Amos 8:4-7

Listen to this, you who trample on the needy and try to suppress the poor people of the country, you who say, ‘When will New Moon be over so that we can sell our corn, and sabbath, so that we can market our wheat? Then by lowering the bushel, raising the shekel, by swindling and tampering with the scales, we can buy up the poor for money, and the needy for a pair of sandals, and get a price even for the sweepings of the wheat.’ The Lord swears it by the pride of Jacob, ‘Never will I forget a single thing you have done.’ Psalm 112:1-2. 4-8

R. Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.

Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord! May the name of the Lord be blessed both now and for evermore! (R.)

High above all nations is the Lord, above the heavens his glory. Who is like the Lord, our God, who has risen on high to his throne yet stoops from the heights to look down, to look down upon heaven and earth? (R.)

From the dust he lifts up the lowly, from the dungheap he raises the poor to set him in the company of princes, yes, with the princes of his people. (R.)

1 Timothy 2:1-8

My advice is that, first of all, there should be prayers offered for everyone – petitions, intercessions and thanksgiving – and especially for kings and others in authority, so that we may be able to live religious and reverent lives in peace and quiet. To do this is right, and will please God our saviour: he wants everyone to be saved and reach full knowledge of the truth. For there is only one God, and there is only one mediator between God and mankind, himself a man, Christ Jesus, who sacrificed himself as a ransom for them all. He is the evidence of this, sent at the appointed time, and I have been named a herald and apostle of it and – I am telling the truth and no lie – a teacher of the faith and the truth to the pagans.

In every place, then, I want the men to lift their hands up reverently in prayer, with no anger or argument.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia! Jesus Christ was rich but he became poor, to make you rich out of his poverty. Alleluia!

Luke 16:1-13

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘There was a rich man and he had a steward who was denounced to him for being wasteful with his property. He called for the man and said, “What is this I hear about you? Draw me up an account of your stewardship because you are not to be my steward any longer.” Then the steward said to himself, “Now that my master is taking the stewardship from me, what am I to do? Dig? I am not strong enough. Go begging? I should be too ashamed. Ah, I know what I will do to make sure that when I am dismissed from office there will be some to welcome me into their homes.”

‘Then he called his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, “How much do you owe my master?” “One hundred measures of oil,” was the reply. The steward said, “Here, take your bond; sit down straight away and write fifty.” To another he said, “And you, sir, how much do you owe?” “One hundred measures of wheat,” was the reply. The steward said, “Here, take your bond and write eighty.”

‘The master praised the dishonest steward for his astuteness. For the children of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the children of light.

‘And so I tell you this: use money, tainted as it is, to win you friends, and thus make sure that when it fails you, they will welcome you into the tents of eternity. The man who can be trusted in little things can be trusted in great; the man who is dishonest in little things will be dishonest in great. If then you cannot be trusted with money, that tainted thing, who will trust you with genuine riches? And if you cannot be trusted with what is not yours, who will give you what is your very own?

‘No servant can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or treat the first with respect and the second with scorn. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money.’

The scriptural quotations are taken from the Jerusalem Bible, published and copyright 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton Longman and Todd Ltd and

Doubleday & Co Inc, and used by permission of the publishers. The English translation of the Psalm Responses, Alleluia and Gospel Verses, and Lenten

Gospel Acclamations from the Lectionary for Mass © 1997, 1981, 1968, International Committee on English in the Liturgy.

The Living

The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies: probably because they are generally the same people. —G.K. Chesterton

25TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME C - SEPT 18 2016

Ingham

Sat 6.00pm Sun 8.30am Sun 7.00pm

Halifax Sun 7.00am

Canossa Sun 10.00am

Abergowrie Sun 10.00am

Sunday Masses 24/25 September

Mon NO MASS

Tues NO MASS

Wed NO MASS

Thurs NO MASS

Fri NO MASS

Sat 8.00am St Patrick ’s

Weekdays 19-24 September

From Tracy Nuttall

Principal St Peter’s School, Halifax

St Peter’s Catholic School Halifax has had a productive Term 3 with our school community coming together to accomplish some wonderful outcomes. Alongside curricular activities, there has been participation in sporting events, cultural and artistic pursuits as well as the fundraising events which ensure our children are the beneficiaries of a well-resourced school and well-rounded education.

Our most recent fundraiser, the Hoy Afternoon Tea, is testament to what can be achieved when a school works together towards a shared goal. The P & F Association along with staff, parents and caregivers donated and wrapped a variety of prizes, contributed a wonderful spread of food, set up and ran the event as well as cleaned up afterwards. You wouldn’t have known 100 plus people had been enjoying themselves under our school within half an hour of the event finishing. A special thank-you to Wanda Ashley and Eileen Fudriga who provided the Hoy cards and generously volunteered their time, hosting all games of Hoy played throughout the afternoon. The success of the afternoon can be largely contributed to their participation.

Towards the end of Term 3 our students took part in the Ingham Arts Festival and achieved wonderful results. For a small school we participated in a large number of events. Both classes combined to perform a poem and placed first in their section. The Senior Choir sang in four sections and the Junior Choir in one. The juniors

received first place while the seniors received two seconds and a third. The last presentation by St Peter’s was the Senior Ensemble who played the ‘Lion Sleeps Tonight’. Their performance was impressive and it was no surprise when they received first place. With all the effort that went into preparing the children for the Ingham Arts Festival, it was with great excitement that they were invited to perform some of their choir songs to members of the Everglow Community Care Links Inc at a function at Lucinda. The children performed magnificently and were then treated to a performance by the ECCLI Group Choir. Thank you to Mrs Di Bella for her hard work preparing the children for the Choir and Ensemble events and to the staff who assisted.

The St Peter’s Prep Open Morning was held recently and the school welcomed staff, children and parents/caregivers from the Lower Herbert Community Kindergarten. The morning was filled with an assortment of fun activities including a visit by Ranger Jackie from Hands On Wildlife. Our shared morning tea and welcome cake were also a hit with the Kindy Kids and St Peter’s students.

On the horizon for St Peter’s is our Bush Dance in the last week of this term, where the children’s talents in music

(Continued on page 2)

Welcome to all visitors and new parishioners. Please make yourself known to us.

Rosary

NO Rosary during school holidays

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Tues 9am to 1pm NO BENEDICTION

Devotions

Confessions

11.00am Saturday 5.00pm Saturday

or by appointment

Parish Contacts Parish Priest: Fr Damian McGrath Associate Pastor: Fr Vitalis C Oguh

Parish Secretary: Pauline Pennisi Assistant and RE Co-ordinator: Marcella Cantatore Youth Ministry: Michael Van Blerk (mvanblerk@tsv.catholic.org.au)

Pastoral Care: Sr Nina Barra

Mail: PO Box 375, Ingham Q 4850 Phone: 4776 2600 Fax: 4776 5199

Web: www.inghamcatholic.com Email: parishoffice@inghamcatholic.com

Office Hours: 9am to 12pm Monday to Friday, 1pm to 3pm Monday to Thursday

Principal’s Pen!

Fr Vitalis is away on retreat

Compassion: The Arms of Mercy- Cumann Grath Retreat

This is the last 24 hour silent retreat for the Year of Mercy. A chance to pray and reflect on “Compassion: the Arms of Mercy” as we come to the end of this Holy Year. Fr Alan Sheldrick will be our guest presenter. On 15th/16th October from 3pm Sat– 3pm Sunday at Mercy House, 8A Hatchett Street, Cranbrook. (Enrolments/inquiries for info on retreat:

margtrev@iinet.net.au or mtduff@bigpond.net.au or marwill2@bigpond.com or 47550854, or 47289861.)

Mother’s Union Ingham Branch 67th Birthday

The ladies from Mother’s Union Ingham Branch invite you to their 67th birthday morning tea on Thursday 20th October at 9.30am to 11.00am with a walk down “Mercer Lane” to view the mosaic record of the sugar industry. Sing Australia will serenade you. Morning tea of punch and scones wilk be served. Light lunch afterwards at Conroy Hall. For more information see posters at all Mass Centres.

