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
Save us, O Lord our God! And gather us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, and make it our glory to praise you.
1st Reading (Jer 1:4-5,17-19)
A reading from the prophet Jeremiah.
In the days of Josiah, the word of the Lord was addressed to me, saying: ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you came to birth I consecrated you; I have appointed you as prophet to the nations. ‘So now brace yourself for action. Stand up and tell them all I command you. Do not be dismayed at their presence, or in their presence I will make you dismayed. ‘I, for my part, today will make you into a fortified city, a pillar of iron, and a wall of bronze to confront all this land: the kings of Judah, its princes, its priests and the country people. They will fight against you but shall not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you – it is the Lord who speaks.’
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
I will sing of your salvation.
2nd Reading (1 Cor 12:31-13:13)
A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.
Be ambitious for the higher gifts. And I am going to show you a way that is better than any of them. If I have all the eloquence of men or of angels, but speak without love, I am simply a gong booming or a cymbal clashing. If I have the gift of prophecy, understanding all the mysteries there are, and knowing everything, and if I have faith in all its fullness, to move mountains, but without love, then I am nothing at all. If I give away all that I possess, piece by piece, and if I even let them take my body to burn it, but am without love, it will do me no good whatever. Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offence, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. Love does not come to an end. But if there are gifts of prophecy, the time will come when they must fail; or the gift of languages, it will not continue for ever; and knowledge – for this, too, the time will come when it must fail. For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophesying is imperfect; but once perfection comes, all imperfect things will disappear. When I was a child, I used to talk like a child, and think like a child, and argue like a child, but now I am a man, all childish ways are put behind me. Now we are seeing a dim reflection in a mirror; but then we shall be seeing face to face. The knowledge that I have now is imperfect; but then I shall know as fully as I am known. In short, there are three things that last: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love.
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 4:21-30)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
Jesus began to speak in the synagogue: ‘This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen.’ And he won the approval of all, and they were astonished by the gracious words that came from his lips. They said, ‘This is Joseph’s son, surely?’ But he replied, ‘No doubt you will quote me the saying, “Physician, heal yourself” and tell me, “We have heard all that happened in Capernaum, do the same here in your own countryside.”’ And he went on, ‘I tell you solemnly, no prophet is ever accepted in his own country. ‘There were many widows in Israel, I can assure you, in Elijah’s day, when heaven remained shut for three years and six months and a great famine raged throughout the land, but Elijah was not sent to any one of these: he was sent to a widow at Zarephath, a Sidonian town. And in the prophet Elisha’s time there were many lepers in Israel, but none of these was cured, except the Syrian, Naaman.’ When they heard this everyone in the synagogue was enraged. They sprang to their feet and hustled him out of the town; and they took him up to the brow of the hill their town was built on, intending to throw him down the cliff, but he slipped through the crowd and walked away.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Communion Antiphon
Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your merciful love. O Lord, let me never be put to shame, for I call on you.
Next Week’s Readings
Is 6:1-8; 1 Cor 15:1-11; Lk 5:1-11
Feasts of the Week
Mon, 31 Jan - St. John Bosco
Wed, 2 Feb - Presentation of the Lord
Sat, 5 Feb - St. Agatha
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.
ST PETERS PRIMARY SCHOOL
A warm welcome back to the Staff, Parents and Students of St Peters Primary School. We wish you all the best and blessings for the year 2022.
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.
ONLINE ROSARY ON ZOOM EVERY TUESDAY AT 7:00PM COMMENCING TUESDAY 1 FEBRUARY
Our online rosary led by parishioners will recommence from Tuesday 1 February at 7 pm, we will pray for various intentions including the COVID situation, for our families, our parish community, the sick and dying, for our state and country. Join in and invite your family and friends as we pray for our Lord’s blessings. Zoom details are
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89320421399?pwd=SUZUdU5sNkp2enI5S3Q2TDhUY1B0Zz09
Meeting ID: 893 2042 1399 Passcode: rosary
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.
BAPTISM FORMATION MEETING
The next Baptism Formation Meeting will be held on Monday, 7th February at 7:00pm in church. No bookings required. Meetings are only held once a month on the first Monday of each month. Attendance at the meeting prior to your child’s baptism is essential. Either one or both parents are required to attend the meeting.
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
CATHOLIC CHARISMATIC RENEWAL MELBOURNE – CCR RENEWAL DAY, SATURDAY 19TH FEBRUARY
1:00pm to 4:30pm. A time of Praise & Worship, Talk, Testimony, Healing Mass, Pray Over and Fellowship. St. Peter’s Young Adults will lead the Praise & Worship. All are invited to attend.
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.
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.
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.
JOURNEY WITH THE POPE
God does not rely only on our talents, but also on our redeemed weakness. The Lord does not take away all our weaknesses, but helps us to walk on with our weaknesses, taking us by the hand. He takes our weaknesses by the hand and places himself by our side.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY ASSISTING REFUGEE STUDENTS
Mercy Connect Melbourne – Mercy Works Ltd. is currently recruiting volunteers to support Refugee Students and Asylum Seekers in Primary and Secondary schools across the Melbourne Archdiocese. Commitment is approx. half a day per week for four school terms. Experience working in an educational setting is preferred but not limited to. Please contact Sr. Mary Lewis RSM for an application form and further information. A Training Day for new volunteers with emphasis on Child Safeguarding will take place prior to commencement. Email: somml@bigpond.com (preferred for contact). Website: www.mercyworks.org.au. Mercy Connect Melbourne Tel: 9326 1895.
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, Eileen Dillon, Sr Cynthia Fernandes, Demitria Ionnidis, Aaron D’Souza, Reno Mallia, Aleyamma Mathew, 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 Kevin Waters, Nina Cassar, Diane Cameron, Baby Emma Winkler, Tony Catania, Charles Francisco 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, Vivienne Gantar, Magda Symons, Leticia Rodriguez and all who are ill in our Parish.
ROSTERS
Counters – 5/6 Feb 22
| Tini & Barry Hope / Toni Alexander |
Readers – 5/6 Feb 22
| 6:00pm | Wilfred D’Cruz |
| 8:30am | Grace Sharman |
| 10:30am | Lute Eliepa |
| 5:00pm | Connie Skinner |
Extraordinary Ministers of Communion – 5/6 Feb 22
| 6:00pm | Sally DiB / J. Tramontana / P. Albuquerque |
| 8:30am | K. Fernandes / M. Nelthropp / C. D’Souza |
| 10:30am | E. Mills / B. Fernandes / V. Firman |
| 5:00pm | G. Siccita / E/ Angeles / A. Koek |
Music Ministry – 5/6 Feb 22
| 6:00pm | Eagles Wings |
| 8:30am | St. Philomena’s Choir |
| 10:30am | Samoan Choir |
| 5:00pm | Filoz |