DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR FEBRUARY
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 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18)
A reading from the book of Genesis.
God put Abraham to the test. ‘Abraham, Abraham’ he called. ‘Here I am’ he replied. ‘Take your son,’ God said ‘your only child Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer him as a burnt offering, on a mountain I will point out to you.’ When they arrived at the place God had pointed out to him, Abraham built an altar there, and arranged the wood. Then he stretched out his hand and seized the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven. ‘Abraham, Abraham’ he said. ‘I am here’ he replied. ‘Do not raise your hand against the boy’ the angel said. ‘Do not harm him, for now I know you fear God. You have not refused me your son, your only son.’ Then looking up, Abraham saw a ram caught by its horns in a bush. Abraham took the ram and offered it as a burnt-offering in place of his son. The angel of the Lord called Abraham a second time from heaven. ‘I swear by my own self – it is the Lord who speaks – because you have done this, because you have not refused me your son, your only son, I will shower blessings on you, I will make your descendants as many as the stars of heaven and the grains of sand on the seashore. Your descendants shall gain possession of the gates of their enemies. All the nations of the earth shall bless themselves by your descendants, as a reward for your obedience.’
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.
2nd Reading (Rom 8:31-34)
A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans.
With God on our side who can be against us? Since God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up to benefit us all, we may be certain, after such a gift, that he will not refuse anything he can give. Could anyone accuse those that God has chosen? When God acquits, could anyone condemn? Could Christ Jesus? No! He not only died for us – he rose from the dead, and there at God’s right hand he stands and pleads for us.
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 (Mk 9:2-10)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Mark.
Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured: his clothes became dazzlingly white, whiter than any earthly bleacher could make them. Elijah appeared to them with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter spoke to Jesus: ‘Rabbi,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say; they were so frightened. And a cloud came, covering them in shadow; and there came a voice from the cloud, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.’ Then suddenly, when they looked round, they saw no one with them anymore but only Jesus. As they came down from the mountain he warned them to tell no one what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They observed the warning faithfully, though among themselves they discussed what ‘rising from the dead’ could mean.
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 20:1-17; 1Cor 1:22-25; Jn 2:13-25
PARISH NEWS
WEEKLY PARISH DATES
| SUNDAY 10:30am Mass – Children’s Liturgy held 1st and 3rd Sundays - Resumes February 2024. After 5:00pm Mass in Hall – Youth Group for youth 12 to 17 years on 2nd and 4th Sundays. Resumes 11th February 2024. 6:00pm in Theatrette – Young Adults (SPYA) meeting. |
| MONDAY 7:00pm to 8:15pm – Bible Study on 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/zoom. 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 - Resumes February 2024. 1.30pm to 4:00pm - Healing Mass on 1st Saturday of the month. Next Healing Mass on Saturday 10th February 2024. |
| 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 4th March 2024 at 7:00pm in Church. |
CAR PARKING
Dear Parishioners, when you come to church, please do not park in the drop off and pick up lanes during school hours. Thank you. Please also note that the undercover area is now open for parking on weekends.
TOUR OF THE NEW ST PETER’S PRIMARY SCHOOL BUILDING
Parishioners are invited to take a tour of the New School Building on Sunday 25th February after the 10.30am mass and on Tuesday 27th February after the 8.30am mass.
PROJECT COMPASSION Please take home a Project Compassion box or set of donation envelopes which are available in the Hall and Foyer. Donate through Project Compassion donation boxes and envelopes, visit caritas.org.au/project-compassion or call 1800 024 413.
BAPTISMAL RENEWAL MASS – SUNDAY 10TH MARCH 10:30AM MASS
On behalf of Fr Vincent, Fr Simeon and our parish community, we warmly welcome the children baptised in our parish during 2023 and their families for this special Baptismal Renewal Mass on Sunday 10th March at the 10.30am Mass. We specially pray for these children and their parents.
SUNDAY SCHOOL SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN ATTENDING NON-CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Begins Sunday 17th March from 9:15am to 10:15am. Enquiries, please email Sharon: snaps0910@gmail.com.
FAREWELL TO CATHERINE
It is with sadness that we inform you that Catherine Graham and her husband will be relocating interstate for family reasons. We wish to acknowledge Catherine’s tremendous contribution to the community in her role as Child Safeguarding Officer and Chair of our Parish Pastoral Committee at the 10:30am Mass on Sunday 3rd March 2024 followed by fellowship in the hall. We request you to kindly bring a plate of sweet or savoury finger food to share after Mass.
NEW PPC LEADERSHIP TEAM
We welcome our new PPC Leadership Team – Sharon D’Silva (Chairperson), Milroy Cooray (Deputy Chairperson), David Roga (Secretary) and wish them well as they take on their new roles in our Parish Pastoral Committee, who provide guidance to our priests and parish community. We take this opportunity to thank Catherine Graham, Sharon D’Silva, and Milroy Cooray who previously occupied these positions.
CONGRATULATIONS to Lorena Ford who takes over from Catherine as our new Child Safeguarding Officer. Lorena will undertake this role one day a week in addition to her role as the parish Bookkeeper. If you have any queries, Lorena can be contacted at the parish office on a Friday or by email at Lorena.Ford@cam.org.au.
TAKE THE WAY OF THE GOSPEL
There will be a presentation on Take the Way of the Gospel (TWG) and mission work of the parish at all the weekend masses on 2nd / 3rd March by TWG team.
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.
- PARISH LENT REFLECTION WITH MARIA FORDE – THU 29TH FEB AT 7:00PM IN OUR CHURCH - Maria Forde is an educator, spiritual director, accomplished singer, songwriter, and liturgist. Please join us as Maria Forde leads us on a Lenten reflection. Using scripture, ritual, music and conversation we will explore the meaning of Lent and ways in which we can meaningfully enter into this time more fully. We will discuss the meaning of prayer, almsgiving and fasting and its role during Lent. All are welcome
- LENTEN PILGRIMAGE – TA PINU, 9TH MARCH -Come and join us in our yearly Lenten pilgrimage at Ta Pinu to pray and reflect on Jesus’ passion and death. Saturday 9th March 2024 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 Mass at 12:00pm. Shared Fellowship at Ta Pinu after Mass – BYO lunch to share.
- LENT ANOINTING FOR HEALING MASS, TUES 12TH MARCH 11:00AM FOLLOWED BY LIGHT LUNCH -Everyone, especially the sick and elderly, are invited to attend our Anointing for Healing Mass on Tuesday 12th March at 11:00am. Following Mass, a light luncheon will be served in the hall, hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary. All are welcome. If you are aware of anyone who wishes to be anointed but is too ill to attend this Mass, kindly ask them to contact the Parish Office and Father will visit them at home at a suitable time. (PLEASE NOTE THAT THE 8:30AM MASS IS CANCELLED ON THIS DAY - TUESDAY 12TH MARCH.
IMPORTANT LENTEN INFORMATION
(For more detailed information, please check the flyer on the notice board in the hall).
Ash Wednesday & Good Friday are days of Fasting and Abstinence from meat.
- All who have completed their 18th year and have not yet begun their 60th year are bound to fast. All who have completed their 14th year are bound to abstain.
- Each of the faithful is obliged to receive Holy Communion at least once a year. This must be fulfilled between Ash Wednesday 14 Feb 24 and Trinity Sunday 26 May 24 unless for a good reason it is fulfilled at another time during the year.
- The wonderful gift of the Lord’s merciful love is offered in a special way in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Lent is a most appropriate time to receive this Sacrament. All the faithful who have reached the age of discretion are bound faithfully to confess their grave sins at least once a year.
RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Samia Nassif, Nitin D’Souza, Grace Peiris, Daniel Rattan, Athanasius Rajapaksa, Paul Cutajar, Teresa Lopez, Cecilia Almeida, Loreto Clemente, Nen Thi Nguyen Maristela, Joseph Maitem, Felicia Fernandes, Arnelo Del Mundo, June Rodrigues, Charles Fernandes, Xavier Fernandes, Phyllis Quinless, Claude Lopez, Amparo Battad, Cecilia Lim, Tony Kozhaya, Yvonne Dragwidge, Aileen Andrade, Archelle Attard, Paul Rakavalis, Guido Benevento and all who have died in disasters all over the world.
DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Dennis Boother, Otilia Vieira, Mona Mann, Ante Vekic, Sheila Augustine, John Allen, Carmelo Bugeja, Shirley Noronha, Rolando Sanchez Sr, Agatha Borg, Anthony Azzopardi, Tindaro Arrigo, Ralph Evans, Trees Kleist, Greta Widdicombe, Pedro Alinea and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.
PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
We pray for Violet Lawrence, Jeffrey Dalton, Sean Donaldson, Dale D’Souza, Stephen Beaton, John O’Regan, Mavis D’Cruz, Atima Chakraborty, Adrian McGill, Michael Mariadas, Edna Sanchez, Elizabeth de Guzman, Elinor Hillock, Kimberly Baraza, Noemi Monge, Carmen Ciappara, Carmen De Cruz, Monica Jawn Lu, Teresita Grisancich, Alberta Parrocho, Michelle Clayburn, Cara, Richi Cadampog, Lolita Delos Santos, Meanne Leonardo & Kelvin Mateo, Anthony Desilva, Rolando Baldelomar, Mark Duggan, Ernesto Sigismondi, Crispina Malveda, Lito Alinea and all who are ill in our Parish.
ROSTERS
Money Counters – 3 Mar 24
| Bill Coghlan / Paul Mulquiney / George Socrates |
Roster for Readers – 2/3 Mar 24
| 6:00pm | Davy Fernandez |
| 8:30am | Kitty Stuttard |
| 10:30am | Cleophas Peters |
| 5:00pm | Valerian D’Souza |
Roster for Extraordinary Ministers of Communion - 2/3 Mar 24
| 6:00pm | H. Durski / G. Aldcroft / S. Martis / S. Fernando |
| 8:30am | G. Sharman / K. Fernandes / N&N Gooneratne |
| 10:30am | E. Mills / A. Koek / S. Vaz / B. Fernandes |
| 5:00pm | E. Angeles / M. Marip / Sunita D / Volunteer |
Music Ministry – 2/3 Mar 24
| 6:00pm | Eagles Wings |
| 8:30am | St. Philomena |
| 10:30am | Tongan Choir |
| 5:00pm | FilOz |