January 17 & 18, 2015 - SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME- Year B Issue Number 622

The Massabielle The Weekly Newsletter of St Bernadette’s

Parish Community, Castle Hill, NSW

visible on many placards. A common thread running through the French man (and woman) on-the-street interviews in relation to the marches was the constant remark that freedom of the press is a hallmark of French life and culture. Many held up a pencil as a defiant symbol that the pen is mightier than the sword. Others lit candles, a curious but particularly religious symbol in this secular age that showed a vestige of French Catholicism’s theology of remembering and praying for the dead.

The bells of Notre Dame were rung. One thing it said to me was that those who

lampoon organised religion fail to understand the role religion plays in ordinary people’s lives. The people interviewed on the street felt a need to be

there but were unable to clearly articulate a reason for their presence. Parisian Marion Egel, 61 years old, stood with her copy of Libération newspaper through the slow bell ringing without an umbrella. “For my generation, these cartoonists are a symbol of freedom,” she said. “Coming here to me is also symbolic.”

Another Parisian, Eleanore Baudry, 41 said, “I never read Charlie Hebdo but I signed up for a subscription this morning to support freedom of expression.”

Across the Channel, Julian Asssange, a proponent of freedom of the press is, at the moment, holed up in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London because of his fear that he would face charges in the United States if he were released into the hands of Swedish authorities. Edward Snowdon has a similar problem. He was stuck in the transit lounge at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport for six weeks in 2013 because his passport had been cancelled by US authorities wanting to arrest him for living out a freedom-of-the-press philosophy.

We are mindful of Australian Peter Greste whose reporting of ‘news’ in Egypt got him a gaol sentence.

The British revisionist historian and Nazi apologist David Irving was, in February 2006, sentenced to three years in prison for denying the Holocaust.

I n the last week thousands of people from all over France have taken to the streets in support of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. Sydney has also seen

solidarity-protests in Martin Place near the Lindt chocolate cafe where two hostages and their captor were killed on December 16.

Last Sunday world leaders, including the Greek, Spanish, British, Danish, Italian, Turkish, and Polish Prime Ministers linked arms in a show of solidarity. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu was also there but separated from the Palestinian President, Mahmud Abbas by six world leaders including the Malian President, the French President and German Chancellor. What a powerful symbol if those two had joined hands. I guess they were not going to get caught out as Prince Charles was at the funeral of Pope John Paul II in April 2005 when, having postponed his wedding to Camilla Parker-Bowles so he could travel to Rome for the funeral and, with his mind on other things, unwittingly shook hands with Robert Mugabe at the Sign of Peace. The photographers captured the moment and the photo was around the world in minutes. Benjamin Netanyahu was not going to be ambushed in the same way.

Mahmoud Abbas, at the invitation of Pope Francis, did pray with Israeli President Shimon Peres in the Vatican Gardens last June. The two men had signed the Oslo peace accords in 1993.

Pope Francis issued the invitation to come to ‘‘my home’’ to pray for peace. ‘‘Peace is a gift of God, but requires our efforts. Let us be people of peace in prayer and deed,’’ Francis tweeted on the eve of the summit. ‘‘Prayer is all-powerful. Let us use it to bring peace to the Middle East and peace to the world.’’ There were no religious leaders present at the Paris March on Sunday. A pity!

So what was this all about? The March was marketed by the media as a

demonstration of the principle of freedom of the press with slogans such as “freedom of speech”

THE CHARLIE HEBDO AFFAIR

provocative cartoons were offensive to many people. This fact seems to be overlooked in the emotional outpouring of grief following the massacre. Free speech and freedom of the press are fundamental human rights. Nevertheless the Charlie Hebdo cartoonists and the publications’ (now) three million readers obviously do not believe there are limits to offending and ridiculing the faith and beliefs of others. That a group of mature adults would see it as their life’s work to ridicule organised religion and deliberately offend sections of the community raises some awkward questions. What is it in French life and culture that fosters an attitude that says it is okay for a publication to incite hatred and to insult anyone, living or dead, under the banner of “freedom of the press”? Having a right to free speech carries with it certain responsibilities.

