A Blessed and Merry Christmas
‘For a child is born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named Wonderful Councillor, Might God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’ (Isaiah 9:6)
Dear parishioners of St Andrew’s Parish and Visitors
We live in a bust world. So often we hear someone say “how time flies”. It is so true that days, months and years have been passing so quickly. In a few moments we will celebrate once again what happened at Bethlehem 2000 years ago, when Jesus was born in a stable to bring humanity peace and joy. The appeal to put Christ back into Christmas, requires from all of us a genuine response. The noise of Christmas jingles in our shopping centres, radio stations and elsewhere, can immune us to the spiritual dimension of the festive period. Our hearts can be distracted by the allure of earthly possessions, the pride of the eve and the intoxicating spirit of the world. And when Christ comes looking for a place to shelter in our hearts He may find NO ROOM WITHIN.
Jesus teaches us that whoever welcomes one of these little ones in His name, welcome Him, and whoever welcomes Him welcomes the one who send Him – the Father. Often we read these words at Mass, but do we really believe them. The Virgin Mary was one who did, and thus she was able not only welcome Jesus as a baby, but eventually to stand beside Him as He died His painful death on the Cross.
Looking at the tragic event happening in Ukraine, the Middle East and all other places of the world, we as Christians, can ask the newborn King to restore peace and harmony among nations. For us, followers of Christ, every season is a TIME FOR GIVING. A special gift can be a firm handshake to a shaky soul, a kind word to a lonely person, a warm smile to the disheartened, food for the hungry, water for the thirsty, prayer for those in need. So on this Christmas Day let us pray that baby Jesus will bring to our world, to our country and to our families peace, forgiveness, gentleness and love.
On behalf of the Parish Pastoral Council, the Salvatorian Fathers, Fr Marian and myself, I (Fr Darek), want to wish you and your loved ones that the Christmas blessing of love, peace and joy be present within your hearts and homes during the Christmas Season and remain with you throughout the New Year, 2024.
May God Bless You.
Fr Darek Krzysztalowicz, SDS; Parish Priest
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A Christmas Prayer
God, we thank you for the message of peace that Christmas brings to our distracted world.
Give peace among nations, peace in our land, peace in our homes and peace in our hearts as we remember the birth at
Bethlehem of the Prince of Peace.
Christ our Lord. Amen
THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY
Sunday 31 December
The Feast of the Holy Family is not just about the Holy Family, but about our own families too.
The main purpose of the Feast is to present the Holy Family as the model for all Christin families, and for domestic life in general.
Our family life becomes sanctified when we live the life of the Church within our homes. This is called the “domestic church” or the “church in miniature.”
St. John Chrysostom urged all Christians to make each home a “family church,” and in doing so, we sanctify the family unit.
Just how does one live out the Church in the family? The best way is by making Christ and his Church the centre of family and individual life.
Ways to do this include: reading scripture regularly, praying daily, attending Mass at least on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, imitating the actions of the Holy Family, and so forth, all done together as a family unit.
PRAYER TO THE HOLY FAMILY
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, in you we contemplate the splendour of true love, to you we turn with trust.
Holy Family in Nazareth, grant that our families too may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel and small domestic Churches.
Holy Family of Nazareth, may families never again experience violence, rejection and division: may all who have been hurt or scandalised find ready comfort and healing.
Holy Family of Nazareth may the approaching synod of Bishops make us once more mindful of the sacredness and inviolability of the family and its beauty in God’s plan.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Graciously hear our prayer. Amen.
New Year’s Prayers
Holy Father, God of our yesterdays, our today, and tomorrows. We praise You for Your unequaled greatness. Thank You for the year behind us and for the year ahead. Help us in Your new year, Father, to fret less and laugh more. To teach others to love by loving them. Knowing, when Love came to the stable in Bethlehem, He came for us. So that Love could be with us, and we could know You. That we could share Love with others. Thank You for another new year and for new chances every day. We pray for peace, for light, and for hope, that we might spread them to others. Forgive us for falling short this past year. We leave the irreparable past in your hands, and step out into the unknown new year knowing You will go with us. We accept Your gift of a new year and we rejoice in what’s ahead, depending on You to help us do exactly what You want. We ask this in Christ our lord. Amen
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Dear Lord, please give me a few friends, work to do which has real value, without which the world would be poorer; a mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed; an understanding heart; time for quiet, silent meditation; a feeling of the presence of God; the patience to wait for the coming of these things, with the wisdom to recognize them when they come. Amen
Merry Christmas from the Salvatorians
Each year the Australian Region of Salvatorians are humbled by the overwhelming support from all the Salvatiorian parishes across Australia.
Our Community is sincerely grateful for the generous donations received throughout this year to support the formation of our seminarians and missionary projects.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry and safe Christmas with a joyous New Year.
May God continue to bless you abundantly.
Have a Happy & Safe School Holiday
We welcome all visitors staying with their families in our parish and wish them a happy holiday.
To all parishioners travelling during this time we wish them bon voyage and a safe return home.
To all children, students, parents and school staff we wish a Merry Christmas and a very happy summer holiday
and we look forward to seeing you next year 2023.
PRAY FOR TRAVELLERS
Grant me O Lord a steady hand and a watchful eye. That no one shall be hurt as I pass by.
You gave me life, I pray no act of mine may take away or mar that gift of Yours.
Shelter those, dear Lord, who keep me company, from the evils of fire and all calamities.
Teach me to use my car for others’ needs; nor miss through love of undue speed
the beauty of the world; that I may with joy and courtesy go on my way.
Lord protect me and lead me safely to my destiny. Amen.
Prayer for Peace
God of mercy and compassion, of grace and reconciliation, pour Your power upon all Your children in the Middle East: Jews, Muslims and Christians, Palestinians and Israelis.
Let hatred be turned into love, fear to trust, despair to hope, oppression to freedom, occupation to liberation, that violent encounters may be replaced by loving embraces, and peace and justice could be experienced by all. God of all creation, bring justice and peace to our world. Teach us to be peacemakers.
Guide us in our pursuit of justice and the common good. Inspire us to welcome all, forgive all, and love all. Direct us as we walk in the shadow of Jesus: the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Inspire us to perceive the world through your eyes, that we might find hope and joy each day, supportive of each other, for the sake of Your Kingdom.
Amen