Upcoming Events

Mission Trip Commissioning Mass: Friday 16 September at 5.00pm, St Patrick’s

Mission Trip report Back Night: Saturday 15 October following 6pm Mass at St Patrick’s.

Mercy Mission 2016

The students and adults have departed on their journey to the Philippines to do their mission work with the poorest of the poor in Naga City. Please keep them (see names below) in your prayers.

Report Back Night: Saturday 15 October following 6pm Mass at St Patrick’s in Mercy Hall. Shared Plater supper.

Follow Us: imt2016.blogspot.com

Pray for us: Imogen Price; Zoe Mina; Georgia Groundwater; Jessica Timms; Rose Galletly; Madeleine Hardy; Shantelle Teichmann; Celina Barra; Tomaso Bortolanza; Tayarne Neal; Kaid Townson; Jaiden Baldwin; Andrew Pallanza; Christine Timms; Vivian Garrigon; Tony Giliberto; Rob Corboy; Fr D.

This group will continue to meet during the school holidays on Friday nights from 7.00pm to 8.30pm in Mercy Hall. Any students in grades 7 to 9 are welcome. The group will meet to build friendships with each other, have fun and dive deeper into our Catholic faith.

If you have any questions, please contact our Youth Ministry worker Michael Van Blerk on mvanblerk@tsv.catholic.org.au.

Day of Prayer for Peace

Pope Francis has called for a ‘Day of Prayer for Peace’ on Tuesday 20 September 2016. The theme of the day is ‘Thirst for peace: faiths and cultures in dialogue’.To mark the occasion, the Holy Father will visit Assisi, Italy. There will be a moment of silence in memory of the victims of war, an appeal for peace will be signed with representatives of other religions and candles lit followed by the exchange of a sign of peace. You are invited to take a moment to pray for peace on this day.

Clergy Appeal for Sick & Retired Priests:

Your gift can still be placed on the plate or dropped into the office for this appeal.

Please keep in your prayers: Elizabeth Castorina, Dakota Rose;

Colleen Knight

May the Lord’s healing hand rest upon her

Week by Week in Mercy

Mercy is one thing, malpractice quite another. Why, then, does the defrauded master in Jesus’ parable praise the devious steward? Jesus shows by example how to sanctify material goods: by placing all our resources, indeed our very selves, at the service of others. No matter how costly such service, or how minimal the return, such charity is the wisest investment, yielding a reward that is literally out of this world. For Amos and Jesus, authentic worship of God demands practical charity toward our neighbor. Paul, too, declares that the only worship acceptable to God is offered by a community rich in charity. Liturgy must be matched to life, “lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument” (1 Timothy 2:8). This Jubilee Year of Mercy challenges us to live as “children of light,” as devoted to self-sacrificing service as “the children of this world” (Luke 16:8) are to serving themselves, as enthusiastic for God’s kingdom of justice as we are about less-enduring treasures. —Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

and dance will be showcased. Also our major fundraiser, the Silver Circle, is being held early in Term 4 on Saturday 8th October. This is one of the biggest nights on our calendar and one which is greatly enjoyed by all present. Everyone is welcome to attend with tickets available for purchase at the school office or on the night.

Welcome to a new child of God: Liam Lewis Giddins

baptised this Sunday at St Patrick’s

Requiescant in pace Please Pray For: Giuseppe Palmas (died this week), Kathleen Keeffe (T’ville) (died last week), Anna Venturato, John Barra, Beatrice Pedrini, Adelina Lenti, Cesare Costanzo, Priminia Quadrio, Mattia Guli (annivs at this time), Janice Day, Mary Girgenti, Sr Emilia Cazzanige, Santa Marano, Deceased members Sartoresi & Vella families, Alfio, Maria, Sarina & Rudolfo Fichera, Vittorio & Maria Cantoni, Sam Di Bella, Angelo Pietrobon, Mary McInnes, Reg & Bernice Davies, Diane Pavetto, Santo & Giuseppina Contarino, Magoni family, Elliott Francis Mathiesen, Tina Lagorio, Alfia Patti, Salvatore Coco, Julie Guerra, Baldo Fanti, Egidio Disiot, Kevin Poole, Nunziatina Musumeci, Renzo Seri, Sebastiano Sorbello, Deceased members Elortegui & Guazzo families, Bob Taylor, Joe Valastro, Deceased members Tomba & Benvenuti families

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.

