Dear Parishioners, 1. No Offense, But … In the First Reading, the prophet Isaiah predicts that when the Messiah comes, he will make the blind see, the deaf hear, the mute speak, and the lame walk and leap. In the Gospel Reading, when John the Baptist sends his disciples to ask Jesus whether Jesus is the one the Israelites have been waiting for, Jesus says they should tell John that Jesus has done all these things and more. Even the dead are raised! This is, of course, a spectacular list of wonders. Anyone who can make the blind see is amazing. Anyone who can raise the dead is working great miracles. And so a person who does what Jesus did clearly has the power of God. For that reason, he is to be admired, loved, and feared. So why does Jesus finish his list of miraculous deeds by saying “Blessed is the one who takes no offense at me?” Offense? Offense at what?! Well, think about it this way. What is God anyway? Pure act? Being itself? Utterly unknowable by us? Those phrases have a lot of dignity about them, don’t they? Somehow, they seem worthy of the Deity. Why would we think our puny minds could know anything about something so magnificent, so great, as God? Why wouldn’t God be something totally other than any of his creatures? But notice that it’s hard to have a personal relationship with being itself, and pure act doesn’t seem like a person who can seek you first. At any rate, if God is unknowable by you, then you don’t have to worry about facing him on a daily basis. You can’t face what you can’t know. And for how many people is that subterranean thought deeply comforting? But Christ wrecks it. Christ is not unknowable and he is not something abstract, like being itself. He is a particular person, and he has a face. True, he is God incarnate, and his face is human. But, still, his face is the face of God. “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father,” Jesus tells Philip (John 14:9). So we can know God, and we can see God’s face in the face of Jesus. God is present to us as a person in the person of Christ. And God in the person of Christ is always with us (Matt. 28:20)! We can know him and face him every day. Blessed is the one who takes no offense at this. 2. Transport Roster We are in desperate need of help for the 8.30am Mass to help parishioners get to Mass. If you could please help please contact the parish office.

ALL HALLOWS’ PARISH CHURCH

2 Halley Street FIVE DOCK 2046

Parish Priest: Fr Greg McGregor Priest in Residence: Fr Richard Waddell

Secretary: Elena Di Perna, John Cullinan

Presbytery: Monday: Closed Tues - Fri: 8.30am - 3.30pm Closed for lunch 12.30-1.30 pm

Phone: 9713 7960 Fax: 9713 5172

Email: parishallhallows@gmail.com

Web: www.allhallows.org.au All Hallows’ Parish School

Principal: Mrs Helen Elliott Phone: 9713 4469 Fax: 9712 5184

Email: info@ahpsfivedock.catholic.edu.au

Web: www.ahpsfivedock.catholic.edu.au

Sacramental Life Eucharist: Saturday - 9.00am & 5.30pm Vigil Sunday - 8.30am Sunday - 10am Children’s Liturgy Sunday - 6.00pm Youth Mass Monday - 9.00am Tues - Wed - 8.00am Thurs - Fri - 9.00am

Lauds (morning prayer) is prayed 20 minutes before morning mass daily. All Welcome.

Reconciliation: Saturday 9.30 - 10am & 4.45 - 5.15pm

Anointing: First Friday of the month at 9am mass. (except January).

Sick Calls: Any time - day/night. Funeral Masses: In co-operation with Funeral Directors. Exposition: Third Thursday of every month after Mass.

11th December, 2016 - Year A

THIRD SUNDAY of ADVENT

Celebrating FAITH, LIFE and LOVE in COMMUNITY.

