Responsorial Psalm: (contd) (R.) The Lord is kind and merciful;

slow to anger and rich in compassion. 3. His wrath will come to an end;

he will not be angry for ever.

He does not treat us according to

our sins nor repay us according to our

faults (R.)

4. For as the heavens are high

above the earth

so strong is his love for those

who fear him.

As far as the east is from the west

so far does he remove our sins. (R.)

Second Reading: Rom 14:7-9

A reading from the letter of St Paul to

the Romans Whether alive or dead, we belong to the Lord.

The life and death of each of us has

its influence on others; if we live, we

live for the Lord; and if we die, we die

for the Lord, so that alive or dead we

belong to the Lord. This explains why

Christ both died and came to life, it

was so that he might be Lord both of

the dead and of the living.

The word of the Lord

Gospel Acclamation:Alleluia, alleluia!

I give you a new commandment:

love one another as I have

loved you.

Alleluia!

GOSPEL: Mt 18:21-35

A reading from the holy Gospel

according to Matthew I tell you that you forgive not seven times but

seventy times seven.

Peter went up to Jesus and said, ‘Lord,

how often must I forgive my brother if

he wrongs me? As often as seven

times?’ Jesus answered, ‘Not seven,

I tell you, but seventy-seven times. ‘And

so the kingdom of heaven may be com-

pared to a king who decided to settle his

accounts with his servants. When the

reckoning began, they brought him a

TWENTY– FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Year A 16 - 17 Sept, 2017

Entrusted to the Salesians of Don Bosco

Catholic Church

GOSPEL: (contd) man who owed ten thousand talents;

but he had no means of paying, so his

master gave orders that he should be

sold, together with his wife and chil-

dren and all his possessions, to meet

the debt. At this, the servant threw

himself down at his master’s feet.

“Give me time,” he said “and I will pay

the whole sum.” And the servant’s

master felt so sorry for him that he let

him go and cancelled the debt. Now as

this servant went out, he happened to

meet a fellow servant who owed him

one hundred denarii; and he seized

him by the throat and began to throttle

him. “Pay what you owe me”, he said.

His fellow servant fell at his feet and

implored him, saying, “Give me time

and I will pay you.” But the other would

not agree; on the contrary, he had him

thrown into prison till he should pay the

debt. His fellow servants were deeply

distressed when they saw what had

happened, and they went to their

master and reported the whole affair to

him. Then the master sent for him.

“You wicked servant,” he said. “I can-

celled all that debt of yours when you

appealed to me. Were you not bound,

then, to have pity on your fellow ser-

vant just as I had pity on you?” And in

his anger the master handed him over

to the torturers till he should pay all his

debt. And that is how my heavenly

Father will deal with you unless you

each forgive your brother from your

heart.

The Gospel of the Lord

Communion Antiphon:

How precious is your mercy, O God!

The children of men seek shelter

in the shadow of your wings.

Entrance Antiphon Give peace, O Lord,

to those who wait for you,

that your prophets be found true.

Hear the prayers of your servant,

and of your people Israel.

First Reading : Sir 27:30–28:7

A reading from the book of Ecclesiasticus Forgive your neighbour’s faults and when you pray,

your sins will be forgiven.

Resentment and anger, these are

foul things, and both are found with

the sinner. He who exacts vengeance

will experience the vengeance of the

Lord, who keeps strict account of sin.

Forgive your neighbour the hurt he

does you, and when you pray, your

sins will be forgiven. If a man nurses

anger against another, can he then

demand compassion from the Lord?

Showing no pity for a man like him-

self, can he then plead for his own

sins? Mere creature of flesh, he cher-

ishes resentment; who will forgive

him his sins? Remember the last

things, and stop hating, remember

dissolution and death, and live by the

commandments. Remember the com-

mandments, and do not bear your

neighbour ill-will; remember the cove-

nant of the Most High, and overlook

the offence.

The word of the Lord

Responsorial Psalm:

(R.) The Lord is kind and merciful;

slow to anger and rich in compassion.

1. My soul, give thanks to the Lord,

all my being, bless his holy name.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord

and never forget all his blessings. (R.)

2. It is he who forgives all your guilt,

who heals every one of your ills,

who redeems your life

from the grave, who

crowns you with love and

compassion. (R.)

