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The 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A
2nd & 3rd September 2017
Parish Priest:
Fr Thanh Tran
Parish Secretary Dominique Hockey Amelia Younane
Parish Office Hours Tuesday - Friday 9am—3pm
Baptisms Please contact the Parish Office.
Weddings By appointment and after Preparation
Children’s Ministries Kathy Menzies [email protected]
St Schols Community Centre 03 9808 1006
[email protected] www.stscholscc.org.au
St Scholastica’s Primary
School Principal: Jenny Rohan 9808 7279 [email protected]
Outside School Hours Care
Camp Australia 1300 105 343
St Scholastica’s Kindergarten 9808 9724
Director: Catherine Findlay [email protected]
Administrator:
Katherine Presley [email protected]
348 Burwood Highway,
Bennettswood VIC 3125
ABN 95 499 516 268
Phone: 9808 1006
Fax: 9888 7573
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.stscholasticaparish.com.au
God our Father Bless these men,
that they may find strength as fathers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth.
Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honour them always with a spirit of profound respect.
Amen!
Parish Luncheon - Sunday 17th September!
The Parish Social Committee is pleased to announce the details for the next Social Luncheon and we look forward to welcoming all Parishioners and their families.
When: Sunday 17th September after the 11am Mass. Lunch will be served at 12:15pm
Where: The Community Centre Tickets: $20 per adult, $15 per child 12 years and under Tickets on sale now after all Masses If you wish to pay by credit card, please contact the Parish Office on 9808 1006 or [email protected]
Menu: A feast of meats, salads and sweets - for full details
check the posters in the Church
RSVP: Sunday 10th September
WEEKLY CALENDAR 2017
Monday 4 September 08.00am Communion Service 07.30pm Vinnies gathering
Tuesday 5 September NO 8.00am Mass - Communion Service
07.30pm Prayer Group Mc Andrew room
Wednesday 6 September 10.00am Exposition followed by 10.30am Rosary
11.00am Mass followed by a cuppa GA 11:30am Reconciliation for 1st Eucharist Candidates 01.30pm Legion of Mary GA
07:10pm Rosary followed by Novena
Thursday 7 September 08:00am Mass - Exposition
07:30pm Finance Committee Meeting - Presbytery
07:30pm Baptism Information Night - GA
08.00pm Burwood discussion group Mc Andrew room
Friday 8 September 08:00am Mass
Saturday 9 September 09:00am Communion Service NO Mass - NO Confession 10:00am Priestly Ordination - St Patrick’s Cathedral 06:00pm Mass
Sunday 10 September 09.00am Mass
11.00am Mass - 1st Eucharist Mass
05.30pm Mass
Remembering Our Community
Sick
Tony McRae, Eric, Shane Wren
Anniversaries
Judith Travers, Franco E-Rosa Leotta, Sheila Simp-son, Teodoro Mariani, Reg Gaughan
Recently Deceased
John Roper, Charles Seager, Giang Muoi, Thresiamma Chacko, Heather Bubeck, Trong Nguyen
Rosary and Novena - Resume Wednesday 6th September
After a break for the winter months, the Rosary and Novena on a Wednesday night will resume this week. The Rosary will be held at 7:10pm followed by the Novena and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 7:30pm starting this Wednesday 6th September and continuing every forthcoming week. Please join us in prayer and song to our Lady and spread the word.
Volunteers Needed for Mass
Currently we are needing volunteers for a few positions in assisting with weekend masses. Positions in which we require people to assist are:
− AV Operators for the 5:30pm Sunday Mass − Readers for the 9am Sunday Mass − Eucharistic Ministers for the 5:30pm Sunday Mass
We would greatly appreciate any time that any parishioner is able to give, even a simple once a month commitment would be a huge help. If you are able to assist, please contact us by email at [email protected] or you can give your details to Fr Thanh Tran. Thank you.
Choir Singers - All Welcome
We would love to welcome new choir members across all our weekend masses. Music is such an important part of our mass as it is the time where we all have the opportunity to contribute and joyfully sing our praises to the Lord. You do not need any experience to join our choir, simply a love for singing and a willingness to be involved. We encourage any parishioners who have an interest in singing in the choir to please make their way over the choir area and join in!
