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Fr Michael’s May Message - view today!

Image: © Fr Michael

Yours in Christ, Deacon John Pham

Farewell is not always a very pleasant experience. It sometimes ends up with sorrow and pain, especially if the person is dear to us and we know that we may not see them ever again. During my time at the seminary, saying ‘goodbye’ to my dear seminarian brothers after staying with them for some years would make me feel this way.

I believe the apostles would feel the same way when Jesus left them to return to the Father. There is no doubt of the

great relationship between Jesus and his disciples. He had gathered the apostles from different places. He ate, drank and travelled with them for three years. He taught them and transformed them from ordinary people into workers for God and fishers of men.

The apostles were disoriented, confused, disappointed, and despaired when Jesus died on the cross. Then, they were filled with a new joy and hope of his resurrection. Now, forty days later, Jesus was leaving them again. This would not be an easy feeling at all. However, Christ did not leave the apostles by themselves alone. He commanded them to go out making disciples of all the nations and baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. He also promised to be with them until the end of time.

As we can see, the apostles did carry out the mission that Christ had given them very well. There are more than 1.3 billion Catholics in the world in 2017. The apostles have surely passed on the gospel and faith to all of us. As Christians, we are also called to bring God and the Gospel to others. It may be tough and challenging. We may also suffer from abuse and persecution when doing this work. However, we need to remember that Jesus Christ promised the apostles and also us that he will be us always. Therefore, we should take heart and be of good courage as we keep going on our journey towards our heavenly home.

Pray the Rosary with Deacon John Sunday - 10:30am

Responsorial Psalm Ps 46:2-3. 6-9. R. v.6

(R.) God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or (R.) Alleluia. 1. All peoples, clap your hands, cry to God with shouts of joy! For the Lord, the Most High, we must fear, great king over all the earth. (R.) 2. God goes up with shouts of joy; the Lord goes up with trumpet blast. Sing praise for God, sing praise, sing praise to our king, sing praise. (R.) 3. God is king of all the earth. Sing praise with all your skill. God is king over the nations; God reigns on his holy throne. (R.)

Second Reading Eph 1:17-23

A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Ephesians. He made Jesus to sit at his right hand in heaven.

May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and perception of what is re-vealed, to bring you to full knowledge of him. May he enlight-en the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit and how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised for us believers. This you can tell from the strength of his power at work in Christ, when he used it to raise him from the dead and to make him sit at his right hand, in heaven, far above every Sovereignty, Authority, Power, or Domination, or any other name that can be named, not only in this age, but also in the age to come. He has put all things under his feet, and made him, as the ruler of everything, the head of the Church; which is his body, the fullness of him who fills the whole creation.

Gospel Mt 28:16-20 A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

The eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated. Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make dis-ciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Fa-ther and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commandments I gave to you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.’

Entrance Antiphon Acts 1:11 Men of Galilee, why gaze in wonder at the heavens? This Jesus whom you saw ascending into heaven will return as you saw him go, alleluia.

Gloria Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

First Reading Acts 1:1-11

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles Why are you standing here looking into the sky? Jesus has been taken into heaven.

In my earlier work, Theophilus, I dealt with everything Jesus had done and taught from the beginning until the day he gave his instructions to the apostles he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, and was taken up to heaven. He had shown himself alive to them after his Passion by many demonstrations: for forty days he had continued to appear to them and tell them about the kingdom of God. When he had been at table with them, he had told them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for what the Father had promised. ‘It is’ he had said, ‘what you have heard me speak about: John baptised with water but you, not many days from now, will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.’ Now having met together, they asked him, ‘Lord, has the time come? Are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He replied, ‘It is not for you to know times or dates that the Father has decided by his own authority, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth.’ As he said this he was lifted up while they looked on, and a cloud took him from their sight. They were still staring into the sky when suddenly two men in white were standing near them and they said, ‘Why are you men from Galilee standing here looking into the sky? Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, this same Jesus will come back in the same way as you have seen him go there.’

Gospel Acclamation Mt 28:19. 20

Alleluia, alleluia! Go and teach all people my gospel. I am with you always, until the end of the world. Alleluia!

© 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.

The prayers are from the English Translation of the Roman Missal © 2010 International Committee on English in the Liturgy Inc. (ICEL). All rights reserved.

Offertory Antiphon Ps 46:6 God has ascended with shouts of joy, and the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Alleluia.

