2 King St, Manly Vale 2093 phone 9949 4455

Email : parishoffice@northharbourcatholic.org.au

Website: www.northharbourcatholic.org.au

21st Sunday Ordinary Time Yr C 25August 2019 IN THE CARE OF THE AUGUSTINIANS

The Catholic Community of North Harbour

Readings this week: Isaiah 66:18-21 Hebrews 12:5-7. 11-13 Luke 13:22-30 Responsorial Psalm : Go out to all the world and tell the Good News

Readings next week: Sirach 3:17-20. 28-29 Hebrews 12:18-19. 22-24 Luke 14:1.7-14

Dear Friends,

Each year at this time, Augustinians celebrate St Augustine and his mother St Monica - both worthy models for us in our living. Augustine the Searcher knew the highs and lows of his humanness and learnt many things from his mother, surviving times of tension that strained their relationship. In 386 he embraced the Christian Faith and discovered a strong spiritual bond with her which culminated in their shared mystical experience at Ostia before Monica’s death.

As I celebrate 50 years as a priest, I am so grateful for the down-to-earth spirit of St Augustine and the familiarity with his life, teaching and spirituality. As Augustinians, we are called to bring to the Priesthood the richness of the Order’s charism – community and friendship, love, truth, the inner search for God, and a style of life that is ‘saintly and ordinary’.

Today I am very aware of the grace that family is – and how the lives of very diverse people bump against each other, so to speak. It was thus in my family – religiously diverse but so much richer for that, a family blessed with strong friendships. I treasure the influence of my parents – my Dad an Anglican, gentle in manner, unswervingly honest and faithful, and my Mum a Catholic convert, woman of deep spirituality and wisdom, who lived her faith in a saintly and ordinary way and carried the cross of sickness patiently for many years.

My parents’ decision to send me to an Augustinian school had significant ramifications. Though we learned very little about St Augustine at school – perhaps his early life was

an embarrassment – his years of searching for God and later conversion and formation of religious communities resonated with my journey. Every experience formed Augustine as Convert, Christian, Religious Founder, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, and influenced the richness of his faith and teaching.

My call to the priesthood was not expected though I am not the first priest in my family - there were a couple of priests in the Hayes-line a few generations ago. Coincidentally, a cousin in Melbourne entered the seminary around the same time as myself. He is now a bishop so the family are pretty used to having priests around by now!

As a priest, I am often in close touch with people’s journeys, on both happy and sad occasions – preparing to receive sacraments, planning to marry, dealing with sickness, facing a loved one’s farewell. I am forever in awe at what happens in our human story and grateful to Pope Francis for keeping me grounded, ‘You are servants, not princes!’

As Christians, we must hold on to our equality, to quote Cardinal Blasé Cupich of Chicago, ‘The foundation of the ordained priesthood is Baptism, which rests on the foundation of our great High Priest – the Risen Lord... the ordained ministry (must never) become separated from the baptismal foundation it shares with all the faithful...’ The Ordained Priesthood is at the service of the Baptismal Priesthood – each sustaining the other, blossoming together in sacred trust and close friendship. Today we can all give thanks!

MIGRANT AND REFUGEE SUNDAY

PASTOR’S PERSPECTIVE – ‘Augustine and Monica… Models of Grace!’

HELPING THE AUGUSTINIANS - DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS

This year’s Annual Augustinian Appeal to support our Seminary Trust Fund and other ministries is being held at this time. Donation envelopes are available in the church today and can be placed in the

collection basket. There are various ways you can contribute to the Order and receive a tax deduction:

Augustinian Seminary Trust Fund – Donations are used exclusively for the ongoing provision for our seminarians. Envelopes are available in our parishes and you can make a donation by cash, credit card or direct deposit - Account Name: Augustinian Seminary Trust; BSB: 082 146; Account Number 13 610 4220; Reference: Please include your name.

Augustinian Volunteers Australia Trust Fund - If you would like to know more about this ministry, please visit our website: www.augustinianvolunteersaustralia.org You can donate via our website or by direct deposit - Account Name: Augustinian Volunteers Australia Trust Fund; BSB: 062 287; Account Number: 1043 4293; Reference: Please include your name.

