The Joyful Commission - August 2019

 

August | 2019

Monthly newsletter of the Catholic community in Orange District

the joyful COMMISSION

Starts in Orange Tuesday 3rd September www.alphaorange.org.au surrender discipleship mission

The Parish of St Mary & St Joseph is a healthy, growing Catholic community that worships God, welcomes the searcher, and invites people to a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. Members of our community surrender their life to Jesus through an experience of the Holy Spirit, commit to life-long discipleship, and joyfully accept the mission to go out and make disciples.

ALPHA COMMENCES SEPTEMBER

REPAIR & RENEWAL OF ST MARY’S

MINISTRIES RENEWAL

Testimonies and information about Alpha, which launches in Orange this September.

Second Phase of community consultation begins with the opportunity to offer feedback on proposals.

The Eucharist and formation for Extraordinary Ministers of Communion at Mass commencing this August.

MASS OFFERINGS & PRIVACY Guidelines on requesting Masses be offered and names to be published in the Parish Overview. Why are they different processes?

A Wo r d f r o m t h e P a s t o r

Yielding the Fruit Fr Greg Bellamy Parish Priest

”I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.”

Lev 26:4 Dedicate August to Prayer Unquestionably, we are living through an incredibly difficult time of drought. The toll it is taking is severe. This toll is often measured in terms of loss of production and costs associated with just keeping things going. But the story that these measures fail to communicate is the effect of the drought on real people: farming families, local communities, individuals who spend sleepless nights worrying about getting through the next day. The burden that many people are under right now is heavy indeed.

I would like to invite the entire Catholic community in Orange District to dedicate August to prayer for an end to the drought. Please make the personal commitment to pray daily as an individual, family, school, or Church community for drought-breaking rain so that the land will once again yield its fruit. You may like to pray the following prayer that was published in Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green’s Pastoral Letter on the drought: God our Father, You created our earth to nourish us and give us life and Jesus told us to ask and it will be given to us. We ask now in Faith, Hope and Love that you look with favour on our drought stricken land; our starving animals and failing produce.

Sustain, strengthen and give new heart to our farmers and all those affected by this drought. In your loving providence send abundant rain soon and renew the faith of your people and the face of our land.

We make this prayer with many, through Jesus Christ who gives new life to all living things. Amen Our Lady of Perpetual Help - Pray for us St Mary of the Cross Mackillop - Pray for us Launch of Alpha Over the last couple of months Alpha has been run with a group of parishioners who were invited to consider becoming our first group of Alpha leaders. Many of the Catherine McAuley staff have likewise participated in Alpha recently. Our youth group, Elevate, will also be running the Alpha youth series very soon. We are very excited that the time has come to launch Alpha publicly in our parish.

Alpha is a way to reach out to those who are searching and asking questions about life and faith. It a tool which aims to create a space where people can feel accepted and not judged: a space in which they can ask honest questions. The central purpose of the Church is to make disciples, that is, to be on outward-focused mission. In a profound sense, the Church exists for the people not already in the pews, whilst also forming and supporting the people already in the pews to become true missionary disciples.

Registrations are open during August for the first season of Alpha, which will commence in September on Tuesday evenings. There will only be a limited number of places.

In this edition of our monthly magazine The Joyful Commission you will find information and testimonies about Alpha and how you can register. I invite you to consider coming along, but even better, I invite you to do the inviting! Why not invite someone else along with you and give it a go?

While we pray for an end to the drought, so the land may once more yield its fruit, let’s also pray that our parish will also yield the fruit of changed lives: people encountering Jesus Christ, being transformed by the experience, and deciding to dedicate their lives to following Jesus as missionary disciples.

St Mary’s Church I am very grateful to the many people who submitted suggestions last month for St Mary’s Church repair and renewal. I am likewise thankful to the Parish Finance Council and the parishioners who accepted the invitation to form a St Mary’s Renewal Committee. Both of these bodies have been working hard to develop a proposed project that is bold and optimistic, that sets out to meet future needs, and addresses the major concerns and ideas that parishioners have submitted.

In this edition of our magazine you will find information about the proposed project. Information is likewise displayed in the body of St Mary’s church itself. This is a proposal only. We now enter the second phase of consultation with you having the opportunity to submit constructive comments and suggestions over the next two weekends. If you have something helpful to say, whether a word of encouragement or of concern, please do so: we do want to hear from you.

May God bless our parish and bless it with new vigour and zeal for mission.

What’s Happening?

