Striving to be a “Loving, Caring, Christian Community”

Pope proclaims Year of St Joseph Published: 09 December 2020

Detail of ‘St Joseph with the Infant Jesus’, oil on canvas, by Guido Reni (1575-162) (Wikipedia/Hermitage Museum) Pope Francis has declared a Year of St Joseph in honour of the 150th anniversary of the saint’s proclamation as patron of the Universal Church. Source: CNA. The year began yesterday and will conclude on December 8, 2021, according to a decree authorised by the Pope and announced yesterday. The decree said that Francis had established a Year of St Joseph so that “every member of the faithful, following his example, may strengthen their life of faith daily in the complete fulfilment of God’s will”. It added that the Pope had granted special indulgences to mark the year. In addition to the decree, Francis issued an apostolic letter dedicated to the foster father of Jesus. The Pope explained in the letter, titled Patris Corde (“With a father’s heart”) and dated yesterday, that he wanted to share some “personal reflections” on the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. “My desire to do so increased during these months of pandemic,” he said, noting that many people had made hidden sacrifices during the crisis in order to protect others. “Each of us can discover in Joseph – the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence – an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble,” he wrote. “St Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation.” Pope Pius IX proclaimed St Joseph patron of the Universal Church on December 8, 1870, in the decree Quemadmodum Deus.

Catholic Parish of Mary Immaculate, Bossley Park Striving to be “A Loving, Caring, Christian Community”

Phone 9604 8927 Email : admin@mibp.org.au Website : mibp.org.au

3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT/B

13TH DECEMBER 2020

Vol. 45 No.03

Gospel Reading John 1:6-8,19-28 John gives testimony that he is preaching and baptizing in order to prepare for the coming of another.

In family life, we learn to trust other people for protection and care. This experience of trust within the family enables children to believe us when we testify about our faith in Jesus. John the Baptist was believed by those who heard him because he helped them to recognize Jesus in their midst. In our family life, we hope and pray that we lead one another to recognize Jesus’ presence in our world.

As you gather as a family, recall that during the Advent season we are invited to pay particular attention to the signs of Jesus’ presence in our world. Consider some of the signs of Jesus’ presence that you have experienced. During Advent, we remember how John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus. Read together today’s Gospel, John 1:6-8,19-28. Discuss the signs of Jesus’ presence in our world that you named and explain what these signs tell us about God and God’s love for us. Pray together that your family will be led to recognize that Jesus is present among us. Read and pray together the psalm for today’s Mass, the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55).

We thank Andy Odisho and family for donating hand sanitisers to the church. All welcome to the Parish Advent Reconciliation on Tuesday, 15 Dec, Priests will be in the church from 6pm –8pm. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every Thursday after the 9am Mass until 4pm. You are invited to come anytime and pray silently.

We acknowledge the Dharug People, traditional custodians of this land. May we walk gently and respectfully upon the land.

Fr Sebastian

Catholic Parish of Mary Immaculate, Bossley Park Striving to be “A Loving, Caring, Christian Community”

Phone 9604 8927/96096087 Email : admin@mibp.org.au Website : mibp.org.au

SUNDAY MASSES

Vigil Saturday 6:00pm Sunday 8:00am 10am 6:00pm

On the second Sunday of each month, at 11.00am, a Mass is

celebrated in Tagalog, the Filipino language.

WEEKDAY MASSES - Tues – Fri, 9am Comm Service –Mon-9am

The Giving Tree in the Church Foyer

Our Giving tree is up in the church foyer. Please take a gift card and return the gift donations on or before Sunday, 13th December. Please give generously so we can achieve our goal. Also, please return gift cards with all donations and placing presents in gift bags is preferred to wrap-ping. All donations will go to the Catholic Mission and St Vinnies. We thank you in advance.

Important Notice to all Adult and Children Helpers for the Children’s Pageant and Family Christmas Mass

In keeping with our tradi�on, we will be having our

Children’s Pageant on Christmas eve commencing at 5:30pm

followed by the Christmas Family Mass at 6:00pm.

Our first mee�ng and rehearsal for the Pageant and Mass will

be on Wednesday 16th

December from 3:00pm un�l 5:00pm.

It is very important that all par�cipants a+end this mee�ng as

all parts, readings and costumes will be issued on this day.

Final rehearsal will be on Tuesday 22nd

December 9:30am to 11:30am.

If you are unable to a+end, please contact Rita Cordina on 96096087

a.s.a.p. Thanks

LATEST COVID-19 Update (as from 2 Dec 2020)

From 7 December, restrictions on church attendance eased further to

allow for up to 400 attendees per Mass for Mary Immaculate), as long as

churches follow a 2square metre rule.

