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"Be on guard! Be alert" (Mark 13:33)
Shutterstock stock photo ID:Image ID:361272128. Time to be vigilant motivation message on concept clock. By donskarpo
THE PASTOR'S POST: Is It That Time Already?
Each year in late November or early December marine biologists travel from all over the world to North Queensland so that they can sit in boats out on the coral reefs. There they patiently wait to watch and to learn from the spawning of the coral. The exact night that this event will occur is not known, but the event always occurs about the same time of year. Conditions have to be right: relatively little tidal movement; a period of darkness must pass before the corals will spawn so artificial lighting will delay the process. One interesting fact is that although there are many different types of coral they all spawn at the same time. As they wait for the coral spawning the scientists listen, observe what is going on; avoid disturbing the natural course of this phenomenon. They know that while they gently and patiently wait the process has already begun and in waiting they prepare, trying to become at-one with nature and the birthing that is happening around them, but knowing that what they see and observe is nothing compared to the upside down snow storm that is happening beneath the surface.
The marine biologists were not waiting because there was nothing to do. They were very much at-one with what was happening around them. They were alert, attentive, listening and observing, excited and stimulated. These watching and waiting biologists would have no trouble understanding the intention of Advent, since the readings of Advent are interwoven in this theme of waiting, conversion, change of heart, centring ourselves and living with the questions all reflect the theme of waiting. It's hard to do in this impatient, live-for-the-moment, and don't-waste-a-second world of ours, but after the year that has been we should be more skilled at being patient and taking time to get things right.
Advent is not simply an immediate preparation for Christmas, but it invites us to expand our horizons beyond the first coming of Christ. There are two comings of Christ. We begin with the second first. The early weeks of Advent concentrate on the second coming. Although it's supposed to be a joyful expectation, the readings give us images of watery destruction, sudden rapture and prowling thieves. The picture we have of the end of time is terrifying; the world engulfed in flame and a fearsome judge calling us to account for our sins. Why should we look forward to the end? Yet the early Christians had an intense yearning for it. They had no anxiety about death. We don't like to think about it, talk about it, see it, or have any signs of it in sight. Anxiety also comes from guilt, a gut feeling that there is something wrong with us and with our world. It has gone wrong and is beyond repair. We are divided, we fight against ourselves, we have good intentions but do wrong nevertheless. We cannot undo the evil we have done.
Advent is an invitation for us to trace back our unhappiness with life to its roots: anxiety about death and guilt and to realise that we need to be saved from them, the way the early Christians were. We need someone who can transform death into resurrection and give meaning to our lives, to take away our guilt.
Today we start in the dark in the shadows of our own fears. We realise that we have come only so far, a people caught between the Jesus who came and the Jesus who will come again. The 1st. Sunday of Advent is the dawn of a new liturgical year. In the next few weeks we begin to move from the darkness into the bright light. We hear in Jesus' stern command to watch his firm promise that there will be a final healing for those who follow him and a final rejection of those who have turned against him.
We stand on this spiritual ledge so far, straining on tiptoe to catch sight of the coming light. Listen carefully to the prayers of the Mass over the next four weeks, especially the Prefaces that precede the Eucharistic Prayers as they remind us that : We should watch for the day hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours when Christ our Lord will come again in his glory.
Fr Peter Dillon PP.
CHRISTMAS MASSES IN SURFERS PARADISE CATHOLIC PARISH
Due to Covid-19 we have scheduled extra masses for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Please note that they will be at different times from previous years due to COVID. Because of Covid restrictions the numbers will be limited and it is absolutely vital that people book in advance. As the masses need to be by booking only, times will not be advertised widely, as we cannot accommodate any people who simply turn up without a confirmed booking.
Any bookings made for the mass that was on the booking site for 25th December (which was just a standard entry for a weekday mass sequence), will be cancelled so that the new Christmas schedule can be set up.
The dispensation from attending Mass continues to apply in these times of Covid restrictions and if people are unable to book into a mass we will have the Mass for you at home audio liturgy and also other streaming options. Thank you for your cooperation at this time.
(Please do not assume the usual schedule for Christmas masses, and in any case pre-booking is vital).
