DEVOTIONAL PRAYER FOR MARCH
Prayer to St. Joseph
Glorious St. Joseph, faithful guardian of Jesus Christ, to you we raise our hearts and hands to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Heart of Jesus, all the help and graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death and the special favour we now implore (name your request). Guardian of the word Incarnate and Chaste Spouse of the Virgin Mary, we are animated with confidence that your prayers on our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. 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 (1 Sam 16:1,6-7,10-13)
A reading from the prophet Samuel.
The Lord said to Samuel, ‘Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen myself a king among his sons.’ When Samuel arrived, he caught sight of Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed one stands there before him,’ but the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Take no notice of his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him: God does not see as man sees: man looks at appearances but the Lord looks at the heart.’ Jesse presented his seven sons to Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, ‘The Lord has not chosen these.’ He then asked Jesse, ‘Are these all the sons you have?’ He answered, ‘There is still one left, the youngest; he is out looking after the sheep.’ Then Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send for him; we will not sit down to eat until he comes.’ Jesse had him sent for, a boy of fresh complexion, with fine eyes and pleasant bearing. The Lord said, ‘Come, anoint him, for this is the one.’ At this, Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him where he stood with his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord seized on David and stayed with him from that day on.
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
2nd Reading (Eph 5:8-14)
A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians.
You were darkness once, but now you are light in the Lord; be like children of light, for the effects of the light are seen in complete goodness and right living and truth. Try to discover what the Lord wants of you, having nothing to do with the futile works of darkness but exposing them by contrast. The things which are done in secret are things that people are ashamed even to speak of; but anything exposed by the light will be illuminated and anything illuminated turns into light. That is why it is said: Wake up from your sleep, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. The Word of the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
Glory to you, Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ! I am the light of the world, says the Lord: whoever follows me will have the light of life.Glory to you, Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ!
Gospel (Jn 9:1-41)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
As Jesus went along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. He spat on the ground, made a paste with the spittle, put this over the eyes of the blind man, and said to him, ‘Go and wash in the Pool of Siloam’ (a name that means ‘sent’). So the blind man went off and washed himself, and came away with his sight restored. His neighbours and people who earlier had seen him begging said, ‘Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?’ Some said, ‘Yes, it is the same one.’ Others said, ‘No, he only looks like him.’ The man himself said, ‘I am the man.’ They brought the man who had been blind to the Pharisees. It had been a Sabbath day when Jesus made the paste and opened the man’s eyes, so when the Pharisees asked him how he had come to see, he said, ‘He put a paste on my eyes, and I washed, and I can see.’ Then some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man cannot be from God: he does not keep the Sabbath.’ Others said, ‘How could a sinner produce signs like this?’ And there was disagreement among them. So they spoke to the blind man again, ‘What have you to say about him yourself, now that he has opened your eyes?’ ‘He is a prophet’ replied the man. ‘Are you trying to teach us,’ they replied ‘and you a sinner through and through, since you were born!’ And they drove him away. Jesus heard they had driven him away, and when he found him he said to him, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’ ‘Sir,’ the man replied ‘tell me who he is so that I may believe in him.’ Jesus said, ‘You are looking at him; he is speaking to you.’ The man said, ‘Lord, I believe’, and worshipped him. Jesus said: ‘It is for judgement that I have come into this world, so that those without sight may see and those with sight turn blind.’ Hearing this, some Pharisees who were present said to him, ‘We are not blind, surely?’ Jesus replied: ‘Blind? If you were, you would not be guilty, but since you say, “We see,” your guilt remains.’
The Gospel of the Lord.
Communion Antiphon
The Lord anointed my eyes: I went, I washed, I saw and I believed in God.
Next Week’s Readings
Ezek 37:12-14; Rom 8:8-11; Jn 11:1-45
Feasts of the Week
Mon, 20 Mar - St. Joseph
Sat, 25 Mar - The Annunciation of the Lord
PARISH NEWS
WEEKLY PARISH DATES
| SUNDAY 9:15am to 10:25am – Sunday School for children attending non-Catholic Schools. 10:30am Mass – Children’s Liturgy held 1st and 3rd Sundays. After 5:00pm Mass – Youth Group for youth 12 to 17 years on 2nd and 4th Sundays. 6:00pm in Theatrette – Young Adults (SPYA) meet 1st and 3rd Sundays. |
| MONDAY 7:00pm to 8:15pm - Bible Study sessions. 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. 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. 1.30pm to 4:00pm - Healing Mass on 1st Saturday of the month. Next Healing Mass on Saturday 1st April 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 3rd April 2023 at 7:00pm in Church. |
NO 8:30AM MASS TUESDAY 21ST MARCH & WEDNESDAY 22ND MARCH
Due to maintenance in the church, there will be no 8:30am Mass on Tuesday 21st March and Wednesday 22nd March mornings. Wednesday evening Confession at 6:30pm and evening Mass at 7:00pm will be held as usual, followed by Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
WELCOME TO OUR NEWLY BAPTISED
We welcome into our Church community Lucia Debono and Sophie Padoin who are to be baptised this weekend. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the love of Parents, Godparents, family and friends, we pray that these children will lead lives full of happiness, faith and love.
