Isaiah 6:1-8

In the year of King Uzziah's death I saw the Lord seated on a high throne; his train filled the sanctuary; above him stood seraphs, each one with six wings.

And they cried out one to another in this way, 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. His glory fills the whole earth.'

The foundations of the threshold shook with the voice of the one who cried out, and the Temple was filled with smoke. I said: 'What a wretched state I am in! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have looked at the King, the Lord of hosts.'

Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding in his hand a live coal which he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. With this he touched my mouth and said: 'See now, this has touched your lips, your sin is taken away, your iniquity is purged.'

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: 'Whom shall I send? Who will be our messenger?' I answered, 'Here I am, send me.'

Ps 137:1-5. 7-8

R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.

I thank you, Lord, with all my heart, you have heard the words of my mouth. Before the angels I will bless you. I will adore before your holy temple. R.

I thank you for your faithfulness and love which excel all we ever knew of you. On the day I called, you answered; you increased the strength of my soul. R.

All earth's kings shall thank you when they hear the words of your mouth. They shall sing of the Lord's ways: 'How great is the glory of the Lord!' R.

You stretch out your hand and save me, your hand will do all things for me. Your love, O Lord, is eternal, discard not the work of your hands. R.

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, the gospel that you received and in which you are firmly established; because the gospel will save you only if you keep believing exactly what I preached to you - believing anything else will not lead to anything.

Well then, in the first place, I taught you what I had been taught myself, namely that Christ died for our sins, in accordance with the scriptures; that he was buried; and that he was raised to life on the third day, in accordance with the scriptures; that he appeared first to Cephas and secondly to the Twelve. Next he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died; then he

appeared to James, and then to all the apostles; and last of all he appeared to me too; it was as though I was born when no one expected it.

I am the least of the apostles; in fact, since I persecuted the Church of God, I hardly deserve the name apostle; but by God's grace that is what I am, and the grace that he gave me has not been fruitless. On the contrary, I, or rather the grace of God that is with me, have worked harder than any of the others; but what matters is that I preach what they preach, and this is what you all believed.

Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! Come follow me, says the Lord, and I will make you fishers of my people. Alleluia!

Luke 5:1-11

Jesus was standing one day by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the crowd pressing round him listening to the word of God, when he caught sight of two boats close to the bank. The fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats - it was Simon's - and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.

When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, 'Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch.' 'Master,' Simon replied 'we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets.' And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear, so they signalled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when these came, they filled the two boats to sinking point.

When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, 'Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.' For he and all his companions were completely overcome by the catch they had made; so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon's partners. But Jesus said to Simon, 'Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.' Then, bringing their boats back to land, they left everything and followed him.

The Living Word

“If I am not in God’s grace, may God put me there; and if I am, may God so keep me.”

—Joan of Arc

5TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME C - FEBRUARY 07 2016

Ingham

Sat 6.00pm Sun 8.30am Sun 7.00pm

Halifax Sun 7.00am

Canossa Sun 10.00am

Abergowrie Sun 10.00am

Sunday Masses 13/14 February

Mon 9.15am Blue Haven 5.30pm St Patrick’s

Tues 8.00am Gilroy 5.30pm St Patrick’s

Wed ASH WEDNESDAY (See left for times)

Thurs 5.30pm St Patrick’s

Fri 7.00am St Patrick’s

Sat 8.00am St Patrick’s

Weekdays 8-12 February

I had the most delightful visit with the St Peter’s school community on Wednesday morning. It was lovely to participate in their first Assembly and to meet the seven new students. It’s great to see the school reach it’s target of 30 pupils.

I took Sr Nina down to Townsville for the Mass on Tuesday Evening to celebrate the end of the Year of Consecrated Life. There was a very small crowd there but it was a lovely Mass and it was good to give thanks to God for the gift of the consecrated men and women, past and present, who have enriched our parishes and our diocese with their presence and ministry.

We celebrated a beautiful Mass for the start of the year with Gilroy Santa Maria College. It was as hot as Hades and I desperately needed to re-hydrate afterwards. But, the students participated very well. I do enjoy the moment of connection with the Yr 12s, in the homily, as they look forward to their last year of schooling. Please offer a prayer for all of the Yr 12s in our district that they may miss no opportunities to choose the better part and become the people God created them to be.

Lent begins this week. Ash Wednesday times are right here ->

Have you decided what you will give up? Have

you decided what extra work of mercy you will do? Have you decided how you will improve your prayer life? Have you decided how much you will give for the sake of the poor?

Please note that Stations of the Cross commence this Friday at St Patrick’s.

This Saturday night, we celebrate the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens with Kathryn Russell who is preparing for the Sacraments at Easter. Please keep her in your prayers over these coming weeks.

Welcome to all visitors and new parishioners. Please make yourself known to us.

Rosary Mon. 9.30am

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Tues. St Paul’s 9am until 4pm St Patrick’s 4pm to 8.30pm

Stations of the Cross

Fridays during Lent 5.30pm

St Patrick’s

Devotions

Confessions

Thursday 7.00pm Saturday 11.00am &

5.00pm or by appointment

Parish Contacts Parish Priest: Fr Damian McGrath Associate Pastor: Fr Cipriano Mallari

Parish Secretary: Pauline Pennisi Assistant and RE Co-ordinator: Marcella Cantatore Pastoral Care: Sr Nina Barra

Mail: PO Box 375, Ingham Q 4850 Phone: 4776 2600 Fax: 4776 5199

Web: www.inghamcatholic.com Email: parishoffice@inghamcatholic.com

Office Hours: 9am to 12pm Monday to Friday, 1pm to 3pm Monday to Thursday

The Pastor’s Pen!

Ash Wednesday 10 February: Mass Times and Liturgies

Ingham: Masses 7.00am; 9.00am (with Lourdes); 5.30pm

Canossa: 9.30am Rosary + Distribution of Ashes (in Home)

Halifax: Masses 8.45am (with school) and 6.00pm

Abergowrie: Mass 8.40 am

Gilroy Santa Maria: 2.05pm Liturgy of the Word with Distribution of Ashes

Ash Wednesday is a day of Fast and Abstinence. All who have completed their eighteenth year and have not yet begun their sixtieth year are bound to fast. All who have

completed their fourteenth year are bound to abstain.

human trafficking and for an end to slavery, to commit to buying Fairtrade products where possible and to advocate for legislation to protect victims of human trafficking.” More information on Bakhita Day and on counter trafficking work is available at www.acrath.org.au

Works of Mercy Talks Explore the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Reflect on the call to feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty, to counsel the doubtful and bear wrongs patiently. What are we called to by God? What can we do as individuals and as a community? How can we become merciful as our heavenly Father is merciful?

The talks / discussions will be held on Thursday evenings, beginning 18 February at 7.30pm in Mercy Hall.

Rite of Election This Rite will take place at 3.00pm at the Sacred Heart Cathedral on Sunday, 14 February (not a Mass). 'The Rite of Election' is a significant step for those, mainly adults, who will be baptised in various parishes across the Diocese at the Easter Vigil or close to it.

You can offer your support and encouragement by participating in this ceremony and sharing in the hospitality and greeting after the Mass. If you are unable to attend please keep all the Candidates and Catechumens in your prayers.

Upcoming Events

Abergowrie College Induction Mass—Tuesday 16 February 8.40am

Lourdes School Induction Mass—Wednesday 17 February 9.00am

Works of Mercy Lenten Programme - Begins Thursday 18 February, 7.30pm, Mercy Hall.

St Peter’s School Induction Mass—Thursday 18 February at 9.00am.

Catholic Debutante Ball—Saturday 23 April

2016 Catholic Debutante Ball Practises commence 8th February 2016 at 7.00pm in Mercy Hall, Abbott Street.

For further information phone Paula on 0427635022 or Madeliene 0419715494.

Knights of the Southern Cross Brothers are reminded that the first meeting for 2016 will be Thursday 11th February at 8.00 pm. There are many issues to discuss and your opinion on these matters are needed.

St Peter’s Parish Council Meeting St Peter’s Parish will be holding their first Parish Council meeting for 2016 this Monday 8th February at 7.30pm in Capuchin House.

Canossa Home, Trebonne Canossa Home are looking for volunteers to call Bingo or Hoy on Fridays from 2pm to 3pm. If you can give some of your time to bring some joyful entertainment to the residents of the Home, please ring Rose/Angela/Caroline at Canossa on 47973800.

Little Black Books for Lent There is a very limited number of Little Black Books available for sale at $3 each at Halifax and Ingham this weekend.

Children’s Liturgy Are you interested in bringing God’s Word to children? If so, would you like to become a member of the Children’s Liturgy teams on Saturday nights during the 6.00pm Mass. To volunteer please contact the Parish Office 4776 2600 during our office hours.

Day of Prayer/ Reflection on Human Trafficking February 8 is the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, who was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery in Sudan and Italy. Once Josephine was freed, she dedicated her life to sharing her testament of deliverance from slavery, and comforting the poor and suffering.

The idea for this day came after a group of women religious asked Pope Francis to raise greater awareness in the church about human trafficking by establishing a worldwide day of prayer and fasting.

Sr Anne Tormey rsm comments, "our prayer on this day becomes one of lamentation for the millions of women, children and men trafficked across the globe for human slavery … this day can be an opportunity to learn about trafficking globally and locally, to pray for the victims of

Welcome to new children of God: Ivy Mae Fontana and

Joshua Ricky John Gullo baptised this Sunday at St Patrick’s.

Please take home a Project Compassion box and/or a set of donation envelopes and support Caritas Australia this Lenten season as we celebrate 50 years of Project Compassion.

In Pope Francis’ words, “Lent is a time for drawing near to Christ,”

You will be helping to empower the world’s poorest children, women and men with vital learning and renewed hope.

You can donate through Parish boxes and envelopes, by visiting www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion or phoning 1800 024 413.

Requiescant in pace Please Pray For: Domenico (Micio) Donato (Italy) (died recently) Jeanette Kenny (Yeppoon) (died this week), Frank Barbagallo, Vittorio Cantoni, Pauline Strid, Mario Rizzo, Kevin Conaghan, Geoffrey Palmas, Giuseppe Patti, Bill Neitz, Anna Giliberto (annivs at this time), Marianne Ferrero,Michael Mina, Arnold Garutti, Maria Cantoni, Deceased members Sartoresi & Vella families, , Johnny & Juven Accornero, Reg Jillett, Santo & Giuseppina Contarino, David Mackee, Valerie Stout, Carlo & Maria Magoni, Giulio Magoni, baby Elliott Francis Mathieson, Lina Lazzaroni, Baldo Fanti, Mark Guazzo, Salvatore Spampinato, Renzo Seri, Johnny Giacomi

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. Let perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace. Amen. May their souls and the souls

of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God,

rest in peace. Amen.

Rosters Counters This Week:

F Gangemi J Gollogly S Pennisi

Counters Next Week:

P Duffy J Leonardi S Cosentino M & L Castles

Children’s Liturgy—Sat 13 February 6.00pm

Julie Nowak & Josephine Di Bartolo

Altar Servers 13/14 February:

Sat 6.00pm: Hayden Di Bella & Adam Di Bella

Sun 8.30am: Jacob Minato Sun 7.00pm: Trista Kopeshke

Organists 13/14 February:

Sat 6.00pm: Paul Cavallaro Sun 8.30am: Sr Marie Geddes Sun 7.00pm: Lynette Di Bella

Commentators 13/14 February:

Sat 6.00pm: Rita Martin Sun 8.30am: Lorraine Pietrobon Sun 7.00pm: Jessica Timms

Readers 13/14 February:

Halifax: Frances Venturato

Canossa: C/1 David Fascetti 2/3 Mark Spina Sat 6.00pm: 1 Felix Reitano 2 Judy Reitano 3 Rita Martin Sun 8.30am: 1 June Leonardi 2 Lidia Marbelli 3 Lorraine Pietrobon

Sun 7.00pm: 1 Jeanette Cockburn 2 Christine Timms 3 Jessica Timms Abergowrie: Volunteers please

Special Ministers 13/14 February:

Halifax: John Tantalo & Santina Cross

Canossa: Peter & Sylvia Poggio

Sat 6.00pm: Fred & Nancy Gangemi Ross Girgenti Sun 8.30am: Mario Marbelli Margaret Pasquale

Sun 7.00pm: Lauren Kopeshke Giovanna Melvin

Val McDonough

Abergowrie: Volunteer please

Week by Week through the Year of Mercy

Fifth Sunday in Ord Time

During this Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis calls us to share with everyone the tender compassion of God that we ourselves have experienced. In today’s Gospel, Luke uses a special Greek word conveying just such tenderness. In the other Gospels, Jesus calls the disciples to be “fishers,” haleis, the same word that means catching fish with hooks or nets, to be killed and eaten. But Luke uses zogron, from zoe or “life,” meaning “catch or gather people alive,” as animal lovers capture without harming, rescue from “the wild” for a better life, and protect in aquarium or zoo, tenderly cared for by professionals committed to the creatures’ well-being. So in Luke’s vision—and Pope Francis’ as well—we who have been “caught alive” by God’s mercy ourselves are to become “missionaries of mercy” during this Jubilee Year of Mercy, rescuing fellow sinners from danger and gathering them into Jesus’ community to enjoy fullness of life. —Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

The theme that comes through this week’s readings is one of ‘being called’. The first reading is the call of the prophet Isaiah (Is 6:1-8). Isaiah experiences a vision of the glory of God and is humbly reminded of his own deficiencies: he believes himself to be ‘a man of unclean lips’. As such, he is certainly unfit to speak on behalf of God as his unclean lips would taint whatever message he may speak. But his lips are cleansed by God who then asks, ‘Whom shall I send?’ Demonstrating a complete

conversion of heart and mind, Isaiah immediately replies, ‘Here I am, send me!’

This first reading provides a perfect balance to the gospel. Jesus is being closely pressed by the crowd when he asks a nearby fisherman to take him just off shore to preach without being overwhelmed by the crowd. Seemingly at random, he has selected the boat of the fisherman Peter. Having finished preaching for the day, Jesus tells Peter to set out into deeper water and pay out his fishing nets. Peter is certainly not keen on the idea! Out of some interest or good nature he had

agreed to allow this preacher to use his boat for a while, but now this country bumpkin is trying to tell him how to fish! Just to prove Jesus wrong, Peter agrees to go through the futile exercise and is overwhelmed by the enormous catch of fish. Like Isaiah in the first reading, Peter is suddenly acutely aware of his own deficiencies – ‘Leave me Lord; I am a sinful man’. Like Isaiah, he recognises that he has just seen the glory of God revealed and he feels unworthy to be part of the experience. But Jesus reassures him, ‘Do not be afraid,’ and calls Peter to follow.