Sacrament of Penance Information Night this coming Wednesday 24 February 6pm St Ita’s Church Dutton Park Enrolments are closing this week. Please download the Enrolment Form from the Sacraments Tab and send through to the parish office urgently
Pope Francis mentions the beauty of confession in his Ash Wednesday Homily, “…..we need to return to Jesus…. our journey then is about letting Him take us by the hand. Our response to God’s invitation, involves heartfelt reconciliation, “with the deeds and practices that express it.”
For a lot of us as parents ,we may believe our children do not need the Sacrament of Penance because of our mindsets from how we may have been taught as children. But as we seek to teach our children to follow the right path and develop a relationship with God that will see them through all the ups and downs of life, to be able to hear Him and seek their purpose in this life, the sacrament of penance and the habit of daily connecting with God is such an important step. When we daily seek connection with God, little things can hold us back from hearing His voice, wrong attitudes thoughts, a small argument we had with our mum or dad, these can block us from hearing God. In coming to our Father and simply saying sorry, receiving his forgiveness is like opening the floodgates wide to sit in the beauty of His presence and to connect with our God. This is the start of the commencement of a lasting relationship with Him.
We encourage you to come along to the information night with your child and discover more about this amazing sacrament.
Be still and know that I am God Psalm 46:10
Sacrament of Penance 24th March 2021 (a Sacrament of Healing)
Enrolments are now open. Please indicate your interest by downloading the Enrolment Form (see Sacraments tab) and return the completed forms to the Parish Office The church is renewing its way of approaching the sacraments and this is bringing a refreshing way of discovering what a beautiful healing sacrament reconciliation is and what a fantastic life skill for our children to develop.
We invite you to come along with your children to the information night on Wednesday 24 February 6pm at St Ita’s Church Dutton Park. (All attendees must register with parish office to comply with Covid Tracing)
In 2021 the candidates from St Ita’s Dutton Park, St Francis of Assisi West End and St Mary’s South Brisbane will celebrate their Penance together at St Ita’s Church Dutton Park on Wednesday 24th March at 6pm.
Enrolment forms can be completed and scanned through to: southbrisbane@bne.catholic.net.au
Please note if you are dropping the forms to the parish office it is located at 47 Dornoch Tce West End and office hours are 9.00am-2.00pm Monday to Friday 3844 2744 (Please call ahead to ensure our staff will be there to receive your enrolment as we are sometimes called off site to attend at one of our other facilities)
Project Compassion Be More—This lent, join millions of Australias who want to end poverty and injustice in our world. “Aspire not to have more, but to be more” St Oscar Romero Each week our envelopes share a story from a different part of the world where your assistance is helping. Our Week 1 envelopes start this Sunday on the 1st Sunday of Lent and they share a story from Bangladesh pick up your envelopes now to support. Envelopes and Boxes are ready for you to collect at the back of the church
Family Mass is Back 27th February St Ita’s Vigil Mass 5pm If you and your family would like to join in our family mass please register at Eventbrite http://stitasduttonpark.eventbrite.com This is a mass where the family and children from our parish and St Ita’s School share in the music, readings and activates. New families welcome. If you would like to be a part of this special monthly mass please contact Liam O’Rourke lorourke@watpac.com.au to be included in the roster. Please note that due to covid restrictions there will be no sausage sizzle in 2021
St Francis Table Ministry to the Elderly is Back!!
Every 3rd Monday of the Month St Francis Table Ministry to the Elderly was put to an immediate halt as COVID struck us last year. With tremendous planning and praying, we were delighted to resume this Ministry this week under strict COVID guidelines. The hall was filled with laughter, joy and happiness as we gathered in the warmth of each other’s company. We prayed together, sung hymns and enjoyed some light refreshments. Many thanks to Sr Salvacion and her amazing team of volunteers who made this possible, you are all truly amazing! Any queries please speak with Sr Salvacion Bunao, Pastoral Coordinator
Youth Mass every 4th Sunday of each month at St Mary’s Church South Brisbane We invite you to come along, invite your friends and join in our mass for youth. Held every 4th Sunday of the month 5pm at St Mary’s Church. Open for all ages
In an advertising campaign in February and March featuring international cricketer, Matthew Hayden, the Archdiocese of Brisbane is inviting all baptised Catholics to reflect upon what it means to be baptised Catholic with. We’re looking for your help to:
- Pray for the opening of hearts
- Accompany those who are seeking
- Welcome new faces
There will also be fliers in your parish that you can give to family, friends, or col-leagues who might be interested.
To sign up to be an accompanier or join the prayer, or to find out more, go to: www.evangelisationbrisbane.org.au/baptisedcatholic.
How to Register for Mass
Saturday 5pm: St Ita’s Church Vigil Mass Register through Eventbrite http://stitasduttonpark.eventbrite.com/ or to Liam O’Rourke on 0411 033 321 St Ita’s Vigil 5pm Mass Saturday click here to book
Sunday 7am: Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Register with Elvis Chua on 0450 029 410 or elvis_chua@yahoo.com
Sunday 9am: St Francis of Assisi click here to book or call the parish office Monday to Friday 9am-2pm
Once registered if you are unable to attend please contact the Marshall Directly. Do not call the parish office as it is unattended over the weekend.
Our Parish Lenten Reflection Comfort Tuesday 23 February and each Tuesday evening at 6.30pm—7.30pm until March 23
Comfort is a Lenten Program put together by the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong ‘I pray that as you enter into this Lenten season you will experience, through these reflections, the continued grace of the Pas-chal Mystery through which God has revealed to all of us the great love that God has for each one of us. Our purpose, through our own knowledge and love of Jesus, is to make him known by being his body in the world in which we live. This is no tan easy thing to do, but as we reflect upon the grace given to us by God, all things are possible.’ Most Rev Brian G Mascord To attend please contact the parish office to register, thank you.
Family Mass Dates for 2021
27th Feb – 2nd Sunday of Lent
27th March – Palm Sunday
22nd May – Pentecost
24th July – 17th Sunday in OT
28th Aug – 22nd Sunday in OT
23rd Oct – 30th Sunday in OT
27th Nov – 1st Sunday of Advent
Pastoral Care Update
A massive effort by Sr Salvacion and her team at St Francis Table Ministry to the Elderly as they prepared an incredible amount of hampers to be distributed to the elderly this week. A huge thank you to those who have donated towards these bountiful gifts and the volunteers who work tirelessly in the heat, packing and distributing—with huge beaming smiles on their faces all the time. You are all such a blessing to this parish and the ministry of service.
Have a great week to you all. God Bless Sr. Salvacion, sfi
NAIDOC week encourages all Catholics to take the opportunity to reflect, acknowledge and engage with First Nations Catholics. It is equally important to note the official NAIDOC theme – Always was, Always will be. – which contains a strong resonance to Pope Francis’ 2015 Encyclical “Laudato Sì, on Care for our Common Home.” The Encyclical highlights and makes clear the need for Australians to accept and acknowledge the stewardship and knowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people possesses and that which is deeply imbedded in the Culture and Spirituality of Australia’s First Peoples. In the toughest of years, Australians have come together to keep each other safe, to ask R U OK? and to show common care for our neighbours. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities have embraced technology to see and support Elders, to share a laugh and to see Christ in the Face of our Family and friends. Please take the opportunity that NAIDOC week presents to support your local Traditional Custodians and to celebrate the gifts of perseverance, spirituality and faith of the World’s oldest continuing Culture. NATSICC LITURGY TEAM
NAIDOC week Always was, Always will be. Today we acknowledge the ancient cultures of our First Nations here in Australia. We celebrate that God has always been present with, and loved, our First Peoples. So often others have decided what they thought best for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As Catholics, moved by the principles of the dignity of all human beings as equals, we undertake to support and walk with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters. They need to determine their own destiny. We offer support in this self-determination out of a profound love and respect based on our Christian belief. Our First Nations Peoples face many challenges, including generational trauma. • In Christ we find hope and know that God walks with us. • As the First Peoples of this land they hold a special place in our hearts. • There is much that we can learn from them. We need to listen. • Christ brings all cultures to a fullness. Christ reached out to others, He did not just wait for them to come to Him. Following His example we reach out in love and mutual respect to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island brothers and sisters. +Charles Gauci Bishop of Darwin We acknowledge that God has been walking with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, making His Presence known through a living culture that has been maintained till this present time. In many and varied ways. God spoke to many ancient cultures through prophets and traditions, but now he speaks to us through Jesus Christ whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom He also created the world (Heb 1:1-2)
