1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

The Massabielle
The Weekly Newsletter of St Bernadette’s
Parish Community, Castle Hill, NSW
December 20 & 21, 2014 - FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT- Year B
Issue Number 618
THE GREAT REFORMER PART II
.
Front Page: The Adoration of the Kings by Andrea della
Robbia (1436-1525). Made about about 1500 in Florence.
It is now in the Albert and Victoria Musuemus, London.
The bright colours demonstrate the skill of the della
Robbia in producing tin-glazed terracotta.
LITURGY CORNER
Annunciation stories are a regular literary form.
There are a number of such stories in the Hebrew
Scriptures, for example, the birth of Isaac, Samson
and Samuel and, of course, Luke has already
recorded the annunciation of John the Baptist. The
purpose of the annunciation story is to let the reader
know what role that person whose birth is
announced will play in salvation history. In this
sense, they are a device rather than a strictly
historical narration, although clearly based on
ancient memory. In the annunciation of the birth of
Jesus, however, there are elements that surpass all
other such stories. The emphasis is on the creative
action of the Holy Spirit, Mary’s cooperation with
God’s will, and it establishes Jesus’ transcendental
origins. The role that the child to be born is to play
in salvation history is defined in terms of Davidic
messiahship. On this last Sunday of Advent we stand
on the brink of the fulfilment of the promise made to
Mary of messianic hope for the world. The tension of
the waiting of Advent is almost over.
The Summit
Today’s Readings
First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-5,8-12,14-6.
King David wants to build a house, a
temple, for the Lord but the Lord promises
to build a house, a dynasty, for David.
Front Page Detail (and above) the terracotta altarpiece
donated by the wealthy Albizzi Family: The Adoration
of the Kings by Andrea della Robbia (1436-1525).
Made about 1500 in Florence. It is now in the Victoria
& Albert Museum, London.
The bright colours demonstrate the skill of della
Robbia in producing tin-glazed terracotta.
Notice that, in all medieval works of art, the child
Jesus is naked. This is to express the theological point
that Jesus is like any other baby, fully human.
Even though, Jesus, to quote the prologue to Saint
John’s Gospel, “... was not born out of human stock or
urge of the flesh or will of man but of God himself.”
Nevertheless, “The Word was made flesh, he lived
among us…”. Medieval artists were well-educated in
theology and would convey through the medium of
their trade the teachings of the Catholic Church. They
were good at conveying accurately, to an illiterate
people, the stories in the gospels. That Jesus was fully
human was an important teaching.
The Priests and Staff of
St Bernadette’s wish all our
parishioners Christ’s blessings
during this Christmas Season and
a safe and happy New Year.
Second Reading: Romans 16:25-27. The mystery of
God, revealed in Jesus, has to be made known to
pagans everywhere to bring them to faith.
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38. The angel Gabriel reveals to
Mary that she is to be the mother of God’s Son.
Next Week: The Holy Family - Year B
Sirach 3:2-6,12-14; Colossians 3:12-21; Luke 2:22-40
Feast Day this Week
Friday 26 December - St Stephen
HOLY HOUR: As Thursday is Christmas Day there
will be no Holy Hour this week. Holy Hour and
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will resume on
New Year’s Day from 8.00 to 9.00pm.
REPARATION PRAYER GROUP resumes on 13th
January 2015 from 8.00 to 9.00pm in the Parish
Basement. All welcome.
There will be no Retirement Village Services
celebrated in January.
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION PROGRAMME
2014-2015: Welcome cards of the children who are
preparing for the sacraments are now on display in the
church foyer. Please continue to keep all our parish
families in your prayers during this special time.
Sessions will resume in February 2015.
CHRISTMAS ROSTERS: Lectors and Ministers of
Communion are asked to volunteer for Christmas
Masses. Please add your name to the roster on the
noticeboard.
THE PARISH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED FROM
THURSDAY 25TH DECEMBER AND WILL REOPEN ON
MONDAY 5TH JANUARY, 2015.
A GIFT BEYOND CHRISTMAS: Once
again you are asked to support this worthy
cause. Take an envelope from the Christmas
Tree and return it to the box near the altar,
drop it onto the collection plate with your
donation or leave it at the parish office.
Monies go to assist Loyola Senior High School,
Mount Druitt to help support students from struggling
families and those who would be unable to continue
their schooling if not for your generosity. Benefactors
reports are available from the foyer.
CHRISTMAS MASSES 2014
Wednesday, December 24 - Christmas Eve
5.00pm
Children and Young Families’ Mass
7.00pm
Family Mass
9.30pm
LIFE TEEN Youth Mass
12.00 midnight Traditional Midnight Mass
(preceded by carols from 11.30pm)
Thursday, December 25 - Christmas Day
7.30am, 9.00am, 10.30am
NO EVENING MASS
Reconciliation
Saturdays 8.30 to 9.00am, 4.30 to 5.30pm
Monday 22 December - 9.00 to 10.00am
Tuesday 23 December - 9.00 to 10.00am
Wednesday 24 December - 9.00 to 10.00am
2nd Rite of Reconciliation
Tuesday December 23, at Castle Hill at 7.30pm
Boxing Day (Friday)
Mass will be at 8.00am only.
