ADVENT WREATH
is a sign of preparation.
Second Sunday – the 2nd violet candle is lit which is a sign of hope. Here’s a Prayer of Hope.
O my God, relying on Your promises, I hope that through the infinite merits of Jesus Christ, You will grant me pardon of my sins and the graces necessary to serve You in this life and to obtain eternal happiness in the next. Amen
Immaculate Conception
In 1830, [note the bottom of the medal] this medal was personally given by Our Lady to St. Catherine Laboure in Paris. Our Lady asked people to wear the medal of the Immaculate Conception. The miracles were so numerous that it became known as the Miraculous Medal. In 1854, the Pope proclaimed the teaching that Mary from the first moment of her conception was free of all sin [original and personal] by God’s decree – hence she is immaculate [free of stain] or sinless. Four years later, 1858, Our Lady ratified this truth by her appearances to St Bernadette at Lourdes. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is Saturday.
Christmas Tree – Jesse Tree
The family tree of Jesus is often based on Jesse the father of King David. There are fourteen generations down to Christ. The usage of a real tree can be traced back to the eighth century monk St Boniface, who while evangelising Germany replaced the worship of an oak tree with the devotion of a Christmas tree.
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose shrine near Mexico City attracts far more pilgrims than any other Marian shrine on earth and still baffles science. Our Lady is still gradually revealing her message through features of the holy Image: 1) that it’s scientifically impossible for the image’s cactus-fiber to have lasted more than a few years, let alone nearly 500 years; 2) that Mary’s image is intact despite a nitric acid spill (1778) and an atheist’s bomb (1921); 3) that the colors not being paint are a complete mystery; 4) how Mary’s eyes seem like living eyes; 5) that some experts say you can see the reflections of St. Juan Diego and others in her eyes; 6) that the temperature of her Image always remains stable regardless of the air temperature; 7) that the stars on Mary’s mantle are those that were above Mexico City on the day of the miracle; 8) that many believe Mary is pregnant; 9) that her Image brought the conversion of nine million Indians in less than a decade; 10) that what the Aztecs saw in the Image ended their satanic human sacrifices. What an amazing image!
The Wise Men or Magi could see the star but Herod could not. Why not? And what gifts did they bring?
KID’S HUMOUR
A little girl was at her first wedding and asked her mother after the event: “Why did the lady change her mind?” Her mother said: “What do you mean?” “Well, she came down the aisle with one man and left with another.”
Fr. Peter Murphy – Parish Priest
Fr. Chris Heffernan – Assistant Priest
Fr. Brendan Lee – in residence
Fr. Mark Whybrow – in residence
Phone (02) 6025 1784 Email holyspirit@westnet.com.au
Address 550 Prune Street, Lavington PO Box 220 Lavington NSW 2641
