CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
It is commonplace in religious instruction that the first half of the liturgical year focuses on what God has done for us. During Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, and Easter, we emphasized Jesus’ Birth, Suffering, Death, and Resurrection, and the Descent of the Holy Spirit. The second half then focuses us our response to these wonderful demonstrations of God’s love for us. This scheme is an oversimplification, of course, but it has a kernel of truth.
In particular, the last few weeks of the liturgical year remind us that we are accountable to God for all the gifts he has given us and all he has done for us. And when the accounting is done, it becomes evident, sadly, that God’s people have not produced as rich a harvest as they ought to have done.
Such is the case with the ancient Israelites, whom Isaiah compared with a vineyard which produced only sour, wild grapes. Jesus used the vineyard image, but introduced tenants who refused to turn over his share of the harvest to the landowner. They will be replaced by people who will obey the terms of the agreement, and others will be welcomed into the kingdom of God. How do we measure up with the harvest of spiritual gifts we should develop and turn over to God?
Lest we lose heart, St. Paul reminds us that we are to “have no anxiety at all.” Indeed, even our requests should be offered to God “with thanksgiving.” We have a fuller revelation of God’s will for us, and a never-ending stream of grace from the sacraments. If we keep our minds on what is true, pure, and excellent, “then the God of peace will be with you.
Copyright © 2011 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
One of the freedoms God has given us is the freedom to change our minds. The two sons in Jesus’ parable exercised that freedom when their father asked them to work in his vineyard one day. The first son refused, but then changed his mind and went. The second agreed to work but never showed up. In the same way, the sinners who responded to the preaching of St. John the Baptist obeyed God when those religious leaders who seemed to be holy refused to actually do so, and so the repentant sinners were the ones who entered the Kingdom of God.
We Christians know we should do the will of God the Father, but we tend to be fickle and not follow through on our intention to obey God’s will. We need God’s grace to be constant and to help us develop “the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus,” as St. Paul wrote to the Philippians. As Christ gave up the glory of heaven to die on our behalf, so we have a challenge: “Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves.”
If we accept that challenge, and change our minds from serving ourselves first, it will inevitably change the way we use the time, the talent, and the treasure entrusted to us.
Copyright © 2011 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
We cannot act overly proud just because we have responded to God’s call. Responding is our duty and source of happiness; serving God with perseverance and happiness fulfils us.
The group will meet at the home of Barry and Judy McAloney 8 Kendall Crt on Sunday 2 October for a shared lunch after the 10.30 Mass. All welcome. For further information please contact Lambert & Elaine Van der Weerden on 9744 4029.
St Anne’s Church 1 October 2011 from 9-12. Please bring shovels, wheelbarrows and whipper snipers. Refreshments provided. All welcome.
Thank you for giving generously to the Apostleship of the Sea. $783.60 was raised. The Priests Retirement Fund gratefully received $1369.10.
Please join us next week (2nd Oct) for morning tea after 8.30 Mass. Please bring a plate to share.
The Knights of the Southern Cross are holding an information session for new members after the 8.30am Mass at St Anne’s Church on Sunday 25 September. Come and hear what this Catholic men’s organisation is all about. You will be made most welcome by the members of the Order from your own parish here in Sunbury. If you are unable to attend on this day, phone Colin Walsh 9744 2947 or John Stafford 9744 9966 for information to be posted to you.
For a quick look at the Knights of the Southern Cross click here to have a look at a previous post.
WED 28 Sept 2pm St Pius X Church, 419 Waterdale Rd, Heidelberg followed by afternoon tea. All welcome.
Wednesday 28th September 2011 at 6pm
Sunbury Village Green
Corner of O’Shanassy and Brook Streets, Sunbury Victoria.
Melways Ref 382 E4
What is Light the Night? – Around 40,000 Australian families face the challenges of leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood cancer / disorders every day. And every 46 minutes, another person is diagnosed.
Light the Night is a memorable and uplifting event to give these people hope for a brighter future. The Leukaemia Foundation is calling on all angels – people who like to brighten the lives of others to Light the Night with lanterns of love, life and hope for people with blood cancer. Bring a chair or picnic blanket and enjoy the live music after the walk. Food and drinks can be purchased after the walk. Cost is $20 per adult, children under 12 are free.
Find out more about becoming a foster carer or occasional respite carer for a child in need. Information night Wed 21 September 6.30-7.30pm 354 Main Rd West, St Albans. RSVP and enquiries to 9270 9351 or fostercareenquires@goodshepvic.org.au.
Working with St Vincent de Paul, we have visited an Indian family with two adults and two teenage girls. The parents are fully qualified “Accountants” in their own country but after 5 months they are unable to find employment as bookkeepers or accountants. They wish to be able to follow their profession in Australia. The mother has said she would be prepared to work 1 or 2 days per week unpaid while she learns our systems. If anyone is able to help, please call Anthony Rocco, St Vincent de Paul, Conference President on 0416 008 967.
Reunion.
Last chance, this great school is to be demolished shortly for apartments. We have arranged permission to view all old classrooms, etc. View our big screen slideshow of old class photos, sporting events, cadets, etc. Pick yourself out of the old photos. These can be purchased on the day. Past students & teachers come along and catch up with your old mates. BBQ lunch & drinks available. Sunday 2 October 1-5pm. John Taglieri (1970) 0432 242 981 or Frank Hargrave (1955) 0417 041 777.
Sunday 25 September is Social Justice Sunday. Please note the upcoming launch of the 2011 Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. “Building Bridges– Not Walls. Prisons and the justice system.” is being presented by Fr Joe Caddy and Sr Mary O’Shannessy at 12 noon Thursday 15 September at Cathedral Room, Cardinal Knox Centre, 383 Albert Street, East Melbourne. RSVP: justice@cam.org.au or 9926 5710 by Monday 12 September.
The Prayer Group meets at St Anne’s Church at 10.15am on Thursdays. CCR is conducting a Ladies Day at the CCR Centre, 101 Holden St, North Fitzroy on 29 September from 10-3pm so the meeting will be cancelled on that day.
All ladies welcome to join us.
For further info/ transport contact Lambert & Elaine van der Weerden on 9744 4029.
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard is one that startles centuries after Jesus told it. Those who worked in the vineyard only part of the day, perhaps just one hour, get paid as much as those who labored the whole day long.
The parable, however, is not so much about the workers as it is about the owner of the vineyard. The owner paid all the workers everything they had agreed upon. But in his generosity, he paid many of them more than was required.
In the same way, God is more than just; he is merciful. In his mercy and generosity, he gives all who turn to him eternal life in heaven, both to those who serve him all their lives and those who respond to him a short time before death.
Our response to this merciful and generous God should be one of thankfulness and a commitment to offer him a portion of the time, talent, and treasure he has entrusted to us.
Copyright © 2011 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
Fr Augustine Vallooran, Director of the Divine Retreat Centre in India will be in Melbourne in September. Come and join us in worshipping our God as Fr Augustine proclaims the Word of God in a healing Mass on Wed 21 September 7pm at Mary MacKillop’s Church 152 Odessa Ave, Keilor Downs.
Experience the healing touch of our Lord. Leave blessed.
Wed 21 September, Mass 7pm with Archbishop Denis Hart. The school will be open after Mass until 8.30pm to walk through and a light supper with presentations will be held. RSVP 9 Sept. 9359 5423.
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS
God takes a serious view of sin, but he is eager to forgive sinners. His attitude is well expressed in the Responsorial Psalm, “The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich is compassion.”
Our response to God’s mercy must be two-fold. First, in thankfulness for His kindness, we commit a portion of our time to prayer and worship, particularly by participating in the Eucharist, the Church’s central act of worship and thanksgiving.
Secondly, we hear over and over again that to receive God’s forgiveness for our sins, we must forgive those who hurt us. We pray it in the Lord’s Prayer, and we read the same lesson in the First Reading from Sirach and in the Gospel in Jesus’ Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. Let us then forgive others, so that we in turn may receive forgiveness from God.
Copyright © 2011 www.TheCatholicSteward.com
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