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15th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2020

DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR JULY
CORONAVIRUS PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, you travelled through towns and villages curing every disease and illness. At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love.

Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care. Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbours from helping one another. Heal us from our pride, which made us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders.

Lord Jesus Christ, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow.

Be with families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. May they know your peace. Be with doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know your protection and peace. Be with leaders of all nations. Give them the foresight to act with charity and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve. Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solutions that will help prepare for or prevent future outbreaks. May they know your peace, as they work together to achieve it on earth.

Whether we are home or abroad, surrounded by many people suffering from this illness or only a few, Lord Jesus Christ, stay with us as we endure and mourn, persist and prepare. In place of our anxiety, give us your peace. Lord Jesus Christ, heal us.


Entrance Antiphon
As for me, in justice I shall behold your face; I shall be filled with the vision of your glory.

1st Reading (Is 55:10-11)
Thus says the Lord: ‘As the rain and the snow come down from the heavens and do not return without watering the earth, making it yield and giving growth to provide seed for the sower and bread for the eating, so the word that goes from my mouth does not return to me empty, without carrying out my will and succeeding in what it was sent to do.’
The Word of the Lord.

2nd Reading (Rom 8:18-23)
I think that what we suffer in this life can never be compared to the glory, as yet unrevealed, which is waiting for us. The whole creation is eagerly waiting for God to reveal his sons. It was not for any fault on the part of creation that it was made unable to attain its purpose, it was made so by God; but creation still retains the hope of being freed, like us, from its slavery to decadence, to enjoy the same freedom and glory as the children of God. From the beginning till now the entire creation, as we know, has been groaning in one great act of giving birth; and not only creation, but all of us who possess the first-fruits of the Spirit, we too groan inwardly as we wait for our bodies to be set free.
The Word of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live for ever. Alleluia!

Gospel (Mt 13:1-23)
Jesus left the house and sat by the lakeside, but such crowds gathered round him that he got into a boat and sat there. The people all stood on the beach, and he told them many things in parables. He said, ‘Imagine a sower going out to sow. As he sowed, some seeds fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on patches of rock where they found little soil and sprang up straight away, because there was no depth of earth; but as soon as the sun came up they were scorched and, not having any roots, they withered away. Others fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Others fell on rich soil and produced their crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Listen, anyone who has ears!’ Then the disciples went up to him and asked, ‘Why do you talk to them in parables?’ ‘Because’ he replied, ‘the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven are revealed to you, but they are not revealed to them. For anyone who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough; but from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. The reason I talk to them in parables is that they look without seeing and listen without hearing or understanding. So in their case this prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled: You will listen and listen again, but not understand, see and see again, but not perceive. For the heart of this nation has grown coarse, their ears are dull of hearing, and they have shut their eyes, for fear they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and be converted and be healed by me. ‘But happy are your eyes because they see, your ears because they hear! I tell you solemnly, many prophets and holy men longed to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it. ‘You, therefore, are to hear the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom without understanding, the evil one comes and carries off what was sown in his heart: this is the man who received the seed on the edge of the path. The one who received it on patches of rock is the man who hears the word and welcomes it at once with joy. But he has no root in him, he does not last; let some trial come, or some persecution on account of the word, and he falls away at once. The one who received the seed in thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this world and the lure of riches choke the word and so he produces nothing. And the one who received the seed in rich soil is the man who hears the word and understands it; he is the one who yields a harvest and produces now a hundredfold, now sixty, now thirty.’
The Gospel of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon
The sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for her young: by your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are they who dwell in your house, for ever singing your praise.

Next week’s Readings
Wis 12:13, 16-19;   Rom 8:26-27;   Mt 13:24-43

Feasts of the Week
Wed, 15 July - St. Bonaventure


PARISH NEWS

15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
(A reflection by Fr. Vincent John CMI)

Jesus’ parable of the sower and the seed is a parable revered for centuries and especially loved by the Church because the question the disciples and we ask is, “If God’s Word is a word of life and salvation and power, a word that can heal, rescue and revive, then why is it getting such a mixed response? Why aren’t all people embracing and absorbing the Word of God?”

God speaks his word to us in many ways. Jesus compared the word of God to a seed, a seed which can make our lives fruitful.  However, if a seed is to produce a harvest, it must be planted in good soil. What kind of soil do we offer God’s word? In this parable two things are important. Seed and Soil. Seed is the word of God and soil is our heart. How many words were spoken to us when we were young? How many seeds were dropped into the soil of our minds and hearts during the spring time of our lives? Those words came from our parents and from many others. We heard words of greetings and welcome, words of encouragement and affirmation, words of advice and guidance, words of comfort and consolation.

At the time we may not have appreciated those words, but we needed to hear them. Only God knows how many of those words took root in our lives. But one thing is clear: our lives would be immeasurably poorer without the sowing of all those words. As adults we still need the sowing of the word. Pity those people who hear nothing but words of criticism and blame. But happy those who hear words of encouragement, love and peace.

But human words, no matter how necessary, will never fully nourish us. We need the word of God. The word of God gives us guidance in times of doubt, reassurance in times of difficulty, comfort in times of sorrow, correction in times of foolishness, challenge in times of laziness and sloth, warning in times of danger, hope in times of despair.

God’s word is never a negative word. It is a word spoken in love. Just as food nourishes the body, so the word of God nourishes the mind, the heart and the spirit. Seeds of God’s kingdom have been abundantly sown everywhere in the world. Despite all violence and despair that threaten us, we can live in hope. God’s kingdom has already come, will continue to grow and will ultimately triumph. The parables of Jesus will enlighten us if we approach them with an open mind and heart, ready to let them challenge us. God’s word can only take root in a receptive heart that is ready to believe and willing to submit with trust and obedience.

