26 MARCH 2017 4th SUNDAY OF LENT, YR A

WELCOME TO NEW PARISHIONERS

Please fill-in a Membership Form which is available from the turn stand in the foyer of the Church and post or

hand-in to the Parish Office. Thank you

PARISH NEWSLETTER

CATHOLIC PARISH OF APPLECROSS

St Benedict’s Church

Parish Priest: Fr Nelson Po Parish Secretary: Colleen Geldenhuys

115 Ardross St PO Box 1831

Ardross WA 6153 Applecross, 6953

Tel: 9364 1120 Fax: 9316 9587 E: admin@stbenedicts.net.au www.stbenedicts.net.au

Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Is 66:10-11

Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast.

First Reading: 1 Sm 16:1. 6-7. 10-13

A reading from the first book of Samuel

The Lord said to Samuel, ‘Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen myself a king among his sons.’ When Samuel arrived, he caught sight of Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed one stands there before him,’ but the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Take no notice of his appearance or his height for I have rejected him; God does not see as man sees; man looks at appearances but the Lord looks at the heart.’ Jesse presented his seven sons to Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, ‘The Lord has not chosen these.’ He then asked Jesse, ‘Are these all the sons you have?’ He answered, ‘There is still one left, the youngest; he is out looking after the sheep.’ Then Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send for him; we will not sit down to eat until he comes.’ Jesse had him sent for, a boy of fresh complexion, with fine eyes and pleasant bearing. The Lord said, ‘Come, anoint him, for this is the one.’ At this, Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him where he stood with his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord seized on David and stayed with him from that day on.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 22 R. v.1

(R.) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Second Reading: Eph 5:8-14

A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Ephesians

You were darkness once, but now you are light in the Lord; be like children of light, for the effects of the light are seen in com-plete goodness and right living and truth. Try to discover what the Lord wants of you, having nothing to do with the futile works of darkness but exposing them by contrast. The things which are done in secret are things that people are ashamed even to speak of; but anything exposed by the light will be illuminated and anything illuminated turns into light. That is why it is said:

Wake up from your sleep, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation: Jn 8:12

Glory to you, Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ! I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life. Glory to you, Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ!

Gospel: Jn 9:1. 6-9. 13-17. 34-38 A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

As Jesus went along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. He spat on the ground, made a paste with the spittle, put this over the eyes of the blind man and said to him, ‘Go and wash in the Pool of Siloam’ (a name that means ‘sent’). So the blind man went off and washed himself, and came away with his sight restored. His neighbours and people who earlier had seen him begging said, ‘Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?’ Some said, ‘Yes, it is the same one.’ Others said, ‘No, he only looks like him.’ The man himself said, ‘I am the man.’ They brought the man who had been blind to the Pharisees. It had been a sabbath day when Jesus made the paste and opened the man’s eyes, so when the Pharisees asked him how he had come to see, he said, ‘He put a paste on my eyes, and I washed, and I can see.’ Then some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man cannot be from God: he does not keep the sabbath.’ Others said, ‘How could a sinner produce signs like this?’ And there was disagreement among them. So they spoke to the blind man again, ‘What have you to say about him yourself, now that he has opened your eyes?’ ‘He is a prophet’ replied the man. ‘Are you trying to teach us,’ they replied ‘and you a sinner through and through, since you were born!’ And they drove him away. Jesus heard they had driven him away, and when he found him he said to him, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’ ‘Sir,’ the man replied ‘tell me who he is so that I may believe in him.’ Jesus said, ‘You are looking at him; he is speaking to you.’ The man said, ‘Lord, I believe’, and worshipped him.

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord, Jesus Christ

Communion Antiphon: Cf. Jn 9:11,38

The Lord anointed my eyes: I went, I washed, I saw and I believed in God.

