Little Mike watched as mummy stuck his brother's coloured drawing up on the fridge. Then, his brother reached down and picked up Mike's fantastic swirl of bright shapes. “Hey, Mum, look what Mike's done!” He handed back the picture. “Here, Mikey, give this to mum to put on the fridge.” Mike beamed with delight to see his art displayed for the whole family to see.

This familiar cameo is not ‘much ado about nothing’ as parent and child well know. On the one hand, the son or daughter is expressing life; on the other, the parent is reflecting life back, witnessing to the unique identity of the other; there is the experience of joy as they share in this revelation. This kind of affirmation by a loving parent, gifts a little person with confidence and strength to grow up.

Thousands of years ago, in similar vein, the psalmist gave voice to the revelation of our divine parents’ faithful love: “Though I walk in the midst of trouble … your right hand delivers me … your steadfast love, O Lord, endures for ever” (Psalm 138). This joy-filled song of realisation that through thick and thin we are accompanied by God-with-us has echoed through the ages and brought hope to humanity.

The words of St Paul declare that humanity does not hope in vain. Just as Isaiah's heavenly vision urges his response, “Here I am, Lord, send me,” (Isaiah 6: 8) so Paul's experience of the risen Christ commits him to witness to the light that has come into the world in a new, fresh, life-giving way. “I should remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand …” (1 Cor. 15: 1).

For our part, let's not kid ourselves or be too distracted by material cares; it is our job to witness to Christ present in our lives. Jesus, our compassionate Lord, called upon his disciples to follow him and tell of, and demonstrate, the saving, healing love of the Father. Through baptism, we too are disciples of Christ. We can't wriggle out of the accompanying call to share Christ with others because of our unworthiness; anymore than Isaiah or Peter could: “Woe to me … for I am a man of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6: 5); “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man” (Luke 5: 8).

Let us, therefore, stand up, and ‘take the load upon our

shoulders’ knowing that our great and merciful God walks

with us, in Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. In our

age, where terrible military aggression is so immensely

destructive of life, we are called not to wage war; but be

peaceful bearers of the bread of life.

Bet Green © Redemptorists 2016 Reprinted from the Sunday Majellan with permission

5TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME -

YEAR C

7 February 2016

Sacred Heart

Catholic Parish

PARISH CHURCHES Church of the Sacred Heart

Murwillumbah Street, Murwillumbah

Our Lady of Perpetual Succour

River Street, South Murwillumbah

St. Brigid’s Church

Broadway, Burringbar

St. Columba’s Church Convent Lane, Uki

—————————————————

PARISH STAFF

Parish Priest Fr. Anthony Lemon

Parish Manager

Mary-Ann Thackray

Parish Secretary

Beth Gorton

—————————————————

PARISH OFFICE

Monday to Friday 9.00am - 3.00pm Phone: 02 6672 1118

Fax: 02 6672 5938 Website: www.shpmurwillumbah.com.au

Email: shpmbah@norex.com.au

Mail: PO Box 45 Street: Cnr Murwillumbah Street &

Queensland Road,

Murwillumbah NSW 2484 —————————————————

PARISH SCHOOLS

Mt. St. Patrick College

Murwillumbah Street, Murwillumbah

Ph: 02 6672 2480

mspcmbah@lism.catholic.edu.au

Mt. St. Patrick Primary School

Mooball Street, Murwillumbah Ph: 02 6672 1821

murp@lism.catholic.edu.au

St. Joseph’s Primary School

Greville Street, South Murwillumbah

Ph: 02 6672 1867

smurp@lism.catholic.edu.au

Bearers of peace

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL MARY MACKILLOP

CONFERENCE meets 1.15pm each Wednesday

at Parish Meeting Centre. New members welcome. “Come Grow With Us”.

Phone: Brian Donaghy 6672 2933

ROSARY STATUES Frank & Frances Berg

Bill & Dorothy Macartney

COUNTERS:

07 Feb: P & R Marr

14 Feb: U O’Grady, B Brodbeck

21 Feb: M & M Cooper

28 Feb: C & J Anderson

06 Mar: Parish staff

13 Mar: D Gillespie & C Kerr

20 Mar: P & L McMahon

27 Mar: Parish staff (Easter)

3 April: T & P Zambelli

10 April: J Morgan & L Green

17 Apr: G & K Bewes

ROSTERS

FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT - Year C 13/14 February

Sacred Heart Murwillumbah

6.00pm Saturday

Sacred Heart Murwillumbah 8.00am Sunday

Acolyte J Reynolds P Marr

Altar Servers N Macartney (C), D & Z Macartney

—————-

Readers MA McShane (C) R P & J Egan R & P/F

K Malone (C) P/F M Roberts R J Schiller R

Ministers of Communion

D & B Guinea (C) D Macartney, K Mumford

U O’Grady

J Morgan (C) P McMahon, M Reynolds

T Zambelli, M Chiesa

Hospitality ——————- M Zambelli & N Feltham

Procession of Gifts C & J Anderson M Traves & partner

Children’s Liturgy J Dixon V Hughes

FAMILY GROUP “CUPPA” ROSTER Sunday 14th February 2016

hosted by All Family Group Leaders

8TH – 14TH FEBRUARY Shrove Tuesday 4.15pm - 5.15pm Adoration - Sacred Heart Church

