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

Wednesday 31st October 6pm

Thursday 1st November 6pm All Saints Day - Bereavement Mass

Friday 2nd November 10am All Souls Day - School & Parish Mass

Saturday Vigil 6.30pm

Sunday Mass 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

Mass of Rememberance

Mons Peter and the Bereavement Team invite all

parishioners to our annual Mass of Remembrance

on Thursday, 1st. November at 6.00pm.

This is always a very special celebration and you

are invited to stay on for a “cuppa.”

Baptism

Congratulations and welcome to the following St Marys student -

Ashleigh Layton

Who will be baptised this weekend.

St Mary's Golden Oldies - Parish & School

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

Wednesday 14th November

Mooroopna Pizzeria & Wine Bar

6.30pm $30/head

Bring a gift to the value of $10 for KK

RSVP: Sheila Griffin 5825 2006 0439 361 950

Carmel O’Sullivan: 0438 351 072

November - All Souls Month

This is an opportunity to pray for those whose lives have touched our own. We remember family, friends, neighbours, teachers and all our faithful departed. If you would like to request a mass for a loved one, please contact Mons Peter or the parish office.

“On All Souls Day, 2014, Pope Francis spoke to the crowd at St. Peter’s Square saying : ‘Church tradition has always urged prayer for the dead, in particular by offering the celebration of the Eucharist for them.

It is the best spiritual help we can give to their souls, particularly to the most abandoned ones. The foundation of prayers of remembers is found in the communion of the Mystical Body. Remembering the dead, caring for their tombs and prayers of suffrage are testimony to confident hope, rooted in the certainty that death does not have the last word on human destiny, as humanity is destined for a life without end, that has its root and its fulfilment in God.”

Goulburn Valley Spirituality in the Pub

Terminus Hotel - Monday, 12th. Nov, 7.30 to 9.00pm

An Inclusive Church was overwhelmingly the call of our Plenary Council gathering in August.

What does this mean ?

What are the challenges ?

Jesus as model ?

Guest Speakers

Vicki Buchanan—Religious Education Teacher At Iona Presentation College
Maria Weatherill—Primary School Teacher who has 19 years experience in the Sandhurst Catholic Education Office

Planned Giving

New Planned Giving programme commences this weekend. New envelopes are now available at the back of the Church. If you have any further queries regarding weekly envelopes or Direct Debit Forms please do not hesitate to contact the Parish Office on 5825 2034 or email mooroopna@cdos.org.au

On the Lighter Side

One day two blind men started fighting in the pub. Pretty soon a crowd surrounded them and cheered and booed them. Then one of the members of the crowd yelled out “I bet 10 bucks on the one with the knife.” Both men suddenly stopped fighting and quickly went their separate ways.

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

Do not be afraid to set your sights higher, to allow yourself to be loved and liberated by God. Do not be afraid to let yourself be guided by the Holy Spirit. Holiness does not make you less human, since it is an encounter between your weakness and the power of God’s grace. For in the words of León Bloy, when all is said and done, “the only great tragedy in life, is not to become a saint.” Pope Francis, Gaudete Et Exsultate (2018) para 34

Focus on the Readings

Isaiah prophesised four times the Messiah’s coming will be marked by the curing of the blind. The Four Evangelists tell of sight restored by Christ in Matt 9:30; 12:22; 20:34; Mark 8:25; 10:52; Luke 7:21; 18:43 (the parallel to today’s gospel) and John 9:1-41 (the man born blind). These miracles are more than wonders of God’s power, they are moments of teaching for those who can see to see more clearly the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. There are movements from darkness to light, from ignorance to understanding.

We have an expression: “sitting on the fence” describing people who cannot decide which option or direction to take. In Christ’s time the expression was: “sitting by the roadside” Followers of Jesus cannot be just staying put. It was the seed, which the sower threw on the roadside, that produced nothing. Bartimaeus got up from the roadside, threw his cloak away, received his sight and followed Jesus along the road towards Jerusalem. Now witnesses to this miracle, we pray the prayer of Bartimaeus, we want to see the way forward, we want to follow Jesus resolutely and hastily.

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.