The Feast of the Holy Family 26th &27th December 2020

A Family Prayer Thoughts of Fr Francis Jordan Praise be to God O Lord, help me, show me the way! Without you, I can do nothing. who made us a family. I hope all things from You. In you, O Lord, I have hoped, I will not be Praise be to God confounded for ever. for the love that we share. Praise be to God for sending us Jesus. Praise be to God for teaching us to care. Help us, Lord Jesus ll our lives with your Spirit. Help us, Lord Jesus teach us how to forgive. Help us, Lord Jesus grant us wisdom and patience. Help us, Lord Jesus in your grace may we live. Come, Holy Spirit ll our lives with your gifts. Come, Holy Spirit help us serve other's needs. Come, Holy Spirit teach us faith, hope, and love. Come, Holy Spirit guide our thoughts and our deeds. Be with us, God we ask Mary to help us. Be with us, God we look to Joseph for aid. Be with us, God may we respect one another. Be with us, God may our hope never fade. Hear us, Lord Jesus watch over our family. Hear us, Lord Jesus Dear Parishioners help our faith to grow strong. As we celebrate the joyful and festive season of , Hear us, Lord Jesus come and dwell in our hearts. we ask God’s blessing to be upon you, your families and friends. Hear us, Lord Jesus May the Birth of Christ, Our Saviour, bring you true peace, to you we belong. love, and hope and ll your hearts with His joyful presence. Spirit, we praise you We wish to thank you for your Christmas gifts, cards and you invite us to know you. Spirit, we praise you best wishes. may we walk in your light. May the Child Jesus bless you all. Spirit, we praise you may we nd you in all things. Spirit, we praise you Fr Bronek SDS & Fr Richard SDS all day and all night.

1 Keenan Street Mona Vale NSW 2103 • Tel:9157 0999 • email: o [email protected] • website: www.pittwaterparish.org The Feast of the Holy Family 26th & 27th December 2020

PARISH DIRECTORY We Pray PLANNED GIVING from Our Schools for Pittwater Parish Recently Deceased 1 Keenan Street Mona Vale NSW 2103 The money contributed to our parish via Tel 9157 0999 Maureen Suggitt our second collection helps us to meet Mater Maria www.pittwaterparish.org the running costs which our Parish Catholic College We are deeply incurs, including wages, electricity, Parish Priest telephones, insurances, rates, building Under the new 2021 fee schedule, no Fr Bronek Pietrusewicz SDS saddened by the news and equipment repairs and family will pay more than they would Tel 9157 0999 ext 0 have under the 2020 fee schedule. [email protected] of Maureen’s maintenance, to name but a few. Whilst passing. Our thoughts you are unable to attend , if you are After a di cult year for families in 2020, Assistant Priest and prayers are with able to make your regular donation by with many impacted by the COVID-19 Fr Richard Sadowski SDS pandemic, Broken Bay Bishop Anthony Tel 9157 0999 ext 0 her family. way of automatic direct debit from your credit card, please complete the form Randazzo emphasised that Catholic [email protected] Funeral arrangements Schools Broken Bay remains rm in its included in this bulletin. Or donations commitment that no family will be Bishop - Emeritus are yet to be finalised can be made on our website: denied a Catholic education because of Bishop Bernard O’Grady op www.pittwaterparish.org through the nancial di culties. Tel 9918 0372 donations and giving tile. If you would Eternal Rest Grant Unto Them “To further assist our families, not only Parish Secretary prefer not to give by credit card, please are we holding fees, we are also Suzy Caruso O Lord, And Let Perpetual Light contact the parish o ce, 9157 0999 for increasing the discounts we apply to Tel 9157 0999 ext 0 other ways that you can contribute. siblings and continue to oer generous [email protected] Shine Upon Them. COVID fee relief support to all families in 2021,” Bishop Randazzo said. Administrative Assistant May they Rest in Peace. Amen. Angela Smit The discounts include maintaining the Tel 9157 0999 ext 0 May Their Souls And The Souls COVID Fee Relief program up until the [email protected] end of Term 1 for those on JobKeeper and Of The Faithful Departed, until the end of Term 3 for those on Youth Director JobSeeker and increasing the education Josh Willard (Soul Youth) fee sibling discount rate. [email