14-15 December 2019

Who are we expecting? Amidst the rush of the ‘festive season’, who are we expecting this Advent? A Messiah perhaps? If so, what sort of Messiah do we imagine will turn up? John the Baptist, in prison, sends messengers enquiring of Jesus are you the one, or must we wait for another?

Last week John declared Jesus was the one who is to come – as the prophet Isaiah had foretold – but now he’s not so sure. He’s puzzled by what he’s heard. Jesus responds by saying, “go and tell John what’s been happening throughout Galilee”. What disorients John is that not only does Jesus instruct, he also heals the blind, the lame, the lepers, the deaf, the poor, and those with no one to turn to. A new creation is happening – a re-creation – and Matthew’s gospel has called our attention to it from the beginning.

The ascetic, prophetic John of last week – calling people to repent, dressed in camel hair and eating off the land – has told of the one who will bring a fierce judgment. So, who is this? Is this what the prophets foretold? Yes, Jesus calls people to repentance, but, by calling up the words of the prophet Isaiah again, let it be known these healings are a sign of the new age that the Messiah will usher in: the kingdom of heaven is here.

The question for all of us at this time is what have we seen and heard this year? What is happening among us? Do the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, do the poor get dental care, the homeless a place to live? Is the good news good for them? Is Jesus the one, or must we look around for another? These questions are being asked of us, all the more pointedly at this moment, which is why we have to make a response.

If there are no signs, or few that we can discern, then we might, like John in prison, become more and more uncertain of this person and wonder whether he is the one we continue to say he is. And we may turn away from him, because we had expected someone, something different. Jesus, recognising God’s grace, says: ‘Happy is the man who doesn’t lose faith in me’.

The messengers leave and Jesus declares John to be the greatest of the prophets; but, he continues, the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater still. John’s greatness only serves to highlight the fullness of life to which we are called; but, it is a fullness, a greatness, made real by doing what Jesus does – like the disciples he sent out previously - listening to, inviting into our midst those with no one to turn to. Is this the one we’re expecting this Advent?

Damian Coleridge © Majellan 2019

OUR VISION

"Everything is to be oriented towards the praise and glory of God".

OUR MISSION The St Agnes' Parish Community strives to make our Vision a reality

by a commitment to:

holiness in the image of Christ.

proclaim the good news of salvation.

minister within the faith community.

the service of all, particularly those in need.

Year A

3rd Sunday in Advent

Christmas Hampers Thank You WOW! WOW! The Church looked amazing on Hamper Sunday, packed with love, generosity, goodwill and joy! Our 237 recipients received their hampers with gratitude and sometimes overwhelming emotion. ‘A HUGE THANK YOU’ to all who sponsored a family through the Church, schools, CCA or work organisations and anyone who donated cash, gifts or groceries - all help to make our hampers magnificent. To our extraordinary committee and team of

ladies (and a couple of hubbies always on call) who shopped, wrapped, packed, sorted and labelled throughout October and November with such commitment and happiness - a big thank you - it was a joy to work with you all.

It has been through the generosity of local businesses such as Priceline, Ken Little’s Fruit & Veges, Hydro Golf, Kids Crazy Maze and Greg from Munster Street Quality Meats that we have been able to add vouchers to some of our hampers and for this we are most grateful.

To the students from Newman College who came on Friday to help move hampers into the church and to all the people who manned zones or did deliveries on Sunday, a huge thank you on behalf of recipients.

To the Presbytery ‘Angels’ who always assist us with a smile … many thanks.

May the joy you have spread through our community this year be shared with your own families during this holy season. Toni

‘A Journey into the Catholic Faith’ Wednesday 18 December at 6.00pm

This week’s topic will be: Why Did the Son of God Become Man? “When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born a subject of the Law, to redeem the subjects of the Law, so that we could receive adoption as sons” St Paul says in his Letter to the Galatians (4:4). God the Son took to himself a human nature like our own (Incarnation). Jesus is not merely a man, a perfect man or even a saint, but God himself become man to save us.

This will be the last session for the year. It will resume on Wednesday, 29 January 2020.

St Agnes’ Parish DA to be Lodged This week, St Agnes’ Parish will lodge development applications for construction work to occur on the Emmaus site, Colonel Barney Drive. This work will include the upgrading of the existing building as well as a new development on the vacant block of land adjoining Emmaus. Keep an eye out in next week’s Parish News for more details.

PARISH NEWS St AGNES’ CATHOLIC CHURCH | PORT MACQUARIE

Weekday Masses & Reconciliation

Times 16 - 24 December Monday, 16 December 9.15am End of year Mass, Regional College. 9.30am Newman College final assembly in St Agnes’ Church. 12.30pm St Joseph’s Year 6 Graduation Mass in St Agnes’ Church.

Tuesday, 17 December

9.30am MaryKnoll Hostel (Anointing Mass). 12.30pm St Agnes’ Year 6 Graduation Mass in St Agnes’ Church. 5.15pm Weekday Mass in St Agnes’ Church.

Wednesday, 18 December 9.30am Mass and Anointing at St Francis Chapel. 5.15pm Weekday Mass in St Agnes’ Church. 6.00pm Advent Penitential services at St Agnes’ Church and Star of the Sea, Lake Cathie.

Thursday, 19 December 8.00am Mass and Anointing at Christ the King Chapel. 6.00pm Mass at Telegraph Point.

Friday, 20 December 11.30am Penance in St Agnes’ Church. 12.05pm Mass in St Agnes’ Church.

Saturday, 21 December

11.30am Penance in St Agnes’ Church.

Tuesday, 24 December There will be no 5.15pm weekday Mass as it is Christmas Eve.

Singers for Christmas Masses

If you like to sing Christmas carols come and join our Christmas choir! All are welcome to join with the choir at this special time of the year. There will be a rehearsal in the Church on Tuesday, 17 December at 5.45pm. If you are interested come and join in the rehearsal.

DIF & Parish Administration Christmas Office Hours

The Parish Administration Centre and DIF offices will close on Friday, 20 December. Both offices will re-open at 8:30am on Thursday 2 January 2020. St Agnes’ Property Services will be available to take service calls by phone on 6588 7444 from 9.00am – 1.00pm on 23, 24, 27, 30 & 31 December. Please follow our standard “out-of-hours” procedures for any emergencies at other times.

The Parish Administration & DIF staff wish you and your families a very blessed Christmas.

Nativity Scene

Take time to stop and look at our Christmas nativity scene in the Church grounds on Hay Street. It is hoped this will remind all to reflect on the true spirit of Christmas. The baby Jesus will be placed in the crib at Christmas.

MacKillop Centre Additional Opening Hours

The MacKillop Centre, located at 106 Horton Street, will be open on Sunday, 15 December from 8.00am to 10.45am. All nativity sets and ornaments will be half price. The shop also has a wide range of cards for sale. For more information ring 6584 9779 Monday to Friday 10.00am to 2.00pm.

Christmas Hampers

Once again Toni and her team of volunteers have been extremely busy co ordinating the distribution of 237 Christmas hampers!!

The distribution of hampers has become a parish community event, with those giving gaining as much joy, as those receiving. Toni THANK YOU to you and your team for the many hours of sorting, preparation, shopping, packing and distribution that happens behind the scenes.

Women’s Retreat Last Saturday 60 women enjoyed a relaxing

and spiritual retreat, led by Annie Lawrence, being immersed in the richness of Mother Mary and Advent. The day explored the importance of Mother Mary in our lives, the power of prayer and the Rosary and how Mary can lead us into a stronger relationship with her son Jesus. Thank you to all who attended, as well as, the Pastoral Council, Fr Paul and Fr Peter for their support. A very big thank you to Peta Rourke and Vanessa Denham for all their hard work in the organisation.

Indian Cultural Night A special thank you to the Indian Community

for hosting last weekend’s Parish cultural event in the Youth Hub. Those parishioners who attended enjoyed the concert and the

delicious Indian food.

From the Catacombs - here & beyond Episcopuss Wisdom… From the Catechism…

Recently Deceased: Ron Osborn, Barry Nash, Kathleen Victoria Short. Anniversaries: Keith Morrissey, John Mullin, Greg Gaul, Colin Chapman, Gervais Koenig, Adam Triggell. Other Mass Intentions: Simone Vella, Rose Potter, Robert William Jones, Shirley Therese Jones, Ellen Norman, Cyril Bennett, John and Kathleen Carroll, Rita Warlters, Beryl Thomas, Elizabeth Clavin, Michael Patrick Grace, Marija Miller, donor intentions & masses of thanksgiving.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What’s happening in our parish …

Messiah Concert Sunday, 15 December. See notice in parish newsletter.

Advent Penitential Services, 18 December. 6.00pm St Agnes’ Church. 6.00pm Star of the Sea Church, Lake Cathie.

