Holy Spirit Parish, Gungahlin@SpiritLive(TM)












Holy Spirit Happenings

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: will be available 6pm Tues 23rd Dec.

SATURDAY MORNING MASSES: There will be no Saturday Morning Mass on Sat 27th Dec and Sat 3rd Jan. Saturday Morning Masses will resume on Sat 10th Jan.

SETTING UP THE CHURCH after Christmas celebrations: 8-9am Sat 27th Dec. We need your help to move the chairs in the Church area back to their normal positions. The rest of the chairs and equipment in the School Hall area will be moved later in January.

NEW YEAR’S DAY MASS: Will be celebrated at 9:15am on Thursday 1st January.

 BAPTISMAL INFORMATION SESSION: 10:45am 4th January at Holy Spirit Church, Amaroo, Parents presenting their first child for Baptism must attend a session.

NOVENA TO OUR MOTHER OF PERPEUAL HELP: Will resume 7pm Wed 7th Jan at Holy Spirit Parish Church.

Thought for the Week
The angel Gabriel announces the coming of Emmanuel, God-with-us. The annunciation shifts the emphasis to the moment of human response. The promise to Mary is that she will be empowered and protected by God. Divine call depends on human response. Mary’s response is one of openness and trust, of courage, wisdom and faithfulness.
Christmas Season Celebrations & Sacraments

RECONCILIATION: 7pm Thursday 18th December

MASS TIMES:

Christmas Eve: 7pm Children’s Mass (Children can come dressed up as shepherds, angels, people of Bethlehem)

9:30pm Carols

10pm Mass Christmas Day Mass:

9am All Masses at Burdekin Ave, Amaroo.

Thank You Sr Genny

On behalf of all parishioners, I want to say a big thank you to Sr Genny for her many years of tireless service to our parish community of Holy Spirit, Gungahlin. Sr Genny was part of the founding team for the parish and she has epitomised the parish symbol and theme with her dedication to service for the glory of God and the parish community. Sr Genny has touched so many of us in so many different ways and as a community we are blessed to have known her. To our children she has given friendship and shown the love and care of God. To us she has provided support and friendship at times of joy and sadness. She used her creative talent to inspire and heighten our experience of our liturgies. Her presence will remain with us through her many contributions to the design of our Church building and her artwork which surrounds the church. We will always remember Sr Genny when we look upon our beautiful stained glass window, designed to encourage and challenge us. We pray that Sr Genny receives every blessing and wish her good luck as she departs our parish and moves into the next exciting phase in her life’s journey.

David O’Hearn,

Chair, Pastoral Council

Farewell to a Gentle Soul

Sr Genny’s Farewell Masses will be held on 20/21 December.  Each Mass that weekend will be dedicated to Sr Genny.  Morning Tea will also be held after the 9:30am Mass.  Please bring a plate to share. 

· We are giving Sr Genny a Memories Book.  Paper will be available for your contributions after Masses starting this weekend.  Your contributions need to be back NO LATER THAN SUNDAY 14th DECEMBER.

· If you would like to contribute to a small token of our appreciation of Sr Genny’s wonderful work in our Parish, there will be envelopes and a box in the foyer on the weekends of 6/7 and 13/14 December.  

Diocesean Dates...

FOUNDATIONS IN CATHOLIC YOUTH LEADERSHIP Conference 9-13 February 2009 at the Rheinberger Centre Cost is $160. Contact Jenny Drum at 6163 4313.

Catholic Adult Faith Formation 1: If you wish to engage with some of the challenges and questions of life; if you’re ready to deepen and develop your Catholic faith. The first of 4 units (The Gospels) of the program begins on 31 Jan 2009. Contact 6163 4302.

CYM TEAM 2009 RECRUITMENT: The Catholic Youth Ministry team is looking for passionate and dynamic young people to join their full-time 2009 team. More information, please contact Daniela Kesina at 0400 256 177 or daniela.kesina@catholiclife.org.au.

TURN THE TIDE 2009. Summer retreat at the coast held over the Australia Day long weekend in January and is open to young people (16-35 year olds) across the Archdiocese, 23-26 January 2009 at The Pines Retreat Centre in Tuross, NSW. Cost is $130 Call Anna Burns at 0439 897 461 or youthevents@catholiclife.org.au for more information.

Gift That Makes A Difference
This year Holy Spirit Parish would like to support the work of Fr Peter Day who is establishing HOME in QUEANBEYAN—Caring for people with mental illness. Gift cards are now available on which you may write the persons name for whom the gift is intended.

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