ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE NEWSLETTER

20TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

16TH AUGUST, 2020 YEAR A

M A SS/L IT UR GY

CA LENDAR

SUNDAY MASS

WILL BE AVAILABLE

ONLINE EACH WEEK

ON YOUTUBE.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR THE

LINK.

Dear Parishioners,

PAGANS? “In our family, nobody went to church. Our parents sent us to an Anglican school for our education. Unlike most of our classmates, we hadn’t been baptised, so chapel in the mornings was foreign to us. We were pagans in the land! Gradually, through the spirit and witness of some of our teachers, I began a long search which eventually led me towards the Catholic Church. During those years the gospel story read today became my own, a beacon of hope for an outsider. As I sat in the back row of Catholic churches during Mass, watching people going to Communion and longing for the scraps that fell from the master’s table, the Canaanite woman became my constant companion: ‘Lord, help me…even the house-dogs can eat the scraps that fall from their master’s table.’ My prayer, like all genuine prayer that responds to God’s prompting and comes from the depths of our need and desire for God was heard. Eventually I was welcomed into the Church – no longer an outsider, but one of the children at the Master’s table.” (Jenny) Fr Terry msc

***********************************************************

Due to the implementation of Stage 4 in Metropolitan Melbourne, we kindly ask

that parishioners who pledge with cash envelopes to please leave their envelopes

at the Parish Office by putting them through the mail slot of the office door to

avoid contact or please post them into the Presbytery.

We remain committed to journeying with you in faith, hope and love and will

continue to offer our Weekend Mass online via our website and YouTube.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered every Saturday at 10.00am.

St. Thomas’ Parish, Blackburn website:

www.stthomastheapostle.org.au

St. Thomas the Apostle Parish strives to create an environment

where all children and vulnerable adults including Aboriginal, special needs and persons of

cultural diversity are safe, respected and cared for.

A Vocation View:

It’s so easy to push

people out of our lives.

But the Lord knows no

boundaries or races or

colours. Spread the

Good News that we are

all God’s people.

Please remember the following in your prayers… Sick: Pat Smith, Brian Law (brother of Kit Law in Canada), Barbara O’Hagan, Betty McConnen (Ireland), Felicia Holland, Br. Bernie Gartland, Bridie Lennon, Margot Pettingill, Michael Rogan, S.J. Potter, Kevin Guilders, Neville Davis, Pino Bruzzese, Eric Eitel, Bernadette Andrews, Annette Nicolas, Charlie Santilli, Roland Schuster, Sr. Maureen Philp RSJ, Claire Tierney, Tamara Bobrovich, Marie Walker, Charles Fain, Jon Parkinson, Antonio So Jr., Ashley Woods, Malgosia Dziuk, Daisy Xu, Rosa Maria Santos, Patricia Duffy, Mietta Ulaan, Chris Leach, Dao Le, Peter Babulo, Moira Healy, Tony Hill & Martin Broad. Recently Dec’d: Genevieve Thornton, Muriel Eves and Alexandra Gawlikowicz Anniversaries: Sr. Mary Ursula Caine RSM

PIETY STALL

Monastique Cosmetics available

at

Piety Stall or Order Form.

We have a selection of testers.

**Proceeds to St Vincent de Paul

Rosaries, Baptism Gifts, Candles

and Religious Cards

Br. James CD’s available

$25.00ea

Friends of Same East Timor

Ground Coffee @ $7.50ea

**All proceeds go to

St Vincent de Paul

MSC Books :

‘A Quiet Place Within’

by Fr Khoi Nguyen-$19.95

‘‘Hearts Burning Within Us’

ST VINCENT DE PAUL DONATIONS Thank you to everyone who has donated $2,350 so far and it will be used straight away for those in need. **************************************** Dear Parishioners, as there will be no formal Annual Appeal this year you can still make a donation if you wish by any of these 3 ways:

1. Arrange with Grace Mizzi (President 9802 8815). Arrange with Wal Stevens (V. President.) 9802 6809.

2. Online with St. Vincent de Paul Box Hill Vic. using link, https://www.vinnies.org.au/ quoting Blackburn a/c 442. Head Office will transfer the donation to our Conference at Blackburn.

3. Donations can be left at the Presbytery Office on any Tuesday to Thursday 9am to 12 noon. Request a receipt and we will get it to you. Thank you - Grace Mizzi, President Blackburn Conference.

Anyone wanting Spiritual Direction can enquire at the Parish Office on ph. 9878 0818.

YOUTH NEWS……………………. YOUTH GROUPS—ZOOM SESSIONS OLDER YOUTH IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS (YEARS 7 AND UP)

We are conducting fortnightly Zoom sessions for all older secondary

school children. Join us to engage in discussion groups, fun games, guest speakers and

some faith added in as well.

