DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR FEBRUARY
Prayer for Lent
Merciful God, You called us forth from the dust of the earth; you claimed us for Christ in the waters of Baptism. Look upon us as we enter these Forty Days bearing the mark of ashes, and bless our journey through the desert of Lent to the font of rebirth. May our fasting be hunger for justice; our alms, a making of peace; our prayer, the chant of humble and grateful hearts. All that we do and pray is in the name of Jesus, for in his Cross we proclaim your love forever. Amen.
Entrance Antiphon
When he calls on me, I will answer him; I will deliver him and give him glory, I will grant him length of days.
1st Reading (Gen 2:7-9, 3:1-7)
A reading from the book of Genesis.
The Lord God fashioned man of dust from the soil. Then he breathed into his nostrils a breath of life, and thus man became a living being. The Lord God planted a garden in Eden which is in the east, and there he put the man he had fashioned. The Lord God caused to spring up from the soil every kind of tree, enticing to look at and good to eat, with the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the middle of the garden. The serpent was the most subtle of all the wild beasts that the Lord God had made. It asked the woman, ‘Did God really say you were not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?’ The woman answered the serpent, ‘We may eat the fruit of the trees in the garden. But of the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden God said, “You must not eat it, nor touch it, under pain of death”.‘ Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘No! You will not die! God knows in fact that on the day you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, knowing good and evil.’ The woman saw that the tree was good to eat and pleasing to the eye, and that it was desirable for the knowledge that it could give. So she took some of its fruit and ate it. She gave some also to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened and they realised that they were naked. So they sewed fig-leaves together to make themselves loin-cloths.
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
2nd Reading (Rom 5:12; 17-19)
A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans.
Sin entered the world through one man, and through sin death, and thus death has spread through the whole human race because everyone has sinned. If it is certain that death reigned over everyone as the consequence of one man’s fall, it is even more certain that one man, Jesus Christ, will cause everyone to reign in life who receives the free gift that he does not deserve, of being made righteous. Again, as one man’s fall brought condemnation on everyone, so the good act of one man brings everyone life and makes them justified. As by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man's obedience many will be made righteous.
The Word of the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory! No one lives on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!
Gospel (Mt 4:1-11 )
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, after which he was very hungry, and the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to turn into loaves.’ But he replied, ‘Scripture says: Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ The devil then took him to the holy city and made him stand on the parapet of the Temple. ‘If you are the Son of God’ he said ‘throw yourself down; for scripture says: He will put you in his angels’ charge, and they will support you on their hands in case you hurt your foot against a stone.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Scripture also says: You must not put the Lord your God to the test.’ Next, taking him to a very high mountain, the devil showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. ‘I will give you all these’ he said, ‘if you fall at my feet and worship me.’ Then Jesus replied, ‘Be off, Satan! For scripture says: You must worship the Lord your God, and serve him alone.’ Then the devil left him, and angels appeared and looked after him.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Communion Antiphon
One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.
Next Week’s Readings
Gen 12:1-4; 2 Tim 1:8-10; Mt 17:1-9
PARISH NEWS
WEEKLY PARISH DATES
| SUNDAY 9:15am to 10:25am – Sunday School for children attending non-Catholic Schools. 10:30am Mass – Children’s Liturgy held 1st and 3rd Sundays. After 5:00pm Mass – Youth Group for youth 12 to 17 years on 2nd and 4th Sundays. 6:00pm in Theatrette – Young Adults (SPYA) meet 1st and 3rd Sundays. |
| MONDAY 7:00pm to 8:15pm - Bible Study sessions. Zoom. Meeting ID: 826 5359 2389 Passcode: Bible Contact Clive 0490814452 or Francis 0401787372 |
| TUESDAY 7:00pm - Online Zoom Rosary - Meeting ID: 893 5477 8556. Passcode: rosary7:00pm 7:00pm - RCIA Meeting in Theatrette. Contact Francis Thomas 0401787372 or Dario Carreno 0438525148. |
| WEDNESDAY 7:00pm - Mass followed by Mother of Perpetual Succour Novena. |
| 1ST FRIDAY 7:00pm to 8:15pm Mass & Adoration |
| SATURDAY 2:30pm to 4:00pm - St. Peter’s Charismatic Prayer Community Praise & Worship in Church. 1.30pm to 4:00pm - Healing Mass on 1st Saturday of the month. Next Healing Mass on Saturday 4th March 2023. |
| BAPTISM 12 noon – Baptisms held 1st & 3rd Sundays. Baptism Preparation Meeting held on 1st Monday of the month at 7:00pm. Next Baptism Preparation Meeting Mon 6th March 2023 at 7:00pm in Church. |
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL (PPC)
We introduce our new PPC Leadership Team – Catherine Graham (Chairperson), Sharon D’Silva (Deputy Chairperson), Milroy Cooray (Secretary) and wish them God’s blessings as they take on these important roles. We take this opportunity to thank our previous leadership team – Davy Fernandes, Bernice Steinhauer and David Roga for the wonderful support they have provided not only to Fr. Vincent but to all our parish community. They will continue as members of the PPC.
