Sunday 17th May, 2015 Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Year B

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 Greg Barker (Parish Priest) 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, Thursday 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 W: Forster-Tuncurry.Parish@mn.catholic.org.au

www.forstertuncurrycatholic.org.au

Celebrating the Sacraments

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 8th June 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 Greg 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)

Mr Chris Waters (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)

Monday—18th May

Tuesday—19th May 9am Christian Meditation (Bob 6555 5914) 3:30pm Holy Hour @ Tuncurry 4:30pm Mass @ Tuncurry 5:30pm Christian Meditation (Bob 6555 5914)

Wednesday—20th May 9am Mass @ Forster 11:15am Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help @

Forster 5.30pm Parish Council Meeting @ Forster 7pm Confirmation Rehearsal

Thursday—21st May 9am Morning Prayer @ Forster 7pm Women’s Prayer Group (Natasha 0407 589 935)

Friday—22nd May 9:30am Morning Prayer @ Forster

Saturday—23rd May 8.30am No Reconciliation @ Tuncurry 9am Morning Prayer at Tuncurry 4.45pm No Reconciliation @ Forster 6pm Vigil @ Tuncurry

Sunday—24th May 7am Mass @ Tuncurry 9am Mass @ Forster

Regular Activities in the Parish

Christian Meditation Our Parish hosts opportunities for the practice of Christian meditation on Tuesdays at two distinct times, 9am and 5:30pm. Phone Bob on 6555 5914 for further information.

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.

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.

Singing Practice Singing group is taking a break for a couple of weeks so next practice (for Confirmation) will be on at Forster on Tuesday 19th May at 5:30pm.

The menALIVE Groups Our Parish currently hosts two menALIVE groups. The daytime group will next meet on Wednesday 27th May after the 9am Mass and the evening group meets on the last Thursday of each month at 7.30pm.

Secular Franciscan Fraternity The Secular Franciscans Fraternity will next meet on Wednesday 3rd June 2015, coming together for Mass at 9am, followed by a cuppa at 9:30am and then the meeting 10am to 12pm.

Maintenance & Gardening Group The gardening team will have their next working bee on Thursday 21st May. Contact Howard 6557 6826 for more information.

Evening Prayer & Benediction The Parish community celebrates on the first Sunday of each month at 5:30pm in the Tuncurry church. It will celebrated on Sunday 7th June 2015. All welcome. (Not celebrated in April—Easter Sunday)

Children’s Liturgy of the Word The next Liturgy of the Word for children aged 4-12 will be on Sunday 7th June 2015 at the 9am Mass. A morning tea will follow Mass.

Collection of Foodstuffs for Homebase The next collection of foodstuffs in support of Homebase is Sunday 7th June 2015.

Good with design? We have an exciting opportunity for those who have a flare for design. We are holding a competition to create a new logo for the parish. Young and old are invited to get involved. If you have a good idea on how our logo should represent us while incorporating our tagline “Building Unity in Christ”, please submit your response to the Parish office or email your design to Forster-Tuncurry.Parish@mn.catholic.org.au before 31st July 2015.

SRE Meeting An SRE Catechist meeting will take place on 28th May at 10am in the Parish meeting room.

Parish community members who are interested in the Ministry to children in state schools are more than welcome to attend. Please contact Loretta 0408 895 951.

Rosters Rosters for June and July are now available from the rear of the Church.

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From the Pastor’s Desk… Dear Parish Family,

This weekend we celebrate the Ascension, the necessary prelude to the big event in Pentecost Sunday. They really are two parts of one movement: the Lord ascends so that he might send the Spirit, God’s breath to his disciples. And like many aspects of the New Testament and the events contained therein we look at other breathing outs to fully understand the meaning.

The first of which occurs in the very beginning when God breathed on the waters and created the new life of our world. So right from the beginning we know that the necessary element of sending the Spirit is a moment of creation. It follows that both in the Spirit hovering over the waters of that first day and in the Spirit of Pentecost, there has to be an element of new creation.

