Our Lady of the Mission

Whitford Parish - 22nd December 2024

This Sunday is: The Fourth Sunday of Advent - Year C1

Next Sunday is: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Message from Fr Cyp

Greetings and welcome; parishioners and visitors!

Fr Francis and I warmly welcome you here at Our Lady of the Mission, Whitford Parish; parishioners and visitors alike. We pray and hope that you feel truly safe and at home in this our place of prayer, worship and personal encounter with our risen Lord. May the Holy Spirit ever pray in us more than we can ever imagine and bind us together in the love of our Heavenly Father. Over the past fifty years, Whitford Catholic Parish remains home to over seventy nationalities represented by our parishioners and frequent visitors. We take pride in our young people; those in our parish primary and secondary schools, those enrolled in our Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) and our parish youth group. They are not just our future Church but a vital part of our Church today and now. We value these our young people and endeavor to have their voices heard at every level of our administrative and pastoral engagements. We are ever grateful to the many individuals and groups that volunteer in various ministries of our parish life. To one and all, know that you are valued and appreciated in your own right. We cannot be what we are without you. A special mention to all those who in various ways were instrumental in the brainstorming, planning and celebration of our parish’s Golden Jubilee. 20th October 2024 was marked with great joy by all; thanks to the love of God, your prayers, kind counsel and practical support. We can truly look forward to the years ahead with great confidence and meaningful hope. As always, Fr. Francis and I thank one and all of you for your ongoing prayers, concern, encouragement and support. Rest assured of our daily thoughts and prayers. We entrust you and yours, into the powerful intercessions of our Blessed Virgin Mother of Good counsel, and into those of St Joseph, patron of the universal Church.

Fr Cyprian M Shikokoti - PP.

Reconciliation Times

Saturdays 5.00pm - 6.00pm

Prayer of the Week

Lord, make us turn to you. May we be ready to receive you and share your love.

Readings

Introduction:

As we prepare for the coming of the Word made flesh, let us with Mary magnify the Lord, who has done great things for us.

First Reading Micah 5:2-5a

God’s people will find peace when a new shepherd is born in Bethlehem, home of the line of David.

Second Reading Hebrews 10:5-10

The birth of Christ saves us in a way that a religious system never can.

Gospel Luke 1:39-45 [46-55]

Mary and Elizabeth rejoice in the miraculous births that will change the world.

Antiphon to the Psalm:

Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Death & Anniversary

Please offer your prayers this week for Joan Mullins, Emma Tessenshon, Fr Walter McNamara, Rosalino Chia, Julie Cheng, Emile Cheng, all souls in purgatory, those doctors, nurses and carers who have died while helping victims of accidents, disease and warfare, our recently departed loved ones and those whose anniversaries occur around this time.

Stewardship Corner

The Gospel today tells of the Virgin Mary, pregnant herself, hurrying off to help her cousin Elizabeth. The model of good stewardship, she who had given herself to bear the Savior gave her time and love to others as well.

New Parishioner to our Parish?

We would love to meet you. Please introduce yourself to our priests Fr. Cyp and Fr Francis. Pick up a Parish census card from one of our priests or the information desk, once received a welcome pack will be sent to you.

PARISH NOTICES

Our Lady of the Mission, Whitford Parish offers the Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) for children who are attending Non-Catholic Schools from PP / Year One through to Year Six.

PREP is a comprehensive developmental and sequential religious education program mandated by the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth and includes the preparation of children to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist & Confirmation.

Enrolment for PREP 2025 is now open. PREP classes are held every Thursday from 3.45 pm to 5.00 pm during school terms throughout the year, & begins on Thursday, 6th February, 2025.

Enrolment Forms are available at the Church Foyer and Parish Office. Please submit the completed enrolment form to the Parish Office before 23rd January, 2025. For more information, kindly contact the Sacramental Coordinator on 9307 2776 or email sacramental.whitford@perthcatholic.org.au

1. Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB 2024 Christmas Message: Please pick up the Archbishop’s Christmas message from the information desk or visit https://www.perthcatholic.org.au/Our_Archdiocese-Archbishop-Latest_News-2024-Christmas_2024_Message.htm

2. Parish Monthly Healing Mass: Our next Healing Mass will be next Saturday, 28th December 2024. Please plan to join us for prayer and anointing of the sick. Remember to invite your family and friends to come along.

