Corner of Almondbury and Roberts Streets, Bayswater

Telephone: 9271 1414 Fax: 9271 1682

Parish Priest: Fr. Minh-Thuy Nguyen Presbytery: 20 Almondbury Street, Bayswater 6053 Secretary: Carolyn Kelly Email Address: Parish@StColumbasBayswater.org.au

St Columba’s Catholic Parish

PO Box 47 Bayswater WA 6933

Reconciliation Sat. 5.00-5.30pm and on request Baptism By appointment one month notice Weddings By appointment, with min 6 month notice

Columbarium Open during all weekend Masses Application for Interment by appointment. RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Contact: Fr Minh-Thuy Nguyen

Mass Times Saturday 6:00 pm Vigil Sunday 7:30 am and 9:30 am Monday 9:00 am Communion Service Tuesday 9:00 am Wednesday 9:00 am Thursday 9:00 am Friday 9:00 am Last Saturday of month - Youth Vigil RCIC - Rite of Christian Initiation of Children RCIC Coordinator: Julie Kelly Youth Ministry: Coordinators: Jermaine Beins & Ylan Pham

ANNIVERSARIES December 20 Vincenzo & Simone Dichiera 21 Brian Rhodes 22 Carmine Catalano, Beatrice Key, John Frisina 24 Ann Hawes, Fr J O’Dwyer 25 John Buckland, Graham Matthews Please pray for our parishioners, family and friends who are unwell: Vince Ellul, Geoffrey Burns, Archie Graham, Bernice Naylor, Mr Pace, John Hynes, Win Dyson, Teá Lake, Anne Gisborne, Nell Martin, Carmel Brennan, Bonnie Roach, Frankie Stone, Rita Game, June Irvine, Tim Monaghan, Greg Kelly, Kaarina Nattinen, Liam Collis, Sean Hopkins, Emerson Dehnel, Steven Mutsaers, Karlene Mossman, Rob Mossman, Gabbi Shatner, Moyna Firns, Sylvia Dodds, Anna Giuffre, Ken Spencer, Antoinette Wernicke, Ludy Stefaniuk, Jenny Newman, Roger, Ronald Graham, Wanti Suko, Helen Wane, Peter Pedretti, Amanda Foster, Ailsa C, Patrick Liu, Dorothy Pooley, Trish Vermeer Kath Hawkins, Tony Hawes, and Cecily Boscarin.

DECEMBER BAPTISMS Through the Waters of Baptism we welcome into our Church Family Sebastian Brenton Strachan

Brooklyn Phan Le Emily Charlotte Petersen

Cohen James Lee Carter Wilkinson

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Communion Verse: Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son; and his name will be called Emmanuel. PARISH ROSTERS 26 - 27 DECEMBER 2015 Cleaners: Maria D’Anna & Nu Nguyen Readers: 6:00pm Youth Mass 7:30am Carolyn Kelly 9:30 George Key Acolytes: 6:00pm Peter Naylor 7:30am John Pope 9:30am Abner Cabahug, Philip Lee Servers: 6:00pm Ivy, Dante, Andre, Olivia P. Ashleigh P. 7:30am Dane, Austin, Indianna 9:30am Olivia M, Ella, Thomas, Digby Special Ministers (Mass): 6:00pm Gerry Pule 7:30am John Rovedatti 9:30am Helen Lee No Children’s Liturgy during School Holidays.

THE ROSARY— WEDNESDAY The Rosary is prayed in our parish every Wednesday evening at 7pm .

WELCOME TO EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Eucharistic Adoration with Mother Mary is held prior to Mass Tuesday to Friday, 8:20 - 8:50am. Adoration Co-ordinators: Mr Philip & Mrs Helen Lee.

