SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
15 April 2012
Graphics and cartoons & liturgical material appear only in the printed version
A VISIT TO THE POPE
A woman was at her hairdresser's getting her hair styled for a trip to Rome with her husband. She mentioned the trip to the hair-dresser, who responded: " Rome ? Why would anyone want to go there? It's crowded and dirty. You're crazy to go there. How are you getting there?" "Qantas," was the reply. "We got a very good deal!" "Qantas?" exclaimed the hairdresser. "A terrible airline. Their planes are old, their flight attendants are ugly, and they're always late. So, where are you staying in Rome ?" "We'll be at an exclusive little place on the Tiber River called Toste." "Don't go on. I know that place. Everybody thinks its going to be special and exclusive, but it's a dump." "We're going to go to see the Vatican and maybe get to see the Pope." "Oh yeah?" laughed the hairdresser. You and a million others. He'll look the size of an ant. Good luck on this lousy trip of yours. You're going to need it." A month later, the woman again came in for a hairdo. The hairdresser asked her about her trip to Rome. "Wonder-ful," explained the woman, "not only were we on time in one of Qantas' brand new planes, but it was over-booked, and they bumped us up to first class. The food and wine were splendid, and I had a handsome 28-year-old steward who waited on me hand and foot. The hotel was superb! They'd just finished a $10 million reconstruction and now it's a jewel, the finest hotel in the city. They too, were over-booked, so they apologized and gave us their owner's suite at no extra charge!" "Well," muttered the hairdresser, "that's all well and good, but I bet you didn't get to see the Pope." "Actually, we were quite lucky, because as we toured the Vatican, a Swiss Guard tapped me on the shoulder and explained that the Pope likes to meet some of the visitors and that if I would like to step into his private room and wait, the Pope would greet me personally. Sure enough, five minutes later, the Pope walked through the door and shook my hand! I knelt down and he spoke a few words to me" "Oh, really! What did he say ?" He said: "Who the bloody hell did you let do your hair?"
THIS, THAT
AND THE OTHER (41)
Andrew Neaum
Elizabeth McGrath (nee Neaum) gave birth to a third daughter on Maundy Thursday the 5th of April 2012, with comparative ease and equanimity. The very fine maternity ward of Benalla hospital is only five minutes from their home.
She was born as the Foot Washing, the Commemoration of the Last Supper, the Procession to the Altar of Repose and the Stripping of the Altar Ceremonies were taking place in St Augustine's. This being so Elizabeth whiled away the contractions and the pushing of the little girl into the world by singing to herself the beautiful "pange lingua". This hymn is sung during the solemn procession to the Altar of Repose during this most lovely service. She was with us in spirit. The little one is to be named Henrietta Lily (Hettie), and weighed 8lbs and 2oz. She appears to be a delightful little creature and was welcomed by her two little sisters, as well as Mum and Dad.
Terrific
A brief, understated, but lovely tribute to the father of Craige Raine: Norman Edward Raine was a boxer who twice fought for England. Craige his son grew up in a "bookless" prefab in Shildon, a town near Bishop Auckland. He won a scholarship to Barnard Castle School, which was then a direct grant school. Of his time there he has recalled that "it seemed that everyone else's parents seemed to be: accountants or surgeons or something. I couldn't say my father was an ex-boxer who did faith healing, had epileptic fits and lived off a pension. So for a while I said he was a football manager. But by the end I was inviting my friends home and they thought he was just as terrific as I did......
I looked up Craige Raine, who is a poet and critic, having read a very perceptive and clever article by him in The New Statesman.
Jon and Netty
Jon Hanley has decided to pull the plug on his role in the Parish as "Missioner". This is a great pity, not least because I found his company extremely congenial and stimulating. He and Netty are Christians of a unique and special sort, radical in the very best sense of the word. They are searching, really searching for the best way to live out their Christian Faith, and are constantly on the look out for authentic ways in which to do so. They are also searching for new ways of understanding the Faith and making sense of it. It was great fun to participate in their journey, even if for so short a time.
In offering them the opportunity and facilities to do some serious mission work in Shepparton, we unwittingly, I think, could well have caused them to make a decision before they were fully ready to do so. I asked Jon to knock together a paragraph for me about his decision to quit:
It is with some sadness and regrets that I write to all of you today, to say that I will not be continuing my position at St Augustine's as parish missioner.
As I have gone about this unique position of parish missioner these last weeks, I have been able to fully realise the breadth of requirements that I believe this position requires to make a success of it, some of which I did not foresee before I took this position. It is my belief that I would not be able to fulfil a number of those requirements and based on that realisation I have decided to resign.
This decision has not been taken lightly, as I have appreciated this opportunity to explore what our Christian community might look like in the future, as we have also appreciated the love and support you have all shown Netty and I in the short time we have been coming here. Netty and I will still occasionally fellowship with you and will continue to explore Anglicanism in general. We look forward to those times when we can catch up and chew the fat together.
Thanks again, God go with you, Jon and Netty.
Holy Week and Easter
The Holy Week and Easter Services this year went particularly beautifully, I thought. To experience and participate in all these services is to be granted an intimation of what our Faith is all about and how splendid and coherent it all is.
It was amusing that at the foot-washing we had more than twelve disciples feet to wash and kiss, fourteen in fact. Normally folk have to be encouraged and cajoled into participating. This year was different, Jesus had two extra disciples without even having to call or enlist them. Just as it should be.
Thank you Joan
Every Tuesday morning, half way through the Eucharist, we hear the sound of doors opening and then talk and laughter from the Narthex. It is the "Collection Counters", who gather week in and week out, one of whom, for many years has been Joan Harder. Last Tuesday was her last count, because she is on the verge of moving to the Mercy Retirement Home with Frank, and needs to sort our their affairs and offload or store away most of their possessions.
Her cheerful presence, salty wit and outrageous comments have been a great boon to those with whom she counted. Many thanks to her for all her good work over so many years.
The proximity of the Harders, over the road from the Hall, and their ready welcome whenever any of us call will be a deprivation to us. We wish them well in their move and will of course be keeping in contact with them.
Tristan da Cunha diaries
In September we are booked on a trip to Tristan da Cunha. In preparation for this, both Diana and I have undertaken as a weekly task to type a section of my mother's diaries written on the island. They are fascinating, not least for being so inconsequential. All to do with personal politics and local feuds, the trials and tribulations of making bread with inferior flour and problems with rats.
It is interesting to have Diana's perspective on them because, although written so long ago, (1952-1955) I cannot regard them with her detachment. I would like eventually to edit them and put them online. They offer a unique slant on a fascinating place. When we visit the island for a couple of weeks in September (it takes five or six days to travel the one thousand seven hundred and forty miles from Cape Town), it will be interesting to draw parallels, make links and compare the island, its inhabitants, flora and fauna now to what I can remember and what the diaries record from over fifty years ago.
I tremble to think what my children will make of my own diaries before they burn them in embarrassment, forty or fifty years hence. Hiding among all the observations of the common place and ordinary there are also snippets of interesting and gossipy matter.
Possibly the most dangerous aspect of diaries is that they are almost certain to reveal something of who the diarist really is. Obsessive about trivia perhaps, self-regarding almost certainly, insecure maybe, or even downright stupid. Oh dear, perhaps I had better burn them myself.
Would anyone, even one's most devoted child, ever have the stamina to bother reading them I wonder? I have fairly comprehensive diaries from my St Helena sojourn. They are likely to be as interesting as my mother's in time, just because of the circumscribed and fascinating circumstances of their composition. As for the rest, I doubt it. Their main use will be as an aide memoire to me when in my dotage forgetfulness begins to overwhelm me.
Pell and Dawkins
I watched Q&A for the first time last month. Probably the last time.
It bills itself as “Democracy in Action”. That is probably right because, as in our legislative assembly, there was little evidence of the protagonists listening to or engaging with each other. It was confrontation not dialogue, point scoring not listening, the defence of entrenched positions rather than a desire to press forward to new ones. It was entertainment not edification.
Lacking in subtlety
Argument is largely sterile and futile if it is indulged in to win rather than as a collaborative journey towards truth. Q & A is essentially a timid, twenty first century version of gladiatorial combat. The studio audience appeared partizan, as too did almost everyone who tweeted, twittered or phoned in.
The two protagonists were Richard Dawkins and Cardinal George Pell. Professor Dawkins claimed to be jet-lagged and was certainly tetchy and far from dazzling. Cardinal Pell made a few good points early on, but then became embarrassing for want of any subtlety or nuance to his theology. There are far defter and more nimble theological minds in the Australian Church than his.
As for the Show’s host, Tony Jones, he suffers, as does Margaret Throsby sometimes in her interviews, from a propensity to be a participator rather than a facilitator. I certainly did not endure the show to hear him.
What a face
The best thing about Cardinal Pell was his amazing countenance. What a face! It suggests, quite erroneously I am sure, a dissipated, pugilistic, brawling past, rather than one spent gliding around church sanctuaries as an altar boy. So rugged and bashed-in a visage made a pleasing contrast to the smooth, well- groomed media luvvies that are Jones and Dawkins.
It was good to hear Pell allow atheists into heaven and evolution to be possibly fair dinkum. Conservative evangelicals are so vociferous in propounding the opposite that many folk do not realise that Pell’s view is more or less mainline Roman Catholic teaching nowadays and so a legitimate position for the majority of the world’s Christians.
Hated
That seventy six per cent of the audience decided religion did not make the world a better place tells us more about the composition of the audience than about the truth or otherwise of the statement. The chattering classes hate Christianity and have for many years now. We uphold radical love and selflessness as ultimate goods. That is enough to invite crucifixion, for it challenges and calls into question privileged life styles. We are hated too, and more justifiably for the sins and failings of the far too many of us who are (or have been) abusive, hypocritical, unforgiving, finger-pointing, fanatical and life-denying.
To answer and match Dawkins’ fervent and sincere evangelical atheism, there needs to be a different and less combative format and a more subtle and open-minded Christian counterpart. My choice for the latter would be Andrew McGowan, Master of Trinity College.
CONGRATULATIONS
Birthday:
Christopher Wells 18 March
Nathalie Schwab 18 March
Cecily McDonnell 19 March
RENEW NAME TAG
Some name tags look well used. If you would like a newly printed one please put your name on the list in the drawer on the Narthex table.
PARISH COUNCIL - WEDNESDAY
This Wednesday, in Roz's Room 7.30
CHILDREN'S CHURCH
Sunday 10.30am every Sunday
Anyone who would like to help plan and take a monthly activity session for the children after their talk at the 10.30am Eucharist on Sundays, or to come out and be an assistant please have a word with Diana or the Clergy. The activity is usually based on the Gospel of the day.
LADY DAY AT ST AUGUSTINE'S
Monday 16 April 10-12 am
In aid of ABM for the Philippines to help with Girl's Education and Clean Water.Meet with your friends at the Coffee Morning. There will be a Trading Table- bring a gift and buy a gift. The Raffle for the PLATE donated by June McKellar, will be drawn.
JUNIOR CONFIRMATION
Thursdays at 4.00pm
The next Junior Preparation Session is this Thursday the 19 April. On April the 22nd at the 10.30am Eucharist, we will admit our candidates as Catechumens and invite them and their families to the Rectory for lunch.
ST COLUMB'S FAIR
Our Hall Saturday May 12th 10.00am - 3.00pm
St Columb's Fair is into its third year in our Diocese, nourishing faithful Anglican folk, refreshing people who used to enjoy Church but get bored and welcoming spiritual people who never thought to look in the greatest ethical, spiritual wisdom tradition western civilization ever produced. All are Welcome.
This session: 1) Growing Congregations who Practice what they Preach.
2) Growing a Farmer's Market.
3) Fearlessly Praying for People.
4) Contemplative Eucharist. See the Notice Board for more information.
(Let us know, for catering, if you are coming.)
PLAY GROUP
Tuesday 10-12noon in Roz's Room (Hall).
