Parish Priest:

Fr Jacob M.S.T

frjacob@bigpond.com

Parish Secretaries Dominique Hockey Carol Leathem

Parish Office Hours

Tuesday - Friday 9am—3pm

Baptisms Please contact the Parish Office.

Weddings By appointment and after Preparation

Children’s Ministries Kathy Menzies stschpar@bigpond.net.au

St Schols Community Centre Simon Rush 0448 040 111

info@stscholscc.org.au www.stscholscc.org.au

St Scholastica’s Primary School Principal: Paul Gleeson 9808 7279 principal@ssbennettswood.catholic.edu.au

Outside School Hours Care

Camp Australia 1300 105 343

St Scholastica’s Kindergarten 9808 9724

Director: Michelle Thomas st.scholasticas.kin@kindergarten.vic.gov.au

Administrator:

Katherine Presley stscholskinderadmin@bigpond.com

348 Burwood Highway, Bennettswood VIC 3125 ABN 95 499 516 268

Phone: 9808 1006

Fax: 9888 7573

Email: stschpar@bigpond.net.au

Website:

www.stscholasticaparish.com.au

Fourth Sunday of Advent - Year C

19th & 20th December 2015

May Jesus be reborn in your heart and life and in the life of St. Scholastica's Parish during Christmas 2015 and every day of the New Year 2016. May He radiate His presence from within you as sharing love, unconditional forgiveness, humble service, a compassionate heart and overflowing generosity. May the Holy Babe of Bethlehem bless you with health in body and soul and grant you a peaceful and blessed New Year. As I leave St Scholastica’s on 13

th January 2016, to take up a new appointment, let

me assure you, over the last six years, for me the Parish was all about you, my Parishioners, and my ministry was all about serving you, assisting you in your needs, leading you in whatever way that may enable a deeper experience of God in your lives and His love for you. I take this opportunity to thank you, each member of my parish family that your assistance and generosity has been and is deeply appreciated and I wish to express my gratitude to you. Have a Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year. Fr Jacob MST

Reconciliation Service - Tuesday 22 December 2015

Jesus complains in Mt 11: 16-19 that there are people who behave in a childish way when John the Baptist preaches repentance in preparation for the coming of the Messiah: they are like girls who refuse to dance when the flute plays joyful tunes or boys who refuse to mourn when people are weeping. The Lord is among

us and asks for commitment so that we can lead the world to life and justice and happiness. What is our faith worth, if we do not practice it?

Dear all, may I request you to make an effort to come for reconciliation service on Tuesday 22 December at 7.30 pm in our church so that we can celebrate Christmas in a state of Grace.

“Lord let your mercy be on us � as we place our trust in you.”

WEEKLY CALENDAR 2015

Monday 21December 08.00am Communion Service

07.30pm Vinnies GA

Tuesday 22 December 08.00am Mass ~ Exposition ~ Rosary

07.30pm Prayer Group Mc Andrew room

07.30pm Reconciliation

Wednesday 23 December 10.00am Exposition 10.30am Rosary

11.00am Mass followed by a cuppa 07.10pm Rosary ~ 7.30pm Novena

08.00pm Legion of Mary in the G A

Thursday 24 December 08.00am Mass

10.00am Nativity and Choir rehearsal 05.30 Nativity play ~ 6.00pm Mass

11.30pm Carols ~ Midnight Mass

Friday 25 December 09.00am Mass

11.00am Mass

Saturday 26 December 09.00am Mass ~ Reconciliation 6.00pm Mass

Sunday 27 December 09.00, 11.00am and 5.30pm Masses

Vietnamese Mass 7.15pm on Saturday 16 January 2016

ROSTERS

Day Mass Time

3rd Sunday of the month 20th December

Readers Special Ministers

Saturday 6.00 pm

Dianne Smith Lindy Leigh Fred Hillas Franklin Rozario

Sunday 9.00 am

Sylvia Chuah Sharyn Newman Susan Jenkins Daniel Leong

11.00 am

George Ellis Stuart Bell April Lewis Ewena Ellis

5.30 pm

Jaclyn Ranasinghe Sonny Nguyen Margaret Sweeney John Doherty

Day Mass Time

4th Sunday of the month 27th December

Readers Special Ministers

Saturday 6.00 pm

Sheena Devadass Barbara Schobben Judith Silvina Laurine Shane

Sunday 9.00 am

Denis O ’Gallagher Joy Guinane Loretta Stapleton Anna Gaetano

11.00am

April Lewis Pat Nitz Willard Lewis Maria Feleppa

5.30 pm

Patrick Van Dyk Margaret Sweeney Michael Chan Anna Bguyen

New to St Scholastica’s? WELCOME

Please take a new parishioner pack home with you, located in the foyer of the church. There are so many ways to get involved in your new parish, browse through the pack, call into the parish office and introduce yourself we’d love to meet you and help in any way we can.

Piety Stall News

Christmas Cards are now available from the Piety Stall in the Gathering Area. Packets of 5 are $2.50 and a packet of 8 cards is $4.00. Start your Christmas card writing now. Also the beautiful 2016 Columban Calendars are available, so get yours now and buy one as a present for a friend, $9. The Daily Missals are also now available.

Divine Mercy Calendars For Sale

These beautiful calendars will be on sale after each mass. Small $5 Medium $7 Large$12.50

NOVENA Wednesday nights 7.10pm Rosary 7.30pm Novena and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Please join us in prayer and song to Our Lady and spread the word.

Parish Office: The office will re-open Wednesday 13th January 2016

Dominique

Carol Katherine

Kathy Mathew Simon

The office staff would like to thank all the parishioners that helped us throughout the year, we are very blessed to work with some great people. It’s lovely too that so many of you pop in just to say hello. We wish you and your families a very Merry and Blessed Christmas and a safe New Year. See you all in 2016 God willing!

PARKING DURING CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS

If you are able to help Adrian Costello with the above task during our Christmas celebrations please see him after the 11 am Mass. Thank you.

Remembering Our Community

Sick

Etienne Burke, Craig Story, Trisha Pergande, Betty Keown and Lily McNeill

Anniversaries

Litria & Anselmo Pandolfini, Norman Last, Margaret Campbell, Aldo Pinzone, Giovanna and Joe Pinzone, Caterina Cannesta, Joseph Biviano

RIP

John Derham, Melinda Maliakal

Vinnies Christmas Appeal 19/20 December Thank you to all who so frequently support the work of the local Bennettswood conference of the St Vincent de Paul Society. This weekend, the 20th and 21st December, we will be having our Annual Christmas Appeal. Envelopes for tax deductible donations will be available on the seats in the Church. Last year St Vincent de Paul Society conferences throughout Victoria provided approximately $10 million in assistance to people in need. Please accept the Society’s sincere gratitude on behalf of the many people we assist, for the ongoing support offered to us.

Christmas Vigil Mass Choir Rehearsals for the Christmas Vigil Mass have now started. Rehearsals will be held in the church each Saturday from 10-

11am until Christmas. There will be extended rehearsals on 19th and 24th December 10am-12pm to allow us to rehearse with the children participating in the Nativity Tableau. We welcome all singers ages 8 and up to join the choir. Hope to see you there! Brigitte

Practices for Christmas Midnight Mass Have now commenced. Anyone who likes to sing is welcome. Practices will mainly be after the 9-00am Mass.

Nativity Play – Costume Helpers

The costumes are all made and on their hangers. We are looking for six helpers with a current Working With Children Check who will be able to come and assist the children with their costumes. Due to an increasing number of children participating, this job can no longer be managed by one or two people. If you are able to help us on this very Holy Night, please contact the Parish Office on 9808 1006.

Nativity Reminder - Practice - CHRISTMAS EVE MORNING 10-11AM

Just a friendly reminder there is a final practice for ALL children and youth participating in the Nativity and the Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve. This practice will be from 10am – 11am (24th December -) Christmas Eve at the church. Any questions, please call Kathy Menzies on 9802 4618. Final costuming will be taken care of at the end of rehearsal. Nativity Reminder – Arrival Time for Costumes

Parents with younger children who are the angels and the shepherds, please be at St Scholastica’s on Christmas Eve at 4:50pm sharp and bring your children to the Meeting room in the lower level of the hall to put their costumes on. (Families in "O Little Town of Bethlehem" who are wearing travelling clothes from home do not need to arrive until 5:10pm and take your places in church. There will be a reserved spot in front of the Baptismal Font for our families participating in “O Little Town of Bethlehem”.)

Altar Server Summer School Invitation

Children who have received their sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are invited to consider the desire on their hearts to become an Altar Server. Altar Server Summer School will take place on Tuesday 19 & Wednesday 20 January 2016 in the Level I Atrium of St Scholastica's Parish. An invitation to parents and a registration form for children can be found at all entrances to the church and in the school office. All are welcome.

CHRISTMAS BOWL APPEAL Needy people throughout the world will benefit through Act for Peace from collections made last week at Burwood and

East Burwood. A total of $1419-15 was collected at the two sites over two days. The Burwood Inter-Church Council thanks those who collected and those who donated.

Fourth Sunday of Advent - C

A VOCATION VIEW: Can you honestly pray: "I have come to do your will, O God"? Blessed are you who trusts that the Lord's words to you will be fulfilled.

St Scholastica’s Sacramental Preparation Program 2016

The Parish of St Scholastica’s offers a sacramental program

to prepare children who attend public schools to receive

Reconciliation and 1st Eucharist or Confirmation in 2016.

Registration Forms will be made available from the 15

January 2016 from the Parish Office or alternatively contact

Sheena Devadass via email sheena.devadass@gmail.com

Classes will be held on SUNDAYS from 10-11am

(Reconciliation and 1st Eucharist) and 10-11.15am

(Confirmation)

Seniors Luncheons 2015: Thank you to all the ladies

who made these luncheons so successful. You have all done

a great job. We look forward to them continuing in 2016.

MARIAN PILGRIMAGE (AMENDED) – 25 Days to Lisbon/Fatima/Compostela de Santiago/ Burgos/Loyola/Lourdes/Paris & Medjugorje – 8 May 2016 to 1 June 2016

16 nights Portugal/Spain/France & 6 nights in Medjugorje (Bosnia-Herzegovinia) The pilgrimage will begin in Perth. The Holy sites will include, amongst others : St. Anthony’s Church, Christ the King, Lisbon city tour, Santarem-Church of the Holy Miracle/ Fatima - candlelight processions, the hamlet of Aljustrel, and many more/ Church of the Apostle St. James (Santiago), the Way of St. James/ Burgos/ birth place of St. Ignatius of Loyola/ Lourdes - underground Basilica of St. Pius X, baths in the miraculous waters, experience Christ’s love as you walk the life-sized Stations of the Cross, birthplace of St. Bernadette and many more. Paris - St-Pierre-Montmartre, St. Catherine Labourer, St. Vincent de Paul, St.Therese of Liseaux. Other places of interest will include city tour of Paris, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Champs Elysees, etc. and a lot free time/ The 6 nights in Medjugorje involves you participating in the Holy Masses, the Rosaries, climbing the Apparition Hill, Krizevac Hill & and having a self-retreat for your heart, mind and soul. All for A $ 6,890.00 - includes all flights from Perth, full land tour, breakfast & dinner, tips, etc. Contact Edman Anthony (pilgrimage coordinator) 0424 437 251 / or email emausmigr@optusnet.com.au for more information or book your seat.

Free e-book for your computer or e-reader: Son of God: The Daily Gospel Year C-2

This e-book, which may be downloaded free of charge to a computer or e-reader (or tablet), offers the Gospel for every day of this Liturgical Year C-2 (Sundays Year C, weekdays Year 2), together with a reflection of some 750 words on each daily Gospel.. This Liturgical Year C-2 has now begun and will continue till November of 2016. The e-book contains the Gospel passages not only for this present but for any C-2 Liturgical Year in the future, together with their reflections. It may be passed on to friends or acquaintances as desired. It carries the Imprimatur of Archbishop Anthony Fisher, the Archbishop of Sydney. Son of God: The Daily Gospel Year C-2 may be accessed at the following address: www.catholic-thoughts.info/ebook/

4th Sunday of Advent Year C

19th & 20th December 2015

Entrance Antiphon

Drop down dew from above, you heavens, and let the clouds rain down the Just One; let the earth be opened and bring forth a Saviour.

First Reading: Micah 5:1- 4

A reading from the prophet Micah

Out of you will be born the one who is to rule over Israel.

The Lord says this:

You, Bethlehem Ephrathah, the least of the clans of Judah, out of you will be born for me

the one who is to rule over Israel; his origin goes back to the distant past, to the days of old. The Lord is therefore going to abandon them till the time when she who is to give birth gives birth. Then the remnant of his brothers will come back to the sons of Israel. He will stand and feed his flock

with the power of the Lord, with the majesty of the name of his God. They will live secure, for from then on he will extend his power to the ends of the land. He himself will be peace.

