Who do you say I am?

1ST

Sunday of Lent

“Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.......” This is the first of our paintings that will lead us to Easter. This painting is more of an allegory rather

than a simply analogy. An allegory is asking what does the overall picture reflect for you, whereas an

analogy is more specific – this element symbolises this. When taken as a whole we see a presentation

of the encompassing evils/distractions/enticements/horrors/temptations that surround our daily lives

and the life of the world. With some reflection we can see some analogies within the larger picture.

Some of the “creatures” may symbolise some area in our lives that God is calling on us to look more

deeply at during this Lenten time. One simple example of this might be the boy in the top left corner,

with a mask over his head, posing for us the question of what tempts us to mask our true selves?

When do we allow our true selves to be ignored or overlooked because it is easier to put on a mask?

Another interpretation might be what temptation is devouring us? How do we combat and hold off

temptations in our lives that creep up on us? Do we use prayer or quiet reflection or do we turn and

confront that which tempts us, so as to drive it away?

This painting has much to say to us. There is not one simple answer. Many eyes that look upon this

art, will bring many interpretations. Let it speak to you! It takes time to reflect on each character in

this picture story. Who is the person in the centre with the red heart? What does that mean?

Each painting will remain in St Mary’s during the week. Please take a moment to call in and sit.

This Thursday there will be adoration between 5.00pm and 6.00pm to allow for some deeper

meditation and reflection on this allegory of the Temptation of Christ in the Wilderness.

Most members on our Parish Council have served faithfully for almost 7 years and, as you can image have earned a well deserved break. After Easter there will be a nomination process to find 6 new members. Please take some time over these coming weeks to consider who you would nominate for this important role within our community. If you have any questions regarding this role, please feel free to ask any of our current members – Pat Thompson, Ros Phillips, Sue McGovern, Margaret Yeo, Rose Sharpe, Carmel Schaumburg, Brett Pollard

or Mary Jane Blomley.

Parish Finance Committee Monday, 6th March at 5.30pm

in the Parish Centre.

St Vincent De Paul Meeting Monday, 13th March at 5.00pm

at the Vinnies Store.

Parish Council Thursday, 16th March at 3.30pm

in the Parish House.

Fancy a game of Indoor Bowls or Cards? Come along to the Parish Centre at

9.30am on 13th March. New faces very welcome to this social morning.

The next

St. Mary’s Luncheon will

be held on the 6th March, commencing at 11.30am in the Parish Centre. Come and

enjoy some time with friends. All Welcome.

Is anyone available to assist Mary

Burchell in opening the

Op Shop on a Saturday morning 9am-11.30am or

part thereof? Please let

Fr. Michael know if you can help out.

Last weekend we

welcomed

Angus Lee Farmer

to the St Mary’s

Catholic

community,

through the

sacrament of

Baptism.

Angus is the son

of Lee & Michelle

and the brother of

Isaac.

To celebrate St. Patrick’s day next Friday, there will be a special Mass at 12.15pm followed by

lunch at the Royal Hotel!! Everyone is very welcome to attend! You’ll be after wearing the

green now, for sure, for sure!

Thank you to Mary Collins for organising the

World Day of Prayer last Friday night, and

to all who were able to attend. A special

thank you to the Phillipino community for

their wonderful and thoughtful approach.

Let us pray for all those clergy whose anniversaries occur during this month: Rev Fr Dominic Burke (03/03/68) Rev Fr Joseph Skelly (10/03/70)

Rev Fr Kevin Ryan (12/03/11) Rev Fr Bernard Kane (13/03/11)

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

Lord, be merciful to your servants, the Bishops and Priests of this Diocese,

welcome them into the company of your Saints, in the Kingdom of light and

peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Weekday and Weekend Masses

Tuesday….Kaloma….11.00am : Wednesday ………5.30pm Thursday ……..Adoration 5-6pm : Friday…..…… 12:15pm

4th/5th March, 2017 ****CHANGE OF DAY FOR MASS******

SUNDAY EVENING: 6.00pm Goondiwindi

11th/12th March, 2017 SUNDAY EVENING: 6.00pm Goondiwindi

18th/19th March, 2017

SUNDAY MORNING: 9.00am Goondiwindi

25th/26th March, 2017 - GOVERNOR-GENERALS VISIT NO SATURDAY NIGHT MASS

SUNDAY MORNING: 8.00am Goondiwindi (followed by a sausage sizzle)

1st/2nd April, 2017

SATURDAY EVENING: 6.00pm Goondiwindi SUNDAY MORNING: 8.00am Weengallon and 10.00am Daymar.

GROUNDS ROSTER

MARCH: ALAN & MARK WELSH

APRIL: DAN & LISA GALL

THANK-YOU FOR YOUR Contributions: 27/02/17

ENVELOPES $627.00 LOOSE $343.65

VOLUNTEERS

WE PRAY FOR Those who have entered your kingdom: including Veronica Rayner, Grant Carrigan, Isabel Coleman, Rosemary Lawson, Phillipa Day, Mary Wyatt (Roma), Monica Nicholas, Barbara Bishop, Marie Gore, Pat Parson (Margaret Oliver’s daughter), Sr Joan MacGinley, RSM, Alicia Devine, Desley Hawker, Greg Oliver, Sr. Colleen Carney, Sr Bess Turvey, Mary Loveday, Timothy Lawless-Pyne, Fr. Mick Skehan, Audrey Albeck, Peter Ints, David Hiles, Shirley Byrne, Mona O’Brien, Norm Hilderson, Chris Finlayson, Maria Magoffin, Mel McGuire, Alma Betts, Darren Benecke, Robert Picking, Len Collins, Vince Mullins, Mary Terry; For all 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, Peter Spittles, Bronwynne Faddy, Paul FitzGerald, Betty “Topsy” Hunt, George Hartin, Michael Gibbs, Kevin Cook, Claire Park, Mia Beck, Jenny Marsh, Robert Ford, Dannielle Brennan, Barry Cook, Barbara Bendall, Arthur Gordon, Bill Bishop, Ronald Keehn. For those who are ill: including Phillip Marshall, Tom Turvey, Bill Dyer, Trish Dyer, Brian Freeney, Pat & Teresa Mullins, Deanna Dawson, Anne Hunt, Kevin Lawless, Ray Mackie, Peter Keehn, Joan Fleming, Frank Brosnan, Gloria Bale, David Croft, Tim Bourke, Joe Cowmeadow, Shirley Schluter, Stasia Lawless, Paul Lloyd, Mavis Gordon, Jean Ramada, Stella McGovern, Jean Sizer, Francis Lloyd, Madonna Nicoletti, Kathy McDonald, Steph Adamson, Bailey Brennan, Pauline Robinson, Win Skinner, Sonya Horrigan, Helen Paige, John Toohey, Marie Cook, Phillip Carney, Shirley Riley, Therese Sullivan and Joseph Hord; also those ill at home, in hospital and for those in Kaloma.

WELCOMERS AT DOOR

ANN WEBSTER & JENNIFER MAKIM (05/03)

SHIRLEY WHITTLE & CLAIRE CHARLES

(12/03)

TRISH WELSH & PAM MORRIS (19/03)

WELCOMER AT MICROPHONE

CAROL ORMES (05/03)

ST MARY’S STAFF (12/03)

PHIL ORMES (19/03)

1ST

READER/PSALM

CARMEL SCHAUMBURG (05/03)

GRAHAM MCGOVERN (12/03)

BRETT POLLARD (19/03)

2ND

READING/ALLELUIA

ROBYN LINDORES (05/03)

VOLUNTEER NEEDED (12/03)

MARY COLLINS (19/03)

EUCHARIST MINISTERS

BRIAN COOK, YVONNE ISAAK &

CLAIRE CHARLES (05/03)

CARMEL GEESON, DAWN LLOYD &

DAWN CLANCY (12/03)

MICK CLANCY, ROS PHILLIPS &

MARY BURCHELL (19/03)

DATA PROJECTOR

MARY COLLINS (05/03)

ROS PHILLIPS (12/03)

CAROL ORMES (19/03)

MONEY COUNTERS

DENISE MCCORMACK & JENNIFER LAWLESS

(05/03)

TERESA HEYNEN & BELL FAMILY (12/03)

KERRY O’CONNOR & CLAIRE CHARLES

(19/03)

1ST

SUNDAY OF LENT

5TH

MARCH, 2017

Introduction

The battle between good and evil is writ large in literature, drama and religion. Today’s readings — indeed, all of Scripture — reveal a truth we know all too well. Even the best of us has experienced the powerful attraction of what we should not do. Our tradition tells us even more profoundly that the story is larger than temptation or failure. We

hear, instead, what is possible: Grace, justification, obedience, righteousness and life are

the real end of the story.

First Reading Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7

Adam and Eve are tempted.

Responsorial Psalm Be merciful, O Lord, for we have

sinned.

Second Reading Romans 5:12-19

Jesus’ obedience overcomes sin.

PRAISE TO YOU, LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF ENDLESS GLORY!

No one lives on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God! PRAISE TO YOU, LORD JESUS CHRIST,

KING OF ENDLESS GLORY!

Gospel

Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus himself is tempted.

Prayers of the Faithful

For the whole church and for all believers who are tempted by evil...

as a penitent people, we pray, For peace in a world tempted to enmity with one

another...as a penitent people, we pray, For those who struggle in a culture that

glamorizes temptation... as a penitent people, we pray,

For the courage to acknowledge our own temptations…as a penitent people, we pray, For the ability to see temptation as a path to

grace and goodness… as a penitent people, we pray,

For all who are tempted to despair because of poverty, injustice, violence or any kind of

need...as a penitent people, we pray, For those preparing for the sacraments of initiation...as a penitent people, we pray,

For all in this community who seek physical healing and spiritual wholeness; and for those who have died... as a penitent people, we pray,

Let us pray together: Ever-faithful God, we ask for the

grace to remember that your

compassionate presence is always in

our midst. Help us to be aware that

you accompany us, even in the face of

temptation and evil. Infuse us with the

same strength and courage you gave

Jesus when he was tempted. We ask

this in your holy name. Amen.

Parish Priest: Fr. Michael O’Brien

Phone: 0422 308 955 or 4671 1091 St Mary’s School: Mr Brett Pollard Ph: 4671 1730 Care for the Aged Co-ordinator: Mrs Jane Blomley Ph: 4675 4132

Parish Office Phone: 4671 5087

Father Michael’s house Phone: 4671 1091 stmarysgdi@bigpond.com 69 Callandoon Street or PO Box 45, Goondiwindi 4390

Parish Information

Parish Office

Parish Secretary: Mrs Kath Gore Thursday: 9.00am – 3.00pm