St Augustine and St Monica@SpiritLive(TM)

St, Augustine's Church

St. Augustine with his mother St. Monica

Fifth Sunday
in
Ordinary Time

7th February

It is great pleasure to officially welcome Sr. Sue Smith fmm this weekend and commission her in the role of Pastoral Ministries Co-ordinator. This ceremony will take place at all Masses this week end and I know that today or when you are able, you will personally welcome Sr. Sue and share with her the wonderful warmth and vitality of this parish faith community. With Sr. Sue are Srs Pat Cullen and Janine Bliss from her congregation in Coorparoo in Brisbane. You too are most welcome.

From June 2009 to June 2010 has been declared a Year for Priests by Pope Benedict. To encourage and assist all of us to pray for all priests, the Archdiocese has produced a prayer card for our use. The prayer can be said at any time and the picture side has an icon of Christ the High Priest which also depicts the Old Testament figure Melchisedech and St. John Vianney, patron saint of priests. Please take a card from the back of the Church and more importantly please use it in your prayer time.

Ash Wednesday is 17^th February. Mass and distribution of Ashes will be:

7.00 am St. Augustine’s, Coolangatta

9.00am St Monica’s Tugun

7.00 pm St. Monica’s Tugun

The parish pastoral council commences the year with its first meeting on Wednesday, 10^th at 7pm.The Border Council of Churches also meets on Wednesday, 10^th at 4pm. Please keep these and all parish groups and ministries in your prayers as the year begins

This year the Archbishop intends to hold a significant information seminar, including practical workshops on prayer. He hopes it will be a major educational opportunity. To help prepare, small bookmarks called "Prayer 2010” are available at the doors of the Church. The card may assist you in your own prayer life as well as helping us to pray for the success of this “Call to Prayer” event next year.

Congratulations to Betty Dolan who celebrated her 90^th Birthday last weekend. What a wonderful achievement. We pray in thanks to God for you as well as the many countless ways you have given of your self to the parish and the wider community in more than 60 yrs you have lived here. May God continue to bless you and your family.

The hospitality at St. Monica’s each week and at St. Augustine’s each month is a great way to meet people, welcome new parishioners and experience the social and supportive aspects of belonging to a faith community. I am very grateful to those who provide this hospitality. The St. Augustine’s monthly roster is being compiled and anyone from St. Augustine’s Coolangatta, who can assist with serving etc is most welcome to join.Just ask Caroline Mercer or anyone at St. Augustine’s. Thankyou again and please make use of the hospitality provided at both churches.

It was great to see such interest in the Australian Bishops Social Justice Statement. If you have read the statement could you please return copies for others. The statement can be read by clicking here, alternately the web site is: www.acsjc.org.au

God Bless Fr. Kevin

Attention Religious Education Teachers in State Schools: First meeting for 2010 on Monday 15th February at 9.00am in St. Monica's Centre. If you are unable to attend please contact Bernadette Duffy 55986284. New members always welcome.

Care and Concern . First meeting for 2010 : Tuesday 9th February in St. Monica's Centre. Morning Tea at 9.30 am followered by meeting at 10 .00am. All new members welcome . Please come along and find out more about this Parish Ministry. For more details please ring 0439 780416.

"God’s Gift of Life and Love"

This pastoral letter was approved by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. The letter, sets out in a beautiful and pastoral way the Church’s teaching on Catholic married love and planning for families. It is a way of marking the 40th anniversary of the encyclical “Humanae Vitae”, on which its teaching is based.

NEW BORDER CATHOLIC MEN’S GROUP

(The Catenians)

Contacts are paulbellhouse@gmail.com or kevindevine@hotmail.com or phone Paul on 55344453 or Kevin on 55131246. Advice of your intention to attend will assist with catering.

MAX10 is a great opportunity to refocus at the start of a new year.

Men will gather from all over Australia to be encouraged in their faith journey as authentic men of God. Rediscover and Deepen your Calling and Identity. Hosted by menALIVE on February 26-28 at Queensland Conference Centre and Camping Centre Brookfield.

Cost $190 (concessions available) Contact: des@menalive.org.au

National Vocations Awareness: Visit www.catholicpriesthood.com to learn more about how to discover the path that is best for you or to help members of your family find their vocation in life.

Help is required with flower arranging each Saturday at St. Augustine's.
Please contact Del Sutton on 5536 8905.

Volunteers required for St Augustine's Altar Society. Men are very welcome. Phone Del Sutton on 5536 8905.

Holy Trinity Prayer Group every second Monday. 11.00 a.m. (Qld. Time) Parish Centre. Coolangatta.

Ladies Coffee Club: Meet on the first Tuesday of the month 10am at Markwells Cafe 64 Griffith St.Coolangatta. All very welcome.

Rosary: 4th Thursday of the month 10:00 a.m. Meeting Rooms, St Augustine's, Coolangatta.

Christian Meditation: 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month. 2:00 p.m. St Monica Centre. For further information please contact Rosaleen McDade on 55344574 . All welcome.

Scrapbooking First Sunday of every month at the St Monica Centre. Cost $5.00. All welcome. Contact Maureen 55595002

Line Dancing: 12.30 p.m. Wednesdays. (except 2nd Wed. of month) St. Monica Centre. Cost $6.50. All Welcome.

St. Monica's Play Group: A group of mums and their under school age children meet on on the first Tuesday of each month at 9.00am in the Out of School Hours Care Centre' beside the St. Augustine's school Chapel. Contact Anne 55355280 for further details.

Catholic Bushwalkers: Trips most weekends. Cater for all experience levels. Trips all over SE Qld and Northern NSW. For more information, visit www.bcbc.bwq.org.au or phone Greg on 3351 4092

Remembering Your Parish Family :Do you realize the enormous benefit that comes to the parish with a remembrance in your will?

New Parishioners

If you have arrived in our parish recently please fill out a form from the NOTICE BOARD and put in the collection. We extend a warm welcome to all new Parishioners.

Refurbishment of St. Augustine's Church. (see photos)

The 500 'Founders' Club is still short of its target.

Please contact Fr. Kevin for more information on 55 98 21 65.

Do you wish to join the Planned Giving Program ?

For further information contact the Parish Office.

Have you ordered your parish name badge ?

~ For comments or possible contributions please contact the webmaster ~