Yours in Christ, Fr John Pham

What does the scripture say about the Trinity?

Perhaps, the most profound verse about the Trinity that can be found in the

scripture is the instruction Jesus has for his disciples in this week’s Gospel:

“Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of

the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19). In fact, the

mystery of the Trinity is only revealed to us through Jesus’ life, words, and

actions. For instance, at Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit descended on him in

the form of a dove, and a voice from heaven said: This is my beloved son,

with whom I am well pleased (Mt 3:16-17). The voice, the dove and Jesus form a

living portrait of the Trinity.

But have we ever wondered why God wants to reveal himself to us so

thoroughly? The answer for this question would be because he loves us so much and yearns to share his love

with us. There is no doubt that God has done many things on his part to open himself up to us: the

Incarnation, life, death and resurrection of his only begotten Son; all the sacraments, sacred scriptures and

Church teaching that He has given to the Church; the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit; the beauties that can be

found in nature and in all other created things. All of these are God’s invitation to each one of us, the

invitation into a deeper personal relationship with him. Here, we need to remember that relationship does

not happen automatically. We need to work for it and maintain it. As mentioned, God has done his part in

promoting this relationship. What can we do on our end then?

Of course, we also need to open ourselves up to God, open the closed door of our hearts to welcome him into

our life. We need to be attentive to seek his presence and listen to his voice in those we encounter. We also

need to invest our time into this relationship by spending time with God in prayer, attending mass, reading

and reflecting on sacred scriptures, visiting the sick and the lonely, etc.

As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity this Sunday, we pray to God that with His grace and

help, we will try our best in seeking and keeping this very special relationship with Him. Let us therefore pray:

‘Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end.’ Amen.

Yours in the Lord Jesus Christ, Fr. Michael McLean, Parish Priest

The Most Holy Trinity ~ Year B 30 May 2021

Entrance Antiphon Cf Tob. 12: 6

Blessed be God the Father, and the Only Begotten Son of God, and also the Holy Spirit, for he has shown us his mer-ciful love. 1. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your Name in all the earth.

2. What is man that you should be mindful of him, or the Son of man that you should care for him?

3. You have made man little less than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honour.

Gloria Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

First Reading Dt 4:32-34, 39-40

A reading from the book of Deuteronomy The Lord himself is God in heaven above and on earth below: there is no other. Moses said to the people: ‘Put this question to the ages that are past, that went before you, from the time God cre-ated man on earth: Was there ever a word so majestic, from one end of heaven to the other? Was anything ever heard? Did ever a people hear the voice of the living God speaking from the heart of the fire, as you heard it, and remain alive? Has any god ventured to take to himself one nation from the midst of another by ordeals, signs, won-ders, war with mighty hand and outstretched arm, by fear-some terrors – all this that the Lord your God did for you before your eyes in Egypt?

‘Understand this today, therefore, and take it to heart: The Lord is God indeed, in heaven above as on earth beneath, he and no other. Keep his laws and commandments as I give them to you today so that you and your children may prosper and live long in the land that the Lord your God gives you for ever.’

© The scriptural quotations are taken from the Jerusalem Bible, published and copyright 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Co Inc, and used by permission of the publishers. The English

translation of the Psalm Responses, the Alleluia and Gospel Verses, and the Lenten Gospel Acclamations, and the Titles, Summaries, and Conclusion of the Readings, from the Lectionary for Mass © 1997, 1981, 1968, International

Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. The prayers are from the English Translation of the

Roman Missal © 2010 International Committee on English in the Liturgy Inc. (ICEL). All rights reserved.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 32:4-6. 9. 18-20. 22. R. v.12

(R.) Happy the people the Lord has chosen to be his own. 1. The word of the Lord is faithful and all his works to be trusted. The Lord loves justice and right and fills the earth with his love.(R.) 2. With his word the heavens were made, by the breath of his mouth all the stars. He spoke; and they came to be. He commanded; they sprang into being. (R.) 3. The Lord looks on those who revere him, on those who hope in his love, to rescue their souls from death, to keep them alive in famine. (R.) 4. Our soul is waiting for the Lord. The Lord is our help and our shield. May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you. (R.)

Second Reading Rom 8:14-17

A reading from the second letter of St Paul to the Romans. You have received the Spirit that makes you God’s own children, and in that Spirit we call God: Father, our Father!

