Parish Religious Education Program 2023 Enrolment
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 2023 is now open. PREP classes are held every Thursday during school term from 3.45 pm to 5.00 pm and will start next year on Thursday, 2nd February, 2023. PREP Enrolment Forms are available at the Church Foyer and Parish Office. Please complete the enrolment form and submit it to the Parish Office before 31st January, 2023.
For more information, kindly contact the Sacramental Coordinator on 93072776 or email sacramental.whitford@perthcatholic.org.au
Parish Notices - Sunday 11th December, 2022
1. COVID-19 Update: Following the end of Western Australian State of Emergency and State government’s removal of all mandatory restrictions in relation to Covid-19, we are now returning to pre Covid-19 arrangements starting this summer. However, we must highlight the fact that Covid-19 is still in the community and so all immune compromised individuals need to take relevant precautions to protect themselves from any adverse effects from this virus. Let us all continue to look out for each other by minding our hand hygiene and physical contact with each other. Sincere thanks to one and all for your cooperation as we have navigated over the last three years.
2. Thank you: On behalf of my brother Ronald and my whole family, I extend sincere thanks to one and all of you for standing with us for what has been a very difficult two weeks. My sister in-law Camilla was laid to rest on Tuesday 6th December and her daughter Hayley has been brought home from hospital; now in the care of her grandmother Jane (my mum). Your prayers, messages, phone calls, moral and material support have really softened our family's pain and grief. Please continue to pray for our healing and that Hayley continues to grow from strength to strength. Many blessings from our family to you and all your loved ones. Fr Cyprian - PP.
3. Parish Advent/Christmas Reconciliation: We will have our Advent/Christmas Second Rite of Reconciliation on Wednesday, 14th December at 7.00pm here in the Church. Please join us as we prepare for a meaningful Christmas celebration.
4. Overseas Mission Christmas Raffle: Tickets are currently on sale after all weekend Masses until drawn on Sunday 18th December, after 11am Mass. Ticket cost 3 for $5. All prize winners will be notified, prompt collection is appreciated, as the Church is prepared for Christmas celebrations. We thank you for your support and generosity. We wish you a Merry Christmas and New Year.
5. Adoration Christmas Closure: Adoration is now closed for Christmas and will resume on Wednesday, 18th January 2023.
6. Baby Jesus – Christmas Masses: We are seeking babies to help us celebrate our Christmas Masses this year. Masses available are: Christmas Eve - 12pm, Christmas Day - 8am, 9.30am and 11am. Each baby will receive a special certificate as a memento. Please find sign-up sheet on the information desk at the back of Church or kindly contact the office on 9307 2776 to provide details of your baby.
7. 2022 Christmas Eve Outdoor Mass - Nativity Play: We are looking for children to be involved in the Nativity Play, which is a feature of the Parish Christmas Eve Mass (6pm) on the Whitford school oval. Those children who would like to a reading, and/or play the parts of Mary, Joseph, herald, innkeepers, shepherds and angels are invited to a practice on SATURDAY 17TH DECEMBER AT 10AM. We will meet on the oval side of the church. Characters will be chosen from those present at the practice. All children are welcome to join us. Enquiries: Leanne Fragomeni 0424 584 460 or fragomeni.leanne@gmail.com
8. Christmas Closure: Please note, the parish office will be closed for Christmas & New Year break from 4.00pm on Friday, 23rd December 2022 to Friday, 6th January 2023 inclusive. The office resumes of Monday, 9th January 2023.
9. Sign-up sheets: for the Christmas Masses for Special Ministers, Readers, Acolytes and Altar Servers are now available in the robing room. Please take the time to volunteer your time for these Christmas Masses.
10. Parish Monthly Healing Mass: From this January, we will celebrate a healing Mass every last Saturday of the month. At this Mass, there will prayer and anointing of the sick. Please join us on Saturday, 28th January 2023 at 8.30am – invite your family, friends and colleagues to come along.
11. Just Faith Advertising Vacancies: If you would like to advertise in our Christmas edition of our Just Faith magazine, please contact the office on 9307 2776. As well as promoting your business through our community, you will be helping to support this publication. Rates are very reasonable.
