There is a story that goes with this feast of the Epiphany. It tells of a fourth wise man that was

to travel with the three we hear of in today’s gospel. His name was Artaban. He too saw the

star and decided to follow it, taking with him a sapphire, a ruby, and a pearl as gifts for the new

king. Time was short. His three friends, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar were waiting for him

at an agreed spot. However, on the way there Artaban came across a traveller lying by the

roadside stricken with fever. Though he knew that if he delayed to help the man he would

miss his friends, nevertheless, he stopped and brought the man to an inn and had him taken

care of. When he finally got to the agreed spot he found that his friends had indeed departed

without him. So now he was on his own. He needed a camel and supplies to get him across

the desert. Reluctantly he had to sell the sapphire to buy them. When at last he reached

Bethlehem, once again he was too late. Joseph and Mary had taken the baby and fled into

Egypt to escape from Herod’s killers. Artaban was staying at a house where there was a year-

old boy. The mother feared for the life of her child. One evening soldiers came to the door.

Artaban went out to meet them. With the ruby he bribed the captain not to enter.

The captain took the ruby and left the child untouched. The mother was overjoyed.

Artaban, however, was sad because he had only the pearl left as a gift for the King. During the

long years that followed he searched in many places for the King, but all in vain. He always

seemed to be too late. Some thirty years later he came to the holy city of Jerusalem. He was

now old and weary and dispirited. A number of crucifixions were taking place the day he

arrived. Artaban heard to his great surprise that Jesus was among those who were being

executed. He hurried towards the hill of execution. Perhaps with the pearl he could save his

life. However, as he was on his way to Calvary he met a girl who was fleeing from a band of

soldiers. The girl hurriedly told him her story. Her father had incurred large debts. As a result

she was being sold into slavery. Artaban hesitated, but only for a moment. He took out his

pearl, gave it to the soldiers, and the girl was allowed to go free. But now he had to face his King

empty - handed. Just then the sky began to turn dark. An earthquake shook the ground under his

feet. Houses began to rock. Roof tiles began to fly. One of them struck Artaban on the head.

Mortally wounded he struggled onwards. But he died before reaching the hill of execution. He never

quite succeeded in catching up with his King. Yet in a sense Artaban always had his king. Ever since

he saw the star had he not carried him with him in his mind and heart? The King had inspired in him

deeds of love and generosity, and had lit up all his journeys with meaning and hope. They say that the

person who is genuinely searching for God has already found him. In that sense Artaban certainly had

found his God.

We believe that we have found the King, that is, Christ, but what difference does that make to

us: to the meaning we find in life, to the goals we pursue, to the way we treat our companions?

St Mary’s would like to wish you a very happy and prayerful New Year!

With this in mind, we have a present for each parish family! This is a beautiful resource for a 30 day time of reflection. In the introduction to the book you are invited to “go to a quiet place, put away your mobile

phone. The books writer wants you to spend time reminding yourself of God’s presence through a small piece of scripture, a reflection on the

theme, a prayer and a short thoughtful activity” Please take advantage of this gift! You will find them on the table at the front entrance of the church. Have a grace filled New Year. God Bless.

PLEASE COLLECT YOUR 2018 MINISTRY ROSTER FROM THE FRONT TABLE, THANKS

YOU.

Columban Calendars now available. You

will find them next to the Catholic

Leaders. Please place $10.00 on the

collection plate.

Congratulations to Austie Mike Lawless, son of Brock and Tara who we welcomed into the Catholic community before Christmas.

May the joy of Christmas remain in their hearts throughout the year.

GROUNDS ROSTER

JANUARY: THOMPSON FAMILY

FEBRUARY: G MCGOVERN & T RYAN

VOLUNTEERS MASS TIMES

No Masses or services this week,

as Father Michael is on the Priest’s Retreat in Toowoomba.

