Weekly Reflection

What Do You Crave?

I admire the way Muslims fast. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims abstain each day from all food and drink from sunrise to sunset. My Muslim friend Zafer once told me his hunger helps him focus on what he really craves – union with God. This week’s Gospel talks about Jesus’ forty-day fast. When the devil tempts him with food, Jesus replies that “one does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God”. Like my friend Zafer’s fast, Jesus’ fast focused him on his deepest hunger – union with God. What do you crave? Our culture creates a lot of hungers. Sometimes it might seem like we can’t live without that special TV show or those shoes or that soft drink. Our consumer culture can create cravings that cause some people to choose selfishness over even friends or family. That’s why fasting can be a really good thing for people. When we give up something we crave – anything from a TV show to a favourite food – we realise that we can live without it. Why not try a strict fast this Lent? Give up something you’ll really miss, like a meal each week, all drinks but water, a favourite TV show, or some time on social media. When the hunger comes, think instead about God and God’s promises. Then ask yourself, “What do I really crave?” What can you give up for Lent that will cause you to

remember your need for God?

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WEEKLY DIARY

Monday 6th March

8:30am Rosary (Chapel)

9:00am Liturgy (Chapel)

9:30am Pro-Life Rosary Group (Chapel)

10:00am Care & Concern (Church Meeting

Room)

7:00pm St Vincent De Paul Society Meeting

(Ruby Room)

Tuesday 7th March

8:30am Rosary (Chapel)

9:00am Liturgy (Chapel)

9:30am Marian Rosary Group (Chapel)

7:30pm Prayer & Praise Group - Lenten

Program (Church)

Wednesday 8th March

8:30am Rosary (Chapel)

9:00am Liturgy (Chapel)

9:30am Mothers Prayers (Chapel)

4:00pm Choir Practice (Church)

7:00pm Lenten Program– Ecumenical Group

(Church)

Thursday 9th March

9:45am Ladies Coffee Club (Ruby Room)

Friday 10th March

8:30am Rosary (Chapel)

9:00am Liturgy & Holy Hour (Chapel)

6:00pm Stations of the Cross (Church)

Saturday 11th March

11:00am Liturgy (Coochiemudlo Island)

5:00pm Vigil Mass (Church)

Sunday 12th March

7:00am Mass (Church)

9:00am Mass (Church)

6:00pm Mass (Church)

St. Rita’s Catholic Parish Incorporating Victoria Point, Thornlands South, Redland Bay, Mount Cotton,

Coochiemudlo Island and the Southern Bay Islands.

Postal Address: 37 Benfer Road, Victoria Point Q. 4165

5TH MARCH 2017 — FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT — YEAR A

Parish Priest: Fr. Joseph Vattaparambil CMI Parish Secretary: Meagan Ladewig Emergency Contact: 0406 562 884 Finance Secretary: Beverley Van Schie Office/Presbytery: Ph: 07-3207 9177 Sacramental Co-ordinator: Candice Holden Parish Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am-1:00pm E-mail: sc.victoriapoint@bne.catholic.net.au Email: victoriapoint@bne.catholic.net.au School Principal: Ms Carolyn Watson Parish Website: www.stritasparish.org School: 3207 6628 Email: pvictoriapoint@bne.catholic.edu.au

The Archdiocese of Brisbane holds that children, young people and

vulnerable adults are a gift from God with an intrinsic right to dignity

of life, respect and security from physical and emotional harm.

They are to be treasured, nurtured and safeguarded by all.

This policy applies to Clergy, Religious, Staff, Parishioners, Volunteers,

students on placement and Visitors to our sites.

25th/26th February 2017 $2,280.67

Maintenance and Improvements

Recent Activities – repaired leaking taps in Parish Office, school-funded installation of security

cameras on 2nd March.

Current projects – air con in priest’s office (quote obtained), installation of new statues in

Columbarium scheduled for w/e 17th March, annual pest control and termite inspection scheduled

for 7th March.

Possible Future projects depending on availability of funding – replacement of old air

conditioners in Ruby Room.

Second Collection and

Donations

Envelopes, Loose, Direct Debits, Credit Cards

Please take a moment to pray for:

All those who are ill, those who seek healing in their lives and for all those who care for

them.

Anniversaries of the deceased

Jean Sheppard, John Grieve

Parish News and Meetings

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY: We meet on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 7:00pm in the Ruby Room.

Ecumenical Lenten Group Invitation: Fr. Joseph and St. Rita’s Parish have invited Fr. Daniel Hobbs from All Saints Anglican Church and Parishioners to join us in forming an Ecumenical Group to participate in our Lenten Program. This Group starts on Wednesday 8th March (for 5 weeks). Please come along and welcome our friends in Christ, as we travel our Lenten journey. LADIES COFFEE CLUB: The ladies enjoyed our first coffee morning last Thursday in the Ruby Room. Those present would like this to be a monthly event. The next coffee morning is scheduled for Thursday 9th March at 9:45am in the Ruby Room. Please contact Elaine on 0414 7633 261, for further information. CARE AND CONCERN: The March meeting of the Care & Concern Ministry group will be held this Monday, 6th March in the Church Meeting Room commencing at 10am. All parishioners are very welcome to come along and see what our group can do to help you. A light morning tea will follow. For further information please contact Denise on 3206 9073.

