Parish Information

Who do you say I am?

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

A Homily by Deacon Ross Beaudoin titled, “An Easter Reprise” I was thrilled by the musical “West Side Story” when I first saw it years ago. Early in the story Tony and Maria sing a

romantic ballad, “Tonight.” Later in the show they sing a reprise of the same melody. This time it takes on a different tone. Their hopeful optimism is threatened by street gang violence.

In literature and music, a reprise can take many forms. The reprise shows a development of a character or theme. It can be positive or negative, depending on the content of the story. There are a number of scenes in the Gospels for which there is a reprise. The Gospel writers were able to write in this way because they were writing many decades after the historical incidents and were aware of the various developments of the story.

In the events we hear recounted today, Jesus and seven disciples are at the Sea of Tiberias. The seven are fishing. This story is a reprise of a similar incident recorded earlier in which the disciples were also fishing. Then, they had caught nothing. In each case, Jesus instructs the disciples where to fish … and the result is an astoundingly large catch.

In the first instance, Jesus used the catch to tell the disciples that they would become “fishers of people.” They would bring into the reign of God those who would follow the Lord.

The disciples left everything and followed Jesus. In the reprise of the catch of fish, Jesus builds on the teachings of the earlier catch. The disciples are ready for a new

understanding and a new calling. First, we note that this whole scene takes place in the setting of hospitality. This is a eucharistic scene. Jesus is the host who welcomes and feeds the guests. “A charcoal fire with fish and bread” was very welcome to fishers who had spent all night on the sea.

Looking at the course of events and dialogue in this scene, we find a number of important reasons that this was added at the end of John’s Gospel (whose first conclusion we read last week).

First, Jesus makes it clear that, as the risen Lord, he is truly a risen human person, not a spirit-person or an apparition. He builds a fire, prepares a meal and has breakfast with them.

Next, the catch of fish gives a lesson. The enormous quantity of fish is a reminder of the gracious bounty of God. Always with Jesus, there is not just enough, there is abundance, even leftovers.

Finally, the dialogue between Jesus and Peter restates that Peter is the leader of the disciples. That fact itself is a gracious gift. Peter denied Jesus three times. Peter may now have doubts as to his role among the disciples. Jesus makes it clear that he knows Peter’s failures and that, in his characteristic love and mercy, he forgives Peter and restores him to his role of leadership. The threefold “Do you love me” gives Peter the opportunity to reaffirm his love and commitment to Jesus.

Jesus had a call and a role for each disciple. In his resurrected presence among them, he strengthened their relationship to him and their resolve to carry on the mission he had begun. That mission was now theirs. It is now ours.

Jesus will reprise his encounter at the Sea of Tiberias with us, too, from time to time. In awareness and prayer, we will recognize Jesus standing on the shore of wherever we are in life. He will be gracious, show us mercy and strengthen us in the work he has set out for each of us. We can respond with Peter, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”

He will say: “Follow me.”

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. One of the articles I read had 56 ways we can make our actions more merciful, so each week I thought I

would share one with you: Mercy Action # 27

Walk with someone who needs a friend.

One of the new traditions that involve the joining of the parish and school

communities is the presentation by parishioners of the School Tie to the new

Year 7 students at St. Mary’s. If you would like to be part of this ceremony for 2016, please place $20.00 in an envelope with

your name on the front and give it to Father Michael. There are 30 students in Yr. 7 this year. The ceremony will take place at the 6.00pm Sunday evening Mass on 8th May.

An invitation is extended to all past students and families who attended Downlands, for dinner at the Royal Hotel on Saturday, 16th April, commencing at 6.00pm. If you are interested in celebrating 80 years since the foundation

of the past students society, please call Garth Cocks on 0417 711 884. Thankyou.

St Mary’s Parish Centre from 9.30am. Next game:

Monday, 11th April 2016

Last month, we celebrated the Baptism of the Wells boys; baby Levi, brother Archer and

eldest brother Marshall. The boys are pictured with their sister, Anna and parents, Wayne

and Jessica.

Lord, smile upon these children and surround this family with the soft mantle of

your love.

Let us pray for all those clergy whose anniversaries occur during this month:

Rev Msgr Leslie Schuhkraft (11/04/92), Rev Fr John Michael (12/04/68),

Rev Fr Lex Herzig (13/04/04), Rev Fr Anthony O’Keefe (15/04/07),

Rev Fr Roderick Lynch (16/04/85), Rev Fr Leo O’Donohue (26/04/61),

Rev Fr John Concannon (28/04/37), Rev Fr Reginald Prior (28/04/62)

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 Wednesday…….FULL SCHOOL MASS……..9.00am

Friday………………..…….12.15pm 16th/17th April, 2016

SUNDAY MORNING: Goondiwindi 9.00am 23rd/24th April, 2016

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

NO CHILDREN’S MASS 30th April/1st May, 2016

SATURDAY EVENING: Goondiwindi 6.00pm SUNDAY MORNING: Daymar 8.00am and W/Gallon 10.00am

