We remember those who have died recently including Barry Rowe and those whose anniversaries occur about this time including Lou Vogels Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, let your perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.
We pray for those who are sick including David Gudgeon, Angel Tan, Calvin Furnell, Richard Pereira, Val Battams Matt Cunningham, Tom Cervasio, Marie Stephen We pray for all who care for the sick and worry about them. May their works of service be richly blessed. (Names can only be placed on this list by the sick person or a family member)
BAPTISMS: This weekend we welcome Sienna Pettit, Zharlien Riego, Manavah Nicholas & Louis Vaka for Baptism. “Receive the light of Christ. Parents and Godparents this light is entrusted to you to keep burning brightly” (Rite of Baptism). The next Baptism Preparation session is this afternoon at 2.45pm.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY: Christmas time is fast approaching, and we are preparing for our Christmas hampers. Our tree is now in the foyer, if you can help out with a donation of food or a gift for the children, please take a tag from the tree and return your donation the following week. We ask that you do not wrap the gifts please. If you would prefer to give a cash donation, there will be envelopes on the table or under the tree and you can place your donation in the poor box on the Sacristy wall. Thank you for your ongoing Support.
Click here to view the standard Bulletin (PDF).
“GRANDFATHER” POPE URGES MYANMAR’S YOUNG TO LOVE AND SERVE: Before ending his visit to Myanmar, Pope Francis turned to the nation’s young Catholics, urging them to pursue lives of faith, hope and love. Celebrating Mass in Yangon’s St. Mary’s Cathedral, the pope asked the young to serve their tiny church and their struggling nation with prayer, solidarity and a defense of human rights.
The cathedral was packed full of teenagers and young adults, many of whom were wearing traditional outfits. Despite their numbers, the atmosphere was hushed except for the chirping of birds in the trees outside the open windows. Thousands of young people also filled the gardens surrounding the cathedral, hoping for a close-up encounter with the pope.
In his homily, Pope Francis, whose 81st birthday was less than three weeks away, said he wanted to speak to the young as a grandfather. The Bible, he told them, “asks us to think about our place in God’s plan” and to proclaim God’s love and mercy. “As messengers of this good news, you are ready to bring a word of hope to the church, to your own country, and to the wider world.” he said. “You are ready to bring good news to your suffering brothers and sisters who need your prayers and your solidarity, but also your enthusiasm for human rights, for justice and for the growth of that love and peace which Jesus brings.”
Pope Francis’ grandfatherly advice to them was to find a place away from the noise and distractions of modern life where they could learn to listen to God in prayer. And he encouraged them to rely on the help of the saints, who were men and women who made mistakes but learned to trust in God’s mercy. “You know that Jesus is full of mercy,” the pope told the young people. “So share with him all that you hold in your hearts: your fears and your worries, as well as your dreams and your hopes.
“Cultivate your interior life, as you would tend a garden or a field,” the pope continued. “This takes time; it takes patience. But like a farmer who waits for the crops to grow, if you wait the Lord will make you bear much fruit, a fruit you can then share with others.” Finally, Pope Francis told them, be young and be bold. “Do not be afraid to make a ruckus, to ask questions that make people think,” he said. “And don’t worry if sometimes you feel that you are few and far between. The Gospel always grows from small beginnings. So make yourselves heard.”
CALLING ALL DADS WITH YOUNG(ISH) FAMILIES: Following on from the recent Men Alive weekend, a group of dads has started to get together in the Parish Centre on Saturday mornings @ 8am for an hour of prayer, reflection, praise, and fellowship together. Why not consider joining them as a way to prepare for Advent? Simply turn up on Saturday @ 8am or contact Patrick (0427 682 208) for more information.
CHANGE OF MASS TIME ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24TH: The Sunday morning masses on Christmas Eve, would usually be at both 9:00am and 10:30am. However, with the Christmas Masses this year starting at 6:00pm Sunday evening, the thought was we’d combine the two Sunday morning masses into one, to be celebrated at 9:30am, the same time as Christmas morning mass. The weekend Masses therefore will be: Saturday vigil mass at 6:00pm and Sunday morning Mass at 9:30am.
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES: The Masses to celebrate Christmas will be on Christmas Eve at 6:00pm, 8:00pm and Midnight; and on Christmas Day at 9:30am.
THE CRIB?: At the liturgy committee meeting, on Thursday night, people were wondering if any parishioner knows the whereabouts of the parish’s nativity scene from some years ago, including kings and shepherds etc. Any ideas anyone?
COPIES OF SACRED SPACE 2018: This book focuses on daily prayers and meditations, developed by the Irish Jesuits. It can now be ordered through the Gift Shop or Parish Office $26.00. Also the Daily Prayer 2018, which focus on scripture for each day of the year, along with a psalm, a reflection and closing prayer .$27.00
STUDY AT YARRA THEOLOGICAL UNION IN 2018: YTU is a welcoming community for theological education offering undergraduate and postgraduate awards. NEW Students are welcome. Morning classes and/or Evening classes are offered. 98 Albion Road, Box Hill, 3128. Ring Nicole or Katherine to make an appointment 9890 3771. Fee help is available, free parking, Classes start 26th February 2018. www.ytu.edu.au for more information.
FROM OUR SAFETY OFFICER FOR CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS: Children need to have a voice when it comes to child safety and this is often overlooked. They need to feel empowered and have a platform to speak out confidently if something is not right or does not feel right. (Australian Catholics May 2017)
ROSTERS: The new rosters for the Eucharistic Ministers and Readers are due on the 17th of Dec, If you would like to volunteer for any of the ministries or if there is any change to your existing availability, please send Siji an email @ siji@stpatrickspakenham.com.au or to the parish office by the 5th of Dec. Thank you for your time.
Advent season Volunteers: While thanking all our volunteers who contribute in various ways, we are looking for a lot of helpers in various areas for the month of December . If you have the time and or the talent and would be glad to share it, please contact Siji at the parish office or at siji@stpatrickspakenham.com.au
CHURCH CLEANING THIS WEEK: T & N Andrews
Please pick up your new cleaning roster from the table in the foyer.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY: This week : D Golja J Schalks J White
Next Week: D & G Velten
ROSARY STATUE: 3/12 Siji Dominic 10/12 M Welliwatte
ROSARY BEADS: If anyone has found a pair of rosary beads with the name Resuggan on them could they please hand them in to Father, any member of parish staff or leave them with Mary at the Parish office.
ST CLARE’S FAMILY NIGHT: Due to the inclement weather on Friday this night has now been rescheduled to December 18th.
Raffles will be drawn on this night.
ADVENT WREATH CEREMONY:
Sung:
Come, Lord Jesus. Come, Lord Jesus
You are the Way the Truth and Life
Come, Lord Jesus. Come, Lord Jesus
You are the Way the Truth and Life
Reader:
Today as we light the first of the candles,
we think again of God’s endless love for us,
symbolized in this circle of greenery.
The candles of the wreath
signify how God’s love
has been manifested in time,
and will be manifest forever.
Sung:
Come, Lord Jesus. Come, Lord Jesus
You are the Way the Truth and Life
Come, Lord Jesus. Come, Lord Jesus
You are the Way the Truth and Life
CHRISTMAS CHOIR PRACTICE FOR MIDNIGHT MASS: Practice times are Dec 7th Dec 13th and Dec 19th at 7:30 pm .Those who would like to join are most welcome as we prepare for Christmas. What a joyful activity the Christmas Choir is. Please consider joining in.
YOUTH CHRISTMAS MASS CHOIR PRACTICE: All Children 10 years and above are encouraged to come for the choir practice on Friday 8th Dec and 15th Dec at 7:30 pm.