During this year of Mercy we are invited to participate in a “gentle revolution” through our tender and meaningful actions founded on our

relationship with a forgiving God.

Mercy Action # 67

Show mercy to someone, regardless how others react.

Who do you say I am?

What Really Matters by Deacon Ross Beaudoin

Today’s Gospel account from Luke is considered to be among the most difficult scriptural texts to

understand. Some scholars have said even St. Augustine remarked that he couldn’t believe this story

came from the lips of our Lord. The title given this story — “The Parable of the Dishonest Steward”

— hints at what all the fuss is about.

Scripture scholars such as Luke Timothy Johnson, Cynthia Jarvis and Elizabeth Johnson say this

is the tale of an estate manager skilled in the art of crooked business dealings. He was so duplicitous

that when he was fired for blatant criminal activity, he found a way of protecting his future. His

former employer seemingly shook his head in disbelief at how cunning he was. He even gets praise

from Jesus!

At first glance, it’s baffling. Why would Jesus recommend the strategies of a crooked schemer?

Because despite all his dishonesty, the man represents someone who is smart enough to ensure that

his interests, however unscrupulous, will be protected in the future.

Through this story, Jesus is urging us to do the same. He’s telling us to act with the same

determination to ensure our future. He’s insisting we should be as intensely concerned about our

ultimate fulfilment as this con man was about his.

The whole point of the parable is to remind us what really matters, what truly counts in the long

run: experiencing the divine love that will transform us. This is our true future. To obtain that goal,

we are being challenged by this Gospel story to order our lives accordingly.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux said that “prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look toward heaven; it

is a cry of recognition of love.”

St. Francis de Sales assured us that “every one of us needs half an hour of prayer each day, except

when we are busy — then we need an hour.”

The dishonest steward used his wits to get what he wanted. We get to use prayer.

Bishop Robert, we welcome you to St. Mary’s Parish and School communities, and trust you will have an

enjoyable time. We thank you for confirming 33 of our young

parishioners last night.

May God continue to bless your time and travels within the Diocese of Toowoomba.

Next game:

Monday, September 26th, at 9.30am

in the Parish Centre

We welcome Harper Rose Ferreira into the Catholic

family, having been baptised at St. Joseph’s,

Bracken Ridge on the weekend.

Harper is the daughter of

Willie and Danielle.

Danielle was the middle school coordinator at St.

Mary’s.

May the love of God continue to grow within

their lives.

Parish Council Meeting

Thursday, October 20th at the Parish House,

at 3.30pm

St Mary’s - THURSDAY, 22/09 – 5.00pm to 6.00pm

St. Vincent De Paul Meeting

For all those who would like to be involved in reforming the St. Vincent De Paul conference in

Goondiwindi, there will be a meeting held at the SVDP Shop in Moffat Street

on Monday, 10th October, at 5.00pm.

May the Holy Spirit continue to enflame the hearts of

Ebony and Brooke Tait, Olley and Billy Spicer, Regina Gleeson, Hamish Hobday, Brayden Spink,

Bailey Castle, Dusty Stevenson, Shynae and Brody Gallegos, Toby and Elka Gall, Jemma Welsh,

Ryan Welsh, George Yeo, William and Natalie Kelly, William Bell, Nate and Flynn Marsh,

Annabelle and Charlotte Rocks, Timothy and Eleanor Petrie, Jessica Gorrie, Katelyn Gore, Leah Gee,

Pippa Gore, Malita Simpson, Jed Elmes, Teddy and Emily Tonkin,

as they celebrated their Confirmation with Bishop Robert last night.

