1

Parish PriestFr Andrew Doohan

Assistant PriestFr John Kedari

Assistant PriestFr Victor Babu

St Mary’s, NewcastleSunday, 7.30 am

St Laurence O’Toole,BroadmeadowVigil 5.30 pm

St Joseph’s,MerewetherSunday, 9.00 am

Immaculate Heart ofMary, Tighes HillSunday 8.00 am

Sacred Heart CathedralVigil 5.30 pmSunday 9.30 am, 5.00 pm

Newcastle Parish: 25 Farquhar Street, The JunctionOffice Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pmBy Mail: P.O. Box 6, The Junction, 2291Telephone: 4979 1101Fax: 4962 4644Email: newcparish@mn.catholic.org.au

On Saturday morning, 4th November 2017, about sixty people gatheredin The Chapel at St. Benedict’s Parish Centre to celebrate twenty yearsof Living Waters Meditation.

Twenty years ago, three sisters of St Joseph, Sister Carmel Moore,Sister Marie Jones and Sister Nora Connelly, came together to live acommunity life with a priority on prayer together. They decided to offeropportunities for Christian meditation based on Benedictine spiritualityguided by the works of such eminent people as John Main, ThomasMerton and Laurence Freeman, all Benedictines.

And so, Living Waters Meditation centre was born. Living Watersbecause Jesus offers us living water and the convent in Pell StreetMerewether Beach was near the water.

From this small beginning, there are now twelve Meditation groupsthroughout the diocese of Maitland -Newcastle. This is a significantcontribution to the spiritual health of the diocese, providingopportunities for deeper connection to our creator God. It is ecumenical– open to all and global, providing connection with other meditationgroups throughout the country and indeed the world.

Celebrating Twenty Yearsof Living Waters

‘If you knew who was offering you a drink, you would haveasked and He would have given you Living Water’

John 4:10

NEWSLETTERDecember 2017, Issue 59

2

Celebrating 20 Years of Living Waters cont.

FIRST FRIDAY FISH AND CHIPS -

The morning celebration was joyful with a simple prayer focus, twosessions of meditation led by Ann Cuskelly and Judith North, morningtea, spoken tributes and a parable about Meditation from Sister CarmelMoore. The woman in Sister Carmel’s parable ‘…learned to look directlyinto the thoughts, the chatter, the commentary, to gaze in, but to look overtheir shoulder, look beyond… “Goodness,” said the searching woman, “Ijust came to meditation for something like a cup of tea and a Panadol –now it is number one in my life.”

The spoken tributes contained such ideas as – People being helped physically, mentally and spiritually Relaxation Peacefulness Gentle calm presence The putting of God at the centre of our beings Community The joy of people The opportunity to get away from the 24/7 stresses and demands of 21st century living The power of silent-group meditation (at the sound of the gong there was immediate silence) The calm, peaceful, humble quality of the leadership of Sister Carmel

The morning concluded very fittingly with Paul Ross playing Amazing Grace on the Scottish bagpipes.

Living Waters Meditation sessions continue in St Benedict’s Parish at the Living Waters Centre, KenrickStreet The Junction. –

Monday 6:30pmWednesday 7:45am

Friday 11:00amDrop in when you can!

‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water’John 7:38

Kathryn Russell

Merry Christmas to all from the First FridayFish and Chips fellows.

Our next gathering is Feb 2 at Bar Beach.Come and join us.

3

In the newsletter six monthsago, I wrote that I would berelinquishing the position ofsacristan when the restorationof St Mary’s was completed.This would have been inDecember, but here it isNovember and the roof is stillnot completed. The delay wascaused by finding the damagewas worse than anticipated.As well, on completion of theroof repairs, the church wallshave to dry out before therepainting. This could takeuntil Christmas next year.While I feel that there wouldbe a sense of completion ofmy tenure for waiting untilthat happens, the fact is that Iwill not be available.

The role of sacristan at StMary's is an important oneand, is a cornerstone as tohow St Mary's will continuein the future. My plans were,starting in January, to takeleave of absence for sixmonths. Rebecca Colemanhas also said she will not beavailable.

