Sunday 8th March, 2015 Third Sunday of Lent, Year B

Bridgeside Bulletin The weekly Bulletin of the

Catholic Parish of Forster Tuncurry

Holy Name of Jesus Parish Church 33 Lake Street, Forster

St Mary, Star of the Sea Church Cnr Kent & Peel Streets, Tuncurry

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

Parish Fr Greg Barker (Parish Priest) Mr Greg Byrne (Pastoral Associate) Mrs Sharon Fowle (Administration Associate/Bulletin) Sr Kathryn McCabe (Aboriginal Catholic Ministry)

The Parish Office is at the rear of the Parish Hall and is normally staffed on Monday, Thursday and Friday from 10am to 4pm.

Items for inclusion in Bridgeside Bulletin should be received by midday on Thursday.

33 Lake Street, Forster NSW 2428 PO Box 67, Forster NSW 2428

P: (02) 6554 6304 F: (02) 6554 6425 E: forstertuncurryparish@gmail.com W: www.forstertuncurrycatholic.org.au

Celebrating the Sacraments

Reconciliation is available on Saturday mornings at Tuncurry from 8:30am until the beginning of the 9am Mass, on Saturday afternoons at Forster from 4:45pm until 5:15pm.

Baptisms are celebrated on Sundays, either during any of our Sunday Masses or after the 9am Mass. The next Baptismal Preparation meeting will take place in the Parish Hall’s meeting rooms on Monday 9th March 2015 commencing at 7pm. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.

Weddings are celebrated by arrangement and with at least three (and preferably more) months notice. Please contact Fr Greg for more details, or visit the Parish website.

A Sacramental Preparation process runs each year in the Parish for children wishing to complete the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation as part of the Parish community. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.

The Parish hosts the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults process for those adults wishing to be baptised or be received into the communion of the Catholic Church. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.

Search for us on Facebook as ‘Catholic Parish of Forster Tuncurry’

Follow us on Twitter: @ftcatholic

Holy Name Parish School (K-6)

Mr Chris Waters (Principal)

41 Lake Street, Forster NSW 2428 PO Box 243, Forster NSW 2428

P: (02) 6554 6504 F: (02) 6554 8895 E: admin@forster.catholic.edu.au W: www.forster.catholic.edu.au

St Clare’s High School, Taree (7-12)

Mr Peter Nicholls (Principal)

Davis Street, Taree NSW 2430

P: (02) 6552 3300 F: (02) 6552 3656 E: admin@tareesc.catholic.edu.au W: www.tareesc.catholic.edu.au

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The Parish Diary…(for the week ahead) Third Week of Lent.

Please note that with the departure of Fr Andrew & Fr Greg settling in this week, there will no weekday Masses in the Parish.

Monday—9th March 7pm Baptism Preparation Meeting @ Forster

Tuesday—10th March 9am Christian Meditation (Bob 6555 5914) 3:30pm Holy Hour @ Tuncurry 4:30pm Evening Prayer @ Tuncurry 5:30pm Christian Meditation (Bob 6555 5914) 5:30pm Singing Practice @ Tuncurry

Wednesday—11th March 9am Morning Prayer @ Forster 9:30am menALIVE Morning Group @ Forster 11:15am Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help @

Forster 5:30pm Finance Committee Meeting @ Forster

Thursday—12th March 8am Ecumenical Prayer Meeting @ The Tanks 9am Morning Prayer @ Forster 7pm Women’s Bible Study Group (Natasha

0407 589 935)

Friday—13th March 9:30am Morning Prayer @ Forster

Saturday—14th March 8:30am Reconciliation @ Tuncurry 9am Mass @ Tuncurry 4:45pm Reconciliation @ Forster (until 5:15pm) 6pm Mass @ Tuncurry

Sunday—15th March Fourth Sunday of Lent. 7am Mass @ Tuncurry 9am Mass @ Forster

Regular Activities in the Parish

Christian Meditation Our Parish hosts opportunities for the practice of Christian meditation on Tuesdays at two distinct times, 9am and 5:30pm. Phone Bob on 6555 5914 for further information.

