The Massabielle - St. Bernadette · The Massabielle The Weekly Newsletter of St Bernadette’s Parish Community, Castle Hill, NSW of the Catholic Church of the Philippines. ... Lapu-lapu

May 9 & 10, 2015 - SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER- Year B Issue Number 637

The Massabielle The Weekly Newsletter of St Bernadette’s

Parish Community, Castle Hill, NSW

of the Catholic Church of the Philippines. Since its inception in 1965, the MSP now has been working in five continents and twelve countries. In Asia, the MSP has missions in Thailand, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. In Oceania, it serves in Papua New Guinea, Australia (in Quakers Hill Parish), New Zealand, the Cook Islands and Tokelau. The celebrations were held in Cebu Cathedral last Saturday. One of the tourist things I did was to see the sight where Ferdinand Magellan was killed in 1521. Born into a wealthy Portuguese family in around 1480, Magellan became a skilled sailor and naval officer and was eventually selected by King Charles of Spain to search for a westward route to the Spice Islands. Despite a series of storms and mutinies, the expedition reached the Spice Islands in 1521 and returned home via the Indian Ocean to complete the first circuit of the globe. Magellan did not complete the entire voyage, as he was killed during the Battle of Mactan in the Philippines. It was Lapu-lapu who did the killing. Lapu-lapu is the first hero of the Philippines. He is the first Filipino native ruler (datu) of Mactan Island who resisted Spanish colonization. Lapu-lapu and his tribe used wooden shields, single-edged long swords, stakes, stones and mud as weapons while Magellan’s men used swords, crossbows and muskets. Lapu-lapu is responsible for the death of the Portuguese explorer on April 27, 1521.

Corazon Aquino was the 11th president of the Philippines. She was the first woman to hold that office and the first female president in Asia. Australians remember her as the person who headed a People Power Revolution in 1986 that ended Ferdinand Marcos’ 20-year rule as President.

T hroughout the Easter season we are reading from the Acts of the Apostles. As we listen to the story, Luke tells us about his travels with Paul and what

happened in the various places they visited. In the light of this ancient practice to share one’s travels with an interested audience, I am writing to tell you I have come to the Philippines to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Foundation of the Mission Society of the Philippines in Cebu and to meet up with the Filipino priests who belong to the Camillians’ Philippine Province who work in our Diocese.

I firstly flew to Cebu where the 50th celebrations were held for the Mission Society of the Philippines. We have two priests from that society working in Quakers Hill Parish: Father Ruben Elago and Father Reggie Lavilla. Having been established by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, the Mission Society of the Philippines serves as the official and chief missionary arm

A TRIP TO THE PHILIPPINES

Above: With the Archbishop of Cebu, Archbishop Jose Palma.

Below: A statue of the famed leader Lapu-lapu

Her son, Benigno Aquino III has been President of the Philippines since June, 2010. From Cebu I flew into Manila where I stayed with the Camillians. The Camillians were founded in 1582

by St Camillus de Lellis. Like St Ignatius Loyola, de Lellis was a soldier who suffered a leg wound. It would not heal so the Capuchins were unwilling to take him on as a novice. He was accommodated in a hospital dedicated to the incurably ill in Rome. De Lellis invited some young men he had come to know through his religious circles to care for the patients for a more concrete expression of their faith. They took up his challenge and demonstrated a level of commitment which caused him to consider forming a religious community to provide this care for the sick. He was ordained a priest and established an order of pastoral care workers who were prepared to help wounded soldiers on the battlefield. Camillians wear a red cross on their habits. This was the original Red Cross worn hundreds of years before the International Red Cross was formed. During the Battle of Canizza in 1601, while Camillians were busily occupied with the wounded, the tent in which they were tending to the sick and in which they had all of their equipment and supplies was burned to the ground. Everything in the tent was destroyed, except for the red cross of the habit belonging to one of the Camillians who was ministering to the wounded on the battlefield. This event was taken by the community as manifesting divine approval of the Red Cross of St. Camillus. Members of the Order also devoted themselves to victims of the bubonic plague. It was due to the efforts of the Brothers and alleged supernatural healings by de Lellis that the people of Rome credited De Lellis with ridding the city of a great plague and the subsequent famine. For a time, he became known as the "Saint of Rome". The Camillian priests work in the hospitals in the Westmead Hospital precinct as Catholic Chaplains. Living at Wentworthville the priests minister also in Nepean Hospital and Blacktown-Mt Druitt Hospitals. The Filipino hospitality has been fabulous. The people are friendly and the food is out of this world. The drivers are exceptionally skilled.

