St Anthony’s ParishSt Anthony’s ParishSt Anthony’s ParishSt Anthony’s ParishSt Anthony’s ParishSt Anthony’s ParishSt Anthony’s ParishSt Anthony’s Parish90 Buckley Street, Noble Park, VIC 3174

Tel (03) 9546 8276 - Fax (03) 9548 1608 - School (03) 9546 0044Email: parishsecretary@stanthonysparish.netParish Website: http://stanthonysparish.net

Parish Priest: Fr Arsenio Tuazon - Assistant Priest: Fr Richard RossePastoral Workers: Srs Kim Tran & Nga Nguyen

School Principal: Margaret Batt

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR B 4 December 2011

Monday to Saturday: 9.30amWednesday: 9.30am & 7.00pm1st Friday: 7.00pmSaturday Vigil: 7.00pmSunday: 8.15am,9.30am,11.00am,5.30pm3rd Sunday 2.00pm - Sudanese Mass - in Arabic Reconciliation: Saturday 10am and 6pm

Mass Times

Entrance Antiphon: People of Zion, the Lord will come to save all nations, and your hearts will exult to hear his majestic voice.

Communion Antiphon: Rise up, Jerusalem, stand on the heights, and see the joy that is coming to you from God.

Next week

X First reading: - Isaiah 61:1-2.10-11

COUNTERS

Sun 4 December: Group 6 - Zan OKelly, Ray Martin, John O'Kelly, Bryan Cully, Lionel SkandanayakaSun 11 December: Group 7 - Bob Keddie, James King, Mike O'Leary, Tom Glynn

X Second reading: - Thessalonians 5:16-24X Gospel: - John 1:6-6.19-28

Sun 11 December:07.00pm: Gordon Pinto, Craig Bayross

Serene Sequiera08.15am: Ado Aguilar, Kyle Aguilar09.30am: Adelaide Sii, Trisha Molloy

Stephen James Krol, Samantha Mathews11.00am: Mike O'Leary, Adeline John, Astrid D'Silva05.30pm: Youth Group, Paul Escasinas

LECTORS

50 years in 2006

LORD, LET US SEE YOUR KINDNESS, AND GRANT US YOUR SALVATION.

From Break Open the Word

Third Sunday of Advent

St. Anthony, patron of our parish, loyal servant of God, faithful follower of Jesus: You taught by word and deed, the message of the Gospel. Teach us to live the Gospel values as you did. Enlighten our minds in search of God's will. Inspire us to be a prayerful community, ever reaching out to and cherishing our neighbour. Help us proclaim God's love and live what we proclaim. AMEN.

OUR PARISH PRAYER

Mark's 'good news' begins with John the Baptist: 'a voice cries in the wilderness' ... 'prepare' ... 'make straight' ... 'repent'.

John did not come from the civil or religious establishment but from the fringes, the desert, the wilderness, the outback. The people who went to hear him did not go to the temple but to the desert and the message they heard challenged existing power structures to 'repent' and to act justly. Only in this way could they recognise the one who was to come.

Repentance means changing what needs to be changed, straightening what has become crooked and doing away with exploitation of the powerless. Personally, in our neighbourhood and in our Church -What needs to be changed? What has become crooked and needs to be straightened? What exploitation needs to be eliminated?

† We pray in thanksgiving for Anne Wallace, Santo Trifiletti, Elmo

Mulholland those who have died recently in the peace of

Christ.

† We pray for: Martin Foy, Antonino Archimede, Gaetano

Grillo, Thelma Golorio, Prudencio Vismanos, Derrick Patternot, Myrtle Fernandez, Malcolm Vincent Windsor, Stanley Wright, Erme Finda

da Costa Freitas, Adolfo da Costa Freitas, France & Aline Migale, and all those whose

anniversaries occur at about this time.

† Please also pray for: Emma Farrell, Mary Spittall, Kath Malone, Molly McGuire, Leo O’Neill, Rita Briggs, Joseph Nguyen, Paul

Camilleri, Mario Tizio, Melissa Haidar, Pat Turner, Arlette Marie, Daisy Ebert, Jordan Whitewood-Neal, Dean Whitewood-Neal, Tracy Hili, Brittany Charalambous, Blake

Hayes, Samantha Adams, Jean-Claude Allas, Floryse and Herman Assy, and Jean Claude

Salece who are sick.

, and

Lord, Hear Our Prayer!

? Play Group - Mondays from 9.30 - 11.30am in the Small Hall? Legion of Mary meet in the Gathering Space at 5.30 pm on Mondays. ? Charismatic Prayer Group meet in the Small Hall every Monday at 8.00pm. All are welcome.? Novena - Devotions to Our Lady of Perpetual Help follows the 7.00pm Mass in the Church on Wednesdays. ? Italian Prayer Group meeting will be on Thursdays at 10.15am. Contact Lucy 9547 1671.

? Divine Mercy Devotion every Friday 2.45 pm in the Church.? El-Shaddai Multicultural Prayer Group meet every 1st Friday of the Month.? Knitting Group meet in the Gathering Space every Friday from 10-12am.? Sudanese Prayer Group meet every Friday evening at 6.30 in the Gathering Space.? Legion of Mary meet at the Parish Centre at 10.15am on Saturdays.? Sudanese Monthly Mass at 2.00pm in the Church every 3rd Sunday of the month.? Friendly Hearts Group meeting 2nd & 4th Saturdays in the Gathering Space from 1-4pm.

THIS WEEK

ST ANTHONY’S GOLDEN JUBILEE MEMORABILIA

"CLEARANCE SALE" In The Piety StallMugs - Stubbie Holders $1.00/eachChristmas Cards & Columban Calendars are now available at the Piety Stall

MINISTERS OF COMMUNION TO THE SICKAnyone who takes Communion to the sick, could you please put your name down and who you are taking Communion to. The book is in the sacristy marked (Communion to the sick).

VOLUNTEERS FOR YARRAMAN NURSING HOME

We are looking for volunteers to go and visit Yarraman Nursing home to chat, play bingo & cards, if you are interested please ring the Parish Centre.Many thanks to people who have come forward. The home would like to thank you. They still need more volunteers.

UPDATING THE LISTS OF THOSE FOR WHOM WE PRAYIn an attempt to update the list of names for whom we pray: namely the sick, those who have died and death anniversaries, we will be removing all names we currently have and start afresh as of the new liturgical year commencing 27 November 2011. We request you to contact the parish centre with names to be included in our prayers for the new list as of this date.

LITURGY CORNER

BREAK OPEN THE WORDCopies of Break Open the Word for the new Liturgical Year are now available for Lectors. Please collect a copy from the sacristy.

CHOIR PRACTICEChoir practice for Christmas will be held every Monday night at 7:30pm in the Church. All Singers and musicians are invited to attend.

THE GLORY OF CHRISTMASLike last year, we will be celebrating the 'Glory of Christmas' in the big hall on the 18th of December. All children up to the age of 14 years are invited to participate in the nativity play which will include acting and singing. Practice for all who would like to participate will be held on 10th December at 11:00am in the gathering space.

+ ROSTERS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE AND DAY MASSES ARE NOW UP IN THE FOYER. PLEASE NOMINATE THE MASS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MINISTER TO.

BOOKINGS FOR 2012We are preparing the venue bookings for 2012. To book a place for regular meetings or for a setting date, you should contact Carmel at the Parish Centre as soon as possible.

St. Anthony's Liturgy Workgroup Team is “a work in progress”, currently pursuing to do more than what we presently do, that is, prepare and schedule ministers and provide appropriate decoration for the various liturgical seasons and feasts. We are studying and developing strategies for assessing all our liturgical needs and evaluating our current liturgical celebrations. We are seeking ways to help our entire community to better understand the Mass and to encourage fuller, more active, and conscious participation. Our primary focus is Sunday Mass and the major liturgical seasons.

Liturgy is literally “the work of the people”. It involves each of us in community. It's what we do TOGETHER as the Body of Christ to worship and praise our God. As we start with the new liturgical year, our Liturgy Team extends this invitation to you to assist us in working at making our Sunday liturgies more meaningful and spirited.

Please consider getting involved. The Team is now inviting the community to become members

particularly if you are in the liturgical ministry. Please call the parish office on 95468276. You may

also email us at: parishsecretary@stanthonysparish.net.

LITURGY

“Christmas can be a very difficult time for many families in need. Take a moment and think of how you can change their lives by your generosity in making it much brighter for a lot of children and adults in our community. Once again I encourage you to make a positive difference and bring a smile to the faces of our children.

Our Christmas tree will be set up in the Church on 10 December and I invite you to place a gift under the tree. These gifts will be collected by St Vincent de Paul who will then distribute them to the needy. The gifts should be NEW toys and/or clothes, hampers and non-perishable food items. Thank you for your support”. Fr Arsenio

ST ANTHONY'S - CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER 2011

13/12/11-TUESDAY PENITENTIAL SERVICE 7:30 PMPRIESTS WILL BE AVAILABLE 8:00PMFOR INDIVIDUAL RECONCILIATION

14/12/11-WEDNESDAY MASS AND OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOR NOVENA 7:00PM

15/12/11-THURSDAY MASS & CHRISTMAS NOVENA 7:30PM16/12/11-FRIDAY MASS & CHRISTMAS NOVENA 7:30PM17/12/11-SATURDAY MASS & CHRISTMAS NOVENA 7:00PM18/12/11-SUNDAY MASS & CHRISTMAS NOVENA 5:30PM

CAROLS – 'THE GLORY OF 7:30PMCHRISTMAS' IN THE BIG HALL

19/12/11-MONDAY MASS & CHRISTMAS NOVENA 7:30PM20/12/11-TUESDAY MASS & CHRISTMAS NOVENA 7:30PM21/12/11-WEDNESDAY OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL

SUCCOR NOVENA 7:00PMMASS & CHRISTMAS NOVENA 7:30PM

22/12/11-THURSDAY MASS & CHRISTMAS NOVENA 7:30PM23/12/11-FRIDAY MASS & CHRISTMAS NOVENA 7:30PM24/12/11 – SATURDAY CHILDREN'S MASS 6:30PM

YOUTH MASS 8:00PMCAROLS BEFORE MASS 11:00PMMIDNIGHT MASS 12:00AM

25/12/11-SUNDAY MASS 8:15AMMASS 9:30AMMASS 11:00AM

PRAYING FOR THE SICK Commonwealth Privacy Legislation protects the rights of people to privacy, including the sick. A person who is sick has the right not to have their condition mentioned publicly without their permission, including praying for them. The parish practice from now on requires written permission to print names in the Bulletin. Names for inclusion need to e dropped in to the parish office by 10:00 am on Thursday.

CHRISTMAS TREE

WEDNESDAY FRIENDS Please meet at the Gathering Space on 7/12/11 at 10.30am. Free lunch provided. Please ring the Parish Centre, no later than Monday the 5th December regarding your attendance. Thank you.

MEN’S CLUB BBQ RAFFLE6 burner stainless steel with side burner.

DRAWN CHRISTMAS EVETickets available after every Mass this weekend.

Ticket $2/each or 6 for $10.

MELBOURNE OVERSEAS MISSIONS Annual Appeal - December 10th & 11th 2011

Since its foundation in 1969, Melbourne parishioners have supported our own mission fund to help developing nations. This has marked our Archdiocese for its exceptional generosity. Currently, the major beneficiaries are people in Papua New Guinea, Timor, India, Sierra Leone, Pakistan, Botswana, Nigeria and Peru. Archbishop Denis Hart commends the fund to your continuing support. Donations of $2.00 and over are tax deductible.

CHRISTMAS LUNCHONLY 10 ARE INVITED!

Volunteers of the Schoenstat Group are inviting 10 people to attend at Holy Family Church, 90 Power Road, Doveton, on 11/12/11 at 12.30pm. Please call Flo on 92670228 to confirm your attendance. Free lunch and a gift from Santa.

Advent Reflection with Mary MacKillop December 7, 14 & 21, 12:15pm – 12:45pm

Like 30 minutes of quiet in your busy day? Join us as we reflect with Mary MacKillop at this Advent Time. A time of looking forward with new hope. A time of waiting and preparation as we invite Jesus to come and be 'born in our hearts'.

Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre, 362 Albert Street, East Melbourne.

RSVP: 03 9926 9300

St Elizabeth's Christmas Nativity Scene 17 December - 14 January

Visit the beautiful Christmas Nativity handmade by artist, Wilson Fernandez, at St Elizabeth's Parish, 107 Bakers Rd, Dandenong North. Now in its seventh year at St Elizabeth's, the Nativity Scene has grown each year to keep onlookers constantly interested and aware of the true meaning of Christmas. Details: 0428 927 110 or 03 9795 6217

NEW ROSTER FOR SACRISTANS (WEEKEND MASSES) IS AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION IN

THE SACRISTY.

† We pray in thanksgiving for Anne Wallace, Santo Trifiletti, Elmo

Mulholland those who have died recently in the peace of

Christ.

† We pray for: Martin Foy, Antonino Archimede, Gaetano

Grillo, Thelma Golorio, Prudencio Vismanos, Derrick Patternot, Myrtle Fernandez, Malcolm Vincent Windsor, Stanley Wright, Erme Finda

da Costa Freitas, Adolfo da Costa Freitas, France & Aline Migale, and all those whose

anniversaries occur at about this time.

† Please also pray for: Emma Farrell, Mary Spittall, Kath Malone, Molly McGuire, Leo O’Neill, Rita Briggs, Joseph Nguyen, Paul

Camilleri, Mario Tizio, Melissa Haidar, Pat Turner, Arlette Marie, Daisy Ebert, Jordan Whitewood-Neal, Dean Whitewood-Neal, Tracy Hili, Brittany Charalambous, Blake

Hayes, Samantha Adams, Jean-Claude Allas, Floryse and Herman Assy, and Jean Claude

Salece who are sick.

, and

Lord, Hear Our Prayer!

? Play Group - Mondays from 9.30 - 11.30am in the Small Hall? Legion of Mary meet in the Gathering Space at 5.30 pm on Mondays. ? Charismatic Prayer Group meet in the Small Hall every Monday at 8.00pm. All are welcome.? Novena - Devotions to Our Lady of Perpetual Help follows the 7.00pm Mass in the Church on Wednesdays. ? Italian Prayer Group meeting will be on Thursdays at 10.15am. Contact Lucy 9547 1671.

? Divine Mercy Devotion every Friday 2.45 pm in the Church.? El-Shaddai Multicultural Prayer Group meet every 1st Friday of the Month.? Knitting Group meet in the Gathering Space every Friday from 10-12am.? Sudanese Prayer Group meet every Friday evening at 6.30 in the Gathering Space.? Legion of Mary meet at the Parish Centre at 10.15am on Saturdays.? Sudanese Monthly Mass at 2.00pm in the Church every 3rd Sunday of the month.? Friendly Hearts Group meeting 2nd & 4th Saturdays in the Gathering Space from 1-4pm.

THIS WEEK

ST ANTHONY’S GOLDEN JUBILEE MEMORABILIA

"CLEARANCE SALE" In The Piety StallMugs - Stubbie Holders $1.00/eachChristmas Cards & Columban Calendars are now available at the Piety Stall

MINISTERS OF COMMUNION TO THE SICKAnyone who takes Communion to the sick, could you please put your name down and who you are taking Communion to. The book is in the sacristy marked (Communion to the sick).

VOLUNTEERS FOR YARRAMAN NURSING HOME

We are looking for volunteers to go and visit Yarraman Nursing home to chat, play bingo & cards, if you are interested please ring the Parish Centre.Many thanks to people who have come forward. The home would like to thank you. They still need more volunteers.

UPDATING THE LISTS OF THOSE FOR WHOM WE PRAYIn an attempt to update the list of names for whom we pray: namely the sick, those who have died and death anniversaries, we will be removing all names we currently have and start afresh as of the new liturgical year commencing 27 November 2011. We request you to contact the parish centre with names to be included in our prayers for the new list as of this date.

LITURGY CORNER

BREAK OPEN THE WORDCopies of Break Open the Word for the new Liturgical Year are now available for Lectors. Please collect a copy from the sacristy.

CHOIR PRACTICEChoir practice for Christmas will be held every Monday night at 7:30pm in the Church. All Singers and musicians are invited to attend.

THE GLORY OF CHRISTMASLike last year, we will be celebrating the 'Glory of Christmas' in the big hall on the 18th of December. All children up to the age of 14 years are invited to participate in the nativity play which will include acting and singing. Practice for all who would like to participate will be held on 10th December at 11:00am in the gathering space.

+ ROSTERS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE AND DAY MASSES ARE NOW UP IN THE FOYER. PLEASE NOMINATE THE MASS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MINISTER TO.

BOOKINGS FOR 2012We are preparing the venue bookings for 2012. To book a place for regular meetings or for a setting date, you should contact Carmel at the Parish Centre as soon as possible.

St. Anthony's Liturgy Workgroup Team is “a work in progress”, currently pursuing to do more than what we presently do, that is, prepare and schedule ministers and provide appropriate decoration for the various liturgical seasons and feasts. We are studying and developing strategies for assessing all our liturgical needs and evaluating our current liturgical celebrations. We are seeking ways to help our entire community to better understand the Mass and to encourage fuller, more active, and conscious participation. Our primary focus is Sunday Mass and the major liturgical seasons.

Liturgy is literally “the work of the people”. It involves each of us in community. It's what we do TOGETHER as the Body of Christ to worship and praise our God. As we start with the new liturgical year, our Liturgy Team extends this invitation to you to assist us in working at making our Sunday liturgies more meaningful and spirited.

Please consider getting involved. The Team is now inviting the community to become members

particularly if you are in the liturgical ministry. Please call the parish office on 95468276. You may

also email us at: parishsecretary@stanthonysparish.net.

LITURGY

“Christmas can be a very difficult time for many families in need. Take a moment and think of how you can change their lives by your generosity in making it much brighter for a lot of children and adults in our community. Once again I encourage you to make a positive difference and bring a smile to the faces of our children.

Our Christmas tree will be set up in the Church on 10 December and I invite you to place a gift under the tree. These gifts will be collected by St Vincent de Paul who will then distribute them to the needy. The gifts should be NEW toys and/or clothes, hampers and non-perishable food items. Thank you for your support”. Fr Arsenio

ST ANTHONY'S - CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER 2011

13/12/11-TUESDAY PENITENTIAL SERVICE 7:30 PMPRIESTS WILL BE AVAILABLE 8:00PMFOR INDIVIDUAL RECONCILIATION

14/12/11-WEDNESDAY MASS AND OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOR NOVENA 7:00PM

15/12/11-THURSDAY MASS & CHRISTMAS NOVENA 7:30PM16/12/11-FRIDAY MASS & CHRISTMAS NOVENA 7:30PM17/12/11-SATURDAY MASS & CHRISTMAS NOVENA 7:00PM18/12/11-SUNDAY MASS & CHRISTMAS NOVENA 5:30PM

CAROLS – 'THE GLORY OF 7:30PMCHRISTMAS' IN THE BIG HALL

19/12/11-MONDAY MASS & CHRISTMAS NOVENA 7:30PM20/12/11-TUESDAY MASS & CHRISTMAS NOVENA 7:30PM21/12/11-WEDNESDAY OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL

SUCCOR NOVENA 7:00PMMASS & CHRISTMAS NOVENA 7:30PM

22/12/11-THURSDAY MASS & CHRISTMAS NOVENA 7:30PM23/12/11-FRIDAY MASS & CHRISTMAS NOVENA 7:30PM24/12/11 – SATURDAY CHILDREN'S MASS 6:30PM

YOUTH MASS 8:00PMCAROLS BEFORE MASS 11:00PMMIDNIGHT MASS 12:00AM

25/12/11-SUNDAY MASS 8:15AMMASS 9:30AMMASS 11:00AM

PRAYING FOR THE SICK Commonwealth Privacy Legislation protects the rights of people to privacy, including the sick. A person who is sick has the right not to have their condition mentioned publicly without their permission, including praying for them. The parish practice from now on requires written permission to print names in the Bulletin. Names for inclusion need to e dropped in to the parish office by 10:00 am on Thursday.

CHRISTMAS TREE

WEDNESDAY FRIENDS Please meet at the Gathering Space on 7/12/11 at 10.30am. Free lunch provided. Please ring the Parish Centre, no later than Monday the 5th December regarding your attendance. Thank you.

MEN’S CLUB BBQ RAFFLE6 burner stainless steel with side burner.

DRAWN CHRISTMAS EVETickets available after every Mass this weekend.

Ticket $2/each or 6 for $10.

MELBOURNE OVERSEAS MISSIONS Annual Appeal - December 10th & 11th 2011

Since its foundation in 1969, Melbourne parishioners have supported our own mission fund to help developing nations. This has marked our Archdiocese for its exceptional generosity. Currently, the major beneficiaries are people in Papua New Guinea, Timor, India, Sierra Leone, Pakistan, Botswana, Nigeria and Peru. Archbishop Denis Hart commends the fund to your continuing support. Donations of $2.00 and over are tax deductible.

CHRISTMAS LUNCHONLY 10 ARE INVITED!

Volunteers of the Schoenstat Group are inviting 10 people to attend at Holy Family Church, 90 Power Road, Doveton, on 11/12/11 at 12.30pm. Please call Flo on 92670228 to confirm your attendance. Free lunch and a gift from Santa.

Advent Reflection with Mary MacKillop December 7, 14 & 21, 12:15pm – 12:45pm

Like 30 minutes of quiet in your busy day? Join us as we reflect with Mary MacKillop at this Advent Time. A time of looking forward with new hope. A time of waiting and preparation as we invite Jesus to come and be 'born in our hearts'.

Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre, 362 Albert Street, East Melbourne.

RSVP: 03 9926 9300

St Elizabeth's Christmas Nativity Scene 17 December - 14 January

Visit the beautiful Christmas Nativity handmade by artist, Wilson Fernandez, at St Elizabeth's Parish, 107 Bakers Rd, Dandenong North. Now in its seventh year at St Elizabeth's, the Nativity Scene has grown each year to keep onlookers constantly interested and aware of the true meaning of Christmas. Details: 0428 927 110 or 03 9795 6217

NEW ROSTER FOR SACRISTANS (WEEKEND MASSES) IS AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION IN

THE SACRISTY.

LITURGY OF THE WORDLITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading: Isaiah 40:1-5. 9-11

A reading from the prophet Isaiah

‘Console my people, console them’ says your God.‘Speak to the heart of Jerusalem and call to her that her time of service is ended, that her sin is atoned for, that she has received from the hand of the Lord double punishment for all her crimes.’ A voice cries, ‘Prepare in the wilderness a way for the Lord. Make a straight highway for our God across the desert. Let every valley be filled in, every mountain and hill be laid low, let every cliff become a plain, and the ridges a valley; then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all mankind shall see it;for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’ Go up on a high mountain, joyful messenger to Zion. Shout with a loud voice, joyful messenger to Jerusalem. Shout without fear, say to the towns of Judah, ‘Here is your God.’ Here is the Lord coming with power, his arm subduing all things to him.The prize of his victory is with him, his trophies all go before him. He is like a shepherd feeding his flock, gathering lambs in his arms, holding them against his breast and leading to their rest the mother ewes. The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 84:9-14

R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

I will hear what the Lord God has to say, a voice that speaks of peace, peace for his people. His help is near for those who fear him and his glory will dwell in our land. R.

Mercy and faithfulness have met; justice and peace have embraced. Faithfulness shall spring from the earth and justice look down from heaven. R.

The Lord will make us prosper and our earth shall yield its fruit. Justice shall march before him and peace shall follow his steps. R.

Second Reading: 2 Peter 3:8-14

A reading from the second letter of St Peter

There is one thing, my friends, that you must never forget: that with the Lord, ‘a day’ can mean a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord is not being slow to carry out his promises, as anybody else might be called slow; but he is being patient with you all, wanting nobody to be lost and everybody to be brought to change his ways. The Day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then with a roar the sky will vanish, the elements will catch fire and fall apart, the earth and all that it contains will be burnt up. Since everything is coming to an end like this, you should be living holy and saintly lives while you wait and long for the Day of God to come, when the sky will dissolve in flames and the elements melt in the heat. What we are waiting for is what he promised: the new heavens and new earth, the place where righteousness will be at home. So then, my friends, while you are waiting, do your best to live lives without spot or stain so that he will find you at peace.

The word of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation: Luke 3:4. 6

Alleluia, alleluia!Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths:all people shall see the salvation of God.Alleluia!

Gospel: Mark 1:1-8

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

The beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah: Look, I am going to send my messenger before you; he will prepare your way.A voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight, and so it was that John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. All Judaea and all the people of Jerusalem made their way to him, and as they were baptised by him in the river Jordan they confessed their sins. John wore a garment of camel-skin, and he lived on locusts and wild honey. In the course of his preaching he said, ‘Someone is following me, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals. I have baptised you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.’

The Gospel of the Lord.