DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR MARCH
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
Of you my heart has spoken: Seek his face. It is your face, O Lord, that I seek; hide not your face from me.
1st Reading (Gen 12:1-4)
A reading from the book of Genesis.
The Lord said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your family and your father’s house, for the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name so famous that it will be used as a blessing. ‘I will bless those who bless you: I will curse those who slight you. All the tribes of the earth shall bless themselves by you.’ So Abram went as the Lord told him.
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
2nd Reading (2 Tim 1:8-10)
A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans.
With me, bear the hardships for the sake of the Good News, relying on the power of God who has saved us and called us to be holy – not because of anything we ourselves have done but for his own purpose and by his own grace. This grace had already been granted to us, in Christ Jesus, before the beginning of time, but it has only been revealed by the Appearing of our saviour Christ Jesus. He abolished death, and he has proclaimed life and immortality through the Good News.
The Word of the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
Glory and praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!
From the shining cloud the Father’s voice is heard: this is my beloved Son, hear him.
Glory and praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!
Gospel (Mt 17:1-9)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone. There in their presence he was transfigured: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him. Then Peter spoke to Jesus. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and from the cloud there came a voice which said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.’ When they heard this the disciples fell on their faces overcome with fear. But Jesus came up and touched them. ‘Stand up,’ he said ‘do not be afraid.’ And when they raised their eyes they saw no one but only Jesus. As they came down from the mountain Jesus gave them this order, ‘Tell no one about the vision until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.’
The Gospel of the Lord.
Communion Antiphon
This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.
Next Week’s Readings
Ex 17:3-7; Rom 5:1-2, 5-8; Jn 4:5-42
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. |
WELCOME TO OUR NEWLY BAPTISED
We welcome into our Church community Courtney Valoa, Jordan Valoa, Lachlan Fife and Heaven Keziah De Silva who is to be baptised this Sunday. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the love of Parents, Godparents, family and friends, we pray that these children will lead a lives full of happiness, faith and love.
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 held at 7:00pm every Friday during Lent followed by Mass.
- 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.
IMPORTANT LENTEN INFORMATION available on the noticeboards in the hall.
BAPTISM PREPARATION MEETING
The next Baptism Preparation Meeting will be held this Monday, 6th March at 7:00pm in Church.
HELP FOR NEEDY FAMILY
Thank you to all who brought in items to help our needy family. They now have sufficient items. Please do not leave any more bags of clothing or other items in the church, hall or sacristy. Thank you.
ROSTERS FOR PIETY STALL for the months March to May 2023 are available for collection from the church hall.
ST PETERS YOUNG ADULTS (SPYA) meet every 1st and 3rd Sunday in the theatrette at 6:00pm. All youth aged 18 to 29 welcome. Contact Rhea on 0419 046 809 for more info.
BAKE SALE
Please join the Young Adults for their Bake Sale this Sunday, 5th March in the church hall after the 10:30am Mass. All proceeds will go towards the World Youth Day Fundraising. See you there!
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: https://www.alrc.gov.au/inquiry/anti-discrimination-laws/submission/survey/
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.
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/.
RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Thresiamma Paluvelil, John Allen, Tony Arrigo, 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, and all who have died in the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Oscar Rego, Austin Gracias, Raymond Linning, Margie Fernando, Renel & Simone Bignoux, Yolande Dupont, Bernadette, Ithel Dupont, Joseph Vella, Gliceria Tacata, Roberto Lopez, Anton Vaz, Alex D’Souza, Paily Mani, Bienvenito Bautista, George Bellard 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 and all who are ill in our Parish.
ROSTERS
| Tini & Barrie Hope / Toni Alexander |
Roster for Readers – 11/12 Mar 23
| 6:00pm | Davy Fernandez |
| 8:30am | Grace Sharman |
| 10:30am | Sunil Vaz |
| 5:00pm | Connie Skinner |
Extraordinary Ministers of Communion – 11/12 Mar 23
| 6:00pm | G. Surrao / J. Tramontana / S. Martis / S. Joseph |
| 8:30am | R. Hibbert / I. D’Lima / N&N Gooneratne |
| 10:30am | S. Colla / F. Caruana / L. Ortega / S. Delos Reyos |
| 5:00pm | E. Angeles / V&S D’Souza / M. Marip |
| 6:00pm | Footsteps |
| 8:30am | St. Philomena |
| 10:30am | Youth Band |
| 5:00pm | Shepherds of Christ |