DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR AUGUST
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
Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I cry to you all the day long. O Lord, you are good and forgiving, full of mercy to all who call to you.
1st Reading (Deut 4:1-2, 6-8)
A reading from the book of Deuteronomy.
Moses said to the people: ‘Now, Israel, take notice of the laws and customs that I teach you today, and observe them, that you may have life and may enter and take possession of the land that the Lord the God of your fathers is giving you. You must add nothing to what I command you, and take nothing from it, but keep the commandments of the Lord your God just as I lay them down for you. Keep them, observe them, and they will demonstrate to the peoples your wisdom and understanding. When they come to know of all these laws they will exclaim, “No other people is as wise and prudent as this great nation.” And indeed, what great nation is there that has its gods so near as the Lord our God is to us whenever we call to him? And what great nation is there that has laws and customs to match this whole Law that I put before you today?’
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
The just will live in the presence of the Lord.
2nd Reading (James 1:17-18,21-22,27)
A reading from the letter of St. James.
It is all that is good, everything that is perfect, which is given us from above; it comes down from the Father of all light; with him there is no such thing as alteration, no shadow of a change. By his own choice he made us his children by the message of the truth so that we should be a sort of first-fruits of all that he had created. Accept and submit to the word which has been planted in you and can save your souls. But you must do what the word tells you, and not just listen to it and deceive yourselves. Pure, unspoilt religion, in the eyes of God our Father is this: coming to the help of orphans and widows when they need it, and keeping oneself uncontaminated by the world.
The Word of the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! The father gave us birth by his message of truth, that we might be as the first fruits of his creation. Alleluia!
Gospel (Mk 7:1-8,14-15,21-23)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Mark.
The Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered round Jesus, and they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with unclean hands, that is, without washing them. For the Pharisees, and the Jews in general, follow the tradition of the elders and never eat without washing their arms as far as the elbow; and on returning from the market place they never eat without first sprinkling themselves. There are also many other observances which have been handed down to them concerning the washing of cups and pots and bronze dishes. So these Pharisees and scribes asked him, ‘Why do your disciples not respect the tradition of the elders but eat their food with unclean hands?’ He answered, ‘It was of you hypocrites that Isaiah so rightly prophesied in this passage of scripture: This people honours me only with lip-service, while their hearts are far from me. The worship they offer me is worthless, the doctrines they teach are only human regulations. You put aside the commandment of God to cling to human traditions.’ He called the people to him again and said, ‘Listen to me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that goes into a man from outside can make him unclean; it is the things that come out of a man that make him unclean. For it is from within, from men’s hearts, that evil intentions emerge: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within and make a man unclean.’
The Gospel of the Lord.
Communion Antiphon
How great is the goodness, Lord, that you keep for those who fear you.
Next Week’s Readings
Is 35:4-7; James 2:1-5; Mk 7:31-37
Feasts of the Week
Fri, 3 Sep - St. Gregory the Great
PARISH NEWS
WEEKLY PARISH DATES
| Sundays |
9:15am to 10:25am – Sunday School for children attending non-Catholic Schools. 10:30am Mass – Children’s Liturgy held 2nd and 4th Sundays. 6:00pm to 8:00pm – Youth Group (12 - 18 years) in the Community Centre. 6:15pm – Young Adults (18 - 29 years) on zoom/in the Theatrette every week. 6:15pm – School of Discipleship in St. Peter’s Church Hall / zoom. |
| Mondays | 7:00pm to 9:00pm – Bible Study (St. Peters & St. James) online on zoom. Meeting ID: 919 8422 0776 Passcode: bible. Contact Clive Gonsalves 0490814452 / Francis Thomas 0401787372 |
| Tuesdays | 7:00pm Online Zoom Rosary Meeting ID: 967 7002 9670 Passcode: rosary |
| Wednesdays |
7:00pm RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) starting 8 September in the Theatrette or online on zoom depending on the restrictions. 7:00pm Mass followed by Mother of Perpetual Succour Novena. |
| 1st Fridays | 7:00pm to 8:15pm Mass & Adoration |
| Saturdays | 2:30pm to 4:00pm – St. Peter’s Charismatic Prayer Community Praise & Worship held on zoom Meeting ID: 839 7212 5288 Passcode: KNK1.30 pm to 4pm - Healing Mass on 1st Saturday of the month |
| Baptisms | 12 noon – Baptisms held 1st & 3rd Sundays. Baptism Preparation Meeting held on the 1st Monday of the month at 7:00pm in Church or on ZOOM depending on restrictions. |
UPDATED PARISH GUIDELINES
As per Victorian Government guidelines, our church is now closed due to an extended Melbourne lockdown until at least 11:59pm, Thursday 2 September. Parish facilities, such as the Community Centre, Theatrette, Meeting room, etc, are not available during the lockdown period. The Parish Office is closed, however staff will be working from home from Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm. To keep yourself updated with Parish news, visit the Parish website at http://stpeterapostlemission.org.au or parish Facebook page at https://m.facebook.com/stpetershoppers/
LIVE STREAMING OF MASS FROM OUR CHURCH
Our church is live streaming daily and Weekend Masses during the lockdown through our Facebook Page link https://m.facebook.com/stpetershoppers/ and on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSEEdWXn-cbXNHoRUAl_V5Q
Masses are Monday to Friday 8:30am, Saturday & Sunday 9:00am.
Sunday, 29 August 9:00am Mass will also be available on YouTube, link https://youtu.be/qDiH31aVrVI
ST PETER’S YOUNG ADULTS SPYA (ages 18-29) will be having their session on zoom this coming Sunday 29th August at 6:15pm, join in and escape the lockdown blues. They will have games and prayer and some awesome chats – bring along food with you and join in the zoom party! Call the parish office or message SPYA on Facebook at facebook.com/SPYoungadults for the zoom details! See you there!
