Second Sunday of Advent Year A I 4 December 2016

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY PARISHOUR LADY OF THE ROSARY PARISHOUR LADY OF THE ROSARY PARISH

Baptism of the Spirit

O ne should really listen to John the Baptist. He

announces, ‘Reform your lives, the reign of God

is at hand.’ The words of the prophet are not magic but

a reality that will be achieved when the Messiah on

whom the Spirit of the Lord rests, comes to the world.

John tells us, ‘I baptise you in water as a sign of your

conversion, but the one who is coming after me is more

powerful than I; indeed I am not worthy to carry his

sandals. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and

fire.’ When one is prepared to leave the ‘ways of the

world’ and reform oneself to accept the ways of the

Lord, the words of the prophet will be realised.

John prepares the way for Jesus. He calls for a total

change of attitude and direction. He makes it clear that

no status, birth, pedigree, past or present religious experience or allegiance will ensure salvation, unless one

accepts God’s ways. According to John, there are no favourites. Every one of us should undergo a baptism of

the Spirit and fire that Jesus alone can give and this ensures a transformation into the character and attitude of

Christ. Every person matters to God and in his kingdom everyone, including the unloved, the outcasts, the

downtrodden and the sinners, has a place. We are called to prepare ourselves to be part of the kingdom by

opening ourselves to love.

God’s Word Fr Johnson Chacko SSP

T he Christmas Appeal for funds to help the work of

the St Vincent de Paul Society in our parish is being

held this weekend. The Christmas Gift Tree is also now up.

This year again, only food items will be collected for the

Tree. Instead of collecting toys for children, we are collect-

ing money to buy gift cards so that parents themselves can

purchase more suitable gifts for their children. Money for

these gift cards may be placed in a collection box in front of

the tree. All hamper items and money for gift cards need to

be received by the weekend of 17/18 December to be in

time to be distributed before Christmas.

Vinnies continues to restore hope to struggling families

each year. As we approach the Christmas period there are

people who need hope more than ever. Vinnies makes a

real difference in the lives of 1 out of 18 people in Australia.

Your generosity makes it possible for our members,

volunteers and staff to continue offering the right kind of

assistance at the right time.

We thank you for your compassionate support. The impact

of your gift will be felt well beyond 25 December. Your

donation will be an important foundation in making a

difference to the lives of many Australians this Christmas.

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Tree, Money Box & Appeal

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An Advent Prayer

L ord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon

our preparation for Christmas.

We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.

We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.

We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your Kingdom.

We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.

We are your people, walking in darkness yet seeking the light.

To you we say ‘Come, Lord Jesus’. Amen.

Henri Nouwen

Bible Café

New Series

Devotion to Christ with Fr Benedict

Groeschel CFR

Wednesdays

10:30-11:30am

& 7-8pm in the

Muldoon Room.

All welcome!

Quote for the Week

My business is not to remake myself, but to make the

absolute best of what God has made.

Robert Browning

Advent Adoration

Come, let us adore him!

Saturdays of Advent in the Prayer Room, following 9am Mass

and continuing through the day to Benediction

at 5:30pm.

Stir the Spirit

L ike others in this digital age, I rarely receive Christmas cards in the mail nowa-

days. However, I received one last year from a very good friend of mine. As I

opened the envelope, I was greeted by a traditional scene of Jesus and the Holy Family

in Bethlehem… peaceful, but innocuous. There is a saying, “You cannot judge a book

by its cover.” I have found the same applies to Christmas card covers. Opening the

card, I found the following greeting: “May the peace of Christ disturb you!” That’s not

the greeting I expected! Something warm and fuzzy, maybe, but not this. I think the

point of the greeting was to stir my heart into action; to see the Scriptures as not some-

thing exclusively to comfort and pacify, but rather a challenging text full of provocation

to stir the spirit to act in its accord. Today’s readings reminded me of this message.

