Bridgeside Bulletin

The weekly Bulletin of the

Catholic Parish of Forster Tuncurry
Holy Name of Jesus Parish Church
33 Lake Street, Forster

St Mary, Star of the Sea Church

Cnr Kent & Peel Streets, Tuncurry

Proclaiming Christ to the communities of Forster, Tuncurry and the surrounding districts

Sunday 8th February, 2015

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
Parish
Fr Andrew Doohan (Parish Priest)
Mr Greg Byrne (Pastoral Associate)
Mrs Sharon Fowle (Administration Associate/Bulletin)
Sr Kathryn McCabe (Aboriginal Catholic Ministry)

The Parish Office is at the rear of the Parish Hall and is

normally staffed on Monday, Thursday and Friday
from 10am to 4pm.
Items for inclusion in Bridgeside Bulletin should be
received by midday on Thursday.
33 Lake Street, Forster NSW 2428
PO Box 67, Forster NSW 2428
P:
F:
E:
W:

(02) 6554 6304

(02) 6554 6425
forstertuncurryparish@gmail.com
www.forstertuncurrycatholic.org.au

Fr Andrews email: fr.andrew.doohan@gmail.com

Search for us on Facebook as Catholic Parish of
Forster Tuncurry

Follow us on Twitter: @ftcatholic

Celebrating the Sacraments

Reconciliation is available on Saturday mornings at
Tuncurry from 8:30am until the beginning of the 9am
Mass, on Saturday afternoons at Forster from 4:45pm
until 5:15pm.
Baptisms are celebrated on Sundays, either during any
of our Sunday Masses or after the 9am Mass. The next
Baptismal Preparation meeting will take place in the
Parish Halls meeting rooms on Monday 9th February
2015 commencing at 7pm. Please contact the Parish
Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.
Weddings are celebrated by arrangement and with at
least three (and preferably more) months notice.
Please contact Fr Andrew for more details, or visit the
Parish website.
A Sacramental Preparation process runs each year in
the Parish for children wishing to complete the
celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation as part of
the Parish community. Please contact the Parish Office
for more details, or visit the Parish website.
The Parish hosts the Rite of Christian Initiation of
Adults process for those adults wishing to be baptised
or be received into the communion of the Catholic
Church. Please contact the Parish Office for more
details, or visit the Parish website.

Holy Name Parish School (K-6)

St Clares High School, Taree (7-12)

Mr Chris Waters (Principal)

Mr Peter Nicholls (Principal)

41 Lake Street, Forster NSW 2428

PO Box 243, Forster NSW 2428

Davis Street, Taree NSW 2430

P:
F:
E:
W:

P: (02) 6552 3300

F: (02) 6552 3656
E: admin@tareesc.catholic.edu.au
W: www.tareesc.catholic.edu.au

(02) 6554 6504

(02) 6554 8895
admin@forster.catholic.edu.au
www.forster.catholic.edu.au

The Parish Diary(for the week ahead)

Regular Activities in the Parish

Fifth Week of Ordinary Time

Christian Meditation
Our Parish hosts opportunities for the practice of
Christian meditation on Tuesdays at two distinct
times, 9am and 5:30pm. Phone Bob on 6555 5914 for
further information.

Monday9th February
10am
Funeral Liturgy for Paul Hicks @ Forster
7pm
Baptism Preparation meeting @ Forster
Tuesday10th February
Memorial of St Scholastica
PM: Fr Andrew to Newcastle for the Called To Serve
Mass.
9am
Christian Meditation (Bob 6555 5914)
11am
Mass @ GLAICA House
3:30pm Holy Hour @ Tuncurry
4:30pm Evening Prayer @ Tuncurry
5:30pm Christian Meditation (Bob 6555 5914)
5:30pm Singing Practice @ Tuncurry

Womens Bible Study Group

Our Parish hosts a Womens Bible Study Group that
meets every Thursday evening from 7pm to 8pm. For
more information contact Natasha on 0407 589 935.
Holy Hour
The Parish community observes a Holy Hour each
Tuesday afternoon in the Tuncurry Church from
3:30pm until the beginning of Mass at 4:30pm.
Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help
The Novena is prayed every Wednesday in the Forster
church commencing at 11:15am and is followed by a
cuppa in the Parish Hall. For more information contact
Shioney on 6554 9468.

