Sunday 28th September, 2014 Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Bridgeside Bulletin The weekly bulletin 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 communities of Forster, Tuncurry and the surrounding districts

Parish Fr Andrew Doohan (Parish Priest) Fr Dennis Rochford MSC (Priest in Residence—0415 074 964) Mr Greg Byrne (Pastoral Associate) Mrs Sharon Fowle (Administration Associate/Bulletin) Sr Kathryn McCabe (Aboriginal Catholic Ministry)

The Parish Office is at the rear of the Parish Hall and is normally staffed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 4pm.

Items for inclusion in Bridgeside Bulletin should be received by midday on Thursday.

33 Lake Street, Forster NSW 2428 PO Box 67, Forster NSW 2428

P: (02) 6554 6304 F: (02) 6554 6425 E: forstertuncurryparish@gmail.com W: www.forstertuncurrycatholic.org.au

Celebrating the Sacrament Reconciliation is available on Saturday mornings at Tuncurry from 8:30am until the beginning of the 9am Mass, on Saturday afternoons at Forster from 4:45pm until 5:15pm.

Baptisms are celebrated on Sundays, either during any of our Sunday Masses or after the 9am Mass. The next Baptismal Preparation meeting will take place in the Parish Hall’s meeting rooms on Monday 13th October commencing at 7pm. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.

Weddings are celebrated by arrangement and with at least three (and preferably more) months notice. Please contact Fr Andrew for more details, or visit the Parish website.

A Sacramental Preparation process runs each year in the Parish for children wishing to complete the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation as part of the Parish community. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.

The Parish hosts the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults process for those adults wishing to be baptised or be received into the communion of the Catholic Church. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.

Search for us on Facebook as ‘Catholic Parish of Forster Tuncurry’

Follow us on Twitter: @ftcatholic

Holy Name Parish School (K-6)

Ms Brooke Schumann (Acting 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 Clare’s High School, Taree (7-12)

Mr Peter Nicholls (Principal)

Davis Street, Taree NSW 2430

P: (02) 6552 3300 F: (02) 6552 3656 E: admin@tareesc.catholic.edu.au W: www.tareesc.catholic.edu.au

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The Parish Diary…(for the week ahead) Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Monday—29th September Sts Michael, Gabriel & Raphael, Archangels

Tuesday—30th September St Jerome 9am Christian Meditation (Bob 6555 5914) 3:30pm Holy Hour @ Tuncurry 4:30pm Mass @ Tuncurry 5:30pm Christian Meditation (Bob 6555 5914)

Wednesday—1st October St Therese of the Child Jesus 9am Mass @ Forster 11:15am Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help @

Forster 4.30pm Parish Team Meeting @ Forster

Thursday—2nd October The Holy Guardian Angels 9am Mass @ Forster

Friday—3rd October 9:30am Mass @ Forster

Saturday—4th October St Francis of Assisi 8:30am Reconciliation @ Tuncurry 9am Mass @ Tuncurry 4:45pm Reconciliation @ Forster (until 5:15pm) 6pm Mass @ Tuncurry

Sunday—5th October 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time 7am Mass @ Tuncurry 9am Mass @ Tuncurry 5.30pm Evening Prayer & Benediction @ Tuncurry

Regular Activities in the Parish Secular Franciscan Fraternity The Secular Franciscans Fraternity will next meet on Wednesday 1st October, coming together for Mass at 9am, followed by a cuppa at 9:30am and then the meeting 10am to 12pm.

The menALIVE Groups Our Parish currently hosts two menALIVE groups. The morning group will next meet on Wednesday 8th October after the 9am Mass, while the evening group will next meet on Thursday 30th October at 7:30pm.

Women’s Bible Study Group Our Parish hosts a Women’s Bible Study Group that meets every Thursday evening from 7pm to 8pm. For more information contact Natasha on 0407 589 935.

Christian Meditation Our Parish hosts a number of opportunities for the practice of Christian meditation. These opportunities takes place on Tuesdays at two distinct times, 9am and 5:30pm. For more information contact Bob on 6555 5914.

Maintenance & Gardening Group The Parish is lucky to be served by a very dedicated band of volunteers who tend to the upkeep of the grounds and gardens of our two church sites. They do a fabulous job, and are always ready to welcome new members to the group. Our next reunion will be on Thursday 16th October. Contact Howard 6557 6826 for more information.

