Vol. 314/01/2021

9th January & 10th January 2021

The Baptism of the Lord (Year B)

Served by the Discalced Carmelite Friars

You are my beloved Son,

in whom I am well pleased.

The Baptism of the Lord On this Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of Baptism of the Lord. The Baptism of Jesus is the third of three great manifestations or revelations which characterise the Christmas season. The three great revelations we have been celebrating are: Christmas, Epiphany and Baptism of the Lord. Today is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on our own baptism. It is not something which happened a long time ago and which “made” us Catholics. It is not just a ceremony lasting a few minutes which produces magical effects; it is the beginning of a lifelong journey. It is the beginning of a process of growing into the Body of Christ as its members.

The meaning of baptism can be found in the four letters of the word RICE. R stands for Rebirth. In baptism we are born again by water and the Holy Spirit. We are cleansed from original sin and become sons and daughters of God in a special way. I stands for Initiation. At baptism we are initiated or admitted into full membership in the church, the community of the children of God in the world. C is for Consecration. In baptism we consecrate and dedicate ourselves to seek and to spread the kingdom of God. We commit ourselves to be servants of God, to do God’s will and serve God with our whole lives. And E is for Empowerment. At baptism the Holy Spirit comes into our lives and empowers us, equips us, gives us the moral strength to say no to evil and to live as God’s children that we have become.

Summer School We are happy to inform you that we are going to have a Summer School in our parish, which will be presented by Fr Tony Chiera and Diocesan Delegates to the Plenary Council Ms Deborah Robertson and Mrs Maria Parkinson, on Saturday 23rd January 2021 from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm. The central theme of the conference is: A CHURCH WAITING IN HOPE - Responding to the Holy Spirit present and at work among us. (More details are given in a separate page). Registrations can be made by calling the parish office or putting your name on the list at the entrance of the church. Please bring a plate of food to share.

Summer in Hopetoun The diocesan clergy team had a wonderful get together experience in Hopetown on the south coast of Western Australia in the Shire of Ravensthorpe. The pristine beaches, the picturesque scenery and the Fitzgerald River National park etc. are the best attractions of this small town. We were accommodated in the parish centre of St. Peter the Fisherman church, which was located very close to the beach. A few of us had the experience of sleeping in the tents in spite of the cold weather and darkness. Cooking, fishing, crabbing mountaineering and golfing made us to relax from the heavy schedules of Christmas and New Year programmes. I take this occasion to thank Deacon Michael for looking after the spiritual welfare of the parish during our absence.

Have a beautiful week end,

Fr. Johny Arattukulam, O.C.D.

First Reading

A reading from the prophet Isaiah 55:1-11

Oh, come to the water all you who are thirsty; though you have no money, come! Buy corn without money, and eat, and, at no cost, wine and milk. Why spend money on what is not bread, your wages on what fails to satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and you will have good things to eat and rich food to enjoy. Pay attention, come to me; listen, and your soul will live. With you I will make an everlasting covenant out of the favours promised to David. See, I have made of you a witness to the peoples, a leader and a master of the nations. See, you will summon a nation you never knew, those unknown will come hurrying to you, for the sake of the Lord your God, of the Holy One of Israel who will glorify you. Seek the Lord while he is still to be found, call to him while he is still near. Let the wicked man abandon his way, the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn back to the Lord who will take pity on him, to our God who is rich in forgiving; for my thoughts are not your thoughts, my ways not your ways - it is the Lord who speaks. Yes, the heavens are as high above earth as my ways are above your ways, my thoughts above your thoughts. Yes, as the rain and the snow come down from the heavens and do not return without watering the earth, making it yield and giving growth to provide seed for the sower and bread for the eating, so the word that goes from my mouth does not return to me empty, without carrying out my will and succeeding in what it was sent to do. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Truly, God is my salvation, I trust, I shall not fear.

For the Lord is my strength, my song, he became my saviour.

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. R.

Give thanks to the Lord, give praise to his name!

Make his mighty deeds known to the peoples! Declare the greatness of his name. R.

