Catholic Parishes Of North Mackay, Farleigh and Walkerston

St John’s Parish Anne Street, Walkerston P O Box 323 Walkerston QLD 4751 Phone: 49592241 Fax: 49668022 Email: saintjohnswalkerston@mcs.net.au

Parish Secretary: ················· Josie Battaia Office Hours: Tuesday & Friday: ················ 9am - 3pm

St Brigid’s Parish 961 Bruce Highway, Farleigh, QLD 4741 Bruce Highway Farleigh, CMB Farleigh, QLD 4741 Phone: 49598213 Email: stbrigid.farleigh@bigpond.com

Parish Secretary: ···········Veronica Tolcher Office Assistant: ················· Maria Axiak Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: ························· 9am - 12:00pm

St Joseph’s Parish 21 Grendon Street North Mackay P O Box 3388 North Mackay, QLD 4740

Phone: 49574855 Fax: 49574208 Email: stjomky@bigpond.com Parish Manager: ···················· Ken Kelly Parish Secretary: ················ Chris Haines Secretary Assistant: ··········· Sr Lila Galvin Finance Secretary: ·········· Kerry Dempsey Office Hours: Monday to Friday: 9am - 12:00pm

MASS TIMES St Joseph’s Church North Mackay

Monday: 6:30am Celebration Word/Holy Communion Tuesday: ............................................... 6.30am Mass Wednesday: .......................................... 5:30pm Mass Thursday: .............................................. 6:30am Mass Friday: ................................................... 6:30am Mass Saturday: .............................................. 6:00pm Mass Sunday: ................................................ 9:00am Mass

Reconciliation: PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE St Joseph’s: ................ Saturday 10:00am—10:30am

Christmas Mass Times inside bulletin

St Brendan’s Church Bucasia

Sunday: ............................................... 7:30am Mass

St Brigid’s Church Farleigh Wednesday: ........... St Brigid’s Farleigh 6:30pm Mass Friday: ................... St Brigid’s Farleigh 9:30am Mass Saturday: ............... St Brigid’s Farleigh 6:00pm Mass

Sunday: ................... Star of the Sea Seaforth 7:00am Celebration Word/Holy Communion Sunday: .................... St Helen’s Calen 7:00am Mass Sunday: .............. St Peter’ Midge Point 9:15am Mass

Reconciliation: St Brigid’s ........................ Saturday 5:00pm—5:40pm Seaforth ......................... ½ hour before Sunday Mass Midge Point ................... ½ hour before Sunday Mass Calen ............................ ½ hour before Sunday Mass

St John’s Church Walkerston Monday: ....................................................... No Mass Tuesday: ............................... St John’s 8:00am Mass Wednesday: .......................... St John’s 8:00am Mass Thursday: ..................................................... No Mass Friday: ................................... St John’s 9:00am Mass Saturday: .............................. St John’s 6:00pm Mass Sunday: ....................................... Eton 7:30am Mass Reconciliation: St John’s: ............................ Saturday 5:15—5:45pm

Mater Hospital Chapel Wednesday: Celebration of Word/Communion 9:30am

Parish Priest and Administrator Associate Pastor Associate Pastor Retired Priest Fr Stephen Hanly Fr John Tete Fr Johnson Mathew Fr William Busuttin

S e r v i n g T h e C h u r c h C o m m u n i t i e s O f

St Joseph’s Church, North Mackay St Brigid’s Church, Farleigh St John’s Church, Walkerston St Brendan’s Church, Bucasia St Helen’s Church, Calen Holy Cross Church, Eton

St Peter’s Church, Midge Point St Paul's Church, Glenden Star of the Sea Church, Seaforth

