St.Mary'sCathedral
St. Mary's Road Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: (02) 9220 0400 Fax: (02) 9223 5208
email: [email protected]
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Sunday, 27 Nov 2016: First Sunday of Advent – Year A
Readings – Is 2:1-5; Ps 121:1-2. 4-5. 6-9. R.v.1.; Rom 13:11-14; Ps 84:8; Mt 24:37-44
Dear Parishioners and Visitors,
Today we begin Advent, which is "a period of devout and
expectant delight."1 During this season we both prepare for
the solemnities of Christmas (in which the First Coming of
the Son of God to humanity is remembered), and when
minds and hearts are led to look forward to Christ's Second
Coming at the end of time.
The liturgy of Advent has several special features. Beginning with Evening Prayer
(Vespers) on Saturday night, the liturgical colour becomes violet, reminding us to
prepare for Christmas with sober and penitent hearts full of hope. The antiphon to
the Blessed Virgin Mary we sing at the end of Vespers changes from the "Salve
Regina" (Hail, Holy Queen) to the "Alma Redemptoris Mater" (O Loving Mother
of our Redeemer." At Mass on the Sundays of Advent the "Gloria" is not sung or
said - we're waiting to hear it from the angels on Christmas Night; and on the last
days before Christmas, from December 17th, the readings and prayers zoom in with
particular focus on the events leading to birth of the Lord.
Advent is really a beautiful journey that the Church takes us on together towards
Jesus our Lord, carried along by the Scriptures and the faith of the Blessed Virgin.
Let us enjoy it together!
Fr Don Richardson, Dean
1
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Mass Times: Saturday Vigil: 6.00pm Sunday: 7.00am, 9.00am, 10.30am (Solemn High Mass); 12noon Latin Mass in the
extraordinary form; 6.00pm Mass. Monday to Friday: 6.45am, 1.10pm & 5.30pm; Saturday: 9.00am & 12noon, Public Holidays:
12noon; Reconciliation: Monday-Friday 12noon -1.00pm & 5.00pm to 5.25pm EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS Saturday 11.30am11.55am, 4.30-5.30pm
Vespers (Evening Prayer): Monday to Thursday 5.00pm; Saturday 5.30pm; Sunday 5.00pm Solemn Vespers and Benediction
sung by the Cathedral Choir
3rd Sunday of the month:5.30pm Evening Prayer sung by Seminarians replaces Choral Vespers
St Columbkille's McElhone Street Woolloomooloo - Sunday Mass 9.00am - Rosary at 8.40am.
COELIACS: Special Provision is made for Coeliacs at St Mary’s Cathedral. Those who are gluten intolerant may receive
communion either from the Chalice or with a gluten low host. Application should be made to the Sacristan before the
commencement of Mass.
FREE SUNDAY TOUR OF ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL: Our tour guides would love to
take you through the history of the Mother Church for Australian Catholics with a free tour
every Sunday after the 10:30am Solemn Choral Mass. Please look out for the tour guide
next to the organ console after Mass. All are welcome! Please note: the tour does include the
Crypt, however this is subject to its availability on the day.
CANA COMMUNITIES: Volunteers and friends from Cana Communities will be with us this
weekend seeking our help. Cana Communities provides family – type support for people from
the streets. Cana is one of the largest providers of crisis beds in the inner city. Volunteers from
the community will be holding an appeal at our Masses. All donations over $2 are tax
deductible. Even if you don’t donate, they would love the opportunity to tell you about their
community.
‘PARISH 2020’ LAUNCH NEXT WEEKEND. Next weekend Parishes, Chaplaincies and
communities across the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney will be presented with a Pastoral
Letter and DVD from Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP, announcing the launch of a new pastoral
project for the Archdiocese called ‘Parish 2020’. The launch of this project marks the
commencement of an exciting new chapter as we plan for the future of the Archdiocese of
Sydney.
RESTORATION OF ST BENS. The restoration of the historic St Benedict’s Church,
Broadway, is complete, and will be celebrated with a Mass and Blessing at 10.30am on
Sunday, 04 December 2016, led by the Most Reverend Bishop Richard Umbers. St
Benedict’s, the country’s oldest consecrated Catholic Church, is located on The University of
Notre Dame Australia’s Sydney Campus at 104 Broadway. Parishioners as well as current
and past staff and students from Notre Dame.
FOR LOVE ALONE: A NIGHT FOR SINGLE YOUNG WOMEN (18-35) to discover
more about Consecrated Life. Tuesday, 06 December at 5pm. Come to meet and chat with
consecrated women from various communities, time for prayer and dinner. Run by the
University Catholic Chaplaincies and the Vocation Centre. For details and registration
(essential) visit www.vocationcentre.org.au.
ST MARK’S PARISH, DRUMMOYNE- Position Vacant. The parish is looking to fill the
position of Parish Secretary. This part time position (Tues, Wed, Thurs and Fri from 9am to
3pm – with a view to possibly extending hours), requires sounds skills with the use of
Microsoft software, with a knowledge of PACS desirable. Able to cover holiday periods. For
further information please visit www.catholicjobsonline.com.au or Fr Michael McLean on
[email protected]. Applications close at 5pm on 09 December 2016.
