1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

St Anthony’s Parish Picton
Bargo – Balmoral – Buxton – Couridjah –
Douglas Park – Lakesland – Menangle –
Picton – Pheasants Nest – Tahmoor –
Thirlmere – Wilton – Yanderra
—————————————————————
Parish Priest : Father John Ho
20 Stratford Road, Tahmoor NSW 2573.
THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH —YEAR B
Parish Bulletin
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON:
The shepherds went in haste, and found Mary and Joseph and the Infant
lying in a manager.
FIRST READING: Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3
A reading from the book of Genesis
Your own son shall be your heir.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM:
The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
SECOND READING Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19
A reading from the letter to the Hebrews
The faith of Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac.
Sunday 28 December 2014
WEEKEND MASS TIMES:
St Anthony’s Church - Tahmoor
Saturday Vigil - 6.00 pm
Sunday - 7.30am & 9.30am
WEEKDAY MASS TIMES:
Tuesday5.30 pm—Tahmoor
Wednesday- 8.00 am—Tahmoor
Thursday9.00 am—Tahmoor
Mary, the Holy Mother of God
New Years Day
Friday9.30 am—Picton
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION:
Alleluia, alleluia!
In the past God spoke to our fathers through the prophets;
now he speaks to us through his Son.
Alleluia!
Reconciliation (Confession)
Saturday 5.15– 5.45 pm Tahmoor and before
Sunday masses
GOSPEL: Luke 2:22-40
The child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom.
Adoration: Tuesday
1st Tuesday
COMMUNION ANTIPHON:
Our God has appeared on the earth, and lived among us.
St Patrick’s Church—Menangle
6.00 pm Mass on the First Sunday of the month.
NEXT WEEKS READINGS:
THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD-YEAR B
Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12
Second Saturday of the Month
Arabic Mass—4.00 pm Tahmoor
4.30pm—5.15pm
9.00am-9.45am
Douglas Park—Sunday 9.00am Mass
SCRIPTURE QUESTIONS
1.
Do you recognize Jesus in
your daily life, like Simeon
did?
2.
What do you think family life
was like for Jesus, Mary &
Joseph?
3.
How is Jesus present in your
family?
4.
How can we share with
others the presence of Jesus
in our family?
OFFICE HOURS
Tuesday - Friday
9.00a.m. - 3.00p.m.
Parish Phone 4683 2230
Fr John’s Mobile 0408 671920
Parish Fax: 4683 2248
Email: picton@dow.org.au
Website: www.stanthonyspicton.org.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Pictonparish
STEWARDSHIP CORNER
In our daily lives, we manage our
family and work responsibilities.
But to become occupied with these
important matters to the exclusion of
the need of others outside our home
or work, is a mistake we could carry
into eternity.
VISION STATEMENT:
As Members of St Anthony’s Parish, we share the
responsibility of building up the spiritual and material welfare of our community by promoting
God’s values of love, justice and peace and extending this message of goodwill beyond our immediate boundaries.
MORNING TEA 7.30 am next week:
9.30 am next week:
OUR PARISH WELCOMES :
rishioners.
L & L Farrell
D & R James & Carmel
All our visitors and new pa-
DIARY DATES:

Thursday 1 January 2015, New Years Day, mass
9.00 am at Tahmoor
PRAY WITH THE POPE IN JANUARY
We pray that those from diverse religious traditions and all people of good will may work
together for peace. We also pray that in this
year dedicated to consecrated life, religious
men and women may rediscover the joy of
following Christ and strive to serve the poor
with zeal. Amen
PRAY FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED:
Lord grant them eternal peace & joy and to their families
and friends strength and comfort
RECENTLY DECEASED: Jeanette Hanley, Vera O’Mara
ANNIVERSARY: Pat Foldes, Mona & Jack Waters, Robert
Oakes,
MEMORIAL: Maria Tran thi Men, Maria Nguyen thi Tho, Joseph Nguyen van Bo.
PRAY FOR THE SICK: Ian Macnamara, Stephanie Macnamara, Barba Asplet, Fr David Catteral, Alma Reynolds,
Barry Smith, Jim Matthews, Elizabeth Linsell,
GREETERS:
THIS WEEK
Vigil:
T Monro-King
A & A Ferrara
J Coughlan
NEXT WEEK
G Mason
M McGrath
S Porter
A Cox
A & D Ingrey
READERS:
THIS WEEK
NEXT WEEK
Vigil:
S De Zilva
C McSweeney
J Maher
E Wright
Z Olegario
B Nolan
G Hanger
P Coughlan
O Upton
P Wyatt
7.30 am
9.30 am
7.30 am
9.30 am
THIS WEEK
7.30 am
9.30 am
“The family is important, and it is necessary for the
survival of humanity.” Pope Francis
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME 2015: Information on the
parish sacramental programmes for 2015 are available
from the racks in the foyer of the Church. Eligibility, all
candidates should provide a copy of their Baptismal certificate. Reconciliation, child should be at least in Year 2 or
above. First Holy Communion/Eucharist, child should be
at least in Year 3 or above and have attended a Reconciliation programme. Confirmation, child should be at least in
Year 6 or above.
WAIT ON THE LORD We sometimes put off thinking about
vocation, or what God wants, instead putting our energy
into other areas. God is calling; we need to prioritise our
response. Pray, talk with others, find out what God wants.
Please contact Fr Richard Healey, Vocations Director, on
0401 621 591, priesthood@dow.org.au.
FAMILY QUOTES



