9th December, 2018 - Year C

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Dear Parishioners,

1. The End of the Story Each person has a life story. It begins when a person is born, helpless and naked, infinitely valuable to his mother maybe but not of much account in the world at large. From that beginning on, each person is trying to get somewhere, to be something. At every stage, he is hoping that if he could only—onlywhat? Well, only ride the bike, win the girl, finish the degree, land the job, buy the house, get the raise—then, oh, then, he would have gotten what he wanted to have. He would be what he wanted to be. But what is it we really want to have and to be? What is the point of anything we strive for in our lives? When all is said and done, none of us is getting out of this world alive. And when we face that fact, what difference does anything make? Each chapter of a person’s life leads inexorably to the next, until it leads to death. As we face death, will we care at all anymore about all those things that we struggled to have and to be during any of the earlier chapters of our lives? It can be that we will. A person can write the story of his life in such a way that the main theme is the Lord and the things of the Lord. Those things last through death, into the world that is the everlasting last chapter for the lives of the Lord’s people. This week’s Psalm illuminates that last chapter brilliantly. In that world, on the other side of death, all the failures, all the sins, all the pains—everything that caused tears in earthly life, will be redeemed into joy. Even if a person ended the earthly story of his life with only seeds of faith, hope, and love, he will reap the fruit of those seeds with rejoicing in the world to come. At that time, each of the Lord’s people will look at what he has gotten and think he must be dreaming. He will look at what he himself has become and find it so hard to believe and so good that he bursts into laughter of joy. This end of the story is what is worth living for. 2. Readers wanted! The new readers roster is available in the gathering space. If you can read Italian we are looking for Italian proclaimers for both 8.30am and 5.30pm masses. If you are interested, please contact the office. 3. Counters Roster New rosters are available for collection. Due to a drop in helpers there are only 6 groups for next year. Please note your assigned group number as this has changed. Thank you to those that help in this ministry. If you have 1.5 hours to spare on a Sunday morning 9 times a year please contact the parish office.

ALL HALLOWS’ PARISH CHURCH

2 Halley Street FIVE DOCK 2046

Administrator: Fr Matthew Solomon Deacon: Rev. Mr. Constantine Rodrigues crodrigues60@optusnet.com.au Secretaries: Elena Di Perna & Elsa Waldie

Presbytery: Monday: Closed Tues - Fri: 8.30am - 3.30pm Closed for lunch 12.30-1.30 pm

Phone: 9713 7960 Fax: 9713 5172

Email: parishallhallows@gmail.com

Web: www.allhallows.org.au

All Hallows’ Parish School

Principal: Mrs Helen Elliott

Phone: 9713 4469 Fax: 9712 5184

Email: info@ahpsfivedock.catholic.edu.au

Web: www.ahpsfivedock.catholic.edu.au

Sacramental Life

Eucharist:

Saturday - 9.00am & 5.30pm Vigil

Sunday - 8.30am

Sunday - 10am Children’s Liturgy

Sunday - 6.00pm Youth Mass

Monday - 9.00am

Tues - Wed - 8.00am

Thurs - Fri - 9.00am

Lauds (morning prayer) is prayed

20 minutes before morning mass

daily. All Welcome.

Reconciliation: Saturday 9.30 - 10am & 4.45 - 5.15pm

Anointing: First Friday of the month at 9am mass. (except January).

Sick Calls: Any time - day/night.

Funeral Masses: In co-operation with Funeral Directors.

Exposition: Third Thursday of every month

Celebrating FAITH, LIFE and LOVE in COMMUNITY.

4. Deacon Conti We welcome Deacon Conti to our parish. Archbishop Anthony Fisher appointed him to All Hallows’ starting December 1st.

Deacon Conti will be looking after our young families welcoming those with newly baptised children. He will also be looking after the sick of our parish and our newly trained altar servers. We assure him of our prayers in his service at our parish. 5. Thank you Supper Fr Matthew and the PPC invite those who have been a part of the many important All Hallows Church ministries during 2018 to a Thank You Supper Wednesday 12th December from 6pm - 9pm at the parish house Please RSVP by Tuesday 11th December by email parishallhallows@gmail.com or phone 9713 7960 for catering purposes. 6. Save the Date Bishop Tony Randazzo has been invited to celebrate Mass with us on Saturday 2nd February, 2019 at the special time of 5.00pm to launch the All Hallows’ Centenary celebrations. Mass will be followed by a casual dinner in the presbytery. More details to follow. 7. Christmas Masses Sign up sheets are available in the gathering space for those who can help as Extra-ordinary Minister of Communion or Altar Serving for our 4 masses over the Christmas celebrations.

If you are able to help please write your name on the sheet under the mass you will attend.

Please note our mass times and reconciliation times in the bulletin. 8. First Holy Communion We welcome Joshua Lattanzi to the table of the Lord for the first time on Sunday at the 10am Mass. May his love grow for Jesus and the Blessed Sacrament. 9. Prayer Group Please note this Tuesday 11th will be the final meeting for Sr Ruth’s group which will be followed by Christmas supper. God Bless. Fr Matthew.

St. Vincent de Paul Cards and Calendars

St. Vincent de Paul will be selling Columban Calendars

and Christmas Cards. The prices have remained the same so grab a bargain!

Columban Calendars - $8.00

Pack of 10 assorted Christmas Cards - $6.00

Christmas Appeal Envelopes Thank you to everyone who took an

Appeal Envelope last weekend. Please return as soon as possible by

placing on any weekend collection plates.

Gift Tags Each year we collect gifts that are included in our

Christmas Hampers for the needy within our local area.

Please take a “Gift Tag” that is labelled for either a LADY, MAN or CHILD from the table

in the gathering space and purchase a gift which can be placed under our

Christmas Tree. It would be appreciated if all gifts

are placed under our Christmas Tree by Sunday 16th of December.

ALL HALLOWS’ ADVENT PREPARATION

1 DAY PILGRIMAGE

Saturday 15 December at Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy, Penrose Park

(Berrima)

Theme: Discovering the Messiah: A journey of expectation and hope

Mass will be celebrated by Fr Marek at 11am

Pick up/Drop off: All Hallows Church

Time: 7.45am Return: 6.00pm Bring your own lunch and drinks.

Cost: $40 per person Contact: Cristina Leontini 0415 267 430.

To reserve your seat please pay at the parish

office by Tuesday 11 December. Minimum numbers: 23

WE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED

In your love and concern, please pray for:- Recently Deceased: Emanuele Giuffre, Maria Maiorana, Amalia Casarotto, John Taylor, Salvatore Cono, Vincenzo Caridi, Pierina Meneguzzo Mass Intentions: 8th: Anna Guerra & Aldofa Garrido Vigil: Rufina Fahardo 8.30am: Fred Arapa - 32yrs since accident 10.00am: Loretta Gioia & Peter Fiorini 6.00pm: Giuiseppe & Letteria Luca Donato For the following ill members of our community:-

Tony Lim, Vincenzo La Manna, Andrew Ammendolia, Elysha Fazzalaro,

Bernadette Lane, Mia Spalina, Sarah Galleghan, Ryan Family, Kylie Lane, Judith Tetley,

John Vincent, Rosa Maria Santos, Belinda Briggs, Anna Pezzuto, Marie Mylott, Mark Bridgett,

Mary Davies, Maria Iolanda Scenna, Jeni Steele, Caterina Scarfo, Mary Pulis, Giuseppe Princi,

Joyce Kelly, Tom Fonti, Natalina Denaro, Marcello Cheles, Brian Gallagher, Crochetta Valenti, Vanessa Lane

(Names will remain on list for 1 month unless notified.)

GET YOUR COPY OF

THE CATHOLIC WEEKLY

• Second Newman miracle

• Red is for suffering: Focus on religious

freedom

• Mean streets: A day in the life of the Matt

Talbot Hostel

• Horsley Park Church lights up for Christmas

• Movie review: Creed II

• Croatian Youth absorb Theology of the Body

Q: What is a witch’s favourite compute

program??

A: The Spell checker!!!

Kid’s Corner

ALL HALLOWS' YOUTH MINISTRY

If you are between the ages of 10-18, the

Parish of All Hallows' Five Dock invites you to join

its Youth Ministry,

‘Generation Awakening’ (GA).

Meetings will run every Sunday beginning at

5.00pm in the hall classrooms,

followed by 6pm Youth Mass.

For any enquiries email genawakening@gmail.com

Catholic Women’s League

CHARITY CHRISTMAS RAFFLES Tickets will be on sale

Weekend 8 and 9 December & 15 and 16 December

Christmas Baskets Raffle

Beautiful hampers $5 for 3 tickets

*** Gift vouchers Raffle

Fantastic gift vouchers $5 each or $10 for 3 tickets

Raffles drawn Sunday 16 December after 10am Mass

Children's Christmas Pageant

The Children's Christmas Pageant will take place at

6pm, Monday 24 December at All Hallows’

Church.

All children are welcome to participate.

They are invited to dress up as shepherds or

angels, to sing and dance.

There is one practice at

3:30pm Tuesday 18 December at the Church.

To confirm your child's participation please

contact Frances Cordaro -

frances.cordaro@gmail.com

CatholicCare Sydney

CatholicCare Sydney: Do you have time to help people in your community?

We need volunteers to provide much needed companionship to elderly people

who feel lonely and isolated in South West and Inner West Sydney.

If you have time to spend with someone who would truly appreciate it, please call us on 13 18 19 and become a volunteer

today.

Visit us on the web at www.catholiccare.org

ALL HALLOWS' PLENARY COUNCIL NEWS With more than 5 million people ticking "Catholic" on the last Australian Census, the Plenary Council was always going to be ambitious in its efforts to connect with and hear from a large number of people. In recent weeks, the Plenary Council has continued to reach into many parts of the Church and the wider community. In Sydney, Lana met with members of the various Eastern Catholic Churches, helping ensure their participation in a journey that incorporates the breadth of Catholic worship and tradition. In Townsville, Bishop Tim Harris meet with almost 200 members of the business community, and in Melbourne, Fr Noel Connolly SSC, from the Facilitation Team, visited a parish that is taking local outreach to the next level. You can read more about all those gatherings on the Plenary Council website at www.plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au

CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

We gratefully acknowledge all the people involved in

assisting the CWL with our Christmas raffles.

In particular we would like to thank Leanne Cheers who was able to obtain some wonderful gift vouchers from the

following sponsors:

Cambridge Hotel Sydney

Ocean Foods

Nicole Anderson Photography Bakers Delight Burwood

The Bakehouse Café Drummoyne We sincerely thank these sponsors for their generous

donations. We hope that parishioners will support our two raffles. All monies raised are donated to various Charities.

Wishing you all God’s blessings this Christmas season.

Catholic Women’s League, Five Dock Branch

CATHOLIC COMMUNICATIONS An Advent App for Christmas! – Meet Me in the Silence. Walk the journey to Advent on your mobile device. Each day delivers a new video, podcast or written feature to assist you prepare for Christmas and meet Jesus in the silence, despite the busyness of the Christ-mas season. The Advent Calendar App is free and available on your iPhone, iPad and Android devices. Search for "Xt3 Advent" in the Google Play store or the App store, or visit www.sydneycatholic.org/xt3advent A Choral Christmas Celebration Concert On Friday 14 December, St Mary’s Cathedral will celebrate with carols and Christmas joy for the annual, and much anticipated A Choral Christmas Celebration concert. There will be two performances at 11am & 7pm with tickets starting from $15. For information visit www.cathedralchoir.sydney/accc Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria – Twilight Carols Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria warmly invites you and your family to join them at the annual Twilight Carols. Where: Mary, Mother of Mercy Chapel, Rookwood Catholic Cemetery When: Thursday 13th December 2018 Commencing at 6:30pm. Fireworks at 9pm. Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria – Christmas Remembrance Service Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria warmly invites you and your family to join them at the annual Christmas Remembrance Service 2018, presided by Bishop Terence Brady. Where: St Mary’s Cathedral Collect St Sydney When: Sunday 16th December 2018 Commencing at 7:30pm Family Spirit (by CatholicCare Sydney and Marist 180) Could you provide short-term help for long-term memories? As a new agency combining the strengths of Marist180 and CatholicCare Sydney, Family Spirit urgently need compassionate people to provide short-term foster care. To learn more, come to our information night: Tuesday 11th December 2018, 5.30-8pm Marist180, 36 First Avenue, Blacktown NSW 2148 Call CCareline on 13 18 19 to secure your place

POPE’S COLUMN

Pope Urges Prayer During Advent

‘Lord, Teach me to Pray’

Pope Francis began a new series of catecheses on the “Our Father” at his December 5, 2018, General Audience in Paul VI Hall. And if there was any doubt about the core message the Holy Father wanted to deliver, he made it inescapable: “Jesus Prayed.”

In fact, Jesus prayer constantly. In public. In private. In the morning, Late at night.

“The Gospels have given us very vivid portraits of Jesus as a man of prayer,” the Pope said. “Despite the urgency of His mission and the urgency of so many people that claim Him, Jesus feels the need to withdraw in solitude to pray.”

Pope Francis cited the example of the start of Jesus’ public ministry at Capernaum, where he healed many and performed miracles. The people were amazed and came to him for healing and hear him speak. The prophesies were being fulfilled before their very eyes.

Many more such days were to come, days that could have produced adulation and attention. The people would have made Jesus their leader. Yet he withdraws in every case, avoiding the crowds – to pray.

“He does not end up a hostage of the expectations of those that have now chosen Him as a leader, which is a danger for leaders: to attach themselves too much to people and not distance themselves,” Francis explained. “Jesus realizes this and does not end up a hostage of the people. From the first night at Capernaum, He shows Himself an original Messiah.

“In the last part of the night, when dawn was now breaking, the disciples seek Him again but cannot find Him. Where is He? Until Peter finally tracks Him down in an isolated place, completely absorbed in prayer. And he says to Him: ‘Everyone is searching for You!’ (Mark 1:37).”

The Holy Father explains that Jesus is apart from the crowds, praying because “it’s not for the people to seek Him, but it is, first of all, He who is to seek others…In some page of Scripture, it seems to be first of all the prayer of Jesus, His intimacy with the Father that governs all.”

Again, Francis cites an image from scripture, Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus is about to enter the agonizing final days of His mission on earth. And where is he? He is in prayer.

“Jesus prayed intensely in public moments, sharing the liturgy of His people, but He also sought secluded places, separated from the whirl of activity of the world, places that allowed Him to descend into the secret of His soul: He is the Prophet who knows the stones of the desert and goes up high on mountains,” Francis explained. “Jesus’ last words before expiring on the cross were words of the Psalms, namely, of prayer, of the prayer of the Jews: He prayed with the prayers that His Mother had taught Him.”

The Holy Father reminded the crowd in Paul VI Hall that Jesus was the disciples’ teacher – of prayer. Seeing him so often in deep prayer, they asked him to teach them. And of course, he taught them the “Our Father.”

Pope Francis urged the faithful to make the same plea during Advent:

“It will be good, in this Season of Advent, to repeat it: ‘Lord, teach me to pray.’ We can all go a bit further and pray better, but we must ask the Lord for it: ‘Lord, teach me to pray.’ Let’s do this, in this Season of Advent, and He will surely not let our invocation fall into the void

MINNIE- VINNIES

NEXT NIGHT PATROL

SANDWICH RUN

Friday 21st December

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Ph: 9713 2555 Fax: 9713 7215 E: info@fivedockrealty.com.au

Servicing our area since 1968

For all your real estate needs – Sale – Property and Strata Management services, call John who has been servicing our area for over 23 years

Established since 1968, the longest running Real Estate Office in the area

CatholicCare

CatholicCare’s family-oriented disability Day Program

If you are seeking a small, person-centred disability day program for adults, then our family-orientated site in Lakemba may fit the bill. We pride ourselves in providing

connections to community and fun activities for our participants.

Contact our CCareline Team on 13 18 19 to

find out more

If you or a person close to you has been abused by someone working or ministering within the

Archdiocese of Sydney we invite you to contact us. We will listen to you respectfully, offer support

and discuss the options you have available to you. Please contact the Safeguarding and

Ministerial Integrity Office on ph 02 9390 5812.

A reminder Every 'volunteer' must obtain a Working With Children Check ('WWCC').

By logging on to https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/

apply-working-children-check

Parish Pastoral Council The All Hallows Parish Pastoral Council (PPC)

want to encourage the parishioners to contact them with any ideas, suggestions and feedback. The PPC can now be contacted via email.

The email address is: allhallowsppc@gmail.com.

Emails will be addressed at the regular PPC meetings or sooner for urgent matters.

THE JOURNEY CATHOLIC RADIO PROGRAM – This week on The Journey, the Gospel

reflection is from the Dioceses of

Wollongong Advent reflection book-

let, Marilyn Rodrigues, The Peaceful Parent reminds

us of the importance of “One On One Time” and The

Pirolas in their “Smart Loving” God spot encourages

us to make a change for the better. Our music selec-

tion goes hand in hand with our Journey Catholic

Radio program, where faith hope, love and life come

together. Go to WWW.jcr.org.au or

www.itunes.jcr.org.au where you can listen anytime

and subscribe to weekly shows by email.

CAMPION COLLEGE SUMMER PROGRAM This January, Campion College opens its doors to bright young students throughout Australia who are looking to explore a Liberal Arts education and dive head-first into a truly unique student experience. Some highlights to look forward to:

Swimming and coastal trips, Blue Mountains Hiking, Swing dancing, Trivia night , Movie night Sports, Literature, History, Philosophy, Theology

In addition to this snapshot of academic life, students experience Campion hospitality – living on campus, sharing delicious meals and taking part in fun activities.

Campion’s Summer Program provides students with the opportunity to meet academic staff, ask questions and attend lectures in the Liberal Arts. This encourages students to broaden their minds, think critically, argue persuasively and engage with the big questions that line the path to truth.

The Campion Summer Program is open to all young people aged 16-25. Mon 7 Jan to Friday 11 Jan. $390 per person REGISTER NOW Contact Chris Cox |Tel: 02 9896 9301 |M: 0413489738 C.Cox@campion.edu.au| www.campion.edu.au

WHAT’S ON IN OUR PARISH?

Eucharistic Adoration

Eucharistic Adoration will be held every Friday after the 9am mass

Catholic Women’s League Five Dock

3rd

Monday of month 10am in Church Gathering Space

For more information please contact Enza Ferraro on 9712 2598

Inner Wheel Club - Balmain Group 1st Tuesday of month 6.30pm - 9pm

at Five Dock RSL Club

St Vincent de Paul Society Meetings held each 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the

month at 6.00pm in the meeting room connected to the garage.

Contact Gerry Modini on 0418 966 247

Italian Prayer Group Tuesday - 1pm in the Church

Messa Italiana ogni ultimo martedi del mese Enquiries: M. Mureddu 9712 2394

Choir Practice

All welcome to choir practice in the Church 7.30pm every Monday.

Ring Maria on 9705 1101

Italian Choir Group Tuesday -12.30 pm in the Church

Italian Prayer Group - Thursday

In Chiesa, ogni settimana dopo la messa delle nove (9). Ogni terzo Giovedi del mese

l’intenzione è per il Gruppo di Preghiera di Riparazione Eucaristica. Per informazioni:

Lucia 9713 1800 Siete tutti benvenuti!

