5th Sunday of Lent - Year A
28/29 March 2020
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Ezekiel 37:12-14
The setting is a valley full of bones and the Lord asked Ezekiel, “Can these bones live?” The Lord told Ezekiel to prophesy: “Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves, and raise you from your graves.” The Lord also promised to bring his people home into the land of Israel.” He also promised to put his Spirit in the people.
Romans 8:8-11
St Paul said all who are in the flesh cannot please God. But all who are in the Spirit have God dwelling in them. If Christ is in them, even though their bodies are dead because of sin, their spirits are alive because of their righteousness. If the Spirit raised Jesus from the dead, that same Spirit will give life to the people’s mortal bodies.
John 11:1-45
Bethany was the village where Lazarus lived, and it was also the home of sisters Mary and Martha. Jesus loved these three, and became a powerful presence in their lives. Lazarus had been dead for four days, but the presence and power of Jesus not only brought him back to life but generated a dramatic awareness of what God in Christ can do.
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Prayer of the Faithful
For our aging family members and friends who are facing the terrible burdens of illness, disabilities, and the increasing medical costs and decreasing financial resources. We pray to the Lord.
For our growing children who are confused and threatened by the pressures of growing up in a world filled with unending pleasures and questionable activities. We pray to the Lord.
For our adult friends who are facing life-challenging decisions about their futures, their marriages, or their vocations with no clear sense of what they should do. We pray to the Lord.
For our burgeoning cities, where shadows of violence and crime encroach upon the best as well as the worst of our communities and schools. We pray to the Lord.
For our blessed nation, where greed and the clash of values drive us ever closer to the brink of aggression as a way of settling our differences. We pray to the Lord.
For our precarious world, where the threats of disease stands in the way of announcing the good news. We pray to the Lord.
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Next week: 6th Sunday Lent - Year A
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PASTORAL CARE - Please contact the Parish Office or email the office using the email section located on the Contact Page, if you - are unwell and would like to receive Holy Communion in your home or Care Facility (including The Abbey, Bowral House, Anthem, Harbison at Burradoo; or* require transportation to
get to Sunday Mass.
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Due to recent changes to privacy laws and requirements, it is no longer viable for our parish to send volunteers to visit patients in Bowral public and private hospitals. Fr Sean will, of course, attend to any calls, but from now on, at least for the immediate future, please contact the Parish Office if you wish to be visited in hospital, or ensure that your family/friends inform us where and when you will be in hospital and would like a visit to receive Holy Communion or to be anointed.
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MASS OFFERINGS
If you wish a Mass to be offered for the deceased or a special intention on a particular date, please ensure you submit the request well in advance. Masses are offered when the next free day is available, and the Mass may not be able to be offered for a week or two. So, for a particular date for an anniversary or other significant event (eg birthday) please plan in advance to avoid disappointment.
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READERS AND EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS
Rosters which run through to mid April have be issued. Ministers please remember to find a replacement if you are unable to fulfil your slot. If you cannot find a substitute, please leave a message on the Parish Office phone.
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PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
If you wish to raise a matter for discussion / consideration by members of this forum please contact the Parish office in writing (use Contact page email - subject heading "Parish Pastoral Council Meeting - request item for discussion").
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CHOIR NEWS
Practice in St Thomas Aquinas Church from
7.30 p.m. The Choir assists with singing
usually at the 9.00 a.m. Mass on each first
Sunday of the month. All are welcome to
join the Choir which is both fun and
instructive!
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![IMG_0325[21889] choir.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d930ec_a618dfe64d97475381e13beec215dd62~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_176,h_117,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3/IMG_0325%5B21889%5D%20choir_JPG.jpg)
ARE YOU NEW TO THE PARISH? (REFER ENQUIRIES TAB)
If you havenβt already done so, please register your details
with our office through email or in the welcome
book that is located at the front doors of both St Thomas Aquinas and St Michaelβs.
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Please note your diary:
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22 March, Birthday celebration - CANCELLED
24 March, 7pm Scripture Study - CANCELLED
25 March, 3pm, St Therese's relics at Penrose Park - CANCELLED
25 March, 7.15pm Catholic Enrichment - CANCELLED
25 March, 6.15 pm Liturgical Ministers Training - CANCELLED
28 March,10am Lenten Reflection Day - CANCELLED
6 April, 6pm 2nd Rite of Reconciliation – St Thomas Aquinas Church
7 April, 7pm Chrism Mass – St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Wollongong
9 April, 7pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper – St Thomas Aquinas Church
10 April, 10am Stations of the Cross – St Thomas Aquinas Church
10 April, 3pm Celebration of the Lord’s Passion – St Thomas Aquinas Church
11 April, 6pm Solemn Easter Vigil – St Thomas Aquinas Church
14 April, 7pm Parish Council Meeting – Parish Hall CANCELLED
15-17 May, Bishop’s Visit to the Parish CANCELLED
16 May, 2pm Celebration of Confirmation – CANCELLED
17 May, 12.00 noon Parish Golf Day – Highlands Golf Club CANCELLED
30 October, Trivia Night Fundraising Event POSTPONED
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“MEGA RAFFLE”
First prize is a HONDA JAZZ, valued at over $20,000 (supplied by Southern Highland Motor Group). Tickets on sale from now, $10.00 per ticket.
Tickets can be purchased https://www.raffletix.com.au/ccsh. The raffle will be drawn at the Trivia Night on 30 October, 2020.
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THE HERMITAGE
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News from The Hermitage!
You may be interested in taking some time to nurture your spiritual world by participating in one of our 2020 retreats. A range of retreat possibilities are listed on our website (www.thehermitage.org.au) or take one of our brochures located in the church foyer.
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We have available a range of spiritual reading books, prayer journals, religious gifts, cards and a large variety of gifts for sale. You are invited to drop into the main office Monday to Friday from 8.30 – 4.30pm or on weekends by arrangement to see what we have available.
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We are located at the Corner of Old South Road and Bong Bong Road Mittagong.
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Please access the Friends page for details of our Sponsors.
When patronising any of these businesses listed please
thank them for supporting our Parish.
NB: Additional Pages (tabs) are available when using
Tablets and Computers. An abridged version is available on phones.