ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE NEWSLETTER

16TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

19TH JULY, 2020 YEAR A

M A SS/L IT UR GY

CA LENDAR

SUNDAY MASS

WILL BE AVAILABLE

ONLINE EACH WEEK

ON YOUTUBE.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR THE

LINK.

Dear Parishioners,

LET GOD WORK

“When I was a child, I was always kept in my place and became shy and withdrawn. For some reason I was angry. Many years later, I was married and my wife and I had two lovely boys: James who was three and the baby who was one. One day I was digging up an old tree in the backyard and James was helping me. The roots were deep and it wouldn’t budge. I was furious, blew up and then sat down stewing. I looked up and saw James. He wasn’t scared. He walked over to me and gave me the gentlest hug, which melted my heart on the spot. I thought, ‘What on earth am I doing?’ After this, I began questioning why I was so angry. I was working long hours and drinking a bit, but there was something else—it was my confidence. So I started doing many things that I had always wanted to do: woodworking, making shelves, cupboards, all sorts of things. Then I began restoring old furniture, which led to French polishing. Later I took up the guitar, and then the piano, and had singing lessons. But every now and then I still blow my top. Today at Mass our priest talked about faith and asked, ‘How often do you leave God’s good work unfinished because you are scared of what others think or say?’ And I realised that my problem is still faith and confidence. It took a little boy to snap me out of it last time. The difference now is that God is in my life and he wasn’t then. Well, maybe he was and was speaking through my son. I just couldn’t see it then.” (Michael)

Fr Terry msc

**********************************************************

As of Wednesday 8th July, 2020 from 11.59pm, we are returning to Stage 3 “Stay at Home’ restrictions. These restrictions have been set for 6 weeks or until the Government advices otherwise. Weekday Masses have all been cancelled. We remain committed to journeying with you in faith, hope and love and will continue to offer our Weekend Mass online via our website and YouTube. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered every Saturday at 10.00am or by appointment.

St. Thomas’ Parish, Blackburn website:

www.stthomastheapostle.org.au

St. Thomas the Apostle Parish strives to create an environment

where all children and vulnerable adults including Aboriginal, special needs and persons of

cultural diversity are safe, respected and cared for.

A Vocation View:

There are many weeds

growing with the wheat

in our lives. Sometimes

the weeds strangle our

growth, or prevent us

from hearing clearly

God's voice. We need

time to reflect on the

garden of our life.

Please remember the following in your prayers… Sick: Barbara O’Hagan, Betty McConnen (Ireland), Felicia Holland, Br. Bernie Gartland, Bridie Lennon, Margot Pettingill, Michael Rogan, S.J. Potter, Kevin Guilders, Neville Davis, Brian Law, Pino Bruzzese, Eric Eitel, Berna-dette Andrews, Annette Nicolas, Charlie Santilli, Roland Schuster, Sr. Maureen Philp RSJ, Claire Tierney, Tamara Bobrovich, Marie Walker, Charles Fain, Jon Parkinson, Antonio So Jr., Ashley Woods, Malgosia Dziuk, Daisy Xu, Rosa Maria Santos, Patricia Duffy, Mietta Ulaan, Chris Leach, Dao Le, Peter Babulo, Moira Healy, Tony Hill & Martin Broad. Recently Dec’d: Anna Dung Thi Vu Anniversaries: Dominique Le, Maria Nguyen, And Joseph Le

PIETY STALL

Monastique Cosmetics available

at

Piety Stall or Order Form.

We have a selection of testers.

**Proceeds to St Vincent de Paul

Rosaries, Baptism Gifts, Candles

and Religious Cards

Br. James CD’s available

$25.00ea

Friends of Same East Timor

Ground Coffee @ $7.50ea

**All proceeds go to

St Vincent de Paul

MSC Books :

‘A Quiet Place Within’

by Fr Khoi Nguyen-$19.95

‘‘Hearts Burning Within Us’

by Fr Peter Malone-$24.95

‘A Time to Hope’

by Fr Paul Castley-$19.95

ST VINCENT DE PAUL DONATIONS Dear Parishioners, as there will be no formal Annual Appeal this year you can still make a donation if you wish by any of these 3 ways:

1. Arrange with Grace Mizzi (President 9802 8815). Arrange with Wal Stevens (V. President.) 9802 6809.

2. Online with St. Vincent de Paul Box Hill Vic. using link, https://www.vinnies.org.au/ quoting Blackburn a/c 442. Head Office will transfer the donation to our Conference at Blackburn.

3. Donations can be left at the Presbytery Office on any Tuesday to Thursday 9am to 12 noon. Request a receipt and we will get it to you. Thank you - Grace Mizzi, President Blackburn Conference.

Anyone wanting Spiritual Direction can enquire at the Parish Office on ph. 9878 0818.

NEWS ABOUT THE PLENARY COUNCIL……….. · The launch of the Plenary Council encouraged 220,000 people to speak out on much

needed change in our Church. While not everyone was in agreement, there was a

considerable number calling for change in governance, male dominated clericalism,

climate change, language in the liturgy, to name just 4 areas.

· 26 Melbourne parishes (including St Thomas') came together and sent a joint statement

to all the bishops and the executive of Catholic religious Australia.

· The same group of parishes has established a website called "senseofthefaithful.org.au”

to facilitate discussions between parishes all over Australia.

· We invite you to sign up to become a subscriber (no cost involved) to the

Sense of the Faithful website; and to get involved in the conversations about the need

for change in your Church and to receive the regular newsletter.

We hope you enjoy it’s content and that it inspires you to respond.

OUR LADY OF SION COLLEGE BOX HILL—TALK & TOUR MORNINGS –TERM 3 Apply now for 2022 : 24 July Monday 10 August 9.30 - 10.30 am Visit Our Lady of Sion College in a whole new way and discover how your daughter can embrace life at Sion. Join us for a live-stream virtual tour of our College via Zoom. Our Virtual Talk and Tour Mornings will feature a live address by our Principal, Mrs Tina Apostolopoulos, an opportunity to meet the Leadership Team and our student leaders as well as a chance to ask questions. Visit our website to book: www.sion.catholic.edu.au 1065 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill I 03 9890 9097

APOSTLE MAGAZINE—SPRING EDITION

During these ‘interesting’ times of COVID-19, it would be wonderful if any parishioners could let

us know of an uplifting/feel good story to share in our next edition of the Apostle Magazine. We would like to hear of any recent events that may be noteworthy. Thank you!

Sunday 19th July, 2020

16th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

SECOND READING Rom 8:26-27

A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Mt 11:25

Alleluia, alleluia!

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little

ones the mysteries of the kingdom.

Alleluia!

GOSPEL Mt 13:24-43

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Jesus put a parable before the crowds, ‘The kingdom of heaven may be

compared to a man who sowed good

seed in his field. While everybody was

asleep his enemy came, sowed darnel all among the wheat, and made off. When

the new wheat sprouted and ripened,

the darnel appeared as well. The owner’s

servants went to him and said, “Sir, was it not good seed that you sowed in your

field? If so, where does the darnel come

from?” “Some enemy has done this” he

answered. And the servants said, “Do

you want us to go and weed it out?” But he said, “No, because when you weed

out the darnel you might pull up the

wheat with it. Let them both grow till the

harvest; and at harvest time I shall say to the reapers: First collect the darnel and

tie it in bundles to be burnt, then gather

the wheat into my barn.”’

He put another parable before them, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard

seed which a man took and sowed in his

field. It is the smallest of all the seeds,

but when it has grown it is the biggest shrub of all and becomes a tree so that

the birds of the air come and shelter in

its branches.’

He told them another parable, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like the yeast a

woman took and mixed in with three

measures of flour till it was leavened all

through.’

In all this Jesus spoke to the crowds in

parables; indeed, he would never

speak to them except in parables. This was to fulfill the prophecy:

I will speak to you in parables and

expound things hidden since the

foundation of the world. Then, leaving the crowds, he went to

the house; and his disciples came to

him and said, ‘Explain the parable

about the darnel in the field to us.’ He said in reply, ‘The sower of the good

seed is the Son of Man. The field is the

world; the good seed is the subjects of

the kingdom; the darnel, the subjects of the evil one; the enemy who sowed

them, the devil; the harvest is the end

of the world; the reapers are the

angels. Well then, just as the darnel is gathered up and burnt in the fire, so it

will be at the end of time. The Son of

Man will send his angels and they will

gather out of his kingdom all things that provoke offences and all who do

evil, and throw them into the blazing

furnace, where there will be weeping

and grinding of teeth. Then the

virtuous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Listen,

anyone who has ears!’

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps 110:4-5

The Lord, the gracious, the merciful, has made a memorial of his wonders;

he gives food to those who fear him.

NEXT SUNDAYS READINGS 17th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Sunday 26th July 2020 First Reading: Kings 3:5,7-12 Second Reading: Romans 8:28-30 Gospel: Matthew 13:44-52

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Ps 53:6,8

See, I have God for my help. The Lord sustains my soul. I will sacrifice to

you with willing heart, and praise your

name, O Lord, for it is good.

FIRST READING Wis 12:13.16-19

A reading from the book of Wisdom

In the place of sin, you give repentance.

There is no god, other than you, who cares

for everything, to whom you might have to prove that you never judged unjustly.

Your justice has its source in strength, your

sovereignty over all makes you lenient to

all. You show your strength when your

sovereign power is questioned and you

expose the insolence of those who know it;

but, disposing of such strength, you are mild in judgement, you govern us with

great lenience, for you have only to will,

and your power is there.