6/7th January, 2018

SATURDAY NIGHT: 6.00pm Goondiwindi

No Masses at Weengallon or Daymar as Father Michael will be

going to the Diocesan Retreat.

13th/14th January, 2018

SUNDAY EVENING: Goondiwindi 6.00pm

20th/21st January, 2018

SUNDAY MORNING: Goondiwindi 9.00am

27th/28th January, 2018

SATURDAY EVENING: Goondiwindi 6.00pm

SUNDAY MORNING: Goondiwindi 8.00am

NO FAMILY MASS

3rd/4th February, 2018

SATURDAY EVENING: Goondiwnidi 6.00pm

SUNDAY MORNING: Weengallon 8am & Daymar 10am

WE PRAY FOR THOSE:

Who have entered your kingdom:

including, Gwendolyn “Henny” Makim, Epigenia Cabus (Claire

& Rose’s sister), Barbara Duffy, Vince O’Brien (Roma), Bishop

John Gerry, Laurance Martyn, Frank Brosnan, Max Hohn, Kath

Johnson, Muriel “Sis” Plain (Len Cleal’s sister), Robert Miller, Elaine

Symes, June Corish, Ted Heironymus, Gloria Glasser, Therese Sullivan,

Helen Farrell, Fr. Merv Ziesing, Joan Lawson, Thea McNaulty, Kevin

“Skeet” McMaster, David Hollis, Frank Lawless (Stasia’s son), Pauline

Pollock, Monica Peters (Kath Gore’s Aunt), John Clancy, Margaret

Cook, Marie Dutton, Patricia MacBeth (Lismore), Kevin Heironymus,

Patricia Manton, Helen Zeller, Richard Everingham, Rosemary Keehn,

Jim Coleman, Tim Murphy, Margaret Piedl, Margaret Murphy, Glen

Manton, Father Tom Sheeran, Veronica Rayner.

Whose anniversary is at this time: including Isabel Coleman, Philippa

Day, Grant Carrigan, Paul Zacka, Albert Knight, Joyce Turvey, Georgia

Bourke, Carolyn Sewell, James ‘Ally’ Brennan, Molly McDonald, Joan

Turvey, Patrick Morrissy, Brett Linton, Joan Price, Tom Simpson,

Leslie “Cloudy” Marsh, Willy Heynen, Kevin Percival, David Webster,

Joan Smith, Irene “Ronnie” Blomley, Marj McMillan, Patrick Burns, Beth

Cook, Thelva O’Shea, Lynn Sutton, Rachel Cowmeadow, Barbara

Bishop, Fay Gore.

Who are ill: including Loretta Brennan, Donna Lindores, John Abbot,

Angus Rigney, Steve Aspinall, Jan Jan Charles, Tom Turvey, Bill Dyer,

Trish Dyer, Brian Freeney, Pat & Teresa Mullins, Deanna Dawson, Anne

Hunt, Kevin Lawless, Ray Mackie, Peter Keehn, Joan Fleming, Gloria

Bale, David Croft, Tim Bourke, Joe Cowmeadow, Shirley Schluter,

Stasia Lawless, Paul Lloyd, Mavis Gordon, Jean Ramada, Stella

McGovern, Jean Sizer, Francis Lloyd, Madonna Nicoletti, Kathy

McDonald, Steph Adamson, Bailey Brennan, Pauline Robinson, Win

Skinner, Sonya Horrigan, Helen Paige, John Toohey, Marie Cook, Phillip

Carney, Shirley Riley, and Joseph Hord; also those ill at home, in

hospital and for those in Kaloma.

Thank-you for your contributions:

31/12/17

Envelopes: $304.00 Loose: $211.00

Parish Bank A/C Details

A/C Name: ADF St Mary’s Parish

Goondiwindi

BSB: 064-786

A/C Number: 518826001

If paying by direct deposit, please use your

initials/surname as the reference.

