First Reading; Zep 3:14-18
Gospel Acclamation: Is 61:1 (Lk 4:18)
A reading from the prophet Zephaniah
St. Monica’s Parish
Alleluia, alleluia!
Moonee Ponds
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me;
Presbytery: 22 Robinson St., Moonee Ponds 3039
Telephone: (03) 9370 5035 - Facsimile: (03) 9370 6335
Shout for joy, daughter of Zion,
Israel, shout aloud!
Rejoice, exult with all your heart,
daughter of Jerusalem!
The Lord has repealed your sentence;
he has driven your enemies away.
The Lord, the king of Israel, is in your midst;
you have no more evil to fear.
When that day comes, word will come to Jerusalem:
Zion, have no fear,
do not let your hands fall limp.
The Lord your God is in your midst,
a victorious warrior.
He will exult with joy over you,
he will renew you by his love;
he will dance with shouts of joy for you
as on a day of festival.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm: Is 12:2-6 R. v.6
(R.) Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the
great and Holy One of Israel.
PS.
Truly, God is my salvation, I trust, I shall not fear.
For the Lord is my strength, my song, he became my
Saviour. With joy you will draw water from the wells of
salvation. (R.)
LS. Give thanks to the Lord, give praise to his name!
Make his mighty deeds known to the peoples!
Declare the greatness of his name. (R.)
ALL. Sing a psalm to the Lord
for he has done glorious deeds,
make them known to all the earth!
People of Zion, sing and shout for joy
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. (R.)
Second Reading: Phil 4:4-7
he sent me to bring Good News to the poor.
Email: [email protected] Website: www.stmonicasparishmp.com.au
Office Hours: Tuesday to Friday 9.00am—3.00pm
Alleluia!
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
Gospel: Lk 3:10-18
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke
When all the people asked John, ‘What must we do?’
he answered, ‘If anyone has two tunics he must share
with the man who has none, and the one with something to eat must do the same.’ There were tax collectors too who came for baptism, and these said to him,
‘Master, what must we do?’ He said to them, ‘Exact no
more than your rate.’ Some soldiers asked him in their
turn, ‘What about us? What must we do?’ He said to
them, ‘No intimidation! No extortion! Be content with
your pay!’ A feeling of expectancy had grown among
the people, who were beginning to think that John
might be the Christ, so John declared before them all, ‘I
baptise you with water, but someone is coming, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit
to undo the strap of his sandals; he will baptise you
with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fan is in his
hand to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the
wheat into his barn; but the chaff he will burn in a fire
that will never go out.’ As well as this, there were
many other things he said to exhort the people and to
announce the Good News to them.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
ADVENT
DURING ADVENT THERE IS A CHANGE TO THE
PEOPLE’S RESPONSE FOR THE PRAYER OF THE
FAITHFUL : THE RESPONSE IS

1. (R) COME JESUS , AND IN YOUR
MERCY HEAR OUR PRAYER
Violet
Third Sunday in Advent - Year C
12th/13th December
Weekend Masses
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
******************
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
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.
Indeed, the Lord is near.
Say to the faint of heart: Be strong and do not fear.
Behold, our God will come, and he will save us.
St Paul, from his prison, writes to the Philippians encouraging them to be happy, not worry and if ‘there is
anything you need’ pray for it.
Prayer is like exercise. Its effects bloom over time, slowly unfolding like flowers. Often we can find ourselves
wondering if prayer does or achieves anything. Perhaps we experience dryness, desolation or nothing at all!
Perhaps we feel tired and our thoughts drift off to the ‘to do’ list.
Just as it takes an effort to get up and go for a walk (or visit the gym) each day, it takes a conscious effort to
pray each day. The light and the peace that St Paul’s speaks of in his letter to the Philippians, as being the
reward of prayer will make itself known when we least expect it. The important thing is to persevere!
Lord Jesus, teach us your ways, empower us to persevere in prayer, grow in your love and be joy-filled, generous
and just, so that we and all creation may be ‘’happy in the Lord.”
