Dear Friends,
At the Solemn Mass today we baptise Charlie Anderson Russell, second son of Ben and Tiffany Russell, and brother of William, baptised here on this Sunday four years ago. As we receive Charlie into membership of the Church, we welcome his family and friends who have come to support him.
S. Michael’s Church School has finished its year. At the final Mass on Thursday, the Year 8 leavers each spoke of some of the things that had been important for them at S. Michael’s. These ranged from friendships, and academic, cultural and sporting opportunities, to being baptised, and learning to be a Mass server. These offerings were followed by the refrain: For what has been, thanks be to God, for what is, thanks be to God, for what shall be, thanks be to God. We wish all those involved in schools, a refreshing and safe summer holiday, and enthusiasm for the next step of their journey.
Next Sunday after the Solemn Mass there will be a special morning tea for Rita Libeau, who will be celebrating her 80th birthday. Her family are providing this and invite us all to share this occasion with Rita.
And that evening at 7:00 pm, our choir will be leading us in the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols for Christmas.
As we approach Christmas, the Blessed Virgin Mary emerges as a key character in the great story of God’s coming to us in Jesus Christ. I include here for you a scriptural reflection from the 2005 Agreed Statement on Mary of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC).
The scriptural witness summons all believers in every generation to call Mary “Blessed”: this Jewish woman of humble status, this daughter of Israel living in hope of justice for the poor, whom God has graced and chosen to become the Virgin Mother of his Son through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. We are to bless her as the ‘handmaid of the Lord’ who gave her unqualified assent to the fulfilment of God’s saving plan, as the mother who pondered all things in her heart, as the refugee seeking asylum in a foreign land, as a mother pierced by the innocent suffering of her own child, and as the woman to whom Jesus entrusted his friends. We are at one with her and the apostles, as they pray for the outpouring of the Spirit upon the nascent Church, the eschatological family of Christ. And we may even glimpse in her the final destiny of God’s people to share in her Son’s victory over the powers of evil and death.
May God bless you all.
Fr Peter Williams
Advent Readings: Week Three
Monday Numbers 24: 2–7, 15–17 Matthew 21: 23–27
Tuesday Zephaniah 3: 1–2, 9–13 Matthew 21: 28–32
Wednesday Genesis 49: 2, 8–10 Matthew 1: 1–17
Thursday Jeremiah 23: 5–8 Matthew 1: 18–24
Friday Judges 13: 2–7, 24–25 Luke 1: 5–25
Saturday Isaiah 7: 10–14 Luke 1: 26–38CWS Christmas Appeal
Theme: “Give us a chance”
Light one candle for JOY in Uganda:
Thousands of Ugandan children have been orphaned by AIDS. They are cared for by older children or ageing grandparents. In the drought-prone Oruchinga Valley, the women and children have to fetch water daily from the river nearly 8 kilometres away. It must be used first for drinking, cooking and washing, with little to spare for cultivation.
CWS partner CCSU has been subsidising the building of rainwater tanks. They provide the materials not locally available; community groups collect the rest and learn how to build and maintain the tanks. Having a steady water supply means that the people can cultivate their land to grow food and rear some livestock. All are healthier, and more children have the chance to attend school. There is JOY in the hope of a better future.
Please give generously this Christmas, and give them a chance.
