St Christopher’s Cathedral Parish, Canberra (including St Peter Chanel’s Church, Yarralumla)

Second Sunday of

Advent —

Year B

9/10 Dec 2017

Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn

Archbishop: Most Rev Christopher Prowse DD STD

Administrator & Vicar for Education: Msgr John Woods

Assistant Priest: Fr James Onoja

St Peter Chanel’s Church: Fr Peter L’Estrange SJ

Sunday Mass St Christopher’s

Cnr Canberra Ave & Furneaux

Street, Forrest (Manuka) ACT

Sunday: 8.00am,

11.00am (sung),

5.30pm

St Peter Chanel’s Cnr Weston & Loch Streets,

Yarralumla ACT

Saturday: 6.00pm Vigil

Sunday: 9.30am

Weekday Mass St Christopher’s Monday to Saturday: 12.15pm

Tuesday to Friday: 7.30am

St Peter Chanel’s Tuesday: 5.30pm

Thursday: 10.00am (9.30am

Adoration): Anointing Mass first

Thursday of the month.

Reconciliation

St Christopher’s Wednesday: 12.45—1.15pm

Thursday: 6.00 - 6.30pm

Saturday: 11.00am - 12noon

St Peter Chanel’s Tuesday: 6.00 - 6.30pm

Saturday: 5.15 - 5.45pm ____________________________________________________

Baptisms St Christopher’s: Second and

fourth Sundays, 12.30pm

St Peter Chanel’s: Third Sun-

day, 10.30am

Weddings St Christopher’s: Saturday

1.30pm, 3.00pm and 4.30pm

St Peter Chanel’s:

By arrangement

Entrance Antiphon: O people of Sion, behold, the Lord will come to save the

nations, and the Lord will make the glory of his voice heard in the joy of your heart.

Responsorial Psalm: Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salva-

tion.

Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! Prepare the way of the Lord, make

straight his paths: all people shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia!

Communion Antiphon: Jerusalem, arise and stand upon the heights, and behold

the joy which comes to you from God.

PARISH OFFICE

55 Franklin Street, Forrest ACT 2603 / PO Box 3012 Manuka ACT 2603

(02) 6239 9846 (bh) 62959555 (af)

cathedral@cg.org.au / www.stchristophers-act.info

Monday to Friday, 8.30am- 12.15pm, 12.45pm-4.30pm—Parish Secretary: Michelle O’Connor

‘Coming Home’

John the Baptist was not a conventional character. He was what we might call a ‘bushy’

and dressed accordingly. He called the people to prepare a way for the Lord. Like all

the prophets, his desire was for them to know the deep joy that Pope Fran-

cis has spoken of (cf ‘The Joy of the Gospel’). Home is where we belong, where

we are at peace. Today’s Gospel calls for change, for preparation for the Lord’s com-

ing, but the tone is joyous because of what God has done and is doing; he is calling us

home.

Mark begins his Gospel quoting Isaiah, “Prepare in the wilderness a way for the Lord. Make

a straight highway for our God across the desert.” (Second) Isaiah sees the return of the

Chosen People from Babylonian exile as akin to their exodus from slavery in Egypt,

both are joyous occasions. However, those events are but a forestate of the universal

implications of the Lord’s coming which John the Baptist is heralding. In anticipation

of the Lord’s coming, with joy and a certain urgency but without fear or fa-

vour, John calls the people from sin, or all that sees them exiled from their

true home with the Lord and one another. John notes that while he baptises with

water as a sign of repentance, the coming stronger one will baptize with the Holy Spir-

it. “He will bind up the “strong man” (Satan; see 3:22-27), who currently holds human beings

captive alienating them from God and from their own true humanity. Empowered by the Spirit

(1:10-11), Jesus will reclaim human lives from all the captivities (sin, ignorance, disease, etc.)

that hold them bound and draw them into his own life-giving intimacy with God. This is the

meaning of “baptising with the Spirit”.

Thus the “good tidings” of “home-coming” (from Exile) that (Second) Isaiah pro-

claimed concerning Israel has become the “Gospel” of humanity’s return to its

true home within the “family” of God. Each Advent invites us to revisit a longing

for that “home-coming” existing in the depths of our souls” (Brendan Byrne SJ,

my emphasis).

How might we prepare to ‘come home’? Perhaps some or all of the following

will make your bucket list: an act of kindness to a homeless person, being prayerfully

still in God’s presence each day, supporting the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal,

visiting the sick or housebound, attending the 14 December Cathedral Carols Service,

coming to the 21 December celebration of the Second Rite of Reconciliation?

Msgr John

PARISH NEWS

PARISH MINISTRIES Parish Pastoral Council

Parish Finance Council Msgr John Woods

Director of Music Jaki Kane

Liturgy Rosters Cecilia Flores & Scott Pobihun

RCIA

Msgr John Woods

School of Religion Fr James Onoja

Accounts Karina Widjaja

Maintenance Manager Pieter van Gent

St Vincent de Paul Assisting people in need and

combatting social injustice in our community

Young Adults Animating parish and Archdioce-san life through prayer and event

participation Thursday 6.30pm Rosary/Bible

Sharing/Fellowship SCC

Perpetual Novena to Mary Wednesday 6.00pm SCC

Good Shepherd Prayer Group Wednesday at 7pm SPC

Christian Meditation Saturday at 5pm SPC

"Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10)

__________________________

Other Communities

African Community Third Sunday of the month at

11.30am SPC

Spanish Community First Sunday of the month at

11.30am SPC

For details of any of the above, contact the Parish

Office.