MASS TIMES

Mon: Communion Service @ 7am

Wed/Fri: 7.00am

Tues/Thurs: 9.00am

Sat: 7.30am

Sat Vigil: 6.00pm

Sun: 7.30am, 9.30am & 6.00pm

If Public Holiday falls on Mon/

Wed/Fri, Mass/Communion

Service will be celebrated at

7.30am

ALTAR SOCIETY: MRS J GARDNER & MRS D ALLEN COUNTERS: P. SEQUEIRA, L. ORIFICI, J. COWIE, I. DOWNES,L. LIU PILGRIM STATUE: C & S GELDENHUYS CHILDREN’S LITURGY:

Archdiocesan & Other News:

FR LEO PATALINGHUG IS COMING BACK! After a successful Why Be Catholic Conference at St Lawrence and Mary Immaculate, Balcatta, last year, the team is very excited to bring back Fr. Leo. For those who do not know of him, he is the 'break-dancing, board-breaking, bread-baking' priest from Maryland, USA (see www.gracebeforemeals.com for more details on Fr Leo). VENUE: APPLECROSS, St Benedict PROGRAM: 5:30 -Mass; 6.00-7.30 - Dinner (BYO or pre-order); 7.30-8.30 - Talk: In the Footsteps of The Apostles; 8.30-9.00 - Adoration; 9.00-9.30 -Book Signing; Goodnight COST: A collection will be taken during this session. Pre-order dinner for $15 per person. To register and more information, go to www.evangelisationaustralia.com, with or without dinner, as seating is strictly limited. Apparition Hill coming to Perth…from the acclaimed director of The Triumph comes a powerful new film that chronicles the incredible journey of 7 strangers who embark across the globe to investigate on of the greatest mysteries of the modern era. Apparition Hill is an emotionally charged “cinematic pilgrimage “ to the little – known village of Medjugorje nestled along the Croatian-Bosnia-Herzegovina borders. Discover the shared miracles as two atheists, a sceptic, two terminally ill pa-tients, a widower and a recovering addict learn about life…and what comes after. Screening at Luna Leederville 155 Oxford Street. Sunday May 14th 6.30pm. For Bookings go to www.trybooking.com/26068 ( no door sales on the day ) Further enquiries Viola Barbas 0419943265 or violabarbas@iinet.net.au THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME AUSTRALIA Medicine Information Session at the Fremantle Campus is on Sunday 26th of March at 11 am in the Drill Hall (ND25). For more information & registration, visit http://www.nd.edu.au/events/fremantle or contact the Prospective Students Office on 9433 0533 HEALING MASS—Holy Family Church, Como Celebrant: Fr Joseph Faller. When: 6 & 7 April @ 7pm. Where: 45 Thelma St, Como.

SAT: 6PM SUN: 7.30AM SUN:9.30AM SUN: 6PM

ACOLYTE T. MEO N. THOMAS D. RIGG W. DORAY

ALTAR SERVERS L. MORRIS

E. BIANCUZZO

A. ALBUQUERQUE

A. FOLEY

T. HAN

N. DORAY

E. FRANCHINA

COLLECTORS N & C SETH G. DOYLE J. HOWARD

R. BUNN P. BELVISO

C. JOSEPH

COMMENTATORS E. SANTIMANO J. OVERMAN C. HACKETT J. NORTON

READERS Y. GARBIN

G. CLAY M. ILLICH

M. ANDERSON P. SEARSON

T. RYAN R. RANIERI

C. COSTIN

EMOCH

P. DOWNES

M. HILL

E. O’CONNOR

F & B MEYERKORT

S. SALDANHA

B. LILLIS

H. OVERMAN

R. DOWLING

C. RECHICHI

R. ODORISIO

K. WRINGE

M. BUNN

J. PHILLIPS

P. TRUEMAN

C. GELDENHUYS

D. LONGO

K. BOWNES

M & G CINANNI

R. PAUL

PARISH ROSTERS— 1 & 2 APRIL 2017

Reconciliation: Sat: 11am—12noon

4.30pm-5.30pm

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Mon: 7.30am—5pm Tues/Thurs: 9.30am—5pm Wed/Fri: 7.30am—5pm Sat: 8am—12noon

Rosary Groups: For the Sick: Mon—7pm For Priest & Vocations: Sat—8am Cenacle: Thurs—9.30am

Prayer Group: Mary Mother of Sorrows: Thurs @ 1pm in Fr Albert Lynch Room

Baptisms: Sundays @ 11.30am

Marriages: By appointment

PARISH SAFEGUARDING OFFICERS: Karl Brown Frances Meyerkort Ondine Komnick

PLEASE PRAY FOR RECENTLY DECEASED:

ANNIVERSARIES: Michel Elhaj, Brian Gardner, Manuel Serralha, Antonio Orifici, Victor Harris, all deceased benefactors of the parish and all departed family and friends. Please remember all the sick in our Parish.

April 2017

S M Tu W Th F Sa

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30

April

4-Apr Mass of Healing & Morning Tea Mass

4-Apr 2nd Rite of Reconciliation for Easter Liturgy

8-Apr Family Mass followed with Picnic Mass

9-Apr Palm Sunday Mass

13-Apr Holy Thursday Mass

14-Apr Good Friday Liturgy

15-Apr Easter Saturday Mass

16-Apr Easter Sunday Mass

21-Apr Fr Leo Patalinghug Presentation & Mass event

25-Apr Anzac Day & Morning Tea Mass

29-Apr Busy Bee Busy Bee

30-Apr 9.30am Morning Tea Morning Tea

Next Week’s Readings: 5th Sunday of Lent, Yr A 1st Reading: Ezek 37:12-14 2nd Reading: Rom 8:8-11 Gospel: Jn 11:1-45

ST BENEDICT’S NEWS:

WELCOME TO NEW PARISHIONERS

Please fill-in a Member-ship Form available from the turn stand in the foyer of the Church and post or hand-in to the Parish Office. Thank you.

APPLECROSS CATHOLIC WOMEN'S LEAGUE We would like to thank all parishioners who support our request for donations, it is greatly appreciated. We will be holding the raffle this weekend and tickets are available after all masses—1 for $2.00 or 3 for $5.00. All monies raised will be going to support our seminarians at St Charles Seminary

FRIDAYS DURING LENT AT 7PM

LENTEN PROGRAMME IN PARISH

"The Prophetic Call is a call to the cutting edge” says Sr. Joan Chittister. What does this call have to do with you? Please join us in the Albert Lynch Room from 7.30-8.30pm each Wednesday evening until 5th April. Cost $4 (Booklet provided). All welcome.

PALM SUNDAY WALK FOR JUSTICE FOR REFUGEES, 2017 You are invited to join with churches and community organisations in a peaceful walk through the streets of Perth to ask for compassion for refugees and asylum seekers. WHEN: Palm Sunday 9 April 1.00 p.m. – 3.00 p.m. WHERE: St George’s Cathedral, 38 St George’s Tce, Perth.

Calling All Seniors

With the ‘Australian Catholic Bishops Conference’s 2016-2017 Social Justice Statement - A Place at the Table: Social Justice in an Ageing Society’ in mind, Father Nelson and the Parish Pastoral Council would like to emphasise how important we value our seniors and in this regard invite you to a meeting on Friday 7 April at 11am in the Albert Lynch room to discuss ways in which we can be “communities of mercy and love”, as well as having a bit of fun! If you have any queries please contact Maureen Bright on 0413831357.

Our Parish Commitment weekend this weekend Parishioners have the opportunity to join one or more ministries or parish groups. Present ministers and volunteers will have the opportunity to renew their commitment or advise if they are unable to continue. This is also an opportunity to update your details for our data-base and/or commit to our Planned Giving program. Thank you.

EASTER ROSTERS ARE AT THE BACK OF THE CHURCH, PLEASE WOULD YOU BE SO KIND AS TO OFFER YOUR SERVICE FOR THE EASTER LITURGIES, THANK YOU.

HEALING & ANOINTING OF THE SICK MASS Healing is for all people. God has the power to heal all afflictions, physically or spiritually. It is up to us, His people to ask Him to heal us. TUESDAY, 4 APRIL @ 9AM—ST BENEDICT’S CHURCH All invited to share in the Morning Tea after Mass.

ALTAR SERVERS’ TRAINING - 7th APRIL @ 3.30PM

Calling all current servers and those who would like to become an altar server to a training session here in the Church. We will be having Pizza for afternoon tea before training which will be from 4-5pm. If you are interested, please contact the Parish office to register your interest. Thank you.

Parish Rosters New rosters have been emailed out and are also available from the stand outside the church. Please help yourself.

Any queries, please contact Colleen in the office.

New Parishioners, and those not so new, who wish to update their census details: Please put your name and address in the space below and drop into the collection basket or email to the office. Thanks!

Name____________________________________________Email____________________________

Residential Address_______________________________________ No of People in household______

PS: If you would like to join the Applecross Parish Planned Giving Programme and give your financial support to maintaining the parish buildings and grounds, please tick this box and Colleen, the Parish Secretary, will organise for a set of planned giving envelopes to be issued to you.

REFLECTION: by Dianne Bergant CSS

Humans see and judge by appearances, but God looks into the heart, and there finds the real person. God’s standards are not superfi-

cial, as are so many of the standards of the world. It is not age, beauty or physical strength that is important; it is not social position or

religious role that is preferred. God chooses whom God chooses. God saw in David, the insignificant shepherd, the potential for being

the chief shepherd of his people. The man who was born blind became the one through whom others would see the mighty works of

God. Yet, neither young David nor the man in the gospel made the initial step; each simply responded with openness to God’s choice of

him.

By what criteria do we judge others? Do we consider some people too insignificant for greatness? Are we overly concerned with sta-

tus? Do we categorise people according to the disease or physical limitation that they must endure? Do we sometimes blame them for

their disability? Do our eyes perceive life in accord with the standards of a materialistic, body-orientated, pleasure-seeking society? Or

do we look into the other’s heart, as God does?

As with the other scrutiny Sundays, catechumens and long-standing members alike are exhorted to make a choice. Jesus is the one

who gives sight to blind eyes and religious insight to those open to receive it. However, there is a price to pay. Will it be the standards

of the world, or the power of God in Jesus Christ?

CHILDREN’S CORNER:

CATHOLIC STUFF

THE BEST FASTING: • Fast on offensive words and transmit only sweet and tender words • Fast on dissatisfaction and fill yourself with gratitude. • Fast on anger and fill yourself with meekness and patience. • Fast on pessimism and be filled with optimism • Fast on worries and be filled with confidence in God • Fast on laments and take pleasure in the simple things of life. • Fast on stress and fill yourself with prayer. • Fast on sadness and bitterness, and fill your heart with joy. • Fast on selfishness, and be filled with compassion for others. • Fast on unforgiveness and vendetta, and be filled with acts of reconciliation and forgiveness. • Fast on words and fill yourself with silence and readiness to listen to others. If we all practice this style of fasting, our everyday will be filled with peace, joy, trust in each other, and life. By Pope Francis

LENTEN PROGRAM:

Stations of the Cross: Each Friday during Lent @ 7.00pm

2nd Rite of Reconciliation: 4 April @ 7pm

Good Friday: 14 April 2017

Easter Sunday: 16 April 2017

Fourth Sunday of Lent

26th March 2017

In Vietnam, young Nguyet was isolated as a result of her severe disabilities, until a Caritas-Australia supported program offered her education, creative outlets and community interaction. Please donate to Project Compassion 2017 and give children living with disabilities in Vietnam the opportunity for education and inclusion in their community. You can donate through Parish boxes and envelopes, by visiting www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion or phoning 1800 024 413.

Total donations for Week 3—$890.00

This reading is a strong and powerful message for our times where so many of our neighbours have experienced circumstances not of their making and are in need of a helping hand. In our Project Compassion story this week, we meet Nguyet from Vietnam, a young woman with a severe disability. As is the case in many countries, people like Nguyet and her family are often ‘out of sight’ when it comes to receiving the support and care needed to participate in the life of the community. As Jesus turned his gaze to the man born blind, may we refuse to avert our gaze from those who most need acceptance, love and support. Together with Caritas Australia’s partner agency Catholic Relief Ser-vices, may we be ignited by the promise of enlivened hope for Nguyet and her community.