SUNDAY MASSES TIMES WEEKDAY MASS TIMES The Partnered Parishes of All public celebrations of indoor Mass All public celebrations of indoor Mass are restricted to 20 people only which includes server, reader, are restricted to 20 people only which includes server, reader, St. Gabriel, Reservoir musicians (and technicians when live streaming), musicians (and technicians when live streaming), and in addition to the priest. in addition to the priest. Entry by ticket only (ebto) to allow the recording Entry by ticket only (ebto) to allow the recording St Stephen of Hungary, East Reservoir of the names of those present to monitor Covid-19 virus. of the names of those present to monitor Covid-19 virus.
Sat. 6 p.m.Vigil St Stephen’s (ebto) Parish Priest: Fr. Shane Hoctor ST GABRIEL’S: Tues., Thurs, Fri. at 9 a.m. Sun. 8:30 a.m. St Stephen’s cancelled at present 8:30 a.m. St Gabriel’s cancelled at present 10 a.m. St Gabriel’s (ebto) ST STEPHEN’S: Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. St Gabriel’s
1 Viola Street, Reservoir, 3073 SACRAMENT OF PENANCE FERIALS, FEASTS & INTENTIONS— (Confessions) Orario sante messe feriali Ph: 9460 6036 / 9460 9634
Restrictions to the location and time Email: [email protected] of celebration apply. Mon. Ordinary Time 34 NO MASS The tableau in today’s gospel concludes Matthew’s collection Website: www.stgabrielsreservoir.org of the teachings of Jesus concerning the End. Unique to Mat- Tues. Sts Andrew Dũng-Lac & companions, martyrs BAPTISMS Parish Secretaries: thew’s gospel, it is a masterpiece. Strictly speaking, it is not a Intention: Holy Souls parable, but an allegory – a narrative in which details have 1st & 3rd Sundays of the month at 11:30 a.m. Mrs Gracie Forde symbolic significance… For the first Christians, Jesus was the Bookings 94606036. Wed. Ordinary Time 34 Mr Hung Chau ‘Son of Man’, invested in his risen glory with divine authority Covid-19 restrictions apply - 10 family/guests only. Intention: Holy Souls (Mt 26:64). In today’s second reading, Paul celebrates the Office Hours: divine authority with which the Saviour brings his saving work Thurs. Ordinary Time 34 Mon. & Tues. 8:30 a.m.—12:30 p.m. to completion. In the triumph of the resurrection he has au- MARRIAGES thority over the whole of creation; when ‘the end’ comes, hav- Intention: Holy Souls Fri: 8 a.m.—3 p.m. by prior arrangement ing overcome all the forces of evil, he will deliver the New (at least six months notice is required. Creation into the hands of his Father, and those who share in Fri. Ordinary Time 34 No Sunday weddings.) St Gabriel’s Parish Primary School: his triumph will rejoice in a divine generosity that has no limits. Intention: Holy Souls Paul’s account of ‘the end’ is somewhat overwhelming. Mat- Covid-19 restrictions apply. 237 Spring Street, Reservoir thew’s tableau, on the other hand, presents the final Judg- Sat. Ordinary Time 34 NO MASS “Inspiring to thrive” ment in terms that are easy to understand – terms that can be EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT related to the ways of God that found expression in the Ser-
suspended until further notice. Ph: 9469 3513 mon on the Mount. Despite its simplicity, however, the more Email: [email protected] we ponder this tableau the more we come to appreciate how rich it is in inspiration for those who want to live as followers of Principal: Mr Mark Miatello Jesus.
