The Catholic Community of North Harbour...Lenten Family Resources Stations of the Cross for Families, Families and Lent Acts of Love and Sacrifice and ‘A Prayer for Life’ holy

2 King St, Manly Vale 2093 phone 9949 4455

Email : [email protected]

Website: www.northharbourcatholic.org.au

8th Sunday Ordinary Time Yr C 3 March 2019

IN THE CARE OF THE AUGUSTINIANS

The Catholic Community of North Harbour

Readings this Sunday Sirach 27:4-7 1 Corinthians 15:54-58 Luke 6:39-45

Responsorial Psalm ‘Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.’ Readings next Sunday Deuteronomy 26:4-10 Romans 10:8-13 Luke 4:1-13

On this Sunday before Lent, the readings challenge us to be mindful of our thoughts, words and deeds. They call us to first judge ourselves before we judge others. May God shake us from our sins of apathy and judgment, so as to provide a path to enter more deeply into the Lenten journey before us.

8C PASTOR’S PERSPECTIVE - ‘ASH WEDNESDAY AND LENT’

Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular and important holy days in the liturgical calendar. As we know it opens Lent, a season, as Jesus himself tells us, of fasting, almsgiving and prayer. Unlike the Feasts of the Ascension and Corpus Christi, it has not been transferred to the following Sunday which in a way is a pity because the majority of us cannot participate on the Wednesday, being as it is, a busy workday. I guess it all has to with counting off those 40 days of Lent whereas, in fact, if you do a count you will find that Ash Wednesday is actually 46 days before Easter Sunday. What’s with those extra 6 days? Well, they are the 6 Sundays of Lent when you are not obliged to fast – not even on the 6th Sunday, Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. Did you know that? Neither did I until a few years ago.

The spirit of Ash Wednesday is in direct contrast to the Mardi Gras or Carnivale festivities which take place on the days beforehand. The origin of these events is Catholic with Orthodox Greece also enjoying like celebrations. Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday", reflecting the practice of the last night of eating rich, fatty foods

before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season. Carnivale or “Farewell to the flesh” - plenty of which will have been on display in the Sydney Mardi Gras procession - originally meant ‘farewell to meat’ as meat was off limits for the 40 days.

What about the ‘ashes’? This comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. The practice includes the sprinkling of ashes on the head. The ashes symbolize the dust from which God made us according to the account in Genesis, the first Book of the Bible. As the priest applies the ashes to a person's forehead, he traditionally spoke the words: "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." We are reminded of our mortality and encouraged to reflect seriously on our life and how we are living it. Alternatively, the priest may speak the words, "Repent and believe in the Gospel", these being the very words of Jesus when he began his preaching to the people of his day. Many Australians, Christians and non-Christians alike, associate Ash Wednesday with the devastating series of bushfires that occurred in South Australia and Victoria back in 1983 which caused the death of 75 people. That anniversary was on the 16 February but it is fitting that we still remember to pray for all those affected by

bush fires at the time of Ash Wednesday each year.

As a multicultural society, we are now much more familiar with the one month fast of Ramadan celebrated by those of the Muslim faith. While shorter than our 40 days, the fasting aspect is certainly undertaken more seriously with no partaking of food each day from dawn till dusk. Like ourselves Ramadan is also a time to re-evaluate one’s convictions and personal conduct; a time to reconcile troubled relationships, give charity, find forgiveness for others and refocus on worshipping God. In short, it is an intensive course in physical and spiritual fitness. The fast is a religious “Boot Camp” in a sense.

How seriously are we Christians in our approach to Lent? Do we see it as it has been traditionally described as a unique time of grace or do we just let it slip through fingers with each day being no different to any other day in the year? Fr. John.

Lenten Family Resources

Stations of the Cross for Families, Families and Lent Acts of

Love and Sacrifice and ‘A Prayer for Life’ holy card—are

available at the back of the Church.

