PARISH NEWSLETTER

ST MARY STAR OF THE SEA

17/18 December 2011

Page 4

PARISH NEWSLETTER

17/18 December 2011

Page 1

PARISH AND OTHER NOTICES

Christmas Timetable for St Mary Star of the Sea

Christmas Eve Satrrday December 24
Vigil Mass 6.30pm Carols followed by Midnight Mass11.30pm

We welcome Dr Andrew Mariotti as our new Sacred Music Centre director and music coordinator.
Andrew replaces Jeremy Fletcher, who after outstanding service to St Marys, including the establishing of St Marys Schola, has accepted a full time position as music administrator of Haileybury College. Mrs Samantha Foster will take up the role of directing the Schola.

ST MARY STAR OF THE SEA

CATHOLIC CHURCH
33 Howard Street, West Melbourne 3003 Telephone: 9328 3474 Fax: 9328 3203 Email: info@stmaryswestmelbourne.org

An open door to Christ through Mary www.stmaryswestmelbourne.org

PARISH INFORMATION Parish Priest: Fr Max Polak Assistant Priest: Fr Joseph Pich Catechetics Coordinator: Fr Edward Barry Restoration Coordinator: Thomas Hazell AO Parish Administrator: Linas Kalade Administrative Officer: Birute Janina Kymantas Sacred Music Centre: Andrew Mariotti Office hours: Mon-Fri: 10am 2pm For urgent matters, contact Fr Max on 0438 942 043 and Fr Joseph on 0427 238 933. MASS TIMES Saturday Vigil: 6.30pm Sunday: 10.30am, 12 noon (Lithuanian) Monday-Friday: 12.30pm CONFESSIONS Saturday: 11am 12 noon, 5.45 6.15pm Sunday: 9.45 10.15am Mon-Fri: 12 noon 12.25pm, 1.05 1.30 pm BAPTISMS, WEDDINGS, AND FUNERALS By appointment.

Forth Sunday of Advent (B)

We heard in the reading of St Pauls letter to the Christians at Rome how he describes Jesus Christ as the revelation of a mystery kept secret for ages, but now so clear that it must be broadcast to pagans everywhere. This was the Apostles one big passion in life, to Marys Visitation to Elizabeth by Blessed Fra Angelico make Jesus Christ known, not only to his own countrymen and brothers, but to people of all races and nations. The mystery he refers too, then, is God taking on flesh, assuming a human nature identical to our own in everything except sin. This act of God, part of his plan of salvation, was kept secret for ages. In the writings of some prophets and authors of biblical books, divine inspiration led them close enough to the mystery, without making it explicit. Certain events in ancient times foreshadowed this happening. Such were the appearances in human form of the messengers of God angels for the most part. At times, though, we are led to wonder if these were not visions of Christ. Still, no one dared, perhaps even to think, that God Himself would become man. This, nevertheless, is exactly what happened in the miraculous, virginal conception, announced by Gabriel, an archangel, and accepted by Mary of Nazareth. In pure faith and humble responsiveness Mary accepted that this could and should happen. Be it done to me according to your word (Luke 1: 38). And the Word that is the eternal and perfect image of the Father, who is the Son became flesh (John 1:14). In just a few days we will celebrate this unique and amazing event. We will celebrate as Christians before a still largely unbelieving, even largely unknowing world. The good news preached by Paul and the other apostles, and by men and women of faith over the course of centuries, has still not reached every corner of the world. It has still not touched the lives and hearts of millions. Christians practicing or not practicing - represent a minority, albeit a large one, of the worlds population. It should be our ambition to keep spreading this knowledge of God and of his Christ to broadcast the secret and reveal the mystery. Now just as we attribute to the Holy Spirit, the third Divine Person, the Incarnation (the Son becoming man), so also we see the spreading of this knowledge as falling to Him. If we are more devoted to the Holy Spirit, if we often end up asking Him to help us know what to say and how to say it, we will succeed in drawing others to Christ and to His Church. The Church is missionary by nature, we have been told by an important document of the 2nd Vatican Council. That means all of us are meant to be, in some way or another, ambassadors of the Saviour of the world. Clergy find themselves called, like St Paul, to be broadcasters of the Christian message. Laity spread Christian truth and its spirit in multiple ways. Those who are privileged enough to be involved in education or academia, the media, the world of art, literature or entertainment can often thoughtfully and attractively weave Christian ideals and insights into their work. Any profession or occupation that is honest in itself provides opportunities for Christian witness, through acting justly and virtuously, working well and taking an interest in those one serves and works with. The social and family life of men and women gives occasion for meaningful conversations, good advice, encouragement and care with the charity that the example and grace of Christ enable us to show. All of this is to be on mission , reaching out to others that they may come to love God and embrace the salvation Jesus offers.

Christmas Day Sunday December 25

Mass in English10.30am Mass in Lithuanian12 noon Please pick up a detailed timetable for the whole Christmas season at the rear of the church

Christmas issue of KAIROS now available Cost $2

Stories include the second miracle involved in the canonization of St Mary MacKillop, an interview with American public analyst George Weigel and a tribute to the long-standing St Francis Church Choir.

O Come all ye singers!

