Mt Barker/Strathalbyn Mt Barker/Strathalbyn Mt Barker/Strathalbyn Mt Barker/Strathalbyn

Catholic ParishCatholic ParishCatholic ParishCatholic Parish

C/- 7 Mann Street, Mount Barker

South Australia 5251

Sixth Sunday of Easter April 30/May 1 2016 Year C

WEEKEND MASS TIMES

Mt Barker

Our Lady of Mercy S������� V�� 6.00 ��

S����� ������ 9.00 ��

Strathalbyn

Good Shepherd S����� ������ 10.45 ��

Weekday Masses

Tues 03/05 Sts Philip &

James

2.00pm Hahndorf Nurs-

ing Home

Wed 04/05 12 noon Mount Barker

Thurs 05/05 9.30am Mount Barker

Fri 06/05 6.00pm Macclesfield

Sat 07/05 9.30am Strathalbyn

The Parish Team:

Fr. Richard Morris PP 8391 1053

Annètte - Parish Secretary 8391 1053

Sue Eckert - Ministry Coordinator Strathalbyn

8537 3053

Website: www.barkerstrathcatholic.com

Email Address: mbstparish@adam.com.au

Fr. Richard’s Email address:

morrisri@bigpond.com

Our Lady’s Rosary Garden 8391 1471 St Francis de Sales College Pam Ronan - Principal

8393 1000

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will follow the Mass on

Thursday and Saturday mornings for half an hour. Reconcilia-

tion will be available during and after Exposition, or by

appointment.

Pope Francis talks to teenagers The Lord, Pope Francis stressed, is generous, “he offers us his faithful friend-ship, which he will never take back. Even if you disappoint him and walk away from him, Jesus continues to want the best for you and to remain close to you; he believes in you even more than you believe in yourself.” This is very important, the Pope noted because, “the biggest threat to growing up well comes from thinking that no one cares about us, from feeling that we are all

alone.” During his homily the Pope also warned the teens present to be on their guard against what he called “an instinctive desire to “have to have” what we find pleasing”, adding, “our con-sumerist culture reinforces this tendency.” “Don’t be content with mediocrity, with “simply going with the flow”, with being comfortable and laid back,” the Holy Father said. He also told the teenagers to be sceptical about “people who want to make you believe that you are only im-portant if you act tough like the heroes in films or if you wear the latest fashions.” Your happi-ness, the Pope continued, has no price. “It cannot be bought: it is not an app that you can download on your phones nor will the latest update bring you freedom and grandeur in love.” Pope Francis invited those present in St Peter’s Square to be courageous and firm in their deci-sions because, he said, it is only by doing this you will realize your greatest dreams, adding, “if a person of your age can’t dream they are already in retirement, this serves nothing.” Love does not happen because we talk about it, the Pope underlined, “but when we live it”. He also said : "In the art of climbing, the important thing is not to remain on the ground when you fall.” The Holy Father concluded his homily by saying to the teenagers “you will do amazing things if you prepare well, starting now, by living your youth and all its gifts to the fullest and without fear of hard work. Be like sporting champions, he said who attain high goals by quiet daily ef-fort and practice.”

Please Pray For:

Sick

Archbishop Len Faulkner, Stacee Krylov, Mark Webber,

Mark Clark, Ashlee Lloyd Hendrika van Schaijk, Byrnece

Cobiac, Damien Callery, David Dowdel, Bill Weir,

Patricia Jones, Sarah Hocking, Cathryn Bird, Kath Lee,

Michael Dzundza, Irene & Bill Crowhurst, Helen Meijer, Bronwen Williams, Cynthia & Doug Hunt, Alida van Dijk, Madison Fox, Gerry Roberts, Mario

Ferrarese Pat O’Donnell, Marie Hinkley Bryan Chapman

Anniversaries

Henry Neville, Bill van Schaijik, Stephen Casey, Jim Rooney, James Welsh, Phyllis Richards,

Dennis Mahar, Edith Saldanha, Catherine Lezuo, Mary D’ Peritra, Connie Bogaerts

Recently Deceased

, Valda Millard, Estella Baunsit, Monica Hart

Mt Barker/ Strathalbyn Catholic Parish

Parish Pastoral Council 2014 Chair Neil McGoran

Secretary Sue Eckert

Sandra Lloyd Andrew Baker Brady Stallard

Gerard Doyle Michael Moran Navin DeSilva

Jan Sabotta Shirley McCabe Yesamme Hendry

Ex Officio Fr Richard Morris Pam Ronan

Parish Finance Council

Chair Tom Hardy

Brian Voumard, Jim Mann Noel Duffield, Marg

Heath, Annètte Jansen-Roberts, Fr Richard Morris

FINANCIAL NOTES

Mt Barker/Strathalbyn

1st Collection $ 989.20

For the support of our priestsFor the support of our priestsFor the support of our priestsFor the support of our priests

2nd Collection envelopes $ 1036.00

For the support of our parishFor the support of our parishFor the support of our parishFor the support of our parish

2nd Collect Loose Plate $ 416.85

For the support of our parishFor the support of our parishFor the support of our parishFor the support of our parish

Special Collec$on:

SUNDAY PRAYER

People from any denomina8on, meet simply to

pray for Strath and district. Come,

join in, and help begin what God

wants to do here.

