2 King St, Manly Vale 2093 phone 9949 4455

Email : parishoffice@northharbourcatholic.org.au

Website: www.northharbourcatholic.org.au

6th Sunday of Easter Yr C 26 May 2019

IN THE CARE OF THE AUGUSTINIANS

The Catholic Community of North Harbour

Readings 26/05/19: Acts 15:1-2. 22-29 Revelation 21:10-14. 22-23 John 14:23-29 Responsorial Psalm : O God, let all the nations praise you! Readings 02/06/19: Acts 1:1-11 Ephesians 1:17-23 Luke 24:46-53

PASTOR’S PERSPECTIVE – Easter Faith – So That You May Believe!

Dear Friends, Sometimes I wish that the Easter Season would never end – but that, as you know, is the wrong approach. Easter does not end because every Sunday is the Lord’s Day and, even in Ordinary Time, the Sundays are not ‘ordinary’ but ‘ordered’ as the Church unpacks the Easter mystery throughout the year. The New Testament writings were compiled after the Resurrection, written from the perspective of ‘post- resurrection faith’. Even during the Lenten Season, we do not put the Resurrection on hold but take the journey in memory of Jesus’ suffering and death that illuminates the splendor of his Rising at Easter. We

Christians are a people who ‘remember’ and memory makes present the mystery of our redemption – profoundly repeated in the Eucharist…. ‘Do this in memory of me!’

Jesus’ discourse in today’s Gospel describes the power of his Word, the promised presence of the Holy Spirit, and his unique gift of Peace, ‘Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you.’ Some years ago, I read these words as part of the Anointing Rite of a close friend; as I did so he passed away. The passage has never been the same for me; we are bearers of Peace to one another and should never underestimate the unifying significance of the Greeting of Peace we share just prior to receiving Holy Communion – sharing our faith so that together we may believe.

Our children are preparing for First Communion at present and later this year for Confirmation – how exciting for them and for their parents… a time of joy for our Parish Community! Sacraments are part of God’s daily care for each of us, and they are part of how we care for our children. Sacraments remind parents that their child is growing up and they help us name what is already happening in our family – how we grow together as a loving family, affirm good actions, handle mistakes, conflict and discipline, show forgiveness, and keep loving, especially when loving is difficult. Faith is born here!

In an Easter homily, Pope Francis seeks to bring alive our experience and faith in God: Dear brothers and sisters, let us not be closed to the newness that God wants to bring into our lives! Are we often weary, disheartened and sad? Do we feel weighed down by our sins? Do we think that we won’t be able to cope? Let us not close our hearts, let us not lose confidence, let us never give up: there are no situations which God cannot change, there is no sin which he cannot forgive if only we open ourselves to him. During his life, Jesus often prompted the disciples to be ready to believe, as in today’s Gospel from John, ‘I

have told you this now before it happens, so that when it does happen, you may believe.’ Faith is not a test but a dream our God has for us, not something to fear lest we fail badly but a gift to trust that the Lord is alive and active in

our lives, guiding our ‘baby steps’ in faith, waiting on us as we deal with our doubts.

If our faith is only ‘in our head’, that’s only the beginning. Faith is about 'heart-knowledge', modeled by St Thomas the ‘believer’ and St Augustine the genuine ‘searcher’ for truth. Both remind us that we believers ‘see’ with our hearts - Resurrection is about the real:

‘The risen Jesus walks beside us. He manifests himself to those who invoke and love him. First of all in prayer, but also in simple joys lived with faith and gratitude’ (Pope Francis. Easter 2019).

Visiting sick at home If you, or if you know of anyone who is unable to attend Mass because they are

unwell and would like a home visit please contact the parish office to organise for Communion or Anointing.

HAND KNITTED BLANKETS FROM VINNIES CRAFT LADIES - FOR SALE FROM THE PARISH OFFICE

The blankets are $40 each and measure 95cmx95cm— All handmade. Money goes to Sr.Anna Warlow with Rural Outreach.

AFA FUNDRAISER—MOVIE,

MORNING TEA & BISCUITS

DATE: Wednesday, 5th June 2019

TIME: 10:30am

VENUE: Hayden Orpheum, 380 Military

Road, Cremorne

MOVIE: Rocketman

COST: $15 per person (which includes the

movie, biscuits, coffee/tea in the beautiful

Cremorne Orpheum)

RSVP: Please book and leave your

payment (cash) at the Parish Office

before Monday, 3rd June

If you have any enquiries please contact

Adriana Bowyer on 0402 099 746

EVERYONE IS WELCOME & WE WILL

BE HAVING OUR USUAL RAFFLE.

