Fifth Sunday of Easter (Year C)

19th May, 2019

A distinguishing mark of Jesus’ disciples is their practice of love (Greek agape). Jesus gave

this as a new commandment and badge at the Last Supper: ‘I give you a new commandment:

love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all

will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another’ (Jn 13:34-35).

Many things mark us as Christians and as Catholics: the sign of the cross, the Mass and

other sacraments, our prayers and songs, our liturgical celebrations, our churches and

places of worship – all inspired by Scripture and tradition. But at the heart of all this and

what holds all things together is the commandment of love: love of God and love of

neighbour; love as Jesus loved us. Without love, all things fall apart.

The apostle Paul is emphatic: ‘If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love,

I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal...If I have all faith so as to move mountains but

do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so

that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing’ (1 Cor 13:1-3).

Early Christians were slandered as haters of men, scum of the earth, even cannibals. The

emperor Nero burned Rome and placed the blame on Christians, dressed them with animanl

skins and fed them to the wild beasts in the arena. He burned them to light his imperial

garden at night. Yet, pagans who came to know Christians were struck by them: ‘See how

they love one another!’ When calamities and plagues struck a city, the pagans would flee for

dear life, abandoning the sick and the dead. Christians, on the other hand, would remain and

attend to the sick, and so saved those who would have easily died. They were not afraid to

face death because of their belief in the risen Lord and their hope for the reward hereafter.

Consequently, they not only survived but also converted many pagans to the faith. More than

anything else, the practice of love led to the rapid spread of Christianity.

Social Bowls & Cards

will be held on

Monday, 20th May 2019

from 9:30 – 12:00

Come along and enjoy this social morning.

Helping Hands & Mah-jong are held

each Wednesday in the Parish Centre from

10-00am– 3.00pm

All Welcome

*** UPCOMING MEETINGS ***

Pastoral Council – Monday 20th May 2019 @ 5.00pm in the

School Conference Room

Finance Meeting – Thursday 13th June 2019 @ 5.30pm

St.Vincent DePaul – Monday 10th June 2019 @ 5.00pm

Liturgy Group – Thursday 20th June 2019 @ 5.00pm

Op Shop Opening Hours

Tuesday – 9.00 – 3.30pm

Wednesday – 9.00 – 3.30pm

Thursday – 9.00 – 4.00pm

Saturday – 9.00 – 11.30am

Thank you to Dawn Lloyd for the beautiful Mother’s Day Posies,

The Parish is indeed appreciative of your thoughtfulness.

Josie Vetter is turning 100

On Friday 31st May, Father Michael O’Brien will be

celebrating a special mass at Kaloma in honour of

Josie’s 100th Birthday.

Josie’s family would like to invite any parishioners who know

her to come and celebrate this amazing milestone with Josie.

Mass will be at 10 o’clock followed by cake and a cuppa.

2019 Tie Presentation to Year 7 and new Middle School Students

Thank-you for your contributions:

12.05.2019

Envelopes: $157.00 Loose: $428.60

Direct Deposits: $125/wk (average over a month)

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.

VOLUNTEERS

MASS TIMES KALOMA…….11.00am

Wednesday (Rosary 5.10pm) 5.30pm Mass Friday 12.15pm

18/19th May 2019

SATURDAY EVENING: Goondiwindi 6.00pm SUNDAY MORNING: Goondiwindi 9.00am

24/25/26th May 2019

Friday Mass dedicated to Our Lady, Help of Christians SATURDAY EVENING: Goondiwindi 6.00pm SUNDAY MORNING: Goondiwindi 8.00am

Family Mass 9.30am

1/2nd June 2019 SATURDAY EVENING: Goondiwindi 6.00pm

SUNDAY MORNING: Weengallon 8.00am Daymar 10.00am

8/9th June 2019

SATURDAY EVENING: Goondiwindi 6.00pm SUNDAY EVENING: Goondiwindi 6.00pm

`

WE PRAY FOR THOSE: Who have entered your kingdom: Including Patricia Thornton, Celie Brosnan, Mabel Burgess, Noelene Hulse, Ross Scantlebury (Biddy Rose’s Son In Law), Paul Lynch, Joe Cowmeadow, Aileen Bennett, Henry Orchard, Mervyn Fleming, Elly Heynen Knols (Teresa Heynen’s aunt), Brian O’Brien(FM’s Uncle), Nick Heironymus, Stella McGovern, Loretta Brennan, Tom Mitchell, Steve Aspinall, Delva Brown, Fay Hunt, Don McDonald, Allan Amey, Barry Kindt, Gwendolyn “Henny” Makim, Epigenia Cabus (Claire & Rose’s sister), Barbara Duffy, Vince O’Brien (Roma), Bishop John Gerry.

