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2nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT -
5 DECEMBER 2021
Readings
This Sunday:
Baruch 5:1-9; Philippians 1:3-6,8-11; Luke 3:1-6.
Next Sunday:
Zephaniah 3:14-18; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18.
This week in the parish....
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THE WORD OF GOD COMES TO US
You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town … … … …
… and this year, more than any other in recent memory, his coming and the hyped-up consumer bonanza that precedes Christmas is louder and more insistent than ever. That’s because we’ve been shut in our homes, prevented from gathering, celebrating and even grieving because of the loss of normality,
The first reading from the prophet Baruch today calls us to “take off your robe of mourning and misery” because although Santa and shopping is getting most of the attention, the One whose coming to us we are celebrating is Jesus – let’s not forget that.
You could replace the beginning of today’s gospel like this … In the second year of the Presidency of Joe Biden, when Xi Jin Ping governed China, Queen Elizabeth II was head of state in Great Britain & Boris Johnson, its Prime Minister; when Jacinda Ardern was Prime Minster of New Zealand and Christopher Luxon was elected to head the Opposition; during the Papacy of Pope Francis I & when Patrick Dunn was the Bishop of Auckland, the word of God came to … … US.
You see - all the stuff of life is going on – the great moments, the incessant wars, the machinery of politics & the ponderous play of power, the madness of consumerism – and almost unnoticed THE WORD OF GOD COMES TO US.
Jesus is coming to town! That means some renovation needs to take place in our lives. The people John the Baptist spoke to needed new direction, new attitudes, new hearts. Who are we to think we don't! Culture and religion become over-concerned with out-dated traditions, meaningless practices, hurtful laws, wrong ideas of God, so that culture & religion become more important than people. So many accepted things need to change.
We celebrate because God is here, working in our midst (1st reading), love and mercy will increase and amid all the clangourous goings-on of life we will be people of perception, able to discern what is of value. (2nd reading)
To paraphrase today’s Psalm (126) We’ve had lots of troubles lately but now is the time for gladness, songs and laughter on our lips, because God has given us JESUS.
R.J.S.
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Advent Prayer and Action
Advent is a Season of Hope. As we move out of a period of stay-at-home orders with Covid-19 a reality in our communities, we are hopeful that all shall be well. In this season when we prepare with hope for the coming of Emmanuel – God with us - all are invited to join a circle of prayer. Prayer for ourselves, our communities, the world. Each morning during Advent everyone is invited to join in prayer at 8.30am on the diocesan Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/aucklandcatholic,
click on
‘Christmas Ever’. Young people from our school communities, representatives from parish and ethnic communities, diocesan staff will lead us in prayer. Then at 10.30 am, each day until 24 December at the same place we will upload an Advent Calendar. Not a digital chocolate but it will open up an Advent Action. A simple way to connect with the Gospel and live the hope of Advent. Please join in!
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We pray for:
We pray for all the sick in our community and those suffering with the Covid virus. Please continue to keep Wendy Hope in your prayers as she continues a slow recovery to restored health.
We pray for the recently deceased including Maria Delores who passed away at Crossley Court on 29 November, David Ferguson, Pat Wotherspoon, Morval Winchester, Keith Thompson and for those whose anniversaries occur around this time.
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Great news!
As Auckland has moved into the Red Traffic Light phase of the Covid Protection Framework, our churches will begin opening up for Mass from Saturday 4 December for a maximum of 100 people who are able to provide evidence that they are fully vaccinated.
The Parish Pastoral Council has developed a plan for the next few weeks, while we are in the Red phase. This plan takes into account that we only have one priest in our parish, and that there are new protocols that need to be followed, particularly the need to check evidence of vaccine status of all who come to Mass. This means we need a team of people to check this at each Mass and the availability of people is limited due to work commitments.
At the Red phase we are not practically able to provide separate Masses for unvaccinated people as gatherings for unvaccinated are limited to a maximum of 10 people.
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Schedule of Masses in the Red Traffic Light phase
Monday: Liturgy of the Word - ZOOM ONLY
Monday to Friday - Mass at St John’s, Orewa – 9.30am - ZOOM ONLY.
Fr Raphael will be available for an hour after the weekday Masses to give Communion in the courtyard. All who participate in this must wear a mask, sanitise their hands, contact trace (either scan or complete a contact tracing slip) and physically distance from others.
Monday to Saturday – Mass at St Francis, Manly – 9.30am -
(celebrated by Fr Peter Gray)
Saturdays: Mass at St John’s, Orewa -9.30am
(available on Zoom also)
Vigil Mass at St John’s, Orewa – 5.30pm
(available on Zoom also)
Sundays: - Mass at St Francis, Manly – 8.30am
Mass at St John’s, Orewa – 10.30am
(available on Zoom also)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88652662763 pwd=VnZEYngxb2VyRWUxbHdkRGpBcXNmQT09
Meeting ID: 886 5266 2763. Passcode: Mass
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Numbers at Mass are limited to 100...
And all people who attend Mass must able to provide proof they are vaccinated.
Please do not be offended if we have to stop you entering when numbers are reached or if you are unable to provide proof of vaccination.
We ask that you attend only one Mass in the weekend, allowing space for others to attend also.
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Guidelines
Reconciliation: Will be available by appointment. Please phone Fr Raphael – 426 5599 Ext. 2.
Receiving Communion during Mass
- Keep you mask on as you process up to receive Communion.
- Communion will only be given in the hand, not by mouth.
- Take the Eucharist back to your seat where you can remove your mask to eat it.
Maintaining Minimal Contact
- Numbers are limited to 100 people per Mass.
- Physical distancing needs to be maintained – every second row of pews has been roped off.
- Families may sit together but there must be a minimum of 2m between different families or groups.
Vaccination Status
- Only vaccinated people are able to attend Mass at the Red Phase.
- Children under 12 are not eligible for vaccination but may attend Mass with a vaccinated adult.
- Each person must show evidence of vaccination – either “My Vaccine Pass” or your original purple vaccine card.
- You will be required to show this evidence each time you attend Mass.
Contact Tracing
- Contact tracing is required for every person attending Mass (including children)
- QR codes are displayed for those with the Government contact tracing App on their phones.
- If you do not have a phone to scan in you must fill in a contact tracing slip and place it in the box provided.
- You might like to bring your own pen.
Mask Wearing
- Masks must be worn inside the church at all times by all people 8 years and older.
Hand Sanitising
- Sanitise your hands as you enter and exit the church.
Stay home if you are unwell
- If you are showing any flu like or Covid symptoms you must stay home.
- If you have had a Covid test you may not attend Mass until you have received a negative result.
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SYNOD
“The purpose of the Synod, and therefore of this consultation, is not to produce documentation, but to plant dreams,
draw forth prophecies and visions, allow hope to be nourished, inspire trust, bind up wounds, weave together relationships,
awaken a dawn of hope, learn from one another, and bright resourcefulness that will enlighten and warm hearts, give strength to our hands.”
(PD32)
For advice, guidance and resources for this stage of the synod people are encouraged to go to the diocesan website.
As more resources are gathered and further information is released it will be uploaded.
https://www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/synod/.
If you would like to get involved in a parish discussion group, please email Theresa
at hbcparish@xtra.co.nz.
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Thank You
Dear Parish Family,
Thank you for all your wonderful prayers, flowers and cards.
A special thank you to our St Francis Coordinating Committee who came and supported me as soon as they knew that my precious husband, David, had passed away.
A special thanks to Fr Ron, who conducted the small service in our home, due to Covid rules and lack of Zoom facilities at St Francis.
Having been given a prognosis of 9 months last year, through all of your prayers, his cancer stabilised and I had him for another 12 months until 2 weeks ago, when the Angels came and took him up to heaven on our wedding anniversary.
Again, my thanks and blessings to all of you,
Glenys Ferguson.
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Calling all Artists, Crafters and Hobbyists!
If you a busy making beautiful art or knitting or photos during lockdown but aren't sure what to do with all your beautiful product? We are aiming for an art Auction in the summer, to raise funds for families hit hard by lockdown.
No date yet as we need it to be safe, but now is your chance to donate your wonderful creations and potentially give purpose to your work.
So keep on creating, and know that at the other end it will help people in need.
If you need more information or have questions contact Claire on 09 4204045 or cmbuckley76@gmail.com
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Feed the Need
Thanks to your generous donations we have contributed $2300.00 dollars of fruit and veggies to Love Soup to include in their weekly food parcels
Handed out to the vulnerable in the Hibiscus Coast community. This is in lieu of the funds we would have spent on our monthly lunches. At this time, this is the most effective solution that aligns to our mission to provide “Meals that Matter” and fresh food to "Feed the Need", in the safest way we can as a parish.
Thank you for your donations which have enabled us to continue our outreach. If you would like to support the addition of fruit and vegetables to the food parcels, you can donate to Hibiscus Coast Parish bank
A/C # 02 0100 0120966 017 reference Serving Spoons.
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Projectionists needed
Projectionists needed for the Sunday 8.30am Mass at St Francis Church. The system is easy to use and training will be provided.
Everything is set-up, you simply click the mouse! Rosters are prepared quarterly and if we have enough, the commitment would be once a month or less. Please contact Julia Macuja, 021 088 7629.
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FREE OFFER!!!!
- 1 X Queen bed base, mattress and duvet
- 2 x King single bed bases with mattresses and duvets
- 1 x 9-Drawer lowboy
If you know of a family or person that could benefit from one or all of these items, please email Fr Kevin Murphy at kevin.murphy@logos.org.nz to arrange collection.
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The Great Diocesan Christmas Quiz Sunday 5 Dec, 7pm
Back by popular demand! After having such a blast at our first quiz night, we’re back with another opportunity to win up to $500 for your parish school or faith community. Grab your best Christmas outfit and join us for another night of trivia-filled fun!
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87540912405
https://www.facebook.com/AKCYM
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Christmas Cards, Daily Mass Calendars and Columban Calendars
We will not be selling Christmas cards in the church foyers this year.
Parishioner Anne Pretorius at Never Ending Books, Shop 4, The Village, 1 Moenui Avenue, Orewa will be selling cards on our behalf. Her supply has arrived and cards will be on sale from $1.00 to $2.50 each, as well as packs of eight for $4.50 or $5.00 dependent on size. While shopping for cards you may even find some ideal Christmas gifts for family and friends or purchase your copy of
God’s Word 2022.
Our supply of daily Mass calendars has arrived and will be on sale for $3 at Never Ending Books. When the churches open, they will be on sale in the parish office and after the Sunday Masses.
We are still waiting for our Columban calendars to arrive.
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Nominations for Tu Kahikatea Awards 2021 are now open
Do you know a young person aged 35 years or younger who has made an outstanding contribution to ministry for more than 3 years? Nominate them for a Tu Kahikatea Award by visiting our website
www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/acym/tu-kahikatea-awards/.
Nominations close 15 December.
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St John’s College Hamilton
Calling St John’s Old Boys from 1962-65 St John’s College Hamilton is inviting our very first pupils to a special 60th celebration on 2 February 2022. Please help us connect with those Old Boys that started at our new College from 1962 – 1965. More information is on the College website to register your interest, or please phone us at the Office with your contact details.
www.stjohns-hamilton.school.nz or Phone 07 856 7091.
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TODAY'S GIGGLES
Very serious
A doctor answers a call from one of his colleagues.
"We need a fourth for poker," said the friend.
"I'll be right over," whispered the doctor.
As he was putting on his coat, his wife asked, "Is it serious?"
"Oh yes, very serious," said the doctor gravely. "There are three doctors there already."
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Exercise
The room was full of pregnant women with their husbands.
The instructor said, "Ladies, remember that exercise is good for you. Walking is especially beneficial. Just pace yourself, make plenty of stops and try to stay on a soft surface like grass or a path. Gentlemen, remember -- you're in this together. It wouldn't hurt you to go walking with her. In fact, that shared experience would be good for you both."
The room suddenly became very quiet as the men absorbed this information.
After a few moments a man, at the back of the room, slowly raised his hand.
"Yes?" said the Instructor.
"Would it be all right if she carries a golf bag while we walk?"
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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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