Secretary: Mrs Enza Torcasio The criterion by which we will be judged when we come into
the presence of God is practical, simple and clear. It is not so much what we do for the God ‘we cannot see’ that matters, in First Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17 The Lord is exasperated that those who were appointed to look the end, but what we do for one another – expressing the fact after God’s people have used their position for their own advantage that we are true children of the same Father (cf.1 Jn 4:20). And among God’s children it is the poor and needy who and neglected their responsibilities: the Lord will take care of the flock from now on. St Stephen’s should have our special care – our ‘preferential option’. The things that will establish our worth in the sight of God, and our 71 Whitelaw Street, Reservoir East, 3073 readiness to share in God’s friendship, are simple things, pos- Psalm Response: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Ph: 9460 6036 / 9460 9634 sible to all, learned and simple, rich and poor. What overturns our expectations and is immensely reassuring is the fact that Email: [email protected] those who have proved themselves worthy of hearing the Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28 Paul looks forward to the coming of Christ in glory at Lord’s invitation – ‘Come, you whom my Father has blessed, Parish Secretary: take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the the end of time. foundation of the world’ – may well be taken unawares. Re- Mrs Gracie Forde sponding to the grace of God, working in them ‘in a hidden Gospel Acc.: Alleluia, alleluia! Office: way’ (Gaudium et spes, n.22), they have shown themselves Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord! Please contact St Gabriel’s Parish Office. true children of the Father – helping for the sake of those in Blessings on the coming kingdom of our father David! need, without any thought of a reward. Matthew’s tableau finds a place among the elect for all who fight unselfishly hu- Alleluia! St Stephen of Hungary Primary School: manity’s ancient enemies: ‘ignorance, poverty, disease, injus- 71 Whitelaw Street, Reservoir East tice, bigotry, death of body or soul’ (B. Vawter). The greatest Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:31-46 inspiration of all, however, is found in the Lord’s affirmation, The trial scene, set at the end of time, reveals God’s judgement Where every child counts! ‘You did it to me’. Sharing our humanity and experience in a
on how we have responded to the needs of our fellow human beings. struggling world, the ‘Son of Man’ has made himself one in a Ph: 9460 3566 privileged way with those in greatest need. Email: [email protected] Placing us on the threshold of the final Kingdom, this tableau NEXT SUNDAY—DOMENICA PROSSIMA Principal: Mr Richard Keele gives us a glimpse of what it will be like – one family of the Father, united in God’s generous and merciful ways. Today, 1st Sunday of Advent - 1a Domenica Di Avvento Readings Year B Secretary: Mrs Gracie Forde we venerate Christ the King; today’s gospel reminds us that it Isaiah 63:16-17, 64:1,3-8; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:33-37 is only in his final ‘glory’ that he exercised his kingship. Among us, he makes himself the ‘Servant’ of all. THE PARTNERED PARISHES of St Gabriel’s and St Ste-
The Parishes of St Gabriel, Reservoir and St Stephen, East Reservoir, are committed to upholding and implementing the Privacy Principles set phen of Hungary are committed to the care, wellbeing and Excerpts from John Thornhill sm out in the 2001 legislation of the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments. A copy of the Parishes’ Privacy Policy is available to any Parishion- protection of children, young people and vulnerable people in The Emmaus Series at www.theemmausseries.com er by contacting the respective Parish Offices. our community. GENERAL MEETINGS, EVENTS, NEWS & HUMOUR PARISHES’ INFORMATION 10 A.M. MASS each Sunday at St Gabriel’s will be On our course of catechesis on prayer, today we meet the ST STEPHEN’S SCHOOL ENROLMENTS— WE WELCOME into the Church and our Parish live-streamed. Go to: www.stgabrielsreservoir.org Virgin Mary as the prayerful woman. The Madonna prayed. ’Every Day is Open Day’. If you know of any Family Domenic Di Mento and William Dean Thalasinos whose baptisms we celebrate today. and follow the prompts. Thanks to Mustard Media! When the world still knew nothing of her, when she was a family who has a child ready for school please let The previous Sunday Masses are also available. simple girl engaged to a man of the house of David, Mary them know about us and encourage them to visit
prayed. We can imagine the young girl of Nazareth wrapped the school! in silence, in continual dialogue with God who would soon “Where every child counts.” During this period of limited numbers at entrust her with a mission. She is already full of grace and Masses - Thanksgiving Envelopes etc. may immaculate from the moment she was conceived; but she for you to join in at home be placed in the letter-box next to the front door … cont. knows nothing yet of her surprising and extraordinary vocation Entrance: CWB 477 of St Gabriel’s Presbytery (LHS of the door NOT the bad moments. The Our Father end this way: the grace and the stormy sea she will have to cross. One thing is cer- Psalm Response: CWB 51 (old ed.) the mail-box on the street.) tain: Mary belongs to a great host of the humble of heart that Jesus Himself taught us to ask of the Lord. Gospel Acc. Celtic Alleluia THANK YOU to those who are doing this already! CDF pay whom the official historians never