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THE BULLETIN ST THERESA’S PARISH
10-11 MARCH 2018 FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR B
RECENTLY DECEASED Chris McNally
HEALING FOR THE SICK Moira Long (Mother of Denise) Fr Peter McGrath .CP Vince Austin (Wendy Shine’s Father) John Morgan (Kathy Sternes Uncle)
Parishioners: Bernice Herbert Carol Spence
Rosemary Carter Len Pauli
Neville Preece John Robinson John Thompson
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 - 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 Bill Jones Ivy Butler Paul Morton Margaret Stuart Patrick Dunne Alec Koltermann
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.
__________________________________________________________
Fourth Sunday of Lent 10/11 March 2018 Eternal life is not reward that is put on hold, it is offered to us in the here and now. The opening Antiphon of this week’s liturgy is tremendously jubilant. “Rejoice Jerusalem...be joyful...exult and be satisfied.” What is it that we are being presented with that we should be so happy about? The short an-swer is, as we see in the Gospel, the promise of eternal life. What John means here by eternal life is worth reflecting on. It might seem obvious to our ears that it means the afterlife, some sort of existence that starts after our natural death. However, John does not quite mean that when he uses the words “eternal life” (and we hear them frequently in the Fourth Gos-pel). For John the new eternal life is being offered in the present tense; both then to the original audience of the Gospel and for all who would fol-low them. This is implied as much in the very opening of the Gospel and is more concretely stated in other parts too, such as in Jn 5:25. There it states that “anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life.” The tense is very clear; we have passed from death to life in the present. Similarly in our Gospel reading today, Jesus is suggesting that both the ‘judgment’ and the ‘reward’ of eternal life is present to us in the here and now, not in some arbitrary future when we ‘escape’ this life. We are left then with a bit of a problem. If Jesus is suggesting that this life here goes on forever, then is this as good as it gets and, then, do we simply continue this existence endlessly? Such a thought brings to mind the lyrics of a popular song written by the artist Sting in 1990 who is playing with the words from other parts of the Gospels: Blessed are the poor, for they shall inherit the earth Better to be poor than a fat man in the eye of needle And as these words were spoken, I swore I hear the old man laughing ‘What good is a used up world, And how could it be worth having’ (Sting, ‘all this time’ from The Soul Cages, 1990) The point of focus in Sting’s lyrics is different, but the inference is the same. Is the reward really worth it? Clearly the ‘old man’ in Sting’s lyrics has misunderstood the intent of Jesus’ words. We too need to make sure we are not doing the same with today’s Gospel reading. We need to recog-nise that, not only is this life being offered available in the here and now, it is not simply ‘more of the same’ either. As one commentator on this read-ing puts it, it is not mere “endless duration of human existence” (Gail O’Day, The Gospel of John, 552). It is an especially blessed life, the “good life” as stated in the second reading. What John terms “life to the full” (Jn 10:10) as children of God which we begin to live now. Certainly it is inter-rupted by the experience of natural death (Jn 11:11) and, in the meantime, we still have to contend with ‘this world’ (Jn16:33). But this gift of eternal life is not something that we have to put on hold either. As people of faith, we are sons and daughters of God in the here and now.
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 9.30 AM MASS
RECONCILITATION IS
AVAILABLE BEFORE MASS
OR BY APPOINTMENT
4th Sunday of Lent Year B
First Reading: 2 Chronicles 36: 14-16, 19-23
The wrath and the mercy of the Lord are revealed in the exile and liberation of his people.
Responsorial Psalm: 136
Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!
Second Reading: Ephesians 2: 4-10
When we were dead through sins, he brought us to life.
Gospel Acclamation: John 3: 16
Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ! God loved the world so much, he gave us his only Son, that all who believe in him might have eternal life. Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
Gospel: John 3: 14-21
God sent his Son into the world that we might be saved through him.
Next week’s readings. 5th Sunday of Lent Year B Jerimiah 31: 31-34 Hebrews 5: 7-9 John 12: 20-33
Baptisms are celebrated
on the second and fourth Sunday of the month
either during Mass at 9.30am or after Mass at 11am.
