Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
December 8 & 9, 2018 - SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT - Year C Issue Number 821
THE SEASON OF ADVENT
The Massabielle The Weekly Newsletter of St Bernadette’s
Parish Community, Castle Hill, NSW 2154
Hello Everyone. It seems like yesterday when we started this year of 2018, and here we are now, welcoming the holy season of Advent one more time. Getting ready for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus and then the New Year 2019 will be coming soon. In this season of Advent our eyes are fixed on the contemplation of the Son of God who became flesh to live among us. In this contemplation, the liturgy will invite us also to contemplate His blessed Mother as the example for all of the faithful disciple who welcome the Divine Word of God in complete trust. Just yesterday we celebrated the Immaculate Conception of Mary and on this coming Wednesday the Church will invite us to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I thought it would be a good article to write about this miraculous image. Last year I shared with you the oldest narratives of the apparitions. What many people do not know is that the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, for native Mexicans living before the arrival of the Spanish, is also an important codex that speaks to them and also to everyone who comes to study the meanings behind the image. What for many of us is mainly different details on a very unique and complex image of Mary, for the people in ancient Mexico is an image that presents the identity of God and of his blessed Mother. Many people have asked me how big the original image at the basilica is. Studies done to the image tell us that the height is 170 cm (67 in), and width 105 cm (41 in) HER FACE Our Blessed Mother’s face is bowed down, looking at everyone tenderly and with
compassion. She is gazing slightly to one side as a sign of reverence and respect as native Indians considered it improper to look directly at anyone’s face. She comes with humility although other symbols in the image show her importance. The face of Our Lady is that of a young girl who is considered mestizo, meaning a blend of races – in this case, Aztec and Spanish. This was the term used by the Spaniards to identify the children of Spanish conquistadores and Aztec women. The
portrayal of the Blessed Virgin Mary on her Image as mestizo symbolized the birth of a new race. In a time when Mexicans struggled with their identity and many were judged by the colour of their skin, Mary of Guadalupe shows that she is the face of everyone. The gentle lips are made not by any traces of paint but by the knot in the structure of the tilma. SUN’S RAYS The rays give the sacred image an aura of light. They appear as though they are emitted from her, based on the direction of the arrows
and the wavy pattern – indicating that she’s giving birth to the sun. Since the Aztecs worshipped the sun as the god that gives them life, the image portrays the Virgin Mary as giving birth to god. This is further reinforced by the four-petalled flower on Our Lady’s womb as described below. The Aztecs called their sun god Huitzilopochtli (their god of war, too) and to appease him, they offered palpitating human hearts which they considered to be a symbol of life. The presence of the Sun implies a divine presence for native Mexicans. They saw in the image one of the most powerful deities. That is not the one they saw in the face of Mary. She remains humbled with her face down as a message that she is not the main character in the image. To be concluded.
Readings Next Weekend 3rd Sunday of Advent - Year C
Zephaniah 3:14-18; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18
Feast Days this Week Thursday 13 December - St Lucy
Friday 14 December - St John of the Cross
LECTORS’ BOOKS AVAILABLE: A small number of copies of Break Open the Word containing Sunday Mass readings for 2019 (Year C) are available from the parish office for $10 each.
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 on Friday, 21st December at 9.45am. Enquiries: Louise Oxford on
0402 311 692.
THE EPIPHANY PILGRIMAGE: The journey of the Magi. The Epiphany Pilgrimage is an event of the Diocese of Parramatta and an outreach of the Blue Mountains Deanery. Beginning at Emu Plains on 2nd January 2019 and finishing 7 days later at Bell, pilgrims walk through the beautiful Blue Mountains bushland and join parishioners in daily Mass, Adoration, prayer, catechesis and fellowship. To register for all or part of the pilgrimage, visit www.epiphanypilgrimage.org.
ST. MICHAEL’S CHRISTMAS BRUNCH: If you are a single person, a couple, or a family, you are warmly invited to share a Christmas Brunch with St Michael’s Community. Equally, if you know anyone who might be spending Christmas by themselves, take them along and celebrate together. A delicious brunch will be served at 11am on Christmas Day, 25th December in St. Michael’s Old Church at Chapel Lane Baulkham Hills. Transport can be arranged, just let them know when you RSVP if you would like a pick up or to be dropped off. Please contact David on [email protected] or 0421 051 029 LECTORS AND MINISTERS OF COMMUNION ROSTERS will be sent out early in the new year. If you are on the roster and do not wish to continue in 2019 please contact Nancy at the parish office. RETIREMENT VILLAGES SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Flinders - Communion Service & Anointing of the Sick on Saturday 15th December at 10.00am in Donnington Court. SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM 2019: Parish families who wish to commence preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist (Holy Communion) or Reconciliation only (for Year 2 students) are asked to register your child on the weekend of 2nd & 3rd February after all Masses. The children will be commissioned during Masses on the following weekend, 9th & 10th February. If you did not attend the information sessions but are interested in your child participating in this preparation process, please call at the parish office to collect an information booklet. For details contact the parish office on 9634 2622.
COLUMBAN CALENDARS ON SALE AT THE BOOKSHOP FOR $10 EACH
SVdeP CHRISTMAS CARDS: $7 A PACKET
Today’s Readings
First Reading: Baruch 5:1-9
Jerusalem, take off your dress of sorrow and distress, put on the beauty of the glory of God for ever, wrap the cloak of the integrity of God around you, put the diadem of the glory of the Eternal on your head: since God means to show your splendour to every nation under heaven, since the name God gives you for ever will be, ‘Peace through integrity, and honour through devotedness’. Arise, Jerusalem, stand on the heights and turn your eyes to the east:
see your sons reassembled from west and east at the command of the Holy One, jubilant that God has remembered them. Though they left you on foot, with enemies for an escort, now God brings them back to you like royal princes carried back in glory. For God has decreed the flattening of each high mountain, of the everlasting hills, the filling of the valleys to make the ground level so that Israel can walk in safety under the glory of God. And the forests and every fragrant tree will provide shade for Israel at the command of God; for God will guide Israel in joy by the light of his glory with his mercy and integrity for escort.
Second Reading: 1 Philippians 1:4-6,8-11
Every time I pray for all of you, I pray with joy, remembering how you have helped to spread the Good News from the day you first heard it right up to the present. I am quite certain that the One who began this good work in you will see that it is finished when the Day of Christ Jesus comes. God knows how much I miss you all, loving you as Christ Jesus loves you. My prayer is that your love for each other may increase more and more and never stop improving your knowledge and deepening your perception so that you can always recognise what is best. This will help you to become pure and blameless, and prepare you for the Day of Christ, when you will reach the perfect goodness which Jesus Christ produces in us for the glory and praise of God.
Gospel: Luke 3:1-6
In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judaea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of the lands of Ituraea and Trachonitis, Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the pontificate of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah, in the wilderness. He went through the whole Jordan district proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the sayings of the prophet Isaiah: A voice cries in the wilderness; Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley will be filled in, every mountain and hill be laid low, winding ways will be straightened and rough roads made smooth. And all mankind shall see the salvation of God.
IntoLife will return next year. Life NIGHT will return in 2019. World Youth Day Fundraiser Christmas Gift Wrapping The World Youth Day pilgrims will be gift-wrapping Christmas presents during Masses this weekend until December 16th. Presents can be dropped off before Mass and can be collected after Mass. More information? Please contact Laura Burton on 0433 259 234 or [email protected].
THE CHAT AND CRAFT GROUP meets in the Marian Centre on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month with the next meeting on this Friday 14th December from 10.00am. You are welcome to join them for an enjoyable few hours of conversation and craft. For information phone Ellen on 9634 7276.
THE REPARATION PRAYER GROUP’S last meeting for the year is on this Tuesday at 7:30pm with special guests Fr Fernando, Fr Eugene and seminarian Adam Carlow. Please bring a plate to share the season's festivities with our fellow parishioners and guests. The Prayer Group will resume on 29th January starting at 8:00pm as usual. CHRISTIAN MEDITATION GROUP: St. Bernadette’s Evening Christian Meditation Group meets in the Lourdes Centre, 31b Brisbane Road, Castle Hill. (follow the lighted pathway), Thursday Evenings 7.30 – 8.30. Enquiries: Lesley Maker 8677 8845 or email [email protected]. The group will have their “Christmas Cuppa” at the final meditation for the year this Thursday 13th December. The group will resume on Thursday, 17th January 2019. Newcomers very welcome. MEN’S PRAYER GROUP: All men are welcome. Come along to share your journey, pray together and grow in the Faith with fellow like-minded men! Mondays 8:00 to 9:00pm in the basement (underneath the parish office). Contact Jason: Phone: 0451 651 995 or [email protected].
VISITATION OF MARY PILGRIMAGE WITH FR SHINTO: Visit Lourdes, Fatima, Avila, Montserrat and more on a 12 day pilgrimage to Portugal, France and Spain leaving Friday 10th May, 2019. Brochures are available in the church foyer. THE LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS at St Mary’s Cathedral, College Street, Sydney from 5th to 25th December starting each evening at 7.30pm with a choir performance. The light show commences at 8.30pm. Lightsofchristmas.com.au. TUESDAY MORNING PRAYER GROUP meets in the Marian Centre on Tuesdays at 10.00am discussing the Sunday Mass readings in this Advent Season and praying the Rosary. All welcome. Ring Pauline on 0407 417 039.
CHRISTMAS HAMPERS Thank you for your generosity in making the hamper collection and delivery another successful year. With the help of the schools in our parish we were able to deliver over 350 hampers to St Vincent
de Paul recipients and the Family Care Centre at Emerton.
A GIFT BEYOND CHRISTMAS Support for Loyola Senior High School, Mt Druitt
Thank you to all parishioners who have generously contributed to this appeal over the last few years. These are a selection of the causes you have supported in 2018:
• Financial assistance for an Indigenous student who had a beautiful baby girl recently and was living in a series of refuges throughout her time at Loyola.