IMPORTANT LENTEN INFORMATION available on the noticeboards in the hall.
LENTEN SERVICES IN OUR PARISH
We invite our parishioners to attend our lenten services below to assist us to reflect on the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
- STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT Held every Friday during Lent at 7:00pm followed by Mass.
- PARISH LENTEN RETREAT “LIVING THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL”, SATURDAY 25TH FEBRUARY. Starts at 10:30am until 4:00pm. All invited.
- DIVINE MERCY NIGHT – THURS 2ND MARCH
7:30PM TO 9:00PM IN OUR CHURCH
Please join us to help spread the message of Divine Mercy and encounter our Lord during Lent. The evening will begin with a talk and testimony by John Canavan, the Director of Mercy Publications, followed by Holy Hour of Adoration, and confessions and will conclude with Benediction. All welcome.
- LENTEN PILGRIMAGE – TA PINU, 11TH MARCH
Come and join us in our yearly Lenten pilgrimage at Ta Pinu to pray and reflect on Jesus’ passion and death. Saturday 11th March 2023 at Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu Shrine, 15 Flanagan Dr., Merrimu Vic 3340. Program starts at 10:30am with the 14 Stations of the Cross followed by Eucharistic Mass at 12:00pm. Shared Fellowship at Ta Pinu after Mass – BYO lunch to share.
- LENT ANOINTING FOR HEALING MASS, TUES 14TH MARCH 11:00AM FOLLOWED BY LIGHT LUNCH
Everyone, especially the sick and elderly, are invited to attend our Anointing for Healing Mass on Tuesday 14th March at 11:00am. Following Mass, a light luncheon will be served in the hall, hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary. All welcome.
- PARISH LENT REFLECTION WITH MARIA FORDE – SAT 18TH MARCH 7:15PM TO 8:30PM IN OUR CHURCH
Maria Forde is a singer, songwriter, teacher and spiritual director working with Catholic Education. Please join us on this special evening of music, scripture, prayer and conversation with Maria as we prepare for the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus.
ROSTERS FOR PIETY STALL for the months March to May 2023 are available for collection from the church hall.
RAFFLE TO TRAVEL - WORLD YOUTH DAY FUNDRAISING
As our Young Adults continue their journey of preparing for World Youth Day, they are organising a massive raffle. The first draw will be on the 30th of April and the second draw is in July! You can follow along on their journey through the raffle to travel poster located on noticeboards in the hall! Tickets are sold for $5 online through: tinyurl.com/SPYARAFFLE and in-person after mass this weekend – SPYA Team
BISHOP ROBERT RABBAT’S MELKITE CATHOLIC EPARCHY SYRIAN EARTHQUAKE APPEAL
For those who would like to donate, contributions can be made by donating to: MCF DGR Account, Ref: Syrian Appeal, BSB 062784, Account: 100011493. Donations are tax deductible. For a receipt please email:
mcf@melkite.org.au or contact 02 9750 5514 for more information.