EMERGENCY CONTACT: for anointing the sick 0400 874 807

Third Sunday of Advent

Year B

Sunday, 17 December 2017

P A R I S H O F F I C E S A N D S T A F F

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.” These words coloured my first year at the Seminary. They are also words that each of us take to heart, especially during Advent. The Spirit was integral to Jesus’ ministry to the afflicted, the broken-hearted, the captive, those in prison, those who mourn, all who were in any kind of need. But this is not just what Jesus did 2000 years ago. It is also what Jesus does now through us. By virtue of what we celebrate at Christmas, namely the Incarnation, that same Spirit comes upon each of us, immersing us in prayer and empowering us for mission. Yes, the Spirit of the Lord is upon us! So what’s our response? Today’s passage from First Thessalonians provides some guidance: Let’s use the gifts we have received and encourage others to use theirs. Let’s snuff out every form of evil wherever it may be, taking a good look at our own lives before anyone else's. Let’s be joyful, thankful and never stop praying! If we can respond to the Spirit upon us like this, we are sure to have a place prepared for the birth of our saviour and king! So let's prepare that place, and eagerly await his coming.

[Ashwin Acharya, Third Year Seminarian, Diocese of Rockhampton]

Please connect to: www.facebook.com/ashwineacharya

and www.facebook.com/hssqld

N O T I C E S F O R S T J O S E P H ’ S P A R I S H N O R T H M A C K A Y A N D N O R T H E R N B E A C H E S

The Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton abides strictly with the principles and procedures of Towards Healing. The Diocese is committed to healing for victims by providing a sensitive and compassionate response to complaints. Contact the Response Coordinator Ph 1800 830113. email: profstdsrock@dfs.org.au

PLEASE REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR RECENTLY DECEASED: Bishop Emeritus John Gerry, Esma Taylor, Marie Pyke, Alan Townsend, Reg Baker, Madeline Daunt. ANNIVERSARY: Shirely Healy, Albert Deguara.

REMEMBRANCE MASS: Donato De Thomasis, Grech, Vella, Spiteri, Dimech, McLean Families, Jack Pace, Wayne Leslie Nolan, Paul Vella, Maria & Vincent Vella, Lily & Doan Riseley, Giovonne Piccolo, Lily Vella, Craig McNeish, Jack McGreggor Dickson, Charles DeBrincat, Joseph DeBrincat, Barbar Sands, Hermann & Ritchie Family, Lawrence & Nicolina Zammit, Vincent & Maria Tanti, Percy Attard, Joe & Tosu, Grace Attard, Sam & Doris Sciberras, Salvatore, Teresa & Mary Zammit, Josephine Thurgood.

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK: Marie Pyke, Maria Spiteri, Elizabeth McGrath, Rita Hows, Tass Kelliher, Andrew Murray, Joe Clancy, Pat Curtin, Marcella & Paul Doolan, Margaret Agius (Malta) Wally Lenicka, Mary Stark, Warren Williams, Julie Rowan, Olive Descerne, Barry Waddington, Gail Fallis, Jim Hanks, all the sick of the Parish.

PARISH DATE CLAIMERS

FIRST SATURDAY DEVOTIONS Saturday 6th January 2018, 7:00am Mass followed by Holy

Hour before the Blessed Sacrament.

SACRED HEART SODALITY

Tuesday 2nd January 2018, 6:30am Mass at St Joseph’s Church.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS (RCIA)

The Parish of North Mackay and Northern Beaches will be offering an RCIA program from the start of 2018. Adults interested in becoming a Catholic, or being baptised in the Catholic faith, should indicate their interest by phoning the parish office on 4957 4855 or by email to stjomky@bigpond.com

GENERAL

RETREAT ~ DATE CLAIMER

On Ash Wednesday, we are marked with the cross of ash to begin our annual Lenten journey. With all Christians who know their need for mercy, we repent and turn again to the Gospel.

We invite you to a time of restful Retreat on Sunday 11th February 2018

at St Joseph’s Church, North Mackay (2pm-7pm). Come prepare your heart to enter into these special weeks of spiritual regeneration that we call ‘Lent’. We offer you a gentle prayerful process (led by Erica Marshall) with Scripture, silence, sharing and song. The Retreat will finish with Taizé Prayer and a light meal will be served.

Cost: $10.00 To Register contact St Joseph’s Parish Office 4957 4855.