Mass Booking: https://bookeo.com/catholicmassgoldcoast or, if you are unable to book online, please ring the parish office between 9am and 12 noon Mon-Fri. Ph: 5572 5433
Yours faithfully, The Parish Team
FISH FEAST (Numbers limited) - Last Chance!
Let us get-together for a 'FISH FEAST' on Friday 04 December, 12noon
At The Fish Emporium at Capri On Via Roma, Isle of Capri
Your choice of:
*Classic fish n chips box or *Classic calamari and chips box or *Fish burger and chips or *Chicken schnitzel burger and chips. Rate $15.00 per person (drinks and desert additional).
The spacious deck at "THE FISH EMPORIUM" - an ideal place, offers north-east views of the city skyline over the water (Covid social distancing will be in place). Let us begin meeting new friends & reacquainting ourselves with old friends from our Church's congregations. This is a special offer for our Parish extended to us by the owners of the restaurant.
Bookings are required (Numbers Are Limited).
You may contact Marguerite McMahon on margueritemcmahonts@gmail.com (or phone 0408 765 954) (Marguerite is a parishioner @ Stella Maris on Sunday and mid-week at Sacred Heart)
RSVP by Wednesday 2nd December).
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS - Rite of Acceptance
Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens
and Full Communion of Candidates.
Presentation to the Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish Community
29th November Sunday 9am Sacred Heart Church
It is with great pleasure we welcome those Catechumens and Candidates who have commenced a journey of enquiry and faith towards Easter in 2021.
The Catechumens - Spencer Brocklebank and his two children, Tristan Mann and his three children and James Cannon are seeking Baptism and Candidates - Christine Taylor, Tom Blackhurst and Brady McFadden are seeking Full Communion with the Catholic Church. We will celebrate their Rite of Acceptance and Presentation of the Bible at the 9am Mass at Sacred Heart Church on this Sunday 29th November and invite all Parishioners of our Parish to pray for our Catechumens and Candidates during this journey to Easter as they come to know Jesus more deeply in their lives and to join us each week in celebrating the Mass.
We ask for many blessings on all who journey in faith and offer our support and prayers for you and your families during this time.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL CHRISTMAS APPEAL
Our Annual request for Gifts started with the Distribution of Scrolls last Weekend. We would appreciate it if you could take some scrolls if you have not done so, and bring the nominated gifts to church and place them under the Christmas Tree. Your generous assistance in donating gifts for the Christmas Hampers is greatly appreciated.
The Annual Christmas Appeal will be conducted on the weekend 5th and 6th of December, at all churches with a leaving collection. Your generous donations over the years have assisted us in giving our Companions a great Christmas with food, gifts and toys for the children. This year due to COVID there will be more Families and Single Companions requesting a Christmas Hamper, so please give generously.
God Bless
Craig McMahon. (Surfers Paradise Conference President of SVdP).
A SMALL BUT SIGNIFICANT CHANGE TO THE ROMAN MISSAL AS OF ADVENT I :
A Change to the Roman Missal - as of First Sunday of Advent 2020 onwards - Changes to the "Collects" (opening prayers) in the Roman Missal
(From The Bishops Commission for Liturgy | 28 September 2020)
On 13 May 2020, Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, wrote to Episcopal Conferences in relation to a change to the Trinitarian conclusion to the collects (opening prayers) in the Roman Missal (2010).
Until recently, a typical conclusion to the collect read as follows:
"Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever."
Cardinal Sarah's letter indicated that the inclusion of the word "one" before God is problematic in relation to the Latin text: "Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum".
In relation to the inclusion of the word "one" before God, Cardinal Sarah wrote:
"… can serve to undermine the statement of the Son's unique identity within the Trinity which the Latin formulas so strongly convey and, on the other hand, it can also be interpreted as saying that Jesus Christ is 'one God.' Either or both of these interpretations is injurious to the faith of the Church."
It is clear from the Latin texts that the doxology emphasises the divinity of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Son, who intercedes on our behalf, as the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, to the Father and which prayer is made in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Thus the Son's role of priestly mediation is made clear. To transfer the Trinitarian relational element in unitate as meaning unus Deus is incorrect.
The omission of the word "one" before God will mean that the three possible conclusions to the collects [as outlined in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (2012), n. 54] will read as follows:
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
Or
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
Or
Who live and reign with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
Following advice from the Bishop's Commission for Liturgy, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference approved the change to the Trinitarian conclusions to the collect prayers in the Roman Missal. The change will take effect from the First Sunday of Advent, 29 November 2020.
From the Bishops Commission for Liturgy (Dated: 28 September 2020)
STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION
"Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come." - Mark 13:33
We all take things for granted. In particular, we take time for granted. We make our lives too busy. We plan our time, our days, weeks, months, even years in advance. Remember, our time on earth is a gift. None of us knows how long we will be here. Start today and begin thanking God for each and every day. Take time in silence, every day, and listen to how God is calling you right now to help build His kingdom on earth.
The vision of Stewardship speaks in every aspect of life, inviting everyone to be thankful, generous and accountable for what each has been given.
SACRED HEART AND ST VINCENT'S RELIGIOUS GOODS SHOPS
Available now are Columban Art Calendars, an iconic Catholic Calendar, well-known for its traditional religious paintings and liturgical information. 2021 marks the 99th edition.
2021 Daily Mass Books and God's Word for 2021 in the shops now
Phone orders and enquiries ring Pat 0404 805 819
THE GOSPEL THIS WEEKEND
Image: shutterstock licensed. ID: 406003843. Large and diverse group of people - aerial perspective gathered together in the shape of an eye, 3d. By Arthimedes
Our Church year begins on this weekend with the first Sunday of Advent. A time of preparation, expectation and waiting. But it's not an idle wait. We are called to be awake and prepared. Particularly using this time before the Feast of Christ's birth at Christmas, to be aware of our need to be busy and active in cooperating with God in the building up of God's kingdom in the places we live and work and socialize. We make room for Christ so that his coming will find our hearts open to respond to his values and his leadership. May this be a wonderful time of preparation for the feast of God who lives with us.
Advent has two particular qualities: It is a season to prepare for Christmas when Christ's first coming to us is remembered; and secondly, Advent is a season where our mind and heart is directed to awaiting Christ's Second Coming, at the end of time. (Roman Calendar, 1969)
ADVENT IS UPON US. A time of waiting and of new beginnings. Advent literally translates as "Arrival" or "coming." We are preparing for the commemoration of when Jesus arrived in Bethlehem. Jesus comes to us in so many ways in our daily lives, and we are invited to be open to receive him and respond to his action and we also await his coming on the last day. You will have noticed a couple of things are a little different in this Advent season we are now in. Every season of the church year takes on a distinct tone and feeling. Firstly, the colour of the season of Advent is Purple (or "Violet").
Naturally in the lead up to Christmas, (in this time of waiting and preparing), the Gloria is not sung (or recited) again until Christmas night.
With the start of Advent, a new Church year has begun and with it comes a new reading cycle. We are now beginning YEAR B, the year where we systematically read through the Gospel of Mark. Mark's Gospel was written about 65-67 AD, most likely in Rome. Mark wrote to strengthen his community at a time of impending persecution by the Roman Empire. The Gospel covers Our Lord's ministry in Galilee and beyond, his journey to Jerusalem, his symbolic actions and teachings, his rejection, passion, death and resurrection. The secret that is slowly revealed in the journey of this Gospel is that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, who has the authority and power of God. He offered his life to save us all.
Today we are reminded to stay awake and stay alert, there is no time like the present to be about God's work. Since we do not know the day of the Lord's coming, God expects us to be like faithful members of the master's household who have the Lord's interest at heart and not just our own self- interest. So, whilst we do not know the day or the hour we can ensure that our priorities and choices, values and actions are at all times consistent with the values of Christ in the gospel. To deepen our fundamental core values to be based on love, compassion, generosity, empathy, justice, mercy and practical assistance to those who are in need. We should not be waiting like people who are afraid of their employer since God invites us to share in his vision and way of seeing the world.
If the master comes unexpectedly, even in the events and circumstances of our daily lives, we hope our reaction will be joy and welcome. Look, Lord, we have been working away at the things you love we hope you are pleased with our priorities and actions.
At Christ's coming, Lord, may we be found to be at peace with you and our neighbour and our hearts filled with love and kindness.
Saint Augustine once wrote: "It is by design that Our Lord hid the time and date of the last day from us. It is so that we would be on the lookout for Christ every day of our lives. "
If we were somehow to know when the day of the Lord will come, we would be focusing on the deadline the endpoint. Instead of being busy with our work along the way. The Kingdom is not a conclusion point. The Kingdom is a way to live and act in each moment of life here and now.
No wonder many completely missed the first coming of the Messiah, some two thousand years ago they were looking into the past or the distant future and completely missed what was happening in the present! They were also looking for the wrong signs. They expected a warrior king but the one who arrived was a suffering servant. He came and went and many were not awake to his presence among them. The pattern of watchfulness is the same as Christ's passion and death. On that night before, the disciples fell asleep, they were unprepared when Our Lord was arrested under cover of darkness and unprepared and shocked, despite Our Lord's constant teachings to them and his equally strident warnings to prepare themselves for the shocks and ordeals ahead, - and – unprepared - they became frightened and confused and ran away abandoning our Lord. Peter was also not as ready as he needed to be - when he was accused of knowing Christ and, in the pressure of the moment, desperately and unthinkingly denied Christ three times before the cockcrow. And at dawn the Lord was sent to be tried. By contrast. Jesus was ready at all times.
We must be too. Alert and always ready to live the gospel.
In the Gospel, Jesus challenges us to "stay awake", to pay attention. But, pay attention to what? - Pay attention to the things of the Kingdom around us. Being attentive to our lives. Looking our family member or friend in the eye when they're telling us something. Notice the look of worry or frustration on our friend's brow. Taking time to savour the things around us that we see and hear and taste, and staying alert for news of hardships suffered by people in our own community or even further afield.
Advent is a time to be watchful and see if we are ready; Ready to welcome Christ in so many ways.
And meanwhile, as Saint Paul says in the second reading: "You will not be without any of the gifts of the Spirit while you are waiting for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. (1 Corinthians 1:7)
Am I willing to let God be the potter, and myself be the clay in his hands shaping my life? We believe in God, but do we trust in God sufficiently to allow God to mould us and shape us in different directions than our own willfulness– to step back from the control-seat and let God steer us a bit more. To open ourselves to being transformed by God's hand.
This gospel, though, invites us to order lives and priorities and be trained to respond swiftly to the things of the Kingdom and the action of OUR Lord, and ready to respond to the unexpected turns of life.
Surely, countless Christ-moments and Kingdom building moments come our way every day and who knows how many are missed or perhaps sometimes we are aware of how we missed them or responded poorly to them because we were on the back foot and not ready and so as this Advent time begins we remain alert and awake.
To listen to the whole Sunday Mass each week (including homily) from Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish, please visit this link: Liturgy for you at Home (by SPCP) - https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
Fr. Paul Kelly
[References: Brown, R., Fitzmyer, J. and Murphy, R. (1993). The New Jerome Bible handbook. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press; Bergant, D. and Fragomeni, R. (1999). Preaching the new lectionary. Year B. Collegeville, Minn. : Liturgical Press; Birmingham, M. (2000). Word & worship workbook for year B. New York, N. Y. Paulist Press. P 55-5, Link, M. (2000). Mission. Praying Scripture in a Contemporary Way. Year B. Allen, Tex.; Resources for Christian Living]
PARISH FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Now, more than ever, your support is needed to help our Parish to continue valuable pastoral activities and to provide ongoing sustainability. To assist you to support the Parish, you can give via http://parishgiving.brisbanecatholic.org.au
If you are able to continue to support us, we would be most grateful. For all those who have been making payments via credit card and those who have donated directly into the parish account, we thank you. The spirit of generosity is alive in our Parish. If you would like confirmation of your donation or a receipt emailed to you please contact me at man.surfers@bne.catholic.net.au. Or, please ring the parish office between 9am and 12 noon Mon-Fri. Ph: 5572 5433.
Have you seen the beautiful new timber stands in the church? They are called 'payWave' (or 'tap-and-go' machines).
These are a handy new way of donating to the parish.
Following several requests from parishioners, we have decided to provide payWave facilities in each of our Parish Churches, to assist people who may wish to donate to the work of the parish, but find that they don't have ready access to cash when they arrive at Church.
