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Serving The Communities Of Star of the Sea, Crescent Head
St Patrick’s, Gladstone/Smithtown
All Saints, Kempsey
Our Lady Star of the Sea,
South West Rocks
St John’s, Willawarrin
Parish Office 52-58 Marsh Street
West Kempsey, NSW 2440.
9.30am-3.30pm, Tuesday-Friday.
P: 02 6562 5182
W: www.mvcp.org.au
Postal Address:
PO Box 3007,
West Kempsey, NSW 2440.
Parish Priest: Fr James Foster
Schools St Joseph’s Primary School, Kempsey
Acting Principal: Mr Guy Campbell
P: 6562 5501
W: www.kmpplism.catholic.edu.au
St Paul’s College, Kempsey
Principal: Mr Kevin Lewis
P: 6562 7200
W: www.kmpslism.catholic.edu.au
Aged Care Vincent Court
Acting Manager: Mrs Janet Reay
P: 6562 6062
W: www.vincentcourt.org.au
Social Services & NDIS Centacare
Manager: Mrs Lorraine Cornell
P: 6562 3918
W: www.stagnesparish.org.au/centacare
Dear Parishioners and Visitors, As you are aware, due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic we are living in unprecedented times. Our world, our community and our lives are all changing and in are in a state of flux. We are all united in our desire to uphold the dignity of each person’s life, supporting and protecting the health and wellbeing of all. No matter what happens in the months ahead, presuming we remain healthy and well, myself and our parish office team will continue to be here serving and journeying with you. We will keep you updated through the weekly parish newsletter, parish website and signs on the doors of our churches. In light of the Commonwealth Government’s ban on all indoor gatherings of 100 or more, Bishop Greg has needed to make a number of decrees which will change how we serve, minister and worship as a parish family. He has urged us all to continue to pray for the protection of our people and the end of this virus. I will first outline the measures generally and then provide more detailed information about how this will apply in our community. Bishop Greg’s Decrees Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses (including any Liturgies of the Word and
Communion) from and including this weekend are cancelled. Thus all the faithful are dispensed from their Sunday obligation.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (First Rite) will continue to be celebrated with an appropriate distance, preferably a screen between the penitent and the priest.
Funerals - Since we have no control over the number attending funerals, there will be no funeral liturgies in church. Prayers may be said at the place of burial.
Weddings – We need to ensure that no more than 100 people, including the priest, attend at weddings.
Easter - There will be no public Easter Liturgies. Churches may remain open for the Faithful to come and pray. The Sacraments of Confirmation, First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion
are postponed until further notice. Chrism Mass in Lismore - will not be public. Service and Ministry in our Community: Changed but Definitely Not Ended! Although the Saturday Vigil and Sunday morning Masses are cancelled until further notice, for the time being the following weekday Masses will be offered, with attendance limited to 100 people. This will be revised if the Australian Government provide further advice regarding large gatherings. These Masses will be offered for the intentions of all people, especially those unable to be physically present at mass.
TUESDAY 6PM: ALL SAINTS CHURCH KEMPSEY WEDNESDAY 8AM: OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA CHURCH SWR THURSDAY 6PM: OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA CHURCH SWR
FRIDAY 9.30AM: ALL SAINTS CHURCH KEMPSEY
THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION WILL BE AVAILABLE AT KEMPSEY TUESDAY 5PM-6PM & FRIDAY 8AM-9AM, AND SWR SATURDAY 9.30AM-
10.30AM, MAINTAINING DISTANCING MEASURES.
continues over page….
22 March 2020, Fourth Sunday of Lent - Year A
KEMPSEY AND SOUTH WEST ROCKS CHURCHES WILL BE OPEN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER EACH WEEK AND THE TIMES UPDATED EACH WEEK.
For the time being, in Kempsey, the Mercy Chapel can be accessed at anytime with a code which is available from the Parish Office. The main Church will be open for private Eucharistic Adoration: Sunday 9am-11am, Tuesday 4pm-6pm, Thursday 4pm-5pm, Friday 8am-12pm. In South West Rocks, the Church will be open for private prayer: Sunday 7.30am-9.30am, Monday 9.30am-10.30am, Tuesday 9.30am-10.30am, Wednesday 9.30am-10.30am, Thursday 9.30am-10.30am, Friday 9.30am-10.30am, Saturday 9.30am-10.30am.
