Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A I 19 February 2017

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY PARISHOUR LADY OF THE ROSARY PARISHOUR LADY OF THE ROSARY PARISH

T oday’s gospel emphasises loving our enemies. Is this possible? In the first place, Jesus himself loved his

enemies by forgiving them from the cross. His example later followed by Stephen who was martyred by

the Jewish authorities. He forgave his accusers. Pope John Paul II visited the prison and forgave Mehmet Ali

Agca who shot and wounded him. Mrs Gladis Staines whose husband and her two children were burnt to death

pronounced the same words of Jesus on those miscreants. These and many other great persons have followed

the spirit of Jesus and embraced their enemies. They would not have taken this step toward reconciliation if they

had no love for Jesus. Their love for him was so genuine that they were able to follow his commandments. Jesus

taught, “be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” This perfection has to do with our ability to be like

Jesus and love as he loved. Love transforms us from within.

God’s Word Sr Virginia Rajakumari SAB

Love your Enemies

A book about the ethics of the ancient world bears the little Helping Friends and Harming Enemies. This title

expresses what was regarded as the common view in those days. Not much has changed in today’s

ruthless, competitive world. So we may wonder how Jesus’ command to turn the other cheek and love our ene-

mies can be taken seriously; it goes so much against common sense. An enemy is someone for whom you bear

hatred in your heart, so how can you love them? How could you love someone who, for instance, had killed a

member of your family? It sounds a ridiculous idea.

Yet this is what someone whose father was killed in the 1984 IRA bombing of a hotel in Brighton, England,

actually did. The bomber, Patrick Magee, was caught and sentenced to life imprisonment, but under the terms

of the Good Friday Agreement, as part of the Northern Ireland peace process of the 1990s, he was released early.

Jo Berry, the daughter of a politician who had been killed in the bombing, was very angry at this; but she soon

realised that she would be destroyed by her hatred and so attempted to meet the bomber. It was enormously

difficult and painful for both to meet but they did. Many disapproved of such meeting. But the former enemies

did get to understand each other and now they work together in reconciliation workshops. They both learnt the

danger of demonising the enemy for, as Jo Berry insist, “The enemy is always a real person.”

The Living Word Majellan Publications

Love As He Loved

THE YEAR OF YOUTHTHE YEAR OF YOUTHTHE YEAR OF YOUTH Page

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Go the Extra Mile

J esus was aware of the way the Jews demonised their enemies, such as the Samari-

tans. He knew that in the Jewish scriptures there were passages that talked of hatred

of enemies but he also knew there was another tradition which forbade such hatred.

Our first reading, from Leviticus, insists that we are not to seek vengeance and bear

grudges in our heart. When Jesus teaches the values of the kingdom of God in the

Sermon on the Mount, he builds on that tradition. In the startling language of turning

the other cheek and going the extra mile, he shakes us out of the complacency of our set

ideas. He is trying to make us think in new ways and allow God’s kingdom to break

into our lives. So he tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.

But why should we do something that seems so contrary to the way of world? Because

that is what God does. The God of creation shows grace to all God’s creatures, whether

they are sinners or saints; God causes the rain to fall on honest and dishonest people

alike. Jesus wants us to be holy as God is holy. And so we are to love our enemy; but

this is not so much about feelings as about giving effective help, just as the Good Sa-

maritan did. This is how Jesus put his words into action, by reaching out to sinners and

those who were despised, to both rich and poor, and in the end forgiving those who

were killing him. Loving enemies is not easy and it ended with him nailed to the cross.

But Jesus’ resurrection shows us that such values defeat death and lead to eternal life.

The Living Word Majellan Publications

Quote for the

Week

Joy is the net of love

by which we catch souls.

Mother Teresa

The Heart of our Faith

A t the heart of our faith is the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount; and yet we

may be tempted to ignore it because it seems so radical and difficult. But our

vocation is to imitate Jesus and his teaching, just as Stephen did when he forgave his

enemies as he died as the first martyr. In a world that is so full of hatred and venge-

ance, both at the individual and national level, can we follow the teaching of the

Gospel? Or do we go on bearing those grudges that we rather enjoy nursing and hating

the enemies that give us our identity? Does the Church give a different example, or is it

like any other group that loves its friends and reciprocates hospitality to its own set?

Jesus tells us to be perfect just as our heavenly Father is perfect. What does this mean

for us today We cannot be morally perfect in this world, but we can respond to Jesus

with an undivided heart and a faithful devotion. When we try to turn the other cheek

and love our enemies we bear witness to the graciousness of a heavenly Father who

wants us to embody the amazing love of his Son in our lives.

