Sunday 14th December, 2014 Third Sunday of Advent, Year B

Bridgeside Bulletin The weekly Bulletin of the

Catholic Parish of Forster Tuncurry

Holy Name of Jesus Parish Church 33 Lake Street, Forster

St Mary, Star of the Sea Church Cnr Kent & Peel Streets, Tuncurry

Proclaiming Christ to the communities of Forster, Tuncurry and the surrounding districts

Parish Fr Andrew Doohan (Parish Priest) Mr Greg Byrne (Pastoral Associate) Mrs Sharon Fowle (Administration Associate/Bulletin) Sr Kathryn McCabe (Aboriginal Catholic Ministry)

The Parish Office is at the rear of the Parish Hall and is normally staffed on Monday, Thursday and Friday from 10am to 4pm.

Items for inclusion in Bridgeside Bulletin should be received by midday on Thursday.

33 Lake Street, Forster NSW 2428 PO Box 67, Forster NSW 2428

P: (02) 6554 6304 F: (02) 6554 6425 E: forstertuncurryparish@gmail.com W: www.forstertuncurrycatholic.org.au

Fr Andrew’s email: fr.andrew.doohan@gmail.com.

Celebrating the Sacrament

Reconciliation is available on Saturday mornings at Tuncurry from 8:30am until the beginning of the 9am Mass, on Saturday afternoons at Forster from 4:45pm until 5:15pm.

Baptisms are celebrated on Sundays, either during any of our Sunday Masses or after the 9am Mass. The next Baptismal Preparation meeting will take place in the Parish Hall’s meeting rooms on Monday 9th February 2015 commencing at 7pm. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.

Weddings are celebrated by arrangement and with at least three (and preferably more) months notice. Please contact Fr Andrew for more details, or visit the Parish website.

A Sacramental Preparation process runs each year in the Parish for children wishing to complete the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation as part of the Parish community. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.

The Parish hosts the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults process for those adults wishing to be baptised or be received into the communion of the Catholic Church. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.

Search for us on Facebook as ‘Catholic Parish of Forster Tuncurry’

Follow us on Twitter: @ftcatholic

Holy Name Parish School (K-6)

Ms Brooke Schumann (Acting Principal)

41 Lake Street, Forster NSW 2428 PO Box 243, Forster NSW 2428

P: (02) 6554 6504 F: (02) 6554 8895 E: admin@forster.catholic.edu.au W: www.forster.catholic.edu.au

St Clare’s High School, Taree (7-12)

Mr Peter Nicholls (Principal)

Davis Street, Taree NSW 2430

P: (02) 6552 3300 F: (02) 6552 3656 E: admin@tareesc.catholic.edu.au W: www.tareesc.catholic.edu.au

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The Parish Diary…(for the week ahead) Third Week of Advent

Monday—15th December

Tuesday—16th December 9am Christian Meditation (Bob 6555 5914) 3:30pm Holy Hour @ Tuncurry 4:30pm Mass @ Tuncurry 5:30pm Christian Meditation (Bob 6555 5914) 5:30pm Singing Practice @ Tuncurry

Wednesday—17th December 9am Mass @ Forster 11:15am Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help @

Forster 5:30pm Parish Pastoral Council @ Forster

Thursday—18th December 9am Mass @ Forster 7pm Women’s Bible Study Group (Natasha

0407 589 935)

Friday—19th December 9:30am Mass @ Forster

Saturday—20th December 8:30am Reconciliation @ Tuncurry 9am Mass @ Tuncurry 4:45pm Reconciliation @ Forster (until 5:15pm) 6pm Mass @ Tuncurry

Sunday—21st December Fourth Sunday of Advent 7am Mass @ Tuncurry 9am Mass @ Forster

more information contact Natasha on 0407 589 935.

Christian Meditation Our Parish hosts a number of opportunities for the practice of Christian meditation. These opportunities takes place on Tuesdays at two distinct times, 9am and 5:30pm. Phone Bob on 6555 5914 for further information.

Maintenance & Gardening Group The Parish is served by a very dedicated band of volunteers who tend to the upkeep of the grounds and gardens of our two sites. Unfortunately the team are short on volunteers and are appealing to anyone who may be available to donate some of their time once a month to this worthy deed. Their next reunion will be on Thursday 18th December. Contact Howard 6557 6826 for more information.

Singing Practice The Singing Group will meet for the last time this year on Tuesday 16h December at Tuncurry at 5:30pm.

Collection of Foodstuffs for Homebase The next collection of foodstuffs in support of Homebase will be on Sunday 4th January 2015.

Holy Hour The Parish community observes a Holy Hour each Tuesday afternoon in the Tuncurry Church from 3:30pm until the beginning of Mass at 4:30pm.

Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help The Novena is prayed every Wednesday in the Forster church commencing at 11:15am and is followed by a cuppa in the Parish Hall. For more information contact Shioney on 6554 9468.

Evening Prayer & Benediction The Parish community celebrates on the first Sunday of each month at 5:30pm in the Tuncurry church. It will celebrated on Sunday 1st February 2015. All welcome.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word The next Children's Liturgy of the Word for children aged 4-12 will be on the 1st February 2015. Bring along your children or grandchildren to the 9am Mass at the Forster Church so they can be a part of this great new program. We also welcome you to join us for a cuppa after Mass.

Regular Activities in the Parish

Secular Franciscan Fraternity The Secular Franciscans Fraternity will next meet on Wednesday 4th February 2015, coming together for Mass at 9am, followed by a cuppa at 9:30am and then the meeting 10am to 12pm.

The menALIVE Groups Our Parish currently hosts a menALIVE group. They will next meet on Wednesday 24th December after the 9am Mass.

Women’s Bible Study Group Our Parish hosts a Women’s Bible Study Group that meets every Thursday evening from 7pm to 8pm. For

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Christmas Day Masses Our timetable of Masses for Christmas Day is as follows:

Wed 24th Dec 6:30pm Holy Name School, Lake St, Forster

Thu 25th Dec Midnight Holy Name Church, Forster

7am St Mary, Star of the Sea Church, Tuncurry

9am St Mary, Star of the Sea Church, Tuncurry

Weekend Masses in January During the Christmas/January holiday period, our weekend Masses will be celebrated as follows:

Saturdays 6pm St Mary, Star of the Sea Church, Tuncurry

Sundays 7am St Mary, Star of the Sea Church, Tuncurry

9am Holy Name of Jesus Church, Forster

5pm Holy Name of Jesus Church, Forster

Filipino Christmas Party—TODAY! Our Filipino friends will be hosting a Christmas party today, Sunday 14th December commencing at 12pm in the Church Hall. Plenty of entertainment to include, cultural dancing, lucky door prize, raffles and exchanging of gifts. Everyone welcome.

Witnesses Required The Parish has produced business card fridge magnets for distribution over the holiday period. We are calling on parishioners to be witnesses to their faith by presenting them to members of the congregation and other visitors to our Church. We encourage you to take this opportunity to introduce yourself or strike up a conversation if possible. We hope that this will help ensure all parishioners and visitors are welcomed by the Forster Tuncurry community.

If you believe you could be an ambassador, please contact the parish office for further details.

Weekend Masses in January—Update Please note that the advertised Masses in last weeks bulletin for January scheduled for 5.30pm will be on at 5pm (as per notice below and rosters).

Please consider volunteering if you recognise a shortfall over this busy period. Thank you.

From the Pastor’s Desk As I write this I am in Newcastle in preparation for the ordination as Priest of Peter Street. By the time you read this, that celebration will have taken place in the Cathedral Church of our Diocese.

This ordination has been a significant event in the life of our particular Church of Maitland-Newcastle. Peter’s ordination will be the first since the middle of 2007. As the saying goes, it’s been a long time between drinks!

As important as Friday’s ordination was for Peter, it is still by definition an ecclesial event, an occasion of celebration for the entire Church, because of the significance of what the event represents.

At the very heart of the Church’s understanding of ordained ministry is the recognition that those who respond to God’s invitation to ordained ministry are committing themselves to serve God through serving God’s People in a particular way, a way that helps to foster the mission of evangelisation that properly belongs to God’s People through baptism.

Congratulations to Fr Peter Street on reaching this milestone on his journey of faith and formation for ordained ministry, and our prayers for the future years as you strive to live the joys and challenges of ordained ministry in the Church of Maitland-Newcastle.

Ad multos annos!