Woolworths Earn and Learn Stickers - We’re Collecting
It’s that time of the year again when Woolworths run their Earn and Learn Sticker promotion. The Kindergarten and the School are both collecting stickers. If any Parishioners shop at Woolworths we would love for you to redeem your stickers and drop them into the Parish Office and we can add them to our collection sheets. Every little bit helps to provide additional resources for our children.
Sacred Heart Girls College - 60 years of Excellence
All Sacred Heart Girls College Past Students are invited to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the opening of the College in 1957. Sunday 10th September, 2pm-5pm, The Fourviere Centre, 133 Warrigal Road, Hughsdale. Please RSVP by 21st August at 9568 5488 or [email protected]
ROSTERS
Day Mass Time
The 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 9/10 September 2017
Readers Special Ministers
Saturday 6.00 pm Rachel Cordeiro Charlie Mellican Noela Corby John Corby
Sunday 9.00 am Avishla Goda-kandage
Betty McDonald Murray McCormack Anna Gartano
11.00 am Bev O’Neill Jill Bartley Tam Pham Anna Marie Ziino
5.30 pm Mernellie Pilcher Michael Chan
ROSTERS
Day Mass Time
The 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 2/3 September 2017
Readers Special Ministers
Saturday 6.00 pm Paul Borg Mary Ann Borg Christine Wates Dzung Lee
Sunday 9.00 am Maleesa Fernando Rosa Coniglio Margaret Scully Myrna Beven
11.00 am Laurine Shane Jo Jolly (Black) Anna Marie Ziino Stuart Bell
5.30 pm Arden Nelson Marcia Nelson Arden Nelson
Special Occasion
The St Schols community would like to wish Kathleen Collins a very Happy 93rd Birthday!
Seniors Lunch
When: Tuesday 12th September Where: Community Centre Time: 12 noon. RSVP: Friday 8th September
Come and enjoy a warm meal in the company of fellow parishioners. Everyone welcome. You can find the menu on the Church exit doors.
Please note that for catering purposes it is essential to RSVP’s by Friday 8th September on the list in the Gathering Area or by calling the Parish office on 9808 1006. If you do RSVP and are unable to attend please let the Parish Office know.
RCIA Program Commencing
We are excited to announce that St Scholastica’s will be commencing a Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Program. This new program will be commencing this month and it will be held once a week on a Sunday either before or after the 11am mass right up to Holy Week 2018. If you or someone you know are interested in taking the first steps to becoming a Catholic, please contact the Parish Office on 9808 1006 or [email protected] as soon as possible to register your interest in the program.
Home Visit to Parishioners
Fr Thanh is more than happy to visit parishioners at home who are unable to attend mass. You may be of ill health and unable to come to Mass or you may just wish to have Fr Thanh pay you a visit in your home. If you would like Fr Thanh to visit you, please contact the parish office to arrange a suitable time.
Baptism at St Scholastica’s
It is a requirement of the parish that a Baptism information night must be attended prior to having your child baptised. Contact the parish office on 9808 1006 to make a booking into one of the monthly sessions. Next session: Thursday 7th September 2017 at 7.30 pm in the gathering area.
Priest Ordinations - Saturday 9th September
Father’s Day: Today we give thanks for our earthly fathers and pray for them. Let’s also give thanks for our spiritual fathers who serve the people of our parishes and communities so generously and well. Today let’s also remember and pray for two new ‘spiritual fathers’ who will be ordained as priests on Saturday September 9 at 10am at St Patrick’s Cathedral. Please remember in your prayers Deacons Toan Nguyen and Anil Mascarenhas as they prepare for priestly ordination next week. All are welcome to the Cathedral for the Ordination Mass. Please pray for more vocations from our parishes and communities in Melbourne.
Are you a former student of Assumption College Kilmore?
If so, the Alumni Development team would love to hear from you. ACK will celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2018 and there are many events being planned for former students. Please phone Maria Cleve in our Alumni Office on 5783 5343 or email her at [email protected] for further information.
Stewardship Corner
“What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” - MATTHEW 16:26
St. Francis of Assisi once said, “Remember, you are what you are in the eyes of God, and nothing else.” We often forget this stewardship wisdom when we spend all of our time, talent and treasure to gain more of the world’s riches. We need to set our priorities based on God’s values and not the values of the material world.
