Religious Education News
Mary Help of Christians – Feast Day Sunday 24th May
This Sunday we celebrate the feast day to Mary Help of Christians. The Blessed Virgin Mary is a beautiful, beloved, essential and pervasive figure in Christian life and in the Church’s calendar. She has been since the early days of the Church. Her feasts are as varied as the cultures of the world, with each having special traditions, customs, and habits of piety. With maternal love for us, Mary wants what is best for us - she wants Jesus for us, so she urges us, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). Then she helps us as we lead others to know and love her Son too. Her feasts not only empower us to turn to her in prayer, but also to love Jesus and others with a greater love. The infant Church in Australia had a special reason for turning to Mary. In those early days, it was largely the Rosary that kept the faith alive. Catholic Australia remained faithful to Mary, and was the first nation to choose her, under the title of Help of Christians, as Principal Patron.
When Australia became the first country to have Mary Help of Christians as Patroness, it became the first country to have a mother-cathedral under the same title. https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/24-may-our-lady-help-of-christians/
Mary Help of Christians patroness of Australia and of the Military Ordinariate
Almighty God, deepen in our hearts
our love of Mary Help of Christians.
Through her prayers and under her protection,
may the light of Christ shine over our land.
May Australia be granted harmony, justice and peace.
Grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens.
Bless especially the men and women
of the Australian Defence Force and their families.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Mary Help of Christians, pray for us.
Laudato Si Week
Addressing his viewers and listeners on Sunday, May 17, Pope Francis announced the start of the “Laudato Sì” Week across the world which will conclude on Sunday May 24.
“In these times of the pandemic, in which we are more aware of the importance of care for our common home,” he said, “I hope that all the common reflection and commitment may help to create and strengthen constructive attitudes for the care of creation.” https://www.vaticannews.va/en
Parish News
Father Lolesio has respectfully asked everyone to observe and follow the guidelines put into place for the safety of all the community in relation to the reopening of St. Anthony’s Church. We must remember that safety is the top priority. The following guidelines have been agreed upon at this stage in time.
Opening of Our Lady of Mercy Church.
This will occur from Monday to Friday starting 25th May for two hours each day from 10am - 12pm. The main door will be closed. Please use the side door on the right. There will be a sign indicating where to go. Somebody will be at the Church within that two hours to assist in the health protocol and to guide visitors as to the safety guidelines.
Sunday Mass
Mass will occur on Sundays with no more than ten people to attend. In order to monitor this, Father Lolesio has asked for those who want to attend Mass on Sundays to call the Cootamundra Office (Ph: 0269422514) so that he can coordinate attendance within the required limitations. Attendance will be determined on a rotational basis as required to ensure fairness to all parishioners. This will be effective as of this Sunday.
Thought of the Week
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
Wishing everybody a wonderful week.
God bless,
Donna Wade