Women’s Bible Study Group Our Parish hosts a Women’s Bible Study Group that meets every Thursday evening from 7pm to 8pm. For more information contact Natasha on 0407 589 935.

Holy Hour The Parish community observes a Holy Hour each Tuesday afternoon in the Tuncurry Church from 3:30pm until the beginning of Mass at 4:30pm.

Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help The Novena is prayed every Wednesday in the Forster church commencing at 11:15am and is followed by a cuppa in the Parish Hall. For more information contact Shioney on 6554 9468.

Singing Practice Singing group will meet at Tuncurry Church on Tuesday 10th March at 5:30pm.

The menALIVE Groups Our Parish currently hosts rwo menALIVE groups. The daytime group will next meet on Wednesday 11th March after the 9am Mass and the evening group meets on the last Thursday of each month at 7.30pm.

Secular Franciscan Fraternity The Secular Franciscans Fraternity will next meet on next Wednesday 1st April 2015, coming together for Mass at 9am, followed by a cuppa at 9:30am and then the meeting 10am to 12pm.

Maintenance & Gardening Group The Parish is served by a very dedicated band of volunteers who tend to the upkeep of the grounds and gardens of our two sites. Their next reunion will be on Thursday 19th March. Contact Howard 6557 6826 for more information.

Evening Prayer & Benediction The Parish community celebrates on the first Sunday of each month at 5:30pm in the Tuncurry church. It will celebrated this evening, Sunday 3rd May 2015. All welcome. (Not celebrated in April—Easter Sunday)

Children’s Liturgy of the Word The next Liturgy of the Word for children aged 4-12 will be on Sunday 3rd May 2015 at the 9am Mass. A morning tea will follow Mass.

Collection of Foodstuffs for Homebase The next collection of foodstuffs in support of Homebase is today, Sunday 5th April 2015.

Weekly Ecumenical Prayer Meeting An Ecumenical Prayer Meeting will be held at The Tanks on Thursday mornings in the lead up to the Ecumenical Easter Sunrise Service, to pray for the preparations and success of the Service. The meetings will start at 8am.

Lenten Program - “Arise” It’s not too late to join a Lenten Reflection Group in our Parish to pray, share our faith and socialise with other parishioners.

A list of groups are on the notice boards in the churches next week. You may join an existing group or even host one of your own. More information is available from the Parish office.

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Farewell Fr Andrew -

TODAY!

Fr Andrew celebrates his last Mass with us today as Parish Priest of our community.

Come to the hall after 9am Mass to thank him for his presence among us and to wish him “Fare Well” for his future journey.

If possible, please bring a plate to share.

A Final Word...

When I first arrived in Forster Tuncurry in January 2012, I thought I had landed on my feet in terms of the locations I could be sent to within the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. Living by the coast compared to living in Singleton was heavenly.

Little did I know that I would grow to love more than the location in which I found myself living.

Over the last three years I have come to love you, the People of God to whom and with whom I have ministered and proclaimed the Good News of the Kingdom of God. Even though I knew that eventually —a long time in the future preferably—I would have to leave Forster Tuncurry Parish, I had allowed myself the privilege to love the people of the Parish and town and to be loved by them (most of the time!) in return.

As I ponder my earlier than expected departure from Forster Tuncurry, I am reminded of something I said during the community meeting we had to discuss the possibility of a new church building. At that meeting, in response to someone asking me what I thought we should do, I said something along the lines of “It’s not about what I think. Priests will come and go; the parish will continue. What is important is what the parish community believes is necessary”.

The truth of that statement has now come to pass. I am taking my leave and Fr Greg will be arriving, but the parish community remains.

