This Week

SUNDAY June 24th 9am, 11am Mass

6pm Mass Baptism Welcome

MONDAY June 25th 8.30am Rosary

9am Mass

TUESDAY June 26th

8.30am Rosary 9.00am Mass

9.30 am Adoration

WEDNESDAY June 27th 7pm Mass

7.30pm Meditation

THURSDAY June 28th Mass in North School

9.00am

FRIDAY June 29th 8.30am Rosary 9.00am Mass

9.30am Divine Mercy

SATURDAY June 30th 10.30 Reconciliation

6pm Mass Parish Feast

SUNDAY July 1st

9am, 11am, 6pm Mass Parish Feast

Baptism 1.30pm

The Birthday of

St John The Baptist

The American political drama West Wing has

been a huge hit on television. Well-scripted,

cleverly cast and finely acted, it dramatises

events around the most powerful office in the

world. This is one drama series that does not

need to invent stories. With former White

House insiders hired as consultants, West

Wing explores important issues and demon-

strates the process by which a public position

is adopted. The best aspect of this drama,

however, is that it portrays the power of the

backroom players involved in the process.

Every democracy, every institution, including

the Church, has people who are not the public

face of the organisation but are very powerful

in shaping what the group stands for and

where it goes. A politician friend of mine says,

‘Parliament is theatre sports writ large; real

power and the important decisions are worked

out in the backrooms, small offices and corri-

dors.’ Yes Minister's Sir Humphrey Appleby

would drink to that!

John the Baptist is the greatest of the

backroom boys in the Christian story. When

the gospels were written, the significance of

John's role as a herald and mentor came to the

fore. In first century Palestine there may not

have been parliamentary corridors for John the

Baptist to strut, but his words and actions on

the banks of the Jordan were powerful in rec-

ognising who was to follow, what the Chris-

tian faith would stand for and where it would

head.

Is it any wonder, then, that the Birth of John

the Baptist is one of the most ancient feasts

commemorated in the earliest Christian

Church? Its position in relation to Christmas is

important too. By 354 the Christians had taken

over the Roman celebration of the winter sol-

stice as Christmas Day. John's birthday is on

the summer solstice. After the summer sol-

stice, the northern hemisphere's sun declines

in length and warmth. It is reborn at the winter

solstice. Hence, John comes to prepare the

way for the eternal light we celebrate in Jesus

at Christmas. In Luke's Gospel, John embodies

the old covenant, made to Israel. Jesus, the

new and everlasting covenant, made, not just

to Israel, but also to all people everywhere,

sees the power and warmth of God's love for

us burst forth for eternity.

Many biblical scholars now think that, for a

period of time, Jesus was most probably a dis-

ciple of John the Baptist. John may have

helped Jesus discern his special calling and to

recognise his destiny. Whatever of that, we

know that Jesus made a break with John in

many ways and called his own disciples. Jesus

does not wait for followers to come to him, he

heads to the towns and villages where the peo-

ple are and he speaks to them in ways they can

understand. Jesus preaches to Israel first, but

then to the Gentiles. Jesus rejects the harsh,

ascetical life of the desert for spirituality of the

everyday and, unlike John, Jesus does not just

preach repentance for sins, but preaches con-

version through forgiveness and compassion.

As Louise Pambrun puts it, John's ministry

was ‘like the fast before the feast’.

Like John, however, Jesus never wavered

from the price that must be paid for faith in

our just and merciful God. So this feast flags

that we have six months to Christmas, not for

shopping or any of the other excessive ele-

ments that have hijacked that day, but to re-

commit ourselves to living out a spirituality

that values the everyday and the ordinary, that

knows the power of compassion and mercy

and is ready to pay the price for living it.

Today is the feast of backroom players. May

all of them exercise their power with integrity.

And who knows, maybe the real-life counter-

parts of Sam Seaborne in West Wing or Sir

Humphrey in Yes Minister may, one day, have

their birthday declared a public holy-day. I bet

they're quietly working on it even as I speak!

by Richard Leonard SJ

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B June 23-24th

Parish Calendar, News & Events

DIARY DATES 23/24th June: Presentation weekend for Confirmation Candidates 24th June: Altar Server Meeting at 3pm 26th June: Grief & Loss Course 30th June St Paul’s Day Parish Feast day 3rd July: Grief and Loss Course 6th– 8th Passionist Provincial Visitation 23rd July: 3rd Family Night Confirmation 24th July Workshop for Confirmation candidates 27th & 28th July: Confirmation 6pm 7th August: ASRE classes resume at 4pm First Family Night for First Communion Candidates at 7pm

