The Catholic Parish of St Fourth Sunday of Advent 20 - 21 December 2014 Corner Perfection Ave and Bentwood Tce, Stanhope Gardens Our Parish Mission The parish of St John XXIII is a faith community with the Eucharist as its heart. Inspired by John XXIII’s prophetic opening of the windows of the Church, we welcome the fresh air of the Holy Spirit, inviting every person to share in the responsibility of enriching the life and faith of our community by sharing their gifts and talents.” E VA N G E L I C U M This Sunday’s Liturgy recalls that Christ’s Birth, Life and Death is “a mystery kept secret for endless ages, but now so clear that it must be broadcast to pagans everywhere to bring them to the obedience of faith”. In our Second Reading for today, Paul highlights this fact, and reminds us that Scripture has predicted the Coming of the Son. Indeed, the prophecy of Nathan given to David about his descendants (the First Reading) has been constantly interpreted by Christians as referring to David’s descendant (the Messiah), Jesus. For it is Jesus who establishes the ‘kingdom’ forever! Mary would have understood the angel’s words to be referring to the Messiah, and she would have immediately realized that she was being asked to be the mother of God’s Son. Mary could have exercised her free will and said ‘no’, but her ‘yes’, her ‘fiat’, allows God’s Plan for the salvation of all to come into play. Mary’s willingness to be obedient challenges each and every one of us. As followers of Jesus, we are called to live our lives in total obedience to God’s will for us. But what happens? Often we listen, consenting to the words with our minds and hearts. But ‘follow through’ doesn’t take place. We could have ‘walked the extra mile’ with that person in need, but we didn’t. Our little ‘no’s’ in the ordinary events of life can lead to the frustration of God’s Plan for ourselves and others. We need to take to heart the lesson Mary gives us, and imitate her willing discipleship and obedience to God. For, in saying ‘yes’ to God, we too, like Mary, allow the Lord to become incarnate / to become present in our lives, and, indeed, in the lives of others. “I am the servant of the Lord; may His will for me be done!” St John XXIII Catholic Church Fr John’s Corner My thanks to all who helped in so many ways to make the Blessing of the Fr. Dave Hume’s Memorial Plaque and the Wall of Remembrance last Sunday such a success. To Bart Sarlabus and all who worked on the project, to Paul and Dave from the School Maintenance Team who attached the plaques on the Wall, and to all who donated monies so that the plaques (and crosses to come) could be purchased – the Parish Community says ‘thank you’. Please Note: some plaques have been removed, but I have them in my safekeeping, and once we can organize it, they will be returned to the Wall. Again, please note the Christmas Timetable in the Bulletin. This will be the last ‘full’ bulletin until 23/24 January. Shorter versions will occur over the Holiday period. Also, please note the Mass times for January and February. With Fr. Robert on Annual Leave from midJanuary until the end of February, there will necessarily be some masses cancelled. We are hoping to have a Liturgy of the Word with Communion on Mondays at the normal time, but there will be no masses on Tuesday morning until Fr. Robert’s return. The normal Novena mass on Tuesday evening will continue. The first full week of January is not affected. Finally, please note the change to Office Hours over the Christmas New Year period: closed from 25/12 and will reopen 2/1. Also, from January 2015 the NEW OFFICE HOURS will be: Tuesday to Friday, 8:30am -4:00pm. However, Tanya will be taking some Annual leave in January, so the Office will be closed on Thursdays until School resumes (27/1/15). News from the Parish Office CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES Christmas Eve: (All Masses in Church, except for 6.00pm Children’s Mass at Holy Cross School.) 6.00pm Children’s Mass (Holy Cross Glenwood) Fr John 9.00pm Fr Robert 12.00am Midnight Mass - Fr John Christmas Day: 9.00am - Fr Robert 10.30am - Fr John Reminder Mass of the Rooster (Misa de Gallo) When: Dec. 16 to 24, 2014 Where: St John XXIII Parish Perfection Avenue, Stanhope Gardens. Time: 6.00am Please inform your friends and relatives since they may be interested in attending too. ———————————Christmas Carols 20th December at 7.30pm – 9.30pm in the covered area outside St Mark’s College Hall. Bring a blanket, candles and an Esky. For all the family and friends. ——————————————— NEW YEAR’S TAMIL MIDNIGNT MASS - 2015 31 ST December 11.30pm. Thanksgiving adoration followed by Midnight Mass At St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta. HOLY HOUR Every Friday at 12.00pm. Every one Welcome. ——————————————–——— MORNING TEA Every 4th Sunday after the 9am Mass. Thankyou for your support. Wishing you a Merry Christmas. Free Morning Tea. OVER 55’S Monday 19th January - Luch at Sawmillers Restaurant 2 Kindest Regards Quakers Hill Tavern Father Robert William 12noon or GGC 11.30am For further details please call Merrilyn 9629 4552/0413 424 552 St John XXIII Catholic Church Fourth Sunday of Advent First Reading Isaiah 61:1-2. 