5.30pm Mass - Sacred Heart Church

6.00pm Rosary - Sacred Heart Church

7.00pm Baptism Preparation Meeting - Parish Admin Centre

Ash Wednesday 9.00am Communion - Greenhills Lodge - Trish Jandura

9.30am Mass - Sacred Heart Church - Mt St Patrick College

12.10pm Liturgy - OLPS, Sth M’bah - St Joseph’s Primary School

12.15pm Liturgy - Sacred Heart - Mt St Patrick Primary School

4.15pm - 5.15pm Adoration - Sacred Heart Church

5.30pm Mass - Sacred Heart Church

Thursday 9.15am Mass - Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Sth Murwillumbah

10.00am Legion of Mary - Sth M’bah Meeting Room

Friday 10.00am Communion - M’bah Nursing Home - Christine Dennis

10.00am Mass - Heritage Lodge - Fr Anthony Lemon

12.15pm Mass - Sacred Heart Church

2.45pm - 3.45pm Adoration - Sacred Heart

Saturday 9.00am Rosary - Sacred Heart Church

6.00pm Vigil Mass - Sacred Heart Church

Sunday 8.00am Mass - Sacred Heart Church

10.00am Mass - Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Sth Murwillumbah

12 noon Baptisms - Sacred Heart Church

The Sacred Heart Church ‘Prayer Chapel’ is open for private prayer on weekdays.

THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH

CHURCH CLEANING. Sacred Heart Church:

7 Feb: R & C McDonald, N Feltham

14 February: C Wightley,

Zambelli family, N Gear

OLPS Church, Sth M’bah

February: K Ryder & T Godwin

Readings for next week: FIRST SUNDAY of LENT - Yr C Deut 26:4-10; Rom 10:8-13; Lk 4:1-13

RECENTLY DECEASED: Jack Bawden, Dorrie Turner, Frank Godfrey, John Cummins.

ANNIVERSARIES: Monsignor Jerome O’Rourke, Fr. James O’Rourke, Pat Grant.

NOTICE BOARD

CATHOLIC PAPERS -on sale in the Church today-

Catholic Leader: Battling heroin

Good Samaritan Sister lives the parable

for 50 years

Catholic Weekly: Lenten app calls on Catholics to open

wide the doors of mercy

Giving up as we grow in Lent

~ FEBRUARY ~ 14 FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT - C

9am - Cuppa in Hall

10am Mass - OLPS, Sth M’bah

Baptisms

19 Adoration & Reconciliation - 7pm - 8pm

20 Fr. Bill Mills 60th Anniversary Mass of

Ordination to the Priesthood

21 SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT - C

10am Mass - St. Brigid’s, Burringbar

22 Dedication of new Cathedral Altar -

Lismore

26 Adoration & Reconciliation - 7pm - 8pm

28 THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT - C

10am Mass - OLPS, Sth M’bah

Baptisms

~ MARCH ~ 04 Mass - M’bah Nursing Home

04 Adoration & Reconciliation - 7pm - 8pm

05 Wedding: Higgins/McLean - Sacred Heart

06 FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT - C

10am Mass - St. Columba’s, Uki

07 Rosary & Prayers - OLPS, Sth M’bah

08 Baptism Preparation Meeting

09 Mass - Greenhills Lodge

CALENDAR

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

2016 SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME

FIRST RECONCILIATION:

Wednesday 16 March - 7pm

Parent Meeting & Registration for First Reconciliation

will be held this Tuesday 9th February at 6pm

in the Parish Hall.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION:

Sunday 29 May - 8am

CONFIRMATION:

Wednesday 10 August - 6pm

SACRAMENTS

RECONCILIATION:

Sacred Heart: Saturday : 5.30pm - 5.50pm

Sunday: 7.30am - 7.50am

BAPTISMS: Sacred Heart Church - 12.00pm

2nd and 4th Sundays of each month

(At least four weeks notice required)

Baptism Preparation Evening:

7.00pm Parish Administration Centre

on 2nd Tuesday of each month.

Next Evening - Tues 9th February

COMMISSIONING OF CATECHISTS FOR 2016

Parish Community Prayer:

Lord God, as a parish community we pray for our Catechists as they begin their ministry for this year. Inspired by the

Gospel, may they bring the light of faith to the children to

whom they minister.

