PARISH OF ST. JOHN’S WOOD/THE GAP

BAPTISMS

Mater Dei

3rd Sunday

St Peter Chanel

4th Sunday

Baptism preparation

details available on

our website under

Parish Activities

New Parishioners

WELCOME

Please place your name in

the book at the back of the

church.

WELCOME

Website: www.stjohnswoodthegap.net.au Parish Office: PO Box 408, The Gap, Qld 4061

Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday 8.30 am—3.00 pm

Contact: Phone: 3300 6099 Fax: 3300 6255

Churches: Mater Dei : 16 Philomene Drive, Ashgrove

St Peter Chanel: 41 Chaprowe Road, The Gap

Parish Priest: Fr. Vu Dinh Tuong mdei@bigpond.com

Parish Manager: Richard James manager.thegap@bne.catholic.net.au

Parish of St John’s Wood\The Gap

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD - SUNDAY 10TH JANUARY 2016

Spirit and Fire

John the Baptist called his followers to repent and believe the Good News. Those

who came to him and were baptized by him accepted his teaching- and his

teaching was that he was baptizing them with water as an introduction to the One

who was to come. His baptism had no power to save but the One who was to

come had the power to give salvation through the sacrament of baptism. John

publicly declared that he was not the One awaited but only preparing for the One

who was to come; who was, as yet not manifested, but who was much more

powerful than John. The One who was to come would baptize with the power of

the Spirit and with the blessings of Heavenly Fire.

Those who accepted the teaching of John the Baptist, accepted also what he said

about the One who was to come. John called for repentance and the readiness to

welcome the One who was to come - Jesus. And when Jesus came he called us to

believe in God the Father who had sent him to reveal God’s love for us. He came

to live amongst us to give us salvation and eternal life.

John was sent to prepare the way for the Lord and called us to believe the Good

news. His teaching made people think that John was the Messiah but he denied

saying he was not the Messiah but only preparing for the Messiah who was to

come. John the visible messenger of God would open our eyes and mind to

welcome the, as yet unseen, One who was to come.

Jesus, the only Son of God was sinless and needed no baptism but he came to John

for baptism in order to testify to the validity of the baptism John gave. John

refused to baptize Jesus for two reasons. Firstly, John believed that Jesus, the

Sinless One, had no need of baptism at all and secondly John felt himself

unworthy to baptize Jesus. However, Jesus insisted that John baptize him. John

probably had no idea that after receiving the baptism the Heavens would open and

a Voice would call people to listen to Jesus. The Voice was telling us that Jesus is

divine, the only Son of God, who came to live amongst us and to save us. The

Voice and the presence of the dove were signs from ‘on high’ to testify to the

divinity of Jesus. It also confirmed that what John had said about Jesus was

correct and true in every aspect and that those who believed in him would be

baptized with the Spirit and with Fire. Those baptized with Spirit and Fire would

become heirs of the kingdom. Through baptism we become sons and daughters of

God and become a member of God’s universal family on earth and in heaven.

The baptism Jesus received affirmed that his teaching about God’s love and

salvation for mankind came from God. Secondly, the voice from on high affirms

the unity between God the Father in his words and deeds. To know and believe in

Jesus is to know the Father and to listen to Jesus is to listen to the Father. God is

not visible to us but we know God through the teachings of Jesus.

Vu Dinh Tuong

Rosary If you would like to pray

the Rosary in your home

please contact

Bruce Bonney

Phone: 3300 2959

Inside:

Rosary 1

Bequest or Will 2

Sick, Deceased,

Anniversaries

School Leavers 3

Ignite Summer Camp

Church Cleaners

Drought Appeal

Special Occasions

Vocation View

Next Week’s Readings:

2nd Sunday

in Ordinary Time

First Reading

Isaiah 62: 1-5

Second Reading

1 Corinthians 12: 4-11

Gospel

John 2: 1-11

THE BAPTISIM OF THE LORD - SUNDAY 10TH JANUARY 2016

First Reading: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11

The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103:1-2,3-4,24-25,27-30

Oh, bless the Lord, my soul!

Second Reading: Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7

He saved us through the water of rebirth and renewal in the Holy Spirit.

Gospel Acclamation: Acts 16:14

Alleluia, alleluia!

John said: He who is to come is mightier than I; he will baptize you with the Holy

Spirit and with fire. Alleluia!

Gospel Reading: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

When Jesus had been baptized and had been praying, the heavens were opened

and the Holy Spirit came upon him.

——————————————————————————————————————————————

EXCERPT FROM THE ARCHBISHOP’S LETTER

DATED 11TH DECEMBER 2015

For the Year of Mercy, the Archbishop has designated six churches as ‘Pilgrimage

Churches of Mercy’.

These churches are listed below and will be ready some time in February 2016

starting from Ash Wednesday. At that point the Archbishop will offer a Lenten

Pastoral Letter with more information.

These churches will offer times for the Sacrament of Penance. The Archbishop invites

parishes to organize pilgrimages to these churches that includes a celebration of the

sacrament of Penance and Eucharist.

Parish groups may have some communal celebration such as a picnic lunch, etc.