Youth Ministry - Generation Awakening Meetings held every Sunday 5.00pm in the hall

classrooms, followed by 6pm Youth Mass for those aged 10 - 18yrs

genawakening@gmail.com

Prayer Group Meets fortnightly at Unit 14 in the parish MJP

Units. If you would like to join please call Sr Ruth 9713 5751

Next Meeting: Tuesday 11th December at 7.30pm. Final meeting for 2018

Frank’s Pitstop Motors Specialising in:

BMW ALFA ROMEO FIAT MERCEDES SAAB AUDI

Frank & Tony

Ph: 9799 7688

FRANKSPITSTOP@OPTUSNET.COM.AU

CARING FUNERALS PTY LTD Inc. BURIALS AT SEA

“Proudly Australian Family Owned and Operated”

ADAM J. LEE Director

Fax: 9713 1400 Pager: 9937 2478 Eastern Suburbs:

9699 7877

Head Office: 9713 1555 160 Great North Road Five Dock Email: carefunerals@ozemail.com.au

45 Liverpool Road

Summer Hill NSW 2130

HOME VISITS: J. Livolsi, M. Carrick

NURSING HOMES:

Parkview: 11 Dec - Mass. Final visit for 2018

Russell Lea: 14 Dec - Mass. Final visit for 2018

Bayswater Garden: Dec - Lorraine, Helen & Michelle

COUNTERS: Group 7

TRANSPORT: Theresa, Nives, Tony

ALTAR SOCIETY: Bernadette, Linda, Sharon, Tina, Connie

PIETY STALL: Eleanor C, Franca

CHILDRENS LITURGY: Frances C

NEXT WEEK- Sunday 16th December 2018 - Third Sunday of Advent

READINGS: Zeph 3:14-18; Phil 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18

SATURDAY 5.30pm

SUNDAY 8.30am

SUNDAY 10am

SUNDAY 6.00pm Youth Mass

READERS

V. Tomasello L. Gatto T. McCabe N. Rogheto

G. Favotto M. Chesworth J. Heffernan A. Fabro

D. Squadrito A. Kerley

Intro/PF: M. Zol 1st & Psalm: L. Pavan 2nd: E. Dunne

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION

K. McInerney V. Moschella

MJ Megna M. Megna

D. Squadrito M. Hadjidakis N. Ancona P. Tam E. Ferraro C. Petrucco

A. Di Bella N. Lazzaro C. Modini

ALTAR SERVERS

Group 1 Group 1 Group 4 Group 1

HOME VISITS: L. Peruzzi, J. Pappalardo

NURSING HOMES:

Parkview: February 2019

Russell Lea: February 2019

Bayswater Garden: February 2019

COUNTERS: Group 1

TRANSPORT: Michael, Margaret H, Frank

ALTAR SOCIETY: Mary, Bianca, Catherine, Susan

PIETY STALL: Claire, Marti

CHILDRENS LITURGY: Annalicia

Sunday 9th December 2018 - Second Sunday of Advent

READINGS: Baruch 5:1-9; Phil 1:4-6,8-11; Lk 3:1-6

SATURDAY 5.30pm

SUNDAY 8.30am

SUNDAY 10am

SUNDAY 6.00pm Youth Mass

READERS

K. Hextell M. Natoli C. O’Grady G. Sutera

J. Pappalardo V. Simms R. O’Dwyer D. Triulcio

M. Angelatos R. Salvato

Intro/PF: Chris M 1st & Psalm: Nina R 2nd: Emma S

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION

G. Bonaddio B. Pratelli

Ma. Chesworth R. Liberatore

D. Scelzi L. Scelzi A. Roberts M. Hutton P. Pavan A. Incampo

M. Zol C. Modini M. Di Bella

ALTAR SERVERS

Group 5 Group 3 Group 3 Group 3

All Hallows Five Dock

Christmas 2018

Reconciliation Programme

Communal Rite of the

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Tuesday 18th December at 7.00pm

at St Mark’s Drummoyne (with several priests assisting)

33 Tranmere St, Drummoyne

First Rite of the Sacrament of Reconciliation

At All Hallows’ Saturday 22nd December

9.30am-10.00am & 4.45pm - 5.15pm

Christmas Mass Times

Christmas Eve -

Monday 24th

9am Morning Mass

Family Mass at 6.00pm

Carols begin at 11.30pm

followed by

Christmas Midnight Mass

Christmas Day -

Tuesday 25th

8.30am & 10.30am

There is NO evening Mass