ST MARTHA’S PARISH STRATHFIELD

‘You are the Light of the world’ … Matthew 5

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR CATHOLIC PRESS.

Copies of the Catholic Weekly $2 & Catholic Leader $2.50 are available at the Church Entrances.

GLUTEN FREE HOSTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ANY CELIAC PARISHIONERS. IF YOU WISH TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION PLEASE TELL THE CHURCH WARDEN OR SEE AN ACOLYTE IN THE SACRISTY PRIOR TO MASS.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

IF YOU PARTICIPATE IN ANY OF THE

FOLLOWING MINISTRIES YOU ARE

REQUIRED TO SIGN IN - ACOLYTES;

READERS; EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS; CHOIR; CHILDREN’S LITURGY

(LEADERS & CHILDREN) & SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM (LEADERS &

CHILDREN). SIGN IN FOLDERS ARE KEPT IN THE SACRISTY. THANK YOU

FOR YOUR CO-OPERATION.

ALTAR SERVERS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE SACRISTY

WITHOUT A PARENT/TEACHER. THE SIGN IN FOLDER IS

LOCATED IN THE CORRIDOR OUTSIDE THE SACRISTY.

A MESSAGE FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY.

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

9390 5810 or safeguardingenquiies@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..

Please be aware that if you “TAG” St Martha’s in photos on your Facebook page, the images also appear on an “unofficial” St Martha’s Facebook page. This “unofficial” page was created

automatically by Facebook and is not controlled by St Martha’s. We kindly remind you to take care when uploading photos of any

children without parent consent.

SHARING OF THE WORD Our weekly meetings are held at St Martha’s

parish hall on Mondays from 7-8pm. Everyone would be most welcome to join our

group

MASS TIMES

Tuesdays: 7.30am Wednesdays: 9.10am

Thursdays: 9.10am Fridays: 9.10am

Saturdays: 9.10am, 5pm Vigil Mass

Sundays: 8.00am; 10.00am & 6.00pm

1st Saturday of every month: 8-9am Adoration, 9am Benediction,

9.10am Healing Mass and Anointing of the Sick, followed by

reconciliation

RECONCILIATION: Saturday after 9.10am Mass or by appointment.

BAPTISM:

2nd & 4th Sundays of the month at 11.00am

by appointment only. (One months’ notice is required).

Contact the Parish Office.

Next Preparation Session: 1st March 2020 at 9.15am in Parish Hall

MARRIAGES: By appointment only.

(6 months’ notice is required).

ROSARY: Tuesday & Saturday after morning Mass, Wednesday, Thursday

& Friday 8.30am and 7.30pm on Fridays in conjunction with Marian Movement of Priests Cenacle and Divine Mercy Chaplet.

LIFE ASCENDING GROUP:

Resumes February 2020

PRAYER GROUP / ADORATION AT

ST MARTHA’S CHURCH: Resumes February 2020

SYDNEY MALAYEALEE ROMAN CATHOLIC

COMMUNITY

Rosary, Mass & Adoration from 6.30pm to 9pm on

the 2nd Saturday of each month. Rosary & Bible Sharing 6.30pm on

the 4th Saturday of the month

ADORATION AT SISTER DISCIPLES

OF THE DIVINE MASTER: Daily from 2.30pm-6.00pm

Please continue to support the St Vincent De Paul Society

through the Church Poor Boxes.

THE PARISH OF ST MARTHA’S ACKNOWLEDGES THE WANGUL PEOPLE AS THE TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS OF THE LAND ON WHICH THE CHURCH IS BUILT

Parish Priest: Fr Jacek (Jack) Cichy Priest in Residence: Fr Michael Milinga

Administration Coordinator: Nicolle Mazzaferro (Mon-Thurs) admin@stmarthas.org.au Administration Support: Larissa Argiro (Monday & Wednesday) office@stmarthas.org.au

Sacramental Coordinator: Patricia Saad (Monday & Tuesday) sc@stmarthas.org.au Safeguarding Officer: Dianne Dawson safeguarding@stmarthas.org.au

Parish Ministries Coordinator: Helen Williamson Music Ministry: Marcella Ayoub & Jane Phillips Children’s Liturgy Coordinator: Rachel Suriano

Plenary Council 2020 Ambassador: Helena O’Neill Youth Ministry: Jessica Gereis youth@stmarthas.org.au

