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

24th December 2017

4th Sunday of Advent … Year B

For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Readings this Sunday (24/12): 2 Sam 7: 1-5, 8-12,14,16; Rom 16:25-27; Lk 1: 26-38

PASTORAL CENTRE 1-19 Woodcourt Road, Berowra Heights 2082

P.O. Box 335, Berowra Heights 2082

Phone (02) 9456 2450

Parish Email: parishkccp@dbb.org.au

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

Centre Hours: 9am – 3.30pm.

Parish Administrator Fr Shaju John, OSH

Assistant Priest Fr Shiju Simon, OSH

Parish Secretary Mrs Margaret Cooper

Bookkeeper Mrs Karen Price

Youth Ministry Co-ord. Mrs Michelle Chahine

School/Parish Liturgy L. Mrs Patricia Smith

Sacramental Team kccpsacraments@gmail.com

WEEKEND MASSES Saturday 5.30pm St Bernard's

6pm St Patrick's

Sunday 8am St Patrick's

9am St Bernard's

10am St Patrick's

6pm St Patrick’s

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

9am Wednesday & Friday

during school holidays

First Friday St Bernard’s

10.30am Adoration / 11.00am Reconciliation

11.30am Healing Mass

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,

(except First Friday—see above)

NB: No Anointing and Healing Mass

on 5th January 2018.

The Pope’s Intention for December: The Elderly: That the elderly,

sustained by families and Christian communities, may apply their wisdom

and experience to spreading the faith and forming the new generations.

Prayers for Lighting ~ the Advent Candles 4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT Celebrant: As the day of the Lord approaches very near, we light the 4th candle. We pray that, like Mary, our

hearts may be open to receive the Son of God, so that we may bring joy and peace to our world.

Reader: O Emmanuel, Lord of might, come and spread your kingdom of justice and peace.

Response: Come, Lord, and do not delay

Reader: O Radiant Dawn, desire of nations, come and bring your peace to all nations.

Response: Come, Lord, and do not delay

Reader: O Root of Jesse and Key of David, rescue your people from selfishness and sin..

Response: Come, Lord, and do not delay

On this fourth Sunday of Advent, the liturgy shifts our attention from John the Baptist to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Both

John and Mary serve as important figures for our reflection during the season of Advent; they both played instrumental roles in

preparing the way for Jesus. Last week we reflected on John the Baptist’s announcement that the Saviour was among us,

although not yet recognized. This week we reflect upon Mary’s example of faith and obedience to God, traits which

permitted her to receive the angel’s message that God’s Son would be born as a human person, as one of us.

…

The story of the Annunciation calls to our attention God’s wondrous action in human history. God chose a human person to

give birth to his Son so that all humanity would know God’s salvation. Mary, already full of God’s grace, was able to

cooperate in this great plan for our salvation. Thus Jesus was born as one of us, fully human and also fully divine. This is the mystery we

prepare to celebrate at Christmas, the mystery of the Incarnation. In the model of Mary, we pray that we will be people of faith who recognize

God’s saving plan for us and are able to respond with obedience. (Loyola Press)

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Please note: Changed Mass Time from December 30 2017 Vigil Mass Time at St Bernard’s Berowra Heights will be

5pm from Saturday 30 December 2017.

