The Indescribable Gift

Transcription

1 The Indescribable Gift GOD S INDESCRIBABLE GIFT is Jesus Christ - All that our hearts have ever desired, every need we face, every truth we seek, and every blessing we long for is found in Jesus Christ. IN HIM we see all that God wants to reveal to us, we walk in all God has prepared for us, we experience all God has planned for us, we receive all God wants to be to us. HE IS the Fountain that quenches our thirst, the Bread that nourishes our souls, the Light that dispels our darkness, the Physician that heals our wounds, the Shepherd that guides our steps, the Counsellor that gives us wisdom, the Word that establishes us in truth, the Faithful One that gives us security, the Door that gives us access to the Father, and the Way that leads us home. WHAT a love! What a Saviour! What a gift! Pope Francis Prayer Intentions For December In the Service of the Transmission of Faith That people, who are involved in the service and transmission of faith, may find, in their dialogue with culture, a language suited to the conditions of the present time. Thoughts of Fr Francis Jordan We must diligently and wisely use all ways and means which the love of Christ inspires to glorify God. A warm welcome to our parishioners and visitors who are celebrating the Eucharist with us at Sacred Heart, Mona Vale and Maria Regina, Avalon. Fr George Kolodziej SDS Parish Priest 1 Keenan Street Mona Vale NSW 2103 Tel: Fax office@pittwaterparish.org website:

2 Christmas Cards are available at the Piety Stores in both Avalon and Mona Vale. There are a pack of 10 for $6. Columban Calenders for $10 For the needy, help is available by contacting the Brookvale Centre during business hours. Did you know that if you are new to our parish you can register your details through our website or if your contact details have changed you can update them. Simply go to click on the Welcome menu item and select Parishioner Registration from the dropdown menu. If you have any problems, please contact the parish office on We Pray for Deceased Anniversary Holy Souls in Purgatory Hane Mathieson Ronnie Poe Sonny Alejandre Hernan Lira Dr John Reynolds Josip Juricev Encarnacion Javeluna Eternal Rest Grant Unto Them O Lord, And Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Them. May they Rest in Peace. Amen. May Their Souls And The Souls Of The Faithful Departed, Through The Mercy Of God, Rest In Peace. Amen. Recently Deceased Mary McHugh If you would like the names of your relatives or friends and offerings included, please drop the envelope in to the Parish Office by Midday on Wednesdays. Thank You. Prayers for the Sick Paulina Fabian Madeleine Reicher Natasha Britt Milka Marov Carol Brennan Annette Leary Edward Hogan Rufina Criss Tayla Riddle Warwick Carpenter Elizabeth Davis Mary Seymour Allessio Angelucci Xavier Flory Neave Mackey Kevin Begaud Rachel Weldrick Antoinetta Knapp Donald McRae Stefanie Romeo Sasha White Ann Harvey Jo Wild Rita Farrelly Lina Jeff Guerra Sue Poulton Craig Callahan Daryl Holland Veronica Ann Gracie Kerrie Gill Peter Hector Jack Burai Manpreet Kaur Therese Nouak Vera Bateman Marion Russell Marian Santa Ana Lorriane Wilson Rosalinda Singson Rodney Young David Simmons Daryl Kaufer Marjan Seifoor Rosa Lealaiauloto Anne Rees Bassam Khodr Margaret Baker Estera Cimino Angelo Micianio Mark Kelsey Melba Suazo Leticia Buhat Marea Trevaskis This list will be updated every month and we would appreciate it if we are advised, if further reconsideration is required. Thank you BOOK REVIEW Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza with Steve Erwin This is the author s own story of her escape to America from Rwanda and the genocide which killed most of her family. But despite this tragedy she stresses the importance of faith, forgiveness and prayer. Led by Faith by Immaculee Ilibagiza with Steve Erwin As a result of her tragic experiences in Rwanda, her great faith has enabled Immaculee to become a public speaker and set up Left to Tell Charitable Fund to help support Rwandan orphans (read Left totell first) Anointing Mass At Nursing Homes And Retirement Villages MINKARA NURSING HOME SEABEACH GARDENS NURSING HOME BAYVIEW GARDEN NURSING HOME ESTIA HEALTH (PENINSULAR GARDEN NURSING HOME) AVALON HOUSE NURSING HOME MARCUS LOANE NURSING HOME Break Open the Word - Year C Lectors, please pick up your copy from the Sacristy. Save the Date 13 Thursday 2nd Rite of Reconciliation 13 December pm Sacred Heart 15 Saturday Thursday PARISH CHRISTMAS PARTY Maria Regina School Hall 7pm on Saturday 15 December Thursday Spirituality For Advent and Christmas we are reading and sharing insights from 'Bridges to Contemplative Living with Thomas Merton' Please feel welcome to join us at Maria Regina. Morning tea at am Meeting from noon Trish Newman ocds, We are now organising the delivery of the Christmas hampers. If you have not already returned yours, it would be wonderful if you could return it as soon as possible so that it can be delivered in time for Christmas. If you have any difficulties, please phone the office on for assistance. Many thanks, Marie Bockman If you are experiencing Domestic Violence Ring 1800 RESPECT

3 Parish Pastoral Council Veronica Thomas - Chairperson veronicathomas2009@gmail.com Pittwater Parish Ministries Catechists Co-Directors Maureen Wooldridge Yvonne van den Berg ext 13 Evangelisation Ministry Erich Ott (Coordinator RCIA) Sr Margaret Collis Sue Berg (Coordinators Adult Faith Education/Formation) Hospitality Ministry Nicole Ovens - Director IT Ministry David Kerr dpkerr@kerr.net.au Legion of Mary Connie Robinson - Director Little Hearts Playgroup Co-Directors-Marie Bockman - mbockman@hotmail.com Maureen Wooldridge Marriage Ministry TBA Media & Communication Ministry Laura Ee - Director media@pittwaterparish.org Music Ministry Josh Willard - Director ext 17 Pastoral Care and Communion to the Sick Ministry Co-Directors Denise Bottero Maureen Suggitt Parish Library Trish Newman - Director Sacramental Program Ministry Yvonne van den Berg ext 13 Social Justice Ministry Tamara Harding - Director Youth Ministry Andy Dingley soul@pittwaterparish.org All our Ministries comply with Working With Children Check requirements Pittwater Parish Christmas Carols and Dinner 15 December 2018 Let us take this opportunity to invite all our parishioners and to thank all our volunteers in the Parish especially Senior Servers, Junior Servers, Lectors, Communion Ministers, Counters, Wardens, Musicians, Children s Liturgy, all who contribute to our Planned Giving and those who consistently give their time and effort generously to our Parish. Let us celebrate the joy of Christmas together on Saturday 15th December at 7pm Maria Regina School Hall Bring your angelic voices and your best desserts and drinks to share. Do you know that the Catholic is having a Plenary Council in 2020? Do you know that the last Plenary Council was held in 1937? Do you know that the Plenary Council is asking all Catholics to reflect on: What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time? For more information catholic.org.au Second Rite of Reconciliation 13 December pm Sacred Heart, Mona Vale Saturday, December 8th, is the feast of the Immaculate Conception. 1. Who does the Immaculate Conception refer to? There's a popular idea that it refers to Jesus' conception by the Virgin Mary. It doesn't. Instead, it refers to the special way in which the Virgin Mary herself was conceived. (That is, she had a human father as well as a human mother.) But it was special and unique in another way What is the Immaculate Conception? The Catechism of the Catholic explains it this way: 490 To become the mother of the Saviour, Mary was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role. The angel Gabriel at the moment of the annunciation salutes her as full of grace. In fact, in order for Mary to be able to give the free assent of her faith to the announcement of her vocation, it was necessary that she be wholly borne by God's grace. 491 Through the centuries the has become ever more aware that Mary, full of grace through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception. That is what the dogma of the Immaculate Conception confesses, as Pope Pius IX proclaimed in 1854: The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin. Our parish affirms the dignity and worth of all children, young people and vulnerable adults in our care. We have a strong commitment to the wellbeing, belonging and security of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

4 FOUNDATION DAY priests took private vows as members of the Apostolic Teaching Society. It is this date which is kept as the foundation day of the Salvatorians. On the 8th December 1881 in the Chapel of St Brigida in Rome, Father Jordan and two other priests took private vows as members of the Apostolic Teaching Society. It is this date which is kept as the foundation day of the Salvatorians. In order to understand the history of our Society it is necessary to look at the historical background, particularly the situation in Germany at the time, and the life of our founder Fr Francis Jordan. There were two important factors which affected the during the 19th century in Germany: Secularisation and the Kulturkampf. At the beginning of the century under Napoleon nearly all the monasteries in Germany were secularised. The monasteries were dissolved and the property taken over by the state or sold off. The whole way in which the exercised its pastoral care was disrupted, and a previously flourishing monastic culture was destroyed. The Prussian State, which had become stronger and stronger in the course of the 19th century, embarked on a policy of conflict with the Catholic known as the Kulturkampf. Laws were introduced to try and limit the power and influence of the. Because of that, the found many of its practical and pastoral activities increasingly restricted by the state. It was not, at first, the intention of Father Jordan to found a Religious Order. He wanted to reverse the effects of the Kulturkampf and this meant something really quite radical and wide ranging; it would mean literally renewing the whole. It was his aim to give Christ back to the ordinary people. He was seized with an extraordinary missionary enthusiasm. It was an all-consuming passion; his love for God and for humanity overwhelmed him and he wanted to set to work immediately and do whatever he could think of to realise his ambitions there and then. First he had to find some associates, people who would understand and help him in his task, and most importantly he was looking for priests who would be able to take up his plan. He soon found Father Bonaventura Lüthen, a fellow German, who in those early days became his closest collaborator and friend. He soon found several other priests who were prepared to work with him. Jordan s plan was for a Society with three degrees: the First Degree would include members, both men and women, who would devote themselves entirely to the Society and its work. They would take the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. The Second Degree would include educated people i.e. those who would be able to exercise an influence in the and in Society - scientists, artists, intellectuals, journalists, etc. The Third Degree was for anyone who was willing to live a good Christian life and to promote the aims of the Society. It was very important for Father Jordan that his Society should be established in Rome, for this was the heart of the, so he moved to the house of St Brigida in Piazza Farnese, where he established a printing press and started printing the monthly magazine Der Missionär. On the 8th December 1881, in the Chapel of St Brigida in Rome, Father Jordan and three other The Apostolic Teaching Society soon attracted other collaborators and the premises in St Brigida became too small. So Fr Jordan was delighted to be able to rent rooms right next to St Peter s Piazza in the Palazzo Moroni, Borgo Vecchio now Via della Conciliazione 51. The plans for involving Diocesan priests did not materialize, but the Motherhouse was soon filled with prospective candidates. His idea of a Society with three grades was considered too progressive. The would only give recognition to the First Grade organised along the lines of a Religious Order with completely separate branches for women and men. The name Apostolic Teaching Society was considered rather controversial since the Papacy reserved the use of the title Apostolic for itself. The name was changed to The Catholic Teaching Society, then to The Society of the Divine Saviour (in Latin: Societas Divini Salvatoris) and ever since then the Society has been known as "The Salvatorians". This change of name was fortunate because the new Society no longer took its name from its activities but from its highest ideal: Christ himself, the Saviour of the World. He is our model and it is to him that we aim to draw others. Jordan was from the beginning keen to involve women in the work of the Society. He established a foundation of Sisters under the leadership of Francesca Streitel, but difficulties soon arose. It seemed that she was not in full harmony with the ideas of the Founder and wanted the Sisters to follow the lines of Franciscans of the Strict Observance. This group of Sisters was separated from Father Jordan in 1886 and remains today as the Adolorata Sisters. Jordan had long connection with Therese von Wüllenweber, who had been a member of the First Degree since 1882, and was waiting for him to call her to Rome. She came in 1888 and Jordan placed her in charge of the new foundation in Tivoli: The Sisters of the Divine Saviour. Therese took the name Mary of the Apostles, a name which shows her devotion to the apostolic spirit of Jordan s ideas. In fact, they had a remarkable similarity of outlook, and she proved to be a faithful collaborator and a wise superior of the Sisters. She was beatified in Once the canonical approbation for the Society was obtained Jordan began energetically to found a series of new houses of the Society. It is only possible to give a summary here. A big uplift was given to the Salvatorians when the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith asked Father Jordan if he would take charge of a vast new mission area in Assam, North East India. As early as 1890 he sent his first missionaries to Assam, even though he could hardly spare the men. In 1892 he started foundations in the United States and Austria. There followed: Ecuador-Colombia (1893), Switzerland (1894), Czechoslovakia (1895), Brazil (1896), Romania (1898), Belgium, Poland and Yugoslavia (1900), England (1901) and Germany (1915). So during his lifetime Father Jordan established the Society in 14 different countries. This was indeed the result of tireless activity and very many long journeys by him. Since then our Society has spread throughout the world proclaiming Jesus Christ as the only Saviour of the world. The Salvatorians in Australia began in 1961 when the Archbishop of Perth, Redmond Prendiville, sent a letter of invitation to the head of our Society in Rome, replying to the invitation Fr Schweizer sent the first Savatorian, Fr Paul Keyte to Australia in Fr Paul was asked to take pastoral care of the new parish of Bellevue. The beginnings were difficult. The parish community life centered around the local catholic school, as there was no church, and no parish house or office facilities. In the following years a few more Salvatorians from the British Province joined Fr Paul. In 1966 the new St Anthony s, together with the accommodation for priests and the parish centre were opened in Bellevue. The parish of St Anthony was the only Salvatorian centre in Australia until the year 1982, when Fr Aloysius McDonagh became the Parish Priest of Esperance, in the diocese of Bunbury. In the late 70 s, prompted by the shortage in numbers, the British Province of the Salvatorians seriously considered passing on their ministry in Australia to the vibrant Polish Province. During the transition period ( ) four Polish Salvatorians worked together with the British Province Salvatorians (who were mostly Irish). Over all there had been six Salvatorian priests and one brother from the British Province who worked in Australia in In 1987 the Polish Province of Salvatorians officially took over from the British Province. This decision created a need for new people who would continue the ministry undertaken by the Salvatorians from the British Province. As a result three volunteers from the Polish Province arrived in Perth in Since then, almost every year, we have been getting new blood from Poland. At present there are over twenty Polish Salvatorians sharing their lives and ministry in Australia. Thanks to the wonderful personal support of the Polish Province we have been able to expend and undertake pastoral care in a number of parishes in Perth and country areas of Western Australia. Since 1999 Polish Salvatorians have been working also in the Broken Bay Diocese, NSW. Following the teaching of our Founder, Fr Francis Jordan, we try to take a broad approach to our priestly ministry. Therefore, we do not restrict ourselves to the parish pastoral ministry only. A few of our priests have been working as school chaplains over the last several years Father Francis Jordan founded the Salvatorians (formerly Apostolic Teaching Society) in Rome Mother Mary of the Apostles (now Blessed) co-founded the Sisters branch of the Salvatorians in Tivoli, Italy near Rome.

5 SECOND RITE OF RECONCILIATION 13 Thursday Thursday 13 December Sacred Heart, Mona Vale 7.30pm CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES 2018 Monday 24 Monday 24 December Maria Regina 6.00pm Children s Mass Carols from 8.30pm 9.00pm Mass of the Night Sacred Heart School Grounds 5.00pm Children s Mass 9.00pm Youth Mass Sacred Heart Carols from 11.30pm Midnight Mass Tuesday 25 Tuesday 25 December Maria Regina 9.00am Sacred Heart 8am and 9.30am 6.00pm Croatian Mass Christmas Roster Monday 24 December - 5pm Family Mass: Sacred Heart School Matt Byrne and Gerry Quinn From Sacred Heart School (MAss of the Night) Anne Duncan Margo Quinlan Julianna Johnston Suellen Garey Nicolette Cilia Bev Carmichael Maryanne Kelly Chris McBryde Simon Hyland and Soul Monday 24 December - 9pm Youth Mass: Sacred Heart School Dave Traves & A Pienkowski Soul (Mass of the Night) Denise Bottero Miranda Papandrea Mark Suters Norma Dennis Suzie Randolph Pauline Chipman Martin Kerragan Phil Gough Simon Hyland and Soul Monday 24 December - 6pm Family Mass: Maria Regina David West Sam to organise Francis Kelly Joanne Kelly Rosemary Connors Sam Browne & Youth Choir Monday 24 December - 9pm Mass: Maria Regina Volunteers please Veronica Thomas (Mass of the Night) Paula Lancuba Diana Taranto Avalon Choir Monday 24 December - Midnight Mass: Sacred Heart Ray Gillis Yvonne Gibbs & Adora Barbacetto Margaret Bomford Yvonne Gibbs Mona Vale Choir Computer: Laura Ee Tuesday 25 December - 8am Mass: Sacred Heart David Frazer Sheila Upjohn & Liam Kenny Kath Kaufer Chris Tocchini Stefan Wasinski Joan Wood TBC Computer: Putri Rosati Tuesday 25 December - 9am Mass: Maria Regina Miles Abrahams Anne Gerathy Judith Ratcliff Marion Russell Sam Browne, Klara & Catherine Perkins Computer: Margaret Abrahams Tuesday 25 December am Mass: Sacred Heart Tony Macri Pauline Chipman Therese Keane Volunteer Please Charles Wilkinson & Anna Walding Computer: Margaret Cliff As we are expecting more parishioners and their families and friends as well as vistors, this Christmas time, could we request that if you are able to volunteer and fill any of the available positions, please contact the parish office on or media@pittwaterparish.org Thank you.

6 The Living Word First Reading Bar 5:1-9 A reading from the prophet Baruch Jerusalem God will show you splendour. Jerusalem, take off your dress of sorrow and distress, put on the beauty of the glory of God for ever, wrap the cloak of the integrity of God around you, put the diadem of the glory of the Eternal on your head: since God means to show your splendour to every nation under heaven, since the name God gives you for ever will be, Peace through integrity, and honour through devotedness. Arise, Jerusalem, stand on the heights and turn your eyes to the east: see your sons reassembled from west and east at the command of the Holy One, jubilant that God has remembered them. Though they left you on foot, with enemies for an escort, now God brings them back to you like royal princes carried back in glory. For God has decreed the flattening of each high mountain, of the everlasting hills, the filling of the valleys to make the ground level so that Israel can walk in safety under the glory of God. And the forests and every fragrant tree will provide shade for Israel at the command of God; for God will guide Israel in joy by the light of his glory with his mercy and integrity for escort. The word of the Lord Responsorial Psalm Ps 125. R. v.3 (R.) The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy. When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, it seemed like a dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, on our lips there were songs. (R) The heathens themselves said: What marvels the Lord worked for them! What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad. (R) Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage as streams in dry land. Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap. (R) They go out, they go out, full of tears, carrying seed for the sowing: they come back, they come back, full of song, carrying their sheaves. (R) Second Reading Phil 1: A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Philippians Show yourselves sinless and without blame in the day of Christ. Every time I pray for all of you, I pray with joy, remembering how you have helped to spread the Good News from the day you first heard it right up to the present. I am quite certain that the One who began this good work in you will see that it is finished when the Day of Christ Jesus comes. God knows how much I miss you all, loving you as Christ Jesus loves you. My prayer is that your love for each other may increase more and more and never stop improving your knowledge and deepening your perception so that you can always recognise what is best. This will help you to become pure and blameless, and prepare you for the Day of Christ, when you will reach the perfect goodness which Jesus Christ produces in us for the glory and praise of God. The word of the Lord Gospel Acclamation Lk 3:4. 6 Alleluia, alleluia! Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all people shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia! Gospel Lk 3:1-6 A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke All people shall see the salvation of God. In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar s reign, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judaea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of the lands of Ituraea and Trachonitis, Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the pontificate of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah, in the wilderness. He went through the whole Jordan district proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the sayings of the prophet Isaiah: A voice cries in the wilderness; Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley will be filled in, every mountain and hill be laid low, winding ways will be straightened and rough roads made smooth. And all mankind shall see the salvation of God. The Gospel of the Lord. REFLECTION by Dianne Bergant CSS The advent of God s coming with its promise of fulfilment happens within world history. The first reading locates God s act of restoration in the city of Jerusalem. The gospel situates the ministry of John within a particular period of world history. They point us to historical experience as the place and the time of restoration, of incarnation, of redemption. They show us that God works within everyday life, in conventional places, during regular time. In fact, from a human point of view, the extraordinary events of salvation took place within what was quite ordinary. John proclaims the kind of transformation that results in a change of heart. Reversals characterise such transformation: the robe of mourning is replaced by the splendour of glory; tears are turned into rejoicing; those led away by enemies are brought back by God; valleys are filled, mountains are levelled, winding roads are made straight; even nature offers itself as shelter for the people of God. Those who are shamed and discarded are made glorious; those who suffer are comforted; the oppressed are freed; all of life s obstacles are removed; the way to God is made straight; the natural world enjoys peace and harmony. The transformation or repentance of heart takes place within human life, within relationships of justice between people and with the earth, in right living, in genuine unselfish love. It produces the fruits of righteousness of which Paul speaks. Advent is the time to prepare ourselves for this. EUCHARISTIC FAST. Dianne Bergant CSS Those who receive holy communion are to abstain for one hour beforehand from all food and drink with the exception of waterand medicine. This does not apply to the elderly, the sick and those who care for them, or to priests celebrating a second or third Mass on a given day. It is most strongly recommended that the faithful receive holy communion in the course of a eucharistic celebration. CCL

7 MICHAEL PAUL Experienced Catholic Accredited Specialist Family Lawyer Family Law Issues Family Trusts Wills & Succession Planning Contested Estate Issues Suite 29, Level 4 Gateway Building 1 Mona Vale Road Tel: mpaul@millsoakley.com.au millsoakleyfamilylawsydney Liturgy for the Week 10/12 Monday 2nd Week of Advent Is 35:1-10; Lk 5: /12 Tuesday 2nd Week of Advent Is 40:1-11; Mt 18: /12 Wednesday 2nd week of Advent Is 40:25-31; Mt 11: /12 Thursday St Lucy, virgin, martyr Is 41:13-20; Mt 11: /12 Friday St John of the Cross, priest, doctor Is 48:17-19; Mt 11: /12 Saturday2nd Week of Advent Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11; Mt 17:10-13 Disabled Parking Area There are 2 Disabled Parking Spaces available on the grounds. Please observe the signs and refrain from parking in the Disabled Parking Area or in the driveway, especially during the weekends when Mass is on, and reserve this for our parishioners who are in need of the space. Thank you 54 Darley Street Mona Vale

8 PITTWATER PHARMACY COMPOUNDING CHEMIST Ralph Papandrea B.PHARM (Hons) MSc. MPS Len Papandrea B.PHARM. MPS Sam Papandrea B.PHARM. MPS Andrew Snow B.PHARM. MPS 1771 Pittwater Road Mona Vale 2103 Ph: Fax: PITTWATER CELLARS Your Local Independant Store Paul Bottero 1755 Pittwater Road Mona Vale NSW 2103 Phone: Fax: PLUMBERS DRAINARES GASFITTERS LPG GAS BLOCKED DRAINS WATER JETTERS CCTV INSPECTIONS PIPE FREEZING THERMOSTATIC VALVES BACKFLOW PREVENTION brocksplumbing.com.au