PARISH NEWSLETTER

3/24 December 2011

Page 1

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: Jeremy Fletcher 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. 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.

Second Sunday of Advent (B)

John the Baptist is one of the most fascinating personalities that have arisen in the course of the history of salvation. On the one hand, we know his origins somewhat better than some of the other prophets. Yet the fact that his birth is recorded, while no record remains of his life thereafter (until he emerges from obscurity shortly before Jesus begins his public life) is intriguing. This sense of mystery is increased by what is said in the gospels, namely that he appeared in the wilderness preaching and calling men and women to repentance. When, we might ask, did John go to the wilderness. Why? What contact did he have with the society of his time before he began to take on this public role of baptising and preaching? It is unlikely that John ever lived in complete isolation from others, though it definitely seems he reacted against the most typical influences of the times. His was a very independent way of life, no doubt seeking long periods of being on his own, praying and reflecting, meditating on the Scriptures. The wilderness would not have been a sandy desert in the way we normally imagine. Rather, it must have been the rocky environment of sparse vegetation west of the Dead Sea in Judea. Somehow John managed to survive there on his meagre diet of locusts and wild honey. What also stands out about John is his single-mindedness in preparing himself and others to recognize the Messiah when he would make his appearance. Whereas other prophets foretold Christs coming from a long way away in time (like Isaiah in the passage that is the first reading of todays Mass), the Baptists mission was to point to his imminent arrival. This partly explains why the Church brings him into the liturgy of the early part of Advent. He is asking us to get ready for Christs coming, - Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight the celebration of which is imminent. He is also reminding us of Jesus Second Coming, with the purifying fire that St Peter tells us will separate the good from the evil and transform the whole of creation. Advent will pass quickly. We want to greet Our Lord at the celebration of his birth with our souls in good stead. What sort of persons ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God(2 Peter 3:11). We do not need to imitate the kind of life John the Baptist lived, but we should learn from his example of detachment and single-mindedness. Advent calls us, like John, to repentance of the selfishness, pride, laziness and sensuality that sometimes dominate our lives. It calls us to single-minded dedication to God his truth and his grace. At Mass we begin making an act of contrition for how we may have sinned in my thoughts and in words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do. When we make our Christmas sacramental confession through the mediation of the priest, - or any confession for that matter - we go make stronger this act of repentance, calling on Our Lord to enter deeper into our lives and cleanse our behaviour. Confession is a kind of renewal of our Baptism. Like Christian Baptism, it is potentially more effective than the Baptism of John. It really makes Christ to be re-born within us.

PARISH NEWSLETTER

ST MARY STAR OF THE SEA

3/4 December 2011

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TEXTS FOR TODAYS MASS

Entrance hymn: (Sat & Sun)

198 On Jordans Bank the Baptists Cry

First Reading: Isaiah 63: 16-17; 64:1, 3-8 Console my people, console them says your God. Speak to the heart of Jerusalem and call to her that her time of service is ended, that her son is atoned for, that she has received from the hand of the Lord double punishment for her crimes. A voice cries, Prepare in the wilderness a way for the Lord. Make a straight highway for our God across the desert. Let every valley be filled in, every mountain and hill be laid low, let every cliff become a plain, and the ridges a valley; then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all mankind shall see it; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. Go up on the mountain, joyful messenger to Zion. Shout without fear, say to the towns of Judah Here is your God. Here is the Lord coming with power, his arm subduing all things to him. The prize of his victory is with him, his trophies go before him. He is like a shepherd feeding his flock, gathering lambs in his arm, holding them against his breast and leading to their rest the mother ewes. Responsorial Psalm:

Day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then with a roar the sky will vanish, the elements will catch fire and fall apart, the earth and all that it contains will be burnt up. Since everything is coming to an end like this, you should be living holy and saintly lives while you wait and long for the Day of God to come, when the sky will dissolve in flames and the elements melt in the heat. What we are waiting for is what he promised; the new heavens and new earth, the place where righteousness will be at home. So then, my friends, while you are waiting, do your best to live lives without spot or stain so that he will find you at peace. Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all people shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia! Gospel: Mark 1:1-8 The beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah: Look, I am going to send my messenger before you; he will prepare your way. A voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight, and so it was that John the Baptists appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. All Judaea and all the people of Jerusalem made their way to him, and as they were baptised by him in the river Jordan they confessed their sins. John wore a garment of camel-skin, and he lived on locusts and wild honey. In the course of his preaching he said, Someone is following me, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals. I have baptised you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 84: 9ab-10, 11-12, 13-14