CANCER CARE FUNDRAISER
Ladies of the parish are invited to join the Cancer Care Committee of St Vincent’s Private
Hospital Toowoomba in holding a St. Patrick’s Day Morning Tea
at St. Ursula’s College Dining Hall on Saturday 17th March at 9am.
Lucky door prizes on offer and entertainment provided by renowned singer Brendan Walmsley
Admission is $40 Please RSVP to Jessie Cutler
Ph: 4635 9474 or
Maureen McMahon
Ph: 4635 1872 for tickets.
Further, there is even more good news offered in our readings. Not only do we begin to experience this life in the here and now, we are offered it regardless of whether we deserve it or not. This is stated quite clearly in the sec-ond reading; the gift is so great that we could not possibly earn it even if we tried, but God offers this ‘good life’ in any case. In the Gospel, we, similarly, have the reassuring words that God has not sent the Son to condemn the world. The inference is that God’s very presence, by virtue of it being eternally good, illuminates starkly that which is not of goodness. However, such illumination is not there to destroy and overpower us, but to light the path of this eternal life. There is a sobering note to finish here though. All of the above is, indeed, worthy of rejoicing over. However, it is not an automatic thing either. Like any gift, there is the offer and then there is the reception of it. God can only make the offer, ours is to accept it. As the Gospel identifies, the same light of life that illuminates our way does, however, also illuminate things that we might not like about ourselves. So in our Lenten journey, we seek to remain in the light; to hand over to God, whose love is eternal, that which might draw us back to darkness such that we can grow ever deeper in the fullness of life that is offered to us today and every day. By Joe Tedesco, B Sc, B Theol, MA Theol Studies University of Notre Dame Australia
SACRAMENTS OF CONFIRMATION AND FIRST EUCHARIST
The Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist will
be celebrated in our parish in June. Children who are in
Year 4 or older who have celebrated their First Reconcilia-
tion are welcome to participate in the program in prepara-
tion for the sacrament. An information night for parents/
carers will be held on Thursday 22nd
March 2018 at 6pm
in the Parish Centre. An information letter is available on
the table in the foyer. Please return the intention of enrol-
ment to the parish office where you can collect the enrol-
ment form. If you have any queries, please contact Monica
Brennan at the parish office on
4639 4688.
Consolation Message
May hope
sustain you, Friends surrounds you,
and love give you strength.
St Theresa’s Parish
CHAPEL GARDEN FOR HOLY THURSDAY We plan to create a garden in the Chapel for Holy Thursday night to create a space for quiet reflective prayer or meditation on the Blessed Eucharist in the tabernacle after Mass. If you have some potted plants that you are willing to loan to us, please contact the office on 4639 4688. PALMS FOR PALM SUNDAY We are looking for Golden Cane Palm fronds for school children to carry to create the procession for Palm Sunday. If you are able to help please contact the office on 4639 4688 for further information. ROSTERS FOR EASTER CELEBRATIONS Blank rosters for the Easter ceremonies are in the
foyer. If you are going to be present at Easter time and
are available to help, please fill in the roster forms.
PART TIME WORK OPPORTUNITY
A family is looking for a mother’s helper for a young woman who has seventeen month old twins and a newborn. She resides in My Lofty. This person would need to be confident around young children and enjoy them. She could pay $20 per hour and may be able to offer around ten hours per week of work. Her preferred time for assistance is from 1pm to 5pm Mon, Tues and Wed. This person would need to have their own transport. For further information, please contact the parish office 4639 4688. WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP: A GIFT FOR THE WORLD We are offering a two and a half day workshop for women at the Benedictine Abbey, Jamberoo. For women of any age and any experience. For women in formal leadership positions, and for those who exercise leadership without a formal title … in business, schools, homes, offices, parishes, anywhere. DATE: April 13-15, 2018 VENUE: Benedictine Abbey 695 Mountain Road, Jamberoo TIME: Arrive afternoon of Thursday 12 April, leaving after lunch on the Sunday COST: Cost of program is $200. Accommodation fees depend upon type of room selected. BOOKINGS: 0242360533 or [email protected] For more information, see flyers on the notice board.