7th/8th May, 2016 SUNDAY EVENING: Goondiwindi 6.00pm

(Tie presentation ceremony)

GROUNDS ROSTER

APRIL: MICHAEL & JACK SCHAUMBURG

MAY: DAN AND LISA GALL

THANK-YOU FOR YOUR Contributions: 04/04/16

ENVELOPES $822.00 LOOSE $163.75 Caritas (to date) $931.50

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 Will Jakins, Hannah Turvey, Kevin Suhr, Matt Croke, Paul Heynen, Guy Langhans, 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, Nancy Thurecht (Talwood), Anna Van Kuijck, Ray McKenna, Florence “Margy” Pavlicevich, Teresa Butler, Mark Batchelor, 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, Kay Coleman, Marion O’Leary, Matthew Palmen. For all whose anniversary is at this time: including Pat and Ellen Mullins, Donald Frith, Arthur McCall, Kevin Warby, Les Lunney, Ruth “Bub” Lunney, Kenneth Purcell, Jacob Webber, Kathleen Darcey, George Billsborough, Melissa Morrissy, Margaret Ash, Dulcie Saunders, Virginia Wilkie, Margaret Oliver, Bill Park, Arthur Gordon, Peter Spittles, Bronwynne Faddy, Paul FitzGerald, Betty “Topsy” Hunt, George Hartin, Michael Gibbs, Kevin Cook, Claire Park, Mia Beck, Jenny Marsh, Robert Ford, Barry Cook, Barbara Bendall, Ally Brennan, Arthur Gordon, Bill Bishop For those who are ill: including Brian Freeney, Deanna Dawson, Kevin Lawless, Audrey Albeck, Ray Mackie (Michael Heynen’s father in law), Peter Keehn, Joan Fleming, Mona O’Brien, 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, Alma Betts, 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

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED (10/04)

KAREN CAIRNS & MARY BELL (17/04)

ROSE KEEHN & VOLUNTEER NEEDED (23/04)

WELCOMER AT MICROPHONE

CLAIRE CHARLES (10/04)

VOLUNTEER NEEDED (17/04)

VOLUNTEER NEEDED (23/04)

1ST READER/PSALM

MARIA MAGOFFIN (10/04)

PHIL ORMES (17/04)

VOLUNTEER NEEDED (23/04)

2ND READING/ALLELUIA

MARY BURCHELL (10/04)

CAROL ORMES (17/04)

YVONNE ISAAK (23/04)

EUCHARIST MINISTERS

CARMEL GEESON, ANNE HUNT & DAWN

CLANCY (10/04)

MICK CLANCY, ROS PHILLIPS & MARY

BURCHELL (17/04)

ST MARY’S STAFF, CAMILLE KELLOWAY &

DAWN LLOYD (23/04)

DATA PROJECTOR

ST MARY’S STAFF (10/04)

LEEANN WELSH (17/04)

CARMEL SCHAUMBURG (23/04)

MONEY COUNTERS

KERRY O’CONNOR & CLAIRE CHARLES

(10/04)

TERRY & MARGARET RYAN (17/04)

FAY CLARK & KAREN CAIRNS (23/04)

———————

3RD

SUNDAY OF EASTER

10TH

APRIL, 2016

Introduction

Today’s Gospel attests to Jesus’ risen

presence among his disciples: challenging, assuring, warning them of what would follow

their commitment to him. Their path would not be easier than his. But he fed them, gave them their mission and appointed Peter to lead them. He was compelling enough that they moved forward, despite the risks. He is still among us, feeding us, speaking to us, encouraging us and calling us to live the

Gospel. How aware are we of his presence?

First Reading Acts 5:27-41

The apostles are arrested for preaching the Gospel.

Responsorial Psalm

I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Second Reading

Book of Revelation 5:11-14 John’s vision of the cosmic chorus praising

the Lamb.

ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA! Christ is risen, the Lord of all creation;

he has shown pity on all people. ALLELUIA!

Gospel

John 21:1-19 The disciples encounter the risen Jesus on

the seashore.

Prayers of the Faithful

For all of us in the church who are called to witness to the presence of

Christ among us … we pray,

For those who take risks for the Gospel, especially in areas where Christians are persecuted … we

pray,

For all whose lives are committed to those in need, regardless of their

religious beliefs … we pray,

For the war-torn regions of the earth; for those in the military; and for

those who promote peace through cooperation, collaboration or

negotiation … we pray,

For individuals or groups willing to speak out against those who

promote fear or deny human rights … we pray,

For mercy for those who have offended us out of fear or self-

preservation … we pray,

For the poor or the disenfranchised, the sick or the discouraged among

us; for those who have died and those who grieve for them, we pray,