Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B 1 August, 2021
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We come together to hear the story that God loves us with a love that surpasses all understanding; to break the bread of the Eucharist, so that we might be broken as Bread in service to others; that through our belief in Jesus, we may joyfully go forth knowing that our lives have purpose and that we will live forever. Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B 1 August, 2021 St Brendan’s Catholic Church - 34 Collins Street, Annandale REFLECTION St Michael’s Catholic Church ‘Panem et Circenses’ - 69 Clarendon Road, Stanmore In the early second century the Roman poet Postal Address: Juvenal lamented that the once noble 34 Collins Street, Annandale 2038 people of Rome had lowered themselves to Parish Staff seeking only ‘panem et circenses’ (bread and Administrator - Fr Matthew Meagher circuses). He saw this as a radical decline for Sacramental/Liturgy Coordinator Rome. No longer did the people seek - Kelley Daley honours in military and civil life to further Email: sacramental@stbrendan.org.au the glory of Rome. Rather, it would seem, Parish Secretary cheap food and base entertainment were enough for them. Many historians - Zina Pappalardo would see this decline in Roman ideals as a significant part of the eventual Parish Office Hours downfall of Rome itself. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday In the gospel reading this week a similar message is taught. Having just 8:30am to 3.00pm miraculously multiplied loaves and fish, those following Jesus have begun following him with greater vigour: They want more bread. But they have missed Email: admin@stbrendan.org.au the point. In providing them with bread, Jesus was trying to point them beyond Website: www.stbrendan.org.au the bread itself. In other words, the bread is not about the bread! Jesus is trying to show them that the ‘true bread’ is himself. The miraculous bread is supposed to point us towards Jesus himself. Juvenal tried to make St Michael’s School the Romans looks beyond ‘bread and circuses’ to higher achievements and Principal: Mrs Allison Travers ideals, but Jesus goes far beyond this and wants all good things to point to Telephone: 9569 7479 himself. Bread and circuses are temporary, but so too are great empires. Indeed, nothing in this world ultimately satisfies other than the ‘true bread’ Baptism Bookings Please contact the parish for all of Jesus himself. Baptism enquiries. St Augustine of Hippo wrote his autobiographical work Confessions around Marriage AD400. By this stage Rome was beginning to fall. Its seeking for bread and By appointment only. Six months circuses was not enough. St Augustine begins this book with the famous line notice required. addressed to God: ‘You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless NSW COVID HEALTH until it rests in you.’ Nothing else will ultimately satisfy, neither ‘bread and RESTRICTIONS EXTENDED circuses’ or building the greatest empire the world has seen. Stay at home orders will Jesus is not trying to tell us that there is something wrong with bread (or continue in Greater Sydney even the circus for that matter!) But he is teaching us that we should only including the Blue Mountains, seek our true and lasting happiness in that one true bread. We find our Central Coast, Wollongong and heart’s rest in Jesus Christ alone. - Shellharbour until 12.01am on Fr Matthew Saturday 28 August 2021. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK All Churches will remain closed to pray together as one community online. until Sunday 29 August. https://www.facebook.com/stsmichaelandbrendan or click on the link on the parish website View and ‘like’ the Facebook page to stay up-to-date.
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time , Year B 1 August, 2021 Entrance Antiphon: Second Reading: Eph 4:17, 20-24 O God, come to my assistance; O Lord, make haste to help A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Ephesians me! You are my rescuer, my help; O Lord, do not delay. Put on the new person that has been created in First Reading: Ex 16:2-4. 12-15 God’s image. A reading from the book of Exodus I want to urge you in the name of the Lord, not to go on I will rain bread from heaven upon you. living the aimless kind of life that pagans live. Now that is The whole community of the sons of Israel began to hardly the way you have learnt from Christ, unless you complain against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness and failed to hear him properly when you were taught what said to them, ‘Why did we not die at the Lord’s hand in the the truth is in Jesus. You must give up your old way of life; land of Egypt, when we were able to sit down to pans of you must put aside your old self, which gets corrupted by meat and could eat bread to our hearts content! As it is, following illusory desires. Your mind must be renewed by you have brought us to this wilderness to starve this a spiritual revolution so that you can put on the new self whole company to death!’ that has been created in God’s way, in the goodness and Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Now I will rain down bread holiness of the truth. for you from the heavens. Each day the people are to go Gospel Acclamation out and gather the day’s portion; I propose to test them Alleluia, alleluia! this way to see whether they will follow my law or not.’ No one lives on bread alone, but on every word that ‘I have heard the complaints of the sons of Israel. Say this comes from the mouth of God. Alleluia! to them, “Between the two evenings you shall eat meat, Gospel: Jn 6:24-35 and in the morning you shall have bread to your hearts A reading from the holy Gospel according to John content. Then you will learn that I, the Lord, am your Whoever comes to me will never be hungry; who- God.”’ And so it came about: quails flew up in the evening, ever believes in me will never thirst. and they covered the camp; in the morning there was a When the people saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples coating of dew all round the camp. When the coating of were there, they got into boats and crossed to Capernaum to dew lifted, there on the surface of the desert was a thing look for Jesus. When they found him on the other side, they delicate, powdery, as fine as hoarfrost on the ground. said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’ Jesus When they saw this, the sons of Israel said to one another, answered: ‘I tell you most solemnly, you are not looking for ‘What is that?’ not knowing what it was. ‘That’ said Moses me because you have seen the signs but because you had all to them ‘is the bread the Lord gives you to eat.’ the bread you wanted to eat. Do not work for food that Responsorial Psalm: Ps 77:3-4. 23-25. 54. R. v.24 cannot last, but work for food that endures to eternal life, (R.) The Lord gave them bread from heaven. the kind of food the Son of Man is offering you, for on him the Father, God himself, has set his seal.’ The things we have heard and understood, the things our Then they said to him, ‘What must we do if we are to do the fathers have told us, we will tell to the next generation: works that God wants?’ Jesus gave them this answer, ‘This is the glories of the Lord and his might. (R.) working for God: you must believe in the one he has sent.’ So He commanded the clouds above and opened the gates of they said, ‘What sign will you give to show us that we should heaven. He rained down manna for their food, and gave believe in you? What work will you do? Our fathers had them bread from heaven. (R.) manna to eat in the desert; as scripture says: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ Mere men ate the bread of angels. He sent them Jesus answered: ‘I tell you most solemnly, it was not Moses abundance of food. He brought them to his holy land, to who gave you bread from heaven, it is my Father who gives the mountain which his right hand had won. (R.) you the bread from heaven, the true bread; for the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his ‘Sir,’ they said ‘give us that bread always.’ Jesus answered: disciples were there, they themselves got into boats ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst.’ We follow you, seeking, because we are hungry for Communion Antiphon infinite life and love. I am the bread of life, says the Lord; whoever comes to me Your Father gave us you. will not hunger and whoever believes in me will not thirst. In all creation, in searching, © The scriptural quotations are taken from the Jerusalem Bible, published and copyright 1966, repairing, giving; in every 1967 and 1968 by Darton Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Co Inc, and used by friendship, love, joy and grief, in permission of the publishers. The English translation of the Psalm Responses, the Alleluia and Gospel Verses, and the Lenten Gospel Acclamations, and the Titles, Summaries, and Conclusion of all that is difficult, challenging, the Readings, from the Lectionary for Mass © 1997, 1981, 1968, International Committee on beautiful and true, you are with English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. us always and everywhere, in everything. All is Eucharist now. So give us, this day, the bread that is you. Fill our hungry hearts and minds with your love. And give life to all the world. So give us, this day, the bread that is you. Fill our hungry hearts and minds with your love. And give life to all the world. © 2021, Anne M. Osdieck
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time , Year B 1 August, 2021 SUPPORTING OUR PARISHES We thank those who continue to give to the Planned Giving through either Direct Deposit or Credit Card. You may also use the SUPPORT US tab (Annandale and Stanmore) on the parish website or scan the QR Code below. ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst.’ Matthew 28:16-20 The ethical and missionary implications of the Eucharist for If you use this and give currently to the weekly envelopes, the Church’s communion of faith will always be incomplete please include your envelope number so we can record while the poor go hungry, for “we cannot properly receive your giving. You may also donate to First and Second the Bread of Life without sharing bread for life with those in collection on this link. want”. Thank you for your ongoing and generous support. (Pedro Arrupe, “Address prior to Eucharistic Congress TAX RECEIPTS 1976”, The Portal to Jesuit Studies, accessed 23 April 2021, If you require a tax receipt for your Planned Giving https://jesuitportal.bc.edu/research/ and other various appeals donations during the last documents/1976_arrupeeucharist/.) www.plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/fantheflame/ financial year, please call or email the parish office. Thank You. PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS PRAYER REQUESTS Our dead - “Lord grant them eternal peace and Fr Matthew will be privately