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 from the first letter of 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
| 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 6th April 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. |
WELCOME TO OUR NEWLY BAPTISED
We welcome into our Church community Daisy Beasley 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 Daisy will lead a life full of happiness, faith and love.
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 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.
SENIORS SHARED LUNCH – WEDNESDAY 6TH MARCH
We welcome seniors over 65 to a monthly shared lunch, cuppa and chat on the first Wednesday of each month. Our next shared lunch will be on Wednesday 6th March, from 11:30am to 1:30pm in the Community Centre. Please bring a plate of food to share. Coffee, tea and hot chocolate provided. Contact Margaret Craigie on 0456914652 for further details.
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.
REFRESHER TRAINING FOR EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF COMMUNION
Reminder to all Extraordinary Ministers of Communion – compulsory refresher training session on Saturday 16th March at 9:30am in Church. RSVP by email to the parish office hopperscrossing@cam.org.au
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.
YOUTH ENCOUNTER EVENING
Sunday 24th March 2024, 5:00pm to 8:00pm. You are invited to join us for an unforgettable evening for high school students at our parish to encounter Jesus Christ with prayer, fellowship, food and fun, starting with Mass at 5:00pm. Bring along your friends to join us. Register via QR code.
ROSTERS FOR LECTORS & EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS, & COMMUNION TO THE SICK ROSTERS
Rosters for Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers for the months from March to May 2024 have been emailed to Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers. If you have not received your copy or need a hard copy, kindly contact the Parish office. Communion to the sick rosters have been emailed and a hard copy is available for collection from the glass table in the church hall.
PROJECT COMPASSION
Please take home a Project Compassion box or set of donation envelopes which are available in the Hall and Foyer.
VOCATIONS NEWS
The Archdiocese of Melbourne has welcomed 8 new Seminarians this year. They are Chinh Tran, Rohan Price, Luke Kennedy, Luke Emslie, Tung Phan, Joseph Maae, Patrick Harris and Mathews Noble. Please keep these men in your prayers as they start their religious journey.
2023 ADVENT APPEAL
A total of $150,000 has been raised by the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne as part of a special 2023 Advent Appeal launched by Archbishop Peter Comensoli. Thank you for your support to the Advent Appeal which will go towards providing aid and practical assistance to those displaced by the war in Ukraine.
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 Dorothy Martin, 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 and all who have died in disasters all over the world.
DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Joseph Vella, George Bellard, Norm Hegarty, Margie Fernando, Paul Mazzonetto, Derrick Gowe, V V Alex, Paily Mani, Thresia Mani 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, Crispina Malveda, Lito Alinea, Segundo Becerra, Sibrina Anthony and all who are ill in our Parish.
ROSTERS
Money Counters – 10 Mar 24
| John Allen / Jules & Neeta Pereira |
Roster for Readers – 9/10 Mar 24
| 6:00pm | Sharon D’Silva |
| 8:30am | Dominic Hankins |
| 10:30am | Maria Naufahu |
| 5:00pm | Romayne Albuquerque |
Roster for Extraordinary Ministers of Communion - 9/10 Mar 24
| 6:00pm | J. Roga / J. Tramontana / G. Linning / N. Golaw |
| 8:30am | R. Hibbert / I. D’Lima / P. SImonides / P. Fitzgerald |
| 10:30am | S. Colla / F. Caruana / M&C Peters |
| 5:00pm | E. Angeles / A. Koek / S. SImangan / Volunteer |
Music Ministry – 9/10 Mar 24
| 6:00pm | Footsteps |
| 8:30am | St. Philomena |
| 10:30am | Youth Band |
| 5:00pm | Shepherds of Christ |