Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Year A Cyle II 2 February 2020

O n the feast of the Presentation, we symbolically carry lighted candles because Mary carried the light of the

world in the flesh into the temple. Hence this feast is the feast of the light of the world. In presenting Jesus,

the light of the world, in the temple and to the hearts of people, Mary became the model of burning love. She

loved Jesus, and she loves us, therefore, she offered Jesus, the only delight of her heart as a sign of sacrifice in the

strictest sense. She gave up her delight so that the world will have light. She offered him joyfully, knowing fully

well that Jesus would suffer and die. Her heart is pierced at the forthcoming death of Jesus. But she envisions the

glory of the people of God since Jesus will banish misery and despair.

God’s Word Sr Virginia Rajakumari SAB

T he St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) is responding to the current bushfire crisis in all affected states and

territories around Australia. Through its network of local conferences and support services, that response is

to use donations and grants to provide urgent and medium term relief such as food, clothing, bedding, fuel, and

other household costs, emergency accommodation, ongoing living costs, and replacement of destroyed house-

hold effects.

But Vinnies will also be there for the long term, and will use available resources to help with long term needs

such as counselling and financial services. This will continue for as long as the need remains.

All monies donated to the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal go directly to eligible individuals in bush-fire affected areas

in the ACT (Canberra-Goulburn Archdiocese which includes the NSW South Coast), NSW, Queensland, South

Australia, Tasmania and Victoria. Donations can be made here, at any Vinnies shop, or online at https://

donate.vinnies.org.au/appeals-nsw/vinnies-nsw-bushfire-appeal-nsw Vinnies in our parish is still in urgent need

of new members. If you are able to help with this work, please contact the Parish Office in person or by phone to

(02) 4332 2216.

St Vinnies Bushfire Appeal this Weekend

Light of the World

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The Meeting

The

Catholic

Weekly

Now on sale

on the

Church

tables.

$2 to the poor

box please.

Beauty Truth

Goodness

The Fundamentals

of Catholicism

Join us Wednesdays

10:30-11:30am or

7-8pm in the

Muldoon Room.

All welcome!

E astern Christians speak of today’s feast simply as “The Meeting.” It is the long-

awaited, long-desired meeting of the Messiah with his people in the persons of

two pious elderly Jews, Simeon and Anna.

The Holy Spirit had made know to Simeon that he would “set [his] eyes on the Christ.”

We can imagine the old man tirelessly rehearsing the words of the ancient prophecy of

Malachi (First Reading): “The Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter his Temple.”

But the months and years go by, death is drawing ever nearer - yet still no sign of the

Messiah. Then one day among the crowds pouring onto the esplanade of the Temple,

he catches sight of a young couple. They seem to radiate peace and happiness; the girl

has a baby in her arms, her husband walking beside her carries the Temple offering

made by poor people.

Simeon moves towards them, on his lips the greeting, “Peace be with you. May the

God of Israel bless your house and bless your child.” Perhaps he even adds, “May the

Lord soon send his Messiah.” The couple explain that they have come to “redeem”

their little son. The Law’s original demand that a first male child was to be consecrated

to the Lord had been mitigated to the payment of a small “ransom.” For poor people

the ransom would be a pair of turtledoves or a couple of young pigeons. “And the

name of the child?” Simeon enquires. “Jesus,” they say. “Jesus? That means ‘God

saves,’ what a wonderful name. And what is his family?” “He’s of the family of

David,” they answer proudly.

With tears of joy the old man takes the child into his arms. “Now, Master,” he cries,

“you can let your servant go in peace... because my eyes have seen the salvation, which

you have prepared for all the nations to see.” At last his great hope, and the hope of his

people, has been realised; he has met the Messiah and now is ready to meet death. But

there is drama as well as overflowing joy in this meeting. Simeon announces that,

while some will receive Jesus, others will reject him, and that Mary’s own soul will

be pierced as with a sword.

