St John the Baptist Catholic Church Plympton Parish ...€¦ · Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time 16th August 2020 Weekday Masses - 9.30am Mon, Wed, Thurs & Friday Saturday Vigil

OUR LITURGY

FIRST READING Isaiah 56: 1. 6-7

We hear how the prophet Isaiah challenges his

contemporaries to have care for justice, to act with

integrity, for the Lord’s salvation will be manifested in

Jesus. God’s house is to be called a house of prayer for

all peoples.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 66

R O God, let all the nations praise you!

SECOND READING Romans 11: 13-15. 29-32

St Paul was comfortable in his mission to be the apostle

to the pagans. The reconciliation of the world through

Jesus manifests how God never takes back his gifts or

revokes his choice.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Jesus preached the Good News of the kingdom, and

healed all who were sick.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

GOSPEL Matthew 15: 21-28

We hear how, just like the Samaritan woman at the

well, Matthew shows how the dialogue of Jesus with a

Canaanite woman reveals that faith is respected and is

open to more than just the lost sheep of the House of

Israel.

REFLECTION

Today we move ahead in our reading of Matthew’s Gospel.

Last week we read about Jesus walking on the water and the

disciples’ confession of faith that Jesus is the Son of God. If

we were reading Matthew’s entire Gospel, we would have

read about Jesus’ debate with the Pharisees about Jewish

purity laws. Jesus argues that it is not what goes into us that

makes us unclean; he is referring to the strict Jewish dietary

rules. Instead our words and our actions—what comes out of

us—make us unclean because they emerge from a heart that

is unclean.

Knowing about Jesus’ debate with the Pharisees helps us to

understand today’s Gospel. In fact the story heightens the

surprise and shock we feel as we hear Jesus’ exchange with

the Canaanite woman. The woman, who is not Jewish,

approaches Jesus, requesting that he heal her

demon-possessed daughter. At first Jesus ignores her; he says

nothing. The disciples ask Jesus to send her away, and Jesus

agrees, remarking that he was sent to minister to the Jews

alone.

The woman persists, paying homage to Jesus, and yet Jesus

denies her request again. He even insults her, using a Jewish

word of derision for Gentiles, “dog.” But the woman

cleverly turns Jesus’ insult into an affirmation of faith. Only

then does Jesus grant her request and heal her daughter.

Jesus’ unresponsiveness to this woman may strike us as

uncharacteristic or shocking. Yet in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus’

ministry is directed primarily to the people of Israel. At only

a very few points, such as the one found in today’s Gospel,

do we find Jesus anticipating the later Christian ministry to

the rest of the world.

Pope Francis Quotes:

“Our Prayer cannot be reduced

to an hour on Sundays. It is

important to have a daily

relationship with the Lord”.

St John the Baptist Catholic Church

Plympton Parish

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

16th August 2020

PLYMPTON MASS TIMES:

Weekday Masses - 9.30am

Mon, Wed, Thurs & Friday

Saturday Vigil - 6.00pm

Sunday - 8.30am and 10.00am

Confession - Saturday 11.30am

Baptisms - 2nd & 4th Sunday

11.30am (by appointment)

PLEASE PRAY FOR

Recently Deceased:

David Richard Nussio, Praising Sioson, Edwin Jhosue Acosta,

Leonarda Nicolo, Bradley Wenceslaus, Richard Bachmann,

Rev. Father Terry Kelly, Brother Kevin Francis Hogan, Estrella

Alvarez.

May they rest in peace!

Anniversaries:

Robert Hay, Muriel & Keith Koen, Elsie Boylen, Vito Alvarez,

Melchor Alvarez, Elena Badili, Pedro Cortes, Charita Cortes,

Elias Cortes, Beatriz Cortes.

The Sick:

Charlie McRae, Elva Pomalaza, Max Blanco, Silvia Carrillo,

Irma Paredes, Antonietta Caruana, Fr Chris Warnlock, Angelica

Mendoza, Tamia Zegarra, Jeremy Sia, Anne Chiu, Betsabeth &

Sebastian Trujillo, Ignacio Pomar, Chrisanthi Panayotakis, Paz

Jayme, Mercedes Li, Reynaldo Melchor Cruz, Emily Elgueta,

Rob, Natalia Memije Sabio, Kevin Clarke, Fr John Chambers

and all sick children.

We also pray for the sick in our parish,

in nursing homes, hospitals and the housebound.

EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

We are having Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament every

Friday and this is a wonderful opportunity for us to be with

the Lord in silent adoration. It will be after Friday mass from

10.00 am till 12.00 noon. Benediction is at 11.45am.

PLAY 2 GROW

ST JOHN’S PLAYGROUP

Wednesdays 9-10.30am in the School Hall

0-5 Year Olds

Gold Coin Donation Everyone Welcome

Enquiries: St John’s School—8293 6280

KNITTING AND CROCHET YARN NEEDED

Knitting and crochet yard needed for various craft activities.