Response: Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation. I will hear what the Lord God has to say, A voice that speaks of peace, Peace for his people. His help is near for those who fear him. And his glory will dwell in our land. R Mercy and faithfulness have met; Justice and peace have embraced. Faithfulness shall spring from the earth And justice look down from heaven. R The Lord will make us prosper And our earth shall yield its fruit. Justice shall march before him And peace shall follow his steps.R Second Reading: 2 Peter 3: 8-14 There is one thing, my friends, that you must never forget: that with the Lord, a day can mean a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord is not being slow to carry out his promises, as anybody else might be called slow; but he is being patient with you all, wanting nobody to be lost and everybody to be brought to change his ways. The

Offertory hymn:

Sat: 46 Come, O Jesus Sun: 144 Love divine, all loves excelling
Memorial Acclamation: Save us, Saviour of the the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free. Communion hymn:

Sat: 171 O come, O come, Emmanuel Sun:129 Let all mortal flesh keep silence
Recessional hymn :

Sat: 111 Immaculate Mary (vv. 1 - 5) Sun:191 O Sanctissima

PARISH NEWSLETTER

ST MARY STAR OF THE SEA

3/4 December 2011

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Pro-Life Manifesto Spreading

Reassures Politicians There Is No International 'Right' to Abortion ROME, NOV. 28, 2011 (Zenit.org).- A pro-life document by the name of the San Jose Articles is being publicized in many countries around the world. The most recent countries where it has been presented are Italy, Uruguay and the Philippines. The Articles contain a series of affirmations regarding the inviolability of human life and the fact that there is no international "right" to abortion. It is meant to be an aid to counter affirmations by agencies and representatives of the United Nations who continue to insist such a right does exist. The document has been signed by leading academics, such as Robert George of Princeton, John Haldane of St. Andrews, and John Finnis of Oxford. It is also supported by prominent politicians, including Anna Zaborska of the European Parliament and former French Cabinet Minister Christine Boutin.

This Thursday, December 8, is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Mass at St Marys will be at 12.30pm. Confessions as usual before and after Mass from 12noon.

University and other young men

A Triduum (three days) of preparation for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception at Drummond Study Centre, 296 Drummond St , Tuesday, Dec 6, Wednesday Dec 7, Thursday Dec 8

At St Marys this weekend: Baptisms:

Pray for these newly baptised children: Estelle Nella DIBATTISTA Catarina Alexandra Fernandes PEREIRA Aston ABELA

7.15pm Preached meditation 7.45 pm Holy Mass

Given by priests of the Opus Dei Prelature

Weddings:
And pray for these newly married couples: Guy Anthony VENTRICE and Deseree Mary YOUNG

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

Next weekend (Dec 10,11) there will be a second collection for the Melbourne Overseas Missions Appeal.
Since its foundation in 1969, Melbourne parishioners have supported our own mission fund to help developing nations. This has marked our Archdiocese for its exceptional generosity. Currently, the major beneficiaries are people in Papua New Guinea, Timor, India, Sierra Leone, Pakistan, Botswana, Nigeria and Peru. Mon 5th

Weekday Mass Dec 5 9 Dec, 2011

Monday of the 2nd Week of Advent

Pg 395-96

Tue 6th

St Nicholas of Bari, Bishop Common of pastors, n.1 Pg 88

Rdgs Pg 396-97

Wed 7th

St Ambrose, Bishop, Doctor

Rdgs Pg 397-98

Archbishop Denis Hart commends the fund to your continuing support.

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.

Thu 8th

SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF MARY St Juan Diego Common of Holy Men Pg 91

Pg 399-400

Fri 9th

Rdgs Pg 401

PARISH NEWSLETTER

ST MARY STAR OF THE SEA

3/4 December 2011

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PARISH AND OTHER NOTICES

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.

Join us after Sunday Mass for refreshments, and some conversation - an opportunity to get to know fellow parishioners and friends of St Marys. If the weather is good we will gather in the garden of the Parish House, otherwise in the St Marys Crypt (accessed at the far end of the church. coming through the schoolyard). NEXT SUNDAY December 11the Third Sunday of Advent, we are having a post Mass BBQ! With something special beforehand (to be announced). Sausages and drinks will be supplied, as well as expert barbecuing. Bring a plate if you can.
Feature film based on events in the life of St Josemaria Escriva
Roland Joffes film There Be Dragons , is a partly fictionalized drama centred around events in the life of St Josemaria during the Spanish Civil War. It will have a once only premiere showing in Melbourne on Saturday, December 11. 7.00pm at the Kino Cinema, 45 Collins St. Tickets ($20) may be pre-booked at www.therebedragons.com or by phone on 0404 431 440 (cash bookings and enquiries only). Please note that earlier notices gave wrong price for tickets. More info on sheets on tables at the rear of the church,

This Sundayfinal oportunity!

Olive wood carved items, including Nativity Scenes (Christmas Cribs) will once again be on sale at St Marys before and after the Sunday Mass
Carved by Bethlehem craftsmen and distributed in Melbourne by Holy Land Carvings.

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