1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

St Thomas More Parish
298 Bay Street, Brighton le Sands, NSW 2216, Australia
Fr Manuel Santiago Parish 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
Office Hours: Mon - Fri 8.30 am to 4.00 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 GIFT and the GIVER
Today’s parable awakens our sense of awareness about the gifts or
gift we received in our life’s journey. Although we have plenty of the socalled “gifts” from our loved ones, allow me to use the singular word “gift”
to designate our divine origin, our life is a gift from God, our great “giver”.
With this Sunday’s parable, let us try to answer this question: “Do we put to
good use the gifts which God has entrusted to us: our health, intelligence,
faith, and skills? ”First of all, God’s gifts are different for every person and
God does not expect the same response from everybody. Life is not a loan
but a gift which has no conditions attached. In the parable, the “talents” no
longer belong to the master, but to the servants. The master then relies on
his servants’ responsibility.
Secondly, God’s gift to us are not finished products. God gave half and we are responsible to
produce the other half. In the Gospel story, the response of the first two servants was simple: they
acted immediately. The two servants were reliable and they fulfilled God’s expectations. They had the
sense of industriousness and worked to double the amount given. Thus they were praised for their
creative fidelity and the master invites them to “enter into the joy of their master”. The lesson is similar
with the account of God’s creation of humanity. We received the “image of God” but we must
accomplished our human vocation.
And finally, the parable carries a noble lesson that in life God bestows an equal gift for all.
When the master gave his property to the servants, “the talents no longer belong to the master, but to
the servants. The third servant as opposed to the first two who were joyful became sad because he
does not consider the talent received to be his own personal property, saying : “I hid your talent; see
you have what is yours.” He received the talent not as a gift but something to be hidden in the ground.
The third servant, being afraid of both, cannot either tolerate the gift or the giver. He was not happy
with his relationship with God, for he felt he was at the losing end. It led him to a paralysing
carefulness, not to creativity. He is the person who sees life as not making a mistake, as not getting
involved to avoid trouble. He is a person with rules but without love for others.
[Sources: Fr Paul Foulon C.I.C.M., From Spring to Life Sunday Gospel Reflections—Year A]
[Roland Meynet, A New Introduction to the Synoptic Gospels. Trans by P Kelly, Convivium Press 2010]
Quote for this week:
“What we are is God’s gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.”
-Eleanor Powell, American Film Actress (1912-1982)
Fr Manuel Santiago
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time [A] - 16 Nov 2014
FIRST READING
Proverbs 31:10-13. 19-20. 30-31
A reading from the book of Proverbs
A perfect wife - who can find her?
She is far beyond the price of pearls.
Her husband's heart has confidence in her,
from her he will derive no little profit.
Advantage and not hurt she brings him
all the days of her life.
She is always busy with wool and with flax,
she does her work with eager hands.
She sets her hands to the distaff,
her fingers grasp the spindle.
She holds out her hand to the poor,
she opens her arms to the needy.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty empty;
the woman who is wise is the one to praise.
Give her a share in what her hands have worked for,
and let her works tell her praises at the city gates.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Ps 127:1-5
R. Happy are those who fear the Lord.
SECOND READING
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Thessalonians
You will not be expecting us to write anything to you, brothers, about 'times and seasons,' since
you know very well that the Day of the Lord is going to come like a thief in the night. It is when
people are saying, 'How quiet and peaceful it is,' that the worst suddenly happens, as suddenly
as labour pains come on a pregnant woman; and there will be no way for anybody to evade it.
But it is not as if you live in the dark, my brothers, for that Day to overtake you like a thief.
No, you are all sons of light and sons of the day: we do not belong to the night or to darkness, so
we should not go on sleeping, as everyone else does, but stay wide awake and sober.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION John 15:4. 5
Alleluia, alleluia!
Live in me and let me live in you, says the Lord;
my branches bear much fruit.
Alleluia!
HOLY GOSPEL
Matthew 25:14-30
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a man on his way abroad
who summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents, to
another two, to a third one; each in proportion to his ability. Then he set out. The man who had
received the five talents promptly went and traded with them and made five more. The man who
had received two made two more in the same way. But the man who had received one went off
and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. Now a long time after, the master of
those servants came back and went through his accounts with them. The man who had received the
five talents came forward bringing five more. "Sir", he said "you entrusted me with five talents;
here are five more that I have made." His master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful
servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and
join in your master's happiness." Next the man with the two talents came forward. "Sir," he said
"you entrusted me with two talents; here are two more that I have made." His master said to him,
"Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will
trust you with greater; come and join in your master's happiness." Last came forward the man who
had the one talent. "Sir," said he "I had heard you were a hard man, reaping where you have not
sown and gathering where you have not scattered; so I was afraid, and I went off and hid your
talent in the ground. Here it is; it was yours, you have it back." But his master answered him, "You
wicked and lazy servant! So you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I
have not scattered? Well then, you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my
return I would have recovered my capital with interest. So now, take the talent from him and give
it to the man who has the five talents. For to everyone who has will be given more, and he will
have more than enough; but from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away. As
for this good-for-nothing servant, throw him out into the dark, where there will be weeping and
grinding of teeth."'
