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Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish
ONE PARISH
three churches
Sacred Heart
50 Fairway Drive,
Clear Island Waters
St Vincent’s
40 Hamilton Avenue,
Surfers Paradise
Stella Maris
268 Hedges Avenue,
Broadbeach
(Under Construction)
PASTORAL
Very Reverend
Fr Tim Harris
Parish Priest & Dean
of South Coast Deanery
Fr Christopher Obi
Associate Pastor
Fr Nicholas Okafor
Associate Pastor
Sue Thomas
Pastoral Associate
Sr Mary Hansen PBVM
Pastoral Assistant
PARISH STAFF
Sonya Slater
Parish Manager
Marylou Ayres
Parish Secretary
Angela Williams
Atrium Coordinator
Shannon Morrison
Baptism Coordinator
Rita Foxlee
State School R.E.
SCHOOLS
St Vincent’s School
Clear Island Waters
Phone: 5572 1746
P. Kerry Rowlands
St Kevin’s School
Benowa
Phone: 5539 4522
P. Sue Curtis
St Michael’s College
Merrimac
Phone: 5530 2722
P. Michael Laidler
The Nativity of the Lord — Year B
24th / 25th December 2014
Dear Parishioners and Visitors,
Fresh in our minds these last weeks are two terrible events. The
first occurred in Martin Place Sydney, resulting in the loss of
human life and the taking of hostages in a Café. The second occurred in West Cairns, in a suburb where eight children lost
their lives at the hands of their mother and an Aunt to one.
Yes all this in Australia, a country young and free and lucky!
How shocking the scenes must have been. How shocking the circumstances that have
made headlines around the world. Our Advent call for Jesus to come at this time could
not have been more urgent and now at Christmas he has indeed come.
The Christ Child has arrived and yet we know through faith that it is the same Christ Child
who is now all grown up and who has already suffered and died so that we might have
life—life to the full. Help, in other words, has been on its way and now that help shines a
bright light into the darkness of our lives and into the world in which we live.
God in Jesus literally becomes for our salvation, flesh and blood, and he walks this earth
with us in good times and in bad. We are therefore never alone. God in Jesus is at his
best when we call upon his name for help. God in Jesus listened to us and he came, and
now we have to listen to him so that we can model our lives on his.
The message of Christmas this year and every year is to use the Christmas season to embrace the Gospel of Jesus fully. We can never be satisfied with fragments of the Gospel,
with bits and pieces, slivers of truth and light. We must embrace the whole story—Christ’s
story is our story.
Christmas encourages us to become agents of God and even his ‘angels in disguise’, his
messengers, his instruments in our world. We can know God’s life and share that life with
others. As one commentator suggested, “Jesus could have been born 1000 times in Bethlehem but if he has not been born just once in us then we have no life in us”.
How has Christ been born in you this Christmas? What does he say to you at this special
time? How will you ensure that the joy of Christmas is proclaimed in the year ahead?
So the Christ light will shine if it can find a place in our hearts and the world in which we
live will be a better place as a result. Christmas celebrates the fact that in the person of
Jesus, God has visited his people not from a distance as that song says but in this place
and time.
God is with us in good times and in bad and that’s why we celebrate. I pray that the families of the deceased hostages and children will know that God in Jesus is with them now
and always. We are after all promised that no matter what happens to us, God’s love is
not negotiable.
A happy and holy Christmas to all our visitors and Parishioners.
God’s Abundant Blessings, Fr Tim Harris, Parish Priest
FROM THE PASTORAL ASSOCIATE:
Readings: The Nativity of the Lord: Midnight readings at all Masses: Isaiah 9:1-7;
Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14.
Sun 28th: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph: Genesis 11:8, 11-12, 17- 19;
Hebrews 15:1-6; 21:1-3; Luke 2:22-40.
Feasts: Friday26th St Stephen, first martyr; Saturday 27th St John, apostle, evangelist; Thursday January 1st Mary, Mother of God; Friday 2nd Sts Basil the Great &
Gregory Nazianzen, bishops, doctors.