12. The Word Among Us: The ADVENT EDITION for 2022 IS STILL AVAILABLE! 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. Communion on Tongue: If you are keen on receiving communion on tongue, we kindly request that you consider coming last in the queue and please approach the priest; NOT acolytes or special ministers. Thank you for your cooperation.
14. Pastoral visits by Invitation: Weekly pastoral visits conducted by Fathers Cyprian and Francis can now 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. Thank you.
15. The First-Class Relic of St Mariae Goretti: The Relic donated to the Parish by Pat Fraser, is ‘housed’ in a Reliquary. Parishioners may take the Reliquary to their homes, keep it as long as required and then return it to the Church. Please call the office 9307 2776 or Shirley-Ann 0424 813 890 to make enquires and book.
16. Padbury Catholic Primary School: Padbury Catholic Primary School is a welcoming, inclusive and faith-filled community which caters for students from Pre-Kindy (3ry olds) to Year 6 in a double-stream setting. Please visit our website www.padcath.wa.edu.au, Facebook page, Instagram or call 9404 4000 for further information. We are currently taking expressions of interest and interviews for enrolment across the seven year groups.
17. Whitford Catholic Primary School: Whitford Catholic Primary School is a
community that celebrates faith and achievement and promotes excellence in all we do. Please visit our website www.whitfordcatholicps.wa.edu.au, our Facebook page or call (08) 9404 4200 for more information. We are currently taking expressions of interest and interviews for enrolment across the seven-year groups.
Rosters - 18th December, 2022
NEWSLETTER NOTICES DEADLINE: Wednesday at 12pm Noon.
RELIGIOUS GOODS STALL: Bernadette Nadham/ Cecilia Araya/ Senol Bonny/ Shirley-Ann Poulton/ Pam Thompson.
READERS: Linda Sweeney & Joh Clift/ Megan Woodall & Celine Chaperon/ Emma Janeczko & Margarita Tranquille/ Angela Sanderson & Clare Penaranda/ bernie Smith & Cherry Napala.
COUNTERS: Christmas Count: Boxing Day – Ken White & Tim Laver – Thank you
CLEANERS: Saturday, 17th December: Ian Fernandez/ Maria Bennett/ Alana Williams/ Carol Janeczko/ Evelyn D’Souza.
STATUE OF FATIMA: The Statue is currently with Shirley-Ann in Hillarys until the 7th January 2023. Those wishing to say the Rosary with the family can call 0424 913 890 to arrange.
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 the 6th January, 2023.
EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT: Adoration is held every Wednesday & Friday from 9.30 am – 7 pm.
BAPTISM: We welcome Hazel Clarke, Samson Bartley, Margot Traynor, Chloe Harman into God’s family this weekend.
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.
Death & Anniversary
Our Prayers this week will be offered Camilla Usete, Brendan Rafferty, Bui Huu Phube, Maria Eligia Munoz, Welfredo Villas, Francis Xavier Hendriyadi, Dan McGrath, James O’Gorman, all Souls in Purgatory, all Doctors, Nurses and Heath Care workers who have died from Covid-19, for all our departed loved ones, all Holy Souls, all victims of Covid-19, all those recently deceased and those who have their anniversary around this time.
General Notices
1. City of Joondalup Seniors Gathering: Wednesday 14 December 2022
9.30am-11.30am, Bramston Park Community Sporting Facility, Mattingleys Approach, Burns Beach. For more information please call 9400 4315.
2. Aid to the Church in Need Australia: ACN is the Pontifical Foundation dedicated to supporting the suffering and persecuted Church. That Catholic Shop - Christmas orders from Aid to the Church in Need’s online store – That Catholic Shop – can still be made all the way up to 19 December! Choose from our broad range of religious gifts and receive free shipping for orders over $100. Peruse our Christmas range at www.thatcatholicshop.com
3. Employment Opportunity: The Catholic Archdiocese of Perth has a number of employment opportunities available for suitably qualified persons to join their team and continue the good work of the Church.
For details, refer to https://www.perthcatholic.org.au/Employment.htm.
For a copy of the Job Description and to submit your application please email: recruitment@perthcatholic.org.au
· Manager, Wellbeing, Health and Safety - Permanent, Full-Time (listed on SEEK)
· Manager, Executive Services (Episcopal Services) - Permanent, Full-Time (listed on SEEK)
· Coordinator, Wellbeing, Health and Safety – Permanent, Full-Time
· Finance Officer – Fixed Term (12 Months) Full-Time
· Systems Accountant – Fixed Term (12 Months) Full-Time
4. Catholic Mission: presents Leaning towards the Light. A Christmas Reflection on Modern Slavery. Saturday 10th December 6pm. Bookings essential www.trybooking.com.CDTHF. Adults $40, Concessions $25.
5. Advent Appeal for Ukraine: The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference is supporting a special Advent appeal for the people of Ukraine, following a request from Bishop Mykola Bychok CSsR, Eparch of Sts Peter and Paul for the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Australia. Collections in dioceses, eparchies and parishes on the Fourth Sunday of Advent will support Mudra Sprava (Wise Action), a Patriarchal Charitable Foundation in Ukraine. The organisation has three focus areas: Evacuation of people from frontline territories; Food packages for people in need; Shelters for internally displaced persons. Find out more at: www.catholic.au
Safeguarding Notices
· 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
· Safeguarding Induction We invite ALL church workers (volunteers or paid) to attend an online safeguarding induction. A church worker is anyone in the parish in any role – paid or voluntary. The session will cover the Safeguarding Policies and Procedures, the importance of Safeguarding in the parish and the role of the Parish Safeguarding Officer. This induction must be done every three years. To register please visit: www.safeguarding.perthcatholic.org.au or phone 9221 7762. The calendar dates are:
o Thursday, 15 December 2022 at 7 pm
Reading at Mass: Third Sunday of Advent - A
First reading: Isaiah 35:1-6,10
God himself is coming to save you
Let the wilderness and the dry-lands exult, let the wasteland rejoice and bloom, let it bring forth flowers like the jonquil, let it rejoice and sing for joy. The glory of Lebanon is bestowed on it, the splendour of Carmel and Sharon; they shall see the glory of the Lord, the splendour of our God. Strengthen all weary hands, steady all trembling knees and say to all faint hearts, ‘Courage! Do not be afraid. ‘Look, your God is coming, vengeance is coming, the retribution of God; he is coming to save you.’ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, the ears of the deaf unsealed, then the lame shall leap like a deer and the tongues of the dumb sing for joy for those the Lord has ransomed shall return. They will come to Zion shouting for joy, everlasting joy on their faces; joy and gladness will go with them and sorrow and lament be ended.
________
Responsorial Psalm. 145(146):6-10
Response: Lord, come and save us.
It is the Lord who keeps faith for ever, who is just to those who are oppressed. It is he who gives bread to the hungry, the Lord, who sets prisoners free. R.
It is the Lord who gives sight to the blind, who raises up those who are bowed down, the Lord, who protects the stranger and upholds the widow and orphan. R.
It is the Lord who loves the just but thwarts the path of the wicked. The Lord will reign for ever, Zion’s God, from age to age. R.
________
Second reading: James 5:7-10
Do not lose heart; the Lord's coming will be soon
Be patient, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. Think of a farmer: how patiently he waits for the precious fruit of the ground until it has had the autumn rains and the spring rains! You too have to be patient; do not lose heart, because the Lord’s coming will be soon. Do not make complaints against one another, brothers, so as not to be brought to judgement yourselves; the Judge is already to be seen waiting at the gates. For your example, brothers, in submitting with patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
________
Gospel Acclamation: Isaiah 61:1 (Luke 4:18)
Alleluia, alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he sent me to bring Good News to the poor. Alleluia!
________
Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:2-11
'A greater than John the Baptist has never been seen'
John in his prison had heard what Christ was doing and he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else?’ Jesus answered, ‘Go back and tell John what you hear and see; the blind see again, and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised to life and the Good News is proclaimed to the poor; and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.’ As the messengers were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the people about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man wearing fine clothes? Oh no, those who wear fine clothes are to be found in palaces. Then what did you go out for? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says: ‘Look, I am going to send my messenger before you; he will prepare your way before you. ‘I tell you solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.’
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. Please 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
On this third Sunday of Advent, called the Sunday of "joy", the Word of God invites us on the one hand to joy, and on the other to the awareness that existence also includes moments of doubt, in which it is difficult to believe. Joy and doubt are both experiences that are part of our lives.
