ENTRANCE ANTIPHON

Drop down dew from above, you heavens, and let the clouds rain down the Just One;

let the earth be opened and bring forth a Saviour.

COMMUNION ANTIPHON

Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son; and his name will be called Emmanuel.

St. Monica’s Parish Moonee Ponds

Presbytery: 22 Robinson St., Moonee Ponds 3039 Telephone: (03) 9370 5035

Email: mooneeponds@cam.org.au Website: www.stmonicasparish.com.au

Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am—3.00pm Parish Priest: Rev Fr Tony Feeney

Assistant Priest: Rev Fr Daryl Montecillo Parish Office: Sonya Bading, Abygaile Cukavac

School Principal: Mr. Peter Moore — School Phone No: 9375 1132

VIOLET 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Year C 22 & 23 DEC 2018

First Reading Mi 5:1-4 A reading from the prophet Micah

The Lord says this:

You, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

the least of the clans of Judah,

out of you will be born for me

the one who is to rule over Israel;

his origin goes back to the distant past,

to the days of old.

The Lord is therefore going to abandon them

till the time when she who is to give birth gives birth.

Then the remnant of his brothers will come back

to the sons of Israel.

He will stand and feed his flock

with the power of the Lord,

with the majesty of the name of his God.

They will live secure, for from then on he will extend

his power

to the ends of the land.

He himself will be peace.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Responsorial Psalm Ps 79:2-3. 15-16. 18-19 R.) Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved. O shepherd of Israel, hear us, shine forth from your cherubim throne. O Lord, rouse up your might, O Lord, come to our help. (R.) God of hosts, turn again, we implore, look down from heaven and see. Visit this vine and protect it, the vine your right hand has planted. (R.) May your hand be on the man you have chosen, the man you have given your strength. And we shall never forsake you again: give us life that we may call upon your name. (R.) Second Reading Heb 10:5-10 A reading from the letter to the Hebrews This is what Christ said, on coming into the world:

You who wanted no sacrifice or oblation,

prepared a body for me.

You took no pleasure in holocausts or sacrifices for sin;

then I said,

just as I was commanded in the scroll of the book,

‘God, here I am! I am coming to obey your will.’

Notice that he says first: You did not want what the Law lays

down as the things to be offered, that is: the sacrifices, the

oblations, the holocausts and the sacrifices for sin, and you

took no pleasure in them; and then he says: Here I am! I am

coming to obey your will. He is abolishing the first sort to

replace it with the second. And this will was for us to be made

holy by the offering of his body made once and for all by

Jesus Christ.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia! I am the servant of the Lord: may his will for me be done. Alleluia! Gospel Lk 1:39-45 A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’ The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

Weekend Masses Saturday: (Vigil for Sunday): 6:30pm — Sunday: 8:00am, 9:15am ( Italian)10:30 am, 5:30 pm

Saturday & Holidays: 8:00am Mass Monday : Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion 7.00am

Tuesday to Friday: 7:00am & 9:15am Mass Reconciliation on Saturday: 10:00am - 11:00am, 6:00pm – 6:20pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after 8am Saturday Mass

1st Collection : For the upkeep of the Parish Church and all the works of the Church. 2nd Collection : For the running of the Presbytery and support of the priests

We respectfully acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, as the traditional caretakers of the land which is the St. Monica’s Catholic Parish. We acknowledge the Elders, past & present. May we, too, be good stewards of this land.

PlenaryCouncil Prayer Come, Holy Spirit of Pentecost. Come, Holy Spirit of the great South Land. O God, bless and unite all your people in Australia and guide us on the pilgrim way of the Plenary Council. Give us the grace to see your face in one another and to recognise Jesus, our companion on the road. Give us the courage to tell our stories and to speak boldly of your truth. Give us ears to listen humbly to each other and a discerning heart to hear what you are saying. Lead your Church into a hope-filled future, that we may live the joy of the Gospel. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, bread for the journey from age to age. Amen. Our Lady Help of Christians, pray for us. St Mary of

ADVENT WREATH SERVICE Presider: As we light the Advent Wreath may we be

inspired by the Holy Spirit promised us to be open to God’s

Word.

Four candles are lit Presider: Lord Jesus, you came into the world, conceived

by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary;

Lord, have mercy.

All: Lord, have mercy

Presider: Christ Jesus, you came into our world, sent by

the Father for the life of the world; Christ, have mercy

All: Christ , have mercy

Presider: Lord Jesus, you will come again to rule over the

house of Jacob forever; Lord have mercy.

All: Lord, have mercy

MINISTRIES & READINGS 29/30 Dec 2018

MASS READERS EUCHARIST OGGI Fam Galioto

6.30pm Lynn Besterwitch

Antonio Basic Sr. Joan Stapleton

PROSSIMA SETTIMANA

Fam Cananzi

8.00am Adrian Kendall David McLean

Joe Ceritelli Mila Sheehan

CHURCH LINEN

December

Rosa Farfalla

9.15am M.Ripper ; D.Caridi V. Pizzichetta; R. Farfalla; M. Ripper

10.30am Natalia D’Cruz Gina Stolfo

Eva Angsiting, Les Butler Sylvia Letcher

CHURCH VACUUMING

Friday 28th December Team 4 2pm 5.30pm Maurice Passuello Luke Anticevic, Doug D’Cruz,

Melanie D’Cruz

This week’s Readings: 1st Reading Mic 5:1-4 2nd Reading Heb 10 5-10 Gospel Lk 1:39-44

Next week’s Readings: 1st Reading 1Sam 1:20-22,24-28 2nd Reading 1Jn 3:1-2,21-24 Gospel Lk 2:41-52

A Christmas Blessing May love come alive within your heart

As Christmas time draws near. May hope fill each room you decorate And bring joy to those you hold dear.

May peace be before you at every meal And faith ring through every song.

For Christ is alive, the light of the world May he bless you all season long.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas from Fr. Tony,

Notizie Italiane Se qualcuno vorrebbe inserire qualche notizia sul bollettino, per favore manda una copia in italiano per email a mooneeponds @cam.org.au Per essere inclusa sul bollettino della settimana corrente è importante che sia inviata prima di mezzogiorno il mercoledì. Per ulteriori informazioni per il gruppo di preghiera italiana che si riunisce ogni martedì dalle ore 10 alle ore 12 nel centro Symons (la sala accanto alla chiesa) contattate Maria Giardina sul 93702047 o Connie Munafò sul 93751980.

Funerals this week

December 27th 11.00am Funeral Mass for

Margherita Quilty

December 28th 11.15am Funeral Mass for

Raffaele Perri

We wish all the Parents, Teachers and Children a Safe

and Happy Christmas and New Year.

RECENTLY DECEASED In Faith, Hope and Love, let us pray for repose of the souls of

Mona Buultjens; Raffaele Perri; Margherita Quilty May they rest in peace

ANNIVERSARIES We remember in prayer

Filomena Zorzanello; Fr. Fred Chamberlin; Mark Chamberlin;

John Roberts; Elias Nolasco; Maurice Ryan; Aylene Mac Crohan

Check out our website: www.stmonicasparish.com.au

St. Vincent De Paul

Christmas Cards-

$4 a pack of 8 Columban Calendars $9 2019 Daily Mass Books

Available in the Piety Store

“For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy.” LUKE 1:44 When you hear the scripture readings and Gospel reading each Sunday, do you “leap for joy?” If not, don’t blame the lecturer or priest, rather look inside yourself. Do you prepare for Mass each week or do you just show up and expect to be entertained? We are called to be active participants, not passive by-standers.

St Monica’s

Catholic Church 820 Mount Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds

Christmas 2018 MONDAY 24TH DECEMBER- CHRISTMAS EVE

Mass 6.30pm-Carols from 6pm

Mass 8.30pm-Carols from 8pm

Mass 12 Midnight-Carols from 11.15pm

TUESDAY 25TH DECEMBER-CHRISTMAS DAY

Mass 8am-Mass 9.15 (Italian)- Mass 10.30am

No evening Mass

Fr. Thomas our new assistant in the New Year Father Thomas was born and was brought up in South India, Kerala and ordained as a priest in 2005 for Archdiocese of Kottayam. He has achieved a Masters degree in sociology and a bachelors in education. In January 2014 he came to Melbourne a appointed Curate at Laverton, Queen of Peace Parish. In 2015 he was appointed to Clayton as assistant priest and has enjoyed his time there.

