newsletter - Our Lady Queen of Apostles Catholic Parish, Stafford

Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish, Stafford
[A Parish of the Brisbane North West Deanery]
Vision: “To follow the example of Jesus by serving others.”
4th Sunday of Ordinary Time (YEAR B)
31st January/1st February, 2015
2
015 LENTEN PROGRAM: Rich in Mercy
At the end of the parable of the Good Samaritan Jesus
elping the Faith of our Children: In 2015 we will continue
asks the lawyer: 'Which of these three, do you think, was a
to invite one of the classes from the School to join us for
neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the
Friday morning Mass every couple of weeks. Sadly, the vast
robbers?' The lawyer replied, 'The one who showed him
majority of the parents of our school’s children normally do not take
mercy.' Jesus said to him, 'Go and do likewise' (Luke 10:36them to Mass on Sundays thus leaving a huge gap in their faith
37).
development (the Mass being the Summit and Source of our life as
The mercy of God is a constant theme of the Covenant with
Christians).
Israel in the Old Testament. Jesus, as the New Covenant,
While NO ONE can replace the parents as the “first and best
gives God's mercy flesh and bones through his actions and
educators in the ways of faith”, we are trying to give the kids
words.
‘something’. The idea here at Stafford (which I think, is something
These Lenten reflections for individuals and groups are
unique) is that the children take turns to come on Fridays and sit
focused on the second readings for the Sundays of Lent. On
amongst our faith-filled regular Weekday Mass ‘goers’.
the Fourth Sunday of Lent we hear of God's great love – 'rich
The Liturgy is our usual liturgy giving the children an experience
in mercy'! Through this abundant and ever-flowing mercy we
closer to the ‘normal’ rather than an ‘all bells and whistles’
have been made 'alive together with Christ' (Ephesians 2:5).
experience they would have in a normal class mass.
The six scripture reflections in the book have been written by
Dear Parishioners and Visitors,
H
Because faith is ‘caught not taught’, we hope that something may
happen. In the past the kids have really enjoyed the experience and
appreciated the friendliness of the adults. The adults sometimes also
have a sense of satisfaction in helping their adopted ‘grandchild’ or
‘child’ at that Mass.
WHY AM I TELLING YOU THIS?? Please consider making
Friday morning mass a regular event for yourself this year.
Not only will you meet some good people (our regulars) but
also you may be just the person who gets a spark going with
one of our kids. It’s 9am on Fridays. It’d be really good if you
can come and be there 5 minutes early (now THAT’S a
challenge! :) ) as I wait for the adults to be seated before
welcoming the children into the church.
S
ynod on Marriage and the Family: Bishop Finnigan sent
this message to all of us: “I encourage you to participate
in the preparation for the next Synod on the Family, to be held
in October this year. The questionnaire has now been
uploaded on to our Archdiocesan website, and can be
accessed as follows: http://brisbanecatholic.org.au/articles/
Vatican-invitation-synod-input-open/ Please contribute your
feedback by responding to the survey yourself, and also
encourage others to do the same. The survey is available on
the Archdiocesan website, and includes a link to the full
document. The survey can be completed as an individual or
as a group.
Unfortunately the time frame for response is once again brief.
Responses must be received by Tuesday 10th February to
be included in the collation of responses…
As Archbishop Coleridge noted in his most recent Advent
Pastoral letter, within the Body of Christ there are many
different ways of taking part. "One of them was by responding
to the questionnaire at the start of the Synod process.
Another is serious engagement with the questions and tasks
that will emerge from the Synod's first session," he said.
"All who are part of the Body of Christ should pray for the
work of the Synod this year and next - that reasonable hopes
will be fulfilled and that the Synod will look at marriage
through the lens of the Incarnation, balancing fidelity to the
teaching of Christ and his Church with a compassionate and
realistic response to men and women in need."
Archbishop Mark Coleridge. These eloquent and insightful
commentaries emphasise 'the power of mercy that leads us out
of a merciless world into a world where mercy has the last
word'.
The six sessions of Rich in Mercy will provide: opening
prayers; the second readings for each Sunday; scripture
reflections; discussion questions; closing prayers; and
suggestions for works of mercy in daily life…………...
