The Epiphany of the Lord (Year A)

Parish Weekend Mass Times

St Francis Xavier Church

Saturday Vigil ~ 600 pm

Sunday ~ 900 am

Holy Family Church

Lennox Head

Sunday ~ 730 am

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This weekrsquos Mass times in Ballina

Monday ~ 800 am

Tuesday ~ 520 pm

Wednesday ~ 1000 am

Crowley Chapel

Thursday 800 am

Friday ~ 1200 noon

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Respecting a traditional people of this land the Bundjalung people

St Francis Xavier Church Cnr Cherry amp Crane Streets

Ballina

Holy Family Church 94 Ballina Street

Lennox Head

5th January 2020

The light we all follow

PRESBYTERY Phone 6686 2042 Administrator of Ballina Parish Father Peter Padsungay Assistant Priest Father Anselm Okeke Pastoral Associate Sr Kathryn Sweeney rsj Email kathrynsfxballinaorgau PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL Email parishcouncilsfxballinaorgau

PARISH ADMINISTRATION CENTRE Phone 6681 1048 Fax 6686 8774 Email adminsfxballinaorgau Mon to Fri 830 am - 400 pm - 53-57 Cherry Street - Postal Address PO Box 46 Ballina 2478 wwwsfxballinaorgau

PARISH LIBRARY Library available to parishioners Mon to Fri 9 am - 4 pm

SCHOOLS St Francis Xavier Primary 6686 3370 - Swift St Ballina

Holy Family Primary 6687 5311- 40 Isabella Drive Skennars Head

Xavier Catholic College 6687 6484 - 2 Redford Drive Skennars Head

St Annersquos Long Day Care Centre 6687 5961- 42 Isabella Drive Skennars Head

AGED CARE Crowley Care Services 1300 139 099 - 154 Cherry St Ballina Independent Living Village Residential Aged Care Home Care Services

The Feast of the Epiphany concludes the Christmas season with the story of visitors from the East coming to honour the new-born Jesus in Bethlehem with gifts of gold frankincense and myrrh This story told only in the Gospel of Mat-thew was developed in the early Christian centuries where the Magi are given names ndash ldquoBalthasar Melchior Gasperrdquo ndash and in some accounts are specified as ldquokings of Arabia Persia and Indiardquo Others call the wise men astrologers since they could read the stars others again name them sorcerers on account of their use of supernatural or magic powers Matthewrsquos more sparse account does not specify their number names na-tionalities occupa-tions or regal posi-tions For Matthew they are just ldquosome wise men from the Eastrdquo who come to pay homage to ldquothe infant king of the Jewsrdquo The remarkable aspect of the story apart from the encoun-ter with Herod is that these visitors to Bethlehem are like most of us strangers from afar outside Godrsquos original covenant with the Jewish people For the gospel writer the journey of the Magi announces that Godrsquos covenant is no longer for a sin-gle people but for everyone The word Epiphany means a moment of sudden great revelation represented by a new light enabling us to see things as they really are The birth of Jesus is that new light to announce the Good News of Godrsquos salvation for all peoples and nations Our response should be that of the non-Jewish Magi ndash but instead of worshipping Jesus

with gold frankincense and myrrh we do so with the gifts of our different personali-ties ways of life cultures and traditions St John Chrysostom in the fourth century asked why the star shining in the East was only seen by the Magi He answered that the Magi did not set out because they saw the star rather they saw the star because they had already set out He adds they were searchers guided by an inner-restlessness Pope Francis says the Magi represent all of us who refusing to let our hearts be frozen

have a longing to taste something of God in our lives This longing for God is something more than a vague hope or distant ex-pectation Rather it is a deep movement in our hearts repre-

sented by Simeon who ldquolonged to

see the Saviourrdquo the Prodigal Son who ldquolonged to return to his Fatherrdquo the shep-herd ldquolonging for his lost sheeprdquo and Mary Magdalene running to the tomb ldquolonging to see the risen Jesusrdquo In our contemporary culture it often seems God has gone missing We know our world needs a new Epiphany to show the light of Christ As such we are all called to be todayrsquos Magi by searching for signs of Godrsquos presence in our world leading to the joyful celebration of the light of Christ shining on us and throughout the whole of creation

Gerard Hall SM copy Majellan 2019

Google image

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR RECENTLY DECEASED

Peter Scroope Sr Mary Britt OP (Sydney) Glenice

Garrity Kath Cavanagh Ron Osborn Sr Susan Robison

pbvm Brian Doherty

THOSE WHOSE ANNIVERSARIES OCCUR AT

THIS TIME Barry Lloyd Terry Sweeney Amando

Bordin Maurie Walsh Bernard Evans

AND ALSO FOR Beatrice Flood Rina Charlie amp James

Volpatti James amp Mary Rogers Cath Waddell C amp S Hosie

Mick amp Gwynne Waugh Thama Walker Kathleen Kelly

Bill amp Jean Shay Cecilia amp Bill Condon Snr Stan amp Mary

McKeough Members of the SVdP Conference amp Auxiliary amp

for all faithful departed

AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE ILL Margaret Murphy Robert

Sullivan Terry Moore Ailsa Patch Margaret Pyne Kathleen

Campbell Trish Warwarek Roslyn Evans Kaia Randall Mary

Sullivan Garry Howard Joan Charteris Darcy Martin Jim Walsh

Charlie Clements Ted Murphy Charlie Scotcher (Aunty) Julia

Paden Rev Ray Fishwick Laurie Ianna Glenn Campbell Jan

Kelly Kay Harth Maria Gorton Peter amp Reba Smidt Asha Owsby

(2 yrs) Jeanie Marie Curry Fay Kerslake Darryl Simpkins Betty

Albertini Hilda Carter Rosemary Russell John Moreland Dympna

Sheehy Margaret Bermingham Greg Shore John McNamara

Yvonne amp Peter Thurtell Mal Gillies Cecelia Waldron Louise

Wilson Michael OrsquoConnor Moore Smith McCowan-Dann Webber

Families Layton family Fitch family Maria Hosking Kaley

Nobbs Mick OrsquoBrien Graham Robertson Gregory Thomas Gloria

Greguric Joy Hepworth Leo Lane Mary Topham Bob Grant

Leisa Wotton Michael Everson Pat Evans Virginia Sarah and

Peter Kolhbach Samantha Anderson Tony Lannan Kim del-

Signore Crowley Village St Andrewrsquos Nursing Home RSL Life

Care Bupa Aged Care (Due to privacy laws names are only

THE SACRAMENTS IN OUR PARISH

BAPTISMS Will be held at any time in either Church on any day A weekrsquos notice prior to the preferred Baptism is essential for preparation and notification to the Priest Please contact Parish Admin 6681 1048 CONFIRMATION 28th May 2020 Parent Meeting 1st April RECONCILIATION 2nd September 2020 Parent Meeting Wednesday 29th July FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 22nd March 2020 Parent Meeting 19th February Groups start 23rd February WEDDINGS In either church Arrange an appointment with a Priest Please allow at least 6 months for compulsory preparation ANOINTING OF THE SICK during Mass on dates to be advertised during the year and on request and at regular intervals at the hospital and aged care facilities HOSPITAL Catholic patients in Ballina Hospital are visited by a member of the parish team on a regular basis Given the difficulty we have in obtaining names of those in hospital a visit is made to those who tell us they are in the hospital We will only know someone is in the hospital if we are told by family or friends This is due to the Privacy laws that govern our nation

DIF PAYS 140 PER ANNUM BALLINA AGENTS Michael Shay L J Hooker 87-89 River St Ballina 6686 2711 - Crowley Admin Office Cherry St Ballina 1300 139 099

THIS WEEKrsquoS COLLECTIONS

First Collection Support of our

Diocese Priests $ 126465

Second Collection Support of the Parish amp

Ministries amp School Building amp Maintenance Fund

Loose Plate $ 78945

Planned Giving Envelopes Collected

$ 160430

Planned Giving Envelopes Weekly Target $ 200900

VOLUNTEERS FOR OUR PARISH IN 2020

If you would like to help out as a catechist in our state schools or be a member of the happy team at the Hot Meal Centre or have your name added to the roster for parish morning teas or maybe St Vincent de Paul Centre please contact the Parish Office on 6681 1048

SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER PARISH BALLINA - PLANNED GIVING PROGRAM If you are a new parishioner to Ballina or an existing one and you would like to participate in the Planned Giving Program cards are available for completion in the foyer of the Church Please complete your details and place on the collection plate in the envelope provided or contact SFX Parish Admin office on 6681 1048 Monday to Friday 830 am to 400 pm For your convenience we have the option of Direct Debit andor Envelope contribution

$000

$50000

$100000

$150000

$200000

2n d Dec 9th Dec 15th Dec 23rd Dec 30th Dec

Target

Collections

ROSTER The Baptism of the Lord Year A 11th12th January 2020 Readings Isaiah 421-46-7 Psalm 28 Acts 1034-38 Matthew 313-17

600 pm Vigil Ballina

730 am Lennox Head

900 am Ballina

Offertory Procession

900 am ~ Ballina

Greeters Val Culican Kristie Coster

Readers

Narelle Dewhurst Trish Bazar

Kate Salmon Sue Hetherington

Wendy Hughes

Leanne Robbins Ext Ministers

Holy Communion

Maurice Gahan Tess Colonso

Maureen Murphy Phil Chapman

Kevin Sullivan Annette Reen

Gary Reen Denise Miller

Cathy Campbell

Mary OrsquoBrien

Warwick Manning

Sacristan

Monica Anderson

Marie Sullivan

Lea Lane

Altar Servers

Hannah Stock Carmen Stock Nelson Stock

Zayneb Hetherington Maya Grimwood

Elijah Tay Bayden Tay

Riley Rampling Noah Rampling

NEW PARISHIONER If you are a new parishioner of St Francis Xavier Parish we welcome you to our community Please take the time to fill in a card at the back of the Church and place in the box provided or contact the parish office 6681 1048

Parish Notices BAPTISM This week the parish warmly welcomed Senan Ignatius John Cooney son of Sinon and Rebecca Mac Lennox Downie son of Mark and Amanda We look forward to seeing the newly baptised and their

families worshipping with us each weekend

CATECHISTS MATTER Volunteers NEEDED FOR 2020

Can you spare 30 minutes a week to help sow the seeds of FAITH HOPE and LOVE of GOD into the hearts of the children in our

local State Schools

For more information on becoming a Catechist contact the Parish Office 6681 1048

Low Gluten Hosts are available from the Priest at all weekend Masses

RECONCILIATION IN OUR PARISH St Francis Xavier Church

Saturday 900 to 1000 am Reconciliation is also available on request

The Christmas Offering is made to the Bishop and clergy of the diocese In the same way as all those in receipt of an income have an obligation to support the works of the Church through the Planned Giving Program it is a responsibility of all of us to support the clergy keeping in mind that they need to eat too We offer this support by giving to the first collection on Sundays and through Christmas and Easter Dues Those with Planned Giving envelopes will find a special envelope in the box and others can place an offering in an envelope and write ldquoChristmas Duesrdquo on the outside By the way the offering doesnrsquot go to individual priests but is added to the overall Clergy Fund collections for the whole year for the whole diocese Thank you for your support

ENVELOPES CAN BE PLACED ON THE FIRST COLLECTION PLATE

Catholic Schools Office Lismore is offering a 12 month traineeship in Information Digital and Media Technology The successful appli-cant will be self motivated enthusiastic and demonstrate initiative Skills in word pro-

cessing communication and customer service are desira-ble and would be required to complete a Certificate III in Information Digital and Media Technology during this period The successful applicant will be required to commence in late January 2020 The traineeship will conclude late January 2021 HOW TO APPLY Email your resume and cover letter to recruitmentlismcatholiceduau Applications Close 900 am Monday 13th January For further details select the CSO Positions Vacant link or email recruitmentlismcatholiceduau

Have you been a part of the Plenary Council process of listening prayer dialogue and discernment Do you feel called to express your interest in being a delegate from our diocese Any person who expresses their interest in being called by our diocese to be a delegate to the Plenary Council must be available for the following dates Preparation and formation days for Delegates Choose ONE of the following four dates a Melbourne Thursday 500pm June 18th 2020 ndash Saturday 1200 pm June 20th 2020 b Brisbane Thursday 500 pm June 25th 2020 ndash Saturday 1200 pm June 27th 2020 c Sydney Thursday 500 pm July 16th 2020 ndash Saturday 1200 pm July 18th 2020 d Perth Thursday 500 pm July 23rd 2020 ndash Saturday 1200 pm July 25th 2020 2 Plenary Council General Assembly 1 Sunday 200pm October 4th 2020 ndash Sunday 1200 pm October 11th 3 Plenary Council General Assembly 2 Monday 1200 pm June 28th ndash Saturday 1200 pm July 3rd 2021

Anyone who cannot be available for all of these dates un-fortunately is ineligible to be called Also please note that the minimum required age for delegates is 16 years of age Speak with your Parish priest school principal or agency leader today about the details Expressions of Interest due by January 12th 2020

WE THREE KINGS OF ORIENT ARE John H Hopkins

1 We three kings of

Orient are Bearing gifts we travel

afar Field and fountain

moor and mountain following

yonder star R

REFRAIN

O star of wonder star of night

Star with royal beauty bright

Westward leading still proceeding Guide us to the perfect Light

2 Born a babe on

Bethlehemrsquos plain Gold we bring to crown him again

King forever ceasing never

over us all to reign R

3 Frankincense to

offer have I Incense owns a deity nigh

Prayer and praising gladly raising

worshipping God on high R

4 Myrrh is mine its

bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom

Sorrowing sighing bleeding dying

sealed in the stone cold tomb R

5 Glorious now behold

him rise King and God and sacrifice Heavrsquon sings Hallelujah

Hallelujah earth replies R

lsquoTHANK YOUrsquo to everyone at Ballina and Lennox Head

who assisted with our Christmas Masses All Readers Extraordinary Ministers of

Holy Communion Choir Musicians Acolyte Altar Servers Sacristans Wardens and everyone

who assisted

Your help is valued and appreciated by the Parish

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT will resume this Friday 10th January 1100 to 1145 am

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR RECENTLY DECEASED

Peter Scroope Sr Mary Britt OP (Sydney) Glenice

Garrity Kath Cavanagh Ron Osborn Sr Susan Robison

pbvm Brian Doherty

THOSE WHOSE ANNIVERSARIES OCCUR AT

THIS TIME Barry Lloyd Terry Sweeney Amando

Bordin Maurie Walsh Bernard Evans

AND ALSO FOR Beatrice Flood Rina Charlie amp James

Volpatti James amp Mary Rogers Cath Waddell C amp S Hosie

Mick amp Gwynne Waugh Thama Walker Kathleen Kelly

Bill amp Jean Shay Cecilia amp Bill Condon Snr Stan amp Mary

McKeough Members of the SVdP Conference amp Auxiliary amp

for all faithful departed

AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE ILL Margaret Murphy Robert

