28 February 2016 3rd Sunday of Lent YEAR C

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MARY, QUEEN OF THE FAMILY PARISH,

BLACKTOWN

Mary, Queen of the Family Parish is a welcoming, diverse, multicultural, Catholic community. We seek: to live, teach and share the joy of the Gospel; to grow as disciples of Jesus through prayer, witness and action and to respond to the needs of the family in the Blacktown community and beyond.

We acknowledge the Darug people, the traditional custodians on whose land we worship.

AT THE MID-LIFE OF LENT…… PREPARING FOR HOLY WEEK AND EASTER

PARISH TE AM: Fr Peter Confeggi Fr Dénes Ledeczi Fr Luis Herrera Deacon Owen Rogers Sr Grace Roclawska CSFN Sr Judith Lythall SM Claudette Cheetham Jacqueline Anchique Lisa Bright Alison Ryan

Parish Team Meetings each Monday from 12.30pm—2.00pm

Tel : 9622 1125 9622 9149 A/H : 9621 3146 Fax: 9671 6425 Emai l : admin@mqofb la ck to wn.o rg .au

St Patrick’s 51-59 Allawah St, Blacktown Office Hours: Mon– Thurs 8.30am-4:30pm Fri 8.30am—4.00pm

St Michael’s 58 Orwell St, Blacktown Office Hours: Sunday 8.30am—12.00 Noon

SCHOOLS: St Michael’s Primary 9622 9910 St Patrick’s Primary 9621 4122 Nagle College 8887 4501 Patrician Brothers College 9671 3000 Catholic Early Learning Centre 8814 8406

(St Michael’s) Institute for Mission 9831 4911 Fr Paul Roberts (Director) paul.roberts@ifm.org.au Catholic Care 8822 2222 38 Prince St, Blacktown Blacktown@ccss.org.au

bPoint—Follow the links on our website. www.mqofblacktown.org.au

www.facebook.com/blacktowncatholics

MASS TIMES Weekday Masses St Michael’s

Mass 8:00am Mon, & Fri & 7.30pm Wed Communion Service 8.00am Tues & Thurs St Patrick’s Mass 9.00am Tues & Thurs & Sat Communion Service 9.00am Mon, Wed, Fri First Friday 7.30pm St Patrick’s Sunday Masses

5.30pm Saturday Vigil (St Patrick’s) 7.00am Sunday (St Patrick’s) 8.00am Sunday (St Michael’s) 9.30am Sunday (St Michael’s) 10.00am Sunday (St Patrick's) 11.30 am 4th Sunday—Filipino Mass (St Michael’s) 2:00pm Sunday—Sudanese Mass (St Patrick’s) 5.30pm Sunday (St Patrick’s) 6.00pm Sunday (St Michael’s) Sacrament of Reconciliation: Wednesday 7.00pm—7.25pm (St Michael’s) Saturday 9.30am - 10.25am (St Patrick’s) Anointing of the Sick First Saturday during 9.00am Mass (St Patrick’s) or by appointment contact Parish Office HOLY HOUR: 6.30pm—7.30pm Wednesday @ St Michael’s 6.30pm—7.30pm First Friday @ St Patrick’s Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals by appointment. Please contact office for details

Last Monday evening a large number of parishioners began courses at the Institute for Mission in preparation for

liturgical ministries. As I have said on a number of occasions, we are blessed to have the IFM on our doorstep. If you are a

parishioner in Katoomba, following a course at the IFM requires enormous commitment. For us it is so much more convenient.

With growth in the number of liturgical ministers we will both strengthen our Sunday rosters and move towards a

uniform practice in both churches, with acolytes and senior servers at all celebrations of the Eucharist, Sunday and week

days.

