Celebrating the Sacraments

Reconciliation is available at Sacred Heart Cathedral: Usually Fridays from 11am until 11.55am and on Saturdays from about 10.30am until 11am. Other times available by appointment.

Baptisms are celebrated on Sundays, either during or after any of our Sunday Masses. The next Baptismal Preparation meeting will take place in the Parish Office on Wednesday 1st February 2017 commencing at 5.30pm. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.

Weddings are celebrated by arrangement with at least three (and preferably more) months notice. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.

A Sacramental Preparation process runs each year in the Parish for children wishing to complete the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation as part of the Parish community. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.

The Parish hosts a process for the Christian Initiation of Adults for those adults wishing to be baptised or be received into the communion of the Catholic Church. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website.

Parish Staff Fr Andrew Doohan (Parish Priest) Fr John Kedari (Assistant Priest) Chris Cootes (Parish Business Manager) Margaret Cox (Reception & Administration) Dr Anne Millard (Music & Liturgy) Rebecca Millard (Sacraments & Administration)

Parish Office—St Benedict’s Centre 25 Farquhar Street, The Junction PO Box 6, The Junction 2291 P: (02) 4979 1101 F: (02) 4962 4644 E: newcparish@mn.catholic.org.au W: www.newcastlecatholic.org.au

Office Hours The Parish Office is opened Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, and closed for lunch from 1pm to 2pm.

Parish Bulletin Prayer requests and items for the Bulletin should be received at the Parish Office by 5pm on Wednesdays.

Other Pastoral Contacts Lingard Hospital Team Christine Cavenagh Mercy Pastoral Team Sr Patricia Whitten rsm (02) 4979 1116 St Joseph’s Pastoral Team Contact the Parish Office

St Joseph’s Primary School Mr Peter Treloar (Principal)

Union Street, The Junction NSW 2291 PO Box 183, The Junction NSW 2291

P: (02) 4961 2827 F: (02) 4940 8499 E: admin@merewether.catholic.edu.au W: www.merewether.catholic.edu.au

Sunday 11th December 2016 Third Sunday of Advent, Year A

Our Parish gathers to celebrate Eucharist at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Newcastle West; St Joseph’s Church, The Junction; St Mary, Star of the Sea Church, Newcastle; Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Tighes Hill; St Laurence O’Toole Church, Broadmeadow.

Proclaiming Christ to the communities of the inner city of Newcastle

Holy Family Primary School Mrs Sidonie Coffee (Principal)

Pell Street, Merewether NSW 2291 PO Box 153, Merewether NSW 2291

P: (02) 4963 3009 F: (02) 4963 4065 E: admin@merewetherbeach.catholic.edu.au W: www.merewetherbeach.catholic.edu.au

From the Pastor’s Desk…

O God, who see how your people faithfully await the feast of the Lord’s Nativity, enable us, we pray, to attain the joys of so great a salvation and to celebrate them always with solemn worship and glad rejoicing. Through our Lord Jesus Christ ...

(Collect, Third Sunday of Advent)

Only two more weeks until we celebrate the great Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord. The sense of ‘rejoicing’ at what is just around the corner is becoming more predominate as I walk and drive around the place. Though in the case of school children that could be because they’ve only got one week of school left!

This Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent, was once known as Gaudete Sunday, the Latin translating as ‘Rejoice!’ (and yes the ! is important). The title comes from the Entrance Antiphon (“Rejoice in the Lord always…”), and liturgically captures the mood that increasingly permeates the wider society.

What do we do with the joy that we hear about in today’s liturgy? How do we give it expression? Indeed, do we give it expression?

Or has the hurly burly of December overtaken us, and caused us to focus less on joy and more on the list of things that need to be done?

The Season of Advent is, by definition, a joyful and hope-filled season, a joy and hope that will reach its zenith in just fourteen days’ time.