Solemnity of St Mary of the Cross (Mackillop) Thursday 8th August Combined St Joseph’s Molong and Manildra Full School Mass 9.30am at Molong Parish Mass 9.30am at St Joseph’s Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven - Thursday 15th August Vigil Mass (14th August) 6pm at Molong James Sheahan Full School Mass 9.10am at Mercy Hall St Mary’s Full School Mass 9.30am at St Mary’s Church Catherine McAuley Full School Mass 9.30am at St Joseph’s Cherrywood Grove Mass 11.00am at Cherrywood Combined St Joseph’s Molong & Manildra Full School Mass 11.30am at Manildra Parish Mass 5.45pm at St Joseph’s Sacrament of Confirmation Orange City Masses on Weekend of 17/18 August Mullion Creek and Molong Masses on Weekend 24/25 August Cargo Mass on 14th September Formation Sessions for Extraordinary Ministers of Communion (who distribute during Mass) 1.00-3.00pm Sunday 25th August at Kenna Hall Meeting Room 9.30-11.30am Monday 26th August at Kenna Hall Meeting Room 7.00-9.00pm Thursday 29th August at Kenna Hall Meeting Room Diocesan Pastoral Council Assembly 23/24 August in Wellington Feast Day of Mother Teresa 10.30am Mass followed by refreshments Saturday 7th September at St Joseph’s St Mary’s Patronal Feast Day 9.30am Mass, procession and celebrations Sunday 8th September at St Mary’s

Someone is Forgotten A message from the Bishop Dear Friends in Christ, You would be aware, from media reports, that there is an attempt underway to push through abortion legislation in our State Parliament without adequate consideration of its consequences. I salute those Members of Parliament who are resisting this attempt; and encourage you to support them.

Those who propose the legislation are no doubt sincere in their arguments. However, as so often in this debate, someone is forgotten. That is the human being: unborn, but human, who has no rights when her or his life or death is being decided.

Also forgotten are those medical professionals who would conscientiously oppose such procedures, from whom the law could withdraw protection.

And thoroughly forgotten are the mothers faced with difficult circumstances in their pregnancies, for whom, instead of genuine care, only the bleak option of a termination is offered.

Whatever the outcome of the political debate, we cannot be silent in the face of what is being attempted.

Lord, have mercy on us. +Michael McKenna Bishop of Bathurst

What is Alpha like?

“Great for my soul” Monique Dunn

Over the last term I have been lucky enough to experience Alpha. At first I was a little bit dubious. What was this program all about? Will I be judged? Will my beliefs and values be challenged? Well, what I found out is that I don’t really want this program to end!

I go along to Alpha once a week. The people involved share a casual meal together and then we watch a twenty to thirty minute video clip. We then discuss this clip and what it means to us by using a series of questions to get the conversation flowing. We ask questions too, to clarify our own understandings.

I have found this experience to be one of great value to my own spiritual development. I have been challenged, but in a good way. I’ve been challenged to think about Jesus, God and my faith on a deeper level. I’ve been able to clarify and confirm some of my beliefs, which has enabled me to feel closer to God. At some times in my life, things have happened and I have found myself doubting my faith. Alpha has taught me that this is natural. Every person can question their

faith at various times in their lives. But through Alpha, I have realised that this doubting has helped my faith become stronger. In no way have I felt judged. I now feel that I have a special relationship with not only God, but the people in my Alpha group too. We have gotten to know each other on a deeper level, in an environment that is non-confrontational and non-judgemental.

I am really enjoying my Alpha experience. Just like I try to look after my physical health, this is my way of looking after my spiritual health, and I would recommend this program to everyone.

Many children are preparing for the next step in their faith journey by receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. What a perfect time to walk alongside them on our own faith journey by joining Alpha! Our parish is extremely lucky in the fact that it is offering us the chance to take this journey with them again, starting in September.

Alpha has been great for my soul! I’d love it to be great for your soul too!

What happens at Alpha?

Everyone has questions We believe that everyone should have the chance to explore the Christian faith, ask questions and share their point of view; wherever they are in the world.

What is Alpha?

Alpha is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith.

Each talk looks at a different question around faith and is designed to create conversation. Alpha is run all around the globe, and everyone is welcome. It runs in cafés, churches, universities, homes—you name it. No two Alphas look the same, but generally they have three key things in common: food, a talk and good conversation.

First up there’s food Whether it's a group of friends gathered around a kitchen table, or a quick catch up over coffee and cake, food has a way of bringing people together. It's no different at Alpha.

Most sessions start with food because it's a great way to build community and get to know each other.

Then a talk The talks are designed to engage and inspire conversation. Usually around thirty minutes long and delivered over about eleven weeks, they can be given as a live talk or played as a video. They explore the big issues around faith and unpack the basics of Christianity, addressing questions from Who is Jesus? and How can we have faith? to Why and how do I pray? and How does God guide us?

Followed by discussion Probably the most important part of any Alpha: the chance to share thoughts and ideas on the topic, and simply discuss it in a small group. There's no obligation to say anything and there's nothing you can't say (seriously). It's an opportunity to hear from others and contribute your own perspective in an honest, friendly and open environment.

What are Catholic leaders saying about Alpha?

Archbishop Mark Coleridge Archbishop of Brisbane ‘For many years now and in various parts of the world, Alpha has shown itself powerful in bringing faith alive in all kinds of people. Its focus is on Jesus, its method is simple and its appeal is wideranging. It is also well adapted for use in Catholic communities looking to provide the kind of ignition we need if we are to become a more missionary Church.’

Archbishop Octavio Ruiz Secretary for the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelisation

Register

‘Alpha, which I have had the opportunity to attend … is a providential tool because it precisely tries to reach out to those who are far from the Church, who are indifferent to the faith. By means of a very simple and humane tool based on fraternity and friendship, Christ is introduced to them and enters little by little into their hearts…’

Alpha launches on Tuesday 3rd September at 6pm in Kenna Hall. Alpha is designed to bring new people to the parish and works by invitation: we invite our friends to come with us to Alpha.

Cardinal Christoph Schönborn Archbishop of Vienna ‘Alpha is for meeting Jesus. What I like in all that I have seen and heard about Alpha is the simplicity.

For me, the Christian life has something to do with simplicity, friendship, closeness and joy. That’s what I feel about Alpha and I think that’s a sign that it works and that it’s given from the Lord.’

Cardinal Mark Ouellet Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America ‘Alpha brings people closer and helps them to find that power which unites. The Alpha experience is not only a means through which one finds true life, but also a way to share the good news of the Living Christ.’

Archbishop Allen Vigneron Archbishop of Detroit ‘Many parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit have found Alpha a great tool for helping men and women hear the initial proclamation of the gospel. I am pleased that our use of Alpha with the archdiocesan staff has invited a recommitment to the basic truths of the Gospel.’

Asking friends to come to Alpha can be a bit daunting and an invitation card can help. There are postcards available in the church that you can give to your friends when you ask.

Registrations are now open. Places are limited and you will receive an email when your placement is confirmed. Register at:

www.alphaorange.org.au

Repairing and Renewing

St Mary’s Church Second Phase of Consultation

More than a Building

Scope of Repairs

Renewal of Existing Building

Church buildings are more than just brick and mortar. They are the place where the Church itself gathers to worship God. It is the place where the Church is most visibly itself.

The parish has identified the following repair work which must be undertaken as part of the renewal project:

The consultative process with key stakeholders and the first phase of community consultation resulted in a number of priorities for the reconfiguration of the existing building to better serve the community. These were examined by the Renewal Committee and the following proposals resulted:

The church building should be noble and so inspire the people to prayer. It should also be practical, helping the community to gather and worship God. It should also reflect the mission of the local parish community.

An Opportunity After 30 years of service St Mary’s church needs some significant repairs. They will require the closure of the building for some time. Since this sort of extensive work only needs to take place once every 30-50 years, this is an opportunity to also develop the building to meet the needs of the community as we embrace the call to mission and renewal.

A goal for 2019 is to bring St Mary’s church up to the best standard possible before we shift our attention to St Joseph’s church in 2020. From next year there will be a major focus on the restoration of St Joseph’s. This project will no doubt take several years and will be very involved. Part of that restoration project will inevitably be the closure of St Joseph’s for an unknown length of time, perhaps in 2020 or the following year. During that period, the entire community in Orange City will need to gather and worship at St Mary’s.

- Replacement of carpet throughout the entire church.

New carpet will be carpet squares so damaged sections can be easily removed in the future. Carpet in the main aisle will be a different colour than the rest of the nave.

- Repairs to windows, including replacement of perished beading and replacement of broken electronic opening and closing system. Provision of shading for western windows. Provision of a system to remove condensation on skylights above the sanctuary.

Repainting of window frames.

(Minor repairs to stained glass windows will be undertaken at a later date, after the windows at St Joseph’s are restored).

- Repairs to rear concertina doors that have been immovable for some time.

- Upgrade lighting to LED, both internal and external security lights.

- Upgrade sound system.

- Repairs to all site drainage.

- Repairs to roof to address leakage.

- Repair and renewal of toilets.

- Repair of two front doors.

- Repair of cracked paving outside church.

- Redevelopment of music area.

The music corner is congested and serves as baptistry, music area, and parents room in one space. Proposal: to remove the current parents room, which seems to be under-utilised, and open-up the entire space. This includes the removal of the wall that is currently behind the organ (it is not load-bearing). This entire space will be dedicated to musicians.

- Baptistry. St Mary’s has no dedicated space for a baptistry.

The font is currently off to the side and is not a major focus. It is an obstacle for musicians. Proposal: redevelopment of side-chapel in which the Tabernacle is currently located, to become a baptistry.

The font will be moved to this side and the Paschal Candle will be permanently located near the font.

The floor will be raised to the same level as the section on which the Tabernacle is presently located. The statue of Our Lady will be given a more prominent position within the baptistry area.

Provision will be made to store the holy oils in the baptistry. The tabernacle will be relocated to the centre of the sanctuary behind the main Altar.