Also, in regard to singing, choirs (up to 50 people) are permitted in-

doors. Again, choir members must follow the 2square metre rule.

Congregation singing is permitted. However, NSW health advises that

if you are going to sing you should wear a mask.

Parishioners are advised to show caution when mingling before,

during or after Mass as social distancing rules cannot be easily

observed.

Peter Kearney Advent-Christmas Concert A very big thank you to all those who a+ending the

Peter Kearney Reflec�on Concert last Sunday. It was

a lovely a6ernoon where Peter shared his stories

and sang songs that reflected upon the seasons of

Advent and Christmas. We are very grateful that he

was able to come along and share his talent with us.

God bless, Rita Cordina

Catholic Parish of Mary Immaculate, Bossley Park

2

We pray for…

Our sick: John Wates, Juliano Carniato, Mariam Jibrael, Tony Surace,

Rose Nuner, Sanela, Anka, Antonija, Darko, Elizabeth, Maxine Post,

Nikola, Lion, Brian D’Costa, Tyler Kenedy, Diego, Darren Mack,

Slavka, Tony, Stefano Catania, Roland Nguyen, Darko, Ricky Calleja,

Romulo Sanjines, George Gherlenda, Maria Varkas, Mirjana, Manda,

Zvonko, Carina Stone, Maria Oaten, Stephen Price, Anna Baker,

Carole Robertson, Anne Noonan, Rita Zammit, Santina Martinelli,

Massimo Baroni, Dorothy Rundle-Kerley, Domenico Dileo, Albert &

Theresa Purkiss, Benedetta Peci, Edwina Borg, Sam & Teresa

Barbara, Bernadetta Russo (Names will be removed from the sick list

after 3 months unless Parish Office is notified otherwise).

Please keep in your prayers the soul of the recently deceased:

Guia Ribeiro, Vickey Debono, Francesco Perre, Ante Poles, Soliman

Dabocol, Doris Spiteri, Mate Dzaja, Wilfredo Cortes, Frank Fontana,

Alice Tolentino, Rhodora Cruz, Gloria Sarsonas, Raymond Zerafa,

Romulo Sanjines, Bruno Pizzin, Daniel Power, Margaret Tosello, Delia

Dela Cruz, And those whose anniversaries occur at this time:

Cajetan Alphonso, Joan Marie Quinton, Domenico Mellino, Francesco

& Domenico Marando, Joan Marie Quinton, Timoteo Lagang other

deceased including: Vincenzo Bugge, Domenico Oliveri, Maria

Luppino, Guido Soligo, Luigi Dametto, Saeed Jarjis Shaba, Filippo

Monego, Elvira Schiavon, Antonino Vella, Maria Carmela Carzo,

Joseph Am, Joan of Arc Khien, Peter Khamtu, Anna Balien, Joseph

KhanPheng, Martha Phom, Thomas Nantha, Francis Xavier Vien, Paul

Onsa, Clara Onsy, Ivan Lozina, Peter Phan, Anna Tu, Saverio Laria,

Hugo Martinez, Ivan, Mario La Rocca, Chloe Farrugia, Attila Pete,

Giuseppe Di Marco, Agnes Chetcuti, Lope Baldedara Jnr, Pietro,

Giovannina, Charlie & Mary Manicaro, Vincenzo Ferraro, Mariano

Giovanna Ferraro, Eralda Cunzolo, Paul, Dominic, Vincenza Occiuto,

Mike Harris, Patricia Doherty, Divna, Iva Grancic, Patrick & Tom Lionel

Anderson, Joseph & Doris Cassar, Sime & Tomislav Bakic, Lucyna

Czernik, Iva, Rina Zadro, Felisa Aguila, Teresa Catanzariti, Marin

Batistic, Derrick Mack, Zosimo Gaspi Sr, Antonio Italiano, Giovanni

Rossi, Giovanni & Emilia Soligo, Antonio Bugge, Eduardo & Amor

Morales, Marietta Montero, Vincenzo Oliveri, Carmelo Oliveri,

Hermie Villanueva, Joseph Pham, Maria Baroni, Peter Sanfilippo,

Annunziata Verduci, Paul, Stefano Collu, Dulcisima Morales, Joseph,

Charlie, Alferio & Alfred Azzopardi, Lucija, Gracito & Jose Aranda,

Antonio Froio, Domenico Squillacioti, Joan Borg, Mary Mahony,

Dulcie Soans, Domenic Sergi, Sr Marina Havey, Nanette Cabardo,

Diego Cabardo Oclarit, Joseph Schembri, Manuel & Teresa Aguilar,

Bruce Fuller, Rose Sugay, Peter Zadro, Peter Viler, Joel Sugay,

Josefina Borbe, Doris Zammit, Amal Doss, Catherine Viler,

Mariantonia Pisano, Pasquale Cricri, Veronica Power, Joseph

Schembri, Vince Fedele, Clorinda & Francesco Sartor, Maria Sulfaro,

Maria Trimboli, Anthony & Antonia Cardona, Orazio Di Marco,

Bertilla, Marcello & Elsa Soligo, Guido Pontello, Vincenzo & Anna

Peci, Gloria & Sybil Roache, Marcello & Angela Seraglio, all

deceased in the families of Borg, Seraglio, Chris Baddock, Baddock

& Gough families, Skondro family & Mario & Beniamino Fuser & all

Souls in Purgatory. May they rest in peace.