protected] Through The Mercy Of God, A more streamlined method of invoicing Music Director Rest In Peace. Amen. will be introduced in 2021, providing a Josh Willard more “user friendly” invoice to families. Tel 9157 0999 ext 17 Deceased Anniversary [email protected] Director of Schools, Mr Danny Casey, said: The Parish Office will “Our new format invoice reects a single Media & Communication Franceso & Maria Romeo be closed for Christmas education fee merging the previously Laura Ee Annamaria & Antonio Lentini from 12pm on Thursday separated fees of tuition, building levy, Tel 9157 0999 ext 31 Grace Prato 24 December 2020 school resource fee and other locally [email protected] the office will reopen on determined fees. Our sibling discount is Michele Mete Monday 11 January 2020 applied to the new Education Fee, Sacramental Program Giuseppe Cervonaro previously, the sibling discounts only Suzy Caruso Alfonso & Elia Muoio applied to the Tuition fee, providing a Tel 9157 0999 ext 13 further benet to our families [email protected] Maria Monteleone Sam Maletta From Monday We would like to take this opportunity to Parish Office Bruno Romeo 11 January to Wednesday wish all our students, families and the Monday to Thursday 27 January 2020, wider Mater Maria community a happy 9.00am to 4.00pm Joe Romeo the office will be open: and safe Christmas and New Year. Friday 9am to 12 noon Barbara Cincotta Monday to Friday Keith Cincotta from 9am to 12noon. Prayers for the Sick Sacred Heart Church Pam and Ray Halls 1 Keenan Street Mona Vale Bill Eyre Vera and Edward Ragen Manny Zarb Maria Regina Church BOOK REVIEW Philip Maddrel 7 Central Road Avalon May and Roy Tully Gail Reiher A Woman Clothed Imelda Vince Margaret and Sinon Gleeson Eric Domagas Mona Vale Ron Fisher with the Sun Vicky Villaluz Sacred Heart School Edited by John J. Delaney Ben Castillo Tel 9999 3264 If you would like the names of your Moira Howie relatives or friends and offerings Carol Brennan Principal: Mrs Suellen Garey included, please drop the envelope in Jomar to the Parish Office by Midday on Christine Hills Avalon Wednesdays. Thank You. Donald McRae Sara Zofrea Maria Regina School Beryl Peo-Duncan Tel 9918 2608 John Andrew Graham Principal: Mrs Kathy Gee Watch the daily Mass on John Charles Graham Michael Carrodus Demand from Broken Bay’s Pat Regan Warriewood Cathedral at Robyn Sheather Mater Maria Catholic College Lynette Buhat https://www.youtube.com Candida Hernandez Tel 9997 7044 We have heard of some of the Chin Quang Le Principal: Mr Marc Reicher /channel/UCNenwlfI7i14 apparitions of Our Lady over Gill Page Tony Quatroville XB9TsVBrLvQ the last 200 years and this Garry Gleeson volume explains each one Elizabeth Kral as it happened. A great read. We acknowledge the lifelong trauma of abuse We hope that this will help victims, survivors and their families, the failures of the faithful to celebrate the The names on this list will be the to protect, believe and removed after four weeks unless Holy Mass online wherever otherwise requested or advised. respond justly to children and vulnerable adults, The Catholic Parish Thank you and the consequent breach of community trust. you are of Pittwater The Feast of the Holy Family 26th & 27th December 2020

The Feast of the Holy Family 26th & 27th December 2020 dominate them, but instead raise them to be their children for them,” and instead respect their in you. Let it not be said that I invoked you in Pope Francis proclaims “Year of St Joseph” “capable of deciding for themselves, enjoying freedom. In this sense, says Pope Francis, a father vain, and since you can do everything with Jesus With the Apostolic Letter “Patris corde” (“With a Father’s Heart”), Pope Francis recalls the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Joseph as Patron freedom and exploring new possibilities.” realises that “he is most a father and an educator and Mary, show me that your goodness is as great of the Universal Church. To mark the occasion, the Holy Father has proclaimed a “Year of Saint Joseph” from 8 December 2020, to 8 December 2021. This is the sense in which St Joseph is described as at the point when he becomes ‘useless,’ when he as your power.” a “most chaste” father, which is the opposite of sees that his child has become independent and At the conclusion of his Letter, he adds another problem into a possibility by trusting in divine domineering possessiveness. Joseph, says Pope can walk the paths of life unaccompanied.” Being prayer to St Joseph, which he encourages all of us providence.” He had to deal with “the concrete Francis, “knew how to love with extraordinary a father, the Pope emphasises, “has nothing to do to pray together: problems” his Family faced, problems faced by freedom. He never made himself the centre of with possession, but is rather a ‘sign’ pointing to a other families in the world, and especially those things. He did not think of himself, but focused greater fatherhood”: that of the “heavenly Father” Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, of migrants. instead on the lives of Mary and Jesus.” (7). Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In this sense, St. Joseph is “the special patron of Happiness for Joseph involved a true gift of self: all those forced to leave their native lands “In him, we never see frustration, but only trust,” A daily prayer to St Joseph… and a To you God entrusted his only Son; because of war, hatred, persecution and poverty.” writes Pope Francis. “His patient silence was the challenge in you Mary placed her trust; As the guardian of Jesus and Mary, Joseph cannot prelude to concrete expressions of trust.” Joseph In his letter, Pope Francis notes how, “Every day, with you Christ became man. “be other than the guardian of the Church,” of her stands out, therefore, as an exemplary gure for for over forty years, following Lauds [Morning Blessed Joseph, to us too, motherhood, and of the Body of Christ. our time, in a world that “needs fathers,” and not Prayer]” he has “recited a prayer to Saint Joseph show yourself a father and guide us “Consequently, every poor, needy, suering or “tyrants”; a society that “rejects those who taken from a nineteenth-century French prayer in the path of life. dying person, every stranger, every prisoner, confuse authority with authoritarianism, service book of the Congregation of the Sisters of Jesus every inrm person is ‘the child’ whom Joseph with servility, discussion with oppression, charity and Mary.” This prayer, he says, expresses Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage, continues to protect.” From St Joseph, writes Pope with a welfare mentality, power with devotion and trust, and even poses a certain and defend us from every evil. Francis, “we must learn… to love the Church and destruction.” challenge to Saint Joseph,” on account of its Amen. the poor” (5). True fathers, instead, “refuse to live the lives of closing words: “My beloved father, all my trust is A father who teaches the value, dignity and In a new Apostolic Letter entitled Patris corde does not condemn us, but instead welcomes, joy of work (“With a Father’s Heart”), Pope Francis describes embraces, sustains and forgives us” (2). “A carpenter who earned an honest living to Saint Joseph as a beloved father, a tender and Joseph is also a father in obedience to God: with provide for his family,” St Joseph also teaches us loving father, an obedient father, an accepting his ‘at’ he protects Mary and Jesus and teaches “the value, the dignity and the joy of what it father; a father who is creatively courageous, a his Son to “do the will of the Father.” Called by means to eat bread that is the fruit of one’s own working father, a father in the shadows. God to serve the mission of Jesus, he labour.” This aspect of Joseph’s character provides The Letter marks the 150th anniversary of “cooperated… in the great mystery of Pope Francis the opportunity to launch an appeal Blessed Pope Pius IX’s declaration of St Joseph as Redemption,” as St John Paul II said, “and is truly in favour of work, which has become “a burning Patron of the Universal Church. To celebrate the a minister of salvation” (3). social issue” even in countries with a certain level anniversary, Pope Francis has proclaimed a of well-being. “there is a renewed need to special “Year of St Joseph,” beginning on the Welcoming the will of God appreciate the importance of dignied work, of of the Immaculate Conception 2020 At the same time, Joseph is “an accepting Father,” which Saint Joseph is an exemplary patron,” the and extending to the same feast in 2021. because he “accepted Mary unconditionally” - an Pope writes. important gesture even today, says Pope Francis, Work, he says, “is a means of participating in the The Holy Father wrote Patris corde against the “in our world where psychological, verbal and work of salvation, an opportunity to hasten the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, which, he physical violence towards women is so evident.” coming of the Kingdom, to develop our talents says, has helped us see more clearly the But the Bridegroom of Mary is also the one who, and abilities, and to put them at the service of importance of “ordinary” people who, though far trusting in the Lord, accepts in his life even the society and fraternal communion.” Those who from the limelight, exercise patience and oer events that he does not understand, “setting work, he explains, “are cooperating with God hope every day. In this, they resemble Saint aside his own ideas” and reconciling himself with himself, and in some way become creators of the Joseph, “the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, his own history. world around us.” Pope Francis encourages discreet and hidden presence,” who nonetheless Joseph’s spiritual path “is not one that explains, everyone “to rediscover the value, the played “an incomparable role in the history of but accepts” - which does not mean that he is importance and the necessity of work for salvation.” “resigned.” Instead, he is “courageously and rmly bringing about a new ‘normal’ from which no one proactive,” because with “Holy Spirit’s gift of is excluded.” Especially in light of rising A beloved, tender, obedient father fortitude,” and full of hope, he is able “to accept unemployment due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Saint Joseph, in fact, “concretely expressed his life as it is, with all its contradictions, frustrations the Pope calls everyone to “review our priorities” fatherhood” by making an oering of himself in and disappointments.” In practice, through St. and to express our rm conviction that no young love “a love placed at the service of the Messiah Joseph, it is as if God were to repeat to us: “Do not person, no person at all, no family should be who was growing to maturity in his home,” be afraid!” because “faith gives meaning to every without work!” (6). writes Pope Francis, quoting his predecessor St event, however happy or sad,” and makes us Paul VI. aware that “God can make owers spring up from A father “in the shadows,” centred on Mary And because of his role at “the crossroads stony ground.” Joseph “did not look for shortcuts and Jesus between the Old and New Testament,” St Joseph but confronted reality with open eyes and Taking a cue from The Shadow of the Father - a “has always been venerated as a father by the accepted personal responsibility for it.” For this book by Polish writer Jan Dobraczyński -Pope Christian people” (PC, 1). In him, “Jesus saw the reason, “he encourages us to accept and welcome Francis describes Joseph’s fatherhood of Jesus as tender love of God,” the one that helps us accept others as they are, without exception, and to “the earthly shadow of the heavenly Father.” our weakness, because “it is through” and despite show special concern for the weak” (4). “Fathers are not born, but made,” says Pope “our fears, our frailties, and our weakness” that Francis. “A man does not become a father simply most divine designs are realised. “Only tender A creatively courageous father, example by bringing a child into the world, but by taking love will save us from the snares of the accuser,” of love up the responsibility to care for that child.” emphasises the Ponti, and it is by encountering Patris corde highlights “the creative courage” of Unfortunately, in today’s society, children “often God’s mercy especially in the Sacrament of St. Joseph, which “emerges especially in the way seem orphans, lacking fathers” who are able to Reconciliation that we “experience His truth and we deal with di culties.” “The carpenter of introduce them “to life and reality.” Children, the tenderness,” - because “we know that God’s truth Nazareth,” explains the Pope, was able to turn a Pope says, need fathers who will not try to The re-uphostering of the pews at Sacred Heart have been completed.

Donations are still needed to cover the cost, and can be made at the Tap and Go Devices or using the envelopes provided.

The Feast of the Holy Family 26th & 27th December 2020 dominate them, but instead raise them to be their children for them,” and instead respect their in you. Let it not be said that I invoked you in “capable of deciding for themselves, enjoying freedom. In this sense, says Pope Francis, a father vain, and since you can do everything with Jesus freedom and exploring new possibilities.” realises that “he is most a father and an educator and Mary, show me that your goodness is as great This is the sense in which St Joseph is described as at the point when he becomes ‘useless,’ when he as your power.” a “most chaste” father, which is the opposite of sees that his child has become independent and At the conclusion of his Letter, he adds another problem into a possibility by trusting in divine domineering possessiveness. Joseph, says Pope can walk the paths of life unaccompanied.” Being prayer to St Joseph, which he encourages all of us providence.” He had to deal with “the concrete Francis, “knew how to love with extraordinary a father, the Pope emphasises, “has nothing to do to pray together: problems” his Family faced, problems faced by freedom. He never made himself the centre of with possession, but is rather a ‘sign’ pointing to a other families in the world, and especially those things. He did not think of himself, but focused greater fatherhood”: that of the “heavenly Father” Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, of migrants. instead on the lives of Mary and Jesus.” (7). Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In this sense, St. Joseph is “the special patron of Happiness for Joseph involved a true gift of self: all those forced to leave their native lands “In him, we never see frustration, but only trust,” A daily prayer to St Joseph… and a To you God entrusted his only Son; because of war, hatred, persecution and poverty.” writes Pope Francis. “His patient silence was the challenge in you Mary placed her trust; As the guardian of Jesus and Mary, Joseph cannot prelude to concrete expressions of trust.” Joseph In his letter, Pope Francis notes how, “Every day, with you Christ became man. “be other than the guardian of the Church,” of her stands out, therefore, as an exemplary gure for for over forty years, following Lauds [Morning Blessed Joseph, to us too, motherhood, and of the Body of Christ. our time, in a world that “needs fathers,” and not Prayer]” he has “recited a prayer to Saint Joseph show yourself a father and guide us “Consequently, every poor, needy, suering or “tyrants”; a society that “rejects those who taken from a nineteenth-century French prayer in the path of life. dying person, every stranger, every prisoner, confuse authority with authoritarianism, service book of the Congregation of the Sisters of Jesus every inrm person is ‘the child’ whom Joseph with servility, discussion with oppression, charity and Mary.” This prayer, he says, expresses Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage, continues to protect.” From St Joseph, writes Pope with a welfare mentality, power with devotion and trust, and even poses a certain and defend us from every evil. Francis, “we must learn… to love the Church and destruction.” challenge to Saint Joseph,” on account of its Amen. the poor” (5). True fathers, instead, “refuse to live the lives of closing words: “My beloved father, all my trust is A father who teaches the value, dignity and In a new Apostolic Letter entitled Patris corde does not condemn us, but instead welcomes, joy of work A solemnity is a feast day of the (“With a Father’s Heart”), Pope Francis describes embraces, sustains and forgives us” (2). “A carpenter who earned an honest living to Saint Joseph as a beloved father, a tender and Joseph is also a father in obedience to God: with provide for his family,” St Joseph also teaches us Marriage Tribunal – Diocese of Broken Bay highest rank in the liturgical loving father, an obedient father, an accepting his ‘at’ he protects Mary and Jesus and teaches “the value, the dignity and the joy of what it calendar of the , father; a father who is creatively courageous, a his Son to “do the will of the Father.” Called by means to eat bread that is the fruit of one’s own celebrating a mystery of faith such working father, a father in the shadows. God to serve the mission of Jesus, he labour.” This aspect of Joseph’s character provides The Marriage Tribunal in the Diocese of Broken Bay is a service of the Diocese to assist with the as the Trinity, an event in the life The Letter marks the 150th anniversary of “cooperated… in the great mystery of Pope Francis the opportunity to launch an appeal pastoral care of: of Jesus, his mother Mary, or Blessed Pope Pius IX’s declaration of St Joseph as Redemption,” as St John Paul II said, “and is truly in favour of work, which has become “a burning • divorced persons seeking to remarry in the Catholic Church; another important saint. Patron of the Universal Church. To celebrate the a minister of salvation” (3). social issue” even in countries with a certain level Friday 1 January 2021 • divorced and remarried persons seeking to have their marriage recognised in the Catholic anniversary, Pope Francis has proclaimed a of well-being. “there is a renewed need to Mary, the Holy Mother special “Year of St Joseph,” beginning on the Welcoming the will of God appreciate the importance of dignied work, of Church; of God Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception 2020 At the same time, Joseph is “an accepting Father,” which Saint Joseph is an exemplary patron,” the • divorced persons seeking clarication of their standing in the Catholic Church for peace of and extending to the same feast in 2021. because he “accepted Mary unconditionally” - an Pope writes. Mass at 10am (livestreamed - conscience or for reassurance in developing relationships in the future. important gesture even today, says Pope Francis, Work, he says, “is a means of participating in the www.pittwaterparish.org) The Holy Father wrote Patris corde against the “in our world where psychological, verbal and work of salvation, an opportunity to hasten the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, which, he physical violence towards women is so evident.” coming of the Kingdom, to develop our talents Marriage Tribunal Contact Details says, has helped us see more clearly the But the Bridegroom of Mary is also the one who, and abilities, and to put them at the service of importance of “ordinary” people who, though far trusting in the Lord, accepts in his life even the society and fraternal communion.” Those who Diocesan Director: Fr Julian Wellspring JV from the limelight, exercise patience and oer events that he does not understand, “setting work, he explains, “are cooperating with God Administrative Assistant: Mrs Alda Mendezona hope every day. In this, they resemble Saint aside his own ideas” and reconciling himself with himself, and in some way become creators of the Phone: 9307 8309 • Email: [email protected] Joseph, “the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, his own history. world around us.” Pope Francis encourages Postal address: Level 7 discreet and hidden presence,” who nonetheless Joseph’s spiritual path “is not one that explains, everyone “to rediscover the value, the played “an incomparable role in the history of but accepts” - which does not mean that he is importance and the necessity of work for Polding Centre salvation.” “resigned.” Instead, he is “courageously and rmly bringing about a new ‘normal’ from which no one 133 Liverpool Street proactive,” because with “Holy Spirit’s gift of is excluded.” Especially in light of rising Sydney NSW 2000 A beloved, tender, obedient father fortitude,” and full of hope, he is able “to accept unemployment due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Saint Joseph, in fact, “concretely expressed his life as it is, with all its contradictions, frustrations the Pope calls everyone to “review our priorities” fatherhood” by making an oering of himself in and disappointments.” In practice, through St. and to express our rm conviction that no young The Marriage Tribunal will reopen on Monday, 4 January 2021. love “a love placed at the service of the Messiah Joseph, it is as if God were to repeat to us: “Do not person, no person at all, no family should be who was growing to maturity in his home,” be afraid!” because “faith gives meaning to every without work!” (6). Dear parishioners, To read the messages from writes Pope Francis, quoting his predecessor St event, however happy or sad,” and makes us Each year the Australian Region of are Bishop Anthony and from the Paul VI. aware that “God can make owers spring up from A father “in the shadows,” centred on Mary humbled by the overwhelming support from all the people Vox Populi please go to And because of his role at “the crossroads stony ground.” Joseph “did not look for shortcuts and Jesus Salvatorian parishes across Australia. between the Old and New Testament,” St Joseph but confronted reality with open eyes and Taking a cue from The Shadow of the Father - a www.pittwaterparish.org. “has always been venerated as a father by the accepted personal responsibility for it.” For this book by Polish writer Jan Dobraczyński -Pope Our community is sincerely grateful for the generous News and events tile and Christian people” (PC, 1). In him, “Jesus saw the reason, “he encourages us to accept and welcome Francis describes Joseph’s fatherhood of Jesus as Merry donations received throughout this year to support the Messages from Bishop Anthony tender love of God,” the one that helps us accept others as they are, without exception, and to “the earthly shadow of the heavenly Father.” formation of our seminarians and missionary projects. on the drop down menu. our weakness, because “it is through” and despite show special concern for the weak” (4). “Fathers are not born, but made,” says Pope Christmas “our fears, our frailties, and our weakness” that Francis. “A man does not become a father simply I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a most divine designs are realised. “Only tender A creatively courageous father, example by bringing a child into the world, but by taking fron the very Merry and safe Christmas with a joyous New Year. love will save us from the snares of the accuser,” of love up the responsibility to care for that child.” Salvatorians emphasises the Ponti, and it is by encountering Patris corde highlights “the creative courage” of Unfortunately, in today’s society, children “often May God continue to bless you abundantly. God’s mercy especially in the Sacrament of St. Joseph, which “emerges especially in the way seem orphans, lacking fathers” who are able to For the needy, help is available by Reconciliation that we “experience His truth and we deal with di culties.” “The carpenter of introduce them “to life and reality.” Children, the Fr George Kolodziej SDS contacting the Brookvale Centre tenderness,” - because “we know that God’s truth Nazareth,” explains the Pope, was able to turn a Pope says, need fathers who will not try to Regional Superior. 9905 0424 during business hours. The Feast of the Holy Family 26th & 27th December 2020 The Living Word

Entrance Lk 2:16 from one man, and one who was already a widow. She was now eighty-four years The shepherds went in haste, as good as dead himself, more old and never left the Temple, serving and found Mary and Joseph and the Infant descendants than could be counted, as God night and day with fasting and lying in a manger. many as the stars of heaven or the grains prayer. She came by just at that moment of sand on the seashore. and began to praise God; and she spoke It was by faith that Abraham, when put to of the child to all who looked forward to First Reading Gen 15:1-6. 21:1-3 the test, offered up Isaac. He offered to the deliverance of Jerusalem. A reading from the book of Genesis sacrifice his only son even though the When they had done everything the Law Your own son shall be your heir. promises had been made to him and he of the Lord required, they went back to had been told: It is through Isaac that Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The word of the Lord was spoken to your name will be carried on. He was Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, Abram in a vision, ‘Have no fear, Abram, confident that God had the power even to and he was filled with wisdom; and I am your shield; your reward will be raise the dead; and so, figuratively God’s favour was with him. very great’. speaking, he was given back Isaac from ‘My Lord’, Abram replied, ‘what do you the dead. The Gospel of the Lord intend to give me? I go childless...’ Then Abram said, ‘See, you have given me no The word of the Lord descendants; some man of my household Communion Antiphon Bar 3:38 will be my heir.’ And then this word of Our God has appeared on the earth, and lived the Lord was spoken to him, ‘He shall Gospel Acclamation Heb 1:1-2 among us. not be your heir; your heir shall be one of your own flesh and blood.’ Then taking Alleluia, alleluia! him outside he said, ‘Look up to heaven In the past God spoke to our fathers and count the stars if you can. Such will through the prophets; REFLECTION be your descendants,’ he told him. Abram now he speaks to us though his Son. by Dianne Bergant CSS put his faith in the Lord, who counted Alleluia! this as making him justified. The readings focus our attention on true The Lord dealt kindly with Sarah as he family values. God promises an heir to a had said, and did what he had promised Gospel Lk 2:22-40 couple that cannot produce a child, and her. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to A reading from the holy Gospel according when the promise is fulfilled and the Abraham in his old age, at the time God to Luke child is born, God asks for the life of that had promised. Abraham named the son The child grew to maturity, and he was filled child. The hopes that were kindled by the born to him Isaac, the son to whom Sarah with wisdom. promise and that blazed brilliantly with had given birth. the child's birth now lie like ashes on a When the day came for them to be heap. Is God reneging on the promise of The word of the Lord purified as laid down by the Law of a descendant? Is God playing with Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up people's dreams and aspirations? Or to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord – might God be preparing them for yet Responsorial Psalm observing what stands written in the Law another marvel? Ps 104:1-6. 8-9. R.vv.7.8 of the Lord: Every first-born male must The couple had placed their trust in be consecrated to the Lord – and also to God's initial promise of new life, and it (R.) The Lord remembers his offer in sacrifice, in accordance with was fulfilled. Now Abraham, as the covenant for ever. what is said in the Law of the Lord, a representative of the entire family, is pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. asked to hope against hope, to relinquish Give thanks to the Lord, tell his name, Now in Jerusalem there was a man the child in whom all of the hopes of the make known his deeds among the named Simeon. He was an upright and future rests. Trust does not really depend peoples. devout man; he looked forward to upon the promises made, but upon the O sing to him, sing his praise; Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit one making the promises. God is a God tell all his wonderful works! (R) rested on him. It had been revealed to of surprises, of the paradoxical, of the him by the Holy Spirit that he would not preposterous. This is a God who opens Be proud of his holy name, see death until he had set eyes on the closed wombs, rescinds death sentences, let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice. Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the takes an obscure child and makes him the Consider the Lord and his strength; Spirit he came to the Temple; and when light to the nations. Trust in such a God constantly seek his face. (R) the parents brought in the child Jesus to requires that we sacrifice our own do for him what the Law required, he presuppositions. Then, expecting nothing Remember the wonders he has done, took him into his arms and blessed God; from God, we can be open to everything. his miracles, the judgements he spoke. and he said: In the face of such mystery, the human O children of Abraham, his servant, ‘Now, Master, heart can only sing with gratitude. We O sons of the Jacob he chose. (R) you can let your servant go in peace, live in the presence of God, and this just as you promised; sustains us through whatever seems He remembers his covenant for ever, because my eyes have seen the salvation impossible. Thanksgiving opens us to his promise for a thousand generations, which you have prepared for all the receive God's promise and God's gifts. the covenant he made with Abraham, nations to see, the oath he swore to Isaac. (R) a light to enlighten the pagans © Dianne Bergant CSS and the glory of your people Israel.’ As the child’s father and mother stood Second Reading Heb 11:8. 11-12. 17-19 there wondering at the things that were A reading from the letter to the Hebrews being said about him, Simeon blessed The faith of Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac. them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall It was by faith that Abraham obeyed the and for the rising of many in Israel, call to set out for a country that was the destined to be a sign that is rejected – and inheritance given to him and his a sword will pierce your own soul too – descendants,May the child andJesus that be the he starset out without so that the secret thoughts of many may knowing where he was going. be laid bare.’ It wasthat equally guides you by throughfaith that Sarah, in spite There was a prophetess also, Anna the of being past the age, was made able to daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Fr Richard conceive,the desert becauseof your present she believed life. that he Asher. She was well on in years. Her Fr Richard celebrates his birthday on who had made the promise would be days of girlhood over, she had been January 3rd. faithful toSt it. Padre Because Pio of this, there came married for seven years before becoming The Feast of the Holy Family 26th & 27th December 2020

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Liturgy for the Week 28/12 Monday The Holy Innocents, martyrs 1 Jn 1:5 - 2:2; Mt 2:13-18 29/12 Tuesday 5th Day in the Octave of the Nativity 1 Jn 2:3-11; Lk 2:22-35 30/12 Wednesday 6th Day in the Octave of the Nativity 1 Jn 2:12-17; Lk 2:36-40 31/12 Thursday 7th Day in the Octave of the Nativity 1 Jn 2:18-21; Jn 1:1-18 Is your loved one in need of To nd out more, call Tamara JANUARY Residential Care? 0403226699 Our Residential Aged Care homes 01/01 Friday Mary Mother of God o er accommodation, day-to-day Num 6:22-27; Gal 4:4-7; support, meals, social activities and Lk 2:16-21 quality care by specialist sta .

02/01 Saturday Sts Basil the Great Places are available at We acknowledge and thank the businesses and Gregory Nazianzen, George Mockler House, Mona Vale. and individuals that support our parish bishops, doctors through advertising in our parish bulletin. 1 Jn 2:22-28; Jn 1:19-28 To learn more call 1800 225 474 We thank them for their support and ask our (Alt. Eph 4:1-7, 11-13; Mt 23:8-12) parish community to support their businesses in return.

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