Preface The mystery of the Ascension It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God. For the Lord Jesus, the King of glory, conqueror of sin and death, ascended (today) to the highest heavens, as the Angels gazed in wonder. Mediator between God and man, judge of the world and Lord of hosts, he ascended not to distance himself from our lowly state but that we, his members, might be confident of following where he, our Head and Founder, has gone before. Therefore, overcome with paschal joy, every land, every people exults in your praise and even the heavenly Powers, with the angelic hosts, sing together the unending hymn of your glory, as they acclaim:

Communion Antiphon Mt 28:20 Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age, alleluia.

Conclude: Our Father - Hail Mary - Glory Be Our Lady Help of Christians Patroness of Australia Pray for us St Mark & St Mary of the Cross Mackillop Pray for us

The Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Prayer of the Faithful Leader: My sisters and brothers, awaiting the return of Jesus let us pray to the God of all life for the needs of world. Reader: We pray that all the baptised will carry the Good News of Jesus Christ to every nation, culture and race. (pause). We turn to you: All: Christ who is risen from the dead, have mercy on us. Reader: We pray for the human family. May the trauma of the coronavirus pandemic fuel our determination to work together for a new world of justice and peace. (pause) We turn to you: All: Christ who is risen from the dead, have mercy on us.

Reader: We join with all Christians praying for church unity this week. May churches around the globe be one in the generous hospitality they offer the wayfarers of the world. (pause) We turn to you: All: Christ who is risen from the dead, have mercy on us. Reader: We pray for the church on this World Communica-tions Day. May we heed Pope Francis’ call to tell God’s story and our story without ceasing. (pause) We turn to you: All: Christ who is risen from the dead, have mercy on us. Reader: We pray for the church in Australia. May Mary, Help of Christians, be our companion and guide through the trou-bled times in which we live. (pause) We turn to you: All: Christ who is risen from the dead, have mercy on us.

Reader: We pray for the people of Australia. May National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week advance our truthful ac-ceptance of the past and our desire for a new and unite future. (pause) We turn to you: All: Christ who is risen from the dead, have mercy on us.

Reader: We pray for all who have despaired of life and for those they leave in unending grief. May their pain impel us to open our hearts in support of the deeply troubled. (pause) We turn to you: All: Christ who is risen from the dead, have mercy on us. Leader: God of all creation, Christ moved beyond our sight, leaving us the power of his Spirit. Through the prayers we offer, guide our deeds and words so that all may be drawn into the embrace of your mercy. We ask this through Christ our Lord. All: Amen!

Regina Coeli in Latin V. Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia.

R. Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia. V. Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia. R. Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.

V. Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, alleluia. R. Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia

Oremus. Deus, qui per resurrectionem Filii tui, Domini nostri Iesu

Christi, mundum laetificare dignatus es: praesta, quaesumus; ut per eius Genetricem Virginem Mariam, perpetuae

capiamus gaudia vitae. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen

The Regina Coeli (Queen of Heaven) in English V. Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia.

R. For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia. V. Has risen, as he said, alleluia. R. Pray for us to God, alleluia.

V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. R. For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of

your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech you, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we

may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Kindergarten 2021 enrolments for St Mark's Interviews for the Kindergarten 2021 intake took place before social isolation and are continuing

now. If you know anyone who is intending to join us at St Mark’s, would you please remind them to

pick up an enrolment form from the office or download it from the schools website and return

to the school. No child who is a Catholic will be denied a Catholic education due to financial

difficulties.

The Parish is very pleased to announce that Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP has reappointed

Fr. Michael a new tenure as Parish Priest of St. Mark’s.

Mary, Help of Christians, watch over us with love. Intercede for us with your Son, to bless Australia, so

that we can be people of peace – people who love and respect each other, and people who love and respect our land, Australia. We make this prayer through Jesus, your Son.

Amen.

Welcome news, we are now able to celebrate Mass for 10 people. St Mark’s strict guidelines for attending our Church are as follows…

1. The Archbishop has indicated the dispensation from attending Sunday Mass still stands and the very elderly, those with any symptoms, those with a compromised immune or respiratory system are asked to stay at home.

2. The faithful can keep Sunday holy by setting aside some time for prayer at home, reading the Scriptures of the day, watching Mass online or on television, and asking God for the graces the sacrament signifies. (‘spiritual communion’).

3. Strict conditions apply and general precautions regarding hygiene & distancing MUST be observed.

4. To attend St Mark’s MASS you MUST register. Registration closes for Masses at 3pm the day prior & 3pm Friday for weekend Masses.