26 Swanston Street, St Marys, NSW 2760

Tel: (02) 9623 1962 Fax: (02) 9833 1063

Parish Email: secretaryolrchurch@iinet.net.au

Parish Website: www.olrchurchstmarys.org.au

PARISH TEAM Parish Priest: Fr. Brendan Murphy SDB Assistant Priest: Fr Guy Riolo SDB Parish Secretary: Fleur Mathias

Parish Telephone: 9623 1962 Parish Email: secretaryolrchurch@iinet.net.au Web: www.olrchurchstmarys.org.au

Parish Fax: 9833 1063

For Enquiries Please Phone The Parish Office

between 9:30am - 12:30pm & 1:30pm - 3:30pm, Mon-Fri

Salesian Community: Phone: 9623 1220

Rector: Fr John Walenciej SDB

Don Bosco Youth Centre: Phone: 9623 0450

Co-Directors: Sr Jenny Doudle FMA Fr John Walenciej SDB

Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School

Principal: Mr Michael Siciliano Phone: 9623 2500 Email: olorstmarys@parra.catholic.edu.au

Web: www.olorstmarys.catholic.edu.au

Emmaus Catholic College

Principal: Mr Robert Nastasi

Phone: 9670 4588 Email: emmaus@parra.catholic.edu.au Web: www.emmauskempscreek.catholic.edu.au

PARISH MINISTRIES St Vincent de Paul Society: meets every Tuesday at 7:00pm in the St Vincent de Paul Office beside the Parish Hall.

Junior Legion of Mary: meets on Fridays, 4:30pm to 5:45pm in the Parish Hall and Parish Meeting Rooms. Young people welcome

Senior Legion of Mary: Tuesdays, 6:30-8pm in the Parish Hall Meeting Room. All Welcome to join.

The Cenacle: Every Thursday after 9am Mass, you are invited to join us to pray the Cenacle of the Marian Movement of Priests.

Cuppa and Craft Club: Thursdays at 9:30am, Parish Hall. Contact Parish Office 9623 1962. Computer Class (50 years & over):Basic:9.30am-11.30am and Advance:1.30pm-4pm, Parish Hall Mtg Rm. Please contact Parish Office. Rosary Statue: Mr & Mrs Howse, 9 Concorde Pl, St Clair.

RCIA: meets Thursdays, 7:30pm, Parish Meeting Room. Know someone who would like to be a Catholic? New enquirers welcome.

Catechists: Teaching God’s Word in our State schools. Volunteers needed. Contact Maureen Watts 9623 9272. Mother’s Prayers: Every Monday, 10am at the Infant School.

Ladies Auxiliary: 2nd Mon’s, Parish Office Meeting Room, 7:30pm

Youth Choir: Choir Practices on the 2nd Sunday of the month, 2.30pm – 4pm. Choir sings at the 9am Mass on the 4th Sunday of the month. All young people welcome, 6 -16 years. OLR-Schoenstatt Pilgrim Mother Apostolate (PMA) Rosary Prayer: every 4th Sunday of the month after the 10.30am Mass (11.45am) in the Church. All Welcome!

Sat 16 Sept Ss Cornelius & Cyrprian 6:00pm Daisy & Patrick D’Silva

Sun 17 Sept 24th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

7:30am Pedro & Maria Belcastro 9:00am Kathy Sagovac 10:30am Pro Populo 5:30pm Natalie Felice, Natalie Ciccone

Mon 18 Sept ST JOSEPH CUPERTINO 6:30am Holy Souls in Purgatory 9:00am Mick Michalkiewicz `

Tue 19 Sept ST JANUARIUS 9:00am Marknino Lucas

Wed 20 Sept Ss. ANDREW K TAEGON, PAUL C HASANG

12:00pm Mag Scannel

Thur 21 Sept ST MATTHEW 9:00am Angelo Vella

Fri 22 Sept BL. JOSEPH CALASANZ SDB 9:15am Dr Cyril Wijeratne

Sat 23 Sept ST PADRE PIO 8:00am Agnes & Edward Peters

RECONCILIATION

Every Wednesday: 11:15am - 11:45am.