In today’s Gospel, Matthew recounts the work of St John the Baptiser in the wilderness

of Judea. By way of dress and eating habits, John is figured as Elijah, the one promised

to precede the coming of the Christ (cf. 2 Kgs 1:8; Mal 4:5). He preaches repentance as

part of our preparing “the way of the Lord.” In the original Greek, the word is

metanoia. Sometimes this is loosely translated as “change of heart,” but it’s more

literally translated as “change of mind.” In reality, it embraces both. A related term in

Hebrew is teshuvah, which is best understood as turning back (shuv) to God. It is used

in the Old Testament almost 1,000 times. Repentance goes beyond an understanding of

error or simply being sorry for our transgressions; it embraces a heartfelt response to

actively turn to God in right relationship. It is not about the false religiosity and self-

righteous expressions of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

In our first reading, Isaiah voices the hopes of the people who confidently (literally,

with faith) await the coming of the messiah, the righteousness of the Lord, and the

restoration of the unity of creation as it was originally in the garden. Likewise, St Paul

relates in the second reading that when we put aside differences and welcome each

other in the manner of Christ, we sustain each other and live in the harmony of the

Lord. Although waiting is not something we ordinarily look forward to, Advent is

characterised by a joyful and hope-filled anticipation of harmony and renewal of life.

The person for whom we wait never disappoints!

In the busyness of life, our hearts are often troubled, pulled in all sorts of directions. In

our time of waiting, anticipation and hope this Advent, may we straighten the paths to

our own hearts so that the peace, justice and integrity of Christ will bring us newness

of life.

Preparing the Way Lectio Divina Praying the Scriptures in Advent David Patterson

(Lectio Divina is available free for download on the Diocese of Broken Bay website:

www.dbb.org.au News & Events page Lectio Divina tab. A great way to make the

Christmas celebration come alive and be more meaningful.)

Congratulations & Blessings

to Fr Bill

on the occasion of your

48th Anniversary of Ordination

7 December 2016

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3 MONTH OF THE DIVINE INFANCYMONTH OF THE DIVINE INFANCYMONTH OF THE DIVINE INFANCY

Rosa Mystica Hour of Grace

The Pope’s Prayer Intentions for December

Catholic Ladies’ Friendship Group

Come along on Wednesday 7 December to the Parish Centre after 9am Mass for a nice

cuppa, morning tea and chat. Bring a plate and Christmas donation.

New Ministry Rosters

Available for pick up from the Sacristy. Thank you for your continued involvement.

iWitness Youth Conference - Keeping the Faith

Join hundreds of young people in beautiful Collaroy for a fun, relaxing and enriching

weekend to engage with, learn about and be inspired by the Catholic faith. 8-11

December Collaroy Centre 22 Homestead Avenue Collaroy. www.lifetothefull.com.au

Advent Retreat

Take time out of the busyness of the end of year and prepare for the coming of Christ

with prayer and reflection at Mt Carmel Retreat Centre 247 St Andrews Road

Varroville. Call 8795 3400 or go to www.carmeliteretreats.com.au

Advent Adoration

A nd all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the ancients, and about

the living creatures; and they fell before the throne upon their faces, and adored

God, saying “Amen. Benediction and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, honour,

and power, and strength to our God, forever and ever, Amen." (Apocalypse, vii, 11, 12)

The revealed precept to adore God was spoken to Moses upon Sinai and reaffirmed in

the words of Christ: "The Lord your God you shall adore, and him only shall you

serve" (Matt., iv, 10)

Our eyes still see bread, but our faith tells us that the Host that is consecrated during

the Mass has become the Body of Christ. In this act of faith in the Eucharist, we

acknowledge Christ's Presence in the Blessed Sacrament and look forward to celebrat-

ing his coming at Christmas, and to the day when we will see Him in Heaven.

This month, why not make a special effort to spend some time in prayer before the

Blessed Sacrament? All the faithful are encouraged to come and pray before the

Blessed Sacrament. It doesn't need to be long or elaborate. Frequent prayer before the

Blessed Sacrament is a path to spiritual growth.

T he Hour of Grace is held on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception Thursday 8

December from 12-1pm with prayers, Rosary, Exposition and Benediction.

The Blessed Virgin promised that whatever a person asked her for during this Hour of

Grace (even in impossible cases) it would be granted to them, if it were in accordance

with the will of the Eternal Father. ‘With this exercise one will receive numerous

spiritual and bodily graces. Our Lord, my Divine son Jesus, will be abundantly merci-

ful so long as good men go on praying for their fellow men.’

Remember who Christmas is really about

and put Christ back into Christmas!

This week we would like to thank our Parish Pastoral

Council and Finance Committee members for their

contributions to our parish this year. Thank you all!

Congratulations Lani Milne

on being

Welcomed into the Church

4 December 2016

Faith, Hope, Love

& Mercy Prayer

Cards Reach out to others

in the spirit of

Advent &

Christmas.

