Sunday 21st September, 2014 Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Bridgeside Bulletin The weekly bulletin of the

Catholic Parish of Forster Tuncurry Holy Name of Jesus Parish Church

33 Lake Street, Forster St Mary, Star of the Sea Church Cnr Kent & Peel Streets, Tuncurry

Proclaiming Christ to the communities of Forster, Tuncurry and the surrounding districts

Parish Fr Andrew Doohan (Parish Priest) Fr Dennis Rochford MSC (Priest in Residence—0415 074 964) Mr Greg Byrne (Pastoral Associate) Mrs Sharon Fowle (Administration Associate/Bulletin) Sr Kathryn McCabe (Aboriginal Catholic Ministry)

The Parish Office is at the rear of the Parish Hall and is normally staffed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 4pm.

Items for inclusion in Bridgeside Bulletin should be received by midday on Thursday.

33 Lake Street, Forster NSW 2428 PO Box 67, Forster NSW 2428

P: (02) 6554 6304 F: (02) 6554 6425 E: forstertuncurryparish@gmail.com W: www.forstertuncurrycatholic.org.au

Celebrating the Sacrament Reconciliation is available on Saturday mornings at Tuncurry from 8:30am until the beginning of the 9am Mass, on Saturday afternoons at Forster from 4:45pm until 5:15pm.

Baptisms are celebrated on Sundays, either during any of our Sunday Masses or after the 9am Mass. The next Baptismal Preparation meeting will take place in the Parish Hall’s meeting rooms on Monday 13th October commencing at 7pm. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.

Weddings are celebrated by arrangement and with at least three (and preferably more) months notice. Please contact Fr Andrew for more details, or visit the Parish website.

A Sacramental Preparation process runs each year in the Parish for children wishing to complete the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation as part of the Parish community. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.

The Parish hosts the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults process for those adults wishing to be baptised or be received into the communion of the Catholic Church. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.

Search for us on Facebook as ‘Catholic Parish of Forster Tuncurry’

Follow us on Twitter: @ftcatholic

Holy Name Parish School (K-6)

Ms Brooke Schumann (Acting Principal)

41 Lake Street, Forster NSW 2428 PO Box 243, Forster NSW 2428

P: (02) 6554 6504 F: (02) 6554 8895 E: admin@forster.catholic.edu.au W: www.forster.catholic.edu.au

St Clare’s High School, Taree (7-12)

Mr Peter Nicholls (Principal)

Davis Street, Taree NSW 2430

P: (02) 6552 3300 F: (02) 6552 3656 E: admin@tareesc.catholic.edu.au W: www.tareesc.catholic.edu.au

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The Parish Diary…(for the week ahead) Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Monday—22nd September

Tuesday—23rd September St Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) 9am Christian Meditation (Bob 6555 5914) 3:30pm Holy Hour @ Tuncurry 4:30pm Mass @ Tuncurry 5:30pm Christian Meditation (Bob 6555 5914)

Wednesday—24th September 9am Mass @ Forster 11:15am Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help @

Forster 5.30pm Social Justice Group @ Forster

Thursday—25th September 9am Mass @ Forster 7pm Women’s Bible Study (Natasha 0407 589

935)

Friday—26th September 9:30am Mass @ Forster

Saturday—27th September 8:30am Reconciliation @ Tuncurry 9am Mass @ Tuncurry 4:45pm Reconciliation @ Forster (until 5:15pm) 6pm Mass @ Tuncurry

Sunday—28th September 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time 7am Mass @ Tuncurry 9am Mass @ Forster

Regular Activities in the Parish Secular Franciscan Fraternity The Secular Franciscans Fraternity will next meet on Wednesday 1st October, coming together for Mass at 9am, followed by a cuppa at 9:30am and then the meeting 10am to 12pm.

The menALIVE Groups Our Parish currently hosts two menALIVE groups. The morning group will next meet on Wednesday 24th September after the 9am Mass, while the evening group will next meet on Thursday 25th September at 7:30pm.

Women’s Bible Study Group Our Parish hosts a Women’s Bible Study Group that meets every Thursday evening from 7pm to 8pm. For more information contact Natasha on 0407 589 935.

Christian Meditation Our Parish hosts a number of opportunities for the practice of Christian meditation. These opportunities takes place on Tuesdays at two distinct times, 9am and 5:30pm. For more information contact Bob on 6555 5914.

Maintenance & Gardening Group The Parish is lucky to be served by a very dedicated band of volunteers who tend to the upkeep of the grounds and gardens of our two church sites. They do a fabulous job, and are always ready to welcome new members to the group. Our next reunion will be on Thursday 16th October. Contact Howard 6557 6826 for more information.

Singing Practice The Singing Group will be taking a well earned break for the next 3 weeks and will resume on Tuesday 14th October at Forster at 5.30pm.

Collection of Foodstuffs for Homebase The next collection of foodstuffs in support of Homebase will next take place on Sunday 5th October.

Holy Hour The Parish community observes a Holy Hour each Tuesday afternoon in the Tuncurry Church from 3:30pm until the beginning of Mass at 4:30pm.

Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help The Novena is prayed every Wednesday in the Forster church commencing at 11:15am and is followed by a cuppa in the Parish Hall. For more information contact Shioney on 6554 9468.

Evening Prayer & Benediction The Parish community celebrates on the first Sunday of each month at 5:30pm in the Tuncurry church. It will next be celebrated on Sunday 5th October. All welcome.

SRE Encouragement Day Hunter Christian SRE (Catechist) Encouragement Day Tuesday October 14th 10.30am to 2.30pm Forster Catholic Church hall. Opportunity to gather with others united in Ministry to share successes and challenges and ways to answer difficult questions in SRE lessons. Morning Tea provided, please bring lunch to share. Phone Loretta 0408 895 951 to register or sre@mn.catholic.org.au

Red Cross Ebola Appeal Sr Diana Santleben op, from Penola House, is asking people to consider donating to the Red Cross Ebola Appeal. Many African Australian families living in Newcastle have family in Africa where this crisis is playing out.

You can donate to the Red Cross Ebola Appeal online at www.redcross.org.au or by posting a cheque or money order to Ebola Outbreak 2014 Appeal, Australian Red Cross, GPO Box 2957, Melbourne 8060.

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Liturgical Rosters Liturgical rosters for the months of October and November are now available from the rear of the churches.

If you would like to volunteer for inclusion on these ministries, please contact Fr Andrew or the Parish Office.

Vocation View The Kingdom of Heaven is built by mutual cooperation, not competition. Let us work together to build the Kingdom, regardless of when God calls. (Matthew 20:1-16). For more information regarding Vocations contact Fr Brian Mascord on 02 4979 1112 or vocations@mn.catholic.org.au

Catholic Newspapers Available Both The Catholic Leader (Brisbane) and The Catholic Weekly (Sydney) newspapers are available at a cost of $2 each from our churches.

Holy Name School Fete - 12th October Donations for the Fete are now being collected at the School. Pre-loved toys, books, clothes and items for the White Elephant can be dropped off now, while various craft items, including knitted coat hangers, scarves, cakes and plants can be dropped off closer to the event.

Volunteers to assist on the day are also being sought.

For more information, please contact Alison Anthony on 0417 640 482 or Sally Grehan on 0417 132 670.

From the Pastor’s Desk Last Friday week Greg Byrne and I were invited by Ms Brooke Schumann, the Acting Principal, to the Assembly of Holy Name Primary School. I was happily surprised to see a mural on the Hall depicting the Sisters of Saint Joseph (of the Sacred Heart) Lochinvar, at work in the earlier days of the parish school, started in 1961. It reminded me how well the Sisters serve the parish since their arrival in 1959.

I read a book recently by Jo Piazza on If Nuns Ruled the World. It’s a great book on religious women and their work within the Church. The author is an agnostic living in New York. She began interviewing nuns for the book and found herself, as I am, charmed and inspired by these wonderful women.

By their Christian living, they do not look for the spotlight. But they are out there every day, in the world, living the gospel and caring for the poor and needy, meeting our needs for a kind word and sincere listener. But they are also very professional and have had to work hard for the opportunities to gain the accreditation for schools and universities; hospital wards and professional rooms.

Piazza writes: “They don’t hide behind fancy and expensive vestments, the pulpit or a sermon. I have never met a nun who rides a Mercedes or a Cadillac (or BMW). They walk a lot. They ride bikes.” One of the most flawed caricatures of nuns is that they are prim, Victorian figures, cloistered in convents. On the Contrary, I have become a huge fan of religious Sisters because I see them risking their lives around the world confronting warlords, pimps and thugs, while speaking the language of people fluently. In a selfish world, they epitomize selflessness and compassion.

Our Sisters in Forster/Tuncurry created their Lochinvar identity around the time of Josephite Federation (c1963). They have been in the parish since 1959 and lived in the house at 16 Manning Street, Tuncurry, which was purchased in two instalments in 1957. They used the Punt to cross to the School till July 1959. The first Parish Priest, Father Daniel Linehan, used the house in 1958, until he had a Presbytery in January 1959. The Manning Street Convent was sold this year to the new Presbyterian minister who, now with five children, needs space. We wish Rev. David and Mrs. Renee Hann and their family every blessing in their historically important house.

How fortunate we are to have, as part of the parish ‘living memory’ and ongoing ministry two Sisters: Louise McDonell and Kathryn McCabe. They are the nuns that Piazza writes about; competent women

with compassion, expertise in ministry and total dedication, without pretension. They are a treasured part of our community and a sober reminder to many of us that there is no need to push yourself forward. Just quietly allow gifts to surface and shine with spiritual joy and a love for life. If the world were ruled by nuns then you would have to plan on a more hospitable and welcoming community, less concerned about their own existence then the wellbeing of those around them. What a witness that would be.

Father Dennis Rochford msc

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Formation for Ministry Program A series of formation units developed especially for members of Parish Leadership Teams, Parish Pastoral Councils, Parish Finance Councils and Parish Pastoral Teams—as well as those involved in other parish groups and ministries—is being offered in Krambach. The course has begun and continues for another 5 sessions.

All units completed can be credited towards a Certificate in Ministry. Brochures and flyers are available at the rear of the churches. There is no cost for participating in the program. The next session will take place next Saturday 27th September.

For more information on the program, please email Sharon Murphy in the Diocesan Chancery on sharon.murphy@mn.catholic.org.au or the Tenison Woods Education Centre by email twec@ssjl.org.au.

Blessing of the Fleet On Sunday 5th October we will be celebrating our Annual Blessing of the Fishing Fleet at Tuncurry. On this weekend ALL MASSES WILL BE AT TUNCURRY.

Following the 9am Mass the congregation will process down to John Wright Park where Fr Andrew will board a boat and travel down the channel blessing all vessels. If you have a boat, no matter the size, you are invited to launch it into the channel to be blessed.

This will immediately be followed by a BBQ in John Wright Park to which everyone is welcome. BYO chairs, blankets and drinks. Fish, sausages and bread all provided and lovingly cooked.

Parish Social Justice Group On 27th August five people from the Forster Tuncurry Parish Social Justice Group travelled to Newcastle for the "Recognise - Workshop for Church Leaders". Over forty representatives from the Anglican, Uniting and Catholic churches in the Hunter region participated in this informative workshop about understanding the importance of recognition in the Constitution of Australia's First Peoples. Yes, it is time to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the nation's constitution and if a proposed referendum is to be successful we are challenged to be more informed and help lead the change.

Sunday 21 September is International Day of Peace. The General Assembly of the United Nations has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among nations and peoples and the theme for 2014 is the “Right of Peoples to Peace”. 21 September is an annual day of non-violence and cease-fire. The United Nations invites all nations and people to commemorate the Day through education and public awareness on issues related to peace.

The Social Justice Group is open to the community and all are invited to the next discussion meeting on Wednesday 24 September at 5:30 pm in the Parish Hall Meeting Room, Forster.

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Social Justice Sunday Next Sunday is set down as Social Justice Sunday. Each year the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference produces a social justice statement. The title of this year’s statement is “A Crown for Australia” and it challenges us to look at the place of sport in our lives. Where are its strengths and how can we ensure that sport can thrive and in return can nourish our society? Equally, what are the influences that are undermining and distorting sport’s ideals?

Most importantly, how can we work to realise sport’s potential to unite communities, overcome differences and be a force for social justice and reconciliation?

The Statement’s title refers to St Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 9:24–27), where Paul compares the athletes of the time competing for a ‘wreath that will wither’ with our aspiration for an imperishable crown as followers of Christ.

Australians are passionate about their sport. The nation seems to stop for a grand final or a crucial cricket test. Local sporting clubs are a nucleus around which a true community can grow up and flourish. Lifelong friendships are forged; young people learn skills and resilience; volunteers devote time and energy to their organisations.

Sport brings together people who otherwise might never come in contact.

As our lifestyles become more and more sedentary, sport makes an essential contribution to our health and wellbeing, both physical and mental.

But there is another side to sport, one that can bring us disillusionment instead of delight. Too often, we see violence on the field, on the sidelines or in the street; we see abuse of drugs and alcohol; we see racism and abuse or exploitation of women; and we see a growing potential for crime and corruption.

This Social Justice Sunday, we are invited to explore how sport can help us celebrate sport’s gifts and use them to bring about God’s kingdom on Earth.

For further details about the Social Justice Statement, visit the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council website (http://www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au) or call (02) 8306 3499.

Your free copy of the Statement will be available this weekend.

It can be Selfish to be Unselfish As human beings our primary drive is the will to survive, to look after self. However, as Christians we are encouraged to care for others and avoid the sin of selfishness. How do we balance these two seemingly competing urges?

It is a paradox that often our most unselfish acts - when we put the needs of another before our own needs, the times when we “die to ourselves” - those are the times when we become better people, when we let the love of our fellow man make decisions for us, when we grow closer to God. And therefore those acts of sacrifice, those acts of helping others, ultimately benefit ourselves.

Most people would believe that the main task of the St. Vincent de Paul Society is to assist the poor. However, I have read within the Society’s literature that “The main aim of the Society is the spiritual well being of its members.” In other words (with due apologies to Vincentians) we could say that members of St Vincent de Paul, through their wonderful work of supporting the poor, are primarily on a selfish venture, to become better people and it is only a bi- product of that venture that the poor benefit. Indeed Society members are encouraged to “see the face of Christ in the poor”. By seeking out and serving the poor they are growing ever closer to Christ.

Bill Wilson, the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, was made aware of this in the early days of A.A. Having gained sobriety himself he attempted to get other alcoholics sober. For six months he tried to no avail. He said to his wife, Lois, “this is not working, I cannot help others to stay sober”. To which Lois replied; “But Bill, you haven’t had a drink in six months and that’s a miracle”. He had inadvertently discovered that in trying to help others he had helped himself. That truism is the basis of the Twelfth Step of the AA programme which says, “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.” It is in giving the message away that it is kept.

During my daughter’s second pregnancy, (she already had a two year old and was pregnant for a set of twins) she expressed a concern that, because she loved her two year old so much she wouldn’t have enough love left over for the next two. Of course what she discovered, as we parents know only too well, was that she had an abundance of love and in fact the more you love the more you are able to love – the more you give it away the more your cup gets filled up again and the better human being you become.

And so, if you are not feeling well and decide to have a day in bed under the covers just looking after yourself, I suggest the most selfish thing you can do is jump out of bed and go out to serve the needy. Your selfishness will not only benefit mankind but you may even feel better yourself. Greg Byrne

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Kid’s Corner

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Opportunities Outside The Parish

Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend Marriage Encounter Weekend is a Marriage Enrichment experience for married couples – set in peaceful, picturesque surroundings, away from the distractions of everyday life. During the weekend, couples have a unique opportunity to reconnect, rekindle and refresh their relationship. Take time out of your busy schedule, to invest in your most precious asset, your Marriage! Weekend date: 7 – 9 November at Mt Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville, NSW. Bookings can be made to Ardell & Bill Sharpe on 02 4283 3435 or email wsharpe@bigpond.net.au.

Charismatic Renewal Healing Mass The Newcastle Catholic Charismatic Healing Mass will be held on Monday 22nd September at 7:30pm at Our Lady of Victories Church, 262 Sandgate Rd, Shortland. The Newcastle Catholic Charismatic Renewal invites all parishioners and friends to a Healing Mass with Most Rev Colin David Campbell, Bishop of Dunedin, New Zealand. Contact Wayne Caruana on 0466 631 394 for more further details.

“Towards A Better World” Conference The National Conference on the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees will be held on Wednesday 1st October at Australian Catholic University, North Sydney. For more information visit www.acmro. catholic.org.au or phone 6201 9848.

SRE Renew Training SRE Renew Training will commence on Friday 10th October at 10:30am at 262 Sandgate Road, Shortland. SRE Training is for current & prospective Catechists, and runs for six Fridays. RSVP to Zoe Crosbie by phone to 4979 1328 or by email to sre@mn.catholic.org.au.

ACTiv8 Spring Retreat The ACTiv8 Spring Retreat will be held on Friday 17th October at Lake Mac Outdoor Recreation Centre, Balcolyn. The cost of the Retreat is $115 per person. For more information visit www.activ8chisholm.org or email activ8chisholm.youth@gmail.com

menALIVE Weekend A menALIVE Weekend will be held on Saturday 18th October at St Michael’s Primary School, Sproule St, Nelson Bay. menALIVE is an event which has been held in dozens of parishes around Australia these last 8 years. It is an enjoyable and encouraging experience for men to enjoy. There is a chance to share insights, and the weekend serves to help men focus on life’s essentials again, including our faith. All are welcome to come! Contact St Michael’s Parish Office on 4981 1069 for more details.

2014 National Pilgrimage In the Footsteps of Saint Mary pilgrimage commences in Melbourne on 22nd October and ends in Sydney. The cost per person, twin share is $2,740 (ex Sydney). Contact Therese Leydon rsj by phone to 8912 4818, or by email to mmp.ministries@sosj.org.

2014 Expo for Families and Carers The expo will be held on Thursday 9th October at 9:30am at Newcastle Panthers, King Street, Newcastle. Support & Information for Families & Carers in their caring role. No cost, all are welcome.

Two Bishops Dialogue Adult Gathering will be held on Tuesday 21st October beginning at 6:00pm at St Thomas’ Anglican Church, Thomas St, Cardiff. An opportunity to gather as an Ecumenical and Interfaith community, with both Bishop Greg (Anglican) and Bishop Bill (Catholic). Both Bishops invite you to share questions and concerns with them to explore ways to further develop our relationships as a Christian community. For further details: Brooke Robinson at the Diocesan Chancery Offices P 4979 1111 or E events@mn.catholic.org.au.

Exploring the Seasons of Grief Newcastle Program will be held on Saturday 25th October beginning at 9:30am at 841 Hunter St, Newcastle West. Using the metaphor of the changing seasons, participants explore the impact of change & loss. Other dates include 1st Nov. Cost is $50 for general participants, $30 for CSO or Parish participants. Bookings are essential. Phone Zoe 4979 1355 or E seasonsforgrowth@mn.catholic.org.au.

Diocesan Mission Mass Mass will be held on Tuesday 28th October at 11:30am at St Phillip's Catholic Church, 31 Vista Pde, Kotara. Catholic Mission has officially launched its campaign for this year's World Mission Month in October, which focuses on Jamaica - a country troubled by violence and crime - with the theme "When I grow up I want to be alive." RSVP by the end of Term 3 E richard.cootes@mn.catholic.edu.au.

Welcome! We welcome to our community of faith Matthew, son of Emil and Elaine, Sovaki, daughter of Tevita and Minoneti , Eloise, daughter of Daniel and Christine and Olivia, daughter of Jonathan and Rebecca who will be presented to the community this weekend.

Profession to Secular Franciscans During 9am Mass on Sat 4th October two members of the community will be making their Profession to the Secular Franciscans. All parishioners are welcome to attend.

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Ministers this Weekend... ...of the Word ...of Communion

6pm Tuncurry A: Valarie Ross B: Monica Hunt

Jeanette Goodacre, Kathryn McCabe, Margaret Smith, Pat Hooker, Valarie Ross.

7am Tuncurry A: Maria Armitage B: Anne-Marie Greene

Cushla Drake, Graham Griffiths, Mark Mowbray, Norm Chapman, Patricia Cornish.

9am Forster A: Anne Hartman B: Robyn Ryan

Genevieve Williamson, Josi Beech, Robert Moran, Sharon Fowle, Trevor Turner.

Ministers next Weekend... ...of the Word ...of Communion

6pm Tuncurry A: Frank Hayman B: Neil Pye

Burness Goodlet, Carolyn Olliffe, Frank Hayman, Maureen Pye, Neil Pye.

7am Tuncurry A: Edna Tucker B: Chris Matuszny

Alex Matuszny, Cecile Malone, Cushla Drake, Kay Griffiths, Maria Armitage.

9am Forster A: Barbara Kermode B: Judy Shand

Alan McCarthy, Anne Moloney, Barbara Kermode, Coral McCarthy, Robyn Ryan.

Please note: The above information reflects the rosters as originally published, and doesn’t take account of any ‘swaps’ that may have been organised between individuals.

Scripture Readings This Week

Today Isaiah 55:6-9 Philippians 1:20-24, 27 Matthew 20:1-16 Monday Proverbs 3:27-34 Luke 8:16-18 Tuesday Proverbs 21:1-6 Luke 8:19-21 Wednesday Proverbs 30:5-9 Luke 9:1-6 Thursday Ecclesiasticus 1:2-11 Luke 9:7-9 Friday Ecclesiasticus3:1-11 Luke 9:18-22 Saturday Ecclesiasticus 11:9-12:8 Luke 9:43-45 Sunday Ezekiel 18:25-28 Philippians 2:1-11 Matthew 21-28-32

Today’s Liturgy of the Word

Responsorial Psalm Response: The Lord is near to all who call him.

Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia! Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son. Alleluia!

Text: Excerpts from the English Translation of the Roman Missal © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL); Music: From the Mass of St Francis © 2010, Paul Taylor. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Australian Agent—LicenSing Online Lic No. 624844.

In your charity, please pray for:

Those recently deceased. Joan Jones, Sr Margaret Connell

Those whose anniversaries occur about now. Florence Lonergan.

All those in our community who are sick.