- Sacristies. Currently the church has three sacristies: the priest’s sacristy at the entrance to the church, the altar servers’ sacristy which doubles as a kitchen, also at the entrance to the church, and the work sacristy, located behind the sanctuary. Proposal: redevelop the work sacristy, including the provision of heating and a proper safe, so that all books, supplies, and sacred vessels necessary for the liturgy can be located near the sanctuary. This is the sacristy out of which the sacristan will prepare everything for Mass. Reduce the priest’s sacristy to a smaller area, dedicated exclusively to providing a space for the priest to vest and spiritually prepare for Mass in a place of quiet.

- Altar Servers. At present the altar servers vest in a space that is enclosed and through which adults pass unobserved. This does not provide adequate safety to adults or children. Proposal: the old confessional at the rear of St Mary’s will have its entrance doubled in width so the room will have a wall facing into the main body of the church which is almost entirely transparent glass, including a transparent glass door.

Improved lighting will be installed in the room.

The altar server area will be totally visible and any people, adults or minors, entering and leaving the room can be clearly seen and all activity within the room can be clearly seen.

Gathering Space The second aspect of the suggestions is the development of a new space at St Mary’s. A significant number of suggestions covered topics relating to gathering, socialising, and building community: - There is nowhere to gather before or after Mass that is out of the weather. How can we build community and hospitality without a warm internal space for conversation and for eating and drinking?

- Likewise, it would be good for mourners to have somewhere warm to stand after a funeral.

- Children’s liturgy is too far away from the main body of the church and parents. They have to go outside during winter. They are sometimes late returning because the teachers aren’t sure where Mass is up to.

- There is no space for welcoming people, for giving out information, or for allowing people to browse brochures and other information about the parish or the Catholic faith.

- There is no space for having meetings or other gatherings at St Mary’s. Would it be possible to have Alpha or discipleship groups at St Mary’s in the future? continued next page …

St Mary’s: Process of Project Development

Late 2018 - Assessment of needed repairs with Parish Operations Manager and tradespeople - Meetings with individual representatives of stakeholders, e.g. musicians, sacristans, children’s liturgy, school, etc.

Early 2019 - Advice from Finance Council to progress Confessional urgently. Confessional project subsequently completed - Initial meetings with Diocesan Property Services and local architect - Initial discussion with Parish Finance Council and parish staff regarding possible scope and direction of a project to repair and renew St Mary’s church June 2019 - Parish consultation first phase: community invited to share suggestions and ideas in writing concerning future vision for the building July 2019 - Video presentation to parish community noting just some of the suggestions and concerns raised - Publication of summary of suggestions and concerns in the parish magazine - Formation of St Mary’s Renewal Committee and discussion of suggestions, priorities, possible scope of works etc.

- Discussion of possible project with Finance Council, with particular focus on financing.

- Discussion of possible project with parish staff, with particular focus on future vision for the parish.

- Meetings with architect and Diocesan Property Services August 2019 - Parish consultation second phase: proposed project published in magazine and displayed in the church.

Community invited to share constructive feedback.

- Formulation of final proposed project with St Mary’s Renewal Committee and parish staff, seeking recommendation from Parish Finance Council, and seeking of approval from Diocesan Trustees for the project to proceed.

- Communication of finalised project to the community, including timeline for work.

September 2019 - Anticipated closure of St Mary’s for works to commence

By far, the most ambitious aspect of the proposed redevelopment of St Mary’s is the provision of a gathering space and some facilities attached to the space. You can see architectural plans and artist’s impressions in this magazine. The proposed project includes a number of features: - Enclosing the porte cochere (outside porch area) in glass and carpeting of the floor. Large entrance doors are located where the current driveways meet the porch. Smaller doors are located on either side next to the existing external walls of the church.

The Second Phase of Consultation The first half of August is devoted to the second phase of community consultation. Now concrete plans have been proposed, you are invited to give feedback. In both churches there are feedback forms and boxes into which they can be placed. They are located in the entrance foyer at St Mary’s and the Cross aisle of St Joseph’s. You are invited to respond to the following three questions: What is your favourite part of the proposed plan for St Mary’s?

- On the St Mary’s School side, the driveway becomes a paved walkway.

What can be improved in the proposed plan for St Mary’s?

- On the Croagh Patrick side, the driveway is widened. Next to the church, a paved turning circle and elderly/disabled drop-off area allows easy access to the church. Hearses and wedding cars are able to easily turn and back into the opened main doors on the Croagh Patrick side. The external statue of Our Lady is relocated to another suitable place in the grounds.

What is missing from the proposed plan for St Mary’s?

- Storage space and benches are provided at the front of the gathering space. This gathering space is suitable for children’s liturgy and is also a general space for gathering with tables and chairs.

- The existing kitchenette is redeveloped with a large window into the gathering space so tea and coffee can be served.

- Half of the current priests’ sacristy is redeveloped into a welcome centre (currently labelled ‘piety shop’ on plans), from which resources can be made available and people welcomed to Mass.

- All brochures and other materials currently in the entrance foyer are relocated into the welcome centre.

- Screens and sound system are provided in the gathering space for spill-over when large crowds gather. E.g. Christmas, Easter, large funerals, etc.

- The entrance foyer and gathering space also serve as a parents room.

- The cottage is used as a space for storage of extra tables and chairs and other items not used on a weekly basis.

So, how can I participate in this project?

We welcome contributions that are constructive and thoughtful. We invite you to write your name and contact details on your feedback so we can contact you. Forms that are discourteous will not be read.

The second phase of consultation concludes after the Masses on the weekend of 17/18 August.

After 17/18 August, the St Mary’s Renewal Committee will meet again to discuss feedback and the finalised project will be presented to the Parish Finance Council, which will advise the Parish Priest whether to proceed with the project. It is anticipated that St Mary’s church will close for works mid-September.

Below you can find a proposed floor plan of the redeveloped entrance to St Mary’s. Some specific details are still being worked-out, including whether a unisex toilet in this space is viable. The spaces labelled ‘servery’ and ‘piety shop’ include large windows opening onto the gathering space for hospitality. There are four external entrances to the area: two large doors at the top of the current driveways and two smaller doors leading onto new paths.

Proposed Floor Plan

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shading indicates Affected Works Area

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Thank you to everyone who have contributed to progressing the project thus far, in particular the Finance Council and St Mary’s Renewal Committee.

ST. MARY'S CHURCH

CONCEPT DESIG

Parish Finance Council Thank you to all the members of the St Mary’s community in various ministries GATHERING that met individually Chris Dwyer, Bill Kelly, Frances Young, Dizzy May, Pat AREA PARK STREET, ORANGE NSW with Fr Greg to give advice in 2018 and thank you to McDonald, Paul Dowler, Bill Gillooly, & Tim Collins PART FLOOR PLAN Catholic Diocese of Bathurst all the parishioners who submitted suggestions last St Mary’s Renewal Committee month.

Glen Corben, Margaret Wendelin, Dizzy May, Frances Thank you to the architect, tradespeople, and Young, Chris Dwyer, Bill Gillooly, Amy Sullivan, & representatives from the Diocese who have Michael O’Mara contributed to the project development so far.

What we believe

The Eucharist Amy Sullivan Director of Ministries

In June 2018, the Bishops Committee for Liturgy (BCL) released “Guidelines on Reverent Reception of Holy Communion”. The Archdiocese of Melbourne also released guidelines for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Mass, which supplements the BCL guidelines. These documents provide a starting point to look at why the Eucharist is so important, and why the way we receive the Eucharist reflects our reverence and respect for this great gift of Jesus Christ.

At every Mass, we see our humanity and God’s divinity meet as both Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross and Last Supper are made present on the altar in the Eucharist.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes the Eucharist as “the source and summit of the Christian life.” In the sacrament of the Eucharist (Greek for ‘thanksgiving’), we receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus under the appearance of bread and wine. The Eucharist is not just a symbol - it is truly Jesus, given so we can share in the life of God. It is our greatest treasure and should be received with love.

How does this work? The Church teaches us that after the bread and wine are consecrated by the priest at Mass, what still looks and tastes like bread and wine has been transformed into Christ’s Body and Blood (known as ‘transubstantiation’). The bread and wine still looks like bread and wine, but there

has been a change to their underlying substance: Jesus is truly present ‘beneath the surface’, hidden from our earthly eyes. The Church teaches that Jesus is fully present in both the body and blood. We do not receive Jesus more if we receive both species, so you can receive either or both and be in Communion and share the grace of the sacrament.

How do we receive this sacrament with love? We prepare ourselves by confessing our serious sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and by fasting for one hour prior to receiving Communion. We also prepare by taking part in the Penitential Rite at the start of Mass to cleanse us of our smaller sins. It is also important to show reverence by the way we receive the sacrament. https://bustedhalo.com/video/ eucharist gives a great summary of the do’s and don’ts of receiving Communion.

One of the don’ts that is not covered by the Busted Halo video is self-intinction.

This is the practice of communicants dipping the host into the chalice. The Church does not allow this practice, as it contradicts Jesus’ instruction to ‘take and drink’ the chalice. While it is possible for the priest to intinct the host and present it to communicants to receive on the tongue in some circumstances, it is never possible for communicants to intinct the host themselves.

Do you want to know more? https://bustedhalo.com/video/sacraments-201eucharist-what-we-believe summarises key beliefs in relation to the Eucharist.

Why do we have “Extraordinary” Ministers of Holy Communion?

adapted to both St Mary’s and St Joseph’s churches.

The ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are priests, bishops and deacons by virtue of their ordination. The Church allows lay people to be deputed to provide Communion when ordinary ministers are not available, or if the Communion procession would take too long. At each church there are a number of extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion; if there are additional priests and/or the bishop or deacons, fewer extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are required. The Church is very careful to ensure the distinction between ordinary and extraordinary ministers, so that the special role of the priest is separate from that of the laity.

In order to implement the trial, all new and current Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion will need to attend two training sessions: a large group session where we discuss the theology of the Eucharist and the rationale for the proposed changes; and a small group session where we practice the changes. Large group sessions will be held at Kenna Hall on:

Three month trial for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion In conversations with a few of the current Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC), many have said that they haven’t received training for years. There are also a number of different practices that have been passed along throughout the years, which has resulted in inconsistencies within and between Masses.

The pending closure of St Mary’s for renovation means there is a need for training sessions for the St Mary’s EMHCs so they can become familiar with their new ministry space.

There are also a number of new people seeking to undertake this ministry. Considering this, it seemed like a good time to trial consistent practices for all EMHCs that can be

•Sunday 25 August, 1:00pm to 3:00pm •Monday 26 August, 9:30am to 11:30am •Thursday 29 August, 7:00pm to 9:00pm Sign up sheets for the large group sessions are available in the foyer at St Mary’s and the cross aisle at St Joseph’s. Please sign up to a session so we know numbers for materials, seating and catering. If you have dietary requirements, please email ministries.orange@cdob.org.au.

If you are unable to attend one of the scheduled large group sessions, please let me know and we can schedule an additional session (indicate if a weekday, weeknight or weekend is preferable). Small group sessions will commence from 2 September (specific dates and times to be confirmed).

The Eucharist is such an important part of our faith. Thank you to all those that undertake the ministry of Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and welcome to those that have indicated they would like to be part of this ministry.

Nominations for Parish Representatives

Diocesan Pastoral Council Orange Parish is receiving nominations for two positions as parish representatives on the Diocesan Pastoral Council

What is the Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC)?

The Diocesan Pastoral Council is an advisory body to Bishop McKenna on pastoral matters, aiming to improve and ensure the sustainability of the Diocese's future. Its six workgroups, established by the Bishop, are: Hearing and Proclaiming the Word of God; Worshipping God in Prayer and Sacrament; Building a Community of Love and Service; Participation of Indigenous C a t h o l i c s ; P a r t i c i p a t i o n o f Yo u n g Catholics; and The Domestic Church: Marriage and Families.

These six groups work together to progress matters in our Diocese that concern each particular apostolate and each reports to the Bishop. Each group has a Convenor and these six people meet regularly with the Bishop and ex-officio members, forming a Steering Committee. The Diocesan Assembly is the annual gathering of all members of the DPC; with the real work of the Council happening in the workgroups during the year.

Call for Nominations Orange Parish thanks Chris Derwin and Amy Sullivan who have been our parish representatives and whose terms of appointment are coming to an end. Thank you also to Jacky Parmeter and Helen Evans who are the continuing representatives for Molong Parish.

The Orange Parish is calling for nominations to fill two vacancies on the Council (one male and one female). You may nominate yourself or another person. Please include a brief statement on why that person would make a good parish representative on the DPC. Nominations should be emailed to office.orange@cdob.org.au by Monday 19 August 2019. For any questions regarding the Council, please call Amy Sullivan on 6362 2378.

Ministries Update During July, 15 new and current readers and commentators attended training sessions. This was a great opportunity to get together, workshop a reading and go through the movements the readers and commentators undertake during the Mass. If you missed out on the training session and would like another session to be held, please email ministries.orange@cdob.org.au and we can arrange another session.

There are readers and commentators procedures documents now available - please come to the Parish Office to collect your copy. Did you know: that if you are a reader or commentator the readings for the following week are available in the cross aisle at St Joseph’s or the foyer at St Mary’s? Pick up your copy to prepare.

Symbolon has started, with sessions held every Wednesday evening at 7:00pm at Kenna Hall. During the first two weeks we have learnt about the Trinity, and how God has lovingly unveiled himself to us through Divine Revelation. Week 3 (7 August) is all about how God speaks to us through the Bible. It is not too late to be involved - come to Kenna Hall on Wednesday to learn more about our faith!

Thank you to all those that have nominated to be part of ministry in our parish. The response has been good, and training is available for all roles. However, we do still have a number of opportunities for people to be involved in ministry. Is God calling you to use your gifts to serve Him and your community?

St Mary’s Saturday Vigil: 2 commentators, 5 extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion St Joseph’s 8:00am: sacristans, 4 extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion St Mary’s 9:30am: 2 sacristans, 1 reader, 3 extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion St Joseph’s evening: 2 commentators, 8 extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion Weekdays: sacristans, commentators, readers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion Please complete a ministries expression of interest form (available at the cross aisle at St Joseph’s or the foyer at St Mary’s) and place into one of the collections, email ministries.orange@cdob.org.au or come to the extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion training in August. There is no time like now to answer God’s call to ministry!

Claim the date

St Mary’s Patronal Feast Day 2019 9.30am Sunday 8th September at St Mary’s Mass - Procession & Rosary - Food, Face Painting, Fun Why not invite a friend to come along?

Congratulations to Deacon Dong and Deacon Karl Congratulations to Deacon Dong Van Nguyen and Deacon Karl Sinclair who were ordained at the Cathedral in Bathurst on Friday 19th July. Ordination to the diaconate is the last step before ordination to the priesthood.

Deacon Dong will serve in Lithgow and Deacon Karl will serve in Mudgee. Please pray for these two men as they serve the Diocese as deacons and prepare for ordination to the priesthood.

Requesting Masses & Publishing Prayer Intentions The privacy of sick persons and bereaved families is respected by the Parish. There have been instances of well-meaning people requesting to publish names and intentions in The Parish Overview without the consent of the person concerned or their guardian or their next-of-kin, and this has caused distress. The Parish cannot publish any names without express consent from the person concerned or their guardian or their next-of-kin. If you would like a name published in The Parish Overview, the request must be made on the official form, on which you declare that you have obtained the necessary consent.

Requesting a Mass be offered for a specific intention by a priest is a longstanding part of Catholic Tradition.

The intention may be for the repose of the soul(s) of the faithful departed, for a sick person, or for any other good intention. A Mass intention request is entirely private. Only you and the priest who offers the Mass will know the intention. It is customary to make a financial offering for the Mass, which you determine. The recommendation in Australia is $10, but it is up to you: this is not a commercial exchange.

Mass Intentions are private and are not published in The Parish Overview. If you would also like the Mass intention to be published you will need to give the Parish written instruction on the official ‘Publication Request Form’. Mass Intention Envelopes and ‘Publication Request Forms’ are available in all the churches and may be dropped in the collection or into the Parish Office.

Requests for Mass to be Offered

“I would like a Mass to be offered” 1. Write your intention on a ‘Mass Intention’ envelope.

2. Seal your offering within the envelope.

3. If you are requesting more than one Mass, please clearly indicate this on the envelope.

4. Place the envelope in one of the collections at Mass or drop it into the Parish Office.

5. Mass will be offered for your private intention, but it will not be published. If you would also like your intention published so the whole parish can join you in prayer, fill in a ‘Request for Publication’ form.

- Your Mass will be offered by one of the priests. Priests may only offer one intention per day. Since there are more Mass requests than the Orange priests can offer, the extra Masses are sent to religious orders for their priests to offer.

- Mass offerings (the money you put in the envelope) will go to the priest who offers Mass for your intention, not to the Parish.

Requests for Publication “I would like to publish a name” 1. Seek consent to publish the name. You must speak to the person concerned or their guardian or their next-of-kin to gain consent for publication, unless you yourself can give consent.

2. Complete a Parish ‘Request for Publication’ form. By completing the form, you testify that you have the necessary consent.

3. Drop the form into one of the collections at Mass or drop it into the Parish Office.

- You may request publication over multiple weeks (up to 8 weeks).

- You may submit the form multiple times if you would like the name to continue to appear in The Parish Overview.

- You do not have to request a Mass to have a name published.

- A Mass Intention does not result in a name being published. You must fill out the ‘Request for Publication’ form.

- There is no cost for publishing names in The Parish Overview.

Thank you for your support last year

Parish Finances

2018/19 Special Collections

4th Quarter 2018/19

The Parish of the Sacred Heart & St Lawrence O’Toole, Molong Nov. 2018 Vinnies Christmas Appeal - $355.00 Sept. 2018 Fathers’ Day Apeal - $308.70 Oct. 2018 World Mission Day - $338.95 Dec. 2018 Bishop’s Mission Appeal - $606.35 Mar. 2019 Caritas - Parish - $298.00 Apr. 2019 Good Friday - Holy Places - $20.00 May 2019 Military Ordinariate - $0 May 2019 Good Shepherd Sunday - $310.35 June 2019 Vinnies Winter Appeal - $210.00 June 2019 Peter’s Pence - $170.00 Total for 2018/19 - $2,617.35

The Parish of St Mary & St Joseph, Orange Nov. 2018 Vinnies Christmas Appeal - $5,450.00 Sept. 2018 Fathers’ Day Appeal - $3,059.95 Oct. 2018 World Mission Day - $2,157.50 Dec. 2018 Bishop’s Mission Appeal $17,507.90 Mar. 2019 Caritas - Parish - $5,000.65 Caritas - James Sheahan - $972.40 Caritas - St Mary’s - $750.00 Caritas - McAuley - $2,110.00 Apr. 2019 Good Friday - Holy Places - $2,567.10 May 2019 Military Ordinariate - $1,100.00 May 2019 Good Shepherd Sunday - $3,059.95 June 2019 Vinnies Winter Appeal - $3,900.00 June 2019 Peter’s Pence - $1,690.35 Total for 2018/19 - $49,325.80

The Parish of the Sacred Heart & St Lawrence O’Toole, Molong Income Planned Giving Income: $9,683 Investment Income: $926

Total Income: $10,609 Expenditure Administration Costs: $180 Repairs & Maintenance (including Molong Presbytery): $8,075 Utilities: $1,222 Diocesan Levies: $2,659 Insurance: $2,971

Total Expenditure: $15,107 Operating Surplus/Deficit: ($4,498) The Parish of St Mary & St Joseph, Orange Income Planned Giving Income: $78,644 Investment Income: $36,641 Other Income: $13,843

Total Income: $129,128 Expenditure Administration Costs: $12,056 Pastoral Costs: $6,515 Repairs & Maintenance (including St Mary’s Confessional and minor repairs at St Joseph’s): $64,330 Utilities: $7,277 Employment Costs: $91,646 Diocesan Levies: $10,521 Other Expenses: $22,145

Total Expenditure: $214,490 Operating Surplus/Deficit: ($85,362)

Our Catholic Community The Parish of St Mary & St Joseph, Orange The Parish of the Sacred Heart & St Lawrence O’Toole, Molong Mass Centres: St Mary’s (Orange), St Joseph’s (Orange), Sacred Heart & St Lawrence O’Toole (Molong), St Michael's (Manildra), St Brendan’s (Mullion Creek), St Patrick’s (Cargo), St Columbanus’ (Cudal)

Orange City Weekend Masses Saturday 5.00pm (6.00pm during Daylight Savings) St Mary’s Sunday 8.00am St Joseph’s 9.30am St Mary’s 5.00pm (6.00pm during Daylight Savings) St Joseph’s Orange City Weekday Masses Monday 5.45pm St Mary’s Tuesday 9.30am St Mary’s

Orange District Weekend Masses Saturday 9.00am Cargo (Sunday Liturgy) 5.00pm (6.00pm during Daylight Savings) Manildra Sunday 8.00am Mullion Creek 8.00am Cudal 9.30am Molong Orange District Weekday Masses Wednesday 9.15am Mass at Molong Orange District Confessions

Wednesday 5.45pm St Joseph’s

Wednesday 9.45 -10.15am Molong Saturday 4.40-4.55pm (5.40-5.55pm Daylight Savings) Manildra

Thursday 9.30am St Joseph’s

Nursing Home Masses

Friday 5.45pm St Joseph’s

11.00am on 1st Tuesday of the month St Francis Aged Care

Orange City Eucharistic Adoration Monday 5.00-5.40pm St Mary’s Wednesday 5.00-5.40pm St Joseph’s Thursday Holy Hour 6.00-7.00pm St Joseph’s Friday 5.00-5.40pm St Joseph’s Orange City Confessions Friday 5.10-5.40pm St Joseph’s Saturday 4.15-4.45pm (5.15-5.45pm Daylight Savings) St Mary’s

11.00am on 1st Thursday of the month Benjamin Short Grove 2.00pm on 1st Friday of the month Ascott Gardens Hostel 11.00am on 2nd Thursday of the month Calare Nursing Home 11.00am on 3rd Thursday of the month Cherrywood Nursing Home 11.00am on 4th Tuesday of the month Gosling Creek Aged Care 11.00am on 4th Thursday of the month Wontama Hostel

Public Holidays: Mass 8.30am at whichever Orange Church usually has Mass that day.

ANZAC day Mass is always St Joseph’s.

Contact The Parish Team

PARISH CLERGY TEAM Fr Greg Bellamy Fr Pius Khaoya Fr Mathew Humtsoe

Parish Priest Assistant Priest Assistant Priest

PARISH MISSION SUPPORT TEAM Mr Michael O’Mara Ms Sandy Livermore Ms Anne Wykamp

PARISH MISSION TEAM Ms Amy Sullivan Ms Carla Ghisla Ms Vanessa Colquhoun Sr Frances McAleer rsj Mr Will Tracey Ms Sarah Ziegler

Director of Ministries Director of Mission Sacramental Coordinator Resident in Molong Youth Minister Youth Minister

For information about weddings, baptisms, funerals, and visits to the sick, please contact the Parish Office.

Operations Manager Parish Secretary Parish Receptionist

PARISH OFFICE Phone Email Address Facebook

6362 2378 office.orange@cdob.org.au 84 Hill Street (P.O. Box 44) Orange 2800 www.facebook.com/CatholicOrangeNSW

Office Hours Monday 11.30am - 4.30pm Tuesday - Friday 8.45am - 4.30pm