HOLY NAME OF MARY PARISH HUNTERS HILL ST PETER CHANEL WOOLWICH · 2019-11-21 · 7-8 Vinnies ited...
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CHRIST THE KING YEAR C WHEN WE FEEL POWERLESS 24 NOVEMBER HOLY NAME OF MARY PARISH HUNTERS HILL ST PETER CHANEL WOOLWICH We acknowledge the Walumatagal people — the first custodians of this place Calendar NOVEMBER 22 OASIS Yr 5-6 Youth Group Parish Hall 6.00pm 28 Grief Group Parish House 7.30pm 30 Camp Runamuck (For Fathers and Children, Villa Maria Monastery Grounds) 30-1 Dec. Catholic Mission Appeal All Masses DECEMBER 5 Men’s Group Dinner Parish Hall 7.00pm 7-8 Vinnies Christmas Appeal All Masses 10 Baptism Prep Session Chapter Hall 7.30pm 16 Liturgy Group Meeting Parish House 7.30pm 17 Villa Maria Graduation Mass HNM 6.00pm 18 Advent Recon- ciliation Service HNM 7.00pm 19 Anointing Mass Chapter Hall 11.30am In recent weeks our screens have been filled with the faces of people whose houses have been destroyed in the bushfires that have ravaged our countryside. A mixture of sadness, despair, exhaustion, resignation and helplessness lines these faces. As well, there are expressions of thankfulness that they and their loved ones have survived and gratitude to the fire-fighters who have risked so much on their behalf. In the face of nature’s fury, whether it be fire, flood or drought, we are confronted with the experience of our powerlessness. Similarly, when our health is in jeopardy, once we’ve taken all the steps we can to obtain a remedy, we are left staring at our vulnerable, powerless self. When an untruth is spoken about us or someone dear to us and this untruth gains traction among people, and we are in no position to respond with the truth, once more our powerless self is all we seem to have left. If we are part of a minority group that is regularly vilified by members of the dominant culture, there is little room for our voice to be heard or for us to take some measure of control. If we are in advanced old age and our body tells us that it may not have long to carry us around, we can’t function as we used to do, nor can we turn back the clock! In a society such as ours where we cherish the illusion that we are in charge of our own destinies, these expe- riences of frailty are alien, difficult to navigate and can present a real danger to our overall well-being. We don’t much like the experience. We may seek ways to reclaim some power over the events impacting on us. We may even succeed to a point. We may also become even more frustrated if and when we realise that our efforts are futile. When all is well, our health, our technology, the prevailing buoyancy of our fast-moving society can convince us that being in control of things is achievable and normal. At some point we are all brought up short by the realization that we’ve been having ourselves on. Our capacity to be in control is lim- ited by the very nature of things. How then are we to manage, to survive, to grow? We don’t have be victims in all this. We can turn our powerless times to good. Perhaps we need to travel though the various stages of grief in order to find our way. Our anger, denial, numbness and bargaining can eventually lead to a certain peace. We can come to a realistic acceptance that this is as good as it can get. We re-locate ourselves in the scheme of things Placing ourselves at God’s disposal, trusting in God’s purposes for us can be our way forward. Here, God, rather than our self, becomes the centre of things and with St Paul we can then proclaim: “When I am weak, then I am strong.” We can hear God speaking as did St Paul: “My grace is enough for you.” (2, Cor 12:9). This is more than just a pious musing or a denial of the difficulties involved in being powerless. It involves a realistic response that enables us not only to cope but to enrich parts of our lives that might otherwise remain futile and frustrated. Here a new wisdom and serenity can be born in which fear is replaced by love. Our obvious model for this intentional surrender is Jesus on the Cross as he gives himself over to the Father. It can take lots of practice so it’s probably a good idea to get into the habit in times when things are going well for us. The onset of our powerless times will then come as less of a surprise and will find us well prepared. Just a thought! Father Kevin
Transcript of HOLY NAME OF MARY PARISH HUNTERS HILL ST PETER CHANEL WOOLWICH · 2019-11-21 · 7-8 Vinnies ited...
CHRIST THE KING YEAR C
WHEN WE FEEL POWERLESS
24 NOVEMBER
HOLY NAME OF MARY PARISH HUNTERS HILL ST PETER CHANEL WOOLWICH
We acknowledge the Walumatagal people — the first custodians of this place
Calendar
NOVEMBER
22 OASIS Yr 5-6 Youth Group Parish Hall 6.00pm
28 Grief Group Parish House 7.30pm
30 Camp Runamuck (For Fathers and Children, Villa Maria Monastery Grounds)
30-1 Dec. Catholic Mission Appeal All Masses
DECEMBER
5 Men’s Group Dinner Parish Hall 7.00pm
7-8 Vinnies Christmas Appeal All Masses
10 Baptism Prep Session Chapter Hall 7.30pm
16 Liturgy Group Meeting Parish House 7.30pm
17 Villa Maria Graduation Mass HNM 6.00pm
18 Advent Recon-ciliation Service HNM 7.00pm
19 Anointing Mass Chapter Hall 11.30am
In recent weeks our screens have been filled with the faces of people whose houses have been destroyed in
the bushfires that have ravaged our countryside. A mixture of sadness, despair, exhaustion, resignation and
helplessness lines these faces. As well, there are expressions of thankfulness that they and their loved ones
have survived and gratitude to the fire-fighters who have risked so much on their behalf.
In the face of nature’s fury, whether it be fire, flood or drought, we are confronted with the experience of our
powerlessness.
Similarly, when our health is in jeopardy, once we’ve taken all the steps we can to obtain a remedy, we are left
staring at our vulnerable, powerless self.
When an untruth is spoken about us or someone dear to us and this untruth gains traction among people, and
we are in no position to respond with the truth, once more our powerless self is all we seem to have left.
If we are part of a minority group that is regularly vilified by members of the dominant culture, there is little
room for our voice to be heard or for us to take some measure of control.
If we are in advanced old age and our body tells us that it may not have long to carry us around, we can’t
function as we used to do, nor can we turn back the clock!
In a society such as ours where we cherish the illusion that we are in charge of our own destinies, these expe-
riences of frailty are alien, difficult to navigate and can present a real danger to our overall well-being.
We don’t much like the experience. We may seek ways to reclaim some power over the events impacting on
us. We may even succeed to a point. We may also become even more frustrated if and when we realise that
our efforts are futile. When all is well, our health, our technology, the prevailing buoyancy of our fast-moving
society can convince us that being in control of things is achievable and normal. At some point we are all
brought up short by the realization that we’ve been having ourselves on. Our capacity to be in control is lim-
ited by the very nature of things.
How then are we to manage, to survive, to grow?
We don’t have be victims in all this. We can turn our powerless times to good. Perhaps we need to travel
though the various stages of grief in order to find our way. Our anger, denial, numbness and bargaining can
eventually lead to a certain peace. We can come to a realistic acceptance that this is as good as it can get.
We re-locate ourselves in the scheme of things
Placing ourselves at God’s disposal, trusting in God’s purposes for us can be our way forward. Here, God,
rather than our self, becomes the centre of things and with St Paul we can then proclaim: “When I am weak,
then I am strong.” We can hear God speaking as did St Paul: “My grace is enough for you.” (2, Cor 12:9).
This is more than just a pious musing or a denial of the difficulties involved in being powerless. It involves a
realistic response that enables us not only to cope but to enrich parts of our lives that might otherwise remain
futile and frustrated. Here a new wisdom and serenity can be born in which fear is replaced by love.
Our obvious model for this intentional surrender is Jesus on the Cross as he gives himself over to the Father.
It can take lots of practice so it’s probably a good idea to get into the habit in times when things are going well
for us. The onset of our powerless times will then come as less of a surprise and will find us well prepared.
Just a thought! Father Kevin
P a ge 2 C h r is t t he K ing Ye ar C
HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR PARISH? See if anyone in your pew
knows the name of this parish-
ioner. Her name next week.
