Mersey Leven Catholic Parish
Parish Priest: Fr Mike Delaney
Mob: 0417 279 437
Mob: 0417 279 437
Assistant Priest: Fr Paschal Okpon
Mob: 0438 562 731
paschalokpon@yahoo.com
Priest in Residence: Fr Phil McCormack
Mob: 0437 521 257
Mob: 0437 521 257
Postal Address: PO Box 362
Parish Office: 90 Stewart Street
(Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10am - 3pm)
Office Phone: 6424 2783 Fax: 6423 5160
Email: merseyleven@aohtas.org.au
Secretary: Annie Davies
Finance Officer: Anne Fisher
Finance Officer: Anne Fisher
Parish Mass times for the Month: mlcpmasstimes.blogspot.com.au
Weekly Homily Podcast: mikedelaney.podomatic.com
Archdiocesan Website: www.hobart.catholic.org.au for news, information and details of other Parishes.
PLENARY COUNCIL PRAYER
Come, Holy Spirit of Pentecost.
Come, Holy Spirit of the great South Land.
O God, bless and unite all your people in Australia
and guide us on the pilgrim way of the Plenary Council.
Give us the grace to see your face in one another
and to recognise Jesus, our companion on the road.
Give us the courage to tell our stories and to speak boldly of your truth.
Give us ears to listen humbly to each other
and a discerning heart to hear what you are saying.
Lead your Church into a hope-filled future,
that we may live the joy of the Gospel.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, bread for the journey from age to age.
Amen.
Our Lady Help of Christians, pray for us.
St Mary MacKillop, pray for us.
Come, Holy Spirit of the great South Land.
O God, bless and unite all your people in Australia
and guide us on the pilgrim way of the Plenary Council.
Give us the grace to see your face in one another
and to recognise Jesus, our companion on the road.
Give us the courage to tell our stories and to speak boldly of your truth.
Give us ears to listen humbly to each other
and a discerning heart to hear what you are saying.
Lead your Church into a hope-filled future,
that we may live the joy of the Gospel.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, bread for the journey from age to age.
Amen.
Our Lady Help of Christians, pray for us.
St Mary MacKillop, pray for us.
Parish Prayer
Heavenly Father,
and calling us to serve as your disciples.
as we use our gifts to serve you.
as we strive to bear witness
to the Gospel and build an amazing parish.
Amen.
Our Parish Sacramental Life
Eucharistic Adoration - Devonport: Every Friday 10am - 12noon, concluding with Stations of the Cross and Angelus
and calling us to serve as your disciples.
as we use our gifts to serve you.
as we strive to bear witness
Amen.
Our Parish Sacramental Life
Baptism: Arrangements are made by contacting Parish Office. Parents attend a Baptismal Preparation Session organised with a Priest.
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)
Eucharistic Adoration - Devonport: Every Friday 10am - 12noon, concluding with Stations of the Cross and Angelus
Benediction with Adoration Devonport: First Friday each month.
Legion of Mary: Wednesdays 11am Sacred Heart of Church Community Room, Ulverstone
Prayer Group: Charismatic Renewal – Mondays 7pm Community Room Ulverstone - recommencing 4th February
Mersey Leven Catholic Parish
Christmas Mass Times 2018
OUR LADY OF LOURDES STEWART STREET, DEVONPORT
Christmas Eve 6.00pm Children's Mass
8.00pm Vigil Mass
ST PATRICK’S, GILBERT STREET, LATROBE
Christmas Day 9.30am Mass
HOLY CROSS, HIGH STREET, SHEFFIELD
Christmas Day 9.30am Mass
ST JOSEPH’S MASS CENTRE, ARTHUR STREET, PORT SORELL
Christmas Day 8.30am Mass
SACRED HEART ALEXANDRA ROAD, ULVERSTONE
Christmas Eve 6.00pm Children's Mass
ST MARY’S KING EDWARD STREET, PENGUIN
Christmas Eve 8.00pm Vigil Mass
Weekday Masses 18th – 21st December
Tuesday: 9:30am Penguin
Wednesday: 9:30am Latrobe
Thursday: 10:00am Karingal
Friday: 11:00am Mt St Vincent Weekend Masses 22nd & 23rd December
6:00pm Devonport
Sunday Mass: 8:30am Port Sorell
9:00am Ulverstone
10:30am Devonport
11:00am Sheffield
5:00pm Latrobe
Ministry Rosters 22nd & 23rd December, 2018
Devonport:
Readers Vigil: A McIntyre, M Williams, C
Kiely-Hoye
10:30am: A Hughes, T Barrientos, P Piccolo
Ministers of Communion:
Vigil: M Heazlewood, G Lee-Archer, M Kelly,
P Shelverton
10:30am: M Sherriff, T & S Ryan, D &
M Barrientos
Cleaners: 21st Dec: M & L Tippett, A Berryman 28th Dec: P & T Douglas
