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
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.
1st Reading (Is 61:1-2,10-11)
A reading from the prophet Isaiah.
The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to bind up hearts that are broken; to proclaim liberty to captives, freedom to those in prison; to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord. ‘I exult for joy in the Lord, my soul rejoices in my God, for he has clothed me in the garments of salvation, he has wrapped me in the cloak of integrity, like a bridegroom wearing his wreath, like a bride adorned in her jewels. ‘For as the earth makes fresh things grow, as a garden makes seeds spring up, so will the Lord make both integrity and praise spring up in the sight of the nations.
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
My soul rejoices in my God.
2nd Reading (1 Thess 5:16-24)
A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians.
Be happy at all times; pray constantly; and for all things give thanks
to God, because this is what God expects you to do in Christ Jesus. Never try
to suppress the Spirit or treat the gift of prophecy with contempt; think
before you do anything – hold on to what is good and avoid every form of
evil. May the God of peace make you perfect and holy; and may you all be kept
safe and blameless, spirit, soul and body, for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God has called you and he will not fail you.
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 (Jn 1:6-8,19-28)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
A man came, sent by God. His name was John. He came as a witness, as a witness to speak for the light, so that everyone might believe through him. He was not the light, only a witness to speak for the light. This is how John appeared as a witness. When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ he not only declared, but he declared quite openly, ‘I am not the Christ.’ ‘Well then,’ they asked ‘are you Elijah?’ ‘I am not’ he said. ‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?’ So John said, ‘I am, as Isaiah prophesied: a voice that cries in the wilderness: Make a straight way for the Lord.’ Now these men had been sent by the Pharisees, and they put this further question to him, ‘Why are you baptising if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the prophet?’ John replied, ‘I baptise with water; but there stands among you – unknown to you – the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo his sandal-strap.’ This happened at Bethany, on the far side of the Jordan, where John was baptising.
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
2 Sam 7:1-5,8-12,14,16; Rom 16:25-27; Lk 1:26-38
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 |
WELCOME TO OUR NEWLY BAPTISED
We welcome into our Church community Vivienee Alelis, Robert Mackenzie and Roman Matulino 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.
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.
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.
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.
SENIORS CHRISTMAS LUNCH
A merry time was had by all at the Seniors Christmas Lunch. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped with the decorations, food preparation, service, music and clean-up.
CAR PARK AND SCHOOL BUILDING
Thank you to everyone for their patience during the construction of the new school building. This magnificent building will hopefully be completed by the end of December. You will be pleased to know that the car park on the basketball court can be used from 16th December 2023.
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 number of causalities on the frontline and among civilians continues to climb and 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.
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.
COMPLETION OF THE PEWS
The work on the pews has been completed, thank you to all the parishioners who have donated to the cost of refurbishing the pews and a special thanks to Mario Martella and his helpers Vito Logiusto & Joe Dalli for the many hours of work in restoring the pews. Thank you to all the volunteers that have helped with moving the pews to the community centre and back to the church. God bless you and your families.
RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for 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, Joanna Tan, Remedios Santos, Mariazinha Fernandes, AnaLinda Bergenholtz, Furta Vella, Tae Yoon Jin, Charlie Sollis, Emmanuel Cardona and all who have died in disasters all over the world.
DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Arturo Apostoli, Magherita Apostoli, Frank Apostoli, Vita Sammartino, Joan Mogford, Olga Baxy, Salvatore Martelli, Quiter Sanchez, Nelfa Sanchez, Wanda Sanchez, Angelo Toncic, Josipa Toncic, Juliana Toncic, Sime Ukota, Kristina Ukota, Olga Hrvatin, Corazon Dayao, Roberto Dayao, Basilio Angeles, Paily Joseph, Michael D’Cunha, Clementine D’Cunha, Edith Platel 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 and all who are ill in our Parish.
ROSTERS
Counters – 27 Dec 23 (Wednesday)
| L. Vasquez / T. Grisancich / L. De La Cruz |
Roster for Readers – 23/24 Dec 23
| 6:00pm | Sharon D’Silva |
| 8:30am | KSC Reader |
| 10:30am | Rosemary Hibbert |
| 5:00pm | NO 5:00PM MASS |
Extraordinary Ministers of Communion – 23/24 Dec 23
| 6:00pm | N. Golaw / G. Linning / G. Surrao / K. Pham |
| 8:30am | KSC Minister / P. Simonides / R. Johnson / Paul F. |
| 10:30am | C&M Peters / A. Koek / G. Schembri |
| 5:00pm | NO 5:00PM MASS |
Music Ministry – 23/24 Dec 23
| 6:00pm | Footsteps |
| 8:30am | St. Philomena |
| 10:30am | Domini Chorum |
| 5:00pm | NO 5:00PM MASS |