THE BULLETIN ST THERESA’S PARISH

27 AUGUST 2017 TWENTY FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

HEALING FOR THE SICK Bernice Herbert (Colleen Toombs’ Mother )

Patricia (Pat) Mulhall Parishioners: Stephen Watchman

Rosemary Carter Len Pauli

Neville Preece John Robinson

Chris McNally John Thompson

Patricia Cantwell (Kathy Sternes fr iend) Thelma & Doug Wall

(Lillian Ashcroft’s sister & brother in law)

Robert & Donna Ashcroft

(Lillian Ashcroft’s sister & brother in law)

Freda Coorey

(Kathy Sternes Friend)

Shona Kraayvanger

(Gabrielle Adam’s daughter) Joe Short (Powell family group) Enrico Marsili (Raul Ruffini’s nephew)

John Gagen (Peter Kenny’s brother-in-law)

Indiana Harman

(Ray & Madeline Taylor’s Granddaughter)

Louis Gandini (Lina Pervan’s brother)

Connie Bamgart (Lina Pervan’s friend)

Elaine Dillon (Vivienne Pr ice’s mother)

Pamela Dyson (Sandra Madden’s sister)

Patricia Jenkins (Thel Jelley’s cousin)

Roslyn Morton (Patr ick’s sister)

Simon Riethmuller (Shir ley’s son)

Max Shearer

(Grandson - Tom & Judy Shearer)

John Mullen (Helen McNaught’s nephew)

Archie Mullen

(Helen McNaught’s brother)

Reet Hughes (ex Par ishioner and close

friend of Bette Flamsteed)

Br Ed Collins OH

ANNIVERSARIES

John Ah See Sid Preece Paul Sturgeon Fr Pat Doyle Mary McAuliffe Josephine Erbacher Sr Frances Flint csb Wonder Mudzudzu Bernard Gralow Frank Hicks Jim Pigott Kath Noel

MISSION STATEMENT St Theresa’s Catholic Parish is a vibrant, inclusive and welcoming community committed to living and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Under our baptismal mission and inspired by the Spirit, we are bread for one another and nourished we reach out to make a difference in the world.

__________________________________________________________

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

A few years ago I was blessed to walk in the footsteps of Jesus throughout the Holy Land as part of a seminary pilgrimage. One day we travelled right up to the north of Israel, to the border of Israel, Syria, and Lebanon. We saw fighter jets zooming overhead! Here at the foot of Mt Hermon is the ancient site of Caesarea Philippi, mentioned in today’s Gospel. At this place there is a large cliff with a deep cave and an underground spring which is one of the chief sources of the Jordan River. This cave was thought to be bottomless, and was believed to be the gateway into the underworld, into which the pagans threw their sacrifices to the gods. Cut into the cliff are niches and the remains of ancient shrines to pagan gods. It was an epicentre of pagan worship, with the chief shrine dedicated to the Greek god Pan, the god of the wild who was particularly renowned for his sexual immorality. There was also a beautiful marble temple in which the emperor Caesar Augustus was worshipped. Furthermore, it was around this place that one of the ancient kings of Israel, Jeroboam I, ordered the worship of golden calves in place of the Lord. It was here, among these sites which embody the worship of idols and emperors as well as betrayal of the one true God, that Jesus says to his disciples, “who do people say that the son of man is?” Then he confronts his disciples, and us, directly: “But who do you say that I am?” This powerful question, an eternal and exacting question edged between the backdrop of one’s personal experience of Jesus, and of one’s experience of the world with all its charm and attraction, idols and false gods, demands a decision. This is not just a question that asks for an opinion of identity, but a decision of commitment, and therefore of worship. Will we kneel before our society with its elements of skewed morality and all its gain and attraction, or will we commit our lives to Jesus, the one who assures us that the gates of Hades, that is the power of death, will not be able to hold those who belong to Christ? One cannot help but notice the pertinence of this question in the face of the upcoming plebiscite on so called “same-sex marriage”, along with the many other moral issues our country faces today. Will we commit ourselves to Pan, or to “the Son of the living God?” By: Thomas Duncan

MASSES

St Theresa’s Parish

READINGS BAPTISMS

MON NO MASS

TUE NO MASS

WED 9AM MASS

THU NO MASS

FRI 9AM MASS

SAT 6PM MASS

SUN 9.30AM MASS

RECONCILITATION IS

AVAILABLE BEFORE MASS

OR BY APPOINTMENT

First Reading: Isaiah 22: 19-23

I place the key of the House of David upon his shoulder.

Responsorial Psalm: 137: 1-3, 6, 8

Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands.

Second Reading: Romans 11: 33-36

From him, through him, and in him are all things.

