Mullumbimby“I am here among you as one who serves.” Luke 22:2

Serving the Catholic Community in the Brunswick Valley

1st Sunday of Advent, Year BSunday 3rd December, 2017

Liturgy this weekPsalm Response

Lord, make us turn to you, let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia!

Lord, show us your mercy and love,and grant us your salvation.

Alleluia! Sunday Mass ReadingsDec 3, 1st Sunday of Advent

Is 63: 16-17, 64:1, 3-8;1 Cor 1: 3-9;

Mk 13: 33-37.Dec 10, 2nd Sunday of Advent

Is 40:1-5, 9-11; 2 Pet 3:8-14;

Mk 1:1-8.

www.mullumbimbycatholic.com.au

St John’s Catholic Parish

Mass/Service Times:WEEKDAY SERVICES

Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion

Mullumbimby Wednesday 9.30am

Friday 9.30amThe Immaculate conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Brunswick HeadsTuesday 5.30pm

Thursday 5.30pmAdoration, Rosary prior to service

WEEKEND MASSES

Brunswick HeadsSaturday Vigil 6pm

MullumbimbySunday 8am

Parish Invocation: Father I love you, Jesus I thank you, Holy Spirit help us

The Jesse tree helps us connect the custom of decorating Christmas trees to the events leading to Jesus’ birth. The Jesse tree is named from Isaiah 11:1

“A shoot shall come out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.”

Jesse was the father of King David. We adorn a Jesse tree with illustrated ornaments that represent the people,

prophesies, and events leading up to the birth of Jesus. The ornaments of the Jesse tree tell the story of God in the Old Testament, connecting the Advent season with the faithfulness of God across four thousand years of history.

Jesse Tree ScripturesDEC 1 Creation: Gen. 1:1-31; 2:1-4. Symbols: sun, moon, stars, animals, earthDEC 2 Adam and Eve: Gen. 2:7-9, 18-24. Symbols: tree, man, woman.DEC 3 Fall of Man: Gen. 3:1-7, 23-24. Symbols: tree, serpent, apple.DEC 4 Noah: Gen. 6:5-8, 13-22; 7:17, 23, 24; 8:1, 6-22. Symbols: ark, rainbow.DEC 5 Abraham: Gen. 12:1-3. Symbols: torch, sword, mountain, stars. DEC 6 Isaac: Gen. 22:1-14. Symbols: bundle of wood, altar, ram in bush.DEC 7 Jacob: Gen. 25:1-34; 28:10-15. Symbols: kettle, ladder. DEC 8 Joseph: Gen. 37:23-28; 45:3-15. Symbols: bucket, well, coins, tunic.

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The Jesse Tree

Newsletter Advertising - Only 2 spots left!In order to cover the cost of colour printing in the parish Newsletter, a number of ‘Business Card’ size advertisements will be accepted. Only $15 per week (Includes colour logo and link on our website). Businesses wishing to advertise in the Newsletter should contact the Parish Manager Michelle Davies on 6684 2106 for more information.

St John’s Catholic Parish, Mullumbimby

DEACON: Rev Chris WallaceAddress: 15 Murwillumbah Road(PO Box 27)Mullumbimby, 2482Mobile: 0428 267 420

Parish email: mullumbimby@lismore.catholic.org.au

PARISH SECRETARY: Michelle DaviesOffice: Wed & Thurs 10am-5.30pmPhone: 6684 2106

CHURCHES:St John’s 15 Murwillumbah Rd,Mullumbimby

Our Lady of Lourdes50 Mullumbimbi StBrunswick Heads

PARISH SCHOOL: St John’s PrimaryPrincipal: Tim BleakleyPhone: 6684 2386

Contact Information

St John’s Primary SchoolMullumbimby

Tim BleakleyPrincipal

www.mbyplism.catholic.edu.au

11 Murwillumbah Road, MullumbimbyPhone: 66842386

Please support our Parish advertisers

Direct Debit Giving - Why not organise a monthly Direct Debit? The parish’s bank details are - Bank: NAB, BSB: 082-729, Acc: 509796718. Please set up payments for the 15th of each month. Please notify the Parish Office if you start Direct Debit Giving.

Hospital Visits - Under NSW government ‘Privacy Laws’ clergy are not permitted to visit hospital patients unless the patient or patient’s family have requested a visit. Please let Rev Chris Wallace know if you would like him to visit or to arrange an anointing.