Our next session will be on August 23rd from 5pm to 6pm

Please email caren.garlick@cam.org.au to register and receive the link.

YOUNGER YOUTH IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS (GRADE 3 TO 6)

We are conducting fortnightly Zoom sessions for all younger school children from

Grade 3 to 6. Join us to engage in some engaging activities, fun games and some faith

added in as well. Our next session will be on August 16th from 5pm to 6pm

Please email caren.garlick@cam.org.au to register and receive the link.

CARITAS AUSTRALIA APPEAL FOR LEBONON With the recent disaster in Beirut, Caritas Australia has committed to provide immediate response in the form of crucial financial support as part of its already established Middle East Regional Appeal. Additionally, through its in-country staff and partners in Lebanon, the wider Caritas network is working to deliver: *Food and water *Hygiene kits including masks and soap *Material for shelter repairs and the clean-up of debris *Medication and other health services. Caritas Australia has set up the following link for people who wish to donate: https://www.caritas.org.au/learn/emergency-response/middle-east-emergency-appeal or by ringing 1800 024 413

TAKE A LOOK…………………...… A parishioner has sent through a link to a YouTube video by Thomastown Secondary

College titled “The Hero Project” - a message of gratitude to frontline workers during

the COVID19 pandemic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jRGom73vqo

Sunday 16th August, 2020

20th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

SECOND READING Rom 11:13-15. 29-32

A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans

Let me tell you pagans this: I have been sent to the pagans as their apostle, and I am proud of being sent, but the purpose of it is to make my own people envious of you, and in this way save some of them. Since their rejection meant the reconciliation of the world, do you know what their admission will mean? Nothing less than a resurrection from the dead! God never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice.

Just as you changed from being disobedient to God, and now enjoy mercy because of their disobedience, so those who are disobedient now – and only because of the mercy shown to you – will also enjoy mercy eventually. God has imprisoned all men in their own disobedience only to show mercy to all mankind.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Mt 4:23 Alleluia, alleluia! Jesus preached the Good News of the kingdom and healed all who were sick. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Mt 15:21-28

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Jesus left Gennesaret and withdrew to

the region of Tyre and Sidon. Then out

came a Canaanite woman from that

district and started shouting, ‘Sir, Son of

David, take pity on me. My daughter is

tormented by a devil.’ But he answered

her not a word. And his disciples went

and pleaded with him. ‘Give her what

she wants,’ they said ‘because she is

shouting after us.’ He said in reply, ‘I was

sent only to the lost sheep of the House

of Israel.’

(CONT.)

But the woman had come up and was

kneeling at his feet. ‘Lord,’ she said

‘help me.’ He replied, ‘It is not fair to

take the children’s food and throw it to

the house-dogs.’ She retorted, ‘Ah yes,

sir; but even house-dogs can eat the

scraps that fall from their master’s

table.’ Then Jesus answered her,

‘Woman, you have great faith. Let your

wish be granted.’ And from that

moment her daughter was well again.

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps 129:7

With the Lord there is mercy;

in him is plentiful redemption.

NEXT SUNDAYS READINGS 21st SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Sunday 23rd August 2020 First Reading: Isaiah 22:19-23 Second Reading: Romans 11:33-36 Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Ps 83:10-11

Turn your eyes, O God, our shield; and look

on the face of your anointed one; one day

within your courts is better than a

thousand elsewhere.

FIRST READING Is 56:1.6-7

A reading from the prophet Isaiah

Thus says the Lord: Have a care for justice,

act with integrity, for soon my salvation

will come and my integrity be manifest.

Foreigners who have attached themselves

to the Lord to serve him and to love his

name and be his servants – all who

observe the sabbath, not profaning it, and

cling to my covenant – these I will bring to

my holy mountain. I will make them joyful

in my house of prayer. Their holocausts

and their sacrifices will be accepted on my

altar, for my house will be called a house of

prayer for all the peoples.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 66:2-3 5-6. 8. R. v.4 (R.) O God, let all the nations praise you!

1. O God, be gracious and bless us

and let your face shed its light upon

us.

So will your ways be known upon

earth and all nations learn your

saving help. (R.)

2. Let the nations be glad and exult

for you rule the world with justice

With fairness you rule the peoples,

you guide the nations on earth. (R.)

3. Let the peoples praise you, O God;

let all the peoples praise you. May

God still give us his blessing till the

ends of the earth revere him. (R.)

ST THOMAS THE

APOSTLE PARISH

57 CENTRAL ROAD

(PO BOX 395),

BLACKBURN

PARISH PRIEST: Fr. Terry Bowman, msc

FORMATOR/ASST. PRIEST: Fr Khoi Nguyen msc PARISH PHONE: 9878 0818/9877 7693 PARISH EMAIL: blackburn@cam.org.au

PARISH WEBSITE: www.stthomastheapostle.org.au

PARISH SECRETARY: Susan Collins Admin: Luise Hendricks Bookkeeper/Admin: Luisa May PARISH ACCOUNTANT: Maurice Gartland

PASTORAL ASSOCIATES: Sr. Marg Burchell IBVM & Caren Garlick

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL: Anne Marmion SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: Angela Lacey

SCHOOL PHONE: P: 9878 8268 SCHOOL EMAIL: office@stblackburn.catholic.edu.au

SCHOOL WEBSITE: www.stblackburn.catholic.edu.au

A Prayer for Priests God, grant them the joys of their vocation, health of mind, body and spirit; a strong faith and a light heart to do the Lord’s work in this world; and the love and support of their friends, family and parishioners. Holy Spirit, guide them and give them grace. Amen

ST.VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY: Call Centre for assistance – 1800 305 330 Free Call Weekdays 10am-3pm. Vinnies Centre Ringwood Ph. 9870 9124, Unit 1B/76-82 Maroondah Hwy Ringwood. For Furniture & Whitegoods pickup— Eastern Emergency Relief will pickup for St Vincent de Paul week days 9am-1pm . Ph. 9874 8433.

FIRST AID EQUIPMENT Attention Parishioners: We now have a new DEFIB which is located in the Sacristy. A First Aid Kit is also in the

Kitchen Broom Cupboard. First Aid items (blankets etc.) which are provided by the Church are stored in a large plastic tub in the Crying Room (right sliding cupboard.)

Catechetics/Altar Servers:

Caren Garlick 9878 0818

Les Coeurs: Caren Garlick

9878 0818

Six2Eight: Caren Garlick 9878 0818

Starfish: Caren Garlick 9878 0818

ST THOMAS’ PARISH BLACKBURN ADVERTISING IN PARISH BULLETIN We are offering advertising space on the back page of the Bulletin/Newsletter from January 2020 (small fee involved) to the local business community and beyond. Please call the Parish Office on 9878-0818 to discuss further. Thank you

AdventCare offers respite and permanent Aged Care.

163-165 Central Road Nunawading

Contact: Tania Fox: 9259 2130

GROUPS/ACTIVITIES POSTPONED UNTIL

FURTHER NOTICE ST THOMAS PARISH/SCHOOL ARCHIVES Archival material always welcome, please include dates and names when possible. Contact Parish Office Ph: 9878 0818

FIRST FRIDAY PARISH MASS & LUNCHEON: First Friday of the month Mass starts at 11.30am . CHILDREN’S LITURGY: Sundays at 10.30am Mass. During School Terms only. CHRISTIAN MEDITATION AFTERNOON/EVENINGS: Tuesdays at 7.30pm in the Presbytery Front Meeting room. Contact Phil Collins on 0410 668 140 or e:chrmed3130@gmail.com New comers most welcome. Monday afternoons at 4pm at the Retirement Village Centre. Contact Geni Hunt on 9802 2078 or e: geni.hunt9@gmail.com ST. THOMAS’ PLAYGROUP: Every Wednesday morning during the School Term, from 9.00am-11.00am. Please bring a piece of fruit. ALL PRE-SCHOOLERS ARE WELCOME. No cost to attend. Hope to see you there! Contact Tatiana Gibbs-0490 005 691

DO YOU HAVE ANY EMPTY

PLANT POTS………… A parishioner is

busily potting seedlings and other

plants and is in need of some pots

(small to medium-sized). If you have

any spare pots, please drop them off

at the Parish House and we’ll forward

them on. Thank you.

OUR LADY OF SION COLLEGE, BOX HILL

VIRTUAL TALK AND TOUR MORNING

Join Our Lady of Sion College for a live-stream virtual tour

of the College via Zoom on Friday 11th September, 2020

from 9.30am-10.30am

Visit www.sion.catholic.edu.au to book or

call: 9890-9097 to discuss further.

EMMAUS COLLEGE: VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSION The College is offering ‘Virtual Information Sessions’ on Monday 24th August, 2020 for the following times: 6.00pm; 7.00pm & 8.00pm Limited places available for each session….so book NOW! Email: www.emmaus.vic.edu.au Telephone: 9845 3211

BILLINGS LIFE: NATURAL FERTILITY AWARENESS WEEK FROM 17TH TO 23RD AUGUST Are you wondering how you can find out more about your reproductive health during these times of isolation and social distancing? BILLINGS LIFE has the answer! Track your fertility using, “Fertility PinPoint ™” App—provides you with you own personal accredited Billings Ovulation Method tutor. For more information check the website: www.fertilitypinpoint.com