These tickets can be purchased on the

morning before the movie commences &

the raffle will be drawn

at the end of the movie

St Augustine—“There are then two ages: the first is the present age which consists of the temptations and tribulations of this life; the second is the future age, which consists of everlasting peace and rejoicing. So too we celebrate two seasons, one before Easter and one after. The season before Easter signifies the tribulation in which we now live; the present season after Easter signifies the happiness which will be ours hereafter…So we keep the season before Easter in fasting and prayer, but in the present season we relax and devote ourselves to praise. This is the meaning of the Alleluia which we sing.” [On Psalm 148]

June Sat 01 Augustinian Volunteers Fundraising Dinner parish centre 7.00pm Wed 05 AFA Movie Fundraiser “Rocketman” 10.30am Cremorne Orpheum Tues 11 First Communion Practice 4pm & 7pm St Cecilia’s Church Wed 12 First Communion Practice 4pm & 7pm St Kieran’s Church Tues 18 Confirmation Information Session St Kieran’s Church 9.30am Wed 19 Confirmation Information Session St Kieran’s Church 7.00pm Sun 30 Solemn Profession of Br Tuan Anh OSA 6pm Mass

SPAGHETTI NIGHT THIS SUNDAY FOLLOWING 6PM MASS

Sacramental Program News

First Communion Program Practice Tuesday 11 June 4.00pm and 7.00pm St Cecilia’s Church Wednesday 12 June 4.00pm and 7.00pm St Kieran’s Church

Over 170 children are participating in our 2019 First Communion program. The children and their parents will be attending Family Group Sessions around the parish during May and celebrate their First Communion over a series of masses in June. We ask for your prayers for the children as they journey toward full initiation into our parish community

Confirmation Program Session for Parents (1 hour) Tuesday 18 June 9.30am OR Wednesday 19 June 7.00pm St Kieran’s Church Group Facilitator Training (after the parent meeting) Tuesday 18 June at 10.30am OR Wednesday 19 June at 8.00pm

Please contact Janette at sacraments@northharbourcatholic.org.au or 0408 866 521 if you have any questions.

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK

27 May—3 June 2019

https://www.reconciliation.org.au/

REGULAR PARISH mass times REGULAR PARISH mass times St Cecilia’s, Balgowlah SUNDAY 9.00AM WEDNESDAY 9.00AM St Kieran’s, Manly Vale Saturday vigil 5.30pm SUNDAY 7.30am, 9.30am & 6.00pm Weekdays 8.30am except Wednesdays St Augustine’s Chapel, Brookvale Wednesdays 8.15am during term time

reconciliation St Kieran 5 – 5.30pm Saturday or by appointment.

Baptisms St Cecilia 10.30am Sun. by appointment 9.00am Mass on 1st Sundays of the month St Kieran 11.30am Sun. by appointment 9.30am Mass on 1st Sundays of the month

Baptism preparation is required for 1st baptisms. Contact parish office 9949 4455 marriages Require 6 months notice and include Pre-marriage Course as part of the preparation

ANNIVERSARIES Stephen Davidson

RECENTLY DECEASED

Raffaele Siciliano Judith O’Brien

Anna Thattarukunnel Sr Merylin Browne RSJ

Mary Garvie

PRAYER REQUESTS

“Come to me! I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28)

For those with ILLNESS

Anne Harris Elsa Wunder Elisabeth Comport Pat Reen Audrey Murphy Helen Richardson Louis Hilton Rafael Stachon

Beryl Duncan Irene Hurrell Louise Allara Sean Bellenger

Catherine Saltwell Sheenagh O’Brien Lyn Wagland Simone Young

Chris McAuliffe Joe Corroto Margaret Anderberg Stella Brown

Daniel Lister John Ardill Maria Kogovesk Stephen Ward

Daniella Takchi John Killick Maria Teresita Sue Caulfield Dave Miles John Ziegler Nicholas O’Bryen Vandhna Deep Don Jackson Kath Ivor Collins Norma Hayman Veronica Laverty

Dorothy Smith Kath Zenetic Olga Buggy Yvonne Hickey Elaine Smith Kathleen Bunting Pam Lynch

Elsa Monsour Kevin Smith Norma, Aurora & Bruno Kogovsek

NEED A PRIEST URGENTLY Please call 0490 898 464 If the matter is not urgent, please contact Priests

via the Parish Office 9949 4455.

CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF NORTH HARBOUR PERSONNEL

Office (Mon – Fri: 9am – 4pm) 9949 4455

Clergy:

Fr David Austin OSA Parish Administrator Fr Paul Maloney OSA Assistant Priest and Prior Fr John Sullivan OSA Assistant Priest Fr Senan Ward OSA Chaplain – St Augustine’s College Fr Abel van der Veer OSA Retired Fr Peter Jones OSA Provincial—In Residence Pastoral Ministers (contacted through Parish Office 9949 4455) Janette Davidson Sacramental Co-ordinator Ursula Halloway Catechist Co-ordinator Rosemary McKinnon Counsellor 0400 495 076

Marianne Deveza Music Ministry Coord 0404865241 Administration: Jacky Worthington Parish Manager Anne Ross Parish Secretary Jane Filacuridi Parish Secretary

ROSTER FOR NEXT WEEK 1/2 JUNE 1st SUNDAY

Low Gluten Hosts at Parish Weekend Masses

From next weekend, low gluten hosts will be available on the table with the offertory gifts in both churches. Parishioners wishing to receive a low gluten host are asked to place a low gluen host in the pyx or glass dish marked low gluten before

Mass. These hosts will be consecrated at Mass and available from the priest at Communion time. Alternatively, parishioners are welcome to follow our current practice and speak to the priest or senior server ahead of time to request a

low gluten host.