3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

St Thomas Aquinas Monday

St John Bosco Thursday

The Presentation of the Lord Saturday

WEEKEND’S READINGS

Nehemiah 8:2-6,8-10; 1 Corinthians 12:12-30;

Luke 1:1-4;4:14-21

PSALM RESPONSE

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Alleluia, alleluia!

The Lord sent me to bring Good News to the poor and

freedom to prisoners.

Alleluia!

Respecting a traditional people of this land, the Bundjalung people

St Francis Xavier Church, Ballina Holy Family Church, Lennox Head

27th January, 2019

Proclaiming the word

PRESBYTERY: Phone: 6686 2042 Parish Priest: Father Michael Nilon (on long service sabbatical) Administrator: Father Max Gow Assistant Priest: Father Wilber Tobe Assistant Priest: Father Emmanuel Okparanaku Pastoral Associate: Sr Kathryn Sweeney rsj, Email: kathryn@sfxballina.org.au PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL: Email: parishcouncil@sfxballina.org.au

PARISH ADMINISTRATION CENTRE: Phone: 6681 1048; Fax: 6686 8774; Email: admin@sfxballina.org.au Mon to Fri 8:30 am - 4:00 pm - 53-57 Cherry Street - Postal Address: PO Box 46 Ballina 2478 \

PARISH LIBRARY: Library available to parishioners Mon to Fri 9 am - 4 pm;

SCHOOLS: St Francis Xavier Primary: 6686 3370 - Swift St, Ballina Holy Family Primary: 6687 5311- 40 Isabella Drive, Skennars Head Xavier Catholic College: 6687 6484 - 2 Redford Drive, Skennars Head St Anne’s Long Day Care Centre: 6687 5961- 42 Isabella Drive, Skennars Head

AGED CARE: Crowley Care Services: 1300 139 099 - 154 Cherry St, Ballina

www.sfxballina.org.au

Twitter @BallinaCatholic

St Augustine, writing in his book of mem-oirs called The Confessions, tells us that his mentor, Bishop Ambrose of Milan, was accustomed to “refreshing his mind” by reading in silence. “When Ambrose read,” Augustine tells us, “his eyes moved down the page and his heart sought out the mean-ing, while his voice and tongue remained silent” (Confessions 6.3.3). Augustine attributes Ambrose’s preference for silent read-ing to his great intelligence and his need to pre-serve his voice. Others in the Bishop’s house seem to have t h o u g h t A m b r o s e wished to avoid having to ex-plain obscure passages or complex concepts found in his chosen reading matter. Whatever the intent, Augustine writes that he was sure that “the man did it for a good purpose”. We might surmise from Augustine’s com-ments that reading in silence was rare in Augustine’s time. Some scholars have claimed that Ambrose may have been the inventor of silent reading. Historians con-firm that in Roman times, when literacy was rare, those who could read were in the habit of proclaiming a text, reading aloud

to audiences or even to oneself in private. In the Judeo-Christian tradition public reading of the Scriptures was and remains integral to the liturgy. In today’s readings from Nehemiah and Luke, we find the priest Ezra and Jesus reading publicly to a gathered community. Similarly, the second reading from Paul speaks of the community as the body of Christ in which various people exercise

different minis-tries, including that of apostles, teachers and prophets. In to-day’s Church, the ministers of the Word, or-dained and lay, play a signifi-cant role in help-ing the commu-nity to hear and reflect on the

message of Scriptures. The Council Fathers at Vatican II saw that the public proclamation of the Scriptures was “of paramount importance to the cele-bration of the liturgy”; therefore, they sought to expand the number and variety of texts available and to embed scriptural language through all aspects of Catholic worship (Sacrosanctum concilium 24). Augustine writes that, in his Sunday preaching, Ambrose demonstrated a genuine gift for (continued page 4)

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR RECENTLY DECEASED: Sr Dorothea Meaney pvbm (Sr Xavier), Fr Leo Donnelly (Port Macquarie) Jeff Chaffey, John Russell, Maureen O’Connor, Sr Colleen Reynolds pbvm

