“Woman of Faith” by Father Michael

After I read todays gospel I started to think about the women of faith that I have

experienced in my priesthood. It made me think also that we celebrated Mary

MacKillop’s feast day recently and what a woman of faith she was. Her

continuous trust in God and her ability to see those in need and to do something

about it. I remember Pamela Cole who was studying a Theology Degree at the

same time as I was at the seminary, so we got to know each other well. Pamela

was married with 4 children, but for the last 5 years suffered from a brain tumour.

And after several operations the tumour returned each time. She inspired within

her whole family a great sense of prayerfulness and faithfulness to God. Rather

then blaming God, she believed in a God that is strongest in our struggles and

brings people into our lives that reveal the love of God. Pamela used to say,

“When we say at Mass, “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you…” I think that’s bull.

God created us out of love, that alone makes us worthy”.

She believed in a forgiving God, who through our life experiences makes us

worthy. Then in 2001, at the age 41 Pamela passed away. Her strength was

transferred to the family. Together with the family all the arrangements had been

made. Pamela had even selected her plot in the cemetery - under a shady gum

tree - the last in that part of the cemetery! She insisted that the funeral be one of

happy remembrance of her life. So there were balloons attached to the coffin, and

a power point slide presentation before the funeral began, put to her favourite

pieces of music. The coffin was delivered to the home the day after Pamela died -

empty of course. The family “decorated” the coffin. The little children painted

their handprints and wrote their names,

the adults wrote poems and memories.

It was colourful and unique.

It reflected well the way that Pamela loved.

Her passion for life and faith was shown

through the love she had for others and

the care she took of them. She would

say that even in her worst

moments God was still about giving.

The “wish” or “prayer” may not have been for herself.

Much like the woman in today’s gospel:

“Woman, you have great faith, let your wish be granted”

Fancy a game of Indoor Bowls or Cards? Come along to the Parish Centre at 9.30am on the 21st August. New faces very welcome to this

social morning.

The next

St. Mary’s Luncheon will be held on the 27th October

(pre Melbourne Cup), commencing at 11.30am

in the Parish Centre. Come and enjoy some fellowship with friends.

All Welcome.

Parish Finance Committee Monday, 4th September at 5.30pm

in the Parish Centre.

It’s on again.... This year’s Church Challenge between the

Anglicans and ourselves will take place on

Sunday, 17th

September at 5.00pm. Please

bring a plate to share for dinner and BYO

drinks. Come along and have a fun evening of Indoor

Bowls, Cards or Mah Jong.

The children of St.

Mary’s enjoy the daily

checking of the chooks

and collecting the eggs.

They get to sell the

eggs to parents and

staff and the money

they make goes to a

charity of their

choosing at the end of

the year. Well Done.

MASS TIMES Wednesday (23/08)…….Rosary at 5.10pm and Mass 5.30pm

Friday (25/08)…………………12.15pm

19th/20th August, 2017

SUNDAY MORNING: 9.00am Goondiwindi

26th/27th August, 2017 SATURDAY NIGHT: 6.00pm Goondiwindi

SUNDAY MORNING: 8.00am Goondiwindi and 9.30am Family Mass in Parish Centre.

2nd/3rd September, 2017

SATURDAY EVENING: 6.00pm Goondiwindi SUNDAY MORNING: 8.00am Daymar & 10.00am Weengallon

9th/10th September, 2017

SUNDAY EVENING: 6.00pm Goondiwindi

16th/17th September, 2017 SATURDAY EVENING: CONFIRMATION 6.00PM NOT MASS

SUNDAY MORNING: 9.00am Goondiwindi

23rd/24th September, 2017 SATURDAY EVENING: 6.00pm Goondiwindi SUNDAY MORNING: 8.00am Goondiwindi 9.30am Family Mass in the Parish Centre.

GROUNDS ROSTER

AUGUST: DAN & LISA GALL

SEPTEMBER: GRAHAM MCGOVERN

& TERRY RYAN

THANK-YOU FOR YOUR Contributions: 14/08/17

ENVELOPES $390.00 LOOSE $168.00

VOLUNTEERS

WE PRAY FOR Those who have entered your kingdom: including, Kevin “Skeet” McMaster, David Hollis, Frank Lawless (Stasia’s son), Pauline Pollock, Monica Peters (Kath Gore’s Aunt), John Clancy, Margaret Cook, Marie Dutton, Patricia MacBeth (Lismore), Kevin Heironymus, Patricia Manton, Helen Zeller, Richard Everingham, Rosemary Keehn, Jim Coleman, Tim Murphy, Margaret Piedl, Margaret Murphy, Glen Manton, Father Tom Sheeran, Veronica Rayner, Grant Carrigan, Isabel Coleman. For all whose anniversary is at this time: including Joan “Mary” Terry, Len Collins, Vincent Mullins, Darren Benecke, Beryl O’Keefe, John Webber, Robert “Bob” McCall, Sarah “Dot” Drew, Constance Butler, Norman Montgomery, Robert Picking, Gay Brydon, Clarence Manton, Kathleen Kyte, Jason Webster, Kathleen Nolan, Gordon “Matey” Cairns, Dolly Cubis, Jamie Smith, Norman Harpur, Peter Lloyd, Kevin O’Brien, Edward Holcombe, Francis ‘John’ Coade, Kevin Turvey, Valerie McCosker, John Crawley, Valerie Jennings, Michael Brennan, Jim Nolan, Helen Taylor, Sue Bendall, Bob Telford, Vince Mawn. For those who are ill: including Angus Rigney, Steve Aspinall, Jan Jan Charles, Tom Turvey, Bill Dyer, Trish Dyer, Brian Freeney, Pat & Teresa Mullins, Deanna Dawson, Anne Hunt, Kevin Lawless, Ray Mackie, Peter Keehn, Joan Fleming, Frank Brosnan, Gloria Bale, David Croft, Tim Bourke, Joe Cowmeadow, Shirley Schluter, Stasia Lawless, Paul Lloyd, Mavis Gordon, Jean Ramada, Stella McGovern, Jean Sizer, Francis Lloyd, Madonna Nicoletti, Kathy McDonald, Steph Adamson, Bailey Brennan, Pauline Robinson, Win Skinner, Sonya Horrigan, Helen Paige, John Toohey, Marie Cook, Phillip Carney, Shirley Riley, Therese Sullivan and Joseph Hord; also those ill at home, in hospital and for those in Kaloma.

WELCOMERS AT DOOR

PAULINE CORCORAN & FAY PFINGST (20/08)

ANNE WEBSTER & SHIRLEY WHITTLE (26/08)

DENISE MCCORMACK & MARIE LLOYD (02/09)

WELCOMER AT MICROPHONE

CLAIRE CHARLES (20/08)

ROS PHILLIPS (26/08)

ST MARY’S SCHOOL STAFF (02/09)

1ST

READER/PSALM

PAT THOMPSON (20/08)

CARMEL SCHAUMBURG (26/08)

GRAHAM MCGOVERN (02/09)

2ND

READING/ALLELUIA

MARY COLLINS (20/08)

ROBYN LINDORES (26/08)

RACHAEL REEVES (02/09)

EUCHARIST MINISTERS

CAMILLE KELLOWAY, MICK CLANCY &

CLAIRE CHARLES (20/08)

BRIAN COOK, YVONNE ISAAK &

MARY BURCHELL (26/08)

CARMEL GEESON, DAWN LLOYD &

DAWN CLANCY (02/09)

DATA PROJECTOR

LEEANN WELSH (20/08)

MARY COLLINS (26/08)

ROS PHILLIPS (02/09)

MONEY COUNTERS

MARY COLLINS & ROS PHILLIPS (20/08)

TERESA HEYNEN & BELL FAMILY (26/08)

FAY CLARK & KAREN CAIRNS (02/09)

Add 1766 if you haven’t or 1767 if you have.

20TH

SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

20TH

AUGUST, 2017

Introduction

Today’s readings could not be more timely, given the political discourse regarding

refugees and all those who are different from us — whether culturally, racially,

economically, religiously or in any other way. In Scripture, we hear these questions: Who

are worthy to be God’s people? Who are worthy to hear the good news? The answers are that Israel is open to all; and the disciples are to be open to all. All are worthy in God’s

sight. The message for us could not be clearer.

First Reading

Isaiah 56:1, 6-7 “My house shall be called a house of

prayer for all peoples.”

Responsorial Psalm O God, let all the nations praise you!

Second Reading

Romans 11:13-15, 29-32 Paul is called to bring the good news to

the Gentiles.

ALLELLUIA! ALLELLUIA! Jesus preached the Good News of the kingdom and healed all who were sick

ALLELLUIA!

Gospel Matthew 15:21-28

Jesus responds to the outsider Canaanite woman.

Prayers of the Faithful

For the church, that we may be a people open to all and rejecting none ...

we pray,

For policies in our country that reflect openness to those in need ... we pray,

For those who show support and

compassion to others at great personal or political cost ... we pray,

For those whose hearts and minds are closed to people they deem different or

unworthy ... we pray,

For those who are afraid to ask for help because they are considered different

... we pray,

For all in this community who are sick and grieving; and for those who have

died ... ... we pray,

Let us pray together:

Great and inclusive God, you tell us that you are a God for all people. Help us to believe that this includes not only us, but also those for whom we have

little regard. Empower us to stand with those considered unworthy, no matter what the cost may be. We pray in the name of Jesus, whose embrace was

wide and deep. Amen.

Parish Priest: Fr. Michael O’Brien

Phone: 0422 308 955 or 4671 1091 St Mary’s School: Mr Brett Pollard Ph: 4671 1730 Care for the Aged Co-ordinator: Mrs Jane Blomley Ph: 4675 4132

Parish Office Phone: 4671 5087

Father Michael’s house Phone: 4671 1091 stmarysgdi@bigpond.com 69 Callandoon Street or PO Box 45, Goondiwindi 4390

Parish Secretary: Mrs Kath Gore Friday: 9.30am – 3.00pm

Parish Information