Bridgeside Bulletin

The weekly bulletin of the Catholic Parish of Forster Tuncurry

Holy Name of Jesus Parish Church 33 Lake Street, Forster St Mary, Star of the Sea Church
Cnr Kent & Peel Streets, Tuncurry

Proclaiming Christ to the communities of Forster, Tuncurry and the surrounding districts

Wednesday 25th December, 2013 The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas), Year A
Parish
Fr Andrew Doohan (Parish Priest) Mr Greg Byrne (Pastoral Associate) Mrs Sharon Fowle (Administration) Sr Kathryn McCabe (Aboriginal Catholic Ministry)

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 Mass at 4:30pm. (NB: Holy Hour will not be observed on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, and will return on Tuesday 7th January 2014) Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help is prayed every Wednesday in the Forster church commencing at 11:15am and is followed by a cuppa in the Parish Hall. Contact Shioney (6554 9468) for more information. (NB: The Novena will not be observed on Christmas Day and New Years Day, and will return on Wednesday 8th January 2014) Evening Prayer & Benediction is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month at 5:30pm in the Tuncurry church. It will next be celebrated on Sunday 5th

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) W: www.forstertuncurrycatholic.org.au

Holy Name Parish School (K-6)

Mr Mark Mowbray (Principal) 41 Lake Street, Forster NSW 2428 PO Box 243, Forster NSW 2428 P: (02) 6554 6504 F: (02) 6554 8895 E: admin@forster.catholic.edu.au

Parish Information
Baptisms are celebrated on Sundays, either during any of our Sunday Masses or after the 9am Mass. The next Baptismal Preparation meeting will take place in the Parish Halls meeting rooms on Monday 10th February 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

THE PARISH DIARY(for the week ahead)

The Season of Christmas. Thursday26th December Feast of Saint Stephen 9am Mass @ Forster Friday27th December Feast of Saint John 9:30am Mass @ Forster Saturday28th December Feast of the Holy Innocents 8:30am Reconciliation @ Tuncurry 9am Mass @ Tuncurry 4:45pm Reconciliation @ Forster (until 5:15 pm) 6pm Mass @ Tuncurry 6pm Mass @ Forster Sunday29th December Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph 7am Mass @ Tuncurry 9am Mass @ Forster 9am Mass @ Tuncurry

REGULAR ACTIVITIES IN THE PARISH

Secular Franciscan Fraternity The Secular Franciscans Fraternity is taking a break during January, and will next meet on Wednesday 5th February 2014, coming together for Mass at 9am, followed by a cuppa at 9:30am and then the meeting 10am to 12pm. The menALIVE Groups Our menALIVE groups are taking a break during January. Consequently, the morning group will next meet on Wednesday 12th February 2014 after the 9am Mass, while the evening group will next meet on Thursday 27th February 2014 at 7:30pm. Maintenance & Gardening Group The Parish is lucky to be served by a very dedicated band of volunteers who tend to the upkeep of the grounds and gardens of our two church sites. They do a fabulous job, and are always ready to welcome new members to the group. The next date is Thursday 16th January (to be confirmed), starting at Tuncurry at 8am and then on to Forster. Contact Howard 6557 6826 for more information. Singing Practice The Singing Group will be taking a well earned break during January, and will next gather in the Tuncurry church on Tuesday 4th February 2014 for a 7pm start. All are welcome as we gather to practice hymns for our Sunday Masses. Collection of Foodstuffs for Homebase On the first Sunday of each month we undertake a collection in order to support Homebase. The next collection will next take place on Sunday 5th January 2014.

DAILY GOSPEL 2014

Small booklet of Gospel readings for each day of the year is available at the rear of Church for $7 each.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS

Please be aware that Greg Byrne is on holiday during the month of January and this means that access to the Parish Office will be reduced during that time.

WEEKEND MASSES IN JANUARY

During the Christmas/January holiday period, our weekend Masses will multiply in order to accommodate our visitors. Saturdays 6pm 6pm Sundays 7am 9am 9am St Mary, Star of the Sea Church, Tuncurry Holy Name Church, Forster St Mary, Star of the Sea Church, Tuncurry St Mary, Star of the Sea Church, Tuncurry Holy Name Church, Forster

THANK YOU
Many blessings on all who have served the poor by offering time, vehicles, trailers and their cheeriness towards people. Aboriginal Catholic Ministry thank you. Mass will be offered for you. Sr. Kathryn

IN YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY FOR:

Those recently deceased. Irene Haslett Those whose anniversaries occur about now. All those in our community who are sick.

This expanded timetable will commence on the weekend of Sunday 29th December, and will continue until the weekend of Australia Day, 26th January 2014, and the need for the additional Masses will be reviewed on a weekly basis.

The Parish can also be found on Facebook and Twitter (@ftcatholic)

PSALM FOR MIDNIGHT MASS

R. The Lord is king, let earth rejoice, the many coastlands be glad. The skies proclaim his justice; all peoples see his glory. R. Light shines forth for the just and joy for the upright of heart. Rejoice, you just, in the Lord; give glory to his holy name. R. Alleluia, alleluia! Glory to God in the highest, peace to his people on earth. Alleluia! Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders. His right hand and his holy arm have brought salvation. R. The Lord has made known his salvation; has shown his justice to the nations. He has remembered his truth and love for the house of Israel. R. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout to the Lord all the earth, ring out your joy. R. Sing psalms to the Lord with the harp, with the sound of music. With trumpets and the sound of the horn acclaim the King, the Lord. R. Alleluia, alleluia! A holy day has dawned upon us. Come you nations and adore the Lord. Today a great light has come upon the earth. Alleluia! A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.

PSALM FOR EARLY MORNING MASS

FOR MORNING MASS

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

R. Today is born our Saviour, Christ the Lord.

O sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the earth. O sing to the Lord, bless his name. R.

Proclaim his help day by day, tell among the nations his glory and his wonders among all the peoples. R.

Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad, let the sea and all within it thunder praise, let the land and all it bears rejoice, all the trees of the wood shout for joy at the presence of the Lord for he comes, he comes to rule the earth. R.

With justice he will rule the world, he will judge the peoples with his truth. R.

Alleluia, alleluia! Good News and great joy to all the world: today is born our Saviour, Christ the Lord. Alleluia!

PSALM FOR CHRISTMAS VIGIL MASS

Responsorial Psalm Response: Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. 'I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: I will establish your dynasty for ever and set up your throne through all ages.' Happy the people who acclaim such a king, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face, who find their joy every day in your name, who make your justice the source of their bliss. 'He will say to me: "You are my father, my God, the rock who saves me." I will keep my love for him always; for him my covenant shall endure.' Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia! Tomorrow the wickedness of the earth will be destroyed: the Saviour of the world will be our king. Alleluia! For other Masses please see the inside pages.

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.

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.

CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH

As has become traditional in the Parish, some community members will gather on Christmas Day in the Hall to enjoy lunch and companionship together. This function has been greatly appreciated over the years by people who would otherwise spend the Day alone. This marks the 28th year we have gathered in this way. The Hall will be open from 11:30am and lunch will be served at 1pm. All are most welcome.

CHRISTMAS COLLECTIONS
As has become the custom here in the Parish, there will be a collection taken up at the Christmas Day Masses with the proceeds to be split between a) b) c) our local St Vincent de Paul Conference, Manning Pregnancy Support, and Clergy Support Foundation (for the support of the retired clergy of the diocese).

A WARM WELCOME!
A warm welcome to everyone who is visiting Forster, Tuncurry and the greater Great Lakes area during the Christmas/January holiday period. We trust and pray that your time here among us will be relaxing, lots of fun, and, above all, safe.

Please be as generous as you can be.