St. Mary's Schola is looking for new members to sing in the choir. If you can read music and would like to take part, either see Andrew Mariotti , our new Sacred Music Director after the 10:30 am Mass this Sunday or ring him(0400 989 188) or email him <mariottiandrew@gmail.com>. expressing your interest. The schola sings once a month and puts on a couple of concerts a year. We practice every Tuesday night at 7:00 pm in the Sacred Music Centre (next to the crypt) and would welcome any new members especially in the lead up to Christmas. Evenings of Recollections, organized by Opus Dei, are held on a monthly basis at the following times and places
For Men St Gerards Catholic Church, North Dandenong 2nd Tuesday of each month beginning at 7.30pm St Mary Star of the Sea Church West Melbourne, Thursday after the 2nd Monday at 7.30pm For Women St Mary Star of the Sea Church, West Melb 1st Wednesday of each month beginning at 7.15pm St Gerards Catholic Church, North Dandenong Thursday after the 1st Wednesday at 7.15pm Heathgrove Study Centre 31 Havelock Rd East Camberwell Friday after the 1st Wednesday at 9.45am

Christmas Cards available

Attractive high quality cards are available for purchase in the Church Foyer after the Sunday Mass.
Price: 8 cards per pack (4 different images)

Cost $10 per pack Proceeds to Heathgrove Study Centre Building Fund

Monthly Mass in Latin according to the Novus Ordo (post Vatican II liturgy) will be celebrated
on every second Saturday of the month at 10.30am beginning on Saturday January 14, 2012.

DEVOTIONS AND REGULAR ACTIVITIES Eucharistic Adoration: Thursdays 1 2pm Saturday 11am 12 noon Legion of Mary: Meets on Fridays at 6:30pm in the presbytery. Family Catechism: Each Sunday of school term, after Sunday Mass. Other activities as posted in church entrance.

PARISH NEWSLETTER

ST MARY STAR OF THE SEA

17/18 December 2011

Page 2

PARISH NEWSLETTER

ST MARY STAR OF THE SEA

17/18 December 2011

Page 3

TEXTS FOR TODAYS MASS

Entrance hymn: 46 First Reading:

Palestinians light Christmas tree in Bethlehem

Hundreds of Palestinians and pilgrims attended the annual treelighting ceremony in Bethlehems Manger Square on Thursday, during which Mayor Victor Batarse lit a 15 -meter Christmas tree, commencing celebrations in the town thought to be the birthplace of Jesus. "From here comes out our theme for this Christmas: Palestine celebrating hope, as this year we are approaching the birth of our independent Palestinian state, with serious steps. These steps are represented by gaining permanent membership of Palestine in the UNESCO." Victor Batarse, mayor of Bethlehem. Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad expressed his happiness in observing the beginning of Christmas celebrations in the nation, as well as the rest of the world. Bethlehem has experienced stability as of late after many years of intense clashes, which began with the uprising for Palestinian independence, in 2000. Tourism in the West Bank town has been steadily on the rise, with some calling it a boom. While Israelis claim the calm has been the result of the barriers erected for security measures around the West Bank, Palestinians say the barriers only make their lives more difficult. Fayyad said Christmas was an opportunity to celebrate the Palestinian identity of Jesus Christ. CBS, Washington Post.

Pre-Christmas Confessions Saturday Dec 24

English and Italian 11am12 noon
La Parocchia di West Mel-

Gospel Acclamation: Gospel:

Besides the normal arrange- bourne vi offre il Sacramento di Reconciliazione ments for the sacrament of (Confessione) Reconciliation, there will be two priests hearing confesSabato. 24 Decembre, dale ore 11, fino a sions on Christmas Eve mezzogiorno. morning 11am 12noon. Il P.William Jordan si trovera Fr Bill Jordan will assist hearing in both English and per Voi a St Marys. Il Padre parla sia Italiano che Italian.
linglese.

At St Marys this weekend: Baptisms:

Pray for these newly baptised children Luci Raine Blaszczyk Caitlin Mary Andrews Suzannah Jane Andrews Jenson Christopher Rowland Sofia Rose Bello

Weddings:
And pray for these newly married couples: Bonnie Matorella and Michael Firrito Toni Sarsero and Peter Lombardi Joseph Ballota and Francesca Santoro

Responsorial Psalm: I will sing forever of the Response: goodness of the Lord.

Holy Mary, Star of the Sea, intercede for them.

Weekday Mass 19 Dec 2 3 Dec, 2011

Mon 19th

Mass of December 19

Pg 413-14

Offertory hymn (Schola Choir): Farjeon/Trad, People Look East Memorial Acclamation: Save us, Saviour of the the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free. Communion hymn (Schola Choir): Trad, The Angel Gabriel from heaven came (All) 233 Soul of my saviour Recessional hymn :

Christmas offering envelopes

Please consider making a special offering to St Marys sometime in this season to assist us in the upkeep of this splendid place of prayer and worship. You may use the special collection
Excerpts from the English translation of the Roman Missal 2011, International Commission on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Scripture readings are taken from the Jerusalem Bible 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd and Doubleday and Company Inc. Used by permission.

Tue 20th

Mass of December 20

Pg 414-15

Wed 21st

Mass of December 21 (Commemoration of St Peter Canisius)

Pg 415-16

236 Star of ocean, lead us

Second Reading:

Thu 22nd

Mass of December 22

Pg 416-17

Fri 23rd

Mass of December 23 (Commemoration of St John Kanty)

Pg 417-18