THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT
5th December 2004
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
The likelihood that an incoming undergraduate can read a book or write an essay diminishes from year to year, and only the entrenched sentimentality of the educational establishment prevents it from acknowledging that the cause of this lies in the culture of self-esteem. The ruling principle of our educational system seems to be that children should be made to feel good about themselves. The curriculum should therefore be ‘relevant’ to their interests, and examinations should make no judgment of their linguistic or literary skills.
Education is possible only if we persuade children that there are things worth knowing that they don’t already know. This may make them feel bad about themselves, but feeling bad now is the price of feeling good later. The culture of self-esteem has the opposite effect: by making children feel good now, it makes them feel bad later — so bad indeed that they blame everybody else for their failure, and join the growing queue of resentful litigants. Education involves transmitting knowledge and skills, not illusions, and a practice devoted to persuading children that they are fine just as they are does not deserve the name of education. Roger Scruton
FAIR DINKUM
A Tasmanian discovered a flock of sheep on the roadside outside Launceston and stopped for a chat with the drover. “Where are you from?” “Up Coonabarabran way,” drawled the drover. “”Stone the flaming crows, how did you get your flock across Bass Strait?” “Aw, I didn’t come that way.”
OVERHEARD AT A LOCAL PUB
“I’m telling you, mate, that Murray cod I caught last week was six feet long.” “Well, where is it then?” “Oh, it broke the line and got away.” “Well, I fished that same stretch of river last week and was casting near where that old paddle-steamer sank. I hooked the old lantern. When I pulled it up, it was still burning.” “Fair go! You don’t expect a bloke to believe that.” “Well, chop three feet off your Murray cod and I’ll blow out the candle.”
SPECIAL
SESSION OF SYNOD
Fr Andrew Neaum
I sent a copy of the following article to the local paper, when they requested information on the recent session of Synod in Wangaratta. It is a fairly carefully worded explanation of a complicated business. What they made of it, I thought, was very far from satisfactory, but then Synods and their decisions are rather more complex than football matches ....... (AN)
The Diocese of Wangaratta in a special Session of this year’s Synod met on Friday the 26th of November to consider a Bill to allow for the deployment of women priests in the diocese, and also, yet again, the Clarification Canon to allow women actually to be ordained in the diocese.
The Bill to allow for the deployment of women priests was considered and debated first. It was a complicated Bill, put together by a Select Committee directed to provide a way forward for both opponents and proponents of the ordination of women as priests in the Diocese.
The complication was due to the Bill’s attempt to provide in two different ways for two possible eventualities.
1. If the Clarification Canon is not passed, the Bill authorises the Bishop to licence and deploy women ordained a priest elsewhere in our Communion in a mere three large locations in the diocese, namely Albury Wodonga, Wangaratta and Shepparton. Any such women priests will have an “auxiliary bishop”, appointed by the Bishop, with the approval of the Council of the Diocese, “prepared to offer episcopal care” to them. Thus should the Clarification Canon not be passed, the deployment of women priests will be limited and exceptional and a male priesthood will remain normative.
2. If the Clarification Canon is passed, the Bill directs that an “auxiliary bishop” be appointed by the Bishop, with the approval of the Council of the Diocese, but in this case to offer episcopal care to “clergy and laity who in conscience are unable to accept the ordination of women.” Such a bishop will be “a person who has not ordained and will not ordain women to the priesthood.” Thus, should the Clarification Canon be passed, either at this Synod or indeed in the future, women priests will be normative and traditionalists who cannot accept the ordination of women as priests will be exceptional.
As the Bishop made it very clear, in his introductory remarks, and then during a period of questioning later, that he would not ordain women in this diocese, either way, the passing of the Clarification Canon would have put him in an anomalous situation! He would be Bishop of a Diocese that approved of, allowed for and wanted the ordination of women, but yet would not ordain them.
Little wonder then, that although the Bill was passed 36 votes to 7 in the House of Laity and 14 votes to 8 in the House of Clergy. The Clarification Canon, moved by myself, on behalf of Fr Liam Matthews who was unable to attend, was yet again defeated by the clergy. The Laity voted 37 to 6 in favour, the clergy 12 to 9 against.
It is likely then, that there will be one or two women priests deployed in the Diocese of Wangaratta very soon, but they will remain exceptional rather than normative. However, those of us in favour of the ordination of women as priests can take heart, because after years of “status quoism”, a millimetre or two of movement in the right direction has been made. As the force of liberalism, so strong in the laity already, continues to pass over into the clergy, the Clarification Canon is very likely to be passed in the not too distant future, and so both the ordination of women priests, as well as their deployment, will become normative in our diocese, while provision will be made for traditionalists as the exception rather than the rule.
PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD
AND THE DOCTRINE OF PURGATORY
C.S. Lewis: “Letters To Malcom: Chiefly on Prayer”, chapter 20, paragraphs 7-10
Of course I pray for the dead. The action is so spontaneous, so all but inevitable, that only the most compulsive theological case against it would deter me. And I hardly know how the rest of my prayers would survive if those for the dead were forbidden. At our age, the majority of those we love best are dead. What sort of intercourse with God could I have if what I love best were unmentionable to him?
I believe in Purgatory.
Mind you, the Reformers had good reasons for throwing doubt on the “Romish doctrine concerning Purgatory” as that Romish doctrine had then become.....
The right view returns magnificently in Newman's DREAM. There, if I remember it rightly, the saved soul, at the very foot of the throne, begs to be taken away and cleansed. It cannot bear for a moment longer 'With its darkness to affront that light'. Religion has claimed Purgatory.
Our souls demand Purgatory, don't they? Would in not break the heart if God said to us, “It is true, my son, that your breath smells and your rags drip with mud and slime, but we are charitable here and no one will upbraid you with these things, nor draw away from you. Enter into the joy”? Should we not reply, “With submission, sir, and if there is no objection, I'd rather be cleaned first.” “It may hurt, you know.” - “Even so, sir.”
I assume that the process of purification will normally involve suffering. Partly from tradition; partly because most real good that has been done me in this life has involved it. But I don't think the suffering is the purpose of the purgation. I can well believe that people neither much worse nor much better than I will suffer less than I or more. . . . The treatment given will be the one required, whether it hurts little or much.
My favourite image on this matter comes from the dentist’s chair. I hope that when the tooth of life is drawn and I am ‘coming round’, a voice will say, “Rinse your mouth out with this.” This will be Purgatory. The rinsing may take longer than I can now imagine. The taste of this may be more fiery and astringent than my present sensibility could endure. But . . . it will [not] be disgusting and unhallowed.
MIRACLES
The only serious doubt that has been thrown on the authenticity of the miracles is the fact that most of the witnesses in regard to them were fishermen. A Brinstead
THE FULLNESS OF TIME
On a rusty iron throne
Past the furthest star of space
I saw Satan sit alone,
Old and haggard was his face;
For his work was done and he
Rested in eternity.
And to him from out the sun
Came his father and his friend
Saying, now the work is done
Enmity is at an end:
And he guided Satan to
Paradises that he knew.
Gabriel without a frown,
Uriel without a spear,
Raphael came singing down
Welcoming their ancient peer,
And they seated him beside
One who had been crucified. James Stephens 1882 - 1950
A PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
In the name of Father,
in the name of Son,
in the name of Spirit, three in One:
Father cherish me,
Son cherish me,
Spirit cherish me, three all-kindly.
God make me holy,
Christ make me holy,
Spirit make me holy, Three all-holy.
Three aid my hope,
Three aid my love,
Three aid mine eye,
and my knee from stumbling,
my knee from stumbling. Gaelic
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Elaine Brown who celebrates her birthday today, Sunday the 5th and to Mr. & Mrs. Singaravel who celebrate their wedding anniversary likewise, today. Special congratulations too to Marj Malcolm who with a fine twinkle to her eye will be celebrating her 90th birthday on Saturday the 11th.
STUDY GROUP
The Study Group has wound up for the year having gone right through the book “This is our Faith” except for the last little chapter for which time ran out. These studies have averaged sixteen members and have been most wide ranging and enjoyable, not least because of the good eating, drinking and fellowship in the Rectory that preceded them. The next such group is likely to be during Lent. Then the feeding will be rather simpler and more austere, but the fellowship will be just as animated and enjoyable. Many thanks to all who participated.
TODAY IS HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
The Christmas Bowl program of the National Council of Churches in Australia supports projects that help keep children and parents smiling. God of tenderness and compassion, open our hearts to reach out to all who have been created by you, giving the courage to hope for peace. The Christmas Bowl giving envelopes are on the Narthex Table at the back of the Church.
SERVERS GUILD MEETING
There is a Server's Guild (and Eucharistic Assistants) “Get Together” on Friday 10th December at 5.30. We meet in the Narthex for a bit of a practice and this is followed by some socialising over a BBQ! Sausages provided. I expect ALL of you to be in attendance if it is at all possible. John Griffin
CHRISTMAS ANGELS
Anglicare Christmas Angels and pens are available for sale, they will also be sold at Bunnings on the 11th December if anyone has any time to help on this day please contact the office.
BAPTISMS
Welcome to Joshua Marsden who is being baptised today at 10.30, to his parents Kelli and Christopher and their friends. It is also a big day for Lionel Waterson and all his many friends among us, for he too is becoming literally a Son of Water by being baptised today. We welcome members of his family and his friends here to witness the great event.
ANGLICARE FOOD & TOY APPEAL
Helping Vulnerable families to enjoy Christmas
When doing your shopping keep in mind the less fortunate and purchase an item or two for the Anglicare Appeal which closes on the 15th of December. Items can be left in the basket in the Narthex or the office. There is a poster in the Narthex with ideas for gifts and food items. Keep in mind that most gifts received are for younger children and there are normally not enough gifts suitable for teenagers. Cash donations are also very acceptable.
*** Don’t forget the Patronal Festival at St Mary’s Katandra on Wednesday at 8.00pm. ***
MONDAY ROSTER
We are again making a roster for help in the office on Mondays to assist Father Andrew and Margaret enjoy their day off. It has worked very well this year and I would like to thank everyone who has helped out. If there is anyone who would be willing to go on a roster for next eyar let the office know. It could be a morning or afternoon 3 hour stint, mainly answering the phone. Thanks! Heather.
CHILDREN’S CHURCH
There’s a Children’s Church preparation meeting after the 10.00am Eucharist on Wednesday!
CHRISTMAS HAMPERS
Instead of delivering Christmas Hampers this year, the Social Responsibilities Committee has decided that we will stock up our cupboard with some substantial and perhaps rather better quality food, and give it out, judiciously, to any of the needy who come to us during, or indeed after, the festive season, which is a time that family budgets are sometimes in a dire state. We are able to do this because of the generosity of folk who regularly bring foodstuffs as part of their Sunday Offering and also the generosity of Fairley’s IGA, who make a substantial annual donation of goods to us. We are interested in the names of any families or individuals known to parishioners who might well be worthy recipients of a gift of food of some sort at this time.
Duties for 5th December 2004
Readers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carole Henderson, Joan Harder
Readers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hilder Lidgard, Christine Jones
Servers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Beth Brewer
Servers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jenny Pleming
Euc. Assts 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carole Henderson, Bev Condon
Euc. Assts 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maureen Cormican, Christine Evans
Intercessors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Celebrant, Joan McCann
Welcoming 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joyce Cavill, Gwen Betson
Welcomers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Frank Steen, Jill Waterson
Sidespeople 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Norm Mitchelmore, Joy Campbell
Sidespeople 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Pleming, Jenny Pleming
Tea 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Heather Pearson
Mowing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Norm Mitchelmore, Lawrie Tinning
Duties for 12th December
Readers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gwyn Cowland, Pat Griffin
Readers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andrea Fisher, Joan McCann
Servers 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michelle, Stephen, Debbie
Servers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joan McCann
Euc. Assts 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .John Griffin, Heather Fitzgerald
Euc. Assts 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bev Condon, Carole Henderson
Intercessors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Margaret Neaum, Children
Welcoming 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shirley Dean, Bev Reither
Welcomers 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Judy Longley, Adrian Evans
Sidespeople 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trevor Batey, Victoria Heenan
Sidespeople 10.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alan Akers, Adrian Evans
Tea 8.30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bev Reither
Mowing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FOR PRAYER
Joyce & Vernon Auldrige, Irene Beard, Liam Bognar, Daniel Cowan, Rae Egan, Lachlan Falls, Richard Goodfellow, Ron Hall, Noel Heenan, Barry Henderson, Tanya & Peter Lindberg, Jackie Liversedge, Joyce Maloney, Ann Mills, Margaret Noble, Richard Pearson, Ray Prosser, Margaret Robinson, Rodger Saville, Susan Stone, Peter & Eva Swindells, May Wallace, Lillian Walter, Brian Ward, Stan Windley, Darren, Elizabeth, Faith, John, Lindsay, Gladys, Alan, Glenda, Dorrie, Brian, Mary, Julie, Pat, Jackie, Bernie, Kyla, Georgina.
Anniversary of Death
Joseph Lidgard 5th, Bertha Nelson 6th, Margaret Gash, Keith Howlett 7th, Francis Burgman 8th, Emily Griffin 10th, Bernice Batey 11th.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE DIARY
Dec 8th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St. Mary’s Patronal Festival 8pm
Dec 9th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Prof Lee on St Mark - St David’s 1.00 or 3.00pm
Dec 12th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Children’s Church
Dec 14th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .G.F.S. Townsend
Dec 15th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Parish Council
Dec 17th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christmas Carol Service
Dec 18th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Orthodox Wedding 1.30pm
Dec 18th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding 4pm
Dec 19th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50th Anniv. Service St Bernard’s Katandra
Dec 24th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.30pm Children’s Christmas Eucharist
Dec 31st. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding 4pm
Jan 8th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding
Feb 5th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wedding
Feb 12th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wedding
Feb 19th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wedding
Mar 5th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Quarterly Garden Working Bee
March 12th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wedding
Jun 4th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Quarterly Garden Working Bee
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Monday 6th December
Father Andrew’s day off
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
6.00pm Evening Prayer
Tuesday 7th Decmber
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
5.30pm Bishop in Council
6.00pm Evening Prayer
Wednesday 8th Decmber
10.00am Eucharist - St Augustine’s
11.15am Children’s Church preparation meeting
1.30pm Hakea Lodge
5.30pm Hospice Meeting
6.00pm Evening Prayer
7.30pm Prayer Support Group - Chapel
8.00pm St. Mary’s Patronal Festival
Thursday 9th December
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
5.30pm Evening Prayer
7.30pm Choir Practice
Friday 10th December
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
10.30am Rural Deanery/Seymour
5.30pm Servers Guild Meeting
5.30pm Evening Prayer
Saturday 11th December
7.45am Mattins & Eucharist - Lady Chapel
5.30pm Evening Prayer
6.30pm. Vigil Eucharist
Sunday 12th December
8.00am Mattins - Lady Chapel
8.30am Sung Eucharist
9.00am Eucharist - Dookie
10.30amEucharist - St Augustine’s/Children’s Church
10.45am Eucharist - Katandra West
5.30pm Evening Prayer - St Augustine