The celebration of Mass at St Mark’s commenced on Tuesday 19 May 2020

REGISTRATION: * To register you MUST call the Parish office - (02) 9181 1795 (Monday - Friday 9am - 3pm ONLY) * Registration closes for weekday Mass at 3.00pm the day before. For weekend Mass at 3pm Friday. * You MUST Provide your Name - Phone Number & email address (of each person attending Mass.) * DO NOT be late for MASS, all registered attendees MUST be on time for Mass. * Whether for private prayer, Mass and any formal gathering in the Church, all attendees must be recorded and spatial distancing and hygiene MUST be observed. * Enter the Church by the side door - leading up from the disable ramp. All other Church doors will be locked. * The Church side door will be closed at the start of Mass & cannot be reopened until the end of Mass. * Names will be checked off the register at the start of Mass.

5. These conditions will allow 140 parishioners to attend Mass weekly, it may be necessary to allocate registrations so that as many parishioners as want to may attend Mass in turn.

6. St Mark’s Mass-on-demand on YouTube & from the Parish website will still be available each Sunday.

7. Seating at Mass will be allocated (so your familiar seat may not be available) and seating and pews will be cleaned after each Mass. At Sunday Mass a bulletin will be provided to be taken with you when you leave. Please be aware of NOT touching any unnecessary areas around the Church.

8. All attendees at Mass or gatherings are asked to minimise the time they gather together, so following Mass it is requested you leave the Church grounds and not congregate.

9. The Sacrament of Penance (Confession | Reconciliation) will be available 30 minutes prior to Mass. If you are NOT REGISTERED for Mass you MUST leave the Church prior to the beginning of Mass. This Sacrament is also available on request.

10. All faithful attending the Church are encouraged to have downloaded the CovidSafe App and abide by the latest public health advisories. We look forward to welcoming our community back to St Mark’s Church, this reopening is until further notice and may change on a daily basis, if you have registered for Mass and the guidelines change we will contact you. Fr Michael McLean - Parish Priest

Weekend: Saturday Vigil - 5.30pm Sunday 9:00am & 11:00am & 6:00pm

Weekdays: Monday - 9:30am Tuesday - 9:30am & 12.00pm (noon) Wednesday - 9:30am & 6.00pm Thursday - 9:30am & 12.00pm (noon)Friday - 9:30am & 6.00pm

Read The Catholic Weekly online www.catholicweekly.com.au

Keep them in Your Prayers

In your love and concern, please pray for the following sick members of our community: Rita Arcidiacono, Joan Shakeshaft, Henry Hess, Rev Peter Maher, Judy Grace, Thu Hoang (Deacon John’s cousin),

Fr. Emmanuel Seo, Fr Don Willoughby, Eileen O’Neill, Monsignor Bill Mullins, Patricia Ryan, Brian McCarthy, Meagan Ficarra, Brian & Ann Johnson, Sr. Carmel Clancy and Sr Claire Burgess & all St. Mark’s Parish community members unwell at this time.

Anniversaries & those we are remembering at this time: Peter McGill, Mario Di Palma, Patricia Williams, Caterina Lorizio, Sr Joan Sexton, Palmira D’Ettorre, Oliver Murphy and Rira Pereira.

Recently Deceased: Nunziata (Alma) Di Losa, Franco Arcidiacono, Fr Pat McAuliffe (former pp Cabramatta) , Fr Peter Morrissey (former pp Mortlake), Phil Catanzaro, and Bernice Minns. We pray for those who have died and offer our prayers to their families.

St Mark’s Parish Office is open for emails & phone calls

t: 9181 1795

e :admin@stmarksdrummoyne.org.au w: www.stmarksdrummoyne.org.au

Introducing our new St Mark’s parishioners & congratulations to their parents.

PERSONAL RENEWAL PROGRAM

To replenish ourselves and reinforce our resilience on an ongoing basis it does not require too much, here are

some basic elements of a self-care protocol.

This week you can.. * Involve yourself in projects that renew you.

* Spend some time daydreaming. * Read poetry out loud.

* Telephone someone you have not spoken to for ages. * Journal each day as a way of unwinding.

* Watch a Mass on television.

Robert Louis Stevenson was right when he said, “There is no duty we so underrate as the duty to be happy. By being happy we sow anonymous benefits

upon the world.”

© excerpt from Bounce Living the Resilient Life - Robert J Wicks PsyD

The 54th World Day of Social Communications will be celebrated on Sunday 24 May – the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. Pope Francis has chosen to reflect on theme of storytelling in his message this year. In the intro to his message on the theme “That you may tell your children and grandchildren” (Ex 10:2) Life creates history”, the Holy Father says, “I would like to devote this year’s Message to the theme of storytelling, because I believe that, so as not to lose our bearings, we need to make our own the truth contained in good stories. Stories that build up, not tear down; stories that help us rediscover our roots and the strength needed to move forward together. Amid the cacophony of voices and messages that surround us, we need a human story that can speak of ourselves and of the beauty all around us. A narrative that can regard our world and its happenings with a tender gaze. A narrative that can tell us that we are part of a living and interconnected tapestry. A narrative that can reveal the interweaving of the threads which connect us to one another.” Click for the full text of the Pope’s message.

