DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS PRAYER
Almighty and Ever living God,
We pray for all who are homeless or without food this Christmas; for refugees forced to flee their own land through poverty or persecution; for the sick and the housebound; for the lonely, and for all who are in want of any kind.
May we share from our plenty with those in need.
Your love was made visible in the birth of your Son at Bethlehem. By the power of your Holy Spirit may our Christmas celebrations deepen our faith in the same Lord who has risen from the dead and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit forever and ever.
Amen.
Entrance Antiphon
Drop down dew from above, you heavens, and let the clouds rain down the Just One; let the earth be opened and bring forth a Saviour.
1st Reading (2 Sam 7:1-5,8-12,14,16)
A reading from the second book of Samuel.
Once David had settled into his house and the Lord had given him rest from all the enemies surrounding him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, ‘Look, I am living in a house of cedar while the ark of God dwells in a tent.’ Nathan said to the king, ‘Go and do all that is in your mind, for the Lord is with you.’ But that very night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: ‘Go and tell my servant David, “Thus the Lord speaks: Are you the man to build me a house to dwell in? I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be leader of my people Israel; I have been with you on all your expeditions; I have cut off all your enemies before you. I will give you fame as great as the fame of the greatest on earth. I will provide a place for my people Israel; I will plant them there and they shall dwell in that place and never be disturbed again; nor shall the wicked continue to oppress them as they did, in the days when I appointed judges over my people Israel; I will give them rest from all their enemies. The Lord will make you great; the Lord will make you a House. And when your days are ended and you are laid to rest with your ancestors, I will preserve the offspring of your body after you and make his sovereignty secure. I will be a father to him and he a son to me. Your House and your sovereignty will always stand secure before me and your throne be established for ever.”’
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
For ever, I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
2nd Reading (Rom 16:25-27)
A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans.
Glory to him who is able to give you the strength to live according to the Good News I preach, and in which I proclaim Jesus Christ, the revelation of a mystery kept secret for endless ages, but now so clear that it must be broadcast to pagans everywhere to bring them to the obedience of faith. This is only what scripture has predicted, and it is all part of the way the eternal God wants things to be. He alone is wisdom; give glory therefore to him through Jesus Christ for ever and ever. Amen.
The Word of the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia. I am the servant of the Lord: may his will for me be done. Alleluia!
Gospel (Lk 1:26-38)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Luke.
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’ ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.’ ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Communion Antiphon
Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son; and his name will be called Emmanuel.
Next Week’s Readings
Gen 15:1-6,21:1-3;
Heb 11:8,11-12,17-19;
Lk 2:22-40
Feasts of the Week
Mon, 25 Dec - The Nativity of the Lord
Tue, 26 Dec - St. Stephen
Wed, 27 Dec - St. John
Thu, 28 Dec - The Holy Innocents
PARISH NEWS
2023 CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR TIMETABLE
| 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 |
READINGS FOR CHRISTMAS MASSES
Christmas Eve – 6:30pm & 9:30pm
Is 62:1-5; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:18-25
Christmas Midnight Mass
Is 9:1-7; Titus 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14
Christmas Day
Is 52:7-10; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18
A CHRISTMAS BLESSING
From Fr. Vincent John & Fr. Simeon Anthony
May the blessings of Christmas be with you
May the Christ child light your way
May God’s holy angels guide you
And keep you safe each day.
May the blessing of the Lord
Be with you and your family
As you celebrate the coming of
Our Saviour Jesus Christ.
NEW TABERNACLE
Our church was gifted with a new Tabernacle on the occasion of our Parish Golden Jubilee last year, by a family who wishes to remain anonymous. Thank you very much for this kind gesture. May God bless you. The new Tabernacle was installed and blessed on Saturday 16th December before the 6:00pm Mass.
PARISH OFFICE CLOSURE
The Parish Office will close for the Christmas break starting Saturday 23 December and returning Tuesday, 9 January. Bulletins for 31 December and 7 January will be single sheets with mass readings. Normal bulletins will resume on 14 January, along with names for Death Anniversaries, Recently Deceased and Sick List. We take this opportunity to wish all our parishioners a holy, safe & blessed Christmas. May the Christ Child shower his blessings on you this Christmas and all through 2024.
CHRISTMAS OFFERING ENVELOPES are placed in the pews and at the back of the church. Kindly use these for your Christmas offerings.
