HOMILY by Fr Michael Tate

Peter: earthquaked and then upside down

Simon must have felt the earth quake. His Master had just called him: ‘Satan’. What had gone wrong?

After all, Peter had been going quite well. He perceived that Jesus was more than just another prophet, another religious leader in the Jewish tradition. In fact he recognised that Jesus was the fulfilment of the hope of that

Jewish tradition: the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Christ (in Greek).

But for Peter that word ‘Christos’ filled his head with all sorts of images of political power and sovereignty. He thought a political revolution was at hand. The Roman occupying army would be expelled and Jesus would rule

from Jerusalem as the anointed liberator.

Jesus did not deny that he was the Christ, the Anointed One. But he knew that as he remained true to His mission, the authorities would move against him in deadly fashion.

What was his mission? A mission of embracing those put on the margins of society, the ‘untouchables’ of his

time; the lepers, the prostitutes and the collaborators collecting tax;

his mission of conversing easily with women, and encouraging their discipleship against all the taboos;

his mission to embody and advance the Reign of God.

Our Lord had no illusions. It was Peter who was living in a fantasy world, an imaginary world of easy victory for the kingdom of God.

Jesus had to take the strongest possible stand against Peter’s point of view so that Peter would be prepared for the worst. Of course, it didn’t work. As we know, Peter denied Jesus three times when the cross eventually

loomed as reality.

Can we blame Peter? Here in our Australian democracy, we hardly feel the force of this gospel passage forewarning the followers of Jesus that they could be faced with a cross of persecution.

So we trivialise the meaning of ‘taking up the cross’ to make it refer to bearing a chronic ailment or putting up with a particularly irritating family member or work colleague: ‘the cross I have to bear’.

No, Our Lord is referring to the truly deadly situation where if his followers remain true to His way of life so that the dominant powers in society feel threatened, then those powers will try to silence such followers.

It is very telling that the ISIL cult, the most barbaric torturer and murderer of Christians to emerge in recent times, contemptuously refers to Christianity as ‘the religion of the cross’. They have actually perceived that

reality. But, of course, not in the perspective and dimension of the resurrection.

There are many examples of Muslim persecution of Christians from Iraq to Nigeria.

Our Lord is saying to his persecuted followers: ‘Persevere, don’t renounce your allegiance to me. There is a power more dominant than the political power oppressing you. The really dominant power lies in my victory

over death and I will give you a share in that victory.’

I know this is easily said from the safety of Australia. But it is our post-Resurrection faith. Even Simon Peter, with the benefit of the Resurrection, eventually understood that Jesus was indeed the Christ, but One whose

victory lay through the passage of death on the cross.

Tradition tells us that Peter was crucified upside down at the foot of the Vatican Hill in Rome: no longer ‘Satan’, but Martyr, co-Founder of the Church in Rome.

Let us pray during this Mass, and where appropriate give our political support, for our fellow Christians

wherever they are suppressed and persecuted, forced to bear the true cross in ways barely imaginable to us.

May God give those Christians the victory which was Christ’s, victory over the worst those diabolical forces can

do, victory over death itself.

© Fr Michael Tate

Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) 16th of September, 2018

Social Bowls & Cards

will be held on

Monday, 17th September

from 9:30 – 12:00

Come along and enjoy this

social morning.

St Vincent de Paul Meeting

Monday, 8th October at 5pm

Parish Finance Committee

Meeting

Thursday 11th October at 5.15pm

The Driver Reviver program is looking

for volunteers for Sunday 7th October

2018 in 2 hour blocks – 8am – 10am

and 10am – 12pm.

There will be a roster on the table at

the back of the church if you have

time to volunteer for this very worthy

cause. We will need 2 volunteers for

each time slot.

Sunday 1st September we welcomed

Frances Marjory Carey

to the St Mary’s Catholic community through the

sacrament of Baptism.

Frances is pictured with her parents Brian and

Jodie, big brother Harrison and Godparents Darren

and Elissa.

May the love of god continue to grow in the lives

of this family.

Celebration of Confirmation

Keep all the children undertaking the

sacrament of Confirmation this

Saturday 15th September in your

prayers.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/69805862951893175/

Thank-you for your contributions:

9/09/18

Envelopes: $177.00 Loose: $147.80

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 Tuesday……..Kaloma…..11.00am

Wednesday (Rosary 5:10pm).…..5:30pm Friday……12:15pm

16th September 2018

SUNDAY MORNING: Goondiwindi 9.00am

22nd/23rd September 2018 SATURDAY EVENING: Goondiwindi 6.00pm SUNDAY MORNING: Goondiwindi 8.00am

30th September 2018

SUNDAY MORNING: Goondiwindi 9.00am

6th/7th October 2018 SATURDAY EVENING: Goondiwindi 6.00pm

SUNDAY MORNING: Weengallon 8.00am Daymar 10.00am

WE PRAY FOR THOSE: Who have entered your kingdom: including 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, 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, Whose anniversary is at this time: including Peter Ints, Vera Benson,

Tim Thompson, Colin “Leo” Lowe, Darrell “Darby” Lowe, Anthony “Tony”

Carrigan, Leonie Choice, Tony Lloyd, Mark Batchelor, Raymond

McKenna, Teresa Butler, Anna Van Kuijck, Nancy Thurecht, Keith &

Myrtle Cook, Kevin McMaster, Audrey Albeck., Sr Bess Turvey, , Mona

O’Brien, Maria Magoffin, Chris Finlayson, Shirley Byrne, David Hiles,

Ziggy Schmidt, Terence Collins, Alma Rigney, William “Des” Whittle,

Joseph Fraser, Olive Thompson, Noel McGovern, Jill Field, Frank

Holland, Trish Taylor, Madeline Cubby, Noela McDonald, Barbara

Bardsley, Mary Cannon, Rita Johnson, Frank Smith.