Sullivan Terry Moore Ailsa Patch Margaret Pyne Kathleen

Campbell Trish Warwarek Roslyn Evans Kaia Randall Mary

Sullivan Garry Howard Joan Charteris Darcy Martin Jim Walsh

Charlie Clements Ted Murphy Charlie Scotcher (Aunty) Julia

Paden Rev Ray Fishwick Laurie Ianna Glenn Campbell Jan

Kelly Kay Harth Maria Gorton Peter amp Reba Smidt Asha Owsby

(2 yrs) Jeanie Marie Curry Fay Kerslake Darryl Simpkins Betty

Albertini Hilda Carter Rosemary Russell John Moreland Dympna

Sheehy Margaret Bermingham Greg Shore John McNamara

Yvonne amp Peter Thurtell Mal Gillies Cecelia Waldron Louise

Wilson Michael OrsquoConnor Moore Smith McCowan-Dann Webber

Families Layton family Fitch family Maria Hosking Kaley

Nobbs Mick OrsquoBrien Graham Robertson Gregory Thomas Gloria

Greguric Joy Hepworth Leo Lane Mary Topham Bob Grant

Leisa Wotton Michael Everson Pat Evans Virginia Sarah and

Peter Kolhbach Samantha Anderson Tony Lannan Kim del-

Signore Crowley Village St Andrewrsquos Nursing Home RSL Life

Care Bupa Aged Care (Due to privacy laws names are only

THE SACRAMENTS IN OUR PARISH

BAPTISMS Will be held at any time in either Church on any day A weekrsquos notice prior to the preferred Baptism is essential for preparation and notification to the Priest Please contact Parish Admin 6681 1048 CONFIRMATION 28th May 2020 Parent Meeting 1st April RECONCILIATION 2nd September 2020 Parent Meeting Wednesday 29th July FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 22nd March 2020 Parent Meeting 19th February Groups start 23rd February WEDDINGS In either church Arrange an appointment with a Priest Please allow at least 6 months for compulsory preparation ANOINTING OF THE SICK during Mass on dates to be advertised during the year and on request and at regular intervals at the hospital and aged care facilities HOSPITAL Catholic patients in Ballina Hospital are visited by a member of the parish team on a regular basis Given the difficulty we have in obtaining names of those in hospital a visit is made to those who tell us they are in the hospital We will only know someone is in the hospital if we are told by family or friends This is due to the Privacy laws that govern our nation

DIF PAYS 140 PER ANNUM BALLINA AGENTS Michael Shay L J Hooker 87-89 River St Ballina 6686 2711 - Crowley Admin Office Cherry St Ballina 1300 139 099

THIS WEEKrsquoS COLLECTIONS

First Collection Support of our

Diocese Priests $ 126465

Second Collection Support of the Parish amp

Ministries amp School Building amp Maintenance Fund

Loose Plate $ 78945

Planned Giving Envelopes Collected

$ 160430

Planned Giving Envelopes Weekly Target $ 200900

VOLUNTEERS FOR OUR PARISH IN 2020

If you would like to help out as a catechist in our state schools or be a member of the happy team at the Hot Meal Centre or have your name added to the roster for parish morning teas or maybe St Vincent de Paul Centre please contact the Parish Office on 6681 1048

SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER PARISH BALLINA - PLANNED GIVING PROGRAM If you are a new parishioner to Ballina or an existing one and you would like to participate in the Planned Giving Program cards are available for completion in the foyer of the Church Please complete your details and place on the collection plate in the envelope provided or contact SFX Parish Admin office on 6681 1048 Monday to Friday 830 am to 400 pm For your convenience we have the option of Direct Debit andor Envelope contribution

$000

$50000

$100000

$150000

$200000

2n d Dec 9th Dec 15th Dec 23rd Dec 30th Dec

Target

Collections

ROSTER The Baptism of the Lord Year A 11th12th January 2020 Readings Isaiah 421-46-7 Psalm 28 Acts 1034-38 Matthew 313-17

600 pm Vigil Ballina

730 am Lennox Head

900 am Ballina

Offertory Procession

900 am ~ Ballina

Greeters Val Culican Kristie Coster

Readers

Narelle Dewhurst Trish Bazar

Kate Salmon Sue Hetherington

Wendy Hughes

Leanne Robbins Ext Ministers

Holy Communion

Maurice Gahan Tess Colonso

Maureen Murphy Phil Chapman

Kevin Sullivan Annette Reen

Gary Reen Denise Miller

Cathy Campbell

Mary OrsquoBrien

Warwick Manning

Sacristan

Monica Anderson

Marie Sullivan

Lea Lane

Altar Servers

Hannah Stock Carmen Stock Nelson Stock

Zayneb Hetherington Maya Grimwood

Elijah Tay Bayden Tay

Riley Rampling Noah Rampling

NEW PARISHIONER If you are a new parishioner of St Francis Xavier Parish we welcome you to our community Please take the time to fill in a card at the back of the Church and place in the box provided or contact the parish office 6681 1048

