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4th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2023

DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR JANUARY
PRAYER FOR PEACE & JUSTICE IN UKRAINE

God of peace and justice, who change the hardened heart and break the power of violence, we entrust the people of Ukraine to you.
Protect them in this time of peril; let them know not death but life; not slavery but freedom.
You are Father of all; we are brothers and sisters.
Give us the strength to live that truth in love, choosing peace not war.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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 (Zeph 2:3,3:12-13)
A reading from the prophet Zephaniah.
Seek the Lord all you, the humble of the earth, who obey his commands. Seek integrity, seek humility: you may perhaps find shelter on the day of the anger of the Lord. In your midst I will leave a humble and lowly people, and those who are left in Israel will seek refuge in the name of the Lord. They will do no wrong, will tell no lies; and the perjured tongue will no longer be found in their mouths. But they will be able to graze and rest with no one to disturb them.’
The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
Happy the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!

2nd Reading (1 Cor 1:26-31)
A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinth
Take yourselves, brothers, at the time when you were called: how many of you were wise in the ordinary sense of the word, how many were influential people, or came from noble families? No, it was to shame the wise that God chose what is foolish by human reckoning, and to shame what is strong that he chose what is weak by human reckoning; those whom the world thinks common and contemptible are the ones that God has chosen – those who are nothing at all to show up those who are everything. The human race has nothing to boast about to God, but you, God has made members of Christ Jesus and by God’s doing he has become our wisdom, and our virtue, and our holiness, and our freedom. As scripture says: if anyone wants to boast, let him boast about the Lord.
The Word of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! Rejoice and be glad: your reward will be great in heaven. Alleluia!

Gospel (Mt 5:1-12)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by his disciples. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them: ‘How happy are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Happy the gentle: they shall have the earth for their heritage.Happy those who mourn: they shall be comforted.Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right: they shall be satisfied.Happy the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them.Happy the pure in heart: they shall see God.Happy the peacemakers: they shall be called sons of God.Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right: theirs is the kingdom of heaven.‘Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.’
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 58:7-10;   1 Cor 2:1-5;   Mt 5:13-16

Feasts of the Week
Tue, 31 Jan - St. John Bosco
Thu, 2 Feb - The Presentation of the Lord

PARISH NEWS

WEEKLY PARISH DATES

SUNDAY
9:15am to 10:25am – Sunday School for children attending non-Catholic Schools – Resumes in Feb 2023.
10:30am Mass – Children’s Liturgy held 1st and 3rd Sundays – Resumes in Feb 2023.
After 5:00pm Mass – Youth Group for youth 12 to 17 years on 2nd and 4th Sundays – Resumes in Feb 2023.
6:00pm in Theatrette – Young Adults (SPYA) meet 1st and 3rd Sundays. Resumes in Feb 2023.
MONDAY
Bible Study
sessions will resume in Feb 2023.
TUESDAY
7:00pm -
Online Zoom Rosary - Meeting ID: 893 5477 8556. Passcode: rosary 7:00pm
RCIA Meeting in Theatrette. Contact Francis Thomas 0401787372 or Dario Carreno 0438525148.
WEDNESDAY
7:00pm Mass
followed by Mother of Perpetual Succour Novena.
FIRST 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 2023.
1.30pm to 4:00pm - Healing Mass on 1st Saturday of the month. Next Healing Mass on Saturday 4th February 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 February 2023 at 7:00pm in Church.

THE PIETY STORE has a stock of WORD OF GOD 2023 for $20 and Columban Calendars for $10 for anyone who would like to purchase these items.

EXTENSION TO ST PETER'S SCHOOL BUILDING
Dear parishioners,
Extension work of St Peter's school building has commenced. During this period, there is no access to the basketball court to park your vehicle. Your patience and consideration is appreciated. Thank you.

MONTH'S MIND' MASS - ST PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL
A memorial Mass for the late Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI will be celebrated by Archbishop Peter Comensoli at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Sunday 29th January, at 6.30pm – approximately one month after his death. All are invited to attend.

MASS FOR THE LATE CARDINAL GEORGE PELL
A Mass for the Repose of the Soul of His Eminence Cardinal George Pell AC, seventh Archbishop of Melbourne, will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Friday 3rd February 2023 at 6:30pm by Archbishop Peter Comensoli.

ENROLMENT DAY FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL SACRAMENTAL AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM (for Children attending non-Catholic schools)
Sunday 29th January 9am-11am.
Children attending Sunday School need to re-enrol each year to prepare and receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist or Confirmation, even if your child has been attending Sunday School. A copy of Child’s Baptism certificate needs to be presented. Follow the arrows on the school building to find us, between the hours of 9:00am and 11:00am. Enquiries Phone Bernice 9749-2812.

WORLD YOUTH DAY 2023 – YOUNG ADULTS
St Peters Young Adults (approximately 12) are joining the World Youth Day which will be held in Lisbon, Portugal in August 2023. We will be participating in initiatives of Pope Francis with the goal of nurturing us to become the next generation of Catholic leaders. We are excited to experience this pilgrimage and come back to our community as inspired instruments of evangelization and transformation of the Church. We seek the support of our parishioners through prayer and in various fundraising activities to be launched this year, we humbly ask and would greatly appreciate any donations to help us achieve our goal of reaching $50,000 by July 2023.
Parish Bank account details are as follows:
BSB: 083-347 Account Number: 637286747
Please include your surname and SPYA in the reference eg: “Smith_SPYA”
Please contact Josine Briones on 0402 473 890 for more information and/or if you would like to take part in any of the fundraising activities - SPYA Team.

