S 16 D 2018T S A ,Y C

Inner Newcastle Parish: Sacred Heart Cathedral, Newcastle West; St Joseph’s Church, The Junc on; St Mary, Star of the Sea Church, Newcastle; Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Tighes Hill; St Laurence O’Toole Church, Broadmeadow. Mayfield Parish: Christ the King, Mayfield West. Stockton Parish: St Peter‐in‐Chains, Stockton.

C P S B ’ I N ,

M S

Our Parishes incorporate suburbs located on the tradi onal country of the Awabakal and Worimi peoples. We acknowledge their cultural heritage, beliefs and con nuing rela onship with the land, pay respect to their Elders past and present, and commit ourselves to work together for reconcilia on and jus ce.

R M B “Shout for joy.” “Sing joyfully.” “Be glad and exalt with all your heart” (Zep 3:14). “Cry out with joy and gladness” (Is 12:6). “Rejoice” (Phil 4:4).

“I shall say it again...” Paul adds helpfully, in case we haven’t go en the picture by the second reading, “Rejoice!” (Phil 4:4).

Some of us may have an easier me with this list of impera ves than others. We may be celebra ng the birth of a child, have found fulfilling work, feel God’s love and care, be surrounded by friends and family or simply be in a good mood. Today’s reading might confirm how we already feel, or give us the slight nudge we need into an emo on that seems natural.

Others might feel just the opposite. Separa on from friends or family through death, absence or conflict; anxiety about health, finances or current events; a difficult prayer life; or mental health challenges such as anxiety or depression could make it seem nearly impossible to express or even feel any measure of joy or gladness.

How can we believe the first reading’s claim that God has defeated our enemies and we “have no further misfortune to fear” (Zep 3:15) or sing with the psalmist that we are “confident and unafraid” (Is 12:2)? How can we obey Paul’s instruc on to “have no anxiety at all” (Phil 4:6) in the midst of the suffering and strife that is an inevitable part of life and that can some mes be overwhelming?

Even the Advent season, with its general mood of longing, an cipa on and hope, seems to bear out the intui on that rejoicing is premature. While the season is not depressing, as we look forward to Jesus’ birth and his second coming there is a definite feeling of unfulfillment and an understanding that we are s ll wai ng, holding off on the celebra on un l Jesus arrives.

We are some mes encouraged not to decorate un l Christmas Eve and not to follow the secular trend of extending Christmas earlier and earlier, remembering that the fes vi es only start with Jesus’ birth.

Of course, the whole thing might seem a li le silly from a certain point of view. It is absurd to be anxiously wai ng for our Savior’s birth when we know it happened over 2,000 years ago. It is nearly as bad to excitedly an cipate the second coming as if it is imminent when we actually have no idea when it will be.

But that state of knowing Jesus is already here, even as we wait for him to arrive on Christmas, while recognizing in a sense that we will s ll be wai ng even when December 25 arrives, embodies Chris an life. It is only thrown into a li le extra relief during Advent.

Jesus’ incarna on happened 2,000 years ago. He is always with us, and he has already conquered sin and death. Salva on, forgiveness and the power to live out God’s love toward others are already available to us.

Yet Jesus can feel distant or nonexistent. Jesus does not prevent suffering, sin and death. That is why we need the reminder to rejoice no ma er how we are feeling. Whatever is going on in our lives, we s ll have reason for hope and joy.

In a very real way, we are s ll wai ng to be released from evil and to experience the fullness of the kingdom of God. And so we also mourn, if not for ourselves than for others that are suffering, sorrowing or in the grips of sinful behavior.

But this week’s readings tell us that joy has the last word. In the Gospel, John the Bap st helps us prepare not for Jesus’ absence but for his coming. We should also remember that even John did not realize how close that joy was and had not recognized in fact that he already knew the Messiah. Maybe the same is true for us.

© Maria Benevento, celebra on publica ons

Next Week’s Readings: 4th Sunday in Advent, Year C:

Mi 5:1‐4 ,Heb 10:5‐10 ,Lk 1:39‐45

Weddings are celebrated by arrangement with at least three (and preferably more) months no ce. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the St Benedict’s website.

