Responsorial Psalm: (R.) Lord, let us see your kindness,

and grant us your salvation.

2. Mercy and faithfulness have met;

justice and peace have embraced.

Faithfulness shall spring from

the earth and justice look down

from heaven. (R.)

3. 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 Pt 3:8-14 We wait for new heavens and a new earth.

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 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 every-

thing 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 with-

out spot or stain so that he will find

you at peace.

The word of the Lord

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT - Year B 9 - 10 Dec, 2017

Entrusted to the Salesians of Don Bosco

Catholic Church

Gospel Acclamation:Alleluia, alleluia!

Prepare the way of the Lord,

make straight his paths:

all people shall see the

salvation of God. Alleluia!

GOSPEL: Mk 1:1-8 Make straight the paths of the Lord.

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, pro-

claiming 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.’

The Gospel of the Lord

Communion Antiphon: Jerusalem, arise and stand

upon the heights, and behold the

joy which comes to you from God.

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.

First Reading : Is 40:1-5. 9-11

Prepare the way for the Lord.

‘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 man-

kind 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 mes-

senger 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.

The word of the Lord

Responsorial Psalm: (R.) Lord, let us see your kindness,

and grant us your salvation.

1. 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.)

26 Swanston Street, St Marys, NSW 2760

Tel: (02) 9623 1962 Fax: (02) 9833 1063

Parish Email: secretaryolrchurch@iinet.net.au

Parish Website: www.olrchurchstmarys.org.au

PARISH TEAM Parish Priest: Fr. Brendan Murphy SDB Assistant Priest: Fr Guy Riolo SDB Parish Secretary: Fleur Mathias

Parish Telephone: 9623 1962 Parish Email: secretaryolrchurch@iinet.net.au Web: www.olrchurchstmarys.org.au

Parish Fax: 9833 1063

For Enquiries Please Phone The Parish Office

between 9:30am - 12:30pm & 1:30pm - 3:30pm, Mon-Fri

Salesian Community: Phone: 9623 1220

Rector: Fr John Walenciej SDB

Don Bosco Youth Centre: Phone: 9623 0450

Co-Directors: Sr Jenny Doudle FMA Fr John Walenciej SDB

Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School

Principal: Mr Michael Siciliano Phone: 9623 2500 Email: olorstmarys@parra.catholic.edu.au

Web: www.olorstmarys.catholic.edu.au

Emmaus Catholic College

Principal: Mr Robert Nastasi

Phone: 9670 4588 Email: emmaus@parra.catholic.edu.au Web: www.emmauskempscreek.catholic.edu.au

PARISH MINISTRIES St Vincent de Paul Society: meets every Tuesday at 7:00pm in the St Vincent de Paul Office beside the Parish Hall.

Junior Legion of Mary: meets on Fridays, 4:30pm to 5:45pm in the Parish Hall and Parish Meeting Rooms. Young people welcome

Senior Legion of Mary: Tuesdays, 6:30-8pm in the Parish Hall Meeting Room. All Welcome to join.

The Cenacle: Every Thursday after 9am Mass, you are invited to join us to pray the Cenacle of the Marian Movement of Priests.

Cuppa and Craft Club: Thursdays at 9:30am, Parish Hall. Contact Parish Office 9623 1962. Computer Class (50 years & over):Basic:9.30am-11.30am and Advance:1.30pm-4pm, Parish Hall Mtg Rm. Please contact Parish Office. Rosary Statue: Mrs Helen Kubala, 12 Beaty St, St Marys.

RCIA: meets Thursdays, 7:30pm, Parish Meeting Room. Know someone who would like to be a Catholic? New enquirers welcome.

Catechists: Teaching God’s Word in our State schools. Volunteers needed. Contact Maureen Watts 9623 9272. Mother’s Prayers: Every Monday, 10am at the Infant School.

Ladies Auxiliary: 2nd Mon’s, Parish Office Meeting Room, 7:30pm

Youth Choir: Choir Practices on the 2nd Sunday of the month, 2.30pm – 4pm. Choir sings at the 9am Mass on the 4th Sunday of the month. All young people welcome, 6 -16 years. OLR-Schoenstatt Pilgrim Mother Apostolate (PMA) Rosary Prayer: every 4th Sunday of the month after the 10.30am Mass (11.45am) in the Church. All Welcome!

