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4th Sunday of Advent
25 December 2022
Readings
This Sunday:
Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 97; Hebrews 1-6; John 1:1-18
Next Sunday:
Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm: 66:2-3,5,6,8; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21
NEWSLETTER
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A Personal Message
If you look for me at Christmas you won’t need a special star -
I’m no longer just in Bethlehem, I’m right there where you are.
You may not be aware of me amid the celebrations –
You’ll have to look beyond the stores and all the decorations.
But if you take a moment from your list of things to do
And listen to your heart, you’ll find I’m waiting there for you.
You’re the one I want to be with, you’re the reason that I came,
And you’ll find me in the stillness as I’m whispering your name.
Love
Jesus
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Wishing you all ...
A blessed and holy Christmas and a New Year filled with hope and possibility, from Fathers Raphael, James, Peter and Ron, Deacon Greg, Theresa and Ann.
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Christmas Mass Times
Christmas Eve - St John’s:
5.30pm - Family Vigil Mass
Carol singing from 5pm
11.15pm - Carol Singing
Midnight - Christmas Mass
Christmas Day:
8.30am - St Francis’ - Family Mass
10.30am - St John’s
Carol singing from 10am
All the children are invited to dress up as their favourite nativity character.
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Office Closed
The parish office will be closed from 24 December to Tuesday 17 January 2023 (inclusive).
During this period please contact Fr Raphael on 021 1146879 and Fr James on 022 091 9320.
The next newsletter after Christmas will be on 29 January.
If you have any notices relating to January that you would like to add to the Christmas newsletter, please email these to hbcparish@xtra.co.nz by Tuesday 20 December.
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Ministers of the Word, St John’s:
Copies of the Sunday readings for the period 1 Jan - 29 Jan may be collected from the brown folder on the table in the foyer.
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A warm welcome to any new parishioners:
Please introduce yourself to Fr Raphael
and Fr James
and complete a parish enrolment form on the table in the foyer.
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Mass Times:
The usual schedule of Mass and Liturgy of the Word times will continue throughout the holiday period.
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Wishing our priests....
Fr Raphael, Fr James, Fr Peter and Fr Ron a blessed Christmas and a spirit-filled New Year.
We are so grateful to each of you forthe service and loving care you have given to our parish this year. May the peace and joy of Christmas be yours.
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Shine TV Mass:
The broadcast of Christmas Day Mass with Bishop Steve will be at the usual time of 2pm on Christmas Day.
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We pray for:
We pray for all the sick in our community, particularly for Biju Joseph, Wendy Hope, Norma Wright, Bill McCloughen and Jennifer Murray and for those with ongoing illnesses.
We pray for the recently deceased including Judy George & Matthew Dwe.
We pray too for those whose anniversaries occur at this time.
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Congratulations
Congratulations to our newly baptised: Jeroen Rol, Andries Rol, Lydia Pereira, Ezekiel Pereira, Lexi O’Shea, Zachary O’Shea and Riccardo Dee.
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Prayer Chain:
If you need prayerful support for a personal intention, please contact one of the people listed on the prayer chain notice on the board.
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Divine Mercy Prayer Group ...
The Divine Mercy Prayer group will meet again on Sunday 12 February, 3pm at St John’s.
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Monday bible study
The Monday bible study group on Zoom is taking a break and will resume the first week of February.
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Meditation Groups ....
Will meet again on Monday 9 January, 7.30pm at St Francis, and Wednesday 11 January, 5.30pm on Zoom.
If you are interested in joining a group next year please contact Vincent Maire, 027 276 6032.
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Indoor Bowls ....
Will start again in the parish hall in February.
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 Headlines from the latest
issue of NZ Catholic:
- De La Salle brother’s Christmas in Bethlehem.
- Two new monsignors in Hamilton.
- SVDP gift an experience in Dunedin.
- Papal and NZ church year in review.
www.nzcatholic.org.nzNZ Catholic Newspaper - $4.00
Get yours at the back of the church
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The nativity scene is alive
“Every day somewhere in the world the nativity scene is alive.”
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Eucharistic Adoration...
Will resume on 7 February at St John’s & 10 February at St Francis’.
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Passionist Family Groups:
Have you ever asked yourself “How could I be more involved in our parish?”
Maybe you have wondered how you could get to know some of the people you see in the church?
Why not consider joining a Parish Passionist Family Group. Groups are made up of 10-12 families or units, perhaps with a cross-section of ages, including some children of the same age, or perhaps a number of people of similar ages and stage in life.
Everyone is welcome to join, from grandparents to babies.
Non-church-attending spouses and non-Catholic partners are welcome as are one-parent families and single people, the elderly or the young.
