Thank you for accepting me as your new priest here in Saint Mary’s Parish. My name is Fr. Hermi Rafada.

Hermi is just a short-cut name for Herminigildo. Can you pronounce it? I know it is hard to pronounce, so just

call me Hermi!

I was born in Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines. I am a Filipino. I was raised by Catholic parents, Belinda and

Salustiano Rafada. From them I was blessed with six siblings, two of which are my brothers and the other four

are my sisters. I completed my studies from elementary to college in the Philippines. After finishing my

college I went straight away to the seminary. I took my seminary training in our congregation “PACEM

MISSIONARIES” whereby I studied and lived the PACEM way of life, but I finished my Bachelor of Sacred

Theology (Degree) at the Pontifical Seminary of the Pontifical University of Santo Tomas in Manila.

I was ordained a priest on the 22nd

February, 2000. I served two years in the parish as an assistant parish priest.

After these two wonderful years in the parish I was recalled by my Superior to fill-up the vacant position in one

of the houses of our congregation as Rector and Formator.

In 2014 I was privileged to be sent here in Australia. Here I witnessed the hospitality of the Australian people

and the whole community as well and I was able to see the places in which I could only see in books and on

television. My first parish assignment was at St. Anthony’s in Toowoomba. I served there as priest director for

three years. On the 3rd

April, 2018, Bishop Robert McGuckin appointed me as parish Administrator of St

Mary’s parish, Goondiwindi.

I am just new in parish administration. My experience in administration at St. Anthony’s was just very little. I

need your support, and the support of the community, for it is the whole community that will make the parish

lively and happy.

I know it is not easy for you to accept the transfer of the most loved parish priest, Fr. Michael. I know also I

couldn’t take his place from your heart. But don’t worry, you are always in his heart too. And, besides, in the

Cathedral he is in good hands. And he is the right person to lead the community there.

As for me, your new priest, what I only ask is an iota of your acceptance and patience. Needless to say, your

hospitality is more than enough. Your goodness will be my guiding light to learn about the parish, its culture

and the job attached to it. Experience taught us, “the best way to learn is to be with the people”.

Thank you, once again, for the welcome and God bless us on this journey together.

Fr. Hermi Rafada.

Stasia

Lawless

thanks the

community

of St. Mary’s

for the lovely

flowers to

celebrate

her 96th

birthday.

God’s

Blessings,

Stasia.

Congratulations to John and Gail Toohey who celebrated 50 years of

married bliss on the 4th May. May God bless you both always.

As I am away this weekend, and there will be no bulletin next weekend, this is just a

little note to say thank you to everyone for your wonderful support. Through many

baptisms, weddings and funerals I have been welcomed into your lives, for this I am

grateful and thankful. There have been many people throughout my time that have

touched my heart, and I give thanks, some are with us and some are with God. If

you are unable to be at my farewell next weekend know that you are in my prayers.

God Bless. Father Michael and Sister Rosie.

Recently we welcomed Sophie Mary Hayes into the Catholic family.

Sophie is the daughter of Francis and Sarah, sister to Lizzy.

Great grand-daughter of Mary Collins. May God bless them always.

Thank-you for your contributions:

06/05/18

Envelopes: $372.00 Loose: $219.65

Parish Bank A/C Details

A/C Name: ADF St Mary’s Parish Goondiwindi

BSB: 064-786 A/C Number: 518826001

If paying by direct deposit, please use your

initials/surname as the reference.

VOLUNTEERS MASS TIMES Monday……Stella McGovern’s Requiem.…..11.00am

Tuesday……Kaloma farewell.…..10.00am Wednesday……(Rosary 5.10pm).…..5.30pm

Friday…School Farewell for Fr. Michael …11.30am

12th/13th May, 2018 SUNDAY EVENING: Goondiwindi 6pm

FATHER MICHAEL’S FAREWELL MASS

SUNDAY, 20th May at 10.00am

26th/27th May, 2018 SATURDAY EVENING: Goondiwindi 6.00pm SUNDAY MORNING: Goondiwindi 8.00am

2nd/3rd June, 2018

SATURDAY EVENING: Goondiwindi 6.00pm SUNDAY MORNING: Weengallon 8.00am & Daymar 10.00am

9th/10th June, 2018

SUNDAY EVENING: Goondiwindi 6.00pm

16th/17th June, 2018 SUNDAY MORNING: Goondiwindi 9.00am

GROUNDS ROSTER

MAY: THOMPSON FAMILY

JUNE: MICHAEL & JACK SCHAUMBURG

WE PRAY FOR THOSE: Who have entered your kingdom: including Stella McGovern, Loretta Brennan, Tom Mitchell, Steve Aspinall, Delva Brown, Fay Hunt, Don McDonald, Allan Amey, Barry Kindt, Gwendolyn “Henny” Makim, Epigenia Cabus (Claire & Rose’s sister), Barbara Duffy, Vince O’Brien (Roma), Bishop John Gerry, Laurance Martyn, Frank Brosnan, Max Hohn, Kath Johnson, Muriel “Sis” Plain (Len Cleal’s sister), Robert Miller, Elaine Symes, June Corish, Ted Heironymus, Gloria Glasser, Therese Sullivan, Helen Farrell, Fr. Merv Ziesing, Joan Lawson, Thea McNaulty, Kevin “Skeet” McMaster, David Hollis, Frank Lawless (Stasia’s son), Pauline Pollock, Monica Peters (Kath Gore’s Aunt), John Clancy, Margaret Cook, Marie Dutton, Patricia MacBeth (Lismore), Kevin Heironymus, Patricia Manton, Helen Zeller, Richard Everingham, Jim Coleman, Tim Murphy. Whose anniversary is at this time: including Rosemary Keehn, Beryl

Pearce, Charles McCosker, Anthony Miller, Bryson McGuire, June

Galvin, Clara Sutherland, Colin McIlveen, Nora Heynen, Kay Coleman,

Norman Jennings, Catherine Lloyd, Donald Pfingst, Margaret Piedl,

Evelyn Sheridan, Dawn Garland, Leslie Martyn, Monica ‘June’ Gall,

Rodney Bourke, Paul Cairns, Paul Cook, Chris Cleal, Greg Rigby,

Margaret Ash, Agnes Mangan, Pat and Ellen Mullins, Arthur Gordon,

Shirley Harmer, William ‘John’ Wright (Talwood), Marion O’Leary.