St Martha’s School: 9764 1184 Email: info@stmstrathfield.catholic.edu.au

Principal: Judy Gastin Assist Principal: Leanne Meehan

Acting REC: Angela Smith

Vision:

Welcoming

Eucharistic

Transformed by the Word

Full of Grace

Proclaiming Good News

Mission:

Alive with the Spirit

Inspired by St Martha

We Celebrate & Witness

God’s love

Using our Gifts & Talents

70 Homebush Rd Strathfield NSW 2135 Phone: 9746 6131 Fax: 9764 3040

Email: office@stmarthas.org.au Website: www.stmarthas.org.au

Parish Office: Mon- Fri 9.00am-3.00pm

Please continue

to support the St Vincent De Paul Society

through the Church Poor Boxes.

Please keep the Abdallah and Sakr Families in your thoughts and prayers during this

incredibly sad and difficult time after Antony, Angelina, Sienna and Veronique were

tragically killed in Oatlands last weekend.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Monday Morning Prayer Group will commence on 10th February St Martha’s Community Prayer Mornings – Did you know that people are praying for you? Yes- every

Monday morning 10:30 am to 11:30 am (during school terms, not the holidays) a group of your fellow

parishioners gather at St. Martha’s Church to pray for our community and the special needs of the people in our

world.

The prayer group time includes:

The morning prayer of the Church

(Including the hymns and psalms of the Diving Office played on CD)

Time for prayerful intercession

Time for quiet reflection in front of the Blessed Sacrament

Time for reflection on the following Sunday’s gospel

Why don’t you come along and pray with us? For those who cannot attend there will be

a book of special intentions (at the back of the church). The book will be placed on our

prayer table each week so these private intentions can be offered up at this time.

What do we do when the Prayer Intention books are filled?

(Remembering prayers to God are never forgotten or wasted)

We burn completed books and the ashes of those prayers are placed in the garden surrounding the Church.

LENT 2020

THE SEASON OF LENT COMMENCES ON ASH WEDNESDAY - 26th FEBRUARY

ASH WEDNESDAY IS A DAY OF FAST AND ABSTINENCE.

6.45am Mass & Distribution of Ashes

9.10am Mass with the school community

7.30pm Mass & Distribution of Ashes

“Grace” Lenten Program Meetings will be held every Monday morning in the Church at

10.30am commencing on 2nd

March. Sign-up sheets are located in

the Church foyer. Thank you to Cathy Milgate who will be

facilitating the program.

We warmly welcome Father Terry Bell who is joining us whilst Father

Jack is on leave and we thank him for his pastoral ministry to our parish. We also take this opportunity to wish him a belated Happy 80th Birthday.

St Martha’s Parish Community extends Congratulations to Cathy Milgate & Peter McCluskey upon being recipients of an Order of

Australia, published in the Australia Day Honours List. The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, to recognise Australian citizens and

other persons who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement.

Background on the Gospel Reading (Loyola Press)

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Following upon the teaching of the Beatitudes, Jesus uses the now familiar metaphors of salt and light to describe the life of discipleship. We take salt and light for granted in our society, but these commodities were more precious in ancient cultures. Just as now, salt was used in Jesus’ time for flavouring, as a preservative, and as a healing agent. Similarly, the widespread use of electricity in the modern world makes us less aware of the value and importance of light in our lives. Still, our familiarity with this passage from Matthew’s Gospel speaks well to the abiding power of the imagery that Jesus presented. Jesus’ call to be salt for the earth and light for the world powerfully states our mission as

Church and as Christians. Our commitment to social justice flows from the exhortation that Jesus gives us in today’s Gospel. Some of the activities that this commitment leads us to are given more concrete expression as the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. When we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, console those who mourn, and so on, we show ourselves to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. When we do these things with the community of faith, the Church, we are indeed acting as “a city set on a mountain” that cannot be hidden!

MASS INTENTIONS Recently Deceased:

Anne Russo, Antony, Angelina & Siena Abdallah, Veronique Sakr, Rudy Jimenez, Baby Xion Bangalan Marcos, John McManus, Leni Fragassi, Alice Herro, Karola Grozdanovic.