10-11 The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to bind up hearts that are broken; to proclaim liberty to captives, freedom to those in prison; to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord. 'I exult for joy in the Lord, my soul rejoices in my God, for he has clothed me in the garments of salvation, he has wrapped me in the cloak of integrity, like a bridegroom wearing his wreath, like a bride adorned in her jewels. 'For as the earth makes fresh things grow, as a garden makes seeds spring up, so will the Lord make both integrity and praise spring up in the sight of the nations.' The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Responsorial Psalm Psalm: Luke 1:46-50. 53-54 Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Be happy at all times; pray constantly; and for all things give thanks to God, because this is what God expects you to do in Christ Jesus. Never try to suppress the Spirit or treat the gift of prophecy with contempt; think before you do anything hold on to what is good and avoid every form of evil. May the God of peace make you perfect and holy; and may you all be kept safe and blameless, spirit, soul and body, for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. God has called you and he will not fail you. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Gospel Acclamation Isaiah 61:1 (Luke 4:18) Alleluia, alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he sent me to bring Good News to the poor. Alleluia! Gospel John 1:6-8. 19-28 R. My soul rejoices in my God. (Psalm read by Commentator or sung by Cantor) My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour. He looks on his servant in her nothingness; henceforth all ages will call me blessed. My soul rejoices in my God. The Almighty works marvels for me. Holy his name! His mercy is from age to age, on those who fear him. My soul rejoices in my God. He fills the starving with good things, sends the rich away empty. He protects Israel, his servant, remembering his mercy. My soul rejoices in my God. St John XXIII Catholic Church A man came, sent by God. His name was John. He came as a witness, as a witness to speak for the light, so that everyone might believe through him. He was not the light, only a witness to speak for the light. This is how John appeared as a witness. When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, 'Who are you?' he not only declared, but he declared quite openly, 'I am not the Christ.' 'Well then,' they asked 'are you Elijah?' 'I am not' he said. 'Are you the Prophet?' He answered, 'No.' So they said to him, 'Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?' So John said, 'I am, as Isaiah prophesied: a voice that cries in the wilderness: Make a straight way for the Lord.' Now these men had been sent by the Pharisees, and they put this further question to him, 'Why are you baptising if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the prophet?' John replied, 'I baptise with water; but there stands among you unknown to you the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo his sandalstrap.' This happened at Bethany, on the far side of the Jordan, where John was baptising. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Nicene Creed I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. Fr John, Fr. Robert, Tanya Gatt and Mila Llamas would like to wish everyone a Blessed and Holy Christmas and a Happy New Year. May the Christ-Child be born in you once again; and may 2015 be a year of growth in the Lord for each and every one of you. Thank you for all you do in this marvellous community of St John XXIII Novena Our Lady of Perpetual Help Come and join us every Tuesday for a rosary prayer followed by 7:30pm Benediction then novena mass for Our Lady of Perpetual Help. We invite you to have our Rosary statue visit you at your home for one week and have the opportunity to pray the rosary with family, friends and/or members of the community. Pick up after the novena mass and return before the rosary prayer every Tuesday night. Sacred Heart of Jesus Every first Friday of the month, a novena mass is held. Benediction is after the mass. R e a d i n g s f o r t h e We e k December 22Mon 23Tue 24 Wed 25Thurs 26Fri 27Sat 1 Samuel 1:24-28 Psalm: 1 Samuel 2:1. 4-8 Gospel: Luke 1:46-56 Zephaniah 3:1-2. 9-13 up to Psalm: Ps 33:2-3. 6-7. 16. 18-19. 23 Matthew 21:28-32 Genesis 49:2. 