18th Sunday Ordinary Time, Year A. 3rd August, 2008
NEWSLETTER - DATE: 3rd August, 2008
LITURGICAL CALENDAR: 18th Sunday Ordinary Time, Year A
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EDITORIAL by Paul
The World Youth Day blessings continue. This week (Tuesday night to Thursday morning) we hosted 30 German Pilgrims and two Polish Priests who were also pilgrims for World Youth day. This unexpected event occurred after the German pilgrims planned to go to World Youth Day but a booking error brought them to Australia after it ended. Nevertheless, this unexpected event became an extraordinary blessing as they now travel through Australia from Sydney, Brisbane, Maryborough, Hervey Bay and up to Proserpine and onwards. It has been a delightful and surprising whirlwind tour. The presbytery has never been so full!
++++Catholic Mission Appeal 2008: BE MY WITNESS TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH
Welcome to Terry Sullivan from the Pontifical Mission who will be speaking at Mass this weekend. Jesus has just heard the news of the death of John the Baptist. He must have been grief stricken and heartbroken but when the disciples wanted to send the people away his instruction was Give them something to eat. Jesus did not think of himself – he was thinking of others, especially those who were in need. What would be your reaction? How do you treat those who make unexpected demands on you? We live in a home and are provided with all that we need but we live in a world where countless millions go to bed hungry every night, not knowing if there will be food on the table the next day. Are you willing to give them something to eat? This weekend (2-3 August 2008) the Propagation of the Faith Appeal is being held in this parish. You have an opportunity to support missionaries who give their lives to live with and help those who have very little. Please give generously to this Appeal.
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Jesus is deeply saddened at news of John the Baptist's death and he feels the need to be alone. When the people catch up with him, his reaction is magnificent, because he does not send them away but gives them what they need and he heals them. His compassionate love reaches out to others and he provides a meal for them from five loaves and two fish. Jesus can do great things with us too, if we give the "little" we have.
In the gospel story the disciples were just as needy as the crowd.
What do you hunger for spiritually? How can God feed that hunger?
What gets between you and the love of God? What can you do to remove those obstacles?
How do you welcome people "spontaneously, sufficiently, without qualification" into your day?
Fr. Paul Editorial Continued ; Fulfilment of desires
What Christ gives us is quite explicit if his own words are interpreted according to their Aramaic meaning. The expression 'this is my Body' means this is myself. [Jesuit Theologian, KARL RAHNER (1904-1984)].
Lord Jesus Christ, pierce my soul with your love so that I may always long for you alone, who are the bread of angels and the fulfilment of the soul's deepest desires. May my heart always hunger and feed upon you, so that my soul may be filled with the sweetness of your presence. May my soul thirst for you, who are the source of life, wisdom, knowledge, light and all the riches of God the Father… Be always my only hope, my peace, my refuge and my help in whom my heart is rooted. St Bonaventure (1218-1274)
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Baptisms: This Saturday, Isabella Lamprey, daughter of Rodney and Victoria, will be welcomed into our parish community.
Date Claimer: Parish Reconciliation Programme for 2008. Parents only information meeting Monday 18th August 6—7 p.m. parish hall. Following this there will be three weeks of preparation classes and the Sacrament will be celebrated on Monday 8th September in St Mary's Church. If you know of any families with children in year 3 in state schools please let them know about this meeting. To be eligible to received the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion in the parish next year, children must first make their Reconciliation.
Candle Stand: Many, many thanks to the Filipino community and everyone who participated in the excellent luncheon last Sunday at the Neighbourhood centre. It was a great social event and we raised a whopping $1699. Donations stand at $4285. A great day was had by all who attended. The busking was an added feature which brought out lot of untapped talent. Thanks to all who organised the event.
Special congratulations to Mr Terry Devlin who was nominated for this year's 'Spirit of Catholic Education Awards' for his devotion and tireless effort over many, many years of being an educator at St Mary's College. Terry worked across a range of areas at the College demonstrating his love for mathematics; his devotion to public speaking, cross country, athletics training, and his social conscience through organising many fundraising events for charities and the missions. Congratulations also to Mr Peter Frawley and Mrs Robin Coyne from St Mary's Primary school for their nominations for this award.
Dates to note
Sunday 3rd August
Welcomers: Filipino Ladies
After Mass cuppa: St. Vincent de Paul
Baptism Preparation 9 a.m. hall meeting room
Tuesday 5th August
Pastoral Council meeting, 6.45 p.m.
Wednesday 6th August
Mass at Groundwater 9.30 a.m.
Tuesday 12th August
CWL Meeting following 8 a.m. Mass
Monday 18th August
Parent meeting for First Reconciliation 6 p.m.
parish hall
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Mass/Liturgy times
18th Week in Ordinary Time Year 2
Monday 4th August
No Mass or Liturgy
Tuesday 5th August
Mass 8 a.m.
Wednesday 6th August
Mass 5.15 p.m.
Mass Groundwater 9.30 a.m.
Thursday 7th August
Mass 12 noon
Friday 8th August
Mass 8 a.m.
Mass 10am at Church for Mary Mackillop Feast. Primary and Childers school.
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National Vocations Awareness Week: 3-10 August, 2008: Next weekend, together with the Church across Australia, we begin the 11th annual National Vocations Awareness Week. This is our time to reflect on and give thanks for God's call to each of—our 'vocation'! What is my vocation? (marriage? Single life? Diocesan priesthood? Deacon? Religious life?) How have I been faithful to the call of God? How could I foster an environment in my home, school, parish or workplace that will enable people to choose the path that is best for them? For more information about National Vocations Awareness Week, visit www.catholicpriesthood.com.
Thanksgiving Programme: Many thanks for your continued support of the parish through the 1st and 2nd collections. Counting team 3 for Sunday 10th August.
SAFETY POLICY:
St Mary's Parish: We are committed to fostering a Safe environment for everyone ! (Children, Young People, ALL). Some thoughts on safety: No matter what the hurry, children or adults, let us not run on the grounds or in the church. Most things are not THAT urgent that require running, and a fall could cause dire injuries. Take steps one at a time. It never hurts to hold onto any grab rails where available. Life goes too fast as it is and when we rush we make mistakes and this includes injuries. (For more information, please visit our website http://www.parishes.bne.catholic.net.au/maryborough/maryboroughchild.htm
St. Mary's Debutante Ball: 16 debs are currently preparing for their big night on Friday 22nd August, beginning at 6.30 p.m. with the presentation at 8 p.m. Tickets $85 double, $45 Single, Gallery $10.
Any enquiries to Kathleen on 41213324.
Beginning Experience Team is holding its next weekend from Friday evening 22nd August to Sunday 24th August at Mercy Place, Bardon. The weekend offers widowed, separated and divorced people who have moved through the initial shock phase of grief to work through their pain and move into the future with renewed hope. It is a live-in weekend with meals and accommodation provided. Enquiries: Julie 32683655, Peter 32092180, Website. ww.brisbanebe.org.au.
St. Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal A special thanks to everyone who donated to this appeal, with a total $2021.67 raised to date.
St Vincent de Paul Are in desperate need of plastic bags, anyone with excess bags could they please deliver them to the St. Vincent de Paul Centre at 260 Kent Street.
A Vocation View: If some people did not hoard the riches of this worl, all people would have enough to eat and drink. Too many people starve to death every day. Who will speak loudly of justice today?.
We pray for those who are sick: Robert Good, Crena Everson, Marie Albrecht, baby Patterson Huggard,
Jack McKay, John Ellis, Angela Zemek, Ted Reeves, Mary Leighton, Anne Austin, Judy Scott, Alice O'Connell, Debbie Robertson, Merle Hart, Graeme Carroll, Jing Pavey, Gary Dalton, Gloria Jones,
Frank Pickering, Maurice Calderwood, Helen Brown, Peter Rheinberger, Doreen New
May those who have died recently rest in peace: Jock Hawser, Boyd Kirkpatrick, Robert Appleyard,
William Cavanagh (Cav), Jill Owens.
We pray for those whose anniversary occurs at this time: Gladys Mooney, Tom & Myra Mathison,
Monica Hodges, Dolly Gillen, Noela Deem, Wendy Ross.
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PREFACE AND EUCHARISTIC PRAYER FOR SUNDAY
This weekend: Preface: Sundays Ordinary IV; Eucharistic Prayer: Eucharistic Prayer II
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The 2008 Social Justice Sunday Statement "A Rich Young Nation: The Challenge of affluence and poverty in Australia" can be found at www.acsjc.org.au or phone (02) 8306 3499.
