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Cared for by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart

at a glance

Next Week

In a nutshell There are many people today who seem to give no heed to God. Their lives are full of ephemeral things.

The younger son in today’s parable is a prime example. Yet, after he has tasted the riches, and then the dregs, of society, he comes to his senses. He returns to his fa-ther, who welcomes him home joyfully. It is never too late to come back to God.

Raise your voices Entrance antiphon: Rejoice, Jerusalem! Be glad for her, you who love her; rejoice with her, you who mourned for her, and you will find contentment at her consoling breasts.

Response to the psalm: Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Gospel acclamation: Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus Christ! I will rise and go to my father and tell him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

Communion antiphon: My son, you should rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and is found.

Fourth Sunday

of Lent Year C

6 March 2016

God’s yearning love for those who are lost on the journey

“But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.”

The Gospel reading for this Sunday includes the parable of the prodigal son. It re-affirms for us that God’s love and compassion knows no bounds. Sister Teresa Dagdag, a Maryknoll Sister on mission in Rome, suggests that we imagine the characters in the parable representing actors in today’s world:

“The Father represents God, a parent who is compassionate toward his two sons. With generosity, the parent decides to give in to the younger son’s demand for an early inheritance even though he foresees the high risk. In today’s world, we have a 4.6 billion-year-old Earth that provides for our needs and offers us renewable resources to use, re-use, and save. Comparably, God has risked dividing the world’s resources and trusts that we will use them responsibly.

“The prodigal son represents today’s global citizens who find opportunities to use Earth’s resources but squander them. We use air, water, minerals mined from underground, soil that nurtures food, and forests that give oxygen as though these were limitless. Like the prodigal son, our consumption patterns have placed a heavy toll on our limited inheritance.

“Just as the elder son in the story accuses his brother of squandering property . . . Abusive agricultural practices rob the soil of its organic capacity to produce safe food; farmers aim for higher yields with dependence on chemical fertilizer; and corporations lure farmers to produce more with commercially sold seeds. But the irony is that there are now a billion people going to bed hungry in the world, unable to feed themselves, unable to earn enough to buy food. The wasteful children of the Earth wake up to the shock of breathing polluted air and drinking unsafe water.

“We are among those who need to change our wasteful habits and to reverse the destructive processes to save our Earth community. We have been wasteful, not prudent, failing to save for the future to sustain life on Earth. Aren’t we also ‘prodigal’?”

In the end of the parable, there is joy, because the son seeks reconciliation and is brought back to the fullness of life. Throughout the world, people are mobilizing to restore the Earth that has been ravaged by mining and industrial agriculture. “Let us sing as we go,” Pope Francis says in Laudato Si’. “May our struggles and our concern for this planet never take away the joy of our hope. God, who calls us to generous commitment and to give him our all, offers us the light and the strength needed to continue on our way.”

Maryknoll Lenten Reflection, 2016.

Joshua 5:9-12 God provides

2Corinthians 5:17-21 Reconciliation

Luke 15:1-3.11-32 Merciful father

Not condemned

Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 125

Philippians 3:8-14; John 8:1-11

Today’s Readings

Parish Priest: Fr Phillip Hicks msc Secretary: Joanne Smyth PO Box 103 Coogee NSW 2034 135 Brook St Coogee 2034 Australia

Phone: 9315 7562 Fax: 9665 6783 Website: www.mscparishes.org Emails: stbparish_coogee@yahoo.com.au philhicks@misacor.org.au

St Brigid’s Primary School Principal: Antoinette Harvey 160 Coogee Bay Rd Coogee NSW 2034 Phone: 9665 5771 Fax: 9665 1326

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Mass Offerings: Your prayers are requested for the following:

Recently Deceased: Robert Orsini, Jabbour Azizi, James (Jim) Lynch (in Ireland), Una Smith, Rob Borg (in Melbourne) Patrick Moonie (in Canberra), Sr Finian Gaughan csb (Coonamble), Sr Paula Foster csb, Daniel O’Donnell

