July | 2019
Monthly newsletter of the Catholic community in Orange District
the joyful COMMISSION got questions?
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.
PARISHES ON MISSION
ST MARY’S SUGGESTIONS
ALPHA & SYMBOLON
FR KANE’S JUBILEE
Summary of the suggestions parishioners have submitted for the renewal of St Mary’s Church and information about necessary repairs.
Alpha is a way to begin exploring the Christian faith that will be launched in our Parish in September. Symbolon is a beautiful way to discover the riches of the Catholic Faith.
Saturday 27th July: all parishes in the Diocese will showcase different approaches to mission. Including guest speakers throughout the day in Kenna Hall.
Read an extract of the speech given in honour of Fr Kane at the parish celebration of his 60th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. Written by Mr Peter Meers.
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A Wo r d f r o m t h e P a s t o r
A Joyful Commission Fr Greg Bellamy Parish Priest
essential mission of going out and making new disciples. The three life-long tasks of surrender, discipleship and mission are the three pillars of our community.
surrender discipleship mission Welcome to the first edition of our parish newsletter. There are so many exciting things going on in our Catholic community in Orange district. This monthly magazine is an opportunity to share with you what has been happening, what is on the horizon, and where we are going in the Parishes of Orange and Molong. This newsletter is entitled ‘The Joyful Commission’. This phrase is inspired by our vision, published on the front cover. Jesus commissions us with the threefold task of surrendering ourselves to him, of embracing life-long discipleship, and of accepting the challenging but
We want to embrace this three-fold commission with true inner joy. What Jesus gives us is a real challenge, but it is not a miserable burden: it is a joyful commission! There is lots of information in this first edition. On the immediate horizon is the launch of Symbolon in our parish. If you are interested in deepening your knowledge of the Catholic Faith I would encourage you to come along to the introductory session which will be held in Kenna Hall at 7.00pm Wednesday 17th July. Also, on Saturday 27th July ‘Parishes on Mission’ will take place in Kenna Hall. During this
day, every parish in the Diocese will come together to share some of the missionary initiatives taking place in their local context, including Molong and Orange parishes. There will also be guest speakers. I invite you to come along for some of the day. You can come and go as you wish. You will also find a summary of suggestions given to us regarding St Mary’s Church. By next month we will come back to the community with concrete plans and another opportunity for feedback. Lastly, I would like to congratulate all the children who recently celebrated their First Holy Communion in both Molong and Orange parishes. Let’s also pray in the coming weeks for the candidates preparing to celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation.
Our Two Collections When you come to Church you will notice there are two collections. The first collection is in a bag and the second in a basket.
From this weekend (6/7 July) these two collections will be taken up separately.
In the bag the community supports the cost of living of the priests. That means, the cost of feeding them, cleaning the private residence of the presbytery, and the living stipend that they receive each fortnight. The combined totals for every parish in the diocese also supports priests who are sick or retired and very small parishes who cannot support their own priest.
The first collection in the bag will take place after 30 seconds of absolute silence after the homily. The commentator will announce the collection and its purpose: the upkeep of our priests, both active and retired. This announcement is the signal for the collectors to move into place and for people to start finding their offering. We would ask that people do not bring out their offering during the period of silence, but when the commentator announces the collection.
In the basket the community makes their offering to God for the mission of the local parish. This collection goes towards meeting all the operating expenses of the parish during the year as well as our annual contribution towards the cost of running the Diocese. If you are in planned giving, this is the collection into which you put your envelopes. If you are not in planned giving, you can still put cash directly into the basket.
The second collection in the basket will remain at its current time. After we all sit following the Prayers of the Faithful, the commentator will announce the second collection and its purpose: for the mission of our local parish. Then the collectors will move into place once again and pass the baskets around.