Over the past few weeks I have written on ministry. Last weekend I drew the distinction between being a volunteer

and a minister. We often think they are the same! When we see ministry as volunteerism there is the strong tendency to say “I

can’t quite make it this weekend – after all I am only a volunteer!” In contrast, ministry requires a deeper commitment. On

occasions when that commitment can’t be met – as Denes and Luis know, such occasions arise for myself! – it is our

responsibility to see that someone else can be there. There have been several occasions in recent months when rostered

ministers have not turned up or have done so at the last minute. This cannot continue!

Jesus wisely sent out his disciples in twos. He knew that ministry was to be a shared experience in which we are

accountable to one another. In the past week a small group has been doing some planning for Holy Week. What has become

abundantly clear is that often all the information needed is held by one or two people. Thus planning and preparation of the

Churches will be a shared task and I will be calling for ministers in the coming week. Furthermore, it is clear that we need to

establish a liturgy committee to oversee the liturgical celebrations in both churches of the parish.

Holy Week and Easter stand at the centre of the Church’s year. It is also a time when we welcome people who we

don’t see week by week. Let’s take the opportunity to work together and lay the foundations of a liturgy committee to

oversee our liturgical ministries which nourish the many other rich and diverse ministries of the parish.

Fr Peter

In section 6 of the Bull of Indiction (Misericordiae Vultus – The Face of Mercy) Pope Francis quotes several extracts from the Psalms, which focus on the quality of mercy. “He heals the broken-hearted, and binds up their wounds...the Lord lifts up the down-trodden, he casts the wicked to the ground.” (Psalm 147:3, 6)

all the other people living in Jerusalem? They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did.’ He told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it but found none. He said to the man who looked after the vineyard, “Look here, for three years now I have been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and finding none. Cut it down: why should it be taking up the ground?” “Sir,” the man replied “leave it one more year and give me time to dig round it and manure it: it may bear fruit next year; if not,

then you can cut it down.”’ The Gospel of the Lord

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ COMMUNION ANTIPHON

The sparrow finds a home,

In NSW/ACT a person wishing to make a complaint regarding abuse within a Catholic Organisation should contact: 1300 369 977

Year of Luke 3rd Sunday of Lent Year C

M 29 Feb: 2 Kgs 5:1-15; Lk 4:24-30 T 1 Mar: Dan 3:25, 34-43; Mt 18:21-35 W 2 Mar: Dt 4:1. 5-9; Mt 5:17-19 Th 3 Mar: Jer 7:23-28; Lk 11:14-23 F 4 Mar: Hos 14:2-10; Mk 12:28-34 S 5 Mar: Hos 5:15 – 6:6; Lk 18:9-14

Daily Readings

Sharing the Gospel with your Children ...

Ideas for Parents - Faith in Everyday Action! Today we hear the parable of the gardener and the fig tree. It contains the promise that God will give us another chance if we change our ways and try harder next time. We are well into Lent now and we should pause to reflect on how we can try to remedy our failings. Lent should be a different time. There are things in all our lives that need to be changed and if we do that, we will open ourselves to the always-present love of God. Discussion Points with Children

What are some areas of your life that you need help to grow and change?

Who do you think could help you to grow along with Jesus?

Sundays are God’s holy days. How do we make Sundays special?

God helps us grow in love for him through holy days. How can we make every day a holy day?

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON:

My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues my feet from the snare. Turn to me and have mercy on me, for I am alone and poor. First Reading: Exodus 3:1-8. 13-15

Responsorial psalm:

The Lord is kind and merciful. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION:

Glory to you, Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ! Repent, says the Lord; the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Glory to you, Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ! Gospel: Luke 13:1-9

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke Glory to you, O Lord. Some people arrived and told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with that of their sacrifices. At this he said to them, ‘Do you suppose these Galileans who suffered like that were greater sinners than any other Galileans? They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen on whom the tower at Siloam fell and killed them? Do you suppose that they were more guilty than

© Creative Ministry Resources Pty Ltd

© The scriptural quotations are taken from the Jerusalem Bible, published and copyright 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Co Inc, and used by permission of the publishers.

