Entrance AntiphonPs 65: 4All the earth shall bow downbefore you, O God, and shallsing to you, shall sing to yourname, O Most High!

First Reading1 Samuel 3:3-10,19Speak, O Lord, your servant islistening

Responsorial PsalmPsalm 39(40):2,4,7-10R. Here am I, Lord; I come todo your will.

Second Reading1 Corinthians 6:13-15,17-20Your bodies are members ofthe Body of Christ

Gospel AcclamationJohn 1:41. 17Alleluia, alleluia!We have found the Messiah:Jesus Christ, who brings ustruth and grace. Alleluia!

GospelJohn 1:35-42They saw were Jesus lived andthey stayed with him.

Communion Antiphon1 Jn 4: 16We have come to know andto believe in the love that Godhas for us.

13 / 14 January 2018St Michael’s Church - Meadowbank

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time , Yr B/2

Vol. 8 Issue 2

Page 1

“It is Ours”

Gospel John 1:35-42As John stood with two of his disciples, Jesus passed, and John stared hard at him and said,‘Look, there is the lamb of God.’ Hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus. Jesus turnedround, saw them following and said, ‘What do you want?’ They answered, ‘Rabbi,’ – whichmeans Teacher – ‘where do you live?’ ‘Come and see’ he replied; so they went and sawwhere he lived, and stayed with him the rest of that day. It was about the tenth hour.One of these two who became followers of Jesus after hearing what John had said wasAndrew, the brother of Simon Peter. Early next morning, Andrew met his brother and saidto him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ – which means the Christ – and he took Simon toJesus. Jesus looked hard at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John; you are to be calledCephas’ – meaning Rock.

The Parish Bulletin

Reflection by Father James McCarthyToday’s theme for our readings is divine vocation – the calling from God inour life. Everyone is called by God to be and do something, and this shouldalways include leading a life of holiness, witness and service.Sometimes there is a thought that God only calls people who are perfect byworldly and religious standards. But if Jesus chose only those who wereperfect in all assessable areas, then there may not have been any disciples atall.Each of us is personally called to discipleship, despite the reality that we will fail. None ofus are saints. We should strive for perfection, but when someone fails, we should notcondemn them but support them with understanding and kindness.The first reading describes one of the great vocational callings of the Old Testament – thecalling of Samuel as a young teenager.Young people can be prophetic instruments of God in our world. It is often thought that aperson needs years of experience before they can contribute something incredible. ButSamuel is an example where God uses young people to be messengers of God’s good newsand love.Today’s first reading and Gospel give us an indication of where the focus for the ministry ofthe Church and for vocational promotion should be. Young people and especially teenagersneed to be invited to search for God and to be close to God in their daily life. Experiencingthe presence of God is possible, but it does not happen passively or as a spectator. Manythings in our world today are about us being spectators. In recent years, live TV encouragesthe audience to engage in the broadcast via social media and apps. People are encouraged tocomment, to participate in trivia, polls and even to set trends during the show. I think thesedevelopments are good because they help us to be active participants and not just passivespectators.Some people say to me that they are bored during Mass. Mass is only boring if you arepassive. If you imagine you are with Christ and the apostles, communicating and sharingyour life and experiences, you will be spiritually present at those events and Mass will neverbe boring. Being at Calvary, at the Last Supper or the Resurrection – these things are neverboring, especially if we are participants in these events.Many of the great vocational stories of both the Old and New Testaments and throughoutChristian history, occur when people are teenagers or young adults. It is very rare for aperson to receive a life defining call or message later in their life, but it does happen whensomeone is a teenager or a young adult.Both for young people and for all Christians of any age, we are called to not be passive inour faith. We are called to actively grow in our love for Jesus Christ and the Church throughundertaking the actions of Jesus today and in the coming week. I invite you to have courageto communicate and to be open to the will of God in your life and to put it into action in thenext few days!

Special MASSfor Australia Day

on 26 Januaryat 10AM

The Mass will also includeprayers for India on IndianRepublic Day.All Welcome.

