REMINDER TO ALL CHILDREN’S LITURGY
PARENTS/CARERS:
Please scan the QR code to sign your children in if they are aending Children’s Liturgy.
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT — YEAR A 15TH MARCH 2026
MANAINI from FIJI
Life in rural Fiji has always been a struggle for 44-year-old Manaini, a mother of six and grandmother of two. The family lived from
what they grew, but meals were plain and oen lacked nutrion. Store food was too expensive. At night, the village was in
darkness, leaving children and the elderly unsafe.
Holding back tears, Manaini shared: “The things I worry about the most is my kids’ educaon. The requirements that need to be
met are hard for me to achieve with my daily income.”
Almost one quarter of Fiji’s populaon live in poverty, and rates are higher in rural villages. Any extra income can mean the
dierence between children compleng school, being able to buy medicine, or simply managing daily costs. This is what poverty
looks like in rural Fiji – every dollar counts.
The naon also faces one of the worst health crises in the Pacic. Diabetes and heart disease are widespread. On average, every
eight hours, three people lose a limb to diabetes. Viloki, who works with Caritas Australia's partner FRIEND (Foundaon for Rural
Integrated Enterprises and Development), explained: “Fiji has one of the highest rates in the Pacic in terms of non-communicable
diseases. That's like 80% of the people here have one or the other form of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes... Every
eight hours, there are three amputaons.”
Thanks to your generosity, Manaini joined training with local partner, FRIEND. She learnt food processing skills to transform
leovers from crops like cassava and taro into our and increase her weekly income. Her family eats healthier meals, and she
saves money. With the women’s group she bakes cakes and pies to sell for extra income.
Seeds from the program gave her a thriving garden, and she makes her own organic ferliser and pescides. Solar lights now
brighten the village, helping children to study and walk safely.
You can support Project Compassion 2026 through the
donaon boxes, envelopes or by scanning the QR code.
Or online at: www.projectcompassion.org.au/donate Or
by calling: 1800 024 413
SACRAMENTS 2026
Registraons are open for the Sacramental Programme:
First Reconciliaon
First Holy Communion
Conrmaon
To register, please visit the Parish website and select Sacraments from the menu, or use the QR code.
Fourth Sunday of Lent
15th March 2026
PLEASE DONATE TODAY
Manaini (centre) learns food processing skills as part
of a program run by Caritas Australia’s partner in Fiji.
Photo: Caritas Australia.
WWW.MUDGEE.CATHOLIC.ORG.AU
Catholic Parishes of Mudgee, Gulgong and Kandos
GULGONG ROSTER
22nd Mar 29th Mar
Commentator C. Gaudry
Reader D. Hudson
Sacristan M&E Carney
Leader
MUDGEE ROSTER
Saturday 21st/ Sunday 22nd March
Commentator A. McLean G. Myles
First Reader SMCS Leaders SMCS Leaders
Second Reader SMCS Leaders SMCS Leaders
EMOC L. Nicholson M. Cassidy
Altar Server Help Needed Help Needed
Welcomer D. Delahunty B. Redden
Oertory G. English Children’s Liturgy
Sacristan A. Baker L. Browne
Counter Mon. 16th Mar L. Hawkins
Saturday 28th/ Sunday 29th March
Commentator M. Mahews A. Myles
First Reader M. Dorney B. Redden
Second Reader A. McLean P. Buerworth
EMOC I. Byrne P. O’Brien
Altar Server Help Needed Help Needed
Welcomer R. Pereira Mr S Walker
Oertory P. Fitzpatrick Children’s Liturgy
Sacristan I. Browne A. Costello
Counter Mon. 23rd Mar K. O’Brien
Bells Mon - E. Goodlet
Tue - Help Needed
Wed - J. Cooper
Thu - I. Browne
Fri/Sat -
I. Browne
Sun—
Help Needed
DAY BY DAY
Mon 16/3 Fourth Week of Lent
10.00am Parish Oce opens
3.30pm Gulgong Conrmaon Meeng
Tue 17/3 St Patrick’s Day
9.30am Mass —Mudgee SMCS Yr 5
6.00pm Alpha Program—Mudgee
6.30pm Mudgee Conrmaon Meeng in the Church
Wed 18/3 Fourth Week of Lent
9.30am St Marys Cra Group
5.20pm Reconciliaon—Mudgee
5.45pm Mass — Mudgee
Thu 19/3 Fourth Week of Lent
9.30am Mass - Mudgee
Fri 20/3 Fourth Week of Lent
10.30am Mass - Kanandah Nursing Home
11.30am Exposion of the Blessed Sacrament
12noon Rosary
12.30pm Mass - Mudgee
2.00pm Funeral: EAC Chapel—Michael Stevens
Sat 21/3 Fourth Week of Lent
11.00am Bapsm
5.20pm Reconciliaon
6.00pm Mass - Mudgee Conrmaon Commitment
Mass
Sun 22/3 FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
8.30am Rosary - Mudgee Conrmaon Commitment
Mass
9.00am Mass - Mudgee
10.30am Mass - Gulgong
11.00am Communion Service—Rylstone
6.00pm “Word & Faith” - St Mary’s Parish Centre
We are inving members of our parish community to become
Parish Prayer Partners, comming to pray regularly for one of our
Year 12 students throughout the year. Your prayers will remind
them that they are supported by a faith-lled community who
walks with them.