LIONS

LIONS CLUB OF ESSENDON

CHRISTMAS CAKES

AVAILABLE IN THE PIETY STALL!

Puddings $13

1.5 Kg Cakes $17

1 kg Cakes $13

CHANGE TO MORNING MASS TIMES AFTER CHRISTMAS

From Thursday 28th December to Monday 28th January the 7am and 9.15am Mass will be replaced by one 8am Mass.

Normal Mass times will resume on Tuesday 29th January 2019.

ST MONICA’S CHILD SAFETY POLICY The Professional Standards Unit of the Archdiocese of Melbourne are currently reviewing and rewriting all diocesan child safety policies. New Policies will be launched in 2019. The policies will reflect recent legislative changes and importantly reflect our vision to create a strong culture of excellence in safeguarding children and young people. Our Parish Child Safety Policy will be reviewed in light of the new Archdiocesan documents by August 2019. Until the launch of the new policies we will continue to use existing documents. These are on our website at www.stmonicasparish.com.au/parish-life--child-safety. St. Monica’s has a newly formed Child Safety Committee and also a Child Safety Officer who can be contacted at the Parish Office on 9370 5035 or by sending an email to mooneeponds@cam.org.au The Australian Catholic’s Bishops’ Conference has decided the Australian Catholic Church will join the National Redress Scheme for abuse victims.

The 6:30 pm Mass on Christmas Eve is traditionally St. Monica’s children’s Mass. This year, children are invited to come along dressed as a nativity character. They will process into the church at the beginning of mass to place baby Jesus into the manger. Children please wear NATIVITY CLOTHING for the Christmas Vigil Mass 6:30pm 24TH DECEMBER

Please have children gather in the foyer at 6:15 and let them know where you are sitting so that they can find you after they process in.

Farewell for Fr. Daryl Archbishop Comensoli has appointed Fr. Daryl as full time Chaplain to the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the Peter McCallum Cancer Hospital as well as Administrator one day a week in the Parish of Lancefield commencing January 9th. Fr. Daryl will return for a Parish farewell on Friday 1st February, 7pm Mass followed by refreshments and a presentation to Fr. Daryl in the Symons Centre (byo plate to share). If you would like to contribute towards a Parish gift please leave your donation at the Parish Office in an envelope marked “Fr. Daryl Farewell”. There is a Parish Card (located on a Clipboard at the back of the Church) to sign and wish Fr. Daryl every blessing in his new area of ministry.

Are You Planning a Trip to Sydney in January?

Why not stay at Mary MacKillop Place, in the heart of North

Sydney!30 minutes from the Airport,close to Ferries, Trains,

Sydney Harbour foreshore, Opera House and more!

PARISH OFFICE CLOSE DOWN AFTER CHRISTMAS

The Parish Office will be closed from Christmas Eve until Monday 15th January 2019

Thank you for your help during the year and wishing you a safe and happy Christmas from the Parish Office.

Welcome We wish you a happy and holy Christmas!

At Christmastime, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and our friends and families get together, share stories and make plans for the year ahead. In October 2020, the Catholic Church is gathering to make plans and decisions for the future. Your voice is needed to help create the agenda. What are your experiences of God in your life, your faith and the Church?

What do you think God is asking of us in Australia?

Your story matters Please take a card at the back of the Church and share a story of your experiences of your faith or the Church to give context to your response to this question. There is a box to place your card at the back when finished.

Thank You Moonee Ponds Parish for your generosity for our Giving Tree and also for donating to Melbourne Overseas Mission. The Moonee Ponds Conference of the St Vincent de Paul Society have made up food

hampers from your generous Giving Tree contributions and will distribute them to those most in need. Our Parish raised $2,834 for Melbourne Overseas Mission. Your generosity will make all the difference to the lives of many under-privileged people.

JANUARY

Tuesday 1st January-(New Year’s Day) 8.00am and 10.30am Mass for Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Wed 9th January Fr. Daryl leaves and Fr Thomas arrives at St. Monica’s

FEBRUARY

Friday 1st All school children return

Friday 1st 7.00pm Farewell Mass for Fr. Daryl followed by refreshments in the Symons Centre