Australia Day Year A Cyle II 26 January 2020

T he imprisonment of John the Baptist brings sadness to Jesus. He withdraws from Nazareth and moves to

Galilee. This shifting brings him new opportunities. He begins where John had left off, calling people to

repentance. There is a sense of urgency as the Kingdom of God is ‘at hand.’ Peter, Andrew, James and John

respond to his call with an immediate and total break from the past. Accepting Jesus’ call to discipleship for those

first disciples was a risk and a plunge into the unknown and insecure world. But they trusted in the Caller. They

opened their hearts to him and he recognised their sincerity and goodness. Following Jesus and being led by his

Spirit bring us the opportunity to experience the Kingdom of God which Jesus came to establish in the hearts of

those who welcome him.

“There are two words used a great deal by Jesus in the Gospels. One is Come and the other is Go. It is no use

coming unless you go and it is no use going unless you come.” - Anon

God’s Word Fr Joe Mathew

A ustralia is an extraordinary nation. On Australia Day, we reflect on our history, its highs and its lows.

We respect the stories of others. And we celebrate our nation, its achievements and most of all, its people.

We’re all part of the story.

On Australia Day we celebrate all the things we love about Australia: land, sense of fair go, lifestyle, democracy,

the freedoms we enjoy but particularly our people. Australia Day is about acknowledging and celebrating the

contribution that every Australian makes to our contemporary and dynamic nation. From our Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander people - who have been here for more than 65,000 years - to those who have lived here for

generations, to those who have come from all corners of the globe to call our country home.

The marking of 26 January is an important date in Australia's history and has changed over time: starting as a

celebration for emancipated convicts and evolving into what is now a celebration of Australia that reflects the

nation's diverse people. Over 16,000 new Australians become citizens on Australia Day.

Australia Day is hugely popular, with many Australians attending events organised by State Governments, local

councils, community groups or getting together with family and friends. (australiaday.org.au)

In particular this year however, amid our celebrations, we will remember, pray for, and assist our brothers and

sisters who have suffered loss in the bushfires and drought of our beloved sunburnt country.

Happy Australia Day!!

Trust in the Caller

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St Vinnies Bushfire Appeal next Weekend

T he St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) is responding to the current bushfire crisis

in all affected states and territories around Australia. Through Its network of

local conferences and support services, that response is to use donations and grants to

provide urgent and medium term relief such as food, clothing, bedding, fuel, and other

household costs, emergency accommodation, ongoing living costs, and replacement of

destroyed household effects.

But Vinnies will also be there for the long term, and will use available resources to help

with long term needs such as counselling and financial services. This will continue for

as long as the need remains.

All monies donated to the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal go directly to eligible individuals in

bush-fire affected areas in the ACT (Canberra-Goulburn Archdiocese which includes

the NSW South Coast), NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.

Donations can be made here next weekend, at any Vinnies shop, or online at https://

donate.vinnies.org.au/appeals-nsw/vinnies-nsw-bushfire-appeal-nsw Vinnies in our

parish is still in urgent need of new members. If you are able to help with this work,

please contact the Parish Office in person or by phone to (02) 4332 2216.

The Catholic

Weekly

Now on sale

on the

Church tables.

$2 to the poor

box please.

Beauty Truth

Goodness

The Fundamentals

of Catholicism

Is back! Join us

Wednesdays 10:30-

11:30am or 7-8pm in

the Muldoon Room.

All welcome!

Passion for the Word of God

M ore and more Catholics attend bible studies nowadays, still our efforts are not

enough.

We are familiar with celebrations like the National Bible Week and Bible Sunday and

activities like Bible distributions, Bible enthronements, exhibits and the like. While

these are helpful, the real challenge for us, Catholics, is to develop a culture of truly

understanding and loving the Bible. This demands time and effort. God cannot speak

to us richly if we are not listening.

We develop confidence in dealing with the biblical texts by studying their historical

backgrounds. In this way, we will avoid making tendentious and erroneous interpreta-

tions. We differ from fundamentalist Christian groups who abhor the critical approach.

They make all kinds of conclusions, to the point of attacking us, Catholics.

Everyone should be reminded of this dictum, “Text without context is pretext.” We

will never see the light if we do not respect the nature of the text, the intention of the

author, and the context of the reader. In addition, our churches will be damned and

doomed to live in darkness, if our priests, religious and catechists do not have the

passion and sustained interest to teach the Bible.

Jesus has a passion for the Word of God. His priority is preaching. Healings come after.

In the Gospel, Jesus preaches, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Matthew interprets this as the fulfillment of the prophecy in the First Reading: “The

people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” The light is Jesus, passionate-

ly proclaiming the Word of God, and the people once in darkness are now passionately

listening to this rabbi from Galilee. His fellow rabbis teach that the most sacred activity

is not worship or charity work, but the study of the Torah. They have passion for the

Word of God. How can they keep God’s Word if they do not know it?

Let us also learn from the Psalmist, “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the

counsel of the wicked… the law of the Lord is his joy; and on his law he meditates day

and night” (Ps 1:1-2). If we have a passion for the Word of God, we will surely see the

light, and our nation will become great.

365 Days with the Lord Gil Alinsangan SSP

Fr Vincent Away

Fr Vincent will be on Annual Leave

for the next month. Happy Holidays

Fr Vincent!!

Will not be meeting 27 January

see you 24 February after 9am Mass for a

nice morning tea, chat and a bit

of craft. All welcome!

