DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR OCTOBER
MULTICULTURAL PRAYER
Dear Lord, we are amazed by the way of your creation.
You created us all different but in Your own image, and You said, “It is good!” with full satisfaction.
You scattered us in different languages.
Now we can see that You are gathering us back.
People are moving into safe places to live, forming multicultural communities together.
Lord, we look up to You, searching for Your work.
Show us Your ways, O Lord.
Guide us in Your truth.
Teach us how to live together in harmony and unity.
We are all different, but together, we want to please You and glorify You as Your precious and holy people.
Amen.
Entrance Antiphon
Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice; turn to the Lord and his strength; constantly seek his face.
1st Reading (Ex 22:20-26)
A reading from the book of Exodus.
The Lord said to Moses, ‘Tell the sons of Israel this: ‘“You must not molest the stranger or oppress him, for you lived as strangers in the land of Egypt. You must not be harsh with the widow, or with the orphan; if you are harsh with them, they will surely cry out to me, and be sure I shall hear their cry; my anger will flare and I shall kill you with the sword, your own wives will be widows, your own children orphans. ‘“If you lend money to any of my people, to any poor man among you, you must not play the usurer with him: you must not demand interest from him. ‘“If you take another’s cloak as a pledge, you must give it back to him before sunset. It is all the covering he has; it is the cloak he wraps his body in; what else would he sleep in? If he cries to me, I will listen, for I am full of pity.”’
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
I love you, Lord, my strength.
2nd Reading (1 Thes 1:5-10)
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Thessalonians.
You observed the sort of life we lived when we were with you, which was for your instruction, and you were led to become imitators of us, and of the Lord; and it was with the joy of the Holy Spirit that you took to the gospel, in spite of the great opposition all round you. This has made you the great example to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia since it was from you that the word of the Lord started to spread – and not only throughout Macedonia and Achaia, for the news of your faith in God has spread everywhere. We do not need to tell other people about it: other people tell us how we started the work among you, how you broke with idolatry when you were converted to God and became servants of the real, living God; and how you are now waiting for Jesus, his Son, whom he raised from the dead, to come from heaven to save us from the retribution which is coming.
The Word of the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! All who love me will keep my words, and my Father will love them and we will come to them. Alleluia!
Gospel (Mt 22:34-40)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees they got together and, to disconcert him, one of them put a question, ‘Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?’ Jesus said, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second resembles it: You must love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets also.’
The Gospel of the Lord.
Communion Antiphon
We will ring out our joy at your saving help, and exult in the name of our God.
Next Week’s Readings
Mal 1:14-2:2,8-10; 1 Thess 2:7-9,13; Mt 23:1-12
Feasts of the Week
Wed, 1 Nov - All Saints
Thu, 2 Nov - All Souls Day
Sat, 4 Nov - St. Charles Borromeo
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 in Theatrette – 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. 6:15pm in Church Hall - School of Discipleship. |
| 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 |
| 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 November 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 November 2023 at 7:00pm in Church. |
MULTICULTURAL MASS
Parishioners, a reminder that our Multicultural Mass will be held this Sunday, 29th October at 10:30am. The host nation this year is Sri Lanka. Please come and join in the celebration of our multicultural community. We request that you kindly bring a plate of traditional food to share at the fellowship thereafter. It is also an opportunity to dress in your national dress. Thank you.
SAFEGUARDING TRAINING & MORNING TEA, TUESDAY, 31ST OCTOBER 9:15AM
Volunteers who have not completed Safeguarding Training online or in person are welcome to attend this training session in the Community Centre. Please call the Parish Office on 9749 4300 by Monday 30th October if you can attend.
ALL SAINTS DAY
Wednesday 1st November. Masses 8:30am, 10:00am (School Mass) and 7:00pm.
All children are invited to dress up as their favourite Saint and are welcome to join the procession at the start of mass.
ALL SOULS DAY
Thursday 2nd November, Masses at 8:30am and 7:00pm
As November is a special time to pray for the dead, a Plenary Indulgence may be granted for the dead, by visiting a Church on 2nd November and praying the Lord's Prayer and the Creed. Three conditions are required for gaining the Indulgence: Confession, Holy Communion and prayer for the Pope's intentions.
MEMORIAL BOOK - MONTH OF NOVEMBER
The Memorial Book will be kept near the Sanctuary. All are welcome to write down the names of their departed loved ones. The book will be taken to the Altar during Mass to remember and pray for the faithful departed at all the Masses during November.
SPECIAL MEMORIAL MASS AT WERRIBEE CEMETERY – MAUSOLEUM
You are invited to attend this special Memorial Mass and blessing of the graves, celebrated by priests from St. Peter’s, St. James & St. Andrew’s Parishes on Thursday, 2nd November at 10:30am.
THE PIETY STORE has a stock of WORD OF GOD 2024 for $20 and much more. Come and browse.
HOUSE BLESSING & VISITING THE SICK IN THE PARISH
Fr Vincent and Fr Simeon are available to visit parishioners for a house blessing. If parishioners would like their home blessed or would like a priest to visit a sick family member, kindly complete the Family Visitation form available in the church foyer and return to the priests / sacristan or contact the parish office to make an appointment.
SENIORS SHARED LUNCH, WEDNESDAY 1st NOVEMBER will be held at the Community Centre from 11:30am to 1:30pm. Please bring a plate of food to share. Tea, coffee provided. Contact Margaret Craigie on 0456914652 for further details
SPORTS FIRST AIDERS
One of our long-time parishioners is a Sports Trainer with West Footscray Football Club. He is currently holding courses to prepare students for Certificate courses in February/March 2024. The Club is looking for 2 to 3 students aged approx. 18 years of age (M or F) and if possible, who hold a current first aid certificate, to become Sports First Aiders. This would be an advantage to anyone entering the Medical/ Sports/Nursing fields. Once passed certificate course, the students would be required to attend training at West Footscray on Thursday Night and on Saturday. Also required to attend practice games preseason. Payment would be a minimum of $100 dollars per week for each successful candidate. Please contact Bill Hardy on 0419 004 458 if you are interested.
THE PIETY STORE has a stock of WORD OF GOD 2024 for $20 and much more. Come and browse.
ST PETERS PRIMARY SCHOOL are celebrating their Golden Jubilee this year and as part of the celebrations are having a Staff (past & present) reunion this weekend. Parishioners are welcome to browse the posters and photographs that have been put up in the hall for this occasion.
ARITAS – GAZA CRISIS APPEAL
Help provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the people affected by the conflict. Donate now at www.caritas.org.au/gaza or call 1800 024 413.
AN URGENT PRAYER FOR PEACE
God of compassion, We turn to you with heavy hearts
As we consider the needs of your family.
Israelis and Palestinians, we are all your people,
Each of us loved by You
And called to live in peace and justice.
We lament the dreadful loss of life,
Destruction of property and loss of human dignity.
We are pained by so much suffering.
We beg you to bring healing to this ancient place.
Help your people find a way forward.
Enable everyone to look each other in the eye,
And embrace each other as sisters and brothers,
As they find your image in every face.
We ask that courage and grace
Will help create a wiser and more gentle future,
Where everyone has a home.
God of wisdom, come to our aid.
Amen.
NIGHT OF THE WITNESSES AT ST PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL, East Melbourne at 7pm on Wednesday 22 November
Night of the Witnesses is an evening of testimony, prayer, song, adoration and reflection to honour the witness of modern-day Christian martyrs and to stand in solidarity with Christians around the world who are suffering persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. The Presider is Archbishop Peter Comensoli and Guest speaker is His Beatitude Patriarch Joseph Absi of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church. All are welcome to attend.
OCTOBER 31st All Hallows eve can be part of a special three-day holy celebration in which we can contemplate, pray, attend mass and create new and meaningful Catholic traditions in our families. We can honour God by Worshipping Jesus as the light of the World, by recognising his light in the lives of the Saints who reflected him to all of those around them, and by acknowledging and praying for all souls who have died in the faith, that they may receive his mercy, be reunited into his loving arms and live eternally in his light. Some great resources online with lots of ideas for families and kids. https://www.effortlessfoodie.com/easy-soul-cakes/ https://www.catholicicing.com/how-to-celebrate-all-saints-day-at-home/
CATHOLIC THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE
Online Information Session for 2024. Monday 30 October at 7:30pm. Register via our website: ctc.edu.au/information-session. Further information from Dr. Maureen Saclot
ctc.edu.au/contact/contact-the-registrar/.
16TH ORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS
The first session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops officially opened on 4th October 2023. Below are some links to follow the SYNOD.
The 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops gets underway Synod.va | Facebook
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCVVBU-W-0EXJ-AwW0ijYqjg
RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Patricia Samuel, Antony Prakash, David Villanueva, Josefina Briones, Ida Rodericks, Veronica Jewell, Clare Frangipani, Moleli Tato, Gloria Cardente, Felix Cardente, Albino Ferlazzo, Mariano Da Silva Borges, Sebastiao Ornai, Kevin McLoughlin, Glenn Tungol, Moya Wood, Joseph Thoomkauzhy, Vavachan Kunnemuriyil, Baby Jamini, Josephine Vella, Romeo Callejo Sr., Povave Autagavaia, Jean Cameron, and all who have died in disasters all over the world.
DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Andrew Burian, Florence Palmer, Kristeen Gomez, Matta Nguyen, Angela Doss, Melin Gomes, K K Jose & Seleena Jose, Josephine Deguara, Angelica Elrich de Leon, Josefino Dabu, Jose Powathuparambil and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.
PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
We pray for Violet Lawrence, Tae Yoon Jim, Jeffrey Dalton, Sean Donaldson, Dale D’Souza, Ollie Orlinski, Mavis D’Cruz, Renato Manalilli, Atima Chakraborty, Adrian McGill, Lindsay Coates, Jenna Murnane, Noleen Clayburn, Vittorio di Palma, Pat Murray, Elizabeth de Guzman, Amelia Pamparo, Daniel Quintanilla, Tony Faranda, Kelly de la Rosa, Carmela Saragozza, Gwen Graham and all who are ill in our Parish.
ROSTERS
Counters – 4/5 Nov 23
| Bil Coghlan / Paul Mulquiney |
Roster for Readers – 4/5 Nov 23
| 6:00pm | Davy Fernandez |
| 8:30am | Mary Marip |
| 10:30am | Francis Thomas |
| 5:00pm | Connie Skinner |
Extraordinary Ministers of Communion – 4/5 Nov 23
| 6:00pm | G. Aldcroft / G. Linning / K. Phan / S. Albuquerque |
| 8:30am | P. Simonides / Karen F. / G. Sharman / S. Joseph |
| 10:30am | G. Siccita / S. Delos Reyes / A. Koek / Bernadina F. |
| 5:00pm | Sunita D / E. Angeles / 2 X Volunteers |
Music Ministry – 4/5 Nov 23
| 6:00pm | Eagles Wings |
| 8:30am | St. Philomena |
| 10:30am | Tongan Community |
| 5:00pm | FilOz |