THOSE WHOSE ANNIVERSARIES OCCUR AT THIS TIME: Sharon Lee McNiff-Parkes, Coralie Moreland, Jack Patch, Cammile Martin, Glorie Kelly AND ALSO FOR: Armando Bordin, Stan Parry, Thama Walker, Kathleen Kelly, Cath Waddell, James & Mary Rogers, C & S Hosie, Mick & Gwynne Waugh, Rina, Charlie & James Volpatti, Bill & Jean Shay, Cecilia & Bill Condon Snr, Stan & Mary McKeough, Members of the SVdP Conference & Auxiliary & for all faithful departed. AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE SERIOUSLY ILL: Carolina Bordin, Fay Kerslake, Stephen Connors, Stephen Sullivan, Darryl Simpkins, Elva Kidd, Jim Pike, Tania Pieters, Betty Albertini, Michael Kearney, Hilda Carter, John O’Loughlin, Rosemary Russell, Rose Norris, John Moreland, Bill Duffy, Dympna Sheehy, Paul Rix,, Margaret Bermingham, Virginia Paden, Greg Shore, Darcy Martin, Margaret Pyne, John McNamara, Yvonne & Peter Thurtell, Noeleen Gillies, Mal Gillies, Cecelia Waldron, Helen Johnston, Louise Wilson, Michael O’Connor, Moore, Smith, McCowan-Dann, Webber Families, Layton family, Max Crosswell, Maria Hosking, Kaley Nobbs, Len Rix, Mick O’Brien, Mark Harris, Graham Robertson, Neville Johnston, Gregory Thomas, Gloria Greguric, Joy Hepworth, Ruth Anderson, Leo Lane, Mary Topham, Bob Grant, Leisa Wotton, Aunty Julia Paden, Michael Everson, Pat Evans, Virginia, Sarah and Peter Kolhbach, Samantha Anderson, Jonothan Paden, Tony Lannan, Kim del-Signore, Crowley Village, St Andrew’s Nursing Home,

THE SACRAMENTS IN OUR PARISH

BAPTISMS: Will be held at any time in either Church on any day. A week’s notice prior to the preferred Baptism is essential for preparation and notification to the Priest. Please contact Parish Admin 6681 1048.

CONFIRMATION: Wednesday 22nd May, 2019. Parent Meeting Wednesday 20th March.

ECONCILIATION: Wednesday 28th August, 2019. Parent Meeting Wednesday 31st July

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION: Sunday 17th March 2019. Parent Meeting Wednesday13th February 2019

WEDDINGS: by appointment with a Priest. Please allow at least 6 months for compulsory preparation.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK: during Mass on dates to be advertised during the year, and on request; and at regular intervals at the hospital and aged care facilities.

HOSPITAL: Catholic patients in Ballina Hospital are visited by a member of the parish team on a regular basis. Given the difficulty we have in obtaining names of those in hospital, a visit is made to those who tell us they are in the hospital. We will only know someone is in the hospital if we are told by family or friends. This is due to the Privacy laws that govern our nation.

DIF PAYS 2.15% PER ANNUM AT CALL BALLINA AGENTS: Michael Shay, L J Hooker 87-89 River St Ballina 6686 2711 - Crowley Admin Office Cherry St Ballina 1300 139 099

THIS WEEK’S COLLECTIONS

First Collection Support of our Diocese Priests

$ 1,201.30

Second Collection Support of the Parish &

Ministries & School Building & Maintenance Fund

Loose Plate $ 392.10

Planned Giving Envelopes Collected

$ 1,533.50

Planned Giving Envelopes Weekly Target $ 2,009.00

ROSTER: 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C: 2nd/3rd February, 2019

Readings: Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19; Psalm 70; 1 Corinthians 12:31—13:13; Luke 4:21-30

6.00 pm Vigil Ballina

7.30 am Lennox Head

9.00 am Ballina

Offertory Procession

9.00 am ~ Ballina Readers Jim O’Kane

Jeanette Wilkins Michelle Sullivan

David Sullivan Maria Casamento

David Eyles

Ext. Ministers Holy

Communion

Yvonne Head Karen Sanderson

Mick Vella Phil Chapman

Murray Deeps

Mary Steenson Annette Reen

Gary Reen Cathy Campbell

Michael & Lois

McNamara

Sacristan

Pip Kidd

Jeannie Savage

Monica Anderson

Altar Servers

Ari Slattery Ruby Slattery

Zac Sullivan

Elijah Tay Bayden Tay

Riley Rampling

Children’s Liturgy

Jo Scotcher

Rebecca Kennedy

Emily Webster Carol Lynch

SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER PARISH BALLINA  ‐ PLANNED GIVING PROGRAM:  If you are a new parishioner to Ballina or an existing one and you would like to participate in the Planned Giving Program, cards are available for completion in the foyer of the Church. Please complete your details and place on the collection plate in the envelope provided, or contact SFX Parish Admin office on 6681 1048 Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 4.00 pm. For your con‐

$0.00

$500.00

$1,000.00

$1,500.00

$2,000.00

23rd Dec 2nd Jan 7th Jan 14th Jan 21st Jan

Targ et

Collections

BALLINA CCR PRAYER GROUP will resume for 2019 from Monday 4th February with Intercessions at 10.45 am to 11.45 am. Prayer Meeting: Monday 4th February from 2.15 pm to 4.00 pm in the Anawim Room,

Parish Administration Centre.

You are most welcome to join us.

BAPTISM: This week the parish warmly welcomes Lachlan John McLeish son of Daniel and Cathryn. We look forward to seeing the newly baptised and his family worshipping

with us each weekend.

OUR LADY OF FATIMA 1st Saturday Devotions

Rosary at Holy Family Church Lennox Head.

this Saturday 2nd February 2019 at 8.00 am .

Everyone welcome.

SFX CHURCH ‘CUPPA’

This Sunday 27th January, after the 9.00 am Mass

Helpers on the day would be greatly appreciated. Everyone is Welcome.

Parish Notices

HOLY FAMILY CHURCH LENNOX HEAD ‘JANUARY 2019

BIRTHDAY MORNING TEA’ This Sunday 27th January following the

7.30 am Mass. You are most welcome.

PUBLIC HOLIDAY—MASS THIS Monday 28th January

9.00 am - SFX Ballina

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER Prepared by the SLOVENIAN WDP Committee ‘Come—Everything Is Ready’

Holy Family Catholic Church, Lennox Head

Friday 1st March 2019 ~ 10.00 am Morning tea will follow the prayer service.

All are welcome to participate in Christian unity and friendship.

CATECHISTS MEETING

Saint Teresa Room Parish Administration Centre

Tuesday 12th February ~ 10.00 am.

All Catechists and helpers are encouraged to attend this first meeting

for 2019.

The ministry of Catechesis in our Sate Schools still requires volunteers. Please consider, you will be most welcome at our first meeting. Morning Tea provided.

SFX CHURCH BALLINA ROSTERS for Readers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Offertory Procession, are available at the back of the church in alphabetical order.

POSITION AVAILABLE - SAFEGUARDING OFFICER

Reporting to the Diocesan Safeguarding Manager the Safeguarding Officer will: Work closely with the Safeguarding Manager to ensure that the current and future child safety responsibilities of the Diocese are met. Assist the Safeguarding Manager with complex case management and investigations to ensure the Diocese meets its obligations to the NSW Ombudsman and Office of the Children’s Guardian and its duty of care to system participants. Provide advice, with a whole of Diocese approach, to Parishes, Aged Care facilities, Disability Services, Catholic Education Office and other key stakeholders in relation to best practice and regulatory compliance. Under the guidance of the Safeguarding Manager, develop policies, practices and related education programs that ensure the Diocese maintains its regulatory compliance and accommodates related legal issues. Assist the Safeguarding Manager in creating a culture that embraces and prioritises the safeguarding of children, young persons and vulnerable people.

Key Requirements:

Demonstrated commitment to the teachings, values, and ethos of the Catholic Church Professional and/or academic background in Social Work, Education, Compliance, Investigations, or equivalent. Appropriate qualifications and/or experience working within a Child Safe Organisation. Demonstrated ability in policy development, implementation and education. Knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding and Child Protection requirements and mandates under NSW

legislation. Advanced skills in Microsoft Office and the ability to produce written papers to an audience at senior management level. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and consultatively with senior management teams and committees. Current Driver’s licence. Possession of a valid Working With Children Check & ACIC Criminal History Check Demonstrated ability to exercise self-care.