Last Week’s photo
Judy & John Corry
MEN’S GROUP DINNER 5 DECEMBER 2019 Chris Hancock is our speaker,
and is Deputy Executive Chair-
man of Robert Oatley Vine-
yards, and the only living Honor-
ary Master of Wine. Join us on
Thursday 5th December 2019 at
7pm for our Christmas Men’s
Group Dinner
Cost : $30
SCRIPTURE PRAYER GROUP For four Tuesday evenings
starting on Tuesday 26 Novem-
ber the Scripture Prayer Group
will meet for the ADVENT
SERIES Lectio Divina Heart-
beat Program ‘Run forth to
meet Christ’. Place: Chapter
Hall Time: 6.45 for 7pm. All
welcome.
SEASONS SEMINAR ON CHANGE, LOSS AND GRIEF This seminar is designed to
deepen the general under-
standing of the nature and im-
pact of change, loss and grief
on the lives of groups and indi-
viduals. This seminar is suited
to individuals or teams who
wish to help others in their grief
as well as those who wish to
better understand their own
grief experience
PLACE: Holy Name of Mary
Parish Hall, Mary St, Hunters
Hill
DATE: Monday, 2 December
TIME: 9.30 - 12.30
RSVP: Carmela Di Pietro
0412 277 388
CHRISTMAS CARDS AND COLUMBAN CALENDARS These will be on sale at both
churches. The price for a 10
Christmas cards pack is $8 and
Calendars $10 each.
If no one from Vinnies is in
attendance, please put money
in the poor box near the church
entrances, or paper box (at
Holy Name of Mary.)
What’s on? Thank you for your patronage.
St Vincent de Paul Society
GRACE AND GLORY IN SONG AT THE JOUBERT SINGERS’CHRISTMAS CONCERT Share the wonder and spirituali-
ty of Christmas with the Joubert
Singers for our 2019 Christmas
concert, featuring the marvel-
lous Magnificat by Pergolesi.
This hymn is based on words
uttered by the Virgin Mary ex-
pressing joy and thanksgiving
when she visited her cousin,
Elizabeth.
The concert will be held on
Sunday 8 December at 2.30pm
at the Villa Maria Church, 3
Mary St Hunters Hill. Tickets
are available from choir mem-
bers or at the door for $30/$25.
The concert will be followed by
afternoon tea.
BAG FOR THE BUSH Holy Name of Mary Parish and Villa Maria School are proud to be supporting St John’s Parish and Primary School in Baradine (a small town in Western NSW) to provide urgent relief from the drought. With your help we will be contributing to a drought aid pantry that is being accessed by 140+ farming families includ-ing many from St John’s and surrounding district. Please fill this bag with non-perishable pantry items. Your generosity will ensure these families have access to every-
CHILD SAFETY— OUR SPECIAL PRIORITY
day items they might not be able to buy due to the drought. Bags available at each Church. Please return your bag to the parish office by 29 November so we can de-liver to St John’s in time for Christmas.
Information:
Marea De Angelis
Imogen Cornell
ADVENT REFLECTION BOOKLETS Once again this year we are happy to
provide two excellent resources for
your personal reflection during the
season of Advent.
Nicholas Chaplin has produced a
booklet with reflections written by a
variety of parishioners and these will
be available from the First Sunday in
Advent at all Masses. We thank Nich-
olas and his collaborators for this fine
contribution once again.
We have purchased copies of the
beautiful booklet produced by the Wol-
longong Diocese and these also will be
available from this weekend at each of
our Churches while copies last.
GRIEF CARE ZONE I AM CHANGED
‘The Loss and grieving process changes you. Perhaps you are now a sadder person, an angrier person, a more compassionate person, a more obsessive person, a defeated person...In grief, we can sometimes see ourselves only in one dimen-sion and allow that part to dominate our whole persona. To heal from loss you need to be in touch with your core attributes, those values and strengths you have developed over the years which make you unique and which you may have forgotten in times of trouble’ (Book: Recovery - Patricia M. Brown) What do you see in yourself? What would your best friend say about
you?
MEMORIAL BRACELETS AT VILLA MARIA
During the week, parents and children from Villa took the oppor-tunity to create memory bracelets for someone special, gone be-fore them. The memory bracelets were created by choosing col-oured beads and charms which represent special memories. Some brought along buttons and holy medals which belonged to their loved one. We thank all who came along and shared their
stories. It was a privilege to hear them.
