FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER YEAR C

THE LAST WORDS

24 April 2016

HOLY NAME OF MARY PARISH HUNTERS HILL ST PETER CHANEL WOOLWICH

We acknowledge the Walumatagal people — the first custodians of this place

Calendar

APRIL

23 Altar Servers Training Chap ter Hall 4.30pm

25 Anzac Day

26 Social Justice

meeting Pres-bytery 7.00pm

27 Communion Catch up Ses-sion 1 Parish Hall 7.00 pm

27 PPC meeting

Chapter Hall

7.30 pm

MAY

3 Confirmation

Parent Reflection

Evening

Parish Hall 7pm

10 &17 & 24

Confirmation

Lessons 7pm

Parish Hall

14 &15

Confirmation

Commitment

All Masses

11 Marist Laity

9-11am

Chapter Hall

In his farewell speech as the Prime Minister of Australia, Tony Abbott said: “Our country deserves better...I want our government and our country to succeed. I al-ways have and always will. I’ve consistently said in opposition and in government that being the Prime Minister is not an end in itself; it’s about the people you serve.” Yes it is about the people we love and serve. The first reading this Sunday describes Paul and Barnabas in a situation a bit like

that. All they wanted and made sure was the good of the people they brought the

Good News to. After their missionary journey, the pair went back through Lystra

and Iconium. They continued through Pisidia, Pamphylia, Perga then down to At-

talia where they sailed back to Antioch. They made sure those communities were

in good shape.

Jesus did the same in the gospel this Sunday. All the Son of God wanted is the

good of the people he came for including his disciples. That was why he gave them

and he gave us too today that great commandment to love one another as he loved

us. And by doing so, others would know that we are his people.

All Tony Abbott expressed and dreamed of was the good of the people and the

country. All Paul and Barnabas wanted was the good of the communities. All that

the Son of God wanted was our own good. As the followers of the Son of God, do

we have the same ambitions? Are we driven by dreams that would be for the good

of our families and communities? Do we want and work for the good of others as

well including those marginalized in our society?

Note that those ambitions and words of advice occur almost always at the end of a

certain journey. For Tony Abbott, it was at the end of his term as the Prime Minis-

ter. For Paul and Barnabas, it was at the end of their missionary journey. For Jesus,

it was at the Last Supper, his last earthly meal with his loved ones, that he said

those words.

We do experience moments like that when we hear inspiring words of farewell. It

could be when we farewell someone on a trip. It could be at the end of the career

of someone we worked with and feel close to. It could be at the deathbed of a

loved one. Whatever those moments are, the words expressed would always re-

flect, in some ways, what the Son of God wants for us: “To love one another.”

May we remember often those moments and last words as we journey on and live

them out the best we can.

God bless

Fr Wills

and budget. Activities include fly-

ing fox, archery, bushwalking, lead-

ership challenge, communications

challenge, camp craft, environmen-

tal programs and more. Contact

Danielle Puhlmann on (02) 4572

2899 to find out more or visit

www.benedictxvicentre.org.au

KIDS CHOIR The kids choir is on the second

weekend of May—make sure you

are all there for Mother’s Day. All

are welcome.

‘APOSTOLIC EXHORTA-TION’ On Friday 8th April 2016, Pope

Francis published a new papal

document called, Amoris Laetitia,

“The Joy of Love: On Love in the

Family” at the Vatican in Rome. It is

about marriage and family life. The

papal document is also known as

an “Apostolic Exhortation” It is

available to read and download on

the Australian Catholic Bishops

Conference website

www.catholic.org.au/synod-

2015/home.

2016 NATIONAL COUNT OF ATTENDANCE The Pastoral Projects Office of the

Australian Catholic Bishops Confer-

ence has advised us that the 2016

National Count of Attendance

(Mass Count) is scheduled to take

place over four weekends in May

(the first weekend of the Mass

Count actually starts on Saturday

30th April) throughout Australia.

THE ARCHBISHOP ANTHONY FISHER OP SYRIAN REFUGEE APPEAL The Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP

Syrian Refugee Appeal is the offi-

cial appeal of the Archdiocese of

Sydney. It’s an opportunity for all

Catholics to respond generously to

the needs of Syrian refugees flee-

Page 2 F i f th Sunday of Easter Year C

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR PARISH? See if anyone in your pew

knows this parishioner. Her

name next week.

Last week’s photo:

Genevieve Adamo

CHANGING HEARTS AND MINDS Everyone is invited on Saturday 30th April 2016 from 3.30-6.30pm at the Ron Dyer Centre (42 Ridge St. North Sydney) for the screening of James Cog-swell’s film “Cast from the Storm” and a talk by Phil Glendenning (President of the Refugee Council of Australia and Director of the Edmund Rice Foundation). There will be time for group reflection and sharing and refreshments. Ad-mission is free (any donation is appreciated). For more details, please con-tact : Khachig Kabakjian 0419 447 923 or Jason Jacobs 0414 987 206. This is an initiative of Christian Living Community NSW.