Sunday’s march missed a great opportunity. An opportunity in having religious leaders marching with world leaders in a show of solidarity fostering reconciliation. And French secularists have forgotten what bells are for. They are, to use a Muslim expression, a call-to-prayer. Perhaps instead of just listening to the bells of

Notre Dame outside and applauding when the bells stopped ringing the denizens

could have gone inside to pray for peace. The media just don’t get it. Newspapers

refused to reprint the offensive cartoons, not out of a sense of moral indignation at the unnecessary hurt this would cause to some citizens but because they thought their offices would be firebombed.

As a minority, French-born Muslims feel strangers in a foreign land even though they have been born within hearing distance of the bells of Notre Dame. They are underrepresented in the professions, in government, in the armed forces and in French life. It is this alienation that has led to a frustration and a fanaticism that, when provoked, is met with awesome retaliation. It is school yard bullying stuff raised to a higher level so that, when trained to defend themselves with bombs and guns, they cause conflict that is out of proportion to their grievances and their numbers.

Offensive cartoons become a lightning rod for extreme anti-social behaviour. In the secular world that is France today, religious leaders are nobodies, yet I contend they hold the key to integration.

On the same day as 12 journalists were murdered in Paris, 2,000 villagers were killed and their villages looted by Boko Haram in central Nigeria, yet the media remained transfixed on events in Paris. What kind of a world do we live in?

Monsignor John.

And what about the furore caused when newspapers reported ‘news’ that Australian intelligence was taping the phones of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his wife Kristiani Herawati?

And what about freedom of speech in Australia? During the week almost all Australian venues have been cancelled for the proposed sessions of American anti-vaccination campaigner Sherri Tenpenny. “Immigration Minister Peter Dutton is yet to respond to calls to deny Dr Tenpenny's visa.” It was reported on blog sites during the week. Her views are whacky, but does she have a right to express them in this country?

In another case the then Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said, “This guy (Julien Blanc) wasn't pushing forward political ideas, he was putting a view that was derogatory to women and that's just something that our values abhor in this country.”

“People have a right to be bigots, you know” Attorney-General George Brandis said last August in reference to section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.

Also last year, a talk entitled ‘Honour Killings are Morally Justified’ was cancelled by the Festival of Dangerous Ideas at the Sydney Opera House following a public backlash. The Prime Minister, Tony Abbott said on Wednesday, “I believe in free speech - I absolutely believe in free speech.”

By Wednesday of this week there was a shift in media language. “Freedom of the press” and “Je suis Charlie” (I am Charlie) had morphed into “a show of solidarity” honouring the victims who had been killed.

At the same time the normal circulation of 60,000 copies of Charlie Hebdo had been increased to 3 million copies and the magazine sold out within hours. Prime Minister Tony Abbott says he “rather likes” the controversial cover of the latest edition of Charlie Hebdo, adding “I believe in free speech - I absolutely believe in free speech.” “I'm not sure that I would have liked everything that Charlie Hebdo produced, but this is a cartoon of the Prophet with a tear streaming down his face saying ‘all is forgiven’. “That spirit of forgiveness is what we need more and more in this rancorous modern world.” But the cartoon has been condemned by some in the Muslim community and Egypt's state-sponsored Islamic authority calling it an ‘an unjustified provocation against the feelings of 1.5 billion Muslims’.

Charlie Hebdo was a problem not just to Muslims but to Jews and Catholics as well. Any religion was fair game to the publication and the

RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

LITURGY CORNER

Teaching was an essential aspect of Jesus’ ministry. His style was not to merely give his

listeners the facts, but to draw them into sharing

his understanding and way of life. When John’s two disciples (John 1:35-42) show interest in his way,

Jesus does two things: he asks them “what do you want?” and then offers them an invitation: “come

and see”. Both the question and the invitation are

valid today – how do we respond? The Summit, adapted.

Today’s Readings

First Reading: 1 Samuel 3:3-10,19. The Lord calls Samuel to be his faithful servant.

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:13-15,17-20. Our bodies are

members making up the body of Christ.

Gospel: John 1:35-42. Jesus calls his first disciples.

Next Week: 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B Jonah 3:1-5,10; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20.

Feast Day this Week

Wednesday 21 January - St Agnes

Saturday 24 - St Francis de Sales

HOLY HOUR this Thursday from 8.00 to 9.00pm including Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary, prayers, hymns and scripture reading. All welcome.