The Living Word Majellan Publications

Bible Café Join us for

Devotion to Christ with Fr Benedict

Groeschel Wednesdays

10:30-11:30am and 7-8pm in the

Muldoon Room. All Welcome!

Genuine Love

I n order for love to be genuine, it has to be above all a love for our neighbour. We

must love those who are nearest to us, in our own family. From there, love spreads

toward whoever may need us. It is easy to love those who live far away. It is not

always easy to love those who live right next to us. It is easier to offer a dish of rice to

meet the hunger of a needy person than to comfort the loneliness and the anguish of

someone in our own home who does not feel loved.

I want you to go and find the poor in your homes. Above all, your love has to start

there. I want you to be the good news to those around you. I want you to be concerned

about your next-door neighbour. Do you know who your neighbour is?

No Greater Love Mother Teresa

Catholic Ladies’Catholic Ladies’Catholic Ladies’

Friendship GroupFriendship GroupFriendship Group Come along on

Wednesday 22 February to the Parish Centre after 9am Mass for a nice cuppa, morning tea

and chat. Newcomers

welcome!

The

Catholic

Weekly

Now on sale

at the

Vinnie’s

Stall in the

Church

foyer and on

the Church

tables.

Page

3 THE MONTH OF THE PASTHE MONTH OF THE PASTHE MONTH OF THE PASSION OF OUR LORDSION OF OUR LORDSION OF OUR LORD

Catechist Sunday Commissioning

This week we would like to thank Fr Kevin O’Grady

for the many Masses, Anointings,

Reconciliations, blogs and more over many years. Thank

you Fr Kevin!

N ext weekend we celebrate Catechist Sunday, a time to stop and appreciate the

incredible work of our dedicated volunteers. We congratulate our Catechists and

Helpers as they are commissioned to go into the State Schools of our parish once again

this year. Thank you to all and if you would like more information about this most

rewarding ministry please contact the parish office on 4332.2216.

Diocesan Pastoral Care Course

V oluntary Catholic Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion visit hospitals

throughout the Diocese providing comfort and care to Catholic patients. NSW

Health requires that 40 hours of training is completed to perform this important role.

The Diocesan Pastoral Care Course is free for those already volunteering in hospitals,

health and aged care facilities and those who might like to do so.

The course is on five consecutive Wednesdays 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 March between 9am

and 3pm in the parish centre. Morning tea and lunch will be provided.

Please register through the parish office or enquiries to Peter Brown on 0418 616 602.

Nursing Home Masses

Nareen Gardens Bateau Bay

Monday 20 February 10:30am and

Opal Killarney Vale Tuesday 21 February

2pm.

Youth of OLR Join us Saturday 25 February 7-9pm in the Muldoon Room (behind the Church)

Free pizza dinner included! Call

4332 2216 for more information.

Please Note

World Day of Prayer - Philippines

Join this worldwide ecumenical celebration with our friends at The Entrance Baptist

Church Yakalla Street Bateau Bay on Friday 3 March at 2pm to hear speaker Samuel

Achenbach on the topic: ‘Am I being unfair to you?’ Everyone welcome.

Samuel Group Discernment Program

Samuel Group is for young adults 18-35 who meet together once a month to pray and

discover their individual vocations. Dinner provided. Last Wednesdays of the month

7pm St Agatha’s Parish Pennant Hills. Contact Sr Margaret 0418 522 449 or voca-

tions.ministry@dbb.org.au

Lenten Day Retreat

Lent reminds us that God is about our healing and redemption. Join us for a day of

reflection at the Benedictine Abbey 695 Jamberoo Mountain Road Jamberoo 10-4pm

(Mass at 9am) presented by Sr Hilda Scott osb. Bookings Petrina 4236 0533.

Alan Ames Spiritual Healer

Alan has the gift of healing and travels all continents to witness to God. He will talk

and pray over those present Monday 27 February at 7pm, commencing with Mass, at St

Patrick’s Church 76 York Street East Gosford. Enquiries 4325 1042.

The Gospel of Matthew & John of the Cross

Bishop Emeritus David Walker is presenting two talks: The Gospel of Matthew on

Tuesdays 28/2, 7/3, 21/3 and 4/4 at 7pm and John of the Cross Wednesdays 1/3, 8/3, 22/3,

29/3 and 5/4 at 7pm at the Centre for Christian Spirituality. Enquiries: 9898 2211.

Praisefest

J oin young people from across the Diocese at our first PRAISEFEST of the year! Get a

chance to catch up with friends while enjoying our pre event Festival, encounter

God through vibrant & honest worship, and receive spiritual nourishment through an

inspiring and relevant message on “Packing for the Desert.” Dinner will be provided

from 6pm before our night begins.