Sing a psalm to the Lord

for he has done glorious deeds, make them known to all the earth!

People of Zion, sing and shout for joy for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. R

SECOND Reading

A reading from the first letter of St John 5:1-9 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ has been begotten by God; and whoever loves the Father that begot him loves the child whom he begets. We can be sure that we love God’s children if we love God himself and do what he has commanded us; this is what loving God is— keeping his commandments; and his commandments are not difficult, because anyone who has been begotten by God has already overcome the world; this is the victory over the world -our faith. Who can overcome the world? Only the man who believes that Jesus is the Son of God: Jesus Christ who came by water and blood, not with water only, but with water and blood; with the Spirit as another witness - since the Spirit is the truth - so that there are three witnesses, the Spirit, the water and the blood, and all three of them agree. We accept the testimony of human witnesses, but God’s testimony is much greater, and this is God’s testimony, given as evidence for his Son. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Gospel acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia! John saw Jesus approaching him, and said:

This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Alleluia!

GOSPEL

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 1:7-11 In the course of his preaching John the Baptist 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’. It was this time that Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised in the Jordan by John. No sooner had he come up out of the water than he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit, like a dove, descending on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.’ Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BUNBURY SUMMER SCHOOL 2021

TO REGISTER: write your name on the list at the back of the Church or phone/email the Parish Office (9581 2061 : catholicparish@westnet.com.au)

Please bring a plate of food to share.

A CHURCH WAITING IN HOPE

Responding to the Holy Spirit present and at work among us.

There are many challenges we face during these troubled times, but we are called and gifted by the Holy Spirit to respond to these very challenges.

The Summer School will explore where we find ourselves as Church at this time in his-tory, and suggest ways we can respond more effectively to the Spirit at work in our

midst. Special consideration will be given to the upcoming Australian Plenary Council, and to how we might contribute to the conversations and planning currently underway

across Australia. Presented by:

Fr Tony Chiera- Diocesan Pastoral Office Ms Deborah Robertson and Mrs Maria Parkinson- Plenary Council Delegates

Our Lady of the Bay Parish Centre BUSSELTON 9752 1687 Saturday January 16th 9.30am -12.30pm

New Camfield Parish Centre ALBANY 9841 1129 Tuesday January 19th 5.30pm-8.30pm St Matthew’s Parish Centre NARROGIN 9881 1153 Wednesday January 20th 5.30pm-8.30pm St Joseph’s Parish Centre MANJIMUP 9771 2873 Thursday January 21st 5.30pm-8.30pm

Our Lady’s Assumption Parish Centre MANDURAH

Saturday January 23rd 9.30am-12.30pm

“When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart” Jeremiah 29:13

Ever feel like you’re searching for something, but don’t know what? That you have questions but no answers?

If we wanted to search for meaning, purpose and even maybe God,

where would we start and how do we go about it? Once we have found some answers, or even more questions,

how do we know that they are good?

These are the some of the topics we will explore at the ‘Search, Seek, Find’ Diocesan Summer Camp.

Sign up for an awesome 4 days at our beautiful Catholic Youth Camp right on the beach in Busselton! Open to young people aged 13 – 18 years old.

There is great activities, music, games, inspiring faith speakers, unique prayer experiences and awesome people! In it's ninth year, the Diocesan Summer

Camp is a life changing event for many young people - some of which you will meet and hear from on camp! All young people are welcomed to join!

If you like making new friends, music, games and are open to experiencing faith in new, exciting and challenging ways than come along - we would love to have

you with us!

Prices: Normal Registration of $65 – Closes 5th of January 2021*

Late Registration $80 - after 5th of January 2021* *Booking Fees Apply

Regsiter via Brushfire @ https://catholicdioceseofbunbury.brushfire.com/events/485710 Email: dioyouth@bunburycatholic.org.au with any questions.

https://catholicdioceseofbunbury.brushfire.com/events/485710https://catholicdioceseofbunbury.brushfire.com/events/485710mailto:dioyouth@bunburycatholic.org.au

Please join us

Mass for the Feast of the Infant Child Jesus (Sto Niño de Cebu) next Sunday, 17th January 2020 - 9:30am

Please join the celebration of the Feast of Sto Niño de Cebu on 17 January at the 9.30 am Mass. After the Mass, You are welcome to join a shared get-together picnic lunch at 12 noon at Mary Street picnic area (near lagoon) in Halls Head.

For inquiries, please look for Virginia or contact 9534 7257.

The Study of the Sacred Scriptures must be a door opened to every believer. Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium

Our Lady’s Assumption Parish is offering 4 Adult Faith Formation Programs in 2021.

The Bible Timeline - The Story of Salvation – Begins 8 February 2021, 7-9pm A 24 session Bible study that teaches Catholics the story of salvation history from beginning to end. The Bible Timeline has been granted the Imprimatur. Matthew: The King and His Kingdom – Follows on from The Bible Timeline. An exciting study that explores the life and mission of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel. Matthew demonstrates how the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament are fulfilled in Christ, who establishes a New Law and inaugurates the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Acts: The Spread of the Kingdom – Begins 8 February 2021, 7-9pm This program builds on The Bible Timeline and Matthew by showing how Christ’s Kingdom on earth is empowered to carry out his work in the world. The book of Acts shows the Church, enlivened by the Holy Spirit, teaching, preaching, healing, and restoring outcasts in the same way that Jesus did on earth. The Big Picture – Start Date tba once delivery date of books is confirmed. You, the bible, and God’s big plan is an inspirational bible course and DVD. Please register your interest to the Parish office – 9581 2061 by 11 January 2021to facilitate order and delivery of books in time for the start of the courses. Prices of books range from approx. $40.00 each. Inquiries about the program, please contact Rosemary Van Schoor 0417 187 967.

PARISH PASTORIAL COUNCIL PLANNING

FOR 2021 AND BEYOND

In November of 2020 the PPC had a joint meeting with the Ministries of the Parish. The main focus of the meeting was to build better relationships and understanding within the Parish Community. A major outcome of the meeting was a new Vision Statement and Mission for the Parish. These where written after feedback and involvement of everyone who attended. The Vision Statement is where we want to be in 5 to 10 years time. The Mission sets out how we will achieve our Vision and will be our bases for all Planning for the years to come. VISION STATEMENT As Disciples of Christ, we are a faith-filled, inclusive, connected Catholic family committed to grow, worship and serve. MISSION To be a welcoming Church using its talents in Ministries to develop and grow our Parish focusing on our spiritual growth. PLANNING FOR 2021 There are 3 areas of focus in our Mission Statement and these are:

HOSPITALITY MINISTRIES SPIRITUAL GROWTH

We had a great response over the Christmas and New Year but we need Volunteers and Commitment for the whole year. Firstly, the Government Regulations regarding registering all adults for every Mass and event is with us for the foreseeable future so we need volunteers for every Mass every week. Secondly, we need to be a welcoming community and greet Parishioners and Visitors at every weekend Mass. This will continue after the Restrictions have ended. EVENTS FOR FIRST QUARTER OF 2021 I have attached a list of events for the January to February 2021. These events are all subject to change, especially with the times we are living in. Please support these events and meet the challenge to volunteer to help. Happy and a Holy New Year to everyone PPC Chair Brendan

If you are available and willing to assist in the registration/checking in at weekend Mass, please contact the Parish Office:

Phone 9581-2061; Email catholicparish@westnet.com.au

Date Reason Activity/Event Place Organiser

23 January 2021

Summer School 9.30am to 12.30pm Bring a share plate

Parish Centre Fr Tony

31 January 2021

PPC Commitment Mass

9.30 Mass followed by Tea & Biscuits

Parish Centre PPC

8 February 2021

Bible Studies Commence

7.00pm to 9.00pm Then every Monday

Parish Centre Bible Study Ministry

11 February 2021

ALPHA 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm Then every Thurs-day for 11 weeks.

Parish Centre Alpha Ministry

14 February 2021

Outdoor Mass Picnic (BYO chair, food)

Western Foreshore Social Committee

16 February 2021

PPC first meeting for the year

6.00pm to 7.30pm Parish Centre PPC

17 February 2021

Ash Wednesday Mass Church Priests

21 March 2021

St Patrick’s Day Wednesday 17 Mar

Trivia Night Parish Centre Social Committee

1 April 2021 Holy Thursday Lord’s Supper – hot cross buns

Parish Centre PPC

2 April 2021 Good Friday Stations of the Cross Church grounds Priests

4 April 2021 Easter Sunday Easter Egg Hunt & Morning Tea

Parish Centre Social Committee

Our parish has exciting events happening this year

and we need you to help us plan and organize.

Many hands make light work! Sign up your name and contact number on the list provided at

the back of the church. God bless you all!

Did you catch any fish, Fr Johny? View of West Beach

Church of Peter the Fisherman, Hopetoun

Preparing food like ‘My Kitchen Rules’ style.

Enjoying the view of God’s amazing creation!

WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT Our Dawn Masses

The Choir with Fr Wayne Bendotti

With Fr Vince

-What makes it special? It is a distinct Filipino Tradition ingrained in our faith and maybe considered a custom among Filipinos. For 9 days we revisit Jesus’ history before he was born into the world to save all of us.

-What do you like most about these Masses? Particularly here in Australia, I like that various priests from near and far get to celebrate Mass with us.

-Any words you’d like to share about this tradition. On a serious note, it feels like a party for 9 days with each and everyone does his/her share of cooking, dining, chit chatting and catching up on friends who are as busy as ourselves with their own lives.

Caroline Bautista

Fr Johny enjoying his favourite porridge.

Lorna & Fr Anson

Photo credit: Lorna Butchart

Preparing to hear God’s word We know that Jesus was without sin, and didn’t really need to be baptised. Yet, Jesus asked to be baptised by John in the River Jordan along with the other people as an example to his followers and as a sign of his true identity as the Son of God.

The gospel story In today's Gospel, we hear about Jesus’ cousin, John, who baptised people in the Jordan River. The people wonder if John is the special person that they have been waiting for, but John assures them that someone more powerful is coming – someone who could baptise not with water, but with the Holy Spirit and with fire. John was talking about Jesus! John told those gathered that he was unfit to even untie Jesus' sandals. After Jesus was baptised, the Holy Spirit came to rest on him in the form of a dove. The voice of God came from heaven, saying “You are my own dear Son, and I am pleased with you.”

Commentaries

In two distinct ways the feast of the Baptism of the Lord serves as a bridge. Firstly, it doubles up as the concluding feast of the Christmas season and as the First Sunday of Ordinary Time. Secondly, and much more significantly, it highlights a dramatic transition in Jesus’ life. All three synoptic gospels identify Jesus’ baptism as the event which plucks him out of obscurity and impels him into public ministry. More’s the pity that this feast – like that of the Holy Family and of the Epiphany – occurs during the Australian summer holiday season. Not one of the gospel stories from these festivals is ever read on another Sunday, except on the rare occasion when the feast of the Presentation of the Lord falls on a Sunday. The gospel accounts of Jesus’ baptism are brief but rich in meaning. They reveal him as God’s beloved Son and envoy; they provoke us to a fresh awareness of the mission to which we are called as the baptised.

Prayer for those affected by Bushfires

Eternal God, in wisdom and love you created our earth

to sustain us and give us life. We turn to you now in faith, hope and love,

asking you to look with favour on our fire-ravaged and drough-stricken

land, on our starving and displaced animals, on our failing crops and

burning farms, towns and forests.

Strengthen, sustain and give new heart to our farmers and to

all who are affected by drought; be with those who support them.

Strengthen and comfort the victims of fires. Protect our volunteer

firefighters and all members of essential services.

In your loving providence, send abundant rain to quench

the fires and to restore our parched earth.

Father of all compassion, hear our prayer through Jesus

Christ your Son, in whom, the promise of new life has dawned,

and through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord the give of

life: Renew your faithful people, renew the face of the earth.