3. Parish Office closure for Christmas and New Year: Please be advised, our parish office will be closed for Christmas from 4.00pm on Tuesday, 24th December 2024; resuming at 9.00am on Tuesday, 14th January 2025. You are most welcome to contact Fr Cyprian and or Fr Francis with any urgent matters during this time. Contact details are on the front page of parish newsletter and on our parish website.

4. New Parish Office Arrangements: From January 2025, parish office will be open four days a week; 9.00am – 4.00pm Tuesday to Friday. The office will be closed on Mondays. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

5. Website and E-Newsletter: Our new Parish Website is now up and running. Please refer to www.whitfordcatholicparish.net for all Parish information, including Mass times. Also, please remember to subscribe to our Parish e-newsletter. This can be done through our website or by emailing the Parish office whitford@perthcatholic.org.au.

6. Glory Be Café Needs your HELP!: We are seeking more volunteers for our Glory Be Café. If you can spare some time on a Sunday morning at 8am to help setup and serve for the café please contact the Parish office – whitford@perthcatholic.org.au.

7. Overseas Mission: Thank you to all those that supported the Overseas Mission raffle. All proceeds go to help an overseas mission, your generosity is greatly appreciated.

8.

8. St Vincent de Paul: We have also installed an EPTPOS (tap and go) donation

terminal near the poor box to allow electronic contributions for local people in need! It operates in the same way as those used to support our priests and parish.'

9. Eucharist Adoration: Please be aware that Eucharistic Adoration will close for the Christmas period from Friday 29th November 7.00pm 2024.and will again resume on Wednesday 15th January 2025 at 9.30am.

10. World Youth Day (WYD) 2027: We are taking expression of interest from all those who may consider joining our parish for WYD in Seoul, South Korea in 2027. Contact persons are Claire Neill 0450 927 575 / claireneill74@gmail.com or Fr Cyprian 0450 464 678 / Cyprian.Shikokoti@perthcatholic.org.au

11. LINE DANCING: will resume Tuesday 14th January 2024. End of year Christmas party on the 17th Dec, bring a plate to share and join in the Christmas celebrations. See you there.

12. The Word Among Us: NOW AVAILABLE – ADVENT EDITION. Spend just 10 minutes a day with The Word Among Us, and you will learn how to love God, others and self. Available from the back of the Church and the Parish Office at a cost of $5. Let us embrace God’s Word and listen to Him.

13. Pastoral visits: Weekly pastoral visits conducted by Fathers Cyprian and Francis can be made by invitation to our sick and home-bound parishioners. On their visits, they bring prayer, sacraments of Reconciliation, Anointing of the sick, Holy Communion; and certainly, a listening ear. Please call one of our priests should you benefit or know somebody who would benefit from such a visit. Contact numbers on front of newsletter. Thank you.

14. Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help: will break for Christmas on Tuesday 17 December and start again on Tuesday 7 January, 2025.

15. The Divine Mercy Ministry: The members of this Ministry pray for the sick and the dying. Please send names of family and friends, if you want them to be lifted up in prayer, via text or message to 0410 289 725.

16. The Divine Mercy Chaplet and Prayers: are recited each Saturday in our Church at the 8.00am Mass after benediction. All welcome!

17. The First-Class Relic of St Mariae Goretti: Parishioners may take the Reliquary to their homes. Please call the office 9307 2776 or Shirley-Ann 0424 813 890 to make enquiries and book.

18. Your Collections: Thank you for your continued contribution and support to the Parish and Priests. 1st Collection: Supports our Priests. 2nd Collection: Supports our Church. To contribute Direct Debit: Presbytery A/C (1st Collection) A/C#14027 5567, BSB# 086 006. Church A/C (2ndCollection) A/C# 66579 4722, BSB# 086 006. Planned giving contributions can also be made through envelopes or direct debit, please contact the Parish office: whitford@perthcatholic.org.au. Thank you.

19. Padbury Catholic Primary School: APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN. Contact the school for further information.

20. Whitford Catholic Primary School: APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN. To apply, please visit https://whitfordcatholicps.wa.edu.au/apply-online/.

