Holy Spirit Catholic Parish Burdekin Ave, Amaroo, ACT

Supporting and supported by Holy Spirit, Good Shepherd, Mother Teresa Primary Schools and St John Paul II College

11-12 January 2020 The Baptism of the Lord - Year A

Email: office@holyspiritgungahlin.org.au Parish website: www.holyspiritgungahlin.org.au

What’s on this week at Holy Spirit Parish

Monday No Mass

Parish Office closed

Tuesday

9:15am Mass

Wednesday 7:00am Mass

Thursday

9:15 Mass 7.30pm Legion of Mary

Friday 7:00am Mass

Saturday 3.30pm Legion of Mary 5:15pm Reconciliation

6:00pm Mass

Sunday

8:00am Mass 9:30am Mass

5:30pm Mass 6:30pm Volleyball

Join us to pray for our

Bushfire Victims.

Holy Hour Sunday 12 January

4:30pm-5:30pm

Holy Spirit Gungahlin

BUSHFIRES - HOW CAN WE HELP?!?!?

Everyone wants to help – and many already have, in countless ways. Holy Spirit Parish wants to help too and it has two distinct actions. 1. Support the Doorknock Appeal for the St Vincent de Paul from 1 February. All the money raised from this effort will go to bushfire relief, administered by St Vincent de Paul and extended to all those in need. Donate when someone knocks on your door. You know the money will be used well by our friends in St VdeP. Volun-teer to knock on those doors, We need more collectors – many more! Contact Anne Cantlie on: vinniesannecantlie@gmail.com or me at: alisonmweeks@bigpond.com. 2. Support the Parish Disaster Relief appeal. We have three weeks before the Doorknock to collect funds for parishioners who have suffered such losses. We will focus firstly on the parish of Cobargo and Bermagui as we have strong links with them. Over time we will extend our support to any affected parish which asks. Why raise this money? Because it gives us the chance to make this terrible event “personal’. Giving money to a national appeal is absolutely crucial but so is extend-ing that helping hand to someone you know, or someone you have knelt beside in prayer. At every Mass for the rest of the month we will have a 3rd collection, just before the end. We will also have eft machines and the tap n go machines available. The eft ma-chines will be flexible and the tap n go will be set at $20 and $50. Our schools will swing into action when they return in February and will add their weight to the Doorknock. They will also raise funds themselves which will support needy parish-ioners, especially from Cobargo and Bermagui, as well as Batemans Bay and Batlow as time goes on. Thank You!! Alison Weeks

We’re Knocking at your Door -Help us to Help Others

Dear friends, Due to extraordinary recent events, the St Vincent de Paul Society has made the decision to donate all funds raised from the February 2020 Doorknock to the

Bushfire fundraising appeal. With many people affected in the community and with further challenges expected ahead we now need your support - more than ever - to act as a volunteer collector for the Doorknock appeal. We only require 2 hours of your time during the month of February. This will make a real difference to individuals and families lives. Register to volunteer today by emailing me at vinniesannecantlie@gmail.com . From 8-20 January inclusive phone enquires will be taken by Alison Weeks on 0413 904 351. After this time please contact me on 0404 319138; Anne Cantlie.

Please keep the following individuals in prayer…..

We welcome into our community through the Sacrament of Baptism Declan Gabriel Lasrado

Nikola Rocco Rudic

For those who are sick Armando Sanchez

Anita Allen Sue and Ebel Bierman

Allan Dent Eileen Dean John Frazer

Similijka Vgrinic Baby Aarya

Margaret Wilkinson Peter Peterson Roland Zocchi Tim Maquire

Please note: Our sick list is refreshed monthly. Names

will be removed at the start of each month unless

the office is notified otherwise.

Recently Deceased Adela Tuazon Vonnie Victory

The Solways family in Cobargo

Anniversaries

Manolito Mercado Claudio Dairo Sr

Cerila Dairo

Manel Fernando

Nguyen thi Hoa

Prayer cards are available in the church foyer

Saint of the week - 13 January

St Hilary was born at Poitiers in c. 315 of a wealthy pagan family. He married and had a daughter and after many years of study, he converted to Christianity. In 353, Hilary was chosen bishop of Poitiers, and for the remainder of his days he became an outspoken defender of the faith against Arianism. He opposed Emperor Constantius’ attempt to take control over church matters, which led to him being exiled to Phrygia. During this period, Hilary wrote works explaining the faith, and

although severe in tone, his writings were responsible for converting many people. He returned to Gaul after four years in exile and continued his fight against Arianism. Hilary introduced Eastern theology to the Western Church, and was proclaimed Doctor of the Church in 1851.

The Baptism of the Lord

The Assembly: The church is the assembled community which welcomes the child. Sign of the Cross: The tracing of a cross on the forehead of the person being baptised

is an invisible 'branding' that says 'you belong to Christ'. The Word of God: As the Scriptures are proclaimed, Christ himself is present in the as-

sembly, calling us to be his disciples just as surely as he called the first disciples. Baptismal Promises: The celebrant asks the parents what they want for the child. You

reply, 'Baptism.' Then you make the baptismal promises on behalf of your child. These promises are based on the Apostles Creed.

Water: A sign of the new spiritual life into which the baptised person is enter-ing. Baptism cleanses us of original sin. Water is also necessary for life and so is a sign, too, that the life of the risen Christ is ours. It is also a sign of life. Without water nothing can grow.

Oils: a) Oil of Baptism is olive oil rubbed on the breast of the baby, just as athletes used to rub themselves with oil to strengthen and prepare for the fight ahead. It symbolises strengthening for the struggles of life ahead. b) Oil of Chrism is a mixture of olive oil and balsam (sweet-smelling ointment) and is rubbed on the crown of the head. It is a sign of sealing with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Baptismal Candle: Receive Jesus as the light. This is the light that darkness cannot over-come. Light warms and encourages, it gives safety and illuminates the way ahead.

White Garment: Clothing in a white garment is part of the ceremony to symbolise your child’s new life in Christ.

Drawing from the Eastern tradition of Epiphany, the west has remembered the baptism of the lord on the octave of Epiphany since the eighth century. Formally introduced into the Roman calendar in 1960 on the Sunday after the Epiphany, it now concludes the Christmas season. It is the occasion of the first public revelation of all the Three Persons in the Holy Trinity, and the official revelation of Jesus as the Son of God to the world by God the Father. Hence, it is described by all four Gospels. It marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.

READINGS: Isaiah 42:1-4 , Acts 10:34-38, Matthew 3:13-17 ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: After the Lord was baptized, the heavens were opened, and the Spirit descended upon him like a dove, and the voice of the Father thundered: This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. RESPONSORIAL PSALM: The Lord will bless his people with peace. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! The heavens were opened and the Father’s voice was heard: this is my beloved Son, hear him. Alleluia! COMMUNION ANTIPHON: We have seen his star in the East, and have come with gifts to adore the Lord. Liturgy Help Helpful hints for this week’s readings:

Second reading: Cornelius — kawr-NEE-lee– uhs , Judea— Dzho-DEE-uh, Galilee — GAL-ih-lee, Nazareth — NAZ-uh-reth, Gospel: Galilee — GAL-ih-lee, Righteousness — RAI-tshuhs-nehs

Community Messages Simple Goals to be better each day!

Sisterhood conference 2020 ANOINTED - Friday 20 March - Sunday 22 March The conference aims to empower women to return to their own parish, community, family and work-place to make a difference. Join us for what will be an incredible weekend of dynamic talks, quality sisterhood time and most importantly an encounter with amazing God who loves us beyond measure and pours His Grace abundantly. Register at https://www.sisterhood.org.au/

How do you Live, Work, Play and Learn in Gungahlin? Please go to www.gcc.asn.au/Survey2019 to complete the Gungahlin Community Survey.

Sacramental Information

Children’s Sacramental Program

Sacrament of Confirmation For children in Year 6 and above wishing to

receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in 2020. An information session will be held on

Tuesday 18 February 1:00pm or 6:15pm at the church. More information is provided on

our website. The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated

on 12, 13, 14 May.

Celebration of First Reconciliation Week of 24 August

Celebration of First Eucharist At Masses on weekends

12-13 September and 19-20 September

To register your expression of interest in these Sacraments please complete the form:

https://forms.gle/C6y9HEi4g7Ra5c7GA

For more details please contact Sacramental Coordinator

Louise Johnson: sacraments@holyspiritgungahlin.org.au

CHRISTMAS GIVING

Let us remember that the Christmas

heart is a giving heart. A wide open

heart that thinks of others first.

We still have envelopes available for the drought

appeal. It is not too late if you would like to donate.

Donations will be forwarded later this month.

Thanks in advance for your generosity.

Show love to others

Compliment more

Give more hugs

COMPLAIN LESS

Have more family time

Let go of your mobile phone/ iPad

Be thankful for your life

Keep your house clean

The Courage to be Astounded Have you ever seen God’s work in your life? These are the times when you have been astounded by the movement of God. We are so sure that God has done more than you thought possible. This is what happened to the Apostles. Earlier in the day, they had seen Jesus perform the miracle of feeding the 5000. He had done more than they could imagine. How often do we forget that God is the Lord of the impossible? How often do we lose sight of Jesus and doubt he has all things in his hands? In difficult times, we need to remind ourselves of the miracles Jesus has already performed and have confidence that he will do what is needed in our life. He will be with us, he will move in ways that we have not seen before, and he will calm our fears. Lord, let us be open to all that you want to do in our lives.

A Pause for thought

When we speak about receiving the sacraments, we speak about them as particularly graced moments when God is especially present in our life. The moment of Jesus’ baptism was a particularly sacramental and graced moment: God spoke in approval of Jesus and bestowed God’s favour upon him. It would be nice for the rest of us if God’s presence could be so easily recognised at such times! However, in the absence of a voice from Heaven, we need to be fully present ourselves to sacramental moments and fully present to the moments that celebrate the sacramentality of our everyday lives.

The Pope’s Monthly intentions

Each year, the Holy Father asks for our prayers for a spe-cific intention each month. You are invited to answer the Holy Father's request and to join with many people worldwide in praying for this intention each month. In January 2020 the intention is: Promotion of World Peace We pray that Christians, followers of other religions, and all people of goodwill may pro-mote peace and justice in the world.

Heavenly Father,

In Baptism you have equipped us for mission. Deepen our intimacy with you, and by the grace of your Holy Spirit, embolden us to preach your

Son, Jesus, by word and example.

Amen

Giving

Weekend Mass Times

Holy Spirit Amaroo Saturday 6:00pm Sunday 8:00am, 9:30am* and 5:30pm

*Children’s Liturgy during school term

St Francis Xavier, Hall 2nd and 4th Sun at 8.30am

Weekday Masses (at Amaroo) Tues 9:15am Wed 7:00am Thurs 9:15am Fri 7:00am

Reconciliation Sat 5:15-5:45 pm

Communion: Sick and Housebound Please contact the Parish Office

Anointing Mass Thursday 30 January 2020 at 9.15am

Baptisms, Marriages & Funerals By Appointment

St Vincent de Paul Maria Stark on 0411 164 630

Care Group Sonja Vocisano on 0438 699 591 Vinnie Costa on 0410 460 624

Seniors Group Parish Office 6242 9622

Call to Connect - Women's group

Anne Smart 0415 175 802

Prayer Chain Joe and Irma Jambor 6242 7332 irmandjoe@gmail.com

Family Groups Jennifer Smith 6262 3532

Couples for Christ Danny & Ner Ambida on 0448 243 508

Novena—Mother of Perpetual Help Tom 6253 9779, Parveen 0439 642 571 Wednesdays at 6pm-6.45pm in the church

Holy Spirit Prayer Group Kathy Torcasio 0401 920 028 Wednesdays at 7:30pm in the church

MenAlive Gathering Steve Seesink 0421635675

Cursillo Movement Gatherings Irma and Joe Jambor on 62427332

Legion of Mary

Jakub Szymanski 0406 233 830 Youth Ministry Kyla Velasquez office@holyspiritgungahlin.org.au

Young Adults Frances Dinn yamholyspirit1835@gmail.com

Young Café - Anup

myyoungcafe@gmail.com

Parish ministries Contact Us Mass Times and Sacraments

Parish Office and Presbytery 93 Burdekin Ave, Amaroo Ph: 6242 9622 Website: www.holyspiritgungahlin.org.au

Parish Priest: Fr Mark Croker Assistant Priest: Fr Jiss Sunny Parish Assistant: Theivani Evers E: theivani@holyspiritgungahlin.org.au

P: 0472 921 518 Parish Secretary Magda Baraniecki (Tue - Fri 9am-3pm) E: office@holyspiritgungahlin.org.au General Enquiries Naomi Johnson (Wednesday 9.30am—3pm) E:officesupport@holyspiritgungahlin.org.au Finance Officer/ Planned Giving Tony Rose (Tue and Fri)

E: gungahlin.finance@cg.org.au

Sacramental Coordinator Louise Johnson E: sacraments@holyspiritgungahlin.org.au

Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) Alison Weeks E: alisonmweeks@bigpond.com

Children - You are my own dear Son

Joke of the week

Suggestion Box

We thank you for your generosity.

Credit Card Donations at Mass -Tap and

Go

Use your credit/debit card to make a

contribution of $10 to the second collection.

Parish Bank Account Details

BSB: 062 786

Account Number: 00010701

Account Name: Holy Spirit Parish

We love hearing from you!

Do you have any feedback, comments

or suggestions?

Please pop them into our “Suggestion

Box” in the foyer. Don’t

forget to put your name

and contact details so

that we can provide you

with an update.

A keg of beer and a case of whiskey: Before performing a Baptism, the priest approached the young father and said solemnly, “Baptism is a serious step. Are you prepared for it?” “I think so,” the man replied. “My wife has made appetisers and we have a caterer coming to provide plenty of cookies and cakes for all of our guests.” “I don’t mean that,” the priest responded. “I mean, are you prepared spiritually?” “Oh, sure,” came the reply. “I’ve got a keg of beer and a case of whiskey.”

A Sunday Reflection

Leave it like this There is comfort to be found in the words Jesus spoke to John, ‘Leave it like this for the time being’. We can sometimes be frustrated by the slow pace of change in the world and in our own lives – we often want things to happen immediately, if not yesterday! But Jesus’ words convey a sense that there is an order to things a right time for them to come about. ‘Leave it like this for the time being’ says, let things unfold in their own time without being anxious; work for change, but there is a proper time for things.

When were you baptised? Where were you baptised? Who are your Godparents?

What is a Sacrament? A Sacrament is a sign of God’s love. This sign is not like a traffic sign that announces the speed limit or parking rules which can be changed at will by lawmakers or ignored entirely by drivers. A Sacrament is more; it involves a profound relationship between the sign, the action of Grace, and the person who receives it. It is not only a sign of God’s love, it also makes God’s love real and concrete in our lives.