The children’s liturgy ministry is always looking for new mums, grandparents and carers to be involved in this wonderful and rewarding ministry. Being a volunteer in this ministry involves helping with children’s liturgy that takes place on Sundays at the churches of St Cecilia and St Kieran’s. You will be placed on roster alongside another volunteer who is currently doing children’s liturgy to help out about once to twice a term. Children’s liturgy only takes place within the school term and doesn’t take place when school class family masses are scheduled. All information, resources and activities are printed off and provided by the children’s liturgy co-ordinator on a weekly basis. All volunteers will be required to obtain a working with children check number, but this is simple to do, and this is something that I can help you obtain. If you feel like this is something you could get involved with or would simply like more information, please feel free to contact me on 0403 063 013 or at [email protected] Bryanne Crabb

SACRAMENTAL NEWS Close to 180 children are participating in our 2019 First Reconciliation Program. The children and their parents are attending Family Group Sessions around the parish during February and March and will celebrate their First Reconciliation in March/April. The children will receive a crucifix at the Ritual of the Cross at all Masses this weekend please pray for the children and their families. The TryBooking link (to book a date to celebrate the Sacrament of First Reconciliation) was emailed to all parents on Tuesday 26 February. Please contact Janette on 0408 866 521 or by email at [email protected] if you have not received this information. Save the Date Family Colour Fun Run Sunday 31 March 2pm – 4.00pm at St Augustine’s College Oval The Parish Community Centre at Manly Vale is now 20 years old and needs refurbishment including painting, new carpets and bathroom renovations. The Parish needs the support of the North Harbour Community to help fund this refurbishment. A fundraising Colour Fun Run involving the whole family is planned for 31 March. Be sure to save the date it promises to be lots of fun. More details to follow . Rite of Election Sunday 10 March The parish has five participants who will become Catholics in our celebration on Holy Saturday night. As part of the process Greg, Lani, Melissa, Tony and Jackie will attend the Rite of Election at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral on Sunday 10 March at 2pm. Please pray for our participants in the lead up to their full reception into the Catholic Church. Any parishioners who would like to attend the Mass at the Cathedral are most welcome.

HOSPITALITY : A call to serve others- Literally!! We would love to have some new volunteers to help serve tea and coffee after the 9:30am mass on Sundays at

St Kieran’s. The commitment can range from once a term to once a year- any help will be welcomed!

It is a very small commitment of getting to mass 15 minutes early to set up and then staying after mass for about

30 minutes to serve and pack up. Instructions and training are provided on the first day but it is very easy and

everything is provided. Please contact Ursula Halloway on 0423 595 204 or email [email protected]

NEXT WEEK’S ROSTER —

PLEASE SWAP WITH SOMEONE IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT

PARISH CALENDAR

MARCH

Wed 06 Ash Wednesday—Mass 9.15am SC, 10am & 7.30pm SK

Thur 07 Alpha—parish centre 6.45pm

Mon 11 Parish Lenten Discussion Program parish centre 7.30pm

Sun 17 Baptism of Young Children Program commences

Yr 4 Family Mass SK 9.30am

Tues 19 1st Reconciliation Practice 4pm SK

Wed 20 1st Reconciliation Practice 7pm SC

Sun 24 AFA Fun Walk & Talk, Manly

Sun 31 Family Colour Fun Run St Augustine’s college 2-4pm

St Augustine

Lord, inspire me with love, that I may teach sweetness. Give me

patience, that I may teach discipline. Enlighten my

understanding, that I may teach wisdom.

Commentary on Psalm 118 (17), 4

Parish Lenten Discussion Program

Monday evenings

commencing 11th March

7.30pm in the parish centre with

Fr John Sullivan OSA.

Please sign up at the parish

office.

MASS TIMES

9.15am St Cecilia’s

10am & 7.30pm St Kieran’s

Alpha is an opportunity to explore life, faith and God in a friendly, open and informal environment.

TIME AND LOCATION

Contact Details: Parish Office—9949 4455 Email: [email protected]

6.45pm Thursday 7th March, St Kieran’s Parish Centre, 2 King Street, Manly Vale 2093.

Would you like the chance to meet new people, share a meal, and openly share your views on faith, life, and Jesus? If your answer if yes, come and try Alpha at North Harbour Parish.