YOUTH NEWS

Youth News

1. 24:7 Whitford Parish Youth Group: Youth group gatherings are now closed for Christmas break and will resume in 2025. Sincere thanks to our youth leaders Calen and Jasmine. For any information regarding our group gatherings please contact Caleb on 0409 682 923 and Jasmine on 0480 179 390.

2. Road to Emmaus Youth Group: Meet every Thursday 7.30-9.00pm. For ages 16-22. Contact Eliza for details: 0402 642 887.

ROSTERS 28th & 29th DECEMBER 2024

NEWSLETTER NOTICES DEADLINE: Wednesday at 12pm Noon.

RELIGIOUS GOODS STALL: Jenny Marcelino/ Pat Nerva/ Alice Espiritu/ Pam Thompson.

PROCLAIMERS OF THE WORD: Gisela Boston & Rachel Boston/ Trish Smith & Anne Dale/ Hayley Sheppard & Carol Wright/ Anne Couzens & Sarah Headd.

COUNTERS: Sunday 5th January 2025: Tammy Murray/ Michael Chiera/ Lisa Zscherpel/ Ian Cutler.

CLEANERS: Saturday 28th December 2024: Tarsha Malone/ Christian Philogene/ Rhonda Sloan/ Kelly Giannasi/ Helen Gormley.

GLORY BE CAFÉ: Sunday 29th December 8.00am: NO CAFÉ.

SPECIAL MINISTERS: Linda Sweeney & Yolanta Gagatek/ Chris Knox & Niamh Waters/ Corina Gill, Myriam Torres & Jesse Bouwman/ Sharon Milne & Sally Paice.

STATUE OF FATIMA: The Statue will be with the Nerva family in Padbury from 21st December – 1st January 2025. Those wishing to join them to say the Rosary can 0432 022 550 to arrange.

BAPTISMS: We welcome Elle O’Brien, James Hanley and Enda Boyle into God’s family this weekend.

DEVOTION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS: Is held on the first Friday of every month during 9.00 am Mass. The next Devotion will be on Friday 3rd January 2025.

EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT: Adoration is held every Wednesday & Friday from 9.30 am – 7 pm.

PRAY FOR THE SICK: We pray for all those in our Parish’s Book of the Sick. You are most welcome to add names to this book in the foyer of the Church. Please cross out when our prayers are no longer needed.

GENERAL NOTICES

1.Reconciliation Times at Surrounding Parishes:

St Simon Peter, Ocean Reef: Tuesday & Friday, 6.30pm/ Saturday, After 8.30am Mass & 5pm – 5.45pm

St Anthony, Wanneroo: Saturday, 4.30pm – 5pm

St Lukes, Woodvale: Saturday, 5pm – 5.50pm

All Saints, Greenwood: Saturday, 9.30am – 10am & 5.30pm – 5.45pm

Our Lady of Grace, North Beach: Saturday, 5 pm – 5.45 pm.

2. Fr Vinh Dong will be taking a group to Vietnam and Cambodia from 25th March to 14th April 2025. Those who wish to join please contact Fr Vinh on 0422422773 or vinh.dong@perthcatholic.org.au

3. Jubilee Year 2025 Place of Grace and Pilgrimage -Schoenstatt Shrine: All Catholics are encouraged during the Jubilee Year 2025 to undertake a Pilgrimage. In the Archdiocese of Perth, the Schoenstatt Shrine at Mt Richon has been designated as a place of Grace and Pilgrimage. Schoenstatt means a beautiful place. The Schoenstatt shrine is nestled among an expanse of grounds and natural bushland, providing an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. The mission of the Schoenstatt Marian Movement is to bring the presence of Christ to all we meet, discovering God’s love in every person, in all creation and in every event of our lives. To arrange a parish or individual pilgrimage during 2025 please contact Sr Lisette on 0400 234 910. To start the Jubilee Year why not come to our New Year’s Eve Midnight Mass on the 31 December at the

Schoenstatt Shrine, 9 Talus Drive, Mt Richon. Adoration & Reflection will commence at 10.30pm, followed by Holy Mass and fellowship.

4. Flame Ministries International 35th Annual Congress: 'LIBERTY!' John XX111 College, Mt Claremont, Fri-Sun 17-19 Jan 2025. With guest Speaker Fr Joseph Laundy, Cyrus D'Sousa FMI sessions: Sat & Sun 9am-5pm. For info contact fmi@flameministries.org

READINGS AT MASS: The Fourth Sunday of Advent - C1

First reading: Micah 5:1-4

He will stand and feed his flock with the power of the Lord

The Lord says this: But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, the least of the clans of Judah, out of you will be born for me the one who is to rule over Israel; his origin goes back to the distant past, to the days of old. The Lord is therefore going to abandon them till the time when she who is to give birth gives birth. Then the remnant of his brothers will come back to the sons of Israel. He will stand and feed his flock with the power of the Lord, with the majesty of the name of his God. They will live secure, for from then on he will extend his power to the ends of the land. He himself will be peace.

-----------------------

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 79(80):2-3,15-16,18-19

Response: Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

O shepherd of Israel, hear us, shine forth from your cherubim throne. O Lord, rouse up your might, O Lord, come to our help. R.

God of hosts, turn again, we implore, look down from heaven and see. Visit this vine and protect it, the vine your right hand has planted. R.

May your hand be on the man you have chosen, the man you have given your strength. And we shall never forsake you again; give us life that we may call upon your name. R.

-----------------------

Second reading: Hebrews 10:5-10

God, here I am! I am coming to obey your will

This is what Christ said, on coming into the world: You who wanted no sacrifice or oblation, prepared a body for me. You took no pleasure in holocausts or sacrifices for sin; then I said, just as I was commanded in the scroll of the book, ‘God, here I am! I am coming to obey your will.’ Notice that he says first: You did not want what the Law lays down as the things to be offered, that is: the sacrifices, the oblations, the holocausts and the sacrifices for sin, and you took no pleasure in them; and then he says: Here I am! I am coming to obey your will. He is abolishing the first sort to replace it with the second. And this will was for us to be made holy by the offering of his body made once and for all by Jesus Christ.

-----------------------

Gospel Acclamation: Luke 1:38

Alleluia, alleluia! I am the servant of the Lord: may his will for me be done. Alleluia!

-----------------------

Gospel Reading: Luke 1:39-45

Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord?

Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’

.

PRAYER FOR OUR PARISH FAMILIES

Blessed are you Lord God maker of the universe, and Father to us all. You have made us your children; a part of your family, and have allowed us to call you Father. Bless us all in this special time of patient waiting, contemplation on your Son’s joyful nativity and so grant us a meaningful Christmas. Fill our families and homes with the spirit of love, with the obedience of faith, and the strength of hope. May our lives always find joy, peace and fulfillment in your love and service. Bless us and all our loved ones with good health and the knowledge that you are always there for us in our hour of need. Grant us your love and assure us a loving welcome into your eternal home one day. We praise your name and ask these blessings through Christ our Lord. Amen.

POPE FRANCIS' REFLECTION

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good morning!

The liturgy of this Fourth Sunday of Advent focuses on the figure of Mary, the Virgin Mother, expecting the birth of Jesus, the Saviour of the world. Let us fix our gaze upon her, a model of faith and of charity; and we can ask ourselves: what were her thoughts in the months while she was expecting? The answer comes precisely from today’s Gospel passage, the narrative of Mary’s visit to her elderly relative Elizabeth (cf. Lk 1:39-45). The Angel Gabriel had revealed that Elizabeth was expecting a son and was already in her sixth month (cf. Lk 1:26, 36). So the Virgin, who had just conceived Jesus by the power of God, set out with haste for Nazareth, in Galilee, to reach the mountains of Judea, and visit her cousin.

The Gospel states: “she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth” (v. 40). Surely she congratulated her on her maternity, as in turn Elizabeth congratulated Mary, saying: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (vv. 42-43). And she immediately lauds Mary’s faith: “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord” (v. 45). The contrast is obvious between Mary, who had faith, and Zechariah, Elizabeth’s husband, who doubted, and did not believe the angel’s promise and therefore is left dumb until John’s birth. It is a contrast.

This episode helps us to interpret the mystery of man’s encounter with God in a very special light. An encounter that is not characterized by astonishing miracles, but rather, is characterized by faith and charity. Indeed, Mary is blessed because she believed: the encounter with God is the fruit of faith. Zechariah, however, who doubted and did not believe, was left deaf and dumb. To grow in faith during the long silence: without faith one remains inevitably deaf to the consoling voice of God; and incapable of speaking words of consolation and hope to our brothers and sisters. We see it every day: when people who have no faith, or who have very little faith, have to approach a person who is suffering, they speak words suited to the occasion, but they do not manage to touch the heart because they have no strength. They have no strength because they have no faith, and if they have no faith they do not find the words that can touch others’ hearts. Faith, in its turn, is nourished by charity. The Evangelist recounts that “Mary arose and went with haste” (v. 39) to Elizabeth: with haste, not with distress, not anxiously, but with haste, in peace. “She arose”: a gesture full of concern. She could have stayed at home to prepare for the birth of her son, but instead she takes care of others before herself, showing through her deeds that she is already a disciple of that Lord whom she carries in her womb. The event of Jesus’ birth began in this way, with a simple gesture of charity; after all, authentic charity is always the fruit of God’s love.

The Gospel passage about Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, which we heard at Mass today, prepares us to experience Christmas properly, by communicating to us the dynamism of faith and charity. This dynamism is the work of the Holy Spirit: the Spirit of Love who made Mary’s virginal womb fruitful and who spurred her to hasten to the service of her elderly relative. A dynamism full of joy, as seen in the encounter between the two mothers, which is entirely a hymn of joyful exultation in the Lord, who does great things with the little ones who trust in him.

May the Virgin Mary obtain for us the grace to experience an ‘extroverted’ Christmas, but not a scattered one: extroverted. May our ‘I’ not be at the centre, but rather the ‘You’ of Jesus and the ‘you’ of brothers and sisters, especially of those who need a hand. Then we will leave room for the Love that, even today, seeks to become flesh and to come to dwell in our midst.

SAFEGUARDING

Our Lady of the Mission Whitford Parish acknowledges that safeguarding is a shared responsibility prioritising the care, protection and best interests of children and adults at risk.

By providing a safe environment, actively identifying and managing risk, and complying with the Safeguarding policy, guidelines and legal obligations, we serve Jesus and uphold human dignity as the foundation of our faith. We aim for our parish to be safe, welcoming, and inclusive.

Our Parish is committed to implementing the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (NCSS). We annually undertake a self-assessment (Safeguarding Activities Assessment Tool – SAAT) to continuously improve and monitor the implementation of the NCSS.

You can find out more about the safeguarding program, guidelines, find helpful resources, and protective behaviours resources and story books here: https://safeguarding.perthcatholic.org.au/

Our Safeguarding Officers

Safeguarding officers assist to create a safe environment for all. They are the first point of contact for any safeguarding concerns and support the implementation of the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards. See poster in Church for contact details. Safeguarding Officers: Andrea Clemente: 0405 116 810 and Renee Itzstein: 0413 225 560.

Safeguarding Induction for all Church Workers

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has broadened safeguarding to include adults at risk. ALL church workers (volunteers or paid) are to complete a Safeguarding Level 1 Induction which is now a Self-Paced Online Learning Module that can be completed at any time, once every 3 years. Please visit: Safeguarding Training and Registration – Safeguarding Office (perthcatholic.org.au)

Safeguarding Forms and Policy:

Forms, Safeguarding policy and code of conduct can be found on the Safeguarding website, at the Parish Office or in one of the Safeguarding folders in the Church – Sacristy, Robing room or information desk.

Reporting Abuse

If you have concerns about the safety and well-being of a child or adult within the context of the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth or wish to report abuse, you can:

· Contact the Safeguarding Officer

· Submit a Safeguarding Concern Report Form https://safeguarding.perthcatholic.org.au/

· Call the Safeguarding Program Office on (08) 9221 7762.

Other Useful Information

Safeguarding Commitment Statement: Use the following link to view the Safeguarding Commitment statement - Commitment Statement – Safeguarding Office (perthcatholic.org.au)

Safeguarding Handbook: Safeguarding_Handbook.pdf (perthcatholic.org.au)

Safeguarding Prayer: Safeguarding Prayer (perthcatholic.org.au)

Role of Safeguarding Officer: Please find description on page 4 of the handbook