DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR DECEMBER
PRAYER FOR ADVENT
Father in heaven, the day draws near when the glory of your Son will make radiant the night of the waiting world. May the lure of greed not impede us from the joy which moves the hearts of those who seek Him. May the darkness not blind us to the vision of wisdom which fills the minds of those who find Him. May we, your people, who look forward to the birthday of Christ experience the joy of salvation and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving. This Advent we pray for peace: peace in the world, peace in our homes and peace in our hearts. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.
Entrance Antiphon
To you, I lift up my soul, O my God. In you, I have trusted; let me not be put to shame. Nor let my enemies exult over me; and let none who hope in you be put to shame.
1st Reading (Is 63:16-17,64:1,3-8)
A reading from the prophet Isaiah.
You, Lord, yourself are our Father, ‘Our Redeemer’ is your ancient name. Why, Lord, leave us to stray from your ways and harden our hearts against fearing you? Return, for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your inheritance. Oh, that you would tear the heavens open and come down! – at your Presence the mountains would melt. No ear has heard, no eye has seen any god but you act like this for those who trust him. You guide those who act with integrity and keep your ways in mind. You were angry when we were sinners; we had long been rebels against you. We were all like men unclean, all that integrity of ours like filthy clothing. We have all withered like leaves and our sins blew us away like the wind. No one invoked your name or roused himself to catch hold of you. For you hid your face from us and gave us up to the power of our sins. And yet, Lord, you are our Father; we the clay, you the potter, we are all the work of your hand.
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
Lord, make us turn to you, let us see your face and we shall be saved.
2nd Reading (1 Cor 1:3-9)
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians.
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ send you grace and peace. I never stop thanking God for all the graces you have received through Jesus Christ. I thank him that you have been enriched in so many ways, especially in your teachers and preachers; the witness to Christ has indeed been strong among you so that you will not be without any of the gifts of the Spirit while you are waiting for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed; and he will keep you steady and without blame until the last day, the day of our Lord Jesus Christ, because God by calling you has joined you to his Son, Jesus Christ; and God is faithful.
The Word of the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! Lord, show us your mercy and love, and grant us your salvation. Alleluia!
Gospel (Mk 13:33-37)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be on your guard, stay awake, because you never know when the time will come. It is like a man travelling abroad: he has gone from home, and left his servants in charge, each with his own task; and he has told the doorkeeper to stay awake. So stay awake, because you do not know when the master of the house is coming, evening, midnight, cockcrow, dawn; if he comes unexpectedly, he must not find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake!’
The Gospel of the Lord.
Communion Antiphon
The Lord will bestow his bounty, and our earth shall yield its increase.
Next Week’s Readings
Is 40:1-5,9-11; 2 Pet 3:8-14, Mk 1:1-8
Feasts of the Week
Thu, 7 Dec - St. Ambrose
Fri, 8 Dec - The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
PARISH NEWS
WEEKLY PARISH DATES
| SUNDAY 9:15am to 10:25am – Sunday School for children attending non-Catholic Schools - Resumes February 2024. 10:30am Mass – Children’s Liturgy held 1st and 3rd Sundays - Resumes February 2024 . After 5:00pm Mass in Theatrette – Youth Group for youth 12 to 17 years on 2nd and 4th Sundays. 6:00pm in Theatrette – Young Adults (SPYA) meet 1st and 3rd Sundays. |
| MONDAY 7:00pm to 8:15pm – Bible Study on Zoom. Meeting ID: 826 5359 2389 Passcode: Bible. Contact Clive 0490814452 or Francis 0401787372 7:30pm to 9:30pm – Alpha sessions in the hall. |
| TUESDAY 7:00pm - Online Zoom Rosary - Meeting ID: 893 5477 8556. Passcode: rosary7:00pm. 7:00pm - RCIA Meeting in Theatrette/zoom. Contact Francis Thomas 0401787372 or Dario Carreno 0438525148. |
| WEDNESDAY 7:00pm - Mass followed by Mother of Perpetual Succour Novena. |
| 1ST FRIDAY 7:00pm to 8:15pm Mass & Adoration |
| SATURDAY 2:30pm to 4:00pm - St. Peter’s Charismatic Prayer Community Praise & Worship in Church. 1.30pm to 4:00pm - Healing Mass on 1st Saturday of the month. Next Healing Mass on Saturday 10th February 2024. |
| BAPTISM 12 noon – Baptisms held 1st & 3rd Sundays. Baptism Preparation Meeting held on 1st Monday of the month at 7:00pm. Next Baptism Preparation Meeting Mon 4th December 2023 at 7:00pm in Church. |
WELCOME TO OUR NEWLY BAPTISED
We welcome into our Church community Penelope Wilson, William Wilson & Torvi Disabato who are to be baptised this Sunday. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the love of Parents, Godparents, family and friends, we pray that these children will lead lives full of happiness, faith and love.
