ST. MARGARET MARY S PARISH MERRYLANDS · God is in his holy place, God who unites those who dwell in his house; he himself gives might and strength to his people. Sonia & Pierre Abi

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ST . MARGARET MARY ’S PARISH MERRYLANDS

PARISH INFORMATION

PARISH OFFICE: 1-5 Chetwynd Rd, MERRYLANDS NSW 2160 Postal Address: PO Box 757, Merrylands. Tuesday - Friday: 9:30am - 3:30pm

Phone: 9637 2526 9637 2014 Fax: 9637 2442 Email: [email protected] Website: stmm.org.au

PARISH GROUPS CO-ORDINATORS: Secretary: Denise Fernandes

Finance Committee: TBA

Parish Council:

Chair: Bella Reyes - 0419 228 160 Fr Janusz Pawlicha, OSPPE

Secretary: Cheryl Fortini Fundraising Committee:

Mike Jacobson - 0438 590 136

Catechists: Sonia Abi-Rached

Music : Kerry van der Linden - 0406 973 350

Sacraments: TBA

Acolytes / RCIA : Peter Carroll - 0414 070 082

Readers: Gwen D’Silva

Youth group: Pauline Teen: Fr Joseph / Rita Jacobson

Legion of Mary: Merwyn D’Souza – 0478 109 569

Playgroup: Nicole Gadd – 0402 350 170

St Vincent de Paul: 88619757

Bus to Berrima: Giovanna - 9682 1008

Our Parish is under the Pastoral Care of the Order of St Paul the First Hermit (known as the Pauline Fathers) who for more than 630 years are renowned

Custodians of the Miraculous Icon of Our Lady of Jasna Gora, Poland.

Parish Priest Fr Janusz Pawlicha

Assistant Priest

Fr Joseph Maria Buckley

Prayer: Holy Father-Pope Francis’ monthly intention : JULY Universal prayer intention - Our Families We pray that today’s families may be accompanied with love, respect and guidance.

First Friday:

11am: Maltese Mass 7.00pm: Holy Mass, Stations of the Cross followed by Exposition

Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament: Thursdays-Eucharistic Adoration: 9.30 am-2.30pm 4th Sunday of the month: 1.00pm - 1.30pm– Divine Mercy Devotions 1st Friday of the month: approx. 8.30pm– midnight

Vespers– Sunday Evenings 5.15 pm - 5.45pm

RCIA sessions– Sunday mornings 9am Mass followed by Session 10 am –11am

Devotions:

Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Tuesday: after morning Mass Wednesday: 6:30pm before 7:00pm Mass

Veneration of the Holy Face of Jesus:

Tuesday: 7.30pm - 8.30pm

Divine Mercy Devotions 4th Sunday of the month: 1.00pm - 3.00pm, 3.00pm - Holy Mass

Baptisms: 1st & 3rd Sundays of the month

Reconciliation: Tues - Fri 8.30 - 8.55am Sat - 9am - 9.30am and 4.30pm-5.30pm (or by appointment)

Marriages: By appointment only (6 months required)

Sick Calls: 9637 2526– option 3 or 0412 625 187 - any time

WEEKEND MASSES: WEEKDAY MASSES:

Saturday: 6:00pm Vigil

Monday: 9:15am

Sunday: 7:30am Tuesday: 9:00am & 7:00pm

9:00am Wednesday: 9:00am & 7:00pm

10:30am Thursday: 9:00am

12:00 noon Friday: 9:00am & 7:00pm

6:00pm Saturday: 8:30am

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON God is in his holy place, God who unites those who dwell in his house; he himself gives might and strength to his people.

FIRST READING 1 Kgs 3:5,7-12

A reading from the first book of the Kings

The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, ‘Ask what you would like me to give you.’ Solomon replied, ‘Lord, my God, you have made your servant king in succession to David my father. But I am a very young man, unskilled in leadership. Your servant finds himself in the midst of this people of yours that you have chosen, a people so many its numbers cannot be counted or reckoned. Give your servant a heart to understand how to discern between good and evil, for who could govern this people of yours that is so great?’ It pleased the Lord that Solomon should have asked for this. ‘Since you have asked for this’ the Lord said ‘and not asked for long life for yourself or riches or the lives of your enemies, but have asked for a discerning judge-ment for yourself, here and now I do what you ask. I give you a heart wise and shrewd as none before you has had and none will have after you.’

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

(R.) Lord, I love your commands.

1. My part, I have resolved, O Lord, is to obey your word. The law from your mouth means more to me than silver and gold. (R.)

2. Let your love be ready to console me by your promise to your servant. Let your love come to me and I shall live for your law is my delight. (R.)

3. That is why I love your commands more than finest gold. That is why I rule my life by your precepts: I hate false ways. (R.)

4. Your will is wonderful indeed; therefore I obey it. The unfolding of your word gives light and teaches the simple. (R.)

SECOND READING Rom 8:28-30

A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans

We know that by turning everything to their good God co-operates with all those who love him, with all those that he has called accord-ing to his purpose. They are the ones he chose specially long ago and intended to become true images of his Son, so that his Son might be the eldest of many brothers. He called those he intended for this; those he called he justified, and with those he justified he shared his glory.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Mt 13:44-52

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Jesus said to the crowds, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field. ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it. ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the

sea that brings in a haul of all kinds. When it is full, the fishermen haul it ashore; then, sitting down, they collect the good ones in a bas-ket and throw away those that are no use. This is how it will be at the end of time: the angels will appear and separate the wicked from the just to throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weep-ing and grinding of teeth. ‘Have you understood all this?’ They said, ‘Yes.’ And he said to them, ‘Well, then, every scribe who becomes a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out from his storeroom things both new and old.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.

