30 November - 1 December 2019

Advent 2019

The General Norms for the Liturgical Year and Calendar states: “Advent begins with the first evening prayer of the Sunday that falls closest to November 30 and ends before the first evening prayer of Christmas.”

Further it states: “The season of Advent has a twofold character. It is a time of preparation for Christmas when the first coming of God’s son is recalled. It is also a season when minds are directed by this memorial to Christ’s second coming at the end of time. It is thus a time of joyful and spiritual expectation.”

The origin of Advent dates back to the fifth century and is influenced by the Eastern Church. The primary focus of the liturgy was the expectation of the Lord’s birth at Christmas. The first evidence of Roman observance of the Advent season was around the sixth century.

The first Sunday of Advent begins our new liturgical year. This year is Year A of the three year cycle (Years A, B and C). During this year we will encounter Jesus through the eyes of Matthew, the evangelist. Matthew was writing to a Jewish and Gentile Christian audience.

Another theme that echoes through the season of Advent is penitential. Throughout Advent we hear the ancient prophets cry, “Repent”, “change your lives”. This cry is just as relevant for us today as it was in ancient times.

As consumerism seems to preoccupy our culture during the days of Advent, our liturgy seeks to bring us back to the real “reason for the season”. Advent is a wake-up call for us and the world. Advent is a counter-cultural call to engage in the deeper meaning of the season. It is a call to reflect and prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the reason for the season.

The first and second Sunday of Advent centre around the future coming of Christ. The third Sunday of Advent focus is on the present coming and the fourth Sunday is on the birth of Jesus, the past coming.

Advent and Christmas form a unity. We cannot engage in one season without reflection upon the other. Both seasons complement one another and do not stand alone.

OUR VISION

"Everything is to be oriented towards the praise and glory of God".

OUR MISSION The St Agnes' Parish Community strives to make our Vision a reality

by a commitment to:

holiness in the image of Christ.

proclaim the good news of salvation.

minister within the faith community.

the service of all, particularly those in need.

Year A

1st Sunday in Advent

Father Paul Congratulations to Fr Paul who celebrated the

29th Anniversary of his Ordination on 29 November.

Also Happy Birthday for Tuesday! Many happy returns and all God’s blessings

for the coming year from all your parishioners.

Delivery of Christmas Hampers

This weekend is Hamper Weekend and we are supporting 230 families by providing hampers of food and gifts and spreading the spirit of love and joy this Christmas. We now ask for your support in two areas:

Relocating of Hampers:

On Sunday following 9.00am Mass we ask for 30 minutes of your time to move the hampers from the Sanctuary, assist with labelling and placement in the correct zone of the Church.

Most importantly: We need your assistance to deliver the hampers from 1.00pm at the Church. There are a number of hampers to go to Wauchope and Telegraph Point.

Once again a huge Thank You.

Please remember to keep these families in your Christmas prayers.

‘A Journey into the Catholic Faith’ Wednesday 4 December

6.00pm in St Agnes’ Youth Hub This week’s topic will be:

How Does the Church Read the Story of Creation and Fall in Genesis 1-3?

“Too often people read the story of creation in terms of a ‘religion vs science debate.’ Yet that imposes our historical situation on the text and misses the literary clues that explain to us the ‘religious’ meaning the story had for ancient Israel, and the religious meaning that God intends for us in the 21st century.” (Scott Hahn) Read in the light of Christ, within the unity of Sacred Scripture and in the living Tradition of the Church, we will discover the truths revealed by God in Genesis chapters 1-3 during our Journey into the Catholic Faith.

Advent and Christmas Mass Times

Inserted in this weekend’s Parish newsletter is a copy of the Advent and Christmas Mass and Reconciliation Times. If you have any enquiries please contact the Presbytery Office on 6583 1024. Again this year, the nativity scene will be erected in the church grounds fronting onto Hay Street for all who walk by to reflect on the true spirit of Christmas.

