ST JOSEPHS PARISH - WARRNAMBOOL

Parish Office: 5562 2231 Fax: 5562 2230 E-mail: warrnambool@ballarat.catholic.org.au Diocesan website: www.ballarat.catholic.org.au PARISH STAFF: Fr John Fitzgerald (Parish Priest) Barry Wolff (Business Manager) Leanne McElgunn (Secretary) Brian Shanahan (Gardening/Maintenance) Michael Gray (St Josephs School) Philip Morison (Emmanuel College) 6.30pm (Vigil); 8.30am - 10.30am - 6.00pm Purnim: 11.00am (Eucharist on 2nd and 4th Sundays) (Assembly of Word with Communion on 1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays)

The EPIPHANY of the LORD

This Feast is full of Symbolism

Office Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00am - 12:30pm; 1:30pm - 4:00pm SCHOOL PRINCIPALS: WEEK-END LITURGIES:

WEEK-DAY LITURGIES: Wednesday & Friday: 10.00am ( Eucharist) Friday: 10.30am (Reconciliation)

Deaths: Don Perkins (Melb) Anniversaries: We remember in prayer: Bernie McArdle, Michelle Fraser Wedding Bells: Congratulations & Gods Blessing to Samantha Reicha & Joe Kenna on their marriage this weekend. Baptism Preparation: Next meeting is Wednesday, January 9th. PowerPoint Presentation: The focus this week: The Epiphany of the Lord. Facing the Truth: Information about the Inquiry into the handling of child abuse by religious and other organisations is available at www.facingthetruth.org.au West Papua Group: We are invited to meet Sr Maureen Sexton who works with the West Papuan refugees living on the West Papua/PNG border: Thursday, 10th January at 6.00pm at Maceys Bistro. More information see Notice Board Praying the Rosary: Ida Brittains home (9 Barkly St) at 7.00pm Collections: Counters: Presbytery: $1,352.00 Parish: $1,108.50 Thank you for your support This week: Team 10: John Monigatti (5562 9537) Next week: Team 11: Veronica Anderson (5562 4859)

We, the hearers of the story, are invited to recognise ourselves in the scene. There is a natural inclination to interpret the Gospel stories in a far more literal way than they were ever intended to be received. Christians are encouraged to reflect on the meaning behind these stories. Just as the magi from the East came in search for Christ; We too are on a search (journey of faith). We have a star to follow (Christ); We have gifts to bring. We encounter the deviousness of the Herod within us; And like the magi may we go home a different way. We can choose the Christian way to live.

Annual Christmas Appeal (This Weekend)

Bishop Paul Bird writes: Our Christmas Appeal is one way by which the diocese can respond to the many communities around the world who turn to us for assistance. Often these requests come from priests and religious who have bonds with the Diocese of Ballarat. Our response is an indication of our solidarity with people in need, such as those affected by natural disasters. See Notice Board re where the 2011 Appeal money was distributed.