© Homily by Fr Richard Leonard SJ Jesus and Satan have an argument as to who is the better computer programmer. Eventually they agree to hold a contest with God as the judge. They set themselves before their computers and begin. They type furiously for several hours; lines of code streaming up the screen. Seconds before the end of the competition, a bolt of lightning strikes and takes out the electricity. Moments later, the power is restored, and God announces that the contest is over. He asks Satan to show what he has come up with. Satan is visibly upset, and cries, ‘I have nothing! I lost it all when the power went out.’ ‘Very well, then,’ says God, ‘let us see if Jesus fared any better.’ Jesus enters a command, and the screen comes to life in vivid display, the voices of an angelic choir pour forth from the speakers. Satan is astonished. He stutters, ‘But how? I lost everything, how can Jesus' program be intact?’ God chuckles and says, ‘Ah – because Jesus saves.’ On this final Sunday of Advent the Church moves our gaze to the Annunciation. The whole scene hinges around one word: ‘Yes.’ Mary's fiat sets in motion the entire Christian drama. In his film Jesus of Nazareth Franco Zeffirelli pictures the Annunciation this way: Mary is asleep at night when a gust of wind opens a high window. Afraid at all the commotion Mary gets up and starts to pray. As she prays, we see her face change and her body bend over. With tears in her eyes, Mary looks up through the window to the moonlit sky and simply says, ‘Yes’. The swirling wind dies down at once. In recent years successive popes have reminded us that the best devotion to Mary is one that leads us to do what she did: say ‘yes’ to Jesus. Mary is not a stop on our journey of faith; she is a guidepost that always sends us on to Christ. Mary does not save us, for we believe she needed to be saved by Christ as well. That's why she could say yes in the first place. Mary recognised the gift and the giver and became the bearer of God for the world. In this final week of Advent let's keep reminding ourselves of this simple but life-changing fact: Jesus saves us. Jesus saves us from death. Jesus saves us from living lives devoid of purpose and meaning and Jesus saves us from ourselves. We don't save ourselves. We cannot earn salvation by good works or prayers or penance. And, as difficult as it is to hear, we cannot save anyone else. That includes our children, spouse, grandchildren, parents or friends. Our prayers, good works and faith are the responses we make to the salvation of Christ we claim here and now. And how we live is the way by which those we love will find the gift of God's salvation for themselves. In the midst of this frantic final week before Christmas when so many other things can distract us from what this grace-filled feast is really all about, let's take a moment to join Mary in accepting into our lives and hearts the greatest of all gifts – our undeserved salvation, Jesus Christ the Lord.

RECENTLY DECEASED:

(Samuel Fuda,,

Brian Lance, Sister Berenice,

Julia Healy, Maureen Coves,

William (Bill) McDonagh,

ANNIVERSARIES: Siew Kuan

Wong, Bruce Doherty, Wilson

Long, Siew Sang Gan, Shirley

Gan, Assunta Fraietta, Maria

Lombardo, Sylvia Holmes, Ivan

Arthur, Dr Ken Gray, Karen

Fitzgerald, Jim Treacy, Francis &

Bill Lyle, Victor & Alison Hintonm,

Dn David Huntley, Colin Acret,

Eulalie Hailstone, Neil Mickelson.

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK:

John Messina, Darcy Green,

Brian Neary, Malcolm Cross,

Ellen Asistente, Alfredo De

Ramos, Marcelina De Ramos,

Patricia Pascuzzo, Sam Calacoci,

Matthew Conlon, Vince Hughes,

Ivy Daria, John Buckley, Kath

Lock, Narelle Cartwright,

Dcn Jim Caulfield, Arlene Joson,

Mary Fernandes, John Macy,

Maciej Maciejewski, Matthew

Sutton, Patricia Sanders,

Monique Leyden, Barbara Jones,

Robert Conlon, Patrick Dorahy,

Alfredo De Ramos Sr, Barbara &

Frederick Novak, Cadia Maestri,

Parish Musicians will be taking a well-earned break throughout January,

so there will be a number of Masses without music. Thankyou to all musicians,

large and small, for your wonderful generosity in giving of your talents and

yourselves in this beautiful way. Pope Francis has written that "...musicians and artists of every

discipline are called to shine beauty especially where darkness or grey dominates everyday life...

they are the custodians of beauty, heralds and witnesses of hope for humanity.” We hope they all

have a great holiday and come back to us refreshed in February 2018.

Children's Choir is in recess until school resumes in 1st Term 2018. Enqs: Pat Smith 9482 7935

Senior Choir: There will be no Mass of Anointing in January. Next Mass of Anointing will be

held on 2nd February, 2018.

Thankyou to the parish string group, Arco Trio, for your contribution to the Festival of Carols

earlier in December. Rehearsals continue throughout the holidays. Enq: Michaela 0414 200 295

December 2017 Parishes must provide an environment for children and

vulnerable adults that is welcoming, nurturing and safe. This includes

practices of safe recruitment and screening of employees and volunteers.

Have you thought about a New Year resolution yet? Perhaps you might consider helping the parish in one of the following

(more subtle) roles:

Sacristan Duties at St Patrick’s: For many years May Gomez has co-ordinated the care of

our church linen and we thank her for her tireless work. May will be moving soon and

connecting with OLOR Waitara as her place of worship and has asked for someone to come

forward to take on this role. Linen can be taken home after Masses one weekend and brought

back the next. It would be ideal if we could have a few names on a roster with a coordinator

and a few helpers.

Altar Society SPA & SBB: The rosters for both churches could do with an injection of

younger folk to help with the heavier stuff like lifting the vases into place on the Altar. Think

of it as a free workout for your triceps ! and these groups are super flexible.

