23RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME -

YEAR A

10 September 2017

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

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PARISH STAFF

Parish Priest

Fr. Anthony Lemon

Parish Manager

Mary-Ann Thackray

Parish Secretary

Beth Gorton

Pastoral Associate

Barbara Grant —————————————————

PARISH OFFICE

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

Website: www.shpmurwillumbah.com.au

Email: shpmbah@norex.com.au

Mail: PO Box 45 Street: Queensland Road,

Murwillumbah NSW 2484

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PARISH SCHOOLS

Mt. St. Patrick College

Murwillumbah Street, Murwillumbah

Ph: 02 6672 2340 mspcmbah@lism.catholic.edu.au

Principal: Mr. Paul Clohesy

Mt. St. Patrick Primary School

Mooball Street, Murwillumbah

Ph: 02 6672 1821

murp@lism.catholic.edu.au Principal: Mr. Brendan Ryan

St. Joseph’s Primary School

Greville Street, South Murwillumbah

Ph: 02 6672 1867

smurp@lism.catholic.edu.au

Principal: Mr. Jason Clarke

Early beginnings

In the year 64 CE, following the great fire of Rome, the emperor Nero initiated a tragic persecution of Christians in the imperial capital, signalling the first sustained confrontation between the Christian church and a political state. Written a few years earlier,

Paul's letter to Rome affords a window into the nature of church-state relations vis-a-vis the Christian communities in Rome in the years leading up to Nero's persecution.

We do not know when or how the Christian movement arrived in Rome, but the available evidence suggests that it emerged first within the many Jewish synagogues that dotted the city. By the

time Paul wrote, however, Christianity appears to have become predominantly Gentile in its ethnic makeup. However, tensions between the Jewish and Gentile converts to Christianity seem to have been rising, with various factions fighting over who were the

“strong” and who among them were “weak” in their faith (Rom 14:1-15:13).

There was an added political danger here – any public disorder could attract the ire of the Roman authorities. The Roman historian, Tacitus, who records the events surrounding Nero’s persecution, notes that an earlier disturbance focused on Christian

evangelists in the Jewish synagogues had led the Emperor Tiberius to expel all the Jews from Rome (c. 49 CE).

As a response to the dual threats to the peace of the Roman

communities, Paul encourages Christian solidarity among the various house-churches of the city (e.g., Rom. 16:16), and reminds them of their responsibility concerning relationship with the

secular rulers (Rom. 13:6-7). In effect, Paul counsels the members of the Roman house churches to be demonstrably good, law-abiding and tax-paying citizens of Rome.

Something of these tensions is obvious in today’s first reading, where Paul suggests that following the Christian principle of love not only fulfils the precepts of the Jewish Law, but also leads to a community based on mutual respect and common decency. To

support his argument, Paul apparently quotes Jesus’ maxim that one should “love one’s neighbour as oneself” (Rom 13:9; cf. Matt 5:43); to which he adds “Love does no evil to the neighbour” (Rom

13:10).

Similarly, Matthew’s gospel was written for a community struggling for survival in the period of intense persecution

following the Jewish War (66-73 C.E.). Hence, in this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus holds his followers to principles higher than that of the moral standards of the prevailing culture.

While we may not be subjected to such persecution in Australia today, the stories of the great fire of Rome remind us that we will always be "strangers in a strange land". As an identifiable sub-

culture, Christians are at times feted by governments and politicians while sometimes we are pilloried and ridiculed. But we should not allow the vicissitudes of our situation to divert us from our common call to be agents of love, respect and tolerance.

Ian J Elmer © Redemptorists 2017

Reprinted from the Sunday Majellan with permission

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL MARY MACKILLOP

CONFERENCE meets each Wednesday

at Parish Meeting Centre. New members welcome.

“Come Grow With Us”.

Phone: Marie Donaghy 6672 2933

ROSARY STATUE Joanne Kirk

COUNTERS:

10 Sept: J Morgan & L Green

17 Sept: G & K Bewes

24 Sept: P & R Marr

01 Oct: M & M Cooper

08 Oct: P & L McMahon

15 Oct: U O’Grady & B Brodbeck

22 Oct: C & J Anderson

29 Oct: T & P Zambelli

24th SUNDAY in ORDINARY TIME

- Year A

16/17 September

Sacred Heart Murwillumbah

6.00pm Saturday

Sacred Heart Murwillumbah 8.30am Sunday

Acolyte P Egan P Hyde

Altar Servers C Larkin, W Ryan

G Kendrick-Morosini M & A Skelly

S Calvino

Readers D Banner R

L Dusi R T Waugh P/F

B Cook (C) P/F M Roberts R J Schiller R

Ministers of Communion

R Nihill (C) R Daley, D Macartney R Anderson, L Hosking

M Reynolds (C) L Green, MA Thackray

P & R Marr

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

Procession of Gifts C & J Anderson Heanes/Dusi family

Children’s Liturgy P Zambelli V Hughes

The Sacred Heart Church

‘Prayer Chapel’ is open for

private prayer on weekdays.

THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH 10 - 17 SEPTEMBER

CHURCH CLEANING SANCTUARY & ALTAR Sacred Heart Church: 10 September: B Gorton, M Reynolds, M Trevithick

OLPS Church, Sth M’bah September: K Ryder

Sunday 23rd SUNDAY in ORDINARY TIME - Year A

8:30am Mass - Sacred Heart Church

9.30am Parish Cuppa in Hall

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

Tuesday 4.15pm - 5.15pm Adoration - Sacred Heart

5.30pm Mass - Sacred Heart Church

6:00pm Rosary - Sacred Heart Church

7.00pm RCIA Enquiry Night - Parish Hall (see note page 4)

Wednesday 9.00am Mass - Greenhills Lodge

4.15pm - 5.15pm Adoration - Sacred Heart Church

5.30pm Mass - Sacred Heart Church

Thursday 8:30am Mass - Sacred Heart Church

9:00am Legion of Mary - Parish Administration Centre

Friday 10:00am Communion - M’bah Nursing Home - K Mumford

10:00am Communion - Heritage Lodge - L Green

12.15pm Mass - Sacred Heart Church

2.45pm - 3.45pm Adoration - Sacred Heart Church

Saturday 9:00am Rosary - Sacred Heart Church

6:00pm Vigil Mass - Sacred Heart Church

Sunday 24th SUNDAY in ORDINARY TIME - Year A

8:30am Mass - Sacred Heart Church

10.00am Mass - St. Brigid’s, Burringbar

PARISH “CUPPA” This Sunday 10th September

with Sharp Family Group

Readings next week: 24th SUNDAY in ORDINARY TIME - Year A Sirach 27:30 - 28:7; Rom 14:7-9; Mt 18:21-35

RECENTLY DECEASED: Terry Reed, Bob Richardson, Eileen McEniery, Patricia Whippy, Caterina Grippo, Pat Everson, Dale Storey.

ANNIVERSARIES: Grant Cook, Enid Roland, Joe & Mary Mills, Ray & Myrtle Simpson

NOTICE BOARD

CALENDAR

~ SEPTEMBER ~ 18-22 Meals on Wheels - Roster 1 21 Mt St Patrick College Yr 12 Graduation Mass - Sacred Heart Church 21 Finance Council Meeting 23 Wedding - St Columba’s, Uki 24 25TH SUNDAY IN ORD. TIME - YR A SOCIAL JUSTICE SUNDAY 9am-Catholic Women’s Group Cake Stall 10am Mass - OLPS, Sth Murwillumbah Baptisms 27 St. Vincent de Paul

~ OCTOBER ~

Month of the Holy Rosary

01 26TH SUNDAY IN ORD. TIME - YR A 10am Mass - St. Columba’s, Uki 02 Parish Office Closed 06 10am Mass - M’bah Nursing Home 07 Wedding - Sacred Heart Church 08 27TH SUNDAY IN ORD. TIME - YR A 9am - Cuppa in the Hall 10am Mass - OLPS, Sth M’bah Baptisms 10 Baptism Preparation Meeting 11 9am Mass - Greenhills Lodge 12 Compassionate Friends

PLEASE PRAY FOR: 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 - 5pm Tuesday 12th Sept (Please Note - Change of time)

CATHOLIC PAPERS - $2 each

Catholic Leader: Towards the Marriage Vote

Catholic Weekly: Our Three Greatest Challenges

Also available this weekend: Coalition for Marriage pamphlet distributed by

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference

FOUND in the Sacred Heart Church - a signet ring.

If this ring could be yours, please phone Parish Office 6672 1118

Catholic Women’s Group news… The Group has two important dates to remember in September:

1. Friday 15th September - we will meet for lunch at ‘The House of Gabriel’, Tumbulgum at 12 noon. Any lady wishing to come will be most welcome. Phone Marion 6672 2501 or Barbara 6672 3377.

