|
St
John the Apostle ~ Kippax
|
CANBERRA,
AUSTRALIA |
|
Weekly
Compact Online25 Blackham Street Holt 2615 Ph: 6254 3236 Fax:6254 4819
email stj.kippax@cg.catholic.org.au
Missionaries of the Sacred Heart:
Gerard McCormick msc Parish Priest
email: gerard@stjohnkippax.org.au
Year B
5 February 2012
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
|
|
In the morning, long before dawn, Jesus got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. Mark 1:35 Life, it would seem, has its seasons. Our hearts, interwoven with spring and autumn, winter and summer, beat warm, then heavy, and our moods would follow the flow of the sea. It's all so complex, beyond us, and yet so simple: An eternal rhythm, a repetition, living then dying, and then, a break in the rhythm, a surprising freshness, living anew. It's a mystery, a wonder, so unbelievable, this life! Day in and day out we feel its many joys, and, underneath them all, there is the sheer exultation in being alive, in using our bodies and minds in loving, of sensing, in eating, in being. We call it health. The sun shines and we feel well, and we neither ask nor know why. We are at peace. The ground we walk is steady, full of innocence. We grin and there is confidence. The human game seems unfair. We sense it is less fair for some others, and an all-too-easy compassion flows from us as we feel for life's wounded and it's fragile. But the bad time comes, and we don't know why; almost as if a too bright sun inevitable brings on clouds. A sadness catches us and, as if gazing from a ship which is suddenly tossed by an unexpected wave, our horizon abruptly changes. Things darken, health becomes fragile, as does friendship, and reality changes complexion. We sense how unlovable we are and begin to believe that no one loves us. The slightest things now give us reason to complain, to be jealous, to reproach. The very world looks different. The innocent eyes, the bold cheeks, the confident grin – the human face, so radiant – now radiates need, guilt, the tear, and we walk and wander, talk and tire, among small and large lies, trusting the cry of the child no more than that of the hawker. Three billion faces, lives, loves, hearts, potential smiles, stained yet beautiful – the treasures of our human race – pass by, our eyes embrace, one, then another: Who, we have to wonder, keeps them all close and dear? But no storm lasts forever. The bad time too passes and we don't know why. There's a different ebb and flow. Sunshine has returned and, with it, health – the confident grin, the innocence, the sense of being lovable. The ground beneath us quickens and steadies again, and the lies disappear, those of the child and those of the hawker. A repetition, a perpetual rhythm: good times then bad, storms then sunshine? The difference is one word, an extraordinary word, Christ; at times, perhaps little more than a word. It brings a light, a clear light: a beam, tiny, dim, but powerful; enough to walk a few steps by. It gives a different kind of steadying – hope. We don't feel so foolish anymore. Taken from: The Bad Time Comes by Ronald Rolheiser OMI |
In his book When Bad Things Happen to Good People Rabbi Harold Kushner tackles the age-old question of suffering in the world. The book was a response his own son's premature death caused by progeria (rapid aging). On its publication in 1981 it became a best seller, no doubt striking a chord with so many others who have suffered misfortunes. Kushner draws heavily on the Book of Job which forms part of the wisdom literature of the Old Testament. Job cries out to God with heart wrenching anguish. Job is a righteous man who is robbed of family, wealth and health. Why is Job seemingly punished by God? Are not the good rewarded and the evil punished? Is God unjust? Is God indifferent to Job's plight? These are some of the questions the Book of Job probes. In today's first reading we get a sample of the bleakness of Job's thoughts, “My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and come to their end without hope.” The Book of Job offers no pat answer to the question of suffering, but it does explore this problem with profound depth. By raising questions, allowing doubts to rise, and questioning the very meaning of existence, we are drawn more intimately into God. This was the experience of Jesus who cried out on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me.” It was precisely at this moment of abandonment that God was never more united with humanity. Peace and Blessings |
DID YOU KNOW? |
St John's celebrates its 40th anniversary on 26 February 2012
The fortieth anniversary is traditionally known as the ruby anniversary,
and the ruby stands for passion and an eternal flame within the heart.
“To be on earth the Heart of God”
This anniversary is traditionally represented by the gladioli or nasturtium flower.
Parish Pastoral Council notes...... |
The new Parish Pastoral Council will meet for the first time this year on Thursday 9 February at 7:30pm. Photographs of the PPC members are displayed on the notice board in the church foyer.
|
| FEBRUARY |
|---|
Baptisms for February
We welcome into our community:
Koa Kolstad,
daughter of Daniel and Kaysarhn;
Bianca Lowe,
daughter of Dean and Rebecca;
Abby Syrek,
daughter of Christopher and Lisa
Thank you for the very generous response to the appeal at the masses last Sunday.
As a result we are able to cover 93 of the 155 areas.
We are extremely grateful to all those who responded to the appeal so far.
We need 62 more doorknockers to volunteer to achieve 100% coverage of our area.
Doorknock Kits can be picked up after each mass in the church foyer.
If you would like to volunteer please register at the table in the church foyer.
St Joseph the Worker Group Meeting to set the maintenance priorities for our building and grounds for 2012.
Any interested person is welcome to attend. We are an equal opportunity venture. |
Refugee Resettlement Committee
Executive Meeting
This Wed 8th Feb 7.30pm
Parish Library
Choir Practice
returns on Wednesday 8th February.
7:30pm - 8:30pm
The choir is open for all to join,
new members are always welcome
GUARDIANS & ANGELS
A time for the angels to play and the guardians to share a cuppa.
All welcome.
FIRST MEETING FOR 2012
10th FEBRUARY
10:30am – Noon
St John the Apostle Parish Centre
School Term Only
PRIESTLY ORDINATION
Br Alfin Buarlele msc will be ordained in Indonesia at 4:00pm Sat 11 Feb.