REPARATION PRAYER GROUP meets Tuesdays in the Parish Basement from 8.00 to 9.00pm including Rosary and a cuppa. All welcome.

There will be no Retirement Village Services celebrated in January.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION PROGRAMME 2014-2015: Welcome cards of the children who are preparing for the sacraments are now on display in the church foyer. Please continue to keep all our parish families in your prayers during this special time. Sessions will resume on either Monday 2 February or Tuesday 3 February at 7.30pm in the church for parents only.

WORLD DAY OF THE SICK HEALING MASS: St John Paul II instituted the World Day of the Sick celebrations on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Our Diocese will celebrate World Day of the Sick with a Healing Mass and anointing at St Patrick’s Church, 51-59 Allawah Street Blacktown on Wednesday 11 February at 7.00pm. A welcome is extended to the sick and frail-aged, their relatives and carers. People from the healing professions: nurses, ancillary and administrative staff from hospitals and nursing homes will also attend. The organiser of the Mass is Msgr John Boyle in his role as co-ordinator for diocesan health matters.

It’s Holidays! We hope you all had the best

Christmas and New Year!

Into Life will return Friday January 30 at 7pm in the

Hall.

Life Night will return Sunday February 1st at 7pm in

the Hall

Have ideas for new works and ministries Please contact

James Hay.

More information? Please contact James Hay on 0403 933 732, Twitter: @StBernadettesYM, Instagram:

StBernadetteYouth or ym@stbernadette.org.au.

DRIVEWAY REPAIRS: Repairs to the asphalt on the driveway adjacent to the school are scheduled for this Friday 23 January. To allow people to access parking in the grounds on that day, the gates that give access to the level playgrounds will be open all day. Access to parking at the front of the church and the main parking area on the Western side of the property will be available from Old Northern Road. The parking area adjacent to Brisbane Rd will not be available. Drivers are asked to be especially careful in accessing the grounds.

LITTLE ROCK SCRIPTURE STUDY will recommence on Wednesday 11th February at 10.00am in the Marian Centre studying the Book of Isaiah. New members are welcome. The cost of the books is $18.00. Please call the parish office before 3rd February to register. OUR LADY’S STATUE: Parishioners are invited to borrow the beautiful statue of Our Lady appearing to St Bernadette for any week in 2015. Book it for a special occasion or simply to encourage private/family prayer. Place your name, address and contact number on the roster at the entrance of the church. Enquiries: Janina Mousley on 9899 6060.

TUESDAY PRAYER GROUP continues over the Christmas break in the Marian Centre every Tuesday morning at 10.00am. All welcome. For information phone Pauline on 0407 417 039.

ST BERNADETTE’S 2015 CALENDAR IS AVAILABLE FROM THE CHURCH ENTRANCE.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT PROGRAM: CCSS Solo Parent Services is commencing a fortnightly Bereavement Support Program for men or women who have suffered the death of their spouse or long term partner commencing on Tuesday 3rd February from 10.00am - 12.00pm. Venue: 51 – 59 Allawah St, Blacktown. There will be input, reflection and discussion on various aspects of grief. Registration essential: Eileen or Rita on 9933 0205.

Youth & Young Adults Ministry

ON SALE: 50% OFF COLUMBAN CALENDARS AVAILABLE FROM THE BOOKSHOP - $5 EACH.

Have you considered leaving a gift to the parish in your will? If you would like further information please phone 9634 2622 for a confidential discussion.

St Bernadette’s Parish Community

Parish House, 367 Old Northern Road, Castle Hill, NSW 2154

Telephone 9634 2622 Fax 9899 3511 Email: admin@stbernadette.org.au

Web page: http://www.stbernadette.org.au

Parish Staff Mass Times for this Week Monsignor John Boyle, Parish Priest Sunday Sat 6.00pm Fr Eugene Szondi, Assistant Priest Sun 7.30am, 9.00am, 10.30am & Fr Michael Gathuku, Assistant Priest 6.00pm Parish LIFE TEEN Youth Mass Sr Judy McLeod, rsm, Pastoral Associate Weekdays Mon 6.45am Mrs Alice Bradshaw, Sacramental Co-ordinator Tue 6.45am Mr James Hay, Youth Minister Wed 6.45am, 9.15am Mrs Frances Gallagher, Office Manager Thurs 6.45am, 9.15am

Mrs Monica Rubic, Parish Secretary (Finance: Mon-Thu) Fri 6.45am, 9.15am Mr Darren Edwards, Maintenance Sat 8.00 am

Reconciliation Sat 8.30am - 9.00am, 4.30pm - 5.30pm Mass on Public Holidays at 8.00am

Baptisms and Marriages: By appointment only. Contact the Parish Office. Please note the Church law: Parents are obliged to take care that infants are baptised in the first few weeks. As soon as possible after the birth or even before it, they are to go to the pastor to request the sacrament for their child and to be prepared properly for it. [Can. 867 §1]

St Bernadette’s Parish School: Mrs Leanne Nettleton (Principal) 9634 2898

Acting Parish Council Administrator: Peter Grace 9659 5350

Sacramental Programme 2016 Information Nights - 12th & 13th October, 2015

Please pray for Dawn Dover, Gladys Hagerty, Louis Nunes, Eve Lockwood and Dan Mallari who have died recently and for the anniversaries of James Ingold and Beatrice Cabral.

Prayers for the Sick: John Mulholland, Elaine Rowe, Sr Bridie O’Connell, Greta Meier, Robert Teoh, Peter Yao, Patrick Chensee, Archer Kemmis, Howard Woodward, Joe Rego, Sophie Maher, Dorothy Barbour, Kay Taylor, Lina & Ken Raule, Gabrielle Aliprandi and Jan Heyworth.

ROSTERS FOR NEXT WEEKEND - 24 & 25 January, 2015

ACOLYTES/ SERVERS LECTORS MINISTERS OF COMMUNION

VIGIL Michael Lopez Philip Myers

Caroline Dumapit Michelle Monteiro John Abernethy

Williams Family, Annarita Mezger, Sabrina Lobo, Maureen & Ray Scully, Connie Tierney, Helen Wintle,

Rebecca/David Cushway, Delphine Fernandes

7.30AM Vince Connelly

Reg Sinha

Gerard Kearney Daryl Hill

Audrey Markowskei

Rose & Peter Huby, Gerald & Geraldine Kearney, Sarah Markowskei, Joyan Fife

9.00AM Dennis Frketic

Stephen MacMahon

Ann O’Brien Susan Moore Nadine Lucas

David/Bettina Green, Sally Healey, Healey Family, John & Lois Donnelly, Aida Pereira, Lena Madry,

Brian & Katrina Fitzalan

10.30AM Roque Dias Edy Kusuma

Anna-Maria Fitzpatrick Michael/John Fitzpatrick

Philip Golamco

Rosemary Roco, Coney Lau, Roslyn Knezevic, Sandra Merhi, Joanna Frketic, Hilary Fong,

Elizabeth & Jiji Joseph, Dawn Wickramasinghe

6.00PM PARISH LIFE TEEN YOUTH MASS MINISTRY ROSTER - 25 January, 2015

Servers Raphael De Leon

Welcoming James Hay Paul Fam

Lectors Veronica Ward

Patricia Wibisono Paul Fam

Offertory Brendan Hassan

Cassie Obeid Clair Ward James Hay

Projectionist Andrew Tchang

Communion Michael Holden

Nat Jones Darren Edwards

James Hay Lorena Perez

Aleksei Gracias Flor Tina Muscat Tony Muscat

Singers Jacqui Holden Jamie Irawan

Alyssa Tchang Adam Chioatto Jolene Chua Rachel Chua

Horns Jordan Tulinsky

Lauren Fernandez

CHILDREN’S LITURGY Karen Grace Katrina Obeid

FLOWER ROSTER Margaret Jones

CHURCH HOUSEKEEPING Margaret Griffin, Faye Goldsworthy,

Joan McAuliffe

COUNTING (1st Collection) Barbara Ingram Marie Sammut

COUNTING (2nd Collection) Karl Procter, Anne Cheung, Michael McDermott,

Joe Morgan

BOOKSHOP Maureen Fearnside / Catherine Seddon / Christine &

Hubert Jenneke / Crystal Good / Ingrid Vergano

Piano Alice Bradshaw

Bass Anthony Healey

Drums Jason Irawan

Guitar Daniel Ang