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
My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues my feet from the snare. Turn to me and have mercy on me, for I am alone and poor.
1st Reading (Ex 20:1-17)
A reading from the book of Exodus.
God spoke all these words. He said, ‘I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. ‘You shall have no gods except me. ‘You shall not make yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything in heaven or on earth beneath or in the waters under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God and I punish the father’s fault in the sons, the grandsons, and the great-grandsons of those who hate me; but I show kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. ‘You shall not utter the name of the Lord your God to misuse it, for the Lord will not leave unpunished the man who utters his name to misuse it. ‘Remember the sabbath day and keep it holy. For six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath for the Lord your God. You shall do no work that day, neither you nor your son nor your daughter nor your servants, men or women, nor your animals nor the stranger who lives with you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that these hold, but on the seventh day he rested; that is why the Lord has blessed the Sabbath day and made it sacred.
‘Honour your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the Lord your God has given to you.
You shall not kill.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
You shall not covet your neighbour’s house. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his servant, man or woman, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is his.’
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
2nd Reading (1 Cor 1::22-25)
A reading of the first letter from St. Paul to the Corinthians.
While the Jews demand miracles and the Greeks look for wisdom, here are we preaching a crucified Christ; to the Jews an obstacle that they cannot get over, to the pagans madness, but to those who have been called, whether they are Jews or Greeks, a Christ who is the power and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
The Word of the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!
God loved the world so much, he gave us his only Son, that all who believe in him might have eternal life.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!
Gospel (Jn 2:13-25)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. John.
Just before the Jewish Passover Jesus went up to Jerusalem, and in the Temple he found people selling cattle and sheep and pigeons, and the money changers sitting at their counters there. Making a whip out of some cord, he drove them all out of the Temple, cattle and sheep as well, scattered the money changers’ coins, knocked their tables over and said to the pigeon-sellers, ‘Take all this out of here and stop turning my Father’s house into a market.’ Then his disciples remembered the words of scripture: Zeal for your house will devour me. The Jews intervened and said, ‘What sign can you show us to justify what you have done?’ Jesus answered, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews replied, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this sanctuary: are you going to raise it up in three days?’ But he was speaking of the sanctuary that was his body, and when Jesus rose from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and the words he had said. During his stay in Jerusalem for the Passover many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he gave, but Jesus knew them all and did not trust himself to them; he never needed evidence about any man; he could tell what a man had in him.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Communion Antiphon
The sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for her young by your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are they who dwell in your house, for ever singing your praise.
Next Week’s Readings
2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23; Eph 2:4-10; Jn 3:14-21
PARISH NEWS
WEEKLY PARISH DATES
| Sundays |
9:15am to 10:25am – Sunday School for children attending non-Catholic Schools. 10:30am Mass – Children’s Liturgy held 1st and 3rd Sundays. 6:15pm – Young Adults (18 -29 years) meet in Community Centre. 6:15pm – School of Discipleship meet in St. Peter’s Church Hall. |
| Mondays | 7:00pm to 9:00pm – Bible Study (St. Peters & St. James). 1st, 3rd & 5th Mondays at St. James’ Church. |
| Wednesdays |
7:30pm Mother of Perpetual Succour Novena after 7:00pm Mass 7:00pm to 8:30pm RCIA in Theatrette |
| Fridays in Lent | 7:00pm Stations of the Cross followed by Mass. |
| 1st Fridays | 7:00pm to 8:15pm Mass & Adoration |
| Saturdays | 2:30pm to 4:00pm – St. Peter’s Charismatic Prayer Community Praise & Worship held in church. Bookings https://www.trybooking.com/BODRD |
| Baptisms | 12 noon – Baptisms held 1st & 3rd Sundays. Baptism Preparation Meeting held on the 1st Monday of the month at 7:00pm in Church. |
DAILY/WEEKEND MASSES
- No bookings required for Weekday Masses. Parishioners to use their mobile phone to scan the Parish QR Code to record their attendance. Volunteers will assist.
- Weekend Mass Registration Try Booking https://www.trybooking.com/BNKFG. Bookings open on a Monday and close on a Friday prior to the weekend. If you have not booked for a weekend mass you can register your attendance upon arrival using the QR code. (We request that you come in early to do this to avoid queuing at the entry door).
- With the easing of restrictions, parishioners are invited to attend Mass every weekend.
- Please remain in your allocated seat and maintain social distancing during the Liturgy, including when kneeling.
- Please do not move pews or chairs which have been placed to observe the safe distancing required.
- Mask wearing in church is optional.
- Lighting candles is permitted but please do not touch the statues.
- Church opens 30 minutes before mass starts. Doors shut as soon as Mass begins so please be on time.
- If you are unwell, PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS.
IMPORTANT LENTEN INFORMATION
Lent is a penitential season of prayer, fasting and helping others.
Stations of the Cross are held each Friday at 7:00pm followed by Mass.
WELCOME TO OUR NEWLY BAPTISED
We welcome into our Church Kevin Vo 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 Kevin will lead a life full of happiness, faith and love.
CHILDREN'S LITURGY recommences face to face at the 10:30am Mass from this Sunday 7th March. Please avail of this opportunity to enrich your child's faith journey. Thank you.