The English translation of the Psalm Responses, the Alleluia and Gospel Verses, and the Lenten Gospel Acclamations, and the Titles, Summaries, and Conclusion of the Readings, from the Lectionary for Mass © 1997, 1981, 1968, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.

Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy 8 Dec 2015— 20 Nov 2016

Recently Deceased: Monica Anderson, Aileen Gudgeon, Bridie Winters,

Rocco Perovich, Eulalia Lumbagbas,

Anniversary: Loretta Rizzo, Thomas McNamee, Patrick Thomas, Mary Spiteri

Special Intention: Teresa, Kevin Clout, Donny & Silia

Masses have been offered for: Angelo & Maria Galea, Joe & Kelena Galea Rose Farrugia

Frank Mifsud, Les Magee, Bob & Dale Connellan, Lea and William Richards, Jean &

Digger Barnes, Bruce Marshall, Stanley Stokes, Joaquin Sumera, Carlisle Bartley, The

Schembri family, P. Camilleri, Maggie Fernandes, Edgardo Clemente, Paulina Clemente,

Joseph and Mary Cutajar, Hilda Coutinho, Louis Simon and the abandoned souls in

purgatory

We remember and pray for those who are ill at home or in hospital at this time,

may they know the healing presence of Christ.

Robert Reid, Claude Ryan, Kimberley Cusack, John Knoke, Richard Ormell

Please remember in your prayers:

JEAN & BETTY’S BUS TRIP

Tuesday 8th March

Dep: 9.00am

St Patrick’s Church

HISTORICAL AIRCRAFT RESTORATION -

Albion Park

Cost: $60.00 Includes: Bus, great tour, Morning Tea

and all you can eat Lunch

For more information and to book

contact Jean: 99203401 or 0425251754

PLEASE NOTE: THE MARCH 5 DAY TOUR TO

MUDGEE HAS BEEEN CANCELLED.

THE PARISH PIETY STORE

St Michael’s shop is open on Sunday

mornings after the 8am Mass and again

after the 9.30am Mass. St Patrick’s is

open after 7am, 10am and 5.30pm Masses. Those

wanting goods during the week may call at the

parish office in Allawah Street where parish staff

are happy to access the piety shop for you.

VINNIES PANTRY

Many thanks for your ongoing do-

nations to Vinnies Pantry.

We are in need of the following:

2 minute noodles, pasta, tinned fruit, long life

milk and spreads (jam, vegemite, honey)

MERCY HAS A FACE

Ever wanted to say something positive or

uplifting for a friend, workmate, relative or

stranger, but you’re not sure what to say?

Or have you ever wanted to give something to

someone as a token of your appreciation or

as a message of comfort?

Introducing the Jubilee Year of Mercy cards!

A small card where you can write a personal message

that can make a big difference to someone's day!

Available from our church foyers.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL

CONFERENCE - MARY

QUEEN OF THE FAMILY

Thank you to St. Patrick's Primary,

Patrician Brothers College, St.

Michael's Primary and Nagel Col-

lege for the great effort in helping

with the Christmas Hamper dona-

tions a fantastic job well done.

Thank you to all our parishioners

for your generosity and support of

donations for the Christmas Ham-

pers, also those who helped with

packing the Hampers and the deliv-

ery of Hampers, we couldn't do any

of this with out your generous sup-

port.

We would also like to thank Baiada

for their very generous donation of

100 Chickens for the Christmas

Hampers, and $200 worth of

Vouchers, and Costco for their

generous donation of two Christ-

mas Hampers worth around $400 to

two very needy families

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

This year Mary, Queen of the Family Parish is

hosting the World Day of Prayer at St Michael’s

church on Friday 4th March at 10.00am. The

theme for this year is ”Jesus said: Receive Chil-

dren, Receive Me” and the worship celebration

has been prepared by the people of Cuba. It is an

opportunity to gather with the members of the

other Christian Churches in Blacktown to pray

for the needs of the world. ALL WELCOME

FINANCE CORNER

Building work

For the first half of March there will

be renovations to both parish churches, and

tree removal at St Patrick’s church, due to

safety concerns.

Dominic in Papua New Guinea has learnt com-munication and problem solving skills to lead his community towards a more peaceful, prosperous future.

Please donate to Project Compassion 2016 and help empower communities in Papua New Guinea to lead their own development and create more harmonious futures.

www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion 1800 024 413

LENT 2016

LENTEN GROUPS

Are you interested in coming together with other parishioners during lent to

reflect on and share the Sunday Readings and our life of faith. We will use 'Mercy' a Len-

ten resource prepared by the Diocese of Wollongong. Cost: $7.50

Tuesday: 9.30am at St Patrick's

Thursday: 7.30pm at St Michael's.

ALL ARE WELCOME

STATIONS OF

THE CROSS

Every Friday

during Lent at St Patricks Church.

7.00pm

Followed by

Mass

7.30pm

RECONCILIATION

TIMES

Every Wednesday

7.00pm - 7.25pm

St Michael’s church

Every Saturday

9.30am - 10.25am

St Patrick’s church

SECOND RITE SERVICE

Monday, 21st March

730pm, St Michael’s church

LOAVES AND FISHES

Loaves and Fishes would appreciate the

following donations: Tinned Meat,

Large Tinned Tuna, Baked Beans,

Tinned Spaghetti, Pasta sauce and any perishable

food and toiletries.

EASTER CAMPAIGN AGAINST

CHILD SLAVERY

In 2015 Pope Francis said that “every person

ought to have the awareness that purchasing is

always a moral – and not simply an economic –

act.”

Can’t find slavery-free Easter eggs in your

supermarket? Did you know that the Easter

eggs in Australian Supermarkets might be made

with cocoa beans picked by children, many of

whom have been enslaved or forced to work in

exploitative conditions with no access to educa-

tion and other human rights? The International

Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) estimates that there

are 1.5 million children working in the cocoa

sector in West Africa.

ACTION: Join us this Easter and ask Coles

and Woolworths to stock more slavery-free

Easter chocolate in 2017. Talk to your local

supermarket manager about slavery-free

ethical chocolate today!

SACRAMENTAL PROCESS 2016

The Sacramental Process at Mary, Queen of the Family

has now open. Please visit our website

www.mqofblacktown.org.au or visit the parish office

for enrolment and re-enrolment forms.

PARISH EASTER CHOIR

Interested in Joining the Mary Queen of the Family

combined choir for Holy Thursday and Easter Vigil

Masses At St Patrick’s church? Rehearsals will be held

on Wednesday Nights at 8:30pm. For details contact Marianne on

0411540917 or marianne_fernand@hotmail.com

~

Call Jacqueline at the Parish Office on 96221125 for advertising details. Please understand that Mary, Queen of the Family Parish cannot take responsibility if the service provided by an advertiser does not meet expectations.

MARY, Our parish will once again be hosting this amazing time of prayer and sacrament, next

week, from 5pm Friday 4th — 5pm Saturday 5th

March @ St Patrick’s church

With 24 hours of Adoration and reconciliation, it greatly increases your chances of

having one hour free to spend time with our Merciful God!

Please know that YOU are very welcome.

ONE DAY CONFERENCE

MERCY

Lent can be the most powerful time of our year. This is a time when

we come into contact with God’s Mercy and that changes everything

about us. Come and spend ‘One Day’ with us and experience God in

a special, powerful and personal way.

Special children’s program available for children 2-10 years.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

SATURDAY 12 MARCH 2016 1PM – 9PM FREE

(dinner included) FREE kids program (ages 2-10)

Patrician Brothers College, 268 The Horsley Drive, Fairfield,

ENQUIRIES: 1300 734 880 info@TheCatholicGuy.tv

REGISTER www.TheCatholicGuy.tv/Mercy