Monsignor John.

Today’s Readings

First Reading: Acts 10:25-26,34-35,44-48. Peter visits the house of a Roman, Cornelius, and learns that God does not have favourites.

Second Reading: 1 John 4:7-10. It is through the experience of love that we can come to know God.

Gospel: John 15:9-17. The Lord commands us to love and so to bless the world.

Next Week: The Ascension of the Lord- Year B Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:17-23; Mark 16:15-20.

Feast Day this Week Thursday 14 May - St Matthias

HOLY HOUR WITH BENEDICTION this Thursday evening from 8.00 to 9.00pm including Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary, prayers, hymns and scripture reading. All welcome.

REPARATION PRAYER GROUP meets Tuesdays in the Parish Basement from 8.00 to 9.00pm including Rosary and a cuppa. All welcome.

SAVE THE DATE! Ministers of Communion to the Sick meeting. Saturday 18th July from 10am to 12.30pm in the Parish Hall.

TUESDAY PRAYER GROUP meets in the Marian Centre on Tuesday mornings at 10.00am. All welcome. Enquiries Pauline on 0407 417 039.

LITURGY CORNER

May is Mary’s Month: May didn’t become known as ‘Mary’s Month’ until

late 12th century when Christianity ‘took over’ a time

of the year when pagans held celebrations to herald in the new life after the long cold northern winter.

Mary brought the most extraordinary new life into the world – a life which didn’t pass with the seasons,

but was ever and always present.

“During May we especially look to her as a model of lived faith. Pope John Paul II proposed that we look

to Mary who constantly points to her Divine Son and she is proposed to all believers as the model of faith which is put into practice. We Catholics have every reason then to turn to Mary, to seek from her

support and encouragement in living our own faith.

If we ponder her life, as presented in the sacred Scriptures, we will see how her response to God is

truly a guide for our own journey of faith. Mary’s standout action was committing herself

wholeheartedly to God’s saving will. She devoted herself totally as a handmaiden of the Lord to the

person and work of her Son, serving the mystery of

redemption through the grace given her by Almighty God”. Bishop Kevin Manning

CELEBRATION OF LIFE LITURGY 7.30pm on Friday 29th May in the Church.

This is a simple liturgy for the celebration and remembrance of those we love who have died. All are welcome to attend. Sr Judy

A stained glass window depicting Camillius de Lellis

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION 2015 PREPARATION PROGRAMME: Parish families who are interested in their child commencing preparation for the sacrament of confirmation are asked to attend one of our information evenings held on Monday 15 or Tuesday 16 June. Both evenings will commence at 7.30pm in the Church. Evenings will last approximately one hour and children do not need to attend. This preparation programme is suitable for children who are in Year 6 or above who have received the sacraments of baptism, reconciliation and eucharist. Please contact Alice Bradshaw at the parish office on 9634 2622 (Mon/Tue) or [email protected] for more information.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION PROGRAMME 2014-2015: Our next session is this Tuesday 12 (4pm & 7.30pm) and Saturday 16 May (3.30pm). These sessions are for parents and children and will be held in the parish hall. Could all families please finalise their seating requirements as soon as possible. Please continue to pray for all our parish children as they continue their preparation to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist.

CELEBRATING THE EARLY YEARS OF MARRIAGE: Celebrating your 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th Wedding Anniversaries? All Couples who were married between 1995 and 2014 are invited to celebrate their marriage with their family during a special Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta on Sunday 17th May at 11am. Very Rev Peter Williams will be celebrating the Mass and guests are invited to lunch at the Cathedral hall following Mass. Please contact the parish office on 9634 2622 to register your details by Monday, 4th May.

THANK YOU to our parishioners who took up the call to join the ministry of Catechist in our local state schools and also to those who have volunteered to join the church cleaning roster.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS AND DIGITAL MEMBERSHIP ON SALE NOW: Entertainment books are available from the Parish Office during office hours or from the Bookshop in the Church foyer after Mass today. Digital membership is also available and can be ordered online at http://www.entbook.com.au/21y5021. Now you can have all your Entertainment offers with you wherever you go on your phone or tablet. Sydney/ Sydney North still $70 and Sydney Greater West edition $65.

Into LIFE meets Friday evenings from 7 to 8.30pm for

years 7-8 in the Parish Hall. Don't forget your $2

donation!

Life NIGHT meets Sunday from 7 to 8.45pm for years 9-12 following the 6pm Youth Mass. Don't forget your

$2 donation

Survivor Winter Camp - July 6-8.

Years 5 to 12. This is going to be the adventure camp of a lifetime

with an awesome high ropes course, flying fox, rock climbing, archery and heaps more! You should totally

come! For information contact James Hay on 0403 933 732 or

[email protected]. Flyers are in the foyer.

More information? Please contact James Hay on

0403 933 732, Twitter: @StBernadettesYM, Instagram: StBernadetteYouth or [email protected].

SUPPORT FOR THOSE WHO ARE SEPARATED OR DIVORCED: If you are trying to work through the crisis, blocks, challenges and opportunities associated with the breakdown of your marriage and family unit then you will find support and assistance at “Stepping Beyond”, run by CCSS Solo Parent Services, 51-59 Allawah St Blacktown on Tuesday May 25th at 7.30pm For further details contact Rita or Eileen on 9933 0205 or [email protected].

SPEND A DAY WITH THE NOTRE DAME FOLK CHOIR on 30 May: Join inspirational musicians from The University of Notre Dame in the US for a day of live singing and workshops! The 50 choristers and instrumentalists will come to St Patrick’s Cathedral and demonstrate how good liturgical music can inspire and nurture faith through a day of workshops, prayer and a concert. From 11.30am to 4.30pm. Cost: $5 per person. Register at: www.parra.catholic.org.au.

POSITION VACANT: Maintenance Groundsperson at St Bernadette’s Primary School, Castle Hill. Permanent/ Part-time - 60hrs per fortnight. For further information visit the Catholic Education Office website www.parra.catholic.edu.au or email Vicki Cassidy at the school at [email protected].

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION DAY on 17 May: This Christian Meditation Introduction & Renewal Day at St Benedict's Monastery includes presentations, Introduction to Christian Meditation, two periods of meditation, Eucharistic Celebration and information exchange. BYO picnic lunch. Tea & coffee provided. Books & CDs for sale. All welcome. Arrive 10am for 10.30am. Concludes about 3pm. The Monastery is at 121 Arcadia Rd, Arcadia. Phone 9653 1159.

Youth & Young Adults Ministry

Have you considered leaving a gift to the parish in your will? If you would like further information please phone 9634 2622 for a confidential discussion.

THE DIOCESAN WORKS FUND APPEAL

IS BEING HELD TODAY.

Happy Mothers’ Day

St Bernadette’s Parish Community

Parish House, 367 Old Northern Road, Castle Hill, NSW 2154

Telephone 9634 2622 Fax 9899 3511 Email: [email protected]

Web page: http://www.stbernadette.org.au

Parish Staff Mass Times for this Week Monsignor John Boyle, Parish Priest Sunday Sat 6.00pm Fr Eugene Szondi, Assistant Priest Sun 7.30am, 9.00am, 10.30am & Fr Michael Gathuku, Assistant Priest 6.00pm Parish LIFE TEEN Youth Mass Sr Judy McLeod, rsm, Pastoral Associate Weekdays Mon 6.45am Mrs Alice Bradshaw, Sacramental Co-ordinator Tue 6.45am Mr James Hay, Youth Minister Wed 6.45am, 9.15am Mrs Frances Gallagher, Office Manager Thurs 6.45am, 9.15am

Mrs Monica Rubic, Parish Secretary (Finance: Mon-Thu) Fri 6.45am, 9.15am Mr Darren Edwards, Maintenance Sat 8.00am

Reconciliation Sat 8.30am - 9.00am, 4.30pm - 5.30pm Mass on Public Holidays at 8.00am

Baptisms and Marriages: By appointment only. Contact the Parish Office. Please note the Church law: Parents are obliged to take care that infants are baptised in the first few weeks. As soon as possible after the birth or even before it, they are to go to the pastor to request the sacrament for their child and to be prepared properly for it. [Can. 867 §1]

St Bernadette’s Parish School: Mrs Leanne Nettleton (Principal) 9634 2898

Acting Parish Council Administrator: Peter Grace 9659 5350

Sacrament of Confirmation 2015 Information Nights - 15th & 16th June, 2015 Sacramental Programme 2016 Information Nights - 12th & 13th October, 2015

Please pray for Lee Wickramasinghe, Benjamin Raz (funeral Monday at 10.30), Margaret Teleki (funeral Wednesday at 10.30), Belinda Bonaccorso, Mary Dulhunty and Lucia Fernandez who have died recently and for the anniversaries of Vicky Pereira, Soledad Fresnoza, Herman Estacio, Emerita David and Anne Cheong and in remembrance of Achille & Margherita Forestieri and Camella Pannetta.

Prayers for the Sick: Elaine Rowe, Val Hawkins, Sr Bridie O’Connell, Robin Reyden, Greta Meier, Robert Teoh, Peter Yao, Patrick Chensee, Archer Kemmis, John Reynolds, Dorothy Barbour, Kay Taylor, Ramon Preller, Elaine Francis, Joyce Wrightson, Alfee Ficarra, Yao Xiu Ying, Jason Calabrese and Ronald Tabila.

ROSTERS FOR NEXT WEEKEND - 16 & 17 May, 2015

ACOLYTES/ SERVERS LECTORS MINISTERS OF COMMUNION

VIGIL Philip Myers, James Tchang

S4

Patricia Williams Les Blanch

Rod Burridge

Sue McDonald, Iciar Quintana, Marjorie Orioles, Harry Reyden, Monica & Matthew Fitzalan,

Kathleen & John Abernethy, John Geoghegan

7.30AM Melvyn Myers, David Tye

S5

Anne Parker Mary Ward

Matthew Troy

Paul Hennessey, Francesca Menezes, Remy Sie, Bernard Rogers, Geoff Roney, Catherine Seddon

9.00AM Terry O’Mara, Vince Connelly

S6

David Green Chin-Seong Chan Shane Robinson

Minna Koo, Catherine Chan, John Hogan, Vesna Rakuljic, Ranmalee De Silva, Joan Claxton,

Mike Reidy, Yvette Braganza

10.30AM Stephen MacMahon, Reg Sinha

S7

Bill Gleeson Elizabeth Fogolin

Michael Puckeridge

Mary & Jeyaraj Winslow, Crystal & Bernie Good, Tara Fernandez, Gaye Crammond, Lydia Flores,

Teresa Somasundram, Leo Stanton

6.00PM PARISH LIFE TEEN YOUTH MASS MINISTRY ROSTER - 17 May, 2015

Servers Cassie Holden

S8

Welcoming James Hay Paul Fam

Lectors Simon Jones

Pamela Golamco Mystique Nelis

Offertory Brendan Hassan

Cassie Obeid Mini Boudib

Joseph Mathias Projectionist Josh Becker

Communion Michael Holden

Matt Ashton Zara Boudib Nat Mathias James Hay

Adam Chioatto Jen Tripolone

Ben Mules

Singers Cassie Knezevic

Natalie Jones Jamie Irawan Joelene Chua Rachel Chua

Kristen Mathias Dominic Jones

Lauren Fernandez

CHILDREN’S LITURGY Vicki Ford

Rosalind Yeo

FLOWER ROSTER Christella Jayawardena

CHURCH HOUSEKEEPING Andrea Tomic, Krystyna Graczyk, Mary Pereira, Venessa Xiberras

COUNTING (1st Collection) Alfred & Gladys Tsang

COUNTING (2nd Collection) Bill Lee, Greg Piggott, Christopher Crowe,

Eddy Pagnucco

BOOKSHOP Maureen Gain / Heather Woods / Bernadette Logue /

Nancy Eberhaut / Patricia Smith

Piano Brigit Huxley

Bass Erich Gracias Flor

Guitar Anthony Healey

Drums Jason Irawan