For those of us in the Southern Hemisphere Christmas is celebrated in mid summer. It is also the end of the year and summer holidays. You hear the familiar refrain ‘can it be done by Christmas’ and many of us rush to finish off the year and tidy up loose ends. In the midst of all this, there are end of year parties and wrap ups as our young people await HSC and Uni results. Most of us are thinking holidays and what we will do in the new year. Yet most of our traditions for Christmas are taken from the northern hemisphere where Christmas is celebrated mostly without the end of year hype that we have. They have their summer holidays in June. We share the same crass commercialism but the feast of the Birth of the Saviour is celebrated very differently as it is not in competition with the end of year activities that we have. So how does the celebration of the Birth of Jesus break through in our busy part of the world Lets look at the positives of this time of year and lets get over the complaining about commercialism. It wastes too much of our precious time and energy lamenting something that is not going to change. For a start when we go shopping we go with the intent of buying something for someone else. That cannot be a bad thing as it means we are thinking of others for a change. Our intentions at Christmas are that we are trying to bring a little hope and joy into other peoples lives. That's not a bad thing either. When we hear the carols blasting out everywhere, we sometimes get sick of them, but the by-product is that for some people that is going to be the only time they will hear the Holy Name spoken in love and not as a swear word. It also means for some that it will be their first encounter with the story of Jesus, as a result they may wish to learn more. Christmas is also a magnificent time to witness acts of love and charity and is often the beginning of lifelong friendships that can often stretch across the world. Its not uncommon to see our fellow humans being incredibly kind and generous. I recall seeing a very young family assisting an elderly gentleman into a large shopping centre. He was by himself and they helped him park and get inside. Later on I saw them sitting having a coffee. I walked away feeling touched by the witness of kindness of a young family for an older person. Where there is love, kindness and respect for others there is God. Therefore it is the end of the year and the Christmas message of Jesus’ birth can be somewhat smothered, but that is exactly where we as believing Catholics step in. We strive to go the extra kilometre for a friend, we tell the story of Jesus to our children and friends, we dare to love God in the midst of the busy world we live in. Whether we go to Mass or not during the year we come at Christmas and that is a wonderful thing because we once again hear the incredible message that a member of the Holy Trinity, Jesus, became a human being. What a truly amazing story that God walked with us on this earth and continues to love us to this very day. Continued on page 4... THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD & THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY & JOSEPH - YEAR C Sacred Heart Catholic Parish PARISH CHURCHES Church of the Sacred Heart Murwillumbah Street, Murwillumbah Our Lady of Perpetual Succour River Street, South Murwillumbah St. Brigid’s Church Broadway, Burringbar St. Columba’s Church Convent Lane, Uki ————————————————— PARISH STAFF Parish Priest Fr. Anthony Lemon Parish Manager Mary-Ann Thackray Parish Secretary Beth Gorton ————————————————— PARISH OFFICE Monday to Friday 9.00am - 3.00pm Phone: 02 6672 1118 Fax: 02 6672 5938 Website: www.shpmurwillumbah.com.au Email: [email protected]Mail: PO Box 45 Street: Cnr Murwillumbah Street & Queensland Road, Murwillumbah NSW 2484 ————————————————— PARISH SCHOOLS Mt. St. Patrick College Murwillumbah Street, Murwillumbah Ph: 02 6672 2480 [email protected]Mt. St. Patrick Primary School Mooball Street, Murwillumbah Ph: 02 6672 1821 [email protected]St. Joseph’s Primary School Greville Street, South Murwillumbah Ph: 02 6672 1867 [email protected]Welcome to Christmas at the Sacred Heart Parish, Murwillumbah.
Transcript
For those of us in the Southern Hemisphere Christmas is celebrated in mid summer. It is also the end of the year and summer holidays. You hear the familiar refrain ‘can it be done by Christmas’ and many
of us rush to finish off the year and tidy up loose ends. In the midst
of all this, there are end of year parties and wrap ups as our young people await HSC and Uni results. Most of us are thinking holidays
and what we will do in the new year. Yet most of our traditions for Christmas are taken from the northern hemisphere where Christmas is celebrated mostly without the end of year hype that we have. They
have their summer holidays in June. We share the same crass commercialism but the feast of the Birth of the Saviour is celebrated very differently as it is not in competition with the end of year
activities that we have. So how does the celebration of the Birth of Jesus break through in our busy part of the world
Lets look at the positives of this time of year and lets get over the complaining about commercialism. It wastes too much of our precious time and energy lamenting something that is not going to
change. For a start when we go shopping we go with the intent of buying something for someone else. That cannot be a bad thing as it means we are thinking of others for a change. Our intentions at Christmas are that we are trying to bring a little hope and joy into
other peoples lives. That's not a bad thing either. When we hear the
carols blasting out everywhere, we sometimes get sick of them, but the by-product is that for some people that is going to be the only
time they will hear the Holy Name spoken in love and not as a swear word. It also means for some that it will be their first encounter with the story of Jesus, as a result they may wish to learn more. Christmas
is also a magnificent time to witness acts of love and charity and is often the beginning of lifelong friendships that can often stretch across the world. Its not uncommon to see our fellow humans being
incredibly kind and generous. I recall seeing a very young family assisting an elderly gentleman into a large shopping centre. He was by himself and they helped him park and get inside. Later on I saw them sitting having a coffee. I walked away feeling touched by the
witness of kindness of a young family for an older person. Where
there is love, kindness and respect for others there is God.
Therefore it is the end of the year and the Christmas message of Jesus’ birth can be somewhat smothered, but that is exactly where
we as believing Catholics step in. We strive to go the extra kilometre for a friend, we tell the story of Jesus to our children and friends, we dare to love God in the midst of the busy world we live in.
Whether we go to Mass or not during the year we come at Christmas and that is a wonderful thing because we once again hear the
incredible message that a member of the Holy Trinity, Jesus, became a human being. What a truly amazing story that God walked with us on this earth and continues to love us to this very day.
Continued on page 4...
THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD &
THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY
& JOSEPH - YEAR C
Sacred Heart
Catholic Parish
PARISH CHURCHES Church of the Sacred Heart
Murwillumbah Street, Murwillumbah
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour
River Street, South Murwillumbah
St. Brigid’s Church
Broadway, Burringbar
St. Columba’s Church Convent Lane, Uki
—————————————————
PARISH STAFF
Parish Priest Fr. Anthony Lemon
Parish Manager
Mary-Ann Thackray
Parish Secretary
Beth Gorton
—————————————————
PARISH OFFICE
Monday to Friday 9.00am - 3.00pm Phone: 02 6672 1118
TUESDAY: 29 December 10.00am Requiem Mass - Sacred Heart for David Clothier.
WEDNESDAY: 30 December
THURSDAY: 31 December 10.00am Requiem Mass - Sacred Heart for Tom Daly.
2016 FRIDAY: 01 January
MARY, the MOTHER OF GOD World Day of Prayer for Peace
9.00am Mass - Sacred Heart
SATURDAY: 02 January 6.00pm Vigil Mass - Sacred Heart
SUNDAY: 03 January
The EPIPHANY of the LORD - Yr. C
8.00am Mass - Sacred Heart
10.00am Mass - St. Columba’s, Uki
NOTICE BOARD
CALENDAR
THE WEEK AHEAD
04 Parish Office Re-opens at 9am 04 Rosary & Prayers - 9am - OLPS, Sth M’bah 10 THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD - YR C 10am Mass - OLPS, Sth M’bah Baptisms 17 SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - C 10am Mass - St. Brigid’s, Burringbar 24 THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - YR C 10am Mass - OLPS, Sth M’bah
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR PEACE
Friday 1st January 2016
‘Overcome Indifference and Win Peace’ is the title of the Message for the 49th World Day of Peace, the third of the papacy of Pope Francis.
Pope Francis said we are called to “compassion, love, mercy and solidarity” in our relationships with one another. He added that “the
conversion of our hearts” is needed for us to become “open to others in authentic solidarity.” The Pope called for the building of a culture of solidarity and mercy in order to overcome indifference.
This begins with families, which are the “first place where the values of
love, fraternity, togetherness and sharing, concern and care for others are lived out and handed on.” He spoke also of the role of teachers, and
communicators. The Pope added that communicators in particular should be “mindful” of how they obtain and disseminate information, saying their methods should always be “legally and morally admissible.”