Please leave for Sr Anne Cashen at the parish office or at the

Pines Office, 342 Marion Road, Plympton. Many thanks

Chrism Mass – Booked Out

The Archdiocesan Mass of the Oils is on Tuesday August 18

2020 at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral at 6pm.

The Mass is now booked out but will be live streamed via

www.adelaide.catholic.org.au.

If you would like more information regarding this event,

please contact the Office for Worship on 8210 8287 or

Archdiocesan Events on P: 8210 8220 or via E:

[email protected].

READERS AT MASS

There are no rosters for readers at this time. Parishioners

are still learning about the opening of the churches. In the

meantime, if you are a minister of the word, you can offer

yourselves to the celebrant or organisers prior to mass

commencing.

ST VINCENT de PAUL

PLYMPTON/EDWARDSTOWN CONFERENCE

This weekend, a representative from Vinnies will join us to

have a chat regarding volunteers to help in supporting the

people in the community that are in need.

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER – ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

FOR ALL ENCOUNTERED COUPLES/PRIESTS

We are delighted to invite you for the forthcoming

Enrichment Program, on Sunday August 23 from 2pm to

4pm via Zoom. Presenters: Andrew & Marian, Worldwide

Marriage Encounter Australian Ecclesial Team.

We would love to see you. For zoom details/link and your

confirmation, please email [email protected] or

call/text Charlie & Joy on 0411 289 462.

AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC MEN’S GATHERING 2020

The ACBC National Catholic Men’s Gathering for 2020 is

being offered as a free event for registered participants. This

modified program will be delivered in four pre-recorded

sessions of approximately 1 hour in length, available from

Saturday August 15. Registration is free. To register please

visit http://www.catholicmensgathering.com.au/

BAPTISM

Congratulations and welcome to:

Zinnia and Zara Okwu and their parents

Emeka & Mariam.

May God’s blessing be with Zinnia & Zara as they receive

the Sacrament of Baptism this weekend.

KNIGHTS OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS NEWSPAPER

COLLECTION

On the First Sunday of each month the Knights Newspaper

Collection will be after each weekend Mass.

Please leave your papers on the Eastern side of the Church

near the seat. Social distancing will be observed.

The dates for collection are 6th SEPTEMBER, SUNDAY 4th

OCTOBER, SUNDAY 1st NOVEMBER, SUNDAY 6th DE-

CEMBER. Thanking everyone for your continued support.

Proceeds support charities and our parish schools.

Darryl Smitheram and Simon O’Neill.

Plympton/Edwardstown Knights of the Southern Cross

THE SOUTHERN CROSS

The new August edition of the Southern Cross is now

available in the church porches.

Please support your local Catholic Newspaper.

COLLECTION FOR LAST WEEK

1st Collection $852.75

2nd Collection $1,625.00

(Incl loose plate - $351.00)

Appeals for Vocations $327.50

FATHER’S DAY - 6 SEPTEMBER

If you wish to have your father (living or deceased)

remembered on Fathers’ Day, please fill out the form in

the church foyer. A basket is provided and the names will

be taken to the altar in the Offertory Procession.

EASING OF RESTRICTIONS UPDATE

Under Step 3, a two square metre per person rule will apply

with no cap on numbers. No need to book for mass but we

ask that everyone must sign in, on the sheets in the church

foyer, with a name and contact phone number.

The Premier has announced that as of last Wednesday, July

29, the number of people allowed at funerals and weddings in

South Australia will be 100.

Confessions have resumed on Saturdays at 11.30am till

12noon.

Hand sanitiser is available at church entrance and is to be used

upon entering the church and leaving the church.

Care should be taken at the dismissal and on leaving the

church to minimise social contact.

Sanitising wipes are provided in each of the empty pews. In

order to prevent cross infection, it would be greatly

appreciated if at least one person could take a wipe and wipe

the seat, and hand rail for the pew where you are seated

before you leave the church.

If you are not feeling well, we ask you to please stay at home.

NEW DIRECT GIVING APP

The Adelaide Archdiocese’s Find a Mass App has been

upgraded to allow people to contribute to the first and second

collections via their mobile phone. Users can make a one-off

donation or set up recurring donations to their parish and

community (second collection) and for the support of the

clergy (first collection) as well as to special collections held

throughout the year. If you have any inquiries, please call

8210 8160 or email [email protected]

Search for ‘Adelaide Mass App’ from the Apple

and Google Play stores.

CATHOLIC SCHOOL OF EVANGELISATION

You are invited to come and be

Healing Seminar

Guest Speaker & Celebrant - Fr Patrice Ndemasi

When: Saturday 29th August 2020

Where: St Peter Claver Parish Hall, 1A Stuart Road, Dulwich.

Time: 10.30am to 3.30pm

Because of Covid19 protocols no food sharing. Bring your

own lunch and snacks.

Praise & Worship: Teachings: Mass & Healing Service

Please register your intention to attend. Contact:

0419144872.

