This Week
SUNDAY 21st Dec 4th Sunday of ADVENT 9am, 11am, 6pm Mass
MONDAY 22nd Dec 8.30am Rosary 9.00am Mass
TUESDAY 23rd Dec 8.30am Rosary
9am Mass 9.30am Adoration
WEDNESDAY 24th Dec CHRISTMAS EVE
7pm Children’s Mass 9pm Family Mass 11.30pm Carols Midnight Mass
THURSDAY 25th Dec CHRISTMAS DAY
9am Mass 11am Mass
FRIDAY 26th Dec 8.30am Rosary
SATURDAY 27th Dec
10.30am Reconciliation 6pm Mass
SUNDAY 28th Dec
Feast of the HOLY FAMILY 9am, 11am, 6pm Mass
Baptism Welcome
4th Sunday of ADVENT Year B, 20th—21st Dec, 2014
THE REASON FOR THE
SEASON: CELEBRATING
CHRISTMAS
[Jesus] the Word [of God] was made flesh,
he lived among us, and we saw his glo-
ry ...’ (John 1: 14)
Houses, shops and churches all around us
are telling the Christmas story, but basically
in two different versions. In our parish com-
munities our story is about the birth of the
child Jesus at Bethlehem, about the loving
and caring presence of his parents Mary and
Joseph, and about the visits, first by the
shepherds and their animals, and later, by
the three kings from the East. But the
brightly-lit houses and shops in our streets
tell the story of Santa and Mrs Claus, their
reindeer and their sleigh, packed with pre-
sents for good children. Both stories of
Christmas though, even if in such different
ways, share some of the same message.
Christmas is about being together. And it is
about generosity, love, peace and joy.
We are followers of Jesus. But we live in a
society where many other persons have dif-
ferent religious beliefs or none at all. The
result is that some of our nation’s schools,
out of respect for non-Christians, exclude
any reference to the stable of Bethlehem in
their break-up celebrations. Beth, mother of
six year old Nicholas, recalls what hap-
pened recently at her son’s state school.
For weeks Nicholas had been memorizing
songs for what his teacher called the
‘Holiday Pageant’. His mother could not
get to her son’s performance on the night
since she was working, but she did get to
the full dress rehearsal the same day. She
reached the school gym ten minutes early,
found a spot on the floor in front of the
makeshift stage, and watched each class,
led by their teacher, take their places around
the room, until called to the stage to sing or
dance or both.
Because a couple of years ago the school
had stopped even using the word
‘Christmas’ – a word, incidentally, which
literally means ‘Christ-Mass’ – Beth was
expecting only songs about jingle bells,
reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes, fun and
good cheer. So when Nicholas’ class rose to
sing a song that was announced as
‘Christmas love’, Beth could hardly believe
her ears.
There on the stage her son was glowing
with joy, as were all his classmates, all
decked out in their fur mittens, red tops, and
white snow-caps. As the class was to sing
‘C is for Christmas’, a child would hold up
high the letter ‘C’. The next child would
hold up ‘H is for happy’ and so on, until all
the cards spelt out the complete message
‘Christmas Love’.
That was the plan, but Beth reports what
actually happened:
The performance was going smoothly until
suddenly we noticed her – a small shy girl
in the front row holding the letter ‘M’ up-
side down. She was totally unaware her let-
ter ‘M’ appeared as a ‘W’. The audience,
mainly of other school children, started gig-
gling at the little one’s mistake. But she had
no idea they were laughing at her. So she
stood tall, proudly holding up her ‘W’.
Beth goes on:
Although many teachers tried to shush the
children, the laughter continued until the
last letter was raised. Then we all saw it
together. A hush came over the audience,
and eyes began to widen. In that instant we
understood the reason we were there, and
why even in the chaos and confusion, there
was a good reason for all our joy and fun.
For when the last letter was held up high
the message read loud and clear:
‘CHRISTWAS LOVE!’
He still is, we believe!
God certainly works in mysterious ways.
By Fr Brian Gleeson CP
St Paul Apostle Catholic Community
One Family 5 William Hovell Drv, Endeavour Hills, Vic 3802
T. 9700 3781 / F. 9700 6228
www.stpaulapostle.com.au
Parish Calendar, News & Events
Diary 24th Dec: 7pm Children’s Christmas Eve Mass 9pm Christmas Eve Mass 11.30pm Carols for Midnight Mass 25th Dec: 9am Christmas Day Mass 11am Christmas Day Mass (No evening Mass on this day) 31st Dec: Parish New Years Eve Dance “Hawaiian Nite” 1st Jan 2015: New Year’s Day Mass at 10.00am THANK YOU Thanks to all who helped after mass last week organising all the hampers for pick up last Monday. But especially for over the hundred families who chose a hamper to make up. We have heard some real heart-warming responses. Sandra Stone from our Vinnies group writes. “Once again a Very Big thank you for the Hampers. You have brought many beaming smiles and some happy tears to our grateful recipients.” To the Youth for feeding those at our Christmas Carols and our loyal BBQ Chefs. APOSTLESHIP AWARDS: Congratulations to this year’s Apostleship award’s recipients. We announced the names during some of last weekend’s Masses. For those who missed last weekend these are the names of the recipients: 1/ Medgee Gontran (ASRE & Wellsprings) For service to the wider community through her generous service to Wellsprings for Women in Dandenong. Also her time and talent contribution to our After School Religious Education Program. 2/ Kathleen Stewart (Altar serving) For service to the parish community through her faithfulness to her ministry of Altar Serving, especially in her care of the new and younger servers. 3/ Clement Mariette (General Support) For service to the parish community especially in his support of his wife Dina with the Flower arranging and his willingness each year to help in setting up the Church for Easter. 4/ Gabby Sadaka (PPC, Youth, Computer Support) For service to the parish community through his involvement in the Parish Pastoral Council, Youth
Committee and IT Support in relation to our website. 5/ Shaddy Sadaka (PPC, Youth, Soup Van) For service to the parish community through his involvement in the Parish Pastoral Council, Youth Committee and IT Support in relation to our website and Soup Van Committee.. 6 Other Awards were awarded to our Choir groups (9am Choir, 11am Choir, 6pm Choir, Samoan Choir, Philipino Choir, Jennifer Bastian & Indrani Guinan for their committed and faithful service to the parish community through their ministry of music in leading and enhancing our community worship. CHRISTMAS EVE & CHRISTMAS DAY MASSES’ MINISTERS—IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO SIGN UP Christmas is only 3 days away. We are finalising the personnel for the Masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, if you would like to take part in any of the Masses and have not signed up yet, please do so this weekend. Sign up sheets are in the foyer and in the gathering space. Please put your name down (with your contact number) in the CORRECT MASS SHEET (that is the Mass which you wish to take part in). Hopefully we will contact you on Monday or Tuesday to confirm your role. NEW ROSTER will be distributed towards the end of January. There will be a session for new Readers and Eucharistic Ministers at the end of January. If you missed out on signing up the pink ministry sign-up sheets are still in the Sacristy. Please don’t miss out. NATIVITY PLAY The group is shaping up really well and the children have been practising for many times. The group will have their last practices on Monday 21st Dec at 4pm.in the church.
PARISH NEW YEAR ’S EVE DANCE—
Hawaiian Nite…….
Please Join us to welcome the new year 2015 together. It will be in the Parish Community Hall. Cost is $35 per adult and $20 children 4 to 12 (under 4yo free no seat). Includes:
This weekend we pray for: Those who are sick Ivor Steiner, Yolande Bonnefin, Michael Leong, Vincent Caruana, Pat Garard, Delaphine Briggs,
Karolina Adamczuk, Yousif Bodo, Bashar Afram, Youlia Younan, Dyna Naine, Racquel F Ebdani, Edgardo Sotiar, Roger Paul, Maria Dichosa, Aurelio Gonzaga, Baby Lucas Giacomo, Deon Lawrence, Patricia Nicholas, Tissaka Perera, Tristano Stancato, Muliaga Vaifale, Tony Reed, Kylie King, Katy Honor, Anne Payet, Meera Backory, Joy Anquiliano, Rey Domingo, Fatima Abbas, Natalie Bonnefin, Jose Zaia, Tristano Stancato, Giovanni Narduzzo, Maria Tesoriero, Lucrezia Pistone, Salvatore Zaia, Peter Tongi
For those who have died Carlos Jeronimo, Kathleen Young, Benedetto Faiola, Charlie Edgar Parker, Pietro Rubino, Leonida Vidot, Evelyn Gunasekara, Walter Carvalho, Anthony Tong Nang Nguyen, Adrian Golotta, Tony Medina, Odisho Khoshaba, Rodrique, Josephine Bower, Rita Byrne Quinn, Ana Mesquita Andrade , Cesar Salinas, Cecilia Tuazon, Laure Barallon, Rozalia Toskov, Gerarde Heeranan, Arlette Cabon, Bridgitte Xerry, Sybille Ladouce.
May they rest in peace
Sunday Readings
THIS WEEK:
4th Sunday of ADVENT Year B 2 Sam 7: 1-5, 8-12, 14, 16;
Rom 16: 25-27; Lk 1: 26-38
NEXT WEEK: The feast of HOLY FAMILY
Sirach 3: 2-6, 12-14 Col 3: 12-21; Lk 2: 22-40
www.universalis.com.au
CHRISTMAS MASSES TIMETABLE
24th Dec—CHRISTMAS EVE
7.00pm Children’s Mass 9.00pm Family Mass
11.30pm Christmas carols follows by
Midnight Mass
25th Dec—CHRISTMAS DAY
9.00am & 11.00am Mass
No evening Mass
Non stop live music by Sam de Silva and DJ Damien Weiman, welcome drink, platter of cold meats and antipasto per table and sparkling at midnight (notes: alcohol only for adults) For ticket or more information please contact: Vianney 0438 700 675, Louis 0419 008 173, Denver 0403 315 443 or Joe 0419 385 441 JOB VACANCY A Truffle farm at Marulan in the Goulburn region, NSW, is looking for a Fit and healthy adult worker to work take care of the farm for 2 – 3 months. Duties would be watering, weeding and whipper snipping the truffles. And knowing how to drive a tractor would be an advantage. There is a comfortable cottage on the farm. Also a vehicle for any running around. Airfares to and from provided and wages to be negotiated. No objections to married couple. If you are interested please contact Parish Office on 9700 3781 BUNURONG GARDEN: ST PAUL APOSTLE SOUTH SCHOOL. The time for planting and watering the Bunurong community Garden ‘Live Simply ‘ project has come around again. The school children have been planting and harvesting throughout the year were able to help out with vegetables for the Soup Van. They are now planting again and would be grateful if anyone would like to donate seedlings. We had a very successful watering team during January last year and are hoping to repeat this service again in the coming January. If you are able to help please with
providing seedlings or watering, please contact Parish Office or email: office@stpaulapostle,com.au Thank you.
We pray for many young people
to hear the call to take on the way of living like Jesus.
We pray that each of us will allow ourselves to be
‘Invaded by his Spirit’ and share in his risks and hopes
Rosters for this Weekend of 20th-21st December (3rd Sunday of the month)
Rosters for next Weekend of 27th-28th December (4th Sunday of the month)
Sacraments:
Baptisms are held on the 1st & 2nd Sunday of the month.
Preparation is on the 3rd Sunday of the month.
Marriages require 6 months notice to one of the priests, partici-pation in a FOCCUS marriage preparation program, or a
CatholicCARE Course.
Anointing of the Sick is held during Mass on the 1st Friday of
the Month at 9am. Before going to hospital for major surgery,
why not ask one of the priests to pray with you and anoint you.
Children’s Sacraments require full participation in the prepara-
tion phase.
St Paul ApostleSt Paul Apostle
Catholic CommunityCatholic Community
Priests:Priests:
Fr Tim O’Toole CP (PP)Fr Tim O’Toole CP (PP)
Fr Tony Egar CPFr Tony Egar CP
Pastoral Associates:Pastoral Associates:
Sr Joan Smith CPSr Joan Smith CP
Sr Brigid Murphy CPSr Brigid Murphy CP
Parish Staff:Parish Staff:
Bursar: Gillian VelupillayBursar: Gillian Velupillay
Secretary: Didi KarkasSecretary: Didi Karkas
Passionist Community Passionist Community
Fr Brian Gleeson CPFr Brian Gleeson CP
Fr Tony Egar CPFr Tony Egar CP
Fr Chris Mithen CPFr Chris Mithen CP
Fr Tim O’Toole CP Fr Tim O’Toole CP
Sisters of Cross and Sisters of Cross and
PassionPassion
Sr Anne Cunningham CPSr Anne Cunningham CP
Sr Brigid Murphy CPSr Brigid Murphy CP
Sr Joan Smith CPSr Joan Smith CP
St Paul Apostle (North)St Paul Apostle (North)
Primary School Primary School --
(03) 9700 6068(03) 9700 6068
PrincipalPrincipal
Mrs Christine WhiteMrs Christine White
St Paul Apostle (South)St Paul Apostle (South)
Primary School Primary School
(03) 9700 3663(03) 9700 3663
PrincipalPrincipal
Mrs Helen GreenhillMrs Helen Greenhill
St John’s Regional Col-St John’s Regional Col-
legelege
(03) 9791 3366(03) 9791 3366
Principal
Mr Andrew Walsh
6pm 9am 11am 6pm
Welcome Lien Phan, Carlos & Sylvia Fernandes
David & Sandra McGuire, Carolyn Tinney
Maria Longano, Marie Allas
Sacristan Peter Miller Sandra & David McGuire
Antoinette Gargano
Readers & Commtrs
Liseby Lapierre, Karen Rolfe,
Nick Dimitrakas, Bernie O’Hara
Anne Astin, Meaghan O’Connor, Christine White
Marg Keating, Pierre Mendonca William Roncon
Gifts Nina, Gertrude Akom
Annette Lapierre, Bealiah Wemyss
Hiranya Leitan
Communion
Paul Negri, Michelle Boissezon, Lien Phan, Adelia Drego, Cris Emmanuel
Ernie & Wilma San Giorgio, Martin Vaifale, Anton Nadarajah, Paul Smith, Danny O’Hara, Aaron Chitaranjan
Glen Johnson, Damian Kearney, Rhonda O’Connor, Esme Fourlze, Helen Greenhill, Sheahan Pereira, Christine Gaiardo
Mignonne Meerwald,
Dan Candido,
Eugene Rebeiro,
Veronica Hassett,
Shaddy Sadaka,
Noel Augustus,
Jonathan Maclou
Servers Jessica, Kathleen, Joshua James
Mark H, Ethan, Luke, Tara
Meaghan, Marc P, Sean, Calvin, Jake, Jayden
Rachel, Joseph, Dinarah
6pm 9am 11am 6pm
Welcome Anna & Rodney Gonsalves
Ann Judge, Anne Peters
Antoinette Gargano, Anabela Costa, Joseph Solari
Sacristan Peter Miller Anton Nadarajah Yvonne Sherwin
Readers & Commtrs
Liz Flood, Mark Rolfe
John Callery, Milroy Martyn, Stefan Jayasuriya
Stephen Nasalio, Florence Madeira, Helen Greenhill
Shaddy Sadaka, Gabby Sadaka
Gifts Helen Sanders, Grazyna Tyszka
Dimitrakas Family Dilinger Family Keating Family
Communion
Steven/ Bridgett Herbert, Dominica Arena, Prabodh Perera, Fosio Dunlop, Charlene Pereira, Lindsay Cresswell
Fred Hall, Marina Nadarajah, Anne Peters, Alain Mallac, Elaine Gillett, Glenn Todd, Ayomi Fernandesz
Joe Solari, Yvonne Sherwin, Zena Carlow, Daniel Madeira, Christine White, Frances Anthony
Roland Mathias,
Nona Sangalang,
Gabby Catania,
Jenny Catania,
Premani Leitan,
Karen Luzan
Servers Kathleen, Jessica, Joshua
Mark Harper, Casey, Ashvika, Luke, Kevin
Aidan, Reena, Calvin, Jade, Abraham
Dinarah, Joseph, Lakni.
Cuppa Ralph & Felicia Martyn
Ernie/ Wilma San Giorgio, Elizabeth Kee
Antoinette Gargano, Berta Pereira
Joyce Rebeiro
Communion to the Sick
after 9am Mass
Roster A: Vel Vaifale
Church Prep Team 2 K Jayasinha
Flowers Anabela Costa
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