Every Saturday: 9:00am - 10:00am, 5:00pm - 5:30pm

ADORATION BEFORE THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Wednesday: 11:15am - 11:45am, Mass at 12 noon

Every Thursday: 9:30am - 6:00pm (after 9:00am Mass) Friday: 8:30am - 9:00am. followed by Mass at 9:15am

PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED Please remember in your prayers our deceased

parishioners, family and friends especially Tekla Sakaluk, Constance Munro, Giovanni Saporito , Tom Fraser, Leo Budin, Ivan Prsa, David McHenry, John E Seymour, Juanito Guimbal, Paul Nicolen, Alfred O’Shea, Cornelius Nyssen. Dennis McGee, Hazel De silva, Edita Sanchez, George Kassouf, Philomena Bartholomeuz, Stephen Ostil, Daniel Walmsley, Jadwiga Walenciej, Mark N. Lucas, Mario Daros, Alfred Farrugia. Francine Low, Sid Lawrence, Mario Daros, Daniel Samardzic, Sr Henriette, Jessie Go-mes, Joe Rukavina, Mary Briffa, Matt Julian, William Melton, Fr Jerry Breen, Charlie Zammit, Alberto Garate., Bernadette Downey, Sr Doris Barbero. Eternal rest grant unto their souls O Lord, let perpetual light shine

upon them, may they rest in peace. Amen

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK

Jesus the Healer, we commend to your gentle hands those who are sick

Fr Bill Golman, Fr John Dwyer, Roberto Rayco, , Shaanan Young, Fr George O’ Mara, Brendon Vella, Atef Gabrael, Trevor Douglas, Baby Amiah Walker, Alby Kemp, Dennis McGee Jnr, Judith Urbano-Lopez, Denham de Silva, Clare O’Rance, Mary Bonanno, Leanne Barlon, Plaridel Santos, Kathy McMillan, Charlize McMillan, Soaad Halaka, Yvonne Wilde, Ester Santos, Andrew, Jeblet, Greg , Sharan & Baby Larna, Anna R, Iris Warne, Donna, George Safi, Joan Law, Joseph Camilleri, Charlie Sultana, Elizabeth & Hector, Joanne., Manny Kama, Joshua Jabisan, Kevin & Enid., Maria Maciejewska, Peter Wetton, Maureen Cocks, Daniel Jacobson, Allan Williams, Linda & William Weight-man, Grazia Gullo, Tracey Bokor, David Fuller, Sylvia Smith, Baby Owen, Adrian Durando, Andrew Boulos, Ricardo Herft, Grant Butterfield, Avalee, Dana, Garry., Meerle Steere, Cecille Jane, Renato Cazar, Vera Gould, Loyd, Carol Greentree, Ronato Cazan.

Next Sunday’s Readings:25th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

1st Reading: Isaiah 55: 6-9 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 144: 2-3, 8-9, 17-18

2nd Reading: Philippians 1: 20 –24, 27 Gospel: Matthew 20; 1-16

1st and 2nd Collections: 1st Collection: for the support of the priests of the parish 2nd Collection: (including planned giving envelopes) goes towards the running costs of the Parish.

Thankyou for your ongoing support.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults - RCIA Do you know anyone interested in becoming a Catholic?

Please invite them to contact: Vera on 0416 008 582 or the Parish Office on 9623 1962

St Marys Gardens Nursing Home Communion Roster

Sun 17 Sept: Phillip S, Gliceria F, Joseph B.

Sun 24 Sept: Miranda L, Penna Family, Geraldine D

COMING EVENTS FOR THE DIARY 18 Sept: PPC Executive meeting, 7.30pm

19 Sept: Legion of Mary, Parish Hall Meeting Room 6.30pm

St Vincent De Paul, Parish Hall Mtg Room, 7:00pm

21 Sept: RCIA, Parish House, 7.30pm

22 Sept: Junior Legion of Mary, Parish Hall Mtg Room, 5pm

28 Sept: Pre-Baptism programme, Parish off Mtg Rm, 7.30pm

Our Lady of the Rosary Feast Novena, Church, 7.30pm

13 Oct: Pilgrimage to Berrima, bus leaves at 8am sharp

——————————————————————

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Thursdays 9:30am - 6pm, Church

Adoration Chapel open all day.

NEPEAN HOSPITAL - CHAPLAIN If you know anyone who is admitted to Nepean Hospital

Public or Private and would like to receive Communion,

Please contact the hospital Chaplain

on 4734 3150.

