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28th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2020


DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR OCTOBER
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
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But with you is found forgiveness, O God of Israel.

1st Reading (Is 25:6-10)
A reading from the prophet Isaiah.
On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will prepare for all peoples a banquet of rich food, a banquet of fine wines, of food rich and juicy, of fine strained wines. On this mountain he will remove the mourning veil covering all peoples, and the shroud enwrapping all nations, he will destroy Death for ever. The Lord will wipe away the tears from every cheek; he will take away his people’s shame everywhere on earth, for the Lord has said so. That day, it will be said: See, this is our God in whom we hoped for salvation; the Lord is the one in whom we hoped. We exult and we rejoice that he has saved us; for the hand of the Lord rests on this mountain.
The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

2nd Reading (Phil 4:12-14,19-20)
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Philippians.
I know how to be poor and I know how to be rich too. I have been through my initiation and now I am ready for anything anywhere: full stomach or empty stomach, poverty or plenty. There is nothing I cannot master with the help of the One who gives me strength. All the same, it was good of you to share with me in my hardships. In return my God will fulfil all your needs, in Christ Jesus, as lavishly as only God can. Glory to God, our Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Word of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our heart, that we might see how great is the hope to which we are called. Alleluia!

Gospel (Mt 22:1-14)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.
Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a feast for his son’s wedding. He sent his servants to call those who had been invited, but they would not come. Next he sent some more servants. “Tell those who have been invited” he said “that I have my banquet all prepared, my oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, everything is ready. Come to the wedding.” But they were not interested: one went off to his farm, another to his business, and the rest seized his servants, maltreated them and killed them. The king was furious. He despatched his troops, destroyed those murderers and burnt their town. Then he said to his servants, “The wedding is ready; but as those who were invited proved to be unworthy, go to the crossroads in the town and invite everyone you can find to the wedding.” So these servants went out on to the roads and collected together everyone they could find, bad and good alike; and the wedding hall was filled with guests. When the king came in to look at the guests he noticed one man who was not wearing a wedding garment, and said to him, “How did you get in here, my friend, without a wedding garment?” And the man was silent. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot and throw him out into the dark, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’
The Gospel of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon
The rich suffer want and go hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no blessing.

Next Week’s Readings
Is 45:1, 4-6;   1 Thess 1:1-5;   Mt 22:15-21

Feasts of the Week
Thu, 15 Oct - St. Teresa of Jesus
Sat, 17 Oct - St. Ignatius of Antioch          


PARISH NEWS

PARABLE OF THE WEDDING FEAST
(Reflection by Dcn. Charles English)

Today’s Gospel tells us about some people who refused an invitation to a wedding feast, and others who accepted it. The historical context of Jesus’ Parable is quite clear; the first people to be invited to the wedding feast were the Jewish people, the Chosen people of God. Those from the roads or crossroads who accepted the king’s invitation, represent the Gentiles – that’s us. The banquet is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Once again, Jesus is telling another explosive parable in front of the Pharisees and elders of the Temple. It made the Jewish leaders very angry, because it implied that the Gentiles were about to occupy seats at the banquet, which they had always believed were reserved for themselves alone. This story or parable may seem a little far-fetched. Who would be so crazy as to turn down an invitation to a royal wedding? But people are foolish. There is a streak in us that not only refuses the good, but can’t even recognise it.

God is continually calling us, inviting us, as individuals and as members of Christ’s community, Catholics, to a deeper and better life. His call may be very gentle but it is very insistent and very real. We all hear it from time to time, coming mostly from deep within us. But, alas, so often this precious invitation from God Himself, is treated just like the seed that fell among the thorns. The seed gets choked by the thorns and dies off.

A brief look at our lives will show us that, from time to time, this is true.

  1. There is that letter or e-mail I know I should write, but just now I am not in the mood.
  2. There is a lonely or sick person that I know I should visit or telephone, but right now my favourite programme is on TV.
  3. There are those prayers I know I should say, but right now I’m too tired.
  4. I know I should be more charitable towards so and so, but she is not the easiest person in the world to get along with.
  5. I know that I am not doing my job as well as I should, but why should I break my back when others aren’t pulling their weight?
  6. I know I drink too much, but then I am under a lot of pressure these days.
  7. I know I should spend more time with my children, but I need that overtime money.

We could go on and on, and somewhere at some time there will be something that refers to us and our lives; something that we should be doing or something that we should not be doing. God is continually calling us to follow Him and is continually calling us to conversion.

It is important to note that in Jesus’ Parable the people who initially refused the king’s wedding invitation, did so not from evil motives but from good and reasonable ones, ‘… but they were not interested, one went off to his farm, another to his business…’. To ignore God’s invitation altogether, is the worst form of refusal. It implies indifference. Indifferent people are the hardest to convert.

God is continually inviting us to the banquet of a fuller, deeper and more spiritual life; a life worthy of our dignity as sons and daughters of God. Let us keep praying, day by day, for the wisdom to continually say ‘Yes’ to God’s invitation.

LIVE STREAMING OF DAILY MASS FROM OUR CHURCH
Masses are Monday to Friday 8:30am, Saturday 9:00am and Sunday 10:30am.
Our church is live streaming daily Mass
Via Facebook Page https://m.facebook.com/stpetershoppers/
Via Zoom. ZOOM link https://zoom.us/j/93990476817
Meeting ID: 9399 047 6817.
Parishioners can now dial in via mobile phone or landline to participate in our daily Masses on ZOOM.
Landline – Dial 0011 618 6119 3900
Mobile – Dial +618 6119 3900
Once you connect you will be requested to put in the meeting ID:  9399 047 6817##.
Sunday 10.30 am Mass is also available on Youtube, link as follows https://youtu.be/YGkta9-pc4w

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

TO KEEP YOURSELF UPDATED WITH PARISH NEWS
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.

CONDOLENCES TO DCN. CHARLES & KATHLEEN ENGLISH
Dear Dcn. Charles & Kathy, Please accept the sincere condolences of Fr. Vincent and all the parish community here at St. Peter’s on the recent death of your beloved sister Kathleen Smith who lived in Scotland. At this time when we are unable to visit our loved ones to say our last farewells, we pray that our Lord will bless and comfort you and your family during your time of grief.

ONLINE CHILDREN’S LITURGY
St Peters Young Adults are holding Online Children’s Liturgy for children aged 5 – 8 years. The next session will be held on Sunday 18th October 2020 from 11:30am to 12:30pm. The sessions are held fortnightly. Children pray together, read and listen to the Gospel and are supported to grow in their faith through sharing and activities. We welcome you and your family to take part! Parents are required to register their children before attending. To enrol your child in this program, please email the Parish office at hopperscrossing@cam.or.au or call on 9749 4300 (Tues/Thursday/Friday 9:00am – 3:30pm) and we will send you an enrolment form to register your child, which is to be completed and returned. Our parish ensures that child e-safety is maintained as we follow the child safety guidelines recommended by the Archdiocese of Melbourne.

ZOOM LINKS TO WEEKLY SERVICES

St. Anthony’s Novena
Every Tuesday at 7:00pm, followed by Rosary
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82338237597?pwd=dlZyKzFCOERFNDBDMCs5cDBkUnFOdz09
Meeting ID: 823 3823 7597, Password: 524250

Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Novena
Every Wednesday at 7:00pm, followed by Rosary
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83632685197?pwd=Y0FaL21LeXI2L2pWRnJlYlFmWmNTZz09
Meeting ID: 836 3268 5197 Password: novena

St. Peter's Charismatic Prayer Community KNK
Every Saturday 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 Monday from 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Focus on Gospel of John, Chapter 15,
Please note new Meeting link and information below
https://zoom.us/j/91984220776?pwd=M1RzcWMwbWk0Tm43MEZ6cEZnditldz09
Meeting ID: 91984220776      Password: 899140

ENCYCLICAL LETTER FROM THE HOLY FATHER POPE FRANCIS ON FRATERNITY & SOCIAL FRIENDSHIP
Can be read at
http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20201003_enciclica-fratelli-tutti.html

EQUALITY FOR FAITH PETITION
An online petition has been created to address the inequality towards places of worship and people of faith in the Victorian government's 'Roadmap for Reopening’. The petition can be found on: https://www.equalityforfaith.com.au/. We are not asking for special treatment - just equal treatment. We ask you to please sign and distribute the petition to people you know and encourage them to do the same. Thank you – Your support on this important issue is needed to make a change!

WORLD MISSION SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18TH
A third collection is normally taken up for World Mission Sunday, however due to the Coronavirus, there is a possibility that there may only be a few people physically in Churches in October. Catholic Mission continue to help people in Cambodia, Myanmar, India and Ghana. However, this has been made very difficult with the cancellation in Melbourne of the June/July Propagation of the Faith appeal.  If you would like to make a donation to Catholic Mission to help them continue their outreach to people for whom the missionary outreach changes lives, this can be done using a mobile phone. The process is to send the word “GIVE” to the number: 0488 854 436. This prompts an immediate reply which provides a link to a platform to make a donation. More information visit www.catholicmission.org.au.

RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Kathleen Smith, Frank Forbes, Djoanna Josue, Fr. Charles McBride PE, Carlota Oyales, Astyn Delani, Wilma Pimenta, Msgr Anthony Kevin Toms PE, Celine D’souza, Zito D’Cruz, Brian Holmes, all who have died due to COVID-19 and all who have passed away recently.

DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Michael Smith, Mary Crouch and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
We pray for Gary Spotswood, Sean Donaldson, Kath Meddings, Irene Jones, Jean Cameron, Gordon Newman, Denis Webber, Monique Hoaster, Wilfredo Villareal, Rolando Navarro, Francis Goonting, Anne Deluca, Hellen Bonnici, Filippo Sciglitano, Anthony Hanford, James Barwick, Gerry Akein, Carmelina Costanzo, Alki Christopoulos, Charlotte Mary, Teresita Grisancich,  Paul Burton, Aloysius Silva, Shirley Poppen, Norma Medina, Florine Fernandes, Christine Hall, Esther Uwase, Steven Smith and all who are ill in our Parish.