This time coincides with our 6:00 Vigil mass which will be offered for Alfin.
Please keep Alfin in your prayers.
The Missionaries of God's Love Sisters
will celebrate Sr Rosie & Sr Rachel's profession of final vows at
2:00pm on Sat 11th Feb.
St Benedict's Church, Tallara Pkwy, Narrabundah.
Please keep Rosie & Rachel in your prayers
Catechist & Children's Liturgy Coordinators Training Days
Monday 20 Feb (from 6pm till 8pm)
at the Rheinberger Centre Canberra
Contact CatholicLIFE on 6163 4300.
A day of information, discussion and prayer.
PASTORAL CARE TRAINING 2012 Become a Pastoral Carer in your Community “Out of Business Hours” Introductory Introductory Course Basic Units (400 hours) For further information phone Lyn Kelly |
Sunday Afternoon Book Club
Date: 19 February 2012
Time: 3:00pm
Where: Parish LibraryWe are reading: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
by John BoyneEveryone is welcome
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION COURSE:
Time Frame: 3 year course
Date: 23 February 2012
Cost: $2000 per year.Facilitators: Sue Dunbar &
Liz Anne Smith
For more information contact
Sue Dunbar Phone 6295 6766
email suedunbar53@yahoo.com . or
Liz Anne Smith on 0409 987 401
email lizannes24@gmail.com
WOMEN'S BREAKFAST CLUB
Every 4th Tuesday of the month
Little Chef Cafe
Nettlefold Street BelconnenTues 28 February 2012
7:30am.
An opportunity to catch up with old and new friends.
| MARCH |
|---|
WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER Weekend for married couples
Contact: Ardell & Bill Sharpe 02 4283 3435 or www.wwme.org.au |
| GENERAL |
|---|
Michael Fallon msc
NEW BOOK RELEASE
Michael has two new books -
Available in the bookstore $20.00 each.
The Festival Scrolls &
The Book of Proverbs - The Book of Job.
For a list of all of Michael's books go to
http://www.mbfallon.com/books.htm
Library News: A new display of books of prayers and meditations related to the Bible are on display this week using parables, psalms and other selected aspects. |
|---|
Prayer in support of your time of need is as near to you as your telephone, post office or computer.
|
|---|
Ministers of Communion 12 February 2012
Vigil 6:00pm |
Bernadette Healey, Jilly Kelly, Gwenda Livermore, |
8:30am |
Brian Green, Patricia Barr, Joe Barr, |
10:00am |
Bonnie Benedictos, Rose Benedictos, |
6:00pm |
Toni Cox, Brian Mahony, Lisa Corr, |
Reading Rosters 12 February 2012.
Vigil 6:00pm |
Lesley Givens, Mary French. |
8:30am |
Mariana Rollgejser, Lyn Duck. |
10:00am |
Dell Cowley, Libby Kain. |
6:00pm |
Ana Moran, Anne Fulton. |
Church Cleaning |
6 Feb |
Anne Fulton, Megan Pigram, Bridget Pigram.
. |
|---|---|---|
Altar Society |
30 Jan |
Maryanne Ferguson. |
Presbytery Cleaning |
11 Feb |
Margaret Ohlin, Veronica Brennan, Maryanne Ferguson, |
Grounds Maintenance |
11 Feb |
David Pigram, Rob Caskie, Mike Lavis, |
Counting Roster |
12 Feb |
Sharon Loiterton, Margaret Sheehan, |
VIGIL |
6:00pm |
SUNDAY |
8:30am, 10:00am, 6:00pm |
Week days:
Monday |
9:30am |
Wednesday |
9:30am |
Thursday |
9:30am |
Friday |
9:30am |
Liturgy of the Word with Communion:
Tuesday |
9:30am |
Saturday |
8:00am |
Charismatic Mass:
4th Thursday |
8:00pm |
Mass & Sacrament of Anointing Sick/Elderly:
1st Saturday |
11:00am |
Gospel in a Nutshell
Simon's mother-in-law is ill. Jesus takes her by the hand and lifts her up.
She is a symbol of all who are raised up by Jesus to a new life. It is a life of service.
This woman is healed, and the fruit of the healing is that she places herself at God's
disposal to be a minister of love. We, too, need Jesus' healing touch, that we might
share his ministry of service.
|
|---|
Thought for the Week
“While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, Saint Francis of Assisi |
|---|
| Special Intentions |  |
Let us pray for the sick of our Parish as we remember them in our Sunday Masses.
Recently Deceased: Doreen Fairlie Jones.
Anniversary:
Alice Tonna, Robert Thomas,
Doreen Kennedy, Salvatore Nasca, Julian Oakley,
Bruce Walker,Annie McCreath,
Carmen Godfrey,
Stella Bell,Maira Carrusca, Kenneth Vella,
Faye Menegazzo, Margaret Ephgrave, Margaret Davis, Roberto Millucci,
Robert Galliano, Rene Stubbs,
George Griffiths, Glenn Foster, Trent Foster,
Nellie Bannon, Henry Moulis, Edward Blake-Smith,
Philip Babic, John Thompson.
The weekly newsletter of the parish.
Marian England and Sharon Greaves 6254 3236
|
•
|
PASTORAL |
•
|
CHURCH HISTORY |
•
|
HEART SPIRITUALITY |
|
•
|
HOMILIES |
|
•
|
FAITH FORMATION |
|
•
|
MINISTRIES OF LITURGY |
|
•
|
YOUTH |
|
•
|
SOCIAL GROUPS |
|
•
|
|
| PARISH MAINTENANCE | |
|
•
|
WEEKLY BULLETIN |
•
|
VOCATIONS |
|
•
|
LINKS |
| to
be on earth the |
|