Fr Tony
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Philippians
I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord; I repeat, what I want is your happiness. Let your tolerance
be evident to everyone: the Lord is very near. There is no
need to worry; but if there is anything you need, pray for
it, asking God for it with prayer and thanksgiving, and
that peace of God, which is so much greater than we can
understand, will guard your hearts and your thoughts, in
Christ Jesus.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Minister of the Word
Next week 19th/20th Dec.
6.30pm C.Galt, P.Seuren
8.00am
“Faith is passed on by contact , from one person to another , just as one candle is lighted from another”
Pope Francis
A,Kendall
D.Mclean
9.15am
S.Maurici
M.Canazi
10.30am
F.Baker
S.Cleur
K.Blake
R.Gornall
5.30pm
Minister of the Eucharist
Next week 19th/20th Dec.
6.30pm D.Besterwitch
R.Gonsalves
8.00am
Volunteer Pls.
9.15am
10.30am
5.30pm
R.DiPietro
P.Chiera,
A.Stivala
E.Angsiting
L.Butler,
B,Mathews
E&R.McMahon
K.Sherwood
Turno Per L’Offertorio
Oggi Fam Priscoglio
Fam Catalfamo
Church Linen
December
Volunteer please
Church Vacuuming
Wednesday 16th Dec.
Team 3
9.45am
Readings this week
Zeph 3:14-18
Phil
4:4-7
Lk
3:10-18
Readings next week
Micah 5:1-4
Heb
10:5-10
Lk 1:39-44
RECENTLY DECEASED
Grief is the loudest silence ever heard
Vince Anticevic ; Frances Murphy
LOCAL HORIZON

Anniversaries at this time
Bless the space between us
Fabian Donovan, Joan & Jack Grimes, Nell & Jim
Connors, Fabian Donovan, Mary Feain,
Lucia Buonopane


WEDDINGS THIS WEEKEND
Laura Dichiera and Gregory Lombardo
Michelle Gregory and Jude Fernando
The Parish wishes the Bride and Groom , their
family and guests a wonderful day!
BAPTISMS THIS WEEKEND
We welcome into our community the following
children, who will be given the 3rd Rite of
Baptism this weekend
Aurora Mariana Joan Maurici ;
Matthew Pizzicarola; Vincent John Barro ;
Lachlan Thomas Pangrazio; Austin Peter
Lardizzone; Georgina Rotella;
Amelia De Sousa Filipe;
MELBOURNE OVERSEAS MISSION
ANNUAL APPEAL THIS WEEKEND
This weekend we have the once a year donation
Appeal by MOM—which is it’s only fundraiser . YOU
WILL FIND CONTRIBUTION ENVELOPES IN THE FRONT
OF YOUR PEW ...please place your donations into the
envelopes and then into the giving baskets this
weekend and OR you may take the envelope and
post it to the MOM in it’s self addressed envelope .
Melbourne Overseas Missions (MOM) is a
humanitarian organisation founded in 1968 by
Cardinal James Knox to provide assistance to
developing countries as an outreach of the Catholic
Church community in the Archdiocese of Melbourne.
MOM programs are based on a Christian motivation
of commitment to the poor with strong objectives to
encourage self-help and self-reliance, respect human
rights and enhance gender equality. You can make a
direct difference by donating to MOM. For more
informaiton on MOM please go to the website :
http://www.mom.org.au/ Annual reports are in the
church for you to take home.

Thur 17th Dec.: The charismatic prayer group
meets Thursday evenings in the Symons Centre
7.45pm—9.15pm. All Welcome. Enquiries to
Adrian 93372051 Russell 93820840
Children’s Liturgy sessions for Advent are:
Sunday 13 Dec 10.30am
Sunday 20 Dec 10.30am
All children, pre-school to grade 6 are invited to
join us in the Symons Centre for gospel related
activity and craft. (Parents of preschoolers are
encouraged to accompany their children).
Mon 14th Dec—The Year 6 Mass and
Graduation Dinner will be held . The Parish
sends a huge WELL DONE to all those children
of the Parish who are about to celebrate the
end of their Primary School days. Please God
we will continue to see your friendly faces over
the coming months and years . Enjoy your
Graduation night and may God Bless you at
whichever School attend in 2016.
Wed 16th Dec—The Children finish school for
the year @ 3.30pm
CHANGE TO THE MORNING MASS TIMES AFTER
CHRISTMAS
Please note that the 7am and 9.15am Mass will be
replaced by one 8am Mass from Tues 29 Dec up to
and including the Australia Day 8am Mass
on Tues 26th Jan 2016
Children please wear NATIVITY CLOTHING for the
Christmas Vigil Mass 6.30pm 24th Dec
The 6.30pm Mass on Christmas Eve is traditionally
St Monica's children's Mass.
Children are invited to dress as nativity scene
characters and bring shakers/toy drums and
gather in the foyer of the church at 6.15. They will
process into the church just prior to Mass as "The
Carol of the Drum" is sung and can stand on the
altar step to face the congregation.
Please let your children know where you are
sitting in the church so they can find you at the
conclusion of the carol.
THE ADVENT COUNTDOWN 13 DAYS TO
GO UNTIL THEY GET TO THE STABLE
ADVENT PRAYER EVENINGS ST MONICA’S CHURCH
This Tues Dec 15 @ 7pm and the last on Tues
Dec 22 @ 7pm which will be followed by
Christmas Mass rehearsals for those
participating in the Christmas Masses
Kim Wolfe Farewell
The Parish bids farewell to Kim Wolfe and her family as
they return to the USA. Kim during her 3 1/2 yrs here has
been nothing short of inspirational to us all— helping on
rosters in SDVP ; Choir; Lector Reading ; Eucharist
Ministry ; Flower Arranging and Vacuuming Team.
God Bless—stay in touch and Thankyou Kim !
SULL`ORIZONTE LOCALE
Il gruppo carismatico Inglese e` chiuso per quest`anno,
ricomincera di nuovo in febbraio, per piu` informazzioni
rivolgetivi a Adrian 93372051 or Russel 93820840
Liturgia per I Bambini: in questo tempo di Avento
sara domenica 13 dicembre alle ore 10.30am
e domenica 20 dicembre alle 10.30am. Tutti I bambini
dai piccolo fino alla 6ta. classe, sono invitati, nella sala
Symon per attivita e giochetti sulle letture della domenica.
Lunedi 14 dicembre; ci sara una messa per chi finisce le
scuole elementary (grade 6 ). Tutta La Parocchia vuol
dirvi un grande BRAVI SIETE STATI BRAVI e adesso non
importa su quale scuola andate, speriamo continuiate a
farvi vedere perche a noi fa molto piacere che ricordiate
la vostra scuola specie ST. MONICA che vi a dato la prima
istruzzione, Per adesso divertitevi e che il BUON DIO VI
BENEDICA NEL VOSTRO FUTURO, qualsiasi sia.
Mercoledi 16 dicembre; c`e la chiusura della scuola per il
2015 alle 3.30pm.
PER LA ST.MESSA DEL 24 DICEMBRE SI PREGA AI BAMBINI
di vestire come Madonna St. Giuseppe oppure come I
pastori, sara anche avere qualche stumento, come il tamburo oppure il piffaro, o le campanelle. sara veramente
bello,
si raduneranno tutti all`entrata della Chiesa alle 6.15pm.
e dopo entreranno in processione nella Chiesa cantando
l`inno del bambino con il tamburo, e poi siete tutti in
piedi davanti all`altare.
E voi genitori mi raccomando di dire ai bambini dove vi
sedete. cosi vi possono trovare dopo la fine dei canti.
CAMBIO DI ORARIO DELLE MESSE.
Tenete bene a note che la St. Messa delle 7am. e quella
delle 9.15am. in settimana non ci sara e viene fatta alle
8am.
comincera dal giorno Martedi 29 dicembre fino al giorno
AUSTRALIA DAY IN GENNAIO.
Questa settimana c`e la coletta per la
missione dei poveri di tutto il mondo, troverete le busto nei banchi. Questa coletta e stata
fondata dal Cardinale James Knox nel 1968.Ed e
unn`offerta che fa la diocese di Melbourne, aiuta in tante
cose, non solo la poverta ma anche il rispetto fra noi umani, si chiama MELBOURNE OVERSEAS MISSION.se volete
piu informazzioni andate al sito: http://
www.mom.org.au/ ce pure un bolettino all`entrata della
chiesa che vi puo spiegare, potete prenderlo e portarvelo
a casa.