Theme: Packing for the Desert Host: Tuggerah Lakes Deanery

Where: St Peter's Catholic College Hall When: 6-9pm Friday 24 February

Parish BBQ Come and enjoy a great social event

this Sunday 19 February in the

Parish Centre after 9:30am Mass. Only $7.50 for morning

tea, BBQ lunch, drinks & ice cream!

Serving the Catholic Community of The Entrance and extending the Kingdom of God

PARISH PRIEST & DEAN Fr Bill Stevens ASSISTANT PRIEST Fr Stephen Hamilton 0407 201 474

SACRAMENTAL COORDINATOR Br John Verhoeven FSP

Office Hours Monday-Friday 9.30-5.00pm Tel 4332 2216 Fax 4333 5344

Postal Address PO Box 189 THE ENTRANCE 2261 Street Address 239-243 The Entrance Rd THE ENTRANCE 2261

Email info@ourladyoftherosary.org.au Website www.ourladyoftherosary.org.au

PROPERTY MANAGER Michael de la Motte Tel 4334 7600 (BH)

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY PRIMARY SCHOOL Tel 4332 5594 Fax 4334 5599

ST PETER’S CATHOLIC COLLEGE Tel 4351 2344 Fax 4351 2965

THE ENTRANCE PARISH DIOCESE OF BROKEN BAY

Mass & Devotions in Ordinary Time Sunday Masses Saturday Vigil 6:00pm Sunday 8:00am & 9:30am

Weekday Masses Monday - Thursday 9:00am Friday 11:45am Saturday 9:00am

Reconciliations Saturdays 9:30-10am & 5-5:30pm

Liturgy of the Hours Saturday 8:40am Rosary Monday-Thursday 8:35am Friday 11:20am Saturday 9:30am

Cenacle Wednesday 9:30am Christian Meditation Group Friday 10:30am-11:30am Muldoon Room. Come & join us!

Our Lady of the Rosary

GIFT

CENTRE

For all your devotional needs...

Everyone is welcome to come and browse through our beautiful Gift Centre. We have great gift ideas for every occasion. You’ll find the Gift Centre behind the Church carpark, corner of Ashton and Copnor Avenues.

Open: Sunday 9am-9:30am & 10:30-11am

Tuesday-Friday 9:30am-1:30pm Phone/Fax 4332 5997

Keep Us In Your Prayers There is no gift more precious than prayer - Fr Benedict Groeschel

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Leviticus 19:1-2,17-18 1Corinthians 3:16-23 Matthew 5:38-48

Pearly Gates

Entrance Antiphon: O Lord, I trust in your merciful love. My heart will rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord who has been bountiful with me.

Responsorial Psalm: The Lord is kind and merciful.

Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, Alleluia! Whoever keeps the word of Christ, grows perfect in the love of God. Alleluia!

Communion Antiphon: I will recount all your wonders, I will rejoice in you and be glad, and sing psalms to your name, O Most High.

Recently Deceased: Barb Butterfield, Susan Cullen, Kathleen Baker, Fr Paul Cahill, Fr Tim Crowley, Luigi Schiavo, Tex Bell, Bryan Butler, Audrey McDermott, Maria Basile. Funeral: The funeral of Luigi Schiavo was held during the week. Please pray for Luigi and his family. Anniversaries: Tiburcia Rubi Snr, Lorenzo Rubi, Jim Rosewarne, Isabelle Woodlands, Kitty Parsons. Remembrances: Bruce Parry, Dorothy Cribb, Noeleen Corrigan, Maurice Cramsie, Charlie Vella, Jan Sheridan, Charles Magri, William Hall, Ivan Whymark, Joe & Assunta Farrugia, Maria, Francia & Bernabe Rubi, Doris Cantos, Bob Paloma, Hilaria Villar, Olga & John Majoros Snr, Gaudencia Praxides, Eleuterio Dura, Norman Tate, Eustaguia de la Cruz, George, Georgina, Anthony, Doris & Paul Grech, Fortunato & Georgina Zahra and the Holy Souls. Families: Bouchet, Grech, Zahra, Grima, Camilleri, Cassar & Falzon. Sick: Riley Hilditch (16 yr old spinal injury), Peter Vaughan, Bernard McCudden, Kathy Lowe-Scafidi, Les McDonald, Michelle Climpson, Laurel & Stan Johnson, Irene Hunt, Maureen Thurston, Peter Connolly, Ross Bartle, John Verhoeven Snr, Brian & Valerie Staggs, Antoinette Grech and all families and friends suffering with cancer and long-term illnesses. Welcome Newly Baptised: Hazelle & Maddie-Jean Sipple. Sacramental Programme: The children preparing for First Reconciliation and their families.