Why not be part of our parish group attending this event on the 27th July at Kenna Hall Orange? The day runs from 10.00am to 3.00pm. You can come any time during the day and stay as long as you like. You can walk around the hall and meet representatives from every parish in the Diocese and see what they are doing. There will also be keynote speakers during the day: Lorraine McCarthy from Alpha Australia, Sharee Talbot from Beyond Barbed Wire and Pastor Gavin Brett from the Orange Ministry Centre. Keynote Speakers during the Day: 10.30am: Lorraine McCarthy: Is ‘Parishes on Mission’ an opportunity for each parish of the diocese to come together and share the wonderful things they are doing already as well as learn from other parishes’ innovative ways of connecting with those outside our worshipping community. Input on the day will cover many areas including: how to welcome and engage with new people, ministry to the marginalised, and tools for evangelisation.
there more? 11.15am: Sharee Talbot: When I was in Prison you visited me 12.15: Pastor Gavin Brett: Connecting for Mission. 1pm: Lorraine McCarthy: Is there more? 2.15pm: Sharee Talbot: When I was in Prison you visited me
Ministries Update Thank you to all who completed a Ministries Expression of Interest form. It is wonderful to see so many new people putting up their hands for ministry, and confirmations from those who would like to continue. What has been even more wonderful are the stories we are hearing of parishioners inviting others to be involved in ministry. Sometimes we don’t know our own gifts and talents unless someone points them out to us.
This training will cover the expectations of these roles, and walkthroughs. Please indicate which session you would like to attend by using the sign up sheets at the cross-aisle at St Joseph’s and the foyer at St Mary’s. New and current readers and commentators are welcome to attend.
You can complete a ministries expression of interest form at any time - they are available at the cross-aisle at St Joseph’s and the foyer at St Mary’s. Just put your completed forms into the collection plate or drop them into the parish office.
We are in a period of transition in relation to our Sunday evening sacristans. I would like to thank Maria, Denise and Robyn for the service that they have given to their ministry. I would also like to thank Robyn and Shelagh for training our new sacristans - Harry, Lyn, Leanne and Liss. The sacristan role is quite involved, and so I ask that everyone prays for our new sacristans, and allows them the time and space to learn this important role.
Training sessions for all new readers and commentators will be held: • •
St Mary’s: Tues 16 July 10:15am and 6:30pm St Joseph’s: Thurs 18 July 10:15am and 7:15pm
Training sessions for extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion will be announced shortly.
Amy Sullivan Director of Ministries
St Mary’s Church “How can St Mary’s Church serve us into the future?” Thank you to everyone who made suggestions over the last two weekends in answer to the question above. We asked this question because St Mary’s Church will need some important repairs in the near future that will mean temporary closure of the Church. Since this kind of repair work needs to be done about once in thirty years, we wanted you to tell us what improvements would be beneficial to the community over the next three decades. Below is a summary of the responses.
Functionality Increased storage in the sacristy An area for hospitality
ALPHA
Is there more to life than this? Everyone has questions. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to explore life and the Christian faith; to ask questions and share their point of view in an open, friendly environment. That’s why our parish is launching 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. Everyone is welcome and no question is off limits. Alpha includes a meal and is completely cost free.
Improved parents and infants room, better signage Wheelchair seating area Seating for less able parishioners Liturgical Chapel area for individual school classes to be taken for prayer Central location of tabernacle Audiovisual
Last Friday evening our parish had a taste of Alpha with Lorraine McCarthy from Alpha Australia. We enjoyed cheese and wine before watching the first video of the Alpha series, “Is there more to life than this?”
Musicians area flexible for different arrangements of instruments
We then moved into smaller groups where we had a chance to discuss our reactions to the video. There was lively discussion, in Fr Mathew's group the discussion was especially lively- a member of another group describing it as bordering on rowdy. This is exactly what Alpha is all aboutpeople sharing a laugh, getting to know each other and talking about life. The evening was very well-received and many people told us of their new enthusiasm for Alpha and what it could do for our parish.
Mixing board located in the choir area with more simple control of sound system
The Alpha taster was part of a series of meetings and workshops with Lorraine McCarthy to help prepare our parish for Alpha. On Saturday Lorraine also facilitated a training workshop with our future Alpha team leaders. We are looking forward to the Alpha launch in September, registrations open soon!
Foldback speaker
Storage for musicians Microphones and speakers review to reduce screeching and feedback Commentator and screen operator located near the choir Clear line of sight from commentator, screen operator and musicians to celebrant for cues
Work Health and Safety Safe and appropriate vesting area for altar servers Larger area for musicians to reduced chance of mishap Cable solution to reduce trip hazard Carpet replacement to reduce trip hazard Repairs Bathroom refurbishment Electrical infrastructure update Comfort Improved heating in the main body of church Heating in the sacristy behind the altar More room between the pews to allow for easier return to seats Cushions for kneeling Aesthetics More stained glass Children’s Liturgy Children’s Liturgy inside the church to avoid walking outdoors in the cold winter Better heating Dedicated resources including a children’s Bible, candle etc Audiovisual infrastructure
St Mary’s Church “How can St Mary’s Church serve us into the future?” Below are other Repairs and Maintenance items and other possible improvements that have been identified during recent inspections of the building. Thank you to the parish Finance Council, staff members, and other representatives of specific ministries who have assisted in the consultation process so far.
Other Concerns & Possibilities Carpet replacement throughout the whole Church Problems with condensation on skylights over Sanctuary due to winter heating Congestion in one area which serves as baptistry, choir area, and crying room Full upgrade to audiovisual systems, especially with possible relocation of choir and musicians Repairs to pews and other seats Repairs to all window glass as beading is falling out around the frames Repair or replacement of window electronic opening and closing system (five are locked in open position throughout summer and winter) Upgrade lighting to LED which is more energy efficient Upgrade external security lights to LED Repairs to rear concertina doors to close rear sections off in winter Shading for western windows due to heat in summer More general storage space needed, including for extra chairs required in
peak times Repairs to all site drainage New access path to Church from Park St Possible landscaping of site Future restoration of existing stained glass windows Disabled seating in Church building Servery area for hospitality Possible piety store/ bookstore/welcome area Enclosed space for inclement weather at entrance to Church Planned Timeline Where to from here? Below is a planned time-line for advancing a project to repair and improve St Mary’s Church July - Parish Staff, Finance Council and professions discuss suggestions, viability, costings and prepare a proposal August - plans are shared with the parish in the Churches and in the parish magazine with an opportunity for response and suggestions September - finalise proposed project, seek tenders, and seek approval from Diocese September - closure of St Mary’s for work to begin
SYMBOLON
The Catholic Faith Explained During June we held an information night and an enquiry night in relation to the Symbolon course. Symbolon is a chance to engage with the faith as adults, to deeply explore various elements of our faith and ask questions about what faith means for us. Symbolon is a stunning video series capturing the truth and beauty of the Catholic faith. Each session features prayer, video, discussion, reflection and food. Our parish is offering Symbolon as a way for Catholics to learn more about the faith, and for those that are considering becoming Catholic or completing their initiation into the Catholic church. The course is run over two 10 week blocks. The first block, ‘Knowing the Faith', discusses the elements of the Creed. The second block, ‘Living the Faith’, discusses the sacraments and moral and social teaching. An introductory session will be held on Wednesday, 17 July at 7:00pm at Kenna Hall. This session is for all participants to start to get to know each other and the different stages of our faith journeys. The Symbolon course then kicks off on Wednesday 24 July, 7:00pm at Kenna Hall, with a session entitled ‘The Journey of Faith’. This session explores the reality of God, who he is, and how he expresses himself to us in the most meaningful way imaginable. It is not too late to be involved! If you missed the information or enquiry night, please come to the introductory session. If you would like any further information, please contact Amy on 6362 2378 or email ministries.orange@cdob.org.au.
Celebrating 60 years (1959-2019)
Fr Kane’s Jubilee Below are extracts from the speech given in honour of Fr Kane by Mr Peter Meers at the parish celebration held in Kenna Hall on Thursday 6th June 2019
It is an honour to speak today about Father Kane, his life and his dedicated service to God and Parish communities throughout our Diocese over 60 years of priesthood. I would like to give a potted history of Father Kane. Father Kane was born on February 1st 1935 in the middle of Ireland in the County Westmeath. He shares this birth year with such notable human beings as Elvis Presley, Julie Andrews, Jerry Lee Lewis, Luciano Pavarotti and the 14th and current Dalai Lama. Undoubtedly, Father Kane has the wisdom of the Dalai Lama if not the singing voice of Elvis Presley or Pavarotti. In fact, when asked about his interest in music, Father Kane admits to limited expertise, dare I say interest, quoting with great self-depreciation the opening of a famous Shakespearean verse from the Merchant of Venice. Father Kane you’ll be glad to hear that I have found the whole quote!! The man that hath no music in himself, Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils; The motions of his spirit are dull as night, And his affections dark as Erebus. Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music. As a mark of respect however on the occasion of Father Kane’s 60th year of ordination, I feel we can put aside Shakespeare’s dire warning
and give Father Kane the benefit of the doubt as being free from treasonous motive or untrustworthy intent. Indeed, Father Kane, having known you since the early 1990s I would even vouch for you as a good and humble man, if not a lothario of music!! Father Kane is renowned for his amazing memory and knowledge of history. And of course, as I’m sure Father Kane would remind me, today is a famous date in history, being the 75th Anniversary of D Day. Quite possibly his sharp mind has benefitted from his lifelong abstinence from the demon drink or, as Aussies would say, the grog. Father Kane’s preference for a good cup of tea over a Guinness or even a Celtic brew from Mullingar started early in life with his membership of the To t a l A b s t i n e n c e Society of the Sacred Heart, of which Fathers Dooley and Shannon were also members. But back to Father Kane’s early life. He lived near a Franciscan Monastery, established in 1276, and remembers his Grandfather on his Mother‘s side visiting twice a year, at Christmas and in August
when through a special indulgence, one could reduce their time in Purgatory, not that I’m sure Father Kane himself has too much time to be paid out. Of course the visit of relatives in those day of horsedrawn travel was a very special event as was visiting distance relatives, who sometimes knew him only as Pat Kane’s boy. In those days, he loved nothing better than to sit down with his brother and sister for a meal of potatoes, cabbage and bacon. When asked about his childhood, Father Kane has two lasting memories. One, as a three-year-old walking into a home to the sight of an elderly male neighbour stretched out plumb dead on a bed as friends and family paid their last respects. Secondly, of the importance of
t h e postman, at a time when people still wrote letters and the postman was a very important person and his daily
visit was eagerly awaited, almost reverentially!!
At 13, Father Kane went to boarding school at Saint Finnian’s
His schooling started in the first week of February 1939, another famous date in history that has gone down in infamy with the invasion of Poland by Adolf Hitler. Father Kane remembers the tea, clothing and sugar rationing as well as the loss of a favourite fruit, the orange, to rationing and quite possibly, the German gun boats!! He also remembers the German Navy playing havoc with the tenacious but little Irish Fleet. Indeed, the Nazis could take a lot of the blame for the dire shortage of oranges in Ireland at the time with their attacks on commercial convoys. Father Kane also remembers the newspapers of the day displaying maps of the changing war fronts as well as carefully folding brown newspaper for reuse. A far cry from today’s throw-away society!!
in Mullingar although it appears there was someone what of a mixup, with his intended school being the Franciscan Monastery. His favourite subject was Mathematics and his least favourite, Greek, although he admits his early training in this language helped him to read the road signs in Greece in his later travels as a much sought after tourist guide. In these halcyon days of priest numbers, his school
had 10 priests and 3 lay staff for the 220 students who attended. In the devoutly Catholic Ireland of the 1940s, 50% of his class went to the seminary, or 17 students, of which 12 would be ordained. Father Kane, as did his mum, always thought he would be a priest and never thought of any other pathway in life. On the 14th June 1959, he was ordained at All Hallows in Dublin. Before the year was out he would find himself sailing to a new life on the other side of the world and the beginning of his ministry, arriving in Sydney in November 1959 and two days later, finding himself crossing the Blue Mountains to Orange. Read the full speech on our facebook page: https:// w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / CatholicOrangeNSW
First Holy Communion ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this as a memorial of me.’ 1 Cor 11:24
Congratulations to all the children who celebrated their First Holy Communion on the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of Christ.
Thank you also to the teachers and catechists who prepared the children throughout the two parishes of Orange and Molong, in the various Mass Centres.
Thank you to the parents who chose to present their children for this sacrament and who worked hard to prepare them for this special moment in their faith journey.
A very special thank you to Ms Shannon Cain who concludes her role as Sacramental Coordinator after 2 1/2 years. You did a wonderful job and we will miss you!
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 TEAM Ms Amy Sullivan Ms Carla Ghisla Sr Frances McAleer rsj Mr Will Tracey Ms Sarah Ziegler
Director of Ministries Director of Mission Resident in Molong Youth Minister Youth Minister
For information about weddings, baptisms, funerals, and visits to the sick, please contact the Parish Office.
PARISH MISSION SUPPORT TEAM Mr Michael O’Mara Ms Sandy Livermore
Business Manager Parish Secretary
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