Gospel Acclamation:

Alleluia, Alleluia! You are Peter, the rock on which I will build my Church; the gates of hell will not hold out against it. Alleluia!

Gospel: M atthew 16: 13-20 You are Peter; to you I will give the keys of the kingdom of heaven.

Next week’s readings.

Jerimiah 20: 7-9 Romans 12: 1-2 Matthew 16: 21-27

Today through the Sacrament of

Baptism we welcome

Milla Rose Ramsey

into our Parish.

Baptisms are celebrated on the

second and fourth Sunday of the

month either during Mass at

(9.30am) or after Mass at

(11.00am).

MIGRANT & REFUGEE WEEK 21-27 AUGUST

MESSAGE FROM POPE FRANCIS

CHILD MIGRANTS, THE VULNERABLE AND THE VOICELESS

Welcoming - The pope asks that migrants be given an " increase and simplify the process for granting humanitarian visas “. He urges host countries to favour "a personal encounter and allow for greater quality of service and increased guarantees of success."

Protecting - ." Recalling that the skills and formation of migrants "are a true resource for the communities that welcome them," he hopes that "in countries of arrival, migrants may be offered freedom of movement, work opportunities, and access to means of communication, out of respect for their dignity ". Particular attention should be given to children who are entitled to "regular access to primary and secondary education" and "temporary custody or foster programmes should be provided for unaccompanied minors and minors separated from their families”.

Promoting - The Pope encourages " a determined effort to promote the social and professional inclusion of migrants and refugees, guaranteeing for all – including those seeking asylum – the possibility of employment, language instruction and active citizenship, together with sufficient information provided in their mother tongue. "; Integrating - For this reason Francis insists on the need to "foster a culture of encounter in every way possible – by increasing opportunities for intercultural exchange, documenting and disseminating best practices of integration, and developing programmes to prepare local communities for integration processes."

I entrust all child migrants, their families, their communities, and you who are close to them, to the protection of the Holy Family of Nazareth.

SPRED VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT OCTOBER 2017

You are invited to support this initiative by talking about the work of SPRED to friends, family and colleagues. Please see the details below regarding an information session for anyone interested in finding out more about how to become involved. WHEN: Monday, 30th October, 10-00am-10-45am OR 5-15pm - 6pm WHERE: SPRED Centre, 34 Hume St, Toowoomba. NB: There is an immediate need for volunteers in the following groups. Monday or Thursday: 6.30-8.30pm at the SPRED centre. Wednesday: 6.30-8.30pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. Tuesday or Wednesday: 10.00am-12.00 Spred Centre

St Theresa’s Parish

ST VINCENT de PAUL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We will assist all people in need by providing a hand up where possible and not just a hand out. We are always looking for new volunteers. If you would like to involve yourself in SVDP work, then in terms of a time commitment, you would be probably looking at a minimum of about an hour a week but like all volunteering, your time commitment can be what you allow it to be. If you are interested please contact Pat Morton (07) 4638 7586

50 YEARS OF CWL IN ROMA

The CWL are celebrating 50 years of service in Roma with a dinner on 20/8/17. Invitations are going out to past members who no longer live in Roma. If you have a link to Roma CWL and would like to come please contact Rita Brennan on 46222435 for details.

TOOWOOMBA GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE A special Father’s Day Memorial Service led by Pastor Rob Farr will be held at the Garden of Remembrance Crematorium Chapel, 1001 Ruthven St, Toowoomba at 3pm on Sunday 3rd September 2017. The service will honour Father’s both living and deceased. Light refreshments will be served afterwards. VINNIES NURSES MEET AND GREET CELEBRATION Friday and Saturday 8th and 9th September 2017 Nurses who worked at St Vincent’s Hospital are invited to attend. The Event’s Program includes: Lunch Concert, and Memorabilia Display. CELEBRATION MASS Saturday 9th September, 2017. 10am St Theresa’s Parish (Cnr. Campbell St and Curzon St Toowoomba) RSVP: by 31/7/17. Contact: Bern 0429932774 Email: bernwelch1@bigpond.com Alan 0409131801 Email: AJMallet@hotmail.com

NOTICES

TRAMS TOOWOOMBA (Toowoomba Refugee and Migrant Support) CatholicCare’s TRAMS program will be relocating to new accommodation at 502 Ruthven St, on Monday 25 September. All enquiries please call 1300 477 433

WELCOME NEW PARISHIONERS Please write you details in our WELCOME BOOK. Please feel free to contact the Parish office if you would like information about the Parish Community Groups and Organisations. Please contact the parish office Ph: 4639 4688. BUS TRIP MARIAN VALLEY Saturday 2nd September to honour Our Holy Mother’s birthday. Bus departs Neil St. outside Cathedral at 7:30 am. Cost $25/30. For bookings contact Theresa on 4564 9805, mob. 0434 528 904.

