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Second Sunday of Advent, Year C

Bridgeside Bulletin
The weekly Bulletin of the Catholic Parish of Forster Tuncurry
Proclaiming Christ to the communities of Forster, Tuncurry and the surrounding districts

Sunday 6th December, 2015 Second Sunday of Advent, Year C

Unless otherwise stated, the advertisements placed in the Bridgeside Bulletin are placed by independent third parties who have no legal relationship with the Diocese. The activities or services of
the advertisers are not supervised or controlled in any way by the Diocese. The Diocese is not in a position to endorse the advertisers or the services provided and makes no representation about
those matters. Accordingly, the Diocese cannot accept any responsibility for the advertisers or the activities or services that are the subject of these advertisements

REFLECTION from Fr Greg

Dear Parish Family,

Jubilee Year of Mercy

begins

Mass at GLACIA
Tuncurry 11am

NO Singing Practise
this week

Churches Advent Prayer

Salvation Army Tunc. 7pm

Finance Council Meeting

Forster 5pm

11 MassChange of time
Forster 8:30am

13 Filipino Christmas Party

Forster 1pm

14 Baptismal Preparation
Forster 7pm

15 Mass at Barclay Gardens

Forster 11am

15 Singing Practise
Tuncurry 5:30pm

16 Parish Pastoral Council

Forster 5:30pm

24/25 Christmas
See Mass times P2

This picture is not about

making you feel bad for having
worked hard for the things you
have you are entitled to the
profits of your hands. Its not
about making you feel your
focus is in the wrong place
when you go out buying
Christmas presents or getting a
few items in for your
Christmas table you are
allowed to have a focus that is
directed to those you care for
and about and the need to express that love this time of the year particularly
with gift giving and celebrating. Its not about wanting you to up your generosity
either at this time of the year - you are generous to a T chariTy that is.
We have Christ in our Christmas celebrations. It is okay to buy presents, to
celebrate well our Christmas together and as an individual. And anyway you
know that love doesnt have a price tag. It has to be celebrated with presence as
much as with presents! We all know that, eh!
What I think when I see this, is not all of the above, although there is some of
that there. What I see is a reminder to always appreciate what I have been
graced with and to give thanks every day for the love of my family and the gifts
that my friends are to my life. To be grateful for a community of faith and the
care that comes with belonging. The simplest of my prayers is I think:
Dear Lord, you have granted so much to me never let me take any that are
precious in my life for granted. Amen.
I am very grateful for the great show of support at the Combined Churches
service on Tuesday night. We were just shy a hundred people which have, I must
say, left me overwhelmed. There are so many things that we have in common as
Christian churches and every opportunity we have to celebrate our unity should
be exploited to the max. That common voice in the community is one thing but
our unified prayer is a whole new ball game; together it has so much authority,
authenticity and power supporting it. Alone we can do much, together we get to
change the world! The Salvation Army and the C3 church will together host our
next Ecumenical gathering on Tuesday 8th at 7pm at the Salvation Army in South
St, Tuncurry.

Greg

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Second Sunday of Advent, Year C

Opening the Year of Mercy

Pope Francis and Bishop Bill invite you
to the Opening of the Year of Mercy and
the launch of 150 year celebrations of
the diocese on Sunday 13th December.
Liturgy at 4pm, beginning at Victor
Peters Suite (near cathedral), food and
entertainment, and the sacrament of
penance will be available 'al fresco'.

WELCOME REV. DEACON GERARD McCARTHY

We welcome to our Parish this weekend the
Rev Deacon Gerard McCarthy and his wife
Nichola. Gerard will be preaching at our Parish
Masses this weekend. Gerard's main ministry is
in the Prison. He is a husband and father. He
was ordained a Deacon on the 1st April 2005. I
know you will make him feel very welcome.

Recently Deceased
James McNeil, Nita Burns

Anniversaries
John (Jack) Greene, Evelyn Hope, Trish
Geary, Thomas Geraghty.

Sick in the Parish

Emily Wroblewicz.

Christmas Gardening Party

The 17th December will be the last
gardening day for the year. This final
event for 2015 will be followed by a
tasty BBQ and a few beverages at
approximately 10am. Please come
along, particularly if youre interested in
considering being involved in the
gardening and maintenance next year!

WYD 2016 (WORLD YOUTH DAY)

The St Vincent de Paul Society has

launched its Christmas Appeal for 2015.
A member of the local conference will
speak at each of the masses next
weekend. We thank you for your support
in the past and hope we can count on
your support this year. Your generosity
can make a real difference for many local
families this Christmas.