If you are willing to keep a student in your prayers, please contact
the parish oce or add your name to the sign-up sheet at the
back of the church. Let us surround our young people with faith,
hope and encouragement as they prepare for the next chapter of
their lives.
WWW.MUDGEE.CATHOLIC.ORG.AU
If you have any Safeguarding concerns, please contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Ocer on (02) 6334 6440 or
email safeguarding@cdob.org.au
PARISH NEWS
GULGONG
A Gulgong Lenten group will meet on Wednesdays at 3.30pm in
the convent. For more informaon please contact Jacinta or the
Parish Oce 63722122.
KANDOS
CONFIRMATION
A Conrmaon date has been oered for 26th April 2026 at
Kandos. Please contact the Parish oce ASAP, if your child is
eligible and would like to be Conrmed this year.
The Prayer Group at St Malachy’s Rylstone meet weekly on
Mondays.
MUDGEE
SAVE THE DATE
This year the Third stage of St Mary’s Church was completed and
opened 150 years ago. To celebrate this milestone in our Church
history, we are going to hold a special Mass and a Parish Dinner
on the Sunday, 29th November.
We are currently looking for people who are interested in
forming a Commiee to organise this Celebraon. If you are
interested, please contact the Parish Oce on 6372-2122.
PALMS NEEDED
Do you have any Palm trees at home? Would you like to
donaon some Palm leaves to the parish? Please contact the
Parish Oce.
MASSES AND PRAYERS REQUESTED
For the recently deceased:
Michael Stevens, Leanne Barton, Danielle Pace.
Anniversaries of:
Anne Mead, Bede O’Brien, Philip Ganey, Robert Jones,
Marlene Ballard, Michael Power, Patricia Leonard,
Patricia Milton, Brian Power, Marie Thirtle, Joe Ryan.
Masses:
Margo Fitzgerald, Ruth Ginn, Horst Von Bischoshausen,
Special Intenon, William Thain, Moira Hennessy,
Joan Vera Thain, Adrian Thain, Gerald Sommers,
Bill & Margery, Abdo Kale, Elia Deeb family, Yosef Ba
family, Salma Ward , Mickel Georg.
Sick:
Ryan Jones, Paul Dalmay, David Russell, Connie Vasallo,
Bey Clark, Tony Spina, Lynne Daly and all those in our
Nursing Homes.
Due to privacy legislaon, names of the sick on the bullen
requires permission from the immediate family.
ST MARY’S
PARISH CENTRE, MUDGEE
18th April 2026,
This training focuses on equipping parcipants with the
knowledge and skills needed to protect vulnerable people –
including children, the elderly, and those living with
disabilies.
This is for everyone in all our parishes who parcipate in a
ministry. Aer compleng, the training needs to be
refreshed every three years. To register, ll in the form at:
hps://forms.gle/mJWR1YaugEjn3JSk6
WEEKEND RETREAT FOR YEAR 10-12
Step away for a weekend of faith,
friendship, and formaon with young
people from across the Diocese
Use QR Code to Register or visit
linktr.ee/risebathurstyouth
For more informaon, contact Dale
0417 967 057
Date: 20th—22nd March 2026
Locaon: Shalom House of Prayer, Carcoar
& Cathedral, Bathurst
Pastoral Council
Pastoral Council AGM
The Pastoral Council held it’s AGM on Monday, 9th March in the
Parish Centre. Congratulaons to our Members:
Chair-person: Mahew Cooper
Vice Chair: Anne McLean
Secretary: Rachel McKeown
Other Members: Anne Williams
Carol Furney
Lorraine Browne
Ex ocio Members: Fr Paul Devi
Angela Myles
Belinda Redden
Ruby Piscioneri
Krise Newman
Krista O’Brien
Ruella Petersen
Barry Petersen
If anyone would like to be a part of the Pastoral Council, please
speak to Fr Paul or contact the Parish Oce.
Pastoral Council Meeng
Items Discussed:
• Parish Assembly 2026
• World Day of Prayer 2026
• Combined Churches Christmas Lunch Commiee
• Sesquicentennial Celebraon
• Cudgegong Valley Scripture Associaon Board
• Holy Week
• Sacraments
BAPTISM: We welcome to the Mudgee Parish:
Amierra Belga Agsamosam
daughter of Allan and Jerrymae
WWW.MUDGEE.CATHOLIC.ORG.AU
Catholic Parishes of Mudgee, Gulgong and Kandos
Parish Priest
Fr Paul Devi VG
Postal Address
Po Box 14, Mudgee NSW 2850
Our Catholic Schools
St Mahews Catholic School Mudgee
pp.mudgee@cdob.org.au
Parish Deacon
Rev Charles Applin
Phone: 02 6372 2122
Email: oce.mudgee@cdob.org.au
Website: www.mudgee.catholic.org.au
Phone: 02 6372 1742
Principal: Mrs Angela Myles
Website: www.stmasmudgee.catholic.edu.au
Parish Secretaries
Krise Newman
Krista O’Brien
Parish Oce Hours
Mon 10.00am—4.00pm
Tues, Wed, Thur, Fri 9.00am—4.00pm
Closed for lunch 1.00pm—2.00pm
All Hallows Catholic School Gulgong
Phone: 02 6374 1582
Principal: Mr Badley Toole
Website: www.allhallowsgulgong.catholic.au
First Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1. 6-7. 10-13
In the presence of the Lord God,
they anointed David king of Israel.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 22 R. v.1
(R.) The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where he gives me repose.
Near resul waters he leads me,
to revive my drooping spirit. (R.)
He guides me along the right path;
he is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness
no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your sta;
with these you give me comfort . (R.)
You have prepared a banquet for me
In the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overowing. (R.)
Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
for ever and ever. (R.)
Second Reading: Ephesians 5:8-14
Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.
Gospel Acclamaon: John 8:12
Glory to you, Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ!
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
Glory to you, Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ!
Gospel: John 9:1-41
The blind man went o and washed himself and came away
with his sight restored.
Readings for next Sunday: FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
Ezekiel 37:12-14 Ps 129. R. v.7 Romans 8:8-11 John 11:1-45
Walking Together on a Path of Renewal
Parishes across the Diocese of Bathurst are connuing a
long journey of renewal that began with the 2013 Diocesan
Assembly.
Bishop Michael McKenna has invited every parish to form a
Walking Together Team to help guide their community
toward Parish Assemblies in 2026.
Supported by a small diocesan team, parishes will reect
on their lived experience during Advent 2025 and take part
in a Lenten formaon series in 2026, focusing on Mission,
Communion and Parcipaon.
Later in the year, each parish will hold its own Assembly to
consider how this shared reecon can strengthen local
faith, life and ministry.
A Prayer for Mission in Our Community
Lord Jesus Christ,
You send us out as Your disciples,
To be light in the world and salt of the earth.
Fill us with the re of the Holy Spirit,
That we may not remain comfortable or silent,
But step forward with courage and compassion.
Open our eyes to the needs around us.
Open our hearts to those who are lonely, poor, or
forgoen.
Open our hands to serve with generosity and joy.
May we follow the example of Mary, Mother of God,
Who went in haste to serve,
May we see Christ in those we meet.
Bless our parish community,
That we may go forth with faith,
Bringing Your love into our neighbourhood.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
This week’s readings
