Maybe A Balance Of Life

A friend of mine whose father had been killed in war when he was very young once shared with me: “Sometimes I feel that I am missing a very important thing in life. Mum loves me so much and takes a good care of me. But I still feel a hole and I realise that it is the love of my father. I wish that every child in the world is growing up in the cradle of love of both father and mother…”

A good and meaningful picture of a family is the gathering of father and mother (including grand-father and grand-mother) together with children and grand-children (and surely with great grand-children). A child, I guess, is keeping a balance of life in one way or another when she or he is nurturing and growing up in a family of both mother and father with brothers and sisters. Pope Francis has taught that: “every child has a right to receive love from a mother and a father, both are necessary for a child’s integral and harmonious development.”

We begin the month of October this Sunday. In the four weeks of this month, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference invites us to pray for the family as follows:

Week beginning on Sunday October 1: We pray for all marriages and families in Australia.

Week beginning on Sunday October 8: We pray for all families in distress.

Week beginning on Sunday October 15: We pray for

those experiencing same-sex attraction or gender uncertainty.

Week beginning on Sunday October 22: We pray for our nation’s understanding of the importance of marriage.

Family is certainly important for us. In the context of the family, we are growing up and developing as good people for the society and country. In the context of the family, we have been learning the good and necessary lessons of love, care, forgiveness, and many more. Family, in one way or another, shapes our lives. I always want to come to see or visit my family (even mum and dad are not with us any more) whenever I have a chance. And family can help us to create and keep a balance of life…

When I was a boy in the parish years ago, October was the month of Rosary when we were asked to pray more rosary for our parish, for our family, for our country and for the world. One of the messages our Lady gave when appearing in Fatima 100 years ago is to ask us to pray the rosary assiduously. Let us add to our prayers this month the prayer of Rosary as our Heavenly Mother has asked us.

Action speaks louder than words. We see this in the Gospel this Sunday in the parable of the two sons. May we not leave our prayer in the Church, but put it in practice according to our capacity and ability, particularly for the sake of our Ipswich Catholic Community. May God bless us all!! John Hong.

WEEKEND MASS TIMES WEEKDAY MASS TIMES

Saturday Vigil Church Location Monday, 2nd October - The Holy Guardian Angels NO 7.00AM MASS AT ST JOSEPH’S 7.00pm Mater Dei, Sadliers Crossing

Tuesday, 3rd October - Weekday, Ordinary Time 26 9.00am Immaculate Heart of Mary, Leichhardt 10.30am St Mary’s Hostel, Wildey Street

Wednesday, 4th October - St Francis of Assisi 9.00am St Mary’s, Woodend 9.30am Cabanda Nursing Home, Rosewood 10.00am RSL Milford Grange Retirement Community

Thursday, 5th October - Weekday, Ordinary Time 26 9:00am St. Mary’s, Woodend 9.00am St Joseph’s, North Ipswich

Friday, 6th October - Weekday, Ordinary Time 26 8.00am St Mary’s College Chapel 8.30am OLMM Reconciliation 9:00am OLMM, Eastern Heights 9.00am St Brigid’s, Rosewood

4:30pm Immaculate Heart Leichhardt

5:30pm OLMM Eastern Heights

6:00pm St. Mary’s Woodend

Sunday Mass Church Location

7:30am St. Joseph’s North Ipswich

8:00am St. Brigid’s Rosewood

8:30am St. Mary’s Woodend

6:00pm St. Mary’s Woodend

SACRAMENT OF PENANCE

Day Time Church

Saturday

Saturday

4.15pm –4.25pm

5:00pm - 5:30pm

Leichhardt

St. Mary’s

OUR CHURCHES

St. Mary’s - Elizabeth Street, Woodend St. Brigid’s - Matthew Street, Rosewood

Mater Dei - Cnr Ferrett Street and Rowland Tce, Sadliers Crossing St. Joseph’s - 42 Pine Mountain Road, North Ipswich

Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal - Robertson Rd, Eastern Heights Immaculate Heart of Mary - 22 Old Toowoomba Road, Leichhardt

26th Sunday in ordinary time Year A 1st October 2017

COMMUNITY DIRECTORY

Administrator Fr. Stephen Bliss ofm

Parish Ministers Fr. John Hong

Fr Nicholas Okafor

Pastoral Associate Bernadette McAndrew

Administration Staff

Mrs Janelle Van De Weyer

Mrs Maree Coyne

Mrs Kathy Lund

Mrs Bernadette Lenihan

Office Hours Monday

Tues-Friday

10am - 3.30pm

8.30am - 3.30pm

Ipswich Catholic Community Contact Information

Telephone 07 3281 2133

Email ipswich@bne.catholic.net.au

Fax 07 3812 3911

Post PO Box 23, Ipswich 4305.

Mass Times 07 3281 0707

New Media - Evangelisation

Website www.ipswichcatholic.com

Find us by searching for ‘ipswichcatholic’ on

Facebook YouTube Twitter iTunes

Schools and Colleges in our Community

St. Mary’s Primary School Woodend 07 3281 1998

Immaculate Heart School Leichhardt 07 3812 1077

St. Joseph’s School North Ipswich 07 3201 6188

St. Brigid’s School Rosewood 07 5464 1563

St. Mary’s College Woodend 07 3432 5444

St. Edmund's College Woodend 07 3810 4400

PRAYER REQUESTS

RECENTLY DECEASED: David McCarthy, Ronald Murphy, Gerelyn Andalanao, Margaret Long, Rosemary Francois, Denise O’Brien, Pauline Davie. FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK: Vince Elmore, Carolyn Burt, Craig Hannam, Robin(Bob) Green, Elaine James, Madison Bell, Joan(Mary) Bridgeman, Mary Pender.

St. Brigid’s Church - Sunday 8.00am Mass 1st October, 5th November, 3rd December.

St. Mary’s Church - Sunday 8.30am Mass 8th October, 15th October.

Are you concerned that your child is not so enthusiastic about

coming along to Mass? If this is the case, then please consider encouraging your child to attend Children’s Liturgy of the Word which is offered during Masses in the Ipswich Catholic Community on the

dates listed above. __________________________________________________________

FEAST OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI

The feast of St Francis of Assisi is coming up on 4th October ….. You might like to sign up and prepare for this wonderful feast and re-ceive a daily email. Pray with St Francis for a greater realisation of God’s love and pres-ence in your life. Join me in preparing for the feast of St Francis. Just click the link be-low and sign up, and you’ll receive an email each day with a prayer-reflection.

http://info.franciscanmedia.org/francis-feast-day-novena Peace be with you Stephen ofm

ROSTER: St Mary’s October roster is now available and has been sent to everyone on the roster. If you haven’t received your roster please let Bernadette know at the Parish Office. Thank you to everyone who assists with our liturgies each week your help is appreciated and we would be lost without you. On Sunday night’s roster there are a couple of opportunities for anyone who would like to be part of the roster. We are particularly looking for people who are able to help with hospitality at the doors of the Church on a Sunday evening as well as people to share in the ministry of Sacristan. Those who help as sacristans are our quiet gems because they ensure that everything is ready (behind the scenes) to celebrate the Mass. If you would like to join the roster please contact Bernadette at the Parish Office on 3281 2133.

ARCHBISHOP MARK COLERIDGE is visiting the Parish to preside at the 6pm Mass on Sunday evening on the 22nd October in St Mary’s Church. Following the Mass there will be a light supper and the Archbishop will take the opportunity to meet parishioners and enjoy our hospitality. If you can help with the hospitality for this evening, please contact the parish office on 3281 2133. READINGS FOR MASS 30/1 Sept/Oct.: Ezek 18: 25-28; Phil 2: 1-11; Mt 21: 28-32 7/8 October: Is 5: 1-7; Phil 4: 6-9; Mt 21: 33-43

RENOVATIONS TO BIRD PROOFING AT ST BRIGID’S: On 4th and 5th October there will be a cherry picker

at St Brigid’s to enable access for the Bird Proofing to be repaired. Hope this doesn't cause any inconvenience.

IPSWICH CATHOLIC COMMUNITY - MEN’S BREAKFAST

— Saturday 21st October 2017 at 7.00am —

Mark your calendars now — at St Mary’s Primary School Hall

Our online events calendar is located at the following address: www.ipswichcatholic.com/event

What’s happening in our Parishes ...

MEN’S BREAKFAST We are pleased to announce that we have three courageous fathers from the parish who have accepted our invitation to speak on ‘Faith and Fatherhood in Today’s Secular World’ at the Men’s Break-

fast this year. Each of these men will bring different perspectives on faith, parenting and their hopes for their sons, daughters and grandchildren. Some of you will know these men as all three are members of the Ipswich Catholic Community.

Tom Hutton a father of three sons as well as enjoying the company of his grandchildren in his spare time.

Anthony Elmore who is Deputy Principal of St Peter Claver College who brings the perspective of working in a high school environment and balancing his time with his wife, two daughters and a son.

Benjamin Leschke brings to us his experience of balancing his faith while working in the secular world and meeting the needs of his two teenage children and a five year old boy.

We hope you will join us for breakfast on the 21st October from 7-00am in St Mary’s Primary School Hall, Mary Street, Ipswich where you will enjoy a cooked breakfast, juice, a hot cuppa and endless conversation. The cost for the breakfast is $15-00 per person and excess monies from the breakfast will go towards children’s and youth activities conducted in the Ipswich Catholic Community. For bookings please phone the parish office by the 17th October. RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: Recently the parish held an Enquiry Night meeting for those seeking to begin the process of Christian Initiation for Adults. At the meeting we welcomed 5 new candidates who will continue the process over the next few months. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a wonderful opportunity for hospitality in parish communities. When candidates encounter people of welcome who are willing to share the good word of God’s presence in the community, hospitality becomes the first word of welcome for the enquirer. There are many ways in which all of the community can share in the process of adult initiation and if you would like to contribute in some way please contact Bernadette at the Parish Office on 3281 2133 or email pa.ipswich@bne.catholic.net.au CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF FATIMA: October 13th this year marks the centenary of the last apparition of Our Lady at Fatima and the Miracle of the Sun. You are invited to make a pilgrimage to our Cathedral for a CANDLELIT ROSARY PROCESSION on the evening of Saturday, October 14th. The procession will commence with Mass at 6pm and will then move around the City, using the same route as the Corpus Christi Procession. The volunteer organising committee relies on donations to meet the expenses of the procession. For more information - 0412 802 122.

OUR PRIVILEGE IS SERVICE

I remember being really frustrated with some young

retreat leaders.

They were discussing who should sleep in beds and on the floor during a retreat where beds were limited. The retreat leaders insisted they should get beds, because

they were leaders.

Boy, they needed a tongue-lashing from Jesus like the one he gave some Jewish leaders in the reading for this

week.

It’s normal to want privileges after working hard for a position, whether it’s team captain, club president, or retreat leader. But Jesus’ followers should always be willing to give up privileges to serve others. Many

Jewish religious leaders missed Jesus’ message and an opportunity to grow closer to God, because they val-ued their privileges. Like the son in the story, they said yes to God but then didn’t do the work God asked of

them. They closed their minds to Jesus’ message and clung to their power. They rejected Jesus’ message to

change the system that gave them privileges and power over people.

As Christian leaders we need to keep our minds open, even when ideas threaten our egos, our privileges, or

our status. Jesus calls us to focus on what’s best for the people who look up to us. Can you do that this week

when you deal with little brothers and sisters? Can you do it at sports or music practice? During that club or

youth group meeting?

Sure, privileges are nice, but the greatest privilege is to follow Jesus. This week let’s make sure we aren’t like the second son. Let’s say yes to Jesus’ invitation and then set the examples for others that he would set.

When have the privileges of leadership or being an older sibling tempted you to take advantage of or ignore others?

… On the Way to Mass

Have you ever changed your mind? Why? How did you come to a different conclusion?

On the Way Home from Mass …

Have you ever been surprised that someone was doing God’s work?

(GPBS Publications)

In this week’s copy

* Thousands of youth flock from across country to meet Jesus Christ at Ignite Conference * Fierce backlash from Hervey Bay and Bundaberg residents over cashless card benefit plan * ‘The love of a same-sex un-

ion is valuable’ but not marriage, Archbishop Coleridge says * ‘People living with dementia need to know that the community is welcoming’, Centacare conference told * Victoria could kill 1000 terminally ill patients each year by 2030, study shows * Pope Francis gives point-by-point guide to young people on living with hope

CWL FASHION PARADE: Thanks to all who have booked for Saturday 7th October, and as a FULL HOUSE will put a strain on the parking, where possible could you please CAR POOL or arrange drop off and pick up. Members, early delivery of finger food/slices would be appreciated.

SAINT MARY’S GARDEN PARTY will be held on Saturday 14th October 2017 at 10am-2pm. Address: 129 Wildey Street, Raceview. There will be entertainment throughout the morning. Enjoy a Devonshire Tea and visit our several stalls that will be operating, this includes Resident’s stall, cake and sweet stalls, trash and treasure, sample

bags, hamburgers and while you are here come along and visit our baby farm animals. Donations of baked goods are welcome. All baked goods must be labelled with all ingredi-ents, and if they have been frozen please include the letter “F” on the label.

ST EDMUND’S COLLEGE TWILIGHT TOURS are on again, Wednesday October 11 from 5-00pm – 7-00pm. Please come along and meet our Principal and Leadership staff. Tour the College with our students. We are now interviewing for placements for year 7 in 2019. Enrolled students for year 7 will join our Eddies Rookies program on some Friday afternoons while they are in year 6 and experience life here at Eddies. We welcome you to come along to our Twilight Tours and experience the Eddies difference. Please phone Enrolments on 3810 4448 or 0403 269 955 for any further enquiries.

FIRST FRI- DAY

NIGHT OF EVERY MONTH

Commencing at 7.00pm at ST BRIGID’S PARISH HALL,

RAILWAY ST, ROSEWOOD. Good prizes, raffles, lucky

door, supper. Entry is $2.00. For more info. please

call Bernadette 54641571

NEWS FROM AROUND OUR COMMUNITY