The spirit of Christmas is already alive across the Australian Jesuit Province.
Saint Ignatius’ College Adelaide Junior School (pictured) has a real Christmas tree with giving tags to support St Vincent de Paul charities. This is in conjunction with the food parcel collection in classes distributed at Christmas.
Meanwhile, our parishes are getting ready to celebrate the season. You can find details for Masses and other celebrations across Advent and Christmas below.
Are you looking for Christmas cards and to do something to make a difference for refugees and asylum seekers this Christmas? Check out Jesuit Refugee Service’s Christmas Cards for Action initiative.
Please note that in light of recent restriction changes in NSW, some Mass times may be affected.
St Ignatius’ Parish, Norwood, SA
Weekend Masses: A limit of 100 persons per Mass is still in place. The vulnerable are advised to remain at home and not attend Mass.
Christmas schedule: Please find below the Mass times for Christmas 2020. Unfortunately, due to restricted numbers attendance will be STRICTLY via bookings only. Bookings can be made via Trybooking, https://www.trybooking.com/BMZIL. Those who don’t have access to computer/internet please contact the office on 8332 0600. Please note the Masses are filling fast.
Christmas Eve – Thursday 24th December
4pm Family Mass
6pm Family Mass
8pm Mass
12am Midnight Mass
Christmas Day – Friday 25th December
8.30am Mass
10am Mass
Parish of Our Lady of the Way, North Sydney, NSW
St Mary’s will hold an Advent celebration, ‘Tidings of Comfort & Joy’, on Wednesday 9 December. There will be music, readings and reflection.
This Christmas there will be three outdoor Masses, 5.00pm Family Mass at St Mary’s North Sydney; 7.00pm Youth Mass at St Mary’s North Sydney and 6.00pm at St Francis Xavier Lavender Bay. There will be seating for 500 parishioners at St Mary’s and 300 seats at Lavender Bay.
You can download the full Christmas timetable here.
Holy Family Parish, Mt Druitt, NSW
Holy Family Parish will host two Children and Family Masses on Christmas Eve, Midnight Mass at Holy Family Church and at the Primary School Hall as well as Christmas Day Mass.
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, capacity for Christmas Mass attendance will be very limited. You can find the Mass times and book your place here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=689580&
St Canice’s Parish, Elizabeth Bay, NSW
St Canice’s will be running six Christmas Masses:
Thursday 24th — 5pm (children’s), 7pm, 10pm
Friday 25th — 8am, 9:30am and 11am.
This will cater for up to 600 adults + children— every individual must be registered and must arrive at least 5 minutes beforehand. Booking information coming soon.
Immaculate Conception Parish, Hawthorn, VIC
Hawthorn Catholic Parish will hold Masses on Christmas Eve at 3pm, 5pm, 7pm, and 9pm, and on Christmas Day at 9:30am and 11am.
The Masses will be in the church. Further details will be provided subject to government guidelines due to be announced on Sunday December 6. Reconciliation will be by arrangement for urgent matters.
Richmond Catholic Parish
Richmond Catholic Parish will hold Masses at both St Ignatius and St James churches on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Christmas Eve
At St Ignatius
6pm Family Mass
8pm Mass in Vietnamese
10pm Mass in Polish
Midnight Mass for all
At St James
9pm Mass
Note: Christmas carols will be sung 30 minutes before all five Masses.
Christmas Day
At both churches
Sunday Mass times
Sevenhill/Clare/Riverton Parishes, SA
Both the Christmas Eve Mass at Sevenhill and the Christmas Day Mass in Clare will be outside Masses to ensure greater numbers can attend. These Masses will be dependent on the weather and cancelled if extreme weather is predicted at this time.
Mass times:
Christmas Eve
6pm Christmas Eve ‘Children’s Mass’ at St Aloysius Church in Sevenhill – on the College Grounds
7pm Marrabel
Christmas Day
9am Christmas Day Mass at St Michael’s Church in Clare – under the large school shade sails
Main image: Nativity scene at St Canice’s Parish in 2015.