Parish Notices BAPTISM This week the parish warmly welcomed Senan Ignatius John Cooney son of Sinon and Rebecca Mac Lennox Downie son of Mark and Amanda We look forward to seeing the newly baptised and their

families worshipping with us each weekend

CATECHISTS MATTER Volunteers NEEDED FOR 2020

Can you spare 30 minutes a week to help sow the seeds of FAITH HOPE and LOVE of GOD into the hearts of the children in our

local State Schools

For more information on becoming a Catechist contact the Parish Office 6681 1048

Low Gluten Hosts are available from the Priest at all weekend Masses

RECONCILIATION IN OUR PARISH St Francis Xavier Church

Saturday 900 to 1000 am Reconciliation is also available on request

The Christmas Offering is made to the Bishop and clergy of the diocese In the same way as all those in receipt of an income have an obligation to support the works of the Church through the Planned Giving Program it is a responsibility of all of us to support the clergy keeping in mind that they need to eat too We offer this support by giving to the first collection on Sundays and through Christmas and Easter Dues Those with Planned Giving envelopes will find a special envelope in the box and others can place an offering in an envelope and write ldquoChristmas Duesrdquo on the outside By the way the offering doesnrsquot go to individual priests but is added to the overall Clergy Fund collections for the whole year for the whole diocese Thank you for your support

ENVELOPES CAN BE PLACED ON THE FIRST COLLECTION PLATE

Catholic Schools Office Lismore is offering a 12 month traineeship in Information Digital and Media Technology The successful appli-cant will be self motivated enthusiastic and demonstrate initiative Skills in word pro-

cessing communication and customer service are desira-ble and would be required to complete a Certificate III in Information Digital and Media Technology during this period The successful applicant will be required to commence in late January 2020 The traineeship will conclude late January 2021 HOW TO APPLY Email your resume and cover letter to recruitmentlismcatholiceduau Applications Close 900 am Monday 13th January For further details select the CSO Positions Vacant link or email recruitmentlismcatholiceduau

Have you been a part of the Plenary Council process of listening prayer dialogue and discernment Do you feel called to express your interest in being a delegate from our diocese Any person who expresses their interest in being called by our diocese to be a delegate to the Plenary Council must be available for the following dates Preparation and formation days for Delegates Choose ONE of the following four dates a Melbourne Thursday 500pm June 18th 2020 ndash Saturday 1200 pm June 20th 2020 b Brisbane Thursday 500 pm June 25th 2020 ndash Saturday 1200 pm June 27th 2020 c Sydney Thursday 500 pm July 16th 2020 ndash Saturday 1200 pm July 18th 2020 d Perth Thursday 500 pm July 23rd 2020 ndash Saturday 1200 pm July 25th 2020 2 Plenary Council General Assembly 1 Sunday 200pm October 4th 2020 ndash Sunday 1200 pm October 11th 3 Plenary Council General Assembly 2 Monday 1200 pm June 28th ndash Saturday 1200 pm July 3rd 2021

Anyone who cannot be available for all of these dates un-fortunately is ineligible to be called Also please note that the minimum required age for delegates is 16 years of age Speak with your Parish priest school principal or agency leader today about the details Expressions of Interest due by January 12th 2020

WE THREE KINGS OF ORIENT ARE John H Hopkins

1 We three kings of

Orient are Bearing gifts we travel

afar Field and fountain

moor and mountain following

yonder star R

REFRAIN

O star of wonder star of night

Star with royal beauty bright

Westward leading still proceeding Guide us to the perfect Light

2 Born a babe on

Bethlehemrsquos plain Gold we bring to crown him again

King forever ceasing never

over us all to reign R

3 Frankincense to

offer have I Incense owns a deity nigh

Prayer and praising gladly raising

worshipping God on high R

4 Myrrh is mine its

bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom

Sorrowing sighing bleeding dying

sealed in the stone cold tomb R

5 Glorious now behold

him rise King and God and sacrifice Heavrsquon sings Hallelujah

Hallelujah earth replies R

lsquoTHANK YOUrsquo to everyone at Ballina and Lennox Head

who assisted with our Christmas Masses All Readers Extraordinary Ministers of

Holy Communion Choir Musicians Acolyte Altar Servers Sacristans Wardens and everyone

who assisted

Your help is valued and appreciated by the Parish

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT will resume this Friday 10th January 1100 to 1145 am