THE PIETY STORE will have a sale in the hall after the 8:30am and 10:30am Masses on Sunday, 10th December. On sale are the WORD OF GOD 2024 books $20, Columban Calendars $10, Christmas cards, and other religions items and jewellery. A great opportunity for some Christmas shopping.
ADVENT MASS OF ANOINTING – TUESDAY 5TH DECEMBER 11:00AM
Everyone, including the sick and elderly are invited to attend this special Mass. There will be a light lunch after Mass hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary. If you are aware of anyone who wishes to be anointed but is too ill to attend this Mass, kindly ask them to contact the Parish Office and Father will visit them at home at a suitable time. (PLEASE NOTE THAT 8:30AM MASS IS CANCELLED ON THIS DAY – TUESDAY 5TH DECEMBER)
ST. PETER'S CHRISTMAS MUSIC FEST – SATURDAY 9TH DECEMBER AFTER 6:00PM MASS
To celebrate the spirit of Christmas, the choirs from our parish will perform Carols in the hall from 7:15pm. All are welcome. Choirs and families are requested to bring a plate of food to share.
REMINDER – SENIORS SHARED LUNCH WEDNESDAY – 13TH DECEMBER
The last Seniors shared lunch for the year will be a festive lunch for Christmas, held in the Community Centre on Wednesday 13th December from 11:30am to 2:00pm. Lunch will be provided, so please just bring Christmas Cheer and a small gift ($10) to exchange (KK). There are a few seats left so please RSVP to Margaret Craigie on 0456914652 if you haven't already done so.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL GIVING TREETo enable us to make up hampers to brighten Christmas for struggling families in our area, please take a tag from the tree and return item(s) to the baskets under the tree by Sunday 10th December. A Christmas card with your gift of food or presents lets a family know that you are thinking of them in this joyous season. Last year, with your help, we were able to help 110 families. Thank you for your generosity. Enquiries Kitty 0433710310.
FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE – How Collections Work
1st Collection – Church expenses like utility bills, salaries, liturgical needs, sacramental, formation initiatives, pastoral and evangelisation programs.
2nd Collection – Support the living expenses of the clergy, the Archbishop, priests in remote and financially burdened parishes, sick and retired clergy.
If you wish to set up a pledge, please contact Lorena Ford at hopperscrossing.bookkeeper@cam.org.au.
Parishioners if you are not registered in the parish, we encourage you to register and support the parish. Kindly fill in the parish registration form available next to the sacristy and return to the priest after mass or email the parish office hopperscrossing@cam.org.au and we will send the parish registration form to you.
DAWN MASS NOVENA – SIMBANG GABI
We invite you to the 28th year of the 9-Days Dawn Mass Novena celebrated at St. Peters, starting on Saturday 16th Dec and finishing on Sunday 24th Dec 2023. Masses at 5:00am daily. Our parish prayer group organises this by coordinating with our parishioners, other Ministries in our parish, prayer group benefactors and others from neighbouring parishes who attend the Dawn Mass Novena every year. Their generosity provides a festive breakfast for everyone who attends the Dawn Mass. If any of you would like to be a part of this breakfast by either providing food or wish to donate towards it, please contact the parish office on 9749 4300 or email hopperscrossing@cam.org.au. Thank you. Please note that Archbishop Peter Comensoli will be the Principal Celebrant at the Mass on Saturday 23 December.
