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1st Sunday of Advent
27 November 2022
Readings
This Sunday:
Isaiah 2:1-5 : Psalm 122: Romans 13:11-14 : Matthew 24:37-44
Next Sunday:
Isaiah 11:1-10 : Psalm 72 : Romans 15:4-9 : Matthew 3:1-12
NEWSLETTER
This week in the parish....
| Mon 28 | 10.15am | Bible study group, St John’s Chapel |
| | 7.15pm | Bible study group on Zoom |
| | 7.30pm | Meditation group, St Francis |
| Tues 29 | 7.00pm | Alpha course, St John’s Hall |
| Wed 30 | 1.00pm | Indoor Bowls, Hall |
| | 5.30pm | Meditation – Zoom meeting |
| | 7.15pm | Healing the Family Tree, St John’s Hall |
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Reflection
Advent at Stella Maris sees many old and a few new traditions revisited this year. Each class has an Advent wreath and uses these daily in class prayers. The colour purple adorns prayer focus areas signifying a time of prayer, penance and sacrifice. We explore the Liturgical Calendar and learn how the colour purple is used in times of waiting in the Church’s year.
Classes learn how we can prepare for the coming of Emmanuel, God with us. Some year groups explore the many people who waited and prepared for the birth of our Saviour. Many classes have, in the past, created Jesse trees and this year as a school we contribute in the creation of a school wide Jesse tree. This can be seen in our Main Atrium at school and will be added to each day by individual classes. A Nativity scene is erected in our main atrium to remind us of Jesus’ humble beginnings and how our “King of Kings” became fully human.
Junior classes have begun to prepare for our annual Nativity show on 13 December. The true meaning of Christmas guides our learning through our last month at Stella Maris and we know that the Joy of Christmas will be found when we have prepared properly.
Almighty God, fulfil our desire and kindle our hearts by your Spirit, that being filled with the oil of your grace, we may shine as bright lights at the coming of your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Karl Hobman
Stella Maris Director of Religious Studies
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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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Newly baptised
We congratulate and welcome our newly baptised into our parish family:
Noah Ponzoni,
Millie Bradford,
Sean Liava’a,
Lilian Liava’a and
Tiernan Liava’a.
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PLANTS PLANTS PLANTS!
Next Sunday 5 December, Fr Ron will bring a variety of plants – roses, shrubs, annuals – to the 8.30 Mass – all seeking a home in your gardens.
You might find something for a Christmas present to beautify someone else’s garden!
Donations will go to the World Youth Day appeal.
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Christmas Midnight Mass:
We are needing a Mass Coordinator and Minister of the Word for this Mass.
Please contact Theresa in the parish office if you are available.
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We pray for:
We pray for all the sick in our community, particularly for Biju Joseph, Judy George, Wendy Hope, Norma Wright, Bill McCloughen and Jennifer Murray and for those with ongoing illnesses.
We pray for the recently deceased including Pauline Wilson, Alf Johnson, Anne Janssen and Ian Thompson.
We pray too for those whose anniversaries occur at this time.
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Mass for the Anointing of the Sick
Your are invited to a Mass for the Anointing of the Sick on Saturday 10 December, 9.30am at St John’s Church, Orewa.
The Sacrament of Anointing is offered to parishioners who are seriously sick, frail, or about to undergo surgery or approaching death.
At the conclusion of Mass you are encouraged to stay for a light morning tea with other parishioners and visitors in the hall. Please offer a lift to anyone you know who may like to attend and requires transport.
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Final meeting for the year
The Prayer Group will hold its final meeting for the year on Wednesday 7 December in the hall.
We invite all parishioners to join us for Christmas carols and a festive supper from 7.15pm-9pm.
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Many thanks
Many thanks to the students, parents and staff of Stella Maris School for their very generous donations of food and other items for the Care and Share foodbank.
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FOR SALE:
Columban and daily Mass Calendars on sale in the parish office for $12 and $3 and also at Never Ending Books, Shop 4, The Village, Moenui Ave, Orewa.
Anne Pretorius also has editions of ‘’God’s Word 2023’ on sale for $24.99 and a variety of Christmas cards.
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 Headlines from the latest
issue of NZ Catholic:
- Otara school celebrates opening of new buildings.
- New Catholic Maori Group meets with Bishops.
- Liturgical formation of the People of God in NZ
www.nzcatholic.org.nzNZ Catholic Newspaper - $4.00
Get yours at the back of the church
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Christmas Hamper Appeal:
Thank you to all those taking part in the Christmas Hamper appeal.
A reminder that hampers need to be delivered to St. John’s or St. Francis’ on Saturday / Sunday 3 / 4 December.
Don’t forget to attach the profile sheets securely to the hampers.
If for any reason you cannot make up a hamper or deliver it on time, please contact Ken, at 427-9106 so that alternative arrangements can be made.
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Rite II Reconciliation
Advent Rite II Reconciliation at St John’s, Orewa, 13 December, 7pm.
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Sacramental Programme:
If you would like to assist the team with the 2023 programme as a catechist for the children, a catechist or leader for the parents or to assist with any administration tasks, please email Farren Coetzee:farrengcoetzee@gmail.com
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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.
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Marriage & Family Life ....
Would like to invite to you consider becoming Marriage Educators.
If you have 2 hours a fortnight and are passionate about helping engaged couples prepare for marriage and have been married for 5 years or more, please contact Gerry, 021 0224 7442.
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Our HBC Spotlight...
This week is on our team of counters who volunteer their time on Monday mornings on a rostered basis to count the Sunday and ‘Special’ collections and prepare the funds for banking. Our thanks to Terry Cochrane, Cathie Nicol, Kevin Farrell, Sylvia Erceg, Eric Jones, Mel Westcott, Jan Segedin, Tony McElwee and Ann Bezzina.
Many of you have been doing this task for a number of years and we appreciate your commitment.
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The Youth Group....
Will be participating in ‘A Very Coastie Christmas Market’ on 4 December, 11am-3pm at Whangaparaoa College.
We will be selling a bunch of Christmas gifts so come along to support us!
We will also be holding a free Community Lunch on Sunday 11 December at St John's Hall after 10.30am Mass. This is our thanks to the parish community that have been supporting our fundraising efforts.
Please feel free to invite others along, especially if you know someone who might need some company or a warm meal.
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Accommodation needed:
A mature quiet 47 year old male looking for a granny flat or unit in the Hibiscus coast has relocated from Northland for work in Waimauku.
Looking for a new beginning anywhere from Orewa, Silverdale, Red Beach to Kumeu. Happy to pay up to $400.
Contact 022 352 7213 if you have any questions.
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Moved ...
If you have moved home, changed your telephone or email address kindly email your changed details to Theresa in the parish office, HBC Parish
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For Rent
The Old Presbytery, Puhoi:
5 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, separate lounge, separate kitchen/dining.
High ceilings, 2 wood burners and rural views. Fully insulated.
Outside is a carport and lawned, unfenced gardens.
Situated in peaceful, beautiful Puhoi, this property will tick many boxes.
A short walk to church and school buses to Carmel, Rosmini, Stella Maris etc from the shop.
Rural living but very close to motorway on-ramps to the City or Northern Highway.
Cats considered but no dogs please.
Rent includes lawn mowing & firewood.
Click the link for full details
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/property/residential/rent/auckland/rodney/puhoi/listing/3732114566
Join our Catholic community
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TODAY'S GIGGLES
Fly Identification Methods
A woman walked into the kitchen to find her husband stalking around with a fly swatter. “What are you doing?” she asked
“Hunting flies.”
“Oh. Killing any?” she asked.
“Yep, three males, two females,” he replied.
Intrigued, she asked, “How can you tell them apart?”
He responded, “Three were on a beer can, two were on the phone.”
This story takes place on a golf course.
A man is getting ready to tee off on the first hole when a second player approaches and asks if he can join him. The first says that he usually plays alone but agrees to let the second guy join him.
Both are even after the first couple of holes. The second guy says, "Say, we're about evenly matched, how about we play for five bucks a hole?"
The first man says that he usually plays alone and doesn't like to bet but agrees to the terms. Well, the second guy wins the rest of the holes and as they're walking off of the eighteenth hole, and while counting his $80.00, he confesses that he's the pro at a neighboring course and likes to pick on suckers.
The first man reveals that he's the Parish Priest at the local church, to which the second man gets all flustered and apologetic and offers to give the priest back his money.
The priest says, "No, no. You won fair and square and I was foolish to bet with you. You keep your winnings."
The pro says, "Well, is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"
The priest says, "Well, you could come to Mass on Sunday and make a donation. Then, if you bring your mother and father by after Mass, I'll marry them for you!"
Pie Day or Not
A man walks into a restaurant with a pie on his head.
Waiter: "Why are you wearing a pie on your head?"
Man: "It's a family tradition. We always wear pies on our heads on Wednesday."
Waiter: "But today is Tuesday."
Man: "Oh, damn it! I must look like a total idiot."
Read this interesting article - click here
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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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