Jubilee Prayer and Statement of Commitment
Father our Creator You created all things, seen and unseen, Listen to my silent prayer as I stand here before you. As my weary eyes look back over distant horizons, Back to those days where my people walked. The footprints of my grandfathers are imprinted on the earth and their images become real to me. I see my Grandfathers standing tall and strong, warriors of long ago. I hear them singing, I see them dancing, and my spirit moves within me. They told me of the emus fighting; picking the scent of our hunters. The images fade away as I feel the hurt of my people. I can hear the cries of my Grandmothers as they cry for their children. Grandfather, You can see me as I stand here and feel this hurt. Father Creator, is this the purpose of my being here? Or is it your plan to reshape my people to be once again the proud race it once was? Let me walk with you and my Grandfathers towards the dawning of a proud and new nation. I thank you for my Sacred Being. Amen.
NATSICC Leadership Gathering November 1995
Reconciliation Action Plan is a guide for all agencies & parishes to build respective relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to gain an understanding & appreciation of the effects of racism, to acknowledge historical impacts of colonialization & identify opportunities to build new pathways to address this through a series of activities and learning opportunities
To find out more https://evangelisationbrisbane.org.au/inclusion/reconciliation-action-plan/
For those that wish to livestream the Mass to launch the RAP, please tune in from approxi-mately 1.30pm on Tuesday 17th November at the link https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/multimedia/web-cast/ , and about 2 hours thereafter on demand at anytime at www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8-1Dil2Zzb_v-0khKGn5WkAxsRJgEqwE
PRAYER OF HEALING
God of Mercy and Compassion, Our hearts too, are heavy with the pain of our people. We are sorry. Hopelessness and despair of life has caused much hurt and anger They have lost their way. We ask You to touch the hearts of our broken people. Mend their paths and walk with them. May they feel the Spirit of our Ancestors. May the Spirit of our Ancestors strengthen and guide us, On our journey back to the light of hope, And the love of life in Christ Amen. Written by AICCQ Working Group 27 October 2000
The Catholic Bishops of Queensland
Everyone deserves a full life. Right now, aged care and support for older people in our community is subject to greater scrutiny that ever before.
Bishops-Pastoral-Letter
C3213_10-Facts-assisted-suicide
C3213_Pallative-Care-Facts
CATECHISM-OF-EUTHANASIA-AND-ASSISTED-SUICIDE-FOR-CATHOLICS
Governments must provide for sustainable aged care services. Improve regulatory frameworks to ensure the quality of care and provide older people and their families with real choice and control over the services they receive.
Over
this past weekend Catholic parishes around Queensland observed “Dying
Peacefully – No Euthanasia Sunday”. It was accompanied by a new Pastoral Letter by all Queensland Bishops,
echoing the Pope’s recent encouragement to Catholic people everywhere to resist
euthanasia and ensure the elderly, the young and the vulnerable are not cast
aside in what he has called a “throw-away culture”. Catholic Tradition does not assert that
life should be prolonged at all costs. Dying is a part of life and when the
time comes, we all want to die peacefully. But we must focus on enabling this
through high-quality palliative care, not legalising assisted suicide. We
cannot allow any patient to feel that they are a burden on their family, that
their life is worthless.
A range of resources outlining the church or medical experts ‘Care First’
approach of support for palliative care services, as opposed to the
introduction of so called “voluntary assisted dying” (VAD) can be found on our
website https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/life/dying-peacefully.
