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The Massabielle
The Weekly Newsletter of St Bernadette’s
Parish Community, Castle Hill, NSW
October 11 & 12, 2014 - TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Year A
Issue Number 608
HOW IMPORTANT IS FAMILY?
E
lizabeth Dias, writing in Time
Magazine,
has
an
interesting
introduction to her article on the Synod
in Rome. She writes “It can be easy to
fixate on the idea that the Extraordinary Synod on
the Family beginning in Rome this week is purely
about Catholic Church politics.
“The world clamours for the latest Catholic
hubbub about divorce and remarriage policies,
annulment reform, and which Cardinal holds
which position on what agenda or controversial
marital issue. But something more is happening as
bishops gather for the first major doctrinal and
pastoral summit of the Francis papacy; something
quieter, deeper, and less immediately obvious: a
spiritual renewal that Pope Francis hopes to foster
between church leaders and their people.”
During the week Mavis and Ron Pirola from
Sydney addressed the bishops at the Synod.
Following is an abridged text of the talk they gave.
ifty-seven years ago, I looked across a
room and saw
a
beautiful
young woman.
We came to know each
other over time and
eventually took the huge
step of committing
ourselves to each other
in marriage. We soon
found that living our
new life together was
extraordinarily
complex. Like all marriages, we have had
wonderful times together and also times of anger,
frustration and tears and the nagging fear of a
failed marriage. Yet here we are, 55 years married
and still in love. It certainly is a mystery.
That attraction that we first felt and the
continued bonding force between us was basically
sexual. The little things we did for each other, the
telephone calls and love notes, the way we planned
our day around each other and the things we
shared were outward expressions of our longing to
be intimate with each other.
As each of our four children arrived, it was an
exhilarating joy for which we still thank the Lord
daily. Of course, the complexities of parenting had
great rewards and challenges. There were nights
when we would lie awake wondering where we
had gone wrong.
F
Our faith in Jesus was important to us. We
went to Mass together and looked to the Church
for guidance. Occasionally we looked at Church
documents but they seemed to be from another
planet with difficult language and not terribly
relevant to our own experiences.
In our life’s journey together, we were
primarily influenced through involvement with
other married couples and some priests, mainly in
lay spirituality movements, particularly Équipes
Notre Dame and Worldwide Marriage Encounter.
Gradually we came to see that the only feature
that distinguishes our sacramental relationship
from that of any other good Christ-centred
relationship is sexual intimacy and that marriage is
a sexual sacrament with its fullest expression in
sexual intercourse.
We believe that until married couples come to
reverence sexual union as an essential part of their
spirituality it is extremely hard to appreciate the
beauty of teachings such as those of Humanae
Vitae. We need new ways and relatable language
to touch peoples’ hearts.
Take homosexuality
as an example. Friends
of ours were planning
their Christmas family
gathering when their gay
son said he wanted to
bring his partner home
too. They fully believed
in
the
Church’s
teachings and they knew
their grandchildren would see them welcome the
son and his partner into the family. Their response
could be summed up in these words, ‘He is our
son’.
What a model of evangelization for parishes as
they respond to similar situations in their
neighbourhood! It is a practical example of what
the Instrumentum laboris says concerning the
Church’s teaching role and its main mission to let
the world know of God’s love.
A divorced friend of ours says that
sometimes she doesn’t feel fully accepted in her
parish. However, she turns up to Mass regularly
and uncomplainingly with her children. For the
rest of her parish she should be a model of
courage and commitment in the face of
adversity. From people like her we learn to
recognize that we all carry an element of
brokenness in our lives. Appreciating our own
brokenness helps enormously to reduce our
tendency to be judgemental of others which is
such a block for evangelisation.
We know an elderly widow who lives with her
only son. He is in his forties and has Down
syndrome and schizophrenia. She cares for him
inspiringly and her only expressed fear is who
will care for him when she is no longer able.
Our lives are touched by many such families.
These families have a basic understanding of what
the Church teaches. They could always benefit
from better teaching and programs. However,
more than anything they need to be accompanied
on their journey, welcomed, have their stories
listened to and, above all, affirmed.
The Instrumentum laboris notes that the beauty
of human love mirrors the divine love as recorded
in biblical tradition in the prophets. But their
family lives were chaotic and full of messy
dramas. Yes, family life is ‘messy’. But so is
parish, which is the ‘family of families’.
A high respect for authority, parental,
religious or secular has long gone. So their parents
learn to enter into the lives of their children, to
share their values and hopes for them and also to
learn from them in turn. This process of entering
into the lives of our other persons and learning
from them as well as sharing with them is at the
heart of evangelization. As Pope Paul VI wrote in
Evangelii Nuntiandi, ‘The parents not only
communicate the Gospel to their children, but
from their children they can themselves receive
the same Gospel as deeply lived by them.’ That
has certainly been our experience.
In fact, we resonate with the suggestion of one
of our daughters regarding the development of
what she calls a nuptial paradigm for Christian
spirituality, one that applies to all people, whether
single, celibate or married but which would make
matrimony the starting point for understanding
mission. It would have a solid biblical and
anthropological basis and would highlight the
vocational instinct for generativity and intimacy
experienced by each person. It would remind us
that each of us is created for relationship and that
baptism in Christ means belonging to his Body,
leading us towards an eternity with God who is a
Trinitarian communion of love.”
English Cardinal Vincent Nichols told the press
that the synod gave the Pirolas a round of
applause after their address. He described the
Australian couple as "quite explicit."
The
couple's liberal discussion of the role of sexuality
and sexual intercourse within marriage took the
bishops by surprise. However, the couple helps
the synod to recognise that sex often takes centre
stage and that it is important to the wellbeing of
marriage.
Father John.
LITURGY CORNER
There are two parables in today’s Gospel and, in
both cases, the reaction of the king seems
somewhat extreme. But the parables make an
important point about the invitation being offered by
God: those who do not bother to respond will lose
their invitation; those who accept but fail to change
their way of life (their clothes) will also lose out. This
text warns that Christian life is a web made up of
God’s gracious invitation and our free response.
The Summit, adapted.
Today’s Readings
First Reading: Isaiah 25:6-10. Isaiah
gives us a dazzling and reassuring
image of the warm heart of our God.
Second Reading: Philippians 4:1214,19-20. St Paul thanks some of his converts for their
generosity.
Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14. Jesus shows how sad it
will be if we turn down God’s invitation to the heavenly
banquet.
Next Week: 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A
Isaiah 45:1,4-6; 1Thessalonians 1:1-5; Matthew 22:15-21
Feast Days this Week
Wednesday 15 October - St Teresa of Jesus
Friday 17 October - St Ignatius of Antioch
Saturday 18 October - St Luke
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 Office Basement from 8.00 to 9.00pm
including Rosary and a cuppa. All welcome.
A LIFE-CHANGING OPPORTUNITY
What: Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
Where: The Marian Centre
When: 29 October then on the following
Wednesdays from 7.30 - 9pm.
For Whom: Anyone who is considering what it
means to be a Catholic Christian and may want to join
the Catholic faith community.
Interested: Please contact Sr Judy - Parish Office
on 9634 2622.
CASTLE HILL CEMETERY MASS: An All Souls’
Day Mass will be celebrated at Castle Hill Cemetery
on Saturday, 1st November at 10.00am. There will be
plenty of parking in the grounds.
RETIREMENT VILLAGES SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Nuffield & Hopetoun - Mass & Anointing of the Sick
on Wednesday 15 October at 4pm in the chapel at Farrer
Brown Court.
Nordby - Mass & Anointing of the Sick on Thursday 16
October at 4pm.
Wirreanda - Communion Service & Anointing of the
Sick on Thursday 16 October at 11am.
Brian King Gardens - Mass & Anointing of the Sick
on Friday 17 October at 2pm.
Flinders - Communion Service & Anointing of the Sick on
Saturday 18 October at 10am in Donnington Court.
OPEN DISCUSSION ON THE CHURCH AND
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE: When Bishop Fisher was
appointed to Sydney, the media commented on his
compassion for the victims of child sexual abuse.
“There can be no more excuses, no more cover-ups
and the victims have to be put first”, he said. “The
Catholic Church in Australia is going through a period
of public scrutiny and self-examination. I hope it will
emerge from this purified, humbler, more
compassionate and spiritually regenerated”.
Priests and school staff and others have had an
opportunity to discuss, at professional meetings, the
issue of child molestation, how it happened, the role
of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses
to Child Sexual Abuse, what the Church response is
and what the future may bring. Ordinary parishioners
have not had any opportunity for an open discussion
on this matter and there may be some interest in
parishioners getting together to discuss such matters,
ask questions and be educated. If you feel you would
like to be involved in a night to explore this topic,
please ring Frances and make a booking. For it to be
a night of frank and open discussion, the ability to
express concerns and ask questions, numbers need
to be limited. I have set aside Wednesday October 29
at 7.30pm for parishioners to meet regarding this
matter. Bookings are essential. Please phone the
parish office on 96342622 to make a reservation.
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION PROGRAMME
2014-2015: Parish families who would like their child
to commence preparation for the Sacraments of
Reconciliation and Eucharist need to attend one of
our information evenings held this Monday 13 or
Tuesday 14 October. Both evenings will
commence at 7.30pm and will be held in the church.
These evenings are for parents only and should last
approximately one hour. Children who are in at least
Year 3 are eligible to commence Sacramental
preparation. For more information, please contact
Alice Bradshaw on 9634 2622 (Mon & Tue) or
[email protected].
EXHIBITION
AND
SALE
OF
INDIGENOUS
ART:
All
are
welcome to an exhibition and sale of
works by some of Australia’s
prominent Indigenous artists. The
Hon Anthony Roberts MP will open the exhibition on
Friday 24 October. The artist-in-residence during the
exhibition will be Barbara Weir from the Utopia
Community in the Central Desert, NT. All artworks
are on sale with proceeds to benefit St Patrick’s
Cathedral project and Ars Musica.
Open Friday 24 Oct, 7.30-9.30pm; Saturday 25 Oct,
10am-4pm; Sunday 26 Oct, 10am-4pm at St Patrick’s
Cathedral Hall, 1 Marist Place, Parramatta.
BLENDED FAMILIES SEMINAR: Wesley Uniting
Church Castle Hill invites you to a free seminar on
Wednesday, 22 October from 7.30pm to 9.15pm in
the Friendship Room, 32 Showground Road, Castle
Hill. This is an opportunity to learn more and
understand the issues for Blended Families. Guest
presenters Sharon Chapman (family counselling
service), Karen Haga (family law specialist) and
Denise Lockrey (Castle Hill Public School). Supper
provided. More information: 9894 8999.
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.
Leading Teens
Closer To Christ
Youth & Young Adults Ministry
We're back in action.
Into LIFE Friday for years 7-8: This term we’re
going to learn through stories. Ready to be
inspired? Don't forget your $2 donation!
Life NIGHT tonight is the HSC BBQ. Let’s band
together with those about to start their HSC.
More information? Please contact James Hay on
0403 933 732, Twitter: @StBernadettesYM,
Instagram: StBernadetteYouth or
[email protected].
MAMRE FESTIVAL: Mamre is a work in the
Parramatta Diocese
that offers programmes to
support refugees, the disabled and youth at risk. You
are invited to their Good Living Festival next Sunday
19th October from 9.30am to 3.30pm at 181 Mamre
Road, Orchard Hills. Easy parking available. Enjoy
craft and gift stalls, rock climbing for children, plant
sales, gourmet food, fresh fruit and vegetables,
Devonshire teas, and much, much more!
DIOCESAN SHOPPING TRIP: This year’s Shopping
Trip is raising funds for CatholicCare’s family support
programme with Holy Family Services at Marayong.
Over 15 factory outlets are visited on a shopping
extravaganza, which includes a bistro lunch.
Departs from 2 points: 7.00am – Burns T-Way Station
(off Old Windsor Rd), Kellyville (on-site parking);
7.00am - Information Kiosk, Panthers Leagues Club,
Penrith on Saturday 15 November. Cost is $55 adults,
$45 concession, $20 kids. Bookings close 17 October:
Virginia 0413 607 571, [email protected].
SCHOENSTATT
JUBILEE:
The Schoenstatt
Movement celebrates 100 years of foundation next
Sunday 19th October at Mt Schoenstatt, 230 Fairlight
Road, Mulgoa beginning at 10.30am with Solemn
Pontifical Mass. Lunch will follow and then an
international festival concluding with Benediction at
3pm. All welcome. For more information email
[email protected] or phone 4773 8338.
THE JEWELER’S SHOP PLAY by Karol Wojtyla.
The Diocesan Family and Life Office in partnership
with Artes Christi is sponsoring a performance of The
Jeweler’s Shop: A meditation on the Sacrament of
Matrimony by St John Paul II on Sunday 26 October
at 3pm, Riverside Theatre, Parramatta. Tickets: $30
adults, $25 concession and $20 for groups of 10. For
information on how to book contact Ben Smith on
8838 3440 or [email protected].