include in their books, but Mary accompanied Jesus’s entire life in prayer, right up to His Prep. of Gifts: CWB 538 for Parishes – Online Payment Portal - is an easy way to with whom God prepared the coming of His Son. death and resurrection; and in the end, she continued and she Communion: CWB 579 contribute. The St Gabriel’s site is live and can be found via Mary did not autonomously conduct her life: she waits for God accompanied the first steps of the nascent Church Recessional: CWB 619 this link: CDFpay for Reservoir to take the reins of her path and guide her where He wants. (see Acts 1:14). Mary prayed with the disciples who had wit- Ordinary: Mass of Freedom She is docile, and with her availability she prepares the grand nessed the scandal of the cross. She prayed with Peter who Lebanon Update: Immediately events in which God takes part in the world. had succumbed to fear and cried for remorse. Mary was … cont. following the Beirut explosion, ACN The Catechism recalls her constant and caring presence in there, with the disciples, in the midst of the men and women of the Lord in the infancy narrative in his Gospel. Everything whom her Son had called to form His Community. Mary did provided an initial emergency grant the benevolent design of the Father throughout the course of that happens around her ends up being reflected on in the Jesus’s life (see CCC, 2617-2618). not act like a priest among them, no! She is Jesus’s Mother depths of her heart: the days filled with joy, as well as the of $400,00 AUD for food. ACN has just announced a who prayed with them, in the community, as a member of the further commitment of $8 million for the repair and re- Mary was praying when the Archangel Gabriel came to bring darkest moments when even she struggles to understand by his message to her in Nazareth. Her small yet immense “Here community. She prayed with them and prayed for them. And, construction of churches and convents. ACN thanks which roads the Redemption must pass. Everything ends up I am”, which makes all of creation jump for joy at that moment, once again, her prayer preceded into the future that was in her heart so that it might pass through the sieve of prayer everyone who has already donated to their national ap- was preceded throughout salvation history by many other about to be fulfilled: by the work of the Holy Spirit she became and be transfigured by it: whether it be the gifts of the Magi, peal and welcomes any further support. Visit “Here I ams”, by many trusting obediences, by many who the Mother of God, and by the work of the Holy Spirit she be- or the flight into Egypt, until that terrible passion Friday. The www.aidtochurch.org/Lebanon or call 1800 101 201. were open to God’s will. There is no better way to pray than to came the Mother of the Church. Praying with the nascent Mother keeps everything and brings it to her dialogue with Church, she becomes the Mother of the Church, accompany- THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION will be cele- place oneself in an attitude of openness, of a heart open to God. Someone has compared Mary’s heart to a pearl of in- God: “Lord, what You want, when You want, and how You ing the disciples on the first steps of the Church in prayer, brated in the week beginning 30 November. Archbishop comparable splendour, formed and smoothed by patient ac- want”. That is, with a heart open to God’s will. And God al- awaiting the Holy Spirit. In silence, always silently. Mary’s ceptance of God’s will through the mysteries of Jesus medi- Comensoli has granted the Faculty to Confirm to all ways responds. How many believers live their prayer like this! prayer is silent. The Gospels recount only one of Mary’s pray- tated on in prayer. How beautiful it would be if we too could Parish Priests and Parish Administrators. Covid-19 safe Those who are the most humble of heart pray like this: with ers at Cana, when she asks her Son for those poor people be a bit like our Mother! With a heart open to God’s Word, practices will be in place. Please pray for the Candi- essential humility, let’s put it that way; with simple humility: who are about to make a horrible impression during the ban- with a silent heart, with an obedient heart, with a heart that dates as they prepare for this Sacrament. The ceremo- “Lord, what You want, when You want, and how You want”. quet. So, let us imagine: there is a wedding banquet and it will knows how to receive God’s Word and that allows itself to nies will be live streamed for other family members and They pray like this and do not get upset when problems fill end up with milk because there is no wine! What an impres- grow with the seed of good for the Church. sion! And she prays and asks her Son to resolve that prob- friends. their days, but they go about facing reality and knowing that in Pope Francis, Wednesday General Audience, 18 November 2020. humble love, in love offered in each situation, we become lem. In and of itself, Mary’s presence is prayer, and her pres- PLEASE PRAY FOR: Revs. Jude Ezeme, James ence among the disciples in the Upper Room, awaiting the Baptist, Jude Johnson and Simeon Anthony who will be instruments of God’s grace. “Lord, what You want, when You Prayer to St Joseph want, and how You want”. A simple prayer, but one in which Holy Spirit, is in prayer. Thus Mary gives birth to the Church, under whose patronage the Archbishop has placed the ordained to the Priesthood on Sat. 5 Dec. and for: she is the Mother of the Church. The Catechism explains: “In Archdiocese in this time of crisis - we place ourselves in the Lord’s hands so that He might guide Mario Pablo Chavez, Juma Emilio Tangum Lofornk, us. All of us can pray like this, almost without words. the faith of his humble handmaid, the Gift of God”, that is, the St Joseph, You were receptive to God William Malouk Majak Daw who will be ordained as Per- Prayer knows how to calm restlessness. We are restless, we Holy Spirit, “found the acceptance he had awaited from the working in your life. manent Deacons on Frid. 11 Dec.; and for: Jaycee always want things before asking for them, and we want them beginning of time” (CCC, 2617). Help us by your prayers at this time of trial. Tala Napoles Sun. 29 Nov.; Kyaw Lin (Joseph) Aung right away. This restlessness harms us. And prayer knows In the Virgin Mary, natural feminine intuition is exalted by her You kept Jesus and Mary under your watchful care: may your Thurs. 