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St Thomas More Parish
298 Bay Street, Brighton le Sands, NSW 2216, Australia
Fr Manuel Santiago Parish Priest
Fr Andrew Fu Assistant Priest
Peter Dowling Secretary/ Coordinator
Tel: 9567 3589 Fax: 9567 7905
Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.thomasmorebrighton.org.
Sunday Mass Times: Saturday 5.30 pm, Sunday 8.00 am & 10.00 am (Children's Liturgy 2nd & 4th Sundays)
Weekday Masses: Tuesday to Friday 9.00 am, Communion Service: Monday 9.00 am
Exposition/ Benediction: 1st Friday of the Month 8.15 am
Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturday 4.30 pm to 5.00 pm
St Thomas More Primary School : Tel: 02 9597 5884 - Principal Mrs Jenny Frost
President Pastoral Council: David D’Amato
Chairman Finance Committee: Pat Bugden
The Two and The Third
Our reflections in this Sunday’s gospel carry the theme of invitation. The parable speaks of two
invitations and the third invitation sent by the king who tendered a wedding banquet for his son. During
the time of our Jesus, attendance at weddings was a social obligation. Furthermore, this feast is made
within the context of extravagance, that is, in one’s imagination try to picture this banquet of the king
for his son’s wedding in terms of the abundance of preparation and the presence of food and drinks.
Perhaps you might be wondering why not combine all the three invitations. The story line is that the
first two invitations were rejected by the invited guests. Then in the third invitation, all responded, the
people composed of the bad and good alike. These “all” are those people in the crossroads.
But why would the so called “invited ones” twice to be reminded. It follows the sequence of first,
the king through his servants sent invitation. The second time the king sent reminders again through his
servants that the banquet is ready. This is called double invitation, however, the invited guests rejected
the invitation by refusing to come. The attitude of the guests insulted the dignity of the king who had
counted on their attendance and graciously prepared food for them. This rejection is tantamount to
rebellion.
Let us look at the “third” group, these people quickly responded to the king’s invitation. The
king instructed again his servants to gather all the people, the good and bad alike to the wedding
banquet. They all came to the wedding banquet except one who came in his “soiled” or “dirty”
garment. The host spotted him and sent him out. The wedding garment symbolises repentance. “Many
are called but few are chosen.” So think, do you want to belong to “the two” or to “the third?”
Quote: “Like the Church, the liturgical assembly is made of sinners. Therefore, there is no room for
self-glorification because all know that their strength comes from God, beginning with the fruits of
conversion which the grace of the Eucharist.”(Days of the Lord. The Liturgical Year. Vol 4—year A)
Fr Manuel Santiago
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time [A] - 12 October 2014
FIRST READING Isaiah 25:6-10
A reading from the prophet Isaiah
On this mountain,
the Lord of hosts will prepare for all peoples a banquet of rich food, a banquet of fine wines, of
food rich and juicy, of fine strained wines.
On this mountain he will remove the mourning veil covering all peoples,
and the shroud enwrapping all nations, he will destroy Death for ever.
The Lord will wipe away the tears from every cheek;
he will take away his people's shame everywhere on earth,
for the Lord has said so. That day, it will be said: See, this is our God
in whom we hoped for salvation; the Lord is the one in whom we hoped.
We exult and we rejoice that he has saved us;
for the hand of the Lord rests on this mountain.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 22
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life.
SECOND READING
Philippians 4:12-14. 19-20
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Philippians
I know how to be poor and I know how to be rich too. I have been through my initiation and now I
am ready for anything anywhere; full stomach or empty stomach, poverty or plenty. There is
nothing I cannot master with the help of the One who gives me strength. All the same, it was good
of you to share with me in my hardships. In return my God will fulfil all your needs, in Christ Jesus,
as lavishly as only God can. Glory to God, our Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION cf Ephesians 1:17. 18
Alleluia, alleluia!
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our heart
that we might see how great is the hope
to which we are called.
Alleluia!
HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 22:1-14
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people: 'The kingdom of heaven may be
compared to a king who gave a feast for his son's wedding. He sent his servants to call those who
had been invited, but they would not come. Next he sent some more servants. "Tell those who
have been invited," he said, "that I have my banquet all prepared, my oxen and fattened cattle
have been slaughtered, everything is ready. Come to the wedding." But they were not interested:
one went off to his farm, another to his business, and the rest seized his servants, maltreated them
and killed them. The king was furious. He dispatched his troops, destroyed those murderers and
burnt their town. Then he said to his servants, "The wedding is ready; but as those who were
invited proved to be unworthy, go to the crossroads in the town and invite everyone you can find
to the wedding." So these servants went out on to the roads and collected together everyone they
could find, bad and good alike; and the wedding hall was filled with guests. When the king came
in to look at the guests he noticed one man who was not wearing a wedding garment, and said to
him, "How did you get in here, my friend, without a wedding garment?" And the man was silent.
Then the king said to the attendants, "Bind him hand and foot and throw him out into the dark,
where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth." For many are called, but few are chosen.'
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Farewell to Fr Andrew Fu
Fr Andrew has been appointed full time Chaplain to the Chinese communities of Camperdown, Hurstville
Kingsgrove and Eastwood as of the 1st of October. As a result of his appointment he will be living at St
Joseph's Parish Camperdown and will be moving there in the near future.
On behalf of the whole Parish of St Thomas More, we sincerely thank Fr Andrew for his work and
contribution to the life of our parish for the past two years that he has spent with us; and wish him every
best in his priestly vocation in service of the Chinese Community in Sydney.
A Farewell Mass for Fr Andrew will take place on Sat 18 October at 5.30 followed by a gathering in the
Parish Centre. Everyone is invited to come and personally thank Fr Andrew and say goodbye. Please bring
a plate of food along to share. Fr Manuel.
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Catholic Mission Appeal - Propagation of the Faith
Heal the Broken Hearted RWANDA 20 YEARS ON
Twenty years on from the Rwandan genocide, the people still carry deep wounds and are in desperate
need of practical, spiritual and emotional support. By supporting the Catholic Mission Church Appeal today
or becoming a 'Friend in Faith' partner with a monthly gift, you are helping the broken-hearted of Rwanda
to forgive, heal and unite. Freecall: 1800 257 296 / Web site catholicmission.org.au/Rwanda
At Masses this Sunday we please welcome Mr Bruce Sinclair who will tell us about his experiences working
with Catholic Mission. Please give Bruce an enthusiastic welcome!!!
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Learning to Confess - First Reconciliation [Penance]
Children from our parish will be receiving the sacrament of Penance - Reconciliation for the first time on
Tuesday 11 November. An information night for parents and their children interested in enrolling will
be held in the Lander Centre on Tuesday 14th October at 7.00 p.m. The following Sunday [19th Oct];
The children will be formally enrolled during the 10.00 am Mass. Lessons for other children [not
including St Thomas More School children] in the Parish Centre on Sunday 19 October at 8.45 a.m. For
further information or obtaining enrolment forms please phone the Parish Office on Monday Morning on
9567 3589.
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FUND RAISING EVENT Trash & Treasure Sale This Sunday - 12 October
8:00 am-1:00 pm in the Parish Centre! St Thomas More School Year 6 Graduation Fundraiser.
ALL WELCOME! Come and grab a bargain and coffee & cake!
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Liturgical Ministers needed!!! Due to a number of people retiring from various liturgical roles or
moving away we in need of new Lectors and Ministers of Communion at Sunday Masses. If you are able
to help please see Fr Manual after Mass or contact the Parish office next week by phoning 9567
3589. Training will be provided.
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Annual Altar Society Stall in Mid November
The Altar Society is holding their annual craft and white elephant stall in mid November. Anyone
interested in knitting can you please help with knitted garments. Also any second hand goods (No
Clothes) can be collected. Any questions /donation please ring Doris Pisani on 9597 3806. Thank you.
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Recent Baptisms
Congratulations to Ayla Jade Sanders, Luka Zorinov Gregorio, Christian Alexander
Tribastoni and Anica Aroha Bursic who were recently were Baptised in our Parish
Church by Fr Manuel.
