33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

15th November 2020

Readings: Prov 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31 1 Thess 5:1-6 Matt 25:14-30

St Peters Parish - 2020 Financial Summary

Every year, we try to communicate with our parishioners about the parish’s finance in November. This weekend, our Parish Finance Councillors will talk about the current situation of our parish’s finance. Next weekend, our Planned Giving Group will promote planned giving.

Generally speaking, our parish finances stay positive so far. I would like to thank all those who have contributed to the financial stability of our parish, especially during the COVID-19 period, a difficult time for all. During the lockdown, the church was closed for Mass but many parishioners still tried to give. Some started electronic giving; others increased the amount of their planned giving; and others even came to the parish office in person to hand cash to our staff. Our parishioners are very generous and supportive. I am really proud of you. I know you will keep up the good work.

I would like to thank John Blake for preparing the Financial Summary for this year. Fr Baiyi OVERALL SUMMARY

- The Parish is solvent and holds adequate surplus funds - SOLID GOVERNANCE IS IN PLACE - systems are good - accounts are reviewed MONTHLY.

1. Governance - Our Parish operates within the framework of the Archdiocesan

Development Fund - Financial reporting is provided and reviewed monthly against the

budget - Accounts are audited annually by Auditors appointed by the

Archdiocese – audits are clear - Financial limits are set for specific expenditures and there are quoting

requirements etc for work to be undertaken - Parish Priest is ultimately responsible for Parish finances 2. Income - The Parish does have external income and has been achieving surpluses

however we cannot guarantee this external income will continue. - 2020 has been significantly impacted by COVID – thus - reduced

GIVINGS, in addition to a reduction from our main external income source.

- JOBKEEPER income primarily + reduced Archdiocesan expenses has ensured the Parish continued with a surplus cashflow. HOWEVER – JOBKEEPER income has recently ceased which will have a significant negative effect on our income

3. Our primary objective has always been to work within our “givings income”

- Planned Giving income is 7.6% above budget this year – primarily due to increased electronic banking deposits

- General/ Cash givings are only 44.6% of budget or -$26k – due to reduced Masses

John Blake, Parish Finance Council Chairperson

Readings for next weekend: Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Ezek 34: 11-12, 15-17 1 Cor 15:20-26, 28 Mt 25:31-46

November In our parish this week

Mon 16th

8:00am Mass 10.00am Coffee Get Together 6.30pm Alpha (Young Adults 18 to 35)

Tues 17th Saint Elizabeth of Hungary

8:00am Mass with children 4.30pm St Vincent de Paul meeting

Wed 18th 6:30am Mass

Thurs 19th No Mass

Fri 20th 9.00am Rosary 9:30am Mass

Sat 21st

The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

5.00pm Reconciliation (or by appointment) Vigil Mass for Sunday: 6.00pm Mass (max 100 people)

Sun 22nd

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

9.00am Mass (max 100 people) 6.00pm Mass (max 100 people)

7.00pm High School Youth Group

Youth Update: High School Youth Group meeting fortnightly on Sunday nights - Nov 22 & Dec 6 (Christmas Party!)

Young Adults: Alpha sessions will continue weekly on Monday nights until 7th Dec.

With the restrictions currently in place I ask that if you/your child are planning on attending any of our events that you please RSVP to Olivia, whether that be via email, Instagram or phone. Email: youth.stpetroch@bne.catholic.net.au Instagram: @rochedaleyouth

Care & Concern: If you or anyone you know who is isolating would like to chat, please contact Lynn on 0403 051 103

Date Claimer: Advent Reconciliation and Reflection

Evening Wednesday December 9 at 7pm. Maximum

of 100 people. Bookings now open at https://www.trybooking.com/BMUGO

Peter’s Pence Collection: Next weekend 21st & 22nd November Every year a retiring collection is held around the world to support the charitable works of the Pope.

Are you wondering about your faith? Are you thinking about becoming a Catholic?

Our Parish of St Peter (at Rochedale) is a living story of welcoming new members to begin and continue their

journey of faith in the Catholic tradition. You are welcome to ‘Come and See”.