WORLD YOUTH DAY FEBRUARY 2023 FUNDRAISING The SPYA present to you Valentine’s Day boxes! We invite you all to gift a box to your loved ones. Order these at a minimal cost, and we’ll prepare them for you in time for Valentine’s Day.  Visit our booth in the church hall or order online through the link: https://me-qr.com/Xfl7qyk or simply scan QR Code below.
You can also share this link or QR Code with your family, friends, and colleagues. The deadline for orders is 05 February, so please make sure you sign up, and we’ll take care of the rest! We greatly appreciate your participation in our fundraising events to help us achieve our goal of raising $50,000 by July 2023 - SPYA Team.

READERS AND EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS
As the next Roster from March to May 2023 will include the Easter Ceremonies, please complete the Availability Forms which have been emailed (copies are also available in the Hall) and return them to the Parish Office NO LATER THAN FRIDAY 10TH FEBRUARY 2023. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

!!SAVE THE DATE!!
Lenten Program – “Living the Joy of the Gospel” Parish Lenten Retreat. Saturday 25th February, 10:30am (approx. 5 hours). More details to follow.

ALPHA EXPERIENCE REGISTRATIONS OPEN
After the successful completion of our recent Alpha Experiences, the joint parishes of St James and St Peters are excited to announce the next Alpha Experience starting on Monday 6th February at 7:30pm at The Paulist Centre, St James Church, 336 Derrimut Rd, Hoppers Crossing. Alpha is a great experience with a series of interactive weekly (Monday) sessions that create a safe and honest space where people can explore life, faith and meaning. For enquiries, please call Felix on 0431008563 or Anita on 0411772230 or email hopperscrossingalpha@gmail.com. There are limited places available so please register early by filling in the form at: https://bit.ly/AlphaHC or scan QR Code. There will be a brief presentation on Alpha at Masses over the weekend of 4th / 5th February.  

FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD (also known as CANDLEMAS) – THURSDAY 2ND FEBRUARY, 8:30AM MASS
A special ‘Blessing of Candles’ will be given at the 8:30am Mass on Thursday 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.

LOURDES MASS
You are invited to attend the annual Lourdes Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral,on Saturday, 18th February 2023 at 10. 30am. This is a special occasion to pray for our sick, infirm and elderly and those who care for them. The principal celebrant will be Archbishop Peter Comensoli. Everybody attending will receive a gift pack containing water from the grotto at Lourdes, rosary beads and prayer resources.

RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Ben D’Rozario, Daisy Irani, Bienvenido Angeles Jr, Loreto Miranda Villaflor Sr, Bella Demonte, Wilfred Fernandes, Ganna Dingli, Fr Tao Pham, Lourdes Rodrigues, Reynaldo Cruz Jr., Colin Bartlett, Gabriela Staniszewski, Nolan Malunes, Eliyamma Vayalil, Carmelita Manlapaz, Cardinal George Pell, Regina Lopez, Yvonne Caruana, Restituto Mamerto, Pacing Villanueva, Leticia Tablante, Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, all who have died due to COVID-19 and all who have passed away recently.  

DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Kevin Waters, Anton Van Tau, Ginse Nguyen, Vera Bayer, Gerardo Almonacid, Cathy Duggan, Tony Catania, Eugene Kopecky,  Fraternidad Austria, Emma Winkler and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.  

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
We pray for Sean Donaldson, Wilfredo Villareal, Helen Kelly, Gordon Newman, Thais Long, Vincent Margaret, Dale D’Souza, Franklin Quintanilla, Jean Cameron, Arturo Bacani, Vivienne Gantar, Magda Symons, Malia Kautai, Lindsay Coates, Violet Lawrence, Robert Martinez, Charlotte D’Souza, Tae Yoon Jim, Jeffrey Dalton, Maureen Wilson, Clint D’Souza, Sandra Farrelly, P P Davies, Joaquin Romero, Annette O’Brien, Ronnie & Ramon Dayao, Cecilia Lazum Htu Bu, Alster Firth, Gayle Ryan, Robert Martinez, Fred Calvin and all who are ill in our Parish.  

ROSTERS

Counters – 5 Feb 23

Bill Coghlan / Paul Mulquiney

Roster for Readers – 4/5 Feb 23

  6:00pm Francis Thomas
  8:30am Kitty Stuttard
10:30am Maria Naufahu
  5:00pm Catherine Graham

Extraordinary Ministers of Communion – 4/5 Feb 23

6:00pm Bernice S. / G. Linning / G. Aldcroft / Volunteer
8:30am G. Sharman / Karen F. / C. D’Souza / S. Joseph
10:30am D Dalton / B Fernandes / G Schembri / Florence A.
5:00pm A. Koek / E. Angeles / C. Skinner / M. Marip

Music Ministry –4/5 Feb 23

  6:00pm Eagles Wings
  8:30am St. Philomena
10:30am Volunteer
  5:00pm Filoz