Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Parish Fr Andrew Doohan (Parish Priest) Mr Greg Byrne (Pastoral Associate) Mrs Sharon Fowle (Administration Associate) Sr Kathryn McCabe (Aboriginal Catholic Ministry)
The Parish Office is at the rear of the Parish Hall and is staffed on Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 4pm.
Items for inclusion in Bridgeside Bulletin should be received by midday on Thursday.
33 Lake Street, Forster NSW 2428 PO Box 67, Forster NSW 2428
P: (02) 6554 6304 F: (02) 6554 6425 E: [email protected] W: www.forstertuncurrycatholic.org.au
Fr Andrew can be emailed directly using the address: [email protected].
Holy Name Parish School (K-6)
Ms Brooke Schumann (Acting Principal)
41 Lake Street, Forster NSW 2428 PO Box 243, Forster NSW 2428
P: (02) 6554 6504 F: (02) 6554 8895 E: [email protected] W: www.forster.catholic.edu.au
The Parish is also served by
St Clare’s High School, Taree (7-12)
Mr Peter Nicholls (Principal)
Davis Street, Taree NSW 2430
P: (02) 6552 3300 F: (02) 6552 3656 E: [email protected] W: www.tareesc.catholic.edu.au
Sunday 11th May, 2014 Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year A
Bridgeside Bulletin The weekly bulletin of the
Catholic Parish of Forster Tuncurry Holy Name of Jesus Parish Church
33 Lake Street, Forster St Mary, Star of the Sea Church Cnr Kent & Peel Streets, Tuncurry
Proclaiming Christ to the communities of Forster, Tuncurry and the surrounding districts
Celebrating the Sacraments Reconciliation is available on Saturday mornings at Tuncurry from 8am until the beginning of the 9am Mass, on Saturday afternoons at Forster from 4:15pm until 5:15pm, or other times by contacting Fr Andrew.
Baptisms are celebrated on Sundays, either during any of our Sunday Masses or after the 9am Mass. The next Baptismal Preparation meeting will take place in the Parish Hall’s meeting rooms on Monday 12th May commencing at 7pm. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.
Weddings are celebrated by arrangement and with at least three (and preferably more) months notice. Please contact Fr Andrew for more details, or visit the Parish website.
A Sacramental Preparation process runs each year in the Parish for children wishing to complete the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation as part of the Parish community. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.
The Parish hosts the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults process for those adults wishing to be baptised or be received into the communion of the Catholic Church. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.
The Parish can also be found online:
Search for us on Facebook as ‘Catholic Parish of Forster Tuncurry’
Follow us on Twitter: @ftcatholic
2
The Parish Diary…(for the week ahead) Fourth Week of Easter
Monday—12th May 7pm Baptism Preparation Meeting @ Forster
Tuesday—13th May 9am Christian Meditation (Bob 6555 5914) 11am Anointing Mass @ GLAICA House 3:30pm Holy Hour @ Tuncurry 4:30pm Mass @ Tuncurry 5:30pm Christian Meditation (Bob 6555 5914) 5:30pm Singing Practise @ Forster
Wednesday—14th April Feast of St Matthias 9am Mass @ Forster 9:30am menALIVE morning group @ Forster 11:15am Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help @
Forster 5:30pm Parish Finance Committee meeting @
Forster 7pm Sacramental Program (Confirmation)
Preparation Meeting @ Forster
Thursday—15th May 9am Mass @ Forster
Friday—16th May 9:30am Anointing Mass @ Forster 6pm Parish Dinner @ Reef Bar n Grill Forster
Saturday—17th May 8:30am Reconciliation @ Tuncurry 9am Mass @ Tuncurry 4:45pm Reconciliation @ Forster (until 5:15pm) 6pm Mass @ Tuncurry
Sunday—18th May 7am Mass @ Tuncurry
Regular Activities in the Parish Secular Franciscan Fraternity The Secular Franciscans Fraternity will next meet on Wednesday 4th June, coming together for Mass at 9am, followed by a cuppa at 9:30am and then the meeting 10am to 12pm.