Readings Sunday 4th January: The Epiphany of the Lord: Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians
3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12.
“…as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive.” - Colossians 3:13 Forgiveness – one of the hardest things for people to do. It’s amazing how long we can hold a grudge or be angry with someone. As we celebrate the feast of the Holy
Family, take this opportunity to give the gift of forgiveness to someone - maybe someone in your family, maybe a friend,
maybe a co-worker or neighbor or, maybe yourself. Pick up the phone or text someone today. Accessed 19th Dec ‘14
http://archstl.org/stewardship/page/bulletin-inserts.
Australian Academy of Liturgy Conference: The Australian Academy of Liturgy is an ecumenical body of people interested in liturgy. The theme of this year’s conference is The Word in Worship. Public Lecture by Bishop Garry Weatherill,
Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Ballarat. Tuesday 7th January, 7:30 pm, at the Riverglenn Conference Centre, 70 Kate
St, Indooroopilly. His lecture is entitled: “Preaching the Word" In addition to his Diocesan duties, Garry is Chair of the
Liturgical Commission of the General Anglican Synod, Chairs the Advisory Council for Anglican Religious Life in Australia
and has recently been appointed Chair of the Board of Directors for the Anglican Board of Mission. Garry is a dynamic
public speaker and preacher himself. This is a lecture not to be missed.
We pray for the safety of all holiday makers on the Gold Coast during the season of Christmas as they travel on
the roads, as they play and swim on our beaches, as they relax, refresh and rejuvenate during their holiday
break. We pray for the locals and all those working on the Gold Coast over the Christmas season that they are
true signs of hospitality and also take time for self-care. We pray for our Mayor, Tom Tate, and members of
Gold Coast City Council, and our local State and Federal government members, that they respond to the needs
of the community with maturity, thoughtfulness, and compassion, and are God’s witness to peace and reconciliation in our world.
Peace and joy in the coming week. Sue Thomas, Pastoral Associate.
[[[
PRAYING THE ROSARY: The statue of our Lady will be at the home of Mary Nejm of
Surfers Paradise, for week commencing Monday 29th December 2014. Please phone Maxine or
Pat Sela on 5539 9539 and offer your home to have Our Lady in your home for a week. All you
have to do is to say the Rosary to Our Lady. It is not necessary to invite people to your home. If
you are unable to collect the statue due to transport problems we can deliver the statue to you.
Thank you for your support, Pat and Maxine Sela
ALL NIGHT ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT:
All Night Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament has been taking place in our Parish for
many years. People have rostered themselves to sit with the Lord all night once a month
at Sacred Heart Church. At present we have no adorers from midnight until morning.
Any takers? If you are interested please phone Helen Connell on 0421 935 678.
1ST FRIDAY ADORATION for January 2015:
Please note 1st Friday ADORATION for 2nd January at Sacred Heart Church: 7 pm to MIDNIGHT ONLY.
All welcome. Inquiries: Helen 0421 935 678.
Receiving Communion in Brisbane Archdiocese. Communion is offered under both
species, Body and Chalice. Please respect our local custom of receiving the Host in the
hand and then drinking from the Chalice. Please refrain from dipping the Host into the
Chalice. This is the reserve of the Communion Minister, not the Communicant.
Venire is a group for young people, in high
school and over to enjoy a night of fun and
laughter, make friends, and be able to grow
in their faith through talks, activities, discussion and prayer. Venire is on every Thursday night and
will start up again in 2015 on 22nd of January. We hope
to see you in the New Year! Like us on Facebook to keep
up with our events at: https://www.facebook.com/
Venireyouth or for further info call the Parish Office on
5572 5433.
CATHOLIC SUMMER SCHOOLS, Missionaries of God's
Love, 11-18 January 2015, age 16-35,
www.summerschool.org.au Eucharist, prayer and community, seminars and sharing, music and drama, fun and
friends. For more information please contact Bathurst
NSW Joshua 0457 260 086; Paterson (Newcastle ) NSW
Bruce 0412 885 958, Melbourne David 0490 157 526.
