The weekly Bulletin of the Catholic Parish of Forster Tuncurry

Proclaiming Christ to the communities of Forster, Tuncurry and the surrounding districts

Sunday 30th August, 2015 Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
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REFLECTION from Fr Greg

Dear parish family,

August
30 TODAY !!!
Holy Name School Fete
Holy Name of Jesus School

September
1

Mass at Beaumont Gardens

Forster 11am

Friendship Group (Seniors)

Sporties Tuncurry 12pm

Singing Practise
Forster 5:30pm

Mass at Kularoo
Forster

Pastoral Team Meeting

Forster 4:30pm

Intercessory Prayer Group

Morning Tea Forster 9:30am

5/6 First Holy Communion

Tuncurry 6pm/Forster 9am

Mass at GLACIA
Tuncurry 11am

Finance Committee Meet

Forster 5:30pm

11 Communion to the Sick

Morning Tea 10am

12/13 First Holy Communion

Tuncurry 6pm/Forster 9am

14 Baptismal Prep
Forster 7pm

When I was Parish Priest of the Catholic Parish of Central Tasmania, I inherited a
most eclectic group of Nativity scenes any parish might possess. The Parish had
some 11 churches each with its own group of items for Christmas. Some of the
nativity scenes had all of the pieces, but not from the same set. Some had matching
pieces but were missing items such as the animals or the shepherds. One set had a
larger than life baby in the crib matched with the smallest Mary and Joseph. And
actually, as I reflect there wasnt a wise man to be found throughout the parish. I
mentioned this one Christmas to resounding peals of laughter from the women and
lesser mirth from the men there present. I do find myself funny! Eclectic!
My favourite set was the one at the mother Church in New Norfolk, St Peters. This
set had more of its original pieces although there were some significant ring ins a
couple of shepherds and a very odd sheep. All the pieces were chipped and
scratched to some extent. In the set, the piece I loved most was one small shepherd
which was missing his nose, a finger or two and with a huge crack through his hat.
He was faded, was one of the ring ins and was so much smaller than the rest. The
Parish Council often talked after Christmas about getting some of them fixed, maybe
one piece at a time starting with the most damaged which perhaps not surprisingly,
was my shepherd.
Each year I would argue with the Sacristan about putting him out with the others. As
the crib was put together he would often remain in the cupboard, pushed to the
back with no-one really brave enough to throw him out. Each year I would dutifully
trundle to the store room to retrieve him and add him to the crib scene. It always
felt like a betrayal or being unfaithful to leave him in the cupboard after so many
years of faithful service to the tradition of Christmas and the community of Central
Tasmania. I always put him at the front.
In truth I liked him because he felt like the one piece that was truly symbolic of the
point of Christmas, the birth of Jesus. He was the broken one, lowly, forgotten,
fragile, faded, and in most need of mending. It always seemed like he represented
more honestly my story and my need each year, me who is chipped, scratched and
cracked. He reminded me of each person gathering to celebrate and of each family
coming together: in our chipped, scratched, cracked, but still there way. In some
way or another he needed another chance, another year to sit in the nativity scene
and just to be, doing his best to focus our eyes on Jesus. My story.
Best wishes,

Greg

Page 2

Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Morning Tea After Mass 6th Sept

Holy Name School Fete
TODAY from 10am 3pm
Hopefully youve remembered this
event and have come prepared! The
Holy Name School Fete is a great
opportunity to find a bargain and
enjoy a good day out browsing stalls.
There will also be tea, freshly brewed
coffee and fresh cakes. Why not
encourage friends and family to join
you on this special day in our parish? A
worthwhile event, with funds raised
going to much needed supplies for the
school.

Spring in to Song!
Singing practice resumes on Tuesday
st
next, 1 September at Forster church
at 5:30pm. All Welcome!

Friendship Group (seniors)

The Friendship Group will be getting
st
together on Tuesday 1 September at
12pm at Sporties in Tuncurry. All
welcome, contact Helen on 6554 5616
for further information.

IPG Morning Tea 4th Sept

The Forster Tuncurry Catholic Parish
Intercessory Prayer Group, together
with any other interested people, will
be getting together for morning tea in
the Parish meeting room after the
th
9:30am Mass on 4 September. This
will be a very informal gathering.
Anybody who is interested in this
excellent worthwhile group is welcome
to find out more. Housebound people
are especially welcome to join us as
there are no meetings, we simply pray
in our own homes at our own times.
This is the only meeting of this group
for this year. If you require transport,
please contact Bob Cashman on 6555
5914.

First Holy Communion, Childrens Liturgy

and Fathers day3 great reasons to join us
th
for morning tea on 6 September after 9am
Mass. Cakes or other morning tea items
would be gratefully received. Do come!