NIGHT FEVER 24TH MARCH, 6:00PM TO MIDNIGHT
Sacred Heart Church, Rathdowne St & Pelham St, Carlton
Archbishop Peter A Comensoli has called for a weekend of prayer throughout the whole Archdiocese on Friday 24 to Sunday 26 March 2023. Fiat – A Weekend of Prayer coincides with the Feast of the Annunciation and will begin Sacred Heart Church, Carlton. Join young people as they gather from across the Archdiocese for a night of prayer, praise, and intercession.
As part of Fiat, our parish will hold an afternoon of prayer to be conducted by our St Peter’s Charismatic Prayer Group on Saturday 25th March from 2:30pm to 4:00pm. This will include Adoration, Benediction and Lectio Divina with the theme of the Annunciation conducted by Fr. Vincent.
LENTEN SERVICES IN OUR PARISH
- STATIONS OF THE CROSS held at 7:00pm every Friday during Lent followed by Mass.
- PARISH LENT REFLECTION WITH MARIA FORDE – SAT 18TH MARCH 7:15PM TO 8:30PM IN OUR CHURCH
Maria Forde is a singer, songwriter, teacher and spiritual director working with Catholic Education. Please join us on this special evening of music, scripture, prayer and conversation with Maria as we prepare for the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus.
- LENT RITE I RECONCILIATIONS – THURSDAY 30TH MARCH 7:00PM
Please join us for our Lenten Reconciliations on Thursday 30th March at 7:00pm. Multiple priests will be available to hear confessions. This is a great opportunity to prepare ourselves for the celebration of the Paschal Mystery. All invited.
BLESSING FOR ALL PREGNANT MOTHERS AND THEIR UNBORN BABIES - WEEKEND OF 25/26 MARCH
To mark the Feast of the Annunciation celebrated on Sat 25th March, Father will give a special blessing to all pregnant mothers and their unborn babies at the conclusion of all Masses on the weekend of 25/26 March.
PROJECT COMPASSION
Please take home a Project Compassion box or a set of donation envelopes to support Caritas Australia this Lenten season and help support vulnerable people around the world, now and For All Future Generations. You can donate through Project Compassion donation boxes and envelopes available from your parish, by visiting caritas.org.au/project-compassion, or call 1800 024 413.
MASS OF THE HOLY OILS (CHRISM M1ASS) - SAT 1ST APRIL 10:00AM, ST. PATRICK'S CATHERDRAL (9:00AM MASS AT OUR PARISH CANCELLED) All are invited to attend this special Mass celebrated by Archbishop Peter Comensoli and concelebrated with Priests and Deacons from the Archdiocese. At this Mass, the Oil of the Sick, the Oils of Catechumens and the Chrism are blessed. This Mass manifests the communion of the Priests with their Bishop in a leadership of service. Kindly note that due to the timing of this Chrism Mass the usual Saturday morning Mass at 9:00am will be cancelled.
SCHOOL OF DISCIPLESHIP – 2023
The 2023 session of the School of Discipleship will commence from Sunday 23 April at 6:15 pm at St Peter’s Community Centre. This is a faith outreach program aimed to teach members more about our Catholic faith with three purposes – to learn it, live it and share it. The school has been successfully running for the last 7 consecutive years in Hoppers Crossing and members have testified to growing both spiritually and personally. All are welcome to join. Enquiries please call Anita Dsouza on 0411 77 2320 or pick up a brochure from the Narthex. There are limits seats. Please register at https://bit.ly/3EFg96N There will be a brief presentation on the School during weekend masses on March 18/19.
THOMAS CARR COLLEGE OPEN DAY Sunday 19 March 2023, 10:30am to 2:00pm. Register at thomascarr.vic.edu.au.