Cathedral Piety Stall Currently closed due to

Maternity Leave

Singers needed: Singers are required for the Christmas Day morning Mass at St Peter Chanel's Church. If you are interested in coming along to make some joyful (and maybe even tuneful) Christmas noise, please contact Joanne on 0413 258 663 or at joannegale28@gmail.com. There will most likely be 1 or 2 rehearsals involved. If you are interest-ed in being a cantor at St Peter Chanel's in general, please also get in touch!

Thank You to all who organised and helped at the Parish Christ-

mas party last Friday night. The efforts of all those who commit

in a particular way to the liturgical, pastoral and administrative

good of the parish was acknowledge gratefully.

Publication for sale at subsidised prices:

‘CHOSEN’—Advent & Christmas Daily Reflections 2017 for $2.00.

Christmas Mass Timetable 24-25 December

St Christopher’s Cathedral St Peter Chanel’s, Yarralumla

6.00pm Vigil Mass 6.00pm Vigil Mass

12 Midnight (preceded 9.00pm

by carols from 11.15pm) 9.30am

8.00am

11.00am

5.30pm

NB: 2nd Rite of Reconciliation, Tues 21, Dec., 7.30pm

Carols at the Cathedral: 14 Dec, 7.30pm. All are invited to join with Archbishop Christopher in a service of read-ings, prayers and carols. Featuring musicians from the Cathedral Choir, trumpeters, trombones, and organ and the children’s choir from St Thomas More’s Primary School.

The Archbishop’s Christmas Appeal 2017 will be conducted at

all Christmas Masses across the Archdiocese. Donations will

variously support

The ecumenical Christmas Bowl appeal for works in Australia and

beyond,

Wilcannia Forbes Diocese, including the Wilcannia Hub project sup-

porting young indigenous families,

The Diocese of Otukpo, Nigeria,

The Diocesan Seminary in Tagbilaran, Cebu, Philippines,

The purchase of a school bus within the La Salette Matha Province in

India, and

Needy students at Bethlehem University in the Holy Land.

Thank you in anticipation of your support which will help spread the

good news of Christmas.

OTHER NEWS

International Nativities Expo—8-10 Dec (Fri 2-7pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 9am-7pm), Haydon Hall, St Chris-topher’s Pastoral Centre, Franklin St, Forrest. This exhibition of 350 Nativities is an entrée to family dis-cussion on the true meaning of Christmas. From some 80 countries, they present the diverse cultures that embrace the Christian story, from the Palestini-an Territories to Vietnam and China. Hands-on craft activities for children, as well as nativity jigsaws, pup-pets and books. Contact: Keith Linard on 0412 376 317 or linard.keith@gmail.com.

Christian Tour to India—Bookings for “One Heart and One Soul” in Feb 2018 will be closing shortly. Contact Marie Fonseca the organiser on 02 9344 0523 or 0418 265117, Email: info@spiceodyssey.net.au Website: www.spiceodyssey.net.au to download a flyer. “2018 Social Just Diary” - Parishioners are invited to join in the diocesan bulk order of the 2018 Social Jus-tice diary on the theme: An Inclusive and Sustainable Economy. Cost: $5.60 each. Contact Mike Cassidy: Social.Justice@cg.org.au or 0412 145 088 by 15 Nov.

73rd Carols by Candlelight, 7pm, 13 Dec, Stage 88, Commonwealth Park. www.wvyc.org.au.

Part 2 of Psychology and Spirituality of Relationship with Dr Patricia Moroney, 11 Dec., 6.45pm, Holy Trini-ty Parish Centre Curtin. All welcome Entry free. Info: 6286 6939

“Pilgrimage of Hope” for 15 Aug-1 Sep 2018—Info session 10 Dec, 4.30pm, Corpus Christi Parish Centre, Gowrie. Undertake a Pilgrimage of Hope with Fr Praveen Paul. (www.magiholidays.com.au) Contact Office on 6291 6688 or tuggeranongsouth@cg.org.au

New Year's Eve Adoration Vigil, 31 Dec, 7.30pm-6am, St Peter Chanel’s Church, Weston Street, Yarralumla. Come and adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament as

we pray into the new year! Rosary, praise and wor-ship, intercessory prayers and times of quiet reflec-tion. Tea, coffee and snacks available. Info: call/text CCR Intercession Coordinator on 0419 902 293 or email contact@ccract.org.au.

