In of the Honour Angels Published by the Pacific Vice Province of Mary Help of Christians Vol 4, Issue 4, December 2014 The CONGREGATION of SAINT MICHAEL the ARCHANGEL (CSMA) St Michael the Archangel, A Warrior for Today Glory to God in the PRAYER TO SAINT MICHAEL THE Highest and Peace A RC H A N G EL Saint Michael the to people on earth! Archangel, defend us in battle, be our safeguard against the wickedness and ear Friends, snares of the devil; Christmas is the season where our eyes, ears and may God rebuke D hearts are focusing on the Holy Fami- him, we humbly ly. We see the Infant Child Jesus, in pray and do you, the centre with Mary, the angels and O Prince of the the ox and ass and then somewhere in Heavenly Host, the background and often unnoticed by the power of is St. Joseph. Although, the scripture God, cast into hell says he was a humble man, neverthe- Satan and all the evil less, he was a man of strong faith in God and a sound protector of Jesus spirits who prowl and Mary, listening and being guided about the world by the plan of God. seeking the ruin of The importance of his role in the souls. Amen history of salvation was acknowledged by our Holy Father, Pope Francis, who I N S I D E decreed, that the name of St Joseph THIS ISSUE: be included in the Canon of the Mass and mentioned daily. Editorial 1 For us devotees of St Michael, Welcome New 2 St Joseph is a great example of someone lead us on the path of salvation. Let us stay Bishops who is attuned to the inspirations coming attuned to their presence in our lives and from God through the ministry of His Chronicles 3 at this time of Christmas, let’s join the Angels. His heart did not doubt, question Hosts of Heavenly Angels, in the great PNG & Australian 4 or hesitate but rather, he acted immediate- hymn of praise when God’s Word became Seminarians ly and obediently at the prompting of the flesh in the person of our Lord Jesus. Angel. We may not have the same clear vision that Wishing all a happy Christmas and St Joseph had of the Angels, but we know that God gives each and everyone of us an many Blessings for the New Year. Angel to be our guardian, to protect and Fr Janusz Bieniek CSMA P A G E 2 P A G E 2 DID YOU KNOW? Welcome new Bishops There was a huge crowd of numerous Sydney Catholics, dignitaries, friends and family that were present on the night of his installation. It was a beautiful liturgy The word “Christmas” with music and prayers. comes from “Christ’s Mass” meaning the For the record: Archbishop Anthony is Mass of Christ, which a priest from the Order of Preachers we can find in writings (Dominicans) dated 1038. The word 2003 - Ordained Bishop and appointed Auxillary Bishop of Sydney “holiday” comes from Holy Day, as hundreds 2010: Appointed 3rd Bishop of Parramatta of years ago Holy Days (celebrating various 18 September 2014—Appointed 9th Archbishop of Sydney Saints) were days free from hard work. There are four Michaelites parishes in Archbishop Anthony Fisher, the Archdiocese of Sydney with 9 priests Many Christmas working in pastoral care, education and decorations are Installation in Sydney -12 Nov 2014 Almost all Michaelite priests working in hospital chaplaincy. Christian symbols eg the star and the bell. the Sydney Archdiocese were present The first ordination to the priesthood that Hundreds of years ago, together with 100’s of priests from Bishop Anthony celebrated was our own, bells were rung in Sydney and Parramatta Archdiocese. Fr George Gorzkowski csma in 2007. towns on Sundays to remind the population of what they needed Installation - 12 December 2014 to do! in Cathedral at Waitara. Christmas has become For the record: Bishop Peter is a priest for many people, a time from the Wollongong diocese. of gift-receiving and materialism, however, 8 June 2011 - Ordained to the Episcopate the best gifts are those and appointed Auxillary Bishop of Sydney not bought with money 27 February 2014—Appointed as Apostol- but given freely. ic Administrator of the Archdiocese of As Christians, we see Sydney Christmas as especially 20 November 2014—Appointed as the a time of giving because God so loved the world Bishop Broken Bay Diocese. that He gave His only Bishop Peter Comensoli, Son so that everyone Michaelites have been working in the who believes in Him will Broken Bay Diocese Broken Bay Diocese since 2002. First not perish but may have in the parish of Wyoming and then in Terrigal. At the moment, there are 2 eternal life. John3:16 We are all very pleased to receive God gave first. Jesus is the announcement of newly appointed priests