MEDITATION: What do you treasure the most and how do you keep it from being lost or stolen? In

a peasant community the best safe was often the earth. The man in the para-

ble (Matthew 13:44) "went in his joy" to sell everything. Why? Because he found a

treasure worth possessing above all else he had. He did not, however, have

enough to buy the treasure. Fortunately, he only needed enough to buy the field. In a similar fash-ion, God offers his kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy

(Romans 14:17) as incomparable treasure at a price we can afford! We can't pay the full price for the life which God gives us; but when

we exchange our life for the life which God offers, we receive a treas-ure beyond compare.

Please remember to switch off your mobile phone

26 JULY 2020 1:00 – 1:30pm Silent Adoration 1:30 – 3:00pm Devotions 3:00 pm Special Holy Mass

All are welcome to come and pray

Please remember to switch off your mobile phone

PLANNED GIVING ENVELOPE BOX

Please collect your respective planned giving envelopes box from the church foyer. St Margaret Mary’s Parish truly appreciates your utmost generosity and continuous support which will help go Above and Beyond.

Thank you.

SUPPORT OUR PARISH PLANNED GIVING

PROGRAM We request our generous Parishioners to financially support our Parish by enrolling in the Planned Giving Program. Sign up by simply filling the Planned Giving Form Choose a PAYMENT option of:

WEEKLY CASH ENVELOPES

MONTHLY DEDUCTION BY CREDIT CARD

WEEKLY / MONTHLY DIRECT TRANSFER TO: BSB: 067 950 Account Number: 00438 Account Name: Merrylands Catholic Church (Please specify details of your contribution i.e. Planned Giving)

Thank you and God Bless You.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Tony Ostojic

Shelly Barnes

Teresa Saad

Christopher Oldham

Simon Khoury

Sonia & Pierre Abi–Rached

Therese Nicolas

Luca Jerkovic

Susan Pace

Branko Soric

Gloria Lavitoria

Joanna Essey

Rose Abdo

Giovanna Prestipino

Ireneo Vicencio

Alice Said

Diab Baysari

Mario & Tereza Cutajar

Mary Essey

Katrina & Maria Smith

Carolina Morante

Alex Habis

Ramona Sassine

Laura Anisse

Jocelyn Santos

NEXT WEEK’S READINGS 02 AUGUST 2020

18th Sunday in ORDINARY TIME

Is 55:1-3; Rom 8:35,37-39; Mt 14:13-21

TABLE TENNIS Every Tuesday evening in the Pastoral Centre from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Three tables will be operational and refreshments available as well. All are welcome to enjoy a social evening of Table Tennis.

1st Friday adoration will commence from 8:30pm - midnight

Every Friday (except 1st Friday of the month)

Alliance of 2 Hearts will hosts the

Adoration Service after 7:00pm Mass until 10:00pm

All are welcome.

Father, pour out Your Spirit upon the people of this parish so

that inspired by Your word, nourished at Your table and

graced by Your empowering love, our lives may be devoted to

the service of our brothers and sisters and the building up of

Your Kingdom. May our parish community truly be, for this

place and time, the Body of Christ Your Son, through whom

we make this prayer. Amen

SUPPORT We request our generous Parishioners, if possible to kindly con-tinue to financially support our Parish by contributing towards their Planned giving, Sunday Collections or donations to the Church. Payment options are: Cash (Parish Office during office hours) Credit Card (Parish Office during office hours) Cheques payable to:

St Margaret Mary’s Parish –Merrylands PO Box 757, Merrylands NSW 2160

Direct Debit: BSB: 067 950 Account Number: 00438 Account Name: Merrylands Catholic Church (Please specify details of your contribution i.e. Envelope Number or First Collection or Second Collection).

Thank you and God Bless You.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION THURSDAYS 9.30am to 2.30pm

The Lord invites us to take some time out of our busy lives to spend some time with Him in quiet ado-ration, prayer and reflection. If you can spare 1/2 hour or more, the Blessed Sacrament is exposed after morning Mass every Thursday until 2.30pm.

ALL ARE WELCOME

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM 2020

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION Sacrament of Holy Communion program is divided into two groups to be taught by Fr. Joseph Maria

Buckley and assisted by Monique Kairouz.

HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAM: All preparation sessions held on MONDAYS

& WEDNESDAYS at 6:00pm.

Session 1: 27 JULY & 29 JULY 2020 Session 2: 03 AUGUST & 05 AUGUST 2020 Session 3: 10 AUGUST & 12 AUGUST 2020 Session 4: 17 AUGUST & 19 AUGUST 2020

Venue: Church Hall at St. Margaret Mary’s School.

SACRAMENT OF FIRST HOLY COMMUNION will be celebrated in the Church on:

SUNDAY– 30 AUGUST at 10:30am SUNDAY– 06 SEPTEMBER at 10:30am

St. Margaret Mary’s Parish Library The Legion of Mary will be available in room 2 of the Pastoral Centre after the 10:30am Mass on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month, to allow parishioners to borrow books for reading. We encourage you to take this opportunity to read good Christian material.

CHURCH CLEANING MAINTENANCE

Our Parish is requesting for Volunteers to kindly come forward for general maintenance and clean-ing duties one day a week (Friday or Saturday) once a month as per Roster. Kindly contact Nada Tomas - 0420766771 or the Parish Office.