Weekly Bulletin

AUSTRALIA DAY YEAR A

25/26 January 2020

In Australia the celebration of Australia Day overrides

the Ordinary Sunday of the Year. The readings are:

Isaiah 32:15-18

Romans 12:9-13

Matthew 5:2-12

Prayer of the Faithful

For nations caught up in endless violence and suffering: that they may come to share the blessings of peace, prosperity and good order that we enjoy in Australia, Let us pray to the Lord.
For all who dwell in this great Southern Land, from our first peoples to our newest arrivals: that we be united in our passion for justice and the common good. Let us pray to the Lord.
For all who grieve the loss of loved ones, homes, livelihoods, wildlife and bushland in the fires that have engulfed the country: that they receive the emergency and long-term support they need to recover. Let us pray to the Lord.
For fire-fighters, emergency service personnel and local volunteers: that their bravery and generosity continue to save lives, limit losses and lessen the danger. Let us pray to the Lord.
For students and teachers returning to school this week, especially in bushfire-affected areas: may they begin the year with energy and enthusiasm. Let us pray to the Lord.
For ourselves: that the challenges that confront us on this Australia Day inspire us to care for the stranger and for this fragile and fearsome land. Let us pray to the Lord.

Next week: 3rd Sunday Ordinary Year A

Australia Day Special Collection

Bishop Brian Mascord and the Australian Bishops have asked that special collections be taken up on Australia Day weekend to support bushfire-affected communities. Money raised from this collection will support the Vinnies bushfire appeal. Parishioners wishing to donate individually and receive a tax-deductible receipt can donate at www.vinnies.org.au. Thank you to those who have already contributed to support affected communities.

We are also called to pray for those affected, especially those who have lost loved ones, for those fighting the fires and for an end to the ongoing crisis.

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.

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.

CATHOLIC WOMEN'S LEAGUE - BOWRAL BRANCH

Meetings are held 10.30am every third Monday of the month in the Parish Hall. If you would like to find out more about the CWL why not come along for a chat and morning tea. You will be made to feel very welcome.

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").

CHOIR NEWS

Practice will resume Tuesday night 28

January 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!

ARE YOU NEW TO THE PARISH? (REFER ENQUIRIES TAB)

If you haven’t 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 Michael’s.

THE HERMITAGE

Dining Out to make a Difference

Saturday 15th February 2020 @ 6:30pm

'Ludeke Hail] The Hermitage, Marist Bros. Cnr

Old South Road & Bong Bong Road, Mittagong

$80 pp (inc. 3 course meal, beer & wine.)

Raffle prizes, silent auction, Entertainment & much more..

To book go to trybookings.com/BHHMP

Same world community different island

Supporting Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu

More Information contact Trish Rheinberger

DIARY DATES /NOTICES

Please note your calendar:

28.01.2020 9.00 a.m. Mass for Commencement of School and Feast of St Thomas Aquinas

28.01.2020 7.00 p.m. Scripture Study – Parish Hall

A Body Both Suffering and Glorious - The

Mystical Union of Christ and the Church

29.01.2020 7.15 p.m. Catholic Enrichment – Parish Hall - Chapters 3 and 4 of Matthews Gospel

04.02.2020 7.00 p.m. Women’s Formation Group

04.02.2020 7.00 p.m. First Reconciliation Meeting for Parents of children already enrolled into the programme – Parish Hall

11.02.2020 7.00 p.m. Parish Council Meeting in the Parish Hall

12.02.2020 10.30a.m. Morning Tea for people living by themselves. Contact the office for details.

26.02.2020 Ash Wednesday

14.03.2020 Catholic Women’s League – St Patricks Day Celebration

22.03.2020 Birthday Party - - more details to come!!

Catechist Help Needed

Did you know that in our parish there is a

faithful team of volunteers that take a risk

and step out in faith? In State Government

schools there are no school lessons that

teach the basic message about Jesus, our

faith and the great adventure that life can be with God. That’s where Catechists come in. Each week of the school year they have a short 30-minute lesson where they use a step-by-step lesson plan that helps Catholic children understand their faith, grow in love and maturity and learn what it means to be Catholic. We were all given this gift by someone. Someone stepped-up for us so that we would know. So we invite you to take a risk and give the gift of faith. Become a Catechist as a teacher or helper today! For more information, please call Jeneanne te Wechel on 48617679.

CatholicCare Wollongong have announced free trauma counselling and Community Connect meetings to support people in bushfire affected areas.

To talk to a CatholicCare trauma counsellor over the phone or book a face-to-face meeting, phone (02) 42 549 395 (lines are open Monday to Friday 9am–5pm) or email intakeservices@catholiccare.dow.org.au.

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.

READERS AND EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS

Rosters which run through to the end of January 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.

PRAYER FOR THOSE AFFECTED

BY BUSHFIRE AND DROUGHT

Eternal God,

In wisdom and love

you created our earth

to sustain us and give us life.

We turn to you now

in faith, hope and love,

asking you to look with favour

on our fire-ravaged and drought-stricken land,

on our starving and

displaced animals,

on our failing crops and burning

farms, towns and forests.

Strengthen, sustain and give new heart

to our farmers

and to all who are affected by drought;

be with those who support them.

Strengthen and comfort the victims of the fires,

those who have lost family, friends, property and stock.

Protect our volunteer firefighters and all members of essential services.

In your loving providence,

send abundant rain to quench the fires

and to restore our parched earth.

Father of all compassion,

hear our prayer

through Jesus Christ your Son,

in whom the promise of new life

has dawned, and

through the power

of the Holy Spirit,

the Lord the giver of life:

Renew your faithful people;

Renew the face of the earth.

Our Lady of the Southern Cross,

Mary, help of Christians –

Pray for us.

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop –

Pray for us.

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.

Catholic Church

Southern Highlands

Mittagong and Bowral NSW

Jesus, we place our trust in you.