STELLA MARIS SEAFARERS CENTRE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SHOEBOX APPEAL

The Stella Maris Seafarers Centre and the Mackay/Sarina Branch of the Christian Businessmen’s Association are once again conducting, what has now become, our Annual Shoe Box Appeal to bring a little joy to Seafarers visiting the ports of Hay Point and Mackay this Christmas. We thank you most sincerely for the wonderful gifts in past years and ask if you would be so kind as to support us again this year.

COLUMBAN CALENDAR

Available from front of our Churches for $9.00 (Paper Counter at St Joseph’s Church)

When you purchase the calendar, you are participating in God’s Mission

and assisting Columbans in meeting the needs of the poor.

Collection 10/12/17

Number of givers:98

Payway: .......................$545.00

Envelopes: ................. $1305.50

Loose: ..........................$797.75

Total: ........................ $2648.25

Christmas Collection ....$50.00

ADVENT &CHRISTMAS DAILY REFLECTIONS 2017: Little books with Reflections for Advent $4.00 available from the Parish Office.

CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES

Christmas Eve Sunday 24th December

St Joseph’s Church, North Mackay: 6:00pm St Brigid’s Church, Farleigh: 6:00pm St John’s Church, Walkerston: 6:00pm St Joseph’s Church, North Mackay: 9:00pm

Christmas Day Monday 25th December

Star Of The Sea Church, Seaforth: 7:00am St Brendan’s Church, Bucasia: 7:30am Holy Cross Church, Eton: 7:30am St Joseph’s Church, North Mackay: 9:00am St Helen’s Church, Calen: 7:00am St Peter’s Church, Midge Point: 9:15am

CHANGE OF TIME FOR RECONCILIATION

Please note there is a change of time for Reconciliation at St Joseph’s Church which will be on Saturday morning from

10:00am to 10:30am for the following dates only: Saturday 9th, 16th, 23rd December 2017.

Wide range of Christmas Cards & Items now available from the Piety Stall. Open before & after Saturday 6pm and Sunday 9am Masses.

THANK YOU FROM ST. VINNIES

St. Vinnies would like to thank the parents, teachers and students of our five schools for their generous donations of groceries and cash etc towards our Christmas Hampers for the disadvantage in our parish. For those not involved with the schools, and would like to donate towards the hampers—groceries or cash—can be left at the paper counter or parish centre.

This year the hampers will be delivered on SUNDAY 17th DECEMBER 2017

Assistance to deliver these hampers would be appreciated, if you can help please come along on

Sunday 17th December to the Parish Centre by 8:30am. There MUST be TWO people doing the deliveries.

ST JOSEPH’S PARISH CHRISTMAS RAFFLE

Tickets $1.00 each and Children’s Tickets .50c each,

available before and after weekend Masses at St Joseph’s Church

~3 prizes to be won~

URGENT

TO GET THE GROUNDS READY FOR CHRISTMAS

CAN YOU HELP!!!!!!! Additional volunteers are required for mowing the grounds and care of the gardens at St. Joseph’s Church grounds. Recent rains have seen the lawns need regular mowing, and the gardens require weeding. No equipment required, just a couple of hours of your time on Saturday mornings, or when ever available. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. If you are able to help, please contact Ken at the Parish Office. Ph. 4957 4855.

N O T I C E S F O R S T B R I G I D ’ S P A R I S H F A R L E I G H , S E A F O T H , C A L E N , M I D G E P T

MISSION STATEMENT We, the Catholic community of North Mackay and Farleigh called by Baptism, strengthened by the Sacraments and nourished by the Word, are committed to witness Christ’s mission in the world.

We seek to be an active community that reaches out to the diverse peoples of this region.

NOTICES

CentacareCQ MACKAY NOTICE

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) supports people with a permanent and significant disability which affects their ability to take part in everyday activities. CentacareCQ is an approved provider under the Scheme and can guide you through the process to receive the right supports for your lifestyle. We work with other local providers to source the supports you need to achieve your desired lifestyle. Our services put you in control and give you the choice to live the life you want.

