St Christopher’s Cathedral Parish, Canberra (including St Peter Chanel’s Church, Yarralumla)

The Holy Family of Je-

sus, Mary and Joseph

—

Year B

30/31 Dec 2017

Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn

Archbishop: Most Rev Christopher Prowse DD STD

Administrator & Vicar for Education: Msgr John Woods

Assistant Priest: Fr James Onoja

St Peter Chanel’s Church: Fr Peter L’Estrange SJ

Sunday Mass St Christopher’s

Cnr Canberra Ave & Furneaux

Street, Forrest (Manuka) ACT

Sunday: 8.00am,

11.00am (sung),

5.30pm

St Peter Chanel’s Cnr Weston & Loch Streets,

Yarralumla ACT

Saturday: 6.00pm Vigil

Sunday: 9.30am

Weekday Mass St Christopher’s Monday to Saturday: 12.15pm

Tuesday to Friday: 7.30am

St Peter Chanel’s Tuesday: 5.30pm

Thursday: 10.00am (9.30am

Adoration): Anointing Mass first

Thursday of the month.

Reconciliation

St Christopher’s Wednesday: 12.45—1.15pm

Thursday: 6.00 - 6.30pm

Saturday: 11.00am - 12noon

St Peter Chanel’s Tuesday: 6.00 - 6.30pm

Saturday: 5.15 - 5.45pm ____________________________________________________

Baptisms St Christopher’s: Second and

fourth Sundays, 12.30pm

St Peter Chanel’s: Third Sun-

day, 10.30am

Weddings St Christopher’s: Saturday

1.30pm, 3.00pm and 4.30pm

St Peter Chanel’s:

By arrangement

Entrance Antiphon: The shepherds went in haste, and found Mary and Joseph

and the Infant lying in a manger.

Responsorial Psalm: The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! In the past God spoke to our fathers

through the prophets; now he speaks to us though his Son. Alleluia!

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

PARISH OFFICE

55 Franklin Street, Forrest ACT 2603 / PO Box 3012 Manuka ACT 2603

(02) 6239 9846 (bh) 62959555 (af)

cathedral@cg.org.au / www.stchristophers-act.info

Monday to Friday, 8.30am- 12.15pm, 12.45pm-4.30pm—Parish Secretary: Michelle O’Connor

The Holy Family Family is very much to the fore at this time of year, but “holy”? At one level

Joseph, Mary and Jesus present as a conventional family in dedicating their

first-born to God at the Temple. They then ‘buy’ him back through their offer-

ing, thereby acknowledging that all life is a gift from God. However, for this

simple rural family a deeper meaning and purpose are revealed by the elder-

ly Simeon and Anna, representative of past hopes. They claim that Jesus will

usher in a new order. He will be a light to the gen-

tiles (non-Jews) and the glory of Israel but not with-

out opposition, and Mary will know the pain of sep-

aration (‘the sword’) as he goes about the business

of his heavenly Father.

“The surrender required of the Holy Family was, of

course, unique. However, there is a sense in which

all parents know something of that “sword”. Bring-

ing new life into the world and nurturing it to adult-

hood involves rupture as well as continuity, pain and

surrender as well as joy. Today’s feast is not so

much about modelling an impossibly lofty ideal of family virtue, as about rec-

ognising a divine sharing, sympathy and involvement with the challenges of

everyday family life” (Brendan Byrne SJ).

My prayer is that these days afford you and your loved ones reason to

acknowledge the pervasive presence of God calling in your joys and sor-

rows, in the very ‘stuff’ of your lives. To do so is to bless those relationships

or allow them to be no less than ‘holy’. “God comes to you disguised as your

life”.

Msgr John

PARISH NEWS

PARISH MINISTRIES Parish Pastoral Council

Parish Finance Council Msgr John Woods

Director of Music Jaki Kane

Liturgy Rosters Cecilia Flores & Scott Pobihun

RCIA

Msgr John Woods

School of Religion Fr James Onoja

Accounts Karina Widjaja

Maintenance Manager Pieter van Gent

St Vincent de Paul Assisting people in need and

combatting social injustice in our community

Young Adults Animating parish and Archdioce-san life through prayer and event

participation Thursday 6.30pm Rosary/Bible

Sharing/Fellowship SCC

Perpetual Novena to Mary Wednesday 6.00pm SCC

Good Shepherd Prayer Group Wednesday at 7pm SPC

Christian Meditation Saturday at 5pm SPC

"Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10)

__________________________

Other Communities

African Community Third Sunday of the month at

11.30am SPC

Spanish Community First Sunday of the month at

11.30am SPC

For details of any of the above, contact the Parish

Office.

Cathedral Piety Stall Currently closed due to

Maternity Leave

AMORIS LAETITIA (‘The Joy of Love’), the 2016 Encyclical/Letter of Pope Francis

following the Synod on Marriage and the Family offers some timely observations

for families:

FAMILY LIFE AS AN EDUCATIONAL SETTING

274.The family is the first school of human values, where we learn the wise use of

freedom. Certain inclinations develop in childhood and become so deeply root-

ed that they remain throughout life, either as attractions to a particular value or

a natural repugnance to certain ways of acting...

275.In our own day, dominated by stress and rapid technological advances, one of

the most important tasks of families is to provide an education in hope. This

does not mean preventing children from playing with electronic devices, but

rather finding ways to help them develop their critical abilities and not to think

that digital speed can apply to everything in life.

276.The family is the primary setting for socialisation, since it is where we first

learn to relate to others, to listen and share, to be patient and show respect, to

help one another and live as one.

277.In the family too, we can rethink our habits of consumption and join in caring

for the environment as our common home. “The family is the principal agent

of an integral ecology, because it is the primary social subject which contains

within it the two fundamental principles of human civilisation on earth: the

principle of communion and the principle of fruitfulness”...

278.The educational process that occurs between parents and children can be

helped or hindered by the increasing sophistication of the communications

and entertainment media... This is also something that families have to dis-

cuss and resolve in ways which encourage interaction without imposing unreal-

istic prohibitions. In any event, we cannot ignore the risks that these new forms

of communication pose for children and adolescents; at times they can foster

apathy and disconnect from the real world. This “technological disconnect” ex-

poses them more easily to manipulation by those who would invade their pri-

vate space with selfish interests.

288.Parental Education. Education in the faith has to adapt to each child, since

other resources and recipes do not always work. Children need symbols, ac-

tions and stories. Since adolescents usually have issues with authority and rules,

it is best to encourage their own experience of faith and to provide them with

attractive testimonies that win them over by their sheer beauty. Parents desir-

ous of nurturing the faith of their children are sensitive to their patterns of

growth, for they know that spiritual experience is not imposed but freely pro-

posed. It is essential that children actually see that, for their parents, prayer is

something truly important. Hence moments of family prayer and acts of devo-

tion can be more powerful for evangelisation than any catechism class or ser-

mon. Here I would like to express my particular gratitude to all those mothers

who continue to pray, like Saint Monica, for their children who have strayed

from Christ.

290.“The family is thus an agent of pastoral activity through its explicit proclama-

tion of the Gospel and its legacy of varied forms of witness, namely solidarity

with the poor, openness to a diversity of people, the protection of creation,

moral and material solidarity with other families, including those most in need,

commitment to the promotion of the common good and the transformation of

unjust social structures, beginning in the territory in which the family lives,

through the practice of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy”. All this is an

expression of our profound Christian belief in the love of the Father who

guides and sustains us, a love manifested in the total self-gift of Jesus Christ,

who even now lives in our midst and enables us to face together the storms of

life at every stage.

OTHER NEWS

New Year's Eve Adoration Vigil, 31 Dec, 7.30pm-6am, St

Peter Chanel’s Church, Weston Street, Yarralumla. Come

and adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament as we pray into

the new year! Rosary, praise and worship, intercessory

prayers and times of quiet reflection. Tea, coffee and

snacks available. Info: call/text CCR Intercession Coordina-

tor on 0419 902 293 or email contact@ccract.org.au.

The Marian Movement of Priests invites you to the 11th

Annual New Year’s Eve Prayer Vigil; St Michael’s Church,

2 Tyrrell Circuit, Kaleen, 31 Dec, 8.30pm. First Cenacle is

prayed at 8.45pm (Joyful Mysteries). Second Cenacle at

9.45pm (Luminous Mysteries). Third Cenacle at 10.45pm

(Glorious Mysteries). Exposition from 8.30pm until

11.45pm followed by Midnight Mass. Inquiries:- Judy &

Joe Mewburn 6254 6202

"Amicus”, 31 Dec. Support group for widowed, divorced

and separated Catholics, next gathering at the Austrian

Club Mawson, 8.00pm for a NYE’s dance and music. Con-

tact Patricia: 0412 351548 by 27 November 2017.

Mission to fight poverty. Catholic communities all over

the world are looking for teachers, health and community

development workers, administrators and others to men-

tor workers in their fields of expertise. See more than 40

volunteer positions at www.palms.org.au/projects/. The

positions would suit anybody with the appropriate qualifi-

cations. Healthy retired people find it a most gratifying

and stimulating mission. Info: Email chris-

tine@palms.org.au or call Roger 0431 995 058 now to find

out more. 2018 Applications are closing soon.

Campion College Summer Program: 8-15 Jan 2018. An

opportunity to experience college: literature, history, hik-

ing, coastal walks & swims, theology, philosophy, sports

and other activities. Registration: $390 per person with

financial assistance available. Contact:

study@campion.edu.au or www.campion.edu.au/

summer

“Seeking the Mind of Christ” - 9-11 Feb 2018—You are

invited to a living encounter and a life transforming expe-

rience with the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit. 9 Feb - St

Monica's Church: Evatt 7-9pm. 10 Feb - St Brigid's

Church: Dickson 10am-5pm. 11 Feb - St Brigid's Church:

Dickson 10.30am-5.30pm. Conducted by Brother Lalith

Perera, Archbishop Christopher Prowse and Father Ken

Barker with support from Fr Bernie Patterson and Loi

Viovicente. Lunch available at a nominal price or BYO. A

crèche will also be available for children. Contact: Shan

0412 310364; Karen 0402 160401; Sean 0448 510237.

Evenings for the Engaged—17 & 24 Feb, Evenings for the

Engaged, marriage preparation program, will be held

over two consecutive Saturdays in 2018. Enquiries to

Mark and Kathy Haseler, 6166 7634.

“Concerned Catholics of Canberra” - 22 Mar. Parishion-

ers, clergy, and friends are invited to the 3rd public fo-

rum of Concerned Catholics of Canberra-Goulburn. Fran-

cis Sullivan, CEO, Truth Justice and Healing Council, will

provide an analysis of the Royal Commission's final re-

port. Contact: Rod Page: con-

cerned.catholics.cnagbn@gmail.com

SEE YELLOW FYLERS AT EXITS

Tribunal of the Catholic Church—Marriage breakdown is

usually a traumatic experience for all those concerned

with many divorcees unsure of the validity of this mar-

riage within the Catholic Church. The Church reaches out

in support of those whose marriage has broken down,

while upholding the permanence of a true Christian mar-

riage. If you are divorced or in the process of finalising

your divorce and would like information about the annul-

ment process, please contact the Tribunal on 6239 9813

or tribunal@cg. org.au. All enquiries remain confidential

to the Tribunal

We pray for…

Those who are ill: Greg Moran, Fr John Baptiste Tran, Cora Murphy, Betty O’Neill, Brendan Roberts, Tan Roberts, Bob Howatson,

Jose Cofre, Enid Martin, Richard Dodson, Vince Basilisco, Maria Walker, Doris Robertson, Gary Evans, Ella Black, Roderick Duncan,

Bruce Kennedy, Claude Lucas, Marianne McGrath, Robert White, Christina Parido Davey, Fe Talicop, Richard Price, Toni-Gaye

Bush, Tony Bush, Judith Carey, Anthony O’Connor, Michael Leon, Peter Hill, Hugh Patton, Gilbert Ferguson

Anniversaries of death: Sara Pettet, Constantino Salza, Nola Palisi, Domenico Marando, Madeleine Marsh Wright, Domenico Vir-

gara, Nuala Kelly, John McLennan Duffy, Giuseppe Bonfini, Philomena Burke, Fr Thomas Wright, Raymond Noonan, Baby Made-

leine Wright, Eva Kotthoff, Kathleen Moriarty, Olga Knight, Margaret Wilson, Federick Howley, Edith Dorn, Ellen Fenner, Anna

Italiano, Judy Foschia, Bruna Romano, Vincenzo Belmonte, Guerino Belmonte

Recently Deceased: Natasha Cruz-Gutteridge, Dr Donald Dunlop (Newcastle), Rene Warrick-Williemsen, Michele Daniele, Fr Paul

Tarpey, Steve Doszpot, Margaret Frawley, Victims of Egyptian terrorist attacks, Coby Fulop, Antonio Carrabs, Victims of the Texas

church shooting, Victims of New York terrorist attack, Barbara McLoughlin, Fr John Airey CSsR (Galong), Adrian Chesterton

First Reading Gen 15:1-6. 21:1-3 The word of the Lord was spoken to Abram in a vision, ‘Have no fear, Abram, I am your shield; your reward will be very great’. ‘My Lord’, Abram replied, ‘what do you intend to give me? I go childless...’ Then Abram said, ‘See, you have given me no descendants; some man of my household will be my heir.’ And then this word of the Lord was spoken to him, ‘He shall not be your heir; your heir shall be one of your own flesh and blood.’ Then taking him outside he said, ‘Look up to heaven and count the stars if you can. Such will be your descendants,’ he told him. Abram put his faith in the Lord, who counted this as making him justified. The Lord dealt kindly with Sarah as he had said, and did what he had promised her. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the time God had promised. Abraham named the son born to him Isaac, the son to whom Sarah had given birth. Second Reading Heb 11:8. 11-12. 17-19 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed the call to set out for a country that was the inheritance given to him and his descend-ants, and that he set out without knowing where he was going. It was equally by faith that Sarah, in spite of being past the age, was made able to conceive, because she believed that he who had made the promise would be faithful to it. Because of this, there came from one man, and one who was already as good as dead himself, more descendants than could be counted, as many as the stars of heaven or the grains of sand on the seashore. It was by faith that Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He offered to sacrifice his only son even though the promises had been made to him and he had been told: It is through Isaac that your name will be carried on. He was confident that God had the power even to raise the dead; and so, figuratively speaking, he was given back Isaac from the dead. Gospel Reading Lk 2:22-40 When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him 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 all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel.’ As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’ There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem. When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.

Readings of the Day – The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph —Year B

LITURGICAL MINISTRIES ROSTER

Lectors Extraordinary Ministers of Eucharist

Mass 30/31 Dec 6/7 Jan 30/31 Dec 6/7 Jan

6.00pm

(SPC)

Mike Nash

Sheila van Gent

Frances Bulbrook

Margaret McKinnon

Any available EMHC Mary Debus

Sue Buckingham

8.00am

(SCC)

Kristina Faigl

Phillip Pocock

Phillip Pocock

Jessica Neubeck

Any available EMHC Mineke Peerboom

Any available EMHC

9.30am

(SPC)

Gloria Osborne

Jaye Longland

Collis Parrett

Wanda Kaucz

Any available EMHC Colliss Parrett

11.00am

(SCC)

Bronwen Grey

Ceciley Matthews

Mark Hyman

Liz Porra

Any available EMHC Jacqueline Hipwell

5.30pm

(SCC)

Frances Bulbrook

Arnel Basas

Jacob Madden

Aoife Connors

Any available EMHC Elizabeth Young

St Christopher’s Cathedral Parish encompasses the areas of Barton, Causeway, Deakin, Forrest, Fyshwick,

Griffith, Kingston, Manuka, Parkes, Red Hill, Yarralumla