PARISH NEWS St AGNES’ CATHOLIC CHURCH | PORT MACQUARIE

November Mass Intentions

Tuesday, 3 December: Les Murray, Ada Murray,

Jack Murray, Gerald Cavanagh, Lillian Cavanagh, Catherine Kennedy, William Kennedy, Ellen Everson, Jim Everson, James Everson, Veronica Gionbert, Stella Reynold, Mary & Margaret Cavanagh, William & Barney Cavanagh, Marie & Mark O’Reilly, Alan O’Reilly; all deceased Franciscans, especially priests & SFO, Fr Pat Reynolds,SM, Ian Douglas, Marj & Arthur Carnie, Ian & Rita Bewglass, Val & Richard Smith, Frank McGinty, Peter & Francis Fallon, Jack & Florence Connolly, Pat & Eileen Kingston, Vince Jowett, Eileen Callahan, Rene Ansell, Jim Arnold, Bill O’Connor, Keith Kelly, Neville Stapleton & children, deceased friends of Sue Kingston; Mary Peoples, James & Kathleen Peoples, John & Kathleen Daly, Tom Cornforth, deceased relatives & friends of Peoples, Daly, O’Brien & Mood families; deceased members of Doyle & O’Neill families; deceased members of Craig & Coulton families; Kazimierz Boguslawski, Valerija Boguslawski, Vincas Puzas, Maryte Puzas, Vytas Puzas, Aldona Kapaucis, Pranute Baksys, Isiadoras Baksys, Mikhal Krycki; deceased friends & relatives of Margot & Patrick O’Connor; deceased members of Headland, Walton, Woodcock, Wilkinson, Bateson, Puch, Walker, Ollifee, Bell, Doyle, Donnelly, Smallboyce, O’Conner, Johnson & Vanegus families; Fr Peter Toohey, John Lynch, Dominic Lynch; Gerard O’Brien, Con O’Brien, Patty O’Brien, Doreen Robinson, Albert Robinson; Kevin McDonnell, Mary McDonnell, Patrick McDonnell.

‘The Way’ Advent & Christmas Daily Reflections

There are still copies of this popular Advent and Christmas reflection book available from the Sacristy following weekend Masses, or Presbytery Office during the week. If you are unable to collect one please call the Presbytery on 6583 1024.

New Statue of St Agnes

The new statue of our patron saint, St Agnes, has been put in place in the garden of the stairs leading down from the church to Horton Street. As you will recall the ’old’ statue had been vandalised.

Catholic Mission Appeal Thank you to all who donated to the annual Catholic Mission appeal. The total amount raised was $1,779.60!

Parish Women’s Retreat All women parishioners and friends are invited to attend a special retreat being held at the Francis Retreat in Bonny Hills on Saturday 7 December from 9.30am-3.30pm. Presenter Annie Lawrence will lead sessions which explore the beauty of our Mother Mary, her inspiration as the mother of Jesus, and understanding the power of the Rosary and prayer in our own faith journey. Registration slips are attached to the flyers available in the church entrances and Presbytery office. To register there are three options: Go to the parish website and follow the link, or Contact the Presbytery Office, or Drop your completed form into the Presbytery.

Volunteers Needed for the

MacKillop Centre

About the Role

You will be assisting with customer service at the Centre located in Horton Street. The role involves sales, as well as, tidying and cleaning. You will be working with other trained volunteers. The Centre urgently needs volunteers over the coming school holidays. Even if you can only volunteer in January that would be appreciated.

For More Information

Contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Tanya Slavin, on 6588 7444 or tslavin@pac.stagnesparish.org.au by 9 December.

MacKillop Centre Additional Opening Hours

The MacKillop Centre, located at 106 Horton Street, will be opening extra hours:

Sunday, 8 December 8.00am to 10.45am. Sunday, 15 December 8.00am to 10.45am.

On these two dates there will be a Christmas special with all nativity sets and ornaments half price. The shop also has a wide range of cards for sale. For more information contact 6584 9779.

From the Catacombs - here & beyond Episcopuss Wisdom… From the Catechism…

Recently Deceased: Jim Hennessy, Kevin Joseph Geaney, Patrick Hennessey, James Roberts, Gina Larrauri Ager. Anniversaries: Tom Lindsay, Joanne Farrugia, Joan Chapman, Ralene Borg, John Anderson, Veronica Hollington, Frances Cavanough. Other Mass Intentions: Hilton Dodds, Ellen Norman, John Hibbard, Jim O’Reilly, Beryl Thomas, Mario Tomasovic, Eileen Bennett, Cyril Bennett, John & Kathleen Carroll, Rita Warlters, Elizabeth Clavin, Michael Patrick Grace, Marija Miller, donor intentions & masses of thanksgiving.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What’s happening in our parish …

Baptism We welcome Sophie Walsh into our Parish

community this weekend.

Parish Cultural Event Parishioners and visitors are invited to the

Youth Hub following the 5.00pm Youth and Family Mass on Sunday, 8 December. The Indian families from our parish community will be hosting a cultural event which will

include supper and some vibrant musical performances by the talented children. The event will be concluded by 7.00pm.

