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21st Sunday in Ordinary Time 2020

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DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR AUGUST
CORONAVIRUS PRAYER

God our Father, we come to You in our need, to ask Your protection against the COVID-19 that has disturbed and even claimed lives.

We pray that You guide the people tasked to find cures for this disease and to stem its transmission.

Protect the medical experts that they may minister to the sick with competence and compassion.

We pray for those afflicted. May they be restored to health soon.

Protect those who care for them.

Grant eternal rest to those who have died.

Give us the grace in this trying time to work for the good of all and to help those in need.

We implore You to stop the spread of this virus and to save us from our fears.

Grant all these through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

We fly to Your protection, oh Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our petition in our  necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, Oh glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.

Our Lady, health of the sick, pray for us.
St. Peter Apostle, pray for us.

Entrance Antiphon
Turn your ear, O Lord, and answer me; save the servant who trusts in you, my God. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I cry to you all the day long.

1st Reading (Is 22:19-23)
A reading from the prophet Isaiah.
Thus says the Lord of Hosts to Shebna, the master of the palace: I dismiss you from your office, I remove you from your post, and the same day I call on my servant Eliakim son of Hilkiah. I invest him with your robe, gird him with your sash, entrust him with your authority; and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the House of Judah. I place the key of the House of David on his shoulder; should he open, no one shall close, should he close, no one shall open. I drive him like a peg into a firm place; he will become a throne of glory for his father’s house.
The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands.

2nd Reading (Rom 11:33-36)
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans.
How rich are the depths of God – how deep his wisdom and knowledge – and how impossible to penetrate his motives or understand his methods! Who could ever know the mind of the Lord? Who could ever be his counsellor? Who could ever give him anything or lend him anything? All that exists comes from him; all is by him and for him. To him be glory for ever! Amen.
The Word of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! You are Peter, the rock on which I will build my Church the gates of hell will not hold out against it. Alleluia!

Gospel (Mt 16:13-20)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said, ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’ Then he gave the disciples strict orders not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
The Gospel of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon
The earth is replete with the fruits of your work, O Lord; you bring forth bread from the earth and wine to cheer the heart.

Next Week’s Readings
Jer 20:7-9;   Rom 12:1-2;   Mt 16:21-27

Feasts of the week
Mon, 24 Aug - St. Bartholomew
Thu, 27 Aug - St. Monica
Fri, 28 Aug - St. Augustine
Sat, 29 Aug - The Passion of St. John the Baptist

PARISH NEWS

21ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A
(A reflection by Fr. Vincent John CMI)

Peter is one of the most interesting characters in the Gospel. It is clear that he had leadership qualities. But it is also clear that he had glaring weaknesses. In the Gospels we see his ups and downs. Sometimes he is very brave, at other times he is very cowardly. Sometimes he is like a rock, other times he is more like a piece of jelly. But it is very interesting to see how Jesus dealt with Peter. How he helped him to grow into the man who was ready to lay down his life for him, and who eventually did. This growth was a gradual thing, and there were some regressions. But this is how growth happens. To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.

The story shows that the primacy of Peter was not something that was invented by the Church later on. It went right back to the beginning, yes, to the mind and will of Jesus himself. The failures of popes throughout history do not contradict Jesus’ promise that the gates of hell would not prevail against the Church. Peter himself failed the Lord. In giving authority to the man who denied him, Jesus wanted to show that he was establishing his Church not on human strength, but on his own love and faithfulness. The Church’s true foundation is Christ himself. The pope is his servant, not his substitute.

We can imagine that Peter made a very good leader. A leader has to be aware of his own weakness. The experience of denying Jesus rid Peter of pride and blind reliance on his own resources. At the same time it enabled him to understand the weakness of others.

Peter’s story is our story too. We too blow hot and cold. Sometimes we are strong, at other times we are weak. Without a warm relationship with Christ, we are only on the fringes of Christianity. We are like someone talking about love compared with someone who is in love.
May God Bless you all.

LIVE STREAMING OF DAILY MASS FROM OUR CHURCH
Our church is live streaming daily Mass through our Facebook Page link
https://m.facebook.com/stpetershoppers/
Masses are Monday to Friday 8:30am, Saturday 9:00am and Sunday 10:30am.

UPDATED PARISH GUIDELINES
Our church is now closed as per Government regulations. Please note that the Sunday Obligation will not apply during this time of suspension.

To keep yourself updated with Parish news:

PARISH OFFICE
The Parish Office is closed, however staff will be working from home on Tuesday/Thursday/Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm. You can still contact us on the office phone 9749 4300 or send in your enquiries/prayer requests by email to stpeters@westnet.com.au or hopperscrossing@cam.org.au.

THANKSGIVING CONTRIBUTIONS

  • As the Parish Office is closed during the lockdown, we ask that parishioners who have envelopes please hold on to them for now. They can be brought to the Parish Office when the lockdown is over.
  • 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).

MORNING TEA/CHAT WITH PARISHIONERS
Fr. Vincent thanks everyone who joined in for a Morning Tea/Chat with him last Saturday. It was good to exchange information and see how parishioners were doing under these challenging conditions. The next Morning Tea/Chat with Parishioners via Zoom is on Saturday 5 September. The ZOOM Room will open at 9:45am, so that any connection issues can be resolved prior to starting the chat at 10:00am. Meeting ID: 9590 572 9639.