Sunday 1st May at 7.00pm

Catholic Church

Background to Today’s Readings This portion of John's Gospel comes near the end of the first of four chapters that make up Jesus' long farewell discourse at the Last Supper. This section of chapter 14 actually sums up the themes of the opening of the discourse: the Chris-tian's life is not shaped by Jesus' absence but by God's abiding presence; God's presence over-comes anxiety about God's absence; and the pre-sent holds in it the seeds of a fresh future shaped by love, not fear. These verses also contain a glimpse of some of the other themes of the farewell discourse: Jesus' re-lationship with the Father and the disciples' rela-tionship to Jesus connect the disciples to the Fa-ther as well. Jesus promises to send an Advocate or intercessor who will remind the disciples of everything that Jesus taught them and bring them peace. Jesus is preparing his disciples in advance for his absence so that they will continue to believe in him and not feel all alone after his return to the Father. After the initial excitement of his Easter appearances, Jesus will remain with his followers in a very different way throughout the centuries. As our celebration of the Easter season is coming to an end, the liturgy reminds us that Jesus re-mains with us through the Holy Spirit, who teaches us everything we need to know, reminds us of all that Jesus taught, and brings us peace. From Loyola Press

Prayer for Vocations Jesus you are the Good Shepherd who is always mindful of Your Church. Watch over those who are baptised in Your name and grant peace and harmony to all our families. We ask You to choose from the families of our parishes many priests, deacons, sisters and brothers who will gladly spend their lives making You known and loved. Amen

Holy Communion at home Members of the Ministry for visiting the house-bound and the sick with Eucharist, would like to remind members of the parish when they or someone they know of who are unable to attend Mass and would like to receive a visit with Eucha-rist to let Fr Richard or any members of the Team know. Babs Snook, Margaret Halton, Mary Haimes, Cecily Barton, Sandra Lloyd, Leigh Chamberlain and Jenny McEvoy. We would wel-come sharing this ministry.

Day of the Unborn Child Parishioners are reminded that the annual ap-peal (collection) to support the work undertaken by Birthline, Right to Life in South Australia & Matercare Australia will occur as a leaving collec-tion at Masses this weekend at Strathalbyn.

The Joy of Love Pope Francis has just published Amoris Lae-titia, ‘The Joy of Love:” The ‘Apostolic Exhorta-tion’. is available to read on the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference website: https://www.catholic.org.au/synod-2015/home

COURSE ON THE EUCHARIST A five-week course on the Eucharist will be of-fered on Tuesdays 7.00-9.30pm, 10 May to 7 June 2016 at the Ministry and Liturgy Centre, Thebarton. Presented by Mrs Jenny O’Brien (Office for Worship). $50 cost includes book of readings. Counts as a Unit for the Cert. of Pastoral Litur-gy. To enrol, contact Lyn before 4 May: worship@ow.adelaide.catholic.org.au or phone 8152 7806 (See flyer in foyer).

Marian Procession Sunday May 15, 2016: Assemble at 1:30pm, Procession at 2pm. To be held in the Pilgrim Peace Park (next to Veale Gardens in the South Parklands). We will process under the banner of Our Lady of Mercy. Archbishop Wilson has asked our parish to lead the procession this year. Students from St Francis de Sales Col-lege will lead some of the singing. If you are intending to go and have spare seats in your car please let the Parish Office know. Give the Parish Office a ring if you would like a ride.

Church in Today’s World

ACU Short Course: Church in Today’s World Australian Catholic University’s Adelaide Cam-pus will again offer a four-week Short Course series – this year on “Church in Today’s World”, starting May 4, and held at the ACU Campus, 116 George Street, Thebarton commencing with light meal at 5:45pm, Lec-tures: 6:30-8:00pm. Ample free parking. Registration fee: $40/person or for teachers $80/person (for CEO SAM status). Explore the meaning of Church with ACU School of Theology experts: Mgr Prof Denis Edwards, Associate Prof Stephen Downs, Dr Josephine Laffin, Rev Dr Michael Trainor and Rev Dr James McEvoy. Register ONLINE: www.acu.edu.au/theology/shortcourses Group Bookings - contact Cris – 8234 7462 or email adelaide.theology@acu.edu.au Bible Lands Study Tour (Israel and Jordan): Fr Michael Trainor, lecturer in Biblical Studies at the Australian Catholic University and Flin-ders University, is inviting you to join him on a full study tour (or even part of it) of the land of Jesus and places of early Christianity, after Christmas (27 Dec 2016-20 Jan 2017). This safe, friendly fascinating tour is more than a

pilgrimage, but a real study of those places where Jesus walked and to where the earliest Chris-tians ventured. Places are limited. To register your interest (without obligation) or for more in-formation, please contact Cris (mob: 0419 865 598 or email her on: blstadelaide@gmail.com).