OPEN DAY FOR COURSES IN 2015
MULTI-FAITH CHAPLAINCY
ACADEMY The Multifaith Academy
for Chaplaincy and Community Ministries is a training
organisation committed to the training and spiritual
formation of students nominated by Christian Churches
and other Faith organisations to operate as Chaplains and
spiritual carers in institutional settings and the
community in the spirit of ecumenism, having an
understanding and respect for all faith groups,
underpinned by the values of respect, justice, love and
compassion. To interest prospective students for courses
in 2015, the Academy is holding an information session
1.30pm-3.30pm Sunday 8th February 2015 Metropolitan
Funerals 40-44 Nind St., Southport
ATRIUM NEWS
ENROLMENTS FOR 2015
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a
process of Christian faith formation
for children aged 3 to 6 years, where
the children can form an authentic relationship with God that
will last a life time.
The Catechesis is grounded in scriptural, liturgical and
prayerful study framed by Maria Montessori’s principles and
philosophy of education.
This process allows the children to hear the Gospel through
the use of sensorial materials. The children are free to work
with these materials that represent essential moments of the
Christian message.
Our Parish Atrium is on recess over the Christmas and New
Year. We will resume Term 1, 2015 in the week of 2nd
February. Please contact Angela Williams on
atrium.surfers@bne.catholic.net.au or at the Parish Office,
for further information.
SOLEMN MASS IN CELEBRATION OF THE CANONISATION OF
KURIAKOSE ELIAS CHAVARA (ST.CHAVARA)
AT THE CATHEDRAL - JANUARY 2, 2015 AT 7.00PM.
It is with profound gratitude to God that we, the CMI Priests
(Carmelites of Mary Immaculate), ministering in the Archdiocese
of Brisbane, share the immense joy at the Canonisation of
Kuriakose Elias Chavara , the Founder of the CMI Religious
Congregation in Rome on Sunday, November 23, 2014 by His
Holiness Pope Francis.
To thank God for this great gift, with the approval and blessings
of His Grace Archbishop Mark Coleridge, the CMI Priests
working in this Diocese cordially invite all the Clergy, Religious
and Faithful of the Diocese of Brisbane to join us in a
Thanksgiving Solemn Mass presided over by His Grace,
Archbishop Mark Coleridge on Friday, January 2, 2015 at
7.00pm at the Cathedral of St Stephen, Brisbane. We
welcome you all to join us and thank God.
KIMBERLEY CATHOLIC VOLUNTEER SERVICE
WANTED:
VOLUNTEER
WORKERS:
The Diocese of Broome, WA, requires
volunteers to assist with the work of the
local Church on Aboriginal Missions. There
Closed for Holidays!
are various important voluntary tasks: administration,
Reopens Monday 19th January 2015
building maintenance, gardening, shop staffing, , cleaning
We wish you all a happy and holy Christmas
etc. Placements are preferred for a period of 6 months
and an awesome year in 2015.
plus. For further details, and an application form, please
contact Volunteer Coordinator Anneliese Rohr:
08 9192 1060 Email: volunteers@broomediocese.org
Wishing you a very blessed
Web: www.broomediocese.org Mail: PO Box 76, Christmas and a Happy New
BROOME, WA 6725
Year. On behalf of Fr Tim and
You are invited to celebrate World Marriage Day the Fundraising Team I wish to
sincerely thank all of you for
At St Benedict’s Church, Mudgeeraba ,
your generosity and prayers for
On Sunday 8th February 2015 at 11am.
the project in 2014. There are
ST MICHAEL’S COLLEGE PILGRIMAGE only 2 pews available. The Buy a
2015—Thursday September 17th to Thursday Brick campaign will be closing in
October 1st: Full cost is $5,800. Please contact St mid January to insure all the donors names are written on the
Sonya Slater Parish Manager.
Michael’s College on 5530 2722 for an Itinerary. window.
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
7am
7am
ST VINCENT’S
ST VINCENT’S
9.00am
9.00am
SACRED HEART
SACRED HEART
8.30am
8.30am
SACRED HEART
SACRED HEART
8.30am
8.30am
SACRED
SACRED
HEART
HEART
7am
7am
ST VINCENT’S
ST VINCENT’S
9am
9am
SACRED HEART
SACRED HEART
NO ANOINTING
NO ANOINTING
UNTIL 3RD
FEB 2015
MASS
UNTIL 3RD FEB 2015
NORMAL
NORMAL
SUNDAY
SUNDAY
MASS
TIMES
MASS TIMES
SACRED HEART CHURCH
SACRED HEART CHURCH
ST
CHURCH
STVINCENT’S
VINCENT’S CHURCH
SATURDAY
RECONCILIATION
5pm RECONCILIATION
SACRED HEART
5pm SACRED
HEART
5.15pm
ST VINCENT’S
5.15pm ST VINCENT’S
Saturday evening 6pm AND Sunday 7am, 9am & 6pm
Saturday evening 6pm AND Sunday 7am, 9am & 6pm
Saturday
evening
6pm 6pm
ANDAND
Sunday
8am8am
& 10am
Saturday
evening
Sunday
& 10am
MIGRANT CHAPLAINS / COMMUNITIES:
Filipino: 1st Sunday 1.00pm Sacred Heart
Fr Terence Nueva 5510 2222
Hispanic: 1st & 3rd Sundays 5—7pm St Vincent’s
Fr Ignacio Gutierrez 0481 118 521
Email: paterignacio@yahoo.com
Maronite Rite: Saturday 7.15pm Sacred Heart
Phone: 3394 4994 St Maroun’s Church, Brisbane.
Polish: Sunday 11.30am Sacred Heart
Fr Bernard Bednarz 5504 6297
Art & Craft: Wednesday 9am Parish Hospitality Centre
Book Club: 3rd Tues 12noon. Parish Hospitality Centre
Bridge: Monday 12.30pm. Parish Hospitality Centre
CWL: Meeting 12.30pm 1st Tue. Hospitality Centre
Friendship Day 3rd Thurs 10am-2pm (In Recess)
Parish Choir Practice: 9am 3rd / 4th Saturday,
Sacred Heart Church, Clear Island Waters.
Youth Choir: Youth & Young Adult Ministry—(In Recess)
Playgroup: Wednesdays 9.30am Casey Hall, Fairway Drive,
Clear Island Waters (School Term only)
Iovanah Archer 0420 595 404
Yoga: Tuesday 10.45am $10/Session. Hospitality Centre
Final 16th December—Re-start Tues 27 Jan 2015
Zumba Gold: Friday 9.15am Casey Hall. Beginners/
Intermediate Level. Susana Pozzi 0421 607 397
FOR MORE PARISH GROUPS, PLEASE REFER TO OUR WEBSITE
Baptisms: Please contact the Parish Office 5572 5433
Benediction: 1st Friday 7.30am St Vincent’s Church, Surfers Paradise
Children’s Liturgy of the Word: Sunday 9am Mass Sacred Heart
(During School Term Only)
Christian Meditation: Tuesday 10am (Youth Room) Shirley Daly (In Recess)
Tuesday 6pm (Youth Room) Sue Thomas
CFC Australia: 1st Sunday—Phone Butch & Mini 0424 583 168/9
Exposition:
Monday & Friday 6am St Vincent’s Church, Surfers Paradise
Tuesday 9.30am Sacred Heart Church, Clear Island Waters
[[[
Thursday 9.45am St Vincent’s Church, Surfers Paradise
Friday 7pm Sacred Heart Church, (1st Friday 7pm to 12am)
Marriages: Please contact Parish Office 5572 5433 (6months notice required)
Rosary: Sunday 7.30am St Vincent’s Church
Monday & Friday 6.30am St Vincent’s Church
Tuesday & Friday 8.25am Sacred Heart Church, before Mass
Wednesday 9.30am Sacred Heart Church, after Mass
Sacred Heart Prayer Group: 1st Tuesday 9.30am Youth Room CIW
Scripture Discussion: Tuesday 11am (Youth Room) CIW Shirley Daly
Spiritual Direction: Bernadette Kavanagh-Stewart 5520 7242
St Joseph’s Prayer Group: 1st Wednesday 9.30am Sacred Heart Church
Youth Led Mass: 4th Sunday 6pm Sacred Heart (In Recess)
RECENTLY DECEASED: Siniva Lam, Fr Vin Creed Priest Emeritus, Sr Mary Costelloe RSM.