Please contact the Parish Office to arrange a meeting as your first step to hear about the support our Parish can

offer you. We are companions on your journey. Phone 3341 4421 or email stpetroch@bne.catholic.net.au

Do you know a young person who would like to receive the Sacraments? If you know of someone aged 9 to 16 years who would like to journey through the Crossroads Sacramental Program, please contact the Parish Office.

Adore - Advent Books. Advent & Christmas Daily Reflections 2020 from the Diocese of Wollongong $4

God’s Word 2021- Liturgical Diaries Readings & Reflections for every day of the year. $12

Break Open the Word 2021: ($22) is an invaluable resource for anyone in the Reading Ministry but also for those in the Music Ministry and Liturgy Group. Each week the readings and commentary are the same as those which are being emailed with the newsletter each Friday so we have ordered fewer copies of the book this year.

Laudato Si: Only a few copies left. See Jo or Julie

Visit St Peter’s Parish Website www.stpetersrochedale.org.au

Looking to the ‘great cloud of witnesses’ (Heb 12:1) for spiritual encouragement in November, the Month of Remembrance.

Praying With Those Who Have Gone Before – St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross,

Edith Stein (1891 – 1942) Edith Stein was a renowned German Jewish Philosopher, a nurse in World War I, an academic, teacher, author, and an early suffragette, who abandoned her Jewish faith in her teen years. However, in 1921, after reading the autobiography of St Teresa of Avila in one night, she encountered Christ. She was baptised into the Catholic Church and later became a Carmelite Nun. As Sister Benedicta of the Cross, she perished in Auschwitz in 1942.1

Amid many obstacles, unexpected changes of path and dangers, Edith found peace and courage in the loving gaze of God – Full of love, you sink your gaze into mine and bend your ear to my quiet words and deeply fill my heart with peace.2

As we face our own challenges, disappointments and uncertainties may we allow our souls to be soothed by God’s loving gaze and may we find courage and peace as we join with St Benedicta of the Cross in her prayer.

O my God, fill my soul with holy joy, courage, and strength to serve You.

Enkindle Your love in me and then walk with me along the next stretch of road before me.

I do not see very far ahead, but when I have arrived where the horizon now closes down, a new prospect will open before me, and I shall meet it with peace.3

1. St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-teresa-benedicta-of-the-cross-edith-stein-557 2. Edith Stein, 1992, I Will Remain in You, in Gelber, L & Linssen M (eds) “The Collected Works of Edith Stein – Vol IV, ICS Publications, Washington, DC. p. 137. 3. St Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein) https://catholic-link.org/quotes/prayer-of-st-edith-stein/

Faith Enrichment Group

St Peter’s Coffee Get-Together: We have another friendly morning planned on Monday November 16 at 10am at iRose Café at the Rochedale Shopping Village on Underwood Rd. Contact Jo to reserve your spot.

Community Christmas Carols and Night Markets All Welcome. Saturday December 5 4pm – 8pm Underwood Park, Underwood Rd, Priestdale. Choirs from local churches including St Peter’s will be leading the carols.

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS:

Those who have died: James Devilly, Ray Swan, Luigi Raffaldi, Vonnie Lenihan, Joyce Byrne, Ann Swinnerton

Book of Life & Mass Requests: Gertrude Young, Lloyd Hagstrom, Eileen Van Rooyen, Ruth Culbert, Clement Fernandes, Glen Sullivan, Allen Thrower, Len McGovern, John Pritchard, Roy Bowser, Darryl Fisher, Lionel Hurley, Robert Kely, Arthur Simpson, John Hayward, Peg Ryan, Teresa Slattery, Frances St John, Blanche De Mello, George Dotta, Hilda Fox, Ray Collins, Percy Dixon, Barry Rafter, Freeda Naughton, Pearl Ruthven, Lorraine Lawrence, Marjorie Kelly, Felix Aguiar

Please pray for those who are sick, especially: Cecilia, Jane Akomolafe, Sharon Peisley, Colin Dixon, Bill Justo, Yvonne Kelleher, Kevin Fry, Angeline Ta’ale, Colin Blackley, Catherine Brown, Gillian van Rooyen, Merlene Muldoon, Stan Gainfort, Stephen Land, Melissa Vink, Sayuri Kobayashi Cantwell, Olga & Diego Tagini

Please contact the Parish Office via phone or email to add names to the list for Prayers for those who have died or who are sick. Please ensure you have the permission of the person who is sick to make their name public prior to contacting the Office.

