Parish Bulletin
INTO THE WILDERNESS
Advent 2020 is especially poignant as we yearn both for an end to this harrowing year and for the coming of the Good News with the joy and hope Christmas brings. Mark’s Gospel, which is the Gospel for the Church’s Year B, is known for being blunt and somewhat abrupt. This Sunday’s very beginning (Mk 1:1-8) challenges our comfort and certainty. No Christmas nativity stories in Mark! Just straight into John the Baptist, the wild man living rough in the bush, urging us to get ourselves prepared for the coming of Jesus. That is precisely what Advent is about: penitential preparation and hopeful expectation.
We can feel the excitement pulsing! Christmas is just a few weeks away. School is ending, trees and lights and reindeers are dusted off, holiday plans are firmed up. For some Australians, that is all there is. Christians too are involved in present buying, family arrangements and holiday plans, but for us, Jesus is the “reason for the season.” We eagerly anticipate the reliving of God’s incarnation as that little baby over 2000 years ago. As preparation we heed John’s call and go with him a little into the wilderness, taking time out away from the hustle and bustle, the tinsel and glitz, where God can work on our hearts and we can reflect on what really matters.
In the wilderness, even if it is only five minutes of wilderness at the beginning or end or in the midst of our busy day, we can find the core simplicity of John the Baptist. We make our inner preparations for the Lord and we wait quietly, prayerfully, expectantly with John for the coming of the Lord.
Deacon Mark Kelly
2020 CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES
Christmas Eve Vigil Masses (Thursday 24th December)
5.30pm St Ignatius, Neerim South
6.00pm St Ita’s, Drouin
7.00pm Marist-Sion, Warragul
8.00pm St Ita’s, Drouin
9.00pm Marist-Sion Warragul
Christmas Day Masses (Friday 25th December)
8.30am St Ita’s, Drouin
9.00am St Joseph’s, Warragul
9.00am St Ignatius, Neerim South
10.30am St Ita’s, Drouin
11.00am St Joseph’s, Warragul
You must book to come to Christmas Masses subject to Covid-19 arrangements.
Go to https://www.trybooking.com/BNEHG
This will bring up the list of Masses.
Click on book now button and follow the prompts
Click on the Mass you wish to attend (please only choose one Mass)
Then click on the number of tickets required.
(Please note Children over 12 months need to have a ticket booked)
Then fill in your details.
Click on purchase ticket. TICKETS ARE FREE.
Make sure that you have completed the purchase of your ticket by checking your email confirmation. If you do not get an email confirming your ticket please contact the parish office.
(You don’t need to print or bring your ticket.)
Trybookings for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses will open from Monday 21st December.
If you have any issues please call Prue at the Parish office p: 5623 1642.
BOOKING FOR SUNDAY MASSES
While there is now no need to book in for weekday masses, it is still required to book in for Sunday masses.
To make this easier we are now offering on-line bookings.
For those who cannot do this it will still be possible to phone the parish and book in.
ON-LINE BOOKINGS:
Go to https://www.trybooking.com/BMZOK
This will bring up the list of Masses.
Click on book now button and follow the prompts.
Click on the Mass you wish to attend (please only choose one Mass).
Then click on the number of tickets required. (Please note Children over 12 months need to have a ticket booked).
Then fill in your details.
Click on purchase ticket. TICKETS ARE FREE.
Make sure that you have completed the purchase of your ticket by checking your email confirmation. If you do not get an email confirming your ticket please contact the office. (You don’t need to print or bring your ticket.)
Warragul and Drouin Masses are strictly limited to 80 people and Neerim South 50 people.
You must book to come to Sunday Masses. Please do not just turn up, you must book.
If you need help, or have any questions please call Prue at the Parish Office on phone: 5623 1642 between 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday.
