OUR MISSION
We Welcome All into an Enrichment of Faith: a Sacred Space where God’s True Presence is revealed in the Sacraments and in our Community that encompasses Christ’s Love for one another and the needs of our brothers & sisters throughout our World.
Preparing the way
Matthew 3:1-12
When we hear the words, ‘a voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord …’, what do we hear? A young man wondered whether he was being called to be a priest. But when have we heard a call to prepare a way for the Lord?
In our wilderness have we heard a voice calling us to a change of heart? A woman heard such a voice when she spoke of her grief in a small group. A friend’s response enabled her ‘to find release from the doubts and fears and self-concern that had imprisoned me.’ That’s the hope and the joy offered to us in Advent, in the person of the one who is to come.
John the Baptist prepares a way for him, and he reveals how we might do this by calling us to repent, to a change of heart, so the kingdom of heaven might be made real in our lives. When the people were baptised by him, they ‘confessed their sins’, naming them so they might be forgiven, and their relationship with God and one another, might be restored.
These are the fruits of repentance. We can’t simply presume like the religious leaders do in the gospel that all is well because we’re in good standing with God, as John calls them out for their complacency.
Clearly, he’s an agent of change, and as the young man and the grieving woman instinctively understood, it’s decision time, because John points to the coming one’s role as judge at the end of time. He will baptise us with the Holy Spirit and with fire – a baptism of fire – which a woman experienced a few years ago when a bushfire destroyed her home. She lost everything and slowly came to realise it was an opportunity to do things differently this time, with God at the centre of her life.
She came to understand this judgement is not something to be afraid of, for when it comes it will be the moment when all is revealed, the moment of our liberation, when we will be ‘set free to love’. The only question is, do we long for this transformation or cling to what we’ve known? It’s not quite what John had in mind, but it is the hope and joy of Advent; that the Lord’s judgment will see the birth of a community of hope, where we might experience the joy of being with one another, both now and forever.
This community is at the heart of the first and second readings. Isaiah speaks of a new life for God’s people on returning from exile – renewed relationship with one another and all creation. While Paul speaks of hope in the scriptures and following the example of Christ and our forebears in faith, the building up of a community where we might all give glory to God. In this way we ‘prepare a way for the Lord’: it’s what we’re called to do.
Damian Coleridge
© Majellan Media 2025
Sourced from www.majellan.media
MONTHLY PRAYER / DEVOTION
The Holy Father's Intentions for the Month of DECEMBER 2025
For Christians in areas of conflict: Let us pray that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation and hope. (See also http://www.popesprayerusa.net/)
Sourced from www.catholicculture.org
MONTHLY DEDICATION
The month of November is dedicated to The Immaculate Conception. Major Feast: The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (December 8) The Blessed Mother was called “full of Grace” by the angel Gabriel because she was first conceived without sin. As the Church prepares for the coming of Christ on Christmas day, meditating on the mystery of Mary’s immaculate conception can remind us of the saving work Jesus came to do through His Incarnation. How to celebrate: Go to confession. This a great way to prepare for Christmas and give you the grace to imitate Mary’s virtues.
Sourced from www.catholicculture.org
MONTHLY HiGHLIGHTS
The liturgy of Advent focuses on remembering Christ's first coming at Bethlehem which then directs our mind to Christ's Second Coming at the end of time. The readings focus on the people of the Old Testament awaiting the Messiah, John the Baptist, heralding the way for Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary and her maternal preparations. The liturgy of Advent focuses on remembering Christ's first coming at Bethlehem which then directs our mind to Christ's Second Coming at the end of time. The readings focus on the people of the Old Testament awaiting the Messiah, John the Baptist, heralding the way for Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary and her maternal preparations. The main feasts of Advent are:
- St. Francis Xavier (December 3),
- St. John Damascene (December 4),
- St. Nicholas (December 6),
- St. Juan Diego (December 9),
- Immaculate Conception (December 9),
- Our Lady of Loreto (December 10),
- St. Damasus I (December 11),
- Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12),
- St. Lucy (December 13),
- and St. John of Kanty (December 23).
Christmastide begins with the First Vespers (Evening Prayer) of Christmas on December 24th and ends on the Sunday after Epiphany. The Solemnity of Epiphany is transferred to January 5 in the United States in 2025. Christmas and Easter are the only solemnities with octaves attached in the current calendar. The Christmas Octave differs from Easter in that it includes some major and minor feasts:
- St. Stephen, Protomartyr (December 26),
- St. John the Evangelist (December 27),
- the Holy Innocents (December 28),
- St. Thomas Becket (December 29)
- and St. Sylvester I (December 31).
The Feast of the Holy Family is celebrated on the Sunday within the octave, or on December 30 if there is no Sunday. The octave day is on January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. The feasts of St. Ambrose (December 7), St. John of the Cross (December 14), St. Peter Canisius (December 21) and Holy Innocents (December 28) are superseded by the Sunday liturgy.