Booklets

available in the

parish office

$10 each

E aster Chick Finger

Puppets all lovingly

hand knitted by our

Vinnie’s Craft

Ladies—the cutest Easter gift!!

(gluten free, sugar free, and guilt

free) $8.95 from the Parish Piety

Shop.

REGULAR PARISH mass times REGULAR PARISH mass times St Cecilia’s, Balgowlah SUNDAY 9.00AM WEDNESDAY 9.00AM St Kieran’s, Manly Vale Saturday vigil 5.30pm SUNDAY 7.30am, 9.30am & 6.00pm Weekdays 8.30am except Wednesdays St Augustine’s Chapel, Brookvale Wednesdays 8.15am during term time

reconciliation St Kieran 5 – 5.30pm Saturday or by appointment.

Baptisms St Cecilia 10.30am Sun. by appointment 9.00am Mass on 1st Sundays of the month St Kieran 11.30am Sun. by appointment 9.30am Mass on 1st Sundays of the month

Baptism preparation is required for 1st baptisms. Contact parish office 9949 4455 marriages Require 6 months notice and include Pre-marriage Course as part of the preparation

ANNIVERSARIES

Joan McNamara Andrew Smith

Terry Matthews Jessamine Wilson

Angelina Taranto

RECENTLY DECEASED

Mary Harold Mark Armstrong

PRAYER REQUESTS

“Come to me! I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28)

For those with ILLNESS Anne & Phill Harris Elsa Wunder Louis Hilton Rafael Stachon Audrey Murphy Helen Richardson Louise Allara Rosemary McKinnon

Beryl Duncan Irene Hurrell Lyn Wagland Sean Bellenger

Catherine Saltwell James Gallagher Margaret Anderberg Simone Young

Catherine Smith Joe Corroto Maria Kogovesk Stella Brown

Chris McAuliffe John Killick Maria Teresita Stephanie Harding

Daniel Lister John Ziegler Maureen White Stephen Ward

Daniella Takchi John Francis Zarb Nicholas O’Bryen Sue Caulfield Dave Miles Kath Ivor Collins Norma Hayman Vandhna Deep Don Jackson Kath Zenetic Olga Buggy Veronica Laverty

Dorothy Smith Kathleen Bunting Pam Lynch Warwick Jones

Elaine Smith Kevin Smith Pat Reen Yvonne Hickey

NEED A PRIEST URGENTLY? Please call 0490 898 464

If the matter is not urgent, please contact Priests via the Parish Office 9949 4455.

CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF NORTH HARBOUR PERSONNEL

Office (Mon – Fri: 9am – 4pm) 9949 4455

Clergy:

Fr David Austin OSA Parish Administrator Fr Paul Maloney OSA Assistant Priest and Prior Fr John Sullivan OSA Assistant Priest Fr Senan Ward OSA Chaplain – St Augustine’s College Fr Abel van der Veer OSA Retired Fr Peter Jones OSA Provincial—In Residence Pastoral Ministers (contacted through Parish Office 9949 4455) Janette Davidson Sacramental Co-ordinator Ursula Halloway Catechist Co-ordinator Rosemary McKinnon Counsellor 0400 495 076

Marianne Deveza Music Ministry Coord 0404865241

Administration: Jacky Worthington Parish Manager Anne Ross Parish Secretary Jane Filacuridi Parish Secretary

SPAGHETTI NIGHTS 2019 - Following 6pm Mass Sunday 24th March and Sunday 28th April. After April we are looking for a new coordinator to run our Spaghetti Nights approximately once a month March—November. Please contact the parish office 9949 4455 if you can help. This voluntary role can be shared.

Project Compassion Sunday 3 March 2019

Please take home a Project Compassion box and/or a

set of donation envelopes and support Caritas

Australia this Lenten

season, which is themed

“Give Lent 100%”.

You are empowering

communities with hope

and helping those in

great need to shape a

better future for

themselves, their

families and their

communities.

Lives change when we all

give 100%.

You can donate through Parish boxes and envelopes,

or by phoning 1800 024 413

or visiting www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion