Mersey Leven Catholic Parish
Parish Priest: Fr Mike Delaney mob: 0417 279 437;
email: mike.delaney@catholicpriest.org.au
Assistant Priest:
Fr Augustine Ezenwelu mob: 0470 576 857
Postal Address: PO Box 362, Devonport 7310
Parish Office: 90 Stewart Street, Devonport 7310
Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday,Thursday 10am-3pm
Office Phone: 6424 2783 Fax: 6423 5160
FaceBook: Mersey Leven Catholic Parish
Weekly Newsletter: mlcathparish.blogspot.com.au
Weekly Homily Podcast: podomatic.com/mikedelaney
Parish Magazine: mlcathparishnewsletter.blogspot.com.au
Secretary: Annie Davies/Anne Fisher Pastoral Council Chair: Mary Davies
Archdiocesan Website: www.hobart.catholic.org.au for news, information and details of other Parishes.
OUR PARISH SACRAMENTAL LIFE:
Baptism: arrangements are made by contacting Parish Office. Parents attend a Baptismal Preparation Session on first Tuesday of February, April, June, August, October and December.
Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist: Are received following a Family–centred,Parish-based, School-supported Preparation Program.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: prepares adults for reception into the Catholic community.
Marriage: arrangements are made by contacting one of our priests - couples attend a pre-marriage Program
Anointing of the Sick: please contact one of our priests
Reconciliation: Ulverstone - Fridays (10am - 10:30am)
Devonport - Saturday (5:15pm– 5.45pm)
Penguin - Saturday (5:15pm - 5:45pm)
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
FIRST READING
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: (R.) Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your
salvation.
PREGO REFLECTION :
As I go to my place of prayer, I take a few moments to
recall how God looks at me now, touches my life, speaks to me through my life
experiences........and prepares me for His coming as “Emmanuel, God with us”.
In gratitude and reverence, I settle down to become silent
and still. I read the Gospel message—the Good News about Jesus.
As I recall my own life: who were the people who “prepared
a way for the Lord”? I may want to recall times, places, words spoken, example
given...... In what way did these messengers of God help and support me? How do
I feel now as I remember ...? I speak with our Lord Jesus about all that is in
my mind and heart.
How might I be a messenger for others? To help me, what
gift do I desire today, from the One whose sandals I am not fit to untie, yet
who enters my world and fills me with His Holy Spirit?
I end my prayer in silent adoration, praise, thanksgiving
............. however I am moved.
Weekday
Masses 8th - 13th December, 2014
Monday: The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary9.30am Ulverstone; 11.30am Devonport
Tuesday: 9:30am Penguin
Wednesday: 9:30am Latrobe
Thursday: 10:00am Eliza Purton
12noon Devonport
Friday: 9:30am Ulverstone
Next
Weekend 13th &14th December, 2014
Saturday Vigil: 6:00pm Penguin & Devonport
Sunday Mass: 8:30am Port Sorell
9:00am Ulverstone
10:30am Devonport
11:00am Sheffield (LWC)
5:00pm Latrobe
Eucharistic
Adoration:
Devonport:Every Friday 10am - 12noon,
concluding with Stations of the Cross and Angelus
Devonport: Benediction with Adoration - first Friday of
each month.
Prayer Groups:
Charismatic Renewal - Devonport (Emmaus House) In
recession until Thursday 5th February 2015.
Christian Meditation - Devonport, Emmaus House - Wednesdays 7pm.
Ministry Rosters 13th & 14th
December, 2014
Devonport:
Readers:
Vigil: M Gaffney, M Gerrand, H Lim 10.30am: A Hughes, T Barrientos, C Morriss
Readers
Christmas Masses:
8pm Vigil - Readings taken from the Midnight Mass: P Piccolo, C Kiely-Hoye, E Petts
Christmas Day -
Readings from the Dawn Mass: R Baker, M Gerrand, C Morriss, If you are unable to read please phone Kath
10.30am: J DiPietro, S Riley, B Schrader, F Sly, M Mahoney, M
Sherriff
Cleaners 12th Dec: G & R O'Rourke, M & R Youd 20th Dec: M & L Tippett, A Berryman
Piety Shop 13th Dec: R Baker 14th Dec: K Hull
Ulverstone:
Reader: B O'Rourke Ministers of Communion: M Byrne, D Griffin
Cleaners: K.S.C. Flowers: M Byrne Hospitality:
Penguin:
Greeters: A Landers, P Ravaillion Commentator: Y Downes Readers: M & D Hiscutt
Procession: Kiely Family Ministers of Communion: J Barker, A Guest
Liturgy: Sulphur Creek J Setting Up: S Ewing
Care of Church: J & T Kiely
Port Sorell:
Readers: T Jeffries, G Duff Ministers of Communion: E Holloway, V Duff
Clean /Prepare/Flowers: B
Lee, A Holloway
Latrobe:
Reader: S Ritchie Ministers of
Communion: M Kavic,
H Lim Procession: Kavic Family Music: Jenny & May
Your prayers
are asked for the sick: Victor Slavin, John Kirkpatrick, Mely
Pybus,
Shanon Breaden, Shirley White, Tom Knaap, Kath Smith &.....
