Catholic Outlook December 2015

DIOCESAN NEWS
Reflection on Pope Francis’
message for the World Day of
the Sick, 11 February 2016
By Dr Michael Tan
For the diocesan World Day of
the Sick Mass at St Patrick’s
Church in Blacktown on 11
February 2016, Pope Francis has
invited us to meditate on the Marriage
feast of Cana, with the theme:
Entrusting Oneself to the Merciful Jesus
like Mary: “Do whatever he tells you”
(Jn 2:5).
Mary is presented as the
thoughtful and hospitable woman
who swiftly and discreetly responds
to the serious problem of the wedding
feast running out of wine.
Her intercession arises out of
a heart of mercy and compassion,
founded on a lifetime of pondering
many things in her heart, both joyful
and sorrowful. In interceding with her
son, her only request to us is to “do
whatever he tells you.”
In response to Mary’s request,
our care, whether personal, voluntary
or professional, is performed in
obedience to her son, and are acts of
mercy and hospitality towards the
sick.
In responding to his mother’s
intercession by transforming water
into the new wine of the kingdom,
Jesus reveals to us the face of the
Father of mercy and compassion, who
sends His only Son on a mission.
This is a mission of love – a love
that heals our brokenness, illnesses
and sicknesses. This healing is a
means towards an end – that of our
salvation, and the fullness of life to
which all of us are called.
The healing which Jesus brings
about in our lives is most evident at
the foot of the Cross. On the Cross,
Jesus reminds us that healing does
not mean that all illness, suffering and
death are removed from our lives. The
crucified Christ and the risen Christ
are one and the same person.
Like the disciples on the road to
Emmaus, Jesus Himself asks of us:
“what are these matters that you are
discussing?” In sharing our doubts,
struggles, grief and turmoil, we
gradually came to recognise Him at
the breaking of bread. It is noteworthy
that at the end of the story, the
disciples are no longer sad and griefstricken
when Jesus disappears once
again, since they would continue to
enter into communion with Him at
each future breaking of bread.
To conclude, Jesus continues to
invite us to gather around the altar
of suffering, recognise Him at the
breaking of bread, and to entrust our
grief and suffering to the intercession
of His mother.
Social Justice and the Face of Mercy:
Building a network of Mercy in our Diocese
By Sr Louise McKeogh FMA, Diocesan Social Justice Coordinator
From
Pope Francis:
“The relationships
JESUS forms with the
people who approach
him manifest something
entirely unique and
unrepeatable.
The signs he works,
especially in favour of
sinners, the poor, the
marginalised, the sick,
and the suffering, are all
meant to teach mercy.
Everything in him speaks
of mercy. Nothing in him
is devoid of compassion.”
(MV 8)
These words remind me
of the responses and
relationships at the heart
of many of our local agencies,
which respond to and walk with
asylum seekers and refugees in
our community.
These agencies go about
their work day in and day out:
CatholicCare Social Services
Parramatta, House of Welcome,
St Vincent de Paul Society, Jesuit
Refugee Services, Josephite
Community Aid and others.
As we have prepared for
the Year of Mercy over the
past few months it has been
a privilege to experience this
first hand, meeting together to
build a practical and effective
network that aims to enable
us to effectively walk with and
empower the expected 7000
Syrian refugees who will arrive in
NSW over the coming year.
These agencies are a living
and concrete sign of mercy. The
agencies would have us focus our
attention on mercy being a sign
of God’s expansive love, focus
our hearts and actions not only
on those who arrive, but also on
those already in our community
seeking hospitality and welcome.
This network is already
a local sign of mercy, being
able to collaborate recently to
respond to the social, material
and employment support needs
of a group from the Tamil
community.
Local parish communities
are planning to support these
agencies, host welcome dinners,
volunteer at English classes and
build community, listening to
and sharing the stories of asylum
seekers and refugees at table
talks and community events – a
concrete call to all of us during
this Year of Mercy.
May we all reflect on Pope
Francis’ words: “What moved
Jesus in all of these situations was
nothing other than mercy, with
which he read the hearts of those
he encountered and responded to
their deepest need.” (MV 8)
SAVE THE DATE
Mass for World Day of the Sick
MEDICAL CENTRE
Bulk Billing for GP Services
MEDICAL CENTRE OPENING HOURS
Monday-Friday 8.00am-6.00pm
Saturday & Sunday 9.00am-2.00pm
Public Holidays to be advised
NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY
DOCTOR HOME VISITS AND AFTER
HOURS SERVICES AVAILABLE
Parking on-site available
Pathology on premises
Thursday 11 February 2016 at 10.30am
Including the Sacramental Rite of Anointing of
the Sick and Prayers for Healing
Please join us for a light lunch at the conclusion
of Mass
St Patrick’s Church, 51 Allawah Street, Blacktown
All welcome
in acknowledgment of carers
and those for whom they care
DOCTORS AND PHYSIOTHERAPIST
DR. ARUNTHA JESUTHASAN (Female GP)
DR. CHARLES HAYES (Male GP)
DR. VAN NGUYEN (Male GP)
DILHAN JAYAMANNE (Physiotherapist)
• Children’s/Women’s/Men’s Health
Immunisations Health Assessment
• Heart and Lung Assessment
• Prevention of Chronic Illnesses
• Weight Loss Programme
• Skin Diseases Management - including Skin Cancer
• Minor Surgical Procedures
• WorkCover
• Pre-employment Medicals
• Travel Medicine
(DR GARIMA MALHOTRA)
• Free initial check-up
• Veterans’ Affairs cover
• Dental X-rays
• Medicare Bulk Billing
for eligible children aged
between 2 and 17 years
of age - Benefits up to
$1000/child
• 10% discount for seniors
and pensioners
• Patients from all funds
welcome - Health fund
claims on the spot
Thank you for your support.
We wish you a Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year
81– 83 Richmond Rd, Blacktown, NSW | 9622 1998
8 CatholicOutlook | DECEMBER 2015
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