DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR JANUARY
PRAYER TO END THE PANDEMIC
written by Pope Francis
O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who, at the foot of the cross, were united with Jesus’ suffering, and persevered in your faith. “Protectress of all people”, you know our needs, and we know that you will provide, so that, as at Cana in Galilee, joy and celebration may return after this time of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the will of the Father and to do what Jesus tells us. For he took upon himself our suffering, and burdened himself with our sorrows to bring us, through the cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.
We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God; Do not despise our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from every danger, O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.
Entrance Antiphon
O Sing a new song to the Lord; sing to the Lord, all the earth. In his presence are majesty and splendour, strength and honour in his holy place.
1st Reading (Neh 8:2-6, 8-10)
A reading from the prophet Nehemiah.
Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, consisting of men, women, and children old enough to understand. This was the first day of the seventh month. On the square before the Water Gate, in the presence of the men and women, and children old enough to understand, he read from the book from early morning till noon; all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden dais erected for the purpose. In full view of all the people – since he stood higher than all the people – Ezra opened the book; and when he opened it all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people raised their hands and answered, ‘Amen! Amen!’; then they bowed down and, face to the ground, prostrated themselves before the Lord. And Ezra read from the Law of God, translating and giving the sense, so that the people understood what was read. Then Nehemiah – His Excellency – and Ezra, priest and scribe and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all the people, ‘This day is sacred to the Lord your God. Do not be mournful, do not weep.’ For the people were all in tears as they listened to the words of the Law. He then said, ‘Go, eat the fat, drink the sweet wine, and send a portion to the man who has nothing prepared ready. For this day is sacred to our Lord. Do not be sad: the joy of the Lord is your stronghold.’
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
Your words, Lord, are spirit and life.
2nd Reading (1 Cor 12:12-30)
A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.
Just as a human body, though it is made up of many parts, is a single unit because all these parts, though many, make one body, so it is with Christ. In the one Spirit we were all baptised, Jews as well as Greeks, slaves as well as citizens, and one Spirit was given to us all to drink. Nor is the body to be identified with any one of its many parts. Now you together are Christ’s body; but each of you is a different part of it.
The Word of the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! The Lord sent me to bring Good News to the poor and freedom to prisoners. Alleluia.
Gospel (Lk 1:1-4, 4:14-21)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
Seeing that many others have undertaken to draw up accounts of the events that have taken place among us, exactly as these were handed down to us by those who from the outset were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, I in my turn, after carefully going over the whole story from the beginning, have decided to write an ordered account for you, Theophilus, so that your Excellency may learn how well founded the teaching is that you have received. Jesus, with the power of the Spirit in him, returned to Galilee; and his reputation spread throughout the countryside. He taught in their synagogues and everyone praised him. He came to Nazara, where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day as he usually did. He stood up to read and they handed him the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll he found the place where it is written: The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for he has anointed me. He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and to the blind new sight, to set the downtrodden free, to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour. He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the assistant and sat down. And all eyes in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to speak to them, ‘This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen.’
The Gospel of the Lord.
Communion Antiphon
Look toward the Lord and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed.
Next Week’s Readings
Jer 1:4-5, 17-19; 1 Cor 12:31 – 13:13; Lk 4:21-30
Feasts of the Week
Mon, 24 Jan - St. Francis de Sales
Tue, 25 Jan - Conversion of St. Paul
Wed, 26 Jan - Australia Day
Fri, 28 Jan - St. Thomas Aquinas
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.
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.
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.
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.
AUSTRALIA DAY – JANUARY 26TH (WEDNESDAY)
Australia Day Service and National Anthem at 8:30am Mass.
ENROLMENTS FOR OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL SACRAMENTAL AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMME (for Children attending non-Catholic schools) is on Sunday 30th January from 9:15am to 11:00am at the Community Centre. Baptism Certificates need to be sighted. Even if children attended last year, you still need to re-enrol. For more information, please ring Bernice on 9749 2812.
FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD (ALSO KNOWN AS CANDLEMAS) – WEDNESDAY 2ND FEBRUARY
A special Blessing of Candles will be given at both the 8:30am Mass and 7:00pm Masses on Wednesday, 2nd February. Everyone is invited to bring their own candles and place them on the table near the Sanctuary before the start of Mass. These blessed candles serve as a symbol of Jesus Christ, who referred to Himself as the Light of the World.
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
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.
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.
RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Dcn. Charles English, Fr. Noel Mackay PE, Xavier Carrick, Fr. Manoj Manuel, Pat Borcich, Albert Wankhar, Jean Norman, Varghese Matapallil, Thelma Shaw, 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 Patrick Murray, Maria Hoa, Jane Duggan, Gemma Scicluna 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, Arturo G Bacani and all who are ill in our Parish.
ROSTERS
Counters – 29/30 Jan 22
| Pravin Albuquerque / Clarence D’Souza / Grace Sharman |
Readers – 29/30 Jan 22
| 6:00pm | Jeff Poppen |
| 8:30am | Catherine Graham |
| 10:30am | Rosemary Hibbert |
| 5:00pm | Sherwin Simangan |
Extraordinary Ministers of Communion – 29/30 Jan 22
| 6:00pm | S. Albuquerque / G. Surrao / N. Golaw |
| 8:30am | G. Sharman / A. Vesty / S. Joseph |
| 10:30am | E. Mills / M&C Peters |
| 5:00pm | I. Simangan / E. Angeles / Volunteer |
Music Ministry – 29/30 Jan 22
| 6:00pm | Footsteps |
| 8:30am | St. Philomena’s Choir |
| 10:30am | Filiorum Dei |
| 5:00pm | Youth Band |