WelcomerReaders

Offertory Procession

Ministers of Communion

Data Projector

Rosters: 9/10 Dec - 2nd Sunday of Advent, Yr B

Collection Counters, Wed December 6 - David Condon

BRUNSWICK HEADS

Janice BollandDot AndrewsMary AshtonVolunteers please

Mark RussellLisa Russell

MULLUMBIMBY

Liturgy GroupClaudia Kiernan Paul BrennanKathryn CornaleJanene Browning

Igor Isaszek

Silvana Smith

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SAINTS AND FEASTS04.12 St John Damascene - also known as John Damascene (676– 749) was a Syrian monk and priest. Born and raised in Damascus, he died at his monastery, Mar Saba, near Jerusalem. He is regarded as a Doctor of the Church, often referred to as the Doctor of the Assumption due to his writings on the Assumption of Mary. 06.12 St Nicholas07.12 St Ambrose - was a bishop of Milan who became one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the 4th century. He was the Roman governor of Liguria and Emilia, headquartered in Milan, before being made bishop of Milan by popular acclamation in 374. He was one of the four original Doctors of the Church. 08.12 The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary - The conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary free from original sin by virtue of the foreseen merits of her son Jesus Christ. Mary was conceived by normal biological means in the womb of her mother, Saint Anne, but God acted upon her soul, keeping it “immaculate”. - wikipedia

Let Us Pray FOR THOSE:Recently deceased: Ted Bleakley, Vic Alderton, Lorraine Healey, Jimmy Budd, Molly Fitzhenry.

Anniversaries: Antonio Pinna, Joseph Merlot, Esther Keil, Taylor, Sylvia Condon, Daniel Maher, David Plater, Patrick Creagan, Michael Klose, James P. Brown, Keith Walker, Searl Browning, Kelly Stuart, Charlie O’Donnell, Ned and Cora Cook, Brian Arcus.

Time of need: Gayle Steinbech, Ella and Dylan Bradbury, Trisha Lloyd, Brian Hayden, Pat Dailhou, Camilla Reynolds, Teresa Pezzutti, Pat and Elaine Walker, Elaine Quinn, Hazel O’Meara, Judy and Frank Mills, Baby Thomas and family, Maree Wiesmes, Colleen Mudge, Norah Porthouse, Jim Mills, Dan Boyle, Doug Spensley, Gerda Hughes, Peter Colville, Anne Carolan, Fr Andrew Benton, Samantha & Kate Holley, Stephen Buckley, and Betina Abbott.Please let us know if names should be removed from list.Our Diocesian Seminarians:Those in training at Vianney Seminary Seminary, Wagga Wagga, for the Diocese of Lismore are: Emmanuel Okaparananaku, Anselm Okeke, Wilbur Tobe, Roger Delmonte, Francis Mbithi, Prodencio Bognay, Anthony Galwu. Also those planning on entering seminaries in 2018.

Rosary Team MeetingRosary Team Monthly Prayer Meeting will be held on Saturday 9th December at the home of Kay McDonagh, 310 Kennedys Lane, Ewingsdale, at 9.30am. All welcome to join us for prayer, reflection and a cuppa. Enquiries Kay 6684 7306.

MissalsIf you would like us to order your Missals for next year, there is a form at the back of the church. Please add your name and tick which books you would like us to order. Prices include postage.

Fond FarewellFarewell to Rebecca Lines-Kelly and husband Michael who will be leaving this week to move back to Victoria. Thank you, Rebecca, for your help at St John’s, particularly with the singing and reading. Rebecca and Michael have been part of the MacKillop Family Group since it began 1994 and Rebecca is also an expert cake-maker - you will both be greatly missed. “May the road rise up to meet you,may the wind be always at your back,the sun shine warm upon your face,the rain fall soft upon your fieldsand until we meet againmay God hold you in the palm of His hand”.

The Catechist MattersAs the school year for our public school catechists draws to a close we thank them for their dedicated work with the children in Mullumbimby, Brunswick Heads and Ocean Shores

St Vincent de Paul St Vincent de Paul Christmas Cards are available at the back of church after Mass: $6 for a pack of 10. Also: 2018 Columban Calendars - $8 each.

Josephite Calendars There are still some calendars available for purchase at the back of the church. Cost is $7.

Public Schools. May God Bless Lorraine Cornale, Carol Fitzhenry, Kerry Scanlon, Tonia Lynch and Jenny Tucker abundantly.

Volunteers’ morning teaIt has been decided to hold the Volunteers’ ‘Thank You’ Morning Tea in early February, at the same time as the Commissioning of Volunteers for 2018. We look forward to treating all our wonderful volunteers with a special morning tea as a HUGE thank you for all your hard work and continued support of the parish during 2017.

