Corner of Almondbury and Roberts Streets, Bayswater

Telephone: 9271 1414 Fax: 9271 1682

Parish Priest: Fr. Minh-Thuy Nguyen Presbytery: 20 Almondbury Street, Bayswater 6053 Secretary: Carolyn Kelly Email Address: Parish@StColumbasBayswater.org.au

St Columba’s Catholic Parish

PO Box 47 Bayswater WA 6933

Reconciliation Sat. 5.00-5.30pm and on request Baptism By appointment one month notice Weddings By appointment, with min 6 month notice

Columbarium Open during all weekend Masses Application for Interment by appointment. RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Contact: Fr Minh-Thuy Nguyen

Mass Times Saturday 6:00 pm Vigil Sunday 7:30 am and 9:30 am Monday 9:00 am Communion Service Tuesday 9:00 am Wednesday 9:00 am Thursday 9:00 am Friday 9:00 am Last Saturday of month - Youth Vigil RCIC - Rite of Christian Initiation of Children RCIC Coordinator: Julie Kelly Youth Ministry: Coordinators: Jermaine Beins & Ylan Pham

ANNIVERSARIES December 12 Andrea Padernilla, Margaret Diosan (nee Bride) 13 Eugenio Dela Merced 14 Marie Victorien 15 Edith Beetson 16 Frank Buck, Ethel James 18 Michael Delaney Please pray for our parishioners, family and friends who are unwell: Vince Ellul, Geoffrey Burns, Archie Graham, Bernice Naylor, Mr Pace, John Hynes, Audrey Jackson, Win Dyson, Teá Lake, Anne Gisborne, Carmel Brennan, Steven Mutsaers, Bonnie Roach, Frankie Stone, Nell Martin, June Irvine, Tim Monaghan, Rita Game, Greg Kelly, Kaarina Nattinen, Liam Collis, Sean Hopkins, Emerson Dehnel, Karlene Mossman, Rob Mossman, Gabbi Shatner, Moyna Firns, Sylvia Dodds, Anna Giuffre, Antoinette Wernicke, Roger, Ludy Stefaniuk, Mr Case, Jenny Newman, Ailsa C, Ronald Graham, Wanti Suko, Peter Pedretti, Amanda Foster, Patrick Liu, Dorothy Pooley, Trish Vermeer Kath Hawkins, Tony Hawes, Helen Wane and Cecily Boscarin.

DECEMBER BAPTISMS Through the Waters of Baptism we welcome into our Church Family Sebastian Brenton Strachan

Brooklyn Phan Le Emily Charlotte Petersen

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Communion Verse: Say to the faint of heart: Be strong and do not fear. Behold, our God will come, and he will save us. PARISH ROSTERS 19 - 20 DECEMBER 2015 Cleaners: Mary Andrijich, Venera Uculano, Paula Dunn Readers: 6:00pm Maria Wainwright 7:30am Margaret Purton 9:30 Phil Nicholls Acolytes: 6:00pm Peter Naylor, Timothy Dowling 7:30am Jean-Pierre Moutia 9:30am Bruno Firriolo, Mike Clancy Servers: 6pm Nathaniel, Olivia P, Ashleigh P, Ivy, Carys 7:30am Dane, Austin, Indianna 9:30am Kiera, Felixia, Thomas, Digby, Eleanor Special Ministers (Mass): 6:00pm Lorraine Waters 7:30am Julie Kelly 9:30am Desy Christiana Children’s Liturgy: Julie Kelly, Johann van der Wal Communion Round 1: Helen Lee Communion Round 2: J.P. Moutia & C. Kelly

THE ROSARY— WEDNESDAY The Rosary is prayed in our parish every Wednesday evening at 7pm .

WELCOME TO EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Eucharistic Adoration with Mother Mary is held prior to Mass Tuesday to Friday, 8:20 - 8:50am. Adoration Co-ordinators: Mr Philip & Mrs Helen Lee.

COLUMBAN CALENDARS $9.00 Support the work of the Columban Missionaries through-out the world. Buy a 2015 Columban Calendar from the Piety Stall - only $9.00. St VINCENT DE PAUL CHRISTMAS CARDS $2.50 per pack of 5 Now on sale at the Piety Stall.

