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Welcome to ...
3rd / 4th December 2016 Year A: Vol.42 No.02
We are an active and welcoming Catholic community,
where people of all ages draw closer to God.
His love is expressed through each one of us by prayer,
liturgy and reaching out in service to one another.
Pari sh Vi si o n St atem e nt
Please visit our Parish Website:
www.standrewsmarayong.org.au
PARISH STAFF:
Monsignor Ron McFarlane
Father Joby Kadambattu MS
Father Alfonsus Nahak SVD
Maria Hyson
(Sacramental Coordinator)
Michelle Sultana &
Joe Clemson
(Office staff)
PARISH OFFICE & PRESBYTERY:
Phone: 9622 0817
Fax: 9671 7971 40 Breakfast Rd, Marayong 2148
[PO Box 4345]
Email Address:
[email protected]
Office Hours:
Monday to Friday
9.00am to 4.00pm
FR. BYRNE CENTRE: (Parish Meeting Rooms)
38 Breakfast Rd, Marayong.
WEEKEND MASSES:
Saturday (Vigil) 6.00pm
Sunday:
7.30am, 8.45am, 10.30am
SUNDAY SCHOOL:
Each Sunday morning
after the 8.45am Mass.
Weekday Masses: Monday: 9.00am
Tuesday: 9.00am
Wednesday: 9.00am
Novena & Mass: 7.00pm
Thursday: 8.00am
Friday: 9.00am
Saturday: 9.00am
Mass for the Sick:4th Saturday
of the month at 9.00am
Rosary: Before each morning
Mass and before the
Saturday Vigil Mass
SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
After weekday morning
Masses.
Saturday: 4.30pm - 5.30pm
Anytime by arrangement.
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
Baptisms: 1st & 3rd Sunday
of each month at 11.45am
Baptismal Preparation:
2nd Wednesday of each month
at 7.30pm
in the Fr Byrne Centre.
Please book for Baptisms
with the Parish Office.
PIETY STALL:
Open after Masses on Saturday
night and Sunday morning or
by asking for an appointment
at the Parish Office.
PARISH SCHOOLS:
ST. ANDREW’S PRIMARY
Principal: Mr M. Tonnet
Phone: 9671 6622
Address: 36 Breakfast Road
Marayong 2148
ST. ANDREWS COLLEGE
College Principal: Mr N. Vidot
Phone: 9626 4000
Campus -
JUNIOR CAMPUS (YRS. 7-10)
Address: 116 Quakers Road
Marayong 2148
SENIOR CAMPUS (YRS. 11-12)
Address: 50 Breakfast Road
Marayong 2148
Second Sunday
of Advent
The Immaculate Conception of
the Blessed Virgin Mary
This feast day is an important feast day in many parts of the
world and
should be important to us as well. There will be Masses at
8:00am and
7:00pm. Please make every effort to participate and see this as
an
important part of preparation for the celebration of the feast
of Christmas.
Pope Pius 1X defined the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception
of
Mary as follows: "the Blessed Virgin Mary was preserved pure
from
every stain of original sin." This doctrine tells us that from
the very first
instance of her conception that Mary was totally God centred.
This did
not mean that the life of Mary would be easier in any way. She
still had to
face the realities of daily life just as we do. What is
important is that she
did so with faith. What is also important is that she was
totally committed
to carrying out what God wished in her life.
PARISH REGISTRATION
If you have not filled out a Registration Form, please do
so as soon as possible and return it to the Church or Parish
Office. Forms are available at the back of the Church.
If you are a new parishioner, we ask you to complete a
Registration Form, and return it to the Parish Office.
Bullet in Highl ights … PROPOSED CHRISTMAS ROSTER
REPORT FROM PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER 2016
UPCOMMING PARISH AND DIOCESAN EVENTS
Christmas Offering Envelopes:
There are Christmas
offering envelopes
available at the doors of the church.
Your generosity in regard to these is one of the means that we
offer
support to the priests in our Diocese, particularly those who
have retired and are sick or housebound.
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From Monsignor Ron … This weekend we have John the Baptist. A
gospel reading begins with the man himself, who he is, his personal
qualities, and how he lives. Then we are presented with various
aspects of his message. He announces salvation, the plan of
salvation begun by God from the beginning of recorded history. He
predicts the coming of Jesus and is thus preparing people for a new
beginning. He condemns hypocrisy and sin, but also offers freedom
and a new life through repentance. He is a powerful messenger of
God, but he regards himself merely as a pointer to Jesus. He also
tells us we will be judged by the fruit that we bear, the way we
accept the life we were created to live.
