Christmas (Year C)

Mersey Leven Catholic Parish

Parish Priest:  Fr Mike Delaney
Mob: 0417 279 437; mdelaney@netspace.net.au

Assistant Priest: 

Fr Alexander Obiorah
Mob: 0447 478 297; alexchuksobi@yahoo.co.uk

Seminarian: Paschal Okpon
Mob: 0438 562 731; paschalokpon@yahoo.com.au

Postal Address: PO Box 362, Devonport 7310

Parish Office:   90 Stewart Street, Devonport 7310

(Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10am - 3pm)

Office Phone: 6424 2783 Fax: 6423 5160
Email: mlcathparish-dsl@keypoint.com.au

Secretary: Annie Davies / Anne Fisher
Pastoral Council Chair:  Mary Davies

Mersey Leven Catholic Parish Weekly Newsletter: mlcathparish.blogspot.com.au

Parish Mass Times: mlcpmasstimes.blogspot.com.au

Weekly Homily Podcast: podomatic.com/mikedelaney    

Parish Magazine: mlcathparishnewsletter.blogspot.com.au

Year of Mercy Blogspot: mlcpyom.blogspot.com.au

                                                                          

From Fr Mike

At the end of my second year as Parish Priest of the Mersey Leven Parish I can only say that I have many people to thank for their support, prayers and encouragement during the year. Firstly I would like to express my thanks to Fr Alex who has been a great companion during this past year – I’m certain that he has been frustrated by me on many occasions but he continues to be supportive in his work as a brother priest in the Parish. To the lovely ladies who work in the house - Annie & Anne in the Office and Digna in the kitchen and throughout the house - they have been a wonderful support and great company to work with - at the same time helping to keep me sane and grounded (with subtle reminders when I get it wrong!)

Thanks to Belinda (and Richard, Luke and Joshua) Chapman for their contribution to the life of the Parish – we will miss you and wish you all the best in George Town. Thanks also to Paschal Okpon who has been with us for these past 6 weeks – may your journey to priesthood continue supported by our prayers and best wishes.

Other important people include Mary Davies and the members of the Parish Pastoral Council, the members of the Finance Committee, the Sacramental Team, the Lay Leaders of Liturgy, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, our extraordinary musicians and singers, the wonderful people who take communion to the Housebound, who count the collections and those who take up the collection, prepare the Churches for liturgy, clean the Churches, arrange flowers, (wo)man Piety Shop, look after hospitality, greet parishioners as they arrive and all who assist with fundraising in all its many forms.

We will continue to have a special celebration in each of our Churches about the time of the Patronal Feast of that Church and on that occasion, as well as celebrating the Feast Day, we will take the opportunity to thank all those who support that particular community and give thanks for their various ministries and volunteering. Our gatherings for the all of Parish Mass will be on the Feasts of Pentecost and Christ the King.

And so all that is left now is for me to wish each and every one of you a Happy and Holy Christmas and a (hopefully) relaxing break over these days and safe travelling.

 

Your prayers are asked for the sick:  Valentin Daug, Debbie Morris, Denise Payne, Hugh Hiscutt, Geraldine Roden, Joy Carter & …

Let us pray for those who have died recently: Fr Peter McGrath OFM, Sr Lorraine Sweeney, Michael Quillerat, Greg Williams, Robert Pratt, Marie Williams, Guy d’Hondt, Louise Hanlon, Joan Stewart, Sr Augustine Healy, Ludy Broomhall, Shane Rogers, Cooper Morgan, Robyn Pitt,     Iolanthe Hannavy, Lorraine Duncan and Pat Haines.

Let us pray for those whose anniversary occurs about this time: 23rd – 30th December

Glen Clark, Gwenda Stones, Wallace Malone, Max Anderson, Margaret Waddle, Maria Duggan, Eileen Burrows, Jean Matthews, Kathleen Sheehan, Brian Salter, Grant Dell, Mavis Wise, Thelma Batt, Melville Williams, Win Casey and Barbara George. Also Emily Duggan, Kate & Billy Last, Hedley & Enid Stubbs, Arch & Corrie Webb, Madeline & Henry Castles and relatives and friends of the Clark family.

May they rest in peace

                                                                        

Readings Christmas Night:

First Reading: Isaiah 9:1-7 Second Reading: Titus 2:11-14 Gospel: Luke 2:1-14

Readings Christmas Day

First Reading: Isaiah 62:11-12 Second Reading: Titus 3:4-7 Gospel: Luke 2:15-20

PREGO

During this very busy period I may find that my regular prayer time is disrupted. 

I may well have to settle for a few moments snatched here and there, perhaps simply focussing on a short sentence or expression written on a “post-it” in a strategic position, the fridge door, the shopping list board, the car dashboard, the inside of my purse etc. 

At a time of the year when so much of my activity may focus on gifts, I might want to reflect on the gifts which I have already received: 

 The Word of God, the light that shines in darkness and which cannot be overpowered. 

 The love of my family, whether immediate or extended, my friends or community, whether they understand me or not, whether I live under their authority or not. 

 Finding Jesus, after a long journey guided by signs and people. 

So now in my turn, in thanksgiving for all these gifts, I ask myself: 

“What can I give him, poor as I am? 

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb,... Yet what I can I give him….”