3 Dec; Samuel Charles Pearson Frid. 4 Dec.; how to calm restlessness, knows how to transform it into most singular union with God in prayer. This is why, reading prayers assist our local Church to respond to those in need. the Gospel, we note that she seems to disappear at times, Joseph Jackson Nguyen, Hoang Tuan Dinh Sat.19 availability. When we are restless, I pray and prayer opens my 4You taught the Christ Child your trade and prayers: heart and makes me open to God’s will. In those few mo- only to reappear for crucial moments: Mary was open to help us to follow his example of love. Dec. who will be ordained as Transitional Dea- God’s voice that guided her heart, that guided her steps cons. ments of the Annunciation, the Virgin Mary knew how to reject You were part of God’s plan for all humanity: assist us to be fear, even while sensing that her “yes” would bring her tre- where her presence was needed. Her silent presence as vigilant and responsible this day. mendously difficult trials. If in prayer we understand that each mother and as disciple. Mary is present because she is Moth- You spent your life in service: may we be mindful of PLEASE HELP US TO KEEP YOU SAFE: As Govern- day given by God is a call, our hearts will then widen and we er but she is also present because she is the first disciple, the others, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, ment and DHHS regulations require us to record the will accept everything. We will learn how to say: “What You one who best learned Jesus’s ways. Mary never says: caring for them in these difficult days. want, Lord. Promise me only that You will be present every “Come, I will take care of things”. Instead she says: “Do what- You trusted in the clear primacy of God over all history and names and phone numbers of all present at Mass or ever He will tell you”, always pointing her finger at Jesus. This ceremonies when booking on Trybooking book one step of my way”. This is important: to ask the Lord to be pre- every situation: help us to grow in faith and pray to the Father, sent on every step of our way: that He not leave us alone, that behaviour is typical of the disciple, and she is the first disciple: Thy will be done. Amen. person at a time and not multiple people. Thus there is she prays as Mother and she prays as a disciple. He not abandon us in temptation, that He not abandon us in a record pf each person even if they are from the same cont. next page ... “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her household. Thank you! heart” (Lk 2:19). Thus the evangelist Luke depicts the Mother
After his speech at a reception in the palace. The king cont. next column ...
was thirsty but as his speech was about equality he TAP THE RESERVOIR - an online chat with the Parish decided not to ask one of his footmen to get him a RECENTLY DECEASED: Antonio Carnovale Priest of Reservoir/East Reservoir - will continue on drink. He walked over to where the bar was and Thursday 26 November from 7 - 8 p.m. joined the queue. When he finally made it to the bar he Andrew Dung-Lac, a Catholic convert or- ANNIVERSARIES: Bartolo, Giovanna & Tony La dained to the priesthood, was one of 117 Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/99304273679? asked for a cup of punch. The barman replied: “I am so sor- Greca, Alf Bellman, Edward Amour, Mavis Cumming, ry Your Majesty, this is the mineral water line. So the king people martyred in Vietnam between 1820 pwd=eHQ2V0QwLzRhWjNMWXZqL1VOa2Mzdz09 and 1862. Members of the companions group Les Hill, Domenico Meneghini, Frank McCarter, Peg Meeting ID: 993 0427 3679 moved to the next line and when he got to the bar he asked Brown, for a cup of punch. The barmaid replied: “Regrettably, Sire, gave their lives for Christ in the 17th, 18th, Passcode: 857204 and 19th centuries, and received beatification this is the lemonade line.” So the king moved onto the next during four different occasions between 1900 This will be the last Tap the Reservoir for the year. line. At the bar he asked for a cup of punch. The barman Dropped in at the Presbytery—THANK YOU! there replied: “Your Majesty, this is the juice line.” “Thank and 1951. All were canonized during the pa- pacy of Saint John Paul II. you,” the king answered and moved to the next line. By now A VOCATION VIEW: The Church year ends today. We Christianity came to Vietnam through the Portuguese. Jesuits St Gabriel’s Thanks. Envelopes: $417 he was very thirsty. When he finally made it to the bar he can proclaim Christ as King because we sense our vo- opened the first permanent mission at Da Nang in 1615. They asked for a cup of punch. The bar-manager replied: “I am so St Stephen’s Thanks. Envelopes: $216 ministered to Japanese Catholics who had been driven from cation as being members of Christ’s royal family, called sorry, Sire, there is no punch line.” to serve God and one another. Japan. Presbytery: $866