Striving to be a “Loving, Caring, Christian Community”

PARISH STAFF

Rev. Sebastian Savarimuthu, Parish Priest

……………..pp@mibp.org.au

PRIESTS' HOUSE

110 Mimosa Road, Bossley Park NSW 2176

Tel: 9604 8927/9729 4005 ........................ Fax: 9729 2128

admin@mibp.org.au ......................... Web: www.mibp.org.au

PARISH SECRETARY (Church foyer) Tel:9604 8927

Mrs Maria Cabiling .................................... admin@mibp.org.au

Office Hours: Monday12-4pm, Tuesday-Friday9.30am-4pm

SACRAMENTAL & LITURGY OFFICE Tel:9609 6087

Maria Cabiling & Teresa Baroni, Sacramental

Coordinators……………. .sacramental@mibp.org.au

Rita Cordina, Music & Liturgy…………liturgy@mibp.org.au

Tues 10am-3pm Wed 9:30am-3:30pm & Thurs 9:30am-

12:30pm

FILIPINO CHAPLAIN

Rev. Nards Mercene, Filipino Chaplain….frnards@idx.com.au

Resides next to the Priests' House.

Tel: 9604 5512 Fax: 9604 5380

ITALIAN CHAPLAIN

Scalabrini Fathers

230 Humphries Rd, Bonnyrigg 2177 Tel: 9610 1025

MARY IMMACULATE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Corner Mimosa & Restwell Roads, Bossley Park

Tel: 9604 3877 Fax: 9609 4988

Mrs Lisa Wahab, Principal

SUNDAY MASSES

Vigil Saturday 6:00pm

Sunday 8:00am 10am 6:00pm

On the second Sunday of each month, at 11.00am, a Mass is

celebrated in Tagalog, the Filipino language.

WEEKDAY MASSES Tuesday – Friday, 9am

RITE OF RECONCILIATION

Saturdays between 5pm and 5.30pm or after any weekday

Mass or by appointment. Conducted only in an open space

within the clear line of sight of another adult.

HOSPITAL CALL : Fairfield Parish 0439 615659

EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT:

Saturday, 4.30pm—5.30pm

BAPTISMS: By appointment only.

Baptisms are celebrated on the of 1st and 3rd Sundays of the

month.

MARRIAGES: By appointment at least 6 months notice.

Catholic Parish of Mary Immaculate, Bossley Park Striving to be “A Loving, Caring, Christian Community”

3RD SUNDAY OF LENT/C

24TH MARCH 2019

Vol. 43 No.17

Gospel Reading Luke 13:1-9 Jesus preaches a lesson on repentance. We may be unfamiliar with fig trees, but we might know about the growth of spring flowers. Perhaps we have looked at a dry, brown flower bulb and wondered how this produces the colorful tulip or daffodil blossom that we expect to bloom in the spring. Perhaps we've even thought about the patience and hope that are required to plant flower bulbs in October. We don't have to be gardeners, however, to know about patience and hopefulness. As parents, we practice these virtues each day with our children. We may become frustrated and even angered by their willfulness and lack of cooperation. Yet we continue to offer our attention and guidance in hope that one day our efforts will bear fruit. Today's parable suggests that God is like that with us, working with us in patience and in hope that one day we will show evidence that such work is not in vain. As parents, we know God's kindness when we find evidence for our hope for our children. Does God find such glimmers of hope as he works with us? Gather your family and show a spring flower in bloom. Recall that in the fall this flower was a dry bulb (if a flower bulb is available, show this as well). Talk about the hopefulness and patience shown by those who plant flower bulbs in the fall in the hope that they will bloom in the spring. Read aloud today's Gospel, Luke 13:1-9. Compare the parable of the barren fig tree to your discussion about spring flowers. Consider the patience and hopefulness that God has with us as he works with us, calling us to return to him when we sin. Offer prayers of thanks and praise to God for his patience and hopefulness towards us. Conclude by praying together today's Psalm, Psalm 103. Reconciliation for preparation for Easter on Monday-Wednesday (8-10 April) 6pm-6:45pm.

We acknowledge the Dharuk People, traditional custodians of this land. May we walk gently and respectfully upon the land.

Fr Sebastian

Celebrating Community

Congratulations to Mikky Baroni and Jessica Cockerton for their

wedding at Boxgrove, Bathurst this weekend.

May God bless them with love, happiness &

good health.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney have introduced new policies and requirements for all those who are 18yrs and over and volunteer in the parish.

