First Reading: 1 Sm 1:20-22. 24-28
A reading from the first book of Samuel
Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son, and called him
Samuel ‘since’ she said ‘I asked the Lord for him.’
When a year had gone by, the husband Elkanah went up again
with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the Lord and to
fulfil his vow. Hannah, however, did not go up, having said to
her husband, ‘Not before the child is weaned. Then I will bring
him and present him before the Lord and he shall stay there for
ever.’ When she had weaned him, she took him up with her
together with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin
of wine, and she brought him to the temple of the Lord at
Shiloh; and the child was with them. They slaughtered the bull,
and the child’s mother came to Eli. She said, ‘If you please, my
lord. As you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here
beside you, praying to the Lord. This is the child I prayed for, and
the Lord granted me what I asked him. Now I make him over to
the Lord for the whole of his life. He is made over to the Lord.’
There she left him, for the Lord.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 83:2-3. 5-6. 9-10
(R.) How happy they who dwell in your house, O Lord.
I.
2.
3.
How lovely is your dwelling place,
Lord, God of hosts.
My soul is longing and yearning,
is yearning for the courts of the Lord.
My heart and my soul ring out their joy
to God, the living God. (R.)
They are happy, who dwell in your house,
for ever singing your praise.
They are happy, whose strength is in you;
they walk with ever growing strength. (R.)
O Lord, God of hosts, hear my prayer,
gave ear, O God of Jacob.
Turn your eyes, O God, our shield,
look on the face of your anointed. (R.)
Second Reading: 1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24
A reading from the first letter of St John
Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us,
by letting us be called God’s children;
and that is what we are.
Because the world refused to acknowledge him,
therefore it does not acknowledge us.
My dear people, we are already the children of God
but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed,
all we know is, that when it is revealed
we shall be like him
because we shall see him as he really is.
My dear people,
if we cannot be condemned by our own conscience,
we need not be afraid in God’s presence,
and whatever we ask him,
we shall receive,
because we keep his commandments
St. Monica’s Parish
and live the kind of life that he wants.
His commandments are these:
that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ
and that we love one another
as he told us to.
Whoever keeps his commandments
lives in God and God lives in him.
We know that he lives in us
by the Spirit that he has given us.
Moonee Ponds
Presbytery: 22 Robinson St., Moonee Ponds 3039
Telephone: (03) 9370 5035 - Facsimile: (03) 9370 6335
Email: [email protected] Website: www.stmonicasparishmp.com.au
Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am—3.00pm
Parish Priest: Rev Fr Tony Feeney
Assistant Priest: Rev Fr Minh Tran
Parish Secretary: Lesley-Ann Wilson
School Principal: Mr. Peter Moore — School Phone No: 9375 1132
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Open our heart, O Lord,
to listen to the words of your Son.
Alleluia!
White
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph - Year C
Weekend Masses
Gospel: Lk 2:41-52
Saturday: (Vigil for Sunday): 6:30pm — Sunday: 8:00am, 9:15am ( Italian) 10:30 am, 5:30 pm
Monday: Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion: 7.00am
Tuesday to Friday: 7:00am & 9:15am Mass
Saturday & Holidays: 8:00am Mass
Reconciliation on Saturday: 10:00am - 11:00am, 6:00pm – 6:20pm
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
after 8am Saturday Mass
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke
Every year the parents of Jesus used to go to Jerusalem for
the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they
went up for the feast as usual. When they were on their way
home after the feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in
Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. They assumed he
was with the caravan, and it was only after a day’s journey
that they went to look for him among their relations and
acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back
to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.
Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among
the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions;
and all those who heard him were astounded at his
intelligence and his replies. They were overcome when they
saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘My child, why have you
done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been,
looking for you.’ ‘Why were you looking for me?’ he replied.
‘Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s
affairs?’ But they did not understand what he meant.
He then went down with them and came to Nazareth and
lived under their authority. His mother stored up all these
things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature,
and in favour with God and men.
26th/27th December
******************
1st Collection : For the upkeep of the Parish Church and all the works of the Church.
2nd Collection : For the running of the Presbytery and support of the 2 priests
(as well as contributing to look after retired priests such as Mons Kenny.)
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON
COMMUNION ANTIPHON
The Shepherd hastened to Bethlehem, where they found
Mary & Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger
Our God has appeared on the earth,
and lived among us.
Unlike the other feasts of the Christmas season– Nativity, Epiphany, and the Baptism of the Lord—that of the Holy Family
doesn't celebrate a gospel event or date back to early times. It was established only in 1893 by Pope Leo XIII. In the face of
perceived threats to family values, he inaugurated the feast to uphold traditional Catholic teaching. The Holy Family was
offered as a model of faith and love and devotion.
