St Rita's Parish News

Searching for the King

There is a legend that there were four Magi and not only three. The name of the fourth was Artaban. He too saw the star and decided to follow it, taking with him a sapphire, a ruby, and a pearl as gifts for the new King. His three friends, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar were waiting for him at an agreed spot. How-ever, on the way there he found a wounded man lying by the roadside. He took pity on the man and took him to an inn where he arranged care for him. When he finally got to the agreed meeting place his friends had grown wary of waiting and had left on their journey. Needing a camel and supplies to cross the desert he then had to trade his sapphire to get them. When he reached Bethlehem, once again he was too late. Mary and Joseph had fled to Egypt to escape Herod’s Killers.

In the house where he was staying there was a one year old baby boy. That evening soldiers came to the door . The family were distraught, so Artaban went out to meet them. With the ruby he bribed the captain not to enter, and the child was saved. The family were overjoyed. Artaban, however, was sad because now he had only the pearl left as a gift for the King.

During the years that followed he searched high and low for the King. But he always seemed to be too late. Some thirty years later he came to Jerusalem. He was now old and dispirited. He heard a number of crucifixions were taking place that very day and was horrified to learn that Jesus was one of the men being crucified. He then hurried towards the hill of execution, perhaps the pearl could save the life of his King. However, on his way to Calvary he met a girl who was fleeing from a band of soldiers. The girl’s father had incurred huge debts, and she was being sold into slavery. Artaban took out his pearl, gave it to the soldiers, and the girl was allowed to go. But now he had to face his King empty handed.

Just then the sky began to get dark. An earthquake shook the ground causing the houses around him to rock and their roof tiles began to fly off. One of them hit Artaban on the head, mortally wounding him. He died before he reaching the hill of execution.

He never quite succeeded in catching up with his King. Yet in a sense Artaban always had his King. All those years he had carried him in his mind and heart. The King had inspired him in his deeds of love and generosity and had illuminated all his journey with meaning and hope.

Artaban had found his God, because the person who is genuinely searching for God has already found him. Artaban is a model of faith. Those who believe in and love Jesus are changed; they act and live differently..
Source: New Sunday & Holy Day liturgies Flor McCarthy, SDB

Our Sick:

Peg Jamieson, Roisin Wohlsen, Fred Knight, Therese Thomas, Robyn Holmes, Marko Volarevich, Edward Walker, Terence Walsh, Rita Peck, Neil Leone, Kaleb Love, Elaine Dyer (Ruby’s daughter-in-law), Val Saint, Brodie McGovern, Lousie de Vries.

Give Them Strength

Recently Deceased:

Margaret Talbot

May she rest in peace

A Star is born

The Magi were led to Christ by the light of a star.
But they saw the star only because
they were not afraid to travel in the dark.
The fact is, we cannot see the stars
in the bright of day,
but only in the darkness of night;
and the darker the night,
the brighter they shine.
In a sense, all of us are night-time travellers.
However, we need no longer fear the darkness,
because with the coming of Christ
a light has come into the world,
a light that shines in the dark,
a light that no darkness can overpower.
Source: New Sunday & Holy Day Liturgies, Yr A, Flor McCarthy, SDB

THANK YOU

The St Rita's Social Justice Group thanks all those who contributed to the recent Christmas appeal over the past two weekends. The monies raised from this appeal will help the St Anthony's Children's Home in Zambia, through Catholic Mission. Due to your generosity, last weekend's final call for donations raised an additional $509.40. This means the Home has been blessed with a $2517.40 donation. Congratulations on a wonderful show of generosity. On behalf of all those involved in the Social Justice Group, both in St Rita's, and across the Redlands-Bayside Deanery, we wish you all every blessing for the Christmas season May God and His Holy Spirit touch you, and your families, in 2009.

Meet & Eat Next Weekend

To welcome in the New Year we are holding a Meet & Eat next weekend, the 10th/11th January. There will be a sausage sizzle after the 6pm Saturday Vigil Mass and bacon & egg burgers & sausage sizzle after the 7.00am & 9.00am morning Masses, for a gold coin donation. This is a great opportunity to catch up with our fellow parishioners and possibly get to know a few new faces whilst enjoying fine fare. So come along and join us after mass next weekend, we look forward to your company!
If any additional volunteers are able to help with the cooking and catering please contact David McGovern on livedogster@gmail.com

Have you changed your contact details recently?

If your address, telephone number or email addresses have changed, please send the details in writing to the parish office so we can amend our records.

Thought for the week

When God deletes sin, let’s not save it in our memory.

A VOCATION VIEW

Even gift bearing kings, accompanied by camels and servants, went to visit Jesus Christ. You, come and follow Him. Take the Good News back to your people: Jesus is Lord of all.

To talk to someone about your vocation, contact the Vocation Office: (07) 3336 9203.
email vocation@bne.catholic.net.au. or website www.bne.catholic.net.au/vocation

CATHOLIC LEADER

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In this week's edition:

Prime Minister indicates he will seek clemency for Scott Rush
Young couple celebrating first Christmas as parents speak of being overwhelmed by God’s goodness
Caritas Australia and other aid agencies appeal for government and public action on global food crisis
The Catholic Guy gives thoughts on spreading the Gospel in a way that engages young people
Church agencies have mixed reaction to Federal Government’s climate change paper

Read the Catholic Leader on-line at www.catholicleader.com.au