Let us pray for those who
have died recently:
Aileen Broadbent, Gwen Thorp,
Bishop Jeremiah Coffey, Fr Aldo
Rebeschini, Beverley Woolacott, Corrie Kink,
Laurie Cleary, Jamie Griffiths, Marjorie
Farruge, Ted Matthews, Jason Brook,
Margaret
Pratt, Gloria Woodward and Christine MacDonald.
Let us pray
for those whose anniversary occurs about this time: Murray Soden,
Theo Kurrle, Vera
Sherston, John Davis, John Gibbons, Kath Last, Elsie Williams and also Joseph
& Anne Charlesworth and their relatives.
May they rest in peace
ADVENT PRAYER
Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness,
Send your
Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear
your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things look forward to
your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the
complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your
presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking
the light. To you we say, 'Come Lord Jesus!'
RECONCILIATION: will be celebrated in preparation for Christmas,
at Sacred Heart Church
on Monday 15th December, at 7.00pm and Our Lady of Lourdes Church
FR MIKE
I mentioned at some Masses last weekend that there would be
Services of Reconciliation in Ulverstone & Devonport – the dates are Monday
15th in Ulverstone and Wednesday 17th in Devonport – both
commencing at 7.00pm. Opportunity for Reconciliation at other Mass Centres will
be the time immediately before Mass over the next two weeks – please speak to
Fr Augustine or myself to celebrate the Sacrament.
Next Monday (8th) is the Feast of the Immaculate
Conception. The Rosary Group is praying the Rosary at OLOL Church
DON'T FORGET next Sunday (14th) after the 10.30am Mass at
OLOL there will be an opportunity to farewell Fr Augustine with a function in
the Parish Hall. I know that people attend Mass in other centres but it would
be good for as many people as possible to join us for this event. There will be
other occasions when people can say farewell but this is a chance as a whole
Parish to thank him for his ministry and care for us over these past three
years.
After the recent menALIVE retreat the group decided that
they would like to continue meeting for support and encouragement. There are
two groups and their meetings are scheduled as follows: Group 1:
9.00am -10.00am on alternate Fridays, next meeting on
19th December at Emmaus House (Contact: Tony Ryan 64241508);
Group 2: 5.30pm - 6.30pm on alternate Tuesdays,
next meeting on 16th December at a venue to be advised (Contact
Wayne Edwards 64243838).
Caritas Global Gifts are mentioned (elsewhere) in the
newsletter and I would like to encourage people to consider giving one of these
gifts to some or all family members – click the link and give to two people for
the price of one gift. Also if you have a smart phone or
tablet you might also like to download the Caritas Advent Calendar and use it
as a prayer point each day (apologies for being a week late with this reminder
– it was one of the things I forgot to add in last weeks thoughts).
Until next week take care in your homes and on the roads
WE BELIEVE IN THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS
By choosing a CARITAS Global Gift this year, you are
helping to spread the message that together, as one global family, we are
making the world a better place. One gift at a time, we are helping to
alleviate poverty, enabling people to create healthier, happier futures for
themselves, their children and their communities.
Our range of Global Gifts encompasses many of the most
important areas of our work – from responding to emergency situations with food
and water to supporting education programs and training farmers in new agricultural
techniques that empower and sustain communities for generations to come.
Please, choose your gift now. Your purchase of a specific gift is
representative of the type of community development work done by Caritas Australia
LITURGY PREPARATION GROUP:
You are very warmly invited to assist in the preparation of
our parish Christmas liturgy. The meeting will be held at Emmaus House this Sunday 7th December 2.30 pm - 4pm. For more Info
contact: Peter Douglas 0419 302 435
Parishioners are welcome to place gifts or non-perishable
food in the crib for distribution by St Vincent de Paul Society with their
Christmas Hampers to those less fortunate in the community. The Society is
appreciative of the kindness of parishioners throughout the year and generosity
to families needing a helping hand.
HOUR OF GRACE: As Our Lady requested, the Rosary
Group will conduct an Hour of Grace at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Devonport Monday
8th December from noon to 1pm. Please come along. See Church
noticeboards for details.
CWL DEVONPORT: will meet Wednesday 10th December at 2pm. Bring afternoon tea to celebrate Christmas
CWL DEVONPORT: will meet Wednesday 10th December at 2pm. Bring afternoon tea to celebrate Christmas
Thursday Nights - OLOL Hall,
Devonport. Eyes down 7.30pm!
Callers for Thursday11th December are Merv
Tippett & Alan Luxton
ANNUAL
PILGRIMAGE OF THE CHURCHES:
Is being held in Latrobe on New Year's Eve. 5:30pm start
at Baptist Church
SACRAMENTAL
PROGRAM:
Families with children in Grade 3 or above are invited to
participate in our family-centred, parish-based and school-supported
Sacramental Program to prepare to celebrate the sacraments of RECONCILIATION,
CONFIRMATION AND EUCHARIST in March and August 2015. Information Sessions to
explain the preparation program will be held on: Monday 23rd February 7.00pm at
Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Stewart
Street Sacred Heart Church Alexandra Road
For further information, please contact the Parish Office
(6424 2783) or email: sacra@eftel.net.au
Evangelii Gaudium
“God’s word, listened to and celebrated, above all in the Eucharist, nourishes and inwardly strengthens Christians, enabling them to offer an authentic witness to the Gospel in daily life.”
Par 174 from Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis, Nov. 24, 2013
http://www.vatican.va/evangelii-gaudium/en/index.html#127/z
Countdown to Christmas
To help you and those you love, and all members of your community, prepare for Christmas, Bulletin Notes is proud to share with you some of the resources designed to help with the Christmas countdown. Each week, during Advent, we will provide you with a chosen image from the pages of Pinterest. We hope they help you prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Feast Day of the Week –St Juan Diego Cuauhtatotzin (December 9)
St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin (1474–1548) is the first Roman Catholic indigenous American saint. He is said to have been granted an apparition of the Virgin Mary on four separate occasions in December 1531 at the hill of Tepeyac, then outside but now well within metropolitan Mexico City. The Basilica of Guadalupe located at the foot of the hill of Tepeyac claims to possess Juan Diego's mantle or cloak (known as a tilma) on which an image of the Virgin is said to have been impressed by a miracle as a pledge of the authenticity of the apparitions.
“Can You see that as soon as the day breaks I think of You? As evening comes, I am near You. I am near You at every moment. I love You, Jesus!”
http://quotecatholic.com/index.php/charity-love-peace/st-gemma-galgani-i-love-you-jesus/#more-1384
It has been a while since we ran a straight cartoon. This was found on Pinterest.
SELF-SACRIFICE AND THE EUCHARIST
An Article by Fr Ron Rolheiser. The original can be found at http://ronrolheiser.com/self-sacrifice-and-the-eucharist/#.VIFuBjGUfAY
In 1996, Muslim extremists martyred nearly an entire community of Trappist monks in Atlas, Algeria. Many of us, thanks to the movie, Of Gods and Men, are familiar with their story and are familiar too with the extraordinary faith and courage with which these monks, particularly their Abbott, Christian de Cherge, met their deaths. Indeed the last letters of Christian de Cherge reveal a faith and love that is truly extraordinary.
For example, in the months leading up to his death, when he already sensed what was to befall him, he wrote a letter to his family within which he already forgave his killers and hoped that they would later be with him in heaven, with both them and him playing in the sun before God. As well, after his first face-to-face meeting with a terrorist leader, who has just beheaded nine people, he prayed: “Disarm me, disarm them.”
In his journals, which are published today, he shares this story: On the morning of his first communion, he told his mother that he really didn’t understand what he was doing in receiving the Eucharist. His mother replied, simply: “You will understand later on.” His journals then trace how his understanding of the Eucharist deepened during his lifetime, especially in the light of his interrelation with Islam and one extraordinary incident in his life. This was the extraordinary incident:
From July 1959 until January 1961, Christian was an officer serving with the French army in Algeria. While there, he befriended a man named Mohammed, a family man, a simple man, and a devout Muslim. They soon forged a very deep bond. One day, during a military skirmish, Christian was taken captive by the Algerian army. His friend, Mohammed, intervened and convinced his captors that Christian was sympathetic to their cause. Christian was released but, the next day, Mohammed was found murdered, in retaliation for his role in freeing Christian.
This act of selflessness by his Muslim friend, who in effect gave his life for Christian, permanently seared Christian’s soul. It was never far from his mind and his decision, as a monk, to return to Algeria and live in solidarity with the Muslim community at Atlas and remain there until he died, was largely a result of that foundational event. But it also deepened his understanding of the Eucharist.
His mother had told him: “You will understand later”, and now he did understand: The Eucharist doesn’t just make Jesus present; it also makes present his sacrificial death for us. Jesus died for us “and for the many”; but so too did his friend, Mohammed. He also gave his death for another and in that sacrifice both imitated Jesus’ death and participated in it. Thus, for Christian, every time he celebrated the Eucharist, he celebrated too the gift of Mohammed’s sacrifice for him. His friend, Mohammed, had also shed his blood “for the many”.
Mohammed’s sacrifice helped Christian to recognize and more deeply appropriate Jesus’ sacrifice because he believed that, in the Eucharist, Jesus’ sacrifice and his friend’s sacrifice were both made real and both rendered present. Christian believed that Christ’s sacrifice includes the sacrifice shown in every act of sacrificial love and consequently his friend’s sacrifice was part of Christ’s sacrifice.
He’s right. At every Eucharist we memorialize the gift that Jesus made of his death, but that memorial includes too the sacrificial gift of everyone who has imitated Jesus’ selfless love and sacrifice. In the Eucharist, the sacrifice of Christ that we memorialize includes the sacrifice of all who have died, however unconsciously, “for the many”.
The Eucharist is a far-reaching mystery with multiple depths and levels of meaning. We don’t ever fully grasp it. But we’re in good company: When Jesus instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper the apostles also didn’t really understand what he was doing, as is witnessed by Peter’s protests when Jesus tries to wash their feet. Peter’s protests show clearly that he did not comprehend what Jesus meant in this Eucharistic gesture. And so, Jesus’ words to Peter and the apostles are almost identical to those Christian de Cherge’s mother spoke to him when he told her that he didn’t understand the Eucharist: “Later, you will understand.”
When I made my first communion, I had a childlike understanding of the Eucharist. In my seven-year-old, catechized mind, I believed that I was receiving the real body of Jesus and that, at the mass where the Eucharistic hosts were consecrated, we celebrated the sacrifice of Jesus that opened the gates of heaven for us. Numerous theology degrees and sixty years later, I know now that what I understood about the Eucharist as a child was correct; but I also know that when those two things, Christ’s real presence and Christ’s sacrifice for us, are unpackaged, we find ourselves immersed in an ineffable mystery within which, among other things, all who sacrifice in love for us are also part of the Real Presence.
And so we keep going to Eucharist, knowing that later, we will understand.
You Are Love Becoming Love
An article by Fr Richard Rohr - from his daily email posted on 26th November 2014
Your True Self is who
you are, and always have been in God, and at its core it is love itself. Love
is both who you are and who you are still becoming, like a sunflower seed that
becomes its own sunflower. Most of human history has called the True Self your
“soul” or “your participation in the eternal life of God.” The great surprise
and irony is that “you,” or who you think you are, have nothing to do with its
original creation or its demise. It’s sort of disempowering and utterly
empowering at the same time! All you can do is nurture it, which is saying
quite a lot. It is love becoming love in this unique form called “me.”
It seems to be a fully cooperative effort according to St.
Paul (Romans 8:28), and according to my own limited experience too. God never
forces himself or herself on us or coerces us toward life or love by any
threats whatsoever. God seduces us, yes; coerces us, no (Jeremiah 20:7; Matthew
11:28-30). Whoever this God is, he or she is utterly free and utterly respects
our own human freedom. Love cannot happen in any other way. Love flourishes
inside freedom and then increases freedom even more. “For freedom Christ has
set us free!” shouts St. Paul in his critique of all legalistic religion
(Galatians 5:1).
We are allowed to ride life and love’s wonderful mystery for
a few years—until life and love reveal themselves as the same thing, which is
the final and full message of the risen Christ—life morphing into a love that
is beyond space and time. He literally “breathes” shalom and forgiveness into
the universal air (John 20:22-23). You get to add your own finishing touches of
love, your own life breath to the Great Breath, and then return the completed
package to its maker in a brand-new but also the same form. It is indeed the
same “I,” but now it is in willing union with the great “I AM” (Exodus 3:14).
We are no longer absolutely one, but we are not two either! (Think about that
if you can.)
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