Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 18th / 19th July 2020
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Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
18th / 19th July 2020
Parish Clergy
Fr Martin Cruickshank
Parish Office
Gemma Whitehead—Monday
Fran Kernaghan—Wednesday, Friday
9.00 am – 2.00 pm
Phone: 02 6025 1516
Email: sacredheartna@gmail.com
Web: http://sacredheartnorthalbury.com/
Mass at Sacred Heart North Albury
Join our virtual celebration of the Eucharist Today we hear how the Spirit of God dwells in all of us,
each Sunday while coronavirus restrictions helping us in our weakness. The first disciples had Jesus to explain
remain which is broadcast from Xavier High the parables; we have the Spirit to enlighten us. It is the Spirit who
School Chapel. helps us to interpret the teaching of Jesus and to be receptive to
Simply click on the YouTube link provided on the challenges that they pose.
our website. Will be available for your partic- The presence of sinners in the kingdom of God is often a
ipation by Saturday afternoon. Thanks to stumbling block to good people. There will be a time for separation
Nick Manning from the IT department at and judgment, but the time is not now. This means that the
Xavier, to Ed & Marg Brown. Prayer Re- righteous will have to live with the sinner and, even more
sources: Located on parish website under challengingly, show them the same kind of concern that they show
“Latest Newsletter”. to others. The presence of sinners does not necessarily erode the
From Liturgy Brisbane: The first document quality of the kingdom. Rather, it provides disciples an opportunity
contains the Sunday readings with associated to rise to the occasion of generosity and forgiveness.
commentaries and prayers. It is suggested There are two images of judgment in the readings. The one in
that families gather to read the scriptures the gospel is terrifying and decisive. The wicked are bound
aloud together. together into bundles and readied for burning. We must remember
The second resource is designed for families that this is a parable. In the first reading and in the psalm response
with young children. An extract from the the justice of God is said to be lenient, clement and kind. The
Sunday gospel is provided, along with some power of God is demonstrated not in retribution but in mercy. God
reflection questions, a family activity and a is said to be ‘merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in
worksheet for children. kindness and fidelity’, and repentance is a very real possibility. This
is the image that gives us hope. (Dianne Bergant CSA)
We pray for those who have gone before us Prayer for the Sick
marked with the sign of faith especially:
We pray for all those who are
RECENTLY DECEASED: Sr Kathleen Cudmore, Suzanne
sick. May they draw strength
Russell, Yvonne Cotter. and healing from God’s presence
ANNIVERSARIES: Patricia Matthews, Tarmen Emmett, Sr Elizabeth with them and from our
Mitchell, Noel Murphy, Trent Jones, Alf Croft, Jean Murphy, Sarah prayers and thoughts for them.
Walshe. Gather our loved ones into your arms. Quiet our doubt May they have peace in their
and anger and send us your healing grace. Through Christ our
hearts and know they are
The Weeds and the Wheat greatly loved by all.
Fr Richard Rohr We offer our prayers believing
Jesus uses a number of images that illustrate the tension between good that God’s presence and power
and evil. They seem to say this world is a mixture of different things, and
unless you learn how to see deeply, you don’t know which is which, and can do more than we can ever
you don’t notice that God allows both good and bad to grow in the same know. Amen
field (Matthew 13:24-30). When a student asks Jesus if he should pull out
the weeds, Jesus says to “let them both grow together until the har-
vest” (13:30). Then, at the end of time, God will decide what is wheat and Prayer during the Corona Virus
what is a weed. In a certain way, he saying it is none of our business to
fully figure it out. This is really quite risky of God-and it takes tremendous
courage on our part to trust God and ourselves here. Almighty and all-merciful God,
We are all a mixture of wees and wheat and we always will be. As Martin lover of the human race, healer of
Luther out it, we are simul Justus et peccator. We are simultaneously all our wounds, in whom there is no
saint and sinner. That’s the mystery of holding weeds and wheat together shadow of death, save us in this
in our one field of life. It takes a lot more patience, compassion, for- time of crisis;
giveness, and love than aiming for some illusory perfection that is usually grant wisdom and courage to our
blind to its own faults. Acknowledging both the wheat and weeds in us
keeps us from thinking too highly of ourselves and also from dismissing leaders; watch over all medical
ourselves as terrible. people as they tend the sick and
To avoid cynicism and negativity, you have to learn to accept and forgive work for a cure;
this mixed bag of reality that you are—and everyone else is, too. If you stir in us a sense of solidarity
don’t, you’ll likely become a very angry person. To accept the weeds beyond all isolation;
doesn’t mean that you say, “It’s okay to be ignorant and evil.” It means you if our doors are closed, let our
have some real wisdom about yourself. You can see your weeds and
acknowledge when you are not compassionate or caring. You have to hearts be open.
