As we Victorians endure another lockdown, let us take this opportunity to pause and reflect on the feast of Corpus Christi as instituted to focus special attention on the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. It is a celebration of the generosity of the Lord to us, in offering himself as food to satisfy our spiritual and material hunger as we journey through life. Let us consider the great miracle of God's presence among us. All of us are people on a journey facing the trials and sufferings of everyday happenings. What better companion can we have for support than the presence of Jesus?

On the occasion of Pentecost, Archbishop Comensoli has written a Pastoral Letter entitled, "Take the Way of the Gospel", which invites the Church in Melbourne into a conversation on how we might come together and discern our common mission for the years ahead.

Masks back on :(

Alas, as of Thursday morning 4th February 2021, masks must be worn at all times when indoors. This change was introduced as a change to the Covid Safe Summer restrictions (refer www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorias-restriction-levels-covid-19)

End of COVID 19 web updates on the web

Hi folks,

In recent months we have been progressively returning to something closer to the "old normal". As result I will discontinue posting Jacinta's weekly parish news here on the parish web site. Jacinta will still be providing weekly updates, much of which is covered in The Word, our weekly church newsletter available at https://www.holyspiritparish.org.au/The-Word-Newsletter. You can receive Jacinta's weekly parish news email directly by sending a request to: RingwoodNorth@cam.org.au (Click for a pro forma email). After this week's COVID 19 news arctile, Jacinta's email will be the only place where you can find the latest "Children's Reflection, Family Activities".

Kind regards,

Michael

Children's Reflection, Family Activities

Click to find a Children's reflection page plus other details of interesting things to do together as family.

Pre-mass bookings are no longer required from 1st February, Change of weekend mass times

Booking prior to attendance is no longer necessary. Registration on attendance is required via the QR code or registation sheet in the Church foyer or chapel entrance. Also weekday mass times at Holy Spirit have changed to Wed and Fri at 9:15. Click https://www.holyspiritparish.org.au/Mass-Times/Weekly-Services to see more details and instructions on registration. Please call Jacinta, for Holy Spirirt, on 0434 224 483 or Ana, for St. Gerard's, on 0402 267 164, should you have questions.

Lenten Group Information

Jacinta will be hostng an online discussion group using the Diocese of Wollongong Lenten Program "Comfort", commencing on Wednesday 24th February. Discussion sessions will start at 10am. There are 9 spaces available to book. If you would like to join these Zoom chat sessions, please contact Jacinta on 0434224483 or by email: RingwoodNorth@cam.org.au.

Funeral arrangements for Mia Buskes and Gloria Thomas

Please note, in line with Covid guidelines, seating in the church is limited to 120. The Funeral Prayer Service for Mia Buskes will be celebrated on Wednesday 3rd February at 10:30am in the Holy Spirit Church. Parishioners who would like to attend can register at the church using the QR code or sign the registration sheet. Please arrive early to ensure you register and are seated well before Fr Arsenio is ready to commence.

The Requiem Mass for Gloria Thomas will be celebrated on Friday 5th February at 11am. Refer here for details regarding attendace or watching via live stream: https://www.mytributes.com.au/notice/funeral-notices/gloria-thomas/5634831/.

Children's Reflection, Family Activities

Click to find a Children's reflection page plus other details of interesting things to do together as family.

Advent: Week 4, Peace

It is nearly Christmas! We light the four candles on the wreath, wrap presents, catch up with friends and family and we remember that we do this in the name of Jesus, who comes to heal the world and inspires us to listen to God and live our lives in response to God’s hopes for us. Find out more at Advent: Week 4, Peace.

Christmas Mass arrangements

Chirstmas Mass arrangements, including booking and streaming details are now posted at www.holyspiritparish.org.au/Mass-Times/Christmas-Services-2020. Bookings are open.

Christmas Masses Helpers

Your Parish needs you!

With Covid restrictions in mind, we need several volunteers to help at each Mass. We want everyone to feel welcome, to feel that they belong to an active, vibrant community, and to return home knowing that they have experienced the joy and peace that Christ wants everyone to have.

At each Mass we need:

• 3 Special Ministers
• 1 Reader
• 6 Welcomers
• 1 Laptop operator
• 1 CD operator
• 4 people to Clean-up/reset after each Mass

If you would like to help, please email Jenny Philp with details of which Mass you would like to attend, the role you can assist with and your preferred contact number. Jenny will then contact you.

Christmas Carols Family Special

I know you will all be wanting to sing Christmas Carols so please tune into the Archdiocese Christmas Carol Event on Sunday 20th Dec at 7 p.m. for friends and family. Watch it on Channel 31 (Digital TV Channel number 44) or stream from youtube.com/ARCHMELB. Refer: Jesus is Christmas, Carols Special for more details.

Arrangements Over Christmas and through January: Parish Office Hours, January Masses, Father's holidays

Please note: the office will be closed between Christmas and New Year. Emergency calls can be made to the parish mobile number 0434 224 483. It will be checked for messages daily and any urgent matters will be dealt with.

Fr Arsenio will be taking a short break during January. He will celebrate the weekend Masses as usual, but is not available during the week. The last weekday Masses for 2020 will be celebrated on Wednesday 23 December. Weekday Masses will resume on Friday 22nd January 2021. Bookings for the weekday Masses will be via trybooking as of this date. The link is https://www.trybooking.com/BNPRE.

Wishing everyone a peace filled joyous Christmas!

Mary is at the centre of this Sunday's gospel, Luke 1:26-38, which gives us a simple but moving account of the greatest message that was ever delivered. In it we are told simply and plainly that there was a young maiden, who knelt down at the angel Gabriel's mysterious message and in the freedom of her heart, gave the total gift of herself to God saying 'be it done unto me according to thy Word.' Mary was needed by God so that He might carry out this plan for the world and send His Son among us. She was asked to cooperate with God and be the mother of Christ. The moment she said yes to the angel, salvation began and she brought that salvation to birth at Bethlehem on the first Christmas day.