Fr Michael & St Mark’s Parish says thank you to our community of volunteers across all our Ministries, Outreach Programs and our Committee Members, your support in

invaluable.

Gospel Reflection The short gospel passage for today is taken from the final words of the gospel of Matthew. It is known as ‘The Great Commission’ as Jesus is portrayed commissioning his disciples to go out to the world and spread the good news. They are charged to ‘Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations.’ This is the basis of much of the missionary work of the Church that has gone on ever since then.

However, the focus of today’s feast is much more on the first reading than the gospel. The opening verses of the Book of Acts, from the author of Luke-Acts, describe the final instructions of Jesus to his disciples and then his ‘lifting up’. The Luke-Acts writer is the only gospel writer to actually describe the Ascension. The fact that the other gospels don’t discuss the Ascension in any detail at all is a good indication that this description should not be taken literally.

However, the message of the Ascension is a powerful one. It reminds us that Jesus, the human incarnation of God on earth, was limited to a specific time and place in history. Despite the physical limitations of his life on earth, Jesus ensured that his message and ministry would continue through those he had taught. Knowing that the disciples would need time to grieve and come to terms with all that had occurred in a relatively short space of time, Jesus promised that the Spirit would come upon them in the days to come. That visiting of the Spirit upon the disciples at Pentecost was the motivation to set about doing what Jesus had charged them to do. Without the Ascension, there is no Pentecost.

Historical Context – To the ends of the earth In both the gospel passage from Matthew and the passage from the Book of Acts, Jesus commissioned his disciples to go out to the whole world. In Matthew, it is to ‘all the nations’ and in Acts it is ‘to the ends of the earth’. Both writers make it abundantly clear that the message of Jesus is not exclusively for the people of Israel but for all people every-where. Within only a very few years, early Christian communities had sprung up all around the Mediterranean. Once Christianity became the religion of Rome it spread to all the corners of the Roman Empire.

Scriptural context – Not the only Ascension The description of Jesus being taken up into heaven is a close parallel to the description of the great prophet Elijah also being taken up to heaven. Chapter 2 of 2 Kings describes Elijah speaking to his disciple Elisha in similar words to those used by Jesus to his disciples. The Jewish tradition had no belief in an individual resurrection and so the idea of Ascension was to recognise the greatness of the prophet. He was to be united with God in Heaven rather than having to wait for the great resurrection of all people at the end of time.

Living the Gospel – You will be my witnesses A witness in a court of law is called to give evidence about a matter; to ‘testify’ to the truth of what they have seen or what they know to be true. Some people are very good at being a ‘witness’ to their faith by testifying to others about what they believe. Many others provide witness to their faith by simply living what they believe. Living a life based on Christian principles, including regular prayer and worship in your life, working for justice in the world and taking time to celebrate the beauty of everyday life is a powerful witness to others.

Questions for Adults Q. In the gospel passage, what is it that Jesus commissioned his disciples to do? Q. What have been some of the ‘darker moments’ of the history of missionary activity of the Church? Q. How does your local community seek to ‘spread the good news’ to others? Q. What are some of the actions of being a witness that might speak louder than words?

Learning moments Compare the account of Acts 1:1-11 with 2 Kings 2:1-18. What similar language, actions and concepts can you detect between the two accounts?

Research the missionary and witnessing work of people working with marginalised groups in local and national communities. How can they be seen as living out the commission Jesus gave to his disciples? © Greg Sunter

The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney is an official sponsor of this virtual free pilgrimage. The pilgrimage is aimed at helping Catholics nurture their faith in the lead up to Pentecost during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each Wednesday and Sunday, formative videos will be released for registered participants to engage online. Each set of videos will reflect on the Sunday

readings of that week with a particular focus on the role of the Holy Spirit in our Church and world.

To register, simply go to www.pentecostpilgrimage.com

A message from the Archdiocese of Sydney: Child sexual abuse is a crime. The appropriate people to deal with a crime are the police. If you, or anyone you know have been abused, please contact the police. Alternatively, you can contact the Safeguarding and Ministerial Integrity Office at (02) 9390 5810 safeguardingenquiries@sydneycatholic.org. You may also want to speak to your Parish Priest who will be able to provide support and guidance. The Archdiocese has a legal obligation to report crimes to the police.

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