Thoughts on the Gospel : Love one another but do it in practical ways This mid-point of Advent alerts us to issues of justice and equality. The prophet John has been asked as a sort of trick by people who exploited others with tax bills, and soldiers who often used their brute force on others, how they should repent. His words were tough but quite ordinary – don’t overcharge, share your surplus with the needy and don’t exploit people. It’s another, but more figurative way, of stating the basic demands of ‘Love one another’. Christmas can bring out the best in us to care for the needy. We are surrounded by charities looking for aid. We know that Jesus hears the cries of the poor, and he joins every carol singing group trying to help. Christmas also asks us to consider our honesty and integrity, for we know that many are poor, at home and abroad, because of the greed of others. Christmas is a reminder and a challenge that all can live with the human dignity we have come to regard as human rights – education, safety, shelter, food, water, employment, freedom. The Christ child who was born poor represents all the poor of the world especially children. As he was born ordinary, he represents that God meets, greets and helps us in the ordinary of life. The one who is to come is the one who will live and love according to these truths of human dignity and equality. From a reflection on the Gospel by Donal Neary SJ, at the Sacred Heart Messenger website

WISHING TREE FOR CHRISTMAS During Advent you are asked to write a prayer or wish and hang it on our special Christmas tree. * Collect a paper slip from the container beside the tree. * Write your prayer or wish and hang it on the tree. * Ask your family and friends to do the same. * Remember to keep praying and wishing.

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS Tuesday 15 December - 7 pm Second rite of Reconciliation with visiting Priests * * * * * * * Thursday 24 December Christmas Eve Family Mass 7pm

Children who want to take part in the entrance procession are asked to be at the Parish Hall by 6.30pm. Carols 11.30pm - prior to Midnight Mass

* * * * * * * Friday 25 December Midnight Mass 12.00 am Christmas Mass - 9:30 am

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS ROSTER ACOLYTES, ALTAR SERVERS, READERS, SPECIAL MINISTERS & IT VOLUNTEERS If you would like to volunteer for the Christmas Masses Please add your name to the special roster in the Sacristy.

JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY 8 December 2015 - 20 November 2016 Pope Francis invites us through his encyclical Misericordiae Vultus, which means the Face of Mercy, to contemplate the need for and meaning of mercy in our daily lives and the wider world:

‘Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy and His mercy endures forever. We need constantly to contemplate the mystery of mercy. It is a wellspring of joy, serenity, and peace.’ MV Pope Francis

________________________________________________________________ Pope Francis has set out the way to experience

and obtain the ‘Jubilee Indulgence’ for the Year of Mercy. In brief the Conditions for obtaining the Jubilee indulgence are: · Pilgrimage to the Holy Door · Sacrament of Reconciliation · Celebration of the Eucharist which includes the

Profession of Faith · Prayers of the Holy Father · Prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father · Reflection on Mercy

Full details are available on Parish noticeboards. ________________________________________________________________

Pilgrimage Churches and Shrines for the Archdiocese of Perth:

· St Mary’s Cathedral. Perth, · St Patrick’s Basilica, Fremantle · Our Lady of the Mission, Whitfords · Carmelite Monastery, Nedlands · Redemptorist Monastery, North Perth · Schoenstatt Shrine, Mt Richon · Holy Trinity Abbey, New Norcia · St Mary’s, Kalgoorlie

Gospel Reflections for Married Couples in the Jubilee of Mercy Saint John the Baptist in this week’s Gospel tells us that in preparing for Christ “if anyone has two tunics he must share with the man who has none, and the one with something to eat must do the same.” In order to make room for Christ in our hearts we must make room for the needs of others and be generous. What are your spouse’s needs for the coming week? How might you reach out to them in love? ATAR Advice Day Monday 4 January 2016 Admissions Office, 21 High St Fremantle As Year 12 ATAR results are released just prior to New Year’s Day, the Prospective Students Office and Admissions Office will be available to provide counselling to students (and parents) looking to explore university options. Staff will be on hand to provide one-on-one course and preference advice. For more information, please contact the Prospective Students Office: Telephone: 08 9433 0533 - Email: future@nd.edu.au - Website: www.nd.edu.au

SPECIAL EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION TO OPEN THE HOLY DOOR FOR COMMENCEMENT OF THE YEAR OF MERCY.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe will this month celebrate the commencement of the Jubilee Year of Mercy with the opening of the Holy Door at St Mary’s Cathedral. The landmark event will take place on Saturday, 12 December at the 6.00pm Mass, with all members of the Perth Catholic community invited to come together for the occasion.

ADVENT - PARISH PROGRAM 2015 Wed 16 December - 7:30pm - Meeting Room.

WA YOUNG SALESIANS SUMMER CAMP 4 - 8 January 2016 Five day fun filled Camp for 12 - 15 yr olds with Christian background www.wayoungsalesians.com

CHRISTMAS GIFTS WRAPPED IN LOVE Gifts for loved ones that have the added benefit of helping a child or family in need. Caritas Global Gifts Program: http://www.caritas.org.au/globalgifts Catholic Mission Life Giving Gifts: www.catholicmission.org.au/gifts/