4th Sunday of Advent - Year B

23rd and 24th December 2017 Parish Priest:

Fr Thanh Tran

Thanh.Tran@cam.org.au

Parish Secretary Dominique Hockey Amelia Younane

Parish Office Hours Tuesday - Friday 9am—3pm

Baptisms Please contact the Parish Office.

Weddings By appointment and after Preparation

Children’s Ministries Kathy Menzies stschpar@bigpond.net.au

St Schols Community Centre 03 9808 1006

info@stscholscc.org.au www.stscholscc.org.au

St Scholastica’s Primary

School Principal: Jenny Rohan 9808 7279 principal@ssbennettswood.catholic.edu.au

Outside School Hours Care

Camp Australia 1300 105 343

St Scholastica’s Kindergarten 9808 9724

Director: Catherine Findlay st.scholasticas.kin@kindergarten.vic.gov.au

Administrator:

Katherine Presley stscholskinderadmin@bigpond.com

348 Burwood Highway,

Bennettswood VIC 3125

ABN 95 499 516 268

Phone: 9808 1006

Fax: 9888 7573

Email: stschpar@bigpond.net.au

Website: www.stscholasticaparish.com.au

Dear Parishioners, Staff and Visitors,

Christmas is at the corner. This coming Monday we join with people of good will in every part of the world to celebrate the Nativity of Jesus Christ.

For us Christians, the birth of Jesus was not just any birth - it was the birth of the Son of God who took human flesh and dwelt among us. Thus, Christmas is one of the most important feasts, for it is the feast of our salvation. At Christmas we recall that out of his infinite love for humanity God has sent his only Begotten Son into the world to share with us the lowliness of our human nature, to die for us and inviting us to accept the fullness of life that he offers.

Indeed, by willingly accepting our human nature and by his death and resurrection Christ has sanctified the world, showering it with his graces and blessings and reconciling the world to himself. Christ continues to be close to us and present with us till the end of time, not only through the sacraments, but also through numerous people and events of our lives. He desires to fill our hearts with love, peace and joy, and to lead us to heaven only if we are to open our hearts to him. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.

2017 has been a challenging and yet blessed year for St Scholastica’s parish. The parish remains an active and vibrant community amid changes. This year we were saddened by Carol’s resignation as parish secretary. But we are blessed to welcome Amelia to St Scholastica’s community. In the course of the year we have lost many prominent parishioners through deaths and relocation. Each in his or her own way had enriched the life of St Scholastica’s parish. Some made very generous donations towards the charitable works of the parish, and we are deeply grateful to them and their families. In addition, one of the significant achievements we have made in terms of finance is our long-term contract with Journey Group Holdings Pty Ltd as tenant of the East Campus. This certainly has many implications to the future of our parish, not only in terms of finance but other aspects of the parish’s life, as well. We are thankful to John Newman and his Cooper Newman Real Estate staff for having fervently assisted us in this project.

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WEEKLY CALENDAR 2017

Monday 25 December 09.00am Christmas Mass 11.00am Christmas Mass

Tuesday 26 December 08.00am Communion Service - No Mass

07.30pm Prayer Group

Wednesday 27 December 10.00am Exposition 10.30am Rosary

11.00am Mass followed by a cuppa GA 01.30pm Legion of Mary GA

07:00pm Novena

Thursday 28 December 08:00am Mass

08.00pm Burwood discussion group

Friday 29 December 08:00am Mass

Saturday 30 December 09:00am Mass - No Confession

06:00pm Mass

Sunday 31 December 09.00am Mass

11.00am Mass

05:30pm Mass

Monday 1 January - Mary Mother of God (Solemnity) 09.00am Mass

Remembering Our Community

Sick

Tony La Sala, Kit Collins, Laurie Piggott

Anniversaries

Domenico Iacuone, Kathleen Bridget Rutter, Joe Hoskins, Pasquale Gullace, Justine Mary Hunt, T.M. Jacob, Luigi Feola, David John Hobbs

Recently Deceased

Des Douglas, Mary Clohesy, Mary Kinnealy

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Christmas is a joyful time for many, but sad for some others. At this point in time my heart turns to the most vulnerable members of our parish community. I am thinking of those who are sick and homebound in the parish; those burdened by estranged relationships, loneliness, anxiety, division or grief; and those struggling to find meaning for your lives. You can rest assured that the Christ Child is very close to you, for he is Emmanuel - God-with-us, and that you are always in our thoughts and prayers.

As the year 2017 is coming to an end and the New Year 2018 is approaching I take this opportunity to thank you all, parishioners and visitors, for your dedication and support through prayers and financial contributions. I sincerely thank all volunteers and coordinators of various ministries for having generously volunteered your time and talents to the parish. Thank you also to our staff - Dominique, Amelia, Mathew, Brad, Jenny, Katherine, Kathy and Charlie for your hard work and dedication. Your commitments throughout the year not only ensured a smooth running of the parish but enabling the proclamation of the Good News to others.