8-10 Psalm: Ps 71:1-4. 7-8. 17 Gospel: Matthew 1:1-17 Jeremiah 23:5-8 Psalm: Ps 71:1-2. 12-13. 18-19 Gospel: Matthew 1:18-24 Judges 13:2-7. 24-25 Psalm: Ps 70:3-6. 16-17 Gospel: Luke 1:5-25 Isaiah 7:10-14 Psalm: Ps 23:1-6 Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 Fe a s t D a y s f o r t h e We e k December 22 Mon 23 Tue 24Wed 25 Thurs Christmas Day 26Fri 27Sat St John 4 St John XXIII Catholic Church Parish Council Corner News from the Parish Office Due to Circumstances beyond our control the Christmas Party is not able to go ahead. Stay tuned for the year ahead and details will be given. —————————————————- “The coming of Jesus at Christmas established, in flesh and blood, the first contact of divinity with humanity and effected the first transfusion between the two. Through this, humanity received new life and was lifted up towards its final and eternal glorification.” – St. John XXIII, 25 July 1957 From all of us at your Parish Pastoral Council, Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas, and may Jesus always live in your hearts!!! ———————————————— The Sacramental calendar for 2015 can now be seen on the Sacramental notice board in the church foyer and also on the parish website www.john23rd.org.au . If you know of families wanting to know the dates for the sacraments next year, could you please advise them. —————————————————— If you know of anyone who needs help from our Community Outreach group please contact the parish Office on 9852 05080. ———————————————— OFFICE CLOSED We welcome into our church 25TH DECEMBER TO 1 JANUARY Charlotte Park OPEN FRIDAY 2ND JANUARY Please pray for these children. CLOSED MONDAY, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY ——————————————— UNTIL SCHOOL RESUMES 27TH JANUARY. New Prayer Group Has Started When: Friday evening Time: 7pm We will look at the Sunday Mass Readings. Where: In the Church Kitchen area For more info call: Pauline Camilleri 0407 417 039...or just turn up!! NORMAL HOURS RESUME 27TH JANUARY OFFICE HOURS WILL BE TUESDAY TO FRIDAY 8.30AM - 4.30 PM ——————————————————— Parramatta Institute for Mission Liturgical Ministry Formation Courses for 2015 Understanding Liturgical Ministries Ministry of the Word Extraordinary Ministers of Communion Communion to the Sick and Dying Senior Servers and Acolytes & Acolytes Courses For More information call the office to collect Forms 9852 0580. St John XXIII Catholic Church Youth Corner GTK (Getting to Know - God, yourself and other) YOUTH GROUP Age group - School Years 4-9. When: Every 2nd and 4th Sunday Where: St Mark’s Staff Room Time: 4.30pm for afternoon tea 5.00pm Break open the word 5.30pm Welcomers at mass 6.00pm Youth Mass After mass veg out and something to eat till 7.30pm leave from Church. www.gtkyouth.com Contacts: RJ Samonte - [email protected] Ceejay Sarlabus - [email protected] 5 Paying our Debt Together In Memoriam Weekly donation 1st Collection: $2,278.45 Funds go to the Priests Remuneration Fund, to support the priest of our Diocese. 2nd Collection: Loose: $2,213.25 PG Envelopes: $1,764.50 PG by EFT : $2,041.00 Collection $5,434.35 Pays Parish Debt and on going running costs, includingwages of staff. (If you can, please put a little extra on the Second Collection.) Born to Eternal Life: Arturro Cobarrubias, Ronaldo Arceo, Ruben Salonga. Anniversary: R.J. Rosales, Irene Cherry, Antonia Formosa, Vince Perrone, Craig Drummond, Giuseppe Perrone, Luc Sardes. Thanksgiving: Rajendra Dasi & Family Pray for the Sick: Felomina Docena, Shona Modrich, Lourdes Subijano, Anthony Joseph, Marlon Marcelo, Athan G Alvarez, Concepcion Quiranee, Florencia Melgar. REFLECTION Mass for Victims of Siege at Martin Place, Tuesday 16th December, 2014 - Homily of Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP We are not used to hearing words like 'siege', 'terrorist', 'hostages' and 'security forces' associated with our city. Yet for the past day and night we were subjected to pictures and sounds we tend to associate with alien lands. In a café only two blocks away from St Mary's Cathedral, only one block away from the Supreme Court, even closer to the New South Wales Parliament, the Reserve Bank and the Channel 7 studio, hostages were pinned for hours against the windows and forced to hold up a flag which blasphemously used the name of God as a threat. The distress was visible on their faces, as was the relief of the first five to escape. We went to bed hoping to wake to good news. But despite patient efforts to maintain calm and negotiate there were, in the early hours of this morning, flashes of gunfire, intervention by our police to save lives, merciful escapes, but finally death. Hell had touched us. Only history will tell how much 16 December 2014 will affect our attitudes, behaviour, life-style. But today the heart of our city is broken