3. New Rosters available A new Altar Server Roster in now available in the sacristy. The new Counters Roster can be found in the gathering space. Please check your group num-ber as there have been a few changes. A new Readers Roster is also available in the gathering space. 4. Nursing Home Mass Mass will be celebrated at Windward Manor on Friday 16th at 11.00am. 5. 2017 Pilgrimage Have you considered joining the pilgrimage next year? Further details in the bulletin. 6. Christmas Sign up Sheet There will be a form in the gathering space for those who wish to help in different ministries for our Christmas liturgies. Please write your name if you can help. 7. Christmas Tree As you no doubt have seen, we have a beautiful Christmas tree in the gathering space. We have already seen so much generosity with Christmas gifts for those less fortunate. In particu-lar I would like to thank Merlino Christmas Trees who donated the tree to the Parish this year. 8. Sacrament of Reconciliation Mass times for Christmas and the Sacrament of Reconciliation are in the bulletin on page. Please keep in mind there will be a combined Second Rite of Reconciliation with Drummoyne parish which will be held at St Marks Drummoyne on Tuesday 13th December at 7.30pm. God Bless Fr Greg

ALL HALLOWS' YOUTH MINISTRY - GENERATION AWAKENING

will resume late January 2017

For any enquiries email genawakening@gmail.com

St. Vincent de Paul

Christmas Appeal

Please remember to bring back your “Christmas Appeal Envelopes” and place on any of the collection plates as soon as possible.

Gift Giving Tree

Each year we collect gifts that are included in our Christmas Hampers for the needy within our local area. We still have a few “Gift Tags” that are labelled for a LADY, MAN or CHILD. Please feel

free to take one from the table in the gather-ing space and purchase a gift that can be placed under our Christmas tree. It would be appreciated if all gifts could be placed under our Christmas tree by Sunday 11th December or during the coming week.

Christmas Cards & Columban Calenders

Our Christmas Cards and Columban Calen-dars are still on sale. A pack of 10 cards are $6.00 and our Columban Calendars which make a wonderful gift are $8.00. We only have 17 Columban Calendars and 40 packs of Assorted Christmas Cards left. So please hurry before they sell out!

Have you checked out our facebook page. It is another way to see what's going on in our parish.

Christmas Eve Children’s Pageant

Parents who have children who would like to be involved in the 6.30pm Christmas Eve Family Mass Pageant please note the following: - There will be ONE rehearsal for the pageant on:- FRIDAY 23rd December from 10am – 12.30pm in the church. Please email your child’s name, age and your contact details to: s.car@bigpond.com. Thank you and we look forward to your child’s participation in this very special liturgy.

WE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED In your love and concern, please pray for:- Recently Deceased: Ettore Pratelli, Madelena Michael Anniversaries: Sam Failla, Caterina Moliterno, Mary Cullen, Angela & Gaetano La Cava, Nunziata & Francesco La Cava, Franco Italia Palmerini, Pamela Godinho Also for: Maria & Libero Battaglia, Filippo Riccio, Giacomo Caldareri, Antonia Merlino, Rosalia Gennusa, Mary Bonica, Fred Arapa For the following ill members of our community:-

Maria Iolanda Scenna, Jeni Steele, Philippa Mary Sikulu, Colleen Grant, Caterina Scarfo, Mary Davies,

Mary Pulis, Victor Alacqua, Carlo Zuccorononno, Lucia La Cava, Giuseppe Princi, Joyce Kelly, Emilia Bocconi, Tom Fonti, Natalina Denaro,

Brian Gallagher, Crochetta Valenti, Vanessa Lane, Margaret Gleeson, Mary Johnson, Mary Longrell,

Carmen Gallagher, Benilda Buenafe, Lorenzo Mioli, Antonietta Ciaglia, Tomas Laming, Ida Bova,

Amelia Casarotto, Marcello Cheles,

GET YOUR COPY OF THE CATHOLIC

WEEKLY

• Archbishop Fisher thanks students for their kind words and prayers

• Archbishop Mark Coleridge: not so quick, we need new professional standards body

• Lights, camera, action: Multicultural Mass a hit in St Mary’s

• French official hypocrisy on disability eclipsed by Australian bishops

• The Australian Catholic Youth Festival is coming! Special wrap-around

• Does Disney’s Moanna measure up for Catholic viewers?

