AMM Sydney group based in Marsfield NSW will begin their devotion ministry with the frame of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (OLMM) to be hosted by one member and pray the rosary every day for a month. The transfer of the OLMM frame to the next host will take place at St Anthony’s Parish church in Marsfield after the First Saturday novena mass where a rosary will be prayed 15 minutes before the novena mass. Any member interested in hosting the OLMM frame should contact any member of the AMM Sydney core group during the First Saturday Novena Mass or email info@amm.org.au.
In our first reading from Isaiah for the Christmas Day Mass, the prophet Isaiah announces the return of the Israelites from exile in terms that speak of “good tidings”. The Hebrew word for good tidings lies at the root of the New Testament ‘evangelion’ or gospel. Paul took up this very text and applied it to his own apostolic work of preaching the gospel in Romans 10:15, and it probably influenced Jesus’ own proclamation of his message of the kingdom or reign of God.
The use of the passage in the liturgy for Christmas suggests another application. It can be referred to the angelic proclamation at the nativity. This is indeed a proclamation of good tidings, a proclamation of salvation, an announcement of the beginning of the dawn of God’s reign. It is in the annunciation that the church sees the return of Yahweh to Zion to comfort his people and to Jerusalem. The angel at the nativity, Paul in his apostleship, and the church today all make the same proclamation: ‘Your God reigns’ – through the sending of Jesus into the world.
The AMM Adelaide passionately fosters and spreads devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, lauded as the Exemplary Model of Discipleship. Our mission is to evangelize through a spectrum of Family and Community-Oriented Services, embodying our commitment to spiritual growth and communal service. These services encompass:
Household Family Gatherings: Hosting the image of Our Lady in various households, where devotees convene for Rosary and Novena Prayers held every 1-2 weeks.
Monthly Eucharistic Celebrations: Conducted in diverse Filipino Communities across Adelaide, South Australia, fostering spiritual unity and communion.
Participation in the Annual Adelaide May Marian Procession: A vibrant display of our devotion to honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Visitation of the Sick and Elderly Members: Our Core Group Members extend care and support by visiting the infirm and elderly within the Association and the wider Filipino community.
Annual Feast Day Celebration of Our Lady: An eagerly awaited event, typically held in proximity to November 27, the Feast of Our Lady. This day serves as a significant occasion for the Association and Devotees to express gratitude for answered prayers. It also plays a crucial role in gathering funds from sponsors and donors to support charitable organizations affiliated with the Association. These charitable endeavors include:
The Hutt Street Meal Centre, Adelaide
Saint Vincent de Paul Society, Adelaide
Marilak Foundation, Philippines
The Daughters of Charity-Saint Vincent de Paul Society, Philippines
The most recent Feast Day Celebration was a marked improvement over the previous year, which was affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Over 200 devoted individuals participated in this year’s celebration, held on Saturday, November 25, amidst pleasant weather. The event commenced with a spirited Marian Procession around the Mater Christi Church compound, followed by Rosary Recitations and Novena Prayers led by various Marian Group Leaders within the Church. The celebration reached its pinnacle with a solemn Eucharistic Celebration led by Rev. Fr. Franco Lacanaria, Filipino Chaplain of Adelaide, and Rev. Fr. Tomas Ruiz as co-celebrant.
