2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

19 January  2020

 

Two thoughts emerge from today’s readings. The first is John’s dramatic declaration, Behold the Lamb of God. the second is an invitation to do a personal stock-taking during this first month of the new year, and make some resolutions to improve the quality of our lives. The Baptist urges us to ask what are we fundamentally about and then seek to reset our lives. And St Paul reminds us that we are “called to be saints together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

An honest stock-taking of ourselves may unveil the selfish motives that often direct our actions. To rise above an ego-centric spirit we need to recognise something outside of and larger than ourselves, the God who cares for us and for the whole human community. Can we listen to John’s call to restore what is broken, and Jesus’ call, to bring light to the world? Do we see that it is with our cooperation that the Lamb can remove the “sin of the world?”

Facing our deepest personal truths is always difficult; it calls us to not just drift along with this world’s evil, always taking the line of least resistance. Discipleship is urgent and costly, but it is also possible and is the way towards the deeper joy and fulfilment that our soul is longing for. If we properly hear the Baptist as he witnesses to Christ, our response will be a stock-taking that goes to the root of our being. It may even reveal to us the truth that sets us free.

 

Vinnies Bushfire Appeal

A Special Collection will be held next weekend (25/26 January) to raise funds for the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal. Donations can be made in cash on the day or online at www.bushfireappeal.com.au Donations raised will go to people directly impacted by the bushfires. For more information please see our website https://www.bbcatholic.org.au/give/bushfires/resources

December

Fri  20                       Parish Office Closes
Tue  24                     Christmas Eve Reconciliation 4pm-5pm SK and SC
                                 Mass SC 5.30pm, 7.30pm; Mass SK 6pm, 8pm, midnight
Wed 25                     Christmas Day Mass—SC 9am, SK 7.30am, 9.30am—NO EVENING MASS

January

Wed 01                    New Year’s Day Masses  - SK 8.30am, SC 9.00am

Mon 06                    Parish Office Opens

Tue 28                     School Resumes

plenary council 2020cPreparation for the Plenary Council 2020 continues and the next phase
 of consultation has begun. The 6 themes that will be the focus of the second phase of consultation are:

           How is God calling us to be a Christ-centred Church that is:

Missionary and Evangelizing;

Inclusive, Participatory and Synodal;

Prayerful and Eucharistic;

Humble, Healing and Merciful;

A Joyful, Hope-filled and Servant Community;

Open to Conversion, Renewal and Reform.

ministryA few months ago, the Parish Council nominated a Liturgy Working Party to look at areas where the Parish needs support in our celebration of the liturgy. Priorities include recruitment and training of ministers in all areas, as well as establishment of a Parish Liturgy Committee during 2020. We have approached ACU’s Centre for Liturgy for assistance and sessions are being arranged for Readers, new and continuing, early in the coming year. The date will be advised as soon as it is available.

ava cruise thanks

Many thanks to all those who were able to attend the AFA Christmas Dinner Party last Saturday night at the Wakehurst Golf Club.  It was a fantastic night which was well attended by 132 people raising $5,660 which is amazing. We would also like to thank all those who weren't able to attend but gave a donation or purchased a ticket for a priest or student. Also, thanks to everyone who donated raffle prizes on the night and to Liz Lovell for the beautiful Christmas hamper lucky door prizes.  Many thanks to our major sponsors Ann Wilson Funerals, Cunninghams Real Estate, Matt McEwan of McGrath Real Estate Manly and Harvey Norman.  A big thank you to Katja and her team at Wakehurst Golf Club who again did a wonderful job.

Congratulations to JoAnn Cabilao who won the first prize of $1,000 and also to the other top 7 prize winners who were Orla Keane, Kerry Newman, Bill Williams, Melissa Zagari, Carmel Riddington, Diane Craig and Lina Caruso and to all the other people who won other raffle prizes on the night.  Our 6 lucky door prize winners were Hu-Yao, Huy, Michael Caulfield, Roxan Estanislao, Rhonda Daly & Kathleen Smith.  Our “Lucky Scratchie Tree” was won by Tom Maher so congratulations to all.

AFA are extremely grateful and thankful for all your support throughout the year and we wish you a very Holy Christmas and a Joyful 2020.  

God Bless from Adriana Bowyer & the AFA Committee Members

The Catholic Bishops of Australia have announced a National Prayer Campaign for Drought to take place during November. People across the country are encouraged to pray for the gift of rain, for people affected by the drought and to provide practical support, where possible. The Bishops note that large parts of the country are directly affected by the drought, but the impact is national – and so should the response be national. Access resources and find out more at: www.catholic.org.au/drought

augustinian logo

AUGUSTINIAN APPEAL 

Each year, supporters of the Augustinians from our ministries and elsewhere contribute generously to the work of the Province, particularly to the formation of our seminarians and our social justice outreach.   Augustinian Seminary Trust Fund – These funds are used exclusively for the ongoing provision for our seminarians.  Envelopes are available in our parishes and you can make a donation by cash, credit card, or direct deposit to
BSB: 082-146 Account No: 13-610-4220.

Other ways you can support the Province’s ministries are by donations to:Augustinian Volunteers Australia Trust Fund, or Bequests.  Mailing address is:
Order of St Augustine , PO Box 7278, Warringah Mall, Brookvale NSW 2100. 