READINGS FOR 1ST

SUNDAY OF LENT – YEAR A

1ST READING (JB): Genesis 2:7-9. 3:1-7

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Psalm 50:3-6, 12-14, 17

2ND READING (JB): Romans 5:12, 17-19

GOSPEL (JB): Matthew 4:1-11

READINGS FOR 2ND SUNDAY OF LENT – YEAR A

1ST READING (JB): Genesis 12:1-4

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Psalm 32:4-5. 18-20, 22

2ND READING (JB): 2 Timothy 1:8-10

GOSPEL (JB): Matthew 17:1-9

St. Rita’s Catholic Parish Victoria Point

Proposed Parish Projects Wish List

Items Estimated Cost Donations received

Air conditioner for Ruby Room $2950 $0

Large 130cm St. Rita’s Statue $5200 $0

Computers for Office: Refurbished $600 $0

We would like to thank all our parishioners for all the generous donations thus far. If you wish to contribute

towards any of the remaining projects, kindly contact the Parish office, we would be delighted to hear from you.

(Bank Account Name: St. Rita’s Parish, Account number: 066096002, BSB: 064786)

Ecumenical Lenten Group

Fr. Joseph and St. Rita’s Parish have invited Fr. Daniel Hobbs from All Saints Anglican Church and Parishioners to join us in forming an Ecumenical Group to participate in our Lenten Program.

When: WEDNESDAYS Time: 6:40pm: Welcome & Refreshments 7:00pm: Session begins in the church

Starts 8th March (for 5 weeks)

Please come along and welcome our friends in Christ, as we travel our Lenten journey.

Stations of the Cross

Join us at St. Rita’s Church for

Stations of the Cross

Fridays during Lent at 6pm

Sacramental Preparation for the

2nd Rite of Reconciliation

followed by

First Holy Communion.

Please note that enrolments for this program will close on

the 10th of March 2017.

Children who have been confirmed and are

currently in Year 5 or older are eligible for the programme.

Rite of Enrolment Mass

Saturday 11th March @ 5:00pm and Sunday 12th March @ 9:00am.

MASS MINISTRY ROSTER for 11th & 12th March - 2nd Sunday of the Month Team

Saturday 5 pm Sunday 7 am Sunday 9 am Sunday 6 pm Mass

Coordinators Christopher Tucker

Anne Maree Reed

Shaun Hennessy

Bernie Sturdy

Mary-Anne Cullen

Ministers of

the Word

Daniel Hardie

Mike Duggan

Margaret Schneider

Madonna Hennessy

Paul Smith

John Josefski

Kerry Horvath

Ingrid Bastiaans

Trish McNamee

Garrie Bamford

Communion

Ministers

Margaret Smith

Marilyn Duggan

Katrina Hardie

Kevin Elliott

Anne Josefski

Janet Laner-Stone

Marianne Ferguson

Julie Steel

Leanne Dyer

Altar

Servers

Christopher Tucker

Rhylee Ball

Christopher Tucker N/A

Projector

Operators

Brett Hardie Bernie Sturdy Angela Clarke Mary-Anne Cullen

Children’s Liturgy

Saturday: Deslee Ball & Annie Murray

Sunday: Annette Ashe & Dianne Thomas

Office Volunteer

Kay Grieve

Ministers to the Sick

Group 1: Danny Gablonski

Group 2: Anne-Maree Reed

Cleaning Roster

Team 3

VITAE (‘for life’) is a non-profit organisation centred on life and being life giving. Our Vision is to enable young Australians at risk to realise their full potential by becoming fully human.

Vitae has continuously sponsored camps in the bush since 2006. This is known as the Bush Phase and goes over 10 days. Recently, Vitae has added a further element to the Program known as the Mateship Phase which goes over the 12 months following the camp. The total program is known as the Vitae Challenge.

Vitae will offer bursaries to cover partial or full cost of the Camp for young people who otherwise could not participate.

Please donate to this worthy cause. Your contribution will enable many young Australians to become better members of society.

For more information please go to: http://www.vitae.org.au

First Sunday of Lent 5

th March 2017

Like many of her neighbours in her rural village in the Philippines, Dinia struggled to feed and educate her children. She now has the skills to earn a better income for her children and help her neighbours.

Please donate to Project Compassion 2017 and help people in rural areas of the Philippines build better futures for their families and their neigh-

bours.

You can donate through Parish boxes and envelopes available from the church or, phone 1800 024 413 or visit www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion

STEWART & RAY MILLIGAN

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

FOR ALL ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

& REPAIRS ALL AREAS DOMESTIC *

COMMERCIAL

INDUSTRIAL

Transient Electrical Pty. Ltd. 74 Avalon Road, SHELDON. Qld. 4157.

Ph: 3206-3174

Mobile: 0408 198 228

Sunny Side Painting Call for a free quote

0407 185 444

Mick Clarke

michael.clarke@y7mail.com Interior & Exterior Painting

Roof repair & repaints

Happy to paint 1 room at a time!

To advertise in this space,

please contact the Parish office

on 3207 9177.

JOHN

DUNNE

To advertise in this space,

please contact the Parish

office on 3207 9177.