DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR JANUARY
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
All the earth shall bow down before you, O God, and shall sing to you, shall sing to your name, O Most High!
1st Reading (Is 62:1-5)
A reading from the prophet Isaiah.
About Zion I will not be silent, about Jerusalem I will not grow weary, until her integrity shines out like the dawn and her salvation flames like a torch. The nations then will see your integrity, all the kings your glory, and you will be called by a new name, one which the mouth of the Lord will confer. You are to be a crown of splendour in the hand of the Lord, a princely diadem in the hand of your God; no longer are you to be named ‘Forsaken’, nor your land ‘Abandoned’, but you shall be called ‘My Delight’ and your land ‘The Wedded’; for the Lord takes delight in you and your land will have its wedding. Like a young man marrying a virgin, so will the one who built you wed you, and as the bridegroom rejoices in his bride, so will your God rejoice in you.
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
Proclaim his marvellous deeds to all the nations.
2nd Reading (Cor 12:4-11)
A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.
There is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit; there are all sorts of service to be done, but always to the same Lord; working in all sorts of different ways in different people, it is the same God who is working in all of them. The particular way in which the Spirit is given to each person is for a good purpose. One may have the gift of preaching with wisdom given him by the Spirit; another may have the gift of preaching instruction given him by the same Spirit; and another the gift of faith given by the same Spirit; another again the gift of healing, through this one Spirit; one, the power of miracles; another, prophecy; another the gift of recognising spirits; another the gift of tongues and another the ability to interpret them. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who distributes different gifts to different people just as he chooses.
The Word of the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! God has called us with the gospel to share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia.
Gospel (Jn 2:1-11)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited. When they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the wedding was all finished, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ Jesus said ‘Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not come yet.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablutions that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’, and they filled them to the brim. ‘Draw some out now’ he told them ‘and take it to the steward.’ They did this; the steward tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. Having no idea where it came from – only the servants who had drawn the water knew – the steward called the bridegroom and said; ‘People generally serve the best wine first, and keep the cheaper sort till the guests have had plenty to drink; but you have kept the best wine till now.’ This was the first of the signs given by Jesus: it was given at Cana in Galilee. He let his glory be seen, and his disciples believed in him.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Communion Antiphon
You have prepared a table before me, and how precious is the chalice that quenches my thirst.
Next Week’s Readings
Neh 8:2-6,8-10; 1 Cor 12:12-30; Lk 1:1-4,4:14-21
Feasts of the Week
Mon, 17 Jan - St. Anthony
Fri, 21 Jan - St. Agnes
PARISH NEWS
UPDATED PARISH GUIDELINES
Following Government announcements, Weekend and Weekday Masses as below:
Weekdays
Monday to Friday 8:30am
Wednesday 7:00pm followed by Mother of Perpetual Succour Novena
Saturday 9:00am
Weekend
Saturday 6:00pm, Sunday 8:30am, 10:30am & 5:00pm
Kindly note the following:
- No bookings required for any Masses.
- No vaccination requirements or density limits.
- Registration via QR Code mandatory. Kindly show proof of registration to volunteers if requested. If you do not have a smart phone, Volunteers will assist.
- Face masks are mandatory for all over the age of 8 years.
- Please sanitise prior to entering church.
- Kindly maintain social distancing before and after church services.
WELCOME TO OUR NEWLY BAPTISED
We welcome into our Church Kaia Aplacador and Kiara D Couth who are to be baptised this weekend. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the love of Parents, Godparents, family and friends, we pray that these children will lead lives full of happiness, faith and love.
PARISH ZOOM ONLINE (8 week) ALPHA PROGRAM REGISTRATIONS OPEN
After the successful completion of our first Online Alpha Program in 2021, joint parishes of St. James and St. Peters are excited to announce the next ONLINE Alpha Program commencing Monday 7th February 2022 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. Alpha is a great program with a series of interactive weekly (Monday) sessions that create a safe and honest space where people can explore life, faith and meaning. There are limited places available so please register early. For enquiries please call Anita on 0411772320. To register please fill in the form at https://bit.ly/3mvElli
VOLUNTEERS FOR PIETY STORE
The Piety Store is looking for volunteers for all Masses. If you are able to assist, kindly contact the parish office on (03) 9749 4300.
ST PHILOMENA’S CHOIR is looking for people to join the choir as singers, lead singers, musicians and help with the computer. If you are able to help, Jenny would be very happy to hear from you as she is currently doing all this on her own. Please contact Jenny Winkler on 0438 592 785. Thank you.