Other Deceased: June & Derek Hutt, Billie Cotter, John Vonwiller, Vena & Barry Smith, Terry Campbell, Greg Dore, Joseph Richardson, Harry Richard Green, Marie Cunningham, Noel Hudson Snr

Anniversaries: Annie & John Frances McCarthy, Jessie Falvey, Jan Noonan, Frank Colenzo, Jessie Falvey, Helen Freestone, Sr Trish Davis, Peter Byrnes, Mabel Rodden, Annie Flaherty, Toni Barry

Sick: Fiona Raftery, Sr Pauline Bourke csb, Anne Toberty, Sr Marie Langtry, Jade O’Connor, Richard Healy, Eileen McMahon, Diane Cummings, Neil Thornton, Sandy Greenfield, Joan O’Keefe, Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP, Mark O’Connor, Sister Marie Rose, Sr Margaret Mary Wilkinson lcm, Fr John Rate msc, Fr John Shalvey msc, Fr Frank Perry msc, Sister Sheilah, Patrick Herlihy, Carmel Olde, Helen Corbett, Marie Brunton, Robert Phipps, Michelle, Maddy & Jack O’Connor, Renae & Scarlett Hutton, Greig, Aria & Ashton Hutton, Alice Orrock, Bridie McDonnell, Sister Kath Conlan, Win Wallace, Trish & Ian Shadwick, Joe Sullivan, Hannah Michael, Scarlett Herbett, Nancy Parton, Muriel Eves, Michael Di Giorgio, Peter Wright, Salius David Dalsys

St Brigid’s Parish Information

Mass Times Saturday Vigil 5.00 pm, Sunday 7.00 am, 9.30 am and 6.00 pm Morning Tea Every 2nd & 4th Sunday after the 9.30 am Mass Weekday Masses Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9.30 am Communion Service Wednesday 9.30 am Reconciliation 10 Minutes before Saturday Vigil Mass Sacrament of Anointing During 9.30 Mass, 2nd Thursday of each Month Baptisms By appointment on the first and third Sundays of the month Marriages By appointment arranged at least six months in advance Parish Office Monday to Friday 9 am to 3 pm (9315 7562)

Readers

Saturday Vigil Janet Neenan (Coordinator) March: Kenji Konda, John Betros April: Chelsea Albert, Chris Vik

Sunday 7.00 am Peter Frost (Coordinator) March: Peter Frost April: Carol Miller

Sunday 9.30 am Adele Cornale (Coordinator) 6 Mar: Dominic Trupke, Sinead Docherty 13 Mar: Tracy Wilcox

Sunday 6.00 pm Andrew Poidevin (Coordinator) March: Lyndy Saville, Gabrielle McAnespie April: Andrew Poidevin

Church Cleaners W/e 6 Mar: Pilar Ovelar 13 Mar: Rhonda & Jim Uglow

Money Counters- Parish Office 6 Mar: Group 3 13 Mar: Group 4 20 Mar: Group 1 27 Mar: Group 2

Ministers of the Eucharist

Saturday Vigil Sr Gabriel (Coordinator) March: Leo Carroll, Eileen Roberts, Sr Gabriel April: Brian Giles, Anne Wright , Eileen Richards, Sr Gabriel Sunday 7.00 am Mar/Apr Charlie Robinson, Gary Keating, Peter Frost Sunday 9.30 am Paula Hudson (Coordinator) 6 Mar: Cheryl Graham, Eddie Mullin, Aodhan Docherty 13 Mar: Paula Hudson, Adele Cornale, Erin Docherty

Sunday 6.00 pm Andrew Poidevin (Coordinator) Mar/Apr Paula O’Connor, Michael O’Sullivan, Therese Compton, Denise Haylen

Gardeners Susan & Kevin Bradley

If rostered and unavailable PLEASE advise your coordinator

Offertory Gifts— Sat 5.00 pm Vigil Mass 5 Mar: Mary Streeting, Ann Wright 12 Mar: Les & Cathy Sharpley