I don’t think my job wouldhave been possible, withoutRebecca. Likewise, in the lasttwo years, Ian Thomas hasbeen there sharing the load,but also providing assistance

Changes at St Mary’sat times where otherwise itwould have been impossiblefor me. For various reasons,their help will not lead to anevery-week role as mine hasbeen.

While I said six months agothat the end of my tenure was“not planned to be on a predict-able date”, circumstances havenow changed and, my lastduties will be 7.30 Mass on 31st

December. Unfortunately, Iwill be unable to provide theAdvent meditation hour thisyear or the Lenten meditationat Easter in 2018.

I am sure we will see St Mary'sreturn to the splendour it oncewas. However, it is importantthat we, as a mass community,provide assistance to the parishand, in particular, assistancefor visiting priests, opening andclosing at Mass times and, ofcourse weddings, whichprovide a source of revenuethat allows the entire parish tofunction. I would imagine afterthe restoration, St Mary’s willbe in even greater demand.

The purpose of writing thisnow is to encourage a conver-sation among those who loveSt Mary’s to think about howthese duties may be filled in

the future. I am writing thisin the Newsletter to ensurethat as many people who are,one way or another, connect-ed to St Mary’s are aware ofthe situation.

I think I can say with someassurance that the biggestproblem in taking on this roleis that it can be demanding onone person and there must beassistance. Secondly, I thinkthat the primary key holder,or sacristan, should rotate.This, in itself, makes the jobeasier, but then with such anarrangement, there is a needfor more volunteers. On theother hand, this is a job thatwould ideally suit someonewho is looking to fill a voidleft by retirement and, insaying that, I have nohesitation in saying that it hasbeen a role that gives morethan it takes. I hope that, inconsultation with FatherAndrew, we can find a datethat suits to hold an afternoonmeeting to discuss this im-portant matter with all whowish to be involved inplanning the way ahead.

Roger Peters

4

Is it December again? Already?As I get older, time seems to pass by at an ever-increasing pace. There hardly seemsenough time to get all the necessary things done each day let alone turn one’s mind to thebigger picture, the dreams and vision of how things might be. I suspect I’m not alone infeeling that way, yet the science tells us that there are indeed 24 hours in each day, sevendays in a week, and 52 weeks in a year.

Rather than regretting the things that we feel we haven’t done during the last twelvemonths, we Christians are called to look to those things that have been done and those things that havebeen achieved - thanks to the work of the Holy Spirit. So, in the Season of Advent, the liturgical seasonwhere hope abounds, we come to revel in the things that are yet still possible, again, due to the work of theHoly Spirit moving among us.

The Season of Advent, heralds the Feast of the Incarnation. This is the time each year where secularsociety looks back at what has been. Christians look forward, not just to Christmas, but also to the SecondComing when we will be confronted with the very source of our hope - Jesus the Christ.

On behalf of Fr John, Fr Victor and Anthony, I take this opportunity to wish you, your families, and yourloved ones every blessing for the Season of Advent and the celebration of Christmas.

Pax et Bonum,Fr Andrew

Parish Lending Library

The Library books are now listed on the Parish website by Topic aswell as by Author, thus enabling an easier search for books on aparticular topic. Just go to the Parish Home page and follow the links: Catholic Parish of Inner Newcastle St Benedict’s Parish Activities Parish Lending Library Catalogue (By Topic)Quite a number of small pamphlets and smaller books have beenreceived and these are now being made more directly available, withpermission, in the bookstands at Sacred Heart Cathedral, St Joseph’sChurch and the Cathedral Café.

Comments are invited on the presentation and content of the Library Catalogue and on the booklets nowavailable and these comments may be left with the Parish Office.

The Parish Lending Library is located in the Parish Centre, ground floor and is open during businesshours for browsing and borrowing.

Donations of books and pamphlets on religious and related topis are welcome.

Roger Hampson

5

whether that be holidays, gathering of families, twinkling lights, special food

of Christ.

Christ; I have loved the Advent ceremonies and candles and the countdown to the “Day Before”– a reminder to us that this

brightness and trees and candles and sacks and people fill the places of worship and that in the

thankfulness that we are one in Christ.

Shirley McHugh

Recently the Diocesan LiturgyCouncil hosted a ReflectiveDialogue as part of a review ofthe Diocesan Guidelines forFuneral Ministry. I thought Imight find it worthwhileattending, given that funeralsare an important part of theworkings of the parish office.It was an insightful afternoon……. in more ways than one.