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT REFLECTIONS MORNINGS. Third Wednesday of Every
Month 10.00am – 1.00pm. For family and friends who grieve and their companions.
Understanding and managing life’s changes in Loss, Grief & Bereavement. Morning tea
provided. For further information please refer to the flyer attached or contact Bereavement
Support Ph 02 9646 6908 / [email protected].
ANDERLEDY LODGE WEEKEND SUMMER SPECIAL Visiting Sydney this Summer?
Stay with us at: Mary MacKillop Place, 7 - 11 Mount Street, North Sydney NSW 2059.
20% off room rates on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, including breakfast and
Wifi.*Promotion ends April 2017.**Unavailable over New Year. Bookings welcome:
[email protected].
Telephone:
02
8912
4800.
Or
visit
www.marymackillopplace.org.au
First Reading
Is 2:1-5
A reading from the prophet Isaiah
The Lord will gather all nations in eternal
peace in the kingdom of God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 121:1-2. 4-5. 6-9.
R.v.1.
(R.) Let us go rejoicing to the house of the
Lord.
1. I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us
The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, concerning
go to God’s house.’ And now our feet are
Judah and Jerusalem. In the days to come the
standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.
mountain of the Temple of the Lord shall
(R.)
tower above the mountains and be lifted
higher than the hills. All the nations will 2. It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of
stream to it, peoples without number will
the Lord. For Israel’s law it is, there to
come to it; and they will say:
praise the Lord’s name. There were set the
thrones of judgement of the house of
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the
David. (R.)
Lord, to the Temple of the God of Jacob that
he may teach us his ways so that we may 3. For the peace of Jerusalem pray: ‘Peace be
walk in his paths; since the Law will go out
to your homes! May peace reign in your
walls, in your palaces, peace!’ (R.)
from Zion, and the oracle of the Lord from
Jerusalem.’
4. For love of my brethren and friends I say:
He will wield authority over the nations and
‘Peace upon you!’ For love of the house of
the Lord I will ask for your good. (R.)
adjudicate between many peoples; these will
hammer their swords into ploughshares, their
spears into sickles. Nation will not lift sword
against nation, there will be no more training
for war. O House of Jacob, come, let us walk
Second Reading
Rom 13:11-14
in the light of the Lord.
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the
The word of the Lord.
Romans
Response: Thanks be to God.
The time has come, our salvation is near.
You know ‘the time’ has come: you must
wake up now: our salvation is even nearer
than it was when we were converted. The
night is almost over, it will be daylight soon –
let us give up all the things we prefer to do
under the cover of the dark; let us arm
ourselves and appear in the light. Let us live
decently as people do in the daytime: no
drunken
orgies,
no
promiscuity
or
licentiousness, and no wrangling or jealousy.
Let your armour be the Lord Jesus Christ.
The word of the Lord.
Response: Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation
Ps 84:8
Alleluia, alleluia!
Lord, show us your mercy and love,
and grant us your salvation.
Alleluia!
Gospel
Mt 24:37-44
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
Stay awake, you must be ready.
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘As it was in Noah’s day, so will it be when the Son of Man comes.
For in those days before the Flood people were eating, drinking, taking wives, taking
husbands, right up to the day Noah went into the ark, and they suspected nothing till the Flood
came and swept all away. It will be like this when the Son of Man comes. Then of two men in
the fields one is taken, one left; of two women at the millstone grinding, one is taken, one left.
‘So stay awake, because you do not know the day when your master is coming. You may be
quite sure of this that if the householder had known at what time of the night the burglar
would come, he would have stayed awake and would not have allowed anyone to break
through the wall of his house. Therefore, you too must stand ready because the Son of Man is
coming at an hour you do not expect.’
The Gospel of the Lord
Response: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
Cathedral Staff:
Father Donald Richardson, Dean
Father Brendan Purcell
Father Emmanuel Yoon Jae Seo
Father Pierluigi Passoni
Chris Backhouse - Cathedral Sacristan
Thomas Wilson – Director of Music
Michael Butterfield – Assistant Organist
Dominic Moawad - Assistant Organist
Copyright Acknowledgements:
Used with permission WOLI 426
© Catholic Worship Book , 1985
The Australian Hymn Book
Used with permission CAL licence W 5
PURCHASE YOUR CATHOLIC WEEKLY FOR JUST $2.00
“LOVE IS COMING” ADVENT RETREAT Sunday 4th December, 2016 9.30am 4.30pm.The Centre, 14 Frances St (cnr Cook St) Randwick. Come and experience how God
wants to prepare our hearts for Christmas. There will be guided talks, time for personal
reflection and opportunities for spiritual guidance from the missionaries. Cost $50. Please
contact Verbum Dei Missionaries (02) 9341 5848 or email [email protected] if
you are interested.
ST PATRICK’S BUSINESS COURSES Enrolments are now open for our 2017 Diplomas in
Business and Business Administration. These 40-week courses are ideal for Year 10, 11 or 12
school leavers and provide a viable alternative pathway to career or university and assist
graduates to find well-paid and enjoyable roles. Contact our Director of Education, Anne
Fairhall, to arrange a 1:1 interview to discuss your study options on 0407 278 164.