Pope Francis went on to say that peace is the fruit of a culture of solidarity, mercy, and compassion.
It is also a sign of the Jubilee of Mercy, which began 8 December, in which all are called to recognize indifference, and “improve the world
around us.”
The Pope concluded by entrusting the reflections contained in the message to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Parish Office Closed until 9.00am Monday 4th
January 2016. Urgent calls to the Presbytery
Phone: 6672 1118.
God never gives someone a gift they are not capable of receiving. If he gives us the gift of Christmas, it is because
we all have the ability to understand and receive it.
-Pope Francis
MIDNIGHT MASS FROM THE VATICAN. His Holiness Pope Francis will celebrate Midnight Mass in St Peter’s
Basilica on Christmas Day. This will be telecast on the ABC 1
commencing 9.30am (EST) on Christmas Day.
It can also be viewed live on the internet, through the websites of Vatican TV and The Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN).
The Holy Father will preside at the Mass which will, as usual, feature the
participation of children from around the world.
Cowper Appeal: The St. Joseph’s Cowper
Christmas Day Appeal is being held as usual this Christmas. Envelopes are on seats in the
Church today.
MEALS ON WHEELS - Roster 1
28th December - 1 January
Mon: B & M Donaghy, P Dow & U O’Grady Tues: N & V Boughton, J & M Reynolds Wed: M Twohill & L Johnson, B & J Albury Fri: P Ryder, D Haumu;
B Ryder, A Wilson
2015 VINNIES CHRISTMAS APPEAL On behalf of the St. Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies),
we would like to thank everyone who donated money and
gifts towards the 2015 Vinnies Christmas Appeal. Your
generosity is overwhelming. In particular, thank you to the generous anonymous donor of $1,000 cash.
All gifts (money & presents) help carry out the work of
the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Thank you once again for your continued support.
INVEST WITH PEACE OF MIND www.dif.org.au Phone 1800 802 516 Paying 2.60% at Call!
Agents: Egan Simpson Solicitors: 15 Prince Street, Murwillumbah. (Office re-opens Monday 4th January 2016)
Readings for this week: The HOLY FAMILY of Jesus, Mary & Joseph - Yr C 1 Sam 1:20-22, 24-28; 1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24; Lk 2:41-52
Christmas is joy, religious joy, an inner joy
of light and peace. -Pope Francis
CHRISTMAS DAY -
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: (PS 95)
R: Today is born our Saviour, Christ the
Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Good News and great joy to the world:
today is born our Saviour, Chris the Lord.
Alleluia!
————————————————
THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS,
MARY AND JOSEPH -
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: (PS 83)
R: How happy they who dwell in your
house, O Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Open our heart, O Lord, to listen to the
words of your Son. Alleluia!
Continued from page 1…
Despite the many challenges our Church faces, the message of Jesus’ unconditional love for every single human being can never be dimmed. If we but take the time to see and
listen we will find Jesus’ loving presence in many remarkable places.
May God Bless you and your family richly and deeply this Christmas.
With every best wish, Fr. Anthony Lemon PP
Sacred Heart Parish
BAPTISMS: Please welcome
Keiran Robert Young, Meadow Philippa Chapman & Alija Melin Habermann
to our faith community.
Readings for next week:
The EPIPHANY of the LORD - Yr C Is: 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12
2016 Josephite Calendars
Still a few left. Available from the
Sacred Heart Church. ($8.00 each)
WITH THANKS AND APPRECIATION Fr. Anthony would like to thank everyone
who has contributed to the life of the Parish during the past twelve months.
Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Happy and Holy Christmas and a Peace filled New Year to all
Fr Anthony, Mary-Ann, Beth & Belinda.
‘May the peace of Christ find a home in your heart.’
Every Christmas the Christ Child in the manger at Bethlehem invites us to stop – and pay attention to the things that are especially important in our lives:
our loved ones, our family and friends - and our loving God who holds us in existence,
‘in the palm of his hand’.
When Christmas is over, an excellent way to grow in faith and to develop one’s relationship with God
is to be part of our community as we celebrate the Eucharist on Sundays.