FEAST OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS, MARTYRS – THURSDAY 28TH DECEMBER, 8:30AM MASS
A special Blessing will be given to all babies and children at this Mass in memory of the young children of Bethlehem, put to death by Herod who sought to kill Jesus. These innocent victims bear witness to Christ, to a world which would not receive Him
THANKSGIVING MASS FOR 2023 FOLLOWED BY HOLY HOUR - SATURDAY 30TH DECEMBER, 9:00AM
Although this year may have been very challenging for many, we still give thanks to our Lord for the many blessings and graces received throughout 2023. Please join us for the 9:00am Mass followed by a Holy Hour of Thanksgiving including Exposition, Praise & Worship, Divine Mercy Chaplet, quiet reflection/prayer time and concluding with Benediction. All welcome.
NEW YEAR'S DAY MASS - FEAST MARY MOTHER OF GOD - MONDAY 1ST JANUARY 2024, 9:00AM
Since New Year's Day is a Public Holiday, kindly note that Mass will be celebrated at 9:00am.
THE MEMBERS OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL thank all the families in our parish for kindly donating food items for the Christmas hampers and presents for children. Thank you to St Peter’s Primary School families and teachers for generously donating food items and presents for children. The hampers have been prepared and delivered to 133 needy families in our area. Thank you for your generosity, may God bless you all.
ADVENT APPEAL FOR UKRAINE
In response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Archbishop Comensoli has launched an Advent Appeal for Ukraine. After 643 days of continued conflict, millions of Ukrainians have been displaced. The need for humanitarian aid remains high, especially as winter approaches. Funds raised will go towards providing aid and practical assistance to those who have been displaced and who are without basic supplies, especially the sick and the elderly. Appeal cards are available in the pews and at the back of the church. Thank you for your generosity. For more information about the Appeal or to donate online, please visit the Archdiocese website www.melbournecatholic.org/adventappeal.
RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Br Christian Moe FSC, Hendro Amedo, Maria Galela, Paulina Gutas, Sara Pereira, Jean Raynal, 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, and all who have died in disasters all over the world.
DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Noel Rego, Baby Shania Albuquerque, Bernard Cassin, Florence Thomas, Irawan Tansil, Elly Gosal, Hendra Theodoros, Shiane Josal, Raynaldi & Winoya Theodoros, Pedro & Dante Lopez, Gliceria, Rebecca & Cecilia Tacata, Eduardo Medina, Epifanio Delos Santos, Fr Manuel Delos Santos, Joseph Nguyen, Esperanza & John Blake, Diana Fernandez, 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, Najla Chamie, Michael Mariadas, Angel Toncic, Edna Sanchez, Braden Leong, Anthony Padilla, Elinor Hillock and all who are ill in our Parish.
ROSTERS
Money Counters – 27 Dec 23
| L. Vasquez / T. Grisancich / L. De La Cruz |
Roster for Readers – 24/25 Dec 23
| 6:30pm | Sharon D’Silva |
| 9:30pm | Jerilee Cardoz |
| Midnight | Savita D’Souza |
| 8:30am | Volunteer |
| 10:30am | Davy Fernandez |
| 5:00pm | NO MASS |
Roster for Extraordinary Ministers of Communion - 24/25 Dec 23
| 6:30pm | Sharon A. / Michelle N. /R. Johnson / G. Aldcroft /M. Maple / A. Vesty / D. Hankins / H. Durski |
| 9:30pm | B. Fernandes / S. Martis / P. Fitzgerald / 5 X Volunteers |
| Midnight | S. Graham / 7 X Volunteers |
| 8:30am | G. Linning / E. Angeles / N&N Gooneratne / P. Simonides /3 X Vols |
| 10:30am | E. Mills / 8 X Volunteers |
| 5:00pm | NO MASS |
| 6:30pm | Young Adults |
| 9:30pm | Footsteps |
| Midnight | Youth Band/Eagles Wings |
| 8:30am | St. Philomena |
| 10:30am | Tongan Choir |
| 5:00pm | NO MASS |
Money Counters – 2 Jan 24 (Tuesday)
| K. Stuttard / E. Lewis / B. D’Souza / R. Hibbert |
Roster for Readers – 30/31 Dec 23
| 6:00pm | Davy Fernandez |
| 8:30am | Michelle Nelthropp |
| 10:30am | Lionel D’Cruz |
| 5:00pm | Mary Marip |
Roster for Extraordinary Ministers of Communion - 30/31 Dec 23
| 6:00pm | H. Durski / Sharon A. / S. Martis / G. Aldcroft |
| 8:30am | Karen F. / Pauline S. / I. D’Lima / S. Graham |
| 10:30am | S. Vaz / E. Mills / R. Hibbert / Volunteer |
| 5:00pm | E. Angeles / A. Koek / 2 X Volunteers |
Music Ministry – 30/31 Dec 23
| 6:00pm | Footsteps |
| 8:30am | St. Philomena |
| 10:30am | Filiorum Dei |
| 5:00pm | Youth Band |