7-8 September 2019 Year C

Snapshot Report: How is God calling us to be a Christ- centred Church that is:

M I S S I O N A R Y a n d E VA N G E L I S I N G In this second stage of the Plenary Council Journey, we continue to seek the wisdom of the

Holy Spirit.

Beginning in July 2019, we were invited to reflect on Scripture, Church teaching and our contemporary situation in order to discern the answer to this question: How is God calling us to be a Christ-centred Church that is prayerful and Eucharistic? The fruits of what is discerned during this time will help shape the agenda of the first session of the Plenary Council in October 2020. This National Theme for Discernment is inspired by the voices of the People of God who shared a passion for participating in the missionary nature of the Church and desire stronger support, involvement and formation among all the baptised who make up the Church. The data also identified the need to reach out and communicate more effectively and to find new ways of living and proclaiming the Gospel in Australia today. There was a call for the strengthening of leadership and ministries in parishes and schools, training to equip leaders for ministry, pastoral support for various groups within parish and faith communities, and a desire for a unified voice in engaging social issues such as life and religious freedom.

The topics: that were talked about:

People spoke about a number of different topics in PHASE 1: LISTENING & DIALOGUE. Below are some of the topics that informed this particular theme, which was created through a combination of analysis, discernment and prayer.

• Affordable adult faith formation courses • Authentic faith teaching in Catholic schools • Be a witness in society • Better communication of what the Church does • Better faith formation • Better formation for liturgical ministries and sacramental programs • Better homilies •Better preparation and support for married couples • Better selection and formation of candidates to priesthood • Better teachers in Catholic schools • Better training and support for youth leaders • Better youth faith formation • Church should adapt to multicultural reality • Church to act as a guide for Australian society • Concerns for diminishing parish communities • Defend Religious Freedom • Defend right-to-life issues • Encourage vocations • End celibacy, allow priests to be married • Establish more youth programs • Evangelisation in and of the family • Faith formation for parents • Fight for human rights issues • Focus on mission, being missionary disciples • Focus on the new evangelisation • Greater connection with and inclusion of Indigenous Australians • Greater focus on Jesus Christ • Greater focus on permanent deacons • Greater focus on the Word of God • Greater leadership from Bishops • Greater leadership from priests • Greater role for women • Greater support for RCIA • Greater trust, faith and hope in God • Keep the commandments • Keep the faith • Listen to one another more • Listen to the Holy Spirit • More chaplains, youth ministers in Catholic schools • More formation for priests • Outreach to all the baptised • Outreach to the wider community • Putting Gospel values in action • Remain faithful to Church teaching • Remain faithful to Church teaching on marriage • Share the faith with others • Use social media to engage people • Welcome back priests who have left to marry

Further information is available on the Plenary Council website: https://plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/resources/reports

OUR VISION

"Everything is to be oriented towards the praise and glory of God".

OUR MISSION The St Agnes' Parish Community strives to make our Vision a reality

by a commitment to:

holiness in the image of Christ.

proclaim the good news of salvation.

minister within the faith community.

the service of all, particularly those in need.

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Parish Hospitality

Year 12 Legal Justice Fund The MacKillop College Legal Justice Fund was created in 2016 by the Year 12 Legal Studies class. Established with the purpose of raising awareness and much needed funds for victims of domestic violence in the local community.

On Sunday, 15 September following both the 9.00am and 5.00pm Masses, these MacKillop students will host our parish hospitality. They would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you about the Fund and the works they are involved in, while you enjoy some supper. They truly embody the spirit of the school patron, Saint Mary MacKillop by ‘never seeing a need without doing something about it.’ Donations for their cause would be greatly appreciated.

Prayer Sponsors for HSC Students

What is a prayer sponsor? A prayer sponsor is someone who prays for another person with a specific intention in mind and at specific times. Knowing that someone is praying for you at a difficult time is a source of great strength and consolation.

The Scheme Year 12 students who wish to be sponsored in prayer are invited to submit their names and the times of their HSC exams. A student is then allocated a sponsor who has volunteered to pray for them at this time. Each sponsor will receive information with: the name of the student the prayer offered the times of the student’s HSC exams Parishioners are invited to be prayer sponsors. If you are interested in being a Prayer Sponsor for a Year 12 student from a St Agnes’ Parish Secondary School, please phone during office hours in the next few weeks and leave your name and details at the office: MacKillop College 6583 2632 St Joseph’s Regional College 5525 4100 Newman Senior Technical College 6580 3800 Details (student name, exams times and prayers to be offered) will be sent to you before the HSC exams commence on Thursday 17 October.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word Each Sunday during the school term at the 5.00pm Youth and Family Mass, 4-12 year olds are invited to join us for Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Prayer and activities based around the Gospel of the day are led by our adult volunteers. For all other Masses there are boxes near the side entrances and the Pieta containing special kits for chil-dren to borrow and activity sheets to complete during Mass or to take home.

