St. Thomas More Catholic Church 298 BAY ST, BRIGHTON-LE -SANDS, NSW 2216,

Australia

Phone: 9567 3589 Parish Priest : Fr Manuel Santiago.

Permanent Deacon : Rev Raymond Hung

Weekend Mass Times: Sat: 5.30pm, Sun: 8.00am, 10.00am, (7pm IS BACK!)

Confessions 4.30pm—5.15 pm Saturday Afternoons

3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (B) 13TH DECEMBER 2020

1st Reading Isaiah 61:1-2. 10-11

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.' Thanks be to God.

Resp Psalm Luke 1:46-50. 53-54

R. My soul rejoices in my God.

My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour. He looks on his servant in her nothingness; henceforth all ages will call me blessed. R.

The Almighty works marvels for me. Holy his name! His mercy is from age to age, on those who fear him. R.

He fills the starving with good things, sends the rich away empty. He protects Israel, his servant,

remembering his mercy. R.

2nd Reading 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

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. Thanks be to God.

Acclamation Isaiah 61:1 (Luke 4:18)

Alleluia, alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he sent me to bring Good News to the poor. Alleluia!

Gospel John 1:6-8. 19-28

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. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

Grant, almighty God, that looking forward in faith to the feast of our Lord’s birth, we may feel all the happiness our Saviour brings and celebrate his coming with unfailing joy. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

“At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving others with God's own love and concern.”

― Mother Teresa, Love: A Fruit Always in Season

Lost Items - If an item is left behind, and you find it, please take it to the Sacristy .

PARISH DIRECTORY

Parish Office Hours. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 9.30am and 3.30pm.

Contact Details : Phone: 9567 3589 Email: office@thomasmorebrighton.org.au

Finance Chairman : Mr Patrick Bugden WEB SITE : www.thomasmorebrighton.org.au

St Thomas More Primary School: Tel: 9597 5884 - Principal Mrs Jenny Frost

The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney’s policy on the care, wellbeing and protection of children and young persons is available on the Back Notice Board — www.sydneycatholic.org

ALL parishioners, volunteers and parish families are asked to take the time to look at the rear notice board and make yourself, and in particular those with families—familiar with what the Archdiocese has in Place in regards to the Recent Safeguarding Response. Please be aware that the Parish has a safeguarding officer, any questions or concerns can be confidentially discussed with the Safeguarding officer . All contact details of the Parish Safeguarding Officer and those of the Archdiocese can be found on the back notice board.

Childrens’ Liturgy In RECESS! Returns in February!.

This Week ahead in the parish

4 Feb Mon

9am Communion Service– Followed by Rosary

5 Feb Tue

9am Mass—Followed by Rosary

St Agatha

6 Feb Wed

9am Mass—Followed by Rosary

St Paul Miki and Companions

7 Feb Thur

9am Mass—Followed by Rosary

8 Feb Fri

8.15 Adoration

9am Mass—Followed by Rosary

9 Feb Sat

4.30pm—Confessions— 5.30 - Vigil Mass— 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

10 Feb Sun

8 am , 10am Morning Mass

7pm Evening Mass

Prayer for Child Protection

Lord, you asked that the little children be allowed to come to you, for it is such as these that the Kingdom of God belongs. You entrust them to the care and protection of our communities of faith. Guide us as we strive to ensure that our Catholic Communities provide a safe environment for each child. We pray especially for all those who have been harmed in their childhood, give them courage in facing the past and lead them to your healing protection. Amen

7pm Sunday Evening Mass.

Last Mass in St George/Sutherland Area!

Bethany College will be holding their 2019

Open Day on 5 March from 3.00pm to

6.00pm. Meet the Principal at 4.30pm

Enrolling Year 7, 2021 Enrolment packages

will be available on the day

Visitor Offering Envelopes are now available at the back of the church - Visitors to the parish are encouraged to use these envelopes for your offering—please place them on either collection—Thank you

EVERY FRIDAY—8.15AM ADORATION BEFORE MASS

2019 Rosters are now available—they are located on the top of the organ

Volunteers Needed—there are spots on our Liturgy Roster for those that can help out—please call the office if you are able to help.

We remember and pray for all our family and friends.

The Sacrifice of the Holy Mass was offered this week for :

Sick and other intentions— All our Parishioners who are sick at the moment; Jesse Valenzuela, Bernice Fahey;

Recently Deceased: Ivan Soljic; June Waters; Garry Hood.

Deceased/Anniversaries— Lee Say Hun; Lee Bok Soon and Pammy; Sixto Rubio; Mary Gatt (31/1/2018); John Sultana; Evelyn Aca; Mary Cassidy; Doreen Grady (29/1/2009) John (Reg) Grady (5/2/2009), Herbert Fenech; The Holy Souls in Purgatory;

2nd Sunday of the month

9 February 5.30 PM (Sat) Vigil

10 February 8:00 AM (Sun)

10 February 10:00 AM (Sun)

C S Barakat Ave Maria Choir

L F McManus, A Beltran

S Barakat, J Meagher

M Pirotta, L Adams

E C Rees, L Manalac

T Lenzo, T Liaw

G Ataya, J Meagher

A M Tomasiello R Hung

M Raymundo P Healion

M Diel R Legaspi

Lost Items - If an item is left behind, and you find it, please take it to the Sacristy .

PARISH DIRECTORY

Parish Office Hours. Mondays, and Fridays. 9.30am till 3.30 pm Contact Details : Phone: 9567 3589 Email: office@thomasmorebrighton.org.au Finance Chairman : Mr Patrick Bugden WEB SITE : www.thomasmorebrighton.org.au St Thomas More Primary School: Tel: 9597 5884 - Principal Mrs Jenny Frost

Prayer for Child Protection Lord, you asked that the little children be allowed to come to you, for it is such as these that the Kingdom of God belongs. You entrust them to the care and protection of our communities of faith. Guide us as we strive to ensure that our Catholic Communities provide a safe environment for each child. We pray especially for all those who have been harmed in their childhood, give them courage in facing the past and lead them to your healing protection. Amen

We remember and pray for all our family and friends.

The Sacrifice of the Holy Mass was offered this week for :

A message from the Archdiocese of Sydney Child sexual abuse is a crime.

The appropriate people to deal with a crime are the police. If you – or anyone you know –

have been abused, please contact the police. Alternatively, you can contact the Safeguarding

and Ministerial Integrity Office at (02) 9390 5810 or

safeguardingenquiries@sydneycatholic.org. You may also want to speak to your Parish Priest

who will be able to provide support and guidance. The Archdiocese has a legal obligation to

report crimes to the police.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney’s policy on the care, wellbeing and protection of children and young persons is available on the Notice Board located in the Choir Area, on the western wing of the church.

— www.sydneycatholic.org ALL parishioners, volunteers and parish families are asked to take the time to make yourself aware and familiar with what the Archdiocese has in place in regards to the Recent Safeguarding Response. Please consult firstly with the Parish Priest or the Parish safeguarding officer any questions or concerns will be confidentially discussed. All contact details of the Parish Safeguarding Officer and those of the Archdiocese can be found on the special Safeguarding Notice Board located in the Choir Area

Would you like to donate to our PARISH

Our Website donate button is now operational .

Use this QR Code to sign right in!!

This Week ahead in the parish

14 December MON 9Am—Mass—St John of the Cross

15 December Tue 9am Mass—Followed by Rosary -

16 December Wed

9am Mass—Followed by Rosary -

17 December Thur

9am Mass—Followed by Rosary -

18 December Fri

8am Adoration and Benediction 9am Mass—Followed by Rosary -

19 December Sat

4.30pm—Confessions 5.30 pm - Vigil Mass- Please Book for Weekend Masses—online

20 December Sun

4TH Sunday of Advent (B) Please Book for Weekend Masses—online

Please note - office will not be open before 8.30am

14/12 T Fahey; T Comans 21/12 A Mackenzie, G Daniels, P Harding

3rd Sunday of the month

19 Dec. 5.30 PM (Sat) Vigil

20 Dec. 8:00 AM (Sun)

20 Dec. 10:00 AM (Sun)

20 Dec. 7.00 PM (Sun)

C A Mackenzie J Meagher Money warden

B Noble

L A Mackenzie ONE MORE NEEDED

S Barakat M Shea

A Diel D Tungul

G Noble George

E M O'Brien, ONE MORE NEEDED

A, Shea, J Meagher

A Diel Z Valenzuela M Nguyen

J Varga

A M Tomasiello B Weston

D Blackburn

M Raymundo R Hung

R Varga (Altar Server)

A GENTLE REMINDER - For all Readers and

Extra Ordinary Ministers

Please remember to arrive at least 15 minutes before

Mass and to make your attendance known to the Acolyte in

Charged. If you have not arrived five minutes before the

Mass then the Acolyte will need to find a suitable

replacement. - I thank you all for your co-operation Fr Manuel

St Vincent De Paul

St Vincent De Paul Donation Box located at the back of the church—thank you to our

generous supporters your generosity is very much appreciated.

INFORMACIÓN MISA MENSUAL EN ESPAÑOL Recuerda que la misa se celebra el tercer domingo de cada mes

Sunday 20th of December 2020 ONLINE BOOKINGS ARE OPEN!

All our Parishioners who are sick at the Moment;

Margaret Kazi ; Kalim Assaf; Joseph Barry Cartner; Fr Janusz—Parish Priest of Hurstville; Alicia Whiite; Cabera; Anthony Hunt; Jose Ramirez; Sean Finnerty; Jan Varon; Marika Mag; Maria Micalizzi ; Daniella, Mirjana, and Family; Recently Deceased: Angel Mendez;Virgilio Lingo; Sr Jane White LCM; Chui Siew San; Nico Sandaga; Leonarda Ventura; Yvette Kordovoulos; Deceased/Anniversaries Steven Scarfe; Fr Jim Doyle; Manuel Kolamati , Joseph & Plasena Kolamati, Rose Kolamati; Dominic Le; Thiem Van Vu; Gianni and Philomena Muscat; Pauline Sciberias; Mary Gatt; Bartolo and Francis Natoli; Ruza Keri; Colleen McIntosh; Jim Dickson; June Waters; Herbert Fenech; Paul Russell; Gary Hood; The Holy Souls in Purgatory;

MAY I ASK YOU ALL TO CONTINUE BOOKING ONLINE. AS THIS HELPS THE SIGNING IN FLOW MORE EFFICIANTLY AND

EFFECTIVELY PLEASE REMEMBER…. • Please do not come to mass if you feel UNWELL. • NSW Premier now recommends that people wear masks

within places of worship . • Please keep social distancing between you—especially

Waiting outside for the church to open, Processing to receive Our Lord at communion. and Exiting the church.

• Please consider other people—and move along to the centre of the pew—to save others climbing past you.

• Please collect all your tissues, or belongings that fall to the ground.

• Please take the bulletin home with you—the bulletin is for single use only.

• Please do not congregate in groups after the Mass—we are to keep a safe distance even outside.

• With so much concern in the community, it is vital that we keep our churches safe and open for worship, and that our people know their church is safe.

MASS BOOKINGS ONLINE EACH WEEK You are all encouraged to Wear a Mask

BYO Mask or Masks are available for a GOLD COIN donation!!

please register your names each week via the website

www.thomasmorebrighton.org.au Thank you for your co-operation

Please support the 7pm Sun. Evening Mass—to ease the growing numbers at 10am Mass

Family Connection We do many things to get ourselves ready for our celebration of Christmas: purchase gifts, prepare Christmas cards, decorate our homes. John's call of repentance in preparation for Jesus reminds us that our repentance is another way in which we can prepare for the Lord's coming and our celebration of Christmas. Parish communities often offer a communal celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the Advent season. Your family might choose to participate in the communal celebration of the sacrament, or you might seek out the sacrament on an individual basis.

Advent Reconciliation, Saturday Afternoons from

4.30 till 5.15pm

Advent Action Ideas • Let the love of God fill your heart and mind today, so that

you radiate the presence of Christ to everyone you meet.

• Today choose one of the eight Beatitudes and find a way of expressing it in favour of someone you know who is facing a particularly challenging situation.

• Take a quiet moment today to offer the Hail Mary in the spirit of the Archangel Gabriel who first brought to Mary the announcement of the choice God had made of her to bring about the wonder of the Incarnation.

• The next time you meet someone who has not recog-nised God’s goodness in his or her life, try to open that person’s eyes to the marvels of God’s love.

• Go out of your way today to live the Great Command-ment in favour of some person you meet or live with.

Source: Advent and Christmas—Wisdom from St Augustine By Agnes Cunningham SSCM

Dear Parishioners As you entered the church you would have received a copy of the Pastoral Letter from Archbishop Fisher following the recent easing of restrictions on churches as well as some updated

liturgical directives.—Please read this carefully and hand it to someone you know would like to be updated. A

copy of this will also be on our website .

Advent Hints It is helpful to our spiritual life to spend more

than a glancing moment in our reading of

Christmas Cards we are receiving, with their

notes of good wishes both printed and hand-

written. It is good for our souls also to spend

time with the pictures or drawings on those

cards and notes. We look quickly at the signa-

ture. Do that first, as is natural, and then again

after spending time quietly with the card. It

will become a prayer and a preparation for the

Advent Liturgy.

We can pray with what the card is saying in

print as well as in picture. We as well, can

pray with the “who ” is behind the signature.

Christmas Rosters Thank you to all those who have indicated their availability over Christmas.—Completed Rosters will

be ready next weekend.

Fr Manuel is still needing the assistance of around 15 people to help with either door greeting, seat ushers, collector wardens, and willing cleaners. MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK!!

Please advise Fr Manuel or the door greeters, if you can help in any way during the Christmas masses. If you would like training or an explanation to your rostered Job, please call the office this week.

Attention: Acolytes; Readers; and Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Please advise your preferred time on the blank rosters at the rear of the church.

OUR WEBSITE WILL KEEP YOU UP TO DATE WITH ANY CHANGES

WEB SITE : www.thomasmorebrighton.org.au

Volunteers Needed for the Little Shop.Volunteers are needed to assist in the Little Shop in the foyer at Calvary Health Care, Kogarah, Mon-day to Friday 10am to 3.30pm. Volunteers are ros-tered on your choice of day

Volunteers Needed for the Little Shop.Volunteers are needed to assist in the Little Shop in the foyer at Calvary Health Care, Kogarah, Mon-day to Friday 10am to 3.30pm. Volunteers are ros-tered on your choice of day once a month. For more in-

Volunteers Needed for the Little Shop.Volunteers are needed to assist in the Little Shop in the foyer at Calvary Health Care, Kogarah, Mon-day to Friday 10am to 3.30pm. Volunteers are ros-tered on your choice of day once a month. For more in-

Witness to the light The protagonist of this Sunday's Gospel is a man named John the Baptist, whom God has sent “to testify to the light”, a denomination that his followers identify with his way of being and living. However, he takes it upon himself to tell them that he is not the Messiah, not Elijah, not even the prophet that everyone was waiting for. He has come to smooth, facilitate, prepare the way of the Lord; but it does not have any religious title, nor any hierarchy granted by the authorities of the time. It is just, ‟a voice of one crying out in the wilderness”. But John the Baptist is not only illuminated by the light of his faith, but a living testimony of the hard life in the desert, where the superfluous has no place, where silence and solitude have forged his convictions, where his mind can delve into the essentials and shed the accessory. But these values derived from the

voluntary confrontation with the forces of nature to enrich the spirit, are not only relegated to times past. In the middle of the desert of modern life, we can still meet people who radiate wisdom and dignity, without being infected by the false values that imprison human beings, such as immediacy and relativism. The words of the Baptist: ‟Among you stands one you do not know”, resonate today in our contemporary society. It is paradoxical that a person apparently known to all as Jesus Christ, is for many a distant being, a perfect stranger. In the midst of the darkness of our times we need witnesses of the light. ‟You are the light of the world […] let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven (Mt 5, 13-16)” Agustin Coll

Your Invitation to Christmas Mass

Please book—online or call the office Thursday, 24 December Christmas Eve 5.30pm —Family Mass 8pm —Vigil Mass 12 Midnight—Midnight Mass Friday—25th December—Christmas Day 7.00am - 8.00am 9.30 am 11.00am No Christmas Evening mass Saturday—26th December—St Stephen Day 9.00am -Morning Mass 5.30pm -Vigil for the Holy Family

Christmas Masses—UPDATE!! Below you will find the times of Masses.

It is important to note— that the Christmas Day Times are not the same as the usual Sunday Mass Times—this

is to cater for more people to attend Mass.

ONLINE BOOKINGS are OPEN from the 1st of December . And for those who are not able to book

online—you can place your name and phone number on the Christmas list at the back of the church.

May I encourage you all to invite someone to Christmas

Mass making sure that you book also for them.

Fr Manuel will need the assistance of around 10 people at each mass to help with either door greeting,

seat ushers, collector wardens, and willing cleaners. Your assistance is most appreciated as the amount of

Christmas Mass times has increased to 8.

Please advise Fr Manuel or the door greeters, if you can help in any way during the Christmas masses.

Attention: Acolytes; Readers;

and Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Your Availability for the Christmas Masses is also

needed. Please advise your preferred time on the blank rosters at the rear of the church.

Your Invited!!!

Everybody knows somebody who has been away from the Church or who is lukewarm. Christmas and Easter stir in many hearts a de-sire for a closer relationship with God and so it is important to invite and to have a warm and welcoming environment as we throw the church doors open. Pope Francis calls for evangelism to proclaim the joy of the Gospel.

At the first Christmas, God Himself reached out to the Jews, his chosen people, and beyond to the Gentiles; so we, too, should generously share the grace of this Christmas season. That is what God did, He reached beyond himself and gave the gift of Jesus.

Don’t be bashful about sharing your faith. Very often the people who come [to Christmas Mass], even those who don’t have a lot of reli-gious background, have a very good experi-ence.

Maybe our invitation may help plant a seed? We don’t know, just don’t give up. The need for evangelism is starkly evident . A friend’s invitation has the best chance of drawing someone to church, far exceeding the influence of a mailer, billboard ad or an in-person invi-tation from a stranger, including a pastor.

(adapted from http://occatholic.com/going-to-mass-invite-a-

friend)

Christmas Mass online bookings now open www.thomasmorebrighton.org.au

or call 9567 3589

Thursday, 24 December Christmas Eve. 5.30pm — Family Mass 8pm — Vigil Mass 12 Midnight—Midnight Mass Friday—25th December—Christmas Day 7am 8am 9.30am and 11.00am