-
Entrance Antiphon:To you, I lift up my soul, O myGod. In you, I
have trusted;let me not be put to shame.Nor let my enemies exult
overme; and let none who hope inyou be put to shame.
1st Reading:Isaiah 63:16-17; 64:1.3-8Oh that you would tear
theheavens apart and come down.
Responsorial Psalm:Ps 79:2-3. 15-16. 18-19R. Lord, make us turn
to you,let us see your face and weshall be saved.
2nd Reading:1 Corinthians 1:3-9The revelation we looked
for,Christ Jesus our Lord.
Gospel Acclamation:Ps 84:8Alleluia, alleluia!Lord, show us your
mercy andlove, and grant us yoursalvation. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 13:33-37Stay awake! You never knowwhen the Lord
will come.
Communion Antiphon:The Lord will bestow hisbounty, and our earth
shallyield its increase.
2 / 3 December 2017St Michael’s Church - Meadowbank
First Sunday of Advent, Year B/2
Vol. 7 Issue 54
Page 1
“It is Ours”
Gospel Mark 13:33-37Jesus said to his disciples:'Be on your
guard, stayawake, because you neverknow when the time willcome. It
is like a mantravelling abroad: he hasgone from home, and lefthis
servants in charge, eachwith his own task; and hehas told the
doorkeeper tostay awake. So stay awake,because you do not knowwhen
the master of the house is coming, evening, midnight,cockcrow,
dawn; if he comes unexpectedly, he must not find youasleep. And
what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake!'
Reflection by Father James McCarthy Christmas is a time when
people give and receive gifts. Thepractice dates back to the time
of Christ, when the magi broughtgifts to Jesus. But what gift can
we give to Jesus this Christmasand what gift is Jesus wanting to
give us this Christmas? The "end of the world" is the theme for
today’s Mass. It ties inwith the theme from last Sunday. Today is
the first Sunday ofAdvent, the ‘Sunday of Hope’ in God and His Son
Jesus Christthrough whom God has promised to save and redeem his
people. Advent is a time of serious preparation, a time of
preparation for the coming ofChrist. But it's about far more than
preparing to celebrate Christmas with trees,cakes, tinsel and
lights. In the midst of the busyness of preparing to
celebrateChristmas, the Church calls us to prepare to celebrate the
Mass of Christ, for thatis what Christmas is. The Mass of Christ is
the eternal banquet which occurs inHeaven. That is what we are
called to prepare for at Christmas. Advent is a time to do a lot of
shopping, to give and receive gifts, but how of-ten do people think
about giving a gift to Jesus, even though we are celebratinghis
birthday. Jesus desires that we give him the greatest gift possible
on his birth-day– The gift of our very lives. He wants us to love,
serve and build his kingdomin this world, and to desire eternity
with him in the next. The reason why the li-turgical year ends and
begins with the same theme is very clear: if we have
alreadyembraced Jesus in his first coming, then we should have no
fear of embracinghim in his second coming. Today’s gospel is the
conclusion of a speech found in Mark Chapter 13, inwhich Jesus
predicts his Second Coming. “Be constantly on the watch! Stayawake!
You do not know when the appointed time will come.” For some
people,there’s a fear that the master will come home “suddenly and
catch us unpreparedor asleep.” Our Gospel passage reminds us that
we should not be so foolish toforget God and become immersed in the
commercialism of Christmas. Christreminds us of the alertness
continued next page
The Parish Bulletin
-
The Parish BulletinAcknowledgement of the land
We acknowledge the traditional ownersand custodians of this
land, theWallumattagal clan, part of the Dharugpeople of the Eoira
nation. We walkgently on the land, sharing it with themas we now
work and live on it.