2. Sunday 24th September after the 8am Mass there will be a Stall selling cakes and other goodies. Proceeds to local charities.

“SUNDAY CUPPA”

Please join us today, after 8.30am Sunday Mass, for a Cuppa in the Hall. Usually held on the second Sunday of each month and facilitated by a Family Group.

ALL WELCOME!!

COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS SUPPORT MEETING - for those who have lost a child of any age, at any time.

10.30am Thursday 14 September - Autumn Club in Tumbulgum Rd

Enquiries: Lorraine 6672 3219

PUBLIC SQUARE ROSARY - FRIDAY 13TH OCTOBER

To celebrate the 100 year anniversary of Fatima & The Miracle of

the Sun, the Legion of Mary will be leading the Public Square

Rosary in Budd Park, after Mass in Sacred Heart Church, at

12.15pm on Friday 13th October. This will be followed by a

barbeque lunch. ALL WELCOME!!

AFFORABLE ACCOMMODATION IN SYDNEY Sisters of Charity Outreach operates a great service for regional NSW

residents who need to attend medical appointments and hospital in Sydney.

Chisholm Cottage is a recently renovated, four bedroom, affordable,

shared accommodation house in Westmead [near Parramatta] which offers short-term, comfortable accommodation for families, couples and individuals from regional NSW who are attending or

accompanying loved ones to hospital stays or medical appointments in Sydney.

Current room rates - $60 per night for the twin or double room (max 2 guests) and $80 per night for the family rooms (max 3 guests). Other guest facilities include a fully equipped kitchen for meal preparation,

a dining and lounge area and a spacious outdoor garden.

For all bookings - contact Sonia Fingleton, Accommodation Manager. Phone: 02 9633 4228. Email: chisholmcottage@outreach.net.au

Learn more about Chisholm Cottage by visiting: http://www.sistersofcharityoutreach.com.au/service/chisholm-cottage/

INVEST WITH PEACE OF MIND www.dif.org.au Phone 1800 802 516 Paying 2.15%

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

23RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - A

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: (Ps: 94) R. O that today you would listen to his voice!

Harden not your hearts.

IF SUNG: R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your

hearts.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, Alleluia! God was in Christ, to reconcile the world to himself; and the Good News of reconciliation he has entrusted to us. Alleluia!

SAVE THE DATE!!

The 56th CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL & NATIVITY TABLEAU

will be held on Saturday 25 November. With 11 weeks to go, its time to start: making jams & preserves;

planting seeds & cuttings;

making puddings & Christmas cakes;

sewing, knitting & crocheting.

CHANGE TO SUNDAY MASS TIMES 17 September - Sacred Heart Church

8.30am Mass (not 8am)

10.00am Mass as usual

Diocesan Young Adult Retreat

‘OASIS’ Who: Young adults aged 18-35

When: Friday 20th - Sunday 22nd October

Where: Invercauld House, Goonellabah

Parish Contact: Billie Lansky - bilansky@lism.catholic.edu.au Registration forms available in the Church or the Parish Office.

Sacred Heart Parish Murwillumbah

An Invitation To All Who Would Like To Know About The Catholic Faith

The RCIA Programme

The programme begins with Enquiry Nights to assist: * those who might be considering joining our Catholic community * those who would like to know more about the RCIA programme. * those parishioners who are interested in supporting our candidates. * those who wish to know more about their Faith.

Following the Enquiry Night, those who wish to proceed further will join the RCIA Programme which will run from September through until Easter next year, with a break during school holidays. This programme will consist of weekly 1 hour meetings in small groups.

Next Enquiry Night

Sacred Heart Parish Hall, Murwillumbah St, MURWILLUMBAH

Tuesday 12 September 7.00pm

EVERYONE WELCOME

St Joseph’s Primary School Theatre Company presents

Little Red Drizabone 6pm Saturday 16th September

Mt St Patrick College Gilbey Centre

Tickets: $10 Adults/Children under 12 free!

- available at the door and at St Joseph’s Primary School. All welcome!

PRAYER SPONSORS for MSPC HSC STUDENTS

Mt St Patrick College is once again asking for Prayer Sponsors for Year 12 students during their Higher School Certificate exams.

If you are interested in being a Prayer Sponsor for a Year 12 student from Mt St Patrick College, please take a student name card from the back of the Church and write your name and the student’s name on the sheet provided. Thank you for your involvement.