4th Sunday of Advent 2015

THE VISITATION

Today’s Gospel recalls the Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth who is already 6 months pregnant. It is a moving story of two expectant women whose children would change the course of history forever.

Elizabeth’s John will announce the Saviour to the World: “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and Fire.”

Mary’s Jesus – through his life, death and resurrection – will save the human family and restore to God’s friendship all those who believe in Him.

By reflecting on this Mystery of the Visitation on the 4^th Sunday of Advent, the Church invites us to embrace again our responsibilities to others. Mary walked some 100 kilometres to offer her support and assistance to the aging Elizabeth.

As the scene unfolds, with Elizabeth asking the question: “How is it that the mother of my Lord should come to visit me?” we are led into the profound reflection of Mary in her song the Magnificat: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.”

God’s work in the lives of Mary and Elizabeth changed them forever. Likewise, as we reflect on our baptisms and all the many times we have received Jesus in the Eucharist, we should be humbly aware that God is at work changing us day by day into the image of Jesus His Son.

Although we continue to live humble and simple lives secluded from the glare of the public gaze, the immense, eternal work of salvation is continuing in us.

Each day as we respond like Mary to bring love and concern to others, we are fulfilling God’s plan of salvation in our lives and in the lives of those to whom we reach out.

This Christmas with merciful hearts let us be open to our family members in an especially attentive way, and to others who stand in need of our support.

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FORTHCOMING EVENTS

24^th Dec Thurs 5.45pm Practice of Carols for Christmas. Please join us.

CHRISTMAS MASSES

6.30pm Thurs. and 9.00am Christmas Day.

ANOINTING OF SICK MASSES

Holidays. Next Mass Fri 5^th Feb at Karinya.

GREETINGS AND THANKS

The management and staff of the Diocesan Provident Fund extend to you the peace and joy of Christmas, and hope that the blessings of this special season continue into 2016. Jeannette Gerhard DPF Wagga.

FREE CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH

12pm at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Hall.

If attending: RSVP 0418867563..At least 2-3 days before Christmas.

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ST MARY’S ANNUAL PARISH RAFFLE RESULTS

The raffle was drawn at the St Mary’s School Graduation Mass on Monday 14th December.

1st Prize – Ticket Number 04335 – Mr B. Christy, Corowa

[Stay of 3 days 2 nights at Alpenhorn Holiday Units, Tawonga South, Vic.]

Alpenhorn Holiday Units

2nd Prize – Ticket Number 04096 – Elaine Clohessy, Corowa

 [$100 Voucher at IGA Supermarket, Corowa]

3rd Prize – Ticket Number 04270 – Cathy Moriarty of  Corowa family

[Stocking / Bag of Toys value $50]

Congratulations to the winners and sincere thanks to all involved.

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Rosaries

* Nora Kingston, 24 Alfred St ph. Wed 4.30pm

* McLean’s, 5a Lindsay St., Wed 5.30pm

* Karinya chapel – Sundays 11am

* St Mary’s Church, Sat 8.45am+ 9am Mass

Remember in Prayer

Sr Barbara Murray, Betty Griffin, Laurie Talbot, Mary Hodgkin, Ray Currie, Pat Seymour, Ursula Bartlett, Michelle Hogan, Len Sambell, Michael Scown, Joan Sandral, Imelda Gauci

Roster for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Gifts

6.30pm Sandral Fm                     9am M Drum Fm

Lectors

6.30pm I Brooks  M Kelly            9am M Milthorpe

Spec Ministers of the Eucharist

6.30pm J Lowden  A Norman       9am R Taylor K King

Welcomers

6.30pm M Skehan F Brooks           9am   Hanrahan

 Ushers

6.30pm Schnelle Family                  9am B & C O’Shea

Collection 

6.30pm Sandral Fm                         9am J Taylor

MASS INTENTIONS 19^th – 27^th Dec.

Sat 19^th

6.30pm (M & J, J & E, Jan & Shirley Amsing)

Sun 20^th

9.00am Mass (All Parishioners)

Mon 21^st

9am M (J & F Derek; H & L Eulie; J, M & E Moroney)

Tue 22^nd

9am M (S & M Clohessy & McFarlane fms)

Wed 23^rd

9am M (Gerald RK, Pearl & Walter D, Jesuthasan S, Justin, Teresa & Mr Bastiampillai

Thurs 24^th

No Novena or Midday Mass on Christmas Eve

6.30pm Christmas Eve (I. Mattingly, U. Bartlett, J Nolan, F Tillett, C Alderman)

Fri 25^th CHRISTMAS DAY      

9am M (All families and friends)

Sat 26^th St Stephen   

NO MORNING MASS

6.30pm (J Dawson, K Finemore, M Brown fms)

Sun 27^th  HOLY FAMILY

9am Mass – (For all parishioners)

LITURGY ROSTER for 26^th – 27^th Dec

Gifts:

6.30pm O’Halloran family

9.00am Svarc family

Lectors:

6.30pm R Packer, A Norman

9.00am P Lemmon

Special Minister:

6.30pm I & F Brooks

9.00am P Lemmon, D Collins

Altar: M Macqueen

Welcomers:

6.30pm M Clohessy, M Skehan

9.00am P Hanrahan

Altar Servers:

6.30pm Max Blockley, Noah Esplana

9.00am Bella Heagney, Isabel Bush

Collection: Matt Drum

Counters:  Mick Kelly

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THE JOURNEY CATHOLIC RADIO PROGRAM

– AIRS 20 DECEMBER 2015
This week Bishop Peter Ingham will give us a fantastic Christmas message for the Year of Mercy. This is our last week of regular programming before the best of 2015 summer series of The Journey commences. Tune in to hear Sr Hilda Scott OSB, Bruce Downes, The Catholic Guy, Dr Byron and Francine Pirola, Trish McCarthy, Pete Gilmore, Fr Dave Callaghan MGL, Sam Clear and Marilyn Rodriguez right through summer. What a great way to prepare for Christmas and lead into 2016.  Tune into LIFE 101.9 FM or 98.5 THE LIGHT Albury Wodonga Sun 11am or go to www.jcr.org.au  or www.itunes.jcr.org.au  where you can listen anytime and subscribe to weekly shows by email.

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