The word “advent” has an interesting background. Both the Latin “adventus” (Coming) and its Greek equivalent “Parousia” (Appearance) were both originally secular, pagan, words which would refer to singular events such as the birth of an Emperor or the proclamation of the Victor of a crucial battle. These kinds of events meant that people’s lives were forever changed and transformed. Is it any wonder, then, that both of these words found their way into the Christian expression of the Incarnation?

Jeremiah 20:7-9

Noted liturgist Rev. Lawrence E. Mick discusses how the new English translation of the Roman Missal came about and what changes people will see in the prayers and responses in the Mass, beginning in Advent 2011.

“Let Us Walk with St. Joseph” is the theme of this year’s feast. St Joseph was a walker not only because of the walk he made from Nazareth to Bethlehem then to Egypt and back to Nazareth, but because after he listened to God in his dream, he got up and did exactly as he was told. Joseph did not talk but walk. His dreaming and walking easily made him a good listener and doer. These two qualities of Joseph are central to every spirituality and Christian life. We are called to be listeners and doers of the Word.

We dedicate this month to all the martyrs, heroes and saints who gave their lives in order for our generation to enjoy the independence and freedom from all sort of oppressions and captivities.

The Australian Devotees of Our Lady of Penafrancia ( ADOLP ), in a joint activity with the Filipino Chaplaincy of the Diocese of Parramatta, has successfully sponsored the first of two Lenten Retreats among Filipino organizations in Sydney at the Mt Schoenstatt Retreat Centre, Mulgoa, on the 28th March.

St. Joseph is the patron saint of the Filipino Chaplaincy. The feast of St. Joseph honors the foster father of Jesus, St. Joseph. His main feast falls on March 19 while the feast of St. Joseph the Worker falls on May 1.

Please remind all the 2SM, 3SM and 4SM Choir members to attend to this
rehearsal. This year’s mass will be officiated by Bishop Kevin Manning
so we need to perfectly practice the mass hymns.

We are urging those groups under the chaplaincy who wants to send out updates and/or announcements to the community to please submit your updates and articles to the chaplaincy web team so we can post it in this section.

I thank the Lord for giving me good people along my way, so that I do not feel very truly alone.