Whilst it was interesting tohear of how the ‘process’ offuneral planning is addressedby other parishes and funeralministry teams, the forumspoke to me on a personallevel.

During 2017, I have lost twomembers of my family, myeldest brother died in Marchand was adamant that there was

A reflectionto be no funeral rite of anykind, so a private cremationwas arranged. My mother diedin July and her wish was tohave a Funeral Mass (and beburied with my father) so wecelebrated with readings,hymns, incensing, sprinkling, apiper, the whole deal. The nextmorning as we, her children,stood by the grave and watchedMum’s coffin being interred weoffered prayers.

For myself, the actual visualand auditory effect of thefuneral Mass for my mothergave me a sense of completionof her earthly journey, whereasnot attending my brother’scremation has left a sort ofvoid. I know he is dead but Ihave no real full-stop to his lifeon earth.

We humans are complexbeings, we often need to useour senses to come to arealisation of certain things,and I must acknowledge that aCatholic funeral, be it Mass orLiturgy, offers somethingsignificant and important tothe life of the deceased, themourners and the church. WeCatholics do a good funeralrite!!!

It’s a fine balance respectingthe wishes of the deceased andassisting the loved ones copewith their loss, but fortunatelythe Liturgy Council is explor-ing options and possibilities sothat celebrating a person’s lifecan be an appropriate rite forleaving this world.

Margaret Cox

6

Holy Family Primary School, Merewether BeachOur school is a family among the community of families we serve. We inspire excellence in learning.

We nurture respectful, loving relationships. We actively live our faith in Jesus Christ.

Remembrance Day

Our school community gathered together to reflect, acknowledge and remember the end of the FirstWorld War. We held a respectful service and one minute silence in memory of those who died andsuffered in all wars and armed conflicts. A special thank you to our Stage 1 teachers, students and RoryO’Keeffe in Year 5 who assisted in the preparation of this special time.

Kindergarten Transition Program

Holy Family has just completed our Kindergarten Transition sessions for new students and their familiescommencing school with us in 2018. Both parents and children had the opportunity to meet the classteacher and buddy, as well as other students starting kindergarten.Together, we enjoyed a variety of play-based activities and stories while becoming more familiar withstarting school here at Holy Family next year.

7

Kindergarten Art Experience - Our Land, Our StoryOur Kindergarten students have been examining traditional Aboriginal Artwork, focusing on dot paintingincorporating qualities of lines, colours, textures.

We have learnt about how Aboriginal symbols are an essential part of a long artistic tradition in AustralianAboriginal Art and remain the visual form to retain and record significant information. Aboriginal peopleused symbols to indicate a sacred site, the location of a waterhole and the means to get there, a place whereanimals inhabit and as a way to illustrate Dreamtime stories. Below are some of the wonderful things thestudents have created and what they had to say about what they have learnt.

In art I learnt about Aboriginal symbols. My Aboriginal art work using bark as my paper was about war toremember the people who died in war. By Max

In art we’ve been painting rocks using Aboriginal colours and we learnt about Dreamtime Stories and thatis how we got the idea for the rock painting. I created a story about two people and a woman looking forfood with a spear. They found some berries to take back to the campsite. I made this story using theAboriginal symbols. By Ivy

I created a story about a night crow and an Aboriginal flag and stars and a pink ground. By Matias

The staff, students and school community wish the Parish community a very Merry Christmas and happyNew Year. We appreciate the support of Father Andrew, our Parishioners and the Parish Office over theyear. We are looking forward to sharing our faith journey and learning experiences with you in 2018.

Miss Bridie Stanger

Religious Education Coordinator

8

St Joseph’s Primary School, MerewetherMission NewsOur Socktober fundraiser was a great success this year! It was fabulous seeing so manycrazy and colourful socks running around at St Joseph’s as we helped to raise awarenessand funds for the work of Catholic Mission. Through our financial support, we are able to help peopleassist those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Thank you especially to Year 4 teachers, students andfamilies who contributed generously with cupcakes and slices. These were very popular at Recess! As aschool we were able to raise a considerable $900.00. Thank you to all for your support and generosity.

Mini Vinnies at St Joseph’sOur Mini Vinnies group has had a very active year. We have met regularlyto pray, have a chat and brainstorm ideas on how we can be of service toour community. We have led initiatives such as gathering and distributingclothes and food to families in our local area. We have developed aconnection with a local nursing home and have visited and spent time withthe residents. Our group looks forward to continuing to be aware of otherpeople’s needs and to be of assistance to those who need it most in 2018.

9

Year 6 RetreatThe Year 6 retreat was a wonderful and very successful time for the children to spend together. Therewas a great deal of fun, laughter, discussion, prayer and even a few tears shed as the Year 6 studentsenjoyed their final time together as a class. Thank you to the students for their cooperation and excellentbehaviour. Thank you also to Mrs Collins, Ms Murphy, Mr Nolan, Mrs Parkes and Mrs Powell for theirtime and effort in ensuring that the retreat was a memorable experience for Year 6 2017.

Retreat was such a memorable time spent with friends. We had lots of fun bushwalking with HeleneO’Neill, listening to Louise Campbell share about Aboriginal spirituality and participating in reflectiontime. Claire Boswell

During Retreat we had an opportunity to reconcile with friends and to strengthen our relationships withothers. We walked down to the beach and saw whales as well as reflecting on our hopes and dreams forthe future. It was a great way to finish our primary school years on such a high! Jemah Muscat

Retreat was a great time to reflect on our past seven years at St Joseph’s. The times of liturgy wereprayerful and bought us all together. Kate Burgess

Retreat was a time where we reflected, reconciled and learnt more about each other. It was a chance tomend any relationships and think about the future as we move onto high school. Patrick Webber

I enjoyed sharing with friends in small groups. I learned lots of new things about old friends. It remind-ed me that Jesus will always be there for us. Liam Blanchfield

10

During the course of 2018, the former StLaurence O’Toole School at Broadmeadow willonce again echo with the sounds of students asthe Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, in conjunc-tion with Edmund Rice Education Australia

(EREA), establishes a FlexibleLearning Centre on the formerschool site.

Designed for students in years 7to 12 who, for many and varied reasons, find thetraditional model of school education achallenge, the concept of a Flexible LearningCentre – colloquially called a ‘Flexi’ – isgaining traction in the Australian educationallandscape as the means of a filling a readilyidentifiable gap. EREA already operate 19 suchFlexis across Australia, and it is hoped that the

Flexibility Is Comingnew one at Broadmeadow might be the first ofmany in the Newcastle and Hunter region.

This an exciting development for Catholiceducation in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle,and St Benedict’s Parish is very proud to be partof the arrival of this concept in the diocese.Through the sale of the former St LaurenceO’Toole School site, which for many years hasbeen home to the Catholic Schools Office(CSO) Resource Centre and CSO trainingrooms, St Benedict’s Parish has enabled theCSO to have a site that is ‘ready-made’ forestablishing the first EREA Flexi in the Hunterregion.

More information about Flexis and how theywork can be found at ww.youthplus.edu.au.

Fr Andrew

St Joseph’s Convent - A House of Hospitality, Broadmeadow.

This year the House of Hospitality is offering safe, supportive accommodation to asylum seekers andrefugees who are studying either at the University or at TAFE.

Two asylum seekers have just completed the Open Foundation Course at the University whilst one refugeeis enrolled in an Introduction to English Course at TAFE.

I truly admire these young men and women who have overcome great trauma to flee to another country,learn another language and struggle with the customs and culture of Australia. At the House, one student isfrom Yemen, one from Somalia and one from Iran.

If the Asylum seekers are successful in being accepted as refugees they hope to receive a Safe Haven Visa.This enables them to study in a Regional Area with the understanding that 3½ years of the 5-year visa isspent in study. What happens at the end on the five years is as yet unknown but if they do well in theirdegrees there is the possibility of applying for a skilled visa. The other visa available is a TemporaryProtection Visa which entitles them to work here for three years and after that the possibility of applyingfor another. Who knows what the Political mindset will be down the line?

As Pope Francis reminds us: “Refugees are not numbers, they are people who have faces, names, storiesand need to be treated as such”.

Carmel Hanson rsj

11

Parish Office has a new tenant . . .