But for the moment that dark thought can be pushed to the back of the mind, because

at this point the elderly Anna appears; she is another of those humble, deeply prayerful

souls, known as anawim, who, before the coming of Christ, always remained faithful to

the Lord and longed for his coming. She too recognises in Jesus the fulfilment of the

ancient promises. For her, the meeting means not that she is ready to die, as it did for

Simeon, but rather that she is ready to spread abroad the good news of the Messiah for

as long as she lives.

It’s been said that today’s Gospel is in its way a reflection of our Christian experience.

A Christian is one who has had the privilege of meeting Christ in the sacrament of

Baptism; who over the course of the years has come to recognise him as the key to life;

who has surrendered to his call, has made his values their own; who has tried to live

life in his way; who comes to realise that the sword that went through Mary’s heart is

the testing experienced by all who seek to be the humble servants of the Lord.

When we meet Jesus in the Eucharist our prayer can be that, by that meeting, we will

be inflamed anew with the desire to become bearers of light to our brothers and sisters,

to make our lives, like those of Simeon and Anna, a proclamation of Christ, the light of

the world.

The Living Word Redemptorist Publications

Quote for the Week God loves you just as you are, but too much to leave you there.

Christian Meditation Group

We meet every Friday 10:30am - 11:30am in the

Muldoon Room. Come and share the gift of meditation.

We look forward to seeing you.

Offertory Procession Children are

encouraged to take part in the Offertory Procession. Come to the Offertory Table when invited by the

Commentator.

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T hree significant events are described in the Gospel: first, Joseph and Mary bring

their firstborn son Jesus to present to the Lord as an acknowledgment that God is

the author of life; second, Mary is purified after childbirth; and third, Simeon and Anna

recognise the child Jesus as light for revelation to the Gentiles, the redemption of Israel.

The first two are required in the Mosaic law (cf Ex 13:12; Lv 12:6-8). The offering, two

turtledoves or two young pigeons, is one of the poor. Mary and Joseph show faithful

obedience to the law.

Two prophets, a man and a woman, offer their vision of Jesus. Simeon declares that

Jesus is God’s salvation, who is set before the people. Anna thanks God for the child

Jesus, the redemption of Israel.

Humanity, represented by Simeon and Anna, offers praise to God for Jesus. Salvation

embraces both man and woman of every nationality.

365 Days with the Lord Fr Gil Alinsangan SSP

To Present Him to the Lord

Lent by God

T he ancient Semitic people believed that a child is not given but only lent by God

to his parents. For Israel, this idea is strengthened by another claim: their

firstborn sons belong to the Lord who spared their lives even as he slew the firstborns

of the Egyptians (Ex 13:15). It was in this sense that God instructed Moses: “Consecrate

to me every firstborn that opens the womb among the Israelites” (Ex 13:2). The Jews

carry out this divine mandate through a religious rite called presentation, at which the

firstborn is bought back through an offering (Nm 18:15-16). Actually, as the son of God,

Jesus did not have to be “redeemed,” but Jesus’ humble parents are shown here to be

obedient to the religious demands of their time. Knowing that their child belonged to

the Lord, Joseph and Mary also declare in action that God alone is their Lord to whom

they belong and whose will and law they must obey.

God’s Word Fr George C Mathew SSP

Bible Study Join Fr Kevin for a

short Bible Study of the next Sunday’s Gospel. Tuesdays 9:30am Muldoon

Room. All welcome!

OLR Kid’s Club is Back!

J oin us on Saturday 15 February for Kid’s Club - a great place to make new friends,

play games, eat delicious food, learn more about Jesus and have fun! We meet in the

Muldoon Room from 4-6pm, then stay on for the Children's Choir at 6pm Mass. Get

Mum/ Dad or another Carer to bring you. No need to RSVP, just come along. Parent/

Carer must remain present with children under 5 years. All are welcome to stay.

Please Note Vocation Discernment Weekend 15-16 February

Come away for a couple of days to consider vocation to the priesthood and religious

life. This weekend retreat is for men aged 18-35 at the Marymount Mercy Centre Castle

Hill. There will be Mass, Adoration, quiet prayer, talks, confession available and quiet

time. Come and reflect on God's will in your life. Cost is only $50. Registrations by 6

February. Contact Father Thomas: vocations@capuchinfriars.org.au or 0432 362 052.

National Catholic Safeguarding Standards: Leadership, monitoring & improvement

Standard 1 – Committed leadership, governance and culture. The Key Elements of

Standard 1: • A commitment to Safeguarding • Promoting a Safeguarding Culture •

Safeguarding Policies • Code of Conduct.

The Pope’s Prayer Intention for February

Universal prayer: Listen to the

Migrants’ Cries. We pray that the cries of our migrant brothers and sisters, victims of criminal traffick-ing, may be heard and considered.

Anointing

of the Sick will be celebrated

Friday 7 February

during 11:45am

Mass for those over

65 or with serious

or long-term illness.

Children’s Liturgy is Back!

We look forward to having lots of

children join us on Sundays during

9.30am Mass. Suitable for children 3-12 years. Parents

welcome too!

Serving the Catholic Community of The Entrance and extending the Kingdom of God

PARISH PRIEST & DEAN Fr William Stevens ASSISTANT PRIEST Fr Vincent Varghese VC

SACRAMENTAL COORDINATOR Br John Verhoeven FSP

Office Hours Monday-Friday 9.30-5.00pm Tel 4332 2216 Fax 4333 5344

Postal Address PO Box 189 THE ENTRANCE 2261 Street Address 239-243 The Entrance Rd THE ENTRANCE 2261

Email info@ourladyoftherosary.org.au Website www.ourladyoftherosary.org.au

PROPERTY MANAGER Michael de la Motte Tel 4334 7600 (BH)

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY PRIMARY SCHOOL Tel 4332 5594

ST PETER’S CATHOLIC COLLEGE Tel 4351 2344 Fax 4351 2965

THE ENTRANCE PARISH DIOCESE OF BROKEN BAY

Mass & Devotions in Ordinary Time Sunday Masses Saturday Vigil 6:00pm Sunday 8:00am & 9:30am

Weekday Masses Monday - Thursday 9:00am Friday 11:45am Saturday 9:00am

Reconciliations Saturdays 9:30-10am & 5-5:30pm

Liturgy of the Hours Saturday 8:40am Rosary Monday-Thursday 8:35am Friday 11:20am Saturday 9:30am

Cenacle Wednesday 9:30am Christian Meditation Group Friday 10:30am-11:30am Muldoon Room. Come & join us!

The Gift Centre has many Bibles available including Children’s Picture Bibles, as well as Scripture study materials and educational books. You’ll find the Gift Centre in the foyer of the Church.

Opening Hours: Saturdays before and after 6pm Mass

Sundays before and after 8am and 9:30am Masses and office hours by appointment

4332 2216

Keep Us In Your Prayers There is no gift more precious than prayer - Fr Benedict Groeschel

Recently Deceased: Pierre Moussa, Marjorie Harley, Norah Liney, Inake Vincente.

Funeral: The funeral of Pierre Moussa was held during the week. Please pray for Pierre and his family.

Remembrances: Vincent & Dorothy Cribb, Maurice Cramsie, Jill O’Sullivan, Gilda Caniglia, Dane Mackie, Baba Eva, Joe Bond & all the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

Families: Cole, Attard.

Sick: Peter O’Grady, Tim Parsons, Martin Gosper, Linda Read, Antoinette Grech, Margaret Pizzuto, Pat & Diane McCudden, Tanya Doorn, David Drinan, Valda Kelso, Maria De Sousa, Steve Crowe, Ann Minogue, Kaye Cincotta, Agnes Burke, Marie Lewis, Val Rayner, Delma Clarke, Chris Morley, Anthony Morrell, Raymond & Tim Baker, Kelly Will and those suffering with long-term illnesses.

The Presentation of the Lord Malachi 3:1-4 Hebrews 2:14-18 Luke 2:22-40 Entrance Antiphon: Your merciful love, O God, we have received in the midst of your temple. Your praise, O God, like your name, reaches the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with saving justice.

Responsorial Psalm: Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! This is the light of revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people, Israel. Alleluia!

Communion Antiphon: My eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples.

Our Lady of the Rosary

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