Both our Churches are fitted with a hearing induction loop. Please use the ‘T’ or other appropriate switch on your hearing aid. Please tell us if you experience any difficulty.

We acknowledge the Yalukit Willam Clan, the traditional owners and custodians of this land. We pay our respects to them.

May we walk gently here.

The CarmeliteParish of Port Melbourne and Middle Park

in the care of the Carmelites since 1882

Fourth Week of Advent 24 December 2017

in this issueParish News ..2,3, 4 & 5 Christmas Cards for sale Choir for Midnight Mass “Bad Parrot” The Giving Tree - East TimorAdvent Prayer. ........... 7Reflection on this Week’s Readings. ..... 8 Our Liturgy ................ 9Christmas Timetable .............12

My dear Parishioners,

CHRISTMAS GREETINGSTo everyone in the parish and those who visit us from time to time, may you have a very happy and joyful Christmas and we trust that the New Year brings its own peace and a sense of new beginnings. The Carmelites and the Parish Team wish you every blessing.

VALE: MAURIE SMITHMaurie Smith, a long time parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel died on Tuesday evening at the age of 98. Maurie was a very faithful and kind man. At this stage his funeral mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel on Wednesday, 27 December at 11.00am. Please check papers for further details. May he Rest In Peace.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL CONFERENCEA very heartfelt thank you to all members of our Conference who delivered almost 92 hampers to needy people within our Parish. Besides being the Gospel in action, it is a wonderful testimony to the generosity and goodness of not only Conference members but also those who donated so much of what was delivered. A very big thank you to you all.

OLMC and St JOSEPH’S CHRISTMAS TREES AND CRIBSA big thank you to Margaret, Brian and Martin and their elves for assembling our magnificent Christmas tree and crib at OLMC. It is a mammoth engineering feat each year. So too, to Rob and his elves for doing the same at St Joseph’s. Both Churches are in splendid form for our celebrations.

DECORATED TREE OUTSIDE ST JOSEPH’SThis year the Craft Ladies Group prepared a “wrap” for the tree that is at the very front of St Joseph’s. It was a lot of work for an eye-catching way to celebrate Christmas. I’ve noticed quite a number of people stop and look at the tree and to read the message – well done to everyone involved. I think this is called “yarn bombing” in more colloquial parlance. The words on the tree are “ On the 12th day before Christmas the St Joseph’s & Our Lady of Mount Carmel Craft Group have decorated this tree for all to enjoy. The decoration will be taken down in the week of the New Year. Please respect and enjoy.” At the time of print of this newsletter, the artwork was still in one piece. Please see some photos on Page 3 of the newsletter.

our parish this weekMonday 25 December CHRISTMAS DAY 9.00am Mass, St Joseph’s10.30am Mass, Mt Carmel

Tuesday 26 December 9.00am Morning Prayer, both churches

Wednesday 27 December - Parish Office Closed9.00am Mass, St Joseph’s9.00am Morning Prayer, Mt Carmel11.00am Funeral Mass, Maurie Smith

Thursday 28 December - Parish Office Closed9.00am Mass, both churches7.00pm Meditation, Malone Room

Friday 29 December - Parish Office Closed9.00am Mass, both churches9.30am Lectio Divina, Lady Chapel, Mt Carmel

Saturday 30 December - Parish Office Closed9.00am Mass, both churches6.00pm Vigil Mass, Mt Carmel

Sunday 31 December - Parish Office Closed9.00am Mass, St Joseph’s10.30am Mass, Mt Carmel

we remember

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Churches St Joseph’s cnr Rouse & Stokes Streets Port Melbourne

Our Lady of Mount Carmel cnr Richardson & Wright Streets Middle Park

Sunday Masses 6.00pm (Sat) Mount Carmel 9.00am Saint Joseph’s 10.30am Mount Carmel

Reconciliation after 9.00am Mass Saturday

Carmelite Parish Office 274 Rouse Street Port Melbourne Vic 3207

Telephone 03 9681 9600

After Hours Emergency 0408 754 283

Email parish@sj-mc.org.au

Parish Website www.sj-mc.org.au

Carmelite Website www.carmelites.org.au

Office Hours 9am-4pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday(CLOSED WEDNESDAYS)

Parish Priest Fr Hugh Brown OCarm

Parish Secretary Anne Ierardo (Monday to Thursday)

Community Liaison Sr Geraldine Stapleton csb(Monday/Tuesday & Weekend Mass)

Pastoral Life Co-ordinator Michael Murray (Wednesday/ Thursday)

Finance Officer Shane Harrison (Tuesday - Friday)

Facilities Manager Ken Chaffer

Galilee Regional Catholic Primary School Bank Street South Melbourne Vic 3205

Telephone 03 9699 2928 Principal Simon Millar

Those who are sick or ill and in need of prayer: Dr Raymond Adams, Samah Al-Sayed, Michael Baine, Julian Baker, John Bassett, Wanda Brodie, Karin Brown, Maria Calderazzo, John Clement, Grace Cumming, Ron Dalton, Luka Dabovic, Doug Dickason, Maureen Dickason, Jelena Dokmarkovic, Kevin Egan, Jim Ellis, Elinita Estrella, David Flynn, Pada Ghicui, Ivy Hemence, Mena Horsley, Kevin Maloney, Andres Manzano, Guadalupe Manzano, Elishka Marvan, Fr Phelin McGowan, Anika Nagorcka, Czeslaw Podsiadly, Pat Pringle, Rafal Rafalski, Stephen Reilly, Sr Mary Rowan S.J, Joy Skeffington, Poppy Smith, Sash Somerset-Beauverie, Helen Stanley, Jim Sullivan, Teresa Wilson, Tami Yap.

Those who have died recently: Maurie Smith, Raymond Adams, Douglas Gaff, VIcente Sillano, Primitira Sillano.

Those whose anniversaries of death occur about this time: Nigel Aquilina, Robert Baldie, Bill Farnsworth, and Carmelites, Bernard Payne, Peter Byrth, and Andrew McNab.

ministers

for your generosity last Sunday

St Joseph’s Carmelite and Parish Offering $1032.00

Our Lady of Mt Carmel Carmelite and Parish Offering $1279.00

thank you

in our parish

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30/31 DecemberFeast of the Holy Family

6.00pm Mount Carmel

Commentator: Des Collins

Reader: Carmel Collins

Eucharistic Ministers: Carmel Collins

Communion to the Sick: N/A

9.00am St Joseph’s

Commentator: Julianna O’Bryan

Readers: James McCarthy

Eucharistic Ministers: Zabette Howson, Elaine Chaffer, Frances Galvin

Counters: Ron & Sandra Cassano

Childrens’ Liturgy: N/A

10.30am Mount Carmel

Commentator: John Molnar

Readers: Margaret Fagan

Eucharistic Ministers: Margaret Fagan, John Molnar, Volunteer

Childrens’ Liturgy: N/A

Hospitality: N/A

PARISH OFFICEThe Parish Office will re-open on Thursday, 4 January 2018.

MUSIC AND BULLETINS IN JANUARYAs I mentioned last week, there will be NO official music at the Parish Masses after January 7 until the weekend of 3-4 February. The same will apply to our Parish Newsletter.

JANUARY 2018I will be present through all of January as I am mindful that, sadly, we seem to have a number of deaths and funerals occurring around this time. You might remember in your prayers all those who are sick and suffering this Christmas and those for whom Christmas is a time of sadness rather than joy. May the birth of the Saviour fill each of you with its unique sense of peace and goodwill and may 2018 be a time of hope and renewed assurance that the Lord is with us.

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Carmelite Centre Program BookingsT: 9690 5430 (leave message if unattended) or reregistration@thecarmelitecentremelbourne.org

via website: www.thecarmelitecentremelbourne.org

The Carmelite Centre is a joint venture of the Carmelites of Australia and East Timor and our Parish of Port Melbourne/Middle Park.

Address: 214 Richardson Street, Middle Park Vic 3206 (Mel Ref 2K C10) T: (03) 9690 5430 Website: www.thecarmelitecentremelbourne.org

The Carmelite LibraryThe Carmelite Library, located in the Carmelite Hall next to the Church, is open on

Tuesdays from 12.00 to 8.00pm and Wednesday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm. t: (03) 9682 8553e: librarian@carmelitelibrary.org website: www.carmelitelibrary.org

in our parishChoir For Christmas

Rehearsals for the Midnight mass choir will continue after the 10:30am Mass at Our

Lady of Mount Carmel this Sunday 24 December.

Even if this is your one and only rehearsal you are most welcome to join us.

Christmas Cards for SaleChristmas Cards on behalf of St Vincent de Paul

Society after all the weekend masses for the next few weeks. There are 8 religious cards in each pack. $7.00 per pack or $12.00 for two packs.

This year we will also be selling a Christmas Card that the Parish has

produced. These beautiful cards are available for $1 each.

BAD PARROT A young man named John received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary.

Every word out of the bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity.

John tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of to 'clean up' the bird's vocabulary.

Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even more rude. John, in desperation, threw up his hand, grabbed the bird and put him in the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed..

Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute.

Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to the freezer.. The parrot calmly stepped out onto John's outstretched arms and said "I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and

I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behaviour."

John was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude.

As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behaviour, the bird spoke-up, very softly,

"May I ask what the turkey did?" HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!

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The ‘Giving Tree’ is in the churches this weekend. Please collect your envelope as you leave the church. When you have filled in the Christmas Card, please place it on the tree and leave your money, in the envelope provided, in the basket under the tree. Money will be collected after each Mass. Your money will be sent directly to the Carmelites in East Timor who will purchase the gifts on your behalf.

Below is a list of the gifts and their purchase price.

The giving tree - Christmas in East Timor

GIFT PRICE $AU 1 bag of bananas, mangoes and custard apples _______________ $2.00 4 x A4 batteries from Timor Leste or 2 x C batteries _____________ $3.004 packets of 2 minutes noodles _____________________________ $4.004 packets of candles (for those who have no electricity or to honor the dead) _____________________________________ $4.00 1 pair of thongs _________________________________________ $5.005 large bottles of water ___________________________________ $5.00 1 school bag ___________________________________________ $10.001 pair shoes ____________________________________________ $12.001 set of school uniform __________________________________ $15.001 volley/soccer ball ______________________________________ $15.00 1 20 kilogram bag of rice _________________________________ $20.00 Help a child be ready for school with pen, pencils & notebooks___ $25.001 50 kilogram bag of rice _________________________________ $50.00Provide a family with basic medical care for one year__________ $60.001 nanny goat ___________________________________________ $80.00 Provide children with nutritious meals at school for one month___ $200.001 cow ________________________________________________ $250.00

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advent prayer at homeThere is a time to be born and a time to die.And this is a time to be born.So we turn to you, God of our life, God of all our years, God of our beginning.Our times are in your hand.

Hear us as we pray:

For those of us too much into obedience, Birth us to the freedom of the Gospel. For those of us too much into self-indulgence, Birth us to discipleship in your ministry. For those of us too much into cynicism, Birth us to the innocence of the Christ child. For those of us too much into cowardice, Birth us to the courage to stand before principalities and powers. For those of us too much into guilt, Birth us into forgiveness worked in your generosity. For those of us too much into despair, Birth us into the promises you make to your people. For those of us too much into control, Birth us into the vulnerability of the cross. For those of us too much into victimisation, Birth us into the power of Easter. For those of us too much into fatigue, Birth us into the energy of Pentecost.

We dare pray that you will do for us and among us and through uswhat is needful for newness.

Give us the power to be receptive, To take the newness you give, To move from womb warmth to real life.We make this prayer not only for ourselves, but For our schools at the brink of birth, For our Church at the edge of life. For our city waiting for newness, For your whole creation, with which we yearn in eager longing.There is a time to be born, and it is now, We sense the pangs and groans of your newness. Come here now in the name of Jesus. Amen

(Walter Brueggemann, Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth)

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Reflection ontHIS wEEK’S readingsJesus and Satan have an argument as to who is the better computer programmer.

Eventually they agree to hold a contest with God as the judge. They set themselves before their computers and begin. They type furiously for several hours; lines of code streaming up the screen. Seconds before the end of the competition, a bolt of lightning strikes and takes out the electricity. Moments later, the power is restored, and God announces that the contest is over. He asks Satan to show what he has come up with. Satan is visibly upset, and cries, ‘I have nothing! I lost it all when the power went out.’ ‘Very well, then,’ says God, ‘let us see if Jesus fared any better.’ Jesus enters a command, and the screen comes to life in vivid display, the voices of an angelic choir pour forth from the speakers. Satan is astonished. He stutters, ‘But how? I lost everything, how can Jesus' program be intact?’ God chuckles and says, ‘Ah – because Jesus saves.’

On this final Sunday of Advent the Church moves our gaze to the Annunciation. The whole scene hinges around one word: ‘Yes.’ Mary's fiat sets in motion the entire Christian drama. In his film Jesus of Nazareth Franco Zeffirelli pictures the Annunciation this way: Mary is asleep at night when a gust of wind opens a high window. Afraid at all the commotion Mary gets up and starts to pray. As she prays, we see her face change and her body bend over. With tears in her eyes, Mary looks up through the window to the moonlit sky and simply says, ‘Yes’. The swirling wind dies down at once.

