SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'"

Volunteers are the strength of the Church
By Benedict Mayaki 

Pope Francis on Monday, sent a message to the volunteers for the upcoming World Youth Day on the occasion of International Volunteer Day, commemorated annually on 5 December.

In a short video in Spanish, Pope Francis said that he has been most impressed by the “strength of volunteers” whenever he visits churches.

Volunteering, said the Pope, is a "shocking force" that departs from patterns to “carry out something” as it has the “perseverance to carry something forward.”

He went on to give the example of those who volunteer to care for the sick, pointing at the example of the men and women who “are there all day long” using their free time to work with the sick.

Volunteering – a grace from God

“Volunteering is a grace from God,” the Pope affirmed, urging volunteers to “please accept it with strength.”

“Do not be afraid”, Pope Francis urged.

The Pope further added that “volunteers are the strength of the Church” as they are “a dimension of the Church’s mission because you go there with your volunteering and maintain so many actions of the Church.”

Bringing his message to a close, the Pope expressed his gratitude to the volunteers for their generosity – the generosity that every volunteer has.

International Volunteer Day 2022

International Volunteer Day 2022 celebrates the theme of “Solidarity through volunteering”. It highlights the capacity of collective humanity to stimulate positive change through volunteer efforts.

The Pope's message comes as preparations are  beginning for the event that gathers young people from all over the world, which is scheduled to hold from 1 – 6 August 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal.

KEY NOTICES

Christmas Celebration 2023

Penitential Services

Resurrection: Tuesday, 19 December - 7.00pm

St Anthony’s: Wednesday 20 December - 7.00pm

Saturday 23 December - Sunday Vigil Masses

Resurrection: 6.00pm - St Anthony’s: 6.30pm

Sunday Masses - 24 December

St Anthony’s: 9.30am - Resurrection: 10.00am

Christmas Masses

Christmas Eve - 24 December 2023

Family Masses:

Resurrection: 6pm - St Anthony’s: 6.30pm

Midnight Masses:

Resurrection & St Anthony’s at midnight

Christmas Day Masses:

St Anthony’s: 9.30am - Resurrection: 10.00am

There are Christmas Carols before Family and Midnight Masses.

 PADUA MAGAZINE: DECEMBER ISSUE

December issue. Don’t forget. How is your article going? Our theme this time is Christmas - time for Love, Joy, Peace and Hope. What are your dreams for Christmas? What are your memories of Christmas times? Please get your article in to Joseph this week. Thank you.

ST ANTHONY’S PARISH & RESURRECTION PARISH QUESTIONAIRE

Dear parishioners, we would like to invite you all (15+) to complete a questionnaire either online or through a hard copy available on church pews. If you are unable to finish the questionnaire today, take a hard copy home and submit it next week. You can also complete it from the website, via the following QR code or this Google form link: https://forms.gle/DkEGzsYKWZV2raDf6. Thank you.

PARISH QUESTIONAIRE

We would like to invite you all (from 15 years old) to complete a questionnaire either online or through a hard copy available on church pews. If you are unable to finish the questionnaire today, take a hard copy home and submit it next week. You can also complete it from the website, via a QR code or the Google form link. Details are in the bulletin.

ST ANTHONY’S CUPPA

Thank you to everyone for their amazing support with the cuppa before and after 8.30 & 10.30 Mass. Also for the people who supplied the Serviettes, Coffee, Tea & Sugar and all the food. Our last Cuppa for this year will be on Sunday 17th December. We will resume on Sunday 28th January 2024. Thanks again. Everyone enjoy your break. Happy Christmas to all. Jeannette & Carmel

COMBINED CATHOLIC PARISHES RAFFLE

Dear Parishioners,

I would like to sincerely thank you all for your amazing support once again this year with our major fundraiser the Combined Catholic Parishes Raffle. The Combined Catholic Parishes Raffle Draw was held on Saturday 2nd December in our Little Chapel at 7.30pm. Thank you to all who attended and helped on the night to ensure the raffle draw went smoothly. Your support for our parish is extraordinary and I am happy to say that one of our parishioners won the 5th prize, a Myers/Coles Gift card to the value of $1000. Congratulations to Mirco and his family. The results are as follows:

• 1st Prize: Ticket No: 25450  Car:  Kia Picanto  Winner:  Marian Flynn - Parish: St Thomas Parish Drysdale

• 2nd Prize: Ticket No: 26548 Gift Card: $5000 Winner:  Ann McGeary - Parish: Lifeboat, Geelong

• 3rd Prize: Ticket No: 16925 Gift Card: $3000 Winner: Liam Gill - Parish: Holy Trinity Parish, East Bentleigh   

• 4th Prize: Ticket No: 09756 Gift Card: $1000 Winner: David Swllekszynn Parish: Holy Family Parish, Mt Waverley

• 5th Prize:  Ticket No: 07033 Gift Card: $1000 Winner:  Mirco Kovac - Parish: Resurrection Parish, Keysborough     

• 6th Prize:  Ticket No: 09505 Gift Card: $500 Winner:  Peter Agardy - Parish: Holy Family Parish, Mt Waverley

• 7th Prize: Ticket No: 55483 Gift Card: $500 Winner: Losefo - Parish: Holy Child Parish Dallas

Catechist and Sacramental Program 2024

Please click on the link below to enrol your child for a Sacrament in 2024 as well as our Catechist program.

https://bit.ly/starenrolments2024

Catechist Program

Our Catechist program is designed to prepare children who do not attend a Catholic school to receive the Holy Sacraments. Please enrol your child to our Catechist program if you wish to receive a sacrament at our parishes.

Reconciliation 

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is for children in grade 3 who have already been baptised.

First Eucharist

The Sacrament of the First Eucharist is for children who have already received the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This Sacrament is usually received in grade 4.

Confirmation

The Sacrament of Confirmation is usually received by children in grades 6 to 8.

If you have more than one child receiving a Sacrament this year, please fill out separate forms. All meeting dates will be available on our Parish websites in January 2024.

(Click on the photo to read online or to download a pdf copy)

PADUA - JUNE EDITION -