Repose Of The Soul:

Fr Adrian Horgan, Fr Paul Ryan, Br Ray Dowding, Gerald Wilson, John Ferguson, Ken Fraser, Connie Wong, Aldo Amarino, Salvatore (Phillip) Puglisi, Dan Dillon, William (Bill) & Dorothy Starr, Roger O’Reilly, Stefano, Francesco & Maria Colagiuri, Estelle Thurn, Lisa Cooke, Michael & Mary Cassar, Anne Cecilia Glass, Reginald & Agnes Glass, Gerald & Frances Gleeson, Faado Herro, Elias Mounayer, Patrick & Janet Reynolds, Jim Reynolds, Ken Rich, Monica & Patrick Ryan, Stephen Maxwell Stewart & Christopher John Stewart, Dr Stephanie Winfield, Philip Winfield, Peter & Margaret Hetherton, Norman & Christine Coorey, Jerko Ancic, Norman & Christine Coorey, Holy Souls of the D’Angelo, Pizzirusso & Vece Families.

Anniversaries:

Tiarnan Rafferty, Declan & Mary Anne Dower, Rajko Stanisic, Maged Morian, Helen Rudkowsky, Harry Thorpe, Gloria Behringer all those whose anniversaries occur at this time.

Sick Intentions:

Maria Almeida, Jaden & Livia Noronha, Rob & Val Reberger, Fr David Coffey, Fr John Langtry, Baby Chloe Alison, Marc Kayrouz, Vicky Buttel, Conny Nilson, John Georges, David Freeland, Frances Spicer, Beryl Morahan, Mildred Azares Panes, Br Jude Butcher cfc, Lucy Washburn, Peter Starr.

Special Intentions: Patricia McManus, Rita Fragassi, Judith Ferguson, Members of the Orton Family, Matteo & Caterina Genova, Filomena Pagano, Raffaele & Giuseppe Pagano, Deceased Friends, Relatives & Benefactors of the Dominican Order & the St Vincent de Paul Society & Benefactors, Holy Souls.

Mass Intention Envelopes are available at the Church Entrances

"Let's Celebrate At Mass Today” is a brand new Catholic Children's

Book that tells the story of a young boy who attends Sunday Mass

with his family. This story will guide and help families find joy, love

and God in the celebration of the Mass. Limited copies of this great

Australian story can be purchased in the Church foyer for $20

each. Alternatively, you can visit

www.letscelebrateatmasstoday.com or follow

@letscelebrateatmasstoday on instagram for great inspiration on

how to encourage young children to actively participate in the Holy

Mass.

15th & 16th February

VIGIL 8AM 10AM 6PM

Special Czarina Mendoza-Cruz Georgette Sahyoun Relyn Ponce Cue Family

Ministers Mark Phillips Geraldine O’Sullivan Anne Marrins Cue Family

Maria Soares

VIGIL 8AM 10AM 6PM

Readers Patrick Carter Maria Yu Patricia Saad Theresa Kuk

Vanessa Carter Maria Yu Melanie Yates Miriam Redolfi

VIGIL 8AM 10AM 6PM

Altar Giselle & Elizabeth C. Thomas C. Therese S. Katarina S.

Servers Beatrix A. James T. Sophia S. Volunteer Needed

Cassandra G. Volunteer Needed Grace T. Volunteer Needed

Lachlan M. Volunteer Needed Peter T. Volunteer Needed

Wardens VIGIL 8AM 10AM 6PM

Phil Robinson Peter Yamin Trudie Rogers Anne Chow

Children’s 10AM 10AM

Liturgy TBA TBA

If you are unable to attend your rostered Mass kindly organise a replacement.

THE NEW ROSTER TO COMMENCE IN MID MARCH IS CURRENTLY BEING COMPILED. IF YOU WISH TO JOIN THESE MINISTRIES OR IF YOU WISH TO CHANGE YOUR CURRENT MASS TIME PLEASE WRITE YOUR DETAILS ON THE

ROSTER SHEETS IN THE CHURCH FOYER. FOR ANY NEW MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE THAT A WWC CLEARANCE MUST BE COMPLETED IF YOU WISH TO BE INCLUDED ON THE NEXT ROSTER. THE DEADLINE IS MONDAY 17TH FEBRUARY.

A Working With Children Clearance

is required for those participating in the following ministries:

Lectors/Readers

Eucharistic Ministers (Church)

Wardens & Collection Plate

Below are the steps to apply online.