What does this mean for us today? Through repentance, we can
rediscover the mercy of God. Through sorrow for our sins and
failings, we can make a new beginning and we can make straight the
way of the Lord. The best way to judge ourselves is not by what
rules we do or do not keep, but by the way we continue to grow as
loving people who are constantly seeking the guidance of the Holy
Spirit who lives within us.
We are preparing to relive and celebrate the coming of Jesus
Christ into our world. This is important as it offers us a pathway
to a new beginning. At the same time, we should never forget that
he is with us always. By making a daily effort to prepare for this
celebration, by renewing ourselves to make a new beginning, we will
continue to develop a living faith.
This weekend, and each day leading up to our celebration of
Christmas, let us be challenged by John the Baptist’s call to
repentance. Let us admit our sins, repent of them and seek
forgiveness from those we hurt, and experience the love of Christ
expressed in the Sacrament of Penance. Let us
actively treat others, and here I mean all others without
exception, with the friendship with which God has treated us in
Jesus.
My final suggestion for this weekend is to have a close look at
our lives and maybe look for some small conversions we can
undertake as our means of preparing the way for Christ to come into
our lives and the lives of all we meet.
Advent Wreath Candle Lighting Two candles are lit on the second
Sunday.
Priest: Let us pray. O Lord, stir up our hearts that we may
prepare for your only begotten Son, that through His coming we may
be made worthy to serve you with pure souls. Through the same
Christ our Lord All: Amen.
MASS READINGS -YEAR A
THIS SUNDAY:
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
First Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm: Ps 71:1-2. 7-8. 12-13. 17
Second Reading: Romans 15:4-9
Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12
NEXT SUNDAY:
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
First Reading: Isaiah 35:1-6. 10
Psalm: Ps 145:6-10
Second Reading: James 5:7-10
Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11
Please contact the
Parish Office, if you are
unavai lab le for your
rostered Ministry.
THIS WEEK’S ROSTER: 3rd / 4th December 2016 [1st Sunday of the
Month-Even Month]
M INISTRIES 6.00pm 7.30am 8.45am 10.30am
ACOLYTE Ruben Bables
Joe Doyle Ged Oblea
Rufino Oblea Thong Nguyen Mario Spiteri
Ike Enriquez Luis Ortiz
COMMENTATOR Nenette Gapud Mary Anne Xuereb Charmaine Mathias
YouthWorks!
FIRST READER Roshan Thomas Dianne McKinnon Nerissa Toong
YouthWorks!
SECOND READER Martin Zammit Julie Nunez Zoe Victoria
YouthWorks!
PROJECTOR OPERATORS
Delia Fernandes Nicholas Mathias Shekha Raviraj
WELCOMER Henryka Ogrodniczek Annette Hudson
Rita Vaughn Dot Kaster, Des Zammit
YouthWorks!
MUSICIANS Lorraine's Group NO Music Mass NO Music Mass
YouthWorks!
MINISTERS OF COMMUNION - First Sunday of the Month
NEXT WEEK’S ROSTER: 10th / 11th December 2016 [2nd Sunday of the
Month - Even Month]
M INISTRIES 6.00pm 7.30am 8.45am 10.30am
ACOLYTE Romy Gapud
Emmanuel Tabone Gus Kaster
Edsel Paltoo Noe Adan
Mario Picart Robert Bautista
Ferdi Chin
COMMENTATOR Nenette Gapud Claire Blunt Lita Picart Peter Maw
FIRST READER Volunteer required Antonette Elogious Roseanne
Victoria Lisa Maruri
SECOND READER Teresita Cacdac Belinda Elogious Rose Rotik Maury
Villanueava
PROJECTOR OPERATORS
Nicholas King Derica Elogious Jaden Victoria Abigail Chin
WELCOMER Annette Hudson Claire Blunt Linda Dessa
Mathias Family
MUSICIANS Hearts NO Music Mass Couples For Christ Dingalings
MINISTERS OF COMMUNION - Second Sunday of the Month
Reflection from Pope Francis In the Gospel another person
appears, closer to Jesus, the thief who begs him: “Jesus, remember
me when you come into your kingdom” (v. 42). This person, simply
looking at Jesus, believed in his kingdom. He was not closed in on
himself, but rather – with his errors, his sins and his troubles –
he turned to Jesus. He asked to be remembered, and he experienced
God’s mercy: “Today you will be with me in paradise” (v.43). As
soon as we give God the chance, he remembers us. He is ready to
completely and forever cancel our sin, because his memory – unlike
our own – does not record evil that has been done or keep score of
injustices experienced. God has no memory of sin, but only of us,
of each of us, we who are his beloved children. And he believes
that it is always possible to start anew, to raise ourselves up.
(Feast of Christ the King)
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6.00pm
Family Mass 8.00pm
Vigil Mass Midnight Mass
7.30am Christmas Day Mass
8.45am Christmas Day Mass
10.30am Christmas Day Mass
Acolyte Rudy Rupac Volunteer Required Bobby Bautista Candido
Velasco Mario Picart Noe Adan
Ike Enriquez Volunteer Required Volunteer Required John
Blackford Joy Kakodkar Robert Bautista
Commentator Sunday School Youth Volunteer Required Volunteer
Required Claire Blunt Antonette Elogious Maryanne Bautista
First Reader Sunday School Youth Volunteer Required Maryanne
Bautista Pauline Sultana Chris Bettiol Claudine Desira
Second Reader Sunday School Youth Volunteer Required Judith
Dcruz Nila Mangona Lydia Villamarin Jay Ilagan
Projector Sunday School Youth Volunteer Required Volunteer
Required Vianney Rodrigues Derca Elogious Emily Webb
Natalie Webb
Roster for Christmas
Roster for Christmas: since the feast of Christmas falls on a
Sunday, the roster for our liturgical celebrations on
Christmas morning will be the same as it normally would be on a
Sunday morning for the fourth weekend of the month.
If you are unable to participate in your rostered time, it would
be appreciated if you could let the office know as we will
be publishing a final roster next weekend.
Regarding the 6:00pm Family Mass, the 8:00pm Mass and the
Midnight Mass, we are looking for volunteers at this
moment in time. Please contact the parish office as soon as
possible.
At our last meeting, we looked towards 2017. • One of the areas
in parish life that was stressed was the need for ongoing spiritual
formation on a regular basis. • We should also look at encouraging
more interaction between parish groups and more promotion of groups
to encourage parishioners to become involved. • We should continue
with the promotion of Marian devotions and the rosary. The Legion
of Mary were commended for their efforts in this regard in 2016. •
The importance of training future leaders for the youth ministry in
the parish was stressed. As well, we need to provide ongoing
ministry support for those who have been leaders in the youth
ministry. • It was seen as important to encourage families involved
in the sacramental programs to become more involved in the life of
the parish. A starting point of this would be the registration of
the families involved and encouraging them to become involved in
ministry in the parish. • 2017 is the 500th anniversary of the
Reformation and we should look at this year as a year of
evangelisation. • Commissioning and advertising of parish groups. •
Celebration of feast day of St Vincent DePaul (27 September 2017).
• Review celebration of special feast days – Pentecost, Corpus
Christi, Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Forthcoming Celebrations: • New Year’s Eve Mass and Devotions.
Due to this being a weekend the Mass will be at 6:00pm and
devotions from 7:30pm until 8:30pm. • Feast of Immaculate
Conception: special evening Mass.
Report from Parish Pastoral Council
Welcome someone home for Christmas A few years ago there was a
program entitled “Coming Home for Christmas.” Many people make a
special opportunity to participate in the celebration of Mass at
Christmas. I am also confident that this is a time where people’s
minds and hearts turn to God and his place in their lives. I would
suggest that this is a great time to simply offer an invitation to
people we know to make a comeback to being involved consistently in
our parish family. I would also suggest that this is a very
positive way of preparing ourselves for the feast of Christmas. Our
love for our God does need to express itself in reaching out to all
members of our family. So let us during this time invite people we
know to come home and enjoy all the benefits of our parish family.
In this regard I would also recommend that we all make a special
effort during this month to be more welcoming and maybe to spend
some time getting to know each other better as we gather for our
family celebration of Mass.
Supporting the St.Vincent de Paul Society As we are all aware,
the time leading up to Christmas is an extremely busy time for the
members of the St. Vincent de Paul society. Parishioners can help
their efforts for families who need support at Christmas. This can
be done in various ways. First of all, there will be the
opportunity to provide gifts for those people who cannot afford to
purchase them for themselves. The giving tree will provide some
ideas in this regard. Secondly, you can help by providing
non-perishable food for the Christmas hampers that will be
delivered to these families. Thirdly, as we get closer to Christmas
it would be helpful if we had some volunteers and drivers who would
be able to help in delivering these hampers.
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