St Mary's Parish — Maungaturoto — Mangawhai — Wellsford Sunday Mass Times Mangawhai: 8.30am Wellsford:10.30am Maungaturoto: 4.00pm Weekday Mass Times Wellsford: Tues & Sat 9.00am & Fri 11.30am Maungaturoto Wed 10.00am Mangawhai Thurs 10.30am (private home) Eucharistic Adoration Wellsford: Fri. 10.45—11:20am. Maungaturoto: Wed 9.30—9.55am

Our Lady of Perpetual Help email: [email protected] Fourth Sunday of Advent—20th December 2020 2Samuel 7:1-5,8-12,14,16 Psalm 88 Romans 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-38 having and giving up The account of the birth-promise in The story of Mary’s pregnancy Luke looks ahead to the whole life of Jesus, emphasises this will be no ordinary birth. a life that ended in the reality of a She is congratulated as bringing the crucifixion. Such ‘good news’ is difficult to messianic hopes of Israel to fruition. fit in with our traditional Christmas The Eucharistic prayer is the moment festivities. when with a mixture of weariness and Mary is favoured because she is to be confidence we respond: “Thanks be to the mother of Jesus, that is, mother of the God”. We need not speculate about ways Saviour of the people. She is favoured also or modes or times. It is enough to ponder because she will come to understand and the claim about the coming of the reigning not oppose his mission. The angel of GOD, expressed in the angel’s announces that a new government begins announcement. This arrival will displace with him. It is like the reign of the poor. all present powers. We celebrate in The Holy Spirit is the same as saying anticipation of that. Our anticipation of ‘the the “Spirit of God”. That is, GOD’s way of ‘coming of the Lord Jesus’ is not an empty being; the same as saying “Love”. The formal claim; it takes its substance from Church has called this Holy Spirit, “Father the memory of Jesus’ practise: “The blind of the Poor”. Jesus was born from this shall see again, the lame walk, those Spirit—the Spirit of Justice, because it is a suffering from virulent skin-diseases are spirit of Love. The angel continued with cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are words about Elizabeth and the power-for- raised to life, the good news is proclaimed life of GOD to end barrenness. to the poor …” -BF

“She is the woman of prayer and work in Nazareth, and she is also Our Lady of Help, who sets out from her town “with haste” to be of service to others. This interplay of justice and tenderness, of contemplation and concern for others, is what makes the ecclesial community look to Mary as a model of evangelisation.” Francis, The Joy of the Gospel, 288 Christmas Day Mass Shine TV Shine will broadcast Christmas Day Mass starting at 1.50pm. Shine is on Free-to-air Channel 25 and Sky TV Channel 201. Mass comes from the Cathedral of St Patrick and St and the presider is Bishop Gielen. Join in the singing beautifully led by the Cathedral Choir and Vocal ensemble. Or it can be watched from https:// www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/our-events/mass/ Mass will be broadcast at 2pm the next Sunday the Feast of the Holy Family and that will conclude this current provision of broadcast Mass.

NZ Catholic NZ Catholic has been named as Publication of the Year at the Australasian Religious Press Association 2020 Awards. The December 13-26 issue of NZ Catholic is out now. Some headlines are: • New pastoral plan for Auckland Diocese. • New vaccines prompt serious questions. • Hospital Chaplain called a local hero. • Maris ordained to priesthood. The next issue of NZ Catholic will be published on December 27.

Food for Faith for Advent – Father John O’Connor’s popular Food for Faith page will have daily reflections for Advent. Go to his site and sign up to get the reflections daily by email during December: www.foodforfaith.org.nz

We are good at waiting… for lockdown levels to change for hearing the 1pm briefing – at 2 for the phone to ring for the email to arrive for a card to come – real one with a stamp for a baby to be born for the whānau to come home. In this last week of Advent let us wait well in faith in hope in unity with one another Together let us wait in joy for Emmanuel God with us

Merry Christmas

Until the new year.

Sr Siân Owen rsj Heading North this summer? A reminder and encouragement to visit the places of important Catholic history in our diocese, particular Motuti, where Bishop Pompallier remains are interred in St Mary’s Church, and Tōtara Point, where the first official Mass was celebrated on 13 January 1838. All are invited to Mass at Tōtara Point Sunday, 10 January 2021 at 11am to commemorate the first Mass in Aotearoa.

Christmas blessings and gratitude from the Caring Foundation Your support for families and communities in need during 2020 has helped the foundation support over 60 agencies working with the poor and the vulnerable. Thank you for your compassion and care. Please keep the Foundation in your prayers, and if able please support our Christmas Appeal. www.caringfoundation.org.nz

CHRISTMAS MASSES– The Nativity of the Lord Maungaturoto—Christmas Eve Thursday 24 December Carols 5.30pm, Mass 6.00pm. Wellsford—Thursday 24 December Carols start 8.30pm, Mass 9.00pm Mangawhai—Christmas Day 25 December Carols 8.00am, Mass 8.30am

Wellsford Rosters Christmas Vigil

Sunday 20 Dec 24 Dec Sunday 27 Dec Min/s of Word Ivan Tomas, Marie Bob Schimanski Ken Hancock, Mary Rambaud Maureen Hancock Rose Jones Intercessions Marie Rambaud Mary Rose Jones Offertory & Des & Kath Mike & Lynette Harris Mike & Lynette Collection Bezzant Harris Ministers of Monica Pride, Marie Rambaud Maureen Hancock, Eucharist Uraura Eranga Amarasekara Bob Schimanski Morning Tea Marie Rambaud Kath & Des Bezzant Church Cleaning Monica Pride Gay Pride prayer intentions for the week readings: 4th Week of Advent Monday 21 Dec For a Life of Prayer Songs 2:8-14 or 3:14-18 Ps.33 We pray that our personal relationship with Jesus Christ be nourished by the Word of Luke 1:39-45 God and a life of prayer. Tuesday 22 Dec 1Samuel 1:24-28 1Samuel p.166 Luke 1:46-56 Prayers for our Sick: Wednesday 23 Dec Petronella & Dolf Ter Veer, Matteo Gray, 3:1-4,23-24 Pamela Downes, Vivienne Hill, Sarah Luke 1:57-66 Lambert, Frances Palmer, Lynn Prictor, Thursday 24 Dec (morning) Tony Vale, Philip Cotching, Justine Diegan, 2Samuel 7:1-5,8-11,16 Ps.25 Emily Harold, Paul Brom, Veronica Grigg, Luke 1:67-79 Michael Power: Thursday 24 Dec (Evening) Allison Poninghouse, Peter Matheson, THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD Pamela Gallagher, Anne Jackson, Maggie 1. 9:1-7 Ps.96 Everett: 2. Titus 2:11-14 Dallas & James Colville, Kiri Walton, Don Matheson, Lucille Jenneker, Corazon Kok. Gospel: Luke 2:1-14 Friday 25 Dec 1. Isaiah 52:7-10 Ps.98 (Please contact Marie to have names added to or removed from the above, 2. Hebrews 1:1-6 (0210544772). Gospel: John 1:1-18 Saturday 26 Dec St Stephen, First Martyr Prayers for the Dead: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-60 Ps.31 For Larry Downes who died 9 December and Matthew 10:17-22 for those whose death anniversaries occur Sunday 27 Dec HOLY FAMILY about now, including: Basil Corboy (20th), 1. Ecclesiasticus 3:2-6,12-14 Ps.128 Anne Came (23rd) and Michael Power (27th). 2. Colossians 3:12-21 May they rest in peace. Gospel: Luke 2:22-40

St Mary's Parish Mangawhai - Maungaturoto – Wellsford Pastoral Council Chairperson: Michele Oliver ph: 431 5048 Parish Co-ordinator: Bob Schimanski ph: 423 8550 Priest Administrator: Fr. Bill Fletcher ph: 423 8170 Newsletter Editor: Marie Rambaud ph: 423 8907 email: [email protected] Parish Web address: wellsfordcatholic.org.nz BNZ account 02-0100-0120990-20 (or 020) Reconciliations: Wellsford: Sat. 8.30 – 8.55am Maungaturoto: Sun:3.30 – 3.55pm. Mangawhai: Sun: 8.00-8.25am