COLUMBAN CALENDARS Support the work of the Columban Missionaries through-out the world. Buy a 2015 Columban Calendar from the Piety Stall - only $9.00. St VINCENT DE PAUL CHRISTMAS CARDS $2.50 per pack of 5

Thoughts on the Gospel : Luke turned tradition on its head. Instead of the elderly woman receiving honour from the younger, the tables were turned; Mary was honoured (along with her Son). Because of her age, Elizabeth should have been the one who received the attention of maternity. But Mary received praise because she believed in the new revelation. Now, Elizabeth (and her son), too, believed because the Spirit acted. 0000 Notice the themes of exaltation and humility. Through the figure of Elizabeth, Luke humbled the old tradition in a time that honoured ancient revelation. Through the figure of Mary, he exalted the new revelation. Through the meeting, he bridged the old to the new. From this moment on, Luke would exalt Jesus and diminish John's role. For Luke, the time of Judaism had past; the time of Christianity had dawned. This passing matched the historical events of the first century. With the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple in 70 AD, and with the dispersion of the Jews from their homeland, Luke saw Judaism and its movements (ie, those who tried to keep John's ministry alive) on the wane. At the same time, Christianity was gaining strength in numbers. A time that honoured the unchanging was undergoing massive change. From a Gospel reflection by Larry Broding, on the Word-Sunday website

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS Thursday 24 December Christmas Eve Family Mass 7pm

Children who want to take part in the entrance procession are asked to be at the Parish Hall by 6.30pm. Carols 11.30pm - prior to Midnight Mass * * * * * * * Friday 25 December Midnight Mass 12.00 am Christmas Mass - 9:30 am

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS ROSTER ACOLYTES, ALTAR SERVERS, READERS, SPECIAL MINISTERS & IT VOLUNTEERS If you would like to volunteer for the Christmas Masses Please add your name to the special roster in the Sacristy.

Five day fun filled Camp for 12 - 15 yr olds with Christian background. More info: www.wayoungsalesians.com

PRAYER TREE FOR CHRISTMAS During Advent you are asked to write a prayer or wish and hang it on our special Christmas tree.

JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY Prayer of Pope Francis for the Jubilee

Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father, and have told us that whoever sees you, sees Him. Show us your face and we will be saved. Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money; the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things; made Peter weep after his betrayal, and assured Paradise to the repentant thief. Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman: “If you knew the gift of God!” You are the visible face of the invisible Father, of the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy: let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified. You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error: let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God. Send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with His anointing, so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord, and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed, and restore sight to the blind. We ask this of you, Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy; you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel Reflections for Married Couples in the Jubilee of Mercy In this week’s Gospel, Elizabeth is filled with joy and the Holy Spirit as she acknowledges the presence of Jesus in Mary’s womb. As Christians, we are called to recognise the face of Christ in others. When do you notice Christ alive in your spouse? Take some time this week to reflect on your spouse’s positive qualities. See if you can experience some of Elizabeth’s joy as you acknowledge these attributes and the way they enrich your home and family life. Make a point of acknowledging and appreciating these qualities.

ATAR Advice Day Monday 4 January 2016 Admissions Office, 21 High St Fremantle As Year 12 ATAR results are released just prior to New Year’s Day, the Prospective Students Office and Admissions Office will be available to provide counselling to students (and parents) looking to explore university options. Staff will be on hand to provide one-on-one course and preference advice. For more information, please contact the Prospective Students Office: Telephone: 08 9433 0533 - Email: future@nd.edu.au - Website: www.nd.edu.au Please Note: There will be no Mass at 9.00am on Tuesday 22 December due to the Funeral Mass at 9:30am.

BEREAVEMENT The Funeral Mass celebrating the life of MARINO ROVEDATTI will be held at St Columba’s Bayswater on Tuesday 22 December at 9.30am. A Burial Service will follow at Karrakatta at 11.15am. Vigil Prayers and Rosary will be recited in St Columba’s Church on Monday 21 December at 7.00pm. Marino worked with John at many Church Busy Bee’s, he was a kind and gentle man who will be missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his sister Lilia and nephew John.

CONGRATULATIONS CAROL & CHADWICK BEINS on the celebration of their 25th Wedding Anniversary on 15th December 2015. HONG SHEAN LEE & THERESA THU TRANG NGUYEN who were married at St Columba’s on 19th December.