Entrance Antiphon:The shepherds went in haste,and found Mary and Josephand the Infant lying in amanger.

1st Reading:Genesis 15:1-6. 21:1-3Your own son shall be your heir.

Responsorial Psalm:Ps 104:1-6. 8-9R. The Lord remembers hiscovenant for ever.

2nd Reading:Hebrews 11:8. 11-12. 17-19The faith of Abraham, Sarah, andIsaac.

Gospel Acclamation:Hebrews 1:1-2Alleluia, alleluia!In the past God spoke to ourfathers through the prophets;now he speaks to us through hisSon. Alleluia!

Gospel:Luke 2:22-40The child grew to maturity, andhe was filled with wisdom.

Communion Antiphon:Our God has appeared on theearth, and lived among us.

MASS at 11AM onMONDAY 1 JANUARY 2018.

ALL WELCOME

30 / 31 December 2017St Michael’s Church - Meadowbank

Feast of the Holy Family, Yr B/2

Vol. 7 Issue 58

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“It is Ours”

Gospel Luke 2:22-40When the day came for them to bepurified as laid down by the Law ofMoses, the parents of Jesus tookhim up to Jerusalem to present himto the Lord - observing whatstands written in the Law of theLord: Every first-born male mustbe consecrated to the Lord - andalso to offer in sacrifice, inaccordance with what is said in theLaw of the Lord, a pair ofturtledoves or two young pigeons.

Now in Jerusalem there was a mannamed Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forwardto Israel's comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had beenrevealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until hehad set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he cameto the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do forhim what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God;and he said:

'Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised;because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for allthe nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of yourpeople Israel.'

As the child's father and mother stood there wondering at the things thatwere being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary hismother, 'You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising ofmany in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected - and a sword willpierce your own soul too - so that the secret thoughts of many may belaid bare.'

There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribeof Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she hadbeen married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was noweighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night andday with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and beganto praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward tothe deliverance of Jerusalem.

When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they wentback to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grewto maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God's favour was withhim.

The Parish Bulletin

The Parish BulletinAcknowledgement of the land

We acknowledge the traditional ownersand custodians of this land, theWallumattagal clan, part of the Dharugpeople of the Eoira nation. We walkgently on the land, sharing it with themas we now work and live on it.

Parish DirectoryParish Administrator: Fr James McCarthyParish address &contact number:45 Maxim St, Meadowbank, NSW 2114Phone: 9809-3536 Fax: 9807-5971Email:office@stmichaelsmeadowbank.org.auOffice hours: Tuesday - Friday 9:00am-4:30pmSecretaries: Lou Temprosa (Tue-Wed) Marilyn Vallejo (Thu-Fri)Bulletin Editor: Meynardo Talisayon

Parish Bulletin email address:meynardo@laposte.net

Please submit requests for publication by12 noon Wednesday.Acolytes: Arthur LeeReaders & Special Ministers ofCommunion: Sue Metzmacher (Weekdays& Special Roster)Felicity Donnelly (Vigils & Sundays)

Music Ministry - Coordinators for6 pm Saturday Vigil Masses:1st Saturday - Richard Borges (FamilyMass)2nd Saturday - David Foong3rd Saturday - Prescilla Luzon4th Saturday - Aneela PereiraMusic Ministry - Sunday Masses:1st & 3rd SUN 8am - Maree Twomey1st SUN 10am – Mary Towers2nd SUN 8am – Muntia Gouw2nd SUN 10am – David Foong3rd, 4th & 5th SUN 10am – Mary Towers

Youth Co-ordinator – TBAChildren Liturgy - Elsa ManuUshers/Collectors - Michael WixtedAltar Society - Marie BennettLiturgy Committee - Sue MetzmacherFinance Committee - Stephen ToppleSt Vincent de Paul Society - Jim LemckeCatechists - Stephen ToppleDivine Mercy Devotion - Gloria DivineDriver Roster – Felicity Donnelly

St Michael’s Primary SchoolSchool Principal - Brian Story53 Maxim St, Meadowbank, NSW 2114Phone: 9808 2658 Fax: 9807 2330Email:info@smpsmeadowbank.catholic.edu.au

Welcome to St Michael’s Church -Meadowbank! A warm welcome to all attendees andvisitors to our church! May you find our parish community aplace where your faith life will be nourished and you willtake up the invitation to share your special gifts and talents.Your prayers, presence, talents and skills are most welcome.