VOLUNTEER
HELP
NEEDED:
Communion
Ministers, Acolytes or people trained for home
visitation of the sick are needed to take Communion to
the sick in Westmead Hospital on Sunday mornings
between 9 and 11am on a roster basis, once every
eight weeks. For information contact Deacon Tan on
0407 270 782 or [email protected].
COLUMBAN CALENDARS ARE NOW ON SALE
FROM THE BOOKSHOP FOR $10 EACH.
St Bernadette’s Parish Community
Parish House, 367 Old Northern Road, Castle Hill, NSW 2154
Telephone 9634 2622 Fax 9899 3511 Email: [email protected]
Web page: http://www.stbernadette.org.au
Parish Staff
Mass Times for this Week
Fr John Boyle, Parish Priest
Sunday
Sat
6.00pm
Fr Eugene Szondi, Assistant Priest
Sun 7.30am, 9.00am, 10.30am &
Fr John Watkins, 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, 9.15 am
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 2015 Information Nights - 13th & 14th October, 2014
Please pray for Joseph Finucane, Jamille Laban and Mary Armstrong (Memorial Mass at 9am on Sunday 19
Oct) who have died recently and for the anniversaries of John Boitano, Joseph Rayeroux, Achille & Margherita
Foresteiri and in remembrance of Deceased Relatives & Friends of the Ingold Family.
Prayers for the Sick: Patrick Bowie, John Mulholland, Robert Ison, Elaine Rowe, Sr Bridie O’Connell,
Rhonda Baker, Sandra Watson, Greta Meier, Robert Teoh, Dick Smith, Peter Yao, Archer Kemmis, Joe Rego,
Sophie Maher, Dorothy Barbour, Jocelyn Nice & Jan Heyworth.
ROSTERS FOR NEXT WEEKEND - 18 & 19 October, 2014
ACOLYTES/ SERVERS
VIGIL
Melvyn Myers, James Tchang
S2
LECTORS
MINISTERS OF COMMUNION
Kristine Murgatroyd
Les Blanch
Rod Burridge
Felicity Carvalho, Susan Concon, John Leach,
Phyllis Lopez, Laura Burridge, Susan Cejka,
Lynne Myers, Joan Quinn, Mary McMahon
Anne Parker
Mary Ward
Matthew Troy
Barbara Ortlepp, Alfred & Gladys Tsang,
Colleen & Eric Woodhead, Jo Wickens
David Green
Greg Piggott
Shane Robinson
Brian & Jenny Blacklock, Neil Bone, Angela Crowe,
Brian D’Arcy, Jeff Davis, Jocelyn Donovan,
Jack Garcia, Rosalie Sampath
Bill Gleeson
Elizabeth Fogolin
Michael Puckeridge
Anita Christy, Pauline Camilleri, Dorothy Finucane,
Narelle Cartwright, Philip Golamco, Elizabeth Fogolin,
Margaret Hawkes, Winnie & Henry Li
7.30AM
Terry O’Mara, David Tye
S3
9.00AM
Stephen MacMahon, Michael Lopez
S4
10.30AM
Philip Myers, Reg Sinha
S5
6.00PM PARISH LIFE TEEN YOUTH MASS MINISTRY ROSTER - 19 October
Adult Server
Cassie Holden
Lectors
Janina Cejka
Mystique Nelis
Patricia Wibisono
Dominic Jones
Guitar
Martin Abeleda
Altar Servers
S6
Singers
Musos
Piano
Projectionist
Josh Becker
Horns
Bass
Erich Gracias Flor
Drums
Justin Abeleda
Cassie Knezevic
Jacqui Holden
Natalie Jones
Nicholas Holden
Jamison Bonifacio
Kristen Mathias
Lauren Fernandez
CHILDREN’S LITURGY
Anne Hishion
Lilia Singleton-Turner
Margaret Griffin, Faye Goldsworthy,
Joan McCallich
CHURCH HOUSEKEEPING
COUNTING (2nd Collection)
Adrian Franks, David Tye, Cosimo Miccoli,
Chris Clancy
FLOWER ROSTER
COUNTING (1st Collection)
BOOKSHOP
Paula Boyd / Carmel Moriarty / Christine & Hubert
Jenneke / Prasana Gunawardena / Ingrid Vergano
Sandra Fernando
Alfred & Gladys Tsang