At SPA we have lost an entire group of 8. This group of school parent’s decided to arrive

early and clean the church before the pick-up bell rang (and the bonus was really good

carparks!). Could you get a group together to fill this void? It’s a great way for new parents

at the school to get to know each other too!

Flower Ministry: At St Patrick’s especially, there is now a great need for people to co-

ordinate and take on the flower ministry. While some cleaning groups have a designated

“flower person”, most don’t. In fact, the two roles can be quite separate and therefore if you

chose to do flowers only this help would be greatly appreciated and respected….and whilst

others in your group may vacuum on, say a Thursday, you may prefer to do the flowers on a

Friday etc.

Counting Rosters: At both churches, the dedicated parishioners who count the donations

each week are not getting any younger and they would love to show you the ropes. The

commitment at SPA is around 8 times per year and at SBB around 6 times per year.

Please consider helping out, Margaret in the parish office will be very happy to answer any

questions and take your details and your parish will be most appreciative of your stewardship.

4th Week of Advent Year B

Monday 25/12

Christmas Time

Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Acts 13:16-17, 22-

25; Mt 1:1-25

Night: Is 91-7; Titus 2:11-14;

Lk 2:1-14

Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Titus 3:4-7;

Lk 2:15-20;

Day: Is 52:7-10; Heb 1:1-6;

Jn 1:1-18

Tuesday

St Stephen, the first martyr

Mass of the Feast, Gloria

Preface of the Nativity of the Lord I-III

Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59; Mt 10:17-22

Wednesday

St John, apostle, evangelist

Mass of the Feast, Gloria

Preface of the Nativity of the Lord I-III

1 Jn 1:1-4; Jn 20:2-8

Thursday

The Holy Innocents, martyrs

Preface of the Nativity of the Lord I-III

1 Jn 1:5—2:2; Mt 2:13-18

Friday

5th day in the Octave of the Nativity

Mass of the day, Gloria

Preface of the Nativity of the Lord I-III

1 Jn 2: 3-11; Lk 2: 22-35

Saturday

6th day in the Octave of the Nativity

Mass of the day, Gloria

Preface of the Nativity of the Lord I-III 1 Jn 2:12-17; Lk 2: 36-40

THIS WEEK’S READINGS and PRAYERS

Ku-ring-gai Chase Parish REMEMBERS and PRAYS for….

Are you travelling this Christmas?

You are important to us

and so we ask you to take special care

when travelling over the Christmas Season.

Enjoy your break, may it be relaxing and enjoyable

but most of all please return to us safely.

Father Shaju’s 24th Anniversary of Ordination ~ 27 December

Just as Mary said ‘Yes’ to God in today’s Gospel,

and then embarked upon a long journey from her home,

Fr Shaju said ‘Yes’ to God 24 years ago

and has made a long journey from his home to be with us today.

As a parish we congratulate Fr Shaju on his 24th Anniversary of Ordination

and give thanks for the blessing of Father and his ministry to and for us.

For it is attested of him, “You are a priest forever,

according to the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 7:17

COLUMBAN

ART

CALENDARS

2018 now available

for purchase at the back of

each Church ($9 each) &

SVdP Christmas Cards

($6 for 10 cards).

Your purchase goes

towards assisting those in

need in our parish, the

Columban Missions and

the good works of SVdP.

Please place money in

box provided.

Many thanks for your

ongoing support.

The Pastoral Centre will be closed from 3.30pm Friday 22 December

2017, reopening on Tuesday 2 January 2018. Restricted and variable

hours apply throughout January, so it might be best to call ahead to check if

the office is open. If the phone is unanswered please leave a message and

we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

REMEMBER: If in urgent need of a priest, the emergency number is: 0468 341 841.

AN IMPORTANT NOTICE FROM THE

DIOCESE OF BROKEN BAY REGARDING

Your usual Sunday obligation &

Christmas Day ~ Holy Day of Obligation

With Christmas falling on Monday 25 December, the

Vigil Mass on 24 December for Christmas cannot

suffice for the usual Sunday obligation

ie you cannot attend one Mass for two obligations.

What can happen is as follows:

Attend Mass on Sat 23 December or in the morning

of 24 December to fulfil your

usual Sunday obligation and then attend Christmas Vigil on 24 December or

Christmas day 25 December to fulfil your

Christmas Day ~ Holy Day of Obligation

OR you could attend Christmas Vigil 24 December,

to fulfil your usual Sunday obligation and then

attend Mass on Christmas Day 25 December to fulfil

your Christmas Day ~ Holy Day of Obligation.