REFLECTION DAY “Come to Me” (Matthew 11:28) Facilitator: Sr Elaine Morzone mfic Where: St Anthony’s Parish Centre, Harristown. When: Thursday 31 August, 9.30am - 2.30pm No cost. Please take lunch to share, 9 for 9.30 start.

MATER DEI CENTENARY BOOK

The Centenary Yearbook Committee needs your Help! We’d love some extra hands to help us create an outstanding commemorative yearbook and an archive of our history. Do you have memorabilia, photos, artefacts and anecdotes to share from your time at Mater Dei? We’re looking for stories from families and friends of the school and parish. With thanks from Lauren Wright - laurenwright77@gmail.com

FIRST RECONCILIATION

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be

celebrated in our parish in November. Children who are in Year 3 or older are welcome to participate in the program in preparation for the sacrament. An information night for parents/ carers will be held on Thursday 7th September 2017 at 6pm in the Parish Centre. An information letter and enrolment form are available on the table in the foyer. If you have any queries, please contact Monica Brennan at the parish office on 4639 4688.

St Theresa’s Parish

CONTACTS

Consolation Message.

I can no longer see you with my eyes

touch you with my hands

But I will feel you in my heart

forever

LIBRARY

WALKING TO FREEDOM By: Awulian Community Development Association

Walking to Freedom chronicles the lives of a group of young men and women from Southern Sudan’s Awulian clan, Christian, Animist, agricultural people driven from their homes by northern Islamic government forces. Their stories recall the terrifying, arduous thousand-mile treks forced on them as children, orphaned or separated from their families by civil war and dubbed the Lost Boys of Sudan by aid agencies. Powerful, eloquent, heart breaking yet uplifting, Walking to Freedom brings alive the sounds of cattle camps, children’s games, village meetings and the wisdom received from beloved family elders. AK47s, air assaults, wild animals and disease and starvation also inhabit these pages. The lasting image is of grace, dignity, courage and resilience and the enduring power of hope.

Parish Priest:

Fr Brian Noonan 4696 7094 e-mail: brian.noonan@sttheresas.org.au

Pastoral Associate

Monica Brennan 4639 4688 Fax 4639 6538 e-mail: monica@sttheresas.org.au

Parish Secretary:

Janet Weier 4639 4688 Fax: 4639 6538 e-mail: office@sttheresas.org.au

Church: Cnr Campbell & Curzon Sts, Toowoomba

Office: 55 Curzon Street, Toowoomba

Parish Website www.sttheresas.org.au

Parish Pastoral Council

Fr Brian Noonan; Christine Harpham; Michael Murtagh; Francis Njoroge, Danny Carter; Kathy Sternes; Paul Apel; Gerry Ryan; Tim Burgess; Rhianna Conaghan; Gay Jorgensen; Jenny Ryan; Vanessa Horton; Tom Duncan; Monica Brennan.

Finance Committee

Fr. Brian Noonan; Pat Morton; Warren Dredge; Ray Taylor: Shane Blakeley; Brian Wilson, Pat Richardson.

Liturgy Team

Fr. Brian Noonan; Jan Mayo; Peter Kenny; Carole Rogan; Libby Rosentreter ; Kay Gleeson; Loretta Coman; Monica Brennan.

Musicians

Norma Kenny; Kathy Sternes; Elizabeth Stewart; Libby Rosentreter.

Baptism Team:

Cath Kelly; Jenny Ryan; Tracy George; Bernadette Hede; Alison Daniel; Anne Anderson; Jan Watkins; Maureen Burke; Angela Irvine; Mary Otto, Jane Burgess and Catherine Cooper.

Consolation Team:

Fr Brian Noonan; Mary Otto; Lyn McRae; Loretta Male; Peter Kenny; Bette Flamsteed; Pam Merritt; Alf Mason; Moya Schaefer, Josephine Nolan, Veronica Littleton osu; Kay McGrath rgs; Liz Phelan.

Welcome & Hospitality Team:

Paul & Kathryn Marangelli; Carole Rogan; Mary Otto; Maureen Burke.

Family Groups:

Coordinator: Brian Wilson.

Care & Concern Team

Coordinator: Moya Schaefer.

SEPTEMBER

Every Tuesday

St Vincent de Paul St Theresa’s Conference, 4pm Contact 4636 4371

First Tuesday

Care and Concern Meeting, 9.30am Parish Office.

First Wednesday

Parish morning tea at 9.45am, Cobb & Co Museum

Second Sunday

Mad Toowoomba Group from 7.00pm at St Anthony’s. Parish Centre. (Grade 7-12 people) 4636 0461