The Parish office has a new tenant and in theprocess has become the hub for a newassociation of Australian Catholic charities whoare authorised to have lay people responsible forChurch property and ministries.

The Association of Ministerial PJPs recentlyemployed Tighes Hill Catholic communitymember, Lawrie Hallinan, as its ExecutiveOfficer. Rather than have a home office, Lawrieasked the parish if he could rent a room at ouroffices at The Junction.

A PJP (Public Juridic Person) is the nameChurch law (Canon 116 §3) gives to an organi-sation established by the Church to providecharitable services as, and in the name of, theChurch. In Australia, almost all PJPs wereestablished by Religious Institutes to continuetheir ministries as the Religious Institutemembers were unable to do so or wanted tomove into new more prophetic/missionaryactivities.

The Association of Ministerial PJPs formed in2016 and its Member organisations are:

St John of God Australia Limited (Hospitalsand health care in WA, Vic, NSW)

MercyCare (aged care, family, community,health and disability services in WA)

Mercy Partners (Education, hospitals, agedcare and community services in QLD)

Trustees of Edmund Rice Education Austral-ia (Schools and youth programs in WA, NT,SA, Vic, NSW, Tas, NSW, QLD)

Dominican Education Australian Limited(Schools and learning centres in SA, Vic andNSW)

Trustees of Catholic Healthcare (Hospitals,health services, aged care and communityservices in NSW and QLD)

Calvary Ministries Ltd (Hospitals, healthcare, aged care and community care in NT,SA, Vic, NSW, Tas)

Mary Aitkenhead Ministries (Hospitals,health services, aged care, schools andsocial services in NSW, QLD, Vic

Good Samaritan Education (Schools inNSW and Vic)

Trustees of Kildare Ministries (Schools andwomen's/family services in QLD, SA, NSWand Vic)

Lawrie's role is to:

Complete administrative work forAssociation’s Office, and be the first pointof contact for the Association especiallywith the Members and their representatives;

Support the Association’s Council incarrying out its governance and otherresponsibilities;

Promote the Association so it is a strongrepresentative body for its Members; and

Develop close relationships with theAssociation’s important stakeholders,including other church bodies.

More information is available from Lawrie on4979 1250 or on www.ampjps.org.au/

Lawrie Hallinan

12

A colourful mural is the latest addition to theTighes Hill Community Garden located next tothe Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. On 26November 2017, Shaneand Faith, the creators ofmost of Tighes Hill streetart, painted the mural -asking only for money tocover the cost of paint.

The Community Garden was established sixyears ago and is sponsored by the St Benedict'sCatholic Parish of Inner Newcastle. The gardenis cared for by local parishioners and residents.Funds for new plants and supplies are usuallyprovided by raffles at the Tighes Hill church.This year a small grant from Newcastle CoalInfrastructure Group has paid for soil for extragarden beds and for some promotionalactivities. Parishioners from The Junction,John and Christine Cavanagh, donated twogarden beds which has helped with theexpansion of the garden.

Last week, garden volunteers delivered a leafletto Tighes Hill houses inviting residents to

Bene's BookclubBene’s Bookclub has enjoyed a rich and rewarding year of books! While we didn’tenjoy them all per se, we thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to be together anddiscuss what we did and didn’t like. The joy of bookclub is we’re pushed to readthings we might not otherwise choose. Sometimes that ends up very well. Typically thebooks we don’t care for garner greater conversation! Our group meets the first Sunday night ofeach month. We range in number from 8 to 12 depending on the month. We enjoy a shared meal andterrific camaraderie.This year’s books were:

February: Dissolution: A Matthew Shardlake Tudor Mystery by C J Sansom. Fr Andrew chose the bookand we enjoyed discussing it with him!

March: This is Gail by Juliette O’Brien

April: The Dry by Jane Harper. We really enjoyed this book and have already put her next book on ourradar for 2018!

May: The Last Painting of Sara de Vos by Dominic Smith. Wonderful book about the art world!

June: Echo, Pam Munoz Ryan.

celebrate the new mural and to consider joiningthe garden group. Nineteen people and severalmagpies came to this drinks in the garden event.Those present decided that the garden willcontinue to operate with everyone contributing toweeding and watering and anyone being able totake produce. For parishioners this approachreminds us that all of creation is a gift from Godand that this gift is to be shared with all -especially those in need.

