Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish, Stafford [A Parish of the Brisbane North West Deanery] Vision: вЂњTo follow the example of Jesus by serving others.вЂќ Dedication of the Lateran Basilica Dear Parishioners and Visitors, Open letter: Living in the hell called Nauru This article was first published in the print edition of вЂњThe Saturday PaperвЂќ on Oct 25, 2014 as "Living in the hell called Nauru" I am writing as a mother in Nauru house of detention. After 10 months of being detained on Christmas Island, my three -member family was brought here: myself and my husband and my son who is not yet three. As I knew we were going to be forcefully taken to Nauru, I felt sadness and spent all the night crying in misery. Any time I looked into face of my son, I asked myself, what is his sin to be punished harshly like this? What wrong we have done to receive such treatment? Just as I heard an officer saying that we were going to be transferred to Nauru, I suddenly felt all the miseries in the world. I kept crying all the time we were leaving. We were put in isolation on Christmas Island. They checked us for nearly 10 hours with no break вЂ“ they kept searching our bags and threw half of our items away. We were not allowed to wear shoes. They did not let us to tie our hair. They checked behind ears, inside nose, beneath tongue and hair. Big bully officers. My little son was scared and kept crying. (YEAR A) 8th/9th November, 2014 Anger and depression is evident in childrenвЂ™s faces. My son tends to beat other children from the very time we have moved to here. He has unrest at nights. He wakes up 10 to 15 times a night and I need to keep his mouth closed. Most of the nights he suffers nightmares. My son is in crazy age, and this situation will make him a man devoid of self-confidence, angry and timid. The situation we are experiencing here is interfering with the natural process that he needs to spend. I ask you: what is the sin of these innocent children? Sun shines very sharply and fiercely here from the early morning up to 6 or 7pm and there is no proper place for us to protect ourselves. I think you can imagine how these four-, five- or six-year-olds suffer from hot weather. Toilets are far away, nearly 120 metres. Most of the children begin to suffer nocturnal enuresis [bedwetting] as a result of the harsh situation and the facilities they are facing. The вЂњmessвЂќ is also far away. Inside there is no cooling system. The quality of foods is very awful. Every day I am concerned if I can feed my son today. I can feed him only three foods a week: rice and chicken and noodle, as well as bread and butter. He actually escapes from food Do you know what the meaning of hopeless and helpless because he has been exhausted of the repeated tastes. is? Do you know what is the meaning of I got tired of being My son is now spending 14 months in custody. alive? (......to be continued next week) After 10 hours of inspection, we were put into a bus accompanied by a large number of officers and then onto an airplane. The journey took eight hours. My son neither ate nor slept for 24 hours. You may not believe that my son really didnвЂ™t sleep for 24 hours, but he felt such anxiety. During this journey, everybody who wanted to use the toilet was accompanied by three officers. They never allowed the doors to be closed. At last we reached a hell called вЂњNauruвЂќ. They checked us for the next six hours. Then they created files for us all, and we were transferred one by one to our new home. There are near 100 tents here, which are mainly of plastic and sack. Inside each has been divided into six, seven or eight rooms, depending on the size of families who are supposed to be settling. There is nothing to mean вЂњprivacyвЂќ. Our part is much like a stable вЂ“ it has never resembled a home. Even breathing or murmuring of the next family can be heard. Rooms have no real doors, except a piece of sack. Children cannot go out to play because it is very hot here. I am sure you can never imagine how deadly is the situation we are experiencing. Children enjoy playing, singing and imitating voices of animals and trains. Here in Nauru, children are never allowed to be children: I wonder if you can believe that children, my two-year-old, have been scolded for just speaking loudly or crying, or even playing? I keep saying to my son вЂњHush. Be quiet.