Masses at all nursing homes, Smithtown, Crescent Head and Willawarrin are also cancelled until further notice. Baptism preparation will take place on an individual basis. Celebration of the Sacrament will be limited to the number prescribed by the Australian Government and social distancing measures will be in place. Funerals and weddings will take place as per the Bishop’s decree. Please contact the Parish Office for the Anointing of the Sick. Please also be aware of the details of our ministry of delivering items to those who are homebound. Our parish newsletter will continue to be printed and will be available at the doors of the churches, as well as online. Given the daily changing nature of this situation, updates will also be available on the parish website. In time, a number of spiritual resources and links will also be uploaded to the website, including links to online Masses. The parish office remains open and we are here for you to continue to serve you in whatever way we can. Of course I will offer private Masses on Sundays and Mondays, and each and every one of you, your loved ones and your intentions will be foremost in my heart and mind. Let us all keep contact, even if it can’t be in person, including through emails, texts, phone calls, the web etc, and support those most in need. If you have any concerns or even if you are just feeling a bit lonely, please feel free to reach out (I’ll do my best to get back to you). Let’s go to a whole new level of looking after ourselves and each other, and continually pray for those suffering from the virus, those who have died from the virus and their grieving families. On a final note, Pope Francis and our Australian Bishops are encouraging us all to continue regular prayer both individually and as a family. There may be times when you can gather with family and friends for prayer and worship. As Jesus reminds us, “where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Matthew 18: 20). Perhaps like never before in recent history, all of us – laity, religious and priests – are being called to witness in new and creative ways. The Church is all of us together, we are a family, and those bonds continue no matter where we are physically. It has certainly been a Lent like no other and none of us could have imagined the sacrifices we need to make and the opportunities that exist to help others. Through all of this we can and will become better people. We are on the journey to Easter, and we especially need to take to heart at this time Jesus’ repeated words to his disciples after his resurrection, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19). May Our Blessed Mother, Help of Christians and Help of the Sick , intercede for us and may we all continue to experience Jesus’ unconditional love for us and our families, Fr James
YOUR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE REMAINS VITAL Dear Parishioners, As you have already read from Fr James, we are living in challenging times. We are all united in prayer at this time as we continue to serve and journey together. Our ministry in the months ahead will continue but in different ways that currently are unknown to us. As the saying goes, ‘ministry costs money’ and so we will still need your financial contributions to cover our costs and keep our doors open. This will include the new ministry of outreach to those homebound which will entail dropping food and other items at their front door to help these people. We already run a very ‘tight ship’ while maintaining high levels of pastoral service
and management of the parish which ensures we are compliant with all government and diocesan requirements. I take this opportunity to again thank all those who have been signing up for the Direct Debit system. A friendly reminder that some banks require this to be renewed from time to time. If you would like to take advantage of this, you simply need to transfer funds to our ANZ Bank Account: Macleay Valley Catholic Parish BSB: 012 703 Account Number: 4221 27335 Remitter Name: your surname and envelope number If you do not have an envelope number, please contact the parish office and one can be allocated. Donations to assist the running of the parish can also be made at the parish office. God bless, Paul Stubbs Chairperson Parish Financial Council
BAPTISM PREPARATION NIGHT
Please contact the parish office to
arrange an individual preparation
session.
Those who are Recently Deceased: Nell Abbotts, Albert Sinclair, Bill Willis, Pedro De Chavez, Margaret Lawrence Wilkinson, All those who have died from the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Those whose Anniversaries are at this time: Jack Farley, Marie Bowyer, Margaret Hanrahan, Daphne Swan. Special Intentions: Mary Fetterplace, Josephine Mainey Grimaldi, Margaret Tyne, Joseph Mathew, Maureen Morris, All those who are suffering from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and their families and friends, a cure and a vaccine for the Coronavirus, all those who are homebound at this time. .
SOUTH WEST ROCKS
CATHOLIC WOMEN’S SOCIAL GROUP
Cancelled until further notice.
The Fifth Sunday of Lent - Year A
First Reading: Ezekiel 37:12-14
Responsorial Psalm: With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of
redemption
Second Reading: Romans 8: 8-11
Gospel Acclamation: Glory and praise to you, Lord
Jesus Christ!
I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord; whoever
believes in me will not die for ever.
Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
Gospel: John 11:1-45
Our God is near and asks us to be near to one another. Perhaps right now we cannot draw near physically to others for fear of contagion, but we can reawaken in ourselves a habit of
drawing near to others through prayer and mutual help.
NEXT SUNDAY’S READINGS
POPE FRANCIS ON TWITTER
MINISTRY TO THOSE HOMEBOUND DUE TO ILLNESS Given the pandemic will continue for many months ahead, and a number of parishioners may become sick with a virus or other illness, we are establishing a special outreach for those homebound. Any person isolated and needing food, groceries, medicines etc is asked to contact the parish office and we will do our best to help you. We also encourage you to contact us if you are unwell so we can hold you in prayer and keep contact to ensure you are going ok. Any parishioner who would like to volunteer to assist with this ministry is also asked to contact the office. A MESSAGE FROM THE DIOCESAN PLENARY COUNCIL
COMMITTEE:
PLENARY COUNCIL 2020 DELEGATES
Recently the selection committee met to discern our Lismore
diocesan lay delegates for the Plenary Council 2020. We
thank the many parishioners who expressed an interest in
attending the Plenary Council. The Diocese submitted the
names of four highly suitable candidates to the ACBC Plenary
Council Committee and two candidates were selected by
them from that list. The Diocese is pleased to announce that
Dr Deirdre Little, parishioner of St Mary’s Parish Bellingen and
Miss Ellen Hales of St Francis Xavier Parish Ballina have
been discerned as the Lismore delegates for the Plenary
Council. Please keep our delegates and all those who are
working toward the Plenary Council 2020 in your prayers.
Thirty-two-year-old Sakun lives in a village
in central east India. She developed polio
as a child and has difficulty walking. After
joining a Caritas Australia-funded program,
Sakun has learned new skills and gained important mobility.
She is more resilient, more confident and more independent.
You can donate through Parish boxes and
envelopes.
Lyna Tan shares how they celebrate Easter in Indonesia… Easter in Indonesia is
called “Paskah”.
Because Indonesia
has so many islands
and so many different
cultures and
provinces, customs
and rituals vary. I can
share about Easter
festivities in main cities such as Jakarta where I lived before having
embraced more westernised customs.
On Palm Sunday prior to the Mass we are all outside the church and
hold the palm leaf up, the priest blesses them with holy water, and we
all process into the church singing “Jerusalem Look at your King.” On
Holy Thursday and Good Friday, liturgies are similar to Australia. After
Easter Sunday Mass, the children hunt for Easter eggs outside and in
the grounds of the church (there is a competition to find the biggest
egg and an additional gift for this child).
In other parts of Indonesia the rituals and customs may have a more
unique take due to the colonial influences of the Dutch and
Portuguese. Examples are in Central Kalimantan, they have the ritual
of Momento Mori which is Latin for ‘remember you will die’ (Dutch
influence). In Nusu Tenggara Timur, Easter tradition is celebrated by
the community of Kote in the town of Noemuti, and they call their
celebrations Kure. ‘Kure’ is derived from the lain, ‘currere’ which
means to run or to walk (Portuguese influence).
For me the meaning of Easter Sunday is reflecting on Jesus’ victory
over His death, His rising from the dead and hoping that Jesus will
come again to save the world.
FOLLOWING THIS
SUNDAY’S MISSAL
The Fourth Sunday of Lent - Year A
First Reading: I Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13
Responsorial Psalm: The Lord is my shepherd; there
is nothing I shall want.
Second Reading: Ephesians 5:8-14
Gospel Acclamation: Glory to
you, Word of God, Lord Jesus
Christ!
I am the light of the world, says
the Lord; whoever follows me with
have the light of life.
Glory to you, Word of God, Lord
Jesus Christ!