In recent years successive popes have reminded us that the best devotion to Mary is one that leads us to do what she did: say ‘yes’ to Jesus. Mary is not a stop on our journey of faith; she is a guidepost that always sends us on to Christ. Mary does not save us, for we believe she needed to be saved by Christ as well. That's why she could say yes in the first place. Mary recognised the gift and the giver and became the bearer of God for the world.

In this final week of Advent let's keep reminding ourselves of this simple but life-changing fact: Jesus saves us. Jesus saves us from death. Jesus saves us from living lives devoid of purpose and meaning and Jesus saves us from ourselves.

We don't save ourselves. We cannot earn salvation by good works or prayers or penance. And, as difficult as it is to hear, we cannot save anyone else. That includes our children, spouse, grandchildren, parents or friends.

Our prayers, good works and faith are the responses we make to the salvation of Christ we claim here and now. And how we live is the way by which those we love will find the gift of God's salvation for themselves.

In the midst of this frantic final week before Christmas when so many other things can distract us from what this grace-filled feast is really all about, let's take a moment to join Mary in accepting into our lives and hearts the greatest of all gifts – our undeserved salvation, Jesus Christ the Lord.

© Richard Leonard SJ.

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OUR LITURGYProcessional Hymn Song of god Among US

Cel: The Lord is very close now. We rejoice to hear the announcement of the conception of Jesus. Our hope grows strong. Preparing our hearts as a worthy dwelling-place for our God is our task.

Celebrant: Lord, Jesus Christ,All: we know you are on your way to save us.

Celebrant: You are the Morning Star which never sets.All: You are Mighty God and Prince of Peace.

Lighting of the fourth Advent Candle

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Celebrant: You are Wonderful Counsellor All: and Wisdom of God.

Celebrant: You are Father of the world to comeAll: and leader of your people.

Celebrant: You are Hope which brings us courage All: and promise of salvation.

Celebrant: You are the Lord-our-integrity All: and Peace till the moon fails.

Celebrant: You are Sun of Justice and Lord of Creation.All: You are Healing for your people and Saviour of the poor.

Celebrant: You are Emmanuel, God-with-us. Come, be born in us again, take flesh in us again, abide with us once more’ that we may know the fullness of God’s love.

May this candle remind us of your presence. As we gather in this circle of light may your word become flesh in us, and sustain us as we wait.

The celebrant lights the fourth candle and the response is sung:

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

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Responsorial Psalm

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."'

Rom 16:25-27 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.

I have found David, my servant;with my holy oil I have anointed him,That my hand may ever be with him,and my arm make him strong.

My faithfulness and love shall be with you,in my Name your name will be exalted.

You shall cry to me, “My God, my rock or salvation, my salvation.”

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Gospel

gospel acclamation

aPOSTLES CREEDI believe in God, the Father almighty,Creator of heaven and earth,and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell;on the third day he rose again from the dead;he ascended into heaven,and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Luke 1:26-38 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.

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Cel: The Lord be with you. All: And with your Spirit.Cel: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them up to the Lord.Cel: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God. All: It is right and just.

The Celebrant prays the preface at the end of which all sing:

HOLY, HOLY

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church,the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

The Mystery of Faith

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Cel: Behold the Lamb of God. Behold him who takes away the sins of the World. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

All: Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Lamb of God

Communion Hymn mAry did yoU Know

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recessional Hymn o Come, o Come, emmAnUel

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The CaTholiC Parish of PorT Melbourne and Middle Park is CoMMiTTed To Providing a safe and nurTuring CulTure

for all Children and young PeoPle in our Parish.

Port Melbourne/Middle Park Parish

advent & ChristMas

Celebrations 2017

Parish Office Telephone 9681 9600 Fax 9681 9608 email parish@sj-mc.org.au

Parish website: www.sj-mc.org.au

The Parish Office will be closed at 4.00pm on Wednesday 20 December and will reopen on Thursday 4 January 2018 at 9.00am

Christmas Eve - Sunday 24 December

Mt Carmel 5.45pm Carols followed by Family Mass

St Joseph’s 8.00pm

Carols followed by Midnight Mass

Mt Carmel 11.30pm

Christmas Day - Monday 25 December

Mass St Joseph’s 9.00am

Mt Carmel 10.30amMass

St Joseph’s 9.00am Mass

Mt Carmel 9.00am

New Year’s Day -Monday 1 January

Mass