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN DOING THIS PROGRAM
(either in a group or on your own) PLEASE ADD YOUR NAME
TO THE LIST AT THE MAIN CHURCH DOOR SO BOOKS
CAN BE ORDERED. We would be hopeful of getting several
groups together, both in the daytime and the evening.
O
ur Parish Website: I have been having interviews with
the Parents involved in the present Sacramental
Programme over the last 6 weeks or so and have 3 weeks to
go. I have been reminding them that this is their parish and as
members like everybody else, they are responsible for the
vitality and direction of our community. We’re not perfect
(yet!
) and so I invite you to have a good look at our
website which is updated for 2015. (http://
www.staffordcatholicparish.org.au/index.html ) Remind yourself
of all that we do do and how we do it and seriously ask yourself
what we can do better. Of course, if you think it’s important,
you will also be prepared to actively help us be ‘better’ in the
area you are concerned about .
W
orld Day of Prayer: Our Parish is hosting the “World
Day of Prayer” on the first Friday of March (6th). We’ll be
looking for people to help out and provide some goodies in
catering. Also there will be no 1st Friday Morning Tea that
Friday.
C
ARITAS AUSTRALIA: In a letter received this week from
Caritas, we are told “The support of the parishes in the
Archdiocese in 2014 continued in the same generous manner
as it has over the years. We raised, altogether, just over
$1,163,789.00 throughout the Archdiocese for Project
Compassion, your parish (Stafford) contributing $9,845.60.
What a fantastic result..” Thank you once again for your
generosity towards each of the appeals to which we are
asked to contribute.
NEXT WEEK’S READINGS
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (YEAR B)
C
S
1st Reading:
Job 7:1-4,6-7
2nd Reading:
Gospel:
1 Corinthians 9:16-19,22-23
Mark 1:29-39
OUNTERS ROSTER: Monday 2nd February, Team B:
Cliff Devereaux, Terry Silk, Len Cavanagh.
TAFFORD KEDRON CHURCHES TOGETHER pray this
week for parishioners of Stafford Salvation Army.
Q.1 What do you call a bear who has no teeth?
R
ELIGIOUS GOODS SHOP: 2015 COLUMBAN
CALENDAR, are here — buy one before they run out!!
Have you dropped in lately to see what is available? There are gifts
for many occasions as well as a good supply of cards. Come and
see. Don’t forget to pick up your Catholic Leader here. There are
Bibles, daily reflection books, Memorial Cards, Statues, Candles,
and more!!
S
OCIAL CLUB resumes THIS Wednesday 4th February
with a Trading Table of ‘anything’. We look forward to
seeing all our regulars, as well as some new faces this year.
I
NDOOR BOWLS CLUB will restart the following
Wednesday, 11th February. We are looking for new members,
even if you have never played before you will be welcome. We
play on alternate Wednesdays from 9.30am in the Hall. Inquiries
can be made to the Parish Office on 3356 7755.
P
lease bear in mind that sometime during the
next couple of months St Vincent de Paul will
once again request donations for our pamper packs
(for both men and women), which we give to clients
when we visit. If you have received toiletries,
perfumes, powders etc for Christmas and are unable
to use them, please consider donating them to our
Pamper Pack Appeal.
D
IVINE MERCY PRAYER AND ADORATION: Join with
us each 2nd and 4th Monday of the month, 6pm-7pm for
prayer and adoration. For inquiries contact the Parish Office,
or if you wish to attend just come along on Monday evening.
T
he first International Day of Prayer
against Human Trafficking will take
place on 8 February which is the feast of St
Josephine Bakhita.
Pope Francis joined other faith Leaders at
the end of 2014 to sign a Joint Declaration
on Modern Slavery. You can find out more
about the Declaration and sign it too by
going to: www.globalfreedomnetwork.org/
You can find information about St Josephine
Bakhita, resources for the International Day
of Prayer, a link to Pope Francis' World Day
of Peace Message which deals with slavery
and human trafficking, as well as more
information and suggestions for action on
human trafficking on the site of Australian
Catholic Religious against Trafficking in
Humans (ACRATH) at www.acrath.org.au.
A.1 A gummy bear.