by the deaths of two innocent 'hostages' along with their tormentor, the injuries of four others and trauma to many more, the paralysis our city has experienced this day past. One of the deceased was Katrina Dawson, a mother of three young children and gifted barrister, presumably on her way to chambers for another day's service of her clients. The other, Tori Johnson, was the young manager of the café, likewise intent on serving his customers. And the third was Sheik Man Haron Monis the perpetrator of this nightmare. Much is still unclear about him, his motivations and affiliations, and we must avoid too quickly jumping to conclusions and pointing fingers. We are used to living in a peaceful, tolerant, secure society in which people may enter a café and order a hot chocolate without fear: I've been a customer at the Lindt Chocolat Café myself more than once. For such ease of living, such assumptions of safety, to be so radically challenged can be disorienting and harden our hearts. The risk is that we become cautious, cynical, suspicious of our neighbours, or worse, that we turn on them. In the process we undermine what we most love about our Australian way of life. Christmas is around the corner and we have had a Christmas crib with well-lit Christmas trees, and a very beautiful laser light show projected upon the façade of the cathedral every night. But last night it was in darkness. That is true to reality, as it often is, true to the Gospel. In the middle of all the romance of Christmas, the astonishing Good News of God-made-man for us, the angels, shepherds and wise men adoring, the Gospels report that all was not quite as it ought to be. There's suspicion about the pregnancy; the husband considers divorcing his wife; a mother nearing labour is required to travel a great distance; there's no room at the motel for them; the child is delivered in the squalor of a cowshed; in the Temple the proud parents are warned of trouble ahead; the family must flee as refugees to a strange land; meanwhile the King's men kill the rest of the little children… So the backdrop to the Light who will dawn for us at Christmas is in fact darkness. The Way, the Truth and the Life comes to people who often lose their way, to a civilisation sometimes more comfortable with lies than truth, to what is often a culture of death more than of life. The Christ is threatened from the moment of His birth until the violence of this world finally catches up with Him on the cross. And our world today is every bit as mixed up as it was at the first Christmas. There's plenty of talk of human rights, the dignity of the person, equal respect and care. We are replete with resources, technology and know-how to help people through troubled times. Yet innocent people are threatened the world over and a little bit of what is commonplace in the region of Christ's birth has even come to Martin Place. Christmas, we think, is supposed to be different - but in a sense it was always like this. Yet we Christians believe that the Babe of Bethlehem is the Prince of peace, God-with-us, God-one-of-us, God-saving-us. So why, if the Prince of Peace has come, do these terrible things keep happening? Perhaps the answer is in the first Christmas carol, when the angels sang "Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to those of good will." The God who saves still leaves men free. They choose whether to be of good will or not. The Christ-child proposes peace, again and again; He gives us the wherewithal to be reconciled and live peaceably with our neighbours; but in the end we choose whether to live in His kingdom, by His values. Is the joy, love and peace of Christmas really possible? Or do we have to adopt a more 'realistic' posture, more cynical and self-protective? Do we have to buy into the endless cycles of violence and recrimination? Do we have to take our own hostages? Reports have emerged this morning of the heroism of the male victim of the siege. Apparently seeing an opportunity, Tori grabbed the gun. Tragically it went off killing him, but it triggered the response of the police and eventual freedom for most of the hostages. Reports have also emerged that Katrina Dawson was shielding her pregnant friend from gunfire. These heroes were willing to lay down their lives so others might live, imitating the sacrifice of Christ who said that there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for each other (Jn 15:13). Now spontaneous tributes are appearing in Martin Place and on the internet. Leaders of all religious, political and ethnic backgrounds are calling for calm, for prayer, for support for each other. Services are being offered for the victims, their families and friends. The darkness need not overcome the light. Indeed, the Christmas-Easter-Christian message is: it cannot! There is something greater than hatred and violence. There is Love, that humble, self-donative Love that comes in the shape of the Christmas Babe, the Prince of Peace. He can soften the hardest hearts. He can convert the most hardened sinner. Come Prince of Peace. Come, O Come, Emmanuel. 