ONLY $2.00 AVAILABLE FROM THE STAND

Q. Why do old snakes complain??

A. Fangs aren’t what they used to be!!

Kid’s Corner

Catholic Women’s League

Silver Circle Congratulations to winners of Week 8

1st No. 4 Helen Watson; 2nd No. 14 Rosa Compatangelo

Christmas Raffle

Now on sale $5 for 3 tickets or $2 each Drawn after 10am Mass

Save the Date

You are invited to our 10th Birthday Celebration on

Friday 10 February 2017

More details to follow

ALL HALLOWS’ EUROPEAN PILGRIMAGE September 2017

Fr Salas Muttathukattil MSFS / Fr Richard Waddell

are leading an 18-day pilgrimage to Portugal, Spain, France & Italy from

14th September - 1st October 2017.

The pilgrimage is being organised by the parishes of All Hallows, Five Dock and St Augustine’s, Balmain

in partnership with Magi Pilgrimages. This pilgrimage includes Fatima, celebrating the centenary of our Lady's apparitions to the three shepherd children. The tour also includes Avila, Segovia, Loyola, Lourdes, Avignon, Turin, Padua,

Assisi and Rome.

This pilgrimage is priced at an early bird offer of $6,990, otherwise $7,400. Reserve your seats with an

initial deposit of $1000 prior to 31st January 2017.

The Perfect Christmas Gift PANCIALLO

IVANA’S CHRISTMAS BAR Made by Inner wheel Club of Balmain Inc

Only $20 available from Piety Stall

Charities Supported from money raised go to Balmain Hospital, Balmain Support Unit, Australian Cord Blood Research, Fr Chris Riley - Youth Off The Streets

T&Cs: Child must be with a health fund and covered for general dental. Appointments are required and are subject to availability.

For appointments call 9810 3044

Dentist & Co Suite 1/3 Montague St, Balmain

Earth Connection “Laudato Si” is about caring for God’s beautiful gift that is our planet. Pope Francis encourages us to “examine our lives and acknowledge the ways which we have harmed God’s creation through our actions or our failure to act” (no 218) Have you ever felt guilty when throwing out a plastic wrap or packaging, polystyrene, zip-lock bags or cling wrap? These products can take any-where between 60-1000 years to breakdown, and often break down into tiny particles that enter our waterways, never really breaking down completely. We can be advocates for change by making better choices when shopping- nobody needs to buy bananas wrapped in plastic, for example. Use a plate to cover leftovers instead of cling film. Take your own bags shopping. Make use of the plastic bag recycling bin at the supermarket. Better still buy direct from the grower at your local Farmer’s Market, saving packaging and energy in transport and long-term cold storage. Small things make small differences, but when many of us join together, the effect is multiplied. In taking one small step, we can be part of a larger movement towards a better future for our earth. Natalie Er and Michelle Carrick

ARCHDIOCESE NEWS A CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION – 16 Dec

2016. Join with the St Mary’s Cathedral Choir and the Orchestra of the Antipodes in a concert for Christmas featuring some of your favourite carols and Christmas reflections. Tickets are on sale now for this special event which will be sure

to get you in the season. For all information, please visit

www.achristmascelebration.com.au.

ST PETER CHANEL & ST JOSEPH, BERALA, - Position Vacant. The parish is looking to fill the position of Parish Secretary. This part time posi-

tion (Tues, Wed, Thurs and Fri from 9am to 3pm), requires sounds skills with the use of Mi-crosoft software, with a knowledge of MYOB de-

sirable. For further information please visit www.catholicjobsonline.com.au or

Fr Thomas Kurunthanam on pp@stpeter-stjospeh.org.au. Applications

close on Monday 12 December 2016.

