Featured image above: Eric and Ma selling seedlings

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT 2015

“FOOD FOR LIFE” Project Compassion

Caritas Australia is the agency that distributes our Lenten donations worldwide to assist the needy. This year the focus is on funding and developing innovative programs that help to empower the world’s poorest people.

Eric & Ma at their chicken coop

 

Six stories highlight the way in which families have benefited from Project Compassion in past years, each enabled to become self-sufficient and independent and more confident about their future. The stories are from Fiji, Niger, Australia, Nepal, Peru and Indonesia.

 

 

WEEK 1: FIJI COUPLE

In week one, we learn of Fiji married couple Eric and Ma (Margaret) had an unprofitable farm and a very limited diet before training at the Tutu Rural Training Centre, supported by Caritas Australia.

 

Ma watering seedlings at the micro nursery

After their training at Tutu, the farm now flourishes. Most of the family’s daily food is grown in their own fields and is helping the family to avoid the serious health problems many Fijians experience due to a lack of fresh fruit and vegetables in their diets.

 

Learning to sew at the Tutu Rural Training Centre

TRAINING OPENED ‘A NEW DOOR’

Eric says: “I think we were blessed to be part of the program in Tutu. It opened a new door for us. Without the Tutu training, we wouldn’t be where we are now. And it’s only possible thanks to you wonderful people of Australia.”

 

A teacher at the Tutu Rural Training Centre

LENT – A DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE

The 40 days of Lent invite us to reflect more deeply on the sacrifice of Jesus – His 40 days fasting in the desert, but more importantly, his Passion and Death on the Cross. It makes us focus on the essentials of life: this world is passing, death is at hand, our life belongs to God and others, how can I fulfil my mission to the world?

 

Eric & Ma enjoy a meal including home-grown vegetables

GODLY CHARITY

The “Food for Life” campaign through Project Compassion is just one more way in which Christians and Catholics can fulfil their mission of bringing God’s love to a needy world. The small sacrifices we make, resulting in donations to the campaign will bear fruit for families and reap a blessing for ourselves: ‘Whatever you did for the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you did it for Me.’

Training to be better farmers at the Tutu Rural Training Centre

 

No sacrifice of ours, no prayer of ours, no effort on our part is lost to the Lord. Jesus said even a ‘cup of cold water’ given in His name would have a reward. How much more, then, is possible for generous hearts who desire to help those who suffer in poverty? Give! Make a difference to those who struggle.

Vegetable garden at Tutu Centre

 

PROJECT COMPASSION BOXES

The theme for Lent is “Rich in Mercy”. Be sure to collect your Project Compassion boxes; be generous to the “Food for Life” campaign with your daily sacrifices on behalf of the poor.

CLICK TO WATCH STORY

This week’s Project Compassion story is from Fiji. Click here to open the page then click on the picture (arrow) for a Youtube presentation of the Caritas work on one project in Fiji.

…………………………………….

Remember in Prayer

Kevin Lovell, Imelda Gauci, Vince Fitzgerald, John Lyons, Joan Sandral, Pauline Kerr, Cliff Broderick, John Hickey, Mark Fitzgibbon, Pat Kelly

…………………………

St Mary’s Court

2 bedroom unit for rent

Inquiries phone 60331564 or Parish 60331927

……………………………….

NOW AVAILABLE – PLEASE COLLECT

Australian Catholics (Great reading for parishes, schools and families)

Together (Wagga Diocese monthly news)

Catholic Weekly – Sydney & world Catholic news

*  *  *

Coming Events

23^rd Feb Mon WRAP W LOVE 9.30 in Hall – Sewing together knitted squares for rugs.

24^th Feb Tue. 7.30pm (Meeting Rm at presb): Lenten Discussion Gp 1 Bks available at meeting.

25^th Feb Wed 9.45am (Meet. Rm at presbyt.) Lenten Discussion Gp 2. Bks available at meeting.

25^th Feb Wed 9am Vinnies Lady Volunteers Meeting at St Vinnies Shop in Sanger Street, Corowa.

27^th Feb Fri 7.30pm Stations of the Cross – 6.30pm every Friday during Lent in church.

13-14 March: “Churches open 24 hours for the Lord” Celebrate Sacrament of Confession and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Lenten Prayer effort urged by Pope Francis “(an) encounter with the Lord who reconciles, embraces you and celebrates. ..Everyone say to himself: ‘When was the last time I went to confession?’ If it has been a long time, don’t lose another day! Go, the priest will be good. And Jesus (will be) there and Jesus is better than the priests – Jesus receives you. He will receive you with so much love! Be courageous, and go to confession.”

SIGN ON FOR AN HOUR TO ADORE THE LORD

“Give an hour to the Lord” – a clip-board is on the table at the back of the church. Choose an hour (or more!) that you will spend in prayer with the Lord before the Blessed Sacrament exposed in Our Lady’s Chapel. Friday 13th March 9.30am – 5.30pm; Saturday 14th March 9.30am until 5.30pm. “Could you not watch with me one hour?” – Jesus to the Apostles in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Local Rosaries for Parish Renewal – To commence in May (Lent already v. busy)

*  *  *

Requests:

1) Scripture Teachers in Primary Schools.

2) New Altar Servers for Weekend Masses.

*  *  *

MASS INTENTIONS 22-28 Feb 2015

 

Saturday 21^st  

6.30pmMass (Vin Fitzgerald; Irene Schneider)

Sunday 22^nd Feb. Lent 1 Year B.

9.00am Mass (For all parishioners)

Monday 23^rd

No Mass

Tuesday 24^th    

9am Mass (Robert Burke, Pat Loorham)

Wednesday 25^th      

9am Mass (Virginia & Pompey Dignos)

Thurs 26^th  

11.40am Novena.

12noon M. (Albert Carey, Chic O’Donoghue)

Friday 27^th  

9am Mass (Wilma, Joe Talbot; Imelda Gauci)

Saturday 28^th  

8.45 Rosary & Mass (John Hickey, Pauline Kerr)

6.30pm Vigil (Mark Fitzgibbon, Kevin Lovell)

Sunday 01^st March Lent 2 Yr B

9.00am Mass (All parishioners)

*  *  *

Sunday Mass Roster 28 Feb – 01 March

Gifts:

6.30pm Salmon Fm

9.00am CWL

Lectors

6.30pm M Schnelle A Norman

9.00am P & B Ridge

Special Ministers of the Eucharist:

6.30pm K O’Halloran J Lowden

9.00am K Roberts P Lemmon

Altar; M Doyle

Welcomers:

6.30pm P Dwyer F Brooks

9.00am C O’Shea

Altar Servers:

6.30pm: Max Blockley

9.00am Olivia & Simone Aitken

Collection: T Moroney

Counting: A & M Campbell

*  *  *