The menALIVE Groups Our Parish currently hosts two menALIVE groups. The morning group will next meet on Wednesday 14th May after the 9am Mass, while the evening group will next meet on Thursday 5th June at 7:30pm.
Maintenance & Gardening Group The Parish is lucky to be served by a very dedicated band of volunteers who tend to the upkeep of the grounds and gardens of our two church sites. They do a fabulous job, and are always ready to welcome new members to the group. The next date is Thursday 15th May starting at Tuncurry at 8am and then on to Forster. Contact Howard 6557 6826 for more information.
Singing Practice The Singing Group will resume on Tuesday 13th May at 5.30pm at Holy Name Church, Forster.
Collection of Foodstuffs for Homebase On the first Sunday of each month we undertake a collection in order to support Homebase. The next collection will next take place on Sunday 1st June.
Holy Hour The Parish community observes a Holy Hour each Tuesday afternoon in the Tuncurry Church from 3:30pm until the beginning of Mass at 4:30pm.
Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help The Novena is prayed every Wednesday in the Forster church commencing at 11:15am and is followed by a cuppa in the Parish Hall. Contact Shioney (6554 9468) for more information.
Evening Prayer & Benediction The Parish community celebrates on the first Sunday of each month at 5:30pm in the Tuncurry church. It will next be celebrated on Sunday 1st June. All welcome.
Sacramental Preparation Programme The first preparation meeting for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation will take place on Wednesday 14th May in the Parish Hall commencing at 7pm. For more information please see the Parish Website, or contact the Parish Office.
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on Friday 13th June with Bishop Bill.
Ordination of Peter Street Bishop Bill will ordain Peter Street to the Order of Deacons on Friday 30th May at St Joseph’s Church, East Maitland at 7:30pm.
All are welcome to join the Diocesan community for this important celebration in the life of the local Church.
3
From The Pastor’s Desk... Because of the Gospel that is proclaimed on the Fourth Sunday of Easter it is often referred to as ‘Good Shepherd Sunday’ and is often an occasion for mention to be made, in a particular way, of the need to pray for and foster vocations to the ordained ministries of Priest and Deacon.
This is always something worthy of prayer and discernment—and maybe even the odd suggestion to something you think might ‘fit the bill’ of these specific vocations in the life of the local Church—yet I thought I might update you on where things stand in our Diocese at this point in time.
As you will read elsewhere, our Diocese is about to ordain a deacon, Peter Street, as part of his journey towards priesthood. This will be first ordination of a ‘transitional’ deacon in about seven years! It is a joyous occasion to be sure, but there is some more good news.
The Diocese had two men start their seminary formation this year in Sydney, another will begin his in Rome later in the year, and yet another will begin his formation in Brisbane either mid-year or in 2015. It is looking likely that at least one and maybe two will begin their seminary formation in 2015 as well.
This all looks very promising I think you would agree.
The ‘bad news’ is that before all of these men finish their formation and are ordained, the number of priests still active in ministry in our Diocese will almost halve through retirement. God forbid any of the currently active priests should take ill and have to cease ministry early, although that is entirely in God’s hands.
This dire situation cannot be solved by simply inviting more priests into our local Church from overseas (although that too is being considered as part of a ‘short term’ solution)—if the Diocese is going to be sustainable in terms of parish life going forward local vocations need to be fostered. The ability to place a priest in every parish of the Diocese is already under strain, and we can’t simply ordain men and immediately make them parish priests.
So on this ‘Good Shepherd Sunday’, as we hear the Gospel proclaimed in our midst, perhaps we might resolve to continue to pray for and foster vocations to the ordained ministries of the Church, so that we can continue the mission of making the Good News of Jesus known to the wider world.
Until next week… Fr Andrew
Parish Dinner This year’s event will be held at the Reef Bar & Grill on Wharf Street, Forster at 6pm on Friday 16th May. Our guest speaker is Brendan Guiney from Mid Coast Water who will talk about “Twinning and Water Aid” in Samoa.
Tickets are $30 and include a 2 course meal. They are available for purchase today outside the churches after Mass, or, alternatively, you can contact the Parish Office.
Monastic Experience Weekend Tarrawarra Abbey will host a Monastic Experience Weekend on 13th-15th June this year.
Do you wonder whether you might be called by God to monastic life?
Would you like to know more about the Cistercian life?
If so, and you are a single Catholic male (Tarrawarra is a community of monks), consider yourself invited.
You can obtain more information and/or book by contacting Fr Joseph Chua ocso, Vocations Director, Tarrawarra Abbey, Yarra Glen, Victoria 3775. Alternatively, email Fr Joseph on vocations @cistercian.org.au or phone him on 03 9730 1306. We would love to have you ‘come and see’.
Tri-Diocesan Covenant Service The Tri-Diocesan Covenant Ecumenical Service will be held on Thursday 29th May beginning at 7:45pm at St Peter's Anglican Church, East Maitland. All are very welcome to attend this joyful and popular service.
Leaving Mass Early At the risk of making myself unpopular (again!?) I would like to suggest that habitually leaving Mass immediately after receiving Communion is definitely too early to be leaving Mass.
Please consider your actions. Fr Andrew
Women of Faith Lunch The Women of Faith group (of the Anglican Parish of Forster Tuncurry) will be holding a lunch on Saturday 17th May at 12 noon at St Alban’s Church Hall, St Alban’s Place, Forster. The speaker will be Wendy Ballard of Green Cathedral Ministries. There will be good fellowship, delicious food and an interesting speaker. The cost is $10 a head, and everyone is welcome—women of any faith or none.
4
Catholic Newspapers Available Both The Catholic Leader (Brisbane) and The Catholic Weekly (Sydney) newspapers are available at a cost of $2 each from our churches.
Parish Social Functions for 2014 The dates for the remaining Parish Social Functions for 2014 are:-
INTERNATIONAL LUNCH to be held on Saturday 2nd August.
BLESSING OF THE FLEET/PARISH BBQ will be held this year on Sunday 5th October.
Please claim these dates in your diary now and watch for further details as they are released closer to each event.
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Official Opening The official opening of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden at Holy Name Primary School will take place on Thursday 22nd May from 5pm.
Holy Name Primary School has been building an organic garden since mid 2013, and the opening is an opportunity for the wider community to learn about and experience the Kitchen Garden Program for themselves.
The evening will feature special guest appearance by Carly and Tresne from My Kitchen Rules, along with musical performances by Holy Name students.
Please RSVP to Kellie Spinks on 6554 6504 or by email to [email protected].
Vocation View ‘Repent and be baptised!’ Our life as followers of Jesus is a constant conversion to the Lord; we must at all times live out the commitments made at our Baptism (Acts 2:38). For more information regarding Vocations contact Fr Brian Mascord on 4979 1112 or by email to [email protected].
10th National eConference The 10th National eConference hosted by Broken Bay Institute will be held on Wednesday 11th June from 10am to 3pm.
Once again the Parish will hosting participation in the eConference, which has the title “Pope Francis: Modelling the Ministry of St Peter”, and featuring as presenters Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, Sr Monica Cavanagh rsj, Fr Gerard Kelly, Ms Selina Hasham, and Fr Noel Connolly ssc.
You are invited to bring along a small plate of food to share or your own lunch. Coffee and tea will be provided.
Registrations for the eConference to the Parish Office or by email to Loretta Heffernan at loretta.heffernan@ mn.catholic.org.au
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults On Pentecost Sunday 8th June 2014 the Chisholm Region will hold a reunion to celebrate over 20 years of RCIA ministry!
If you have experienced RCIA in the parishes of the Chisholm Region - East Maitland, Morpeth, Maitland, Rutherford, Lochinvar, Beresfield, Dungog and Gresford, we hope you will bring along your family and join us for a Reunion Mass at 11.00am in the Immaculate Conception Church George St Morpeth.