Our Lady of Southern Cross, Mary helpd of Christians

—Pray for us. St Mary of the Cross MacKillop—Pray for us.

Source: Australian Catholics magazine

If you have photos from the Women Altar Minister Commissioning Mass, we appreciate if you can share them with us. Please email them through to catholicparish@westnet.com.au

Photos & Submission of Notices for the Bulletin. If you want to share photos taken during parish events, you can send them through by email or you can simply drop by the office. If parents do not wish to have their children’s photos in the bulletin, please inform the office or the event coordinator/group leader. For those who want to have their notice and announcement to be included in the bulletin, cut off for submission is Wednesday before 4pm. Thank you for your cooperation.

- Reminders -

Latin Mass. Our Latin Mass will be held on 15 January 2021 at 5pm.

Church Guardians will resume on 11th January 2021.

Lost & Found in the Parish Centre: gray and black stripped print jumper and a child’s

water bottle.

For collection: There are plates and bowls in the parish hall kitchen that don’t belong.

Kindly collect them.

Frank O’Driscoll, Alysha Carboni, John Gilbertson, Joan Orchard, Joan McKay,

George Tacey, Jenny Stokic, Sue Short, Sheila Pearce, Joanne Ford, Leah Hardie,

Lesley Mertens, Sean Mahoney, Jodie Donnelly, Mikayla Wilton, Peter Young,

Roy & Jan Payne, Grace Moore, Aldine Wheldon, Daryl Winters, Merle Johnson,

Trish Mulcahy, Oliver, Norma Hales, David Naughton, Dulcie Kent, Anita Doran,

Herbert Lenard, Taylor Green, Margaret McGuiness, Les Pearson, Beryl Fitzgerald,

Louisa & Luigi Bove, Anne-Marie Fliegener, Bill Kociaruba, Johnson Joseph, Fiona

Davies-McConchie, Les Burns, Sophie, Margaret Worthington, Tessie Plamonte, Cristina King, Irene Pini,

Kate Whooley, Fr Chris Warnock, Joshua Chernoff, Ron Nichols, Barbara Padua, Marie Aide, Raeleen

Sutton, Jessica Amphlett, Raegis Farrell, Barbara, Philip Giuffre, Liz Evans, Bill Copple, Dorothy Oliver,

Chris Morris, Alan Edwards, Joseph Godridge, Christian Vimpany, Kylie Godridge, Mark Bussanich,

Amber, Elsie Medina, Markus Ruescher, Angie Mae, Greg Lewis, Joan Marshall, Kevin Scanlon, Eunice

Hope, Mia Hoppee, Greg Carter, Sue Murphy, Michelle Stafford, Debra Keena, Joy Brokenshire, Jenny

S., Brendan Davidson, Neil Stewart, Moyra Naughton, John Wilcox, Lea Fajardo, Josie Yuzon, Tania

Ward, Jemma Hill and all those who are sick and all those affected by Covid-19. Please advise the

office if any of the above names need to be removed.

Looking for a small desk cross or Baptism candles? Visit our piety stall in the

Parish Office. Open M-F, from 8am-4pm. Communion, Confirmation and Baptism gifts are available. There are also books, greeting cards, Mass cards, holy cards and novena booklets, scapulars, rosary beads, key rings, pyx and other religious items also available. New stock just arrived: wall crucifix, Baptism photo frame, wooden and crystal rosary beads, rosary bracelets, Confirmation gift items, small desk crucifix.

Still available in our Piety Stall: Columban Art Calendars and Josephite Calendars 2021-$11.00 each.

REUBEN DAVID HUTCHISON Son of Timothy & Sally

The parish community rejoices with you in this special occasion.

