Let the wilderness and the dry-lands exult, let the wasteland rejoice and bloom, let it bring forth flowers like the jonquil, let it rejoice and sing for joy.

The glory of Lebanon is bestowed on it, the splendour of Carmel and Sharon; they shall see the glory of the Lord, the splendour of our God.

Strengthen all weary hands, steady all trembling knees and say to all faint hearts, ‘Courage! Do not be afraid.

‘Look, your God is coming, vengeance is coming, the retribution of God; he is coming to save you.’

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, the ears of the deaf unsealed, then the lame shall leap like a deer and the tongues of the dumb sing for joy, for those the Lord has ransomed shall return.

They will come to Zion shouting for joy, everlasting joy on their faces; joy and gladness will go with them and sorrow and lament be ended.

(R.) Lord, come and save us.

It is the Lord who keeps faith for ever, who is just to those who are oppressed. It is he who gives bread to the hungry, the Lord, who sets prisoners free. (R.)

It is the Lord who gives sight to the blind, who raises up those who are bowed down, the Lord, who protects the stranger and upholds the widow and orphan. (R.)

It is the Lord who loves the just but thwarts the path of the wicked. The Lord will reign for ever, Zion’s God, from age to age. (R.)

Be patient, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. Think of a farmer: how patiently he waits for the precious fruit of the ground until it has had the autumn rains and the spring rains! You too have to be patient; do not lose heart, because the Lord’s coming will be soon. Do not make complaints against one another, brothers, so as not to be brought to judgement yourselves; the Judge is already to be seen waiting at the gates. For your example, brothers, in submitting with patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Alleluia, alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he sent me to bring Good News to the poor. Alleluia!

John in his prison had heard what Christ was doing and he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else?’ Jesus answered, ‘Go back and tell John what you hear and see; the blind see again, and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised to life and the Good News is proclaimed to the poor; and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.’ As the messengers were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the people about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man wearing fine clothes? Oh no, those who wear fine clothes are to be found in palaces. Then what did you go out for? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says: Look, I am going to send my messenger before you; he will prepare your way before you. I tell you solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.’

The scriptural quotations are taken from the Jerusalem Bible, published and copyright 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton Longman and Todd Ltd

and Doubleday & Co Inc, and used by permission of the publishers. The English translation of the Psalm Responses, Alleluia and Gospel Verses, and Lenten Gospel Acclamations from the Lectionary for Mass © 1997,

1981, 1968, International Committee on English in the Liturgy.

“The birth of Jesus is the sunrise in the Bible.” —Henry van Dyke

From Fr Vinoj Francis

Priest in Placement

St Patrick’s Parish Ingham Our schools have closed for their summer holidays. On behalf of Fr Damian, I would like to express a sincere gratitude to all principals, teachers and staff of our schools and Kindergarten who did a “fabulous” job throughout this academic year. I reproduce this wonderful word “fabulous” because Fr Damian has become famous in the Diocese for using this word as often as possible.

What next? I assume that it is not unusual for an overseas priest to long to visit his beloved ones. In my case it is true, and I wish to visit my family in India. I heard from my mum last week that she is awaiting to attend the Mass that I will be celebrating in my parish. My holidays will begin on the 11th January and my replacement will be Bishop Austen. At this point, I wholeheartedly thank Fr. Emene for agreeing to drop me at Cairns Airport for my departure. Please continue your prayers for me and you will be in my daily Mass.

To anoint and distribute communion, last week, I have visited some of our elderly people with Sr Nina. Since it was my first visit, I really enjoyed those moments. Likewise, I hope that I would be able to visit as many of you as possible in your homes. Last week, I celebrated our monthly Mass at Blue

Haven and at the Palms. It was a time for the residents to celebrate Christmas and to recollect the memories of their olden days.

While Fr Emene was away with our youth, Fr Giles came from Townsville last weekend to help me. I appreciate Fr Giles for his courage to travel such a long way to assist me with our masses. Let us continue our prayers for our elderly priests who enjoy their retired life.