By acting thus you have taught a lesson to your people how the virtuous man must be

kindly to his fellow men, and you have

given your sons the good hope that after

sin you will grant repentance.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 85:5-6. 9-10. 15-16. R. v.5

(R.) Lord, you are good and forgiving.

1. O Lord, you are good and

forgiving, full of love to all who

call. Give heed, O Lord, to my

prayer and attend to the sound of my voice. (R.)

2. All the nations shall come to

adore you and glorify your

name, O Lord:

for you are great and do marvellous deeds, you who

alone are God. (R.)

3. But you, God of mercy and

compassion, slow to anger,

O Lord, abounding in love and truth, turn and take pity on me.

(R.)

ST THOMAS THE

APOSTLE PARISH

57 CENTRAL ROAD

(PO BOX 395),

BLACKBURN

PARISH PRIEST: Fr. Terry Bowman, msc

FORMATOR/ASST. PRIEST: Fr Khoi Nguyen msc PARISH PHONE: 9878 0818/9877 7693 PARISH EMAIL: blackburn@cam.org.au

PARISH WEBSITE: www.stthomastheapostle.org.au

PARISH SECRETARY: Susan Collins Admin: Luise Hendricks Bookkeeper/Admin: Luisa May PARISH ACCOUNTANT: Maurice Gartland

PASTORAL ASSOCIATES: Sr. Marg Burchell IBVM & Caren Garlick

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL: Anne Marmion SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: Angela Lacey

SCHOOL PHONE: P: 9878 8268 SCHOOL EMAIL: office@stblackburn.catholic.edu.au

SCHOOL WEBSITE: www.stblackburn.catholic.edu.au

A Prayer for Priests God, grant them the joys of their vocation, health of mind, body and spirit; a strong faith and a light heart to do the Lord’s work in this world; and the love and support of their friends, family and parishioners. Holy Spirit, guide them and give them grace. Amen

ST.VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY: Call Centre for assistance – 1800 305 330 Free Call Weekdays 10am-3pm. Vinnies Centre Ringwood Ph. 9870 9124, Unit 1B/76-82 Maroondah Hwy Ringwood. For Furniture & Whitegoods pickup— Eastern Emergency Relief will pickup for St Vincent de Paul week days 9am-1pm . Ph. 9874 8433.

FIRST AID EQUIPMENT Attention Parishioners: We now have a new DEFIB which is located in the Sacristy. A First Aid Kit is also in the

Kitchen Broom Cupboard. First Aid items (blankets etc.) which are provided by the Church are stored in a large plastic tub in the Crying Room (right sliding cupboard.)

Catechetics/Altar Servers:

Caren Garlick 9878 0818

Les Coeurs: Caren Garlick

9878 0818

Six2Eight: Caren Garlick 9878 0818

Starfish: Caren Garlick 9878 0818

ST THOMAS’ PARISH BLACKBURN ADVERTISING IN PARISH BULLETIN We are offering advertising space on the back page of the Bulletin/Newsletter from January 2020 (small fee involved) to the local business community and beyond. Please call the Parish Office on 9878-0818 to discuss further. Thank you

AdventCare offers respite and permanent Aged Care.

163-165 Central Road Nunawading

Contact: Tania Fox: 9259 2130

GROUPS/ACTIVITIES POSTPONED UNTIL

FURTHER NOTICE ST THOMAS PARISH/SCHOOL ARCHIVES Archival material always welcome, please include dates and names when possible. Contact Parish Office Ph: 9878 0818

FIRST FRIDAY PARISH MASS & LUNCHEON: First Friday of the month Mass starts at 11.30am . CHILDREN’S LITURGY: Sundays at 10.30am Mass. During School Terms only. CHRISTIAN MEDITATION AFTERNOON/EVENINGS: Tuesdays at 7.30pm in the Presbytery Front Meeting room. Contact Phil Collins on 0410 668 140 or e:chrmed3130@gmail.com New comers most welcome. Monday afternoons at 4pm at the Retirement Village Centre. Contact Geni Hunt on 9802 2078 or e: geni.hunt9@gmail.com ST. THOMAS’ PLAYGROUP: Every Wednesday morning during the School Term, from 9.00am-11.00am. Please bring a piece of fruit. ALL PRE-SCHOOLERS ARE WELCOME. No cost to attend. Hope to see you there! Contact Tatiana Gibbs-0490 005 691

ROSTERS FOR ALL LITURGY GROUPS

HAVE BEEN POSTPONED.

DO YOU HAVE ANY EMPTY PLANT POTS………… A parishioner is busily potting seedlings and other plants and is in need of some pots (small to medium-sized). If you have any spare pots, please drop them off at the Parish House and we’ll forward them on. Thank you.

ST.THOMAS’ SCHOOL PRODUCES A VERY INFORMATIVE NEWSLETTER EACH WEEK ON ALL SCHOOL NEWS AND EVENTS. THEY ARE AVAILABLE ON THE SCHOOL WEBSITE. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO VIEW:

www.stblackburn.catholic.edu.au