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4th Sunday of Lent (Year A)

22nd March, 2020

Reflection: in the Gospel of John, the image of light is often used as a metaphor to depict

Jesus, who presents us with the illuminating Truth whereby we are set free from the darkness of “the world”, and the blindness of sin. Jesus, as the Divine light, brings vision to the man born blind, in miraculous fashion. To each of us, he offers the grace of vision – not that we may see this world with greater clarity or sharpness, but rather that we may catch a glimpse into the eternal realities which lie beyond this world – that we may perceive the hidden presence of

God in all things, and in the infinitude which lies beyond all things. God’s Word 2020 Daily Reflections

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4TH SUNDAY OF LENT – Jesus cures a blind man on the Sabbath-

The dragonfly represents adaptability. It comes from surviving in the

swamp to flying in the sky towards the light. Jesus spends time with a

blind man and he is cured and can see again and is full of joy and

boldness to tell others. It can take time to adapt to change in our life. Even if we can’t always

see what God is doing in our lives can we stay joyful and bold.

ELEMENTS OF THE MASS EXPLAINED: by John Briffa Liturgy Officer Who Celebrates the Liturgy?

Liturgy is celebrated by the presence and actions of the gathered faithful, with each person playing their part. By way of our baptism, every person in the assembly participates in celebrating a Mass, some with more visible roles than others. It is the Mystical Body of Christ, that is, its Head (Christ) and its members that celebrate. As members of his body we perform different functions. The priest-celebrant stands in the place of Christ to lead the prayer and worship to God on behalf of the assembly, with all the gathered faithful participating in various ways. (SC7; CCC1140; CCC1142)

Diocesan Liturgical Commission Toowoomba 2016

COVID-19 – Coronavirus.

We, among many others in the community are processing the impact of Coronavirus on our Parish. We are taking all

measures to clean surfaces often and to provide anti-bacterial hand wash. We are having some trouble sourcing the hand

wash, but we are certainly trying.

We ask you to please wash your hands often, maintain a safe distance from people, but more importantly, stay home if

you are unwell.

We are among friends, and this may well be the time we need to call upon them. Ask them to stop at the supermarket,

chemist, butchers and bakeries so that you can rest up and stop the spread of the virus. Our local retailers are also

offering some great delivery options.

In the words of Mary MacKillop “Never see a need without doing something about it”.

Social Bowls & Cards

will be held on

Monday, 23rd March 2020

from 9:30 – 12:00

Come along and enjoy this social morning.

Helping Hands & Mah-jong

WILL RESUME AT A DATE TO BE

ANNOUNCED

LITURGY NEWS

Lenten Groups - as in past years there will be two opportunities

to join a Lenten group -

Monday Night 7pm– contact Mary Collins on 4671 2288

Thursday Morning 9.00am– contact Camille Kelloway on

46712454

*** UPCOMING MEETINGS ***

Pastoral Council – Monday 16th March 2020 @ 5.00pm

Liturgy Group – Monday 23rd March 2020 @ 4.00pm

Parish Centre

St.Vincent DePaul – Monday 6th April 2020 @ 4.30pm

Finance Council – Tuesday 21st April 2020 @5.00pm

Op Shop Opening Hours

Tuesday – 9.00 – 3.30pm

Wednesday – 9.00 – 3.30pm

Thursday – 9.00 – 4.00pm

Saturday – 9.00 – 11.30am

HOLY WEEK CELEBRATION TIMES FOR 2020

RECONCILIATION 1st April 5.30 pm Wednesday

(will replace Mass)

PALM SUNDAY MASS Saturday - 4th April 6.00 pm

WEENGALLON Sunday 8.00am

DAYMAR Sunday 10.00 am

HOLY THURSDAY MASS of the Last Supper - 9th April 6.00 pm

GOOD FRIDAY Stations of the Cross – 10th April 10.00 am

Solemn Reading of the Passion – 3.00 pm

EASTER SAT/SUN MASS Saturday 11th April 5.30 pm

(Service of Light)

MASS Sunday 12th April 9.00 am

Jett Thomas Oquias

joined the St Mary’s Family through the sacrament of

Baptism last weekend.

Jett is pictured with L-R – Godmother Macy Prior,

Mother Crystal Nieman, Father Braydn Oquias and

Godfathers William Leo & Herman Nieman.

May this family know God’s abundant love at all times, as

they journey through this life on Earth.

Driver Reviver are again looking for

volunteers for the holiday period.

I have put us down for the 9th April,

but they are quite understanding if we

would prefer not to go ahead with the

current Coronavirus scare.

There is a sheet at the back of the

church if you would like to help, but

please feel comfortable knowing there

is no judgement if you choose not to.

Thank-you for your contributions:

15.03.2020

Envelopes: $544.00 Loose: $155.30

Direct Deposits: $125/wk (average over a

month)

Parish Bank A/C Details

A/C Name: ADF St Mary’s Parish

Goondiwindi

BSB: 064-786 A/C Number: 518826001

If paying by direct deposit, please use your

initials/surname as the reference.

VOLUNTEERS

WE PRAY FOR THOSE: Who have recently deceased: Including Archbishop John Bathersby,

Colleen Cosh, Russell Hohn, Stasia Lawless, Roma Porter, Tony Tonkin, Colin Riley, Helena Sykes, Freda Shore, Raymond Steepe, Betty McCormack, Marie Cook, Iris Lyman, Fr Peter Schultz, Joe Hanna, Barbara Goodfellow, Joy Collins, Glen Percival, Hazel Pollard (Brett Pollard’s Mother), Fr Joseph Hall, Patricia Thornton, Celie Brosnan, Ross Scantlebury (Biddy Rose’s Son In Law), Elly Heynen Knols, Fay Hunt, Don McDonald, Gwendolyn “Henny” Makim, Barbara Duffy. Whose anniversary is at this time: including Donald Frith, Arthur McCall,

Kevin Warby, Les Lunney, Ruth “Bub” Lunney, Kenneth Purcell, Jacob

Webber, Kathleen Darcey, George Billsborough, Melissa Morrissy,

Margaret Ash, Dulcie Saunders, Virginia Wilkie, Margaret Oliver, Bill Park,

Guy Langhans, Hannah Turvey, Kevin Suhr

Who are ill: including Paul Simpson, Pauline Corcoran, Colleen Williams,

Josie Vetter, Iris Simpson, Mel Cairns, Hardy Sutton, Donna Lindores, John Abbot, Angus Rigney, Tom Turvey, Bill Dyer, Trish Dyer, Brian Freeney, Pat & Teresa Mullins, Deanna Dawson, Anne Hunt, Kevin Lawless, Ray Mackie, Peter Keehn, Joan Fleming, Gloria Bale, David Croft, Tim Bourke, Shirley Schluter, Paul Lloyd, Mavis Gordon, Jean Ramada, Jean Sizer, Francis Lloyd, Madonna Nicoletti, Stephanie & Chris Adamson, Bailey Brennan, Pauline Robinson, Win Skinner, Sonya Horrigan, Helen Paige, John Toohey, Phillip Carney, Shirley Riley and Joseph Hord; also those ill at home, in hospital and for those in Kaloma.

We pray for the clergy of the Toowoomba Diocese whose anniversary is

during this month. Rev Fr Dominic Burke (03/03/68) Rev Fr Hector Sheeran (06/03/17)

Rev Fr Joseph Skelly (10/03/70) Rev Fr Kevin Ryan (12/03/11)

Rev Fr Bernard Kane (13/03/11) Rev Fr Derick Furness (13/03/13)

Rev Fr Ronald Walton (16/03/70) Rev Fr Patrick Brady (25/03/54)

Lord, hear our prayers and be merciful to your servants, the Bishops and Priests of this Diocese whom you have called from this life. Welcome them into the company of your Saints in the Kingdom of light and peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

WELCOMERS AT DOOR –

DENISE MCCORMACK & MARIE LLOYD (22/03)

FAY PFINGST & JILL LENNON (29/03)

JENNIFER MAKIM & MARY COLLINS (04/04)

WELCOMER AT MICROPHONE –

ANN WEBSTER (22/03)

ANDREW ERBACHER (29/03)

RACHAEL REEVES (04/04)

1ST READER/PSALM -

ST MARY’S SCHOOL (22/03)

CLAIRE CHARLES (28/03)

JULIE TONKIN (04/04)

2ND READING –

ST MARY’S SCHOOL (22/03)

PAT THOMPSON (29/03)

BRETT POLLARD (04/04)

COMMUNION MINISTERS –

ANDREW ERBACHER, JULIE TONKIN &

CLAIRE CHARLES (22/03)

MARY COLLINS, SUE MCGOVERN &

JODIE ERBACHER (29/03)

CLAIRE CHARLES, ANN WEBSTER &

MARY BURCHELL (04/04)

DATA PROJECTOR –

MARY COLLINS (22/03)

CAROL ORMES (29/03)

ROS PHILLIPS (04/04)

GROUNDS ROSTER –

DAN & LISA GALL (MARCH)

ALAN WELSH & DAVE BAUER (APRIL)

MASS TIMES Wednesday (Rosary 5.10pm) 5.30pm…..Friday 12.15pm

Tuesday & Thursday 8.00am Holy Adoration……First Friday of the Month…..5.00pm

21st/22nd March 2020

SUNDAY EVENING: Goondiwindi 6.00pm YOUTH MASS

28th/29th March 2020 SUNDAY MORNING: Goondiwindi 9.00am

4th/5th April 2020

SATURDAY EVENING: 6.00PM SUNDAY MORNING: Weengallon 8.00am

Daymar 10.00am

11th/12th April 2020 SATURDAY EVENING: Goondiwindi 5.30pm SUNDAY MORNING: Goondiwindi 9.00am

Introduction We walk in the darkness of this world, often

assailed by fear and misgiving. But Christ, the Shepherd-King, the second David, lights up our way

for us and cures our congenital blindness as he leads us to his kingdom.

First Reading Samuel 16:1. 6-7. 10-13

In the presence of the Lord God, they anointed David king of Israel.

Responsorial Psalm

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Second Reading St Paul to the Ephesians 5:8-14

Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.

Gospel Acclamation 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 John 9:1-41

The blind man went off and washed himself and came away with sight restored.

It really is wonderful to be here.

Prayers of the Faithful Presider: Dear friends, once given his

sight, the man born blind moves step by step to faith in Jesus. In union with him, let us pray in faith for God to shed light on our world.

For church leaders and missionaries, that they will bear the light of Christ for all to see.Lord hear us. Lord hear our prayer.

For the workers most vulnerable to the economic

fallout from the coronavirus, that the measures

taken to support them will be effective.

Lord hear us.

Lord hear our prayer.

For the indigenous people of India, especially

those with a disability, that through Project

Compassion and Caritas India they may be raised

up out of poverty. Lord hear us.

Lord hear our prayer.

For one another, that we will be good companions

through this season of conversion and renewal

and encourage one another to follow Christ more

closely. Lord hear us.

Lord hear our prayer.

For teachers at every stage of the education

system, that they will delight in their student’s

growth and the discovery of their abilities.

Lord hear us.

Lord hear our prayer.

Priest….. All powerful God, in the beginning

you called light into being, and in the fullness

of time you sent your Son to be light of the

world. Help us to walk always as children of

the light. We ask this through Christ our

Lord.

4TH

SUNDAY OF LENT

22ND

MARCH 2020

PARISH INFORMATION: Parish Priest: Fr Hermi Rafada

PH: 0435 006 513; 4671 1091

PARISH CONTACT DETAILS: 69 Callandoon St,

PO Box 45, Goondiwindi

PH: 4671 5087 email: stmarysgdi@bigpond.com

Parish Secretary – Sarah Hedges 0429 926 231

(Wednesday 9.00am – 3.00pm)

St Mary’s School: Mr Brett Pollard PH: 4671 1730

Parish Safeguarding Representative :

Robyn Lindores PH: 0419 737 746