1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

St Brigid’s Marrickville
In the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, Australia
One Family, Alive in Christ
Est 1886. Under the Pastoral Care of the Passionists since 1887
392 Marrickville Rd (PO Box 237), Marrickville NSW 2204
Tel: 02 8577 5670
Fax: 02 8577 5679
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.stbrigid.org.au
FaceBook: St Brigid’s Marrickville
Parish Priest: Fr John Pearce CP ([email protected])
Associates: Fr Peter Gardiner CP ([email protected])
Sr Elena Daton CP ([email protected])
Parish Secretary: Ms Terrey Trethowan (9.30am - 4pm)
We stand at the Crossroads of life for many people
33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time (Yr A)
Thank you all for coming this afternoon and joining me here at
St Patrick’s Cathedral for this
farewell event. Thank you, especially, to Dr Geoff Lee and Mr Michael
Digges, for their very generous
speeches and to Dr Lee for making
his remarks in Parliament also.
Back in 2012 I was invited by
the then Lord Mayor of Parramatta,
John Chedid, to lead a Christmas
blessing in front of the Parramatta
Town Hall in Church Street Mall.
Apart from the privilege of leading
the City in this ceremony commemorating the advent of Jesus Christ as a
newborn baby in the Manger, I have
the fond memory of sharing the
stage in full episcopal garb not only
with the worshipful Lord Mayor but
with two singing and dancing Bananas in Pyjamas. We all do some extraordinary things for our community!
That Christmas event
demonstrated many of the things
that are precious about Australian
society and which we should be very
vigilant to protect and strengthen. In
some parts of the world religious authority is totalitarian or would be if it
could be. Dominating world attention
at present are ‘Islamic State’ and
related terrorists who seek to impose
a one-religion caliphate that enslaves, excludes or kills those of different or no religious belief, Chris-
tians certainly, but even fellow Muslims who believe varieties of Islam
different to their own. This is an
example of faith become deaf to
the voice of reason, faith that imposes rather than proposes its doctrines, faith that lacks the moral imagination to coexist peaceably and
even live as friends with people who
are different to ourselves, faith that
uses or is used to achieve control by
violence and establish a theocracy.
In other societies, a
healthy separation of Church and
state becomes a totalitarian secularism or atheocracy that, likewise, seeks to banish all those
with whom it does not agree. We
need only think of communist countries that forbid or radically limit worship, religious education and practice; or the increasingly intolerant
secularism of some Western
countries that seeks to limit or
abolish freedom of conscience
and religion, to end collaboration
between Church and state in education, healthcare, welfare or other
aspects of civic life, to force faith into
a very private realm and exclude religious voices from public life. I could
give many examples of this occurring
right now or in recent years in the
US, UK and Europe. In these presumed polarities between Church
and state, it’s a zero-sum game: either religion is in charge of everything, or secular politics is, and ne’er
the twain shall meet.
Australia has traditionally
taken a very different and I think
much healthier view of these
things. We recognise a proper distinction between the realms of
Church and state, each with their
own inspiration, ideals, authority,
responsibility and methods, mostly
leaving each other well enough
alone. But there are many overlaps
also, and our “lucky country” has
inclined to a healthy, pragmatic cooperation between Church and state,
rather than the two taking pot-shots
at each other across the trenches.
So it is that in Australia the
Church generally has the freedom to
pursue her own ends, seeking to
build up the Kingdom of God in her
proclamation, liturgy, sacraments
and works of charity, including the
provision of healthcare, education
and welfare with a Gospel focus. The
state generally has the freedom to
pursue its own ends, seeking to
serve the common good as understood by people of diverse beliefs or
none, and so providing for civic defence, policing, courts, laws and policies, social services and benefits,
healthcare, public education, planning and the like. Sometimes, however, the state assists the Church
and the Church assists the state in
providing for services such as education, healthcare and welfare, and this
relieves the state of much of the burden while allowing charities and volunteers to add enormous value and
to do some things that bureaucracies
could never do or do as well. Thus, in
this country the Catholic Church contributes to the common good through
provision of about 10,000 hospital
beds, 20,000 aged care places, and
700,000 school desks. It assists
Newsletter No. 46. 15/16 November 2014
Archbishop (Cont)
countless people through parishes,
CatholicCare, the St Vincent de
Paul Society and so on. In 1300
parishes and in every walk of life,
5.5 million Catholics contribute in
myriad ways to our nation.
Peaceful democracies, affluent economies and cohesive societies don’t just happen: they depend upon a complex of ideals,
practices and institutions and in
this country these are largely a
Judeo-Christian inheritance, however underappreciated that often
is. There is much to be done to renew that social capital. It has been
a privilege to work with all of you
on that ongoing project for the betterment of Western Sydney over
the past five years. In particular, I
salute Premiers Keneally, O’Farrell
and Baird, the latter two of whom
were/are Minister for Western Sydney, the State Member for Parramatta, Dr Geoff Lee, and the various other state MPs, our federal
representatives for Western Sydney
and NSW senators, for the very
positive meetings and various collaborations over the past five
years. I would also like to thank
the Mayors, councillors and staff of
the several municipal councils. I
have come to love Western Sydney
and this city of Parramatta in particular where I live, and I think our
civic leaders are doing some very
impressive things to advance our
region.
This really is a very exciting
part of the Church in Australia,
where the Church is growing fastest, where it is young, energetic
and full of hope for the future,
where it stands ready to serve our
community in many ways. But we
are very aware that we cannot do
all this alone. We rely on the Lord
God above all. We have many generous clergy, employed staff, volunteers and ordinary parishioners,
who do so much in His name. But
we also have the very Australian
collaboration between the Churches
and faiths, between the Churches
and government at federal, state
and local levels, between the
Churches, charities, business and
academy.
Thank you all for your presence here today and the cooperation that betokens. I have loved my
time as Bishop of Parramatta. This
has been in no small part thanks to
the opportunity I have had to work
with you in our common service of
the people of Western Sydney.
Thank you and God bless!
Parish News
Use of Our Halls
Passionist Outreach
Use of Shrubland Hall
& Upper Room of Annexe
Frs John & Peter at St Brigid’s.
Fr Phil, in Port Moresby.
Fr Lex, John & Peter, weddings.
Fr Jim, Melbourne & Adelaide with
Visiting Passionists.
Bro Martin, has returned from
London.
Death of Fr Pat Cooper CP
Pat died on Tuesday following
a suspected heart attack and fall
the day before. His funeral will be
in Adelaide this Monday.
MoVember in November
We have raised $3,015 for
Men’s Health & Cancer Research.
Congratulations guys. Donations to
www.movember.com.au then
St Brigid’s Men’s Club or individual members names.
Charitable Works Fund
Thank you for supporting this
Diocesan Appeal. So far we have
collected $ 2,636.00 of our levy of
$13,480.00
Nov 26: Memorial Mass For
All Who Have Died This Year.
The Parish has great assets that
we all may use. The cost of maintaining these is a parish expense.
Development of our Resources
In the last 5 years the parish
has outlaid over $30,000 for repair,
maintenance and development of
these resources. Some services have
been donated.
Shrubland Hall

Replacement of collapsed floor

Internal Painting

New Carpets

Shelving in store rooms

New serving Benches (donated)

New tables and chairs

New table covers
Upper Room of Annexe

Internal Painting (donated)

New tables and chairs

Plasma TV Screen

New blinds (donated)
Names and Photos need to
be emailed to Parish Office by 9am
this Monday. On the night as
names are read, please place a single flower on the altar rail. At the
end of Mass, these are gathered
and placed in vases.
Maintenance
Costs of maintaining these
premises come from parish finances.
Donations for use do not fully cover
these expenses. The following issues
need to be addressed by groups using
our facilities.
Nov 28: St Brigid’s School:
Celebration of Cultures
Booking Procedures

All bookings for use of the Hall
must be made directly with Parish Secretary, not through a
secondary person.

All bookings need to be in writing on the booking form.

Deposits are required to protect
our assets.

No tape or blue tack to be used
on the walls (the present deterioration is because of failure to
follow this requirement)

All rubbish to be bagged and
removed immediately after use.

Facility to be cleaned before departure.

Where meals/food are involved,
a garbage pick up fee to be
paid.

Noise curfew is 10pm, due to
proximity of neighbours.
Failure to comply with these basic requirements will mean that bookings
from specific groups will no longer be
accepted.
These facilities are for all of us to
use and enjoy. Let’s care for them
as well as we would our own
homes.
St Brigid’s School from 4-9pm
Change of Date
Dec 1: Parish Leaders
Annual Gathering
A gathering of Parish Committees and Workers in Shrubland
Hall for drinks and light supper
(7pm). For catering purposes,
please RSVP to Parish Office NO
LATER than Friday 28 November.
Dec 6: Boarding Houses
Christmas Party
In Shrubland Hall, 1-3pm.
Christmas gifts are requested. .
Dec 13: Peace on Earth:
Community Carols
The MC and programme director is John Jacobs from Casimir
College, assisted by Sandra Crocombe. Maria Barlow & the Cultural
Committee are co-ordinating food
and drinks. Help will be needed on
the morning of Dec 13 to set up
stage, sound, flags, etc. Clean &
pack up at 9pm after fireworks. We
finished by 9.30pm last year.
Let’s get behind it again this year!
Information Directory
CatholicCare Family Help Line
1300 1300 52
St Brigid’s Primary School
9558 6926
Casimir Catholic College
9558 2888
Catholic Church Marriage Tribunal
9390 5120
Baptisms
Preparation: 1st Sundays 10am
Presentation: 2nd Sunday Masses
Baptisms: 3rd & 4th Sundays 12pm
or at Masses
Marriages
Preferably 6 months notice
Contact: Parish Secretary
Pastoral Ministry Contacts:
Liturgical Timetable
Mon—Fri:
Masses: 6.45 am, 9.00 am; Wednesday 7.00 pm
Eucharistic Adoration: 7.15-8.45am. Benediction: 8.45am
Public Hols: Mass 9.00am
Saturday:
Mass 7.30 am; Reconciliation 9-10 am; Marriages 10-3 pm;
Reconciliation 4-4.45 pm; Mass: 5 pm; & 6.30 pm (Vietnamese)
Sunday:
Mass at 7.30 am, 9 am, 10 .30am (multilingual); 4.30pm (Viet); 6pm
Ministry of Care & Support to Aged and Infirm
Mass is celebrated monthly in all the Nursing Homes in Marrickville.
Communion is taken to sick residents in Nursing Homes & in their homes on a
weekly basis, either by Ministers of Care or family members.
Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is offered after Masses on First Fridays, and
at the 10am Italian mass on 4th Fridays. Also available on request and
recommended before attending hospital for major surgery.
We Remember
Recently Deceased: Fr Patrick Cooper CP; Francesco Nobrega;
Anniversaries:
Teodoro Zamora Guerrero; Celina De Freitas; Peter Nguyen Van Chen.
Adult Sacraments
Sr Elena
CanCare
Fr John, Jenny, Maree
Recently Ill: Teresa Mazzeo; Lucy MacKillop
Care of Sick & Aged
Sr Elena
CCD in State Schools
Sue King
Children’s Sacraments
Fr John
Cultural C’tee Maria Barlow-Sawaszenko
Ecumenical & Interfaith John McGrath
Parish Collections
Sr Pat Bowthorpe FMM
Family Groups
Carole Price
Counters: This week (17/11)
Finance Council
Michael Curran
Justice & Peace
Fr Peter, Peter Jennings Lea’s Team
Counters: Next Week (24/11)
Liturgical Ministries Fr John, Sr Elena
Jim/Lalo/Maree
Men’s Club: Arthur Kassis, John Skinner,
Mick Ward
8/9 November
Pastoral Council John Skinner, Paige Bullen 1st (Passionists): $ 1,960
PPC Committees:
2nd (Parish):
$ 5,337
- Communication/Engagement:
Cash & Envelopes: $ 4,054
- Infrastructure:
John Skinner
Credit Cards: $ 1,283
- Nurturing Liturgy:
Paige Bullen
1/2 November
- Social Justice:
Peter Jennings
1st (Passionists): $ 2,510
- Spiritual Growth:
2nd (Parish):
$ 5, 041
- Strong Community:
Michael Ward
Charitable Works: $2,636
(Our Levy: $13,480)
Sunday Mass Ministries:
Lectors/Commentators
15/16 November
5 pm Sat
7.30am
Sun
9 am Sun
22/23 November
Mass Texts: Sunday 33
First Reading: Proverbs 31:10-13.1920.30-31
Response: O blessed are those who fear
the Lord
Second Reading: 1 Thess 5:1-6
Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30
Intercession Response:
Lord, graciously hear us
Mass Texts: Christ the King
First Reading: Ezekiel 34: 11-12.15-17
Response: The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want .
Second Reading: 1 Corin 15: 20-26.28
Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46
Intercessions Response:
Lord graciously hear us
Sunday 33 & Christ the King
Communion Ministers
15/16 November
22/23 November
Altar Servers
15/16 November
22/23 November
Michael Price
Kelelia Apikotoa
Vanessa Apikotoa
Marg Dos Santos
Mary Leask
Susie Houssarini
Carole Price
Maria Fuller
Sam Kiula
Leila Walsh
Paul Hurst
Maria Fuller
Jack Houssarini
Liz Buchel
William Metlej
Ofa Tupola
Leon Tupola
Gary Tupola
Visesio Siasau
Joseph Kula
Alycia Young
Leon Tupola
Gary Tupola
Visesio Siasau
Joseph Kula
Alicya Young
John Freeman
Pat O’Reilly
Marivic Murray
Janice Schubach
Kerry Anne Pestana
Denis Habermann
Marivic Murray
Mary Entriken
John Freeman
Michael Dillon
Michael Dillon
Michael Dillon
Peter Jennings
Christina Day
John McGrath
Justin Hartany
Jessica Hartany
Jenny Oesman
Kath Walton
Frank Cowell
Pedro Moreira
Therese Skinner
John Skinner
Xavier Rego
Naomi Rego
Natasha Rego
Olivia Moreira
Ivy Bullen
Fergus Bullen
Theodore Bullen
Michael Moreira
Claude Walton
Louis Walton
Jacqueline Flett
Nicholas Sourlas
Elvie Chiapoco
Fiona & Jessica Paul
Bernadette Yammine
Alb Naticchia
Ant Naticchia
Adrienne Harverson
Geoffrey Lean
Kalala Sakopo
Rosa Travia
Alfredo Schiavo
Albert Naticchia
Anthony Naticchia
John Dorrington
Geoffrey Lean
Aldrick De Vera
Alfred De Vera
William Crocombe
James Poonan
Alycia Nasic
Dominic Manansala
Pei-Pei Coa
Ever Landero
David Cloran
Anthony Kassis
Alex Kassis
Tony Hayek
Lea Paladino
Tony Hayek
John Collins
Tony Hayek
John Collins
John Skinner
Therese Skinner
Kath Walton
10.30 am
Sun
Adrienne Harverson
Diana Perin
Angie Chiapoco
6 pm Sun
Maria Fuller
Catrina Fuller
ST BRIGID’S
SCHOOL
Maria Barlow
Alfredo Schiavo
Ted Bain
YOUTH
Parish Calendar 2014 & Coming Events
November
15-16 Nov 33rd Sunday of the Year
19 Nov
Justice & Peace Archdiocesan Co-ordination
Team ( 6.45pm)
20 Nov
Mass for 150 years after Death of Fr John
Therry (5.30pm)
21 Nov
Berne School Graduation
22 Nov
Construct 2014 Crib
Gift of Bread Celebration Mass (5pm)
22-23 Nov Feast of Christ the King
25 Nov
Pastoral Council (7.30pm)
26 Nov
Annual Memorial Mass (7pm)
27 Nov
Finance Council
28 Nov
Celebration of Cultures at School (4.30pm)
29 Nov
Feast of St Andrew (Orthodox Feast)
29-30 Nov First Sunday of Advent
30 Nov
Feast of Vietnamese Martyrs
December
Dec 1
Dec 4
6-7 Dec
Gathering of Committees & Ministers (7pm)
Wrapping Boarding House Gifts in
Shrublands Hall (9.30am)
Second Sunday of Advent
Containers for Vanimo
The Containers have arrived.
They are here for another week.
Time to fill them up!!!
Mostly we need Long Life Products.
Also water, canned food, rice, flour,
noodles.
Drop off at St Brigids Church between 9am-4pm.
Remember: long life food only.
Boarding House Christmas Party
6th December in Shrubland Hall, 1-3pm
Who is My neighbour? At Christmas, its our people in Boarding Houses.
On this day we share our Gift of Kindness and Fun with our
friends from the local Boarding Houses.
The Party includes a Lunch and a Sing-A-Long with Parishioners mixing with our guests. You are most welcome to come along and enjoy
and share. A plate of food would be most welcome.
Santa will give out gifts. Some Gift suggestions ...
For men: toiletries, socks, t shirts, hankies and caps.
For women: toiletries, t shirts, bags and sun hats.
Please bring gifts to Church unwrapped but in plastic bags on
weekends of Nov 15-16 and 22-23.
If you wish, a cash Donation in lieu of a gift may be put in an envelope marked Boarding House Party on a Sunday collection. Wrapping
morning Thursday 4th December from 9.30am in Shrubland Hall.