REFLECTION BY DIANNE BERGANT CSS : The world in which we live and the events of which we are a part are the stage upon which the drama of salvation is enacted. God works through real flesh and blood people, those like David, who occupy the seats of power and influence as well as those like Mary and us, who are unseen and unknown. All can be agents of salvation. God’s future is in our hands. Human history is really the history of salvation. Each turn of God’s reveal-ing causes us to wonder at what might come next. In this tension, mystery is revealed. What was hidden is now made known. Jesus establishes a people of covenant promise. Still, the mystery is unknown, for it continues to come to us from the future, revealing more and more of itself in the junctures of history.

The waiting of Advent is over. In the face of the impossible, God works the possible. During Ad-vent, we have been waiting for the realisation of the promise made to David. We have been waiting for Mary’s yes. With this yes, hope is enlivened, and history is changed. There is an unim-aginable future for all people, a future that comes from God. Salvation is created among us, and the fate of history is altered by a godly presence. This salvation resides in the hearts of those who believe in the gift, and who stay awake eagerly to know its coming. With David we await it, with the nations we long for it, with Mary we behold it.

GOOD SHEPHERD PARISH MULGRAVE 34 Academy Ave., Wheelers Hill 3150

(Waverley Deanery)

Parish Priest: Fr. Kaz Trawicki, C.R. 9560 4511 Parish Secretary: Mrs. Cheryl Rogers 9560 4511 Parish Fax: 9561 7819 Email: mulgrave@cam.org.au Website: www.goodshepherdpar.org.au Parish R.E. Co-ordinator: Mrs. Kath Andraczke 9560 4511 Pastoral Worker for the Sick, Lonely & Elderly: Mrs. Theresa Kim 0401 662 254 Good Shepherd School: Mrs. Ruth Jones 9562 0229 School Fax: 9562 0186

4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT 24TH DECEMBER, 2017 (YEAR B)

ROSTERS FOR NEXT WEEKEND

COMMUNION TO THE SICK: R. Sanna, J. Mayadunne. CHURCH CLEANING: C. G Carvalho, Hong Nguyen, M. Sessa, M. Da Gama. FLOWER TEAM: COUNTERS: : M. Peacock, D. Kelly, U. Ponniraivan, L. Philpott. COUNTERS: (31/12/2017) : S. Thek, F. Goubran, D. Love, R. De Fry.

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.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM:

For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord

1. 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.

2. ‘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.’

3. 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.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! I am the servant of the Lord: may His will for me be done. Alleluia!

COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son; and His name will be called Emmanuel. READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY:

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph (Year B): Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3; Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Luke 2:22-40.

MARY DEFIES SOCIAL CONVENTIONS TO LET GOD’S PLAN UNFOLD: The angel approached a maiden to proclaim the Good News. For Luke, the gospel did not start in the place (the Temple in Jerusalem) and to the people (the hierarchy of Judaism represented by the priest) everyone expected. No, the gospel began in a place (a backwater town despised by the cosmopolitan inhabitants of Jerusalem) and to a person (a young teenage girl) no one expected.

Let's consider the place of girls like Mary in social pecking order of first century Palestine. In a gender segregated, male dominated society, young girls like Mary were sheltered from the outside world in order to protect their virginity and insure the honour of the family. The murder of promiscuous or raped young girls by family members was not uncommon; the reason for such homicides was family honour. It was inconceivable that young girls could lead the people in such a public function as temple worship.

In addition to family honour, young girls were not educated. Literacy lay with the male, since females were considered too inferior and emotional for education. How could Mary know the Scriptures like Zechariah? Remember that women had no rights in ancient society; they were treated like property. Girls symbolized by Mary stood at the bottom of proper society. From a reflection on the Gospel by Larry Broding, of the Word on Sunday website. http://www.word-sunday.com/Files/b/4Advent-b/A-4Advent-b.html

WORDS OF WISDOM – MATTHEW KELLY, IN THE RHYTHM OF LIFE It constantly amazes me that men and women wander the earth marvelling at the highest mountains, the deepest ocean, the whitest sands, the most exotic islands, the most intriguing birds of the air and fish of the sea – and all the time never stop to marvel at themselves and realize their infinite potential as human beings.

GLEN WAVERLEY INTER- CHURCH - CYCLE OF PRAYER

This week we pray for our Parish Good Shepherd Catholic Community

The Archbishop’s Christmas message on video. It’s a terrific message again this year and is available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1EdSJEpXqU Please enjoy and pass on wherever appropriate.

COLLECTIONS LAST WEEK

Presbytery: $ 390.85 Anonymous: $ 821.20 Thanksgiving $ 2,373.50

WEEKEND MASS TIMES: Saturday 6.00 p.m. (Vigil) Sunday 8.00 a.m., 9.30 a.m., 11.00 a.m. & 6.00 p.m. WEEKDAY MASSES: Mon/Fri 9.00 a.m. Saturday 10.00 a.m. followed by Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet RECONCILIATION: Saturday 10.30 a.m. - 11.00 a.m. EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT: First Friday 9.30 a.m.

First Saturday 10.30 a.m. OFFICE HOURS: Monday & Thursday 9.30 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. Tuesday 9.30 a.m. - 1.30 p.m. Wednesday Closed Friday 9.30 a.m. - 3.00 p.m.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL NEWS

Piety Stall Melbourne Catholic December 2017. -The creation of Silent night. -Unwrapping the legend of St Nicholas. 2018 Columban Calendar is available ONLY 8 LEFT and by buying one of these you are also supporting the Columban Missions. A new Illustrated Holy Rosary Booklet Available Gifts for Baptism, First Communion & Confirmation Large range of Children’s Books $3.30 each. Children’s Picture Bibles. Prayer Cards and Holy Cards with Prayer 20c each. Christmas Blessing Cards 30c each. Medals 60c each. Please note the Piety Stall will be closed over the Christmas/New Year Period. Used Stamps: Please save these and place them in the box in the Church Foyer.

LET US PRAY FOR ALL THE SICK IN OUR PARISH

INCLUDING: Karen Armfield, Connie Bonica, Matthew Cargill,

Terese Cramer, Moyla De Rosario, Rudy Fernandes,

Brian Fogarty, Denis Hanlon, Marie Hell, Dolores Hogan,

Jim Hughan, Simone Jankovskis, Joanne Kupsch,

Fr. Peter McGrath,Nadege Manuel, Anthony Margaretic,

John Marich, Peter Peterffy, Michelle Pietersz,

Nicole (Hunt) Skermer, Daniel Stanley, Catherine Smyth,

Cindy Taffard, Kati Tertelyi, Lolita Velante.

RECENTLY DECEASED :

DEATH ANNIVERSARIES :

Robert Thong, Norm Bransgrove.

2017 CHRISTMAS BOWL Fill the future with hope! Give to the Christmas Bowl. Through our giving, we enter people’s stories and become one with them in hope, joy, courage and love.

A Special Collection will take place during all Christmas Masses.

Envelopes are available on the tables of the Church. exists.

GOLDEN JUBILEE MOSAIC In 2018, Good Shepherd Parish will celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday at a special Mass on 22nd April, at 2:00 PM.

On this occasion, we also hope to bless a large mosaic of the Good Shepherd (4,5 x 3,5 metres) to be installed on the wall behind the altar. This will be our opportunity to contribute something of

lasting beauty to the Church which is our spiritual home. The total cost is estimated at $30,000. We ask you to contribute generously for this purpose according to your means. Please place your donation in an envelope marked MOSAIC and place it on the collection plate, or leave it with Fr Kaz or the school office.

GOOD SHEPHERD CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

CHRISTMAS MASSES

Sunday, 24th Dec.(4th Sun. of Advent): 8.00am & 9.30am (No 11.00am Mass) Sunday, 24th December: (Christmas Eve): Christmas Vigil Masses at : 6.00 (Carols 5.45pm), 9.00 (Carols 8.30pm) and Midnight Mass (Carols 11.30pm).

Monday, 25th December: (Christmas Day) : 8.00am; 9.30am & 11.00am (No Evening Mass). Tuesday, 26th December: Mass at 10.00 am. Saturday, 30th December : Vigil 6.00 pm Sunday, 31st December: (New Year Eve) – Sunday 8.00am; 9.30am; 11.00am and 6.00pm

Monday, 1st January 2018 (Solemnity of Mary) – Mass at 10.00am.

Additional Car Parking During our Christmas celebrations, additional parking is available at the school directly opposite

Good Shepherd church, (Monash SDS). Entry from Strada Crescent.

ATTENTION LECTORS AND COMMENTATORS !!

A special Roster for Christmas, New Year and January, 2018 is in the Church Foyer. If you are able

to assist during this period, please fill in the dates and times that you will be available.

CHRISTMAS OFFICE HOURS

Please note that the Parish Office willl be closed on the following dates :

Tuesday 26th December, 2017

Wednesday 27th December, 2017 Monday 8th January, 2018

Monday 15th January, 2018

Melbourne Overseas Mission Collection, 10th December, amounted to $1714.25. Thank you for your generosity.