Responsorial Psalm: 3. And my soul shall live for him, my

children serve him. They shall tell of the

Lord to generations yet to come, de-

clare his faithfulness to peoples yet

unborn: ’These things the Lord has

done. ’ (R.)

Second Reading: 1 Jn 3:18-24

His Commandments are these: that we believe and

t h a t w e l o v e o n e a n o t h e r .

My children our love is not to be just

words or mere talk, but something real

and active; only by this can we be cer-

tain that we are the children of the

truth and be able to quieten our con-

science in his presence, whatever accu-

sations it may raise against us, be-

cause God is greater than our con-

science and he knows everything. My

dear people, if we cannot be con-

demned by our own conscience, we

need not be afraid in God’s presence,

and whatever we ask him, we shall re-

ceive, because we keep his command-

ments and live the kind of life that he

wants. His commandments are these:

that we believe in the name of his Son

Jesus Christ and that we love one an-

other as he told us to. Whoever keeps

his commandments lives in God and

God lives in him. We know that he lives

in us by the Spirit that he has given us.

The word of the Lord

Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! Live in me and let me live in you, says

the Lord; my branches bear much

fruit . Alleluia!

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER- Year B 28– 29 April, 2018

Entrusted to the Salesians of Don Bosco

Catholic Church

GOSPEL: Jn 15:1-8 All who live in me, and I in them, bear much fruit . Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I am the

true vine, and my Father is the vine-

dresser, Every branch in me that bears

no fruit he cuts away, and every

branch that does bear fruit he prunes

to make it bear even more. You are

pruned already, by means of the word

that I have spoken to you. Make your

home in me, as I make mine in you. As

a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself,

but must remain part of the vine, nei-

ther can you unless you remain in me.

I am the vine, you are the branches.

Whoever remains in me, with me in

him, bears fruit in plenty; for cut off

from me you can do nothing. Anyone

who does not remain in me is like a

branch that has been thrown away –

he withers; these branches are col-

lected and thrown on the fire, and they

are burnt. If you remain in me and my

words remain in you, you may ask

what you will and you shall get it. It is

to the glory of my Father that you

should bear much fruit, and then you

will be my disciples.

The Gospel of the Lord

Communion Antiphon:

I am the true vine and you are the

branches, says the Lord. Whoever

remains in me, and I in him, bears

fruit in plenty, alleluia.

Entrance Antiphon: O sing a new song to the Lord, for he

has worked wonders; in the sight of

the nations he has shown his deliver-

ance, alleluia.

First Reading: Acts 9:26-31 He explained how the Lord appeared to Saul and

spoke to him on his journey.

When Saul got to Jerusalem he tried to

join the disciples, but they were all

afraid of him: they could not believe he

was really a disciple. Barnabas, how-

ever, took charge of him, introduced

him to the apostles, and explained how

the Lord had appeared to Saul and spo-

ken to him on his journey, and how he

had preached boldly at Damascus in

the name of Jesus. Saul now started to

go round with them in Jerusalem

preaching fearlessly in the name of the

Lord. But after he had spoken to the

Hellenists, and argued with them, they

became determined to kill him. When

the brothers knew, they took him to

Caesarea, and sent him off from there

to Tarsus. The churches throughout

Judaea, Galilee and Samaria were now

left in peace, building themselves up,

living in the fear of the Lord, and filled

with the consolation of the Holy Spirit.

The word of the Lord

Responsorial Psalm: (R.) I will praise you, Lord, in the

assembly of your people.

1. My vows I will pay before those who

fear him. The poor shall eat and shall

have their fill. They shall praise the

Lord, those who seek him. May their

hearts live for ever and ever! (R)

2. All the earth shall remember and

return to the Lord, all families of the

nations worship before him. They shall

worship him, all the mighty of the earth;

before him shall bow all who go down

to the dust. (R)

26 Swanston Street, St Marys, NSW 2760

Tel: (02) 9623 1962 Fax: (02) 9833 1063

Parish Email: secretaryolrchurch@iinet.net.au

Parish Website: www.olrchurchstmarys.org.au

PARISH TEAM Parish Priest: Fr. Brendan Murphy SDB Assistant Priest: Fr Guy Riolo SDB Parish Secretary: Fleur Mathias

Parish Telephone: 9623 1962 Parish Email: secretaryolrchurch@iinet.net.au Web: www.olrchurchstmarys.org.au

Parish Fax: 9833 1063

For Enquiries Please Phone The Parish Office

between 9:30am - 12:30pm & 1:30pm - 3:30pm, Mon-Fri

Salesian Community: Phone: 9623 1220

Rector: Fr John Walenciej SDB

Don Bosco Youth Centre: Phone: 9623 0450

Co-Directors: Sr Jenny Doudle FMA Fr John Walenciej SDB

Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School

Principal: Mr Michael Siciliano Phone: 9623 2500 Email: olorstmarys@parra.catholic.edu.au

Web: www.olorstmarys.catholic.edu.au

Emmaus Catholic College

Principal: Mr Robert Nastasi

Phone: 9670 4588 Email: emmaus@parra.catholic.edu.au Web: www.emmauskempscreek.catholic.edu.au

PARISH MINISTRIES St Vincent de Paul Society: meets every Tuesday at 7:00pm in the St Vincent de Paul Office beside the Parish Hall.

Junior Legion of Mary: meets on Fridays, 5:00pm to 5:45pm in the Parish Hall and Parish Meeting Rooms. Young people welcome

Senior Legion of Mary: Tuesdays, 6:30-8pm in the Parish Hall Meeting Room. All Welcome to join.

The Cenacle: Every Thursday after 9am Mass, you are invited to join us to pray the Cenacle of the Marian Movement of Priests.

Cuppa and Craft Club: Thursdays at 9:30am, Parish Hall. Contact Parish Office 9623 1962. Computer Class (50 years & over): 9.30am-12pm Parish Hall

Meeting Room. Please contact Parish Office. Rosary Statue: Will remain in the Church for all of May.

RCIA: meets Thursdays, 7:30pm, Parish Meeting Room. Know someone who would like to be a Catholic? New enquirers welcome.

Catechists: Teaching God’s Word in our State schools. Volunteers needed. Contact Maureen Watts 9623 9272. Mother’s Prayers: Every Monday, 10am at the Infant School.

Ladies Auxiliary: 2nd Mon’s, Parish Office Meeting Room, 7:30pm

Youth Choir: Choir Practices on the 2nd Sunday of the month, 2.30pm – 4pm. Choir sings at the 9am Mass on the 4th Sunday of the month. All young people welcome, 6 -16 years. OLR-Schoenstatt Pilgrim Mother Apostolate (PMA) Rosary Prayer: every 4th Sunday of the month after the 10.30am Mass (11.45am) in the Church. All Welcome!

Sat 28 April 6:00pm All Souls in Purgatary

Sun 29 April FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

7:30am Sammut Family 9:00am Alfred Vella & Irene Gauci

10:30am Pro Populo 5:30pm Ric Juancho Torres

Mon 30 April 6:30am Fafette Sao 9:00am All Souls in Purgatary

Tue 1 May 9:00am Mcinnes & Perrim Family

Wed 2 May ST ATHANASIUS 12 Noon Gauci Family

Thur 3 May STs PHILIP and JAMES 9:00am All Souls in Purgatary

Fri 4 May 9:15am Luthgardo Gonsalez

Sat 5 May 8:00am Valeria Bruzzese

PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED Please remember in your prayers our deceased

parishioners, family and friends especially Brian Buan, Sejundina Sacun, Celestino Zapanpa, Moises Sorrigaga, Iris Warne, Francesca Premutico, Kevin Kennedy, Malcolm Wood, Betty Cox, Linda Dunn, Pamela Polland, Gwendoline Cash, Ron Hopkinson, Daniella Siciliano Carbone, Rory Hampsey, Peter Murphy, Elizabeth Chidgey, Malek Athum Abaker, Ros-ina Paulo, Jim Kama, Julie Ramsay, Ester Santos, Ernest Perez, Frank Attard, John Ryman., Patrick Cullen, Fay Moulds, Mark Vella, Najwa Hadchiti, Mau-reen Cocks, Arthur Zamora, Bienvenido Bulaong, Pompeo Cignarella, Patrick Shiels, Linda Lyons, Peter Reinhart, Mrs Lam, Fr George O’Mara, Rose Camil-leri, Gloria Warbuton, Lilian Briggs, Vincenzo Di Bartolo, Li Vigni Lorenza. Eternal rest grant unto their souls O Lord, let perpetual light shine

upon them, may they rest in peace. Amen

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK Jesus the Healer, we commend to your gentle hands

those who are sick Anna R, Donna, Joan Law, Joseph Camilleri, Charlie Sultana, Maria Macie-jewska, Peter Wetton, Daniel Jacobson, Linda & William Weightman, Tracey Bokor, David Fuller, Adrian Durando, Andrew Boulos, Ricardo Herft, Grant Butterfield, Avalee, Dana, Garry, Meerle Steere, Elivra Puyat, Renato Cazar, Vera Gould, Loyd, Carol Greentree, Tangey Fernandes, Vitas Varnas, Luzia J. Vinuya, Joan Sattlar, Leo Pereira, Anna Clarke, Imelda & Joe Bonser, Wiloto Seng, Padraig Smith, Sally McFarlane, Michael McDermott, Alicia Santos-Yu, Greg Hines, Sr Jenny Doudle, Annette Axiak, Baby Cristiano, Valeria Bruzzese, Gary Zac, Maria Castiglioni, Sylvanna Frassetto, Ela O’Neil, Katie S, Sr Aileen Crowe, Bertha Wetton, Arturo & Elena Zamora., Jonathon Wright, Brian Mostert, Pat McGannon, Roberto Rayco. Samuel Healey. Patricia Butterfield, Pat Paynter, baby Iylah Hodder-Torda.

Next Sunday’s Readings: SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

1st Reading: Act 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 97:1-4

2nd Reading: 1 John 4: 7-10 Gospel: John 15: 9-17

1st and 2nd Collections: 1st Collection: for the support of the priests of the parish 2nd Collection: (including planned giving envelopes) goes towards the running costs of the Parish.

Thankyou for your ongoing support.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults - RCIA Do you know anyone interested in becoming a Catholic?

Please invite them to contact: Vera on 0416 008 582 or the Parish Office on 9623 1962

RECONCILIATION

Every Wednesday: 11:15am - 11:45am.

Every Saturday: 9:00am - 10:00am, 5:00pm - 5:30pm

ADORATION BEFORE THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Wednesday: 11:15am - 11:45am, Mass at 12 noon

Every Thursday: 9:30am - 6:00pm (after 9:00am Mass) Friday: 8:30am - 9:00am. followed by Mass at 9:15am

St Marys Gardens Nursing Home Communion Roster

Sun 29 April: Marcy Perrera, Mila Holzman Sun 6 May: J Weinert, S Cunningham, L Ross, Mila H

COMING EVENTS FOR THE DIARY 5 May: OLR Parish Dinner Dance, 6pm, Parish Hall

12 May: Seniors Mother’s Day Morning Tea & Lunch

13 May: OZ Rosary around Australia 11:30am in Church.

17 May: Legion of Mary, Parish Hall Meeting Room, 6.30pm

St Vincent De Paul, Parish Hall Meeting Room,

18 May: Parish Finance Committee mtg, Parish House, 7.30pm

19 May: Parish Pilgrimage, 10am Coach leaves church

21 May: Parish Working bee

30 May: Catechist Meeting, Parish Hall Mtg room 12.45pm

19 June: 1st Reconciliation Parents Info night, 7.30pm

21 June: 1st Reconciliation Parents Info night, 7.30pm

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament ADORATION CHAPEL

Mondays & Tuesdays 8am - 9pm

CHURCH Thursdays 9:30am - 6pm

OLR Dinner Dance !!! Hurry!!! get your tickets soon ...

When: Saturday, 5 May 2018

Time: 6:00pm - 11:00pm

Where: OLR Parish Hall Cost: $25 pp Contact – by text message only please.

Beth 0449 292 090 Nida 0469 867 601

Annual Pilgrimage - Sydney Cathedral

Date: Saturday, 19 May 2018

Coach leaves OLR church at 10am and

return at 2pm

Please bring a plate to share for lunch.

Cost: $15per person to cover cost of coach hire.

To be prepaid latest by 7 May 2017

Please put your name on the list that is located at the

back of the church to reserve your seat. Payments

can be made at the Parish office using the labelled

envelopes provided.

All payments to be made at the Parish Office.

Contact: Beth - 0449 292 090

txt msg only please.

MOTHER’S DAY PARISH CELEBRATION All Seniors are invited to the Mother’s Day

Morning Tea and Lunch. Cost $5 per person

Saturday 12 May, 10.30am - 2.30pm

at the Parish Hall.

WYD PANAMA 2019

Youth attending pilgrimage 5.

Cost per young person: $8,500.

Pilgrim Support Fund payable to diocese @ 15%

around $2,400. The Diocesan Pilgrim Support Fund

was introduced this year to support youth leaders and

special needs or disadvantaged cases travelling to

WYD19.

No. of books left to be sold 285.

To get sale for the 285 books 5 tickets will be sold

for $10.

More parishioners will be in the draw to win fantastic

prizes.

Parishioners with tickets already, 5 more could be

THE LUCKY ONES.

Last year a parishioner won the 2nd Prize.

This year at least we can hope to win the FIRST

THREE PRIZES.

Good Luck and God Bless us all.

2018 WORLD DAY OF VOCATIONS Pope Francis – Message

‘It will not fill our hearts if we keep standing by the win-dow with the excuse of waiting for the right time, without accepting this very day the risk of making a decision. Vocation is today! The Christian mission is now! Each one of us is called to become a witness of the Lord, here and now. ‘We should not wait to be perfect in order to re-spond with our generous “yes”, nor be fearful of our limi-tations and sins, but instead open our hearts to the voice of the Lord.’ A prayer request You might know of a young person in the parish, in your family or an acquaintance whom you think would make a good priest or religious. Why not pray for them by name on a regular basis? Carry them with you ‘spiritually’ to Mass on Sunday. Sometimes the Lord uses us as his instruments to encourage voca-tions.

CATECHIST / SRE MEETING The next meeting will be held on 30th May 2018 at

12.45pm in the Parish hall meeting room.

IGNITE YOUTH GROUP - THE SHROUD OF TURIN -

4 May 2018. 7pm - 8.30pm. Dinner provided.

For High School Students Yr 7 - 12

@igniteyoutholr (Instagram page)

Klong: 0423 496 675

Barbara: 0478 784 564

Christina: 0410 914 010

April 28-29 2018 : 5th Sunday of Easter:

Dear Parishioners,

Dinner Dance: The parish dinner dance in the hall is on

this Saturday evening, May 5. Come for another great

night. Thanks to Beth and team for the organisation. See

inside for details.

May 12 Parish Mothers Day Seniors Morning Tea and

Lunch:, Thanks to the Ladies Auxiliary for the Seniors

Lunch coming up on Saturday week, May 12. It was great

to see so many in December. Put your name on the list in

the foyer. If you need a lift, let us know.

Congratulations and thanks to Denis and team for the

great Bingo night last Saturday night, and thanks to all who

supported the night.

Oz Rosary May 13 2018: A national rosary campaign has

been organised for May 13, usually the feast of Our Lady

of Fatima (and in our parish the feast of the dedication of

our church), this year the feast of the Ascension of the Lord

and Mothers Day.

We shall participate in this national rosary crusade, with

rosary in this church on May 13 after the 10:30am Mass;

that is, at about 11:40am. Mothers Day is a busy day, but, if

we can, let us participate in this rosary for our nation.

Coming up:. Wed May 2: Men of St Joseph 7:30pm. All welcome.

Sat May 5: Parish Dinner Dance in hall.

Tues May 8: Parent 1st Communion meeting.

Sat May 12: Seniors Mothers’ Day Lunch

Sun May 13: Ascension of the Lord. Mothers Day.

Oz Rosary Around Australia 11:40am.

Tues May 15: Confirmation parent information night.

Sat May 19: St Mary’s Cathedral Pilgrimage

Sun May 20: Pentecost. 1st Communion retreat.

Thurs May 24: Mary Help of Christians. Masses 6:30am,

9am, 7:30pm.

May 26-27: First Communions

Sun June 3: Corpus Christi. Eucharistic Procession,

parish meal with First Communicants.

Sat June 9: Parish meal at Don Bosco (Fr B’s ord 40th)

Sun Nov 4: Parish/school fete.

God bless.

Fr Brendan

******************************************** England, Scotland and Wales to be joined in prayer around

the British coast It started with Poland and then spread to Ireland. Now the idea of ringing the national boundaries with prayer, in particular the Rosary, is coming to the British Isles. On Sunday, April 29, 2018 at 3 p.m., the nations of England, Scotland and Wales will be joined in prayer around the British coast. The intention is to pray for faith, life and peace within the United Kingdom. The organizers are taking their inspiration for this initiative from the Holy Scriptures. Like Joshua marching against the seemingly impregnable walls of Jericho, so too on April 29,

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER 2018, the British faithful will assemble in prayer to tear down the walls of sin and division that are ranged across this country. When asked why to use the Rosary, the organizers said: The Rosary has been given to us as a powerful weapon to fight the darkness of our times and to pray for Peace in our world. The saints have called Our Lady the terror of the demons, and Jesus, Our Lord and Saviour, has entrusted each person and our world to Her Motherly care. Our faith teaches us that it is through the supernatural move-ment of grace and prayer, invoking the powerful intercession of Our Lady that evil is brought down, and goodness and peace seem to be restored among peoples and nations. ******************************************

APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION GAUDETE ET EXSULTATE

OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON THE CALL TO HOLINESS

IN TODAY’S WORLD

THE SAINTS “NEXT DOOR”

6. Nor need we think only of those already beatified and can-

onized. The Holy Spirit bestows holiness in abundance among

God’s holy and faithful people, for “it has pleased God to

make men and women holy and to save them, not as individu-

als without any bond between them, but rather as a people

who might acknowledge him in truth and serve him in holi-

ness”.[3] In salvation history, the Lord saved one people. We

are never completely ourselves unless we belong to a people.

That is why no one is saved alone, as an isolated individual.

Rather, God draws us to himself, taking into account the com-

plex fabric of interpersonal relationships present in a human

community. God wanted to enter into the life and history of a

people.

7. I like to contemplate the holiness present in the patience of

God’s people: in those parents who raise their children with

immense love, in those men and women who work hard to

support their families, in the sick, in elderly religious who

never lose their smile. In their daily perseverance I see the

holiness of the Church militant. Very often it is a holiness

found in our next-door neighbours, those who, living in our

midst, reflect God’s presence. We might call them “the middle

class of holiness”.[4]

8. Let us be spurred on by the signs of holiness that the Lord

shows us through the humblest members of that people which

“shares also in Christ’s prophetic office, spreading abroad a

living witness to him, especially by means of a life of faith

and charity”.[5] We should consider the fact that, as Saint

Teresa Benedicta of the Cross suggests, real history is made

by so many of them. As she writes: “The greatest figures of

prophecy and sanctity step forth out of the darkest night. But

for the most part, the formative stream of the mystical life

remains invisible. Certainly the most decisive turning points

in world history are substantially co-determined by souls

whom no history book ever mentions. And we will only find

out about those souls to whom we owe the decisive turning

points in our personal lives on the day when all that is hidden

is revealed”.[6]

**********************************