Sunday 14th September, 2014 The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Year A

Bridgeside Bulletin The weekly bulletin of the

Catholic Parish of Forster Tuncurry Holy Name of Jesus Parish Church

33 Lake Street, Forster St Mary, Star of the Sea Church Cnr Kent & Peel Streets, Tuncurry

Proclaiming Christ to the communities of Forster, Tuncurry and the surrounding districts

Parish Fr Andrew Doohan (Parish Priest) Fr Dennis Rochford MSC (Priest in Residence) Mr Greg Byrne (Pastoral Associate) Mrs Sharon Fowle (Administration Associate) Sr Kathryn McCabe (Aboriginal Catholic Ministry)

The Parish Office is at the rear of the Parish Hall and is normally staffed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 4pm.

Items for inclusion in Bridgeside Bulletin should be received by midday on Thursday.

33 Lake Street, Forster NSW 2428 PO Box 67, Forster NSW 2428

P: (02) 6554 6304 F: (02) 6554 6425 E: forstertuncurryparish@gmail.com W: www.forstertuncurrycatholic.org.au Fr Andrews email: fr.andrew.doohan@gmail.com.

Celebrating the Sacrament Reconciliation is available on Saturday mornings at Tuncurry from 8:30am until the beginning of the 9am Mass, on Saturday afternoons at Forster from 4:45pm until 5:15pm.

Baptisms are celebrated on Sundays, either during any of our Sunday Masses or after the 9am Mass. The next Baptismal Preparation meeting will take place in the Parish Halls meeting rooms on Monday 13th October commencing at 7pm. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.

Weddings are celebrated by arrangement and with at least three (and preferably more) months notice. Please contact Fr Andrew for more details, or visit the Parish website.

A Sacramental Preparation process runs each year in the Parish for children wishing to complete the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation as part of the Parish community. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.

The Parish hosts the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults process for those adults wishing to be baptised or be received into the communion of the Catholic Church. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.

Search for us on Facebook as Catholic Parish of Forster Tuncurry

Follow us on Twitter: @ftcatholic

Holy Name Parish School (K-6) Ms Brooke Schumann (Acting Principal)

41 Lake Street, Forster NSW 2428 PO Box 243, Forster NSW 2428

P: (02) 6554 6504 F: (02) 6554 8895 E: admin@forster.catholic.edu.au W: www.forster.catholic.edu.au

St Clares High School, Taree (7-12) Mr Peter Nicholls (Principal)

Davis Street, Taree NSW 2430

P: (02) 6552 3300 F: (02) 6552 3656 E: admin@tareesc.catholic.edu.au W: www.tareesc.catholic.edu.au

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The Parish Diary(for the week ahead) Twenty Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Today14th September Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross 5:30pm Evening Prayer & Benediction @ Tuncurry

Monday15th September Our Lady of Sorrows Tuesday16th September Sts Cornelius & Cyprian 9am Christian Meditation (Bob 6555 5914) 3:30pm Holy Hour @ Tuncurry 4:30pm Mass @ Tuncurry 5:30pm Christian Meditation (Bob 6555 5914) 5:30pm Singing Practise @ Tuncurry

Wednesday17th September 9am Mass @ Forster 11:15am Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help @

Forster 5.30pm Parish Council @ Forster

Thursday18th September 9am Mass @ Forster 7pm Womens Bible Study (Natasha 0407 589

935)

Friday19th September 9:30am Mass @ Forster

Saturday20th September Sts Andrew Kim Tae-gon, Paul Chong Ha-san & Companions 8:30am Reconciliation @ Tuncurry 9am Mass @ Tuncurry 4:45pm Reconciliation @ Forster (until 5:15pm) 6pm Mass @ Tuncurry

Sunday21th September 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time 7am Mass @ Tuncurry 9am Mass @ Forster

Regular Activities in the Parish Secular Franciscan Fraternity The Secular Franciscans Fraternity will next meet on Wednesday 1st October, coming together for Mass at 9am, followed by a cuppa at 9:30am and then the meeting 10am to 12pm.

The menALIVE Groups Our Parish currently hosts two menALIVE groups. The morning group will next meet on Wednesday 10th September after the 9am Mass, while the evening group will next meet on Thursday 25th September at 7:30pm.

Womens Bible Study Group Our Parish hosts a Womens Bible Study Group that meets every Thursday evening from 7pm to 8pm. For more information contact Natasha on 0407 589 935.