Resumes 17 April as school term begins
FRIENDSHIP GROUP
Tuesday 17 April meet at1.15pm at Church for a ride or 1.30pm at the Art Gallery
The group will spend time in the Art Gallery and afternoon tea is available there.
EVENING GUILD
Thurs 19 April 1.30pm
Make sure you keep this afternoon free to come and help make plans for the next year's interesting programme. New Members are very welcome and ask a friend to come too.
LAY RETREAT
Friday 20-Sunday 22 April
Please refer to the February OUTREACH under the heading SPIRITUAL DIRECTIONS for full details of booking the weekend retreat.
ARISE 255 YOUTH GROUP
23 April 5.30-7.30 pm - Film Night.
More details next week.
SUNDAY LUNCH AT MURCHISON
Sunday 29th April at 12.15pm
Sunday Lunch at 12.15pm is a fund raising meal at the invitation of Don & Norma Leslie, 160 Pogue Road Toolamba. All welcome (with a limit of 50, so book early). $20:00 Bookings preferred 58262422 / 58265270. Come either after 10.30am combined service at Murchison or direct from Shepparton.
STUDY COURSE
Christian Zen and Thomas Merton
Tuesdays 1,8,15,22 May 7.30 - 9pm
This interesting study course is out of the ordinary and stretches boundaries a little. Conducted by Fr Rob Whalley it will explore the place where Mystical Christianity and Zen Buddhist practice and presence find a common ground of being. Using the life and teaching of Thomas Merton as a guide, it considers how the contemplative actions found in both traditions can lead us to live with more peace, passion and purpose. Each session will include meditation, study and conversation, with time for a cuppa following. Sign up in the Narthex.
FR LAURENCE FREEMAN
Christian Meditation as a path to fullness of life
St Mel's Church Hall Thu 3 May 7-9.30pm
Cost $10 ( pensioners and students as can)
Book to Sandhurst Diocese Chancery
by Mon 30 April 03 54412544 or adultfaith@sandhurst.catholic.org.au
READINGS NEXT SUNDAY 22 April
Acts 313-20, Psalm 4, 1John 215-17 31-6
FOR THE DIARY
April 16 Mon Lady Day at St Augustine's 10-12
April 17 Tue Friendship Group- Visit to Art Gallery
April 19 Thur Guild Meeting 1.30
Apr 20-22 Fri-Sun Lay Retreat
April 23 Mon Arise 255
Apr 28 Sat Garden Working Bee 9.00am
Apr 29 Sun Combined Service & Lunch Murchison
May 1 Tues 1st of 4 Tue studies-Christianity and Zen
May 3 Thur Christian meditation-St Mel's 7-9.30pm
May 10 Thur Raffle Sub Committee Meeting 4.00pm
May 12 Sat St Columb's Fair @ St Augustine's 10-3pm
May 20 Sun St Augustine's Patronal Festival
May 25-26th Synod - Wangaratta
May 28-31 Lay and Clergy Conference - Harrietville
Jun 14 Thur Parish Fair Planning Meeting 4.00pm
Jun 25-29 Clergy in Service Training Trinity College
July 15 Sun Confirmation
Sep 24-27 Clergy Retreat - Harrietville
Oct 6 Sat Car Boot Sale Murchison
Oct 20 Sat 2012 Parish Fair and Garden Party
REQUESTS FOR PRAYER
Dulcie Ackland, Hilary & Alan Akers, Robert Bailey & family, Liam Bognar, Angela Brown, Betty Bush, Michael Egan, Christine Furze, Vida Hardy, Frank Harder, Bruce Hodgson & family, Katherine Holt, John & Kate Horder, Bill Hunter, Margaret Kidman, Jack Lear, Ruth Lewis, Elsie Lieschke, Merle Maskell, Adrian Moule, Olive Paez, Bev Ralph, Dawn & John Scott & family, Sandra Simonis, Jon Singh, Suzanne Singh, Patricia Sparkes, Heather Steen, Fay Warren, Mary Warren, Jean Wellman, Joyce & Ray, Liza, Kaye, Lewis, Margaret, Peter, Seth.
Rest in Peace: Peter Boumbis, Donald Douglas.
Anniversaries: Jake Green, Mary Howard, Geoffrey Bowden, Robert Moss, Erma Wilson, Christine Beard, Dreven Lines (15 April), William Wilson, John Maynard, Ellen Pearson (17 April), Rubina Young, Leonard Brereton, John Reed (18 April), Beryl Long, Stanley Rutherford (19 April), Bill Ibbott, Mabel Ford, Frederick Petschack (20 April), Stoyan Yosifofski (21 April).
Duties for Sunday 15 April
Reader 8.30 Victoria Heenan, Bev Condon
Intercessors 8.30 Pat Griffin
Servers 8.30 Beth, Michelle
Euc. Assts 8.30 Barbara Schier, Bev Condon
Sidespeople 8.30 Gwyn and Merve Cowland
Welcomer 8.30 Anita Saville, Shirley Dean
WelcomeTable 8.30 Dorothy Cook, Judy Lloyd
Tea 8.30 Bev Reither
Readers 10.30 Mary
Intercessors 10.30 none
Servers 10.30 Zeb, Grace and Eve Way
Euc. Assts 10.30 Joe, Linda Prosser
Sidespeople 10.30 Beryl Black, Irene Crawford
Welcomers 10.30 Bev Condon, volunteer
Welcome Table 10.30 Judy Lloyd , Dorothy Cook
Projector 10.30 Charlotte Brewer
Children's Church Mary Pearson
Mowing 21 April Merv , Beryl Bonfito
Altar Linen - April Pat Griffin
Monday Office Barbara Brown, Pat Gibson
Duties for Sunday 22 April
Reader 8.30 John Wellman, Jeanette Smith
Intercessors 8.30 Jeanette Smith
Servers 8.30 Beth, Michelle
Euc. Assts 8.30 Barbara Schier, John Horder
Sidespeople 8.30 Norm Mitchelmore, Trevor Batey
Welcomer 8.30 Eileen Quaife, Gwenda Betson
WelcomeTable 8.30 Dorothy Cook, Beverley Walsh
Tea 8.30 Shirley Dean
Readers 10.30 Aaron Bhat, Ryan Bhat
Intercessors 10.30 Andrea Fisher
Servers 10.30 Zeb, Olivia, Oscar
Euc. Assts 10.30 Joe & Jenny
Sidespeople 10.30 Mitch, John Pleming
Welcomers 10.30 Judy Lloyd, Gloria Wayman
Welcome Table 10.30 Dorothy Cook
Projector 10.30 Mary Pearson
Children's Church Diana
Mowing none
Altar Linen - April Pat Griffin
Monday Office Joyce Oxley
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Sunday 15 April Second of EASTER
5.30pm Evening Prayer- Lady Chapel
Monday 16 APRIL Rector's day off
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
5.00pm Evening Prayer- Lady Chapel
Tuesday 17 APRIL
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
10-12am Play Group resumes in term time.
11.00am Shep Aged Care
1.30am Friendship Group-To Art Gallery
5.00pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
Wednesday 18 APRIL
7.45am Mattins - Lady Chapel
10.00am Eucharist - St Augustine's
4.00pm Eucharist - Banksia
5.00pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
7.30pm PCC
Thursday 19 APRIL
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
8.25am Narthex Breakfast
9.30am Eucharist -Tarcoola
11.00am Eucharists - Harmony
12.15am Clergy Luncheon
1.30pm Evening Guild
4.00pm Confirmation Class
5.00pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
5.30pm Choir Practice
Friday 20 APRIL
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
8.25am Narthex Breakfast
5.00pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel
6.00pm Wedding Rehearsal
Saturday 21 APRIL
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist
3.00pm Wedding
6.00pm Vigil Eucharist
Sunday 22 APRIL
8.30am Sung Eucharist - St Augustine's
10.30am Eucharist - St. Augustine's
8.45am Eucharist - St Luke's Dookie
10.30am Eucharist - St Mary, Katandra
9.00am Rushworth (local)
11.00am Murchison (local)
5.30pm Evening Prayer - Lady Chapel