BAPTISM FORMATION MEETING
The next Baptism Formation Meeting will be held on Monday 6th September at 7:00pm. If the current lockdown finishes, the meeting will be held in Church, however, if it continues, the meeting will be held on ZOOM, details below. Depending on restrictions, the October meeting may be held either in Church or on ZOOM on Monday 4th October at 7pm.
Monday 6th September, Join Zoom Meeting at 7:00pm
https://zoom.us/j/99467621751?pwd=MEdDTU9keWlTNXErSXFPSEZyamQ5Zz09
Meeting ID: 994 6762 1751
Passcode: Baptism
NAMES FOR THE SICK LIST
As our Sick List is getting too large, please note that names will be deleted at the end of each month. We will start afresh the following month, naming those friends, family or loved ones for whom we wish to pray. Names are to be emailed to the parish office. Thank you for your understanding.
PARISH ONLINE ALPHA - REGISTRATIONS OPEN
We are excited to announce that an online Alpha Program is commencing in our combined parishes of St Peters and St James starting Monday September 27, 2021. Alpha is a great program with a series of interactive sessions that create a safe and honest space (online or in person) where people can explore life, faith and meaning. For enquiries, please email us at hopperscrossingalpha@gmail.com or call Anita on 0411772320. There are limited places available so please register early. To register, please fill in the form at https://bit.ly/3mvElli
THANKSGIVING PROGRAM
Thanksgiving envelopes and letters for the new financial year that have not been collected from the Church will be distributed by volunteers directly to your home. If you have not received your envelopes or letters, and for those parishioners who are not part of the thanksgiving program and would like to join, please contact the parish office.
INFORMATION SESSION FOR THE PERMANENT DIACONATE - CANCELLED
Due to the ongoing COVID restrictions and the uncertainty when restrictions will be eased, it is impossible to proceed with the planned 4th September Information session. It is regrettably cancelled. The possibility of holding an information session will be considered after any easing of restrictions. The Permanent Diaconate is open to single and married men who want to serve God and the Church as ordained ministers. The preferred age limit is being able to be ordained by the 60th year. For more information: Watch: Melbourne’s Deacons https://youtu.be/q2RhNDbtTS0 Watch: Pope Francis’ 2020 Prayer Intention for Deacons https://youtu.be/NuG99HD1LaY Read More: [Brochure] https://www.cam1.org.au/permanent-diaconate Contact: Office of the Permanent Diaconate (Phone) 03 9412 335 (Email) diaconate@cam.org.au.
HUMANITARIAN CRISES UNFOLDING IN AFGHANISTAN AND LEBANONAs the
situations in Afghanistan and Lebanon deteriorate, you can help to support families caught up in the crises.
In Afghanistan, people have been forced from their homes, with half of the population in urgent need of food, water, shelter and protection.
In Lebanon, the country is running out of power, water, fuel, medicine and food. Even hospitals are facing massive fuel shortages and will soon have to turn off the lights.
Please donate to Caritas Australia so that we are able to respond to crises like these and others across the world. To provide much needed support, visit caritas.org.au/lebanon or www.caritas.org.au/afghanistan or call 1800 024 413 tollfree.
RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Teodoro Santos, Divina Ellis, Christina Godinet, Ricky Santos, Jacinto Bautista, Tony Perry, Joseph Vu, Michael Fogarty, Helen Nones, Erlinda Caparas, Aji Kurian, Luca Lauretta, Bob Cathie, Pratibha Divakar, Kurt Rodrigues, Anna Riley, George Perry, Theresa Nam, Minerva Guinto, Joe Medalle, Eddie Gauci, Fr. Raphael Klein, Giovanni Martello, Tony Hankins, Mavis Roze, Henry Lewis, Ella MacKinnon, Chinnamma Kora, all who have died due to COVID-19 and all who have passed away recently.
DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Brian Rego, Alex Coelho, Natividad Medel, Bill Fairney, Andrew Mulquiney, Harold Pountney, Hayden Morris, Mary Vella and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.
PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
We pray for Dcn. Charles English, Gary Spotswood, Sean Donaldson, Kath Meddings, Jean Cameron, Wilfredo Villareal, Steven & Helen Smith, Shirley Linehan, Jack Davies, Albert Wankhar, Dale D’Souza, Melissa Bear, Lynn Worsley, Nicoletta Carinci, Maria Kiloumis, Brian & Helen Kelly, Bill Thomas, Gordon Newman, Trish Musarra, Ann Gee Lee, Valerie Coates, Sylvia Aldersea, Alfred Spiteri, Doris Weselmann, Frank O’Brien, Jean Norman, Silvia Scrofani, Baby Lilio, Thais Long, Giuseppe Cini, Vincent Margaret, Yvonne Caruana and all who are ill in our Parish.
ROSTERS
Counters – 5 Sep 2021
| Tini & Barrie Hope |
Readers – 4/5 Sep 2021
| 6:00pm | Sharon D’Silva |
| 8:30am | Kitty Stuttard |
| 10:30am | Venus Iuta |
| 5:00pm | Jerilee Cardoz |
Extraordinary Ministers of Communion – 4/5 Sep 2021
| 6:00pm | H. Durski / K. Lan Pham / S. Martis |
| 8:30am | B. Keane / C. D’Souza / G. Sharman |
| 10:30am | V. Firman / G. Siccita / E. Mills |
| 5:00pm | A. Koek / R. Albuquerque / G. Aldcroft |
Music Ministry – 4/5 Sep 2021
| 6:00pm | Eagles Wings |
| 8:30am | St. Philomena’s Choir |
| 10:30am | Samoan Choir |
| 5:00pm | FilOz |