And so does the fundamental reason for the parish community’s existence. The mission of proclaiming the Kingdom of God does not end with the term of each Parish Priest. It is why the Parish exists, it’s very reason for being.

And so, as I leave the Catholic Parish of Forster Tuncurry—as I leave you, the People of God whom I have come to love—I simply say thank you: thank you for the privilege of being your pastor, thank you for your willingness to love me despite my faults and foibles, thank you for continuing to witness to me of your faith in Jesus, and thank you for continuing to be God’s clear presence in this place.

May God continue to bless you and inspire you.

Until we meet again, I am, and will remain,

Yours in Christ,

Fr Andrew

“You might be the only Gospel people ever

hear” — Fr Rob Galea

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Catholic Newspapers Available Both The Catholic Leader (Brisbane) and The Catholic Weekly (Sydney) newspapers are available at a cost of $2 each from our churches.

New Parish Formation Program A Formation Program for Parish and other ministries is running again in 2015.

The Ministry of Adult Faith Formation, supported by Maitland-Newcastle Diocese and the Tenison Woods Education Centre, is offering the Formation Program in two locations this year: Muswellbrook from February to April and Broadmeadow from August to October.

In the past, you may have attended a Safe Ministry course, picked up a few units of the Formation Program or maybe shown an interest in doing the program at a later date. If so, you might be interested in continuing with the program this year.

Don’t delay, register now at: Maitland-Newcastle Diocese at sharon.murphy@mn.catholic.org.au/02 4979 1134 or Tenison Woods Education Centre at twec@ssjl.org.au/02 4930 9601.

Program details are as follows:

Integrity in Ministry: Saturday 21st March (Ms Kim Bruce/Mr David Muxlow)

9:30am–12:30pm Maintaining Right Relationships 1pm-4pm Protection of the Vulnerable

Saturday 28th March (Mr Ray Moos/Mrs Teresa Brierley)

9:30am–12:30pm Workplace Safety 1pm-4pm Integrity in Service of the Church

Formation for Leadership: Saturday 11th April (Sr Patricia Egan) 9:30am–12:30pm Leadership as Ministry 1pm-4pm Leadership Style and Dynamics

Saturday 18th April (Mr Sean Scanlon/Mrs Teresa Brierley)

9:30am–12:30pm Management Skills 1pm-4pm Leadership of Foundation Areas

High School Chaplains Motivated Christian Youth Workers are required, full time and part time, to run High School programs in association with local Christian Church groups in the three campuses of Great Lakes College in 2015.

Minimum qualification is Certificate IV in Youth Work or Pastoral Care, including competencies in “mental health” and “making appropriate referrals”. Experience in delivering programs for young people is desired.

Email gleccaglc@gmail.com for an information package. Closing Date: Wednesday, 18th March.

Vocation View Jesus cleaned out the temple of money changers. He was angry; He was zealous; He was authoritative. He was doing what He had to do, even though it involved risk, danger, insult and wonder. Such is a vocation. For more information regarding Vocations contact Fr Brian Mascord on 02 4979 1112 or vocations@mn.catholic.org.au

Easter Glory The beautiful season of Easter is fast approaching and being the custom over the past 4 years, the Manning Valley Christian Choir has designed a programme to renew our wonder and thankfulness of Christ's death and resurrection.

Entitled 'Easter Glory', the reflection conveys the indescribable sacrifice and glorious resurrection and hope we have in our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

To be performed at St John's Anglican Church, Taree, Sunday 22nd March at 2pm, 'Easter Glory' will encourage and remind you of the gift of Easter through its spoken word, song and music. The presentation is free, but a retiring offering will be available for those wishing to donate to the continuing work of LinC Manning Valley.

Thank You - Spectacles On behalf of the many inmates at Silverwater Women’s Correctional Centre, Chaplain Margaret Wiseman has passed on her thanks to the parish community for donating reading glasses. Margaret added that it often takes a long while before a doctor or optometrist come to the centre and when they do the waiting list is very long.