CATHOLIC CEMETERIES & CREMATORIA – Family Twilight Carols. Thursday, 15 Decem-ber from 7.00 – 8.00pm. Mausoleum of the Res-urrection Chapel, Barnet Ave, Rookwood Catho-lic Cemetery. All welcome and invited to bring a plate to share after the service. A ‘special guest’

will also make an appearance for the children. For further information please contact

1300 114 997 or events@catholiccemeteries.com.au.

Pope’s Column

Pope at Audience: Never Lose Hope … Never

Urges Faithful to Let Child of Season Let Them Smile With Joy

Never lose hope… Never…

Pope Francis stressed this during this morning’s General Audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, as began a new series of catecheses on the theme of Christian hope.

In this Season of Advent, “the time of expectation, in which we prepare ourselves to receive once again the consoling mystery of the Incarnation and the light of Christmas,” he noted, it is important to reflect on hope.

“When we find ourselves before a child, perhaps we might have many problems and many difficulties, but a smile comes to us from within, because we find ourselves before hope: a child is a hope!

“And so,” he continued, “we must be able to see in life the way of hope, which leads us to find God, God who became a Child for us — and it will make us smile”

Need Hope

“We need hope! We feel lost and also somewhat discouraged, because we feel impotent and it seems that this darkness will never end.

“However, we must not let hope abandon us, because God walks with us with His love.”

The Pope encouraged faithful to allow ourselves to be taught by the Lord what it means to hope, be-ginning with the prophet Isaiah, ‘the great prophet of Advent.’

Comfort

In the second part of his Book, the Jesuit recalled, Isaiah addresses the people with a proclamation of consolation: “Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. ”

God the Father consoles by arousing consolers, proclaiming that “the warfare is ended, sorrow is end-ed, and sin is pardoned.”

“For the people, consolation begins with the possibility to walk on the way of God, a new way, straight-ened and passable, a way to prepare in the desert, so that one can go across it and return to the homeland.”

Therefore, Francis highlighted, to prepare that way means to prepare a way of salvation and of libera-tion from every obstacle and hindrance.

“When we are in darkness, in difficulties, we cannot smile and it is, in fact, hope that teaches us to smile to find that way that leads to God,” he said.

“Life is often a desert, it is difficult to walk in it, but if we entrust ourselves to God it can become beauti-ful and wide as a highway. Suffice it never to lose hope, suffice it to continue to believe, always, de-spite all.”

No More Deserts … Doesn’t Disappoint

“Let us wait confidently for the coming of the Lord and no matter what the desert is of our lives – each one knows in what desert he walks — it will become a flowering garden,” Francis said, underscoring: “Hope does not disappoint!”

Pope Francis concluded, reminding faithful tomorrow is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, for which, he will continue the annual tradition of paying homage to Mary near Rome’s Spanish Steps, and likely will visit afterward Rome’s Marian Basilica, Santa Maria Maggiore.

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MINNIE- VINNIES NEXT NIGHT PATROL

SANDWICH RUN Friday 23rd December

Piety Stall Check out our new stock

Statues, rosary beads, bracelets & Christmas Gifts

M.A.T. Taxation & Accounting Services

Marino Trevisan B.Bus FIPA . JP Registered Tax Agent & Accountant

6A Pine Ave Russell Lea NSW 2046

Mob: 0414 434 692

Email: marino.trevisan@bigpond.com www.mattaxationaccounting.com.au

Five Dock Realty 92a Great North Road Five Dock, NSW 2046

Ph: 9713 2555 Fax: 9713 7215 E: info@fivedockrealty.com.au

Servicing our area since 1968

For all your real estate needs – Sale – Property and Strata Management services, call John who has been servicing our area for over 23 years

Established since 1968, the longest running Real Estate Office in the area

All Hallows Five Dock Christmas Mass Times 2016

Reconciliation Programme

Communal Rite of the Sacrament of

Reconciliation

Tuesday 13th December at 7.30pm at St Mark’s Drummoyne

(with several priests assisting) 33 Tranmere St, Drummoyne

St Patrick’s Mortlake at 7.30 pm on

Wednesday 21 December

First Rite of the Sacrament of Reconciliation At All Hallows’

Saturday 24th December 9.30am-10.00am & 4.45pm - 5.15pm

Christmas Mass Times

Christmas Eve - Saturday 24th

Family Mass at 6.30pm

Carols begin at 11.30pm followed by

Christmas Midnight Mass

Christmas Day - Sunday 25th

8.30am & 10.30am There is NO evening Mass

Frank’s Pitstop Motors Specialising in:

BMW ALFA ROMEO FIAT MERCEDES SAAB AUDI

Frank & Tony Ph: 9799 7688 FRANKSPITSTOP@OPTUSNET.COM.AU

John Biazzo M: 0419 238 809 F: 02 9712 3750 T: 02 9713 5676

E: john@statensw.com.au

Residential Builder New Homes Extensions

Renovations

45 Liverpool Road Summer Hill NSW 2130

Practice Information Sheet Shop 3 Level, 213-235 Parramatta Rd, Five Dock

(Next to Officeworks) Phone: 9745 6728 Bulk Billing Practice

Practice Opening Hours Monday 9:30am-8.00pm Tuesday 9:30am-6.00pm Wed/Thur 9.30am-8.00pm Friday 9:30am-4:30pm Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm

Sunday Closed

Practice Doctors Dr Georgette Boctor (Female Doctor) Dr Natascha Bohm (Female Doctor) Dr George Thiraviarajah (Male Doctor)

Allied Health Service Katja Bulic (Psychologist)

SP Beauty

0405 433 222 Call Samantha Chiswick area

Specialising in creative nails

THE JOURNEY CATHOLIC RADIO PROGRAM

This week on the Journey we have some great music, all of our wonderful presenters and a brilliant interview with Briony Mow-

bray all about all about a wonderful faith walk across the Blue Mountains. Put it all together and we have a show that is all a about faith, hope and life. Tune into or go to www.jcr.org.au or www.itunes.jcr.org.au where you can listen anytime and subscribe to weekly shows by email.

St Patricks Social Club Church Hill (City) for single seniors (including widows and widowers)

meet monthly on 2nd Sunday at 1.45pm Enq: after 6.30pm 9953 4909 or 9858 2094

Grounds, Building Maintenance and Driving Domremy College Five Dock and St Joan of Arc Primary School, Haberfield, are seeking a grounds/maintenance person with a current First Aid certificate, bus driving licence (minimum of Light Rigid) is desired to work on a casual basis for three days per week at Domremy (Monday to Wednesday) and one day (Thursday) at St Joan of Arc Primary school. You will be required to carry out building and grounds maintenance, occasional bus driving . A working with children check and reference checks will need to be completed as part of the application process. A copy of your driving record will also have to be provided. For more information please ring Terry Sinclair, 9712 2133.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney Presents A Christmas Celebration

St Mary’s Cathedral Friday 16th December

11.00am—7.00pm

Tickets available on line at www.achristmascelebration.com.au

LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS 8 DEC-25 DEC.

Once again, St Mary’s Cathedral will light

up this Christmas with inspiring and reflective projections of the Christmas

season. FREE EVENT! St Mary’s Cathedral Forecourt 8-25 Dec each night from

7.30pm-12.00am www.lightsofchristmas.com.au.

WHAT’S ON IN OUR PARISH?

Catholic Women’s League Five Dock 3rd Monday of month 12.00pm in Parish Hall

For more information please contact Enza Ferraro on 9712 2598

Accordion Society of Australia

Practice every Monday night from 7pm to 9pm in the parish hall.