For further information, please contact the Province Office on (02) 9938 0200 or Anna Heath at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Thank you for your generous support!
Donations are tax deductible

He Who has given us the gift of being also gives us the gift of being good. He gives it to those who have turned back to Him. He even sought them out before they were converted and when they were far from His ways.                                                         [St Augustine, On Psalm 103 (4), 2]

St augustine

St Augustine—             

O Lord, my God, You alone do I love.  You alone do I follow.  You alone do I seek.  You alone am I prepared to serve, for You alone justly rule, and under Your authority I long to be.

Soliloquies 1, 1

Would you like to learn more about Catholic Faith and Practice or how to become a Catholic?
A group in the parish is beginning this journey and you are most welcome to join us on Saturday 19 October between 10.30am and 2.30pm in the Parish Centre. Please contact Janette on 0408 866 521 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  if you would like more information.

Augustinian MagazineClick here to see the latest edition of the Augustinian Magazine

tuan anh solemn profession photos

Low gluten hosts re now available on the table with the offertory gifts in both churches. Parishioners wishing to receive a low gluten host are asked to place a low gluen host in the pyx or glass dish marked low gluten before Mass. These hosts will be consecrated at Mass and available from the priest at Communion time. Alternatively, parishioners are welcome to follow our current practice and speak to the priest or senior server ahead of time to request a low gluten host.

Gluten Intolerant? - The Coeliac Society NSW has issued the following advice about low gluten Communion bread.

The low gluten hosts contain traces around 6 parts per million (ppm) and in Australia, the Food Advisory Board say that no detectable gluten must be found in order to label foods gluten free which is why the communion wafer is called low gluten.  If low gluten products were on the supermarket shelves we wouldn’t be able to consume them.

Because communion is taken in such a tiny amount, it is an exception to the rule and therefore safe for Coeliac’s.  

If you are gluten intolerant, low gluten hosts are available at the church. Let the priest know prior to Mass to receive one at Communion.

childrens liturgyThe children’s liturgy ministry is always looking for new mums, grandparents and carers to be involved in this wonderful and rewarding ministry.  Being a volunteer in this ministry involves helping with children’s liturgy that takes place on Sundays at the churches of St Cecilia and St Kieran’s.  You will be placed on roster alongside another volunteer who is currently doing children’s liturgy to help out about once to twice a term.  Children’s liturgy only takes place within the school term and doesn’t take place when school class family masses are scheduled.  All information, resources and activities are printed off and provided by the children’s liturgy co-ordinator on a weekly basis.  All volunteers will be required to obtain a working with children check number, but this is simple to do, and this is something that I can help you obtain. 

music ministry

We are in need of: 

Eucharistic Ministers

We’re in need of more Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick to visit our parish nursing homes.  If you have an hour to spare, just  once a month, please contact the parish office.

 Hospitality:

Do you enjoy a cuppa and a chat after Mass on Sunday? We are looking for more volunteers to assist with the hospitality after the 9.30am Mass at St Kieran’s. If you are able to assist (usually only three times per year) please contact Kerrie-Ann This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 

Ursula This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Share the Journey has at its heart the vision of a united global human family. We are a global confederation, run by Caritas Internationalis, of 165 national development agencies.

We are the charitable arm of the Catholic Church and our confederation works at diocesan, national, regional and international level on issues such as poverty, migration, climate change, hunger, health and emergencies.

Pope Francis launched the 2 year campaign from Saint Peter’s Square on 27th September 2017 when he invited everyone around the world to “Share the Journey” with refugees and migrants.

If you are passionate about migration and interested in what’s happening in our world, then this is a campaign where you can make a difference at all levels. This is an opportunity to share something of yourself and offer it up in friendship in exchange for friendship and a journey of discovery. 

For more information visit
www.journey.caritas.org

share the journey

pietyOUR PARISH PIETY SHOP,

St Kieran’s Parish Office  at 2 King St, Manly Vale   (ample parking in the school carpark)

Open 9am – 4pm Monday to Friday  - our Piety shop stocks Bibles for all ages;  Mass Missals;  Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion Candles;   Jewellery/ Bracelets &  Necklaces with crosses/ medals; photo frames;  Rosary beads; hand painted nativity scenes from Peru; a lovely range of inspirational books,  and lots lots more – it really  is worth a drive to pop in & have a browse at this very eclectic mix of religious gifts for all those special and Sacramental occasions.

Ph 9949 4455     cash & Credit cards accepted

The_Vine_autumnal

THE VINE FACEBOOK GROUP - If you would like to join the group for spiritual enrichment,

click here and send 'join group' request.

MEDITATION AT NORTH HARBOUR
 ST KIERAN’S CHAPEL Tuesdays at 9.15am during school term

gift programClick here for a short video on GIFT

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0949aaae2ca6f94-gift

 

News from GIFT - March 31
Recently the commercial freezer at Link Community Food Care stopped working, this freezer was used to store the GIFT meals we prepare so cook-offs were on hold until it could be replaced. 

A huge THANK YOU to Darren Coleman at Winning Appliances Brookvale for sourcing a new freezer at a great price and donating $500 towards the cost –  our community coming together to help our marginalised neighbours on the northern beaches.