ANZAC FAMILIES For the loved ones of those who

have suffered and died for our

nation’s peace we pray this day.

May wounds be healed, memo-

ries honoured and cherished,

hope restored and love re-born

in the hearts that have suffered

so much on our behalf.

ANZAC DAY - MORNING MASS AT HOLY NAME OF MARY CHURCH Our normal mass is still on at

9am Anzac Day. All welcome.

JOUBERT SINGERS Be moved by the unforgettable

Haydn Missa in Angustiis

performed in concert along with

works by Mozart and Gluck.

Sunday 15th May 2016 at

2.30pm

Villa Maria Catholic Church

1 Mary St. Hunters Hill

Tickets $30/$25 conc.

www.joubertsingers.org.au

ECUMENICAL PRAYER SERVICE The Commission for Ecumen-

ism & Inter-religious Relations

Archdiocese of Sydney invite

you to the above service on

Thursday 12 May 2016 10am

at the Chapel of Our Lady

Polding Centre Level 6 133

Liverpool St. Sydney, followed

by light refreshments.

This gathering is convened to

mark the world wide Week of

Prayer for Christian Unity 8-15

May 2016. RSVP by Friday 6

May 2016 to inter-

faith.asst@sydneycatholic.org

THE BENEDICT XVI RE-TREAT CENTRE Now offers a series of fun, inno-

vative facilitated activity pro-

grams to complement and en-

rich any group retreat. Whether

you are looking for adventure,

team building, opportunities for

reflection or simply to have fun

with your group, our specially

trained facilitators can tailor a

program to meet your needs

What’s on?

ing persecution. If you can

offer support, large or small,

please call the appeal hotline

on 1800 690 302

or visit catholic-

care.org/Syria

ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY APP—UPDATE NOW AVAILA-BLE The Catholic Archdiocese of

Sydney had released a

Smartphone App for parish-

ioners in the Archdiocese,

featuring parish Mass times,

the latest news from the Arch-

diocese of Sydney and the

Catholic Church in Australia,

information about upcoming

Archdiocese events, as well

as announcements from Most

Rev Anthony Fisher OP, Arch-

bishop of Sydney. An updat-

ed version is now available

please download the new

version of the App for free—

search for “Archdiocese of

Sydney” in the Google Play

and App stores.

HE NEVER STOPS !! Whilst on holidays Fr. Kevin

still visits our parishioners –at

home with Joe and Frances

Bannon in Darwin.

Page 3 F i f th Sunday of Easter Year C

Pray for...

Please pray for all those who

are sick in our community.

We pray for: Tess O’Farrell,

Henry Rahi,

Dianne Sackalariou,

Adam Marsh,

Father Paul Cooney sm

Peter Jackson, Ann Curtin,

Frank Lloyd, & Dr. John

O’Connor.

Villa Maria Primary School Principal: Mr. Kevin Turner

Phone: 98796100

www.vmhuntershill.catholic.edu.au

HOLIDAYS !

Nearly over. Our students will re-

turn after Anzac Day.

Marist Sisters’ College Principal: Ms Anne Anderson

Ph: 9816 2041

http://www.mscw.nsw.edu

St Josephs’ College Principal: Mr Ross Tarlinton

Mark Street, Hunters Hill, NSW

2110 T +61 2 9816 0807

First Reading: Acts of the Apostles 15:1-2, 22-29 Second Reading : Apocalypse 21:10-14. 22-23

Gospel Reading : John 14:23-29

This Week… Scripture Zone

First Reading:

Acts of the Apostles 14:21-27 Paul and Barnabas come to the

end of the First Missionary Jour-

ney. Having faced opposition

and physical attack, they can still

give thanks for all that “God had

done with them”.

Response: I will praise your name for ever,

my king and my God.

Alleluia!

Second Reading:

Apocalypse 21:1-5 The new heaven and the new

earth seen by John in his vision

is not just a renovation of the old

or a removal of all that is bad. It

is something completely new.

Here, God dwells among us.

Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia!

I give you a new commandment:

Love one another as I have loved

you.

Alleluia!

Gospel Reading John 13:31-35 In the risen Jesus, God has been

glorified. This glorified life calls us

to this new commandment of love

for one another.

Congratulations and a warm wel-

come to Ayva Kowolski, Jesse

Butler, Harper Meyer, & Xavier

Gennusa all of whom will be bap-

tized into our Christian community

this weekend.

Well Done...CONGRATS AND THANKS ZONE

Our New Parish Resource Outlet store open this weekend!

Confirmation Prep Program starts in May

National Counting starts 30th April 2016

Coming Soon

POINT TO PONDER

Said a traveller to one of the dis-ciples: “I have travelled a great distance to listen to the Master but I find his words quite ordinary.” “Don’t listen to his words. Listen to his MESSAGE.” “How does one do that?” “Take hold of a sentence that he says. Shake it well till all the words drop off. What is left will set your heart on fire.” Anthony de Mello, SJ

PLEASE PRAY FOR MURIEL MARY DALY Mother of Jane Lindsay and Moth-

er-in-Law of Michael Lindsay who

passed away on 11thApril .

