THE BULLETIN ST THERESA’S PARISH

5 NOVEMBER 2017 THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

HEALING FOR THE SICK Bernice Herbert Patricia (Pat) Mulhall

Parishioners: John Erbs Stephen Watchman Carol Spence

Rosemary Carter Len Pauli

Neville Preece John Robinson

Chris McNally John Thompson

Patricia Cantwell (Kathy Sternes fr iend) Thelma & Doug Wall

(Lillian Ashcroft’s sister & brother in law)

Robert & Donna Ashcroft

(Lillian Ashcroft’s sister & brother in law)

Freda Coorey (Kathy Sternes Fr iend) Shona Kraayvanger

(Gabrielle Adam’s daughter) Joe Short (Powell family group) Enrico Marsili (Raul Ruffini’s nephew)

Indiana Harman

(Ray & Madeline Taylor’s Granddaughter)

Louis Gandini (Lina Pervan’s brother)

Connie Bamgart (Lina Pervan’s friend)

Elaine Dillon (Vivienne Pr ice’s mother)

Pamela Dyson (Sandra Madden’s sister)

Patricia Jenkins (Thel Jelley’s cousin)

Roslyn Morton (Patr ick’s sister)

Simon Riethmuller (Shir ley’s son)

Max Shearer

(Grandson - Tom & Judy Shearer)

John Mullen (Helen McNaught’s nephew)

Archie Mullen (Helen McNaught’s

brother)

Reet Hughes (ex Par ishioner and close

friend of Bette Flamsteed)

Br Ed Collins OH

ANNIVERSARIES Mary Franzmann Grace Jones Doreen Dunne Warren Smith Gwen Savage Marie Sheridan

MISSION STATEMENT St Theresa’s Catholic Parish is a vibrant, inclusive and welcoming community committed to living and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Under our baptismal mission and inspired by the Spirit, we are bread for one another and nourished we reach out to make a difference in the world.

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31st Sunday in Ordinary Time year A

Early one morning, about four years ago, I walked into the chapel at Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City with some of my brother seminari-ans. I happened to be the last person to walk in, so naturally I sat down furthest from the front of the already small space. About five minutes before Pope Francis waddled up the side isle to celebrate Mass for us, one of the concelebrating priests signalled to myself and the two semi-narians beside me to follow him. He took us right up the front and gave me the seat that was closest to the altar. This unexpected experience, despite my not actually choosing the last seat, really animated Jesus’ words about choosing the lowest seat at a banquet, or those in today’s Gospel: “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Sometimes we don’t actually need to choose what appears as the lowlier option; sometimes it simply falls on us. The challenge for us is to be able to accept and embrace what God gives us in life without becoming bitter or envious for what might seem to us a better lot. For what might seem better to us may indeed be an illusion. On the other hand, this does not mean we should put ourselves down or pretend we are less than we are. This is not what humility is. ‘Humility’ comes from the Latin word humus, which means ‘earth’ or ‘soil’ and has to do with being grounded in the truth of who we are. So in actual fact, denying or hiding our true worth and giftedness are as un-humble as exalting ourselves like the Pharisees, who like to be the centre of atten-tion. On this note, I’d like to raise something today’s Gospel often evokes in people. We hear how the Pharisees like to wear broader phylacteries and longer tassels in order to attract attention. A link is sometimes drawn between this and the clerical or religious garb that is proper to Catholic priests, nuns or monks. This however is a false comparison. Clerical garb or religious habits do not point to the individual priest or religious. They are an outward sign of their inner (and outer) consecration to Christ, and a powerful witness to the Grace of God in the marketplace. It is not humble to hide or deny what God has given.

To come to the humility today’s Gospel calls for entails a journey or process of discovery, a digging down into the soil of our being in order to find our fundamental poverty. Only when we come to know and live from our absolute poverty, minuteness and emptiness before God, can we truly know and be filled with the fullness and richness of the risen Christ, who first emptied himself. Only then do we fulfil Jesus’ command to call God alone “Rabbi,” “Father” and “Teacher.” By: Thomas Duncan

MASSES

St Theresa’s Parish

READINGS BAPTISMS

MON NO MASS

TUE NO MASS

WED 9AM MASS

THU NO MASS

FRI 9AM MASS

SAT 6PM MASS

SUN 9.30AM MASS

RECONCILITATION IS

AVAILABLE BEFORE MASS

OR BY APPOINTMENT

First Reading: Malachi 1: 14 - 2:2, 8-10;1

You have strayed from the way, you have caused many to stumble by your teaching.