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Sunday of the Word of God

O ur Catholic liturgical calendar has a new celebration - Sunday of the Word of

God, which is celebrated today for the first time. Pope Francis has given us this

new Sunday to be celebrated each year on the 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time.

Pope Francis, in instituting this day, wrote a letter Aperuit Illis (AI), which seeks to

remind us to receive the Scriptures “not as a human word but as what it really is, the

word of God,” and to grow in our knowledge and love of the Scriptures. They are not

just empty words. It is the Holy Spirit that “makes human words written in human

fashion become the word of God.” (AI, 5) Consider taking some steps to read or study

the Scriptures more this year.

Sacramentality of the Word

T he Sacramentality of the Word can be understood by analogy with the real

presence of Christ under the appearances of the consecrated bread and wine. By

approaching the altar and partaking in the Eucharistic banquet we truly share in the

Body and Blood of Christ. The proclamation of God’s word at the celebration entails an

acknowledgement that Christ himself is present, that he speaks to us, and that he wish-

es to be heard. Saint Jerome speaks of the way we ought to approach both the Eucharist

and the Word of God: “We are reading from the sacred Scriptures. For me, the Gospel

is the Body of Christ; for me, the holy Scriptures are his teaching. And when he says:

whoever does not eat my flesh and drink my blood (Jn 6:53), even though these words

can also be understood of the Eucharist, Christ’s body and blood are really the word of

Scripture, God’s teaching. When we approach the Eucharist, if a crumb falls to the

ground we are troubled. Yet when we are listening to the Word of God, and God’s

Word and Christ’s flesh and blood are being poured into our ears we pay no heed,

what great peril should we not feel?” Christ, truly present under the species of bread

and wine, is analogously present in the word proclaimed in the liturgy.

Verbum Domini 56 Pope Benedict XVl Christian Meditation Group

We meet every Friday 10:30am - 11:30am in the

Muldoon Room. Come and share the gift of meditation.

We look forward to seeing you.

Bible Study Returns Tuesday 4 February. Join

Fr Kevin for a short Bible Study of the

next Sunday’s Gospel. 9:30am

Muldoon Room .

Adoration

Adoration of the

Blessed Sacrament is

being held on

Saturday 1 February

in the Prayer Room,

following 9am Mass

and continuing

through the day

to Benediction

at 5:30pm.

Car Park Warning

The car park gates close half hour after

Saturday/Sunday services. Be aware if

locked in -the carpark reopens next morning.

Catholic Mission Thanks You

T hank you for supporting this year’s Catholic Mission Church Appeal through

your kind gifts and prayers, and for reaching out to children and communities in

need in Ghana and throughout the world.

Your generosity makes it possible for programs such as the Nazareth Home for God’s

Children to provide love and support for children rescued from life-threatening

situations, giving them a chance to live a full life.

For more information about the work of Catholic Mission freecall 1800 257 296 or go to

www.catholicmission.org.au/Ghana

Please Note Candlemas

Next Sunday on the Feast of the Presentation we will have a special blessing of candles

at each of the Masses. This has traditionally been the day that all the candles for the

Church’s year are blessed, reminding us that Christ is our light and that we are called

to reflect this light to all. Bring your candles with you to be blessed during Mass.

Praisefest with Catholic Youth Broken Bay

Our first Praisefest of the year will be held at MacKillop Catholic College Warnervale

Friday 20 March 6pm to 9pm. Contact youth@bbcatholic.org.au for more information.

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

PARISH PRIEST & DEAN Fr William Stevens ASSISTANT PRIEST Fr Vincent Varghese VC

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

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!

The Gift Centre has many Bibles available including Children’s Picture Bibles, as well as Scripture study materials and educational books. You’ll find the Gift Centre in the foyer of the Church.

Opening Hours: Saturdays before and after 6pm Mass

Sundays before and after 8am and 9:30am Masses and office hours by appointment

4332 2216

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

Recently Deceased: Marjorie Harley, Norah Liney, Inake Vincente, Daniella Schulze Takchi.

Anniversaries: Fr Reginald Reynolds, Mark O’Sullivan.

Remembrances: Vincent & Dorothy Cribb, Maurice Cramsie, Jill O’Sullivan, Ron Mahoney, Patricia Mahon, Gilda Caniglia, Dane Mackie & all the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

Families: Cole, Attard, Tobin, Casey.

Sick: Peter O’Grady, Tim Parsons, Martin Gosper, Linda Read, Antoinette Grech, Margaret Pizzuto, Pat & Diane McCudden, Tanya Doorn, David Drinan, Valda Kelso, Maria De Sousa, Steve Crowe, Ann Minogue, Kaye Cincotta, Agnes Burke, Marie Lewis, Val Rayner, Delma Clarke, Chris Morley, Anthony Morrell, Raymond & Tim Baker, Kelly Will and those suffering with long-term illnesses.

Thankyou: for all the prayers for Nick Hurst who is now back at work after successful treatment and for Nerada Blake who is much improved. The two of them are off our sick list this week and your prayers were very much appreciated.

Australia Day Isaiah 32:15-18 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 Matthew 5:2-12 Entrance Antiphon: I will praise you, Lord, among the peoples, among the nations sing psalms to you, for your mercy reaches to the heavens, and your truth to the skies.

Responsorial Psalm: The Lord speaks of peace to his people.

Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! Happy the peacemakers: they shall be call children of God. Alleluia!

Communion Antiphon: Bless the Lord, my soul, and never forget all his benefits.

Our Lady of the Rosary

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