Parish Diary Monday-

14th December

9.00am Communion Service

10.00am Italian Praise & Worship

Tuesday-

15th December

9.00am Mass

7.30pm Reconciliation

Wednesday –

16th December

9.00am Mass

9.30am Rosary 7.30pm Choir

Thursday-

17th December

9.00am Mass

9.30am Adoration of the Blessed

Sacrament until 4pm

9.30am Prayer Group

Friday-

18th December

9.00am Mass

9.30am Divine Mercy-Rosary

6.00pm Youth/Altar Servers

Group Party

7.30pm JHPC Praise & Worship

7.30pm Disciples-Rosary

Saturday -

19th December

5.00pm Reconciliation

6.00pm Vigil

7.30pm Vigil Adoration

Sunday-

20th December

4th Sunday of Advent

8.00am Mass

10.00am Mass

6.00pm Mass

Vigil 8am 10am 6pm

Min of the

Word

A Poles

Y Vitagliani

C Aranda

A Amores

J Weaver

L Piccione

E Russo

D Ross

Extra-Ord

Min of

Comm

E Sadsad

E Cardona

M Cruz

A Elizes

M Gaspi

E Gaspi

C Claxton-

Fante

E Garzaniti

Data Proj/

Audio

J Haddad L Juan R Cordina Y Havey

Musician No

Musician

S&J Cruz R Cordina

& A Roache

No

Musician

Piety Stall N Haddad Volunteer V Pante R Rossi

Roster—Next weekend 19th/20th Dec.

Counters :

Group 1

N&P

Redoblado

M Dandan

Altar Linen:

A Fleming

Church Cleaners:

Group 3

Adorers of the Holy

Eucharist

c/o R Ranola

Altar Flowers:

To be donated

by Lily Bykowski

& family

Please do not talk in the Church. Let us respect those who pray personally before and after Mass. Thank you.

Mary Immaculate Parish would like to invite the Youth of Mary Immaculate and Altar Servers for our 2020 Christmas Party.

Mary Immaculate Parish Hall Friday, 18 December 2020

6pm-8pm Please feel free to bring a plate to share.

For more information please call the Parish Office or James 0426 696 635

Striving to be a “Loving, Caring, Christian Community”

Thought of the Week Sometimes you have to let go of the picture of what you

thought like would be like and learn to find joy in the story you are actually living.

~ Rachel Marie Martin

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD First Reading Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah

The servant of the Lord said:

"The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

because the Lord has anointed me;

he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners;

to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour.

"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,

my whole being shall exult in my God;

for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,

he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

"For as the earth brings forth its shoots,

and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,

so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise

to spring up before all the nations."

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Luke 1:46-50, 53-54

R. My soul rejoices in my God.

My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour. for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all will call me blessed. R.

For the Mighty One has done great thongs for me,

and Holy is his name.

His mercy is for those who fear him

From generation to generation. R.

The Lord has filled the hungry with good things

and sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy. R.

Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians

My brothers and sisters, rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good;

abstain from every form of evil.

May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation Luke 4:18

Alleluia, alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord now upon me; has sent me to bring Good News to the poor. Alleluia!

Gospel John 1:6-8, 19-28

A reading from the holy gospel according to John

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light,

so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, "I am not the Messiah."

And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?"

He said, "I am not."

"Are you the prophet?"

He answered, "No."

Then they said to him, "Who are you?

Let us have an answer for those who sent us.

What do you say about yourself?" He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,"'

as the prophet Isaiah said.

Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.

They asked him, "Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?"

John answered them, "I baptize with water.

Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal."

This took place in Bethany across the Jordan

where John was baptizing. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES

Reconciliation on Tuesday, 15 Dec 6pm –8pm Thursday, 24th Dec. Children’s Pageant 5.30pm Family Mass 6.00pm Midnight Mass 12.00am Friday, 25th Dec. – Christmas Day Mass 8am, 10am, 6.00pm Dawn Mass (Tagalog) 16 to 24 December at 4.30am Filipino Mass (Tagalog) 24th December at 9.00pm

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AVAILABLE $165 PLUS

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admin@mibp.org.au