Dear Parishioners, ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE NEWSLETTER

ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE NEWSLETTER
THIRTY THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
16TH NOVEMBER, 2014
MA SS/LITURGY
CA LENDAR
MONDAY NOV. 17th:
9.10am Mass
7pm Rosary-Dedicated
to Bunty Stevens
TUESDAY NOV. 18th:
10.00am Mass with
School Classes - 3/4JH &
3/4GP
WED. NOV. 19th:
9.10am Mass
10.30am Mass at
St. Thomas’ Retirement
Village
THURSDAY NOV. 20th:
No Liturgy
FRIDAY NOV. 21st:
10.00 am Mass
SATURDAY NOV. 22nd:
10.00am Reconciliation
6.30pm Vigil Mass
SUNDAY NOV. 23rd:
8.30am, 10.30am and
5.00pm Mass
YEAR A
Dear Parishioners,
The Church year is fast drawing to a close. This weekend’s readings have us
looking on how we have remained committed to our Christian ideals as good
stewards. We are well versed in the well known three gifts – time, talent and
treasure – that assist us to provide the impetus to living out these ideals. The
answer from today’s gospel is obviously to not hide ones gifts away. That is a
waste. So once again, we are challenged to review our performance as the church
year comes to an end and to be able to congratulate ourselves and our fellow
parishioners on where we see the many wonderful things that have come about
this year. If there is a shortfall then we can look at how we should deal with those
too.
During this past week many of us were privileged to see some great performances
in and through our school. It was their revue titled ‘THE SHOW MUST GO ON’.
This was staged at the Arts Centre at Yarra Valley Grammar. The whole school,
students and staff performed magnificently. Not just once but on two nights. The
program ran at a fast and enthusiastic pace with the students carrying out a
multitude of roles with great enthusiasm and with quite some considerable skill
and professionalism. Dressing up for their individual roles had many of us
guessing who was who. It was a great night, congratulations to all concerned,
obviously first to our children but the staff too who worked tirelessly behind the
scenes. Then too to the parents who no doubt supported their young ones
perform so admirably. Congratulations all!!
Now, next weekend it is the parish farewell for Fr. Chris. He will come a day or so
before the weekend and will be with us for some days following. Please come to
one of the masses to say farewell, not forgetting that the 10.30am Mass is the
official one where official goodbyes will take place.
Blessings,
Fr. Frank, MSC
MURPHY’S LORE
It is not how many years we live, but what we do
with them.
Liturgy - Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A
Entrance Antiphon: Jer 29:11, 12,14
The Lord said: I think thoughts of peace and
not of affliction. You will call upon me, and I
will answer you, and I will lead back your captives from every place.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn 15:4,5
Alleluia, alleluia!
Live in me and let me live in you, says the Lord;
my branches bear much fruit.
Alleluia!
First Reading: Proverbs 31:10-13,19-20,30-31
Give her a share in what she has worked for.
Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30
Because you have been faithful over a few
things; enter into the joy of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 127:1-5
Happy are those who fear the Lord.
A Vocation
View:
Second Reading: Thess 5:1-6
The day of the Lord is going to come like a thief
in the night.
Communion Antiphon: Ps 72:28
To be near god is my happiness, to place my
hope in God the Lord.
Don’t just bury your
talents. Dream your best
dream about your life and
then live it to the full.
God calls you to live in
happiness.
PIETY STALL
OPENING TIMES:
BEFORE & AFTER MASS
Christmas Cards St.V de P @$4 8pack
Majellan $6 pack of 10 now available
Columban Calendars $9 ea
Please remember the
following in your
prayers...
Sick: Fr. Chris Murphy,
Br James Maher, Kevin
Dwyer, Therese Irwin,
Kevin Patterson, John
Francis, Germaine
Symonds, Dao Le,
Patrick Johnston, Ron
McDonald, Irene Arthur,
Luigi D’Aloisio,
Elaine O’Hea, Chris
Leach and Pauline
Delahunty
Recently Dec’d:
Bunty Stevens (wife of
Wal Stevens)
Funeral Notice:
Anniversaries:
Joanne Hack, John
Willcox and Frank &
Denise Paholski
Winner of Piety Stall Green Ticket 49
Br. James CD’s available
Greeting Cards hand-made by Sr.
Angelica of the Disciples of Divine
Friends of Same East Timor
Ground Coffee @ $7.50ea
Pocket sized hand carved
NZ crosses at $8.95ea
PRAYER FOR PEACE
God of hope and peace, be the spirit
of wisdom, reconciliation and justice
in the words and actions of the leaders of all nations. Protect those
communities affected or threatened
by violence in troubled areas. May
the memories of those who have
died urge all people towards an international community of security
and peace. Mary Help of Christians,
pray for us.
All enquiries re Youth Ministry activities can be
made to Denise at the parish Office.
CATECHETICS CLASSES: Do you have a
child in Year 2-6 attending a government primary school? If you would like
your child to begin RE classes in 2015, or know of someone
who would be eligible, please contact Denise at the Parish
Office.
SAVE THE DATE: SIX2EIGHT YOUTH CAROLS WALK—Friday
12 December. All young people very welcome. Children
Year 1 and younger to be accompanied by an adult.
SIX2EIGHT YOUTH CLUB: Next gathering is on Friday 28
November.
Dear parishioners, On Monday 17th Nov. at 7pm
there will a special Rosary dedicated to
Bunty Stevens. You would be most welcome.
ECUMENICAL ADVENT CAROLS & READINGS EVENING
On Thursday 18th December, 2014, the above event will
be held at our parish, with the Choir of The Anglican
Church of St. Paul, Canterbury participating/singing.
It will commence at 7.00pm.
ST. THOMAS’ SOCIAL JUSTICE GROUP
The next meeting of St. Thomas’s Social Justice Group will
be on Monday 24th November at 7.30pm in the Meeting
Room of the Presbytery.
All are most welcome.
HELP NEEDED: Our Altar Servers’ robes
need to be washed and ironed. If you
can help out, please contact Denise.
STEWARDSHIP CORNER
CATECHETICS CLASSES:
Tuesdays 4pm-5pm (during School Terms)
FIRST FRIDAY PARISH MASS & LUNCHEON:
First Friday of the month starts at 12noon.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY:
Sundays at 10.30am Mass. During School Terms only.
CHRISTIAN MEDITATION AFTERNOON/EVENINGS:
Tuesdays at 7.30pm in the Quiet Room of the Church.
Contact Phil Collins on 0410 668 140 or email at
chrmed3130@gmail.com New comers most
welcome.
Monday afternoons at 4pm at the Retirement
Village Centre. Contact Geni Hunt on 9802 2078 or email:
geni.hunt9@gmail.com
ST. THOMAS’ PLAYGROUP:
On Wednesdays at 9.15am till 11am. Location front Portable at the
school. All families with pre-school children (0-4yrs) are very welcome. Please bring a piece of fruit for each child. Please contact Julie
O’Donnell on 0434 408 122.or email julieodonnell@optusnet.com.au
(During School Terms)
God expects us to nurture and develop the gifts he has given us
and then generously give back with increase. He doesn’t want us
to waste or hoard the gifts he has given us; He expects us to
grow our gifts, use them wisely and be generous with them.
Anyone wanting Spiritual Direction can enquire
at Parish Office on Ph.: 9878 0818.
St. Thomas’ Social Scene What’s On……….
SPOT SKETCHING/PAINTING
Will be held on Wed. 10th Dec.,
meet at 9.30am
New Comers most welcome!
CARDS NIGHT:
The next card night is to be
held on Thurs 4th Dec.
All welcome.
Enquiries Don & Pat on 9878 4790
SCRABBLE
Join in the fun for a social game of
Scrabble in the Parish Hall on
Thurs. 4th Dec. —7.30pm start.
All Welcome.
Any queries contact Maureen on
9884 4376 or Carmel on 9894 7950
1ST FRIDAY PARISH CHRISTMAS MASS AND
LUNCHEON : 5th December
Bookings for Christmas Mass & Luncheon are
now being taken, please contact Evelyn Tan
9877 5548
FAREWELL TO FATHER CHRIS……..
Father Chris Murphy will be in the parish during the weekend 22 / 23 November and will attend all Masses so that
everyone will have a chance to thank him and bid him
farewell.
There will be a special collection taken up on the weekend
15 / 16 November for Father Chris’ goodbye gift. I am sure
you will want to show your appreciation of all Father Chris
has given to our parish by your generosity.
At the 10.30 a.m. Mass on Sunday 23 November, a
presentation will be made to Father Chris and this will be
followed by LUNCH IN THE PARISH HALL to which
you are all invited and for which you are asked to bring a
plate to share.
Joan Morgan Chair, Parish Pastoral Council
WATCH THIS SPACE FOR
UPCOMING EVENTS…..
REDEEM ADVENT PRAYER & REFLECTION BOOKLETS are
available from the Piety Stall. They are produced by the
Diocese of Wollongong; they are very good. Gold Coin
Donation would be appreciated.
Fr. Adrian Meaney MSC, would like to extend
his thanks for your generosity in giving to the
Missions last weekend. The amount raised
was over $3,400.
Many thanks and Gods’ Blessings.
WANT TO KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR PARISH?
Then log onto the St. Thomas the Apostle Parish website
www.stthomastheapostle.org.au/
We have a very informative website of Upcoming Church
Calendar events, daily scripture readings either read to you
or for you to read. Very user friendly with one touch access
to many interesting sites. Give it a go!! And let us know
what you think.
ST THOMAS THE
APOSTLE PARISH
57 CENTRAL ROAD
(PO BOX 395),
BLACKBURN
ROSTERS FOR WEEKEND OF THE 22ND & 23RD NOVEMBER, 2014
Mass
Commentators
Lectors
Special
Ministers
Altar Servers
Welcoming
Committee
6.30pm
A. Pinto
P. Muling
B. Schaefer
Jan Gaffy
T. Keaney
J. Scicluna
P. Bergin
A. Fraser
R. Johnson
8.30am
M. McDermott
J. Morgan
F. D’Souza
Y. Crowe
P. Crowe
Kimi
A. Beams
PARISH PRIEST –
Email:
ASSISTANT PRIEST &
FORMATOR:
Fr. Frank Dineen, MSC
Fr Joshva Gopini, MSC
10.30am
J. Mahony
V. Hawkins
J. Jennings
A. Marmion
B. McLellan
Krish
H. Grogan
J. Gomez
M. Brodrick
L. Thompson
R. Johnson
PARISH PHONE:
9878 0818/9877 7693
5.00pm
Susan Collins
M. Tonti-Filippini
J. Defina
H. Evans
K. McGrath
A. Negro
J. Negro
PARISH FAX:
9877 9519
PARISH EMAIL:
Blackburn@cam.org.au
Children’s Liturgy: Leader: Janette Mannix
Piety Stall: Team 5
Money Counters: Team 6
ST.VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY:
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
Web:
www.stthomastheapostle.
org.au
PARISH
SECRETARIES:
Susan Collins, Luise
Hendricks & Luisa May
PASTORAL
ASSOCIATES:
Sr. Marg Burchell
Denise Lyons
0478.169.114
Email:
denise.lyons@cam.org.au
PARISH PASTORAL
COUNCIL :
Joan Morgan
9877 3472
SCHOOL PHONE:
9878 8268
SCHOOL FAX:
9878 1233
SCHOOL EMAIL:
Office@stblackburn.catholic.
edu.au
Web:
www.stblackburn.catholic.edu.au/
Call Centre for assistance – 1300 305 330
Weekdays 10am-3pm.
Ringwood Centre Ph. 9870 9124,
Unit 1B/76-82 Maroondah Hwy Ringwood.
(cnr Murray Pl.)
Furniture & White goods pickup
-1800 621 349
FIRST AID EQUIPMENT
Attention Parishioners: A First Aid kit
is available in the Kitchen on the
bench top.
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.)
ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE
POSITIONS VACANT NOTICE
Please check our Notice board in the
Narthex for positions/jobs that are available
for interested persons.
MATHS TUITION
A fully registered Math's Teacher with 25 years
experience. Please call Andrew on 9894-7893.
Specialty in VCE 11-12 (can also help with
Yrs. 6-10 Math's)
LOST PROPERTY LOCATED BY NOTICE BOARD.
PLEASE CHECK IF ANY ITEMS BELONG TO YOU.
MANY THANKS PRESBYTERY OFFICE .
SOUTHERN STARS SOCIAL CLUB
PARTY FOR SINGLE CATHOLICS
(28 TO 60 AGE GROUP)
The above event is to be held on Saturday
22nd November, 2014 starting at 8.00pm
Location: Benedict House at St. Benedict’s
Parish , 301 Warrigal Rd, Burwood
Cost: $13.00 incl. supper and lucky door prize
Enquiries: Peter 9885 2167 a/h
EMMAUS COLLEGE REUNIONS:
Class of 2004
Reunion date for the above Year classes,
respectively, are as follow: 15/11/2014
Any further details and all other past student
queries, please contact Michael Jones, Alumni
Rep. Ph. No: (03) 9758 7784 or
email: alumni@emmaus.vic.edu.au
Time for a cuppa and a chat
after Mass………..