• Glasses for a student who could not afford them.
• Rugby jerseys for two talented players who could not afford them.
• A hospitality uniform for a student unable to afford it.
• Medical expenses for a student with mental health issues whose family could not pay.
Envelopes for donations to this appeal are on the Christmas Tree and can be put on the collection plate, put into the box under the tree or left at the parish office.
THE BIBLE SOCIETY THANK YOU: Please accept my sincere thanks for the very generous contribution made towards the “Remote Indigenous Ministry Support” Bible Translation project. The amount of $2975.00 was raised last weekend. The unity of effort in contributing this significant amount is very much appreciated. Richard Allcock CARDS & MAHJONG: All ages are welcome to come to the Marian Centre on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month at 2pm to join the ‘Beyond 60’ group for an enjoyable few hours of games. The next afternoon will be this Friday 14th December. For information phone Carmen on 9634 4014.
NEW SETS OF PLANNED GIVING ENVELOPES FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTHS ARE AVAILABLE
TODAY IN THE CHURCH FOYER
CHRISTMAS MASSES 2018
Monday, 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)
Tuesday, 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
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 Rev Fernando Montano, Parish Priest Sunday Sat 6.00pm Rev Shinto Francis, Assistant Priest Sun 7.30am, 9.00am, 10.30am (incense) Mr Andrew Rooney, Seminarian 6.00pm Parish LIFE TEEN Youth Mass Mrs Nancy Eberhaut, Pastoral Associate Weekdays Mon 6.45am Ms Laura Burton, Youth Minister Tue 6.45am Mrs Alice Bradshaw JP, Sacramental Co-ordinator Wed 6.45am, 9.15am Mrs Frances Gallagher, Office Manager Thurs 6.45am
Mrs Monica Rubic, Parish Secretary (Finance: Mon-Thu) Fri 6.45am Mr Darren Edwards, Maintenance Sat 8.00am
Reconciliation Sat 8.30am - 9.00am, 4.30pm - 5.00pm Mass on Public Holidays at 8.00am
Baptisms: By appointment only. Contact Frances Gallagher at 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) 9407 6600
Please pray for Robert Howe and Vito Fogolin who have died recently and for the anniversaries of Robert Ison, Edward Nice, Emy Amaral, Herawati Trisnadi, Luis Cruz and Margaret Sutton and in remembrance of CC and Josey Varghese.
Prayers for the Sick: Klaus Hahn, David Rix, Masaki Iwatani, Kym Holden, Lesley Dennet, Ronald Tabila, Michelle McLoughlin, Domenic Pisano, Maria Robayo, Peter Viler, John Reynolds, Christina McAuley, Xander Ranieri, Robert Waddell, Yvonne Hill, June Phelan and Grace Boitano.
ROSTERS FOR NEXT WEEKEND - 15 & 16 December, 2018
ACOLYTES/ SERVERS LECTORS MINISTERS OF COMMUNION
VIGIL Reg Sinha
S5
Judith Donoghue Katrina Obeid John Obeid
Ross & Sue Pinkerton, Maureen & Ray Scully, Annarita Mezger, Louise Jongejan, Conni Tierney,
Keith D’Sylva, Delphine Fernandes
7.30AM James Tchang
S6
Adelina Tabila Ross Pinkerton Sue Pinkerton
Patrick Bowie, Andrea Tomic, Colleen & Eric Woodhead, Jo Wickens
9.00AM David Tye
S7
Mila Mina Karen Lee
Hubert Jenneke
Brian & Jenny Blacklock, Neil Bone, Ingrid Akkari/Jana Fizely, Ann O’Brien, Jack Garcia,
Rosalie Sampath
10.30AM Vince Connelly
S8
Michael Abraham Raymond Pak
Anita Christy, Dorothy Finucane, Mark Beard, Bernadette Boulos, Margaret Hawkes,
Winnie & Henry Li
6.00PM PARISH LIFE TEEN YOUTH MASS MINISTRY ROSTER - 16 December, 2018
Servers Cassie Holden
S9
Welcoming Laura Burton
Projectionist Josh Becker
Offertory Brendan Hassan
Piano Jolene Chua
Guitar
Bernice Tang
Singers Rachel Chua
Patricia Wibisono Natalie Mathias
Josh Holden
Woodwind Izaak De Padua
Drums
Jamison Bonifacio
Lauren Fernandez
CHILDREN’S LITURGY Joanne Boland
Narelle Cartwright
FLOWER ROSTER Christella Jayawardena
CHURCH HOUSEKEEPING Cathy Teh, Clarissa De Lima,
Joanne Myatt
COUNTING (1st Collection) Bert & Helga Hofstaetter
COUNTING (2nd Collection) Joe & Claire Lagunzad, Nina & Beth De Jesus,
Mila Mina
BOOKSHOP Maureen Fearnside / Catherine Seddon / Lisa Onsley Margaret Stedman/ Dorothy Finucane/ Leah Bonifacio