ALTAR SOCIETY NEWS This weekend you can purchase your Christmas Cards and Columban
Calendars from the Altar Society Stall. Christmas Cards $3.00 per pack - Columban Calendars $9.00
each.
LITURGY ROSTER FOR NEXT SUNDAY
29th Sunday in ORDINARY TIME 18-19 October 2014
Commentator
Lectors
Extraordinary Ministers of
Communion
Acolytes
5:30 PM (Sat)
A Mackenzie
H & C Mifsud
8:00 AM (Sun)
J Meagher
J Brooking
10:00 AM (Sun)
E Raymundo
E Raymundo
R Morris
B Trott
J Meagher
T Thumboo
A Diel
P McCarthy
M Raymundo
COUNTERS
13/10 B & P Driscoll, P McCarthy
20/10 E Collaro, A Sammut, T Gaut
FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
Wed: St Teresa of Jesus (Memorial), Fri: St Ignatius of Antioch (Memorial)
Sat: St Luke evangelist (Feast) Mass at 9.00 am
Please pray for the Poor, the Sick and the Faithful Departed of the Parish:
Recently Deceased: Keith William Darnell (Died 4.10.14); Barry Alexander (Died 2.10.14 - Vancouver);
Maria Siciarek (Died 30.9.2014); Kathleen Mary Aspill (died 28.9.14); Vincent Anthony Muscat (Died
21.9.14); Marie Tayeh (Died 14.9.14); Anthony Darmanin (Died 16 Sept in Malta).
Anniversaries: Wilfredo Panlilio(Anniv 12 October); Michele Feebrey (Died 9.8.88); Les Waters (Died
20.10.89); Julietta El Amal (Died 3.10.12); Charles Cutajar (Died 15.10.11); Elizabeth (Gil) Gilshenen (4th
Anniv. Died 13.10.10); Fortunata Planta (1st Anniv. 20.10.14).
Deceased: Kathleen, Ron, Ron Jnr, & Lorna Edgar; Jose Carlos de Carvalho Abreu & Silva Geraldo Rezende
Assuncao, Gloria Rezende de Paiva, Odete Henriques Damasceno, Elisio Damasceno; Maria Mat Nguyen;
Orazio & Rosa Di Pasqua, Vincenzo & Carmela Camuglia & Gary Green; Michael Degabriele; James &
Angela Vassallo; Ron D'Astoli; Susan Elizabeth Gore; Bartolo [Bob] Natoli; Charlie Pisani, Charles
Baldacchino; Jim Pisani; Sam Pisani; Frank Rozmus, Maxwell Szpoper; Herbert Fenech.
Other: Holy Souls in Purgatory.
Prayers for the Sick: Julain Snell; Colleen Cartner (East Gosford); Lachlan Vella; Christine Hay (who is gravely
ill); Zac Mullens; George Kent; Hilda Das Neves; Anthony Attard; Japeth Ryan Tolentino; Brigida Moniz; Anita
Wong; Geoffrey Goodwin; Angela Formosa; Josi Duarte; Rose Carlos-Cruz; Mitchell Fisher; Maguy &
Christian Ajaka; Greg Mackey; Kathleen Aspill; Jose De Ocampo Jnr.; Marie Kean; Brandon Bell; Mark
Squires; Kelly Fox; Jimmy Wells; Joseph & Barica (Barbara) Kos; Paul Marvyn Villanueva; Billy Kennedy; Louis
Saadeh; Allen Ajaka; Josephine Albany; Deborah Liu; Joyce Barbuto; Fernanda Rosso; Joyce Martin; Yvonne
Hoskins; Doris Borg; Jaro Kolla; Jared Groeneveld; Nelly Swarez; Jean & Jack O’Brien; Pat & Brian
Hutchinson; Frank Dannaher [senior]; Alfred [Fred] Spiteri]; Pauline Sciberras.
Mass Intentions; To avoid secretarial errors, please indicate clearly the purpose of your Mass Intention.
PLANNED GIVING PROGRAM REQUEST FORM Especially to become a regular contributor please fill in this
slip and return it to the Parish Office.
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(A credit card authority form will be sent to you for completion - American Express not accepted)