Until next week… Fr Andrew

Christmas Mass Times In Our Parish

Christmas Eve—Saturday 24th December

5.30pm Cathedral 5.30pm Broadmeadow 7.00pm The Junction 10.00pm Cathedral (Polish)

Christmas Day—Sunday 25th December

Midnight Cathedral 7.30am St Mary’s 8.00am Tighes Hill 9.00am The Junction 9.30am Cathedral 9.30am Broadmeadow (Italian) 11.30am Cathedral (Polish)

No Sunday Evening Mass on Christmas Day

The Parish Diary…(for the week ahead) Third Week of Advent

Tuesday—13th December Memorial of St Lucy 7:30am Mass @ The Junction 8:20am Mass @ The Cathedral

Wednesday—14th December Memorial of St John of the Cross 7:30am Mass @ The Junction 8:20am Mass @ The Cathedral

Thursday—15th December 7:30am Mass @ The Junction 8:20am Mass @ The Cathedral

Friday—16th December 8:20am Mass @ The Cathedral 10:15am Mass @ The Junction 11am Exposition @ The Cathedral (until 12pm) 11am Reconciliation @ The Cathedral (until

12pm) 12:05pm Mass @ The Cathedral

Saturday—17th December 9:20am Mass @ The Cathedral 10am Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help @

The Cathedral 5:30pm Vigil Mass @ The Cathedral 5:30pm Vigil Mass @ Broadmeadow

Sunday—18th December Fourth Sunday in Advent, Year A. 7:30am Mass @ St Mary’s 8am Mass @ Tighes Hill 9am Mass @ The Junction 9:30am Mass @ The Cathedral 9:30am Italian Mass @ Broadmeadow 11:30am Polish Mass @ The Cathedral 5pm Mass @ The Cathedral

ANNIVERSARY: Doris Carey, Cath Berlin, Semuna & Guellermo Baclaan, Diane Stavros, Sr Clare Tobin rsj

RD: Mary Murray, Patrick Croke, Kasia Lojszczyk, Nellie Dasco, Emilia Castiglione, Stanislawa Oracz

SICK: Ellen Dan, John Sheridan, Kathryn Bashford, Betty McCoy

Joy Is In the Ministry Deacon Ross Beaudoin

During the first Holy Week after he was elected, Pope Francis raised a few eyebrows and opened many eyes. On that Holy Thursday he visited a prison for young people where he celebrated the annual washing of the feet. Not only did he wash the feet of Catholics, he included Muslims and women in the ritual. This was a big surprise for many Catholics, especially some clergy. For centuries, the Holy Thursday washing of the feet had been exclusively reserved to Catholic men.

During this past year, the Jubilee Year of Mercy, the Pope initiated a custom of going out of the Vatican one Friday a month to perform some “work of mercy.” In August the Holy Father went to a home for women recovering from prostitution, many of whom had been victims of trafficking. This, too, was an eye-opener for many people.

In the Gospel today, John the Baptist, in prison for following his conscience, sent a group of his disciples to talk to Jesus. Unsure of whether Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, John’s message to Jesus was, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?”

Jesus responded using a clear reference to Isaiah 35:5-6: “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the poor have good news brought to them.”

If someone were to ask Pope Francis, “Are you the Holy Father who was chosen for the church?” could he not answer in words much like Jesus’? We see in Pope Francis the works of love and mercy that we saw in Jesus.

In two weeks we will sing, “Joy to the world.” The liturgy calls us to rejoice already today. “Gaudete,” rejoice! The coming of our Savior is at hand. Joy ought not be put off. Even as we work to prepare the way of the Lord we do it with light hearts, for we know that our Savior is coming to us soon.

In the first reading we hear this proclamation from Isaiah: “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus.” Sometimes we experience our own lives as being barren as a wilderness and as parched as a desert. During those trying times it may be hard for us to be glad and rejoice when we are struggling.

The same is true for others. Sometimes people – perhaps even people very close to us – may be hurting or struggling, may feel like their lives are hopeless, barren and dry. How can they find a cause for joy and gladness?

For inspiration this Advent, we need only look to examples set by Jesus and by Pope Francis. Their actions have brought comfort and healing to countless people. Their love and mercy have brought hope and joy.