Baptism Information Night, 19 December. Will be held on Thursday, 19 December at

6.00pm in St Agnes’ Church. If you have any questions on this sacrament please contact the presbytery office on 6583 1024.

Happy 100th Birthday to Mercia O’Brien!!! Mercia attends 9.00am Mass each Sunday in

St Agnes’ Church. Many happy returns and all God’s blessings.

Offertory Roster It is time to update the Offertory gifts roster. Should you wish to be added to the weekend Mass roster, or taken off the roster, please contact the Parish Office on 6583 1024 by Monday, 6 January.

Advent and Christmas Mass Times For parishioners who did not receive a copy of the Advent and Christmas Mass and Reconciliation Times there are sheets available at the church entrance. These times are also on the parish web-site www.stagnesparish.org.au.

The Messiah Concert

Handel’s Messiah excerpts will be performed in St Agnes’ Church at 2.00pm on Sunday, 15 December. Tickets available from the door for $25.00. All are invited to come along, sit and relax and enjoy the performance!!

PARISH NEWS St AGNES’ CATHOLIC CHURCH | PORT MACQUARIE

‘Let us ask the Lord, in this time of Advent, to revive in us faith in Christ who comes to save us, to help us be always faithful to our vocation as

missionary disciples. ’ Pope Francis

READERS AND COMMENTATORS

6pm Vigil: Maureen Dick Gae Green Robert Green

7.30am: Joanne Hogan David Hogan Brian Tierney

9.00am: Denise Puzas Gary Gallagher Tess Koning

5.00pm: Suzanne Savage Penny Prince Vanessa Denham

GIFT BEARERS ROSTER

6pm Vigil: W VanKerckhof & B Kenny 7.30am: S Bale & P Mullin 9.00am: K Cooper & Family

THE STATUE OF OUR LADY For the Month of December Sue Kingston Ph: 6584 9815 CHILDREN’S LITURGY No Children’s Liturgy during school holidays

Parish Priest Father Paul Gooley

Assistant Priest Father Peter Wood Parish Office 47 Hay Street Port Macquarie PO Box 23 T (02) 6583 1024 E pastoraloffice@stagnesparish.org.au

Office Hours: 8.30am - 4.30pm

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION

6pm Vigil: Jodie Rich Barry Johnston Des Grissell Jan O’Sullivan

7.30am: Jennifer Crossing Beverly Arthur-Pfeil Wendy Pfeil Denise Smith

9.00am: Mike Hawtin Cathy Hawtin Betty Hodgson Sandra Hartas

5.00pm: Cath Freeman Carol Briscoe Peter Briscoe Vanessa Denham

NEXT WEEK’S READINGS Fourth Sunday in Advent Year A Isaiah 7:10-14 Psalm 23:1-6 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-24

ROSTERS 21-22 December 2019

DOGMA

Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room

for Jesus

Neal A Maxwell ________________________

FEAST DAYS

Saturday 21 December St Peter Canisius

ST AGNES’ CHURCH | Hay Street, Port Macquarie Tuesday & Wednesday: 5.15pm Friday: 12.05pm Saturday: 6.00pm Vigil Sunday: 7.30am, 9.00am, 5.00pm Please note: Weekday Masses at 9.00am on Public Holidays Reconciliation: Friday 11.30am - 12.00pm Saturday 11.30am - 12.30pm

ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHAPEL | Lochinvar Place, Port Macquarie Contact: Sr Anne Hannigan Ph 6589 9814 or 0419 243 259. Communion Service or Mass: 9.30am Monday - Thursday Sunday Mass: 9.30am

CHRIST THE KING CHAPEL | Boronia St, Port Macquarie Contact: Sr Anne Hannigan Ph: 6589 9814 or 0419 243 259 Communion Service or Mass: 8.00am Thursday Mass: Saturday Vigil - 4.30pm Rosary: 1st Saturday of the month 4.00pm.

ST BERNARD'S, CHURCH, TELEGRAPH POINT Rollands Plain Rd, Telegraph Point Thursday: 6.00pm.

STAR OF THE SEA CHURCH, LAKE CATHIE Ocean Drive, Lake Cathie Sunday: 8.00am.

DIOCESAN INVESTMENT FUND PAYS 1.40% There are no fees or charges on your account. AGENTS: Mrs Veronica Rinkin & Mrs Mary O’Brien

DIF Office, Parish Administration Centre, Phone: (02) 6583 7439 9am – 1pm Monday - Friday

PARISH MASSES www.stagnesparish.org.au