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 - 4.00pm Thursday 9.00am - 4.00pm

Weekend Mass Times

Saturday Vigil 6.30pm

Sunday Mass 10am

Reconciliation

Saturday 10.30am - 11am

Updated - Weekday Mass Times

Wednesday 18th March - 6.00pm

Thursday 19th March - 6.00pm

Friday 20th March - 10.00am

Tuesday 31st March Reconcilliation 7pm

All Welcome

NEW - On the Lighter Side

The Ides of March was a day in the Roman calendar that corresponded to 15 March. It was marked by several festivals and as a deadline for settling debts. In the pre 46 BC lunar Calender it was the first full moon of the new year. Julius Caesar was assassinated on this day 44 BC. "Beware the Ides of March" was the soothsayer's warning in Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar (Act I, Scene 2) and has become a catchphrase with or without allusion to its origin.

Updated - Pope Francis Message for Lent 2020

In this Lent of 2020, I would like to share with every Christian what I wrote to young people in October 2018 “Keep your eyes fixed on the outstretched arms of Christ crucified, let yourself be saved over and over again. And when you go to confess your sins, believe firmly in his mercy which frees you of your guilt. Contemplate his blood poured out with such great love, and let yourself be cleansed by it. In this way, you can be reborn ever anew” (No. 123). Jesus’ Pasch is not a past event; rather, through the power of the Holy Spirit it is ever present, enabling us to see and touch with faith the flesh of Christ in those who suffer. (#1b)

Updated - Looking at the Readings

“Give me a drink!” Equivalent in our time, space and culture would likely be: “Let’s have a cup of tea.” Jesus asked the woman at the well for a drink as an ice-breaker. And there was a lot of ice to break! Gender, ethnicity, morality, just to name a few obstacles. The woman’s responses showed amazement, confusion, evasiveness, irony and indignation but as the ice was continuing to break and melt, she showed curiosity, genuine interest and excitement.

Jesus seized the moment to talk to her gently and persuasively about himself, his mission, her history and her future salvation. This encounter at Jacob’s well, which incidentally is still there, presents us with great teaching on baptism: God’s initiative to save, Christ’s offering of living water for eternal life, call to conversion open to all people, growth in faith and personal commission to go out and tell others.

The wilderness (week 1), the Mountain (week 2) and this week, the Well are symbols for our Lenten journey. In each setting we are challenged to listen to the Word of God and encouraged to go forward with Christ towards the Paschal mystery.

NEW - 15th March—3rd Sunday of Lent

Father of four, Barry, embodies resilience and strength. Growing up in a tough environment, he had to look inside himself to make the right choices for himself and his family.

Barry, a Gamilaroi man originally from western NSW, remembers his early years as a time of enormous hardship. He didn’t have a stable home or support network and was mostly brought up by his grandparents.

He became a father in his late teens and was suddenly faced with responsibilities for which he wasn’t ready. He started drinking heavily, behaviour that he’d witnessed previously.

Barry, and others like him, were able to take part in Red Dust Healing – a cultural healing program, which encourages participants to examine their own personal hurt and allows them to heal from within. The program addresses family and personal relationships, and what may have been lifelong patterns of violence, abuse and neglect.

Red Dust Healing Founder, Tom Powell, is humbled that the program has won numerous awards and helped over 16,000 people like Barry across Australia. “I had to make some changes – not for me, but for my daughters,” Barry said. “I just thought to myself, why keep doing this? That ripple effect will travel, it will flow on to my girls and my grandchildren.”

“LETS GO FURTHER TOGETHER”

NEW - Lenten Journey

You can’t fight poverty on your own, but

together we can with Project Compassion! This Lent, join millions of Australians raising funds for the world’s most vulnerable people.

In 2020

1 in 7 people still go hungry every day
1.2 billion people don’t have access to clean drinking water
There are 11 million women and girls in forced labour

It only takes seconds to make the world a better place. Are you with us? Project Compassion is an extraordinary demonstration of the faith, love and generosity of Caritas Australia’s caring supporters, all in the name of peace and justice.

Project Compassion inspires so many communities to come together to raise much needed funds for the most vulnerable women, children and men in Australian and around the world.

Together, we can all help to break the cycle of poverty and injustice

NEW - AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE

National Advice on liturgical implications

Regarding Coronavirus

Holy Water has temporarily been removed
Avoid shaking hands at the Sign of Peace—greet with a smile, a nod, a wave etc
Communion will not be delivered from the chalice
Body of Christ will only be administered in the hand
Soap Free antibacterial hand wash will be provided before entering the church

Thank you for your understanding—The Liturgy Team

ST. MARY’S BINGO

New Volunteers Required

We thank this group who do a wonderful job with generous quarterly donations to both parish & school.

You will all find a letter from the Bingo Committee attached to the Parish Bulletin.

Please consider volunteering your time to assist this selfless group of long term helpers.

WINTER NIGHT SHELTER PROGRAM

Every second Thursday—Winter months only

Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to support this project.

· 12 people volunteered to help with the evening meal.

· We require more volunteers for overnight, especially men who are willing to assist. 3 more are needed and they will rotate so all can get some sleep.

· A few more for the breakfast session would be good.

Please contact Cathie McMaster if you are able to assist.

Baptism Formation Meetings

These meetings are held 4 times each year and are the first requirement prior to your child being baptised.

· Tuesday, 21st April, 7.00 pm

· Tuesday, 21st. July, 7.00pm

· Tuesday, 13th. October, 7.00pm

Enquiries Helen Betson 0458 253 835 Marie O’Meara 5825 1034

Bulletin Advertising

The Parish are currently calling for businesses that are interested in advertising in the Parish Bulletin and the School newsletters. We have 2 vacancies available.

If you are interested in discussing this, please contact Brenda at the Parish on 5825 2034 or The school Office on 5825 2858

Parish Sponsors

Sports & Achievements

NEW - Reminders