Communion to the Sick

If you take communion to the sick or would
like to participate in this important ministry
you are invited to an informal meeting and
cuppa following Mass on Friday 11th
September, approx. 10am. There will be an
opportunity to share the Graces of the
ministry and to work through any issues
people might be experiencing. Morning tea
provided.

Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF)

Fundarising events for those attending the
Australian Catholic Youth Festival include a
th
th
Sausage Sizzle on 12 /13 September
following the Vigil and 9am Mass. A great
opportunity to fast before Church!

Recently Deceased
John McGregor, Alice May Simon, Kath Cicoline.

Anniversaries
Ray Kernahan, Warwick Moulder.

Sick in the Parish

Peter Wicks, Terry ONeill.

Refrigerator still in need

The response to our request for a refrigerator
has run cold, pardon the pun! Sr Kathryn is
making another attempt to see if there may
be one available for someone in need. Please
phone 6554 6470, if you can assist.

Cleaner Required

On Sunday 27 September, the parish will

be holding a mini market in support of those
attending the Catholic Youth Festival,
following 9am Mass in Forster. Donations of
cakes, books, plants, white elephant and
craft items would be gratefully received. Or
just come on the day and have a browse.

Cleaner required 8 hours a fortnight to clean

the Presbytery and Parish office. Can be
worked over the course of the fortnight or on
one day. Must be able to meet the
requirements of 'Working with Children' and
have a high sense of confidentiality. Please
include a simple letter of application
expressing interest in the position C/- Fr.
Greg at the Parish office by Tuesday 8th
September. Please mark letters confidential.
Award wages will apply.

OUTSIDE THE PARISH - Manning

Valley ReachOut Conference

Aurora

ACYF Mini-Market
th

th

On Saturday 12 September at 9:30am,

Taree Christian College will be hosting a
conference with guest speaker Bruce Dipple.
Through this event they will be seeking to
provide a solid biblical basis for global
mission, expose people to the needs and
opportunities for ministry around the world
and connect participants to people and
organisations who will help them engage in
global mission. For more details visit
www.mvreachout.com.au

Aurora hits the newsstands again next

week. As always you are encouraged to
support our award-winning diocesan
magazine and buy a copy of your local
paper to receive your September edition.
It will appear in The Manning River Times
on Friday 4th September.

Catholic Leader
The Catholic Leader is available from the
rear of the church. Always a good read.

Parish Badges Now Available

Fulfilling
Badges
ordered 2International
weeks ago are nowMission for Skilled Volunteers
Communities
in East
Timor,
available
to be picked
up from
the PNG, Kenya, Kiribati, Samoa and elsewhere are asking for volunteers to mentor local
Parish
Office
@
$8
each.
workers and so assist poverty reduction. They believe this approach promotes self-reliant, sustainable development
and have asked Palms Australia to recruit, prepare and support those who volunteer. Want to know more?
Information Session will be held on Saturday 12th September at 11am, at Aquinas Academy, 141 Harrington Street,
The Rocks. RSVP to leanne@palms.org.au or call 9518 9551.

Page 3

Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

.of the Word

of Communion

6pm

A: Lou Hope

Tuncurry

B: Monica Hunt

Frank Haymen, Jeanette Goodacre, Kay Hall, Owen

Carroll, Pat Hooker.

7am

A: Cushla Drake

Tuncurry

B: Marie Gapps

9am

A: Elizabeth Sciacca

Forster

B: Barbara Dolahenty

Lorna Vidler, Greg Byrne, Maureen Visser, Sharon Fowle,

Trevor Turner.

.of the Word

of Communion

6pm

A: Monica Hunt

Tuncurry

B: Clare Moulder

Carolyn Olliffe, Kathryn McCabe, Margaret Smith,

Maureen Pye, Ruth Pearson.

7am

A: Marie Gapps

Tuncurry

B: Anne-Marie Greene

9am

A: Trevor Turner

Forster

B: Robyn Ryan

First Reading

Deuteronomy 4:1-2. 6-8

By obeying God, Israel shows
wisdom.

Responsorial Psalm
Response: The just will live
in the presence of the Lord.

Cecile Malone, Kay Griffiths, Maria Armitage, Mary Greig,

Peter Wicks.

Cushla Drake, Edna Tucker, Genevieve

Williamson, Lorraine Clark, Norm Chapman.
Barbara Kermode, Fay Harvey, Greg Byrne,
Michael Amato, Natasha Brotherton.

Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
The Father gave us birth
by his message of truth,
that we might be as the
first fruits of his creation.
Alleluia!

Second Reading

Gospel

James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27

Mark 7:1-8. 14-15. 21-23

All truly valuable gifts come from

above.

Jesus confronts the Pharisees,

who pay only lip service to God.

Children's Liturgy Roster

6/9/15 Amanda and Gary Collins
20/9/15 Judy Tyler
4/10/15 Maureen Nicholls
18/10/15 Natasha Brotherton

First Reading
Isaiah 35:4-7
Second Reading
James 2:1-5
Gospel Reading
Mark 7:31-37
Text: Excerpts from the
English
Translation of the Roman
Missal
2010, International
Commission on
English in the Liturgy (ICEL);
Music:
From the Mass of St Francis
2010,
Paul Taylor. All rights
reserved. Used
with permission. Australian
Agent
LicenSing Online Lic No.
624844.

Page 4

Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Baptisms
Celebrated most Sundays.

PARISH CONTACTS
Fr Greg BarkerParish Priest
gregory.barker@mn.catholic.org.au

Emergency Contact 0417 321 209

Mr Greg ByrnePastoral Associate
greg.byrne@mn.catholic.org.au
Mrs Sharon Fowle
(Administration
Associate/Bulletin)
Bridgeside Bulletin
Items for inclusion should be
received by midday on
Thursday.

Marriage
Celebrated by arrangement
and with at least three months
notice. Fr Greg 6554 6304
Sacramental Preparation
Greg Byrne 6554 6304

Forster-tuncurry.parish@mn.catholic.org.au

Sr Kathryn McCabe
Aboriginal Catholic Ministry
Loretta Heffernan
SRE Co-Ordinator

Office Hours
Tues, Wed, Thurs
9:30am to 1pm
Fri
10am to 4pm
Parish Office
Located at the rear of
the Parish Hall Forster:
33 Lake Street, Forster
NSW 2428
PO Box 67
P: (02) 6554 6304
F: (02) 6554 6425

CHURCH
LOCATIONS
Mary Star of the Sea
15 Peel Street, Tuncurry
Holy Name of Jesus
33 Lake Street, Forster

Baptismal Preparation
on 2nd Monday of each
month @ 7pm in Forster
Church Hall. Parish Office
6555 6304

Rite of Christian
Initiation of Adults
(RCIA) Parish Office 6554 6304

PARISH PASTORAL
GROUPS AND CONTACTS
Christian Meditation
Every Tues, 9am and 5:30pm.
Bob 6555 5914.
Womens Bible Study Group
Every Thurs, 7pm to 8pm.
Natasha 0407 589 935.
menALIVE Groups
Day group meet second and
fourth Wed after 9am Mass at
Forster. Evening group meets last
Thurs of the month at 7:30pm at
Forster. Michael Amato 6554 5284
Social Justice
Last Wed, 5:30pm at Forster.
Tim Prescott 6555 8517.
Singing Practice
Every Tues. Ken Heffernan
6557 6569.

SUNDAY MASS TIMES

Mary Star of the Sea, Tuncurry

WEEKDAY EUCHARIST (subject to change)

Mary Star of the Sea, Tuncurry

Sat 6pm, Sun 7am

Tues 4:30pm, Sat 9am

Holy Name of Jesus, Forster

Holy Name of Jesus, Forster

Sun 9am

Wed 9am, Thurs 9am, Fri 9:30am

Secular Franciscan Fraternity

First Wednesday of the month
after 9am Mass at Forster.
Maintenance & Gardening Group
Third Thursday of the month.
Howard 6557 6826.
Childrens Liturgy of the Word
First and third
Sunday at 9am Mass.
Natasha 0407 589 935.
Novena to Our Lady of
Perpetual Help
Every Wed, 11:14am at Forster.
Shiony 6554 9468.
Pastoral Team
First Wed, 4:30pm at Forster.
Greg Byrne 6554 6304
Finance Council
Second Wed, 5pm at Forster.
Greg Byrne 6554 6304
Pastoral Council
Third Wed, 5:30pm at Forster.
Greg Byrne 6554 6304
Holy Hour
Every Tues, 3:30pm at Tuncurry

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Holy Name Parish School (K-6)
Mr Chris Waters (Principal)
41 Lake St, Forster
PO Box 243
P: (02) 6554 6504
E: admin@forster.catholic.edu.au
W: www.forster.catholic.edu.au
St Clares High School
Mr Peter Nicholls (Principal)
Davis Street, Taree
P: (02) 6552 3300
E: admin@tareesc.catholic.edu.au
W: www.tareesc.catholic.edu.au

AGED CARE MASS TIMES

(subject to change)
Beaumont Gardens - 1st Tues
Kularoo Gardens 1st Wed
GLACIA House 2nd Tues

______________________________________________________________________________________________
RECONCILIATION

Mary Star of the Sea, Tuncurry

Saturday 8:30am 9am

Holy Name of Jesus, Forster

Saturday 4:30pm to 5:15pm