What if someone were to ask us the question put to Jesus: “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” How would we answer?

Jesus ascended to the Father when he had completed his work on this earth. He left it to us to continue his work here. The hungry will be fed, the homeless will be sheltered, the lonely will be visited … and all will find a cause for great joy when each baptized person continues the ministry and compassion of Jesus.

And we will find our own joy, too, as Jesus ministers to us through others, even (or especially) the ones to whom we are ministering.

BISHOP’S AWARD: Applications are now called for the 2016 Bishop’s Award.

The Bishop’s Award Information and Application pack is available from Catholic secondary schools administration office or your parish priest. Applicants are asked to discuss their application with their Priest, Deacon, Minister or church leader as well as their Catholic school Principal. Categories include:

Catholic Schools Student’s Bishop’s Award - open to students, Years 7-11, currently enrolled in our Catholic Secondary Schools.

Catholic Students Bishop’s Award - open to Catholic students residing within the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese and belonging to a parish within the diocese.

Catholic Young People Bishop’s Award - open to young Catholic people from Year 12 to age 25 residing in the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese and belonging to a parish within the diocese.

Applications are to be forwarded to the Catholic Schools Office by no later than 22 December, 2016.

For further information, please don’t hesitate to contact Cath Garrett-Jones on 4979 1303 or email: cath.garrett-jones@mn.catholic.edu.au

KID’S CORNER

PARISH NOTICES

Monday 12th December @ 6.30am, Men’s Breakfast at the St Benedict Centre Cnr of Farquhar and Kenrick Streets The Junction. Our Guest speaker is Barrister Paul Rosser. For further information contact Roger Peters 49270779

Tuesday 13th December @ 7pm. ECHOLOGY, A CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION at Sacred Heart Cathedral Hamilton. Hear carols old and new including Christmas excerpts from Handel’s Messiah and Sing the rousing audience Hallelujah Chorus. Directed by Philip Matthias and featuring the University of Newcastle Orchestra conducted by Ben Lambert and Andrew Herman. TICKETS $25 Adult, $20 Concession, $10 under 18 at the door or at https://christmascarolcelebration.eventbrite.com.au

Wednesday 14 December @ 10am, final St Joseph’s prayer group meeting for 2016 at the St Benedict Centre, 25 Farquhar St The Junction. Guest Speakers Phillip and Margaret Maloney. All welcome, please bring a plate to share. Contact 49612079.

Friday 16 December @ 7.45pm at Sacred Heart Cathedral Hamilton, A CHRISTMAS CONCERT, presented by Newcastle Tudor Singers. Directed by Keith Muree-Allen OAM including carols old and new for choir and audience, the Charpentier midnight Mass, and a performance by The Hunter Handbell Ringers. Cost $10, $5 Concession

Children’s Mission Partners: $100 for November.

The Parish Playgroup is in need of a change table. If any one has a table they would like to donate please contact Chris Cootes at the Parish office on 49791101

Hamilton Conference Our annual Christmas Appeal begins Sunday 27 November and will continue for the following 2 weekends. Envelopes for donations are available on the pews

at the Cathedral and the Tighes Hill churches. These may be put on the collection plate or mailed to the parish office. Thank you in anticipation for your generosity, as we try to restore hope to needy people during this Christmas season

The St Vincent de Paul Society has recommended to the State Government that planning laws be changed to require that large residential developments include at least 15% of Affordable Housing. This is already happening overseas and in South Australia. Parishioners might like to sign the petition to the State Government to this effect. The petition is at the entrance to the Cathedral and to the church at Tighes Hill.

OPPORTUNITIES OUTSIDE THE PARISH

Carols in the Cloister will be held at St Joseph’s Convent, New England Hwy, Lochinvar, on Sunday 11 December at 6.30pm. All welcome!

Taizé prayer will be held on Sunday 11 December at 7.00 pm at St Columban's Catholic Church, Mayfield. Contact Anna/John Hill 4967 2283.