Wednesday11th February
PM: Fr Andrew to Melbourne for Liturgical
Architecture Conference on behalf of the Diocese.
9am
Mass @ Forster
9:30am menALIVE group @ Forster
11:15am Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help @
Forster
5:30pm Parish Finance Committee @ Forster
7pm
Deanery Forum for the Synod on the
Family @ Parish Hall

Singing Practice
Singing group will meet at Tuncurry Church on
Tuesday 10th February at 5:30pm.
The menALIVE Group
Our Parish currently hosts 2 menALIVE groups. The
daytime group will next meet on Wednesday 11th
February after the 9am Mass and the evening group
meets on the last Thursday of each month at 7.30pm.

Thursday12th February
9am
Morning Prayer @ Forster
7pm
Womens Bible Study Group (Natasha
0407 589 935)

Secular Franciscan Fraternity

The Secular Franciscans Fraternity will next meet on
Wednesday 4th March 2015, coming together for
Mass at 9am, followed by a cuppa at 9:30am and then
the meeting 10am to 12pm.

Friday13th February
9:30am Morning Prayer @ Forster
Saturday14th February
Memorial of Sts Cyril & Methodius
8:30am Reconciliation @ Tuncurry
9am
Mass @ Tuncurry
4:45pm Reconciliation @ Forster (until 5:15pm)
6pm
Mass @ Tuncurry

Maintenance & Gardening Group

The Parish is served by a very dedicated band of
volunteers who tend to the upkeep of the grounds
and gardens of our two sites. Their next reunion will
be on Thursday 19th February. Contact Howard 6557
6826 for more information.

Sunday15th February
7am
Mass @ Tuncurry
9am
Mass @ Forster

Evening Prayer & Benediction

The Parish community celebrates on the first Sunday
of each month at 5:30pm in the Tuncurry church. It
will celebrated this evening, Sunday 1st March 2015.
All welcome.
Childrens Liturgy of the Word
The next Liturgy of the Word for children aged 4-12
will be on Sunday 1st March 2015 at the 9am Mass. A
morning tea will follow Mass.

Mini Lunch
A lunch will be held every second Wednesday in each
month at the Anglican Parish, St. Albans Church Hall,
Forster at 12pm, cost $7. All welcome to attend. A
delicious meal and a warm and friendly greeting await
you. Includes lucky door prize and raffles. For further
information contact Helen Barber on 6554 5920.

Collection of Foodstuffs for Homebase

The next collection of foodstuffs in support of
Homebase is Sunday 1st March 2015.
2

From the Pastors Desk

Extraordinary Synod on the Family

I just wish things were the way they used to be.

Weve all heard it, Im sure. We may even have given
voice to a similar wish ourselves at some point. It
sometimes comes in the wake of distress or grief;
sometimes it comes when the way forward appears
uncertain. It is a natural response to the possibility of
change, either in our personal lives or in the life of a
community.

The subject of the 2015 Synod of Bishops is The

Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and
the Contemporary World that is scheduled for 4th to
25th October. This follows on from the Extraordinary
Synod on the Family in Rome in October 2014 and the
responses from a global survey conducted at the end
of 2013 that was used to develop the preparatory
document for the Extraordinary Synod.

When faced with the possibility of changeand the

pain that goes along with itwe can be tempted to
hanker for what was, immediately seeing the past a
time when there was certainty and clarity...and
safety!

Following the Extraordinary Synod on the Family in

October, Pope Francis and the Synod of Bishops are
once again seeking responses to questions as part of
their preparation for the 2015 Synod on the Family.
Engaging in this process will assist in shaping the
response that the Australian Catholic Bishops
Conference will send to Rome in April 2015.

Of course, nothing could be further from the truth.

The past might appear to be certain and clear but the
reality often is a similar sense of uncertainty as is
experienced in the here and now. Back thenwhen
we think there was good timeswas experienced in a
similar way then as we experience now.
In other words, the only constant thing in life is
change!

While not essential to be able to answer the

questions, you may wish to read the Relatio Synodi
the Lineamenta (final report of the Extraordinary
Synod in October 2014) before responding. It can be
found here together with a detailed consideration of
the questions: http://www.mn.catholic.org.au/newsevents/news/2015/survey-2015-synod-on-the-family

I mention this because the Church too is called to

change. And before you take me out and lynch me, I
am referring not to the content of the Faith, but
rather the means that are used to teach and
evangelise that Faith in the here and now.
The methodology that was used in the 1950s wont
necessarily work in the 2010sif for no other reason
than the world is radically different now compared to
then. In every age, and in every place, the Church is
called to find a way to proclaim the fundamental
message that lies at the heart of its existencethe
Good News of the Kingdom of Godin ways that are
effective and which allow that message to be heard by
this generation.

A series of 30 questions on this theme has been made

available by the Australian Bishops for further
consideration of the faithful. People are welcome to
respond to as many or as few of the questions on this
list as they would like.

If the Church is to be true to that call, then we must

be prepared for change, not grudgingly and sullenly
but willingly and joyfully. We cannot hanker for what
was, for what we think lost, but must constantly focus
on what is and how best we can do that which we are
called to do.

Enquiries can be made to Catholic Diocesan Office on

4979 1111, chancery@mn.catholic.org.au or Teresa
Brierley on 4979 1157.

You are invited to attend a diocesan discussions group

to be held on Wednesday 11th February from 7pm to
9pm in the Forster Parish Hall.

World Day of Prayer

Friday 6th March, 2015.
This year the annual world day of prayer will be
hosted by the Baptist Church in Forster.

As we, as a community of faith, move across the year,

lets pray we might be willing to embrace the
possibilities for evangelisation that comes when
change comes knocking on our doors.

The ceremony will begin at 2pm when representatives

from all churches in town will unite to pray for our
world.

Who knows what might happen...

The focus nation this year is The Bahamas. All

parishioners are encourage to attend this wonderful
ecumenical event.

Until next week

Fr Andrew
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Against an Infinite
Ronald Rolheiser

Exploring Becoming a Catholic

Maybe you have friends or family who:
have wondered about becoming a Catholic;
are engaged or married to a Catholic and have
Catholic children;
are searching for answers to the big questions
about life and death;
are looking for a Christian community to which
they feel they could really belong;
are maybe just interested.

Horizon

by

In his book Against an Infinite Horizon, Ronald

Rolheiser, an American Priest, dedicates a chapter to
the Sacrament of Marriage and sets a challenge for all
of us married people. The Chapter is entitled A Good
Fireplace, a Warm House, Moral Companionship and
Sacramental Sex. An excerpt from that chapter says:
"A good marriage is a warm fireplace. The love that
two people have for each other generates a warm
place. But the warmth it creates does not just warm
the two people in love, it warms everyone else who
comes near them their children, their neighbours,
their community, and everyone who meets them.

An Enquiry night for anyone wishing to learn more

about the Catholic Faith through the Rite of Christian
Initiation of Adults process will be held on Wednesday
11th February in the Parish Meeting Room (located at
the rear of the Parish Hall in Forster) at 7pm.

"A good marriage is a big table, loaded with lots of

food and drink. When two people love each other
sacramentally that love becomes a place of
hospitality, a table where people come to be fed
figuratively and really. Again, love, in a true marriage,
feeds not just the two people who are generating it,
but, because it is sacramental, it always contains more
than enough surplus to feed everyone who is
fortunate enough to meet it.

Please extend an invitation (and give a brochure) to a

friend or family member who may be interested.
Brochures explaining the Rite of Christian Initiation of
Adults are on the table at the back of the churches.
For more information contact Anne Moloney 6555
8918.

Childrens Liturgy

"A good marriage is a container that holds

suffering. An old axiom says: 'Everything can be borne
if it can be shared!' That's true. Anyone fortunate
enough to have a true moral partner in this life can
bear a lot of suffering. That is even more true in a
good marriage where the wife and husband, because
of their deep moral and emotional affinity, can carry
not just their own sufferings but also can help carry
the sufferings of many others.
"Finally, to draw upon a deep Christian image, a
good marriage is Christ's body, flesh that is 'food for
the life of the world'. Christ left his body to feed the
world. A good marriage does precisely that, it feeds
everything and everybody around it. Many of us have
experienced this in some of the married people we
have met. Having them in our lives is a constant
source of [moral, psychological, religious, and
humorous] nourishment."

Pictured above are Edward, Halle, Rachel, Alice,

Lauren, Jessica, Nicky & Lola-Rose.
Another successful and inspiring Childrens Liturgy
took place last Sunday at the Forster Church. The
children made a sign which read We Will Listen
which helped them identify the importance of prayer
and listening for God in their lives.

Salute 2 Summer
A youth night will take place at Lakeside Church, 11
Chapmans Road, Tuncurry on Friday 13th March
from 7-9pm. Guest speaker is Sam Minturn from
Coastside Church Port Macquarie and will feature TCC
Wake Band. Dress up if you like, there will be prizes
for best dressed. Contact Kerrie Moran on 6557 5600
for more information.

Morning tea was provided and we were pleased to

see so many join us after Mass. Thank you to those
who attended and to those who helped organise the
day. Next Childrens Liturgy will be held on Sunday 1st
March, 2015.
4

ARE YOU HOUSE-BOUND?

CANT GET TO MASS?
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE AN ACTIVE
PARTICIPANT IN YOUR PARISH?

Lenten Program - Arise

You are invited to join a Lenten Reflection Group in
our Parish to pray, share our faith and socialise with
other parishioners.
By unpacking the Sunday Gospels during Lent, Sr.
Moya Hanlen has written 6 beautiful Gospel
reflections that invite us to deepen our understanding
of Jesus love for us unto death and to grasp anew the
hope his resurrection brings us. We are challenged to
arise from our complacency, grasp his outstretched
hand and accompany Jesus on his journey through
passion, through death and Resurrection.

Then the Intercessory Prayer Apostolate is just for

you!!!
Members of this group simply receive a list of people
to pray for at home each month. There is nothing
more to do. No money to pay no meetings to
attend. Just pray in your own home in your own time
for those on the list. And of course, you can always
add your own private list.

A list of groups are on the notice boards in the

churches next week. You may join an existing group or
even host one of your own. More information is
available from the Parish office.

If you would like to participate and pray for others,

and so play an active role in your parish, simply give
Bob Cashman a ring on 6555 5914 or 0418 207 981, or
leave your name and phone number with the Parish
Office.

Lenten Reflections
Travel through Lent with a Little Black Book. Find six
minutes of quite time for the next 50 days (15th Feb
to 5th April) to work through the book one page at a
time. Cost $5 each at rear of Churches.

Pancake Tuesday Celebrating 30 years

As is our Parish custom we will celebrate Pancake
Tuesday on Tuesday 17th February from 5:30pm in
the grounds of Holy
Name School. Pancakes,
fun and games, and
entertainment
are
promised! Being the

Australian Catholics Magazine

War and Peace is the topic for this months edition of
Australian Catholics Magazine; remembering Gallipoli
and the First World War, St Francis prayer of peace
and the human face of war. Copies available from the
rear of the church.

30th
30th year celebration we
will include a special
treat on the day.

Renovated Parish Website!

Our Parish website has been given a makeover and
relaunched. The same information is to be found on
the website, just in a more visually pleasing
presentation.

Anniversary

Visit the website and have a look around at the new

lookwww.forstertuncurrycatholic.org.au.

Come along and join

members of the Parish and School communities to
celebrate before we enter into the Season of Lent.

Healing and Support

A Zimmerman Services flyer can be found at the rear
of the Church which includes details on available
support resources for those affected by sexual abuse.

Ignite Praise & Worship

We invite all young people and their families to ignite
their faith, inspiring a deeper understanding of being
in relationship with God by attending an Ignite
Praise and Worship evening. The event will take place
on Sunday 22nd March at 5.30pm at the Catholic
Church in Forster and will feature a young, local
Christian rock band. Under 12s must be accompanied
by an adult. The event will be followed by a BBQ. For
more information contact Sharon at the parish office
on 6554 6304/0407 006 666.

Items required for the needy

Sr Kathryn requires a washing machine in good
working order, a lounge and 2 single beds for a family
in need. Please phone 6554 6470 if you can assist.

Sr Kathryn would also like to express her sincere

thanks to the generous people who have already
promised single beds and other items.

Kids Corner

Jesus is the Good News

B X E M D V

U S H V

G A

Y O F U H X Z

W N U S M L
H F

B U E

E S

Y W P

T R H A

A J H

M Q A E

G Z

Z S O A V

E
E

Y Q I M W N R

T Q O Z D

L O N E N Q O T

S O H M K

C W O R

S G N K

Z O I

E A S

D J

R H O J S

E S

R U M K

N A O U U D S
L

P M I M C

M E A

T U N S

U G A T H E

U K O F

R A Y H G O O D M

G W N D F
P

G S D

K Q R
I

I W I

E D F O C Q V

T T A F N T

C O Q L

V H E N

Try to find these words:

Alone
diseases
door
fever
Galilee
gather
good
house
meal
pray
sick
Simon

Mk 1:29-39

Opportunities Outside The Parish

completed training programs. Supper will follow in the

Davis Courtyard.

World Day of Prayer

World Day of Prayer for the Sick Mass will be held on
Wednesday 11th February beginning at 10:30am at
Calvary Cessnock to be followed by morning tea. Fr
Brian Mascord, the Vicar General of the Diocese, will
be the main celebrant. If you wish to attend, RSVP to
Rev Peter Little, the Pastoral Care Coordinator at
Calvary Cessnock on 4993 9117.

Rite of Election of Catechumens

Rite of Election of Catechumens will be held on
Sunday 22nd February at 2:30pm at Sacred Heart
Cathedral. Rite of Election of Catechumens and
Presentation of Candidates for Full Communion at the
Cathedral Hamilton. Afternoon tea will be served
afterwards.

Social Justice Training

Social Justice Training Day will be held on Saturday
14th February beginning at 9:30am at Jesmond Park
Uniting Church, 15 Robert St, Jesmond. For all people
and churches with an interest in social justice and a
Christian response to asylum seeker issues. Speakers
include Teresa Brierley, Vice Chancellor Pastoral
Ministries, Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle
and Justin Whelan - Mission Development Manager at
Paddington Uniting Church. Morning tea provided. No
RSVP necessary.

Praise and Worship Event

Spirit & Truth - Praise and Worship Event will be held
on Friday 27th February beginning at 6:00pm at St
Pius X High School, Adamstown. For more info please
contact Andrew on 0410 686 474 or Baden on 0423
663 985. All ages event, special guest speaker Fr Rob
Galea. See story in February Aurora.
Start the New Year off with a bang!
Spend a weekend with your spouse at a Worldwide
Marriage Encounter Weekend. The peaceful setting of
this weekend enrichment is a great way to rekindle
the romance in your marriage. Weekend date: 6th to
8th March at Mt Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville,
NSW. To apply contact Ardell & Bill Sharpe on 02 4283
3435 or
wsharpe@bigpond.net.au,
www.wwme.org.au.

Christian Meditation
Introduction to Christian Meditation will be held on
Tuesday 17th February beginning at 10:00am at
Pastoral Centre, Victoria Street, New Lambton. Lent is
a good time to reassess our spiritual journey. Learning
to meditate can be of great benefit to our spiritual
lives. This program provides an opportunity for those
interested in finding out about Christian Meditation to
experience and practise in a small group, to learn
about its origins and to discover its relevance as a
form of prayer in the contemporary world. Tuesday
mornings 10am-11am, February 17, 24, March 3, 10.
For more information contact Anne Cuskelly. E
annecuskelly@hotmail.com or P 0407 436 808.

Spectacles required
A prison chaplain has made a request for second-hand
spectacles for the use of prisoners. You may have a
pair or two at home that are no longer in use. There
will be a collection box clearly marked in both
churches from mid February. Alternatively they can be
left at the Parish office.

Project Compassion Launch

Project Compassion Launch will be held on Tuesday
17th February beginning at 10:00am at St Pius X High
School, Adamstown. Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle
Project Compassion 2015 launch for parishes, schools,
CatholicCare, religious & Catholic organisations.
Refreshments served post-launch. RSVP Brooke
Robinson 4979 1111 or caritas@mn.catholic.org.au

We are the Church

Since Vatican II we have been proudly professing that
WE ARE THE CHURCH. If we truly believe this then
we must ask ourselves, how am I contributing to the
life of the Church and is there more I could be doing?
There are many opportunities for service in our
Church community. In particular we are at present in
need of Sacristans to set up for our weekend Masses
and also for Funerals during the week.

Annual Catechist Mass

Annual Catechist Mass will be held on Friday 20th
February beginning at 7:00pm at Sacred Heart
Cathedral, 841 Hunter Street, Newcastle West.
Celebrated by Bishop Bill, this Mass is a great
opportunity for priests, parishioners, families and
friends to celebrate the ministry of Special Religious
Education, Sacramental and Children's Liturgy. Awards
will be presented to those who have served as
Catechists for over 10 years and to those who have

Interested people will receive the proper formation,

training and support. Please rush to the Parish Office
to display your willingness to be involved.

Rosters
Rosters for February and March are now available
from the rear of the Church.
7

Ministers this Weekend...

...of the Word

...of Communion

6pm Tuncurry

A: Frank Hayman
B: Kylie Hall

Jeanette Goodacre, Kylie Hall, Margaret Smith, Owen

Carroll, Ruth Pearson.

7am Tuncurry

A: Cushla Drake
B: Lorraine Clark

Graham Griffiths, Lorraine Clark, Maria Armitage,

Patricia Cornish, Peter Wicks.

9am Forster

A: Natasha Brotherton
B: Kyla Loring

Barbara Kermode, Josi Beech, Natasha Brotherton,

Sharon Fowle, Shioney Neal.

Ministers next Weekend...

...of the Word

...of Communion

6pm Tuncurry

A: Neil Pye
B: Geraldine Mullin

Carolyn Olliffe, Frank Hayman, Kylie Hall, Maureen Pye,

Neil Pye.

7am Tuncurry

A: Tony Knight
B: Norm Chapman

Cecile Malone, Genevieve Williamson, Graham Griffiths,

Lorraine Clark, Peter Wicks.

9am Forster

A: Barbara Dolahenty
B: Natasha Brotherton

Alan McCarthy, Anne Moloney, Coral McCarthy, Sharon

Fowle, Natasha Brotherton.

Please note: The above information reflects the rosters as originally published,
and doesnt take account of any swaps that may have been organised between individuals.

Text: Excerpts from the English Translation of the Roman Missal 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL); Music: From the Mass of St Francis
2010, Paul Taylor. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Australian AgentLicenSing Online Lic No. 624844.

Scripture Readings This Week

Todays Liturgy of the Word

Today

Job 7:1-4, 6-7

1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23
Mark 1:29-39
Monday
Genesis 1:1-19
Mark 6:53-56
Tuesday
Genesis 1:202:4
Mark 7:1-13
Wednesday Genesis 2:4-9, 15-17
Mark 7:14-23
Thursday
Genesis 2:18-25
Mark 7:24-30
Friday
Genesis 3:1-8
Mark 7:31-37
Saturday
Genesis 3:9-24
Mark 8:1-10
Sunday
Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46
1 Corinthians 10:3111:1
Mark 1:40-45

Responsorial Psalm
Response: Praise the Lord who heals the brokenhearted.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!

He bore our sickness,

and endured our suffering

Alleluia!

In your charity, please pray for:

Those recently deceased.
Kathleen Sykes.
Those whose anniversaries occur about now.
George Hooker, Purcell & Lawler Family.
All those in our community who are sick.
8