Prince of Peace,

prepare the way for yourself

in our lives and our world.

Help us to see paths

that you have prepared for us,

and awaken in us a desire

to create new paths to you,

straight through the most

challenging places.

Amen

ADVENT SPIRITUALITY “A voice of one crying out in the desert. ‘Prepare the way of

the Lord, make straight his paths.” Matthew 3:3

On this, the Second Sunday of Advent, we are given the person of St. John the Baptist to ponder. What a gift he is! Jesus Himself stated that “among those born of women there has been none

greater than John the Baptist” [Matthew11:11]. What a compliment! What is it that made John so great? We can point to two things in particular. The first has to do with his calling and the second has to do with his virtue. First of all, John was great because he was the

transition from the Old Testament Prophets to the New Testament. He was the bridge that prepared for the new life to come.

His unique mission makes him truly great. But John was great not only because of his unique calling, he was also great because of

the virtue he had in his life. And it is this gift that is worth pondering for our own inspiration more than any other.

The particular virtue that John had was that of humility. He saw himself as nothing other than a “voice of one crying out in the

desert.” And the Word he spoke was Jesus. John acknowledged that he was not even worthy to stoop down and untie the sandal

straps of Jesus [Mark 1:7]. He was praised by many and followed by many and yet he continuously said of Jesus that “He must

increase and I must decrease” [John 3:30]. John was not in it for praise and honor; rather, his mission was to point everyone to the Savior of the world. He could have sought the honor and praise of many and he would have certainly received it. They may have even made him king. But John was more than willing to fulfil his mission

and then submit himself to the cruel sword of his executioner.

His humility was such that he was focused only on Jesus and desired only to point to Him. catholic-daily-reflections.com

The WORD This Week Throughout the first three weeks of Advent our focus is very clearly

on the End of Time, and the Second Coming of the Lord - not on

the run up to Christmas (that only comes in the last week). If we

view Advent as a Season preparing for Christmas these readings

will make little sense - and neither will the figure of John the Baptist

who appears today: if it was about the preparation for Christmas,

then John the Baptist, preaching after Jesus was born, becomes a

confusing figure: his role is to preach to us, as he did of old, and to

prepare us for the (second) coming of the Lord.

Everything gets more specific today: what is being preached is not

an event, but a person: Isaiah promises him, John welcomes him,

Paul invites us to imitate him. We have here a thumbnail portrait of

the Messiah useful to refer to when we get to Christmas and he is

revealed as a child in a manger!

Simbang Gabi

A Filipino Advent Mass Tradition

December 16-21 and 23-24 at 6am

Simbang Gabi is a Filipino Advent tradition introduced by the Spanish Friars to allow the farmers to hear mass before

going to the fields early in the morning. It is a series of nine dawn masses in anticipation of Christmas and to honor the Blessed Mother. While Advent is a time of

preparation for the coming of the infant Jesus, Simbang Gabi is a time to honor the Blessed Mother.

Tuesday 10 Dec Mairangi Bay 7pm

Wednesday 11 Dec Northcote 7pm

Thursday 12 Dec Glenfield 7pm

Thursday 19 Dec Takapuna 7pm

Friday 20 Dec Beach Haven 7pm

Why is Mary’s Immaculate Conception during Advent each year?

Today 8 December, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the

Blessed Virgin Mary. It is fitting that we focus our attention on Mary during the season of Advent as

we prepare for the celebration of the Birth of her Son. She is truly the central figure of the Advent Season for, through her consent,

the Son of God was conceived in her womb and born at Bethlehem. Her quiet life anticipating the redemptive action of her Son, which

had already been accomplished in her, is what the season of Advent is all about. It is very appropriate that we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception during the season of

Advent. In anticipation that she was to bear the Son of God, Mary was preserved from the time of her conception from Original Sin. No sin would touch her, so that she would be a fitting and worthy

vessel of the Son of God.

The Immaculate Conception does not refer to the virginal conception and birth of Christ, but rather to Mary’s being conceived without inheriting Original Sin. In the course of time, the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception became more precisely enunciated, as its truth - long supported by the universal popular devotion of the faithful - was better understood by deepening theological inquiry.

On December 8,1854, Blessed Pope Pius IX proclaimed this dogma infallibly: that is, in his role as supreme teacher of the Church,

he declared that this doctrine is divinely revealed and must be accepted with faith by the entire Church. In his Apostolic

Constitution, Ineffabilis Deus, Blessed Pope Pius IX proclaimed:

“The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.”

“With a view to the saving death of the Son, Mary, his Mother, was preserved free from original sin and from every other sin.

The victory of the new Adam also includes that of the new Eve, Mother of the redeemed. The Immaculate Virgin is thus a sign of

hope for all the living who have triumphed over Satan by the blood of the Lamb [cf.Rv 12: 11].” - [St. John Paul II, Dec. 8, 2004]

St Thomas More Parish, Glenfield, 8 December 2019

Second Sunday of Advent

Today’s Advent Prayer

Church Cleaning 14 December 2019

Juliet Gapultos, Helen Ellis Ronaldo Natividad

Queries ph Sharon 441 6454

Please pray for our sick parishioners & their families Peter Marshall, Emelda Armishaw, Joan Rumble, Tamar

Mathews, Israel Nathan, Eloise McFadden & Cathy Sigley. Contact office for any name changes phone 444 8624

Altar Servers ROSTER - 14 & 15 Dec

SENIORS Parish group Next meeting will be 10am on Tuesday 10 December in the parish hall after the morning Mass. Entertainment & Christmas morning tea will be served. ALL WELCOME

Confirmation / First Communion enrolment

forms are now available in church foyer. Classes start 16 February

Saturday 14 December 5.30pm

Luis Samson Andrea Samson Projectionist: Carl Urbino

Sunday 15 December 8am

Anyone? Projectionist: Kateni Jones

Sunday 15 December 10am

Charles & Andrei Cruz Anjelo Cruz Projectionist: Mary Hartley

Mercy Spirituality Centre 104 The Drive, Epsom. www.mercyspiritualitycentre.org.nz REFLECTION / RETREAT DAY Be still and know that I am God Prayer in the spirit of Advent Wed 11 Dec, 10.30am-2.30pm. $25. BYO lunch. Facilitation using scripture, music and images will support periods of reflection and silent prayer. EVENING EVENT Nativity Scenes Fri 13 Dec, 7-9pm. Koha/ Donation. The idea of re-enacting the nativity of Jesus is contributed to St Francis of Assisi. This talk is an opportuni-ty to learn more about an ancient Catholic tradition that has spread to many countries in the world, each time adapting with special local characteristics. Flyers in foyer for costs & more information.

The Advent Healing Mass will be on

Saturday 14 December 2019 9.15am Mass followed by a cuppa

All welcome to a cuppa after the

10am Mass hosted by the

Tongan community

Diocese job vacancy: Marriage & Family Life Administration Assistant To view full description/download application form visit website www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz Applications close 15 December 2019.

FOUND: Gold filigree hoop earing and silver ring with ‘Carmel 2002’ engraved. Plus man’s black metal ring. Contact Parish office 444 8624.

Sunday

Isaiah 11:1-10

Romans 15:4-9

Matthew 3:1-12

Monday

Genesis 3:9-15, 20

Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12

Luke 1:26-38 The Immaculate Conception of

the Blessed Virgin Mary

Tuesday

Isaiah 40:1-11

Matthew 18:12-14

Wednesday

Isaiah 40:25-31

Matthew 11:28-30

Thursday

Isaiah 41:13-20

Matthew 11:11-15

Friday

Isaiah 48:17-19

Matthew 11:16-19 St Lucy, virgin, martyr

Saturday

Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11

Matthew 17:10-13 St John of the Cross,

priest, doctor of the church

St Vincent de Paul

Christmas Cards ON SALE after each

Mass.

$2 pack/ 3 packs for $5

Vigil Family Mass: All singers and musicians, third of 4 practices Monday 9 Dec @ 7.30pm Midnight Mass: The third of four practices is Tuesday 10 December at 7.30 pm in the church. All singers and classical/orchestral instrumentalists welcome.

Practices

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land & Poland

Accompanied by Fr Alfredo Garcia Departing 28 September 2020

8 nights Holy Land & 5 nights Poland - $8,200

Contact Thaddeus D’Souza for more info thaddeus.dsouza.nz@flightcentre.co.nz

182nd Anniversary of the First Mass celebrated at Totara Point 13 January 1838 Join us at Mass at Totara Point, Hokianga at 11 am on 12 January 2020 followed by a shared picnic lunch. Poster in foyer

Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens At the Vigil Mass today we officially welcome those who have completed the period of pre-catechumenate. They now assemble to declare their intention to continue their journey into the Order of Catechumens. The church and community in turn embraces them as her own as they prepare for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil in April next year. We witness the catechumens' First Acceptance of the Gospel, Affirmation by the Sponsors and the assembly, followed by the Signing of the catechumens with the cross on their forehead (and other senses). We also welcome those who have been baptized in a Christian denomination and now wish to be received into Full Communion with the Catholic Church. Please welcome them in our midst, encourage and support them through prayer and fellowship.

Once in a lifetime Christmas Concert "Once Upon a Starry Night" Starring Simon O'Neill, Peter Thomas & the Auckland Symphony Orchestra All the students of St Joseph's School Takapuna, together singing Christmas Carols for you. Westlake Boys Auditorium Sunday 8 December at 6.00 pm, Tickets available through iTicket.co.nz - Once upon a starry night. Book Now for an amazing night of entertainment

This is a wonderful opportunity to thank all our volunteers that help our parish run so smoothly. EVERYONE IS WELCOME

Taizé evening of meditative prayer. At the Mary Mackillop Centre, Tuesday 10 December 2019, 7 – 8pm. At 56 Selwyn Ave, Mission Bay, Auckland. Poster in foyer.

Lynne Goodsell, an 81 year old parishioner from Lingfield St, wondered if anyone could give her a lift to 8am Mass on Sundays. Phone 443 5930 or 021 295 4630.

TODAY!

Parking congestion - 3 things to do: Drop off early Please come early and only enter the carpark for a

drop off at least 15 minutes before the service, and before the carpark is jammed.

Clear the exit immediately If you double park, make sure

you move your vehicle immediately after the end of the final hymn. No exceptions.

Consider alternatives Start thinking about alternative plans for your parking.

Can you come earlier and park on the surrounding streets, are you able to car pool or walk?

2020 Daily Mass Calendars $3 we have new stock 2020 Columban calendars $12

purchase after mass or from Parish office.