December 20 & 21, 2014 - FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT- Year B Issue Number 618

THE GREAT REFORMER PART II

The Massabielle The Weekly Newsletter of St Bernadette’s

Parish Community, Castle Hill, NSW

. 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.

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.

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.

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

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 PARISH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED FROM

THURSDAY 25TH DECEMBER AND WILL REOPEN ON

MONDAY 5TH JANUARY, 2015.

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.

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

ym@stbernadette.org.au.

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 jandlmaker1@optusnet.com.au. 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.

Youth & Young Adults Ministry

Leading Teens Closer To Christ

Leading Teens Closer To Christ

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.

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.

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.

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.

COLUMBAN CALENDARS ARE NOW ON SALE FROM THE BOOKSHOP FOR $10 EACH.

VINNIES CHRISTMAS CARDS ON SALE FOR $7 PER PACKET

St Bernadette’s Parish Community

Parish House, 367 Old Northern Road, Castle Hill, NSW 2154

Telephone 9634 2622 Fax 9899 3511 Email: admin@stbernadette.org.au

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

VIGIL Special Roster

Dominic Parsons Ray Scully

Cheryl Braisby

Sue McDonald, Iciar Quintana, Marjorie Orioles, Harry Reyden, Monica & Matthew Fitzalan,

Kathleen & John Abernethy, John Geoghegan

7.30AM Special Roster

Vince Connelly Jo Wickens

Joe Menezes

Paul Hennessey, Francesca Menezes, Remy Sie, Bernard Rogers, Geoff Roney, Catherine Seddon

9.00AM 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

10.30AM Special Roster

Sylvia Rego Gemma Saccasan

Peter Saccasan

Mary & Jeyaraj Winslow, Crystal & Bernie Good, Mark Street, Gaye Crammond, Lydia Flores,

Teresa Somasundram, Tim Long

6.00PM PARISH LIFE TEEN YOUTH MASS MINISTRY ROSTER - 28 December

Servers Raphael de Leon

Welcoming James Hay Paul Fam

Lectors Veronica Ward

Patricia Wibisono Paul Fam

Offertory Brendan Hassan

Clair Ward Cassie Obeid James Hay

Projectionist Andrew Tchang

Communion Michael Holden

Nat Jones Darren Edwards

James Hay Lorena Perez

Aleksei Gracias Flor Tina Muscat Tony Muscat

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

FLOWER ROSTER Dec 24 Sandra Fernando

CHURCH HOUSEKEEPING Bernadette Logue, Marjorie Anderson,

Robyn Morgan, Kate Cowper

COUNTING (1st Collection) Bert & Helga Hofstaetter

COUNTING (2nd Collection) John Loftus, Simon/ Venessa Xiberras, Josef Eberl,

Joe Busuttil, Joseph Collorafi

BOOKSHOP Elizabeth De Jesus / Heather Woods / Lisa Onsley & Margaret Stedman / Nancy Eberhaut / Ingrid Vergano

Piano Alice Bradshaw

Bass Anthony Healey

Drums Jason Irawan

Guitar Daniel Ang