Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Proclaiming Christ to the communities of Forster, Tuncurry and the surrounding districts
next Baptismal Preparation meeting will take place in the Parish Halls meeting rooms on Monday 9th December commencing at 7pm. Please contact the Parish Office for more details, or visit the Parish website. Weddings are celebrated by arrangement and with at least three (and preferably more) months notice. Please contact Fr Andrew for more details, or visit the Parish website. Reconciliation is available on Saturday mornings at Tuncurry from 8:30am until the beginning of the 9am Mass, on Saturday afternoons at Forster from 4:45pm until 5:15pm, or other times by contacting Fr Andrew. Holy Hour is observed each Tuesday afternoon in the Tuncurry Church from 3:30pm until the beginning of
The Parish Office is at the rear of the Parish Hall and is staffed on Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 4pm. Items for inclusion in Bridgeside Bulletin should be received in writing or by email by midday on Thursday. 33 Lake Street, Forster NSW 2428 PO Box 67, Forster NSW 2428 P: (02) 6554 6304 F: (02) 6554 6425 E: forstertuncurryparish@gmail.com fr.andrew.doohan@bigpond.com (Fr Andrew)
Parish Information
Baptisms are celebrated on Sundays, either during any of our Sunday Masses or after the 9am Mass. The
Thursday 5th December @ Taree at 7pm; and Thursday 19th December @ Tuncurry at 7pm.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will continue to be available at the usual times during Advent.
OF
REFLECTIONS
IN A
TIME
The Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn has produced a booklet featuring a months reflections on Scriptures. The booklet would be ideal for a retreat in daily life or as part of a practice of lectio divina. A sample booklet can be inspected in the Parish Office. If there is sufficient interest from parishioners (the cost would be $3), the Parish will purchase copies of this small booklet on behalf of parishioners. If you are interested, please let the Parish Office know by Friday 13th December so that an order can be placed before Christmas.
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Congratulations go to Mark Mowbray, Principal of Holy Name School, who received the John Laing Memorial Award from the Principals Australia Institute during the week in recognition of his contributions to the professional learning of principals. We are blessed to have someone of Marks calibre leading the faculty of our Parish school. Well done Mark, and congratulations!!
FLOWER ROSTER
We are in urgent need of helpers for the flower decorations in Tuncurry Church. If you are able to help, please phone the Parish Office on 6554 6304.
LITURGICAL HOLIDAYS
MINISTRY
DURING
CHRISTMAS
Each Christmas/January holiday period causes challenges for our Sacristans, Readers and Ministers of Communion as parishioners are absent from the Parish visiting family and friends. This is also the time of year that brings many visitors to our Masses, giving us the opportunity to showcase our liturgical celebrations to the wider Catholic community. This time of year calls on all members of the Parish worshipping community to make the extra effort to ensure our Mass celebrations run smoothly with adequate support from lay liturgical ministers.
HOLY NAME SCHOOL STEPHANIE ALEXANDER GARDEN PROJECT GIANT CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
The SAKG Committee is holding another fundraising effort to support the Schools Stephanie Alexander Garden Project. The Giant Christmas Raffle features a wide array or great prizes. Tickets are available from both the School and Parish Offices, and the raffle will be drawn on 11th December.
will be held at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Newcastle West on Friday 13th December at 7:45pm. Admission is $10; concession is $7. Carols in the Cloister Join us for Carols in the Cloister - a Christmas festival of music, song and good cheer. Reflections on the meaning of the season, good music, light refreshments and good company. Carols will be held at St Josephs Convent Chapel, New England Highway, Lochinvar on Sunday 15th December at 6:30pm. The New Evangelisation What is it and what difference does it make? Fathers Maurice Nutt and John Fahey-Guerra, from the United States, will be conducting a Summer School at St Clements Retreat Centre, Galong, NSW, from 17th 24th January 2014. Maurice and John bring their enthusiasm and expertise to these questions and we can bring our questions and understanding. Phone 02 6380 5222 or email info@stclement.com.au for details. Introductory Meditation Course An introductory meditation course will be held at St James School Hall, Vista Parade, Kotara over four weeks commencing on Tuesday 4th February commencing at 7pm. Meditation is a wonderful way to start 2014, and helpful at times of spiritual crisis and physical stress. The cost is $20. For more information contact Anne Cuskelly at annecuskelly@hotmail.com or 0407 436 808. Christian Formation Program Are you looking for an opportunity to ponder the meaning of your life experience, meet Jesus anew or explore your faith within the Catholic tradition? The TWEC Christian Formation Program runs for four tenweek terms, one night a week from 6:30pm9:30pm. The program starts on Thursday 6th February in the Toohey Room, 841 Hunter St, Newcastle. For more information and to RSVP contact TWEC on 4930 9601 or twec@ssjl.org.au Mission and Discipleship Presentation Internationally respected theologian, Anthony Gittins CSSp, will present a Mission and Discipleship workshop at Souths League Club, Merewether on Wednesday 12th February between 10am and 3:30pm. The cost is $20 with morning tea and lunch provided. Please RSVP to the TWEC Secretary on 4930 9601 or twec@ssjl.org.au.
...of the Word Neil Pye Elizabeth Sciacca Colleen Cashman Tony Knight Cecile Malone Bronwyn Morse Marie Keep Jeanette Shepherd James Lukeman
...of Communion Jeanette Goodacre, Frank Hayman, Lou Hope, Kathryn McCabe, Paul McFadden, Margaret Smith, Maureen Stevens, Tony Stevens, Glen Strong Norm Chapman, Cushla Drake, Mary Greig, Kay Griffiths, Alex Matuszny, Edna Tucker Greg Byrne, Lauranne Byrne, Barbara Dolahenty, Anne Hartman, Jim Hunt, Robert Moran, Michael Power, Afra van Boxtel, Genevieve Williamson
7am Tuncurry
9am Forster
Please note: The above information reflects the rosters as originally published, and doesnt take account of any swaps that may have been organised between individuals.
AN ADVENT HYMN
Text & Music: Paul Geraghty. Used with permission. To be play wistfully. Refrain Your friends are waiting for You Lord, Your friends are waiting here We wait with quiet hearts and minds With love and not with fear.
We call to mind your coming Lord, Your coming long ago. You came into the world you made But You it did not know. Refrain We call to mind your promise Lord, To be with us the same, Whenever two or three or more Are gathered in your name. Refrain We call to mind your promise Lord To come to us once more But will You come soft as the dew Or with a thunder roar. Refrain. With thanks to Paul for composing this hymn for use by our Parish community during the Season of Advent.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Isaiah 2:1-5 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:37-44 Isaiah 4:2-6 Matthew 8:5-11 Isaiah 11:1-10 Luke 10:21-24 Isaiah 25:6-10 Matthew 15:29-37 Isaiah 26:1-6 Matthew 7:21, 24-27 Isaiah 29:17-24 Matthew 9:27-31 Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26 Matthew 9:3510:1, 6-8 Isaiah 11:1-10 Romans 15:4-9 Matthew 3:1-12
RECEIVING COMMUNION
So that we might receive Communion in a fit and proper way, please be aware of the following: When we process forward to receive Communion, we have been asked by the Australian Bishops to adopt a common and unified gesture of reverence before doing so. In Australia that gesture is a bow of the head and shoulders (GIRM, 160). Any other form of reverence, including a genuflection, should therefore be avoided. Communion by self-intinction (self-dipping) is never permitted, since we receive Communion and never take Communion. Please refrain from this inappropriate action. We regret that we do not have the physical facilities to offer communion while kneeling, and respectfully ask you to refrain from kneeling to receive Communion while part of the procession, since this is contrary to the nature of the Communion procession itself. Your cooperation in honouring this request is very much appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration.
The Lord will bestow his bounty, and our earth shall yield its increase.
SILENCE IN THE LITURGY
We observe silence during our liturgy (on Sundays and weekdays) at the following times: 1. During the Penitential Act, after the Presider invites us to prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries in order to recollect ourselves; 2. During the Collect, after the invitation of the Presider to Let us pray again in order to recollect ourselves; 3. During the Liturgy of the Word, at the conclusion of the first reading in order that we might meditate on what we have heard; 4. During the Liturgy of the Word, at the conclusion of the second reading in order that we might meditate on what we have heard; and 5. During the Liturgy of the Word, at the conclusion of the homily in order that we might meditate on what we have heard.