FREE on the

information tables. Please Note

Universal: End to Child-Soldiers - that the scandal of child-soldiers may be eliminated

the world over.

Evangelisation: Europe - that the peoples of Europe may rediscover the beauty, good-

ness, and truth of the Gospel which gives joy and hope to life.

Serving the Catholic Community of The Entrance and extending the Kingdom of God

PARISH PRIEST & DEAN Fr Bill Stevens ASSISTANT PRIEST Fr Stephen Hamilton 0407 201 474

SACRAMENTAL COORDINATOR Br John Verhoeven FSP

Office Hours Monday-Friday 9.30-5.00pm Tel 4332 2216 Fax 4333 5344

Postal Address PO Box 189 THE ENTRANCE 2261 Street Address 239-243 The Entrance Rd THE ENTRANCE 2261

Email info@ourladyoftherosary.org.au Website www.ourladyoftherosary.org.au

PROPERTY MANAGER Michael de la Motte Tel 4334 7600 (BH)

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY PRIMARY SCHOOL Tel 4332 5594 Fax 4334 5599

ST PETER’S CATHOLIC COLLEGE Tel 4351 2344 Fax 4351 2965

THE ENTRANCE PARISH DIOCESE OF BROKEN BAY

Mass & Devotions in Ordinary Time Sunday Masses Saturday Vigil 6:00pm Sunday 8:00am & 9:30am

Weekday Masses Monday - Thursday 9:00am Friday 11:45am Saturday 9:00am

Liturgy of the Hours Saturday 8:40am Rosary Monday-Thursday 8:35am Friday 11:20am Saturday 9:30am

Cenacle Wednesday 9:30am Christian Meditation Group Friday 10:30am-11:30am Muldoon Room. Come & join us!

Keep Us In Your Prayers

Our Lady of the Rosary

GIFT

CENTRE

For all your devotional needs...

Christmas is Coming! Come in and see our beautiful Nativity display and lovely new gifts for Christmas - something for everyone. Fr Macs Heavenly Puddings are also back - don’t miss out - small $20, large $35. You’ll find the Gift Centre behind the Church carpark, corner of Ashton and Copnor Avenues.

Open: Sunday 9am-9:30am & 10:30-11am Tuesday-Friday 9:30am-1:30pm

Phone/Fax 4332 5997

2nd Sunday of Advent Isaiah 11:1-10 Romans 15:4-9 Matthew 3:1-12 Entrance Antiphon: O people of Sion, behold, the Lord will come to see the nations, and the Lord will make the glory of his voice heard in the joy of your heart.

Responsorial Psalm: Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, Alleluia! Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all people shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia!

Communion Antiphon: Jerusalem, arise and stand upon the heights, and behold the joy which comes to you from God.

Pearly

Gates

There is no gift more precious than prayer - Fr Benedict Groeschel Recently Deceased: Jim McCarthy, Sue McNally, Lorna Wicks, Noelene Wilkinson, Rita McIntosh, Elizabeth Meier, Sinon Maloney, Fr Tom O’Hara SJ, Pat Power, Lorraine Richards. Funerals: The funerals of Noeline Wilkinson, Elizabeth Meier and Sinon Maloney were held during the week. Please pray for Noelene, Elizabeth, Sinon and their families. Anniversaries: Paul Casperson, Col Davis, Ralph Jayesuria, Jim Baker, Frank & Josephine Ragonesi. Remembrances: Bruce Parry, Frank & Beryl White, Dorothy Cribb, Noeleen Corrigan, Maurice Cramsie, Joe Bond, George, Georgina, Anthony, Doris & Paul Grech, Fortunato & Georgina Zahra, Charles Magri, Michael Guest. Families: Bouchet, Grech, Zahra, Grima, Camilleri, Cassar, Falzon, Borg, Pace, Marmara, Sick: Kerry Fitzpatrick, Fr Jack Robson, Luigi Schiavo, Kathy Lowe-Scafidi, John Verhoeven Snr, Brian Staggs, Laurel & Stan Johnson, Andrew Edmunds, Les McDonald, Maree Gillreathe-McLoughlin, Peg Senogles, Sr Christina Cullen, Michael Falzon, Garry Reynolds, Br Tom and all families and friends suffering with cancer and long-term illnesses. Welcome Newly Baptised: Marli Dean, Mason Carter, Rocco Scarcella.