REMINDER TO ALL CHILDREN’S LITURGY
PARENTS/CARERS:
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Advent Wreath Blessing
Today we reect on Mary’s place in
God’s plan for our redempon. By her
cooperaon, Mary brought Jesus into
the world to be our light. As we light the
fourth candle on our Advent wreath let
us pray that through our witness the
light of Christ will enter the hearts and
minds of those who do not know our Saviour.
Response: COME LORD JESUS
Give your peace to all naons… (R)
Be the joy of all who love you … (R)
Bless us as we gather here in your name… (R)
Lord Jesus, stay with us … (R)
by Fr Michael Tate
Just Man Dreaming
Joseph could not ignore Mary’s pregnancy, but he had an
exceponal large-heartedness, so that he preserved a future for
Mary even though she had apparently wronged him.
If he had gone to sleep in a frame of mind to avenge his honour,
he would not have been ready to have the deepest levels of his
consciousness srred in the way God wanted. In the deep sleep
of a just and good man, Joseph was enlightened as to the divine
dimension of Mary’s pregnancy. The old cycle of human history,
literally generaon aer generaon, was being broken.
Something uerly new had happened.
You and I are just as likely to receive an intuion as to God’s
plan for us in the depths of sleep: who we really are, who we
are desned to be, where we t in to God’s plan for
transforming the whole of creaon. When we get these
instrucve moments in our sleep, what can we do when we
wake up? We can do what Joseph did: get up and do what is
needed to full the message.
We could pause for a moment to thank Joseph for showing
what dreams can be made of. Tonight might be the night!
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT — YEAR A 21ST DECEMBER 2025
First Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14
The virgin will conceive.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 23:1-6. R. see vv 7. 10
(R.) Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.
The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness,
the world and all its peoples.
It is he who set it on the seas;
on the waters he made it rm. (R.)
Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord?
Who shall stand in his holy place?
The man with clean hands and pure heart,
who desires not worthless things. (R.)
He shall receive blessings from the Lord
and reward from the God who saves him.
Such are the men who seek him,
seek the face of the God of Jacob. (R.)
Second Reading: Romans 1:1-7
Jesus Christ, a descendant of David, is the Son of God.
Gospel Acclamaon: Mahew 1:23
Alleluia, alleluia!
A virgin will give birth to a son;
his name will be Emmanuel: God is with us.
Alleluia!
Gospel: Mahew 1:18-24
Jesus was born of Mary, the betrothed of Joseph,
a son of David.
WWW.MUDGEE.CATHOLIC.ORG.AU
Catholic Parishes of Mudgee, Gulgong and Kandos
MUDGEE ROSTER
Saturday 20th/ Sunday 21st December
Commentator Please see the roster at the back
of the church.
If you are available to help with the
Christmas Masses, please add your
name to the roster at the back of
the church.
If you available to help with Masses on
27th/28th December and
On 3rd/4th January, please call the
Parish Oce.
First Reader
Second Reader
EMOC
Altar Server
Welcomer
Oertory
Sacristan
Counter Mon. 22nd Dec K. O’Brien
Saturday 27th/ Sunday 28th December
Commentator Help Needed L. Croake
First Reader L. Nicholson Help Needed
Second Reader Help Needed Help Needed
EMOC Help Needed R. Croake
Altar Server Help Needed Help Needed
Welcomer Help Needed Help Needed
Oertory Help Needed Help Needed
Sacristan D. Cunningham L. Browne
Counter Mon. 29th Dec L. Hawkins
Bells Mon - E. Goodlet
Tue - Help Needed
Wed - J. Cooper
Thu - I. Browne
Fri/Sat - I. Browne
Sun -Help Needed
DAY BY DAY
Mon, 22/12 Fourth Week of Advent
Oce opens at 10am
2.00pm 2nd Rite of Reconciliaon - Mudgee
Tue, 23/12 Fourth Week of Advent
9.30am Mass—Mudgee
Wed, 24/12 Christmas Vigil
6.00pm Mass—St Mary’s Mudgee
6.00pm Mass—Kandos
8.30pm Mass—Mudgee
Thu, 25/12 The Navity of the Lord—Solemnity
7.30am Mass—Mudgee
9.00am Mass—Mudgee
9.30am Mass—Gulgong
Fri, 26/12 St Stephen, the rst martyr—Feast
9.30am Mass —Mudgee
Sat, 27/12 St John, apostle, evangelist—Feast
5.30pm Reconciliaon—Mudgee
6.00pm Vigil Mass—Mudgee
Sun, 28/12 THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
8.30am Rosary
9.00am Mass—Mudgee
10.30am Mass—Gulgong
11.00am Rylstone—Communion Service
ALPHA
27TH JANUARY 2026
6PM
AT ST MARY’S PARISH
To register: Call the Parish Oce
on 6372-2122 or online at
www.alpha.org.au/try
Try
Alpha
www.alpha.org.au/try
MINISTRIES 2026
We are currently arranging the rosters for next year.
We are encouraging everyone to recommit to a ministry OR to
sign up for a new ministry
OR BOTH.
If you have help with a ministry over the last twelve months,
we thank you. We will not assume that you would like to
connue in that same ministry. Please ll in a new Ministry
form if you would like to connue.
The Ministry Form can be found at the back of the Church or
online hps: //forms.gle/gcDYacx2av5cpw3p8
How can you help your Parish in 2026?
Donaons gratefully received
(Phone with details for a receipt)
Mudgee CCCC Luncheon
BSB: 032653 Account: 358452
The Bishop’s Christmas Appeal
This December, as the light of Christmas draws
near, your compassion can restore the future for
resilient children in Vanuatu. We appeal to you to
support the Bishop’s Christmas Appeal, a vital
eort to rebuild the severely damaged classrooms
of St. Michel Primary School in Luganville.
The challenges for these students began in 2017 when they were
displaced from Lone Primary School on Ambae Island following a
volcanic erupon.
The situaon worsened in 2020 when Tropical Cyclone Harold, a
Category 5 storm, severely damaged parts of the school, destroying
several classrooms and facilies.
For too long, these children have been forced to learn in makeshi
condions—studying under tents provided by humanitarian
organizaons. Imagine the challenge of trying to concentrate when,
as 10-year-old Esma explains, classes are cancelled because the
classroom “is all wet with water when it rains”.
Despite these hardships, these teachers and students remain
commied to learning and have shown remarkable resilience. This
Advent and Christmas, your generous gi to the Bishop’s Christmas
Appeal will construct cyclone-resistant classrooms, restoring stability
to the lives of these displaced students. 10-year-old Madeleine
dreams of a “new classroom to school in“. Your donaon is a
tangible act of Chrisan love.
Please open your heart this December and especially on Christmas
Day. Give the gi of a safe future.
GULGONG ROSTER
Date Commentator Reader Sacristan Leader
25 Dec C. Gaudry C. Leoa TBA
28 Dec D. Kelly P. Leoa M & E Carney
4 Jan J. Thatcher D. Hudson TBA J. Thatcher
WWW.MUDGEE.CATHOLIC.ORG.AU
If you have any Safeguarding concerns, please contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Ocer on (02) 6334 6440 or
email safeguarding@cdob.org.au
MASSES AND PRAYERS REQUESTED
For the recently deceased especially:
Cynthia Edwards, Bev Darby, Ron Muscat.
We remember the anniversaries of:
Eva Knezenvic, Ned Dalton, James Cavanagh, John Bagge,
Doreen Mahews, Aileen Rogan, John Mahon, Janice Bryant,
Marie Robinson, Bernie Stewart, Joyce Jones, Tony Dimmock,
George Ashcro, Adeline McNally, Lance Tito, Wayne Morton.
For the deceased:
Terence Ryan, Ronald Clayton, Anne West (Bribbaree),
Neville O’Brien, Yvonne Burke, Shirley Boyd.
For the Sick, Special Intenons and Thanksgiving:
Connie Vasallo, Bey Clark, Mary Morton, Terry Ryan,
Eleni Roberts, Tony Spina, Keiran Micallef, Elizabeth Donelly,
Lynne Daly and all those in our Nursing Homes.
Due to privacy legislaon, names of the sick can only be put on
the bullen with permission of the immediate family.
PARISH NEWS
Mudgee
Christmas Vigil and Christmas Day Ministry sheet is at the back
of the church. If you are available due this me, please write you
name next to the ministry you would like to help with.
The following statement can be aributed to
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
President, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB:
The violence and horror which descended upon
Bondi on Sunday evening have shaken Australians to
the core. The loss of innocent lives is a tragedy
beyond measure. The families and loved ones of those who have
died have had their world shaered. Many more people have
suered injuries, some of them very serious.
The twisted moves behind those who perpetrated these terrible
acts are now clearly linked with the scourge of ansemism. This
is a shocking and deeply distressing reality which calls into
queson our own understanding of ourselves as Australians.
In a country which prides itself on its tolerance and open-hearted
hospitality this blind prejudice and hatred points to a dark and
destrucve stain in our society which threatens not just our
Jewish brothers and sisters but, in fact, all of us.
We must rediscover our convicon that nothing can ever jusfy
this destrucve violence.
As our naon confronts this tragedy we must work hard to ensure
that the jusable anger we feel does not breed even more
violence and hatred.
Our horror at what has happened must become the source of a
determinaon to turn our backs on all acts of violence and blind
hatred.
Equally, the remarkable courage of the police and other rst
responders, and individual acts of bravery as people sought to
protect each other, are a mely reminder of what is best in our
Australian character.
The hearts of all the people of this naon go out to the families of
those who have died and to all those who have been injured. The
prayers of all people of religious faith will accompany those who,
in the days, weeks and months ahead will be struggling with the
physical, psychological and spiritual consequences of Sunday
evening’s awful events.
We entrust those who have died to the love and mercy of God, in
praying for their family and friends and for all those who have
suered injuries of any kind.
We join with all those who condemn such terrible violence and
plead with all Australians to reject any impulse towards hatred
and violence and instead to recommit ourselves to being
peacemakers in our families, amongst our friends and in our
wider society.
hps://mediablog.catholic.org.au/statement-from-the-president-
on-bondi-tragedy/
Dear Lord,
Following last Sunday’s violent aack on the Jewish
community celebrang their fesval of Hanukkah at Bondi
in Sydney, we pray for all who were killed, those injured
and traumased, grieving families and individuals, that
comfort, healing and eternal rest will be theirs.
Amen
Gospel Focus – What’s in a name?
It appears from the passage that Mary’s child is to be called both
Jesus and Emmanuel. Emmanuel is not intended as a dierent
name for Jesus but rather one of the many tles that will be
applied to him. The tle means God-is-with-us. That one word,
Emmanuel, sums up the essence of Jewish and Chrisan belief.
The Jewish people’s faith in God was built on the basis that God
travelled with them and through their lives. Chrisans believe
that God took on an even closer sense of being with us through
God’s incarnaon in the life of Jesus.
Please have all Christmas Mass intenons to the oce by 4pm
Tuesday, 23rd December. Thank you.
WWW.MUDGEE.CATHOLIC.ORG.AU
Catholic Parishes of Mudgee, Gulgong and Kandos
Readings for next Sunday: THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
Sirach 3:2-6. 12-14 Ps 127:1-5. R. see v 1 Colossians 3:12-21 Mahew 2:13-15. 19-23
CHRISTMAS 2025
We are the mes
When we are dismayed and troubled by the world
we live in, the ancient polician Cicero knew how we
feel. On several occasions, in his speeches, he lamented the way
things were going with the phrase Such mes, such customs!
A few centuries later, another Roman orator, St Augusne, gave
this senment a Chrisan slant: Bad mes, troublesome mes!
This is what people are saying. But let our lives be good; and the
mes are good. We make our mes; such as we are, such are the
mes.
You and I are not, thank God, responsible for everything.
However, each of us can make a dierence in our family, our
community and even somemes beyond. Our acons may seem
small to the world, even to ourselves, but God measures
dierently.
May the Beloved Son, who has entered our world to redeem it
from within, give you hope and peace as we rejoice at his birth.
+Michael McKenna
Bishop of Bathurst
Parish Penitenal Service
During this coming Advent season, Bishop
Michael has requested that each parish
across the diocese hold a Penitenal Service. This Penitenal
Service will iniate a new journey of renewal, Rebuild My Church,
a diocesan wide process leading to a Parish Assembly in 2026.
Walking together in faith and mission, the iniave invites every
parishioner to take part in renewing the life of the Church
through parcipaon, communion, mission. As we commence
this signicant journey, parishioners are warmly invited to aend
our Advent Penitenal Service to be held on:
St Mary’s, Mudgee
Monday 22nd December at 6.00pm
Jesse Tree
The Jesse Tree illustrates the genealogy of Jesus, starng from
Creaon, and highlights ancestors of Jesus and signicant events.
December 20 Jesus is the key of David – Isaiah 22:22
‘I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall
open, and no one shall shut; he shall shut, and no one shall open.’
This passage in Isaiah is about the appointment of a steward – a
caretaker – for the people of Jerusalem. It makes clear that the
one appointed carries the authority of the Lord who appoints him.
December 21 Jesus is the radiant Dawn – Psalm 19:6-7
This passage moves from the physical glory of the heavens to the
spiritual perfecon of God's commands, showing how both reveal
the divine. Jesus is the radiant dawn.
December 22 Jesus us the King of the Gentles – Psalm 2:7-8
This passage is about God’s promise to his anointed. ‘I will make
the naons your heritage, and the ends of the earth your
possession’.
December 23 Jesus is Emmanuel – Isaiah 7:14
‘Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young
woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him
Immanuel’.
December 24 Jesus is the Light of the World – John 1:1-14
‘There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came
as a witness to tesfy to the light, so that all might believe
through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to tesfy
to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming
into the world’.
Parish Priest
Fr Paul Devi VG
Postal Address
Po Box 14, Mudgee NSW 2850
Our Catholic Schools
St Mahews Catholic School Mudgee
pp.mudgee@cdob.org.au
Parish Deacon
Rev Charles Applin
Phone: 02 6372 2122
Email: oce.mudgee@cdob.org.au
Website: www.mudgee.catholic.org.au
Phone: 02 6372 1742
Principal: Mrs Angela Myles
Website: www.stmasmudgee.catholic.edu.au
Parish Secretaries
Krise Newman
Krista O’Brien
Parish Oce Hours
Mon 10.00am—4.00pm
Tues, Wed, Thur, Fri 9.00am—4.00pm
Closed for lunch 1.00pm—2.00pm
All Hallows Catholic School Gulgong
Phone: 02 6374 1582
Principal: Mr Badley Toole
Website: www.allhallowsgulgong.catholic.au