Gospel: John 9:1-41
MASS & RECONCILIATION TIMES:
23 March 2020 – 29 March 2020
Monday 23rd No Mass
Tuesday 24th
6pm: Mass, Kempsey
Reconciliation Kempsey, 5pm-6pm
Wednesday 25th
8.00am: Mass, South West Rocks
The Annuniciation of the Lord
Thursday 26th 6pm: Mass, South West Rocks
Friday 27th
9.30am: Mass, Kempsey
Reconciliation Kempsey, 8am-9am
Saturday 28th No Mass
Reconciliation SWR, 9.30am-10.30am
Sunday 29th
No Mass
THE Parrot’S parable: “Sleep in peace tonight.
God is bigger than anything you will face tomorrow.”
The Catholic Diocese of Lismore Safeguarding Office
If you or a person close to you has been abused by someone
working or ministering within the Diocese of Lismore, we ask you
to contact us. We will listen to you respectfully, offer support and
discuss options you have available to you.
To contact the Safeguarding Office, please phone (02) 6621
9444 or email [email protected]
DIOCESAN INVESTMENT FUND
PAYS 1.4%
No fees or charges on your accounts.
Phone: 1800 802 516
Website: www.dif.org.au
CHURCH OPENING TIMES
FOR PRIVATE PRAYER
KEMPSEY:
The Mercy Chapel can be accessed at anytime with a code which is available
from the Parish Office.
The Church will be open for private Eucharistic Adoration:
Sunday 9am-11am
Tuesday 4pm-6pm
Thursday 4pm-5pm
Friday 8am-12pm
SOUTH WEST ROCKS:
Sunday 7.30am-9.30am
Monday 9.30am-10.30am
Tuesday 9.30am-10.30am
Wednesday 9.30am-10.30am
Thursday 9.30am-10.30am
Friday 9.30am-10.30am
Saturday 9.30am-10.30am
The Irish Jesuits have a wonderful website of reflections and
prayers based on the Daily Mass Readings: https://
livingspace.sacredspace.ie/
The Catholic Online website has a whole range of prayers,
https://www.catholic.org/prayers/
These include the Rosary, Stations of the Cross, The Chaplet
of Divine Mercy, Information about the Saints of the Day.
Living Word – Daily Gospel reflections. Subscription
available at https://cgcatholic.org.au/LivingWord/ or view
daily at www.catholicvoice.org.au. There is Documentation
provided for download
a. Prayers of intercession.
b. How to pray with children.
c. Praying as a family
d. Be Still and Know that I am God: Eucharistic Adoration
Guide
* Video reflections – Archbishop/VG/selected laity.
MAKE A SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
An ancient practice of the Church for those who cannot be
present at Mass is to make a spiritual communion. We have
a simple prayer you can pray with longing in your heart to be
united to Jesus:
My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if
You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never
permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.
VIEW MASS AT HOME
There are several options to tune into Mass at home, here
are a few:
ONLINE:
St Francis Xavier, Lavender Bay (Our Lady of the Way) Mass
on Demand comes to you every day from the Jesuit church
of St Francis Xavier via the CathNews YouTube channel, view
via this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qei01-PBHwU
Daily Mass Archdiocese of Melbourne: https://
melbournecatholic.org.au/Mass
The 1.00pm Mass is streamed live daily (Mon - Fri) from St
Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne and is then available as a
recording on demand until one hour prior to the next
1.00pm Mass. On Sundays, the 11.00am Mass is streamed
and it is also available as a recording on demand.
Daily Mass Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn: https://
www.catholicvoice.org.au/mass/
FREEVIEW TV:
Tune in to channel 10 on Sunday mornings at 6:00am for
‘Mass for You at Home’.
SOME OPTIONS FOR DAILY PRAYER
We encourage you to read the Sunday readings, perhaps
with your family and friends. Take some time to reflect on
them and share your reflections with each other.If you don’t
have access to a missal you can find the readings online
here: https://www.dow.org.au/media-resources/daily-mass-
readings/
The Diocese of Lismore has a Youtube channel. This
includes hours of video reflections from Bishop Greg on a
range of topics.
Bishop Robert Barron’s Word On Fire has many prayers,
videos, reflections and other resources, including Daily
Mass.
SUPPORTING YOUR PRAYER LIFE DURING COVID-19
Links to Online Resources (this and more is on our parish website)
Pope’s Prayer to the Virgin Mary for Protection
O Mary, you shine continuously along our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who at the Cross were near to the pain of
Jesus, keeping your faith firm. You, Salvation of the people, know what we need, and we
trust that you will provide for those needs so that, as at Cana of
Galilee, joy and
celebration may return after this moment of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to
conform ourselves to the will of the Father and to do what Jesus tells us, He who took our
sufferings upon Himself, and took up our sorrows to bring us, through the
Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.