V
erse-for-Vinnies is a concert that raises funds for the
battlers of our community through the performance of
our Australian Poetry by professional poets. On 22 Feb. Peter
Mace will be our feature poet. This award winning poet will
give you a variety of humour with his “Courting Mary”and
pathos with “What Price a VC”. He is currently Australian Bush
Poetry Champion and three times winner of the prestigious
Golden Damper Award at Tamworth. The venue is Mary
Mackillop Centre, 67 Dawson Parade Grovely. Starts
1.30pm. Cost $15 which includes afternoon tea.
I
s your daughter in Year 4?
O.AS.IT COMMUNITY SERVICES is a service that
Mount Alvernia College is currently accepting
assists Italian people with a variety of services. enrolments for YEAR 7, 2018.
They are looking for volunteers to visit and/or phone Closing date for Applications is 8 February
people who are housebound and lonely. It would be
2015.
necessary for volunteers to speak Italian as many of
their clientele do not have a lot of English. If you
It is important that you lodge your application
wish to volunteer or want to know more about the
by the due date to be considered in first
service call Sarina on 3262 5755.
round offers. Second round offers are made subject to
availability.
C
P
arents with Children – How much can your children
see of what’s happening in the Sanctuary from where
you usually sit? When you think of it, their usual view is very
restricted by adults sitting in front of them – consider moving
to the front where they may feel more a part of the
celebration and where, not only will they see more, but they
will be ‘immersed’ in the sound of the singing and responding
from the congregation behind and around them.
R
ALLY FOR LIFE: Join us on Saturday 21st February
at Queens Park, cnr William, Elizabeth and
George Streets, Brisbane. The rally begins with
entertainment at 1.15pm followed by the main Rally
for Life event with guest speakers. Bring your friends,
relatives, children, hat, water, sunscreen chair,
umbrella, rug and suggested donation of $5. See
noticeboard for more.
Enrolment Forms are available via email request from the
Mount Alvernia College website www.mta.qld.edu.au or
contact Jodi Walsh on Ph: 3632 8508 for any further
information.
Mr and Mrs Invisible had a baby, but he wasn’t very
much to look at!
F
IRST FRIDAY MORNING TEAS begin this Friday
6th February following 9am Mass. We would love
you to join us in the Parish Meeting Room following Mass,
for a cuppa and a bite to eat. Offer to bring along someone
who would otherwise be unable to get here. This is a great
opportunity to meet and chat with other parishioners.
D
on’t forget Tuesdays everybody!! Instead of Weekday
Mass on Tuesday, we celebrate the “Liturgy of the
Hours” or “The Prayer of the Church”. This is part of the
official liturgy of the Church. It’s on every Tuesday at 8.30am
and takes about 20 minutes. If you’ve never been, how about
giving it a go? Please read some of what’s below to explain
more about its role in the Church.
The following quotes are from “Liturgy Lines” by Elizabeth
Harrington. All this and much more can be found at the
following link: http://liturgybrisbane.net.au/
C
ELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY HIGH
TEA: Holy Spirit Northside Private Hospital will host
International Women’s Day High Tea to raise awareness
about women’s healthcare in our cancer programs and our
hospitals in India. Please join us on Saturday 7th March, 2pm4pm, Ground Floor, Sister Edith Centre for Education, Holy
Spirit Northside Hospital, 627 Rode Rode, Chermside. Tickets
are $35 with champagne on arrival, door prizes, raffles and
high tea. Keynote Speaker is Sr Sarita Kurikattil, Provincial
Leader of the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters. RSVP Saturday
28th February to Kelly Connellan on 3326 3371 or email
kelly.connellan@svha.org.au
From “Weekday Liturgy”: There is however another
possibility for weekday morning worship. The 1988 Directory
ow can I support our safeguarding
for Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest
practices?
recommends celebrating some part of the Liturgy of the
•
teach your children self protective behaviours
Hours, particularly morning or evening prayer. What can
•
report any unsafe or inappropriate behavior
replace Eucharist on Sunday is certainly suitable for
•
take part in planning, managing and delivering
weekdays.
safe parish activities for children and vulnerable
This form of worship is less well-known in parishes. Even the
title is unfamiliar to many. Some may know it as the ‘Office’ or
adults.