P a ge 3 C h r is t t he K ing Ye ar C
Pray for... PRAYER ZONE
THOSE SUFFERING FROM THE BUSHFIRES It goes without saying that we
continue our prayers for all those
people whose lives are disrupted
by the bushfires around the coun-
try. We remember especially
those people who have lost their
homes, those who have battled
bravely defending property and of
course the amazing firefighters
who are serving to the point of
exhaustion.
May we look after each other well
during this terrible ordeal.
Marist Sisters’ College Principal: Dr Anne Ireland
Ph: 9816 2041
www.mscw.nsw.edu.au
An Awards Ceremony for Year 11 students was held on Monday even-ing. The focus of this evening is to celebrate the achievements of stu-dents who received Merit, Achieve-ment and Excellence Certificates for academic success during their Pre-liminary HSC Year. Congratulations
to all recipients.
First Reading : Isaiah 2:1-5 Second Reading : Romans 13:11-14 Gospel Reading : Matthew 24:37-44
This Week… Scripture Zone
First Reading: 2 Samuel 5:1-3 With God’s authority, David is
anointed King of Israel. This
foreshadows Jesus Christ, a
descendent of David, as the one
who would be declared King of
all.
Response Let us go rejoicing in the house
of the Lord
Alleluia !
Second Reading Colossians 1:12-20
St Paul declares Christ’s domin-
ion. Through Christ’s sacrificial
and redeeming love, we have all
“been transferred into the king-
dom of the beloved Son”.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Blessed is he who inherits the kingdom of David our father; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Alleluia !
Gospel Reading Luke 23:35-43 We see the crucified Jesus
mocked and ridiculed by various
figures. Contrasting them, a crim-
inal crucified with Jesus recognis-
es our Lord’s kingship even as
Jesus lies broken on the cross. In
return, Christ assures him of his
salvation.
MEN’S GROUP DINNER 5 December
ADVENT RECONCILIATION SERVICE HNM
18 December 7.00pm
Coming Soon
POINT TO PONDER Behold Lord,
an empty vessel that needs to be filled.
My Lord, fill it,
I am weak in faith;
Strengthen me, I am cold in love;
Warm me and make me fervent,
That my love may go out to my neighbour.
I do not have a strong and firm faith;
At times I doubt and am unable to trust you.
O Lord, help me.
Strengthen my faith and my trust in you.
Martin Luther
Villa Maria Primary School Principal: Mr. Kevin Turner
Phone: 98796100
www.vmhuntershill.catholic.edu.au
St Josephs’ College Principal: Dr Christopher Hayes
Mark Street, Hunters Hill, NSW
2110 T +61 2 9816 0802
www.joeys.org
Well Done...CONGRATS AND THANKS ZONE
Please pray for all those who
are sick or in special need in
our community:
Janet Muscat, Judy Craig,
Andrew & Lina Gullotta, Su-
zanne Traill, Frank Lloyd,
Winifred Wall, John Burton,
Madge Mullen, Jill Caldwell,
Brian and Annette Sid-
greaves, Bruno Fossati and
Valerie Grant.
CHURCH CLEANERS We’ve thanked them before, but we
need to be reminded of this great
band of parishioners who come along
when no one else is about. They see
to the cleaning of both our churches
with great care and a spirit of real
enjoyment in their task. If you’d like
to join them, you’d be most welcome.
Contacts:
HNM: Mike Burfitt: 9879 4197
SPC: Tracy Ferguson : 0408 324 611
HARRISON & MADELEINE POTTS We thank Harrison and Madeleine
who are retiring from altar serving
after four years’ faithful service. Their
presence on the altar has been a joy.
We wish them well and bless them.
Congratulations and a very
warm welcome to Harriet
Philippa Salter, Savannah
Lusic, Sienna Hassan &
Matteo Papluca all of
whom will be baptized into
our Christian community
this weekend.
A PARISH OF THE MARIST FATHERS
PARISH OFFICE: 3A Mary Street. Hours: 9.00am – 5.00pm, Mon-Fri PHONE: 9817 5325. FAX: 9817 4615. EMAIL: [email protected]
PARISH TEAM: Parish Priest: Father Kevin Bates SM, OAM Ph: 0425 333 129 [email protected] Priests Assisting: Fathers Aliki Langi SM, Ph: 0408 896 839 John Worthington SM, Paul Pidcock SM, OAM Parish Secretary: Sylvia Gutierrez & Cathe-rine Byrne
Associate Secretary: Maggie Mullane Sacramental Coordinator: Rosalia Foley [email protected] 0409 608 979 Parish Safeguarding Support Officers:
Caitlin Pfafflin & Kathleen Lee:
……………………………………………...