Responsorial Psalm: 130 In you, Lord, I have found my peace,

Second Reading: Thessalonians 2: 7-9, 13 We were eager to hand over to you not only the Good News but our lives as well.

Gospel Acclamation: John 14: 23

Alleluia, alleluia! You have one Father, your Father in heaven; you have one teacher Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia!

Gospel: M atthew 23: 1-2

They do not practise what they preach.

Next week’s readings. Wisdom: 6: 12-16 Thessalonians 4: 13-18 Matthew 25: 1-13

Baptisms are celebrated on the second and fourth Sunday

of the month either during Mass at 9.30am

or after Mass at 11am.

CARE AND CONCERN HEALING MASS

RSVP

If you have received an invitation to the Care & Concern Healing/Anointing Mass on

Thursday 16th November and have not yet RSVP’D

Could you please contact the Parish Office PH: 46394688

as soon as possible to assist with catering numbers.

November - Month of Remembrance.

Memory is more than a looking back to a time that is no longer; it is a looking out into another

kind of time . altogether.

FIRST RECONCILIATION

The Sacrament of First Reconciliation will be

celebrated on the Thursday, 9th November at 6.00pm,

at St Theresa’s Parish Centre. Our prayers are with you as you undertake this

final step in the journey.

FROM YOUR PASTOR:

Congratulations to Mater Dei on 100 years

Last Saturday our local Parish School of Mater Dei celebrated 100 years of wonderful service to education. The celebrations began with the Eucharist, as we gave thanks to our God for the many blessings bestowed on our wonderful school over 100 yrs. We welcomed back several Good Samaritan Sisters, a good body of past students and staff, as we joined with current parents ,students, staff and parishioners to celebrate this milestone with an uplifting and prayerful liturgy. After the Eucharist we all proceeded to the School grounds for an official acknowledged of the day and the cutting of a cake to mark the occasion, as we continued the celebrations with an entertaining Fair. Congratulations to principal Chris, his staff, parents and students of our Parish School, and a big thank you to all involved in organising such a wonderful day.

God Bless Fr.Brian

St Theresa’s Parish

PARISH FAMILY MASS

A Parish Family Mass will be held at St Theresa’s Parish Centre on Sunday, 19th November at 9.30am. All are invited to attend. The Mass will be lead by Mater Dei School. NEW PARISHIONERS and RECENTLY BAPTISED An invitation to new parishioners and families of those recently baptised ( in the last 12 months ), are invited to attend a special weekend Liturgy. When: Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd December, at St Theresa’s Parish Centre.

PRIESTS RETIREMENT FOUNDATION

This weekend brings us to the annual appeal for the Priest’s Retirement Fund. This appeal has been part of our Diocesan life since 1998. Currently we support 17

retired priests. Envelopes are available in the foyer. Your generous support will be greatly appreciated.

ST VINCENT de PAUL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We will assist all people in need by providing a hand up where possible and not just a hand out. We are always looking for new volunteers. If you would like to involve yourself in SVDP work, then in terms of a time commitment, you would be probably looking at a minimum of about an hour a week but like all volunteering, your time commitment can be what you allow it to be. If you are interested please contact Pat Morton (07) 4638 7586

ROSIES FRIENDS ON THE STREET Is a not for profit organisation with a volunteer base of over 900 across Queensland. Rosies provide unconditional acceptance and friendship to people who are marginalised within our community, especially those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. St Theresa’s Parish volunteer for Rosies once a month, if you would like to be involved in this program, please contact the Parish Office 4639 4688. The office hours are, Mon, Tues, Thurs, Friday between 8.30 am - 4pm.

NOTICES

YEAR OF YOUTH 2018

Australian Catholic Youth Festival. When: 7-9 December 2017 Where: Sydney Who: Year 9 students to 30 year olds. Cost: $220-00 Join the group from the Toowoomba Diocese along with Sarah de Byl, (Youth Ministry Diocesan Co-ord) and Tom Duncan. For further information, see flyer in the foyer or email: youngcatholic@twb.catholic.org.au

MELBOURNE CUP FUNDRAISER The Social Justice Commission are

holding their annual Melbourne Cup fundraiser.

When: 5 November 2017 Time: 6.00pm - 9.00pm Venue: St Anthony’s Parish Centre, 3 Memory St Toowoomba. Includes music, food, phantom call of the Melbourne

Cup. To register contact 4613 0895 or justice@twb.catholic.org.au RSVP by 27/10/2017 Funds raised go to refugees & asylum seekers in the

Toowoomba area. This is a free event.

ST VINCENTS CARE SERVICES

Parishioners may wish to contribute some of their time as a volunteer with residents at Lourdes Home in Spring St, Toowoomba. Communion Ministry, Rosary Groups, also Craft, Singing, Sewing, Bingo, Indoor Bowls, Gardening are available. If you have other gifts or talents that you with to share, please contact us at SVCS Lourdes Home on 4592 6900 or paul.howard@svha.org.au “Serve God with a great heart and a willing mind.”

Mary Aikenhead. RENEWAL OF MINISTRY ROSTERS FOR

WEEKEND LITURGIES

All parishioners are asked to complete Ministry sign on sheets available in the foyer, even if you are currently involved in Ministries for Eucharistic celebrations. If you are unable to be a part of Ministry at this time, please complete personal details so we can keep our parish data base up to date.

St Theresa’s Parish

CONTACTS

PRAY FOR ME by: Robert Moynihan The Life and Spiritual Vision of Pope Francis First Pope from the Americas From the founder and editor of Inside the Vatican magazine, the world’s most well-informed, comprehensive monthly on the Roman Catholic Church, comes this enlightening introduction to the life and spiritual teachings of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, the first pope of the Americas.

LIBRARY

Parish Priest:

Fr Brian Noonan 4696 7094 e-mail: brian.noonan@sttheresas.org.au

Pastoral Associate

Monica Brennan 4639 4688 Fax 4639 6538 e-mail: monica@sttheresas.org.au

Parish Secretary:

Janet Weier 4639 4688 Fax: 4639 6538 e-mail: office@sttheresas.org.au

Church: Cnr Campbell & Curzon Sts, Toowoomba

Office: 55 Curzon Street, Toowoomba

Parish Website www.sttheresas.org.au

Parish Pastoral Council

Fr Brian Noonan; Michael Murtagh; Francis Njoroge, Danny Carter; Kathy Sternes; Paul Apel; Gerry Ryan; Tim Burgess; Rhianna Conaghan; Gay Jorgensen; Jenny Ryan; Vanessa Horton; Tom Duncan; Monica Brennan.

Finance Committee

Fr. Brian Noonan; Pat Morton; Warren Dredge; Ray Taylor: Shane Blakeley; Brian Wilson, Pat Richardson.

Liturgy Team

Fr. Brian Noonan; Jan Mayo; Peter Kenny; Carole Rogan; Libby Rosentreter ; Kay Gleeson; Monica Brennan.

Musicians

Norma Kenny; Kathy Sternes; Elizabeth Stewart; Libby Rosentreter.

Baptism Team:

Cath Kelly; Jenny Ryan; Tracy George; Bernadette Hede; Alison Daniel; Anne Anderson; Jan Watkins; Maureen Burke; Angela Irvine; Mary Otto, Jane Burgess and Catherine Cooper.

Consolation Team:

Fr Brian Noonan; Mary Otto; Lyn McRae; Peter Kenny; Bette Flamsteed; Pam Merritt; Alf Mason; Moya Schaefer, Josephine Nolan, Veronica Littleton osu; Kay McGrath rgs; Liz Phelan.

Welcome & Hospitality Team:

Paul & Kathryn Marangelli; Carole Rogan; Mary Otto; Maureen Burke.

Family Groups:

Coordinator: Brian Wilson.

Care & Concern Team

Coordinator: Moya Schaefer.

DIARY NOVEMBER

Every Tuesday

St Vincent de Paul St Theresa’s Conference, 4pm Contact 4636 4371

First Tuesday

Care and Concern Meeting, 9.30am Parish Office.

First Wednesday

Parish morning tea at 9.45am, Cobb & Co Museum

Second Sunday

Mad Toowoomba Group from 7.00pm at St Anthony’s. Parish Centre. (Grade 7-12 people) PH: 4636 0461

What’s on in November 9th First Reconciliation 6pm 11& 12 Scrolling of Names within weekend Eucharist 16th Healing/Anointing Mass 10.00am 21st Releasing of Memories 10.00am Liturgy 26th Tom Duncan, Rite of Candidacy 8am Mass Highfields. Bishop presiding. All welcome to attend.