25 DECEMBER - NATIVITY OF THE LORD
The Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Nativity the Lord, the Birth of Jesus Christ, and the First Day in the Octave of Christmas. Throughout Advent the Church longed ardently for the coming of our Savior. Today she celebrates His birth with unrestrained joy. "The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us." The Son of God became man to give us a share in that divine life which is eternally His in the Blessed Trinity. Christmas time begins on December 24 with the first Vespers of the feast and ends on the feast of the Baptism of Christ. White vestments reappear in our churches as a sign of joy.
Sourced from www.catholicculture.org
PARISH UPDATES
CHRISTMAS MASSES SCHEDULE
ADVENT MASS TIMES
Tuesday, 23 December 2025 - 4th Week of Advent 7.00 AM – Carmelite Monastery
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES
Wednesday, 24 December 2025 - Christmas Eve 5.30pm – Carols at Holy Rosary Church 6.00pm - Holy Rosary Church 7.00pm - Carmelite Monastery Thursday, 25 December 2025 - Christmas Day 8.30 am – Carols at Holy Rosary Church 9.00 am - Holy Rosary Church 8.00 am - Carmelite Monastery
OTHER MASSES & ADORATION SCHEDULE
PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Friday, 26 December 2025 - Saint Stephen, the First Martyr 8.00am - Carmelite Monastery
NEW YEAR DAY MASS
8.00 am - Carmelite Monastery 9.30 am - Holy Rosary Church
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Christmas Season and New Year’s Day Schedule:
- Tuesday 23 December 2025- Adoration as per normal from 9am - 9pm
- Thursday 25 December 2025 - Christmas Day - Adoration after 9 am Mass until 12 noon. No Adoration in the afternoon or evening.
- Sunday and Tuesday 28 & 30 December 2025 - Adoration as per normal.
- Thursday 1 January 2026 New Year Day - Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God - Adoration after 9.30 am Mass until 12 noon AND Adoration as per normal from 3pm - 6pm
We wish you every blessing of the Christmas Season and thank you all for your fidelity to Eucharistic Adoration at Holy Rosary Church.
Announcement for SACRAMENT 2026 will be advised on FEBRUARY 2026. Please keep up to date with the Bulletin or on our website link below.
VOLUNTEER SAFEGUARDING REQUIREMENTS
Dear volunteers, thank you for your generous contributions in time and effort, making our church a beautiful environment where we come together to worship, adore and pray, as well as fellowship, as brother and sisters in Christ.
Please complete an online Safeguarding Induction training (it only requires 10 minutes of your time) at https://safeguarding.perthcatholic.org.au/training/, as required by the Archdiocese. Respect and confidentiality will be kept. Very much appreciated.
Yours truly, love in Christ,
Jennnifer, Safeguarding Officer
VINNIES NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
Vinnies Nedlands are seeking new members to maintain our service to those in need in the community. If you would like to assist in this rewarding work please phone or message Ian Bauert on 0400572745.
CATECHISTS WANTED
Holy Rosary Nedlands greatly appreciate any catechists volunteers joining the Catechist team. You would be working with another catechist to provide the Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) to students for one sacrament per year. Training is provided.
Without catechists, children would not be able to receive their sacraments at our parish.
Please contact our Catechist co-ordinator, Natalie Cloud on nctravers@gmail.com if you are interested or for further information. Thank you!
JOIN OUR WHATSAPP COMMUNITY!
Stay connected with everything happening at Holy Rosary Nedlands Parish! We've refreshed our WhatsApp Community to keep you in the loop with weekly e-bulletins, parish news, and upcoming events—including fundraisers and more.
Simply scan the QR code below using your phone’s camera to join.
PARISH COMMUNITY CENTRE NEWS
YOGA FOR ADULTS 50+
No Booking Required Monday: 8.15 AM to 9.30 AM Holiday Season Last class will be 15th Dec The practice will resume Monday, 12th January
DECOUPAGE ART CLASS
We’re excited to announce that Decoupage classes will be on the 10th December, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the Parish Hall. Attendance sheets are at the back of the church, all are welcome!
WEEKLY UPDATE
For our second-last Youth Group session of the year, we will be welcoming Bella Gethin, who will share a meaningful testimony on navigating hardships and adversity. Following the talk, the young people will be given time for personal reflection. We look forward to seeing your child there for an engaging and uplifting evening. If you would like to contribute to our food roster, you are welcome to sign up using the link below: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094BADA823A6FDC52-47435560-247#/ We look forward to another wonderful night of faith, fun, and community together.
God Bless, Kristian & Rachel , 24:7 Nedlands Youth Ministers
WHAT'S ON
ADVERTISING IN OUR BULLETIN
All items must be sent to Parish Office at nedlands@perthcatholic.org.au by WEDNESDAY 11 AM. Items received after this time will be included in the next Bulletin. Thank you.
SUNDAY MORNING TEA
Please come and join us for morning tea after Sunday morning mass in the parish community centre.
HOMEBOUND PARISHIONERS
Parishioners who are homebound and wish to receive Holy Communion ALSO those who know of a parishioner who is homebound and would like to receive Holy Communion. Please phone the Parish Office or email.
USEFUL LINKS
Credits:
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