Prayers for the Sick Catherine Blythe

Beth Kloza

Cara Drummond

(15 mths)

Recently Deceased

Maureen White

Michael Marnane

Leslie Parsonage

(Jim’s Father)

Peter Tan

(Dorene’s Father)

Anniversaries

Sr. Desley Robinson

Bill Eneberg

CHURCH (PARISH) PHONE NO EMAIL

Cathedral Office 3324 3010 cathedral@bne.catholic.net.au

Red Hill

(Jubilee)

3369 5351 jubilee@bne.catholic.net.au

Ipswich 3281 2133 ipswich@bne.catholic.net.au

Annerley

(Annerley Ekibin)

3848 1107 annek@bne.catholic.net.au

Nambour 5441 1034 stjoenam@ozemail.com.au

Clear Island Waters

(Surfers Paradise)

5572 5433 surfers@bne.catholic.net.au

FUNERAL NOTICE

A Requiem Mass will be

held for

Mrs. Maureen White,

on Wednesday

13th January 2015

at 11 am at St. Peter Chanel

Church

BEQUEST OR WILLS All parishioners are asked

to consider including our

parish St John’s Wood/

The Gap in your will. One

of the greatest contributions

you can make to our parish

is to ensure a legacy of

faith for the young and to

provide proper care for the

old.

Have you just graduated Year 12? In an effort to help bridge the gap between year 12 school leavers and the wider

Catholic Church, the Youth Evangelisation Office has created a website called

‘www.schoolleavers.org.au’. This website helps the youth to stay connected with

the wider Catholic Church after school.

Ignite Summer Camp

Ignite Summer Camp is all about helping your youth, experience the love of

Jesus and getting them excited about their faith and ready for the New Year!

Taking place from the 14th - 17th January, Summer Camp is 4 days of

formation, sacraments, prayer and fun for high school students. The camp

includes talks and activities exploring the themes of reconciliation, the

Holy Spirit and various other faith issues that teenagers are facing in today’s

society.

For more information or to register your youth go to the link below.

Ignite Youth Team: hello=igniteyouth.com@mail185.atl121.mcsv.net

Church Cleaners for SPC Due to people leaving this ministry we are now looking for some volunteers to be

part of the new roster. We thank those who are continuing, your efforts are very

much appreciated. This is only a couple of hours every month or so depending

on numbers. Anyone who would like to volunteer please contact Maria Hill on

Mobile: 0412735615 as soon as possible.

Drought Appeal

Anyone wanting to help the drought appeal?

Fr. Robert Hollows (who was our Parish Priest) now residing in Longreach has

organised a drought appeal. You may send your donation to the bank account

at St. Brigids, Longreach:

BSB: 034210

Account No: 396651

Account Name: St. Brigid's Drought Appeal

I spoke to him last week and he said he would be very happy to receive any

donations. Please send an email to cathlong@bigpond.com to advise you sent

a donation. Fr. Robert’s phone no is: 46583283.

For further information please contact Moira Flynn on: 33664536

The Editor retains the right

to edit any items that are

submitted to the bulletin. Names will be placed in

the sick list for a period of

four weeks. If you wish to

continue after that, please

contact the parish office. The cut off for the Parish Bulletin is Wednesday 3pm. If you have any queries

please contact the Parish

Office on: 33006099

A VOCATION VIEW:

Come on, continue your

Baptism by baptizing others

in the Holy Spirit and fire.

"You are my beloved

child," says the Lord! ‘vocation@bne.catholic.net. au

www.catholicpriesthood. com

Please let us know about

the sick Every so often we learn of

people confined to their

home for quite a while or

even transfer to permanent

care in a hospice or nursing

home. We would like to bring the

sacraments to them so

please let the Parish Office know if family

members are so confined.

Please contact Vi Hall on:

Phone No: 3006099 or

Mob: 040989 4904

CONGRATULATIONS AND

GOD’S BLESSINGS ON

TERRY AND MAUREEN FOLEY

AS THEY CELEBRATE 60 YEARS

OF MARRIAGE

E-book for your computer

Free of charge

Son of God:

The Daily Gospel Year C-2 www.catholic-oughts.info/

ebook/

HAPPY 90TH BIRTHDAY

MARGARET SHARPE

WISHING YOU MANY BLESSINGS!

Thank You

Patricia Marnane & Family sincerely thank

Fr. Tuong, Richard James

and members of the parish

community for the support

they received during their

recent bereavement.

PARISH SCHOOLS Mater Dei Primary School Phone: 3514 4100 St Peter Chanel

Primary School

Phone: 3300 1202

RECONCILATION

Mater Dei

Saturday 5.00-5.20

St. Peter Chanel

Sunday 4.30-4.45

PARISH COUNCIL

Steven Foley

(Chairperson) stevenfoley@hotmail.com

————————————

Pender & Whitehouse Solicitors Since 1917

JOHN WHITEHOUSE PH (07) 3356 6589

Conveyancing—Fixed Fee Wills, EPOA’s, Estates

Leasing—Business– Buying & Selling

Email: pwh@qld.chariot.net.au

250 Enoggera Road, Newmarket.. Qld 4051

Prayers for the

sick:

When there is a

request to pray for a

sick person their

names will be in the

prayers of the faith-

ful for 2 weeks and

in the bulletin for 4

weeks.

Names of recently

deceased will be on

the prayer list for 2

weeks and in the

bulletin for 2 weeks.

Wine Sales Looking for a Gift for your friends. Our Wines from Seven

Hills winery in SA are available for purchase. There are 2012

Merlot and 2013 Riesling. The cost is $15 per bottle or $160

per carton of 12. Please contact the office.

Renovations, Decks, Fit Outs Build In Under

MASS TIMES MATER DEI ST PETER CHANEL FEAST DAYS/NOTES

Monday

Tuesday 9 am

Wednesday 9 am St. Hilary

Thursday 9 am

Friday 9 am

Saturday 5.30pm

Sunday

9.30am

8am

5 pm

Year of Mercy

Come and Adore at

Mater Dei Church

Exposition of the

Blessed Sacrament

Monday 7pm-9pm

Friday 10am-10pm

If you are able to

spend an hour per

week or fortnight

please put your name

on the sheet at the

back of the church.