вЂќ Sometimes I think he has gone mad for the limitations I am imposing on him. I burst into tears for having frightened him and spend all the night crying. CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY CATECHETICAL DAY Tuesday 16th December 9.00am-2.00pm Cost: $5 per child This is a Catechetical day when primary school aged children can come for a time of fun learning about the true вЂ�Spirit of ChristmasвЂ™. They will engage in craft activities, songs, stories, and games, all with a Christmas theme. Morning tea and lunch will be provided. To book your child/ren in for this day, please email or call Rosemary at stafford@bne.catholic.net .au or phone 3356 7155 during business hours. New children (of primary school age) are always welcome to join us. .1 Why do ghosts like to ride elevators? NEXT WEEKвЂ™S READINGS Dedication of the Lateran Basilica (YEAR A) 1st Reading: 2nd Reading: Gospel: C S Proverbs 31:10-13,19-20,30-31 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 Matthew 25:14-30 OUNTERS ROSTER: Monday 10th November, Team C: Brian Davissen, Kev Haley, Peter Dove. TAFFORD KEDRON CHURCHES TOGETHER pray this week for parishioners at Stafford Salvation Army. R ELIGIOUS GOODS SHOP: 2015 COLUMBAN CALENDAR, are here вЂ” buy one before they run out!!Have you dropped in lately to see what is available? There are gifts for many occasions as well as a good supply of cards. Come and see. DonвЂ™t forget to pick up your Catholic Leader here. There are Bibles, daily reflection books, Memorial Cards, Statues, Candles, CHRISTMAS CARDS and more!! Redeem is a book of Advent and Christmas Reflections. This is a new resource which is available from the Religious Goods Shop for $4 a copy. I NDOOR BOWLS CLUB: After 27 years the Bowls Club will have to close because of insufficient numbers of players. We play every second Wednesday in the Hall. If you are interested in joining, please ring Mary on 3356 2172. All age groups welcome. L iving Faith вЂ“ Kids books have arrived! For all children who celebrated Confirmation and Eucharist this year, your final subscribed edition is available from the Sacristy. Your childвЂ™s name is on their book вЂ“ just come in and collect it before or after Mass. ALSO there are EXTRA books for the children in the current programme вЂ“ not enough for all so first in first served! вЂ“ Just come in and collect on that hasnвЂ™t got a name on it. A.1 It raises their spirits. T his weekend we will bless our new Ambry! Thanks to all who donated money for the new Eucharist Vessels (coming soon!!) and this Ambry. An Ambry is a Tabernacle-like вЂњsafeвЂќ where we store the oils, usually somewhere near the Baptismal Font. Just a reminder: the Sacred Oils are: The Oil of Catechumens вЂ“ used to anoint people preparing for Baptism; The Oil of the Sick вЂ“ used for the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick; and The Oil of Chrism вЂ“ used for Anointing after Baptism, for Confirmation, for Ordination of a Priest or Bishop, for blessing a new church building, a new Altar or a new Ambo. T he Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick: Are you preparing for an operation? Have you been recently diagnosed with a serious illness? Have you had a вЂњdownturnвЂќ in your sickness? The celebration of the вЂњANOINTING OF THE SICKвЂќ is for you! We are celebrating it after each Mass NEXT weekend and every third Sunday of the Month. Please come to the front row of seats on the flat area (near the baptismal font) after Mass. Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldnвЂ™t have said. F AITH ON TAP: POP CULTURE & SOCIAL MEDIA: ENTERTAINING OURSELVES NUMB WHO: This month we welcome back previous FoT speaker Dr Ryan Messmore, (president of Campion College in Sydney) to discuss a topic that affects anybody with a computer, smartphone, tablet, laptop i.e. EVERYBODY!!! WHAT: Television. Movies. Facebook. Twitter. 24-hour news. How do these things shape us? Should we judge them based solely on their content (counting up the number of dirty words and images), or also on their form? This talk will explore the subtle influence that popular entertainment has on our character, relationships and communities. Learn to engage pop culture and social media in a healthy way without вЂњentertaining yourself numb.вЂќ WHEN: Monday the 10th of November 2014 HERE: The Pineapple Hotel, 706 Main St, Kangaroo Point QLD 4169 (heaps of parking in Baines St or 10min walk from Woolloongabba bus station) EAT: Come along from 6:30pm onwards for a pizza or a beer (or both for only $10 - Special FoT menu) TALK: Join us at 7:30pm in the function room upstairs for the talk. QnA and social time follows. Venue closes at 10:00pm ENTRY BY DONATION: min. $2.00 (to help us cover costs) MORE INFO: Lizzie: 0430 198 971 / David: 0431 956 753 EMAIL: faithontap@yahoo.com.au RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/295227497330429/ PLEASE NOTE: FoT is for young adults aged 18 to 35 years* (*Priests & religious of all ages are welcome) (*17yo school-leavers / uni-students also welcome) G 20 WeekвЂ”Monday 10th to Sunday 16th November Additional changes to Mass Schedule at