Christmas Eve - Sunday 24 December

5pm St Bernard’s Vigil Mass for Children, Carols & BBQ (Outdoors) Please bring a chair or rug

6pm St Patrick’s Vigil Mass for Children 9pm St Patrick’s Youth Vigil Mass

12 midnight St Patrick’s Midnight Mass Christmas Day - Monday 25 December

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

NO evening Mass on Christmas Day NO Mass on Boxing Day

Thank You

To all who have helped

prepare our churches for

a fitting Christmas

Celebration we say

‘thank you.

Amid this busy time

when families have with

their own Christmas

preparations to organise,

so many of you have

given your time freely

to ensure our churches

are ready and befitting

the arrival of Baby

Jesus.

Again, we sincerely

acknowledge and thank

all of you for your

amazing efforts on our

behalf.

May the blessings of the

Christ Child be with

you throughout this

Christmastide and

always.

CHRISTMAS

MASS

TIMES:

Outdoor Christmas Eve Mass

at St Bernard’s, Berowra Heights at 5pm.

What you need to know ! A lot of planning has been put in place to make this special outdoor Mass a success

but we do need a little cooperation from those who will be joining us tomorrow

evening to ensure things run smoothly.

Lay of the land:

The Altar will be set up in the portico area of the church and the band will be on the

parking spaces usually reserved for ‘Disabled Parking’.

The congregation will assemble on the grassed area facing the Altar/Band.

Please bring your own chair or rug to sit upon.

Parking: There will be traffic wardens directing all those using the parish carpark advising where and how

to park. Please listen to these young parishioners and follow their instructions (thanks). Disabled parking

has been allocated close to the church end of the carpark (normally the teacher parking area) and reserved

seating has been arranged for the disabled if required.

BBQ / Sausage Sizzle: will take place at the conclusion of Mass. All are invited to stay behind and have a

‘snag’ and a chat with others of the parish and partake in a little Christmas Community Cheer.

Thank you

from

Candela

Peru Thank you for your

generosity in supporting

the Sisters of Mercy

mission in Candela Peru.

Over $5680 was raised

from the sale of the

women's handicrafts and

from some very generous

donations. What an

amazing result!! The

money has been sent to

the women so they can

continue to provide for

their families

Thank you so much.

Mary Rajca

Attention all 250 Club Members and those wishing to join. The current 20 week series ends this week-end.

To ensure you are financial when your number comes up, please forward your

subscription ($20 for one or multiples thereof for more series) to the Pastoral

Centre for the next series.

Just ask this week’s winner, ticket holder #072 who has won the big one—

$500— Congratulations C McMahon and just in time for Christmas!!

For more information on how The 250 Club works and how you can join in please

call the parish office on 9456 2450 and speak to either Marg or Karen.

Begin your Alpha journey at Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Catholic Parish.

You're invited to a series of interactive sessions that freely explore the basics of the

Catholic Faith. Come for a bite to eat, watch a video and have a chat and explore life's

biggest questions with Alpha.

Alpha 2018 will be held at St Bernard's Parish Hall in Berowra starting on Sunday

the 4th of March following the 9am Mass. Join us for an informal morning tea and introduction to

Alpha. Then continue every Monday night at 6.30 pm on the following dates:

March 4—10am Morning tea & introduction

March 5th, 12th,19th, 26th

April 9th, 16th, 22nd (Day Retreat), 30th

May ..7th, 14th

& BBQ Christmas

Eve @ St

Bernard’s

The 250

Club!

Working in a child-related ministry in the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay: Paid and volunteer workers who have direct face to face contact with children (under 18 years) are

required by law to obtain a Working with Children Check number. Please note though, exemptions may apply in some cases. The Parish is the employer of the paid or volunteer

worker and therefore is required by law to verify the Working with Children Check number. All paid or volunteer workers engaged in a child-related role must have a clear

Working with Children Check to work in a child-related ministry. This disclosure references the legislation, Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.