NOTICES
YEAR OF YOUTH 2018
Come Holy Spirit of this Great Southland Inspire our entire faith community, As we prayerfully discern new horizons for spreading joy in the lives and communities of the People of God. Come Holy Spirit of Youth Fill the hearts of young people with the hope and love of Jesus Christ. Enliven our community with the creativity, energy and joy of youth. Guide us together, as we strive to offer God’s mercy to those who feel abandoned or outcast. Come Holy Spirit of Faith Empower our community to be courageous. Unite your people as witnesses of love. Walk with us, as we blaze new trails of discipleship, accompanying young people as we renew the Church together. Come Holy Spirit of Vocation Stir within young people an awareness of God’s call. Reveal to us the graces of young people. Guide us all, in finding our place and raising our voices, to build a civilization of love. Amen Our Lady of the Southern Cross, Help of Christians, pray for us. St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, friend of the young, pray for us.
MONEY COUNTERS After 25 years of service, Marie West and Glenda Walsh have retired from the money counting team. We thank these ladies for their dedication and commitment to this ministry. Money counting occurs on Monday mornings in the
parish office. If you are available to help in this
ministry, please contact the parish office
Ph: 4639 4688.
WESTERN MUSTER
QCT are offering a weekend in Charleville to be
gathered together and be nurtured in the Scriptures.
The Western Muster, “Turn Your World Upside
Down” is being held 2 - 4 April, at the Charleville
Racecourse Complex. For further information, see
pamphlet on the notice board in the foyer.
PROJECT COMPASSION RESOURCES
Donation boxes and information leaflets are now available in the foyerr.
St Theresa’s Parish
CONTACTS NOTICE
Parish Priest:
Fr Brian Noonan 4696 7094 e-mail: [email protected]
Pastoral Associate
Monica Brennan 4639 4688 Fax 4639 6538 e-mail: [email protected]
Parish Secretary:
Janet Weier 4639 4688 Fax: 4639 6538 e-mail: [email protected]
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, Tim Burgess, Rhianna Conaghan, Gay Jorgensen, Jenny Ryan, Vanessa Horton, Bernadatte Zimbwa, Monica Brennan.
Finance Committee
Fr. Brian Noonan, Pat Morton, Warren Dredge, Ray Taylor, Shane Blakeley, Brian Wilson, Pat Richardson, Alfia Ginardi.
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, Catherine Cooper.
RCIA: Coordinator: Mary Otto.
Consolation Team:
Fr Brian Noonan, Lyn McRae, Peter Kenny, Bette Flamsteed, Pam Merritt, Alf Mason, Moya Schaefer, Josephine Nolan, Liz Phelan., Monica Brennan
Welcome & Hospitality Team:
Paul & Kathryn Marangelli, Carole Rogan, Maureen Burke.
Family Groups:
Coordinator: Brian Wilson.
Care & Concern Team
Coordinator: Moya Schaefer.
PARISH OFFICE HOURS
The parish office is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 8.30am - 4pm
Wednesday 10.30am - 4pm
SPRED VOLUNTEERS: TOOWOOMBA
Special Religious Development
(SPRED) are looking for people interested in helping to make a difference in the life of a special someone
who can benefit from your friendship and the fellowship of growing in faith with others.
Volunteers are needed for the following sessions: Thursday: 6.30-8.30pm SPRED Centre
Tuesday: 6.30-8.30pm St Thomas More’s Tuesday: 10.00am-12.00 SPRED Centre
Contact the SPRED Centre for more details PH 07 4632 8427. email: [email protected]
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
DATES TO REMEMBER FOR MARCH / APRIL
Tuesday: 13 March 2nd Rite of Reconciliation for Lent 7pm Tuesday 20March Diocesan Inservice,Parish office closed Thursday: 22 March Parent Information night for Confirmation & First Eucharist Sunday: 25 March Palm Sunday - Parish Family Mass prepared by Mater Dei Monday: 26 March Chrism Mass 5.30pm St Pat’s Cathedral Thursday 29 March School holidays commence Thursday: 29 March Holy Thursday 7pm Friday: 30 March Good Friday Stations of the Cross 10.00am Veneration of the Cross 3pm Saturday: 31 March Easter Vigil 6pm Sunday: 1 April Easter Sunday 9.30am
ANNIVERSARY BOOK If you haven’t already put the name of your loved one in the Anniversary Book, we invite you to do so. The
book is in the foyer.