PARISH NEWS St AGNES’ CATHOLIC CHURCH | PORT MACQUARIE

Reflection

The wisdom tradition from which the first reading is taken is rooted in the fact that life is a series of choices. The epistle and the gospel reading provide us with examples of the way Christians should choose. Finally, the psalm’s description of the fleeting nature of life sets the context and tone of our decision-making. Discipleship demands that, in the face of all the choices available to us, we keep our priorities straight. In the gospel, Jesus insists that we must be single

minded. We must cling to the one thing necessary, and that one thing is authentic discipleship. In choosing Jesus, we choose other things as well. We choose new relationships with the very people to whom we have already been committed. Those who were slaves, or lower class, or employees, or providers of service are now regarded as sisters and brothers in Christ. In choosing Jesus, we also choose the cross. We choose to live in a way that calls us to travel the high road: to forgive offences committed against us; to live simply so that others can simply live; to take responsibility for the moral character of society. The fleeting nature of life as characterised in the psalm forces us to look at the meaning of life. When the day dawns for us to return to dust, what will we have gained from life? The realisation of our finiteness and the transitory nature of life should help us to set our priorities right and should give us the courage to remain faithful to them.

Diane Bergant CSA, Liturgy Help

New Parish Sign Parishioners may have noticed the new sign in front of the Presbytery Office. Our previous electronic sign was 15 years old and difficult to read with outdated technology. This new digital sign will be easy to read and will display Mass times and upcoming parish events.

To stay informed ‘watch this space!’

Upcoming Dates Angelus Prayer Group Will be held on Monday 9 September in the Presbytery boardroom at 10.00am.

Ladies Morning Tea—Lake Cathie Will be held at Caramels Café, Lake Cathie on

Thursday, 2 September at 10.30am.

Praise and Worship Will be held on Sunday, 15 September. Meet

at 2.30pm for a 3.00pm start in St Agnes’ Hall. For more information on any of the above contact Suzanne on 6584 8192, or the Presbytery Office.

‘Unplanned’ Movie An Unmissable Movie! ‘Unplanned’ is the inspiring, biographical true story of one woman’s journey of transformation. This movie is for mature audiences only. It handles, in a sensitive manner, the current issue of abortion. ‘No matter which side of the fence you’re on, no one will leave this film unmoved.’

Tickets must be purchased by Thursday, 12 September

Tickets are $13.00 and can only be purchased online at: https://fan-force.com/screenings/unplanned-laurieton-plaza-theatre/ Ninety-four tickets must be sold in order for this movie to go ahead as scheduled so don’t delay! For information or for help purchasing tickets, please contact Kathy-Ann 0428281148 or Suzanne 65848192. Money can be left in an envelope with your name and number in the Presbytery if you require assistance to purchase tickets. This will be a special one off screening on Monday, 23 September at 6:30pm at the Plaza Theatre, Laurieton.

Coeliac Hosts Coeliac hosts are available for parishioners. Prior to Mass beginning please go to the Sacristy and see the sacristan. Then sit towards the front of the Church. If you attend one of the Chapels see the Chapel sacristan who will assist you.

From the Catacombs - here & beyond Episcopuss Wisdom… From the Catechism…

Recently Deceased: Anne Hill (Toole), Robert Davis, Harry Cahill, Jilly Semchyshyn, Margaret Earnshaw, Michael de Groot, Martin VanderLinden. Anniversaries: Nora Fortune, Totshie Farrales, Eliza King, Geffrey Williams. Other Mass Intentions: Joe & Cecilie Hallahan, Zorayda Corpuz, Daphne Klump, Noel Clarke, deceased relatives and friends of Osmond family, John & Kathleen Carroll, Hilton Dodds, Beryl Thomas, Robert & Molly Friggens, John Haxell, Teresa Hickey, Jack Mooney, Marija Miller, donor intentions and masses of thanksgiving.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Father’s Day Collection

Donation envelopes to the annual Father’s Day collection for sick and retired priests of the Lismore Diocese can be made over the coming weeks. Envelopes can be placed on the collection plates. Thank you again for your generosity.