OUR
LADY’S
STATUE:
Parishioners are
invited to borrow the beautiful statue of Our Lady
appearing to St Bernadette for any week in 2015.
Book it for a special occasion or simply to encourage
private/family prayer. Place your name, address and
contact number on the roster at the entrance of the
church. Enquiries: Janina Mousley on 9899 6060
ANGELS AND SHEPHERDS NEEDED: Do
you have a budding angel or shepherd who
is school age and would like to be part of
the dramatisation of the Nativity Story at the
5pm Christmas Eve Mass? Practice will be
this Tuesday, 23rd December at 10.00am.
Enquiries: Monica Fitzalan on 0413 839 091.
LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS AT ST MARY’S
CATHEDRAL: The real spirit of Christmas will be
celebrated in a spectacular free light and sound
display at St Mary’s Cathedral during December,
closing on Christmas Night. Bring your family and
friends to the digital imagery and animation based on
the theme of ‘service’ at 8.30pm in Cathedral Square
following a series of live performances.
THANK YOU: Sandra Watson would like to thank
all who prayed for her during her recent illness and
treatment. Sandra is now well on the road to
recovery.
COLUMBAN CALENDARS ARE NOW ON SALE
FROM THE BOOKSHOP FOR $10 EACH.
VINNIES CHRISTMAS CARDS ON SALE FOR
$7 PER PACKET
Leading Teens
Closer To Christ
Youth & Young Adults Ministry
It's Holidays! So go forth and be MERRY!
Into Life will return Friday January 30 at 7pm in the
Hall.
Life Night will return Sunday February 1 at 7pm in
the Hall.
Have ideas for new works and ministries? Please
contact James Hay.
More information? Please contact James Hay on
0403 933 732, Twitter: @StBernadettesYM,
Instagram: StBernadetteYouth or
[email protected].
CATHOLIC OUTLOOK READERSHIP SURVEY –
Have Your Say: The combined Dec/Jan issue of
our diocesan magazine, Catholic Outlook, includes a
readership survey for you to provide valuable
feedback about the publication. The survey can also
be completed online at www.parra.catholic.org.au/
catholicoutlook. The top 50 responses– $50 vouchers.
ST BERNADETTE’S CHRISTIAN MEDITATION
GROUP meets in the Lourdes Centre, 31b
Brisbane Road, Castle Hill on Thursday Evenings
7.30 – 8.30. Enquiries: Lesley Maker 8677 8845 or
email [email protected]. The group has
closed for the Christmas break and will resume on
Thursday, 22nd January, 2015.
ST BERNADETTE’S NETBALL CLUB has
vacancies for girls and boys turning 7 in 2015. They
play on Saturday at Kellyville Netball Complex and the
season runs from March to September. Please phone
Pauline Andrew on 9894 1081 for more information.
THE MARIAN MOVEMENT OF PRIESTS invites you
to the New Year’s Eve Prayer Vigil at St Dominic’s
Church, Flemington on Wednesday 31st December
commencing with Exposition at 8.00pm and finishing
with Midnight Mass. Supper after Mass in the parish
hall. (Please bring food & drink to share). All welcome.
SEEKING MENTORS: The Catholic Education
Diocese of Parramatta is seeking volunteer mentors
who would like to give something back to their
community and host secondary students in the
workplace. The mentor hosts the student one day per
week for two school terms (May to September,
excluding school holidays). All mentors are offered
free TAFE mentor training and receive a TAFE
Certificate of Attainment. Mentors can be from any
industry, an individual in any trade area: clerical and
administration, hairdressing and beauty or a large
company. Please consider this call for assistance so
that the program can continue to supply a valuable
service to students in our Catholic communities.
Contact: Leoni Jeavons-Fellows – Coordinator Post
School Options 0424 750 583.
Have you considered leaving a gift to the parish in
your will? If you would like further information please
phone 9634 2622 for a confidential discussion.
St Bernadette’s Parish Community
Parish House, 367 Old Northern Road, Castle Hill, NSW 2154
Telephone 9634 2622 Fax 9899 3511 Email: [email protected]
Web page: http://www.stbernadette.org.au
Parish Staff
Mass Times for this Week
Monsignor John Boyle, Parish Priest
Sunday
Sat
6.00pm
Fr Eugene Szondi, Assistant Priest
Sun 7.30am, 9.00am, 10.30am &
Fr Michael Gathuku, Assistant Priest
6.00pm Parish LIFE TEEN Youth Mass
Sr Judy McLeod, rsm, Pastoral Associate
Weekdays Mon
6.45am
Mrs Alice Bradshaw, Sacramental Co-ordinator
Tue
6.45am
Mr James Hay, Youth Minister
Wed
6.45am, 9.15am, 5pm, 7pm, 9.30pm
Mrs Frances Gallagher, Office Manager
Thurs
12 midnight, 7.30am, 9.00am, 10.30am
Mrs Monica Rubic, Parish Secretary (Finance: Mon-Thu)
Fri
8.00am
Mr Darren Edwards, Maintenance
Sat
8.00 am
Reconciliation Sat 8.30am - 9.00am, 4.30pm - 5.30pm
Mass on Public Holidays at 8.00am
Baptisms and Marriages: By appointment only. Contact the Parish Office. Please note the Church law: Parents
are obliged to take care that infants are baptised in the first few weeks. As soon as possible after the birth or even before
it, they are to go to the pastor to request the sacrament for their child and to be prepared properly for it. [Can. 867 §1]
St Bernadette’s Parish School: Mrs Leanne Nettleton (Principal) 9634 2898
Acting Parish Council Administrator: Peter Grace 9659 5350
Sacramental Programme 2016 Information Nights - 12th & 13th October, 2015
Please pray for Norman Gatt (funeral Tuesday at 1.30pm), Coie Gerrard, Robert Ison, Victoria Gatt, Evelin
Lockley, Robert Boothen and Domenica Villarosa who have died recently and for the anniversaries of Cecil Brito,
Peter Edward Hannan, Sampsa Leather, Ramon Avedillo, Eileen Lane and Jose S Relunia and in remembrance of
Mary Elizabeth Ryan, Thomas Joseph Ryan and Robert Costa
Prayers for the Sick: Patrick Bowie, John Mulholland, Elaine Rowe, Sr Bridie O’Connell, Greta Meier,
Robert Teoh, Peter Yao, Patrick Chensee, Archer Kemmis, Joe Rego, Sophie Maher, Dorothy Barbour, Gladys
Hagerty, Fernando Dimaano, Richard Hain, Greg McGrath and Jan Heyworth.
ROSTERS FOR NEXT WEEKEND - 27 & 28 December, 2014
ACOLYTES/ SERVERS
LECTORS
MINISTERS OF COMMUNION
Special Roster
Dominic Parsons
Ray Scully
Cheryl Braisby
Sue McDonald, Iciar Quintana, Marjorie Orioles,
Harry Reyden, Monica & Matthew Fitzalan,
Kathleen & John Abernethy, John Geoghegan
Special Roster
Vince Connelly
Jo Wickens
Joe Menezes
Paul Hennessey, Francesca Menezes, Remy Sie,
Bernard Rogers, Geoff Roney, Catherine Seddon
Special Roster
Karin Abrams
Tim Abrams
Marianne Fidel
Minna Koo, Catherine Chan. John Hogan,
Vesna Rakuljic, Lisa Hurst, Joan Claxton, Gi Zenere,
Mike Reidy, Yvette Braganza
Special Roster
Sylvia Rego
Gemma Saccasan
Peter Saccasan
Mary & Jeyaraj Winslow, Crystal & Bernie Good,
Mark Street, Gaye Crammond, Lydia Flores,
Teresa Somasundram, Tim Long
VIGIL
7.30AM
9.00AM
10.30AM
6.00PM PARISH LIFE TEEN YOUTH MASS MINISTRY ROSTER - 28 December
Servers
Welcoming
Lectors
Offertory
Raphael de Leon
Veronica Ward
Patricia Wibisono
Paul Fam
Projectionist
James Hay
Paul Fam
Brendan Hassan
Clair Ward
Cassie Obeid
James Hay
Communion
Michael Holden
Nat Jones
Darren Edwards
James Hay
Lorena Perez
Aleksei Gracias Flor
Tina Muscat
Tony Muscat
Andrew Tchang
Piano
Alice Bradshaw
Bass
Anthony Healey
Drums
Jason Irawan
Guitar
Daniel Ang
Singers
Jacqui Holden
Jamie Irawan
Alyssa Tchang
Adam Chioatto
Dominic Jones
Jolene Chua
Rachel Chua
Horns
Jordan Tulinsky
Lauren Fernandez
CHILDREN’S LITURGY
Dec 25: Vicki & Jana
Dec 28: Pauline & Louise
Bernadette Logue, Marjorie Anderson,
Robyn Morgan, Kate Cowper
CHURCH HOUSEKEEPING
COUNTING (2nd Collection)
John Loftus, Simon/ Venessa Xiberras, Josef Eberl,
Joe Busuttil, Joseph Collorafi
FLOWER ROSTER
COUNTING (1st Collection)
BOOKSHOP
Elizabeth De Jesus / Heather Woods / Lisa Onsley &
Margaret Stedman / Nancy Eberhaut / Ingrid Vergano
Dec 24 Sandra Fernando
Bert & Helga Hofstaetter