Christmas is on our doorstep. I am excited to partake in the Australian and Italian Christmas celebrations. Indian tradition begins with the preparation of a crib at our homes on Christmas Eve and going from door to door singing Christmas Carols. The people from other religions usually welcome the Carol group to their homes. We decorate our church with light and flowers to celebrate the midnight Mass. Likewise, I hope that you might have started to prepare your homes and surroundings with colourful decorations. Now the ball is in your court.!!! Hence, I invite some volunteers to organize our Menegon Centre for Christmas Eve Mass to make this year’s Christmas an ever memorable one. Peace and joy of Christ Jesus be with you always.

The Church: a hospital for sinners, a training school for saints.

Saturday 6.00pm Sunday 8.30am Sunday 7.00pm

Sunday 7.00am

Sunday 10.00am

Sunday 10.00am

Monday 5.30pm St Patrick’s

Tuesday 5.30pm St Patrick’s

Wednesday 5.30pm St Patrick’s

Thursday 5.30pm St Patrick’s

Friday 7.00am St Patrick’s

Saturday 8.00am St Patrick’s

Adoration Tuesday 9am-Noon in St Paul’s Chapel.

11.00am & 5.00pm Saturdays

Parish Contacts

Parish Priest: Fr Damian McGrath

Priest in Placement: Fr Vinoj Francis Associate Pastor: Fr Emene Kelemete

Parish Secretaries: Julie Nowak & Marcella Cantatore (also RE Co-ordinator)

Bookkeeper/Compliance Officer: Beth Ingegneri Pastoral Care: Sr Nina Barra Senior Adult Ministry : Santina Cross

PO Box 375, Ingham Q 4850 4776 2600 parishoffice@inghamcatholic.com

www.inghamcatholic.com facebook.com/inghamcatholic

Office Hours: 9am to 12pm Monday to Friday, 1pm to 3pm Monday to Thursday

During Advent we wait in trust and prepare in hope to be surprised by joy at the celebration of coming of Christ. You are invited to use our Townsville Diocesan Advent resource to reflect on these themes inspired by the prophet Isaiah, John the Baptist and Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Go to our website https://www.tsv.catholic.org.au/news-events/advent-2019/

to open our resource for groups or individuals. Local, easy to use for prayer and reflection on this season of hope, trust and joy. enquiries: jfoster@tsv.catholic.org.au

We will require Commentators/Prayer of the Faithful, readers, special ministers, altar servers and power point operators at our Christmas Vigil and Christmas Day Masses at all Churches. If you can assist us please call the parish office or email us with what you can do and which Mass you will be attending. Many thanks in anticipation.

Ingham Catholic Parishes together with Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre are collecting items for the HCSC Back to School Program to help local families in need at the start of the school year through the provision of essential school supplies. Boxes will be placed under the trees in each of our churches.

30 November/1 December: HB pencils, colour pencils

7/8 December: Textas, felt pens, highlighters

14/15 December: Ink Pens (blue, red, black), Glue Sticks, USB sticks

21/22 December: Rulers, erasers, pencil sharpeners, pencil cases

28/29 December: Lunchbox, water bottles, ice bricks

4/5 January: Ream/s of photocopy paper, box tissues

Reconciliation will be offered for half an hour before every weekday Mass during Advent.

The final Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for 2019 will be on Tuesday 17 December and will then be in recess until February.

There will be no Saturday morning confessions during January. Confessions will still be held on Saturdays, 5pm at St Patrick’s.

Question:

The Church teaches that, through our baptism, we are made priest, prophet, and king like Christ. What does it mean for us to be prophets in the world today?

Answer:

We are indeed sharers in the threefold mission of Christ. We live our “kingship” when we serve others in justice, work for the common good in society, and overcome sin in our own lives. Our “priestly” mission is lived when we unite our lives to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, offering them up as a gift of love. We are also called to be prophets. Our lives may not look like Isaiah and Jeremiah of old — and perhaps desert living and locust eating like St. John the Baptist might feel out of reach — but this doesn’t nullify our invitation and obligation. As baptized Christians, we have accepted the Gospel in faith. We’re also called to proclaim the Gospel as well. This may mean by giving Christ-centered advice to another person or defending truth when it’s threatened. It also means living our faith in deeds. St. John Paul II writes that we are “called to allow the newness and the power of the Gospel to shine out every day in [our] family and social life” (On the Lay Members of Christ’s Faithful, 14). A prophet points to a higher truth beyond himself or herself. We live prophetically when we treat others as Christ treated people and when we arrange our schedule to prioritize those to whom we have the greatest obligation, including our families, as well as the poor and vulnerable around us. We live prophetically when we think critically about the culture around us and we allow our faith to inform our public life.

Reconciliation Times for Christmas

St Teresa’s, Abergowrie

Sunday 15 December — 11.00am

St Peter’s, Halifax

Sunday 15 December — 8.00am

St Patrick’s, Ingham

Wednesday 18 December — 12.30pm & 7.00pm

Thursday 19 December — 12.30pm & 7.00pm

Saturday 21 December — 11.00am & 5.00pm

The office will be closed from midday 20 December 2019 to 13 January 2020.

The office will re-open on 14 January for half-days, i.e., from 9am to noon, until 24 January.

Normal opening hours will recommence 28 January.

Please note that newsletters will be pre-published for the first few weeks of January. If you would like names for anniversary Masses included in newsletters up to the weekend of 12 January, these will need to be submitted to the parish office by midday Monday 16 December.

Please Pray For: Frank Piva (Home Hill)(died this week), Harry Kanakis (died recently), Franca Milan, Alfio Di Giacomo, Lucia Cantatore, Joseph Michael Mizzi, Ross Cavallaro, Edward Kopeshke, Antonio Casagrande, Salvatore Di Bella (annivs at this time), Alfia Silvini, Janice Day, Vittorio & Maria Cantoni, Antonio Ficarra, David Cutting, Peter & Delia Manassero, Enzo Mancuso, Rupert, Nellie, Isabel & Nicholas Lee, Nella Benedetto, John Cazzulino, Franco Cavalli, Vi Groundwater, Baldo Fanti, Deceased members Guazzo & Elortegui families, Deceased members Pallanza, Battistel & Maloney families, Carlo & Maria Magoni, Elliott Francis Matheisen

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. Let perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace. Amen. May their souls

and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Counters This Week:

J Leonardi S Cosentino M & L Castles

Counters Next Week:

R Doherty P & A Costanzo D Carey

Altar Servers 21/22 December: Sat 6pm: Rhys Fichera Ryan Nash-Fava Nikolas Dillon

Sun 8.30am: Volunteers Please

Sun 7pm: Trista Kopeshke Alexander Jordan

Children’s Liturgy

Children’s Liturgy will recommence 1 February 2020

Organists 21/22 December : Sat 6pm: P Harris/P Cavallaro/Video Sun 8.30am: M Vitale/Video Sun 7pm: L Di Bella/Video

Commentators & Prayer of the Faithful 21/22 December: Sat 6.00pm: Anne Kemp Sun 8.30am: Lidia Marbelli Sun 7.00pm: Deborah Tardiani

Readers 21/22 December:

Halifax: Santina Cross Ella Cross

Canossa: C/1 Mark Spina 2/3 Mari-V Wherry

Sat 6pm: 1 Josephine Di Bartolo 2 David Duffy

Sun 8.30am: 1 Diane Giliberto 2 June Leonardi

Sun 7pm: 1 David Pelleri 2 Virginia Scovazzi

Abergowrie: Lino Tomba

Special Ministers 21/22 December: Halifax: Allain Cugola Elizabeth Castorina

Canossa: Rico & Stephanie Basaglia

Sat 6pm: Peter Costanzo Mario Deambrogio Grace Di Bella

Sun 8.30am: Madeleine D’Urso Carmel Fazio Viv Garrigon

Sun 7pm: Elvie Giandomenico Mary Girgenti Janine Van Blerk

Abergowrie: Nicole Nixon

May the Lord’s healing hand rest upon them

Please keep in your prayers: Patrick Leonardi, Tayte Crisafulli,

Wayne Tagney, Carol Devon, Belinda Milton