name the weed as a weed. I’m not perfect; you’re not perfect; the church is By the power of your love destroy
not perfect; America is not perfect. the virus of fear,
If we must have perfection to be happy with ourselves, we have only two that hope may never die
choices: We can blind ourselves to our own evil (and deny the weeds), or and the light of Easter, the triumph
we can give up in discouragement (and deny the wheat). It takes uncom- of life, may shine upon us and the
mon humility to carry both the dark and the light side of things. The only
true perfection available to humans is the honest acceptance of our imper- whole world.
fection. This is precisely what Divine Perfection can help us do; only God Through Jesus Christ, the Lord risen
in us can love imperfect and broken things. By ourselves, we largely fail. from the dead, who lives and reigns
Learning how to love—which is our life’s project—is quite simply learning for ever and ever. Amen.
to accept our messy reality. If you love anyone, then you have learned to
accept them despite their faults. You see a few things you’d like to change
Holy Mary, health of the sick, pray
in your partner, your children, yourself. By the Largeness of God within
you, you are able to trust that the good is deeper than the bad, and usually for us.
well hidden. This is probably why so many of Jesus’ parables are about St Joseph, guardian of us all, pray
hiddenness, seeking, and finding. for us.
A Thought for the Week ( Pope Francis):
‘The Kingdom grows mysteriously; its power is hidden in a small seed that is filled with victorious
vitality. When times are dark, we need to trust in God’s quiet but powerful action and remain an-
chored in God’s faithfulness, in his presence which always saves.”
PASTORAL PLANNED GIVING
Thanks for your ongoing support of our parish com-
munity in this regard. The parish is reliant on your
INSTALLATION OF BISHOP MARK EDWARDS generous monetary contributions to meet its financial
commitments and to engage in pastoral activities.
The installation of Bishop Mark Edwards as the sixth bishop of 2020/2021 planned giving envelopes (green) are
the diocese of Wagga Wagga will take place this Wednesday ready for collection at the church office. Your enve-
22 July in St Michael’s Cathedral at 11.00am. Continuing lope number may have changed due to more people
COVID-19 restrictions have limited the number of people who direct depositing. If you are not already contributing
can be in attendance. At this stage travel arrangements allow- to our parish community in this way and are able to
ing we will be represented by Ed Brown (Plenary Council Rep), do so please contact the parish office by email/phone
with the relevant details. Donations can also be made
Gavin Dykes (Secondary Principal Rep) and Justin Clancy (State
on a regular basis by direct debit. Details below. Due
Parliamentarian). I am aware of the gender disparity and to changes in taxation policy and our financial status
could have insisted that we send a specific parish representa- we have been advised that you will not be able to
tive but the logistics of numbers is already like fitting a square claim your contribution to the planned giving as a tax
peg in a round hole and to be pedantic would have simply deduction. Statements will still be provided for all
caused the organisers unnecessary stress. contributors on request.
However, the liturgical installation can be viewed online: SISTER KATHLEEN CUDMORE
www.thestreamingguys.com.au/
production/liturgical-reception/ Sister Kathleen Cudmore entered eternal life peacefully while
resident in Catherine McCauley House, Mercy Place on
or by scanning the QR square..
Wednesday evening 15 July. Kathleen or Kate as she was
Let us pray for Bishop Mark as he pre- known by many was an active and much valued member of
pares to lead our diocese at a very
Sacred Heart Parish Community for many years. I was fortu-
important time in the life of the Cath-
olic Church in Australia. nate to teach with Kathleen during the early 1980’s at Catho-
lic High School in Griffith (her home town). She was an ener-
getic and creative teacher. Her kind, gentle and compassion-
UPDATE ON CAPITAL WORKS & CHURCH MANINTENANCE
ate nature allowed both the ‘wheat and the weeds” to be
It would be my intention to resume weekend masses and the tolerated in the life of her students. She was always one to
weekday s NO later than the weekend of 8/9 August 2020. If affirm the goodness and uniqueness of others. Sr Kathleen
we can begin earlier this will be indicated through the news- was involved in the RCIA process at Sacred Heart and was Lyn
letter or by e-mail. The hold up continues to be with the instal- Hamilton’s sponsor as she journeyed into the life of the
lation of the heating system. One side of the church is now church. Thanks to Lyn and others who visited Kathleen,
complete and as you read this newsletter hopefully the carpet brought her to the celebration of eucharist, which she loved
on the other side has been relaid and the pews moved back and maintained a friendship with her as her health declined.
into place. On Monday the whole process will begin again on
the Swan Street side.Resumption of masses will need to com- In the God of Radical Mercy, Brian Pierce writes ‘We need the
fresh air of the Gospel, the breath of the Spirit of the Risen
ply with current COVID-19 restrictions on gathering sizes.
Christ, to rekindle it in people’s hearts. The Church is the
home where the doors are always open, not only because
Sacred Heart Bank Account for Parishioner Depositing everyone finds a welcome and is able to breathe in love and
Church Account Second Collection hope, but also because we can go out bearing this love and
Pays insurance and utility accounts. Covers all mainte- this hope. The Holy Spirit urges us to go beyond our own nar-
nance and pastoral/liturgical activities expenses. Inter-
row confines and he guides us to the outskirts of humanity.
net Transfer
Account Name: Sacred Heart North Albury Church Thank you Kathleen for being a bearer and a beacon of
Account Christ’s light to others.
BSB: 066-789; Account Number: 100005574
The funeral mass of thanksgiving for the life of Sr Kathleen
Description: Surname & Envelope or Planned Giving No.
Cudmore will be held this Friday 24 July in St Patrick’s Albury
at 11.00am. Because of COVID-19 restrictions on attendance
numbers if you wish to attend please contact Sr Kerry 0431
All music used in worship at Sacred Heart, 192 143 or e-mail: kerry.shoemark@mercy.org.au . The funer-
North Albury, is used with permission.
al will also be live streamed. Details available from Lester and
All rights reserved. One License No
A640613. Son 6040 5066 or BMM funeral notice.Sixteenth Sunday of the Year—Year A
A reading from the book of Wisdom 12:13, 16–19
There is no god, other than you, who cares for everything,
to whom you might have to prove that you never judged unjustly.
Your justice has its source in strength,
your sovereignty over all makes you lenient to all.
You show your strength when your sovereign power is questioned
and you expose the insolence of those who know it;
but, disposing of such strength, you are mild in judgement,
you govern us with great lenience,
for you have only to will, and your power is there.
By acting thus you have taught a lesson to your people
how the virtuous man must be kindly to his fellow men,
and you have given your sons the good hope
that after sin you will grant repentance.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 85:5–6, 9–10, 15–16
R. Lord, you are good and forgiving.
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Ro-
O Lord, you are good and forgiving,
mans 8:26–27
full of love to all who call.
The Spirit comes to help us in our weakness. For
Give heed, O Lord, to my prayer when we cannot choose words in order to pray
and attend to the sound of my voice. R. properly, the Spirit himself expresses our plea
in a way that could never be put into words,
All the nations shall come to adore you and God who knows everything in our hearts
and glorify your name, O Lord: knows perfectly well what he means, and that
the pleas of the saints expressed by the Spirit
for you are great and do marvellous deeds,
you who alone are God. R.
But you, God of mercy and compassion, Gospel Acclamation:
slow to anger, O Lord, Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessed are you, Father, Lord od heaven and earth: you
abounding in love and truth, have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.
turn and take pity on me. R. Alleluia!
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 13:24–43
Jesus put a parable before the crowds, ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed
good seed in his field. While everybody was asleep his enemy came, sowed darnel all among the wheat,
and made off. When the new wheat sprouted and ripened, the darnel appeared as well. The owner’s
servants went to him and said, “Sir, was it not good seed that you sowed in your field? If so, where does
the darnel come from?” “Some enemy has done this” he answered. And the servants said, “Do you want us
to go and weed it out?” But he said, “No, because when you weed out the darnel you might pull up the
wheat with it. Let them both grow till the harvest; and at harvest time I shall say to the reapers: First collect
the darnel and tie it in bundles to be burnt, then gather the wheat into my barn.”‘You can also read