Sat 9 Dec ST JUAN DIEGO 6:00pm Fr Jerry Breen

Sun 10 Dec 2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

7:30am Spyros Terides 9:00am Midak Family

10.30am Pro Populo 5:30pm Peter Chiew

Mon 11 Dec ST DAMASCUS I 6:30am Holy Souls in Purgatory 9:00am Bazyli & Kathryn Terejko

Tue 12 Dec OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE 9:00am Hugh Green

Wed 13 Dec ST LUCY

12 noon Cheree Caberoft

Thur 14 Dec ST JOHN OF THE CROSS 9:00am Gladwin Fedilies

Fri 15 Dec 9.15am Kevin Dwyer

Sat 16 Dec 5:00am Misa De Gallo Mass 8:00am Chevie Cobcroft

RECONCILIATION

Every Wednesday: 11:15am - 11:45am.

Every Saturday: 9:00am - 10:00am, 5:00pm - 5:30pm

ADORATION BEFORE THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Wednesday: 11:15am - 11:45am, Mass at 12 noon

Every Thursday: 9:30am - 6:00pm (after 9:00am Mass) Friday: 8:30am - 9:00am. followed by Mass at 9:15am

PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED Please remember in your prayers our deceased

parishioners, family and friends especially Daniel Walmsley, Jadwiga Walenciej, Mark N. Lucas, Mario Daros, Alfred Farrugia. Francine Low, Sid Lawrence, Mario Daros, Daniel Samardzic, Sr Hen-riette, Jessie Gomes, Joe Rukavina, Mary Briffa, Matt Julian, William Melton, Fr Jerry Breen, Charlie Zammit, Alberto Garate., Bernadette Downey, Sr Doris Barbero, Maria Teresa Urbina, Grazia Gullo, Nella Capasso, Vency Pinto, Brian Buan, Sejundina Sacun, Moises Sorrigaga, Francesca Premutico, Maria Castigli-oni., Kevin Kennedy, Malcolm Wood, Betty Cox, Linda Dunn, Pamela Polland, Gwendoline Cash, Ron Hopkinson, Daniella Siciliano, Rory Hampsey. Eternal rest grant unto their souls O Lord, let perpetual light shine

upon them, may they rest in peace. Amen

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK

Jesus the Healer, we commend to your gentle hands those who are sick

Fr George O’ Mara, Fr Lawrie Mooney, Brendon Vella, Trevor Douglas, Alby Kemp, Dennis McGee Jnr, Judith Urbano-Lopez, Denham de Silva, Clare O’Rance, Mary Bonanno, Leanne Barlon, Plaridel Santos, Kathy McMillan, Charlize McMillan, Soaad Halaka, Ester Santos, Jeblet, Greg , Sharan & Baby Larna, Anna R, Iris Warne, Donna, George Safi, Joan Law, Joseph Camilleri, Charlie Sultana, Maria Maciejewska, Peter Wetton, Maureen Cocks, Daniel Jacobson, Linda & William Weightman, Grazia Gullo, Tracey Bokor, David Fuller, Sylvia Smith, Adrian Durando, Andrew Boulos, Ricardo Herft, Grant Butterfield, Avalee, Dana, Garry., Meerle Steere, Elivra Puyat, Renato Cazar, Vera Gould, Loyd, Carol Greentree, Tangey Fernandes, Vitas Varnas, Luzia J. Vinuya, Joan Sattlar, Anna Clarke, Jim Kama, Allan Williams, Ryan Cleary, Shaanan Pereira, Imelda & Joe Bonser, Frank Campbell, Wiloto Seng, Padraig Smith, Rosina Paulo, Sally McFarlane.

Next Sunday’s Readings:THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

1st Reading: Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11 Responsorial Psalm: Luke 1:46-50, 53-54

2nd Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24 Gospel: John 1: 6-8, 19-28

1st and 2nd Collections: 1st Collection: for the support of the priests of the parish 2nd Collection: (including planned giving envelopes) goes towards the running costs of the Parish.

Thankyou for your ongoing support.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults - RCIA Do you know anyone interested in becoming a Catholic?