Let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. May their souls and the souls

of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God,

rest in peace. Amen.

Rosters Counters This Week:

S Di Bartolo F Di Bartolo A La Rosa R Romano M Garutti

Counters Next Week:

M Duffy J Busuttin A Duffy D Benedetto T Pallanza

Children’s Liturgy—Sat 24 September 6.00pm

Bridgette Duffy Michelle Biasi Sandra Coco

Altar Servers 24/25 September:

Sat 6.00pm: Tahlia Nowak & Lara Deambrogio

Sun 8.30am: Elizabeth Price & Jessica McFayden

Sun 7.00pm: Trista Kopeshke

Organists 24/25 September:

Sat 6.00pm: Sun 8.30am: Monica Vitale Sun 7.00pm: Lynette Di Bella

Commentators 24/25 September:

Sat 6.00pm: Peter Sheedy Sun 8.30am: Lorraine Pietrobon Sun 7.00pm: Diane Giliberto

Readers 24/25 September:

Halifax: Joe Rupp & Judy Braithwaite

Canossa: C/1 Sam Spina 2/3 Mirella Pallanza

Sat 6.00pm: 1 Felix Reitano 2 Judy Reitano 3 Peter Sheedy Sun 8.30am: 1 June Leonardi 2 Lidia Marbelli 3 Lorraine Pietrobon Sun 7.00pm: 1 Pam Grant 2 Rosalind Guerra 3 Diane Giliberto

Abergowrie: John Barra & Michael Barra

Special Ministers 24/25 September:

Halifax: George Day & Gail Neale

Canossa: John & Elena Vezzoli

Sat 6.00pm: Brian & Jenny Olivero Carmel Sorbello

Sun 8.30am: Mario Bortalanza Carmel Fazio Rita Fontana

Sun 7.00pm: Lauren Kopeshke Giovanna Melvin Val McDonough

Abergowrie: Carole Barra

We return again to the Lukan theme of money and how it can get in the way of being a true disciple. This week’s gospel passage reminds us that we cannot be a follower of God and chase after riches at the same time. That parable of the steward and his master is one that is rarely quoted and would be unfamiliar to most readers. The actions of the steward upon learning that he is to be dismissed seem to us to be evidence of his dubious dealings and yet the master praises his

astuteness.

When a steward entered into loans and deals on behalf of

his master, he would build into the repayment a profit for himself. This was quite normal and acceptable. So the amount that the steward asks the debtors to reduce their debts to the master is actually the cut that he had built into the deal for himself. His actions are, surprisingly, quite noble and legitimate. What he is doing is ensuring that his master receives all that is owed to him whilst the steward is making himself more popular with the debtors because they don’t have to pay back as much. It would be like a modern

day salesman saying that he would forego his commission on the sale so that the purchaser didn’t have to pay as much.

But why does Jesus use this parable? He makes the point that when the crunch comes – when the kingdom of God is imminent – monetary wealth is going to be meaningless. It is best to cut your losses and turn your energy to building relationships rather than riches.

Using Money

Jesus tells his audience to use money to win friends so that when your money fails you your friends will welcome

you. This sounds a bit like buying friendship. But what Jesus was saying was to share your riches with those in

need and not be boastful and greedy of your wealth. He is calling his audience back to the commands of God to take

care of the needy and to make sure that no one is left without enough to live. So the friendship Jesus is

encouraging the people to make through their money is a friendship with the poor and the needy.