BAPTISM: By arrangement. Parents please contact the presbytery to book & arrange to attend the Baptism Prep Program BAPTISM PREPARATION EVENINGS: Tuesdays: 10 December, 11 February. Wednesday 11 March, Chapter Hall @ 7.30pm …………………………………………………… MARRIAGE: At least six months notice must be given. The parish clergy will officiate primarily for parishion-ers. Others will generally need to arrange their own Priest or Deacon.
.....................................................................
PARISH PASTORAL GROUPS AND CONTACTS Parish Pastoral Council Chairperson: Marita Winters [email protected] Parish Pastoral Council Secretary: Carmen Pelling
Parish Finance Committee: Andrew Curtin 0423 123 995
Family Faith Educator: Marea De Angelis
Ph: 0419 448 201
RCIA: Janet Greene 9879 6515
Counselling: Deborah Khoury 0409 719 443 ………………………………………………... Villa Play Group: Tues 9:30-11:30am Parish Hall. Mercedes Simola 0414 625 384 www.hnom.com.au/children St Vincent De Paul: Paul Ladd 0468 355 753
Meditation Group: Gabrielle Woodcock,
9817 0097
Youth Group: Luana: 0426845053 or
Danielle: 0400 871 423
Young Adults Group: Nicholas Fearnley
0401 722 839
Aged Ministry : Margaret Gambley 9807 2160
Grief Support Group:
Cecilia Brungs: 0412 284 028
Social Justice Group:
David Macedone: 0412 049 895;
Marnie Butler: 0413 004 702
Marist Laity Group: Cathy Gallo 9817 2959
Josiane Espinosa 9807 9199 ……………………………………………………...
Liturgy Group: Kia Mackun 0435 899 917 Eucharistic Ministry Coordinators:
HNM: Maggie Mullane: 0411 475 469
SPC: Maria Goode: 0423 706 830
Altar Servers Coordinator:
Yvonne Young: 0410 588 063
Email: [email protected]
Readers HNM: Barry Buffier: 9817 8805
SPC: Mark Volpato: 9816 4431
Children’s Liturgy:
HNM: Olivia Edwards: 0409 541 177
Email: [email protected]
SPC: Tee Davies: 0407 827 957
Altar Society: Julia Cuming: 0412 031 451
Annette Hills: 0401 252 064
Ukelele Group: Fr Aliki: 0408 896 839
Cleaners:
HNM: Mike Burfitt: 9879 4197
SPC: Tracy Ferguson : 0408 324 611
Men’s Group:
Clinton McDonald: 0419 646 311
Gerardo D'Angelo 0418 294 063
Inter-Church Council:
Richard Korkor 0410 431 022
Prayer Group: Maryanne Knoblanche
9816 2273/ 0403 170 061
Web: www.hnom.com.au
Facebook: Holy Name of Mary Parish
New or Returning
Parishioners…
Please come along to the Parish Office for a
warm welcome and to pick up a Parish
Information Kit .
OUR PARISH PRAYER Loving God,
you are the home for our hearts’ deepest longings. We find our way as families and as individuals only in you, through our brother Jesus,
encouraged by the breath of your Spirit. We thank you for all the blessings we enjoy in our parish family.
May we continue to share our gifts of life and love with glad and generous hearts. May our world be somehow more alive because we have passed this way.
May Mary our parish patron continue to inspire us as we give new birth to your Word in our turn. We make our prayer in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
SUNDAY MASS TIMES Holy Name of Mary: Sat.6.00pm Sun.8.00am, 10.00am, 6.00pm. St. Peter Chanel: Sunday – 9.00am. WEEKDAY EUCHARIST Holy Name of Mary: Monday to Friday –9.00am. Saturday – 8.00am. St Peter Chanel: Wednesday 12.15pm RECONCILIATON: Holy Name of Mary: Saturday 5.15pm-5.45pm or by request.
