SICK CALLS AND OTHER URGENT MATTERS
IF YOU NEED A PRIEST URGENTLY, PLEASE CALL THE APPROPRIATE NUMBER:
Business hours – Parish Office – 9949 4455
After hours (Evenings and weekends) – 0490 898 464
Covid-19 Safety and Vigilance
Click here to see the Places of Worship Covid-19 safety plan
Please remember to wear a face mask
POPE’S PERSPECTIVE – ‘Fratelli tutti’ - a short summary
Pope Francis’ Social Encyclical Fratelli tutti is a lengthy document but well worth reading in our current world setting, complicated as it is by COVID-19 and a complex social, economic and political world situation. The following summary offers a ‘taste’ of Francis’ teaching.
Chapter One: Dark Clouds over a Closed World - The document reflects on the many distortions of the contemporary era: the manipulation and deformation of concepts such as democracy, freedom, justice; the loss of the meaning of the social community and history; selfishness and indifference toward the common good; the prevalence of a market logic based on profit and the culture of waste; unemployment, racism, poverty; the disparity of rights and its aberrations such as slavery, trafficking, women subjugated and then forced to abort, organ trafficking (10-24).
Chapter Two: A Stranger on the Road - To many shadows, however, the Encyclical responds with a luminous example, a herald of hope: the Good Samaritan. The second chapter is dedicated to this figure. In it, the Pope emphasizes that, in an unhealthy society that turns its back on suffering and that is “illiterate” in caring for the frail and vulnerable (64-65), we are all called – just like the Good Samaritan – to become neighbours to others (81), overcoming prejudices, personal interests, historic and cultural barriers. We all, in fact, are co-responsible in creating a society that is able to include, integrate and lift up those who have fallen or are suffering (77)…. “we were made for love” (88), the Pope adds, particularly exhorting Christians to recognize Christ in the face of every excluded person (85).
SUNDAY HOMILIES ONLINE
Again this weekend, the Sunday homily is available
on the North Harbour Parish You Tube channel.
Fr Peter is the homilist. You can access the video at the following link:
Catholic Mission Parish Appeal this weekend
The Catholic Mission Appeal will be held on this weekend 17/18 October and we look forward to welcoming a speaker from Catholic Mission to speak at all Masses.
Tap 'n' Go
We now have a Tap ‘n’ Go terminal at the back of each Church for donations to the Parish 2nd Collection
The amount is set at $10. Funds donated here go toward the main source of income (2nd Collection) for our Parish and are used for the day to day running of our Parish, including altar and church requisites, pastoral programs, repairs & maintenance, wages, insurance and utilities. It is also used to fund any shortfall in the Charitable Works Fund and the many, many other expenses incurred in keeping our Parish vibrant and functioning.
Email Scam
Please be aware that in the past few weeks some parishioners have received scam/phishing emails that look to be from Fr Dave. The most current emails state that he requires assistance to complete a task however is busy so can the recipient quickly respond to the email. If a response is received there is a request to buy gift cards and report the codes. The email looks reasonably authentic however on close inspection there are signs that the email is not authentic such as; the sending account is a gmail account not the usual northharbourcatholic account and there can often be spelling and grammar mistakes or it can just read a bit odd. The most important thing is don’t respond. Block the sender and delete the email. If you are not sure about any email from the Parish please ring the office before opening it.
Bible Study
Fr John will be conducting a six week bible course each Tuesday at 7.30pm starting from 3rd November in the parish centre at St Kieran's. The aim will be to read together some of the shorter books of the Old Testament starting with the 'Book of Ruth'. If you are interested could you please inform the parish secretary as there are presently still restrictions on the number of people who can assemble.
“Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God , my God.” Ever heard that read during a wedding ceremony? It comes from the Book of Ruth. Did you know that the Book of Ruth is the happiest story about a mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law ever? Did you know that Ruth is one of the five women mentioned in Jesus’ family tree?
Parish Annual Report
As previously advised, due to COVID-19 we will not be gathering for the Parish AGM this year but the Annual Report will be prepared and circulated as usual. The Report will be available next weekend and a short video containing highlights and information on the past year’s activities. shown at all Masses.
FEASTS OF ALL SAINTS AND ALL SOULS
This year the Feast of All Saints occurs on Sunday 1 November and takes precedence over the normal Sunday. All Masses will be of the Feast of All Saints.
The Feast of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) occurs on Monday 2 November and is a day of prayer and remembrance of all those who are with the Lord. Please note Mass times for All Souls:
- ·St Kieran’s Church – 8.30am and 7.30pm
- ·St Cecilia’s Church – 9.00am
- ·November – Month of the Holy Souls - Following the ancient tradition of Catholic faith we dedicate the month of November to the memory of our departed loved ones, our families and friends.
- ·Books of Remembrance – Books are placed in our churches for us to record the names of those we especially wish to remember this year as well as envelopes for Mass Offerings to have Masses said for the repose of their souls.
HELPING THE AUGUSTINIANS—DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS
Thank you to all who supported the Augustinian Order in Australia through the Augustinian Appeal last weekend. Donations can be made to our Community in Vietnam, the Augustinian Seminary and Augustinian Volunteers Australia. You are welcome to choose to which of these you may wish to contribute. Donation envelopes are available in the churches and can be placed in the collection basket. Details of account numbers are on the flap of the envelope in case you wish to donate by direct deposit. We thank you for your generous support!
R.C.I.A.
Congratulations to Marie, Rosemary and Vanessa who were received into the Catholic Church recently. After many months of preparation and perseverance we are all delighted to welcome them into the North Harbour community.
Congratulations
Deacon Peter Lê Tuấn Anh OSA – The Augustinians joyfully announce the ordination to the Diaconate of Br Tuấn Anh Lê by Most Reverend Mark Coleridge, Archbishop of Brisbane, on Saturday 15 August in St James’ Parish Church, Coorparoo, Brisbane. We wish Tuấn Anh every blessing as he continues his journey towards priesthood in 2021.
VIDEO - The Parish and Covid-19
At Masses last weekend, we viewed a short video containing excerpts from our livestreamed Masses during the past few months and film clips from contemporary events during that period from Australia and overseas. Much positive feedback has been received. To view this video, please follow the links below:
Direct link to the Covid video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaSwQtu713k&t=7s
Link to the Parish YouTube channel where all the Masses (except the first few) and the Covid video sit:
Information about the current Sacramental Program
Welcome to the Sacramental Program 2019-2020- Registration Form 2019-2020
- Photocard
- Parish News
- Baptism of Young Children Program
- Nurturing Faith
- Stations of the Cross
PARISH SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME – IMPORTANT INFORMATION!
For some months now we have been considering creative ways of moving forward with the Sacramental Programme, particularly for the children who received Confirmation in 2019 and First Reconciliation this year. First Communion during the current term will go ahead.
Bishop Anthony has now advised of new arrangements from 2021 onwards. Due to the disruption during the crisis of the pandemic, there will be no celebration of Confirmation in 2020. As part of the review of Sacramental preparation, the following decisions have been taken:
- ·The order of the Sacraments of Initiation remains unchanged: Baptism – Confirmation – First Reconciliation – Eucharist (First Communion);
- ·From 2021 onwards, children will receive Confirmation in Year 3 (not Year 2 as is the current practice) and then the remaining Sacraments in Year 4. This arrangement makes more sense in terms of a child’s level of maturity and ability to experience a meaningful reception of the Sacrament;
- ·While the full implications of this decision are yet to be explored, these changes open up other possibilities for the sacramental formation of children and their families. More information will be made available as it comes to hand.
PLANNED GIVING ENVELOPES FOR 2020-2021 FINANCIAL YEAR ARE AVAILABLE NOW AT THE BACK OF THE CHURCHES.
AN AUGUSTINIAN PERSPECTIVE – ‘Black Lives Matter!’
A Statement from the International Augustinian Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation
The recent death of George Floyd, an African American man, at the hands of a white policeman in Minneapolis, has ignited worldwide protests under the banner of Black Lives Matter. Demonstrations have been taking place not only in the United States but in many other countries beyond. The Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation of the Order wishes to express its solidarity with those campaigning for justice and equality for black people and all who are the victims of discrimination, especially in the most economically advanced societies of the world, while condemning the violence of a minority of protesters.
PRAYER UNITED AGAINST THE CORONAVIRUS - Provided by the Augustinians:
Almighty and merciful God, refreshment in our weariness, support in our weakness, comfort in our sadness.
We come to you to invoke your mercy, since today we still experience the fragility of the human condition
in the presence of a new viral pandemic. Listen to the prayer we offer, comfort your children,
save us from the present distress and open our hearts to be people of hope.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.