It is amazing to remember that six years ago thisarea was just an empty concrete slab leftoverfrom the old school toilet block. Now it isgrowing community, faith and food.

Lawrie Hallinan

Tighes Hill Community Garden Bloomin' Marvellous

13

As I set the table for our final view, chew, andchat for 2017, I took the opportunity to reflect onthe program. I noted the co-incidence of thirteenat our final table—just like the Last Supper. Thesuperstitious among us consider thirteen at tableunlucky after Judas’s betrayal. This month, Imade watermelon gazpacho, something I’d beenitching to try for a while. I was hoping for a hotevening so the cold soup would hit the right note,and the weather was relatively co-operative.Eleven of the thirteen diners enjoyed thegazpacho, which equates to an 85% approvalrating—and any politician would be pleased withthat! As I snapped this picture of the table, Inoted the delightfully eclectic mix of the fare onoffer and reflected on the great time we’ve hadtogether. Over the year, we’ve shared manydifferent dishes, all made with great love andcare: Fr Harry’s chicken noodle soup, Solomon’sNigerian beef stew, Anna’s Italian three coursefeast, the Gonzales sisters’ enchiladas, andBelinda’s wonton soup. Each meal was enhancedby the various nibbles and desserts that alwaysmiraculously appear thanks to the thoughtfulnessof the participants. Mary’s Christmas cakeseemed a fitting culmination! And, of course, Imust thank the wine fairies, who arrive armedwith just the right bottle — clearly guided by theSpirit.

July: The Attachment: Letters from the most unlikely friendship by Ailsa Piper and Tony Doherty. Weenjoyed a very rich conversation as a result of this book. I heard it mentioned that some enjoyed theconversation better than the book!

August: Hannah Kent’s The Good People. We all agree Kent is an interesting Australian writer!

September: We read Holly Throsby’s Goodwood and mostly enjoyed it!

October: This month was our most hated book. While The Natural Way of Things by Charlotte Woodearned all kinds of praise, we all found it revolting.

In November: The Girl in Keller’s Way by Australian author Megan Goldin, although set in NorthCarolina. We uniformly loved this page-turner and think there has to be a sequel — which we all agreewe’ll read!!

We meet in December to discuss A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. At the time of writing, twomembers have read the book and love it!

Anne Millard

The Last Supper

Beyond the meal, however, the spirit of sharingis the most striking element of our view, chew,and chat. Sr Jeannine and Anthony led usbeautifully in our reflection of each episode ofthe series we watched and we’ve had a wonder-ful opportunity to be together, to be social, to bereflective, and to build a sense of community.It’s been terrific!

Next year, we’re modifying our format a littlefrom view, chew, and chat to Mark, chew, andchat. Our focus will be the Gospel of Mark.I hope you can join us!

I offer my heartfelt thanks to all this year’sparticipants; it’s been great!

Anne Millard

Bene’s bookclub cont.

14

News from St Laurence O’Toole Centre, BroadmeadowMany of you may be surprised to hear of some happenings at St Laurence O’Toole. On the weekend of12 November, parishioners received a letter from Fr Andrew informing us that the Parish had agreed tothe sale of the former St Laurence O’Toole School, together with the hall, to the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle in order that the Catholic Schools Office could establish a Flexible Learning Centre on thesite, operated by Edmund Rice Education Australia. Bishop Bill ratified the decision to sell and issuedthe necessary Decree on 9 August 2017.

“This Flexible Learning Centre is designed to provideeducational opportunities for those who have ‘fallenthrough the cracks’ of traditional educational structures(predominantly young people of high school age), in thehope that they might be given the chance and skills tomove forward in life and contribute to society”.

As Broadmeadow parishioners, we acknowledge andsupport this worthwhile pastoral ministry. It is a bigchallenge and we look forward to working with allconcerned to construct and establish the Meeting Placepromised for community gatherings.

Our Parish luncheon each month is a chance for peopleto meet and chat. The last one for the year was held on27 November at SJs Beaumont St, Hamilton at 12 noon.

Our Prayer Group meetings held in our Meeting Roomon the last Thursday of each month have been veryspecial times for all who take part.

On 19 November, we remembered all our loved ones who had diedduring the year at a special Memorial Mass.