Kathleen Briscoe Tuition Scholarship

This scholarship is offered annually through the St Agnes’ Foundation. The Tuition scholarship assists children and families who would be challenged financially with the burden of tuition fees during their secondary schooling years. If you are interested in supporting this scholarship, funds are gratefully accepted as: Lump sum payments Regular contributions Will bequests. If you would like more information contact Emma at Parish Administration on 6588 7444. Brochures are available from the Presbytery and Parish Offices.

Parish e-newsletters via email If you would like to receive a weekly e-newsletter via email with stories and information about the Parish’s services and activities please sign up via the Parish website (https://stagnesparish.org.au/) - Click on Mass Times, then click the ‘Subscribe to Parish Newsletters’ and fill in your details. Alternatively, you can just submit your name and email at the Presbytery and ask to be added to the mailing list.

PARISH NEWS St AGNES’ CATHOLIC CHURCH | PORT MACQUARIE

‘I invite you, each within your own heart, to pray

for our brothers and sisters who have lost their lives or who are

suffering because of the hurricane in the

Bahamas .’ Pope Francis

‘May God, the lover of life, grant us the courage

to do good without waiting for someone else to begin, or until it is too

late.’ Pope Francis

READERS AND COMMENTATORS

6pm Vigil: Margaret Donnelly George Searson Kym Condon

7.30am: Jennifer Campbell Damian Bennie Denise McLoughlin

9.00am: Saidee Talty Shane Talty Peta Rourke

5.00pm: Kate Field

Elise Smith Brad Vergano Suzanne Savage

GIFT BEARERS ROSTER

6pm Vigil: L English & Family 7.30am: K Farrawell & J Dean 9.00am: L Fuller & J Howle

THE STATUE OF OUR LADY For the Month of September: Genevieve Ruhl

CHILDREN’S LITURGY Natalie Jennings Emma Francis

Parish Priest Father Paul Gooley

Assistant Priest Father Peter Wood Visiting Priest Father Joe D’Souza OCD Parish Office 47 Hay Street Port Macquarie PO Box 23 T (02) 6583 1024 E pastoraloffice@stagnesparish.org.au

Office Hours: 8.30am - 4.30pm

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION

6pm Vigil: Jason Gill Maureen Dick Joy Amos Rudolf Szibrowski

7.30am: Jennifer Crossing Sandy Luschwitz Kay Farrawell David Hogan

9.00am: Phoebe Morris Mike Hawtin Cathy Hawtin Cathy Stevenson

5.00pm: Chris Kalchbauer Cath Freeman Tim McCosker Fran Liddy

NEXT WEEK’S READINGS 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14 Psalm 50 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Luke 15:1-32

ROSTERS 14-15 September 2019

DOGMA

“I've learned that people will forget what you said,

people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Maya Angelou

___________________________

FEAST DAYS

Monday 9 September St Peter Claver

Thursday 12 September The Most Holy Name of Mary

Friday 13 September St John Chrysostom

Saturday 14 September

The Exaltation of The Holy Cross

ST AGNES’ CHURCH | Hay Street, Port Macquarie Tuesday & Wednesday: 5.15pm Friday: 12.05pm Saturday: 6.00pm Vigil Sunday: 7.30am, 9.00am, 5.00pm Please note: Weekday Masses at 9.00am on Public Holidays Reconciliation: Friday 11.30am - 12.00pm Saturday 11.30am - 12.30pm

ST FRANCIS CHAPEL | Lochinvar Place, Port Macquarie Contact: Sr Anne Hannigan Ph 6589 9814 or 0419 243 259. Communion Service or Mass: 9.30am Monday - Thursday Sunday Mass: 9.30am

CHRIST THE KING CHAPEL | Boronia St, Port Macquarie Contact: Sr Anne Hannigan Ph: 6589 9814 or 0419 243 259 Communion Service or Mass: 8.00am Thursday Mass: Saturday Vigil - 4.30pm Rosary: 1st Saturday of the month 4.00pm.

ST BERNARD'S, TELEGRAPH POINT | Rollands Plain Rd, Telegraph Point Thursday: 6.00pm.

STAR OF THE SEA, LAKE CATHIE | Ocean Drive, Lake Cathie Sunday: 8.00am.

DIOCESAN INVESTMENT FUND PAYS 1.65% There are no fees or charges on your account. AGENTS: Mrs Veronica Rinkin & Mrs Mary O’Brien

DIF Office, Parish Administration Centre, Phone: (02) 6583 7439 9am – 1pm Monday - Friday

PARISH MASSES www.stagnesparish.org.au