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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November Mass Offerings
NOVEMBER MASS OFFERINGS are available on Church pews, at the main Church entrance and in
Planned Giving Boxes. The envelopes shall be placed in front of the Altar during November. Masses
are offered for these intentions each day during November. Due to the large number of names offered,
it is customary that names are not published in the Sunday Bulletin.
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Charitable Works Fund Appeal Today
The third and final collection for the year will be taken up at all Masses this weekend. Your donations are fully
tax deductible provided you complete the necessary details on the donation envelope on the seats today. Your
contribution supports many ministries within the Archdiocese of Sydney. These include Aboriginal Catholic
Ministry, Centacare Social Welfare and Pregnancy Support Program, Catholic Communications, Catholic
Immigration, Catholic Youth Services, Seminaries for training of priests – to name but a few.
If you are unable to make a donation today then return the envelope on either collection plate next weekend.
Thank you for your support.
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St Vincent de Paul Community Celebration
Everyone is invited to attend St George Regional 'Vinnies Community Celebration' at St Declan's
Penshurst on 30th November, 1.30pm - 4.30pm. The purpose of the day is to showcase all the varied
works and parts of Vinnies in the St George area, incl the Conferences, shops, special works and
particularly youth. Please see poster at main church notice board. RSVP 9580 2459.
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First Sacramental Reconciliation
for children of the parish was held last Tuesday evening 11 November in the church. This marks a sacred moment
in the lives of these young boys and girls as they continue in the path of their Catholic faith that began on the
day of their baptism. Let us remember them in our prayers this Sunday.
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Recent Wedding at St Thomas More
Congratulations to Lorena Pamela Nieves and Ramonito Yrezabal who were Married in our Parish
Church last weekend.
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INVITATION TO KSC ST GEORGE DEANERY
KNIGHTS OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS ( KSC) , NSW , an order founded in 1919 when social justice and
equity was often denied to anyone professing and practicing the Catholic faith is conducting an
INFORMATION SESSION on Saturday , 22 Nov. from 1.00 pm to 2.30PM at the meeting room of the
Lander Centre. Catholic Men from 18 years and over are welcome to attend. Please contact Manny
Diel on 0410758725 to reserve a seat and for more information.
Morning Mass time change for Wednesday 19th November
Children who attend catechism classes at Brighton le Sands Public School will be attending their Annual
Christmas Mass in the Church this coming Wednesday morning. Mass will be celebrated at 9.45am
instead of the usual 9.00 am.
LITURGY ROSTER FOR NEXT SUNDAY
Our Lord JESUS CHRIST, KING of the UNIVERSE (Christ the King) 22 - 23 November
Commentator
Lectors
5:30 PM (Sat)
L Stratte
M & M Muthuanene
Extraordinary Ministers of
Communion
Acolytes
M O'Brien
L Holder
P Healion
8:00 AM (Sun)
B Trott
B Trott
T Liaw
K Parajes
G Thumboo
T Thumboo
10:00 AM (Sun)
Ave Maria Choir
P McGovern
A Diel
R Ventura
M Cencigh
M Diel
COUNTERS
17/11 E Collaro, A Sammut, T Gaut
24/11 F McManus, L Holder, G Cosatto
FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
Mon: St Elizabeth of Hungary (Memorial - No Mass) Fri: The Presentation of Blessed Virgin Mary (Memorial);
Sat: St Cecilia (Memorial - Mo Mass)
Wed: 19th November - Mass will be at 9.45 am
Please pray for the Poor, the Sick and the Faithful Departed of the Parish:
Recently Deceased: Jim Matthews (Died 26.10.2014); Bede Peadon (Died 31.10.14); Delise Newton (of
Kogarah Bay Died 4.11.14); Concetto (Con) Riggio (Died 24.10.14); Joyce Fitzpatrick (Died 15.10.14);
Raymond Green (Died 14.10.14); Keith William Darnell (Died 4.10.14).
Anniversaries: Peter Tho Nguyen (Anniv. 23.11201);
Deceased: Chung Van Nguyen; Maria Nguyen Thi Mat & Phero Nguyen The Tho; Orazio & Rosa Di Pasqua,
Vincenzo & Carmela Camuglia, Maria Catena Siciarek & all my relatives Giovanina Di Pasqua & Gary Green;
James & Angela Vassallo; Ron D'Astoli; Susan Elizabeth Gore; Giuseppe Currenti; 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: Pray for the Sick; Janusz Pawlukowski; Joe Vizzone; Colleen Cartner (East Gosford);
Lachlan Vella; 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; Mitchelle Fisher;
Maguy & Christian Ajaka; 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; 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.
Name: ................................................................................................Telephone No:...........................................................
Address: ..................................................................................................................................................................................
Email: ......................................................................................................................................................................................
Yes, Please send me a set of envelopes
Yes, Tax deduction required
No, Tax deduction necessary
Yes, Please organise automatic credit card deductions.
(A credit card authority form will be sent to you for completion - American Express not accepted)