29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

(C)

WORLD MISSION SUNDAY

St John Paul II, pope, Tuesday

WEEKEND’S

READINGS

Exodus 17:8-13; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2;

Luke 18:1-8

PSALM RESPONSE

Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Alleluia, alleluia!

The word of God is living and active; it probes the thoughts

and motives of our heart.

Alleluia!

Respecting a traditional people of this land, the Bundjalung people

St Francis Xavier Church, Ballina Holy Family Church, Lennox Head

20th October, 2019

Pray always

PRESBYTERY: Phone: 6686 2042 Parish Priest: Father Michael Nilon Assistant Priest: Father Emmanuel Okparanaku Pastoral Associate: Sr Kathryn Sweeney rsj, Email: kathryn@sfxballina.org.au PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL: Email: parishcouncil@sfxballina.org.au

PARISH ADMINISTRATION CENTRE: Phone: 6681 1048; Fax: 6686 8774; Email: admin@sfxballina.org.au Mon to Fri 8:30 am - 4:00 pm - 53-57 Cherry Street - Postal Address: PO Box 46 Ballina 2478 \

PARISH LIBRARY: Library available to parishioners Mon to Fri 9 am - 4 pm;

SCHOOLS: St Francis Xavier Primary: 6686 3370 - Swift St, Ballina

Holy Family Primary: 6687 5311- 40 Isabella Drive, Skennars Head

Xavier Catholic College: 6687 6484 - 2 Redford Drive, Skennars Head

St Anne’s Long Day Care Centre: 6687 5961- 42 Isabella Drive, Skennars Head

AGED CARE: Crowley Care Services: 1300 139 099 - 154 Cherry St, Ballina Independent Living Village, Residential Aged Care, Home Care Services

www.sfxballina.org.au

Twitter @BallinaCatholic

Jesus’ rather humorous parable in today’s gospel provides abundant material for a reflection on the importance of constant prayer in our lives. This parable tells of a corrupt judge, pes-tered by a persistent widow. A woman without a man in the ancient world was extremely vulnerable. She could be among the true outcasts of society. The unjust judge finally gives in to her, not because he is won over by her pleading to him to acting justly, but because she is going to ‘worry him to death’. Jesus uses such everyday life situations to empha-sise ‘the need to pray always and not to lose heart.’ The parable, there-fore, does not focus on the behaviour of the unjust judge, rather it highlights the persistent fight of the widow to win over the judge. Jesus is saying that, if even an unjust judge could be forced by a persistent widow to give her justice, how much more will a loving God act justly towards struggling humanity. The judge is eventually moved by the des-perate pleading of the helpless widow, so how much more is God moved by our per-sistent prayer day and night? We are all like the powerless widow when we come before God. But God is always

on the side of the vulnerable. The God to whom we pray is compassionate, ready to respond to the needs of the powerless and oppressed. Do we really put ourselves to-tally in the hands of God’s providence? Have we placed our hope in the God who will hear our calls for help – and who has inspired our prayers in the first place? This parable was very relevant to the situa-

tion of the first Chris-tians who faced perse-cution for their faith. It was an encouraging call for them to persist in prayer in order to withstand situations of persecution and dis-couragement. It is also a call for us today to remain constant in faith when we are facing difficult situa-tions in our own lives and communities. Prayer connects us with God. Jesus him-

self prays, and teaches us how to pray. Our prayer can be in the community, or with family or in our own personal and often hidden manner. Our prayer can be in the community, or with family or in our own personal and often hidden manner. Our prayer might be prompted by a feeling of awe; a sense of happiness and peace prompted by the beauty of creation; a mo-ment of transcendence in the presence of music or art; an overflowing of wonder (continued page 4)

Liturgy Help © 2019

Liturgy Help © 2019

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR RECENTLY

DECEASED: Gino Garzolini, Michael Donnelly, Kitty

Gorton, Roza Sikic, Robbie Pickford,

THOSE WHOSE ANNIVERSARIES OCCUR AT

THIS TIME: Tracy Ryall, Bernard Evans,

AND ALSO FOR: Jack Flood, Flood, Cooper, Howard &

Lynch families, Rina, Charlie & James Volpatti, Armando

Bordin, James & Mary Rogers, Cath Waddell, C & S Hosie,

Mick & Gwynne Waugh, Thama Walker, Kathleen Kelly,

Bill & Jean Shay, Cecilia & Bill Condon Snr, Stan &

Mary McKeough, Members of the SVdP Conference &

Auxiliary & for all faithful departed.

AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE SERIOUSLY ILL: Helen

Johnston, Joan Charteris, Darcy Martin, Jim Walsh, Charlie

Clements, Ted Murphy, Charlie Scotcher (17 yrs), Noel Lynn,

(Aunty) Julia Paden, Rev Ray Fishwick, Laurie Ianna, Glenn

Campbell, Rita Williamson, Jan Kelly, Kay Harth, Maria Gorton,

Peter & Reba Smidt, Asha Ousby (17 months), Jeanie Marie

Curry, Fay Kerslake, Darryl Simpkins, Betty Albertini, Hilda

Carter, Rosemary Russell, John Moreland, Dympna Sheehy,

Margaret Bermingham, Greg Shore, Margaret Pyne, John

McNamara, Yvonne & Peter Thurtell, Mal Gillies, Cecelia

Waldron, Louise Wilson, Michael O’Connor, Moore, Smith,

McCowan-Dann, Webber Families, Layton family, Fitch family,

Max Crosswell, Maria Hosking, Kaley Nobbs, Mick O’Brien,

Graham Robertson, Gregory Thomas, Gloria Greguric, Joy

Hepworth, Leo Lane, Mary Topham, Bob Grant, Leisa Wotton,

Michael Everson, Pat Evans, Virginia, Sarah and Peter Kolhbach,

Samantha Anderson, Tony Lannan, Kim del-Signore, Crowley

Village, St Andrew’s Nursing Home, RSL Life Care, Bupa

THE SACRAMENTS IN OUR PARISH

BAPTISMS: on the 1st and 2nd Sundays of the month at St Francis Xavier’s at 10.15 am. A baptism can only be requested by parents of the child to be baptised. It is compulsory for both parents preferably, (or at least one of them) to attend a preparation night, which is held in the Parish Admin Building on the 4th Wednesday of each month at 6 pm. The date for the baptism is tentative until attendance at the preparation night. Bookings for the preparation evening are essential and made through Parish Admin 6681 1048. CONFIRMATION: TBA

RECONCILIATION: TBA

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION: 22nd March, 2020. Parent Meeting 19th February. Groups start 23rd February.

WEDDINGS: by appointment with a Priest. Please allow at least 6 months for compulsory preparation.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK: during Mass on dates to be advertised during the year, and on request; and at regular intervals at the hospital and aged care facilities. MUSIC: According to the Church’s 2000 year tradition and our understanding of the prayer-based nature of funerals and weddings, the only music possible at both liturgies (whether Mass or Prayers) is either hymns or suitable instrumental music. No secular music! There are no exceptions.

FUNERALS: Whether held with Requiem Mass or Prayers – either in the church or elsewhere – funerals always follow the Church’s Liturgy. E.G.: hymns only (see details in Music section); 1 (one) only tribute to the deceased (known in secular funerals as eulogies) of 3-5 minutes (maximum). The personal tribute (eulogy) is always optional. HOSPITAL: Catholic patients in Ballina Hospital are visited by a member of the parish team on a regular basis. Given the difficulty we have in obtaining names of those in hospital, a visit is made to those who tell us they are in the hospital. We will only know someone is in

the hospital if we are told by family or friends. This is due to the Privacy laws that govern our nation.

DIF PAYS 1.40% PER ANNUM AS OF 10TH OCTOBER BALLINA AGENTS: Michael Shay, L J Hooker 87-89 River St Ballina 6686 2711 - Crowley Admin Office Cherry St Ballina 1300 139 099

THIS WEEK’S COLLECTIONS

First Collection Support of our

Diocese Priests $ 1,300.10

Second Collection Support of the Parish &

Ministries & School Building & Maintenance Fund

Loose Plate $ 657.85

Planned Giving Envelopes Collected

$ 1,653.50

Planned Giving Envelopes Weekly Target $ 2,009.00

SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER PARISH BALLINA - PLANNED GIVING PROGRAM: If you are a new parishioner to Ballina or an existing one and you would like to participate in the Planned Giving Program, cards are available for completion in the foyer of the Church. Please complete your details and place on the collection plate in the envelope provided, or contact SFX Parish Admin office on 6681 1048 Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 4.00 pm. For your con-venience we have the option of Direct Debit and/or Envelope contribution.

