Baruch 5:1-9

Jerusalem, take off your dress of sorrow and distress, put on the beauty of the glory of God for ever, wrap the cloak of the integrity of God around you, put the diadem of the glory of the Eternal on your head: since God means to show your splendour to every nation under heaven, since the name God gives you for ever will be, ‘Peace through integrity, and honour through devotedness’. Arise, Jerusalem, stand on the heights and turn your eyes to the east: see your sons reassembled from west and east at the command of the Holy One, jubilant that God has remembered them. Though they left you on foot, with enemies for an escort, now God brings them back to you like royal princes carried back in glory. For God has decreed the flattening of each high mountain, of the everlasting hills, the filling of the valleys to make the ground level so that Israel can walk in safety under the glory of God. And the forests and every fragrant tree will provide shade for Israel at the command of God; for God will guide Israel in joy by the light of his glory with his mercy and integrity for escort.

Psalm 125.

R./ The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy. When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, it seemed like a dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, on our lips there were songs. (R.) The heathens themselves said: ‘What marvels the Lord worked for them!’ What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad. (R.) Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage as streams in dry land. Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap. (R.) They go out, they go out, full of tears, carrying seed for the sowing: they come back, they come back, full of song, carrying their sheaves. (R.)

Philippians 1:3-6. 8-11

Every time I pray for all of you, I pray with joy, remembering how you have helped to spread the Good News from the day you first heard it right up to the present. I am quite certain that the One who began this good work in you will see that it is finished when the Day of Christ Jesus comes. God knows how much I miss you all, loving you as Christ Jesus loves you. My prayer is that your love for each other may increase more and more and never stop improving your knowledge and deepening

your perception so that you can always recognise what is best. This will help you to become pure and blameless, and prepare you for the Day of Christ, when you will reach the perfect goodness which Jesus Christ produces in us for the glory and praise of God.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia! Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all people shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia!

Luke 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judaea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of the lands of Ituraea and Trachonitis, Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the pontificate of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah, in the wilderness. He went through the whole Jordan district proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the sayings of the prophet Isaiah:

A voice cries in the wilderness; Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley will be filled in, every mountain and hill be laid low, winding ways will be straightened and rough roads made smooth. And all mankind shall see the salvation of God.

The scriptural quotations are taken from the Jerusalem Bible, published and copyright 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Co Inc, and used by permission of the publishers. The English translation of the Psalm Responses, Alleluia and Gospel Verses,

and Lenten Gospel Acclamations from the Lectionary for Mass © 1997, 1981, 1968, International Committee on English in the Liturgy.

The Living

“The Bible is the cradle wherein Christ is laid.” —Martin Luther

Congratulations to Sr Nina on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee of profession as a Sister of Mercy.

Welcome to all those who have joined with us this weekend for her celebration and ours. Thanks to the very many hands that have contributed to this event.

Sister Nina is very lucky to have made it to her jubilee alive! Even though we stopped selling tickets a week ago, she kept inviting people along! By Wednesday morning I was wagging my finger at her outside of Church and encouraging her to go home, lock the door and not answer the phone :)

It’s wonderful that she is so excited by the event. It is our pleasure to join with her in thanking God for his graces and to thank her for being an instrument of his grace in our community.

For your information, the wonderful Pauline Pennisi who began working in the Parish Office not long after the very first sugar harvest here will be retiring at Easter time. Pauline carries so much of the history of the parish and its district and has been an extraordinary support to me these past ten years.

I am pleased to announce that Julie Nowak will be assuming part of Pauline’s role as Parish Secretary in the New Year. When the office re-opens, Julie will do some days here and there until we fully re-open and she begins learning the role.

The Church: a hospital for sinners, a training school for saints.

The Pastor’s Pen!

Ingham

Sat 6.00pm Sun 8.30am Sun 7.00pm

Halifax Sun 7.00am

Canossa Sun 10.00am

Abergowrie Sun 10.00am

Sunday Masses 14/15 December

Weekdays 10 to 15 Dec

Rosary In recess

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Tuesday 9am to 1.00pm St Paul ’s Chapel - No Benediction

Devotions

Confessions

11.00am Saturday 5.00pm Saturday

Parish Contacts

Parish Priest: Fr Damian McGrath Associate Pastor: Fr Vitalis C Oguh

Seminarian in Residence: Emene Kelemete Parish Secretaries: Pauline Pennisi & Marcella Cantatore (also RE Co-ordinator)

Bookkeeper/Compliance Officer: Beth Ingegneri Pastoral Care: Sr Nina Barra Senior Adult Ministry : Santina Cross

PO Box 375, Ingham Q 4850 4776 2600 parishoffice@inghamcatholic.com

www.inghamcatholic.com facebook.com/inghamcatholic

Office Hours: 9am to 12pm Monday to Friday, 1pm to 3pm Monday to Thursday

Second Sunday of Advent C – 09 Dec. 2018

Mon 7.00am St Patrick ’s

Tues NO MASS

Wed 5.30PM St Patrick’s

Thurs

5.30pm St Patrick ’s St Lucy

Fri 7.00am St Patrick ’s St John of the Cross

Sat 8.00am St Patrick ’s

Also for your information, I was reappointed as parish priest of our three parishes for another five years. All it took was a text from me to the Bishop saying that I was now on holidays and if he needed me I would be at the beach (this is true).

This week Fr Vitalis and I are away for a good amount of time. On Monday and Tuesday, there is a pastoral planning forum for the diocese. On Wednesday, morning and mid-afternoon, we have Council of Priests. Later Wednesday afternoon, I have College of Consultors. Thursday morning, I meet with the Bishop and Emene about his ordination (the big YES or NO meeting). Following that, I have a training meeting with Mentor-Priests for the new priests arriving from India.

A reminder that Ingham Parish Pastoral Council is in need of new members. If you would like to nominate someone, please send the name along to the parish email address below. The Pastoral Council meets 6 times a year and serves to set the pastoral direction for the parish and to act as a sounding board for my ideas and plans.

Parish Office closure and reopening dates over holidays

The office will be closed from midday 21 December to 11 January.

The office will re-open on 14 January for half-days, i.e., from 9am to noon, until 25 January.

Normal opening hours will recommence 29 January.

Please note that brief form newsletters will be pre-published for the first few weeks of January. If you would like names for anniversary Masses included in newsletters up to the weekend of 14 January, these will need to be submitted to the parish office by midday Wednesday 19 December.

Knights of the Southern Cross 2019 Calendar

The Knights of the Southern Cross, Townsville are again selling 2019 Calendars for $10 each. Money raised will support charity. Calendars will be available at each Mass and also at the Parish Office. Should there be no calendars on display and you wish to purchase one, please contact the Parish Office and leave your details. This year’s calendar has photos of remaining churches in the diocese.

Parish Notices and Events Wanted for Christmas Masses in Ingham

We will require Commentators/Prayer of the Faithful, readers and special ministers at our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses in Ingham. If you can assist us please call the parish office or email us with what you can do and which Mass you will be attending. Many thanks in anticipation.

Knights of the Southern Cross

Brothers are reminded that our next meeting will be Thursday 13th December.

As the night will be our breakup for the year, Mass will be 7.30 pm followed by the meeting.

Please ring to reserve your plate and utensils for the night. More information phone Johnny 0407 635 175.

Monday Rosary in the Church

The Monday Rosary is now in recess until the end of January.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

The final Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for 2018 will be on Tuesday 18 December and will then be in recess until February.

Also please note that due to no priests being here on Tuesday there will be NO BENEDICTION.

Our Giving Tree

Ingham Catholic Parishes together with Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre are collecting items for the HCSC Back to School Program to help local families in need at the start of the school year through the provision of essential school supplies. Boxes will be placed under the trees in each of our churches.

1/2 December: HB pencils, colour pencils,

8/9 December: Textas, felt pens, highlighters

15/16 December: Ink Pens (blue, red, black), Glue Sticks, USB sticks

22/23 December: Rulers, erasers, pencil sharpeners, pencil cases

29/30 December: Lunchbox, water bottles, ice bricks

5/6 January: Ream/s of photocopy paper, box tissues

2019 Columban Calendars

The 2019 Columban Calendars are now available at The Paper Shop, Cartwright Street. Cost $12.95 each.

Cherish the miracle of motherhood with Global Gifts—A Caritas Australia project

Caritas Australia is having their annual Christmas Card campaign, Global Gifts, where people can purchase cards for family and friends. The proceeds of these Global Gifts are directed towards Caritas Australia’s work for the poor and vulnerable, many of whom are separated from their families at this holy time. Please see poster in St. Patrick’s and pick up one of the brochures/order forms at the church entrance to place your order.

S t Lucy was a young woman from a wealthy Sicilian family who lived

during the early fourth century. It is believed that her mother arranged for her to be married, but Lucy refused as she wanted to devote her life to serving Christ. She offered prayers at the tomb of St Agatha and her mother’s illness was miraculously cured. She was eventually martyred during the persecution of

Emperor Diocletian, but even in the face of death she showed great courage and faith in God. The name Lucy means ‘light’ and St Lucy is called upon as the patron saint of the blind. Feast Day 13 December

Reconciliation Times for Christmas

St Teresa’s, Abergowrie

Sunday 16 December 11.00am

St Patrick’s, Ingham

Wednesday 19 December – 12.30pm & 7.00pm

Thursday 20 December – 12.30pm & 7.00pm

Saturday 22 December – 11.00am & 5.00pm

St Peter’s, Halifax

Sunday 23 December 8.00am

Requiescant in pace Please Pray For: Reuben Denman, Alfia Silvini, Cathy Cervellin, Ellen Gardner, Joseph Michael Mizzi, Giovanni Volpi. Louie Castellaro, Gregorio Pedrini (annivs at this time), Alfio Di Giacomo, Ivan Walker, Rosa Accornero, Deceased members Sartoresi & Vella families, John Biasi. Peter Silvini, Vittorio & Maria Cantoni, Nellie Venturato, Baldo Fanti, David Cutting, Josie Di Bella, Mari Carmen Unamuno, Ada Rotondo, Alfio Salvatore Russo, Filippo Caristi, Elaine Tranter

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. Let perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace. Amen. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed,

through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Rosters Counters This Week:

S Di Bartolo F Di Bartolo A La Rosa M Garutti

Counters Next Week:

M Duffy J Busuttin D Benedetto T Pallanza

Altar Servers 15/16 December: Sat 6.00pm: Roman Grotelli & Justin Roveglia Sun 8.30am: Jacob & Georgia Minato Sun 7.00pm: Volunteer please Organists 15/16 December: Sat 6.00pm: Paul Cavallaro/Palma Harris/Video Sun 8.30am: Monica Vitale/Video Sun 7.00pm: Lynette Di Bella/Video Commentators 15/16 December:

Sat 6.00pm: Andrea Groundwater Sun 8.30am: Madeliene D’Urso Sun 7.00pm: Flavia Menegon

Readers 15/16 December:

Halifax: Joe Rupp & Judy Braithwaite

Canossa: C/1 Trevor Pallanza 2/3 Mirella Pallanza Sat 6.00pm: 1 Paula Hendersen 2 Nadine Jorgensen 3 Andrea Groundwater Sun 8.30am: 1 Connie Corradini 2 Maddie Cunnington 3 Madeliene D’Urso Sun 7.00pm: 1 Rosalind Guerra 2 Paula Martin 3 Flavia Menegon Abergowrie: Eda Vella Special Ministers 15/16 December: Halifax: Lorraine Castles & Julie Rupp

Canossa: Rico & Stephanie Basaglia

Sat 6.00pm: Rosemary Di Prima John Gollogly

Orazio Marino

Sun 8.30am: Alex Pietrobon Sam Spina Jean Staples

Sun 7.00pm: Elvie Giandomenico Christine Timms

Janine Van Blerk

Abergowrie: Peg Mahony

Please keep in your prayers: Terry Fenoglio, Roger Wall,

Angie Morris, William Bosworth, Patrick Leonardi, Janine Mahony,

Bernie Viklund, Aley Kunnathumadappallil,

Paul McLennan, Marlon Chiong, Jess Chiong, Liam Devietti

May the Lord’s healing hand rest upon them

Welcome to a new child of God: Heidi Mae Accornero

baptised this Sunday at St Patrick’s