Please invite them to contact: Vera on 0416 008 582 or the Parish Office on 9623 1962

St Marys Gardens Nursing Home Communion Roster

Sun 10 Dec: IMPACT Youth

Sun 17 Dec: White Family, Violet P, Marcy P, Mila H

COMING EVENTS FOR THE DIARY 12 Dec: 2nd Rite of Reconciliation, 7.30pm

Legion of Mary, Parish Hall Meeting Room 6.30pm

St Vincent De Paul, Parish Hall Mtg Room, 7:00pm

15 Dec: Junior Legion of Mary, Parish Hall, 5pm

17 Dec: Carols by Candlelight, 7.30pm

16-24 Dec: Misa de Gallo, 5am Mass

—————————————————————

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

ADORATION CHAPEL Mondays & Tuesdays 8am - 9pm

CHURCH Thursdays 9:30am - 6pm

ALL WELCOME

WE WELCOME

Praise Chimaobi Egbufor, Miracle Adaenyi

Egbufor, Kaiden Joseph Kevin Kasman, Monica

Grace Seymour, Charlie Francesca Raccanello.

Into our Parish Family through the Sacrament of Baptism

OLR Parish - Carols by Candlelight We welcome all our Parishioners, families, friends &

visitors to join us for our Carols by Candle light.

Date: Sunday, 17 December.

Time: 7.30pm start

Venue: MacKillop Centre (Collins St)

Bring a candle, picnic rug / chair

along with your singing voices.

Children welcome to come

dressed as Angels & Shepherds.

If you would like to help please

contact Tina 0402 619 250.

100’S CLUB FLOWERS FOR THE ALTAR

The Raffle for the Term July to December was drawn

by Denise at the Parish Office on December 4th.

CONGRATULATIONS to the 5 Lucky Winners

1st. Prize $200 - L Banno

2nd.Prize $100 - Gianno Stefan

2nd.Prize $100 - Victor Franco

3rd.Prize $50 - Angie Abreva

3rd.Prize $50 - Margaret Dwyer

Please collect your prizes from the Parish Office during

working hours.

To keep our Altar adorned with flowers we do depend on the

generosity of you the Parishioners. We need atleast 100

people to enrol and subscribe $20each for the

TERM JANUARY ’18 to JUNE ’18.

There will be only two collections each Term. We hope to

complete our Quota of 100 subscribers within this period.

Collection Dates: January 13th and 14th and January 21st and

22nd 2018. The Core Group members will collect after all

Masses during the respective weekends.

Thank you to all our regular contributors, you have been

contributing to one of the longest running collections in the

Parish. 17 years is a long time and during this period we

have all worked together to keep our Altar

looking beautiful. New members are always welcome. Do-

nations accepted. A statements of accounts is handed to the

Parish Office every year July/ August.

Our next Raffle will be drawn in June’18. $500 in the

kitty. We thank Grace our ever obliging florist and Beverley

our Accountant.

The Core Group thanks Jesus and Mother Mary for all the

help and we pray that you will be blessed with health and joy

in the New Year. Stay safe and happy

Core Group Judy, Carmel, Antonia and Gladys.

ROSTERS SPECIAL MINISTERS, READERS, ACOLYTES

Please refer to the Roster for the 4th Sunday of Advent

which is placed in the Church Foyer.

Morning Masses will be as usual on

Sunday 24th December, Christmas Eve.

Co-ordinator - Primie Sumampong

THANK YOU! Senior’s Christmas Lunch - 3 December

The Ladies Auxiliary Team thanks all those who attended

the lunch last Saturday and a special thanks to all those

who supported our Fundraising efforts to raise funds for

the Senior’s lunch.

Winner of $250 - Denise Tondys (No. 46)

Raffle Winners 1st Prize - Eileen Morrow

2nd Prize - Hillary

3rd Prize - Margaret Dwyer

16 Lucky Door Prizes claimed on the day.

Congratulations to all our winners.

Ladies Auxiliary Team

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

"Thank you to everyone who recently took a

gift tag from the Christmas tree for a child in

need. Could you please return all Christmas

presents by this weekend to the church. They

MUST be back early enough for us to

distribute before Christmas. We need time to assemble

hampers and presents for families.

The total raised from the Appeal to date is $3,490. Thank you to everyone who kindly donated to our request.