St Michael’s Church - Meadowbank

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Reflection by Father James McCarthyToday we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, and indoing so, the Church encourages us to look to Jesus, Maryand Joseph for inspiration, example and encouragement inour daily lives. Christmas, and the days following the Lord’sbirth are important moments for the family. Families cometogether to celebrate and renew our relationship with eachother and with God.

Today’s feast has a message for all of us, and the message is that we need toinvest more of our time in our family and in our relationship with God. OurGospel is the story of the presentation of Jesus in the Temple, which tells thestory of Mary and Joseph faithfully observing the requirements of Jewish lawby presenting Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem. Family unity in religiousworship and ritual were important at the time of Christ, and are equallyimportant for families today.

Life must be about more than work and about even more than ourselves. Aswe finish 2017 and begin 2018, we can take Mary and Joseph as the modelfamily. In the Holy Family, both parents placed their family and theirrelationship with God before themselves. They placed the family’sfaithfulness to God before their work, finances, and before their ownindividual happiness. Mary and Joseph left Nazareth and then left Bethlehemto seek safety for their family in Egypt. Joseph was a carpenter and a builder,and probably had his own construction company in Nazareth before Jesuswas born, but he walked away from it all for a love for God, for Mary and forJesus.

The family is the place we first learn to understand and live in our world.When children or even adults see personal interest or career as moreimportant than a family’s relationship with God, then they will learn that Godand goodness are not the highest priorities in life.

On the Feast Day of the only perfect family that ever lived on this earth, allof us are encouraged to examine ourselves and see how we are fulfilling theresponsibility which God has placed on us.I wish you every blessing for 2018 and I hope and pray that the New Yearwill bring every blessing and joy to your family and your friendship withChrist.

Thank you for all your support at Christmas!On behalf of the whole parish, we thank all those who helped prepare ourchurch and celebrations for Christmas. To the musicians, readers, servers,acolytes, children’s pageant, flowers, altar and crib preparation - a BIGTHANK YOU!

THANK YOU also to all who contributed so generously to the Christmascollections and to the Christmas offering envelopes. This year we havecurrently raised $2,254 through the Christmas offering envelopes to assistclergy in various ministries beyond parishes. If you missed out last weekend,you are welcome to contribute this weekend through the Christmas OfferingEnvelopes.

Vol 7 Issue 58 30 / 31 December 2017

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O Come all Ye Faithful.O come all ye faithful Joyful and triumphant

O come ye O come ye to BethlehemCome and behold Him Born the King of angels

O come let us adore HimO come let us adore HimO come let us adore Him

Christ the Lord

Sing choirs of angelsSing in exultationSing all ye citizens

of heaven aboveGlory to God

Glory in the highest

Away in a MangerAway in a manger, no crib for a bed

The little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet headThe stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay

The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing; the baby awakesBut little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes

I love thee Lord Jesus look down from the skyAnd stay by my side until morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stayClose by me forever and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,And fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

Silent NightSilent night holy nightAll is calm all is bright

Round yon virgin mother and ChildHoly Infant so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace,Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night holy nightShepherds quake at the sight

Glories stream from heaven afarHeav'nly hosts sing alleluiaChrist the Saviour is born,Christ the Saviour is born.

Silent night holy nightSon of God love's pure light

Radiant beams from Thy holy faceWith the dawn of redeeming grace

Jesus Lord at Thy birth,Jesus Lord at Thy birth.

Joy to the WorldJoy to the world the Lord is come

Let earth receive her KingLet every heart prepare Him room

And heaven and nature singAnd heaven and nature sing

And heaven and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth the Saviour reignsLet men their songs employ

While fields and floodsRocks hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joyRepeat the sounding joy

Repeat repeat the sounding joy.

He rules the world with truth and graceAnd makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousnessAnd wonders of His loveAnd wonders of His love

And wonders, wonders of His love.

GLORIAGlory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to people of good will.