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land: Bishop Jarrett is leading a 16 day pilgrimage to the Holy Places,

departing 4 September 2016. Includes Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Galilee, Dead Sea and Petra. An illustrated brochure with full details is available from the Parish Office.

Please keep in your prayers

Deacon Alexander Munyao, who is to be Ordained on 4th March in Kenya for the Lismore Diocese.

ADORATION &

RECONCILIATION will be offered on Friday

evenings for 4 weeks during Lent

7.00-8.00pm

in the Sacred Heart Church

Friday: 19th & 26th February

4th &11th March

SEASON OF LENT Ash Wednesday & Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence (not eating meat). All who have completed their 18th year & have

not yet begun their 60th year are bound to fast. All who have completed their 14th year are bound to abstain. All Fridays in Lent are recommended as days of fast (perhaps not

eating meat and forgoing luxuries, and food over and above what is necessary), prayer and deeds of charity.

He is waiting for you,

He is close to you,

He loves you,

He is merciful,

He forgives you,

He gives you the strength

to begin again from scratch!

Everybody!

-Pope Francis

INVEST WITH PEACE OF MIND www.dif.org.au Phone 1800 802 516 Paying 2.60% at Call!

Agents: Egan Simpson Solicitors: 15 Prince Street, Murwillumbah.

Deposits accepted between 9am and 3pm. Monday to Friday

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: (PS 137)

R: In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises,

Lord.

IF SUNG: R. In the sight of the angels, Lord, I will sing your

praises.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION:

Alleluia, Alleluia!

Come follow me, says the Lord, and I will make you

fishers of my people. Alleluia!

YEAR OF MERCY The Year of Mercy Logo

The logo and the motto together

provide a fitting summary of what the Jubilee Year is all about. The motto ‘Merciful Like the Father’ (taken from the Gospel of

Luke, 6:36) serves as an invitation to follow the merciful example of the Father who asks us not to judge

or condemn but to forgive and to give love and forgiveness without measure (cfr. Lk 6:37-38).

The logo – the work of Jesuit Father Marko I. Rupnik – presents a small summa theologiae of the theme of mercy. In fact, it represents an image quite important to

the early Church: that of the Son having taken upon his shoulders the lost soul demonstrating that it is the love of Christ that brings to completion the mystery of his incarnation culminating in redemption. The logo has

been designed in such a way so as to express the profound way in which the Good Shepherd touches the flesh of humanity and does so with a love with the power to change one’s life. One particular feature worthy of

note is that while the Good Shepherd, in his great mercy, takes humanity upon himself, his eyes are merged with those of man. Christ sees with the eyes of Adam, and

Adam with the eyes of Christ. Every person discovers in Christ, the new Adam, one’s own humanity and the future that lies ahead, contemplating, in his gaze, the love of the Father.

The scene is captured within the so called mandorla (the shape of an almond), a figure quite important in early

and medieval iconography, for it calls to mind the two natures of Christ, divine and human. The three concentric ovals, with colours progressively lighter as we move outward, suggest the movement of Christ who

carries humanity out of the night of sin and death. Conversely, the depth of the darker colour suggests the impenetrability of the love of the Father who forgives all.

2016 LENTEN PROGRAMME

Titled: ‘Mercy’

You are invited to join us for prayer and reflection during the weeks of Lent. Below is a list of the groups, with names, addresses, phone numbers of hosts. Please come along to a group and join in.

Tuesday - 10.30am - Denise & Bruce Banner

506 Wardrop Valley Rd, Fernvale 66779324

Thursday - 10.00am - Barbara Cook

63 Byangum Rd, Murwillumbah 6672 3377

Thursday - 6.30pm - Tony & Philomena Zambelli

9 Edward Street, Bray Park 6672 4635

Lenten books are available from the parish office. Cost

$8.00. If you are unable to attend a Lenten group, books may be purchased for individual use.

The Lenten Groups commence

this week 7th-11th February.

Fr Bill Mills will celebrate the

60th Anniversary

of his Ordination to the Priesthood

Saturday 20th February, 2016

with Mass at 10.00 am

in the Sacred Heart Church,

followed by light refreshments

in the Parish Hall.

Everyone is warmly invited to attend.

Today is Project Compassion Sunday

Please take home a Project Compassion box and/or a set of donation envelopes and support Caritas Australia this Lenten season as we celebrate 50 years of Project Compassion.

In Pope Francis’ words, “Lent is a time for drawing near to Christ.”

You will be helping to empower the world’s poorest children, women and men with vital learning and renewed hope.

You can donate to Project Compassion through Parish boxes and envelopes, by visiting www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion or phoning 1800 024 413.