More than a century later, the notion of “family” has become more and more complex and contested. Ironically, the
unusual composition of the Holy Family-a single child growing up with his biological mother and putative father-seems
almost conventional in comparison with the many combinations that claim the title of “family” today. It is important to
remember that the shape of families has been changing for quite a while. In our assemblies, we will find all sorts of
families: two parent families, single-parent families, adopted families, merged families and probably some gay– or lesbianparented families. No one is excluded from God’s mercy and every family can use the help.
Let us give thanks for our own families as we pray for all families, that they be communities where in God’s
unconditional love will first be experienced.
Fr Tony
Minister of the Word
Next week 2nd/3rd Jan
6.30pm P.Duffy
J.Fernando
8.00am
A.Kendall
D.McLean
9.15am
C.Priscoglio,
V.Pizzichetta
10.30am H.Barnes
M.Tighe
5.30pm
M.Fewster,
M.Passuello
Minister of the Eucharist
Next week 2nd/3rd Jan.
6.30pm D.Besterwitch
R.Gonsalves
8.00am
A.Savino
9.15am
G.Lorenzon,
V.Pizzichetta,
C.Priscoglio, M.Ripper
10.30am
E.Angsiting,
B.Mathews,
R.Tighe
5.30pm
B.Clancy,
R.Legudi,B.Poliness
Turno Per L’Offertorio
Oggi Fam Maurici
Church Linen
December
Volunteer please
Readings this week
Sam 20-22, 24-28
St John 3:1-2, 21-24
Luke 2: 41-52
Readings next week
Church Vacuuming
Tuesday 29th Dec.
Team 1 A
9.45am.
Isaiah 60:1-6
Eph 3:2-3, 5-6
Mt 2:1-12
RECENTLY DECECEASED
Grief is the loudest silence ever heard
Joe Cotter; Salvatore Finestrone ;
Fr Des Cameron; Dean Savoia


The Funeral Mass of Joe Cotter shall be
advised in the coming week— Joe was the
husband to Sheila Cotter .
Our hearts are with you at this difficult
time
LOCAL HORIZON
IN THE ARCHDIOCESE

Good News for Vocations
This year in Melbourne the Archbishop ordained nine
new priests for service in Melbourne. All of these
priests are now serving in parishes in the Archdiocese.
This ordination class was the biggest for many years,
and is a sign that the Lord is hearing our prayers for
vocations. This Christmas, please join us in praying
that many more young people will hear the call of the
Lord to serve in priesthood or consecrated life.
Year for Consecrated Life
The Year for Consecrated Life, called by Pope Francis,
will conclude in February, 2016. As this Year draws to a
close, we do not forget the generosity of so many
consecrated persons who serve our Church. This
Christmas season, you may consider thanking them for
the gift of their lives. You might like to offer a prayer
for them in thanks for their service.


The Funeral Mass of Salvatore Finestrone
will be held in St Monica’s on Tuesday 29th
December . There will be an Italian Rosary
at 1pm followed by a 1.30pm Funeral
Mass . Salvatore was the husband of
Felica, the father to Carmelo; Ornella;
Sebastiano and Maria (d).
Brother to Domenico (resides Italy)
Our hearts are with you at this difficult
time


The charismatic prayer group meets Thursday
evenings in the Symons Centre 7.45pm—
9.15pm. , the Prayer Group’s last meeting for
the year was 17th December. The group will
then re-commence on the 4th February 2016
All Welcome. Enquiries to Adrian 93372051
Russell 93820840
The Italian Prayer group will now break for
Christmas up until Tuesday 2nd February when
it will resume as normal.
The Monthly Card Group will also break up
until Monday February 1 , 2016
The Parish Administation Office will be closed
from Christmas Eve up to and including
Tuesday 12th Jan 2016. The Office will be open
as normal Mon to Friday 9am -3.30pm from
Wedneseday 13th January 2016. On behalf of
the Parish House Staff I would like to thank the
entire Parish for their support and
understanding over this last 12 months—it has
been wonderful getting to know everyone and
the amazing care and concern each parishioner
brings in their own unique way to the Parish .
Have a very Merry Christmas. Lesley-Ann,
Sharon, Andrew , Bernard and Lillian
CHANGE TO THE MORNING MASS TIMES
AFTER CHRISTMAS FOR 4 WEEKS Please
note that the 7am and 9.15am Mass will be
replaced by an 8am Mass from Tuesday 29th
Dec up to and including the Australia Day 8am
Mass on Tuesday 26th Jan 2016
Anniversaries at this time
Bless the space between us
Jack Frewin, James McCallum,
John Horton-Crundall, Pat Lee, Elias Nolasco,
Maurice Ryan, Eileen McCrohan;
Fr Fred Chamberlin; Mark Chamberlin
A very large Thank you to all those who gave their
support to both the Giving Tree and also the
MOM (Melbourne Overseas Mission ) appeal
which took place last weekend. SVDP have been
delivering their hampers all this week and
continue to do so as this bulletin goes to print .
The Volunteers at MOM also continue to work
behind the scenes to do life changing work and we
look forward to reporting on the results of their
appeal when all the donations are collated.
THANK YOU
Fr Tony ,Fr Minh and the Parish House Staff
sincerely wish a very Merry Christmas to each
and every Parishioner , and also express our
gratitude to the many groups and volunteers
that form the entirety of the “Parish House” all these groups and their individuals volunteer
their time and support to help our Parish run
smoothly and never more so than over this
Christmas period— The Archdiocese for their
involvement in Pastoral ; HR and I.T support ;
Our Principal Peter Moore and all the Teaching
Staff and School Office Board and Admin
Support Staff ; Parents Association ; The Finance
Committee ; Sacristans and Linen Carers ;
Flower Arrangers, Collectors and Counters;
Lector Readers ; Eucharist Ministers; Altar
Servers; Projection and Powerpoint Assistants;
Welcomers; Communion to the Sick Volunteers;
Bereavement Group Team ; Children’s Liturgy
Group , Music Groups and the Choir, Church
Cleaning Groups, Outreach and SVDP volunteers
who also cover the Piety Store ; People who
bring people to Mass; Youth Group Assistants;
Charismatic Prayer Group; Italian Prayer Group;
Card Group ; Rosary Groups ;
Catechetics; RCIA Team and out
of School Sacramental Program
Group ; Tennis Club and various
friendship groups and those
about to become the Pastoral
Council in 2016. We thank you
for your part in the St Monica’s
Parish Life , and wish you and
your families Joy and Peace this
Christmas.
THEY HAVE ARRIVED AT THE STABLE
MORTI DI RECENTE
Joe Cotter; Salvatore Finestrone; Fr. Des Cameron; Dean
Savoia.
La Messa Funebre per Salvatore Finestrone; vera
fatta nella Chiesa di St. Monica. martedi 29 dicembre,
alle ore 1.30pm.
Il Rosario viene fatto per Italiano mez`ora prima della
Messa 1pm.
Salvatore era il marito di Felicia, era il padre di Carmelo;
Ornella; Sebastiano e Maria (d) era fratello di Domenico
(residente in Italia). Ricevete le nostre piu sentite condoglianze, e l`offerta delle nostre preghiere.
ANNIVERSARI
Jack Frewin; James McCallum, John Horton-Crundall
NELL`ORIZZONTE LOCALE
Il gruppo Caresmatico Inglese, adesso e in vacanza e sara
di ritorno il 4 febbraio 2016 alle ore 7.45pm.
Il gruppo di preghiera Italiano, ritornera 2 febbraio dopo
la St. Messa alle 10am.
Il gruppo delle carte, ritornera 1mo. febbraio, (nella sala
Symon). dale 12pm. fino alle 3pm.
Si fa nota; che l`ufficio di AMINISTRAZZIONE sara chiuso per le feste Natalizzie, da adesso fino il 13 Gennaio
2016, e riapre
dale ore 9am. fino alle 3.30pm. A nome di tutta
l`aministrazzione della parocchia, si vuol ringrazziare
tutti quelli che anno contribuito, con lavori e anche la
vostra comprensione, E bello vedere come siete pronti
ad aiutare, non solo fisicamente ma anche moralmente,
(Tante volte una parola di conforto, da tanto aiuto, al
sofferente.) Ora vi faccio I migliori auguri per un St. NATALE e ANNO 2016, da tutti noi, Lesley-Ann, Sharon, Andrew, Bernard and Lillian
DOPO NATALE LA MESSA SETTIMANALE CAMBIA
ORARIO, e sara alle ore 8am, dal giorno martedi 29
dicembre fino al giorno martedi 26 gennaio, incluso il
martedi AUSTRALIA DAY
Quest`anno era l`anno per la vita consacrata, si conclude in febbraio 2016, PAPA FRANCESCO ci raccomanda di pregare per tuti quelli che servono la nostra
CHIESA e ringrazziare DIO per il loro grande lavoro che
fanno.
Adesso Abbiamo Buone Notizzie dal Seminario nella diocese di Melbourne; L`Arcivescovo a consacrato 9 preti
quest`anno e tutti sono che servono nelle nostre parocchie. Preghiamo il Signore che ci mandi ancora tanti
Preti e religiosi, perche ne abbiamo tanto bisogno.
DI NUOVO BUON NATALE E BUON ANNO A TUTTI.