Everyone moved by the Spirit is a son of God. The spirit you received is not the spirit of slaves bringing fear into your lives again; it is the spirit of sons, and it makes us cry out, ‘Abba, Father!’ The Spirit himself and our spirit bear united witness that we are children of God. And if we are children we are heirs as well: heirs of God and coheirs with Christ, sharing his sufferings so as to share his glory.

Gospel Mt 28:16-20

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew. Baptise them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit

The eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated. Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, there-fore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.’

Gospel Acclamation See Rv 1:8

Alleluia, alleluia! Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: to God who is, who was, and who is to come. Alleluia!

Today is a good time to remind us of the

powerful significance of making the Sign of the Cross, the gesture

that professes our faith in the Triune God.

Signs of the Trinity include the shamrock and the pansy, with their trefoil shape.

Offertory Antiphon Cf Tob 12: 6 Blessed be God the Father, and the only begotten Son of God, and also the Holy Spirit; because he has shown us his mercy.

1. Say unto God; How terrible are your works, O Lord! Let all the earth adore you and sing to you.

2. O bless our God, all you nations and make the voice of his praise to be heard.

3. I will go into your house with burnt offerings. I will pay you my vows which my lips have uttered.

Communion Antiphon Gal 4:6

Since you are children of God, God has sent into your hearts the Spirit of his Son, the Spirit who cries out: Abba, Father.

1. I will bless the Lord, at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. Let my soul glory in the Lord; the lowly will hear me and be glad.

2. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace, and follow after it.

3. The eyes of the Lord are upon the just, and his ears unto their prayers.

Prayer after Communion Gal 4:6

May receiving this Sacrament, O Lord our God, bring us health of body and soul, as we confess your eternal holy Trinity and undivided Unity. Through Christ our Lord.

Conclude: Our Father - Hail Mary - Glory Be Our Lady Help of Christians Patroness of Australia Pray for us St Mark & St Mary of the Cross Mackillop Pray for us

The Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Prayer of the Faithful

Leader: Knowing that our God hears and answers the cries of the vulnerable and weak, let us bring our needs and the needs of others before the Lord.

Reader: We pray for all the leaders of our Church, espe-cially Pope Francis, that they will be moved by the Spirit to live as sons and daughters of God. (pause) We pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader: We pray for the leaders of Nations; may they join together to combat the scourge of human trafficking and modern day slavery throughout the world. (pause) We pray to the Lord. All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader: We pray for all members of the Universal Church through the sharing of gifts and respecting diversi-ty, may we grow in unity. (pause) We pray to the Lord. All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader: We pray for those who suffer ill health in mind and body; may the relationships that they form with their careers and medical staff support them during their difficult times. (pause) We pray to the Lord. All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader: We pray that those currently preparing for the First Holy Communion may they be grateful to the Holy Spirit for the gifts of wisdom and knowledge. (pause) We pray to the Lord. All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader: We pray for the recently deceased, and for those whose anniversary of death occurs at this time. May they be welcomed into the loving embrace of our Triune God. (pause) We pray to the Lord. All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader: We offer our petitions in the grateful knowledge that all that we need will be given to us by our Father, through the power of the Spirit, in the name of the Son. (pause)

All: Amen.

Although we are the ones who approach the altar in a procession to receive communion, in reality it is Christ who comes towards us to assimilate us in him. There is an encounter with Jesus! To nourish oneself of the Eucharist means to allow oneself to be changed by what we receive

Pope Francis Catechesis on the Mass 2018

† Monday 31 May 8:00am The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

† Tuesday 1 June 2:00pm

ROSARY at St Mark’s Church - register on arrival

† Thursday 3 June 6:30pm

First Holy Communion Mass, Prayer & Practice Evening and Reconciliation offered.

† Saturday Vigil 5 June and Sunday 6 June

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ - Corpus Christi

† Weekends 5/6 June and 12/13 June 1st Holy Communion Celebrations will be held

† Thursday 10 June 6:30pm

First Holy Communion Mass, Prayer & Practice Evening + Reconciliation

† Sunday 13 June 6:00pm

Father John’s last Mass at St Mark’s Parish

† Monday 14 June 8:00am

Mass will be held upstairs in the Parish Centre

Dates for the Diary

Dear Parishioners, St Mark’s Restoration Program 2021

With excitement, our St Mark’s Church Restoration works are due to begin in June 2021. This extensive

project will focus on interior restoration work. Our Church is 100 years old this year and our

restoration project began with our fundraising Parish Donor Restoration appeal in 2018 held by our Parish

Finance Committee and Parish Pastoral Council with the focus on raising the funds for this restoration & the

Church roof restoration. The Restoration goal is to honour the Church’s rich history while we simultaneously create a beautiful functional Church to build our evangelisation and

ministry into the future that parishioners can be proud of for years to come. After so much preparatory work, it

is great to see the start of the restoration work on the ground. The much-anticipated Church renovations will incur a change to our venue for Masses and they will be

held as follows: Monday - Friday Masses

will be held upstairs in the Parish Centre.