WELCOMERS AT DOOR

ROS PHILLIPS (07/01)

PAULINE C & FAY P (14/01)

JILL LENNON & ANN WEBSTER (21/01)

WELCOMER AT MICROPHONE

CLAIRE CHARLES (07/01)

PAULINE CORCORAN (14/01)

VOLUNTEER NEEDED (21/01)

1ST

READER/PSALM

YVONNE ISAAK (07/01)

PAT THOMPSON (14/01)

GRAHAM MCGOVERN (21/01)

2ND

READING/ALLELUIA

MARY COLLINS (07/01)

ROS PHILLIPS (14/01)

CLAIRE CHARLES (21/01)

EUCHARIST MINISTERS

CAMILLE KELLOWAY, BRIAN COOK

AND MARY BURCHELL (07/01)

MARY COLLINS, YVONNE ISAAK

AND CLAIRE CHARLES (14/01)

CARMEL GEESON, SUE MCGOVERN

& DAWN CLANCY (21/01)

DATA PROJECTOR

ROS PHILLIPS (07/01)

CARMEL SCHAUMBERG (14/01)

MARY COLLINS (21/01)

MONEY COUNTERS

KAREN CAIRNS AND MARY COLLINS (07/01)

MARY COLLINS & ROS PHILLIPS (14/01)

DENISE MC & JENNIFER LAWLESS (21/01)

THANK-YOU FOR YOUR Contributions: 2

ENVELOPES $324.00 LOOSE $165.00

FEAST OF EPHIPANY

7TH

JANUARY, 2018

Introduction

In this time of increased nationalism, erecting barriers, and labeling others as

threats or enemies, this feast calls us to a powerful counter-message. Our field of

vision and inclusion must be much larger than that of the status-quo. It must have been shocking to learn that God’s love

extended not only to the Gentiles, but to the whole world. It may be equally

shocking to realise that our boundaries are also too narrow. This feast is an epiphany

about God’s will for Christ’s impact and ours on the world.

First Reading Isaiah 60:1-6

“Nations shall walk by your light”

Responsorial Psalm Lord, every nation on earth will adore

you

Second Reading Ephesians 3:2-3.5-6

Jews and Gentiles are co-heirs

ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA! We have seen his star in the East; and have come to adore the Lord

ALLELUIA!

Gospel Matthew 2:1-12

The Magi visit from the East.

Prayers of the Faithful For the church: that it may be a clear sign of inclusion, showing the world that Christ is not

only for us, but for all people ... we pray,

For those who worship God under other names or theological understanding,... we

pray,

For loving and compassionate attitudes that open us to people of other races, nations, cultures or beliefs, despite the risks ... we

pray,

For the courage to confront those who practice exclusion because of fear,

misunderstanding, a lack of knowledge, or political gain ... we pray,

For immigrants and refugees who seek safety in foreign lands and long for humane and

compassionate care ... we pray,

For all families in this community, especially those dealing with illness or

death … we pray

Let us pray together:

God of the universe, you sent your beloved Son to show your love to every

nation on earth. Give us the same generous love toward others, especially

those who are judged unworthy and those we do not understand. Grant us the courage to shine your light beyond barriers and boundaries. We ask this in

the name of Jesus, the Light of the world. Amen.

Parish Priest: Fr. Michael O’Brien Phone: 0422 308 955 or 4671 1091

St Mary’s School: Mr Brett Pollard Ph: 4671 1730 Care for the Aged Co-ordinator: Mrs Jane Blomley Ph: 4675 4132 Parish Safeguarding Rep: Mrs Carmel Schaumberg 0419 786 738 Father Michael’s house Phone: 4671 1091 stmarysgdi@bigpond.com 69 Callandoon Street or PO Box 45, Goondiwindi 4390

Parish Secretary:

Mrs Kath Gore

Mobile No:

0427 771 478

Office: 4671 5087

Friday:

9.30am – 3.30pm

PARISH

INFORMATION