ROSTERS & READINGS FOR WEEKEND 30/31 Dec. The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph Gen 15: 1-6, 21: 1-3 or Sirach 3: 2-6, 12-14; Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19 or Col 3:12-21; Lk 2: 22-40

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND FOR YOUR ROSTERED DATE PLEASE ARRANGE A SUBSTITUTE

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

5pm 9.00am 6.00pm 8.00am 10.00am 6.00pm

Fr Shiju Simon Fr Shaju John Fr Shaju John Fr Shiju Simon Fr Shiju Simon Fr Shiju Simon

Acolyte/Snr Server Server Reader

Justin Berry Megan Chung Molly Summerhayes David Russell Anne Maree Hutchins Sophia Smith

Denis Steiner Liam Gallagher Max Jarominek Suzie Thompson Clare McLoughlin

Sandra Sparkes Aidon Hon Ambrose Hon Edwina Subramany Sue Lum

John Messina Nicholas Ward Lachlan Onslow Abbey McAdam Dan Leavy Michael Halliday

May Gomez Jack Nilson Lachlan McCredie John Cosgrove Holly Harmon Pedro Rodrigues Cora Cuasay Susie Gates

Trevor McAdam Anika Campos Olivia Ratcliffe Sue Newnham Chris Newnham

Children’s Liturgy In recess until February 2018 In recess until February 2018

Communion to Sick Gus Davis, Chris Enright Penny Loughland, Janette O’Brien

Sacristy Care/Church

Cleaning/Flowers

Paul White, Marlene Maloney(f), Sarah Jane

Sibelja,Annette Shapter(s)

Loretta Hunt, Karen Price, Sarah McRae, Luisa Musumeci, Kalysa Fleming, Joan Cleary,

Megan Accola, Shellee Millham (Friday afternoon)

Maintenance Teams A & B. December: Malcolm Cross, David Chui, Bob Nicholls

Counters Ann Hard, David Funk Mary & Peter McAleer, Imm & Thomas Lui, Annie Wong

LITURGICAL SERVICES & PASTORAL CARE Rosary After weekday Masses both Churches

Visit Housebound Fr Shaju John & Fr Shiju Simon 9456 2450

Urgent sick calls Fr Shaju John 9456 7012 (Presbytery)

Fr Shiju Simon 9476 8843 (Presbytery)

Nursing Home Visits By request

Emergency Priest 0468 341 841 (Out of office hours only)

Clergy Days Off Fr Shaju John — Monday

Fr Shiju Simon — Tuesday

Home Visits For Masses, House Blessings & 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.

Be sure to notify the Pastoral Centre, if hospitalised and you would like our

Sun 24: Christmas Eve ] see inside of this bulletin

Mon 25: Christmas Day ] for full details of Mass Times

Tue 26: Boxing Day (Feast: St Stephen) - NO MASSES

Sat 31: New Year’s Eve Masses: 5pm SBB / 6pm SPA

Look Forward to 2018

Alpha see p.2 for details

P. (02) 9456 9999 M. 0415 651 740

E. francescaparrino@mcgrath.com.au

McGrath

Francesca Parrino

Your

Berowra

/ Berowra

Heights

Specialist

On the NOTICEBOARDS - Are full details of:

The Epiphany Pilgrimage (through the Blue Mtns) Jan 2-8 2018

Women in Leadership: a gift for the world April 13-15 2018

Benedictine Abbey, Jamberoo.

2018 PILGRIMAGE TO POLAND AND THE HOLY LAND —

Led by Fr Tadeusz PP of St Patrick’s East Gosford: Aug 29—Sept 18.

Nick Berman

Your Local Area

Specialist

P. (02) 8914 8804 M. 0411 216 332

E. nickberman@mcgrath.com.au

McGrath

250 Club: Week 20: 19/12/17:

Winning Number #072

and the winner of $500 is C McMahon.

DECEMBER in Ku-ring-gai Chase Catholic Parish

King Tide Café/Restaurant

Owned and operated by

our very own

KCCP Parishioners

John & Moauli Griffiths

Open 7 days

from 8am to 4pm

Come by Car

by Boat or by Train

Delicious food, fabulous service

& exceptional views await YOU!

Hawkesbury River Marina

9 Dangar Rd Brooklyn NSW

(02) 9985 7102

The businesses below support our parish by advertising here. Please give them your support in turn. POSITIONS VACANT -

2 Positions Available

* Receptionist/ Senior Customer

Service Officer, Pennant Hills F/T

* Receptionist/Customer Service

Officer, Pennant Hills P/T

Monday-Friday 8.30am-1.30pm

The Catholic Diocese of Broken

Bay seeks two highly personable

Customer Service Officers to

welcome and assist visitors and

colleagues in the Diocesan offices at

Pennant Hills as well as providing

general administration support,

including purchasing of supplies

and mail room duties.

Applications can be made online

via Seek.com.au or email

recruitment@dbb.org.au