ROSTERS FOR READERS AND EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS for the months from Dec 2023 to Feb 2024 have been emailed. Please contact the parish office if you have not received your copy or need a hard copy. Rosters for Communion to the Sick (Thursday) and Piety Stall are on the glass table in the church hall, kindly collect your copy.
ADVENT RECONCILIATION RITE I - THURSDAY 21ST DECEMBER 7PM
Please join us for our Rite I Reconciliation on Thursday 21st December at 7:00pm in our Church. There will be multiple Priests available to hear confession. This is a great way to prepare ourselves to welcome Jesus our Saviour into our hearts this Christmas. All welcome!
CHRISTMAS FAMILY MASS - SUNDAY 24TH DECEMBER 6:30PM, CAROLS 6:00PM
All children are invited to dress up as a Nativity character e.g. angles, shepherds, wise men, Mary, Joseph etc. for this family Mass. Please have the children ready and waiting in the hall by 5:45pm so they can process into Church for the start of the Carols at 6:00pm sharp.
KEEPING YOUR CHILDREN SAFE ONLINE
There are various resources available for keeping your children safe online, please check the ESafety Commission website for further information. https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars
MELBOURNE OVERSEAS MISSION
There will be a special collection at all Masses next weekend for the Melbourne Overseas Mission. We thank you for your generosity.
CARITAS – GAZA CRISIS APPEAL
Help provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the people affected by the conflict. Donate now at www.caritas.org.au/gaza or call 1800 024 413.
RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Aurora Tayao, Rev. Gerard Dowling, Francis de Rozario, Joanna Tan, Remedios Santos, Mariazinha Fernandes, AnaLinda Bergenholtz, Furta Vella, Tae Yoon Jin, Charlie Sollis, Emmanuel Cardona, Renato Manalilli, Fr. Phero Nguyen Van Tuong, Jim Smith, Edna Clayton, Pawlu Labu Manau Gam, Precila D’Silva, Ramani Kumanayake, and all who have died in disasters all over the world.
DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Caridad Rodrigues, Restituto Cabunilas, Poshan Misquitta, Marisa Caruana, Thomas Tri, Joseph Mau, Maria Suong, Maria Martin Kim, Timothy & Sylvia Lobo, Jose Romao, Doris O’Connor, Timoteo Tanato, Benito Rosada, Basilia & Regino Albaracin, Leslie Fernando, Josephine Deguara, Hamilton Lazaro and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.
PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
We pray for Violet Lawrence, Jeffrey Dalton, Sean Donaldson, Dale D’Souza, Mavis D’Cruz, Atima Chakraborty, Adrian McGill, Lindsay Coates, Jenna Murnane, Vittorio di Palma, Pat Murray, Elizabeth de Guzman, Amelia Pamparo, Daniel Quintanilla, Tony Faranda, Kelly de la Rosa, John O’Regan, Teresita Grisancich, Delice Prior, Yolanda Jones, Monica Jawn Lu, Robyn Leszczynski, Hazel D’Costa, Manuel Becerra and all who are ill in our Parish.
ROSTERS
Counters – 10 Dec 23
| John Allen / Jules & Neeta Pereira |
Roster for Readers – 9/10 Dec 23
| 6:00pm | Adele Vesty |
| 8:30am | Dominic Hankins |
| 10:30am | Lionel D’Cruz |
| 5:00pm | Romayne Albuquerque |
Extraordinary Ministers of Communion – 9/10 Dec 23
| 6:00pm | G. Linning / N. Golaw / K. Pham / Sophia D’Souza |
| 8:30am | S. Vaz / Clarence D / Paul F. / P. Simonides |
| 10:30am | S. Colla / F. Caruana / M&C Peters |
| 5:00pm | E. Angeles / C. Skinner / A. Koek / Volunteer |
Music Ministry – 9/10 Dec 23
| 6:00pm | Footsteps |
| 8:30am | St. Philomena |
| 10:30am | Youth Band |
| 5:00pm | Shepherds of Christ |