Pope Francis invites all young people

to Krakw, Poland 25 - 31 July 2016 to
celebrate WYD 2016. The Theme will be
'Blessed Are The Merciful For they Shall
Obtain Mercy' Mt 5:7. For more
information on the pilgrimage you are
.
Combined Churches
invited to attend an information
Advent Prayer and Worship Evenings
evening Thursday, 10 December 2015 in
the Catholic Parish Hall beside Our Lady
Tuesday 8th DecemberSalvation
of the Rosary, Albert St, Taree at
Army, 7 South St, Tuncurry at 7pm
6.30pm. This is a pilgrimage open to young
Tuesday 15th DecemberBaptist
people aged 18 - 30 and to other
Church, Cnr Carawa & Maneela St,
interested parties looking for a pilgrimage
Forster at 7pm.
experience. For more information contact
Fr Greg.
COME AND WORSHIP THE NEWBORN KING

Christmas & Holiday Mass Services

Christmas Eve
(24 Dec)

Vigil 6:30pm Holy Name School

Vigil 10pm
Tuncurry

Christmas Day
(25th Dec)

7am
9am

Sunday Masses
Vigil 6pm
(27 Dec to 24 Jan) 7am
9am
11am

Tuncurry
Forster
Tuncurry
Tuncurry
Forster
Forster

Household Items
Required
Sr Kathryn requires and a
refrigerator. If you can
assist please phone 6554
6470. Thank you to all who
have provided other
requested items.

Parish Secretary/Finance
The Taree Catholic Parish is seeking applications for the position of Parish
Secretary (Finance) to provide financial administrative and reception support to
the Parish Priest, Parish Secretary and Parish Teams.
The position which is located at the Catholic Presbytery Office, 71-77 Albert Street
Taree is part-time for 2 days each week working from 9.00am to 3.30pm with
some flexibility in hours and days and ideally capacity to provide annual leave
relief for the Parish Secretary (Pastoral Administration).
Further details can be found here: www.mn.catholic.org.au/about/employment/
positions-vacant or by calling 6552 1084.

Baptisms this weekend

This weekend we witness the baptism of
3 members of the Whitehouse-Miotto
family:

Hayley Leah

Sophia Elise

Adele Linda
May the gift of baptism they receive
strengthen them for the journey of life
and faith they will share with us. Please
remember the Whitehouse-Miotto
family in your prayers.

Advent Hymn by Paul Geraghty

Refrain
Your friends are waiting for You Lord,
Your friends are waiting here
We wait with quiet hearts and minds
With love and not with fear.
We call to mind your coming Lord,
Your coming long ago.
You came into the world you made
But You it did not know. Refrain
We call to mind your promise Lord,
To be with us the same,
Whenever two or three or more
Are gathered in your name. Refrain
We call to mind your promise Lord
To come to us once more
But will You come soft as the dew
Or with a thunder roar? Refrain

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Second Sunday of Advent, Year C

Ministers this week

of Communion

6pm
Tuncurry

.of the Word

A: Michael Siddle
B: Maureen Stevens

7am
Tuncurry
9am

A: Fred Liackman
B: Cecile Malone
A: Barbara Kermode

Genevieve Williamson, Graham Griffiths, Kay Griffiths,

Norm Chapman.

Forster

B: Kris Koch

Jake Siddle, Jeanette Goodacre, Kay Hall, Owen Carroll,

Tony Stevens.

Fay Harvey, Josie Beech, Maureen Visser, Michael

Amato, Natasha Brotherton.

Ministers next week

of Communion

6pm
Tuncurry

.of the Word

A: Tony Stevens
B: Bob Cashman

7am
Tuncurry
9am

A: Bronwyn Morse
B: Edna Tucker
A: Peter Nicholls

Cushla Drake, Fred Liackman Mark Mowbray, Peter

Wicks, Mary Greig.

Forster

B: Kyla Loring

Carolyn Olliffe, Frank Hayman, Kathryn McCabe,

Maureen Pye, Michael Siddle.

Alan McCarthy, Anne Moloney, Barbara Kermode, Coral

McCarthy, Elle Cairns-Cowan.

Scripture ZoneThis week

First Reading

Baruch 5:1-9
Take off your robe of mourning,
put on the splendour of glory.

Next Week
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths:
all people shall see the
salvation of God.
Alleluia!

Responsorial Psalm
Response:
The Lord has done great things for
us; we are filled with joy.

Gospel

Second Reading

Luke 3:1-6

Philippians 1:4-6. 8-11

John the Baptist proclaims a

baptism of repentance.

He who has begun the good work

in you will bring it to completion.

First Reading
Zephaniah 3:14-18
Second Reading
Philippians 4:4-7
Gospel Reading
Luke 3:10-18
Human Rights Day Guest Speaker, Mark Isaacs

Advent Chant
(after the lighting of the Advent Candle each week )

Wait in joyful hope, a Saviour will come, Jesus Christ the Light of the World;
Wait in joyful hope, a Saviour will come, Welcome to the Word of God!