Christian Meditation Held each Wednesday in St Francis of Assisi

Chapel from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. All are invited. For more information contact Simon on 0412 236 977.

The Messiah Concert

Handel’s Messiah excerpts will be performed in St Agnes’ Church at 2.00pm on Sunday, 15 December. Tickets available from the Glasshouse box office for $25.00. Listen to your favourite choruses and take time out to revel in this glorious Baroque music as Cantorus choir accompanied by the renowned organist Heather Moen Boyd take you on a wonderful pre-Christmas journey.

Young Adult Survey All young adults aged 18-35 years are invited to complete an online survey through the following link: https://forms.gle/4B3ESLBB6gswfC2L7. Information collected will assist us with developing a local young adults’ network and with creating opportunities for faith, fellowship and fun within our parish community. Please contact Rachael Kama (Parish Youth Coordinator) on email address rachael.kama@lism.catholic.edu.au with any enquiries.

PARISH NEWS St AGNES’ CATHOLIC CHURCH | PORT MACQUARIE

‘The gift of truth excels all other gifts’

‘If not today - when?’

READERS AND COMMENTATORS

6pm Vigil: Jodie Rich Wayne Evans Kym Condon

7.30am: Anne O’Brien Denise McLoughlin Pat McLoughlin

9.00am: Peta Rourke Trish Green Betty Hodgson

5.00pm: Carla Mascarenhas Miah Redfern Suzanne Savage

GIFT BEARERS ROSTER

6pm Vigil: L English & Family 7.30am: K Farrawell & J Dean 9.00am: E Gardiner & Family

THE STATUE OF OUR LADY For the Month of December Sue Kingston Ph: 6584 9815 CHILDREN’S LITURGY Kate de Bressac Eloise Toombs

Parish Priest Father Paul Gooley

Assistant Priest Father Peter Wood Parish Office 47 Hay Street Port Macquarie PO Box 23 T (02) 6583 1024 E pastoraloffice@stagnesparish.org.au

Office Hours: 8.30am - 4.30pm

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION

6pm Vigil: Peter Brooks Joy Amos Gae Green Rudolf Szibrowski

7.30am: Geoff Leary Vanessa Denham Elise Gardiner Kevin Lewis

9.00am: Mike Hawtin Cathy Hawtin Cathy Stevenson Vanessa Denham

5.00pm: Bronwyn Shipton Denise Smith Karen Robson Leisa Fisher

NEXT WEEK’S READINGS Second Sunday in Advent Year A Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 71 Romans 15:4-9 Matthew 3:1-12

ROSTERS 7-8 December 2019

DOGMA

“I alone cannot change the

world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create

many ripples.

Mother Teresa ________________________

FEAST DAYS

Tuesday 3 December St Francis Xavier

Wednesday 4 December

St John Damascene

Friday 6 December St Nicholas

Saturday 7 December

St Ambrose

ST AGNES’ CHURCH | Hay Street, Port Macquarie Tuesday & Wednesday: 5.15pm Friday: 12.05pm Saturday: 6.00pm Vigil Sunday: 7.30am, 9.00am, 5.00pm Please note: Weekday Masses at 9.00am on Public Holidays Reconciliation: Friday 11.30am - 12.00pm Saturday 11.30am - 12.30pm

ST FRANCIS CHAPEL | Lochinvar Place, Port Macquarie Contact: Sr Anne Hannigan Ph 6589 9814 or 0419 243 259. Communion Service or Mass: 9.30am Monday - Thursday Sunday Mass: 9.30am

CHRIST THE KING CHAPEL | Boronia St, Port Macquarie Contact: Sr Anne Hannigan Ph: 6589 9814 or 0419 243 259 Communion Service or Mass: 8.00am Thursday Mass: Saturday Vigil - 4.30pm Rosary: 1st Saturday of the month 4.00pm.

ST BERNARD'S, TELEGRAPH POINT | Rollands Plain Rd, Telegraph Point Thursday: 6.00pm.

STAR OF THE SEA, LAKE CATHIE | Ocean Drive, Lake Cathie Sunday: 8.00am.

DIOCESAN INVESTMENT FUND PAYS 1.40% There are no fees or charges on your account. AGENTS: Mrs Veronica Rinkin & Mrs Mary O’Brien

DIF Office, Parish Administration Centre, Phone: (02) 6583 7439 9am – 1pm Monday - Friday

PARISH MASSES www.stagnesparish.org.au