100 YEARS OF CORPUS CHRISTI COLLEGE
On Sunday 19 March, Corpus Christi College, the regional seminary of Victoria and Tasmania, will celebrate an important milestone, marking a hundred years of forming and training priests to serve the people of God in Victoria, Tasmania and beyond. We take a look at the history of the College and some of its most precious historical treasures, currently being displayed as part of the 'Treasures of the Mannix Library' exhibition. More information at 100 years of Corpus Christi College
LENTEN/EASTER TIMETABLE
| RECONCILIATION RITE I Thursday, 30 March, 7:00pm in Church |
| PALM SUNDAY, 1/2 APRIL Saturday 1 April - NO MORNING 9:00AM MASS Saturday 1 April - Normal 6:00pm Vigil Mass Sunday 2 April - Normal Weekend Masses at 8:30am, 10:30am, 5:00pm |
| HOLY THURSDAY, 6 APRIL 7:30pm – Mass of the Lord’s Supper including Washing of the Feet and Vigil until 11:00pm NO 8:30AM MORNING MASS |
| GOOD FRIDAY, 7 APRIL 10:00am – Stations of the Cross 3:00pm – Celebration of the Lord’s Passion followed by Divine Mercy Novena |
| HOLY SATURDAY, 8 APRIL 8:30am to 9:30am Confessions NO 9:00AM MORNING MASS 7:30pm – Easter Vigil Mass |
| EASTER SUNDAY, 9 APRIL 8:30am & 10:30am Masses N0 5:00PM MASS |
| DIVINE MERCY NOVENA TIMETABLE |
| Good Friday, 7 April – After 3:00pm Service Holy Saturday, 8 April – 7:10pm (before Easter Vigil Mass) Sunday 9 April – 8:10am (before 8:30am Mass) Monday 10 April to Friday 14 April – After 8:30am Mass Saturday 15 April – After 9:00am Mass |
| DIVINE MERCY FEAST, SUNDAY, 16 APRIL 8:30am, 10:30am 5:00pm – Normal Sunday Masses 2:00pm – Exposition, Adoration, Confession 3:00pm – Divine Mercy Chaplet followed by Mass |
| CONFESSIONS Every Saturday – After 9:00am Mass (except Sat 1st April) Every Wednesday – 6:30pm Holy Saturday – 8:30am to 9:30am |
RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Paul Nguyen, Natividad Jiminez, Arul Raj, Elizabeth Egan, David McClure, Thresiamma Paluvelil, John Allen, Tony Arrigo, Elvina D’Souza, Lily Soares, Robert Balan, Roy Madeloso, Nucia Feraro, Elizabeth Angeles, Restituto Mamerto, Trevor D'Souza, Ivor Fernandes, Arturo Bacani, Carmelita McLean, Emanuel Martinelli, Muriel Rodrigo, Ben D’Rozario, Daisy Irani, and all who have died in the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Kevin Hynes, Geoff Dalton, Julianna Toncic, Maureen Lawrence, George Mangion, Elaine Pountney, Francis Goonting, Anthony Henriques 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, Franklin Quintanilla, Jean Cameron, Vivienne Gantar, Magda Symons, Lindsay Coates, Violet Lawrence, Tae Yoon Jim, Jeffrey Dalton, Maureen Wilson, Sandra Farrelly, Joaquin Romero, Annette O’Brien, Cecilia Lazum Htu Bu, Alster Firth, Gayle Ryan, Robert Martinez, Nina Costa, Johnny Gregory, Draga Ve Kic, Melvin Ramshaw, Dale D’Souza, Jean Barry, Nhuong Nguyen and all who are ill in our Parish.
ROSTERS
| John Allen / Jules & Neeta Pereira |
Roster for Readers – 25/26 Mar 23
| 6:00pm | Jeffrey Poppen |
| 8:30am | KSC Reader |
| 10:30am | Rosemary Hibbert |
| 5:00pm | Iris Simangan |
Extraordinary Ministers of Communion – 25/26 Mar 23
| 6:00pm | Sharon A. / Sophia D’S / / Josie T. / Volunteer |
| 8:30am | KSC Minister /R. Johnson / K. English / P Fitzgerald |
| 10:30am | G. Siccita / G. Schembri / D. Dalton / B. Fernandes |
| 5:00pm | S. Simangan / A. Koek / E. Angeles / C. Skinner |
| 6:00pm | St. Cecilia |
| 8:30am | St. Philomena |
| 10:30am | Domini Chorum |
| 5:00pm | KNK |