Parish Pastoral CouncilDue to ongoing commitments with St Vincent de Paul, Peter Kiernan has resigned from the PPC. We thank Peter for the time and effort he have put into the PPC. Carolyn Storey has agreed to take Peter’s place and we welcome her to the Council. The PPC will have their last meeting for this year on Wednesday 6th December at 5.30pm at the Presbytery.

Caritas KitchenIf you’re hosting an event in the leadup to Christmas this year, why not consider turning it into a fundraising event to help those in need? Visit: www.caritas.org.au/donate/online-fundraising for more information.

Music EveningAn Artes Christi evening of music with Gospel readings will be held at St Joseph’s Church, Tweed Heads, on Friday, 15th December at 7.30pm. Entry by donation.

FIRST WEEK OF ADVENTSlow Steps to ChristmasAll of us are on a journey home to our God. During this season of Advent we are invited to pause and take the time to reflect not only on our journey but also that of those who have gone before us. To assist us we will have Scriptures, images and stories. This week we are greeted with the image of Mary and Joseph, journeying to Bethlehem for the census.

Welcome to the Joyful Season of Advent

How do I make my journey through life?

This Friday 8th December at 11.30am we are holding a special end of year Assembly.

This is an opportunity to farewell leaving staff members as well as a multimedia presentation for the - Tim Bleakley, Principal

SAVE THE DATEDEC 8: End of year Assembly, St John’s School, 11.30am.9: Rosary Team Meeting, 9.30am.10: Combined Family Groups Christmas by the Creek, 11am.15: Artes Christi Evening, St Joseph’s Church, Tweed Heads. 7.30pm.23: 4th Sunday of Advent - Saturday Vigil, OLOL, Brunswick, 6pm.24: 4th Sunday of Advent - Sunday Mass, St John’s Church, 8am.24: Christmas Eve Mass. OLOL. 6.30pm Carols, 7pm Mass. Outside (weather permitting).25: Christmas Day Prayer Service, 8am, St John’s Church.

Children onstage for the finale at our School Concert

ST JOHN’S SCHOOL NEWS

outgoing Year six students. All parishioners are welcome to join us for our final assembly.

School finishes on Friday 15th December.

Christmas by the Creek: The Combined Family Groups are holding the annual Christmas by the Creek on Sunday 10th Dec from 11am.

It is hosted by Mike and Judy Nicholls on their property at: 305 Main Arm Rd. The entrance is by a gateway on the left hand side of the road. Follow the driveway into the property. There will be a flag on the gate.

Bring your own meat and drinks (BBQ available) and a salad or sweet to share. This is always a great family day so bring your swimmers and cool off in the creek or relax in the shade and enjoy the company. All Parishioners are invited and very welcome to attend.

For more information phone Mike and Judy 6684 2225.

Caritas Global GiftsSend a Christmas message to those you love, and support those in need. When you choose a Global Gift card to give to family or friends this Christmas, you are bringing a moment of joy and helping create a lifetime of change for some of the world’s most vulnerable people. Order Global Gift cards online at: www.globalgifts.org.au

Can Wendy

still swing off the rope?

Hosts Judy and Mike Nicolls

If you would like to volunteer to assist during Masses over Christmas, please add your name to the rosters at each church.

Are you prepared?TODAY we begin the season of Advent, which marks the start of a new liturgical year for the Church.

With this year’s first Sunday of Advent, we begin Cycle B of the Lectionary, which focuses our attention on the Gospel of Mark.

Today’s Gospel is taken from the end of Mark’s Gospel. Jesus is questioned by his disciples who want details about his prediction of the destruction of the Temple. Jesus answers with many warnings about the difficulties that the disciples will face.

Today’s passage comes at the conclusion of Jesus’ warnings to his disciples. Jesus emphasizes the need for watchfulness. The Son of Man will come without warning; only the Father knows the exact hour. The disciples must not be caught unprepared when this time comes.

Scholars believe that Mark’s Gospel was written around the time of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in A.D. 70. Mark’s audience consisted of Christians who were

living in difficult social and political times, times of conflict. They were likely beginning to face persecution as followers of Jesus. In this difficult time, it helped to recall that Jesus had foretold of such difficulties. Early Christian communities took courage from Jesus’ warning to remain alert and watchful, and they found in his words a way to persevere through suffering.

Today’s Gospel reminds us that Advent is about more than our preparation for the Church’s celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas. Advent is also about preparing ourselves for Christ’s return in glory at the end of time. We must stay alert and watchful. - Loyola Press