KU-RING-GAI CHASE CATHOLIC PARISH Diocese of Broken Bay

11th December 2016

3rd Sunday of Advent - Year A

Lord, come and save us.

Readings next Sunday (17/18): Is 7:10-14; Rom 1:1-7; Mt 1:18-24

PASTORAL CENTRE 1-19 Woodcourt Road, Berowra Heights 2082

P.O. Box 335, Berowra Heights 2082

Phone (02) 9456 2450 Fax (02) 9456 3046

Parish Email: parishkccp@dbb.org.au

Parish Website: www.kccp.dbb.org.au

Centre Hours: 9.30 am—4.30 pm (Lunch 1-2pm)

Sacramental Team kccpsacraments@gmail.com

Baptism Co-ordinator baptismkccp@dbb.org.au

Parish Administrator Fr Shaju John, OSH

Assistant Priest Fr Shiju Simon, OSH

Deacon Deacon Kevin Hale

Parish Secretary

Bookkeeper Mrs Karen Price

Youth Ministry Co-ord. Mrs Emma Introna

School/Parish Liturgy L. Mrs Patricia Smith

WEEKEND MASSES Vigil 4.00pm Peat Island Chapel, Mooney Mooney

Vigil 5.30pm St Bernard's

Vigil 6.00pm St Patrick's

Sunday 8am St Patrick's

9am St Bernard's

10am St Patrick's

6pm St Patrick’s

WEEKLY MASSES St Bernard's 8am Monday, Tuesday, Thursday

9.10 am Wednesday, 9.00am Friday

St Patrick’s 8am Wednesday and Friday

9am Monday, Tuesday, Thurs, Sat.

RECONCILIATION Every Saturday 9.30 am at St Patrick’s

Every Friday After 9am Mass at St Bernard’s

Prayers for Lighting the Advent Candles— 3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Celebrant …As the shepherds did, we hasten with joy towards the birth of the

Christ-child. We light the 3rd candle, coloured rose for joy, and we pray for the

spirit of repentance and reconciliation, to purify us in readiness for His

coming.

Reader: Let the wilderness and the dry lands rejoice; let the wasteland

exult and bloom.

Response: Come, lord, fill us with the fire of your love.

Reader: Courage, do not be afraid. Look, your God is coming

to save you.

Response: Come, Lord, fill us with the fire of your love.

Reader: He will exult over you with joy.

Response: Come, Lord, fill us with the fire of your love.

The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called

Gaudete (rejoice) Sunday. … “Rejoice” is the first

word in the entrance antiphon for today's Mass taken

from Philippians 4:4, 5: “Rejoice in the Lord always;

again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near….

This Sunday is a joyful reminder that our salvation is near.

This week's Gospel Reading continues our Advent reflection on the person and

message of John the Baptist….we hear Jesus' message to John the Baptist, now

in prison, about the signs of the kingdom found in Jesus' ministry and Jesus'

assessment of John's role in the Kingdom of God.

This passage is a reminder that the beginning of salvation is already

mysteriously present to us, but also yet to be fulfilled. Salvation is already in

our midst as manifest in the miraculous deeds of Jesus and in the Church. But

salvation is also to be fulfilled in the coming reign of God. Even as we observe

our world today, we can find glimpses of God's work among us. Even more,

we help to prepare the way for God's kingdom by our words and our deeds.

This message is indeed a cause for rejoicing. (Loyola Press)

POSITION VACANT – PARISH SECRETARY,

KU-RING-GAI CHASE CATHOLIC PARISH.

Part-time position: 9.30am – 4.00 pm

(6 hrs/day Mon - Fri)

Strong administration and pastoral skills

required along with proficiency in Word,

Excel, Publisher and database

management.

If you are interested in applying for this

role please send a cover letter and current

CV to the Parish Administrator,

Fr Shaju John at parishkccp@dbb.org.au.

RECONCILIATION

Monday 19th December 7.30 2nd Rite St Bernard’s Tuesday 20th December 7.30 1st Rite St Patrick’s

CHRISTMAS-MASS TIMES:

Christmas Eve - Saturday 24 December

4pm Peat Island Chapel Vigil Mass, Carols & BBQ (Outdoors) Please bring a chair or rug 6pm St Bernard’s Vigil Mass for Children 6pm St Patrick’s Vigil Mass for Children 9pm St Patrick’s Youth Vigil Mass 12 midnight St Patrick’s Midnight Mass

Christmas Day - Sunday 25 December

8am St Patrick’s Mass 9am St Bernard’s Family Mass 10am St Patrick’s Family Mass

There will be no evening Mass and NO Mass on Mon 26 December

There will be no Masses at Mooney

during January. Masses will begin on

Saturday 5th February 2017

The Pastoral Centre will be closed from

close of business on Friday 23rd

December and reopen on Tuesday 3rd

January 2017 with limited times for the rest

of January

MUSIC MINISTRY

Children's Choir enjoyed their Christmas party and

final practice on Friday, and are singing at 10am Mass

this weekend for this last time for 2016. The Choir

will be in recess during the school holidays. All

students in Year 3 in 2017, and all young people in

high schools and primary schools throughout the

parish, start planning now for weekly practices on Fridays from 4 to

5pm during school terms in 2017! The Choir sings at 10am Mass on 2nd

and 4th Sundays during school terms.

Thank you everyone for a wonderful year!

Enquiries: Patricia Smith 9482 7935

Cradle Songs and Lullabies An evening of carols, readings and

reflections presented by the Select Choir of the parish Children's Choir

on Friday evening, 7.30pm at St Patrick's church. This will be a

beautiful, inspiring evening of wonderful singing and thoughtful

reflections, a perfect chance to retreat from the bustle of pre-Christmas

preparations. Supper will follow.

Midnight Mass practices for instrumentalists and singers will be

held on Tuesday 13th and Monday19th December at 7.30 pm (not

7,00 as previously advertised) in St Patrick's church. Don’t worry

if you’ve missed the first rehearsal—more voices needed.

Singers, instrumentalists all welcome! Music Ministry Scholarships 2017 The parish will be offering two

scholarships for young musicians prepared to commit to music ministry

in our parish, one Keyboard scholarship and one Children's Choir Intern

scholarship.

For further information, terms and conditions,and application forms,

please contact the parish office or Patricia Smith 9482 7935

Week – 3rd week of Advent

Monday 12/12 Weekday 3rd week of Advent

Mass of the Day, Preface of Advent 1

Num 24:2-7,15-17; Mt 21:23-27

Tuesday St Lucy, virgin, martyr

Mass of the Saint, Preface: of Advent I or saint

Zeph 3:1-2, 9-13; Mt 21:28-32

Wednesday St John of the Cross, priest, doctor

Mass of the Saint

Preface of Advent I or saint

Is 45:6-8,18,21-26; Lk 7:19-23

Thursday Weekday 3rd week of Advent

Mass of the Day, Preface of Advent 1

Is 54:1-10; Lk 7:24-30;

Friday Weekday 3rd week of Advent

Mass of the day, Preface of Advent I

Is 56:1-3, 6-8; Jn 5:33-36

Saturday Weekday 3rd week of Advent

Mass of 17 December, Preface of Advent II

Gen 49:2, 8-10; Mt 1:1-17)

RECENTLY DECEASED: James Lindsay Henderson, Philip Ryan,

Sonny O’Reilly, Colin Acret, Marie McNamara, Van Hung Nguyen,

ANNIVERSARIES: SK Wong, B Doherty, W Long, Flora Knudsen

Charles Dighton, Eulalie Hailstone, Neil Mickelson, Deacon David

Huntley, Assunta Fraietta, Maria Lombardo, Patrick Hubert

McCarthy, Robert Martin & Lesley White, Jackson M. Miranda,

Allan Websdall, Amedoeo & Francesca Horabit, Patrick Porter

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK: Alfredo De Ramos Sr, , Cadia Maestri,

Robert Conlon, Kath Lock, Patricia Sanders, Brian O’Donohue,

Arlene Joson, Patrick Dorahy, Clifford Horne, John Macy, Barbara

Jones, Maciej Maciejewski, Monique Leyden, Tom and Moya.

OTHER: For all the Holy Souls Please Note: Names on our prayer lists are deleted at the end of each

month, unless you notify the pastoral centre.

THIS WEEK’S READINGS and PRAYERS

Christmas Youth Mass – 9pm, 24th December:

Practices: 7pm Monday 12th Dec St Patrick’s.

7pm, Sunday 18th December after Youth Mass.

Also needed: Readers, Servers and other ministries.

Please advise if you plan on joining us at Christmas for

this Mass.

Emma Introna 0439 481 688

Emma.introna@dbb.org.au

R.C.I.A. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

A joyous celebration was had last week to welcome Kirsten and

Norma into our community at Berowra.

Last Thursday night we heard an interesting talk about the

prophets of old and how they foretold many aspects of the

coming of our Saviour. Next Thursday will be our final meeting

for this year until after the school holidays. We will be looking at

Mary, the Mother of Jesus and thinking about how special she

was. R.C.I.C. Rite of Christian Initiation of Children

We start meeting today with our children who have expressed an

interest in entering more fully into their Christian life. We will

be looking at the Sacrament of Baptism and how that affects our

spiritual life. Any other interested children are welcome to join us.

Contact Ellen Downey 9477 7180 or 0437 877 180.

CHRISTMAS EVE CHILDREN’S MASS

6 PM St Patrick’s

Wanted: Children who like to sing,

readers and actors

Singers/ choir only:

Wed 21st December 8.45-9.45am and

Friday 23rd December 8.45-10.45 am.

Gospel play actors only:

Wednesday 21st December 9.45 am -10.45 am and

Friday 23rd December 9.45am

In both: please attend both practices. Angels bring white

outfit & sheep white to Friday’s rehearsal.

Mrs Lisa P 0414 414 567, Mrs Trish W 0432 357 206

Mrs. Bec D 0410 533 845, Mr Gary M 0438 270 737

JOIN IN THE SPIRIT at St Patrick’s - am 24th December

Be part of the Christmas beautification of our church for this

special occasion.

Cynthia Gilbertson and her group are rostered for cleaning on

Saturday 24th of December and will be commencing after the

9.00am Mass at 9.30 am

Extra help is needed. They will take care of the regular cleaning

but need people along with cleaning equipment to ensure the

windows etc can be done.

Extra people (at least 2) are also needed to help Cynthia &

Claudine with flower arranging. Buckets will be left outside the

sacristy for donations of fresh flowers Friday evening.

Contact: Cynthia 9476 6215 or 0407 650 208

FROM THE DIOCESE and COMMUNITY

When did I find you hungry, homeless and lonely?

Have you been alone at Christmas?

It can be difficult to be joyful. Vinnies in various

ways endeavour to fill a void in people’s lives when

everything seems to be against them.

With Christmas rapidly approaching, both the Asquith and

Berowra Conference of the St Vincent de Paul Society are

preparing to assist the local disadvantaged to have a more

joyous Christmas than they had anticipated.

You can help send the message to them that as Christians we

do care for them and will provide Vinnies with

long life food and foodstuffs suitable for Christmas

Hampers and toiletries.

reasonable used clothing suitable to sell in the Vinnies

shops (Asquith only)

donations in the poor box

St Patrick’s: Vinnies bags are at the back of the church.

Vinnies ask that you take bag (s) and return them this Sunday

to the back of the church for Vinnies to collect.

Last year, we needed several cars to remove the offerings of

assistance from the parish. We are hoping that more cars will

be required this year!

St Bernard’s: Baskets will be at the back of the church.

Vinnies thanks you for your continuing support.

CANDELA TALK AND STALL

It is that time of year when we hear about the

wonderful work being done in Candela.

On the weekend of December 10th/11th Mary

Rajca will speak at both masses at St Bernard's

and then on the weekend of December 17th/18th she will speak

at the masses at St Patrick's

Over the past years our parish has supported

the Sisters of Mercy mission in Candela and

much has been done to improve the living

conditions of the families.

After mass there will be a sale of the goods

that the women have made. Your continued support will be

greatly appreciated. All money raised from the sale of the

goods goes straight back to the women.

Arts and Faith: 3rd Sunday of Advent Exploring sacred art in a season of hope.

Geertgen tot Sint Jans, “Saint John

the Baptist in the Wilderness,” 15th

century

In Geertgen tot Sint Jans’ Saint John the

Baptist in the Wilderness, we meet the

prophet in the wilderness. A lamb keeps

him company as John sits on a jutting rock

by a creek, heavily cloaked, deep in

thought. Although known for his fiery

passion, here we see a different side of St. John:

introspective, prayerful, meditative. The scene brings to

mind Christ’s own time in the wilderness, a time of prayer,

trial, and temptation right after he meets St. John at the

Jordan. Could it be that John was preparing the way for the

Lord’s own trial in the wilderness?

Just as St. John might invite Christ into the wilderness, he

also prepares the way for us to venture into our own

wilderness. In the wilderness of our lives, we thirst for

God’s grace the most. In our daily dry existence, any quick

quench tempts us, even as we know that our thirst runs

deeper. In the wilderness, St. John prepares the way by

prayer; his struggle there is not against the corrupt king, but

against the desire of his will. Before he preaches repentance

and calls for justice, he prays and ponders his utter reliance

on God. And even in the midst of this spiritual struggle, he

finds that God’s grace already holds him; he is seated by a

life-giving stream, and the lamb curls up close by, both

symbols to demonstrate God’s presence.

In these days of Advent, we experience the already and the

not yet. We are in the wilderness, yet the life-giving grace

of God is always and already there. At the same time, we

still await the fullness of glory, the ultimate quenching of

our thirst. May our own lives of prayer prepare the way of

the Lord within us as we await his coming. Daniella Zsupan-Jerome - Assistant Professor of Liturgy, Catechesis, &

Evangelization at Loyola University New Orleans (Loyola Press)

As our calendar year comes to a close,

our liturgical year begins, please join us

for our next youth mass at St Patrick’s

Church on Sunday 18th December

from 6pm. Everyone is welcome, especially singers &

musicians.

Did you know you can find an advent calendar online?

Check out www.xt3.com/advent and you can download the

app. Contact Emma Introna: emma.introna@dbb.org.au 0439

481 688

I am writing to say thank you so much for the

help and wonderful support we have had from St

Bernard’s and St Patrick’s with the shoeboxes.

We have collected 407 boxes which is just

wonderful. All praise and glory to our awesome God.

I hope you have a wonderful blessed and holy Christmas.

Blessings Louise Dryden

Merven Soares will speak briefly & set up a

table re sale of items, presenting unique

(not available anywhere) faith-filled

Catholic contemporary resources and gifts this weekend 10th/11th

at St Patrick’s and next week-end 18th, 9.00am Mass Berowra.

Preparation of St Bernard’s for Christmas Rostered for flower and church cleaning for that week (4th week)

are Cecilia Waite (f), Mary Chivers (f), Anne Bourke (s) and

Ning Biyo and Reese & Peter Nguyen.

Extra help would be appreciated to ensure all is taken care of.

Please advise the office if you can help.

Christmas Eve at St Bernard's 6pm Vigil Mass for Children.

We will be rehearsing the nativity play at the following

times in the church at Berowra.

Tues 20th Dec. 2-3pm, Thu 22nd Dec. 11am-noon.

Families with young primary school aged children who

would like to be involved are invited to attend the

rehearsals Anne Lenehan

ROSTERS FOR WEEKEND 17/18 DECEMBER IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND FOR YOUR ROSTERED DATE PLEASE ARRANGE A SUBSTITUTE

Peat Island Chapel

Mooney Mooney

4pm Fr Shaju Johnn

St Bernard’s Church St Patrick’s Church (Sacristy Phone 9476 6904)