To the prophet Isaiah's explicit invitation to joy: "The desert and the parched land will exult, the steppe will rejoice and bloom" (35:1), the Gospel contrasts to the doubt of John the Baptist: "Are you the one who is to come or should we wait for another?" (Mt 11.3). Indeed, the prophet sees beyond the situation: he has discouraged people before him: weak hands, faltering knees, lost hearts (cf. 35:3-4). It is the same reality that in every age tests faith. But the man of God looks beyond, because the Holy Spirit makes his heart feel the power of his promise, and he announces salvation: "Courage, do not fear! Here is your God, [...] He comes to save you" (v. 4). And then everything is transformed: the desert blooms, consolation and joy take hold of the lost heart, the lame, the blind, those who can't speak are healed (cf. vv. 5-6). This is what is accomplished with Jesus: "the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are purified, the deaf hear, the dead rise, the poor have the Gospel proclaimed to them"(Mt 11:5).
This description shows us that salvation envelops the whole person and regenerates him. But this new birth, with the joy that accompanies it, always presupposes a death to ourselves and to the sin that is in us. Hence the call to conversion, which is the basis of the preaching of both the Baptist and Jesus; in particular, it's about converting the idea we have of God. And the time of Advent stimulates us to this precisely with the question that John the Baptist asks Jesus: "Are you the one who must come or do we have to wait for another one?" (Mt 11.3). We think: all his life John has waited for the Messiah; his way of life, his own body is shaped by this expectation. For this reason too Jesus praises him with those words: no one is greater than him among those born of a woman (cf. Mt 11:11). And yet, he too had to convert to Jesus. Like John, we too are called to recognize the face that God has chosen to take in Jesus Christ, humble and merciful.
Advent is a time of grace. It tells us that it is not enough to believe in God: it is necessary every day to purify our faith. It is a question of preparing to welcome not a fairy-tale character, but the God who challenges us, involves us and before whom a choice is imposed. The Child lying in the crib has the face of our most needy brothers and sisters, of the poor who "are the privileged ones of this mystery and, often, those who are the most able to recognize the presence of God among us" (Lett. ap. Admirable signum, 6).
May the Virgin Mary helps us, so that, as we approach Christmas, we do not allow ourselves to be distracted by the external things, but we make room in our hearts for the One who has already come and wants to come again to heal our illnesses and to give us His joy.
Advent is a time of grace. It tells us that it is not enough to believe in God: it is necessary every day to purify our faith. It is a question of preparing to welcome not a fairy-tale character, but the God who challenges us, involves us and before whom a choice is imposed. The Child lying in the crib has the face of our most needy brothers and sisters, of the poor who "are the privileged ones of this mystery and, often, those who are the most able to recognize the presence of God among us" (Lett. ap. Admirable signum, 6).
May the Virgin Mary helps us, so that, as we approach Christmas, we do not allow ourselves to be distracted by the external things, but we make room in our hearts for the One who has already come and wants to come again to heal our illnesses and to give us His joy.
Contact us!
Parish Priest: Fr Cyprian M. Shikokoti
Ph: 0450 464 678
Assistant Priest: Fr Francis Quoc Tran
Ph: 0466 909 282
Parish Office
Secretaries: Christine List & Mary McGrath-Yek
Office Hours: Mon – Fri 9am –4pm
Ph: 08 9307 2776
Email: whitford@perthcatholic.org.au
Sacramental Coordinator: Brigid Fredericks
Ph: 08 9307 2776
Email: sacramental.whitford@perthcatholic.org.au
Youth and Young Adult Contact Details
Youth Choir: Tara Prentice - 0424 205 011
Youth & Family Choir: Fran Christie Zscherpel - 0433 852 967
24:7 Whitford Youth Group: Stefan 0406 050 035 or Trinity 0468 375 889
Safeguarding Officers:
Rachel Wood 0400 958 513
Margy Reeler 0458 509 054
Andrew DeMaio 0422 236 051
Email: whitford@perthcatholic.org.au
Website: olm.myparish.net.au
Location: 270 Camberwarra Drive, Craigie WA, Australia
Phone: 08 9307 2776
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Our-Lady-of-the-Mission-Whitford-Parish-105788500874671/?ref=br_rs
