Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C Cyle l 17 February 2019

True Happiness

A nthony De Mello in one of his many inspiring books gives us a parable of life to ponder. A group of tourists

sits in a bus that is passing through beautiful countryside: lakes, mountains, green fields and rivers. How-

ever, the shades of the bus are pulled down. So, the tourists do not have the slightest idea of what lies beyond the

windows of the bus. Meanwhile their journey is spent squabbling over who is the best dressed, who will have

the seat of honour in the bus, who will be applauded, who will be well considered. And so they remain till the

journey’s end. De Mello concludes that we often look for happiness in the wrong places.

Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount gives us a guide to inner happiness. However, we should be warned. The

people whom Jesus calls happy, the world calls wretched, and the people whom Jesus called wretched, the world

would call happy. Once again, Jesus, in his preaching about the Kingdom of God, turns everything upside down.

Luke uses the Greek word, makarios, for happy or blessed. Makarios in Greek often means inner happiness. How

do we discover this treasure of inner happiness? Quite simply, by following the life and teaching of Jesus.

Jesus has come to preach to the poor, the prisoners, the blind and the downtrodden of his day. Jesus challenges

his listeners to do the same: be humble, show mercy, be open to those in need. Jesus says something like this:

“Do this, and not only will you be close to God but also you will experience inner happiness, inner contentment.”

But what practical steps should we follow in order to find this happiness. Firstly, Jesus is able to carry out his

demanding vocation because his whole life and work is rooted in his relationship with God the Father. Jesus has

come from the Father, he is doing the work of the Father, he is returning to the Father. The primary and most

important relationship or friendship in the life of Jesus is his intimacy with God as his Father. And so, Jesus is

advocating a God-oriented existence for each one of us. Secondly, Jesus effectively says: “Forget about yourself

and concentrate on loving and helping others. If you spend your life trying to bring other people happiness and

joy, then you cannot fail to bring happiness and joy to yourself.”

The Christian vocation can only be lived fully if we have a strong, vibrant, living relationship with Jesus. We

need to keep listening to Jesus, we need to keep talking to Jesus. On our own we will not be able to cope with the

challenges of being a Christian. Christianity is hard and it can only be tried in the company of Jesus.

We must have a relationship with Jesus in order to be faithful to our Christian vocation. In the fabric of relation-

ships that make up our lives, we need to give priority to our friendship with Jesus. Therefore, prayer is not an

option for the Christian, it is a necessity. The second step to inner happiness emphasises that love of others must

dominate the life of a Christian. We need to try to forget about ourselves and throw all our energies into loving

and caring for others. It is the challenge, the journey of a life-time. If we set our hearts on loving and caring for

our families, our friends, for those in need, we will experience a deep, profound joy, an inner happiness.

(continued over page)

Page

2

True Happiness (continued)

Bible Café Join us for

Letter & Spirit with Dr Scott Hahn Wednesdays

10:30-11:30am and 7-8pm in the

Muldoon Room.

There is the old story about a Christian missionary tending the dreadful sores of a

leper. A visitor to the colony watched this act of healing and then remarked: “I would-

n’t do that for a million pounds!” And the missionary looked up and said: “Neither

would I!” The fulfillment we receive in reaching out to others in love, care and

compassion cannot be measured in material or monetary value. If we stay close to

Jesus and try to love and help others then we shall experience the inner happiness that

money simply cannot buy.

The Living Word Redemptorist Publications

Those Human Saints

C hristianity is a way of life, a way of thought, a way of action that is contrary to

the way of the world. This makes the Christian stand alone and it is this alone-

ness that discourages him from striving for holiness. However, it is the same aloneness

that makes him stand out in a crowd. He becomes a beacon for those who do not enjoy

the darkness, a light that enlightens the minds of all around him, a fire that warms cold

hearts.

He struggles as all men struggle; he works, eats, sleeps, cries and laughs, but the spirit

in which he accomplishes ordinary human needs and demands makes him holy. He

does not always make the right decisions but he learns from his mistakes. He does not

correspond to every grace, but he accepts his failures with humility and tries harder to

be like the Master. He does not condone sin, and though he is ever aware of his own

sinful condition, he loves his neighbour enough to correct him with gentleness when

his soul is in danger.

He is free to have or have not, for his real treasure is Jesus and the invisible realities.

He can possess with detachment or be dispossessed without bitterness.