Who are ill: including Hardy Sutton, Donna Lindores, John Abbot, Angus Rigney, Jan Jan Charles, Tom Turvey, Bill Dyer, Trish Dyer, Brian Freeney, Pat & Teresa Mullins, Deanna Dawson, Anne Hunt, Kevin Lawless, Ray Mackie, Peter Keehn, Joan Fleming, Gloria Bale, David Croft, Tim Bourke, Joe Cowmeadow, Shirley Schluter, Stasia Lawless, Paul Lloyd, Mavis Gordon, Jean Ramada, Jean Sizer, Francis Lloyd, Madonna Nicoletti, Stephanie & Chris Adamson, Bailey Brennan, Pauline Robinson, Win Skinner, Sonya Horrigan, Helen Paige, John Toohey, Marie Cook, Phillip Carney, Shirley Riley, and Joseph Hord; also those ill at home, in hospital and for those in Kaloma.

WELCOMERS AT DOOR

DENISE MCCORMACK & MARIE LLOYD (13/05)

ANNE WEBSTER & MARY BELL (27/05)

CLAIRE CHARLES (03/06)

WELCOMER AT MICROPHONE

PAT THOMPSON (13/05)

YVONNE ISAAK (27/05)

PAT THOMPSON (03/06

1ST

READER/PSALM

GRAHAM MCGOVERN (13/05)

PAULINE CORCORAN (27/05)

RACHAEL REEVES (03/06)

2ND

READING/ALLELUIA

YVONNE ISAAK (13/05)

GRAHAM MCGOVERN (27/05)

VOLUNTEER NEEDED (03/06)

EUCHARIST MINISTERS

ST MARY’S STAFF X 3 (13/05)

CAMILLE KELLOWAY, BRIAN COOK &

ST MARY’S STAFF (27/05)

CARMEL SCHAUMBURG, CARMEL GEESON

& MARY COLLINS (03/06)

DATA PROJECTOR

ST MARY’S STAFF (13/05)

CARMEL SCHAUMBURG (27/05)

ST MARY’S STAFF (03/06)

MONEY COUNTERS

KAREN CAIRNS & MARY COLLINS (13/05)

DENISE MCCORMACK & JENNIFER LAWLESS (27/05)

TERESA HEYNEN & BELL FAMILY (03/06)

Introduction On this feast of the Ascension, we remember that Christ’s ascension marks the definitive entrance of Jesus’ humanity into God’s heavenly domain. This feast reminds us that like the first disciples,

we are not to dally “looking up at the sky,” but are to get busy proclaiming the glory of God’s

kingdom by the witness of our lives.

First Reading Acts 1:1-11

Jesus rose from the dead and returned to prepare the disciples to preach his

kingdom and continue his work.

Responsorial Psalm God mounts his throne to shouts of joy:

a blare of trumpets to the Lord.

Second Reading Ephesians 1:17-23

Believers are called to profess belief in the triune God whose greatness over all is

manifested in Jesus Christ.

ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA! Go and teach all people my gospel. I am

with you always, until the end of time ALLELUIA!

Gospel Mark 16:15-20

The disciples were sent into the world to preach, heal and bring all people to belief.

Prayers of the Faithful For the church, for grace to open our hearts to the Spirit promised on that Ascension Day, to heed the call to stop looking up at the sky and to create the kingdom in our midst … we pray,

For leaders and citizens of this nation, for work that protects the vulnerable in our midst:

the unborn, the poor, the refugee, the homeless, the mentally ill; for courage to promote the common good, and ever and

always, to seek peace …we pray,

On this Mother’s Day weekend, with gratitude for the women who have given us life and nurtured us along the way, for all whose

yearning for children goes unfulfilled, for those who await the birth of a child … we pray,

For Fr. Hermi as he continues his ministry in this place, may it be a time of joy and

fulfillment… we pray,

For hearts and minds open to knowing Christ in this community; and for all among us who

need the healing of this relationship, especially the sick, the dying and all who

suffer ... we pray,

Together we pray….

Gracious God, you sent your Son to

show us the way to the kingdom. Open our hearts to your will. Lead us in your

love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Parish Priest: Fr. Hermi Rafada Ph: 0435 006 513 or 4671 1091

email: rafsteel2005@yahoo.com St Mary’s School: Mr Brett Pollard Ph: 4671 1730 Parish Safeguarding Rep: Mrs Carmel Schaumberg Ph: 0419 786 738

stmarysgdi@bigpond.com 69 Callandoon Street PO Box 45, Goondiwindi 4390

Parish Secretary:

Mrs Kath Gore

Mobile Ph: 0427 771 478

Office Ph: 4671 5087

Thursday 9.30am – 3.30pm

PARISH

INFORMATION

ASCENSION SUNDAY

13TH

MAY, 2018