All Accordion Players welcome For more information please contact

Sylvia Granturco on 0422 936612

Bingo/Tombola 1st Friday of month in the parish hall at

10.00am. All profits to charity

Inner Wheel Club - Balmain Group 1st Tuesday of month 6.30pm - 9pm in Hall

St Vincent de Paul Society

Meetings held each 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month at 6.00pm in the meeting room

connected to the garage. Contact Gerry Modini on 0418 966 247

Italian Prayer Group

Tuesday - 1pm in Parish Hall Messa Italiana ogni ultimo martedi del mese

Enquiries: M. Mureddu 9712 2394

Playgroup 9.30am -11.30am in Parish Hall

(not during school holidays) Wednesday - Laura 0409 658 135

Choir Practice

All welcome to choir practice in the Church 7.30pm every Monday.

Ring Maria on 9705 1101

Italian Choir Group Tuesday -12.30 pm in the Church

Italian Prayer Group - Thursday

In Chiesa, ogni settimana dopo la messa delle nove (9). Ogni terzo Giovedi del mese l’intenzione è per il Gruppo di Preghiera di

Riparazione Eucaristica. Per informazioni: Lucia 9713 1800

Siete tutti benvenuti! All welcome!

HOME VISITS: L. Peruzzi, M. Carrick NURSING HOMES: Parkview: No visit till 2nd February Russell Lea: No visit till 3rd February COUNTERS: Group 1 TRANSPORT: Theresa, Mary, Kathleen ALTAR SOCIETY: Bernadette, Linda, Sharon, Tina, Connie PIETY STALL: Leila, Mary C, Franca CHILDRENS LITURGY: Sonia & Emma

Sunday 11th December - Third Sunday of Advent

READINGS: Is 35:1-6, 10; James 5:7-10; Mt 11:2-11

SATURDAY 5.30pm

SUNDAY 8.30am

SUNDAY 10am

SUNDAY 6.00pm Youth Mass

READERS M. Natoli D. Tomasello Reader Req. M. Piccolo

J. Pappalardo G. Favotto J. Heffernan D. Triulcio

B. Pinto M. Angelatos

Intro & P/F: Chris M Ist & Psalm: Hugh McM 2nd: Emily C

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION A. Fabro V. Moschella M. Zol T. Coghlan C. Tramonte L. Speranza

M. Moschella M. Piccolo I. Bova R. Compantangelo G. Favotto M. Mureddu L. Peruzzi

E. Ferraro D. Squadrito A. Mc Mahon M. Hadjidakis C. Petrucco N. Ancona S. Carbone

M. Carrick C. Modini N.Lazzaro

ALTAR SERVERS Group 4 Group 2 Group 4 Group 2

NEXT WEEK- Sunday 18th December - Fourth Sunday of Advent

READINGS: Is 7:10-14; Rom 1:1-7; Mt 1:18-24

SATURDAY 5.30pm

SUNDAY 8.30am

SUNDAY 10am

SUNDAY 6.00pm Youth Mass

READERS

C. Natoli R. Pollifrone C. O’Grady N. Rogheto

V. Simms C. Grant M. Chesworth M. Mureddu

R. Salvateo M/C Petrucco

Intro & P/F: Antonia C Ist & Psalm: Liam A 2nd: Emma D

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION

G. Bonaddio J. Bonaddio B. Pratelli A. Pollifrone M. Tomasello D. Tomasello

J. Pappalardo Ma. Chesworth M. Coleman R. Liberatore I. Bova J. Walsh B. Walsh

P. Pavan N. Valeo B. Pinto L. Moliterno F. Mercuri M. Pignone M. Caldareri

C. Alexakis A. Pavan M. Zol

ALTAR SERVERS

Group 5 Group 3 Group 5 Group 1

HOME VISITS: J. Pappalardo, M. Coleman, P. Pavan NURSING HOMES: Parkview: No visit till 2nd February Russell Lea: No visit till 3rd February COUNTERS: Group 2 TRANSPORT: Michael, Margaret H ALTAR SOCIETY: Mary, Bianca, Catherine, Christine, Susan PIETY STALL: Eleanor C, Franca CHILDRENS LITURGY: School Holidays