Whose anniversary is at this time: including Rosemary Keehn, Beryl

Pearce, Charles McCosker, Anthony Miller, Bryson McGuire, June Galvin, Clara Sutherland, Colin McIlveen, Nora Heynen, Kay Coleman, Norman Jennings, Catherine Lloyd, Donald Pfingst,

Who are ill: including Pauline Corcoran, Colleen Williams, Josie

Vetter, Iris Simpson, , Mel Cairns,Joy Collins, Hardy Sutton, Donna

Lindores, John Abbot, Angus Rigney,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, Shirley Schluter, Stasia Lawless, Paul Lloyd,

Mavis Gordon, Jean Ramada, Jean Sizer, Francis Lloyd, Madonna

Nicoletti, Stephanie & Chris 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.

We pray for the clergy of the Toowoomba Diocese whose anniversary is during

this month.

Rev Fr William Murphy (03/05/83) Rev Fr Brian Moran (07/05/97)

Rev Fr Vincent Maher (08/05/79) Rev Msgr Patrick McMorrow (09/05/99)

Rev Fr Thomas Isaac (10/05/92) Rev Fr Garrett Murphy (15/05/62)

Rev Fr Michael Herbert (15/05/70) Rev Msgr Thomas Nolan (16/05/50)

Rev Msgr Edward Concannon (17/05/87) Rev Fr Francis Hall (25/05/99)

Lord, hear our prayers and be merciful to your servants, the Bishops and Priests of this Diocese whom you have called from this life. Welcome them into the company of your Saints in the Kingdom of light and peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

WELCOMERS AT DOOR –

MARY BURCHELL & ROBYN HOBDAY (19/05)

ANN WEBSTER & MARY BELL (26/05)

PAULINE LINTON & NEIL LINTON (02/06)

WELCOMER AT MICROPHONE –

CAMILLE KELLOWAY (19/05)

YVONNE ISAAK (26/05)

PAT THOMPSON (02/06)

1ST READER/PSALM -

ROBYN LINDORES (19/05)

CLAIRE CHARLES (26/05)

RACHAEL REEVES (02/06)

2ND READING –

MARGARET YEO (19/05)

GRAHAM MCGOVERN (26/05)

CAMILLE KELLOWAY (02/06)

EUCHARIST MINISTERS –

CLAIRE CHARLES, SUE MCGOVERN &

BRETT POLLARD (19/05)

CAMILLE KELLOWAY, BRIAN COOK &

ST MARY’S STAFF (26/05)

PAM MORRIS, CARMEL GEESON & MARY COLLINS

(02/06)

DATA PROJECTOR –

ROS PHILLIPS (19/05)

MARY COLLINS (26/05)

ST MARY’S SCHOOL (02/06)

MONEY COUNTERS –

MARY COLLINS & ROS PHILLIPS (19/05)

DENISE MCCORMACK & JENNIFER LAWLESS (26/05)

TERESA HEYNEN & BELL FAMILY (02/06)

GROUNDS ROSTER –

GRAHAM MCGOVERN & TERRY RYAN (MAY)

DAN & LISA GALL (JUNE)

*** UPCOMING MEETINGS ***

St.Vincent DePaul – Monday 8th April 2019 @ 5.00pm

Finance Meeting – Thursday 9th May 2019 @ 5.30pm

Pastoral Council – Monday 13th May 2019 @ 5.00pm in

the School Conference Room

Introduction

We live in a caustic environment, where kindness, love or renewal are often mocked as soft or

unrealistic. It can be legitimately discouraging. But the word from the beginning was that it would not be

easy, and the pathway would be through pain. Nothing is achieved without imagination, and today’s

readings provide a vision for those of us willing to continue the quest for something new. Like the early

Christians, we can help to create a renewed earth.

First Reading Acts 14:21-27

Building the early church amid hardships

Responsorial Psalm

I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God

Second Reading Rev 21:1-5a

The great vision of a renewed earth

ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA! I give you a new commandment:

Love one another as I have loved you.

ALLELUIA!

Gospel John 13:31-33a, 34-35

“I give you a new commandment: Love one another.”

Prayers of the Faithful We pray for all who have been elected to our Australian Parliament, that they will serve the people without fear or favour, be honest in what they say, and work together for the common good. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

May we all love the commandments of Christ and live them in the spirit of faith and trust. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

We pray for every Catholic parish, for every Catholic school, hospital, nursing home, welfare agency, religious order and Church organization, that all may serve in the spirit of love for one

another.

Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

We pray for those who mourn, that God will wipe

all tears from their eyes, and for those who have

died, that they may enter the heavenly Jerusalem.

Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

Let us pray together...... Lord Jesus Christ,

Husband of the Church, take us into the mystery of

your Divine Love, so that we can faithfully praise

you, who live and reign, forever and ever. Amen.

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

19TH

MAY 2019

PARISH INFORMATION: Parish Priest: Fr Hermi Rafada

PH: 0435 006 513; 4671 1091 , rafsteel2005@yahoo.com

PARISH CONTACT DETAILS: 69 Callandoon St, PO Box 45,

Goondiwindi

PH: 4671 5087 email: stmarysgdi@bigpond.com

Parish Secretary – Sarah Hedges 0429 926 231

(Wednesday 9.00am – 3.00pm)

St Mary’s School: Mr Brett Pollard PH: 4671 1730