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Sunday, 26 January Third Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A

Our Parish Mission Statement Mary, Queen of the Family Parish is a welcoming, diverse, multicultural, Catholic community.

We seek: to live, teach and share the joy of the Gospel; to grow as disciples of Jesus through prayer, witness and action and to respond to the needs of the family in the Blacktown community and beyond.

When somebody calls us by name among many, it is always a great honour. It shows our true identity. Then, we will respond to the call with the expectation to hear and share the news. We will leave everybody and everything behind to go and hear what we are called for. As Christians, God has called each one of us by name to do His will and be followers of Jesus Christ. On this third Sunday in Ordinary time, the readings describe how our Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the prophet’s expectations of his people. The Gospel of Matthew presents us that the Light, liberty and unity of which Isaiah spoke about had finally appeared with the coming of Jesus. The humble Jesus had begun his public ministry after the arrest of John the Baptist who baptised and witnessed to him, was a moment of transition for Jesus. The Messiah whom all the prophets had announced, to bring us from the darkness of sin into the Light of God by calling us to repentance and conversion. Jesus had begun to call his first disciples as he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, when he withdrew from his hometown of Nazareth and settled in Capernaum. We are told that Jesus had begun calling his disciples and preaching around the Sea of Galilee to fulfil his mission as a human being with divine power. Jesus had found Simon Peter and his brother Andrew who later left their nets and followed him. Then, Jesus saw the other two brothers James and John who also left their nets and father behind and followed our Lord. Jesus’ invitation, “follow me” was responded positively by the disciples. Why did not Jesus Christ go to the Scribes, Priests, Pharisees, Sadducees and other groups with the greatest learning and status? The answer is Simple. Because the fishermen are patient, humble and teachable people. From this story, the fishermen leaving everybody and everything behind makes us to ponder the call of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are called into various vocations and ministries to evangelise. “Are we ready to answer that call of Jesus? Are we able to respond to the call of Jesus “follow me”? Therefore, the message for us is clear that Jesus is continuing to call us to share his mission.

Deacon John

“Follow Me”

PARISH TEAM Moderator: Fr Regie Lavilla Priest: Fr John Paul Escarlan Priest: Fr Jack Green Deacon: John Cinya Finance Officer: Sarah Damole Parish Secretary: Ann Hart Sacramental Coordinator: Christina Rodricks Parish Assistant: Kaitlyn Vergano The Parish Office is closed each day between 12.30pm-1pm Parish Team Meetings each Wednesday from 10.00 - 11.00am St Michael’s Church St Patrick’s Church 58 Orwell St 51-59 Allawah St Blacktown Blacktown Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9am—4pm

Tel: 9622 1125 A/H 9621 3146 Fax: 9671 6425 Email: admin@mqofblacktown.org.au

PARISH SCHOOLS St Michael’s Primary 8869 6200 St Patrick’s Primary 8869 6000 Nagle College 8887 4501 Patrician Brothers College 88110300 Catholic Early Learning Centre 8814 8406 (St Michael’s)

Institute for Mission 9296 6369 Diocesan Ministry Centre 88383460 Catholic Care 8843 2530 Blacktown@ccss.org.au

www.mqofblacktown.org.au www.facebook.com/blacktowncatholics @mqofblacktown

bPoint pa yment s yst em Fol low th e l inks on our web si te .

WEEKDAY MASSES St Michael’s: 8am Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri

Wednesday 8.30am & 7.30pm St Patrick’s: 9am Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat

Friday 7.30pm St Patrick’s

SUNDAY MASSES 5.30pm Saturday Vigil (St Patrick’s)

7.00am Sunday (St Patrick’s) 8.00am Sunday (St Michael’s) 9.30am Sunday (St Michael’s) 10.00am Sunday (St Patrick's)

11.00am 4th Sunday - Filipino Mass (St Michael’s) 2:00pm - Sudanese Mass (St Patrick’s)

3.30pm - Syro Malabar Mass (St Michael’s) 5.30pm Sunday (St Patrick’s) 6.00pm Sunday (St Michael’s)

Sacrament of Reconciliation:

Wednesday 7.00pm—7.25pm (St Michael’s) Saturday 9.30am - 10.25am (St Patrick’s)

Anointing of the Sick

First Saturday during 9.00am Mass (St Patrick’s) or by appointment contact Parish Office

HOLY HOUR:

6.30pm - 7.30pm Wednesday @ St Michael’s 6.30pm - 7.30pm Friday @ St Patrick’s

Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals

by appointment. Please contact office for details

CONTACT US LITURGY TIMES CONNECT

We acknowledge the Darug people, the traditional custodians on whose land we worship.

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: Cf. Ps 95:1,6 O sing a new song to the Lord; sing to the Lord, all the earth. In his presence are majesty and splendour, strength and honour in his holy place.

FIRST READING: Is 8:23-9:3 RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Ps 26:1, 4, 13-14. R. v.1 The Lord is my light and my salvation.

SECOND READING: 1 Cor 1:10-13, 17

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Mt 4:23

Alleluia, alleluia! Jesus preached the Good News of the

Kingdom and healed all who were sick . Alleluia!

GOSPEL: Mt 4:12-23 Hearing that John had been arrested Jesus went back to Galilee, and leaving Nazareth he went and settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. In this way the prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled:

Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali! Way of the sea on the far side of Jordan, Galilee of the nations! The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light; on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death a light has dawned.

From that moment Jesus began his preaching with the message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’ As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew; they were making a cast in the lake with their net, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.’ And they left their nets at once and followed him.

Going on from there he saw another pair of brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they were in their boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. At once,

leaving the boat and their father, they followed him.

He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people.

COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Cf. Ps 33:6 Look toward the Lord and be radiant; let your faces not be

abashed.

© The scriptural quotations are taken from the Jerusalem Bible, published and copyright 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Co Inc, and used by permission of the publishers. The English translation of the Psalm Responses, the Alleluia and Gospel Verses, and the Lenten Gospel Acclamations, and the Titles, Summaries, and Conclusion of the Readings, from the Lectionary for Mass © 1997, 1981, 1968, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved

“God understands us, He waits for us. He doesn’t get tired of forgiving us. If we repent and go to him with a truly open heart.” — Pope Francis

Frankly Speaking...

A t Ma r y , Qu e en o f t h e Fa mi l y P a r i s h w e W ELC OME , G ROW an d A C T

Sunday, 26 January

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Daily Readings

M 27 Jan: 2 Sam 5:1-7,10; Mk 3:22-30 T 28 Jan: 2 Sam 6:12-15,17-19; Mk 3:31-35 W 29 Jan: 2 Sam 7:4-17; Mk 4:1-20 Th 30 Jan: 2 Sam 7:18-19,24-29; Mk 4:21-25 F 31 Jan: 2 Sam 11:1-4,5-10,13-17; Mk 4:26-34 Sa 1 Feb: 2 Sam 12:1-7,10-17; Mk 4:35-41 Su 2 Feb: Mal 3:1-4; Heb 2:14-18; Lk 2:22-40

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS

Anniversaries: Louis Mary Goldwyn,

Natasha Isabel Gutierrez Lyneham, Nicholas Apap, Domingo Espinoza, Rocco Rulli Special Intentions: Emilio Caperal We remember and pray for those who are ill at home or in hospital at this time: George Collin, Doreen Stanslaus, Peter Fredu, Rita Attard, Mile Mafi, Joan Clout, Maureen O’Reilly, Kathryn McKean, Estelle Magee, Michelle Makin, Candida Irugalbandara,Claudia Tabares, Lekisha Grace Panlilio, Amy Hliounakis, Fr Peter Njau, C.S.Sp, Ardanette Seguban, Sandra Gaye Mee, Lucina Canete, Felipe Castillo, Beato Justiniano G. Toledo, Frank & Anjela Barglik, Joseph El Khoury, Maricel Sarmiento.

If you would like to include in the bulletin the name of a loved one who is ill or you are going into hospital and would like to be anointed, please contact the Parish Office on 9622 1125 or email admin@mqofblacktown.org.au. You may also write your Mass intention on the envelopes provided, indicating the time and date that you would like your intention to be offered.

FINAL CALL FOR ALL LITURGICAL MINISTERS (NEW & EXISTING)

Whether you are an existing minister or a new volunteer, you NEED to complete a “Join a Ministry Form” so that you can be rostered. “NO FORM, NO ROSTER”. Please submit you completed form by Friday 31 January 2020. Please call the Parish Office if you have further clarifications. Thank you

Funeral Notice Colin Robert Ford passed away on 21 January 2020. Colin attended St Patrick’s church since moving to Blacktown in 1959. His Funeral Mass will be held on Friday 31 January 2020 at 10am at St Patrick’s church.

SACRAMENTAL PROCESS 2020

The Sacramental Process dates for 2020 are now available on the parish website. Please read all the information and send in the required forms. Please note that the cut-off date for enrolment for

First Holy Eucharist is 18th April. Your attendance is required during all sessions of the Sacramental Process. For any further questions, please contact the Parish Office on 96221125 or email: sacraments@mqofblacktown.org.au We look forward to walking this faith journey with you!

SAINT NICHOLAS FESTA COMMITTEE Sunday 2nd February 2020 Good Shepherd Parish Hall 130-136 Hyatts Road, Plumpton Sydney NSW (Opposite the shopping centre) RFS FUNDRAISING For the fire fighting volunteers The hall will be open from 11.00am. There will be lots of food. Spinning wheel, raffles and lots of music. Every body is welcome. For more information call Emmanuel Vella on 0405 677 064

Devotions to Honour Our Lady of Lourdes

Mass and Blessing of the Sick will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, Earlwood, on Sunday the 9 February 2020 (behind Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Earlwood), entrance via St. James Avenue, Earlwood, commencing with recitation of the Rosary at 2:30 p.m. followed by Mass and the Blessing of the Sick at 3:00 p.m. The Principal celebrant will be The Reverend Fr Brian Lucas. Some parking for disabled people is available in the school grounds and general parking in the nearby council car park.

World Day of the Sick Mass: 11 February 2020 A Mass for the World Day of the Sick will be celebrated in the Diocese of Parramatta on Tuesday 11th February 2020, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, at 10.30am at Mary, Queen of the Family Parish, St Patrick’s Church, 51-59 Allawah St Blacktown. The Mass will be an acknowledgment of carers and those for whom they care and will include the Sacramental Rite of Anointing of the Sick and Prayers for Healing. Please RSVP to Marisa VanderHout at the Diocesan Ministry Centre on (02) 8838 3460 or marisa.vanderhout@parracatholic.org to assist with seating and catering.

PARISHIONERS Please be aware there will be a Community of Schools Mass on Tuesday 28 January at St Pat-rick’s Church at 9am.

Call the Parish Office on 96221125 for advertising details. Please understand that Mary, Queen of the Family Parish cannot take responsibility if the service provided by an advertiser does not meet expectations.

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Malta Travel - Tours 2020 1.Tasmania - Only 3 couples left! Be quick and call Monica - 9896 0712 or 0414 859386 2. Gorgeous Hawaii: September 2020. Join us on a hilarious escorted tour: Honolulu - Pearl Harbour Polynesian Culture - Maui - Hilo - Kona - Kauai. Call Paul Vassallo: 9666 6684, Mob: 0416 951 502. 3. NEW TOUR: East Canada & USA: July 2020. Boston—Montreal - Quebec - Ottawa - Kingston - Toronto - Niagara Falls - Washington - New York. Call Charlie - 9631 2689 or 0412 523 893. You get the lot: flights, hotels, food, touring, transfers and insurance.

LOURDES Medical Centre - BLACKTOWN

GP Required * Doctor owned well established practice. * AGPAL Accredited. * Nursing, Pathology and Allied health on site.

P: 0421 2180 72 E: therese@lourdesmc.com.au

The altar linen cleaning service that supports St. Patrick's church is in urgent need of additional volunteers to support with collection/delivery, washing and ironing. The linen cleaning service is currently co-ordinated by Josephine Miruzzi who can be contacted on 96218330. There is a cleaning roster and volunteers will be rotated based on numbers and requirement. For more details, please contact Josephine directly.

MQOF EVENINGS: Every Tuesday at 7:30pm commencing 25th February. A larger group with weekly speakers and small group discussion. All age groups welcome. MQOF MORNINGS: Every Tuesday at 9:30am commencing 25th February. Small faith sharing groups in the Church using resources provided MQOF HOME: Small faith shar ing groups in your home at any time using resources provided. Please indicate if you would like to host your friends or family. Groups will begin the week beginning 24th February. If you would like to join a group, please inform the Parish Office on 9622 1125. Sign up sheets will be in the church foyers in coming weeks.