5.30pm 9.00am 6.00pm 8.00am 10.00am 6.00pm

Fr Shiju Simon

Fr Shaju John Baptism in Mass

Fr Shaju John Dcn Kevin

Fr Shiju Simon Dcn Kevin /

Fr Shiju Simon Dcn Kevin

Fr Shaju John/

Acolyte/Snr Server

Server

Reader

Justin Berry

Alysha Berry Olivia Berry David Russell Jerome Gomez Sophia Smith

Michael O’Neill

Alodie Wheeler Isara Wheeler Zinta Hartman Elaine Hartman Natasha Steele

Mani Subramany

Cristabel Subramany

Penny Loughland Paul Worthington

Bill Martin

Phillip Daidone

Vivienne Schreiber Russell Schreiber

Karen Leavy

IsabellaVandeSluys Naomi Massa Joshua Mitchell Sam Molloy Chloe Starling

Dan Leavy Elizabeth Fernandes

Malcolm Cross

Aidan Hon Ambrose Hon

Sue Newnham Chris Newnham

Communion to

Sick/Housebound

Garth Graham

Susie Gates Jenny Gregory

Sacristy Care/Church

Cleaning/Flowers

Glenn & Annette Shapter, Linda Reed (f),

Gisela Muschal

Claudia Bressi, Loretta Hunt, Karen Price, Sarah McRae, Luisa Musumeci, Kalysa Fleming,

Joan Cleary, Megan Accola, Shellee Millham

Maintenance Team A (3/12/2016) December: Peter Hourigan, Patrick Dias, Steven Fitzpatrick

Counters Joanne Cruden, Pat Connor, Lyn Beacom David Burke, Patrick O’Donoghue, Paula & Jim Hand, Fiona Henrisson

Rosary After weekday Masses both Churches

Visit Housebound Fr Shaju John and Fr Shiju Simon 9456 2450

Urgent sick calls Fr Shaju John 9456 7012 (Presbytery)

Fr Shiju Simon 9476 8843 (Presbytery)

Priest 1300 774 378 Urgent 24 hour

Nursing Home Visits By request

Clergy Days Off Fr Shaju John—Monday

Fr Shiju Simon—Tuesday

Deacon Kevin—Monday & Thursday

Home Visits For Masses, House Blessings and Pastoral

Requests please phone the Pastoral Centre

9456 2450. HOSPITAL ADMISSION: If you are admitted to hospital, please write

down your religion as Catholic to receive Catholic Services.

Need a priest urgently and don’t know who to call?

1300 PRIEST (1300 774 378) - 24 hour service

250 Club 250 Club Week 7 TBA Did you miss out on a possible $500? Join the Club!

LITURGICAL SERVICES & PASTORAL CARE

On our Parish Website: www.kccp.dbb.org.au Funeral Notices for our Parish in News and

Events Use the FB link at the bottom of our website page.

If sending anything to the pastoral centre via the collection plate, for your

own privacy and security PLEASE ensure you place it in a sealed envelope.

Alternatively, hand it to the clergy.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO

ADVERTISE HERE?

We offer….

Great exposure, colour advertisement,

A rotational fortnightly entry.

Phone Kylie in the Parish Office

to discuss.

1st Collection — goes to Diocese

2nd Collection — goes to our Parish

Parish Calendar

14th December—End-of–School Yr Mass –11.30 St Patrick’s

14th December—Yr 6 Graduation Liturgy,7.00 pm StPatrick’s

16th December—End-of-School Yr Mass—9.10 St Bernard’s

19th December—Christmas Raffle winners drawn.

TBA—Christmas working bees at both churches, see p.2/3

23rd December—(COB) Pastoral Centre closes for Xmas

Christmas Cards and the 2017 Columban Calendars

are available at both St Bernard’s and St Patrick’s.

Sales support the St Vincent de Paul Society and

Columban Mission. Your support is appreciated.

See pages 2/3 for details of our Christmas working bee

Parish Fundraising Raffle - Tickets are now on sale! All money raised goes to our parish.

The 1st Prize hamper has been kindly donated by

Francesca Parrino, McGrath Real Estate.

The 2nd Prize hamper has been donated by

Catholic Church Insurance (CCI) and added to by the Clergy.

Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5 available after each Mass

The raffle will be drawn on Monday 19th December at 10am.