The groups gather socially once a month for a picnic, barbecue, a meal, etc. to enjoy being with one another and this develops into supportive relationships. Through the inter-action with your Family Group, you will also find you are bringing a happy loving spirit to our parish.
Information leaflets and ’sign up’ forms are on the table in the foyer.
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Morning tea:
As our volunteers will be celebrating with their families today, there will be no morning tea after the 10.30am Mass.
The team are taking a break until Sunday 15 January.
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Stella Maris School....
Wishes to say a BIG thank you to all the families of the parish who supported the school and attended events throughout the year.
We look forward to sharing more with you next year. We wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas.
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Sacramental Programme 2023:
Registrations for the Sacramental Programme 2023 will open on 1 February.
Registration forms will be available in the church foyers at that time.
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The Prayer Group...
Will start again on Wednesday 27 January, 7.15pm in the parish hall.
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Scramble Golf Fundraiser for World Youth Day 2023:
Whangaparaoa Golf Club, Friday 20 January 2023.
9am briefing for a shotgun start at 9.30am.
$210 per team - 3 players per team; Food at prize-giving included & loads of great prizes; Bring cash for raffles after the golf. For more info and entries contact Mark: nevillemark@hotmail.com.
Limited numbers of teams so be in quick.
Calling on any business owners in the parish who would like to support the World Youth Day Golf fundraiser. We are looking for prizes (for teams of 3) or sponsorship of the tee and/or green - $150 each.
We would display your company flag or logo at these sites. Thanks so much, any queries please email the youth team on hbcpyouth@gmail.com
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Clergy 2023 Appointments
The Clergy 2023 Appointments have been announced by our Bishop and this comes with a surprise change for our parish. Fr James will be leaving us at the end of January and has been appointed to Papatoetoe Parish as Assistant Priest.
Fr Pio Fong SM will be joining our parish as assistant priest and Fr Raphael will remain as Parish Priest.
Please pray for Fr James as he prepares for another move and let us express our thanks and appreciation to him in the weeks ahead for his spiritual guidance, prayerful ministry, teachings, singing and his many experiences in Rome and Medjugorje that he has shared with us during the year.
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For Sale
Columban and daily Mass Calendars on sale in the parish office (this week only) for $12 and $3 and also at Never Ending Books, The Village, Moenui Ave, Orewa.
Anne Pretorius also has editions of ‘’God’s Word 2023’ on sale for $24.99, a variety of Christmas cards and some of beautiful wooden carved nativity sets/ornaments, crosses etc.
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Pilgrimage to Medjugorje and Rome, May 2023:
For more information please contact Fr. James, 022 497 2886.
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TODAY'S GIGGLES
A Dear Wife
There once was a funeral for a woman who had often screamed at her husband, drove her kids half nuts, scrapped with the neighbours at the slightest opportunity, and even made their cat and dog crazy with her explosive temper.
As the casket was lowered into the grave, a violent thunderstorm broke, and the pastor's benediction was drowned out by a blinding flash of lightning, followed by terrific thunder.
"Well, at least we know she got there all right," commented her husband.
Meal-time
Johnny: "Daddy, are caterpillars good to eat?"
Father: "I told you not to mention such things during meals!"
Mother: "Why did you ask that, Johnny?"
Johnny: "It's because I saw one on Daddy's lettuce, but now it's gone."
Newly Minted Driver...
Martin had just received his brand new driver's license. The family troops out to the driveway, and climbs in the car, where he is going to take them for a ride for the first time. Dad immediately heads for the back seat, directly behind the newly minted driver.
"I'll bet you're back there to get a change of scenery after all those months of sitting in the front passenger seat teaching me how to drive," says the beaming boy to his father.
"Nope," comes Dad's reply, "I'm gonna sit here and kick the back of your seat as you drive, just like you've been doing to me all these years."
The truth about EVs - a good article about them here
Listen to this speaker:
Debating the value of electric vehicles to our eco-system
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GET YOUR NEWSLETTER EMAILED
During the lockdowns our weekly newsletter was still being produced.
Please pass the message on to others that if they would like the newsletter sent to them directly, to visit the parish website www.hbcparish.org.nz and
CLICK HERE
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TELEPHONE PRAYER CHAIN
Is anyone sick?
Call upon the church community to pray for you (James5:14).
Please telephone any of the parishioners listed below.
We would love to pray for your intentions in our daily prayers.
Norma McGrath (Coordinator); 424-8460
Maureen Nancarrow; 426 7921
Janet Dimbleby; 427 5850
Raewyn Taylor; 424 1414
Maree Lochead; 428 4648
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