May God Bless you all and keep you safe during this difficult time.

ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot, at this moment, receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.  Amen.

LIVE STREAMING OF DAILY MASS FROM OUR CHURCH
Our church will live stream daily Mass through our Facebook Page link https://m.facebook.com/stpetershoppers/
Masses are Monday to Friday 8:30am, Saturday 9:00am.
Sunday 10:30am Mass will also be available on YouTube link as follows https://youtu.be/2qSyBRWJJmc

UPDATED PARISH GUIDELINES
Our church is now closed as per Government regulations which came into effect at 11:59pm on Wednesday 8 July 2020. Please note that the Sunday Obligation will not apply during this time of suspension.

  • During this lockdown period, the Parish office will be open on Tuesday/Thursday/Friday from 9:00am to 3:30pm.
  • See our note on live streaming of daily Masses from our church in a separate note in this bulletin.
  • To keep yourself updated with Parish news,
    visit the Parish website at http://stpeterapostlemission.org.au
    Facebook at https://m.facebook.com/stpetershoppers/
    Weekly Bulletin – kindly send your email address to stpeters@westnet.com.au to have a copy of our bulletin emailed to you every Friday.

THANKSGIVING CONTRIBUTIONS
If you would like to continue your contributions to support the parish during this time of church closure, the following options are available:

  • Drop off your Thanksgiving envelope at the Parish office during office hours Tuesday/Thursday/Friday from 9:00am to 3:30pm.
  • Thanksgiving donations can be made directly to our Church Bank Account. Details as follows:
    Account Name: St Peter Apostle Parish Church Account
    BSB: 083-347 Account No: 637286747
    Please use your Thanksgiving Envelope Number and your name for reference purposes (eg.TG123 - Tom Smith)
  • Parishioners can also make payments online if you wish to do so, either by going to the link Online Thanksgiving Payments CDF Pay  OR by going to the link on our website (under the Support your Parish tab) Please add your Thanksgiving Envelope number if you have one. You also have the option to choose which collection you would like the offering to go to, i.e. first collection (Parish) or second collection (Presbytery).

THANKSGIVING PROGRAM
Special thanks to Kitty Stuttard
for delivering the bulk of the envelopes. If you have not already collected your Thanksgiving envelopes or letters for the new financial year, they are available for collection from the Church office (Tue/Thu/Fri from 9:00am to 3:30pm). New envelopes started from the weekend of 4/5 July 2020.

Please contact the parish office on 9749 4300 if you have any queries regarding Thanksgiving Envelopes, Direct Debits or anything in relation to Thanksgiving contributions.

ZOOM INVITATIONS FROM:
ST PETER'S CHARISMATIC PRAYER COMMUNITY -KNK
Saturdays at 3:00pm – Divine Mercy & Praise & Worship
Sundays at 7:00pm – Rosary & Praise & Worship
Use below link & Meeting ID both days:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7414862105?pwd=NlVwaXUyS3hVSlFzZ0pNOG1MT29Ldz09
Meeting ID: 741 486 2105          Password: 023368

BIBLE STUDY MINISTRY
Every week on a Monday from 7:00pm to 8:00pm.
Use below link & Meeting ID
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/9689427525?pwd=akpXUHFPQTJRazRxZVZaOVVhZlM4QT09
Meeting ID: 9689427525     Password: 2Vp4ef
For further details contact Clive Gonsalves at gonsalvesclive@hotmail.com or Francis Thomas at francisthomas@hotmail.com.

'EMOTIONS AS GUARDIANS OF OUR SOUL' - REFLECTION EVENT VIA ZOOM
Saturday 18 July 2020, 10am-1pm. Facilitated by Rev Dr Peter Bentley, this event offers participants the opportunity to explore which emotions are inviting us to pay attention to our authentic self. Focussing on some core emotions that regularly arise in everyday life and see how they contribute to alerting us to key areas of transformation. Cost $25. Bookings and payment via Trybooking at https://www.trybooking.com/BKJOS. More information at holsc@bigpond.com or tel 9890 1101.

RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Rose Farrugia, Betty McCluskey, Vittorio Di Pietro, Aliyamma Jacob Veruvisseril, Eliza Tauro and all who have passed away recently.

DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray Frank Johnson, John Eddison, Bernard Moynahan, Clarrie Dalton, Veera Bayer, Owen Carroll, Carmen Portelli, Alma Simangan, Eric Deniese, Norah Pritchard, John Serrao, Gerard Prescott, Iluminada Alinea, Pedro Sotelo and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
We pray for Adrian Tully, Gary Spotswood, Sean Donaldson, Kath Meddings, Lucy Ballan, Irene Jones, Thais Long, Jean Cameron, Gordon Newman, Denis Webber, Monique Hoaster, Alphonsus De Roza, Wilfredo Villareal, Rolando Navarro, Avis Fernandes, Francis Goonting, Fr Jolly Alavelil CMI, Anne Deluca, Hellen Bonnici, Filippo Sciglitano, Anthony Hanford, James Barwick, Gerry Akein, Helga Jacob, Carmelina Costanzo, Bryan Dalton, Pat Borcich, Antony, Alki Christopoulos, Bill Fairney, Charlotte Mary, Frank Forbes, Baby Lucy Rodriguerz, Carmela Saragoza, Nicolas Caruana, Baillie Millar, Teresita Grisancich, Wilma Pimenta and all who are ill in our Parish.