EXTRAORDINARY MINISTER
Vigil:
FOLLOW POPE FRANCIS:
NEXT WEEK
A Buckley
Sr Kevin
G Dobson
M Chaumont
G Mason
A Ferrara
L Amato
A Cordingley
A Vannan
TBA
A Cox
S Cichocki
J Coughlan
K Devine
A Schutt
N Maxfield

CLEANERS WEEK COMMENCE: 28.12.14 WEEK COMMENCE: 4.1.15
C Morris & B Kiss
FLOWERS
THIS WEEK 27.12.14
SACRISTY WEEK COMMENCE: 28.12.14
C Batten
CHILDREN’S LITURGY: This Week—
M Azzi
NEXT WEEK 3.1.15
WEEK COMMENCE 4.1.15
M Gilbert
School Holidays

The family is where we learn to live with
others despite our differences and to belong to one another.
Pope Francis
Children in a family are like flowers in a
bouquet: there's always one determined to
face in an opposite direction from the way
the arranger desires.
-- Marcelene Cox
Where can a person be better than in the
bosom of their family.
-- Marmontel Gretry
Religion I have disposed of all my property to my family. There is one thing more I
wish I could give to them, and that is the
Christian religion. If they had that and I
had not given them one cent, they would
be rich. If they have not that, and I had
given them the world, they would be poor.
-- Patrick Henry
Home is the wallpaper above the bed, the
family dinner table, the church bells in the
morning, the bruised shins of the playground, the small fears that come with
dusk, the streets and squares and monuments and shops that constitute one's first
universe.
-- Henry Anatole Grunwald
FRANCIS – JESUS IS LOVE INCARNATE
At Christmas time, like a burst of brilliant light, there rings out
the proclamation of the Apostle: “God's grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race” (Tit 2:11). The grace which was revealed in our
world is Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary, true man and true
God. He has entered our history; he has shared our journey.
He came to free us from darkness and to grant us light. In
him was revealed the grace, the mercy, and the tender love of
the Father: Jesus is Love incarnate. He is not simply a teacher
of wisdom, he is not an ideal for which we strive while knowing that we are hopelessly distant from it. He is the meaning
of life and history, who has pitched his tent in our midst.
The shepherds were the first to see this “tent”, to receive the
news of Jesus’ birth. They were the first because they were
among the last, the outcast. And they were the first because
they were awake, keeping watch in the night, guarding their
flocks. The pilgrim is bound by duty to keep watch and the
shepherds did just that. Together with them, let us pause before the Child, let us pause in silence. Together with them, let
us thank the Lord for having given Jesus to us, and with them
let us raise from the depths of our hearts the praises of his
fidelity: We bless you, Lord God most high, who lowered yourself for our sake. You are immense, and you made yourself
small; you are rich and you made yourself poor; you are allpowerful and you made yourself vulnerable.
the past and the hopes of the future? Whatever about
this, the family story of Sarah, Abraham and Isaac
foreshadows the even more extraordinary family story
to be found in today’s gospel.
Luke depicts Mary and Joseph as observant Jews
bringing their child to the Jerusalem Temple in accordance with the ritual requirements of the Law,
even if the Law actually applied only to the woman
who had given birth and not to the man. Two prophetic figures, Simeon and Anna, recognise God’s
saving and redemptive purpose at work in the presence of this child who is presented in the Temple.
Luke insists that Mary and Joseph have fulfilled the
demands of the Law before they return to their home
in Nazareth.
Growing up in Nazareth in the care of Mary and Joseph, the child Jesus grows to maturity, is filled with
wisdom, and God's favour is with him. Luke’s little
summary statement introduces us to the wonderful
world of a grace-filled family home. It invites us to
ponder the wisdom that both Mary and Joseph had to
share with their child. They taught him to pray and
told him the stories of his people. They filled him with
wonder at the goodness of God and of God’s creation.
They mediated the grace and favour of God and
This Christmas tide let us share the joy of the Gospel: God
watched him grow and gain the strength he needed
loves us, he so loves us that he gave us his Son to be our
for life. They allowed him the freedom he needed to
brother, to be light in our darkness. To us the Lord repeats:
develop his own personality and to find his own Spirit
“Do not be afraid!” (Lk 2:10). As the angels said to the shep-filled way in the world. Finally, they had to let him go
herds: “Do not be afraid!”. And I also repeat to all of you: Do
so that he might follow a path that was beyond their
not be afraid! Our Father is patient, he loves us, he gives us
imagining when they brought him to the Temple in
Jesus to guide us on the way which leads to the promised
land. Jesus is the light who brightens the darkness. He is mer- fulfilment of the Law. In other words, they did what
so many parents would want to do for their children.
cy: our Father always forgives us. He is our peace. Amen.
Reflection on the Gospel-Feast of the Holy Family
Year B (Luke 2:22-40)
Sr Veronica Law son rsm.
The time between Christmas and New Year is often
family time, a good time to think about what family
means. We try to connect with and enjoy the company of those with whom we have family ties, especially
those who are alone or struggling in some way. Many
parents value the extra time they are able to spend
with their children over this period.
The first two readings for today narrate and reflect on
the family story of Abraham and Sarah, of God's
promise to give them a child, and of the fulfilment of
that promise in the most unlikely of circumstances.
The wonder of God's ways and the need to trust in
God are at the heart of their story. At the same time,
there is humour reflected in Abraham's choice of
name for their son: 'Isaac' means 'he laughed'.
Does Abraham detect God's humour in providing a
son for an elderly couple? Does he laugh for sheer joy
at the birth of the child who will hold the traditions of
Wishing all the parishioners
a very happy & healthy New Year
LAST WEEKEND:
1st COLLECTION
2nd COLLECTION
CODE:
Very Good
Good
Hangin’ in
HELP
When patronizing our sponsors, please thank them for supporting our Parish
Bakery
Blinds & Awnings
Williams Blinds
Funerals
THIEN DINH
HOT BREAD
* Verticals
* Security Doors
* Roller Blinds
* Awnings
* Venetians
* Roller Shutters
* Roman Blinds
* Panel Glides
* Plantation Shutters
U14/Picton Business Park
Tel:(02) 4677 2777
15 Henry Street
Fax: (02) 4677 2919
Picton NSW 2571
www.williamsbinds.com.au
Shop 4 Argyle
St,
Picton 2571
Tel: 4677 2800
Open 7 Days
Funerals
Take Away
Australian Family Owned and Operated



24 Hours - 7 days
Pre – arranged funeral plans
All Areas
PICTON - 4677 1644
365-367 Argyle St
CAMDEN - 4655 6433
67 Broughton St
www.williamrgroves.com.au
Catholic High-School
Local Member
Tutoring
The Hon. Jai Rowell MP
Member for Wollondilly
Office : Shop 1- 117 Remembrance Dr Tahmoor
Phone : (02) 4683 2622
Mail : PO Box 1005 Tahmoor 2573
Email : wollondilly@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Auto Mechanic
Auto Mechanic
Mechanical Repairs
4683 2529
Tyres & Batteries
4683 2529
4681 0760
Cnr Bargo River Rd & Rememberance Dr
Tahmoor NSW 2573
In2Cricket Juniors Senior
Boys
Girls
Rego during August
403 HUME HIGHWAY (B.P.)
PICTON NSW 2571
PHONE: 4677 2555
FAX: 4677 1755
EMAIL: autoplus1@bigpond.com
AUTOMOTIVE– PETROL—L.P.G. DIESEL—TYRES
BEQUEATHING
Play Cricket
Carpentry & Home Maintenance
DIAGNOSTICS
SERVICING & REPAIRS
REGO & L.P.G. SAFETY CHECKS
Contact: Kevin Dries 0417 448 561
Andrew Murphy 0418 612 054
Jane Eva 0419 296 508
BEQUEATHING
Would you like to remember the
parish in your will?
Property, money, artwork, plants…
there are many ways
you can be remembered.
Please contact the parish office for
further info.
Phone: 4683 2230