Wishing you and your family peace and joy for Christmas and the blessings of good health, happiness and prosperity in the New Year 2018.

Father Thanh Tran Parish Priest

Parish Office Closure Christmas/ New Year The Parish Office will be closed from Friday 22nd December. The Parish Office will re-open on Wednesday 10th January 2017 at 9am. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful and safe 2018.

Changes to 1st Friday Mass Commence Friday 5th January

Due to a decrease in intertest in 1st Friday mass from January 2018 a slight change will be made. On the 1st Friday of the month we will now only have one mass at 11am, which will be preceded by Benediction at 10.30am. On the 1st

Friday of the month there will be no 8am Mass. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

ROSTERS

Day Mass Time

4th Sunday of the Month 23/24 December 2017

Readers Special Ministers

Saturday 6.00 pm June O’Bryan Barbara Schobben Judith Silvina Laurine Shane

Sunday 9.00 am Denis O’Gallagher Joy Guinane Roland Devaraj Anna Gaetano

11.00 am April Lewis Pat Nitz Willard Lewis Anna Nguyen

ROSTERS

Day Mass Time

5th Sunday of the Month 30/31 December 2017

Readers Special Ministers

Saturday 6.00 pm Paul Borg Barbara Schobben Mary Ann Borg Lindy Leigh

Sunday 9.00 am Jan Everett Lee Thorn Jill Bartley Rosa Coniglio

11.00 am Ren Maliakal Pat Nitz Laurine Shane

5.30 pm Arden Nelson Marcia Nelson Louise Willison

ROSTERS

Day Mass Time

1st Sunday of the Month 6/7 January 2018

Readers Special Ministers

Saturday 6.00 pm Paul Borg Mary Ann Borg Christine Wates Dzung Le

Sunday 9.00 am Neil Solomon Rosa Coniglio Margaret Scully Myrna Beven

11.00 am Laurine Shane Jo Jolly (Black) Anna Marie Ziino Stuart Bell

5.30 pm Arden Nelson Marcia Nelson Arden Nelson

St Scholastica’s Parish Community offers sincere condolences to the Kinnealy Family on the death of Mary Kinnealy. RIP

Welcome Welcome to any visitors that are with us this Christmas. Your presence is a great sign to us of the movement of the Holy Spirit in our Church and our parish community. Please know that you are always welcome at (our parish), and your presence is valued.

Raffles Coordinator - Help Needed

The Annual Combined Catholic Parishes Raffle is being held again next year and we are needing a coordinator to assist in running the raffle for our Parish. There will be full training and support provided. If you are able to assist us with this very important fundraiser for our Parish, please see Fr Tran or contact the Parish Office on stschpar@bigpond.net.au or 9808 1006.

RCIA Sponsors - Help Needed

As the RCIA catechumens have begun the rite of dismissal we are now looking for Sponsors/Godparents for some of the candidates. They will be baptised at the Easter Vigil Mass in 2018 and require a sponsor for this special event. If you are able to provide spiritual guidance to our candidates through being their sponsor please see Father Tran or contact the Parish Office.

Piety Stall Items! Come to the Piety stall in the Gathering Area after Mass for you’re a range of festive gifts which include: − The 2018 Columban Art Calendar is now available at the

Piety Stall for $9.00. − Daily Missals are now available for $18.00 − The St Vincent de Paul Society Christmas Cards

Baptism at St Scholastica’s

It is a requirement of the parish that a Baptism information night must be attended prior to having your child baptised. Contact the parish office on 9808 1006 to make a booking into one of the monthly sessions. Next session: Wednesday 7th February 2018 at 8pm in the gathering area.

Sacramental Preparation Program - Volunteers Need

The Sacramental Preparation Program (a Program designed to prepare the children from the parish not attending Catholic Schools to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, 1st Eucharist or Confirmation ) is in dire need of volunteers. We have 5 members and requires 2 more. This will help in ensuring each member only commit to no more than 10 hours of volunteering per year. Each member will be provided with a well structured lesson plan and activities for each Sacrament. Should you require more information or be willing to assist with this program, kindly contact the Parish Office. “Volunteers DO NOT necessarily have the time, they have the heart” by E. Andrew

St Scholastica’s Sacramental Preparation Program For 2018 Are you attending a public school? Do you want to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation/1st Eucharist or Confirmation in 2018? St Scholastica’s Parish is offering a sacramental program to prepare children who attend public schools to receive the following sacraments. Each program runs for 10 weeks. Registration Forms & Class Schedule are now available from the Parish Office or alternatively contact Sheena Devadass via email sheena.devadass@gmail.com

Registration forms must be return to the Parish Office by WEDNESDAY, 28 February 2018.

Classes will be held on SUNDAYS from 10.00-11.00am (Reconciliation and 1st Eucharist) and 10.00-11.15am (Confirmation)

Vinnies - Volunteers Required

Do you have an hour or two available, are you interested in helping people in the local area? Consider joining the local St Vincent de Paul Society. Roles you may be interested include running the Piety Stall after 11.00am Mass, minute taking and / or making visits to people with another member. If this sounds like you, you are welcome to contact Cathie on 0402 202 975 or come to a meeting on Monday night at 7.30pm in the Gathering Area and see if it is the right fit for you.

Summer School Melbourne – 7-14 Jan 2018 With speakers including Fr Rob Galea, Dr Brendan Triffett, Fr Max Vodola, Leeanne Grima, Sr Katherine Stone & Fr Dan Serratore, don’t miss your chance to be a part of Summer School Melbourne 2017. Registrations close on Tuesday 26th December! Go to summerschool.org.au or contact Berna 0467 092 091 for more info.

Year for Youth and Vocations In Australia we have just begun the ‘Year for Youth and Vocational Discernment’, called by the Bishops of Australia. This began with a huge gathering of youth in Sydney in early December for the Australian Catholic Youth Festival. This coming year will be the tenth anniversary of World Youth Day in Sydney. Let us pray for our young people in our families and our parish. Can we all say one ‘Hail Mary’ for them now to help them in their discernment of their call from the Lord?

Happy Holidays

Wishing all our parishioners, the staff and students at St Scholastica’s Primary School, Kinder and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd a safe and happy holidays! We look forward to seeing you all back in 2018 refreshed for a new year!

4th Sunday of Advent Year B 23rd & 24th December 2017

Entrance Antiphon

Drop down dew from above, you heavens, and let the clouds rain down the Just One; let the earth be opened and bring forth a Saviour.

First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-5. 8-12. 14. 16

A reading from the second book of Samuel

The kingdom of David will be established for ever in the sight of the Lord.

Once David had settled into his house and the Lord had given him rest from all the enemies surrounding him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, 'Look, I am living in a house of cedar while the ark of God dwells in a tent.' Nathan said to the king, 'Go and do all that is in your mind, for the Lord is with you.' But that very night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: 'Go and tell my servant David, "Thus the Lord speaks: Are you the man to build me a house to dwell in? I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be leader of my people Israel; I have been with you on all your expeditions; I have cut off all your enemies before you. I will give you fame as great as the fame of the greatest on earth. I will provide a place for my people Israel; I will plant them there and they shall dwell in that place and never be disturbed again; nor shall the wicked continue to oppress them as they did, in the days when I appointed judges over my people Israel; I will give them rest from all their enemies. The Lord will make you great; the Lord will make you a House. And when your days are ended and you are laid to rest with your ancestors, I will preserve the offspring of your body after you and make his sovereignty secure. I will be a father to him and he a son to me. Your House and your sovereignty will always stand secure before me and your throne be established for ever."' The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 88:2-5. 27. 29

R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord; through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth. Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever, that your truth is firmly established as the heavens. R.

'I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: I will establish your dynasty for ever and set up your throne through all ages.' R.

He will say to me: 'You are my father, my God, the rock who saves me.' I will keep my love for him always; for him my covenant shall endure. R.

Second Reading: Romans 16:25-27

A reading from first letter of St Paul to the Romans

The mystery kept secret for endless ages is now revealed.

Glory to him who is able to give you the strength to live according to the Good News I preach, and in which I proclaim Jesus Christ, the revelation of a mystery kept secret for endless ages, but now so clear that it must be broadcast to pagans everywhere to bring them to the obedience of faith. This is only what scripture has predicted, and it is all part of the way the eternal God wants things to be. He alone is wisdom; give glory therefore to him through Jesus Christ for ever and ever. Amen.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation:

Maranatha Maranatha Come Lord Jesus I am the servant of the Lord: may his will for me be done. Maranatha Maranatha Come Lord Jesus

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

You will conceive and bear a son.

The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. He went in and said to her, 'Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.' She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, 'Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.' Mary said to the angel, 'But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?' 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you' the angel answered 'and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.' 'I am the handmaid of the Lord,' said Mary 'let what you have said be done to me.' And the angel left her.

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Communion Antiphon

Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son; and his name will be called Emmanuel.

Readings for Holy Family of Jesus Mary and Joseph Year B 31 December 2017

First Reading: Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3

Second Reading: Hebrews 11:8. 11-

12. 17-19

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40