Safeguarding May all of us work to make our churches, schools and families havens of safety and enable our children to thrive. Should any parishioners have any concerns please contact a Safeguarding Officer: Elma 041 7951 296 Jill 0439998557

Saturday 9 January 2021 6:00 pm—Eunice Hope

Sunday 10 January 2021

8:00 am—Josefa Van Dijk 9:30 am—Lily Masar 6.00 pm—Volunteers Saturday 16 January 2021 6:00 pm—Vanessa Dicker

Sunday 17 January 2021

8:00 am—Jenny Porter 9:30 am—Arty Mendonca 6.00 pm—Volunteers

Saturday 9 January 2021 6:00 pm—Kathleen Coles, Ruth Daly Sunday 10 January 2021 8:00 am—Liz Butson, Jenni Srdarev 09:30 am—Therese Lazaroo, Emilie Barroa 6.00 pm—Youth Group Saturday 16 January 2021 6:00 pm—Helen Crosbie, Alex Popov Sunday 17 January 2021 8:00 am—Joy McCleay, Terry Major 09:30 am—Hugh Tinney, Grace Lazaroo 6.00 pm—Youth Group

Next Week’s Readings

17 January 2021

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

1 Sam 3:3-19, 19;

1 Cor 6:13-15, 17-20;

Jn 1:35-42

Pilgrim Statue This week the Pilgrim statue will be at the home of: 9 Jan—Mary McAleer 16 Jan—Joyce Maul 23 Jan—Vicky Charlton If anyone would like the Pilgrim Statue for Anniversaries, birthdays, etc. please ring Rosemary Rana on 0438 916 165.

Regular MASS, ADORATION &

RECONCILIATION TIMES

Monday 7.30am

Tuesday 7.30am, 9am

Wed 7.30am & 5.00pm

Thursday 7.30am, 9am

Friday 7.30am & 5.00pm

Saturday 7.30am, Vigil 6.00pm

Sunday 8.00am, 9.30am & 6.00pm

Continuous Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament: 8am-3pm — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Reconciliation: after Weekly Masses & before weekend Masses. Please see noticeboard and back page of the bulletin for current parish events and Mass times.

OUR CHURCH’S VISION STATEMENT. We are Catholic Family,

who, drawing together on our traditions and diversity, seek to respond to God’s call.

As a Pastoral community, we strive to nurture the Spiritual growth of all.

Day Church Parish Centre SUNDAY 10/1 The Baptism of the Lord

7.30am—Rosary 8.00am—Mass 9.30am—Mass 6.00pm—Mass

(Office Closed)

MONDAY 11/1

6.45am—Rosary, Morning Prayer 7.30am— Mass

TUESDAY 12/1

6.45am—Rosary, Morning Prayer 7.30am—Mass 9.00am—Mass

10am—Legion of Mary 7pm-Catenian Circle

WEDNESDAY 13/1

6.45am—Rosary, Morning Prayer 7.30am— Mass Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help 5.00pm—Mass

THURSDAY 14/1

6.45am—Rosary, Morning Prayer 7.30am—Mass 9.00am—Mass

FRIDAY 15/1

6.45am—Rosary, Morning Prayer 7.30am—Mass 5.00pm—Latin Mass

SATURDAY 16/1

6.45am—Rosary, Morning Prayer 7.30am—Mass 9.30am—Baptism 6.00pm—Vigil Mass

(Office Closed)

SUNDAY 10/1 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

7.30am—Rosary 8.00am—Mass 9.30am—Mass 10:45am—Baptism 6.00pm—Mass

(Office Closed)

Parish Office– 8 Stevenson St, Mandurah WA 6210 Ph-9581 2061/9581 3261

Presbytery– 6 Stevenson St, Mandurah Church– Creery St., Mandurah WA 6210

Emails-Admin & Bulletin: catholicparish@westnet.com.au

Accounts: viv.catholicparish@westnet.com.au Website: www.olaparishmh.org.au

Office Hours: 8am-12.30pm, 1pm-4pm Mon-Fri

Fr Johny Arattukulam - Parish Priest

Fr Albin Odippattil—Assistant Parish Priest

Fr Anson Antony—Assistant Parish Priest

Michael Phillips - Deacon

Ernie Carey– Retired Deacon

Vivien de Winter/Alison Caingcoy—Office Staff