We will then enjoy a BYO picnic lunch in the Corcoran Centre and church grounds after Mass. If you have been a sponsor you might like to make contact with the person you sponsored. Contact: Loretto Lynch Ph: 49337425 or Email: [email protected]
Association of Catholic Professionals The next Assembly of Catholic Professionals Luncheon with guest speaker Phil Glendenning will be held on Thursday 29th May beginning at 12pm at The Newcastle Club, 40 Newcomen St, Newcastle.
There is no cost for ACP members; guests cost $99 (plus GST). For bookings please contact the Diocesan Fundraising Office by phone (4979 1124), by email ([email protected]), or by visiting the ACP webpage (www.mn.catholic.org.au/acp).
Sacramental Program The Sacramental Programme has commenced once again as families prepare their children to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion. Parents will be assisted in preparing their children by a Parish Sacramental Team. This year we have a strong Team of Genevieve Williamson, Natasha Brotherton, Lee Sullivan, Rhiannon Lacey and Greg Byrne.
This weekend children and their families will be presented to the Parish Community who will be asked to support these families during the preparation period and the children’s reception into our worshipping community. In this regard you may like to add your name to the list of children at the rear of both churches.
5
Receiving Communion So that we might receive Communion in a ‘fit and proper’ way, please be aware of the following:
When we process forward to receive Communion, we have been asked by the Australian Bishops to adopt a common and unified gesture of reverence before doing so. In Australia that gesture is a bow of the head and shoulders (GIRM, 160). Any other form of reverence, including a genuflection, is no longer permitted, and you are asked to refrain from doing so.
When the minister of communion presents the Host or Chalice to you, they say “The Body of Christ” or “The Blood of Christ”. Please ensure that you respond with “Amen”.
Communion by ‘self-intinction’ (‘self-dipping’) is never permitted, since we receive Communion and never take Communion. Please refrain from this inappropriate action.
We regret that we do not have the physical facilities to offer communion while kneeling, and respectfully ask you to refrain from kneeling to receive Communion while part of the procession, since this is contrary to the nature of the Communion procession itself. Your cooperation in honouring this request is very much appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.
Yes to the Challenge of a Missionary Spirituality Today we are seeing in many pastoral workers, including consecrated men and women, an inordinate concern for their personal freedom and relaxation, which leads them to see their work as a mere appendage to their life, as if it were not part of their very identity. At the same time, the spiritual life comes to be identified with a few religious exercises which can offer a certain comfort but which do not encourage encounter with others, engagement with the world or a passion for evangelization. As a result, one can observe in many agents of evangelization, even though they pray, a heightened individualism, a crisis of identity and a cooling of fervour. These are three evils which fuel one another.
At times our media culture and some intellectual circles convey a marked scepticism with regard to the Church’s message, along with a certain cynicism. As a consequence, many pastoral workers, although they pray, develop a sort of inferiority complex which leads them to relativize or conceal their Christian identity and convictions. This produces a vicious circle. They end up being unhappy with who they are and what they do; they do not identify with their mission of evangelization and this weakens their commitment. They end up stifling the joy of mission with a kind of obsession about being like everyone else and possessing what everyone else possesses. Their work of evangelization thus becomes forced, and they devote little energy and very limited time to it.
Pastoral workers can thus fall into a relativism which, whatever their particular style of spirituality or way of thinking, proves even more dangerous than doctrinal relativism. It has to do with the deepest and inmost decisions that shape their way of life. This practical relativism consists in acting as if God did not exist, making decisions as if the poor did not exist, setting goals as if others did not exist, working as if people who have not received the Gospel did not exist. It is striking that even some who clearly have solid doctrinal and spiritual convictions frequently fall into a lifestyle which leads to an attachment to financial security, or to a desire for power or human glory at all cost, rather than giving their lives to others in mission. Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of missionary enthusiasm!
Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 78-80.
If you would like to read more of Evangelii Gaudium, copies are available for purchase ($10) or borrowing from the Parish Office. The Exhortation is also available for downloading from the Vatican website.
Palliative Care Week The Forster Palliative Care Team will be holding their Annual Memorial Service at 10am on Friday 30th May at Blackhead Surf Club, Hallidays Point. The aim of the service is to help people with their healing process and to feel a sense of community as people join with others in a similar situation. It is also an opportunity for professional carers to give thanks and to be supported.
If you are interested in attending or participating in this service, or if you would like to offer a venue for services in the future, please contact either, Deidre Stokes, Trish Lowe, Margaret Fitzgerald or Robyn McIntosh at Foster Community Health on 6539 6300.
Raising Awareness of Palliative Care You are invited to a proposed walk across the Tuncurry Forster Bridge at 10am on Friday 23 May 2014 as a forerunner to Palliative Care Week, 25 to 31 May. This year, at the suggestion of Mayor Jan McWilliams, you are invited to wear something blue.
A brief discourse on the role of palliative care will be delivered prior to the bridge walk. Morning tea will be served on the foreshore after the bridge crossing is complete.
6
Parish Singing Group - Easter 2014
7
Opportunities Outside The Parish
TWEC “Mum’s Night Out” TWEC "Mum's Night Out" will be held on Wednesday 14th May beginning at 5:30pm at Holmesville Hotel, 21 George St, Holmesville, and will be hosted by Sally Lavis & Benita Tait (Mums and Seasons for Growth facilitators). Please RSVP by 9th May to the TWEC Secretary by phone (4930 9601) or by email ([email protected]). A donation is appreciated.
An Evening with Dr John Irvine Dr John Irvine is one of Australia’s most prominent child psychologists, and will be presenting a public lecture entitled “Anxiety K-12: Red flags & what parents can do to support their children” on Wednesday 14th May from 6:30pm at The Factory, St Pius X High School, Park Avenue, Adamstown. Please RSVP to Cath Garrett-Jones, Parent Liaison and Resource Office by phone to 4979 1303 or by email to [email protected].
CatholicCare Masquerade Ball The 2014 CatholicCare Masquerade Ball will be hold on Saturday 17th May beginning at 7pm at Wests Leagues Club, New Lambton. The event is a fundraiser for CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning’s Child & Family Services, and coincides with National Families Week (15th-21st May). The Ball is a great way to celebrate the vital role families play in our community. Tickets are $140ea (plus booking fee) and are available from www.stickytickets. com.au/14972 or by phoning 4979 1120.
Mass of Celebration with Neophytes Come celebrate with our new Catholics (Newphytes) on Sunday 18th May beginning with Mass at 9:30am at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Newcastle West. All parishioners, family members, parish RCIA teams, sponsors and godparents in the Diocese are invited to join with Bishop Bill in welcoming these new Catholics into the Diocesan family. A morning tea will follow in the Diocesan Centre.
Charismatic Renewal Weekend Newcastle Catholic Charismatic Renewal Healing Weekend will be held on Saturday 24th May at St John Parish Hall, Dickson St, Lambton. Newcastle Catholic Charismatic Renewal invites all people who are interested to a Healing Weekend with Sr. Margaret Scully. Both days start at 9am and finish at 4pm. This will include Mass. Morning and afternoon tea will be provided, please BYO lunch. Cost is a donation. Contact Margaret Abdoo 0425260925 or Wayne Caruana 0466 631394 for more information.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2014 This year the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be held in Australia from 1st to 8th June, with the theme “Has Christ Been Divided?” (1 Cor 1:1-17). Guidelines, an Order of Worship, Sermon Notes, Daily Prayers and Biblical Reflections, as well as a Poster, are available on the website of the National Council of Churches in Australia (www.ncca.org.au).