We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our
pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and
blessed Virgin.
Mary Undoer of Knots, Pray for Us!
of you, having nothing to do with the futile works of
darkness but exposing them by contrast. The things
which are done in secret are things that people are
ashamed even to speak of; but anything exposed by
the light will be illuminated and anything illuminated
turns into light. That is why it is said:
Wake up from your sleep,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.
Gospel Acclamation; Jn 8:12
Glory to you, Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ!
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
Glory to you, Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ!
Gospel: Jn 9:1. 6-9. 13-17. 34-38
As Jesus went along, he saw a man who had been
blind from birth. He spat on the ground, made a
paste with the spittle, put this over the eyes of the
blind man and said to him, ‘Go and wash in the Pool
of Siloam’ (a name that means ‘sent’). So the blind
man went off and washed himself, and came away
with his sight restored. His neighbours and people
who earlier had seen him begging said, ‘Isn’t this
the man who used to sit and beg?’ Some said, ‘Yes,
it is the same one.’ Others said, ‘No, he only looks
like him.’ The man himself said, ‘I am the man.’
They brought the man who had been blind to the
Pharisees. It had been a sabbath day when Jesus
made the paste and opened the man’s eyes, so
when the Pharisees asked him how he had come to
see, he said, ‘He put a paste on my eyes, and I
washed, and I can see.’ Then some of the
Pharisees said, ‘This man cannot be from God: he
does not keep the sabbath.’ Others said, ‘How could
a sinner produce signs like this?’ And there was
disagreement among them. So they spoke to the
blind man again, ‘What have you to say about him
yourself, now that he has opened your eyes?’ ‘He is
a prophet’ replied the man. ‘Are you trying to teach
us,’ they replied ‘and you a sinner through and
through, since you were born!’ And they drove him
away. Jesus heard they had driven him away, and
when he found him he said to him, ‘Do you believe
in the Son of Man?’ ‘Sir,’ the man replied ‘tell me
who he is so that I may believe in him.’ Jesus said,
‘You are looking at him; he is speaking to you.’ The
man said, ‘Lord, I believe’, and worshipped him.
Scripture readings from the English Translation of the
Lectionary for Mass, © 1969. 1982, International Committee on
English in the Liturgy, Inc. (ICEL); The Grail Translation of the
Psalms © 1962.
First Reading: 1 Sm 16:1. 6-7. 10-13
The Lord said to Samuel, ‘Fill your horn with oil and
go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I
have chosen myself a king among his sons.’ When
Samuel arrived, he caught sight of Eliab and
thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed one stands
there before him,’ but the Lord said to Samuel,
‘Take no notice of his appearance or his height for I
have rejected him; God does not see as man sees;
man looks at appearances but the Lord looks at the
heart.’ Jesse presented his seven sons to Samuel,
but Samuel said to Jesse, ‘The Lord has not chosen
these.’ He then asked Jesse, ‘Are these all the sons
you have?’ He answered, ‘There is still one left, the
youngest; he is out looking after the sheep.’ Then
Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send for him; we will not sit
down to eat until he comes.’ Jesse had him sent for,
a boy of fresh complexion, with fine eyes and
pleasant bearing. The Lord said, ‘Come, anoint him,
for this is the one.’ At this, Samuel took the horn of
oil and anointed him where he stood with his
brothers; and the spirit of the Lord seized on David
and stayed with him from that day on.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 22 R. v.1
(R.) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I
shall want.
1. The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me,
to revive my drooping spirit. (R.)
2. He guides me along the right path;
he is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness
no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff;
with these you give me comfort. (R.)
3. You have prepared a banquet for me
In the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing. (R.)
4. Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
for ever and ever. (R.)
Second Reading: Eph 5:8-14
Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.
You were darkness once, but now you are light in
the Lord; be like children of light, for the effects of
the light are seen in complete goodness and right
living and truth. Try to discover what the Lord wants
This Week’s Sunday Readings: 4th Sunday of Lent, Year A