SCHOOL OF DISCIPLESHIP – 2021
The 2021 Session of the School of Discipleship has begun. Held at 6:15pm at St Peter’s Church Hall. The first 4 sessions are on a "Come and See" basis to ascertain whether the school is for you. Classes will be a mixture of onsite (St Peters) and online (Zoom). Enquiries please call Anita 0411772320.
FIRST RECONCILIATIONS
Our Sunday School First Reconciliation will be held on Thursday, 11th March. Our School First Reconciliation will be held on Tuesday 16th March and Thursday 18th March. Please keep these children in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time.
ANOINTING OF SICK/HEALING MASS, 16TH MARCH
Everyone, especially the sick and elderly, are invited to attend our Anointing of the Sick/Healing Mass on Tuesday 16th March at 11:00am. Following Mass, a light luncheon will be served in the hall. All welcome.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS AT TA’PINU
Come and join St. Peter’s Charismatic Prayer Community (KNK) for the annual Lenten pilgrimage to Ta’Pinu on Saturday 20th March. Mass at 2:00pm followed by Stations of the Cross. Due to COVID restrictions, there will be no fellowship this year. Bookings onsite at Ta’Pinu office so kindly be there by 1:10pm/1:30pm. We look forward to seeing you there!
PROJECT COMPASSION 2021
Project Compassion Boxes are available for collection after all Masses this weekend. You can also donate online by visiting lent.caritas.org.au Thank you.
THANK YOU Father and parishioners of St Peter's for the great welcome you gave us last Sunday. It was great to catch up with many great friends. I know that St Peter's will continue to be a great parish. God bless you all.
Les and Bev Jones
THANK YOU Fr. Vincent and everyone who contributed at the 8:30am mass on 28 February. I felt very special and truly blessed.
Shirley Linehan
MARY MACKILLOP HERITAGE CENTRE, 362 Albert Street, East Melbourne, invites people to their first Weekend Open Day for 2021 on Saturday, 13th March, 10:00am – 4:00pm. Visit the Mary MacKillop Museum, the Chapel where Mary prayed, the Gift Shop & Refreshments area for morning or afternoon tea. A ‘socially distanced’ Mary “MacKillop Walking Tour” will take place at 11:00am. Entry is free.
THOMAS CARR COLLEGE
Open Day, Sunday, 21 March, 10:00am to 2:00pm. Register interest at 8734 2444 or email registrar@thomascarr.vic.edu.au.
MELBOURNE ARCHDIOCESE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS LIMITED (MACS)
With effect from January 2021, all Catholic schools in Melbourne are now governed by the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Limited (MACS) to ensure continuation of the rich tradition of Catholic schooling and to provide a strong foundation for our shared role in 'Working Together in Mission Charter'. MACS is committed to building communities of learning that provide safe, nurturing and academically stimulating environments for all children. MACS will provide leadership and support to all Catholic Schools in areas of policy formation and implementation. School Advisory Councils will be formed to enable principals to lead and reinvigorate Catholic schools to actively participate in the life of the faith communities of the local Church.
RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Fouad Orfaly, Andres Lucio, Oscar Cruz, Theo Stone, Eduardo Leal Mateo, Gliceria Tacata, Milton D’Souza, Margaretha Widdicombe, Sheila Augustine, Marcel Dias, Elizabeth Dimas, Julian Cardenas, Christopher Nongkynrih, Manuel Rivera, Arturo Ricaforte, Alvin Bergman, all who have died due to COVID-19 and all who have passed away recently.
DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Raymond Linning, Mona Mann, Betty Roberts, Norm Hegarty, Augustina & Josie Cutajar, Peppi Rosaria, Sabrina Ferlazzo, Carmena & Nicole Zahra, Eardley Beck, Rolando Sanchez, Florence Staub, Joseph Vella, Erick Menjivar, Josephine Catania, Fr Joe Briffa and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.
PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
We pray for Gary Spotswood, Sean Donaldson, Kath Meddings, Jean Cameron, Gordon Newman, Denis Webber, Monique Hoaster, Wilfredo Villareal, Rolando Navarro, Francis Goonting, Anne Deluca, Hellen Bonnici, Filippo Sciglitano, Anthony Hanford, Norma Medina, Christine Hall, Esther Uwase, Steven Smith, Calum Jones, John Murray, Andrew Crowley, Vincent Margaret, Anne Marie Toole, Liss Corado, Helen Smith, Yvonne & Gilbert Norris, Shirley Linehan, Zaren Acquilina, James D’Silva, Jack Davies, William Franklin, Mila Africano, Albert Wankhar and all who are ill in our Parish.
ROSTERS
Counters – 14 Mar 2021
| B. Coghlan / P. Mulquiney / B. Cassin |
Readers – 13/14 Mar 2021
| 6:00pm | Adele Vesty |
| 8:30am | Evelyn Stowers |
| 10:30am | Lionel D’Cruz |
| 5:00pm | Connie Skinner |
Extraordinary Ministers of Communion - 13/14 Mar 2021 (2 or 3 Required)
| 6:00pm | I D’Lima / J. Tramontana / B. Fernandes |
| 8:30am | R, Johnson / S. Vaz / S. Gomez |
| 10:30am | S. Colla / F. Caruana / V. Firman |
| 5:00pm | J. Phan Lai / 2 X Volunteers |
Music Ministry – 13/14 Mar 2021
| 6:00pm | Mater Dolorosa |
| 8:30am | St. Philomena Choir |
| 10:30am | Youth Band |
| 5:00pm | Shepherds of Christ |