Applications close Friday 15th February 2019. For further information contact: 02 6621 9444. Please submit your resume detailing your experience along with a cover letter to: business@lismore.catholic.org.au or Mail to the Diocesan HR/WHS Manager PO BOX 1, Lismore NSW 2480.

* Applicants must have the right to work in Australia (Australian citizen or permanent resident) to be considered eligible to apply for this position.

MASS TIMES

St Francis Xavier Church Ballina

Holy Family Church

Lennox Head

SATURDAY 6.00 pm

SUNDAY 9.00 am

7.30 am

MONDAY Public Holiday

9.00 am

TUESDAY

5.20 pm

WEDNESDAY

10.00 am SMoC Chapel

Crowley

THURSDAY 8.00 am

FRIDAY

12.00 noon

OTHER CEREMONIES THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY 8.00 am

Rosary & Chaplet of Divine Mercy

FRIDAY 11.00 to 11.45 am Exposition

RECONCILIATION

SATURDAY 9.00—10.00 am

Also on request

SATURDAY 9.00 am Prayer of the Church

Christian Meditation Group is held every Saturday at 9.30am in Anawim Room

Cenacle Marian Movement of Priests: Monday 11.00 am—12.15 pm at 3/21 Swift Street, Ballina. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Friday morn-ings from 11.00 to 11.45 am at SFX Church Ballina (except when there is a funeral that day). Ballina CCR Intercession Will resume Monday 4th Feb from 10.45 am to 11.45 am in the Anawim Room. Prayer Meeting: from Monday 4th Feb 2.15 pm to 4.00 pm in the Anawim Room

Prayer of the Church and Rosary this Saturday 2nd February new time of 9.00 am not 8.00 am Parish Youth Group: In recess

Sisterhood: In recess

(continued from page 1) unravelling the complexities of the written text and instilling in his congregation a passion for the Word (Confessions 6.3.4). Augustine says of Ambrose that he could “draw aside the veil of mystery” (Confessions 6.3.5). Ezra and Jesus similarly are praised for their ability to interpret the ancient texts. Such a facility for interpretation is achieved through constant reading and refection, in private study and in communal en-gagement. Ezra is described elsewhere as “a scribe well versed in the Law” (Ezra 7:6). In Luke, Jesus’ authority as the inter-preter of Scriptures is derived from many hours of solitary prayer (Luke 5:16; 6:12; 9:28 11:1). That Ambrose was able to “draw aside the veil of mystery” derived from the time he spent regularly in silent reading and contemplation of the text. Ian J Elmer

© Redemptorists 2019

PLENARY COUNCIL PRAYER

Come, Holy Spirit of Pentecost. Come, Holy Spirit of the

great South Land.

O God, bless and unite all your people in Australia and guide us on the pilgrim way of the

Plenary Council.

Give us the grace to see your face in one another and to recognise Jesus,

our companion on the road.

Give us the courage to tell our stories and to speak boldly of your truth.

Give us ears to listen humbly to each other and a discerning heart to hear what

you are saying.

Lead your Church into a hope-filled future, that we may live the joy of the Gospel.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, bread for the journey from age to age. Amen.

Our Lady Help of Christians, pray for us. St Mary MacKillop, pray for us.

GO TELL EVERYONE By Richards/Dale MAY – ONE LICENCE #A-621003

1. God’s spirit is in my heart

He has called me and set me apart This is what I have to do

What I have to do.

Refrain: He sent me to give the good news to the poor

Tell prisoners that they are prisoners no more Tell blind people that they can see

And set the downtrodden free And go tell ev’ryone

The news that the kingdom of God has come And go tell ev’ryone

The news that God’s kingdom has come.

2. Just as the father sent

me So I’m sending you

out to be My witness throughout

the world The whole of the world.

R/:

3. Don’t worry what You have to say

Don’t worry because on that day

God’s spirit will speak in your heart

Will speak in your heart. R/: