DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR DECEMBER
Advent Prayer
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
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.
1st Reading (Zeph 3:14-18)
A reading from the prophet Zephaniah.
Shout for joy, daughter of Zion, Israel, shout aloud! Rejoice, exult with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has repealed your sentence; he has driven your enemies away. The Lord, the king of Israel, is in your midst; you have no more evil to fear. When that day comes, word will come to Jerusalem: Zion, have no fear, do not let your hands fall limp. The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult with joy over you, he will renew you by his love; he will dance with shouts of joy for you as on a day of festival.
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
2nd Reading (Phil 4:4-7)
A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Philippians.
I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord; I repeat, what I want is your happiness. Let your tolerance be evident to everyone: the Lord is very near. There is no need to worry; but if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God for it with prayer and thanksgiving, and that peace of God, which is so much greater than we can understand, will guard your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus.
The Word of the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he sent me to bring Good News to the poor. Alleluia.
Gospel (Lk 3:10-18)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
When all the people asked John, ‘What must we do?’ he answered, ‘If anyone has two tunics he must share with the man who has none, and the one with something to eat must do the same.’ There were tax collectors too who came for baptism, and these said to him, ‘Master, what must we do?’ He said to them, ‘Exact no more than your rate.’ Some soldiers asked him in their turn, ‘What about us? What must we do?’ He said to them, ‘No intimidation! No extortion! Be content with your pay!’ A feeling of expectancy had grown among the people, who were beginning to think that John might be the Christ, so John declared before them all, ‘I baptise you with water, but someone is coming, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fan is in his hand to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his barn; but the chaff he will burn in a fire that will never go out.’ As well as this, there were many other things he said to exhort the people and to announce the Good News to them.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Communion Antiphon
Say to the faint of heart: Be strong and do not fear. Behold, our God will come, and he will save us.
Next Week’s Readings
Micah 5:1-4; Heb 10:5-10; Lk 1:39-44
Feasts of the Week
Mon, 13 Dec - St. Lucy
Tue, 14 Dec - St. John of the Cross
PARISH NEWS
CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR TIMETABLE
| MASSES | |||
| 16 – 24 Dec | 5:00am | Dawn Mass Novena (Simbang Gabi) | |
| 24 Dec Friday No 8:30am Mass |
4:00pm | Mass for unknown vaccination status (Cap of 50 – First come first served basis) | |
| 6:30pm | Family Mass with Carols at 6:00pm | ||
| 9:30pm | Vigil Mass with Carols at 9:00pm | ||
| 12 Midnight | Mass with Carols at 11:30pm | ||
| 25 Dec CHRISTMAS DAY Saturday |
8:30am | Mass with carols at 8:00am | |
| 10:30am | Mass with carols at 10:00am | ||
| 1:15pm | Spanish Mass | ||
| Christmas Day – No 6:00pm Mass | |||
| 26 Dec Sunday |
8:30am, 10:30am, 5:00pm | Normal Weekend Masses | |
| 12 noon | Filipino Mass | ||
| 3:30pm | Mass for unknown vaccination status | ||
| 31 Dec Friday |
8:30am | Mass followed by Holy Hour of Thanksgiving | |
| 1 Jan Saturday |
9:00am | Mass | |
| 6:00pm | Vigil Mass | ||
| 2 Jan Sunday |
8:30am, 10:30am, 5:00pm | 8:30am, 10:30am, 5:00pm | |
| 3:30pm | Mass for unknown vaccination status | ||
| RECONCILIATION RITE I – VACCINATED ONLY | |||
| 23 Dec | 7:00pm at St. Peter’s | ||
| CONFESSIONS AT ST. PETER’S | |||
| Wednesdays | 6:30pm | ||
| Saturdays | After 9:00am Mass | ||
UPDATED PARISH GUIDELINES
Following Government announcements, there will be no density limits in church. Masses are celebrated as follows:
Fully Vaccinated – No cap
Weekdays
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30am, Saturday 9:00am
Wednesday 7:00pm followed by Mother of Perpetual Succour novena.
Weekend
Saturday 6:00pm, Sunday 8:30am, 10:30am & 5:00pm
Unknown Vaccination Status - Cap of 50 people per Mass
Wednesdays at 8.30 am, Sundays at 3:30pm (This will be on a first come first serve basis).
Kindly note the following:
- Bookings for weekday and weekend Masses are not required.
- Registration via QR Code (volunteers will be available to assist).
- Proof of vaccination for all attending (12+ years and over) to be shown to the Check-In Marshalls. Parishioners need to update “Services Victoria App” if they are fully vaccinated or have a vaccination exemption.
- If you do not have a smart phone, please obtain a hard copy vaccination compliance certificate which is to be shown to the Check-In Marshalls each time you attend mass as it will be recorded manually.
- Face masks are optional.
- Please sanitise prior to entering church.
- Church will open 30 minutes before Mass.
Doors will be shut 5 minutes before Mass.
