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 (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 St. 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
Feasts of the Week
Mon 14 Dec - St. John of the Cross
PARISH NEWS
DAILY/WEEKEND MASSES
- No bookings for Mass. Attendance is on a “first come first in”
- Weekend Mass bookings are done online via Trybooking.com using the following link https://www/trybooking.com/BNKFG (link will remain the same every week). Bookings via this link will open on a Monday and close on a Friday prior to the weekend.
- Christmas/New Year timetable is available in this bulletin. For Christmas/New Year Mass services, bookings are done online via Trybooking using the same link as weekend masses. Bookings for Christmas masses will open on Monday 14 December and close on Tuesday 22 December
- We can accommodate approx. 300 people given the size/dimensions of our facility.
- Please remain in your allocated seat and maintain social distancing during the Liturgy, including when kneeling.
- We request that you do not move the pews or chairs which have been placed to observe the safe distancing required.
- Mask wearing is optional in church.
- Church will open 30 minutes before mass starts. Doors will be shut 5 minutes before mass starts.
- During Communion, stay in your seats. Special Ministers will come to you to distribute Communion.
- Bulletins are to be taken home and not left on your seat.
- Lighting candles is permitted but please do not touch the statues.
- Please use disinfectant wipes provided, to clean your kneelers and seats prior to leaving the church. Bins are located at the back of the church under the EXIT sign or at the Exit door.
- Pews on the left must exit through the door on the left. Pews on the right must exit through the small foyer. No socialising inside church, hall and foyer.
- If you are unwell on your allocated day, PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS.
DAWN MASS NOVENA – SIMBANG GABI
Join us for our 25th year NOVENA DAWN MASS – Simbang Gabi. This year, St. Peter Apostle Mission Parish celebrates its 25th Year of the 9-Days Dawn Mass Novena, starting at 5:00am on Wednesday 16th December up to Thursday 24th December 2020. Masses are held at 5:00am daily. Register via trybooking by following this web link https://www.trybooking.com/BNMIH. Bookings will be open for all 9 days session starting on Sunday 13th December 2020 from 10:00am. Church will be open by 4:20am but entry doors close 5 minutes before Mass starts. There will be NO FELLOWSHIP OR BREAKFAST AFTER MASS. For those who are unable to attend, Masses will be live streamed Via our parish Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSEEdWXncbXNHoRUAl_ V5Q/ Via Facebook https://m.facebook.com/stpetershoppers/.. Via ZOOM Meeting ID: 923 0757 3592, Password: SPhc2020. For further information contact Sherwin on 0466 408 004.
ST. PETER'S YEAR 6 GRADUATON MASS, FRIDAY 11TH DECEMBER
We congratulate all the Year 6 students who celebrated their graduation on Friday. We wish them many blessings and pray that Our Lord Jesus will guide them throughout Secondary School and beyond.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION RITE I – WEDNESDAY 16TH DECEMBER, 7:00PM
Due to COVID restrictions we can only hold Rite I Penance, so please join us on Wednesday 16th December at 7:00pm. This is a great way to prepare ourselves to welcome Jesus our Savour into our hearts.
SCHOOL YEAR END MASS – 17TH DEC 2020
We thank the Principal, Teachers and all staff of our St. Peter's Primary School for their hard work and perseverance during the Covid months of lockdown. May the light of Christ guide and protect you always. We wish you all A Merry Christmas, Blessed New Year and Happy Holidays! Thank you to all the parents and school children who have generously donated items to our Giving Tree.
THE NEW ‘ST. PETER YOUNG ADULTS (SPYA) MAGAZINE’, RELEASING ON 13TH DECEMBER.
The purpose of the SPYA magazine is to engage and encourage the young adults of the community to share, testify and learn more about the great work of our God. We are planning to regularly share new articles, testimonies and stories relating to the work of God in our lives and what drives us as Young Adults. The SPYA magazine will be released online to the SP Young Adults, St. Peter Apostle Mission Parish Facebook page, attached to the weekly email that contains the Bulletin and can be found on the parish website! We welcome anyone to join and participate in the magazine to inspire the young community around us. Please feel free to email us at spyoungadults18@gmail.com.
HSI SCHOOL OF DISCIPLESHIP 2020 GRADUATION
Congratulations to the graduates of the HSI School of Discipleship 2020. Graduation mass will be celebrated on Saturday 12 December at 10:30am. HSI School of Discipleship is a faith outreach program where members convene to learn more about our Catholic faith through prayer, reflection and fellowship. Please support our graduates who have attended the school over the last 12 months and please keep them in your prayers.
FEAST OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS, MARTYRS – MONDAY 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.