$0.00

$500.00

$1,000.00

$1,500.00

$2,000.00

16th Sept 23rd Sept 30th Sept 8th October 14thOctober

Target

Collections

ROSTER: 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C: 26th/27th October, 2019 Readings: Sirach 35:12-14,16-19; Psalm 32; 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18; Luke 18:9-14

6.00 pm Vigil Ballina

7.30 am Lennox Head

9.00 am Ballina

Offertory Procession

9.00 am ~ Ballina

Greeters: Sue Hetherington, Val Culican

Readers

Dan Gubby Yvonne Head

Kate Salmon Marie Sullivan

Nicole Sullivan

David Eyles

Ext. Ministers Holy

Communion

Matthew Ritchie Tamara Gubby

Mick Vella Pip Kidd

Julian White Margaret Tay Adam Sullivan

Leanne Robbins Cathy Campbell

Kevin & Louise

Reynolds

Sacristan

Pip Kidd Marie Sullivan

Monica Anderson

Altar Servers Lucy Schofield Liam, Benedict,

Rose & Sophie Meany

Zac Sullivan Grace Wod

Sophie Sullivan Clare Lynch

Anthony Coutinho Evie Hyde

Children’s Liturgy

………………. Kathryn Wood

Emily Webster Carol Lynch

Parish Notices

CROWLEY CARE AUXILIARY

The next Crowley Auxiliary meeting will be Monday 28th October—3.00 pm

at Education Centre, Crowley Care, 154 Cherry Street Ballina. Please consider attending, as you will be assist-ing the Aged Care Centre . ALL WELCOME !

COFFEE CRAWL

‘Café Sabastian’, Ballina Fair Shopping Centre, Ballina.

Monday 28th October at 10.00 am. Come along for a chat and good company.

BAPTISM: This week the parish warmly welcomes William Paul Isaac, son of Paul and Angelica. We look forward to seeing the newly baptised and his family worshipping with us each weekend.

“Looking for hope? Pick up the Gospel instead of wasting time on soap operas” Pope Francis

<<Jesus communicates much more than just positive thoughts. He communicates “hope”. We are called upon to listen to Him through the Gospel rather than wasting time with “soap oper-as” and “neighbourhood gossip”. This was the advice Francis gave … (at a) morning Mass in St. Martha’s House, according to Vatican Radio’s report. Only daily contemplation of God’s Word helps us to have “true” hope. The Pope invited faithful once again to spend even just 10 minutes every day reading the Gospel and talking to the Lord instead of watching soap operas and listening to neighbourhood gossip. Hope is found by keeping one’s “gaze fixed on Jesus”. Pope Francis based today’s homily on a passage from the Letter to the Hebrews which focuses on hope: Francis stressed that without listening to God, we may be “optimistic or positive” peo-ple but without the hope that we learn “from contemplating Christ”. This led the Pope to speak of "contemplative prayer”, observing that "it is good to pray the Rosary every day", to talk "with the Lord, when we have a problem, or the Virgin Mary or the Saints ..". But, "contemplative prayer" is important and this can only be done "with the Gospel in hand". "'How do I contemplate with today’s Gospel? I see that Jesus was in the middle of the people, he was surrounded by a large crowd. Five times this passage uses the word 'crowd'. Did Jesus ever rest? This would lead me to think: 'Always with the crowd ...'. Most of Jesus’ life was on the streets, with the crowd. Did he ever rest? Yes, once, says the Gospel, he was sleeping on the boat but the storm came and the disciples woke him. Jesus was constantly in the midst of the people. And this is how we look at Jesus, contemplate Jesus, imagine Jesus. And so I tell Jesus what comes to my mind to tell him.”…>> This article replace Father Michael’s column for this week.

Marriage Enrichment Weekend Take the time to step back from everyday dis-tractions and rediscover your relationship!

8th -10th November, 2019 at Mt Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville, NSW Book online at www.wwme.org.au

Alternatively contact Adrian and Janet Sullivan: on 0490 774 419 or email: adrian.janet1@bigpond.com Worldwide Marriage Encounter.

PARISH ‘THANK YOU’ AND ‘FAREWELL’ CUPPA FOR FATHER MICHAEL

Next Sunday 27th October 2019 Following 9.00 am Mass

Everyone is invited to attend this gathering in the grounds of the parish church . Please bring a plate to add to our table.

Helpers on the day would be greatly appreciated.

RAPPVILLE, DORRIGO PLATEAU FIRE APPEAL

Bishop Greg has asked for parishioners in the Diocese to support the Fire Appeal which has will assist those impacted by the recent fires. The following details are provided so that direct deposits can be made:

BSB: 062 565 A/c No: 10854726

A/c Name: Diocesan Investment Fund Ref: Fire Appeal

If it is more convenient to place an envelope on either collection plate at Mass over the next couple of weekends please place your donation in a plain envelope and mark it clearly with Fire Appeal. Thank you.

Christian Meditation Group is held every Saturday at 9.30 am in Anawim Room

Cenacle Marian Movement of Priests: Monday 11.00 am—12.15 pm at 3/21 Swift Street, Ballina.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Friday morn-ings from 11.00 to 11.45 am at SFX Church Ballina (except when there is a funeral that day).

Ballina CCR Intercession from 10.45 to 11.45 am in the Anawim Room. Prayer Meeting: Mondays 2.15 to 4.00 pm in the Anawim Room

Prayer of the Church and Rosary Saturday at 9.00 am SFX Ballina Parish Youth Group: Saturday 6.00 pm; Mass then to St Francis Xavier School Hall, Crane Street- 7.00 to 8.30 pm.

Sisterhood: Monday at 10.00 am in St Teresa Room, Parish Administration Building. All Welcome !

MASS

TIMES

St Francis Xavier Church

Ballina

Holy

Family

Church

Lennox Head

SATURDAY 6.00 pm

SUNDAY 9.00 am

7.30 am

MONDAY

8.00 am

TUESDAY 5.20 pm

WEDNESDAY

10.00 am SMoC Chapel Crowley

THURSDAY 8.00 am

FRIDAY

12.00 noon

OTHER CEREMONIES THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY 8.30 am

Rosary & Chaplet of Divine Mercy

FRIDAY

11.00 to 11.45 am Exposition

SATURDAY 9.00 am Prayer of the Church

RECONCILIATION

SATURDAY 9.00—10.00 am

Also on request

EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT EVERY FRIDAY 11.00 am to 11.45 am

Followed by 12.00 noon Mass ‘This is the wonderful truth, my dear friends: the Word, which became flesh two thousand years ago is present today in the Eucharist’. St John Paul II https://www.catholic.sg/

(continued from page) at a birth; even a moment of connec-tion with another person’s death. It might be saying set prayers or it might be spontaneous conversation with God. But pray-ing is a very important part of our life. For the family, it is worth recalling the advice, “The family that prays together stays together”. Most importantly, St Paul tells us, “pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstanc-es; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Anthony Tran CSsR © Redemptorists 2019

UNITS FOR SALE In the St Joseph’s Coraki Parish Retirement Complexes, located in Evans Head. Enquiries: 6683 2051

Accommodation required for ten visiting NET Ministries team 6th – 10th November

A group of ten aged 18 years and over Catholic missionar-ies from NET Ministries will be in Ballina from Wednesday 6th November until Sunday morning 10th November. They will be working with students from Xavier Catholic College and the parish youth group as well as joining parishioners for Mass at the 6.00pm Vigil on Saturday 9th November. NET Ministries visit Ballina each year. They are unpaid volunteers who give up a year of their lives to live out their mission “encouraging young people to love Jesus and embrace the Church.” In recent years, parishioners have been very generous in extending hospitality to these young people who come from around Australia as well as coun-tries such as Ireland, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa. Team members need to be billeted in pairs (Two young men or two young women.) They need a place to sleep as well as Breakfast on four mornings and dinner on three nights. If you are able to host some volunteers from NET Ministries on these dates – please contact the parish office phone 6681 1048 or email: admin@sfxballina.org.au

CROWLEY AUXILIARY MELBOURNE CUP LUNCHEON

Tuesday 5th November 12.30 to 3.30 pm

Crowley Education Centre Tickets $45.00 per person

purchase from Crowley Reception RSVP: Thursday 31st October

BYO drinks Ticket also includes glass of sparkling wine on arrival, lucky door ticket and ‘fashion in the field’ prizes will be awarded.

FRIENDS OF THE CARMEL AUXILIARY MEETING. You are welcome to attend morning tea and the meeting at the Carmelite Monastery on Wednesday 30th October 10.00 am. Phone Narelle for further information on 6624 1973. Your support for our Carmel-ite Sisters will be very much appreciated.

‘THANK YOU’ to all parishioners who generously supplied food for the table and gave their time to ensure Father Wilber’s ‘farewell’ last Sunday was successful.