DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR JANUARY
Australia Day Prayer
We bless you, God of the universe, for this land,
For its contrasts of landscape and climate,
For its abundance of wealth and opportunity.
We bless you for our history, with all its struggle in adversity,
Its courage and hope.
Give us in our diversity tolerance and respect for each other
And a passionate commitment to justice for all.
Bless us so that we might be a blessing to others.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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 (Is 8:23-9:3)
A reading from the prophet Isaiah.
In days past the Lord humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in days to come he will confer glory on the Way of the Sea on the far side of Jordan, province of the nations. The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light; on those who live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone. You have made their gladness greater, you have made their joy increase; they rejoice in your presence as men rejoice at harvest time, as men are happy when they are dividing the spoils. For the yoke that was weighing on him, the bar across his shoulders, the rod of his oppressor, these you break as on the day of Midian. The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
2nd Reading (1 Cor 1:10-13, 17)
A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.
I appeal to you, brothers, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Chirst, to make up the differences between you, and instead of disagreeing among yourselves, to be united again in your belief and practice. From what Chloe’s people have been telling me, my dear brothers, it is clear that there are serious differences among you. What I mean are all these slogans that you have, like: ‘I am for Paul’, ‘I am for Apollos’, ‘I am for Cephas’, ‘I am for Christ’. Has Christ been parcelled out? Was it Paul that was crucified for you? Were you baptised in the name of Paul? For Christ did not send me to baptise, but to preach the Good News, and not to preach that in the terms of philosophy in which the crucifixion of Christ cannot be expressed.
The Word of the Lord
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia. Jesus preached the Good News of the kingdom, and healed all who were sick. Alleluia!
Gospel (Mt 4:12-23)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.
Hearing that John had been arrested Jesus went back to Galilee, and leaving Nazareth he went and settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. In this way the prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali! Way of the sea on the far side of Jordan, Galilee of the nations! The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light; on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death a light has dawned. From that moment Jesus began his preaching with the message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’ As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew; they were making a cast in the lake with their net, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.’ And they left their nets at once and followed him. Going on from there he saw another pair of brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they were in their boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. At once, leaving the boat and their father, they followed him. He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Communion Antiphon
Look toward the Lord and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed.
Next Week’s Readings
Zeph 2:3; 3:12-13; 1 Cor 1:26-31; Mt 5:1-12
Feasts of the Week
Tue, 24 Jan - St. Francis de Sales
Wed, 25 Jan - Conversion of St. Paul
Australia Day - Thu, 26 Jan
Sat, 28 Jan - St. Thomas Aquinas
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. |
| BAPTISMS 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, you are requested to exercise CAUTION while accessing the basketball court to park your vehicle. Please be cautious and prudent as there will be only ONE Point of Entry and Exit for vehicles. Your patience and consideration for other drivers is appreciated. Thank you.
AUSTRALIA DAY THURSDAY 26TH JANUARY
Australia Day Service and singing of National Anthem at 8:30am Mass
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.
ENROLMENT DAY FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL SACRAMENTAL AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM (for Children attending non-Catholic schools) is on 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.
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.
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.
FEAST OF STO NINO (INFANT JESUS)
All are invited to join in the celebration of the Feast of Sto Nino on 22 January 2023 from 11.30am at our parish. Procession starts at 11.45am to be followed by Mass at 12 noon.
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.
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.
RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for 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, Julian Villanueva, Kevin Suares, Bernard Cassin, Angelo Pace, Job Sungoh, Dolores Pineda, Ellen Everett, all who have died due to COVID-19 and all who have passed away recently.
DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Jean Norman, Stan Walkden, Phyllis Mills, John Alexander, Cathy Duggan, Bob Keech, Maria Hoa, Aaron D’Souza, Omar Sulong, Hosie D’Souza, Nancy Fonseca 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, and all who are ill in our Parish.
ROSTERS
| Lerna Vasquez/Teresita Grisancich/Luzviminda De La Cruz |
Roster for Readers – 28/29 Jan 23
| 6:00pm | Adele Vesty |
| 8:30am | Sandra Graham |
| 10:30am | Meresiana Peters |
| 5:00pm | Iris Simangan |
Extraordinary Ministers of Communion – 28/29 Jan 23
| 6:00pm | B. Fernandes/K. Lan Pham/S. D’Souza/M. Maple |
| 8:30am | R. Albuquerque / N&N Gooneratne / S. Vaz |
| 10:30am | C. Peters / A. Koek / E. Mills / G. Siccita |
| 5:00pm | S. Simangan / E. Angeles / 2 X Volunteers |
Music Ministry –28/29 Jan 23
| 6:00pm | Volunteer |
| 8:30am | Volunteer |
| 10:30am | Volunteer |
| 5:00pm | Volunteer |