Singing Practice The Singing Group will be taking a well earned break for the next 3 weeks and will resume on Tuesday 14th October at Forster at 5.30pm.

Collection of Foodstuffs for Homebase The next collection of foodstuffs in support of Homebase will next take place on Sunday 5th October.

Holy Hour The Parish community observes a Holy Hour each Tuesday afternoon in the Tuncurry Church from 3:30pm until 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 information contact Shioney on 6554 9468.

Evening Prayer & Benediction The Parish community celebrates on the first Sunday of each month at 5:30pm in the Tuncurry church. It will celebrated today, Sunday 5th October. All welcome.

Welcome! We welcome to our community of faith Sovaki, daughter of Tevita and Minoneti , Eloise, daughter of Daniel and Christine, Olivia, daughter of Jonathan and Rebecca and Ivy, daughter of Andrew & Natasha who will be baptised with water and the Holy Spirit this weekend.

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Liturgical Rosters Liturgical rosters for the months of October and November are now available from the rear of the churches.

If you would like to volunteer for inclusion on these ministries, please contact Fr Andrew or the Parish Office.

Vocation View “Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths.” The paths of the Lord lead to eternal life, may we always have the courage to walk where He Leads. (Psalm 25:4). For more information regarding Vocations contact Fr Brian Mascord on 02 4979 1112 or vocations@mn.catholic.org.au

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.

Holy Name School Fete - 12th October Donations for the Fete are now being collected at the School. Pre-loved toys, books, clothes and items for the White Elephant can be dropped off now, while various craft items, including knitted coat hangers, scarves, cakes and plants can be dropped off closer to the event.

Volunteers to assist on the day are also being sought.

For more information, please contact Alison Anthony on 0417 640 482 or Sally Grehan on 0417 132 670.

From the Pastor’s Desk We seem to live busy lives even in retirement. But our Catholic faith demands a certain respect for contemplation in life. Soon enough nobody will remember life before the internet. (I do!) But what does this unavoidable fact mean? Michael Harris has a good book on these consequences. He talks about the end of absence.

If we comb through what is left of our pre-internet lives, separating the things we will carry forward into the new connected world, from the worthy things we have left behind, our insatiable appetites – for information, stimulation and validation – will come with us. However, when all those wants are supplied, will we be satisfied?

Without such absences we risk fooling ourselves into believing that old things matter less. We will soon fail to see that a culture of abundance and prosperity devalues consumption. It dulls desire through a surplus of information and things. It fosters a vague feeling of dissatisfaction.

Even the basic act of contemplation (and prayer) may suffer if idleness – when waiting for a bus or standing in a queue – is replaced with the easy entertainment offered by smartphones. As with great music silences are as much a part of human experience as soaring crescendos. There is no inspiration without reflection.

Perhaps I am sounding like an aging Luddite? But I have my supporters. Nicholas Carr has written about the way in which the internet is rewiring our brains. The roman philosopher Seneca reflects on the need to combine solitude and the crowd and to have both available to us. Just as we watch our diet for an excess of salts and fats, which our bodies crave, so we must remain cautious about technology.

In so many ways the use of technology is of benefit but it alienates us from some essentials aspects of life. We pre-internet generation people can and should remind others about what has been lost. Not least is the appreciation of silences and a blessed solitude. These are essential dispositions towards faith; they are vital for liturgy and the sacraments (even for family life).

Without knowing silence, solitude and absence we impoverish the life of faith. We dull the religious desire and extinguish the “restlessness” and “dissatisfaction” as the mood in which to know that only God satisfies the human heart. God is the absolute good that the soul desires. It is an experience not promoted by our increasing immersion in the mobile, the virtual and the speed of technology.

Father Dennis Rochford msc

Red Cross Ebola Appeal Sr Diana Santleben op, from Penola House, is asking people to consider donating 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 posting a cheque or money order to Ebola Outbreak 2014 Appeal, Australian Red Cross, GPO Box 2957, Melbourne 8060.

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Formation for Ministry Program A series of formation units developed especially for members of Parish Leadership Teams, Parish Pastoral Councils, Parish Finance Councils and Parish Pastoral Teams—as well as those involved in other parish groups and ministries—is being offered in our own Parish Hall. The course has begun and continues for another 4 sessions.

All units completed can be credited towards a Certificate in Ministry. Brochures and flyers are available at the rear of the churches. There is no cost for participating in the program.

The next session will take place in our Parish Hall on Saturday 18th October.

For more information on the program, please email Sharon Murphy in the Diocesan Chancery on sharon.murphy@mn.catholic.org.au or the Tenison Woods Education Centre by email twec@ssjl.org.au.

Blessing of the Fleet On Sunday 5th October we will be celebrating our Annual Blessing of the Fishing Fleet at Tuncurry. On this weekend ALL MASSES WILL BE AT TUNCURRY.

Following the 9am Mass the congregation will process down to John Wright Park where Fr Andrew will board a boat and travel down the channel blessing all vessels. If you have a boat, no matter the size, you are invited to launch it into the channel to be blessed.

This will immediately be followed by a BBQ in John Wright Park to which everyone is welcome. BYO chairs, blankets and drinks. Fish, sausages and bread all provided and lovingly cooked.

Reflection by Dianne Bergant CSS

In every life there is a struggle between obedience and disobedience, and this struggle takes various twists and turns. At times we are willing to conform to regulations set from the outside, and at times we are not. We are invited to choose in favour of the reign of God, or we are free to ignore the invitation. Those who are fundamentally righteous sometimes fall from grace, and people considered evil to the core sometimes reform their lives. What ultimately counts are not the promises made, but the actions taken.

We are called to discipleship, and there may well be urgency in this call, but it is an invitation that is to be accepted freely. As is the case with life itself, options are placed before us all the way along the road. We are invited to choose in favour of the reign of God, or we are free to ignore the invitation. However, the invitation always remains open to us, because God’s desire for our acceptance is persistent and enduring.

The real choice set before us today is the imitation of Christ. The specific characteristic of Christ today is his humility. Since demanding one’s rights can undermine the loving quality of community, Jesus’ humility is offered for our imitation. It is very clear that whichever aspect of discipleship we examine, some aspect of community is also present. To be a disciple of Jesus is to follow him humbly as a member of a believing community.

© Dianne Bergant CSS

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Volunteer Driving Instructor Forster Neighbourhood Centre (Forster NC) is piloting a driver training program to support young people gain their 120 hours driving experience.

The FNC vehicle would be used and students would donate $15 towards petrol for each lesson.

The program is designed to support young people who have no family nor friend who could help them and/or who are disengaged from family. Referrals from community workers will have to support this strict criteria. If you're interested in donating your time towards this pilot project (which will be reviewed December 2014) please contact Trish Wallace at Forster NC on 6555 4351. A working with Children check would be required for this volunteer position.

SRE Encouragement Day Hunter Christian SRE (Catechist) Encouragement Day Tuesday October 14th 10.30am to 2.30pm Forster Catholic Church hall. Opportunity to gather with others united in Ministry to share successes and challenges and ways to answer difficult questions in SRE lessons. Morning Tea provided, please bring lunch to share. Phone Loretta 0408 895 951 to register or sre@mn.catholic.org.au

Social Justice Sunday This Sunday is Social Justice Sunday. Each year the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference produces a social justice statement. The title of this year’s statement is “A Crown for Australia” and it challenges us to look at the place of sport in our lives. Where are its strengths and how can we ensure that sport can thrive and in return can nourish our society? Equally, what are the influences that are undermining and distorting sport’s ideals?

Most importantly, how can we work to realise sport’s potential to unite communities, overcome differences and be a force for social justice and reconciliation?

The Statement’s title refers to St Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 9:24–27), where Paul compares the athletes of the time competing for a ‘wreath that will wither’ with our aspiration for an imperishable crown as followers of Christ.

Australians are passionate about their sport. The nation seems to stop for a grand final or a crucial cricket test. Local sporting clubs are a nucleus around which a true community can grow up and flourish. Lifelong friendships are forged; young people learn skills and resilience; volunteers devote time and energy to their organisations.

Sport brings together people who otherwise might never come in contact.

As our lifestyles become more and more sedentary, sport makes an essential contribution to our health and wellbeing, both physical and mental.

But there is another side to sport, one that can bring us disillusionment instead of delight. Too often, we see violence on the field, on the sidelines or in the street; we see abuse of drugs and alcohol; we see racism and abuse or exploitation of women; and we see a growing potential for crime and corruption.

This Social Justice Sunday, we are invited to explore how sport can help us celebrate sport’s gifts and use them to bring about God’s kingdom on Earth.

For further details about the Social Justice Statement, visit the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council website (http://www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au) or call (02) 8306 3499.

Your free copy of the Statement will be available this weekend.

Profession to Secular Franciscans During 9am Mass on Saturday 4th October two members of the community will be making their Profession to the Secular Franciscans. All parishioners are welcome to attend.

Volunteer Garden Co-ordinator The Forster Community Garden was established in 2007 with 'seed' funding from the State Government as a community capacity building initiative.

Since then the Forster Neighbourhood Centre (Forster NC) has managed to develop and grow their own garden as well as support the establishment of other community gardens, produce a manual for preschools to establish gardens (see: www.fnc.org.au) and educated over 500 residents in how to grow their own organic food.

The garden horticulturalist is on site Tuesday mornings to direct garden volunteers and teach people how to establish their own gardens and grow food organically.

The Forster NC desperately needs a volunteer Garden Co-ordinator to work the horticulturalist and Forster NC Manager to advance the prospects of the garden, identify and garnish funds and help with organising garden events. It is envisaged that the co-ordinator would work approximately 7 hours per week - it depends! Contact Trish 02 6555 4351 at the Forster NC if you're interested.

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Kid’s Corner

Change your minds and believe Try to find these words:

Baptist

before

believe

father

obeyed

older

tax

two

Vineyard

M T F Y O U N G E R X J C C J

G L Z C A G V V L Y H A U G S

E O L D E R P B D P Q J C Y B

A X I T Z T Z E F L M M J Z P

A V I N E Y A R D X Z L B Q A

W P Q E B E L I E V E F T A O

O N S F P R Z B T Y H A W M B

M N H M I Y E M R R I T O V E

E I J P U J J U Y B Z H P S Y

N Y L D R Y H P X N B E J A E

J B E F O R E V Y H I R T F D

X A P P R B A P T I S T T A X

B E X K K Q N U Z P S X K P C

Y W P J I M J W O R K A M R Q

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Opportunities Outside The Parish

“Towards A Better World” Conference The National Conference on the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees will be held on Wednesday 1st October at Australian Catholic University, North Sydney. For more information visit www.acmro. catholic.org.au or phone 6201 9848.

Creation & Reconciliation Flinders Ranges Pilgrimage will be held on Monday 06 October at Flinders Ranges, S.A. Catholic Earthcare Australia invites you to register your interest to participate in a 7-day pilgrimage. Visit www.catholicearthcare.org.au for more information or E admin@catholicearthcare.org.au.

Reconnector for Seasons for Growth Companions Reconnector will be held on Thursday 09 October beginning at 9:30am at 841 Hunter St, Newcastle West for Companions trained in the Adult Seasons for Growth Program. Please register for these events with Good Grief www.goodgrief.org.au/training.

SRE Renew Training SRE Renew Training will commence on Friday 10th October at 10:30am at 262 Sandgate Road, Shortland. SRE Training is for current & prospective Catechists, and runs for six Fridays. RSVP to Zoe Crosbie by phone to 4979 1328 or by email to sre@mn.catholic.org.au.

ACTiv8 Spring Retreat The ACTiv8 Spring Retreat will be held on Friday 17th October at Lake Mac Outdoor Recreation Centre, Balcolyn. The cost of the Retreat is $115 per person. For more information visit www.activ8chisholm.org or email activ8chisholm.youth@gmail.com

menALIVE Weekend A menALIVE Weekend will be held on Saturday 18th and 19th October at St Michael’s Primary School, Sproule St, Nelson Bay. menALIVE is an event which has been held in dozens of parishes around Australia these last 8 years. It is an enjoyable and encouraging experience for men to enjoy. There is a chance to share insights, and the weekend serves to help men focus on life’s essentials again, including our faith. All are welcome to come! Contact St Michael’s Parish Office on 4981 1069 for more details.

2014 National Pilgrimage In the Footsteps of Saint Mary pilgrimage commences in Melbourne on 22nd October and ends in Sydney. The cost per person, twin share is $2,740 (ex Sydney). Contact Therese Leydon rsj by phone to 8912 4818, or by email to mmp.ministries@sosj.org.

