Debbie’s Thoughts

In just a few days from now, we will

once again hear the story of the birth

of Jesus, as we have no doubt done

many, many, many times before. A

most wonderful way of appreciating

this familiar story in a new and fresh

way is to become truly immersed in

it yourself. Perhaps this year, as we

listen to the familiar details and sing

the familiar hymns, you may choose

to employ your imagination to place

yourself right in the scene. Feel the

sway of the donkey as Joseph leads

the animal that Mary sits upon along

the unmade track to Bethlehem.

Feel her relief as she is finally able

to lay down in the hay of the barn

after the inn keeper shows them

where they can stay for the night, so

tired that she is asleep before her

head hits whatever she may have

used as a pillow. Join Mary and

Joseph in that wonder-filled moment

when they received Jesus into their

arms for the first time. And in a

precious moment of relationship

with Jesus, take him into your own

arms and appreciate him as the most

amazing gift that anyone, anywhere,

has ever received. Hold him close to

you, smell his hair, kiss his soft little

cheek and allow him to fill your

arms, and your heart. Treasure him

with genuine awe. Hear the voices

of the angels surrounding you both,

praising and thanking God on your

behalf for the astonishing

opportunity to hold our newborn

saviour in your arms.

For what may only be a brief

moment in time, know that you are

part of the reality of heaven and

earth rejoicing together with one

voice. And wonder... if this really is

your imagination…

Lighting the 4th Advent Candle Father: Through the angel’s message to Mary, we have learned to believe in the incarnation of Christ the Son of God. Let us ask God to fill us with the peace of his love at the coming of Christ.

Reader: Lord God, you made us and you sustain us with your love, help us to recognise that you are here amongst us, in our midst. We pray to the Lord.

All: Bring us your peace, Lord Jesus.

Reader: By responding to those who ask for our care, may we welcome Christ into our hearts. We pray to the Lord.

All: Bring us your peace, Lord Jesus.

Reader: Come Lord Jesus, that we can create a new world where your justice and peace may find a home. We pray to the Lord.

All: Bring us your peace, Lord Jesus.

Father: Stir up our hear ts, O Lord, to prepare the path of your only-begotten Son: that we may worthily serve you with the peace of Christ in our hearts.

Lord God, let your blessing come upon us as we light these Advent candles. May these candles and their light be signs of Christ's promise to bring us salvation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Christmas Mass Times Christmas Eve Family Mass: 7 pm in the church grounds. Bring along a picnic rug, a hat, a water bottle, sunscreen and your best singing voice. Our children will tell the story of Jesus’ birth by re-enacting the Christmas story, complete with Daisy the pony playing the part of the donkey!

Midnight Mass: 12 Midnight at St Patrick’s in Lilydale. Carols com-mence at 11.30 pm on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day: 8.30 am in the church

New Years Day: 10 am

January Services:

No Wednesday evening Masses from now

until 29th January. Communion services

Thursdays 2nd & 9th January at 9.15 am.

Regular Thursday morning Masses resume

on Thursday 16th at Marysville.

Rosters for January to June Please contact Denise if you know you will be away, or if you would like to adjust your commitment in any way. New rosters are on their way!

Welcome to all our Visitors Welcome to anyone who may be visiting our parish at this special time of the year. Please feel free to join us for a cuppa in the hall following Mass and we hope you have a wonderful holiday. Hi to Old Friends A big hi! to our friends who are not able to join us regularly but who are still very much a part of our parish family. Merry Christmas, and a blessed New Year to you all!

Thanks from the Care Group Thank you to all who helped us to provide gift hampers to many appreciative friends this year. Your generosity has made a real difference.

Thanks from Catholic Mission Catholic Mission have written to Fr Arsenio to thank us for our Parish’s support throughout October, the Extraordinary Month of Mission, and in particular for our donations collected on World Mission Sunday.

Columban Calendars The 2020 Columban Calendars are now available in the church at the cost of $10.00 each.

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

All Victims of abuse and injustice

Recently deceased Kath Skate, Tony Grieve

For those who are Sick

Blake Smith, Trish Leahy, John Snell,

Abby Sharp, Peter Munro, Baby Emmett Hysted,

Megan, Bernie Jansen, Andrew Sharp,

John, Glenn, Lyn Francis, Dorothy Barber,

Maureen Fogarty, Fiona, Annie Preuss,

Michelle Ryan, Damian, John, Alison, Heather,

Julie Bates, Garry Dettman, Bradley Jordan,

Jeanette Henkel, Richard Galbraith, Annette

Fromholtz, Debbie Huby, Geoff Lucas, Sandra

Donkin, Dorothy Fraser, Glen, Ernst Fries, Fred

Bullas, Fred Coullas, Mitchell Wilson, Evie

Gleeson, Indy Dawes, Rade Krstic, Megan

Williams, Michael Wood, Bill Howie, Jennie,

Michael, Margo & Stephen Youngberry, Marie

Hammond, John Mulholland, Rhiannon Days,

Val Savitt, Ron Garland, Jaz Nueber, James

Cooney, Robert, Mary & Gerard Bariola, Tilly Van

der Zee, Albert Slawinski, Lydia, Joyce Slattery,

Lawrie Field, Annie, Debbie & Bob Ireland,

Emma Hemsley, Val & Michael Christie, Pat

Ted & Peter Bowling, Natasha, Mia, James.