Peter Morgan - President, St Vincent De Paul

THE CATHOLIC FOUNDATION

We have uploaded instructions regarding our

“Collection and Correction of Information” on

our website – yourcatholicfoundation.org.au

December 9-10 : 2nd Sunday of Advent

Dear Parishioners,

Catholic Outlook: Please take a copy of the one-off

edition of the Catholic Outlook.

Second Rite of Reconciliation Tues Dec 12: Father

Paul Barszczewski OP from Kingswood will lead us in

our Advent Second Rite of Reconciliation, a Liturgy of

the Word with individual confession and absolution.

I encourage every member of the parish to make good use

of this sacrament before Christmas.

Parish Carols by Candlelight Sun Dec 17: Come to

the MacKillop Centre for our annual Carols by Candle-

light next Sunday evening, starting at 7:30pm. Bring a

candle and a chair and your friends for a beautiful night.

Saint Nicholas is again able to visit us on the night.

Australian Catholic Youth Festival: Thanks to Father

Guy and Brother Jeff for assisting the involvement of our

young parishioners in this historic event.

Misa de Gallo Christmas novena of Masses: There

will be a 5am Mass every day from Dec 16 till Dec 24

inclusive. Thank you to Mr Gerry Galam for organising

this novena, and to the visiting priests for accepting the

invitation to celebrate Mass for and with us.

Coming Up:

Dec 12: 7:30pm: 2nd Rite of Reconciliation

Dec 16-24: Misa de Gallo 5am Mass

Dec 17: Parish Carols by Candlelight 7:30pm.

God bless.

Fr Brendan

********************************** SAINTLY AUSTRALIAN SR. MARY GLOWREY-

MISSIONARY- MEDICAL DOCTOR (Part 3)

By Anna Krohn

The treasury of her family

In the town of Watchem [in Victoria’s Western District – Mary was born in Birregurra] at the age of six, she became entirely capable of a wide range of self-sufficient tasks – “making jam, soap, candles and simple meals.” Making something out of nothing became a miracle she worked in her later medical work.

At the same very early age, she also had a powerful insight that formed the rest of her life: “that if I should always do what was well pleasing in God’s sight” then all things would be clear and even sin would be impossible.

Mary was the third of seven children, and was deeply formed by the everyday prayer life of her family and particularly of her beloved mother and father, Margaret and Edward Glowrey. Regular ‘trimmings’ on the Rosary included a plea for more priests and doctors. In addition, it was understood through the example of her parents that all the baptised were ‘apostles’, years before this was articulated and confirmed by several 20th-century Popes and Vatican II.

Her mother Margaret was a gifted untrained catechist who ‘met’ children and others at their own pace. Mary called this ‘mother’s apostolate’ and it deeply impressed her. Mary’s mother taught her to wait patiently on God’s will – not as if God was some remote and dictatorial tyrant but as a loving Father who called us to live in relationship with Jesus Christ through the very real power of the Holy Spirit. Thus in her remote Australian town, Mary had a true taste of Trinitarian mission. Later her dedication to the Holy Spirit was to play a vital role in her work as a missionary doctor.

The call of the culture of life

In a very moving letter to her family from India, on her father’s death, Mary wrote that the guileless disciple of Jesus, Nathaniel, reminded her of her father Edward Glowrey: “Dada’s goodness was that of that unobtrusive, self-forgetting kind, which is so precious and so rare.”

It was Edward who gave Mary the strongest encourage-ment in the apostolate of medical studies, particularly supporting her against the common view that medicine was an unfeminine vocation. With Mary’s mother, he opened her mind to offering hospitality and social justice to a group of travelling Indians who would regularly stay on their property and were nursed back to health by the family. “My father’s kindness to this group of Indians was not an isolated instance. He was kind to everybody … His solicitude extended to the spiritual as well as the temporal welfare of those he met,” writes Mary. (concluded next week)

***************************** "Hear and let it penetrate into your heart, my dear little

son: let nothing discourage you, nothing depress you. Let

nothing alter your heart or your countenance. Also, do

not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not

here who am your Mother? Are you not under my

shadow and protection ? Am I not your fountain of life ?

Are you not in the crossing of my arms ?" The Blessed Virgin speaking to St Juan Diego, on

Tepeyac Hill, Mexico City (December 1531) [Dec 12: Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe]

*****************************

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT