Second Sunday of Advent
5 December 2021
Readings for this Weekend:
First Reading: Baruch 5:1-9
Second Reading: Phillipians 1:4-6,8-11
Gospel: Luke 3:1-6
Welcome to the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary & St Matthew
Hearing the voice of the Lord in the distance demands action, but this isn’t only an invitation to turn away from personal choices and sins that may limit or even prevent God’s coming among us. And this turning — conversion — isn’t only about what we give up, it is really about accepting the gift that we are being offered.
Reflection from Fr Isaac
In the university social environment I experienced a common attitude of apathy towards religion. There is a common sense of indifference towards the various religious practices and beliefs. Many religions attempt be a form of spiritual renewal, of searching within oneself, to follow a guru who has uncovered our meaning, purpose, and wellbeing. With this comes a disinterest in historicity and facts. Although these desires are natural and innate with the human person, Christianity is distinct. We do not follow an ideology, or a spiritual guru who is enlightened us with a method of self-conquest, or further even, of physical conquest over nations. Christianity does not set out to achieve this. We follow a person. Jesus Christ, ‘Son of Joseph the carpenter,’ ‘born of the Virgin Mary’. His coming was prophesied, with purpose to redeem, in a furious love which liberates.
In Luke’s Gospel today we are informed of the exact historical situation of the person of Christ. It is this historical person who changed human history forever. He is the person of which our whole ‘common era’ pivots its history upon, although secular society wishes to ignore this fact. St John Paul II wrote these words in his first papal encyclical, “The redeemer of man, Jesus Christ, is the centre of the universe and of history.” It was from these words that he wanted to begin his pontificate. In the Gospel on this second Sunday of Advent, Christ is situated in human history. We are told by St Luke of those who ruled the earth, governed the nation, the city and the temple where Christ lived. Yet the tone changes when someone almost as obscure as Christ received the Word of God – John the Baptist.
John the Baptist sets out to fulfil the words of Holy Scripture, as he describes himself to be the voice crying out in the desert: “prepare a way for the Lord”. This humble and obscure man is introducing to us the redeemer of humanity. As St John Paul II puts it:
“In Christ and through Christ God has revealed himself fully to mankind and has definitively drawn close to it; at the same time, in Christ and through Christ man has acquired full awareness of his dignity, of the heights to which he is raised, of the surpassing worth of his own humanity, and of the meaning of his existence.”
In this pivotal moment in history our humble, meek, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, merciful God, is drawing us to Him. As we respond to this revelation, to the person of Christ, he draws us out of ourselves. In this way, after we humble ourselves before him and ask for his mercy, we then reap a hundred fold, being in a healthy relationship with him.
As John Paul II explained, in Christ we discover our true dignity, worth, and meaning. This is what we propose to the world, through our love and constant witness of life with Christ. We then hope to utter the words of St Paul with gratitude and charity, by being witnesses of the Good News; News of the “boundless riches of Christ… hidden for ages in God who created all things.” Eph 3:8-9.
Volunteers required...and thanks to those who have already registered
All Sunday Masses will need to be Booked online each week, and are dependent on the availability of a Check in Team and Priest.
Thank you to those of you who have already registered your interest in helping out with check in. A team member will be in touch with you shortly.
If a Check in Team is not available for a Mass, the Mass will be cancelled and the online booking system for that Mass will not be available.
Please consider putting yourself forward, it isn't a weekly commitment, you would be part of a roster. Check in teams and availability of Masses will be confirmed each Wednesday in time for the following Sunday.
Please click here to volunteer
Mass Schedule for Cathedral
SUNDAYS
Saturday 6:00pm Online Booking required.
Numbers limited to 50 people.
Proof of Vaccine NOT required
Sunday 7:30am Online Booking required.
Numbers limited to 50 people.
Proof of Vaccine NOT required.
9:00am Online Booking required
Numbers limited to 300 people
Proof of Vaccine IS required
10:30am Online Booking required.
Numbers limited to 300 people
Proof of Vaccine IS required.
6:00pm Online Booking required.
Numbers limited to 50 people.
Proof of Vaccine NOT required.
WEEKDAYS
Mon 12.05pm Liturgy
Mon-Fri 8am Mass
Online Booking not required
Numbers limited to 50 people
Proof of Vaccine NOT required.
Tues & Wed 12:05 Mass
Numbers limited to 50 people
Online Booking not required
Proof of Vaccine NOT required
(confessions 11.30am proof of vaccine NOT required)
Thurs & Friday 12:05 Mass
Online Booking not required
Proof of Vaccine IS required.
(confessions 11.30am proof of vaccine IS required)
Mass Schedule for St Matthews Church Hillcrest
SUNDAYS
Sunday 8:30am Online Booking required
Numbers limited to 150 people
Proof of Vaccine IS required.
WEEKDAYS
Mon & Thurs 9:15am Online Booking not required
Proof of Vaccine NOT required
Thank you for all your continued support and patience as we navigate this new traffic light system.
Welcome to the faith community...
Advent Companion 2021 - FREE Download
The Diocesan Pastoral Services Team have collated this special Advent Companion to help guide us through the season of Advent. Featuring reflections from some of our priests around the diocese, prayers of blessing, and a note from Pope Francis.
CALLING ST JOHN’S OLD BOYS FROM 1962-1965
St John’s College Hamilton is inviting our very first pupils to a special 60th celebration on 2 February 2022. Please help us connect with those Old Boys that started at our new College from 1962 – 1965. More information is on the College website to register your interest, or please phone us at the office www.stjohns-hamilton.school.nz or phone 07 856 7091
Columban Calendars 2022
Donations to the Parish
Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary: 02 0342 0050016 05
St Matthews: 02 0342 0050016 06
Your continued support during this time is very much appreciated.
Edge Youth - Life Retreat
Email: youth@hamcathedral.co.nz for more info.
Pope Francis Monthly Intention: People who suffer from Depression
We pray that people who suffer from depression or burn-out will find support and a light that opens them up to life.
Hamilton Combined Christian Foodbank
Our local churches and groups have not been able to meet and bring along food donations, which usually include Christmas treats. We are therefore asking for your support of a financial donation to enable us to provide these extra treats.
We are extremely grateful and thankful for your support.
Our bank account details are as follows:
Hamilton Combined Christian Foodbank Trust
Account: 12 3122 0122595 01
Reference: Christmas
If you require a receipt for your donation, please email Steph at office@hccfb.org.nz
Aotearoa New Zealand Bible Diaries 2022
The Bible diary consists of daily prayers, readings, short reflections, Saints of the day and short quotes for the whole year. It is available in New Zealand. Please make an order now with the link below… https://www.cognitoforms.com/AlexBailey1/AotearoaNewZealandBibleDiaries2022
it is a greatest gift for you and for your family and friends in New Year 2022.
“Sponsor a Family’s and Whanau Christmas Dinner” Through the Catholic Family Support Services
Christmas doesn’t come easy for many families and whanau. You can make a difference today by sponsoring a Christmas Hamper for families, whanau and children going through tough times.
Small Hamper—$50
Larger Hamper—$100
Make a pledge by contacting Catholic Family Support Services (07) 856 3760 or Catholic Family Support Services Account number: 02-0342-0008002-00
Please provide your name and contact details.
Readings for next Weekend:
First Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-18
Second Reading: Phillipians 4:4-7
Gospel: Luke 3:10-18
Contact Us
Assistant Priest: Fr Isaac Fransen frisaac@hamcathedral.co.nz
Email: newsletter@cathedral.cdh.nz
Website: https://churchwebsite.co.nz/hamcathedral/
Location: 494 Grey St, Hamilton East, Hamilton 3216, New Zealand
Phone: +64 7 856 6486