In Ezekiel 37 as the dry bones again receive the breath of God, they receive flesh and blood – a second chance of life and as importantly they receive hope that only God gives. For Christian hope is not like the hope of the rest of the world. Our hope has a surety in the ‘flesh’ that God has to offer. Our Hope has the surety of salvation in Christ. This leads very nicely to our most recent experience of God’s breath. Having recently experienced the reality of the cross we would be hard put not to recognize that in the breathing out of Christ on the cross there has to be a moment of dying and letting go of everything that we hold dear. A total giving over to the will of God so that we might begin to live what we hear in the Gospel today: that we are to go forth taking our newness, our hopefulness, our giving over, out into the world as proclaimers of all that God offers us in Christ.

What are we called to this weekend? To take the breath of God that is in our lives and to share it with those around us! It is as simple and as difficult as that. Have a great week.

Fr Greg

Soup Kitchen Thank you to all our generous parishioners who provided soup and other items for our Soup Kitchen last week.

We are in need of care packs and non-perishable foods and would be most grateful if you could provide them to us over the coming months. Items can be left in the church or brought to the Parish office.

The Soup Kitchen will remain a weekly commitment by our Church for the foreseeable future. Please notify those you know who may be in need. Many thanks.

Reflection by Dianne Bergant CSS The Feast of the Ascension is really a kind of liminal moment in the Easter season. It is a time between times; a moment when we have left one place in our journey, but have not yet arrived at a second. While the narratives that describe the Ascension fit well into the unfolding story of redemption, the feast itself celebrates one aspect of the resurrection itself, namely, the exaltation of Jesus. The readings help us through this paradox. They allow us to focus on this

theological point while we commemorate a turning point in the life of the church. We do this by considering both the enthronement of Christ in the heavens and the new body of Christ on earth.

Today we stand awestruck, watching Jesus ascend into the clouds of heaven, there to be enthroned at God’s right hand. Today we are overwhelmed by the divinity of the one whom we have known in his humanity. Amidst shouts of joy and exaltation, Christ is enthroned in heaven in both his divinity and his glorified humanity. Now he is present with us in a new way, in a new body, in the church. He teaches through its apostles and evangelists; he ministers through its prophets and pastors. Through us he continues to heal and to comfort; to forgive and to include. We have his power, the same power with which he performed marvels when he walked the earth. We have each other; together we make up the new body of Christ.

© Dianne Bergant CSS

Single Bed Required Sr Kathryn would like to thank those who contacted her about previous items in her bulletin message.

A single bed is still required for a family in need. Please phone 6554 6470 if you can assist.

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Cursillo Weekend Come journey with us as we share our faith stories - a weekend of meditations, prayers, songs and talks at Myuna Sport and Recreation centre, Wangi Rd, Myuna Bay on Friday evening 5th June to Monday 8th June, 2015. For details ring Rick McCosker on 4043 2861 or Anne Moloney on 6555 8918.

A New Commandment

Refrain A new commandment I give unto you; that you love one another as I have loved you, that you love one another as I have loved you.

By this shall all know that you are my disciples: if you have love, one for another. (x2) Refrain

You are my friends if you do what I command you. without my help you can do nothing. (x2) Refrain

I am the vine and my Father is the gardener; remain in me, I will be with you. (x2) Refrain

True love is patient, always kind and never boastful; love bears all things, love is eternal. (x2) Refrain

Music: From the Anon. Arr. © Pulkingham. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Australian Agent—LicenSing Online Lic No. 624844.

You’re Invited to Family Group There is a Family Group in our parish which has operated for about 24 years. It consists of approximately 30 individuals or families. Its purpose is friendship and fellowship.

The Family Group gets together each month for an activity. The activities often involve an afternoon tea, movies followed by a coffee at a local venue, picnics, quiz afternoons, a luncheon out and about or at someone’s home.

We would like to invite any person or family, particularly new parishioners to consider joining us for an activity to see if you might want to meet regularly.

The next activity is ‘A Games afternoon’ at 6 Figtree Drive, Diamond Beach commencing at 1:15pm on Sunday 17th May. This is followed by an afternoon tea. Everyone is welcome.

Please call Terry or Carol (0408 768 729) to let us know you are coming. Don’t bring a thing except good humour and fellowship.

Directions: Find Hallidays Point Public School in Diamond Beach and take the next three left turns.

Name Tags To assist Fr Greg (and one another) with remembering names of our parishioners, we are providing plastic covers for name tags. They are available from the rear of the church. Please write your name on a card and place inside the plastic badge. If you can manage to remember, please leave them in the box provided on your way out so it can be used again on your return to church next time.

Welcome Fr. Greg Arnold - 23/24 May Fr Greg Barker is away having fun in Tasmania next weekend. In his absence, we welcome Fr. Greg Arnold who will be celebrating Mass.

The Alternative to Euthanasia Real care, love and compassion is the title of a pamphlet used by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. The publication examines the myths associated with euthanasia and often suggestions to help ensure all Australians are always treated with true dignity and compassion right up to their time of death.

Please take a pamphlet from the rear of the church.

Thank you Neil Pye would like to thank parishioners for their prayers and visits during his recent illness.

Performance by Sydney Festival Choir The Sydney Festival Male Voice Choir will present a program of Sacred music, choir, solo items and audience participation at 3pm on Saturday 23rd May in the Forster Baptist Church, corner of Carawa and Maneela Streets, Forster. Donations towards Great Lakes Education Christian Care Association (GLECCA), a group established by the Minister’s Association to establish the chaplaincy program in the three campuses of Great Lakes College. Afternoon tea will be served.

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Bake for Jesus?

If you are able to assist, please bring something along on the day. Please also include ingredients on the cover. Thank you!

Calling all the wonderful bakers in the Parish. Nothing compares to a freshly baked cake or biscuit! We would be most grateful for your help to provide morning tea to our parishioners following 9am Mass on the first Sunday of each month.

Vocation View Jesus said to his disciples ‘Go into the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation.’ There are still dark aspeçts to our world and to our neighbourhood that need the Good News. Answer the call to ‘Go and teach all people my Gospel. I am with you always, until the end of time. For more information regarding Vocations contact Fr Brian Mascord on 02 4979 1112 or vocations@mn.catholic.org.au

Mark Allan Zoe Allen

Leteesha Amato Joel Bartolo Izaac Boag

Georgia Daley Ruby Daley

Madison Darcy Rhyan Dodds

Rory Falk Alice Fowle Peter Ghosn

Ashleigh Harris Keegan Herb Kade Hickson Ella Hobson Lily Hodges

Bayley Joughin Amelia Joughin

Olivia Keen Brooke Kilmurray

Harrison Le Rougetel Bridan McNamara Savannah Murray

Cooper Payne Mitchell Provost

Mauro Ragno Joseph Reardon

Amelia Robertson Amy Rowell

Clare Rozario Clary Russell Rory Russell Larissa Ryan Logan Smith

Olivia Van Haren Genevieve Wayte

Grace Wicks

Sacrament of Confirmation

Bishop Bill will be here to confirm the children on Tuesday 26th May at 7pm in Forster. We welcome all Parishioners to join us for this momentous occasion.

Parish Dinner This year’s speaker is Alan Tickle. Alan is currently managing the Uniting Church in Halliday’s point in the absence of a Pastor. Alan will be speaking with us on ethical conduct, people’s best interest and empathy. It will be referenced to key teachings such as the various gospels around love thy neighbour, walking in faith, godliness, the challenges of Christian expectation of behaviours as a disciple of Christ and the Christian faith.

The event takes place at The Slipway Restaurant in Tuncurry on 29th May 2015, 5.45pm for 6pm start.

Tickets $30, available for purchase after Mass from this weekend. Also available from the Parish Office.

Menu Roast chicken breast on garlic roast potatoes with

bacon and braised onion Jus alternate serving

Pan Seared Salmon on a green pea risotto with asparagus and shellfish sauce

Dessert Warm banana pudding with butterscotch sauce and

vanilla ice cream alternate serving

Apple and rhubarb crumble served with fresh cream

Espresso coffee and tea

Additionally we will be hosting morning tea for new parishioners on Sunday 31st May after 9am Mass.

Welcome to New Parishioners We will be hosting a “welcome” morning tea on Sunday 31st May after 9am Mass for new parishioners. Everyone welcome to attend, especially new parishioners. Hope to see you there.

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Kid’s Corner Believe in me and you will be saved Mk 16:15-20

Try to find these words:

believe

down

everywhere

Good News

hand

heal

hurt

languages

miracles

right

sick

snake

C Q E S M Q A V P B G F G V K

X S E E H U R T D O W N F Z O

D H Z N K S W O U J K F J J R

L D K C W X T V P R W B V R O

M D W M Q P H E A L F E N Q F

O P F U V O T B D J H L C U T

R A K H V P K V O C I I I R X

F J Q R N G E X G F C E X I K

B E O S I C K U T J I V I G I

G D P G O O D N E W S E L H F

Y N P L L A N G U A G E S T H

P D B Z P V U S N A K E O Y A

K H Q K T O F R F L E F A V N

C B T D E V E R Y W H E R E D

H M I R A C L E S X G F S P S

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Opportunities Outside The Parish

Prayer for Christian Unity Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be held on Sunday 17th May. The Diocesan Ecumenical and Interfaith Council would like to invite you to consider being involved in this year's Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Australia. It will be observed from 17th – 24th May in the week between Ascension and Pentecost. Resources can be found here: http://www.ncca.org.au/component/content/article/25-wopcu/786-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-2015

Mission: One Heart, Many Voices Conference Conference will be held on Monday 18th May at SMC Conference Centre, 66 Goulburn St, Sydney. Mission: One Heart, Many Voices is for those inspired to strive creatively for justice, truth, peace, freedom, reconciliation and the Reign of God. Visit www.mohmv.com.au for more information or P Catholic Mission 9919 7800.

Commemoration of Mary MacKillop Morning Tea will be held on Tuesday 19th May at 9:30am at 6 Martinsville Road Cooranbong NSW 2265. St John Vianney, Morisset, invite you to join us for Mass and the Dedication of Mary MacKillop Memorial Plaques and Garden Niche and morning tea. RSVP: By 1st May 2015 to the Parish Office of St John Vianney Morisset E morparish@mn.catholic.org.au P 02 4973 6859. A Day of Reflection Biblical Women Reflection Day will be held on Wednesday 20th May at 10am at Mercy Spirituality Centre, 26 Renwick St, Toronto. This is a day of input, reflection and prayer focusing on God's invitation to each of us to live lives to the full in an awareness of God-with-us. We will remember and celebrate the women who have touched our lives for good, as well as reflect on women from our sacred scriptures whose lives can be our guides and companions on own life journey. Facilitator: Helen Baguley RSM 10:00am – 3:00pm, light lunch included. Cost: $20.00 Bookings required: P 4959 1025 or E mercytoronto@mercy.org.au

SafeTALK Suicide Prevention Awareness Program Meeting will be held on Thursday 21st May at 1pm at Edgeworth Heights Primary School Library Crest Avenue, Edgeworth. Gold coin donation appreciated. Companions must register at www.goodgrief.org.au. All other participants please P 4979 1355 or E jenny.harris@mn.catholic.org.au

Children in Detention Centres What's happening with unaccompanied children in

Australian detention centres? will be held on Friday 22nd May at 6pm at The Lovett Gallery, Newcastle Library. RACS solicitors, Julia Steward and Sarah Dale, visited the 30 unaccompanied minors on Christmas Island in October 2014. Since arriving in 2013, this was the first time these boys had seen a lawyer. Sarah and Julia are coming to Newcastle to speak about their experiences working with these children and will update us on the latest developments with all the unaccompanied minors in Australian detention centres.RSVP jowickham@hotmail.com P 0414838520

Musical-narrative on the life of St Francis of Assisi “Good Morning, Good People” will be held on Saturday 23rd May beginning at 7pm at Adamstown Uniting Church, cnr Brunker and Glebe Sts . Peter Kearney's musical-narrative on the life of St Francis of Assisi. Peter will sing and tell the life of St Francis of Assisi accompanied by Newcastle singer Catherine Mahony and Roma Dix (flute). The story will be illustrated by projections of over a hundred photos, drawings and paintings, including many by Newcastle artist Dorothy Woodward rsj. $15/$10 concession at door. Refreshments at interval. Please P 4957 1887 to learn more.

Africa Festival Africa Day Festival will be held on Sunday 24th May beginning at 12pm at Islington Public School. Lisa Viola, capoeira, belly dancing, African face painting, drumming workshop, food stalls, South African wine tasting and more! Contact Shakila P 0409 153 912 or E shakila.kader@gmail.com for more information.

Interfaith Dialogue with Bishop Bill Interfaith Dialogue with Bishop Bill will be held on Tuesday 2nd June beginning at 6pm at St Pius X High School, Adamstown. An opportunity to join together with our Muslim and Christian communities to explore the common good that each of our religions share. Each of us can learn and appreciate what we have in common and our love for our God. Bishop Bill Wright (Catholic), Bishop Greg Thompson (Anglican), Sheikh Mohamed Khamis (Imam: Newcastle Mosque) and Farooq Ahmed (Newcastle Muslim Association), will form a panel for a Q&A dialogue. To RSVP or for further details please contact Brooke Robinson at the Diocesan Chancery Offices P 4979 1111 or E events@mn.catholic.org.au.

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Scripture Readings This Week

Today Acts 1:1-11 Ephesians 1:17-23 Mark 16:15-20 Monday Acts 19:1-8 John 16:29-33 Tuesday Acts 20:17-27 John 17:1-11 Wednesday Acts 20:28-38 John 17:11-19 Thursday Acts 22:30, 23:6-11 John 17:20-26 Friday Acts 25:13-21 John 21:15-19 Saturday Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 John 21:20-25 Sunday Acts 2:1-11 Galatians 5:16-25 John 15:26-27, 16:12-15

Today’s Liturgy of the Word

Responsorial Psalm Response: God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia! Go and teach all people my gospel. I am with you always, until the end of the world. Alleluia!

In your charity, please pray for:

Those recently deceased. Megan Geraghty, Barbara McKinnon.

Those whose anniversaries occur about now.

All those in our community who are sick. Ashley Hatton.

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

6pm Tuncurry

A: Monica Hunt B: Valarie Ross

Frank Hayman, Kathryn McCabe, Maureen Stevens, Michael Siddle, Valarie Ross.

7am Tuncurry A: Lorraine Clark B: Edna Tucker

Alex Matuszny, Fred Liackman, Graham Griffiths, Lorraine Clark, Mark Mowbray.

9am Forster A: Kris Koch B: Judith Shand

Anne Hartman, Barbara Kermode, Greg Byrne, Rhiannon Temesvary, Rob Temesvary.

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

6pm Tuncurry A: Michael Siddle B: Neil Pye

Carolyn Olliffe, Margaret Smith, Maureen Pye, Neil Pye, Ruth Pearson.

7am Tuncurry A: Cecile Malone B: Lorraine Clark

Cecile Malone, Fred Liackman, Genevieve Williamson, Maria Armitage, Patricia Cornish.

9am Forster A: Natasha Brotherton B: Sharon Fowle

Anne Moloney, Elle Cairns-Cowan, Robert Moran, Sharon Fowle, Trevor Turner.

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.

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.