Step 1. Please type the following link into your web browser:-

http://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/Working-with-children/Working-With-Children-Check/apply/apply

Step 2. Complete the details noting that the child related sector is RELIGIOUS SERVICES from the drop down box.

Step 3. You will receive an email from the Roads and Maritime Services which needs to be printed out and taken to any

RMS Office for ID verification. As volunteers, there is no cost involved. (the nearest office is NSW Government Business

Services Centre located at 1-17 Elsie Street Burwood)

Step 4. Once you receive a “Notice to Employers” please forward it to the Parish Office along with a copy of your Driver’s

Licence for verification purposes.

Please note that the parish requires copies of the following 4 documents:-

1. Working with Children Notice to Employers.

2. Current Driver’s Licence or a Photo ID that shows your date of birth.

3. Signed Volunteer Acceptance Form (form is available at the side entrance Safeguarding Notice Board)

4. Signed Code of Conduct Form (form is available at the side entrance Safeguarding Notice Board)

If you have any questions or need assistance with this process please contact our Safeguarding Officer

Dianne Dawson or Nicolle at the Parish Office on 9746 6131 (option 2) or via email:

safeguarding@stmarthas.org.au or admin@stmarthas.org.au

The emotional, physical and spiritual safety, well-being and dignity of children is an integral part of the teachings and values

of the Catholic Church. The Archdiocese is wholly committed to ensuring the safety, well-being and dignity of all children,

and we acknowledge that we have a moral and spiritual responsibility to create a safe and nurturing environment for children

within our parish community.

We have a dedicated team of people who visit the sick and vulnerable in the nursing

homes within ort parish to offer spiritual support, comfort, Holy Communion or just a

chat. One of our regular ladies is taking 2020 to look after her grandchild. We would

welcome someone who would like to join our team and visit the residents in one of our

local nursing homes. The day for ministry is Wednesday after 9.10am Mass. The usual working with children

compliance applies. Please contact Helen Williamson 0408 970 120 if you would like more information.

INVITATION to all interested in Catholic music and its history: Come to the OPEN NIGHT

to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of The Gregorian Schola of Sydney. See and study

digitized manuscripts with music copied hundreds of years ago including those composed by

St Hildegard of Bingen d.1179. Listen to the schola singing them. Join with them and take

part in Q and A. It is unlikely that such an opportunity will be repeated. When: Thursday,

February 13, commencing 6.30pm. Where: St Bede's Church, 43 Pyrmont Rd, Pyrmont. Why?

This is all part of our search for the truth in passing on the faith and the message of the

Gospel. Bookings are essential and recommended early. Email Stephens.harry@gmail.com.

Entry by voluntary donation. Enquiries 0418 230 322.

Parish Nursing Homes Masses:

Wednesday 4th March 10.00am Strathdale Nursing Home

Friday 6th March 10.00am Meredith Nursing Home

Wednesday 11th March 2.00pm Strathfield Gardens

Friday 13th March 10.30am Goondee Nursing Home

Wednesday 18th March 10.00am Jesmond Nursing Home

Visit Of The Relics Of St Therese Of Lisieux and Her Parents The National Pilgrimage of the Relics of Saints Thérèse, and her parents, Louis and

Zélie, will visit the Archdiocese of Sydney in February and March. The Church Noticeboard has the full itinerary so that parishioners are aware of where and when they can take this opportunity to venerate the relics of one of the Catholic

Church’s most popular saints and her parents who helped nurture her faith.

The relics of “The Little Flower”- St. Therese of Lisieux – are coming to Australia.

The Church requested to hear any story of how St. Therese helped you in your life.

Cathy Milgate forwarded the statement below to the Catholic Weekly,

who printed it in full in the 19th

January 2020 edition in the “Editorial & Letters” section on page 17.

Mass to launch the Cause of Beatification and Canonisation of Servant of God, Eileen O’Connor

The co-founder of Our Lady’s Nurses for the

Poor, Eileen O’Connor has taken a major step forward to becoming Australia’s second saint after the Archbishop of Sydney, Most Rev. Anthony Fisher OP called on Catholics

to submit evidence to support Eileen’s cause for canonisation.

You are invited to a Mass which will officially launch the cause.

Thursday 20 February at St Mary’s Cathedral. 5:30pm

Celebrant: Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP All Welcome.