Sacraments Confessions: Sat 4.45-5.15pm Baptisms: By Appointment Weddings: By Appointment Office Hours: 8.30am – 4.00pm Wednesday, Thursday & Friday Office Phone: (02) 4739 8928 Office Fax: (02) 4739 8929

46 Levy Street, Glenbrook 2773 Postal address: PO Box 123 Glenbrook NSW 2773 Australia

Administrator: Fr Jolly Chacko MS E-mail: jollyms20022000@yahoo.co.in Phone: 0417 541637

Secretary: Margaret Rivas E-mail: secretary@stfinbars.org.au

Admin: Peter McMahon E-mail: admin@stfinbars.org.au Phone: 0404 010997 Web: www.stfinbars.org.au

Parish School: Principal Mrs Donna McFadzean 4739 1796

The Barra Weekly Newsletter of St Finbar’s Catholic Parish, Glenbrook

Fifty Years as a Parish in the Lower Blue Mountains

11 October 2015 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B

Wisdom 7:7-11; Psalm 89; Hebrews 4:12-13; Mark 10:17-30

In today’s Gospel, we see a young man who is fixated with money. Jesus advises him to turn his back on wealth and to take the chance that he offers him. Jesus asked him to make this choice because of his great love for this young man. Mark says Jesus looked at this young man and loved him. It seems to be a hard call and a difficult choice, a choice that would have made this young man safe and secure for eternity. Jesus tells him to sell all his wealth and give to the poor, then follow him. What a difficult demand! It was hard for him because he had a lot of wealth.

Jesus asks him to use his material blessings to eliminate the material poverty of others. Every time we voluntarily use our material blessings to eliminate or reduce the material poverty of another, we are responding to God’s love. When we refuse to do so, our hearts become materialistic hearts. There is nothing wrong with our wealth and money. Money is not evil, but when we absolutely cling to it, it becomes a clear problem. Today Jesus asks us the same thing he asked of that young man. Those who leave everything to follow Jesus are among the most blessed people. They are blessed with the riches of God’s grace and bring many blessings and comforts to the lives of others.

The Gospel continues to say this young man went home sad. It is tempting to be selfish with our energy, time and wealth. We have always the possibility of making many excuses for excluding ourselves from the work that needs to be done and live a life that is worried about oneself.

Today we celebrate Mission Sunday and the question is how could I use my wealth, energy and time to participate in the mission of Jesus Christ and his Church? Can I make a difference in the life of someone? Fr Jolly Chacko MS

I WAS THIRSTY & YOU GAVE ME SOMETHING TO DRINK

Each year, thousands of children across Madagascar die from preventable diseases like diarrhoea due to lack of clean water and proper sanitation. By supporting the Catholic Mission Appeal today or by partnering with us through your monthly gift, you are helping missionaries, like Sister Rose Rasoavololona, provide life-saving physical water as well as spiritual support, which together makes up the Living Water the country so urgently needs.

Next weekend the 17th and 18 October we will be celebrating our Parish Family. We will celebrate at all Masses to thank God for our families. Please come and bring all your family for a special blessing and celebration . We have some beautiful prayer cards available on the table near the Piety Stall. Fr Jolly Chacko MS

www.batemanbattersby.com.au

Enquiries@batemanbattersby.com.au

Property Law Business Law Wills & Estates

Family Law Negligence Law Court Appearances

Sunday 11 October

7.30am and 9.30am Masses. 11.00am Baptisms

Monday 12 October

9.30am Mass, 60th Anniversary School Celebrations 10.30am Latin Mass. 5.00pm SVDP meeting. M/R 7.30pm Parent Information meeting for Eucharist 2015. P/C

Tuesday 13 October

9.00am Mass 10.00am Caring for Carers. P/C 11.30am Cantabile practice. Church.

7.30pm Laudato Si’ discussion. P/C

Wednesday 14 October

8.00am Mass followed by Rosary. 9.00am Pastoral Care meeting. M/R 9.30am Playgroup. P/C 7.00pm Bridge. P/C

Thursday 15 October St Teresa of Jesus

9.00am Mass 9.30am Bridge Lessons. M/R 1.30pm Bridge. P/C 3.30pm Children’s Choir practice. 7.30pm PAC meeting. M/R 7.30pm Blue Labyrinth Dancers. P/C

Friday 16 October

9.00am Mass followed by Adoration and Benediction. 1.00pm Bowlers. P/C

Saturday 17 October St Ignatius of Antioch

9.00am Mass. 2.45pm RCIA. W/S 3.00pm Young Couples discussion. M/R 4.45pm - 5.15pm Confessions. 5:30pm Vigil Mass.

Sunday 18 October

7.30am and 9.30am Masses. 1.30pm Bridge. P/C 5.00pm The Edge Youth Group. M/R & P/C 6.00pm Youth & Family Mass. 7.30pm The Lounge Youth Group. M/R & P/C

T h i s we e k a t St F i n b a r ’ s St . Fi n b a r ’ s Fet e

ST FINBARS COMMUNITY FETE FRIDAY 30TH OCTOBER,

4.00PM– 8.00 PM

Many thanks to those parishioners who took books of tickets over the

last couple of Sundays. Your support is greatly appreciated. Tickets can be dropped

off at the school or Parish office.

Bottles of wine can also be dropped off at the same venues. They can also be delivered to the warden’s table in the church narthex at any weekend or weekday Mass. Please fill in the sheet accompanying the donations with the name of the wine and a recommended

retail value (if known).

Donations of trash and treasure will also be accepted. Remember your ‘unwanted’ items

could be someone’s treasure.

This year we will have some beautiful plants to offer. These were donated by our school families. If you would like to donate a plant,

this would also be appreciated.

Remember keep the date marked on your calendar, FRIDAY 30TH OCTOBER.

It is guaranteed there will be something for everyone.

Thank you again, Tania (0423623489)

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE RECENTLY DECEASED: Tony Adams, Fr Kevin Hay, Bart Cummings and Sheila Claridge.

PLEASE PRAY FOR SICK PARISHIONERS, RELATIVES & FRIENDS: Pat Hazelton, Lachlan Throughgood, Colleen Nolan, Anne Tucker (Sacramental Co-Coordinator from St Nicholas Parish), Dela Baron ( Erika McNay’s mother), John Camilleri, Margaret Burley, Ray Smith (husband of Jan), Steven McCormack, Frank Christensen, Maddison Farrugia, Cliff McHardy, Ken & Shirley Glover, Peter van de Weyer, Ben Gibson, Emma Gleeson, Stacey Price, Catherine Kirk , Matthew Christie, Gillian Dempsey, Pat Young, and Doris Sultana.

FOR THOSE WHOSE ANNIVERSARIES OCCUR AT THIS TIME: Monica Moffitt, Thomas Doyle, Albert Petty, John Webber, Michael Harris, Jeffery Hunt, Julie Grech, Verlie Gapps, Terrence Judge, Robert Agnew, Ronald Groves, Peter Smith, Danny McGrath, Kevin Taylor, Nellie Stanborough, Christine Frewer, Reginald Bailey, Rose Barrett, Hope Williams, Bruce Macbeth, Johanna Williams and Oliver Pinson.

FOR ALL YOUR BUSINESS & PERSONAL

TAX MATTERS

4731 3044 email: russell@denismerrick.com.au

www.denismerrick.com.au

22 Woodriff Street Penrith

Registered

Tax Agents

St . F i n b a r ’ s Pa r i s h N ew s

SACRAMENT OF EUCHARIST: There is a meeting on Monday12 th October for Parents of children who have received the Sacrament Penance, 7.30pm in the Parish Hall. Parents need to attend to register their child, to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist. THANK YOU to all those who attended the sign unveiling last Sunday. It was great to have Jan Smith and her sister Rhondda Masters to untie the ribbon. Their grandparents, Thomas and Eliza Nolan attended the blessing of St Finbar’s Church in 1912 and, at the time, donated the Stations of the Cross pictures for the church. A very special ‘thank you’ to the Hospitality Team who provided a beautiful and delicious morning tea. We were also joined by a number of parishioners from Marayong, which was a great kindness. Finally, thank you to Fr Jolly for his thoughtful prayers of blessing. We hope that as many parishioners as possible may take a look at our new sign and the almost completed refurbishment of the surrounding garden. 50th Anniversary Committee

CARING FOR CARERS:

WELLNESS DAY Tuesday 13th October 2015 during CARERS WEEK will be held at St Finbar's Parish Centre. 10am -2pm. A great opportunity to relax & be pampered with a massage of Head & Shoulders, Hands. Also including a Manicure, Reflexology & Crystal Healing. Kristen Guy to speak on WELLBEING. Natural Aromatherapy products will be available to purchase on the day. PLEASE NOTE there is NO EFTPOS facilities. Cash or Cheque only. Morning Tea & Light Lunch. For catering purposes Contact Kath 47392651.

PRAYER & MEDITATION AFTERNOON FOR PARENTS

Please make a note of our next afternoon on Saturday 17 October 2015 from 3:00pm-4:00pm. This month we will finish looking at the Beatitudes and the last words spoken by Christ on the Cross from a book by Archbishop Fulton J Sheen. All children are welcome and will be minded in the adjacent parish hall. Please email Annemaree Baird: atwyford@gmail.com to receive the pre-reading. So far we have only had one person volunteer to babysit and it really is crucial to the success of the afternoon. If you can spare one hour, please let Fr Jolly know. . POTTED HISTORY WILL RETURN NEXT WEEK.

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RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is not only about becoming a Catholic; it is about being a Catholic. It could be called a Sacramental Program For Adults. We will be meeting on Saturday afternoons in the Working Sacristy from 2.45pm—5.15pm. It will comprise four weeks of sessions and then have a week’s break to reflect and pray on the faith journey of RCIA. The group comes together and continues to meet weekly leading up to the Rite of Acceptance during Advent. It is about giving your heart a home in Christ and participating fully in the life of the church. The RCIA is for our community and we ask all parishioners to join with us on this faith journey through your continued prayers and encouragement. If you would like to be a Catholic or know and love someone who would be interested in being Catholic please make contact by speaking to Fr Jolly at the parish office 4739 8928. Thanks Margaret Richards & the RCIA team.

YOUTH GROUP NEWS: Last week at the Youth / Family Mass we prayed for HSC students. The Edge group made some bookmarks with a prayer on them for HSC students. There were plenty left over so if anyone would like to take one from the Wardens table for a student they know, please feel free. The Lounge group relaxed with a few games including Religion Balderdash which is a game of separating fact from fiction.

DANCING: Come and try folk dancing! Right here in the church hall, every Thursday night during school terms, an enthusiastic group learns and enjoys folk dances from all parts of the world. Most dances are done in circle formation, so no partner is needed. The teacher, Jeanette Mollenhauer may be contacted on 4739 0909 or 0416 156 335. MISSING MISSAL - Have you found a green Missal belong to P. Murnane? If so, could you please hand it to a warden.

THE EFFECTS OF POVERTY ON SOCIETY With reference to the Lower Blue Mountains. An information session at Blaxland Uniting Church, Old Bathurst Road on Sunday 11th October at 2-4pm

Monaghan & Gleeson

Funeral Directors

4754 1900

4736 3883 “Caring

is our

Duty”

Servicing the Parish of Glenbrook

EVERETT EVANS SOLICITORS & CONVEYANCERS

ROS EVERETT has been a

parishioner at St. Finbar’s Parish for

nearly forty years. We are delighted to

offer professional, friendly and reliable

service to parishioners in all areas of

Law including, Wills, Estates, Family

Law, Local Court appearances and

Personal Injury Claims.

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Liturgical Ministries 5.30 pm 7.30 am 9.30 am

Sacristan Ahyiesha D’Souza Rodney Moffitt Stephen Brown

Senior Server Ahyiesha D’Souza Carl Moll Stephen Brown

Junior Server Ellen Teece

Sinead Gordon Brendan Khnouf

Andy Rogers Alex Walker

Warden Richard Mason

Rodney Moffitt Frank Fitzpatrick

Welcomer Paul Etherington Peter & Trish Hurley

1st Reading Beth Culliver Marcia Pereira Trish Hurley

2nd Reading Maureen Tulk Margaret Dickson Peter Hurley

Intercession Reg Moore Rodney Moffitt Matt Aldous

I.T Operator Pat Watson Ellen Teece George Grodzicki

Presentation of the Gifts

Noreen Taylor Janice Smith

Kay Whitty Kathleen Schneider and family

Minister of Communion

Marie Hurley Pat Barrett

John Killeen Fran & Bernie Fisher

Gwen Cullinan Margaret Richards

Terry Keogh Helen Keogh

Jemmy Brickwood Volunteer please

Gerard Egan Gary Pursehouse Therese Luczak Jean Di Nucci

Annissa Nilsson Irene Aligno

Erin Kelly

Children’s Liturgy Danielle

Cashier Betty and Joe Grange

Hospitality Trish & Peter Hurley, Vicki & Ella Rendes and Maggie Trevena

Church Care Veronica Clune, Garry and Laurel Anthony, & Fran Isaksen

Roster for 17 and 18 October 2015

ALL SOULS DAY MASS ~ This year will be celebrated on Monday 2nd November, 2015 at 7.30pm.

The celebration of the Eucharist will be offered for all the faithful departed with special remembrance of those whose funeral took place at St. Finbar’s during the past year. Also invited to participate in the liturgy are parishioners who have lost a close relative during the past year and whose funeral was conducted outside the parish. A candle ceremony will be part of the celebration so if you would like your loved one remembered by lighting a candle (which your family member will place on the sanctuary during the Mass) please contact Jayne on 4739 6673 before 30th October. A small framed photo of your loved one could also be placed on the sanctuary before the commencement of Mass.

PATCHWORK QUILT: We have been donated a beautiful patchwork quilt, “Autumn Leaves”. (Thank you Maire) We are selling tickets on the Wardens Table. The tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5. The money raised will support our Youth Group.