Catholic Man Breakfast Series
The next Archbishop’s Catholic Man Breakfast Series is on the 14th September 2017 and features Daniel Wells, current Collingwood and former North Melbourne star, discussing “faith, family and football” with John Canavan. Our venue again is the CQ Club, 113 – 123 Queen St Melbourne from 7 am to 9 am. Come along and here Daniel talk about his faith journey and hear his message for young Catholic men. Enquiries Michael Bohan 0439 172 465 or [email protected]
Men’s Retreat
The Men's Prayer Group at St Benedict's Parish, Burwood are hosting a Men’s Retreat. Theme: Good Shepherd and I When: Friday Night 13th October to Sunday afternoon 15 October 2017
Where: St Paul's Missionary College Retreat Centre, Norton's Lane: Wantirna South. Cost: $190 for full residential accommodation, including meals, in peaceful garden surroundings. Please register soon with payment. For a brochure with payment options, please contact: Michael Ballek on [email protected], or 0433 196 549.
iSTAND Weekend
The Youth Mission Team are holding their next iSTAND Weekend camp on the 29th of September. The details are: Who: Young people aged 14-18
What: iSTAND camps are weekends full of games, dramas, sport, prayer, good food, live music, testimonies and talks. The theme of this weekend is "Pure Joy" When: 29 September at 6pm to 1 October at 2pm
Where: Forest Edge Christian Camp, McKenzies Rd, Neerim East For further information please contact the Parish Office.
2018 Year of Youth - Workshop Day
In 2018 The Australian church will celebrate the ‘Year of Youth’. To assist parishes in harnessing the opportunity of the Year of Youth, The Archdiocesan Office for Youth are hosting The Year of Youth in Your Parish Workshop Day on 21st October 2017. This workshop will equip parishes with ideas, tools and resources that they can use to prepare for the Year of Youth and engage with young people in their local communities. If you are interested in attending, please contact the Parish Office on 9808 1006 or [email protected]
The 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A 2nd & 3rd September 2017
Entrance Antiphon
Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I cry to you all the day long. O Lord, you are good and forgiving, full of mercy to all who call to you.
First Reading: Jeremiah 20:7-9
A reading from the prophet Jeremiah
The word of the Lord God has meant derision for me.
You have seduced me, Lord, and I have let myself be seduced; you have overpowered me: you were the stronger. I am a daily laughing-stock, everybody's butt. Each time I speak the word, I have to howl and proclaim: 'Violence and ruin!' The word of the Lord has meant for me insult, derision, all day long. I used to say, 'I will not think about him, I will not speak in his name any more.' Then there seemed to be a fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones. The effort to restrain it wearied me, I could not bear it.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 62:2-6. 8-9
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
O God, you are my God, for you I long; for you my soul is thirsting. My body pines for you
like a dry, weary land without water. R.
So I gaze on you in the sanctuary
to see your strength and your glory. For your love is better than life, my lips will speak your praise. R.
So I will bless you all my life, in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul shall be filled as with a banquet, my mouth shall praise you with joy. R.
For you have been my help; in the shadow of your wings I rejoice. My soul clings to you; your right hand holds me fast. R.
Second Reading: Romans 12:1-2
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans
May you present your bodies as a living sacrifice.
Think of God's mercy, my brothers, and worship him, I beg you, in a way that is worthy of thinking beings, by offering your living bodies as a holy sacrifice, truly pleasing to God. Do not model yourselves on the behaviour of the world around you, but let your behaviour change, modelled by your new mind. This is the only way to discover the will of God and know what is good, what it is that God wants, what is the perfect thing to do.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation: cf Ephesians 1:17. 18
Alleluia, alleluia! May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our heart, that we might see how great is the hope to which we are called. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 16:21-27
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself.
Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer grievously at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, to be put to death and to be raised up on the third day. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to remonstrate with him. 'Heaven preserve you, Lord,' he said. 'This must not happen to you.' But he turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because the way you think is not God's way but man's.' Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. What, then, will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his life?
