“woman, you have great faith, let your wish be granted”
TRANSCRIPT
“Woman of Faith” by Father Michael
After I read todays gospel I started to think about the women of faith that I have
experienced in my priesthood. It made me think also that we celebrated Mary
MacKillop’s feast day recently and what a woman of faith she was. Her
continuous trust in God and her ability to see those in need and to do something
about it. I remember Pamela Cole who was studying a Theology Degree at the
same time as I was at the seminary, so we got to know each other well. Pamela
was married with 4 children, but for the last 5 years suffered from a brain tumour.
And after several operations the tumour returned each time. She inspired within
her whole family a great sense of prayerfulness and faithfulness to God. Rather
then blaming God, she believed in a God that is strongest in our struggles and
brings people into our lives that reveal the love of God. Pamela used to say,
“When we say at Mass, “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you…” I think that’s bull.
God created us out of love, that alone makes us worthy”.
She believed in a forgiving God, who through our life experiences makes us
worthy. Then in 2001, at the age 41 Pamela passed away. Her strength was
transferred to the family. Together with the family all the arrangements had been
made. Pamela had even selected her plot in the cemetery - under a shady gum
tree - the last in that part of the cemetery! She insisted that the funeral be one of
happy remembrance of her life. So there were balloons attached to the coffin, and
a power point slide presentation before the funeral began, put to her favourite
pieces of music. The coffin was delivered to the home the day after Pamela died -
empty of course. The family “decorated” the coffin. The little children painted
their handprints and wrote their names,
the adults wrote poems and memories.
It was colourful and unique.
It reflected well the way that Pamela loved.
Her passion for life and faith was shown
through the love she had for others and
the care she took of them. She would
say that even in her worst
moments God was still about giving.
The “wish” or “prayer” may not have been for herself.
Much like the woman in today’s gospel:
“Woman, you have great faith, let your wish be granted”
Fancy a game of Indoor Bowls or Cards? Come along to the Parish Centre at 9.30am on the 21st August. New faces very welcome to this
social morning.
The next
St. Mary’s Luncheon will be held on the 27th October
(pre Melbourne Cup), commencing at 11.30am
in the Parish Centre. Come and enjoy some fellowship with friends.
All Welcome.
Parish Finance Committee Monday, 4th September at 5.30pm
in the Parish Centre.
It’s on again.... This year’s Church Challenge between the
Anglicans and ourselves will take place on
Sunday, 17th
September at 5.00pm. Please
bring a plate to share for dinner and BYO
drinks. Come along and have a fun evening of Indoor
Bowls, Cards or Mah Jong.
The children of St.
Mary’s enjoy the daily
checking of the chooks
and collecting the eggs.
They get to sell the
eggs to parents and
staff and the money
they make goes to a
charity of their
choosing at the end of
the year. Well Done.
MASS TIMES Wednesday (23/08)…….Rosary at 5.10pm and Mass 5.30pm
Friday (25/08)…………………12.15pm
19th/20th August, 2017
SUNDAY MORNING: 9.00am Goondiwindi
26th/27th August, 2017 SATURDAY NIGHT: 6.00pm Goondiwindi
SUNDAY MORNING: 8.00am Goondiwindi and 9.30am Family Mass in Parish Centre.
2nd/3rd September, 2017
SATURDAY EVENING: 6.00pm Goondiwindi SUNDAY MORNING: 8.00am Daymar & 10.00am Weengallon
9th/10th September, 2017
SUNDAY EVENING: 6.00pm Goondiwindi
16th/17th September, 2017 SATURDAY EVENING: CONFIRMATION 6.00PM NOT MASS
SUNDAY MORNING: 9.00am Goondiwindi
23rd/24th September, 2017 SATURDAY EVENING: 6.00pm Goondiwindi SUNDAY MORNING: 8.00am Goondiwindi 9.30am Family Mass in the Parish Centre.
GROUNDS ROSTER
AUGUST: DAN & LISA GALL
SEPTEMBER: GRAHAM MCGOVERN
& TERRY RYAN
THANK-YOU FOR YOUR Contributions: 14/08/17
ENVELOPES $390.00 LOOSE $168.00
VOLUNTEERS
WE PRAY FOR Those who have entered your kingdom: including, Kevin “Skeet” McMaster, David Hollis, Frank Lawless (Stasia’s son), Pauline Pollock, Monica Peters (Kath Gore’s Aunt), John Clancy, Margaret Cook, Marie Dutton, Patricia MacBeth (Lismore), Kevin Heironymus, Patricia Manton, Helen Zeller, Richard Everingham, Rosemary Keehn, Jim Coleman, Tim Murphy, Margaret Piedl, Margaret Murphy, Glen Manton, Father Tom Sheeran, Veronica Rayner, Grant Carrigan, Isabel Coleman. For all whose anniversary is at this time: including Joan “Mary” Terry, Len Collins, Vincent Mullins, Darren Benecke, Beryl O’Keefe, John Webber, Robert “Bob” McCall, Sarah “Dot” Drew, Constance Butler, Norman Montgomery, Robert Picking, Gay Brydon, Clarence Manton, Kathleen Kyte, Jason Webster, Kathleen Nolan, Gordon “Matey” Cairns, Dolly Cubis, Jamie Smith, Norman Harpur, Peter Lloyd, Kevin O’Brien, Edward Holcombe, Francis ‘John’ Coade, Kevin Turvey, Valerie McCosker, John Crawley, Valerie Jennings, Michael Brennan, Jim Nolan, Helen Taylor, Sue Bendall, Bob Telford, Vince Mawn. For those who are ill: including Angus Rigney, Steve Aspinall, Jan Jan Charles, Tom Turvey, Bill Dyer, Trish Dyer, Brian Freeney, Pat & Teresa Mullins, Deanna Dawson, Anne Hunt, Kevin Lawless, Ray Mackie, Peter Keehn, Joan Fleming, Frank Brosnan, Gloria Bale, David Croft, Tim Bourke, Joe Cowmeadow, Shirley Schluter, Stasia Lawless, Paul Lloyd, Mavis Gordon, Jean Ramada, Stella McGovern, Jean Sizer, Francis Lloyd, Madonna Nicoletti, Kathy McDonald, Steph Adamson, Bailey Brennan, Pauline Robinson, Win Skinner, Sonya Horrigan, Helen Paige, John Toohey, Marie Cook, Phillip Carney, Shirley Riley, Therese Sullivan and Joseph Hord; also those ill at home, in hospital and for those in Kaloma.
WELCOMERS AT DOOR
PAULINE CORCORAN & FAY PFINGST (20/08)
ANNE WEBSTER & SHIRLEY WHITTLE (26/08)
DENISE MCCORMACK & MARIE LLOYD (02/09)
WELCOMER AT MICROPHONE
CLAIRE CHARLES (20/08)
ROS PHILLIPS (26/08)
ST MARY’S SCHOOL STAFF (02/09)
1ST
READER/PSALM
PAT THOMPSON (20/08)
CARMEL SCHAUMBURG (26/08)
GRAHAM MCGOVERN (02/09)
2ND
READING/ALLELUIA
MARY COLLINS (20/08)
ROBYN LINDORES (26/08)
RACHAEL REEVES (02/09)
EUCHARIST MINISTERS
CAMILLE KELLOWAY, MICK CLANCY &
CLAIRE CHARLES (20/08)
BRIAN COOK, YVONNE ISAAK &
MARY BURCHELL (26/08)
CARMEL GEESON, DAWN LLOYD &
DAWN CLANCY (02/09)
DATA PROJECTOR
LEEANN WELSH (20/08)
MARY COLLINS (26/08)
ROS PHILLIPS (02/09)
MONEY COUNTERS
MARY COLLINS & ROS PHILLIPS (20/08)
TERESA HEYNEN & BELL FAMILY (26/08)
FAY CLARK & KAREN CAIRNS (02/09)
Add 1766 if you haven’t or 1767 if you have.
20TH
SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
20TH
AUGUST, 2017
Introduction
Today’s readings could not be more timely, given the political discourse regarding
refugees and all those who are different from us — whether culturally, racially,
economically, religiously or in any other way. In Scripture, we hear these questions: Who
are worthy to be God’s people? Who are worthy to hear the good news? The answers are that Israel is open to all; and the disciples are to be open to all. All are worthy in God’s
sight. The message for us could not be clearer.
First Reading
Isaiah 56:1, 6-7 “My house shall be called a house of
prayer for all peoples.”
Responsorial Psalm O God, let all the nations praise you!
Second Reading
Romans 11:13-15, 29-32 Paul is called to bring the good news to
the Gentiles.
ALLELLUIA! ALLELLUIA! Jesus preached the Good News of the kingdom and healed all who were sick
ALLELLUIA!
Gospel Matthew 15:21-28
Jesus responds to the outsider Canaanite woman.
Prayers of the Faithful
For the church, that we may be a people open to all and rejecting none ...
we pray,
For policies in our country that reflect openness to those in need ... we pray,
For those who show support and
compassion to others at great personal or political cost ... we pray,
For those whose hearts and minds are closed to people they deem different or
unworthy ... we pray,
For those who are afraid to ask for help because they are considered different
... we pray,
For all in this community who are sick and grieving; and for those who have
died ... ... we pray,
Let us pray together:
Great and inclusive God, you tell us that you are a God for all people. Help us to believe that this includes not only us, but also those for whom we have
little regard. Empower us to stand with those considered unworthy, no matter what the cost may be. We pray in the name of Jesus, whose embrace was
wide and deep. Amen.
Parish Priest: Fr. Michael O’Brien
Phone: 0422 308 955 or 4671 1091 St Mary’s School: Mr Brett Pollard Ph: 4671 1730 Care for the Aged Co-ordinator: Mrs Jane Blomley Ph: 4675 4132
Parish Office Phone: 4671 5087
Father Michael’s house Phone: 4671 1091 [email protected] 69 Callandoon Street or PO Box 45, Goondiwindi 4390
Parish Secretary: Mrs Kath Gore Friday: 9.30am – 3.00pm
Parish Information