The Parish BulletinAcknowledgement of the land

We acknowledge the traditional ownersand custodians of this land, theWallumattagal clan, part of the Dharugpeople of the Eoira nation. We walkgently on the land, sharing it with them aswe now work and live on it.

Parish DirectoryParish Administrator: Fr James McCarthyParish address &contact number:45 Maxim St, Meadowbank, NSW 2114Phone: 9809-3536 Fax: 9807-5971Email:office@stmichaelsmeadowbank.org.auOffice hours: Tuesday - Friday 9:00am-4:30pmSecretaries: Lou Temprosa (Tue-Wed) Marilyn Vallejo (Thu-Fri)

Welcome to St Michael’s Church -Meadowbank! A warm welcome to all attendees andvisitors to our church! May you find our parish community aplace where your faith life will be nourished and you will take upthe invitation to share your special gifts and talents. Yourprayers, presence, talents and skills are most welcome.

St Michael’s Church - Meadowbank

FR JAMES LEADING CATHOLICMISSION IMMERSION.Fr James will be away between 13 and 25January. He is leading an ImmersionExperience for Sydney Catholic Schoolteachers in the Philippines. Fr Alt, FrCamilleri, Fr Hew and Fr Peni will helpwith celebrating Masses during this period.Please pray for the success of the missionand please also make our visiting priestsfeel welcome.

Liturgy for this week (15 - 20 January 2018)Weekday Masses this week:9.:15am - Monday - Communion Service10.30am - Tuesday - Funeral Mass for Maria Curran. All welcome.9:15am - Wednesday to SaturdayWeekend Masses:6:00pm - Saturday Mass, 8am & 10am - SundayBetween 13-25 January, please contact parish office for SacramentsMorning Prayer 7:40AM every SundayRosary: 8:50am on weekdays before the Mass (except Friday)Divine Mercy Novena & Chaplet - Wednesdays after AM MassOther regular activities will resume after 26 January.

FEASTS & SAINTS OF THEWEEK.WED 17 JAN St Anthony (Abbot)SAT 20 JAN St Sebastian, Martyr

Prayer to St Michaelthe Archangel. SaintMichael the Archangel, defendus in the day of battle. Be oursafeguard against thewickedness and snares of thedevil. May God rebuke him, we

humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of theheavenly host, by the power of God, cast intohell Satan and all the evil spirits who wanderthrough the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Become a Catechist Now.All Christians are called through our baptism to teach others andhelp to bring others to the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ. Arewarding and outreach activity is to become a Catechist bysharing your faith with some bright young children in our localpublic schools. You may say, “How do I become a Catechist?” Easily! RingStephen Topple on 0422374989 and you are nearly there. You will be trained inconducting a class, what to teach and provided with all teaching materials tomake you a successful catechist. Make that phone call now!

Mass Prayer RequestsFor the souls1. Neville Gittany2. Isolina Urbano Calisto3. Raul Urbano4. Esang GuevarraThanksgiving5. Anicia Pili GerodiasDeath Anniversary6. Faust De Souza (26th anniversary)

The Piety Stall will be closed throughout January. We will re-open on Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th February

FINANCIAL HELP WITH THE PARISHThe parish has a variety of expenses – electricity, insurance, maintenance, laystaff , clergy and commitments to the Archdiocese. Please help and take a boxof contribution envelopes and when required a CWF envelope. Many thanksfor your generous support and donations in 2017.

Time Acolyte Readers Extraordinary Ministers ofHoly Communion

6PMSAT Jim Lemcke Sue Metzmacher

Sunitha Victor

1 Joseph J K2 Rita D’Mello3 Liz Paricka4 Mark Pereira5 Robyn Meehan6 Paul Thambyah

8AM Stevanus PrasetyonoNick RadiceMel Talisayon Declan Thomas

Violet Moussa

10AM John FillionLeony HamorNelyn Gasataya

1 Joan D'souza2 Felicity Donnelly3 Connie Buttigieg4 Darryle Fernandes5 Celeste Villarente6 Michael Dunkin

NEXT WEEKEND Roster:20/21 January 2018

Funeral Mass forMaria Curran on Tuesday 16January at 10.30am.May she rest in peace. All Welcome