Both our Churches are fitted with a hearing induction loop. Please use the ‘T’ or other appropriate switch on your hearing aid. Please tell us if you experience any difficulty.

We acknowledge the Yalukit Willam Clan, the traditional owners and custodians of this land. We pay our respects to them.

May we walk gently here.

The CarmeliteParish of Port Melbourne and Middle Park

in the care of the Carmelites since 1882

3rd Sunday of Advent 16 December 2018

in this issueParish News ......... .3&4 Anointing Mass Christmas Cards Family Mass Nativity Christmas Choir Middle Park Support Group Meditation Divine Mercy Chaplet BASP Leaving CollectionGiving Tree ................ 5 Advent Calendar 6Liturgical Art ............. 7Advent Reflection ..... 8Reflection on this Week’s Readings .......9Our Liturgy .............. 10

My dear Parishioners,

VISIT OF MAYRA WALSH AT ALL MASSES This weekend Mayra Walsh will be speaking at all our Masses. Mayra works for the Carmelites as the Ministry Project Co-ordinator for Timor Leste and is very well versed in all our activities there. She will be speaking about our current projects which the Parish wonderfully supports through our Giving Christmas Tree. Please make her welcome.

ANOINTING MASSOur Advent Anointing Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel on Tuesday, 18 December at 10:00am. All are most welcome and there will be no 9:00am Masses in either Church that day.

CHRISTMAS TREE-HUGGINGLike last year our craft ladies have been hard at work decorating our tree outside St Joseph’s Church in Rouse Street. It is a more spectacular event this year and brings a quiet smile to those who pass by. Special thanks to Marianne and Maree and Charles for the challenging work of installation.

REFLECTIONThis is Good News! God is as near as our hearts. It is an awesome realisation.

Pope Francis in 2013 said: ‘God who draws near out of love walks with (His) people, and this walk comes to an unimaginable point. We could never have imagined that the same Lord would become one of us and walk with us, be present with us, present in His Church, present in the Eucharist, present in (His) Word, present in the poor, (He) is present, walking with us. And this is closeness: the shepherd close to his flock, close to (his) sheep, whom (he) knows, one by one.’ It can be a disturbing thought. If God is so near, then God knows us through and through. But we also have Jesus to point out to us how to use our hearts in a way that imitates the actions of his heart. As we open our hearts to the God’s presence among us, the fruit of conversion is shown through our lives of joyful, loving service. Let us rejoice in anticipation, preparation, proclamation, and action as we await that day when God’s justice, God’s dwelling of love, is fully manifest.

Gaudete Sunday

our parish this weekMonday 17 December 9.00am Mass, both churches

Tuesday 18 DecemberNo 9.00am Mass or Morning Prayer at either church10.00am Anointing Mass, Mt Carmel

Wednesday 19 December - Parish Office Closed9.00am Mass, Mt Carmel9.00am Morning Prayer, St Joseph’s

Thursday 20 December9.00am Mass, both churches1.00pm Parish Office closes7.00pm Meditation, Malone Room (Final Session for 2018)

Friday 21 December9.00am Mass, Mt Carmel9.00am Morning Prayer, St Joseph’s9.30am Lectio Divina, Lady Chapel, Mt Carmel

Saturday 22 December9.00am Mass, both churches6.00pm Vigil Mass, Mt Carmel

Sunday 23 December - 4th Sunday of Advent9.00am Mass, St Joseph’s 10.30am Mass, Mt Carmel (with Baptism)

we remember

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Churches St Joseph’s cnr Rouse & Stokes Streets Port Melbourne

Our Lady of Mount Carmel cnr Richardson & Wright Streets Middle Park

Sunday Masses 6.00pm (Sat) Mount Carmel 9.00am Saint Joseph’s 10.30am Mount Carmel

Reconciliation after 9.00am Mass Saturday

Carmelite Parish Office 274 Rouse Street Port Melbourne Vic 3207

Telephone 03 9681 9600

After Hours Emergency 0408 754 283

Email parish@sj-mc.org.au

Parish Website www.sj-mc.org.au

Carmelite Website www.carmelites.org.au

Office Hours 9am-4pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday(CLOSED WEDNESDAYS)

