31st SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B 4th NOVEMBER 2018

Dear Parishioners,

We have begun the month of November last Thursday. The Solemnity of All Saints on 1st November and the Mass of All Souls (Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed) on 2nd November bring to us certain realities of life, life journeying towards the eternity. We are invited to remember our brothers and sisters who have gone before us, especially in this month. The Book of Life is at the Church for us to write down the names of those to whom we are going to pray and to remember at mass this month. This is, to me, a good tradition. We are called to keep going on the prayer and remembrance of our departed brothers and sisters in Christ, not only in this month but also throughout our life. Saint Augustine noted: “If we have no care for the dead, we would not be in the habit of praying for them.”

Remembering those who have gone to their rest can more or less help us to reflect upon the eschatological realities, namely, Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell. Each day, I believe, is a closer step to the tomb. It sounds negative but true. Monsignor Escriva wrote an encouraging note: “When facing death, be calm. I do not want you to have the cold stoicism of the pagan, but the fervour of a son of God who knows that life is changed, not taken away. To die is to live!”

Saint Paul in his letter to the Romans points out the hope in the Lord: “Hope is not deceptive, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given us.” God is always with us to help, to forgive, to save and to love. We certainly know that.

In the Gospel this Sunday, 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, Jesus answered the question of the scribe asking him which is the important commandment of all commandments which, by rabbinical count, consists 613 commandments. He did not say one but two: “you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: you must love your neighbour as yourself.” Both are found in the Old Testament: the first in Deuteronomy 6:4 (First Reading) and the second in Leviticus 19:18.

We pray that we are always aware of the commandment of love and try our best to put in practice what Jesus has taught. There can be a variety of ways to do this.

In the communion of Saints, we can be certain that there is a connection between those who have gone and those who remain. Regarding the love of our neighbour as Jesus taught, we, ‘travellers’ on the pilgrim journey, are able to show our love and concern to our departed brothers and sisters by keeping them in our minds and in our hearts with various spiritual ways: offering the mass, prayer, rosary, self denial, and so on. May this month be a good month for us all in faith, in hope and in love.

Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord And let perpetual light shine upon them, may they rest in peace.

May God bless us all!!

John Hong

OUR CHURCHES

St. Mary’s - Elizabeth Street, Woodend St. Brigid’s - Matthew Street, Rosewood

Mater Dei - Cnr Ferrett Street and Rowland Tce, Sadliers Crossing St. Joseph’s - 42 Pine Mountain Road, North Ipswich

Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal - Robertson Rd, Eastern Heights Immaculate Heart of Mary - 22 Old Toowoomba Road, Leichhardt

BOOK OF LIFE: The Ipswich Catholic Community Books of Life will be placed in front of the sanctuary and Paschal Candle at each Church during November. The Paschal Candle will be lit at all liturgies during November as a reminder of each person’s baptism. You are invited to write the names of deceased family members and friends, who we will pray for at each Mass. (November Mass envelopes are available at Church doors).

Throughout November we pray for

those who have died, especially our de-

ceased relatives,

friends, and those

who have no one

to pray for them.

WEEKEND MASS TIMES - 10TH AND 11TH NOVEMBER

SATURDAY CHURCH LOCATION

4.30pm Immaculate Heart Leichhardt

5.30pm OLMM Eastern Heights

6.00pm St Mary’s Woodend

SUNDAY MASS CHURCH LOCATION

7.30am St Joseph’s North Ipswich

8.00am St Brigid’s Rosewood

8.30am St Mary’s Woodend

6.00pm St Mary’s Woodend

SACRAMENT OF PENANCE

DAY TIME CHURCH

Friday 8.30am-8.50am OLMM

Saturday 4.15pm-4.25pm Leichhardt

Saturday 5.00pm-5.30pm St Mary’s

COMMUNITY DIRECTORY

Parish Priest

Parish Ministers

Pastoral Associate

Fr Stephen Bliss ofm sbliss@franciscans.org.au

Fr John Hong Fr Enoch Iheme

Bernadette McAndrew Ph 0488 008 817

Local Safeguarding Chil-dren and Vulnerable Adults Representative

Kate Castles 0428 455054

Administration Staff Mrs Maree Coyne (on leave till 14th Nov)

Mrs Kathy Lund Mrs Rosalia Risati Mrs Kate Castles Mrs Bernadette Lenihan

Office Hours Monday: 10.00am-3.30pm Tues-Thurs: 8.00am-3.30pm Friday: 8.00am-1.00pm

Ipswich Catholic Community Contact Information

Telephone Email Post Mass Times

07 3281 2133 ipswich@bne.catholic.net.au PO Box 23, Ipswich 4305 07 3281 0707

New Media - Evangelisation

Website www.ipswichcatholic.com

Find us by searching for ‘ipswichcatholic’ on

Facebook / YouTube / Twitter / iTunes

Schools and Colleges in our Community

St Mary’s Primary

Immaculate Heart

St Joseph’s School

St Brigid’s School

St Mary’s College

St Edmund’s College

Woodend

Leichhardt

North Ipswich

Rosewood

Woodend

Woodend

07 3281 1998

07 3812 1077

07 3201 6188

07 5464 1563

07 3432 5444

07 3810 4400

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR NOVEMBER

Nov 5th, Mon Catechesis of The Good Shepherd, 7 to 9 year olds

3.00pm-5.00pm, bottom floor of early years classrooms, St Mary’s Primary

Nov 6th, Tues Catechesis of The Good Shepherd, 3 to 6 year olds

3.00pm-5.00pm, bottom floor of early years classrooms, St Mary’s Primary

Nov 7th, Wed Prayer Group Meeting

Nth Ipswich New Parent evening

Animation Group Meeting

RCIA meeting

5.00pm-6.00pm, St Mary’s Parish Cnt

6.30pm-8.00pm, St Joseph’s School, Nth Ipswich

7.00-9.00pm, St Mary’s Parish Centre

7.00-8.30pm, St Mary’s Parish Centre

Nov 9th, Fri Meditation Group

Exercise Group

Morning Tea

HIVE - Youth Events

7.45am-8.45am, St Mary’s Presbytery

9.30am-11.30am, Mater Dei

10am-11.00am, Riverlink Shopping Cnt

6.30pm-9.00pm, Mater Dei

Nov 17th, Sat Glamorgan Vale Mass and blessing of graves

10.00am, Glamorgan Vale Cemetery

Nov 24th, Sat Mass and Blessing of Graves

9.00am, St Michael’s, Pine Mountain

WEEKDAY MASS TIMES

Monday, 5th November - Weekday, Ordinary Time 31

7.00am St Joseph’s, North Ipswich 7.00pm Mater Dei, Sadliers Crossing

Tuesday, 6th November - Weekday, Ordinary Time 31

9.00am Immaculate Heart of Mary, Leichhardt

10.30am NO MASS - St Mary’s Hostel, Raceview

Wednesday, 7th November - Weekday, Ordinary Time 31

9.00am St Mary’s , Woodend 9.30am Cabanda N. Home, Rosewood

10.00am RSL Retirement Community Mass, Grange Road

Thursday, 8th November - Weekday, Ordinary Time 31

9.00am St Joseph’s, North Ipswich 9.00am St Mary’s, Woodend

Friday, 9th November - The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

8.00am St Mary’s College Chapel 9.00am OLMM, Eastern Heights

WARRILL PARK CEMETERY: Please join us for a Prayer Service to be held at Warrill Park Cemetery this Sunday (4th November) at 3pm. We will gather under a rotunda to pray and remember our loved ones who are buried in this cemetery. We invite you to bring flowers (that will be blessed) with you to place on the grave of those you remember with love. Bring a chair as there is limited seating, and sun protection. Cold water will be provided. We look forward to sharing this special liturgy with you.

FR RAY KEARNEY: This week we learned of the death of FR RAY KEARNEY, a much loved priest who spent many years ministering to the people of Ipswich and Booval Parishes, and I’m sure his pastoral care was felt throughout the whole Ipswich community. Even in retirement he delighted in returning to the various parishes of Ipswich to celebrate Mass with friends and acquaintances – and was always ready to share a cuppa and have a laugh. He now rests in the loving arms of our Lord, and we can honour him by continuing to remember him in our prayers.

… What’s happening in the Ipswich Catholic Community ...

PLENARY COUNCIL 2020: Pope Francis is encouraging our Church to be a listening (synodal) Church. We’re invited to speak freely and honestly, sharing from our hearts and to listen humbly – to each other and to the Spirit. In our encounters with one another, we encounter and discern what God is asking of us. Please consider this as a personal invitation to be involved. We want to hear from everyone! For more information on the Plenary Council, please visit plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au

Our listening and dialogue sessions have been set for each Church in November.

Wed, 7th November, 7.00pm - Animation Group discussion, St Mary’s Parish Centre. Facilitated by Carol Danby from Evangelisation Brisbane.