The donation points are set at $5, so that each time you wave your credit card you would be making a donation to the parish of $5 (or $10 if you wave twice and so on). EFTPOS is also available for larger amounts. We hope this will be a more convenient way for some parishioners to donate to the parish, and that people will not feel uncomfortable if they do not contribute when the plate comes past at the collection times. All in all it is a safer, easier and more sensible way to donate as the carrying of cash is fast becoming a thing of the past. Please ask for assistance from the priests or Mass coordinators if you experience any difficulties or have questions or concerns.
To payWave, just tap a credit card or bank card on the sensor and it will donate $5 and once it has processed this first tap, (which may take 30 seconds), you can tap it again, to give another $5, and so on. A safe and handy way to give money.
God bless you for your support.
Yours faithfully, Sonya Slater, Parish Manager
LITURGY SPOT
"The Liturgy of the Word is to be celebrated in such a way as to promote meditation, and so any sort of haste that hinders recollection must clearly be avoided. During the Liturgy of the Word, it is also appropriate to include brief periods of silence, accommodated to the gathered assembly, in which, at the prompting of the Holy Spirit, the word of God may be grasped by the heart and a response through prayer may be prepared. It may be appropriate to observe such periods of silence, for example, before the Liturgy of the Word itself begins, after the first and second reading, and lastly at the conclusion of the homily." (GENERAL INSTRUCTION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL, para. 56).
Fr Paul Kelly Image Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash.
SMART LOVING PROGRAM:-
Wanted: Loving Married Couples to Become a Sponsor couple.
SmartLoving is a Catholic marriage ministry and is calling for enthusiastic married couples to journey with an engaged couple as they prepare to be married in the Catholic Church. Find out more at this free information session: Wed, 9 December - 8pm AEDT
CARITAS SOUTH-EAST ASIA - TYPHOON APPEAL
Caritas Australia has had a significant number of enquiries from people wishing to know what we are doing in relation to providing emergency aid to the Philippines and other East Asian nations affected by the recent Typhoons. Caritas Australia's thoughts and prayers are with the people of the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia who have been devastated by unprecedented flooding after Typhoon Vamco hit the region - only weeks after being hit by Super Typhoon Goni, the strongest storm this year. Severe flooding has submerged towns up to 12 metres deep across the Cagayan region of the Philippines, leaving tens of thousands of families trapped without electricity, clean water or road access. Across the region, homes have been destroyed and livelihoods lost with hundreds of thousands of people fleeing to evacuation centres, where the risks of spreading COVID-19 are high.
With your help, and with our church and NGO partners on the ground, we can provide vital support to those affected by this and other disasters as part of our Asia Emergency Appeal. Donate today at www.caritas.org.au or by calling 1800 024 413 toll free.
NOVEMBER REMEMBRANCE MASS FOR THE IRISH COMMUNITY
You are invited to come and join with other members of our Irish and Irish-Australian Community in praying for the peaceful repose of your deceased relatives and friends at a November Remembrance Mass, which will take place on Sunday 29 November at 11.00am in Guardian Angels Church, Scarborough Street, Southport.
The Celebrant will be Fr John Maher.
Tea/coffee will be served afterwards – an opportunity to renew old acquaintances and meet new friends.
Because of COVID restrictions on numbers attending, attendees are asked to indicate their intention to be present - so please contact Joe Thompson on 0407 410 041 and advise him if you are coming. thompson-j@bigpond.com
MASS TIMES (PRE-BOOKING ESSENTIAL)
Additional to the above times, we will continue to celebrate weekday Mass at Sacred Heart at 9am.
The 9am Saturday Mass will be on the First Saturday of the month (5th Dec) at Sacred Heart.
Please remember that as per restrictions we are still expected to book and check in for mass, maintain a social-distance of 1.5metres, receive Holy Communion in the hand only, refrain from physical contact when offering the Sign of Peace, and to sanitise when entering and exiting the premises. We ask that people consult the parish website www.surfersparadiseparish.com.au, to keep up to date with any changes relating to masses.
Mass Booking: bookeo.com/catholicmassgoldcoast or if you are unable to book online, please ring the parish office between 9am and 12 noon Mon-Fri. Ph: 5572 5433
Have you ensured that your contact details are up to date with the Parish:
Please fill out this form if you are unsure. Census Form Information Update
SURFERS PARADISE CATHOLIC PARISH - CENSUS UPDATE
Are you on our mailing list for the weekly e-newsletter, weekly homily/Mass audio blog and occasional breaking news alerts? If not, please email us at paulwkelly68@gmail.com. Note: sometimes we have added a person to our email-list but the email is going to their 'spam' or 'junk-mail' folder. It is a good idea to check these folders to see if it is there. If that is happening to you, you can mark these emails as 'approved' or 'not-spam/junk', so your email server lets them get through to you.
You can visit the Stay Connected page on our website to find an extensive list of information and resources.
Liturgy for you at Home (produced by SPP): https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
Weekly Homily (produced by SPP): https://homilycatholic.blogspot.com
Surfers Paradise Parish Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/surferscatholic/
Breaking Parish News (SPP Blog): https://news-parish.blogspot.com/
Access the digital Catholic Leader: https://catholicleader.com.au/digital-newspaper-covid19
CHRISTMAS PRESENCE: Advent Retreat (St Mary's - Coomera)
What are your spiritual gifts? (1 Corinthians 1:3-9)
2-5pm Saturday 28th November 2020
St Mary's Coomera Church: 185 Billinghurst Cres, Upper Coomera 4209
Booking Contact: Catherine Smith: 0401070821 or csmith3183@gmail.com
Lynne Head-Weir: 0409 198 545 or G.C.I.Arts.C@gmail.com Suggested donation: $10
CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION
Instructors And Assistants Needed at our local State Primary Schools for 1-2 hours per week.
Tell children about JESUS.
New volunteers are placed with experienced Instructors.
Training is free, with support.
An easy curriculum ensures Bible stories are covered to give an understanding of God's love.
The door is open for us to 'go' (Matthew 28:19)
Will you go?
For more information, please call Helene McCowan on 0419 747631 or email helene.mccowan@gmail.com
THE SACRED HEART BRIDGE CLUB
Meets at the Sacred Heart - Parish Hospitality Centre, Fairway Drive, Clear Island Waters.
Playing Bridge keeps your brain active and increases your social network! So why not give us a try?
Learn to play Bridge at "Our Friendly Club" - Free Lesson. "Introduction to Bridge"
Easy to learn format, no previous card playing experience necessary. All are welcome.
For more information and to enrol, Please phone: Cheryl 5538 8821 or Mob 0417 772 701
YOGA AT THE PARISH HOSPITALITY CENTRE
Come join us for our friendly, COVID-19 safe, class in the comfortable Hospitality Centre at the Sacred Heart Church, available every Tuesday 10:45am. Learn to relax, yet gain greater flexibility, inner strength, body awareness and concentration, all while increasing your breath support and general wellbeing. Ruth is an IYTA accredited instructor with wide experience and runs a caring, carefully monitored one hour session costing $10 (new attendees need to arrive by 10.30am to prepare adequately for class). For more information call Ruth on 0421338110.
AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED (ACN) -LEBANON UPDATE:
Immediately following the Beirut explosion, ACN provided an initial emergency grant of $400,00 AUD for food. ACN has just announced a further commitment of $8 million for the repair and reconstruction of churches and convents. ACN thanks everyone who has already donated to their national appeal and welcomes any further support. Visit www.aidtochurch.org/Lebanon or call 1800 101 201.
FR WARREN LIVESTREAM MASS on ShalomWorld.org website
Fr Warren will celebrate Mass live on "ShalomWorld TV" each Friday afternoon for the next few months at 1pm* (Brisbane time). (*adjusted for daylight saving).
If you want to join in you do this through a browser on your mobile device or computer (or by downloading the ShalomWorld app on a Smart TV or to your device). The link is: www.shalomworld.org/watchlive
You then need to get to choose "SW PRAYER" from the menu. It seems that all the browsers work a bit differently so we cannot give more precise details. Chrome, Edge or Safari are recommended. Firefox seems to have some difficulties. Warren Kinne
REACHING BEYOND 2020
People of all trades and professions are being requested by communities abroad seeking to build the capacity of their organisations and the skills of their people. Restrictions this year have made communities' needs acute, but your assistance will help to develop self-reliance and sustainable solutions to poverty. Palms Australia will provide you with thorough preparation to ensure your readiness as travel resumes, and support on assignment. See www.palms.org.au and talk to Roger on 0431 995 058, or email palms@palms.org.au
HELD IN GOD'S LOVING HANDS: A Quiet Weekend Retreat For Women
What do God's hands look like? How can we reimagine our lives held in lovingly cupped hands and held close? Comfort, compassion, mercy, nurture, deep love…
A weekend opportunity for women to leave behind the chaos and clutter that can be a part of life and enter into quiet in community. Come and experience a time of prayerful reflection.
Facilitated by Grace Harwood (Dragonfly Ministries)
2 opportunities to choose from:
Friday 11 December 6pm to Sunday 13 December 3pm OR Friday 15 January 6pm to Sunday 17 January 3pm
Location: Santa Teresa Spirituality Centre, Wellington Street, Ormiston
Cost: $370 ($340 for pensioners, f/t students and unemployed) includes all accommodation, meals, resources and facilitation. Santa Teresa requires an additional $30 fee for those with special diets.
To register or enquire contact: grace@dragonflyministries.net.au or 0409 524 283 (also Grace)
FANS IN THE CHURCH DURING HOT WEATHER ARE TO BE LEFT ON
It may be necessary to relocate to another seat that may better suit your needs or bring something warm to put on.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
IN OUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS AT THIS TIME.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK: Lakyn Kearins, Carmen Reeves, Patricia Moor, Roy Ferraro, Caterina (Cathy) Randazzo, Yvonne Warren, Ellanie Gonzalez, Draga Vlasic, Andrew Young, Sam Maxwell, Margaret Paterson, Rodney McGrath, Doug Reiser, Helen Bohringer, John Zappa, George & Margaret Cook, Peter O'Brien, Angela Duvnjak, Judy Dempsey, Monica Bailey, Rachel Raines, Savannah Ayoub, Lisa Mangan, Colin Virtue, Ann Harris, Ann-Marie Loder, Angel Salvador, Brian Woodgate, Clare Dobozy, Kate Smith, Tricia Baumann, Gus Reeves, Baby Maeve Lombard, Kathy Kiely, Ron Perry, Kim Parkes, Rosslyn Wallis, Jabour Haddad, Maureen Murphy, Peter Walsh, Arthur Haddad, Jean Di Benedetto, Damian Callinan, Rosemary Wales, Peter Allsopp, Yvonne Campesi, Louis Couch, Michael Tracey, Joanne Mooney, Joanne Parkes, Michelle MacDonald, John & Molly Robinson, Mary Kerr, Eileen McCarthy.
And all those suffering from the effects of Covid-19.
ALL THE HOLY SOULS - ESPECIALLY THOSE LISTED IN THE BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE AT THE CHURCHES
RECENTLY DECEASED: Leonardo Sorrenti, Anthony Netting, Ni Rui Yu, Garry Pearse, Alec Mackenzie (Scotland), Bridget (Breda) Dalton, June Marea Cogan, Douglas George Davey.
ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH: Doris Catherine Mathews, John And Eileen Dougherty, Joan Valmae Stewart, Fr Neal Shannon, Mary King, Enid Wynne, Ricardo Herft, Dalal Moussa, Anna Guila Diepold, Angela Radin, Michelina Pernazza, Peter John Llewellyn, Elda Ferluga, Howard John (John) Jones, Marko Jaksic, Fabian McCarthy (Bp Michael's Father).
Readings for 2nd Sunday of Advent - B
FIRST READING: Isa 40:1-5, 9-11
Psalm: Ps 85:9ab+10, 11-12, 13-14. "Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation"
SECOND READING: 2 Pet 3:8-14
Gospel Acclamation (Luke 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: Mark 1:1-8
"The Archdiocese of Brisbane holds that children and vulnerable adults are a gift from God with an intrinsic right to dignity of life, respect and security from physical and emotional harm. They are to be treasured, nurtured and protected from any harm."
As a Parish Community, we pray for a change of heart, that we respond to our grief by reaching out to one another in truth and love.
