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
Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast.
1st Reading (2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23)
A reading from the second book of Chronicles.
All the heads of the priesthood, and the people too, added infidelity to infidelity, copying all the shameful practices of the nations and defiling the Temple that the Lord had consecrated for himself in Jerusalem. The Lord, the God of their ancestors, tirelessly sent them messenger after messenger, since he wished to spare his people and his house. But they ridiculed the messengers of God, they despised his words, they laughed at his prophets, until at last the wrath of the Lord rose so high against his people that there was no further remedy. Their enemies burned down the Temple of God, demolished the walls of Jerusalem, set fire to all its palaces, and destroyed everything of value in it. The survivors were deported by Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon; they were to serve him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power. This is how the word of the Lord was fulfilled that he spoke through Jeremiah, ‘Until this land has enjoyed its sabbath rest, until seventy years have gone by, it will keep sabbath throughout the days of its desolation.’ And in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfil the word of the Lord that was spoken through Jeremiah, the Lord roused the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to issue a proclamation and to have it publicly displayed throughout his kingdom: ‘Thus speaks Cyrus king of Persia, “the Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth; he has ordered me to build him a Temple in Jerusalem, in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all his people, may his God be with him! Let him go up.”’
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!
2nd Reading (Eph 2:4-10)
A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians.
God loved us with so much love that he was generous with his mercy: when we were dead through our sins, he brought us to life with Christ – it is through grace that you have been saved – and raised us up with him and gave us a place with him in heaven, in Christ Jesus. This was to show for all ages to come, through his goodness towards us in Christ Jesus, how infinitely rich he is in grace. Because it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith; not by anything of your own, but by a gift from God; not by anything that you have done, so that nobody can claim the credit. We are God’s work of art, created in Christ Jesus to live the good life as from the beginning he had meant us to live it.
The Word of the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
God loved the world so much, he gave us his only Son, that all who believe in him might have eternal life.
Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
Gospel (Jn 3:14-21)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. John.
Jesus said to Nicodemus: ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life. For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved. No one who believes in him will be condemned; but whoever refuses to believe is condemned already, because he has refused to believe in the name of God’s only Son. On these grounds is sentence pronounced: that though the light has come into the world men have shown they prefer darkness to the light because their deeds were evil. And indeed, everybody who does wrong hates the light and avoids it, for fear his actions should be exposed; but the man who lives by the truth comes out into the light, so that it may be plainly seen that what he does is done in God.’
The Gospel of the Lord.
Communion Antiphon
Jerusalem is built as a city bonded as one together. It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, to praise the name of the Lord.
Next Week’s Readings
Wed, 17 Mar - St. Patrick
Fri, 19 Mar - St. Joseph (Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
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 every week. 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 |
7:00pm Mass followed by Mother of Perpetual Succour Novena. 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. |
WELCOME TO OUR NEWLY BAPTISED
We welcome into our Church Zai Mung Du Labu who is to be baptised this weekend. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the love of Parents, Godparents, family and friends, we pray that Zai will lead a life full of happiness, faith and love.
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.
- Registration for weekend Masses via Try Booking link https://www.trybooking.com/BNKFG. Bookings open on Monday and close on Friday prior to the weekend. If you do not have a mobile phone or are unable to use the QR Code we request you to call the parish office on 9749 4300 to make a booking. If you have a mobile phone, you can register your attendance upon arrival using the QR code. (Kindly 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.
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.
FIRST RECONCILIATIONS
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.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS AT TA’PINU
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 1:15pm. See you there!
BLESSING FOR ALL PREGNANT MOTHERS AND THEIR UNBORN BABIES – WEEKEND OF 20/21 MARCH
To mark the Feast of the Annunciation celebrated on Thursday 25th March, Father will give a special blessing for all pregnant mothers and their unborn babies at the conclusion of all Masses on the weekend of 20/21 March.
RITE I RECONCILIATION THURSDAY 25TH MARCH, 7:00PM AT ST. PETER’S PARISH
Please join us for our Lent Rite I Reconciliation on Thursday 25th March at 7:00pm. This is a great way to prepare ourselves this Lenten season for the celebration of Easter. Multiple Priests will be available to hear confession on the night. All welcome.