working there and we are looking the greatest gift Bishop Peter Comensoli as the new Bishop forward to developing a more permanent because he is the of Broken Bay - 3rd Bishop of the diocese. presence in the diocese. world’s One and only Saviour. IN HONOUR OF THE ANGELS A PUBLICATION OF THE CONGREGATION OF ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL P A G E 3 IN HONOUR OF THE ANG ELS Hurstville celebrates Feast of Clovelly Christmas Luncheon Many parishioners gathered to cel- Chronicles St Michael ebrate Christmas over lunch. Every- Trivia for Michaelite Mission St Michael is the patron of the Hurstville parish and his feast one brought delicious food to share was an occasion for the parish and it was a great opportunity to community to come together catch up with parishioners who and celebrate. Leading up to the have recently retired away from feast a novena was held every the parish. A Certificate of Appreci- night. The high Mass was held in ation was given by Parish Priest, Bethany school hall and was Fr Pawel Kopczynski to Tony and attended by about 800 people. Elenora MacDonald for their Devotions to St Michael were 47 years of faithful commitment recited after Mass and a proces- and service to the parish of sion followed by a Eucharistic St Anthony’s. procession back to the church. Artes Christi visit North Ryde A very generous lunch was pro- Our trivia evening on the 8 Nov for Christmas vided by parishioners including a was a fun filled parish event! We The young singing members of the Philipino style roasted pig on the had 115 enthusiastic competitors Artes Christi choir visited the parish spit. Compliments to the parish including our retired parishioners of North Ryde, singing Carols at the council who coordinated this young adults from the school com- Sunday 6pm Mass and then after- event! munity and a table of our school- wards, entertaining parishioners teachers! Many dressed up in there New Assistant priest at with biblical reflections and carol chosen theme - we had the Mexi- Horsley Park singing that exulted the soul and can standoff table - a table of col- On Sunday 30th November, parish heart. Their tour will take them as oured crazy wigs - called the Ashley priest, Fr Dominik Karnas was far as Brisbane, Gold Coast, Lis- and Martin Who? table, gone Trop- happy to introduce to his parish- more, our own Michaelite parish— po, Go for gold, 7 up, in the Pink ioners the new assistant priest, Terrigal and then returning back etc. It was a colourful, loud and Fr Peter Kaupa. In addition to his to Sydney. All donations given go successful parish event to support pastoral work, Fr Peter is also en- towards the St Vincent de Paul Michaelite Mission projects: The rolled at ACU studying for a degree Christmas appeal. Divine Mercy Chapel in PNG, the in Theology. We wish him many new Library in PNG and a donation blessings in his pastoral and to Fr Kris Poswiata csma in Belarus. academic work. Our school principal Robert Peers was our wonderful Master of Cere- The Artes Christi choir perform- monies - this was his first year in ing at Holy Spirit North Ryde the role and we have already booked him for next year. We raised an amazing $4,750 dollars for our Michaelite Mission! We had games, pick-a-box, auctions, raffles and shared some knowledge with friends and the parish family. Thank you to all who supported the evening with your presence and enthusiasm and to our sponsors with donations for the prizes. I was so proud of our parish community. Janette Merrotsy,Terrigal P A G E 4 Knights of St Michael The Archangel 0ur PNG & Australian Seminarians PNG Seminarians: We consider it a blessing to have three local seminarians studying for the priesthood. They just successfully completed their next academic year. Bernard Saka his fourth year in Good Shepherd Seminary, Fatima; Gabriel Kangil his second year in St Charles Borromeo Vanimo; John Wain This is a lay Catholic the preparatory year for theological Religious Movement whose studies in Madang. members under the banner Paul Gorzkowski professing his religious vows at of St Michael are set on a As from last year, Fr Jozef Pekala is mission to proclaim the responsible for the formation program the hands of Michaelite Local Superior Fr Stan Kluk. victory of Christ over Satan, of candidates to our Congregation. Eve- to obtain the conversion of ry school break he offered a program Australian Seminarian Paul Gorzkowski, sinners and to expiate for completed another year of studies at the sins of humankind. “Come & See” which was attended by almost 20 young men.