Christian Meditation Our Parish hosts a number of opportunities for the practice of Christian meditation. These opportunities takes place on Tuesdays at two distinct times, 9am and 5:30pm. For more information contact Bob on 6555 5914.

Maintenance & Gardening Group The Parish is lucky to be served by a very dedicated band of volunteers who tend to the upkeep of the grounds and gardens of our two church sites. They do a fabulous job, and are always ready to welcome new members to the group. Our next reunion will be on Thursday 18th September. Contact Howard 6557 6826 for more information.

Singing Practice The Singing Group will be meeting again on Tuesday 16th September at 5:30pm at Tuncurry. All welcome.

Collection of Foodstuffs for Homebase The next collection of foodstuffs in support of Homebase will next take place on Sunday 5th October.

Holy Hour The Parish community observes a Holy Hour each Tuesday afternoon in the Tuncurry Church from 3:30pm until the beginning of Mass at 4:30pm.

Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help The Novena is prayed every Wednesday in the Forster church commencing at 11:15am and is followed by a cuppa in the Parish Hall. For more information contact Shioney on 6554 9468.

Evening Prayer & Benediction The Parish community celebrates on the first Sunday of each month at 5:30pm in the Tuncurry church. It will next be celebrated on Sunday 5th October. All welcome.

Parish Social Functions for 2014 The date for the remaining Parish Social Function for 2014 is the BLESSING OF THE FLEET/PARISH BBQ will be held this year on Sunday 5th October.

Please claim this date in your diary now and watch for further details as they are released closer to each event.

Dangerous Faith Talks taking place in the region about being Christian in the Middle East. Flyer is available from the rear of the church with further details.

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Liturgical Rosters Liturgical rosters for the months of October and November are now available from the rear of the churches.

If you would like to volunteer for inclusion on these ministries, please contact Fr Andrew or the Parish Office.

Vocation View The Serpent mounted upon the pole grants life to those who have been bitten by the serpents; how much more does meditation on the Cross of Christ bring life to those affected by sin! (Numbers 21:4-9). For more information regarding Vocations contact Fr Brian Mascord on 4979 1112 or by email to vocations @mn.catholic.org.au.

Catholic Newspapers Available Both The Catholic Leader (Brisbane) and The Catholic Weekly (Sydney) newspapers are available at a cost of $2 each from our churches.

Red Cross Ebola Appeal Sr Diana Santleben op, from Penola House, is asking people to consider donating to the Red Cross Ebola Appeal. Many African Australian families living in Newcastle have family in Africa where this crisis is playing out.

You can donate to the Red Cross Ebola Appeal online at www.redcross.org.au or by posting a cheque or money order to Ebola Outbreak 2014 Appeal, Australian Red Cross, GPO Box 2957, Melbourne 8060.

Holy Name School Fete - 12th October Donations for the Fete are now being collected at the School. Pre-loved toys, books, clothes and items for the White Elephant can be dropped off now, while various craft items, including knitted coat hangers, scarves, cakes and plants can be dropped off closer to the event.

Volunteers to assist on the day are also being sought.

For more information, please contact Alison Anthony on 0417 640 482 or Sally Grehan on 0417 132 670.

From the Pastors Desk This past week has been Child Protection Week and it concludes today with the celebration of the Eucharist. How appropriate. The Mass is the celebration of the Cross of Jesus, through which we all come to new life and a fresh beginning.

In the film Mystic River Sean Penn, Kevin Bacon and Tim Robbins present a movie stepped in sadness. Set in the post-war Boston suburbs, it dramatizes the whole issue of child abuse. Tim Robbins is one of three boys who, while playing in the streets one day is enticed by two older men into their car. This begins a terrible few days when he is abused. It leaves the audience pained and shocked.

His rescue and return to his family by burly Boston cops is a bitter sweet scene. Two neighbours in the scene of his return are overhead to say that is cowed withdrawn appearance looks to me like damaged goods. The meaning is too clear and the silence about the truth is palpable.

At the end of Mystic Riverso much has died inside. One of the characters has said that the secrets and lies should come out. But they dont. People hid their sorrow, their breaches of conscience and just carry on. Unfortunately, this silence was mirrored by Churches and other institutions. It was effectively a over-up which today, rightly, receives the strongest condemnation.

On this Sunday for Child Protection, being a decent human being and a Christian implies standing together with the vulnerable, especially those violated, in an open and frank admission that we all must share each others burdens. And in a spirit of conversion, that we take every measure to ensure that appropriate and effective measures are put in place to protect young people. The Cross, which we celebrate today, in the Christian tradition, is a sign both of redemption and protest. In the death of Jesus the message is clear: no more victims.