BERRIMA PILGRIMAGE - 13 OCTOBER 2017 Let us once again commemorate an important holy event with important messages for our salvation, the last apparition, by joining this Berrima Pilgrimage with our parishioners and priests, Fr Brendan and Fr Guy. A donation of $25 per person to cover cost of coach hire payable latest by 1st October 2017.

Please put this in an envelope provided alongside the list in the church foyer and hand it to the Parish office.

The Coach will leave the church at 8am sharp so we can get there before the rush Please bring finger food

PROPOSED CHANGE TO MARRIAGE ACT

Marriage is… The Church views marriage as a

unique relationship between a woman and a

man. Marriage is also a fundamental institu-

tion for all societies because of its importance in unit-

ing spouses as potential parents and in providing for the

upbringing of their children. It has therefore been

understood as the union of a man and a woman in all

cultures and religions until very recent times and is still

so defined in international law and the law of most na-

tions.… To insist that marriage is a relationship between

a man and a woman is not a criticism of other kinds of

relationships.

By recognising this particular type of relationship our

community and its marriage laws do not unjustly

discriminate against other relationships: rather, our

community and its laws recognize the essential connec-

tions between male-female bonding and child-bearing,

and between children and their natural parents. Taken from the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference

website: https://www.catholic.org.au/plebiscite.

FREE - TO A GOOD HOME A White Wooden Single Bed in very good condition.

It has a radio, digital clock and light along with mattress,

pillows and doona. Please contact Sue on 0414 762 878.

Mobility Walker If anyone is in need of this please

contact the Parish office.

Baby Items: car seat (0-4 years), pram, wooden baby cot

with mattress. Please contact Smita 0466 629 267.

PRAYER FOR MARRIAGE God our Father, we give you thanks for the gift of marriage: the bond of life and love, and the font of the family. May your Son, through the intercession of Mary, pour out upon us a new measure of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit as we join with all people of good will to promote and protect the unique beauty of marriage. May your Holy Spirit enlighten our society to treasure the heroic love of husband and wife, and guide our leaders to sustain and protect the singular place of mothers and fathers in the lives of their children. Father, we ask that our prayers be joined to those of the Virgin Mary, that your Word may transform our service so as to safeguard the incomparable splendour of marriage. We ask all these things through Christ our Lord,

Amen. …from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops website http://www.usccb.org/

prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/prayers/prayer-defense-of-marriage.cfm

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MASSAll Married couples are invited to celebrate their

Wedding Anniversary with other couples and

family members at the 11am Mass at St Patrick’s Ca-

thedral Parish, Parramatta on Sunday, 24th September Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv will celebrate the Mass

and will host a light lunch following Mass. Please contact

your Parish Secretary to register your names by 18th Sep-

tember, 2017; or call the Life Marriage & Family Office

on 02 8838 3460 or lmf@parra.catholic.org.au.

FEAST OF ST PADRE PIO

You are invited to celebrate the Feast of St Padre Pio

at St Padre Pio Church, Glenmore Park.

Thur 21 Sept:7pm Children’s Mass, supper provided

Fri 22 Sept: 7pm Couples Mass, supper provided

Sat 23 Sept: 5.30pm Family Mass, supper provided

Sun 24 Sept: 9.30am Solemn Feast Day Mass,

followed by Procession & Entertainment for children.

SOCIAL JUSTICE SUNDAY: 24 September The Catholic Church in Australia celebrates Social Jus-

tice Sunday on 24 September. This year, the Australian

Bishops’ Social Justice Statement is titled: ‘Everyone’s

Business: Developing an inclusive and sustainable

economy’. The Statement calls for an economy that is

founded on justice and offers dignity and inclusion to

every person. Details: please visit the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council

website (www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au) or call (02) 8306 3499.

September 16-17: 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Dear Parishioners,

Eucharistic Adoration on Monday and Tuesday: Thank you to all who have committed to being present

before the Blessed Sacrament exposed in the Holy Family

Chapel. It is essential that there is a constant presence

before the Blessed Sacrament. Pl ease make sure you

are there five minutes before the hour. If you have any

difficulty in being present, please arrange for a substitute

or, if unable to do so, advise the office in plenty of time

for alternative arrangements to be made.

