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| GOD THE FATHER OF ALL MANKIND
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‘No one has yet understood the infinite desire of my divine, paternal heart, to be known, loved and honoured by all men, the just and the sinful.
'These are the three gifts that I wish to receive in homage from man, so that I may always be merciful and good even towards the most hardened sinners.
‘How I would like to let you know what an almighty Father I am for you and would also be for all creatures. Tell them that they have a Father who, having created them, wants to give them the treasures he possesses. Above all, tell them that I think of them, I love them and want to give them eternal happiness.
'I wish to remind you that I am a very good Father, not a fearsome one, as you believe; and also that I am the Father of all those living now and of those whom I shall create until the end of the world.
'Since man’s creation, I have never for one moment stopped living beside him. As his Creator and Father, I feel the need to love him. It is not that I need him, but my love, as Father and Creator, makes me feel this need to love man. Thus I live close to man, I follow him everywhere, I help him in all things, I supply everything.’
The Father Speaks to His Children Mother Ravasio
In honour of God the Father of All Mankind we will hold a celebration next Saturday 7 August with 9am Mass followed by the formal chaplet and consecration. For more information contact the Parish Office.
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| POSSESSIONS
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Social justice affirms that it is immoral to utilise one’s riches for one’s own sake.
When one fails to share one’s riches with the less fortunate, what soon evolves is a society where goods and services are improperly distributed. Closing one’s hearts to others is plain selfishness; it expresses itself in covetousness. Since greediness separates one from one’s responsibility to others, one becomes less human, more barbaric and attuned to the laws of the jungle. Pride and arrogance are rooted in possessions and sadly, they can lead one to a miserable existence. Eventually, one becomes alienated from God and one’s neighbour.
God’s Word for Each Day Fr Anselm SSP
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| SUPREME FULFILLMENT
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On 15 April 1912 the British luxury passenger liner Titanic sank during its maiden voyage, with a loss of 1,513 lives, after it struck an iceberg.
The great ship, at that time the largest and most luxurious afloat, had a double-bottomed hull, divided into 16 watertight compartments. Because four of these could be flooded without endangering the liner’s buoyancy, it was considered unsinkable. Unfortunately, the iceberg it collided with ruptured five of its watertight compartments, just one too many, and the giant sank.
The tragedy so struck the imagination of artists and writers that no fewer than three movies were made on that story. One of the most striking aspects of this ocean drama was that most of the passengers who perished were rich, some were very rich. Yet, despite all their wealth, more than 1,500 passengers lost their lives aboard the liner. Among the rich who drowned on that fateful April night, how many would have given all their fortune for the price of their survival? No doubt all of them. But, as Jesus warns us in today’s gospel reading, ‘Though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.’
The parable of the rich fool illustrates the point of this wise observation of Jesus. Now, the remarkable thing about the rich man of this parable is that at first sight he appears to be acting in a most reasonable way - he whom God in the end calls ‘fool’. What is foolish in the way he deals with his bumper crop? He is merely making plans to hasten on his retirement from business, since an unforeseen bonanza, a record crop, has made it possible. Moreover, he is neither pleasure-seeking nor selfish nor particularly sinful. He is simply rejoicing at the idea of the good years ahead. The problem, though, is that at no time do his plans include the possibility of a premature death. He is basking in a false security. He does not take God into account in planning his future. Which means that he is a practical atheist. God does not really exist for him. And what could be more foolish than to ignore death, since death comes to everyone without exception?
Our generation is pretty obsessed by the notion of security. And insurance companies thrive on this obsession of ours. Apparently, we can ‘buy’ security against fire, theft, car accidents, illness, and so on. Yet, we cannot ‘buy’ security in any real sense. Cancers and heart attacks and epidemics like SARS and AIDS do not distinguish between rich and poor, young and old, bright and dumb. But nowadays our basic insecurity is greatly increased by the danger of terrorist attacks. Not to mention other dangers coming from floods, volcanic eruptions, typhoons and earthquakes.
