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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
GIFT CENTRE
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