Wed, 14th November, 10.00am - Rosewood Church

Wed, 14 November, 7.00pm - St Joseph’s Church

Wed, 21st November, 10.00am - Leichhardt Church

Wed, 28th November, 7.00pm - St Mary’s Parish

Centre

A CHURCH OF THE BEATITUDES: Jesus left no formal religious rule for his followers. The closest he came was his proclamation of the Beatitudes: Blessed are the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, the peacemakers…. St Francis took to heart this spiritual vision and translated it into a way of life. In various ways, other saints before and since have done the same. But for many men and women since the time of Francis, his particular example has offered a distinctive key to the Gospel or, as Pope Francis might say, “a new way of seeing and interpreting reality.” Among the central features of this key: the vision of a Church that is “poor and for the poor”; a resolve to take

seriously Jesus’s example of self-emptying love; the way of mercy and compassion; above all, a determination to proclaim the Gospel not only with words but with one’s life. - from The Franciscan Saints (Robert Ellsberg).

CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY MASS: We are inviting all young children who will be attending the 6pm Christmas Eve Mass in St Mary’s to be part of the story of the birth of Jesus. This has become a very special moment for our young children and we encourage all primary school aged children to come forward and take part as it really is lots of fun. There will be a couple of practices before the event and these will begin on Monday November 26th from 5-30pm in St Mary’s Church. If your child would like to take part and these times don’t suit please let me know as I don’t want any child to miss out on the opportunity to participate. Please call the Parish office on 3281 2133 to register your child’s interest.

Recently the St Joseph’s SVDP Conference has been assisting a woman who has had a series of health issues and a death in tragic circumstances impact her family. As a sole parent, she has been left to care for eight children, one with long term health issues and a premature grandchild. She has been travelling to and from Brisbane hospitals at significant expense. On hearing of her circumstances, Fr Stephen on behalf of the Ipswich Catholic Community contributed $200 to assist and when given the money, coincidentally on her 40th birthday, she was brought to tears and asked that her heartfelt thanks and the gratitude of her family be conveyed to all our parishioners.

VACANCY - QUALIFIED CHEF REQUIRED JANUARY 1ST UNTIL JANUARY 10TH 2019: Founded with the desire for spiritual renewal in parishes, through Adoration and faith formation. The Sisters of the Immaculata Mission School (The Glennie School, 246A Herries Street, Toowoomba) are looking for a Qualified Chef to prepare meals for approximately 150-200 young people at this faith filled event. You will be helped by volunteers in the preparing and cooking of the food. For more information please contact the Sisters either by: email: sistersof theimmaculata@gmail.com or phone: 0406 372 608; website: http://www/sistersoftheimmaculata.org.au/ims

SEMINARIAN APPOINTMENT: The Archbishop has appointed a seminarian to the Ipswich Catholic Community for the Advent Placement. We will welcome Minje (Min/jay) Kim to the Parish from 17 November to 16 December 2018. Minje will be involved in as much of our Parish Life as is possible and this placement will help him gain some pastoral experience. He will of course learn much from your witness and the conversations he will have as he moves across the Churches. Welcome Minje!

REMEMBRANCE DAY: On 11 November 1918, many communities across the world celebrated the Armistice which ended the hostilities of the First World War by ringing bells. As part of Armistice Centenary commemorations this Remembrance Day, bells from bell towers across Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom will again ring to mark the significance of this anniversary. The Queensland government is encouraging local organisations with bell towers to participate in this initiative. The Bells at St Mary’s will ring at 12 noon, with a short prayer at the Grotto. Please gather at the Grotto next Sunday at 11.55am to pray for peace and thanksgiving for the freedom we enjoy in this sacred land of Australia. The bells of St Brigid’s will also ring at 12 noon, with a short prayer at the Bell Tower. It is suggested that we ring our bells for two to three minutes at this time to ensure that the bells will not conflict with the one minute’s silence or Remembrance Day services.

RCIA MEETING: Wednesday, 7th November 7.00pm-8.30pm, St Mary’s

Parish Centre.

ANIMATION GROUP MEETING: Wednesday, 7th November

7.00pm- 9.00pm, St Mary’s Parish Centre.

As we celebrate All Saints' and All Souls' Days and remember our loved ones in the month of Novem-ber .... “To be saints is not a privilege for the few, but

a vocation for everyone”. Pope Francis

DEANERY VISITATION: Thank you to all those Parishioners who

wrote responses to the Deanery Visitation Questions. Those replies

which were submitted have been handed in a folder to the Vicar

General. Also thanks to those Parishioners, each Principal and APRE

who met with representatives of the Episcopal Office on Thursday

and Friday. All the Parishes of the Deanery met on Saturday for a

Forum with the Archbishop. A report of this Forum will be given next

week to you.

Thanks to everyone for your interest in the

future of the Church developing in the

Ipswich area. Fr Stephen

NEWS FROM AROUND OUR COMMUNITY

ONE NON-PERISHABLE ITEM PER FAMILY EACH WEEK TO HELP THE NEEDY IN THE LOCAL IPSWICH AREA: Each week parishioners are invited to bring one item of non-perishable food to Mass, place it in

the collection basket, which will form part of our Procession of Gifts and then passed on to SVDP Welfare to support those in need in our community. Thank you for supporting this initiative.

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

RECENTLY DECEASED: Barry Dredge, Michele Steward, Jean Prefke, Pamela Jendra, Fr Ray Kearney.

ANNIVERSARY: Martin Ryan, John and Jane Keenan, Lisa Heuston, Evan Thomas, Carolyn Burt, Reg Range, Betty Badke, Joyce Molloy, Kathy Boyce and Joan Lindh.

FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE HOUSE-BOUND AND RECEIVE COMMUNION AT HOME.

MEALS ON WHEELS: Each year our parishes are asked to supply Drivers and Helpers for two days in December and three days in January to give the regular Meals on Wheels volunteers a well-deserved break.

The dates for the Ipswich Catholic Community this time are:

DECEMBER 2018: MONDAY (17th) and TUESDAY (18th);

JANUARY 2019: MONDAY (7th and 14th), and TUESDAY (15th).

You simply arrive at the Meals on Wheels Kitchen (South Street) at 10.15am, and you are then given the meals and a list of recipients (usually about 1½ - 2 hours).

To volunteer please add your name and contact to the list on the notice board at any of the churches or call the Parish Office.

So please give it some thought and volunteer where you can. (Families who have volunteered in the past, have found it a great experience for the children – being able to deliver meals to usually older people who just love to see the children helping).

CORO CONCORDE PRESENT... "I'll Be Home For Christmas" on 14th November in Cambrian Centre, Booval. Tickets $12 (available at the door, eftpos available). Includes morning tea. Web Bookings: cambrianchoir.org.au/events. Phone 0438895676. Doors open at 9.00am for 9:30 am start.

PRAYER IS A MYSTERY: Prayer is almost as much a mystery as God. Prayer always seems to be more than the words we use to describe it or the ways in which we understand it. Prayer is as old as the human family, stretching all the way back to the fall of Adam and Eve. Prior to disobeying God, our first parents lived in friendship with God. The intimacy they shared precluded the need for prayer. Their sin, however, produced a chasm between themselves and God. Because God created them to share the divine life, the desire for God not only remained, it also intensified.

St. Augustine describes this as a restlessness within the human heart that can only be satisfied by resting in God. We can say, therefore, that prayer is the action that enables communication between that which is human and that which is divine. - from Prayer Everywhere: The Spiritual Life Made Simple.

RAFFLE: Care and Concern is holding a raffle on Saturdays 10th and 17th November after the 4.30pm Mass in Leichhardt. There are three prizes: 1st - large baske of Xmas goodies; 2nd - small basket

of Xmas goodies; 3rd - Dressed doll. Drawn during morning tea on Thursday, 20th November. Proceeds to Care and Concern. Tickets $1 each or 6 for $5.

PRAYER FOR HSC STUDENTS: Today, let us especially pray for our young people as they sit their final year exams. God, we ask that they especially feel your closeness during the exam period. Give them calm hearts and quiet confidence in the knowledge that you hold them in the palm of your hand. Bless them with keen understanding and retentive memory. Give them the ability to grasp things correctly. Point out the beginning, direct their progress and help them in the completion of each of their responses. Holy Spirit send them your gifts of wisdom and knowledge. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen. (We remember all Yr 12 students at this time especially).

Congratulations to all award winners at the recent Awards Nights at St Mary’s College and St Edmunds. The Ipswich Catholic Community is proud of all our student-parishioners who give their best in their studies.

FRANCISCAN FRIARS: This week we welcomed four Friars-in-Formation (Franciscan Seminarians) to see and experience a bit of the Ipswich Catholic Community. Next week another three will

come and join us for a few days. The Friars were very impressed with the welcome they received - Thank-you. Let us not forget to keep these brothers in our prayers!

WE’RE ON TV: This weekend’s episode of THE GREAT DAY OUT will look at the Historical Buildings in Ipswich, and St. Mary’s Church will feature. You can see the show on Sunday afternoon at 5.30pm on Channel 7. If you miss it on Sunday, you’ll be able to view it (after it has played on TV) on the following Website: http://thegreatdayout.com.au; and Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheGreatDayOut