Granville Catholic Church Record Vol. 1. No. 31. December 18, th Sunday of Advent, Year A

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1 Granville Catholic Church Record Vol. 1. No. 31. December 18, th Sunday of Advent, Year A The Official Bulletin of Holy Trinity Parish at Granville and Holy Family Parish at East Granville The Church dedicates the month of December to the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In teaching that Mary was conceived immaculate, the Catholic Church teaches that from the very moment of her conception, the The Month of the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Blessed Virgin Mary was free from all stain of original sin. This simply means that from the beginning, she was in a state of grace, sharing in God s own life, and that she was free from the sinful inclinations which have beset human nature after the fall of mankind. Scripture points to this truth. In the book of Genesis, in which the parallel between Mary and Eve: I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed: he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel (3:15). The early Church saw this passage as referring to the struggle between Christ and Satan, and so the Church sees in the woman a prophetic foreshadowing of Mary. If there is to be enmity between the woman and the serpent, then she was never in any way subject to him at all. This implies an Immaculate conception. The dignity of being Mother of God is of infinite dignity. Yet Christ taught that the holiness coming from hearing the word of God and keeping it is something greater still. Mary s holiness is great: none greater under God can be thought of, and no one but God can comprehend it. Even though Mary was full of grace at the start of her life, yet she could still grow, for, as it were, her capacity for grace could increase. A soul will grow in proportion to these things: firstly, the greater the dignity of the person, the greater the merit. In Mary s case, the dignity of Mother of God is the highest possible. Secondly, the greater the work, the greater the merit: Mary s cooperation in the redemption was the greatest work possible to a creature. Thirdly, the greater the love, the greater the merit. Love of God means the attachment of our will to His. Mary s will adhered supremely, with no obstacle at all, so that even ordinary household duties, which she saw as the will of the Father for her, were supremely valuable.

2 THE PARISH OFFICE HOLY FAMILY CHURCH HOLY TRINITY CHURCH Address 1 Randle Street, Granville, N.S.W T (02) E granville@parracatholic.org W W Holy Trinity Parish, Granville Holy Family Parish, East Granville TYM Granville Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Andrew Bass PP Assistant Priest Rev. Fr. Thomas Bui Director of Music Mr. John Portelli Sacraments and Youth Co-ordinator Miss Rosette Chidiac Parish Secretaries Mrs. Sonia Hoetzinger Mrs. Judy Smith Mrs. Annette Wirz Principal of Holy Family School Mrs. Yvette Baird Principal of Holy Trinity School Mrs. Helen Boyer Principal of Delany College Mr. Rob Muscat Missionary Sisters of Mary, Queen of the World Australia Sr. Justina Pham T (02) Holy Mass Tuesday, 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, 9:15 a.m. Thursday, 9:15 a.m. Friday, 9:15 a.m. Saturday, 6:00 p.m. Sunday, 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. JMJ Holy Rosary Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. Children s Liturgy Third Sunday of the Month, 9:30 a.m. Rosters Altar Society Flowers have been arranged for Christmas Readers Vigil no one rostered Midnight no one rostered 8:00 a.m. no one rostered 9:30 a.m. Lindsay Nakhoul Counters L. Barraket, N. Barraket, and P. Lourey Bus Driver John McIntyre CONFESSIONS Holy Family Church Saturday, 5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Holy Trinity Church Saturday, 5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. First Friday of the month, 6:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Holy Mass Monday, 8:15 a.m. Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, 8:15 a.m. Thursday, 8:15 a.m. Friday, 9:15 a.m. Saturday, 8:15 a.m. Saturday, 6:00 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Traditional Latin Mass First Thursday of the month, 7:00 p.m. Holy Mass and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. First Friday of the month, 7:00 p.m. Ghanaian Chaplaincy Mass Second and last Sunday of the month, 11:30 a.m. Vietnamese Chaplaincy Mass Sunday, 5:00 p.m. Rosters Church Cleaning Group 4: A. Quinlan, G. Pinto, M. Asiedu, M. Moses, G. Dankwah, M. Magpayo, C. Elegado, A. and J. Osei-Yamoah, J. Puni, L. Tordilla, S. Martin, O. Ofeanyi, J. John, J. Fili and A. Abosh Readers Vigil Rebecca Hanson and Gerry Pinto Midnight Rosette Chidiac 7:30 a.m. Blannie Rodricks, Ingrid Bifulco, and Sisters 9:30 a.m. Pierre Mariasson and Mary Bazelmans PRAYERS FOR THE SICK IN MEMORIAM Please remember in your prayers those who are sick including Archbishop Anthony Fisher, Janelle Allan, Marlene Ashton, Ann Blesson, Thomas Brady, Leslie Cotter, Eileen Dean, Joyce Dwyer, Evangeline Grabato, Elizabeth Hicks, Paul Hoes, Jacob Lee, Ester Matos, Tony Moussa, Ben Nursoo, Flory Pinto, Peter Rahme, Anna Saunig, and those who care for them. Saint Raphael, who are called the Remedy of God and the Angel of Health, pray for them. Amen. In your charity, pray for the souls of all the faithful departed, and particularly for the following deceased. The Arribas family, Laurence Barbeau, Marie Beatson, Federick Camilleri, Thora Violet Csoke, George Dib, Damia Dib, Michael Fahd, Raymond Gee, Jim Haddad, Raymond Bakos Hekeik, Simon Hekeik, Joe Joseph, May Joseph, the Khoury family, George Khoury, Hanne Khoury, Maria, Jack McIntyre, Charles Micallef, Sam Moussa, Guy Pitel, the Raad family, Yasmine Wehbe, Phyllis Yott, Joanne Younan.

3 HOLY FAMILY CHURCH Holy Family Parish will hold it s Christmas appeal in support of the work of St. Francis Social Services. This is a way for us to practice works of mercy and to truly celebrate the season of Christmas. St. Francis Social Services is a social services agency focused on helping both at-risk young people and their families and offering a place of welcome, trust and friendship for asylum seekers and refugees. Their work includes the Come in Youth Resource Centre for young people and their families in Pa d d i n g t o n, t h e G r e e n l i g h t Movement, a learner driver mentor program for disadvantaged young people operating in Bondi and the Sutherland Shire, and now the House of Welcome in Granville which they will open in St. Joseph s Convent across the road from the church. They rely on generous donations as well as our committed and professional staff and volunteers to maintain their highly regarded work in support of those in need. CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES Christmas Eve Saturday, December 24 th 6:00 p.m. Christmas Day Sunday, December 25 th Midnight 8:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. Christmas Eve Children s Nativity Play For all children, of any age, who are interested in taking part in this year s children s Nativity play before the Christmas Vigil Mass on Saturday, December 24 th, there will be a meeting at Holy Family Church beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 22 nd. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. St. Francis Social Services House of Welcome at St. Josephs Convent In support of St. Francis Social Services opening of their House of Welcome at St. Jospeh s Convent we are seeking the support of tradespeople and businesses. The convent is in need of extensive repairs and maintenance i n c l u d i n g e l e c t r i c a l w o r k, plumbing, painting, landscaping, and kitchen installation. If you are able to support any of these scheduled works we would be grateful for your support. If you can assist please contact the parish office on or granville@parracatholic.org. Thank you for your generous support and contributions.

4 Additional Confession Times As we prepare for the solemnity of the birth of Our Lord at Christmas, additional times will be available this week for confession. Tuesday, December 20 th 5:45 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Holy Mass at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 21 st 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Followed by Carols by Candlelight at 8:00 p.m. Piety Stall Christmas Goods Our church s piety stall has new Christmas goods in stock now. With nativity sets, Holy Family sets, angels, ornaments, Christmas cards and lots more all available for you to buy now. After Mass why not go in and have a look? The money raised by the piety stall all goes to support the good works of the parish and helps in the repairs and maintenance and the refurbishment of the church. The piety stall is open for the 6:00 p.m. vigil Mass on Saturdays and the 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. M a s s e s a n d t h e 5 : 0 0 p. m. Vietnamese Mass on Sundays. CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES Christmas Eve Saturday, December 24 th 6:00 p.m. Christmas Day Sunday, December 25 th Midnight 7:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. WEDNESDAY, 21 st DECEMBER We c o n t i n u e o u r A dve n t devotions in preparation for the solemnity of the birth of our Lord at C h r i s t m a s w i t h C a r o l s b y Candlelight at Holy Trinity Church on Wednesday, 21 st December at 8:00 p.m. We first celebrated this solemn service last year and it was a wonderful occasion with many people asking for a second service to be held. Th i s s e r v i c e, p r a y e d b y candlelight, includes the blessing of the crib and then a selection of readings telling of the birth of our Lord set amidst traditional carols sung by the Holy Trinity Choir. It is based on the ancient Festival of Nine Readings and Carols which has been celebrated for almost 150 years at Christmas. Join us for this beautiful carols service set inside the candlelit church as we await the coming of the true light of the world.

5 John Portelli O R G A N I S T Weddings and Special Occasions Available to Travel to Your Church Telephone John.Portelli@granvilleparish.org

6 Saints & STUFF St. John the Baptist St. John the Baptist was born through the intercession of God to Zachariah and Elizabeth, who was otherwise too old to bear children. According to scripture, the Angel Gabriel visited Elizabeth and Zachariah to tell them they would have a son and that they should name him John. Zachariah was skeptical and for this he was rendered mute until the time his son was born and named John, in fulfillment of God s will. When Elizabeth was pregnant with St. John, she was visited by the Blessed Virgin Mary, and St. John leapt in her womb. This revealed to Elizabeth that the child Mary carried was to be the Son of God. St. John began public ministry around 30 A.D., and was known for attracting large crowds across the province of Judaea and around the Jordan River. When Jesus came to him to be baptised, St. John recognised him and said, It is I who need baptism from you. St. John instructed his followers to turn to Christ, calling Him the Lamb of God and these people were among the first Christians. The Church celebrates his feast day on June 24 th. He is the patron saint of Jordan, Puerto Rico, French Canada, and many other places around the world. CATECHISM of the CATHOLIC CHURCH Advent 522 The coming of God's Son to earth is an event of such immensity that God willed to prepare for it o v e r c e n t u r i e s. H e m a k e s everything converge on Christ: all the rituals and sacrifices, figures and symbols of the 1 st Covenant. He announces him through the mouths of the prophets who succeeded one another in Israel. Moreover, he awakens in the hearts of the pagans a dim expectation of this coming. 523 St. John the Baptist is the Lord s immediate precursor or forerunner, sent to prepare his way. John surpasses all the prophets, of whom he is the last. He inaugurates the Gospel, already from his mother s womb welcomes the coming of Christ, and rejoices in being the friend of the bridegroom, whom he points out as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. 524 When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, the faithful renew their desire for his second coming. By celebrating the precursor s birth and martyrdom, the Church unites herself to his desire: He must increase, but I must decrease. CATHOLIC Trivia The Crib On Christmas Eve, A.D. 1223, St. Francis of Assisi created the first nativity in the Italian city of Greccio. With the help of a local nobleman, St. Francis celebrated the birth of Jesus in a cave outside the town. The scene featured a hayfilled manger in front of the temporary altar, and as St. Francis preached, the nobleman arranged to have an ox and a donkey stand at the altar as well. His idea for the nativity scene came out of his pilgrimage two years before to the Holy Land, to Bethlehem. He wanted others to have the chance to see this place but with mounting tensions in the Middle East at that time people were prevented from travelling. So he brought that scene to the people and re-created the stable and the manger. Over time these scenes grew increasingly popular until every church in Italy was expected to have a nativity scene like this. Over time, however, the living people were replaced with statues. As is customary, a massive nativity scene sits in St. Peter s Square at the Vatican. This year the crib was donated by Malta and includes a luzzu, a traditional boat used by Maltese fishermen. 28A South Street, Granville (02)

7 JUNIOR WORDSEARCH Jesus Christ is the Son of God J J S T I V M Y W L K T A P Y T S C T S R K E X Z T A L Q H U F H W L P O X W T Y I X Y L T E M M A N U E L T W W L N L U P R O M I S E D P Z E Y X H X Q L I J A S A M A R Y X Z U U O I M B X X S W W R C F E H X B E O M Z Q N E W S V C N U A S Q R M P P G D E A T H G M S C E J O S E P H P Q Q X A A Y C W P Y G D T L R P J F G N M T E V E X K G I O I H J E H O P Y N G B W P B K M F X D O A N C E T D R E A M O A T L L L L F A M I L Y B A B Y I N Y 4th Sunday of Advent, Year A [N04ADSUA_2004_CWG.rtf ] Try to find these words: baby death dream Emmanuel engaged family holy human Joseph Mary news promised Rom 1:2-4 Ps 24: abc R.v. (7c and 10b) Mt 1: Creative Ministry Resources Pty Ltd

8 4 th Sunday of Advent, Year A The Readings First Reading The Prophet Isaiah (7:10-14) The Lord spoke to Ahaz and said, Ask the Lord your God for a sign for yourself coming either from the depths of Sheol or from the heights above. No, Ahaz answered I will not put the Lord to the test. Then Isaiah said: Listen now, House of David: are you not satisfied with trying the patience of men without trying the patience of my God, too? The Lord himself, therefore, will give you a sign. It is this: the maiden is with child and will soon give birth to a son whom she will call Immanuel, a name which means God-is-with-us. Responsorial Psalm (Ps 23:1-6.. see vv. 7, 10). Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory. The Lord s is the earth and its fullness, the world and all its peoples. It is he who set it on the seas; on the waters he made it firm.. Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord? Who shall stand in his holy place? The man with clean hands and pure heart, who desires not worthless things.. He shall receive blessings from the Lord and reward from the God who saves him. Such are the men who seek him, seek the face of the God of Jacob.. Second Reading The Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (1:1-7) From Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus who has been called to be an apostle, and specially chosen to preach the Good News that God promised long ago through his prophets in the scriptures. This news is about the Son of God, who, according to the human nature he took, was a descendant of David: it is about Jesus Christ our Lord who, in the order of the spirit, the spirit of holiness that was in him, was proclaimed Son of God in all his power through his resurrection from the dead. Through him we received grace and our apostolic mission to preach the obedience of faith to all pagan nations in honour of his name. You are one of these nations, and by his call belong to Jesus Christ. To you all, then, who are God s beloved in Rome, called to be saints, may God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ send grace and peace. Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia! A virgin will give birth to a son; his name will be Emmanuel: God is with us. Alleluia! Gospel The Gospel of Matthew (1:18-24) This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins. Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Emmanuel, a name which means God-is-with-us. When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home.