RCIA (The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is a program for anyone interested in becoming a Catholic and receiving the Sacraments. The meetings will be held on Wednesdays at 7:00pm on Zoom, starting Wednesday, 26th August. Meeting ID 937 5345 2162. Passcode: 624286. After the lockdown, meetings will be held in the Theatrette at St. Peter Apostle Mission Parish. If you or anyone you know is interested, you are welcome to join. The invitation is also extended to any Catholics who may want to come and help Catechists by sharing their knowledge and faith to motivate the Candidates. Please contact Francis Thomas on 0401 787 372 or francispthomas@hotmail.com or Evelyn Stowers on 0499416158.

HSI SCHOOL OF DISCIPLESHIP
HSI School of Discipleship continues this Sunday (23 August 2020) and every Sunday from 7 PM. The session consists of prayer, song, video talk, discussion, sharing and blessing. This week the session is on OUTREACH. Newcomers welcome. Meeting ID 843 9084 5271. No password required. Enquiries Connie Skinner 0422165133.

ST PETER'S CHARISMATIC PRAYER COMMUNITY - KNK
Saturdays at 3:00pm – Divine Mercy & Praise & Worship
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
Focus on Gospel of John, Chapter 12.
Enquiries Francis Thomas francispthomas@hotmail.com
Meeting ID: 9689427525     Password: 2Vp4ef

YOUTH MASS – SUNDAY 23 AUGUST 6:00PM ON ZOOM
St Peter’s Young Adults are hosting a virtual youth mass on Zoom on Sunday 23rd August at 6:00pm celebrated by Fr. Vincent. All are welcome to join, please invite other youth and young adults as there will be a special blessing! Enquiries to Sharon D’Silva 0430 099 654. The Zoom room will open at 5:45pm and mass will begin at 6:00pm sharp. Below are the zoom meeting details:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89665606328?pwd=b2IvNXZwSFhhOGRUV3Q0SGJsM1pjZz09
Meeting ID: 896 6560 6328  Passcode: 375079

LECTORS FOR DAILY & WEEKEND MASSES
Fr Vincent would like to invite Lectors who can join in on Zoom to read at Daily and Weekend Masses. If you would like to participate, please send an email to the parish office at stpeters@westnet.com.au or hopperscrossing@cam.org.au and let us know the days you are available to read.

ARE YOU A SPIRITUAL LEADER?
The Spiritual Leaders Program is a one-year, part-time program held on Friday mornings (and some Friday afternoons). Suitable for people in outreach ministries, spiritual formation and various positions of leadership such as priests and ministers, lay ecclesial ministers, community and spiritual leaders, chaplains, pastoral carers, and those in health and education. The program, which commences in Feb 2021, focuses on personal integration of the theory and practice of a contemplative, discerning approach to pastoral ministry. Previous participants have commented that this Program has been transformational in terms of their personal spirituality and their leadership skills. Fee - Help may be available.  Apply to Heart of Life Centre for Spiritual & Pastoral Formation. Brochure and application form at www.heartoflife.melbourne or telephone 03 9890 1101.

GOD’S WORD 2021 DAILY REFLECTIONS
Books are now available to order. It includes the daily Bible readings with a reflection. If interested please contact Pauline Publications Tel: 03 9882 3424 or Email: orders.melbourne@paulinebooks.com.au.

CARITAS AUSTRALIA – AID TO BEIRUT
Due to the recent explosion in Beirut which killed over 100 people and wounded thousands, the wider Caritas network is working to deliver to the people, Food and Water, Hygiene kits including masks and soap, Material for shelter repairs and the clean-up of debris, Medication and other health service. To assist, with this disaster, donations can be given through the following link
https://www.caritas.org.au/learn/emergency-response/middle-east-emergency-appeal or by calling 1800 024 413.

RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Daphne White, Charles Lovett, Betty Donald, Jan Keogh, Reno Sammut, Jomar Araneta, Danilo Menorias, Attilio Origlia, all who have died due to COVID-19 and all who have passed away recently.

DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Ben Halge, Martin Lopez, Helen Pereira, Dolores Matthews, Angelo Biviano, Jan Fudyma, John Nicol and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
We pray for Adrian Tully, Bill Fairney, Gary Spotswood, Sean Donaldson, Kath Meddings, Irene Jones, Thais Long, Jean Cameron, Gordon Newman, Denis Webber, Monique Hoaster, Wilfredo Villareal, Rolando Navarro, Avis Fernandes, Francis Goonting, Anne Deluca, Hellen Bonnici, Filippo Sciglitano, Anthony Hanford, James Barwick, Gerry Akein, Carmelina Costanzo, Bryan Dalton, Pat Borcich, Antony, Alki Christopoulos, Charlotte Mary, Frank Forbes, Baby Lucy Rodriguerz, Carmela Saragoza, Baillie Millar, Teresita Grisancich, Wilma Pimenta,  Kathy Smith, Paul Burton, Martina Serrao, Honerine Rosario, Hilda D’souza, Aloysius Silva, Shirley Poppen and all who are ill in our Parish.