Being human and being Christian is a serious matter. It involves being in community with others. This demands that we live beyond the limited boundaries of self-interest. The secrets and lies must end. Only then can children enjoy their families and communities and come to their full life in Christ. We pray that the past week of awareness is a step in that direction. We enter the Eucharistic celebration, celebrating the Cross, as a costly reminder that there must be no more victims.

Father Dennis Rochford msc

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Blessing of the Fleet On Sunday 5th October we will be celebrating our Annual Blessing of the Fishing Fleet at Tuncurry. On this weekend ALL MASSES WILL BE AT TUNCURRY.

Following the 9am Mass the congregation will process down to John Wright Park where Fr Andrew will board a boat and travel down the channel blessing all vessels. If you have a boat, no matter the size, you are invited to launch it into the channel to be blessed.

This will immediately be followed by a BBQ in John Wright Park to which everyone is welcome. BYO chairs, blankets and drinks. Fish, sausages and bread all provided and lovingly cooked.

Child Protection Sunday The 2014 Child Protection Week campaign continues to stress the importance of primary prevention to reduce child abuse and neglect in Australia. The theme again this year is Protecting Children is Everybodys Business - Play Your Part. So how do we, the Catholic Church, play our part today in creating safe and supportive environments where children are free from harm? This question is commonly echoed today by Catholic people who are angry and ashamed at our Church. This question is also asked by survivors who want to be reassured that children of today and tomorrow are protected in our churches, schools and Catholic agencies and will not suffer as they did.

Each person in every Catholic Church community is asked to play their part in making our church a safe community for all by working to prevent abuse.

Our aim is to ensure that all communities and organisations within the church are safe and enriching environments for people of all ages, with special concern for children, young people and vulnerable adults.

What can each of us do? Be aware of and abide by Parish/Diocesan policies and procedures that aim to make our church a safe place for all Respect the dignity of each child, young person and adult in the community Be aware of the possibilities of abuse, not overly suspicious Trust our instincts, avoid gossip and consult with appropriate persons if you have any concerns about the safety, welfare and wellbeing of a child, young person or vulnerable adult in our community Be open to acquiring a deeper understanding of the harm caused by abuse Undertake willingly the checks required by State and Church agencies Abide by Codes of Conduct and follow conscientiously Risk Assessment procedures Give of our time and offer to help Dont leave everything to Father

Make a personal commitment to ensuring that our church is a safe community for all.

For more information on available resources see Greg at the Parish Office.

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Welcome! We welcome to our community of faith Ruby Nial, daughter of Adam and Bianca who will be baptised with water and the Holy Spirit this weekend. We also welcome Ivy Smith, daughter of Andrew and Natasha who will be presented to the community this weekend.

Formation for Ministry Program A series of formation units developed especially for members of Parish Leadership Teams, Parish Pastoral Councils, Parish Finance Councils and Parish Pastoral Teamsas well as those involved in other parish groups and ministriesis being offered in Krambach. The course begun yesterday and continues for another 5 sessions.

All units completed can be credited towards a Certificate in Ministry. Brochures and flyers are available at the rear of the churches. There is no cost for participating in the program.

For more information on the program, please email Sharon Murphy in the Diocesan Chancery on sharon.murphy@mn.catholic.org.au or the Tenison Woods Education Centre by email twec@ssjl.org.au.

Homily by Richard Leonard SJ It's said that if we laid out, end-to-end, all the parts of the True Cross found throughout Europe today, the line would stretch from Rome to Jerusalem! Today's feast has its roots in such piety, and is an extraordinary story.

In 326 the Emperor Constantine's mother, Helena, at the grand age of eighty set sail for Jerusalem to find the cross of Jesus and his tomb. To her satisfaction she found the site of the Holy Sepulchre and established a church on the site, which is venerated as such to this day.

The true cross was more elusive. It was claimed that the leaders of the Jews had hidden the cross in a Jerusalem well. One of the Jewish leaders told the Empress Helena in which well to look. The story goes that they dug for days and found three crosses. They weren't sure which one was the true cross, so the Bishop of Jerusalem, the later Saint Macarius, sent the crosses off to the bedside of a dying woman. She touched the first two crosses to no effect, but on touching the third cross she immediately recovered. St Helena had found the True Cross.