He knows his Father well enough to entrust his past to his mercy. The Spirit is a friend

who guides his steps and straightens the crooked paths ahead. His time and talents are

spent in the imitation of Jesus in the ever present now.

The saint is the person who loves Jesus on a personal level; loves him enough to want

to be like him in everyday life; loves him enough to take on some of his lovable charac-

teristics. Like Jesus, he lovingly accomplishes the Father’s Will, knowing that all things

are turned to good because his is loved personally by such a great God.

Let us not be confused by the talents and missions of other Saints. Let us be the kind of

saints we were created to be. There are no little or great saints - only men and women

who struggled and prayed to be like Jesus - doing the Father's Will from moment to

moment wherever they are and whatever they are doing.

Saints are ordinary people with the compassion of the Father in their souls, the humili-

ty of Jesus in their minds and the love of the Spirit in their hearts. When these beautiful

qualities grow day by day in everyday situations, holiness is born.

The Father gave his Son so we would become his children and heirs of his Kingdom.

Jesus was born, lived and died and rose to show us the way to the Father. The Spirit

gave us his gifts so we would be clothed with the jewels of virtue, the gold of love, the

emeralds of hope and the brilliant diamonds of faith.

Let us not be content with the scotch tape and the aluminium foil of this world.

Be holy - wherever you are!

Pursuing Holiness Mother Angelica EWTN.com

Quote for

the Week

Nothing needs to change

as much as other people’s

opinions.

Join our Men’s Group

for lunch and a yarn. Wednesday 20

February 12 noon Diggers @ The

Entrance. We look forward to

seeing you there. Enq: Lui 4388 9510.

Discerning the Way of Jesus

Free booklets are now available on the

information tables for praying the

Scriptures in Lent Lectio Divina style.

Page

3

Final Plenary Council Parish Session

Please Note

Choir Members Needed!

Singers and musicians from across the Diocese are warmly invited to lead the

congregation in prayerful song at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral 23 Yardley

Avenue Waitara for the following diocesan events: Rite of Election Sunday 10 March.

Rehearsal in the Cathedral from 12:45pm for 2pm start. Chrism Mass Tuesday 16 April.

Rehearsal from 6pm for 7:30pm start. RSVP to cathedral@bbcatholic.org.au

Real Quotes on Becoming a Catechist

Y ou help nourish the faith of children…

“The most important reason to get involved is so that we can help nourish the

faith in children. If we don’t get involved, who will teach them and prepare them to be

active members in the parish as they grow?”

You meet wonderful people…

“ I have met many wonderful people.”

“If all I did was come to Mass, all I would know would be faces in the crowd.”

“If you don’t have children in the program, it is a great way to meet other spiritual

people and become more involved in the activities and community of the parish.”

You grow in faith & learn…

“The time spent on preparing the lesson is time spent reflecting on your own faith

and knowledge.”

“Since I did not grow up Catholic, I think it is important that I know what my girls

are learning.”

“It is very faith enriching for us to look at the weekly readings from a child’s point of

view. Sometimes even adults take it in better when given simplistically.”

It is a rewarding experience…

“I used to think that I am not the one who should be teaching since I felt that I didn’t

know ‘all the answers’. But it really is a learning experience for me as well as them.

And it’s okay to not know some of the answers-you praise them for a good question

and tell them you’ll return next week with an answer.”

“The best thing about teaching in the program…there are too many to count ! ……

getting to know each child and the special gifts they have; how much they teach me!”

If you would like to know more about being a Catechist you are welcome to talk to our

Catechists at the Parish Morning Tea after 9:30am Mass this Sunday or call the parish

office on 4332 2216.

T he first phase of the Australian Plenary Council 2020 is almost complete. March

6, Ash Wednesday, will see the listening and dialogue opportunity come to an

end and begins the preparation for the first session of the Plenary Council in October.

The council session will enable a deeper discernment, further learning, dialogue and

listening where needed, and response to the dialogue of the first session.

As the OLR Parish Plenary 2020 Animator, I invite one and all to a final general parish

listening and dialogue session which will be held in the parish centre on Friday 1

March 3-5pm. This is another chance to raise concerns, questions and start dialogues

for the future of the Church in Australia and it is a chance given like never before.

God Bless

Carole Cogdon

Secular Franciscans

We meet on the third Thursday of

the month (21 February) at 1pm in the Muldoon Room.

All welcome! Enq: Rove Varman

0411 988 394.

Bible Study

Join Fr Kevin for a short Bible Study of the next Sunday’s

Gospel. Tuesdays in the Muldoon Room

after 9am Mass. All welcome!

Parish Morning Tea

The Catechists are hosting our

Parish Morning Tea this Sunday

17 February after 9:30am Mass.

Come along to the canteen for a lovely cuppa and a chat.

We would like to thank our wonderful

helpers with the Registrations for the

Reconciliation Programme: Joy & Michael Delandre, Margaret & Paul Kirkham, George

Calvi & Kelly Davie.

Serving the Catholic Community of The Entrance and extending the Kingdom of God

PARISH PRIEST & DEAN Fr Bill Stevens

SACRAMENTAL COORDINATOR Br John Verhoeven FSP

Office Hours Monday-Friday 9.30-5.00pm Tel 4332 2216 Fax 4333 5344

Postal Address PO Box 189 THE ENTRANCE 2261 Street Address 239-243 The Entrance Rd THE ENTRANCE 2261

Email info@ourladyoftherosary.org.au Website www.ourladyoftherosary.org.au

PROPERTY MANAGER Michael de la Motte Tel 4334 7600 (BH)

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY PRIMARY SCHOOL Tel 4332 5594

ST PETER’S CATHOLIC COLLEGE Tel 4351 2344 Fax 4351 2965

THE ENTRANCE PARISH DIOCESE OF BROKEN BAY

Mass & Devotions in Ordinary Time Sunday Masses Saturday Vigil 6:00pm Sunday 8:00am & 9:30am

Weekday Masses Monday - Thursday 9:00am Friday 11:45am Saturday 9:00am

Reconciliations Saturdays 9:30-10am & 5-5:30pm

Liturgy of the Hours Saturday 8:40am Rosary Monday-Thursday 8:35am Friday 11:20am Saturday 9:30am

Cenacle Wednesday 9:30am Christian Meditation Group Friday 10:30am-11:30am Muldoon Room. Come & join us!

Our Lady of the Rosary

GIFT CENTRE

For all your devotional needs...

Welcome everyone to our Gift Centre. We have lots of lovely gift ideas and goods to aid your prayer life and devotions, as well as gifts for the Sacraments, including Baptisms, Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Weddings and Confirmations. Come in for a browse.

Opening Hours:

Sunday 9am-9:30am & 10:30-11am Tuesday & Friday 9:30am-1:30pm

Phone/Fax 4332 5997

Keep Us In Your Prayers There is no gift more precious than prayer - Fr Benedict Groeschel

Recently Deceased: Fr Adrian Meaney MSC, Edward Albee, Kevin Cassidy, Rosie Attard, Bill Steed, Laurie Anderson, Wilma Bond.

Funerals: The funerals of Bill Steed and Kevin Cassidy were held during the week. A Memorial Mass will be held for Rosie Attard on Monday 18 February 8am at St John Fisher Mass Centre Tumbi Umbi. Please pray for Bill, Kevin, Rosie and their families.

Anniversaries: Dorothy Cribb, Jim Rosewarne.

Remembrances: Bruce Parry, Vincent Cribb, Noelene Corrigan, Maurice Cramsie, Maisie Gormley, Edgar Bowden, Kathy Lowe-Scafidi and all the Holy Souls.

Families: Bouchet, Cole, Attard.

Sick: Janette Nolan-Cronin, Raymond & Tim Baker, Ted Lintott, Pat Wade, Santos Munoz, Elaine Lowe, Val Rayner, Margaret Mack, Colleen Dunn, Genevieve Shedden, Maria De Sousa, Patricia Muscat, Lisa Hennessey, Patty O’Leary, Ann Minogue, Antoinette Grech, Peter Connolly, Linda Read, Kelly Will and all those with cancer and long-term illnesses.

Welcome Newly Baptised: Alicia Dunn.

6th Sunday of Ordinary Time Jeremiah 17:5-8 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20 Luke 6:17, 20-26 Entrance Antiphon: Be my protector, O God, a mighty stronghold to save me. For you are my rock, my stronghold! Lead me, guide me, for the sake of your name.

Responsorial Psalm: Happy are they who hope in the Lord. Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, Alleluia! Rejoice and be glad; your reward will be great in heaven. Alleluia!

Communion Antiphon: They ate and had their fill, and what they craved the Lord gave them; they were not disappoint-ed in what they craved.

Pearly

Gates