Multicultural Christmas Choral Concert 2016 will be held on Sunday 11 December at 7:00pm at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 841 Hunter Street, Newcastle West. This concert is a memorable vocal Christmas trip around the world. A collection plate during the concert will con cover the cost of the evening. Further information Phone Joop de Wit on 4954 5227 or email: multiculturalchoralsociety@gmail.com

Christmas in Word and Song will be held on Friday 16 December at 7.00 pm at Corpus Christi Church, Platt St, Waratah.

St Mary’s welcomes you to an hour of prayer and silence on Tuesday @ 5-6pm at St Mary’s Star of the Sea, Perkins Street Newcastle. During the busy Christmas period we can often forget to take the time to think about the year, the joys it has brought and the inevitable disappointments. I am always buoyed by what great Christian writer and philosopher once wrote after the death of his wife, “Love and Pain go together that’s the deal”. So come by and rest for a while in silent prayer and meditation, Tuesday starting November 29. Everyone is welcome. For further information please contact Roger Peters 49270779.

Housing Requests: 1) An older gentleman (69yrs), a parishioner of Nelson Bay, is looking for accommodation in Newcastle. If anyone has (or knows of) a vacant house, apartment, granny flat or suitable rooms they would like to put to a useful purpose, please contact Chris at the Parish Office for full details.”

2) Single Accommodation for female or female student. Double bedroom, own bathroom. Please text Shirley: 0400 2457 69.

3) Student looking for accommodation around Surry Hills, Sydney starting February next year. Please phone Rachel 49 51 83 80 or 0405 975 273

Parish Office Closure (Dean’s Leave) Please note that the Parish Office will be closed Friday 23rd Dec 2016 at 12 noon – reopen Tuesday 3rd Jan 2017 at 9am.

NEXT WEEKEND’S ROSTERS–SUNDAY 18TH DECEMBER 2016

SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL

TIME WELCOMERS MINISTERS OF THE WORD

MINISTERS OF COMMUNION COUNTERS

Vigil R & M Jessa D Vaughan, S Paton L Outram, H Bridges, B Connors, R & M Jessa

9:30am F & B Barber J Woodcock, G Lovell C Lovell, B Stott, F Barber, M McBride, Volunteer x1

5:00pm L Keeling S & J O’Sullivan A Brierley, I Macleod, L Keeling, Volunteer x2

ST MARY’S

TIME WELCOMERS MINISTERS OF THE WORD

PROCESSION WITH GIFTS

MINISTERS OF COMMUNION

7:30am Roger C. Prider, R.Rossi Mantach Family J. Fleming, F. Frasca, T.Mather

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

TIME WELCOMERS MINISTERS OF THE WORD

PROCESSION WITH GIFTS

MINISTERS OF COMMUNION

PRAYERS OF FAITHFUL

8:00am Lawrie Hallinan & Sr Moya Lantry

John Hayes Ruby Edwards & Sienna Edwards

Mike O’Connor, Sally Burton & Lawrie Hallinan (H)

Mark Toohey

ST JOSEPH’S

TIME WELCOMERS MINISTERS OF THE WORD

PROCESSION WITH GIFTS

MINISTERS OF COMMUNION

COUNTERS

9:00am Cheree & Isaac Flanagan

M. de Souza, D. Mitchell

Jordy, Emilie & Madeleine Coyte

J. Cavenagh, J. Dunn, P.Lane

D. Lederwasch, A. Frost, P. Kish.

ST LAURENCE O’TOOLE

TIME READER RESPONSORIAL PSALM SPECIAL MINISTER

This Week: 5:30PM Mary Rabbitt Dennis Nolan

Ted Tully

Next Week: 5:30PM Maree Martin Pauline Murray John Rumball

COUNTING TEAM This Week: G. Haggerty, R Cathcart, T. Casey, A Skehan Next Week: Judy & Denis Johns

WELCOMING TEAM: This week: Eileen Howard & Robin Cathcart Next Week: Robin Cathcart & Eileen Howard

CHILDREN’S LITURGY- Sophia Wooldridge & Maureen Hall