Until next week… Fr Andrew

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REFLECTION by Greg Sunter

This week’s gospel should sound very familiar. It is the gospel of John version of the passage used in last week’s liturgy, which came from the gospel of Mark. Again it recalls the ministry of John the Baptist but it is given the particular slant of the gospel of John. Aside from the greater focus on the conversational interaction, it presents John as a ‘witness’. This is perhaps more typical of the John gospel emphasis on personal encounter with Jesus. Rather than acting as something of a herald, as in last week’s account, here John the Baptist is witnessing ‘to speak for the light’. He makes a very clear distinction between himself and

Children’s Liturgy It was lovely to see our parish children come together for Children’s Liturgy last weekend. They learned a lot and particularly enjoyed morning tea following Mass.

Morning tea also provided an opportunity to welcome new parishioners to the Forster Tuncurry community.

Looks like our Church continues to grow, thank God - the more the merrier! A big thanks to those who helped organise the day.

Next Children’s Liturgy will be held on Sunday 1st February, 2015.

Pictured below are Edward, Alice, Halle, Nicky, Jessica, Lauren & Lola-Rose.

Christmas Day Lunches

As Christmas approached in 1986, the local Catholic Priest, Fr. Tony Brady, became aware of some people in our community who would be spending Christmas Day alone. In an effort to reach out to these people, Fr. Tony instigated a Christmas Lunch in the Catholic Church Hall, Forster.

This event has continued each year since that time, catering to folk who may otherwise find the celebration of Christmas Day a rather lonely time. Each year single people, families and friends gather in the Hall to share the festive season with each other and relax in each other’s company. The function is a very informal gathering where everyone plays a part in preparing and serving the meal and sharing in the family atmosphere of the day.

Over the years we have discovered that Christmas can be a sad time for older family members who may be separated from their children and grandchildren by large distances and feel detached from the love and joy that Christmas is meant to bring. Sharing the day with other families can ease some of that pain.

The function also gives people the opportunity to display the true meaning of Christmas, showing love and care and concern for our fellow human beings. It is the chance to give to others after having received so much ourselves.

We have heard that Santa will not forget us and he should arrive in time for lunch. One of our families have also promised to lead us in singing some Christmas Carols, adding to the joy of the occasion.

This year the Hall will be opened from 11.30am and lunch will be served at 1pm. Everyone is welcome to come along and join us. For more information contact Greg & Lauranne Byrne on 65548045 or 0427 918 568.

Greg Byrne

the Christ, his mission is simply to point towards the light; the Christ.

Our common understanding of the word ‘witness’ tends to be related to legal situations: providing a witness statement or acting as a witness to a fact in court. The use of witness in this gospel carries a different connotation: to provide witness through action and lifestyle that draws others to wonder about and perhaps come to accept the motivating belief. It is this understanding of witness that all Christians are called to provide. We are called to witness to our beliefs in the way that we live our lives, engage with others and hold to certain truths. Of course, there are some Christians who believe that their witness needs to be more obvious and more clearly stated. They feel that providing witness, or testimony, to their faith through spoken proclamation has a greater potential to change lives. Whether we choose to witness through our words or through our actions it is essential that both words and actions have integrity; that there is no clash between what we proclaim and the way we live.

© Greg Sunter

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We are the Church Since Vatican II we have been proudly professing that “WE ARE THE CHURCH”. If we truly believe this then we must ask ourselves, “how am I contributing to the life of the Church and is there more I could be doing?”

There are many ministries in our Church. In particular we are at present in need of Sacristans to set up for our weekend Masses and also for Funerals during the week.

Interested people will receive the proper formation, training and support. Please rush to the Parish Office to display your willingness to be involved.

Carols by Candlelight—Tomorrow The Family Ministry Group would like to invite parishioners to join them at Carols By Candlelight in Tuncurry on Monday 15th December from 6pm. Bring your own picnic or purchase food at

the venue and meet us at the large purple flag.

Fr Tony Stace Scholarship Fr. Tony Stace was Parish Priest of our Parish from 2002 until ill health from cancer forced him to leave the Parish on Christmas Day 2005.

Fr. Tony had a long-term relationship with the Aboriginal people and played a key role in establishing the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry in our Diocese. His advocacy for Reconciliation was acknowledged in 1999 when he received the City of Newcastle medal.

Aware of his imminent departure from the Parish, parishioners decided to set up a Scholarship in his honour, aimed at improving the education of Aboriginal children. A collection at Mass and some other donations realised a little over three thousand dollars. Some Trustees were selected to administer the Scholarship and they decided on distributing an annual amount of $750 thus ensuring the fund would survive for five years.

In July 2007 Fr. Tony passed away after his battle with cancer. Shortly after the fund was surprised by a bequest of $10,000 from Fr Tony’s will. After final settlement of the will the Trust received a further $2,500. Our five year plan was shot.

Since 2008, over one thousand dollars has been given annually to Great Lakes College and Holy Name School to assist in Aboriginal education. In the Christmas holidays of 2009 the Trust was able to pay for Holy Name Teacher, Brooke Schumann, to attend a Professional Development Course in Accelerated Literacy, aimed specifically at Indigenous students. Those teaching skills have now been adopted by the entire school and in 2014 the Trust supported the Accelerated Literacy training of the Special Needs teacher at Holy Name.

In 2010 some Indigenous Design Students embarked on a study tour of Vietnam and the Trust was able to assist with some of their costs.

Although the fruits of the Trust’s “investments” in indigenous education may never be fully known, we pray that Fr. Tony blesses our efforts as we strive to continue his work.

Greg Byrne

Christmas Cards & 2015 Calendars A second batch of St Vincent de Paul Christmas Cards has arrived and will be available for purchase from the parish office for $6 per pack of 10 cards.

Religious Liberty Benefits Economic and Social Outcomes The economic and social benefits of religious liberty were explored at a recent public lecture by Dr Brian J Grim, President of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation, hosted by The University of Notre Dame Australia's School of Law Sydney.

With nine out of 10 people projected to be affiliated with religion in 2030 compared with eight out of 10 in 1970, according to the World Religion Database, Dr Grim discussed the simultaneous rise in the level of religious restrictions and hostilities and the impact on economic and social outcomes.

The lecture covered a range of research that empirically shows that freedom of religion or belief, when protected by governments and respected by citizens, results not only in less conflict and violence in a society but also in better social and economic outcomes, including better lives for women.

"… (as) religious freedom contributes to better economic and business outcomes, advances in religious freedom are in the self-interest of businesses, governments and societies," Dr Grim said. Professor Michael Quinlan, Dean of the School of Law Sydney, believes religious liberty is a poignant topic in today's society and welcomed Dr Grim's lecture on its benefits.

"I have always thought that there are obvious benefits to be gained by nations that embrace religious freedom," Professor Quinlan said.

For video of lecture and further information visit http://www.nd.edu.au/news/media-releases/2014/403

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St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal St Vinnies support the people that will be doing it tough over the Christmas period. They aim to provide much needed help from practical assistance to food hampers, emotional support, toys and gifts for children, individuals and families so they too can experience the joy of Christmas.

Contributions to the Christmas Appeal will continue to be received via the weekly collections or at the Parish Office over the coming weeks.

Opportunities Outside The Parish

Carols in the Cloister Carols in the Cloister will be held on Sunday 14th December at 6:30pm at St Joseph’s Convent Chapel, New England Highway, Lochinvar. Enjoy Christmas Carols, reflections on the meaning of the season, good music, light refreshments and good company.

Voices of Echology Choir Come and enjoy the voices of Echology, formerly The University of Newcastle Chamber Choir – at the annual Christmas concert to be held on Tuesday 16th December beginning at 7pm at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 841 Hunter Street, Newcastle West. Directed by Dr Philip Matthias and featuring Organist Peter Guy, Orchestra Newcastle and soloist Dr Christopher Allan, in a varied program of popular and new carols. Adult $25, Concession $20, Children $10 (includes GST). Discount available for group bookings of 10 or more. Tickets available through www.stickytickets.com.au/20978 or at the door.

Don’t Read This, Again ! In the office, we get conflicting comments about the weekly Bulletin that cover the whole spectrum of opinion. From “you’re doing a great job on the Bulletin” to “I never read the Bulletin, it’s a waste of time.”

Because we have mostly a retired community who, as Grey Nomads, are often “on the road”, it is necessary to repeat articles in the Bulletin to ensure everyone is informed. Some people see one article that is repeated and say “same old stuff” and don‘t read any further. As a result they fail to see articles that may interest them.

For example, we often get enquiries from people about issues that have been previously addressed in the Bulletin.

The Bulletin follows a certain format. The front and back page basically include the same information with regular updates. The second page includes the Weekly Parish Diary and details on regular events in the Parish. The third and fourth page where possible, include the most recent notices. There may be some repetition following on from there. The “Kids Corner” page will now be on the second last page.

The Bulletin also includes notices of events outside our parish which may be of interest to people and articles which may assist in growing our knowledge of the Catholic faith.

In this time of change in the Church, the aim of our Parish Bulletin is to keep parishioners informed of happenings in our Church and the Church in general. To fulfil this mission and maintain “readability” is our challenge.

Greg Byrne

Prayer for Peace Lately, we have all been made aware of the terrible

suffering and torture of people in war torn countries throughout the world. We are particularly concerned with the plight of Christian people at the mercy of ISIS in Iraq. We pray for an end to this violence and a peaceful solution to these conflicts.

Little Blue Books Spend 6 minutes a day reflecting on your faith with the aid of the Little Blue Book. $5 each.

Wanted—Volunteer Workers The Diocese of Broome, WA, requires volunteers to assist with the work of the local Church on Aboriginal Missions. There are various important voluntary tasks: administration, building maintenance, gardening, shop staffing, cooking, cleaning, etc. Placements are preferred for a period of 6 months plus. For further details and an application form please contact: Volunteer Coordinator, Anneliese Rohr on 08 9192 1060, E volunteers@broomdiocese.org, W www.bromediocese.org, M PO Box 76, Broome, WA 6725.

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Kid’s Corner Prepare for the Lord Jesus Jn 1:19-28

Across

1: John used this to baptise people

7: John shouted, ‘Get the road _ _ _ _ _ for the Lord!’

8: people who lead

10: a sandy place where not much grows

11: the Jewish leaders came from this city

Down

2: a Jewish place of worship

3: the response to a question

4: kind, wholesome, nice

5: before all others

6: an important religious group at the time of Jesus who

strictly obeyed Jewish law

9: John was asked if he was the Messiah,

E_ _ _ _ _, or the Prophet

12: a large body of flowing water

1 2 3 4

5

6

7

8

9 10

11 12

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Ministers this Weekend... ...of the Word ...of Communion

6pm Tuncurry A: Geraldine Mullin B: Frank Hayman

Carolyn Olliffe, Jeanette Goodacre, Margaret Smith, Pat Hooker, Ruth Pearson.

7am Tuncurry A: Edna Tucker B: Lorraine Clark

Alex Matuszny, Cecile Malone, Cushla Drake, Graham Griffiths, Mark Mowbray.

9am Forster A: Judith Shand B: Marie Keep

Anne Hartman, Anne Moloney, Barbara Dolahenty, Elle Cairns-Cowan, Sharon Fowle.

Ministers next Weekend... ...of the Word ...of Communion

6pm Tuncurry A: Neil Pye B: Valarie Ross

Maureen Pye, Maureen Stevens, Michael Amato, Neil Pye, Owen Carroll.

7am Tuncurry A: Maree Gapps B: Maria Armitage

Edna Tucker, Genevieve Williamson, Maria Armitage, Norm Chapman, Patricia Cornish.

9am Forster A: Sharon Fowle B: Kris Koch

Alan McCarthy, Coral McCarthy, Genevieve Williamson, Robyn Ryan, Shioney Neal.

Please note: The above information reflects the rosters as originally published, and doesn’t take account of any ‘swaps’ that may have been organised between individuals.

Scripture Readings This Week

Today Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8, 19-28 Monday Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17 Matthew 21:23-27 Tuesday Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13 Matthew 21:28-32 Wednesday Genesis 49:2, 8-10 Matthew 1:1-17 Thursday Jeremiah 23:5-8 Matthew 1:18-24 Friday Judges 13:2-7, 24-25 Luke 1:5-25 Saturday Isaiah 7:10-14 Luke 1:26-38 Sunday 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16 Romans 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-38

Text: Excerpts from the English Translation of the Roman Missal © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL); Music: From the Mass of St Francis © 2010, Paul Taylor. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Australian Agent—LicenSing Online Lic No. 624844.

In your charity, please pray for:

Those recently deceased.

Those whose anniversaries occur about now. Giuseppe Mirarchi, Maria and Ludvik Nadoh, Peter Gapps.

All those in our community who are sick.

Today’s Liturgy of the Word

Responsorial Psalm Response: My soul rejoices in my God. Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he sent me to bring Good News to the poor. Alleluia!