Current Bulletin - The Catholic Parish of Bundaberg

THE CATHOLIC PARISH OF BUNDABERG
“Stay awake! You never know when the Lord will come”
Mark 13: 33
First Sunday of Advent - Year B - Hours of the Sunday, Te Deum Psalter Week 1 - 30 November 2014
Holy Rosary Church
Corner Barolin & Woongarra Streets Bundaberg CBD
St Patrick’s Church
16 Powers Street Bundaberg West
St Mary’s Church
Corner Barolin & Boston Streets Bundaberg South
St James’ Church
38 See Street Bargara
Parish Office & Christian Gift & Bookstore
Rossolini Place
Level 1 / 66 Woongarra Street
PO Box 79
Bundaberg Queensland 4670
Parish Office Hours
8.30am - 3.30pm Monday to Friday
Telephone 07 4151 6666
Facsimile 07 4153 3102
Email bundaberg@rok.catholic.net.au
Website www.bundabergcatholic.net.au
The Catholic Parish of Bundaberg
Pastoral Team
Fr John Daly - Parish Priest
Fr John Fitz-Herbert - Parish Priest Assistant
Rev Mr Andrew Hogan—Deacon
Anne Sheehan Liturgy, Sacramental, RCIA Co-ordinator
Joe McCorley — Team Member
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES:
Christmas Eve (Wednesday 24 December)
6.00pm: Children’s Mass Moncrieff Theatre
6.00pm: Holy Rosary,
7.00pm: St Patrick’s
11.30pm: Christmas Carols, Holy Rosary
MIDNIGHT: Holy Rosary,
Christmas Day (Thursday 25 December)
7.00am: St James, Bargara
8.00am: Holy Rosary,
9.00am: St Mary’s,
Nadia Fregonese Stewardship & Adult Faith Co-ordinator
Denise Tuzes—Visitation & Funeral Co-ordinator
Diana Pippia - Office Manager
Kaye Andersen - Reception
Mass Times 07 4151 6666 (afterhours)
Centacare 1300 523 985
Towards Healing Helpline 1800 337 928
St Vincent de Paul 07 4151 5455
St Joseph’s School 07 4151 4771
www.sjbgrok.catholic.edu.au
Kaye Beston - Principal
St Mary’s School 07 4152 2167
www.stmarysbundaberg.qld.edu.au
Madonna Davitt - Principal
St Patrick’s School 07 4152 1380
www.saintpatricks.qld.edu.au
Mark Fox - Principal
Shalom College 07 4155 8111
www.shalomcollege.com
Dan McMahon - Principal
FOCUS
by Fr John Daly
This weekend we begin the four-week season of Advent. This is a time to look to
the past, live in the present, and hope in the future.
Advent is a time of preparation.
“Advent has a two-fold character—as a Season of preparation for Christmas when
Christ’s coming in history is remembered; and as a season when the first coming directs
the mind and heart to await Christ’s second coming at the end of time.” (General
Norms for the Liturgical Year).
“Preparation” is a key word for this time of the year. Much of the preparation
involves rush, haste, buying gifts, invitations to end of the year parties, getting
that Christmas dinner planned. For many it is a time of exhaustion and
overspending. It can be often heard “I will be pleased when Christmas is over and we
can slow down.”
Some of this preparation is necessary if we belong to families and various groups,
but what is essential can easily be overlooked. To prepare for the coming of
Christ—celebrating his birth and his future coming—will require internal
preparation. We need time to embrace the present so we better celebrate the past
and stay alert to the future. Each of us needs time to allow God into our hearts.
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop encourages us to stop and hear the whisperings
of God in our hearts. To find that quiet time each day during Advent will allow
us to arrive at Christmas more in tune with the person we celebrate. I suggest
too that we would also arrive less stressed and less exhausted.
Advent is a good time to stop and become more familiar with both our best
selves and our worst selves. I recently heard someone discussing an experience
of meanness between two people. He was pointing out what a terrible human
trait meanness is in a person. For some reason or another, meanness (hardheartedness) seems to flourish in some people at Christmas time. Unfortunately
we find it within families—one member against another often over very small
unimportant matters. The message of Christmas is the opposite to meanness—
God with generous kindness comes to live with us and gift us with his Son.
I suggest one way to prepare well for Christmas and for that final judgement is to
live in kindness to others each day of Advent. The kindness I mean is that
outlined in the Beatitudes and in Matthew 25: 31-46, where Jesus praises a
kindness done to the least of his brothers and sisters is a kindness done to him.
LITURGY SPOT
ADVENT marks the beginning of a new Church year – this year, Year B, the year
of Mark. You will notice changes in our liturgy that tell of hopeful waiting for
the coming of the Lord; changes in colour, song, prayer texts and scripture. The
use of silence is emphasised. Simplicity and elegance in the liturgy is key. The
Advent candles, not necessarily purple, are symbols that mark the passing of
time to Christmas. This year we see four purple candles used.
STEWARDSHIP
Thank you to the sponsors, contributors and editors of the “Good News” parish
magazine, appropriately subtitled this year as “New Beginnings” Always a
pleasure to read of the many gifts and talents that abound in our parish.
We are the servants of God, each with his or her own task. We will be judged good
stewards if, at His coming, He finds us ready and conscientiously pursuing the tasks to
which we have been called.
LITURGY TIMETABLE
SATURDAY, 29th NOVEMBER 2014:
7:30am St Mary’s LWC followed by
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament;
6:00pm St Patrick’s Sunday MASS;
Sunday readings as per back page.
SUNDAY, 30th NOVEMBER 2014:
First Sunday of Advent
7:00am St James’ MASS;
8:00am Holy Rosary MASS;
9:00am St Mary’s MASS;
5:30pm Holy Rosary MASS.
Sunday readings as per back page.
MONDAY, 1st DECEMBER 2014:
Isaiah 2: 1-5; Matthew 8:5-11
9:00am St Patrick’s MASS;
2.00pm Meilene Anointings;
6.00pm St Mary’s School 6/7 Graduation
6.00pm St Patrick’s Yr 6 Graduation
TUESDAY, 2nd DECEMBER 2014:
Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 10:21-24
9:00am St James’ LWC followed by
Exposition of Blessed Sacrament
until 10:30am;
12:15pm Holy Rosary MASS;
6.00pm HR St Joseph’s 6/7 Graduation;
6.00pm St Patrick’s Yr 7 Graduation
WEDNESDAY, 3rd DECEMBER 2014:
St Francis Xavier, Priest
Isaiah 25:6-10; Matthew 15:29-37
5:30pm St Patrick’s LWC.
THURSDAY, 4th DECEMBER 2014:
St John Damascene, priest, doctor
Isaiah 26:1-6; Matthew 7: 21,24-27
6:30am St Mary’s LWC;
12:15pm Holy Rosary LWC.
FRIDAY, 5th DECEMBER 2014:
Isaiah 29:17-24,
Matthew 9:27-31
9.00am St Mary’s End of School LITURGY
12:15pm Holy Rosary MASS.
SATURDAY, 6th DECEMBER 2014:
St Nicholas, bishop
Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26; Matthew 9:35-10:1,6-8
7:30am St Mary’s MASS followed by
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament;
SATURDAY, 6th DECEMBER 2014:
Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; 2 Peter 3: 8-14;
Mark 1: 1-8
6:00pm St Patrick’s Sunday MASS.
SUNDAY, 7th DECEMBER 2014:
Second Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; 2 Peter 3: 8-14;
Mark 1: 1-8
7:00am St James’ MASS;
8:00am Holy Rosary MASS;
9:00am St Mary’s MASS;
12 noon Baffle Creek MASS
5:30pm Holy Rosary MASS.
RECONCILIATION
Saturday 11:00am - 12noon at Holy
Rosary Church, or by appointment.
BAPTISMS
In the Bundaberg Region one month’s notice
is required for all baptisms. All couples are
asked to participate in one preparation
session. Please contact Parish Office.
WEDDINGS
Weddings are by appointment. Please note
that we require at least six months notice for
marriages. Preparation also required
PRAYER GROUPS
BUNDABERG CHRISTIAN
MEDITATION ~ Monday, 7:30pm 8:30pm, 6 San Vito Court. Contact
Ian Tolley on 4152 8262.
CHRISTIAN MEDITATION ~ Every
TUESDAY 10:00am to 10:30am and
FRIDAY 11:30am to 12noon. Held in the
prayerful space of the Chapel in the
Parish Office. Beginners are invited to
join the regular meditators in this “prayer
of the heart.” Contact Joe McCorley
0418 727 845 or Nadia Fregonese
4151 6666 or just turn up!
ROSARY TIMES ~ Tuesdays &
Thursdays 5:25pm, Holy Rosary Church;
Wednesdays 5:00pm, St Patrick’s
Church; Thursday’s 6:00am, St Mary’s
Church.
EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED
SACRAMENT:
 Friday, 05 December, after the 12.15 pm
Liturgy, Holy Rosary Church.
 Sunday, 07 December, 2.00pm—5.00pm,
St Mary’s Church.
RECENTLY
DECEASED
Frank MITCHELL (Melbourne); Fr Paul
SIEBERT OMI (Brisbane); Marcus
Alexander ROBERTS; Kevin GALL;
Maureen BYRNES; Bertie GELLEY;
Ronald PERKINS; Bob SCHOFIELD;
Peter GRANT (Townsville); Donko
BOSNIC (W.A); Beryl HOLMES
(Rockhampton); Christopher MOSS;
Michael WHEELER (Woy Woy NSW);
James Frederick GRAHAM; Bridget
BRIESCHKE; Salvina CASSAR (Malta);
Ean REEVES (Sunshine Coast); Nita Ada
TROST.
“On this mountain,
the Lord of hosts will prepare for all peoples,
a banquet of rich food.”
Isaiah 25:6
MASS OF RECONCILIATION Wednesday, 17 December, 5.30 pm, St
Patrick’s Church. Individual
reconciliation offered after Mass.
MEETINGS FOR
THE WEEK
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
& DISCUSSION GROUPS ~ Thursday
nights 7:00pm - 8:15pm in the Parish
Office. Enquiries call 4151 6666. All
welcome.
IN THIS PARISH
ADVENT CALENDAR
Go to
http://www.caritas.org.au/
advent for an interactive Advent
Calendar for the whole family’s
or individual preparation.
MASS MINISTERS NEEDED
All ministers who are here for Christmas are asked to indicate
your availability to minister at one (or more) Christmas masses.
Clipboards are at the front doors of the church for names.
BUNDABERG
CATHOLIC
PLAYGROUP ~ Every Thursday,
9:30am - 11:00am, St Patrick’s Hall.
Contact
Kathy Harden 4155 3833 or
0429 625 730.
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS MASS
Each year the young children dramatise the gospel, read the
intercessions, bring up the gifts, or sing at this Mass.
“Auditions” for parts in the Mass will take place on
Wednesday, 3rd December 2014 at 3:30pm in the Novakoski
Centre. Contact Pauline Merefield on 4159 3272 for details.
BLANKET BUDDIES:
Novakoski
Centre,
Wednesday, 03 December,
10.00am—12 noon.
All welcome.
Contact Noreen on 4155 1399.
COMBINED COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CAROLS
Practice for the Combined Community Christmas Carols is
being held from 4:00pm to 5:00pm on Thursday the 4th and
11th December 2014 at the Uniting Church, Bargara. For more
information contact Marg Lloyd-Jones on 4159 2066.
CHERISH LIFE:
Novakoski Centre,
Monday, 01 December, 1.30—3.00pm.
Contact Barry 4151 6341
ROSTERS
Rosters are being prepared for January,
February & March. It is important that
you advise the Parish Office of any
changes to your Mass Ministry &/or
your contact details as soon as possible.
Thank you.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY LEADERS
needed at 6pm, 7am, 8am, 9am Masses.
Contact Anne at the Parish Office for
details.
LITTLE BLUE ADVENT BOOK
The Little Blue Advent Books are now
available for purchase at all Churches.
Cost is $3.00.
THE WORD AMONG US
2015 Edition, starting this Advent, can
now be collected from the Parish Office.
The Catholic Parish
of Bundaberg
Finance:
CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT: Friday, 12 December, 7.00pm,
Bundaberg Recreational Precinct, Agro trend site. BYO chairs,
rugs, candles. Listen to our own Suellen Cusack lead the carol
singing.
Christmas Carols
Come join the parish singers caroling at:
Uniting Church (corner Hughes Road & Blain Street
Bargara), Friday, 12th December 2014 at 7:00pm;
Carinity Aged Care (Kepnock Grove - 3 Jocumsen
Street Bundaberg), Thursday, 18th December 2014 at
10:00am;
Total Given ................... $4 565.55
Pageant of Lights
Thursday 4th December
PAGEANT OF LIGHTS PARADE
Thursday 04 December
Walk with us in a wonderful parade where our parish tells the
story of the first Christmas. Donkey, manger, camels and candles
are supplied!
Take part and share your faith in the Christ Child with all the
families who come to watch the parade.
WHEN: Thursday 4th December, assemble at 6.00 pm.
WHERE: Assemble in Bourbong St, in front of Subaru dealership
cnr Walla and Bourbong Sts.
7pm: Parade starts
7.45pm: Parade finishes back in front of Subaru dealership.
GOOD NEWS 2014 “NEW BEGINNINGS”, the Parish Christmas
magazine, is now available at all churches. We hope you enjoy
reading about the happenings of many of our parish groups and
ministries with a special focus this year on the “firsts” for the
year and the hopes for the next.
BUS TO ORDINATION
A bus is booked for the trip to Rockhampton
for the Ordination of Deacon Andrew Hogan,
Wednesday, 3rd December 2014. Cost: $35
payable before departure, 2.00pm, from
Stewart & Sons Bus Depot, Targo Street.
Limited seats still available.
St James’ Church (38 See Street Bargara) Sunday, 21st
December 2014 at 4:30pm.
PARISH CHRISTMAS SOCIAL
Thursday, 11 December 2014 at 5:30pm, beginning in the
Courtyard of Holy Rosary, then in the Novakoski Centre.
Drinks, nibblies and good company. Photos of the year that
was. Please RSVP to the Parish Office.
VISITATION MINISTERS CHRISTMAS BREAKUP
Friday, 12 December, 10.30am. Rossolini Place. All welcome!
Please RSVP to the Parish Office 4151 6666, by 10 December.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Bundaberg Orpheus Singers together with Poco Savvi Voce,
Savvi Voce & the Bundaberg Municipal Band present ‘All
About Christmas’, Sunday 7th December 2014, Holy Rosary
Church at 7:30pm. Admission is $5 (Children under 12 free).
Total Pledges.......................... 597
Amount Pledged .......... $8 703.70
Pageant of Lights Parade
POSITION VACANT
PART-TIME SECRETARY, St Joseph’s Parish,
Childers, Monday and Friday, 10-12 hrs per week.
Contact Fr Sunny Mathew 4126 1256
ST VINCENT DE PAUL CHRISTMAS APPEAL
Please take a gift tag from the Christmas box or basket in the
church, buy a gift for that child, and return on Sundays during
Advent. Gifts are brought up during the Procession of Gifts
during Mass. The last Sunday for collection during Mass will be
December 13th/14th. Please leave your gifts unwrapped.
Thank You.
IN THE DIOCESE
MESSAGE FROM BISHOP MICHAEL McCARTHY
I am pleased to advised that Andrew Hogan’s Ordination to
Priesthood on 3rd December will be streamed live via Youtube from
7:00pm. I invite all those who are unable to attend the event inperson to watch the ceremony live on-line and share in this
wonderful occasion. To access the live streaming link, go to http://
www.rok.catholic.net.au and click on the image of
St Joseph’s Cathedral.
+Michael McCarthy