All volunteers must read and sign a Volunteer Acceptance Form, a Code of Conduct for Working with Children and Young people and complete an Induction Training Course on Safeguarding Children.

The Safeguarding Office have announced the introduction of an ONLINE Induction Training Course for parish volunteers. To complete the course online, please register by following this link— https://goo.gl/forms/fSnOR2jrB2COg0wG3 . After registration, please wait for them to email back your login. Also, some volunteers are also required to obtain and Working with Children Check (WWCC). These include *Ministers of the Word, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, Children’s Liturgy of the Word, Collectors/Warden, Acolytes, etc. For those who have already submitted their training certificate, signed and returned the forms, thank you.

Catholic Parish of Mary Immaculate, Bossley Park

2

We pray for… Our sick: Christine Smith, Frances De Silva, Dorothy Rundle-Kerley, Domenico Dileo, Rhea Mae & Xander James Abrahams, Presley Nolan Petilla, Franko Jaka Ivan, Luke Gia Luan Chaw, Nanette Cabardo, Ante, Albert & Theresa Purkiss, Anita Marson, Samantha Barrios, Joel Sugay, Neda Stapic, Tony Surace, Marin Batistic, Rita Zammit, Marcel Lapierre, Benedetta Peci, Teresa Skorup, Anita Guillermo, Matthew Joseph, Marija Sipina, Edwina Borg, Sam & Teresa Barbara, Angela Vivona, Darren Mack , Evelyn Siskovic (Names will be removed from the sick list after 3 months unless Parish Office is notified otherwise). Please keep in your prayers the soul of the recently deceased: Donald Clive Schiemer, Caterina Froio, Dario Babich, Giovanni Rossi, Marian Kalinski, Marcello Girotto, David Morrissey, Jeffrey & Lola, Filip Orlovic Stivala, Giuseppe Varrica And those whose anniversaries occur at this time: Rolando Olano, Guido Pontello, Augusto Ballarin, Angelina Piredda, Maria Teresa Badolato, Marija Bakic other deceased including: Enzo Girabaldi, Lina Bonora, Angelina Piredda, Maria Teresa Badolato, Fr Giuseppe Cassarini, Franceso Mesiti, Antonino Vella, Daniel Vella, A Susai, Stefano Collu, Agostino Ranieri, Maria Vothi Co, Pasquale & Francesco Papalia, Maria, Antonino Ieroianni, Maizie Colomb, Rosenda Oclarit, Michael Reitano, Patrick Anderson, Vincenzo & Domenico Oliveri, Maria Luppino, Peter Le Minh Hoang, Maria Nguyen Thi Tu, Clarito Uy, Carmelo Riviera, Josip Lozina, Nina Sultana, Paul Formosa, Manuel Santos, Stefano Cantele, Anthony Camilleri, Vincenzo Bugge, Carmelo Oliveri, Derrick Mack, Bruno & Catherine Viler, Lourdes Balgos, Saverio Laria, Andelko Lozina, Josefina Borbe, Agapita Valdez, Rosa Marando, Sybil Roache, Milan Bakic, Joseph Pham, Stella & Carmen Galea, Frances Borg, Rocco Leuzzi, Concetta Papalia, Fr Denis Foley, Chris Baddock, Panneer Selvam, Joseph Schembri, Maria Sulfaro, Philip Cauchi, Conchita San Miguel, Dulcie Soans, Mary Mahony, Bernarda Debono, Tom Anderson, Mariantonia Pisano, Marcello & Elsa Soligo, Don Smith, Daphne Watts, Vincenzo & Anna Peci, Chang You Chiu, Gloria Roache, Anthony & Antonia Cardona, Mario Manea, Manea-Melosso Lucia, Marcello & Angela Seraglio, all deceased in the families of Borg, Seraglio, Skondro family & Mario & Beniamino Fuser & all Souls in Purgatory. May they rest in peace.

Parish Diary

Monday

25th March

9.00am Communion Service

10.00am Italian Prayer Group

Tuesday

26th March

9.00am Mass

Wednesday

27th March

9.00am Mass

9.30am Rosary

7.30pm Choir

Thursday

28th March

9.00am Mass

9.30am Prayer Group

7.30pm Baptismal Info

Friday

29th March

9.00am Mass

9.30am Divine Mercy Rosary

7.00pm Stations of the Cross

7.30pm JHPC Praise & Worship

7.30pm Disciples

Saturday

30th March

4.30pm Adoration

5.00pm Reconciliation

6.00pm Vigil Mass –Family Mass

Rite of acceptance-1st Reconciliation

Sunday

31st March

4th Sunday of Lent

8.00am Mass

9.10am Legion of Mary

10.00am Mass –Rite of Acceptance

6.00pm Mass-Rite of Acceptance

Rite of Christian

Initiation of Adults (RCIA):

Congratulations to our Catechumens name-

ly, Stephanie Klaver, Tommy Baccam,

Dandan Lou and Jane Dang, who partici-

pated in the “Rite of Election” last Sunday

at St Mary’s Cathedral, presented to Archbishop An-

thony Fisher. Please continue to support our catechumens

through your prayers and encouragement. Thank you.

If you are interested to know more about the Catholic

faith pls call 9604-8927 or 0432-078640 (RCIA Team)

$2 in the foyer.

LENTEN SCHEDULE 2019

Mary Immaculate Parish, Bossley Park

29 March—12 April—Stations of the Cross Every Friday throughout Lent commencing at 7pm in the Church. Plenary Council Discussions-7:30pm in the Church led by Lina Piccione Thursday 21 March, Thursday 4 April 8—10 April—Lenten Retreat led by Fr. Gilbert Carlo SVD Focused on Eucharist, The Word of God & The Passion of our Lord for Healing

14 April—Passion (Palm) Sunday

With Procession of Palms into the Church Masses: Vigil 6:00pm, Sunday 8:00am, 10:00am, 6:00pm 18 April—Holy Thursday - Celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7.30pm followed by Adoration at the Altar of Repose until 11:00pm

19 April—Good Friday 10:00am - Morning Prayer followed by the Stations of the Cross 1:00pm - Filipino Liturgy 4:00pm - Celebration of the Lord’s Passion & Veneration of the Cross 20 April—Easter Saturday Morning Prayer at 10am followed by the Blessing of Easter foods. Easter Vigil commencing at 6:00pm with the Blessing of Easter Fire, Lighting of the Paschal Candle and Procession of candles into the Church. 21 April - Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord Masses: 8:00am, 10:00am Note : No 6pm Mass

Consent to Film and Photograph a child/children in the Parish :

As a general rule, no consent is required to photograph or film

groups of 10 or more children (where they are not identified by

name). However, for one child or a group of less than 10 children,

general consent form should be obtain by parent/guardian.

Striving to be a “Loving, Caring, Christian Community”

Rosters for next weekend

30th - 31st March 2019

Vigil 8.00 am 10.00am 6pm

Min of

the

word*

1st

2nd

Comm

M Cabiling

S Cabardo

J Habelreeh

C La Delfa

D Pizzin

A Pizzin

R Agostino

A Jaser

C Thomas

F Morandarte

N Redoblado

P Redoblado

Acolytes* E Cardona J Gerardis

ALTAR SERVERS K Bitetto

M&M Petros

J&H Olive

C&T Reid E&O Jaser

X Thomas A Paul

T Aboujaoude

Collectors/

Wardens*

E Sadsad

J De Jesus

P Cabiling

N Wright

B Martignago

P Fernandez

V Zammit

H Pante

R Noronha

R Salenga

L La Rosa

T Zerafa

G Bykowski

F Seraglio

E Garzaniti

MUSIC CD

C Labis

M Vargas M Balgos CD

Volunteer

Data Projector S Poullath T Pham T Balgos L Karabatic

WELCOMERS —

General

MIPS N Lozina Volunteer Volunteer

PIETY STALL C Piredda G Smith M La Rosa A Morandarte

COUNTERS :

Group 5

B&M Cruz

A&S Karabatic

Children’s Liturgy:

M Aboujaoude

L Tesoriero

MORNING

TEA : After

8am–

Baddock

Family

10am-

M Biag

L Tesoriero

ALTAR

LINEN :

Angelina

Trimboli

Altar Flowers:

No Flowers

during Lent

CHURCH

CLEANING

Group 8 B Yaqo

R Aziz

K Oraqaa

L Ezarya

Office

Helpers :

T Baroni

A Hanna

Jenny

E Olive

EXTRA-

ORDINARY

MINISTER OF

HOLY

COMMUNION *

F Labis

A Sterrey

E Olive

R Bitetto

G Marabella

M La Delfa

M Gaspi

A Mirabilio

R Wright

A Sartoretto

B D’Costa

N D’Costa

R Ranola

H Vella

E Ventura

V Zammit

Volunteer

T Corpus

R Morandarte

L Bykowski

Y Harvey

E Gubert

SACRAMENT OF

1ST HOLY COMMUNION

LAST DAY OF Registration will be on the

29th March. No late registration.

Rite of Acceptance is on the 30th/31st March—

Pls. bring the form

Parish Bulletin notice for Mass Talks

WorldWideMarriageEncountercoupleswill

speakonatMassesthisweekendof

23-24March2019.Thisisagreatopportunityand

encouragesyoutobookforanenrichingweekendexperience.

TheWeekendisscheduledfor26-28April2019heldatthe

MountCarmelVarroville.ThereisalsooneinAugustand

November2019.Forbookings,pleasecontact:Adrian&Janet

SullivanTel.0490774419Email:

nswbookings@wwme.org.au

Please donate generously.

Mary Immaculate Excursion—Blue Mountains

Tuesday 2nd April 2019

Inviting Parishioners to come to an excursion at Bygone

Beauty’s Treasured Teapot Museum and Tearooms at

Leura in the Blue Mountains.

Price includes bus morning tea

entry to museum, 2 courses

homemade lunch tea or coffee

and handmade shortbread. Cost

50.00

Depart at 8am in front of the Presbytery and return

between 4-4.30pm. Please give your payment in an

envelope with your name and contact number to the

Parish office. Only three seats left.

Third Sunday of Lent—A�er revisi�ng the Gospel for the

week, take some �me to reflect on the ff:

Adults: What important work could bear fruit in your life

right now if you have more confidence in God’s loving care?

Children: What great work would you like to do as you grow

older? What can you do to begin now?

LITURGY OF THE WORD

3*+ S,-+./ 01 L2-3

1st Reading : Ex 3:1-8,13-15

Responsorial Psalm:

The Lord is kind and merciful.

2nd Reading : Cor 10:1-6,10-12 Gospel: Lk 13:1-9

N2B3 W22C2-+ : 43E S,-+./ 01 L2-3

Josh 5:9-12; Cor 5:17-21; Lk15:1-3,11-32

HELPERS NEEDED FOR HOLY WEEK AND TRIDUUM

As Holy week and Easter draw closer, your help is needed

to ensure that all our celebrations run smoothly.

If you are able to assist at any of our celebrations, please

write your name and contact number on the appropriate

clipboard in the Church foyer. Thank you and God bless

Fatima Night—13th May 2019, 6pm at Mary

Immaculate - Fr Iacono will celebrate the 102nd

Anniversary of the 1st Apparition of Fatima Portugal with

Healing Mass, Rosary, Confessions, silent, prayerful personal

adoration on the 13th May at 6pm.

Watson Stafford Zipkis Solicitors Attorneys Conveyancers

*buying & selling prop. & businesses *

Leases * loan assistance * wills and estates * police and criminal matters

* debt recovery * family law property settlements

Suite 1, 1st Floor, 41 Spencer Street, Fairfield, Tel 9728 7000 Fax 9728 4455

mention this ad for a 10% discount off a standard Will fee

SMASH REPAIRS

www.westfieldsmash.com.au

FRANK SPAGNOLO

Managing Director

20-22 Tangerine Street, Fairfield NSW 2165

Smash repairer for all major leading

insurance companies.

Ph : (02)9726 8866

Fax: (02) 9726 2381

Frank Mob: 0412 305 506

24 Hr Towing 9757 2666

We We focus on Business and Family Law, with experience in all areas. Led by principal Susan

Dinkha, who has served the community for over 20 years, delivering legal advice with quality, integrity

and dependability,

Susan Dinkha Solicitor 310 Prairievale Rd Phone: 9604 6470 Prairiewood 2176 Fax: 9729 0259

info@emmaus.com.au www.emmaus.com.au

MARY IMMACULATE PARISH REGISTRATION FORM : New to the Parish/details changed?

Name:______________________________________________ Address _____________________________________

Home Phone: ________________ Mobile: ______________ Email:______________________________________

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN : REGISTERING IN PARISH : __________ SACRAMENTS___________

VOLUNTEER IN ANY MINISTRIES__________ OTHERs:_____________________PG Envelope _________

Please place this completed form in the collection or give to Fr Sebastian or Parish Office and will be in contact with you.

For info : email admin@mibp.org.au or call 9604 8927 or visit our website : www.mibp.org.au

MALTA TRAVEL/PENDLE HILL TRAVEL: Tours for 2019

16 Days Highlights of New Zealand: 6 - 21 March - SOLD OUT.

15 Days Europe River Cruise: 5 - 20 May

One single lady to share with Monica Ledger. The rest SOLD OUT!

Call Monica on 98960712 or 0414859386

12 Days- Gold Coast to Cairns: 3 - 14 August.

Gold Coast - Brisbane - Sunshine Coast - Noosa - Bundaberg - Rockhampton - Mackay -Proserpine - Townsville - Karunda - Fitzroy Island and Cairns! We join the Australian Outback

Spectacular! Enjoy the Great Barrier Reef Cruise! Call Charlie Felice on 9631 2689 or 0412 523 893.

Advertising

Space available

for $165 for 3

months

Pray for the Plenary Council

Across Australia, Catholics are gathering to pray, talk and

listen to one another about our experiences of faith and

the Church. Many parishes within the Archdiocese have

commenced their journey towards the Plenary Council

2020, sharing and reflecting on the future of the Catholic

church in Australia. Please continue to pray for the

community of the Sydney Archdiocese that we will respond

well to the call of the Holy Spirit, by engaging in the

preparatory phase of the Plenary with open and humble

hearts, listening to what the Spirit is saying to each one of

us as we share our experiences of faith towards the

preparation of the agenda of the Plenary Council. The

Plenary Council Prayer: http://

plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/pray/

Want to know more or on how to become involved? Please

contact 9390 5147 or email

plenarycouncil@sydneycatholic.org

Servicing the community for their Travel needs since 1974.

In 2020 we will be arranging a pilgrimage tour to either the Holy lands or Lourdes & Fatima. Register your interest with our office by phone or email and we’ll update you once when more information is available. Suite 1, 9 William Street, Fairfield NSW 2165 Tel: (02) 9728 1900 Fax: (02) 9725 7627

Email: info@marconitravel.com.au

Child protection policies are accessible on the

Safeguarding tab of the Catholic Archdiocese

of Sydney (CAS) website

www.sydneycatholic.org PH 9390 5812 Kids

Help Line on 1800 551800. Policies are

posted in the church foyer.

NAIL AND BEAUTY SERVICE

Specialize in :

Acrylic, SNS, Manicure, Gel

( shellac)

Eyebrow, Eyelash perming

Appointments are essential

Contact : LUCY on 0452369012

Striving to be a “Loving, Caring, Christian Community”

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS

FOR LENT 2019 “For the creation waits with eager longing

for the revealing of the children of God” (Rm 8: 19)

Dear Brothers and Sisters Each year, through Mother Church, God “gives

us this joyful season when we prepare to celebrate the paschal mystery with mind and heart renewed… as we recall the great events

that gave us new life in Christ” (Preface of Lent I). We can thus journey from Easter to Easter

towards the fulfilment of the salvation we have already received as a result of Christ’s paschal mystery – “for in hope we were saved” (Rom

8:24). This mystery of salvation, already at work in us during our earthly lives, is a dynamic

process that also embraces history and all of creation. As Saint Paul says, “the creation waits

with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God” (Rom 8:19). In this

perspective, I would like to offer a few reflections to accompany our journey of

conversion this coming Lent. 1. The redemption of creation

The celebration of the Paschal Triduum of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection, the

culmination of the liturgical year, calls us yearly to undertake a journey of preparation, in the

knowledge that our being conformed to Christ (cf. Rom 8:29) is a priceless gift of God’s mercy. When we live as children of God, redeemed, led by the Holy Spirit (cf. Rom 8:14) and capable of

acknowledging and obeying God’s law, beginning with the law written on our hearts and

in nature, we also benefit creation by cooperating in its redemption. That is why Saint

Paul says that creation eagerly longs for the revelation of the children of God; in other

words, that all those who enjoy the grace of Jesus’ paschal mystery may experience its

fulfilment in the redemption of the human body itself. When the love of Christ transfigures the lives of the saints in spirit, body and soul, they

give praise to God. Through prayer, contemplation and art, they also include other creatures in that praise, as we see admirably

expressed in the “Canticle of the Creatures” by Saint Francis of Assisi (cf. Laudato Si’, 87). Yet

in this world, the harmony generated by redemption is constantly threatened by the

negative power of sin and death. 2. The destructive power of sin

Indeed, when we fail to live as children of God, we often behave in a destructive way

towards our neighbours and other creatures – and ourselves as well – since we begin to think more or less consciously that we can

use them as we will. Intemperance then takes the upper hand: we start to live a life that

exceeds those limits imposed by our human condition and nature itself. We yield to those

untrammelled desires that the Book of Wisdom sees as typical of the ungodly, those who act without thought for God or hope for

the future (cf. 2:1-11). Unless we tend constantly towards Easter, towards the

horizon of the Resurrection, the mentality expressed in the slogans “I want it all and I

want it now!” and “Too much is never enough”, gains the upper hand.

The root of all evil, as we know, is sin, which from its first appearance has disrupted our

communion with God, with others and with creation itself, to which we are linked in a particular way by our body. This rupture of communion with God likewise undermines

our harmonious relationship with the environment in which we are called to live, so that the garden has become a wilderness (cf. Gen 3:17-18). Sin leads man to consider himself the god of creation, to see himself as its absolute master and to use it, not for the

purpose willed by the Creator but for his own interests, to the detriment of other creatures. Once God’s law, the law of love, is forsaken, then the law of the strong over the weak takes

over. The sin that lurks in the human heart (cf. Mk 7:20-23) takes the shape of greed and unbridled pursuit of comfort, lack of concern for the good of others and even of oneself. It

leads to the exploitation of creation, both persons and the environment, due to that insatiable covetousness which sees every

desire as a right and sooner or later destroys all those in its grip.

3. The healing power of repentance and forgiveness

Creation urgently needs the revelation of the children of God, who have been made “a new creation”. For “if anyone is in Christ, he is a

new creation; the old has passed away; (Continued on page 6)

Catholic Parish of Mary Immaculate, Bossley Park

6

Lenten Retreat on Eucharist, The Word of God

& The Passion of our Lord For Healing

From April 8–10, 2019,

Confession at 6pm-6.45pm, followed by 7pm Mass and talk &

reflection at 7.30pm At: Mary Immaculate Church

Retreat is focused on Prayer, Meditation, Contemplation, Eucharist & the Word of God, which deepens our relationship with God & one another… Saturday /Sunday, April 6 / 7: Homily at weekend masses. Fr.Gilbert Carlo svd (Divine Word Missionary), has been conducting scripture based meditative retreats since 1989, in India, Australia, USA, UK, Germany and many other countries to promote contemplation in the Church. To register, please put your name and contact details in the foyer.

behold, the new has come” (2 Cor 5:17). Indeed, by virtue of their being revealed,

creation itself can celebrate a Pasch, opening itself to a new heaven and a new earth (cf. Rev

21:1). The path to Easter demands that we renew our faces and hearts as Christians

through repentance, conversion and forgiveness, so as to live fully the abundant

grace of the paschal mystery. This “eager longing”, this expectation of all creation, will be fulfilled in the revelation of the children of God, that is, when Christians

and all people enter decisively into the “travail” that conversion entails. All creation

is called, with us, to go forth “from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious

liberty of the children of God” (Rom 8:21). Lent is a sacramental sign of this conversion. It invites Christians to embody the paschal

mystery more deeply and concretely in their personal, family and social lives, above all by

fasting, prayer and almsgiving. Fasting, that is, learning to change our attitude

towards others and all of creation, turning away from the temptation to “devour”

everything to satisfy our voracity and being ready to suffer for love, which can fill the

emptiness of our hearts. Prayer, which teaches us to abandon idolatry and the self-sufficiency

of our ego, and to acknowledge our need of the Lord and his mercy. Almsgiving, whereby

we escape from the insanity of hoarding everything for ourselves in the illusory belief

that we can secure a future that does not belong to us. And thus to rediscover the joy of

God’s plan for creation and for each of us, which is to love him, our brothers and sisters, and the entire world, and to find in this love

our true happiness. Dear brothers and sisters, the “lenten” period of forty days spent by the Son of God in the desert of creation had the goal of making it once more that garden of communion with God that it was before original sin (cf. Mk

1:12-13; Is 51:3). May our Lent this year be a journey along that same path, bringing the

hope of Christ also to creation, so that it may be “set free from its bondage to decay and

obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Rom 8:21). Let us not allow this season

of grace to pass in vain! Let us ask God to

help us set out on a path of true conversion. Let us leave behind our selfishness and self-

absorption, and turn to Jesus’ Pasch. Let us stand beside our brothers and sisters in need, sharing our spiritual and material goods with them. In this way, by concretely welcoming Christ’s victory over sin and death into our lives, we will also radiate its transforming

power to all of creation. From the Vatican, 4 October 2018

Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi

Striving to be a “Loving, Caring, Christian Community”

Catholic Parish of Mary Immaculate, Bossley Park

8