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm: Ps 79:2-3. 15-16. 18-19

R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

O shepherd of Israel, hear us, shine forth from your cherubim throne. O Lord, rouse up your might, O Lord, come to our help. R.

God of hosts, turn again, we implore, look down from heaven and see. Visit this vine and protect it, the vine your right hand has planted. R.

May your hand be on the man you have chosen, the man you have given your strength. And we shall never forsake you again: give us life that we may call upon your name. R.

Second Reading: Hebrews 10:5-

10

A reading from the letter to the Hebrews

I am coming to do your will.

This is what Christ said, on coming into the world:

You who wanted no sacrifice or oblation, prepared a body for me. You took no pleasure in holocausts or sacrifices for sin; then I said, just as I was commanded in the scroll of the book, 'God, here I am! I am coming to obey your will.'

Notice that he says first: You did not want what the Law lays down as the things to be offered, that is: the sacrifices, the oblations, the holocausts and the sacrifices for sin, and you took no pleasure in them; and then he says: Here I am! I am coming to obey your will. He is abolishing the first sort to replace it with the second. And this will was for us to be made holy by the offering of his body made once and for all by Jesus Christ.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Maranatha Maranatha Come Lord Jesus Come. Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all people shall see the salvation of God.

Gospel: Luke 1:39-44

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Why should it happen that I am honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord?

Mary set out at that time and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, 'Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.'

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Communion Antiphon

Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son; and his name will be called Emmanuel.

Readings for 27th December 2015

1st reading: Samuel 1:20-22. 24-28

2nd reading: John 3: 1-2.21-24

Gospel: Luke 2:41-52

VIGIL MASS MIDNIGHT MASS 9 AM MASS 11 AM MASS NEW YEAR’S

EVEN MASS

6.30PM

11 AM NEW

YEAR’S DAY

READERS 1ST

READING: YOUTH 2ND READING: YOUTH PRAYERS OF THE FAITH-

FUL: YOUTH

1ST

READING: APRIL LEWIS 2ND READING: PAUL BORG PRAYERS OF THE FAITH-

FUL: PAT OVENS

1ST

READING: SYLVIA CHUAH 2ND READING: DENIS O’GALLAGHER PRAYERS OF THE FAITH-

FUL:

1ST

READING: REN MALIAKAL 2ND READING: PRAYERS OF THE

FAITHFUL:

COMMENTATORS PETER WESTWOOD BRYAN NITZ PETER WESTWOOD HENRY SOLOMON

SPECIAL MINIS-

TERS ANNA NGUYEN JUDITH SILVINA MARGOT WESTWOOD CHARLIE MELLICAN BETTY MCDONALD

MARY ANNE BORG DANIEL LEONG FRANKLIN ROZARIO MICHAEL CHAN JOHN DOHERTY BARBARA SCHOBBEN

LINDY LEIGH ALBERT JOHNSON KATH JOHNSON

MARGARET SWEENEY ROSA CONIGLIO DZUNG LE

FRED HILLAS MARY ANNE BORG JO BLACK

JILL BARTLEY MICHAEL CHAN SUSAN JENKINS

SACRISTANS FERDINAND LA’FORGUE PAT OVENS MARIA JOSIPOVIC PETER WESTWOOD

MARGARET SWEENEY

POWERPOINT PETER SMITH KEITH SHANE CLAIRE TUMILOVICS CAMMIE YEUNG KEITH

SHANE PETER SMITH

MUSIC BRIGITTE BORG BRYAN NITZ JUDY HO

JUDY HO HENRY SOLOMON

ALTAR SERVERS

USHERS

PARKING ADRIAN COSTELLO ADRIAN COSTELLO

COLLECTORS

TUESDAY 22 DECEMBER 7.30PM 1ST RITE RECONCILIATION CHRISTMAS EVE Thursday 24 December 8:00 am Mass 5:30 pm Nativity Play 6:00 pm Mass of Vigil All children are invited to come dressed as their favourite Nativity character. 11:30 pm Carols 12:00 Midnight Mass CHRISTMAS DAY Friday 25 December 9:00 am Mass 11:00 am Mass NO EVENING MASS CHRISTMAS

DAY

NEW YEAR’S EVE Thursday 31 December 8:00 am Mass 6:00 pm Adoration & Reflection followed by Mass at 6.30 pm NEW YEAR’S DAY Friday 1 January 2016 10:00 am Adoration 10:30 am Rosary 11:00 am Mass