NEW YEAR'S EVE MASS, THURSDAY 31ST DECEMBER, 8:30AM FOLLOWED BY HOLY HOUR OF THANKSGIVING
This year has been an especially trying time for everyone, however, we ask you to join us as we give thanks for the many blessings and graces received throughout 2020. The 8:30am Mass will be followed by Exposition, Praise and Worship, Divine Mercy Chaplet, quiet reflection time and conclude with Benediction.
LETTER FROM ARCHBISHOP PETER COMMENSOLI
A Bill has been quietly tabled by the State Government last week, called the Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill 2020. It is believed that the Bill will be debated and brought to pass in the lower house next week and back to the upper house early next year. With very little consultation over the past 12 months and little discussion in the past weeks, the Bill was tabled without religious communities having the opportunity to see what was being proposed. The basic problem is not the announced intention which appears to be about preventing harmful and coercive practices that would damage human dignity. The problem is the content of the bill itself and its self explanatory memorandum, links below. Which look like a dramatic over-reach of the state into the contexts of prayer, conversion, pastoral conversation, spiritual accompaniment, family life and the freedom of individuals to change and to seek advice and direction of their own choosing to make their own decisions. https://content.legislation.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/bills/591143bi 1.pdf
https://content.legislation.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/bills/591143e xi1.pdf
MELBOURNE OVERSEAS MISSION APPEAL 12/13 DECEMBER
In a year like no other in living memory, the work of Melbourne Overseas Missions (MOM) has continued to support those in need. Our Holy Father Pope Francis reminds us of the many challenges our brothers and sisters face daily. Your continued support for MOM Annual Appeal is greatly appreciated. Due to current restrictions the MOM Appeal of December 2020 will be held online at the following link https://bit.ly/CDFpayMOM.
| DAWN MASS / CHRISTMAS TIMETABLE | ||
| MASSES | ||
| 16 – 18 Dec Wed, Thu, Fri |
5:00am 8:30am |
Dawn Mass Novena Weekday Mass |
| 19 Dec – Sat | 5:00am 9:00am 6:00pm |
Dawn Mass Novena Saturday Morning Mass Vigil Mass |
| 20 Dec – Sun | 5:00am 8:30am 10:30am 5:00pm |
Dawn Mass Novena Sunday Masses |
| 21 - 23 Dec Mon, Tue, Wed |
5:00am 8:30am |
Dawn Mass Novena Weekday Mass |
| 24 Dec – Thu | 5:00am | Dawn Mass Novena |
| 24 Dec – Thu Christmas Eve |
6:00pm 6:30pm |
Carols followed by Family Mass |
| 24 Dec – Thu Christmas Eve |
9:00pm 9:30pm |
Carols followed by Vigil Mass |
| 24 Dec – Thu Christmas Eve |
11:30pm 12:00am |
Carols followed by Midnight Mass |
| 25 Dec – Fri Christmas DayNo 5:00pm Mass |
7:30am 9:30am 11.15am1:00pm |
No carols before Masses Spanish Mass |
| 26 Dec – Sat |
9:00am 6:00pm |
Saturday Morning Mass Vigil Mass |
| 27 Dec – Sun Feast of Holy Family |
8:30am 10:30am 5:00pm |
Sunday Masses |
| 31 Dec New Year’s Eve |
8:30am | Weekday Mass followed by Holy Hour of Thanksgiving |
| 1 Jan New Year’s DayNo Evening Mass |
9:30am | Weekday Mass |
| RECONCILIATION RITE I | ||
| 16 Dec – Wed | 7:00pm at St. Peters Parish | |
RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Josephine Zerafa, Leo Dsilva, Loreta Sotelo, Felicitas San Diego, Bienvenido Limson, Lourdes Oceate, Edna MacGowan and all who have died due to COVID-19 and all who have passed away recently.
DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Myrtle D’cruz, Angelina Farrugia, Manda Vekic, Joe Gonsalvez, Sheila Fernandez, Virgian Jewel, Owen Carroll, Veera Bayer, Malcolm & Philomena Fernandez and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.
PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
We pray for Gary Spotswood, Sean Donaldson, Kath Meddings, Jean Cameron, Gordon Newman, Denis Webber, Monique Hoaster, Wilfredo Villareal, Rolando Navarro, Francis Goonting, Anne Deluca, Hellen Bonnici, Filippo Sciglitano, Anthony Hanford, James Barwick, Gerry Akein, Carmelina Costanzo, Alki Christopoulos, Charlotte Mary, Paul Burton, Aloysius Silva, Norma Medina, Christine Hall, Esther Uwase, Steven Smith, Justin Worsley, Calum Jones, John Murray, Andrew Crowley, Vincent Margaret, Christian Lindsay, Anne Marie Toole, Liss Corado, Michael Buttigieg, Elvie de Torres, Helen Smith, Walter Castelino, Alan Hussy and all who are ill in our Parish.