ANNIVERSARIES: George & Gloria McLeod, Carmen Farrugia, Frank & Lily Inguanez, Raymond Holland, Morrow Family, VJ
Silvester, AJ Periera, Rosina Spiteri, Margaret Cooper, Maria Horoszko, James Rice, Alec Edwards, Carmen De Celis.
THOSE WHO ARE SICK: Raphael Verkest, John Ashby, Theo Farr, Betty-Anne Hillesheim, Dylan Kinnimont, Frank Foslen, Tracey
Burgess, Alfia Harrop, Moira Roberts, Elaine Pitchell, Emile Van Deurse, Ron Mooney, Alan Wilson, Peter Dean, Peter Townsend,
Zenaida Osborne, Daniel & Joyce Farrugia, Diane Sullivan, Donna Cassin, Samir Moussa, Percy Jordan (Melb.) Yvette Litchfield, John
Rohr, Earl Brierty, Maureen Fitzgerald, Annette Anning, Sam Newton, Margaret Miller, Jeff Doyle, Marnie Lee Rose, Joe Sheehy,
angela Ferguson, Denise Tracey, Michelle Pritchard, Rosaria Zammitt, Giovaninna Vitale Freda, Monica Bailey, Mary Mullahy, Ron
Perry, Patrick Cannard, Paul Kiely, Rose Crane, Mary Carniel, Baby Charlie Francis, Fr Ray Wells (Hobart), Leiha Carlson, Pat Lazaro,
Kaylene Swan (Launceston), Lesley Cruse, Peter Verhaze, Tony Tongue, Margaret Webber, Ricardo Pereira, Warren Potter, Sheryl
Abrahams, Susan Richmond, Ronnie Bourke, Norm Mullins, Eleanor B Nascimento, Shirley Heath, Mary Coy, Mary Fraser, Natty
Massina, Danny Osmund, Marlise England, Stephen Zannett, Jacqui Caughey, Baby Eva Cassidy Abad, G. Nicholas, Bruno Andreetta,
Julieta Alvero, Margie Savage, Joanne Burge, Shirley Day, leo Domingo, Bernie Wall, Sr. Christine Hesel, Rosalia Roque, Mary
McCarthy, Michael Kearney, Josephine Maybury, Monica Clifford, Clare Martin, Reg Spillane, Gerrard Theron, Mary Kerr, William
Sheehan, Kate Needham, Margaret Guillesser, Barbara & Mike Farrell, Justin King, Anna Wheeler, Emma Winks, Una Parkinson,
Nathan Clarke, Pat Burton, Gus Reeves.
Become a Part of the PARISH PLANNED GIVING PROGRAM to help your parish grow.
We thank most sincerely all parishioners who contribute to the Planned Giving Program. Your ongoing commitment and contribution
assists the responsible budgeting for the operating expenses of the Parish (wages, rates, electricity, building maintenance, etc) as well
as pastoral planning for Parish growth (faith education, sacramental preparation, resources, etc). To obtain Planned Giving envelopes,
please complete this form and place on the Collection Plate, or contact the Parish Office on 5572 5433. Planned Giving Contributions
are not Tax Deductable.
SURNAME:_____________________CHRISTIAN NAME:_____________________PHONE: _____________ (Please Print Clearly)