Human Rights Day is celebrated annually in

December. Great Lakes Rural Australians for
Refugees is hosting a community event at 2pm
on Sunday 6th December at Holy Name Catholic
School Hall, Lake Street, Forster. Guest speaker,
Mark Isaacs, who spoke at a GLRAR public forum
in 2014, is an author and humanitarian and has
previously worked for the Salvation Army on
Nauru. Mark has written articles about recent
travels in Asia and Iran and this event is a great
opportunity for the local community to hear of
current human rights experiences. Entry is free,
afternoon tea will be served and all are welcome.
Text: Excerpts from the English
Translation of the Roman Missal
2010, International Commission on
English in the Liturgy (ICEL); Music:
From the Mass of St Francis 2010,
Paul Taylor. All rights reserved. Used
with permission. Australian Agent
LicenSing Online Lic No. 624844.

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Second Sunday of Advent, Year C

Fr Greg BarkerParish Priest

gregory.barker@mn.catholic.org.au

Emergency Contact 0417 321 209

Mr Greg ByrnePastoral Associate
greg.byrne@mn.catholic.org.au
Mrs Sharon Fowle
(Administration
Associate/Bulletin)
Bridgeside Bulletin
Items for inclusion should be
received by midday on
Thursday.

Loretta Heffernan
SRE Co-Ordinator
loretta.heffernan@mn.catholic.org.au

Office Hours
Tues, Wed, Thurs
9:30am to 1pm
Fri
10am to 4pm

Baptismal Preparation
on 2nd Monday of each
month @ 7pm in Forster
Church Hall. Parish Office
6554 6304.

Maintenance & Gardening Group

Third Thursday of the month.
Howard 6557 6826.
Childrens Liturgy of the Word
First and third
Sunday at 9am Mass.
Natasha 0407 589 935.

Marriage
Celebrated by arrangement
and with at least three months
notice. Fr Greg 6554 6304

forster-tuncurry.parish@mn.catholic.org.au

Sr Kathryn McCabe
Aboriginal Catholic Ministry

Secular Franciscan Fraternity

First Wednesday of the month
after 9am Mass at Forster.

Baptisms
Celebrated most Sundays.

PARISH CONTACTS

Novena to Our Lady of

Perpetual Help
Every Wed, 11:14am at Forster.
Shioney 6554 9468.

Sacramental Preparation
Greg Byrne 6554 6304

Pastoral Team
First Wed, 4:30pm at Forster.
Greg Byrne 6554 6304

Rite of Christian
Initiation of Adults
(RCIA) Parish Office 6554 6304

Finance Council
Second Wed, 5pm at Forster.
Greg Byrne 6554 6304

PARISH PASTORAL
GROUPS AND CONTACTS

Pastoral Council
Third Wed, 5:30pm at Forster.
Greg Byrne 6554 6304

Christian Meditation
Every Tues, 9am and 5:30pm.
Bob 6555 5914.

Holy Hour
Every Tues, 3:30pm at Tuncurry

Womens Bible Study Group

Every Thurs, 7pm to 8pm.
Natasha 0407 589 935.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

Parish Office
Located at the rear of
the Parish Hall Forster:
33 Lake Street, Forster
NSW 2428
PO Box 67
P: (02) 6554 6304
F: (02) 6554 6425

menALIVE Groups
Day group meet second and
fourth Wed after 9am Mass at
Forster. Evening group meets last Thurs of
the month at 7:30pm at Forster. Michael
Amato 6554 5284

CHURCH
LOCATIONS
Mary Star of the Sea
15 Peel Street, Tuncurry
Holy Name of Jesus
33 Lake Street, Forster

Singing Practice
Every Tues, 5:30pm.
Ken Heffernan 6557 6569.

SUNDAY MASS TIMES

Social Justice
Last Wed, 5:30pm at Forster.
Tim Prescott 6555 8517.

St Clares High School

Mr Peter Nicholls (Principal)
Davis Street, Taree
P: (02) 6552 3300
E: admin@tareesc.catholic.edu.au
W: www.tareesc.catholic.edu.au

Intercessory Prayer Group

No meetings required.
Bob Cashman 6555 5914.

WEEKDAY EUCHARIST (subj. to change)

Mary Star of the Sea, Tuncurry Mary Star of the Sea, Tuncurry
Sat 6pm, Sun 7am
Tues 4:30pm, Sat 9am
Holy Name of Jesus, Forster
Sun 9am

Holy Name Parish School (K-6)

Mr Chris Waters (Principal)
41 Lake St, Forster
PO Box 243
P: (02) 6554 6504
E: admin@forster.catholic.edu.au
W: www.forster.catholic.edu.au

Holy Name of Jesus, Forster

Wed 9am, Thurs 9am, Fri 8:30am

AGED CARE MASSES (subj. to change)

Beaumont Terrace 1st Tues , 11am
Kularoo Gardens 1st Wed, 11am
GLAICA House 2nd Tues, 11am
Barclay Gardens 3rd Tues, 11am

(Please note change of time for Friday Mass)

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

RECONCILIATION

Mary Star of the Sea, Tuncurry

Holy Name of Jesus, Forster

Saturday 8:30am

Saturday 4:45pm