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

Job 7: 1-4, 6-7.
1 Corinthians 9: 16-19, 22-23.
Mark 1: 29-39.

ROSTERS: for February are now available. Please check to see if there is one for your family. Thank you.

WAREHOUSE STOCKTAKE: We again need volunteers to help out with the Warehouse stocktake fundraiser. The dates of the stocktake are 24th, 25th and 26th of February and we need about 40 people on each night. We start at 8pm and go all night. All funds raised will go towards sending our youth to World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro next year.  Contact Colin Fromont on fromont@infogen.net.nz or ‘ 757-9953.

PARISH PICNIC : Please mark your calendar for Sunday 4th March. We are planning a BBQ to be held after mass in the school grounds Watch this space for more details

CHURCH CLEANING: I would like to thank the parishioners who gave there time to spring clean the church for Christmas. Your help and kindness was very much appreciated. God Bless you all, Margaret Roylance

CAR RAFFLE TICKETS FOR ST JOSEPH’S CHURCH, WAITARA: On Sunday 12th February St Joseph’s Church Waitara will be selling raffle tickets after Mass. They are trying to raise money for the restoration of their beautiful church. The tickets will be $20 and first prize is a brand new Kia Picanto car with a full tank of petrol and registration for a year. Please consider bringing $20 to Mass in 2 weeks time to help them.

PARISH INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME FOR WYD 2013: Consider applying if you will be aged between 18 & 35 as at 1 August 2013. Applications close on February 8th.

JESUS4REAL 2012: Senior Camp for students Years 11-13, 11-15 April, Palm Grove Christian Camp, Paraparaumu. Early Bird Registration closes 14 March. Final Registrations 28 March. See the Flyer on the Church Noticeboard.

SET FREE 2012: Catholic Youth Festival run by Hamilton Diocese for Students Years 10-13. 30 March-1 April 2012, Totara Springs Christian Camp, Matamata. See the website: www.setfree.org.nz

CARITAS LENTEN PREPARATION DAY: Saturday 11th February. Anyone involved with the Caritas Lenten materials is invited to this ‘hands-on’ training day, 9.30 am to 3.30pm.  Caritas’ Reasearch/Advocacy Officer, Lisa Beech will be with us as a presenter.  Please join the diocesan Parish Justice Coordinators/Animators for this annual event here at the Diocesan Centre, Palmerston North. 
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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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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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CUP OF TEA: after Mass Today. Served by the Parish Council.

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: Anyone who is interested in playing an instrument or singing in the choir for our Christmas Vigil Mass please come to practise at 9.30am on any Sunday.

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

Isaiah 61: 1-2, 10-11.
1 Thessalonian 5: 16-24.
John 1: 6-8, 19-28.

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 kawana@xtra.co.nz Thank you.

GIFTING SUNDAY: will be on Sunday 11 December. Today you are invited to take a card from the tree in the porch and donate a small gift (approx $5) to be given to a parishioner who is a shut-in or Rest Home resident. Relevant details are on the card. Please return the gift with the card attached next Sunday, Dec 11. 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.

COMMUNAL RITE OF RECONCILIATION: will be celebrated at St Joseph’s Church on Monday 5th December at 7pm.

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
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