We are also busy preparing our Christmas raffle and our Christmasparty to be held after evening Mass in the hall on Saturday evening 2ndDecember. This is a chance to celebrate together and recall happeningsof the year.

We would like to thank everyone for their continued help during theyear and may God’s blessings be abundant during the coming

Christmas Season and throughout the New Year of 2018.

Sr. Carol Woodland and Gwen Haggerty

15

A Supercars outcomeOn the weekend of the Supercars races, Andrew kindly invitedour Anglican cousins for Evensong, in place of the 5pm Sundayevening mass.

On this Sunday, both Anglicans and Catholics celebrate the feastof Christ the King. The Very Reverend Katherine Bowyer (Deanof Christ Church Cathedral) led the service and Andrewdelivered a sermon, commenting on the rich traditions that we share as Christians. TheAnglican choir joined forces with some of our choir members to produce beautifulmusic.

It was interesting to see how another tradition does liturgy. It was also interesting seeingsomeone leading a service in clerical robes and high heels!

I found it to be a wonderful experience of ecumenism.Clare Gregory

Ecumenical Christmas CarolsOur tradition of ecumenical action is continuing again this year, aslocal Christian communities came together to maintain awareness ofthe meaning of the ‘festive season’. Organised by the MerewetherNewcastle Inter Church Council, there will be an ecumenical gather-ing to sing Christmas Carols in the grounds of St John’s AnglicanChurch, cnr Dawson & Parry Streets Cooks Hill, on the evening ofSunday 10th December.

The Anglican communities of St John’s, St Augustine’s Merewether and Christ Church Cathedral, theCatholic communities of Sacred Heart Cathedral, St Mary’s Newcastle, St Joseph’s The Junction, and thecommunities of St Andrews’ Presbyterian Newcastle, Merewether Uniting and the Newcastle BaptistTabernacle are all members of the Merewether Newcastle Inter- Church Council.

Each year one of our local schools contributes a guest item to the Carols evening. This year a choir fromHoly Family School will be featured.

The Merewether/Newcastle Inter-church Councilpresents Carols by Candlelight

Sunday 10 December , 7.30 to 8.45pmin the grounds of St John’s Anglican Church,

Cooks Hill

Glow sticks and song sheets providedBring your own chair or blanket

Free sausage sizzle between 7.00-7.30pm

16

MASS TIMES at the churches of our Parish:FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENTSaturday, 23 December5.00pm Sacred Heart Cathedral, 841 Hunter St Newcastle West5.00pm St Laurence O’Toole, 125 Broadmeadow Rd, BroadmeadowSunday, 24 December7.30am St Mary’s, Star of the Sea, 54 Perkins St, Newcastle8.00am Immaculate Heart of Mary, 16 Tighes Terrace, Tighes Hill9.00am St Joseph’s, Cnr Kenrick & Farquhar Sts, The Junction9.30am Sacred Heart Cathedral, 841 Hunter St Newcastle West9.30 am St Laurence O’Toole (Italian Community)11.30 am Sacred Heart Cathedral (Polish Community)

CHRISTMAS MASSES 2017Vigil – Sunday, 24 December5.00pm Sacred Heart Cathedral, 841 Hunter St Newcastle West5.30 pm St Joseph’s, Cnr Kenrick & Farquhar Sts, The Junction7.00pm Sacred Heart Cathedral (with children’s pageant)10.00pm Sacred Heart Cathedral (Polish Community)Christmas Day - Monday, 25 DecemberMidnight Sacred Heart Cathedral7.30am St Mary’s, Star of the Sea, 54 Perkins St, Newcastle8.00am Immaculate Heart of Mary, 16 Tighes Terrace, Tighes Hill8.00am St Laurence O’Toole, 125 Broadmeadow Rd, Broadmeadow9.30am Sacred Heart Cathedral, 841 Hunter St Newcastle West9.30 am St Laurence O’Toole (Italian Community)11.30 am Sacred Heart Cathedral (Polish Community

30 / 31 DECEMBER - Usual Sunday Masses

NEW YEAR’S DAY, Monday, 1 January 2018 –- ONE MASS ONLY9.30am Sacred Heart Cathedral, 841 Hunter St, Newcastle West