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If your home is unhappy because someone drinks too much, we can help. Al-ANON AND Alateen Family Groups – For Families and Friends of problem drinkers. Learn more by attending a confidential meeting in this area. Weekly meetings at the Hall. See the website: www.al-anon.alateen.org/australia. Or see Fr Paul for more information. Phone Sth Qld Area number 3854 0331
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You may have heard about a beautiful project called Operation Christmas Child. People fill a shoe-box with toys and small gifts for children who are victims of war, persecution, poverty, disease and natural disasters. For more information, please contact Julie Terry at Hervey Bay Baptist Church: julie@hbbc.com.au . Boxes must be in to the Hervey Bay Baptist church by 17th October.
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Would you like to receive the weekly parish newsletter and Fr Paul's homily reflection by email. Please send a request to Fr Paul at holyjoe@ozemail.com.au . Also please do check out our parish website. It has loads of different articles and pictures and items of interest: www.marycatholic.com
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<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>For Next week the AFTER MASS CUPPA group is:
<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>The roster is:
<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>CUPPA AFTER MASS:
Next week: 10th August, 2008 =
<![if !supportLists]>§ <![endif]>2nd Sunday Pat Proctor and family
<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Welcomers Group is:
Next week: 10th August, 2008 =
<![if !supportLists]>§ <![endif]>2nd Sunday Pastoral Council
<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Next Parish Pastoral council Meeting: 6.45pm on Tuesday the 5th August.
<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Next Finance Meeting: 7.30pm on Thursday the 21st August.
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DATE CLAIMERS
RECONCILIATION PROGRAMME
Parents info night Monday 18th August. 6-7pm. (Parents only required, young people not required for this parents information meeting).
Celebrate Reconciliations: Monday the 8th September 2008
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* The parish pastoral council is keen to hear of any suggestions, proposals or questions. We need the best information in order to address issues. So, we have developed a form that you are welcome to use. They are available at the entrances of the church. Please take a form, fill in a suggestion, proposal or question and hand it in to one of our Parish Pastoral Councillors or Fr Paul or Sr Rose. It is most helpful if you also put your name and contact detail down too, so that we can accurately and effectively address your suggestions. The form is also available online on our parish website www.marycatholic.com
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PEOPLESPEAK – TRUE STORIES CONNECTING THE SCRIPTURES TO EVERYDAY LIFE (COLLECTED BY THE CARMELITES)
He healed me!
Some years ago I attended a five-day National Catholic Charismatic Renewal conference in Melbourne entitled 'Jesus is Alive'. One of the keynote speakers was Father Tardiff, a priest who was regarded as deeply gifted by the Holy Spirit in the healing ministry.
Having endured three total hip replacement operations in nine years, I found it quite painful to sit for long periods. A two-day leaders' retreat before the conference had had me in a deal of pain because of the long sitting involved. At the initial Eucharist about 70% of the hip pain vanished after receiving Jesus in communion. This made it reasonably comfortable to see out the conference. It also helped that I did five lunchtime swims of 1500 metres each at the University pool situated next to the conference hall.
On the second last day of the conference, Father Tardiff got the people to form into groups of five to pray for each other for an hour. I was in a deal of hip pain, so I sat while the others stood in prayer with each other. Jesus did a wonder with my hip. I was able to run down the aisle of the hall following a public testimony to the six hundred delegates.
Muscle soreness followed. At an office Eucharist a week later there was still some muscle soreness. I was due to visit my orthopaedic surgeon, complete with new X-rays, that afternoon. The pain vanished as I received Jesus at communion time. The non-Christian surgeon was amazed. He could not understand the extraordinary range of hip movement he witnessed. (Mike)
Small stories: More than food
A colleague was attending the wedding of her friend, who was marrying a chef. Because producing fine meals was his passion, the groom had elected (with the help of his father, also a chef) to prepare the wedding banquet. This meant that his first gift to his new wife and their family and friends was a meal, conceived and executed with love. (Tracey)
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My work involves a lot of country driving. It was late afternoon, and out of the corner of my eye I noticed on the front lawn of a house two young girls seated behind a hastily constructed stall with a sign that read fresh lemonade 50 cents. I had seen such things in comic books but never in real life. I braked, backed up and wandered over to the eager attendants. They poured the lemonade into a large disposable cup and I drank it down. It was the best drink I had ever sampled. I thanked them, paid my fifty cents and feeling refreshed and revitalized I set out to complete my day's work. Oh for more lemonade stops throughout life! (Mick)
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EXTRA RESOURCES FOR THE NEWSLETTER (IF ROOM)
Prepare the Word
August 3, 2008—Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reprinted with permission from Prepare the Word (©2008), www.PrepareTheWord.com.
Prerequisites for God's welcome
y mom called us for supper at 6 o'clock sharp every evening. If we weren't within the sound of her voice, it was no matter. The local churches rang their bells at that hour in unison, so there was no way of pleading ignorance to the time. Once we arrived in the kitchen, we were expected to wash our hands and take our seats. Those were the only requirements for eligibility at my mother's table: showing up, and displaying clean hands.
And in all those years, Mom never charged us a dime for that food. The cost of her labor to prepare that meal was untold, but she never passed the bill along to us. Nor did Dad, our household breadwinner, insist that "those who did not work should not eat," as Saint Paul once told the Thessalonians. Supper wasn't dependent on our doing chores, finishing our homework, or even behaving agreeably. We didn't have to flatter, grovel, plead, or ingratiate in order to be fed. Supper appeared, like a gift, every night at the same hour. All we had to do to enjoy it was to come when we were called.
Come to the water!
What are the prerequisites for receiving food from the hand of God? Isaiah tells us plainly that we only need to be thirsty to be given a drink and only need to come forward to be eligible to eat. "All" are welcome. You don't have to be anyone special or to have achieved anything momentous to take a seat. It would be as incongruous to have to pay here as it would in your mother's kitchen. Your hunger and thirst are your ticket to entry. No one's even going to check your hands. Just come!
Isaiah's prophecy is even grander than a simple invitation to a meal. The covenant once granted specifically to one special person, David, and to his royal household, is now extended to all takers. The benefits of David's royal line are now "democratized" so that the whole people can enjoy them. What were those original covenant benefits? To be famous like the great ones of the earth. To be planted securely in the land. To be free of affliction by the wicked. To have rest from one's enemies. And to have heirs.
Some of these may sound like antique promises. Not all of us seek global fame, a stable address, or even heirs. But the overall idea is translatable into modern terms: that our lives will not be in vain. We do not want to cross this earth or move through this lifetime without meaning, as if we'd never existed. We don't want to be invisible people leaving no footprints, without purpose or contribution.
We're here to give our "barbaric yawp," as Walt Whitman framed the cry of human existence—or our "howl," as Allen Ginsberg would have it. We may be here to dance our dance; to "write the song that makes the whole world sing"; to pen the great American novel; to fall in love; to have 2.5 kids; to gather the most toys; or to preach the good news of Jesus Christ. But however we define the meaning of our existence, the promises assured to David make it possible for us to pursue it.
Another day, another meal
One day Jesus had such pity over the vast crowds of human need that he cured the sick until nearly dark. What was necessary in order to share in the supper served in that deserted place? Jesus did not begin by taking a census. He did not separate Jews from Gentiles, or ask who was faithful in attending local synagogue services. He did not inquire as to the status of individual marriages, or how people made their living, or if their beliefs were orthodox. He did not check to be sure their hands were clean. He didn't even stop to make sure he had enough food to meet the need. He just fed them, fed them all, men and women and children together. Jesus fed them, quite simply, because they were hungry, and because it was time to eat.
There was nothing precise or coordinated or perfect about this meal. It was bread and fish, because bread and fish were what was available. And the supply overshot the demand. There were leftovers, enough to feed anybody left back in the village. That 12 baskets were filled at the end is a Hebrew suggestion that the whole people might eat. No one was excluded from this hastily arranged yet benevolently supplied supper.
Once again I'm reminded of the simple meals I've shared in the humblest of homes. Even if no one were expected, the table was quickly set. And no matter how many people there were, there was always enough to go around and then some. The poorer people are, the more anxious they are to be generous with their hospitality. "The Jesus table"—the one that's spontaneous and without qualification and entirely sufficient—is more apt to be set in humble surroundings than in places of means, where it can be hard to get a glass of water if you show up unannounced.
Applying the Word
What will separate us from the love of Christ?
he bottom line is: Come to the feast. Come because it is the Jesus table and because nothing prevents you from being here. Paul says it so emphatically: Hard times, want, danger, and oppression are not obstacles to receiving the love of Christ. Death can't keep us apart, nor can any power in this world, time itself, or any living thing. Paul's letters are never shy of superlatives, but in this passage he uses the mother of all superlatives to assure us that Christ's love is available to us no matter what. It's time to eat. Hungry? Take a seat.
—Alice Camille
<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>The family table is set without price. God blesses the world with the same generous hand.
<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>Jesus fed the multitude without a pop quiz first. He fed them because they were hungry.
<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>How do we supply the "Jesus table" of hospitality and welcome to others?
They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over—twelve wicker baskets full. Jesus' multiplication of loaves gets no fewer than six tellings in the gospels, two in Matthew alone. That this story is spread over the gospels testifies to its importance. In Matthew's version hear today, it's next to impossible not to hear the eucharistic overtones—especially when the passage is compared with the actual Lord's Supper account in Matthew 26:26. In both there's taking, blessing, breaking, and giving.
Moreover, all ate and were satisfied, with plenty left over—signs that this feeding anticipates the messianic banquet of eternal abundance. Like God's invitation to the feast in Isaiah, which God offers freely and forever, Christ's call to come his table sustains us until he comes again. And like the love Saint Paul wrote of, which overcomes all obstacles, Christ's love crosses boundaries of scarcity and "answers all our needs."
—Joel Schorn
not enough to go around
All the factors that could lead to world hunger "are all coming together at once," the director warned. Droughts have plagued many wheat-producing continents; flooding, the others. Rising oil prices make the cost of transporting grain and other crops more than it's worth. Rapidly developing countries such as China have increased the demand and price for meat and milk. All of the major economic powers have already depleted their emergency food relief funds and the result has been too little. In Mexico, where the average person eats a pound of tortillas a day, the price of this staple food has doubled in only two years.
pass the goat-cheese pie
Looking for recipes for stewed ox meat, dried fig cake, barley-apricot salad, or baked sardines with sesame sauce? Search no more. The authors even have a recipe for the manna the Israelites ate in the wilderness and compared unfavorably to the food they had in Egypt. Hesse concedes the modern version, made with matzo flour, coriander leaves, and sesame oil, tastes like cardboard. "You can see why they were complaining," he told the Los Angeles Times.
Research and experimentation allowed the authors to make educated guesses about biblical dishes. The Bible, by the way, contains only one real recipe: for a bread made of wheat, barley, and lentils cooked over a fire of burning human excrement. How does it taste? "Like moldy bean sprouts," Hesse said. "You don't want to eat it. Never, ever."
Wisdom has built her house . . . . To those without sense she says, Come eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Lay aside immaturity, and live.
— Proverbs 9:1, 5-6
What Christ gives us is quite explicit if his own words are interpreted according to their Aramaic meaning. The expression 'this is my Body' means this is myself.
— Karl Rahner (1904-1984)
Our Contributors: Rev. Paul Boudreau, Alice Camille, Bryan Froehle, Daniel Grippo, Rev. Larry Janowski, O.F.M., Ann O'Connor, Sean Reynolds, Joel Schorn, Patrice J. Tuohy
For more information about our contributors, visit our website, www.PrepareTheWord.com.
Editors: Alice Camille, Daniel Grippo, Anne Marie O'Kelley, Joel Schorn, Patrice J. Tuohy
Accounting/Customer Service: Dianne Potter (dpotter@truequest.biz)
©2008, TrueQuest Communications, ISSN 1545-3758, www.PrepareTheWord.com
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Some of Centacare (Maryborough and Fraser Coast) New services:
(Centacare is an apostolate of the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane, to which we all belong). It also provides general counselling, grief counselling, family and marriage counselling as well as marriage preparation programmes). For more information Ph: 4121 6410.
Family Mental Health Support Service
Offering Assistance to families and careers that are adversely impacted by mental health issues through a free, integrated case management service involving counseling, general support and community education.
Mental Health Support Program
Social support for people with Mental Health Issues
Positive Pathways
Provides friendship and support particular to people with Mental Health Issues. This program is about promoting independence and enhancing their quality of life.
Veteran's Home Care
This service provides Domestic Assistance, In-Home and Emergency Respite Care, Personal Care and Home and Garden Maintenance for eligible veterans.
Responsive Connections
Assisting people who have mental health issues with daily living skills and life choices.
Day to Day Living Skills
A drop in centre that caters for individual needs and activities.
Infinity & Beyond
Seedling/Horticultural Program for people with a disability or mental heath issues.
Outreach Program
Provides support and advocacy to clients who have been released from Mental Health facilities.
Mental Health Respite (Holiday Options Program)
This program provides respite to clients who display a moderate to severe mental illness. The houses are to give carer's a break while also engaging the clients with mental health problems in general activities such as gardening, excursions, art and craft activities, games and other activities as identified by clients.