celebrating and offering joy and to their families and friends strength and masses on behalf of everyone in the parish. comfort.” If you would like Fr Matthew to offer specific prayers on Recently deceased: Irene Pascoa, Ross Black. behalf of you or family, you may email your prayer request to Anniversaries: Louis Nunes Da Silva, Antonio Severino, admin@stbrendan.org.au All requests will be included together at all masses celebrated. Teresa Sama, Federico Cabasal. Please remember that the faithful can keep holy their Sunday Our sick- “Lord, grant them and their carers strength and courage”. by setting aside some time for prayer at home, reading the John Emerald O’Brien . Scriptures of the day, watching Mass on television or online, and asking God for the graces they would normally receive in Holy Communion . ARE YOU LOOKING TO RETIRE AND RETAIN YOUR FAITH AT THE SAME TIME? Why not join Monsignor John Peoples Catholic Retirement Village at All Hallows Parish, Five Dock. Offering all the security and peace of mind of retirement living, provided to you in a pastorally rich Catholic community. A low maintenance, carefree lifestyle awaits you in an established community where neighbours soon become friends. Please call us – you will find something to fit your budget. Phone Robert on 0414 611 158 or Andrew on 0478 023 384 1-bedroom units currently available. O’Shea Management-Working with the Sydney Archdiocese for over 18 years to help you find your retirement village home. JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE WINTER APPEAL Each year Jesuit Refugee Service Australia serves more than 3,800 children, women and men who have been forced to flee their homes and need lifesaving support. This month an im- portant way to support these families is to donate to the JRS PLEASE CALL THE PARISH OFFICE IF THERE Winter Appeal. Find out more and how to donate here - https:// IS ANY WAY WE CAN BE OF ASSISTANCE ON aus.jrs.net/en/news/winter-appeal-2021-walk-with-men- 9550 3707 women-and-children-seeking-welcome-and-protection/. CONFIRMATION, FIRST EUCHARIST AND RECONCILIATION PROGRAMS For any enquiries please contact Kelley Daley : email: sacramental@stbrendan.org.au or mobile: 0409 220 877
ONLINE RESOURCES WEBSITE: The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney www.sydneycatholic.org. On the Home page banner for the latest Coronavirus Information click on More Details. It takes you to a page that has various links including one for Prayer Resources. SACRED SCRIPTURE Set aside a time each day to read the Bible by taking a book, such as one of the Gospels or the Psalms, and working your way through it together. Pause and reflect on the passage. Use Lectio Divina when reading a bible text – this is explained in Universalis (see below) and also on the Jamberoo Abbey website. THE ROSARY is a prayer that a family can easily recite together or can be said by those living alone. THE MASS Watch Mass online or on TV. There are a number of links. Search for: mass on tv Australia. APPS and PODCASTS: For those with access to a smart phone or a computer, the following Apps and Podcasts my help families and individuals to set aside time for prayer. The Examen is a daily reflection that aims to help us to review how God is present in the ordinary moments of life. It is done at the end of the day and is inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola. Search iTunes or other platforms for the following podcasts: The Examen with Fr James Martin SJ This 18 minute Podcast offers a guided reflection from the American Jesuits Universalis is an App that will give you the texts of the Mass of the day and the Liturgy of the Hours (Morning and Evening Prayer). It is available for Apple, Android and Windows. There is a small once only cost to buy the App. PRAYER: There are many different Websites and Apps that offer prayer and reflections. Some are Australian others are from other countries: Jamberoo Abbey, Benedictine Nuns in NSW - https://www.jamberooabbey.org.au/prayer Pray as you Go - https://pray-as-you-go.org/ (also an App) offers a daily Scripture reading and prayer The God Minute - https://www.thegodminute.org/ (also an App) invites us to pause for a minute during the day. Sacred Space - https://www.sacredspace.ie/ (also an App) comes from Ireland and offers a daily reflection and prayer in a range of languages. Children’s Resources - Catholic Mom – Catholic Gospel Activities: http://catholicmom.com/kids/catholicgospel-coloring-worksheets-sunday-mass/ https://sermons4kids.com/ Remember: •We are the Church. •Our home is a holy place. •Our table is a sacred gathering place. •Our family Bible is the word of God. •Our speech and actions shape the ‘domestic church’. •And, as parent, I am the first teacher of my child in faith. Catholic family .org ‘The Lord’s presence dwells in real and concrete families, with all their daily troubles and struggles, joys and hopes.’ (Pope Francis) A MESSAGE FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY Abuse is a crime. The appropriate people to deal with a crime are the police. If you – or anyone you know – have been abused, please contact the police. Alternatively, you can contact the Safeguarding and Ministerial Integrity Office at (02) 93905810 or safeguardingenquiries@sydneycatholic.org. You may also want to speak to your Parish Priest who will be able to provide support and guidance. The Archdiocese has a legal obligation to report crimes to the police.
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