'For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and, when he does, he will reward each one according to his behaviour.'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Communion Antiphon
How great is the goodness, Lord, that you keep for those who fear you.
Readings for The 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A 10 September 2017
First Reading: Ezekiel 33:7-9
Second Reading: Romans 13:8-10 Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20
Scripture Commentary for 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Today’s Gospel strikes a sombre note. Jesus, whose true identity Simon Peter has just acknowledged (‘You are
the Christ, the Son of the Living God’), goes on to make the first of three announcements concerning his destiny
to suffer and die.
The Lectionary provides a way into this paradox by introducing as First Reading a passage from the prophet
Jeremiah, 20:7-9. It is this prophet’s painful destiny to have to prophesy the coming of ‘violence and ruin’ to a
people who, understandably, wanted a more positive message. Jeremiah’s attempt to resist his prophetic duty
by simply remaining silent led to an anguish within him that was even more painful – ‘a fire burning in my heart’.
The Lord has led him into a relationship and a vocation from which there is no escape. Hence his striking
complaint, ‘You have seduced me, Lord’. There is no more poignant portrayal of the prophetic vocation than this.
Virtually by definition, a prophet’s role is to unmask the subterfuge and excuses through which people and
indeed whole societies seek to hide painful truth from themselves.
The anguish and tension experienced by Jeremiah is apparent also in the Gospel, Matthew 16:21-27. Peter has
just given expression to his God-given insight concerning the identity of Jesus and received in response blessing
and appointment to a leading role in the church that Jesus will build. But when Jesus goes on to announce that,
Son of God though he may be, he is destined to go to Jerusalem to suffer and die, Peter, who had so
conspicuously got it right, equally conspicuously stumbles at the truth now being revealed: the more closely as
‘(beloved) Son’ Jesus is related to God, the more closely he must be aligned with the divine will to enter into the
pain and suffering of the world, to be the Son of Man who came ‘not to be served, but to serve and give his life
as a ransom for many’ (20:28).
There is tension, then, between the understanding of Jesus and that of Peter and the other disciples. But, like
Jeremiah, Jesus himself is not immune from feeling that tension. Peter’s remonstrance is not harsh but subtle,
‘God forbid, Lord. This sort of thing is not for you’ – that is, not for ‘the Son of the living God!’. The suggestion is
a real temptation, an echo of the third temptation (4:8-9) when Satan had tried to lure Jesus away from his God-
given path by proposing an easy route to lordship of the world. Jesus in fact turns on Peter here in terms very
similar to those with which on that earlier occasion (4:10) he had dismissed Satan: ‘Get behind me, Satan! You
are a stumbling block to me.’ Ironically, the ‘Rock’ has become a ‘stumbling block’; the recipient of divine
revelation is now setting (his) mind not on divine things but on human things. The strength of Jesus’ response
suggests that the temptation still lingers. It will emerge more powerfully still when, in the garden of Gethsemane,
he stands immediately before an extremity of suffering (26:36-46).
Once again, then, we see combined in Peter insight and leadership, on the one hand, and capacity for failure, on
the other. His understandable human desire to preserve the Master from suffering actually aligns him with the
demonic in a way that would thwart the entire mission. It is no kindness to Jesus – or to the world that he has
come to save – to deflect him from the path the Father has set before him.
So, speaking more generally to all the disciples, Jesus goes on to lay down the conditions for any who want to
follow him: it means taking up one’s own cross and losing one’s life in order to find it. This is the path that Jesus
must take and the path that all who would seek association with him must also be prepared to embrace. The fact
that the so recently exalted Peter had so much difficulty with it and even that Jesus had difficulty with it should be
for us all a source of comfort. Christian discipleship is not Stoic indifference. Both Peter’s remonstrance and
Jeremiah’s complaint will often find echo in our hearts in the daily struggle to go with Jesus along the costly
prophetic way.
St Paul’s appeal in the Second Reading, Romans 12:1-2, is quite close to this. Our ‘bodies’ in Pauline usage
refers not simply to our physical bodies but to our whole pattern of bodily life, everything we do or say. To ‘offer
(our) bodies’ in this sense as a ‘living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God’ entails a similar preparedness to
discern and follow what is not the way of the world but the way of God.
© Brendan Byrne SJ
