Bridgeside Bulletin The weekly bulletn of the Catholic Parish of Forster Tuncurry Holy Name of Jesus Parish Church 33 Lake Street, Forster St Mary, Star of the Sea Church Cnr Kent & Peel Streets, Tuncurry Proclaiming Christ to the communites of Forster, Tuncurry and the surrounding districts Parish Fr Andrew Doohan (Parish Priest) Mr Greg Byrne (Pastoral Associate) Mrs Sharon Fowle (Administraton Associate/Bulletn) Sr Kathryn McCabe (Aboriginal Catholic Ministry)
The Parish Ofce is at the rear of the Parish Hall and is normally stafed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 4pm.
Items for inclusion in Bridgeside Bulletn should be received by midday on Thursday.
33 Lake Street, Forster NSW 2428 PO Box 67, Forster NSW 2428
Reconciliaton is available on Saturday mornings at Tuncurry from 8:30am untl the beginning of the 9am Mass, on Saturday afernoons at Forster from 4:45pm untl 5:15pm.
Baptsms are celebrated on Sundays, either during any of our Sunday Masses or afer the 9am Mass. The next Baptsmal Preparaton meetng will take place in the Parish Halls meetng rooms on Monday 10th November commencing at 7pm. Please contact the Parish Ofce for more details, or visit the Parish website.
Weddings are celebrated by arrangement and with at least three (and preferably more) months notce. Please contact Fr Andrew for more details, or visit the Parish website.
A Sacramental Preparaton process runs each year in the Parish for children wishing to complete the celebraton of the Sacraments of Initaton as part of the Parish community. Please contact the Parish Ofce for more details, or visit the Parish website.
The Parish hosts the Rite of Christan Initaton of Adults process for those adults wishing to be baptsed or be received into the communion of the Catholic Church. Please contact the Parish Ofce for more details, or visit the Parish website. Search for us on Facebook as Catholic Parish of Forster Tuncurry
Follow us on Twiter: @fcatholic Holy Name Parish School (K-6) Ms Brooke Schumann (Actng Principal)
41 Lake Street, Forster NSW 2428 PO Box 243, Forster NSW 2428
P: (02) 6554 6504 F: (02) 6554 8895 E: admin@forster.catholic.edu.au W: www.forster.catholic.edu.au St Clares High School, Taree (7-12) Mr Peter Nicholls (Principal)
The Parish Diary(for the week ahead) Thirteth Week in Ordinary Time
Today26th October Morning Tea afer the 9am Mass for partcipants in this years Sacramental Preparaton process.
Monday27th October
Tuesday28th October Feast of Sts Simon and Jude 9am Christan Meditaton (Bob 6555 5914) 3:30pm Holy Hour @ Tuncurry 4:30pm Mass @ Tuncurry 5:30pm Christan Meditaton (Bob 6555 5914) 5:30pm Singing Practce @ Forster
Wednesday29th October 9am Mass @ Forster 11:15am Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help @ Forster 5.30pm Social Justce Group @ Forster
Thursday30th October Fr Andrew to Newcastle for Clergy Fund AGM 9am Morning Prayer@ Forster 7pm Womens Bible Study Group (Natasha 0407 589 935)
Friday31st October 9:30am Mass @ Forster
Saturday1st November Solemnity of All Saints 8:30am Reconciliaton @ Tuncurry 9am Mass @ Tuncurry 4:45pm Reconciliaton @ Forster (untl 5:15pm) 6pm Mass @ Tuncurry
Sunday2nd November The Commemoraton of the All the Faithful Departed 7am Mass @ Tuncurry 9am Mass @ Forster (including Childrens Liturgy of the Word) 5:30pm Evening Prayer & Benedicton @ Tuncurry Regular Activities in the Parish Secular Franciscan Fraternity The Secular Franciscans Fraternity will next meet on Wednesday 5th November, coming together for Mass at 9am, followed by a cuppa at 9:30am and then the meetng 10am to 12pm.
The menALIVE Groups Our Parish currently hosts two menALIVE groups. The morning group will next meet on Wednesday 12th November afer the 9am Mass, while the evening group will next meet on Thursday 30th October at 7:30pm.
Womens Bible Study Group Our Parish hosts a Womens Bible Study Group that meets every Thursday evening from 7pm to 8pm. For more informaton contact Natasha on 0407 589 935.
Christan Meditaton Our Parish hosts a number of opportunites for the practce of Christan meditaton. These opportunites takes place on Tuesdays at two distnct tmes, 9am and 5:30pm. Phone Bob on 6555 5914 for further info.
Maintenance & Gardening Group The Parish is served by a very dedicated band of volunteers who tend to the upkeep of the grounds and gardens of our two sites. Unfortunately the team are short on volunteers and are appealing to anyone who may be available to donate some of their tme once a month to this worthy deed. Their next reunion will be on Thursday 20th November. Contact Howard 6557 6826 for more informaton.
Singing Practce The Singing Group this week on Tuesday 21st October at Forster at 5:30pm.
Collecton of Foodstufs for Homebase The next collecton of foodstufs in support of Homebase will be on Sunday 2nd November.
Holy Hour The Parish community observes a Holy Hour each Tuesday afernoon in the Tuncurry Church from 3:30pm untl the beginning of Mass at 4:30pm.
Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help The Novena is prayed every Wednesday in the Forster church commencing at 11:15am and is followed by a cuppa in the Parish Hall. For more informaton contact Shioney on 6554 9468.
Evening Prayer & Benedicton The Parish community celebrates on the frst Sunday of each month at 5:30pm in the Tuncurry church. It will celebrated on Sunday 2nd November. All welcome. Catholic Newspapers Available Both The Catholic Leader (Brisbane) and The Catholic Weekly (Sydney) newspapers are available at a cost of $2 each from our churches. Christmas LunchChange of Date Angela and Lou Hope will be organising a Christmas Lunch in our Parish Hall. Please note the date change from Monday 24th November to Monday 1st December at 12pm. All welcome. Please save the new date. 3
Vocation View You turned from idols to serve the living and true God. What is that we need to let go of so that we may truly serve God with the fullness of our life (1 Thess. 1:10). For more informaton regarding Vocatons contact Fr Brian Mascord on 02 4979 1112 or vocatons@mn.catholic.org.au Welcome! We welcome to our community of faith Beau Murray, son of Joshua and Kristyn who will be presented to the community this weekend. Rebuilding the Church in Gaza The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is coordinatng a response from the Church to assist the Catholic communites in Gaza to rebuild afer the recent tragic events. The Order is the primary source of funds to support the Latn Patriarchate of Jerusalem (the local diocese), and the task of assistng the reconstructon in Gaza is immense. It is for that reason the Order, with the support and encouragement of Bishop Bill, is extending this appeal to local Catholic communites. This appeal provides an opportunity to support the people of the Holy Land in this tme of need.
If you would like to make a contributon to this appeal, please place it an envelope and send it either directly to the Parish Ofce or on either of the collectons over the coming weekends. Please be aware that it will not be possible to claim a tax deducton for donatons made to this appeal as the Order does not enjoy charitable status in Australia.