Monday 14 June to Friday 6 August Saturday & Sunday Masses

Saturday 12 noon & Saturday Vigil 5:30pm Sunday 9:00am, 10:30am & 6:00pm Masses

will all be held in the Parish/school hall, with Reconciliation Saturday 11:30am or by appointment.

Saturday 19 June to Sunday 1 August

Funerals or larger memorial Masses will be held at other nearby Churches or the chapels at Rookwood

by arrangement.

Weddings will not be held during this time. As we are still under COVID conditions for places of

worship online digital registration will still be required for attendance to all Masses.

Our Church is an anchor for the historical area of Drummoyne and this restoration is necessary and while we're not doing anything structurally to the church, it

will have a very different feel.

After the completion of our restoration it will coincide with the celebration of the Church’s 100 years with a

Mass and event that will build on the foundation for the future of St Mark’s.

Parishioners have built our two Churches over the last 130 years and we look forward to

St Mark’s being here for generations to come. Over these 9 weeks I will require help from our

parishioners with setting up for the Masses and if you can assist please let the Parish office know so we can

schedule a timetable for this. I look forward to taking this journey with you and your continued support and commitment that is required for us to fulfil this restoration while Parish life continues.

Thank you for your consideration and patience

Fr Michael

Father John has been appointed as Assistant Priest of the Parish of the Holy Family, Menai. His final Mass at St

Mark’s will be Sunday 13 June at 6pm. All welcome to join us after Mass for pizza and drinks, as we thank him for his service with us and wish him

well at his new Parish.

For catering purposes, please contact the Parish Office if you will be attending, and if you can help for the evening.

Church Restoration 14 June to 7 August 2021

During our relocation to the Parish/school hall for Sunday Masses, we will need a team of volunteers to

set-up before Mass and pack-up after Mass. If you are available to help each week on either: Saturday 10am and/or after Mass Sunday 7pm

Please contact the Parish Office

CATALYST FOR RENEWAL REFLECTION MORNING. We will gather in the parish hall of Hunters Hill, cnr

Gladesville Road and Mary Street on Saturday 5th June – 9.30 AM – 12.30 PM. Sr Catherine McCahill sgs will lead

our reflection. Her theme/topic: “The Gift of God” – Jesus’ invitation to the woman He meets at the well in Samaria. All most welcome. No need to book. We do

appreciate a donation. Tea and coffee available. A time for reflection. A time to be still. Enquiries: Carole Wilson

9869 1036. ‘Come and See’.

Open Day at Eileen’s Place – Sunday 6 June Our Lady’s Nurses for the Poor is opening up

Eileen’s place for dedicated monthly Open Days to mark the Centenary of the death of Servant of God, Eileen O’Connor. The next Open Day will be held on Sunday 6 June at 35 Dudley Street in Coogee from 10:45 am-1:00 pm (including Mass).

For more information and to register visit: https://eileenoconnor.com.au/open-days.

Dates for the Diary

ST MARK’S MORNING PRAYER GROUP - Join us Thursday’s from 10:00am Hosted by Maria - PARISH CENTRE - PRAYER & MORNING TEA - ALL WELCOME -

St Mark’s Catholic Parish 33 Tranmere Street, Drummoyne NSW 2047

Tel: (02) 9181 1795 Email: admin@stmarksdrummoyne.org.au

Parish Website: www.stmarksdrummoyne.org.au

Saturday Vigil 5.30pm Mass is a recorded Mass and only ministers will be filmed. Please respect the sacredness of our church and remember to turn off your mobile phone,

and no photography during the Mass. Thank you

Parish Priest: Very Rev Fr Michael L McLean PP EV Priest in Residence: Fr Denis Minns OP Assistant Priest: Fr John Pham

Pastoral Associate: Sr Antonia Nedu ISR Chairperson Parish Pastoral Council: Ms Celine Cheng

School Principal: Ms Rachel Bourke

Register to attend Mass on - St Mark’s Website -

www.stmarksdrummoyne.org.au Register with trybooking before

3pm REGISTRATION IS ESSENTIAL

Weekend Masses: Saturday - Vigil - 5.30pm

Sunday - 9:00am, 10:30am & 6:00pm

Registration is essential

MASKS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

IN CHURCH

QR CODE ON ENTRY

Weekday Masses: Monday - 8:00am Tuesday - 9:30am Wednesday - 7:30am & 6:30pm Thursday - 9:30am Friday - 8:00am Saturday - 12pm Mass The Sacrament of Penance - Saturday 11.00am - 11.55am

A message from the Archdiocese of Sydney: Child sexual abuse is a crime. The appropriate people to deal with a crime are the police. If you, or anyone you know have been abused, please contact the police. Alternatively, you can contact the Safeguarding and Ministerial Integrity Office at (02) 9390 5810 safeguardingenquiries@sydneycatholic.org. You may also want to speak to your Parish Priest who will be able to provide support and guidance. The Archdiocese has a legal obligation to report crimes to the police.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CANDIDATES BLESSING

Priest: We welcome our children who are preparing for their First Holy Communion please stand for your blessing.

My dear friends, let us now pray for these children that the Lord may guide them in their preparation.

Priest: Lord Jesus, Bless the children who are preparing to receive the Holy Eucharist for the first time. May their day be an initial step into a life-long love of the Eucharist. Give them a hunger for this sacred food so that they turn to you for comfort, guidance, and wisdom as they grow into full discipleship. Thank you for their innocence and goodness. May their hands, extended in anticipation of your Body and Blood, inspire all of us to cherish this sacred Sacrament. We ask this through Christ our Lord. All: Amen.

Our First Holy Communion celebrations will take place within our community Masses on the weekends of 5|6 June & 12|13 June 2021. We do this in the midst of our Sunday worship because this is the community they are being initiated into. We are a community of believers and this is an important moment for all of us. May St Mark’s always be a place to welcome and support them in their life journey.

In your love and concern, please pray for the following sick members of our community: Robin Rowlands, Ed Ludaszewski, Mare Sisic, Patricia Ryan, Nikola Butorac, Gemma Tambasco, Chris Huie, Patricia Ficarra, Rosa Petrino, Heather Burbidge, Rocco Zoccali, Wendy Madden, Carolina Bastoni, Meagan Ficarra & Lina Giannandrea and all St. Mark’s community members unwell at this time. Anniversaries and those we are remembering at this time: Margaret Micheletti, Rosa Carnuccio, Santina Macalusco, Margaret Townsend, Domenico Ciampa, Patrick Griffith, Salvatore Catanzaro, Ramon Eguaras, Chris Mack, Maria Teresa Prestia, Carla Boccalatte, Assunta Mifsud, Marie Tran, Rosa Ilacqua, Francesco Ianni, Caterina Lorizio, Nikola and Katisa Bautovic. Recently Deceased: George Wohlfiel, Domenico Caputo, Fruto Fred Milan, Gaetano Valletta, Edmund Dearn, Antonio Scioscia, Robert Lee-Young, Judy Saliba, Frances Capizzi, Rita Arcidiacono, Cecilia Chye, Benedict Marsh, Joseph Suc Bui, John Greenan, James Keenan, James McAleer, John Hawley and Don Cameron. We pray for those who have died and we offer our prayers and condolences to their families. May they rest in peace.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May all the souls of all the faithful departed, through

the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Do you know of anyone who is sick and in need of prayer or pastoral care? Please advise the parish office.

Gabriel Phillip Head and Isla Rose Frisina

No offertory! Due to COVID our collection bowls are not passed around. How long can our Church go on without receiving your donations? We have collection bowls at the centre and entrance of the Church for your envelopes and cash, we offer tap n’ pray machines at our entrance for your cards. There are Green Cards for parishioners to fill in for a tax deduction on the donation. We thank you for your kind donation. First Collection: is for the Priests. Second Collection: is for the running of the Parish.

Welcome to 2021

Gospel Reflection The Easter season celebrates some of the most important events and beliefs in Christian tradition. In the last seven weeks, we have remembered Jesus’ Last Supper with his friends (regarded as the institution or establish-ment of the Eucharist); Jesus’ death on the cross; the discovery of the empty tomb on Easter Sunday; the appearances of the Risen Lord to his disciples; the Ascension into heaven; and finally, the Holy Spirit filling the disciples at Pentecost. They are events that have shaped Christian belief for nearly 2,000 years. They provide the basis of beliefs and teachings such as: Christ present in the Eucharist; the resurrection of Jesus and the hope of resurrection for all people; the divinity of Jesus; and the ongoing action of the Holy Spirit in the world. The period of Easter-Pentecost celebrates these truly mo-mentous events, beliefs and teachings.