Parish Priest Fr Hugh Brown OCarm

Parish Secretary Anne Ierardo (Monday to Thursday)

Community Liaison Sr Geraldine Stapleton csb(Monday/Tuesday & Weekend Mass)

Pastoral Life Co-ordinator Michael Murray (Wednesday/ Thursday)

Finance Officer Shane Harrison (Tuesday - Friday)

Facilities Manager Ken Chaffer

Galilee Regional Catholic Primary School Bank Street South Melbourne Vic 3205

Telephone 03 9699 2928 Principal Simon Millar

Those who are ill or in need of prayer: John Bassett, Lawrence Bassett, Nina Batsakis, Anthony Breslin, Karin Brown, Soledad Castillo, Pat Chrimes, John Condon, Noreen Dalton, Ron Dalton, Maureen Dickason, Angela Ferrao, Gary Finn, Catherine Fisher, Esperanza Gonzalez, Ivy Hermence, Anthony Hyde, Maria & Joseph Jelincic, Anna Ho Thi Le, Soo Lin, Mary Livy, Roy Mossuto, John O’Malley, Luis Fernando Ossa, Pat Pringle, Rafal Rafalski, Bubut Revita, Aniceta Revita, Wilfredo Revita, Marle Rodrigues, Sash Somerset-Beauverie, Joe Schembri, Angela Speranza, Doug Stanley, Helen Stanley, Samah Al-Sayed, Kerrie-Ann Trathan, Helen York, Jim Sullivan, Jonathon Will, and Tami Yap.

Those who have died recently: Jean Baker, and Margaret Cunningham.

Those who anniversaries occur at this time: Nigel Aquilina, Joe Bugeja, Melita Bugeja, Eva Butler, Maria Cardarazzio, Nicola Cardarazzio, Maria Consiglio, Tessie Craig, Katherine Firth, Pat Foster, Most Rev Joseph Angelo Grech, Emidia Micallef, Andonia Scrisculla, Matalena Speranza, Charlie Restall White, and Carmelites, Kevin Hannan and Peter Slattery.

ministers

for your generosity last SundaySt Joseph’s Carmelite and Parish Offering $1,177.00Our Lady of Mt Carmel Carmelite and Parish Offering $1,154.00

thank you

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22/23 December4th Sunday of Advent

6.00pm Mount Carmel

Commentator: Carmel Collins

Reader: Des Collins

Eucharistic Ministers: Terry Mulligan, Jina Mulligan, Abramo Ierardo

Communion to the Sick: N/A

9.00am St Joseph’s

Commentator: Rob Lever

Reader: Ron Cassano

Eucharistic Ministers: Jacek Glenda, Cathy Garbellini, Frances Correa

Counters: Frances Moore and Lily LiChildrens’ Liturgy: N/A

10.30am Mount Carmel

Commentator: Marlene Halim

Reader: Norman Maguire

Eucharistic Ministers: Pam Newman, Clive WansbroughMichael Murray

Childrens’ Liturgy: N/A

Hospitality: Michael Murray

in our parish

Anointing Mass 10.00am Tuesday 18 December 2018

at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church followed by morning tea.

There will be no 9.00am Mass at either church on this day.

Christmas Cards for SaleChristmas Cards on behalf of

St Vincent de Paul Society will be availableafter all the weekend masses this weekend.

There are 8 religious cards in each pack. $7.00 per pack or $12.00 for two packs.

This year we will also be selling a Christmas Card that the Parish has produced.

These beautiful cards are available for $1 each.

Choir For ChristmasRehearsals for the Midnight mass choir will be held after the 10:30am Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church this weekend. Please come and join us at the piano/organ.

Please come along and help us prepare. All voices – good and not so – are welcome.

PARISH BULLETINSThe last Parish Bulletin will be published next Saturday 23rd and Sunday, 24th December and will not resume until the weekend of Sunday, 3 February. The cards with the parts of the Mass will be available to pick up at the Church doors for those who need assistance in remembering!!!

Enjoy the warmth.

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in our parish

Carmelite Centre Program BookingsT: 9690 5430 (leave message if unattended) or registration@thecarmelitecentremelbourne.org

via website: www.thecarmelitecentremelbourne.org

The Carmelite Centre is a joint venture of the Carmelites of Australia and East Timor and our Parish of Port Melbourne/Middle Park.

Address: 214 Richardson Street, Middle Park Vic 3206 (Mel Ref 2K C10) T: (03) 9690 5430 Website: www.thecarmelitecentremelbourne.org

The Carmelite LibraryThe Carmelite Library, located in the Carmelite Hall next to the Church, is open on

Tuesdays from 12.00 to 8.00pm and Wednesday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm. t: (03) 9682 8553e: librarian@carmelitelibrary.org website: www.carmelitelibrary.org

Middle Park Support GroupA very big thank you to everyone who donated so generously to the Middle Park Support Group this year. We have been available to provide food parcels to 20 people per week on average. It is also a place where people can drop by and have a cuppa and there is always someone there willing to listen and have a chat.

A big thank you to those who come week after week and volunteer, and share their time with those living within our community.

Our last day for 2018 will be Wednesday 19 December and we will reopen on Wednesday 9 January 2019.

Divine Mercy ChapletThere will be no Divine Mercy Chaplet

in January.We will recommence

3.00pm Sunday 3 FebruaryOur Lady of Mount Carmel Church

Benediction, Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, rosary and hymns.

Mt Carmel Christmas Family Mass and Nativity Gospel 6pm Christmas Eve

We would love some new Children and Young people to read and act out the Nativity Gospel during the family Mass on Christmas Eve.

Come and share the joy of Christmas with local children and families. We have costumes, sheep and halos for the actors.

Just one rehearsal Sunday 23rd December 2018 at 2pm in Mount Carmel Church.

Please email the parish office with names and ages if possible on parish@sj-mc.org.au or phone on 9681 9600.Or just show up with your friends. Can’t wait to see you all. Pam Newman

Thursday Evening MeditationThe last session for this year will be on Thursday 20 December and meditation will resume Thursday 7 February 2019.

BASP Leaving CollectionOur leaving collection will be held on

the weekend of 22/23 December 2018 at all three Masses.

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The ‘Giving Tree’ is in the churches this weekend. Please collect your envelope as you leave the church. When you have filled in the Christmas Card, please place it on the tree and leave your money, in the envelope provided, in the basket under the tree. Money will be collected after each Mass. Your money will be sent directly to the Carmelites in East Timor who will purchase the gifts on your behalf.

Below is a list of the gifts and their purchase price.

The giving tree - Christmas in East Timor

GIFT PRICE $AU 1 bag of bananas, mangoes and custard apples _______________ $2.00

4 x A4 batteries from Timor Leste or 2 x C batteries _____________ $3.00

4 packets of 2 minutes noodles _____________________________ $4.00

4 packets of candles (for those who have no electricity

or to honor the dead) _____________________________________ $4.00

1 pair of thongs _________________________________________ $5.00

5 large bottles of water ___________________________________ $5.00

1 school bag ___________________________________________ $10.00

1 pair shoes ____________________________________________ $12.00

1 set of school uniform __________________________________ $15.00

1 volley/soccer ball ______________________________________ $15.00

1 20 kilogram bag of rice _________________________________ $20.00

Help a child be ready for school with pen, pencils & notebooks___ $25.00

1 50 kilogram bag of rice _________________________________ $50.00

Provide a family with basic medical care for one year__________ $60.00

1 nanny goat ___________________________________________ $80.00

Provide children with nutritious meals at school for one month___ $200.00

1 cow ________________________________________________ $250.00

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Port Melbourne/Middle Park Parish

advent & ChristMas

Celebrations 2018

Parish Office Telephone 9681 9600 Email parish@sj-mc.org.au

Parish website: www.sj-mc.org.au

The Parish Office will be closed at 1.00pm on Thursday 20 December and will reopen on

Monday 7 January 2019 at 9.00am

Tuesday 18 December Anointing Mass Mt Carmel 10.00am

Christmas Eve - Monday 24 December

Mt Carmel 5.45pmCarols followed by Family Mass

St Joseph’s 8.00pmMass

Carols followed by Midnight Mass

Mt Carmel 11.30pm

Christmas Day - Tuesday 25 December

Mass St Joseph’s 9.00am

Mt Carmel 10.30amMass

St Joseph’s 9.00amMass

Mt Carmel 9.00am

New Year’s Day -Tuesday 1 January

Mass

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Liturgical Art

Reflection by Artist - Jenny Close

In the natural world water usually quenches fire, but in Luke’s gospel the two elements are reconciled in the experience of baptism. Both the material and the spiritual aspects of baptism are evoked when John baptises with water and Jesus will baptise with fire and the Holy Spirit. In the same passage, Luke describes Jesus’ fire as unquenchable. It is in the context of this rich terrestrial/celestial imagery that the advent of Jesus is prophesied.

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Prayerful Reflection for advent

Maybe it is in the waiting for God,not in the wandering from store to store,

that we find our way.

Maybe it is in the friendship of God,not in the frenzy of the crowds,that we are led to the manger.

Maybe it is in the steadfast love of God,and not in the pile of stuff under the tree,

that we find what we have been searching for all our lives.

Maybe, just maybe, God of Advent,this year will be different.

Maybe, just maybe, we will let you lead us to Bethlehem.

Thom M Shuman Candles & Conifers© 2005 Ruth Burgess Used with permission.

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REfLECTIONS ON THIS WEEK’S READINGSDuring Advent, Daniel went to his mother demanding a new bicycle for Christmas.

'Danny, we can't afford it', she said, 'so write a letter to Jesus and pray for one instead.'

'Dear Jesus, I've been a good boy this year and would appreciate a new bicycle. Your friend, Daniel.'

Now Danny guessed that Jesus really knew he was a brat so he tore it up and tried again.

'Dear Jesus, I've been an OK boy this year and I want a new bicycle. Yours truly, Daniel.'

Danny knew this wasn't true so he tore it up and tried again.

'Dear Jesus, I've thought about being a good boy so may I have a new bicycle? Daniel.'

Finally, Danny thought better of making these false claims and so ran to the Church.

He went inside and stole a small statue of Mary and ran out the door. He went home, hid it under his bed and wrote this letter.

'Jesus, let's face it, I've broken most of the Commandments; tore up my sister's doll and lots more. I'm desperate. I've got your mother Mary, if you ever want to see her again, give me a bike for Christmas. You know who.'

There is something of Danny in all of us.

We often think that we can bargain with God to get the best possible deal out of life. The problem with this bargaining image is that it is based on faith that does not believe in Advent. The bargaining image of God is the furthest thing from the mind of the writers of today's readings – Zephaniah, the Canticle from Isaiah, Philippians and Luke. Each of them rejoices in the undeserved gift God gives to the world. We do not deserve God's love given to us in the Babe of Bethlehem. It is God's overflowing goodness which pours out in Jesus and through him and the Spirit we have been welcomed into the family of God and bear his name.

These Scriptures remind us that God has not held back one thing in his love for us. By becoming one with us in our flesh, God has done everything he can to assure us of his saving love. He has shown us all what can be shown about how to live lives of sacrifice, justice and love to transform our world.

In today's Gospel John's disciples are full of wanting to know what they can do to earn God's love. The crowds, tax collectors and soldiers ask what they can do to gain God's favour. While there is much to do, Advent reminds us every year that all we do is a response to the initial, undeserved goodness of God.

Still the image of us 'doing a deal' with God is so prevalent in our theology and prayer. 'I will be a better person if I get well.' 'I will return to Sunday Mass if I pass my exams.'

All dreadful stuff. And the Church has to take some responsibility for this and correct it.

Advent teaches us that we have to witness to a God who risked everything so that we might know love and life in this world and in the next. We hold and proclaim, in season and out of season, a God who emptied himself of power and might and came to us as a baby.

That's not the profile of a deal-doer. It's the portrait of a lover.

So this Advent let's not ransom ourselves to a benevolent dictator. Let's ask for anything we need with confidence that God has heard our words and so sent love itself in Jesus Christ.

© Richard Leonard SJ

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OUR LITURGYprocessional hymn Come To SeT US Free

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The celebrant lights the rose candle and

the response is sung by all

Lighting of the Third Advent Candle

Celebrant: My brothers and sisters, this rose coloured candle we light today reflects the joyful anticipation we feel knowing that the eternal Word of the Father's love, is on his way to save us.

Celebrant: Lord Jesus Christ, All: speak your word afresh in our hearts.

Celebrant: In suffering and pain, in sorrow and distress:All: speak your Good News and bind up broken hearts with your peace.

Celebrant: In injustice and fear,in whatever holds us bound:All: speak liberty and freedom.

Celebrant: When we doubt the Father’s love for usAll: proclaim again the Lord’s year of favour.

Celebrant: May this candle remind us of your presence. Nourished by your Word in this circle of light strengthen us to be prophets of hope and good news for our world.

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Responsorial psalm Psalm 95: my SoUl In STIllneSS WaITS

Zephaniah 3:14-18 Shout for joy, daughter of Zion, Israel, shout aloud! Rejoice, exult with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has repealed your sentence; he has driven your enemies away. The Lord, the king of Israel, is in your midst; you have no more evil to fear. When that day comes, word will come to Jerusalem: Zion, have no fear, do not let your hands fall limp. The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult with joy over you, he will renew you by his love; he will dance with shouts of joy for you as on a day of festival.

Philippians 4:4-7 I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord; I repeat, what I want is your happiness. Let your tolerance be evident to everyone: the Lord is very near. There is no need to worry; but if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God for it with prayer and thanksgiving, and that peace of God, which is so much greater than we can understand, will guard your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus.

O Lord of Light, our only hope of glory, your radiance shines in all who look to you,come, light the hearts of all in dark and shadow.

O Spring of Joy, rain down upon our spirits, our thirsty hearts are yearning for your Word, come, make us whole, be comfort to our hearts.

O Root of Life, implant your seed with in us,and in your advent, draw us all to you,our hope reborn in dying and in rising.

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gospel acclamation

gospel

APOSTLES CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty,Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried;he descended into hell;

Luke3:10-18 When all the people asked John, ‘What must we do?’ he answered, ‘If anyone has two tunics he must share with the man who has none, and the one with something to eat must do the same.’ There were tax collectors too who came for baptism, and these said to him, ‘Master, what must we do?’ He said to them, ‘Exact no more than your rate.’ Some soldiers asked him in their turn, ‘What about us? What must we do?’ He said to them, ‘No intimidation! No extortion! Be content with your pay!’

A feeling of expectancy had grown among the people, who were beginning to think that John might be the Christ, so John declared before them all, ‘I baptise you with water, but someone is coming, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fan is in his hand to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his barn; but the chaff he will burn in a fire that will never go out.’ As well as this, there were many other things he said to exhort the people and to announce the Good News to them.

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HOLY, HOLY

Memorial Acclamation

Cel: The Lord be with you. All: And with your Spirit.Cel: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them up to the Lord.Cel: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God. All: It is right and just.The Celebrant prays the preface at the end of which all say

on the third day he rose again from the dead;he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church,the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,the resurrection of the body,and life everlasting. Amen.

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Cel: Behold the Lamb of God. Behold him who takes away the sins of the World. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

All: Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Communion HYMN magnIFICaT

Lamb OF GOD

For he has favoured his lowly one, and all shall call me blessed.The almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Refrain

He favours those who fear his name in ev’ry generation.He has shown the might and strength of his arm, and scattered the proud of heart. Refrain

He has cast the mighty from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly.He has filled the hungry with all good gifts, and sent the rich away. Refrain

He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy.He has promised his mercy to Abraham and his children for ever more. Refrain

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Recessional hymn Send doWn The FIre

the CatholiC PariSh of Port Melbourne and Middle Park iS CoMMitted to ProvidinG a Safe and nurturinG Culture

for all Children and younG PeoPle in our PariSh.