Parish of Corio/Lara St Francis Xavier Church, Corio St Anthony of Padua Church, Lara

Archdiocese of Melbourne Australia

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Sunday 3rd September, 2017 FATHERS DAY Today’s Gospel is from St. Matthew 16:21-27 At the morning parade in Dachau on 22nd July 1943, six prisoners were found to have escaped. Retribution was swift and brutal. Randomly selected, 12 people were hanged. As the other prisoners watched their 12 fellow inmates gasp for breath, someone in the crowd cried out, ‘Where is God?’ Silence descended on the yard. The 12 bodies were now in spasm, jerking and struggling for breath. As everyone watched, the voice came again, this time more urgently, ‘Where is God now?’ ‘My God’, another voice yelled back, ‘My God is hanging there’.This sort of faith is what today’s Gospel is all about. Christianity is the only world religion that holds that God took our flesh, suffered, died and was raised to life.It is certainly true that we have domesticated the scandal of the cross, even to the point that, these days, it dangles from various parts of people’s anatomies. I often wonder, had Jesus been electrocuted to death, whether we would have little golden chairs around our necks? But while we have tried to tame the reality of Jesus’ tortured hours in Jerusalem, the reality of the cross in each of our lives cannot be so commercially soothed.Christians are not meant to be smiling masochists. We are not meant to be lovers of pain – just bearers of it.We are invited, by Jesus, to see the burden of suffering in our lives as an opportunity to be faithful to his example. It also gives us an opportunity to be in solidarity with all those who suffer in our world. This is easier said than done. When we suffer in our daily lives, thoughts of others rarely come to mind easily, but it can be consoling to keep our suffering in context and know that we are not facing it alone.We are encouraged to see that suffering can be an opportunity to grow in love. If we understand our crosses as our particular schools of love, then we learn more about ourselves and God and are able to help others carry their crosses as well. Carrying our cross, however, is not just about bearing physical, personal, sexual, spiritual or emotional pain; it can also be in the sharing of our gifts and talents, our love and compassion. In every gift there is a burden. Following Christ’s example, we are called to share our gifts heroically with anyone in need, even to the end.Some people complain these days that God is often presented as a big marshmallow, all sweet and soft. Today’s Gospel shows the ‘edge’ involved in being a follower of Christ. I don’t know of a more demanding vocation in our world than that of taking up the cross of being faithful, loving and selfless.And while we are invited to take up our cross and follow Jesus, we never do it alone. If we have the eyes to see it and the humility to accept it, Christ, literally, hangs in there with us every step of the way.So let’s recall the first cross from which we take comfort as we bear our own crosses. ‘In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.’ Richard Leonard SJ

Father's Day in AustraliaIn Australia, Father's Day is celebrated with much enthusiasm and joy. What is noticeable about Father's Day in Australia is its unique time of celebration. Unlike in US and several other countries where Father's Day is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of June, Fathers Day in Australia is celebrated on the 1st Sunday of September. Hence, the date of Father's Day is never fixed. We also acknowledge father figures, stepfathers, grandfathers and mothers who are also fathers.Fathers Day celebration in Australia takes place in the same way as in several other

countries around the world. Taking opportunity of the occasion, people express gratitude for father and thank them for all their care and support. Most often children gift flowers, neckties, chocolates or other gift to honor their dearest dad. Though the occasion is celebrated privately in households, several clubs and societies take initiative to organize special programmes to encourage and entertain people. Breakfast meeting for families is a common feature of Father Day celebration in Australia. Various types of games and activities are organized in such Father's Day get-togethers to strengthen the bond of love between father and a child.

PARISH PRAYER We, the people of Corio/Lara Catholic Parish give thanks and praise to God the Father. By the power of the Holy Spirit, may we become more like Jesus: listening to the Word of God and celebrating the Eucharist; sharing each other’s lives and forgiving one another; respecting creation and taking responsibility for our world. Like St Francis Xavier, may we offer light to those in darkness, and warmly welcome all people. Like St Anthony of Padua, may we nourish the hungry with wise words and kind deeds. St Francis Xavier, pray for us. St Anthony of Padua, pray for us.

PARISH MISSION STATEMENT We, the Catholic people of Corio/Lara guided by the Spirit, participate in Christ’s Mission.

With our gifts we create a Parish that welcomes all people.

PARISH CALENDARMONDAY4th September

TUESDAY

5th September

WEDNESDAY6th September

THURSDAY7th September

FRIDAY8th September

SATURDAY9th September

SUNDAY10th

September

12noon Craft Group, Ron Lowe Room4pm Junior Legion of Mary, Corio7pm SVDP Ron Lowe Room

8.45am Rosary9am Mass, Corio

9am Rosary9.15am Mass, Lara

6.30pm Mass, Rosary, Novena, Corio

8.45am Rosary9am Mass Corio

9.15am Mass, Lara

7pm Adoration7pm Bingo

7pm Mass Corio.

10.30am MASS AT

LARA

PARISH FAMILY DAY

ROSTERSTIME ANDDATE

READER/COMMENTATOR EUCHARIST MINISTERS

FLOWERS, ST FRANCIS CHURCH CLEANERS

9thSept 2017 7pm Corio

V AdamkoJ Van GalenWelcomer-L Sagor

D Rose CORIO – A RandallLARA- K McGuane & T LucasCLEANING- F Geerts & P Fitzgerald

10th Sept 2017 10.30am LaraPARISH FAMILY DAY MASS

T McManusM DrakeWelcomers- N Meade & J Muhlebach

B LeeM LeszykL Pollard

NEXT WEEKS READINGS- Ezek 33:7-9; Ps 94:1-2,6-9; Rom 13:8-10; Mt 18:15-20Recent Deaths: Josephina NyhofAnniversary:Allen Christensen, Betty Mahney and Timothy Craven.Sick: Leo de Grandis, Nicholas Francis, Emily Gilson, Kirk Watson, Greg & Sally Brown, Jessica de Grandis, Andrea Franchina.

Prayer Intention of Pope Francis for September 2017: Evangelisation: That our parishes, animated by a missionary spirit, may be places where faith is communicated and charity is seen.

Vocation View: Don’t run away from what you are called to be. Christians take the less travelled road. “What does it profit us if we gain the whole world but ruin ourselves in the process?”

Children’s Liturgy: The celebration of the Word for Children is held during Mass in Corio every SundayLara in Term 3: Sep 3, 10, Term 4:Oct 8, 15, 29, Nov 12,19, Dec 3, 10, 17.

We welcome and congratulate the children who are making their First Eucharist this weekend

YOUR WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES – 25, 30, 40, 50, 60+ YEARS – WILL BE CELEBRATED AT ALL MASSES 23RD & 24TH SEPTEMBER 2017 IN OUR PARISH. Please fill in your details on the clipboards provided in the foyer to enable us to recognise your marriage milestones.Father’s Day:  Today we give thanks for our earthly fathers and pray for them. Let’s also give thanks for our spiritual fathers who serve the people of our parishes and communities so generously and well. Today let’s also remember and pray for two new ‘spiritual fathers’ who will be ordained as priests on Saturday September 9 at 10am at St Patrick’s Cathedral. Please remember in your prayers Deacons Toan Nguyen and Anil Mascarenhas as they prepare for priestly ordination next week. All are welcome to the Cathedral for the Ordination Mass. Please pray for more vocations from our parishes and communities in Melbourne.

National Child Protection Week National Child Protection Week (NCPW) invites all Australians to play their part to promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. In 2017, NCPW is being held from 3–9 September. Now in its 27th year, NCPW is coordinated across Australia by the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN). The week represents an effort to engage and educate all Australians to understand they have a part to play in keeping children and young people safe from violence, abuse and neglect. It supports and encourages the safety and wellbeing of Australian children and families through awards, events, programs and resources. This year, NAPCAN encourages everyone to build on Protecting Children is Everyone’s Business: Play Your Part by focusing on the theme Stronger Communities, Safer Children. This theme emphasises the importance and value of connected communities in keeping children and young people safe and well.

PARISH FAMILY DAYParish Family Day on Sunday 10th September. The Mass is at St Anthony’s Church Lara at 10.30am. It will be a combined Mass. There will be no 9am Mass on that Day only. The Nativity of Mary is also celebrated on the day. We will have a Sausage sizzle, shared lunch at MacKillop Hall, a Jumping Castle, Face Painting and a Magician. All Welcome. Anyone needing a ride to Lara from Corio on

10th Sept please put your name on the clipboard provided. Please bring a plate of cake, slice or biscuits to share.

Columban Calendar 2018 is available from the piety stall for $9. Second Collection This Weekend (2nd & 3rd September) for the Priests Retirement Fund which supports the retired Priests from our Archdiocese. Envelopes will be available next weekend.

Fr Manoj has been transferred to a parish in Perth. Fr Pius Kodakkathanath will commence as the parish priest of Corio/Lara parish on Wednesday October 11. Fr Pius is the currently the parish priest of St Peters in Hoppers Crossing. We welcome him to our parish. There will be an opportunity for everyone to say farewell to Fr Manoj on 7th October when there is the International Food Dinner, a Fundraiser for St Vinnies, in the Xavier Hall Corio at 7pm.

SOME FUTURE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY10th September: Parish Family Day - 10.30am Parish Mass at St Anthony’s, Lara – Feast of the Nativity of Mary – See information above7th October: International Food Dinner – Xavier Hall at 7pm – Fundraiser for SVDP - Also a Farewell to Fr Manoj.22nd October: St Anthony’s Fair from 10am. We will be asking for help with the Plant Stall and the Silent Auction and Raffle ticket sales.28th October: Child Safety Standards Training – for leaders of all children’s groups in the Parish. More details will follow closer to these dates.

A Prayer After CommunionLord Jesus, I love and adore you. You're a special friend to me. Welcome, Lord Jesus. Thank you for coming to me. Thank you, Lord Jesus, thank you for giving yourself to me. Make me strong to show your love wherever I may be. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay close by my forever and love me, I pray. Bless all of us children in your loving care and bring us to heaven to live with you there. Amen.

Financial Statement: Fr Manoj and Charles Saliba, our parish accountant, have prepared a financial statement of the parish. Copies are available at the foyer.Entertainment Books: This year we raised $156.00 from the sale of the Entertainment Books for our own SVDP conferenceGeelong Catholic Diners’ Club     6:15 pm Tuesday, September 12, only $33 per person.. The new location is 258 Pakington Street, Geelong West,(previously Berkeley Lodge). For more information and reservations, please phone or text Michael Belleville at 0431 959 584 by Friday, September 8.

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK: The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary-8th September, is a feast that commemorates the birthday of Jesus’ mother. Even though Mary’s birth is not recorded in the scriptures, it is mentioned in the Apocryphal writings from the second century, the Protoevangelium of James and is even mentioned in Islamic scripture. Her parents are named as Saint Anne and Saint

Joachim and tradition places Mary’s birthplace in Jerusalem. The feast has been celebrated since the fifth century – on September 8 in the Roman Calendar.

St Peter Claver-9th September, was born in Spain in 1581 AD. After studying at the University of Barcelona, he became a Jesuit at the age of 20. St Peter was influenced by St Alphonsus Rodriguez to become a missionary in the Americas, where he ministered both physically and spiritually to the African slaves. He spent the next 40 years working for the humane treatment of slaves on plantations, and he reportedly converted some 300,000 African slaves to Christianity. Within the Spanish community living in America, St Peter organised charitable societies, similar to those organised by St Vincent de Paul across Europe. He said of the slaves, “We must speak to them with our hands by giving, before we try to speak to them with our lips.”

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time- “What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” – MATTHEW 16-26 St Francis of Assisi once said, “Remember, you are what you are in the eyes of God, and nothing else.” We often forget this stewardship wisdom when we spend all of our time, talent and treasure to gain more of the world’s riches. We need to set our priorities based on God’s values and not the values of the material world.

NOVENA to our Mother of Perpetual Help is on every Wednesday with a Rosary at 6.30pm followed by Novena of Mother of Perpetual Help at St Francis Xavier Church, Corio.

Parish Care Group: Carers are there for you at both Corio and Lara. The Care Group was established to support members of the Parish who are experiencing grief, loneliness or difficult times. If you would like a carer to visit you please ring the Parish Office or Pam Fitzgerald in Corio area on 5275 2507 or Lou Schepers in Lara Ph 0413 802 623.

BINGO: Is held in the Xavier Centre, Corio every Friday night starting at 7.30pm. There is a friendly atmosphere, great prizes, cool drinks and supper available for sale and free tea and coffee.

Fr Manoj Mathew Parish Priest Pauline Gilmore & Diane Saliba Secretaries Bill Geerts Chairperson, Parish Pastoral CouncilMaria Scala Principal, St Francis Xavier School, Corio Ph 52751974Natalie Heard Principal, St Anthony’s School, Lara Ph 52821415PARISH OFFICE 143 Bacchus Marsh Road, Corio 3214 VICTELEPHONE 5275 4120. email fxcorio@iinet.net.au Web: www.coriolaraparish.org.au

OFFICE HOURS Mon, Tues, Thur, Fri - 9.00am - 4.00pm (1-1.30pm Lunch Break) Wednesday – Office ClosedWEEKEND MASS TIMES-Saturday- 7.00pm, St Francis Xavier, Corio. Sunday-9.00am - St Anthony’s Lara, 10.30am - St Francis Xavier, Corio.WEEKDAY MASS TIMES: Tuesday and Thursday-9am, St Francis Xavier, Corio, Wednesday-9am Lara.1st &3rd Friday- 10am Hume Court Lara, 2nd &5th Friday- St Anthony’s Lara. 4th Friday- 11:30am St Anthony’s Lara. SATURDAY DEVOTION: Mass at 9:30am followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament every 1st Saturday each month, St Francis Xavier Church, Corio.RECONCILIATION-1st Sat of each month 10-10.30am and 6.15-6.45pm St Francis Xavier Church, Corio, 1st Sunday of each month- 8.15-8.45am St Anthony’s Church, Lara

Kingsfunerals.com.au Ph 5248 3444