BAPTISM WELCOME This weekend we welcome Tiffany Isabella Berciano Hernandez and Jessica Samara Balthazaar who are being presented for Baptism this weekend. We offer them and their families the support of our prayers as they take this step in faith. PARISH FEAST DAY JUNE 30TH/JULY 1ST: There are plans in process to celebrate the feast at all the Masses but after the 6pm on Saturday June 30th and Sunday 11am on July 1st there will also be food to share. We hope that all members of the Parish will help to make this a special occasion for the whole community. We welcome FINGER FOOD and Sign-up sheets will be available this weekend.

CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES—PRESENTATION OF

BAPTISMAL STOLE during this weekend Masses.

All our Confirmation Candidates will be presenting

their Baptismal Stole during these Masses as part of

their commitment.

Grief & Loss Course

Our next session for this course is on Tuesday, June the

26th at 7.30pm in the Annexe. This is a reminder to all

participants of the course.

THANK YOU FROM VINNIES: Your response to the

winter appeal is very much appreciated. The baskets

are still available but also there are two boxes in the

wall at the back of the Church and one in the Foyer for

donations which help Vinnies respond to people in

Endeavour Hills at moments of crisis.

SENIORS MORNING TEA June 26th at 10am:

If you are in the 60 + age group this could be a chance for you to meet up for a cuppa and a chat. Please bring a small plate and join us in the Parish Office. We will discussing the plan for our next outing. Betty has some information about possible options. It will be lovely to see you there. Maybe you have other ideas too.

SHOPPING TOUR

Saturday, 8th September .

We are now taking booking

from those who are

interested in coming on

board. Please book early to

avoid missing out this tour.

Cost is $55pp including lunch.

Deposit of $25pp is required by 14th July to secure

your seat. For any inquiry please contact parish office.

Itinerary of the tour is on the board in the Gathering

Space.

PARISH TRIVIA NIGHT & SILENT AUCTION The Men’s Club will be running their Trivia night & Silent Auction again this year. When : Friday, August 31st. Cost : $15.00 per person at St Paul Apostle South School Community Hall. BYO : Nibbles and drinks. It promises to be another fun filled entertaining night with plenty of bargains available and many prizes to be won. Everyone is warmly invited, you may like to get a table of people together, or you might want to come on your own. For any further inquiries or table booking please call John on 97002101 or Dick on 97001284.

This weekend we pray for:

Those who are sick

Mike Jansz, Alyson Jillian Mendoza, Bet Daly, John Coquet, Magda Domskoa, Gatkak Nhial, Aziza Chocky, Anthony Sylvester, Francesca Lucette, Peter Tongi, John P Lawrie, Jude Peter, Bert Geileskey, Mark Pereira, Suzanne Michel, Teresa Leong, Lisa-Maree O’Hara, Jorge Canales, Joan Druett, Hadel & Samara,

For those who have died Isabelle Lubin, Petar Radoc, Ivan Prugovecki, Maura O’ Higgins, Erminia Pahor, Melville Assauw, Virgil D’Souza, Maria Nhi Thi Pham, Edgar Smith, Michael Choo, Filomena Calonica, Lya Mein, Rosalyn De Hoedt, Eric Anthony, Brendan Tamasi, Maria Bertone, Harry Hickey, Joao Ramalhotil-man, Frances Clare Pettiford, Andri Robert, Owen Gunasekara, Gilbert Silvant, Edward Mesquita Varuda, Felix Cachia, Thomas Phan Dinh Hai, Valerian Noronha, Enzo Pietro, Americo Martins,

George Fernando, Seleistina Kiriella, Vincent Kitto, May Walsh, Phyllis Tanner, Gwenny Desousa, Pat Desousa. May they rest in peace

Sunday Readings

THIS WEEK:

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time Nativity of St John the Baptist

Is 49: 1-6 Acts 13: 22-26

Luke 1:57-66, 80

NEXT WEEK:

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time Wis 1: 13-15

2 Cor 8: 7,9, 13-15 Mk 5: 21-43

2012 Theme: ‘Restoring Hope’ The theme for Refugee Week in 2012 is ‘Restoring Hope’. The theme reminds us that, while a refugee’s journey begins with danger, it also begins with hope. Refugees flee their homelands not only because they fear persecution, but also because they have hope: they hope to find freedom persecution, safety and security for themselves and their families; they hope to be given a chance to start a new life and recover from past trauma. The theme also calls attention to the role of countries which, through offering protection to refugees and providing them an opportunity to rebuild their lives, restore hope for a future free from fear, persecution, violence and insecurity. Finally, the theme aims to highlight the situation of refugees whose hopes have not been fulfilled- those who remain in seriously protracted situations, facing ongoing discrimination, violence and uncertainty, with little hope for a resolution in the near future. The theme calls on us to consider how we can provide solutions for these refugees and restore their hopes for a brighter future.

Teach us, Lord,

to do the little things

as though they were great,

because of the majesty of Christ

who does them in us

and who lives our life.

Teach us to do the greatest things

as though they were little and easy

because of his great power.

Amen

ENROLMENT FOR PREP—ST PAUL APOSTLE

Both SOUTH and NORTH Schools are taking names now for 2013. You are welcome to visit both schools and find out for yourself what opportunities and facilities are available for your children in our Parish Based Catholic School. Contact number are as below:

North School: 9700 6068

South School: 9700 3663

Rosters for Next Weekend: June 30th-July 1st (1st Sunday of the month)

Parish Finances

Parish (1st) Pledged Weekly Rec’d

T/G Envelopes $2,982.50 $ 2,365.00

(293 pledges) (126 env)

Credit Card & $2,313.48 $ 2,313.48

Direct Debit (174 pledges)

Cash $ 428.70

Parish Total $ 5,107.18

Priests ( 2nd Collection) $ 1,229.30

Thank You

Sacraments: Baptisms are held on the 1st & 2nd Sunday of the month. Prep-

aration is on the 3rd Sunday of the month.

Marriages require 6 months notice to one of the priests, partici-pation in a FOCCUS marriage preparation program, or a CatholicCARE Course.

Anointing of the Sick is held during Mass on the 1st Friday of the Month at 9am. Before going to hospital for major surgery, why not ask one of the priests to pray with you and anoint you.

Children’s Sacraments require full participation in the prepara-tion phase. Registration forms in the Parish Centre.

Rosters for this Weekend: June 23rd-24th (4th Sunday of Month)

6pm 9am 11am 6pm

Welcome V & C De Zilva J Tarranto

J Bilton M Nadarajah

A Gargano Y Sherwin D Kearney

J Disanayake

Sacristan M Rolfe L Lapierre D De Rozairo

Y Sherwin K Jayasinha

Readers &

Commtrs

R Gonsalves M Pegram L Sendapperuma

V Vaifale J Chadwick C Carayannis

R or M O’Connor M Anthony M Martyn

S Fernando D Candido C Bird

Gifts V & C De Zilva J Sequeira

J Bilton M Magee

O’Connor Family M Meerwald

Communion

G Akom J Stewart D Turner D Trindade J Satyagraha S Dang L Folino

P Marion L & R Alveyn S & D McGuire E & M Morales D Mariette

V & A Clark T Bugge L Newman S Jayamaha A Gargano J Allen B Mathews

M Dawson S D’Roza C Wickramasinghe P Mendonca M Keating S Sembukutti S Disanayake

Servers Dominic, Jessica, Kathleen

Mark, Ashvika, Ethan, Tara

Meaghan, Jake, Jayden

Cuppa

Communion to the Sick after 9am Mass

Roster A: R Martyn

Viewhills: G Calixto R Martyn

Church Prep

Team 3 O & M Trindade

Flowers

D Mariette

Counting L Cresswell K Wong J Lucas

Rosary

Grindlay Family

6pm 9am 11am 6pm

Welcome S Stone A & R Gonsalves

J Bilton A Judge

A Gargano A Costa J Solari

D & W McMahon

Sacristan M Maillard N Raveche E Gunawan

L Forgen S Jayamaha

Readers &

Commtrs

L Flood M Ryan M Rolfe

J Calery L Lapierre

H Greenhill Mytien Lam C White

N Fernando C Bird

Gifts G Tyszka A Gonsalves

N & S Dimitrakas H Alejado B Dusting

Keating Family

Communion

S Stone S or B Herbert S Sharp D Arena P Perera F Dunlop C Emmanuel

B & E David F Hall M Nadarajah A Peters A Mallac

J Solari Y Sherwin C De Souza J Foenander Z Carlow D Farrell C Pereira K De Zilva

K Jayasinha R Mathias N Sangalang G Catania J Catania C Bird P Leitan

Servers Dominic, Jessica, Kathleen

Kurt, William, Cleshan

Aiden, Jake, Jayden