Does this mean that we are doomed to live in constant insecurity? Well, that depends on where we place our trust. If we place our trust in money, insurance companies, medical plans, social security plans, weaponry - then we are bound to be disappointed, and sooner or later we will meet with an unpleasant surprise. For a fundamental insecurity will always remain because of the threat of death. However, if we place our trust in God, then we will have absolute security. “Because with God even death acquires meaning. It does not take us by surprise as it did the rich man of the parable, shattering all his beautiful plans. Death is an essential part of one’s plans and projects, when one trusts in God. It even becomes the supreme fulfilment of the faithful heart, whose greatest desire is to pass on to God, at last.
365 Days with the Lord Nil Guillemette SJ
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| IN GOD WE TRUST
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Psalm 90
This is a wisdom Psalm. The truly wise person puts his trust in God, who becomes his shelter, shade, refuge and fortress. God delivers him from peril, hidden dangers and deadly diseases and guards him and protects him by keeping him under his wings like a bird. He will not let down a person who clings to him in faith. His prayer for help will not go unheeded.
As we pray this Psalm, let us put all our trust and confidence in Jesus alone and tell him: You are our refuge and our fortress; our God in whom we trust!
Fr Nathan
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| EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
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‘I encourage Christians regularly to visit Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament, for we are all called to abide in the presence of God.
'In contemplation, Christians will perceive ever more profoundly the mystery at the heart of Christian life.’
Pope John Paul ll
Adoration is held in our Church on the first Saturday of each month following 9am Mass and continuing all day till Benediction at 5:30pm. All welcome!
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| MARY MACKILLOP - THE EARLY YEARS
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Mary MacKillop was born in Melbourne on 15 January 1842, the eldest of eight children of Alexander MacKillop and Flora MacDonald. She was baptised in St Francis’ Church on 28 February of that year.
The early years of Mary’s life were turbulent. The inability of her father to obtain permanent employment meant the family was to endure much hardship. It involved frequent shifting, the absence of her father for nearly eighteen months in Scotland and at times deep embarrassment at her father’s outspoken nature. For her mother it meant the daily reliance on ‘God will provide’. Commenting on those years, Mary wrote in a letter to Monsignor Kirby in 1873: ‘My life as a child was one of sorrows, my home, when I had it, a most unhappy one.’
Mary’s personality revealed traits of both her parents. From her father she received her love for education, her theological understanding and a passion for justice. From her mother she learned how to depend on God in the most trying of circumstances, and her mother’s faithfulness, warm and sensitive heart and strength of will are evident in Mary’s story.
During those early years Mary faced the death of two significant family members. Her grandfather Donald MacDonald drowned, and her young brother Alick died at eleven months. This was followed in later life by the tragic loss of her mother, who drowned at sea, and the death of her brother John in a fatal accident in New Zealand. In these experiences were sown the seeds of compassion in her heart.
Mary as the eldest became the chief provider for the family as she took up positions of governess, clerk in a stationery firm in Melbourne and later teacher in Portland, Victoria, and Penola, South Australia. She summed up those early years in her letter to Monsignor Kirby: ‘Until I was 25 years of age I had the principal care of a large family.’
While working as a governess in Penola, Mary met Fr Julian Woods, the priest of that scattered parish. He saw many needs and spoke about them in his sermons. Mary listened. She had a desire to be a religious and saw firsthand the lack of education for those isolated children. In the meeting of these two dreams a new Religious Congregation was born, the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, to give a Catholic education to the poor in the emerging Australian colonies.
Inform Magazine Sr Monica Cavanagh RSJ
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| MARY'S MONTHLY MESSAGE FROM MEDJUGORJE
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Dear children!
Anew I call you to follow me with joy. I desire to lead all of you to my Son, your Savior. You are not aware that without Him you do not have joy and peace, nor a future or eternal life. Therefore, little children, make good use of this time of joyful prayer and surrender. Thank you for having responded to my call.