Augustinian Vietnam Mission Fund (Not tax deductible) – Three Augustinians leave for Vietnam this month and donations will assist the establishment of our Community in Saigon. You can make a donation by cash or direct deposit - Account Name: Augustinian Vietnam Mission Fund; BSB: 082 146 Account Number: 7359 03067; Reference: Please include your name.

Bequests - Please contact the Province Office for information on how you can leave a bequest to the Province.

Mailing address is: Order of St Augustine, PO Box 7278 Warringah Mall, Brookvale NSW 2100. Please contact the Province Office on (02) 9938 0200 or Anna Heath at anna.heath@osa.org.au for further

information. We thank you for your generous support!

This Sunday following 6pm Mass Everyone is Welcome

LETTER FROM DIOCESAN ADMINISTRATOR ON CARDINAL PELL APPEAL

Very Rev Dr David Ranson has written to the people of the Diocese following the dismissal by the Victorian Court of Appeals of Cardinal George Pell’s appeal against his conviction for child sexual abuse and his subsequent sentencing in March this year. In his letter Fr David writes:

‘These events represent a most significant development in the history of the Catholic Church in Australia and for the practice of Australian law more generally. Most especially they bring us to a new chapter in the most regrettable and shameful history of sexual abuse within our community of faith, in which the full implications are even yet difficult to gauge…..

‘Every one of us has rights before the law and before which we stand equal, whatever our status. Especially, those who have suffered the crime of abuse have the right to give voice to their suffering, to pursue justice and to be supported fully in this difficult and painful journey. We must acknowledge always the pain that they and their families carry. We must not fail to attend to their pain and look always for those ways which ensure justice and healing….

‘It is the Lord of Life who calls us always to new possibility. This is the gift of the Resurrection to us – yes, even in the darkest moments of our life.... If you require any assistance, I welcome you to contact our Diocesan Office for Safeguarding on (02) 8379 1605 or Lifeline 131 114.’

Some copies of Fr David’s letter are at the doors of our churches or you may wish to read the letter on our Parish Website – www.northharbourcatholic.org.au

It is not just about

migrants but also about

ourselves, our fears and

our hopes.

How is God encouraging

and inviting us? Who are

we becoming? What kind

of society are we

preparing for those who

come after us?

August Wed 28 St Augustine’s Feast Day SK School Mass - 10am All Welcome

September Sun 01 Father’s Day Wed 04 Wine & Cheeses Catholic Faith Info evening parish centre 7.30pm Sun 8, 22, 29 Baptism of Young Children program (7-11) Fri/Sat 11/12 Broken Bay Bible Conference, Pennant Hills

FATHER’S DAY BLESSING

Next weekend we will celebrate Father's Day with a blessing for fathers at all masses. There will also be a blessing at all masses for expectant parents.

WINE AND CHEESE INFORMATION EVENING

Wednesday 4 September at 7.00pm in the Parish Centre For those who would like to learn more about the Catholic faith. This will be an opportunity to discover you are not alone in your yearning to be a follower of Christ who transforms our lives with love. For further information please contact Janette on 0408 866 521 or at sacraments@northharbourcatholic.org.au

Baptism of Young Children Program Is your child interested in becoming a Catholic or would you like your child to become a Catholic and participate in the 2020/2021 Children’s Sacramental Program? Our Baptism of Young Children Program (for children aged 7yrs – 11yrs) will be offered on Sunday 8, 22 and 29 September. The program can be downloaded from the parish website at http:// www.northharbourcatholic.org.au/sacraments/sacrmental-program/for-parents under the Sacramental Program – Additional Resources tab. Copies also available from the parish office and in both churches. Please contact Janette on 0408 866 521 or at sacraments@northharbourcatholic.org.au for more information.

THURSDAYS UNTIL 12/09 7.30-9pm St Luke’s Gospel

study with Fr John in the parish

centre.

SCHOOL MASS AT ST KIERAN’S 10AM

ALL WELCOME

St Augustine—“Christ invites us to enter heaven when he says ‘Enter by the narrow door’. You make an effort to enter but your swollen head prevents you. The door’s narrowness irritates your swollen head and the irritation makes it swell all the more. You must get the swelling down if you want to enter. But how are you to do that? You must accept the medicine of humility. Your bulk is swollen, not big. It is big, it is solid; if it is swollen, it is just so much empty air. Get the swelling down to the genuinely big. Do this by not taking pride in the pomp and circumstance of things that slip away and crumble into nothing.” [Sermon 142.5]

WEDNESDAY

28TH AUGUST

Copies of The

Augustinian in its new

expanded format are

available today. This is

full of interesting

reading so please take a

copy home with you.

Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill 2019

The petition made available last weekend expressing concern about aspects of the Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill 2019, currently before the Upper House of State Parliament, received wide support from parishioners. 128 people signed the petition and these signatures have been forwarded to the Parliament.

REGULAR PARISH mass times REGULAR PARISH mass times St Cecilia’s, Balgowlah SUNDAY 9.00AM WEDNESDAY 9.00AM St Kieran’s, Manly Vale Saturday vigil 5.30pm SUNDAY 7.30am, 9.30am & 6.00pm Weekdays 8.30am except Wednesdays St Augustine’s Chapel, Brookvale Wednesdays 8.15am during term time

reconciliation St Kieran 5 – 5.30pm Saturday or by appointment.

Baptisms St Cecilia 10.30am Sun. by appointment 9.00am Mass on 1st Sundays of the month St Kieran 11.30am Sun. by appointment 9.30am Mass on 1st Sundays of the month

Baptism preparation is required for 1st baptisms. Contact parish office 9949 4455 marriages Require 6 months notice and include Pre-marriage Course as part of the preparation

ANNIVERSARIES

Edward O’Brien Bruce Richardson

RECENTLY DECEASED

Donald Richards David Eade

PRAYER REQUESTS

“Come to me! I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28)

For those with ILLNESS

Aurora Kogovsek Bruno Kogovsek Daniella Takchi John Zeigler Elsa Monsour Elsa Wunder Helen Richardson Irene Hurrell

John Ardill Berenice Evans Margaret Anderberg Maria Kogovsek Norma Kogovsek Sandra Pyper Simone Young Bob McEwan Christopher Newman Vandhna Deep Yvonne Hickey Mary Hulme

Fr Pat Codd OSA Norman Chant Stella Brown Louise Allara

John & Joan Killick

NEED A PRIEST URGENTLY Please call 0490 898 464 If the matter is not urgent, please contact Priests

via the Parish Office 9949 4455.

CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF NORTH HARBOUR PERSONNEL

Office (Mon – Fri: 9am – 4pm) 9949 4455

Fr David Austin OSA Parish Priest Fr Paul Maloney OSA Assistant Priest and Prior Fr John Sullivan OSA Assistant Priest Fr Senan Ward OSA Chaplain – St Augustine’s College Fr Abel van der Veer OSA Retired Fr Peter Jones OSA Provincial—In Residence

Pastoral Ministers Janette Davidson Sacramental Co-ordinator - 0408 866 521 Ursula Halloway Catechist Co-ordinator 9949 4455 Rosemary McKinnon Counsellor 0400 495 076

Marianne Deveza Music Ministry Coord 0404865241

Administration: 9949 4455 Jacky Worthington Parish Manager Anne Ross Parish Secretary Jane Filacuridi Parish Secretary

ROSTER FOR NEXT WEEK 31/01 1st SUNDAY

This list will be reviewed every few weeks—contact the office for continued prayers

We are collecting cakes of

soap, toothbrushes and

toothpaste to donate to

the orphans of Sri Lanka. We

will be collecting until mid September.

Donations can be left in the boxes

in the church entrances

or at the parish office

BE CONNECTED LIBRARY WORKSHOPS FOR SENIORS

Be Connected workshops at Glen Street Library on Wednesdays from 11:30 am -12:30 pm on the fortnight basis. The first session is scheduled for the next week Wed 28/08/19 and then second on Wed 11/09/19 at 11:30am -12:30pm. Topics include: Computer basics, How to use the Internet, I Pads and IPhones. Contact Tamara Cubrilo

Librarian on 9452 2202 at the Belrose Library for more information on the program.