NAMING GOD (GOD BEYOND ALL NAMES) - MFP

You are warmly invited to attend the MFP Seminar, Naming

God: God Beyond all Names presented by Michael Trainor

on Saturday, September 5 2020

At this stage we are planning to hold the seminar at the

Catholic Education Centre Conference Room 7 & 8 as well as

streaming on Zoom. Due to COVID restrictions, numbers are

strictly limited and RSVP via email is absolutely essential. Click

here Naming God Seminar. Please RSVP via email to Suzanne

H o r a n , E A M i n i s t r y F o r m a t i o n P r o g r a m

[email protected] stating your attendance

option by Friday August 28 2020 to: Option 1 – Attending in

person, including full name/s of attendees or Option 2 –

Connecting via Zoom, including preferred email address.

PARISH INFORMATION

PARISH ADMINISTRATOR - Fr Denis Ssemuju

8293 6600

DEACON Paul Crowe

8293 6600 (Tues, Thurs & Friday)

PASTORAL ASSOCIATE - Mary-Anne Quinn

8293 6600

PASTORAL ASSOCIATE - Heran Jayasuriya

8293 6600

PARISH OFFICE

Open Monday - Friday - 9.00am - 2.00pm

Parish Secretary - Helen Konieczny

342 Anzac Highway, Plympton SA 5038

Phone 8293 6600 Fax 8293 8992

Email: [email protected]

Website: parish.stjohnplympton.com

Postal Address: PO Box 90 Plympton SA 5038

Parish Pastoral Council Chairperson

Tanya McNamara

Child Safety Officer - Helen Konieczny - 8293 6600

ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL - 8293 6280

Principal -

Co-Principal - Bernadette Lacey

Deputy Principal - Joanne Livingstone

APRIM - Angela DeNadai

Hearing assistance available. Please ask for a receiver.

COMMUNION FOR COELIACS

Please see Priest before Mass to arrange a

gluten free Host.

TOILETS ARE LOCATED IN THE FRONT FOYER

Baby change table available for use in toilet area.

www.facebook.com/PlymptonCatholic Parish

Next Week’s Readings

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Isaiah 22:19-23

Second Reading: Romans 11:33-36

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20

MASS INTENTIONS

Please contact the Parish Office if you would like to offer a

Mass for your loved ones.

Feast Days During the Week

Wednesday 19th August - St John Eudes

Thursday 20th August - St Bernard

Friday 21st August - St Pius X

Saturday 22nd August - The Queenship of the

Blessed Virgin Mary

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This weekend we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, her feast day, August 15th

is a holy day on the Australian Liturgical calendar. In the Catholic Church, holy days of

obligation are days on which the faithful are expected to attend Mass, and engage in rest from

non-essential work and recreation. The significance of this feast day in Australia is demonstrated

by the fact that the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference has decided that, in addition to all

the Sundays in the year, the only feast days to be observed in Australia as holy days of

obligation are the solemnities of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Christmas Day), and the

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This obligation has been negated this year because of

COVID-19.

On November 1, 1950 Pope Pius XII solemnly defined in Munificentissimus Deus on that “the

Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly

life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” Although the solemn definition may

have been at the midpoint of the twentieth century, the belief in the Assumption of our Blessed

Mother has been longstanding in our Church. We must remember that the early Church was

preoccupied with resolving questions about Christ, particularly His incarnation and the

hypostatic union (the unity of His divine and human natures in one person). However, in

addressing these questions, the Church gradually defined the titles of Mary as Mother of God

and as the New Eve, and the belief of the Immaculate Conception, all of which form the basis

for the Assumption.

Pope Pius XII cited various Church Fathers to trace the longstanding tradition of the belief of the

Assumption – St. Modestus of Jerusalem (d. 300), St. John Damascene (d. 749), St. Andrew of

Crete (d. 740), and St. Gregory of Tours (d. 594), to name a few. St. John Damascene recorded

an interesting story concerning the Assumption: “St. Juvenal, Bishop of Jerusalem, at the

Council of Chalcedon (451), made known to the Emperor Marcian (d. 457), who wished to

possess the body of the Mother of God, that Mary died in the presence of all the Apostles, but

that her tomb, when opened, upon the request of St. Thomas, was found empty; wherefrom

the Apostles concluded that the body was taken up to heaven”.

The early Church Fathers defended the Assumption on two counts: Since Mary was sinless and a

perpetual virgin, she could not suffer bodily deterioration, the result of original sin, after her

death. Also, if Mary bore Christ and played an intimate role as His mother in the redemption of

man, then she must likewise share body and soul in His resurrection and glorification. The

Byzantine Emperor Mauritius (582-602) established the celebration of the Dormition of the

Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15 for the Eastern Church. (Some historians speculate that the

celebration was widespread before the Council of Ephesus in 431.) By the end of the sixth

century, the West likewise celebrated the Feast of the Assumption.

The Feast of the Assumption gives each of us great hope as we

contemplate this one facet of the beautiful woman of faith, our Blessed

Mother. Mary moves us by example and prayer to grow in God’s

grace, to be receptive to His will, to convert our lives through sacrifice

and penance, and seek everlasting union in the Heavenly Kingdom.

Mary-Anne Quinn

Pastoral Associate