Mater Christi Parish Seaton News

17th Sunday of Ordinary Time—Year A

26th July 2026

Parish News

CHRIST’S PRICELESS TREASURE

We are given three parables in our gospel today. They are: the Parables of the search of treasures buried in the field, the pearl of great price and the dragnet. Today we are encouraged to choose the real treasure. The joy over the found treasure of the Kingdom and the pearl of great price enable us to sell everything to get these two loveliest things. When we talk about a parable, biblical scholars would say that this talks about the Kingdom of God – what it is all about and how does it happen. But these search for a “treasure buried in the field” and for a “pearl of great price” have led many souls go stray. How many persons, homes and relationships have been shattered because of money and greed? How many people have sold their principles, their bodies and their very souls for money?
If we neglect the spiritual aspect in our search for the material, we end up with what Mahatma Gandhi calls ‘sins of the world’: wealth without work, knowledge without character, science without humanity,
worship without sacrifice, politics without principles. This ‘sell everything’ could mean also being ready to sacrifice whatever it takes to win the happiness in the Kingdom of God. For some saints like St. Francis of Assisi is the most prominent example of selling everything. He literally abandoned all the earthly possessions and even the Lord asked him to become a beggar and this gave him joy in doing so.
So if we make the right choice of choosing God’s kingdom and His friendship, then we become happy because we know that God loves us so much. Again and again the Bible reminds us that we will find the pearl of great value and the hidden treasure only in God.

SCALABRINI’S LIVE EASY SOCIAL PILGRIMAGE EUROPE 2026

Join the Scalabrini Live Easy Social Pilgrimage (10–25 October 2026) with Fr Delmar Silva, CS and the Live Easy Social by Scalabrini Team.
Step into a journey of faith, friendship, and community with spiritual direction and pastoral care provided by Father Delmar CS as we visit Santarem, Fatima, Santiago de Compostela, Garabandal, Avila, Lourdes, Barcelona and so much more.
To get more information and to register your interest, send an e-mail to pilgrimage@scalabrini.com.au

National Census—Tuesday 11 August 2026
Every five years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics counts every person and household in Australia. The census form asks questions about your age, country of birth, cultural background, living situation, work and education. The census data is used by the government and others to inform decisions about transport, schools, health care, infrastructure and business. It also helps plan local services for individuals, families and communities. From an Archdiocesan perspective it is important that you identify yourself as Catholic in the census. This information contributes to the parish social profiles and assists with pastoral planning for the future. Your assistance is appreciated.

Vocation Holy Hour
On Tuesday 4 August 2026 | 6pm | St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral as part of National Vocations Awareness Week, the Vocations Office warmly invites you to gather in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament for a Holy Hour dedicated to vocations in the Archdiocese of Adelaide.
Please join us as we give thanks to Our Lord and pray that He may guide each of us in discerning what God is asking of us today. Light refreshments, including hot chocolate and cookies, will be served after the Holy Hour in the Cathedral Hall.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend
Worldwide Marriage Encounter is recognised as an international private association of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life within the Vatican. It is a synodal movement dedicated to the renewal of our Catholic church through empowering couples and priests to live fully intimate and responsible relationships. Our church to day has the belief that marriage and holy orders are sacraments of relationship and that we are called as couples and priests to be a living sign of God’s love to the world, and to love one another as Jesus loves us all. Worldwide Marriage Encounter has a live- out weekend planned at Antonio School, 7-8 Nov. More details are available on the website at Worldwide Marriage Encounter – Australia. Please consider booking into a weekend to nurture and grow your relationship with your spouse.

Upcoming Events
Living Rosary Group recite the Rosary on 1st Monday of the month @ 2pm

Baptism Information Evenings
1st Tuesday of the month at 8pm in the Church.

PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP SCHEDULE
The Padre Pio Prayer Group is will be meeting at 5:00 PM every 1st Thursday of the month at Mater Christi Church. For more details, call Giovanna De Canni (04114988848)

Saturday Morning 9am
Gentle Exercise program in Parish Hall

Volunteers

Our parish is need of volunteers to serve as: Extra-Ordinary Communion Minsters,
Altar Servers, Choir Members & Readers. Interested may approach directly our priests.

RCIA …BECOMING CATHOLIC… a journey in faith.
If you know someone who would like to become Catholic or would like to deepen their Catholic knowledge, please contact the RCIA Team of Mater Christi Parish.
Tom Jimenea on 0419895165 or email him at: rciamaterchristiseaton@yahoo.com

THE SOUTHERN CROSS NEWSPAPER features all the latest news
and information on our Catholic community and is available for sale at parishes for $2, with $1 retained as a fundraiser for parishes.

PLANNED GIVING ONLINE…

If you wish to support your Priests (1st Collection) or Mater Christi Parish (2nd Collection)
Visit: Donate – we are known as Seaton Parish
Click on “donate to a parish”
Click on drop-down box
Choose “Seaton” Click “submit”
Fill in your details on the form Choose 1st Collection / 2nd Collection
Follow the prompts to the end you will need an email address to donate via this method

OR YOU CAN NOW SWIPE & DONATE IN CHURCH THRU OUR NEW SMART EFTOS TERMINAL AVAILABLE AT THE FOYER THANKS FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

You can visit us on Facebook Mater Christi Parish Seaton

There are a number of resources available to assist with daily prayer and reflection. Please go to the Adelaide Archdiocese or the Office for Worship.
www.adelaide.catholic.org.au
www.ofw-adelaide.org.au
The SouthernCross News.
Cath News.
Synod Website
Vatican News