Mass Count The 2016 National Mass Count will take place over four weekends in May (the first weekend of the Mass Count starts Saturday April 30).

Happy Birthday Happy birthday to all who are celebrating their birthdays at this time of the year. We ask God’s special blessings upon Bill Crowhurst who cele-brated his 90th. on Thursday and upon Fran Greenslade who celebrates her 80th. today.

Year of Mercy The pew cards suggest things that we can do dur-ing the Year of Mercy. Patricia Osborne took up

the sugges-tion to go through the Mercy Door of St. Francis Xavier Cathe-dral. The Mercy Door is on the East-ern side of the Cathe-dral. We en-ter the Ca-thedral through this door as pil-grims praying for mercy for ourselves and for all in our world.

CWL Stirling Annual Ecumenical

Luncheon Wednesday 4th May midday. St Matthew’s Church Bridgewater ( opposite the Bridge-water Inn Hotel.) Guest speaker is Gayle Ravan, one of the first policewomen employed by SAPOL. There will be a trading table and Mother’s Day raffle. Please contact Jenny McEvoy ( 8388 0267) if you need help with transport. There is no cost.

Something to ponder…. If you find you’re going in the wrong direction…... Remember that God allows U-turns.…..

01-M��-16 - 6 EASTER

1�� R����� A��� 15:1-2. 22-29

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Some men came down from Judaea and taught the brothers, 'Unless you have yourselves circumcised in the tradition of Moses you cannot be saved.' This led to disagreement, and after Paul and Barnabas had a long argument with these men it was ar-ranged that Paul and Barnabas and others of the church should go up to Jerusalem and discuss the problem with the apostles and elders.

Then the apostles and elders decided to choose delegates to send to Antioch with Paul and Barna-bas; the whole church concurred with this. They chose Judas known as Barsabbas and Silas, both leading men in the brotherhood, and gave them this letter to take with them:

'The apostles and elders, your brothers, send greetings to the brothers of pagan birth in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. We hear that some of our mem-bers have disturbed you with their demands and have unsettled your minds. They acted without any authority from us, and so we have decided unani-mously to elect delegates and to send them to you with Barnabas and Paul, men we highly respect who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accordingly we are sending you Judas and Silas, who will confirm by word of mouth what we have written in this letter. It has been de-cided by the Holy Spirit and by ourselves not to saddle you with any burden beyond these essen-tials: you are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from fornication. Avoid these, and you will do what is right. Farewell.'

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

R��� P����: P� 66:2-3. 5-6. 8

R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

O God, be gracious and bless us and let your face shed its light upon us. So will your ways be known upon earth and all nations learn your saving help. R.

Let the nations be glad and exult for you rule the world with justice. With fairness you rule the peoples, you guide the nations on earth. R.

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. May God still give us his blessing till the ends of the earth revere him. R.

2�� R����� R�!������ 21:10-14. 22-23

A reading from the book of the Apocalypse

In the spirit, the angel took me to the top of an enor-mous high mountain and showed me Jerusalem, the holy city, coming down from God out of heaven. It had all the radiant glory of God and glittered like some precious jewel or crystal-clear diamond. The walls of it were of a great height, and had twelve

The English transla8on of the Psalm Responses, Alleluia & Gospel verses, & Lenten Gospel Acclama8on from

Lec�onary for Mass© 1969,1981, Interna8onal Commi>ee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.

gates; at each of the twelve gates there was an angel, and over the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel; on the east there were three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. The city walls stood on twelve foundation stones, each one of which bore the name of one of the twelve apos-tles of the Lamb.

I saw that there was no temple in the city since the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb were them-selves the temple, and the city did not need the sun or the moon for light, since it was lit by the ra-diant glory of God and the Lamb was a lighted torch for it.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

A���������: J�#� 14:23

Alleluia, alleluia! All who love me will keep my words, and my Father will love them and we will come to

them. Alleluia!

G����� J�#� 14:23-29

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Jesus said to his disciples:

' If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make our home with him. Those who do not love me do not keep my

words. And my word is not my own; it is the word of the one who sent me. I have said these things to you while still with you; but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you. Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to

you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me say: I am going away, and shall return. If you loved me you would have been glad to

know that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you this now, before it happens, so that when it does happen you may believe.'

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

Next Sunday Ascension of the LOrd

FIRST READING Acts 1: 1-11

PSALM 46: 2, 3, 6-9

SECOND READING Ephesians 1: 17-23

GOSPEL Luke 24: 46-53