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
O people of Sion, behold, the Lord will come to save the nations, and the Lord will make the glory of his voice heard in the joy of your heart.
1st Reading (Is 40:1-5,9-11)
A reading from the prophet Isaiah.
‘Console my people, console them’ says your God. ‘Speak to the heart of Jerusalem and call to her that her time of service is ended, that her sin is atoned for, that she has received from the hand of the Lord double punishment for her crimes.’ A voice cries, ‘Prepare in the wilderness a way for the Lord. Make a straight highway for our God across the desert. Let every valley be filled in, every mountain and hill be laid low, let every cliff become a plain, and the ridges a valley; then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all mankind shall see it; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’ Go up on a high mountain, joyful messenger to Zion. Shout with a loud voice, joyful messenger to Jerusalem. Shout without fear, say to the towns of Judah, ‘Here is your God.’ Here is the Lord coming with power, his arm subduing all things to him. The prize of his victory is with him, his trophies all go before him. He is like a shepherd feeding his flock, gathering lambs in his arms, holding them against his breast and leading to their rest the mother ewes.
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
Lord, let us see your kindness and grant us your salvation.
2nd Reading (2 Pet 3:8-14 )
A reading from the second letter of St. Peter.
There is one thing, my friends, that you must never forget: that with the Lord, ‘a day’ can mean a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord is not being slow to carry out his promises, as anybody else might be called slow; but he is being patient with you all, wanting nobody to be lost and everybody to be brought to change his ways. The Day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then with a roar the sky will vanish, the elements will catch fire and fall apart, the earth and all that it contains will be burnt up. Since everything is coming to an end like this, you should be living holy and saintly lives while you wait and long for the Day of God to come, when the sky will dissolve in flames and the elements melt in the heat. What we are waiting for is what he promised: the new heavens and new earth, the place where righteousness will be at home. So then, my friends, while you are waiting, do your best to live lives without spot or stain so that he will find you at peace.
The Word of the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all people shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia!
Gospel (Mk 1:1-8)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
The beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah: Look, I am going to send my messenger before you; he will prepare your way. A voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight. and so it was that John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. All Judaea and all the people of Jerusalem made their way to him, and as they were baptised by him in the river Jordan they confessed their sins. John wore a garment of camel-skin, and he lived on locusts and wild honey. In the course of his preaching he said, ‘Someone is following me, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals. I have baptised you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.’
The Gospel of the Lord.
Communion Antiphon
Jerusalem, arise and stand upon the heights, and behold the joy which comes to you from God.
Next Week’s Readings
Is 61:1-2, 10-11; 1 Thess 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 19-28
Feasts of the Week
Wed, 13 Dec - St. Lucy
Thu, 14 Dec - St. John of the Cross
PARISH NEWS
2023 CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR TIMETABLE
| 16 - 24 Dec | 5:00am | Dawn Mass Novena |
| Thu 21 Dec | 7:00pm |
RECONCILIATION RITE I at St. Peter’s |
| Sat 23 Dec |
5:00am 9:00am 6:00pm |
Dawn Mass Novena with Archbishop Comensoli Saturday Morning Mass 4th Wk Advent Vigil Mass |
| Sun 24 Dec |
8:30/10:30am No 5:00pm Mass | 4th Wk Advent Weekend Masses |
|
Sun 24 Dec Christmas Eve |
6:00pm 6:30pm | Carols followed by Family Mass |
| Sun 24 Dec |
9:00pm 9:30pm |
Carols followed by Vigil Mass |
| Sun 24 Dec |
11:30pm 12:00am |
Carols followed by Midnight Mass |
| Mon 25 Dec Christmas Day |
8:30/10:30am 1:15pm | Carols ½ hour before Mass Spanish Mass |
| Mon 25 Dec | Christmas Day – No 5:00pm Mass | |
| Tue 26 Dec | 8:30am | Weekday Mass |
| Sat 30 Dec | 9:00am | Thanksgiving Mass followed by Holy Hour of Thanksgiving for 2023 |
| Sat 30 Dec | 6:00pm | Saturday Vigil Mass |
| Sun 31 Dec | 8:30am 10:30am 5:00pm | Sunday Masses |
| Mon 1 Jan | 9:00am | New Year’s Day Mass |
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 97494300 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.
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 are 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. angels, 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.
MELBOURNE OVERSEAS MISSION
There will be a special collection at all Masses this weekend for the Melbourne Overseas Mission. We thank you for your generosity.
THE PIETY STORE has a stock of WORD OF GOD 2024, Columban Calendars $10, Christmas cards, and other religious items and jewellery. Come and have a browse. A great opportunity for some Christmas shopping.
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). Please RSVP to Margaret Craigie on 0456914652.
ST. PETER'S YEAR 6 GRADUATION MASS - THURSDAY 14TH DECEMBER
We congratulate all the Year 6 students who will be celebrating their Graduation this Thursday night. We wish them many blessings and pray that our Lord Jesus will guide them throughout Secondary School and beyond.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL GIVING TREE
Items for the giving tree to be placed under tree by Sunday 10th December. 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.
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.
CHRISTMAS CAROLS AT THE CATHEDRAL, SUNDAY 17 DEC 2023, 3:00PM TO 4:15PM
Come along for a family concert of traditional and modern Christmas carols at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The performance includes plenty of audience participation, a children’s segment and ‘special guest’ appearance. Tickets cost $30 for Adults, $25 Concession. Children 15 and under FREE. Tickets can be purchased via cash or card at the door or in advance at St Patrick's Cathedral Melbourne 2023 Concert Series Tickets, St Patrick's Cathedral, East Melbourne | TryBooking Australia or https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/772036
RITE OF ACCEPTANCE FOR CATECHUMEN – SUNDAY 10TH DEC 8:30AM MASS
The Rite of Acceptance into the order of Catechumens is the first step an enquirer into the Catholic faith makes in preparation for receiving baptism next Easter. This Sunday at the 8:30am mass, Jasmine Dawson and Khun Banya will be accepted as Catechumens by Fr. Vincent. Let us welcome Jasmine and Khun into our church congregation
RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Rogelio Lising, Loretta D’Cruz, Russell D’Souza, Cao Pho HL Trinh Hon, Walter Castellino, Andres Mejia, 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 Judith D’Cruz, Marion Bartolo, Peter Paul Fernando, Remedios Llagas, Maria Carvalho, Madan Vekic, Basilio Angeles 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, Monica Jawn Lu, Robyn Leszczynski, Hazel D’Costa, Manuel Becerra, P Davies, Jonas Dumadag, Michael Mariadas and all who are ill in our Parish.
ROSTERS
Counters – 17 Dec 23
| Pravin Albuquerque / Clarence D’Souza / Grace Sharman |
Roster for Readers – 16/17 Dec 23
| 6:00pm | Jeslin Shaji |
| 8:30am | Catherine Graham |
| 10:30am | Sunil Vaz |
| 5:00pm | Youth Mass |
Extraordinary Ministers of Communion – 16/17 Dec 23
| 6:00pm | S. Fernando / Josie T. / B. Fernandes / Praful A. |
| 8:30am | Karen F. / M. Nelthropp / R. Hibbert / Romayne A. |
| 10:30am | S. Delos Reyes / E. Mills / L. Ortega / Volunteer |
| 5:00pm | Youth Mass |
Music Ministry – 16/17 Dec 23
| 6:00pm | Mater Dolorosa |
| 8:30am | St. Philomena |
| 10:30am | FilOz |
| 5:00pm | Youth Mass |