Parish Bulle n The Parish Bulle n is published weekly. Prayer requests and items for the Bulle n should be received at the Parish Office by 5pm on Wednesdays.

Clergy of St Benedict’s Parish Fr Andrew Doohan (Parish Priest) Fr John Kedari (Assistant Priest) Fr Victor Babu Doss (Assistant Priest) Deacon Anthony Coloma (Deacon)

Parish Office—St Benedict’s Centre 25 Farquhar Street, The Junc on PO Box 6, The Junc on 2291 P: (02) 4979 1101 F: (02) 4962 4644 E: newcparish@mn.catholic.org.au W: www.newcastlecatholic.org.au

Parish Office Staff Chris Cootes (Parish Business Manager) Margaret Cox (Recep on & Administra on) Rebecca Millard (Sacraments & Administra on) Jade Simonsen (Administra on) Dr Anne Millard (Director of Music & Liturgy)

Office Hours: The Parish Office is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, and closed for lunch from 1pm to 2pm.

Other Contacts Lingard Hospital Team Contact the Parish Office Mercy Pastoral Team Sr Patricia Whi en rsm (02) 4979 1116 St Joseph’s Pastoral Team Contact the Parish Office

Celebra ng the Sacraments

Reconcilia on is available at Sacred Heart Cathedral: Usually Fridays from 11am un l 11.55am and on Saturdays from about 10.30am un l 11am. Other

mes available by appointment.

Bap sms are celebrated on Sundays, either during or a er any of our Sunday Masses. A monthly Bap sm Prepara on mee ng takes place on the first Wednesday of each month—the next mee ng will take place in the Parish Office on Wednesday 6 February commencing at 5.30pm. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the St Benedict’s website.

A Sacramental Prepara on process runs each year in the Parish for children wishing to complete the celebra on of the Sacraments of Ini a on as part of the Parish community. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the St Benedict’s website.

For adults who wish to become part of the Church, the Parish offers the Rite of Chris an Ini a on of Adults for those who have not been bap sed, and the process of Recep on into Full Communion for those who have been bap sed in other churches. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the St Benedict’s website.

The Cathedral and St Joseph’s are served by a hearing loop—use the setting marked “T”.

F P ...To start my column this week, I’d like to share the news that was recently announced about some clergy moves that will directly impact on the life of St Benedict’s Parish from early in 2019.

Fr Victor Babu Doss will be taking up a new appointment as Assistant Priest in Taree and Wingham parishes.

Fr James Odoh, presently Assistant Priest in Taree and Wingham parishes, will be coming to St Benedict’s Parish for at least 2019.

Fr Peter Street, currently Assistant Priest in Singleton and Branxton parishes, will be taking up his new appointment here in St Benedict’s Parish.

These appointments will take effect somewhere around the end of January into early February. The exact ming of these moves is yet to be determined as they are connected to a number of other appointments being finalized.

I’m sure you will understand the ‘domino effect’ of moving clergy from one place to another; I will keep you updated on mings and consequences of these moves as they all become clearer.

The other news—although it’s not really news—is that Deacon Anthony Coloma will be ordained as priest on Saturday 16 February 2019 in the Cathedral commencing at 10am, along with Deacon John Lovell (currently serving in the Chisholm Pastoral Region). Their appointments post‐ordina on will be announced in connec on with the ordina ons.

Un l next me . . .

Fr Andrew

T P D …(fortheweekahead)3rd Week of Advent Monday—17 December 7pm Simbang Gabi @ The Junc on

Tuesday—18 December 7:30am Mass @ The Junc on 8:20am Mass @ The Cathedral 7pm Simbang Gabi @ The Junc on

Wednesday—19 December 7:30am Mass @ The Junc on 8:20am Mass @ The Cathedral 9.15am Mass @ Tighes Hill 7pm Simbang Gabi @ The Junc on

Thursday—20 December 7:30am Mass @ The Junc on 8:20am Mass @ The Cathedral 9:15am Mass @ Broadmeadow 5:30pm Mass @ Seafarers’ Centre 7pm Simbang Gabi @ The Junc on 7pm 2nd Rite of Reconcilia on @ The Cathedral

Friday—21 December 8:20am Mass @ The Cathedral Diocesan End of Year Staff Mass 10:15am Mass @ The Junc on 11am Exposi on @ The Cathedral (un l 12pm) 11am Reconcilia on @ The Cathedral (un l

12pm) NOON Mass @ The Cathedral 7pm Simbang Gabi @ The Junc on

Saturday—22 December 9.20am Mass @ The Cathedral 10am Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help @

The Cathedral (followed by Reconcilia on un l 11am)

5:30pm Mass @ The Cathedral 5:30pm Mass @ Broadmeadow 7pm Simbang Gabi @ The Junc on

Sunday—23 December 4th Sunday of Advent Year C 7:30am Mass @ St Mary’s 8am Mass @ Tighes Hill 9am Mass @ The Junc on 9.30am Mass@ The Cathedral 10:30am Italian Mass @ Broadmeadow 11:30am Polish Mass @ The Cathedral 5pm Mass @ The Cathedral 7pm Simbang Gabi @ The Junc on

ProclaimingChristintheinnersuburbsoftheCityofNewcastle

I Y C ,P R P :

R D : Kylie Wa

A : Jo (Josephine) Riley, James (Jim) Bridges, George & Mary Bridges, George & Maxie Bridges, James Carey, Eileen Olsen, Clare Tobin rsj, Anne Callinan rsj, Mary Lou Alexander , Kelvin O’Neill

S : Moira Thomas

Names may be placed here by contac ng the Parish Office. Please refer to the Policy Document on the Parish website—visit

www.newcastlecatholic.org.au/downloads.

C C S B ’ P

Monday 24th December CHRISTMAS EVE MASS 5:30pm Mass @ The Cathedral 5:30pm Mass @ Broadmeadow 7:30pm Mass @ The Cathedral 10pm Polish Mass @ The Cathedral

Tuesday 25th December CHRISTMAS DAY MASS 12mn Mass @ The Cathedral 7:30am Mass @ St Mary’s 8am Mass @ Tighes Hill 9am Mass @ The Junc on 9:30am Mass @ The Cathedral 10:30am Italian Mass @ Broadmeadow 11:30am Polish Mass @ The Cathedral

Please be aware the Parish Office will be closed over Christmas and New Year from Friday 21st December

ll Wednesday 2nd January.

Phone calls and emails during this me will be answered ASAP upon our return in 2019.

No ces and Prayer Requests for the Sunday Parish Bulle n for Sunday 23rd December and Sunday 30th December need to be to the Parish office no later than close of business on WEDNESDAY 19th December.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

P N

Advent and Christmas Reflec on Group. The parish will be holding a Advent group to reflect on the Saviour– The Daily Advent and Christmas Reflec ons. The group will be held each Tuesday of December star ng the 4th December 2018 at 11am in the Sacred Heart Cathedral Chapel. Pray and sing the liturgy of the hours, then stay for a cuppa and a chat. All welcome. Please contact the parish office for more informa on

Simbang Gabi In prepara on for the Solemnity of the Lord's birth, novena Masses will be celebrated at the St. Joseph's Merewether in the evenings of 15 December to 23 December 2018. The Christmas novena Masses, also known as Simbang Gabi to Filipinos, is a long tradi on brought by the Spanish Friars in the Philippines in 1669. The novena Masses are in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Expectant Mother of God, and serve as a prepara on for the commemora on of the Birth of Our Lord and Saviour. All are welcome and the Eucharis c celebra on promptly starts at 7pm.

2nd Rite of Reconcilia on. 2nd rite of Reconcilia on will be offered to Parishioners on Thursday 20 December 2018 at 7pm at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

S V D P S :

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal will con nue THIS SUNDAY 16 December. Envelopes will be available in the church pews. Dona on envelopes can be placed on the plate or mailed. Thanks, in an cipa on, for your generosity.

Vinnies Christmas cards & Columban calendars are on sale now.

This Week’s Liturgy

FIRST READING: Zep 3:14‐18

RESPONSORIAL PSALM : Is 12:2‐6 R. v.6

(R) Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

SECOND READING: Phil 4:4‐7  

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION : Is 61:1 (Lk 4:18)

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

GOSPEL : Lk 3:10‐18

John announces the coming of the Messiah.

E 2019S P .

A child’s catholic faith journey began with the Sacrament of Bap sm and con nues by the recep on of the Sacraments of Ini a on, Confirma on and First Eucharist.

The prepara ons for these sacraments in the Inner Newcastle Parish run between February and June of every year and is designed for children going into Year, 4, 5 or 6 in 2019. Prepara ons are done as a family with online ac vi es and volunteer work within the community.

Enrolments are now open for the 2019 program. If you are interested in being apart of the program next year please visit the parish website and complete the online enrolment form. h ps://www.newcastlecatholic.org.au/sacramental‐

enrolment‐form/

For more informa on please contact Rebecca Millard at the office on 49791101 or rebecca.millard@mn.catholic.org.au

P G C C R M In response to numerous ques ons that touch on the way the Communion Rite is celebrated at Mass, the Diocesan Liturgy Council has dra ed guidance to assist all communi es to celebrate the Communion Rite in a fi ng and appropriate way. These guidelines en tled ‘Pastoral Guidance for the Celebra on of the Communion Rite at Mass’ are available to download on the diocesan website. You can find it by going to

www.mn.catholic.org.au Drop down menu CATHOLIC LIFE / LITURGY On the right hand side click on DIOCESAN LITURGICAL GUIDELINES.

If you would like a copy of the guidelines and you don’t have internet access please ring the parish office and we can print you a copy for you to collect.

P S M

Liturgical Celebra ons

Monday, 17th December 8:30am Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion @ Stockton

Tuesday, 18th December 8am Mass @ Mayfield West 8:45am Rosary @ Stockton 11am Anoin ng Mass @ Westco Aged Care 6:30pm Rite of Reconcilia on @ Stockton

Wednesday 19th December 6:30pm Rite of Reconcilia on @ Mayfield West.

Thursday, 20th December 8am Mass @ Stockton 9:30am Mass @ Mayfield West 10am Marian Prayer Group ( all welcome) @ Mayfield West

Friday, 21st December 8:30am Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion @ Stockton 9.15 Mass @ Mayfield West

Saturday, 22nd December 5:30pm Rosary @ Mayfield West 6pm Mass @ Mayfield West

Sunday, 23rd December 9am Mass @ Stockton 3pm Divine Mercy Group @ Mayfield West (all welcome)

Those for whom we pray:

Recently Deceased: Patricia Sansom,

Our Sick: Geraldine Bound , Bruce Clements

Anniversaries: Gladys Broad

that they will be strengthened by the father’s love and prayers of the community.

Clergy of Mayfield West and Stockton Parish Fr Ma hew Muller Parish Priest Fr Joseph Figurado Assist. Priest Deacon Lawrence Caelli Pastoral Worker (Mayfield) Deacon John Mahony Pastoral Worker (Stockton)

Parish of St Peter’s Stockton (1919) 13 Dunbar Street Stockton, NSW 2295 Ph: (02) 4920 1703 Email: stockton.parish@mn.catholic.org.au

Parish of St Columban’s Mayfield (1924) Christ the King Mayfield West 388 Maitland Rd Mayfield West, NSW 2304 Ph: (02) 4979 1101

S S V P C A Beneath our Christmas Tree are cards with the Age and Sex of Children needing Christmas Gi s. Also any gi s for adults, such as Soaps, Toiletries etc. would be much appreciated. We will also commence our collec on of goods for our Christmas Hampers for the less fortunate in our area. The final collec on will run this Sunday 16 December. We know you will give generously and thank you sincerely. Wishing you and your families a Christmas full of Peace, Joy and Happiness.

