St Mary's Church, 23 Swanson Street, Erskineville NSW 2034
Healing Mass: Every Tuesday at 10:30am and 7:30pm
Postal Address: PO Box 239, Waverley NSW 2024
Phone: (02) 9389 5060
Fax: (02) 9389 42 93 Mobile: 0410 660 600
Email: miklosgubacsi@bigpond.com
Our Aim
"We consecrate ourselves to God and dedicate ourselves to the needs of others."
He who comes to Me will never be hungry;
He who believes in me will never thirst...
Anyone who does eat My Flesh and drinks My Blood
has eternal life, and I shall raise him up
on the last day...
He who eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood
lives in Me and I LIVE IN HIM...
The words I have spoken to you
Are spirit and they are life."
(John 6, 35-63)
It was 25 years ago, that the Healing Mass started at St Joseph's Church. Edgecliff; a quarter of a century of many blessings, many special moments, joyful celebrations, physical, emotional, spiritual and mental healing, and sometimes tears of sorrow, suffering and death.
There is a wonderful story attached to the beginning of the Heeling Mass and the sudden realisation of the incredible healing power of God in the Eucharist A group of people experienced a second Pentecost, the outpouring of graces and blessings of the Spirit by attending Mass and concentrating on praising and thanking God. We named this special Mass a "Healing Mass" and invited people to come and join us and be partakers of this joyful celebration.
And people came and kept coming. From a group of a dozen people the congregation grew to hundreds in a few weeks and soon the Church of St Joseph's couldn't hold the crowds.
Wonderful things were happening! People were healed spiritually, emotionally, physically, mentally and we prayed that the healing Mass would spread to other Churches, Parishes in Australia and all over the world.
The Lord answered our prayers. Since 1977, the Healing Mass has reached most overseas countries and there is hardly a Parish in our beautiful land which doesn't administer (or attend) a Healing Mass at least once a month.
There is a tremendous healing power in the Eucharist; it is the source of love and healing! Often people are touched by just participating during Mass without any laying on of hands or special prayers for healing.
Early in January, 1980 Bishop John Heaps offered me the use of a little church named Our Lady of Good Counsel at Yarra Bay. This was for the continuation of the 'original' Healing Mass, which we started at Edgecliff in 1977. On 2nd January, 1980 Fr Brian Rooney celebrated the first Healing Mass at the Yarra Bay Church.
When Bishop John Heaps offered the Yarra Bay church for use in 1980, it was badly in need of .repairs as it had been closed down for sometime. The ceiling was spread over on top of the pews; it was empty with nothing to start Mass with. But a week later the first Healing Mass was celebrated due to a small group of dedicated people who made the repairs of the church possible and provided the necessities for celebrating the Eucharist. Fr Brian Rooney helped us physically and financially as well.
Hence the gradual growth of Yarra Bay church began.
• We raised over $1,000 for fast repairs.
• Vestments, altar linen and sacred vessels were donated.
• Hired a Rent-a-loo
• Built the Sacristy and Reconciliation Room
• Bought hymn books
• Kneelers were covered with donated material
• New power lines, lights and 2 ceiling fans were installed
• Roneo machine was donated
• First newsletter published
• Word processor donated
It was the beginning of twenty wonderful years of celebrations there. We became known as the "YARRA BAY EUCHARISTIC PRAYER COMMUNITY INC."
It was during our first Healing Mass at Yarra Bay that I received the following message: "Consecrate yourselves to me and dedicate yourselves to the needs of others." This message became the calling upon which I based my ministry, as did the members of the Prayer Ministry, who adopted my calling and my wishes to follow this special invitation.
Every Tuesday morning and evening, we gather around the altar to break. bread together, to praise and worship the Lord, give thanks to Him and listen to His Word, to anoint the sick with oil and pray with them for healing, for wholeness and pray for their loved ones. We celebrate with song; joyfully we try to help one another, receiving strength and blessings to help us carry on for another week. Our aim is "Just to he there..." for anyone who needs love, care, an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on.
After Mass and healing prayers, we share fellowship together over a cup of tea in the Hall. There is much healing in sharing and fellowship. Countless friendships started as a result of our life sharing experiences.
"It is the small things we can do.
We can do very little for the people;
but at least they know that we love them,
and that we care for them, and
that we are at their disposal."
(Mother Teresa, Calcutta, India)
The following letter might explain our ministry:
"A friend brought us to Yarra Bay early in 1992. Our daughter had been diagnosed with lymphoma and had a very large tumour in her neck.
Anne was content to depend on her physician and nutritionist for healing but her parents needed something more. We found it at Yarra Bay. It has been like a spring from whose waters we emerge refreshed every week. We give praise that our daughter's tumour disappeared after her first chemotherapy although her treatment continued for six months, and she is now happily in remission.
We came for Anne but we stayed for ourselves. Our friends came for us but have stayed for themselves. We have been moved by the priests who celebrate Mass for us every week, each offering and individual healing (we will never he bored while Christ is working through them), we have been consoled by the Prayer Ministry, we have been uplifted by the music.
After 10 years we are proud to know most of you by name. We embrace you and we thank you." (Marie & Hilton Dyer)
At this point I would like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to all the priests (over 200 of them) for their trernendous response during the past 25 years and for everything they have done for us. Continualy giving the best of themselves and their resources, taking time from their busy schedules to celebrate the Eucharist with us. Heartfelt thanks also to all overseas and interstate visiting priests; too many to name. May the Lord bless them richly for their work for Hirn and His people.We keep in our prayers the names of all deceased priests who help us over the years:
Rev. Giles Versluys OFM
Rev. Michael Bradley OFM
Rev. Frank Maloney OFM
Rev. Richard Roper OFM
Rev. Peter Leonard OFM
Rev. Maurice O'Connor OSA
Rev Jim McLaren
Rev. Neville Gawler
Rev. Julian May OFM
Rev. Jeremy Flynn
Rev. Anthony Sehade
Rev Terry Crowe
Rev Terry McDonald
Rev. Frank Flynn MSC
Rev. Gus Parker
Rev. Kevin English
Rev. Denis Madigan CP
Rev. Alex Sciberras
Altar Server: Paul Annese RIP
May the Lord grant them eternal rest. Amen
Our gratitude and acknowledgements goes to all those who were and are still with us helping in our ministry.
Bishops:
Most Rev. John Heaps
Most Rev. David Walker
Most Rev. Issam Darwish
Most Rev. David Cremin
Most Rev. Joe Grech
Most Rev Brian Barnes
Spiritual Directors:
Rev. Brian Roonev
Rev. Peter Maher
Rev. Pat McCormick OFM
Rev Ralph Hinton SSS
Rev. David Rankin SJ
Rev Giles Versluys OFM
Rev. Allan Crawford
Rev Keith Comer MSC
The following Priests that are currently involved in celebrating Mass:
Rev. Keith Comer MSC Rev Allan Crawford Rev Barry Brundell MSC
Rev Peter Carroll MSC Rev John Kelliher MSC Rev Roy O'Neill MSC
Rev John Shallvey MSC Rev Adrian Meaney MSC Rev Claude Mostowick MSC
Rev Greg Ferguson SM Rev Joseph Sedjerari Rev Graeme Malone SSS
Rev Greg Foley Rev Michael Butler Rev Ray Murray MSC
Acolytes: Jim Hancock, Michael Vella, Anthony Evans, Les McLeod, Michael Kratochvil, Bob Hamblion, Charlie Lusty, Arthur Ivam, Don Spongberg, Alexander and Matthew Burton.
Others: Members of the Prayer Team, Special Ministers of the Eucharist
"May God's abundant blessings be upon them for their work and care."
The Spiritual Life of the Community
Spiritual life and growth is the essence of our existence as a community. "In my busy life, I am not alone. I do not work without God, because he never leaves me as long as I try my best to do his will and listen to his voice. When I go into Church to say some private prayers, I carry with me my tabernacle, bear within me the Real Presence; therefore all I have to do will be done in the company of the Divine Guest. I must not become immobile in static adoration, because my duties oblige me to work, nor must I work frantically, without an aspiration of adoring love, for I bear a Guest within me, I AM A LIVING CIBORIUM..." OIu Abiola
RETREATS - Every year two live-in weekend Retreats were held at: "Mount Alverna" Wahroonga, "Mount Schoenstatt" Mulgoa, "Charitas Christi Conference Centre" Wahroonga, "Spirituality Centre" Randwick, "Hartzer Park" Bowral. Each retreat approximately 25 to 90 people participated.
PILGRIMAGES - We organised five overseas Pilgrimages during the years. We visited each time the Holy Land other European shrines, Rome, Assisi. San Giovanni Rotondo, Lanciano, Lourdes etc, with Fr Ronan Kilgannon as tour Chaplain Altogether 210 people have traveled with us
The following ministries were available through "Yarra Bay":
Music Ministry: The Spiritual Life of the Community was greatly enhanced by the wonderful music and singing during the years:
Salvatore (Sal) Spata Bettie Gates Roy Burton
Alex Burton Matthew Burton Anthony Burton
Catherine De luca Sandra Ferhad Nora De Beer
Maria Guilfoyl Marie Dyer Rick (RIP)
INTERCESSORY PRAYER GROUP
The "Sister Nea Memorial" Intercessory Prayer Group, has been working overtime in the past 20 years. The coordinators are doing a wonderful work ensuring that the prayer requests are dealt with appropriately.. It has become popular and well known in the community.
Unknown people and members of our Community are relying on the prayers said by the devoted members of the group. The phone is ringing hot with prayer requests for loved ones, friends and often themselves.
Many thanks to all involved for their never failing prayers.
INTERCESSORY PRAYER ON THE INTERNET
In March 2002 Denis Strangman from Canberra joined forces with our community. His wife Margaret had been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in 2000 arid died one year later in 2001. During her illness Denis created a comprehensive website of information and links for other patients suffering from a brain tumour which he updates regularly and to date this has been visited by over 60,000 people from around the world.
In March Denis added an on-line prayer request form for those who seek prayers for a person with a brain tumour or any other illness and since that time some 200 names generated by this electronic facility have been included in our weekly intentions. They arrive each Monday night at a rate of between 10 to 15 requests per week. He is trying to interest ACT public hospitals in providing a similar facility on their websites,
Although most of the requests originate from people who live many thousands of miles away from Sydney they are pleased that someone, somewhere, is praying for their loved ones who are suffering from a terminal illness for which there is, as yet, no known cure.
VIDEO MASS
A few years ago Fr Ronan Kilgannon, celebrated a sung, High Mass at St Francis Church, Paddington. The liturgy also included the laying on of hands and anointing of the sick and was followed by benediction. Over one hundred people from Yarra Bay were present.
The Video Mass is the realisation of a dream held by Marika for a number of years, to make it possible for those who are unable, through sickness or disability to attend Church and take part in the celebration of the Eucharist. It was professionally filmed and it is a Yarra Bay production as part of their special ministry to the sick.
Bishop David Cremin launched the Video, at Yarra Bay. The members of our Community witnessed the preview of the Video with many specially invited visitors including Fr Ronan.
Many years of preparation, prayer and hard work were invested in the making of this film, a heartfelt thanks to all those who helped in making this dream come true. May the Lord bless this Video Mass on its way to homes, hospitals, and hospices and bring peace, joy, healing and strength to all who view it.
Copies of the Video Mass are now available for purchase at a cost of $35.00 each (á price which will cover production costs only) at Yarra Bay or by phoning Marika on (02) 9389 5060.
From MARIKA:
On the 25th Anniversary of the "HEALING MASS" I cannot help reflecting over the years. I have been standing behind the microphone for all these years praising God, thanking Him for His goodness and sharing with you the summary of all the blessed years we have spent together. So many wonderful things have happened to me personally and to so many in our Community.
I stand in awe before God; did I try hard enough to be faithful to His calling in the past 25 years?
What is my calling? What is it what God wants me to do? The words the Lord had given me at the time we commenced with the Healing Masses "CONSECRATE YOURSELF TO ME AND DEDICATE YOURSELF TO THE NEED OF OTHERS..." is a tall order. He gave me the gift of LOVE with responsibility on my part.
My ministry is to show you, that "I am interested in your problems. I want to love you, affirm you when you are uncertain, listen if you need someone to talk to; you can cry with me, I will not condemn you for your tears because I care. I am sincerely interested in your happiness and well being. Whatever your needs are, I will try to fulfill them and bend in my values depending on the importance of your needs. If you need to listen, I will talk. If you need the strength of human touch, I will touch you. If you need to he held, I will hold you... Please don't hesitate to come, I am available for you whenever I possibly can.
In hindsight one realises how much more could have been done, despite the wonderful memories of healing, friendships, new relationships, blessings, forgiveness and peace.
His calling in me has never weakened; my reward is in seeing the results as an answer to prayers, the healings, the blessings or just in seeing the expression of joy and peace on your faces! Despite my several health problems over the years, I was able to continue the work. Sometime this has not been easy! Often I suffered from heavy burdens and had to stand trials, as well as being hurt, misunderstood and abused! But, God was always with me, and PEACE has never left me! We are all unique, our need for worship is on different levels and it is very difficult to cater for a specific need. Sometimes I have to compromise and have to try to realise that happiness, has to come from `within' and it should be free from any outside influence.
"Yarra Bay" as it is affectionately known by people has become an "Oasis" in the desert, an "Island in the Sea", a "Power House" where we are recharged or just "Home", a place to come back to week after week, a place where we, can be ourselves without having to put a mask on. As one lady said recently: "Coming here is like coming home..."
25 years has proved we are journeying on the right road. Just because we are joyful, love and enjoy fellowship with one another doesn't mean we are a "Social Club". I am trying to show in my little corner of the world that Catholics can show care, support as well as being joyful and happy. Just because we are Catholics we don't have to walk around with sad faces as if we were baptized with lemon juice.
I would like to take this opportunity to say, "Thank You and God Bless You" to all who contributed in any way to the running and upkeep of "Yarra Bay". Without your support we couldn't have lasted 25 years. Thank you, for what you have done for me, in showing me in so many ways that I am loved for your constant prayers and never ceasing encouragement. A very special thanks to the following: a) Fr Ronan Kilgannon Obl OSB Cam for being my Spiritual Guide, friend and mentor for the past 25 years. Without his wisdom, knowledge, solid teachings and inspiring faith I wouldn't have made it. b) Fr Keith Comer MSC, for his support and instant help in so many ways and for making himself available to me and everyone whenever needed. c) Fr John Kelliher MSC for inviting and accepting us in Erskineville Parish, when we had to leave the beloved Church at Yarra Bay. d) Fr Barry Brundell MSC, present Parish Priest at St. Mary's, Erskineville for still putting up with us and for his encouragement
The future of "Yarra Bay" is in God's hands. With dwindling numbers we are still carrying on regardless, for as long as He wants us to work for Him and for His people. As I am approaching my 70th Birthday I am humbly asking for your continuous prayers to do God's will and continue, "just to be there..."
The members of the Community are getting "older", every. week someone is moving into a Retirement Village or a Nursing Home, getting too old to drive, or finds Public Transport too difficult to use. And new, younger people: where are they? But in my heart I believe that Jesus has promised us an ever-lasting covenant ....
When the time comes to give up 25 years of ministry, I will know that God is calling me to a deeper prayer-life. Then I will pray with the words of the "Nunc Dimittis":
"Now, Lord,
you have kept your word
let your servant go in peace.
With my own eyes
I have seen the salvation
which you have prepared
in the sight of every people:
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel."
(Luke; 2, 29-32)
Until then "now let us begin; so far we have done nothing!" (St. Francis of Assisi)
Unto Him be praise and glory forever, Amen.
Marika