Almost to round off this extraordinary focus on Christian beliefs and teachings, the Church this week celebrates the central doctrine of Christian faith: the Trinity. The belief in the Trinity is the belief that there are three ‘persons’ in the one God-head: Father; Son; and Holy Spirit. The understanding and articulation of this doctrine occurred over time and was not until well after the writing of the gospels and other New Testament letters. Consequently, there are no specific scriptural pas-sages that identify explicitly the doctrine of the Trinity. This week’s gospel passage, the commissioning of the disciples from the Gospel of Matthew is perhaps the closest any New Testament writer comes to an expression of the Trinity when Jesus instructs the disciples to baptise ‘in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’.

Historical Context – Pentecost

The word ‘Trinity’ does not appear anywhere in the New Testament although one can certainly see the beginnings of ideas about a Trinitarian God. It was not until 325, at the Council of Nicea, that the doctrine of the trinity was established as be-ing orthodox teaching. This council sought to officially define the relationship between the Father and the Son as a re-sponse to the arguments of Arius (later known as Arian heresy). The statement of beliefs developed by this council in 325 is the Creed (credo = I believe) that is used in Catholic churches around the world today.

Have you thought? The Spirit

I always thought that to describe the Trinity as a ‘mystery’ was a bit of a ‘cop out’ for not offering a decent explanation. However, a theological ‘mystery’ is defined as something that not only are we incapable of discovering except through di-vine revelation, but that even when its truth has been fully revealed, we are incapable of fully grasping it. Our understand-ing can never be any more than partial, even when we fully accept it. This is a concept with which our world struggles – that there is something that is not fully able to be known but it’s OK not to fully understand it.

Living the Gospel – Come, Holy Spirit

Jesus’ instruction that the disciples go out to all the nations and baptise them ‘in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’ is an instruction that is still being carried on today. Those precise words are used by the priest at every baptism. They are also the words used in the sign of the cross – whether that is a personal, private blessing of one-self or a blessing of a group as in the introductory and dismissal rites as part of a Eucharistic celebration. When we make the sign of the cross, we use the words of Jesus.

Questions

Q. Why might non-Christians find the idea of ‘Trinity’ a difficult concept?

Q. What consequences would follow if we did not believe that Jesus was ‘God from God’?

Q. What image of Trinity do you find helpful?

Q. How does the concept of Trinity help explain the different experiences of God throughout time?

Q. Do you think that most Christian people understand the teaching on Trinity? © Greg Sunter

CATHOLIC WEEKLY - $2 ON SALE IN THE CHURCH FOYER

* Catholic schools mark 200 years in Australia

* Honouring our veteran priests * A new lease of life for Catholic women

Perpetual Adoration at All Hallows Church – 8am Friday 4th June

Perpetual adoration is the practice of the continuous exposition and adoration of the Eucharist, 24 hours a day. On Friday, 4th June 2021, All Hallows Church, Five Dock will be opening the Church for Perpetual Adoration. It will start at 8am on Friday and conclude at 8am on Saturday, 5th June. Everyone is welcome to take part in this event. There will be a roster in the church gathering space where you can book in a time for Adoration. We ask that there be a minimum of 2 guardians for every hour to ensure there will always be someone praying over the Eucharist. Perpetual adoration will be celebrated at All Hallows Church on the

first Friday of every month going forward.

Welcome to 2021

† You are required to Register to attend ALL MASSES on the parish website - numbers restrictions apply.

† You are required to register when attending any event in the Parish Centre.

† You will need to use the Services NSW QR Code to register when you enter the Church. A different QR code is used when you enter the Parish Centre.

† You will need to have the Services NSW App on your phone.

† Please help us by registering with your Smart Phone with the QR Code when you come to Mass or enter the Parish Centre.

† We realise that some people do not have a Smart phone, contact the Parish Centre to register for Mass.

† It is IMPORTANT that EVERYONE who enters the Church registers, QR Code and sanitisers.

† Masks are highly recommended at Mass.

† Please do not become complacent and make sure you continue to be vigilant.

† Following ALL MASSES we ask for assistance in cleaning our pews and Church.