Let us pray for all those clergy whose anniversaries occur during this month: Most Rev Edward Kelly DD (02/09/94) Rev Fr Sydney Kattie (04/09/04)

Rev Fr Myles Patrick Smith (09/09/11) Most Rev William Brennan DD (11/09/75)

Rev Fr Francis Burke (16/09/01) Rev Fr Clarence Leahy (28/09/96)

Rev Fr Neil O’Donoghue (29/09/80)

Lord, be merciful to your servants, the Bishops and Priests of this Diocese, welcome them into the company of your Saints, in the Kingdom of light and peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Weekday and Weekend Masses Tuesday…(Kaloma)………..11.00am;

Wednesday….(Rosary 5.15pm)…5.30pm; Friday……..12.15pm

17th/18th September, 2016

Celebration of Confirmation with Bishop Robert will be SATURDAY at 6.00pm (not Mass)

SUNDAY MORNING: Mass with Bishop Robert Goondiwindi 9.00am

24th/25th September, 2016

SATURDAY EVENING: Goondiwindi 6.00pm SUNDAY MORNING: Goondiwindi 8.00am

Children’s Mass in the Parish Centre 9.30am

1st/2nd October, 2016

SATURDAY EVENING: Goondiwindi 6.00pm SUNDAY MORNING: Weengallon 8.00am

and Daymar 10.00am

8th/9th October, 2016

SUNDAY EVENING: Goondiwindi 6.00pm

GROUNDS ROSTER

SEPTEMBER: ALAN & MARK WELSH

OCTOBER: MICHAEL & JACK SCHAUMBURG

THANK-YOU FOR YOUR Contributions: 11/09/16

ENVELOPES $338.50 LOOSE $80.00

VOLUNTEERS

If you would like to include the name of someone in these lists, please check with the person or family concerned and then phone Kath on 4671 5087 (Thursday 9am to 3pm).

WE PRAY FOR Those who have entered your kingdom: including Audrey Albeck, Peter Ints, David Hiles, Shirley Byrne, Mona O’Brien, Norm Hilderson, Chris Finlayson, Maria Magoffin, Mel McGuire, Alma Betts, Darren Benecke, Robert Picking, Len Collins, Vince Mullins, Mary Terry, Roy Ash, Boyd Wise, Paxie de Ronde, Beryl Pearce, Mick Maloney, Will Jakins, Hannah Turvey, Kevin Suhr, Matt Croke, Paul Heynen, Guy Langhans (Talwood), Danielle Brennan, Father Brian O’Dwyer, Margaret Beasley (Roma), Albert Knight, Sam Maiore (Roma), John Walmsley (St. George), Paul Zacka, Lyn Sutton, Thelva O’Shea, Darryl Hennessy, Bub Porter, Darrel Littlewood, Heather Glasser, Florence “Margy” Pavlicevich, Ramon O’Neill, Frank Holland, Noel McGovern, Winston Thorne, Jill Welsh Field, Natalie MacPherson, Erin Laverty, Norah O’Brien, Father John (Jack) Clancy, Father Jeff Scully, Marion O’Leary, Matthew Palmen. For all whose anniversary is at this time: including Vera Benson, Thomas Thompson, Colin “Leo” Lowe, Darrell “Darby” Lowe, Anthony “Tony” Carrigan, Leonie Choice, Tony Lloyd, Mark Batchelor, Raymond McKenna, Teresa Butler, Anna Van Kuijck, Nancy Thurecht, Keith & Myrtle Cook, Frank Smith, Ziggy Schmidt, Terence Collins, Alma Rigney, William “Des” Whittle, Joseph Fraser, Olive Thompson, Noel McGovern, Jill Field, Frank Holland, Trish Taylor, Madeline Cubby, Noela McDonald, Barbara Bardsley, Mary Cannon, Rita Johnson. For those who are ill: including Tara Watts, Rosemary Lawson, Bill Dyer, Brian Freeney, Deanna Dawson, Kevin Lawless, Audrey Albeck, Ray Mackie (Michael Heynen’s father in law), Peter Keehn, Joan Fleming, Frank Brosnan, Gloria Bale, David Croft, Tim Bourke, Joe Cowmeadow, Shirley Schluter, Stasia Lawless, Paul Lloyd (son of Basil and Marie), Mavis Gordon, Jean Ramada, Stella McGovern, Trish Dyer, Jean Sizer, Francis Lloyd (Basil’s brother), Madonna Nicoletti, Kathy McDonald, Steph Adamson, Bailey Brennan, Pauline Robinson, Win Skinner, Sonya Horrigan, Helen Paige, John Toohey, Marie Cook, Phillip Carney, Shirley Riley, Therese Sullivan and Joseph Hord; also those ill at home, in hospital and for those in Kaloma.