Piety Shop: 22nd Dec:
L Murfet 23rd Dec: O McGinley
Ulverstone:
Reader/s: A & F Pisano Ministers of Communion: M Byrne, D Griffin, K Foster, R Locket
Cleaners: V Ferguson, E Cox Flowers: G Doyle Hospitality: S & T Johnstone
Penguin:
Greeters J Garnsey, S Ewing Commentator:
E Nickols Readers: M & D Hiscutt
Ministers of Communion: J Garnsey, S Ewing Liturgy: S.C. J
Setting Up: T Clayton Care of Church: M Murray, E Nickols
Latrobe:
Reader: M Chan Minister of Communion: M Mackey Procession of Gifts: J Hyde
Port Sorell:
Reader: M Badcock, L Post Ministers of
Communion: Jan
& Don Peters
Cleaners: G Bellchambers & M Gillard
Readings this week –Third Sunday of Advent (Year C)
First Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-18
Second Reading: Philippians 4:4-7
Gospel: Luke 3: 10-18
PREGO REFLECTION ON TODAY’S GOSPEL:
I come to my place of prayer, and take the time to relax
and become aware of being before the Lord. When I am ready, I read the text
slowly, a couple of times. Perhaps I can visualise the scene; the crowds
surrounding John the Baptist. I see the different groups: am I there, amongst
them? I notice how John has answers or advice for them all – direct and
practical. Is this helpful for me, or do I have a question of my own? I listen
to John as he replies to their expectations of him. He is humble, honest and not
power-seeking. In what small, humble ways can I reveal Christ to those around
me? How can I bring comfort to others? I speak to the Lord of this. Perhaps I
ask for his Spirit too. John trusts the Lord to save us, allowing evil to be
blown away on the wind. Maybe I need to ask for the gift of greater trust and
confidence in the Lord too. I thank God for all those who have been prophets in
my own life, and have revealed the Lord to me. I end my prayer with ‘Glory
be...’
Readings next week –Fourth Sunday
of Advent (Year C)
First Reading: Micah 5:1-4
Second Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10
Gospel: Luke
1:39-44
Your prayers are asked for
the sick: Robert
Harcourt-White, Rose Grimes, Isabelita Santos, Nestor Manundo, Vic Slavin, Lionel
Faustino, Marg Stewart & ….
Let
us pray for those who have died recently:
Pat
Faulkner, Denise Payne, Zeta Mahoney, Monica Piggot, Isabel Archery, Jill Di Pietro, Dennis
Murphy, Denis Bresnehan (brother of Fr Tom), Brendan Kelly,
Laszlo Kiss, Karen Farr, Denis McCormack
Let
us pray for those whose anniversary occurs about this time: 15th –
21st December
Jim Rogers, Thomas Last, Audrey Cassidy, Natasha Gutteridge, Beau Reynolds, Sr Marlene Binns, Marie Williams, Sr Joy Hanrahan, Reg Watson, Georgia Lewtas, Jamie Fahey, Amy Batt, Greg Williams. Also Bruce Ravaillion, Kevin & Doylie Robertson and deceased relatives and friends of Robertson, Proctor & Glanville families.
Weekly
Ramblings
In my homily this weekend I highlight a 3rd stage of our Advent Journey. In previous weeks I‘ve spoken about the strategy
of using Discernment to choose, not just between good and bad, but also to make
a better choice, a choice that helps us be more really the person God created
us to be. We’ve also looked at the question of what repentance really means as
John the Baptist called us to a new way of living.
This week we look at the challenge to share and to be
generous, not because we have to be but because this is the call for us to be
Christlike. In the light of your generosity I’d like to thank all those who
have supported the Vinnies Christmas Appeal whether in cash or hamper – they
will be delivered during this next week. There will be a good number of people
in our region who will benefit from your generosity.
Every year during the Advent Season we are encouraged to
take the time to let God into our lives so that we can properly prepare for the
Coming of the Lord. We know it’s a challenge because so often we are busy about
so many things but like the story of Martha and Mary in Luke’s Gospel
(10:38-42) it was Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus who had chosen the better
part. Spending time with God is never wasted.
Traditionally our Masses at 6pm at Devonport and Ulverstone
on Christmas Eve are Children Friendly Masses – our focus is on children and
families and our hope is that everyone might invite members of their family to
join them to celebrate this great time.
There will be a supper after the 6pm Mass at Ulverstone and
the 8pm Mass at Devonport. Parishioners attending these Masses are encouraged
to bring a plate to assist with the supper.
Please
take care on the roads and I look forward to seeing you next weekend.
FROM THE
PARISH PASTORAL TEAM (FELICITY SLY – CHAIR)
As mentioned last week, the PPT are meeting on Sunday. We
will continue to discuss the feedback from the Plenary 2020 submissions. If you
would like to see a copy of the material shared at our November gathering in
Ulverstone, please contact the Parish Office (contact details on the masthead
of the Newsletter). We will also be discussing our meeting schedule for 2019
and our progress towards compliance with the Archdiocese of Hobart Safe
Communities Framework. If you would like to know more about this framework,
please speak with one of the Parish Pastoral Team. It is not too late to
purchase an Advent & Christmas Daily Reflection booklet. These simple
reflections can help to find some calm in the busy-ness of Christmas
preparations.
Mass will
be held at Karingal Devonport on Thursday 20th December at 10am. Cuppa
to follow after Mass! All welcome to attend.
EMPTY STABLE - OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH:
Parishioners are invited to place gifts, non-perishable goods in the empty stable at all Mass Centres. The items donated will be placed in the many Christmas Hampers St Vincent de Paul Society will be distributing in the communities. Your kindness and generosity is appreciated and will make life a little more joyful for families and isolated people.
SACRED HEART CHURCH CHRISTMAS EVE MASS:
‘Calling all children’ you are very welcome to participate in the nativity play at the 6pm Christmas Eve Mass at Sacred Heart Church Ulverstone. Practise will take place during 9am
Mass at Sacred Heart Church Sunday 23rd December. If you would like more information please phone Charlie Vella 0417 307 781.
SACRED
HEART CHURCH:
Thank you to all the people who supported the raffle to
raise money for “Pedaling to Life”. You have created a lot of smiles on faces
in Ozamiz City, Philippines! Winners : 1st prize: Allan McIntyre,
2nd prize: Stella Lucas, 3rd prize: Michelle Hayes.
Thursday Nights - OLOL Hall, Devonport. Eyes down 7.30pm!
Callers Thursday 20th December, ALL CALLERS Christmas Breakup.
YOU ARE THE 'IMAGO DEI'
This article is taken from the Daily Emails from Fr Richard Rohr OFM and the Center for Action and Contemplation. You can subscribe to receive the emails here
Searching for and rediscovering the True Self is the
fundamentum, the essential task that will gradually open us to receiving and
giving love to God, others, and ourselves, and thus to live truly just lives.
Grace builds on nature; it does not avoid or destroy nature. You are created in
the image of God from the very beginning (Genesis 1:26-27). This is the basis
for God’s justice: Since everyone is made in the image of God, then we need to
recognize, honor, and respect the image of God in everyone. No exceptions.
You (and every other creation of God) begin with your unique
divine DNA, an inner destiny as it were, an absolute core that knows the truth
about you, a true believer tucked away in the cellar of your being, an imago
Dei that begs to be allowed, to be fulfilled, and to show itself. “You were
chosen in Christ before the world was made—to stand before God in love—marked
out beforehand as fully adopted sons and daughters” (Ephesians 1:4-5). This is
your True Self or soul.
Jesus revealed and accepted a paradox: human and divine are
not separate, but one! Why do we resist this destiny? For most of us, this
seems just too good and too dangerous to be true. There is so much contrary
evidence! Are we afraid to bear the burden of divinity? It is precisely the
divine part of you that is great enough, deep enough, gracious enough to fully
accept the human part of you. If you are merely human, you will tend to reject
your embarrassingly limited humanity.
Maybe we realize subconsciously that if we really recognized
our True Self—which is the Divine Indwelling, the Holy Spirit within us—if we
really believed that we are temples of God (see 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19; 2
Corinthians 6:16), then we would have to live up to this incredible dignity,
freedom, and love.
Paradoxically, immense humility, not arrogance,
characterizes the True Self. You simultaneously know you are a son or daughter
of God, but you also know that you didn’t earn it and you are not worthy of it.
You know it’s entirely a gift (see Ephesians 2:8-9 and throughout Paul’s
writings). All you can do is thank Somebody Else, occasionally weep with joy,
and kneel without any hesitation.
The single and true purpose of mature religion is to lead
you to ever new experiences of your True Self. If religion does not do this, it
is junk religion. Every sacrament, every Bible story, every church service,
every sermon, every hymn, every bit of priesthood, ministry, or liturgy is for
one purpose: to allow you to experience your True Self—who you are in God and
who God is in you—and to live a generous and just life from that Infinite
Source.
Adapted from Richard Rohr: Essential Teachings on Love, eds.
Joelle Chase and Judy Traeger (Orbis Books: 2018), 71-72.
OUTSIDE THE CITY
This is an article from the archives of Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI. You can find the original article here
God, it seems, favors the powerless, the unnoticed, children, babies, outsiders, and refugees with no resources or place to go.
That’s why Jesus was born outside the city, in a stable, unnoticed, outside all fanfare, away from all major media, and away from all the persons and events that were deemed important at the time, humble and anonymous. God works like that. Why?
In the rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, that question is asked of Jesus: Why’d you choose such a backward time in such a strange land? If you’d come today you could have reached a whole nation. Israel in 4 BC had no mass communication.
Scripture answers by telling us that God’s ways are not our ways and our ways are not God’s ways. That’s true here. We tend to understand power by how it works in our world. There it works through popularity, through mass media, through historical privilege, through financial clout, through higher education, through idiosyncratic genius, and, not infrequently, through raw aggression, greed, and insensitivity to the needs of others and of nature.
But even a quick reading of scripture tells us that’s not how God works. The God that Jesus incarnates doesn’t enter into this world with a huge splash, as a royal birth eagerly anticipated and then announced by all the major media outlets, with photos of him and his parents on the cover of every popular magazine, with universal predictions as to his future greatness and influence, and then with privileged access to the best educational institutions and circles of power and influence.
Clearly, clearly, that’s not the story of Jesus’ birth, nor of how his life unfolded. God, as scripture shows, works more through anonymity than through the headlines, more through the poor than the powerful, and more through those outside the circles of power than those inside them. When we examine how God works, we see it’s no accident that Jesus was born outside the city and that after he was crucified he was also buried outside the city.
God’s work in our world generally does not make the headlines. God never breaks into our world or into our consciousness by showy displays of power. God works more discretely, in quiet, touching soul, touching conscience, and touching that previously touched part inside of us where we still unconsciously bear the memory of once, long before birth, being touched, caressed, and loved by God. That’s why Christ was born into this world as a baby and not as superstar, as someone whose only power was the capacity to touch and soften the hearts of those around him. Babies overpower no one, physically, intellectually, or athletically. They lie helpless and cry for love and care. That’s why, paradoxically, at the end of the day, they’re more powerful than anyone else. No physical, intellectual, or athletic power can ultimately touch the human conscience as can a baby – and similar sights of innocent helplessness, a wounded bird, an abandoned kitten, a young child alone and crying. What’s best in us enflames, healthily, in the presence of powerlessness and innocence.
That’s how God enters into us, gently, unnoticed. No big splash. That’s also why God tends to bypass circles of power to favor the abandoned and vulnerable. For example, when the Gospel of Luke records how John the Baptist came to be specially blessed, it takes a scathing swipe at both the civic and religious powers of its time. It names all the major civil and religious leaders of the time (the Roman rulers, the kings in Palestine, and the religious high priests) and then tells us plainly that the word of God bypassed them all and came instead to John, a solitary, living in the wilderness. (Luke 3, 1-3) According to the Gospels, the wilderness is where we’re most likely to find and experience God’s presence because God tends to bypasses the centers of power and influence to find a place instead in the hearts of those outside those circles.
You see this too, though admittedly without the same theological weight as is manifest in scripture, in the various apparitions of Mary, Jesus’ mother, that have been approved by the church. What’s common to all of them? Mary has never appeared to a president, a pope, a major religious leader, a Wall Street banker, the CEO of a major company, or even to an academic theologian in his study. None of these. She’s appeared to children, to a young woman of no earthly importance, to an illiterate peasant, and to various other persons of no worldly status.
We tend to understand power as residing in financial influence, political clout, charismatic talent, media influence, physical strength, athletic prowess, grace, health, wit, and attractiveness. On the surface, that assessment is accurate enough, and indeed none of these are bad in themselves. But, looked at more deeply, as we see in the birth of Christ, God’s word bypasses the centers of power and gestates instead in the hearts and consciences of those outside the city.
ADVENT EXAMEN
https://pray-as-you-go.org/prayer-resources/the-examen/
https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/advent-examen-1-what-do-you-say
https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/advent-examen-2-grace-know-myself
https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/advent-examen-3-story-my-life
https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/advent-examen-4-give-sorrow-words
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