The True Cross remained in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem until the early 7th Century when the entire city was looted by the Persian king, Chosroes II who took the cross back to Persia. In 628 Emperor Heraclius II overthrew the regime in Persia and carried the cross, firstly to Constantinople, his capital city, and then in the spring of 629, to Jerusalem. Today's feast, the Triumph or the Exaltation of the Cross, commemorates this triumphant return of the Holy Cross to Jerusalem.

On the one hand it's a rather ghoulish tradition which pays so much attention to the instrument of torture used to kill Jesus. The only modern equivalent we might have is the pilgrimage people make to the ovens of Auschwitz and Dachau. No one goes there to gloat. These are places at which we remember past evils so that it might never happen again.

In a similar way this is what today's feast calls us to focus on. The triumph of Jesus' cross is that in it, through it, and beyond it, he has shown us how to let go of the evil that can trap us in the most destructive of behaviours, and embrace a life that is loving, just and good. We see in the Cross the price to be paid for living our humanity to the full, for sacrificial and saving love, and for confronting evil head-on. To the degree that we do these things, we share in the Cross as well, and in the final and never-ending triumph of Christ's resurrection.

Whatever jokes might be made about how far the fragments of the True Cross might reach today, the love between Father, Son and Spirit for all people around the world who suffer, reveals the degree to which our God wants us to know his solidarity with our lot.

The Cross stands as the sign that God does not condemn us, nor want us to perish, but that the Son came to us, and suffered, died and was raised so that we might know the way which leads to love and eternal life.

Richard Leonard SJ.

Congratulations Gardeners We have recently received many positive comments on the gardens of the Forster Church. Howard and Betty Pryde and their team of gardeners do a wonderful job in keeping our church grounds, both at Forster and Tuncurry in top condition. Their recent work around the Forster Church and Presbytery is particularly inviting and creates a pleasant environment for worshippers.

Inform This issue of Inform concerns Archpriest John Joseph Therry, Founder of the Catholic Church in Australia. Please take your free copy from the rear of the Church.

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Kids Corner

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Opportunities Outside The Parish

Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend Marriage Encounter Weekend is a Marriage Enrichment experience for married couples set in peaceful, picturesque surroundings, away from the distractions of everyday life. During the weekend, couples have a unique opportunity to reconnect, rekindle and refresh their relationship. Take time out of your busy schedule, to invest in your most precious asset, your Marriage! Weekend dates: 12 14 September & 7 9 November at Mt Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville, NSW. Bookings can be made to Ardell & Bill Sharpe on 02 4283 3435 or email wsharpe@bigpond.net.au.

Social Justice Dinner A Social Justice Dinner, with guest Bishop Geoffrey Robinson, who will speak on Church in Crisis, will be held on Friday 19th September at 6pm at Victor Peters Suite, 841 Hunter St, Newcastle West. The cost is $25 which includes a two-course dinner. Please RSVP by 12th September by email (events@mn. catholic.org.au) or phone (4979 1111). Payment can be made to Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle BSB 062-808 Account 1025 5506. Please include reference "your name" Robinson Dinner.

Charismatic Renewal Healing Mass The Newcastle Catholic Charismatic Healing Mass will be held on Monday 22nd September at 7:30pm at Our Lady of Victories Church, 262 Sandgate Rd, Shortland. The Newcastle Catholic Charismatic Renewal invites all parishioners and friends to a Healing Mass with Most Rev Colin David Campbell, Bishop of Dunedin, New Zealand. Contact Wayne Caruana on 0466 631 394 for more further details.

Towards A Better World Conference The National Conference on the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees will be held on Wednesday 1st October at Australian Catholic University, North Sydney. For more information visit www.acmro. catholic.org.au or phone 6201 9848.

SRE Renew Training SRE Renew Training will commence on Friday 10th October at 10:30am at 262 Sandgate Road, Shortland. SRE Training is for current & prospective Catechists, and runs for six Fridays. RSVP to Zoe Crosbie by phone to 4979 1328 or by email to sre@mn.catholic.org.au.

ACTiv8 Spring Retreat The ACTiv8 Spring Retreat will be held on Friday 17th October at Lake Mac Outdoor Recreation Centre, Balcolyn. The cost of the Retreat is $115 per person. For more information visit www.activ8chisholm.org or

email activ8chisholm.youth@gmail.com

menALIVE Weekend A menALIVE Weekend will be held on Saturday 18th October at St Michaels Primary School, Sproule St, Nelson Bay. menALIVE is an event which has been held in dozens of parishes around Australia these last 8 years. It is an enjoyable and encouraging experience for men to enjoy. There is a chance to share insights, and the weekend serves to help men focus on lifes essentials again, including our faith. All are welcome to come! Contact St Michaels Parish Office on 4981 1069 for more details.