EARTHQUAKES IN TURKEY & SYRIA
Caritas agencies are responding to earthquakes in southeast Turkey and Syria. Donations can be made at
www.caritas.org.au/donate/emergency-appeals/turkey-and-syria-earthquake/.
PROJECT COMPASSION
Please take home a Project Compassion box or a set of donation envelopes to support Caritas Australia this Lenten season and help support vulnerable people around the world, now and For All Future Generations. You can donate through Project Compassion donation boxes and envelopes available from your parish, by visiting caritas.org.au/project-compassion, or by calling 1800 024 413.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS INQUIRY
The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) current Inquiry into the Framework of Religious Exemptions in Anti-Discrimination Legislation has produced a Consultation Paper which proposes severe limits on the ability for religious schools to appoint staff who support their mission other than roles in which ‘the teaching, observance or practice of the religion is a genuine requirement of the role.’ For every other role it would become unlawful for the school to give preference to teachers who share, or who are willing, to support the religious beliefs of the institution. This would effectively remove the right of faith-based schools to express their religious identity and culture. Archbishop Comensoli, along with other faith leaders, encourages you, as well as parents and other members of the Catholic community, to complete the following survey with an expression of hope to protect faith-based schools from further obstacles that will impede their ability to express our Catholic faith:
CATHOLIC THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE STUDY OPTIONS
Enrolments are still open for Semester 1 at Catholic Theological College. We have many areas of study that may be of interest such as John Henry Newman and the Church in the Nineteenth Century, Pastoral Leadership for a Safe Church and many online options. For more information contact: registrar@ctc.edu.au or visit ctc.edu.au.
RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for John Alfred Allen, Elvina D’Souza, Lily Soares, Robert Balan, Roy Madeloso, Nucia Feraro, Elizabeth Angeles, Restituto Mamerto, Trevor D'Souza, Ivor Fernandes, Arturo Bacani, Carmelita McLean, Emanuel Martinelli, Muriel Rodrigo, Ben D’Rozario, Daisy Irani, Bienvenido Angeles Jr, Loreto Miranda Villaflor Sr, Bella Demonte, Wilfred Fernandes, Ganna Dingli and all who have died in the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Lily Marmara, Sheila Augustine, Suganthi Rich, John Gabriel, Mercy Raju, Kumar Silva, Padmini David, Ralph Evans, Trees Kleist, Greta Widdicombe, Derrick Gowe, Agatha Borg, Anthony Azzopardi, Lino Rosas, Pedro Alinea and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.
PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
We pray for Sean Donaldson, Wilfredo Villareal, Helen Kelly, Gordon Newman, Thais Long, Vincent Margaret, Dale D’Souza, Franklin Quintanilla, Jean Cameron, Vivienne Gantar, Magda Symons, Malia Kautai, Lindsay Coates, Violet Lawrence, Charlotte D’Souza, Tae Yoon Jim, Jeffrey Dalton, Maureen Wilson, Sandra Farrelly, Joaquin Romero, Annette O’Brien, Cecilia Lazum Htu Bu, Alster Firth, Gayle Ryan, Robert Martinez, Nina Costa, Johnny Gregory, Draga Ve Kic, Eustace Menezes and all who are ill in our Parish.
ROSTERS
| Tini & Barrie Hope / Toni Alexander |
Roster for Readers – 4/5 Mar 23
| 6:00pm | Adele Vesty |
| 8:30am | Kitty Stuttard |
| 10:30am | Lionel D’Cruz |
| 5:00pm | Catherine Graham |
Extraordinary Ministers of Communion – 4/5 Mar 23
| 6:00pm | H. Durski / G. Aldcroft / G. Linning / Volunteer |
| 8:30am | P. Simonides / Karen F. / Clarence D. / Michelle N. |
| 10:30am | G. Siccita / D. Dalton / G. Schembri / Bernadina F. |
| 5:00pm | E. Angeles / A. Koek / Romayne A. / C. Skinner |
| 6:00pm | Eagles Wings |
| 8:30am | St. Philomena |
| 10:30am | Tongan Community Choir |
| 5:00pm | FilOz |