Catholic Parish of Lindfield-Killara

Transcription

1 Catholic Parish of Lindfield-Killara Diocese of Broken Bay Holy Family Parish Church, Lindfield Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Church, Killara LINDFIELD: KILLARA: MASS TIMES: Saturday 6:00pm Saturday Vigil: 5:30pm Sunday: 8:15am Sunday: 9:15am 10:15am 12:00 (Chinese Community Mass) 6:00pm (for both our communities) Weekdays: Monday 9:15am 8:15am Tuesday 6:00pm (with Vespers) 8:15am Wednesday No Mass (see p.3) ~ Thursday 9:15am ~ Friday 9:15am 8:15am Saturday 9:15am SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturdays: 5:00 5:30pm (Lindfield) For 15 minutes after the 5:30pm Mass (Killara) No Healing Mass in January THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT GAUDETE ( REJOICE ) SUNDAY This week: Is 40:1-5, 9-11; 2 Pet 3:8-14; Mk 1:1-8 Next week : Is 61:1-2, 10-11; 1 Thess 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, LIGHTING OF THE THIRD CANDLE OF THE ADVENT WREATH Celebrant: Lord Jesus Christ, you are our Saviour, the true light who has come into our world. We ask you to send your blessings on this community who gather around this wreath, which we honour as a remembrance of your first coming at Bethlehem, your daily coming amongst us in grace and your final coming in glory. Strengthen our hearts with the example of your love that we may receive you with joy and gladness on the day of our redemption, when you will come to reign as Universal King for ever and ever. The third (rose-coloured) candle is lit. Cel: Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. All: Come and lead us to the eternal life you promise. Cel: Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd who knows his flock & calls each by name. All: Come and lead us to the eternal life you promise. Cel: Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd ready to search out & look for the lost sheep. All: Come and lead us to the eternal life you promise. Celebrant: During the Advent season may almighty God lead us to worship his Son and fill our hearts with joy at the coming of Jesus and lead us to life everlasting. All: Amen. Please join in singing one more verse of the Entrance Hymn.

2 2 Parish Staff and Contact Information We are the one parish of Lindfield-Killara containing our two distinct but collaborating and cooperating communities centred on our two churches at Killara and Lindfield. Holy Family Church: Cnr Pacific Hwy and Highfield Rd, Lindfield Immaculate Heart of Mary Church: Cnr Fiddens Wharf Rd and Charles St, Killara Parish Priest: Fr Colin Blayney Ass t Priest: Fr Thomas Alackakunnel VC thomas@lindfieldkillara.org.au Apart from the case of emergency please restrict the use of the above numbers to between 9:30am and 5:00pm. For office or routine enquiries please contact the Parish Office during office hours. PARISH OFFICE: Parish Secretary: Philita Marundan: philita@lindfieldkillara.org.au Address: Level 1, 2 Highfield Road (cnr Pacific Hwy) Lindfield NSW 2070 (Postal: PO Box 22, Lindfield NSW 2070) Ph: Fax: parish@lindfieldkillara.org.au Parish Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9:30am-1:00pm and 1:30pm-4:00pm Catechist Coordinator: Sue-Anne Sherwood sue-anne@lindfieldkillara.org.au Sacramental Coordinator: Sue-Anne Sherwood As above Ass t Sacramental Coordinator:Maia Schulze Tsang maia@lindfieldkillara.org.au Parish Priest s Secretary: Maia Schulze Tsang maia@lindfieldkillara.org.au Parish Bookkeeper: Alison Williams alison@lindfieldkillara.org.au Child Protection Coord. Alison Williams alison@lindfieldkillara.org.au Parish Facilities Coordinator (volunteer):anthony Cassidy anthony@lindfieldkillara.org.au Youth Ministry Coordinator (volunteer) Jean Shatek youth@lindfieldkillara.org.au Parish Primary School: Holy Family School 4 Highfield Rd, Lindfield 2070 Principal: Mr Lou Dogao Ph: Fax: info@holyfamily.nsw.edu.au Parish Website: Saturday 16 Dec 23 Dec Lindfield 6:00pm Fr Thomas Alackakunnel Fr Colin Blayney Killara 5:30pm Fr Colin Blayney Fr Thomas Alackakunnel Sunday 17 Dec 24 Dec Lindfield 8:15am Fr Thomas Alackakunnel Fr Colin Blayney Killara 9:15am Fr Colin Blayney Fr Thomas Alackakunnel Lindfield 10:15am Fr Thomas Alackakunnel Fr Colin Blayney Lindfield 12:00noon Fr Thomas Alackakunnel Visitor Lindfield 6:00pm Fr Colin Blayney CHRISTMAS MASSES LINDFIELD CHRISTMAS EVE EVENING: KILLARA Children s Vigil Mass 6:00pm: Fr Colin 5:30pm: Fr Thomas Mid-evening (early Midnight ) Mass 10:30pm: Fr Colin 8:00am (NOT 8:15am) 9:30am (NOT 9:15am) 10:15am CHRISTMAS MORNING: Fr Colin Fr Thomas Fr Colin

3 3 RICHARD ROHR S MEDITATION: THOMAS MERTON, PART II I learned the terms True Self and false self from Thomas Merton words he used to clarify what Jesus surely meant when he said that we must die to ourselves or we must lose ourselves to find ourselves (Mark 8:35). Merton rightly recognised that it was not the body self that had to die (which much of Christian history seemed to believe), but the false self which is a substitute for our deepest truth. Our attachment to our small, separate, false self must die to allow our True Self our basic and unchangeable identity in God to live fully and freely. [1] Merton beautifully describes the True Self in Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander. I quote this lengthy passage because of the importance of this mystical experience for Merton and also because it is a classic example of unitive consciousness: In Louisville, at the corner of Fourth and Walnut, in the centre of the shopping district, I was suddenly overwhelmed with the realisation that I loved all those people, that they were mine and I theirs, that we could not be alien to one another even though we were total strangers. It was like waking from a dream of separateness, of spurious self-isolation in a special world, the world of renunciation and supposed holiness. The whole illusion of a separate holy existence is a dream.... This sense of liberation from an illusory difference was such a relief and such a joy to me that I almost laughed out loud.... I have the immense joy of being [hu]man, a member of a race in which God... became incarnate. As if the sorrows and stupidities of the human condition could overwhelm me, now [that] I realise what we all are. And if only everybody could realise this! But it cannot be explained. There is no way of telling people that they are all walking around shining like the sun.... Then it was as if I suddenly saw the secret beauty of their hearts, the depths of their hearts where neither sin nor desire nor self-knowledge can reach, the core of their reality, the person that each one is in God s eyes. If only they could all see themselves as they really are. If only we could see each other that way all the time. There would be no more war, no more hatred, no more cruelty, no more greed.... At the centre of our being is a point of nothingness which is untouched by sin and by illusion, a point of pure truth, a point or spark which belongs entirely to God, which is never at our disposal, from which God disposes of our lives, which is inaccessible to the fantasies of our own mind or the brutalities of our own will. This little point of nothingness and of absolute poverty is the pure glory of God in us.... It is like a pure diamond, blazing with the invisible light of heaven. It is in everybody, and if we could see it we would see these billions of points of light coming together in the face and blaze of a sun that would make all the darkness and cruelty of life vanish completely. [2] There it all is in very few but stunning words! References: [1] See previous meditations on True Self and False Self by Richard Rohr, August 6-12, 2017, cac.org/who-am-i /, and James Finley, August 13-19, 2017, cac.org/our-ultimate-identity /. [2] Thomas Merton, Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander (Doubleday: 1966), Adapted from Richard Rohr, Immortal Diamond: The Search for Our True Self (Jossey-Bass: 2013), A NOTE RE WEEKDAY MASS 1. My apologies that there will be NO 9:15am Mass this coming Wednesday as I have a medical appointment (routine, don t worry but necessary) at that time. 2. There will be various changes to our weekday Mass programme in the first few weeks after Christmas. Please check the bulletin each Sunday for the coming week. 3. A reminder that during school holidays the 7:30am Masses at Killara move to 8:15am.

4 4 CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS Our parish, with its two churches of Immaculate Heart of Mary at Killara and Holy Family at Lindfield warmly invites you to join us for our celebrations of the Lord s birth at Christmas. Our celebrations are as follows: CHRISTMAS EVE EVENING : Lindfield: 6:00pm Christmas Vigil Mass Killara: 5:30pm Christmas Vigil Mass These are the Children's Masses. (please note that once again the Children s Mass at Lindfield will be celebrated in the church, not in the hall). A CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS GIFT TO THOSE IN NEED: We invite the children at both Children s Masses to bring an envelope containing a donation towards the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. We will invite the children to come forward at the time of the Presentation of the Gifts to put their envelopes in the boxes under the Tree. CHRISTMAS MORNING : Lindfield: Lindfield Killara Lindfield 10:30pm Mass (an earlier Midnight Mass ) preceded by Carols at 10pm. 8:00am Mass (not 8:15am) 9:30am Mass (not 9:15am) 10:15am Mass NO Chinese Mass & NO evening Mass on Christmas Day. Children s Involvement in our Christmas Masses We invite the children to be actively involved in our Children s Christmas Vigil Mass at either Killara (5:30pm) or Lindfield (6:00pm), or in the children s choir at the 8:00am Mass on Christmas Day: ~ AT KILLARA ~ * Calling all shepherds and angels * * Calling all older children who would like to help sing the Christmas story * We invite the children who wish to participate in re-enacting the Christmas story during Mass to come to our PRACTICE on Friday 22nd December at 5pm at Killara church. Contact carolannisb@hotmail.com or bgcj.white@optusnet.com.au to book your costume. ~ AT LINDFIELD ~ For those interested in being part of the Children's Vigil Mass: nativity play, choir and readers please Rose at: roseingham@optusnet.com.au. The rehearsal will be held on Friday 22 nd December at 10:15am in Lindfield church. The younger children, as they are each Sunday, are also welcome to form the choir leading the singing at the early Mass (8:00am) on Christmas Day. The rehearsal for children wishing to take part in this Mass will be on Friday 22nd December at 3pm in Lindfield church.

5 5 CHRISTMAS OFFERING ENVELOPES are available near the doors of both our churches. The contributions via the Christmas Offering supplements the funds raised via the First Collection for the support and upkeep of priests. The fund it goes to depends very much on these special contributions at Christmas and Easter, without which it struggles to meet its commitments. This diocesan fund not only provides the living allowance and household costs for the priests of the parish, but also provides funds for health care for priests and maintains priests in their retirement. Please support the Christmas Offerings. The envelopes can be placed on either plate at Masses over the next few weeks. The Season of Advent... THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION provides a forum for reviewing our discipleship and preparing for a new beginning as we enter another liturgical year. There will be a celebration of the Second Rite of Reconciliation THIS Wednesday 20 th December at 7:30pm which will be for the whole parish and will be held in Holy Family Church at Lindfield. We will have a similar celebration in Lent, on which occasion it will be held in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church at Killara. The Second Rite of Reconciliation takes the form of a communal celebration with a short liturgy leading us into the time of individual confessions (we will have a number of priests present) & concluding with a common prayer of thanksgiving and final blessing Advent and hope There are two days in the Season of Advent that mark a turning point: * The liturgical colour for today, Gaudete Sunday, is rose, symbolising that the light of what we re waiting and preparing for is breaking through the darkness of our searching and waiting: it s as though the light of Christmas shines through the purple of our waiting, the purple of our searching, the purple of Advent lightening it to a rose colour. Today is a day of hope, reminding us that the God who was made flesh is present with us even in our searching and longing and waiting, even in the dark moments of our life. * The 17th of December (which this year coincides with today, the 3 rd Sunday of Advent) is a liturgical turning point in the Season of Advent. Until then Advent is focussed on the theme of preparing for the coming of the Lord, in each present moment, at the hour of our own death, and at the end of time. But from the 17th Advent focuses specifically on preparing our spirit to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We move from the first to the second Preface of Advent in our Eucharistic Prayers as it prays that when he comes he may find us watching our hearts filled with wonder and praise.

6 6 A celebration for Advent: Blessing of your Christmas Crib The Christmas Crib or manger scene helps us to focus our celebration of the Word made flesh. You might like to pray this prayer at home before your Christmas crib. Leader: As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, we pause to bless this Christmas manger scene. The practice of erecting such mangers was begun by Saint Francis of Assisi as a means to set forth the message of Christmas. When we look upon these figures, the Christmas Gospel comes alive and we are moved to rejoice in the mystery of the Word made flesh. Leader: Let us ask God s blessing on this Christmas manger and upon ourselves, that we who reflect on the birth of Jesus may share in the salvation he accomplished. 1. For the Church of God, as we recall the birth of Jesus, that we may always proclaim his gift of new life for all people. R. Come, Lord, dwell with us. 2. For the world in which we live, that it may come to recognise Christ just as he was recognised and welcomed by the angels and the shepherds. R. Come, Lord, dwell with us. 3. For our homes, that Jesus who was laid in the manger may dwell with us always. R. Come, Lord, dwell with us. Prayer of blessing God of every nation and people, from the very beginning of creation you have made manifest your love: when our need for a Saviour was great you sent your Son to be born of the Virgin Mary. To our lives he brings joy and peace, justice, mercy, and love. Lord, bless all who look upon this manger; may it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus, and raise up our thoughts to him, who is God-with-us and Saviour of all, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. All: Amen DATES FOR SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMMES IN 2018 A letter giving all the details and dates for our Sacramental Preparation Programmes for First Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Holy Communion in 2018 is now available as follows: on the parish website ( under Sacraments Children s Sacraments. from the foyers of both our churches

7 7 So much for the rest? Without Christ, we are condemned to be dominated by the fatigue of daily life with all its worries and the fear of tomorrow.' Just like a plant needs sun and nourishment to survive, every Christian needs the light of Sunday and the sustenance of the Eucharist to truly live, Pope Francis said in this week s General Audience. "How can we carry out the Gospel without drawing the energy needed to do it, one Sunday after another, from the limitless source of the Eucharist," he said. "We don't go to Mass to give something to God, but to receive from God that which we truly need," the Pope said. Sunday Mass is the time and place Christians receive the grace and strength to remain faithful to God s word, follow God s commandment to love others and be credible witnesses in the world. Sunday Mass is not simply an obligation, he said. "We Christians need to take part in Sunday Mass because only with the grace of Jesus, with his presence alive in us and among us, can we put into practice his commandment and, in this way, be his credible witnesses. What kind of Sunday is it for a Christian if an encounter with the Lord is missing?" Unfortunately, in many secularised countries, the Christian meaning of the day has been lost and is no longer "illuminated by the Eucharist" or lived as a joyous feast in communion with other parishioners and in solidarity with others, he said. Also often missing is the importance of Sunday as a day of rest, which is a sign of the dignity of living as children of God, not slaves, he said. "Without Christ, we are condemned to be dominated by the fatigue of daily life with all its worries and the fear of tomorrow. The Sunday encounter with the Lord gives us the strength to live today with confidence and courage and to move forward with hope," he said. (from The Tablet )

8 8 THE PRAYERS AND RESPONSES OF MASS We abstain from the joyful words of the Gloria during these days of Advent as we prepare our hearts and our community to celebrate once again the birth of the Lord Jesus MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION: THE PSALM Lk 1: My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour. God looks on his servant in her nothingness; henceforth all ages will call me blessed. The Almighty works marvels for me. Holy God s name! God s mercy is from age to age, on those who fear God. The Lord fills the starving with good things, sends the rich away empty. God protects Israel, his servant, remembering his mercy. At Masses at which the Psalm is sung the response is: My soul rejoices in my God. CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK: THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he sent me to bring Good News to the poor. Alleluia! RESPONSE TO THE PSALM FOR WEEKDAY MASSES: Monday: Teach me your ways, O Lord. Tues: The Lord hears the cry of the poor. Wed: Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever. Thursday: Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever. Friday: Fill me with your praise and I will sing your glory! Saturday: Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.

9 9 THE APOSTLES CREED I believe in one God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, (all bow at the following words in bold): who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen A CHRISTIAN MEDITATION GROUP now meets in the Meeting Room at the rear of and under Holy Family Church each Wednesday from 8:40am 9:05am (finishing in time for 9:15am Mass). Everyone is welcome. For further information contact Kay at Kay.Hunt@optusnet.com.au or Catherine catherinecwillis@gmail.com SVDP - CARDS & CALENDARS Columban calendars and Christmas cards are now on sale in both churches. Proceeds from these sales go to help those in need of our support. Calendars are $10 each. Please place payment in the Poor Box. CHURCH PEWS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE We have a number of unneeded pews of varying sizes which are available purchase. A number of the pews are made from New Zealand Kauri. If you re interested please contact Anthony Cassidy, our Parish Facilities Coordinator, at anthony@lindfieldkillara.org.au ACCESSING OUR PARISH CALENDAR You can now access our Parish Calendar on our parish website by going to: News and Events Parish Calendar. The tab below this is entitled Details regarding major events. This gives more detailed information regarding major upcoming events but is not a comprehensive calendar. ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS ON THE PARISH WEBSITE All the events for Advent and Christmas in the parish along with the Christmas Mass timetable - can be found by clicking the Advent and Christmas hotlink box on the homepage of our parish website.

10 10 Left: We had a packed house at Killara hall for the pre-christmas lunch following our final Healing Mass for the year. Many thanks to Mary-Rose Williams and her team for providing such a beautiful meal. there is always morning tea in the hall. Our Healing Mass is celebrated in our Killara church on the second Friday of each month at 10am (except in January). As part of the Mass we celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick as a touch of God s merciful and strengthening grace. Afterwards OUR PARISH PLAYGROUP celebrated its Christmas party last Wednesday and is now in recess until Wednesday 7 th February. The playgroup meets in St Brigid s Hall in the Shirley Wallace Parish Centre on Wednesday from 10:30am noon. Please register via Trybooking: or contact Sue-Anne for more details: sue-anne@lindfieldkillara.org.au 2018 PARISH RETREATS AT TARRAWARRA ABBEY Next year s retreats will be as follows (Easter Sunday is 16th April): Monday afternoon 9th April Sunday lunchtime 15th April (outside school holidays) Monday afternoon 16th April Sunday lunchtime 22nd April (within school holidays). If you are interested in taking part in one of these retreats or just finding out more about what s involved please contact Fr Colin. If you d like to know more go to our parish website and click on Groups and Ministries Parish Retreats. You ll also find a link to a beautiful slideshow reflection on the abbey and the retreat.

11 11 DELETION OF ONE SECTION OF OUR PARISH WEBSITE Under News and Events there has been a tab entitled News/Articles of Interest in which we provided links to the latest news of a church nature from several respected journals. Our aim was that this was to be a help to keep abreast of trends and developments in the life of the wider Church, with a focus on the ministry of Pope Francis. Unfortunately, despite it being regularly advertised in the bulletin, a study of our website statistics shows that only five people accessed this material in the last six weeks. As the maintaining of this section required a fair bit of effort you will understand that this section has now been removed from the website. RENOVATIONS & BUILDING MAINTENANCE Comfort Inn North Shore CHRIS IACONO Parishioner All work large and small Lic 89879c Fully Insured 50 years experience Mobile : Phone : chris.iacono@bigpond.com Family owned and professionally operated motel with on-site restaurant Address: 1 Gatacre Avenue, Lane Cove Phone: res@cins.com.au Website: Henry & Gloria Cheung Parishioners Advertising Space Available Please contact Parish Office at Advertising Space Available Please contact Parish Office at Serving the Australian Construction Industry for 31 years UNIVERSAL INSTRUMENTS 326 Pacific Hway, Lindfield NSW 2070 Tel no Fax no E:sales@universalinstruments.com.au

12 IN PICTURES

13 13 A thought on the Mass of Christmas Night... One of the most beautiful things in the treasury of our Church is the tradition of the Mass of Christmas Night celebrated either at Midnight itself or late in the evening on Christmas Eve. The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light. Advent reminds us of something that s true of all life that we search and look for God sometimes in darkness, sometimes full of our human uncertainties. We discover God in that darkness we glimpse those moments of light and peace which enable us to continue on the journey. The timing of the Mass of Christmas Night is beautiful. Our gift to God is to stay awake on this great feast till those still night hours, that time of deep darkness which symbolises the darkness in which we wait for God to enter our lives. And then the celebration of the light of God s coming is even more symbolic: light and joy break into the stillness and darkness of that night hour. It s a beautiful way to keep vigil and to usher in the celebration of the birth that changes the world. We do it at a time free from all the frantic preparations of Christmas Eve and before the busyness of Christmas Day itself. Please try to come along to the beautiful celebration of the Mass of Christmas Night this Christmas at 10:30pm in Lindfield church on Christmas Eve (preceded by a Service of Carols from 10:00pm). Mass will be concluded by 11:30pm and you can be tucked up in bed before midnight! Fr Colin CATHOLIC MISSION APPEAL The annual appeal, which took place about a month ago, raised $ Catholic Mission extends their thanks to all for your contributions. CHRISTMAS DAY FALLS ON A MONDAY THIS YEAR. Next Sunday is the Fourth and final Sunday of Advent, as we prepare our hearts for the Christmas feast. The Masses of the Fourth Sunday of Advent will be the Saturday vigil Masses and the Sunday morning Masses. This year therefore the Sunday evening Masses (our Children s Masses and the Mass of Christmas Night at 10:30pm) will be the Masses of Christmas, not the Sunday.

14 將臨期第三主日 17/12/2017 讀經一 ( 我要萬分喜樂於上主 ) 恭讀依撒意亞先知書 61:1-2,10-11 吾主上主的神臨於我身上, 因為 上主給我傅了油, 派遣我向貧苦的人 傳報喜訊, 治療破碎了的心靈, 向俘 虜宣告自由, 釋放獄中的囚徒, 宣布 上主恩慈的喜年 我要萬分喜樂於上主, 我的心靈 要歡躍於我的天主, 因為他給我穿上 救恩的衣服, 給我披上義德的外衣, 使我有如頭戴花冠的新郎, 有如佩帶 珍珠的新娘 正如大地怎樣產生苗 芽, 田園怎樣使種子發芽, 吾主上主 也要怎樣在萬民前, 產生正義和讚 揚 上主的話 ( 默想片刻 ) 答唱詠路 1:46-48, 49-50, 答 : 我的心靈歡躍於我的天主 ( 參閱依 61:10) 領 : 我的靈魂頌揚上主, 我的心神歡 躍於天主 我的救主, 因為他垂 顧了他婢女的卑微 ; 今後萬世萬 代都要稱我有福 答 領 : 因全能者在我身上, 行了大事, 他的名字是聖的, 他的仁慈世世 代代, 賜與敬畏他的人 答 領 : 他曾使飢餓者, 飽饗美物, 反使 那富有者, 空手而去 他曾回憶 起自己的仁慈, 扶助了他的僕人 以色列 答 讀經二 ( 天主使你們整個的神魂 靈 魂和肉身, 在我們的主耶穌基督來臨 時, 保持無瑕可指 ) 恭讀聖保祿宗徒致得撒洛尼人前書 5:16-24 弟兄姊妹們 : 14 CHINESE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY 你們應常歡樂, 不斷祈禱, 事 事感謝 : 這就是天主在基督耶穌 內, 對你們所有的旨意 不要消滅 神恩, 不要輕視先知之恩 ; 但應當 考驗一切 : 好的, 應保持 ; 各種壞 的, 要遠避 願賜平安的天主, 親自完全聖 化你們, 使你們整個的神魂 靈魂 和肉身, 在我們的主耶穌基督來臨 時, 保持無瑕可指 那召叫你們 的, 是忠信的, 他必實行 上 主的話 ( 默想片刻 ) 福音前歡呼 領 : 亞肋路亞 眾 : 亞肋路亞 領 : 上主的神臨於我身上, 派遣我 向貧苦的人傳報喜訊 ( 依 61:1) 眾 : 亞肋路亞 福音 ( 有一位站在你們中間, 是你 們所不認識的 ) 恭讀聖若望福音 1:6-8,19-28 曾有一人, 是由天主派遣來 的, 名叫若翰 這人來, 是為作 證, 為給光作證, 為使眾人藉他而 信 他不是那光, 只是為給那光作 證 這是若翰所作的見證 : 當時, 猶太 人從耶路撒冷派遣了司祭和肋未 人, 到他那裡問他說 : 你是 誰?, 他明明承認, 並沒有否 認 ; 他明認說 : 我不是默西 亞 他們又問若翰說 : 那麼你 是誰? 你是厄里亞嗎? 他說 : 我不是 他們又問 : 你是那 位先知嗎? 他回答說 : 不 是 於是, 他們問他說 : 你究竟是誰? 好叫我們答覆那 派遣我們來的人 你自己說你 是誰? 若翰說 : 我是在曠 野裡呼喊者的聲音 : 修直上主 的道路! 正如依撒意亞先知所說 的 被派遣來的有些是法利 塞人他們又問若翰說 : 你既不 是默西亞, 又不是厄里亞, 也 不是那位先知, 那麼, 你為什 麼施洗呢? 若翰答覆他們 說 : 我以水施洗, 但有一位站 在你們中間, 是你們所不認識 的 ; 他在我以後來, 我卻當不 起解他的鞋帶 這些事發生 於約但河對岸的伯達尼, 若翰 施洗的地方 上主的話 ( 講道後默想片刻 ) 華人天主教會北區中心 主日彌撒 12 時, 彌撒後午餐聚會. 在學校假期期間, 17/12/ /1/2018 午餐暫停 供應, 4/2/2018 恢復提供 牧職修女司徒金美修女 聯絡 中心聯絡 Gloria Cheung 聯絡 E :contact@ccc-inc.org.au Sunday School 主日學 12nooon 學校假期 17/12/ /1/2018, 4/2/2018 恢復 The 26 th mily Camp 第二十六屆 家庭營 26 th -28 th December 2017St. Paul International College, Moss Vale 成人組 : 聖馬加利大堂區副本堂 黃君右神父主持成人組 Adult group: Fr. Xavier Wong, Assistant priest,st. Margaret ParishHK. Youth and young adult Group: Fr. Gerard Kelly Children group: Sr. Teresia Seeto, rsj Fee: Adult & youth $150, Children $100, pension $ /11 或之前報名並繳交全費可減 $ 主題 :[ 教會如何面對挑戰 : 宗教改革到梵二 ]

15 15 (continued from page 11): each other inside the communion of saints. What precisely is this? It s the belief that there exists among us, among all of us who have been baptised, at a level too deep for words, a union that is as real, intimate, and physical as is a sexual union. Wild as this sounds, it is clearly taught in scripture (1 Corinthians, for example, is most explicit) and lies at the root of the Christian understanding of the Eucharist. For the early Christians, celebrating Eucharist together was an act of intimacy akin to sexual union. That was one of the reasons they surrounded the Eucharist with the kind reverence and discretion that judicious lovers employ. For example, they practiced a certain discipline they called the discipline arcani. This was a custom within which they didn t allow anyone who wasn t fully initiated to be present at the Eucharist, much like healthy lovers who fear exhibitionism. Beyond this radical intimacy, the union among ourselves in the communion of saints is also a presence to each other beyond distance. Inside the body of Christ, we are present to each other and carry each other across the miles. Everything we do, good or bad, affects all the others. For this reason the church teaches that there is no such thing as a private act of sin, virtue, or anything else. Nothing is private inside a body, everything affects everything. Moreover our union with each other links us, even beyond death. Inside the communion of saints, we believe that our loved ones who have died are alive, still with us, and able to communicate with us and we with them. To believe this is to be both consoled and challenged. Consoled, in knowing that we carry each other in love and union, across all distance, even through death. But challenged too in knowing that everything we do, be it ever so private, is either a bad virus or a healthy enzyme affecting the overall health of the body of Christ and the family of humanity. Fr Ron Rolheiser omi (from the Centre for Liturgy, University of St Louis) Lindfield Dental Practice Dr Peter Chung DDS, MDS, PhD Clinical Assoc Professor Open: Mon-Sat P: Suite 1, 345 Pacific Highway (Scholastic Bldg) Next to Lindfield Medical Practice Lord, in Jesus your Son, you restored to us the gift of everlasting life. Grant that life to: Recently deceased: Mario Gabbrio. Anniversary: Mollie Curtin, Henry Yee Joy, Raymond Jones. And for: Vincent and Peter Tesoreiro, Deceased members of the Curtin, Rolfe, Hughes and Egan families. Please pray for those who are sick : Yvette Marie and Jeff Oras, John and George Agius, Fr Franciscus Choi, Ken Kan, Gizelle Tan, Basilisa Choi, Cyril Ferriere, Br Braden, Mary & Brian Couper, Kieran Norton, Sean Maguire, Pakie Maguire, Naneth Bernado, Michael Swan.

16 16 REFLECTING ON THIS SUNDAY S SCRIPTURES I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, make straight the way of the Lord, as Isaiah the prophet said. (Gospel) THE MYSTICAL BODY I am done with great things and big plans, great institutions and big success. I am for those tiny, invisible loving human forces that work from individual to individual, creeping through the crannies of the world like so many rootlets, or like the capillary oozing of water, which, if given time, will rend the hardest monument of pride. This is wisdom from William James: The deep, important things that most affect us are usually not big and showy, but tiny, perhaps even imperceptible. We see the truth of this just by looking at the human body. How little of it we see from the outside. Inside a human body are countless hidden, silent processes, all going on at once. Cells are growing and dividing, enzymes are fighting viruses, nerves are carrying messages to and fro, cancerous cells are being attacked by the immune system, even while the hair are greying, the body is digesting food, and is imperceptibly aging. Whether we are healthy or sick at a given moment depends largely on countless, silent, hidden processes. Moreover, inside all this, there is an even more-complex web of hidden connections between these various processes. Everything is interconnected, no part does anything that doesn t affect everything else. This is true too of any social body. Every community or society has a certain visible life that can be seen and whose overt interconnections, to an extent, can be grasped, charted, and written up into textbooks. But, just as with the human body, most of the deep things in a community are under the surface, invisible, silent, available only through another kind of instrument, the intuitive gaze of the mystic, novelist, poet, or artist. And all of this is even more true of the body of Christ, the community of the baptized, the sincere. Most of the important processes there are also invisible. Like any other body, partly this body is visible physical, historical, something that can be observed from the outside. Historical Christianity, the churches, in their concrete history, are the visible body of Christ people, institutions, buildings, virtue and sin enfleshed in history. But the body of Christ is more than meets the physical eye, a billion times more. As in every body, countless, silent, invisible processes are going on beneath. Inside the body of Christ, as in all bodies, there are deadly viruses, an immune system, cancer-cells, and health-carrying enzymes. What s deepest inside of life is not visible to the naked eye. Thus, for example, Therese of Lisieux, with her highly-tuned mystical sense, understood her hidden life in a monastery as a part of the immune-system inside the body of Christ. Without ever leaving the small town of Lisieux she touched the lives of millions of people. That shouldn t be surprising, given that the invisible interconnections inside of a body. It is this background too that can help give us a sense of the mystical union we have with (continued on page 11.)