Home Care Packages - CentacareCQ Home Care Services are delivered within a Consumer Directed Care Framework. We work in partnership with you to ensure greater choice in services, and in how they are delivered to you. (Contact CentacareCQ 1300 523 985 for more details)

Yard Maintenance Service - CentacareCQ Mackay is very pleased to announce our Yard Maintenance Service. This service will be available to all eligible NDIS participants and Home Care packaged clients as well as providing fee for service to local residents in Mackay and surrounding areas.

Lawn mowed, edged, trimmed and rubbish removed

Trees pruned, trimmed and removed

Weeds removed and sprayed

Gutter cleaning

Solar panel cleaning

External windows cleaned

If you wish to use the service, or would like more information, please call 1300 523 985

Women in Leadership: a gift for the world We are offering a two and a half day workshop for women

at the Benedictine Abbey, Jamberoo. April 13-15, 2018

Who is this workshop for? For women of any age and any experience. For women in formal leadership positions, and for those who exercise leadership without a formal title in business, schools, homes, offices, parishes, anywhere.

DATE: April 13-15, 2018 VENUE: Benedictine Abbey 695 Mountain Road, Jamberoo TIME: Arrive afternoon of Thursday 12 April, leaving after lunch on the Sunday COST: Cost of program is $200. Accommodation fees depend upon type of room selected. BOOKINGS: 0242360533 or cottageretreats@jamberooabbey.org.au

PROCLAIM 2018 12-14 July 2018

Edmund Rice Performing Arts Centre St Laurence’s College, South Brisbane

For the first time, the Brisbane Archdiocese will host the national Proclaim Conference. PROCLAIM 2018 will focus on inspiring, equipping and encouraging parishes and Catholic communities to engage in Evangelisation and Renewal. Early Bird registration are opened. For more information visit www.proclaimconference.com.au.

Recently Deceased: Deceased: John Borg, Allan, Steven, Robert Danastas Anniv: Sick: Marcia Dunn, Diane Vella, Erin Le Masorier, Eric Jackson, Karen Banning, Mary Armstrong, and all the sick in the Parish.

Thoughts on the Gospel ‘”Untie his sandals.” John the Baptist makes both an act of humility and of hope for a coming superior. Sandals were the most common and least valuable possessions. They were thongs made of animal skin or plant fiber. They consisted in a flat sole tied to foot with straps. It was the duty of a slave to tie these straps for a superior. John pictures the "one who is to come'' as so great that the Baptist is unfit to be even his slave.’ A commentary by Fr Richard Lonsdale

WAYS TO CELEBRATE ADVENT AT HOME Be reconciled

Prepare to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation this Advent. Come before God with an honest and open heart, conscious of your brokenness and failures, but confident in God's unconditional love and mercy. Is there someone to whom you need to say sorry? The Story Source

COLLECTIONS NOVEMBER:

Envelopes $5505.00 Loose $1331.05 Dir Debit $1495.00 TOTAL $8331.05

Responsorial Psalm:

(R.) My soul rejoices in my God.

Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, Alleluia!

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

Today’s Readings: First Reading Isaiah 61:1-2,10-11 The prophet speaks in the person of Christ, the anointed one of the Spirit. Later Jesus applies this verse to himself.

Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Paul prays that the whole of our being, spirit, soul and body, may be healed and saved.

Gospel Matthew John 1:6-8. 19-28 John the Baptist testifies to the divinity of Christ, describing himself as the one who makes way for “the Lord”.