Family Fun Day The parish held a family day last Sunday at the Boatshed in Forster. Great weather, great activities, fun for all the family. Check out the photos on the parish website.

If you would like to join us on our next adventure please contact the parish office for more information.

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Lenten Reflections Travel through Lent with a Little Black Book. Find six minutes of quite time for the next 50 days (15th Feb to 5th April) to work through the book one page at a time. Cost $5 each at rear of Churches.

“Ignite” Praise & Worship We invite all young people and their families to ignite their faith, inspiring a deeper understanding of being in relationship with God by attending an “Ignite” Praise and Worship evening. The event will take place on Sunday 22nd March at 5.30pm at the Catholic Church in Forster and will feature a young, local Christian rock band. Under 12’s must be accompanied by an adult. The event will be followed by a BBQ. For more information contact Sharon at the Parish Office on 6554 6304/0407 006 666.

You’re invited to Family Group There is a Family Group in our parish which has operated for about 24 years. It consists of approximately 30 individuals and families. Its purpose is friendship and fellowship.

The Family Group gets together each month for an activity such as picnics, movies, coffee, luncheons, etc. at local venues. We would like to invite any person or family, particularly new parishioners to join us at Tuncurry Rock Pool at 5pm on Saturday 21st March. Buy your fish and chips on the way; bring some easy chairs or a picnic blanket and relax as the sun sets over the water.

The gathering may give us an opportunity to discuss whether young families and individuals would like to meet regularly and engage in more active pursuits.

For further information please contact Terry and Carol Pearson on 6559 2550 / 0408 768 729 or the Parish Office.

Ladies’ High Tea Fundraiser

The ladies of Forster-Tuncurry Catholic Parish invite you to a Ladies’ High Tea Fundraiser to be held at the Forster Parish Hall on Saturday 14th March at 10:00am. It’s a gorgeous way for us ladies to get together AND raise funds for the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart who are trying to build homes for AIDs orphans in Tzaneen, South Africa. Humanitarian Projects International (HPI) is partnering with the Sisters to raise these funds. So get together with your mums, daughters, aunties and friends and join us for some beautiful food and delightful company. Tickets are $15 and are available at the Parish Office or call Judy on 0448 660 858. They will also be available to purchase after 9am Mass. Bookings are essential. RSVP by Sunday 8th March.

We would be most grateful to receive vouchers or items which can be donated for the silent auction. Please provide to parish office or phone Judy to arrange collection. Thank you!

Ladies High Tea-Fundraiser Sat 14th March 10am

Catholic Parish Hall – 33 Lake St, Forster

Tickets $15

Lucky door prize, Raffle, African stall & Silent Auction

Enquires: Forster Judy 0448660858 Taree / Old Bar Linda 0408077089

A Reflection Day On Saturday 14th March from 9:30am to 3:30pm, the Tenison Woods Education Centre is offering a day entitled An Autumn Invitation to Enter the Stillness with Sr Colleen O’Sullivan rsj. Morning Tea provided. Please bring your own lunch. Cost $20. Concession $10. See flyer at rear of Church for further details. Phone 4930 9601 or email twec@ssjl by 11th March.

Working with Children Checks We have received instructions for the Diocese re people who may need a clearance to comply with the Child Protection Legislation. The law is determined to cover workers in situations where children may be present - even if the task involved does not appear to be child related.

For example, in our parish, parishioners who take communion to the house bound will need a clearance to cover them for times when a child may be present during their visitation.

Guiding Children’s Faith Journey Are you interested in guiding children on part of their faith journey? Catholic Special Religious Education (SRE) / Scripture classes continue in this Parish community at Forster 9.30 – 11.00am, Tuncurry 11.20am – 12.30pm and Pacific Palms PS. Currently, because of family, health and work the current SRE teachers require enthusiastic, caring, supportive volunteers to help with classes on Fridays of the school Term. All support will be offered to assist the volunteer. Mentoring is offered to new recruits also. For more information contact loretta.heffernan@mn.catholic.org.au / 0408 895 951 or parish office 65546304.

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Try to find these words:

build

chased

Destroy

doves

house

marketplace

money

rope

sheep

table

temple

three

Kid’s Corner Do not make my Father’s house a marketplace Jn 2:13-22

X Q D G T U L U C A G W M H F

I N R M Y M O W S L Q F A S I

X Q C T A B L E K U E L R H G

V P H A E R J Z X F X D K U P

X Y A H X W I S H E E P E W T

W O S P H R O P E F S H T Y O

Y M E M Y X S X T U H K P H E

A U D O D H O U S E E P L N P

L P H N E X K I Z A X D A E T

H V U E S D O V E S Z Y C Q H

P D F Y T S W Q P V J S E A R

K P R D R B O G T E M P L E E

V F E G O G E G O B T R Y P E

S H M W Y T R T Y V H X C Q S

C L U X B U I L D L L P M A D

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Opportunities Outside The Parish

Catholic Schools Week Mass Mass will be held on Tuesday 10th March beginning at 11am at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Parishioners, family and friends are welcome to join student and staff representatives from the diocese's 56 schools at Sacred Heart Cathedral for this joyous celebration.

Taste and See Series on the Bible will be held on Tuesday 10th March beginning at 4:30pm at St Laurence O'Toole Centre, Broadmeadow Road, Broadmeadow. A new series begins on Tuesday, 10 March, for all who would like to deepen their love of scripture. Presenter is Sr Pat Boland rsj. Cost is $60.00 which covers a unit of five weeks. For further information contact Secretary, Tenison Woods Education Centre, St Joseph's Convent, New England Highway, Lochinvar. P 4930 9601 or E twec@ssjl.org.au

'Lent’s Lavish Larder' Faith Enrichment Day will be held on Wednesday 11th March beginning at 10am at St Joseph's Education and Spirituality Centre, 8 Humphreys Rd, Kincumber South. Sessions will begin each day at 10am and conclude at 2:30pm, with breaks for morning tea/lunch. Morning tea and a sandwich lunch will be provided. Cost $25 or donation. If you would like to attend you are asked to book on bookings@stjosephsretreat.org.au or P 4368 2805.

24 Hours for the Lord 24 Hours for the Lord will be held on Friday 13th March beginning at 7am at Holy Spirit Church, Kurri Kurri & St Joseph’s Church, Cessnock. Pope Francis will preside at a penitential celebration in St Peter's Basilica in order to place the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the centre of the Church's mission of the new evangelization. 7pm, Friday, 13th March until 7am, Saturday, 14th March Holy Spirit Church, Kurri Kurri and 7am, Saturday, 14th March until 7pm, Saturday, 14th March St Joseph's Church, Cessnock.

Christian Life Centre Health Wellness Event will be held on Saturday 14th March beginning at 10am at Hunter Christian Life Centre. Listen to guest speakers who are experts in their fields. E hunterclc@bigpond.com P 0431 751 377.

Singalong Seniors Week Sunday Afternoon Singalong will be held on Sunday 15th March beginning at 2:00pm at St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Mayfield. As part of Seniors Week, the St Andrew’s Anglican Church in Mayfield will be holding a Sunday Afternoon

singalong, "Hymns We Used to Sing." For more information contact Rev Stan on 4968 0196.

Special Needs Information Day Expo will be held on Tuesday 17th March beginning at 10am at St James' School Hall, Vista Parade, Kotara. Other dates include 18th March (St Joseph's Primary School, Taree) and 19th March (St James' Primary School, Muswellbrook). Come along and hear Catholic Schools Office representatives speak about support available for children enrolled in our Catholic schools. Morning tea and light lunch provided. Free of charge. RSVP (for catering) Cath Garrett-Jones, Parent Liaison and Resource Officer P 4979 1303 E cath.garrett-jones@mn.catholic.edu.au

Retreat Be, Grow, Show Retreat 2015 will be held on Friday 20 March beginning at 7pm at St Catherine's Singleton. For more information E youth.ministry@mn.catholic.org.au

Ecumenical Accompaniment Program Australian volunteer Ms Val Edwards from the Anglican Church in West Wangaratta, Victoria is currently serving as a volunteer with the World Council of Churches EAPPI in the Palestinian West Bank. She will describe her experience as an Ecumenical Accompanier, talk about the struggles of the Palestinian people and the movement for a just peace in Palestine and Israel. No RSVP necessary. The event will be held on Monday 23rd March beginning at 7pm at Toohey Room, Cathedral House, 841 Hunter St.

Ecumenical Way of the Cross All are welcome to attend the annual Ecumenical Way of the Cross at Kilaben Bay on Sunday 29th March from 3pm at St Joseph's Church, 140 Wangi Rd, Kilaben Bay. Picnic facilities are available from 1pm. will be held will be held on Sunday 29th March from 3pm at St Joseph's Church, 140 Wangi Rd, Kilaben Bay.

Mini Lunch A lunch will be held every second Wednesday in each month at the Anglican Parish, St. Alban’s Church Hall, Forster at 12pm, cost $7. All welcome to attend. A delicious meal and a warm and friendly greeting await you. Includes lucky door prize and raffles. For further information contact Helen Barber on 6554 5920.

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Ministers this Weekend... ...of the Word ...of Communion

6pm Tuncurry A: Monica Hunt B: Valarie Ross

Carolyn Olliffe, Frank Hayman, Kylie Hall, Margaret Smith, Owen Carroll.

7am Tuncurry A: Anne-Marie Greene B: Kay Griffiths

Cushla Drake, Edna Tucker, Mark Mowbray, Patricia Cornish, Peter Wicks.

9am Forster A: Sharon Fowle B: Robyn Ryan

Alan McCarthy, Coral McCarthy, Greg Byrne, Natasha Brotherton, Sharon Fowle.

Ministers next Weekend... ...of the Word ...of Communion

6pm Tuncurry A: Michael Siddle B: Neil Pye

Kylie Hall, Maureen Pye, Neil Pye, Pat Hooker, Valarie Ross.

7am Tuncurry A: Maree Gapps B: Tony Knight

Cecile Malone, Kay Griffiths, Maria Armitage, Norm Chapman, Peter Wicks.

9am Forster A: Greg Byrne B: Marion O’Neill

Anne Moloney, Greg Byrne, Natasha Brotherton, Robyn Ryan, Trevor Turner.

Please note: The above information reflects the rosters as originally published, and doesn’t take account of any ‘swaps’ that may have been organised between individuals.

Scripture Readings This Week

Today Exodus 20:1-17 1 Corinthians 1:22-25 John 2:13-25 Monday 2 Kings 5:1-15 Luke 4:24-30 Tuesday Daniel 3:25, 34-43 Matthew 18:21-35 Wednesday Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9 Matthew 5:17-19 Thursday Jeremiah 7:23-28 Luke 11:14-23 Friday Hosea 14:2-10 Mark 12:28-34 Saturday Hosea 5:15—6:6 Luke 18:9-14 Sunday 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23 Ephesians 2:4-10 John 3:14-21

Today’s Liturgy of the Word

Responsorial Psalm Response: Lord, you have the words of everlasting

life.

Gospel Acclamation Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory! God loved the world so much, he gave us his only Son, that all who believe in him might have eternal life. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!

In your charity, please pray for:

Those recently deceased. Brian McCabe, Pierre Stanuslas, Fr Vince Pedemont.

Those whose anniversaries occur about now. Nathan Garth, Noel Copas, Lise Goetz, Robert Calamatta, Carmelina Calamatta .

All those in our community who are sick.

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.