at the front of the Church. In recent years, with your generous support, we have prepared over 90 hampers (annually) which have been delivered to

needy individuals and families with young children in the Strathfield, Homebush and Flemington areas. The recipients include new migrants, asylum seekers and those simply “doing it tough” and needing a hand-up. Food

items for Christmas Hampers and Christmas gifts for children are needed. Tags have been placed on the Giving Tree indicating the profile of a child you might like to support. Please select a tag, purchase and wrap a gift (new

items please, not second-hand) and return the gift with the tag attached to the warden at the back of the Church.

PLEASE DO NOT WRAP FOOD ITEMS. We would really appreciate if all gifts and food items could be brought to the Church by Sunday 10th December

as we intend to deliver them soon after. Thank you for your generosity. Your continued support is greatly appreciated. Philip

Rogers, President, St Martha’s SVDP Conference.

St Martha’s Christmas Stall 12 Individual Glass Nativity Christmas Tree

Ornaments

$15.00 (rrp $25.00)

Boxed Glass Nativity Glitter Globes

$5.00 each (rrp $9.95)

12 Boxed Christmas Cards with Scripture Greetings

$10.00

Christmas Tree Ornaments $2.00 each

Devotional Candles with Religious Cards $8.00 each

Beautiful Resin Nativity Sets

(11 figurines boxed)

$100.00

On display & available to purchase from

the Parish Office.

Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion & Altar Servers. To assist with the preparation of rosters for Christmas would the parishioners who are on the regular rosters please indicate if they are available for the Masses? This is one of our major Liturgical celebrations so the more volunteers we have the easier it is to plan the roster. Please fill in your details on the ‘sign up’ sheets on the table at the rear entrance of the church. Any queries please contact Helen Williamson 9742 5746

Christmas Eve 5pm Children’s Mass

Plans are currently underway for the 5pm Christmas Eve Children’s

Mass. School aged children are invited to read, take part in the

nativity play, participate in the Gospel and Offertory Processions.

Please note: Angels & Shepherds will need to supply their own

costume. Rehearsals will be Compulsory. If you would like to be involved, please write your

contact details on the sheets at the rear of the Church.

HELP NEEDED URGENTLY – seeking experienced and caring Nanny for an active 6 year old school boy, Monday to Saturday, mornings and afternoons (including food preparation & domestic help) in a private home situated near St Pat’s College Strathfield. Pay rate is negotiable – please contact Alice Chan for more details on 04105 004 393.

THE ORDER OF MALTA LOURDES DAY MASS - The Order of Malta invites all parishioners

to Lourdes Day Mass 2017 to be celebrated at St Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday, 2

December at 10.00am.A Blessing of the sick will follow the Homily with water brought

from the spring at the Shrine of Lourdes.

One autumn morning several years ago, my husband, Mark,

suffered a neurological episode while walking outside to fetch the

paper. He was thirty-seven. The episode looked and felt like a

stroke […] What got us through it were the helpers – the folks who

just showed up. They showed up at the hospital, on our doorstep,

and in the hallways at school. […] They were purveyors of God’s

love, proof of God’s presence with us. I didn’t see this at first, as can happen when hardship comes calling.

Recognizing God requires an eyes-wide-open outlook that’s difficult to adopt when we are winced in fear.

And I was afraid. “Where are you, God?” I prayed. “My husband is suffering. My children are scared. Where

are you, God?” Not until months later did it occur to me: there was God. […] Look for the helpers. In them our

faithful God comes, again and again and again.

ANN PRIMUS BERENDS - FROM 5 MINUTES WITH THE PSALMS AND THE WISDOM BOOKS: SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT

FOR BUSY TEACHERS (AVE MARIA PRESS, 2017)

Word Became Flesh Come and delve into the mystery that is the Incarnation.

A day of talks by Fr Daniel Russo

(recently ordained and newly appointed assistant parish priest):

Holy Family Parish meeting room 1D Anzac Road, Menai

Saturday 2nd December 10:30am – 3:00pm

Refreshments provided but BYO lunch

Free admission but donations gratefully accepted

RSVP (for catering purposes) 9543 2677 or menaihfp@bigpond.net.au

MASS INTENTIONS

Recently Deceased:

Yvonne Adele Azar, Chan Chau, Gunter Kretschmann, Fr Paul Mercovich, Domenico Arruzza.

Repose Of The Soul:

Fr Adrian Horgan, Br Ray Dowding, Fr Frank Furfaro, Aldo Amarino, Salvatore (Phillip) Puglisi, Baby Havana Beger, George & Violet Bouffler, William Boulis, Frank Burton, John Carey, Francesco & Maria Colagiuri, Lisa Cooke, Alex & Eve Cummings, Sr Lydia Dal Pozzo, Edmund & Patrick Duggan, Ken Fraser, Anne Cecilia Glass, Reginald & Agnes Glass, Frances Gleeson, Michael Gereis, Margaret Gilroy, Judith (Killalea) Goodacre, Margaret & James Grady, Brian Edward Harrington, John Harrington, Mary-Anne Harrington, Salvatore Puglisi, Ooi Kok Leong, Lee Say Hun, Johny Khoo, Kim Hock, Dorothy Harris, Ruth Hayes, Kenneth Henderson, Jim Henness, Faado Herro, Ralph McKay, Des McNamara, John & Doreen McNamara, John & Clare Musso, Peter O’Reilly, Roger O’Reilly, Ken Rich, Tom O’Rourke, John Phillips, Sr Clare Quin, Patrick & Janet Reynolds, Jim Reynolds, Ken Rich, Douglas Rogers, Cornelius Ryan, Monica Ryan, Paulina Ryman, Elie & Joseph Sahyoun, Joseph & Suki Singarayar, Maureen & Don Spicer, CC & Josey Varghese, Lois Walsh, Philip Winfield.

Anniversaries: Br Ray Dowding, Ken & Patricia Miller, Patrick Reynolds, Jerko Ancic, Boulos & Ronnie Lahood, Lee Kim Thai, Peter & Josephine Khoury, Giuseppina & Vita Ianella, Haifa & Antionius, Nazih Touma, Joseph Peedikathundyil, George Bouffler, K P Raju, Cornelius Ryan, Dominic Wang, Maria Huang, Bernadette Johnson & all those whose anniversaries occur at this time.

Sick Intentions: Gerardo D’Angelo, Giovanna Mannino, Rob Reberger, Anthony Chow, Nabeel Qureshi Formsr, Estelle Thurn, Caterina Genova, Hilda Reeves, Ma Concepcion Cue, Lazaros, Dorothy Starr, Cathy Young, Sara Michelle Francis, Tony Khoury, Gerald Gleeson, Tereza Marija, Joe, Clara, Michelle, Julie, Natalie & Ivan, Fayez Taouk, Merv Cooper, Francesco Risi, Catherine Lavercombe, Doris Hanna, Dr Ranjan Fernando, Freda Bracks, Francisca Mendoza, Rita Fragassi & Patricia Quinn.

Special Intentions:

Massaad Family, Patrick, Elisa & Mereani Chang, Richard Jones. Chris Gooden, Katie Goodacre, Michael & Mary Cassar, Giuseppe & Romilda Reginato, Raffaele & Giuseppe Pagano, Giuseppe & Filomena Pagano, Matteo Genova & Family. Deceased Friends, Relatives & Benefactors of the Dominican Order, Deceased members of the St Vincent de Paul Society & Benefactors, Holy Souls.

Mass Intention Envelopes are available at the Church Entrances

THE NEW ROSTER (OCTOBER 2017 TO APRIL 2018) IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE SIDE ENTRANCE OR VIA THE PARISH WEBSITE.

If you are unable to attend your rostered Mass, could you please arrange a replacement.

Roster 25th & 26th November

VIGIL 8AM 10AM 6PM

Special Erica Hassett Yvonne Martins Raymond Khairallah Non Cue

Ministers Peter McClusky Gina Surjadinata Maria Soares Rhea Cue

Marian McClusky Andri Surjadinata Claudia Elias Matthew Cue

VIGIL 8AM 10AM 6PM

Readers Vanessa Carter Daniel Martins Mark Soares Joanne Govorcin

Patrick Carter Nelson Lobo Helen Williamson Czarina Mendoza-Cruz

VIGIL 8AM 10AM 6PM

Altar Maya L. Julian M. Kristian K. Nathan C.

Servers Georgia L. Lucas M. Luca K. Katarina S.

Cassandra G. James T. Zachariah B. Volunteer Needed

Julia McG.

Wardens VIGIL 8AM 10AM 6PM

Anne Chow Georgette Sayhoun Tony Khoury / Trudie Vince Blefari

Music VIGIL 8AM 10AM 6PM

Marion Agnes Janie

Daniel St Martha’s Children

Children’s 10AM 10AM

Liturgy Rachel Suriano Lena Melhem

If you would like to buy a copy of St Martha’s Parish History

Book ($20) please contact the Parish Office.