Summary 1. Intermediaries can have a positive and negative role. 2. John acts as an intermediary for Jesus. 3. Jesus himself is the ultimate intermediary; we participate in his

mediating role by means of the sacraments. [The Living Word]

Reflection by Artist There is some confusion about the identity of John and his relationship to Jesus in this week's gospel reading. The message is plain - John is not the light, rather he is ‘a witness to speak for the light’. Light is the dominating image of the Advent/Christmas cycle. The liturgical cycle and the natural cycle are harmonious in the northern hemisphere so that the advent of the light is a powerful image of hope. In Brisbane where I live, we have to reshape the light imagery to suit our seasons: Christmas is in the middle of summer and the warmth and light of the sun are present realities, not future prospects. This is by no means an insurmountable problem: the Advent/Christmas cycle is redolent of past, present and future time imagery. Further, because of its nature as a multivalent symbol, the 'light' image can be read from many different perspectives and still be fruitful. By December the sunflowers I have planted in my garden will, I hope, be two metres tall and flowering in time for the Christmas liturgies. If all goes well they will give powerful witness to the efficacy of light. Advent is a time of watching and waiting (on things natural and spiritual) in hopeful expectation.

Jenny Close

NEW PARISHIONER CONTACT FORM

Family Name:

Other Names:

Address:

Home Phone:

Mobile:

Email:

To commence Parish Planned Giving

Please place this completed form on the collection plate, or contact the Parish Office on St Joseph’s 49574855, St Brigid’s 49598213 for further information.

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY Fourth Sunday of Advent Year B

Samuel 7:1-5,8-12,14,16 Ps 88:2-5,27,29. R.cf.v.2

Romans 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-38

Gospel Reflection

This week’s gospel should sound very familiar. It is the gospel of John version of the passage used in last week’s liturgy, which came from the gospel of Mark. Again it recalls the ministry of John the Baptist but it is given the particular slant of the gospel of John. Aside from the greater focus on the conversational interaction, it presents John as a ‘witness’. This is perhaps more typical of the John gospel emphasis on personal encounter with Jesus. Rather than acting as something of a herald, as in last week’s account, here John the Baptist is witnessing ‘to speak for the light’. He makes a very clear distinction between himself and the Christ, his mission is simply to point towards the light; the Christ. Our common understanding of the word ‘witness’ tends to be related to legal situations: providing a witness statement or acting as a witness to a fact in court. The use of witness in this gospel carries a different connotation: to provide witness through action and lifestyle that draws others to wonder about and perhaps come to accept the motivating belief. It is this understanding of witness that all Christians are called to provide. We are called to witness to our beliefs in the way that we live our lives, engage with others and hold to certain truths. Of course, there are some Christians who believe that their witness needs to be more obvious and more clearly stated. They feel that providing witness, or testimony, to their faith through spoken proclamation has a greater potential to change lives. Whether we choose to witness through our words or through our actions it is essential that both words and actions have integrity; that there is no clash between what we proclaim and the way we live. Greg Sunter

Have you thought? A time to Rejoice! This Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent is traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word for Rejoice! Advent was originally celebrated as a five week season and with the same fasting and penitential nature as the season of Lent. The third Sunday, Gaudete, was like a break for rejoicing in the midst of the fasting. When Advent was reduced to four weeks and the nature of the season altered, Gaudete Sunday was retained. The colour of this Sunday is rose – a celebratory colour – and it is reflected in the vestments worn by the priest and in the colour of the third candle used in Advent wreaths. Greg Sunter

Living the Gospel – A Witness? Me? It came as something of a surprise to me to think that other people might observe the way I treated others and draw conclusions about my motivation. It was when I started to work with young people that the truth of this was revealed. I realised that my actions could speak so much louder than anything I might say. I hoped that the young people I was working with might stop some time and think to themselves, ‘I wonder why he treats us all that way? I wonder how it fits with that religion stuff he talks about?’ Well, I can hope can’t I? Greg Sunter

Gospel Focus – Same but different Having the same gospel passage from two different gospels used in the liturgy in consecutive weeks is an ideal opportunity to highlight the different focus adopted by the different gospels. The language of John’s gospel is remarkably different from that of the three synoptic gospels (synoptic = ‘seen together’). The synoptics share a fairly common narrative style, while John relies much more on metaphor and imagery – it is a more poetic language. In the gospel account of John the Baptist we see in John gospel’s greater emphasis on the conversation around what was occurring, while the Markan version emphasises recording the event. Greg Sunter