Who are ill: including Josie Vetter, Iris Simpson, Celie Brosnan, 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, Joe Cowmeadow, 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.

Most Rev Edward Kelly DD (02/09/94) Rev Fr Sydney Kattie (04/09/04)

Rev Fr Myles Patrick Smith (09/09/11) Most Rev William Brennan DD (11/09/75)

Rev Fr Francis Burke (16/09/01) Rev Fr Michael Skehan (18/09/16)

Rev Fr Clarence Leahy (28/09/96) Rev Fr Neil O’Donoghue (29/09/80)

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

FAY PFINGST & JILL LENNON (16/09)

TERRY & MARGARET RYAN (23/09)

PAM MORRIS & TRISH WELSH (30/09)

WELCOMER AT MICROPHONE

RACHAEL REEVES (16/09)

CLAIRE CHARLES (23/09)

ROBYN LINDORES (30/09)

1ST READER/PSALM

CLAIRE CHARLES (15/09)

MARY COLLINS (23/09)

ROS PHILLIPS (30/09)

2ND READING/ALLELUIA

PAT THOMPSON (16/09)

BRETT POLLARD (23/09)

CAMILLE KELLOWAY (30/09)

EUCHARIST MINISTERS

CARMEL SCHAUMBURG, SUE MCGOVERN &

BRIAN COOK (16/09)

CLAIRE CHARLES, CARMEL GEESON &

MARY BURCHELL (23/09)

ANN WEBSTER, BRETT POLLARD &

MARY COLLINS (30/09)

DATA PROJECTOR

MARY COLLINS (16/09)

ROS PHILLIPS (23/09)

ST MARY’S SCHOOL (30/09)

MONEY COUNTERS

KAREN CAIRNS & MARY COLLINS (16/09)

MARY COLLINS & ROS PHILLIPS (23/09)

DENISE MCCORMACK & JENNIFER LAWLESS (30/09)

GROUNDS ROSTER

ALAN WELSH & DAVE BAUER (SEPTEMBER)

MICHAEL & JACK SCHAUMBURG (OCTOBER)

St Vincent de Paul Meeting

will be held on

Monday, 10th September at

5pm

Introduction

Within our Scripture readings today are deep, and at times,

controversial questions. Jesus asks his disciples: “Who do

people say that I am?” Then he asks Peter, “But who do you

say that I am?” Like Peter, all Christian faiths today

proclaim that Jesus is the Christ, the anointed one. Despite

our common proclamation, the second reading often serves

as a proof text that separates Catholics from our Protestant

brothers and sisters. Does faith alone save or does faith

combined with corporal and spiritual works save us? These

questions invite us to delve more deeply into the mysteries

of God.

First Reading Isaiah 50:5-9a

The Lord God is my help

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 114:1-6

I will walk in the presence of the Lord,

in the land of the living.

Second Reading St James 2:14-18

Faith without works is dead

ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!

My only glory is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,

which crucifies the world to me and me to the world

ALLELUIA!

Gospel Mark 8:27-35

Who do you say that I am?

Prayers of the Faithful

For peace for those who question their faith; for

those who do not believe in God; for those who

feel God has abandoned them … we pray,

For an increase in our spiritual and corporal

works of mercy to ease the suffering of the poor,

the homeless, the hungry, the lonely, the sick,

the imprisoned and the dying … we pray,

For healing and peace for those sick in mind,

body and spirit; for first responders, medical

professionals and caregivers of the sick and

dying, for compassion and patience in difficult

times … we pray,

For all martyrs, known and unknown, who have

given their lives for their faith; for those who

have sacrificed their lives to save others … we

pray,

For all the prayers and unanswered questions we

hold in the silence of our hearts ... (pause) ... we

pray,

Let us pray together....

God of all people, let these prayers strengthen us to

see others as you see them and to extend your love

and mercy to all. This we ask this through Jesus, the

Christ. Amen.

.

Parish Priest: Fr Hermi Rafada Ph: 0435 006 513 or 4671 1091 email: rafsteel2005@yahoo.com Parish Contact Details stmarysgdi@bigpond.com 69 Callandoon Street PO Box 45, Goondiwindi 4390 St Mary’s School Mr Brett Pollard Ph: 4671 1730

Parish Secretary:

Sarah Hedges

Mobile Ph: 0429 926 231

Office Ph: 4671 5087

Wednesday 9.30am – 3.30pm Parish Safeguarding Rep: Mrs Carmel Schaumberg Ph: 0419 786 738

PARISH INFORMATION

24TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

16TH

SEPTEMBER, 2018

mailto:rafsteel2005@yahoo.com