For Those Whose Anniversaries

are in December

Josephine Fassler (06.12.95), Lucy Mahedy

(09.12.96), Mark Broomhead (11.12.13), Ilona

Huebel (12.12.74), Doris Dennehy (12.12.95),

Danny O’Meara (12.12.10), Nora Podesta

(14.12.06), Paul Dunlop (14.12.06), Neil Lindorff

(19.12.08), Noel Dudgeon (20.12.09), Pietro

Bariola (27.12.88), Bishop Joe Grech (28.12.10),

Dolly (Florence) Reeves, Dennis Eldred, Dawn

Flannaghan, Paul Hansen, Hans Rietbergen, John

Burger, Maria Kermac (6.12.18), Silvano Kermac,

Jean Gotch

We pray especially for those whom no-one

remembers.

PARISH GROUPS:

FAITH DEVELOPMENT AND

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMS

Anybody wishing to find about what

Catholics believe, please contact Debbie,

at the Parish Office. Mob: 0448 664 731

Catechist Program

Assists school aged children to prepare

to receive the Sacraments. Please contact

Debbie for more information.

Meditation Group Mondays 9.15am

- 10.15am - Anna 5962 4308

Care Group

First Friday of the month 1.30-3.30pm

Hall Bookings

Call Marie Snell 5962 3794

Youth-Led Mass All secondary students who would like to join the team are encouraged to contact Paula on 0423 508 355 for more info.

Dinner at Darron’s Youth Team Secondary school students are invited to be involved in cooking and/or serving a 2-course dinner to those who are financially disadvantaged or socially isolated, as part of the Dinner at Darron’s Meal program organised by HICCI. Contact: Andrea 0417 088 231

Gospel & Life Temporarily in recession. Contact: Elissa (97302813).

COMMUNITY GROUPS:

Family Drug Help 1st & 3rd Tues

1300 660 068

Knitting Group

Garments knitted by the group will be sent to

Papua with John Ward in 2020.

Contact: Mary 5962 3287

Men’s Breakfast

1st Saturday of the month

Pamphlets & Newsletters:

If you would like to leave literature in the

Church please check with the Parish Office

beforehand.

Lookout for the Safety of children:

LOOKOUT is a local community group

concerned with keeping children safe from

abuse and being there for adult victims.

Next Meeting: To be advised

CHILD PROTECTION

TEAM

Fr Arsenio Tuazon,

Debbie Edwards,

Cath OHalloran,

Denise O’Dwyer,

and John Barrett

CATHOLIC PARISH OF St Brigid’s HEALESVILLE, St Aloysius YARRA GLEN &

Our Lady of the Snows MARYSVILLE

15 High Street, Healesville, 3777; PO Box 73, Healesville 3777 Ph: 5962 4026 Fax: 5962 2028

www.stbrigidshealesville.cam.org.au

PARISH PRIEST: Fr Arsenio Tuazon email: lilydale@cam.org.au or phone 9739 5977 Lilydale

PASTOR EMERITUS, Fr John Dupuche (In Pastoral relationship with Healesville & Lilydale)

PASTORAL WORKER: Debbie Edwards 5962 4026, or 0448 664 731 email: healesville@cam.org.au

SECRETARIES: Admin: Debbie Edwards Finance: Sharon Jacob email: healesville@cam.org.au

ST BRIGID’S PRIMARY SCHOOL Principal: Vicky Wissell 5962 4200

MOUNT LILYDALE MERCY COLLEGE Principal: Philip Morison 9735 4022

Weekly Mass Times

1st Wednesday 7pm 3rd Sunday 5 pm

2nd & 4th Thursday Rosary 6.30pm St Aloysius’, Yarra Glen

2nd,3rd,4th,5th Wednesday 7.30pm St Brigid’s, Healesville

1st,2nd,4th,5th Thursday 9.15am St Brigid’s, Healesville

3rd Thursday 10.30am Our Lady of the Snows,

Marysville

Roster 29th December

Reader: P. Roper

Communion: M. Adams

A. Caporelli

A. Lehman

Cuppa: Volunteer

Cleaning: Hanley

Counters: O’Dwyer

Upcoming Dates

December

24th Christmas Eve Family

Mass 7.00 pm in the

church grounds

25th Christmas Mass 8.30 am

January

1st New Years Day Mass 10 am

2nd Communion Service

9.15 am

9th Communion Service

9.15 am

Collections

Healesville 15th December Church: $441 Presbytery: $220 Marysville 21st November Church: $32 Op Shop: $400 Yarra Glen 15th December Collection: tba Presbytery: tba