National Plebiscite: I encourage all to defend the

natural right of every child to a mother and a father. Let us

pray for all concerned at this difficult and important time

for our nation and its citizens.

Parish October Marian Celebrations: Please note the following intended programme for these

parish celebrations:

A: 9 day Rosary Novena, Sept 28 – Oct 6, 7pm, Church

Thurs Sept 28: St Lorenzo Ruiz. 7:30pm Rosary

Fri Sept 29: Ss Michael, Gabriel, Raphael. 7:30pm Rosary

Sat Sept 30: St Jerome. 7:30pm Rosary.

Sun October 1: 26th Sunday. 7:30pm Rosary.

Mon October 2: Guardian Angels.

Picnic Euroka Park ? Rosary 7:30pm

Tues October 3: Rosary 7:30pm

Wed October 4: St Francis of Assisi. Rosary 7:30pm.

Thurs October 5: St Faustina Kowalska. Rosary 7:30pm

Fri October 6: 7`:00pm Rosary in church.

7:30pm: Fatima film in parish hall.

B: Sat October 7: Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. 8:00am Mass of the feast.

3:00pm Rosary

3:20pm Talk: “Mary the Great

Missionary – She will work miracles!”

Speaker: Sister M Isabell Naumann.

4:00pm: Afternoon tea.

C: Sunday October 8: Marian Procession 10:30am Mass: Liturgy for 27th Sunday

11:30am: Marian Procession, Release of

balloon rosary at MacKillop Centre?

12:15pm: Lunch at MacKillop Centre.

D: Fri October 13: Berrima Pilgrimage 8am-5pm.

E: Sat October 14: Public Rosary, 8:45am,Victoria Park.

Coming Up: Sept 12: Eucharistic Adoration begins, 8am-9pm.

Sept 19: 7:15pm, parish house: Bishop Robert

Baron DVD, Pivotal Players, on St Catherine of

Siena. All welcome.

October 24, 26: First Reconciliations.

November 17: Diocesan Vocations Holy Hour.

God bless.

Fr Brendan

2017: FATIMA CENTENARY YEAR

5th Fatima Apparition , September 13 1917:

The children’s imprisonment in August

cre ated such a stir that interest in the

events at the Cova da Iria increased

tremendously. As a result, an estimated

twenty five thousand people arrived there

on September 13 for Our Lady’s appari-

tion. The crowd was so thick it was difficult for the

children to make their way to the Cova.

The children finally reached the Cova at the spot where

Our Lady had been appearing. They began to pray the

Rosary with the people when suddenly they saw the

flash of light that always preceded our Lady’s coming.

Then she appeared above the holmoak tree. The brief

conversation between our Lady and the visionaries

began with Lucia’s usual question. “What do you want

of me?” Our Lady then gave her usual response:

“Continue to pray the Rosary in order to obtain the end

of the war!”

During her September apparition, Our Lady foretold a

sequence of appearances that the children would see in

October along with the promised miracle that would

convince the people that Our Lady had been appearing

at the Cova.

“In October Our Lord will come, as well as Our Lady

of Dolours [Sorrows] and Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

Saint Joseph will appear with the Child Jesus to bless

the world.”

Like the good and kind mother she is, Our Lady gave

the children words of praise and encouragement about

their penances. But she also added a word of caution so

that the children would not hurt themselves: “God is

pleased with your sacrifices. He does not want you to

sleep with the rope on [tied around your waist], but

only to wear it during the daytime.”

The conversation with our Lady ended like it had

during other apparitions, with Lucia offering petitions

to our Lady.

As our Lady departed, Lucia cried out in great simplic-

ity: ‘If you want to see our Lady, look there!’ She

pointed toward the east. Many people later testified

that they had seen something like a luminous cloud

moving toward the east. Most were convinced that they

had not seen our Lady herself, but perhaps a kind of

‘vehicle’ which brought our Lady from heaven and

returned her there again after the apparition.

With the ending of the September 13 apparition, the

stage was set for October and the promised miracle

that would convince the multitudes that our Lady was

truly appearing at the Cova and giving a message of

great importance for the world. (From Fr Andrew Apostoli CFR, Fatima for Today: the urgent

Marian message of hope (Ignatius Press, San Francisco 2010)

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