Ipswich Catholic Community
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The Wedding Feast.
The image of the wedding feast in our contemporary world is contaminated by the wedding industry where excess is expensive and deemed necessary. In the first century the whole community would have been involved in the feast and the serious contract of a marriage in the community was sealed to the benefit of both families. These contracts formed necessary alliances that protected property and family. The women had no say but it was usually carefully considered by the families as the benefits could be very good for the whole community as important alliances were made with the expectation of a new generation. Therefore, the celebration was not just for personal reasons but in the interest of the community.
The gospel today takes us to a banquet to celebrate the wedding of the king’s son. This is no ordinary celebration!
The emphasis in this parable is about those who were invited. Can you imagine refusing to go to a wedding banquet for the king’s son? The servants were sent out to gather the chosen but they refused and some even went so far as to kill the messenger. Remember that Jesus is talking to the chief priests and elders of the people!! They are the ones who have been invited to share in the kingdom of heaven and they have refused. The king was vitriolic in his anger and revengeful,
not uncommon behaviour as the people had witnessed in Herod the Great. The community for whom Matthew’s gospel was written would have just witnessed the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans in 70CE. This was catastrophic for the Jews and they have never been able to return to a Temple worship culture. So, the king sends his servants out into the ‘roads’ and collected many people, ‘bad and good alike’. Still there was a flaw in the proceedings! One person was not wearing a wedding garment. We know that there are many places in this world where you cannot enter unless you have the correct apparel. You cannot go into St Peter’s Basilica unless you have your knees and elbows covered.
The person without the wedding garment symbolises those who only pay lip service to their religious beliefs and do not do the appropriate level of service. Jesus is speaking to the chief priests and elders – this is a very pointed comment. That person is thrown outside from the wedding. The final comment of the parable is that ‘many are called but few are chosen’! Will we be chosen? Do we enter into the service that the gospel requires? Are our lives suitable for us to be members of the kingdom of heaven?
Adapted from McCarthy, Angela M.. “28th Sunday in Ordinary Time - 11 October 2026." Pastoral Liturgy 56, no. 3 (2026)
The image of the wedding feast in our contemporary world is contaminated by the wedding industry where excess is expensive and deemed necessary. In the first century the whole community would have been involved in the feast and the serious contract of a marriage in the community was sealed to the benefit of both families. These contracts formed necessary alliances that protected property and family. The women had no say but it was usually carefully considered by the families as the benefits could be very good for the whole community as important alliances were made with the expectation of a new generation. Therefore, the celebration was not just for personal reasons but in the interest of the community.
The gospel today takes us to a banquet to celebrate the wedding of the king’s son. This is no ordinary celebration!
The emphasis in this parable is about those who were invited. Can you imagine refusing to go to a wedding banquet for the king’s son? The servants were sent out to gather the chosen but they refused and some even went so far as to kill the messenger. Remember that Jesus is talking to the chief priests and elders of the people!! They are the ones who have been invited to share in the kingdom of heaven and they have refused. The king was vitriolic in his anger and revengeful,
not uncommon behaviour as the people had witnessed in Herod the Great. The community for whom Matthew’s gospel was written would have just witnessed the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans in 70CE. This was catastrophic for the Jews and they have never been able to return to a Temple worship culture. So, the king sends his servants out into the ‘roads’ and collected many people, ‘bad and good alike’. Still there was a flaw in the proceedings! One person was not wearing a wedding garment. We know that there are many places in this world where you cannot enter unless you have the correct apparel. You cannot go into St Peter’s Basilica unless you have your knees and elbows covered.
The person without the wedding garment symbolises those who only pay lip service to their religious beliefs and do not do the appropriate level of service. Jesus is speaking to the chief priests and elders – this is a very pointed comment. That person is thrown outside from the wedding. The final comment of the parable is that ‘many are called but few are chosen’! Will we be chosen? Do we enter into the service that the gospel requires? Are our lives suitable for us to be members of the kingdom of heaven?
Adapted from McCarthy, Angela M.. “28th Sunday in Ordinary Time - 11 October 2026." Pastoral Liturgy 56, no. 3 (2026)
RECENTLY DECEASED
Cara Graham
ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH
Benjamin Condrillon
Jackie Redley
Catherine Holmes
Linda Redley
Graeme Rosewarne
Fr. Jim Elmore C.P
John Mitchell
Catherine Holmes
Linda Redley
Graeme Rosewarne
Fr. Jim Elmore C.P
John Mitchell
Valeria Brown
"May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace."
THIS SUNDAY
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading: Isaiah 25:6-10
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow,of well-aged wines strained clear.
And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever.
Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.
It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God;
we have waited for him, so that he might save us.
This is the Lord for whom we have waited;
let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 22
I shall live in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where he gives me repose.
Near restful 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 staff;
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 overflowing. (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 Philippians 4:12-14,19-20
I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty.
In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress. My God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluiaMay the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our heart
that we might see how great is the hope.
Alleluia!
Gospel Matthew 22:1-14
Once more Jesus spoke to the chief priests and Pharisees in parables:The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son.
He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come.
Again he sent other slaves, saying,
'Tell those who have been invited: "Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready;
come to the wedding banquet."'
But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them.
The king was enraged.
He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers,
and burned their city. "Then he said to his slaves,
'The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy.
Go therefore into the main streets,
and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.'
Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found,
both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.
But when the king came in to see the guests,
he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him,
'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?'
And he was speechless.
Then the king said to the attendants,
‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen."
APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,Creator of heaven and earth.
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again from the dead
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
from there he will come to judge
the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.
Next Weekend's Readings
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading: Isaiah 45:1,4-6
Psalm: Ps 95:1, 3-5, 7-10
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-50
Gospel: Matthew 22:15-21
Psalm: Ps 95:1, 3-5, 7-10
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-50
Gospel: Matthew 22:15-21
PARISH CALENDAR
Monday 12th October
8:30am Rosary, St Joseph’s North Ipswich
9:00am Mass, St Joseph’s, North Ipswich
Tuesday 13th October
8:30am Rosary, Immaculate Heart, Leichhardt
9:00am Mass, Immaculate Heart, Leichhardt
5:00pm Adoration, St Mary’s, Woodend
6:00pm Mass, St Mary’s, Woodend
Wednesday 14th October
8:30am Rosary, St Brigid’s, Rosewood
9:00am St Brigid’s, Rosewood
Thursday 15th October
Saint Theresa of Jesus
8:30am Rosary, St Mary’s
9:00am Mass, St Mary’s, Woodend
10:00am Prayer Group, Parish Office
Friday 16th October
8:30am Rosary, Miraculous Medal, Eastern Heights
9:00am Mass, Miraculous Medal, Eastern Heights
4:00pm Youth Group, Parish Centre, Woodend
Saturday 17th October
Saint Ignatious of Antioch
11:00am Convalidation Liturgy of Renato & Natalia, St Mary’s, Woodend
2:00pm Baptism, St Mary’s Woodend
4:30pm Mass, Immaculate Heart, Leichhardt
4:30pm Reconciliation, St Mary’s Woodend
5:30pm Mass, St Mary’s, Woodend,
6:00pm Mass, Miraculous Medal, Eastern Heights
Sunday 18th October
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
7:30am Mass, St Joseph’s, North Ipswich
8:00am Mass, St Brigid’s Hall, Rosewood
9:00am Mass, St Mary’s, Woodend
10:30am Baptism, St Mary’s, Woodend
5:30pm Mass, St Mary’s, Woodend
Please Note:
Monday 19th October,
St Joseph’s North Ipswich
No Mass - Liturgy of the Word and
Holy Communion only.
St Joseph’s North Ipswich
No Mass - Liturgy of the Word and
Holy Communion only.
Tuesday 20th October,
Parish Office Closed as staff will be attending a Staff Training Day
Tuesday 20th October,
St Mary’s Woodend
NO 6:00pm Mass
5:00pm Adoration only.
Thursday 22nd October,
St Mary’s Woodend
No Mass - Liturgy of the Word and
Holy Communion only.
Thank you for your understanding
Blessing of Pets.
Thank you to everyone who came along to support the Blessing of Pets and helped us fundraise $477.50 towards the maintenance of our Churches.
Thank you to St Edmunds College for their help in supplying the Sausages and Bread as well as the team of young men who assisted with the BBQ fundraiser on the day. Thank you to St Mary's Primary School for use of their BBQ and gazebo's.
We would also like to thank Brassall Fresh Produce for their contribution of options
to our fundraiser. https://www.facebook.com/p/Brassall-Fresh-Produce-100071138986787/
Thank you to St Edmunds College for their help in supplying the Sausages and Bread as well as the team of young men who assisted with the BBQ fundraiser on the day. Thank you to St Mary's Primary School for use of their BBQ and gazebo's.
We would also like to thank Brassall Fresh Produce for their contribution of options
to our fundraiser. https://www.facebook.com/p/Brassall-Fresh-Produce-100071138986787/
Catholic Mission Appeal
This Weekend
Collection envelopes are available at all our Churches this weekend. You can return the completed envelopes in next week’s Mass collection.
More information on the good work that Catholic Mission does world wide is available on their website https://www.catholicmission.org.au/
More information on the good work that Catholic Mission does world wide is available on their website https://www.catholicmission.org.au/
Celebration of 75 years of Confraternity of Christian Doctrine
(Religious Education Ministry)
in Ipswich.
We would like the community’s assistance in collating an honour roll to acknowledge parishioners involved over the 75 years since Confraternity of Christian Doctrine began the catechesis ministry in Ipswich, to ensure that everyone (living or deceased) is accurately recorded.
If you or a loved one was a member of the CCD over the years, please notify the Parish office on 07 3362 8765 or ipswich@bne.catholic.net.au to be added to the list. A list of names, currently on the list, will be available at all of our Churches this weekend.
We are aware that many members are now residing in residential care or moved from the area. We would love for them to be able to attend the Mass, however if they cannot attend in person, the Mass will be Livestreamed, and accessed via
https://www.youtube.com/@IpswichCatholicLive/streams
If you or a loved one was a member of the CCD over the years, please notify the Parish office on 07 3362 8765 or ipswich@bne.catholic.net.au to be added to the list. A list of names, currently on the list, will be available at all of our Churches this weekend.
We are aware that many members are now residing in residential care or moved from the area. We would love for them to be able to attend the Mass, however if they cannot attend in person, the Mass will be Livestreamed, and accessed via
https://www.youtube.com/@IpswichCatholicLive/streams
When: Sunday 25th October
Time: 9:00am
Where: St Mary’s Church, Woodend
Time: 9:00am
Where: St Mary’s Church, Woodend
Expression of Interest for our
Christmas Masses
We are gathering Expressions of interest for volunteer roles in preparation for the 2026 Christmas Masses across our Community.If you are able to assist, add your name to the list at one of our churches this weekend.
Please note that this is an expression of interest only, we cannot guarantee that you will be assigned the role you have requested.
Thank you
FOUND Rosary Chaplet
A wooden Rosary Chaplet has been found in the car park of the KFC, Brassall Shopping Centre and handed into the Parish office. Please contact the Parish office for more information, thank you