PARISH PRAYER

St Michael the Archangel,
patron of our parish, be with us as we strive
to be faithful to our Baptismal call,
to love God and our neighbours.
Spread your protective wings over us
and our entire parish.
Protect us from fear, lies and everything
that prevents us from experiencing
God’s love for us in all its fullness.
Help us to always choose what is
good, right, and true and nurture within us
the courage, love, and respect
we need to face our fears
and to protect all of God’s creation. Amen.

ADVENT

The fourth week of Advent symbolizes LOVE. It has perhaps the most sentimental meaning of all the advent candles, a meaning that is often seen as just a cliché. However, that candle’s meaning is unexpectedly powerful.

CHRISTMAS MASSES

Christmas Eve, Tuesday 24th December (No 9.30am Mass on Tuesday)
6.00pm Stadium *Children are encourged to dress up as angels and shepherds.
7.30pm Church
9.00pm Church
Midnight Church
Christmas Day, Wednesday 25th December
9.00am Church
10.30am Church
Help required for Stadium set up on Monday 23 at 3.00pm.

SIMBANG GABI – 9 DAY NOVENA MASSES

Monday December 23 7.30pm
Tuesday December 24 6.00pm Stadium

PARISH SUPPORT CENTRE

Will be closed from December 20, at 4.30pm until January 13 at 9.00am.

AUSTRALIA DAY MASS

On Monday January 27 at 9.30am.

CATHOLIC MISSION

Thanks the parish of St Michael’s for your generous support of this year’s World Mission Day Appeal. Your generosity helps us to share a message of hope and compassion with communities around the world.

2025 CALENDAR

We are preparing our Parish Calendar for next year and want to hear what you would like to see happening at St Michael’s. 2025 is a Jubilee year with the theme Pilgrims of Hope. Your ideas could be a social event, a speaker from within or outside our parish, faith formation.......the list goes on. Please email Tara with your suggestions to sacraments@stmichaelsparish.org.au

CHURCH PREPARATION ROSTER

Was emailed out this week, there are copies in the foyer for those who do not have an email address. Thank you to those who volunteered to help fill the void left by ‘retirement’ and thank you to those parishioners for your years of assistance.

PIETY

God’s Word, Columban Calendar, ‘The Light’ Advent Daily Reflection. All books are available at the Parish Support Centre or Piety Stall.

READERS & PIETY ROSTERS

Will be prepared shortly. If you would like to join this ministry or your availability has changed, contact Geraldine at the Parish Support Centre. Thank you.

CBS BIBLE STUDY

Are you seeking to deepen your understanding of the Bible and strengthen your faith? Berwick’s CBS Bible Study will be meeting Thursday nights from 7.00pm - 8.30pm again in 2025. Next year we will look at the books of Samuel and Peter. For more info: roytinabaker@gmail.com or Roy 0402 784 027, Felim 0418 811 952

THE PARISH GIVING TREE

Thank you for your generosity for the many gifts.

THE JOHN MC FOUNDATION’S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH

Are you in need, spending Christmas on your own, or looking for good company? Wednesday, December 25. Transit Soup Kitchen-5/3 Webb Street, Narre Warren. Doors Open 11.00am with Lunch Served: 12.00pm. 2 course lunch with live music. Bookings are essential, contact John 0403 118 854

THANK YOU

To all who helped in any way throughout 2024 with liturgies, assisting with ministries, altar serving, singing, playing music, cleaning, or volunteering in any capacity. We are very grateful for your help.

POPES PRAYER INTENTION FOR DECEMBER

That the Jubilee Year of 2025 will strengthen us in our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in the midst of our lives, transforming us into pilgrims of Christian hope.

PILGRIMS OF HOPE

In 2025 Pope Francis has invited all followers of Christ to a year of Jubilee, a year of grace and conversion. A jubilee is held every 25 years or during other years as called by the Pope. In 2000 we celebrated the Great Jubilee and in 2015 the Holy Year of Mercy.

In our Diocese the Jubilee Committee has set a calendar providing opportunity for parishes and diocese to come together and to rejoice in the work of God in our lives. Each month we will be recognising ministries and charisms in our community. Throughout the year we will have many opportunities to encourage, evangelise and affirm each other as Pilgrim of Hope. Don’t let fear prevent us from committing to our Jubilee.

We invite all parishioners to an opening Mass at St Mary's Cathedral on New Year’s Day at 11.00am celebrated by Bishop Greg.

CARITAS AUSTRALIA’S LEBANON CRISIS APPEAL

Communities are being devastated by conflict and economic instability, leaving countless families without access to basic needs like food, water, and medical care. Caritas Australia partners desperately need your help. click here or 1800 024 413

CATHOLIC THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE

Enrolments are open for 2025. Study scripture, theology, pastoral ministry and spirituality. More information: view the 2025 Prospectus click here

DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY

Will be held at Federation University, Gippsland Campus, Churchill February 14 & 15. Delegates from parishes, schools, Diocesan bodies and organisations, and other Churches, will aim, (a) to acknowledge and affirm the strengths and best practices of our Diocese that we wish to continue to build on; (b) to identify the significant challenges we face in our Diocese as missionary disciples of Jesus Christ, and, (c) to gain a clear picture of which pastoral goals and actions need to be given priority over the next five years, for our Diocese to develop towards becoming more Christ-centred, synodal and missionary. Please join with the people of the Diocese in praying that the Holy Spirit will guide the planning and outcomes of this important event.

SYNOD ON SYNODALITY

Final Document of the XVI Assembly
On October 26, members of the Second Assembly of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops
voted on and approved the final document. Unlike previous Synods, the Pope chose not to publish a separate
apostolic exhortation but instead approved the publication of the Final Document as the direct implementation of
the assembly’s conclusions.
The Final Document: Toward a Synodal Church in Mission is divided into five parts:
The Heart of Synodality: Called by the Holy Spirit to Conversion
On the Boat, Together: The Conversion of Relationships
Cast the Net: The Conversion of Processes
An Abundant Catch: The Conversion of Bonds
“So I Send You”: Forming a People for Missionary Discipleship
For The Final Document click here

REFLECTION - Nick Brodie

Pope Francis draws our attention to the way that Elizabeth greets Mary with joyful astonishment! He sees this an exemplar of how we should live our faith in this coming festive season. We need to be astonished again! ‘To celebrate Christmas in a fruitful manner,’ the Pope says, ‘we are called to pause in “places” of astonishment.’ He offers three examples of what this means.

Firstly, he draws attention to astonished recognition of other people. At a time of year when many of us will reunite with friends and family, we are called to see how ‘every face is marked with a semblance to the Son of God.’

The second place of astonishment to which the Pope suggests we turn is ‘history’. We need to look beyond markets and finances and see with faith the work of the Lord who exalts the lowly and uplifts the poor. ‘The God of Christmas’, the Pope quips, ‘shuffles the cards’ of history. Economics does not rule human destiny, God does.

Thirdly, we should find astonishment in ‘the Church’. The Pope longs for us to embrace an understanding of the Church ‘that is able to recognise the many signs of faithful love that God continuously sends her.’ He hopes that ‘Mother Church ... always has her doors open wide, and her arms open to welcome everyone.’