If you would like further informaton on the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, you can visit www.eohjsaustralia.org or speak with Fr Andrew. Mark Mowbrays Farewell The staf of Holy Name School Forster would like to invite parents and community members to atend a Mass to thank Mark for his contributons to our school and community over the last 16 years. The event will take place on 7th November at 12.30pm in Holy Name School Hall, followed by a picnic in the playground . Please RSVP by 31st October to 6554 6504. From the Pastors Desk This past week has contnued to show the tragedy that is part of contemporary life, brought to our awareness through the phenomenon of modern communicatons technology. In one sense, the week just gone has been no diferent to the weeks that went before it, nor, I would suggest, will it be any diferent to the weeks that are yet to come. As Christans we are called to be aware of what is happening in the world, to pray for Gods guidance for those in difculty, but also to take acton where we can to address these concernsalleviatng those tragedies we can by whatever lawful means we can. The difculty ofen arises, however, when our contemporary media focus only on those things that they deem to be important (ofen stemming from their, or someone elses, partcular focus of atenton). We can easily be distracted by reports of violence and terror from other issues that are equallyor moredeserving of our atenton and our eforts as Christans. For example, the contnued tragedy of the Ebola epidemic in parts of Africa really didnt rate a menton in mainstream media untl a westerner (a US citzen) was diagnosed with the virus and subsequently died. Much of the subsequent coverage in the US media has focussed on the supposed failures of public health systems in the US and what steps might be taken to ensure that no further deaths in the US occur. It seems to escape the atenton of much of the mainstream media that the death toll in Africa is rapidly approaching the 5,000 mark. Or again, how many people in Australia are aware that during this past week there was (yet) another Aboriginal death in custody? Almost twenty fve years afer a Royal Commission into these occurrences, they stll take place on an alarmingly regular basis. They shouldnt happen at all, and yet As Christans we are called to be people for whom events such as these two (and the many others that take place) are not simply minor stories on the nightly news, but issues that have a real and legitmate demand for our atentonand our acton. This demand comes not for any politcal or radical agenda but simply because we have been redeemed by the life, death and resurrecton of Jesus Christ, and having received that great gif, are challenged to live our lives in that same light. If that makes me a radical then so be it! Untl next week Fr Andrew All Souls Day The names of those who you would like included in prayers for All Souls Day can be placed in the Remembrance Book at the rear of the church. 4
Cursillo Our next Diocesan gathering will be in the Church Hall on Friday 31st October at 7.30pm. The Cursillistas are invited to join us for a tme of prayer & sharing, followed by supper. Please bring a plate. Phone Anne Moloney 6555 8918 for more informaton. Childrens Liturgy of the Word The Family Ministry commitee of the Catholic Parish of Forster Tuncurry are introducing a monthly Childrens Liturgy of the Word. The Childrens liturgy will run during the usual 9am Mass service on the 1st Sunday of the month. Children 4-12yrs invited to come along and learn about God and have some fun!
The frst Children's Liturgy of the Word will be on the 2nd November 2014. Bring along your children or Grandchildren to the 9am Mass service at the Forster Church so they can be a part of this great new program. Hope to see you there. St Vincent de Paul Society The St Vincent de Paul Conference would like to acknowledge the contributon made by the Minnie Vinnies Conference made up of the students from Holy Name Primary School. Their eforts in fundraising for the recent Winter Appeal raised an amazing $734.80. The Children conducted a pyjama day and a blanket rafe which was kindly made and donated by Ms Elizabeth Teasey. A great efort by these inspiring young children. Its Not Over til its Over My recent columns enttled Are you being served? and The Church is not a convenience store elicited quite a large number of email and calls from readers, many citng other examples of unfortunate consumerist behaviours with regards to Mass.
A few correspondents mentoned the practce of people joining the communion procession, receiving communion and immediatelyor very shortly afer walking out of the church. The impression this gives, said one person, is that these people got what they came for so there is no need for them to stay around any longer.
Some Catholics dont seem to be phased by people leaving early because they are accustomed to it, but visitors and new Catholics fnd it disconcertng because it does not happen in other Churches (except perhaps with the Orthodox where the liturgy lasts around three hours).
The practse is probably a hangover from pre-Second Vatcan Council days when ones Mass obligaton was met as long as one was present for the ofertory, the consecraton and the priests communion.
Hopefully we have grown out of such legalistc behaviours and have a beter understanding of why and how we gather for worship as a community of faith.
It is considered to be totally socially unacceptable for someone to get up and leave a dinner party as soon as they had fnished without any thank-yous or farewells. Walking out before Mass has ended is no less bad- mannered. For a start, there are jobs to be done when Mass is overtasks like closing windows and tdying up.
Those who leave early shriek their responsibility as members of the parish community.
Besides being socially unacceptable, those who leave immediately afer communion absent themselves from the last of the four parts of the Massthe Concluding Rite. The Concluding Rite is the shortest and simplest part of the Mass. According to the General Instructon of the Roman Missal, it consists of: brief announcements (if necessary), the priests greetng and blessing, the dismissal of the people, and the reverencing of the altar by their priest, deacon and other ministers. (#90)
The fact that the term Mass is derived from the dismissal (the Latn ite Missa est) suggests that this part of the Mass is important. The dismissal is not just a way to end the celebraton or to say farewell to those who have gathered, although both of these are included.
As the General Instructon puts it, the dismissal of the assembly sends us out so that each may go back to doing good works, praising and blessing God. (#90)
The Concluding Rites of the Mass, though brief, remind us that we are all expected to do our part in carrying on Christs mission of proclaiming Gods word and of serving others. The announcements following the Prayer afer Communion ofer the assembly opportunites for living out the commitment which Eucharist entails during the coming week, for example, assistng at the food pantry for the needy, gathering for evening prayer on Wednesday, ofering transport for the elderly, visitng the sick and housebound.
Those who leave early walk away from all of this.
Elizabeth HarringtonLiturgy Lines, Catholic Leader 5
Formation for Ministry Program comes to Forster A series of formaton units developed especially for members of Parish Leadership Teams, Parish Pastoral Councils, Parish Finance Councils and Parish Pastoral Teamsas well as those involved in other parish groups and ministriesis being ofered in our own Parish Hall. The course has begun and contnues for another 4 sessions.
All units completed can be credited towards a Certfcate in Ministry. Brochures and fyers are available at the rear of the churches. There is no cost for partcipatng in the program.
The next session will take place in our Parish Hall on Saturday 15th November at 9.30am.
For more informaton on the program, please email Sharon Murphy in the Diocesan Chancery on sharon.murphy@mn.catholic.org.au or the Tenison Woods Educaton Centre by email twec@ssjl.org.au. Red Cross Ebola Appeal Sr Diana Santleben op, from Penola House, is asking people to consider donatng to the Red Cross Ebola Appeal. Many African Australian families living in Newcastle have family in Africa where this crisis is playing out.
You can donate to the Red Cross Ebola Appeal online at www.redcross.org.au or by postng a cheque or money order to Ebola Outbreak 2014 Appeal, Australian Red Cross, GPO Box 2957, Melbourne 8060. Liturgy of the Hours Liturgy of the hours is not a private functon, but pertains to the whole body of the Church. It manifests the Church and has an efect upon it Wherever possible the more important hours could be celebrated in common parish churches. If the faithful come together and unite their hearts and voices in the Liturgy of the Hours, they manifest the Church celebratng the mystery of Christ. GILH 20-22 Assistance Required in the Parish The Gardening Team are appealing to anyone who may be available to donate some of their tme once a month to maintenance and gardening in the parish. Their next reunion will be on Thursday 20th November. Please contact Howard on 6557 6826 for more informaton. Parish Social Justice Group On 24 September four people from the Forster Tuncurry Parish Social Justce Group discussed Social Justce for the Earth and the challenges of climate change. In a news item that day Ban-Ki Moon, General Secretary of the United Natons, stated that "Climate change is humanity's biggest threat".
Pope Francis in his 2013 Evangelii Gaudium about the Church's social doctrine states "An authentc faith - which is never comfortable or completely personal - always involves a deep desire to change the world, to transmit values, to leave this Earth somehow beter than when we found it. We love this magnifcent planet on which God has put us, and we love the human family which dwells here, with all its tragedies and struggles, its hopes and aspiratons, its strengths and weaknesses....All Christans, their pastors included, are called to show concern for the building of a beter world. This is essental, for the Church's social thought is primarily positve: it ofers proprosals, it works for change and in this sense it constantly points to the hope born of the loving heart of Jesus Christ".
The Earth is God's creaton, intended for all to use, enjoy and look afer. Therefore it is unacceptable for some inhabitants to take more than they need while others lack the most basic necessites. There is increasing evidence that the world faces an environmental crisis. Sustainable development is one way of looking afer the Earth over long periods of tme. It means the Earth's resources are used with future needs always in mind. Human beings have a unique dignity and are stewards of creaton. They must therefore care for the Earth, each other and other creatures.
The Social Justce Group is open to the community and all are invited to the next discussion meetng on Wednesday 29th October at 5:30pm in the Parish Hall Meetng Room, Forster. Tim Prescot Australian Catholics Magazine Hope at Christmas is the theme for Australian Catholics Magazine. Free copies are available from the rear of the church. 2014-15 Sacramental Program The formaton meetng for First Reconciliaton will take place on Wednesday 5th November at 7pm in the Parish Hall at Forster.
Parents and children are invited to come along, and join together to prepare for the celebraton of Gods mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliaton. 6
Kids Corner Try to find these words:
commandments expert first foolish heart Important Law most others Sadducees soul test F O O L I S H O H E A R T C Y M E O J V Z X T O C Z D C S F I D I I G B G H I D V Y T A F U Z L V Q H A E S O U L P D R O L A W R R O R R D Q U C D K T M H I M V I S F V E I Q U R T E S T M H J U W A Z J F C O Z M O S T Z K G P N S I O E E Q C F I R S T J I J Y U I E X O S I J I M P O R T A N T S P M P L T F S B N B J C F G G E K B E L Z O Y K D E Z Z J S R L P G W O T F V U U X R Q O T J N C O M M A N D M E N T S Z 7
Opportunities Outside The Parish
Sydney Balalaika Orchestra The Soul & Spirit of Mother Russia will be held on Sunday 26th October at 2pm at Sisters of Mercy Convent Chapel, 30 Queen Street, Singleton. Tickets include afernoon tea. Cost is $25 for adults, $20 concession and $5 for school students. P 02 6572 2398 or E sacredspaces@singmercy.com.au.
Diocesan Mission Mass will be held on Tuesday 28th October at 11:30am at St Philip's Catholic Church, 31 Vista Pde, Kotara. Catholic Mission has ofcially launched its campaign for this year's World Mission Month in October, which focuses on Jamaica - a country troubled by violence and crime - with the theme "When I grow up I want to be alive." E richard.cootes@mn.catholic.edu.au.
Carer Connectons "Planning Ahead" event will be held on Wednesday 29th October at 10am at East Maitland Bowling Club, Bank Street, East Maitland. Guest Speaker is Kim Boetcher from the Aged Care Rights Service. Topic is Planning Ahead: Wills, Power of Atorney, Guardianship, Advance Health Care Directve. For more informaton or to register, contact HNE Carer Educaton & Support Program P 4921 4895 or E Educare-Admin@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au.
Branxton Community Art Show Will be held on Friday 31st October at 6:30pm at Rosary Park Catholic School Hall, Staton Street, Branxton. Opening night functon and art aucton. Saturday 1st November is the Art Exhibiton, held from 10am - 3pm in the grounds of Rosary Park Catholic School, Branxton. Tickets to opening night, 'An artstc inspired evening of magic & moonlight', are $35pp. For more informaton please contact Lisa Peel P 02 4938 3776.
Should Christanity stll have a Voice in the Public Square? will be held on Saturday 1st November beginning at 10:30am at Caroline Chisholm Centre, 423 Pennant Hills Rd, Pennant Hills. John Cleary is the presenter of Sunday Nights on ABC Local Radio. To register please P 9847 0448 or 4332 9825 or E registratons@dbb.org.au.
A Spring Retreat Day On Saturday 1st November, the Tenison Woods Educaton Centre is ofering a retreat day with Fr Richard Shortall SJ on the new life that Spring ofers. Morning Tea is provided; please bring your own lunch. Cost $20, concession $10. See fyer at back of church for further details or call 4930 9601, E:twec@ssjl.org.au by October 28th.
Craig Moore - 'Setng boundaries for your children' will be held on Wednesday 5th November beginning at 6:30pm at St James' School Hall, Vista Parade, Kotara. Some tps for parents with a litle focus on special needs children & technology. Register at htp://mn.catholic.edu.au/register.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend Marriage Encounter Weekend is a Marriage Enrichment experience for married couples set in peaceful, picturesque surroundings, away from the distractons of everyday life. During the weekend, couples have a unique opportunity to reconnect, rekindle and refresh their relatonship. Take tme out of your busy schedule, to invest in your most precious asset, your Marriage! Date: 7th 9th November at Mt Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville, NSW. Bookings can be made to Ardell & Bill Sharpe on 02 4283 3435 or email wsharpe@bigpond.net.au.