6 St John XXIII Catholic Church Rosters CLEANERS:- GROUP – B SATURDAY 27TH DECEMBER Tony Medina, Eleanor Medina, Feli Mella, Lilian Gatchalian, Roromer Gatchalian. Date Time 27/12/14 6:00 PM C R Mary Joh Manalo Beth Jerusalem R Janelle Jerusalem 28/12/14 7:30 AM C R R 9:00 AM C R R Readers Acolyte / Sr Server Nathan Anderson Val Linsao EMCs Servers Isabelita Engracia Ivan Crasto Gabriella Stagnitta Emily Rozanc Julienne Crasto Richie Jallorina Lorraine Samonte Lyndall Conley Vincent Linsao Lester Villanueva Veronica Skipper Janice Bonnacorso Laura Bonaccorso Remedios Gan Shalini Abeysirinarayana Carlos Larino Cohen Bosworth Olivia Bosworth Riza Linsao Rowena Esmero Kumudhini Perera Mark Perera Mario Matias David Sebastian Kristine Zamora Ding Mojica Bessie Mojica Arshi Chariyekkara Amy Weber Clare Thirimanne Stephanie Thirimanne Rita Matteazzi Chris Thirimanne Darren Godwin Gelina Montierro Lilibeth Guevara Brendan Weber Natasja Surjanto Crystallina Surjanto Eustacia Surjanto Qwayne Guevara 10:30 AM C R R 6:00 PM C R R Sabina John John McCartney Vittorio Lim Joe Ramirez Judith Castellino Floren Fernandez Jude Salonga Stefani Peralta Bob Agbulos William Kingsford Dulcine D'Souza Freddie Pereira Marilyn Villa Myrna Cala Nellie Tambolero Patricia Charlton Benjamin Lim Johanna Cusack Jordan Lim Isaiah Reyes Jacob Bonello Rosemarie Barretto Carmel Shields Grace Agbulos Helen Zammit Lolita Ramiscal Mariano Ramiscal Anna Todhunter Charlotte Todhunter Antonia Zammit Katelyn Shields Zachary Almario Shonee Atwood ST JOHN XXIII WOULD LIKE TO THANK THESE BUSINESSES FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO OUR PARISH COMMUNITY Property Sales & Management Maria Teresa Papa Mortgage Broker/Financial Planner Dip. FS (Finance/MB) Dip. FS (FP) MFAA Approved Credit Adviser A Tradition of Care & Concern Pre- Paid Funerals Available 340 Old Northern Rd. [email protected] Castle Hill 0430 144 008 9659 0900 making your move easy… www.hillsfamilyfunerals.com.au ZAC SAFE DRIVING SCHOOL LET ME HELP YOUR KIDS BE SAFE DRIVERS DOMINIC: 0412 945264 St John XXIII Catholic Church Warm the Heart, Enliven the Senses & Inspire the Soul with Scentsy Additional Income (Fun, Trips & Extra Cash) Business opportunity for only $139 “Find out how I earned the 1st 2014 USA Trip….” Visit https://WarmFeelings.scentsy.com.au > Click SHOP or JOIN < Beth 0430 150568 [email protected] Joshi John 0410 066 578/9631 1101 [email protected] Ironing and Cleaning Lady Wendy Richards Call: 0450 884 153 (ad sponsored by SDVP, Stanhope Conf.) AD SPACE FOR RENT Phone Tanya 9852 0580 Parish Priest: Fr John McSweeney Assistant Priest: Fr Robert William MASS TIMES Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs , Fri 9:00am ( Wednesday 9am at Holy Cross during school term) Saturday Sunday 9:00am 6:00pm (Vigil) 7:30am 9:00am 10:30am 6:00pm (Youth) BAPTISM Sundays 12:00pm by appointment SACRAMENT OF THE SICK First Saturday 9:00am Mass or upon request Our Learning Community Holy Cross Primary 49 Meurants Lane, Glenwood Principal: Marina Hardy (02) 9629 8742 [email protected] John XXIII and St Mark’s College 160 Perfection Ave, Stanhope Gardens A/Principal: Jayne Campbell (02) 9852 0500 [email protected] Catholic Learning Centre 160 Perfection Ave, Glenwood (02) 9852 0585 [email protected] www.celcstanhope.catholic.edu.au Our Parish Council Chairman & President Bart Sarlabus [email protected] Deputy Chairman Jasone Crosdale Council Team Leaders Community Building Techie Sarlabus Liturgy Ray Samonte Faith Formation Rose Franco Social Justice Qwayne Guevarra Comms & Media John McCartney Fundraising Rodi Orantia St John XXIII Catholic Church [email protected] [email protected] PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Mon to Fri 8.30 - 3.00pm Friday 8.30 – 4.00pm PARISH CONTACTS Parish Office: (02)9852 050 0403 766468 AH Parish Secretary: Tanya Gatt (02)9852 0580 [email protected] Finance: Mila Llamas (Friday) [email protected] Devotions & Prayers Novena Masses Tuesday 7:30pm Our Lady of Perpetual Help First Friday 7:30pm Sacred Heart of Jesus Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Tuesday 6:30 - 7:30pm First Friday 6:30pm followed by 7:15pm Benediction Divine Office Friday 12:00pm with Adoration. Sunday 8:15am Praise & Worship Third Saturdays 7:30pm led by SJXXIII Prayer Group Second & Fourth Saturdays 7:30pm led by CRL (Community of the Risen Lord) Reconciliation Saturday 5.00 - 5:45pm (First Rite) & After any weekday masses upon request. 8
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