We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorifyyou, we give you thanks for your great glory,Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us;you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer;you are seated at the right hand of the Father,have mercy on us.For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with theHoly Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

The Parish Bulletin St Michael’s Church - Meadowbank

Roster: 6 / 7 January 2018 Prayer to St Michael theArchangel. Saint Michael theArchangel, defend us in the day of battle. Beour safeguard against the wickedness andsnares of the devil. May God rebuke him,we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince ofthe heavenly host, by the power of God, cast

into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who wander throughthe world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

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Time Acolyte ReadersExtraordinaryMinisters of HolyCommunion

6:00PMVigil Jim Lemcke Carol Maher

Brian Maher

1 Rita D'Mello2 Liz Paricka3 Mark Pereira4 Pam Keenan5 Paul Thambyah6 Prescilla Luzon

8:00AM Stephen Topple Jo-Anne PetersOdette Sequeira

Judith OrrockMarie Bennett

10:00AM John Fillion Maureen RichardsonCharlene Harrison

1 Felicity Donnelly2 Felissa Tan3 Gloria Divine4 Joan D'souza5 Darryle Fernandes6 Michael Dunkin

Request for Mass and PrayersSICK: 1. Pray for the people who are sufferingfrom stroke, the mentally ill and sick childrenPRAY FOR THE SOULS OF: 1. Holy souls2. Flaviano Talisayon 3. Alfredo Dimaano4. Senen Dimaano 5. Cathy Tudela

Liturgy for this week (1 - 7 January 2018)Weekday Masses:11AM - NEW YEAR’S DAY MASS (Monday)9:15am - Tuesday to SaturdayWeekend Masses:6:00pm - Saturday Vigil Mass8:00am & 10:00am - Sunday

Sacraments:Reconciliation: Saturdays 5:30pm-5:50pmDevotions: Prayer for Priests: 8:45am every 1st SaturdayMorning Prayer (Lauds) 7:40AM every SundayRosary: 8:50am on weekdays before the Mass (except Friday) Friday before Mass : Silent PrayerHoly Hour and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament:8:15am-9:15am every Friday8:15am-9:15am every SaturdayDivine Mercy Novena & Chaplet - Wednesdays after AM Mass

Altar Society. CHURCH CLEANING, LAUNDRY OFTHE ALTAR LINEN, FLOWERS FOR THE ALTAR. Join the AltarSociety and help keep our church fit for God. A gold coin or coins donationis greatly appreciated for the on going cleaning and flowers for the church.

FEASTS & SAINTS OF THE WEEK.MON 1 JAN Mary, Mother of God, SolemnityTUE 2 JAN St Basil the Great & St GregoryNazianzen, bishops & doctorsWED 3 JAN The Most Holy Name of JesusSUN 7 JAN The Epiphany of the Lord, Solemnity

St Michael’s Church, MeadowbankA copy of this bulletin is also available from the FB Page.

The Piety Stall will be closed throughoutJanuary. We will re-open on Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4thFebruary. Happy New Year to all!

Become a Catechist Now.All Christians are called through ourbaptism to teach others and help tobring others to the knowledge and loveof Jesus Christ. A rewarding andoutreach activity is to become aCatechist by sharing your faith with some bright youngchildren in our local public schools. You may say, “Howdo I become a Catechist?” Easily! Ring Stephen Toppleon 0422374989 and you are nearly there. You will betrained in conducting a class, what to teach and providedwith all teaching materials to make you a successfulcatechist. Make that phone call now!

HELP WITH THE CHURCH LAWN MOWING.We have one more lawn mower, which will make mowing much easier.Come and test it out by joining the team. Contact Don Smith 0414 748 302

New Year’s Day Mass11am on Monday 1 January

Come and dedicate 2018 to Jesus Christ and the protection ofMary Mother of God on this Great Solemnity.

CatholicCare’s NDIS Therapy Team. We helpchildren 0-18 years living with a disability to access the therapy they need toreach their potential. We offer speech therapy, occupational therapy andphysiotherapy at locations across Sydney. For more information, contact ourfriendly CCareline team on 13 18 19. www.catholiccare.org

The 10 Child Safe Standardsthat all institutions are expected to value and implement.1. Child safety is embedded in institutional leadership,governance and culture.2. Children participate in decisions affecting them and aretaken seriously.3. Families and communities are informed and involved.4. Equity is upheld and diverse needs are taken into account.5. People working with children are suitable and supported.6. Processes to respond to complaints of child sexual abuse arechild focused.7. Staff and Volunteers are equipped with the knowledge,skills and awareness to keep children safe through continualeducation and training.8. Physical and online environments minimise the opportunityfor abuse to occur.9. Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is continuouslyreviewed and improved.10. Policies and procedures document how the institution ischild safe.(Taken from Pg6, Final Report: Recommendations, RoyalCommission into Institutional Responses to Child SexualAbuse.)