Two Bishops Dialogue Adult Gathering will be held on Tuesday 21st October

beginning at 6:00pm at St Thomas’ Anglican Church, Thomas St, Cardiff. An opportunity to gather as an Ecumenical and Interfaith community, with both Bishop Greg (Anglican) and Bishop Bill (Catholic). Both Bishops invite you to share questions and concerns with them to explore ways to further develop our relationships as a Christian community. For further details: Brooke Robinson at the Diocesan Chancery Offices P 4979 1111 or E events@mn.catholic.org.au.

Exploring the Seasons of Grief Newcastle Program will be held on Saturday 25th October beginning at 9:30am at 841 Hunter St, Newcastle West. Using the metaphor of the changing seasons, participants explore the impact of change & loss. Other dates include 1st Nov. Cost is $50 for general participants, $30 for CSO or Parish participants. Bookings are essential. Phone Zoe 4979 1355 or E seasonsforgrowth@mn.catholic.org.au.

Diocesan Mission Mass Mass will be held on Tuesday 28th October at 11:30am at St Phillip's Catholic Church, 31 Vista Pde, Kotara. Catholic Mission has officially 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." RSVP by the end of Term 3 E richard.cootes@mn.catholic.edu.au.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend Marriage Encounter Weekend is a Marriage Enrichment experience for married couples – set in peaceful, picturesque surroundings, away from the distractions of everyday life. During the weekend, couples have a unique opportunity to reconnect, rekindle and refresh their relationship. Take time out of your busy schedule, to invest in your most precious asset, your Marriage! Weekend 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.

Women of Faith Lunch The Women of Faith group (Anglican Parish of Forster Tuncurry) will be holding a lunch on Saturday, 18th October, 12pm, at St Alban's Church Hall, St Alban's Place, Forster. The speaker will be Jan Clark, a textile artist, who will bring samples of the beautiful textiles she creates. There will be good fellowship, delicious food and a fascinating speaker. Cost $10 a head. Everyone is welcome - women of any faith or none. Further information from Janet Lawrence 6554 5981.

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Ministers this Weekend... ...of the Word ...of Communion

6pm Tuncurry A: Frank Hayman B: Neil Pye

Burness Goodlet, Carolyn Olliffe, Frank Hayman, Maureen Pye, Neil Pye.

7am Tuncurry A: Edna Tucker B: Chris Matuszny

Alex Matuszny, Cecile Malone, Cushla Drake, Kay Griffiths, Maria Armitage.

9am Forster A: Barbara Kermode B: Judy Shand

Alan McCarthy, Anne Moloney, Barbara Kermode, Coral McCarthy, Robyn Ryan.

Ministers next Weekend... ...of the Word ...of Communion

6pm Tuncurry A: Valarie Ross B: Monica Hunt

Burness Goodlet, Carolyn Olliffe, Jeanette Goodacre, Kathryn McCabe, Pat Hooker.

7am Tuncurry A: Lorraine Clark B: Patricia Cornish

Edna Tucker, Graham Griffiths, Lorraine Clark, Mark Mowbray, Norm Chapman.

9am Forster A: Marion O’Neill B: Kyla Loring

Anne Hartman, Elle Cairns-Cowan, Josi Beech, Robert Moran, Shioney Neal.

Please note: The above information reflects the rosters as originally published, and doesn’t take account of any ‘swaps’ that may have been organised between individuals.

Scripture Readings This Week

Today Ezekiel 18:25-28 Philippians 2:1-11 Matthew 21-28-32 Monday Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 John 1:47-51 Tuesday Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23 Luke 9:51-56 Wednesday Job 9:1-12 Luke 9:57-62 Thursday Exodus 23:20-23 Matthew 18:1-5, 10 Friday Job 38:1, 12-21, 40:3-5 Luke 10:17-24 Saturday Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17 Luke 10:17-24 Sunday Isaiah 5:1-7 Philippians 4:6-9 Matthew 21:33-43

Today’s Liturgy of the Word

Responsorial Psalm Response: Remember your mercies, O Lord.

Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia! My sheep listen to my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me. Alleluia!

Text: Excerpts from the English Translation of the Roman Missal © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL); Music: From the Mass of St Francis © 2010, Paul Taylor. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Australian Agent—LicenSing Online Lic No. 624844.

In your charity, please pray for:

Those recently deceased.

Those whose anniversaries occur about now. Lil & Jim Edstein.

All those in our community who are sick. Joan Leigh, Alieen Mooney.