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| THE POPE'S INTENTIONS FOR AUGUST
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General:
That those who are without work or homes or who are otherwise in serious need may find understanding and welcome, as well as concrete help in overcoming their difficulties.
Missionary:
That the Church may be a ‘home’ for all people, ready to open its doors to any who are suffering from racial or religious discrimination, hunger, or wars forcing them to emigrate to other countries.
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| NINE DAYS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD
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Nine Days that Changed the World is the story of Pope John Paul ll’s historic nine-day pilgrimage to Poland in June 1979.
A story of human liberation, revealing the extraordinary power of Pope John Paul ll’s worldwide message of freedom through faith. The film contains actual footage from the Communist archives that has never been seen before!
We will have a special screening of this movie on Friday 6 August in the Parish Centre after the 11:45am Anointing Mass. (BYO sandwich. Tea and coffee provided.) So book yourself out for the afternoon. It’s terrific!
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| DEVOTIONAL SUPPLIES SHOP
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We have a great range of cards, books, rosaries, statues, jewellery and more!
You’ll find us behind the Church, on the corner of Ashton and Copnor Avenues. Enquiries to Barbara or Pat on 4332 5997.
Open:
Tuesday-Friday 9:30am-3:30pm
Saturday 9:30am-12noon
Sunday 9:00am-11:00am
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| FOR SALE
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Now Available
Villa and spacious 2 Bedroom Apartments, with generous terraces, air-conditioning, dishwasher and dryer.
All apartments are owner occupied.
Contact: Michael de la Motte 4334 7600
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Novena Week 8
Tuesday 3 August following 9am Mass.
Anointing of the Sick
1st Friday 6 August during 11:45am Mass.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
1st Saturday 7 August following 9am Mass and continuing through the day to Benediction at 5:30pm.
Bible Cafe
Join us ‘for God so Loved the World’, a scriptural meditation on John’s Gospel in a relaxed friendly atmosphere Mondays 7pm Muldoon Room.
Men’s Social Night
All gents are invited to our Social Night next Thursday 5 August at 7pm in the Muldoon Room.
Attention Carers of Mentally Ill
There will be a MMOMI Support Group commencing soon. (Merciful Mother of Mentally Ill). This is a Catholic Spiritual Support Group. Further information contact Elizabeth on 4334 4376.
Gallipoli, Paul’s Footsteps, Holy Land
We have a vacancy for 1 woman twin share on our Pilgrimage leaving 3 October returning 28 October. Please contact Fr Stevens ASAP.
Liturgy for Little Ones
Pre-School to Year 1 children are invited to attend Liturgy during 9:30am Mass next Sunday 8 August. (Held fortnightly.)
Andre Rieu 2010 Concert!
Sunday 31 October We have excellent seats for this one only Acer Arena Concert. Coach from The Entrance and return. Book with the Parish Office on 4332 2216.
Invitation to Parishioners
Celebrate the conclusion of the Year of the Priest with Toukley/Lake Munmorah Parishes on Tuesday 3 August at 11am at St Mary’s Parish Toukley with Mass celebrated by Bishop David and many Priests assisting, followed by a gathering for lunch in the Hall. Please bring a plate and drinks are BYO.
Small Faith Community Invitation
All are invited to join us for a night of faith and community with Adoration at 6pm and Mass at 7pm on Thursday 12 August in the Adoration Chapel.
Episcopal Dialogue Invitation
Our Bishop David Walker and Anglican Assistant Bishop Peter Stuart of the Newcastle Diocese will dialogue on the topic ‘Is Christianity the True Faith?’ at St John’s Anglican Church Hall Pacific Hwy Gordon Thursday 19 August 7:30pm.
Ministry Rosters
The next roster starting 22 August is now available in the Sacristy.
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| PEARLY GATES
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