WELCOME TO OUR LITURGY:  On this last Sunday before Christmas and the Mass readings speak about the preparations that God made for his Son to be born among us and as one of us.  We wait for his coming into the world and into our lives. There is one thing God promised to each man and woman of his personal presence when he called them into his service. He never asked them to do anything for him without making this promise. It was to be their greatest source of strength and encouragement and confidence and he would never fail them.

First Reading:
2  Samuel 7: 1-5, 8-12,14, 16.      

1  Now when the king dwelt in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies round about, 
2  the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” 
3  And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart; for the LORD is with you.” 
4  But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, 
5  “Go and tell my servant David, `Thus says the LORD: Would you build me a house to dwell in? 
8  Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David, `Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel; 
9  and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 
10  And I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 
11  from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. 
12  When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 
14  I will be his father, and he shall be my son. When he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men; 
16  And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne shall be established for ever.’” 

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READINGS FOR NEXT WEEK:  For those who wish to view the readings for next week before coming to Mass.    

Isaiah 9:  1-7.   
Titus 2:  11-14.     
Luke 2:  1-14.

CHRISTMAS MASSES:
St Philomena’s:   

Dec 24th, Vigil Mass. 
Carols at 7.30pm with Mass at 8pm

St Joseph’s:           

Dec 24th, Midnight Mass. 
Carols at 11.30pm with Mass at 12am
Dec 25th,  Mass at 8.30am and 10am.

CHRISTMAS CARDS:  Christmas Cards for sale. $2 per pack of 5 cards.

CARITAS CHRISTMAS UPDATE:  Copies available in the Church porch.

HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE:  Enquiries are invited for a Holy Land pilgrimage in September 2012, led by Pat McCarthy, former editor of NZ Catholic, and with Bishop Colin Campbell of Dunedin as chaplain.  The 16-day pilgrimage will visit the holy places in Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jerusalem and around the Sea of Galilee. For a free brochure, ring Pat on (09) 480-4463 or email him on contact@seetheholyland.net.  You can also see the holy places on Pat’s website, www.seetheholyland.net

A MESSAGE FROM FR VIJAY: 

“A warm and blessed Christmas and prosperous new year 2012 to you all”

Year after year this season of Christmas brings double joy for all us.  At this joyful occasion of Christmas, let me share my joy with all of you.  As we work together to build up a new kingdom on earth, in my pastoral work in St Philomena’s and St PiusX school, I  hold you in my heart, my dear people.

With my few words, I cannot express my gratitude for your gifts of love, kindness, patience, acceptance and support in every aspect of my Mission, to spread the good news of Christ Jesus.

I sincerely  from the bottom of my heart thank you and I assure you of my prayers during my vacation, on my way home. Where ever I go you are there in my prayers .

As you all know that I am going back to India for my family visit and to celebrate my parents 50th  wedding Golden Jubilee  which is going to be  held on 2 January 2012 . My humble request is to keep us in your prayers for the success the gathering.

Christmas calls family  and friends together to share the  message of  the infant Jesus; peace, love and joy to  one another,  remembering too the suffering the lonely and the unloved .

Once again I wish you all Merry Christmas and happy New Year 2012.

Fr.  Vijay

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WELCOME TO OUR LITURGY:  Today is called, in Latin, Gaudete Sunday and in English, Rejoice Sunday. The theme of joy is everywhere in the readings and prayers of our Advent Mass.  The degree of our joy is directly related to our closeness to Jesus and to his closeness to us. There is a common saying which emphasises this truth – ‘Joy is an infallible sign of the presence of God.’

First Reading:
Isaiah 61: 1-2, 10-11.   

1  The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 
2  to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 
10  I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 
11  For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. 

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NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC:  Some headlines from the Dec 3– 17 issue of NZ Catholic:    Rugby stars about to kick off married life….. Number of Christchurch parishes to halve….. Women force Facebook to start backing down….. Faith a major part of new MP’s identity….  On sale now

VIGIL MASS MUSIC:  The Vigil Mass practise is cancelled for next week.  The next practise is on Sunday 18 Dec at 9.30am.  Anyone who is interested in singing in the choir for our Christmas Vigil Mass are welcome to come to this practise.

READINGS FOR NEXT WEEK:  For those who wish to view the readings for next week before coming to Mass.    

2 Samuel 7: 1-5, 8-12, 14, 16.
Romans 16: 25-27.
Luke 1: 26-38.

THE PHILOMENA:  Contributions for the Christmas edition of the Philomena are now welcome.  Please send articles, photos, reports, comments etc to the Editor, Diane Kawana by Dec 11.  Ph 753 4956 or email dkawana@xtra.co.nz     Thank you.

GIFTING SUNDAY:  Today is Gifting Sunday.  Please bring up your gift with the Offertory.  Thank you.

CHRISTMAS MASSES:
St Philomena’s:   

Dec 24th, Vigil Mass.  Carols at 7.30pm with Mass at 8pm

St Joseph’s:   

Dec 24th, Midnight Mass.  Carols at 11.30pm with Mass at 12am
Dec 25th,  Mass at 8.30am and 10am.  

CHRISTMAS CARDS:  Christmas Cards for sale. $2 per pack of 5 cards.

SOCIAL AFTERNOON:  St Vincent De Paul Conference is hosting a social afternoon for elderly parishioners on Tuesday 13th December at 1.30 p.m at the hall of Our Lady Help of Christians Fitzroy.  Entertainment from the  pupils of St John Bosco & St Pius Schools.  Come and enjoy the talents of our children.  We look forward to seeing you.

Any queries or you need transport please phone Margaret 753 4544
 
HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE:  Enquiries are invited for a Holy Land pilgrimage in September 2012, led by Pat McCarthy, former editor of NZ Catholic, and with Bishop Colin Campbell of Dunedin as chaplain.  The 16-day pilgrimage will visit the holy places in Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jerusalem and around the Sea of Galilee. For a free brochure, ring Pat on (09) 480-4463 or email him on contact@seetheholyland.net.  You can also see the holy places on Pat’s website, www.seetheholyland.net

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