Are you new to our Parish? WELCOME!! We’d like to formally greet you, so please contact the Parish Office on 3341 4421 or stpetroch@bne.catholic.net.au

Other Parish Contacts: Care & Concern:

Co-ordinator: Lynn White 0403 051103 Family Group Facebook: St Peters Rochedale Family Groups Memorial Wall & Gardens: Mal Jensen 0411641312

Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults Representative: Malcolm Carroll 0410 193 569 or sgrep.stpetroch@bne.catholic.net.au Social Justice Group Facebook: St Peter's Rochedale Social Justice Group St Vincent de Paul: New members: John Blake 0411 196 775

Roster: 21st & 22nd Nov Saturday 6pm Mass Sunday 9am Mass Sunday 6pm Mass

Mass Co-ordinator Carl de Mello Lydia Chew Malcolm Carroll

AV Operator Mike Collier Arthur Leow John Donohue

Readers C. Shelagh Ballment 1. Neil Ballment 2. Lyndal Bray-Claridge

C. Megan Philpott 1. Alan Vigor 2. Jada Nathan

C. Bob Burns 1. Anne Fry 2. Eza Jom

Extraordinary Ministers of Communion

Ann Maree Collier Joseph Varkey

Danny Vaihu Julie Hondroudakis

Deacon Mike Jones Mel McKay

Musicians Tim Hondroudakis Geoff & Robyn Madden Elizabeth Fort

Cleaning Group: 6 Basil’s Cleaners

This week – 15th to 21st November: Sacristan: Prashanthi Selvarathnam Counting: Mike’s Group

Please pray for the people of West Papua: We are humbly called to fast and pray on Wednesdays this month; Nov 18 & 25 as well as Dec 2 to show solidarity with our West Papuan brothers and sisters.

Booking in to attend weekend Masses: Please book your free tickets

at https://www.trybooking.com/BJZHS. Select tickets for each family member attending, including infants. Bookings are open for weekend Masses up to December. Bookings close at 11am each Friday before the relevant weekend Mass. If you do not have access to a computer or have any difficulty with booking, phone the Parish Office. On arrival at Mass, have your name checked off the list by the Marshall at the main church doors.

Weekday Masses: Weekday Masses do not require pre-booking - except for school year level Masses.

Watch Mass online from the Cathedral of St Stephen 8am Monday to Friday and 8am and 10am Sunday at www.archbne.org/bzw.

The Catholic Leader: You can sign up to receive your free weekly digital newspaper here.

Indigenous Australians have celebrated NAIDOC WEEK from Nov 8 – 15 with the theme: "Always Was, Always Will Be." The poster, by Tyron Waigana, tells the story of how the Serpent came out of the Dreamtime and created this land. The figure, inside the shape of Australia, is a representation of indigenous Australians showing their strong connection to country.

St Peter’s Planned Giving: Since March, our income from collections at Mass and Planned Giving is down by over 28%. We would be very grateful, if you are able, to please continue to support the Parish financially. Via Direct Bank Transfer: If you would like to direct transfer your Planned Giving to our bank account, our BSB is 064-786 and Account number is 007021101. Please use your surname and Planned Giving (or PG) as reference. Credit Card or Direct Debit: Please contact the Office to set these up. ‘Parish Giving’ App: You will need to create an account the first time you log in and select your favourite parish, St Peter’s Catholic Parish Rochedale! The logo to look for is a yellow and white cross forming a circle on a purple background. See our parish website for detailed ‘User Guides’. Tap & Go Donations: Try our new donation terminal in the church: $5 donation to St Peter’s per swipe.