the Cathedral Further discussions have taken place regarding the disruptions in the CBD during the week leading up to the G20 and therefore additional changes to the regular Mass & Reconciliation schedule at the Cathedral have been made. Monday 10 to Thursday 13 Mass 8.00am & 12.30pm Reconciliation 1.00-1.30pm Friday 14 & Saturday 15 NO Masses or Reconciliation Sunday 16 Mass 8.00am & 10.00am NO 12 NOON or 7.30pm Mass. St PatrickвЂ™s, Fortitude Valley Sunday Mass 9am & 12 noon вЂњвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќвЂќ Q.2 What school subject is a witch good at? QUEENSLAND IRISH CHOIR present LETвЂ™S CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS DATE: 30TH November 2014 VENUE: Qld Irish Club, 175 Elizabeth St., TIME: 2 PM вЂ“ 4.30 PM COST: $15 BOOKINGS: Pat Deighton (H) 07 3356 9172 (M) 0409 497 557 Email: deightfp@tpg.com.au The Choir will sing many Christmas Favourites Brian and Robin of SILKEN THOMAS BAND will play and sing popular Irish Melodies. AMY COOPER AND NATALIE PUGIN will enchant you with their wonderful happy voices. Musical Director : David OвЂ™Keeffe Accompanist : Tim Li . Would you like to go on our вЂњFriends of QICвЂќ email list to be notified of upcoming events? Send an email to Roslyn Rogers (rosrogers65@gmail.com) and she will add your name to the listing. The Great Book Swap Everyone is invited to take part in The Great Book Swap! When: After 9am Mass on Sunday 23rd of November Where: Stafford Catholic Parish. Bring along a book youвЂ™ve finished reading and swap it for another book at the table. All for a Gold Coin Donation. D id you know? There is a door open to the church (one of the doors between the main door and the door to the Sacristy). You are always welcome to use our church (try sitting in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel) to be alone with Christ and your thoughts as long as you like. The door is usually open from 8am to 4pm each weekday. See the office if itвЂ™s locked. A.2 Spelling T he final 2014 Verse-for-Vinnies Concert on 30th November will be held at 1.30pm in Mary Mackillop Hall, 67 Dawson Parade, Grovely and will feature the renowned Australian Poet Rupert McCall. This award winning writer and performer has thrilled audiences throughout Australia. As well as receiving two hours of professional entertainment you will be assisting Vinnies provide for the needy in our community. The pay at the door $15 includes a homemade afternoon tea. After payment to the feature poet all monies go to the St Vincent de Paul Society. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ D IVINE MERCY PRAYER AND ADORATION: Join with us each 2nd and 4th Monday of the month for prayer and adoration. We are changing the time to 6-7pm. This may suit people a little better than the later start. For inquiries contact the Parish Office, or if you wish to attend just come along on Monday evening. M T APLE CAFE: Drop in for a coffee or a meal between 9am and 4pm 7 days a week. PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF TIMES. EAR AUSTRALIA Useful Gifts Catalogue is available at the Church doors. Give a gift this Christmas that will help contribute to a better tomorrow for people living in poverty. Gifts range from $5 to $5000. Upon ordering you will be sent a card about your gift and a tax deductible receipt. D ATE CLAIMER: On Tuesday 2nd December, 7.309.30pm come along to Marymac Community Centre, 616 Ipswich Road, Annerley, to hear Fr Laurence Freeman OSB speak on вЂњThe Sacred Language of ChristianityвЂќ. Fr Laurence will comprise a talk and discussion and an introduction to Christian meditation as well as a period of silence. SEE NOTICEBOARD FOR FURTHER DETAILS. When a man volunteers to do the вЂ�BBQвЂ™, the following chain of events are put into motion: 1. The woman goes to the shop. 2. The woman fixes the salad, vegetables and dessert. 3. The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it in a tray along with necessary cooking utensils, and takes it to the man, who is lounging beside the grill, 3rd beer in hand. 4. The man places the meat on the grill. 5. The woman goes inside to check the vegetables, then sets the table.. 6. The woman comes to tell the man that the meat is burning. 7. The man takes the meat off the grill and hands it to the woman. 8. The woman collects the salad and vegetables and brings them to the table. 9. After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes. 10. Everyone praises the man and thanks him for his cooking efforts. 