WELCOMERS AT DOOR

JENNIFER MAKIM & DAWN LLOYD (18/09)

JILL LENNON & VOLUNTEER (24/09)

TERRY & MARGARET RYAN (01/10)

WELCOMER AT MICROPHONE

PAT THOMPSON (18/09)

VOLUNTEER (24/09)

CLAIRE CHARLES (01/10)

1ST READER/PSALM

MICHAEL NOLAN (18/09)

CLAIRE CHARLES (24/09)

MICHAEL NOLAN (01/10)

2ND READING/ALLELUIA

MARY COLLINS (18/09)

YVONNE ISAAK (24/09)

JODIE ERBACHER (01/10)

EUCHARIST MINISTERS

DAWN LLOYD, CAMILLE KELLOWAY &

CARMEL SCHAUMBURG (18/09)

CARMEL SCHAUMBURG, SUE MCGOVERN

& BRIAN COOK 24/09)

CLAIRE CHARLES, CARMEL GEESON &

MARY BURCHILL (01/10)

DATA PROJECTOR

LEEANN WELSH (18/09)

MARY COLLINS (24/09)

LEEANN WELSH (01/10)

MONEY COUNTERS

TERRY & MARGARET RYAN (18/09)

KAREN CAIRNS & FAY CLARK (24/09)

MARY COLLINS & ROS PHILLIPS (01/10)

Parish Information

25TH

SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

18TH

SEPTEMBER, 2016

Introduction

My friends, we so often find ourselves

confronted with conflicting values and

demands. Today we ponder how to balance our

call to discipleship with our culture’s call to

accumulate wealth and material things. We

hear that God is aware of both greed and the

needs of the poor. Discipleship challenges us

to be prudent, wise, focused and balanced in

our interaction with money. It’s not easy.

Keeping our eyes on the final prize is what

really matters.

First Reading Amos 8:4-7

God is aware of Israel’s greed and the needs of the poor.

Responsorial Psalm

Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.

Second Reading 2nd Letter of St Paul to Timothy 2:1-8

Paul urges prayer for those in authority.

ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA! Jesus Christ was rich but he became

poor, to make you rich out of his poverty ALLELUIA!

Gospel Luke 16:1-13

The dishonest steward exemplifies wisdom and the use of money.

Prayers of the Faithful For the church: that it may inspire

and guide us in our wise use of

worldly goods … we pray,

For the poor, the homeless, the

starving, the marginalized and

forgotten; for all who struggle with

daily life … we pray,

For the ability to commit fully to our

calling to discipleship … we pray,

For those how have been confirmed,

that the Holy Spirit will enliven their

hearts … we pray,

For the teachers and students of our

town and district, that they may have

a safe and refreshing holiday time …

we pray,

For the suffering, the sick and the

dying in this community; and for

those who have died, especially those

we hold in our hearts today ……

we pray,

Parish Priest: Fr. Michael O’Brien

Phone: 0422 308 955 or 4671 1091

St Mary’s School:

Mr Brett Pollard Ph: 4671 1730

Care for the Aged Co-ordinator:

Mrs Jane Blomley Ph: 4675 4132

Parish Office

Parish Secretary: Mrs Kath Gore

Thursday: 9.00am – 3.00pm

69 Callandoon Street or

PO Box 45, Goondiwindi 4390

NEW PARISH PHONE NUMBER: 4671 5087

Father Michael’s house Phone: 4671 1091

stmarysgdi@bigpond.com