Offertory Gifts— Sun 7.00 am Mass 6 Mar: Vicki Attard & Family 13 Mar: Laura & Gerry Walker

There are no weddings this weekend. Baptisms: we welcome the following new members of our Parish this Sunday: Paloma Lupe Betham daughter of Christopher and Alicia Flynn William Boulle son of Ivan and Leonie

Layla Marian Joyce Buchanan daughter of Ross and Sara Gabriella Eve Johnson daughter of Bernie and Phillipa Jesse-Dean Quinlan son of Brenten and Corrine

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Other Parish Events This Coming Week

Parish Pastoral Council will meet on Monday 7 March at 7.30pm in Parish Office. Parish Justice Committee will meet on Tuesday 8 March at 4 pm in Parish Hall. All welcome. Lenten Reflection Group continue on Thursday evenings in the presbytery chapel at 7 pm. Sacrament of Anointing during 9.30 am Mass this coming Thursday 10th March (2nd Thursday of Month) Children’s Liturgy during 9.30 Mass next Sunday 13 March. (followed by morning tea) Fr Phil

Sacrament of First Reconciliation 2016

Reconciliation Family Groups will continue for two more weeks. Thanks again to all the host families and all who are involved.

We will be celebrating the sacrament of First Reconciliation on Tuesday April 5th at 5 pm & 7 pm

Next Quarterly Cemetery Mass for the deceased interred in the Eastern Suburbs Memorial Gardens and Crematorium, Botany will be celebrated in the Crematorium South Chapel at 11 am on Saturday 12 March.

Musicians for Easter Liturgies and beyond!

Easter Choir: If your are interested in joining the Easter choir we have started practice. We will be practicing in the Church every Wednesday at 7.30 pm leading up to the Easter Masses. We will be singing on Good Friday, Easter Saturday vigil and possibly Easter Sunday morning. For more information call Jeremy on 0414 540 439

Catholic Schools Week

Catholic Schools Week begins this Sunday with a special Celebration Mass at 9.30 am. This will be led by our Year 6 and Kindy children and will be followed by morning tea. On This Friday 11th March the whole School will have a special celebration Mass at 9.30am. John Burland will be directing the music and the Director of Catholic Education, Dr Dan White, will be making a presentation to the school. All Welcome.

St Brigid’s Primary School will be holding their Open Day on Friday, March 11th from 12 pm to 1.15pm. This is a wonderful opportunity for prospective parents to view our school and experience firsthand what St Brigid’s have to offer and marvel at the work and achievements of our students. Application for Enrolment Forms will be available on the day. The school will accept enrolment applications from Monday, March 14th.

Holy Week and Easter Liturgy Program at St Brigid’s 2016

Monday/Tuesday 9.30 am Mass each day

Monday 7.30 pm 2nd Rite Sacrament of Reconciliation here at St Brigid’s

Wednesday 9.30 am Communion Service (No Mass)

Holy Thursday No morning Mass) 7.30 pm Mass Commemoration of the Lord’s Supper

Good Friday 10 am. Stations of the Cross (Confessions available afterwards) 3 pm Solemn commemoration of the Lord’s Passion (Confessions available afterwards)

Holy Saturday 7.30 pm Easter Vigil

Easter Sunday 7.00 am and 9.30 am Masses

No 6.00 pm Mass on Easter Sunday

St Vincent’s College Prospective Enrolment Information Evening

The evening is a perfect opportunity for prospective families to learn more about the life as part of the St Vincent’s College community. The Principal, Deputy and other members of staff will speak on a range of topics such as curriculum, co-curricular activities, boarding and what makes St Vincent’s College the school it is. The evening will be held on Tuesday 8 March from 6.00 pm to 7.30pm. To register your attendance, please visit the College website www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au or ring our Registrar Mrs Tammy Hancock on 9368 1611

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