Christan Meditaton "Leaving the Ego Behind" will be held on Saturday 8th November at 9:30am at 25 Farquhar St, The Juncton. Speaker Anne Foat is a Christan Meditator and Clinical Psychologist. Morning tea provided. RSVP: carmel.moore@ssjl.org or P 0412 122 297. Cost is $5.00.
Human Rights and Social Justce Lecture Will be held on Wednesday 26th November beginning at 1pm at Great Hall, University of Newcastle, Callaghan. With 2014 marking the 25th anniversary of the United Natons Conventon on the Rights of the Child and the impending release of the report on Children in Immigraton Centres, this year's lecture will focus on the rights of children and will be delivered by Professor Gillian Triggs. RSVP to equityanddiversity@newcastle.edu.au.
LArche Concert Hunter Friends of LArche Concert with John Coleman will be held on Friday 28th November at 10am at St Mathews Anglican hall, 7 Wentworth Street, Georgetown. For further details contact Geof Rigby P 4943 0450 E hunter@larche.org.au.
Barbecue for Internatonal Day of People with Disability Will be held on Wednesday 3rd December at 11:30am at Village Green, 50 Crebert Street, Mayfeld. Featuring special guest speaker - Christe Dawes, Paralympic medallist and disability advocate. Free lunch, face paintng, games and more! RSVP essental for catering E media@mn.catholic.org.au or P 4979 1111. 8
Ministers this Weekend... ...of the Word ...of Communion 6pm Tuncurry A: Gerald Mullin B: Maureen Stevens Carolyn Ollife, Frank Hayman, Jeanete Goodacre, Neil Pye, Maureen Pye. 7am Tuncurry A: Genevieve Williamson B: Lorraine Clark Alex Matuszny, Cecile Malone, Genevieve Williamson, Kay Grifths, Maria Armitage. 9am Tuncurry A: Trevor Turner B: Barbara Kermode Anne Moloney, Barbara Dolahenty, Josi Beech, Robert Moran, Shioney Neal. Ministers next Weekend... ...of the Word ...of Communion 6pm Tuncurry A: Michael Siddle B: Frank Hayman Lou Hope, Michael Amato, Michael Siddle, Owen Carroll, Ruth Pearson. 7am Tuncurry A: Patricia Cornish B: Norm Chapman Edna Tucker, Graham Grifths, Lorraine Clark, Mark Mowbray, Norm Chapman. 9am Forster A: Robyn Ryan B: Kris Koch Alan McCarthy, Barbara Kermode, Coral McCarthy, Sharon Fowle, Trevor Turner. Please note: The above informaton refects the rosters as originally published, and doesnt take account of any swaps that may have been organised between individuals. Scripture Readings This Week
Today Exodus 22:20-26 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10 Mathew 22:34-40 Monday Ephesians 4:32-58 Luke 13:10-17 Tuesday Ephesians 2:19-22 Luke 6:12-19 Wednesday Ephesians 6:1-9 Luke 13:22-30 Thursday Ephesians 6:10-20 Luke 13:31-35 Friday Philippians 1:1-11 Luke 14:1-6 Saturday Apocalypse 7:2-4, 9-14 1 John 3:1-3 Mathew 5:1-12 Sunday Isaiah 25:6-9 Romans 5:5-11 Mathew 11:25-30 Text: Excerpts from the English Translaton of the Roman Missal 2010, Internatonal Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL); Music: From the Mass of St Francis 2010, Paul Taylor. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Australian AgentLicenSing Online Lic No. 624844. In your charity, please pray for: Those recently deceased.
Those whose anniversaries occur about now. Heather Callaghan, Mary & Vincent Doherty, Allice OBrien, Annie Lantry, John Fitzpatrick.
All those in our community who are sick. Todays Liturgy of the Word
Responsorial Psalm Response: I love you, Lord, my strength.
Gospel Acclamaton Alleluia, alleluia! All who love me will keep my words, and my Father will love them and we will come to them. Alleluia!