11. The man asks the woman how she enjoyed вЂњher night offвЂќ and, upon seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that there is just no pleasing some women. This would never happen here at Our Lady Queen of Apostles. Join in the barbecue today to celebrate our Feast Day. This weekend we welcome Fr Denis back from his leave. We hope he had a restful and enjoyable holiday. He did suggest he could take another month of it, but a certain Secretary told him not to even think about it. The Parish Secretary obviously wields great influence!!! Our Lady, Queen of Apostles Parish Parish School (вЂњQueen of ApostlesвЂќ) Parish Office: Address: 70 Appleby Road, Stafford 4053 Parish E-mail: stafford@bne.catholic.net.au Parish WEBSITE: www.staffordcatholicparish.org.au Parish Pastoral Council: ppcstafford@gmail.com Parish Secretary: Rosemary Haydock Office Hrs: M-Th 9.00amвЂ”4.30pm Fri 9.00amвЂ”-10.00am Office Telephone: вЂ“ 3356 7155 Parish Administrator: Fr Denis Scanlan Fr DenisвЂ™ E-mail: pp.stafford@bne.catholic.net.au Parish Convent: (Sr Josita Paczkowska and Sr Maureen Stemko) 3356 6185 School Office: Address: 10 Thuruna Street, Stafford 4053 School email: pstafford@bne.catholic.edu.au School Team: Principal: Nigel Bird APA: Melissa Spiteri APRE: Michael Bruynesteyn School Secretaries: вЂў Thuruna St:: Cathy McGraw, Vera Fitzgerald вЂў Chuter St: : Mary-Anne Coppolecchia School Office Hrs: 8.00am - 4.00pm Telephone (Thuruna St:) - 3356 7755 Telephone (Chuter St:) - 3326 0400 THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH Mon 10th 8.30am 6.00pm Mass Divine Mercy Prayer and Adoration Tues 11th 8.30am 7.00pm Prayer of the Church with Holy Communion Sacramental Parent Meeting Wed 12th 8.00am Indoor Bowls Club Thurs 13th 8.30am Mass Fri 14th 9.00am Mass Sat 15th 5.00pm 6.00pm Reconciliation Mass Sun 16th 7.00am 9.00am 10.30am 2.30pm 5.30pm Mass Mass Baptisms Rosary Mass Please leave MOBILE PHONES turned OFF. BAPTISMS in this Parish occur at 10.30am on the Third Sunday of each Month (except during Lent). BAPTISM PREPARATION is on the First Sunday of each month at 10.30am. You may add a sick personвЂ™s name to the list by phoning the Parish Office (3356 7155). To keep the list вЂ�freshвЂ™ the last four names each week will be deleted. If their illness continues, letвЂ™s know and weвЂ™ll add them to the start of the list. For the Sick: Hyacinth Morel, Margaret Munt, Tagifiaai Asuao, Tim Green, Neville Lamb, Joe Donnelly, Caroline Adams, Kevin Wildermuth, John Killin, Bianca Muir, Peter Robertson, Chris Robertson, Carmel Remphrey, Fr Gerard Mulholland, Matthew Gray, Frank Wilkie, Lucien Hoogen, Eddie Nicholson, Phyllis Byrne, . (Please read above notice about the sick list) Those Recently Deceased: Clare Smith, Diana Reid, Steven Byrne, Mary Grattan-Smith, Wanda Molony, Darcy Mitchell. Those We Remember: Lino Piovesan, Rill Garozzo, Anna De Mattia, all the souls in Purgatory, and all deceased Parishioners, their families and friends and all our brothers and sisters in Christ maimed, killed or dispossessed because of their faith. STAMPS FOR MARIST MISSIONS: We urgently require recent 70c and higher valued Australian used stamps. Please leave them in the box to the left of the main Church door and remember to leave a small border of paper on them, as they are worthless if damaged. Obviously stamps are becoming more difficult to obtain with greater dependence on electronic media. Perhaps you or someone you know work in an office which receives a high volume of mail. Could you help us out by collecting the stamps that would otherwise be destroyed? This is an easy and effective way of reaching out to the poor. Thank you for your ongoing support. The Catholic Leader is available from the Religious Goods shop for $2. Purchase a copy today to find out whatвЂ™s happening in the local Church and in the world. In this weekвЂ™s issue: * Priest with late-stage Motor Neurone Disease says heвЂ™s now вЂ�looking forward to heavenвЂ™ * Inala parish praying for ailing priest * Grassroots Catholic ministry opens drop-in centre for Brisbane cityвЂ™s poor * Caritas participates in WorldвЂ™s Biggest Mock Tax Haven to draw attention to tax evasion in lead-up to G20 * Nudgee College principal and Toowoomba Catholic teacher receive state honours VISITORвЂ™S BOOK: If you are new to the Parish there is a visitorвЂ™s book at the main Church door. In it there are brief census cards. Please complete one and put it on вЂњthe plateвЂќ or hand in to the office. Our Lady has asked us to pray the Rosary for peace. Rosary is prayed here 1/2 an hour before each weekday Mass as well as on Sundays 2.303.30pm. Please join us. * Maronite patriarch visits Brisbane * Work of refugee artists feature in exhibition at Mercy Heritage Centre * Brisbane Catholic school a winner at Tournament of MindsвЂ™ Australasian and Pacific Finals * Talking point: Bernard Toutounji on Christian relief work and contraception Contact the Parish Office on 3356 7155 for information regarding our Planned Gifting Program