The Marian Movement of Priests invites you to the 11th Annual New Year’s Eve Prayer Vigil; St Michael’s Church, 2 Tyrrell Circuit, Kaleen, 31 Dec, 8.30pm. First Cenacle is prayed at 8.45pm (Joyful Mysteries). Sec-ond Cenacle at 9.45pm (Luminous Mysteries). Third Cenacle at 10.45pm (Glorious Mysteries). Exposition from 8.30pm until 11.45pm followed by Midnight Mass. Inquiries:- Judy & Joe Mewburn 6254 6202

Mission to fight poverty. Catholic communities all over the world are looking for teachers, health and community development workers, administrators and others to mentor workers in their fields of expertise. See more than 40 volunteer positions at www.palms.org.au/projects/. The positions would suit anybody with the appropriate qualifications. Healthy retired people find it a most gratifying and stimulating mission. Info: Email chris-tine@palms.org.au or call Roger 0431 995 058 now to find out more. 2018 Applications are closing soon.

Campion College Summer Program: 8-15 Jan 2018. An opportunity to experience college: literature, his-tory, hiking, coastal walks & swims, theology, philoso-phy, sports and other activities. Registration: $390 per person with financial assistance available. Con-tact: study@campion.edu.au or www.campion.edu.au/summer

Accommodation: A 38 year old female is seeking accommodation close to the city or in the city. Prefer-ably a furnished room with my own bathroom. Con-tact Lorraine 0412 327 902

We pray for…

Those to be married: Evelyn Shepherd & Daniel Russell

Those to be baptised: James Callipari, Rozalia Spadafora, Aurora Rule-Zarb, Alexandra Salazar, Cosimo Cirillo

Those who are ill: Fr John Baptiste Tran, Natasha Cruz-Gutteridge, Cora Murphy, Betty O’Neill, Brendan Roberts, Tan Roberts,

Bob Howatson, Jose Cofre, Enid Martin, Richard Dodson, Vince Basilisco, Maria Walker, Doris Robertson, Gary Evans, Ella Black,

Roderick Duncan, Bruce Kennedy, Claude Lucas, Marianne McGrath, Robert White, Christina Parido Davey, Fe Talicop, Richard

Price, Toni-Gaye Bush, Tony Bush, Judith Carey, Anthony O’Connor, Michael Leon, Peter Hill, Hugh Patton, Gilbert Ferguson

Anniversaries of death: Sara Pettet, Constantino Salza, Nola Palisi, Domenico Marando, Madeleine Marsh Wright, Domenico Vir-

gara, Nuala Kelly, John McLennan Duffy, Giuseppe Bonfini, Philomena Burke, Fr Thomas Wright, Raymond Noonan, Baby Made-

leine Wright, Eva Kotthoff, Kathleen Moriarty, Olga Knight, Margaret Wilson, Federick Howley, Edith Dorn, Ellen Fenner, Anna

Italiano, Judy Foschia, Bruna Romano

Recently Deceased: Fr Paul Tarpey, Steve Doszpot, Margaret Frawley, Victims of Egyptian terrorist attacks, Coby Fulop, Antonio

Carrabs, Victims of the Texas church shooting, Victims of New York terrorist attack, Barbara McLoughlin, Fr John Airey CSsR

(Galong), Adrian Chesterton, Nancy Sherry, Vittoria Sacerdo, Coral Henderson, California fires victims, Salvatore Servello,

First Reading Is 40:1-5. 9-11 ‘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 sin is atoned for, that she has received from the hand of the Lord double punishment for all 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 a high mountain, joyful messenger to Zion. Shout with a loud voice, joyful messenger to Jerusalem. 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 all go before him. He is like a shepherd feeding his flock, gathering lambs in his arms, holding them against his breast and leading to their rest the mother ewes. Second Reading 2 Pt 3:8-14 There is one thing, my friends, that you must never forget: that with the Lord, ‘a day’ can mean a thou-sand 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 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 con-tains 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 Reading Mk 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 Baptist 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.’

Readings of the Day – Second Sunday of Advent —Year B

LITURGICAL MINISTRIES ROSTER

Lectors Extraordinary Ministers of Eucharist

Mass 9/10 Dec 16/17 Dec 9/10 Dec 16/17 Dec

6.00pm

(SPC)

Frances Bulbrook

Mike Nash

Wanda Kaucz

Geraldene Ford

Any available EMHC Judy Blundell

Frances Bulbrook

8.00am

(SCC)

Jessica Neubeck

Phillip Pocock

Liza Quinn

Assigned

Phil Pocock

Liza Quinn

Mimma Memmolo

Tony Pelle

9.30am

(SPC)

Gloria Osborne

Wanda Kaucz

Dominic Chin

Clarice Poh

Wilfred & Margaret Law-

rence

Any available EMHC

11.00am

(SCC)

Gabrielle Wright

Arnel Basas

Jonathan Lee

Cecilia Flores

Ceciley Matthews

Lionel D’Cruze

Bronwen Grey

Barabara Harrison

5.30pm

(SCC)

Youth Mass Damien Balachandran

Marcelle Disanayake

Elizabeth Young Elizabeth Young

Lionel D’Cruze

St Christopher’s Cathedral Parish encompasses the areas of Barton, Causeway, Deakin, Forrest, Fyshwick,

Griffith, Kingston, Manuka, Parkes, Red Hill, Yarralumla