PALM/PASSION SUNDAY – 27/28 MARCH
On this day the Church celebrates Christ's entrance into Jerusalem to accomplish His paschal mystery. Palms will be available and blessed at all weekend Mass.
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.
THOMAS CARR COLLEGE Open Day, Sunday, 21 March, 10:00am to 2:00pm. Register at 8734 2444 or email registrar@thomascarr.vic.edu.au. A student leader from the College will speak at all Masses this weekend to promote the Open Day.
2021 LENTEN RETREAT, ST. ANDREWS, WERRIBEE
10:00am to 6:00pm.
Parish Youth & Young Adults Retreat, 13th March.
Parish Retreat, 20th March.
At Penola Hub, 33 Mortimer St., Werribee. Bookings Essential. Call 9741 4144 or email Werribee@cam.org.au.
PATRIS CORDE: WITH A FATHER’S HEART
Last year to mark the 150th anniversary of St Joseph being named as Patron of the Universal Church, Pope Francis announced the Church would celebrate a Year of St Joseph, from 8 Dec 2020 – 8 Dec 2021. To begin the Year, the Holy Father published an apostolic letter Patris Corde ('With a Father's Heart'), sharing his personal reflections on St Joseph. Throughout the Year and in reading the letter, we are encouraged to grow in our love for St Joseph, implore his intercession and imitate his virtues and zeal. As Pope Francis says, we can discover in St Joseph an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble. Read the letter at https://melbournecatholic.org/news/patris-corde-with-a-fathers-heart
2021 PATRICK ORATION
On the feast of St Patrick, patron saint of the Archdiocese of Melbourne, Archbishop Peter Comensoli will deliver the 2021 Patrick Oration. At the last Patrick Oration two years ago, the Archbishop proposed a framework on how the Church in Melbourne might forge a way ahead. The proposal was to move away from the institutional centre and relocate the Church among what he called 'local neighbourhoods of grace', where the seeds of the Gospel could be nurtured among people 'who strive to live lives according to the way of Jesus Christ.' In doing so, Archbishop Comensoli encouraged locals to draw inspiration from St Patrick's own experience. The 2021 Patrick Oration to be held on Wed 17 March begins at 7:30pm and can be viewed on channel C31 (channel 44 on digital TV) and via YouTube at 7:30pm.
RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Mick Gastin, Faye McNerney, Gilbert Norris, Mitran Nettur, Mickey Lyngdoh, Annamma Baby, Eulalia Rulona, Zaren Acquilina, Ludger Fernando, Fouad Orfaly, Andres Lucio, Oscar Cruz, Baby Theo Stone, Eduardo Leal Mateo, Gliceria Tacata, Milton D’Souza, Margaretha Widdicombe, Sheila Augustine, all who have died due to COVID-19 and all who have passed away recently.
DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Vincent D’souza, Victor Pereira, George Mangion, Desmond Conns, Maria Thom, Edna & Clarence Marshall, Emily & Sandra Marshall, John & Gertrude Briscoe 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 Norris, Shirley Linehan, James D’Silva, Jack Davies, William Franklin, Mila Africano, Albert Wankhar and all who are ill in our Parish.
ROSTERS
Counters – 21 Mar 2021
| L. Vasquez / T. Grisancich / L. De La Cruz |
Readers – 20/21 Mar 2021
| 6:00pm | Wilfred D’Cruz |
| 8:30am | Grace Sharman |
| 10:30am | Rosemary Hibbert |
| 5:00pm | Youth Mass |
Extraordinary Ministers of Communion - 20/21 Mar 2021 (2 or 3 Required)
| 6:00pm | D. Fernandez / P&S Albuquerque |
| 8:30am | S. Joseph / D&J Roga |
| 10:30am | L. Ortega / S. Delos Reyos / J. Quinless |
| 5:00pm | Youth Mass |
Music Ministry – 20/21 Mar 2021
| 6:00pm | Footsteps |
| 8:30am | St. Philomena Choir |
| 10:30am | FilOz |
| 5:00pm | Youth Mass |