Parish Bulletin

St Mary’s Parish Prayer

God our Father, as we thank you for the blessings, we ask you to bless this Parish of yours, so that

we may love you more.

Encircle our families with your loving care.

Help parents to be good examples to their

children and our youth to grow in strength as good Christians.

To the sick grant health, to the aged bring serenity and to those in sorrow, joy.

May we grow stronger in faith and may

our love for one another become deeper

in our daily living.

We make this through the intercession of our Mother Mary. Amen

Paris Office Hours

Tuesday 9.00am - 3.00pm Thursday 9.00am - 3.00pm

Weekend Mass Times

Saturday Vigil 6.30pm Sunday 10am

Reconciliation

Saturday 10.30am - 11am

Weekday Mass Times

Wednesday 17th October - 6.00pm

Thursday 18th October - 6.00pm

Friday 19th October - 10.00am - School and Parish Mass

FINAL MASS AT RODNEY PARK

(Prior to temporary move to Shepparton)

Thurs 25th. October - 10.30am

On the Lighter Side

A somewhat unobservant churchgoer complained to his priest recently: “You read the same gospel three Sundays in a row and gave the same homily each time.” The priest asked: “What did I preach about each time?” The complainant replied: “I don’t remember!” So the priest quickly added “Well then I must preach the homily for a fourth time and hopefully it may sink in." Note: John 6:1-69 was read over five Sundays, three were centred on the “Jesus as the Bread of Life”.

A Prayer.

Remember me with smiles not tears,

For all the joy through all the years.

Recall the closeness that was ours,

A love as “sweet” as fragrant flowers.

Don’t dwell on thoughts that cause you pain,

We’ll see each other once again.

I am at peace … try to believe,

It was my time … I had to leave.

But “what a view” I have from here,

I see your face, I feel you near.

I follow you throughout the day,

You’re not alone along the way.

And when God calls you … you will be,

Right by my side … right here with me.

Amen

Words of Pope Francis

The greatest possible wisdom is to share fruitfully what we have to give… Even as mercy is the companion of wisdom, avarice is its enemy. There are activities that, united to contemplation, do not prevent the latter, but rather facilitate it, such as works of mercy and devotion. Pope Francis, Gaudete Et Exsultate (2018) para 46

Focus on the Readings

Two Big Questions are at the core of Today’s Readings! First Reading: “What is necessary for happiness?” And from the Gospel passage: “What must I do to inherit eternal life? The pursuit of happiness has led people to seek wealth, honour, beauty, treasure, freedom, power, position, strength, peace, health, comfortable lifestyle. Many gain some of these but still have not gained happiness. The passage from Wisdom is a response to this question. Wisdom is observed in great leaders and prophets of God. We have the saying: “The Wisdom of Solomon” and the understanding granted to Jeremiah. Yet God’s overabundance of wisdom is to be manifest in the Messiah to come. The Lord will share his wisdom to those who seek happiness and eternal life.

The observance of the Law was also considered the road to well-being and happiness but a young man was restless and asked Jesus what else must he do. Jesus’ reply we heard today was complicated and “impossible” unless we come to discernment and see the wisdom of God: Salvation is a gift, God’s grace come with that gift to which we must say “Yes”.

PPC — PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

Parish Councils are one of the structures strongly recommended by the Bishops of the Second Vatican Council. Their aim is to further the work of the Church by fostering the spiritual growth of parishioners and leading them to respond actively to their baptismal call to mission. These councils are to be made up of committed lay people meeting regularly with their pastor.

To be relevant and effective in the contemporary world and to be faithful to the mission of Christ, the Church must be concerned not just with its own needs and laws and structures, but with the concerns and needs of people generally.

Our Pastoral Council has a new leader, Cathie McMaster, who has kindly offered her services. We are looking for 4 new members who are keen to contribute to this important ministry.

Please give prayerful consideration to this. You may be able to help or encourage others to offer their services.

Plenary Council 2020

The Plenary Council is a wonderful

opportunity for all Catholics to have their say about what they think God is asking of us in Australia at this time. From now until Lent, 2019 we are in the first stage of the Council, that of

consultation. In order to enter prayerfully and reflectively into this stage of the Plenary Council process we need the gifts of listening to each other, of open dialogue with each other and of

discernment.

Questionaries are available today and we invite your input. Also, you are all invited to a

PLENARY COUNCIL GROUP DISCUSSION

Saturday, 20th. October

10.30am—1.00pm

Mons Peter Jeffrey Centre,

Shepparton.

Bookings to chancery@sandhurst.catholic.org.au

Phone Lyn Breen 03 5441 2544

Brochures available in the narthex