WEEKLY PARISH DATES
| Sundays |
9:15am to 10:25am – Sunday School for children attending non-Catholic Schools. 10:30am Mass – Children’s Liturgy held 2nd and 4th Sundays. 6:00pm to 8:00pm – Youth Group (12 - 18 years) in the Community Centre 6:15pm – School of Discipleship 6:15pm – Young Adults (18 - 29 years) in the Theatrette. For details call parish office 97494300 or message SPYA on Facebook at facebook.com/SPYoungadults |
| Mondays | 7:00pm to 8:30pm – Bible Study (St. Peters & St. James) Meetings will resume in February 2022 |
| Tuesdays | 7:00pm Online Zoom Rosary Meeting ID: 893 2042 1399 Passcode: rosary |
| Wednesdays | 7:00pm RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) on Zoom |
| 1st Fridays | 7:00pm to 8:15pm Mass & Adoration |
| Saturdays | 2:30pm to 4:00pm – St. Peter’s Charismatic Prayer Community Meetings will resume in February 2022 |
| Baptisms | 12 noon – Baptisms held 1st & 3rd Sundays. Baptism Preparation Meeting held on the 1st Monday of the month at 7:00pm on zoom |
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS
Fr Vincent and the Parish Pastoral Council thank all our volunteers in the Parish who have worked in various ministries and have given their time and talent throughout this year and especially through all the challenges we have faced. Your assistance, service and great support to the parish and our community is greatly appreciated. Please be assured of our continued prayers for you, May God bless you and your families.
ST. PETER'S SCHOOL YEAR 6 GRADUATION MASS, TUESDAY 14TH DECEMBER, 7:00PM
We congratulate all the Year 6 students who will be celebrating their Graduation on Tuesday night. We wish them many blessings and pray that our Lord Jesus will guide them throughout Secondary School and beyond.
CARPARK
Please be mindful of everyone’s safety and observe the speed limit as you enter and leave the car park.
VOLUNTEERS URGENTLY NEEDED as Covid Marshalls for the Christmas/New Year Masses. If you are able to assist, please contact David Roga on 0407857759 or email roga05@optusnet.com.au.
PIETY STORE has, for sale, Christmas cards, Columban Calendars ($9) and God’s Word 2022 ($20). If you would like to purchase any of these or other religious items, the Piety Store is open before and after all weekend Masses. Piety Store rosters are available for collection from the Church hall.
RCIA
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. On Sunday 12th December at the 8:30am mass, Heather Paxton, Riya Simon & Fritz Chisholm will be accepted as Catechumens by Fr. Vincent. Let us welcome Heather, Riya and Fritz into our church community.
DAWN MASS NOVENA – SIMBANG GABI
We invite you to the 26th Year of the 9-Days Dawn Mass Novena celebrated at St. Peters, starting on Thu 16th Dec and finishing on Fri 24th Dec 2021. Masses at 5:00am daily. NO BOOKINGS required, however Proof of vaccination for all attending (12 years and over) to be shown to the Check-In Marshalls. If your vaccination certificate is not linked to your check-in, please obtain a hard copy vaccination compliance certificate which is to be shown to the Check-In Marshalls each time you attend as it will be recorded manually. There will be no fellowship after Mass. Please come in early as entry doors will be shut at 4:55am. For those who are unable to attend, Masses will be livestreamed via the Parish Facebook Page, via ZOOM and via YouTube.
ST. PETER'S RITE I RECONCILIATION FOR ADVENT THURSDAY 23RD DECEMBER, 7:00PM (FULLY VACCINATED ONLY)
Please join us for our Rite I Reconciliation for Advent on Thursday 23rd 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.
CHRISTMAS FAMILY MASS – FRIDAY 24TH DECEMBER 6:30PM, CAROLS 6:00PM
All children are invited to dress up as a Nativity character e.g. angels, shepherds, Mary, Joseph, etc. for this family Mass. Please have the children ready and waiting in the hall by 5:50pm so they can process into Church for the start of the Carols at 6:00pm sharp.
THANK YOU FROM JOSEPH’S CORNER – Sr. Jeanne would like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and to thank the Parishioners of St Peter's for their generous support of our Joseph's Corner Stall. We raised $1879.
RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Dcn. Charles English, Doris O’Connor, Msgr Joseph Stowers, Chris Bull, Marni Spitalieri, Peter Peart, Macario Pagdanganan Sr, John Cardoza, Seth Lariche-Waldron, Sunta Debrincat, Pasala Kristenamma, Heath Prior, Fr Christopher Seton, Miroslav Hledik, all who have died due to COVID-19 and all who have passed away.
DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Albert De Sousa, Milly Lobo, George, Merlin, Joe Gonsalvez, Angelina Farrugia, Evan Pritchard, Edith Platel, Denrick Alinea, Lorenza Garcia, Basilio Angeles, George Thomas, Frank & Evelyn D’Lima, Bruno Anic, Aileen Gower and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.
PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
We pray for Gary Spotswood, Sean Donaldson, Kath Meddings, Wilfredo Villareal, Brian & Helen Kelly, Trish Musarra, Steven & Helen Smith, Jean Cameron, Ann Gee Lee, Valerie Coates, Sylvia Aldersea, Vincent Margaret, Adrian McGill, Kevin Hynes, Jeffrey Dalton, Katherine Yin Ming Lee, Enid Gibb, Gerardo Monsalve, Carmen Sherri and all who are ill in our Parish.
ROSTERS
Counters – 19 Dec 2021
| Tini & Barrie Hope |
Readers – 18/19 Dec 2021
| 6:00pm | Adele Vesty |
| 8:30am | Michelle Nelthropp |
| 10:30am | Giovanna Siccita |
| 5:00pm | Youth Mass |
Extraordinary Ministers of Communion – 18/19 Dec 2021
| 6:00pm | N. Golaw / G. Aldcroft / Volunteer |
| 8:30am | R. Hibbert / N&N Gooneratne |
| 10:30am | S. De Los Reyos / L. Ortega / B. Fernandes |
| 5:00pm | Youth Mass |
Music Ministry – 18/19 Dec 2021
| 6:00pm | Mater Dolorosa |
| 8:30am | St. Philomena Choir |
| 10:30am | FilOz |
| 5:00pm | Youth Mass |