HOLY COMMUNION TO THE HOUSEBOUND
If any of our elderly or sick parishioners who are housebound and unable to attend Mass would like to receive Holy Communion, please contact the parish office on (03) 9749 4300.
PARISH COLLECTIONS
Fr. Vincent acknowledges and thanks our parishioners for the weekly thanksgiving contributions to our parish. If you are not already registered in our parish or are not part of the weekly Thanksgiving Program, please contact the parish office on (03) 9749 4300. Below is a brief explanation to give you an understanding of the allocation of funds from collections.
1st Collection – Church Account
This collection assists with church and parish office expenses including gas, electricity, telephone and other utilities, presbytery repair and maintenance, insurance, municipal rates, water rates, supply priests during parish priest vacation, sick leave or special duties, etc.
2nd Collection – Presbytery Account
This collection supports the Archbishop, parish priest, retired and sick priests.
FILMASS STO NINO FEAST, JANUARY 23
Sto Nino feast Filipino Mass
23 January 12pm start
No procession
Everyone's invited to bring Sto Nino icon for blessing.
BE SUPER CHARGED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
Please note that the conference has been postponed. Date to be advised.
POPE FRANCIS’ PRAYER INTENTION FOR JANUARY 2022 - For true human fraternity
Pope Francis invites us to pray for all those suffering from religious discrimination and persecution; may their own rights and dignity be recognized, which originate from being brothers and sisters in the human family.
CATHOLIC BISHOPS WELCOME RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION BILL
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has welcomed the introduction of the Religious Discrimination Bill, which will provide basic human rights protections for Australians of all faiths and none to express their beliefs. Archbishop Peter A Comensoli, chair of the Bishops Commission for Life, Family and Public Engagement, has commended the bill, saying it offers ‘a positive expression of religious freedom’ that will be ‘an important progression towards parity with other anti-discrimination laws in Australia’. Continue reading: Catholic bishops welcome Religious Discrimination Bill.
RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION & EXEMPTION
There has been intensive discussion around religious discrimination and exemption at State and Federal levels. Please find below links that may be of interest and help bring some understanding and clarity as to what is at stake in this very complex area.
Archbishop Peter A Comensoli:
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/religious-discrimination-bill-will-protect-people-of-faith-20211124-p59btg.html
Prof John Haldane:
https://www.abc.net.au/religion/john-haldane-discrimination-and-the-diversity-of-values/13653354
Jacinta Collins:
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/religious-discrimination-bill-will-let-us-all-live-and-let-live-20211128-p59ct5.html
Fr Frank Brennan SJ:
https://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article/where-to-now-with-religious-discrimination
RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Dcn. Charles English, Elvira De Torres, Trish Musarra, Eduardo Cabacungan, Brien Jones, Kay Elliott, Bob Meehan, Leonila Moso, Kristina Kaminska, M.I. Chacko, Malgorita Sepulveda, Alfredo Antigua, all who have died due to COVID-19 and all who have passed away.
DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Josephine Buttigieg, Bob Keech, Albert De Sousa, Nithin Vaz, John Alexander, Stan Walkden, Angela Walkden, Sam Borg, Joey Ceuma and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.
PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
We pray for Gary Spotswood, Sean Donaldson, Kath Meddings, Wilfredo Villareal, Brian & Helen Kelly, Bill Thomas, Gordon Newman, Steven & Helen Smith, Ann Gee Lee, Valerie Coates, Sylvia Aldersea, Thais Long, Vincent Margaret, Dale D’Souza, Franklin Quintanilla, Adrian McGill, Kevin Hynes, Jeffrey Dalton, Jean Cameron, Katherine Yin Ming Lee, Enid Gibb, Gerardo Monsalve, Monique Simonides, Baby Sora and all who are ill in our Parish.
ROSTERS
Counters – 22/23 Jan 22
| Lerna Vasquez / Teresita Grisancich / Luzviminda De La Cruz |
Readers – 22/23 Jan 22
| 6:00pm | David Roga |
| 8:30am | KSC Reader |
| 10:30am | Lynn Aranha |
| 5:00pm | Joan Ocampo |
Extraordinary Ministers of Communion – 22/23 Jan 22
| 6:00pm | J. Roga / B. Fernandes / S. D’Silva |
| 8:30am | KSC Minister / R. Johnson / K. Fernandes |
| 10:30am | S. Delos Reyes / L. Ortega / D. Dalton |
| 5:00pm | E. Angeles / G. Siccita / Volunteer |
Music Ministry – 22/23 Jan 22
| 6:00pm | St. Cecilia’s Choir |
| 8:30am | St. Philomena’s Choir |
| 10:30am | Domini Chorum |
| 5:00pm | KNK |