PARISH WEEKDAY MASSES & RECONCILIATION

*HOLY SPIRIT Auchenflower: 9am Mondays & Fridays, *ST IGNATIUS Toowong: 5.30pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays.

SUNDAY MASS TIMES:- *ST IGNATIUS Toowong Saturday 6.00pm (Vigil); Sunday 7.00am & 5.00pm. Reconciliation: Saturday from 5.15pm to 5.45pm, or by appointment. *HOLY SPIRIT Auchenflower: Sunday 8.30am.

We respectfully acknowledge the

Turrbal people, as the traditional owners

and caretakers of the land which is the

Toowong Catholic Parish.

We acknowledge the Elders, past and

present. May we, too, be good stewards of

this land.

There is an overwhelming tendency in us to se�le in a comfort

zone. Nobody welcomes, challenging change. Usually we only

embrace change when it is forced upon us, and even then we may

fiercely resist it. During this Christmas season it may be helpful to

reflect on the birthing of a child, as an aid to encouraging us to

leave the comfort zone. The unborn baby is in the perfect comfort

zone - food and central hea#ng laid on, space to grow and mum’s

heartbeat close by. Then the contrac#ons start. The baby is

squeezed right out of the comfort zone, enters a frightening new

world, has its food supply severed by the midwife, and ‘loses’ its

mum. No wonder we cry! But think about it: in fact the newborn is now in the brink of a whole

new world in which to grow, a whole new range of much more temp#ng food, and a much

deeper rela#onship not just with mum but with hundreds of other significant people.

These many years months and days you have been those significant people in our ministry

here in Toowong and Auchenflower. Each one of you have helped us to remember with love

and gra#tude, that with your presence and faithfulness you gave us the energy and courage

that has kept our roots in Christ alive. This tree of yours will survive any winter and when the

next spring comes there will be fresh leaves.

Just as the first fathers entered this parish with such rich discernment of God’s call together

and through their ministry experienced the grace of Christ that set them free. As you con#nue

to open your doors to the diocesan energy and vigour, may you con#nue to live and minister to

all people especially those humiliated, struck by violence, excluded from the common good

and le1 to pick up the broken pieces of their lives in the margins of our society. It is a world of

contradic#on. Can we always find God in all things? Yes we can, in the five barley loaves and

two small fish every Sunday.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, filled with the grace and blessings of

the Lord.

Holy Spirit Church Harriett Street, Auchenflower

St Ignatius Church Kensington Terrace, Toowong

The Holy Family 31st December 2017

Year B

AAAAAAAARCHDIOCESANRCHDIOCESANRCHDIOCESANRCHDIOCESANRCHDIOCESANRCHDIOCESANRCHDIOCESANRCHDIOCESAN IIIIIIIINFORMATIONNFORMATIONNFORMATIONNFORMATIONNFORMATIONNFORMATIONNFORMATIONNFORMATION Remember the

St Vincent de Paul Society’s Toowong

Conference via the ‘Giving Tree’ –

in both churches until Epiphany

(7 January 2018).

Envelopes for cash & credit card donations

are available under the tree. Donations are

tax deductible (name and address

required for receipt). Please place your of-

fering in the collection plate at Mass.

Thank you.

At Christmas look for the Crib

in the

St Ignatius Shrine.

TTTTHEHEHEHE HHHHOLYOLYOLYOLY FFFFAMILYAMILYAMILYAMILY YEAR B 31 December 2017YEAR B 31 December 2017YEAR B 31 December 2017YEAR B 31 December 2017

Entrance Antiphon:Entrance Antiphon:Entrance Antiphon:Entrance Antiphon: The shepherds went in haste, and found Mary and Joseph and the Infant lying in a manger.

Readings: Readings: Readings: Readings: Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3. Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19. Luke 2:22-40. Spoken Response: Spoken Response: Spoken Response: Spoken Response: The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

Sung Response:Sung Response:Sung Response:Sung Response: O Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in His Way (repeat) Gospel Acclamation: Gospel Acclamation: Gospel Acclamation: Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! In the past God spoke to our fathers through the prophets;

now he speaks to us through his Son. Alleluia!

Volunteer Welcomers. Do you enjoy meeting people? Do you love your Cathedral? Do you revel in good art and juicy history? Do we have an opportunity for you! You are invited to talk with us about becoming a volunteer welcomer and guide at the Cathedral of St. Stephen. Join us for an information session to be held in the Hanly Room of the Francis Rush Centre on 1 Feb., 10.30am—12.30pm. More info. Carmel Devery 3324 3030 | E: deveryc@bne.catholic.net.au by 25 Jan.

Volunteer Hospital Pastoral Carers. Expressions of interest for training as a volunteer hospital pastoral carer are being sought for training in 2018. Centacare Pastoral Ministries offers scholarships for training in return for a one morning per week commitment for a min. 2 year period. Pastoral care teams in hospitals are high-ly valued by patients, staff and management. Pastoral care is a very rewarding volunteer role and if you would like to know more please contact Judy Norris E: judy.norris@bne.centacare.net.au or P: 3324 3193. Expressions of Interest close 15 January.

Archdiocese of Brisbane Mobile app will keep you connected. Stay in touch, wherever you roam. Teaching; New evangelisation ready; News; Mass service times; Events; Answers. Available from Apple App store and Google Play (Android) brisbanecatholic.org.au

“Flame of Faith” Archdiocese’s sacramental website - a great resource for Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist and Penance in the Archdiocese (for parents and young people). www.flameoffaith.org.au

Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage in the Catholic Church: If you would like information about annulments and re-marriage in the Catholic Church, please phone the Brisbane Tribunal Office on 3324 3033 or email tribbris@bne.catholic.net.au Info. can also be found on http://brisbanecatholic.org.au/life/marriage-annulments NB. Limited copies of their leaflet are available from the rotary stands (both churches).

The Catholic Collective is a platform to connect high schoolers & young adults (18—30) with the many diverse Catholic youth initiatives across the Archdiocese. For more info, head to www.catholiccollective.org.au

Towards Healing Information, from the Queensland Professional Standards Office (QPSO), are available in rotary stands at both churches:- 1. Qld Professional Standards Office, Catholic Church Queensland, and 2. Towards Healing Protocol. www.psoqld.catholic.net.au

PLEASE NOTE: The Parish Office will be closed until Monday 8 January (nb. amended Parish Office hours of Monday to Thursday only, from 8—22 January).

IIIIIIIIGNATIANGNATIANGNATIANGNATIANGNATIANGNATIANGNATIANGNATIAN SSSSSSSSPIRITUALITYPIRITUALITYPIRITUALITYPIRITUALITYPIRITUALITYPIRITUALITYPIRITUALITYPIRITUALITY IIIIIIIINFORMATIONNFORMATIONNFORMATIONNFORMATIONNFORMATIONNFORMATIONNFORMATIONNFORMATION

RETREAT INVITATION “Knowing God is more important than knowing about God”. Karl Rahner sj. Four week Retreat in Daily Life. Inner Peace in Darkness and Light. Retreat Director: Liz Kerr. Dates: 5 consecutive Mondays— 19 & 26 Feb., 5, 12 & 19 March. Choose from either 10.30am —12noon or 7—8.30pm, at St Ignatius Parish Office (Horstmann Room). Cost: Free, however donation towards the work of the Faber Centre is always appreciated.

THE FULL SPIRITUAL EXERCISES IN DAILY LIFE. Faber Centre of Ignatian Spirituality invites you to experience the traditional Full Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola, during 2018. The Full Spiritual Exercises are a practical means of discovering God’s unique love and desire for each of us revealed in the context of our daily lives. Faber offers you a personal approach to the Exercises, with weekly face-to-face conversations with an experienced and accredited Ignatian Spiritual Director who will adapt the Exercises to your needs over a period of 30 or more weeks. For this journey a person needs generosity and a readiness to pray for an hour at least Five days each week, make a daily review or examen & meet each week with the one giving you the Exercises. Please contact Sharyn by 2 February.

E: administrator@faberspirituality.org.au | P: 3368 2450 | W: www.faberspirituality.org.au

PPPPPPPPARISHARISHARISHARISHARISHARISHARISHARISH IIIIIIIINFORMATIONNFORMATIONNFORMATIONNFORMATIONNFORMATIONNFORMATIONNFORMATIONNFORMATION

EXPECT-A-CUPPA will be held at St Ignatius Church next weekend (6—7 January), after all Masses. Parishioners and visitors are invited to stay after Mass for a cup of tea / coffee. * Holy Spirit Church serves a cuppa after the 8.30am Mass every Sunday.

Also, next weekend we will welcome our new Parish Priest Father Wrex, please try to stay, at least briefly to welcome him and to Farewell Father Stan.

NEW PARISHIONERS If you are new to our parish we welcome you. Please take a form from the rotary stands at the Church and on the way out make yourself known to the priest or to one of the Welcomers (wearing blue name badges).

PARISH ‘KEY REGISTER’ AUDIT With the appointment of Fr Wrex Woolnough from 6/1/2018 as new Archdiocesan Parish Priest, the parish records need to be updated /current; therefore an audit of the Parish’s ‘Key Register’ needs to be completed. We ask all parish volunteers who hold a key/s to any parish properties to please complete the form (clipboard) which will be left in the sacristy (both churches) from this weekend. Thanking you in advance for your prompt attention to same, by no later than Monday 8 January.

*ST VINCENT DE PAUL, TOOWONG. Regular meetings resume on Tues 16 January at 7.45pm in the Horstmann Room.

*ST. IGNATIUS PEACE THROUGH JUSTICE GROUP. Next meeting on Monday 22 January at 7.30pm in the Horstmann Room. New members always welcome.

*CWL TOOWONG. Next meeting: Monday 29 January, after 9am Mass at Holy Spirit.

*CHILDREN’S LITURGY is held during school terms only, at 8.30am Mass (Holy Spirit), will recommence Sunday 4 February. Also, we welcome Amanda Lim to the role of roster co-ordinator, if you’re interested in joining the team of adult liturgists please contact her via the parish office E: toowong@bne.catholic.net.au

*YOUNG AT HEART (MOVIES) group will meet up again on Friday 23 February.

*COFFEE AND CHAT No gathering in January. All ladies welcome to join us on Tuesday 27 February at 2pm in the Horstmann Room. Please mark your diaries!

*PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL and FINANCE & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE will not meet again until February, dates are yet to be determined.

PARISH COLLECTIONS for weekend of 24/12 & Christmas Masses:

Including Clergy Support: $7,612, Other: Nil.

Your Prayers Are Requested For All Parishioners & friends who are sick and in need All Parishioners & friends who are sick and in need

SSICKICK::: Gladis O’Brien, Judy Galarza, Elizabeth Anna, Cirino Quagliata, Maria Rego, Jenny Reed, Philip Donaldson, Bridgit Gowdy, Cathy Mamata, Beryl Clark, Corinnie Driscoll, Fr Peter Conroy, Chris Morris, Les Chillingworth, Val Tancred, Margaret Anderson, Isla Duns, Albert Jacobs, Tandina Gabriel, Jocelyn Rabaa, Maria Hanson, Clyde Towler, Beth Albury, Margaret Twomey, Jim Davis, Fr Guy Carlson sj, Fr Jack Soulsby sm, Jim Gardiner, John McKenzie, Rhoda Yates, Oscar Louie, Paul Giles, Diana Reece.

RRECENTLYECENTLY DDECEASEDECEASED: Frederic Mauloni, John Schiller, Jarred Castel.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS

Week before Epiphany (2)

1st Reading Gospel

Mon: Numbers 6:22-27. Luke 2:16-21. Tues: 1 John 2:22-28. John 1:19-28. Wed: 1 John 2:29—3:6. John 1:29-34. Thu: 1 John 3:7-10. John 1:35-42. Fri: John 3:11-21. John 1:43-51. Sat: 1 John 5:5-13. Mark 1:6-11.

* Available Now (both Churches) —

* 2018 Columban Calendars: $9 ea.

Sales aid Toowong Conference of Society of St Vincent de Paul.

Diary Dates Diary Dates Diary Dates Diary Dates

DECEMBERDECEMBERDECEMBERDECEMBER 31 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph

(regular weekend Mass times)

January 2018January 2018January 2018January 2018 1 Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Masses: 12 midnight St Ignatius and 9am Holy Spirit

New Years Day (public holiday)

5 Funeral: 11am—St Ignatius

6 Fr Wrex Woolnough commences as Parish Priest

6 -7 ‘Expect-a-cuppa’ after all Masses— St Ignatius

7 Epiphany of the Lord

Baptisms: 10.30am—St Ignatius

8 Parish Office re-opens

14 2nd Sunday Ordinary

16 7.45pm SVdP meeting—Horstmann Rm

21 3rd Sunday Ordinary

22 7.30pm St Ignatius Peace Through Justice Group meeting—Horstmann Rm

26 Australia Day (public holiday)

(Parish Office closed)

28 4th Sunday Ordinary

29 CWL meeting (following 9am Mass)-H/S

23 St Ignatius School Term 1 commences

31 New years eve

MASS TIMES: SOLEMNITY OF MARY / NEW YEARS DAY— (Monday 1/1/2018):

*St Ignatius Church 12 midnight (Exposition will commence

following 5pm Mass this Sunday 31/12).

*Holy Spirit Church 9am.

g{tÇ~ lÉâ g{tÇ~ lÉâ g{tÇ~ lÉâ g{tÇ~ lÉâ Sincere appreciation and gratitude is expressed to the extraordinary ministers of

The Word & Eucharist, Altar Servers, Musicians & Choir, Projectionists, Welcoming, Sacristans, Co-ordinators and Collectors for your contribution ministering

to the extraordinary congregations which graced our Christmas Liturgies this year. Special thanks to all the children involved in the Nativity play at Holy Spirit Church on

Christmas Eve. - Fathers Stan Lim sj and Gaetan Pereira sj

Parish WEBSITE www.stignatiustoowong.org.au Current Newsletter now on our website! When making out your will please consider the needs of the parish

Queensland’s Privacy Scheme and the Commonwealth Government’s legislation deals with the manner in which private sector organisations may record, use, store and disclose information, including health information, collected from individuals. The Parish of Toowong is committed to upholding and implementing the Privacy Principles set out in both the legislations and Privacy Scheme and by the Archdiocese of Brisbane. A copy of the Parish's Privacy Policy is available to any parishioner by contacting the Parish Office on 3870 7818 during office hours.

Jesuit Community of Qld

Fr Stanislaus (Stan) Lim SJ,

Administrator

Fr Gaetan Pereira SJ, Assistant Fr Ian Howells SJ

Fr Antonius (Marwan) Sumarwan SJ

Fr Bryan Pipins SJ,

Army Chaplain, Enoggera

Faber Centre of Ignatian Spirituality, Bardon

Director: Liz Kerr.

Phone: 3368 2450

Parish Office Staff

*Sandy Dunne (Mon-Wed.)

- Admin. & Finance.

*Monica Florence (Wed-Fri) - Parish Secretary (including Newsletter)

*Pastoral Associate:

Allison King (Mon-Thurs.)

Parish Pastoral Council

Charles Costello—Chair

Finance & Development

David Slater—Chair

Musical Director

Anthony Young

Liturgical Ministry:- Roster Co-ordinators- St Ignatius Church: * Ministry Roster: Josie Hynes 0407 355 811 *Altar Server Convenor: Tony Castel 0438 192 298

Holy Spirit Church

*Rosters: Pat Lye 3300 1432 *Children’s Liturgy: Amanda Lim

PRIMARY SCHOOL

Principal— Roycelyn Wilden

APRE— Rachelle Gibson

46 Grove Street, Toowong Qld 4066 .

Phone: 3371 1094

www.stignatiustoowong. qld.edu.au

* OSHC— 3870 3270

Parish Office is now closed until 8/1/18.

PARISH OFFICE INFORMATION Phone: 3870 7818. Fax: 3870 7857. Email: toowong@bne.catholic.net.au Website: www.stignatiustoowong.org.au

Postal Address: 30 Kensington Terrace, Toowong Qld 4066. Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9.30am—4.30pm.

Emergency Contact If you require a priest in an emergency, please phone the parish office and follow the prompts.

OUR MISSION PRAYER

We, the St Ignatius community, are called to live the good news. We pray that we become the people that Jesus Christ called us to be. We pray that we know the Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit

through knowing Jesus in prayer, scripture and liturgy. We pray that we give hope to others by a practical, personal kindness, affirming each person's dignity, worth and destiny in Christ. May we live out this mission of our Christian vocation in the spirit of St. Ignatius.

Faith by Elizabeth McKenzie

The first Christmas was far from jolly. In fact, it’s a story of bewilderment and hardship—a of a young woman giving birth to her baby in a stable because the local inn, rough and ready by any standards, is full. If that was not enough to cope with, she was visited by shepherds, with wild stories of the night sky lip up by choir of angels who had instructed them to come and adore her newborn baby. Then exotic strangers from foreign lands arrived, with equally exotic gifts. Their intent was the same, to adore her child, whose destiny it seemed was to save the world.

As she tried to absorb it all, she was forced to flee with her husband and child into an alien and hostile land to escape murderous intent of a delusional tyrant. Hardly a setting for jollity!

The media constantly inform us that the modern festival of Christmas isn’t always merry for everyone in our society. On the contrary, we are told the season of goodwill exacerbates family feuds, causes lonely people to be lonelier, the marginalised to be even more marginalised.

There is ongoing bickering about the appropriateness or otherwise of featuring the nativity in public places or even on Christmas cards. Should we substitute “Happy Holidays” for Happy Christmas”? In our secular, multicultural society, is Christmas too Christian? Or is it just too commercial, a mindless gorging of consumerism?

So if Christmas is so fraught, why is it celebrated as a season of peace and goodwill? Because in that bustling little stable, in an obscure corner of the world more than 2000 years ago, Jesus, the son of God, became human, one of us.

The Bethlehem event was a new beginning in the story of humanity. The birth of Jesus made incarnate God’s promise of salvation and peace, into a world that was dark, dangerous and cruel. But it is an ongoing promise to enter our lives, however messy and disappoint-ing and troublesome they might be.

This is the message of Christmas. Our God invites us to a special and ongoing relationship with Him. With Mary, we ponder this mystery in our hearts. With Mary, we hold fast to the belief that no matter what happens, our God is with us.

There is good reason to remember that first Christmas and to celebrate this one. As the angels did two millenniums ago, we too should sing hallelujah with such great joy that the busy, frenetic world stops in its tracks to wonder what it’s all about.