‘Prayer of the Church’. The second Vatican Council called for “to protect every man and every woman, to look upon them
the Liturgy of the Hours, which originated as the prayer of the with tenderness and love, is to open up a horizon of hope"
people but had become the preserve of priests and religious,
Pope Francis
to be made available again to lay people. It said that morning
and evening prayer were to be accorded ‘the highest
importance as the prayer of the Christian community’.
Parishes are sometimes reluctant to consider celebrating the
Liturgy of the Hours because it seems too complicated for the
ordinary person. But there is a simple version based on the
“They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them
ancient, or ‘cathedral’, form of the prayer, which centres on
as one having authority...”
psalms and prayer of intercession. ”
H
From “Another Look at Weekday Mass”: The early
Christian community came together for prayer on other days
of the week in response to Christ’s command to pray
always. But they did not celebrate the Eucharist. The
weekday liturgy that developed was based on recitation of the
psalms and prayers of intercession – what we now know as
“cathedral office”. It was used in parish churches and was
designed for public participation. It was not until the Middle
Ages that weekday Masses became widespread.
The General Instruction of the Liturgy of the
Hours (1971) has this to say: “Those taking part in the
Liturgy of the Hours have access to holiness of the richest
kind through the life-giving word of God”. (14) “In the Liturgy
of the Hours the Church exercises the priestly office of its
Head and offers to God, without ceasing, a sacrifice of
praise”. (14) “When the Church offers praise to God in the
Liturgy of the Hours, it unites itself with that hymn of praise
sung throughout all ages in the halls of heaven”. (16)
“Whenever possible, groups of the faithful should celebrate
the Liturgy of the Hours communally in church”. (21)
Just as the crowds were amazed by the authority with which
Jesus cured the sick and the possessed (see today’s Gospel
from Mark 1:21-28), so you can experience, first-hand, the
healing power of the Good News, through a Catholic Mission
immersion trip. There are various places you can visit; I would
love you to join me on a visit to parts of India, scheduled for
October. For a FREE information sheet about this trip, please
contact our office, during business hours on (07) 3336 9239 or
email me at mcgovernd@bne.catholic.net.au
David McGovern, Director
Find us on Facebook at ‘Catholic Mission – Brisbane’
A.2 Hissstory!
During winter in Denver the weatherman said, expect
10 to 12 inches of snow tonight so park on the right
side of the road so we can plow the left side. Willie’s
wife ran out and parked on the right side. The next
week the forecast called for another 10 to 12 inches
of snow, but this time he said park on the left side. So
In other words, the “Liturgy of Hours” “Prayer of the Church” is
Willie’s wife ran out and parked the car on the left
the traditional weekday liturgy of the church – who’d have
side of the road. The following week he said 16 inches
guessed? – Fr Denis.
of snow expected so park.... The lights went out and all
=============================
the power was lost. Willie’s wife said, ‘my goodness,
Q.2 What is a snakes favourite subject at school?
now I don’t know where to park the car.’ ‘Why don’t
you just leave it in the garage!’ Willie said.
Our Lady, Queen of Apostles Parish
Parish School (“Queen of Apostles”)
Parish Office:
Address: 70 Appleby Road, Stafford 4053
Parish E-mail: stafford@bne.catholic.net.au
Parish WEBSITE: www.staffordcatholicparish.org.au
Parish Pastoral Council: ppcstafford@gmail.com
Parish Secretary: Rosemary Haydock
Office Hrs: M-Th 9.00am—4.30pm
Fri 9.00am—-10.00am
Office Telephone: – 3356 7155
Parish Administrator: Fr Denis Scanlan
Fr Denis’ E-mail: pp.stafford@bne.catholic.net.au
Parish Convent: (Sr Josita Paczkowska and
Sr Maureen Stemko) 3356 6185
School Office:
Address: 10 Thuruna Street, Stafford 4053
School email: pstafford@bne.catholic.edu.au
School Team:
Principal: Nigel Bird
APA: Melissa Spiteri
APRE: Michael Bruynesteyn
School Secretaries:
•
Thuruna St:: Cathy McGraw, Vera Fitzgerald
•
Chuter St: : Mary-Anne Coppolecchia
School Office Hrs: 8.00am - 4.00pm
Telephone (Thuruna St:) - 3356 7755
Telephone (Chuter St:) - 3326 0400
THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH
Mon
2nd
8.30am
Mass
Tues
3rd
Wed
4th
9.30am
Social Club
Thurs
5th
8.30am
7.00pm
Mass
Parish Pastoral Council Meeting
Fri
6th
9.00am
Mass
Morning Tea
Sat
7th
5.00pm
6.00pm
Reconciliation
Mass
Sun
8th
7.00am
9.00am
2.30pm
5.30pm
Mass
Mass
Rosary
Mass
Please leave MOBILE
PHONES turned OFF.
BAPTISMS in this Parish occur at 10.30am on
the Third Sunday of each Month (except during
Lent).
BAPTISM PREPARATION is on the First
Sunday of each month at 10.30am.
You may add a sick person’s
name to the list by phoning the
Parish Office (3356 7155). To
keep the list ‘fresh’ the last four
names each week will be deleted.
If their illness continues, let’s know and we’ll
add them to the start of the list.
For the Sick: Eddie Nicholson, Toddler Amity Brady, Edilene Fazza, Diane Stevens, Ashley Thornton, Hyacinth Morel, Margaret Munt,
Tim Green, Neville Lamb, Joe Donnelly, Caroline Adams, Kevin Wildermuth, Bianca Muir.. (Please read above notice about the sick list)
Those Recently Deceased: Bill Brassington (husband of Ann), Leonie Byrnes, John Culic, Geoffrey Broughton Jnr, Don Shipstone, Fr
Len O’Rourke, Tagifiaai Asuao.
Those We Remember: Domenico & Francesca Antonaglia, all deceased Parishioners, their families and friends and all our brothers and
sisters in Christ maimed, killed or dispossessed because of their faith.
STAMPS FOR MARIST MISSIONS: A very big THANK YOU to all of our Stamp Savers. From
stamps left in the Church Stamp Box and generous donations of Stamp Collections, we have raised
$5,000 + for orphans and displaced persons since the March 2011 disasters in Japan. We are often asked
‘how do you sell the stamps’? Some are sold privately but most are listed as Lots and sold on eBay.
Recent and high value Australian stamps are by far the biggest sellers; if you work, or know someone in
an office which receives a high volume of mail, please help us by organising the collection of stamps that
would otherwise be destroyed. ALL stamps are most welcome, particularly those with light or no
postmarks. Please leave a border around the stamps when trimming them from envelopes - damaged or
torn stamps are worthless. God bless you and thank you for your ongoing support.
The Catholic Leader is available from the Religious Goods shop for $2. Purchase a copy today
to find out what’s happening in the local Church and in the world. In this week’s issue:
* Nigerian priests in Brisbane speak of their concern about Boko Haram violence in their homeland, as
a bishop there calls for the West to send military forces to defeat the militants
* Bishops’ migrant and refugee advocate calls for truth aboutManus Island detention centre
* Missionary says keeping refugees on Nauru ‘devoid of logic,fairness and compassion’
* Real Talk expands into state schools with presentations on sexuality
* Young pro-lifers on walk from Brisbane to Melbourne asked to leave shopping centre because their
campaign shirts deemed ‘offensive’
* Byron and Francine Pirola write on what commitment in a relationship is all about
* Papal astronomers promote harmony of science and faith
* Toowoomba family brings its inspiring music to the world, with almost 500,000 having viewed its
YouTube channel
* Chance to win Fr Rob Galea’s latest album
* Talking point: Sr Elvera Sesta on the wisdom that comes through living
VISITOR’S BOOK:
If you are new to the Parish there is a
visitor’s book at the main Church
door. In it there are brief census
cards. Please complete one and put it
on “the plate” or hand in to the
office.
Our Lady has asked us
to pray the Rosary for
peace. Rosary is
prayed here 1/2 an
hour before each
weekday Mass as well
as on Sundays 2.303.30pm.
Please join us.
Contact the Parish Office on
3356 7155 for
information regarding our
Planned Gifting Program