We pray for the family at this spe-

cial time and may she rest peace-

fully in God’s arms .

ECUADOR EARTHQUAKE We also ask for prayers and be

mindful as we gather together this

weekend for the people of Ecuador

as they go through this devastating

earthquake.

A PARISH OF THE MARIST FATHERS

PARISH OFFICE: 3A Mary Street. Hours: 9.00am – 5.00pm, Mon-Fri PHONE: 9817 5325. FAX: 9817 4615. EMAIL: villamar@bigpond.net.au

PARISH TEAM: Acting Parish Priest: Father Willy Melteras S.M. Ph: 0469 435462 willsm44@gmail.com Priests Assisting: Fathers Bill Ryder SM, Paul Pearce SM JP.,

Willy Melteras SM Parish Secretary: Sylvia Gutierrez Associate Secretary: Maggie Mullane Sacramental Coordinator: Rosalia Foley fft@hnom.com.au Parish Pastoral Council Chairperson: Ann Freeman ann.freeman@syd.catholic.edu.au Parish Pastoral Council Secretary: Michael Brooks: Michael.Brooks@infrahealth.nsw.gov.au Repair & Maintenance: Anthony Russo BAPTISM: By arrangement. Parents contact the presbytery to book & arrange to attend the Baptism Prep Program BAPTISM PREPARATION EVENINGS

COMING UP: Wednesday 18 May, 21 June, 19 July , 16 August, 20 Sept in the Chapter Hall @ 7.30pm MARRIAGE: At least six months notice must be given. The parish clergy will officiate primarily for parishioners. Others will generally need to arrange their own Priest or Deacon.

..................................................................... PARISH PASTORAL GROUPS AND CONTACTS Counselling: Allison Cahill 0402 405 843. & Deborah Khoury 0409 719 443 Villa Play Group: Fran Kanaan 0408 447 377 Meditation Group: Gabrielle Woodcock,

9817 0097

Young Adults Group: Nicholas Fearnley 0401 722 839 Parish Pastoral Council: Michael Brooks

Aged Ministry :

Margaret Gambley 9807 2160 or

Joan Bautovich 0402 275 105

Grief Support Group:

Cecilia Brungs 0412 284 028

Liturgy Group : Rob Turnbull 0431 290 714

Eucharistic Ministry Coordinator :

Kate Buckland 9817 2558

Altar Servers Coordinator:

Kathleen Lee 0433 500 648

Social Justice Group:

Sonia Zec 0413791775

Altar Society: Jane Keneally 0419221185.

Joan Bautovich 0402 275 105

RCIA: Janet Greene 9879 6515

Cleaners: HNM Mike Burfitt 9879 4197

SPC Claire Glase 0418 668 486

Readers HNM: Barry Buffier 9817 8805

Readers SPC: Mark Volpato 9816 4431

Children’s Liturgy HNOM:

Marie O’Donovan 0408 226 393 SPC: Tee Davies 0407 827 957

St Vincent De Paul: Elizabeth Spencer

9816 4180

Men’s Group:Clinton McDonald

0450021011Gerardo D'Angelo 0418 294 063

Marist Laity Group: Cathy Gallo 9817 2959,

Josiane Espinosa 9807 9199

Welcomers’ Coordinator:

Rob Turnbull, 0431 290 714

Family Faith Educator: Marea De Angelis

Ph: 0419 448 201

Atrium of the Good Shepherd : Corinne

Korkor 0448 440 592

Young Christian Workers Group: Natasha

Foley 0424 976 658

St Peter Chanel Management Team:

Claire Glase 0418 668 486

Web: www.hnom.com.au

Facebook: Holy Name of Mary Parish

New or Returning

Parishioners…

Please come along to the Parish Office for a

warm welcome and to pick up a Parish

Information Kit .

OUR PARISH PRAYER Loving God,

you are the home for our hearts’ deepest longings. We find our way as families and as individuals only in you, through our brother Jesus,

encouraged by the breath of your Spirit. We thank you for all the blessings we enjoy in our parish family.

May we continue to share our gifts of life and love with glad and generous hearts. May our world be somehow more alive because we have passed this way.

May Mary our parish patron continue to inspire us as we give new birth to your Word in our turn. We make our prayer in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

SUNDAY MASS TIMES Holy Name of Mary: Sat.6.00pm Sun.8.00am, 10.00am, 6.00pm. St. Peter Chanel: Sunday – 9.00am. WEEKDAY EUCHARIST Holy Name of Mary: Monday to Friday –9.00am. Saturday – 8.00am. St Peter Chanel: Wednesday 12.15pm RECONCILIATON: Holy Name of Mary: Saturday 5.15pm-5.45pm or by request.