9 - 10 January 2021

Dear Parishioners,

Don Farrell - Founding Principal of St Peter’s Primary School

Very sadly, we learnt this week that Don Farrell, the founding Principal of St Peter’s Primary School, passed away on Tuesday, 5 January. Don has been an outstanding supporter of the Parish over the past 30 years. Please find below a tribute in relation to Don written by fellow parishioner and friend of Don, Jim O’Brien.

A text message from Don’s daughter, Libby, on the evening of 5 January read “Today we lost the best husband, dad, grandfather, friend and mentor. What a huge loss to all who knew my amazing and beautiful dad”. All who were fortunate to have known Don would say, “Amen to that!”

Don is survived by his mother, Lillis, wife of 49 years Sharon and his four children, Chris, Libby, Ben, Kath and their families. His family was his rock. His children and grandchildren his pride and joy.

Don had an illustrious career within both the State and Catholic sectors of education that spanned 43 years. Don started teaching in 1969 at Horsley Park, followed by three years at a one teacher school in Thurgoona and five years at Lavington East before taking up an appointment as Principal at a newly amalgamated Catholic school in Goulburn in 1983. In 1987 Don came to the Lismore Diocese as Principal of St Brigid’s, Kyogle. He moved to Port Macquarie as the Foundation Principal of St Peter’s Primary in 1993. The Parish and wider community of Port Macquarie will be forever grateful to Don for the outstanding job he did in establishing this wonderful school.

At the end of 2006 Don announced his retirement from the role of Principal, returning to his first love in education, that of classroom teacher. Don continued his career in education as a part-time teacher at St Joseph’s Primary until the end of 2012.

Don Farrell was, among many other things, an exceptional educational leader. As a former staff member said ‘he had the X factor as a leader’. He exuded love for others, his staff, the children and their parents. He was a great communicator and community builder. Many who knew him well speak of having received a specially penned letter, a card or even a well-chosen book from him when facing one of life’s challenges.

Don continued to be involved in the Parish as a Special Minister and was a great mate to many who shared his many and varied interests including literature, history, music, golf, horse racing and the Manly Sea Eagles. Eternal rest grant unto this legend of education and of Port Macquarie. May he rest in peace!

We extend to Sharon and all Don’s family our support, thoughts and prayers at this time.

God bless,

Father Paul Gooley

OUR VISION

"Everything is to be oriented towards the praise and glory of God."

OUR MISSION The St Agnes' Parish Community strives to make our Vision a

reality by a commitment to:

holiness in the image of Christ.

proclaim the good news of salvation.

minister within the faith community.

the service of all, particularly those in need.

Year B The Baptism Of The Lord

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www.stagnesparish.org.au. ST AGNES’ CATHOLIC CHURCH | PORT MACQUARIE

Fr Paul & Fr Peter on Leave

Welcome Fr Joe

This week we welcome Fr Joe DSouza back to our Parish. Fr Joe will be offering weekday Masses whilst our two priests are on leave. Fr Roland has arrived back in Australia and is quarantining in Sydney before coming back to Port Macquarie for a period of time.

Change to Mass Times

Week 11 - 15 January To enable our priests to attend Fr Peter’s father’s funeral we have changed Mass times this week.

Tuesday, 12 January

Mass 12.05pm St Agnes’ Church

Wednesday, 13 January

Mass 9.30am St Francis of Assisi Chapel

Mass 6.00pm St Bernard’s Telegraph Point

Thursday, 14 January

Mass 12.05pm St Agnes’ Church

No Mass 4.30pm Christ the King Chapel

Friday, 15 January

No Mass or Reconciliation in St Agnes’ Church

Rest in Peace - Bill Wood The funeral for Fr Peter’s father, Bill Wood, will be held at 10.00am at St Carthages Cathedral, Lismore on Friday 15 January. It will be live streamed. We are hoping when Fr Peter returns from annual leave to have a Memorial Mass in St Agnes’ Church for those who wish to attend. Please keep Fr Peter and his family in your prayers.

2019-2020 Parish Annual Report Resilience through faith and unity.

The Parish annual report is available on the parish website. Follow the link. stagnesparish.org.au/annual-report. For anyone who is interested a brochure is available from the church and chapels, and the Presbytery Office with a summary of the full report.

Coeliac Hosts Coeliac hosts are available for parishioners. Prior to mass commencing please go to the Sacristy and speak with the Sacristan. Then sit towards the front of the Church. Coeliac hosts are also available at the Chapels.

Dear Parishioners,

You might have noticed that our parish annual report was released recently. Included in this report is an outline of the financial situation of our parish.

Over the years this parish has made a number of investments in the commercial arena in order to provide additional income. It was realised looking forward that the collections that take place during our weekend masses were never going to be enough to support the work of the parish. In the past we could ‘pool’ funds (from any and all sources) and answer needs as they arose using the ‘pool'. However, more and more, due to regulatory requirements we are unable to do this, there is little to no flexibility in the current environment.

As you are aware, in 2020 due to COVID we had to close the church for three months or so. Since recommencing masses to meet government requirements we have had to limit the numbers attending our masses. We still are not able to take up collections and so our financial situation has been made even more difficult.

For the first time that I can recall this parish has been unable to provide enough money in the first collection and has had to approach the Diocese and ask for funds in order to pay the priests’ salaries and costs.

So I am encouraging everyone in the parish to consider the level of giving that you are making to both the first collection, which supports the clergy, and the second collection which supports the work of the parish.

Please use the ‘tap n’ go’ device, located at the church/chapel entrances, for the second collection and please come forward at the beginning, or at the end, of mass and place any donations in the collection boxes at the front of the church.

Over the coming weeks I will be looking at other ways in which we can help parishioners to support the work of the clergy (1st Collection) and the work of the parish (2nd Collection).

Thank you for your generosity.

God bless.

Baptism of the Lord

Gospel Reflection With this feast, the Christmas cycle comes to a close. It expands the universality of God's presence proclaimed on the Epiphany and locates it in the messianic mission of Jesus established at his baptism. It might be seen as the summary of the entire liturgical cycle: the one born among us is the servant of God who brings to all the nations a universal promise of justice and the fulfilment of hope.

Jesus is the mysterious servant through whom God's saving action is accomplished. He is the light that guides those in darkness. He has been given to the nations as the promise of liberation and the hope of the age to come. His mission is directed to all peoples. Since God’s voice spoke over creation and over the head of Jesus as he emerged from the waters of the Jordan, God’s regeneration of nature is accomplished in and through him.

Anointed by the Spirit, Jesus is commissioned to begin his prophetic work and ministry, a work of inclusivity and the relinquishment of bondage and fear. As the heavens opened, Jesus was identified as the beloved one of God. Now the community of believers is identified with Jesus the servant of God. Through Baptism, Christians share in his prophetic and divine ministry. They too receive at baptism a commission to commit themselves to the service of the poor and to the cause of compassion. The feast of the Baptism of Jesus is a reminder of the call to Christian service.

Dianne Bergant CSA, Liturgy Help

From the Catacombs - here & beyond Episcopuss Wisdom… From the Catechism…

Recently Deceased: Don Farrell, Hans Abel, Bill Wood, Lech Czapnik, Peter Reed, David Bremner. Anniversaries: Leonie Johnston, Emmenuel Bayada, Angus Gaul, Tony Reed, Jeffrey Condron, Aida Gregg, Bernard Heagney, Margaret Elizabeth Langtry, Barrie Stanislaus Masterson. Other Mass Intentions: Noel Clarke, Kerry Comerford, Hilton Dodds, Minnie Downes, Nora Downes Roberts, Beryl Thomas, Emily O’Reilly, Stan Condon, Molly and Robert Friggens, Jeanne Levy, Deb Kelly, Huntley O’Connor, Barbara Grant, Geoff Porter, Shirley Daborn, family and friends suffering from illness, donor intentions, masses for the sick, masses of thanksgiving.

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Important Mass Protocols The number permitted to attend church services is determined by the 2 sq metre government regulations. It is compulsory to book in for all Masses at the chapels and churches. To make a booking, go to the parish website www.stagnesparish.org.au and follow instructions, or phone the Presbytery on 6583 1024. We ask attendees please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the commencement of Mass to allow enough time for the allocation of distanced seating and to minimise movement once Mass has started. On arrival: Have your name marked off and on entry to the church sanitise your hands. Seating: Be aware of social distancing, sit in allocated seats or where instructed to sit. Singing: There is no singing. Holy Communion: Only be given on the hand. Masks: If you are a visitor from Sydney we ask that you wear a mask. If you are from a hotspot, or are unwell, we ask that you do not attend.

We welcome and celebrate the Baptism of Eli Bennett Peter Beattie Nathan Beattie We pray for Eli, Peter and Nathan who will be gifted with the grace of the Holy Spirit. We also pray for their families as they renew their Baptismal promises and join together with their children in God’s loving family.

PARISH NEWS St AGNES’ CATHOLIC CHURCH | PORT MACQUARIE

Remember in Prayer

Pope Francis Tweet The first step towards an attitude of worship is to “lift up our eyes”. When we lift up our eyes to God, life’s

problems do not go away, but we feel certain that the Lord grants us the strength to deal with them.

Parish Priest Father Paul Gooley Assistant Priest Father Peter Wood Deacon Elect Prodencio Bognay Presbytery Office 47 Hay Street: PO Box 23 Port Macquarie 2444 T (02) 6583 1024

E pastoraloffice@stagnesparish.org.au Web: www.stagnesparish.org.au Office Hours: 8.30am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday

DIOCSAN INVESTMENT FUND NOW PAYS 0.45% The Port Macquarie office of the DIF is open Monday to Friday 9.00am - 1.00pm.

Phone Veronica or Mary for any enquiries on 6583 7439 All enquiries outside these hours phone 1800 802 516.

www.stagnesparish.org.au

DOGMA

“You are a child of God. You are wonderfully made, dearly loved and precious in his sight.”

Psalm 139

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Mass Times in St Agnes’ Catholic Parish Please remember to book for all Masses through the

website www.stagnesparish.org.au or phone the Presbytery Office on 6583 1024 Monday to Friday.

Monday: No Mass

Tuesday: 9.30am Residential aged care only (not during January) 11.00am Residential aged care only (not during January) 12.05pm St Agnes’ Church

Wednesday: 9.30am St Francis of Assisi Chapel (celebrated as Sunday Mass) 6.00pm St Bernard’s Church (celebrated as Sunday Mass)

Thursday: 12.05pm St Agnes’ Church 4.30pm Christ the King Chapel (no Mass on 14 January)

Friday: 12.05pm St Agnes’ Church (no Mass on 15 January)

Saturday: 6.00pm Vigil Mass at Our Lady Star of the Sea, Lake Cathie

Sunday: 7.30am St Agnes’ Church 9.00am St Agnes’ Church 5.00pm St Agnes’ Church Reconciliation: (Please book for Reconciliation) Friday 11.30am - 12 noon Saturday 11.30am - 12.30pm Baptisms: Held each Sunday in St Agnes’ Church. Please contact the Presbytery Office, or visit the Parish website for more information.

Suggested Live Streaming of Masses Lismore Diocese - Bishop Greg Homeming. Sunday 8.00am. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYxOjNyku4JCIO8vfeTq-fQ

Daily Mass on Demand https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYRq7AjVimr-hcHFJD_HVaQ Mass for you at Home Sunday 6.00am streamed on Channel 10. Reflections:

Lismore Diocese YouTube Channel

- Fr Paul Daily Reflections

READERS AND COMENTATORS ROSTER Week commencing 17 January 2021

7.30am: Sarah Smith Peter Johnson Greg Grace9.00am: Beth Flynn Georgina Darcy Judy Brady 5.00pm: Tess Koning Suzanne Savage

Tuesday 12.05pm: 19 January Volunteer Thursday 12.05pm: 21 January Denise Puzas Friday 12.05pm: 22 January Jaclyn Reay

Liturgical Celebrations

Ordinary Time 1

Wednesday 13 January St Hilary Optional