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
Jer 31:31-34; Heb 5:7-9; Jn 12:20-33
PARISH NEWS
WEEKLY PARISH DATES
| SUNDAY 10:30am Mass – Children’s Liturgy held 1st and 3rd Sundays - Resumes February 2024. After 5:00pm Mass in Hall – Youth Group for youth 12 to 17 years on 2nd and 4th Sundays. Resumes 11th February 2024. 6:00pm in Theatrette – Young Adults (SPYA) meeting. |
| MONDAY NO Bible Study Monday, 11th March. |
| TUESDAY 7:00pm - Online Zoom Rosary - Meeting ID: 893 5477 8556. Passcode: rosary7:00pm. 7:00pm - RCIA Meeting in Theatrette/zoom. 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 - Resumes February 2024. 1.30pm to 4:00pm - Healing Mass on 1st Saturday of the month. Next Healing Mass on Saturday 6th April 2024. |
| 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 8th April 2024 at 7:00pm in Church. |
REFRESHER TRAINING FOR EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF COMMUNION
Reminder to all Ministers, compulsory refresher training session on Saturday 16th March at 9:30am in Church. RSVP to the office at hopperscrossing@cam.org.au
BAPTISMAL RENEWAL MASS – SUNDAY 10TH MARCH 10:30AM MASS
On behalf of Fr Vincent, Fr Simeon and our parish community, we warmly welcome the children baptised in our parish during 2023 and their families for this special Baptismal Renewal Mass on Sunday 10th March at the 10.30am Mass. We specially pray for these children and their parents.
SUNDAY SCHOOL SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN ATTENDING NON-CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Begins Sunday 17th March from 9:15am to 10:15am. Enquiries, please email Sharon: snaps0910@gmail.com.
PREP 2025 INFORMATION NIGHT AT ST PETER APOSTLE PRIMARY SCHOOL
Monday 25 March 2024 at 7pm. Please register your attendance by scanning the QR code. Enrolments now open. Enquiries phone 9749 1055 or email office@stpeterahc.catholic.edu.au
YOUTH ENCOUNTER EVENING
Sunday 24th March 2024, 5:00pm to 8:00pm. You are invited to join us for an unforgettable evening for high school students at our parish to encounter Jesus Christ with prayer, fellowship, food, and fun, starting with Mass at 5:00pm. Bring along your friends to join us. Register via QR code.
ALPHA FOR YOUNG ADULTS AGED 18 TO 35!
Are you ready to explore life's big questions in a welcoming and supportive environment? Join us for our Alpha program starting Sunday April 14th, 2024 at 6pm in the Community Centre. This is your chance to connect, discuss, and grow in faith alongside peers who are navigating similar journeys. Whether you're seeking answers, community, or simply a place to belong, Alpha is for YOU! Come as you are and embark on a transformative journey together. All young adults are welcome! Come meet the Young Adults team after weekend masses on 16/17 March and join us for a SAUSAGE SIZZLE.
TAKE THE WAY OF THE GOSPEL – TWG
The presentation of ‘Take the Way of The Gospel’ last weekend was received well by our parishioners and an encouraging interest in the ‘Mission Work’ has been generated across the parish. As explained, next week we will be sending the questionnaire to the Ministry leaders for completion. Please direct any queries to the parish office or to our POCs, Paul Fitzgerald - 0417355186, Marcela Blanco - 0425857770 and David Roga - 0407857759. Thank you and God Bless.
MASS OF THE HOLY OILS (CHRISM MASS) WED 20TH MARCH 10:30AM, AT ST. PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL
All are invited to attend this special Mass celebrated by Archbishop Peter Comensoli and concelebrated with Priests and Deacons from the Archdiocese. The Holy Oils are blessed at this Mass. This Mass manifests the communion of the Priests with their Bishop in a leadership of service.
LENTEN SERVICES IN OUR PARISH
- STATIONS OF THE CROSS held at 7:00pm every Friday during Lent followed by Mass.
- LENTEN PILGRIMAGE – TA PINU, 9TH MARCH -Come and join us in our yearly Lenten pilgrimage at Ta Pinu to pray and reflect on Jesus’ passion and death. Saturday 9th March 2024 at Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu Shrine, 15 Flanagan Dr., Merrimu Vic 3340. Program starts at 10:30am with the 14 Stations of the Cross followed by Mass at 12:00pm. Shared Fellowship at Ta Pinu after Mass – BYO lunch to share.
- LENT ANOINTING FOR HEALING MASS, TUES 12TH MARCH 11:00AM FOLLOWED BY LIGHT LUNCH -Everyone, especially the sick and elderly, are invited to attend our Anointing for Healing Mass on Tuesday 12th March at 11:00am. Following Mass, a light luncheon will be served in the hall, hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary. All are welcome. If you are aware of anyone who wishes to be anointed but is too ill to attend this Mass, kindly ask them to contact the Parish Office and Father will visit them at home at a suitable time. (PLEASE NOTE THAT THE 8:30AM MASS IS CANCELLED ON THIS DAY - TUESDAY 12TH MARCH.
IMPORTANT LENTEN INFORMATION
(For more detailed information, please check the flyer on the notice board in the hall).
Ash Wednesday & Good Friday are days of Fasting and Abstinence from meat.
- All who have completed their 18th year and have not yet begun their 60th year are bound to fast. All who have completed their 14th year are bound to abstain.
- Each of the faithful is obliged to receive Holy Communion at least once a year. This must be fulfilled between Ash Wednesday 14 Feb 24 and Trinity Sunday 26 May 24 unless for a good reason it is fulfilled at another time during the year.
- The wonderful gift of the Lord’s merciful love is offered in a special way in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Lent is a most appropriate time to receive this Sacrament. All the faithful who have reached the age of discretion are bound faithfully to confess their grave sins at least once a year.
LENTEN/EASTER TIMETABLE
| MERCY MELBOURNE RECONCILIATION RITE I Tuesday, 19 March, 6:00pm to 8:30pm in Church |
| PALM SUNDAY, 23/24 MARCH Normal Weekend Masses |
| HOLY THURSDAY, 28 MARCH (NO Morning Mass) 7:30pm – Mass of the Lord’s Supper including Washing of the Feet and Vigil until 11:00pm |
| GOOD FRIDAY, 29 MARCH 10:00am – Stations of the Cross 3:00pm – Celebration of the Lord’s Passion followed by Divine Mercy Novena |
| HOLY SATURDAY, 30 MARCH (NO Morning Mass) 8:30am to 9:30am Confessions 7:30pm – Easter Vigil Mass |
| EASTER SUNDAY, 31 MARCH 8:30am & 10:30am Masses 1:15PM – Spanish Mass |
| N0 5:00PM MASS ON EASTER SUNDAY |
| DIVINE MERCY NOVENA TIMETABLE |
| Good Friday, 29 March – After 3:00pm Service Holy Saturday, 30 March – 7:00pm (before Easter Vigil Mass) Sunday 31 March – 8:00am (before 8:30am Mass) Monday 1 April, Tuesday 2 April – 9:00am Wednesday 3 April – 6:45pm Thursday 4 April, Friday 5 April – 9:00am Saturday 6 April – 9:30am |
| DIVINE MERCY FEAST, SUNDAY, 7 APRIL |
| 8:30am, 10:30am, 5:00pm – Normal Sunday Masses 2:00pm – Exposition, Adoration, Confession/Chaplet 3:00pm – Mass, Celebrant: Fr Cameron Forbes, Rector, Corpus Christi College |
| CONFESSIONS |
| Every Saturday – After 9:00am Mass Every Wednesday – 6:30pm Holy Saturday 30 March – 8:30am to 9:30am |
RECENTLY DECEASED
We pray for Denis Dupont, Sr Maryann McDonald, Crispina Malveda, Ramon Murillo, Lewis Pointu, Debbie Wilks, Roldan Asis, Fr Anthony Kelly CSsR, Hazel D’Rozario, Lucy D’Souza, Gracias D’Souza, Pablo Santiago, Dorothy Martin, Samia Nassif, Nitin D’Souza, Grace Peiris, Daniel Rattan, Athanasius Rajapaksa, Paul Cutajar, Teresa Lopez, Cecilia Almeida, Loreto Clemente, Nen Thi Nguyen Maristela, Joseph Maitem, Felicia Fernandes, Arnelo Del Mundo, and all who have died in disasters all over the world.
DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
We pray for Bibiano Penaflor, Felizardo Dimanlig, Maria Carreon, Alex D’Souza, Vincent Dsouza, Victor Pereira, Virginia Jewers, Desmond Conns, Erick Menjivar, George Mangion, Josephine Catania, Grace Sta. Cruz, John & Gertrude Briscoe, and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.
PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
We pray for Violet Lawrence, Jeffrey Dalton, Sean Donaldson, Dale D’Souza, Stephen Beaton, John O’Regan, Mavis D’Cruz, Edna Sanchez, Elizabeth de Guzman, Ernesto Sigismondi, Lito Alinea, Segundo Becerra, Sibrina Anthony, Sasha Noronha, Michelle Clayburn, Errol Davis, Lillian Pinnela, Corazon Madrazo and all who are ill in our Parish.
ROSTERS
Money Counters – 17 Mar 24
| Lerna Vasquez / Teresita Grisancich / Luzviminda De La Cruz |
Roster for Readers – 16/17 Mar 24
| 6:00pm | Sharon Albuquerque |
| 8:30am | Rosemary Hibbert |
| 10:30am | Savita D’Souza |
| 5:00pm | Dominic Hankins |
Roster for Extraordinary Ministers of Communion - 16/17 Mar 24
| 6:00pm | Sophie D / Praful A. / K. Pham / S. Joseph |
| 8:30am | Karen F. / C. D’Souza / Romayne A / Pauline S. |
| 10:30am | S. Delos Reyes / G. Schembri / A. Koek / Volunteer |
| 5:00pm | E. Angeles / 3 X Volunteers |
Music Ministry – 16/17 Mar 24
| 6:00pm | Mater Dolorosa |
| 8:30am | St. Philomena |
| 10:30am | Filoz |
| 5:00pm | KNK |