Parish Notices BAPTISM This week the parish warmly welcomed Senan Ignatius John Cooney son of Sinon and Rebecca Mac Lennox Downie son of Mark and Amanda We look forward to seeing the newly baptised and their

families worshipping with us each weekend

CATECHISTS MATTER Volunteers NEEDED FOR 2020

Can you spare 30 minutes a week to help sow the seeds of FAITH HOPE and LOVE of GOD into the hearts of the children in our

local State Schools

For more information on becoming a Catechist contact the Parish Office 6681 1048

Low Gluten Hosts are available from the Priest at all weekend Masses

RECONCILIATION IN OUR PARISH St Francis Xavier Church

Saturday 900 to 1000 am Reconciliation is also available on request

The Christmas Offering is made to the Bishop and clergy of the diocese In the same way as all those in receipt of an income have an obligation to support the works of the Church through the Planned Giving Program it is a responsibility of all of us to support the clergy keeping in mind that they need to eat too We offer this support by giving to the first collection on Sundays and through Christmas and Easter Dues Those with Planned Giving envelopes will find a special envelope in the box and others can place an offering in an envelope and write ldquoChristmas Duesrdquo on the outside By the way the offering doesnrsquot go to individual priests but is added to the overall Clergy Fund collections for the whole year for the whole diocese Thank you for your support

ENVELOPES CAN BE PLACED ON THE FIRST COLLECTION PLATE

Catholic Schools Office Lismore is offering a 12 month traineeship in Information Digital and Media Technology The successful appli-cant will be self motivated enthusiastic and demonstrate initiative Skills in word pro-

cessing communication and customer service are desira-ble and would be required to complete a Certificate III in Information Digital and Media Technology during this period The successful applicant will be required to commence in late January 2020 The traineeship will conclude late January 2021 HOW TO APPLY Email your resume and cover letter to recruitmentlismcatholiceduau Applications Close 900 am Monday 13th January For further details select the CSO Positions Vacant link or email recruitmentlismcatholiceduau

Have you been a part of the Plenary Council process of listening prayer dialogue and discernment Do you feel called to express your interest in being a delegate from our diocese Any person who expresses their interest in being called by our diocese to be a delegate to the Plenary Council must be available for the following dates Preparation and formation days for Delegates Choose ONE of the following four dates a Melbourne Thursday 500pm June 18th 2020 ndash Saturday 1200 pm June 20th 2020 b Brisbane Thursday 500 pm June 25th 2020 ndash Saturday 1200 pm June 27th 2020 c Sydney Thursday 500 pm July 16th 2020 ndash Saturday 1200 pm July 18th 2020 d Perth Thursday 500 pm July 23rd 2020 ndash Saturday 1200 pm July 25th 2020 2 Plenary Council General Assembly 1 Sunday 200pm October 4th 2020 ndash Sunday 1200 pm October 11th 3 Plenary Council General Assembly 2 Monday 1200 pm June 28th ndash Saturday 1200 pm July 3rd 2021

Anyone who cannot be available for all of these dates un-fortunately is ineligible to be called Also please note that the minimum required age for delegates is 16 years of age Speak with your Parish priest school principal or agency leader today about the details Expressions of Interest due by January 12th 2020

WE THREE KINGS OF ORIENT ARE John H Hopkins

1 We three kings of

Orient are Bearing gifts we travel

afar Field and fountain

moor and mountain following

yonder star R

REFRAIN

O star of wonder star of night

Star with royal beauty bright

Westward leading still proceeding Guide us to the perfect Light

2 Born a babe on

Bethlehemrsquos plain Gold we bring to crown him again

King forever ceasing never

over us all to reign R

3 Frankincense to

offer have I Incense owns a deity nigh

Prayer and praising gladly raising

worshipping God on high R

4 Myrrh is mine its

bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom

Sorrowing sighing bleeding dying

sealed in the stone cold tomb R

5 Glorious now behold

him rise King and God and sacrifice Heavrsquon sings Hallelujah

Hallelujah earth replies R

lsquoTHANK YOUrsquo to everyone at Ballina and Lennox Head

who assisted with our Christmas Masses All Readers Extraordinary Ministers of

Holy Communion Choir Musicians Acolyte Altar Servers Sacristans Wardens and everyone

who assisted

Your help is valued and appreciated by the Parish

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT will resume this Friday 10th January 1100 to 1145 am

Christian Meditation Group is held every Saturday at 930 am in Anawim Room

Cenacle Marian Movement of Priests Monday 1100 ammdash1215 pm at 321 Swift Street Ballina Ballina CCR is in recess until Monday 3rd February

Prayer of the Church is in recess until Saturday 1st February Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will resume this Friday 10th January Parish Youth Group is in recess Sisterhood is in recess until Monday 3rd February

NATIONAL PRAYER FOR DROUGHT Eternal God In wisdom and love you created our earth to sustain us and give us life We turn to you now in faith hope and love asking you to look with favour on our drought-stricken land on our starving animals on our failing crops Strengthen sustain and give new heart to our farmers and to all who are affected by drought be with those who support them In your loving providence send abundant rain and restore our parched earth Father of all compassion hear our prayer through Jesus Christ your Son in whom the promise of new life has dawned and through the power of the Holy Spirit the Lord the giver of life Renew your faithful people Renew the face of the earth Our Lady of the Southern Cross Mary help of Christiansmdash Pray for us St Mary of the Cross MacKillopmdashPray for us Australian Catholic Bishops Conference wwwcatholicorgaudrought

First Reading Is 601-6 A reading from the prophet Isaiah

Arise shine out Jerusalem for your light has come the glory of the Lord is rising on you though night still covers the earth and darkness the peoples Above you the Lord now rises and above you his glory appears The nations come to your light and kings to your dawning brightness Lift up your eyes and look round all are assembling and coming towards you your sons from far away and your daughters being tenderly carried At this sight you will grow radiant your heart throbbing and full since the riches of the sea will flow to you the wealth of the nations come to you camels in throngs will cover you and dromedaries of Midian and Ephah everyone in Sheba will come bringing gold and incense and singing the praise of the Lord

The Word of the Lord

Responsorial Psalm

(R) Lord every nation on earth will adore you

1 O God give your judgement to the king to a kingrsquos son your justice that he may judge your people in justice and your poor in right judgement (R)

2 In his days justice shall flourish and peace till the moon fails He shall rule from sea to sea from the Great River to earthrsquos bounds (R)

3 The kings of Tarshish and the sea coasts shall pay him tribute The kings of Sheba and Seba shall bring him gifts Before him all kings shall fall prostrate all nations shall serve him (R)

4 For he shall save the poor when they cry and the needy who are helpless He will have pity on the weak and save the lives of the poor (R)

Second Reading Eph 32-35-6 A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Ephesians

You have probably heard how I have been entrusted by God with the grace he meant for you and that it was by a revelation that I was given the knowledge of the mys-tery This mystery that has now been revealed through the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets was un-known to any men in past generations it means that pagans now share the same inheritance that they are parts of the same body and that the same promise has been made to them in Christ Jesus through the gospel

The Word of the Lord

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia alleluia

We have seen his star in the East and have come to adore the Lord

Alleluia

Gospel Mt 21-12 A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea dur-ing the reign of King Herod some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east lsquoWhere is the infant king of the Jewsrsquo they asked lsquoWe saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homagersquo When King Herod heard this he was perturbed and so was the whole of Jerusa-lem He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born lsquoAt Bethlehem in Judaearsquo they told him lsquofor this is what the prophet wrote And you Bethlehem in the land of Judah you are by no means least among the leaders of Judah for out of you will come a leader who will shepherd my people Israelrsquo Then Herod summoned the wise men to see him pri-vately He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared and sent them on to Bethlehem lsquoGo and find out all about the childrsquo he said lsquoand when you have found him let me know so that I too may go and do him homagersquo Having listened to what the king had to say they set out And there in front of them was the star they had seen rising it went forward and halted over the place where the child was The sight of the star filled them with delight and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary and falling to their knees they did him homage Then opening their treas-ures they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh But they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod and returned to their own country by a different way The Gospel of the Lord