DioSounds Evening Performance 2014 The evening performance of DioSounds 2014 will be held on Wednesday 11th June commencing at 6:30pm at the Civic Theatre, Hunter Street, Newcastle. Tickets are available at the Civic Theatre or via Ticketek (phone 4929 1977 or visit www.ticketek.com.au) and cost $30 for adults, and $15 for students and concessions.
2014 TWEC Dinner The 2014 TWEC Dinner will be held on Friday 13th June 2014 at The Therry Centre, East Maitland, 6:30pm for 7pm. The special guest speaker will be Mr Tim Fischer, former Deputy Prime Minister and more recently the first resident Australian Ambassador to the Holy See, well known train enthusiast, writer and much more! The cost for hors d’oeuvres, drinks, main meal and dessert is $60 per person For more information call 4930 9601 or email [email protected].
Marriage Encounter Weekend A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend will be held beginning Friday 13th June at Mt Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville. The weekend offers married couples a special kind of “time out”, a different kind of “weekend getaway”. Contact Ardell or Bill Sharpe on 4283 3435 or [email protected] for more information.
2014 Diocesan Youth Retreat “Be, Grow, Show” is the title of the 2014 Diocesan Youth Retreat which will be held from Friday 27th June to Sunday 29th June at Camp Elim, The Lakes Way, Forster. Save the date! For more information email [email protected].
Bonhoeffer Conference 2014 The 2014 Bonhoeffer Conference—”Used and Abused: Bonhoeffer for All Causes”—will be held on Thursday 31st July at St Joseph’s Spirituality Centre, Kincumber. For more information contact Wendy Grant on 4921 5880 or Bonhoeffer-conference@ newcastle.edu.au.
I am the gate; whoever enters
through me will be saved
8
Ministers this Weekend... ...of the Word ...of Communion
6pm Tuncurry A: Valarie Ross B: Monica Hunt
Lou Hope, Ruth Pearson, Maureen Pye, Neil Pye, Valarie Ross.
7am Tuncurry A: Kay Griffiths B: Maree Gapps
Maria Armitage, Lorraine Clark, Patricia Cornish, Cushla Drake, Kay Griffiths.
9am Forster A: Kris Koch B: Genevieve Williamson
Josi Beech, Elle Cairns-Cowan, Anne Moloney, Robert Moran, Robyn Ryan.
Ministers next Weekend... ...of the Word ...of Communion
6pm Tuncurry A: Frank Hayman B: Valarie Ross
Owen Carroll, Burness Goodlet, Frank Hayman, Maureen Stevens, Tony Stevens.
7am Tuncurry A: Anne-Marie Greene B: Cecile Malone
Lorraine Clark, Patricia Cornish, Cushla Drake, Tony Knight, Edna Tucker.
9am Forster A: Kyla Loring B: Marion O’Neill
Sharon Fowle, Barbara Kermode, Anne Moloney, Trevor Turner, Genevieve Williamson.
Please note: The above information reflects the rosters as originally published, and doesn’t take account of any ‘swaps’ that may have been organised between individuals.
Scripture Readings This Week
Today Acts 2:14, 36-41 1 Peter 2:20-25 John 10:1-10 Monday Acts 11:1-18 John 10:11-18 Tuesday Acts 11:19-26 John 10:22-30 Wednesday Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 John 15:9-17 Thursday Acts 13:13-25 John 13:16-20 Friday Acts 13:26-33 John 14:1-6 Saturday Acts 13:44-52 John 14:7-14 Sunday Acts 6:1-7 1 Peter 2:4-9 John 14:1-12
Today’s Liturgy of the Word
Responsorial Psalm Response: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want..
Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia! I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep and mine know me. Alleluia!
In your charity, please pray for:
Those recently deceased: Evelyn Matthews (Mother of Ted Doherty)
Those whose anniversaries occur about now: Don Burton.
All those in our community who are sick.
Text: Excerpts from the English Translation of the Roman Missal © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL); Music: From the Mass of St Francis © 2010, Paul Taylor. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Australian Agent—Word of Life International Licence no 195E.