R R Rite of Reconcilia on will be offered the week before Christmas. Tuesday 18 December at 6:30pm at Stockton Wednesday 19 December at 6:30pm at Mayfield West

C O C Cleaning of the church for Christmas will be Friday 21 December following communion, all volunteers are welcome. P O C Please be aware will be closure over Christmas and New Year from Friday 21st December ll Wednesday 2nd January. Phone calls and emails during this me will be answered ASAP upon our return in 2019.

No ces and Prayer Requests for the Sunday Parish Bulle n for Sunday 23rd December and Sunday 30th December need to be to the Parish office no later than close of business on WEDNESDAY 19th December.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Christmas Celebra ons

Monday 24th December 2018 6pm Christmas Vigil Mass @ Mayfield West 6:30pm Christmas Vigil Mass @ Stockton

Tuesday 25th December 2018 8:45am Rosary @ Stockton 9am Christmas Day Mass @ Stockton

O O P

Walk the Camino Portugués. Catholic Mission 17‐day

Pilgrimage: Lisbon, Fa ma, Porto, San ago de

Compostela. Two pilgrimages: May 2019 and June

2019. Small group led by Sr Veronica, O.P., (0451 387

906). See h ps://www.catholicmission.org.au/get‐

involved/immersions/camino‐portugues

Immaculate Concep on of Mary Charisma c Prayer group in Carrington invites you to their Thanksgiving Mass on Monday 17 December at 7:30pm at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Gipps St Carrington. Praise and Worship will start at 7pm and refreshments will be served a er Mass.

C S P

St Joseph’s Primary School Mr Peter Treloar (Principal) Union Street, The Junc on NSW 2291 PO Box 183, The Junc on NSW 2291 P: (02) 4961 2827 F: (02) 4940 8499 E: admin@merewether.catholic.edu.au W: www.merewether.catholic.edu.au

Holy Family Primary School Mrs Sidonie Coffee (Principal) Pell Street, Merewether NSW 2291 PO Box 153, Merewether NSW 2291 P: (02) 4963 3009 F: (02) 4963 4065 E: admin@merewetherbeach.catholic.edu.au W: www.merewetherbeach.catholic.edu.au

St Columban’s Primary School Mrs Jenny Crichton (Principal) Church Street, Mayfield NSW 2304 PO Box 230, Mayfield NSW 2304 P: (02) 4968 3315 F: (02) 4967 7653 E: admin@mayfieldsc.catholic.edu.au W: www.mayfieldsc.catholic.edu.au

St Peter’s Primary School Mr Michael Punch (Principal) Dunbar Street, Stockton NSW 2295 PO Box 78, Stockton NSW 2295 P: (02) 4928 1861 F: (02) 4920 1736 E: admin@stockton.catholic.edu.au W: www.stockton.catholic.edu.au

St Dominic’s Centre Mrs Veronica McLoughlin (Principal) 76 Havelock Street, Mayfield NSW 2304 P: (02) 4968 1295 F: (02) 4968 0456 E: admin@mayfieldsd.catholic.edu.au W: www.mayfieldsd.catholic.edu.au

San Clemente High School Mr Sco Donohoe (Principal) Havelock Street, Mayfield NSW 2304 PO Box 405, Mayfield NSW 2304 P: (02) 4014 7300 F: (02) 4960 2782 E: admin@mayfieldsanc.catholic.edu.au W: www.mayfieldsanc.catholic.edu.au

St Francis Xavier’s College Br Robert Su on (Principal) 286 Parkway Avenue, Hamilton NSW 2303 PO Box 300, Hamilton NSW 2303 P: (02) 4961 2863 F: (02) 4961 2384 E: admin@hamilton.catholic.edu.au W: www.hamilton.catholic.edu.au

P C 2020Pope Francis has approved the Australian Bishops’ decision to hold a Plenary Council in Australia in 2020 and 2021. This is a significant moment for the

Church in Australia to make decisions about the future. To prepare the agenda for the Plenary Council, all of God’s people are invited to reflect on the ques on: “What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this me?”.

Find out more about the Plenary Council 2020 by visi ng the Council’s website, which can be found at www.plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au.

WEEKEND ROSTERS

TIGHES HILL WELCOMERS MINISTERS OF THE WORD PROCESSION WITH GIFTS MINISTERS OF COMMUNION

16 December 8am

Annmaree Turner & Barry Reed

Brian O’Donnell Lawrie Hallinan

Gus Parmeter & Family Annmeree Turner, Anton Podgorelec, Dorothea Norman

23 December 8am

Lawrie Hallinan & Sr Moya Lantry

George Wozniak Jodie Edwards

Jan Grace & Sue Horton Maureen Hall, Sr Moya Lantry, John Hayes (H)

THE JUNCTION

WELCOMERS MINISTERS OF THE WORD

PROCESSION WITH GIFTS

MINISTERS OF COMMUNION

16 December 9am

Anna Holz Des Holz

P Lane Michael Blake

Howle Family Elizabeth Hickling, Cathy Olds, Diane Murphy

COUNTERS

C & R Perrin T & J Collins

23 December 9am

Martyn Docherty Deb Docherty

Mary O’Connor D/B Mitchell

Cath Purkiss Belinda Straiton, Chris ne Dowling, Michael Alexander

D Lederwasch A Frost, P Kish

BROADMEADOW MINISTERS OF THE WORD MINISTERS OF COMMUNION

COUNTING TEAM WELCOMING TEAM

15 December 5.30pm

Michael Tully Monica Murphy

Pat Fitzpatrick Judy & Denis Johns Eileen Howard & Robin Cathcart

22 December 5.30pm

Terry Casey Sr Judith Murphy rsm

Sr Judith Murphy rsm G. Haggerty, R. Cathcart, T. Casey, T. Skehan

Eileen Howard & Robin Cathcart

READERS GIFT BEARERS MINISTERS OF COMMUNION

Stockton 16 December 9am

Barbara w Jan D

Helen D Moira

Mel, Helen O’B, Pat

Mayfield West 16 December 6pm

K Williamson M Kalubanga

K Harvey Deacon John Mahony M Williamson, A Jenkins

WELCOMERS

Dianne & Doreen

Mel

Mayfield West 23 December 6pm

Dianne & Doreen

R Ahkin P Boland

L Tolhurst Deacon John Mahony L Caelli, K Williams

Stockton 23 December 9am

Jan D Helen D Stan

Belinda Harry

Mark, Anne, Angela

The Cathedral ADULT SERVER MINISTERS OF THE WORD MINISTERS OF COMMUNION COUNTERS

15 December 5.30pm

Peter Owens John Wakely Sue Paton

Pedrita Spence, Douglas Burke Ching Burke, Kath Williams

Announciata & Marian

16 December 9.30am

Christopher Lovell M Jones

Trish O’Dowd, Be y Sto Mick McBride, John Askew

16 December 5pm

Allen Brierley Sue O’Sullivan James O’Sullivan

Vera Walker, Ian Macleod Elizabeth Keeling

22 December 5.30pm

Louise Outram Michael Fuller Dominic Wakely

Bart Connors, Helen Bridges, S Jarmain, M Simmons

Denise & Helen

23 December 9.30am

Peter Owens Mary Allado Joan Woodcock

Christopher Lovell, Be y Sto , Frances Barber, Trish O’Dowd

23 December 5pm

Nil Les Walters Teresa Brierley

Vera Walker, Ian Macleod, Elizabeth Keeling

NEWCASTLE READERS PROCESSION WITH GIFTS MINISTERS OF COMMUNION

16 December 7.30am K. Frasca, Roger Peters Volunteers C Prider, P Clark

23 December 7.30am P. Clark, C. Prider Volunteers C. Allan, K. Rees