Parish DirectoryParish Administrator: Fr James McCarthyParish
address &contact number:45 Maxim St, Meadowbank, NSW 2114Phone:
9809-3536 Fax:
9807-5971Email:[email protected] hours:
Tuesday - Friday 9:00am-4:30pmSecretaries: Lou Temprosa (Tue-Wed)
Marilyn Vallejo (Thu-Fri)Bulletin Editor: Meynardo Talisayon
Parish Bulletin email address:[email protected]
Please submit requests for publication by12 noon
Wednesday.Acolytes: Arthur LeeReaders & Special Ministers
ofCommunion: Sue Metzmacher (Weekdays& Special Roster)Felicity
Donnelly (Vigils & Sundays)Music Ministry - Coordinators for6
pm Saturday Vigil Masses:1st Saturday - Richard Borges
(FamilyMass)2nd Saturday - David Foong3rd Saturday - Prescilla
Luzon4th Saturday - Aneela PereiraSunday Masses:1st & 3rd SUN
8am - Maree Twomey1st SUN 10am – Mary Towers2nd SUN 8am – Muntia
Gouw2nd SUN 10am – David Foong3rd SUN 10am – Mary Towers4th SUN
10am - Mary Towers5th SUN 10am - Mary TowersYouth Co-ordinator –
TBAChildren Liturgy - Elsa ManuUshers/Collectors - Michael
WixtedAltar Society - Marie BennettLiturgy Committee - Sue
MetzmacherFinance Committee - Stephen ToppleSt Vincent de Paul
Society - Jim LemckeCatechists - Stephen ToppleDivine Mercy
Devotion - Gloria DivineDriver Roster – Felicity Donnelly
St Michael’s Primary SchoolSchool Principal - Brian Story53
Maxim St, Meadowbank, NSW 2114Phone: 9808 2658 Fax: 9807
2330Email:[email protected]
Welcome to St Michael’s Church -Meadowbank! A warm welcome to
all to attend ourchurch! May you find our parish community a place
whereyour life of faith will be nourished. We hope that you
willalso share your special gifts with the community. Yourprayers,
your presence, your talents and skills are mostwelcome.
St Michael’s Church - Meadowbank
Page 2
Reflection continued from previous pageand preparation needed
not just to prepare presents, trees, tinsel and lights, orto
prepare new toys, clothes, holidays, food and drink. This season of
Adventbefore Christmas is a time to prepare for the coming of Jesus
into our lives infour main ways:1. The coming of Jesus at
Christmas,2. The coming of Jesus into our lives on a daily basis,3.
The coming of Jesus at the moment of our death, and4. The coming of
Jesus in Glory at the end of the time.How will each of us prepare
for these comings of Christ during the next 4weeks?
This Sunday - Parish Volunteers Luncheon. Sunday 3 December.
From 12pm to2.30pm in the Parish Hall. Allparishioners and their
families whocontribute their time, talent or treasure to theParish
are invited to a special lunch hosted bythe parish to thank you for
your service.Thank you for all that you do for Christ andthe
Church. The Parish will provide the main
meal for the luncheon. Parishioners are welcome to bring a plate
of dessertto share.
The Piety Stall will be open after all masses this
weekend.Christmas cards, gifts and Advent calendars are now on
sale.
Become a Catechist Now. Bored, sitting at homewondering what to
do? Something worthwhile andrewarding is to become a Catechist.
Share your faithwith some bright young children. You may say,
“Howdo I become a Catechist?” Very easily! Ring StephenTopple on
0422374989 and you are nearly there. Youwill be trained in
conducting a class, what to teach andprovided with all teaching
materials to make you a successful catechist.Make that phone call
now!
VOYAGE OF VOICES. Saturday 24 February. St PatricksCathedral,
Parramatta. Sunday 25 February Christ Church St Laurence,Sydney .
On the face of it, the tiny Baltic state of Estonia and the
vastcontinent of Australia couldn’t be more different, or distant.
But there’s atleast one thing that unites us: the vibrancy of our
musical traditions. Thesublime voices of VOX will be joined by E
Stuudio Youth Choir Estonia toperform a cappella masterpieces by
Arvo Pärt, Paul Stanhope and RossEdwards.
Tell your MPs: Hands off our freedoms! Take actionto defend
religious freedom and parental rights over the education
theirchildren receive. Contact your local federal MP today to
demand yourfreedoms are protected in any legislation for same-sex
marriage. For moreinformation and to contact your MP got to:
www.marriagealliance.com.au
-
Vol 7 Issue 54 2 / 3 December 2017
Page 3
Catholic Weekly 3-DecemberMassive week ahead for Sydney
CatholicsPope visits MyanmarA new statue for Dulwich HillOlivia to
lead Australia XIJustice League reviewedGunpowder, treason and
plotFun with Faith – Kids page – P26
SCHEDULE OF MASSES FORCHRISTMAS
24 December — Sunday10am — Mass
6:00 pm — Christmas Vigil Mass(including Children’s Christmas
Pageant)
11:30pm — Christmas Carols12:00am — Christmas Midnight Mass
25 December — Monday8:00am — Christmas Morning Mass
10:00am — Christmas Day Mass
Christmas Masses.Christmas Roster sheets for Readers andEOMHC
are available at Our Lady's sidealtar. Please add your name where
you'dlike to assist Altar Servers have a separate
roster also available.
Come Celebrate Australia’slargest Mass since World Youth Day
2008! -Saturday 9 December. Archbishop Anthony Fisher OPinvites you
to attend Mass in the Domain on Saturday 9December for the
Australian Catholic Youth Festival. Thiswill be a joyous occasion!
The Mass at 6.30pm will followan afternoon of concerts and
festivities beginning at 4pm andfeaturing Australian and
international musicians andperformers, including Matt Maher. The
Archbishop alsoinvites the people of Sydney to pray for the success
thisimportant event. Prayer cards have been distributed toparishes.
For more information go to the ACYF website:www.acyf.org.au
A Christmas Celebration 2017– Friday 15 December 2017.
Celebratethe beauty and wonder of Christmas withthe St Mary's
Cathedral Choir and theOrchestra of the Antipodes
Includingcongregational carols and music to liftyour spirits in the
joy of the season! Fortickets and more information please
visitwww.achristmascelebration.com.au
Christmas RemembranceService – 17 December 2017 at 7:30pm.All
are welcome to join in St Mary’s Cathedral as weremember and pray
for all those who have died andwhose memory we cherish over the
Christmas season.
Mass for 4th Sunday of Advent.Saturday 23 December – 6pmSunday
24 December – 10am
(No 8am Mass).
One week to go - Joyful Generation.The excitement is building
around the country as wecountdown the final days to the Festival.
Last week we werevery excited to launch the long-awaited official
song of thefestival. Tim Hart singer-songwriter from the
SouthernHighlands in the Wollongong Diocese has worked with
thefestival team over months to get it just right. See the
fullpress release and download the song
herehttp://youthfestival.catholic.org.au/resources/songThis
newsletter gives you the latest news and information soyou can be
ready for all the excitement of the festival. Wecan't wait to see
you there. Make sure you are following theACBC Office for Youth
social media (links on the right) forregular announcements and
reminders, including onInstagram
(https://www.instagram.com/acbcyouthmin/) .Don't forget your tags
#ACYF17 #SpreadingJoy#NewHorizons We wish you every blessing in
this time ofcelebration.
ST MICHAEL'S JESSE TREE.MAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT.
The annual St. Michael Jesse Treeprovides Christmas gifts to
theelderly residents of Estia HealthRyde (formerly known
asRothingham) and FernleighNursing homes. In keeping withthis
wonderful tradition, the JesseTree is now in the Church. Wekindly
request your generosity by
taking a tag or two from the tree. Please return your
new,wrapped gift, with the gift tag attached to the Church andplace
it under the tree. If the Church is closed you may alsoleave the
gift at the Parish Office. The nursing homes havesupplied us with
the following gift suggestions:Body lotion; Hand cream; Pjs and
nighties (medium orlarge); Polo shirts (medium or large); Nail
polish;Deodorant; PerfumeWe thank you for your generous help in
always making theJesse Tree program at St Michael’s Meadowbank a
success.Your kindness and thoughtfulness is greatly
appreciated.GIFTS ARE DUE BY TUESDAY 12TH OF DECEMBER2017.
CATHOLICCARE. Looking for parentingresources? CatholicCare’s new
online parenting resourceprovides information and tips to help
build positive parent-child relationships. Visit catholiccare.org
and look for theParenting Hub icon or call our CCareline Team 13 18
[email protected]
-
The Parish Bulletin St Michael’s Church - Meadowbank
Roster: 9 / 10 Dec. 2017 Prayer to St Michael theArchangel.
Saint Michael theArchangel, defend us in the day of battle. Beour
safeguard against the wickedness andsnares of the devil. May God
rebuke him,we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince ofthe heavenly
host, by the power of God, cast
into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who wander throughthe
world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Page 4
Time Acolyte ReadersExtraordinaryMinisters of HolyCommunion
6:00PMVigil Jim Lemcke
Sue MetzmacherSr Margaret Barry
1 Mark Pereira2 Pam Keenan3 Paul Thambyah4 Prescilla Luzon5
Robyn Meehan6 Sue Metzmacher
8:00AM Dominic Bui Gregory ChenMaureen FairbairnJudith
OrrockMarie Bennett
10:00AM John Fillion Nelyn GasatayaLeony Hamor
1 Joan D'souza2 Maureen Richardson3 Felicity Donnelly4 Celeste
Villarente5 Michael Dunkin6 Darryle Fernandes
St Michael’s Church,Meadowbank A copy of this bulletin is al-so
available from the FB Page.
Request for Mass and PrayersSICK: 1. Pray for the people who are
sufferingfrom stroke, the mentally ill and sick children2. Tony
& Jeanette AbrahamPRAY FOR THE SOULS OF: 1. Holy soulsSpecial
Intentions: 1. Stephen Choy-Thanksgiving for good health2. Reginald
Campion’s 99th Birthday on 2nd DecemberWedding Anniversary: Sue
& HelmutMetzmacher- 50th Wedding Anniversary
Liturgy for this week (4 - 10 Dec. 2017)Weekday Masses:9:15am -
Monday Communion Service only9:15am - Tuesday to SaturdayWeekend
Masses:6:00pm - Saturday Vigil Mass CANCELLLED 9th DECEMBER8:00 AM
and 10:00am - SundayChildren’s Scripture Class at 10am Mass on
Sundays
Sacraments:Reconciliation: Saturdays 5:30pm-5:50pmDevotions:
Prayer for Priests: 8:45am every 1st SaturdayMorning Prayer (Lauds)
7:40AM every SundayRosary: 8:50am on weekdays before the Mass
(except Friday) Friday before Mass : Silent PrayerHoly Hour and
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament:8:15am-9:15am every
Friday8:15am-9:15am every SaturdayDivine Mercy Novena & Chaplet
- Wednesdays after AM Mass
No 6pm Vigil Mass nextSaturday. All parishioners are invited
toattend the biggest Mass in Australia since World
Youth Day 2008. Mass for the conclusion of the Australian
CatholicYouth Festival will be held at 6:30pm at the Sydney Domain
onSaturday 9 December. The Archbishop has cancelled all
Saturdayevening Masses in Sydney that day and encourages every
Catholic inSydney to attend, both the young and the young at
heart.
HELP WITH THE CHURCH LAWNMOWING. We have one more lawn mower,
whichwill make mowing much easier. Come and test it out byjoining
the team. Contact Don Smith 0414 748 302
Altar Society. CHURCH CLEANING,LAUNDRY OF THE ALTAR LINEN,
FLOWERSFOR THE ALTAR. Join the Altar Society and helpkeep our
church fit for God. A gold coin or coinsdonation is greatly
appreciated for the on goingcleaning and flowers for the church.
There is a box atthe back and side doors of the church for those
goldcoins.
FINANCIAL HELP. The parish hasexpenses – electricity, insurance,
maintenance andcommitments to the Archdioceses. Please help andtake
a box of contribution envelopes.
The ImmaculateConception of theBlessed Virgin Mary Massat 9:15am
on 8 December
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS APPEAL.The Meadowbank Conference of the St
Vincent dePaul Society continues its Christmas Appeal overthis
weekend. Envelopes can still be returned ifthey have been taken
home. Thank you to all thosewho have already donated.
CHRISTMAS HAMPERDELIVERY. Every year, MeadowbankConference asks
for volunteers to help deliverChristmas hampers to families in our
local area.The delivery date this year is 14th December.Hampers
will need to be collected from VinniesWelfare store, in Ryedale
Road about 6:30pm thatnight. If you would like to participate,
please callJim Lemcke on 98014202.
FEASTS & SAINTS OF THE WEEK.THU 7 DEC St Ambrose, bishop,
doctorFRI 8 DEC The Immaculate Conceptionof the Blessed Virgin
Mary
ROSARY AT ANZACPARK. We invite everyone to join theRosary on
Saturday, 9th December, at Anzac Park,West Ryde at 2:00-3:00pm for
Our Lady of theSouthern Cross. Rain or shine the event will go
on.Any queries ring Annette Tidy at 98076892.
