The Feast of St. Agnes Everyone knows the details of the life of St Agnes, sketchy though they are. A young roman maiden, denounced as a Christian and martyred in the third century during one of the periodic persecutions of the times. Somehow the heroism of this fifteen year old girl captured the imagination of the church of her time, and we have in our church porch, that beautiful tribute of Pope St Damasus to Agnes.

We are very proud to have such a Saint as the Patroness of our parish community - so let us give some thought today about what a parish faith community is. There is a hymn that says it all so beautifully, “Priestly people, Kingly people, Holy people, God’s chosen people, give praise to the Lord”.

Priestly people...first and foremost - are people who worship the Lord. It is the priestly dimension in all the baptised. Kingly people… because we belong to that ultimate royal family, God’s family. Holy people… not because of what we have done but because we have been baptised into Christ’s life…He the vine, we the branches enjoying a common life with Him. God’s life within us. God’s chosen people...you did not choose me said Jesus, I chose you.

We are clearly identified as a people when we gather, as we do each Sunday, to offer with and through Jesus an offering of praise and thanksgiving to God. We are identified especially when we worship together.

Thus the version of our parish is set out in these words. “Everything is to be oriented towards the praise and glory of God” that is our core vision… the worship of God.

Someone once wrote that there are Tugboat Christians and Sailboat Christians. Tugboats, as you know are often called out in difficult circumstances and have to battle wind and tide, like the tugboats that are used to release stranded ships. These Christians stick to their faith not only through good times but also when the going becomes difficult.

Sailboat Christians are very different. As long as the weather is good and the winds fair, they are just fine but when it changes and the going becomes rough they scurry for cover and are not to be seen.

Our wonderful Patroness was an exemplary Tugboat Christian. So here we are, 1700 years later celebrating her love of Christ and wonderful courageous witness she gave to the persecuted church of her times.

Yours sincerely

Fr L.F. Donnelly Parish Priest

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 28 August 2016 Year C

OUR VISION "Everything is to be oriented towards the praise and glory of God".

OUR MISSION

The St Agnes' Parish Community strives to make our Vision a reality by a commitment to:

holiness in the image of Christ

proclaim the good news of salvation 2016 Jubilee

minister within the faith community

the service of all, particularly those in need

Dear parishioners, Last Friday week Fr Donnelly had an accident. He lost his footing and had a fall. He is resting well and is having respite care. All being well he should be up and around in a week or two.

PLEASE JOIN US ‘A Journey into the

Catholic Faith’

Anyone interested in knowing more about the Catholic Faith from an adult perspective is invited to join us on a journey into our Catholic Faith. Come and join with us on Wednesday, 31 August in the parish hall at 6.00pm as we continue with this journey and discuss the question ... Why does the Church exist? In this topic, we will discuss the meaning of the Church. The questions to be explored are. What is the Church? What does the Church do? What life does the Church offer us?

First Holy Communion Presentation Weekend

We welcome our school Communion candidates and their families to our Masses this weekend. The students will be presented to the Parish congregation at each of the Masses. Please join us in praying for these candidates as they continue their journey to the Sacrament of Communion in September.

MacKillop Gift Shop MacKillop Gift Shop is fully stocked with beautiful and affordable gifts, cards and books for the sacrament of Communion. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 10.00am to 2.00pm. In addition, the shop will open on two consecutive Saturdays leading up to Communion from 10.00am to 12.30pm. Saturday, 3 September. Saturday, 10 September. The Shop is located in the lower level of Parish Administration Centre, next to the Parish Hall. The phone number is 6584 9779.

Long Service Awards Staff of St Agnes’ Parish

The 2016 Long Service Awards will be held on Thursday, 8 September at the 5.15pm Mass. This will be followed by a light supper in the Church grounds. All parishioners are cordially invited to attend and support our long service employees. This year, employees who have served 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years service will be recognised. For further details please contact Peter on 6584 9970.

Migrant Sunday Reflection Hearing Our Lord's command: 'Invite the poor, the crippled, to the feast,' how do we respond as citizens of a nation which, in comparative global terms, is having a great feast? Jesus demands that we go well beyond an immigration policy which favours skilled and entrepreneurial people. They more than 'repay our courtesy' in terms of economic activity and social stability. The majority of the poor and the crippled live in the subsistence villages, the refugee camps, and the squalor of the megacities of the Third World. Heaven embossed invitations must be extended to such as those so that they may join in our national feast. Only then can we become the sort of people who, in the great Feast of Heaven, can join with those poor who are certain to be there. We could pause for a moment to pray so that we might hear Our Lord: 'Friend, join in the Feast. Be close to me.' Fr Michael Tate

Father Rob Galea in Concert Roman Catholic priest, talented Christian singer and songwriter, Fr Rob Galea, is once again coming to our Parish to present to our school students. Fr Rob has a significant evangelistic and outreach ministry, speaking and singing at schools, conferences and churches around Australia and the world, most recently at World Youth Day in Poland. There will be an opportunity for young adults and parishioners to enjoy an evening with Fr Rob at Newman College on Monday, 12 September from 6.00-8.00pm. Light refreshments will served and entry cost is by donation. Please RSVP (for catering purposes) by Thursday, 8 September to 0447 992 986 or email vdenham@pac.stagnesparish.org.au .

Taizé Worship All parishioners and friends are welcome to participate in a Taizé prayer service on the last Wednesday of every month. This month the service is on the 31 August, from 6pm-7pm at the St Francis Assisi Chapel, Lochinvar Place. Taizé is a great way to invite the peace of Christ into our busy lives. For more information email Hans and Judy Von Chrismar at chrismar42@gmail.com.

Christian Meditation Christian meditation will continue at St Francis of Assisi Chapel on Wednesday, 7 September, from 6.00pm - 7.00pm. For more information contact Simon on 0412 236 977.

Wraps with Love Thank You

The Catholic Women’s League will be hosting a thank you morning tea for all who have participated and contributed in any way to Wraps with Love. The knitters, sewers, crocheters, donators of wool or money. Morning tea will be held on Wednesday, 14 September at 10.00am in the Tenison Woods Centre, Lochinvar Place. Please come and join us so we can acknowledge your generosity in spirit. For more information contact Monica on 6582 5770.

Holy Hour Holy Hour will be held in St Agnes’ Church on Saturday, 3 September following after 8.00am Mass. All are invited to attend.

Year of Mercy

Parish Social Event A screening of the Movie

“Chariots of Fire”

Tuesday, 13 September at the Majestic Cinemas

The Parish Pastoral Council, as part of the Year of Mercy, has organised a social event. The night is designed to bring the parish community together in a social context. The evening will commence at 6.30pm through to 9.30pm. Tickets will be on sale at all Chapels and all Masses this weekend. Cost will be $27 for a family of 1/2 Adults & 2/3 Children (total 4 persons) with $5 per extra child, or $10 per Adult and $5 per Child. This cost includes drinks and finger food/nibblies prior to the movie beginning. There are just 139 seats available.

For more information contact Peter on 6584 9970.

The Catholic Leader

The price of the Catholic Leader has increased to $2.50. The paper can be purchased from the Presbytery Office on a Friday afternoon and after each of the Masses.

Recently Deceased: Joan Larsen, Yvonne Dullaghan, Jean Chapman, Betty Hazell, Reginald Williams, Peter Cassidy, Geoffrey Williams, Dorothy Pollard. Anniversaries: Nora Fortune, Margaret Neilsen, Kathleen Smith, Mary Duff, Josephine Duff, John Starr, Lydia Graham, Margaret Martin, Mary Ja-mieson, Christopher Kiely, Fr John Buckley, Fr Thomas O’Regan, Jnr, Fr Thomas Morris. Other Mass Intentions: Peter Smith, Atilana Amigable, deceased members of Croke family, Cyril & Eileen Bennett, Patricia Bennett, Phyllis Dunn, Edward Dunn, Julia O’Brien, Edward O’Brien, Eileen Monahan, Phil Moore, Trixie Davidson, Florence Shergold, Florence Turner, Brother Michael O’Connor, Francis Sweeney, Beryl Thomas, Marija Miller, deceased members of Blake, Graham, Dunn, O’Brien and Reilly families, donor intentions and Masses of thanksgiving.

