St Philomena's Parish

CUP OF TEA: after Mass next Sunday. Served by the Parish Council.

NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC: Some headlines from the Nov 19– Dec 3 issue of NZ Catholic: : New missal for NZ delayed by printing error….. Miss World winner raised by nuns in Venezuela…..Australian woman has warning for NZ bishops….. Freedom and democracy need virtue, says JPII biographer. 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 from next week.

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

Isaiah 63: 16-17, 64: 1, 3-8.
Corinthians 1: 3-9.
Mark 13: 33-37.

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: will be on Sunday 11 December. Next Sunday you will be 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 on 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.

PARISH COLLECTIONS: 13/11/11 Parish: $280. Priests: $103. Donations: $170

SOCIAL AFTERNOON: St Vincent De Paul Conference is hosting a socialfor 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 queriesyou needplease phone Margaret 753 4544
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WELCOME TO OUR LITURGY: The story of the sheep and the goats can sometimes perplex those who regularly review their behaviour in light of the gospel imperative to love. If we do, how can we expect to be genuinely surprised that we have encountered Jesus in those among whom we live and whom we seek to serve? We need to beware of serving the poor, the homeless, the lonely and the prisoner simply because serving somebody who embodies Jesus will bring us a reward. When we serve, is our focus firmly on the other person or on our own need to feel virtuous?

First Reading:
Ezekiel 34: 11 – 12, 15 – 17

11 “For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out.
12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock when some of his sheep have been scattered abroad, so will I seek out my sheep; and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness.
15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord GOD.
16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the crippled, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will watch over; I will feed them in justice.
17 “As for you, my flock, thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, rams and he-goats.

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NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC: Some headlines from the Nov 19- Dec 3 issue of NZ Catholic: : New missal for NZ delayed by printing error….. Miss World winner raised by nuns in Venezuela…..Australian woman has warning for NZ bishops….. Freedom and democracy need virtue, says JPII biographer. 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 from next week.

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

Isaiah 63: 1617, 64: 1, 38.
Corinthians 1: 39.
Mark 13: 3337.

COLUMBAN CALENDARS: for 2012 are now available at $8ea. For this 90th edition, Claire Renkin (an art historian) has prepared an explanation of each work featured in the calendar. For more information on this please see the website columban.org.au

CONGRATULATIONS: to Ashleigh Fromont Dux of Sacred Heart Girls College 2011

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

WELCOM: The headlines from the latest edition which is available now; Church leaders speak out about the widening gap between rich and poor on the eve of the general election…..The first social encyclical has advice on Pike River…..The bishops against euthanasia…..A challenge to church teaching on homosexuality from the father of a gay man…and something for everyone in your copy of Welcom.

BISHOP PETER: is celebrating his 75th Birthday on Tues 29th Nov. He will celebrate the 12.05 Mass at the Cathedral on that day and all are welcome.

MASS OF ANOINTING: will be celebrated on Tues 22nd Nov at St Joseph’s Church at 2.30pm

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

PARISH COLLECTIONS: 13/11/11 Parish: $280. Priests: $103. Donations: $170

POMPALLIER HOKIANGA TRUST: Bishop Pompallier’s first Mass in New Zealand was held in January 1838 at Totara Point. You are invited to the annual commemoration Mass on Sunday 8 January 2012 at 11am and also to Motuti where the Bishop’s remains have been interred in St Mary’s Church. The church is open all day. See the noticeboard for more details.
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WELCOME TO OUR LITURGY: In Matthew’s parable the rabbis taught that a person who at once buried property entrusted to them was not liable for it. From that perspective, the third servant has acted perfectly reasonably. Some of the opponents of Jesus sought to “build a fence around the Law” – to keep matters religious for ever unchanged. Jesus, however, wanted much more than passive preservation of the religious status quo. Am I open to growth and development in my faith?

First Reading:
Proverbs 31: 1-13, 19-20, 30-31.

10 A good wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy.
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

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