MONEY MATTERS: Envelopes: $ 1,473 Loose: $ 375 Direct Debit: $ 650 Tap and Go: $ 420 TOTAL: $ $2,918

WEEKLY TARGET: $4,000 NOTE: If you would like to make direct contributions, our banking details are: BSB: 067 950; Account Number: 00602; Account Name: Wentworthville Catholic Church; So that we can acknowledge your generosity would you please just put your name first and add donation if there is room.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Wentworthville In the care of the Carmelites

PARISH PRIEST: Fr Denis Andrew OCarm ASSOCIATE PASTORS: Fr Martinho Da Costa OCarm MEMBERS OF THE CARMELITE COMMUNITY: Fr John Powell O Carm & Fr Anthony Scerri O Carm PARISH SECRETARY: Lyn Bryant (9.30am—5.30pm Tuesday to Friday) PASTORAL ASSOCIATE: Paola Yévenes SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: Olimpia Pirovic

Phone: 9631 8302; School: 8832 1100

Email: ocarms@tpg.com.au

Web: www.olmcwenty.org.au

www.facebook.com/olmcwenty twitter.com/olmcwenty

SUNDAY MASSES: 6pm (vigil), 8.00am, 10.00am, 6.00pm DAILY MASSES: Monday to Thursday and Saturday 9.00am

Friday 9.15am RECONCILIATION: Saturday 9.30am

Please remember those who are in ill health, especially: Lucy Warwar, Marija Barclay, Pauline Tipper, Natalie Bailey, Trevor Myers, Trevor Calandruccio, Christopher Vicker, Michael Bigeni, Nancy Surace, Cody Bailey, Baby Charlie Sultana, Charlie Micallef, Lyn Craddy, Baby Noha Larkin, Francois Tuyau, Sienna Calandruccio, Teresa Li, Lisa Boys, Greg Boys, Carol O’Loughlin and all who are sick.

READERS & COMMENTATORS: 30th & 31st January 2021

MASS TIME READER COMMENTATOR

Saturday 6.00pm Vanessa D’Souza Don Crockett

Sunday 8.00am Jeanne Mendis Joshua Angelo

Sunday 10.00am Sohad Mathews Clyde Fernandes

Sunday 6.00pm Nelissa Almeida Michelle Pereira

SINGING IN CHURCH: The current ruling is that there should be NO SINGING by the congregation in church. A maximum of 5 people standing 1.5m apart, can sing as a choir in the choir loft.

MASKS: Wearing of masks within the church and narthex areas is mandatory. If you forget to bring one with you, there are masks available in the Narthex.

UPDATE ON BOOKINGS: Registration is still required for attending Mass. Please make sure you have registered your attendance before entering the Church. You can register online (through the parish website) or by adding your name to the registration sheet in the Narthex or by scanning the QR code. PLEASE NOTE: These conditions apply equally to parish weekday Masses.

SEATING IN CHURCH: The covid physical distancing rules have reverted to 4 square metres, however if you live within the same household, please sit together so that more space is made available for other parishioners.

VIGILANCE is still required regarding sanitising and wearing of a mask before entering the church. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in heavy fines.

Ash Wednesday is less than a month away, so it is time to bring in your branches from Palm Sunday last year. The branches are burnt to make the ashes that are used at our Ash Wednesday Masses. Please leave your branches in the basket that will be in the parish centre over the next few weekends.

Called to Become Fishers of People

John the Baptist belonged to the time of preparation for the coming of the Messiah. His mission was completed when Jesus appeared on the scene at the baptism. Jesus belongs to the present establishment of the Kingdom of God. Two aspects mark this Kingdom: repentance, which is acquiring

the freedom of the children of God, and following of Jesus, the way to this Kingdom of God.

The Gospel tells us that as Jesus was walking along the lake, he saw two brothers, Andrew and Simon, and then further on two other brothers, James and John. WE are told that he called them to follow him,

and that they immediately left nets, boats, families and followed Jesus. This sounds as though it was a sudden decision taken on the spot. We must remember that John the Baptist had told his disciples to leave him and follow Jesus. WE also know that Andrew was one of these who went to see where Jesus lived and that he and his brother Simon stayed with him that day. So, these fishermen already knew Jesus and had listened and spoken to him before this encounter by the lakeside. What is, therefore, important is to understand that these fishermen had been already thinking of following Jesus, and when the call came from Jesus, they were ready to leave everything behind and follow him to become fishers of

people. Yet, it is also important to remember that it is Jesus who had chosen these fishermen, and not they who had chosen him.

We have been called by Jesus to follow him, also to become fishers of people, to be apostles and to spread the Kingdom of God. Some of us may be called to leave home, job, and family, and to follow Jesus more closely in religious life. Most of us will not be called to leave job, home, and family. However, we are all called to be free of attachment to all these things, and to realise that our first and foremost vocation is to become fishers of people, and to spread the Kingdom of God, a kingdom of love and peace among people, and of eternal praise to Father, Son, and Holy

Spirit.

- Fr Anthony Scerri O Carm

Other Intentions Thanksgiving: In Honour of the Infant Jesus

Special Intentions: David & Fan Lin Wilson, Tuyau Family & Friends especially Kaitelyn, Madelyn-Rose & Levi

NEXT SUNDAY’S READINGS: 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr B 1st Reading: Deuteronomy 18: 15—20 2nd Reading: Corinthians 7: 32—35 Gospel: Mark 1: 21—28

Recently Deceased: Dawn Merrill, Anne Hartman, Denham Jacob, Lawrence Nagalingam, Josephine John, Sandra Paul, Stella Galea, Joe Moutia, Michael Cesarini, Belen Ortiz, John Touma, Joyce Cini

Anniversaries & Memorials: Rose Fernandes, Walter (Bob) Redlich, Lionel Mendis, Paul & Lena Galea, Paul & Mary Penza, Angelo & Maria Spiteri, Charlie Zammit, Joe Tuyau, Gwen Weatherall, Mary & Frank Teuma, Tony & Antonia Cini, Joseph & Louis Teuma, Joe Vella, Mary, Frank & Doreen Camilleri, Rose Titman, Sonia Spittle, Jessie McManus, Janina Roberts, Rizk Family, Charlie Sultana, Michael & Carmen Attard, Frank & Pauline Vella, Rani Sathi, Pushpa Kantha, Anthony Peter, Connie Bezzina & Jeanne Black, Pauline Grech, Renato Zammit, Francesca Zammit, Concetta & Joseph Sciberras, Joseph & Josephine Gauci, Holy Souls in Purgatory & All Souls, All Saints

Monday: Conversion of St Paul Tuesday AUSTRALIA DAY! Wednesday: Sts Timothy & Titus, St Angela Merici Thursday: *St Thomas Aquinas Friday: Bl Archangela Girlani Saturday: BVM Sunday: 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

ANNUAL LEGAL RED MASS The Annual Red Mass, which gives thanks for the work of those who serve the law, will be held on Thursday 4/2/21 at St Patrick’s Cathedral at 7pm, followed by a light supper. It is also an opportunity to reaffirm a commitment to justice and faith. For catering purposes, RSVP to events@stpatscathedral.com.au or phone 8839 8411 by Friday 29/1/21.

CATHOLIC ENGAGED ENCOUNTER WEEKEND

How prepared are you for marriage? Engaged Encounter provides you with deeper insights into each other and into married life. Spend time together to strengthen and enrich your relationship. Next Engaged Encounter Weekend: 21 – 22 February 2021 at St Joseph’s Baulkham Hills. For further information and to register, visit www.engagedencounter.org.au/

Quotable Quotes for Australia Day

Australia is about as far away as you can get. I like that. - Andre Benjamin

If you don’t like the weather (in Melbourne), wait 5 minutes. - Anon

There is nothing more Australian than spending time in somebody else's country. - Anon

The Australian Book of Etiquette is a very slim volume. - Paul Theroux