St AGNES’ CATHOLIC CHURCH | PORT MACQUARIE

Pope Francis—Tweets ‘May people see the Gospel in our lives: in

our generous and faithful love for Christ and our brothers and sisters.’

READERS AND COMMENTATORS

6pm Vigil: Thelma McFarlane Maureen Dick Vanessa Denham 7.30am: Joanne Hogan David Hogan Denise McLoughlin 9.00am: Richard O’Brien Cathy Hawtin Anne Thurgate 5.00pm: MacKillop College Hannah Post MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST

6pm Vigil: Rudolf Szibrowski Peter Rasmussen Phil Lloyd Joy Amos 7.30am: Lisa Toomey Geoff Leary Kay Farrawell Peter O’Driscoll 9.00am: Peta Rourke

Parish Priest Father Leo Donnelly

Assistant Priest Father Peter Wood

Assistant Priest Father Roland Agrisola

Pastoral Assistant Peter O’Driscoll P 6584 9970

Presbytery Office 47 Hay Street Port Macquarie PO Box 23 T (02) 6583 1024 E pastoraloffice@stagnesparish.org.au www.stagnesparish.org.au

Office Hours 8.30am - 4.30pm

Hebin Kallikkadan Betty Hodgson Judy Bray 5.00pm: Casey Whitehouse Karen Robson Fran Liddy Jim Dempsey

GIFT BEARERS ROSTER 6pm Vigil: W VanKerckhof & B Kenny 7.30am: K Farrawell & J Dean 9.00am: P Sharpe & A Schwennesen

THE STATUE OF OUR LADY Pat & Marie Mullens 23 The Sanctuary Close Port Macquarie. Phone 6584 1626

NEXT WEEK’S READINGS 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C Wisdom 9:13-18; Philemon 9-10, 12-17; Luke 14:25-33.

ROSTERS FEAST DAYS

The Passion of St John The Baptist Monday 29 August

Ember Day (Day of Penance) Friday 2 September

St Gregory the Great Saturday 3 September

ST AGNES’ CHURCH | Hay Street Port Macquarie Monday to Thursday: 5.15pm Friday: 12.05pm Saturday: 8.00am, 6.00pm Vigil Sunday: 7.30am, 9.00am, 5.00pm Please note: Weekday Masses at 9.00am on Public Holidays Reconciliation: Friday 11.30am -12 noon, Saturday 11.30am - 12.30pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: 1st Saturday of the month 8.30am - 9.30am.

ST FRANCIS CHAPEL | Lochinvar Place, Port Macquarie Contact: Sr Anne Hannigan Ph 6589 9814 or 0419 243 259. Communion Service or Mass: 9.30am Monday - Thursday Sunday Mass: 9.30am CHRIST THE KING CHAPEL | Boronia St Port Macquarie Contact: Sr Anne Hannigan Ph: 6589 9814 or 0419 243 259 Weekday Mass: See Notice On Chapel Door Mass: Saturday Vigil - 4.30pm Rosary: 1st Saturday of the month 4.00pm. ST BERNARD'S, TELEGRAPH POINT | Rollands Plain Rd Telegraph Point Thursday: 6.00pm. STAR OF THE SEA, LAKE CATHIE | Ocean Drive Lake Cathie Sunday: 8.00am.

DIOCESAN INVESTMENT FUND PAYS 2.35% AT CALL! There are no fees or charges on your account. AGENTS: Mrs Veronica Rinkin & Mrs Mary O’Brien

DIF Office, Parish Administration Centre, Phone: (02) 6583 7439 9am – 1pm Monday - Friday

PARISH MASSES

3/4 September 2016