2014 National Pilgrimage In the Footsteps of Saint Mary pilgrimage commences in Melbourne on 22nd October and ends in Sydney. The cost per person, twin share is $2,740 (ex Sydney). Contact Therese Leydon rsj by phone to 8912 4818, or by email to mmp.ministries@sosj.org.

2014 Expo for Families and Carers The expo will be held on Thursday 9th October at 9:30am at Newcastle Panthers, King Street, Newcastle. Support & Information for Families & Carers in their caring role. No cost, all are welcome.

Two Bishops Dialogue Adult Gathering will be held on Tuesday 21st October beginning at 6:00pm at St Thomas Anglican Church, Thomas St, Cardiff. An opportunity to gather as an Ecumenical and Interfaith community, with both Bishop Greg (Anglican) and Bishop Bill (Catholic). Both Bishops invite you to share questions and concerns with them to explore ways to further develop our relationships as a Christian community. To RSVP or for further details please contact Brooke Robinson at the Diocesan Chancery Offices P 4979 1111 or E events@mn.catholic.org.au.

Absence from Parish I will be absent from the Parish on several occasions in the next couple of weeks. Next Monday and Tuesday I will be in Sydney attending a meeting of the Australian Catholic Bishops Council for Lay Pastoral Ministries. On Friday (19th) I will be in Newcastle at 6pm for the Social Justice Dinner with guest presenter Bishop Geoffery Robinson. On that weekend I am involved with the National Cursillo Gathering at Randwick. On Monday and Tuesday (22nd & 23rd) Lauranne and I will be in Newcastle for her cancer treatment. During these times, Sharon will be in the office on Mondays and Fridays from 10am to 4pm.

Greg Byrne

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Ministers this Weekend... ...of the Word ...of Communion

6pm Tuncurry A: Monica Hunt B: Lou Hope

Lou Hope, Maureen Stevens, Michael Amato, Owen Carroll, Ruth Pearson.

7am Tuncurry A: Bronwyn Morse B: Tony Knight

Alex Matuszny, Cecile Malone, Cushla Drake, Edna Tucker, Patricia Cornish.

9am Forster A: Marie Keep B: Trevor Turner

Alan McCarthy, Anne Moloney, Barbara Dolahenty, Coral McCarthy, Elle Cairns-Cowan.

Ministers next Weekend... ...of the Word ...of Communion

6pm Tuncurry A: Valarie Ross B: Monica Hunt

Jeanette Goodacre, Kathryn McCabe, Margaret Smith, Pat Hooker, Valarie Ross.

7am Tuncurry A: Maria Armitage B: Anne-Marie Greene

Cushla Drake, Graham Griffiths, Mark Mowbray, Norm Chapman, Patricia Cornish.

9am Forster A: Anne Hartman B: Robyn Ryan

Genevieve Williamson, Josi Beech, Robert Moran, Sharon Fowle, Trevor Turner.

Please note: The above information reflects the rosters as originally published, and doesnt take account of any swaps that may have been organised between individuals.

Scripture Readings This Week Today Numbers 21:4-9 Philippians 2:6-11 John 3:13-17 Monday Hebrews 5:7-9 John 19:25-27 Luke 2:33-35 Tuesday 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27-31 Luke 7:11-17 Wednesday 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13 Luke 7:31-35 Thursday 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Luke 7:36-50 Friday 1 Corinthian 15:12-20 Luke 8:1-3 Saturday 1 Corinthians 15:35-37, 42-49 Luke 8:4-15 Sunday Isaiah 55:6-9 Philippians 1:20-24, 27 Matthew 20:1-16

Todays Liturgy of the Word

Responsorial Psalm Response: Do not forget the works of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia! We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you, because by your cross you have redeemed the world, Alleluia!

Text: Excerpts from the English Translation of the Roman Missal 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL); Music: From the Mass of St Francis 2010, Paul Taylor. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Australian AgentLicenSing Online Lic No. 624844.

In your charity, please pray for:

Those recently deceased. Martin Jansson, Richard Jones, Fr. Peter Brock.

Those whose anniversaries occur about now. Antony Watts, Jim Edstein, Lil Edstein, Alexander Phillips, Flt. Lt. Mark Cairns-Cowan, John Fazio, Wencelsao Viajar, Lydia Viajar, John Noonan.

All those in our community who are sick.